View Full Version : Fall Challenge
Last time some folks would have preferred a longer interval. How about three months, from the fall equinox to the winter solstice this time in December?
GeorgeParker
9-22-21, 2:34pm
It's now officially Fall in Texas. Low temp this morning was below 60. I had to wear a sweatshirt to bed last night for the first time since Spring, and I've kept it on all day to avoid being cold. Soon I won't be able to open my windows except maybe in the warmest part of the day, and far too soon I'll have to turn my furnace on.
I am not a happy camper!
3991
I am finding the 50's refreshing. To each their own I guess.
This fall I want to:
Paint - outside steps, inside stairs, touch up kitchen cabinets.
Cut down foliage in preparation for fall and - a tree.
Celebrate family birthdays - I have four in the fall and all but DS should be happy to celebrate with me. I can always hope he has a change of heart and make it four.
Attend all Board of Health meetings as I continue to fight the local mask mandate.
Meet up with a friend.
Do all my Christmas shopping.
Walk three times a week.
Teacher Terry
9-22-21, 6:05pm
George, that’s still AC weather:)).
GeorgeParker
9-22-21, 6:24pm
George, that’s still AC weather:)).For me 85-90 air temperature is comfortable with no breeze and lots of bare skin, and 90-100 is ok with a slight breeze if I'm not in direct sun. But in 80-85 degree air I have to put on at least pajama pants and a thick teeshirt. And below 80 I have to do the Mister Rodgers thing and put on a sweatshirt or sweater. That's the way it is for thin people who grew up in the south with no air conditioning. Our internal thermostat is set to be more heat tolerant then cold tolerant, and the older we get, the more our lack of natural fat insulation make us dislike being cold.
ETA: Since I've been decluttering and organizing for over a year in anticipation of moving to a different state in the near future. The only things on my current agenda are clearing up a few loose ends of organizing/simplifying, trimming bushes that have grown too much during the summer, and reading some library books that may not be available for free where I'm moving to. Nothing there I'd consider a challenge.
Ok - not a lot on my to-do list:
Touch up exterior paint
hang my husband's college rowing oar on the loft wall
make Christmas cards
DS's wedding weekend October 7-10
help DD paint her dresser
So far I painted the side steps and noticed the front steps need work as well which I hope to do tomorrow.
Cut back enough foliage to fill all my yard waste barrels. Once they are emptied the week after next I have more to do, or if I get ambitious may just cut down and pile it up in the yard until then.
Got one birthday gift and card.
Attended a Board of Health meeting, continue with research and outreach on my issue. I plan to go to a Libertarian event tomorrow and to walk there, my third walk of the week.
rosarugosa
10-2-21, 6:30am
I have some regular seasonal stuff to do:
Clean and store air conditioners and fans
Clean closet and rotate summer & winter clothes. I also have brought in 28 items this year and have only culled 21, so I need to cull at least 7 more items to reach the "break even" point, and ideally I would like more out than in.
Leaf cleanup and shred
There are lots of small seasonal things, and it's interesting to think that many of these tasks don't exist for those in warm-weather climates: put away hoses and turn off outside water, change storm door panels to screens, get out the snow shovels (which work their way to the back of the shed during the summer), put away the hammock, empty and wash outdoor plant containers, change bedding to flannel sheets and winter quilt.
I still need to stain the damned benches, but I have at least prepped them!
I would like to come up with a thing or two that are improvements rather than maintenance, that feel more like moving forward than staying in place, but I haven't quite decided on those yet.
Make last trip to parents' house and go through the whole house with knowledge this is my last chance.
Go visit my grandson.
Finish sanding and repainting side of the house.
Make a workable budget for two scenarios--this house and new house.
Complete accounting to house repairs etc on this house as will need to pay taxes on any profit if we sell it.
Decorate for Christmas.
Teach 4 classes.
Rosa, I think staining the benches is improvement rather than maintenance . I tend to put off all that winter prep until it is too cold! Always hoping maybe winter will forget this year.
Teacher Terry
10-2-21, 2:16pm
I used to have fall chores but now I have none other than bringing my plant inside for the winter.
happystuff
10-2-21, 3:31pm
I used to have fall chores but now I have none other than bringing my plant inside for the winter.
Having watched your move and settling in to the new place, I'm so happy for you... and jealous!!! LOL. It's nice to read about someone who has settled into their simple life. Thanks so much for sharing it all.
Cut the tree.
Walked three times this week.
Got a second birthday card and came up with a plan for another birthday.
Put me down as another one envious of your condo move, TeacherTerry.
frugal-one
10-2-21, 7:46pm
Count me in at 3. Must be nice to be settled!
Teacher Terry
10-3-21, 11:44am
Thanks guys! I love the outdoors to sit in. I have never enjoyed gardening, etc. The last time I was single I bought a condo with a patio. Outside space is a must.
rosarugosa
10-3-21, 5:44pm
I have some regular seasonal stuff to do:
Clean and store air conditioners and fans
Clean closet and rotate summer & winter clothes. I also have brought in 28 items this year and have only culled 21, so I need to cull at least 7 more items to reach the "break even" point, and ideally I would like more out than in.
Leaf cleanup and shred
There are lots of small seasonal things, and it's interesting to think that many of these tasks don't exist for those in warm-weather climates: put away hoses and turn off outside water, change storm door panels to screens, get out the snow shovels (which work their way to the back of the shed during the summer), put away the hammock, empty and wash outdoor plant containers, change bedding to flannel sheets and winter quilt.
I still need to stain the damned benches, but I have at least prepped them!
I would like to come up with a thing or two that are improvements rather than maintenance, that feel more like moving forward than staying in place, but I haven't quite decided on those yet.
I think I'll add Kondo the cupboard to the list.
Well, I touched up the exterior paint, but I'm not happy with the color. I need to get one shade darker in a flatter finish and maybe mix with the paint I bought. After the wedding.
mschrisgo2
10-4-21, 10:11pm
I finished cleaning up my succulents garden, and cleaned and put away extra pots, stored the tools and amendments neatly. I started this project in July, but it was just too hot this summer to finish. I did a little bit Saturday, the really pushed hard to completion today. (We finally have mornings in the low 80s).
Got the final birthday card, but still want to get a birthday banner and gift(s) for one person.
Walked four times.
Have two barrels of yard waste out and a few empty ones I can fill if I get ambitious tomorrow.
Painted the cabinets and the door sill and frame around the back steps.
The Fall to do list is:
Start the 2021 batch of vanilla extract
Pull out duvet and extra blankets
Pull out winter clothing
Clear out 3 boxes from the storage unit
Organize the fabric scrap bags (literally 2 Trader Joe's bags full of fabric scraps)
Distribute knitted hats, scarves, mittens, and socks to people who need them
Minimize snark at the Apartment building's annual meeting
Continue the book cull
Find the ice scraper
Probably other stuff I'm forgetting
rosarugosa
10-9-21, 5:58pm
"Minimize snark" - I like it!
The 2021 batch of vanilla extract is doing it's thing, I'm using the costco gluten free vodka I picked up for $12/bottle during vacation.
Still deciding how I want to organize scraps.
Cut down more plants in preparation for winter.
Met up with a friend.
rosarugosa
10-12-21, 5:31am
The benches and their companion tables are stained! DH and I worked on this together with our new paint sprayer, which cuts the actual painting time down incredibly. So glad to be able to check this one off the list!
happystuff
10-12-21, 8:38am
Nice, hana. I've never made my own vanilla, but have received some as a gift - wonderful stuff!
Congrats, rosa! I believe you had posted about procrastinating about that job. Glad you got it finished.
Touched up the paint in the hardware for the cabinets.
Attended another Board of Health meeting.
This weekend I expect to finish cutting down plants for winter.
ETA - Walked four times.
Here is my progress on my list:
Make last trip to parents' house and go through the whole house with knowledge this is my last chance.
Done
Go visit my grandson.
Done
Finish sanding and repainting side of the house.
Husband paid someone who did it, looks great
Make a workable budget for two scenarios--this house and new house.
not started
Complete accounting to house repairs etc on this house as will need to pay taxes on any profit if we sell it.
not started
There was more on there--am teaching four classes, so I guess I'm doing that one. It's too early to think much about Christmas and I won't do that until December, which is winter in my book.
Tybee it sounds like the harder stuff is done.
iris lilies
10-16-21, 12:23pm
"Minimize snark" - I like it!
Dont like it! Haha
Tybee it sounds like the harder stuff is done.
Yes, that is a good thing to realize, helps me.
The Fall to do list is:
Start the 2021 batch of vanilla extract done
Pull out duvet and extra blankets blankets pulled out, still too warm for the duvet
Pull out winter clothing still too warm
Clear out 3 boxes from the storage unit no
Organize the fabric scrap bags (literally 2 Trader Joe's bags full of fabric scraps) in analysis paralysis mode
Distribute knitted hats, scarves, mittens, and socks to people who need them too warm
Minimize snark at the Apartment building's annual meeting I tried, story below
Continue the book cull trying to find place that's currently accepting books
Find the ice scraper not in the coat closet where husband swears he put it, search continues
Probably other stuff I'm forgetting
Yesterday evening was the annual condo association meeting. I tend to snark my way through zoom meetings, and the office manager asked me to try to keep it down. Meeting day is her busiest day since she has to spend 12+ hours on site doing stuff, I like her and she asked nicely. The bulk of the snark was via text with my next door neighbor. She usually has to work, so I take notes for her. Her schedule changed, so I didn't have to take notes for her. They go over the usual stuff about maintenance and current repair work. Then it goes to the owners forum where people can complain about their neighbors I mean talk about their concerns.
Our condo is pretty much young professionals and working class immigrants, no one has the super expensive latest greatest thing. Now that a company with a name similar to a major river in South America is building offices here, we're getting gentrification. One person complained about the curtains, she finds older curtains and hand made ones with cartoon characters or sports teams unattractive and wants them removed. The property portfolio person (property manager's boss) wavered since everything she mentioned followed the must have curtains or blinds in the windows. I proposed in chat that she personally select, pay for, and install curtains in any unit where she finds the curtains or blinds not up to her standards. Portfolio manager promised to send the maintenance person to walk around the property and send a notice to any rule violations. I tried my best, but can't let someone taking offense to a child's bedroom with a cartoon princess curtains, or the guy who paid me to make his favorite sports team theme curtains be forced to get boring curtains to pacify one person.
Have her supply white or off-white liners for all the ones that offend her.
This reminds me of why I don't like congregate living in general, even though that's likely looming in my future.
So far I have walked every day this week.
Celebrated one birthday. Finished buying birthday gifts and bought Christmas gifts for two people.
Teacher Terry
10-21-21, 7:47pm
I have owned 3 condos and all had the rule that what shows to the outside is white or cream.
My blinds were brown. No complaints.
I suppose it varies.
iris lilies
10-21-21, 8:47pm
My condo where I dont even live yet has no rules on curtains. Windows must be brown. My unit has original windows and I do not plan to replace them, but hope to reglaze and refurbish within the next two years.
sweetana3
10-22-21, 5:42am
I like your proposal. The complainer should have to be the one to go around and explain it too. They just want "somebody else" to do it.
In NC, when the area gentrified, people started to complain (and it made the newspapers) about upholstered furniture seen on porches as they thought it was low class. Note this was previously rural property and often people were sitting and waving at passing cars.
We had a new condo owner complain to the neighborhood group about the "look" of the townhouse across the street. Note that we had no power and it was private property in the inner city. It was also owned by a City/County councilman.
In a certain retirement location in Florida, issues like this make the newspaper. The rules are so rigid and there are so many looking for infractions.
I can understand safety issues, rat issues, animal noise issues (police are called for screams), etc. But unless the "petty" rules are rigid and clear, anything else is eye rolling.
rosarugosa
10-22-21, 5:44am
Hana: I think under the circumstances that you showed admirable restraint if you were able to minimize snark. :)
As you noted on your list, it's been too warm to do a lot of the seasonal things just yet. I don't want to put away all the summer clothes and fans and such since we are still using them.
happystuff
10-22-21, 9:38am
The main reason we bought the house we are in now is because there is no HOA! I love hanging my clothes outside to dry. All the developments in the area have rules against that.
Teacher Terry
10-22-21, 12:25pm
I am on the board and their approach is reasonable. It’s not militant but your balcony can’t be used for storage.
TeacherTerry: I looked up the rules regarding curtains and it says all occupied units must have curtains or blinds in their windows. They must be clean, in good repair, and thick enough so people inside are not visible. The person who took offense was directed to the part of the bylaws where that describes the process to petition the board to consider her proposed rule change. We'll see if she feels strongly enough to go through the proper channels. Our board President elect is very fond of telling complainers to join the x committee and do something about it.
Our Condo HOA is only strict on parking since there's 11 fewer parking spaces than units. It's an older property from when people had fewer cars.
Teacher Terry
10-23-21, 2:26am
Hana, even if they changed the rule everyone living there now should be grandfathered in with the curtains they have if they match the present rules. So curtains would only need to be in compliance as people moved out. I find it silly to worry about something like that anyways.
Celebrated a second birthday. Pulled a muscle or something hiking so I won't be walking for exercise for the time being.
rosarugosa
10-24-21, 7:21am
Celebrated a second birthday. Pulled a muscle or something hiking so I won't be walking for exercise for the time being.
Hope you feel better soon!
rosarugosa
10-30-21, 6:57am
Fans and A/Cs have all been cleaned and put away for the season and the semi-annual closet cleanout is done.
We haven't had a frost yet, so I'm taking a very laid-back approach to end-of-season garden activities.
My leg is back to normal but I have only walked once this week as it was rainy or cold. I gave had two frosts this fall. I will try to walk indoors both today and tomorrow. Going out this weekend to look for more Christmas gifts and hopefully I don't run into too many supply chain issues.
Made some progress
Currently under Frost advisory so I pulled the duvet our of storage, not sure if I'll need it. Rather have it instead of being up all night shivering.
I also pulled a plastic bin of unknown stuff to sort.
Organized one of the scrap bags. Sorted scraps by size in to small, medium, and large. It's easier to start with size then grab the relevant color.
I met a social worker who is interested in giving the socks, hats, scarves, and mittens to her clients. I gave her my number and she will text to make arrangements.
Tonight I'll work on the second bag of scraps and the bin of unknown stuff, or finish the hat I'm knitting so I can add it to the rest for pick up.
Knew that half of my list was weather dependent, glad things are moving.
edit: heard from the social worker, she's picking up the knitted things tonight 11/3
Didn't walk last weekend other than around stores, but have two times this week and hope to this weekend. At a minimum I will rake leaves for some exercise.
Finished my Christmas shopping and attended another Board of Health meeting where I once again failed to get them to rescind the mask mandate.
iris lilies
11-6-21, 11:57am
I have two major steps to complete in fall gardening:
1) dig important lilies from my city garden
2) replant them in Hermann
Today I expect to complete most of Step 1. I need to get all of the “important” lilies in the ground to see how much space is left before digging more of them.
The challenge with lilies in Hermann is deer eat them. So, I have very limited space for lilium on our 1 acre, it is a lily bed specifically built for lilies by DH and it has a fence around it.
I’m hoping to sprinkle the less important lilies in the gardens around the house, and take my chances with deer eating only some of them. Three years ago I moved all of my dayliles (hemerocalis) very carefully. I have not seen one, not one, flower on those plants. The plants are still going strong but any flower they’ve put up is immediately chomped by deer. I did see a few lilium flowers this year, so they didn’t eat all of them.
I just made a commitment to chair the design division of the North American Lily Society show in Chicago next July.That means I have to drive to Chicago with a car full of lilies and design equipment. This plus other considerations caused me to not dig any lilies that are currently at our community garden, because those might be the ones I have to take to Chicago.
Close the storage. Deal with the veggies on the floor of the pantry (overflow). Continue with the stuff purge. Finish the cookbook.
Another update
Social worker picked up the knitted socks and winter gear. She says there's always a need and if I knit more she can pick up.
I pulled out a bin from the storage unit and the contents are either in the trash or with their new owners. My 2022 project is a t shirt quilt for myself so now the t shirts and fabric have a new temporary home.
Scraps are sorted by size and in their new home.
Found the ice scraper, it was in a suitcase. I'm sure it made sense at the time.
Still too warm for the winter clothing, probably won't need them until next month. The squirrels are actually storing acorns instead of throwing them at people so I think we might have an actual winter this year.
Adding sewing masks to the list, husband is going back to the office Dec 1, and his employer decreed everyone must wear plain boring masks in solid colors. 4 down 8 to go.
happystuff
11-10-21, 2:27pm
Found the ice scraper, it was in a suitcase. I'm sure it made sense at the time.
This made me laugh. Sounds like something I would do... for a good reason at the time!!! LOL.
Have walked twice this week already so I should get to three times. Started drafting New Year's resolutions for 2022 and one us to up this to four times per week.
I am planning on making my Christmas cards tomorrow.
rosarugosa
11-21-21, 9:15am
Update:
Clean and store air conditioners and fans - done
Clean closet and rotate summer & winter clothes. I also have brought in 28 items this year and have only culled 21, so I need to cull at least 7 more items to reach the "break even" point, and ideally I would like more out than in. - done, but only achieved break even point
Leaf cleanup and shred - in progress
There are lots of small seasonal things, and it's interesting to think that many of these tasks don't exist for those in warm-weather climates: put away hoses and turn off outside water, change storm door panels to screens, get out the snow shovels (which work their way to the back of the shed during the summer), put away the hammock, empty and wash outdoor plant containers, change bedding to flannel sheets and winter quilt. - hammock and bedding done
I still need to stain the damned benches, but I have at least prepped them! - done
Kondo the cupboard - done
Walked twice and plan to today as well.
Found another wall with uneven plaster I will try to patch and repaint as needed. Sanded yesterday.
Celebrating another birthday tomorrow.
happystuff
11-21-21, 10:41am
You've been busy, rr! Congrat!
Looking like the cold is here to stay, so I brought up the winter clothing bin from the storage unit. Clothing is folded and in the dressers. Thanksgiving weekend project will be sorting and washing summer clothes and placing them downstairs.
2 of 3 storage unit boxes empty and contents elsewhere
12 of 12 masks sewn and in a separate bag from the household masks
Usual places still not accepting books, giving away small lots on the Buy Nothing group.
rosarugosa
11-23-21, 4:26pm
Jeppy: Good for you with the walking. I feel like it benefits my head as well as my body.
Happy: Thanks!
Hana: Sounds like you've been busy too - good work!
Since my last update, I've finished the storm door panels and the outdoor container plants.
Walked four times this week and hung a Happy Birthday banner for DS who is still avoiding me. This is the first year I have not celebrated with him, but you can't force yourself on people.
My father after decades of hobbling around has agreed to see a doctor about knee surgery since he has no cartilage left. So sometimes people do change their minds about things.
Maybe some anti-vaxxers will as well.
iris lilies
11-28-21, 3:45pm
Maybe some anti-vaxxers will as well.
I am not counting on that for the stubborn non-vaxxer I live with!
Summer clothes now washed, folded, and put away for the winter. Pulled a third box from the storage unit and it's more books. Added them to the pile.
Small themed lots are gaining interest on the Buy Nothing group, wish I thought of it earlier.
I cleared my clothes closet. The tops- nothing else. I have a pile to hold for a season to see if I miss anything. It's arranged by color and sleeve length now...but may do some adjusting.
Attended another Board of Health meeting. Walked once and plan to each day this weekend to get to three times for the week. When it is cold out I walk inside the house.
rosarugosa
12-5-21, 7:39am
Have completed everything on my fall list except the leaf cleanup, shredding and spreading, and that is in progress.
I only walked once last week but overall I did okay on the fall challenge.
rosarugosa
12-21-21, 6:29pm
I only walked once last week but overall I did okay on the fall challenge.
I feel pretty good about the fall challenge as well. We still have more leaves to shred, but this is something that won't really be all done until spring.
The book cull is an ongoing project, managed to finish everything else. The fall challenge helped me get stuff done, even smaller chores I didn't post about here.
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