Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Apr 14 - 03:30 PM

Iris were ready to burst into bloom a few hours ago. Perhaps today is the day. I always try to mow and trim the front when they're in full bloom so I can take a photo of the house; the iris add a glorious look that isn't present for the rest of the year. I should be organized enough to plant big gaudy flowers like sunflowers and hollyhocks, but I never get around to it. Iris thrive with benign neglect.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Apr 14 - 10:11 PM

City:
So I've been to the country and back again: Yesterday I cleaned kiln shelves, glazed, loaded a glaze firing and started it, drove to city for folk dancing, danced two wonderful hours, took a hot bath and computered until R came home about 12:30 am.

Today, we had bf, I loaded washer, washed dishes, put clothes in dryer and left for country at 11 am! Well, usual entrance to highway was closed so detour took me past a grocery store where I picked up a few marked down items and saw they had cedars for a very good price. As I was very close, I drove to the apt in progress in VSP and arrived just as Bruno was, so he insisted I come in for a tour. What did I think of it? Thank heavens it is temporary.

Then I phoned R re trees and he asked me to meet him there. So I went back and wandered around the store while I waited and... He phoned; he was at the wrong store even though I had told him which one. So I wandered ... We bought 5 of the 5 foot trees, went for lunch. Then I left for the country - about 2:30 pm.

Unloaded glaze firing, conferred with V re glazes. I had tested a bunch but still have mysteries. Did not find clues needed. MUST keep better records!!!! Beautiful blues - several but no idea which bucket is which for two of best and also no idea what recipe was used for which. "Robin's egg blue" still looks grey! But we have two nice browns (known) and a nice matt dk blue (known). Loaded bisque to be fired tomorrow when drier.

Went to writers' group and drove back to city in rain. Snow is melting; river is rising. Bare ground is appearing! Time for the news. Thankful for change of govt in Quebec due to yesterday's election.

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: LilyFestre
Date: 09 Apr 14 - 07:30 AM

I haven't done much in the way of spring cleaning yet. I have way overextended myself in the realm of running around doing things for and with others. Today I am crabby, tired and not wanting to go anywhere or do anything BUT there is something I've had to postpone twice...so I'll go today but tomorrow....I'm hoping for a restful day. The day after, I have to go to my oncologist for a checkup. More running but hopefully, all will be well. :) I am not making plans to do anything with anyone for a while after Friday.

I. Am. Tired.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Apr 14 - 09:39 AM

Briefly due to bandwidth shortage... my little cordless drill/driver has been humming in Ohio.

♥

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Apr 14 - 09:57 AM

How often are you going back and forth, Susan? And is your new roommate moved in? Dorothy, you and your mystery glaze! I hope you get them sorted out completely soon! They sound beautiful.

Michelle, you are astonishing and taking a quiet day is a good thing to recharge your batteries. You need to be up to speed - it's beginning to look like garage sale season around here - you need your strength for Friday morning!

Good talk last night, and another lecture at noon today. The rest of the time on campus is doing odd jobs and is disheartening. A fifth grader could to the "quality control" I'm having to do to check the scanning done by student employees. I am to leave the marked books needing work on the shelf - I'm tempted to rescan just to finish the jobs and be done with them.

Lovely springlike weather again today. Tomorrow I have an afternoon appointment so I'll be home in the morning and I'll finally do some work in the garden.

I have a stack of dozens of covers of The New Yorker that I'm going to itemize briefly and then list on eBay. This kind of cover art is popular and having this many, even with labels, is bound to attract a few hard-core collectors. And selling them will clear out another basket of stuff in my sun room.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Apr 14 - 10:07 PM

Iris have opened around the yard, blue almost completely open, a white ready to burst forth, and several yellow blossoms fully open. I'll get photos tomorrow morning.

The horsemen of Rohan are pulling me into their world - must go read some more of the Lord of the Rings. That Pippin, he is one clever hobbit!

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 10 Apr 14 - 10:24 AM

I, too, Maggie, have a huge pile of New Yorker covers -- I had planned (oh, about 20 years ago) to wallpaper the bedroom closet...

I'll be curious to see how they go on eBay. (Don't have time right now to check history there.)

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Apr 14 - 02:18 PM

There are a few of the covers that are worth real money. One of them, that I had two copies of, was recycled before I thought to pull off the covers. Those were going around $100 a piece (the issue in which the story "Brokeback Mountain" was published).

I have watchers but no nibbles on the chandelier, so I'll probably order some new less expensive prisms and sell it with those, then sell the more expensive existing prisms individually on eBay.

Today I worked in the yard - I started weeding, then decided to use vinegar and orange oil on the winter weeds. I used a couple of gallons of vinegar, and poured maybe 1/4 cup of orange oil per gallon into the sprayer. I went over the vegetable beds that haven't been cleared yet. Maybe by the weekend there will be enough die-off that I can clear out the raised beds and have them ready to go and get stuff planted. I also went along some edges that I'd like to keep clear of grass and the grass growing in cracks in the driveway.

Mammogram this afternoon, then to work for a few hours. I remember reading Linn's accounts of how miserable work was at a couple of places, and thinking how lucky I was to have a well-rounded job. Now I'm in the position of trying to find a new job and suffering through the odd job I find myself in. Home is the place that keeps me human these days, so it's a really good thing that there is a lot to do in the garden.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 10 Apr 14 - 02:44 PM

Maggie, it's all fiction fodder!

I just had a delightful lunch with friends I've talked to but not actually seen in person for a very long time.

And one of the things we got talking about was writing. I truly miss having Tom to collaborate with because we were a great team, although we didn't do it anywhere near enough. I consider myself a lazy writer in that it takes a boot in the butt to get me going. So Tom, who was incredibly organized mentally because of his award-winning background in debate (his high school debate career is what got him his scholarship to Bates College) would basically outline the piece by dictating it to me (or typing it into Word when he could still see). But Tom had a tendency towards verbosity and the passive voice, so as I typed up his dictation, I'd start to edit -- slashing meaningless verbage and punching it up. I also discovered long ago that word limits are my friend. Every time I distilled extra words into harder hitting words, my writing improves overall.

One of my ideas is for The Great American Novel about the dysfunctional printing company. The company no longer exists, by the way. (Big surprise.) It had three owners, one primary and two subsidiary, who hated each other and did everything they could to sabotage the others. The primary was only in that position because mama bought the company for him to keep him out of trouble. I got my entire business education from that company...every last bit by negative example.

One of Tom's first teaching jobs was at a prep school in the Berkshires that catered to the underprivileged rich. The only admission requirement was daddy's ability to sign his name on a check. The school ended up being owned by the janitor. Tom never wrote the novel although I encouraged him to for thirty years. I hope I've kept enough notes for the bones of the story.

I've got to change clothes and go outside and rake some more leaves out of the hosta bed inside the turnaround. The sun is out, it's drying off, and it's in the 60s(F)...FINALLY! I can get some more work (which counts as exercise, too!) done before I have to leave for grief group tonight.

On my way to lunch I spotted a snowdrop blooming on the bank a long way from where snowdrops were planted. Yeehah! Maybe Spring HAS arrived! And the deep gold crocus that looked just about to pop yesterday when I uncovered it is still thinking about it. Soon, soon...

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Apr 14 - 11:41 PM

One bottle of vinegar worked well this morning, the other didn't. Vinegar doesn't get old and lose its acidity, so I wonder if this was never as strong as the label said. I'll have to go over some of the area I sprayed again in the morning. I buy this in supermarkets in small towns out in the county, for some reason the city stores don't carry pickling vinegar. Looks like it's time for a trip soon, I'm down to my last 2 gallons.

Allergies are piling on. I'd like to stay up and read, but I think I'll take a full-dose of Benedryl and go to bed. Let it sort out the stuffy nose, itchy eyes and sneezing.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Apr 14 - 11:57 PM

SRS, frequency not set yet. Probably quarterly, sometimes w DH and sometimes on my own. Aug w DH but Sept for a training on my own. Housemate Ba moving in May 1. I'm painting her room, buying a lawnmower, doing sm projects and a little bidness.

♥♡♥

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Apr 14 - 02:10 PM

Writing a novel or even short story about someone unhappy at work - somehow it might just contribute to everyone else's unhappiness! But perhaps placing it in a picaresque setting, or magical realism and end up with something deeply sardonic or entirely satisfying, depending on the outcome.

This morning I sprayed more of my vinegar and orange oil mix. One of the jugs of vinegar I used yesterday wasn't up to strength, evidently. I have treated weeds in the garden area ahead of the weekend so I can speed up my work in getting the garden planted. Where I grew up you could just dig and turn over the soil a shovel-full at a time, but here if you do that the Bermuda grass will just spread. I'm going to use the vinegar a lot more heavily this year, to keep weeds down in the garden.

Income taxes this weekend. I'll join the masses sending it in right at the end.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Apr 14 - 06:35 PM

Tumor marker testing done today and I have the results already..usually have to wait 3 days! ALL IS WELL!!!! I had a solid 2 point drop which is GREAT!

I must say though, that I am just about on the edge of exhaustion so tonight I am cleaning off the table, getting most of the dishes done, counters cleaned and a decent dinner ready for my boys and I am going to bed early.

Tomorrow I am in a quilting challenge...wishing I hadn't signed up at this point.

I. Need. Sleep.

Even if I am whiny tired, I am absolutely thrilled with the tumor marker results. *Deep sigh of relief*

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Apr 14 - 11:58 PM

Thank you for sharing the good news - I'm pretty sure it brings other things into perspective for all of us, not just for me.

The neti pot is out and I've added that to my evening routine. I discovered last year that pickling salt is pure, no anti-caking cornstarch or anything, and no iodine. That and a pinch of baking soda work for me. The allergies are a bit different every year, but if I start taking decongestants and using the pot early, it always helps.

eBay hasn't done much lately, even with the new listings. I let the chandelier expire and I'll look around for new prisms that will let me sell it for less, and sell the older unique prisms individually. I may run it for one week at a somewhat lower price, and take the buy it now listing off.

Mostly this weekend after the taxes are done it'll be garden work. Glorious garden work!

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Apr 14 - 10:36 AM

I've made a list of things to do today. There suddenly seems to be so much to do that I need a list to work through the chores in an orderly way.

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Apr 14 - 02:49 PM

My hands smell like cilantro because I snipped off a handful beside the old compost pile after I dumped a bunch of weeds nearby on the newer compost pile. The herb is in the fridge to make into something later.

The garden digging goes more easily after I've dug it up a few times, and since we had a good rain several days ago. It isn't rock hard yet. I came in for a cool-down, now back to the digging.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Apr 14 - 10:46 PM

Ohhhh!! Cilantro....I LOVE cilantro!!!

Today I went to a Jellyroll Challenge and came home with a finished quilt top. I think it's ok...not my favorite, so I will pop some borders on it and put it up for sale as a quilt top with the option of having it quilted.

Then I came home and CRASHED. It was a 4 hour nap for me...it's been a long time coming and I feel SO MUCH BETTER!

Only 2 days of running next week...I'm looking forward to some time at home to sew, sort and clean!!!!

YAY!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 12:02 PM

Michelle, I'm hoping to host tiger swallowtail butterflies in this patch. It has bolted, though there is still plenty to cut and use if I need it. It seems this is a host for that particular species of butterfly.

Rain and thunder today. Time to do the indoors work I put off yesterday. And I'm thinking about making a loaf of banana bread. I bought some bulk dates yesterday and I use them in pumpkin bread but I'm going to set up my crock pot with steel cut oats tonight and use chopped dates instead of raisins, to see how it turns out.

I need to send back my NetFlix movies also, they've been here a while, so I foresee a day of puttering around the living room and watching movies as I work.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 10:55 PM

More magazines parted from their covers. The insides to go the recycle bin, the covers to the growing stacks on the dining room table.

I've cleared up the kitchen, stacked the paperwork from taxes, but since I just heard the forms were accepted, I can go ahead and file all of those pages.

Laundry finished, kitchen clean. Oatmeal in the crock pot for tomorrow morning. Now back to Helm's Deep!

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 11:09 PM

Before I could start painting I had to hold a mtg at the house that included one person with severe chem sensitivities, receive a check for supplies, and pick up a ladder I'd ordered. The day after the meeting TBTG the check arrived. Ladder and paint were duly gotten Saturday morning and then I started pulling old nails.

But as of today paint prep for housemate Ba's room began in earnest. It's quite liberating to have a ladder rated to hold me safely-- that only weighs ten pounds! Today off and on was scraping, filling, and sanding a billion nail holes (as well as previous occupants' misc dings and dents going back some 40 years!). The room is just beyond my limit-- just abt the right sz challenge. I chose a pale sandy taupe, flat.... very neutral.

Not painting ceiling or closet this round. May skip baseboards in favor of new ones Greg can cut and install-- like the cheesy window casings these homes have, the baseboards are very narrow and crusted with too many layers of paint, poorly applied. My stamina is not such that I can just have at it in one long day, but a little at a time also works and WILL build my stamina. It makes all the difference that this is OUR house, not a rental.

♥♥♥

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 11:45 AM

Good choice about the trim around the bottom edge. Some of that can look bad, putting in a new type may make the room look a lot tidier.

Cold wind blowing over the region today. My declutter activities include mailing back all of my NetFlix DVDs and sending a thank you card to a friend. Small space and weight-wise, but necessary. I've managed over the last few weeks to generally leave the kitchen looking uncluttered. There are a couple of ongoing projects on the kitchen counter, but small and soon finished. I have another stack of magazines to separate from their covers and then I think I'm finished with about four cubic feet of paper that I'm tired of looking at.

This evening I'll order new prisms for the chandelier and pull the boxes of the old rare ones out of the case and prepare to sell those individually.

My morning oatmeal was marvelous - the chopped dates I bought in bulk last week were used. They chop the fruit then use oat flour to keep them from sticking to each other, so there is nothing in my oatmeal but oats, salt, and dates. I've been researching sulfites - and found a site with information about organic wines that may have less (it naturally occurs in dates, but most vintners also add it) http://organicwinefind.com/. I think I'm entering the next phase of this dermatitis puzzle - finding suitable substitutions.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 05:32 PM

Good news, Michelle.
Quick note as I have been so busy I am worn out. Have to leave shortly to go back to city for dancing - hopeful that it will be a good evening - fragrance free, or that the mask can cope with, or that I can cope with the new heavier duty mask. Ear plugs! Need to remember long enough to find some before I leave!

Still working on glazes. No sign of a recipe for that lovely blue yet. On going process. More testing needed. More shelves need cleaning - ARGHHH! Spent Fri and Sat putting shelves in place and organizing some of studio. Still a ways to go but what is done is terrific. Trimmed pots today that I threw last week plus 3 jars that have been sitting under damp towel and plastic for weeks! Two died under there. They were meant to be teapots but shall have to start again. Needs to be done with immediacy. These will be lidded jars - after I make lids to fit.

At the Market on Sunday, a woman walked up to me and said, assertively "Where's my teapot?" I found out which teapot-wanter she was and explained my months of environmental illness. An herbalist, she was very understanding - but she still wants a teapot! Neat lady! Hoping to be able to make teapots in next two weeks. Need a better seat for the (white clay) wheel; the one I jury-rigged was scary and I dismantled it.

Gotta get ready to leave. Rain imminent. River which was over the road has gone down. Exciting - there was foot thick ice everywhere - on lawns! "Once in ten years" levels.

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 08:32 PM

It got up to 25 degrees here today. In the event you haven't seen it, the Huntingdon ice jam was broken up by a backhoe and it's on Youtube I'm pretty sure. FYI

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Jeri
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 08:53 PM

Huntingdon ice jam whacking by backhoe

It's been warm enough here for summery clothes and open windows. This has caused a search trying to locate some summer clothes. I suspect I might have thought the ice age was here and I wouldn't need them again.

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 09:54 PM

Did a little decluttering here today - we don't need no stinkin' critics! Especially anonymous ones.

Where is "here," Huntington ice jam? Ah, I see - Quebec. Here is the ice jam breakup via backhoe bucket. Now that is A LOT of decluttering all at once!

I actually pulled up the thread this evening to give this link to everyone: http://mashable.com/2014/04/09/heartbleed-bug-websites-affected/ so you can go check out the places that are probably or were vulnerable to the "Heartbleed" bug. It's time to change passwords if you haven't already. Whether you use a generator or make up some complicated combinations, it seems to be time to up the security on a lot of these accounts.

This morning I pulled out a stack of The New Yorker magazines, and this evening I looked behind a table and found another stack. A couple of more cubic feet of magazines that were out of sight and out of mind, but that will be separated from their covers and the bulk of them recycled. This will make the sun room a nicer space because I can rearrange some of what is going to remain for a while longer.

I'm trying to do more reading, to not take forever to get through The Lord of the Rings. Since we're in for a cold night, I'll let the dogs in and they'll all lounge around my feet as I help Aragorn battle orks at Helm's Deep.

SRS

P.S. I walked away from the computer for a while, I see Jeri beat me to the ice floe show!

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Apr 14 - 12:38 PM

Thank you, ladies :-)

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Apr 14 - 12:38 PM

It's a beautiful sunny day and I see that two coworkers have called in sick. I've never seen so much sick leave consumed in the library as has been taken since the reorganization last summer. It's a job just dragging myself off of the property to head over there.

Last night's freeze was brief at most and I can take the towel off of my one large basil plant. Next weekend I'll be busy in the yard digging beds because I bought a flat of plants yesterday on my way home from work. They spent the night in the greenhouse. I put beneficial nematodes in the garden last month so these plants should be free of cutworms and such. I'll start cucumbers and zucchini from seed. Everything will get a spoonful of mackerel in the hole before a small scoop of dirt and then the plant or the seeds.

Taking a loaf of banana bread to work today. It's a wonder we don't all gain lots of weight with our comfort food in that unhappy place.

Linn of Kansas, if you check in, please rejoin our group if it will help you cope with all that you probably are coping with right now. I am sorry to have read of JohnInKansas' passing last week. Send me a PM and I can share another group with you that might be helpful, if you're on facebook.

Maggie

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 12:49 AM

I finished pulling covers off of magazines. The next move is to make a list from each year, before listing on eBay. On my way to work tomorrow I'll swing by the recycle bins and drop off two boxes of periodical innards.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 11:50 AM

Haven't spent much time at Mudcat for the past couple weeks, not sure exactly why... Haven't gotten a lot accomplished, either. First the cold, then the dregs of the cold, then, I guess, just up and down days.

Did get a fair amount of raking done last week...getting the leaves off the flower beds so the crocuses, daffodils and scilla aren't smothered. Need to excavate the early tulips out back. Made the mistake of using bare hands to de-leaf around the irises and now have teeny tiny prickles embedded in my hands from the thorny vine that also inhabits (it's trespassing) that bed. But I was out there attending to another chore and it called, despite not having the little rake or a pair of gloves.

Woke up to the ground covered by white stuff this morning -- it's pretty much all gone now, but not what I wanted to see. And the temperature is half of what it was last week...or even the other day, when it was close to 80F.

Laundry in now, need to get away from the computer and get the clean dishes out of the dishwasher so I can start loading it again. Got the bed changed last night before I crawled into it. Made bread pudding yesterday, got the trash up to the road for pickup. (Feeling virtuous about that -- I walked it up instead of taking the car.) But yesterday had to force myself to do absolutely anything constructive, so mostly watched a movie ("Providence" directed by Alain Resnais) and got a start on the fourth season of "White Collar" so I can return it to my sister.

Need to get the vacuum cleaner (Freecycled) out of the car to make room for some directors chairs I need to bring up from the cellar, get into the car, and de-accession to a friend who needs them.

AND go to that session in Dover tonight for the first time in months -- weather, other cancellations, being sick, and just being unable to deal with people have all been getting in the way.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 11:57 AM

The weather and the amount of daylight are finally working in my favor. I am back to the alternate day fasting but haven't had the exercise, but now I can mow the lawn after work. I'll do the front one evening and the back the next, and start losing the weight again. I've been on this plateau way too long.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 12:40 PM

We cross-posted, Linn. Isn't that nice, being able to walk the trash up the driveway instead of drive through snow?! I didn't put the trash out overnight on Sunday because we were having high wind gusts and I didn't want it strewn all over. I'll give it a try tomorrow morning.

I moved the flat of bedding plants to the workbench beside the driveway door to catch my eye as I come and go this week. Next weekend is when a lot of important planting needs to happen for the garden.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 06:59 PM

I arrived in Huntingdon in time to watch the shovel but after the build up of ice against the bridge. It was still quite a sight. I was intrigued to see said ice nearing Ormstown the next day - all broken into manageable pieces and on Friday it had made it to St, Martine. I would have though it would have gone faster but it was so clearly the same ice.

CITY today:
The almost 3 hours of driving back and forth does take a toll - time and energy. But I managed to get some pots made yesterday (country) before going to my writer's group. Did manage to dance 2 hours on Monday night after getting back to city. Did a load of laundry yesterday, washed dishes today, fed us decent meals - and not much else. Today, plan to make pots here was lost in lack of energy. Computer and reading and, finally, making a nice pot of cauliflower/cheddar soup for tonight's supper. There will be salad also.

It is wonderful to see bare ground - almost - in the back yard and the cedars (3-4 feet) having made it through without damage, crocuses blooming in front.

I can deal with a tired day after a couple good weeks of energy but hope tomorrow is better.

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 08:40 PM

Most of this morning's snow is long gone...but it's still there close to the house on the deck and steps. And I can't get rid of it until it melts (and for now it's too cold to do that). Tried to with the shovel, but it's hard granular white ice stuck tight to the deck and steps. Slippery, too.

Got a lot done today, though, including shipping off a box of Tom's wound dressing materials to be used by an aid organization in the Dominican Republic.

Got part way to the session tonight and turned around and went home. Don't know if I ate something that disagreed with me or what, but figured it was safer to go home to bed with a warm cat and a good book.

Ah, well...

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 10:03 AM

City - but not for long!
Was going to get away by ten but need to do dishes first - maybe 10:30. Spent some time writing email about a pottery wheel for sale and then saw the pic and re-emailed that I was not interested. Too bad they did not post pic and price in the first place.

All emails for today, so far, are dealt with - mostly deleted, and moral support for a potter wondering about replacing worn out kiln elements.

Now to whip through the dishes, load up perishables from frig and leave.

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 11:45 AM

Non-recycling waste and shredded paper out in the trash this morning. Two boxes of magazine innards waiting to go to the recycle bin this evening. Pushed the mowing plans back a day because I did some essential shopping on the way home yesterday and I try not to mow after dark (though there is a street light at the corner of my lot).

Last night I figured out how to move some saved films around as digital files to watch on the television through the new BluRay player. They are loaded onto a flash drive plugged into the the player's USB port (versus watching them on the computer with a monitor). A good use of the 8 gig drive that used to seem huge but is now fairly small, used for movie loading and viewing. Using Windows Media player from the laptop to the television so far doesn't work completely - the picture displays but the sound only comes out of the computer, not the television, even though it is through a HD cable.

At bedtime I often just want to leave everything till the next day, but I've made a point of washing the few dishes in the sink so in the morning I walk into a pleasant and completely cleared kitchen counter and sink. I have a few projects for the weekend piling up on the counter, but I'll move those out ASAP on Saturday morning. Mostly to do with the magazine clearing.

This weekend is when more of the garden will be planted. So more of it will be dug. I have my garden boots, spade fork and mattock by the door.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 10:17 PM

An unforseen (by me) rainstorm this afternoon put the kibosh on mowing. I shopped a little on my way home and loaded the recycling into the car when I got here.

I'm going to spend the evening trekking toward Mordor.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 14 - 11:35 AM

Looks like tomorrow is the best day to plan yard work. High is 80, it'll be partly cloudy with light winds. Sunday has a 30% chance of thunderstorms, and it looks like overnight Saturday is when they might develop.

I have a pot of taco meat with beans simmering; I'll have some for my dinner today and then it's for leftovers during the week. I'm working to draw down my supplies of canned and frozen goods and this dish is excellent for that. Almost everything but the beef and the black beans came out of my garden (via the pantry or the freezer).

How are your gardens growing? I've seen a few of Alice's Montana pioneers posted. Liz, you've had work done in your yard over the last year or so, will you be able to plant and enjoy this year? And Andrea, are you still building out back or are you able to garden? Did you finish that pergola? Jeri, Linn, and Maryanne, has the snow cleared yet? How about some of our lurkers?

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Apr 14 - 01:58 PM

The temperature is inching its way back up...from the 20s (F). Still only around 50° which is a long way from the close to 80F it was on Monday. And, alas, I still have a foot and a half wide strip of white, granular ice just outside the back door and on the half of the steps closest to the house (north side, of course).

It's just there to annoy me...

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Apr 14 - 02:41 PM

There is a closet in my kitchen that has shelves from top to bottom inside. Pete claimed this some time ago and has been piling gardening stuff and random tools in there for years. I finally decided to talk to him about maybe moving the tools and such out into the mudroom where it is not heated, yet we store our home canned food out there along with paper goods. The thing is, the room is random chaos, it's difficult to get what I need and I am forever asking him to dig it out because the room is full and there is only light switch and of course, it's on the other side of the room. Anyway.....today I cleared the first shelf and have moved some food things into the closet. I am EXCITED! There are 4 other shelves and then space on the floor. So...one shelf is looking good but now my counter is covered with bags of bulbs and tools. LOL It will come together...it will!!!!   I'll see about getting some photos up on Facebook. I'm excited about the progress. I decided I'd do one shelf a day but I love the first empty shelf so much, I might just do another one!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 14 - 03:23 PM

When my now ex would occasionally get into a down mood, I'd look around and find a project for him. I had him build shelves in the kitchen according to my design, I had shelves built under the sink, shelves in the garage, you get the idea. Maybe you need to give Pete an assignment and design the shelve, on which all of that gardening stuff can be store out in the mud room. Do you have a space or a section of wall where such a thing could go up? It sure sounds like the kitchen space should be used for canned goods and things that don't benefit from storage in unheated spaces.

Nowadays when I want shelves I have to build them myself. I do find they put me in a good mood when they're in place and in use!

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Apr 14 - 04:18 PM

Pete has his hands full around here and does not need me adding to the list of to do things....it's spring time on a farm...need I say more? :) However, in the mudroom, we have one of those giant metal racks that holds something like 800 pounds per shelf and it is maybe 8 feet long by 7 feet tall. There will be space on those shelves for his tools and all gardening gear with some rearranging. I sent Pete a note at work and told him what I had done and that the kitchen counters are not visible right now and I need his help sorting (since it is his stuff anyway..and then when he is looking for something maybe he will remember where it is because Lord knows I won't!)...I figure it should only take a couple of hours to have the closet completely emptied, cleaned out and refilled the way I want...HOORAY! He responded and said he'd be happy to help me with it tomorrow and to pick up some Chinese food for dinner so I don't have to mess with cooking with no counter space. Double HOORAY! Triple HOORAY as there is a new Chinese place in town that has great food!

I'm off to Walmart (don't judge...it's all we have available in this little town) to pick up some bins for organizing the above mentioned list!

Bonus? It's Friday night....Circus people come out to Walmart here on a Friday night...it's always a wild adventure and fun to people watch! ;)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 14 - 06:08 PM

I get into Walmart maybe once a year, but I have a membership to shop at Sam's Club - there is a difference but there is also a contradiction that I haven't sorted out yet. :-/

Help and Chinese food for dinner (no cooking) sounds excellent!

I'm thinking about inviting a friend over on Sunday afternoon. I was talking with several women about a health care facility in my part of town, and they'll be over there on the weekend to see a relative of one of the women. I'll be in the garden tomorrow, but this would give me a lot of motivation to pick up around the house on Saturday night! She hasn't been over before, so it would involve the garden tour and the house tour. Yup, there is nothing that motivates cleaning more than bringing in another set of eyes to see the house.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Apr 14 - 10:30 PM

Middle of this afternoon I was finally able to get a snow shovel under that strip of ice and leverage it into chunks and swept it off the deck. Ta dah!

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Apr 14 - 11:42 AM

Dishes out of the sink, more recycling in the car for a quick trip. A load of laundry is going in the dryer. Swept up lots of dog hair, and there's a lot more where that came from, so it is time to start brushing the dogs. They may even get a bath this afternoon.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Apr 14 - 05:07 PM

Front lawn mowed, lots of weeds pulled. Dog droppings in the compost, now to mow the back yard, after a few minutes cool-down in the house. And I found a loose plank on my patio cover that I have to repair this afternoon before the next windy day drops it off the framework. A trip to Home Depot for the right type of decking screws to hold it in place better than the nails that were in it originally.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Apr 14 - 11:01 PM

Back lawn mowed after a loop around town for some shopping and recycling stops. I need to package and freeze some chicken and beef I picked up after drawing down my supply in the freezer this spring. I use a seal-a-meal and it works great.

Making plans for my son's graduation, looks like I'll be driving instead of flying. I miss my pickup, where everything could be loaded in the back, but with his Toyota, my HHR, and a friend's Subaru, we'll get everything back to Texas for the summer. He moves to Seattle to work later in the summer and that move is entirely up to him.

Human laundry is finished and tomorrow I start on dog beds. It takes at least two high capacity loads in the washer, and I split each of those into a couple of loads in the dryer because the lint filter gets really full of hair.

Nice evening - I spoke to both of my children. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 14 - 11:27 AM

I made a quick repair to my patio cover where one plank is pulling loose. This afternoon I'll climb up a ladder with the drill, some screws, and a few pieces of wood to support the planks where they have curled and created a gap.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 14 - 04:10 PM

Talking to myself lately!

In for a cool-down after cutting and pulling a dwarf nandina out of the iris bed. It sat in it's little spot for years looking great, but last winter it decided to spread, and it went from ornamental -> weed in the process. I've dug out part of the raised beds also and am headed out for more in a minute. The neighbors have family over today, they're playing in their back yard so I'm glad I mowed mine yesterday. There is a park-like look back there.

Some of the dog beds done, another batch going in now.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Apr 14 - 08:38 PM

Country: Did get away by 10:30 on thursday with clean sinks. Got to mill in good time, with quick stop at cafe to say hi to Vanessa but did not buy any goodies as I could smell gas. She must have dealt with it as I went back on Friday and bought goodies - no odour. Also took prospective seat for wheel to a welder - twice (not his fault). Still not quite right. Visiting the chimney sweep across the road, I found the young lad welding. I hope he will have time to come over and see if he can get the seat into a better position.

Threw six bodies and 4 spouts for teapots on Thurs; Finished them on Saturday - since one body decided to be a toad house and another a jar, 4 spouts were enough! Just as I was about to do the finish of dish washing on Friday, R phoned for me to come to Montreal and pick up 3 young folks. When I arrived, having rushed, there were only two and they could have come down with R in the truck. I told them they need to be more responsible about this - an unnecessary 80 mile round trip is no fun. Very nice young people - Tevin (19) and his cousin Princess (16) loved the music at the cafe and love being in the country.

Princess asked if she could fix up the ratty old trailer for a weekend place. R is right now taking them back to city and has the job of telling them we love to have them and are happy to let them use the trailer but they need to be self-sufficient and independent - bring their own food! We will run heavy extension cord to the trailer so they can have a frig, microwave and light. Bikes are provided and we are only 4 km from town. Princess reads voraciously and is helping Tevin with his reading. She is GOOD!

I stayed to finish pots on Sat but they went to auction and I met them there. R managed to buy another two truck loads of junk, then we had a pizza in the nearby village, dropped the young folk at the mill to survive as we went back to Montreal for a dinner party - exhausting! But rather fun. We relaxed in bed in the morning and wended our way back to the mill, stopping to have a look at the apt in Ville St. Pierre - beautiful floors! - and a nice visit with our former neighbours - next to the cabin.

Phone call alerted me that a friend with shop was stopping by to pick up some pots so we arrived almost simultaneously and R gave Dave a tour while Mary picked out pots. Tev and Princess went back to trailer from the sun room, for which I was thankful as I needed the quiet. I spent a quiet read and not read afternoon while R unloaded the truck. I made celery soup for supper and we ate about 6:30 and they left for the city about 7:45. Now I have peace and quiet and shall soon be asleep! No wonder I'm tired!

My pepper plants have second set of leaves! Broccoli and cauliflower are up. Hope I have a place to plant soon.

Still lots of organizing to do in studio as I have better idea of how I want/need it to be. Lots more room for shelves! I had put most of pots on shelves yesterday so Mary could see and pick her choices easily. Tomorrow: more pots, wash dishes, go to city for dancing.

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Apr 14 - 09:30 PM

Had a lovely pajama day today. Mostly read...and wrote. Started writing the book I've been threatening to write for the past 35 years. (One of them.)

Also got a cake baked (no, I hadn't planned to bake a cake, but I was craving something dessertish and I figured it would be better to bake it rather than spoon the mix out of the box), and the dishes in the sink dealt with, either into the dishwasher or washed and hung up or put away. And petted cats and provided a lap. Talked to my sister in Milwaukee.

Hope everyone else had as lovely a day.

Linn