Less Hustle More Coffee

Oh my gosh guys! You would not believe how much we have accomplished in the last week. And especially this weekend. Here was a peek above at last week’s to do list checked off as of about Noon on Saturday.

Saturday around Noon I “redid the list” and then was able to get all this checked off below by the end of Sunday evening.

So having gone into the weekend Friday night with as high as a 103 degree fever at one point, due to the shot reaction so it sure ended up well.

Saturday morning was iffy and I was slow. I probably staved off the fever with acetaminophen and probably pushed myself a bit more than I should have. However, at least I was home, in my jammies and getting things done in the house – mainly laundry, cleaning kitchen, ironing. I cleaned out the hallway closet in the afternoon and rearranged it.

I got rid of some things I don’t use, threw away old things, got rid of old lotions I never use.

It doesn’t look like I cleaned anything out though as I moved over all kinds of cleaning supplies from the areas underneath the bathroom sink so I could make room for me to have one side of the bathroom and Mom to have one side of the bathroom space.

George mowed and ran errands. And did a few things he wanted to do. He was productive too. I rested when I felt I needed to, had a huge horrible headache when the acetaminophen wore off. So as long as I took that every 4 to 6 hours or so I was good. I did have to take about a 45 min nap Saturday – just a brief one – when it felt like the fever was coming on.

I moved all of my things to one side. And Mom’s side is ready to go. Sadly we have pipes in the way, but what can you do. Not sure if this basket will be needed but I figure Mom might need *some* kind of basket to reach in and pull out for anything which will make it easier.

I’ve also created drawer space for her. And look ya’ll, this house was probably built in the early 70’s and I’m not even sure when this bathroom cabinet was built, so it’s not the best of shape anymore in the front. But it’s not the most persistent eyesore now (that’s the flooring) so we deal with it the best we can. The main thing is Mom has some drawer space.

I have to find her two little metal baskets like mine so she can put her counter top things on the bathroom counter. That way we can keep the area clean. One thing that will drive me crazy is things sitting around in a clutter. I can deal with organized clutter a bit, but I need to see clean and uncluttered countertop space! That said, I need to add “baskets for Mom” to the list.

Then off to Mom’s we went with two cars and loads of boxes inside of boxes. We stayed and packed for a few hours. I went and got lunch. I had wanted to do sandwiches – things bought at the store to throw a meal together but Mom wanted something bought out and wanted McAlister’s. I went and stood in line, for an hour or longer due to the church crowds. Glad to see people are out now, but gaaaaahhhhhleeee, that was ridiculous. If it had just been for me I’d have long turned around but I patiently waited as I had orders for all – all across the board – salad for me, spud for Mom, and sandwich for George.

Anyway finally back home and eaten, much of the day was gone at that point. However we had enough room for 3 more packed boxes so I went to get them and coming back in the dining room one of the boxes hit my tea glass left from lunch that I was enjoying still and it crashed to the floor breaking in pieces. Darnit! So the day went downhill for a bit there with the long wait and glass breaking, but better than one of Mom’s china pieces.

We got a lot of fine glassware packed and in storage. All secured in our basement now and unloaded. Thank goodness we have had this basement.

Then I moved our coats from the coat closet to our downstairs closet and I moved my seasonal clothes from my office to the coat closet. Before Mom comes I’ll move my clothes from my current bedroom (guest bedroom) to my office here. This will be my office and bedroom. I hate that I cannot sleep with George and Roger. When Roger passes, I will try again. But Roger’s need to be up and down all night plus the snoring and George getting up plus my own getting up in the night at times -is just too many factors – too much waking up at night. So it is necessary from a health standpoint (not falling asleep at work, or driving, and feeling better) that I be able to separate myself off and get sleep and sanity. So much to my surprise….the closet switcheroo has been started.

I still have to bring up the plastic chest of drawers (just a plastic storage unit) and it will have to be kept in front of the closet here as there is nowhere to store them. My closet will just have to remain open. That grey bag there will be going to the basement. It’s just temporary storage of clothes I am not wearing now that are too small, sadly. lol

I also set up two baskets to put my shoes in at the bottom of the closet, but I may have to set those up on top of the storage system as I won’t be able to get to them, if the storage things are in front. It’s all a work in progress.

I moved the table over in front of the window so I could set up the cot. I could have gotten a smaller cot but honestly the twin size seemed like for me it would be more comfortable for stretching out and turning over and such. It’s a tight fit, but it’s gonna work. Now George just has to cut the foam.

It didn’t take Roger long to find his new spot. I’m washing the blanket I normally keep on his bed. It’s all tight but it’s cozy and I like it. It fits my need. It’s kinda like a little RV space without the kitchen, ha!

I’m going to use what bedding materials I have at home for the bed. Once George cuts the foam I can set that up. I will use an old quilt as a foam mattress cover to put around the foam. I will use regular size sheets – I think we have an extra set I can use, if not I may have to order those. Twin may be too small since the foam is 12 inches thick, so probably have to use REG sheets size and tuck it in.

I have a quilt that is Reg size that will be a bit big probably but maybe not since the bed will have some height to it, but the colors will fit my room. I really like quilts as comforters these days because they wash easily and keep their shape. I have a blanket that I use to sleep with that radiates warmth back from my own body heat and that is all I will need as it’s summer anyway but George likes it cool sometimes.

All that said, I’m so happy with our progress. It is amazing that God gave us energy and will power above anything else including recovering from that Covid Shot and the big fever it caused.

So now we can focus on this week’s list.

Today I have a conference call with Mom on Zoom for one of our meetings. It’s at 8:30. A bad time for me now that I missed part of Friday, but it will have to do. So my lunch time is basically at 8:30, lol. That means I’ll be heating up my lunch, and eating at my desk while doing time sheets at my normal lunch time.

We have our plans set for doing a Cargo Van move, escalating all the things we can move that weekend and then we will do the final moving after that – I think Father’s Day weekend for that.

So there is still so much fine glassware to pack. We made only a small dent. So we will be back to Columbia this next weekend to help Mom pack but she is getting a friend who offered to help, to come over and pack some. We left Mom with boxes and wrapping supplies but had to order a serious amount of bubble wrap to be delivered there this week so the packing can continue.

Eating the elephant one bite at a time. We’ve bit off a lot and chewed it! We are coming around the curve. But it’s time to get serious about getting Mom here to our house. The front porch railing has been ordered from Amazon to help Mom – actually all of us – get up and down the stairs easier. There are only 3 steps but they are pretty big ones.

Thank you Lord, for giving us the energy, drive, and stamina to get all this stuff done! So much more to go but yet we have come so far!