BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 08:09 AM

Sweet Tam, giving healing tears.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 10:20 AM

Well, it's official....no activity allowed for the next 7-9 weeks. I did talk to my yoga teacher and she said I could come sit in the back of the class and meditate or stretch if I can or want to. This is a good thing...it will keep me in the habit of going plus I miss the people, the space and the energy that's there.

I've not been very hungry the last few days and am currently eating only enough to make sure the vicodin doesn't upset my stomach....more belly pain would not be a good thing at this time.

It's a beautiful sunny day in PA and I'm taking it easy...dozing on and off and watching all the bird activity outside. This morning we have cardinals, yellow finches (thought they turned kinda brownish gray when it was cold but they are still yellow), titmice, jenkos, nuthatches, blue jays, a woodpecker, chickadees and even a big fat squirrel that the roosters chase away from time to time!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 10:33 AM

I have a book by Dr. Weil about 8 weeks to optimum health. He talks about walking for exercise, but he also promotes healthy breathing exercises. I bet if you can't do the walking that at least the breathing exercise/mediation might help. If you don't have something already from your yoga instructor, I'll transcribe that bit from the book for you here.

My nose is so stuffed. I am up to my eyeballs in medication to help clear it and it isn't helping. I'm trying not to blow my nose too much because that just makes the stuffiness worse. I was able to get a propped up position last night so one nostril would let enough air in to keep me alive. Geez, but I hate this kind of cold.

On a bright note, I found a letter in the mail from school today, telling that my son is accepted into the National Honor Society. Now we need to learn more about what that means. He's out taking the ACT + writing today, and then we're working on applications all weekend to see if we can get these out of the way.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 10:42 AM

Think TSO and I are going to start swimming 2 evenings a week after the holidays. I am a bit worried about public pools as I tend to get UTIs and the last thing I need on arthritic feet is verrucas.

But hey, maybe it will help with my fitness, pain and attitude which are all shite right now.

Guess I will go use the new vacuum and do some cleaning before Hilary (my daughter) arrives.

and a Wish to my Mudcat friends to be well.

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 11:36 AM

I wonder if the cat box needs emptying? Or the trash needs to go out? I bet so, but I can't tell. Food tastes like cardboard.

I'm going to pick up some Vick's vaporub. Maybe that will at least let me smell something. I've looked through the usual drawers and cupboards; if I still had some, it would be decades old, so it is time for some new.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 11:46 AM

Got another delivery of logs yesterday, a trailerful, which I spent part of this afternoon stacking (ouch my back - same wussy pulled muscle from last week's present wrapping - I am such a lightweight!)

Spent most of the morning climbing about labelling candles in the church for tomorrow's carol service.
I have discovered the downside of kneeling on the floor at my laptop: I think I have housemaid's knee! So the laptop is living up to its name for once.

Hope everybody starts to feel a lot better soon, both physically and mentally.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 03:38 PM

Still feel awful, but I was in the bathroom this morning and decided to step on the scale to see if I've gained any back. I'm down a couple of more pounds. Good! I have been careful, but I was running low on fresh fruit and veggies for a few days.

Made chicken soup. It tasted good. I have to drink warm stuff; anything cold makes my nose go even stuffier. Time for a nap. Son in working on applications.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 05:32 PM

Secular Xmas box for local biz we want to support, contents wrapped and packed, will deliver tonight.

For grown kids-- Hardi helped on all, bless 'im--

# 1 son/DIL presents wrapped and boxed for shipment Monday. Resolved a blockage in planning best contents and it went quick and well. One item an overdue b-day gift.

#2 son's warm jackets ready to pack and hope also to ship Monday.

#3 offsrping (daughter)-- tricky business; issues. A reminder-of-better-days-box 2/3 packed to send to her grandma who sees her (and her 2-1/2 young kids) often; g'ma needs age-appropriate toys for those little girls. So the dau's old dollhouse Hardi had made, when dau was small, is going to g'ma's to live there. No chance for Bad Boyfriend to kick the old handmade dollhouse into the trash, see?

My house looks like crap now from all this office and kids'
-stuff re-org. Includes large file cabinet went up and is now sitting in the way awaiting reassembly and placement. Making me feel nuts and increasingly overwhelmed, but it all needed done. After the big boxes leaves Monday (on the way to pooltime I hope), I will feel MUCH better.

I may also call doc for a scrip. I know just which one, too, from past winters.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 09:00 PM

I hope everybody feels better soon.

(((((Hugs))))) for everybody!

Love always,
Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 10:26 PM

Drinking lots of water to try to move this virus out. The decongestant I'm taking is a 4-hour tablet that typically runs out of steam at 3 hours. I'm just about due to take another.

We didn't finish the applications, but we're getting closer. On Monday I'll go into school and have his counsellor send a transcript to the school with the Dec. 15th deadline, and get a few copies for beginning scholarship applications.

Put some laundry in and did dishes. I'll change bed linens tomorrow, and fold some laundry. Working in my office tonight and listening to Stevie Ray Vaughn on my local PBS station. I think I'll take it very easier tomorrow, sleep in, and see if I can't put a dent in this cold.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 11:05 PM

Don't forget to use some saline spray or a neti pot, SRS, if you find they help. I get the pressurized saline spray so there is no backwash and no contamination as you can sterilize the nozzle with alcohol. IT's well worth, imo.

we put up the freshest Christmas tree I think I've ever seen/smelled. It's strong, beautiful scent is filling the whole house. Morgan came over and helped me decorate it. So, we have the Christmas box and stuff stowed away in the office now, instead of in the LR,and the tree is beautiful. Did another load of laundry and we did a few errands.

I hope you all are feeling better. It's good to remember this is a very stressful time for most folks and give ourselves some extra time to take care of ourselves...whatever needs doing can wait for a bit, even if it's just time for a cup of tea. Remember not to beat yourselves up.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 11:13 PM

The neti pot can't get anything into there. Barely a drop. I have a saline spray with a little menthol; I stay away from the Afrin stuff. And I took a 12-hour decongestant, though so far (after an hour) it hasn't helped at all. I definitely want to de-clutter my sinuses!

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 09:57 AM

I'm feeling a little bit better physically but starting to feel some panic about this upcoming surgery. :(

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Opening the Sinus
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 11:48 AM

SRS, do this.

Steam up the bathroom and run a sinkful of hot water. As hothothot as you can stand to touch. While the steam is filling the loo, get the Neti ready (all but the last of the water) and set three washcloths to hand.

Sit in the still-steaming loo and put the washcloths into the sinkful (OK, panful for you germophobics). Take one out and wring it semi-mushy-wet/dry, and apply it to the whole sinus-mask area. It will feel SO GOOD. Breathe that steam and the shower's steam, thru your mouth. Don't try that nostril just yet. Just enjoy the moist heat there for now.

Toss that cloth back into the hot sinkful as soon as it starts to cool, take the next cloth, then the third. If this is the correct-for-you approach, it won't open your sinus yet but you will be almost orgasmically relieved of a great deal of the misery. Persist!

Repeat this in succession until you feel the stuff in the sinuses start to shift. The next steps need to be done more quickly, so be ready.

Now take TWO of the cloths in succession and apply briefly then blow, very gently, right into them. You want not to empty the goop but just start it moving. Discard them into a washpile as you go.

Top off the Neti just enough to get the temp right; apply that third cloth as you did the first two; start the Neti after the third cloth is applied and blown.

That oughtta get you access to the sinuses, get your favorite Neti solution moving thru them, and give you a good wet noseful to gently blow out afterwards.

It will all solidify again as soon as you leave that steamy loo, but you will have gotten the Neti-full thru it, and that should start the sinus passages on recovering.

You can do this several times a day. You will probably want to do a whole facial, too, because you also will have opened your skin pores quite a bit.

How I know this is that I regularly do most of these steps sitting comfortably in my health club's hot tub, except that what comes out of my nose nevernevernever goes into the hot tub water. Try it once and you will be hooked.

===

I woke up smart this AM (Faulkner confirms that), and I will post in a bit about the things I need to do to keep myself moving forward-- it will all sound quite silly but it's a HUGE "Missing Link" (bocaccinos) and I need to write about it. It will help if each person who reads that post just sends me a PM letting me know they SAW it.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 11:50 AM

tree is up and decorated. lounge is de-cluttered, dusted and vacuumed. one load of laundry left to do. quite a lot of ironing AGAIN - sheeeeesh.

need to make almond toffee bark and dark chocolate brazil nut rocky road candy, but been feeling sick at tummy this afternoon so don't think i will.

need to clean the bathroom and master bedroom and wrap prezzies and then wait for Hilary to arrive.

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 11:52 AM

Set out ingredients and make with Hilary?

~S~

Subject: Wheels on the Bus & Foolproof OUTs
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 12:46 PM

My favorite chef makes a dish we named, "Wheels on the Bus." Becuase they are portable and they get you going where you need to go, and they gho 'rpound and 'ropund. It's pizza ingredients wrapped and cut into roulades. ANY "pizza" ingredients.

Well, so my Missing Link this AM was to put in a standing order for this crazy-creative chef to make me a platterful, each week (we dine there weekly), of whatever he feels like putting into them. Meat, fruit, veg, who cares. I can tell him what NOT to put in and he'll follow that to the letter.

They make perfect brekky or snack food. I'll take each boxful home and freeze each wheel individually, in our bulk-kitchen mode, and bag 'em up. As the freezer starts to fill with these, I can make bags of two's to grab for the office, for pool food, to grab to take on the road, whatever.

It will take a few weeks for the varieties to build up in that bag, and then after that I can start making up bags of mixed assortments. Ministry here is crazy-busy enough that we will definitely be able to eat these all up to prevent freezer clutter, and they can be made in a healthy way.

An endless variety, always available.

===

Part 2 of the AM brilliance du jour (caff free, just a good sleep) is the movie version of the book that lit the most recent, still-running-powerfully inspiration-- the Foolproof Means of Getting OUT of the Hole-- The Secret Garden. I splurged on a copy (whole 10 bucks) of the video for AM inspiration/RC self-sessions.

===

If you read all that and can remind me of it again when I get way too low, please PM with a subject line that reflects our friendship, and that availability. I KNOW that a lot of us do not actually READ this thread, but only post-- so, it would be nice to know who the real, potentially-supportive peers are among us.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 05:44 PM

Hang out the flags! I have cleared the ironing! Now I've got to take it all upstairs and actually PUT IT AWAY!

It is now 10.30 pm, and I need to be up early tomorrow to get the place sorted for my 360 day old granddaughter coming for the day around the same time as my financial advisor is due to pick up and sort out my income tax paperwork, which I have been nagging him to do for 2 months. he's gone into panic mode because he's going on holiday for 3 or 4 weeks in 5 days' time, and when he comes back he will be entering a load of tax returns online for the 31st Jan deadline, so won't have time to come and see me - and I go to NZ in 6 weeks or so.

All of a sudden he has cleared space in his diary and is able to come (he's based about 70 miles away). Apparently he has worked out Ian's last tax return, but hasn't submitted it yet. It was due in 2 years ago! As I haven't heard a murmur from the revenuers, I thought it was all sorted and was just a bit miffed that they were taking their time returning any tax overpaid...

Oh well, it'll be nice when I get it, and hopefully I am paying too much as well!

Carol service went well, and I have also managed to quickly rig up my illuminated door wreath. I am starting to feel in a bit more of a festive mood as I am off to the pantomime on Thursday evening. By then I will have hopefully survived Tuesday night's "Christmas Cracker" making session with the local Homestart group's parents. I still have to work out how many tubes I can get sorted to fit one inside the other, and cut a load of papers to fit so that they can be covered. I will probably do it with my usual "fly by the seat of my pants" method!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 09:40 PM

Susan, that is quite an operation to open the sinuses! I do use hot water and steam--I had a bowl of water and a towel in the kitchen the other day and that felt wonderful. But I think I'll take a bucket of hot water and a couple of cloths into the shower tonight before I go to bed. And I'll take several big drinks of water, because by morning I'm thirsty and my sinuses hurt from the dryness.

I felt better today and did move around enough outside to cut down the canna lily clutter (after the freeze it turns to mush) and some of the garden plants (tomato vines, pepper plants, the woody basil plants). All into the compost. I have been intending to put up a panel of lights, and this evening I did it. On the front porch I have a piece of 2x4 on the floor and a hook from the ceiling. I spaced the lights so they looped under the board and all moved up to the hook, resulting in a tall pyramid, ala lighted stylized tree. My porch light is a motion detector and is still working even with these lights, so while it's off most of the time, if someone approaches, the porch light turns on.

I walked the dogs around the block, and that about was it. I'm going to head to bed early; I have to take my son to school in the morning and order his high school transcripts to be sent to several schools. We'll see if they can do it electronically and we will provide the account numbers we have so far. I think he's finally getting more excited about it, and is feeling the pressure to do this. He has two in the bag, it isn't like he won't go to college for free. But we are going to apply to Princeton, Yale, and Stanford (I think Stanford would be perfect for him). If he can get accepted these schools have a policy to fund the students if their parents are low income. They don't expect kids to take out loans; if you have a high power degree and have to take just any job to pay your loans, you lose time and momentum. I think they know this. And I think the important lesson in all of this application process is for him to learn when to pay attention and when to do the work on time for his own behalf.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 10:15 PM

Went to a pot-luck lunch this afternoon, and had a nice visit with friends. Then went to the "Poinsettia Soiree", a fund-raiser for the Belle Isle Conservatory. I even won a door-prize, a nice fuzzy scarf with a poinsettia print design. I wore it home, too.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 03:26 AM

Almond Toffee Bark - USA recipe

1 cup Butter
1 1/3 cup Sugar                
3 tablespoon kayro white corn Syrup
1 tablespoon Water
1 cup Almond flakes
1 giant Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar
½ cup ml Almond flakes (topping)



Almond Toffee Bark - UK recipe

236 ml Butter
307 ml Sugar                
48 ml Golden Syrup        
16 ml Water
240 ml Almond flakes
227 gm Milk Chocolate
120 ml Almond flakes (topping)


   Melt butter, sugar, syrup and water together in medium saucepan
   Cook to a rolling boil until the candy reaches 149 degrees Celsius or becomes medium brown toffee colour *.
   Remove from heat and quickly stir in 240 ml (1 cup) almond flakes
   Immediately pour mixture into well greased 33cm X48cm or jellyroll pan or baking sheet with raised rim.
   Spread evenly while mixture is still hot
   Mixture should be approximately 1.3 cm thick
   Allow to cool completely
   Melt chocolate and spread over toffee
   Press remaining almond flakes into melted chocolate
   Refrigerate until chocolate is solid
   Break into large bark like pieces
   Put a few pieces into tissue paper lined mini gift bags

A lower candy temperature will make fudge consistency rather than toffee if you are worried about dental work.

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 03:31 AM

Rocky Road Candy

2 big bars of dark chocolate melted
chopped brazil nuts
dried cranberries
miniature marshmallows

mix all and pour/scoop (it should be fairly thick and chunky) onto buttered wax paper in baking sheet or jelly roll pan

chill and chop into pieces with a hot knife

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 03:46 AM

The Secret Garden

My favourite book (an my Mom's) as a child) I love that film. It does give tingles doesn't it?

Another I want is Fairy Tale: A True Story with Peter O'Toole as Arthur Conan Doyle and Harvey Keitel as Harry Houdini. Film about the little girls in 1917 producing photographic evidence of fairies which caused a media stir.

Really lovely film. Damned aggravating though, because I cannot get a copy in UK that will play on our Sony DVD player.

I wan the recipe for the wheels on the bus. Is it pizza dough? I think I will experiment with that one.

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 04:29 AM

Hilary is my youngest. Andie's little sister. She is coming to UK for visit from 18 through 30 December. I have not seen her, hugged her since July 2008.

She has lost a lot of weight since I last saw her. Afraid I won't recognise her.

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 09:27 AM

Wheels on the Bus is indeed pizza dough.

It's a concept rather than a recipe. You can put ANYhting into it and make the dough thick or thin. The main thing is good stretchy dough so the roll-up will hold the stuffings closely, and not trying to pack in too thick a stuffing. Just try it with a usual pizza recipe, but make the dough square.

Leave one edge naked, to seal well at the end of the rollup, but when the pizza is decorated, roll it up tight, slice it into sections that will hold together when set flat, and let it all rise. Then bake. If you make the sections too thick you'll need to turn them over once during the baking. If you use a lot of cheese it will ooze out the bottoms and make a toasted-cheese base. But it's all good. Leftovers go well in there.

The first one he made per my request included crispy, flash-fried shredded onions in the filling, and all the minced beef ended up in the center of the rollup looking like a chewy center. The next one he made, for himself, was a wet mess loaded with prosciutto because he's a sauce lover. It's all good.

They're fine alone, and/or great with a dipping sauce that contrasts with the fillings. Like applesauce for a pork sausage, or a hollandaise for a fishy one (for the lemon), etc. Just play! Lump crab was yummy.....

It could be done with dessert items too of course, meatless.

Or a holiday one with mincemeat.....

It's an adaptation of another local delicacy called Bocaccino's. (Bo-kah-chee-no) Which I believe is "Little Mouthful."

Size also can vary from cocktail munchy-tiny with thin dough to a plate-sized giant.

The big ones squash when sliced, but if sections are gently pushed back into circles, the rising takes care of most of the fall-apart, and toothpicks or cotton string may come in handy at first makings. Don't crowd the baking sheet-- they need a little room to expand and heat evenly.

Just think truck tires and what kind of bus you need to drive or ride in on any given day-- and stuff these accordingly. Be sure to make as many as your bus needs, to get you there, and don't forget the spare. :~)


~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 09:41 AM

I'm sat here waiting for my friend to call, she went into hospital yesterday morning to be induced to have her twins. At about 4am this morning her waters finally broke and she went onto the labour ward. We haven't heard anything since, niether has her sister. Sitting here hoping everything is all well.

I have baked cherry scones this morning with the kids. The tree is still standing although the kids do like to hide underneath it. Most of the presents are wrapped and in their hiding places. Yesterday we delivered presents to those that needed delivering.

Paul cut back the apple tree and the grape vine, the garden looks so much bigger. New stair case is being fitted next week!

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 10:00 AM

Some more progress on equipping the office ydy and late last night. Involved revisiting some old business and re-purposing/gifting some of the "evidence" of the past.

And adding some more storage furniture, even tho I had to leave the result in mid-mess. I DID leave it better than I found it, and did that as well all over the house in may spots ydy. I also made myself a desk cube (toy) of a series of Maxine cartoons and ordered a desktop Maxine from Amazon!

Today's plan is to finish packing and addressing trwo boxes, take them to post office next to pool and then POOL. Then meet Band for loaduip and delivery of sound stuff for a gig tomrorrow. MUCH bettyer to drop off the heavy bits the night before!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 03:47 PM

Another pound and a half gone! That's a stone and a half!

11st 9lb now. BMI is just a little over 25, I think. I'd like to shift another stone if I can...

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 04:00 PM

Go Andrea GO!!!!   :) That's awesome!!!!!!!!!

And Susan, the pool sounds wonderful right about now!

I did some grocery shopping today and was very good about asking them to not bag much weight at a time....I just can't do it right now. I used a sled to haul groceries down to the house and I think I did it without causing more harm.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 12:33 AM

I pulled a few glass items out of a trunk from my great aunt's house. A friend packed it for me in 1984 and I didn't even know what all was in here. Some pretty depression glass and crystal. It will go on the mantle with stuff I have already and some ornaments for nice color accents.

Still fighting this cold, though it's getting a little better. And still struggling to get applications finished. Not one has been turned in yet. One must go tonight because the deadline is tomorrow. And it will be a squeaker.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 10:20 AM

Decluttered a HUGE piece of lay ministry today. Snip, snip, snip. Like taking off one's own skin tags without a stiptic pencil. Neatened things up quite a bit that had gotten VERY messy.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:09 AM

An old office chair went out the door with Rog this morning. We also moved a few more things back to the old office until the holidays are over. I did five loads of laundry, yesterday.

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:15 AM

Did my normal morning chores today....it seems that doing that kind of stuff helps to ease my mind a little bit. I have pain meds that also help to ease my mind but I'm kind of reluctant to use them.

I went to yoga last night and prayed/meditated while my fellow yogarians held a beautiful practice. Since I won't be allowed to do yoga for several weeks, I asked if I could come sit in the back and meditate. I asked this because I don't want to get out of the habit of going to yoga, I miss the people, the space and the energy and right now I need all of those things very much. My yoga teacher said of course I could come...she said I could color, knit baby blankets, drink pina coladas....but just to come! So...I did go last night and it was good for me in so many ways. A little strange to be sitting while everyone is in triangle or down dog.....but I'm glad I went anyway. Other than that, I'm taking it easy and am working hard to not fall into panic attacks.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:28 AM

Kat, the imagery-- did Rog in the chair fly, or were did they stay on the ground? :~)

(Movie, Danny Deckchair)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:31 AM

And I DID get to the post office ydy, AND the pool.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:46 AM

Sometimes I wonder if I have adult attention-deficit disorder.... I came into the computer/music room, to tidy up, and I can't even figure out where to start. I need to practice the songs I know, and learn a few more. But I can't get out the guitar and set up the music until I clear some space, so I cleaned up a corner. Now I'm looking for a songbook that's around here somewhere. Maybe I'll get some practice in before the day is over.

Maryanne

I hope the today's postings mean that folks are starting to recover.

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:55 AM

I found the songbook! Yippee!

M

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 01:20 PM

For me, and I suspect most of us, "starting" to recover isn't quite it.... it's ongoing and always vulnerable to life crap (like when work stuff has hills and valleys). I AM having a good day. Some of that is the result of holding firm on some potential crazy-making crap that was offered to me. Mostly it's that I trusted my best thought that SLEEP is, as I thought, ESSENTIAL and notnotnot a frill. For me.

I did talk to my great doc today and got a use-as-needed scrip to shore up a few loose boards. :~)

But the BEST of the day has been figgering out the perfect Xmas gift for a dev-disabled band member/roadie. Roadie who wants to PLAY music. James RULES, and he's getting Edith's (our band founder's late wife's) autoharp, with lessons starting in January, and we'll present it Sat. Night as a surprise with his mom in town to be there as well.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 02:54 PM

Susan - lovely idea that gift. Wish I could settle to learning my lap dulcimer. Maybe after Hilary leaves.

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 04:27 PM

James was at my elbow all during the senior-home concert/singalong we just did, watching my fingers. It will be so easy to work with him!

He's also the most joyously patient person I know in music! "~)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 04:52 PM

The cold is moving along, but that means the coughing needs to be kept at bay. I hate waking up in the middle of the night with an explosive cough. It disturbed the cat, also, who as he gets older and more frail, wants to sleep right on top of us.

I went over the mantle last night and dusted then carefully washed all of the crystal. I left it there during the year, but without the seasonal color. So now I'm putting glass balls and colorful ornaments into some of the cut and molded glass containers. And I found a couple of new lovely pieces to add to it. A few of the nutcrackers are also out.

Had a meeting at work, then dashed home, printed up a mailing envelope, and went to school to get the stack of sealed high school transcripts. I hope being postmarked on the last day is okay. He sent his first one in late last night, and this is part of it. Now all week we're going to be finishing up more. I hope. I hope. I hope. I want to have some of my break for something else, like researching scholarships. . .

Because I've had a cold I have been dragging. A bit of a nap this afternoon helped, will tide me over for a while. I hope my son doesn't catch it. I've tried to avoid spreading it.

I am way behind on my shopping, baking, etc. Tonight I'll be doing some baking to take to work tomorrow. I think I'll pick up some foil baking containers so I don't have to wait to bake the next batch after I empty and wash the pans. I make small loaves of banana bread and take them to work. The office party is tomorrow.

I'm going to bake this weekend and pack up and mail boxes of cookies to family. We are simply bleeding cash with all of the college tests, applications, etc, and I don't have the time or the energy to figure out clever thoughtful inexpensive gifts I can pack up and send this year. So it'll be nice food containers and cookies inside. (Some of our favorite family recipes). I'll send them well-padded and priority, so they're still fresh.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: maeve
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 10:33 PM

Fighting an inner battle here between the clearing out/regular chores and my instrumental practice/songwriting. The first are necessary for our comfort; the second for my well-being.

Courage to those of us in need of it, good health and peace to us all.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:38 PM

Music wins, hands down, right?

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: maeve
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:59 PM

As of tonight, yes. I've written more songs in the last 6 months than I had written in the last ten years. And I can remember some of the traditional songs I used to know, now the migraines don't run my life.

Still, there's a lot of work needing doing. Sigh. Time for sleep.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 16 Dec 09 - 02:56 AM

oh I am so envious... writing songs. Would so love to be able to do this.. funny ones.. ones that make people roll with laughter.

I used to write poetry but now in too much of brain fog to do it.

Stilly... please please please look after that chesty cough.


huggles to everyone from the mad goober of virginia

:~}

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: maeve
Date: 16 Dec 09 - 05:50 AM

VTam- I went years without writing, and it only began a couple of years ago when I escaped from years of chronic migraines. Friends here provide important encouragement; I also began to finish grieving for my dad and some other loved ones.

The first songs grew out of a lovely vivid dream. Others are old poems retuned to who I am today. Be patient with yourself; your words will emerge, and we will love to see your laughter in song.

SRS- How are you feeling today? Guaifenesin makes a difference for me- thins the mucus. Sage/raspberry leaf tea with honey has also helped me a lot.

Susan- Looking for "Pooltime" posts by Monday. Take care. Sleep.

Andrea- Hurt my back the same way. I hope yours is feeling better.

Maryanne- Care to say what songs you got from the songbook? Good for you finding it so soon.

Michelle- Keep breathing, find that pool of quiet inside you.

Kat- "Step be step, row by row" works for gardens and ourselves.

maeve, who needs sleep too.

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Dec 09 - 09:51 AM

Thanks, maeve. I am a happy camper this morning, at least. It is weigh-in day and finally I have shifted some more...lost 2.8lbs!

I had a hard time, yesterday, staying out of a mental fog long enough to sign 19 Christmas letters with added handwritten noted and get them all addressed, ready to go. It is one thing I love to do, but it was difficult...felt as though I was slogging through some really wet, deep snow. I had some laughs after, though, watching that clever octopus and its coconut shells. Looked like an old lady hiking up her skirts and running.:-)

My best to you all.

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 16 Dec 09 - 10:19 AM

Thanks for asking, Maeve. The songbook is "Songs of the Workers to Fan the Flames of Discontent", the Little Red Songbook of the IWW, 2005 ed. The trouble was, the book is only 5-inches square and thin, so it was hard to spot among all the other material. I want to do more labor-oriented songs, considering I live in the Detroit area. I am putting together a set of social justice songs, using Rick Fielding's song "Voices of Struggle" as the backbone, then adding the songs that he referenced or some similar songs.

I tried to find a link to Rick's song, in case anybody isn't familiar with it, but something seems to be wrong with "Search" right now, because nothing came up. I can post the lyrics, if anybody wants them.

M

Subject: RE: BS: Athletic Wisdom
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Dec 09 - 10:36 AM

TIPS

Pro athletes say that 5-10 lbs gained "back" in the offseason are no problem as long as training for the new season occurs-- when the "extra" pounds will melt right off on their own. The annual cycle in that gain/lose range is normal for them.

So TRUST that one's normal season of highest activity CAN keep one approx. where one is.

There is also the good news that a speeded-up metabolism due to muscle-mass increase will last 6 weeks, so a short layoff from vigorous activity is not a crisis.

On the other hand, athletes who take a layoff say that anything longer than 2 weeks will need to be rehabbed and/or retrained back up to the pre-breaktime level.

They ALL say that as we age, we FEEL the breaktime loss of muscle-flexibility is felt in function, sooner and sooner.

There is also info out there that the slower the weight loss, the better for our health, and that periods of loss followed by periods of maintenance are GOOD for us in many ways.


One way I monitor all that is that I own ONE pair of "fat pants" that can be worn when my tummy's acting up or I have all-night-sitting to do. They fit like pajamas. I have FOUR pairs of jeans/trousers that are snug. The day I have to put on a pair of fat pants to do a non-fatpant activity comfortably-- that's the day I drop everything and get back to the pool NO MATTER WHAT, and I stay on the pool schedule till I feel so damn fit I want to get out of the water and DO stuff. Then I slack off pooltime in favor of land-based muscly work/fun.


In the high-activity phase I eat (healthy) when I'm hungry, day or night. I'm feeding a fast metabolism. In the low-activity phase I eat as many tiny (healthy) mini-meals as my shrunken tummy requests, because I am feeding a metabolism that may slow a bit.

Because the MAIN thing that gives me feedback is my tummy. Now that I don't fight with it any more, it gives me good info on when to stop, and it hurts if I ignore it. :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Dec 09 - 10:38 AM

And Kat is out in front, leading the pack as we crawl and roll over on our sides moving toward the new year. . . (laughing!) Anyone unfamiliar with us, visiting Mudcat and reading all of these threads might be tempted to send the ambulances or spike our IVs after this month's entries. We'll get through the season. It's a convergence of stuff that I'm certain is seasonal.

Each day is a little easier. I don't catch colds often, and I've been very careful to try to contain this one. My whole face has felt kind of chapped the last few days because it has been so cold out, but I've set the heavy duty guiafed aside and am taking the Robitussin knock-off for cough and cold, and that seems to be helping (probably has as much guiafed as expectorant, but it's good for cough.)

I made the banana bread last night, and I had just enough batter for the loaves to take to work for co-worker gifts. My son was dying to eat one, but I told him I didn't have any to spare. Last night I pulled one out of the freezer, but it just isn't the same. I felt so sorry for him, munching the older loaf. So I've made some cookies to go to work also, and am going to take a plate past and leave at his father's house. He goes there after school, and Wednesday he spends part of the evening there. So he'll at least have a fresh batch of homemade Christmas tree (almond) cookies for himself.

I've begun wrapping a few things, to place in a hanging basket we always use. It has lights running up and down the macrame and they chase and blink and such. I fill the basket with small gifts. If I have a tree, we always open those gifts first (or otherwise, they're on the hearth) and then we always remember a few more in the basket. It's a lean year, but I can still put gifts in to make it look right.

Gotta shower and head over to work. With lots of baked goods.

Michelle, how are you feeling today? I think all other counties have been heard from. And what part of the country are you in, anyway? Are any of us close-by to stop in and offer some cookies or banana bread? (I make bread with splenda to cut the calories for friends with that requirement, and use some whole wheat to make it a little healthier). PM your address and I'll mail a loaf, or at least post a couple of recipes. (My boss's wife is diabetic, but 5 years ago she had breast cancer and was having a hard time eating when she was going through chemo. I really worked on a recipe that I could send home with him to her, that had as little sugar as possible, because all through it she loved and could eat the banana bread, but we didn't want her diabetes to spiral out of control. It was a tough call.

SRS, food scientist and kitchen wizard. . .