Thursday, July 17, 2014

ducks, cats, and decluttering

 A weird variety of topics, I know. 

The weather here has been unseasonably cool this week. Which is fine by me ~
it's been a nice break from the heat. Though Tuesday was too chilly. I think the 
high temp was only 60 degrees. I met a couple of friends for lunch at a restaurant
on the river. We thought we'd be enjoying a warm summer day on the patio. Ha! 
We were the only ones there. And we were wearing jackets. Crazy. 


 While we were enjoying our lunch, we had a visit from Mama Duck and her babies.


 The babies were so cute! They were still kind of fuzzy.


 Speaking of fuzzy, I haven't talked about my own fur babies, nor posted any
photos in a long time. Shame on me! Clementine loves to sit on the stack of
books on this chair in the living room. I love this shot I got of her in the sunbeam.
Clem is the kitty who showed up on my doorstep four years ago.


 The two boys - Zippo (front) and Monkey - are seen here, lounging on my bed.
Can you believe Zippo is 15 years old? He sure doesn't look like it, does he? He
is still very active, eats a healthy diet, and doesn't have any health problems. He 
does struggle a bit with climbing stairs though. Like most elderly cats, it's his back 
legs. They get arthritis. He is such a love...very snuggly. He sleeps with me every night. 
Monkey is a sweet cat, but a bit neurotic. He's afraid of strangers, every little noise, and
 doesn't like to be held. Oh - and he's Clementine's baby! When Clem showed up at our
 house, she was pregnant. She only had two babies and one was stillborn.
 

For whatever reason, Monkey loves to sleep in the wicker basket on top of the buffet.
Sometimes he puts his paws over his eyes during the day while he's sleeping.
A built-in eye mask?
 

I'm still working hard at decluttering "stuff" in the storage part of my basement!
This was all the stuff I donated the other day, including the bags you see on the floor.
 



 All that stuff took up eight paper grocery bags plus one big trash bag.
And there's still more to do! Feels so good to get rid of excess stuff.

Happy Thursday, everyone.


19 comments:

  1. Wow, you are going really well with the decluttering project!! It does feel so good to get rid of things from your house that you no longer want and/or need doesn't it! xx

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    1. It sure does! And I just started another couple of bags.

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  2. Thank you for the cute kitty & duck photos! Your Zippo looks like my Alex who lived to be 21 until kidney disease took him. I admire your decluttering - it does feel good to see it go some place where someone else can enjoy it.

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    1. I hope my Zippo lives as long as your Alex did!

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  3. Your cats are adorable. Each one with their own personality ♥

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  4. It's great to decluttered, but I'm looking at your stuff and wishing that I could visit that thrift store. I just wonder how long it will take me to buy back all the stuff that I got rid of of when moving, I've been doing my best to avoid yard sales, LOL. I love that little bathtub soap dish . . . how cute is that :) Your kitties are adorable.

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    1. I liked the little bathtub soap dish (or you can use it for cotton balls), but have small bathrooms with limited counter space, so I rarely used it. Thanks for the compliment on my kitties!

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  5. Hi Mel, I find that clearing out things I don't really need or like anymore helps me refine my style . Then I can look for things I really want. Looking forward to seeing you. Have a great weekend. Love, Penny

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    1. I'm looking forward to seeing you again too, Penny! We had a good weekend; hope you did, too.

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  6. Sweet, sweet cats-Wyatt, my 2 year old grandson is begging for a cat! Specifically orange-don't think it will happen! I always had cats growing up and I loved, loved them!
    Have a happy weekend,
    Jemma

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    1. Why don't you think Wyatt will be getting a cat? They're such wonderful pets and easy to take care of. I always had pets (mainly dogs and cats, but in my teens, a couple of horses and rabbits) growing up, too. Cats were always my favorite.

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  7. It's been like fall here so I've been enjoying the weather (even though we've had lots of rain). Monkey is so cute! I'm decluttering too. I don't know what to do with stuff. We've taken stuff off the walls and I've packed up a few things but I just don't know where to store things that I don't want to get rid of!

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    1. Could you store things in your little barn before you move?

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  8. Melanie...I just got caught up on your last few posts. I have really been bad about visiting and I miss our epic emails. Since we lost the internet at the lake, I have been strapped for time to visit blogs, even put together a post of my own. I don't understand what Comcast and Net Gear are telling us and they are blaming each other for our connection problem Blah, blah, blah. I will have to make hubby clear it up. And with the company (family and friends), they are either there or I'm cleaning up before them or after them. Enough, I'm so sorry.

    The restaurant you went to looks like so much fun. I love eating waterside! The cool weather was really something. I love the pictures of the kitties. They are so neat with their antics and habits! Your purging looks like it is going well. I know a garage sale is a lot of work but you definitely had enough for one!! And finally, you are a very busy gal! I never realized how much you are on the go!

    I have a somewhat quiet week coming up and plan to get as much as I can get done tomorrow as I know I'll be indoors with the heatwave coming. We also have a break from the lake because of a party on Saturday. I will send you an email.

    Jane xxx

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  9. I just now saw this comment, Jane. I'm glad we're getting caught up with one another again. It's been a busy summer for both of us!

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  10. Hi Melanie! I just love your kitties - they have such personality!! Boy, do I need to follow suit and declutter! Enjoy what is left of the summer!
    Donna

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    1. I still have a lot more decluttering to do - it's a slow process!

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a kind comment - I read and appreciate each one!