Saying Goodbye to Fluffy

Here I am - 2 weeks after my last to-do-by list and I've only completed half of it. I've been in a funk for a while.

That "rub my belly" look

My little kitty, Fluffy, got sick and I couldn't get her to pull out of it. We medicated her for 10 days and she picked up for a while, but then she stopped eating and lost over 3 lbs. Her little body was so tiny to start with. The vet couldn't find out what ailed her without heroic intervention, which I don't have the means for, and don't believe in (for us). I prayed the whole time for a peaceful ending and I said goodbye on Wednesday. She was the sweetest cat I ever had and I miss her terribly.

They hate the laser light on the camera

My other cat, Snuggles, on the other hand weighs close to 20 lbs. I swear, she looks like a couch sometimes! I could tell she was affected by Fluffy's condition. She would come over and stare at me for long minutes like she wanted to tell me how she felt. I've been giving her extra attention, as we both need it. She and I both seem to eat when we stress. I must have put on 5 lbs. and she, like I said, looks like a couch...Time to move on.

Snuggles on oregano

Since my foot surgery in December, I've lost a lot of strength in that leg, and I'm not walking without a cane yet. Which makes it hard to stand and walk straight. So my friend Trisha and I have decided to join the YMCA in a nearby town. We both need motivation to get some weight off, and to build strength back again. She and I each had knee replacements in 2010 - my first, her second - so we are going to start with low impact water aerobics and arthritis aquatics. I also hope to get acquainted with a few exercise machines, including the bikes. We start a trial period on Monday. Looking forward to it!

Six years ago I had lap band surgery and took off 97 lbs.  I've kept most of it off, fluctuating up and down about 15 lbs. But I could never get any lower, no matter what I did, and I should lose 30-40 lbs. to be more healthy.  You don't even want to imagine the sagging! So to buy a swimsuit is a devastating thing--I want coverage, and you don't get much with even the longest swimdress. Land's End had a cute one that goes almost to my knees, but the top is low. I will keep it, but can I wear a turtle neck with that? Some things don't lift no matter how you adjust the straps, and I just don't know...I'm sure there won't be too many studly guys in water aerobics~I probably will be fine after the first time.

I've spoken to our town clerk about Rustique Resale, and it looks like I don't need any permits or permissions to have this small business in my town. I am jazzed about this, in spite of the leaky roof and the possibility of biting off more than I can chew. Trisha says she will help. My niece probably will help too. Getting the room cleared out and rearranged will be tough at first, but then easy to keep up, I think. If I keep working on the big project to reduce my belongings, I will have a continuous supply of stuff to sell for some time. I put a few business cards out there and have had a couple of calls already! I've been busily looking at Flea Market Style and other magazines for inspiration. I want to refinish a few of the pieces in the shabby chic style, which seems to go over well here in the country. Most of us are "shabby chicks", whether we want to be or not! We Yankees like to make do with what we have or can get cheap or free~The ultimate recyclers.

Not my photo, see link below

Maybe...maybe I can make enough money to have someone exterminate the family of red squirrels living in my kitchen ceiling, and get the ceiling replaced. It's a suspended ceiling and I'm not doing it! My brother (landlord) doesn't want to do it. It's full of animal stuff (to put it delicately). The room would have to be emptied and totally plastic covered and hazmat suits and masks worn, etc. I can't imagine fitting this in my schedule or my life plan! They probably would find another way in and do it again, so it may not happen at all, just a pipe dream. He hopes to sell the place as is in a year or so, and I'll be moving in with Mom into a real house with level floors and no rodents and a ceiling that doesn't leak...Though even mom's 16-year old house needs upgrading and repairs and more than a little retrofitting and rearranging to fit me in. I need more energy!

Well, enough rambling--I've got work to do! 

Happy Almost Spring to you.

Hugs,

Sherry

Bogging Down...Springing Back!

Like Dawn at The Feathered Nest, I have bogged down a bit. Have made more messes and not been working very hard at the big downsize I spoke about last time. But it's only a small setback, I think! My foot is healing and I'm finally getting around better-one crutch (sometimes none!) is better than a wheelchair.

Today I had a spurt of energy (could it be the Prednisone I'm taking?) Spent a few hours cleaning and organizing the kitchen. Made squash/sweet potato/yellow beet/apple/garlic soup. Yummy previously roasted veggies and chopped apples in chicken broth with ginger and green curry powder, pureed. Coconut milk would have been good here, but I was out of it. I usually like soups to be more tasty and savory, but this is velvety and soothing. A nice change from the norm! I've been concentrating on my diet, as Winter can take a toll on my nails, hair, skin, etc. I'm making my own fresh sprouts for a daily salad, and keeping the sweets to a minimum. I love sprouting. I am my own local grower of fresh live food in the winter!

It has been a weird winter (still!) We've had very little snow, and what we get is usually melted off by noon. The nights are cool or cold and the days often above freezing. I don't know how this bodes for Spring or Summer water issues-or if we will have a good season for maple sugaring. Waiting to see, and looking forward to my first digging in the big flowerpots in early April.

I spent time today exploring my friend Jennifer's new blog, alotomaterial about her farm and the exploits of her goats, horses and chickens, experiments with goat cheeses, etc. She has a great sense of humor and is so full of energy, making the farm her full-time job at 50!  Visit her and check it out! Jennifer is the one who got me started on Pinterest, which I am enjoying immensely! Who needs TV with all this great computer networking and entertainment? This may actually help me taper off on the magazine buying....Hmmm.

Yes, those magazines. I spent at least 3 weeks tearing up old magazines and recycling the remaining parts. I have years' worth of Country Home and Mary Englebreit's Home Companion that I can't part with, so I tore out all the 2 sided ad pages. (obsessive? excessive?) I have not finished, but it is an ongoing project, that I know!

So one night last week after computing for hours, losing at hearts and solitaire till my eyes bugged out, I actually opened a new notebook, got out my purple pen and started planning the way to reducing my belongings by 50%, my goal for the year. I actually wrote a plan for every room and what to get rid of and how. I drew in new plans for shelving and storage and made a space (on paper) in my "walk-in-closet" (old bedroom) for my exercise bike and treadmill. I don't have a place I can use them now, and they are in the way. I need to get into shape after such an inactive winter!

Well, that spurt of creative energy spawned another idea, which had been trying to develop in my head. Rustique Resale! If I rearrange and neaten up the "Warehouse" I could have weekly tag sales in it! I thought of making an event of the first one to get people interested-advertising, balloons, signs, refreshments, etc. I could do April - October, as the room is not heated for winter use. I think it would be sweet to have a little store right here, surrounded by my garden out the screen door. I had originally turned it into a screen-porch by screening in the garage door that used to serve as a loading dock. I need to talk to the town clerk and see what is involved-permitting, etc. The building is zoned commercial, so that should be okay. Now to keep my energy up for it! I have a few friends who are slightly interested in doing it with me. I think they are just waiting for me to actually get it up and running first!

I've done a couple of collages in the last week, one to prepare for the collage class I "taught" at the Senior Center, and the one I did there. The first one was fun, but I didn't edit enough. It is sort of a mishmash. The second one, though simple, is rather sweet, I think. I will hang it with twisted purple wire. I want to do more paper creation to get ready for fall craft fairs this year. I've been thinking about maps a lot...and banners and sheet music and birds... Action, Action!

Hope you all have a lovely week, and remember that Spring will be here sooner than we think!

Hugs,

Sherry

Sitting On My Butt, but...

6 weeks I've been sitting on my butt...thinking about my nest and my clutter. Yes, I had foot surgery and have had to stay off the foot for 6 weeks. I learned that I don't really want to sleep all day or read all night. That I don't have to gain 20 lbs or eat take out. That I don't like a dirty kitchen. That the cat box doesn't need to stink. That I can put in a pretty good day's work in a wheelchair!

Still sitting

I was just reading this post by Cindy of Cottage Instincts, which is just what I needed to get going with my big project for 2012: getting rid of 1/2 of my stuff! Cindy says to keep what you LOVE, and teaches us how to distinguish the LOVES from the LIKES. Thank you, Cindy, for inspiring me with your decorating blog! We certainly LOVE the same sort of things. I have so much great stuff that I LIKE--collections of art, dishes, nicknacks, furniture, craft stuff and clothes! I can't get my hands on enough magazines, paper ephemera, old postcards, old books, pictures, sheet music,,,...etc. to keep me satisfied. Then there is so much stuff, I can't get rid of it...How do I decide what to keep?  My name is Sherry and I'm a paper hoarder.

Speaking of magazines, all of my Somerset Magazines are non-negotiable--I may keep them forever! I read, reread, dogear the pages, whip off my glasses, and turn up the lights--I don't want to miss a single detail. I used to be the same about Country Home and Mary Englebreit's Home Companion, I miss them! (rumor has it that Mary is bringing back the magazine!) Country Living is an old standby, but I am sure missing COLOR! I like the white room here and there, but lately it seems that they feature 2 or 3 white-interior homes per issue! Give me some green and some purple! Give me robins egg blue and sunny yellow! Please...?  Still speaking of magazines, have you seen MaryJane's Farm Mag? It's sweet!

So, getting back to my story...as I looked around me, stuck at home like I have been, I realized that I could not escape the mess. I couldn't just drive off with my camera and be gone all day. I couldn't while away hours at Barnes & Noble or Homegoods. I had to start cleaning out the corners. I'm sick of avalanches everywhere I turn.

Love the couch, like the table, love the rug, like the art...

I started by volunteering to host Christmas eve dinner at my "house." Which made me look at the place through someone else's eyes. Most people like my place and the ambiance (while they secretly flinch at the quantity of stuff!) They love the little vignettes and the collections. There's something to look at everywhere! I have such neat stuff!  I made that? I'm so talented....Sigh. All I could see was stuff, no style.

Okay, so what stuff is unnecessary? I got rid of piles and piles of paper. I went through 5 boxes and stored what remained in 1 storage box with room to spare. I found things I have not seen in years, and must not have needed! So I got rid of them. I started putting things with other like things, descattering the clutter.

It was worse than this!

I needed to do some crafting and couldn't even get near the craft area with my wheelchair. The houseplants were overwhelming the room and I can't seem to stop propagating them. So I rearranged them all so I could reach them to trim and water them. I cut the babies off and gave them away, I threw away tons of cuttings, only saving a few of the best to start more. Pulled all the dead leaves off them and fertilized them all. Then I moved a few more inches into the craft "room" and started weeding out the clutter. In one afternoon I got into the room and found the materials I needed to begin making and wrapping gifts.

I attacked my desk and moved the printers into better positions and threw out another ton of paper. I made a paper cutting area on a small folding table. I organized the drawers. I took down the same old pictures and hung some sweet bird prints with robins' egg blue background. Nice. My Buddhist altar area was neat, so I didn't have to do anything there except vacuum. And vacuum I did! I dug out the huge pet hair remover upright and vacuumed everything I could reach. I had to empty that baby 3 times! Between the dried leaves, dead flies and wasps, the newish wool rug and the cats, the place had been less than hygienic! Wow! What a change.

Harlequin Ware--Interested?

Then I tackled my kitchen. I rearranged a couple of pieces of kitchen furniture (I have very few real cabinets) and I filled 2 carpenter clean-up bags with recyclables! I like to think I can "do something" with those soup boxes and plastic bags and nice glass jars. Maybe I can do something with a couple of them, but not hundreds! What was I thinking?  Rearranging things showed me how dirty my habits had become! Yech-major cleaning! Then I got rid of a big dark hutch full of a ton of Harlequin Ware (a Homer Laughlin collection of colorful dishes from the early-mid 20th century). I picked out 4 place settings in the 4 colors I love and took pictures of what was left so I can list it on ebay. Then I packed them up and moved them out. I have an unheated "shed" type room attached to my space. It is becoming my warehouse. I rearranged my cabinets and shelves to fit more stuff inside for a later purge, finessed the art wall, put on my Christmas tablecloth and got ready to party. Christmas eve dinner was a nice pot-luck and all was well.

Lush plants, Lovely colors

My brother Jim wonders how you can vacuum in a wheelchair. He had some wild idea of my putting the handle between my knees and rolling the chair back and forth. I did call him a rude name for that picture. I find vacuuming in a wheelchair to be quite easy, and I don't even break a sweat! Meanwhile the houseplants are looking lush and the living room is still clean and neat. I'm maintaining the kitchen and keep coming up with more ideas like covering tins with scrapbook paper for matching storage bins. The craft room needs more work, though yesterday I did expose the sewing machine and hem my new sweat pants.

Yes, I sat on my butt for 6 weeks, but I did all that too! My 16-year old niece came in every day and asked what she could do. She helped with the things that I couldn't do and I gave her a few dollars a week. It is hard to find work around here! My brother kindly took the trash to the dump. It filled his whole van. My nephew moved the hutch into the warehouse.

How it could look

Now I plan to use Cindy's advice and look at everything I own. Do I like it? Do I LOVE it? We should surround ourselves with things we love. We should use our treasures every day. My new mantra is, "just because someone gave this to me doesn't mean I have to keep it forever!" Toss!  I plan to own 50 % less by next January. And I will LOVE everything I keep!

"This place" (left) -- I live in an old lumber store

This year is going to be life-changing for me. I've been unemployed since April 2011 and can't find any full-time work. I never thought I could retire early, but it looks like my best option at this time. I do pick up some part time work from time to time and I can keep doing that. I hope to be able to sell my warehouse of stuff on line or by tag sales. My brother may be selling this place, in which case I will move in with Mom. We both should benefit from that move. She could use the help and she has room for me if I stick to my plan. I look forward to living in a real house for a change! Who was it who said, "Be the change you wish to see"? I am learning to embrace change in the quest for a happier life.

Keep on Chirping!

Hugs,

Sherry

Where is MY Holiday Spirit?

Hi All,
I just stopped in at Dawn's The Feathered Nest to get a Holiday Spirit Adjustment! Dawn is such a busy woman and has time to make the sweetest ornaments and art and gifts. Check out her adorable snowman ornaments! I just love visiting her and seeing what she is creating now! I feel a bit of the spirit coming over me already...

So I dug out my little 2' tree. It is already lighted and decorated. It looks a little dull and sparse this year for some reason. Maybe that "country style" is not thrilling me as much as it would if I added some color and sparkle.  It has a rusty birdhouse topper, which is due for a paint treatment. Then if I just add a bunch of mushroom birds and and little birds nests, some pinecones and some snowflakes and glitter, it should pop a little, don't you think? Okay, I'm off to Michaels!

OR NOT!  I almost forgot that I'm grounded! I had a pretty major surgery on my right foot about 10 days ago and I have 5 more weeks "off my foot" to look forward to.  I can't drive, and I need to use a wheelchair. This is an odd state to be in, as I'm so independent and ready to hop into the car and shop any chance I get. Didn't I just spend days at Pier 1 and Homegoods searching for the perfect comfy chair for my "confinement"? Looking forward to being able to walk pain free, though, and not begrudging my 6 weeks!

Grounded!

Meanwhile, I look around me and find my own nest needs fluffing in a bad way. I wheel my chair to a messy spot and actually organize and clean it as I go along. I groom my houseplants and nurture them with organic fertilizer. I keep the kitchen clean and do the laundry. There is no escaping the fact that I am home and I can do these things! I don't have to run off to another meeting at the Senior Center or work or go shopping or visiting. I can relax and improve my immediate surroundings!

Clutter in every corner!

A few days ago I started channeling Grandma as I edged the wheelchair cautiously into the craft area of my living room-not an easy task, as the space had become really messy and overcrowded. I dragged everything I could get my hands on out to the kitchen table, so I can do something creative.  I'm starting with a tiny shadowbox in a windowed soap box. I have some collaged cards in the works and maybe some sort of banners. I have been wanting to recycle those soup boxes into something, so I'll see what I can create!

Craft room (some of it!)

Once I get snipping, glueing and stamping, the creativity should begin to flow. Then I'll wrap and embellish those small gifts I bought for the family at all the craft fairs this fall. (I am determined not to give any gifts that are imported from across the world at great expense to the environment--my little statement this year!) I have hand-made baskets, luscious locally made soaps, fresh pot holders, cozy alpaca socks, hand made jewelry, my own framed photos and cards, and maybe a big batch of rum balls to divvy up between everyone. I'll reuse brown paper bags as wrapping paper, embellishing all with my stash of scrapping supplies and my own gift cards. I will, yes I will!

Winter Wonderland

Okay, It's working, the Holiday Spirit is coming on. I can feel it--I'll get my holiday letter ready to send off and get to work!


I will...

Sending out my Holiday Spirit to each one of you!

Hugs,

Sherry