Tuesday, October 20, 2020

At the Half Way Mark in the Month

I had a super busy day on Monday, October 19th (approximately the half way point of the month) and it was the start of a very busy week.  While I ran my errands the rain stopped and sun came out so I snapped a few photos to share on Skywatch Friday this week.  I hope you enjoy. 








Dinner was quick:  stir fried pork cubes with Swiss chard from my garden and daikon radish (and spices) and a dish of stir fried noodles with a variety of vegetables and chili garlic oil.  I ended the day with a clean sink and all the dishes put away. I mostly wash the evening dishes, cutlery and pots and pans but I don't always finish the job. I'm trying to turn over a new leaf because everything put away makes the evening and the morning much nicer.

This month is flying by so quickly. We had two family birthdays a month apart (and celebrated them differently due to Covid).  We also celebrated Thanksgiving in Canada on October 12th and cooking a traditional dinner takes time whether it is for 2 people or 10 people .  I'm doing a major declutter of paper.  I've been going through a long, long process of fully decluttering my home and I am  now on the paper files. I've got so many that accumulated mostly while my late mom was ill. I didn't want to throw anything out. Now I've got to sort through it all and keep only what I really need of hers, my late sisters and also my own paperwork.  It feels good to finally get rid of paper that have been cluttering my space and my mind for so long. 

I have also been getting rid of larger items, not just items from the kitchen cabinet and closets. I could finally be offloading the very large power wheelchair which is taking up a lot of space near the entry way.  Friends of mine have been fund raising to replace the battery and charger and ultimately gift the chair to a paraplegic lady who can really make use of it. The fund raising efforts are very slow.  But it sounds like they have more than enough now to at least have a technician come over to evaluate everything.  I will know more in a week or two.

I've also been busy learning a new routine for running the household and though I'm not fully on board with the program it is a big help. I suppose any method one uses to keep on top of the household is helpful. I never found the household maintenance to be very difficult when I was younger.  I guess I have slowed down a lot because these days the running of the household seems to take up more time. I think the key is to find an approach you like and stick with it and consistently apply the routines.  If anyone is interested, check out FlyLady or Diane in Denmark, both of whom are on You Tube. Diane actually was a Fly Lady mentor for many years and still teaches others how to implement the system.  I enjoy her sparkly personality and motivational pep talks.  What I like about the system so far is that many things are done in 15 minute increments.  As they like to say, "you can do almost anything in 15 minute increments".

I'll be linking up with Skywatch Friday later this week. I send you my best wishes for a beautiful and safe weekend. If you missed my post about Kenya you can read it here.


36 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Penny

Beautiful series of sky captures. It is nice you still have some blooms on your patio. Your dinner looks and sounds delicious! Take care, enjoy your day!

Red said...

Forget the skies. I'd settle for the green grass and blooms that you still have.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Lots of interesting and pretty pictures around your city. You have some amazing views. Love your porch/patio and your garden. You inspire me to want to get busy with some decluttering and especially eliminating paper. I have file cabinet drawers bursting with too much stuff. It is time to weed out the old and make room for the new. I'm just always afraid I'll throw away some important piece of paper and need it later. LOL. Have a wonderful week!

Jeanie said...

Your skies are impressive and so is your garden area! Very pretty to still have blooms.

I tackled the file cabinet on Monday. Oh, the volume of paper to be discarded. I hate doing the cabinets -- you have to touch everything. But it felt good to have it done! I applaud you!

Joyful said...

Thanks so much Eileen. I'm very pleased to still have new blooms on my patio. Enjoy your week ahead. xx

Joyful said...

I so understand what you mean Red. We are spoiled where I live and I often forget how cold it is elsewhere in Canada at this time of year.

Joyful said...

I'm so glad you like the photos and the views Pamela. I'm also happy to hear you are motivated to do some paper decluttering. I know exactly how good it feels to weed out the old and I too get a little afraid that now and then I'll throw something out that I need. One thing I read a few times now is if you really want to keep a document or photo you could take a photo of it or scan it and save it that way. Have a wonderful week ahead. Happy decluttering.

Joyful said...

Yeah Jeanie. You go girl. I really don't enjoy going through old papers. It seems so tedious and time consuming, hence the large volume I have now, lol. But I do love seeing progress. Take care and happy decluttering.

Mari said...

You get the most pretty sky shots!
I like Flylady and used to use her method all the time. I still use parts of it, but with working all the hours I do, it's hard to do some days.

Joyful said...

Thank you Mari. I I can tell you are a very organized person and your home is also sparkling clean. It doesn't matter if you use Flylady. Do what works for you!

shayndel said...

Beautiful skies and photos!!! It looks like a beautiful autumn there!!! Great how you are clearing and organizing. Spotless and impressive sink, it seems to reflect your heart and gladness and getting the job done !!:)) Best wishes to you too for a beautiful and safe weekend!!!♡

Rhodesia said...

Fabulous photos of the sky and that stir fry and noodles looks delicious. Keep well and stay safe, Diane

Lowcarb team member said...

Your sky photographs are lovely.
This month is flying by so quickly isn't it.
Take care, stay safe and well.

All the best Jan

Joyful said...

Thank you Shayndel. Yes I get a happy heart when the tasks I set out to do are done. The clean sink helps. Have a wonderful weekend my friend. ♥

Joyful said...

Thanks Diane. You stay safe too.

Joyful said...

Thank you Jan. The month really has gone by in a flash. Just a few days more and it's November already. Take care and keep safe and well.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Time seems to be flying - lovely photos today!

Tom said...

...you saw some gorgeous skies!

Joyful said...

Thank you.

Joyful said...

Yes, it's true.

Joyful said...

Yes, it's true.

Jim said...

Beautiful.

Jidhu Jose said...

nice clicks

Joyful said...

Thank you.

Joyful said...

Thanks so much!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I love your photos. Especially the way you caught the light on the steeple.
We are going through an ongoing decluttering, including paper. Paper just builds and builds it seems

Jan said...

How beautiful is the light and the colours in your photos Penny. Sounds like you are doing well with the decluttering and sorting. Not an easy task. I might have a look at Flylady on you tube. Thank you .

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Very pretty sky shots! The raised bed tomato plants caught my eye. Also the shot with the church steeple.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I loved all your photos of pastel colored clouds and your pretty garden and delicious dinner! I am also trying declutter paper-- it seems to accumulate very quickly!

Joyful said...

Thank you Yogi. I wish you well with the decluttering. Once you do that and renovate you'll be feeling great.

Joyful said...

Thank you Jan. I tried hard to take advantage of the light while we had some. I am happy with my current progress but still have a lot to do. Best of luck with Flylady...take a look too at Diane in Denmark.

Joyful said...

Thank you so much! Those tomato plants really caught my eye too because the tomatoes look ripe for the picking and it is way past the growing season here.

Joyful said...

Thank you Pat! All the best with the paper declutter. The paper seems to grow in the dark, lol.

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful sky shots! ~ awesome!


Live each moment with love,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Joyful said...

Thank you Carol!

Brian King said...

Gorgeous skies and clouds!

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