Just a day like today

Newsflash, ion detecting smoke detectors are proving not to be as quick or effective as photoelectric ones, so look up your models on the net and see what kind you have. Although the jury is still out, I have read enough to think photoelectric sensors are the better idea.

My friend Melanie dropped in today to help get my butt in gear, and we got lots done! The rented guys redid all the flower beds, got rid of a huge pile of wood that was leaning up against my foundation on the side of the house (for six years or so) just waiting for termites, got rid of lots of weeds and assorted other debris, and generally made the outside, around the house, neat and clean and rather lovely. All that's left is to sweep off the porch. They also killed a small copperhead and a bunch of ants. And felt the need to call me outside to see the copperhead. I used my strong command of the Spanish language and said "Is it muerte?"

When a friend stopped by to see who was here (seeing Melanie's truck made the natives curious), he said - "hey, that looks almost as nice as it used to look when you used to sit out there." I had a friend who has moved, but he would stop by after work for a beer every now and then, and we would sit on the porch and watch the trains go by. We called it the WT porch, for "white trash", because it seemed like such a country bumpkin thing to do. I guess I paid more attention when I was using it more. That was enlightening, to sat the least, I didn't realize how much I had let it go until I saw it looking good. So, $135 for plants and mulch, $200 for labor, and the enlightenment, priceless!

Melanie was a godsend, while I finished the ceiling she kept telling me that at a height of 11 feet, "perfect" is measured from the ground, not the ladder. She made me promise that when I got off the ladder today it would be done, even if not "perfect", and talked me into hiring the guys again tomorrow to paint it. Great idea! Another $200, plus $92 for tinted primer (I'll forgo the paint, since it won't get any handling) and some new brushes and rollers, and the job will be done tomorrow.

She also cleaned and vacuumed every surface in the large room, and kept asking me enlightening questions, like... "these cute little plant-pot-sitters in fifteen pieces that look like they have already been glued back together at least once - you are keeping these why?" and "Do you have any idea what these keys are to? Do you even own that truck anymore?" And the best one - "You have been using a Treo phone for the last three years, you're keeping this old one why?" when I responded that I had plugged the old phone in when I bought the new one home, and had intended to transfer the numbers, she said - "You think in three years if you had needed a number you might have found it by now? And besides, there is no battery, so although you have faithfully had it plugged it in for three years, it won't ever charge or turn on." WOW! This woman is Good!

It really made me think about what I do, and why. A lot of times I save things becase they are "good", or "can be fixed" but they don't fit the needs I have now, or the time I have available for the fixing. Mel was talking about her Mom, who saves, washes, and reuses ziplock bags and tinfoil, which I agree with in principle (as does she), but neither of us do it. She says when her mom is at her house she washes the bags and sets them out to dry. And Melanie throws them away! Her mom says she didn't raise her to be so wasteful, and Melanie guiltily admitted that when she throws a ziplock away after it only had cookies in it, she thinks "There, I made it, I am successful, I don't have to wash this bag!" Which, aside from being hilarious, really strikes home for me. I don't have to reupholster that yard sale chair, I still may (although I have three to do right now - which feels overwhelming) but I can go buy a chair in a color and style I like, and life will not end.

I do believe in reducing, reusing and recycling, but I also need to start to believe in my power to take care of myself and my worth, I am "worth" a new chair if that is what I decide I want. And, I may just stop by the furniture store this week and take a look see! Self esteem is an amazing thing.

Other news? I have not lost a pound this week - losing weight takes focus, and I have been focusing on my house. However, I haven't gained, so that is a success in itself.

The Community Thanksgiving dinner (that and other eating out events have helped make this a bad weight week - a Reese cup here, a hotdog there) was a rousing success, I was touched by the service photos of some of our older community members, including a handsome twenty-something Mike Harral Sr., posing with his M-60. What a great man he is. True courage and bravery, a man of God, and a friend to all.

Here's a few prayers for some friends in need tonight, a heart in need of healing, a life in turmoil, and some people who need to blog about others in a negative way to accomplish their political goals. May God bless them, and touch them, and help them to see the joy of his love and the compassion and caring he has in their times of strife and discomfort as well as in their times of plenty. And may many more times of plenty be available for them.
That's it for today!