How to efficiently get your errands done

Thankfully, my arms are feeling much better. I have learned that I should have moved my arms around after the injections and during the day to help with discomfort. The doctor should have mentioned it, but while he gave me all kinds of advice, that was not one of them! I'll survive. 

I'll see what I can do about getting the Hep A & B and typhoid shots before I leave. It will be tight as there isn't a lot of time, and I have other things on the go! I know - my health is more important; it's just that I'm away again for a couple of days. I know -- I told you, July became a silly month. 

I ordered my pants and my collapsible water bottles. It's so weird - I had to pay $28 to ship the pants, but nothing for shipping the shoes or my water bottles. Why is that? Oh well, I need the pants, and it would likely cost me more than $28 to physically go to the store, pay for parking, and gas, so I'm not worrying about it. Let's hope the pants fit! 

I opened up my shoes - OH MY!!! They have a new lacing system. NO -- they are not power lacing shoes, but simply the ends are attached together. You have enough room to loosen the slider on the end, insert your foot, and then move the slider up to tighten. Hmmm --- I like that idea as I've never been a fan of laces. Sometimes, they are too long, and often they come undone. I'll be testing the shoes out this morning, and let's see what happens. Actually, those "shoes" are hiking shoes. They have a higher ankle than I'm used to, and well, we'll see how that goes. You know me and change! It's called Quick-Toggle! 

Sliding lace system on my new shoes

I forgot to check if they use the top holes for the heel-lock lacing technique, as that is important for two days of downhill! I laughed when I checked the fitness requirements for this hike. They recommend a decent level of fitness, but you don't need to be an athlete. However, they emphasize that you should be able to walk 6-8 hours uphill in one day. Oh yippeee!!!!

There were a few things I needed to get locally, and I needed to take the car. I want to clear out my Pony Express area as best as possible, and I had items to drop off at the recycling center, so I loaded a bunch of stuff into the car. 

Look at this. Nothing is on the ledge by the front door - except my glasses, which stay there so I can find them easily. 

The ledge is clear!

This is the small pile prepped for the upcoming retreat. SHHHH - don't tell anyone!!! I got very retreat-happy this year. Trust me, that won't happen next year! I haven't added my project bags yet; they are still downstairs. 

Stuff to take to the quilt retreat

And this is the actual Pony Express staging area. It's practically bare! All the quilts on the right belong to one person, and I'm waiting for her to pick them up. That will leave that small pile on the left, which I'm happy to "store" until pick-up can be arranged. One thing needs to be sent in the mail, which I can do this weekend. 

The staging area for the Pony Express

I accumulate things until I have enough to make it worthwhile. I have errands to the north and errands to the south of the house. Yesterday was an errand day to the north! DH - just willy nilly does stuff. I told him to let me know and I could add his errands to my list. Men --- mostly inefficient with their time. 

I made it to the recycling depot and dropped off metal bits, electronic waste, and hazardous household items. No charge for any of those items. Most people would have thrown them in the garbage, but I put them in boxes and drop them off periodically. 

Then the next stop on the circuit was to drop off the old modem. 

I had to stop by the hardware store to pick up some spray for our boxwoods, but didn't find what I was looking for at the first hardware store. But I found something else I didn't know I needed (picture tomorrow) and a fan since our other one bit the dust. 

Before I got to the last shopping mall, I stopped at a friend's to drop off some boxes from the Pony Express. She has these lovely planters in her front yard. I grabbed a picture. They are beautiful and have covers for the winter! There is a lovely crop of tomatoes growing in them. Hmmm -- I could grow some veggies in planters like that! 

Beatufiul planters

On to the last mall, and I still didn't find what I wanted. Well, I found the chemical, but not in the spray bottle format. However, this store had the concentrate and genetic spray bottles right beside each other, so I could make my own spray with the concentrate. That is product placement for you! I MUST do that later today so we don't lose the boxwoods. 

And then the last stop was to the UPS store to drop off some shredding. Hmmmm --- there seems to be an issue here. Actually, when I was at the recycling depot, they will be hosting a FREE paper shredding day on September 20, for anyone in the neighborhood. I checked my calendar and I won't be available that day, so I decided to pay for the shredding. 

When I was in Saskatchewan, I dropped off 45 lbs of paper (they weigh it) and I paid $75 to have those 45 pounds shredded. That was at Staples, and they charge $1.49 per pound. Now that I think about how much I took yesterday, was it in fact 45 pounds I dropped off? Anyway --- it's done. 

The 25 pounds I dropped off at UPS cost me $27.59. YES!!!!! They charge $1 per pound!!!!! Sadly, my parents don't have a choice, and they don't usually have a lot. I was clearing out some old papers, but I might look for a different service next time I'm in town. I just wonder if it was actually 45 pounds!!! That's a lot of paper, and it was about the same size as what I took yesterday. I might have been ripped off! 

Loading the bin with paper

But here's an interesting thought. BOTH places said they would be happy to put the paper into the bin for me. Why? I wouldn't be shredding it if I didn't care. And, although I have no reason to not trust these people, I know that it's put in the bin immediately instead of waiting until they have time. It just seems silly, or is that just me? 

Anyway, the runaround errands are done for a while. I have a few things to take care of at the big mall today, including getting those shots and placing one order at my favorite store for some items I can't find anywhere else. I have the order open, and as I think of things, I add them to the cart. Some are for the trip, some are not. I almost have everything organized for this trip, and NONE of it has to do with the itinerary! Insurance, shots, electrical stuff, and backpacks. Guess who gets to take care of that? Well, it's the more interesting thing anyway. Do not get me wrong on that — it's just that I want to figure out what to do when I get there. However, those ETAs (Electronic Travel Authorizations) for the country being visited require otherwise. All is good! 

OMG — I just wrote ETA, and when I let Grammarly fix the spelling on the verbiage after it, it added in the words 'Electronic Travel Authorization'! That's creepy! 

Can you tell me how comfortable this is? 

Mom - just  hanging out

I swear that Murphy only plays with those blankets when I'm around because she knows that I'll wrap that ball all up again for her. This time, she actually retrieved the ball and not just the toy I put it in. Silly girl!!!!!

MOM - I'm good - I got the ball!

And it was another beautiful evening, so Murphy and I sat on the front step. We got to see Crosby as he was going for his evening walk. And we saw Murphy (a chocolate lab), but she didn't get to talk to him. However, she had a good visit with Crosby and, of course, was thrilled. Why can't she meet another dog without barking her head off? Because she's excited and can't help herself. The life of a golden retriever! She was attached to her leash in case you think I trust her out there by herself! 

MOM - I'm watching the neighborhood go by!

I also managed some writing and will be able to finish off the last writing assignment very quickly this morning. All I can say is the amount of learning that is happening is incredible. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue learning and for being good at it. I'm also happy to make mistakes, because otherwise I wouldn't get anything done! I'll be sharing that learning experience with you later this week. 

It was interesting as I was chatting with some people earlier in the day. How are you? My response was "I'm learning so much, and having fun." Someone else was asked the same questions, and their response was a string of complaints. Oh my --- I'm glad my glass is half full! 

Then it's on to the final writing assignment for the summer. I took on a couple of extra projects, but I've already started working on this one a couple of weeks ago. 

Don't forget that I will be the featured quilter at the Buckhorn Quilt show on September 5 and 6. I have so much to share with everyone, but I also have tons to get done before that show and I'm away a lot! Well, if the quilt tops aren't quilted, it will be OK. I'll do what I can. However, I really need to get all of the embroidery machines in my house working full-time, as there is much to stitch! 

We have a Virtual Retreat tonight! 

Saturday, July 26 - Starts at 6 PM

Elaine Theriault is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82693702241?pwd=QpQkm8Ppppy1XwCPOqva1bcgJCWKdP.1

Meeting ID: 826 9370 2241
Passcode: 795071

Sunday, July 27 --- STARTS at 3 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81073536036?pwd=uxRqMnK1aSKrmrcSO78w8QQs5g44eA.1

Meeting ID: 810 7353 6036
Passcode: 596838

And that's a wrap for today!!!!

Have a super day, and hopefully we'll see you tonight. Stop by and say hi - you don't have to stay long.

Ciao!!!