Triage Somewhat Successful

We started in fairly early on, under, and around the dining room table. I got rid of all the loose papers and recycled them. That took about 50 lbs off on the spot and filled an entire large wastebasket.

Next, I had Rebecca sort books from not-books. Elcie kept wanting to look at individual books and had a small snit when I told her she had to wait. Rebecca did a great job and there were fewer than I anticipated once they were neatly in two piles.

The glitch to my plan came with Elcie. She decided she wanted to keep them all so we found a container to hold them and trucked them into her room. After a few days, when she's not so crabby, we'll discuss them again (along with all the books on the bookshelves).

Rochelle took responsibility for the floor. I can see it once again. We still have a few things like their school notebooks to glance through but, for the most part, it's done.

After that we all went to what I call the "used bread store" and then for lunch. I caved on McDonald's I'm afraid. First time in months we've been there but it's almost next door to the bread store and of course they all know that. Rebecca decided on a fish sandwich like mine and was willing to give up the toy in the kid meal to get it. Elcie had chicken and Rochelle a cheesburger. All with fries. It was a reward they didn't expect although my original lunch plans did not include McDonald's. Once again moderation - an occasional french fry isn't going to hurt my slim, healthy kids.

Then a stop for ice and back home. It's still hot and I haven't had a lot of energy. The dining room was enough for one day. Even with them doing a lot of the work, I was helping and supervising.

And now it's just past two. Ray has fallen asleep with X-Files (they're fighting witches, I think). I'll wake him before he gets a crick in his neck. Not necessary he just woke long enough to fall into bed. The 2nd episode just came on and I'm trying to ignore it so I don't get hooked into watching it. No more witches; this one involves voodoo.

Strange thing about the X-Files. I didn't like it (or thought I wouldn't) when it was new. Now that Ray's watching it in syndication, I've been paying a little more attention. Of course it's all new to me.

Thanks to all for the suggestions about our extra books. Once I pry some of them away from Elcie I'll follow up. Of course there's always Goodwill or the Salvation Army. I'll dump and run. I'd rather make it a little more personal though. I see books at the Sally that have been there so long they're gathering moss. Even at $.25 each or less, no takers.

Mollie, I think I emailed you the baseball score. 14-3 Giants. Barry has 716.

Tomorrow, I'll try for coffee with my friend and then get some business errands run and turn in our absentee ballots right under the wire. There is one race here that even now, I haven't made up my mind. It's become uglier as the campaign winds down which is discouraging. I may go eeny, meeny or I may decide a plague on both their houses. It's just the Primary.

Maybe I'll have a little more energy just from not having to face the dining room tomorrow as soon as I wake up.

Good night all.