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Post by zenamidievel on Jul 14, 2021 13:58:12 GMT
Good morning,
Ina bit of a rush to leave house to drive to new house this morning. Good job yesterday on your stuff. I did not get much done yesterday as planned. But house is ready this morning for appraiser, they will use key box as we won't be here.
thats about it,
Must run, more later.
Z.
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Post by michelle on Jul 15, 2021 20:08:18 GMT
My internet was down, power problems. This fire...... I just wanted to post in case it goes down again. BBL with amazing list of completed items LOL
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Post by zenamidievel on Jul 16, 2021 0:21:40 GMT
Good Late Afternoon,
I hope you're doing okay there with all the fire stuff! Let mew know!
Streaks: Day 40, down 16 pounds, astounding. Still on streaks, NO CHEATS!
NSV: Ordered a body smoothing under dress garment from Amazon, it is great, I don't care if I swelter in it, I've wanted/needed one of these, regardless of weight to make some things wearable, so this is good. ALso one of the black faux wrap dresses I ordered from zappos, I'm keeping, it is a medium and it looks great, the smoother helps. NSV is I have plenty of things I can wear , dresses where I'm not suffering OMG what am I gonna wear syndrome from for DS upcoming BMT (basic military training) graduation which is a week from today! Yay! Also yesterday while at new house, was sent out for lunch and I got a protein bowl instead of a sandwich, it was very tasty and I let my self indulge in some pizza that night at dinner. Thank for listening!
New House:
1. We met with the landscaper, I we talked about the plan, I gave him my sketch of the site plan, discussed hydroseeding, plants, rocks, boulders, paver pathways and steps leading to lower patio platform to enter lower deck. This all seemed to go well, we have no idea how much this will cost but are hoping to hear 25K or less, ideally less than 20K really, 15K would be awesome, I just have no idea as also the irrigation needs put in, so...everything for upper front, and lower bank area. WIll let you know. Not sure I mentioned the DH of our neighbor there told my DH they spent 65K! THese houses are really close together, but IMO this minimizes what needs done on the side beause really there's just room for the paver path/steps to below on one side, a strip of rock to go down on the other.
2. A rep from window covering place came and measured all windows. This morning before leaving town, we went to the supplier who we'll get window covering from and ordered what we think we want, however we need to hear back on what the costs will be on this as well. The woman was not very organized in her presentation of product, options, and it was confusing, she repeated herself constantly, wrote things down wrong, and we were like, yeah, we got that, now we're on this...I wasn't sure if I was alone in my opinion of how this went but when we got in the car, DH said something about it first. There is other situation about the window coverings, I'm editing but I think it is passing.
3. DH and moved and looked in some boxes in garage, opened, repacked, unpacked, moved into house, not a ton of it but cleared a little bit only. This to make better pathway in garage. I may go to new house alone while DH and DD go to her college orientation and work on moving boxes, opening, sorting and making new donation boxes (I already started one) for stuff realizing don't want, really don't have room for in new house, stuff from Cabin property mostly. DH has his own closet in bedroom 4, which we put laminate flooring in so his safes would set flat/safely on flooring. THe closets in the downstairs bedrooms are oversized walk in closets and bedroom 4 is where he's to consolidate/keep all his hobby stuff so it's not stashed here and there through out the rest of the house, like it was in this house.
So small successes all round. NOt much else happened.
Hope you're doing okay there!
Z.
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Post by michelle on Jul 16, 2021 2:57:22 GMT
Z, Such an interesting post!!! Congrats! on the Streaks!!! I am not shocked at the $65K but also not sure that much needed to be spent. I think it will be wonderful to get the exact type of landscaping that you want. Your plan sounds amazing! Scary about the competentcy of the sales personnel. I went over exactly what I was supposed to be getting when the new improved garage door opener was delivered. There is no way I am ever again going to let things go wrong because I did not make sure they were right in the first place. I have a VERY irritating story about the installation of the new HVAC system years ago to remind myself to insist on accuracy. Sorry for the rant. But, of course, the garage door installer knew nothing about a request I had made which was cleared up by my discussing the plan BEFORE he started.
I have been very busy doing yardwork. Today I got the area down by the entrance to the property cleaned up. I have been staying on top of this so far less needed to be done than before I started my annual campaign. Also went up and down the driveway, all 300 feet of it, and pulled/clipped native vegetation that had grown where I don't want it. This was my easiest year so I was excited about that.
Tomorrow is errand day for me. I have a car full of unneeded stuff. Where does all this come from? I think there is a mystery shopper lurking in my life somewhere. This reminds me of one of those dinner theater mysteries. The weirdest one we went to was on the train in Napa. I have an idea that Michelle did it with her credit card. Kind of like a game of Clue.
Onward>>>>>>
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Post by zenamidievel on Jul 17, 2021 13:47:01 GMT
Hello,
I don't know where it comes from! I like your description of the answer to this question though, funny! Hooray for having an easier job in some of your yard areas due to previous year's efforts!
Today: -DH and I took care of one vehicle windshield replacement, this was two trips back and forth. DH had two rocks smash windshields to two different cars within 5 days of each other last week! Both need entirely replaced! -DH and I went to bank and had new house paperwork noterized and then I took it to the FedExpress office and mailed it. -my jewelry making friend made a bracelet at my request for me to wear with my dress, so it was a little large, she made it smaller, we had a visit -made follow up phone call to regular rep to ask questions, get advice on area rug binding of large remnant we have, also on window stuff, a color question, she said if I sent pics and furniture dimensions she'd be able to tell me what size area rug to do would be best. But I wanted to do a sketch for myself and for some reason I am finding this challenging, I'm on attempt #4 -New House: Shopping. THere are things we will need for new house even though there is so much to probably get rid of. So I looked on line, many websites, went to Kohls and Target today, and got some basic bathmats. Ordered two shower curtains for downstairs baths. shower rings, small fake succulent potted plants, two more soap dispensers I want for kitchen on a little tray, a curtain rod, black out curtains in a charcoal gray (lots of reading reviews for these, these are for DH for the Master bedroom, in addition to blinds we'll have.
That's about it. Meant to post this last night
Z.
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Post by michelle on Jul 18, 2021 0:18:45 GMT
Z, I can't believe it about the windshield problems. I stuck my head in the sand about a tiny crack I had and then the entire windshield had to be replaced because the crack widened ever so slightly.
I enjoy reading about what gets purchased almost as much as what gets decluttered. Just love these types of lists! Also getting a few new things here and there staves of the necessity of redecorating entire rooms KWIM? LOL My expenditures lately were for items for the LR and FR and as far as I am concerned it really makes a difference. Well, also there have been the items for the yard and then yesterday there were the three very pricey metal benches purchased for the outer yards--that's what I am now going to call the areas on the right and left of the house. And then today there were the two quite pricey items purchased to match one of the benches....
These benches have been purchased so that I will have something similar to thrones to sit on after I have been grubbing around in those areas; endlessly raking, digging, watering on and on using my gardening tools from the stations I have erected and these benches are extremely nice to say the least--somewhat like a small diamond ring purchased to reward myself for all of the yard work drudgery I have to submit myself to, kind of like one of those athletes that do those extreme races where they crawl through mud etc etc. When DH balked at the cost of the two metal sunflowers to go with my sunflowers metal bench we began to discuss the cost of one of his golf rounds up in the mountains, such as Lake Tahoe and also the price of his latest set of golf clubs came into the discussion ---all very sweetly.
We had such a lovely day. We went to the annual Arts and Crafts fair at Graegle. Then took a ride up a winding mountain road. We have done lots of hiking in that area which I just love and also I took many pictures of wildflowers up there. Anyway it was just such fun! We took Clair as I wanted to see that after over a year of Covid isolation if she still wanted to be a therapy dog and sure enough she was just as delighted to have interchanges with people as she was pre Covid.
We drove by the Base Camp for the fire that almost visited us. That was so incredibly interesting!!! They had long semi trailers that were specifically labeled to be used for sleeping and a field!!! of individual tiny tents that the firefighters sleep in. Just so many trucks, equipment on and on. This reminded me of the tents etc seen in Gone With The Wind--if you remember that. Only this would be Gone with the Fire, so sad. Anyway there also is a small airport nearby and some huge water dropping helicopters that look like were parked there. These sightings made the entire effort so much more real. Today Head FF Jake posted on the facebook page a vide of some of the specialist FFS working with chain saws etc so near the fire. It was incredible to see that.
This has turned into a book. The benches have lovely designs on their backs--sun flowers, another butterflies, the last one-- an incredible tree. Must be delivered as they are too heavy to lift easily.
Hope you are having a wonderful evening!!!
Onward>>>>>
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Post by michelle on Jul 19, 2021 3:54:22 GMT
Busy day for me. I had a pile of bush limbs that had to be cut down so that they could be put in the garden refuse hole, planted 11 flowering plants which took quite a while because I had to fix the fencing that goes around them to keep the rabbits from eating them. Worked on my office paper tiger and made excellent progress which shocked me because I had to talk myself into doing it. Got a load of laundry done and put away, vac'd, dusted etc in the LR, DR, FR, Entry. Cleaned the K but still need to work a little on the cabinets. Then I helped DH plant five more plants and finished up the day by doing my Yoga. 19,353 Steps.
Tomorrow I have to take the dogs to the Vet and my DB & SIL are coming out to the house. Should be a fun!
Onward>>>>>
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Post by zenamidievel on Jul 19, 2021 19:56:13 GMT
Hello!
SOunds like you had a lovely day with the pups and DH! I love all Arts & Crafts Fairs, very fun!!! Nice work on your paper tiger and soooo many steps! Woohoo! The benches sound cute, I think I know the type you're speaking of, are they of black ornate iron/heavy type, scroll design/pattern? You deserve a gardening throne!
Streaks: 44 Days, no cheats, down 17 pounds.
I'm glad you enjoy reading about the shopping lists because there is more!!!...lol.
New House: Some items which were purchased online have been received and rest will come today. No buyers remorse here as they will all be used/set out immediately in new house bathrooms and will make bathrooms look just like stager made bathrooms look here. A small faux plant, candle and soap dispenser. THe double one with tray will dispense hand soap an dish soap. Will be for kitchen sink area and will have hand soap and dish soap in the little tray which could be set down in the sink, or left on countertop.
New House Shopping Yesterday: THis involved trip to a high end nursery/gift shop locally and a HomeGoods Store nearby. At the high end store I bought a small candle (expensive. but I'm not sorry it's so cute) in little stone, blue and cream, ceramic pot, a faux euclyptis plant that was a bit taller/medium size in white/marble size pot. The faux color on leaves is that nice blue/green euclyptus color and the size is is bit larger, but perfect. These two items together will be lovely in the center of the master bathroom vanity counter which is a quartz/marble looking white, minimal veining countertop. I purchased a set of dishtowels at high end store which were too expensive. Found much cheaper, better color and quality at Homegoods store, (sets of three for $5.99!), so today I'm returning the high end ones. At Homegoods I also bought three additional little candles in different type white/natural ceramic/stone holders, so each bathroom will have one candle with one e faux plant, and these were all each under $6.00 each as well. I also bought 8 placemats that I LOVE for the kitchen table, perfect colors, blue, natural and cream Cynthia Rowley design, two table runners and one natural, burlap/cream table cloth. All of these colors are blues, natural, burlap/cream type colors and will look great with wall color, farmhouse/urban style of light fixtures, countertop/backsplash (which has subtle blues/gray/creams) and our fireplace tile is blue slate. So this will all look cohesive, fantastic together. I did refrain from purchasing any pillows at this time! I will return one table runner to HOmegoods and the expensive dish towels today. I feel that the rest (except the one candle...lol) was needed, not excessive, just right in quantity and cost.
ToDos: -run laundry for trip to San Antonio for DS basic training which we leave for tomorrow! -return the two items -measure back of my car with window open to have area rug/and pad delivered to new city home depot so I can pick up and put in place in house prior to our move in date. -order the amazing shelf liner you used so I have that on hand to line shelving in new house prior to move in, possibly go to BBB and see if they have it in store.
TaDas: -phoned insurance for the rent back situation for month of AUgust so we are insured -e-mailed the moving place that is storing the bedroom suite furniture from cabin to shedule delivery date prior to our packing date with the big mover -phoned the post office again in new city to follow up if we have a box on the street now and how to get key, they will call me back. -phoned DD's oral surgery to find out about presription fullfill in for day of wisdom teeth extraction coming up last week of July. -phoned a cabinet system place in new city to get an estimate on wall bed for queen murphy bed in den. I'm excited about this. DH decided for it and I am thrilled because our new den is larger, and a longer room than our current den. The wall immediately to the right upon entering will accommodate a queen bed no problem and the room is so long that nothing even would need to be moved to fold it down! -We will get an electric fireplace for the big wall downstairs that can hold a T.V. too, and this will go on opposite wall of the bar. THis room is very large and will accommodate that as well.
Got my walk in this morning, I may go again tonight, we'll see.
NSV: Just tried on my dressier travel shorts from J.Crew factory outlet, slipped right on, not tight at all, looked great! I had not had these on in over a year or possibly since trip two years ago, where I could wear them, but they were snugger. I weigh about 10 pounds less than I did then. Woo hoo.
I'm back from making returns, got grocery food for DD for while we're gone, am running laundry, will do a pedicure and pack. We leave at 5:00 AM. I was tempted to buy a different, expensive candle while making returns at the high end store, but resisted! I'm laughing cause maybe our new house will be like "Succulent City"...remember that rock song from the 80's, "Suffrajette City"...lol...because there will be some in every room!
Hope you've had a good day!
Z.
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Post by michelle on Jul 20, 2021 2:56:27 GMT
Z, All the items sound perfect!!! They will make such a difference. The idea about the Murphy bed is very cleaver--I have seen this in decorating shows and they always are so functional and yet attractive. One of them had an interesting desk built in, but it was a small one. Today we took the dogs to the vet. Then I did office work for a few minutes before my DB & SIL arrived. They spent the day and left after dinner. I cannot describe how wonderful this was! The three of us talked endlessly about just about everything. My DB is a big talker like my DD was so I value this time more than I can say. Just so much fun and laughter!!! Hope you have a great trip!!! Onward>>>>>
Tuesday - I worked on the left side of the house and then my DB came to visit for the last time. We had a wonderful time talking about growing up etc. Hope you are having a wonderful time!
Wednesday - The last two days I worked on the left outer yard and got all of the black drip system hoses buried, the trees watered for the week and resolved five tripping hazards, just one left and it is covered by some rocks so it can be identified. Also got a big imitation rock and put it over the tree stump that had a blue bucket covering it—looks somewhat better but I could use a smaller rock. Now it is ready for the two benches that are going to be placed in that area to arrive!
Also made another yard watering schedule since I keep getting confused about the whole thing. Did some office admin work and all the regulars.
Onward>>>>
Thursday - More yard work and my benches arrived! They look wonderful!!!
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Post by zenamidievel on Jul 23, 2021 14:24:02 GMT
Hello,
The rock over the stump sounds more picturesque than a blue bucket! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the visit with DB!
We are still in San Antonio and leave early evening. Graduation ceremony went well, weather held off was great! Son was an honor graduate and is now Airman First Class in the US Air Force. He looked so good, like a different person, and seems very happy and excited about the path ahead. When he graduated high school he weighed close to 230, he started dieting and exercising when he made decision to enlist and weighs around 185 now and looks amazing! We took him to a BBQ lunch, hung out a bit, then back to the base. Couldn’t have been a better day!!!
SanAntonio…. There’s nothing to see here besides the Alamo and I don’t think I’d ever come here again except to see DB, if he were stationed here. Also not a big a fan of humidity. We walked along the River walk which was still very hot and sticky. There are a ton of restaurants along it and maybe a boat tour would be fun, still looked hot, but that’s it. I think New Mexico, Santa Fe etc Taos, would be more interesting place to visit but I’ve never been there so what do I know? Maybe I’ll have better luck finding quality shops for browsing today but they all seem cheap, yucky.
We get home late today and have to get the house tidied for final closing walk through on Sunday Morning at 9:30 AM. Then rent back for August begins.
How’s fire situation there? Under control?
Z
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Post by zenamidievel on Jul 23, 2021 15:49:35 GMT
Edit to previous post, I’m sure there is more to see here, but maybe middle of summer is not the best time to sight see. I find the thought of venturing out unappealing due to the heat and high humidity. I’m not sure what we’ll have time to see today before leaving but will try to make most of it.
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Post by michelle on Jul 24, 2021 3:56:34 GMT
Z, So glad that you enjoyed the ceremony! I haven't been to San Antonio but I have been to Taos and Santa Fe more than once. It seems like DH and I went to a pueblo and I remember some very scary steps down a mountainside. I can't remember the shopping except that there are a lot of art stores and southwestern type stuff. It's coming back to me now--those art stores were quite interesting and it was mostly very pricey so therefor interesting. Today I finished removing the illegal vegetation in the firebreak around the house which took a couple of hours. Then I worked the rest of the day on office admin emails and managed to get 37 taken care of or created. The Beckwourth Complex fire is no longer threatening us which is wonderful. The smoke from the Dixie fire which is currently the largest fire in CA has wifted in this evening. But I won't go on and on about that, thank goodness....
Hope you are having a great evening!!!
Saturday - I spent most of the day inside. I got one bedroom completely cleaned which was a fairly complex job, did a couple of loads of laundry, ordered some new covers for throw pillows to give the LR a different look. Watered the trees in the left outside yard and picked up pine needles that were in their troughs. Watered the new plants. Got lost window shopping on the internet off and on during the day. Vac'd several rooms, dusted, cleaned dog nose art off windows. Cleaned up a mess in the fridge in the garage. Fixed a cord mess. Those were the highlights. Hope you got all accomplished today!
Onward>>>>>
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Post by zenamidievel on Jul 25, 2021 6:04:01 GMT
Good Evening,
You got lots done yesterday, variety too. Glad the fire is not threatening you! Good work on teh bedroom and freshening up the look of your accessories, yard work and regular work!
In preperation for tomorrow morning walk through. Today didn't go as planned but I did run all DH and my laundry. Moved all boxes back out to garage from closet, moved shoe rack, DH's bag, recycling bin to garage from laundry room. Emptied DW, swiped counters, loaded DW, picked up family room, directed DD to pick up her carp in family room, took a stool out of the pantry to garage, moved all shopping items and boxes from den out to garage.Directed DD to fix her bedroom, fixed DH and my closet for most part.
College: GOt sucked into trying to figure out how to order/set up pick up for college stuff for DD on line with BBB in her college town. THis did not go smoothly and was a major time sink hole. However it is done, and she selected her bedding tonight and so except for her clothing and personal items, I think we have the necessities.
The walk through is for tomorrow at 9:30 AM, and I am very tired. I still need to do some cleaning in the morning, but I think I just need to go to bed.
Z.
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Post by michelle on Jul 26, 2021 3:32:03 GMT
Z, I hope the walk through was successful! Not much for me today. DH helped me run errands which is highly unusual so I was grateful for the extra help. This took the majority of the day. I made myself redo my watering list that has gotten very complicated. Also redid my Evacuation List. The two times were were under mandatories gave me an opportunity to go through my list and actually get everything ready. This included the inside of the house, the outside on and on. Also personal items . Anyway while getting ready each time I found a few items of importance that needed to be added so I organized the list a little differently and added these items. Also came up with a list of important ToDos which I will get done this next week. There are three that are time consuming but I will get them done for sure. I mean business on this.
I was really proud of the work that I got done on this evacuation list that was prepared from lists provided by various governmental agencies. Now I have four copies of it in my binder. I was so surprised that I needed two copies within days of each other. Well enough talk about all of that........
Tomorrow I am going to continue working on that pile of Admin work, get an audit done, all the regulars, and a couple of items on my Evac list of ToDos.
Onward>>>>
Monday - Very productive day for me! One audit is completed. I finished all of the 60 emails etc that I needed to do and I got two items on my Evac list done. Hooray!!!
Hope you had a wonderful day!!!
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Post by zenamidievel on Jul 27, 2021 4:03:22 GMT
Good Evening,
You are my organizational idol, Michelle! Great work on you evacuation plan and lists, getting through your audits and e-mail work!
Preparation for the walk through went fine. I got done what needed to be done and people helped and followed directions there was some TT and some DH TT. I am a literal person so when the realtor says it needs to look like it looked when we were showing it, then that's what should happen. People here were balking at this, but it's what needed to happen and so happened. THe most annoying part is moving the cat herself, she hates the carrier, and all the cat stuff so it looks like we don't have a cat. But it all got done, done on time, looked good. New owners are excited about the house and brought their parents to see it as well. We signed our closing papers this morning and it should fund on Wednesday.
DD is to have wisdom teeth removal on Wednesday and came down with mild cold/sore throat. Did a rapid COvid test today, negative to make sure no hiccups with proceeding. Editing situation, please cross fingers for her that this all goes smoothly and there is minimal issue/pain with recovery.
TOday I went to HD and got more chair pads for kitchen chairs cause I saw a chair had scratched the floor! This needs to not be happening till we are out of here. I also got the shelf liner there but also went to BBB and got the same kind you referenced, they are actually made by the same company, just called different names in each store, you probably already knew this. So I got wider rolls from HD and narrow rolls from BBB.
Carried the fans back in the house and four of DD' boxes back up to her room. This is all I've done because I have some tweak/stiffness in my lower back I am dealing with.
New House: -ordered an 8x10 area rug and rug pad from HD, was affordable, the color should work, and even if it's a mistake, it is only a $150.00 mistake, not a $1,500-$2,000 mistake. I measured the back of my car and had the items shipped to the HD in new town. THe plan is I'll be there the end of next week, doing a bit of box unpacking, organizing of boxed stuff already there, getting the cable hooked up, and ideally pick these rugs up from HD which will hopefully be in by then. I would like to have this rug rolled out and in place prior to move in day. -tho I ordered black out drapery for DH for MB, I went ahead and ordered a more linen looking panel today, cheapo ones, that I think I can double hang with/ over the top of the black out ones, because it will look better as is a nicer looking fabric. I think this will work, and also this is a $20.00 mistake if doesn't work vs. a custom drapery cost mistake. I think I will not mind the black out drapery fabric if there's a nicer/linen looking type fabric over the top. -follow up call to the murphy bed place to get a quote, got it, I will go to their location when in town next week also and look at the samples of faux wood melamine to match our woodwork. -follow up call to post office new city to see what happens with our mail, how to get new box, this is my 4th phone call, but I think I have understanding now of what is supposed to be happening there and how to get our mail even if we don't have a box right away. -responded to MIL that we would not be coming for a family event and why, wisdom teeth, trave.
Craft: -I'm not sure what I'm doing, but I went a little crazy and ordered a variety of playing cards (I'm sure you recall my research on this) So, I decided I wanted to have these available for when I re-open my shop for Holiday. One of them I ordered from the Artisan maker and it will have my symmetrical pointillism floral design layered on aged wood and this maker has an antiqued/aged yellow/tea stain type card faces for the numbers sides of the cards which is very cool and cute and I think looks awesome with pointillism design on the aged wood. However, I don't actually have them yet, so hopefully they are cute. ANd I did funny think with three Tikis by making them smaller pasting two of same image mirror of each other, their heads meet in the middle of the card, so the stripes, patterns line up together, but are upside down from each other, and then cropped the hibiscus flower to go up and down each side of the card. Now of course this all looked good on the computer screen because it's larger, it will be interesting to see what they look like on the actual playing card. Not sure if this made sense. I think I ordered these because I'm afraid all my "making" plans for fall are not going to happen because of the move and excess travel. -ALso I will be delisting some items from shop that I'm feeling more like I don't want in it and will determine how to get rid of those items elsewhere, like on E-bay, in lots or something. -I would like to complete three more fabric, paper bird designs I'm happy with to have a new set of cards ready also to have ready for opening.
Moving: Next list of Todo's here is to start going through the garage. DH has cleaned/organized some things, but there is some stacks of carp that have not been dealt with appropriately and these things need gone through more donating, purging, trashing of items needs to happen. Tomorrow I will make a list and begin on this. I'd like to spend a certain number of hours working on that and then allowing myself some creative time.
I hope your day has gone well.
Z.
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