Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Minimalism - March

March is a month with lots of celebrations and an amazing big work load for me.  So that means small efforts for the Minimalism treatments needed in my life.

Just before St. Patty's day - as I was waiting for the corn beef to finish cooking - what a great time to keep moving ahead in the kitchen.  Two more cabinets were emptied and wiped down, some items were relocated and the balance was put back.

One item I found/discovered is how to make deposits using my phone.  Oh my goodness - what a great time savings.  Using an app from the bank, take a picture of the front and back of the check -- be sure to manually endorse the back -- type in the amount of the check and then hit the submit button.  It must be a clear picture and there are rules of how many checks can be deposited in one day, and how many in a ten day period and also amount limitations.

The rest of the month was  little items all over the house.  This time of year it is about work.  Next month will be much the same.  Yet I think I will find time to clear away some more items with two visits, one with my nephew and a girlfriend coming in from Georgia.

What did you get done?  Remember getting one thing done is more than you had completed the day before.  Moving ahead is great for your spirit.




Day 21 - kitchen cabinets - only the necessities  - Take one cabinet/drawer a day
0.  Cabinet to the right of microwave -----  December
1.  cabinet left of microwave
2.  drawer below #1 January
3.  Drawer below #2 January
4.  Drawer below #3 January
5.  drawer to right of stove January
6. cabinet below #5 - March
7.  drawer on left side of island  February
8.  cabinet below #7 February
9.  drawer on right side of island- March
10.  cabinet below #9 February
11.  cabinet above to the left of sink
12.  cabinet above sink
13.  cabinet above to right of sink
14.  Pantry closet /February
15.  storage in garage.
16.  storage cube in dining room
17.  Cabinet in dinning room January
18.  Cabinet Below sink!!  - March

Monday, April 27, 2015

Living My 60th Year --- What the past month meant to me


I've been away from writing for the last month, though I've been Living My 60th Year.  For this post --- I'll write about the life events that I've witnessed and enjoyed.

The last month has been hectic. The office buzzing with 12-14 hour days to meet the deadline of the "season".

One success during the 'season' is that my office has had the chance to be cleared of even more stuff!   For the first time in a very long time, my filing system worked the best and I could see my desk top many times throughout the working day.  

I enjoyed the lengthening of each day as the sun came up earlier and went down later in the day.  While we still change clocks - that is getting so old.  How about we split the difference and keep the clocks the same all year long?  Several states in the US don't ever change their clocks already!

Snow, Snow and more Snow.  My goodness, we, in New England got slammed especially near the Boston area.  Here was a mere 30"s or so - and it is almost gone.  Yes there are brown piles of ice still piled up in parking lots!

And while it snowed outside, I was creating crocheted snowflakes.  I set myself to make one a week and have kept up with that goal.  This past weekend I had some downtime while I helped out at the Connecticut Storytelling Festival.  I completed over a dozen tatted flowers - finished the spool of thread and ready to begin another one.  Then it was on to completing 22 ties that we use in the garden from some leftover yarn from the stash box.

I did some minimalizing  in my home - I'd sneak in few minutes in the morning and sometimes in the evening to eliminate  items that need to be donated or tossed!  The box is in the garage and is full - time to bring it to the donation center.

Spring, Spring and Spring -- hurry up already.  I was watching a squirrel this morning in the tree as he was eating the new buds appearing on the branches.  The bulbs of daffs and tulips are up and some open.  My lavender plant has survived the winter and is showing lots of green on it's branches.

We are set up for our farm plots - new pallets that were obtained over the winter that will help plant our herbs.  The reservations, this year three plots, have been made.  We have worked on the layout, especially with three plots!  Pam and I have made a date to work out the plans so that we are ready to go when they get the plots turned over.

This year our farm will be planted with seedlings that we have grown.  Thanks to Pam for sporting a new set up and we have lots of "kids" we have been taking care of.  She's been traveling lots, so I've been on watering duty.  

My guest room is back in season with a kick off of my nephew coming to stay with me two days after the 'season' was officially over.  We had a good time, learning more about him as he grows up.  He plans to come back after school lets out - we will have lots more adventures!

Later today a friend of mine is coming to stay for a week or so.  She used to live here and relocated to Georgia for lots of reasons.  So I've been picking up and moving more stuff around.  It's those pesky items that need to be taken care of and made done or gone!

One of the organizations that I volunteer with is not working for me any longer.  I do pride myself as someone that rolls up my sleeves and helps make a difference where I live.  It was a lesson my parents instilled in me at a very young age.  For me, now, it is time to move on.  There are plenty of ways to assist in their cause, I don't need to be part of a formal structure.  By the end of the week, all my i's are dotted and t's crossed so that I can turn it back.

I changed the line-up of items I do for myself at the end of the season and that made a difference.  This year - I made the housekeeper appointment for the day after the end of the season.  Between she and I, and help from her son (school vacation) we went through the whole place and it is now spic and span.  The personal appointments for doing my hair, nails, and massage were planned for a few days after.  So far I've really reaped the benefits.  So nice when the place is picked up and I can relax and appreciate it all :)

This past month has meant lots to me.  I've had time to reflect, to move away from certain items of the past, and reduce clutter and unneeded items in life.  I've spent time creating - always a good feeling.  I had the chance to visit with several individuals outside of my wonderful clients.  All in all - a good month.


Here's to a year of catching the dreams you chase,
doing what makes you smile,
and loving the life you live.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Snowflakes - in process

Happy Spring everyone and the snow is just about melted or rained away here in Connecticut.  My 'season' is mostly over - though it is truly never over.  The last two weeks are long days and nights and very little time off.

This year was good - difficult for some of the returns that needed to be completed, some done and some on extension for the next couple of weeks.  I will be doing lots of follow up so I will make notes for the next season, who I should follow up with over the year, and make it my year.   This is a quarter month - represents work that needs to be completed for the first three months of this year.   So I'm off to the office.

This little snowflake was started and in still in formation...  think of it as the crystals are growing!

When done -->>>  22 of 50 !!





Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Snowflakes - True to your heart

True To Your Heart snowflake.

It is an amazing name for this beauty and great for this time of year as we transition from winter and lots and lots of snow to the spring.  Spring when all is fresh and new, especially here in New England.

Some of the trees have buds on them, the crocuses are pushing up through the last of the snow in the gardens and the birds have begun their morning and evening rituals of singing.

Spring is when I get to start my year as I spend the first four months buried in work.  The days are getting longer, the sun is shining more hours and there is that eternal hope that comes with the light.

I began this week doing seedling sitting once again.  The little guys are getting bigger - I hope we have continued success.... and the Town gets our garden plots up and ready as soon as possible!

My nephew is expected to arrive in two days.  I've a science project I would like to do with him.  It should be fun!


PS I know it needs to be starched in a big way - this is 21 out of 50!  Yeah!!



Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Snowflakes - Less is more

This snowflake designed by Snowcatcher is called Peewink after a mountain of the same name in Colorado.

There are a couple of stitches -- a sc picot and a dc picot.  Both are used at the points of this snowflake.  I need a bit more practice as the ones I did are not very consistent.

Each of the snowflakes are unique - such as nature intended them to be.  A couple of weeks ago I went to the "new and improved" Michaels store.  It moved from down the street to farther down the street.  I was curious as they had been offering lots of 'deals' with the improved store.  I was there for an hour or so - it must be 4x larger, though it only had more of the same of some items and less of other items.  Less there was of what little threads they carried, it is now even more scarce.

One of the sales folks, very nice man, was trying to help me - though they are not carrying the merchandise.  What less yarn and even less thread!!  I was quite disappointed.  He suggested that I write to Michaels on their website of my disappointment.  So I did.  I did get a response -- it was less than expected as it appears that no one read my letter nor could make any comment.  Sad to say - that letter said that my business and my opinion is not worthy.  They will now have one less customer.

When one  items closes.... another will open, sometimes less is more.

20 of 50 completed......... or 40% done!

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Snowflakes - making progress


Yeah !!  Three More done.  Thanks Snowcatcher.

These are called from the top, Garden Snowflake 8, Garden Snowflake 9, and Garden Snowflake 10.

This week's worth were a bonus for me.  The patterns were simple and great to do a trio.  I like each of them and would consider making them again in the possible second 50?

Spring sprung last week and we were met with yet another snow storm.   Of course in New England- March snow storms don't do much other than inconvenience.

Snow is now warming up into spring showers and melting some of the piles.  We will have some snow piles till May!

Nineteen completed of the fifty!  Yeah  38% completed!  keep it up and I'll get done before the end of the summer.  Hmmm  an idea for an entry into the Creative Arts this September?  Stay tuned.