Bathroom Remodel

I had no idea when I wanted to remove the popcorn ceiling in our basement bathroom what I was getting into! I've learned a lot . . . and can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Today's revelation is about removing the old caulk . . . now that I've spent hours at it in my own clumsy fashion. I'm not going to go out and buy products and tools, but if I ever need to do this again, this will be my first stop:

www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/diy-repair/how-remove-caulk/

Sigh. I'm going to grab the rubbing alcohol to try to remove the last bits of residue so Louie can apply new caulk on Saturday. Then it's time to clean the grout of the flooring tile. I wish I had some house elves . . .

Earn More, Spend Less, or Both

Here are some of the things I jotted on a slip of paper:

• less driving
• fewer groceries
• homemade gifts
• no toys for Titus (one year old dog)
• make do with current clothing
• use spending money more carefully ($20 / week . . . use it for non-splurge things)
• stop eating out / only drink water in restaurants

If I register for the MQ show, I can use my spending money for three weeks to cover the cost of registration.

I have NO idea what to get Louie for his birthday.

This is becoming a bit too stream-of-consciousness and my scrap of paper can be recycled. Moving on!

Focus on the Positive #12

Honestly, I'm just too lazy to take a photo of my white board and add it to this entry . . .

For March 18-24: "Bday gift to Angela!"
I took her to lunch on March 22 (her birthday was the next day, but Louie and I went up to the lake for a long weekend). It was very nice to visit with her and she liked her gift, even though Louie said it needed something "fun" instead of just pragmatic stuff.

For March 25-31: "Wash fabric for Morgan and Angela wedding quilt."
Even though they got married a year and a half ago, I do not spend enough time in my studio! (It's all the puppy's fault.) I was hesitant to do this, because I dislike ironing and there are several yards of fabric! Yesterday (April 3) I finally washed, dried, and carefully folded it all! I may have a One Thing goal of ironing it sometime soon. . . . I know I got this thing done later than planned, but I did spend time last week working on the basement bathroom ceiling.

It is much easier to focus on positives these days. Quitting my job has been tremendous for reducing my stress level and helping me keep a smile on my face. I am so blessed!

Focus on the Positive #11

My goodness! It's harder than I expected to get back into helpful habits! I had this sign on my door for at least two months:
BOM stands for Block of the Month.

 I've been doing a terrible job of updating info in our binder at Minnesota Quilters. I haven't been spending much time in my studio since Titus came into our lives. (Yeah, blame the puppy!)

After looking at it for so long and just feeling bad, I decided to move on. Since I want to spend time in my studio and get some sewing done, I decided to make my focus be something I truly wanted to do instead of something I thought I ought to do.

What a difference that makes!

I put this on my board just over a week ago:

Although I only got into my studio on three out of seven days, I spent enough time to experience a sense of accomplishment. Hooray!

The 2017 Mystery Quilt was a huge deal for me last year, but I couldn't keep up when May hit with all its end-of-the-year busy-ness. I did some catching up in October when I spent a week at the lake, but I was stalled since then.

I finished the July clue! I cut out the August pieces. I sewed 36 half-square triangles. Woohoo! It feels good to focus on accomplishments and not be stalled on a "should" goal.

Ten Commandments for Parenting School-age Children

These were from a sermon a few years ago. I'm continuing to clear my clutter and I want to save these notes. Psalm 127 and Proverbs 22:6 were referenced. "Don't underestimate the value of the home or of your legacy."

1. Parents are the primary ones responsible for their children's spiritual development.

2. Children are unique and should not be compared to others. (We often preach diversity but practice conformity.)

3. Kids need to *give* their best, not *be* the best.

4. Remember, it's *your* job to know what they're learning and *when* they're ready to learn.

5. Your kids are kids. Fun and laughter are important.

6. It's your job to know your kids' friends.

7. You can't control their decisions.

8. Your kids need balance. (Help them learn to manage time and priorities.)

9. Your second greatest job is to encourage your kids. (Ephesians 6:1-4)

10. You teach what you know but reproduce who you are. Obey the Word. Live out your faith.

Developing Responsibility in Children

I'm cleaning out more pieces of paper. This one was in my teaching files, but it seems to be much more of a parenting tool to me! Ugh - I started with he/she, him/her, etc. and changed it to all masculine pronouns. Read it with your own precious child in mind!

1. Never do for a child what he can do for himself.
2. Encourage a child's first attempts to help you or to do things for himself. (Remember, a child who is learning will not do the task as well as you can.)
3. Give a child credit for trying to help you out.
4. Give plenty of time to learn.
5. Don't criticize or make fun of poor results. Encourage him to try again and carefully steer him toward a better way.
6. When a child is ready for larger responsibilities, let him take them on.
7. Let a child know you trust and have confidence in him.
8. Praise for efforts as well as performance.
9. Let your child make mistakes without feeling guilty.
10. Be sure the child knows that his help helps the whole family.
11. Admit your own mistakes when you make them.
12. Don't demand more of a child than he can give.

Remember, "A child needs encouragement as a plant needs water and sunshine."

I'm not sure where this originated, but it also reminds me of some of the sociology things my mom was so fond of.

Wow! Health Care Changes

One of my main activities lately has been sorting through and recycling old paperwork - my teaching files, my father-in-laws many printed out emails, and my dad's old papers. Most of it goes into recycling, some gets shredded, and some makes me stop and laugh.

I broke my arm when I was a kid. Twice, actually. One wrist when I was ice skating and the other a year later when I was roller skating. (I am *not* a coordinated, athletic individual.) I found the health insurance paperwork from my second trip to the ER. Take a look!

Do you see that?!?! The *total* charges for the cast, x-ray, and doctor services came to $46.10!

Was this normal in 1977? I was ten years old, so I'm sure the cost of my pain wasn't on my radar at all.

I wonder how much we paid for our kids' broken arms back in the 1990s . . . I'm guessing it was a bit more than this!

I had to keep this info here since I'm determined to get rid of pieces of paper that are cluttering up my life . . . but I was amazed to see these.

I welcome any comments on this post!

 

 

 

Also, I see that they spelled my name wrong! It's Jeanne . . . not Jean. How did I not notice that seven years ago when I first posted this? (10.9.17 vs 1.28.24)