BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011

Subject: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Apr 11 - 12:03 AM

Here we are in April. I'm spending more and more time in my garden, but as I (still) work my way through the Procrastinator's Guide to Getting Things Done, I am getting better at organizing my small lists and working through them in a day.

This is the previous thread.

I'm working my way through a sore-hand rough spot because I ate some chocolate last weekend. It looks like that is indeed the culprit, and no amount of lotion or cream is going to help, it just has to work it's way out of my system. So I'll be sure to have gloves handy.

An item is running on eBay; no bids, only viewers so far. I have a couple of more things to list and hope to pick up the pace there this month.

Let's all pace ourselves to do what we can, and find beauty in the small things that are well-used and already exist in each of our spheres. This article came my way this week and does a very nice job of examinging the beauty in ordinary useful things. It's called "Wabi-Sabi."

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Apr 11 - 11:06 AM

Lovely day today, so much to do, but I'm approaching it cautiously. I'm wearing gloves to hold some ointment on my hands for a while - the progress of the allergic reaction seems to be about a week of dry cracking hands, then they heal back to a low level of occasional irritation. So though the steroidal cream doesn't necessarily make it heal quickly, it does help keep it from getting a lot worse (and it has been a lot worse).

Today I'm hearing about a snowstorm in New England. We're short of spring rain here in Texas. I suspect all of us are going to be going about our regular business while accomodating odd weather. I know that I'm doing what I can to keep my footprint small, and make it smaller.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Apr 11 - 11:30 AM

Twin bunk beds coming out of the van today-- not kid-weight ones but heavy, welded adult-ready items for hunters if they fit up the attic-room stairs. Or thru a window. Mattresses first to unpile van down to the rigid frames and then tape measure/fun.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: GUEST,VaTam
Date: 01 Apr 11 - 11:34 AM

Kitchen Installation Man had first visit last night. Waiting for the estimate.

Cringe... Hope it is not too painful.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 01 Apr 11 - 12:37 PM

I managed to get hold of some French tarragon at last! I forgot to bring some with me when I moved. Bought some rainbow chard and sweet pea seeds too. I'm not exactly sure where i am going to put them yet.

we have very high winds at the moment, and my neighbour has informed me that some of the mortar has come out of the wall my bathroom's built onto, and the bit he repaired has cracks coming in it. Looks like the sooner I get work started, the better! still waiting for one price to come in. the builder is bringing the quarryman round on Tuesday to see what colour stone is needed.
The house is filling up with clutter at the moment, so I must make an effort to get sorting again.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Apr 11 - 01:10 PM

I should practiced getting up early for a few days before the Yoga Challenge. Guess who didn't make it to class today? ARG. I have been busy though and will do some of my own yoga later this afternoon and post that to the virtual challenge (for those of us who can't get to class!). Tomorrow is a new day and I'll try again!

Yesterday while I was sweeping in the living room, I had moved a fan near the pellet stove and inadvertantly knocked over the gate in front of the hot part of the stove. BANG. It crumbled. Great. Jeremiah is interested in the pellet stove, especially when it's on so we have had to keep a very close eye on him. With that gate broken though, that's a problem. We decided to get a play yard and set it up in the living room. It takes up a LOT of space but conversely, it gives him a LOT of space to play, crawl, walk, etc. and keep him from crawling too close to the stove. He doesn't quite grasp the concept of NO and HOT just yet. He'll look at me when I say NO but he doesn't always follow through and so we decided this was the best possible safety measure we could take. Soon it will be warm enough that there will be no need for the pellet stove (say, maybe 2 or 3 weeks) and then the play yard will be moved outside, under a maple tree...near the picnic table, his slide and swing. It's been fun assembling it!
    Laundry and dishes are going. I think I'm making meatloaf (90% lean beef), mashed potatoes (for us that means potatoes with skim milk...(no butter), peas for my honey (I'd rather eat dirt), and a salad. Lots of fresh fruit for snacking if we want something later on.
    For those of you who like to plan ahead, there have been numerous articles about the price of food and clothing about to seriously spike by June. Chocolate is going up by 9% per our local news. Man. I don't eat much chocolate but 9%? Holy Milky Way Batman!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: maire-aine
Date: 01 Apr 11 - 06:17 PM

I'm going to have to replace my tarragon and my rosemary plants; neither one made it thru the winter. My winter heath plants are blooming like crazy, but I still have leaves to rake out of their flower bed. It's supposed to warm up next week, so I'll finally be able to do some spring clean-up outside.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Apr 11 - 01:57 AM

My rosemary took quite a hit with the cold this winter - and this is Texas! I cut out two completely, leaving one next to the herb garden. It looks stressed, but is alive. I'll trim the rest of the dead twigs. The one by the street and the one in the back have some cold damage, but took the weather better.

Dinner went well, though there is a sink full of dishes for tomorrwo morning. We came in and set up my web cam. I look tired tonight. :-/ Need to work on the background if I'm going to use this thing much. There is a cover over it right now.

Moonglow may be by tomorrow, so I'll hand over the great ostrich feathers. I hope she can use them, and finds them to be a treasure trove. They look fabulous.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 02 Apr 11 - 03:00 AM

I did some work in the grden yesterday. My mint, the stuff that i nurtured so carefully for years on the chalk hillcreep soil at my last place, need to be uprooted from a large part of my herb bed. Later I will sink barriers to contain it. The rosemary died (but I can collect one from my old garden) as did the thyme, two plants, one older one new. The sage has done very well, but I'm going to transplant it to the area near the bird feeder, to keep the pigeons from trampling the ground there. I will probably put the rosemary there as well, as the lavender there is doing well.

Men came to reduce the height of the neighbourhood privet hedge yesterday, so I will be getting more sunlight on the veg patch.

I lifted some more flags from the paved area, over last year's mouse nest, and it was interesting to see where the runs went, and the toilet area. There was no trace of a nursery space, or bedding, so that may lie somewhere else. This area, outside what will be my study window, is to be a rockery. The previous owner had left a selection of what appear to be very large geology specimens, and I have some of my own, so it will be a rockery which does not look like a natural outcrop, unlike my last. I have a few plants for it already, but it will be fun to get new stuff in.

I potted up my dwarf peach into an old wooden tub from my dad's garden. This had lost its base, but I had found a pizza tray in Morrison's, reduced because it was bent, which fitted well. The peach did not move well, as all the compost surrounding its roots dropped off as soon as I lifted it from the pot, so i hope it survives the move well.

I've collected some timber from an old neighbour, as i was taking stuff for the dump from my old flat, and then did not dump it as I can use it to surround raised beds. She has offered me the bed heads as well. This will be helpful in extending the border on the shady side, where I am going to move bulbs from the veg area.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Apr 11 - 01:19 PM

Not sure what a bed head is - and I haven't heard the gardening term "rockery" for years, but that's what we used to call the rocky walls in the back yard where flowers grew between the rocks.

Your tree will actually grow better if you bare root it to plant it. Be sure to use some twigs or other degradable material to stake the roots out away from the center, and don't plant it too deep. You need to be able to see the root swell or the tree will not grow as well - the dirt smothers it. Dirt Doctor instructions.

Moonglow is headed down for the afternoon. It'll be expensive, but fun. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Apr 11 - 02:28 PM

Need a chuckle?

We're headed out shopping. My daughter thinks she could become a fan dancer with all of the ostrich plumes in that box.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Apr 11 - 02:48 PM

The bunkbeds flunked both the attic stairway and the attic window test, and then flunked the van test-- I had so hoped I might use one for boondocking.

They will be going to Hardi's "classroom" at the church where he sleeps when icy roads threaten safe Sunday AM travel to the church, where he has had a mattress on the floor for years. (Because there are two frames this also means I can finally go with him, and sleep there, too.)

When we eventually leave the area (unless a really worthy need presents itself sooner), they will be added to the parish's annual yard sale where local needy families furnish their homes.

This means that my next boondocking setup will hopefully include a 5-man Cabela cot that will allow me to boondock indoors in friendly churches, like my

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Apr 11 - 04:41 PM

Speaking of yard sales, I went to one today....Score!!!!   Lots of summer clothes for the baby, 2 sets of water shoes for current size and next size up (for kayaking and fishing of course), jammies, short sets, 2 baking racks for my in house baker (Hi Love), 2 toys (Tonka truck and a Fisher Price camera) and a set of 3 small nesting casserole dishes in the old fashioned Pyrex style...white with tourquoise farmers and animals...LOVE IT!!! Also, 2 very pretty single serving glass bowls...YAY!!!!

Yoga: 1 hour

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 02 Apr 11 - 05:53 PM

Over here a rockery is a bed, usually sloping, with rocks outcropping on it in a supposed imitation of natural rocks on a hillside, and with plants of the alpine persuasion in soil pockets between them.

At the last place, there was a Victorian period one at the back of the garden, no longer useful as it was overshadowed by lime trees, and one of my neighbours used some of the stone for what she called a rockery, which was lumps of stone scattered about on a flower bed, the stone including lumps of concrete and breezeblock...

Mine was made of rows of rocks put together to look like layers outcropping from the ground. she asked why I used so much stone, and I said it was because I was a geologist. It was also because my rockery was near the front of the property, and knowing the cost of stone in the garden centres, I wanted it to look as if it would be difficult to run off with.

A bedhead could also be called a headboard, the bit that sticks up behind the pillows, but would have been a part of the structure holding up the springy bit under the mattress, whereas a headboard could be just fixed to the wall.

I kept the soil level on the peach at the same level it was in the pot, and had the roots spread out well. If I had known it was going to lose contact with its compost, I'd have bought some mycorrhiza to put with it, but too late now.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Apr 11 - 06:23 PM

I didn't make the switch from raised beds (gardens) to head board. Another example of why English can confound its own native speakers. :)

Moonglow and I went to Sprint store, looked at phones while we had a printout of the online phones at hand. Store had a sale on the one she wanted, $30. I went out to my truck, pushed *2 and spoke with customer service to ask what this same phone would cost if I ordered it online. The difference is it came out free online but we still pay for activation ($18). No rebates to mail, etc.

We had to go online for our Victoria's Secret purchase, they didn't have her size on the one she liked in the store. I'll never do that again - they gouge on shipping. It was $9 to put a few ounces of fabric in an envelope. I sent out an annoyed Tweet - let's see if they're watching their Twitter mentions.

Nice evening, so I need to go find something to do outside. There are bags of compost in the truck to tote to the back yard, to start with, and I need to mow. I need to water so I can weed, since it is tinder dry around here.

I'll work on the house after dark.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Apr 11 - 11:47 PM

I went into the garage looking for a brass splitter attachment for the back yard faucet so I can run a couple of hoses off of it. As I looked I found a couple of other things I'd been looking for - you know how it goes - before long I was over on the other side of the room straightening a shelf and moving the flower pots from several locations into the one.

That did need to be done, but wasn't what I'd set out to do. And when I looked at my various bird feeders and thought "I should put up hooks and hang these up," it was yet another departure, but I didn't let myself pass from that to the next task. I got a few cup hooks then hung up my feeders from the rafters. I think this is the effect of the procrastinators book - I made myself finish something that seemed like a good idea that was reasonable to do in that time. Otherwise, I'd have had the same thought again a few more times before doing something about it. I finished the pots and the faucet also.

The house needs attention now--it's a mess. I need another little list, I think.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 05:09 AM

I have exactly the same problem with bags of compost - I need to take the barrow the long way round the terrace of houses, and another row of homes, and across the green space behind to get to my back garden. Two bags compost for the potatoes, and four bags topsoil to build up beds, mixed with local clay and mushroom compost. Alternatively, I could use a suitcase trolley to take them one at a time through the house, but I'm not sure it's strong enough. I can move some of my own soil around a bit. I'm going to dig a deep hole to put the old cold water tank in to collect rain from the flagstones. (I don't have a downpipe for a water butt). And dig out a bit of the raised part of the garden to put in a step. Not today, though.

Didn't click on the conflict between bed, mattress etc, and bed, soil! Sorry!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 06:28 AM

I miss having a garden to sit out in. So I am going to attempt making indoor gardens. I need some sage wisdom on window plants and maybe ideas of how to filter out heat of sun without obscuring window.

I have east facing windows in lounge and kitchen. It gets super hot in them and full bright sunshine from sunrise to 10.30 - 11.00am.

The window wells are about 6.5 inches deep. In the kitchen I hope to put in 2 glass shelves to hold plants. In the lounge the plan is for a long narrow hall table with shelves beneath, like this.

In the kitchen window, I think I shall have to apply some frosted window film as there will be no room to use roller blind with glass shelves in. This is not so much a problem for me since the neighbors on the other side of fence have put up an ugly breeze (cinder) block shed and have blocked view of trees and bushes in their garden.

The lounge window presents more of a problem. It is floor to ceiling and about 9.5 feet wide. I was thinking since I do not want to permanently obscure the bottom half of window (where the plants will be) I might put a light linen roman or roller blind in at the halfway point where top and bottom panes meet. Table can be moved out to accommodate the blind.

Still it gets hot in these windows, especially the lounge as we would not leave the drapes open and everything on show while we are at work. So the proper plant selection is crucial to this project.

I am not very keen on succulents. I would like some herbs in kitchen. and something that flowers (for colour and interest) but is not fragrant.

Any ideas?

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 11:42 AM

VT, if the big window is so hot that way, could you put some kind of awning on the outside to partially shade the window? Or perhaps make your own awning with 60/40 cloth so filtered light comes in? You must have quite a cooling bill in summer with those windows- so filtering it might be a good starting place. Once you control the light, then you can make more choices when it comes to the plants.

Penny, I snag bags of lawn waste at the curb - I figure the first bags of the season are from winter cleanup and before anyone does any fertilizing - so I get the cut up leaves and a mix of grass and those bags go into the wheelbarrow and I take them to my compost at the back of the yard. I can't imagine how much more difficult to have to carry it all through the house!

I pulled the bedding off the bed this morning and turned it and flipped the mattress over. I hadn't done that for a long time. The bedding will wash then hang on the line so it will be a completely fresh-smelling start to sleep here. I wish the answer was so easy for Kat - take care and sleep well, sweetheart!

Last night I pampered my feet with a soak in hot water and Epsom salts, and had a bright idea. I am to the time of year when I start catching my dish rise water in a tub and take it out to pour on the garden, so I added a little liquid fertilizer to my tub of Epsom after I finished with it and poured it in the garden. :)

I have a little list to work through today - actually, I should make it my morning list, and from there, go to an afternoon list.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 05:08 PM

Bags moved - the suitcase trolley was up to the job. Also willow bed edging, and trellis for the bramble up the fence. I may have lost one of the tomato plants I bought yesterday, as the stem had partly broken. I have sellotaped it, and await results! (It worked with a snail nibbled sunflower once.)

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 05:29 PM

Yoga: 1 Hour = Very Happy Body

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: maire-aine
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 06:40 PM

I went outside yesterday and did some raking around the herb garden. The daffodils are up about 3 inches. Looks like most of my perennials made it thru the winter.

It's been cold and rainy today, and it's supposed to continue like that for the next few days. Finished reading another silly mystery story this afternoon.

M

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 07:05 PM

My list was short, just four items, and I staggered computer work with chores around the house, but I just crossed off the last item. I have plenty more to do around here, but I can look at the day with a feeling of accomplishment.

Laundry finished, all dried on the line. My bedding will smell so good! I didn't mow, but I got the yard ready for some work (built up and watered the new compost, and now have the hose back out of the way, etc.) I have tons of pots that I can fill with dirt and put seeds or bedding plants into. I think my next move is to drop off recycling then swing by Home Depot for a few bags of dirt and humus.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 08:20 PM

The keyboard on my laptop got fried so while I await the one my son is sending, I took the one off my office puder (since it's on a terminal slow-down now) and hooked it up to the lappie, to sort hundreds of pix snapped during my trip with the nice monitor it has-- this desktop monitor is still too dark. But with one more sorting I'll have several montages' worth to put together which I CAN do with this monitor, so I guess I am making progress but..... it sure didn't feel like fun.

The centerpiece of my trip was set at a retreat center I love dearly and stayed at, all alone (heaven!) several years ago for 2 weeks. I took a whole LOT of pix there so I can always rekindle those memories, including the room I stayed in this time and last time. Quiet, still, self-sufficient (physically) uncluttered loveliness. Awaiting my next return and this time I'll know which room to request!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 11:30 PM

I picked up the top soil, dropped off recycling, and after walking the dogs, drove slowly around the route we walked to prod then pick up several of the black bags of lawn clippings. Some seemed to be mixed contents. One had holly leaves (ouch!) Now I have a half-dozen bags to add to the compost. Once it is all broken down each bag will probably amount to a shovel-full of compost.

Maryanne, send some of your rain down here, if you have some extra. Our slight chance of rain, forecast for tomorrow, has since evaporated. Looks like a high water bill and resourceful use of gray water this summer.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Apr 11 - 01:01 AM

Happy Dance! I just set up and after several attempts, had a video chat conversation with my son in Tucson.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: GUEST,VaTam
Date: 04 Apr 11 - 03:42 AM

I am in a first floor flat. Don't think the lease holders (owners of the building and grounds) or the neighbours on the ground floor would appreciate me putting even a temp awning on the building.
No cooling in England's 1970's apratment buildings. We just keep the drapes shut to block the morning light and heat. If (and this is rare) it gets sweltering inside, we open windows and pull the floor fan out of storage.

This is why I am thinking a roman blind of light gauzy muslim may be the best option.

Has anyone had any luck growing hot house tomatoes? I mean do they taste as good as the grown in the garden variety? I was also thinking I would like to dedicate one end of the window to climbing sweet peas, by putting a window box on the floor and a simple trellis of cane. Is this a silly idea?

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Apr 11 - 05:59 AM

Thanks, SRS!

My experience is sweet peas take lots and lots of sunshine.

In Wyoming, our LR window was huge and faced west with no sun blockage of trees or anything. It got sweltering and would have burned my houseplants, but I went to the home builder supply store and bought a film which you put right on the window using water and a squeegee. It's dead easy to use and REALLY cuts down on the heat and UV rays of the sun. click here to get an idea of what I am talking about. You can buy set sizes, but I found it cheaper and easier to buy it in rolls which I then cut to fit.

As to other plants, I'd take a nice long *stroll* through Logee's to see what they may recommend. They are in New England, so more likely to be closer, conditions-wise, to where you are than to someone like me and they really know their plants PLUS they sell Guy Wolff's pots!

I have done absolutely nothing, but Rog and I have talked a lot. That Wabi-Sabi article was great, SRS. I have a lot of the elements and have been practising it for many years except for the clutter part. That's next as I clear out and get ready to live life differently!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Apr 11 - 11:40 AM

The Wabi-Sabi link came from a yurt in Maine, Kat. And I'm sure recuperating after a slight meltdown is still considered "work."

I understand about your windows, now, VTam - and Kat has a good idea. A couple of years ago the entire library where I work (six floors, lots of windows) was treated with a UV film to help on heating and cooling costs and building exposure to fading sun rays.

Our chance of rain was completely removed from yesterday's forecast for the week, but overnight I was awakened by a flash of light and realized we had a thunderstorm overhead. There was at least 1 1/2" of water in the dog dish on the porch (my informal rain gauge). And I picked up an entire newspaper, scattered all over the front and side and next door neighbor's yard. I know where it came from - last night I didn't put my trash out because it was so windy, I can keep it for a few more days because I don't have much. But up the street when I was picking up bags of grass I saw a trash bag with newspapers sitting there open. I'm sure those papers are now all over the neighborhood.

By tomorrow last night's rain will have soaked in enough to let me do some good gardening, so I'm going to spend all of today and then some on work for work, and take time tomorrow to garden in the morning. It's quite chilly out there right now - the storm must have been at the dry line of a cold front moving in.

Today would be my mother's 89th birthday. I'll have to think of something special to do to celebrate it. Maybe I'll sort some of her sewing notions this evening, and keep the ones that are in good shape here for use. She loved to sew.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Apr 11 - 04:46 PM

Part of decluttering means the timely use of food so I don't have to throw out the old, so I try to make a steady job of drawing down stuff in the freezer. Today I organized the shelves a little. It didn't take long during lunch (I went in looking for something to thaw for dinner and ended up rearranging all frozen produce on one shelf, flour, grains, pasta on another, meat on another, etc.) And I pulled out a package of frozen mashed bananas that is now in the oven as part of a loaf of banana nut bread for this week.

Re: the tripping hazard box in the living room, I have three watchers, no bids, on my copier that is listed on eBay. I should probably have split it into two auctions, the copier in one, the cartridge in another, but I wanted it all out of here without the fuss of packing up both items before listing.

The kitchen is looking good and over the weekend I was able to clear out some of the mess in the dining room. It's cool again for a couple of days so in the bedroom I won't be putting away the heavier bedding just yet. I washed some of the blankets yesterday in preparation of that.

Back to my little list.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Apr 11 - 05:24 PM

Oops! Do be careful about cutting out UV rays from your home. They are essential to good health. In building a low cost housing project for environmentally sensitive people, it was found that low E glass could not be used. It made the prospective tenants feel sick. It certainly would not be good for plants on the long term.

SRS: I take it epsom salt does not harm plants? I was wondering about that.

VT might be interested in the very small container tomato, Tiny Tim, which grows to about 15 inches. It can be grown in a 6 inch pot. I often put plants on some sort of twirly thing so they can be easily rotated - inexpensive ones are available at yard sales, etc and they really help.

We have had a busy few days. Met with the owners of the house we are renting on Friday and then finalized it on sunday - two trips to the country. Sunday afternoon, after Quaker meeting and business meeting, we spent time in the family's sugar shack as they boiled down the maple sap for syrup. The place was so full of steam we could hardly see each other. Robin partook of the snow cooled syrup - like taffy. I do not cope with that much sugar. Sugaring off is a family event; there were a number of relatives and friends involved. I had a nice chat with a grandmother (86 and very spry) while the rest did various chores, including putting 2 foot long pieces of wood into the firebox. A very pleasant time.

After we signed lease and chatted for a while, and dropped a carload of stuff in the house, and talked about what furniture where and how the pottery studio needed to be arranged, then explored a couple roads nearby and had pizza in town, we came home tired and happy. We move formally on 15th and will spend that weekend. A fav musician is having a CD launch in the town on 16th so we will be very happy to be in the area and not have to drive home on Friday night after the cafe then come back on Saturday...

I continue to triage things to take down - a carload this Friday, then another on Sunday when we go to the local Historical Society event. Must order tickets!

This way we have a place of peace AND we empty the shed in the backyard so it can be taken down before tomato planting time.

The house is tiny - perfect. Plenty of room for us and guests, including the loft in the garage which can be a rough summer accommodation. Totally in the trees so shade plants across the front and no garden. Well, I wonder about some container tomatoes in a wheelbarrow so they can be moved from sunlight to sunlight but we will only be there 2-3 days/week. Need to see where the sun is.

This will be a great organizational exercise! And a great community with so many dear people already. I think I will take the bike too; much nicer than the city.

In the meantime, the city house work is up to snuff.    Raining today, melting the snow! We will be able to open the gate soon and even see what is coming up in the back yard!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 04 Apr 11 - 07:04 PM

Can you make it a brother=free zone? mg

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Apr 11 - 07:55 PM

mg: ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No doubt about it. In fact, bro knows nothing about it, yet! We are so looking forward to the peace and quiet. Turn off cell phone - "We're trying to run a business here!! What good is a cell phone if you don't answer it????" What a silly man! It is a convenience only if one does not allow it to be an inconvenience! It was off all day Sunday into Monday morning!!! YAY!

A place of healing. Quiet, maybe some nice music but the wind in the trees is best and the birds and the rustle of little critters - as long as they are outside! I doubt the landowners have missed a trick - a heater in the crawl space for the water and sewer. Screens for all the windows, a screened porch. All the luxuries! I would love to see R cluster all the necessary work into 3 or 4 days and ... less and less! Until we only go into the city .... less and less! If we do not dream, no dreams will come true.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Apr 11 - 07:57 PM

Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) are a good source of magnesium for plants. It isn't a true "salt," in the way table salt or potassium chloride works.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Apr 11 - 08:27 PM

SRS: Thank you! That makes the bath water useful twice.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Apr 11 - 09:06 PM

You wouldn't want to keep piling it on - after a while, it can build up where it isn't doing any more good. But every so often, or spread it around.

I found a dog in the yard today, and after walking up to a neighbor's to see if it was their new dog, the owner drove by and picked him up and introduced herself. They live a couple of blocks up, and have a weak back fence.

So, this evening I walked my dogs with Susie and her chocolate lab Zeke this evening. My dogs were such monsters - Cinnamon loves other dogs and snaps at Poppy if she barks or snarls, and Cinnamon really wanted to meet Zeke, but Poppy wanted to snap at him. They were a tangle. So I think I'll be taking the dogs on separate walks for a while, just to work with them individually. Poppy earlier, then Cinnamon, and Cinnamon and I will meet up with Zeke at the same time tomorrow. And the day after, Cinnamon goes early and then to see if Poppy can control herself to meet Zeke. She'd at least be easier to handle by herself. Zeke has some great training, my two have a few tricks and can usually do a decent walk. I'll see if I can get them to follow Zeke's example, and I'm glad to have someone to walk the dogs with. It'll make me get out more. Familiarity will help with the dogs.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Apr 11 - 09:50 PM

SRS: sounds like a great plan! Interesting how some dogs, like some people, are just more social. I had one a few years ago that could get the nasty dogs to be friendly, a great therapy dog!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 11:00 AM

Lots of piddly little stuff on the list today, but if I get some of it finished, I'll be happy.

Dorothy, are you renting the country place as your exclusive place to do your pottery, or is this partly a place to move out extra furniture, or is it mainly a place to escape the pressures of *family, or all of the above? You're not moving full-time out to this place, just using it for a few days a week? And how far is the drive?

SRS


*the brother

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 04:53 PM

RE country place:
We are hoping to spend two or more days a week there, during which we may do pottery, go hear music, visit with friends, walk in the woods, find a stream to sit by, read, rest, enjoy. It is just about an hour from town which is quite an easy drive. The city house needs a great deal of work done on it and it will not happen soon; we need a great deal of peace. I am a country person; R is a wilderness person.

It will be lovely to have a place where I am not going to fall through the K floor! Where everything works. The garden - tomatoes and whatever - will be in the sunny city back yard. In the country we will have room for some of our nice pieces of furniture and room for company, even overnight! More civilized living!

How much time we spend will depend on how much R can carve out. I have escaped bro to the extent that we could have a civil phone conversation today. But I would not have him in the country, a place of peace. R can turn off his phone in the country and escape the incessant calls. We will share the country with our chosen friends.

Last Saturday was largely taken up with buying a pottery kiln, perusing the flea market at the church where we bought it - and two lawn chairs, then two movies - Win Win which was good and Incendie - excellent but very heavy.

My letter to the editor about raccoon care was featured with a pic of two beautiful raccoons and a small pic of me. The newspaper did a wonderful job. We are thrilled. One of my rehabber friends had it posted on FB by about 9 am this morning with a "Well done, D" and other raccoon folks are also pleased. I gave two websites for helpful info. The rehabber in Kentucky was delighted that I offered her site. The paper did not give my email address which I hoped would give people an opportunity to ask questions, and for help. I emailed questioning this but no response yet. Still need to have it translated, hopefully this week. R said he could do it with fine tuning by someone Quebecois for nuances.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 07:32 PM

Good work on the article, Dorothy! If the sites that link to your article were to post your email, I suspect anyone looking for you would find you that way, even if the paper doesn't list it directly.

Dog walking has suddenly become a regular thing, time-wise, at least for a little while. I'll take Poppy out for a few minutes on her own, then come back for Cinnamon. I may take them both for our meet-up, but I need to work individually with both dogs to get them to pay more attention to me and not to other dogs and to cats, the great aggravation of their lives.

Today I found my favorite variety of tomatoes today while I was at the feed store picking up dog food. Two chores out of the way. It's still a little early to plant the tomatoes in the ground and they were quite root bound in 2" pots. I transplanted them into larger pots with good dirt and I'll bring them in if it looks like it will get cool at night. I'll plant them in the garden in a couple of weeks.

Tonight I'll relist the eBay items separately. I tried selling the copier and the cartridge as one, and though a few folks watched, none bought. So I'll offer them separately and combine them to ship if someone buys both.

Off to walk the dogs.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 08:58 PM

It's so nice to have someone to talk to while out walking the dogs. Good for me, and good for them. And good for the neighbor (Susie) who has only been here a couple of months. I decided this evening instead of leaving Poppy home to walk them a bit first so they wouldn't be fresh out of the yard excited when they saw Zeke. Turns out they live in a house with a paint job (on top, over the bricks) similar to ours. Easy to spot it on the block from her description.

We won't manage a walk every day, but if I can get Poppy acclimated to Zeke, then I think she'll settle down around other dogs also. She was much better tonight than last night, though she did vocalize a bit when they first came out of their door. Cinnamon just wagged her entire body at him. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: maire-aine
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 09:49 PM

Not much going on for the last couple days. But tomorrow I have an interview for a part-time bookkeeper job. More to add a little structure to my life, although a little extra money wouldn't hurt. Haven't been on a job interview in nearly 40 years. If I get it, fine; if I don't, that's fine too.

M

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 04:01 AM

I was once told by an old guy in my last village to put Epsom salts on a rose that I had transplanted, and which was a bit sickly.

As the wind appears to be dropping, and I shouldn't get blown to bits, I think I may go de-clutter the front flowerbed this morning. The box hedge I put in will have to come out, as it has been totally windblasted and windburned. Looks awful now. Also, the masses of little in-situ bulbs that came up (don't know what they are) have stayed "blind", so they are coming out. At the moment they make it look like long grass is taking over! There are also a lot of celandines. Very pretty, but the style of house does not lend itself to au-naturel planting at the front (the back's another matter!) I have 4 Aquelegias to put in, and some annual seeds for either there, or the back.

The poor house is getting ignored at the moment! I need to finish my rag jacket for next week too, so at the moment there's still fabric everywhere.

The builder and the quarryman turned up yesterday afternoon, so I should have the second costing in soon, and then I can finally make a decision about starting the rebuild of the kitchen/bathroom.
I REALLY must contact the archaeologists today....

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 12:34 PM

Additional work travel planned looks like it will require/support continuing to fit out the minivan as a mini-camper ("boondocker"). I have found a lot of good boondocking organizing resources online.... the next goal after I get those bed-frames out of it is the addition of the perfect cot-- they make them now in several styles for folks my size, and I need to measure every 1/2 of space once the van is empty to pick one. I just can;t sleep on the floor anymore. (Well I can but it's too hard to get up at night.... ewww, 'nuff said.)

The big motivator is that on the most recent trip I had to choose between bringing "sleepage" and mobility scooter-- never again! I missed not one but TWO fabulous museums that were right on the path and topic of the trip... and I have tentage to hold just about anything outside the van at my campsite, so..... will be planning space under the cot for those, in cases, too.

And everything modular-- so it can transfer to any other van we buy when this one craps out.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 12:36 PM

PS so a task as soon as a warm day coincides with Hardi's day off will be to set up a whole mock camp here at home to measure and explore storage and set-up options-- customize whatever needs it, etc.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 01:55 PM

Dorothy, your country house sounds idyllic...it's been way too long since my Rog and I have been able to live in such a way. If we wind up moving in the next year or so, you have inspired me to look for something along those lines. Thank you for your indefatigable sharing of all you have gone through to bring it about.

I finally had Morgan over for about thirty minutes, yesterday. First time in several weeks. Got his song recorded for the Mudcat CD and have done laundry each day this week. Not much able to do anything else. More doc's appts. on Thurs and Friday which should move me along. Feels as though the colds are finally giving up and we are all healthier!

I have ceased to believe Colorado is known as the Sunshine State; there is no such thing, any more. It continues to be yellow-tinged overcast ugly with no moisture. Plants are trying in blooming, etc., but we really need something to blow through here and actually set Spring in motion!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 04:14 PM

According to this week's email from Kovels, the antique dealers "bible", my home is now all the rage:

The "undecorating style" has arrived just in time for collectors who have always known that casual combinations of wonderful things create a room that is comfortable, interesting, and tells a lot about the owner. "Perfectly matched" is out. "Expensive" when "cheap" is available is out. Even an unmade bed is OK. The rules are: be clever, use your own guidelines, and watch what you spend since lavish is now considered poor taste. "Undecorate: The No Rules Approach to Interior Design," by Christine Lemieux, is a new book on the style. And once a style is named, it is "official." (from a March 20 article in The Wall Street Journal)

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 04:50 PM

Well, well, I surprise myself. This now feels like a red-letter day. I thought Morgan would be here by now, so was up doing stuff waiting for him. Haven't heard from him, yet, but I picked up a bunch of junk in the house, freshened up three bouquets of flowers I received for my b-day, and went out on the front step, moved some small pots, then scooched the christmas fir tree over a bit so I could sit beside it without blocking the front door. I hope we get it planted this weekend. This is the first time in about two months I have done some real, independent activity besides laundry.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 06:10 PM

Kat, your posts sound so up! I am glad you have some good energy!
Whose autobiography was called: Been Down So Long, It Looks Like Up To Me!
That's life- "up one day, the next I'm down, half an inch of water and I think I'm gonna drown, that's the way the world goes round"?
Or the punch line from the Arkansas hard luck story: "The only reason I'm hanging around is to find out what the heck is gonna happen next."

I was pondering the ebb and flow of my own energy and .... causes are myriad and complex, yes?

Right now, I have that eagle site (see thread) on the right side of screen - large eagle head looking at me! Can work on the other side. It is so amazing to sit here in downtown Montreal watching - LIVE - an eagle in Iowa! I muted the sound. Eagles are truly vicious looking.

Positive comments from other raccoon folks on my piece in the paper. And, giving bro credit, he phoned yesterday just to congratulate me. Even our fav reporter sent an email noting that very few pieces get published!

Susan: I posted links on FB: Eagles, my article and an interesting one about "groupons". The latter might be of interest to others; an interesting woman writer. K's 4:14 post reminded me of it. I may learn to do clickies someday but not today. So, if you have time/energy and inclination....

Will be readying another car load to go to the country on Friday and another for Sunday when we go to the local Historical Society event. R is so excited about the pottery, we are looking at another kiln and negotiating for a second wheel.   

We will BE THERE for the weekend of 15th - for the cafe on Friday, CD launch on Saturday, sleep in on Sunday - or be so happy to be in the country and go for a walk or work on the studio or even wedge some clay and make a pot - if it is warm enough. Maybe someone will stop by for a cup of tea! Maybe we can stay over 'til Monday morning.

The yard is half cleared of snow and half still has about a foot. Autumn Joy sedum and some other plants are showing signs of life!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 06:39 PM

Just as I was going to start supper, the visible egg started cracking and the eaglet was trying so hard! Then parent sat on top of it and all I could see was a tiny head and an eye. Parent is being careful to keep it under - warm and safe. I'd better go cook.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 06:57 PM

I have been on campus again, and ended up paying for a full day of parking in the garage. This is in lieu of paying the annual parking fee in a lot south of the library, and I know I've paid more for the garage than for the lot over the course of the year. However, it reminds me that I had a strategy worked out that I need to again employ: park on the street on the west edge of campus and ride the shuttle from near there to the library.

Kat, I'm glad to see you're up and about again. Spring will arrive, though it may seem late when reading about those of us further south and lower elevation. You'll have longer days and clearer night skies, so there is something to recommend your location also.

Out to the garden for an hour, then to walk the dogs. I think they will begin to expect this after another day of walking with Zeke, and I hope Poppy has resigned herself to getting along with this now not-so-strange dog. I need to show her how Cesar Millan walks his dogs - beside him - and she will have a lot more productive walk. He is out in front and leads the way, she needs to become the pack leader. I can show her how to do that.

Stuff sitting around the house needs to be put away. I'll make that my chore for the evening. Boxes, blankets, throws, things that were seasonal, things that were just set there and forgotten. It all needs attention.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 11:06 PM

Good walk again - Poppy is settling down a little more each time she meets Zeke, though she still has to make some noise. We won't see him again till next week - his mom is going to be attending two different family weddings around the state and won't be home for dog walking. I'd like to see him make good enough friends with the girls that he could come stay if they need to leave town. Cinnamon had a great time, and after giving him a few kisses was content to simply walk beside him, and Poppy ignored him.

In a move that might appall anyone afraid of pit bulls, I had to stop and fish an acorn out of the back of Cinnamon's mouth, where it had lodged between her cheek and gum. She couldn't get it out and was making all sorts of faces as she tried (she picked up a couple at once, and this got pushed back.) I opened her mouth, scooped it out, and got a kiss from her. That's a typical pit bull.

I showed Susie how Cesar Millan does the walk - when I walked him the other day, he did it perfectly. Better than my dogs who have been doing it for ages. Right beside you, not in front. I even walked all three dogs together to show her at one point. He is wonderful. I can see maybe ending up with a third dog if it is as great as this guy.

Before our walk I started turning over and weeding dirt in the garden, and I finished it when we got back. Enough weeds to fill a wheelbarrow, and I took that, plus one of the bags I picked up curbside earlier in the week, back to the compost. I emptied the grass clippings then put my weeds and dirt on top. I'll do this for the next week or so and have a good start on compost. And I cleared about 2 square yards of garden in the time I had this evening.

I've put some boxes from the living room away, and will do a little more picking up before heading to bed. As the days get longer I need to get up earlier, but that is only going to happen if I make it to bed at a reasonable time. As Kat has pointed out, getting a good night's sleep makes all the difference.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 10:02 AM

Bed-frames coming out, tonight, we think.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 01:18 PM

39 F and rising. Time to move car to this side of street and start putting together a new load for the country.
Just found Canadian tax form not due until 30 April! I can put it off a bit longer. Maybe the mail I need will be found. The address I used last year: bro picks up most of mail and it just gets piled somewhere - literally "SOMEWHERE"! Theirs, mine.... I recd July VISA bill in December. I had already phoned and paid it in July. Some of us stay on top of things and some of us.... "Declutter"????? a foreign term, totally incomprehensible. You cannot even imagine - unless you had a total pack rat relative ********

OH, WOW, three little eaglets! parent is snacking on fish at edge of nest and little guys are flapping tiny wings and watching - where did our warm blankie go? Ah, settled in again. Everyone happy. How do you tell if an eagle is happy????

*** Think I'll check out income tax form on line. I thought I picked one up at the post office but it is only an instruction booklet. I would like to know approximately how much this is going to cost so I can see how broke, for how long, I will be. Not worried, just have need to know.

Eternally vigilant, these eagles - like any good parent. Constant nest rearranging. Humans think they are so clever but animals are right in there ---- and no bills to pay. But still have to watch out for humans and other predators and find enough food and a warm place to live.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 07:50 PM

Are eagles one of the birds where the biggest sibling deep-sixes the other/s? Three chicks so far, and Mom seems to be taking turns feeding from a fish and what looks like a small hare. When a bite pulls off too big, she eats it, when it's small, the chicks get it (sometimes with a bit of maneuvering to fit it down a small gullet.

Low energy today. I suppose it's part of the process of considering the presentation from the candidate for our current boss' job - and contemplating all of the things I'd like to finish before he leaves. I must prioritize! It may also be allergies.

I'll work at home tomorrow, meaning my hours can be more flexible- if I work this evening I work fewer hours tomorrow, or if I take time off tomorrow I can make it up on the weekend. I'll see how the weather looks and plan from there.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 08:45 PM

Actually a gray squirrel but I did not mention that to the rehab group! And I don't think they deep-6 as the site says that last year slot are on the wing! This pair seems to be healthily productive. I am amazed at how quickly they seem to be growing and wonder when parents will have to be keeping them from falling out of the nest!

Today I kept a good eye of Craigslist freebies and coped a good microwave and toaster oven - both stainless - from a nice young woman about 20 minutes away. She bought new ones. We chatted and she will phone me when she has done her spring sorting and I will take the stuff to the thrift shop for her. She also gave me a brand new pair of HIGH heels in box for the shop. This shop raises funds for the visiting nurse program and is beautifully run - a bunch of older women who like things very tidy and attractive. A decent TV and a good mattress and box springs are still on the watch list. I already have a bunch of stuff for the shop from things left behind at one of Rob's buildings.

Posted comments of several sites - for animals and public education purposes and read a ton of rehab material.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 10:10 PM

Dorothy, is it you who has a box of worms for compost? How large is it, how often do you add new bedding, and what volume of worm castings do you get when you clean it? I'm seriously considering building myself a box and starting indoor composting because it would be more efficient than the bins I'm using now. They're too heavy to move easily if I don't empty them often enough, and sometimes the dogs still dig into the compost to check out what smells so strong.

Thursday night, but I'll treat it like Friday. Nice!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 11:51 AM

Stuff seems to build up all by itself around here - looks like this weekend will be a good one to split between the yard and the de-cluttering in the house. And it feels like time to rearrange my office again. Since I have a web cam, I want what is behind me to look interesting, not full of posessions or with an odd view of half bookcase, half wall, etc. The color balance seems to be a bit high and off with a strong colored wall behind me.

Next week is another busy one for me, so I need to make the most of the weekend. I feel better about myself, I think, when I have a little more control of my stuff.

How are all of you spending this weekend?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: MAG
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 06:01 PM

It looks like I'm finally going to be able to move in a couple of months; just needed to find the right mortgage counselor --

have regained 20 lb of the 95 I lost but will get back on track shortly

spent too long in the dumps because I felt so stuck -- suddenly ev erything is wonderful! Spring helps!

also digging up and giving away tons of stuff from my garde n -- some to friends where I'm moving to, so I'll get it back in a couple years.

My garxen also took a hit in last year's severe December cold snap

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 11:50 PM

Maryann, Where will you move to? Refresh our memories?

I dug for a couple of hours this evening and finished turning over and weeding the part of the garden that I had hoped to finish last year, but didn't get to then. It's about 5' x 8' in size. There was a pile of mulch there last year I had been pulling from for the rest of the garden, and today I pulled tons of Bermuda grass rhizomes out of what was left it. It's all turned into the soil now. I'll see if I can get one more plank to extend the back edge of this garden, and I need more bags of top soil and humate to build my raised beds. I will be more careful about how close I plant everything this year, particularly the tomatoes. Last year (and most years) they end up a hedge, hard to work around or weed.

This evening I've taken ibuprofen, I'm sure my backside will feel all of that digging and I'll be stiff in the morning. I took a wheelbarrow full plus one of those bags of lawn clippings to the compost this evening and emptied the bag then dropped my weeds on top.

Didn't do much in the house, but I'll pick up a little before heading to bed.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 01:06 AM

Here is a giant spiderwort that grows in my garden every year. I have several now, transplanted from the woods across the road. Before they plow it all under to build houses, I'll save a few flowers. I spent a little time with Photoshop this evening sizing photos down for web use.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: MAG
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 09:51 AM

I'm actively house shopping in Portland, OR ==

and thanks for that advice on a router for the computer awhile back -- I'm told it has stood me in good stead.

My back's killing me from using the rug shampooer, which is not adequately getting out the stains -- will have to spring for $$ steam cleaning once the house is empty 0-- anticipating a bit here --

rototilling in the white clover -- got to keep ahead of its flowering

tons of bulbs I missed digging out last fall; kittens dug them and batted them all over the yard

how can I tell if a rose is worth moving, once I have it dug up?

love to all, MA

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 10:54 AM

MAG, congratulations! My dear friend who passed on a while ago, was born and raised in Portland and lived there most recently. He sang its praises constantly. If we were to move, it would be one of the first places we would look at.

I was bored and tired of doing nothing last night, so watered all of my houseplants, plus, with Rog's help, all of my outside plants. Looks as though my butterfly bush may not have wintered well. My baskets of gold are blooming. SRS, that spiderwort is gorgeous!

I also cleaned off my desk ....that's a biggie!

More, later.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 11:13 AM

A friend from NYC called this morning to ask for computer help. I wrote him two letters, illustrated with screen shots, then saved each as a PDF (he doesn't have my version of MS Word, and the images in Word documents sometimes move around unexpectedly). I told him how to scan for malware using Malwarebytes (the free version) then I told him how to load WinPatrol (also the free version) and to make and send me a screen shot of his start menu. I may have to do remote desktop to really clean the thing up. So, my first big declutter of the day was virtual and long distance.

Kat, any time now Morgan can start his chard plants. Use a large enough pot that you can put two or three seeds, spread around, and by summer you'll be eating it, or will transplant it into the garden.

Allergies are acting up. Sudafed before I head into the garden. I have to mow, then get bags of topsoil.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 01:23 PM

I lived in Vancouver WA for a while..right next to Portland..you don't have to pay income taxes in Washington and it is a very convenient town.. parts are very pretty.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 01:38 PM

I've been taking care of a sick husband for most of the week and also prepping for a Relay For Life event. This morning I slept WAY in, started some laundry, cleared the kitchen table, watered a flat of tomato plants that I started from seed,cleared the counters, did a few dishes, swept the hallway, living room and kitchen, cleaned the bathroom and am now taking a break. I think I'll do some toy rotations later on for the baby and once he's up, I'll do some vaccuuming. Pete went to town so I'm enjoying a few minutes of quiet...feet up, coffee beside me, candles lit and ahhhhhhhhhhh. :)

I am going to clean out my car later this afternoon and have plans to attend a concert this evening. :)

Enjoy your Saturday everybody!!!

XOXOXOXO

Michelle

PS. I hear Portland is a GREAT place to live!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 03:24 PM

Well, darn. Last time I used my mp3 player I evidently didn't turn it off (I remember pulling the plugs out of my ears when someone asked me something, and I bet that was all I did.) It's charging. I'm getting ready to go dig a trench in the front yard and thought the Saturday NPR programs would be pleasant company. I can probably take a little radio with a speaker out and listen to it instead. The player is going to have to charge for many hours.

It's hitting 90 today, but I've decided I need to work out there even thought it's afternoon and it's hot. In the front I'll have shade after a little while. I have my jug of drinking water and out I go.

First, I have bags of dirt to mix together with compost and amendments and put in the garden, and to pick up more. I'll water now so the area softens up, and dig when it's shady.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 06:02 PM

Hot day out there, but I moved and piled dirt onto the areas I'm beveling into raised beds, added amendments, added a wheelbarrow of compost, then, the really stinky job, moved the pre-compost bin (where I dump kitchen veggie waste and let it break down until in theory it is no longer tempting to animals) to the back yard, dug a hole in the top of the compost, and poured in the stinking anaerobic mess. Covered it over and now the sprinkler is running on top to keep the dogs from investigating. I predict a few skunk visits this week. They seem fond of this slop. This is why I'm switching to worms. No dogs or skunks in it.

There are a lot more things on my list, but I think a shower is the next critical item. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 06:33 PM

BEAUTIFUL spiderwort, SRS!

Yesterday, R and I set off in his pick up truck. To Ste. Sophie to buy a pottery kiln he found on Kijiji. It is big but in very good shape and $150! And in three pieces so not too hard to move. Then we went further into the Laurentians to visit a house which was partly prefabbed in one of Rob's buildings. It is beautiful and the French Canadian couple who had it built have done a glorious job of the interior. The kitchen is well designed - most are not, imo. It has a wonderful laundry/sewing/powder room with a door to the outside - "For the clothesline!" The K,LR, DR are all one big room at the back looking out into the trees, with a patio. Upstairs, a fine master BR and two smaller BRs for visits from the 11 grands! Christiane made all the window treatments, bed coverings... beautifully. What a treat! "Come back any time."

Stopped at a rather upscale McDonald's for lunch where I had a very nice "Southwest" salad - lettuce, a nice piece of grilled chicken, corn and a few beans, a packet of "tortilla strips" (Rob ate the ones without food colouring.) Anyway, it was better than I expected - very nice actually.

Then, further north, we looked at the mess left by the eight year squatter on one of R's properties and planned how to improve the situation so it can be rented -FINALLY! So today, he has large rental truck and a couple helpers and has gone to deal with that. He may be home by midnight.

I am triaging another load for the cabin which will go in the car shortly; we are going down tomorrow for the Historical Society programme - after Quaker meeting and potluck with consideration of membership which I am facilitating.

We stopped here long enough on Friday to load the smaller kiln and fill the truck with stuff, hence dropping it off on our way to the cafe. So this will be load three. I am having trouble working my way through the shed. Things got moved around when the roof collapsed and then the rain came through and then a cat took up residence and has knocked things around. So, I just started at the beginning - the entrance and started clearing out whatever was well-packed and definitely goes to the country. Put some stuff to dry out; some will go into recycling. It is supposed to be in the high 50s all week! Maybe it will melt the snow along the side of the shed so I can get to the rest of the yard without boots.

After the music, which was excellent, everyone pitched in and moved chairs, tables, and more, from the current venue to the new one around the corner - a moving party!   Even the piano was rolled along the sidewalk with care! They will open for business in the new locale on Monday.   

Guess I had best load the car before the rain starts.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 08:19 PM

Dorothy, it all sounds so wonderful!

With Rog's help, I sorted three boxes of books. We kept about ten books. The rest are all packed in boxes ready for a pet charity to pick up after I call them on Monday. New meds made me very sleepy today. I wasn't sure I'd get anything done, so I am happy about that. Rog also helped me move the 45+year old hibiscus tree and a miniature bougainvillea which is about 25 yrs. old. I think they will be happy in the east window in the LR. It opened some office space in the DR for me. We'll see.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 10:00 PM

Gee, I have never managed to keep a Bougainvillea or hibiscus going! Secrets?

The crocus in the front are blooming!!!!!

And today, after I dropped R off at the rental truck, I went to the Marche and there was wonderful music! I found it. Two Mexicans with guitar and pipes, the other with something that looked like a cross between a guitar and a uke but not a mandolin?? I did not look too hard as I did not want to be invasive. I stayed for quite awhile listening. Did not have the cash for their CD but put a couple dollars in the guitar case. They were very good. Rob just home and gone again. But he thinks we should watch for them, get the CD and maybe Ad could fit them in at the cafe. Though he is booked to the fall. Anyway, it was a nice interlude on a sunny, warm day!

Then I bought 3 choc treats - individual cakes - at the good bakery. Thinking of a b-day later this month. Which cake to get this year. And did the rest of shopping before comin home to tackle the shed.

My second incursion resulted in lots of boxes - too many - ready to load but no energy left to load them. R was high on what he got done today - never went north but got lots done here. Then he went off to take cans to the recycling machine! Maybe he will have enough energy to put some more in the car. Tomorrow is tightly scheduled! And that is fine.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 11:45 PM

Benign neglect...it's how all of my house plants seem to survive. That and I will "euthanise" them when it feels as though there is nothing left to do. The hibiscus has travelled from Wyoming to New England in a refrigerator and then back to Wyoming ten years later. All my plants went in the frig, packed tightly in low cardboard boxes with plastic around the pot of each one with a shot of water. They wound up in storage for over a month and I thought they'd be dead, BUT when I got them out, they were very pale and spindly but very much alive. It was amazing. The hibiscus, at one point in WY, was clandestinely "trimmed" by Roger's horse. We came out to the sliding glass doors to find him standing there with it dangling from his mouth, pot and all. I was ready to kill him!:-) It really didn't hurt it, though. That horse caused a lot of laughs and tales.

Both plants do like lots of sunshine, esp. to bloom.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 12:52 AM

The plants I've been abusing/pampering this week are outside. I have six "Super Fantastic" tomatoes in pots to grow more roots before I put them in the garden. They were put in larger pots and I have them on a bench outside right now, ready to bring in if it gets cold.

This evening I picked up some cedar planks and fasteners (screws, carriage bolts) to turn an old firewood caddy thing into a table for plants. Photo to follow, etc. Also picked up some more humus, and it is already in the garden.

Tomorrow I'll put together the table top, and I also grabbed some supports for the peg board that has been leaning against the garage wall for far too long. Tomorrow it goes up, somewhere, and stuff is going to be put out of the way on it. I'm tired of the clutter on my garage workbench.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 11:26 AM

Started this beautiful morning by spraying some 10% vinegar (with a bit of orange oil and Murphy oil soap added) to spray grasses coming up in garden plot. Easier than pulling and vinegar will end up as fertilizer. But I must have disturbed a wasp, that ended up in my pants leg and gave a nasty sting on the calf. I'm now sitting with a little poultice of baking soda on the sting and have taken a Benedryl.

I shifted some of my plans for the weekend yesterday when I went looking for something in the garage and couldn't find it. After mowing the yard I'll see how the rest of the day looks, but my plan is to organize the garage and make that table-top.

There may be a nap in there, if I have to take more Benedryl.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 11:40 AM

I scrubbed the bathroom! Also, emptied a basket of meds, lotions, etc. from the kitchen where it has been since Rog broke his heel, back to the bathroom where most of it belonged. Rog did litter boxes. We are about to go put weeks of clean clothes away in our bedroom.

My brother is coming over to get some cat food we can't use and I suspect Morgan will be over sometime this morning. SRS, I'm not sure about him planting the chard, yet. Rule of thumb, here, has always been to wait 'til after my dad's b-day, may 8th, as it froze here on that date once killing everything mom had planted. Might start it in a couple of pots, though.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 02:41 PM

No Morgan, but everything else is DONE.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 04:59 PM

I haven't been as busy as you all, but now have a problem with the neighbour's lovely ginger cat.

It has been surveying my garden off and on for a while. I think it was responsible for pulling down the base of my 6 foot fence a couple of times, which I dealt with by sticking in a lot of strong tent pegs. It has stared over from its own fence a couple of times.

But this week, it definitely got in, and used my newly cleared patio area as a toilet. I went to the pet shop, bought a litter scoop and some repellent rods scented with citrus. I won't sayt what I did with the droppings, but I put rods in any areas likely to be used.

The next morning I saw it checking out the area under the bird feeder. It was most unhappy getting down from the fence after climbing up the gate. The following morning it had used the seed bed right by one of the rods. The box said this might happen with a particularly aggressive cat, and to increase the number of scented rods in the area.

I've been to the garden centre and bought some pellets impregnated with lion's dropping. Also a spray of aluminium ammonium sulphate. Alum, I assume, though I can't see how this works to confuse the sense of smell. At any rate, it will dry up the slugs.

Anyone have any further ideas about cat prevention? I'm thinking of some edging for the fence. Or a £30 ultrasound scarer...

I can't have it in here all the time when my seeds are growing.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 06:13 PM

My father had a big water rifle (the kind the kids play with at the beach or pool) that he carried with him when he was walking. It apparently was enough to chase off aggressive dogs. It seems a hose or a longer range water device might do it. You shouldn't have to turn your yard into a toxic wasteland to get rid of the cat.

I mowed the front lawn and did most of the front and back trimming. I need to reload the trimmer, but I stopped mowing at the front because it got to 90 out there and it takes a while to build up the hot weather stamina. The mowing was the most important chore, because as I've probably mentioned before, if the lawn looks like it needs to be mowed it seems to invite burglary. That is what happened in 2005, and I have vowed to keep it looking like someone is here.

Now to do some of my other chores.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 01:26 AM

The other chore I did was a BIG one - I emptied shelves next to the side door in my garage and I hung an 8' x 4' pegboard by myself. The trick is to figure out where you want the bottom edge to be and to screw a solid chunk of wood to that spot. Make it level, that helps. Then I simply maneuvered the sheet by dragging one corner on the floor until I could rest the bottom edge on that support. It's easy to lift if the chunk of wood is now supporting it, and from there I put in support screws into the studs (I had some spacers to keep it a bit out from the studs so the pegs will go in all of the holes).

Part of my trip to Home Depot yesterday was to pick up a lot of hooks for the peg board, and I moved a couple of dozen things from the shelving and from my workbench onto that wall. Things I'd forgotten I own because I couldn't see them. Now I can. I then moved stuff from under the workbench and stored tools in better places. My bench is completely clear, and the things that are still useful but not sorted are on one shelf near the door. That's okay - I will eventually put all of those packaged nuts and bolts into a jar. It's all of the left-over bits from installing any number of things around the house.

I can reach my vice grip and I can see all of my saws. I can open the top of my tool cabinet (it sits on one side of the workbench). So tomorrow or the next day I'll be able to cut my rough cedar boards and make that table top. Better I cleared this out today instead of building the table, because there are so many things I'll be able to do in there now.

There's still work to do in there, but for now the workbench is wonderful and I can pull my truck in. I considered leaving it out, but an emergency weather spotter announcement on the radio convinced me that in is better.

Laundry is spinning now, and one load was washed and line dried today. Linens changed. Kitchen isn't looking too bad - won't take long to finish the dishes tomorrow. My sting is still an occasional twinge, but I took another benedryl (and can feel it - I'm heading to bed in a minute).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 01:43 AM

pls delete prev post (this one corrected)

This month has really been hopping. Work heated up plus that trip plus the Bishop and his wife just finished their annual visit here.... oy.

But the boondocker.... bed frames unloaded, check.

I just sold an autoharp I had not been playing to fund and order these:

Two zippered GEAR LOCKERS, one of which will hopefully hold a FOLDING COT WITH MATTRESS. (I plan to lay 2x4's under it, notched out for the legs, to prevent unexpected mid-sleep tipping. I'll also add a superthin army mattress pad-- have several on hand via surplus store-- to make the springs less evident.).... the second zippered case is for sleeping bag/misc storage under the cot.

.... to which I will attach what is euphemistically known as a hunters' "NIGHTSTAND," which will seriously reduce boondocker clutter.

If the cot fits in that case (the measurements look like it should), the bed will carry easily into homes or churches, etc., that give me overnight space indoors.

I hope to find a space bag-type holder to use to fill the second of those cases with sleeping bags and the heat source for van-sleeping-- probably a Ziploc WalMart item.

Why this cot? It has the most open leg design for rear-hatch access to stored items underneath crammed into several of those zip lockers, and the flattest sleeping surface which also can be reinforced with nylon twine like we reinforced our folding recliners. Plus it's not a fabric sleeping surface to sag and rip in time, like our camp chairs always seem to do at the stitching points. A second foam mattress we carry in the camper for guest children can be added-- same width.

As $$ permits I can add a few more of those zip lockers to streamline storage. (They also can be carries standing up to make it easy to pull one at a time like giant file folders.)

When I'm on the road, all that (and the newly-streamlined music gear) will fit in the back of the van along with the scooter and its ramp, a slim duffel holding a medium-sz canopy, and another slim duffel holding what can either be a storage tent or a privy depending on which I actually need once I offload the scooter to set up camp.

It's dry enough here now to start setting up the mock camp to see how to connect all these dots most easily. All modular-- to fit any van we own next.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 03:26 AM

In the UK a "super-soaker" is a commonly used cat deterrent. The only trouble is that you have to be on guard all the time. There are some gel pellets called "scent-off" which I used to keep the dogs off the lawn once....it worked on one of them!
When I had a problem with local cats, it soon stopped when I got a dog! I have my own cat now, and he keeps his "business" to a patch near the wall. The problem I had at my last house was another cat, which was terrorising mine, and caused several visit to the vet.

We had about 20C yesterday, even up here in Northumberland, so I sprinkled some Night-scented Stocks along the edge, and I may put the chard in. Once it's up and established it is usually frost-proof.

Got the final builder's price in...it's £10k less than the other. I have to sit down and see who is including what, although I don't think there's much to choose between them on that. I also need to start and badger the county archaeology dept for their advice again. I'm not allowed to start work until their is a survey plan in writing, even if it will only turn out to be a "watching brief", ie an archaeologist hanging about while the digging is done, in case something turns up!

I have decided I need to seriously shrink my midriff. I had better try swimming, I think. Trouble is, it's a 30 mile round trip to a pool. Of course, there is also the North Sea....Brrrr!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 04:49 AM

I've only seen it once. I spent some time watching this morning, as it seemed to have been coming in shortly after being let out, but no sign of it yet. Only its housemate, the ginger and white cat, which has not been involved, as far as I know. This makes the squirting option a bit unrealistic. Unfortunately.

Its own garden is completely covered with plants, ponds, flagstones etc, and has no bare earth. It goes out under the hedge as soon as it gets out of the house into the shared green space between the houses, also short of bare earth. Not short of birds, though, but they always fly off. Its owners put out bird feeders round the front of their home on the trees by the public path there.

It's a pity. I'm a cat person myself, but am not quite ready to get my own, as I still have to go off and do stuff elsewhere at times, and it wouldn't do to get involved with that responsibility until my time is clear.

Meanwhile, I shall put the forsythia prunings I'm keeping for pea-sticks across any new tilth (as well as the lion poo), and keep watching.

I am varnishing the old bed heads with yacht varnish to make them resistant to weather. They have an open balustrade in them, and will look like fancy fencing. I'm putting them at the change in level in the garden, either side of the steps I have put in. The previous step was three loose foot square flags which slid down the clay. I have dug out space for two 18" flags, resting on bricks, but need to put in one more. I also need to put another step higher up to make it safe to get at the little plstic greenhouse.

Did I say that some of the level changes have been outlined with broken up concrete, some of which have been coated nicely with moss? I thought it was very odd, especially as it was treated with equal value as the very nice massive quartz pieces which were also there. fora while I planned to hide these, while looking at sources for local stone for the rockery. Kentish Rag is now tricky to get hold of, as the quarries are closed, and alternatives are very expensive, so I looked at making hypertufa. After reading up the complex process, and the warnings involved, it seemed to me that in the concrete I had something very similar, and that if I painted it with yoghurt to encourage algae, lichen and the moss, no-one would know what it was. I'm using some to surround raised beds, which is slightly different from the previous owner's use, which looked as though it had been surrounding a water feature, though it wasn't.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 09:30 AM

Had a chance today finally to catch up on what y'alls have been up to here-- my goodness! What a bunch!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 01:55 PM

What a good idea to use forsythia prunings for peas! I have one I shall be getting rid of in the future, and it will be nice to make some use of it. However, as my garden is destined to be a builders' yard this summer, it won't happen just yet. Got some chard seeds in, but like everything so far this year, it's just round the edge (apart from the front (floral) flowerbed. We are a tourist village, and the parish council is trying to encourage people to make the place look attractive (everything is made of grey stone).

It's quite amusing watching all the passers-by checking the progress of the plants out!

I've chosen the cheaper builder (who should be able to start earlier than the other guy too) and so I am moving stuff around now, ready for the back of my house disappearing!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 02:08 PM

Well, today I have put more varnish on the bedheads, and on an old chipboard table which is going to support strawberries. I have put in a third step at the change in level, and two small steps by the greenhouse, and shifted some soil to an area where I have moved eight flags. This area will become home to bulbs from the sunny part of the garden, where I will be making veggie beds. After eradicating the vinca.

So, picture the garden, the width of the house. My door opens on its left, onto a paved patio. In front of the door is one of those plastic boxes for storing tools, with next to it a fake stone bird bath from Dad's house, which doesn't have a permanent home yet. Behind it is the beginning of a hole which will house the old cold water tank for collecting rain from the flagged areas. (I'm going to have to change the fall on the patio for it.) Next to that is the herb bed, then a path with a shallow step then recently cleared soil with a rock collection which will be a rockery. It is currently home to violets, campanula, a small geranium from my mother and oxalis - where did that come from? Between the house and the rockery is a probably dead olive in a tub, and a stand with a lot of strawberry plants taken from runners last year, which are going to go into pocketed bags.

Behind these is the flagged area which was originally 8 by 10 half metre flags, with the washing line pole in the centre. This is being reduced to 6 by 6, with the corner flags missing. On the left, in the shaded part, I have put honeysuckle from Dad's, a wild rose from the last place, primroses, some hybridised with a red cowslip (which seems to have been lost in transit, wild strawberry and white violets and an angelica plant, while attempting to reduce the montbretia and a very vigorous geranium. On the right is a juniper, a philadelphus (not the best scented version) and a potted dwarf peach I bought with a gift voucher from my sister. Also a couple of brambles I brought from the old place, where they did incredibly well producing a wonderfully sweet fruit. And more geranium.

Behind this is a step in level to a sloping area where I have built steps in the middle. To the left is a forsythia and a peony in the shaded part of the garden, plus vigorous London Pride and lavender, two compost bins, and the cold water tank soaking comfrey. To the right is the bird feeder, various bulbs, more brambles, vinca, vinca and vinca, forgetmenot, leeks from last year, comfrey, and the beginnings of my raised system. On the back fence is Virginia Creeper, and in the top right corner my little greenhouse. The soil here is particularly bad, clay-with-flints, and looks much as if it is subsoil, not topsoil. The best stuff seems to be under the flags near the house. Since the neighbour's garden beyond the path to the green space is abundant with plants, I suspect that during the construction of the flagged area the subsoil was turned over onto the raise part.

It is aligned to the north west, with a 3 storey terrace to the south east, so not as sunny as I would like, but I have put three wavy sided mirrors from IKEA which lurked in the bathroom to surpise the unwary stepping from the bath on the back fence to get a bit more morning light in, and have another one ready to join them. There is a gate to the communal green space opposite the back door. I need to find a way to secure the gate, while allowing the window cleaner access. It has a simple bolt near the top which can easily be undone from outside.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 06:41 PM

Penny, you need a camera and a flickr account! It sounds lovely and interesting.

Since there is a common green area between your houses, could you go in and dig up some of the turf and make a spot where the cat would go? And would his activity in that area be less noticeable, or would it end up right under a window or something?

Susan, I have that cot, or one very much like it, that came from my Dad's house almost 15 years ago. He could put in the back of his tiny car to go to folk music events when he didn't want his sleeping bag on a floor. I'm sure the height made a difference, I know he had arthritis in his last few year. It is quite comfortable, having been used on many occasions around our house.

Andrea, good luck with all of your work. Are you going to camp out in part of your house for the duration?

I hung up a couple of more things in my garage this morning, and picked up some more topsoil and humate at Home Depot. I'm so glad I didn't put out seeds and seedlings this weekend or they'd have been scoured away by the heavy wind and rain that passed over us in the middle of the night. It was one of those thunderstorms that brings you bolt upright in bed with the first immense crack of thunder. The garden will be sodden right now, but in a day or two I'll get out there and add the new dirt and do some serious planting.

Conversation with a neighbor today gave me the distaff view of a marriage that is of long duration but troubled. Dementia was diagnosed a few years ago but one partner refuses to take meds that would slow the progression. It has become adversarial in the home, but isn't visible to the outside. (The absence of a xmas tree last year and how late it was going up the year before were probably the only outward signs so far.) I'm so closeby that I've been hearing hints of some of this - it is so sad, I really like these two people. They have my number if they need help, but I will reserve the right to call 911 if I hear gunfire or fear gunfire. Enough said.

Busy with special events tomorrow and Friday at work, and as the end of the semester gets closer, we'll be racing to do a number of things. I make every trip count since gas is going up. I didn't go anywhere yesterday but to pick up pots and lawn clippings in the neighborhood. My Home Depot trip today was on the heels of my six-month check at the dentist. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 07:00 PM

Thanks, SRS.

A friend or two got me into this. First Dharmabum would always insist on sleeping in his van when he came here for MudStuff. Had it set up for festivals. I thought he was nuts, when it got real cold, but as I got to know him better I knew he was NOT nuts, about ANYthing. I looked at his setup eventually and began to drool. Then recently another friend and I were on our way to a training, that had cost biggish hotel bucks to send us to it. He said that at his initial training it had been held at a church, and they had not minded when he simply unfolded a cot in the hallway and spread out his sleeping bag-- he's a a real SCA camping veteran. And then once I had an emergency need to sleep in that van myself when I happened to have a twin box and mattress in it-- heaven!!! But I always wished I could take peeps up on their nice house sleepover offers-- couch or floor offers. No can do couch or floor. Can do THIS tho, easy-peasy. More secure and stable than an inflatable, too! I expect it'll be like a sofa sleeper without the sofa. And I just spent a lovely night on a sofa sleeper without breaking it, so..... hey, it'll work. It's made for hunters heavier than me!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 08:44 PM

Dorothy, or anyone else, have you ever heard of this before? Amethyst BioMat.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 08:50 PM

Some great gardening ideas. Penny's wore me out just reading. Andrea is getting on with her building! Good helpful hint from SRS.

Our Sunday was amazing. The consideration of membership went swimmingly with no facilitation. There were enough seasoned Friends to answer the questions and concerns of the newer folks. And it ended in good time for our trip to the historical society meeting.

I opted out of the lectures on train history in southern Quebec and went up the street to talk with a couple people working on the new cafe venue. Then read for a while. Went back in time to hear a guitarist/singer doing train songs. Pretty good too.

At supper - quite good - we chose a table near the back door for fresh air. As we sat and talked with four others - the one couple started commenting on raccoons. We both immediately warned them against neg remarks about our sweeties! Then told everyone, at length, about our experiences. I finally engaged the woman across from me and mentioned my article and she was amazed - she read it, liked it and I was happy with the positive feedback.

R engaged with the couple to his left and found they are our new next door neighbours! We share a lane into the woods. Out of about 50 people at the dinner....????

Then we dropped a carload at the cabin and came home. A very good day!

Today, I put a load of stuff in the car to go to the thrift shop, hopefully, tomorrow. R stayed home all day, doing business on phone and computer and reading a book. This is a first. I fed him at intervals, read, computered and cooked a yummy dinner.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 11:29 PM

Spent the day doing laundry, dishes, running errands and cooking.....none of it for myself. A family member is in need of help. Tomorrow, add chauffer to the list! :) Sure feels great to be the one doing the helping instead of the one needing helping!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 03:02 AM

I will be doing "indoor camping" - I have a camping toilet, and there should still be a fully functioning one in the "annexe" down the garden (which is a converted stone shed). There's a laundrette in the village, I have a condenser dryer, and I also have the key to my sister in law's weekend cottage about 15 miles away - and she's got an electric shower! The dining room will become the kitchen. All washing up will be done in a bowl, and kettles boiled for hot water.

If you've lost your red cowslips, I would be able to let you have some later in the year, when mine have settled in and clumped a bit.
There was oxalis all round the front of my house at the last place. very pretty when it flowered, but a nightmare to get rid of! I take it yours is the basic green variety?

My landing by the bedroom is clear now that I had some help yesterday to shift a chest of drawers downstairs. So today's task is to get a basic tall and narrow bookcase and contents down 6 steps, then up another nine to the landing. There should also be room for a chair from the dining room to go up there after that. (I was very fortunate that a another local builder came to insulate my roof space yesterday, and he needed the chest moved to get his ladder in. He also found out why I got water dripping in a couple of weeks ago during a very severe, and windy, rain storm - there's a little hole in the roofing felt under the slates, and daylight can be seen, which means that one of the slates has probably slipped a bit. He couldn't understand the hole in the felt, though).

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 07:49 AM

I wore myself out, too! My wrists are complaining and my hands are swollen, so a nice sunny day gone to waste. Ginger was out at 6.30 today, but did not come in.

Photos not to be done yet - very much a work in progress, and I don't want the previous owner, who had lots of pretty shrubs, to see the between state. (I have rehomed the shrubs, and most are doing well. None of the geraniums have been dumped, but rehomed, though not so successfully. The vinca will be just right for the last place which has large areas which a crying out for uncontrollable ground cover.)

It's the green oxalis with pink flowers. There is a little brown with yellow flowers between the flags near the house. I'm going to put creeping thyme between the remaining flags, and hopefully corsican mint, but it's hard to get hold of.

Andrea, thanks for the offer of the cowslips - I am hoping to find another plant back at Dad's - does it sound ungracious to say that this particular plant is from my Mum, so I'd like to keep a clone going? (I might get back, though.) I've got my Grandad's mints, and Mum's honeysuckle, and Grandad's Albertine rose from a cutting from the people who now live in his old home. His honeysuckle didn't take, so I'll have to ask them again. Mum kept that going at all our homes until her last move, when she was too sick, and the purchasers of those homes have not maintained it. It's only the same as the stuff in hedges, but it's a link. I've Mum's two jasmines, winter and not winter, and I'm going to try for her fuschia (just the basic wild type) and philadelphus. Dad liked it because he grew up with one in his small plot back at a Brighton terrace. The one here has a very odd scent, lacking high notes, rather cloying. It flowers beautifully, covering the stems with small white flowers, rather like the habit of forsythia, but I can't breathe it for long.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 10:43 AM

Last night I had occasion to be in the garage, and I find myself using each trip out there to find and hang more items on that new board. When the board is full, I'll compress related things into the existing shelving. The next big move out there is to consolidate the usable chunks of lumber that are kind of bulky and leaning up against things. I like having a few larger pieces so I can make and put up a shelf if I decide I want one, and have a box for scraps if I discover I need a little wedge or a shim, etc.

I'd like to start working on that table top (I'll use it for putting potted plants on) but it'll probably have to wait till tomorrow. I picked up a geranium yesterday that I'll go ahead and put in a pretty pot this morning.

I ate a handful of strawberries from my garden with my breakfast this morning. What a luxury! I'm going to harvest and dry oregano this week. I'll give the yard another day and then do some more digging up turf (we had at least an inch overnight on Sunday, so it is a sticky sloppy job if I don't wait a couple of days).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 12:17 PM

It's so pretty outside today, it's a shame to waste it at work! I cleared the way to a space where I'll put the lumber, but I'm not going to fool with it now. Too much potential for splinters, etc. and I have to get dressed up in a little while for today's photo shoot.

I planted my bright red geranium in a pretty blue pot. What else is there to say to paint a word picture about a lovely spring day?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 01:22 PM

Penny, A beautiful sunny day is not wasted. It heals and enlivens - and may remind us not to overdo it next time. But we probably will! wonderful to have all those heritage plants to remind you of your family!

Today, y'all remind me to go outside and see how much of the snow is left. Can I easily get around the shed to the sunny side of the yard? How much is coming up there? No strawberries, for sure!!! The crocuses out front are now rampant!

We were very late up this am - I hate to say it - 10:15 when the phone moved us to notice! But yesterday we were awakened by a jack hammer about 8 am. Hopefully, they were doing something about the problem underground that caused our water to freeze this spring. But it sure shook us out of bed.

So lunch, then off to the backyard so see what is happening and maybe do some more sorting in the shed. Move is a four letter word and I am feeling it greatly today. I, too, seem to have overdone Saturday.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 01:58 PM

It is wasted if spent asleep indoors! I did manage to sweep the flags so things look neater. I had to water things in pots looking a bit tired, angelica looking flaccid, and a rose I brought from the last place which is looking as if it has caught something. This was the root stock of a neighbour's rose which had taken over, and was then destroyed, but I took cuttings, as it has clusters of creamy musky scented little flowers, gorgeous. They only last a week, but are lovely while they last. It is a very vigorous rambler. I might take some more cuttings back at the old place in case there's a problem. Possibly the angelica.

And if anyone knows a recipe for angelica, other than candying it, I'd be interested.

I finished varnishing, tidied up some old carrier bags ready to take to recycle, and found the propagation trays for the veggie seeds.

We were told it would rain. Proper useful rain. Ha.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 05:33 PM

Sleep is not wasted if one needs it! Outdoors would be nice but not in Montreal in April. I just googled Angelica. interesting herb but no fancy recipes on first page.

Went outside and found almost NO SNOW!!!! In shed, one box that had gotten wet in what I thought was a safe spot - put it out in the SUN!!! to dry. Not a great deal of energy today. Supposed to rain tomorrow so I will go out again shortly and retrieve what I put outside and maybe even prune the plants that did not get done last fall. And think about supper.

Hopefully, tomorrow will start earlier and I will get to the thrift shop and other early - before 11) shopping. Now, outside and then finish novel. After the news.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 05:55 PM

I bought a dwarf crab apple from the "rescue me" section at the garden centre a couple of weeks ago, and suddenly all the bursting buds have died. I'll hang on to it and see if I can coax any life back into it, though. So far, everything else seems okay, given that a lot of it is potted until the work on the house is done, and I can reclaim my little garden. I re-potted a "Katy" apple tree this afternoon. Good job I did, because I found that the ants' nest I had unknowingly parked it on top of had decided it would make a very nice extension!

On the house front - bookshelves moved from one landing to another, and an oak chair from the dining room set up by them. I've collapsed a few more cardbord packing boxes, and bagged up some packing paper, so that lot will go to the tip tomorrow. At some point soon, I will see if I can manhandle my small freezer into the house from the outbuilding it's in at the moment.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 11:27 PM

If you have an ailing tree, soak the roots in a compost tea, if you can find it, and unravel them. When you plant it, or if you have to "heel it in" (a temporary planting location) be sure that the "trunk swell" or the wider top of the roots is/are exposed. Too many nursery trees were too deep in the pot (they have few roots so the nurserymen throw in extra dirt so the plant looks more robust, but it is, in fact, suffocating).

Today was hectic, all at work. I have a couple of days before the next event, and I'll take some time tomorrow during the day to work here at the house. I poked around this evening and found another plank, one left over from when the garage was built, that is about 14" by 2" and maybe 2 1/2 to 3' long. I'll add it to the back wall of my garden and plan to dig more turf out and let this be the next garden extension. And my tomatoes will go in this newest area by next weekend.

One other thing. On Monday, I posted this:

Conversation with a neighbor today gave me the distaff view of a marriage that is of long duration but troubled. Dementia was diagnosed a few years ago but one partner refuses to take meds that would slow the progression. It has become adversarial in the home, but isn't visible to the outside. (The absence of a xmas tree last year and how late it was going up the year before were probably the only outward signs so far.) I'm so closeby that I've been hearing hints of some of this - it is so sad, I really like these two people. They have my number if they need help, but I will reserve the right to call 911 if I hear gunfire or fear gunfire. Enough said.

I've been thinking about this a lot. He is keeping secrets from her; in what seemed a casual request several weeks ago, he asked if I would research and sell a couple of things on eBay, but not mention it to his wife. I think he hoped these things were worth a lot (they're not, they're reproductions). I haven't listed them, and after talking to her, I think I'll walk them back across the street and tell him that I haven't had a chance and don't want to hold onto them if I can't get them listed. I'm afraid, now, that he may have tried to sell something that is community property, or worse, was hers, and hoped they were older and would bring in a lot of cash. I'm sorry we've had these conversations, yet relieved; I know that the "truth" is somewhere in between and I need to not be pulled into choosing sides, I love them both.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 11:43 PM

I came home to a house without power last night. New gas drilling and construction is going on near our house and they clipped the line. Again. Anyway, we had power this morning so I did lots of laundry, dishes, vaccuuming, bathing and cooking so that if the power were to go back out, we'd be all set. I even did some mopping! YAY ME! LOL Then it was back to my mom's house to take her to the doctor.

It's been a busy day but I got a lot accomplished.

Night Everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Apr 11 - 09:55 AM

SRS, sounds as if you just avoided a sticky "triangulation" situation. Good for you. I was alarmed when you said you might hear gunshots. If there is real concern in that respect, maybe a call to authorities? But, then again, that requires a lot of involvement on your part. Good luck.

We're still working out new meds and their effects, plus I've had a bout of too rapid heart beat, so things have been slow here since Monday. Hope to have it all sorted by the weekend. Did get my new BiPap machine and it is wonderful to sleep with it on.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Apr 11 - 01:23 PM

This morning I seem to have clobbered myself with dusty allergens. I had a box full of small limbs trimmed from my rosemary bush. It was sufficiently dried out so I used gloves and twisted and gently knocked the needles/leaves off of each twig. I should have worn a dust mask as well. I'll sift and get the dust out of the herb before I package it, and those stages won't be so dusty. I have to get more herbs this week also, while they are growing robustly but haven't put on flowers yet.

I packed up my neighbors' items with the printouts from eBay showing idential items and their recent valuations, so if they decide to sell them, I can help, but I won't do it for just one or the other of them. Too dicey.

I've been reading the procrastination book again, and the part that seems most telling is the discussion of perfectionism. I think there is a big portion of that to work on - if it can't be perfect, getting around to doing the job is difficult - it's easy to postpone. Getting to the point of understanding that "pretty good is close enough" (my words) is a way to move forward with the de-clutter or finishing projects started and abandoned. That book was in the exhibit at the reception I photographed yesterday, one of many faculty books and creative projects finished in 2010. I'll have to see what I can finish in 2011.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 13 Apr 11 - 02:44 PM

Thanks for the advice about the tree. I wasn't going to plant it out until after the build, but I could heel it in somewhere. I haven't been in the garden today as I have been out most of the time.

However - I went into Berwick en route to taking more boxes and paper to the tip, and I decided to get some lunch in a place called Cafe Curio. It is run by an American lady chef from Florida, and is furnished with random odd old tables and chairs, and lots of curios. It also sells a small amount of antiques. Well, the goats cheese and walnut salad with raspberry dressing (which included locally grown blue potatoes in the salad) was superb...and I managed to get a little desk-style table for my landing book area. It's the size of a toddler's table, with a hinged lid, is limed oak, and has been fitted out for a pipe-smoker. Result!

(Just need to rest my shoulder a reast now, as that has flared up again. Seeing my masseuse tomorrow, anyway).

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Apr 11 - 09:00 PM

Back from walking the dog - Susie wasn't home yet so we didn't get to meet Zeke, but Cinnamon insisted on heading straight for the front walk at their house as we walked up the street. She has clearly imprinted on him as a friend.

I scored some important park documents from Fort Worth Parks and Community Services today, very helpful plans and studies that we can adapt for our village. Had a good talk with the woman who is a planner for the department. They don't create any clutter though, she downloaded them onto my flash drive. :)

Lovely evening. I need to finish shopping I started earlier, but then I'll putter here. Does anyone else do this--I need gas and I decided a long time ago that I'll treat my personal vehicle like we did in the Forest Service - have it ready to go at the end of the day. If I need to make a trip, i.e., head up to my daughter's house late at night for some reason, I don't want to have to go get gas, or worse, forget I needed it and run out on the way. I always want enough gas in the tank so I can make that round trip if I need to.

In the design planning department today, Nate Berkus had a great tip for a patio "makeover" that answers the question to one section of the yard where I don't want to pave it but I don't like having patchy grass there. The answer was broken concrete and gravel. Looks great, and it would be perfect for the corner between the patio and the gate that the dogs tear up.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Apr 11 - 11:11 PM

Well, goodness. Seems after one night on the BiPap, I have more energy, even though I was still up to the bathroom several times. I worked at my desk until about 1030a, thought I'd go lie down for a short nap as I have been doing. Got there and realised I was wide awake, NOT tired, and decided it would be nice to work outside. So I went out and swept the front steps and sidewalk leading to the drive-way. Had to do it in small increments, but it is extraordinary that I even felt like doing it. I also actually watered my perennials and some shrubs and trees. Usually I wouldn't do that at all without Roger's help; the ground is uneven and treacherous for me and I have to drag my O2 line around, but it worked today. I did it!

I did have to take a short nap about 2p, but was able to say "yes" to Morgan coming over about 4p and staying for supper. He's so funny. We let him fry eggs over here, with supervision, so that's what he always wants for dinner.:-)

This morning's work included some high stress gathering of info for a financial assistance app. for one of the hospitals. I feel appalled at the personal info (copies of Soc. Sec. card, Driver's License, bank statements, etc., etc.) they demand and, because of the anti-immigration health care brouhaha, can demand, legally, to prove one is an American citizen. And that is with insurance and us being in their system for over eight years. Unreal. At least I am almost done with it.

Here's to another night of good sleep...I'd forgotten the wonders of it.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Apr 11 - 01:15 AM

I'm so glad you're finally able to sleep well, Kat! It is a wonder, I suppose, if you haven't had that luxury for a while. I've been remembering bits of dreams lately, I usually don't, but I heard a detailed description of what to do if you want to recall your dreams. I find this interesting (she said to stay still, when you wake, and think about it for a few minutes, then write it down if that is what you want to do.) Anyway, my main goal is to get to bed earlier than I do.

When I took out the trash this evening my neighbor was out watering, so I walked the watches across the street. I had tucked in the research sheets, and I told him that I thought he probably expected them to be worth more than I'd found, so he ought to think about it. If he wants to sell them later, next time they do a garage sale, that would be a good time. They'd get more on eBay, but the good thing (for me) is that they would have to be in accord on this.

Dishes finished, chamomile tea drunk. Good night, good night, good night!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Apr 11 - 09:13 AM

6:00am Yoga!!!! What a beautiful way to start the day!!!! My body is most happy!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Apr 11 - 11:25 AM

Thanks, SRS! Despite being awake from 3-4a, I must've still slept well. Had enough energy to put me first with meditation and 25 minutes of qi gong. I have missed both so much!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 14 Apr 11 - 01:05 PM

I'm glad you're feeling better kat.

Yesterday I installed one of the bedheads as a fence, and started a border in front of it where the flags were. Unlike my herb bed, the soil under the flags and the sand beneath was horrible clay/flint subsoil. I had some clay from where I dug steps, two bags of something called topsoil, but more like compost, and some of the mushroom compost, mixed with the sand. I transplanted hyacinths and crocuses, which had been growing in tight clumps where I plan to put veggies, to this new space.

Went inside and had a bath and then toasted cheese (my shopping had given me a taste for this with a sample of rarebit on hot cross bun). And that led to a bout of migraine aura, a disturbed night, and a day feeling vaguely nauseous and heady, cancelling a friend's visit which needs me to drive, and more sleep. Fortunately I no longer get the full half head hammering and sickness, but it's bit of a downer. While fully acknowledging it to be trivial compared to what some of you are dealing with.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Apr 11 - 01:11 PM

It's all relative, Penny. Sorry you had such trouble. Thanks for your comment. I continue to feel better. After paying bills, I went outside and did ten "laps" on the sidewalk, back and forth (about 18 steps total each lap, not much, but a start) and did ten up/downs on one stair.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Apr 11 - 11:58 PM

Apple Employees did a very nice video for the "It Gets Better" campaign. I wonder if my workplace would ever be interested in something like this?

I went for a walk with my new friends Susie and Zeke, and then headed to a city council meeting tonight. I'll be working on park stuff for the next several months, at the very least.

I'm thinking about pulling my various writing enterprises under one umbrella. Decluttering the web. Working up a web site and setting up a web hosting arrangement. I have blogs and photos here and there, maybe I should set up an account at about.me (like Max has done - but they're all so professional and showy) or simply set up a blog for my "polymath" interests (not as broad as Max, perhaps, but just as varied). I think I want a literary reference, but not too abstract. So many of the commonplace names that would describe my interests are taken. Maybe Seneca Doane's Garden (reference to the liberal thinker in one of my favorite novels, Babbitt,) or something like that? I'm so impressed with all of Max's interests, it's rather intimidating, but if I pulled all of my stuff together, and had different categories for each, it would make it a lot easier.

I hear thunder. Better send this and shut down the machinery.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Apr 11 - 01:18 AM

Well, the storm missed us. Not a drop of rain. I had one more thing I wanted to add, and Penny's post reminds me of it. Kat, I bet that if Morgan likes to make fried eggs, he'd love making either grilled cheese sandwiches or French toast. Both are great comfort foods, and if he can cook eggs, sandwiches, and eggy bread, the kid is set!

I spread just a little butter on the outside of the slices of bread then layer in the cheese for my sandwiches. Surely spreading butter and slicing cheese are kid-friendly. Same with breaking open and beating an egg. Just a thought!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Apr 11 - 01:35 AM

You bet, SRS! He's done toasted cheese sandwiches with Rog and one of these days we'll have to do French toast, too. Have to get real maple syrup first though.:-)

Those were both great links, thanks! Hadn't seen Max's. It's great, so simple and clean looking. I know I need to do more with my website. I had decided it was too busy with all of my stuff on there, so I took the jewellery off and a couple of other pages. I hardly ever do anything with it. I'll have to do some thinking on it while I work through the rest of the health stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Apr 11 - 12:55 PM

Van merch starting to arrive. Cot yet to come, but gear lockers here, so re-pack and re-config of van under way. Hope cot comes in time for April 30 trip heating up-- a one-nighter just became a 4-nighter.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Apr 11 - 02:33 PM

During the previous trial of the increased Toprol dosage (last summer vacay), we established a way of quantifying the exercise that is possible while taking it. That is a handy nomenclature now that I am back up to that dosage.

Basically, one "set" (a unit just like tennis or weights), is the amount of exertion that one can stand while very short of breath (as in Perceived Exertion Scale lingo), and when one is no longer able to talk but not yet dead-- a 7 or 8 on that PE scale. The set is as long as the day's state of fitness allows, and is therefore not time specific.

The set ends when one must sit or lie down to recover breath, muscle effectiveness, and pain level to a level that one can start the next set. The pace of the set is governed by aerobic factors-- one does not want to pass out but does want to stress the heart enough for building that muscle, and/or lung function.

The number of reps (like weights) is governed by recovery time needed and soreness, to avoid over-stressing the muscles faster than they can hel from the "training stress."

So these are ways of defining and quantifying-- and reporting on-- activity levels. Later today I will also get a pedometer to count the number of steps, but for now, it's 3 reps of these sets, a long rest, and probably another 3 reps before bed.

The idea is that in training, one increases the number of reps before increasing the intensity of the sets (duration or pace).

Vacation-level is usually 2 reps per day at the start of vacay and more like a total of 10 by the end of the vacay (CAMPING), which is calculated to produce a fitness result. The hard part has always been maintaining ANY of that during the ensuing year. This year, due to all the efforts involved in working on that attic room, and keep also an upstairs-office schedule, I held onto a whole lot more if it. My lower back muscles are always the first to go and the worst to hurt. I'll be changing pain management/meds for that, this year.

Today I got the van ready to reload the scooter and also be able to switch back to sleeper mode when that new cot arrives for my trip on the 30th. The rest of the week will be porch-restoration-- a lot of crap got dumped there during the winter, which will afford many steps and bends, but also comfortable seating to rest up between sets.

We all have to start (or restart) somewhere. I'm picking up where I left off, TBTG, about last November. I guess I could say I took the winter off, while I dealt with being way too damn cold every damn day.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Apr 11 - 03:02 PM

Remember I mentioned on Wednesday about the broken concrete and gravel patio design I'd seen on Nate Berkus? I'd been thinking about how to get the concrete chunks - buy faux stones at Home Depot, or even mix my own concrete in a lumber mold, then break it up? Providence answered this puzzle in the form of my next door neighbors, who are having a patio extension put in the back of their house. This morning I heard jack hammers breaking up the previous patio. They'll pour an entire new slab, so I called and asked if I could have some of the chunks. I have about 12 - 15 of them in a neat stack beside the driveway. I still need to scrape up the grass and prepare the area, and then I'll have to buy some gravel. Might as well get it in bulk, it would be less expensive than buying it by the bag.

Busy weekend, hardly any time off, because I photograph a meeting tonight then a ceremony on Sunday. I'll clean up the house some before I leave today so it looks nice when I come it. A treat for myself.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Apr 11 - 04:10 PM

The fridge is gone! Long live the fridge!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 12:27 AM

Back from a photo shoot and some nice mingling with friends. No chocolate, as tempting as some of those brownies in the reception are.

Tomorrow is supposed to be nice so I'm making a push to plant a bunch of stuff in the garden. I moved the chicken wire fence along the back edge so it is now just inside the raised beds next to the planks. This means I can use my weed trimmer to knock all of the grass down along the outside of the edging planks (or use my vinegar spray to kill it and keep it from growing under and into the garden). If I can keep the weeds out early it might help later on.

We'll see how much I can get done in the house after dark tomorrow, but this time of year the garden holds all of the charm.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 03:49 AM

Leaky roof fixed, and cracks in the annexe wall filled up. The builder (Ali - not Asian, however, I suspect he's an Alistair) who is doing the rebuild came round for copies of some of the paperwork. He has been talking to the excise people, and depending on how the job is interpreted, it might be tax-free...or only 5% anyway, with the building being listed. Whatever they decide, he was told it would not be the full 20%. I suspect the plumber and electrician's work will be subject to that, but we'll see.

Got 4 more boxes of packing paper to the tip today. 2 more to go, and also the ones in the annexe and shed that still need unpacking. Shoulder permiting, I may have a go at some more today.

Popped the crab apple into the garden yesterday. The soil is very good, so we'll see how it does. It did look like it might be trying to put out new feeder roots when I took it out of the pot. It was quite pot-bound. There's not a lot else that I can do in the garden, really, given that it'll be hidden under building material before long.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 04:24 AM

I had a friend round yesterday, and he managed to dig the hole for the water tank down a bit to the flint layer, which he says will need a mattock. The exercise produced enough clay soil to build up the new bed.
The hole is in the lowest part of the gsrden where water pooled after running off the flagged part, and is still damp, after the driest March and April, so the bees who use the clay to build their nests can still quarry from it.
It was intended to use this just as a rainwater reservoir for watering, with a cover over it - I picked up a round table top from someone at the dump - but looking at the garden, it seems to want a little stream down the side between the new bed and the hole, so I'm looking at the possibility of a solar pump, if I can get one which will manage the lift and the distance. Not sure where I will put the panels, though.
SRS, that was lucky with the slabs. I have a different problem. I've lifted a number, and there are more to come. Some have been broken, but most are complete, and I don't know what to do with them. I have had an idea of building dry stone walls round some of the beds with broken slabs, but I can't quite bring myself to break the whole ones! And the builders' merchants send back any that arrive there broken. I might make a seat out of the whole ones, two stacks with a board across the top.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 12:10 PM

Laundry under way, work in the yard coming up. I'll have to take some photos today.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 02:18 PM

It's hot out there (not like summer, but it's still hot). Must pace myself, drink lots of water. In the house to bake bread and brew ice tea, then back out again.

A goal in the garden is to use up some of these bags of things that are sitting around the yard. That one objective will give a tidier look inside the garage and out. I love how wonderful and easy to reach my garage workbench is now. There are bags over there that need using also, though. Concrete (to put in a martin house), thinset, and grout. I'd love to finish all of those jobs this summer!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 05:46 PM

Something is working...me! Yesterday, we ran errands, I went to coumadin clinic and got a new CT scan; then, after lunch, I went with Rog to the grocery store...first time since Nov. or Dec. Did a whole hour. I never did take a nap which is really unusual.

Today, for the first time, we went to Morgan's soccer game. We weren't sure exactly which field to go to, so caught a ride on one of the go carts they had for that purpose, BUT when it was over, I was able to walk all the way out to the curbside so Rog could get the car and pick me up. Another new thing for me. The kids were so cute. It was a blast to watch them try so hard to make goals etc. It's really good for him.

We stopped and bought amendments for the Korean fir and Roger has begun the hole for it. We're about to go out and do some more. I hope we get it done, today, but Rog has been a trooper, so I am not going to push it.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 08:19 PM

Apri 15th: 6:00am Yoga

YUM!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 09:02 PM

Yesterday when I handled the oregano to spread it out I wasn't wearing gloves, so my hands are very sore today. I was still sensitive from the chocolate episode and wasn't paying attention and the herb nailed me. It has been gloves all day today. I finished a lot of the digging I wanted to do and I planted six tomato plants. I still have more to do but I stopped to take the dogs for a walk and I'll take a motrin and kick back for the evening. I can do some of this tomorrow morning.

I took photos, if I get any into the computer tonight I'll send a view of the tomatoes. I spread them out; main obstacle to space out there will be the volunteers. I'll keep a few and move or pull the rest. I didn't last year, and it was a jungle.

One load of laundry is finished. Another to go, maybe run it tomorrow and hang it on the line. Today seemed pretty clear, but I didn't hang it out because we had so much smoke from the fires this week, I didn't want a wind shift and everything to smell like barbecue.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 12:06 AM

It doesn't look like a lot, but I extended this vegetable garden several feet today and planted six Super Fantastic tomato plants. Five show up here.

April 2011 - the beginning.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 07:02 AM

Did a bit of light gardening this morning. Planted out lettuces and sowed spring onion (scallions?) and carrot in the bed the cat has no abandoned. Sowed beans peas and sunflower in a tray in the greenhouse, where I found one tomato plant has totally lost the contents of its stem near the soil. In faint hope I have poked it down so the first axil is under the earth in case it is up to making some new roots. I have cut back mint and lemon balm and put in a second parsley plant.

Now I'm off to a garden centre in search of more tomato and a corsican mint.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 10:40 AM

That looks great, SRS. Can't wait to see it when they've really grown.

My ex called yesterday to see if we wanted a baby apricot tree. Do we! Yes, about 2 feet tall, we will put it near where Rog's grape vine flourishes each year. I love apricots!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 11:36 AM

Vaccummed, laundry is going and I've got things to put away from my out of town trip.

A nearby town is having a community wide yard sale and someone has graciously given me permission to set up under their carport!!! That means I'll be busy gathering and pricing things this week. I have a ton of summer baby clothes that are ready to go and I plan to take at least an hour each day this week to pull things from each room that we no longer use. I've got 2 weeksto pull it all together.

Going out for my (belated) birthday party today! :)

Love to all,

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 02:00 PM

Fingers are stiff and sore today, partly from allergic sensitivity breakout, partly from work in garden. This is so annoying!

I set my seed starter flats out on the bench in the sun and watered thoroughly, so I can pull plants from there for the garden in the next few days. They were in the house too long so some stuff has withered, but most is okay. I need to pace myself to get things planted and get enough mulch for the yard. Lots of meetings at work this week to plan around.

Good luck with the carport sale, Michelle! Those are always a lot of work, but are a great way to unload unneeded stuff, especially if there is the momentum of a bunch of sales going at once. (And again - happy birthday!)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 04:29 PM

3 sets as described upthread. Copy to doctor.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 04:30 PM

Have a fun b-day party, Michelle!

It is done! The Korean fir is planted. It looks so brave and stalwart. Rog did a great job and just in time by the looks of the roots. We'd bought, the last one, from Home depot, at Christmas. The roots has been sheared off and encased in rotten, clayey soil with a binding gunny sack type material around it. The roots were very short; we were both surprised it has done as well as it has. we cleaned all of that off, filled the hole with compost, stood it up in the hole, then put good gardening soil over it, packing it down with our feet. It sits up a little bit, so will be able to breath, plus this is such a dry climate, I feel it will be all right. We cleaned up a few small things in the yard and I watered the perennials and shrubs and redbud tree which is blooming!

Put all of our clean clothes away and did a bit more pick around the house. Called our house cleaner friend and she's going to come do a heavy-duty floor cleaning once per month for us. She does great work and is so kind.

Morgan came over and raked out the dirt from the hole, spreading it over the grass and finding beetles in the dirt which came from the root ball. Quite interesting to him.:-)

I've been averaging 1-2 books per week, requested from paperbackswap.com, so that helps to declutter. We now also have three full boxes and a garbage bag full for the pet charity center. More books and stuff to be added this week.

I am feeling so much better, my mental health is much improved, too. I may actually finish getting Prairie Child formatted for Amazon, soon! Then I can get cracking on editing On Garfield Creek, etc., etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 07:34 PM

Bought pedometer. Having trouble calculating/calibrating and finding a good spot to wear it, but I estimated steps for common household chores in this too-big house, to see how to adjust calculations and averages.

Porch cleanup began today, about 2 weeks later than my appt auto-reminder prompted me-- it's been too cold to do much, and some stuff kept freezing to the floor. But today I cleared the seating area to have a base to work from.

Hardi took some shelves out of a shelf, for me. It's contents had spilled, but now with this done I have a good week's worth of slow 'n' easy stuff to do out there, and it is now warm enough to stay thawed. The fridge pickup of Friday means we can move the grill back to its scenic spot too, which we can GET at now that I can get to that corner of spilled water jugs (they'd cracked and leaked), to get them up onto that shelf, where they will now FIT. (Good thing we had 'em, too, since we had a power outage last week and I used 3 to wash dishes.)

There is a pile of Adrian's wood scraps on the porch, to corral-- and the box the gear lockers came in is just the right size. Then that'll go out to the storage shed that is no longer inaccessible except by tractor.

I hope to start setting up mock boondocker camp this week, and am making a campsite post to identify my parking-spacefull of stuff I need to leave at camp when I leave to go off to meetings-- at a regular campground, the electric post serves that purpose, but no hook-up, no post, so.... I have a pole I can insert into a gallon jug full of water-- carry it empty/lightweight and fill it for a weighted base. (Just have to cut the hole for the pole.)


I also made an extra trip up the stairs to get parts to fill a new gigbag with the more-portable gig-gear I've been gathering. The new cot carry-bag made a GREAT mic-stand bag (which is why I ordered it), with no modification needed, YAY! The 'harp stand, music stand, cords, etc. will all fit in there, and more. The mic stand makes the bag stay extended instead of collapsing when I throw it over my shoulder. Mic bag over the shoulder, 'harp in one hand with folding stool strapped on, amp in the other hand-- GOGOGO!

~Susan-in-SUNSHINE

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 11:13 PM

Pedometer, 4 hours: 990

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 11:49 PM

I took the dogs for a walk this evening, but we found Susie preparing to head over to her son's house. Cinnamon wanted to walk to the end of their front walk and wait for Zeke - there was Susie, after all! But we headed out and I have to say that even when we can't get together this meeting up with another dog walker has been good for us.

I had a photo shoot today, so I didn't do much yard stuff. I was afraid I'd get going on something and forget to leave on time. So I've only managed work in the house this evening. I think there must be a dead mouse under the dishwasher. There are a few droppings under the sink, so tomorrow I'll pull it out and look. I ran it with vinegar, but I bet that the smell will be back tomorrow. I have to call a plumber for a couple of other things - the washer ran over again and I know the drain is no longer frozen. Darn. Plumbers aren't cheap. I'll have to look up who it was I called last year.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 11:42 AM

Interesting article The Seven Stones of Simpler LIving.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 01:54 PM

Floors swept, laundry in progress, dishes done, baby clothes gone through, nursery straightened up, fridge half cleaned out, baby just about awake from his nap. I may have to take a trip to town in a bit too.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 07:13 PM

Plumber has been and gone, and the problems are solved. I'm kind of drowsy today because I've been taking benedryl again. That sting from 10 days ago hasn't cleared up, it has gotten worse and is now a very itchy red rash around the distinct sting spot. I'll see my doctor tomorrow. Darn.

I hated running all of that water today so he could see if the line was still blocked. I'm working on a series of gray water collection points (one below the kitchen window, one beside the master bathroom window) in order to use gray water in the garden. I'm looking at tanks that will have a hose outlet and screens and mosquito dunks so I don't end up with bugs or critters in them. Just as well - I am certain that I use more than enough water in the house every day that would keep my garden happy. I'll post photos as I do the work, but I'll keep these things enough out of sight that I don't hear complaints from the city. It's not like I'm using sewage - the most that will be in this water is shampoo, soap, or dishsoap (I'll use the dish rinse water, probably not the washing water).

I've been walking the dogs almost every evening for the last couple of weeks, and it feels good, though sometimes I have to make myself head out. I always enjoy it once I'm out there.

When is that garage sale of your's, Michelle? We're in prime garage sale season right now -- it is so hot down here later on that I try to make it a little easier for folks - I usually fill an ice chest with a variety of cans of pop or bottles of water and sell them for fifty cents each. You really need the liquid down here for making the rounds on sale days.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 10:55 PM

Pedometer 2500

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 11:07 PM

Tonight during our dog walk my new friend described their situation more. Her husband has prostate cancer that moved into his bones. He's responding to chemo, but she is having a difficulty getting him to eat. We discussed different types of foods, and she concluded that if she could find a pasta machine she'd make her own pasta because he loves that and fresh is so much better. Somehow her machine got left behind in their move.

I have two of them, one that was a gift, and one I bought at a garage sale (it was unused), and it they sold with it a lasagna blade that I had been looking for. It was easier to buy the entire thing rather than guess if that blade would fit my machine (as I recall, the entire set cost me $5.) So I took one of them up to her after I got home.

I had Poppy wearing a pack, and she was getting pretty hot, but that pack had water bottles so I gave the dogs a drink in a cup I keep in with them. I'm making an effort to drink more water now and eat more produce (I go in cycles with this). If I'm going to lose weight, this is the best time of year to do it. It's fortunate that the walks are so good for the dogs at the same time. It'll be too hot for evening walking after a while, so we'll have to switch, but that's okay. I really enjoy having someone to talk to. The dogs just walked along companionably and I'm sure a few more of these and Poppy will stop yipping at Zeke when we first meet each evening.

All of that said, I need to turn my hand to working in the house. It seems to have piled up again. Some newspaper is now in the pickup to recycle, and I need to sort magazines and donate them somewhere. And with all of the extra bills this month, selling a few things on eBay would be a good idea.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 02:56 AM

Wow! that's a lot of activity!

You all seem to be "springing forward"!

Well I spent Sunday unpacking the boxes that were in the sheds out onto the yard, and sorting between tools/garden and camping gear. Unfortunately, what started out in the larger of the sheds as a fairly organised "tools one side - garden the other" arrangement has disintegrated into a free for all mess. However, the camping gear shed IS fairly organised.
I also dragged the rest of that type of stuff out of the annexe, which has made room for my bike to go in when the covered area is demolished. I will have to invest in a cover for it, as I will be unable to keep it in there later on.

I met up with Ian's cousin and her family yesterday. They are holidaying in the area (I live in a tourist zone). We went to walk round the gardens of Paxton House, just over the border in Scotland. Unfortunately, when we went to watch the children playing putting on the lawn, it turned into midge central. I now have bites on both eyelids! I didn't think they'd got me until later in the evening. Bring on the antihistamine!

I also put a lot of Freya's toys down into the annexe, and that's freed up space in the hall. Today's task (not easy on what is promising to be a lovely day again) is to sort out the bedrooms, which are fast becoming a dumping ground.

That only leaves the "I" word....and I don't somehow think I'll go THAT far!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 11:16 AM

My garage looks so much better and I can find things now that stuff isn't all seeking the lowest level and covering all surfaces. I still have to do a big shift of lumber, but that will come probably next weekend, if not one of these weeknights.

I have laundry drying, but need to leave in a couple of minutes to the appointment to get my sting looked at. I have some pants in the dryer I'd like to wear - they're Capri style and don't rub on this bite. I guess I'll wear a long pair to the doctor then come home an change and head to work. Decisions, decisions!

I've been drying oregano, and it is about to the point where I can pile it up more and let it finish drying in loose stacks. As I pick it up the countertops and tabletops are cleared. It'll look good again in a day or two.

Off to see the doctor!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 04:03 PM

Yesterday, despite not much sleep the night before because of a bloody nose, I did my sidewalk/stair laps and a few things around the house.

Today, better sleep. Hold the presses! I actually have done the dishes. Don't remember when I last did them! Also went out and did double my sidewalk/stair laps. I have sore muscles, but it's that good sore from knowing you are actually doing enough to build your muscles. I continue to lose more water weight.

Also got out my lap dulcimer, yesterday, and practised, again, for the first time in I don't know when. Sure does feel good.

Still working on formatting PC for Amazon...making progress. Dare I say publication by end of the month? That or first week or two in May.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: GUEST,kmg
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 04:07 PM

I think laundromats are the best place to take magazines, a few handfuls at a time. They entertain and perhaps inform the people there and the good ones get taken home. I think taking to a doctor's office is iffy because so many have been taken into bathrooms..but that does not seem to be so bad in a laundromat setting. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 04:37 PM

Just cleaned out the frig! And my son's part-time new job just turned into full-time with a free apt.! Things are looking up!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 05:32 PM

The nurse practitioner says that while the sting was one event, the stinger probably had a bacteria that grew in place for a few days, then started spreading out. Overnight it spread an inch further down my leg, so I really want this to respond to the treatment. I kept my foot up today (that spot is warmer then the rest of the skin) and put heat on it to help circulation. I got a shot for the itch and an antibiotic for the infection. And I'll pamper that leg to help this go away. My brother once got a spider bite that had to be lanced and drained - twice - so I know how these things can go if they really take hold.

Good timing on the A/C work - it is getting close to warm enough to turn it on soon. I have ceiling fans running now. I was given a thermostat for xmas that I've been meaning to install. I've kept a few notes and have decided where it needs to go and how it needs to be programmed, now I just need to install it.

This place is messy. After my walk I'll spend time picking up. If I can corral some of the paper it'll look a lot better.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 07:38 PM

Pedometer so far today 2400 steps, and this is with a few hours to go that I plan to spend mostly sitting with my feet up-- bad swelling in the legs due to all-day sitting to go to H'burg renewal of ord. vows. This is Holy Week, and so far it's a typical week's schedule for Holy Week-- a few chores spread into a week of driving to and attending services, with some walking involved during each service.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 09:51 PM

I spent about an hour and a half at the YMCA...running around after Jeremiah, chatting with other mommies and playing, later running errands, lunch with a friend and more playtime. Date to go to Zumba set for Friday! I can't wait to try it out!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 12:03 AM

Midnight: Dishes are done, pills sorted for the week, table cleared and downstairs floors swept.

Time for bed.

Sweet dreams everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 12:06 AM

Weeded the garden after the thunderstorm came through, and washed some dishes. Didn't accomplish much; headed to bed, I think a good night's sleep will have me perkier tomorrow. I'll use a hot compress on the sting before I call it a night.

I turned on the smaller air conditioner unit for a little while this evening to dry out the house. The storm left a humid reminder with us.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 04:51 AM

Hope that sting gets better soon. I used to have a lot of trouble from insect bites which triggered nasty reactions so I have great sympathy there.
I got my hammock out yesterday and found out how very big it is. It is supposedly a folding device, but when folded it is about 7 ft tall. Assembling it I broke my watch glass. It only just fitted in the patio area close to the house. I couldn't find the base of the parasol so had to lash it to the hammock frame. It's horribly awkward to manoeuvre, so taking it out to the grass area would be tricky. Unless I dismantle it.
Now I'm off to the watch repairers.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 11:09 AM

One of the things I know will need to be addressed at the next doc's visit, if not sooner, is how to include sufficient physical activity in the rhythm of this ministry life as we live it in our particular household. There is a rhythm of high activity followed by bouts of resting, in between. Some of the rest needs to be physical but I suspect some physical rest is occurring that would better be made physical activity that brings mental rest. And we have not yet found an activity we both like, and can share, to fill that bill.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 12:14 PM

Yoga on the living room floor this morning. I had assists from both the baby and one of the cat. No need for the ocean breath as Murph was purring right in my ear (still did the breathing!!) Anyway, it was different and fun.

Going for a walk later provided it isn't storming.

Have a great day everybody!

Michelle

PS. Hope that sting is feeling MUCH better...they are the worst!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 06:06 PM

The rash from the sting isn't spreading any more, but it is darker and I expect this will have similarities to a bruise as it heals.

I scored a load of dirt from my next door neighbors' patio extension today. They spread a lot of it in the neighbor yard, and I got 10 - 15 wheelbarrows from what was left for my front yard berm project. It looks like this weekend I can start on it.

I've been working on the oregano (wearing gloves!) I have processed about 1/3 of it so far, stripped the leaves off of the stems and now the leaves will finish drying on a baking pan. I have a couple more counter tops full of leaves to process, and I will end up with enough oregano for the year and for friends. It makes the house look really messy when everything gets moved so the herbs can dry, but it is so satisfying to end up with the dry herb and clear counters when I finish.

Dog walk soon, and maybe a meeting this evening. A woman is speaking about making rainbarrels for the yard - I want to see what her suggestions are, that perhaps I can adopt here.

How are you doing, Kat? Are you going to be helping your son get moved in or furnish that apartment?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 07:39 PM

SRS: HAve you tried dying herbs on a piece of screening? Poultice to draw out from that spider bite?

Everyone is doing, getting things done. So encouraging. We have been busy. I triage stuff for the country. Took a pile to the thrift shop last week. Was going to take more tody but car battery dead. Maybe tomorrow. Actually it was a good thing. I went to check on shed as it is raining all day. BIG lakes on droopy roof, some leakage so I spent the time in there. All was well when I came back inside - wet all over.

The weekend at the country was great. Late down on Friday so we went to music first and then to cabin and unloaded. R started fire in wood stove. Tried to figure out how to blow up air mattress. Slept on floor - two rugs doubled over and lots of covers. Spent morning organizing stuff. Afternoon at the wonderful CD launch (Bruce Murdoch). Went to pick up four round wood columns, and back to cabin to unload and rest before concert - Bruce and Friends!!

Then back to organizing, good heart to heart, bed on floor. Sunday, I got everything sorted and put away - that could be done, then a nap! R spent the whole day outside, clearing around, bringing wood onto porch so it will be dry next time and cleaning out the garage to ready it for the pottery. We left just before 9 pm, thought it was 8. Went to landlords to pay rent and brief chat. And home for a very late supper. Thankful it is only an hour drive, esp with special route landlord gave us!

Let's see, we have a 6 month lease. That should be time enough to get moved out there! Renewable "Please don't leave!" I doubt we shall want to. It was so nice to waken and see trees out the window, and hear the wind in the trees instead of the cars and buses.

This week, we have yet to drive two hours east to buy a pottery wheel - a twin to the one I left in the NW. Hopefully on Friday so we can load the truck, leaving room for the wheel, drive east and then cross country back to the cabin - about 3 hours.

I have another load ready to go on the truck and the shed is getting more manageable.

Today, after drying out, I went through old emails - four months worth - deleting as many as possible - almost 200. Found one offering raccoon help from a woman in Ontario which I had skipped over inadvertently. So I responded and received a phone call. We talked about an hour. It was so wonderful to receive that much support, advice, etc. She will even bring dog food if we get to the point of needing it; she gets it donated. I feel so encouraged. I am going to put up notices in grocery stores, etc. And get R to phone, get article translated, try to increase our network, visit the SPCA and the Eco-museum. The latter tomorrow if R gets my car started - have to move it anyway -parked on wrong side for Thursday!

The reason we had a heart to heart is because I totally lost it on the way home from the concert. ONE: I always have to hold my ears during applause because percussive noise is hurtful (my fav musicians are told so they do not feel I am horrible not to clap); TWO: a few minutes after the concert started, my eyes were streaming so I held my shirt over nose and mouth to prevent whatever from affecting me; THREE: In the second half there was a black box right in front of me with flashing blue lights - flashing lights drive me crazy in about 60 seconds so I had to hold my mitten in front of my face so I did not see them. "That's three!"

Then the guy running the concerts made a remark to me that was unacceptable. Then, a friend who knows I have trouble with auditory processing made a remark that I could not process; when I complained, she said, "Well, It's hard on us too!" That was the very last straw. I got in the truck and screamed and swore and ended up a sobbing mess of protoplasm.

During the second half of the concert, rather than being able to focus on the music, I was "writing" an article on invisible disabilities. If someone is in a wheelchair, we do not get angry with them because they don't get up and walk. If someone is blind, we do not yell at them to "LOOK!"

I do not think it is unreasonable for those who are closest to me to make an effort to speak clearly so I can understand them instead of constantly having to ask for a translation from R. And certainly not tell me, "It's hard on us too" as though I am being deliberately noxious.

So, I guess I do not mind spending most of my time alone. Then I don't have to worry about people not speaking clearly. No trouble with the raccoon friend!

My eyes seem to be healed from too much computer. So now I can start to catch up on old emails and more research. And maybe get some other writing accomplished. And I come to this thread to see you all getting things done - so encouraging! Have you seen the youtube on the guy who plays guitar with his feet?

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 08:31 PM

DP: You go, girl!

Pedometer: only 1600 today. It is clipped to a loose elastic below my knee. When there is too much leg edema the elastic strap is tight, reminding me to keep feet up when not walking. Today it was so tight, it hurt-- so lots of sitting, after I'd slept in to recoup from ydy's long drive to H'burg and back.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 11:00 PM

As we walked toward Zeke's house, he and Susie were walking down the hill to meet us. He was so excited to go for his walk today, she said, and my two also love this habit of meeting others (Poppy prefers Susie, Cinnamon simply wiggles and wiggles in sheer delight when she sees Zeke!) I'm really pleased to have met them, and we just talk the whole time we're out walking.

Working on healthy eating. I got into a rut for a while where I was getting more carbs or starch and not so many fruits or vegetables. I'm certainly getting a lot more exercise than last winter! It's at least 30 minutes a day for the dog walk.

Dorothy, I have used different methods for drying herbs. I simply had so much oregano this time that I laid out sections of newspaper and put the herbs on top of it. The paper helped absorb some of the moisture. I put it down in a single depth layer so it dried pretty quickly. Sometimes I bundle it and hang it up to dry.

My hands are finally clearing up. I just ran out of Evening Primrose oil, but I'll get more because that seems to help get over some of this dermatitis. It doesn't prevent the allergic reaction, but between outbreaks, my hands have been better.

I've been typing this in Max's developmental Mudcat site. The fonts look odd, and there is a drop down menu instead of the list of posters. I'll read his thread about developments as I continue to think about what I would post at a dedicated web site. I have a short list so far. (It wouldn't let me preview in the dev mode, so I cut and pasted into the regular Mudcat site.)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 12:24 AM

Another bowl of dry oregano stripped off of the stems, now in a bowl. There was something else I wanted to add, but I always think of it out in the garage or in the shower, not at the keyboard. [sigh]

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 01:38 PM

Hi, SRS. No, we won't be helping our son move in. He's already moved in! Just emptied his little travel trailer/caravan. At some point he will come over here and get his other stuff out of storage and the few things plus vehicle he left with us, but as he is on the eastern slope, it's a bit of a drive..not something we can do right now. He'll be fine.

Don't know if I said, they called him in on Monday last and told him they wanted him to go full-time. He's quite happy.

I had kind of an off day, yesterday; some old fears trying to kick up. Morgan came over early, it being early release day at school. He was really good and we had fun. He begged me to teach him how to crochet which I did. He did a pretty good start on his first chain. We also "played" baseball with me pitching and him hitting. He still has a heck of a swing. Kept hitting it over the edge of the roof to the driveway, though the last one landed in the gutter, out of reach, so we have to wait for Papa to get it down.:-) I think the most fun he had was playing with roly-poly bugs, letting them crawl up his arm, etc. He just loves them.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 02:54 PM

I made a batch of foccacia bread to take over to thank the concrete workers next door, but they left early because of rain, before it finished baking. They started late, so I didn't set up the bread machine till I knew they were here. After an hour or so, they called it a day. I'll freeze this batch and try again tomorrow.

The rain is filling my first rainbarrel, I got it set up last weekend and it was too far away from the roof edge. I shifted it today. The house is a gawdawful mess, so I'll pick up this evening--I'm feeling much more up to it now. The antibiotic has helped a lot with the rash. I hadn't realized that I was feeling low because of the sting/infection, the onset was gradual.

It is good news about your son, Kat. What kind of work is he doing?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: gnu
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 03:41 PM

I ain't done squat. Oh, I been walkin at least 4.5km every day but I put on three pounds last week. I was down ta 187.6. Then, walkin thru The Real Atlanic Super Store, I spied a five pound lasagna, regular $13 for $6.64... the bastards!

It was okaaaay but I coulda made one far better for the same price and probably only gained about the same amount of weight. Oh well, it was a test. Now I know that their lasagna, at half price, sucks less than at full price but still sucks.

Closin in on my quittin smoking weight, which I keep ajustin downwards on accounta I am scared a beefin up. If they had a patch fer lasagna eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 05:40 PM

A bit of a low energy day - cold (high of 41), dank and windy. Got last night's rain off the still droopy shed roof. Took stuff to the thrift shop - after we got my car started and OOPS! blew up the flat tire with a little compressor! I bought a lovely brass lamp needing a new cord and plug - and one of my nice burgundy shades. I gave them back the green one that was on it.

Then went in search of the eco-museum - a trek due to construction but finally got good directions and found it. Had a good talk with a staff person and gave her a copy of my article, encouraging her to let people know I am available to assist with small mammals. I do believe I got her understanding. Face to face really is important! Also gave her a poster from wildlifeontario about NOT buying easter bunnies blithely. I suggested that staff members might be able to put them up when they go to grocery stores in their local areas - very diverse. Every little bit helps.

Then I went off to buy a new frig for the country. Many ads right now about no interest/no tax and long terms for payment. But in the end, I just bought the one I wanted on my credit card - theirs had a $25/year charge. I will pay some interest but the price is OK and I am not stuck with another silly card. Another store had a no cost card, etc but not the frig I wanted and the cheapest was $100 more. That is why I decided to pay interest if it comes to that - and it probably will. They will deliver it on Weds between 9 and 9 so I will load up the car and spend the day doing things down there.

Need to make a nice choc cake for Sunday

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 05:52 PM

It rained all morning and into the afternoon, but now we have a kind of watery sunshine out there. These humid warm days sometimes cry out for the relief of the de-humidifier effect of running the A/C, so I'm glad to have both sections in good working order.

I have to spend time cleaning, putting things away. Basic grunt work. Will report any progress later.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 09:38 PM

Pedometer 2650 incl groceries

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 11:42 PM

How do those points work out as far as distance, Susan? Does it give you extra points for stairs (does it detect them?)

Salvaged a kitchen out of the mess in there. All of the oregano is now dried, stripped off of the stems, bagged and labeled. Dishes finished. Floor swept. Stove cleaned. It's very humid today after the rain for the last two days, so I'm running the smaller of the two heat pump/AC units to dry the air a little before I go to bed.

I'll also take my second antibiotic before bed. It's a nuisance taking these because they mess up other medications, or vice versa. Taking calcium isn't helpful, it blocks the effect of the drug, and I stagger it because of my other vitamins and my HRT. I forgot to take some stuff in the middle of the day so I took it before dinner and the medication will come before bedtime. I don't think it causes sleeplessness or heartburn (the two things I seem most likely to encounter with medications these days).

I've been working my way through the Knowledge Base at the Solatube web site. I'd love to put in a couple of these (at least). I would have to run an awful lot of lights to run up the cost equal to the purchase and installation of these things, but to simply be able to use sunshine in this way, it would be wonderful. I'm at the thinking-out-loud stage.

I walked the dogs tonight, but we left late enough that the mosquitoes were beginning to appear. We got in about 20 minutes, I'd guess, and with the longer walks when we meet Zeke, we average closer to 40 minutes a day through the week. True to form, as we walked up their street, Cinnamon veered over to their front walk. We walked up to the porch and pulled a couple of ads off of the door that roof repair folks left (we had a big hail storm yesterday). No need to advertise that they're not home because the trashy ads are still on the porch. Cinnamon was thrilled to walk up to the door and sniff Zeke's doormat! Puppy love. :)

With that progress in the kitchen, I'll sign off and spend a little more time picking up. I have some papers and notebooks from school years ago that I'd like to look through, but for now I'll box them up and store them with other papers in the office closet. That'll clear the seat on one chair in the dining area.

No one has spoken up about worm composting, but I'm sure someone in this group was doing it. Any thoughts about starting out? How did you design your bins, etc?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 10:45 AM

This is the cheapest and simplest sort of pedometer. I can convert steps to miles, but have no interest in doing it-- I'm just counting steps. No credit for stairs. (None needed.)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 06:06 PM

Eyestrain this afternoon after Photoshop work for several hours. Time to move around (I already took a nap, and that helped tremendously. I don't care what LaHood says about naps - they're beneficial!)

Several must-do tasks this weekend, including mowing the lawn. It rained two days this week so it is growing fast, but it needed a day to dry out a little. There is a kind of messed up area along the turf beyond my garden because of a heavy hose pumping concrete, but they gave me a big load of dirt for my front yard, so it's a fair tradeoff, the work around the gravel until it sinks into the turf.

I need to keep writing short lists and keep reading the Procrastination book. The chapter I'm in now is looking at the "messages" we give by procrastination - whether dragging feet because we don't want to be told what to do, or the classic passive-aggressive stance of not doing something because it messes up other people in the process. Or fear of out comes. I don't think mine is as much a psychological origin like one of these as it is trying to do too many things at once and consequently realizing I can't finish everything I want to do.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 06:27 PM

SRS,

   Approximately 2000 steps (give or take depending on the length of the stride) is a mile. :)
    I've got my pedometer sitting on the table clipped to my baskt of *goodies* (glucose monitor, insulin pen, notebook, etc). I just have to remember to put it on!!!
    I've found that a pedometer that clips on and then has a string attached with another clip works well. My pedometer sometimes falls off and the extra clip keeps it from hitting the ground. The swinging of it against my body alerts me to the fact that it has come off....otherwise I would have lost well over 20 of them!
   I walked quite a bit today but I have no idea how far....far enough that my legs and feet are tired.

Happy Friday Everybody!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 10:53 PM

2150

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 11:29 PM

Darn! I had a message ready to go and my browser blinked out while the Microsoft updates were going in the background. I'm not going to recreate it except to say I'm working on eBay stuff this evening and I have a weekend of yard work ahead of me.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 11:46 PM

I have a confession to make.

My house is a disaster this week. As it happens, the third week of each month is packed with various meetings and such.

I hate the sight of my kitchen at the moment but it's late and it will wait until tomorrow. I have at least 4 loads of laundry to catch up on and my living room floor is making me twitch. And my car? I could probably live out of it for a week or two..it's FULL. Our yard is nothing but mud. Deep, suck your boots off MUD. I hate going out in it so if I have more than one trip up the hill to the car, chances are it will stay in the car. I can only carry so much at a time with the baby!

My beautiful, wonderful, kind, loving mother took the baby for a few hours today. I could have come home and cleaned and did more yard sale tagging but I decided I needed a break. I got myself a cup of coffee from McDonald's (I really like their coffee!), drove myself to a library book sale, a consignment shop, a yard sale, Walmart (where I spent a long time picking and printing out photos), two crafty shops, stopped by the American Cancer Society and filled up the car with gas. I probably should have done some grocery shopping but I just didn't feel like it!! It was nice to have a day (or at least a few hours) to myself!! I didn't even cook dinner unless you count throwing a pizza in the oven cooking!

So..aside from wandering around all day, I'm a total slacker today.

Sweet dreams everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 02:19 AM

Ok. So I really can't stand a sink full of dishes and a counter that has crumbs on it and stuff that just doesn't belong there. Dishes are done. Some table clutter has been put away. Kitchen, hall and bathroom floors have been swept (Vacuuming will wait until a decent hour). I still need to swiffer the floors too...the dogs bring in so. much. MUD!!!

I think I'm done for the night!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 10:11 AM

10,000 STEPS

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 10:34 AM

Michelle, that's what several of us call a "mental health day!" Good for you and great for Grandma, too!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 11:05 AM

Michelle, you need to etch out time for yourself like that - there is no slacking about it. It is a "mental health day," as Kat calls it. Time to putter on your own behalf.

If I were to strap on a pedometer today I'd probably cycle through all of the numbers and end up past zero. It is a day to mow and work in the garden, and this is a big yard. I have a list of a whole bunch of chores to do as part of this - fill the gas can, empty the truck, etc.

My house is still strewn with paper, though I've made some headway. I cleared the clutter off a pretty spindled-leg table in my office, so now it has just a lamp as it sits under an antique decorative mirror. My one civilized spot in the house.

I'm going to have to turn on the A/C. Between the warm humid weather and my taking antibiotics (it messes up my HRT), I'm feeling the humidity.

Load of laundry in, linens off the bed, dishes done, put away. The yard awaits me, with my bandana, my ballcap (the scarf is set on my head so it covers my neck, then my ballcap holds it in place), and my tankard of water.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 12:45 PM

All those clean dishes are put away, breakfast dishes done, laundry is going and we are going to do a little rearranging of some tables in the living room. The wee one seems to be drawn to the table that is between our chairs. The table is small but large enough to hold a lamp, 2 coffee cups and stack of magazines without being overly cluttered. It is a normal sized end table. The baby is forever tugging at the papers/magazines and I am afraid he will pull a coffee cup over on himself. We've tried blocking the table with his tubs of toys but he is now strong enough to move that. So....we have a taller, larger table (called a commode..or so I've been told) and we'll try that for a bit.

Groceries are on for today too. I'm going to try and remember my pedometer today (once I get dressed...lazy, comfy morning here). I used to keep a log of my daily steps...it's interesting to watch!

Enjoy the day Everybody!
Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 01:33 PM

Recycling dropped off, free mulch picked up. There is a chain across the drive because no new had been dumped recently, but for those of us who are gleaners, the side paths are open into the bunker and it is easy to fill a couple of trash bags full and drag it to the pickup. It'll take care of what I need this weekend.

Little chores, digging, mowing, and dog washing await. Dog washing comes last, and then I'll take my shower. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 02:25 PM

We went to the pet store for cat food, then Wal Mart (our once in six months visit, maybe) for a cat bed, shoes for Rog, they carry a particular Dr. Scholl's type he likes, then on to the grocery store. All in all, I walked about 1.5 hours and felt it...good, though.

I've lost 13 pounds since the 12th...mostly water weight, but it sure made the doc happy!:-) My ring slips so much now, I have to take it off to type comfortably. I also am able to wear some clothes which have been too tight and a favourite ring now fits my fourth finger, again. I love those little things which show us things are working.

It rained all night, has been raining all day and is supposed to throughout the beginning of the week. The grass is so tall it's going to seed, my perennials are almost all blooming, and it looks as though Morgan will hunt eggs inside this year. We've some eggs boiling now...no soccer in the rain, so I expect he'll be over later to help me dye eggs.:-)

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 05:44 PM

Well, that was fun! I forgot we buy organic eggs which are brown. Morgan came over to dye the few we cooked which turned out all kinds of funky colours....they look like a "modern" designer's pallette! Fortunately, his parents sent over a dozen white eggs, so we have the bright, beautiful spring-coloured ones and then the "avant-garde" row. They are actually kind of neat. He is SO excited. He did 5-6 high kick jumps after we were done. At one point, he told me he thought it would be cool if in his "next life" he could come back as the Easter Bunny! OH, that kid! SO good to be able to have him over more, again.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 06:11 PM

This is another cool-down in the house; I am sweaty, covered with muddy patches, and a whiff of organic fertilizer from doing more clearing out. I get so red in the face in the heat I even scare myself sometimes, so I pace myself. I planted some stuff (from seed and a few from the nursery today) and I've had some fertilizer for blooming flowers around for a while so I spread it, but it won't hurt. One less bag in the garage. :)

I moved two stacks of tiles that were once in boxes. The boxes were slowly chewed to nothing by my pit bull. Now I can move back and forth in front of my garage workbench with no problem.

I picked up a few things I needed for a worm composting setup. A big aluminum "bun tray" for restaurant baking, some inexpensive wooden knobs (like you screw on dresser drawers or cabinets) for feet under my worm box, and a set of T-hinges for the lid. I have scrap lumber in the garage so I'll figure out how much clearance I want in the tray and go from there. I'll do more another day.

Now for the mower. It's overcast so it won't be as hot as earlier. Otherwise I'd wait and do it tomorrow morning.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 11:01 PM

2150

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 11:48 PM

Mowed the front AND the back. I skipped the dog walk tonight because a storm was threatening so I was out pushing the mower until I had to quit. The storm has been all around, but not actually here, so no rain yet. (Lightning kills, even if it isn't right here, so I stop when I start to see it.)

This evening I set up a little chimney coal starter and was able to get coals ready and into the covered barbecue and do some pork and chicken for this week. I was prepared to cover the top with foil to keep rain out if necessary. It wasn't.

One load of laundry finished. Enough for today, I managed the meds better today, so I'll sleep well tonight!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 24 Apr 11 - 04:20 AM

I spent the morning in my downstairs study, furthest from the sun, sorting out one of the boxes of assorted stuff, assigning it to the right place, and listing that place on a spreadsheet. When that warmed up I went out to the AC'd shop to get stuff for a hot weather Easter lunch instead of the lamb I'd planned. Then round to the front of the house. I had to rush out get the washing in at one point, having noticed it had got shady. There was a lovely cumulo-nimbus overhead - I left watering in case it rained, but had to do it this morning, as no rain fell. The air cooled, though.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Apr 11 - 12:35 PM

Until this morning, I never knew my daughter thought I was really good at hiding Easter eggs! She and their oldest dog, Dizzy, who is also the "Nanny" helped Morgan find eggs over here. It was also Dizzy's birthday, so she was sporting a new "camo" collar in hot pink!

After they went home, Roger did the litter boxes and trash. I'd already scrubbed the commode. We just finished going through two shelves of stuff I had set aside for ebay or my etsy shop. We made a final decision to donate it all to the pet charity and it is now in boxes waiting for pick-up, while a few books we are keeping are on one of the shelves. There will be more. I still have a basket of old files to go through, from those shelves. Maybe later today. We are going for a soggy Sunday drive in a few minutes.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Apr 11 - 01:05 PM

Have you ever actually sold anything on etsy?

Overcast today, and humid. I'll work in the yard some, and I need to wash the dogs, I was too tired to do it yesterday.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Apr 11 - 02:24 PM

1 week average 2307/day.

Now the fun begins-- adding the missing outdoor activity now possible with spring weather. Goal this week is to average 2500/day and to discover what daily activity equals the difference.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Apr 11 - 02:36 PM

I have not, SRS, but I have only a few items up and basically put it on hold when I became ill. I am rethinking what to offer there; it seems to work best when one focusses on a more specific product than I was. Right now, it is not top priority, though.

Our ride was abbreviated and very soggy...it's raining buckets out there and I Love it, but it's a good day to curl up with a good book and a cat or two! More grocery shopping done and put away.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Apr 11 - 04:24 PM

I am working on dismantling one of the wing walls on the front of my house. The thing was crumbling when the previous owners were getting ready to sell it, so they used thinset (the stuff you use to put tile on floors) like mortar. It's a crumbling mess. I had used some of the big chunks of mortar from the pile of rocks in my back yard when I build my keyhole garden, but it doesn't hold up (it's not like chunks of concrete), so I took one wheelbarrow of it back to the very back of the yard to dump. I'm working on another one now. I stopped to come in and check out the Sprint site - none of my picture mail photos are going through. Seems there is a system outage and they're working on it. I'll send them later.

Before the new wall I'm finishing the keyhole garden wall. No point in having a couple of partially finished projects. The digging has been pretty good because we had two heavy rains several days ago. I have to get some Bermuda grass out of the area, then restack the limestone rocks and fill it in. I'll use some of the new dirt from next door (after filtering out the Bermuda in that). It's almost ready to go.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Apr 11 - 06:26 PM

Took a power rest, got up, put more clean clothes away and went through the canvas bins I use for sock, undies, pjs and tees. Filled a garbage bag with clothes to pass on, folded the keepers ad put them away. It looks so much better and neater in our bedroom, now. I also did something I've been meaning to do for years. The docs are always asking me about past meds and I do not keep good track of them. I used to figure that was their job, in the records, and I could always ask the pharmacy, BUT it's stupid for me not to keep track of what works and doesn't, what caused allergic reactions, etc. So, I went through all of the old stuff and more recent, made a spreadsheet of them with name, dose, how many per day, doc and date. There weren't really that many, but it will help to keep track. I will call the pharmacy, tomorrow, about disposing of all the unused ones in a proper way. That removed a small, but persistent bit of clutter which has nagged a lot.

I am feeling so much better, I don't even feel like stopping. There's so much I've been wanting to get done. I am pacing myself, but things are happening around here!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 12:10 AM

This afternoon I finished digging out my keyhole garden, and I started rebuilding the walls around it the way I should have to begin with. I won't have to redo all of it, but the interior section certainly needed work. I want it to not only be functional, but lovely to look at.

I broke off from that job a little before 7pm, when the dogs started getting noisy. They went without a walk last night because a storm threatened, but tonight we went in spite of another threatening storm. We met Zeke, and made a circuit around the village and over into the prairie. There were two little dogs out loose at one point so we went around them - ours would be a handful if we were charged by these two little delinquents who no doubt broke out of their own yard. We walked for about 50 minutes, good for all of us.

Everything was put away for the night. A load of laundry awaits. The dogs are in because of the storm, but they'll head back to the garage soon.

Tomorrow is Monday. Bleh.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 12:32 AM

Remember the license plate that says thank god it is monday and i have a job to go to. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 11:04 AM

Sounds like those little dogs may need one of these: Puppy Bumpers.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 12:18 PM

My dogs would destroy those things so fast - they'd tear them off of each other. ;-) They've cooperated before on projects like that.

Busy week coming up, at least there won't be as much yard work for a few days. Things need to dry out again.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 08:25 PM

Met with a friend this morning, ran some errands, normal chores are done and I currently have a load of rugs in the wash. I also spent time going through some of my clothes today. Good grief....I hang on to WAY TOO MUCH stuff!!! I remembered to put my pedometer on but not until about 3:00pm. At the moment it reads 3511 but the day is far from over in this house!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 09:35 PM

I ate dinner earlier today, before I walked the dogs. I need to do that, to help with losing weight. I tend to have a farmer's approach of working outside until it's dark and then come in and eat.

Nothing much else to report. Pacing myself on chores, and counting the days until payday.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Apr 11 - 11:32 AM

Researching broadcast, microwave, cellular, etc. towers since one of my Sprint family plan members has been having difficulty staying in the PCS vs roaming state. FYI: If you want to see what towers, antennas, etc are in your area, go to http://www.antennasearch.com/ and enter your location and you'll be amazed at the amount of stuff going on through the airwaves. It can take a couple of minutes to pull the list together if you live in an urban area, so be patient.

Not sure how much home stuff I'll get done today; I'm at the office now and I have a freelance project to finish tonight. I tried to finish it for this morning but it was going too late.

I'll be so glad to finish these antibiotics. They do seem to have some sleeplessness as a side effect. I have been making a point of taking the second one in late afternoon or early evening and that helps. The rash is only a faint shadow, no one would see where it was without it being pointed out, but (as the instructions say) I need to finish the entire Rx.

Going phone shopping at lunch with the friend whose phone is getting the roaming status. We need to ask a few questions (then order it online and go from there).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Apr 11 - 11:59 AM

I found an institutional way of looking at what my level of activity has been and is moving towards.

I've been at "ADL" level and am moving towards IADL level: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activities_of_daily_living.

ADL seems to be at about 2,500 steps per day (or lower if one is in a smaller home). A daily additional trip to the mailbox is the activity I am adding now-- muscles and bones feel it as a stress but once I acclimate to that I'll add another. Our mailbox is 350 steps from the back door's low stair-steps (fewer via the front door but with steeper stairs). So when I can do the front steps comfortably and/or find myself adding more outdoor stuff before coming back in, it will be time to measure and plan the next item to add.

As I posted earlier, living in camping mode for a month (with lots of shade, lake-swimming, and little or no steep stairs) seems to boost me way above that ADL level each summer, and the challenge is keeping it up there in the winter. The great thing is that the yard is already set for me to resume the boosted level as soon as it's warm enough for outdoor tea in the morning, as it was today for the first time; spring seems to have been about 3 weeks late this year.

An activity I have been wanting to add is taking Faulkner for therapy-dog trips to the local assisted living place to increase my walking, there, on the flat. I can practice with our friend Ed who is still living at home.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Apr 11 - 01:51 PM

I kept up a steady stream of decluttering, yesterday...deep stuff that's been around for years: old files, "important" receipts, etc. some of which had been tucked inside my daytimer/address book for over 7 years(!), two loads of laundry, added more books, wall pictures, and misc. to the charity pile, packaged up some books to send out, answered email, and worked some more on the formatting of my novel. I think I just about have it ready to go to Amazon. I also added more books to paperbackswap and deleted a couple of items from my Etsy store. Still thinking on that one.

Oh, and I painted my fingernails bright red! I hadn't used any polish in probably 25-30 years, ever since getting out of sales. At the beginning of this year, my doc girlfriend and I were helping each other to stay motivated. She had a couple of things she needed to do and so we challenged each other. She had to do two things and her choice for me was painting my fingernails red. Well, she went on to do what she was supposed to and I took a detour through the hospital. I knew i was going to see her this morning, so yesterday afternoon, I sat down and gave myself a manicure. Boy, are they red! Boy, are they pretty and make me feel good. Funny little thing and I usually eschew any "makeup" but it's been fun, even Rog noticed and liked it. I think it reminds him of younger times.:-)

This morning, I did 35 minutes of Qi Gong after getting back from osteo manipulation with my doc friend. Feels great!

kathotred&lovin'it

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Apr 11 - 05:56 PM

Kat, I used to paint my toenails, but I could never keep polish on my fingernails, with all of the activities during the day. Someone remarked one time that they expected it on my hands when they saw it on my feet. I suppose people do, so I stopped painting my toenails. :-/

Michelle, your card arrived. Great photos! Thanks!

It's a lovely afternoon here, but the weather folks have been on TV nonstop this afternoon because another weather event is evolving. I think I'll take the dogs for their walk early and enjoy the sunshine and cool temperatures (about 70).

I just launched the first message on a new listserv set up for library retirees. A good point to stop for the day.

I expect to get some work done around the house this evening. I'll let you know what it is once I've figured out what it will be!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Apr 11 - 10:12 PM

2711 - 2307 average = 404

Met goal

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Apr 11 - 08:50 AM

Very strange night....my faith in humanity has increased substantially and my heart aches all in the same breath.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Apr 11 - 11:10 AM

I know that response isn't to my toenails! Tell us when you're ready.

Lovely day here, spectactularly clear and crisp outside. Such a waste of a good day to stay inside working, but alas, I must.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Apr 11 - 11:25 AM

I hosted a Relay For Life Tupperware party last night in a town bout 30 miles from my home. When the party was over, it was storming outside something fierce. I packed up everything, tucked Jeremiah into his carseat with a blanket, turned on the lullaybe CD and slowly made my way towards home. I got about 3 miles from our home but the roads were flooded....fast moving water. I turned around and tried another route but ran into the same problem. I couldn't get home. I stopped at a house right where I couldn't go any further. A woman in her 70s came out of her house just as I pulled in her driveway. I asked if I could use her phone. She let me into her home, I called Pete to tell him I couldn't get home and was going to go to Mom's house which is 26 miles away. The woman looked at me and she said, "You can stay here."   A complete stranger welcomed Jeremiah and I into her home. I wasn't sure but the thought of taking my baby back out on the roads was weighing heavily on my mind. I think she could sense my hesitation and then she told me that she lived alone. The storm and the rising water nearby scared her. Her basement was filling with water and she didn't want to be alone. She had a sump pump on but she wasn't sure it would keep running. I agreed to stay. Jeremiah played and we talked for hours. We sat at the kitchen table and she told me about her family and how she lost her husband of 57 years last September to cancer. She let Jeremiah and I sleep in her bed and in the morning she showed me all kinds of frames and cabinets her husband had made, pictures of him and then she brought out a shoebox with shall the sympathy cards she had received....70 of them she said. There was such a deep sadness about her, I could feel it resonating in the air.. that makes my heart hurt. The good news?   I made a new friend and I think Jeremiah and I will be seeing her again soon. :)

Michelle

PS. My finternails and toenails are painted teal...for a few Relay For Life events. Teal is the designated color for ovarian cancer...I wear it to show my support.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Apr 11 - 03:53 PM

I once had a shorter, but equally joyful, unanticipated visit with an older local resident in his home..... It's part of why we stay here and why, over time, we hope we have gotten more grace-ious.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Apr 11 - 04:36 PM

What a great story, Michelle! And I agree, it sounds like you have a new friend.

Watching Dr. Oz today - they're discussing a diet to prevent cancer and heart disease. Cuts out meat, fish, chicken, eggs, diary (cheese, all of it). Oh, my! Sounds like a difficult one to stay on.

My first daylilies are blooming today!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 27 Apr 11 - 05:03 PM

Don't know what it will do for cancer...but I can guarantee it will cause some people to have heart disease who otherwise would not.   Depends on their ancestry. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Apr 11 - 05:08 PM

Damn! Lost the pedometer!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Apr 11 - 07:22 PM

Dropped off or buried?

Heading out soon to walk the dogs. And walk off a big lunch (even though I brought home half and warmed it to have for dinner). Rich sauce - one I probably won't eat often.

The deck cover is going up next door and it is spectacular. I hope it matches the house when it is finished - though even if it doesn't, it will be a great shaded summer patio. I doubt and more spare bits from the project will come this way - it's enough to have the topsoil and concrete blocks and to go ahead and use them soon.

There's time to do a little yard work before our walk. I got distracted by reading the news, but now, out to the garden.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Apr 11 - 10:09 AM

Tho the pedometer has (temporarily I hope) gone missing, I've been repeating pretty much the same activities, so I'm logging an est. 2700 for ydy and 2700 for today.

===

Neat quote from a good friend/thought for the day:
I was raised to say "Please" & "Thank you," to learn from my mistakes, to accept people's apologies, to have respect for my elders, to lend a helping hand to those in need, to hold the door for the person behind me, to say "Excuse me" when it was needed, and to love people for who they are, not for what you can get from them! (If you were raised this way too, re-post this if you agree.)

===

The camping cot for the van has been getting its necessary modifications while the van is back in the shop-- straps to stabilize the legs so they do not fold up when I move around, a layer of padding to keep the springs from ripping the sleeping bag and mattress, etc.

===

The boondocker space-planning is well underway in my head, since the van is not here to do it with. The gear lockers do fit under the cot but therefore the folded cot does not fit inside the locker. The lockers however are great. A tarp to wrap the folded cot will be picked up tomorrow so its frame does not get caught on stuff. I'll use the same tarp to wrap the scooter, which will need to be offloaded and wrapped against rain any time I set up the cot. The nightstand-flap is nice, but too heavy and too much trouble to take and install each time I camp. It will be a great addition in the pop-up camper's sleeping bunk for Hardi's stuff. (It will form a valance over the tab-top curtains we want to add for bunk-darkening.)

===

A pesky super-closet issue is resolved-- been working on hanging more and folding less as I can afford nice XL non-slip hangers. I added hooks for 2 bulky raincoats now taking up too much valuable rod space, inside the door that already has skirts, etc. hanging on the back of it. Already had the hooks. Now they are inside where I need to hang coats, not outside where they tend to collect stuff better hung on the rod, inside.

===

A pesky LR issue also resolved-- an unused chair next to Hardi's recliner is now a side table. (I added a non-slip tray and put away the crap piling up there.)

===

Gotta sign off puder-- edema in legs out of control due to meds.


I see SUNSHINE! And there MAY be a big fat check to deposit, out in that mailbox!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Apr 11 - 11:08 AM

Darn! I posted and it didn't stick. Yesterday as I was preparing to walk the dogs I heard them start with their noisy happy greeting for another dog, so I knew Susie and Zeke must have arrived at our house. When you can decode the bark there is so much information.

Listening to the news about the tornadoes in Alabama. When a storm explodes houses open like that, stuff goes everywhere, making reaching people more difficult. One account had a woman and her daughter in the hall of her home, the only part left standing when the storm passed. I think placing a really strong table in the hall here would be the way to go.

Tons to do today, must get to it.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Apr 11 - 12:00 PM

Dropped off or buried?

(Leprosy? Oh! My pedometer!)

It popped off the elastic band it rides on. I am sure it will turn up, and if not it's a $5 replacement at WalMArt, next paycheck, by which time I will be needing to measure a new goal/habit. Till then I can count new items as I do them and add them in.

Another accurate way to measure activity is-- does it wake you up ravenously hungry for health food, in the middle of the night?

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Apr 11 - 12:59 PM

Hi Gang,

   It's a beautiful (windy) day here in Pennsylvania! I've put the baby down for an early nap and we are going to go for a walk when he gets up! I'm really looking forward to it too!!! I have just about every single window in the house open letting in as much fresh air as I can. I LOVE days like today!! It's about 50 degrees, give or take, a bit of a breeze and fluffy clouds and a bright blue sky behind them. The weather has been rain, rain, rain, storm, bigger storm, flooding, more rain, etc....so I'm going to go out and ENJOY it!!!! I think I'll pick up a hanging basket for the woman who took care of Jeremiah and I the night before last. I'd bake cookies or something for her but she's diabetic, so a plant is better. Besides, she loves flowers! :)
   I spent this morning overhauling the living room...sweeping, vaccuuming, dusting, rearranging, etc. I'd like to get or make some sheer curtains for the slider in the living room and take down the heavy insulated curtains...although, they do help keep the house cooler in the summer. Maybe I'll put up sheers just for the spring weather. I want to get more light in here!!!!
    I wrote out some cards today, packed up a gift for Old Dude's wife, packed up photos to send to family near and far, did the dishes, blah, blah, blah. My energy is HIGH today and I am LOVING it!! I had a 3 hour nap yesterday and slept ALL night..>WOOO HOOO...maybe the chemo is finally getting OUT OF MY BODY!!!!
   I'm glad Susan said something about the pedometer, I'll try to remember mine before I head out the door. Oh yeah..I also made an emergency bag for the baby. I was SO THANKFUL that I had a few jars of babyfood in the car as well as a well packed diaper bag (complete with toys too) the other night. I will never go out without it again (it will stay in the car with non-perishables).

Lator Gators!!! Get out and enjoy some of that beautiful sunshine if you have it and can!!!

Love to all,

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Apr 11 - 04:53 PM

Consolidating some of the paper here, dropping other in the recycle bin. Listed a couple of eBay things at lunchtime, tired of the tripping hazards of these boxed items. I tend to set aside things I can use for packing in my sun room, but I'm sure it's overkill in there, so I should thin it out and recycle some of the cardboard.

I picked up a 1/2 pound of sliced brisket on my way home from shopping, and I had some small hamburger buns in the freezer. I can probably make three lunches out of this. Beans out of the freezer and I'll make a batch of rice this evening to go with it. Trying to eat healthy.

Walking again this evening. I feel like I should wear a necklace, Susie always wears a piece of her beautiful glass on a chain. She used to do a lot of beading (does less now because of a vision problem, but I have a good light with a magnifier, so we can get together here and look at the beads I've accumulated over the years).

I'll do laundry this evening and set out clothes for a concert tomorrow night. I notice my jeans and another pair of pants I wear regularly aren't as snug now that I'm walking more. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 29 Apr 11 - 03:47 AM

Last night I managed to puncture a tyre on a traffic island, while trying to get visibility back in the rear view mirror which a friend had knocked while getting a bag from the back seat. As I called the Automobile Association (I don't like bending any more to get the jack in place), a couple turned up an offered to help and did a brilliant job. (As my friend said, if we were evangelicals, we would have thought they were dispatched by heaven, and were possibly angels.)

But as they worked, I found that my spider and associated steel tube for additional leverage were not in the boot. (I had moved a lot of things out while clearing Dad's place, and thought I had replaced these essential items.)

So, this morning, when I woke up early (about 6.30), I went down into the garage under the house and started a search. I had put them in the big metal cupboard left by the previous owner. I have now listed the contents of the top shelves on the door in permanent marker. I have rationalised some of the arrangement, and managed to unstick a roll of wide duct tape by using white spirit and a saw. Over an hour's work decluttering! What a good way to spend the wedding day! There is one more shelf of odds and ends in the garden pot department, and two of geological specimens, which I will not itemise, on that side of the cupboard, and then the shelves on the other side.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Apr 11 - 07:00 AM

The activity level is up enough now to wake me in the night. It will be interesting to put a pedometer back on to see what the numbers are.

[long ACOA ramble follows]

===

As an ACOA, I found long ago that I had been raised to ignore body-talk-- hungry little kids interrupt the drinking, so they often must "wait." In my 20's I used those "waiting" "skills" to sustain jobs where relaxed meals HAD to wait. In my 40's, THAT caught up with me, and it's been a struggle to maintain metabolic stability ever since. I "forget" to eat, till end of day, and then I am too hungry for my own good. (Been working on THAT one for years now....) Plop exercise into the middle of that pattern and it all goes kaflooey. Add starting from very low birth weight and being raised mostly by a man (before men were enculturated to nurture).... it's just complicated.

Anyway, 4 hours of sleep is just not enough for an average, so small bedtime snacks are as needful for me as they would be for a diabetic, and sometimes a very small mid-sleep snack too. Hardi manages his sugars with a cracker and about 20 raisins when he gets up mid-sleep. I prefer my kibble hot, and I was doing OK till the office fridge crapped out in a lightning strike last month-- dinner leftovers, to re-warm without having to wake up much, could be kept up there. OK..... back to canned stuff, but the budget is busted this pay period so I have to.... oh goodie, WAIT.


ANYHOO! Whenever I can't sleep, an inner architect seems to get active in my brain. I solve all kinds of problems; not a worry-pattern but an "Hm! I can figure out XYZ!" skill. As a very small child I'd visualize building myself a small house (shed). I'd plan it and then see each step, in the right order, to do the job. I had to take a lot of nights' work apart to re-do steps that turned out to have been in the wrong order :~) but by my teens, with real wood, it turned out I'd gotten pretty good at knowing how to build.

Well, I have been awake for hours now, hoping for a nap later, but with a lovely mind-picture of a way to enlarge parts of Dog World. I took what I learned from working with chain link and ag panel and looked back thru pretty memories to a friend's creative farming use of ag panel-- I know now how the farmer must have done the hardware to make it work, because it's really just jewelry-making in large scale. And I know, better, now, how to join that ag panel to the chainlink posts. Cheaper and easier!

[end of ramble]

===

When I can afford more ag panel (1 at a time per pay period), I can "easily" spin out several curvy lines across the lawn, connecting existing fenced areas, and have more safe run-space for Faulkner that can swing out of Hardi's way when he mows.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Apr 11 - 01:37 PM

I found that my spider and associated steel tube for additional leverage were not in the boot.

I know the "boot" is what we call the "trunk" of the car, but what is a spider? Is it the equivalent to what we call a "jack?"

I watched the wedding, and am dog tired now. I need a nap. It's a lovely day, I'd love to work in the yard. I need to finish some jobs today, though.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 29 Apr 11 - 04:49 PM

Sorry. The spider is a cross shaped tool with four arms, each ending in a ring spanner of various sizes for different wheel nuts. The spanners included in most car tool kits, along with the jack (UK also jack) are often inadequate to undoing nuts fitted with the machines garages use, flimsy little things. With a spider, you can use two hands at opposite sides to apply more leverage. With a bit of steel pipe to insert in one arm, the force gets even more effective. (I think I've seen spiders with 6 arms - obviously an appropriate 8 would not be possible.)

I have watered the brick like bit of the garden so I can dig up the periwinkle which is taking over, and move it to the old flats garden. I really don't know why the previous owner had so many invasive plants in a small garden. I've stacked up some of the moved flags, which have turned out to make a useful stand for the laundry basket when pegging out. I've attacked the clay soil in a second raised bed with an odd cultivator tool from my Dad's, called a "Garden Claw", and topped it with bought top soil, lion poo pellets, and prunings. (See cat thread for reason.) Found that the seed propagator had got too wet, and I only had one pea germinated, so planted some more peas and beans.

Watched a bit of the wedding - they were playing it on the radio in the local shop when I went for my paper. Then the flypast - my friend's father flew Lancasters in the war. I noticed that the crowd movng forward looked like the water flowing over Japan. There was a letter in the paper complaining that the future head of the Anglican church had been flouting its teaching on matrimony, and Kate shoould not have been wearing white. I would have thought that there was cause for celebration that they were putting it right, that the living together had always been associated with getting married. It looks like a relationship that is not the stupidly artificial mess that his parents were trapped in.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 12:32 AM

Ah, yes, the old lug wrench. A common murder weapon, according to many published murder mysteries and in film and television! :) And good for changing flat tires also. And your extra length of pipe would be used as a lever or fulcrum, along those lines.

Rules like wearing white or not, virginity or not, are all a judgment call, are simply fashion or manners. Whoever complained is just a wet blanket on the joy of the moment and shouldn't be given the time of day.

I just came in from a concert and a stop for an appetizer at a favorite Mexican restaurant. I took the young woman who is my son's age and has been a family friend for ages. She has a few developmental programs and is finishing high school late, but she is finishing. And she needs good adult attention to balance out the whackos she sometimes meets online in gaming sites and facebook. We were talking about something a friend told her that she'd swallowed wholesale, then repeated, and on facebook I told her was nonsense. A few folks that neither of us know hopped in and painted an ugly picture of her. Just what a kid needs [not] who is working through a sense of self and building self-esteem. Our outing was a good one and the air is clear between us.

Lots to do this weekend. I hope the weather is as beautiful as it was today. Now off to bed for a normal night's sleep. I took a couple of naps today to balance out the extremely early rising.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 04:20 AM

Of course, spider is colloquial, and I can't remember the correct UK name. Got to go out now to replace the tyre.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 10:53 AM

Back on a normal schedule - a full night of sleep, awake at my usual time. Lovely today, supposed to rain tomorrow. Must plan accordingly! Tea and a little breakfast, then I'll head into the yard. I've been picking up around the kitchen already. My copier and cartridge are up on eBay, and as I expected, one has a watcher, the other doesn't. Next week I may have one sale and one donation.

I enjoy working in my more tidy garage. I still have some arranging to do in there. Maybe today is the day.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 01:23 PM

Outdoor re-org underway. Front porch halfway re-org. One large storage container will go to Dog WOrld where its lid will keep some nice things dry. Back porch looking much better, more to do. Pedometer replaced, same model, wearing it. Assessing what this bad winter cost me-- BAD. Some goals moved forward, many halted. Till now that is!

Have been forgetting to post sets-- avg 2/day. Three was too many.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 02:17 PM

Been a busy few days. Started cardio-pulmonary rehab phase II exercise classes and I love it. Basically the usual training apparatus with careful supervision of vitals and all of that. I had the intake on Thurs. and first class, yesterday. It felt great. I've also started up the qi gong, again, which is a great compliment to the gym stuff and for the days I don't go. (It's 3 times per week.) Lots of walking, too.

Had Morgan over after school, yesterday, for about an hour. He wanted to "write a chapter book." So, he sat down and wrote the "first chapter" on my PC. He's definitely got the my writer's bug.:-)

Good thing we haven't planted anything as we've had two nights of freeze warnings, with three more to go and woke up to a skiff of snow on everything, plus a cold wind. It's melting but the wind and 40s-low 50s temps make it very chilling. And we're to go to Morgan's last soccer game this afternoon.

This morning, we loaded up and delivered 5 boxes of heavy books, and three of misc. antiques and trinkets, plus two bags of clothing, to the pet charity. Boy, that felt good and cleared up a big space in the LR which, of course, will get filled up, again, with more giveaways. There were some really nice collectable books in there. This was a real test for me...could I let them go or no? Yes and it felt good! As we drove away, I could see the employees/volunteers looking through the books and showing each other a gem or two.

On to more...

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 02:37 PM

I wish I had nice porches here. I have a small one in front that is uninspiring - I hope to extend it out one of these days. The back patio is covered and I can do a lot more there. No side stoop, but I have walls around the side to hide the view of concrete coming right to the house (because it used to be a driveway/garage there).

In for a few minutes to cool down and eat lunch. Bread in the machine kneading. I've dismantled a lot more of the ugly wall closest to the side door and toted a full wheelbarrow of crumbling mortar and fill to the back. It's full again and ready to dump after lunch. The big rocks coming out of that wall now need to go into the new berm wall so I am at the point where I can dig the footer hole, mix concrete, and let it set so I can start that wall. I've also realized that no matter how desirable those big rocks are for a great looking wall, it's the little ones that are so important in fitting the wall together.

I'd like this to be a day when I can work here with stuff I have around the house and not have to go shopping to get any missing items. That's a goal I need as an ongoing thing.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 04:29 PM

And the wall is down! Piece by piece, and three wheelbarrows full of the crappy mortar and sand that were holding it in place. I came in to check my bread, it goes in the convection oven in a few minutes. The house will smell wonderful all evening!

It's overcast, which helps with the temperature and sun exposure today. Good thing, because I'm going back out for a couple more hours at least. It's energizing to finally finish a project that I've been threatening for the last 8 years!

This evening I have a lot of laundry to fold, and before I come in for the evening I need to mow and finally bathe the dogs.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 08:13 PM

Walked in a local 5k today to help raise money for friends who are going to Ethiopia to assist with water issues and animal health as well. It was a beautiful day for a walk, could have walked for miles if it had been flat but it wasn't. That hill surely let me know who was boss! I had Jeremiah in the stroller too. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 09:47 PM

Ped 2395 MIssed the mailbox trip today

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 May 11 - 12:00 AM

We went to the soccer field, game was delayed 1.5 hours due to weather. We walked halfway across to where Morgan's game would be, said this is TOO cold and went back to the car. I don't think it got past 48 degrees and the wind was really going where the fields are. About 430p, Morgan called me. He very politely asked, "Would you like to see me, today?" Usually he just says, "can I come over?"

Anyway, he did and told me it was kind of to make up for us not being able to see each other at the fields. He and I then proceeded to make pancakes with walnuts from scratch. I used to be famous, among family and friends for my pancakes. It's been years since I have cooked anything, but Morgan still remembered one time when I made him a Mickey Mouse shaped one. As he was flipping a pancake over this evening he said, "Just like old times." Too funny and fun.

It felt good to reclaim kitchen as partly mine. For so many years Roger has had to be the one to prepare most meals and it gradually came to be "his" kitchen. It bothered me to no end, things were not arranged where they were handy for me: in too high cupboards, and other things all of which kept me from doing much, esp. when it took so much energy. (He's a very messy cook and never cleans up after himself.:-) This weekend, after doing the dishes, I told him I was throwing out the two frying pans he uses as they were so worn out and I was unable to get them cleaned up good enough to suit. So he went out and bought a really nice big fry pan and specifically mentioned he thought I'd like it for making pancakes. So pancakes it was and a big hit judging by what my "boyz" ate.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 11 - 01:11 AM

I cooked a hot breakfast for the kids for years, though there was a point in time, when we got moved into the apartment after the divorce, when I realized we were toasting a lot of bagels. I didn't want them to remember bagels as their childhood meals. Oatmeal, pancakes, eggs, French toast, Jimmy Dean sausages, baking powder biscuits, blueberry muffins, lots of fruit, typical breakfast things, though as my son got bigger and wanted protein before big tests, I'd sometimes cook a chicken breast. Unusual, but it worked for him.

Today I filled three wheelbarrows of wall mortar and filler and dumped it in the way back part of the yard. More progress on wall in keyhole garden (I was using some of the mortar chunks to support the wall, but decided to pull it out), and I moved finally to wall construction in front of the berm. I mixed up two bags of Quickrete and dumped them in each end of the little trench I dug in front of the berm. Those are to support the ends of the wall. I didn't have enough to put concrete in the entire length of it; I could go buy another five bags of the mix and put it in, but I think I'll use sand instead. My main interest was to have a solid surface for the ends where I want to put in a more ornamental stack of rocks. The base isn't very wide front to back, it will only be one stone deep (this isn't a two-sided wall). It's about 12 feet long, six inches across, four inches deep. The rocks will go on top of this. The other think my bricklayer said (guy at work answered some questions about this project) is that I could get cinder blocks or concrete bricks and put a layer of them in, or sand and then these things. I will use a level when I build it.

I forgot to water part of the garden, but it is supposed to rain tomorrow. If it isn't raining by morning I'll run the soaker hoses.

Bread is put away, 1/2 in freezer, 1/2 in bread box. Dogs washed. They'll get their Revolution in the morning. It's overdue, but within an okay time frame still. Dishes doing pretty well, still didn't fold laundry. Time for a motrin after all of that yard work.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 May 11 - 08:09 AM

A house's dnstrs-floor-worth of carpeting seems to be headed our way via FC.

Today the Sunday-skipped mailbox trip will be added in to replace yesterday's missed trip. I think I can add a trip to the far west-edge windmill that blew over, with Faulkner to help navigate knees thru the spongy grass.

Tomorrow's a bit of a marathon drive; plan to drink so much tea I HAVE to stop every hour to unkink the knees and help keep the leg edema down. Help the bladder infection clear, too. No car music-- need a break from recent tune-work. Audbook I'm proof-listening instead-- about a Wendigo in Canadia.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 May 11 - 11:24 AM

That was really interesting (and sad). I did make it to the windmill (it's mailbox steppage of 350 plus 150), but it was too much. I did actually need F's help. But HE had a good time!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 11 - 12:54 PM

May 2011 thread. Glad to see you made it back alive, Susan! ;-)