When I noticed the neighbor was gone, I ignored my fatigue and hastened to move “his”  things from “my”  place to his. “Neighbor”  has had more than five months to move his stuff.

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With exception of first…  above are “before”  pictures; below are “after.”

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I am super exhausted but “jumped” at the opportunity to move things. The man seldom leaves his bed, let alone leave the property. I’ll spare you the encyclopedia of information about my neighbor. This one detail: He is not a pleasant person. No, he isn’t ill; he’s a hypochondriac who lays in bed watching television. ~~ Wow!! I had a strenuous one-hour workout!! ~~ If you don’t hear from me for several days, the neighbor killed me?!

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I searched for more pictures to document my frustration–and my actions.

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Say the word “squirrel”  and you have my attention. Recently AARP has this commercial advertisement on television. Initially, I thought they were promoting… for April twenty-first. However, a Google search indicates January twenty-first. The bottom line: Celebrate  appreciation of oneself. I appreciate the health and capability to accomplish the many projects demanding my time and attention. (Did you see yesterday’s Baffled by the baffles? I’d just filled the feeders.)

Running (figuratively) to accomplish projects while weather is pleasant.

There was a scheduled trip into Livingston that prompted unscheduled activities later in the day. Out of curiosity, I stopped at the newly re-opened (in a new location) Habitat for Humanity thrift store. I told the cashier “I don’t need a thing; I just wanted to check out your new home.”  Following some pleasant conversation, I started to browse. Immediately, I saw a refrigerator and said “I’ll take if you can deliver.”  Perhaps I mentioned in an earlier blog that my trailer refrigerator is just “too small” now that I’m buying all my meals. Back home, I immediately started clearing things off shelves in the laundry room. Decades-old stuff that ought to go in the dumpster–or a donation to a thrift shop. However, not mine to dispose of so I got out the “contractor” steel-reinforced trash bags and started filling them up. A dirty job!!  ~~ We’ll put the refrigerator in the laundry room.

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Confession: I bought plants while shopping at Lowe’s. I’ve been saying I wouldn’t go back into “gardening” this year. Alas, I succumbed to the urge to get my fingers in the dirt. I have a very satisfactory planter for the tomato–and hanging baskets for Impatiens. ~~ During the afternoon, I filled eight bird feeders so birds–and squirrels–will be happy. ~~ Five o’clock and I’ll fix some “people food.”

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COLD, windy day and I had absolutely no desire to venture outdoors. Last night, I neglected to take down the yard sale sign.  This morning, I’m drinking coffee, watching Meet the Press, trying to keep warm when I see a stranger walking through my semi-private, extremely cluttered,  patio (outside my door). I grabbed my coat and went out to greet the lady (a lady with several “freebie” items). “No, she didn’t buy anything.” I quickly took down the sign but her husband (putting air in motorhome tires) came over to browse but said “nothing I need.”  Strangely, my valuable “doorbell” failed to alert me to their presence–or I was preoccupied with Meet the Press (not expecting yard sale customers). As I type this (10:00), I’m chilled from head to toe!! Seriously, I’m going back to bed.

Maybe a yard sale invites “Lookie Lou’s”  (bane) who will return (in the middle of the night) to steal…. Here at Rainbow’s End RV Park, several trailers have been stolen. Recently, I ordered a “boot”  for my cargo trailer. (Yes, one stolen trailer was a “cargo” trailer.) 

I’m still cold!!

I’m wearing flannel pajamas, a warm robe, and fuzzy warm slippers!! I’ve prepared two-teabags-strong ginger tea; I’m eating comfort-food grilled cheese sandwich and corn chips. Not a good day thus far!! ~~ I don’t “do”  cold; I admire my friends and family who live in really cold weather states.

to my credit today!! I did absolutely nothing. ~~ Mid-afternoon, on TV, I watched the movie The Phantom of the Opera and loved the beautiful sets, costumes and music.

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A meaningful-to-me program–on NBC Dateline –titled “No Way Out.” It was about the recent fires, and mud slides, in Montecito, California. On the Memorial Day weekend, 1977, I was married in the beautiful gardens of Westmont College campus. My husband, and I, had limited acquaintance with the very charming community. “Limited…” but I have fond memories and was glued to the TV program.

“Severe weather overnight” according to TV meteorologist. Yes, it kept me awake!! It’s 7:50 AM as I type this and I’m seeing lightning and hearing thunder. Looking out my windows, I see the wet street but can’t tell if it is raining. With my trailer home under the roof, I no longer “hear” rain. Under these conditions, probably few–if any–yard sale customers today.

Until yesterday, the “greenhouse” was near the fire-barrel in my “back yard.”

Surprise: A pleasant customer couple arrived just as I updated this message (9:00 AM). Their very first experience visiting yard sales. They were delighted with my selection–and spent $41.00.

Weird experience right now; strange, eerie silence!! No rain, no thunder, no traffic on the street, nobody walking their dogs, no cars at the Clubhouse (across the street). Seriously: A strange, eerie silence.

I’m as restless as a caged tiger; I want to be outdoors!! However, it is just “too cold” for this old lady. “Yes” there are indoor projects but I’d rather be working on outdoor things.

“Sports” on some channels I usually watch, or program absolutely not-to-my-liking, so I did some “channel surfing”  (unusual [for me] activity) and discovered the “Discovery” channel. Specifically, I found Mike Rowe and his “Dirty Jobs”  program. That’s entertaining!!  🙂  🙂  ~~ Observation: Mike has “cleaned up his act” now that his program “Somebody’s Gotta Do It” is broadcast on Christian television. IMHO: Mike’s having lots of fun preparing the programs!!

To paraphrase an old saying: The sunshine is a couple of days late and I’m a (yard sale) dollar (or more) short. (“Day late and dollar short.” )

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“Don’t put the jacket away yet” according to Houston TV meteorologist. Furthermore, during the weather report, we were informed “Another ‘front’ next Saturday.”

Sunshine–but COLD and windy.

Exactly six months ago, the Escapees CARE Center served a meal “unfit for human consumption.”  Without exception, residents complained about the meal. Two days later, I passed a clipboard for signatures of dissatisfied residents. On Monday, October 16th, the Facility Director instructed me to look for some other place to live. My nightmare experience of October, November and December is documented on the website Escapees don’t CARE Center.

…or where the seed sprouted.

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Another advertised in the newspaper yard sale. Gloomy day so far (9:25) but $45.00 collected for garden items. ~~ The Sunflower is in my front yard but I haven’t had time to nurture the plants growing on this property. Too busy trying to “get organized” and prepare for yard sale. ~~ We’re anticipating rain, thunder, lightening, hail and threat of tornadoes. ~~ See earlier blog message(s) with the same title.

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Update 9:35 AM: Just published this moments ago. Then went out to greet another visitor. It has begun a light mist rain.

Off-and-on rain with occasional “hint” of sunshine. There has been a steady parade of visitors. A few purchases but mostly just sit in lawn chairs–under the carport–and enjoy a meaningful conversation.