Declutter & Exercise - May 2012

Subject: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 12 - 01:20 AM

Here is the previous thread.

I'm starting this just before shutting down the computer to head to bed. Tomorrow is May 1, Mayday, but also, more importantly, Payday. :-)

I worked for a couple of hours this evening to finish digging the planting area on top of the berm, and put in all of the sweet potato slips. That thing should be covered with beautiful vines this summer. But I'm bushed, so it's a short report.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 May 12 - 10:12 AM

MayDay, Mayday....

A growing pile of paper I wish I did not have to be accumulating sits at my elbow, in a portfolio pocket starting to bulge.... I hope the next size up will do it because if it doesn't, it will mean a legal mess has begun. Too much like the 2000 fire insurance thing-- ya gotta do it but it don't feel good.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 12 - 10:37 AM

Does anyone else find themselves operating on a daily/weekly basis by tackling each pressing obstacle and then moving to the next one? And everyday stuff just fits in where it will. Ugg. I'm hoping to finish up a couple of big challenges this month then just have time to work on whatever, without some new URGENT!!! item begging for all of my attention. I'm not offering specifics, but a hint: Two kids in college. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 May 12 - 12:02 PM

I am switching gears. I'm not making goals for this month because I do my best to achieve them and end up feeling like crap when I don't even get close. I'll post what I've done but any future goals can just kiss my big, fat, jiggly, super white behind. ;)

On that note, so far today I failed to get up early enough to take care of my family and get to the gym. I woke the baby out of a deep sleep to get him some breakfast, dressed and off to school however my keys were missing. Pete had already left for the day and he had my keys last. *sigh*   I emailed him but now it's just too late in the day to take the wee one to school. He'd get there in time for lunch, nap and playtime. I'm not driving all the way to town and back for that. I am more than happy to have lunch, nap time and play time here today.

I did a load of dishes in the dishwasher and hand washed another load and a half. We've been busy and I've been slacking. Bonus? Pete took us out to dinner last night so I wouldn't have to fuss with the dishes and make dinner after a very long day of grocery shopping and play time at a park. (Thanks Love, you're the best!). Laundry is started too.

I have tons more to do, if I get to it, I'll share. If not...it means I've decided it can all wait. I'd much rather have play time with my son than worry about a messy house. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 May 12 - 12:40 PM

SRS: I feel good if I manage to accomplish the most pressing things before they are overdue! Have found that more than two items per day can put me on overload so priorizing is essential.

I have done two on the essential list today already. Still have a few secondaries that may get done.

Tomorrow's primary will be to get to the country and turn the place inside out looking for the missing checkbooks! The great mystery of life right now!! option #2 is figuring out how to get money from a credit union about 6 hours away; I usually write a cheque and put it in local account. Why don't I cancel the other?? I lived there 17 years and I like the sense of connection! I keep moving but I still care about the folks I left behind.

I just need a flash of light, a brain storm, a memory of the safe place....

OK - shopping - second time today but dif store - limes and our good bread.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 May 12 - 01:25 PM

Oh yeah..SRS...you have to take care of first things first!!!

XOXOXO

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 May 12 - 07:28 PM

Doing anything around our house reminds me of that little game we had as kids...the one with the numbered squares and one empty square. For way too long we just didn't HAVE the empty square!

Another thing I've had to buck against (or just give up...) is Tom can't stand to watch me clean. If I tried to sweep or vacuum, he'd leave. Or I'd have to try to fit it in when he wasn't home. Unfortunately with him now being legally blind and unable to drive that's been more or less impossible. Can't say that I fought much. I have a pretty high mess tolerance. Probably a reaction to my nasty neat mother who was convinced that when I vacuumed her living room it wasn't clean enough because I started in the "wrong" corner. She never ironed the sheets or underwear, but it was almost as bad. When I moved out, I swung to the opposite extreme, but, even so, my mess tolerance is much lower than Tom's and sometimes it just gets to me.

The other problem is we're both, well, Yankees (which translates into "pack rats"). Tom by birth in New England, but he claims I was born a Yankee, too, even in the upper Midwest. Waste not, want not, can't throw this away, might need it someday. And our home certainly does show it.

When Tom can finally come home, his healing ankle won't let him go upstairs to the bedroom and bathroom, so I've been forced into some sudden decluttering. It's probably a good thing to have not only incentive, but a deadline. Antique-ey stuff to sell had been piling up on the couch. But he'll need that as a bed. Today, I finally got everything on the couch sorted out elsewhere. Tomorrow two of his physical therapists are doing a home visit to make suggestions and plan strategies for getting him able to get into and out of the house, so I also had to do some serious spiffification to keep from being totally embarrassed by the place. (My usual strategy is to rely on having enough interesting things to look at that no one notices the house is a mess.) Most of the downstairs clutter that could quite literally trip Tom up had to get gone. I think I succeeded.

But this is decidedly a work in progress. I can't call the antique guy until I locate and corral some of the other stuff that's lurking in boxes in the, oh, let's call it the computer room. Before I can do that, I have to dig out a cabinet that used to hold a 600 dpi laser printer and get rid of it, and also extricate a top loading file cabinet and de-accession that, too. (But then I'll also have to find a place for whatever is IN both of those things...)

I made major inroads in the cellar last week when I needed to find space for most of the chairs from upstairs. In one swell foop I gave away a chainsaw and a shop vac, bagged up a bunch of what I'd suddenly declared to be trash, and got a bunch of other stuff into the car to take to Goodwill (although, instead, I gave it to a friend who says she'll take whatever she can't use to Goodwill).

I might just be starting to see that it's making a difference...

Next week I can take a huge pile of books at the foot of the stairs to the Nottingham Library book sale and, if I don't buy more than I contribute, I'll win... (It's always a struggle.)

Since we're getting a refund for the folk gathering Mother's Day weekend because Tom's surgeon won't recommend travel that far in a car, I bought a new vacuum yesterday. Unfortunately, Sears didn't have it in stock, so I won't get it until Thursday. I REALLY could have used it today.

My old vac is a 30-year-old Eureka canister that was factory reconditioned when we bought it. Not only can we no longer get bags for it, it, well, doesn't suck. What I bought is the Oreck Ultimate Handheld which strikes me as absolutely perfect for our highly idiosyncratic home -- I have very little floorspace but a LOT of really odd places that need to be cleaned. I think keeping this house clean is going to get a LOT easier and I'll be able to keep up as well.

I'm ridiculously excited about getting a new vacuum cleaner. I've gone all over June Cleaver-ish. Looking forward to getting it home and trying it out. It might even get the cobwebs off the rough cut beams and posts...

Let's hope Tom can come home soon...then I'll have even more time to beat this place into submission.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 May 12 - 08:47 PM

Linn,

I get that way about new vacuum cleaners too!!! Or any vacuum that really works well!!!
I also married a *Yankee* who doesn't like to throw anything out either....which is fine...to a point. It's part of his charm! ;)

Later in the day I did some sweeping (not finished), made healthy meals all day long, more laundry, cleaned out my car, put groceries away, made dinner and enjoyed Jeremiah.

Michel

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 12 - 09:32 PM

I was watching Jay Leno many years ago. The model Elle McPherson (I think it was she) was on the show, and he brought up a tidbit that he'd heard she loved vacuum cleaners, and presented her with one. It was cute, but she was clearly quite pleased to have this new device. :)

Not only can we no longer get bags for it, it, well, doesn't suck. Well that sucks, doesn't it? ;-D

I mailed a box of antique china today. It cleared out a couple of cubic feet of space it had occupied on a shelf. The box was flat behind a cabinet so that didn't make much difference, and I hope to hear from another person interested in a few pieces. I made a counter offer; if he comes back with his earlier price for these pieces that will be okay - one of the ones he wanted went in the box today because she was clear and named a higher price that he was offering. So, the same price for fewer pieces, I can live with it. Today's sale was one where we corresponded through eBay, agreed on the pieces and the price, I packed it to have all weights and measurements, then listed as "Buy it Now" it at 11am. By 11:30 it was paid for and by noon I had it at the door waiting for the mailman. And $125 in my PayPal account. I don't mind doing it this way, though eBay has some constraints on the email (number of characters, takes out email addresses, etc.). But we do have more protections this way.

Stuff to do tonight. I need to clear the kitchen island. I'm tired of looking at all of the paper.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 May 12 - 11:48 PM

Linn, I would be thrilled to still have my old Electrolux cannister vac. I called around to the shops and they all said they never get them in..no one wants to give them up, though I can see why yours had to go. I hope your Oreck works out. It sounds like a dream!

I've mostly been resting in between making and answering a lot of phone calls this past week. I get to spend 3-4 hours getting an IV infusion of iron on Friday..oh, joy!:-)

Morgan and I did get some more annuals potted out front. He did one pot all by himself and it looks beautiful. He is going to make me a pancake from scratch sometime this weekend.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 May 12 - 10:41 AM

Yesterday errands, bloodwork, and pool.

Errands: more than ever-- amazing to have some energy
Bloodwork: great staff made sure I got all the tests I wanted, to the tune of 8 blood vials' worth.
Pool: 160-180 BPM 40 minutes

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 May 12 - 01:44 PM

Several errands run this morning and I now have a concrete date for my physical therapy to begin. Also, tonight I begin quilting lessons! I can't wait!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 02 May 12 - 03:05 PM

Well. found out during the home visit by Tom's physical therapists this morning that there are MORE things that need to be moved out of the way or rearranged. Now where, exactly, did I put that "empty square"?!?

Maybe I can wait until tomorrow to wrap the old vac in plastic and leave it up by the head of the driveway with a FREE sign on it. Maybe I can put some more bait up there as well...

I need to put some of my overabundant perennial euphorbia into a couple pots for a friend, and call a neighbor to tell her that I have most of the big flower pots from the cellar up on the deck for her to take whatever she wants.

Then I need to extricate (and remove) a couple things in this room so I can move some boxes so that Tom will have maneuvering space around the computer and into the room, too.

This morning's visit gave me a bit more focus in fine-tuning the downstairs for Tom's convalescence. And incentive to find out what are in the boxes that are currently surrounding me so I can GET RID OF THEM!!!

More work...but it looks like Tom will be able to come home Friday or Saturday. It's mostly dependent on getting a wheelchair. (See the Curmudgeon Adventure thread.)

We're making progress on almost all fronts...

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 02 May 12 - 04:12 PM

Not much work today.

I went on the "health walk" arranged by the local authority, round the village paths and over the fields. I've been feeling very heavy lately (and that odd weight amount is back on), and did not feel full of beans afterwards (or before).

This afternoon I drilled holes in the wall and put up one of the two tracks for a set of bookshelves. I started the second track, but it got harder- a new bit, as well. (I have finally got Dad's drill wired up to use instead of my hand drill.) I'll finish that tomorrow, and then start moving books - mythology and women in religion first. Then anything else religious.

That should clear some shelf space for the stuff that isn't on shelves at all yet.

I had the new power tool delivered today - jobs for that are removing bolts from an old garden bench frame (iron) ready for new wooden slats, and cleaning the botched sealant round the shower screen. And probably chamfering the wood for the bench when I've got it.

But I'm finding it hard to find the energy at the moment for sustained activity. Lots of snoozes in between.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 02 May 12 - 09:10 PM

I'm trying to convince myself that I am capable of re-tiling the floor of my shower and re-grouting the walls. Now that it's seldom freezing in the daytime here I need to get started. Today I drew up a diagram to help me calculate how much tile to buy and copied the addresses of likely places in my town to get tile. Tomorrow I must make myself go order some tile.

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 May 12 - 02:39 AM

rags, I did the shower surrounds in both tubs in my house. It takes a little while, but if you only put up as much adhesive as you can use at at time and pace yourself, it is doable!

I packed up and shipped a 28 pound box of china on Tuesday. Another 12 pounds is set to sell and ship tomorrow. These are the result of discussions with interested buyers via eBay's email, and then when we're set, I list it at a given time as "buy it now." We're both protected more than a sale via Craig's List or something similar. This clears I'd guess about 2/5ths of the surface area of my kitchen table. I'll have to think about the rest, how and when to list it.

I've decided to have a neighbor guy come help in the yard a bit. Side-by-side stuff, mostly, helping weed, trim. It's kind of like having someone come in and clean the house for a half day every three or four weeks - it isn't a lot but it still helps to keep ahead of things. He doesn't have room to garden very much at his house (his yard is heavily shaded) but he grew up on a farm in Mexico so knows his way around a veggie garden.

Lots to do tomorrow since I'm taking a vacation day on Friday.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 May 12 - 11:57 AM

Yesterday I waited for work on the truck (tires rotated) and walked next door to Jack in the Box. They have a milkshake on their menu - I hadn't had one in years. I think there was more to that shake than I expected. Based on the discomfort and many trips to the loo last night, I think there must be nutrasweet in the mix, possibly in the syrup. That's a big note to myself for something to avoid in the future.

Cleaning up the kitchen, making a jar of iced tea, fixing a few things for lunch for the next couple of days. Laundry is drying. Second eBay box has been sold, will ship this afternoon if the payment comes through in time. I've compressed the china on the kitchen table to half the space (it is stacked according to type and size, but some of the stacks of bowls are on top of stacks of plates, etc.) I had a blue bedsheet (a denim color) that I use for background shots and I'll pull that up from around the table and fold it over the top to keep dust off till I'm set to list more. I have half the table to eat at now (no more eating at the kitchen island. . . )

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 May 12 - 12:00 PM

Just back from a great visit with a friend-- the dog trainer who boards our dogs-- for a little evaluation with Faulkner on how his Service Dog training is going. She thought that he's doing great and "cleared" him for train/bus rides to acclimate him to the type of motion he may experience on a plane in June. We also discussed in-flight meds if the altitude/air pressure bother him, etc., and traded "war stories" of first responders (she also runs ambulance).... we don't get to chat often but she knows my life better than most and I know her better than most... always a great little pick-me-up when we can chat a bit. Interestingly, she said-- when I shared about the new thyroid meds-- that the last time she'd seen me, she almost sent me off for a thyroid panel... because with one look she saw the typical thyroid patient. It will be interesting to share that with my doc tomorrow, when we discuss how long he missed that! :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 03 May 12 - 01:11 PM

Could you say what the typical thyroid patient looks like? I am one of those who test out normal but I suspect thyroid deficiencies..one thing to look at is eyebrows..if the outer third is sparse or gone, suspect problems..but treat adrenal problems first...and I know I have very minimal adrenal function...mg

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 May 12 - 04:32 PM

MG,

   I have had thyroid issues for a very long time...never heard that about the eyebrows, nor do I have what you have described.

   Busy day here, found a new local doctor, fired my current endocrinologist and have my referral in place for the new doctor. Leaving someone without access to insulin for as long as they did is inexcusable. FIRED. YOU ARE FIRED. New endocrinologist is much closer to home too which is another perk!

   Surprised with something this morning...will write about it in a few days. *GRIN*

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 May 12 - 04:47 PM

Could you say what the typical thyroid patient looks like?

Weight gain, suddenly thinning hair, listless energy, is sort of what she described. Ya kinda had to be there. Mary Shomon has a great book I recommend. I've been waiting since 4th grade for this Dx, but I am not yet an expert. There are some good online forums, tho, where people have been helping each other effectively for years. I think this is one of those "we each have to find our own way" kind of things.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 May 12 - 05:33 PM

I never had the thinning hair or energy issues (that came after chemo)but I know many people who have had that issue. I know when my thyroid is out of whack (as it changes frequently...hence the frequent lab work), I can fall asleep just that fast. It's not a tired like oh I'm dragging but a BAM...I'm asleep. Some people also have difficulty in regulating their temperature and dry skin too.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 03 May 12 - 06:54 PM

You can take your temperature frequently starting in bed in the morning and there is a pattern that will show whether you have more of a thyroid problem or an adrenal problem...I think, but am not sure, that thyroid is more constantly depressed but adrenal would be up and down more...mg

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 May 12 - 11:45 PM

My mother had thyroid problems - I have heard of the hair, and the eyebrow thing, Mary. Come to think of it, my eyebrows aren't any great shakes, haven't been for a while. I have a friend who had the classic goiter/thyroid scar on her neck who said that with a thyroid problem you can drink only water and gain weight. (Perhaps not literally, but a low-calorie diet doesn't help you keep the weight off).

I spoke with my brother this evening - a very helpful talk. He was a mortgage broker for 20 years. I have a home mortgage at 5.5%, which at any other time in history is fabulous, but now they are down at 3.25% and I am going to shop around. My bank didn't want to offer a mortgage that would let me roll in credit card debt, but when I ran my numbers past my brother, he said there are plenty of others with money for conventional loans who will do exactly what I want. Once I have the numbers, then I can talk to my bank and see if they want to meet them. Otherwise, adios. Something interesting to ponder for a little while.

I handed off the box to my mail carrier - he asked what it was I was shipping so I showed him the pattern. Here is a sample at Replacements.com. I cleared $200 with that china this week. Nice! Decluttered house, and a little more cash in the bank.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 04 May 12 - 04:11 AM

Today I visited five shops which sell tiles. None have tiles that are the same size as the broken tiles I need to replace on the shower walls. I need only about 12 square feet of floor tile for the shower floor. None of the shops have the tiles I need for the shower floor in stock. Most add a large charge for shipping. There are still two shops I haven't visited. Tomorrow?

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 May 12 - 09:36 AM

I'm NOT going to wear myself out today...at least not until I get Tom safely ensconced in the house.

But...I HAVE already consolidated miscellaneous sea shells in the cellar and brought up a milk crate for spray paint storage. A few more milk crates will provide a base in an odd corner (next to a litter box) to store some stuff that I want neither in the cellar nor on the cellar steps. I just stuck clear plastic around the computer chair I'm sitting in so I can move it to the deck temporarily and moved the heavy, solid wooden antique desk chair here in front of the computer as Tom will be using the wheelchair for the time being at the table and this chair is way too heavy and awkward for me to safely get down the cellar steps.

My life is a constant whirl of moving things from one place to another...(which fortunately includes sometimes moving them out of my life altogether).

After Tom's home, I hope to wrap the old vacuum cleaner in clear plastic (we're having a drizzly spell) and take it and several other things up to the head of the driveway with a FREE sign on them.

Then there are two cabinets buried in the computer room that need to be extricated and disappeared. Then boxes (including ones on the top of antiques to sell) need to be stacked somewhere other than next to the door, so that Tom will have wheelchair access to the computer.

I guess I'm halfway there -- I have a plan...

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 May 12 - 02:45 PM

Linn, may this be the last major AFGO you ever have to experience! You are incredible!

The iron IV was cancelled for today until the ins. company is satisfied that the doc really knows what he's talking about as in I really do need it! I was kind of scared the past few weeks because I kept needing more and more O2. The docs all said my heart and lungs sounded good, so I stewed. I talk to the nephrologist's nurse today to confirm the "aha!" my muddled brain dredged up from past nursing experience: anemia=less red blood calls=less O2=gasping, etc. when trying to do anything but sit. I know it's logical and obvious, but my brain must've been starved for it, too.:-) Anyway, she said most folks see a difference within a couple of days, so next week sometime I can feel useful, again!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 04 May 12 - 03:51 PM

I finished the shelves and loaded them up - but I still have need of more. I've bought four today while the DIY store had a 20% discount day. Also two sacks of peat free compost, two grow bags, two tomato plants, a litre of mixed to my choice blue bathroom paint, a litre of hammerite rust covering paint in dull green for the iron garden seat my sister passed on to me, wire brushes for cleaning same, and some self amalgamating tape to have by me. Unfortunately they didn;t have any timber which would do for the slats of the garden seat.

I taught the swimming class, and checked on the rowan I gave the school - the third. It had become a little skewed, so I bought a new tie to fix it to the wooden support more firmly.

I also found that they are having supply teachers again after not being able to afford them, and moaned about this to an ex-colleague. (I was dumped for being excessively expensive.) He told me that the local environmental education centre needed occasional staff, so i went to sound it out. Not impossible, and a nice change if available.

And I also finally made contact with a person who will be coming to assess my roof for solar panels, and can contact the roofer who has been very elusive, possibly doing up a property in France.

And just to complete a busy day, I made an appointment for an eye-test next week, and bought a replacement for a broken radio which no-one can repair. Irritating, because I believe it is only a loose connection to the aerial, which needs soldering.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 May 12 - 05:59 PM

Determined to get more done and get away more - and remember what the heck I am doing!

Using computer for memory aid for events. Made date with a raccoon loving friend up north; will get to see her new (rented) home and talk about life.

Spent three days in the country, commuting, this week. Now it is Friday and I am here for the weekend. Hope R makes it. Need to look at property we are considering to see if it is still available. Pork dinner at a country church tomorrow eve might be fun.

Still need to sign up for Farmers Market to sell pots; the forms are incomprehensible! Need to get back to working on wind turbine fact sheet; new info coming in that they cause climatic changes which may be useful or not. Very interesting article in New Scientist about the possible negative effects of "green" energy.

Sorting through the plastic bins of fabric-ey stuffs to get out summer clothes and have the rest more carefully organized - "bedding", "wool blankets", "winter clothes". Tired of searching!

Found a bag of stuffed animals and a bunch of those neat rubbery floor mats in someone's trash on the way down today. The animals are great for raccoons. The mats are great for the studio - so much better for the body than concrete floors!

Started sorting out the confusion in the studio that accumulated during winter. The next few days may be warm enough to get to potting. Right now it is colder inside than out! So I have had the doors open all day. The bug season has started but none today. The black flies tend to stay outdoors and don't last too long here. The mosquitoes were in hordes last year but I was able to pot anyway.

Considering a couple short trips this summer - a few days in Pennsylvania - family and folk dancing party and a few days in Ontario, where I used to live, to see the folks and the newly restored train station - in July or August - after the black fly season there.

The SPCA here is still not responding re raccoons and I know it is the baby season. Frustrating! We have a few - the neighbour has seen three adults going up our tree to the roof. R has gone up and ascertained there is a hole big enough. He put a board, loosely, over the hole and it gets moved. About a month and they should be ready to move on with the babes. Then we will get the tree/highway cut back and fix the hole.

We spent Sunday in the Adirondacks with our raccoon friends there, helping get a new enclosure ready so Amy can prepare 7 of last year's crop for release. A beautiful day in the woods.

Ahhh, the sun just started to peep through! Off to the cafe for terrific music. Hope R makes it tonight.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 May 12 - 07:03 PM

Thyroid: Eating more, lost 4 pounds.

~S~

Subject: RE: Pastorwifing (Clergy Spousing) Highlight
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 May 12 - 11:42 AM

No, it was 5.

I can so seldom share what I actually DO as a clergy spouse, but here is one I CAN share: TBTG and knowing how to build connections, I'll get to hold several thousand dollars Monday just long enough to "anonymize" the source as it goes to a recipient. This will declutter a whole LOT of BS that only needed someone to see the need and set the right wheels moving so they intersect like Shimano bicycle shifter! And all I have to APPEAR to do is to be home at the right time on the right day, and then drive over to my bank and WalMart!

This is a real Mother's Day Week honor-- God is GOOD!

I also just decluttered by personal schedule: Between the x-rays that were taken in 2006 and mis-communicated... and the thyroid diagnosis missed since.... 1960?... and me now being 349 pounds (I just lost 5 while eating more, thanks to thyroid meds)...

This meant that if I do not want to grind my spine to dust before I melt off 200 pounds of medical mismanagement, I need to be running in the pool Sunday nights. LOL: "Online class sitting, with my legs hurting? or running my ass off to great tunes and exhilarating hard breathing while I melt in the rural mountain country club pool with the great views and my newly-trained service dog happily nearby in the grass?" It was the 5 pounds I lost effortlessly that finally made THAT choice clear! :~) (This is an object lesson in being a clergy spouse which you are free to pass along!)

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 05 May 12 - 06:22 PM

I had to take the new radio back. Only deeply hidden in the manual was the information that the alarm and the sleep functions only work when it is connected to the mains, so I now have no radio I can take away with me to help me sleep.

None of the major manufacturers make models like those of only a few years back which work on batteries. Not even analogue only, without draining digital wavebands.

Then I felt a bit drawn, so did not see my friend, sleeping instead.

After that, I put in a bit of work in the garden, moving one of the old bedheads slightly (which involved moving half a dozen paving slabs first), and building up a new flower bed with seven bags of top soil. It only occurred to me afterwards that I could have buried all my shredded paper under it, but it's too late now, as I have sown a seed collection I was given on it, and planted a few old bulbs.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 05 May 12 - 07:52 PM

Yesterday I started pulling baskets of papers and other things out from my closet shelves, sorting into "keep", "recycle" and "thrift shop" piles. I have boxes of tiny shape erasers and stickers that I bought to use to bribe children when I was supply teaching. I hope that the grandchildren and great grandchildren will visit often. I had to throw everything back into the closet last night to make floor space again for my mattress. Now the closet looks worse than before I started.

When I woke this morning it was sunny and dry outside. I knew my son and grandson planned to come to town today so I phoned and asked if they could spare an hour or so to rake lawns for me. We made a good team. The "boys" used the two thatching rakes. I picked up the thatch and deposited it in the compost box. That's one very big job that I'm happy to see finished for this year.

The plastic sheeting that protects my carport from rain had been buckling and funneling water into the carport. I pried the eaves trough off from under that side of my deck and nailed the sheets back up where they belong.

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: mouldy
Date: 06 May 12 - 04:30 AM

Hello, Peeps!

It's been a while. No excuses, really...I have just been in garden-pottering mode. The house is now back in "de-clutter or else" mode. (The garden's looking...like a garden)

After a grovelling apology from the electrician after "I'll come back in the new year and finish off", he has done some of it and should be back on Tuesday to finish off the work on the build. It's all daft little things like removing a dead cable and putting covers on the extractors from the bathrooms. He is also going to move the electric meters down to a more accessible height. I really hope he is also going to connect the power to the annexe at long last, so I can actually get on and do stuff in there.

I managed to haul the 2 beds out of the annexe and dispose of them last month. My back's not been the same since! I have so much stuff in there to find some containment for - containment of the furniture type. It's one of those little conundrums that life throws at you: need to get it into proper storage, but can't get stuff in to sort it out until it's all been sorted! Hey ho. Had mice in there too.
The annexe needs some structural work, but funds are depleting, so it may have to wait. I still have to get a gate made for the garden. It's in hand, but the joiner's busy on building projects elsewhere just now.

Talk of thyroid isssues reminds me of my sister in law who, after years of putting her mood swings, lethargy and weight gain down to the menopause has found that she actually has Hashimoto's Disease, where her immune system is actually destroying her thyroid. She will need gradually increasing doses of medication. However, she is now a different person, with more energy, and much more tolerant (doing a Master's in Psychology has helped too, methinks). She has also looked at her diet (she used to be a dietician when she was young) and by making some adjustments has lost about 3 stone. She has played badminton all through this, surprisingly, but has a dodgy hip joint (not arthritis - the joint isn't quite smooth)and is awaiting surgery, I think, to sort it out, as it affects her when she does a lot of walking. It took her a long time to get that diagnosed, and eventually was picked up on an MRI scan. Her being a doctor's wife enabled her to argue the case very forcefully and get one. You don't mess with my sister in law!
My eyebrows have vanished on the outer edges, but I as far as I know my thyroid is fine. They take blood every year for my annual check, so I assume they test that among other stuff - my last docs used to.

(The cat's is overactive...)

The sun is out, but it's going to be a background chill. It's a public holiday weekend, so I am going to trawl about and see what's on. If not, it's going to have to be a foray into the annexe...

Andrea

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 May 12 - 07:11 AM

Andrea, the testing does not always cover the full battery of tests required to get an accurate Dx of thyroid issues. I really suggest you look at Mary Shomon's book on the topic: CLICK HERE

===

Tghe other day I put up a thingie on the back door-- whenever I head out I am always loaded up with bags of stuff for trhe various stoops I will make. The doorknowbs were getting overloaded with "packed and ready" stuff and there was no handy horizontal storage, so I pout an old towle bar oin the inside of the back door. On it I spring-clip each bag as it is packed and ready. Then as I head out I just grab them all. THe spring clips are a hassle so I will get some s-hooks that I will close on the towel bar end and leave open ion the bag end.

===

We re-did the back of the boondocker ydy. The cot is now folded in half-- NOT in an upright, stored-rollaway-bed-type position-- sitting on the legs of the head end, with the foot end folded up and over that. So it is ready to do a quick unfold for use. We also flipped the mattress for the cleaner side of the flannel to lie upon. The space cleared now holds my scooter with a little room to spare...

Now, I can carry both with minimal setup time to get from travel to nighty-nights-- without having to leave my scooter at home. On top of the folded cot there is plenty of room for grocery stowage, and maybe the dog too, on a comfy dog bed.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 May 12 - 12:44 PM

I need to declutter the truck. It's a mess of containers, bags, bags and more bags.

I ate a piece of chocolate cake last week on Sunday and my hands have been progressively worse this week. I need to use vinyl gloves and an Rx cream and vaseline for them to feel better. I think that clinches it on the chocolate. But any that might be headed my way will not go to waste, I have children . . .

Andrea, glad to see you back and that you're still moving forward. Penny, do you have a reasonably new cell phone? They often times have alarms (multiples) and can be used in lieu of a clock radio alarm.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: mouldy
Date: 06 May 12 - 03:16 PM

Well I did a bit more moving of stuff in the annexe, and dragged some more stuff (mainly re-usable shopping bags and some household products) out of the shed. Mouse droppings on a lot of stuff. Good job there was nothing that couldn't be cleaned! That cat's slacking!

Andrea

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 May 12 - 10:02 PM

Another great day at Cghurch School and all those steps to get up there. 40 minutes aquajogging plus coaching time for a friend.

Amazing how may other folks in my circle turn out to be on longterm thyroid meds! One told me of a great endo she sees, who I may decide to see.

About 2 hours scootering tonight.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: maire-aine
Date: 08 May 12 - 10:42 AM

Did some serious de-cluttering this week. Some 20 yrs ago, I took an interest in Irish literature, and I built up quite a collection of material on Joyce, Yeats, Keane, and some other writers. With the passage of time, my interests have changed, and I know I'll never (re)read any of those books. So, they're on their way out! One of our local Irish groups is sponsoring a Bloomsday event, and they're doing a used book sale, so I'm donating 3 storage boxes of books. I stopped counting at fifty books. This is the perfect place, because the people who attend are interested in Irish lit. to begin with. The group will make some money & I'll get a tax deduction. We all win.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 May 12 - 11:53 AM

The Festre Family is sick again. Sheesh. Colds all around. My boys are doing good but I'm struggling. I'm sure it has to do with the fact that my white blood cell count in is in the toilet. We need those to fight infections! aRG.

Anyway....today is the first time in a LONG time that I am home alone. It is SO quiet. I'll be working on my usual chores or maybe I'll curl up and try to nap. It's cold and icky outside....it's a good day for a nap. I had PT scheduled for today but there's no point in going when I can't breathe.

Anyway....hope the rest of you are all doing well.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 May 12 - 01:56 PM

Got the rest of the books to the Nottingham library for this weekend's sale (which, uh, "unfortunately" I'll be able to attend -- I win if I purchase fewer than I donate), got some more Goodwill (or a friend) stuff into the car, and picked up the 4 planters inadvertently taken by the friend who took all the rest of the planters and flower pots.

Okay, so now I have no excuse -- I need to tackle this room. It's like a giant game of Tetris and the decluttering and moving stuff about (one square at a time...) actually starts just outside the room.

I'll report on the progress later -- at least two cabinets just need to get gone, the chairs need to go to the cellar for the time being (maybe sell the "cowboy windsors"), and every box moved at LEAST two times...

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 May 12 - 02:53 PM

Well, I haven't gotten into this room yet, but I've cleaned out the corner next to the Jenn-Aire, the drawer underneath the stove and the catch-all cabinet under the Jenn-Aire.

Gone (or soon to be gone) are some very nice stainless steel clad pans that I've not used in 30 years, along with the insert to make about 8 poached eggs at a time, along with an incredible pile of baking sheets, cooling racks, and miscellaneous pans and related culch. Including a never-out-of-the-box grill-top skewer set. Must have acquired it cheap at a yardsale.

Now I'll be able to store the pans that we DO use somewhere other than the countertop.

Yeehah! And I haven't even gotten to the main course yet.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 May 12 - 06:41 PM

Succeeded in extricating the top load file cart and measure the width of the not-quite-built-in bed in hopes of a bookcase fore and aft (that may, if they're the right size, be de-accessioned by a friend). Put some of the stuff back, rested, ate dinner and, tired but happy, I'll retire with a book until tomorrow when I'll attack the room again.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 09 May 12 - 07:12 AM

I've been getting fresh air and exercise. Sunday I went for a long bird walk in a park with the Junior Naturalists. Monday morning I went to a different park for a "photo shoot" with my seniors group. Monday evening, another long walk with a teacher who was looking for a place to bring students to study birds. We saw 23 species of birds, some squirrels two muskrats and a beaver.

My legs and feet hurt a lot from the walking, but I think that my knees are working better because of it. I went to the park alone today, picked up three more species and noticed that I could manage to keep my balance much better on rough terrain. I wish I had a walking partner to help me continue taking long walks.

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: freda underhill
Date: 09 May 12 - 08:23 AM

earlier this year I seemed to be rushing about so much, I was feeling pretty exhausted. so I've slowed down, and am enjoying not being under so much pressure.

Summer has finished here in Oz, and last weekend I finally got to boxes under the bed, where I'd put away last winters clothes, got them out, took the summer clothes and put them in the boxes, and washed the winter clothes ready for use. Took a few hours - I'd started a few weeks ago, but did it all properly on Sunday. And gave away a few things as well. Everything feels better as a result.

I have a cork floor in my place, so I don't vaccuum, I sweep and mop.

Linn, nothing like an invalid to force a major reorganisation. good luck & keep taking naps while you can.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 May 12 - 10:02 AM

Laundry is in, physical therapist for Tom come and gone, a few more items out of the kitchen cabinets -- a friend's uncle just moved into a mobile home and has NOTHING, so I'm hoping he can use some of the stuff I pulled out yesterday and this morning.

Right now I should either head to the store to get coffee and wine (and drop off more books at the library on the way) or get serious about extricating that cabinet just off to my left... (You can tell how excited I am about moving everything on top and in front of it...)

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 May 12 - 11:41 AM

I also have books I should think about selling. I doubt I'll use them any more, though when I was collecting them I was pleased with what I had. Very specialized, so it may have to go to a dealer or on Amazon, not on eBay. And not to my local half-price bookstore this time.

Helping a friend declutter her garage storage area. Since I'm here with my pickup that is still empty at this point, I can assist by taking discards to the thrift store in one fell swoop.

Linn, it sounds like huge progress, and I'm lucky I'm not there to see the cast off cooking stuff or it might end up in my kitchen.

Michelle, get over this bug soon! The thing that I think is most important about not catching things is the hand-washing and not touching your face. Alas, with my dermatitis it hurts to wash my hands so I have to be careful about what I handle and when I wash my hands make it count. Give Jeremiah a lesson in nurse-style hand washing and that will help you, because he's probably coming home with bugs from nursery school. That's what happened at our house, when my oldest started school. We caught everything that was going around for a couple of years. School = New Germ Pool.

I hope you're feeling better, Kat. Getting those doctors and meds all lined up the way you need.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 May 12 - 02:28 PM

Yeehah! Cabinet excised and put on deck. Also waterproof wrapped the old vac and have it out on the deck as well -- more maneuvering room for Tom's wheelchair.

Not sure what all the neighbors are taking (kitchen culch out there, too) or when...most of whatever is left either goes to Goodwill or up to the head of the driveway with a FREE sign on it.

Heard back from the friend who is taking the miscellaneous colored and textured paper -- can't tell I spent over 30 years in the printing industry...

I think I'm done for the day...

Unless I decide to move all the smaller rugs from the top of the boxes and start moving all the boxes to the other side of the room... It could happen...

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 09 May 12 - 03:14 PM

SRS,

   I am a hand washing maniac...had to be during chemo and it just stuck. Still sick with a cold. My new endocrinologist called yesterday with a cancellation leaving an early morning appointment open and I took it. Boy am I glad I did...what a DIFFERENCE!!! :) However, I thought I was going for the usual first visit (which I had) but then they scheduled me for a glucose sensor implant TODAY!!...so now I have this thing in my belly and it will stay there for a week. It will provide them a look at my glucose levels 24/7...all info is stored in this device. When it is removed, it is uploaded onto their computer along with a new meter's readings. It will provide me with a very detailed account of when and where my spikes are so we can manage it better.

   This is not a decluttering post or even exercise but it IS something that is moving me towards much better health! YAY ME!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 May 12 - 04:32 PM

It's decluttering a mystery and a problem -- and what you'll have is better health and one less bit of trouble in your life.

Congratulations! It's a very GOOD thing!

Linn