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You are here: Home / Archives for office

Air Quality, A/C, and the Office/Studio

July 1, 2023 at 8:27 am by Claudia

The air quality has improved but it’s still at the orange level – unhealthy for sensitive groups. Looks like tomorrow will be back to normal, including the rain that is coming. One or the other lately: dangerous air quality or lots of rain. Can I choose something in-between, please? Or don’t we get that option?

We got the air conditioner. I sighed as we spent money we really didn’t want to spend. This time I went with an LG because I didn’t want to go with the only other option, a GE that was the exact same model we just got rid of. That unit was a problem from the beginning. Since I’d done my research (including what store had it in stock) we drove there, walked in the store, put the box in our cart, went though self-checkout, and were out of there in less than 10 minutes. We came home, I put it together, and now it’s in the window working beautifully. After several days of coping with high temperatures and humidity, it felt so good to have the house cool again. And it’s quieter than the other one, as well.

An neater and cleaner desk. I have to sort through that pile of paperwork on the left.

Must. Get. Going. On. This. Project.

I moved Dove Cottage to the top of the music cabinet.

It’s hard to take pictures in here. Since it’s densely populated by all of my stuff, Don’s musical instruments, a chair, lots of surfaces, etc., I can only back up so many steps. And I have to torque my body to get into little corners.

Don has a gig today about a couple of hours north of here. We need money, he hasn’t worked in over 4 years, I’m not working, blah blah blah, so he wrangled some bookings this month. He hasn’t sung in public like this for a while. I hope it goes well. It involves a lot of driving – though Don likes that. I’ll have some time to myself but within a couple of hours, I’ll miss him. I’m currently wondering if I should try to mow a little today (with a mask on.) It may be my only opportunity for a few days as rain is on the way,

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: office, studio 20 Comments

Office/Studio: Done

June 30, 2023 at 8:26 am by Claudia

Smoke yesterday and today. I don’t know about tomorrow yet, but the air quality is ‘Unhealthy.’ We kept the windows cracked, but just barely. We’re going to go get an air conditioner today because it’s hot in this house and, of course, even hotter with the windows shut. We’re getting out there early today and we’ll wear masks.

Despite my out-of-whack sinuses and allergies – I mean, 3 days of rain, storms, high mold and mildew counts and then, immediately into an air quality warning and smoke – I somehow managed to finish working on the office. I cleared out the closet (a huge trash bag full of stuff), rearranged the shelf under the work table, cleaned off the desk, organized everything, found a better spot for my easel, etc. But it was hot up there and I had to take a break during the morning session because I felt a bit woozy.

I took a shower and turned on the heating pad. Much to my surprise, I went back at it later in the day and finished everything. There are still things to be sorted but it’s much better now. I finished it off by vacuuming the room. Now, Don says he’s inspired to clear off his desk. (Fingers crossed!) I’ve more puzzles to donate and some stuffed animals to donate to a charity.

I’ll take another pass at it in a few months.

Thought you might like to see the putz sheep again, since they were overseeing my work.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: office, studio 19 Comments

Sunday: The Sun has Come Back

January 8, 2023 at 9:22 am by Claudia

Proof.

I cleaned up the office yesterday and also dealt with the closet, which has everything under the sun in it, including our downstairs a/c unit. Lots of sorting, organizing, cleaning, and vacuuming. I also vacuumed and dusted both rooms on this floor. I tend to neglect them, as I’m usually downstairs. The closet will get an intense reorganization when the a/c unit returns to duty.

Since we share this space, I also dealt with plants, cameras, and empty boxes that need to be recycled. I’m always quite proud of myself when I do this as it’s so easy to turn it into a dumping ground. Don dealt with his desk a couple of weeks ago, so…for this moment in time…the room looks great. It’s a tiny space, shared by two tall people with lots of STUFF. We’re rarely up there at the same time, and we’re very amenable to vacating the space for the other person if necessary.

I’m still not quite ready to dive into renovating the Beacon Hill. I’m not sure why, but I have to trust that I’ll start in the near future. Last night, Don was looking at my very first oil painting and is now urging me to get back to painting. First of all, I have to deal with my coaching commitment, which starts in 3 days.

Day 8 of War and Peace  and I’m really enjoying it. Don’s copy arrived yesterday and he read Chapter 1. I spent some time this morning following the hashtag for the readalong and there are over 800 people doing this! I love that – such a sense of community, and it’s literally taking place all over the world. Some readers are sticking to a chapter a day, others are reading several chapters a day. I’m going to do that on Tuesday because I won’t have time to read chapters Wednesday – Saturday. It’s highly readable. Tolstoy is a brilliant writer.

The sun finally came out towards the end of the day yesterday and it’s already shining today. Thank goodness. It’s been so dreary around here and, as you know, I need sunlight. It’s colder now, the warm spell is over, but I’m fine with that.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

 

Filed Under: books, office, reading, warandpeacereadalong 20 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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