A day of celebration

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times, no exaggeration, “It’s hard to be a Jaguar fan…” Man, oh man, they make us work hard to be supporters. Today’s game was lost in overtime, three times in field goal range, three times missed. Ugh! The team’s longtime kicker, Josh Scobee, was released this season and a new guy brought in. I wonder if tomorrow he will still be alive (kidding!) and will he still have a position on the team. Those who are more fervent fans than am I are beside themselves. I feel badly for my friend, Gretchen, who is the equivalent of the #1 fan, as she is likely crushed, like the team is. It took every part of me to not call her this afternoon. She probably needs to be alone. As Justin says, “At least we have the Packers…” Yes, yes we do!

But there was cause for rejoicing and a bit of weeping today. I called my mom this afternoon to get the scoop on the day’s events at my home church, First German Lutheran. They were giving thanks for 160 years of the Lord’s mercy on the congregation with special worship and music, choirs, and a guest preacher. The president of the Seminary preached, using the theme of memories. I don’t know what his Biblical reference was for the sermon, Mom only told me the gist of it. She has been there all her 90 years and this was a special day for her as well.

My sister, Lynn, is in the choir for the church so was in the choir loft for the service. She instructed my sister, Jill, to have tissues ready for one of their anthems, and they were needed. The FG choir sang “Now the Light Has Gone Away” in German. I weep now writing about it. What is so special about that hymn, other than its text, is that one of the former pastors whom Mom loved dearly, had sung that for her at his going away party. Justin and I happened to be there for this event and there were no dry eyes at our table, and I dare say, in the room. She had scolded him for accepting the Call, reminding him that he promised to sing that at her funeral, in German. Since he likely wouldn’t be there for her funeral, he sang it for her before he left. And she got to hear it again today. Lynn said she did okay singing in rehearsal, but today was a deal breaker, especially after hearing the sermon about memories. Wow, just wow!

When Justin got home after watching the Jaguar game with Jesse, we were standing in the kitchen, talking. I told him how FG celebrated 160 years today and he said, “Oh, wow!” (we say wow a lot!). Then I told him that Grandma had a special treat when the choir sang. He asked, “Did they sing Grandma’s song in German?” How in the world did he know?? He just guessed it out of the air, saying he didn’t read it anywhere, just guessed it. I believe him, because I didn’t read it anywhere either and am more apt to spot something like that on my sites than is he. He just blew me away! Anyway, I told Mom I was going to write to Pastor Hahm and let him know about this, and she told me to let him know that she thinks about him often. I did just that!

Justin and I ate at home this evening, enjoying some country-style ribs which I popped in the oven when I got home from Chili’s. I sprinkled them with dehydrated onions, salt and pepper, and poured a partial can of dark ale with them. Justin got this beer for his birthday and does not care for it, so we are using it for cooking. My neighbor, Kay, was over for a little while and she said the smell of our dinner was driving her crazy. The house smelled amazing from it. Part way through the roasting process I put some of Justin’s homemade bbq sauce on them. We served the ribs with egg noodles and both were delicious. I added some of the ale to the water used for boiling the noodles, too. The rest went down the drain, phew! It smells much better in the roaster than in the sink!

200 Items to Throw Away

My good friend, Stephanie, has a marvelous project "things to do when I'm retire" she is tackling in her home. Presently she is doing a drawer-a-day (minimum) and is finding things she has long forgotten about, enjoying the project. When I saw this list posted by another blogger, Stephanie came to mind, and so did my own house!

As you look ahead at this list I want you to remember two things:

1.)  Remember you can sell, donate, recycle or throw away.  Knowing that I’m allowing someone else to enjoy my things makes it easier for me to let them go.

2.) Keep things that make you feel good.  If it doesn’t make you feel happy when      you look at it, get rid of it quickly.  Surround yourself with things you enjoy.

Now on to the list:

1.  Old product boxes (Apple products, TV, etc.)

2.  Hangers from the dry cleaners

3.  Plastic hangers from the store

4.  Expired make up

5.  Half-finished projects…you know the one!

6.  Magazines

7.  Old emery boards (buy a nice glass one and be done with those scratchy things!)

8.  Old paint 

9.  Ugly undergarments you hate to wear (You have those “just in case” pairs too,    right?)

10.  Bills, taxes, paperwork over 7 years old

11.  Socks with holes or without mates…also those lonely socks that have holes too. 

12.  Extra cups and mugs – How many does your family use in a regular dishwasher    load?  Add a few more for company and be done with the rest.

13.  Books you’ve never read or will never read again

14.  Old technology (8 tracks, floppy discs, VHS tapes w/o a player, etc.)

15.  Unloved toys

16.  Cleaning rags – You only need a few before you’ll wash them again, right?

17.  Tea light candles – Use them or lose them.

18.  Take out menus you never look at

19.  Old greeting cards (Save the super sentimental ones and recycle the rest)

20.  Outdated over the counter drugs and vitamins

21.  Old sneakers (Recycle through Nike)

22.  Plastic cutlery

23.  Old spices – Spices don’t actually spoil but they lose their potency.  A good rule of thumb is 1-2 years for seasoning; 1-3 for herbs and ground spices; and up to 4 years for whole spices.

24.  Duplicate power cords (USB, etc.  We have 3 vTech ones for the kiddos’ toys but only need one)

25.  Bobby pins

26.  Games with missing pieces

27.  Dried up nail polish bottles

28. Video games you’ll never play again

29.  Recalled baby items (carseats, cribs, etc.)

30.  Jewelry you don’t wear

31.  Expired food in your freezer/pantry

32.  Rugs or home decor you haven’t used since you redecorated

33.  Unused perfumes and cologne

34.  Old towels that make you cringe when you look at them

35.  Extension cords (Am I the only one who has a bazillion of these?)

36.  Extra sets of bed linens – two per bed tops

37.  Unused plastic containers – especially those without a lid and those old plastic containers. 

38.  Old bills (Switch to online banking and stop the clutter before it comes in your home)

39.  Paychecks older than 2 years

40.  Stretched out hair ties

41.  Matches you never use (Maybe save a few in case of a power outage)

42.  Old newspapers

43.  Expired Rx meds 

44.  Extra pillows

45.  Ticket stubs (Sentimental like myself?  Store in a scrapbook or fill a mug with old stubs)

46.  Make up you’ll try “one day”  If you’ve owned if for more than 2 weeks without trying it, toss it.

47.  Clothes that are more than 2 sizes too small.  Don’t give up on your weight loss dream but WHEN you do lose that weight go and buy new clothes to reward yourself.

48.  Things you’ve bought have haven’t returned yet (Return them, sell, or donate them)

49.  White-out bottles – You know you don’t need it!

50.  Unneeded notebooks

51.  Pens and pencils – Keep your favorites and let go of the rest

52.  Little shampoo bottles from a hotel you went to 5 years ago

53.  Knick knacks that don’t make you smile every time you see them

54.  Cords that don’t belong to anything you currently own

55.  Lose screws, nuts, bolts, etc. unless you happen to be a handy man who would actually reuse them one day

56.  Kid’s old art projects (I have an upcoming post with loads of ideas on this so for now just set them aside)

57.  Old party supplies

58.  Old wedding favors (Keep a few, toss the rest)

59.  Old Christmas cards of your family (Save a few, recycle the rest)

60.  Holiday decor you never remember to set out 

61.  Holiday decor that you use once a year (ex. Easter deviled egg tray that collects dust 364 days of the year!  Buy a lovely one that you can use for other holidays too.)

62.  Cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, shampoo that you used once and didn’t like.  

63.  Flower pots.  Plant a flower or toss the pot.

64.  Watering cans if you don’t have flowers.

65.  Too small kid’s clothing.  Only save favorites if you’re saving for another child.  Sell the rest while they’re still in style.

66.  Extra buttons (If you don’t sew, toss them all.  Reduce your supply if you will use a button in the next few months)

67.  Old calendars

68.  Unidentified frozen objects (Label ya’ll!  Keep a Sharpie by the freezer for quick labeling)

69.  Movies you’ll probably never watch again

70.  Bags from the mall you might use one day (Keep only 1 if you must)

71.  Multiple pair of scissors (One or two tops, right?) I refuse to get rid of scissors!!

72.  More ear buds than you’ve got family members

73.  Curling irons, crimpers (ha! flash back), or straighteners you don’t use

74.  Highlighters unless you’ve used one in the past month, then save only that one

75.  Travel mugs that leak, or are ugly, or that you don’t use because you have to hand wash it

76.  Boxes – shoe boxes, diaper boxes, cereal boxes.  Recycle and be free.

77.  Samples of any kind – Use, donate, or trash.

78.  Games you haven’t played in the last year

79.  Tape measures – You know the rule, keep one and toss the rest.

80.  Old phone covers, styluses, screen protectors, etc.

81.  Misc. ribbons or string

82.  Expired coupons

83.  Organizers you bought to get organized that didn’t work

84.  Belts that no longer fit, are worn, or are out of style

85.  Duplicate kitchen utensils – Have you ever used three wisks at the same time before?  Me neither.

86. Cookie cutters unless you’ve used them in the past year and foresee using them again

87.  Rarely used cake pans – Our bakery supply store rents them for $2 a day.  I no longer need to keep any on hand for those rare occasions I bake.

88.  Old teeth whitening trays or strips.  Use ’em up or toss ’em out.

89.  Hard candy that you’re not sure where it came from or how long it’s been there

90.  Unloved stuffed animals

91.  Half used chap stick containers – Buy a new one! I LOVE my new EOS one with coconut milk.

92.  Duplicate measuring cups and spoons

93.  Old day planners (and current ones if you don’t use them!)

94.  Candles – If it’s not lovely to look at and you’ll never burn it, let it go.

95.  Mason jars (or baby food jars, spaghetti sauce jars, etc.) that you won’t use

96.  Expired sunscreen

97.  Staple remover – unless you can make a very compelling argument to keep yours.

98.  Travel alarm clock – We have phones now.

99.  Stress balls

100.  Plug in air fresheners without a refill

101.  Unloved dog toys

102.  Extra USB flash drives – How many does one family need?

103.  Promotional swag

104.  Key chains you don’t use

105.  Recipe books you don’t ever use

106.  Push pins in the junk drawer just waiting for unsuspecting fingers

107.  Keys that you don’t know what they go to

108.  Lanyards, name tags, bags, etc. from previous conferences

109.  Carabiners – Unless you rock climb, trust me, you won’t use them.

110.  Lotions, face washes, serums that you don’t use

111.  Random batteries you’re not sure where they came from

112.  Multiple book marks – Unless you’re a book worm…you know what to do, toss them.

113.  Combination locks – Chances are slim you’ll use one again but if you do, they’re cheap to replace.

114.  Paper weights

115.  Near empty bottles of bubbles or little numbs of side-walk chalk

116.  Completed coloring books

117.  Markers without lids and lids without markers

118.  Goodie bag toys from previous birthday party celebrations

119.  Empty bottles of anything

120.  Puzzles

121.  Old invitations

122.  Travel brochures

123.  Tissue paper/gift bags

124.  Unused sticky notes

125.  Extra shoe laces

126.  Sticker’s from a precious yard sale

127.  Hair products you don’t use

128.  Take out chopsticks – Buy a reusable pair if you use them a lot

129.  Old prescription glasses – Great donation for the Lions Club.

130.  Old sunglasses – The cat eye is coming back but definitely toss those purple hued ones.

131.  Worn out flip flops.

132.  Magnets – Unless they are lovely or useful, discard.

133.  Posters you’ll never display again

134.  Excess decks of cards

135.  Phone books

136.  Broken Christmas lights

137.  Notes/gifts from old romances

138.  Hats you don’t wear or that look like you shouldn’t

139.  Extra bubble wrap (or am I the only one who has a supply?)

140.  Twisty ties (another one that hits close to home!)

141.  Chip clips

142.  Craft supplies for a project that has already been completed

143.  Paper plates – Use them up!

144.  Loyalty cards – use the key ring version or enter your number for even less clutter

145.  Gift cards – go and enjoy them!

146.  Touristy knick knacks

147.  Business cards – Keep an electronic record

148.  Puzzle books you don’t use

149.  Old textbooks

150.  Unused vases

151.  Stockings with runs in them

152.  Fancy serving bowls you haven’t used in the last year – Use them or sell them. No one is touching my bowls!

153.  CDs unless you use them regularly

154.  Old boombox

155.  Piles of “scrap paper”

156.  Purses/dufflebags/old luggage you don’t use

157.  Catalogs

158.  Christmas ornaments that aren’t lovely or sentimental

159.  Instruments you’ve given up on mastering years ago

160.  Clothes that make you feel ugly

161.  Instruction manuals – Most are online now.

162.  Calculators – Phones have replaced these for most people.

163.  Remotes that have no purpose

164.  Emergency sewing kits – I own many and have never used one even once.

165.  Dry erase markers without a board and a board without markers (or both if you don’t use it!)

166.  Extra pencil sharpeners – Only one is needed

167.  Rusty tools you’ll never use again

168.  Lawn and garden pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers you won’t use

169.  Fireworks that are unused (Am I the only one?) – They can be soaked in water overnight then disposed of in a plastic bag.

170.  Dried up super glue

171.  Old and ugly t-shirts

172.  Hair accessories you don’t use

173.  One orphan earring

174.  Dried flowers

175.  Extra photo prints

176.  Gifts you don’t love

177.  Scarves you never wear

178.  Damaged/stained clothing

179.  Plastic children’s plates/cups that they’ve outgrown Of course, I am NOT getting rid of mine!

180.  Junk mail

181.  Address labels – Do you ever really use them?

182.  Extra folders, binders, labels, etc.

183.  Old cell phones – Recycle!

184.  Old fortune cookie fortunes (Someone else keeps the good ones too, don’t they?)

185.  Used ink cartridges – Recycle them for a little money back

186.  Use Unroll.me to rid yourself from pesky email subscriptions (It’s free but I would pay for this fabulous service!!)

187.  Outdated computer software

188.  Old wallets

189.  Dull or duplicate pocket knives

190.  Spare change lying around – Take it to the bank!

191.  Unused picture frames

192.  Old baby gear that you no longer need – Great donation item if you don’t want to sell it!

193.  Kitchen knives no one uses

194.  Old sports equipment from days gone by

195.  Broken clocks

196.  Coasters that go unused

197.  Plants – Yes, plants that don’t brighten your spirits.  Buy ones that do!

198.  Hole punch you never use

199.  Place mats, napkins, table cloths that never get displayed Some my mom made for us

200.  Ruled notebook paper – I hate to throw it away but I never use it.  Donate it

I indicated the ones which are a 'problem' for me. I have trouble parting with some things...

From Embracing Homemaking blog

The life of an optimist

The other night after dinner, Justin and I were clearing the table and getting things put away in the kitchen. We had some mashed potatoes leftover so I fished a plastic container from the drawer and began the transfer. I am not a good estimator, apparently, because it was immediately evident that I was overly optimistic about the amount of potatoes left by choosing a much too large container for them. Justin chuckled with me as I put this single serving of potatoes in a container which could easily hold 4 times that. I just hoped for more mashed potatoes to be leftover, I suppose. 

Today I did the same thing with my ham salad made on the weekend. I bought crackers to eat with the salad but when I opened the container, I realized I had less salad remaining than I thought. So, I fished out a smaller container to transfer it to and again, chose one too large for the job. Back into the drawer I went to get the properly sized piece. Now I will be able to dip my cracker and not touch my hands on the sides of the container. I am funny that way! I have something in common with Howard Hughes...

A few weeks ago Justin and I were watching Jeopardy! and the one category was children's literature. I answered "Pippi Longstocking" but the right response was actually "Pollyanna". Justin said to me, "You should have known that one---that's what Pete called you." Yes, he did, a long time ago, my friend referred to me as Pollyanna for not seeing things the way they really were. Others accused me of having rose-colored glasses back in the day. Time has allowed me, or ruined me, to not wear them as often these days. 

When reality hits, one ends up with a sinkfull of containers which weren't quite right. But I really thought they were!

Burney's birthday bash

If you can call it a bash---it was only him and me in the entire dining room for the first hour and half of our meals. We had extraordinarily attentive service under these circumstances. In the other part of The Club an event was going on at the same time so staff members were walking through the dining room regularly as well. He got a chuckle out of a few things, commenting on how 'everyone' seemed to know me and that I had a 'special' glass in which my soda was served. First the special hot dogs at the pool and now this. They do this to shut me up---as much for their benefit as mine! 

This was Burney's first time eating indoors so this was extra special. Since neither he nor I liked the appetizer offered, we were treated to a wonderful substitution---beer cheese soup! I could not have been happier.He used his card for the free meal, getting the Delmonico upon my recommendation. He did not have leftovers like I did, though, eating his entire steak. For not generally being a meat eater, he did okay. Because we went early at his request, I was home before 8:00 pm, foam box in hand. Glad to help Burney celebrate his birthday this way!

Nancy W. and Burney poolside last fall. Nancy was invited to help celebrate Burney's birthday but had reserved for the other event at The Club. She's already been to Casual Grille Night once this month when Linda was here so she was excused!

Still stewing about those %@#& cats!

This afternoon when I got home from the luncheon with the Over 50 Lunch Bunch, I decided to water my plants in the pot outside my doors. In the planter are growing what will someday be, I hope, day lilies. The bulbs were a gift to me from Ed, a Victory friend. They have sprouted nicely sending up tall green fronds which are now bending over from their weight. No flowers or even blossoms in this, their first season, being planted. As I poured water over them in this particular pot, I could not help but get irritated with our cats. You are right, we have no cats in this household any longer---so why I am upset with them?

When Justin and I moved here over 9 years ago (I know, that's a long time for me to stay in one place this long!), we brought along several planters containing plants and a tree we'd had since Timmy died. The tree was grown from a seed he'd planted in pre-k at St. Johns. It had sprouted after he died. Justin and I stopped in to his classroom to pick it up, grown in a styrofoam coffee cup. I was so glad to have it. The seed grew into a plant and eventually it was transferred into this large planter presently on my porch. 

The lemon tree flourished on the patio at both The Preserve house and the lake house, living in a screen enclosure. When we moved here, my friend, Rick, moved the plants in his trailer, carefully putting a bag over the lemon tree so as not to lose any of the fruit from it. The tree was placed in my river room where it got plenty of sun and light. The other planters had peace lilies which had lived all this while, about 5 years, and were flourishing in their pots in the river room. They seemed happy there....

But, now come the cats. We had Boots and Lynx who evidently did not like moving to this new house or for whatever reason were behaving badly. Instead of using their nice litter box, one or both chose to use the soil in the planters instead. Ugh!!!  Justin and I tried to correct them of this practice but they were so sneaky. I could not tolerate this so we moved the planters into the courtyard by the doors. The lilies lived for a while but they missed the sunshine and direct light, eventually needing to be removed. 

A lemon on Timmy's tree

The lemon tree did okay at first but then started to lose its leaves. A friend from church, a Master Gardner, came over to examine it, and cleaned the leaves one by one with a cotton ball and soapy mixture. Under his microscope he could show me the 'little bastards' which were affecting the health of the tree. Pests outside on the open courtyard had a field day with my plants and eventually the tree died. I was wounded then, and still now, that the tree died. 

I had grown some seedlings in the past using lemons grown on the tree and gave one sprout to his father. But, I had none, having now only two lemons saved in my freezer for however long I choose to keep them. My friend, Cindy, thought perhaps she could save the rest of the tree after it was trimmed back, but, alas, she could not and gave it a decent burial. If only those blasted blooming cats would have left my plants alone, they could have stayed indoors and away from the 'little bastards' that destroyed them. 

I am still not over it, not yet. I DO keep a record of wrongs (I Corinthians 13) especially about this and the other havoc they wreaked around here. Those darn cats!!! I don't miss them one tiny bit!!

Go Pack Go!

The Jags won a game!!! Yay!! Whoop!! Whoop!!! Excuse me, but we Jaguar fans are entitled to  rejoice over a victory when it happens. And what a victory it was, too. Won by a field goal with less than a minute left in the game. Talk about edge of the seat wins! I know my friend, Gretchen, is going to be beside herself with joy. The Jags had lost the previous 10 games in a row so today's win was a tremendous blessing, long awaited!

This morning we had Bible study and worship, followed by lunch with our usual group plus some extras at Chili's. Judy had some of her family in town, hielping David move into his new place in Tally, so they joined us for worship and lunch. I was in my happy place with 9 at the table. I was sorry Justin missed it by being at the game but he was in his happy place AT the game! 

I did get to the pool for a little while this afternoon but as predicted, the water was cold. A group of us huddled in the deep end of the adult pool where the sun shined on us. We must have looked so silly. One by one we got out as the sun moved behind the trees and we enjoyed poolside ice cream treats at buy one/get one prices, as Marlena is trying to get rid of her supply. As ungrateful as I am, I settled for the drumstix since she was out of the usual Oreo sandwiches which Burney and I get. Patty treated us today, which was a delight no matter what type of ice cream it was. 

This evening we are watching the Packer game and I know I won't be disappointed. After a Jaguar victory today I will be thrilled to be watching the Packers play and win as well. Go Pack, Go!!!

The sun is back!

Having had so many days of cloudy weather every all or part of the day makes me rejoice to have had the sun back with us. At one point it was so bright that I couldn't see my computer monitors on the desk! What a marvelous 'problem' to have!

This afternoon I got shout-out from our pastor's wife, Lynn, who was dining for the first time at 4Rivers. They are sold! Lynn said she doubts they will ever enjoy bbq anywhere after eating at 4Rivers. They ordered their meat from the lean portion of the brisket while mine comes from the moist end. 

Lynn sent me this photo of their tray. She shared it with her husband. I do not share my brisket, ever!!

I made dinner for Justin and me this evening. We had ham, mashed potatoes, and green beans, a veritable feast!  I got the ham on sale at Winn Dixie, a nice hunk for $5 and I can easily see getting several more meals from it. My house smelled wonderful, too, like a holiday! Because of the rain during the week making for shorter days for Justin, he had to work all day long today to catch up their schedule. That guy is bushed, and I can't say I blame him. The rain makes the pool water cold and without the solar power to warm it, well, not swimming temperature for me. I hope to get one or two more days poolside with my friends, at least, before the cabana closes at the end of the month.