Becky, good start for May !
Re: Organization, I am missing that gene, that coupled with being a pack rat does present a problem. I can hear it ,some day in the future "What are we gonna do with Mom's stuff ?"

Oh, gosh, I'm not looking forward to the day when me, my brother and sister have to confront the "what do we do with all this stuff" at my parent's house. My dad has paint cans from the 1950's. While not a hoarder by any means, he doesn't throw anything away if there is something left in it. He doesn't throw away the newspaper until he's READ EVERY STINKIN' word! That often means he's reading the "news" from a week ago! Really? At that point it is not longer news! He's also a stamp collector. He has volumes of stamps which, while there are some stamps in them that are worth a few hundred dollars, the collection as a whole is really hard to sell. And none of us really wants to keep it. My Dad keeps saying we need to come and go through my Mom's clothes (she was a knitter and we won't give away that stuff--but who gets what? Some of it isn't my "taste"). So, yeah, I need to get rid of some more of my clutter, too.

My Monday blip of 2 pounds is now only half a pound. That was weird. But I hope to have it off by tomorrow.

bargoo, DH and I have already made the decision that when his parents pass, we're just going to stage an "accidental" house fire. I'm kidding, sort of ... but it's going to take multiple max-size dumpsters to clean out the basement. Upstairs, they have beautiful, valuable, meaningful things. Downstairs ... wow. Just wow.

allison, we've busted the 150's! First time back for me in almost 3 1/2 years! My maternal grandma is/was a very good amateur painter - she was into still-lifes. I recognize that they're good ... as you said, though, they are not my style and they won't be displayed. The personal creations, like your mom's knitting, are the toughest to deal with. Getting them into the hands of someone who appreciates them, even if they aren't within the family, can be difficult. I am hoping that maybe my uncle's side will deal with it. They love money, so I can see them taking on the task of arranging an estate sale when the time comes.

Estate sale for me re my parent's house. My mom has some interesting ceramic/glass vases and tons of art books but I will be destined to live in a small space. Probably with DH who will not throw away anything he's paid money to get. So no room for all my mom's stuff. I am keeping one glass penguin and one glass bear for sentimental reasons.

Re DH I have to cajole for a week to toss the underwear with gaping holes in it. At least now I get to throw it out. It used to become "painting or cleaning rags", even though we do no painting and my housecleaners bring their own stuff. And he still has every pair of shoes I've seen him acquire since we were dating (back in the precambrian age).

I am a very efficient purger. Comes from living in shared accomodations for so long. When one thing comes in, another goes out. period. No negotiation with myself. That's why, in our last move, I was able to pack all my personal stuff in 5 hours.

Back to the dog races! Good day all!

Dagmar

At my Mom's funeral, several of her friends arrived wearing Mom's creations. She'd often make something and donate it for a raffle and her friends were always excited to win something she made. I have several sweaters, some of which I love--others that I just can't wear. I also have an afghan she knitted per my request. I wouldn't mind giving her creations away to those who really know what they're getting. But donating to a thrift store is out of the question.

Ha, I like it. My fat was crying a lot yesterday while my muscles were screaming. It doesn't like jumping lunges and squats. I am so sore today and hoping that it's causing massive water retention on the scale. That's why the scale is still not showing a loss, right? Right. If only weight loss were solely about exercise. It's the diet part that always gets me off track.

I dread my parents house as well. My dad has literally thousands of books. My mom got rid of so much during their last move, complained about it, then started buying "stuff" as soon as they settled in. They are actually the reason I'm trying to declutter my stuff somewhat now.

Dagmar, I envy your ability to purge! Sounds like a good system for you. BF is good about throwing out his holey things. His out of fashion things? Not so much. I'm going to steal his jorts one of these days.

Becky, I love strawberry season too! Can't wait for blueberry season either. WTG on the 2 lb loss!

Michele, I laugh at people who wear make-up to the gym. I can't laugh so much at the heavy perfume-cologne wearers, because I have to smell it, especially when their fat starts crying. Ugh.

The studio I'm going to has tips--one of which is "avoid" perfume. Why not just say don't wear it?

I hadn't planned on wearing makeup, but then, I have to take Chico to the vet first and although I don't care about the people at the studio/gym seem me sans makeup, I don't know if I want the vet staff to see me that way! LOL I think I look ghastly without makeup. All I wear is eye shadow and mascara--sometimes only mascara. Oh, well, I'll get over it.

Once DS had a t-shirt that was terribly holey. He wore it to sleep in. One night he came in wearing it to watch tv with us before going to bed. DH reached over, stuck his hand (not just finger!) in a hole and ripped it further. DS cried. Really. I think he was 15 years old. Anyway, he said he was sad because it was his softest t-shirt. The next day I went out and got him a new, really soft t-shirt and he was happy again. Now we're dealing with a pair of holey jeans which he says he'll wear until he "doesn't need them any more." I think that means until it's too hot to wear them which if it isn't here now is right around the corner.

I would love to plant some blueberry bushes. I may look into that for next year.

I really feel like I'm coming apart at the seams lately.

dagmar, I hear ya with the DHs refusing to get rid of anything. I live with a rabid hunter/sportsman, who upgrades all of his equipment to the latest technology constantly, but will not part with any of the obsolete stuff. He let go of 4th/5th generation stuff at our last garage sale; that was only a tiny dent. I get claustrophobic when I walk through the shelving where he's got all of it stored!

megan, ohhhh, blueberries! Yummo! Perfection is a bowl of fresh wild blueberries, with a little dollop of homemade vanilla ice cream melting over top. Our catalogs say there are some varieties now that are designed to grow in pots. I'd love a whole patio-full. Ringed with barbed wire, to keep the %^&*( deer off them, of course.

allison, I wish gyms would ban perfume. Pools, too - I had to swim next to an older lady one night who had on so much that it literally burned my nose when I passed her. I think the chlorine and/or warm air was holding it like a fog down at the water level. Gag!

shannon, why are your seams weak? Just too much going on? Will it get any better when school gets out for DSS? Methinks you should have a mega-luxurious spa day, or at least a whole weekend to yourself, for what you've had to deal with!

I just got an email from my sister. They did a heart scan yesterday and that came back with good news, but then in the afternoon they did an MRI (of what I don't know). Today she is being prepped for surgery to remove several toes. She had indicated that she has not been impressed with her podiatrist--she goes often and when she has a sore that she thinks should be treated with antibiotics, he rarely prescribes them. She had said that she was going to look for a new doctor--I sure hope she finds one that treats her better.

I'm the opposite -- almost pathologically averse to hanging on to stuff. My family knows just where to look when an item is missing: in the trash can.

F.

Becky - I hope it settles down when school is out, yes. I just feel weak around the edges. One good day, one bad day, one good day, one okay day, one terrible day, etc... I'm edgy and easily agitated, everything just seems harder than it should. And I'm just whining, which doesn't help.

Allison - I'm glad that your sister's heart scan was clear. Sorry about the toes - does sound like a need for a new doctor.

Allison, I am thinking good thoughts for you, your sister, your BIL, and Chico.

Shannon, I hope things get better soon.

My weight is up-ish again, but I'm getting on track for exercise. Got up early and went for a bike ride this morning, but then forgot my sports bra so my weight workout didn't happen. Win some, lose some. I tried to start tracking calories again but it is just such a huge PITA that I gave up again. I will try to aim for not eating seconds and choosing healthy recipes.

shannon, Wishing you peace among the chaos! I think it's okay to take a break from being strong now and then. When you look back on these days from a perch somewhere in the future, you'll be amazed at how well you did.

allison, good thoughts coming your way for you and Chico today. I'll be waiting to hear how he's doing, and how your yoga class goes! Agree, it sounds like your sister should demand better attention from her doctor. Toes are pretty critical to mobility and balance.

jessica, what goes up will be driven back down. I find the tracking to be a pain also, but it seems to be a necessary evil. I can maintain okay with estimation; it's losing that seems to be a precision event. LoseIt makes it tolerable for me, and I do like the weight graph.

Note to self: Go hungry to deep-water aerobics. Having dinner beforehand just isn't working out well.