Clutter

January, 2026: Gonna

/ Jo / Leave a comment

2026! WOW!  Happy New Year to everyone.

Sky graffiti.

While I don’t make resolutions, in 2026 I do plan to:

  •  have a new kitchen installed.

    Can hardly wait for a new kitchen.

  •  finish staining the outside of the house.

    This east wall remains unstained.

  •  paint the front hall which is 2 stories tall.

    I think this will be a tricky job.

  •  travel to far off lands.

    We’ve seen the Northern Lights but might have the opportunity to view them from a dog sled.

  •  incorporate a weight lifting routine as a health boost.

    I’ll start with light weights.

  •  lose 10 pounds.

    I keep an accurate scale in my bathroom.

Charlie and I haven’t got any special plans for January in terms of parties or travel.  I’m still trying to round up a contractor for the kitchen project.

We’ll be doing small projects around the house.

In January I plan to:

  1.   Make travel plans for London including transportation from the port to the hotel, UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), and potential theatre shows/tickets.

    We hope to see a few shows in the West End.

  2. Organize a few items in my studio/office in back bedroom (#63).  Get rid of old paint which I was going to use on the walls but have decided to go in a different direction.

    Christmas decorations and Charlie’s clothes are messing up my studio. That will change.

    I am calling this room JoStudio.

  3.  Work on tax return and required minimum distributions including the charitable variety (#2).
  4.  Shampoo upstairs carpet (#28).

    The upstairs wall-to-wall carpet gets a lot of foot action.

  5.  Put away all Christmas decorations.

    I like to carefully pack away Christmas decor so it will be ready for next year’s holidays.

  6.  Empty at least 3 boxes in the garage to make room for new kitchen items.

    Records, papers, and books were unboxed to dry out after a heavy rain wet their containers. This month I’ll sift through and limit what I keep.

  7.  Remove trim from kitchen pantries and save for future use.

    We might need some of this trim in the new kitchen. (The bifold doors are leaving.)

  8.  Read a book.

    Love a Sue Grafton mystery.

  9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: STRATEGY.
  10.  Write a goal list for February, 2026.

Jo

Rearranging

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When we moved into The Landing last March I had the moving men put each piece of furniture in what I hoped would be its final home.

The dresser is just visible in the far corner by the kitchen.

Most items fulfil that wish.  However, once the downstairs bedroom/bathroom suite was remodeled I thought it needed a larger, more useful piece of furniture.

The dresser holds the TV, a lamp, and all the drawers are empty for guest use.

The dresser that was dividing the dining room from the kitchen is now in the downstairs bedroom.

The green dressing table looked good but wasn’t very useful.

Then I had to move the green dressing table that had been in the downstairs bedroom someplace else.

The dressing table fits well under the corner windows.

Happily it fit in a windowed corner in the primary bedroom.

This pantry was loaded with stuff that we rarely use.

In the meantime we cleaned out the pantry so we could take down the walls for the kitchen renovation.

The pantry is empty and ready to be torn out.

In addition to boxing up everything we also removed the built-in shelves.  Charlie will probably use some of this wood in his shed.

Everything gets carefully packed up.

We are also packing up the dishes and glasses that were in the upper kitchen cabinets.

We started taking down cabinets from right to left — heavier and more difficult than expected.

One by one we are taking down those cabinets.

I might have to remove the wall hooks in the garage to make space for old kitchen cabinets.

While Charlie might use some of them in his shed I’m hoping to use the lower cabinets in the back of the garage so I can unpack even more cardboard boxes and store the contents NEATLY.

My eye is on the new kitchen which will inevitably take longer than planned.

Progress is slow and the goal is very distant.

Jo

October, 2025: Score

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Often Charlie and I travel in October but this year we are staying home and enjoying our beautiful surroundings while also planning and scheming some future events.

Even at high tide the bay and marsh are beautiful.

The longer we live here the more interesting activities we’re discovering.

In addition to my planned list I (we):

  • received 3 dozen fresh from the henhouse eggs from our neighbor so we made a pound cake.  Yummy!

    We found a great pound cake recipe that calls for a dozen eggs.

  • attended a revival at a local church.  Charlie was the musician.
  • trained for a walking 10K.

    Some days I started slightly before sunrise while the fog lingered.

  • began an online study focusing on history, literature, and a general understanding of the Bible.
  • Fought hordes of swarming gnats in the house most of the month.
  • Attended a local production of Hot ‘n’ Cole: A Cole Porter Celebration! Cole Porter is one of my all time favorite composers who also writes his own lyrics.

    The onstage band is getting ready.

  • Planted some daffodil bulbs and a peony root.

    Not much to look at now but hopefully pink Shirley Temple peonies will bloom in spring.

  • After a long hiatus from reading, I read The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.

    The next one on the list.

    I plan to continue reading the series.

We also focused on finishing some of the major projects we’ve already started:

  • staining the exterior of the house,

    The front of the house is totally stained.

  • planning a new kitchen,

    We’re moving the stove from the center of an island to an outside wall.

  • starting with the demolition of the current kitchen,
  • lost the “e” key on my computer which ended up costing about $20 to replace.  It would have been half of that but I was unwilling to try and replace it myself.

    The new key works just fine.

  • clearing out the garage,

    One of the streamlined areas in the garage.

  • making a heartfelt effort to minimize clutter in the primary bedroom. I started by washing the windows which were very murky due to spray from the gnat infestation.

The numbered list for October has some time-sensitive, must-do items:

  1. Purchase a major appliance for the kitchen.  The first major appliance I bought for the newly designed kitchen is a side-by-side refrigerator.

    I can’t wait to start using this BIG BOY.

  2. Choose excursions for Norway trip.

    After the sled ride we’re being treated to dinner by a famous Norwegian chef.

    Among other things we have an evening dogsled ride for me and an organ concert for Charlie on his birthday.  Of course we’ll attend everything together — that’s part of the fun.

  3.  Drink a glass of water every morning for an entire month.  I drank a glass of water every morning for the past month while brewing my coffee.  I’m planning to continue the habit.

    At least one tall glass every morning.

  4.  Clear everything out of pantry.  This was a BIG project — basically I packed up everything I had unpacked when we moved in a year and a half ago.

    From this . . .

    . . . to this.

    Then I had to find a place for it which turned out to be any empty spot on the first floor.

  5.  Unpack 3 boxes. I got rid of 3 boxfuls of old stuff when they fell over in the garage and spilled all over the floor.  GONE!

    I’ll used these newly emptied boxes to pack up more of the kitchen.

  6.  Bird tour at Blackwater Federal Wildlife Preserve.  I planned to go on a second birding tour since this is the season when migrating birds are prevalent in our area. The weather didn’t cooperate so I’ve rescheduled for early in November.

    There’s an eagle in those trees.

  7.  Finish shopping for Christmas.  I ordered all my gifts and have received all of them including a few souvenirs from our trip to Canada to mail and distribute closer to Christmas.

    I’m planning on a calm and unhurried holiday.

  8.  Donate or throw away something we don’t need anymore.  I got rid of an old refrigerator, a wooden bench, and a pair of box springs thanks to my darling son who hauled them away.

    Among other items this working refrigerator is gone — hoping someone else can use it.

  9.   Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: FOCUS.
  10.  Write a goal list for November, 2025.

Jo

October, 2025: Aims

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October is a beautiful time to be in Maryland — fall colors, temperate days, cosy nights.

Soon the color of the trees will echo the evening sky.

Before I jump into any new activities I want to focus on finishing some of the major projects we’ve already started:

  • staining the exterior of the house,
  • planning a new kitchen,
  • starting with the demolition of the current kitchen,
  • clearing out the garage,
  • making a heartfelt effort to minimize clutter in the primary bedroom.

I wish it always looked like this.

The numbered list for October has some time-sensitive, must-do items:

  1. Purchase a major appliance for the kitchen.
  2. Choose excursions for Norway trip.

    I’m hoping to get my first choice of excursions.

  3.  Drink a glass of water every morning for an entire month.
  4.  Clear everything out of pantry.

    This is just the beginning of clearing the kitchen.

  5.  Unpack 3 boxes.
  6.  Bird tour at Blackwater Federal Wildlife Preserve.
  7.  Finish shopping for Christmas.

    I hope Charlie can find another sprig of fresh mistletoe this year..

  8.  Donate or throw away something we don’t need anymore.
  9.   Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: FOCUS.
  10.  Write a goal list for November, 2025.

Jo

101 in 1001 #6: Finished

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I posted my new 101 in 1001 list on November 4, 2022. I try to include something from this list on my monthly to-do list. My first check-in is here with some details I have omitted in this post. Here is my progress at the end of 2 years, November 4, 2024 — 731 days since beginning.  And today, 1001 days in — August 1, 2025 — this is what I’ve accomplished.

The pyramids and sphinx at Giza viewed from the roof terrace at our hotel.

I have been making 101 tasks in 1001 days lists since 2009.  I have never totally finished one but I have made more progress than I might have done without the list as a guide. This list began November 4, 2022 and runs until August 1, 2025. My 5th list began February 6, 2020. It ended on November 3, 2022. Fourth list started May 10, 2017 (first list ended 11/13/2011, second list 8/11/2014, third list 5/9/2017) Completed items are in blue, black is the color for original post.  Pink items are plans.  Red items are cautions due to the situations out of my control.

  1. Retire from work. Complete! 1/31/2023  
  2. Start looking for house on the water. Requirements:  First floor bedroom and bathroom, 2 or 3 bedrooms, outbuildings, waterfront, dock, utility room. All requirements have been met. Complete! 1/13/2024

    How ’bout this view from the bedroom balcony??!!

  3.   Get new Global Entry. Complete! 6/6/2023  
  4. Get new passport.  I renewed my passport as soon as we returned from Egypt last November.  It took less than 4 weeks to receive my new document from the date I mailed the application.  Complete! 12/4/2023

    My new biometric passport.

  5. Find a new Primary Care Physician.  I’ve had the same PCP for about 40 years and he has recently retired.  Complete! 1/425/2024
  6. Find a new dentist.  Complete! 2/6/2025
  7.  Find a new dermatologist. Complete! 9/26/2023
  8. Visit St. Louis, Nashville and Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Charlie and I visited Saint Louis and Nashville on our quest to see another solar eclipse.  Complete! 4/10/2024

    Charlie and I went to the top of the Gateway Arch in Saint Luis, MO.

  9. Solar eclipse in North America between Saint Louis, Mo and Nashville, TN.  Apparently we are umbraphiles.  Who knew? Complete! 4/8/2024

    The moon covers all but the sun’s corona in a total eclipse. (Taken with my iPhone.)

  10. Lead a Bible study or Book Club at home.  Led a Bible study in July, 2023.  Hosted a Book Club in July, 2024.  Complete! 8/1/2023

    We read and discussed The Alchemist in mixed company.

  11. Tour Bureau of Engraving and Printing  
  12. Visit the National Archives  
  13. Visit Greece. Charlie and I cruised from Istanbul to Athens then made a 5-day tour of Greece in a rental car. Complete! October 1, 2024

    Charlie and Jo near the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens.

  14. Get rid of 50 books. Complete! 6/22/2024
  15. Host a swap meet. This will be challenging since we have moved houses.
  16. Host a dinner party for 6. Complete! 2/25/2023
  17. Learn to copyright (watermark) photos. Complete! 1/31/2024 

    I think I figured it out.

  18. Make a photo album of Mommie .

    Mother (left) and grandmother (right) in the 1940s.

  19. Increase net worth by 25%.  Missed by about 5  percentage points.
  20.  Adjust automatic reinvestments. Complete! 11/25/2022
  21. Paint landscapes/seascapes on canvas/wood.
  22. Make a household inventory with photos.  Since moving houses we are profoundly aware of everything we own/moved.  Still a visual list would be helpful.
  23. Design Etsy boutique packaging.
  24. Get rid of 5 big items from the house:  Cedar chest, Gold mirror, Saddle/horse gear, Dollhouse, Bird file cabinet,  Skittles game, Easel, Chandelier, Sleds  Complete! 7/7/2024

    This large (about 3′ by 5′) gilded wood mirror sold almost immediately on Facebook Marketplace.

  25. Design and print business cards.  Complete! 5/29/2025
  26. Attend 5 concerts.  Complete! 5/20/2023 

    Love the U.S. service bands.

  27. Paint all trim. Had to do it to sell the house Complete! 9/1/2024
  28. Repaint exterior parts of house that have weathered. Another project to sell the house. Complete! 9/1/2024

    Why is it always overhead and out of reach?

  29. Clean out car.  Complete! 5/13/2024 

    Vacuumed and ready for another trip with the pup. 

  30. Remove 10 boxes from the attic. Complete! 6/15/2024
  31. Build frame for full length mirror.

    A frame should stabilize this mirror on the back of a bedroom door.

  32. Give 5 parties. Complete! 6/27/2023 

    At 2024 holiday party Both the Egyptian and non-Egyptian food were a hit.

  33. Paint green vanity.

    Clearing off the top was a good start.

  34. Refinish tall dresser.

    I use my grandmother’s dresser and might like to lighten it after we move.

  35. Clear out mudroom closet.  Complete! 9/2/2024  

    Always a challenge.

  36. Whiten my teeth. Complete! 8/16/2023
  37. Fast for 24 hours. Complete! 11/21/2022  This challenge has repeated multiple times.
  38. Work on side hustle.
  39. Teach Dash a new trick. Complete! 8/31/2023

    Dash lives up to his name when he obeys the “come” command.

  40. Zip line in tropical forest.
  41. See 50 movies. Conclave has been my favorite so far.  Complete! 4/10/2023  
  42. Read 50 books.  Only 37 books.
  43. Parasail or hang-glide.
  44. Take a stargazer class or lesson.  Complete! 12/2/2022 

    The Big Dipper, part of Ursa Major Constellation (the Great Bear) was clearly visible outside the window of our Dune Shack in Massachusetts

  45. Learn to forage.  Complete! 11/12/2022

    Turkeytail mushroom on an oak log — just beautiful.

  46. Be part of a TV audience.
  47. Throw away/donate 30 things and do not replace them. Complete! 6/22/2024
  48. Drink 60 ounces of water each day for a week. Complete! 1/10/2023
  49. Try 5 new restaurants. Complete! 2/8/2023
  50. Build deck onto conservatory.
  51. Upgrade dollhouse castle.  Complete! 6/19/2024

    Ready for a new owner.

  52. Paver patio around fire pit.
  53. Clean up pond.
  54. Paint shore house sheds.

    The sheds at the shore house need a lick of paint.

  55. See 5 theatrical productions.  Complete! 5/3/2023
  56. Put outdoor shower at shore house. We love ours at The Landing.

    A soft rain shower falls from the showerhead at The Landing.

  57. Install dual system — heating and air conditioning — in master bedroom in shore house.
  58. Get together with Sister. Complete! 12/12/2024
  59. Maine whale watching. Will be Complete! 9/14/2025
  60. Visit Cylburn Arboretum. Complete! 5/17/2023

    We were inspired by the split bamboo structures in the garden.

  61. Egypt, pyramids, camel ride.  Complete! 11/6/2023

    Camels, pyramids and the Sahara Desert were included in our Egypt experience.

  62. Have large painting appraised.

    This painting should be valued by a pro.

  63. Visit Yellowstone.
  64. Visit Winterthur – Complete! 5/30/2023

    I was fascinated by the koi ponds — my favorite area of Winterthur gardens.

  65. Get rid of 101 items.  Complete! 8/4/2024

    Everything has been dispersed.

  66. Host a dinner party for 8 (actually 12). Complete! 7/14/2023

    When storms rolled through at party time we re-set up in the dining room.

  67. Visit Longwood Gardens.  Complete! 6/21/2023

    The conservatory was a haven.

  68. Go to the beach for a long weekend.  Complete! 6/1/2024 

    Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts

  69. Wash all the windows in the house.  Complete! 9/2/2024

    We have lots of windows.

  70. Maintain my personal weight goal. Complete! 6/17/2024
  71. Build a structure for trash cans and recycle bins.
  72. Clear out the basement.  Complete! 7/31/2024

    I’m leaving the new owners tile that matches installed tile, paint for exterior of the house, and a short ladder to access valves and crawlspace.

  73. Visit Vieques to see the bioluminescent bay Complete! 3/19/2023 

    A large Adirondack chair on the Malecon in Esperanza, Vieques, PR.

  74. Take 3 Bible studies. Complete! 6/4/2023
  75.  Renovate Treetops bedroom.  Complete! 6/20/2023

    The Treetops room is ready for guests.

  76. Celebrate 15th wedding anniversary Complete! 9/12/2024 

    We celebrated in Turkiye.

  77.  Have a yard sale. Complete! 6/22/2024 

    Glad that’s over!

  78.  Sort out all frames.  Complete! 10/11/2023
  79.  Go to dermatologist. Complete! 9/26/2023
  80. Visit New England.  Will be Complete! 9/12/2025
  81. Work on genealogy family tree.  Complete! 11/15/2022  This is one of those items I work on from time to time — it will never be fully finished.
  82. Ride in a dog sled. Planned for March, 2026 in Norway.
  83.  Stay in a remote place with few services – Dune Shack Complete! 6/1/2024

    The dune shacks at Cape Cod National Seashore are meant to be private places.

  84.  Unplug completely for a full day (no phone, no TV, no internet, no camera) Complete! 12/3/2023
  85. Go on a road trip.  Complete! 7/26/2023 

    A beautiful entrance hall in the French chateau style at Nemours. Over the fireplace “Aimer et Connaître” (to love and to know).

  86.  Declutter shed.  Complete! 9/2/2024

    I’ve been waiting a long time to see this counter cleared off.

  87.  Celebrate milestone birthday.  Complete! 2/24/2023

    We celebrated with a coffee morning get together.

  88.  Re-landscape front yard.  Complete! 11/7/2022

    A few tweaks and the foundation planting looks better

  89. Try archery.  Complete! 4/4/2023

    We all tried.

  90. Take an art history class. Complete! 12/8/2022 

    I learned about the valuable antiquities of Egypt, Greece, and Rome. (I saw Narmer Palette in Cairo.)

  91. Visit friends who can’t get out.  Complete! 1/1/2025
  92. Try tai chi. Complete! 11/17/2022 

    We even tai chied on vacation.

  93. Clear up/organize photos. So far I have just moved them to the new house.
  94. Eat vegetarian for a week.  Complete! 4/8/2023
  95. Free up 10 hangersin my clothing closet. Complete! 5/12/2023

    10 hangers ready for action

  96. Send 10 handwritten cards for no special reason.  Complete! 8/20/2023 
  97. Have ring appraised.
  98. Get rid of 5 pairs of shoes.  Complete! 3/9/2023

    Now some of the shoes on the floor can be stored in a shoe cubby.

  99. Go to a Chincoteague pony penning.  Complete! 7/29/2025 

    Assateague ponies in the Chincoteague marsh.

  100. Shred old files. And shred. And shred.  Complete! 7/19/2024
  101. Private

I’m getting things done albeit not everything!

Jo

Storage in the Garage: Shelves and Hooks

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Ever since we moved into The Landing the garage has been half filled with boxes, tools, and other clutter.

I’m tired of the unorganized clutter.

I have at least been able to park my car in there.

The pegboard on the wall made leveling the shelf easy.

There were a pair of shelf brackets screwed to the wall but oddly they were upside down.  I righted them and added a 48″ board to create a shelf.

I reused the short lumber I removed from the closet in the downstairs bedroom.

We had 7 pieces of 12″ wide and about 20 ” long wood shelving left over from removing the closet in the downstairs bedroom.

The Ikea brackets do not come with hardware but the price is right.

I purchased 14 sturdy metal TOMTHULT shelf brackets for $2 each from Ikea since I had 7 short cuts of wood. (Ikea sells a similar plastic bracket for half the price.)

I’m sure the shelves will fill up quickly.

I hung them on the side wall near the back of the garage.

The chairs are hanging to the right of the fire extinguisher.

To the right of the long shelf on the other side of the post I screwed in 2 large hooks about 10 inches apart on which I hung 3 of our folding chairs.

Even with this new storage we have loads of clutter to arrange including about 10 boxes of sheet music and hymnals. (Notice how quickly the shelves are being utilized.)

For the time being we keep rearranging our belongings.  And I can still park my car in the garage.

Jo

April, 2025: Score

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April has been beautiful but still rather chilly after a wet, snowy, frigid winter.

The camellias bloomed beautifully until the first windy rain knocked all the petals to the grounds.

Unfortunately we both caught some debilitating bug that laid us flat for almost a week.

I started painting trim for the closet in the downstairs bathroom.

But ever a slave to progress, I looked at my 10-item list and focused on individual items I could work on.

Charlie moved my olive trees to a sunny spot in the backyard but I fear they succumbed to the harsh winter and are dead.

We worked on projects both on and off the numbered list below.

  • I cleared out the area next to the water heater for new well pump.

    The pump is supposed to go next to the water heater.

  • Dash tried out his personal flotation device on kayak trips with Charlie.  He loves exploring off-shore islands.

    Dash can float in his PFD if necessary.

Here’s the list for April that I worked on:

  1.  Update Dash’s rabies vaccine.  I got in touch with the county health department who usually runs a spring rabies clinic.

    Dash is very needy these days.

    They will notify me when it is available otherwise Dash will be vaccinated by the vet on his visit next month.

  2.  Pick a color for the downstairs bathroom walls.  I chose Natural Tan by Sherwin Williams.

    Natural Tan HGSW7567 Eggshell

    It goes with the marble insets on the tile floor.

  3.  Make a plan for the front entryway outdoor planting.  Charlie removed the weeds but saved the liriope which he will separate and plant along the edge.

    Our Sidewalk Supervisor surveys the work that has been completed thus far.

  4.   Empty 3 boxes and organize or get rid of contents.  I got busy early in the month and have emptied and put away at least a dozen boxes of household items.

    I tried to empty 3 boxes each day for at least the first week.

  5.   Hang at least 3 mirrors.  I have hung a full length on the back of the bedroom door, a medium size mirror in the living room that reflects the bay, and a small mirror near the entrance to the house for a final check before leaving.

    I use this newly installed mirror everyday.

    Our largest mirror is slated for the downstairs bathroom when complete and 2 others await with a question mark as to final placement.

  6.   Get a library card in the new county.  I popped into the library on a Saturday morning and was issued a library card after filling out some personal information.

    Ready for action in any of the counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

  7.   Celebrate our first Easter at the new house.  We stayed after church for the Easter breakfast and spent the day at home watching the changes on the bay.
  8.   Work on a paint or stain project.

    The darker tan is the new color.

    I started painting the walls in the downstairs bathroom and the trim that will become part of the closet.

  9.   Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: HORIZON.
  10.   Write a goal list for May, 2025.

Jo

April, 2025: Aims

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Now that we’re fully into spring I’m interested to see what plants and flowers might be coming up through the ground at the new property.

The olive trees took a bit of a beating in the move.

My olive trees have made it through winter and I’ll give them a little trim to help maintain their topiaried shape.

Our camellias are starting to bloom.

Here’s the hopeful list for April:

  1.  Update Dash’s rabies vaccine.
  2.  Pick a color for the downstairs bathroom walls.

    The wall color should be light and go with the floor tile.

  3.  Make a plan for the front entryway outdoor planting.

    Neaten and refresh this area.

  4.   Empty 3 boxes and organize or get rid of contents.
  5.   Hang at least 3 mirrors.

    I have a nice collection of both large and small antique mirrors.

  6.   Get a library card in the new county.
  7.   Celebrate our first Easter at the new house.

    I need to find my bunnies.

  8.   Work on a paint or stain project.  So much from which to choose.
  9.   Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: HORIZON.
  10.   Write a goal list for May, 2025.

Jo

Ikea Underbed Storage

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The space under the bed in the main bedroom is not carpeted.

This is what we discovered when we took down the built-in bed.

That’s not odd until you understand that the rest of the room is wall-to-wall carpeted.

The measurements would allow this item to fit under the bed.

I had seen underbed storage baskets at Ikea but when I went to get them at the store closest to us they were sold out.

Charlie and I put them together which was not too challenging.

While on our road trip to Asheville we passed through Norfolk, Virginia, and stopped at the Ikea which was conveniently off the highway and bought 4 basket kits.

Before

After

Happily they fit under the bed and hid the spot left bare by the lack of carpet.

I would order Swedish meatballs again.

And by the way we had a little Swedish lunch in the cafeteria.

Jo

March, 2025: Score

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O March — what a glorious month.  The weather was wet but warmer.  We finally got around to tasks we had started 6 months ago.

Constantly changing view.

I am loving looking out on our waterview even when the weather is cloudy — it’s always beautiful.

A bird’s eye view of the living room.

Not on the numbered list we accomplished a few fun items:

  • We closed on the sale of The Glade!

    Ready for the new owner.

    Charlie worked hard to get all of our stuff out of there and clean up the house, the cottage, the shed, the greenhouse, and the yard since I was about useless after my fall from the ladder in late February.

  • We had some small and large repairs made.

    The whole heat pump contraption looks complicated to me.

  • We rearranged small furniture to better, more useful positions.

    Out of the way but handy.

  • I hung a bit of oriole art over the piano.

    Metal oriole sculpture (left) and vintage sheet music (right)

  • I started creating my studio in the back bedroom.

    Eventually this room will be painted a beautiful color.

  • Charlie and son hung a large painting over the fireplace.

    The strategy was to get it hung on 2 screws that not exactly on center.

  • I got rid of my handmade baby clothes and children’s costumes to a family with children just the right age.

    Hand-smocked clothes for a little boy.

Now for the items I really meant to get done:

  1. Take a road trip. Charlie and I headed south to Asheville, North Carolina for 5 days of touring, just the two of us.

    Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina.

    We celebrated both of our birthdays with plenty of barbecue and unique accommodations.

  2.  Set up the primary bedroom.

    Coastal vibe and my favorite color

    This room is mostly finished — painted, papered, furnished — I’m sure it will improve as time goes on.

  3. Have contractor begin work on downstairs bathroom.

    The vanity has been delivered.

    I’ve contacted a local contractor who has put us on his calendar to start the work very soon.

  4. Research local theatre, activities, dance, and tai chi.

    Cast of The Wizard of Oz.

    The options are not great but I did see a fun musical at the high school especially enjoyed by the youngest audience members.

  5.  Start attending Bible study.  On Tuesday evenings about a dozen of us get together for a co-ed study of Genesis.

    A special coat/robe has significant meaning in the Joseph story.

    We are moving slowly to cover every nuance.

  6.  Begin Lenten devotions and fasting. Our church gave out a 40-day lenten devotion which I have been studying.

    I’m sure to be inspired by the time I finish.

    Also I fast from food on Fridays in Lent.  It throws Charlie off his game a bit.

  7.  Work on fireplace tiles. Finished!

    Harder than it looks.

    Most of the month was too cold or wet to get started on cutting the tiles but near the end we finally got started.

  8. Put shelves in back bedroom small closet.  Charlie accomplished this task in one day with some supervisory comments from me.

    Shoe boxes, sewing supplies, and off-season bedding among other things will be stored in this closet.

  9. Choose a word to focus on for the month. My word: BREATHE
  10.   Write a goal list for April, 2025.

Jo