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Post by michelle on Jul 18, 2022 6:16:25 GMT
Affirmation: I am a possibility thinker. Attitude habit builder: Sincere and committed Body: Gardening, Homemaking, Functional fitness steps Spirit: Peaceful Gratitude: Lovely evenings outside
Today I continued to do my spring cleaning and yard work. I absolutely love! to have a clean house. Viva la difference--we all have our preferences and I am thankful for the interesting unique way others live.
Cathy: The alphabet! I got excited when I saw that your are on letter A. Such creative thinking and very fun to read.
Onward>>>>
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Post by michelle on Jul 20, 2022 1:04:57 GMT
Affirmation: Willingness is the key that will unlock any door. Attitude habit builder: Resilient and interdependent Body: Gardening, Homemaking, Functional fitness steps Spirit: Calm Gratitude: Music
My hollyhocks are blooming. They are spectacular! I don't remember them looking nearly as nice when I was growing up. Possibly these current ones have been bred to be so much better. It will be nice when I am done with audit season so my life can be not quite as full. However I love being busy so definitely not complaining. Last night I saw bats grabbing dinner underneath our farm light. I was very excited to see them as the drought has dramatically reduced all wildlife.
Cathy: I missed your alphabetic post this morning. So glad that Bella has made a successful full recovery!
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Post by cathygeha on Jul 20, 2022 6:04:07 GMT
Affirmation: I am Brave
Mind: Broad
Body: Beautiful
Spirit: Brilliant
Gratitude: Birds, Bees, Bounty, Bella
Being home is marvelous although I would LOVE to find a solution that would allow a fan at night. The mosquito net WORKS but it would be nicer to have a fan to blow mosquitoes away and keep me cook than hiding under the net without any fan at all (no electricity 4-8am). I suppose I could go to bed EARLIER and get 8 hours of sleep in but...going to bed at 8pm with the sun not down might be trickier?
Yesterday was quiet and spent at home. Today I am doing some laundry, will walk, shower and spend the afternoon with friends talking and playing cards.
MICHELLE: I thought I posted yesterday...oops...posted the B's today...C's tomorrow. Glad you enjoy them! I also love that you are thinking about less "adulting" and wonder what you might be looking forward to. Hollyhocks...we have them everywhere. They remind me of my paternal grandfather who used a toothpick, bud and flower to make me hollyhock dolls when I visited him in Iowa.
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Post by michelle on Jul 21, 2022 5:28:16 GMT
Affirmation: I am a possibility thinker. Attitude habit builder: Excited and strategic Body: Errand running steps and Yoga Spirit: Reflective Gratitude: Bird songs
Today I drove to town and ran my weekly errands. I had a wonderful conversation with a stranger, laughed with the grocery checker about our foibles and managed to get everything done which was a minor miracle because the heat intensifies the experience. I ate my lunch parked under a tree next to bees busily enjoying the flowers.
Cathy: You made me laugh about adulting since I can't imagine anything harder to do than to read for hours on end. Now that is serious adulting! I admire your ability to do so and also your wide range of interests. I was touched by your story about the hollyhock dolls and remember my mother telling me about playing with them when she was little.
Onward>>>>
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Post by cathygeha on Jul 21, 2022 5:52:34 GMT
Affirmation: I am capable
Mind: Curious
Body: Cautious
Spirit: Creative
Gratitude: Caffeinated coffee in the mornings, children happily playing together, creating-creations
I enjoyed the time with friends yesterday afternoon. I thought about bugs and put on long leggings and longer sleeved shirt but took them off before leaving as it was TOO HOT to wear them. Instead, I wore shorts and a sleeveless shirt. We have been receiving less water but did finally get some last night so hope to take a shower before bed or after I exercise today. Friends said they have not had government electricity for 2.5 months and rely only on paying the local village generator. Th lines were stolen for the copper and never replaced. We decided we are "heroines", durable, resilient...but all agreed it was not necessarily by choice.
MICHELLE: I loved that you had a nice interaction with a stranger and chatted with the checker at the store. How are your dogs doing with the heat? Do they frolic in their pool?
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Post by michelle on Jul 22, 2022 4:33:12 GMT
Affirmation: Life is wonderfilled! Attitude habit builder: Pride of accomplishment and Determined Body: Functional fitness and Yoga Spirit: Open Gratitude: My home The dogs like to have me turn on the hose and then bite at the water. This is great fun according to them! Each of them has a preferred method of water gradiation so the nozzle has to be adjusted accordingly. I taught them to take turns and it seems that this provides the best outcome so that every one is happiest. Buttercup likes to take a dip in her pool. Clair likes to stand in it and slap at it. Sam, however, prefers the bowls out under the pine trees when they are filled with water. Cathy, Glad you had fun with your friends and got to wear a new outfit. It seems as though you were making lemonade out of lemons when all of you were chatting and came up with strong attributes that are being honed by difficult times. I absolutely love this concept which has slipped by the wayside. Time to get it back on my affirmation list.
Onward>>>>
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Post by cathygeha on Jul 22, 2022 8:32:14 GMT
Affirmation: I am DEPENDABLE
Mind: Deliberates, designs, and is currently determined to reach goal weight
Body: Delighted by Delicious Desserts
Spirit: Dabbles and Dissects new iDeas
Gratitude: Daughter that took me on the trip of a lifetime and has purchased a scarf for her and for me as a memento of our trip to the UK
Yesterday was quiet. I finished another book, wrote the review, will review, and post it today. This morning I did one load of laundry, made a grape leaf casserole using leftover tabouleh, some bulgur, tomato sauce and th microwave...hubby brought in grape leaves from our vines for me to soften in boiling water to layer in the casserole. Did not have currants or dried fruit or nuts so it is going to be plane but we can add garbanzo beans and seeds/nuts if we want to later.
MICHELLE: I almost wrote "dogs" for my gratitude because I delight in hearing about YOUR dogs...and also my sister's dog, Piper.
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Post by michelle on Jul 23, 2022 4:20:38 GMT
Affirmation: Serenity is all around me. Attitude habit builder: Pleasant and quiet Body: Lots of water and rest Spirit: Transcendent Gratitude: Nature is all around me. City life is far away. My daughter came out to the house to visit for the first time since the start of the pandemic. We had a wonderful time. Clair absolutely loves her so she was over the moon happy. Buttercup decided that if Clair loves her then she will too. It was very cute. We planted some flowering items in the yard and enjoyed our time together a great deal. Cathy: I'm so glad you enjoyed your trip! I like your D's, especially the affirmation. Also liked that dogs almost made your list. A day never goes by without a story about their antics--I try to keep relating them to a minimum so that I don't end up in the obnoxious dog lover bin.
Onward>>>>
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Post by cathygeha on Jul 23, 2022 6:48:13 GMT
Affirmation: Energy expended efficiently is excellence in motion
Mind: Education empowers my actions
Body: Efficiently evades excess
Spirit: Effervescent, Empathetic, Engaged, Enlightened
Gratitude: Ears that hear, eggs to eat (and those that become new living creatures), emotions that tell me I am alive, EVERYONE that I encounter - they all teach me something
It was warm yesterday. We finished most of the laundry BUT the humidity made the linens feel damp so I put them into the dryer to finish them off before folding them up. Today we will go out to buy credit for my phone, some dairy products and produce, and withdraw money to exchange for lira. Not sure what else we will do. I need to wash pots and pans, empty the dishwasher and start filling it again, etc.
MICHELLE: I love that your daughter came to visit for the first time since the pandemic began. It has been a long time for both of us to go without seeing our daughters. Hopefully we will see them more often as time goes by. My daughter told me in an email today that her husband is impressed that she and I did not get covid or monkeypox on this trip in which we were in the midst of many unmasked people more often than not. It is kind of nice to know we are healthy or wise or perhaps both.
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Post by michelle on Jul 24, 2022 4:24:02 GMT
Affirmation: Stop and smell the roses. Attitude habit builder: Dynamic and perserverant Body: Lots of water and rest Spirit: Creative Gratitude: A smoke free summer.
I have been appreciating the smoke free days since at this time last year there was an abundance of it. Lovely summer day and lots got accomplished. Another wonderful evening sitting out under the apple tree! Slightly marred by Clair trying to catch mice and me nagging at her to behave herself.
Cathy: Your list is very creative and fun to read. My daughter still has covid complexities at the hospital. Most of the nurses around her have gotten it over the last two years and a number have serious ongoing side effects. I was going without my mask but will put it back on again when I run my errands since she still does so. I am curious if you have remained the same or changed ever so slightly due to the pandemic constraints. Just wondering because I noticed that I am much more reserved and rather reflective when having a social encounter. Actually I like this change.
Onward>>>>
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Post by cathygeha on Jul 24, 2022 6:27:00 GMT
Affirmation: I am FRIENDLY
Mind: Focused
Body: Flexible (sort of)
Spirit: Free
Gratitude: Friends
Yesterday we ran errands, picked up produce, and then hunkered down to try and stay cool. Talked to our daughter in the evening and hope to talk to our son and his family tonight. I wonder how people survived in the past when it was HOT. Ah well...glad we can close up and stay inside and don't have to work outside in the heat!
MICHELLE: When I was in the USA I followed what others I was with were doing. The mask came off when eating, when walking outside in malls, in big open markets...etc. When with my daughter she would decide and since her husband is a virologist studying covid - I trusted her choices. In the museum, on the underground, in the opera, sitting by people we did not know - we wore masks. If there was free-flowing air and windows open then we did not wear them. On planes we did...etc. We did not get sick. My daughter was shocked at my husband washing the containers for food (yogurt, cheeses, etc) before putting them into the fridge. She said that touching is not as feared as it once was. I do worry sometimes in some situations and wear my mask in stores here or at the bank or whatever but don't with my friends playing cards...think we are far enough apart AND the window is open with fans blowing. I think this has definitely impacted my willingness to strike up conversations with strangers or get close to others while not wearing a mask. Some people seem to get covid over and over...are they more susceptible, careless, or??? I am glad I have avoided it.
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Post by michelle on Jul 25, 2022 5:40:18 GMT
Affirmation: Slow and steady wins the race. Attitude habit builder: Sincere, committed & productive Body: Functional fitness steps Spirit: Calm Gratitude: Family
I wandered around the yard watering any ICU plants I found. Clair decided to snack on a bunny but was forestalled by DH poking her with his golf club over the fence. The bunny got very stuck in the dog pen fence as the slats are not even three inches wide. So much hub bub about all this! Dogs trying to snack etc. DH couldn't get the bunny undone so I had to take over and I remembered from when I was a bunny DM and kind of pulled one of its legs out so that it was stretched to get its legs to not be parallel and got it pulled through. Not too sure I told you that I am also a chipmunk DM having raised little Alvin, Theodore and Simon getting my job when their little eyes were still closed. They were on kitten replacement formula that I gave them with an eye dropper and I have many cute stories about the goings on with them. They loved their DM and showed it. The rabbits, not so much but maybe it was because I was never sure if I might get rabies if one of them bit me so I had to wear leather gloves when raising them. The chippers however were beyond fun to raise! Country life....
Cathy: I think I will follow the old adage---Better safe that sorry in regard to masking up . I never know when I am safe (if that is even possible). I had to wear a mask for months last summer when I worked outside in the smoke so I don't find them bothersome. My niece got Covid over a year ago and her senses of taste and smell have not come back. As a WW I definitely don't want to loose my tasting ability!
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Post by cathygeha on Jul 25, 2022 7:07:40 GMT
Affirmation: I am GRACIOUS
Mind: Gobbles up new ideas
Body: GUTSY & GRITTY as necessary - GOING to reach GOAL in 2022
Spirit: GENEROUS
Gratitude: GOODNESS that is shown to others; GIRLS that are Granddaughters, daughters, and friends, GENTLEMEN that help me on trips
It was warm yesterday...hit the low-nineties. We closed up early so it stayed fairly cool. The miserable time was 6-8 without electricity, windows open with minimal breeze, still in the high-eighties AND flying biting bugs nibbling on my ankles, landing on exposed forearms and hands, and buzzing my ears. I had to hunker under my coolest robe covered up sweating till the electricity arrived to run the fans...not fun! I didn't want to put bug spray on because it might be expired and instead attract bugs and even if it deterred them, I would perhaps not have water for a shower. Sleeping had me put the sheet at the bottom of the bed under the mosquito net then trying to fall asleep without having toes go out from the net. Ah well...do have electricity now and won't have to worry about mosquitoes for awhile...I hope.
MICHELLE: I agree with you on the "better safe than sorry" but did follow what family was doing and seem to have avoided covid so far. That said, I do NOT want to lose my sense of taste...smell is another thing that is hit or miss with all the allergies I have picked up over the years and countries lived in. I, too, have done the rescue thing but mine was with a kitten abandoned and still with closed eyes and ear-flaps. I am glad you were able to rescue the bunny but understand why a dog would find a trapped one nibble-worthy
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Post by michelle on Jul 26, 2022 4:30:43 GMT
Affirmation: Slow and steady wins the race. Attitude habit builder: Sincere, committed & productive Body: Functional fitness steps Spirit: Happy Gratitude: My brother
I am keeping a lot of yesterday's list since it worked excellently today. Clair and I might join a dog drill team. We are going to the organizational meeting on Saturday and will see if it is a good fit for her. I have been in one before and it was fun so it is possibility.
Cathy: Your lists are epic as usual--so creative! BTW, Your "E" spiritual was especially wonderful. Great news about the electricity. I hadn't thought I was rescuing the little ones so much as adopting them as my temporary furry children, strange but true. Your bug experience would make a good horror film! I had one a few weeks ago that could be the second feature at the theater along with yours. The Aphids. Truly disgusting but I will save it for another day, or year or better yet century.
Onward>>>>
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Post by cathygeha on Jul 26, 2022 6:37:06 GMT
Affirmation: I am HONEST
Mind: HONED & HOMES-IN on pertinent ideas and facts
Body: HEROICALLY HARDY/HEARTY
Spirit: HEADS toward HEAVENLY topics...and those that disprove such...seeks HELPFUL HAVENS
Gratitude: HARMONIOUS in Mind-Body-Spirit
Another warm day yesterday. Did two loads of laundry, made meals, the usual stuff. Wrote a review and started a new book. Hubby just left to deliver figs to a cousin and will pick up some produce on the way home. I have black beans soaking, chickpeas defrosting(for hummus), and already cooked some lentils. Hubby said he wants mjudra but don't want to fry onions so he can mix the lentils and bulgur with onions if he fries them and I will have mine without fried onions. Have to do anything that requires electricity before 11 when electricity cuts again <sign>
MICHELLE: What is a dog drill team? I am seeing dogs doing synchronized dancing-swimming and twirling batons...probably not THAT. Your mention of aphids reminded me of my sister. Last year her garden was infested as they gobbled up her cucumbers...she ate few and finally pulled them all out. This year she planted NOT Persian cucumbers but instead American Slicing Cucumbers - no aphids but inedible bitter cucumbers. I found a site that explained why cucumbers are bitter and sent it to her. It explained that her crop this year are THE BITTEREST and last years the sweetest...aha...so...now she seeks ways to actually EAT those bitter hearty hardy aphid-free cucumbers. Aphids are a menace...another aphid story...shortly after moving to Lebanon I went to dinner with my husband and saw green things crawling in the salad...did not eat it...aphids...wondered if they cleaned the greens at all!
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