DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: pattyClink
Date: 13 Jan 25 - 11:15 AM

Made a little headway on the clutter backlog, unpacked a few more boxes, and broke down shipping boxes that had been piling up; cut up some airpocket material for a million little rock-collecting bags. Found some sentimental items, a baking pan, as well as the doorstops that I knew were somewhere.

Power was out most of the day and then on into the freezing evening, really aggravating because the local power company apparently lies about when power will be restored. Apparently they automatically announce 2 hours as their estimate, then extend every 2 hours, it was more like 9. Apparently the issue was up in the Gila national forest, they know darn well it takes time just to get up in there, never mind the time it takes to do a fix.   

Work continued on the porch, with a generator adding to the aggravation.   Yes, it was wise to replace the roof and patch the concrete, no it's not going to be any more usable or pleasant than it was. It was worth the promised 2 weeks of disruption, not the several it has turned into.

Retreated to the motorhome at sunset, and just as had my gear moved out and settled in for the night, power came back on.

Now it's back to computer work. Reservations, insurance stuff, escrow suddenly changed, and the Illinois Tollway tells me they will close my account if I don't call them to ask to keep it. All that stuff they think it's nice to throw at people 'after the first of the year'.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Jan 25 - 11:42 AM

Power outages - after 2021's long cold one we're all a bit punchy. My computer UPS devices can charge small stuff and my sister recommended one of the Stanley portable power stations. The one I got has been helpful, but I should have read the description more closely because I had to buy an adapter to shift the 12-volt plug to AC plugs (lamp, radio, etc.) You were more than prepared with the RV in the driveway!

My neighbors are leaving for two weeks (cruise in the East Caribbean - nice time of year to go) and we discussed the possibilities if the power goes out. Since they won't be here the generator won't be in use (she apologized in advance, if that happens) but she has children who live in the area, so I'm to give one of them a call if power is out for a couple of days so they can come retrieve items from the freezer while it's still frozen in case power is out for a long long time. The side of my fridge hosts a list of alarm codes, family phone numbers, and house keys for them.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jan 25 - 01:06 AM

Going through more craft room items. Some embroidery hoops going to my son's partner, a dozen in various sizes. I think they were to frame finished projects I never got around to. (I'll keep a couple for use in projects that might call for embroidery). I spoke with him this evening so what they don't want is donated.

Some of the associated vintage items, like the first edition DMC floss color card, has 330 colors, but research shows me that the most recent card has 489. eBay gets that. Books on rug and quilt crafts that don't interest me, gone to a better place.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Charmion
Date: 14 Jan 25 - 11:29 AM

To Kitchener this morning for my monthly shot of Xolair (asthma drug). The weather is treacherous — snowing heavily, lousy visibility — so I took Highway 7/8 instead of the shorter but riskier route by the county roads. For a wonder, everyone seemed to have just received a stern safety brief: no speeding, no dangerous passing, no tail-gating, no going through intersections “on the pink”. It was downright relaxing.

The imminent painting project in the music room has me stressing a bit. In the small hours of yesterday morning I woke up worrying about where to put all the books and sheet music while the bookcases are under drop-cloths in the middle of the room. Not a good sign.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jan 25 - 11:49 AM

More materials soon on the way to my son, including his four high school annuals. I intentionally bought them for each kid. Neither was excited at the time, but they didn't realize that years from now those might be interesting references (if for no other reason than if, like me, they read the hometown obits and go looking for the faces that go with the names from decades ago.) They weigh about five pounds each (it was a large school) so it's good thing media mail is priced low for this kind of parcel.

A few more tidbits from the sewing room, and I found a large durable plastic bin that matches those I'm using in the freezer for like items. I'll see if it fits. It might help me organize all of the types of flour in there, or maybe a home for all of the packages of frozen fish.

We're getting an idea about the extent of the next Arctic air - Saturday through the following Wednesday, way cold overnight and 30s high each day. I'll be feeding my friend's cats again so I'll be out in it. I love that the SUV has a remote start feature so I can warm it up before trips.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jan 25 - 03:06 PM

It's cold out but the sun is so bright that I've given my mood and immune system a boost just for being out in it for a while. Craft items dropped off; when I explained that the box had bags full of clean scraps and yardage from costume design the volunteer receiving them showed a little thrill of excitement. Perhaps an interest of hers also?

Dog food picked up and then I browsed the dog toys and came home with two nylon chew toys. Cookie ran all over the yard with one of them, I probably need to go find it. Pepper is still chewing one on the bed that she typically drags sticks to from the yard then chews to pieces. I wish I could say this is the start of a trend for her.

Potted plants in the garage need to be moved into the sunshine and this week I can start the bed where I'll plant potatoes.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: pattyClink
Date: 14 Jan 25 - 09:16 PM

Making progress on the organization front. I made a 'desk' in the library/office room using old planks,a 2 drawer file cabinet and the extremely heavy-duty box the mattress came rolled up in. Some artful draping with tablecloths and at least I have a place to spread out and work a bit (the little desk/table is busy with the microscope etc.) Unpacked a couple more boxes. Still cluttery, but feels a lot better.

In tidying that area, was moved to wash a bunch of rocks from the last field trip during the warmer afternoon hours -- I always do that the day after a trip, but let myself get distracted this time. And this evening I'm labeling the sides of all my various little boxes of treasure in the rock room / work room, so at least I know what I have, and where on the shelves it is. Need to fish out some stuff for the Albuquerque stop on the trip.

Air in the water lines has returned. So frustrating to know they just wasted my time with a band-aid. Maybe a better well company can come out here, take a look, and train me on winterizing before I have to leave Monday morning. Maybe not.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Jan 25 - 12:17 AM

Good luck with the lines. Sounds like the first crew didn't want to bother to look for the leak? Hoped to get lucky with that bandaid. Can any plumber also do that, or does it have to be a specialized well company (or are those one and the same out there?)

The second desk in my office is similar to what you described. A leftover piece of furniture grade plywood (I finished the edges with a strip of iron-on oak veneer you find in rolls at Home Depot, etc., so it looks like solid wood.) It sits atop two two-drawer filing cabinets spread apart to give me a kneehole. Solid.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 15 Jan 25 - 07:58 AM

Charmion: "In the small hours of yesterday morning I woke up worrying about where to put all the books and sheet music while the bookcases are under drop-cloths in the middle of the room. Not a good sign."

Not a good sign? Well, given that your concern is about as First World as it gets, it's not a bad sign, either. "Painter, more drop-cloths for that heap of printed matter!" ;)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Mrrzy
Date: 15 Jan 25 - 04:38 PM

I'm going to paint my house's insides soon. Paint makes a lot less mess than drywall work, I'll say that.

Meanwhile have acquired a lot of counter space by consolidating my toaster oven and microwave into a single unit, air fryer/microwave. It can make toast, too. But it added a lot of counter space, and extra sides to stick magnets to, too.