Great Day with Daisy

 

Sept. 25, 2021

I had the best day today. I dropped off the bag of shredding this morning, then I headed to Daisy’s. I had the box of stamps that she took off my hands, a Starbucks card that she won, her early birthday present, and my 2011 vision book. The only plans we had included going to the Blingfest and lunch. We decided to go to Starbucks on the way. I ordered the Americano with heavy cream like Alyssa gets when she goes there, and Daisy got the Passion Fruit drink.

Since I’ve been busy with David and decluttering this week, I thought I might get birthday gifts for Jan, Julie, and Marie at the Blingfest. They aren’t big on adornment, so I knew that would be a stretch. When we arrived at Blingfest at the Garden Center of the Botanical Garden, there was NO parking. We drove around a while and decided to do something else and go back later.

The Fiesta Store was just down Broadway a little toward town, so that was plan B. They were closed. I told Daisy, “We’re going to the Pearl!” She was so excited. She felt like we were on an adventure. We arrived at the Pearl, and the rest of San Antonio, who weren’t at the Botanical Garden was at the Pearl. They have a Farmer’s Market every Saturday and the weather was gorgeous, so it stands to reason that both those places would be PACKED! We couldn’t find a parking space, so Daisy asked an angel to help us, and OMG, there were 2 spaces for us. We walked around, and in the first shop, I found gifts for the birthday girls that were different, but appropriate.

After the Pearl, we went back toward the Blingfest and stopped at Good Time Charlie’s for lunch. I had the most amazing plate of broiled tilapia with broccoli and cauliflower with queso. DELICIOUS!

We tried Blingfest again, and there were several parking spots this time. There were some really nice vendors there. I bought a wire-wrapped/beaded cross for Karen, and 2 pairs of earrings for me – cute black & orange witches, and silver skeleton hands. Daisy bought some red and white pearl beads to go with a Frieda pendant she has.

The traffic was backed up on the flyover from 37 to 410, so we went to my house so I could show her some of my decluttering mess and the new deck. Finally, I took her home. My soul is full and very happy after spending the day with Daisy.

On the way back to my house, I stopped at Walgreen’s to pick up some makeup, birthday cards, and my prescriptions.

The dogs noticed the gate was open and twice, I had to chase them down the street. I’m MAD at David and both the dogs. I closed the gate, and they got out again. Now, I can’t trust them to stay in the yard.

I’m tired and cranky.

Because I can’t trust the dogs to stay in the yard, I followed them with a flashlight and kept an eye on them after dark. They were out exploring, and after an appropriate amount of time, I called them in. Sugar came in, and right inside the door, she showed signs of pooping on my carpet. I tried to grab her to throw her out, but she ran away (after dropping some) and did it again behind my sofa. I tried to grab her to slap her and rub her nose in it, but she got under the table in the kitchen and snarled at me. I tried to get to her and she ran away. I had to get that stuff off my carpet, so I grabbed a handful of tissues and picked up. Then I wanted to find her so I could rub it on her nose or at least smell it and say, “NO!”. I couldn’t find her. Champ, was so cute. He sat in the hallway under the chandelier looking into the boys’ room. I found her between the couch and wall. But I couldn’t get her. Then she got away again, and I looked everywhere but couldn’t find her. Then after a while, she came out, but she was different. She knew she was in trouble. I just kept giving her the “look,” and put them in the kitchen for the rest of the night. No one spoke. They didn’t ask for anything. Usually they’re whining or barking for my attention. But not after that. They pretty much cowered the rest of the night. The only other time they made a mess in my house was the first time they stayed here. I can’t have them stay again until my fence is fixed. There are too many places they can get away.

Shred Day tomorrow!

 

Sept. 25, 2021

I woke up early this morning, washed and fixed my hair, dressed, and was watching the news when they announced a shred opportunity at the Doris Griffin Senior Center by Ingram Mall. Just yesterday, I saw all the old receipt boxes from who knows when to 2019 in the garage. So, I opened the garage door and hauled them all in to sort through. That's what I'm going to do today -- sort through these boxes so I can take them tomorrow. So excited about God's timing! While gathering those boxes, I found a VCR and 2 boxes of VHS tapes and a box of CD cases.

This is how my living room looks today while I sort through the boxes. 1 large leaf bag for recycling, 1 large leaf bag for shredding, a box for trash, and a smaller box for those things I can't get rid of yet. There will also be a small box for donations because it's mostly shredding.

There are a few boxes left of things I couldn’t get rid of. But, there are several empty boxes stacked behind the sofa. The leaf bag in the foreground was VERY heavy with shredding, and the other was full of recycles. My sister visited a few minutes while I was sorting through the boxes and putting things in the bags. As I saw some momentos, I showed them to her. We had a good visit.

David helped me haul out the bags – one in the trunk and one in the recycle bin.

I feel like I’m losing momentum. It’s time to move the empty boxes out of the house so I can see what’s what.

What to do with a Mink

 

Sept. 23, 2021

What to do with a mink

I found my mother's mink coat in a tattered suitcase yesterday! It's a dark brown ranch mink that she bought about 4 months before she died in 1985. My dad gave it to me shortly after. About that time, all the ruckus was raised about real furs and I was afraid to wear it.

I did have it cleaned and stored at Morris Kaye & Sons over one summer. Then, I put it away. I read that you don't want to put plastic over a fur, so I put it somewhere else. I even forgot where that was. Thirty years later, I was surprised when I saw it yesterday. I tried it on and found out it shrank in the suitcase! Never store fur in a suitcase!

What to do? I thought about tossing it in the pile for Salvation Army. There's a Too Good to be Threw store across 281 from me; I thought about taking it there. Then I went to Morris Kaye & Sons website and found that they restyle furs. I'll take it there to check out what they can do with it and how much that will cost.

I'll keep you informed.

Everything Must Go!

 

Sept. 21, 2021

Everything Must Go!

I have quite a haul for Salvation Army. In addition to this, there are still bags of things in other rooms, a sewing machine (70+ years old), and 2 full boxes of paper. I'm considering donating my exercise equipment, which just takes up room on the sun porch.

If you're interested in decluttering, let me know. I have a list of ladies who specialize in decluttering and organizing once the junk is gone. Very inspirational and motivating.Again, I worked in my office until 1:00 this morning. I have made so much progress! I researched several organizations to find the right fit for my stuff, and Salvation Army seems to be the one – and they pick up! I filled 3 large leaf bags with paper and shredded paper. I organized the color papers I had and put them into the new bin I bought. Now I have to figure out where to put my pencil sharpener – probably on the other bookcase. My office doesn’t look much better yet because I have empty bins and boxes stacked. That’s why they say declutter first, THEN organize.

I’ve become brutal! Sentimental things aren’t going to weigh me down anymore. I actually have a set of sheets with pillowcases that my grandmother crocheted a border on for my mom. I took them originally because I didn’t want to lose them. I still have a smocked pillow that she made and several doilies. It’s not like I’m purging of everything from her, so the sheet set will go! I have a pair of boots that my dad gave my son when he was 2, a pair of superman shoes he had when he was 1, and a pair of black patent Mary Janes that my daughter had along with some of her pajamas. These things I’ll keep.

I started scheduling the pickup with Salvation Army online. It asks for details about the items, so that took a while. When I got to the date, Oct. 8 was the first available date. I clicked on it and did everything but confirm before I looked at my calendar and found something that conflicted. I hit the back button, and everything disappeared 😒. So, the second time, I wasn't so meticulous about listing the items, and when I got to the date part, the first available was Oct. 22! I actually scheduled for Oct. 27. By the time they show up, I won't be able to walk in the front door!

More decluttering

 

Sept. 19, 2021

I'm recovering . . . I was getting sore yesterday from all the box packing, lifting, etc. Then the boys came over and spent several hours with me. We had fun, and I can see how much they are growing. Rex, Ty, and I played Dungeons and Dragons (a board version) while Luke napped. Then we ate dinner and the older boys entertained themselves while Luke and I watched hundreds (it seemed) of episodes of Blaze and the Monster Machines. He loves that show (I have 35 episodes recorded on the TV in my room and 75 in the living room). They are such a good learning tool.

I could hardly walk last night when I went to bed, but I'm feeling much better today.

I donated all my beads and supplies to the San Antonio Bead Society today.

I have seriously started to declutter. I can't go into a room without packing something to donate, recycle, or trash. I posted on the Bead Society's FB page asking where I can donate the beads. They are going to use them for the Blingfest.

I have 2 trash bags of towels for the Humane Society, several bags of purses, baby blankets (the boys helped me choose which to keep), clothes, and decor, and a box of towels to donate.

I filled 1-1/2 of those large paper leaf bags with shredded papers.

Decluttering continues

 

Sept. 19, 2021

I'm recovering . . . I was getting sore yesterday from all the box packing, lifting, etc. Then the boys came over and spent several hours with me. We had fun, and I can see how much they are growing. Rex, Ty, and I played Dungeons and Dragons (a board version) while Luke napped. Then we ate dinner and the older boys entertained themselves while Luke and I watched hundreds (it seemed) of episodes of Blaze and the Monster Machines. He loves that show (I have 35 episodes recorded on the TV in my room and 75 in the living room). They are such a good learning tool.

I could hardly walk last night when I went to bed, but I'm feeling much better today.

I donated all my beads and supplies to the San Antonio Bead Society today.

I have seriously started to declutter. I can't go into a room without packing something to donate, recycle, or trash. I posted on the Bead Society's FB page asking where I can donate the beads. They are going to use them for the Blingfest.

I have 2 trash bags of towels for the Humane Society, several bags of purses, baby blankets (the boys helped me choose which to keep), clothes, and decor, and a box of towels to donate.

I filled 1-1/2 of those large paper leaf bags with shredded papers.

Reorganizing my bedroom

 

Sept. 15, 2021

When David brought the adjusted rails for my great grandmother's (Oma Brehm) bed today, we rearranged my room. It's something I've wanted to do for 6 years. It was originally positioned directly in line with the bedroom door centered beneath a beam; that's bad feng shui and bad juju!! Now it's sideways, away from the beam. I ended up with an extra bookcase, and I was thinking of selling it or giving it away. But this is so early in the process of decluttering and reorganizing that I decided to keep it. David is working on doing the finishing work on the deck outside. It's going to look so nice.