A New Leaf Club

[BeckyG]

Checking in! Though I haven't done my excerisnig the last week (You know kidney stones are just not comfortable enough to go jumping up and down!)  I did get a positive from my doc at my follow up appoitment! I lost ten pounds since my last visit! Yeah me!  Doc said that was great! About a pound a week which is the best way to do it! Nice and slow.

As for cleaning out that office closet... well its almost spring right? That sounds like a good time to do it...

[Katybarstool]

Becky

Quite right, spring is soon enough to do the clearing out.

Kathyx

[Bucky]

Today, I was continuing my cleaning in the kitchen.  I moved some of my mixing bowls and glass baking dishes up to the empty cupboard I cleared out a couple of weeks ago.  I figured it would make more sense to have them at eye level instead of in the lower corner cabinet where they have been.  While cleaning out the corner cabinet I got rid of some containers for food storage that I am not using (going into my garage sale this spring).  I also brought up from the basement a Rubbermaid food storage set that I bought brand new at a garage sale in the fall of 2007 and have never used.     I washed them all up this afternoon, dried them and now they have a new home in the corner cabinet.   

My niece came and picked up the microwave this week - so now I have more room on the counter where it used to be.   

I've been experimenting moving things around to different spots (canisters, bread box, cooking utensils, etc.).  Everything in our kitchen has been in the same exact spot for the last 18 years!!     It looks so different when they are in a different spot (I admit, I have moved some things back). 

A little at a time . . . 

Becky - sorry you haven't been feeling well with those nasty kidney stones.   You're right, the closet can wait till Spring.     Good job on the weight loss.  Yay!! 

Kathyx - do you have your suitcase packed yet???  Won't be too much longer.   

Bucky

[harlin]

Kathyx
Can I go with you I am freezing. I can't work around the house when I am so cold. I NEED SOME SUN>
Kathy have a great time. I am jealous!!
Enjoy the sun for me.
hugs harlin

[Katybarstool]

Hi Harlin
It would be wonderful if I could take all my SJS friends with me. I think I'm solar powered, I'm so looking forward to the sunshine. The tickets came today, which makes it seem very real now.

Bucky

Yes, the packing is nearly done. I have a few things that won't fit, but am going to do a bit of shopping tomorrow, and get my hair trimmed. I've had it really short for about 15 years, but have been growing it for about 9 months now, and it's finally long enough to have a manageable style. Depending on my skill with my new (pink!) camera, I will try to post a photo at some point.

Kathyx

[Bucky]

Happy Tuesday to y'all   

Since there is bright sunshine outside reflecting off our lovely snow it gives the false impression that it is warm outside.    NOT!!  Since I was cold, and tired of the on/off w/sweater, decided that I would do some cleaning - always warms me up    With Spring just around the corner, I would get a jump start on Spring cleaning.  A little at a time.

So, I'm dividing the rooms cleaning into "sections" - moved furniture in part of the living room and vacuumed carpet and baseboards.  Also vacuumed the cold air return vents - boy, those things get dusty!!  I vacuumed the whole living room but only moved furniture out in part of it - will move some out another day.   

Just a handy tip I'll pass along - they make these wonderful furniture "sliders"  that you can buy at hardware stores - they might even carry them at Wal-Mart, not sure.  Anyhow, they are these plastic disks that you slide under the corners of whatever it is you are moving and they glide effortlessly across the floor (can be used on carpet, wood, ceramic tile, linoleum).  I have moved a fully loaded entertainment center w/tv, etc. on it BY MYSELF!!  It just slid right across the carpet.  Now use your own judgement - I don't want anyone hurting themselves trying to move their entertainment center by themselves . . . I'm just saying that I did it and it was effortless using these "sliders".

Ok - now I need a nap!!  LOL     My schedule is too busy for a nap today.     Better keep moving along.

Have a good day.   
Bucky

[Bucky]

Hello . . . .

It's been a while since I've posted on this thread.  I'm still plugging along with my projects . . . s-l-o-w-l-y.

Yesterday, I went through this tote I keep my son's school papers/information in and got it all cleaned up and ready for this next school year.     When he was younger - in pre-school and grade school, I would keep sooooo many of his papers, artwork, notes from teachers, etc.  I have several boxes full of things I have kept for him.  They probably won't mean anything to him later - but, I love looking through them.     I guess, in a way, it's something I wish my Mom would have done for me.  I would have loved to see the things I did when I was younger.

Another lifesaver for me is my calendar.  I am a calendar person . . . I have the current month on the refrigerator and it includes any doctor appt's, hair appt's., birthdays, anniversaries, parties, school activities, etc.   This is what keeps me "on track".     Plus . . . every one in the family knows to check the calendar before committing to something to see if there isn't already something going on that day.  If I ever lose the pocket 2-yr. calendar I keep in my purse, I'm sunk!!  I have kept all my calendars since 1976!!     I like to read through them now and then and reminisce from years gone by.

You'll never believe what I did today!!     I am NOT an impulse buyer . . never have been.  This morning I was watching tv and there was this infomercial on for this exercise product.   I watched the 30 minute program.  I'm thinking . . hey, I can do that.  Part of my "New Leaf Club" for me included getting some exercise into my week/year.  Of course, they tote the slogan . . . "if you buy within the next 15 minutes, we'll slash the payment by blah, blah, blah" . . . . "but wait, if you call now - we'll throw in these "extra" items" . . blah, blah, blah.  Hmmmm . . . well, that's not too bad a deal.  (tapping finger to chin  ) 

I know several members and friends of mine go to Curves and exercise.  I've "kinda" looked into that . . too expensive for me - plus, I was looking for something to do at home so I wouldn't have to get out and about all the time.  I could do it from the comforts of my own living room.  Well . . . . I checked out this product on-line at their website, they had the same offer there (reduced payment, plus FREE items) . . . and . . . I ordered it!!   

My birthday is coming up in July . . . this is a gift to myself.     Plus, if I confess it publicly (to you guys), that means I've GOT to use it - as I am a person of my word.   So . . . . now I wait for it to be delivered some time within the next two weeks.

I'll keep you posted.   

Have a good day . . . do what you can, when you can.  Just remember . . . one day at a time.   

Bucky

[Katybarstool]

Bucky

I like your style girl. You obviously NEEDED that equipment I'm promising myself that I will lose two stones, and get myself into shape for Michael's wedding next June.

Will be watching for your updates.

HUgs
Kathyx

[Bucky]

Sunshine greetings from Central Illinois this afternoon     After the torrential downpour of rain we had last night along with high winds, thunder and lightning - the sunshine is a welcome sight. 

Another motivator for me to start this New Leaf Club is I wanted to get things in my home organized, downsized and such.  Well . . . . last night with the heavy rains several of the windows in our basement leaked . . . . so, we have water in the basement.  UGH!!      This is not the first time this has happened.  I have asked and asked hubby what we're going to do about this.  I hate having my things ruined in the basement (I store the Christmas tree, ornaments, artificial flowers, wreaths, things I'm saving for our son, etc.)  MOST things in the basement are stored in totes . . . thank goodness for that.   However, I also have a bunch of cardboard boxes that were sitting on the floor . . . they are quite soggy now.     At least some of them were empty so nothing inside got ruined. 

I'm to the point I just want the four windows taken out of our basement and just cement block the holes.  That way there will be no entrance point for the rain.  We've had sooooo much rain this year - I've had enough!  I'm not a nagging wife, but I AM going to keep pressing this issue until it is resolved!   You would think that after being married for 18 yrs. that he would have learned by now:  "Do it Bucky's way and nobody gets hurt!!"   

I can bet you he'd resolve it in a heartbeat if it was his camera equipment down in the basement getting wet or damp!!   

Once things settle down around here (having lots of out-of-state visitors coming in July), then I can concentrate on downsizing in the basement.  Ugh . . . . don't look forward to all the trips up and down the stairs.   

I don't know if where you live they have advertisements or commercials for places that buy scrap gold or silver.  Here they do.  So, last night I'm looking through some old jewelry of mine, plus looking through a bunch of jewelry from an estate my Mom gave me years ago.  Pick out a few pieces each of gold and silver of some broken jewelry and some not broken jewelry.  Anyhow, short version of this story . . today, my son and I went to this jewelry store, had them look at the jewelry and ended up walking out of the place with a check for $121!!     Woohoo . . . . . so, this money more than pays for the exercise equipment I ordered on Tuesday and I'll have money left over.   

So, if you DO have these same offers where you live, and you have some broken chains, bracelets, earrings, etc. that are just sitting around your house gathering dust, trade them in for cash!!  If I had bought something at the jewelry store, they would have doubled the value making it worth $242.  I didn't even look . . I took the check and ran!!   

Bucky

[Joy Cox]

Hey Sweet Bucky, You are sure the rain is coming in through the windows. In our other home, we did not put rock and a drain system around foundation and when we would get real heavy rains the water would seep down to the bottom of the block foundation and leak at the bottom block and the concrete floor.

What hubby did was make sure all down spouts were piped away from the house. Just a thought... as our son and his family live in that home now.  And, occasionally he forgets to clean gutters on the ranch type home and gutters overflow and it still wets basement.

We left him the dehumidifier when we moved... Now if they would just empty it!!!        Enough said....Mama Joy

[Katybarstool]

Bucky

I think the only way you will get the windows/leak sorted is to put his camera equipment down there. That'll each him Well done with the jewellery. Think you need to decide what else you need to buy with the extra bit

Joy, kids just have to learn from their own mistakes, don't they. We used to have a dehumidifier, and it was a pain to empty. Son has been talking about getting one that can be plumbed through the wall. That sounds like a good idea, but I bet it will cost a fortune.

Hugs
Kathyx

[Bucky]

Joy - yes, I am sure the water is coming in via the windows.   Almost two years ago when we had an another big rain water was literally pouring into the basement from the window.  The windowwell was full of water and just came gushing into the basement.  I walk past the basement door and can hear water.  Turn on the light, head down the stairs and holler for hubby.  We stood under this window with a big tote catching the rain as it poured in and then took it and emptied the tote into the basement drain.  Went back and forth like this for what seemed like hours.     Ugh!!

We've had a landscaper come and put lots of dirt around the foundation of the house - especially around the windowwells.  Guess that's not enough.     The windows are old and just need to come out.  I had wanted to put in some of those thick block windows - but since this last rain, I want the windows taken out, period.

Hubby did come home last night with a few names of some people to call.     In my opinion, this should be a priority right now . . . it has rained so much this year and will only continue to do so . . . we'll see how it plays out.  Bet 'cha I win!!   

Kathyx -  I've already promised the remaining money to our son so he can use it towards some golf items he will need for school.  Even though I wanted to keep it for myself . . . I shared.   

Have a good weekend everyone . . . IT'S FRIDAY!!

Bucky

[Katybarstool]

Bucky

I ought to have known you would share the spoils out.

Kathyx

[Joy Cox]

Bucky, honey, Up for another garage sale?

From all the weather maps I watch, everything seems to be going through the Ohio Valley right into your neighborhood. Every once in a while I  make an offer to pay half, it hubby will pay other half.  Maybe, by getting back in that jewelry box and a garage sale, you can get the job done!   Looking forward to hearing you have closed in the windows with block. 


We are so very dry here in ETN, just the opposite of you folks, as we are over 6 1/2"  below usual rain.  It was 93 here today... 10 degrees above normal. 

The pasture is getting scarce and all the cows are black, so they stay in shade in hottest part of day; not grazing. Hubby is beginning to sell off some of the cattle.

Keep us updated as to progress with window replacement.s   Joy

[Bucky]

Joy - I tried the garage sale scene the beginning of the month . . . all my time and energy put into setting up a sale and sitting out there for three days only netted us $57!!     Soooooo disappointing!!  For some reason, I didn't have all the customers I usually have and the ones who did come, weren't buying.   

Believe me, I've rechecked my jewelry box . . . nothing to take.   

Oh well . . . . I keep hoping that money tree will sprout in the backyard!!!   

Be on the lookout for a package coming your way in the form of liquid . . . . rain that is . . . r-a-i-n.  We've had ENOUGH here!!

Hubby and I "looked" at the thick block windows last night at Menard's.  We've gotten a few masonry names that hubby will call this week.   

Have a good week . . the last few days of June!!     Whoa . . . where's the year going so fast???

Bucky