TToT – Warm-Up and Move Forward Edition
So I go hog-wild last weekend and post not one but TWO TToT lists and then…
…a very lame Wordless Wednesday (which does indeed have a whole lot of words)…
…and nothing else.
I have so many drafts in my drafts folder and I am quite excited to finish and post them, but all sit unfinished at the moment and I have nothing else up on the blog for the week. My hands have just hurt too much to write this week. But we’ll get to that in a second.
Right now, without further delay, a few moments of thankful for the week…
First and foremost, I am thankful for the bizarre weather patterns that at the moment are bringing us 60 degree temperatures today. After the long week of severe cold, the warm-up is strange, but welcome. These extreme temperatures have done a number on the joints in my hands – my RA does not like the cold and my hands have just hurt too much to do some of the things I normally like to do. Using the computer keyboard is one of those things that just weren’t going to happen with the level of pain I experienced this week. But at the moment, things are pretty warm and the hands feel pretty great. So my first item is a two-fer – I’m thankful for the warmer temps as well as the relief of this hand pain.
I was most definitely thankful that my position as a teacher afforded me the luxury – and I use the word on purpose – of some snow days and delays over the last week and a half. There is definitely something to be said for not having to go out in the bitter cold temps and snow so that’s a definite perk. I probably won’t be as thankful come spring when we’re making up all these missed days, but in the moment, I’m pretty grateful to be able to stay home in the warm house.
Unless, of course, it’s not warm. We woke up one morning this week to a very cold house and discovered that the heat was not working! Sub-zero temperature days are not when you want to find out your heat system is on the fritz. But the Fab Hub made some early morning phone calls and we were most thankful to find a local HVAC company who was willing to send us a serviceperson almost immediately. We are also very thankful that the problem was fixed within a couple of hours and that the cost wasn’t something exorbitant.
I am thankful for the rainy day. I love rain and rainy days, no matter what. I love this one because besides the warmer temperatures, the rain has pretty much eradicated all evidence of snow, ice, salt, and other such snow-related nonsense from the world. After too many days and too many snowstorms, all of that adds up to a great big feeling of yuck so the rain feels pretty refreshing.
I am also incredibly thankful for a nice long sleep-in morning today. The dark and rainy morning provided perfect opportunity for all three of us and the cats to sleep in late and get some extra rest.
Last night the Fab Hub and I went out to dinner. Alone. Minus our terrific Kidzilla. We adore her, without a doubt, but sometimes a Mom and Dad just need a night out that’s grownups only. Considering that the last time we went out alone was about a year ago, we were pretty grateful for the opportunity. Thankfulness is also in order to the Super Sister and Super Mom who hosted a pizza and movie night for Kidzilla while we made our escape.
I am thankful that a request for a much-needed deadline extension was granted this week. Now here’s hoping that it’s enough and the work does get done on time. Fingers crossed!
I am very happy that I’ve managed to get my fifteen minutes of de-cluttering efforts in almost every day this week. I admit to having missed two days for good reason, but the progress around here has been significant. On more than one occasion, I’ve gone over the fifteen minute minimum and I’m sure that today’s de-cluttering efforts will as well, so I’ll still be on track for that goal.
Speaking of my de-cluttering goal, it reminds me of my One Word goals. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my word – Focus – and trying to figure out how to streamline and hone that concept from the very broad way I approached it last year and a blog friend gave me some inspiration the other day. So a great big shout out and wave of thankfulness goes to Steve over at Do Something Cool for his thoughts on how to approach the Focus thing. On his blog, Steve talks about his world travels, thinking and acting with purpose, and so much more. Click over and take a look.
Lizzi gets a shout out here today, too – thanks for my Sunshine Award, friend! My post is coming, I promise. I am absolutely floored to be on your list (or anybody’s, really) because I definitely do not consider myself a ray of sunshine.
I think that about does for me today. I need to get back to a work project that simply must be crossed off my list today. Here’s hoping I’m thankful for having accomplished that later.
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So glad the weather is improving, which makes you feel better. I love how upbeat your post was despite all the pain you must have been in over the last few weeks.
How wonderful that you had a much needed date night out. Hopefully you will be able to do that more than once a year moving forward!!!
Thanks, Tammy. Yeah, my hands were not too happy with this super-cold weather. Most days I don’t notice or mind the RA too much – I’m pretty well managed. But sometimes it’s a huge smack in the face and I remember that this this is, well, a pain. 🙂
Date night was nice. We do try to do grownups only things at home, but it’s not the same as getting out. And can I just say it’s nice to be able to eat a meal without having to cut someone else’s food or say “sit down,” “use your napkin,” “don’t stuff your mouth too full,” or other such things.
A very good list indeed (though I’m sorry to hear about the RA. I’m finding myself once again grateful for rain (I keep never thinking that’ll happen) because it brought you warmer temperatures).
I hope your catch-up days at school aren’t too hard, and I’m glad that you a) enjoyed having time off and b) were able to get your heating fixed quickly!
YAY that you had a date. After a year! That’s a long time to go without some ‘just you two’ time. Well done for getting that organised.
And yes. I think you do deserve the sunshine. So there. You’re great to chat to, good to read, and I like you a whole heap. You make me smile, so you earned it.
I do love rain. Although I will admit that I love it a whole lot more from INSIDE than having to be out in it. And I do suspect that if I lived somewhere that enjoyed rain a great deal of the time, I’d probably tire of it right quick.
I am sad to confess that of the nineteen things I brought home this weekend to get finished for work, I have accomplished a mere two. But I suppose that’s better than none!
You know, the Fab Hub and I are so bad at dates. Perhaps it’s due in part to the fact that we never actually dated. 😀 And we just so love spending time with Zilla and we so love being at home that we don’t often make specific plans to go out anywhere. But this was good. And quiet.
I’m working on my Sunshine post – I’m such a sucker for questionnaire type stuff!
Rain gets old real quick.
Two is DEFINITELY better than none. Forsure. You win at TWO.
You never dated? How did that….no, I’m not gonna go there 😀
Glad you enjoyed. And that you love spending time with Zilla so much 😀
The not dating thing is like our big silly story. You can go there – read it here: http://www.themeaningofme.com/a-lobster-tale/
I love your posts!! They just make me happy, and I love how they just flow. Anyway, I like your word, Focus. I may need to work on my focusing. I have up five tabs, and I’m STILL thinking I’m forgetting something – something important that I should be focusing on more. 😉
Thanks for stopping by over at the blog. I have heard Roar, and I LOVE that song. May need to be my other theme song. 🙂
Thank, Mary. Well, if the TToT posts bring happiness, then they’re doing their job! As for flow…well, that’s just my stream of consciousness. But I’ll take it! 🙂
Awww, you are a ray of sunshine, I promise! Yay for a date with your spouse! ‘They’ didn’t tell us how hard that would be or how important once we had kids, did ‘they’? And way to go on your decluttering! I’m glad you found a good source for that. Was that through OneWord365? I am looking forward to exploring new blogs there.
The decluttering? No, that was from about nineteen different books I’ve read about how to tackle the cloud of disorganization that surrounds us ADHDers. 🙂 I’ve read that about a hundred times…now I’ve just had it up to here (raises hand way over head) with the clutter in our lives. Three people in one house (and likely at least one cat) with ADD/ADHD equals a whole lot of piles of STUFF. So it’s time to make it go away.
And shhh…do not tell people I am a ray of sunshine. I have a cranky reputation to uphold. 😉
You most certainly are deserving of the Sunshine! Just wanted to get that said and out of the way. I can only imagine the cold caused trouble with your RA but am so glad that you are finding some relief.
From what I can tell, these were not your typical snow days….that weather was brutal and I’m glad you got to stay in. I know it won’t be fun to make it up though.
So very glad to hear you were able to get your heat fixed and back to work quickly. I would guess they had a few calls over those days so you were lucky!
I love the rain too. Just not too many days in a row! I can take one or two, after that my psyche craves the sunshine or I am a mess!
Sleep in….what is that exactly? My body is so accustomed to waking at 5:30 am that it happens whether I want it to or not. But on the bright side, it’s an hour I get to spend quietly with my coffee in the morning.
Good for you and your husband getting some “just us two” time! Very important, that!
Thanks, Sandy. I would really love – and I mean this sincerely – to be able to get myself out of bed that early in the morning. But alas, I am a lifelong night owl/insomniac and so early mornings and I are not friends. This is mildly problematic for someone who has to be a classroom feigning bright-eyed bush-tailedness by 7:45 AM! But on a rainy dark Saturday…we did an Olympic-style sleep in today!
Cold is no fun for RA, but the warmup today has me moving well once again!
we are having a similar weather pattern here in New England… crazy cold for a week and then, like today, 57 degrees.
Even without the extreme temperatures, I have always like that windy rainy warm winter storms… very dramatic and yet comfortable enough to be outdoors to enjoy.
We even had some major thunder here this morning, Clark! Now that’s a sure sign that spring is not far off, right? Perhaps the only thing better than a rainy day is a rainy day with a good solid thunderstorm.
Here’s to gray, rainy mornings when you get to sleep in. One of life’s sweet pleasures!
They really are grand!
Sounds like a little bit of a stressful week, but you’ve managed to cope with it! Thanks for sharing with us!
I just keep working at the big jobs little by little and hopefully, by the end of the month, the major clutter will be under control and I can move on from there! It should be a much easier week this week not having to deal with all the ice, snow, frigid temperatures, and extra outdoor clothing!
I’m sorry to hear about the RA flare. I will feel good for so long, and then one day…BAM. Horrible pain. It comes as a shock. I’m glad you feel better with the warmer weather.
We did a lot of sleeping in during Christmas break and the snow days. Tommorrow, going back to the usual 6:00 wake-up is going to be awfully difficult for everyone.
I’m glad you were able to go on a date. They are a nice treat.
You do deserve that sunshine award, but it made me laugh, seeing as how you had just said how much you like rain. 🙂
Good luck getting all your work done! And great job with sticking with the deck uttering. I have yet to even clean out my sock drawer.
Well, I don’t think it’s a full-blown flare as much as an irritation of symptoms. Other than the hand pain, I’m doing OK! It really does come on suddenly and I always feel like “whoa, where did THAT come from?”
We’ve been technically back to school since the 2nd, but we keep having snow days and delays so it’s been very tough to get back in the routine.
That is funny – talking about rain and sunshine awards. Makes me think of the old Winnie the Pooh special where Pooh sings “I’m just a little black rain cloud…” when he’s trying to sneak up on the honey bees.
As for my drawers…well, the non-visible projects are on the second tier of the project. Right now I’m just trying to get the visible surfaces taken care of.
Today, I had you in mind as I cleaned off the top of my dresser. It was a mess, with all sorts of things getting tossed on it and never put away. It is clean and shiny and clutter-free now. Thanks for giving me the kick start!
(I only mentioned the sock drawer because when I read of your 15 minute decluttering, I thought my sock drawer would be a good place for me to start. I am with you now, though. The visible stuff needs to get done first.)
Hey, I’m a positive influence! 🙂 Meanwhile, how funny is this – I was doing my de-cluttering today and as I passed the dresser thought “oh, I should probably do the sock drawer” because you mentioned it earlier! And I did fix the sock drawer…and the scarf drawer and the underwear drawer while I was at it.
Where did you go for dinner? I already love date nights so can only imagine how thankful I will be for them once I have children. Happy Sunday!
We ate at Carrabba’s. We didn’t want anything too fussy – with the snow and ice and rain all week, we just wanted something warm and comfort food-ish. They just remodeled the one near us and re-did the menu, so it was a good choice.
Sounds like you live in my neck of the woods. We’ve had similar weather.
I didn’t know you had RA. That’s a bummer. My hands and wrist have been hurting lately – from carpal tunnel, I’m guessing – and it really does limit what you can do. Glad you at least got a break from it with the warmer temperatures. It’s tough to get anything done when your hands are hurting.
And as far as ADHD and overwhelm, I feel your pain. I have ADHD, too, and am dealing with some overwhelm right now. Since we moved into a fixer upper recently, I’m having a bit of trouble getting any routines in place and I desperately need them. Between routines and my planner, I can function. Congrats on your progress with de-cluttering.
The RA is generally not too big a deal – I’m pretty well managed and generally don’t have too many problems. The hand pain really does make it tough to get things done. I wondered about your ADHD and the new fixer-upper house – I can imagine it must be difficult to have to completely redesign routines. Those are really key for us around here.
The short bout of de-cluttering are going really well. I am really hoping to have at least the clutter taken care of by the end of the month. After that, I can address things like closets, drawers, and more in-depth projects. But so far, the progress and the great feeling it’s producing are really very positive steps.
When the weather varies so much, it does a number on my Fibro too. Glad you were able to rest. Sunshine and a date are the best antidotes to a struggling health week. I am so glad you got them.
The back-and-forth weather is doing a number on my sinuses and congestion, too. I would just like it to stay one temperature extreme or the other for more than five seconds so I can adjust!
I have 62 drafts started and I don’t have a good excuse for why they are not finished. 🙁 Sorry to hear your hands were so sore this week but glad to hear the warmer weather seems to be helping.
What a great way to get started decluttering with 15 minutes a day. Yes. I think I can do that. Well. Maybe. ;P
Sixty-two! Wow. I don’t think I have that many ideas…but as for why they aren’t finished, um, maybe because you have a really full and busy regular life? 🙂
Hands are better, yes, and the fifteen minutes is really working well so far! I haven’t done it every single day (hands hurting, appointment, stuff gets in the way) but I definitely have done more than fifteen on other days, so it balances out. And it keeps me honest. You can do it – I promise! Fifteen or even ten is something and it really doe add up quickly!
Now for sure I am getting on your decluttering plan. I look around my bedroom and see stacks of DVDs and a sweater shaver thing all kinds of stuff. I bet it could get cleaned up in 15 minutes and then I could move on to the next room.
I am inspired!!
That’s exactly how I was – but I thought for sure it would take forever. Once I gave it a shot and tried the fifteen minutes, I was honestly amazed at how much I got done in such a short period of time. It has already made a huge difference and as we head toward the middle of the month this week, I feel very confident that if I keep this up, the major clutter in this house will at least not be out of control by the end of the month! You can definitely get a bunch accomplished in just a few minutes.
I’m glad your RA is letting up a bit with the warmer weather (and isn’t it funny that we can call 30 degrees “warmer weather”?! Still hoping for a few more snow days before the winter is over, though. They are one of the best perks of being a teacher!
Date night with Fab Hub, a successful de-cluttering campaign, and a Sunshine Award – awesome!
Why do furnaces only break in the winter and air conditioners only in the summer….?
Ridiculous that we think it’s warmer at 30, yes. Despite the fact that we’ve already used up our allotted days, I wouldn’t cry for a few more before spring. It’s a looooooong time until Easter break this year.
Oh, my Sunshine award! I am so not finished with that…thanks for the reminder!