One a Day for Procrastinators

[sparrow]

How's it going? Today felt like the first day of spring--nice and warm and sunny.

I (finally!) finished my scarf for the Red Scarf Project. I plan to hand it in tomorrow night at that knitting group. I'm not sure what I'll work on next. I have three unfinished projects: a pair of socks, an afghan, and a sweater. The only one with a deadline is the afghan: it's for Christmas. Surely I can get it done by then!

[Judivy]

My leg pain in bed, which interferred with getting to sleep, coupled with recent heel pain in one foot, prompted me to visit the podiatrist. He told me to NOT walk 10,000 - 14,000 steps a day. He said to take it easier, elevate, and rest. I was prescribed compression socks, so I chose cotton ones, which were $70 for 2 pair, but insurance covers 80%!!! I'll wash each pair by hand at bedtime, hang to dry, and wear the clean ones (duh!) the next day. I have bilateral edema. I can tell already that they are working. When I take off my AFO's, my blood's been rushing into the compressed area on my legs from the AFO's, which causes pain in bed. He said to massage my legs with lotion before bedtime and to ice the nauropathy in the one heel before bedtime, too. (I don't know how to spell nauropathy). He said it's a nerve thing. He fixed up my AFO's, since they had compressed with wear and tear and were harder and uncomfortable on my heels and feet, with moleskin. They're wonderful now! I'm so glad I went! I'm happy that I did not need cortisone shots, too. So I'm glad that I did not put off going in to investigate bedtime leg and heel pain. It's so nice to have a doctor to tell me to take it easier. My family doctor told me last year to walk 30 minutes a day for 5 - 6 days a week, but I've been doing much more. DH said to just do my daily household routines and to bike, which my p.t. said and the podiatrist said would be good, too. I procrastinate on using my recumbent stationary bike, so bad! So this is a good thing because it'll make me use it.

I got told by my physical therapist that I can crochet 20 minutes at a time up to 4 times a day if I have no arm/shoulder pain, too. This makes me very happy because crocheting helps me cope. I don't know if knitting helps you cope, too, sparrow. But I find that it helps me deal with stress, worry, and what nots.

butterfly, that was super to fax that form and do those other things, too. You're on a roll!

Are you lurking, Normy? Or are you just busy with other threads and life?

[sparrow]

Sometimes knitting helps me cope; sometimes it is the reason I need coping skills!

I'm glad you are getting help. Foot and leg pain is no joke. I have plantar fasciitis in one foot and have recently gotten insoles for it. They make such a difference. I'm glad you can crochet. There is something so soothing about yarn in the fingers.

[Judivy]

Yes! Yarn running thru the fingers into something being created is soothing! Today I'm timing my times elevating. At The Mayo Clinic's site they said four 30-minute sessions of elevating were good for edema. Also, walking or biking is good because it lets the fluids go back out of that area into the heart. They say massaging the legs up towards the heart were good and of course, compression stockings, which I've got. I researched edema last night. I've been procrastinating on it and should've done this a long time ago. Today I plan on crocheting and tackling the laundry, will try to dust the great room, do p.t. exercises and I wrote a letter to a friend and printed DH a grocery list. I want to read on a book, too, which I'd love to finish before my next book arrives around the 9th. We'll be getting ready for a weekend stay from DD and DGS being here, too.

[sparrow]

It sounds like you are plenty busy! I had a day of running errands and going to my Friday afternoon knitting group. My "procrastination" for today was finally remembering to pick up some dry erase markers.

[butterfly]

judivy - glad you are doing what you need to to get those feet and legs feeling better!

sparrow - glad you remembered the dry erase markers. I have things that I keep forgetting unless I write them down. THEN, I have to remember to look at the list!

My big one a day was sitting down and doing the budget for this month and next. I was deliberately putting that one off, knowing it wouldn't be great news. But, I was afraid not to, since I believe we will have the start of yet another parent loan for our children's college ed. kicking in this month. I'm not sure how we are going to keep doing this, as they piggyback each year. I've got to get some other debts paid off, so these can take their place.

[Judivy]

Thanks, Butterfly! You're doing great and you sound so productive!

Sparrow, GFY getting the dry erase markers, too! Do you use them for a control journal or a dry erase board? I have a dry erase board in my bunny room. And a magnetic one in the utility room.

I got out a birthday card and wrote a pen pal a letter to go with her card. She turns 73 on the 23rd and I know it might be too early to send it, but I've got more physical therapy and our weeks for DH and me have been nearly insane lately, with little unexpected things popping up. But we're ready for anything and just keep going. It's so nice to see a weekend here. This weekend our DD and GS will be here. So we'll be entertaining them.

Have a Happy Weekend and I do believe that next weekend, on the 13th is Daylight Savings Day. We get one hour less of sleep that weekend.

[Normy]

Are you lurking, Normy? Or are you just busy with other threads and life?

None of the above - I've been procrastinating

Not been able to face puter much at all and have been reading reading reading.

It's a beautiful spring day here today and I am missing my little dog dreadfully who would've loved to go out in this weather.

I'm supposedly working on this month's and next month's budget but I thought I'd come in here and cuop and procrastinate instead.

[butterfly]

((((Normy))))

Now, do you need gentle encouragement to get you going? I had worked on our budget on Friday, not with the best of news. But it feels so much better to know where stuff stands and not be taken by surprise. Now, I think you are following the Dave Ramsey program? Now, he has you save $1000 and then do the snowballing down of credit debt, right? I was watching Susie Orman, and she wants people to have 6 months emergency funds saved - that seems like such an impossible task! Then last night, there was another show, "Till Debt Do Us Part" - she was a real no nonsense woman who really has people buckle down and cracks the whip - I'll have to google the show and see what her name is - I think she is another one famous for financial advice.

My one a day yesterday was actually one that will bring a smile to my face today - I called my kids to see if anyone could get together today and both of my boys are coming! DDyounger is already home for spring break, so it will be nice to have most of my kids here.

[sparrow]

I finally got up and ordered a pair of sandals this afternoon. I've been thinking about doing that for at least a week!

[Judivy]

(((Normy))) Enjoy cuop. Sometimes we need a day to procrastinate.

Butterfly, That program sounded interesting and fun to hear.

Sparrow, Good for you ordering your sandals.

I'm continuing to read on, "The Happiness File." I got 1 get well card, 1 belated b-day card, a thinking of you card, letters, and a thank you card all ready to go into the mails today.

[sparrow]

Good for you, Judivy! That reminds me--I need to mail an anniversary card to my niece and her husband. Today I really got with the program: I took the stack of papers beside DH's computer and sorted them and filed the ones that needed filing, and threw away the rest. YES!!! Some of those papers were from last October. I even think all the tax documents are in one place. Now I need to go take an antihistamine (who dusts piles of papers?).

[sparrow]

ATTENTION, LADIES!!!!! I have the distinct pleasure to announce that my DH actually went through his stuff for decluttering today! He is getting rid of (gasp!) tools! kitchenware! a computer mouse! and even a rocking chair and a table! Excuse me, I have to go and sit down for a spell. The ARC is coming tomorrow to pick it all up. I am so GLAD!!!

Does that count for a "procrastination"? It's been a long, long time a-coming.

[butterfly]

judivy - you've got me wanting to find the copy of the "Happiness File" that I'm pretty sure I got at a tag sale. It is still in hiding somewhere though . Good job on getting the cards ready to mail - I'm pretty sure that you put me to shame at how good you are with correspondence. But... I am giving it a go!

sparrow - I say it counts - the thread doesn't say WHO has to be the one that has been procrastinating!

How are you doing, normy?

I took care of a couple of one a days. I finally picked up my synthroid refill that I had been putting off and I also went through plastic shopping bags that I had saved. Sent most of them to recycle, with the ones remaining taking up their new residency in the laundry room. It does make my kitchen look better with them out of there.

Have a good night all!

[sparrow]

butterfly, you are making progress! It's early yet, but I have folded the laundry that I had in the dryer. I had completely forgotten about it (until about 3 am). The pile of decluttering is at the end of the driveway waiting for the truck to pick it up. What a relief to have that gone!

[butterfly]

That really is wonderful, sparrow!

My one a day so far has been twofold. I wanted to know my FICO score and went online and got a free credit report then paid for my score. It was unfortunately the credit bureaus form of the credit score , rather than the actual FICO, but I went to google, and got an approximation of the ratio to use to figure out what the FICO range might be. After that, I took a little drive to another town to check out some buterfly purses, which I ultimately didn't care for. But, it was nice to be out for awhile.

[Judivy]

I read a book in less than 2 days. I got it yesterday about 3 p.m. in the snail mail and I finished it tonight around 8 p.m. I started a new book that I've been procrastinating on starting. I read tonight, in the book that I finished, how procrastinating causes anxiety and stress. The author said that when you are in control of your house, things are picked up and presentable, you feel more at peace. She spoke of baby steps, too. She also used the anology of when you're a caterpillar that you dream of being able to fly like a butterfly. So I guess we all go thru the caterpillar stage at some point in life before we fly. I think it's neat because Butterfly's avatar is a butterfly.

[sparrow]

Judivy, that makes perfect sense. If things are chaotic I really feel the stress, so if things are tidied up, the stress lessens. What's the name of the book? I'd like to read it.

My "procrastination" for today: I FINISHED MY SOCK!!! (sparrow dances around the room, twirling it overhead.) It only took me ten weeks to do it, too. Now for the dreaded second sock....

[butterfly]

It's kind of why I chose the "location" that I did too, under my avatar. It must have been quite a compelling book for you to have finished it that quickly, judivy. I tend to read a lot more when I have the book at the bookstore, then once I get it home I get sidetracked.

My one a day was getting some checks written out for bills. DH's check comes by direct deposit tomorrow, so I thought I would take care of some of the upcoming ones. I also tackled a few of the newspapers, as well as starting on a hotspot in a corner of the living room near my chair. It actually is a big project, but it's a start anyway.

OOps! Almost missed you, sparrow - lucky thing I pressed preview first ! Congrats on the twirling sock and good luck on the next one!

[Judivy]

Hello! The name of the book was, "Confessions of an Organized Homemaker The Secrets of Uncluttering Your Home and Taking Control of Your Life, by Deniece Schofield. I read the revised 1994 edition, so I got it brand new, but from an Amazon dealer. I'm sure it could be at the library, too. You might want to check.

That's super about the sock!

Yes, Butterfly is a great avatar with a lot of meaning!

[Judivy]

I forgot something. I'm now reading a book, which I've had since December, and have procrastinated on reading. It's called, "Easier Than You Think because Life Doesn't Have to be so Hard - The Small Changes that Add up to a World of Difference," by Richard Carlson, Ph. D. He also wrote, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff-- It's ALL Small Stuff!". I loaned it to DD to read. It was so good that I ordered 3 more of Carlson's books. He's so inspirational, motivational, makes good sound sense and I love the fast flow of his words and how they sink in. He's great!

[sparrow]

Thanks, Judivy, I'll look into those. I did start my second sock today (twice). I am actively procrastinating writing a letter. I'll get to it, really I will.

[Judivy]

I answered one letter today and did a load of dark laundry. The clothes were mostly mine, which I've been procrastinating on washing for a couple of days. I read a little more on the book, too.

Good luck on that other sock, sparrow!

How'd you do today, Butterfly?

Everyone have a great weekend!

[butterfly]

Thanks for the info about the books, judivy, and sparrow - glad to hear sock number 2 is underway!

I was away till yesterday afternoon, so these are from today:
~picked up prescription refill for DDyounger
AND... drum roll please...
~called and made an appt for my eye exam - that starts the ball rolling with different followups I will be scheduling ( wanted to get this one first so that the amount will go towards my deductible, especially since most of it is not covered).

[Judivy]

I got a St. Patrick's Day comical card off to a male relative who is 84 and just had 2 hips replaced. He'll be in the hospital doing PT until March 30, at least. I got a card off to our DD with a letter. I cancelled a gift subscription for DD because the magazine said the issues were coming back undeliverable for some reason. We can't figure out "who" sent it back, except for perhaps the mail carrier. Nevertheless, I get a $18 refund and I'll declutter by giving my DD my back issues. This means I'll need to read them right away, can photocopy things I find that I can't live without and she gets blessed with my issues, which leads to less clutter for me.

I'm glad you're back, Butterfly. How's it going for you, Sparrow? And Normy? Are you lurking?

Have a nice afternoon.