January 30, 2003

Routines



Yesterday I went to the ophthalmologist it went well. He said there was absolutely no signs of glaucoma or diabetic damage to my eyes. Which that is great. My mother already had glaucoma by my age. And Grandma too. And mom's sister is now blind from diabetes. So I'm glad I don't have those problems.

Any way, I need to start doing my routines better. I haven't been doing them as well this week. But, trying to at least do my 15 minutes a day.

Also I started cross stitching last evening, and it's really great to get back to having a hobby offline. lol I'm making my mother a Mother Sew Dear portrait, of a girl stitching mother on a hoop and at the bottom says Mother Sew Dear. I think she will like it. :) And I'm having fun making it. I may make Vince's mother one too. But, not sure if I will do that pattern or a different one.

I'm gonna go to bed finally. Just thought I better pop in here. Need to get more on top of my blog!

January 26, 2003

Laundry



Just thought I would report, that I got all the laundry folded. And most of it put up. lol So doing better. lol Now, I just got to do the bedding today. I'm going to try to wash a comforter that is only supposed to be dry cleaned, but well I hate the chemicals in dry cleaning. So we will see what happens. I will hang it to dry. Then tomorrow is more hand wash items. A bunch of dresses that need washing. Then that's it till Friday. But, I may have to wait if the comforter isn't dry yet. So it may be Tuesday before I can do the hand washing. At least I can say I'm really really close to being done. For the first time in two years, we are almost dirty clothes free. lol It was difficult in Brooklyn with no elevator and being on the third floor to take everything up and down and then into a basement to be washed, and it was so expensive around 200 dollars a trip. So we got so behind. I'm so glad to be up to date on things now, and be rid of all the old clothes I don't need any more.

15 Minutes at a Time



I didn't get my night time routines done either last night. I was just so tired. But, today I got up and did my morning routines. And my 15 minutes in the living room. Today is bedding day. I hope I get it done. I didn't even fold the clothes I washed yesterday. *sigh* But, at least I'm almost caught up on laundry! YEAH! There's a ton to do in the living room. I need Vince to help go through more papers though. ACK.

January 25, 2003

Dreams



Eek, I haven't checked in here in forever.

Any way on Weds night we went out to TGIF's with Vince mother, and her friend Gerry, and her son Rudy Jr. IT was nice, but they quit making my favorite-Meat Loaf Stack. lol So I had Jack Daniel's shrimp.

Thursday didn't do much...... just my regular cleaning, laundry etc. Friday much the same.

Here we are on Saturday. Today I didn't get my morning routines done. But, oh well, I've kept up with them almost a month. I will just do them in the morning and get right back on. I was just tired and not feeling well this morning. I still need to do laundry though today. And yup almost done! Can't wait to have that laundry done. The bedroom it came along nicely this week, almost done. Just have a few light touch things left to do. I will do them next month for the most part. Tomorrow starts the living room, and it really needs it, I have gotten Vince to start going through all the junk mail though so that is helping.

I am thinking in April of going through the apartment like a real estate agent and figuring out what I want done in each room, to make it more home, and like I would like it. Right now it's kind of barren to say the least, and lacks a lot of character. No real decorating has been done at all.

I have decided what I want my bedroom to look like. I have a color scheme I am working with, so I figure I will go little by little as I can. So one thing I would like to do is get a silver/gray laundry basket. The color scheme I've came up with is mainly white, red, black, metallic gold/silver, and shades of gray for things I want to fade into the background like the trash cans, and laundry basket. lol I have decided I want all our pics to be in black and white in the bedroom to be more dramatic and I just like the look and feel of b&w over color some days. Easier on the eyes, and more soothing and romantic to me. So I already printed one picture in b&w, for a teddy bear who is holding a red heart picture frame. It's been empty since I bought it for Vince as my wedding gift to him. lol So that's been almost 2 years! It's in the window sill (ours are deep), with bird cage candle holders from our wedding on each side of him. I'm looking for other silver picture frames or red etc that will go well with b&w pics. I think it will look nice as I can do this. Will see how things go.

I would like the bathroom to have a few light house things. Not light house crazy but a few cutesy things to give it a less clinical look. lol Again red/grays/with some shades of blue grays.

Then I have to figure out the hall ways, kitchen, and living room.

My brother on Tuesday gave up his rights to his 5 children. My husband and I are on the list to adopt my niece. They are going to try to adopt her with my mother first so she will be with her other siblings, but if they don't let her because she has so many now as it is, and such a small house. We are next on the list. So that may slow things down. At least we will pass inspection now. We've been working at that since she was born in May.

January 22, 2003

Happy



I'm almost done with the laundry, I should be done by Sunday! And the bedroom is almost done too! I'm really happy about that. The living room needs some work, but it will be done next week.

Yesterday was so busy. I had a doctor's appointment. Boy, was that a mess.

I didn't realize she is at two different offices, so I went to the office I had seen her at the first time. I was there mind you about 20 minutes early. I get there, and go up to the check in girl. And I think well this is weird cause the sign in sheets are all for a eye doctor, not a endocrinologist. So she informs me I'm at the wrong office. The office I was at was in Queens, the office I was supposed to be at was in Brooklyn. So I go down, thinking I wonder when Vince will be able to get back here. Cause there is no parking any where around there. I asked a phone girl if I could use her phone to call my the office I was supposed to be at, and she made me use the pay phone. Surprisingly I had the money sometimes I don't have change. Since I usually put change in my piggy bank, when Vince gives me cash/allowance. Which I thought since I was calling a sister office shouldn't have been such a big deal, people just like to be a mess. About 20 minutes later he came. And I told him we were at the wrong office (I didn't know which block he would have to find parking on so it would have been fruitless to go look for him.) So we start to walk back ot the car. Which for him was a 7 minute walk. So that means like a 15 minute walk for me. It was FREEZING (18 degrees). I kept stopping and putting my coat over my face cause it was going numb. Then my whole body went numb. It was just too cold. And yes we were literally walking up hill in the snow! So any way, the last block he had me stay there and he went and got the car. Then he didn't know where the other office was. So we had to call his mother to have her look on a map. She found it. And we got there. By that time we were a hour late! Then we had to go to the travel agent about the cruise. Then, when we got home I looked in the mirror, and EEK, I had wind burn, or chap, or something my whole face was nasty and red. I put some eczema medication on it, so today it looks better just pink now. But, not scabby and scaly. *sigh*

I did get another two loads of laundry done yesterday. So now I can actually see a end in site. I will probably be done by Sunday, and that's with doing my regular clothes on Friday and bedding on Sunday.

I've been getting the closet clean as I can. I can not believe all the stuff I am finding and I've cleaned this closet at least 3 times since we lived here. I'm finding all kinds of lost treasures. My favorite perfume, by estee lauder, shoes (did throw away two pairs), a back massager that has been missing since the cruise lol, clothes-summer jean shorts, winnie the pooh t shirt, etc. Any way, I did 10 minutes yesterday for the bedroom, cause I was just too tired. But, today I think I did around 20 minutes. I did till the timer went off and then wanted to finish where I was at and I think that was probably around another 5 minutes or so. So it's looking better in there. I still need to do against one wall, the dresser tops, and my side of the bed. But, it's 100 times better then last month. The closet still isn't done but I just pick a bag or two every time I am in there and look throw it and put away or toss the stuff.

Any way things are going great!

January 19, 2003

Decluttering



As you can see I did a fly lady blinkie. But, I want to touch it up. And do a home maker one.

Last night we went out to eat at Charlie Brown's it was good. I had ribs and the salad bar, Vince had the fillet mignon and salad bar. You could get salad bar, bottomless bowl of caesar salad, or a cup of soup. The soup didn't sound to good and the waiter suggested the salad bar over it. lol So if even the waiter thought the salad bar was better we went with it. lol. The salad bar was really nice. All kinds of salads, and breads, I had a raisin nut bread. We went with Vince's mom Kathy, and her best friend Gerry, and her daughters, Renee and Tamika.

Well, I did laundry yesterday. I have to do sheets/blankets today. I changed the bed last night. Man I still have I think about a weeks worth of laundry to do. ACK! But, it's finally getting done. I've got rid of about 4 boxes full of clothes so far. Need to get rid of more!

Today starts the bedroom decluttering so I'm doing that. I'm hoping it will be almost done by the end of the week. I think it will be. It looks 100 times better then last month. So that gives me hope.

January 18, 2003

I Love My Hubby



Here I am. Took me a while to get caught up from that jury duty stuff. I was too tired when coming home to get every thing done. It was soooooo cold at lunch times, and I would have to walk like 3 blocks (city blocks in NYC) to get food at lunch, and my legs would be numb from the cold when I got there, then it was cold in the place too, cause in NYC most places are just walk up windows. So there it wasn't warm either! Then back to the courthouse. BRRRRR. It was 14 degrees one day and colder the next day.

Any way, I'm back on track. Doing laundry, my 15 minutes, and trying to get caught up with missions. lol

I redid the I Love My Hubby blinkie, made his pic a little lighter. :) I hope people can tell what he looks like a little better. I want to make a few more blinkies. A Fly Lady one and a Home Maker one. But, I have so much stuff going on, I don't know when I will be able to. Maybe next week, when I am caught up with the laundry and can get to doing it only twice a week.

January 12, 2003

Jury Duty

 

I did my 15 minutes in the kitchen today. Washed all the surfaces down-table, counters, stove. Put a few things away that was on the table. And then swept. That was about it.

I did a huge load of towels. and talked to some one that knew me, and I think I knew her. lol But, was too embarrassed to ask from where. The laundry is slowly but surely getting done. Tomorrow I will do regular day clothes. Then Tuesday Socks. Then Weds, a load of shorts. Then Thursday I have dedicates and a few others to wash. Friday will probably be regular clothes day again. My new schedule once I am all caught up is Friday clothes/towels day. And Sunday will be sheets and blankets day. I did the sheets and blankets the other day though this last week.

I did a quick pedicure. Maybe I will do a more thorough one next week.

Man I am just soooooooo tired. And I have to appear for jury duty tomorrow. So I am going to do my bedtime routine and get to bed. I already have the dishes done. So all there is is a few things left. 8 to be exact. lol. Brush teeth, bath, baby powder, perfume, moisturize face, put on lip balm, put on pjs, sleep! I guess I didn't get my cinnamon water in today. I did however have two glasses of water with breakfast.

January 11, 2003

Blessed



This is a term used by Fly Lady. But, I think it's a good term-blessed-So I will use it. I hope no one gets offended.

Here's my story. (I'm not saying Jehovah did or didn't anything to do with this, but it was encouraging.)

As I've been going down to do laundry, I've been taking clutter with me. Today, I took down a brand new clock, from my Mother In Law that was from a drug representative (she's a nurse). I didn't want to just put it in the recycle bin. It was still in a box, with bubble wrap and every thing. So I asked one of the hall patrol moderates, if she wanted this clock, or knew any one that needed one they could have it. She said oh yes! I will take it. The hall clock just quit yesterday and I was going to have to buy one! She was so happy with it, and put it up right away. She even thought it was pretty. (I thought it was ugly! lol) Well, she's as pleased as punch with it!

Then here comes my blessing. lol When I went on to the laundry room. I seen a woman coming in with her shopping cart and had a New World Translation in it. I said are you a Jehovah's Witness? She said yes. I said me too! lol We got to talk the whole time our clothes were being done! And she went upstairs and brought down a photo album from 2001 international convention in Italy she got to go to! It was great. I got to see post cards from the Branch in Rome and in Germany.

I only did 10 minutes of decluttering though. My blood sugar went way low down to 60 while I was decluttering, so I had to stop and lay down and get some thing to eat. Although I probably did another 5 minutes any way before I started counting time doing things here and there in the foyer. It looks pretty good in the foyer now. The living room needs help. lol But, I guess we will get to it next month.

Now I'm trying my first cup of hot cinnamon water, it's supposed to be good for diabetics so I am trying it. I like it! I added a packet of Splenda though, lol.

January 10, 2003

Medication



I did my 15 minutes today, finished the closet, then washed the hallway walls. Tomorrow I will work on the foyer. Should be able to spruce it up pretty good in 15 minutes. I also did two loads of laundry. Hmmmm, the mountain is shrinking. Yet, now I am out of detergent, and almost our of quarters. lol The closet was pretty scary when I started it. I can't believe I got it done in 15 minutes a day in less then a week. But, I'm so happy with it!

Well, I ran out of insulin today, and the pharmacy wouldn't help me as usual. So I was going to have to just wait for the pharmacy that mails it to me to mail it. It should be here in a few days, but in the mean time does nothing for me. Thankfully, my mom had some and is sending it over night mail, so it should be here by noon tomorrow! I don't know what I would have done! Last time I had to go with out for 2 weeks, cause of the crazy doctors and pharmacies! It was terribly stressful, and no one would help me-medicine wise.

January 9, 2003

Flying



I did my 15 minutes of decluttering. And almost finished the closet. I probably did more like 20-25 minutes though, cause the timer went off earlier then I was done. I found a lot of little bottles of stuff from hotels. That will come in useful for our trip this spring, I was planning on packing our bathroom things in the next couple of weeks. I won't have to buy any trial size stuff now! lol I also did a load of sheets and blankets. How do you fold a bottom sheet that has elastic all around making it round? lol I also read the daily text waiting on the laundry and read all the scriptures in the laundry room too. It was nice and quiet at least. The scripture was very good, as well as the lesson on it. About being faithful in least can show we are faithful in much. *whew* I'm tired! I need a yawning smiley. lol

I also ordered Fly Lady's goody bag number 2. Has a timer, pens, clingies, and a lapel pin. I want the timer, for when I am doing rooms with out clocks, like the hall way. lol And for walking, when ever I actually start that.

I'm doing pretty good at my routines, look forward to adding some more next month. Already have them on my yahoo calendar for next month. At least I feel more like I am actually accomplishing something as a house wife. :)

Well, I guess I have a pretty boring life right now. lol

I almost forgot, I put two little yellow barrettes in my hair, on each side of my head this morning. Vince really liked it. I guess I will have to buy some more barrettes.

January 8, 2003

Feathers!



I got the feather dusters from Fly Lady! They are GREAT! So soft, and pretty too. I love dusting with them. They also came with a cling so she's stuck on my monitor. I did my routines am & pm again. So I'm happy with that. I did my 15 minutes of decluttering in the linen closet today. It's looking pretty good in there. I still have 3 more shelves to go though. lol

January 7, 2003

Keeping Routines



I've been doing good at keeping up on my routines. I even did my pedicure on Sunday! Of course it's on my yahoo calendar to remind me. lol I've been doing both morning and night time routines for about 3 days now. And even did my 15 minutes of decluttering today. I missed yesterday. But, got right back on today! YEA, me. lol And I've been finding a lot of stuff in the decluttering that will really save us money. Especially now that we can find it with all the junk we will never use, out of the way. Any way, I see my self esteem rising and I think I'm doing so much better.