New blogs????

I haven't decided what to do about this situation. I've started getting a lot of "anonymous" comments that are trying to be posted to my blog. They look OK for the first line and then they turn out tobe spam for stuff like Viagra. I monitor all comments so I catch them before they are posted.

Anyway, I will note at the bottom of the weekly newsletter if there is a new blog. I won't be updating weekly...at least not until I figure this out! But I'll try to get most items in the newsletter. Pat

The cost of clutter from Get Rich Slowly

When I moved a couple of weeks ago I learned that even someone in a one-bedroom apartment can have lots of clutter. Then I saw this post on Get Rich Slowly talks about the cost of clutter. Cost? I'd never thought about that.

First, when you can't find your stuff, you end buying duplicates. Yes, I've done that.

When you have more stuff than space, your things get stored badly and damaged. Yup, done that also.

When your stuff is disorganized, you miss deadlines and fees can run up. Not so much for me. I hate fees.

Lots of folks rent storage space for the stuff that doesn't fit in their homes. Or they buy bigger homes than they need to hold their stuff. And I just got a bigger garage with a store room.

Clutter can encourage allergens and dust and that's not good for your health.

Plus, clutter keeps you from working at your best. Stuff demands attention.

It really does take a village

I've moved! And right in the middle of a rather rough chemo. It wouldn't have happened without folks who just saw what needed to happen and pitched in. THANK YOU!

It's not fun moving your own stuff, much less someone else's. These folks organized packing sessions, moved things to the new apartment , and then unpacked everything. Thank you Eleanor, Holly, Joyce, Jan, Harold, Olga, Peggy, Joe, Derek, Jan, Linda, Deb, Elaine..... you were amazing! If it weren't for you, I'd still be pulling myself up two flights of steps. I am so blessed!

At least I don't have a lawnmower!

Last week I was espressing concern about my Toyota will potential accelerator problems. Nicole sent me this video about Toyota problems with lawnmower motors. Cute! Click the little arrow to view.

I bought this car for dependability

I got an email from Toyota recently telling me how much they care about my safety, but I have one of those cars with potential accelerator problems and I'm starting to get a tad nervous. I've even practiced shifting into neutral (Isn't that what you are supposed to do?)

Other than the email, I haven't heard from Toyota about a recall for my car, but I figure the dealers are probably as confused as I am about what's going on so I haven't called yet. I just don't want to go through my garage at 30 MPH.

If you know what's going on, please let me know!

I no longer consider moving an adventure

It looks like I'm going to move..not far...just across the drive. But I'm going to move to a first floor apartment. Right now, I have to climb three flights of stairs to get from my garage to my apartment. When I moved in two years ago I thought it would be good exercise plus I could enjoy the beautiful view.

After lugging bags of groceries up those stairs for two years, I'm thinking there must be a better way to exercise! Besides, the chemo isn't helping my ability to climb stairs.

I can remember a time when I thought moving was fun... an adventure! New rooms to arrange, new neighbors, new decor items to buy. Now I look at all those books and dishes and closet stuff (where did it all come from?) and wonder how badly I want to keep them.

So if you're not doing anything one fine weekend this month........

More germy places in your home

Now this is really disgusting. Health magazine says that there is a tenth of a gram of feces in every pair of underwear. Really? That means you get E.coli on your hands when you move the clothes from the washer to the dryer.

The washer and dryer should be at 150 degrees to kill bacteria. Most organisms die in the drying cycle. Wash underwear separately and wash whites with bleach. Transfer wet laundry to the dryer quickly and dry for at least 45 minutes (or until load is fully dry). Wash hands after doing laundry. Run a cycle of bleach and water after laundering underwear.

I'll never look at washing underwear the same.