Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 04 Jul 11 - 02:07 PM

Had an unexpected visit from the archaeologist this afternoon. He had rung earlier to see what was happening, and popped in just to say hello to the lads and to see how things stood for the start of the foundation work tomorrow. We always spend ages nattering, and he ended up going home with a piece of white-flowering stonecrop from the stone garden wall. He's just acquired some yellow-flowering, and told me he'd always wanted some, so I was pleased to be able to let him have some of the white (I have both).
The foundation trenches are marked out, and go in tomorrow, The extension is coming across onto the inspection cover for the drains. The architect's drawing had it missing it. No. It doesn't. So the inspection cover will have to be moved, and the outflow from the annexe may have to be adjusted too.. Hopefully, if the building inspectorate agree, we may be able to build on top of the existing concrete base, which will save digging it all out, only to have hardcore put back (which would more than likely be the crushed whin stone from the rest of the job)!
It all starts at 8am tomorrow!

I washed down the living room fireplace today, but that's as far as the cleaning up went! Yesterday I did what I wanted to do, and also got the quartz spherical beads and some opalite ones too, for when I get back into the witch/wizard doll making. The open garden was glorious, but it was very hot, so I only stayed an hour. There was a steamy haze rising from the sea late afternoon, too. It was quite misty on the coast this morning. It's been quite warm again today, but the cloud is due to roll in tomorrow, and there is rain forecast for wednesday.

Andrea

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jul 11 - 09:36 AM

I need to mow but I'll leave it till this evening. It's quiet out there this morning so I'll leave the mower noise till late. I have a few pots to move from the front porch to finish clearing out the tripping hazards, and I need to get more potting soil and see if I can't get something to grow in those pots this year. That's a quiet pursuit.

A load of laundry is in, and ideas for moving furniture have been brewing so I may give them a try today.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Jul 11 - 12:30 AM

I used to love writing handwritten letters, but my hen scratch has worsened over the years, probably from disuse, and one can barely read it, plus typing is faster, though the whole thing of getting nice stationery and putting thought into it is also part of the slower process as well as the actual physical writing and I do miss that.

Last load of laundry is in the dryer. Litter boxes, trash, and scrubbing bathroom are all done, plus watering the flowers and trees. Nanny goat enjoyed more willow branches plus a banana, shredded wheat biscuits, and a celery stalk. Rog will do the small bit of dishes in the morning whilst I get the taco salad ready.

I also cleaned off the top of my desk, again. Still looks "busy" but it's all stuff I will use this week, so that's all right. Got a very good, surprisingly long nap in this late afternoon. Woke up and it was 7p! (I'd gone to bed about 430p. Catching up on last night's lost sleep.:-)

Oh, and Rog took down some prayer flags which had got caught in the gutters and their string ripped apart. I have them inside for repair, plus he took the very long line of other prayer flags and reattached them to the house in front. The wind had torn them out, along with a long nail, a few weeks ago, so they'd been strung from high in a tree to my bird feeder stand until he could get to it. It's really nice to see them back up where they belong. Morgan will be happy as they were right in the front of his swing set and where he likes to run across the yard.

Happy 4th to all who celebrate it and the rest of you have a great day, too.

kat

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 04 Jul 11 - 12:18 AM

I worked on my makeshift desk this evening. I mostly did some sorting. I have a pile of papers for the Relay For Life, another pile of bills, another pile of coupons, a stack of stationary, a few family tree books and a small stack of magazines I want to read. I paid a few of the bills (never did get to town today) and wrote out 8 letters. Eight. I can't remember the last time I sent a handwritten letter. Feels good to write them...reminds me of winter evenings at my Nana's house when we would sit at the kitchen table and write letters while the wind howled outside. Nice memories.

Anyway, that's what I've been up to. Tomorrow I will be working on pricing the many bags of baby clothes that are going to the yard sale. Pete is going to let me use his truck one day this week so I can get everything to the yard sale in one trip. I've got a few larger items including a rocking chair, baby swing, baby hoppy and walker. Then add the miscellaneous stuff, books, and clothes...whew...I have lots of marking to do!!! Any leftover stuff will go to the church yard sale.

Oh yeah, I've also been working on Relay For Life stuff that is less than a week away! I have donations to pick up...mostly breakfast goodies for our Survivor's Breakfast on Saturday. It's funny, the local businesses that I thought would donate freely are actually quite stingy. No matter...it will all work out in the end. :)

Night everybody! Happy 4th of July!!

XOXOXOXO

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 10:58 PM

The dogs have had their baths. I made some soup stock from some chicken bones, cleaned up the kitchen, and listed some books on eBay. Kind of an odd mix of stuff, but there you have it.

Enjoy Monday off, those of you who have the holiday. Everyone else, just enjoy your Monday!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 06:35 PM

WOOOO HOOO!!!! GO SINS!!!!!!   Send some of that energy my way, would ya???   HOORAY!!!!!!

Michelle who REALLY needs to get marking things for the yard sale!!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 03:56 PM

I used to feed that to all my pets when we lived in New England.

MariGold, I posted before, but it didn't take! Welcome back and yippee on the kitchen floor!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 03:48 PM

Good for you, Mary! Purge while the impulse is there, and tell the cats to move along! Out of solidarity I should pack a box full of books this afternoon. I'll pass on your giveaway items. I could offer a few oddball estate items of my own - the kind that give pause: "What was she thinking?"

I sorted out my Amazon account and with my points ordered a new cartridge for the printer. They're so expensive, but I was able to get one from Amazon that is HP, not a knockoff. It's at a lower print level (2,500 instead of 5,000). That's okay, I'm trying to print less and it will still probably last over a year.

I needed to let the dogs in, so I'll also stay in, though there are a few things outside I need to do (move soaker hoses).

I bought a couple of boxes if the vinyl gloves they sell at the restaurant supply warehouse near me, and need to be sure to use them. I seem to react to the brewers yeast I put on the dog food. I'd been handling it recently, thinking last year's reaction was actually based on chocolate, but apparently they are both dermatitis triggers. The dogs love it, and I think it does help repel flies and mosquitoes.

Off to research and or pack books.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 03:07 PM

Coming out of a major funk. The kitchen floor is finally done except for a few touches. So I have to reorganize everything that is piled in cartons all over the place. The upside? I am decluttering. Getting rid of anything that is of no use or attachment. All the clothes that haven't been worn in a year are going to a ladies' shelter. Some are brand new with tags bought for when I lost weight. Sigh.

If the cats sit in one place too long they are likely to end up in the trash. May as well take advantage of this spurt of energy and get rid of as much as possible. Then a huge yard sale. Then some extra cash for a new dishwasher.

Anyone in need of footed mugs with racy clothing, a musical water fountain with insipid smiling cherubs, lions and lambs, an inflatable lobster (No wait; he stays)

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 02:48 PM

Oh, don't remind me, SRS. Ive a book truck of books sitting behind me right now, waiting to be researched and possibly put up for sale.:-)

Michelle, if you get saline spray, I recommend the kind in what looks like an aerosol can, but itn't (it's a plastic bag inside a can with pressure.) Being built that way, there is no risk of contamination going back into the bottle as there can be with the plastic squirt bottles which are available. And, you can sterilise the nozzle after each use.

I got all of the CDs I need to load into one bin which is sitting under the book truck where I can just grab one and put it in the PC player to upload to my external HD. One smaller bin with a few cassettes and VCR tapes, plus letters from my dad to my mom when he was working in AK in the 1960s, went back into the closet. The card table which they were on in the LR is staying up for tomorrow. We've invited my brother and Morgan and his parents over for taco salad. Not sure if my dau. and her husband are coming...they are both homebodies and she has a broken toe, but I know my brother and Morgan will be over. We'll probably go to his house for fireworks.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 01:59 PM

It's horrid when everyone is sick at one time - makes it difficult to just be sick if you end up taking care of everyone else.

My brain is about baked this weekend. I'm tired of the high heat and the scorched garden.

I'll see about putting together another box of books for Half Price - but I'll run a few authors through the eBay search to see if any of them are worth trying to sell there. I could clear out an entire shelf in the sun room if I just bit the bullet and lugged them all out.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 12:14 PM

Plans for the day WERE to get up for an early morning kayak adventure, time for fishing and then Jeremiah and I were going to go to a church picnic while Pete fished. As it turns out, we are all sick. Deep congestive cough. Restless sleep for all so we are staying put for most of the day. We need to run to town for dog food, vaporizer stuff and saline solution (per pediatrician).

Napping is the order of the day.

No exercise or decluttering today (ok..I did vacuum).

Michelle, Queen of Vick's Vapor Rub in the Kingdom of Purple Acorn Farm

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 11:04 AM

Yesterday my daughter came down and her dad came over and we had summer picnic foods for dinner. It was a calorie glut, seconds on the ice cream and sweet strawberries. I'll take it easy for the rest of the week so I don't have to put away the fat pants from last year that I've been able to wear again this year. :-/

Walked dogs early, and my exercise report, that I've been forgetting to report, is that we're taking a daily short walk, usually around a block or two, with the dogs. I am trying to not press my luck with this many dogs. In the early evening daughter and dad followed in his car up to Zeke's house (I pile the dogs into the back seat area of the pickup and don't ask anyone else to ride in there with me!) and we let them play in the pool. I went in the pool, wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and I picked up each of my dogs a couple of times and carrying them a few feet into the pool to let them swim back to the steps. Poppy was amazed, but I was gentle with her. She swam to the step, shook, the shot like a bat out of hell racing around the perimeter of the yard a dozen passes, the other two dogs chasing madly after her. It was so funny to watch!

My eBay traffic is moving along, relisted one item, one will ship on Tuesday, and bids and watchers are giving my account some activity. I've been in the garden, I need to treat for some pests in the eggplant that come along every year and are getting going on the plants. Out with the tape and I'll pull them right off the plants.

I have to do some pest control in the garden, then I think I'll look at rearranging the sun room. I want to have a seating area inside the door for sitting to change shoes. I'd like to get to a point where outdoor shoes don't go through the house, I track in so much garden dirt and such. I need to do the same at the back door.

Stay cool, everyone! Andrea, don't let the dust in the house drive you nuts! Michelle, I hope you'll post a photo of that new recliner with it's small occupant. Kat, I hope you got back to sleep!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 03:56 AM

Sure, Michelle!

FWIW, my grandson is not diabetic, but he has to watch how much sugar he eats as it leads to "constantly snotty nose." This was first pointed out by an acupuncturist and, later, by his paediatrician.

Andrea, fascinating as always!

katcan'tsleep

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 03:39 AM

My previous neighbour, a retired geriatric sister and one-time school nurse, told me that if you have nasal congestion, sinus trouble, or any other mucus type thing, you should avoid dairy anyway. I suppose this might be a problem with young kids as they need the intake. (I wonder if this is why you see so many small kids with constantly snotty noses?) She also told me to lay off the caffeine for anything arthritic. She's now in her mid 80s, and still driving.

So far I am enjoying the weekend. I haven't done the cleaning up I meant to do, but I may do some time! The only thing that's puzzling me at the moment is my cat's relationship with one of the local ones. He/she (but I suspect it's he) hasn't been showing up until recently, there has been no evidence of a fight, but they are either very good friends, or mine is terrified of it and submissive. It was in my house yesterday (it shot out of the open door when I walked into the room) and I think it was eating the kibble that I leave for dipping into during the day. Mine strolled out from under the table, where he had been eating a young mouse. I can't work it out! All I know is, mine is guarding his catflap, which he hasn't done for a while. I locked it last night.

Anyway, it was a short morris spot in glorious sunshine at an idyllic little hamlet a few miles over the hill from Belford yesterday afternoon, followed by the sort of outdoor party you see in the country living type of magazines - a stroll down a long, semi-woodland garden into a clearing with a pond and a summerhouse. Faded prayer flags used as bunting slung between the trees, a table laid with food and drink, musicians relaxing and playing...and the hilarious attempt at rapper dancing. 4 out of 5 of us had never even held a rapper sword before (although we'd seen it done lots of times). Much cake and some pavlova was eaten, I'm afraid!

Today I will probably go down to Gosforth (Newcastle racecourse) and visit a rock and gem fair. At the last one I went to,I got some quartz points that were drilled for beading, but which would work admirably when I get to make my applehead wizards. (Gives them something to hold). I will see if I can get some round ones this time (crystal balls). Locally, there's an open garden towards Berwick this afternoon. If I really push it, I might be able to do both!

Then, of course, it's on with the noise and mess tomorrow. however, all being well, the new foundations could be dug this week. I suppose all will depend on availability of the archaeologist, and the building inspector, who will have to approve them.

Andrea

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 11:37 PM

Just finished folding 2 loads of laundry and hanging another load up to dry. Toys are all picked up and I'm relaxing. My boys are sleeping and I'm watching Beetlejuice and enjoying a dish of frozen strawberries. I am SO HOT. Ugh.

Kat...when you are done organizing your CDs, wanna come over and organize mine? ;)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 07:49 PM

Well, that was the first ever skype with granddaughter Sarah and her 9 month old Lily, sister Ali, who is visiting for a month, and even a couple glimpses of her husband, whom I had never met. San Diego is a long way off! So, a wonderful treat to converse with these two sweeties and to actually see Lily.

A couple pics, Kat, are on FB. Getting started anew is a little daunting but hope the clay and glazes will fit each other. I can get the same clay and still have buckets of some glazes, brought all the way across the continent!   It is only 50 minutes away do I can run out and work for a few hours and come back. As long as there is energy in the body!

This morning we upgraded the dining table from the very flimsey outdoors one ($1 at a yard sale) to a solidly ugly pressed wood one (free off the street) - with a table cloth who will notice! At least our tea won't spill!

1 July is MOVING DAY in Montreal. Tons of stuff was left on the streets in the last couple weeks and will continue to be jettisoned . R knows not to bring much home!!! But I could not complain about the two volume set of large books on Impressionism - even in German! Then a dozen art and music books and others...

Some of the stuff he drags home goes to the thrift shop, some back in the trash or recycling. I continue to sort out anything I can live without and seek new homes. Currently wondering if it is worth sorting into boxes for a future yard sale.

Four lobelia left to plant - when it is not hot - a gift from visitors. Everything else is planted and growing. Some watering of pots in order soon - so I went a did that. Everything else under control, here. TONS of sorting to do in country, and discovering - mostly good, I hope!

Good music last night at the Cafe. CD launch tomorrow so we will go back for that. We came to the city this morning so R could get some work done. Will go back when he feels he can. I think he is learning to turn off the city to some degree when he is there but if too much needs to be done here, he gets antsy. Adding in a new factor to life does take on a learning curve.

I need to phone about clay on Monday. He may be up that way with the truck - or I will go pick up a few boxes - a realistic amount.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 05:06 PM

Dorothy, I hope we get to see some pix of your pots!

Rog did a great job this morning on cutting off that branch from the willow tree. It went more quickly than I thought. I thought he'd have to use a ladder, but I forget he's a lot taller than I and can reach higher. Duh!:-) The neighbour's nanny goat was happy with her first batch of willow. We will feed it to her over the next few days as I've read too much of a good thing is not good for them; better to have variety. She gets banana peels, (not interested in the bananas, but loves the peels)daily, along with lettuce, grapes and other things we have.

I wanted to gather all of my CDs in one place; they've been scattered if I didn't get them in the changer years ago, plus I've taken some of those out to load onto my HD, so they've been scattered and I haven't been able to find favs. Morgan helped me find a few, then he found an old rubber pig piggy bank from when I was a baby which had folded over its tummy, sort of, and needed to be fed. So we loaded it with pennies and have it lying on its face, so the weight of the pennies will make it fill out. I wasn't going to keep it, but he loves it so...there ya go.

We went to the vet for clindamyacin for Trystan. He has to have it periodically for an autoimmune disorder. Then went grocery shopping with Morgan and dropped him off at home after.

Rog went back to the office with me and helped me find a bin of CDs so I *think* I have them all in the LR now, ready for me to go through and load into the HD. There's a load of clothes in the dryer. When I was in the office, I also was able to put a few things away in the closet and add to the giveaway box, so now the big desk I use for beading is fairly orderly and has more open space with the laptop off to one side, kept charged and ready for wherever Morgan, usually, winds up using it. That kid never just sits and uses it; he lounges, wiggles, sits upside down with his legs over the back of the sofa, lies down on his tummy on the floor with it in front of him. He definitely does a better job of learning when allowed to be comfortable and not in a rigid sit-at-the-desk situation.

I took him to the used bookstore, yesterday, where he spent his next week's wages on three books. I am thrilled to say I think it is finally clicking for him. All he wanted to do the rest of the day was read his books, even in the car on the way to the swimming pool and back. And, today when he came over, first thing, he was reading. We are both so pleased that he is finally getting it and that it is finally fun for him! He told me he loves to read and that one day his "mom read two whole books in one day!" I told him that's because she's my kid and they all love to, plus he comes from a long line of readers. He understands how important it is and I am so happy!

Now to tackles those CDs.:-)

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 03:56 PM

Oh Kat, that is a shame about the duck. Animals do what animals do. Having those raccoons was such an incredible learning experience. It was up to us to recognize what they are hard-wired to do and get with the programme!

Already the 3nd of July. In 14 days the Music Fest will be happenig. I need to get hopping and buy some clay, make some pots, plan clay-play for the event. Plan some sort of covering for rain or shade. Need Robin to hook up one of the kilns. I would have once done that myself but he considers it his job and I am happy with that. Back in '86, I begged him to come give support while I did the electrical for a kiln at an apartment; I do not like dealing with 220!

Logistics - clay is way up in north end. Awning requires some creative thought.

Resident mouse/mice think nothing of wandering through LR. Do NOT go in trap regardless of the variety offered. I simply am careful about the availability of anything edible.

Oops, granddaughter on Skype!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 02:42 PM

Major mental declut this AM, TBTG, and a wet pillow given the pink slip.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 10:26 AM

Down 0.8lbs this week. I'll take it!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 10:05 PM

I also ran errands this afternoon. That box was about 2/3 full when I loaded it in the truck, and after emptying it I dropped of stuff at Goodwill and a last stop with books to leave at Half Price Books. I bought the cushions I want to try on the wrought iron bench, and after picking up a gyro for dinner, headed home. I never manage to just drop off, I always end up buying also, but at least there is an ebb and flow, and hopefully more stuff leaves than comes in.

Tomorrow the dogs get washed, I didn't get to it today. And tomorrow afternoon a few folks will be over for dinner. Between washing dogs and cooking dinner I'll do a little shopping, but mostly I need to defrost veggies and chickens already in the freezer. I should replace the chickens with fresh, and soon I'll have this year's veggies to eat, so I need to finish up the ones from last year.

More papers into the box tonight. I enjoy feeling like I'm finally shaking off the huge amount of paper I've had here forever.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 08:57 PM

Still feeling drained and kind of icky but I sniffled my way through several errands (switched gas companies today, visited my CPA, craft store, grocery store, Sam's & a furniture store where Jeremiah got a chair of his very own).

I appreciated the note about dairy as I didn't know what you had posted. I have Greek yogurt fairly often so I'm hoping that helps with the antibiotics...especially since I'm going to be starting a stronger one tomorrow.

I'm gearing up for the Relay For Life!!!!! I am so excited about it this year and can't wait!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 12:47 PM

More paper in the box, old notes and articles, all of which will go to the bin at lunchtime. The box will return for more paper later. Gotta run a couple of errands as well, and pay a few bills. The declutter of my bank account happens so fast!

SRS

Subject: BS: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 10:30 AM

The old thread is showing a lot of progress and a great deal of heavy lifting by everyone working on clearing clutter and clearing out extra calories.

mg asked about the box of paper - no, it doesn't need to be full to be recycled, but I wanted to have enough in it that I would feel like I was really dumping something. I'm almost there - I have decided to move one set of papers (that all need to stay together) out of the file and onto a closet shelf, and I think some of the course notes on the shelf can go. They're from classes, they don't really tell me anything about myself, it's not like I'm tossing journal pages. Then the box of old academic articles goes to the bin.

When I said to avoid dairy with antibiotics I was referring to milk, cheese, ice cream, the usual culprits that work against your body healing. I found the mucus level went down and antibiotics worked better without dairy in the diet if we were taking an antibiotic prescription for some reason. Of course yogurt will help, and I also found a good source of acidophilus capsules at the old fashioned drug store where I get a Rx compound made.

Those of you building, my hat's off to you. It's a lot of work, but you get such a charge out of watching something new take shape. And Penny, I've been reading through my beading books again for several weeks - I need to reach a point where I have a surface where I can work that won't be disturbed and where I don't have to always put things away when I stop, but I am planning to get going on the beading finally.

I'm also planning to start on my grandfather's newspaper articles that need to be scanned. I've taught myself how to do it with the best software, and as I've been clearing out my file drawers I've uncovered the packets of articles that need scanning.

Success breeds success - here's hoping we all enjoy our work and have great things to report this month!

SRS