days_unfolding

I don’t know why I keep waking up in the middle of the night. I can go back to sleep okay, but I do wake up.

I got the pieces of the filing cabinet upstairs. (I figured that the assembly person wouldn’t do it for me.) I think that a piece might be missing? The assembly guy is here. He seems nice.

My Meijer order was canceled. I’m trying to add another card, but it’s saying that the card cannot be added. Bah. I wound up ordering from Walmart.

Had my session with the life coach. We discussed my going through a bag of clothes a day before taking my nap. We also discussed what I need to do before going to Michigan.

The organizer convinced me to get rid of a bunch of bathroom stuff too. She did a lot of organizing in the cold bathroom/laundry room.

The other organizer worked with me on my filing system. I still have some work to do on it, but we got a lot of it set up. She also hung a picture in the kitchen.

I did go through a bag of clothes. I was kind of using the criteria on whether the piece “sparked joy,” though I made an exception for a pair of navy pants because you can always use a pair of navy pants. I do have more purple dresses than is reasonable, but I’ll go back through them another time. The net result was a bag of garbage of trashed stuff, plus part of a box of clothes to donate, and some stuff in the closet. I’m wondering if I could hire someone to iron some of my stuff?

Now I’ve earned a nap. Had a nice one. Overslept my alarm. I'm going to go back to sleep. Back to work tomorrow.

I found a utility cabinet for brooms, mops, etc. and cleaning supplies.

Well, hell. The rack from which to hang pots isn’t going to work. Apparently, there is a wall behind the drywall. Too bad; I like how the racks look.

I got my “Please don’t let the cats out” sign. I tried to put a nail into the siding and then the door to hang it, but it wouldn't go through. I finally just hung it on the knob for the door.

The organizers are ALMOST done with the kitchen. They're doing a good job, but sheesh, it's taking a long time. They convinced me to part with a lot of stuff, and most of my stuff fits in the kitchen. We're going to tackle the bathroom/laundry room next, which I have been working in, but could use help putting up the shelves over the washer and dryer.

My annoying neighbor is annoying. He came back again to talk about the tree, and I told him that he was rude last time talking to me while I was on the phone, and that I didn't want to talk to him. I told him that I know of the problem with the tree, and I'll get to it when I get to it. He wanted me to go look at the tree with him, and I said no, I have people over. Sheesh. Then apparently he went after the young woman who was one of the organizers, but she told him that she didn't live here.

Tried to nap but couldn’t sleep. That’s good because it means that I’m catching up on my sleep. Zara is down for the count. I shifted in bed and she didn’t even twitch.

I’m trying to work up the energy to work on the bathroom. I’m turning into my mom, who said that she couldn’t get anything done after dark. I'm going to feed the cats and go get ready for bed.

Mimi has a favorite chair upstairs.

Found a really nice tan leather blazer in a bag of stuff from Stitch Fix. Went on the Internet to find ideas of how to wear it and bought a white sweater and green jeans. Actually, I think that I’m going to wear it on the Detroit-Chicago flight with blue jeans and a white sweater.

Woke up at 8 AM. I’m trying to convince myself not to go back to sleep because I need to practice guitar and voice.

I bought a cashmere sweater and skirt in burgundy from Quince. Actually, I bet that it would look good with the tan blazer. Or better yet, the pink leather blazer!

Bought some music flashcards. Practiced guitar.

We almost finished the crawl space. I have some papers that I need to go through, and there is some stuff way back in the space. Also, there is a ton of stuff that needs to be shredded, and I discovered that the UPS Store will do that. So I need to gather the shred stuff in boxes before I go there for my Amazon returns tomorrow.

I was sneezing from the dust in the crawl space until the organizer recommended that I wear a mask. It helped.

Had lunch and fed the hordes. Now I'm practicing voice.

Music theory and voice went really well. Guitar was a fiasco. Ah well. I’m kind of muttering,”I do this for fun?” I did buy a system of learning guitar chords that I’ll try when I get back. My teacher wants me to learn “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” but I’m stymied by the C chord.

I’m really tired. I think that I’ll get my laundry started, pack up some stuff in my backpack, set up the AirTags in my suitcases, and go to bed. I need to do some cleaning in the morning.

Mimi has been complaining up a storm, probably because she didn’t get her snuggles this afternoon. She wants me to go lie down. Now she’s snacking.

Got the laundry started. Filled a litter box. Gathered stuff to wash the bathroom floor in the morning. Packed up most of the things to go in my backpack. I couldn't get the AirTag containers that attach to fabric open, so I just tucked the AirTags in pockets of my luggage.

I just remembered that I have French homework. Le sigh. I can't remember what sections of the book we were in though, so I guess that I won't do it.

Time to crash and get up early to clean.

Woke up with my alarm and got dishes done before my shower. The power washing guy isn’t here, but it’s supposed to rain today. Okay, now he's here.

Had technical difficulties and was late to a meeting. Oh well.

The roofer guy came (while I was in my meeting with the life coach)! He said that the roof in the front part of the house and the garage needs to be replaced, which is more-or-less what I figured. He's working on an estimate. The power washing is almost done and the house looks great!

The life coach helped me figure out what I need to do for the Hawaii trip plus on the house. She said that I didn't give myself rewards enough, given that I'm getting so much done. I need to think about that.

I tried to nap over lunch, but couldn't sleep. Mimi wanted to lie on me, so we had difficulties. But I still couldn't sleep after she got off.

Talked to my weight-loss coach. She suggested drinking water with Crystal Light, which I'll try. I just submitted a grocery order with Crystal Light in it.

I bought myself a wedding ring! One of my solo travel sites recommended wearing a wedding ring when women travel solo, which is not a bad idea. But I wanted something pretty, so I found a rose gold one that wasn't too horribly expensive.

I've decided what to do right after work. My life coach suggested exercising, but I need some down time after work. I've decided to read after work both as a treat and also for self-improvement. I've loaded up on Kindle books and will read for an hour each day.

I’m setting up the new laptop. It’s small but mighty. I love it. Right now, it’s updating. Once my files are copied and the battery charged, I’m just going to pack the new laptop and continue to use the old one. Windows did not copy my files over, so I'm backing up my files on the old laptop and will port them over.

The Crystal Light is good. Note to self: ask the organizer where the Brita pitcher went. Found it.

I can't find my reef-safe suntan lotion, so I need to order more. Also couldn't find the waterproof housing for the GoPro, so I'm ordering a new one. I had a box of camera stuff that I can't find. I'll have to ask the organizer about it. Losing stuff after we "organize" kind of sucks, but I don't see a way around it.

I think that I have Semagic set up on the new laptop, so I'm going to test it with this post.

Sam's Club said that the stepper and Total Gym will arrive by Friday, so I need to get the table out before then. The dumpster arrives on Monday. Maybe Wednesday?

Zara really wants me to feed her before I go to bed. Not happening. I think that she ate Mimi's food twice when Mimi was sleeping.

I woke up with my phone and alarm and alarm clock at 8. (My alarm clock was already set to 8.) I decided to go back to sleep for an hour and overslept by a half-hour. I jammed to get myself presentable for the organizers.

The organizers have come and gone. We almost finished the plant room. (What a simple sentence to write, but so much work!) It's an amazing change. I have "homework". I'm wondering if I should take a personal day to catch up. Thursday looks like the best day. I could go to AT&T also.

I went upstairs, and when I came down, two pairs of eyes were staring intently at me. Yes, the cats' lunch was late :) Mine too.

Moved the cars and wrote "Put dumpster here" on the driveway in chalk. I hope that helps.

I forgot to schedule guitar and singing lessons for this week. I suck. But I'm kind of glad because I'd like to lie down for a while. And yes, I scheduled them starting next week. Tried to nap but couldn't sleep.

There is a conversation about waterproof shoes in one of the solo travel Facebook groups. I'd like a pair for Hawaii for walking around tide pools and such, but I haven't found a wide width yet. Sigh. Actually I found some waterproof hiking boots with good traction, and Hawaii mud is the slipperiest stuff. My dad slipped and fell on a trail when it was raining with a cliff on one side. Luckily he slipped down the trail. When we got out of the rain, he found that even the money in his wallet was soaked. Hmm, I should get a waterproof bag for the camera. It rains a lot there. Mount Waiʻaleʻale has been deemed one of the wettest spots on Earth.

I'm now thinking that I will do some hiking on Kauai. I need to get in shape for Italy!

Crud. I tried to log into my SkyMiles account, but didn't remember the password. I tried to reset my password, and it said that the info didn't match their records, even though it was correct. So now I need to call them tomorrow morning. Got my BistroMD meals picked out.

I'm going to do some dishes and start a load of laundry and go to sleep. I have a lot that I want to get done before work tomorrow.

I think that I've made a decision to take the guitar with me on my train trip. I'm a little nervous about what United will do to it on the way back, but I really would like to practice it. Okay, yeah, I can take it on the train, though I'm also worried about it getting stolen. Hmm. Can I use a cable to attach it to something? I just ordered a Tile tracker for it. And I'll use a UV pen on it and register it online. I bought a lockable case for it and a bike lock. That should keep it secure.

So. Freaking. Tired. this morning. I had problems falling asleep because I was revved up.

I told Dad that I was going to bring my guitar and that I should practice it and voice, and his response: "If you get obnoxious we'll just throw you out." Snort.

The second organizer did not have weekend appointments, so I went with the first organizer. I hope that it goes well. We have a session scheduled this Saturday.

My goal for this week is to get my stuff corralled so that we can focus on Mom's stuff. I've started loading books onto my Kindle to take with me on the trip.

Still super tired, so I'll go to CVS tomorrow. Oh, I need to get the garbage out though. I'm going to take a nap, but first I'm singing "You ain't nothing but a goofball" to Mimi. Because she is.

Took a nap and slept through until 11:30 PM. I still have to get the recycling and garbage out.

Fed the ravening hordes, who weren't thrilled with me sleeping on the job.

I'm trying to order diet cola from Meijer, but their Web site is flaking. Sigh. Okay, their app worked.

Cool. I've been trying to set a session with my therapist while I'm in Chicago. She set it for noon, when I'll be in Union Station. I told her that, and she set one during her personal time at 10. Thanks to her!

Mimi was complaining up a storm, so I gave her some dry food. Loudmouth cat :) She ate a couple of mouthfuls and walked away. Cats!

Down five pounds total so far.

Man, I'm feeling groggy today.

Mom said that she didn't have enough time in the day to work on the house, and she was skipping sleep and meals. I was like "You're retired. How much time do you need?" Now that I'm working on the house, I get it. This place is a LOT of work. I think that it was too much house for her. And for me.

Okay. The new life coach was very helpful. She said to set a goal for one thing per day (at least during the week). And she said to look into grief counseling and hiring an organizer. She also said to look at my hard stop in December (I start classes again in January, so I want to be done by then), and back up and schedule deadlines. I'm also thinking of hiring an organizer when I unpack my stuff in Urbana.

Got this week's food put away. Tuned my guitar. I'll tune it again before the lesson, but I figured that it would be way out of tune and it was.

Napped briefly. Had my guitar lesson. She wants to see me hold the guitar, which is hard with the laptop. I have a Web cam floating around, so I need to find it. But it went well. Singing went well too.

The washer repair guy, who is coming tomorrow, asked me to sweep near the washer, so I did that.

I've been fighting a headache all day, probably because I was tired, so I need to get to sleep.

Oh, I have a call with an organizer tomorrow and one on Monday.