Personal Stress Relief from Economic, Environmental Issues » A Day In My Life

Too Much “Stuff”

Diane — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:00:11 +0000

I guess as could be expected, moving from a large home to a smaller one, it’s difficult finding space for our “stuff.” I really had thought I eliminated a lot and the garage sale we held this past weekend was a big help in doing just that. Actually, rather than put the leftover items back in the house, we brought them to Goodwill…..they take anything! Regardless, I have organized about all that I can and there are things there just isn’t any room for. We don’t have a garage at our new home and I didn’t realize how much we would miss it. Apparently, it had become a wonderful storage facility. Actually, we do have a wood shed on our property, but two dirt bikes, a Harley and our Ninja take up most of the space. Friends of ours had put up a steel building and it just might be the next thing we’ll have to buy. In the meantime, we’ll keep trying to eliminate “stuff.” The biggest problem with this is that I’m a creative person and I find a use for everything…eventually. Perhaps, if I close my eyes and take things out to the trash we’ll manage to have room for everything.

Technology Got Him

Diane — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:41:59 +0000

It’s been funny for me dealing with Mike lately. He’s a service tech and just got a new job. This new job requires the use of a laptop which provides him with all the information about the job. It also requires him to enter all pertinent information. Of course, for most people this wouldn’t be an issue, but up until now Mike had decided he was going to go through life without the use of a computer. Now imagine this man, who has never as much as turned a computer on, having to use it as a tool for his job. When I watch him “hunt and peck” and refer to the term, he was surprised that there was actually a term for what he was doing.
Amazingly, this very patient man has not gotten frustrated yet and will sit and practice over and over again, the typing program, I found for him online. On top of that, when I taught him how to search for information, he initially spent two hours going from web site to website and researching what interested him. The good thing for me is that now he actually understands how time consuming the computer can be and how invaluable it is for record keeping, data and research.
Do I dare introduce him to the iPod, http://www.apple.com/iphone/ or the addicting Xbox 360? I think not!

Peace in the Country

Diane — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:56:21 +0000

What a change, living in Hastings! Coming from a home that was on a zero lot line, where there are cars lined up and down the street, where there’s a constant hum of vehicles in the background the difference is incredible. In the early morning you hear the birds and the sun shines through the trees enabling you to see the intricate makings of a spider web. There is the occasion sound of a rooster in the background which is never drowned out by the traffic of people on their way to work.
In the evenings, sitting in the blackness of night on our swing or patio chairs on our deck we look up through the trees and witness more stars than we ever seen before. We wish on shooting stars and listen to the crickets and frogs and the owls that have a multitude of sounds.
Never have we enjoyed such peace. This is what life should be about.

Finally Here

Diane — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:27:11 +0000

Well, finally moved in to our home in the country, which is the reason I’ve been so remiss in writing. They do say moving is one of the most stressful things that you experience in your life and I agree with first hand experience.
The move itself was relatively smooth as we moved over an expanded period of time in several trips. It was the unpacking and finding room in a home that is half the size that we came from. I happen to be a relatively organized person, though, so with the help of bins and drawers and shelves, I’ve made our house a home.
With our belongings put away now it’s time, on a limited budget to address the decorating expenses. Lights, fans, window coverings and wall decorations are now on my to do list.
Being that our intention is to live here forever, I guess I have a lifetime to take care of those things. And so, now I’ll take a few minutes to relax and listen to the chirps of the birds and breathe some country air.

Possessions

Diane — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:50:41 +0000

It’s funny that some of our possessions are just that “possessions” and that some things that we possess have an unexpected connection that makes it difficult to part with. I have been packing up our house now for about 3 months. Since we already have a home we are going to and this one has yet to sell, there is no rush to be in one or out of the other. The timing of our move is actually pending on two things; when either Mike obtains a job where we are moving to or when this house sells.

I had actually, when this process began, thought that it would be a somewhat easy process: packing here, unpacking there and then packing here and unpacking there, again and again. It did begin somewhat easy as there were definitely things hidden away (and not) that I haven’t used in years, but knew I wouldn’t part with. Those things went first. Of course, there was the hesitation to pack anything of value as it would be left unattended two weeks at a time. At this point, because it is a 4 hour car ride each way, we go up every other weekend. I also have spent most nights falling asleep; figuring out in my head, where to put things that I wouldn’t have to move again to make room for other things that I bring up at a later time.

The next grouping of our “stuff” to go was the things more commonly used, but that I could do without for a period of time. Any duplicate items, some pieces of furniture, photo albums and office supplies fell into this category.

As I was categorizing, I was also separating things to give to various people. During this process, I also divvied out furniture that we are no longer in need of. Parting with all of these items had no affect on me what-so-ever. In fact, I was glad to see them go.

Until……I gave up our bar.

Mind you, we have three, but this one Mike and I had bought around eight years ago. It lived in our game room, which used to be a useless living room and dining room. I can not even begin to count on how many occasions we used the bar. So many parties, so many nights spent sitting at the bar enjoying the company of anyone that joined us or just the two of us. As I watched the bar leaving, it actually brought tears to my eyes. I find it odd for me, not that I am not an emotional person, but I am in fact not a materialistic person.

A huge concern of mine, in this case was the consideration of who was taking possession of our bar. I gave it to my sister who promised to take good care of it and assured me that she would enjoy it as we had. This brought some relief.

As I continue to pack, both Mike and I feel like we are neither here nor there. While this house is emptying out, our destination is becoming a home, yet we are only there every other weekend. When we are there, we can’t wait to be settled for good. For the past three years we have anxiously been looking forward to beginning a new life in the country. We have grown tired of this town and the congestion and the bills. We’ve come to a place in our lives where we want to breathe fresh air, enjoy a little peace and become closer to nature.

Yet, after 18 years in this house, I wonder when we shut the door behind us for the final time, will the house have been a possession or will it be something that we’ve possessed that will be difficult to part with. Time will tell.

Too Many Products

Diane — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:43:36 +0000

Despite that fact that there are a zillion products on the market for any given thing, I find it virtually impossible to know which ones to trust and what really works. I have to say that in keeping with my rejuvenating regimen, the Oil of Olay Pro-X Anti-Aging starter kit that my kids bought me is already making somewhat of a difference. Of course, one can imagine anything they like, but my son, Scott actually told me that my skin looks better, so maybe my imagination is not overactive.
As far as reducing acne, a product that really works is still a mystery. I have found products for facial acne, back acne treatment, acne scar treatments and www.natural-homeremedies.com/homeremedies_acne.htm.
Wouldn’t it be nice if soap and water were our solution to everything! Ah, I’m dreaming!

Still Job Hunting, Kind of!

Diane — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 20:19:17 +0000

Is it still considered job hunting if you’re just searching online for a job? I almost feel that if you’re not knocking on doors and making calls then it’s only half-hearted. Actually, if anyone has read my previous post “Contemplative,” I am very ambivalent about getting a “Real” job. We’re in the process of moving. I need to pack. And, because of my last ridiculously insane boss I had, I’m in no rush to work for someone else again any time soon.
Everyday, however, I tediously go through all the ads on Craigslist and any and all work at home sites I have found. I’m looking for any kind of work really, as long as it can be done from home. Being in-particular, of course makes the time I spend surfing the web very time consuming. I look at every ad for data entry work, jobs in administration, clerical, research and anything else that catches my eye that doesn’t look like a scam. What I am finding quite frequently is the requirement of submitting a credit score. I skip over those because I have yet to figure out what that has to do with my qualifications. I am assuming it actually has nothing to do with my skills and think it is more than likely that the companies hiring are in cahoots with the companies that handle our credit scores.
Another qualification that I come across all too often is the requirement to use specific fax/phone/email software. I currently use and am happy with MyFax and have no intention of changing. I skip over those ads as well.
All in all, at the end of a lengthy search, I find that most times I did not find one viable possibility for a job and more often than not, I end my search not only unsuccessfully, but frustrated as well. The sad part is that tomorrow and the next day and the next day, I will do the same thing. I believe in perseverance and I don’t like to quit. Although…there’s always a first time!

Photographs and Wrinkles

Diane — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:29:35 +0000

This weekend was a big picture weekend for me and my family. We were celebrating my son’s graduation as a Specialist in Psychology, as well as Easter, Greek Easter and my brother and sister-in-laws anniversary. If I tell you that a picture was being taken every few minutes that is by far, not an exaggeration. Four of us had cameras and none of us are any less snap happy than the other. It has actually taken me until this morning to sift through all the pictures and put them in some kind of order and label them.
The point of this post, however is not the quantity of pictures that were taken, but the quality or might I say the quality of one such subject, Me!
I have never liked to be photographed not because I don’t want the memories, but because I truly do not photograph well. I do know how many people say that, yet I promise you, I do not lie.
It has always been that my nose looks too big when in reality it’s kind of tiny, but has a bit of roundness on the end. This was a result of falling flat on my face on cement when I was six. Of course and apparently, the doctors hadn’t thought that two black eyes might have been an indication that I had a broken nose. Doctors!!!! (Another post)
My smile although it’s a happy one, reveals rather big teeth. Not horse teeth, not sticking out or crooked teeth, but big and they seem to magnify in pictures. Other than those two things which are definitely enough to distort a picture, I hadn’t had much else to complain about until now.
To clarify, I am, actually just turned, 51. This is not really a big deal to me considering I do now more physically than I ever did before. And, it’s not the fact that I do more, but that I still CAN do more! So, as they say age is just a number. This clarification serves to explain that when I look at pictures of myself smiling, I see wrinkles. These are new and I don’t like them. Yes, I’m a smoker which doesn’t help, but wrinkles are flipping me out a bit. What is bugging me is that now when someone goes to take a picture, I don’t want to smile and I’m making odd expressions. I made reference to this more than a few times while everyone was snapping pictures.
As a result, my son, Jason and his girlfriend, Lindsey bought me a gift, Oil of Olay Pro-X Anti-Aging Starter Kit. Although a lot of women would have been insulted, I was thrilled at the thoughtful gift. They know that I would never spend that kind of money on myself and felt bad that I’ve been less than happy about the effects of aging on me. So, now I will be on a new regimen. Hmm, and now that I’m at it I think I’ll search for the best eye cream for around my eyes. I’m more than psyched to start looking as young as I feel.

Working Out? Oh, No!

Diane — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:19:55 +0000

I just had a very long conversation with Jason, my son and his girlfriend, Lindsey. What prompted the conversation was the little jiggle under my forearm and the slight protrusion at my belly. I have always and forever been on the thin side. Even after children people used to asked me if I work out because within a month I was back to my original weight and more importantly everything was actually in the right place. I have never worked out and would respond that I’m very lucky to be blessed with an incredible metabolism and that through no help of my own I maintain a fit body. Well, umpteen years later, I just might actually have to work out, but just a little.
Over the years, we have acquired a fair amount of fitness equipment. A treadmill, Total Gym and actually an weight set including bars, pulleys and so forth. I tried to get myself to walk a little on the treadmill everyday. I gave the Total Gym a shot. I even dabbled a bit with the weight set. All of this lasted no more than a couple weeks at a time. My attempts were in an effort to be more fit. All attempts failed as I lack the motivation to commit to that type of exercise.
I did also try, at one point to follow a workout tape on a daily basis. It was a 20 minute regimen that I did each morning. I think I remember enjoying doing it, but apparently not that much, that lasted about a month. A couple years ago I decided to seriously do something to tighten things up a bit. I bought wrist and ankle weights and every morning I would do leg lifts, work my arms and do sit ups. I believe that went on for a two week stretch.
I guess what I’m getting at is that I have an adversity to working out. Now, I need to get passed that and I’m clueless how to motivate myself. Lindsey suggested committing to a set number of push-ups and sit-ups every day. Sounds good, right? It would definitely help with the jiggles and with the summer coming what better time to tighten things up so everything fits right in my bikini?! I think….I’ll start….tomorrow….I think!

Just An Explanation

Diane — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:29:51 +0000

I guess I feel the necessity to apologize for the lack of posts with any kind of substance. I’m feeling overwhelmed and a lose of time. I have been also been putting up posts in the category “Reviews to Peruse,” because being still unemployed I’m finding it necessary to bring in any and all income that I can. I apologize to all for that, posting “ads” was something I never intended to do with my blog.
For anyone that is interested, “PayU2Blog” pays $5 for each review you do post and they can be short and sweet and they pay on time. There isn’t an affiliate program that I can tell, so I’m not trying to get anyone to sign up under me. It’s just income.
With a very busy weekend coming up I don’t suppose I’ll be finding the time to post much, but I appreciate your understanding and that you visit my blog. If anyone has any suggestions how to extend each day by at least 10 more hours, I’d greatly appreciate it. Good day to all, don’t give up on me and thank you for visiting.