Today is Thinking Out Loud at is best: a truly random sampling of what’s swirling around in my head. Little things that puzzle me. Bigger things like selling the home I grew up in. And Bandit, of course.
Can you get up off the floor?
Without using your hands? Supposedly this is a measure of how long you will live (relatively) — if you can’t do it, you are more likely to die sooner rather than later.
I consider myself to be a relatively fit person, and I can do it if I’m sitting cross legged, rock onto my knees, and then put one foot out. But if I try to go from sitting cross legged to kneeling without using my hands? Not happening.
Knotted hair ties
I don’t knot them into my hair, so seriously, why do they always seem to come off knotted?
Not to mention they’re as bad as my socks — always disappearing!
Saying goodbye to the childhood home
My parents are still not terribly happy in their senior living community — mostly it’s the loss of their independence. Which is understandable.
We have not wanted to take them to the house. Because it’s half furnished, half empty, and still has papers everywhere. Besides the fact that it’s depressing, we have been afraid they’d want to move back.
My brother was visiting this week and finally took them. Not only are they still on board with selling it, they didn’t even ask for the car. My Dad is not supposed to drive. Technically my Mom can, but she doesn’t really seem to want to.
This is good news, as it means they will stay where they are, and the house will no longer be such a drain on their finances. The bad news is getting it ready to show. I’ll miss running through Vassar College, too.
It’s a beautiful sight
My home, that is. No, it won’t pass the white glove test. And yes, there is still clutter aplenty. But it is cleaner and less cluttered after having people over twice in the last couple of months.
I am trying to keep it that way. Of course I know that pretty inevitably, at some point — like next week maybe, because I have jury duty (if there’s a trial — no trial vibes much appreciated) — I will get busy and all the little things I’m doing to try to keep it up will fall by the wayside.
Any bets on how long it takes before it reverts to its normal cluttered status?
Bandit update
No growling at Mr. Judy this week. Or Lola, or Gizmo. Some barking and a little growling at my running friends this weekend, but that’s to be expected.
What was unexpected was the nervous shedding. I’ve never seen him do that before. Not at Thanksgiving, not at the vet. I combed him and fur actually came off of him — he’s short haired and while he does shed, normally when I comb him there’s almost nothing that comes off.
He is mostly free in the house now. He’s crated at night and when I go out, but that’s it. I put him in the office when I shower, which he doesn’t seem to enjoy, but I figure it’s better than the crate. He’s got nice comfy beds in the office (even if I often find him laying on the floor when I come back down).
It’s like I have mom guilt, though — I feel bad for him. I’m also not ready for him to be completely free around Gizmo & Lola when I am not available to stop something, should the need arise. I also know it could happen in the blink of an eye, even if I’m right there, but we’re also a long way away from the days where he moved from one area with baby gates to another area with baby gates.
Talk to me. Tell me in the comments:
Is it just me, or are your ties always knotted?
Ever feel guilty about leaving the furkids (crated or not)?
How long does your home stay in good shape after a thorough cleaning?
I’m linking up with Amanda at Running with Spoons for her:
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Hmmm… I’ll have to try getting up off the floor with no hands. Never thought about that before. I always feel guilty when I leave the kids… they thrive on routine and I hate it when I have to throw them off. And good job getting the house in order. Mine never lasts for more than a month after… I guess it takes immense discipline to keep things in order at all times… either that, or you’re not doing anything else besides cleaning house. And let’s face it, there’s always going to be something that needs to be cleaned!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Which is exactly why I don’t like cleaning. At all.
I don’t have a routine, really, so it’s harder on them. OTOH, I am also home a lot . . . which means OTOH they can’t be left home alone for 8 hours!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I can get up off the floor without using my hands. Thanks to yoga! Now more than ever, I’m going to continue on this yoga journey. No need to hasten any decline.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I practice yoga regularly too . . . and maybe I’m missing something there. If I’m sitting cross legged on the floor, I can’t just unpretzel and get up — but if I shift onto my knees, no problem.
LikeLike
I cannot get off the floor without using my hands. I still think I am pretty fit and healthy. But we’ll see.
As far as clutter, if you get a cleaning lady, you will have no clutter. I want to make sure she cleans well. That can’t be done if you have anything on the floor, counter, tables, dresses, etc. That doesn’t mean I have no clutter, just no visible clutter. It’s in drawers, closets and I have a full basement full of clutter LOL.
Cats are easy. They have full range of the house, chairs, sofas, etc. I just wish they wouldn’t shed so much….
LikeLiked by 1 person
No basement. No plans for a cleaning lady. I’d rather not work (even if I don’t like cleaning).
LikeLike
I wouldn’t like cleaning even if I did work. I do like not having clutter. My hubby wanted a big basement and now I see why (he’s a hoarder LOL)
LikeLike
** did NOT work, I meant
LikeLike
Hmm that floor test is hit or miss. I tried it at night once and couldn’t do it..but just now I did- barely!! But I don’t know how fit I am. I lost all my abs 6 months ago when I had a baby and I haven’t been motivated enough to get them back. And I’m just tired!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t even imagine dealing with a baby. Puppies (or 8 year old puppies) are enough. But I can leave them without anyone arresting me!
You’ll get back to it when you’re ready. For now just hang in there!
LikeLike
Ok… I’m going to have to go see if I can get up like that. I’m not sure. I’ve slacked off on yoga over the holidays and everything is tight! lol!
My Grandparents are currently going through the same thing and it stinks!
LikeLike
I read the same article and laughed. According to it, I should be dead already. Then I read a lot of the comments and they agreed with me. Totally ridiculous. There are so many reasons why someone could not get up and down without using their knees or hands and these persons may already be doing yoga and other physical activities (back, knee, ankle issues, not flexible due to genetics, etc.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Actually, I’ve been seeing that advice for some time in multiple places — not just one article. I don’t deny or confirm it, it’s just a random thought. 🙂 Which is what Thursdays are about!
LikeLike
My hair is short enough that I don’t need hair ties. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to get up from the floor without using my hands. I guess I should already be dead.
LikeLiked by 1 person
With the amount of sleep you get . . . I still don’t know how you function!
LikeLike
You don’t know how bad I want to try the floor test thing, but I’m at work and in clear view of a few other people. I’ll probably do (try) it anyways – they already know that I’m nuts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the laugh of the day. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
For me it’s not so much about not finding my socks but about those dang holes. Holes for days! Why do they get holes so often? Sounds like everyday gets a bit easier for you and bandit. Hooray!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t get holes in my socks — isn’t that weird? Not until I’ve had them for a few years, anyway. I know lots of people do!
LikeLike