Tag Archives: chores

At Least I’m Not Starving to Death!

“Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!”  Thus said Auntie Mame, and Rosalind Russell took it as her slogan after playing the part.  If you don’t know who Auntie Mame is, read the book, see the movie, ask somebody.  Or not.  I think the quote stands on its own.  I thought of it this morning, when I lamented once again that I have too much on my plate.  It made me feel better about everything.  I just overdid it on the Buffet of Life.  I always eat too much at buffets, and I know I am not alone in that.

All this by way of introduction to a late Waste Not Want Not Wednesday post, which I came dangerously close to skipping altogether.

That is what is known in the business as a Sweet Ride.

I only have two photos to waste not.  I took them on a walk to I forget where, I forget when, but I do so love classic cars.  My father or brother could instantly tell you make, model, and year, but I can only admire.

A little too shadowed, alas.

One gift I have which helps get me through the day is my ability to admire.  As I am driving to work or walking through a parking lot or doing any number of necessary chores, if I see something beautiful, I notice and admire it.  At least I try to.  No doubt I miss some things.  However, at least I did not miss making my Wednesday blog post, albeit late. I wonder if anybody would have missed me had I skipped it (just a little fishing for compliments there, please forgive me).

 

With a Little Help from Columbo

I think all I can manage right now is a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  It has been a kind of Scattered Sunday in which I have accidentally gotten a few things done:  a little yard work, a little kitchen cleaning, a little grocery shopping… and a few more chores.  Now I am sitting on my couch, Chromebook on lap, kind of sort of watching, you guessed it, another episode of Columbo on DVD.  Sundays used to be for Snapped, now they are for Columbo.  In the future they may be for something else.

I did just drink some coffee.

Today I told my mother about the Columbo method of cleaning:  I clean for a certain length of time, then I say, “One more thing!”  Sometimes I say it a few times.  I get more done that way.

I paused in typing to watch the end of the episode, when Columbo brings the killer to justice.  I’ll tell you what, I will strive never to commit a crime, because I would hate to be arrested.  They cuff you with your hands behind your back.  With my sinuses?  My nose would be running in an instant (it always runs the most when my hands are full and/or I don’t have a handkerchief).  It would be disgusting.

Now I see I have gone over 200 words with this nonsense.  Perhaps I could get a little more cleaning done, using the Columbo method, of course.

 

What a Monday!

Turns out I’m not Wonder Woman.  I thought that when I was mid-way through this afternoon’s gyrations.  I thought I might post it as a Facebook status but decided instead to use it as a lead for my blog post.  If only I have not waited too long and become too tired to post at all.  Oh, the trials and tribulations!  You are welcome to roll your eyes and play a miniature violin.

I just paused in my blogging for further gyrations.  I made my salad for the rest of the week and fixed tomorrow’s lunch. Go, me!

Only I am having wine, not beer.

I thought a picture would pep things up.  It is Monstrous Monday,  after all.

I believe I have mentioned that all I require of myself on Mondays is to get through the day.  Other than that, I am off the hook.  I have even been known to skip taking out the trash once in a while.  Today, however, I tried to muster just a little bit more ambition,

First, I wanted to go for a run.  I thought I would try seeing how many days in a row I could run at least a little.  Today makes three.  I’ll keep you posted on if I make it to four.  I put a load of laundry in the washer while I ran, my usual multi-task.

After the run, I paused for my recovery beverage of chocolate milk.  While I drank it, I called my parents.  I like to check in with them.  I had a nice conversation with Mom.  I could put the laundry in the drier, take my shower and then…

Wait a minute, trash had to go out.  I feel it is inadvisable to skip a week during warmer weather.  Who knew if I would want to put real clothes on after a shower.  Out went the trash.  Oh crap, look at the dirty dishes!  You are welcome to judge me for not doing them yesterday.  I could do them quickly.  I grabbed my rubber dishwashing gloves.

And was reminded the drain was slow.  I poured in some drain stuff and went downstairs to take care of the laundry.  The drain stuff seemed to work fairly well, till I realized the other sink had a clog too.  I poured in more drain stuff and went up to take my shower.

One thing that confuses me about this drain stuff.  After waiting 15 minutes, you are supposed to run hot water down the drain.  But my water is not hot as soon as I turn it on.  The first time I had heated water in my Hot Spot, about two cups worth.  Well, I thought I was really clever the second time.  After my shower, I filled a gallon jug with hot water from the tub spigot (it was an empty jug that originally held white vinegar, which I sometimes use with baking soda to wash my hair or the sink)  (but I digress).

I did not bother putting on clothes but went right down stairs to implement my inspiration.  It worked!  The drains were clear!  I happily set about washing the dishes.  Please do not point out that this is too much information (an expression I HATE), but I couldn’t help thinking that my husband Steve would have enjoyed watching me do the dishes wearing only rubber gloves and my Turbi-Twist.

Full disclosure:  I did not do all the dishes.  I left two coffee mugs and an empty coffee container.  I declared it good enough.  However, my gyrations were not over yet.

Wow, I am up to 600 words!  That is a long blog post for me!  I am going to stop my tale, mid-gyration, and continue tomorrow.  If I am able.  It will be Tired Tuesday, after all.

“You don’t want a Monstrous Monday Post without me, do you?”

I throw in another monster for good measure.

 

What Could Be Better Than Monsters?

So my goals were to find something to enjoy on Monday and to make a better blog post, but I think we all knew I was more likely to revert to Monstrous Monday.  My day at work was not bad at all.  My worst moment was getting myself out of bed.  Oh, did I want to sleep in!  But coffee worked its magic, and my day improved from there.

This is how cheerful I am after coffee.

After work things got a little dicey as I struggled with my checkbook and fretted over bills.  I did not go running as I had intended, and I almost forgot to take out the trash.  However, I had walked for 30 minutes this morning, and the trash and recyclables are now waiting by the curb.  Additionally, the dishes are washed, and tomorrow’s lunch is packed.

The happy smile I get after doing a few chores.

I seem to always be listing every little thing I get done, either in this blog, in one of my journals, or just in my head.  It is to keep from beating myself up over all the things that I have left undone.  For heavens’ sakes, I can’t do everything!  Or so I comfort myselg

Maybe if I had three friends behind me and a pitchfork!

I guess this last picture doesn’t show a monster, but it is from a pretty scary movie, Invasion of the Body Snatchers.   As messed up as my life can be, I would not want some pod growing into a duplicate of me and taking over my body.  Now that I think about it, that movie is also pretty sad.  All the characters I like turn into beings with no warmth or feelings.

On that rather melancholy note,  I see I am approaching 300 words.  Perhaps it is not a better blog post, but at least I tried.

 

Flustered Thursday, Late Post, No Alliteration

Yesterday I was a whirlwind.  Sort of.  I had a few things I felt I had to get done and a limited amount of time to do them in.  Full disclosure: my problems mostly stem from lack of planning and organization on my part.  You are free to judge me or just quietly enjoy feelings of superiority if you so choose.  I am content to stand as a bad example.

I throw in a picture to pep things up.

The reason I was in such a hurry was that we were to rehearse Shooting at the Grange at Salisbury Grange, which is almost a half-hour drive from Herkimer.  My first chore was to throw in a load of laundry, so I would have clean work clothes for tomorrow. I actually acquired another pair of work pants yesterday, so now I have three. Still not enough to get me through the week, but one does what one can.

Laundry in, I put on old sneakers and a hat (to protect my complexion from the sun), went outside, hefted my defective garage door open (broken spring, not my fault), and pulled out my non-power lawn mower. My bunions told me I ought to seize the non-rainy day.  Additionally,  with a non-power mower, it doesn’t do to let the grass get too high.

I intersperse the post with pictures to show that rehearsal was on my mind throughout my gyrations.

Laundry in the drier or hanging on the indoor clothes-drying bars, I did the dishes I had neglected, a truly judge-worthy omission.  While scrubbing I kept an eye on the time.  I still had to shower and get dressed!

I managed it.  I even put together a fairly color-coordinated outfit, although I could not find the ideal blazer.  One settles for less than perfection in this life.  The only thing I did not have time for was supper.  I munched down a roast beef and cheese roll-up with the result that I had to brush my teeth, which I did not have time for.  Luckily Kim was a little late picking me up.

They look thoughtful. Trying to remember lines?

Rehearsal did not go too badly.  The Grange people are very excited about the sold-out show.  I succumbed to their enthusiasm and may write further murder mysteries for their benefit.

First I need to get a handle on making my blog posts on time.

 

Is My Life Really So Monstrous?

Late posts continue, and I do not know why I feel the need to point out my deficiencies.  After all, if they are not obvious to the casual observer, can they be all that bad?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

In the meantime, it is Tuesday morning, and I chose to have a second cup of coffee and make a blog post (or some semblance thereof), rather than do the dishes (don’t judge me for not doing them as soon as they got dirty), fix my lunch, or do any of the other chores hanging over me like a hulking creature promising doom.

Hey, wouldn’t a hulking creature be a monster?  I have led myself right into a Monstrous Monday Post.

He’s scary!   But the movie is fun.

If it conquered the world, I do not feel that I am so much at fault if it keeps me from getting my stuff done.  Then again — Spoiler Alert! — it does not actually conquer the world, although it makes a good try.

Not exactly hulking, but definitely threatening.

This, of course, is from Nosferatu (1922), a delightfully frightening movie. I am afraid I resemble the person on the left, trying ineffectually to escape but not really doing anything of use. I get a little impatient with movie characters who can’t seem to do anything but stare, scream, run the wrong way, fall down, or some combination.  Then again, if the monster had no victims, it would not be much of a horror movie.  I suppose it could still work as suspense, but that is a longer discussion than I care to embark upon before breakfast.

Oh, I could just scream!

I end with an image from The Screaming Skull. I think skulls always look like they are smiling.  This inspires me to start my day with a smile.  After a smile costs me nothing and may brighten someone else’s day.  On that not so monstrous note, I bid you farewell and thank you for tuning in.

 

Tired Tuesday But Flowers

Hello, and welcome to another Tired Tuesday Post. Perhaps you expected as much after my Late Monday Post. Ooh, I just went into a time warp and thought it was a Late Sunday Post and today was actually Monday! Glad I was wrong about that!

I actually thought about making a post titled, “All I Have To Do Is Pick A Plot,” by which some of you may guess I had a better writing day. I kind of did but do not want to jinx things by talking about it. In fact, already I’ve said too much.

My second plan was to share a few pictures I took at The Flower Barn in Ilion on Saturday. Who could be uncheered by flowers (yes, uncheered, autocorrect, not uncharted. Sheesh!)?

Could my container garden look this good?

I thought about doing more work in the yard today but opted for inside chores instead. Only I fear I did too few of those. Alas, a blogger’s work is never done!

Ooh! Pretty!

I need to do a full post about The Flower Barn. And purchase some flowers there. In the meantime, I will just mention that they are located at 1480 Barringer Rd. In Ilion, NY, and are open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. You can Like them on Facebook. I did.

Did I Slack?

Earlier this morning, I thought at least I will not have a Slacker Saturday!  Now I am not so sure.

I got up around five and immediately went running.  For one reason, it was supposed to rain.  For another reason… well, I don’t exactly remember the reasoning, bit I told myself to do it and I did it.  After a shower and some breakfast, I went to the grocery store, getting there early enough to miss the usual Saturday morning crowd.

After putting the groceries away, I went outside and once again had at my lawn.  Certain areas along the edges are getting a little put of control.  On the morning’s run, I noticed a fence almost obscured by numerous bushes and trees.  I said, “Yikes!”  So I did a bit with clippers, a hack saw, and my hands in gardening gloves.  Phew!

Not yet done with being useful, I did the dishes and wrote a few post cards.  In between these chores, I peeked at Facebook and called my Mom and Dad.  My final useful act was to drive by the post office and mail my post cards (I elected not to walk, because it was raining).  I could not extend the trip into further useful shopping, because I forgot to bring a mask.

So I have gotten a few things done, but writing an interesting blog post was not one of them.  Alas!  I can only hope to do better on Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

 

 

I’m Just Getting to the Good Part

OK, time for a fast Scattered Saturday post before I get back to enjoying my Saturday.  Full disclosure:  It has not been such a great Saturday for the most part — entirely my fault, but please don’t judge.  Oh, all right, go ahead and judge.  Shake your head, or your finger, or your booty at me.  Tell me I’m a worthless human being!  Call me out for whining!  Even — good heavens, not that! — stop reading my blog!

Got that out of my system.  Regular readers cannot be surprised if I become a trifle, shall we say, dramatic.  I am in the midst of putting together an interactive murder mystery dinner theatre (I am responsible for the theatre, not the dinner), and I am in the midst of writing another one.  By the time that’s finished, it may be time to audition for the summer Shakespeare production with LiFT, Little Falls’ theatre company.  I am so ready to speak forsoothly again!

Be all that as it may, I am getting to the good part of my Saturday, but I will give a quick overview of what went before.  My wonderful husband, Steven, and I were able to sleep in a bit, because he did not have to be to work till eleven.  I found some postcards I thought I had already sent so had a good selection to pick from for my weekly postcard writing activity.  The main problem I have with the postcards is that I get tired of writing them after three or four, and there are more people I would like to send them to.  I thought I might write more later in the day but have yet to do any such thing.

When Steven went to work, I drove to the post office to mail the above mentioned cards, then when to Cliff’s Local Market (formerly Nice-n-Easy) to use the ATM.  From there I drove into Ilion to Cornerstone Consignment, where they were having a sale.  I need a fabulous dress for Secrets at Suiter House, my upcoming murder mystery, and I would like a 1920’s-ish dress, in case I find an occasion to wear one in the near future.  As it happened, I found a couple of dresses that might have worked, but I just could not work up the oomph to try them on.  Fairly disgusted with myself, I went home.

At home, I managed to do a couple of chores (too boring to mention) and studied my murder mystery lines for a while.  Eventually it was time to walk to Asteroga Ale House, where I had plans to meet Steven when he got off work.  That was a nice little walk, and a nice interlude at the Ale House.  I may write a full blog post about that in the near future.

In the meantime, I am over 450 words.  I call that quite respectable for a Scattered Saturday.  As I mentioned earlier, I am getting to a very enjoyable part of the evening:  sweats on, bra off (don’t you DARE say TMI!), glass of wine to hand, and true crime show on TV.  Once I pick up my crochet, my life will be perfect.  Happy Saturday, all!

 

I Did the Damn Dishes!

It is Wrist to Forehead Sunday indeed.  I return to work tomorrow after two weeks off.  YES (with eyes rolling), I am GRATFUL I have a job and YES I am GRATEFUL I got a vacation, some people just can’t bear to hear anybody else complain about anything.  Sheesh!

Be all that as it may, I need to make a blog post before returning to enjoying what is left of my vacation and my Sunday.  I must say, I am really looking forward to next Friday, when it will really be Friday for me.  This past Friday, it being the last “real” day of vacation (since I normally have weekend off) (don’t hate), it felt not as delightful as a Friday ought, by rights, to feel.  But, again, be that as it may, on with the blog post.

I have long felt that there was no point in trying to get anything done on a Sunday.  Some Sunday I lament this, others I embrace the uselessness.  Today I actually did a few thing.  I took a short run (which, truth be known, I often do, even on the most useless of Sundays), I did the dishes, I did a load of laundry AND folded two baskets of previously done laundry, I laid out three outfits for work (I need five to get me through the week, but I only have so many pairs of work pants) (and I’ve gained weight, so they don’t all fit), I put away the dishes after the air and patience had dried them.

That is more than I have accomplished on previous Sundays.  However, as I typed in the preceding paragraph, I realized there are a number of areas where some reader (or the critics in my head) could judge me.  For example, why was there a pile of dishes to do first thing in the morning?  Why was there laundry previously washed but still waiting to be folded?  Why did I not immediately dry and put away the dishes, and where do I get off counting that as another chore and not part of “doing the dishes” as a normal person would?

To any such judgmental sorts, I explain, “Shut up!”  mentally thanking S.J. Perelman as I do so.    I see now I am over 350 words.  I call that respectable for Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  I hope you’ll tune in tomorrow for what I hope is not too Melancholy of a Monday.