MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
We had no plans for the Memorial Day weekend, but Memorial Day weekend had plans for us.We have a first floor apartment and due to some kind of blockage in the line, about 11:30 pm Sunday night, we discovered that our kitchen sink and our neighbor's had backed up and flooded the floor and the foyer. We are so blessed that Colette and Noelle were here to help clean up the awful mess.Our kitchen floor is tiled, but the foyer is laminate flooring, which is now buckled. The cabinet containing the sink and the flooring has to be replaced... Because of the heat and moisture the cabinet has an unpleasant smell, in spite of the the fan drying it out and Oust. We're hoping that we can find someone to replace it.. like yesterday. Our home owners insurance adjuster came Wednesday to check on the damage. When he gets back to his office on Monday, he will recommend some companies that would be willing to do a small job like our kitchen. We are considering some other floor covering rather than replacing it with what what we have... We've learned that it's not a good choice for first floor dwellers. The laminate CAN NOT be repaired, it must be completely removed.... it covers the depth (?) of our apartment... from the front door to the patio doors in the rear.We are very much aware that we have some stressful days ahead... but they can't be avoided. The thought of having to pack all of the contents of the china cabinet and the 3 wall units is like a bad dream come true. But, we have no other choice... we do what we gotta do...... We're going to start packing the boxes now at our own pace, so that when the time comes to do the floors that will be behind us.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
HOARDING
I started this blog a few weeks ago and forgot to finish it, till now.
Some say being a pack rat/hoarder is a sickness or OCD [an obsessive compulsive disorder]...After reading a post on the Red Hat Site about hoarding/being a packrat, it brought back memories of our move here from NYC 14 years ago.
As we prepared to move we had boxes stacked from floor to ceiling in our large living room, with no room except to walk around them. Boxes carefully packed with breakables and linens. Accumulations of 31 years. It is incredible how much and what was saved. We had to make some very difficult decisions of what to take and what to discard. If only we knew then what we know now... that it's cheaper to buy new than to ship heavy furniture.
I find I'm back to where I was in NYC... with boxes and boxes of 'stuff' that must be disposed of.
At this time in our life we often see our peers transition.. leaving loved ones with the burden of disposing of their worldly possessions. I don't want my family to have to go through my junk or the guilt of disposing without looking to see what's there. So I've promised myself that starting next month I will be ruthless and de-clutter. Tossing anything not used in the past year including those old old papers I've been holding onto... Such as a newspaper clipping of my return home to Miami after my marriage; Program from my high school graduation; compliments from students I taught to use the computer and from satisfied passengers when I worked for TWA; Receipts for furniture [that we still have] purchased from Bloomingdale's back in the 1960s, etc.; clothing that I had plans to alter or restyle or whatever; things we felt that someone else may want that we replaced and no longer use... aka Clutter - Stuff - Crapola.
A while back when I acknowledged that I am a hoarder, I attempted to organize my clutter. Looking back I realize that really did not help, if anything it made matters worse. My goal is to get RID of the clutter rather than organize it. Wish me luck.
Some say being a pack rat/hoarder is a sickness or OCD [an obsessive compulsive disorder]...After reading a post on the Red Hat Site about hoarding/being a packrat, it brought back memories of our move here from NYC 14 years ago.
As we prepared to move we had boxes stacked from floor to ceiling in our large living room, with no room except to walk around them. Boxes carefully packed with breakables and linens. Accumulations of 31 years. It is incredible how much and what was saved. We had to make some very difficult decisions of what to take and what to discard. If only we knew then what we know now... that it's cheaper to buy new than to ship heavy furniture.
I find I'm back to where I was in NYC... with boxes and boxes of 'stuff' that must be disposed of.
At this time in our life we often see our peers transition.. leaving loved ones with the burden of disposing of their worldly possessions. I don't want my family to have to go through my junk or the guilt of disposing without looking to see what's there. So I've promised myself that starting next month I will be ruthless and de-clutter. Tossing anything not used in the past year including those old old papers I've been holding onto... Such as a newspaper clipping of my return home to Miami after my marriage; Program from my high school graduation; compliments from students I taught to use the computer and from satisfied passengers when I worked for TWA; Receipts for furniture [that we still have] purchased from Bloomingdale's back in the 1960s, etc.; clothing that I had plans to alter or restyle or whatever; things we felt that someone else may want that we replaced and no longer use... aka Clutter - Stuff - Crapola.
A while back when I acknowledged that I am a hoarder, I attempted to organize my clutter. Looking back I realize that really did not help, if anything it made matters worse. My goal is to get RID of the clutter rather than organize it. Wish me luck.
Friday, May 16, 2008
May Flowers
The calendar says it's May... but it feels like it is July or August here in beautiful south Florida. Even though the temperatures are in the high 80s to the 90s, we are blessed.... We do not have tornados and flooding that's happening in so many other parts of our country. The fires in mid and south Florida keeps me inside because of my respiratory problems. But I'm not complaining.. Some have lost their homes to the tornadoes and fires.
Every day I think of that which I close my emails: "Be kinder than necessary... for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle". Some have financial problems and are about to lose their homes...
some don't have money to feed their families... or pay the rent... or buy health insurance...
some are unemployed and unable to find a job....
It all makes me wonder.. 'What is going to become of our country..
What will it be like 5 years from now?? 10 years from now ??".
The next president has a job like no other new president ever faced coming into office.
If you are are a worrier... it is scary.
Not me... I can't do anything about what is or will be...
So I just pray that I and my family and friends will be able to deal with what ever...
The Prayer of Serenity is my mantra:
God grant me the Serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And Wisdom to know the difference.
Every day I think of that which I close my emails: "Be kinder than necessary... for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle". Some have financial problems and are about to lose their homes...
some don't have money to feed their families... or pay the rent... or buy health insurance...
some are unemployed and unable to find a job....
It all makes me wonder.. 'What is going to become of our country..
What will it be like 5 years from now?? 10 years from now ??".
The next president has a job like no other new president ever faced coming into office.
If you are are a worrier... it is scary.
Not me... I can't do anything about what is or will be...
So I just pray that I and my family and friends will be able to deal with what ever...
The Prayer of Serenity is my mantra:
God grant me the Serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And Wisdom to know the difference.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mothers Day
During our Mothers Day dinner the discussion went to the Internet. Noelle mentioned that I haven't posted anything in my blog for quite a while. I explained that nothing worth writing about has been happening in my world... nothing but doctor visits and new ailments... She laughed and said I could write about that. I totally disagree... I can't imgine anyone wanting to read about someone else's health complaints and boring everyday events. I know I wouldn't. Again they laughed and suggested I write more about stuff I've told them about my childhood... Like the time that my BF and I were caught jumping on the tops of the students desks in an empty classroom.. and we had to stay after school in the detention hall, on the day that there was a 'BIG' football game with a Jacksonville team after school.
Last month was the Red Hat Society's 10th birthday. My chapter attended a celebration with several other Nubian chapters . It was awesome!! If I find out how to include pictures here, I will let you see, but mean while if you wish to check it out... I have another blog/personal webpage on the Red Hat site: www.QMB2.com/Bunni
I don't have a problem blogging there because my readers [Red Hat Sisters] share the same interest... Red Hatting.
I've begun preparing for my trip to Orlando in June for The Red Hat Society's Annual International Convention and 10th Anniversay Celebration. It's at the Gaylord Hotel, which I have heard so many wonderful things about. From what I'm told, I expect next month I'll have lots to write about when I return..
Hope you had a Happy Mothers Day too.
Last month was the Red Hat Society's 10th birthday. My chapter attended a celebration with several other Nubian chapters . It was awesome!! If I find out how to include pictures here, I will let you see, but mean while if you wish to check it out... I have another blog/personal webpage on the Red Hat site: www.QMB2.com/Bunni
I don't have a problem blogging there because my readers [Red Hat Sisters] share the same interest... Red Hatting.
I've begun preparing for my trip to Orlando in June for The Red Hat Society's Annual International Convention and 10th Anniversay Celebration. It's at the Gaylord Hotel, which I have heard so many wonderful things about. From what I'm told, I expect next month I'll have lots to write about when I return..
Hope you had a Happy Mothers Day too.
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