Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jul 11 - 05:42 PM

I need to go ahead and move the furniture in my bedroom, set the furniture in a way so my the path through to the closet and bathroom is a little shorter (and I won't have my back to the door. I've been slow to move things, but that is why I'll do it.)

I've realized I can rewire the cat-5 phone line from the central wiring hall location where both my phone and data hubs are, to the kitchen wall and make it a data port instead of a phone line. I'll put the old computer there and use the hdmi port on the back of it to run to the 21" tv I mounted on the wall a couple of years ago. I can bring up recipes right there when I'm cooking, search answers, OR, stream NetFlix while I work. I already can in the living room with the bluray player, but when I am working in the kitchen it's kind of out of the way to try to watch anything playing in the living room.

With Google+ getting me looking more that the networking and chat end of things, I picked up a headset and I already have a web cam, so find me on Google and maybe we can chat virtually one of these evenings, if you have a web cam or at least a microphone set up.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Jul 11 - 05:16 PM

60 minutes pool today

PT sched is MWF at PT and Tu/Th at regular pool. Nabbed some new baselines today and otherwise followed instructions. Ended up teaching a newbie who was getting herself in trouble-- gotta bring those laminated binders in, so newbies can learn on their own cuz I am not teaching now. I get to be the patient until the current injury is healed.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Jul 11 - 04:24 PM

Thank you for all the anniversary wishes!! We certainly had a wonderful day together!!! I hope that you, Maeve, also spent a beautiful wonderful day with your True Love!!!!!

Today I have been working in our bedroom which, if I am truthful, has become a haven of clean, folded clothing. And our closet? That's just scary. So...today I have gone through a lot of clothes (mostly his) that are never worn or don't fit and have bagged them up. I did put a few of my own in too but to be fair, I sort out my stuff far more often than his (I keep hoping HE will do it but frankly, it's just not that important to him and he has tons of other stuff to tend to). The thing I am most proud of myself about today is that I have sorted through all of my chemo hats. I had two drawers full of them and I have picked out my favorites to keep. I don't have to wear them for their original purpose anymore but they are still wonderful fall hats to keep me warm!!! So....Maeve, Jacqui, Sandra and Allison....all of your hats will be staying. I can't bear to part with the ones that I know were so lovingly made especially for me and besides that, they are BEAUTIFUL and I love them!!! However, I have all kinds of hats from the ACS too, most of those were never worn. I will take them to a local support group next week and see if they can pass them on. Sorting through the hats that initially brought lots of tears was very empowering for me today. Very. In the event that I should ever have to go for more treatments, I know I have about 12 hats that I love, that are comfortable and make me feel good!!!! They are all, by the way, handmade. I kept my favorite sleeping cap too...it's amazing how cold my head used to get at night.

Gotta go...more soon!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: maeve
Date: 14 Jul 11 - 02:25 PM

Thanks for the anniversary wishes, and warm applause for Michelle's own anniversary.

I have been decluttering apple tree borers in a search and destroy mission capped off by painting the lower trunks of all of the young trees.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jul 11 - 01:59 PM

I posted last night, but I guess it didn't stick! Happy anniversary, those of you celebrating them!

Can't report anything useful so far today. Been doing some reading, and hunting down a print shop now that the university one has closed. I'm so sad to see those folks go their separate ways - I've worked with them for 15 years on my library print projects.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Jul 11 - 09:08 AM

How wonderful to see you all healthy, happy and hairy!
Thanks for sharing, Michelle.
SINS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Jul 11 - 01:25 AM

Happy Anniversary, Michelle and Pete!

Neat teaser and love the picture. Your hair really did grow in curly!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 10:40 PM

Happy Anniversary Maeve!!!

We celebrated our 19th anniversary today!!!

We kept it low key today (relaxing at the book store and out for dinner).

Big plans happening for us this weekend!!! YAYAYA

I hope you did something to celebrate that made your heart smile!!

XOXOXO

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 10:05 PM

I am lucky enough to have a state job with full benefits..but only 6 hours a day..so I won't leave until I have to. If I had more energy I would do a job search but I really don't so unless osmething falls in my lap I will stay here for a couple of more years...mg

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 09:40 PM

Ok...only a partial link. They didn't print the entire story online but rather used it as a teaser....but still, you get the idea. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 09:33 PM

Thought you guys might like to see this:



Interview at Relay For Life

Night.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 08:21 PM

There have been times over the years when the kids were either not feeling great, or just out of sorts, and even when they grew big, sometimes the suggestion that made a big difference was if I offered to run them a bath. The prospect of relaxing in the water soothes so many things.

I'm going to move my truck out of the garage while the dogs are in the house. That way I don't have one or all wandering out the opening when I can't grab them if they wander. My two have the collars, but the lab doesn't. I have to run to Home Depot for carriage bolts to finish my potting table project, and to buy my winning (I wish) lotto ticket. $2 a week, and I've started buying a multi-day ticket (can buy up to 10 drawings at a time) to save the trip to the store to get the next one. I have a long list, if I ever win the lotto. If I don't, it'll take a little longer. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 08:14 PM

Good job, all round, SRS!

I worked on my website a bit, added a blog about WindWords, but I am going to move it, soon, off-site where it will be a lot easier to get to, invite comments, etc.

Morgan came over and helped me take out the trash, pick up a bit, AND scrub the tub. we put in the new rubberised mat, he inflated the pillow and attached it to the tub, then was over the moon when I asked if he wanted a luxurious soak in mineral salts with the pillow, etc. He'd forgotten how he loved to take baths over here when he lived here and even after when he was younger. Pretty fun and funny. It looks so nice and fresh and clean, too.

I get my new and improved Birks tomorrow morning. Can hardly wait!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 08:01 PM

mg, what keeps you there? Sounds like relocating to someplace with more services would be a healthy option. PM is down now, so don't answer that if it's too personal.

maeve, good to hear that the basement floor is finally in place. What a delight it will be next winter to be indoors with all of the comforts.

My washing machine is set with a small load (they're mostly small, since it's just me here right now), and one feature I love about this one is that it has up to 9 hours timed delay. I realized that it would run during the hottest time of day, so instead I set the timer and it will run late in the evening. Without a timer, I'd probably forget altogether.

Kitchen looking much better, jars of peaches are beautiful. Dogs all over the house are cute and sleeping comfortably. My ex was over so I handed over a couple of jars of peaches (the ones that didn't seal will still keep for several weeks, but I doubt they last out the week), a jar of strawberry jelly, and the first cantaloupe off of my vine in the garden. He seems to be eating a lot of melon this summer - his dad cuts up one in the evening and when he gets up in the morning the containers are empty. I told him it sounds like the reverse of the Shoemaker's Elves.

Kat, I finished that online editing this afternoon. Found a couple of other characters I'd missed.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 07:35 PM

What Sins said! How wonderful to hear the floor in poured. Hope you have a wonderful anniversary!

MariGold, hope your floor is done, too! Your decluttering has inspired me.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 07:18 PM

Happy Anniversary, Maeve and True Love. Enjoy your floor.
Love,
Mary

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: maeve
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 07:05 PM

Sins- On our daylight basement floor we have two inches of rigid foam insulation with spray foam in nooks and crannies, covered by the vapor barrier, topped with four inches of still warm concrete...at last!

Thanks for the offered threat/visit.

Today we played hookey...14th anniversary.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 05:13 PM

I would love to have access to a pool and a personal trainer and pilates and a roller skating rink and a good gym where no one sweats. I had most of the above when I worked at the University of Washington...if I get a car here again I can get to a pool in the evening which owuld be nice and I do have a total gym but it is missing a cable which I can't seem to find online to replace.    There was a little gym when I lived in Vancouver WA that had everything except the roller skating...great classes in yoga, Irish step dancing..you name it. I actually am quite good when I have the right resources in place, which obviously I do not at the present time..I walk a fair amount but that is it. mg

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 02:09 PM

Since spiritual health is also something for which I am accountable (and which has been made part of a treatment plan with my internist), I'll be posting on that, in these threads, as well.

My initial mutual interview with my new priest has just been completed. She will be following up on the referrals the internist requested for people that I can see for the "heavy lifting" of PTSD in monthly or semimonthly visits to her, and to them. We talked in depth about discerning spiritual attack, and dealing with it. Also family systems paradigms currently applicable and how to enlarge common ground using family systems metaphors. One that covered a LOT of ground was: re-balancing a load of dirty towels to get a batch of clean towels out of the washer without tearing up the water lines in the process. We also touched on mutual friends from HS days (we attended the same HS but had never met back then), and "Life in the Fishbowl" which is pretty much the same in any ordained person's neck of the woods. We set up some interim stuff to carry us thru vacay, and made a plan for post-vacay/continuing work.... she affirmed everything I am doing and declined to bring anything to my attention for confession.

The nightmares and projectile pooping have stopped. (The bedtime prayers have resumed.)

Now, on to the day's long-awaited PT. The facility has great equipment and a nice, tiny warm-pool with a TREADMILL. I am asking to go faster, and they are telling me to go slower; we meet in the middle. Their aquatic PT-ist is PT first and aquatics second, so she is teaching me some great muscle-isolating stuff I'd never had a chance to learn-- and I am orienting her to the local aquatics scene and some Extreme Aquajogging stuff I used to teach. It's a good fit and a good partnership. I hurt now, just enough, so that I know her slowdowns were correct-- she DID find places I had not known I had, LOL-- but not so much that I think we'll be that slow in two days. My schedule opened up so that a workout I had thought I would miss is now scheduled into the plan. And I can still pack a pool bag and get there on time. And, LOL, the money? They don't want any yet. I have plenty of time to marshal resources to get the benefit of this precious time.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 01:29 PM

Interesting comments in that link, SRS. I esp. liked the one about the couple who "de-accumulate."

Our house has really been bugging me lately; everywhere I look I see clutter and things we just don't use, esp. books (again!) We have whittled them down to about 4-5 8' length shelves of favs., but they just sit there. Part of me wants to give them ALL away and clear off the walls, etc. of everything! I hope Rog will take a week off before Fall, so we can do some of it without going overboard. I do feel it is hanging over us and pulls us down...all the stuff. We're not hoarders, but I am the family archivist and used to collect things. just thinking out loud.

Tomorrow I get my orthotic-ised Birks back! Hand therapy is bringing results and I hope to get back to my 3Xs per week rehab exercise classes next week.

Our bathtub is narrowish. I felt claustrophobic in it years ago and then, after surgery, was so out of shape I was afraid I've never be able to get up out of it, so it's been showers for me, for a long time. Well, I am feeling more fit, still losing weight and have been getting intuitive messages that my bod wants a good long soak in the tub! So, I've bought a new bathmat, new towel - a really luxurious Egyptian cotton one, a blow up bath pillow, and my fav. bath salts. When Rog is home, I am going to do a "dry run" with the tub empty, clothes on and see how I do. When I broke my foot, Rog put a special handle on the edge of the tub and we left it there as it is handy for grasping when getting in and out for a shower. I think it will be helpful, too, for bathing.

I have been working on getting WindWords up and available on Amazon. Thanks to WillFly, for getting my cover art formatted correctly. They mailed out my proof yesterday, so am excited to see how it turned out. It will officially be a second edition, though I didn't change that info in the interior because it was a pdf with no editing allowed. But, my current info: website, etc., will be listed on my "page" so that'll be all right. I think this experience will help me get Prairie Child ready, more easily, then it's on to the other three novels! I will be starting a blog about WW-2nd edition as they recommend that as essential for marketing.

I am mailing out two books, today and am going to make a pile with Morgan of other stuff which needs to get donated, etc. Just little things, but it will help.

I am even toying with the idea of emptying our dishes cupboard. We use paper plates, bowls and cups; hardly ever use any real dishes save for holidays and there's a lot of clutter in there.

My friend and her mum are clearing out her aunt's apt. She passed away recently at 98 or 99, can't remember. She lived in her condo for 70 years! It was a mess, but they are finding treasures amongst all of the detritus of a semi-hoarder's life.

kat

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 12:19 PM

The second hour of the Diane Rehm show today talked about hoarding. "Most hoarders know their houses look different than everyone else's" they said.

They make a distinction - your garage, basement, barn might be full, but if your living area is clear, you're probably not a hoarder. As someone trying to clear out those storage spaces, I know my house doesn't look like the neighbors, but I also know I'm the only non-retiree in the block and I'm gradually making all of the rooms look better.

I finished the peaches this morning. I must have had a bad batch of lids - I had four jars not seal. I called Dean to ask if he'd ever heard of that, and he answered in the affirmative. I'll keep an eye on these, to make sure the rest stay sealed. When I put away all of the huge pots and bowls and buckets and such for canning the kitchen looks great again.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 12:10 PM

I don't know how that blank post happened. However, I had forgotten to say I have had my first carrot, beautifully shaped and a good size. No sign of forking from the compost at all.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 10:44 AM

Off to first PT working-session. It's going to be GREAT! Starting NSAIDs now, preventively.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 09:15 AM

Maeve,
Are you floored yet?
Or do I need to come up and have a word with your contractor?
SINS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 07:15 AM

I, too am at the insulated floor stage!
The plumber is here, raising the stop-tap for the water supply, and running heating pipes through to the annexe radiator. The house drainage pipes are in the trenches where they will sit under the floor, but the building inspector has to approve them later today. Sand is being laid on what bits they can at the moment, and the insulation is being cut to size. The concrete comes tomorrow, and the archaeologist should make his last visit tomorrow afternoon, when they dig the last drain trench on the yard.

I'm heading off to sit in a tent on the Galloway coast tomorrow sometime, (it's that time of year again), and will be gone for about 10 days - should be a hell of a surprise when I get back!

Once the job is (eventually) finished, and I see exactly what space I do have, the de-cluttering will start again!

Andrea

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Jul 11 - 03:38 PM

PS oh and last night we discovered that the new scooter can go thru SAND to the BEACH.

~S~

Subject: PT begins
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Jul 11 - 03:37 PM

GREAT PT/OT intake ydy with sports-focus dudes and dudettes. I was thrilled to see a good friend-- our landlords' youngest son-- interning there (he plans a PT college career starting in the fall).

I was welcomed as a fitness colleague who has fallen on hard times (and my recently injured butt), and treatment was planned accordingly. Their therapy pool will be a tad warm-- I'll have to add an icepak to my head to do it-- but they plan to work me ALMOST as hard as I have always worked myself in the pool. They will manage the pace as well as send us off on vacay with exercises paced to continue.

I left them drooling over the water-proofed aquatic notebook full of handouts I use in the water, with the laminated exercise cards. Their aquatic therapist is already familiar with one of the programs I have used and taught, so they prescribed THAT (at my option) for the "yer gonna be purty sore" off days-- not the weight-lifting I had expected, just yet.

Now I just have to get this funded.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Jul 11 - 01:01 PM

Don't you love it [Not!] when the insurance companies practice medicine without a license, subjecting patients and doctors to their rules?

Finished a couple of things I've been pushing to the back burner for far too long. It's not just the projects, it's the whole change they represent.

Canning this evening. Stickiness everywhere after that, I'm sure!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Jul 11 - 12:45 PM

I did some clearing of the kitchen table (our catch-all), gathered up my Relay gear into one place with the hopes of storing it all together in a plastic bin (if I ever get myself to the store), laundry folded and waiting to go upstairs, giant laundry rack put away as it's nice and I can hang stuff outside, lots of playtime, vacuumed the rug, swept the kitchen floor, did dust bunny vacuuming around the edges of the living room, hallway and bathroom and soon I hope to get through some paperwork. I also made several business calls this morning. My mail ordered (required by insurance) insulin has hit a snafu and is not here.   I am down to my last flex pen of one of the kinds I take and it will run out by tonight. I sure hope everything is straightened out and here by tomorrow. I'll wait until tomorrow to pick up leftover yard sale stuff as I need to go that direction then anyway, why make two trips if I don't have to?

Anyway, it's been a productive day so far. Plenty left to do.

Have a great day everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Jul 11 - 09:47 AM

Michelle,

That's how you have to do it - I started canning at the side of my friend Dean, helping him and observing the steps, listening to the cautions as he worked. I still call occasionally to ask for reminders of things I did last year but have forgotten in the meantime. You'll have a great time once you get that up and running! Sauces with meat, for example. Canned chicken (Dean makes that and it becomes an ingredient for many other dishes during the year), etc. He cans hot peppers, all sorts of good stuff that when it is in season can be purchased in bulk.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Jul 11 - 09:17 AM

SRS,

   I've never used a pressure canner before but I have friends in the area who have and are willing to spend some time showing me how it all works so I don't blow anything up...LOL.
   Our steer will go to the butcher soon and we are interested in finding ways to preserve our food instead of just the freezer. I'm looking forward to it!!! I know canning is a lot of work but it's SO worth it!!! :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Jul 11 - 09:01 AM

What a luxury to have a pressure canner! You can do so many more things that a water bath isn't enough for. My friend Dean thought his was missing, but it turned up in a corner of the garage - hug sigh of relief!

Humid here today, but no real chance of rain till the weekend. I'll sound like a broken record player this summer - I'm tired of the heat!

Zeke is going to come down tonight and spend the night with us because his family are headed out of town for a long day away tomorrow. Now that we've got the pattern established, he can come and go here and my dogs will be happy to see him, and it's much easier than their trying to keep him comfortable while they're at a hospital setting (chemo checkup).

My kitchen looks better, now to attack the sun room. But first, work for work.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 12 Jul 11 - 05:05 AM

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 11:20 PM

I had always wanted a lava lamp as a kid and was never allowed to have one. So of course, I want Jeremiah to have one! I guess I just didn't know quite how they worked (the wax that is) and that was part of the intrique for me!!

I was looking at getting a few more cases of wide mouth canning jars today too..must be the day for it! I'm not sure what I'm going to be canning this year other than tomato sauce, pears and apple sauce. I think I'll be making more of Pete's favorite relish and my dilly green beans. Then there's the new pressure canner to contend with but I won't be needing that until this fall. We have peach trees this year that are full for the first time ever so I imagine we'll be canning some of those too!

Night everybody!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 11:01 PM

Well, he's too young for this, yet, but there is a kids' science experiment in which one can make a benign LAVA LAMP, though it won't be lighting up any rooms.:-)

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 10:36 PM

Found a case of pint jars, no trip to the store needed. I'm waiting till morning for the canning because I have to finish some computer work this evening.

Trouble with lava lamps is that the thing that moves is wax and the bulb underneath must get hot to heat the liquid so the wax is less viscous and will float and bounce. I love looking at them, but not for a curious kiddo! Good move, taking it out.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 08:45 PM

Penny,

    The yard sale I am involved with includes several families. Every year we get together at a friend's very large garage and sell our stuff. It seems that every year each family has something to get rid of. This year I sold mostly baby things. I had more to take over but got swamped with last minute Relay For Life things that were more important. I still have a rocking chair, a hoppy/activity center, a few boxes of baby clothes and odds and ends from around the house. One thing I REALLY want to get rid of is a lava lamp that I had purchased for Jeremiah as a night light. It's blues and greens but gets very hot after about 15 minutes. Our group yard sale typically runs from early Friday morning until 4:00pm and the same thing happens again the next day. We typically make an event of it with a lunch where everybody brings a dish to pass. We all hang out in our yard chairs and visit while folks shop. This year I had to miss that because it was the only weekend everybody else could go (I had the Relay For Life). They were kind enough to let me put my stuff in the sale anyway. So what happens now is that I will go pick up anything that is left and my mom and I will have a yard sale in few weeks to try and unload any leftover stuff (or more that we find in our homes). Leftover stuff from THAT sale will go to a local consignment shop or sometimes my church. Dates won't coincide for the church yard sale this year so the consignment it is for this year!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 07:28 PM

Thanks all.

I'm doing a sort of slow motion garage sale as I move things on eBay. Sitting in the yard in the heat is not an easy job, even if you have shade. It is fun to see the neighbors if they stop by, that's one good thing about them.

Five parcels were handed over to the mail carrier this afternoon, and it averaged about $10 per item on eBay, so it is a slow moving garage sale, but I've made that little sitting in the yard all day sometimes.

I moved a small table out of the kitchen after relocating the microwave to the wire shelves that I put in there last week. It looks good there and with the table gone you can see some of the wall around the room. I also took down some ceramic fish shapes that added to the very busy look of the kitchen. Not sure if I'll find another place for them, or sell them. They're attractive.

One of my jars of peaches from last night didn't seal. I'll just have to eat them this week. I have a lot more peaches to do, but I've sorted out the pots so I can do more, though I think I need to run to the store for more pint jars. I may put some of them in jelly jars for single servings.

My boss's first grandchild was born yesterday. I put one of the photos he sent with him holding the baby (I used first name only - far be it from me to start splashing info about a newborn in such a public way!) on the library facebook page. Lots of "likes" of a photo where you see a man falling instantly in love with the tiny person in his arms. :) I've been smiling about that all day!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 06:27 PM

I am still mid-yard sale with boxes packed all over the place and still not completely unpacked in the kitchen. Great excuse to keep people away during the hot months. I hate this sticky weather.

Bit by bit the clutter is disappearing. Some day...

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: maeve
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 05:06 PM

Yes, good point- yard sales can be organized together with other people or by an organization. In that case, participating sellers may have to set up somewhere away from their own yards.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 04:58 PM

Well, that's what I thought, but some of the reports here suggested that the sales were away from home, which got me puzzled.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: maeve
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 04:42 PM

It's all pretty much the same, Penny. A yard sale is set up in the yard of a house, a garage sale is in and around the garage, etc.

I went to a good little boot sale in Edinburgh once; got some of my favorite treasures...gone now.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 04:36 PM

Might seem silly, but what exactly is a yard sale? I know garage sale - not often done over here, but known. And boot sale, which starts appallingly early on a Sunday morning in a field wherfe people turn up in their cars with stuff, and others hope to get things much too cheaply.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 03:21 PM

We are working on re-doing our front porch. We had plans of putting on an entirely new roof. So, today 3/4 of the porch was emptied and the floor scrubbed down. The rest will go tonight when its cooler or in the morning. Upon closer inspection, we will be patching up the spots that need it most and having a new roof put on next spring. As with many of the things in the old farmhouse, things wer done backwards....maybe they didn't have the knowledge or maybe they ran out of cash and did what they could to make do. Either way, we have been making corrections for years and that porch is next on the list. One day, when we win the lottery (should really buy a ticket first), a window will be added to a part of the house that is darker than we would like. We've also been talking about moving the nursery so there is more play space for the baby. We'll see. For this week, it's all about the porch!!!!

Also, the yard sale was a huge hit and most of my things were sold. Anything that wasn't will be put out at another yard sale next month and the leftovers will go to Santa's Closet....a local consignment shop that often just gives things to families in need. I support that 100%.

Dishes did get done, table is pick up, one load of laundry done that I will soon hang on the inside rack as it looks like a thunderstorm may be coming.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 03:06 PM

I lifted seven slabs today, and mattocked the stuff underneath. Not much clay under the sand to mix in with the last of the mushroom compost, but a lot of flints, and red clay, which is the colour of the geology. It wasn't enough to make it worth while to bring it up further. I added three bags of good topsoil, which didn't bring the bed quite up to the height I wanted, but that can be done later. Then I planted out a number of different lettuces from the supermarket, intended to be used on the kitchen windowsill. It will be interesting to see how well this works. They don't look much different from the ones I bought to plant out before. A good buy for 90p.

That had me sweating, so I had a bath and a lie down. Then I packaged the soup I had made with salad trimmings for the freezer, and cooked up the curds from turned milk into an Indian sweet. Salad for supper. I'm going to have to eat stuff out of the freezer for a while, as I have it completely full.

I have a pattern for the shape of my top, but because the trouser legs are going to provide front and back it's going to be done differently. The instructions do make sense if done their way, with the fronts pushed through the shoulders and out at the side. It'll work my way as well.

Penny

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: maeve
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 02:29 PM

Thanks to SRS too, for maintaining this thread for us all.

We've been decluttering more rubbish left from the fire and regaining some sense of order on the farm. The insulated slab will be poured tomorrow; it was too cold this winter, so we've had to delay getting the wiring and plumbing installed.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: maeve
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 02:26 PM

Bullying and manipulation need to be identified and exposed to the light. Thank you, kat.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 02:17 PM

As a moderator, I am not going to delete the relevant posts. As I told SRS, I know they don't fit with the thread, but that does not warrant deleting them. There is a history of this and, it is important, imo, that we feel comfortable confronting that in public, if need be.

Thanks,

kat-mod

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: maeve
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 12:53 PM

SRS- Yes, genuine friendliness is preferred.

The repeatedly offensive/defensive behavior to which many of us have objected publicly and in private is excreted by the same person.

Michelle is correct to make boundaries clear. Anything less direct is ignored.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 12:12 PM

As far as decluttering...ah yes...I just cleared some very foul air. ;)