Weekend Challenges: Oct. 20-21

[Gaelen]

I'm up, but I'm not so much 'at 'em' yet.
My weekend 'task' is my upstairs closet room. I don't have a single large upstairs closet, so I store the current season's clothes in the 'active' closet, along with clothes that work in any season, and store the opposite season's clothes in the spare bedroom closet, which is much larger.

But it's time to go through EVERYthing, ala 'What not to Wear', and make keep-toss-giveaway-mend piles. I am still a long way from my goal weight clothes from before I got sick, but I'm definitely out of the 'high weight' clothes I needed to re-buy after the surgeries! When I originally gave away all of my 'high weight' clothes, I never expected to need anything in this size range again. And since I tend to just buy different sizes of the same styles that I wear most often, I keep reaching for the couple of pairs of jeans or black pants that DO fit, and grabbing the big sizes instead. Time to simplify by editing and paring down and giving away or packing up what doesn't fit so that mornings (my worst time) get a whole lot easier. And while I'm at it, sort out the true 'winter' clothes from the true 'summer' clothes--our weather's been so mixed up, that now the clothes are too.

But I think I'm going to take last weekend's approach to the list...narrow down four or five specific things, do them, take a 'reward break' and then start up again tomorrow. I enjoyed my weekend and felt much more relaxed when I didn't feel like the whole thing was tied up in chores.

Seafood chowder is cooking in the crockpot, and I'm off to tackle the first step...separating the laundry and tossing in a load while I'm working.

Good weekends, all...how are YOU simplifying towards your goals this weekend?

[hawk]

Good luck with you closet cleaning Gaelen.

I'm having a houseful tonight. I am not sure how many are showing up. All the tech people who run sound, camera,lights and so forth. I have food to make.I have been cleaning out drawers and closets all week. I'm close to done. Getting ready for quilt making season.I don't want anything to get in my way. I have three jackets and about four bags to make.

The gig last night was so much fun. Some of the clients stood in front of the band yelling "YOU ROCK" Some danced like it was a dance contest. THey are so cute. They were all dressed up. The people who work with them are wonderful.
We had prime rib,or chicken and fresh green beans,salad. leave off the baked potato.
I left to help set up at 3:30 pm and I got home after helping pack speakers and wind cords at 12:30 pm. Long night. But fun.The band members are all fun.
Eggs and sausage so far today. I cooked them yesterday and just nuked them. I make alot of hard boiled eggs to munch on all week. I shared them with Gus. The coffee should be done.

Ya'll have a great weekend.

[Anniesnan]

Morning:D!

I'm having my 2 1/2 mug of coffee this morning.
Woke at 5:30 - but knew I didn't want to get up then, but, to make my rest easier, I let the dog out, fed the cat, before I went back to bed.

To my surprise - it was 9:30 before I woke and dh was still asleep - he never sleeps that late.
He didn't look at the clock and suggested we go walking before breakfast. When he realized the time, he went to go help ds#2 with his house (I can do many things, but unlike Hawk, don't really enjoy doing them).
I made scrambled eggs (4 this morning, 'cos dear dog has no food left - he had remainder of sloppy joes and about 2 eggs for breakfast - he's a big dog).

I really should be heading to Costco. Was giving dh time to see if he was going to be able to help ds or not. He's not back yet, so he must be:D

If I don't go to Costco now, I can't go until MOnday. DS#1 and my in-laws are coming over this afternoon, staying for dinner. We have a fancy party tomorrow at noon. Dear Dog has NO food. We have enough eggs for a small breakfast. Ran out of bacon last Monday. Enough already, get your rear in gear:D.

Later!

[oceanblueLA]

Good morning everyone--

Gaelen -- I love your method for cleaning your closet. You've inspired me! I'm going to do that after I get in some work hours. I need to get rid of some things. It seems like I just got rid of half of my clothes a few motnhs ago. Where do they come from? Or did I have so many that what I recycled made only a dent in the total? Anyway... thanks for inspiring me. :-)

Hawk -- it sounds like last night went so well. I'm glad. You are an amazing person and so interesting. I am now aware that there is a quilting season. I also know that you are ready for it! :-)

Anniesnan -- thanks for making me laugh. When you need to go to Costco... you need to go to Costco. I keep picturing your big wonderful dog looking at his huge food bowl with two small eggs in it, and then back up at you. Hahahaha. I hope you're on your way to Costco! :-)

As for me, I am working this weekend... and everyday up until my deadline of October 31st. And that's fine. I love my project and am in the polish stage, making sure the pages are the best they can be. I am going to finish this post, then head up to my gym for 30 minutes of a powerlift session. Then shower, breakfast, and hit my office. All in all, a good weekend will be had. I love to work... when the work is going well. My next post, apres work, might not be as rosey. ;-)

See you all later.

Blue

[Feelix]

Did anyone catch Larry King last night with guest author of Bad Calories Good Calories? It was interesting. I am still in the first chapter - lots of words for me (plus i picked up a james patterson novel that has me hooked :-))

Have a super day!

[gitfiddle]

Good afternoon everyone!

Gaelen, way to go with your closet. My house is also "closet challenged" and I have to actually pack the off-season clothes in a tub. Our weather's been so varied lately that I haven't been able to put away the shorts yet.

Lynn, your quilts sound so cozy. Sounds like the rock concert accomplished all you wanted it to. Someday, I'm going to show up! :nod:

Plans change so suddenly, it's a good thing I'm flexible. The out-of-town jam set for today was called off last night and instead the local friends said they were going to meet for breakfast this morning. Okay, so much for housecleaning this morning. Then I got the idea to go shopping for winter boots early enough in the season before they're picked over. I grabbed my mom and we went up to the shoe store. Turns out I was a bit early, but I found a great pair of shoes to wear with a dress or skirt. Then we went clothes shopping and I spent more money there.

Sarah, I didn't get to watch Larry King last night, but I'm also into the first chapter of GCBC. I found I need peace and quiet to read it, which I seldom have. DH is out for a while, so maybe I should get some reading done while I can!

Agnes, did you get to Costco? :paranoid:

[Anniesnan]

Carol - what you said about plans changing:D:rolleyes:

I did not get to Costco. I got in my car, put the earpiece in for my cell phone, got to the entrance ramp for the parkway and it was backed up from here to kingdom come. Figured I'd go around a few miles and try to get on another entrance, cell phone rings. DS#1 seeing if I'm home. No, but I will be, but now I know, he's definitely not eating dinner with us.

Decide, if he's gonna' be over earlier, can't make it to Costco, even without traffic. So, I'll go to a large supermarket. I'll go to Pathmark - they're supposed to have Dreamfields and maybe I can find the Breyer's low carb ice cream pops. I picked up dog food, cat food, eggs, bacon, pack of pork ribs, pack of beef, some fresh veggies - only registers without huge line are self serve. So, ended up with no veggies - technology problem. At least the darling dear dog will have food.

Ocean Blue - did you have a secret camera in my house? You've seen my dog's face:D?

DH calls as I'm leaving the store, they desperately need my help at DS#2's house - they're clearing it out for major work inside.
M-i-l calls to tell me dh has uninvited her for dinner for tonight and invited them for tomorrow night.

So, no Costco. Yes for exercise. Weights (lifting and toting), Legs (stairs - up and down to 2nd floor. Up and down from 1st to out of house.
It's a good thing I've been exercising my muscles so much lately, or I wouldn't have been much help.

DS#1 dropped off his wedding pics, but I didn't get to see him or d-i-l:(.

And, I've just realized I never picked up the baby gift I was supposed to for dh's work colleague and 1 for a work colleague of mine. Can't tomorrow - stores won't be open before noon event. In-laws coming after. Never made it to the bank, either.

Was this a week-end? It feels like it's over already:D.

[gitfiddle]

(((Agnes))) My mom keeps a box of generic nice gifts in her bedroom closet for just such occasions. I would, but I'd never find them when I needed them and I'm such a perfectionist, they probably wouldn't do anyway. :rolleyes:

Glad you fed the dog, though!

[Anniesnan]

(((Agnes))) My mom keeps a box of generic nice gifts in her bedroom closet for just such occasions. I would, but I'd never find them when I needed them and I'm such a perfectionist, they probably wouldn't do anyway. :rolleyes:

Glad you fed the dog, though!

I went to the mall - decided to take a page out of your book while I was there and bought myself some pretty unmentionables:D.
I wouldn't have been able to use a generic gift for either of these - dh wouldn't approve for his and I really wanted to get something special for mine:rolleyes:. And, I definitely would misplace them. I recently found the card I bought for my son's law school graduation 4 years ago - blank.:p

The dog is NOT thrilled with the food I bought him. He likes relatively cheap food, but with protein products, not lots of corn fillers. They didn't have the brand we usually buy at Costco, so I picked a substitute. He finally ate it, when I wasn't looking, but giving me that sideways glance all day long anyway;).

[Anniesnan]

I remained on plan yesterday.

AFter the mall, watched The Pursuit of Happyness. I thought I would like it more. But, dh & I did not stray off plan at all.


Today we have a noon time fancy dinner. Then in-laws coming over.
Glad I got so much done Thursday night.:rolleyes:

[Gaelen]

RE: the emergency gift drawer...
I do buy emergency gifts, but because I could also 'lose' them, I decided long ago to keep them all in a special rubbermaid container in my smallest upstairs closet. What I do to make them more personal is to try to get gifts that are little boxes or that can open and I can tuck something special inside. And I also love gifts that come in 'multiples,' where I can combine several things that are each under $5 into a little personal gift bag. I also keep some occasion-specific gift cards on hand: Dunkin Donuts, gas cards, iTunes cards, etc. I pick up the smallest size gift bags (usually three or four for $1) at the dollar store, and then stuff the gift bag with the little gifts.

I just went through the box yesterday to 'take inventory' and this is what's inside:
- Honora pearl studs (freshwater pearl stud earrings on sterling silver...I have one pair left from last year and a 7-set on waitlist order from QVC)
- 8 Valerie Parr Hill painted ceramic heart ornaments...not Christmas-y, they almost look like little ceramic batik hearts. They open to a painted sentiment inside (like 'believe,' 'hope in all things,' etc.) and are large enough to hold a folded up gift certificate, or a small piece of jewelry. They're also inexpensive enough to use as a gift box 'tie on'.
- a set of three one-inch LED keychain flashlights (my bonus nephews, in fact ALL the guys in my extended family, are absolute suckers for a new flashlight. It's an addiction!)
- two small porcelain music box Christmas ornaments
- set of twelve clear glass icicle and set of six 2" teardrop Christmas ornaments--I drip paint inside, swirl it around, and put fancy bows and/or beads on the bail. With a day's lead time, I can give someone a set of three personalized Christmas ornaments or window suncatchers (depending on time of year...;) )
- a couple of leftover multi-tools and small penknives from last year's Campmor catalog. When those guys clearance, they really clearance--these are Wenger, and they are great 'man' gifts. Bonus nephews are also suckers for a new penknife.
- some beauty samples that I've accumulated over this year from regular orders from philosophy, Bare Escentuals, Principal Secret, etc.

Also, it really helps me as a no-time-to-shop gift buyer to know that at
- www.audible.com
- www.amazon.com
- www.landsend.com
- www.llbean.com
- www.cabelas.com
- www.target.com

will sell and send an online gift certificate instantly. These sites also give you the option to print out the gift certificate (they'll also email a copy to the recipient; they can use either version but both have a number on them and it can only be used to its purchased value one time.) But you can print it out at home with your color printer on fancy stock, so that the recipient has something tangible at the party/shower. Put the gift certificate into a small jewelry type box, along with a small one of the emergency gifts, and you've got personalized AND instant without ever leaving the house. Landsend and LLBean all have very cool baby stuff...as does www.campmor.com (for the person whose kids actually play outdoors!)

Also, never underestimate the power of music. I always have blank CDs and colorful CD cases or boxes on hand, so that I can burn a quick personalized CD for a gift--my own mix of some of my favorite tunes. That is a really mindblowing gift and the person knows you gave it some thought. Maybe for a baby shower, a collection of soft celtic music.

So, you never need to be 'empty handed' for any kind of party gift. When I was on treatment, I had to do all of my 2004 and 2005 holiday gift buying online or from QVC and ebay. I got really good at it. Last year, I thought "hey, I can shop." Well, what a PITA that was...and I'm a black belt shopper. This year, I've already begun accumulating things for the gift drawer. When Christmas comes, I'll be all set without any fuss.

Simplify.
And then go out and enjoy this *gorgeous* day. ;)

[hawk]

Gaelen...what great ideas. I copied your post so I can re read it and remember the sites. I try to shop ahead and have Holiday shopping finished before September.I also buy all year round whenever I see something I know would be perfect for a certain person. This year was the year of the roof. SO. That did not happen. It gets really cold and snowy here and I don't like crowded stores. The next month or so, I want to get it all done. Then during the busy holiday season, I relax, and have parties for and with friends and enjoy everyone. I bake ahead and freeze stuff to pull out when unexpected people drop over.

I like your music idea.:D

Our tech party last night was so much fun.It was a mixture of all ages . They loved the outdoor table fire pit and the pool table and fooseball (sp) table were occupied the whole night. It was a dessert feast that everyone brought. I made a plate of cheese and sausage, a large tray of melon balls, and baked in muffin tin till crispy wonton shells filled with cooked sausage mixed with shredded cheese, chopped black olives and ranch dressing and then nuked as needed.

Then at 10 pm another friend called and dropped in. Some of the people at the tech party were amazed at that and said..."you have friends call and stop THIS late???" my husband informed them that 10 was early. Spoken like a true ADHD person!!

[Feelix]

I am a great clearance shopper at Pier One and department stores. This year i bought bamboo platters, ceramic platters, candle plates and holders, mugs etc for less than $5 a piece. I had an idea for who would get what. Amazon has 80% sales and I bought 600count king size sheets for $19.99- if you spend $25 on amazon free shipping. (THE SHEETS ARE THE COMFIEST!) I also check out department stores at the end of season sales for throws and accessories. I inherited 14 uncles and aunts when i got married and they are in the 50's and up. They love (or act like it anyway) when I gave the ladies new classy table clothes (I paid $3 reg $30-60) with the rings and napkins. i also was able to pick up wine goblets for CHEAP Too. Our family are big Alabama and Auburn fans so anything with the team on it on clearance is a great gift and bargain.

I love shopping clearance and have a box in the spare room full. I was able to purchase ralph lauren housecoat and slippers reg. $120 for $10.50 on clearance. the possibilities and savings are endless if you don't mind clearance and shopping early. :-)

[Feelix]

Our and I went to a craft fair at Bell Buckle TN and at a Turkey Leg. $6.50 for the best smoked turkey I have had! It was amazing!

[gitfiddle]

I inherited 14 uncles and aunts when i got married...:eek: Ohmigosh!

These have been great ideas that I am going to write down! I especially like the CD idea, Gaelen.

Two parties down and one to go. On plan all day. Yesterday was a YES.

This last party's at my house, actually just one guest with a guitar, so it's my kind of party. Had time to get home from the last one and run the vacuum cleaner around a bit. I hope I get my protein in today. I've had two meals and I'm not hungry right now. I had 3-4 oz for breakfast, 4-5 oz for lunch and that's not enough. If the guy doesn't come early, I've got time for a protein shake. Or ricotta and berries. Yes, that's it. Ciao!

[maxlharris]

The streak is alive. This was a great weekend. I talked with wife about our future. We started thinking about businesses we could start. I was filled with so much resolution and hope for the future. It's the first time in a while I could see the future very clearly and positively and have felt that I could own that.

I spent about $10 on The Four Hour Workweek book, after using rewards points and a coupon. For the feeling of joy and life in my weekend, I would have spent ten times that. I ate great things. I had great talks. I created achievable visions. I committed to a vacation in Curacao next spring. I researched it and it doesn't seem very far out of reach at all. We dreamed, big and small, real and fanciful. We cleaned house, we did laundry, we took all the smushed bugs off the walls. I dunno if I said, but we've had nearly no drain flies in the past week. We instead have these very itty bitty small flies that are less numerous than the DFs, and way less annoying, and probably on their way out anyway.

Yes and yes.

PS- I had a rustic tart that was a couple sheets of phylo for the crust, sliced shitake mushrooms, fontina cheese, olive oil, oregano, and chili flakes, baked like a pizza. Damn, it was wonderful.

[Missy]

Gosh Max.....sounds like it's SURE GOOD to have me back around for ya! ;):D Thank you very much! :D

[Shadow]

Terrific weekend for being on plan - but not such a good weekend for getting all my chores done :rolleyes:. Ah well... I did the best I could with the weather I had ;).

[Rhyme'n Reason]

Ditto for me.

I was on plan all weekend, but had kind of a lazy day Saturday. It felt WONDERFUL!

[gitfiddle]

YES for me, which is all I was going to say but the ever vigilant word counter is insisting on more verbiage so you have to read all this gunk too! ;)