Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Monday 10 February 2014

Surfacing

First and foremost, thank you all for your messages of support.  I really appreciated each and every comment and email.  You made my already misty eyes leak.

My time out was a bit of a mixed bag, some achievements and some failures too.  A bit like life really.

The hospital is still refusing to give us a firm time frame for the skinny one's next surgery.  February/March (perhaps) is as far as they are prepared to commit themselves.  Sigh.

His sister has decided that she will NOT come down for this surgery.  He is ambivalent, so we will see...

We got some quotes for digging up and repairing the driveway that the plumbers destroyed.  The quotes are so different that we will need to get another this week.  Both firms seemed competent and said that they would do the same job - but one quoted more than twice as much as the other.  Three quotes should clear the air a little.

I bit the bullet and went through the overflowing bookcases seeing just what I was prepared to give up.  Himself managed to surrender three books.  Which I find irritating since he doesn't reread books.  I was as ruthless as I could bring myself to be.  Not as ruthless as I needed to be, but a good start was made.  Several hundred books have now left the building.



The house is looking tidier.  Though today another problem reared up and bit me.  The cord inside the curtain tracks in the lounge room has jammed.  Off to the hardware store tomorrow.  And I need to pick up a replacement tap fitting too.

The garden has had some work.  I was heading out just after first light and doing a mammoth weed and tidy until it got too hot.  But then I broke my little toe which made digging and or standing difficult and gave me the excuse to stop.  I have damaged other toes too - klutzdom rules.  And yes, I should wear shoes much more often.  My body and my mind are still both behaving badly - which is what they do best.  And I intend to ignore them both.

The paperwork is done - and is now with the relevant professionals.  Yay.

Later today I hope to be able to visit you.  I have indeed missed you.  Rather a lot.

109 comments:

  1. Ah, it's good to have you back dear. I admire your book clearing and hope to take some inspiration from you as I am doing just the same, or trying too just now. Having said that I bought an old bookcase today that we really have no room for, but that is to house all of hubby's books which have been in boxes in cupboards for around six years, and need airing or scaring away, one or the other. Mine have taken precedence all this time. But I am Queen of the universe so.....seems fair enough. May your tootsies heal soon Tootsie, and get some steel toed boots while you're at it. Have a warm hug and welcome home *hugs her xxx

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    1. I went a bit mad a few years ago and gave away every book I owned (except the dozen or so that I wrote myself). I have not regretted it. Indeed I felt somewhat renewed.

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    2. All Consuming: The book clearing was necessary and overdue. And hurt. As much as damaging my foot. Steel toed boots? Eeeeuw. I don't like shoes. Particularly enclosed ones. And would be far too tempted to use those steel toes...

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    3. Andrew Maclaren-Scott: I am pretty certain I would feel bereft rather than renewed if I was to get rid of my books. They are my education, my amusement, my comfort and my delight.

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    4. I should perhaps have given mine away to you...

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    5. Andrew Maclaren-Scott: Noooo. Enough temptation already finds me. And a generous sufficiency (alright an excess) of books doesn't stop the lust. At all.

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  2. I hope this thing will get better soon.

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  3. Very nice to hear from you. Shame about the toe, but it will mend, I hope. Apparently what's done is done and the future begins right now. I think that is intended to sound promising but it doesn't always, to me. Anyway, it is very nice to hear from you again.

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    1. Andrew Maclaren-Scott: The future is frequently a scary animal in my head. But not dull.

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  4. My problem with getting rid of books is that mow I have empty space for new books!

    Take care of yourself and the skinny one. xo

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    1. Birdie: I really didn't get rid of enough books to claim that I have room for more. Which probably wouldn't stop me. Despite still having rather a large pile of Christmas and birthday books I am still working through...

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  5. You've had a lot to deal with....one step at a time.

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    1. Delores: One wobbly sometimes painful step at a time. However, for the moment at least, all the steps are forward. Which is a bonus.

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  6. Firstly, great to have you back, EC...I've been keeping my eye out for just this moment. :)

    You make me feel so guilty. Only last night as I was watching the Winter Olympics and just about everything else that was on TV...I had a thought that I MUST sort through my millions of books, too...and get very harsh when doing it! It was just a thought, mind you!

    Until the past couple of years I went barefoot all the time...but mostly now I wear lace-less sand shoes around the house and outside. I didn't have them on a couple of weeks ago when I kicked a couple of my toes on the bed leg. It's a wonder you didn't hear my words of praise down your way! ;)

    Touch wood...we've been having a fairly kind summer here where I live...a couple of times we had a couple of days of extreme heat, but other than those, it's been pretty good. I'd love to see a some more rain, though. I love the rain, but they are getting a lot up in the far northern areas. I wish I wish I had the power to spread it out to all the graziers out in the western areas of Qld, and to those poor souls in Victoria and South Aus who are battling horrendous heat and bush fires.

    The waiting for the hospital to make its decision must be very frustrating for you both Hang in there; and concentrate on the achievements. :)

    Take good care...both of you.

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    1. Lee: I really, really needed to do that cull. And still need to do more. I won't for a while though. If I was to cull the skinny one's books and he mine we could get some space. And the mere though fills me with ire.
      The fires are very, very scary. And the heat this year has been intense. We are not quite as hot this week - but still well over thirty. Autumn will be very, very welcome.
      Shoes? As rarely as possible. I am pretty good outside (but not perfect). Inside? Fail.

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  7. It was so nice to see your blog on my dashboard, EC. It sounds like you got quite a bit accomplished and things will be leaving your home for another's. Deciding what to keep and what to pass on is quite a task.

    Since February is almost half over and they can't give you a definite date, I would suspect that the surgery will be in March. It is horrible though to have you wait so long.

    Don't forget to take care of YOURSELF.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: I suspect you are right about the surgery date - but we have been given very little warning before now.
      And yes, I am looking after myself at least a bit. Which is an improvement.

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  8. I am impressed with your statement that several hundred books have left the building! Wow! Good luck with everything as you purge, repair, regroup.

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    1. Kathleen Cassen Mickelson: And I am already regretting some of those books which have left. Sigh.

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  9. Nice to have you back on the blogesphere! No good suggestions about wearing proper shoes or getting rid of books...neither seem to work for me. Good luck in the surgery department. Things are really slow, here, if you need surgery, so I sympathize. JUST TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, THAT IS #1!!

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    1. Sienna Smythe: I would really, really like a date for the surgery. And patience is not one of my strong points. Sigh.
      And yes, getting rid of books is always hard.

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  10. Good to hear from you.
    Sorry about the broken toe.
    I'd have no problem cleaning out my bookshelves.
    And hope the third quote on the driveway is 'just right.'

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: The toe was my own fault. As were the other foot injuries. Which probably made them hurt more rather than less.
      You can give away books? You really are a ninja!!!

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  11. I've been away from the internet too but mine was a holiday you don't sound like your break was so good I hope the skinny one gets better soon and parting with books is always hard but now you can get more.
    Tradesman's quotes are always all over the place I always pick the one I like the most mainly because you just can't tell if they are any good or reliable.
    Merle.....................

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    1. Merlesworld: I think we will get a third quote. At the moment I liked the more expensive tradesman more, but do not feel like building him a McMansion. If his price is comparable to the third I think we will go with him - I hope your holiday was FABULOUS.

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  12. What happened to all those books you hauled off? A book burning? Just kidding, I know you wouldn't ever burn a book. Here, with everything frozen and heat bills outrageous, people just might burn them to stay warm.

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    1. Strayer: The books were donated to Lifeline. A cause dear to me, so it seemed appropriate. And a number of them had 'originated' at one or other of their book fairs.
      Our temperatures have been hovering around the 100 mark, just over or just under. Too hot (by far) by my standards but better than those experienced by people in other states.

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    2. Yikes, that is hot! I like it about 80 or 85 here in the summer, but we have rainy gray winters, until this winter, which is freezing and without rain (supposed to change tomorrow when torrents are predicted), and we Oregonians mumble, grumble and complain all winter because we live for those few sunny weeks of summer.

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    3. Strayer: I like it below 80. Seventy is fine by me - and I am not unhappy when it gets lower than that. I think I am living in the wrong continent.
      It is marginally cooler here this week, but we are still in the 90s. And some rain would be more than welcome.

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  13. gosh it is good to hear from you! glad you are back.

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    1. mohave rat: Thank you so much. And I am glad that Mrs Rat is doing well at the moment.

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  14. What a pleasure to see your tiger appear.
    What nice box sets you have there, my dear. Almost like a grab bag, for people off on vacation to the beach.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: Thank you - it is good to be back. Those nifty boxes are what one of my medications is delivered in. I have been collapsing them and storing them flat waiting for the day I could fill them with books.

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  15. oh friend.....glad for the clearer spaces that give you a little more air
    and praying for more and more grace with each step you take.
    You're loved.....please remember that. And appreciated.
    Thanks for all the beauty that you are,
    Jennifer

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    1. Jennifer Richardson: Thank you. And perhaps if I had more grace I wouldn't damage myself so often - or so comprehensively.

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  16. Singing from the same page.But, given my musicality, probably not the same tune...

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    1. dinahmow: It depends. If you are musical definitely NOT the same tune. Another talent I don't have.

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  17. Wait. What? WTH? Was I supposed to know what's going on? Well, ya sure coulda told me. Now I still don't know for sure, but I'm glad to see you came up for air long enough to say something.

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    1. lotta joy: Minor issues, but my brain buckled under the strain. Nothing to what you and so many other people I care about are facing. And I am back. For better or worse.

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  18. I feel like such a TURD for not sending you an email! *beats myself over the head soundly* WELCOME BACK! Missed you around the joint, but geez, would you please stop busting your toes? It plays havoc with your toenail polish when you do that.

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    1. Cathy Olliffe-Webster: No need to feel turd like. None. And I knew there was a reason I don't wear toenail polish.

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  19. Nice to see this pop up this morning.

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  20. YOU have been missed and sent love, Dear!


    ALOHA from Honolulu
    Comfort Spiral

    =^..^=

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    1. Cloudia: Thank you - you are such a warm and welcoming soul.

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  21. So nice to see you back!! Your posts are always a high point in my day when they appear.
    One of the good things about selling our old house and building a much smaller new one was that I HAD to get rid of a few books (actually, a few thousand). And I've only had to re-purchase one favourite which got into the OUT pile by mistake (or maybe I lent it to a friend and didn't get it back...)

    Very warm wishes to you for the toe, the driveway, and the SP. Not necessarily in that order.
    :)

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    1. Alexia: I would be traumatised if I had to surrender thousands of books. Not sure I could do it. I probably shoud though. And only having to repurchase one book is truly impressive.
      The driveway is one of a few household projects which are needed. The skinny one's surgery is top priority and my toe will heal eventually.

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    2. I may have exaggerated a little....

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  22. Hi EC! Oh gosh, a broken toe! That hurts! I broke the same little toe twice, but I still rarely wear shoes. Hope it heals quickly. Good to see your surface!

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    1. Karen: Toes do hurt don't they? I have only ever broken my own toes, and should have learnt by now. (I once broke someone else's finger, but he deserved it and I feel no guilt).

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  23. Very pleased to see a new post title appear, EC.
    So many wonderful people have missed you. Take your time easing back to blogland.

    My, that is a lot of books! But, a good culling can be very cathartic. Don't look back, you now have room for new discoveries ;)

    Sorry to read about your toe. Broken toes are painful and take a while to heal - be careful there.
    I truly hope this year will be the last of hospital visits for poor SP and yourself.
    I hope (and think) that by the end of May, your world will be smoother sailing. Fingers crossed for you.

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    1. Vicki: Fingers crossed (the toe won't do it at present) that it is the last surgery. But we have been told that before.
      I hope that you are finding a bit of time for rest too - you have been very, very busy for a loooong time.

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  24. Of course you know I feel the pain. Clearing my parents' library --yes, I sold bits 10 or 11 years ago but ended up storing hundreds of volumes-- finally , this past year, I donated most where they'd get back into circulation for a good cause. I saved some 1st editions and everything over 250 years old, but that will go too by and by. These old wonders in old bindings have lives of their own and it's not my place to keep them. I just wish I had some cool boxes with handles like yours!

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    1. Geo.: It hurts to give up books doesn't it? How ever good the cause or reason.
      My cool boxes are what some of my medication arrives in. I have been collapsing them and saving them for a worthy cause. And they hold a reasonable number of books and are not too heavy to lift when full. A win.

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  25. So glad to see you here again, EC. That is an impressive pile of books to part with; my hat is off to you for that. And sorry about the toe - poor toes don't get much credit until we wreck them and then we see just how much work they do for us!

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    1. jenny_o: Thank you. It feels like an achievement to have cleared the books - but I would rather have kept them all. Greed.
      And it always amazes me how I suddenly realise how important a piece of me is ONLY when I have damaged it.

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  26. Welcome back. I've been taking a peek each day in the hope you would appear and now you have.
    Quote for driveway.....definitely a 3rd one to clarify why the others differ so much. I guess they are both fully itemised including labour.
    Surgery......I would have thought it was your doctor that would decide when the op is to take place or are you in the hands of the public hospital which would be quite unpredictable. Hope it's sooner than later as it would be great to have the SP's problem finally over and done with if it is at all possible.
    Gardening....with the heat you've been experiencing over your way you'd have to be up at sparrow's fart I imagine. After that dreadful weekend last month when 56 homes were lost we've cooled down although all days above 30ºC and mostly in the mid 30s. Still sort of heatwave conditions.
    Shoes and toes......I hate wearing shoes and never have them on in the house. Have to wear them outside as, even though I am diabetic, my feet feel every wee grain of sand. I have done damage to toes in the house but never broken any but then I have extremely strong bones so that's fortunate. Just rotten joints my problem....
    Books....I had a huge turn-out some years ago and then last year I decided I'd have the three 6 x 3 bookcases that Karen was getting rid of and now I am filling them up again by buying books on eBay. Very difficult to get Phil to give up his (mostly non-fiction books) but then he does read and re-read and re-read again so I shouldn't complain.
    I hope the toe soon ceases to hurt and I rather like the sound of a suggestion above about gym shoes (or similar) without laces...easy to pop on and off.
    Whoops....sorry I've gone on a bit here but seemed necessary (to me anyway). Look forward to hearing more form you soon.

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    1. Mimsie: Exactly what I thought about the quotes. I don't want to take the cheaper one - and get what we paid for, or take the more expensive one and get ripped off. So a third quote is in order.
      The surgeon operates within the public hospital, so has to fit in to some extent.
      I was starting gardening just after first light - and generally stopping for the day by about seven thirty. We are a bit cooler this week - still in mid thirties and it is still too hot. Autumn cannot come soon enough.
      I am not fond of shoes either and don't wear them inside. But that is where I did most of the damage. Sigh.

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  27. From one klutz to another....I love your statement: klutzdom rules! :)
    Love seeing a new post from you! Take care of yourself....and maybe you should consider wearing shoes sometimes!

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    1. BECKY: Rotten blogger ate my first response. Klutzdom does indeed rule though it is helped (or not) because in hot weather my limbs do not obey commands consistently. And yes on the shoe front. Sigh.

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  28. I got rid of 800 books, 10 each day for 80 days. I broke a toe once. My husband said I was three feet from the chair I hit and he did not know how I managed to hook my little toe. That was the most painful thing that every happened to me. I cringed when I read you broke yours. Ouch!

    Maybe you should ask around about the work done by both these guys and if one is considered to be pricey.

    Are those books in the white boxes? Why such fancy removal? You make me feel bad. I hauled mine out in plastic store bags.

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    1. Practical Parsimony: It does indeed hurt. I could only suck in a breath - no swearing, no crying. It is still sore, but better. And the other toes I damaged are also improving.
      Both of the tradesmen had good reputations. Both were looking at around the same time frame. I suspect that one of them is trying to take us for a ride - either with cheap materials and shoddy practice or charging too much. A third quote should give us a ball park figure to work with.
      Those are indeed books in the boxes. And it was getting rid of the boxes (which come with some of my medication) as well as the books. And meant that I could carry the books too. Bigger boxes or bags are heavy. And those boxes could fit a dozen or more books in them (depending on size of course). So... books gone and boxes gone. And I pick up some more medication next week and may start to fill the boxes each month.

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  29. De-cluttering is a nightmare, at least for me. Wish I could bring myself to give away a few thousand books. I know they are valuable but I am no trader and would know where to start.
    I certainly would not walk around without soloed footwear here, far too many snakes.
    I do hope the next direction deal will come soon and work out well and the skinny one will grow into a portly portion after he recovers.
    I still pray for you both every night.

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    1. Arija: Fortunately there are no snakes in our immediate vicinity. And I gave the books away. Selling them was way too much work.
      Thank you.

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  30. Several hundred books? I managed to cull only about a hundred when I moved house.
    Sorry to hear about your broken toes, wearing shoes does seem like a great idea, perhaps steel capped boots?
    I hope the hospital doesn't keep you and the small one waiting too long, waiting is often the hardest part.

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    1. River: Waiting isn't fun. At all. Though the surgery isn't either...

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  31. Ouch on the toe. Upside down smile for the departure of books. Right-side-up smile for the tidier house. And wishes of health and healing for the rest. Life's road can be bumpy. Wish I had a spare set of shocks to make it smoother for you.

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    1. Jeff Hargett: Thank you. My toes are my own fault. With luck the other issues will settle.

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  32. It was exciting to have a comment from you on my blog and to know you were back among us. You have been missed. Hope things will continue to fall in line and not be too difficult.

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    1. Grannie Annie: Thank you. I have found some truly wonderful people in the blogosphere.

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  33. I'm so sorry to hear about your toe and other frustrations. But glad to hear about everything that is coming together. You are so brave with those books... I have to admit, I am more like Himself when it comes to books. I just can't bear to let them go. But I, too, have been feeling lately that it's time. We'll be moving soon and as I look at my bookshelf, I know it's time for at least a third of them to move on. We always need to make room for new experiences, words, knowledge. Love and light to you.

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    1. Raquel Somatra: Every book case in the house (and there are a lot of them) is stacked full. Often two deep. It needed to be done. But hurt.

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  34. Dear EC, so good to have you back. You seem to have accomplished so much. I hope you are justly proud of yourself and that you also took breathers as you did everything.

    Like you, I go barefoot most of the time and the foot doctor has told me that's not good, especially as we age. But oh, the freedom. I'm sorry about your toe. What I've discovered is that when something is wrong with one of my feet, I tend to walk differently and that brings on pain in my back. The body is truly one. Peace.

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    1. Dee: Proud? No, there is a lot more to be done. Pleased with the start though. And yes, on one of the hottest days we had an outing - which I will post about in the next day or so.
      I always drag a leg, but at the moment don't know which foot/leg to limp on.

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  35. I'm so glad to see you! I hope things go OK with the skinny one and with your health, too. I am guessing you are not too broken up about the SIL not coming for the next surgery?

    Oh my - I wish I could have gone through those boxes of books....

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    1. Lynn: No, my selfish antisocial self is not devastated that his sister has decided to stay home. It will make my life quite a lot simpler - which neither he nor she can believe.

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  36. Oh I've really missed you! Lovey to see a post from you again, although I had to lie down with a cup of tea and a Bex when I read that you culled books. I'm afraid that my idea of a cull is similar to the skinny one's. Only a little more conservative. Maybe one book. Maybe....

    But I really do understand and I wish I had your discipline.

    What a bummer about your toe. I bet it hurt like buggery and it would be such a nuisance with shoes. A good excuse to stay home with your feet up (and a good book)? And I am sorry to hear about your run around with the quacks. Why can't they make up their minds? (rhetorical question. No need to answer). At least you escape the housekeeping inspection by SIL - every cloud has a silver lining and all that.

    Lovely to have you back! ♥

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    1. Marie: Culling books is awful. Awful, awful, awful. I worked on those books I will (probably) not read again. And am already regretting some of them.
      I am reading one at the moment you would like. A Chinese empress who changed China dramatically. Without much bloodshed.

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    2. I'll be shamelessly stalking your reading list to catch the title :-) I'm reading Philippa Gregory's "The White Princess" which is the fifth book in her series on the women of the houses of York and Lancaster. This one is about Elizabeth of York (Henry VIII's mum). I read the other four last summer and have been waiting impatiently for the 5th one to come out in Sweden. I think the 6th one about Margaret Pole is due out in August. L-G has just started on "Wolf Hall" in Swedish and he's hooked. So it's English history all round in our place at the moment.

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    3. Marie: So many books, so little time. And it will be another day or two before I add the weighty tome which is my Empress to my reading list.

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  37. & I've miss you, dear.
    your positive energy spreads all the way over here! XXXXXXXXXX

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    1. My Inner Chick: Do you know I wouldn't have ever described myself as positive? Thank you - and hugs.

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  38. Oh, you're back!! So very happy!
    The mysterious contents of those boxes leave me wondering...

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    1. Susan Kane: Nothing more mysterious than books.

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  39. Glad to hear you're back - and that your house is a little tidier! We had a clear-out before Christmas, but I can't really see any difference!

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    1. ladyfi: Sad isn't it? All that work, and it disappears in a fraction of the time it took to do.

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  40. I find it therapeutic to clean stuff out, hope you do too :) Three whole books, eh?

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    1. Riot Kitty: I find it therapeutic if I am given a free hand. And incredibly frustrating when I am not.

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  41. when we left California I gave away so many books, couldn't hardly give them away at garage sales, almost all of the books were mine. I do love books especially gardening books, I have never worked in the garden in bare feet, most places I've lived I tried walking out of doors in bare feet only to go back in and get some shoes. Will the plumbers pay for the driveway?

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    1. Linda Starr: I don't garden in bare feet, but am guilty of wandering around the garden to 'look see' without shoes. But I am getting better about that too.

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  42. EC, nice to see you back, even with a broken toe. OMG.
    Now are they boxes of books or muffins?
    Paperwork ~ I am impressed ~ maybe I should send you mine to do.
    Always something to do isn't there?

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    1. Carol in Cairns: Books. And bringing my medication home in those boxes people have asked for a muffin before now.
      Paperwork? Nope. Done my dash for a bit. And yes, there is indeed always something to do. Often several somethings.

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  43. It is great to see you posting again, you have been missed greatly. I do hope there will be no more hospital visits soon. On top of everything else a broken toe? Too hot over there for hobnail boots isn't it? Oh the pain of it. I am so sorry and hope it heals quickly. We are in the process of getting rid of a lot of books. They are going to a good cause too. Take very good care of yourself and sending a big hug :)

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    1. DeniseinVA: There will be another hospital visit. Soon(ish). Getting rid of books is hard isn't it?

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  44. I've missed you, too! Glad you're back. Good luck on that driveway.

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  45. Sorry about the toe, what a pain... Best wishes to the SP, so hope this is the last surgery. I'm impressed with the book clearance, wish I had your resolve. Stay well, big hugs...

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    1. Carol: I wish I had more resolve. Or some of me wishes I did. Thank you, for your best wishes and hugs.

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  46. Oh hon, I had no idea that you had a lot on your plate too. I feel awful now for belly-aching the way I do. I absolutely have to start playing catch-up with you. Much love to you from my end, babe!

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    1. Lou: I think all of us have a lot of our plates. Life isn't a game for sissies. And sometimes it is a game I don't want to play.

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  47. Oh, wow...you resurfaced but I hadn't so I missed almost a week of you here. :) Love the pic of the boxes full of books looking like they're marching out the door on their own! I still have books I should get rid of but not nearly as many as before. I LOVE MY KINDLE!

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    1. River Fairchild: If only the books had marched out themselves. And packed themselves too. And yes, dinosaur that I am, I am still resisting a Kindle.

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    2. Now that Amazon has FINALLY acknowledged that Australia does, indeed, has readers on the continent you should consider a Kindle. The books are SO MUCH CHEAPER (and I know you snort books like cocaine), your thumb will thank you for not having to hold the pages back, and your eyes will appreciate being able to adjust the font size of the book - something I really love. In fact, you can find oodles of ebooks for free. :)

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    3. River Fairchild: Some day - but not yet. I like the feel and the smell of books...

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  48. I'm so glad you're back and hope your absence refreshed you a bit. I think of you often and can only imagine what it's all been like for you.

    And by the way, I agree with you about books - there's just something about having them in one's hands... One day my deteriorating eyes may make me go electronic but I'll be kicking and screaming (blindly) all the way.

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    1. Ron Dudley: Thank you so much. It hasn't been a fun time over the last couple of years but I am very well aware that lots of people have a much harder road to travel.
      And how nice to hear of someone else who much prefers the real deal on the book front.

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