Had fun relaxing yesterday afternoon...DS and I stayed cool by hanging out in the inflatable pool that I blew up in the backyard. Cleaned out washing machine with vinager rinse, swept hardwood floors. DH had a boys day with golf and payperview fight. Made salad and hummus for dinner, cleaned up my mess, hung out with neighbors, got to rewatch the movie I missed. Woke up early this morning and took the road bike out for 8.5 miles, put away all dirty dishes and washed a boat load more, made pancakes for DS, wiped countertops, cleaned microwave, cleaned out 3 spaces in the fridge and threw away alot of science projects (still have 1/2 of the fridge to go through).

Decided to tackle our mess of a living room. Had to roll up our area rug several weeks ago since our older dog started peeing on it and on the hardwoods, so our couches/chairs have been moved around. Haven't been able to have folks over bc it is a disaster in there. Swept the hardwoods and in the middle of mopping. Had DH put the rug in our closet until the dog will stop peeing in that are (which is not anytime soon). Almost done with this part, weeding out toys to put away while in the process.

Whew, you ladies tire me out! So busy.

Wendy: WL and I both wonder about the treated wood in the house.

WL: You could play in my yard all you wish! I will make sandwiches and iced tea! I just do not enjoy gardening, but love the yeards I see with people that do. Mine is basic and perennial!

Love the practical gifts. Great that the new screened door is in, and the guy was so nice about it. Poor Finn. LOL

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Finally all the entertainment items are put away along with the inside decorations. Leaving the outside ones up for the month.

Doing laundry and taking a neighbor out for lunch and a movie for her birthday today.

Wendy, I was wondering the same about the treated wood; I went online to research it. I'd be careful of creosote build up in the chimney; I do hope you have it cleaned regularly. I also read the workers handle the wood with gloves, could be a good idea if you are to haul around that many pieces for you and DDs to protect yourselves... Very lovely of them to be so helpful!

Too bad you are so far away Diana, I'd help! Loooove to work in the yard (miss it more than the actual house I had) and hmmmm homemade iced tea!

Everyone is so busy indeed! I had a difficult start this morning, I was working the evening shift and DS left the place a bit of a mess. I find it harder to clean when I'm not the one who made the mess! None the less, can't start a vacation in a disaster area. I started outside, did the front and back porches, swept and watered plants. I also finished last week's branch and cleaned the bathroom.

PUPA in the living room took care of the messy look. Cushions went back on the couch, dishes went back to the kitchen and flyers and papers on the coffee table went to the recycling bin.

I've got a load of clothes to switch and will throw in the bed sheets to wash, I took 5 minutes to clean the top of my dresser (which also serves as my bedside table), put all of the remaining magazines in a bag; will take them to work for art projects. I give up; I can't go through all of them, too tired of the piles! Victory!

Then to tackle the dishes. Getting tired of that too, might as well call and see when I can schedule the repairs for the dishwasher. Hate making calls but starting to hate doing the dishes more. Besides I've made reservations for a two day stay at a hotel with DD, spa treatment and all. I didn’t die or nothing so will take advantage of the momentum and make all the other calls at once!

Wendy, I'll add my concerns to those of others, about burning pre-treated wood.

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I've been busy with the usual errands, such as taking DD to gymnastics and a friend's house, putting gas to the car, doing the groceries, going to the library, and so forth. But I don't know if that is the same as being productive.

I also made a trip to the hardware store to find some items I need to repair the lock to the sliding glass door and the china cabinet, but they didn't have what I needed. Will need to try one of the other stores.

Returned home from a weekend road trip. Most everything is unpacked, I just need to put up the suitcase.

I went back to my front room project and made some progress there. I also updated the "during" pictures. I will have a complete slide show to document the progress whether it was positive or negative throughout the project.

I still have a few things in the room that don't belong because of the bathroom remodel. I will take a bag of clothes to the children's home tomorrow and I posted a few things on Craiglist to give away.

I have to start on the closet next. I am not thrilled about that part of the project, but it has to be done. This closet is stuffed full of random stuff just like all the other closets, so I am not really looking forward to it. I am off work tomorrow so I hope to get a lot done.

Small success: I want to get rid of most of my landscaping as it is not anything that I would have planted. I posted a picture of the shrubs on Craigslist "FREE" stating that anyone can have the shrubs if they will dig them up. I got back from my weekend trip and they were gone. I was so excited because I didn't think the people would actually show up! That was free labor for me and I feel better that they are being replanted. I've got more to give away!!

Today's productivity included watering the garden, both front and back; scrubbing 1 bathtub and washing the walls and the ceiling of the smaller bathroom; running the dishwasher and cleaning the kitchen counters and stove top (again - I'm a messy cook!) and wiping the microwave.

Oh ladies, thank you for looking out for us. I guess I typed pretreated, thinking it would explain that these pieces are not treated at all. They cut the wood, then dump these end pieces for anyone to pick up. The railroad ties are treated AFTER they cut them to the right measurements. So no treated wood for us. Just good ole fresh wood. And we do use gloves anyway because of splinters! Got another load today! Will be going back tomorrow as it looked like there was plenty more. Large pieces more than two inches thick and about a 4"x6" rectangle. Good sizes for me to handle during the winter.

Going to get ready for another dentist appt. DD#1 is going to get a work up done to see if she's needing braces. Are we really in that stage already???!!??

Cya!

That's good news Wendy! You had me worried!

Purdy, another rest day is fine, you probably need it with all the work you've been doing.

Fleur, all that work and a long bike ride too? Send some energy here please!

Diana, hope you enjoyed the lunch out.

BBGum, I love yard work too, my DGF and I used to share plants but she moved and noone else around me is a gardener. Why don't you get some paper plates in the meantime for some of the quick meals, I've been doing that. Helps keep the sink from being full.

Bless, busy as usual! I'm a messy cook too.

TxGirl, I am imagining coming home and finding my yard all dug up, LOL! Babysteps on your project!!

Yesterday Laura and I went to HD and WalMart for a few things. Came home and I worked on the new screen door. Finn has his new "flap" door opening and is happy to go in and out.

I finally gave him a bath, he behaved well for me. Now he is white again where he should be. Unfortunately, he turned quickly on the deck and pulled out his leg and has been limping again. I massaged it a few times last night and this morning, he seems better.

It is totally gorgeous out, I think I will attempt to stain the new door. I got a late start this morning but have cleaned out the refrigerator already and got most of the garbage out for tomorrow's pickup.

Got hold of the handyman yesterday, he is definitely coming this Thursday, so I MUST empty that section of the garage by then. It's pleasant enough weather, I have no more excuses!

Have a great day everyone!

Today I went and bought 2 lamps at Ikea, they both broke the same week! One went crashing to the floor and the other one was too old, the screw holding the post gave out after too much tightening. I was with DGF, she needed some stuff for the house, I like it when my bill is smaller than hers! Then went across the road to Costco, got fruits and veggies plus meat. Only splurge item was a pair of walking shorts, can dress up or down, great length for work.

After that we went on a walk for an hour, in this heat! Whew, what a good sweat! I feel so heavy when I walk, hate the giggly parts, been out walking 3 times this week, have to keep this up, things have to change. I measured myself last week, been watching what I eat too.

Assembled the lamps, dusted the living room furniture, and swept the floors. Going to fix myself a salad with a hardboiled egg and fresh raspberries on vanilla yogurt for dessert. Then wind down in front of the TV a bit.

Have a great evening all!

Boy, we are passing the energy bottle! Busy, busy, and productive....Love it.

Did my branch work I listed yesterday for today, then got the laundry finished, sorted more material, (just have to pack it up by color, I think.), put the 4th decorations bin back to the garage, cleaned behind and under the frig, YUCK!, and went out to lunch.