gls, a few years ago we did like rred did and had two overhead racks installed in the garage. They are really great and that is where our holiday tubs/hurricane supply coolers etc. are and easily accessed with a ladder.

KC, we don’t have the overhead racks. However, he has 3 or four 6 ft tall shelving units with stuff. Bins with seasonal decor and gardening equipment.

The storm damage here consisted of a few branches down, and this coating of dustfilled raindrops on everything.

Our black car and a neighboring car in the parking lot...

This never happens here... It's icky and gritty! Everything is gonna need a clean hard rain or a carwash to knock the "Oklahoma red clay sand" off everything. LOL

We had an Utah red dust dump on our pristine white snow in Aspen one year ….and in our cars and sidewalks and everything! Gritty is a very good adjective..it’s one of those words that the sound of it matches the definition.

We have very little in our garage attic, and the house attic. Both spaces are fairly accessible. We’ve purged a lot of stuff. My neighbor just got.a dumpster to clear out a lot of their stuff. She figured it was cheaper than &5 a bag at the transfer station. She invited us to toss in anything, but we didn’t have much to toss. I just donated my old comforter to Animal Adventures ( a weird little zoo and animal rehab place). They thought the king size might be too big, so I cut it in 4 and seamed the raw edges so the stuffing wouldn’t come out. They were impressed that I could sew!

I just heard about the weather in the USA on the CBC on my way home. About the only time I do listen to the news on the radio or any place else for that matter. Hope everybody here made it through OK.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone! Tonight we're going to be watching the movie Waking Ned Devine. In my view, it's the best Irish movie ever. Just hilarious!

Happy St Pat’s…

Not Irish but the corned beef is in the crockpot and later I'll be making colcannon. 💚

I have some Irish in me mostly 64% European the Irish is on my mother's side she had strawberry blonde hair I hope everybody's Vehicles got cleaned up and looking fine otherwise you could have them repainted or turn it into insurance I don't know

My favorite Irish movie might be The War of the Buttons... rated pg and adorably cute. I might have to find it and watch it again. I have a memory of it being a really good one.

So over the course of taking my mother's scrapbooks of my own two kids, I snagged some of those photos, and put them into a pile of my own stuff I've loosely entitled "My Favorites" So, now I'm gonna make folders of those for myself. All of the kids' stuff is done now.

Then I have little piles I've made of my siblings/outlaws' stuff that I am gonna give to them... Lastly, all I have left to sort out and scan are HIS family photos, which are all in a box in our bedroom still. I'm gettin' there!

I am pecking away at my mother’s paperwork…Today, I permanently changed her address at the PO. That took the POA, and copies of our IDs. Then, I got her unclaimed property in NH form notarized and mailed off…all for $198 check made out to my deceased father. He died almost 10 years ago. Then I visited my brother’s car dealer to set up my credit card to pay for his repairs…and then to the dentist, to do the same, for both my mother and brother. They are my monkeys and it is my circus! Mum wants to go to her eye doctor in NH….that would be 4 hours each way, no, not, no way.

You are a ringmaster with a big heart, fiss... 🌷 to you.

Fiss, I'm doing the same battle with Cyster (kinda sorta) except she is an adult and not about to give me any sort of rational executive control over her affairs... I am about to bail her out of another big mess just so I can sleep.

Some people take sleeping pills, I guess. I just buy things for people.

I know you're all tired of this. I am beyond tired of this, but I have to celebrate the little things. I took apart the very last of my own photo albums tonight. I had forgotten to do that one. It was a huge one, full of my very favorite photos. I got it all scanned, made a copy of it all onto the new hard drive too (so I am all caught up with THAT) and all I have left now is the mess on my table and that one box full of rando photos...

I can taste the springtime and the freedom from my winter project!!

And I had the most delicious Reuben sandwich tonight at our closeby bistro/deli for dinner... as close to a St. Patrick's day dinner as I got. lol

I may just save HIS family stuff for NEXT winter. I am so done doing this... for now. ROFL

What a relief to finish your project! Spring is coming, I saw a few crocus. We got the estimate for the trees, not too bad, I managed to get the stump grinding tossed in . We’ll keep the chips to spread along the edge of the woods

Rred, I’m very impressed with winter project. That takes a tremendous amount of grit, determination, and sheer craziness to tackle. Years ago I got phot boxes and separated the photos, each for one kid, my single life, hubby family life, and finally a fourth for my life with OB. Back then I got four boxes but only needed three. The fourth hung around empty for years…..LOL

Went with future DIL to pick out her wedding dress this past weekend. It’s beautiful. Had to make it special as I’m the only living and body aware parent. OS has realized all his trials and tribulations, set backs, have actually prepared him for his new life and turn in career path. My work here is done. He “gets it.”

Happy to see others here are purging. I’ve been purging for over five years and other stuff had to take its place. However, the biggest purge will have to take place either this Spring or Summer and I’ve got a clean-out guy on hold who will take everything, even paint cans & electronics. I guess I can start moving things into the garage for him to take since my new project has arrived (a 1940’s buffet piece I want to restore) and it sits there till I restore it and then move into the bedroom I’ve yet to paint. But before I paint I need to remove the oak bed…..which is also slated to be removed by junk guy if I can’t find an owner. This circle needs my intervention of JUST START somewhere.

Another motivation of removing my junk is to begin clearing space for a “basement reno/make way for someone else’s junk” redo. It’s not happening right away but our low and slow is definitely moving upwards. I didn’t realize “next level in the relationship” was engagement, but apparently it is even if I don’t want a ring. None of this has happened in the usual way. None of it. Maybe it’s a widow thing. Been there, done that. 😂

Downsizing is the game here as well. Selling off these plates… handmade, ceramic, Tiffany’s. Signed. Each plate is unique, but similar enough that you can use them as a set. MCM mid 70s I’m guessing.

PV, Enjoy the ride no matter how you get there! Your son figuring it out means you did something right!

I must have done something right with my dietary changes, etc. I am no longer borderline CHF, I am normal! That test was the one that was working on my psyche. The technician was so fun too!

Fiss, you got an awesome attitude.

Rred, I could not have stuck with your project as long and as diligently as you have! Kudos! Now you get to do something Fun!

Jayapple, Will you be close enough to see the splashdown of the astronauts? or at least re-entry?? I read it will be near you on the gulf side.

Lia, those are beautiful!

Having a “glo-up” moment. Had extra room in the garbage can so I went to town throwing out as much as what would fit in the remaining. I don’t care what it was.

Our darling young neighbors just had their first baby. This afternoon we're taking over a gift for her, along with TWO bags of Nana and Papa's baby/toddler amusements stash we had talked with her about. It kind of breaks my heart a bit, remembering my excitement at sharing these books, toys and a few stuffies with my littles. Since they are now 8 and 6, I believe it is past time to send them on to a new family.

Mama, I just watched the splashdown on TV. So grateful it came off like we all wanted it to and the water is so smooth today. We're about 25 miles inland from the Gulf of "........" at our closest point so watching on TV is our option.

Weather here was beautiful today but what a crazy spread in temperature. Down to 37° overnight, 81° at 6:00 PM. That's almost a 50° difference!

jay, weren't the dolphins cool! I spotted them right away even before the announcers started talking about them.

Mama… what is borderline CHF? I’ve been thinking about the astronauts I’m so glad they made it down safely. Isn’t it funny how attached we get to our kids toys…🤪 I find it a little mystified but it’s definitely a fact.

Ducky, the toys will be close by. You might even get a chance to play with them again!
Today was my brother’s cataract consult….he has scheduled the surgery….His eyes are far worse than mine ever were, which is saying something! Anyhow then I took a load of stuff to goodwill, and a friend came to pick up the leather stressless chair and ottoman. I found a pair of lamps at Homegoods for TSFP’s rental unit….and of course asked her when her tree fell down? Literally, tree guys were there a month ago! I mean, there are no guarantees, She had not noticed! They will get back there this week, as it looks pretty dangerous. Very little trunk holding up a whole lotta tree.

Congestive heart failure, me guesses. Really pleased for you Mamabear, keep up the good work!

I too am scheduled for cataract surgery: one eye the last week of April, the other, the first week of May. I wish it was sooner, but too many things were already scheduled for this month and next so it had to be pushed until then. I’ve experimented with distance contacts and monovision contacts and had to be totally out of contacts for two weeks before the consultation and again two weeks before the first surgery. It all hasn’t been fun and will continue until at least the first eye is done.

White pines are so fragile in high winds! Hope it doesn’t crash before the tree guys get there.
The dolphin welcoming crew was kind of special. I’m glad they got home safely. I can’t watch take offs or landings, everyone challenger and Columbia

Mama, congrats! You've stuck to it and done the work and now get to say "I did it!" What a feeling!

PV, your life changes have given us all whiplash... lol . But in a good way, eh? Enjoy the bridal shopping and all that goes with planning a big day. "You did it," too! Can't wait to see the progress.

Lad, getting the stumps out is a bonus. We fell trees all the time, but the stumps remain. Most of them are in the woods, and it doesn't matter, but when they're in your yard, it does. But hey, free mulch!

Fiss, that tree looks very compromised. Good thing to prevent the inevitable.

Duckie the toy/book giveaways are bittersweet indeed. I found some of DS' "childhood" things to bring to L while I was digging around for his photos. As much as I hate to part with them, (it'd be fun to keep them and see L using them myself) DS will appreciate having them in their home while they are relevant and useful to them all on a daily basis.

Lia, those are really cool plates! I hope you get someone who appreciates them as much as I would!

Jay, Glassy and kcooz, living anywhere near the splashdown zone would be cool, just because it's in the public mind a bit more... up here, it didn't get a local news mention, and I totally forgot to check on it until after it happened. SMH

I had yet another filling fixed yesterday morning. The dental soundtrack song that cracked me up most during that procedure was courtesy of the 80s channel-- Quiet Riot's "Come (sic) Feel the Noize" . Oh yes, I felt the noise... lol

We had local news coverage, because Suni is aMa local. One of the Needham schools is named for her.
I still have the little tykes doll house, and all its accessories from 1990. My girls played with it, all the cousins played with it, and now the grands. It has a few more years of relevance, but somehow I can’t see parting with it.

Fiss, that tree needs to come down. My neighbor keeps trying to rehabilitate his and it keeps losing massive limbs. Last time it hit his new shed. I watch in amazement because each time the scenario gets worse. Just do it already!

While in my purge state, older sis called. Newly retired, her new hobby is visiting all the thrift stores looking for treasures. So I casually mentioned framed prints of our aunt and of our great-grandmother taking up space in my drawers. Score! I took them to her this morning before she left to go thrift hunting, again. 🤣

Rred…you’re so right about the whiplash. I keep waiting for red flags on anything but none are appearing. OS definitely has a “keeper” whose head and emotional maturity, alongside wise spending habits, are sound. No chaos, no anxiety, no gossipy people in her life. If anything, he’s the one who could have been looked at sideways by her with all the upheaval after they got engaged. His new position has cemented her trust that all will be ok. Me, on the other hand, I’ve nothing to prove and if I did nothing else I’d be ok. No rush. However, I do realize some of the anxiety OB has been experiencing all along is due to me. The “do you want an engagement ring” statement as he walked out the door…like any statement one would make if they were telling you “I’m going outside to cut the grass” ….was a dead ringer. Past and present M word joking statements were always considered bread crumbing. You peeps are the only ones who know this! So shhhhh. 🤣

Fiss was correct, Lia. My cardiologist said from the beginning, that it is reversible if caught early and you make lifetime dietary changes. There are foods I miss, but there are many that I have adjusted and changed to make it healthy for me. And luckily there are lots of foods that have gone low sodium or no sodium. I play with recipes to bring in more flavors. Our bodies need sodium, just not as much as the average person uses. Everything I buy is low or no sodium. And I read labels on everything. Papa loves the new recipes! I made a taco soup the other day and he took a few bites and said, Dang! That is good!! The sodium levels were a little higher, but for lunch, I stayed very low sodium. I have been doing weekly meal planning. I limit my beef and pork consumption, adding more poultry, fish and seafood.

We have the fiber crew coming through our subdivision and Molly has met them all! She gets all the pets, scratches and love! 😂😂

Yup, tree comes down tomorrow. I took the 6am flight out of the Jetport and am now sitting next to Fergoose on the couch in CO.

I rarely use salt, Mamabear, because Beloved has always had borderline high BP. And we avoid processed foods. When I was helping MIL clean out her pantry after her CHF diagnosis, I was reading the labels and wow, canned soup and bottled salad dressings, ouch. They hit the trash. But salted nuts were surprisingly fine.

I’ve just started doing the sodium trip. If you’ve got any products that you found that you’re keen on please tip me! Yes I’ve removed soups from my list which is unfortunate because they were a mid meal go to. And baked goods have a surprising amount of salt in them… I guess it’s the baking soda etc. so I’m cutting back on any store-bought breads and pastries. Of the treat variety. And yes label reading is a thing. Which it always was but I never used to pay much attention to sodium. Now it’s saturated fats AND sodium. Fun times. Congratulations on your dietary success! I have a ways to go.

Congrats on the OB and moving onto the next level! 🥰👏

Keep in mind sausage and all bad you need iodized salt for a thyroid and you need salt in the summer if you're sweating! And you don't have AC or you're outside working! And don't forget to hydrate!

There are soups on the market with low sodium by the way if you don't want to make your own

And if you get a sinus condition with the sinuses are stuck to the back of your throat you either got a gargle or eat some potato chips! I vote for the potato chips more fun taste better LOL

On a healthier note I eat cashews but I got to have them lightly salted I tried the unsalted my mouth got so dry I could barely swallow the food

Otherhalf has sanded and sanded the ash boards and chunky legs he is using to build a stand for his "office stereo" at the lake. Today is crummy outside, so I don't know if he is gonna be able to work on it much. He wants to sand, drill and finish it outside. He is gonna make it so that it can be transported disassembled and bolted together when we get it there later this spring. The bolts he is gonna use arrived last night at 8:45 pm, in the dark!, and it took the UPS guy about 15 extra minutes to back down out of our driveway. Had we known he was coming at that late hour, I would have moved our outside car to the side parking spot so he could have turned around. LOL

I put a few more small stacks on the hard drive today and then got sidetracked looking for a label maker for the boxes of mom's photos. I need to label them better. LOL

It’s funny about salad dressings…they say they are light, but the sodium is crazy high. I have found a couple at TJ’s or Whole Paycheck that were not bad. I make my own a lot of the time, so i can control the salt. But I do have a favorite low sodium.

Lia, if you love bread, go whole wheat, its the healthiest. Sourdough is good also. If you enjoy sweets, make your own…scones, muffins, etc. Knock the sodium/sugar back. I do it all the time and amazingly you can get good tasting lighter treats! Papa makes his own pork sausage, italian sausage, bratwurst, and cuts the sodium way back for me. He finds that the meat becomes the star, not the salt. It’s really fun. Occasionally a recipe will not work, but most of the time, it turns out good.

Portion control matters, also. If we go out for dinner or lunch, I research the menu. Most places are more than happy to cut seasoning or leave it off totally. If they cannot, I substitute or find another option.

We have been salt limiting for years just naturally... bc I don't cook with it, and it's always been we can "salt/pepper to taste at the table." When we do get something "salty" it's usually really salty to us! LOL . We had some kind of chips the other day that came with our sandwiches, and neither one of us could really eat them they were so salty. LOL

I rarely use salt, and don’t put it on the table, either. Mr’s family was always looking for the salt shaker, here.

So proud of youmrrd!

Fiss, you have quite a lot on your plate, as usual! Oh my , the tree! I assume it was hidden from TSFP ‘ s view. 😉

We are going back to MO (for my sister #2 ‘s celebration of life,)next Wednesday. I called our handyman to see if he can fit us in to change out the 2 toilets at my brother’s condo, to chair height. He hasn’t called me back.🤔

PV, so happy for you that life continues to blossom for you! When is the wedding? And yes, take every opportunity to move something else out the door!👍