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BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
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Subject: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Dec 08 - 12:02 AM Yup, Kat, here it is. And what a month to try to de-clutter, but I am so proud that over the Thanksgiving weekend I made more progress on the kitchen and living room than I have in all of the other months I've been working on this. I didn't empty the room, but I moved a lot out and only a little back in after the big get-together. I can see the chair rails and wainscoting around the room and can actually hear that faint echo one gets when there is enough space in a room even if there is furniture. The counters are clear, appliances have been moved to what I hope are more logical locations. Because there is less stuff in both rooms they both also look a lot bigger. I don't know if we'll get a tree this year. I didn't get one last year, but the couple of years before that I had magnificent trees. I don't get the tree until christmas eve, and then I go down to the nursery at the corner and offer them $10 for a tree that they'll put at the curb in a day's time. I fought too many fires with the Forest Service to be happy with a dead tree in the house for long. It's usually down before New Year's. I have a lot of holiday ornamental stuff and I have been weeding it out somewhat, but maybe this year I can make two sets--the stuff I really like, and the rest, and see if I don't use the less-loved set in the next year or two, maybe donate that somewhere. Also, I have a bunch of plastic ornaments that I picked up at the curb last year. I'm going to go put them up on a tree that a friend has decorated for years, but she skipped for the last two. She used to decorate this juniper deep in the woods across the road from me, but her dog got older and couldn't walk that far so she stopped. Now the old dog is gone and she has a new young one, so I'm going to decorate her tree for her to discover. Ssshhhh! Don't say anything! :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 01 Dec 08 - 03:29 AM I excavated the mantlepiece yesterday... I had to to find the speaker wire that runs along it, because we bought a new TV (32 inches... who says size doesn't matter?!) and had to move the stereo. Sorted that out and realised just how much crud there was on the mantlepiece so that went into the sorting crate.... now there's just my Napoleon clock, a German carved Silver Birch nativity scene (which got covered in crud last Christmas and forgotten.. ain't I a slob?!) and a beautiful carved wooden sycamore leaf which holds various semi-precious stones, polished wood and other natural talismen. The stereo had to move to another shelf so that got decluttered too... it's a slow process but it's working! I've decided that February or March is going to be the 'Big Push' as far as the rest of the house is concerned... I'm hiring a skip and all the accumulated crap from the loft is being sorted, along with the garden which is going to be significantly pruned... I reckon that by then the birds will have eaten all the seeds but not yet started to nest. For the last 3 years, I've been unable to prune a certain bush because my little feathered friends keep nesting in it. Consequently, it's nearly 15' tall and getting out of hand. On the other hand... December means finding somewhere to put the tree so another significant de-clut is in store. I just wish December were longer so I could get everything done! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: mouldy Date: 01 Dec 08 - 04:19 AM I am going to do a similar thing to Liz. I too have always left the garden tidying until after winter so that the birds have a bit of shelter and maybe a little extra food too. The skip will probably be January or February, as I will be down under for most of March. After Christmas I am going to rip off the kitchen floor covering and have a look at exactly what and where the damp is. Some may be condensation, so I am going to give it a good clean, and air it off. Then I am going to get a structural surveyor in to try and find out exactly what's going on, and what I can do about it. I am also considering ripping out the old kitchen units from the garage/workshop, as I don't need it like that - stuff just gets dumped there. Also I am not likely to use the big vice in the near future, and most of what I need could be stored in a purpose-made store, which could then move with me. I am also getting a big delivery of logs soon, and they will need to go somewhere, as will the sofa (see next para). Hopefully, if I can get that sorted, most of what's left to do will be refurb and decorating, although I do have to get rid of the sofa (via the front window, frame out and all) so that it can all be replastered and set back in before the finishing off is done! Today I intend getting the decorations out of the loft and having a good sort out. I never use them all, so a good chuck-out will help there. I think a shovel would clear a lot of the general sh*te lying around the place at the moment! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Dec 08 - 08:57 AM Andrea, The big vice--is that a vice grip? You may not need it now, but they are a very handy item to have in a house. If you're thinking about selling, it might be a good thing to leave. When I built the new garage (7 years ago) I wanted it to look like it had been here for a while so I took apart a weathered (and dog-chewed) redwood picnic table and framed it out then used a remainder from house remodeling as the top. And a few months later at an area garage sale I found an old vice for $10 and I brought it home, used WD-40 to get all of the parts moving again, and I fastened it onto my workbench. It doesn't get used often, but when I need it for a task there is simply no other tool that would work as well for stability sake. My mantle has been evolving. Right now I have a leaded window with some colored panes in it propped up there and some flotsam my mother picked up over the years. It will be the central area for holiday decor soon. Good job in clearing your mantles. I don't do a fire in my fireplace often, mine is filled with a mirror and a bunch of candles sitting on a board across the top of the fire grate. It doesn't draw well but the candles look very cheerful without causing the smokey effect of a dying fire puffing into the house. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maire-aine Date: 01 Dec 08 - 08:59 AM I had some success de-cluttering my mind yesterday. I started going thru another pile of old magazines. They're too dated to be useful, so they'll go to the recycling bags. I also made a new to-do list for the new month. I find lists very helpful. Sunday night the band did a black-tie benefit/fundraiser-- they support a hospital in Haiti. It was about 15 miles north of here, and there was a lot of snow by the time we finished. It was mostly rain by the time we got back, but still a slippery ride home. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 01 Dec 08 - 09:40 AM HOLIDAY TIP Start planning now for all that wrapping paper, bits of cut-off ribbon, and those little paper thingies on the ends of new rolls of scotch tape-- you know these will tend to pile up as the month goes on. Even if you are a totally non-Crimmissy person-- while you may be Scroogey enough not to buy and give, pesky friends WILL insist on gifting YOU. So set up the kitteh play space now, where you can toss ALL the trimmings. Lay out a dirty flat-sheet to catch all the paper and cat fur. When the holiday mess-making is over, use the sheet as a funnel and pour the debris into trash bags (paper! go green!), wash the sheet, and bingo! ;~) ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: CamiSu Date: 01 Dec 08 - 11:13 AM She decluttered her family?!?! :~) I wouldn't call it that. Well...at least not where my kids are concerned. I could deal with them closer all the time. Mom...well I can manage 3 days of constantly together. Don't see enough of the brothers that were there, but they had things to do. BUt my youngest DID leave his room in pretty much the same condition he got it in! Amazing! "I'm going to decorate her tree for her to discover." That is SO cool. What a wonderful surprise that will be. BTW The tool that goes on the workbench I have always spelled vise, and a vise grip in my barn is a locking pliers. Very portable. TOO portable. They always walk off when I need them. Vices, now, them i am trying to get rid of. Not always successful... CamiSu |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Dec 08 - 01:05 PM You're probably right. The pronunciation is no doubt regional, leading to the mis-spelling. I'm not working on getting a grip on any new vices this year. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: MAG Date: 01 Dec 08 - 01:33 PM Leaves shredded to the point that all my big yard buckets (5) are full. Got half of them dumped around the roses. (I've neglected my roses terribly the last couple years; vow to do better this year.) I realize that a lot of the unmanaged clutter is books I have saved from the ladnfill. (My boss forbids us telling anyone that is where unsold discards and gifts go, but it is true all the same.) Especially any folktale books, I just can't stand to see them get trashed. (I used to take gift books about to go to landfill over to the humane soc. thrift shop, but got my fingers slapped for that so I dasn't do it anymore. That thrift is closing anyway, unfortunately -- is where I have alwats taken stuff.) Anyway, I need to sort and stack the books better. That will actually make a big difference. A neighbot has been whacking limbs off my tree which hangs over his property. It is not illegal unfortunately, but then he tosses the limbs over the fence, which is. A while back I had to get a tree surgeon ($300) out to fix the damage he did. Now I learned from the inspector guy that if he does that, he is liable if the tree gets sick. I need to get a lawyer to inform him of that fact. One damn thing after another. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Dec 08 - 03:29 PM The used book store here that I go to has a recycling dumpster out back. If something is truly unusable, it gets recycled. They have a warehouse where marginal items are sent to be redistributed or donated. Maybe you could look into something like that. I have several things to take around for recycling or donation, maybe later this afternoon. I'll take some Women in the Military souvenirs over to a local veteran's organization. Mom picked these items up to support the Women in the Military Memorial that opened in 1997. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 01 Dec 08 - 04:06 PM We have a strange law in the UK whereby if a branch overhangs your property boundary, you are perfectly entitled to lop it off, but only as far as the boundary. Lop it off 6" over their side and you're causing willful damage! However... the branches and any fruit on it remain the property of the person in whose garden the main trunk of the tree/shrub is and you have to ask permission before you do any cutting at all or disposing of the branches. I'd love to be able to report my neighbour for cutting the branches off my small Viburna. I know it wasn't me because I haven't been out there lopping for over a year. But he's cut them off level with the top of the fence, thus killing the whole tree. Grrr. Can't prove it was him, even though he's got the only garden with access. He doesn't like the leaves on his lawn. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Penny S. Date: 01 Dec 08 - 06:01 PM Can't stand people who move in somewhere where the neighbour has trees and then complains about them. Took some stuff to Oxfam today and went into the estate agents next door, coming out with loads of particulars of places with more space and storage. Why do so many have the only access to the garden via the carpeted living room's patio doors? Where do the wellies go? The place I looked at had a bush growing right up to the front window and a deeply gloomy pergola over the back, facing north east. If I were to move in there, I would confound my own opinions - but I won't because of the garden access. They have downstairs loos by the front door, not the garden access. Not logical. Vise/vice - vice is the correct UK spelling of the device for gripping work while sawing, drilling etc. According to British spelling rules, vise would be pronounced with a z sound - is that the US pronounciation? Loaded the car with boxes and a bag of packaging stuff to take to Dad's for decluttering there. Defeated part of the object by buying two nice blouses at Oxfam, and then spending a voucher they gave me for taking stuff in on a pair of trousers and a gilet at M&S. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Dec 08 - 06:25 PM My Random House Speller/Divider lists "vise" as a clamp (see vice)" and "vice (immorality)" and "vice (in place of)" (like vice president, etc.). I've read enough British and American literature that with a word like that it all comes from context and neither looks like incorrect usage as the clamp. Dropped off Women's Memorial items at the American Legion. Thought I'd gag from the smoke in there. Cigars. Acck! The guys there said they do have a few women members who were WACs and WAVEs. I hope they kept their military issue gas masks, if they have them. (Anyone remember the line in Body Heat when everyone in the room lights up, and when offered a cigarette, Ted Danson refuses, winces, and responds "I'll just breathe the air.") SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Bat Goddess Date: 01 Dec 08 - 06:54 PM Ya know how things, if they sit in one place long enough, become invisible? Somehow, though, the other day I actually SAW the books on the side of the built in hutch...and wondered, what the heck have they been doing here for the past, oh, fifteen, twenty years?!! They were sort of food additive, vitamin, ginseng-ish mostly paperbacks -- some VERY outdated and the others (after I ascertain which are keepers) should go with the health, vitamin, herb, gardening books in the bookcase in the upstairs hall. Okay, that's one small batch dealt with. The next library sale is in May, but I intend to have more for them then the two boxes I had a month ago. While I'm at it, I really should pull more stuff out of the hutch and rearrange things. Probably Freecycle the covered cake stand...and the covered cheese dish. Good ideas at the time, but I have never even once used either one. I should cull trays, too. I can't seem to pass them up at yardsales but have way more than I need even if I spend the rest of my life entertaining. But in the immediate future, I think I'll leave stuff in the hutch til after the holidays. I really need to move the boxes of stuff to be de-accessioned off the couch and out of the living room so we'll have a place to put a TREE! One step forward, two steps back... (but the books got moved) Linn |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: CamiSu Date: 01 Dec 08 - 10:19 PM Penny-- I am often fascinated by how we are divided by a common language. And I have heard it pronounced same as vice, and with a tiny bit of a z--but only a little. However I have not been everywhere and so, who knows how they say it in Cincinnati? I do know that they say zink for sink there. Cami |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 02 Dec 08 - 09:45 AM Finally have both guest beds "dressed" and their spare linens sorted and stowed. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: MAG Date: 02 Dec 08 - 10:31 AM I don't have to be at work until 9:30 today so I think I'll go out and whack away at the brambles some more. Goal: get rid of all the brambles down to the root. I used to like having the fruit, but the brambles just take over and my yard isn't that big. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: LilyFestre Date: 02 Dec 08 - 12:07 PM Got rid of some brambles this morning myself, long overdue, I might add! Then I picked up the back yard and side yard, swept the deck, hung laundry on the line, did some dishes, have more laundry going and I'm sure I'll find something to putter about with. I am loving being home and wish I could do it more often. Ah but yes...what's that I hear blowing in the treetops? Hmmmmm...... Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: mouldy Date: 02 Dec 08 - 03:39 PM The vice is attached to the workbench (aka old kitchen units) that are down one side of the single size pre-fab garage. I would be tempted to take it with me, however. Rapidly de-cluttering the log pile into my burner at the moment! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 02 Dec 08 - 04:06 PM My wallet took a big hit--the cat went to the vet. Her problem seems to be treatable, but why is it pets have $400 vet bills at the holidays? This same cat had an expensive problem about three years ago that really ate into the budget. I have a lot of things almost ready to shove out the door or online or wherever. I better get moving, to keep up with the pet bills. . . SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 02 Dec 08 - 04:57 PM You know how it is-- every time new linens come into the house, all the existing linens shuffle around. Today two queen-size down comforters got tied into duvet covers that coordinate with the rooms where they live. A third (twin) was already in one and was small enough not to shift in its cov er too much so I left it the heck alone, because I'd already broken one needle and bent the only other good one for the job-- but Hardi was getting nervous sleeping with safety pins in his corners! :~) Also a non-working microwave left the building tonight. The second guest room is looking more guesty and less like a storage locker. I just have to clear up the autoharp felt bits (Hardi re-felts in that room for me), and suck out the dead little friends we country folk refer to as "cluster flies." ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 03 Dec 08 - 12:04 AM The kitchen looks great but the couch is heaped with laundry needing folding. It's always something (but at least the laundry is clean!) |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 03 Dec 08 - 01:28 PM ohgogohgodohgodddd...... I cannnnn'tttt...... Sigh. I'm just back from upstairs "guest prep." I am at that AWFUL stage of long-term re-re-re-organizing where I have declutted enough, in the past, that the rooms LOOK like they aren't TOO cluttered.... but where every single item that really doesn't belong there stands out like a sore thumb, BEGGING to be put "away" but where I have NO IDEA where to put them or if I should pitch them, etc...... So I came back downstairs! :~) The guests arriving are fam. I'll beg their help up there! :~) (They're YOUNG!) I'm low on calories with metabolism raging-- I bet I'll feel less overwhelmed after a mini-meal. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: vectis Date: 03 Dec 08 - 06:09 PM Father in law died at the end of last month and have taken oodles of his stuff down to the charity shops whilst clearing his house. Made us look at our over stuffed home and realise that if we are going to emigrate as planned we really must get rid of everything we won't need "over there" in NZ. We have reduced the two spare bedrooms to basics and only one change of bedding. Sorted the linen cupboard to only that worth shipping. Good Grief! the thing is half empty and all the drawers no longer need a sledgehammer to close them. The other spare room is full of stuff and we'll be emptying it as fast as we can. we may even be able to walk to the window by Christmas... At last! I can join the de-cluttering club. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 03 Dec 08 - 07:04 PM You've discovered one of the best de-clutter motivators there is--having to clear out someone else's stuff. The trouble with that method is that it is too easy to wait till the impulse passes. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: MAG Date: 03 Dec 08 - 10:54 PM I have to catch yet another goddam possum. I went out to get something from my car and there it was sitting in the middle of my street sassy as you please. Fortunately I have the live trap from '07 summer. (caught two then). Unfortunately my Scampy cat took off after it and chased it into the neighbor's backyard. Now I'm sitting here on pins and needles until he is back homesafely. I baited the trap with half a banana. I hope they like fruit. I can't use cat food or the strays will get into the trap. I have been REAL careful not to put out enough food to be there after dark. The damn things just are all over twon. Some say it is all the wineries here; they supposedly like grapes. goddam! They are mean and ugly. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 03 Dec 08 - 11:17 PM Of course once I headed back upstairs to test-fit the remade curtains I'd been hand-sewing all afternoon, I noticed that I had organized it ALL. Except for the stuff I put in our BR for another day's linen culling. It's all ready to vacuum now! And it's pretty, too. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 03 Dec 08 - 11:21 PM We live on the creek at the edge of a wood. No point in trapping all of the critters that pass through our front yard, and if anything is imprudent enough to get into the back yard, the dogs dispatch them. They've killed several possums, squirrels, snakes, birds, little things (rats, mice, lizards, alas. . . and tarantulas.) Got a skunk a couple of months ago. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: MAG Date: 04 Dec 08 - 12:27 AM I hear ya, SRS; I'm glad you live with a pretty crik and woods. I am in a town, and critters wandering around are not fun. They carry rabies. Cats, as opposed to dogs, can be killed by possums as well as raccoons. The little stinker (cat) is outside now and won't come in. At least he is making friends with the kittens, finally. Another sleepless night, drat it. grrr! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 04 Dec 08 - 10:29 AM My friend used to work at the zoo in Providence, RI. She became known as the lady who takes care of animal waifs. She had many baby possums brought to her whose mothers had been killed by drivers at night as they liked to get on the roads then for some reason. Anyway, the babies were cute, liked to ride around nestled in her hair and loved boiled eggs. My daughter took care of one one weekend and we enjoyed it. Wasn't mean at all, of course it was a baby and was used to being handled, plus she had lots of other pets. If my cats were outside at all I wouldn't want them around, though. I will declutter more as soon as I finish up the xmas gifts, wrap then, put them in boxes and take them to the post office!:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maire-aine Date: 04 Dec 08 - 01:43 PM I see a possum out behind the garage now and then, usually when I pull up the driveway at night. My cat never goes outside, so I don't need to worry about contact. I don't bother the possum, and s/he doesn't bother me. I got the ornaments on the tree, and the last of the cards into the mail. Still must polish the candlesticks for the buffet. Got my teeth cleaned at the dentist this morning-- does that count as de-cluttering? Laundry is done, but needs to be hung up/put away. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 04 Dec 08 - 05:40 PM Vectis - if your dragons need a home not in NZ, I'm sure I could find a little corner here.... :D I decluttered some Christmas presents into their respective wrappings and boxes this week. 3 out of 4 overseas are on their way. I just can't find where I decluttered that last small box to in the summer, which would be ideal to put this slightly less than robust package that was entrusted to me... Hmmm.. that's the downside to decluttering. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: vectis Date: 04 Dec 08 - 07:37 PM WHAT ABANDON MY DRAGONS??????? Never! But thanks for the offer it is comforting to know they would have had a good home if I were to leave them behind. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maire-aine Date: 04 Dec 08 - 11:56 PM I boxed up some glassware that I wasn't using, and that made room on the bookshelf for about 20 or so books that were occupying a chair in the LR. I also tidied up a small corner of the spare bedroom, and put the ornament boxes back upstairs. Tomorrow morning I plan to make muffins (to take to a breakfast potluck/meeting), so that will clear off a trayful of ingredients on the diningroom table. And tomorrow is trash day, so I'll have to get up early. I even started toying with the idea of having a small holiday "open house", since the decorations are up and the diningroom table will be cleared off soon. I still have time to pull something together, since I won't be working. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 Dec 08 - 11:56 PM I was going to list some stuff this evening, but got a phone call and was sided tracked. Maybe tomorrow. I'll have the morning off. It would be a good time to list some items on eBay, I think. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: GUEST,MAG at work Date: 05 Dec 08 - 12:21 PM I put a bunch of T-shirts in a large plastic tub. Now I need a place to put the tub. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 05 Dec 08 - 04:16 PM A little more posted online, but we're so close to the end of the semester that I don't think I'll have much free time until late next week. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 05 Dec 08 - 04:42 PM Big push tomorrow... I want to get rid of a computer monitor and a TV that are presently cluttering the sitting room. Unable to freecycle them to anyone (it's a really old, really big monitor and the TV was on its way out which is why I replaced it last week when I found an LCD DigiTV on offer). The trip to the tip might also remove a couple of other items that are in the way, but it's a case of 'if I trash them, will I want them later'... so I may hang fire on that. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 05 Dec 08 - 05:37 PM "hang fire"? Is there someplace you can take old electronics that is set up specially to receive them? Here in Texas the Goodwill folks have truck trailers set up at the local recycle dropoff lot (also for household trash and bulky waste--a one-stop place). Goodwill tests each thing and if it works they sell it, if not, they have contracted to dispose of it safely. I will do de-clutter and eBay tomorrow, after all. But I also need to do Secret Santa santee SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 06 Dec 08 - 11:11 AM Today is a big push. De-clutterers, START YOUR ENGINES! Let's make room now for the mess that will come later this month. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maeve Date: 07 Dec 08 - 09:58 AM Gave away two oak children's chairs yesterday, along with a bin of clothing, signage, kitchen tools, and whatever else I could fit into the car. Hauled a farm truck load of recycling and rubbish. Brought home good used fencing and posts, as well as a metal bed that will be repurposed for fencing and gates. Picked up another 4 big bags of white pine cones for kindling. Today we're cutting and hauling more firewood, and cycling mushrooms, carrots, and turnips through the dehydrator. I need to start the week's bread. I'm also clearing another load of things we don't need to make room for a...... WASHING MACHINE! *BG* We still have to install the plumbing for it, but at least I know it will soon be here. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: mouldy Date: 07 Dec 08 - 10:04 AM I'm contemplating getting the tree up earlier than ever - mainly because I got help last week to get decs etc out of the loft, and it's all just lowering at me in its boxes and such from the corner of the living room! Also, Eleanor's baby is due in 4 days, so things could get a bit chaotic shortly! Not having got the last bedroom sorted for Christmas, the stuff that's lying around downstairs (mainly crafty bits) can go up there till the new year, when I intend a full-on cull! Well I want to lose a work table to make more room for bedroom usage, and so some will have to go. I have to ice a big Christmas cake for my son in law, and that will clear up some space in the kitchen too. I've nearly finished the card writing, so they will be out of the way soon too. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 07 Dec 08 - 10:54 AM WASHING MACHINE!--- !!!!!!!!!!! ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maeve Date: 07 Dec 08 - 11:11 AM Yes, Susan. It's new and super-efficient in both water and energy use, and is a very generous Christmas gift from family. We are so grateful! We still have to do the plumbing for it and I have more kids' things to clear from the room, but it's a-coming. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 07 Dec 08 - 11:26 AM Having gone for long spells without a washing machine myself, I know what a luxury these machines really are. And I was mostly just using laundromats, not washing in the tub (though I have done that on occasion). Lovely day today, so I'll winterise around the house. Pulling out some soaker hoses and repositioning a couple of others. The dogs have their heater set up--it only raises the temp in their space a few degrees. I was going to put a screen door up and put a pet door in that, but it is a special order. I may just go ahead and put the pet door in the solid wood side door, and make sure it's the kind that I can block shut if I need to. That would keep my girls a lot warmer. More eBay today. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Penny S. Date: 07 Dec 08 - 03:52 PM My sister and I boxed up Dad's books for family members who said they wanted them. I do not have room for those aimed for me, but they were important to my parents - books about Sussex - and i don't think they ought to go. Took a lot of the waste fabrics to Oxfam for recycling as flock or shoddy or something. I've started looking at houses. It may seema little contrary, but if I can declutter A and B into C, larger than A, a lot of problems with books, and guest with stuff, can be averted. Because of devious practices by the broadcasters switching digital TV on, my set top decoder ceased to operate in a sensible way. So I've bought a new one with a built in hard drive recorder. So new3 recordings will be on that, and as I watch through the stacked up videos I made during the period of Dad's death and the friend's mother's illness, I can get rid of them. More mounds reduced, bit by bit. I got rid of a stack of manuscript paper I rescued from the skip at school decades ago at Minchinhampton folk club, where it was welcomed. I think maybe should have kept one quire. Never mind. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 07 Dec 08 - 08:06 PM Didn't make it to the tip so there is still a lot of general crud around, but the monitor, old TV and a partially working CD/Radio/Cassette player got put in the front garden Saturday morning and were gone by Saturday evening... I taped the remote to the TV so whoever took it could still use it. I object to people taking things out of my garden on principle - it's my property and technically it's theft but it is a good way to get rid of stuff. Trouble is, I now no longer have a large enough load of crud to make the 4 mile round trip to the tip (sorry, Household Waste Disposal Site) viable. Ho hum. Still, at least I can walk around the front room without falling over a screen of some sort. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 08 Dec 08 - 11:07 AM There are people in town who do nothing but drive up and down streets looking for things left at the curb, either for the trash, or to be picked up by them. I often stick in a note if I know something about why it doesn't work or why I don't need it (and am not donating it to Goodwill, etc.). I've picked up items at the curb myself when I knew I could put them to use. I have a lovely little bench out on my front porch. It was a small table, made of redwood, that was missing one slat in it's solid surface. I think I posted a photo of it here before--I painted it and spaced the boards out to give it a different but still good look, and a new life. Before and After. I use that to sit on (it's a lovely seat in the morning in the sunshine. I take out my morning cup of tea and look at the garden) and I put potted plants on it and hide my sprinklers and nozzles under it to avoid tripping hazards on the porch. It really is quite obscene all of the materials we waste without attempting to reuse or recycle. I picked up three bags of ripe bananas (they sell for $1 a bag at Albertson's, and they each hold about 8 pounds of fruit). We'll eat a few, they're actually not quite as ripe as I like for eating, but most of them are destined for my annual baking to take to my co-workers. I have a few loaves frozen already. Consumable gifts are great--no trouble figuring out where to store it, eh? SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 08 Dec 08 - 11:45 PM I found a couple of more things to auction that will help with the closet clutter here. There is a Goddess-sized mink coat from my great aunt that is simply too heavy and too large to wear. They seem to be selling, albeit for a fraction of the original price, on eBay. It can be worn as a coat or used as a tent by small children. Needs sturdy tent poles, though, or they would be crushed by the weight of it. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: GUEST,Maire-Aine's SS's elves Date: 09 Dec 08 - 12:40 AM rustle...rustle... Maire-Aine, we're scratching about for clever ideas that don't add to clutter too badly... if only we could find that catalog... it must be in the other pile... Check the "Tease" thread for more! Hee! Hee! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 09 Dec 08 - 03:32 AM De-cluttering the kitchen begins today. The new boiler is being fitted next Monday and we're both busy over the weekend, so this week, it's kitchen clearing. Hopefully I can dispose of some storage containers that don't, some lidless boxes and a pile of old cereals that no-one seems interested in eating. The birds will have those. I may even dispose of 2 of the 4 gas lighters we have, the 2 that don't work being my best bet. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 Dec 08 - 10:07 AM Liz, after I cleared my dining room for Thanksgiving I forced myself to find other places for the stuff I removed. At least my dining room and kitchen look good now. Good luck! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maire-aine Date: 09 Dec 08 - 05:18 PM Thank you, sensitive SS. M |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Penny S. Date: 09 Dec 08 - 05:18 PM Only minor work today, on the C drive of my Asus EeePC mini computer. This has a teeny tiny C drive, and a much larger D drive, but some stuff I have installed on the C drive, before I knew how small it was. I have failed to move my Onspeed program successfully, and daren't move the McAfee until I get my big laptop with the CDs back, so I've been uninstalling fonts. One of which seems to be the font for entering stuff here. It will be interesting to see how this looks on the Mudcat. I have bought myself a little space. Every time Mcafee updates, spacde vanishes. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Penny S. Date: 09 Dec 08 - 05:19 PM Looks OK - it's italic here. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 Dec 08 - 05:55 PM I think we see what the default fonts are in our browsers, unless the writer changes it with html commands. Like that. Or that. Winter has washed over us again this afternoon. Whatever de-cluttering I do, it will now be indoors, after I do one last thing this afternoon. I need to cut some chard for dinner. This morning it was balmy when I went out to get the paper, so I took some clippers with me and cut down several plants that were damaged by frost a few days ago. There's one bell pepper that will probably bite the dust tonight, even in its protected spot by the wall and the heat pump. De-cluttering the garden has about concluded for the year. I have a few winter crops in and some herbs that should winter okay near the house. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 09 Dec 08 - 06:02 PM Decluttered a doughnut maker to the garden... no one wants it. I only ever used it once or twice... they just weren't the same... Got some space now, for the boiler engineers to work in... but I can't find the cornflakes. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 09 Dec 08 - 08:08 PM maeve!!! YeeHaw!!! I want to hear all about that first load of laundry!! I went around the house over the weekend and gathered the bits and pieces I wanted to send my daughter, Kyrstie, back East for Christmas gifts: a pink table scarf with embroidery (she loves pink!), two of my mom's antique glass bottles (good for paintbrushes, dried flowers, etc.), my copy of The Encyclopedia of Natural Healing (took up a lot of space on the coffee-table-trunk), incense and some really neat hoop earrings with little silver coins dangling from them. I told her I wasn't spending a dime except on grandkids. Told my other kids, too. They are all going to benefit from decluttering "mom's" house! Anyway, so all of that, plus presents for my grandsons back East, Akira and Elijah, go out the door with Rog, tomorrow, as well as a package with Morgan's present which I am sending back and have already ordered something else. Oh what the heck, he's to young to read Mudcat, yet...it's a drum! I am excited about that one, esp. I have piles of papers stacked in the office which will have holes punched in them, then put in binders, then in envelopes and mailed off to family as Christmas gifts - updated family history from my maternal grandma's memoirs and my dad's oral history. Not the new novel, not yet! I also looked at the front steps tonight and realised we need to turn out the flower pots into the beds to build up the soil, do something with the old wicker rocker which is losing its seat, but means so much to me, i.e. can I save it? And, bring in a wrought iron stand to use inside for the winter, as well as sweep. We always put a free sign on stuff out front and it disappears fast! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 Dec 08 - 10:21 PM and some really neat hoop earrings with little silver coins dangling from them. I have some old coins from a great aunt's estate that probably don't have any numismatic value because they have holes in them. They were probably used as you describe, in jewelry or some other ornamental fashion. I should pull them out and see if there are enough to do anything with. They're tiny old early American silver coins, worn almost smooth. I have to go haul three pots in to the sun room overnight or the flowers will freeze. They'll do okay down pretty low, but not below 32. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 10 Dec 08 - 12:16 AM If they are that early, Maggie, be sure to check on value anyway. The ones on my earrings are like those little, lightweight ones they sew onto belly dancing costumes, only they are silver instead of gold. I don't think they have any monetary value, even in India. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 10 Dec 08 - 12:21 AM I'll put a few on the scanner if I think of it tomorrow and send you the image. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: mouldy Date: 10 Dec 08 - 02:26 PM I've wrapped all prezzies except one, and all that needs is a bag of chocolate money to go into it. No excuses now, although I am going to spend a large part of tomorrow shifting logs into a semblance of order, after they get tipped onto my yard, and later visiting the midwife with my daughter, whose due date is tomorrow. Still got two large Christmas cakes to ice... Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 10 Dec 08 - 02:33 PM You just *think* you'll be shifting logs tomorrow...instead of birthing a grandbaby!**bg** All the best with that, Andrea.:-) SRS, I look forward to seeing those pix. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maire-aine Date: 10 Dec 08 - 06:00 PM My car is at the dealership today (very hard to start in the morning), so I've been home most of the day. Got more decorations on the buffet, mostly silver and glass candlesticks and a wreath. The Advent candles will get changed to white on Christmas. I only light all the candles on Christmas Eve or when company comes. The diningroom table is 95% empty, and I'll get rid of the remaining 5% tonight. Our music group played at our local hospital (in the lobby, mostly for staff and visitors) last Saturday, and we're going back again on Thursday evening. Making Chicken-Taco soup tonight--almost like chili, but thinner-- good with corn chips. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 10 Dec 08 - 08:02 PM Post that recipe, please! I brought home some good smaller boxes from the library for eBay stuff, but I have to go run a couple of errands. Darn. I've been trying to get stuff described, packed, wieghed, and listed for several days. Grandbabies add to the clutter. Goes with the territory. And stacking wood isn't necessarily incompatible with birthing babies--I was working at my neighborhood recycling program when I went into labor with my second. It was just one Saturday morning a month and it was a nice day. I got a little sunburned. I drove home, got a ride to the hospital at 3:30pm, and had him at 5pm. They were talking like I wasn't there at one point, commenting that I had a bit of a sunburn. "She was climbing in and out of recycling dumpsters" my spouse cheerfully announced. :-/ (I did not. I carried a few bags of really light stuff, like aluminum cans.) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 10 Dec 08 - 08:36 PM I'm proud to say that the guest room bed was changed the same day the company left, and the used linens in the wash the next. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 10 Dec 08 - 11:15 PM My second was like that, too, Maggie. I went in at 9a on a Saturday and had her by 920a on the due date even. I just meant Andrea might want to be in the birthing room rather than stacking logs, but there's nothing like something to keep ya busy while you wait for things to get poppin'!:-) Good for you, Susan! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maire-aine Date: 11 Dec 08 - 12:22 AM Hi, Maggie. Here's the soup recipe, altho it nothing special, really. Because I had 2 cooked chicken breast that I'd taken out of the freezer, I substituted chicken for beef, both meat and broth; I didn't use the cheese this time. Beef (or Chicken) Taco Soup 1 ½ lbs stew beef, cut into smaller pieces 1 or 2 large onions, chopped in big pieces 1 envelop of taco seasoning (I use Old El Paso lower-sodium kind) 2 cans of Mexicorn (regular will do in a pinch) 1 box of chopped tomatoes ( or 14 oz. can) 2 cans of beef broth (I use Swanson's low-sodium) A few dashes of hot sauce, to taste (optional) Velveeta (or other easy-melting) cheese Brown meat and onions. When meat is mostly done, drain off fat. Combine all ingredients in soup pot & cook at low heat for a half-hour or so. Just before serving, you can cut up some pieces of Velveeta Mexican cheese into the soup. Stir over low heat until the cheese has melted. Serve with corn chips, and, if desired, sour cream & chopped green onions. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 Dec 08 - 01:00 AM I love food threads. Heck with the de-cluttering. . . A friend gave me a powdered mix for tortilla soup, and though it was too salty, there were some good flavor elements, and I'd like to repeat that. I stopped using taco mixes (for making tacos) a while back, I use the spices individually instead of a mix. I use what my ex calls the "vibration method" of cooking--shake the container until it feels like I've added enough seasoning. His mother cooks that way also, so I know this is a good thing. :-) I have worked out what is in taco seasoning, and I'll take a look at the ingredients in the canned corn. I've seen those cans, and could use one to start with (first time I make a recipe I try to follow the recipe). I'm planning to plant corn next year, but I have some frozen right now that my neighbor gave me after she got the diagnosis of diabetes. For the time being, I have chard and onions in the garden, along with some sturdy oregano and a couple of left-over carrots. And for a de-cluttering message in this post, I went through the fridge tonight and pulled out anything left over from Thanksgiving. We did the meal a day late, but that still was 2 weeks ago; this leftover leg meat is now too old. And the stock, cooked the same night as the turkey was roasted. So for the moment my fridge looks fairly organized this evening with the old turkey moved out. As I cleaned the fridge, I de-cluttered the contents of a leftover bottle of wine, so if there are typos, that might explain it. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maire-aine Date: 11 Dec 08 - 10:28 AM I climbed up to the top shelf of the cupboard, and found a big plastic storage bag that has 4 12-oz. bags of chocolate chips. They've gotta be a dozen years old, because it was my mother that bought 'em, and the last time she went grocery shopping was in '96, maybe. She's been dead for 5 years, and home-bound for 5 years before that. They look ok, but is there ANY chance that they could be ok to use? I threw out several old bottles of liquid flavorings (one was peppermint), and now the whole house smells of it. Unfortunate association with that smell, however. When I was a kid, the doctor would concoct a batch of paregoric (that's opium, for the younger crowd) medicine and flavor it with peppermint. So that's all I can think of is being sick with stomach "flu" and taking that chalky awful stuff. And it's too cold to open the windows. About the recipe, the Mexicorn just adds some red & green peppers. I don't usually keep peppers on had, so this is convenient. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maire-aine Date: 11 Dec 08 - 02:43 PM Got my car back-- some kind of computer chip thingee needed to be re-programmed. I don't know what that means, but it's supposed to be fixed now. We'll know in the morning. Getting ready to do some Christmas cooky baking over the weekend. First I need to make a coordinated shopping list for Friday. Looks like I'll be working a day or 2 next week. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 11 Dec 08 - 02:59 PM Old chips = Xmas Cookies to give away ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 Dec 08 - 04:36 PM Ewww. I wouldn't use chips that old. I don't think chocolate improves with age. But don't throw them were animals can get into them. Cats or dogs, I don't remember which, aren't supposed to eat chocolate. Just heard from my boss. Who heard from one of his bosses. We seem to have a toxic co-worker on campus who forwarded an email of mine that was read out of context by others. Fingers crossed she's a short-timer over there. I hate it when you have to tiptoe around someone like that. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 Dec 08 - 11:58 PM Baking for work bake sale tomorrow (banana nut bread). They came out beautiful. Lots of holiday events coming up, lots to do around here. De-cluttering is always a topic, but may not be the main topic for the time being. Is anyone using Layaway this year? I listened to Terry Gross' Fresh Air and her guest made a remark that it is quite a good deal--no interest and the store simply holds it for you until you pay it off then pick it up. It's almost quaint, but I remember the Layaway desk at K-Mart was always a hopping place (when we had K-Mart in the area). Her main point was you pay for it before you take it home, not pay for it for months after you take it home. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 12 Dec 08 - 12:09 AM Naw, you give the cookies to... certain people.... ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: CamiSu Date: 12 Dec 08 - 01:20 AM Taste one. I have used them to melt to make chocolate sauce (2 parts chocolate to 1 part butter, put it in a jar. heat before putting on ice cream. It turns hard on the ice cream and is fantastic) Used a many year old chocolate bar and it was wonderful. Let's see. Managed to leave the pump in the barn cistern running and decluttered ALL hte water to the corral and thence to the pasture. Thought it might make a good opportunity (since I'd messed up so bad) to get the pump put back on the switch,and called the electrician to do same and then figured to ask the fire department if they did not want to flush a pumper into my cistern (it fills from off the roof and I was not looking forward to much rain as it was bitter cold). Said electrician did not respond, so Tuesday my neighbor and I did the job, thus decluttering the barn of an underground splice kit(how I found THAT in the clutter in the barn was only prayer-no other way possible) and then 20 minutes later the electrician calls to say he's been out hunting and only just got the message. He was pleased that I' already done it as he could not get to it til yesterday when it POURED. So much for no more rain. And we did get 1000 liters from a neighbor, so we are OK now. My friend the professional declutterer has been here twice and the jam is in the hall (which is being transformed into a storage area as we don't need it as a hall, and the living room is so close to losing an extra table! Very exciting. However, I have 3 shows underway (one opening tomorrow (strike Sunday) one opening next week and one in the planning stages (and one in the preplanning, but it is 2 shows in repertory, so a bigger deal) I may need to get my kids in on the decluttering act. It's just harder for exchange students who don't know the house very well yet.... AND we got the bottom of hte garage wall filled in today. It's only been waiting a year. and all the scraps are decluttering into the stove. Whew! Cami |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 12 Dec 08 - 08:40 AM Chocolate is edible for decades if kept in an airtight container. There are bars of chocolate still around from the Boer War (1899 - 1902, South Africa) that are perfectly edible because they were kept in the souvenir Queen Victoria tins. It may have gone a bit pale and chalky looking if it's got warm, but as long as it hasn't melted, settled out into cocoa butter and other stuff, then reset, it'll be fine. You'll know if it has, the chips will be grainy and greasy. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 Dec 08 - 08:47 AM slaps forehead I should have known our expert Liz would have the answer! I take back my "ewww!" SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: GUEST,MAG at work Date: 12 Dec 08 - 01:20 PM I posted yesterday that I got my 'frig clenaed out on Sunday, but it looks like it didn't make it to the thread. The abandoned Mama cat I had spayed hasn't been around; I hope she's OK. The 3 kittens (1 femlae - spayed) are very much here and very put out they can't come inside. They know, from sneaking in, that's where the good stuff is. and also heat. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Penny S. Date: 12 Dec 08 - 04:24 PM I managed to declutter (the font, meantime is courier, and back) the 16Gb SD card which serves as a documents folder on my diddy laptop. I was trying to reformat the SD card from my camera, which was playing up, and got them mixed up. I don't even know the whole of what I've lost. Photographs, but just art ones. A file of expenses to do with Dad's death - I have hard copy. Screen grabs of bank accounts - can redo. And most of the needed stuff is on an external hard drive. I am kicking myself. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 Dec 08 - 06:15 PM Sometimes files can be retrieved even after a format. The formatting simply marks all of the existing files in a way to show the computer that they can be written over (versus writing on new spaces on the disk). You might ask around. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: GUEST,MAG at work Date: 12 Dec 08 - 06:41 PM Clutter in the bedroom is discouraged for insomniacs; we are supposed to make our sleep environment as nice as possible -- so decluttering the bedroom is next. It isn't nearly so bad as the rest of the house, so I was putting it off for last. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 Dec 08 - 12:41 PM My bedroom has actually been one of the neatest and least cluttered rooms for a while now. But there is a reason. Four years ago we had a burglary. At the time I had lots of spare furnishings and boxes of stuff lined up in there (it's a large room, I wasn't using all of it for my bedroom furniture, so I kept stuff out of the way of some of the rest of the house). When the sheriff walked through the house with one of the detectives I was behind them, and he commented "they really clobbered this room." I had to say "actually, no, they didn't touch it." We all thought that was really funny, but you know, you sometimes have to read the writing on the wall. Enjoy your de-cluttered bedroom! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 14 Dec 08 - 04:45 AM Why do husbands get so picky when you want to declutter their shoe collection? Imelda Marcos has nothing on Manitas when it comes to shoes... I know for a fact he hasn't worn his wooden soled dancing clogs for at least 8 years! Then there are the 3 different pairs of slippers, all in various stages of decay... My dad had a pair of shoes for everyday, a pair of 'best' shoes, a pair of slippers and a pair of army boots. That's all a man ever needs. OK, so I will admit to having 4 pairs of sandals; best, everyday, gardening and concert; some army boots, a pair of trainers that are refusing to die, a pair of trainers that are uncomfortable but new and a pair of heeled boots for that extra long pair of trousers that I can't wear with sandals... Oh, and the wellies with chocolate pictures on them.... but I have worn every pair of them at least once this year! Ho hum... decluttering the bedroom is last on the list I'm afraid.. we have to childproof the sitting room before next Saturday. Got a toddler coming to dinner. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 14 Dec 08 - 08:41 AM Did I mention I'd decluttered our BR? Really the whole upstairs is pretty not-cluttered. Now it's on to relationships. The people aren't the clutter, but the junk in the way of getting to them is. My son seems to have taught me that, and I am not sure he was even trying. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: LilyFestre Date: 14 Dec 08 - 06:58 PM Some serious progress was made in my office this weekend. Here's the thing...I have had no need for an office for the last 2 years..I have a classroom and do 99.9% of all my work AT work!!! So this room has become a catch all and sadly, what I have taken to doing is putting bags of stuff up there, at night...just open the door, set the bag down..without even turning on the light. Good God. It's no wonder I can't find anything! It's all up in my office!!!! Or should I say, WAS? *big smile* It's not finished by any stretch of the imagination but I can now walk all over the room and not trip over stuff. I have some things packed up and ready to deliver to our central yard sale storage area, got rid of literature/catalogs from a national conference I attended 3 years ago regarding curriculum kinds of things....got rid of lots of paper stuff...what the hell am I saving it all for??!?!? I saved the important things..letters from loved ones, photos, etc. I don't need all that stuff, what I need is room for our babies!!!!!!!!!!! I also made some headway in the kitchen today. I have been busy cooking all day long (LOVING IT TOO!!!!) and in between batches of cookies in the oven, I have started cleaning out cabinets. My work in progress is coming along nicely. :) Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 Dec 08 - 11:11 PM Listed a big box of books on eBay; shipped a few things in the last couple of days. Today I pulled soaker and regular hoses from around the house and mowed the front lawn. Not because there was any grass growing but because my yard is full of my neighbors' leaves. I mulched them all into the turf. Dug the last couple of carrots (left the onions for now), pulled out the last of the peppers, left the eggplant roots to see if anything sprouts from the roots in the spring. (Curiosity) I've been chopping and freezing peppers every day and am down to the last couple of bowls to cut up soon. Tons to do this week, baking almost finished for work tomorrow, though I have to make a batch of rolls before I head in, and I have to find a couple of boxes for white elephant things. I've washed several sinks full of dishes, but I have to say that by having cleared out the kitchen all of the cooking and clearing has been easier and food preparation has gone more quickly since I haven't had to relocate stuff that was in my way. There is a payoff to all of this work! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 15 Dec 08 - 12:18 AM four printer cartridges later, I have ten copies of family history made, that's about 120 double-sided pages each, hole-punched, and in their folders and wrapped, ready for mailing envelopes tomorrow. That will clear out part of the office and kitchen table! We also put away all of our clean clothes, today! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 15 Dec 08 - 03:47 AM As my downstairs is full of workmen fiddling with my plumbing, I'm trapped upstairs. I should be using the time sensibly... decluttering the bedroom springs to mind... but it's more fun here! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: mouldy Date: 15 Dec 08 - 03:52 AM I'll just de-clutter the image that last post created right out of my mind immediately!! Andrea (who has got the cakes iced at last!) |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maeve Date: 15 Dec 08 - 05:12 AM The washing machine has arrived at long last. It's waiting in the farm truck. My task today is to clear the last few things waiting just inside the kitchen door so we can bring the washer inside. Then while TL is installing the plumbing I have the last push to remove all traces of our nursery, transforming the room into a guest room/laundry room. I used the ice storm days to continue clearing out things in the kitchen and decluttered another long poem from my head. maeve |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Penny S. Date: 15 Dec 08 - 07:39 AM I am looking at a place to move to. It is full at the moment of a second person's property in boxes, so difficult to see the space on offer, but has a study for paperwork, and a weird second bedroom which would do for sewing and knitting machines, with a mezzanine floor/sleeping platform which would be good for storage. More space for stuff- is this a good idea? (Rhetorical question.) I can buy before selling, so decluttering becomes a moving process. There is a strange distribution of storage, though. Two cupboards near the front door which looked suitable for coats turn out to house the gas boiler with pipe work which looks like intestines, and shelves - the adjacent space is full of washing machine and tumble dryer. MIght be room in the loo, though. Lovely big airing cupboard. Built in cupboards in main bedroom. Understairs cupboard doesn't have a side access, but at the end only - so the shallow bit will be difficult to reach. I had my eye on it for a larder, but the central heating pipes have been put up through it near the door. Wonder how well they can be lagged. There isn't enough space for food otherwise. There's power in the garage, so if it's big enough, a freezer could go out there. I had a teacher who used to go on about a place for everything and everything in its place - she never pointed out that the first part is as important as the second. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Catherine Jayne Date: 15 Dec 08 - 07:54 AM I actually sorted through my shoe collection (without hints being dropped!) so I could add the new pair of calf length boots I bought last week. I have washed, ironed and packed up all the premeture baby clothes, the tiny baby clothes and the newborn baby clothes ready to go to the car boot sale with my mother in law next year. By the time the car boot comes round I should hopefully have the 0-3 month clothes ready for her too. Kids grow so fast but this time round they are getting more wear out of clothes than Harry did. All presents have been wrapped and dropped off at the inlaws for the time being to stop an exploring toddler from finding them! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 15 Dec 08 - 08:15 AM I deknickered today. Enforced seclusion to the bedroom meant nothing else to do, so the socks are sorted, the bra drawer is next. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 15 Dec 08 - 09:38 AM ^!^!^!^ MAEVE ^!^!^!^ ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 15 Dec 08 - 12:04 PM She got her washer!!! Yea!!! a place for everything...too right! That's the problem we have in this house...too small, nowhere to put the things we really want to keep and/or need! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 15 Dec 08 - 12:10 PM I have a place for everything, it's just that place is usually occupied by something else, or a cat or both. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 15 Dec 08 - 12:20 PM Liz is having FAR TOO MUCH FUN! fans self too cool off - Hot Flash? I'm headed out the door in a minute. Just got a call from my neighbor and I guess I'll have to revisit that thread where we talked about watching your house while someone returns your phone. She left her purse in the lot at Walmart and someone just called to say they found it. I told her that they know where she lives so have someone watch the house while she goes to meet them someplace public like city hall. She'll still need to change all of her cards and accounts. No fun at the holidays. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 15 Dec 08 - 06:53 PM Brrrr! Winter storm watch overnight. I suppose if tomorrow is a snow day I can get some work done around here. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maire-aine Date: 16 Dec 08 - 12:27 AM It went from 52 degrees this morning to 20 degrees tonight, but only scattered snow flurries are in the forecast until late Tuesday. Just bitterly cold. Supposed to get 2 or 3 inches of snow Tuesday night. m |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 16 Dec 08 - 12:58 AM I'm going to let the dogs in. That'll be interesting (they love it, but they are a little noisy to sleep with in the same room). De-clutter tomorrow. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 16 Dec 08 - 11:15 AM Noisy (relatively) evening with those two on the floor in my room. They're out in their stall now, but there is a heater out there and I'll put the dog door in later on. Hoping a jigsaw can do the job. Otherwise, I'll have to borrow something from a neighbor. How's the washer count-down coming along? SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 16 Dec 08 - 11:18 AM Slow going here. We got about another inch of snow last night. I won't get to the post office until later in the day when things melt down a bit, I hope. I don't like going out in icy conditions with the ortho boot on my foot and a can that slips on ice! When I do go, I'll mail off the Christmas stuff and that will empty the kitchen table. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 16 Dec 08 - 12:46 PM Re-=cluttering. :~) New mouser due this week, her "territory" to equip (Hardi's job). But I REALLY LIKE the new way I just anti-cathair-anticatscratch wrapped my couch and I am on firm (eye) doctor's orders to spend hours on it, today (only)! ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Penny S. Date: 16 Dec 08 - 04:34 PM Cleared a part of the big storage thing and took a bag of old school resource books to Oxfam, putting some that have fallen to pieces in the recycling bag. Moved some folders and boxfiles to the bottom level. And some old Singing Together booklets to the Mudcat box. Strangely, despite having moved what I hazard to be the equivalent of a cubic foot elsewhere, there is not that amount of room in the cleared space. Apparently. Also cleared some broth from the freezer. This is not exactly decluttering, but so I can put a couple of turkey drumsticks in it, ready for next week. I'm using one, with some breast meat, for a friend's visit, and the other for myself on the day. Family do's seem to have stopped with Dad's death. I need to find some more space for the leftover rabbit stew I did yesterday. That's the trouble with making stuff from the meat - I end up with more to freeze than I took out. Still, I've decluttered the rabbit, too much mashed potato (mine, not Delia cheat bought)(too much because all the cfrozen separately blobs had stuck together) two packs of homemade bolognese sauce and two packs of broth. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 16 Dec 08 - 04:56 PM The most lovely hankies arrived in the mail yesterday! I just now sat down to open a stack of mail and there they are--all of those great old fashioned embroidered pieces of very fine cotton and linen. Beautiful--thank you, Maryanne! Meanwhile, catastrophe averted--I looked out this afternoon and saw yellow flags and paint across the front of my yard, but I'm not planning on digging anything up. I've tried the folks who own the flags--no call back from them yet, and I tried neighbors on each side. Nope. So, on a long shot, I called the house at 5912 (I'm 5812) and yup--they're putting in a new sewer. She raced off to call her plumber after we got off the phone. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maeve Date: 16 Dec 08 - 06:53 PM The washer is inside the kitchen. I came home from my mum's to find that my True Love had moved it in on his own. Days of work lie ahead before it can be hooked up, but progress! maeve |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maire-aine Date: 16 Dec 08 - 07:12 PM You're most welcome. I worked today, so not much got done at home. But yesterday I baked a batch of Toll House cooky bars, and they came out just fine; the chocolate chips tasted like they were supposed to. The diningroom table is again the staging area for cooky baking, so it's full again, but that's only temporary. We're supposed to get 3 to 5 inches of snow overnight, so I'll be home all day tomorrow. I did re-organize one of my bookshelves to separate the books I've already read, and line up the next in line. Some will be going to the library after the holidays. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 17 Dec 08 - 12:47 AM The few Christmas present packages and cards were taken to the post office today and sent on their way. I decluttered a few surfaces in the office and a bit of the kitchen table where I'd wrapped the gifts. I don't know if I'll get much done over the next few weeks as I may have Morgan for a good part of each day until mid-January or so. I will need to spend some good one-on-one time with him, but he also likes to help and earn money, so we'll see how it goes.:-) Oh, my earlier post should have read a cane that slips etc...:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 17 Dec 08 - 03:26 AM Having decluttered the kitchen to make space to replace the boiler, I now have to make a new pipe housing to hide the pipes, replace all the kitchen stuff and declutter the dining room... busy day today, so why am I here?! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 17 Dec 08 - 09:33 AM Found a GREAT non-clutter prezzie for H yesterday, and have hidden it where I hope I will remember to get it out in sight on the day! :~) ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 17 Dec 08 - 09:54 AM I made the cupboard... not my best work but I blame the dodgy plaster and the ridiculous amount of pipes I had to make cutouts for... at least they're hidden and the second hinge is happily de-rusting in a pot of oil. Decluttered a lot of kitchen stuff, but now have no-where to put the foil and cling film dispensers... ho hum! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Catherine Jayne Date: 17 Dec 08 - 10:41 AM Harry 'helped' declutter my drawer with all my baking utensils etc in it! So...I have got rid of the old tins that I no longer use and tidied up the ones I do use. Next is the bread ingredients cupboard. I love having a kitchen big enough to fit everything in. The major decluttering of the kitchen will be next year once the extention is built. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 Dec 08 - 12:07 PM I think I've about finishing shopping for the distant family. It wasn't that much or that expensive, but I hadn't had time to go do it and couldn't think of what to give. I found a solid chain store with lots of stuff they can use and have some gift cards that should do the trick for the big kids. My sibs are getting modest, useful things (they always do, so nothing has really changed in that). I have a couple of weeks off at the end of the year. I will make a big push to clear out some of these areas that have been purposely ignored during the declutter of the rest of the house. The sun room/craft area has gotten a bit fluffier with bulky lightweight stuff lately. Boxes brought home for eBay shipping, etc. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 18 Dec 08 - 01:31 PM The ONLY "bulky" Christmas present I got for anyone this year is a 2x3" envelope with a VERY personal gift card inside. I tucked it out of sight, so it isn't clutter. :~) At last night's dinner confab, Hardi reported much the same result, even including office staff. These gift cards are cool (I also know about the usual cautions). It is actually possible to make them quite, quite customized to the person, the occasion, and the direction you want to aim the recipients' thinking-- about what item you want them to finally go get for themselves that they've been putting off for... years. The gift is so much more than "I'll send you$25 and you send me $25." It CAN be, "I WILL remind you to be good to yourself, and I HAVE been paying attention." ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: GUEST,MAG at work Date: 18 Dec 08 - 07:24 PM The severe weather started a week ago and will continue through at least Monday. I made it to Portland Monday in spite of it but have been beat all week. Outside cats (3 0f 4) are inside; they are very happy but inside cat is not; he has taken up living on my lap and I haven't the heart to move him, he is so unhappy and I don't blame him. House seems messier than ever; very closed in. Couldn't even empty the trash yesterday; carport snowed in, can frozen shut. I'm going to spend free time over the next few days calling friends; that's what I do instead of cards. I'd rather chat than write any time. It's hard even to do laundry in this kind of deep freeze; I'll just batten down and wait for better weather. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: LilyFestre Date: 18 Dec 08 - 08:06 PM I decluttered the table that sits beside my chair. DH had moved the table to make way for something large to come through the slider, dumped my table in the process and just piled stuff...which while I am very appreciative that he did pick it up, I can't stand piles. If there is a pile sitting nearby and I am trying to relax, I get up and fix it because I know I won't be able to relax until it's picked up. Now...piles behind closed doors? Well, that's an entirely different story! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 Dec 08 - 08:42 PM Two big boxes out the door and into the post office in the nick of time today--I handed it to the clerk who was standing beside the "closed" sign in the lobby. I'd paid for them via Click 'n ship, so all I needed to do was leave them there. It has warmed up so much it is quite balmy. I need to do some outside stuff tomorrow before the next cold front slides down from Saskatchewan. Now comes the delicate balancing act of getting out holiday stuff and putting other things away so it isn't cluttered and christmassy, just christmassy. I'm going to list that perfume bottle at eBay. I haven't found it on the NYT web archive yet, but I'll let the woman at the collecting group know it is going online. I bet she'll spread the word. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maire-aine Date: 18 Dec 08 - 11:42 PM Worked today, but not again until 30th. Finished the last of the laundry. Hunkering down for a big dumping of snow overnight. They're predicting 6 to 10 inches, with maybe 12" in some places. At least I don't have to leave the house. Made dough for 2 kinds of cookies; will bake them tomorrow. Might make more if I feel ambitious. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 19 Dec 08 - 12:04 AM Our house stinks, is a mess, and I hate the clutter at the moment. I have an Urge to just gather it ALL up and chuck in a dumpster!**bg** I've told Rog we have to stay home Saturday, screw errands, and clean. We need to mop and scrub and put stuff a-w-a-y!! Arrgghhh...this is what happens when I am not on my feet enough. It will be better I know. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 19 Dec 08 - 12:20 AM It is an uphill battle anyway this time of year with all of the detritus of the holidays coming out of storage and arriving in the mail and from neighbors and friends. Paper, boxes, and calories on the march! At least you're aware of it and are holding a defensive line against it. We have a couple of days of warm weather now, so hopefully I can get some stuff done outside, and that will help move a few obstacles off of the living room furniture. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: CamiSu Date: 19 Dec 08 - 01:18 AM Well, due to the power company's mistake I get to declutter myself of several appliances, the TV, the printer and so on. Dang! What a waste! (though the fridge was pretty old and probably really inefficient. ut right now I seem to be going backwards. My neighbor is a HUGE help, and I am keeping him employed enough to keep the wolf from the door. He got the snow blower and chains on the tractor, and the rest of the lights up on the fence. I am trying to manage 3 or four jobs and really appreciate the fact that he is willing to be my "almost clone"! Perhaps tomorrow we can move the other doublepane pieces into the window spaces. They have been hanging around for a year or so.... And I really need to declutter the office stuff back up to the office space and keep it warm. No space for a tree or a family in the living room right now. Heck, there is barely room for the DOG! Going to bed now though. Cami |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maire-aine Date: 19 Dec 08 - 09:56 AM Whew! Just got in from running the snowblower along my driveway and sidewalk. We got about 6 inches of snow overnight, but there is almost always a drift about double that at the base of my driveway, just because of the angle of the house and the wind direction. This morning was no exception. But there is a certain feeling of triumph when you break through the drift and go sailing out the other side. It is still snowing, but lightly, so we may pick up another inch or 2 before it stops. But the best part is that, when I came inside and turned on the TV, they were announcing that the White House has come through with a bridge loan for GM and Chrysler. Some of you know that I live in a suburb north of Detroit, and the last couple of months have been absolute agony for the whole community, whether you work in the auto industry directly or not. I felt like I've been holding my breath the whole time, and now I can take a deep breath and exhale. What a relief, even if it is short-term. I never thought I'd say this but, Thanks George. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 19 Dec 08 - 10:24 AM Don't let your breath out too much--I don't know if George is actually entitled to use the cash he's offering. I think there will be a lot of backroom discussions this week. I'm listening to the weekly news roundup on NPR (Diane Rehm) and am interested to hear what they have to say about it. I've had half an ear directed that way, but I'll pay attention now since this has come up. So much to do. I've polled the kids on their favorite cookies--I may bake more, but I'll start with the favorites first. Spritz, krumkaka, snickerdoodles, christmas trees (almond flavored), peanut butter cookies, etc. I love to have the variety, but cookies are labor intensive. At least they freeze well. Today is warm, so I'm going to go put some concentrated lights on a couple of shrubs in the front yard to really make eyes pop when people see them. I don't do the whole yard, I do a few features because the lights are pretty. I didn't list any eBay stuff the last couple of days--they would have ended on xmas eve or the holiday itself, not good shopping days, one imagines. But the days after the holiday when people are home and on the computer--maybe a good time. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: GUEST,MAG at work Date: 19 Dec 08 - 11:40 AM Missing kitty showed up this a.m.; VERY hungry. Now I have 5 inside, and the original is not at all happy, especially since the 3 semi-kittens have discovered how nice it is to sleep with me on my bed. Decluttering right now is a vague dream. We got several (more) inches of snow last night too. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 19 Dec 08 - 12:24 PM Phew! Really glad to hear the kitty showed up! So good of you to let them all come inside, esp. considering your Original feeling put out. I suspect things will call down between them. SRS, my house isn't getting too much in the way of holiday mess. It's just the usual piling up while I am off my foot - though that's much better today! We have very few gifts and what we do have are small. It's been that way, mostly by choice, the past few years. I don't cook much except a special Swedish Tea Ring for Christmas breakfast. I only have one large bin of decorations and I am going to whittle that down after the holidays before we put it away. I am going to ask my Rog to help me rearrange some of the office this weekend. Put some of the bins in another closet or storage. I will have Morgan for more hours after next week, at least for a few weeks, so I want to set up his little table and chairs in here for his "school and craft works" esp. when I need to be working on the computer. He and I are both excited and I want the space to be welcoming and comfortable for him. So that should help declutter the office temporarily until he gets in here!:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 19 Dec 08 - 01:00 PM A friend has a set of de-cluttering skills he uses regularly in his NYC apartment. He's getting ready to do a dinner party on Sunday that sounds so elegant--and of course, in a NYC apartment using all of the space in clever ways is so important. I envy him all of the planning and decorating--it sounds like a lot of fun. I need to do something here soon. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 19 Dec 08 - 03:25 PM I'm supposed to be toddler proofing the house today.... and cooking most of tomorrow... it's not working. Then there's the tree decorating to do..... ARGH!!!!!!!! the tree is still in the garden and hasn't been de-snailed yet! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 19 Dec 08 - 06:10 PM Toddlers need to learn their boundaries, anyway, LtS. I thought about how hard it would be to get Rog motivated to move furniture in the office, so Morgan and I tackled it and we did it! Moved the library table, several heavy bins, books, chairs, etc. It was a LOT of work and he really did a big share of it! What a sense of accomplishment. He moved in his table and chair, we set up my old PC for him to use sparingly, and he was grinning from ear to ear. katcontented |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 19 Dec 08 - 07:49 PM Just so the child labor folks don't get a whiff of the jobs you're putting this small boy to. . . (if I use an ellpisis, will you mind if I end that sentence with a preposition? hahaha!) Shopping online today, comparing. May not all be here on time, but I haven't had a chance to shop for this before now. I might wait till tomorrow and wade through traffic to go to the store where I usually buy this stuff. But I think the discounts, free shipping, and no tax will trump the crowded trip to the store perilously near the mall. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 20 Dec 08 - 10:50 AM "I've got a little list, I've got a little list." No people on it, just stuff to do. Stay healthy and comfortable, fellow de-clutterers, and report in when you get a chance. Maybe take a break and get a hot cuppa coffee or tea and peruse the 'cat for a few minutes. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maire-aine Date: 20 Dec 08 - 12:17 PM I just got back in the house after grocery shopping. If I hadn't needed cat food, I wouldn't have gone out. My street hasn't been plowed yet, so there's a real risk of getting stuck going in or out of my driveway. We got about 3 more inches of snow yesterday afternoon. For now, the sun is out and it looks beautiful. But we're supposed to get more snow over night. Susan, how are you doing? I'm fully supplied now, so I can stay in for the rest of the week if need be. I can walk to church on Christmas, because it's only about 5 blocks away. I'm not used to being cooped up, but I've got plenty to do around the house. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 20 Dec 08 - 02:20 PM Dog door satisfactorily installed. The pit (my brain surgeon) figured it out the second pass through, and happily came in, where I had a handful of treats, only to turn around and go out immediately and come back in for more treats. She did this about six times in the space of a minute, clearly showing the catahoula (our air head) how to do it. But Poppy is shy, and so far has to be pushed through or will travel that space on Cinnamon's heels, with Cinnamon pushing the flap for her. She'll forget to worry and figure it out eventually. This should make them a lot more comfortable in there now. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 20 Dec 08 - 03:33 PM Oh, we're doing OK MA, thanks for asking. A Crimmiss box just came. It musta contained a nuclear bomb because it blew my mind. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 20 Dec 08 - 08:36 PM Stilly - we have a cat that after her 17 years with us STILL has to relearn every day how to open the catflap from outside... she sits there picking at it trying to get it to open towards her.... Got the house cleared, the cooking done, had a fabulous dinner and am now missing a chair.... LTS typing on her knees... |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: CamiSu Date: 21 Dec 08 - 12:40 AM Did you eat the chair?!!! CamiSu |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 21 Dec 08 - 01:45 AM A bulky box of books will sell later today on eBay, and a very light but costly item has been listed and will begin showing tomorrow afternoon. I sent a heads-up to the collector who so kindly gave me some useful information about it. My daughter (Moonglow) called and says she is cleaning her room in the house where she has lived for the last year and a half (first time she has initiated cleaning a room in her entire life). She tells me that she'll be bringing down some clothes she doesn't wear any more and a few items she doesn't need. She knows I'm doing a lot of donation and eBay, so this is good timing, to get it in during this tax year. (They learn a lot during these college years, and only so much of it has to do with higher education!) I've cleared the decks and thawed the butter for holiday cookie baking tomorrow. And to put a few things out around the house by way of decoration. It's difficult to get into the mood this year. There have been a few glimmers, but I don't think I've ever been so late to make it a holiday season for my kids. There is so much to look forward to, to wish for in the coming administration, and while things are difficult, they haven't in actuality been much more difficult than usual. It seems to be a generalized sense of hard times that is taking its toll. I'll work to generate some holiday spirit tomorrow and make it look and smell right for my son (lights, ornaments, and christmas cookies) by the time he comes in from the weekend. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 21 Dec 08 - 01:48 AM Maybe they'll be the ones generating. They can do sometimes, I swear. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 21 Dec 08 - 02:10 AM You're right. She'll be down late on the 23rd and I'm going to ask if they want a tree. If I get one (I didn't last couple of years) I usually get one for next to nothing over at the local nursery on xmas eve. But I'll get it only if they'll decorate it. They decorated a couple of times in the past and did a lovely job. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: MAG Date: 21 Dec 08 - 10:41 AM Postingfrom home again. Thankful for Sunday, even it it'sa deep freeze out there, near 0 and feets of snow on the ground. Gotta find a way to dump the cat boxes today. I do have more litter, in the car. More shovelling today, making hot stew, staying indoors as much as possible. Haven't heard yet whether Solstice party is cancelled; too early. I'm tempted to start a Tavern thread. What does anyone think? I could use a virtual song session right now. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 21 Dec 08 - 01:05 PM I didn't see one yet, but the recovery ward is open, and is a good annex to the Tavern. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 21 Dec 08 - 03:14 PM I started one--it's a good day to let folks "hang out" with the tree. :) |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 22 Dec 08 - 12:02 AM I had to ride herd on Rog, but we got all of our clean clothes put away, swept and mopped the house. I scrubbed the bathroom and had fun with Morgan. I don't think there will be much decluttering for a few days, now.:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 22 Dec 08 - 12:58 AM I know how you feel. I've been busy baking, and while I have cleaned the kitchen between each batch, I think this will keep me busy enough for the next day or two that at most I'll list a couple of eBay things, I won't manage a major push. I have put up a few decorations, it is modest, but very pretty. I may not de-clutter, but I will sit down and make sure my taxable donations are all cataloged. This is a big piece of the income tax puzzle that I have tended all year. I have receipts and photos documented through November and I have made significant donations this month (I took a large box of maps in to the Special Collections in my university). They sent a letter acknowledging the gift, so I'm set. In this day and age I can track down my W-2 and other tax information very quickly online, I don't need to have a printout mailed to me by January 31. I need to race to do my taxes because it means my daughter is eligible sooner for scholarships (based upon my income) and grants. I think some of them, like the Bill and Melinda Gates funds, go away very quickly in the year. (Did I tell you that a co-worker at the library where I work made a big discovery this year: she ran into an old librarian friend from a course they taught together. Turns out that old friend is the mother of Melinda Gates. Whoosh!) I've been playing old movies this evening while I work. One not so old, but a hoot, is Independence Day. Now playing is the Monty Woolley classic The Man Who Came to Dinner. My son has seen it before, but probably didn't understand the punchline. I just now explained to him about the Lizzie Borden rhyme, so he gets that reference. The pumpkin bread will be out in a couple of minutes, in time for the end of the movie. It's a nice productive evening when I can both bake and enjoy old movies. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 22 Dec 08 - 01:05 PM This morning I got a copy of the original perfume ad--Easter, 1940! Several interested watchers. I should have listed this earlier, it would have been a great holiday gift for one of them! I'm trying to ask a reasonable price, but I'm not giving it away. It is a fascinating hobby, but not one I need to start (think high dollars and display cases). Dog was curled up on lawn this morning (26 degrees) after coming out to pee (I checked to be sure she didn't spend the night outside. I didn't get much sleep last night). She still can't figure out door, but at least has a heavier coat to tolerate the cold. I escorted her back in. I've also seen the pit bull actually come out, walk around Poppy, and go back in, as if to say "follow me." Smart girl! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 22 Dec 08 - 09:12 PM I decided to try for a different look on my mantle this year, using the collectible things that I am keeping, not de-cluttering out of the house. I've put some crystal and silver and a few ornaments up so far, and I'll keep adding until it looks good and kind of old fashioned, but not too crowded. Sounds like some of you are probably working just to stay warm, let alone clear out extra stuff. Unless maybe you're burning it to heat the house. We're due ice overnight. Take care, everyone! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 23 Dec 08 - 02:14 AM It's just me talking to myself this evening, but I polished the pieces on the mantle while watching a silly holiday movie, and it looks lovely. Photobucket is down for site maintenance, maybe I'll stick a photo up tomorrow. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 23 Dec 08 - 09:44 AM SRS that sounds wonderful. A de-clutteed Christmas lets the light shine all around, eh. Our holidays are always insane in and of themselves, as well as involving our predictably-unpredictable, crazy-busy ministries to the dysfunctional family issues the hols tend to bring up all around us. But this year I did finally figure out the perfect prezzie to keep in stock by the front door for the reciprocation of those unexpected gift deliveries. No, I don't have it READY for this year, but I can spend some time in the coming weeks working on it-- our own personal holiday CD burned right here on our own puder. I even have all or most of the labeling and packaging stuff already on hand, and working puders/printers to do them on, I think. I may actually be able to get it give-able by Groundhog Day as a thank-you CD. Must plug in the all-year tabletop tree. It's actually Crimmiss week! :~) Right? ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: MAG Date: 23 Dec 08 - 11:22 AM I have a cinder block house and it is impossible to keep warm. I have been huddling under a blanket or three since Sunday. The Solstice party happened but I did not stay around to socialize; worried about gettinghome. Fortunately I have 4-wheeldrive. Unfortunately I seem to have lost one cat in the snow. I let them all out on the patio Sunday just so they would understand they did not want to be out there. Little chin Chin refused to come back in. I left her, thinking she just needed to think about it, and when I next checked she was not there. I do not know why she decided to head out into the deep deep snow but I do not think she has a chance of having survived. That is a mistake I will not make again. I am now in the house with 4 stir crazy cats, and more snow falling outside. I am going to the Y before work, just so I can soak in the hot tub. Not a happy day. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 23 Dec 08 - 11:30 AM {{{{{{MAG}}}}} She may have found somewhere to hole up and will come out when she gets really,really hungry. A cat can go without food a long time as long as they have water which the snow would do for, I think. Or, are there any neighbours who might've taken her in or whose garage she might've gone in? The stir-crazy ones might like a sock filled with newspaper and tied off at the end and a paper sack or two to play in...anything for a little exercise.:-) I give thanks for the immediate and safe return of little Chin-chin. I give thanks for this or something better for the highest good of all concerned. So mote it be! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 23 Dec 08 - 01:28 PM giggliggliggle... I got the tree plugged in so good this year that it even has an off switch, AND I just pinned Hardi's surprises onto it. He's "warned" me to expect a "noting much under the tree" Christmas this year due to finances (he just paid off the van I drive that has been my handi-vehicle for several years), and I assured him that he'd find the same, from me. One special one will tide him over while I'm away next month for several days. [snaps fingers] Pefect prezzies and no bulk! One year the kids were too old, they told us, to shop for. Teens.... So I rolled up a good amount of cash in very small bills, ONE bill per wrap, and hung 'em all on the tree. It took hours over several days-- they'd also told us that they were "too old to decorate the tree for geezers," thankyouverymuch. :~) They came down Crimmiss AM to see no packages, and really they were quite brave about it. Then I told them where the "new" cheap, trashy-looking "ornaments" had come from-- that they would find a surprise inside each one, color coded for each kid with ribbon (some inside TP-roll cardboard tubes), LOL. Each kid also found a $20 and a $10 in their mix, which was quite exciting to them-- "WOW! What will the NEXT one hold!?!?!?!" It took them about 2 minutes to strip that tree and count their cash. So it's only fair Hardi get a similar jolt, I think. :~) No peeking, now, I sealed 'em up REEL GUDE. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 23 Dec 08 - 10:09 PM I think I finished most of my shopping this evening on the way home from the guitar lesson. I need to wrap a few things before my daughter gets here, around midnight. I need to bake cookies, but the kids can help with that. Let's hope the kitty has found a warm dry hidy-hole under a porch or something. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 24 Dec 08 - 12:08 AM Here's echoing that advice and sentiment about kitties.. I found my Raven kitty 12ft up a 20ft tree yesterday afternoon, trying to catch my tits. They're canny though, they'd already hopped it to a neighbouring bush... it took him 45mns to work out how to get down! No more decluttering but I have managed to buy the rest of the fabric for my patchwork cushion covers so over the holidays that will get sorted and completed, hopefully in time for the New Year! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Charmion Date: 24 Dec 08 - 10:04 AM My house looks like the aftermath of a clutter bomb. Edmund's stuff from Afghanistan is still not entirely stowed and we now have computer boxes all over the study floor, the result of buying a laptop and a printer. There are clothes lying in heaps all over the place -- Edmund came home from Afghanistan as slim and fit as a young subaltern so all his jeans are too big; also, I never seem to find the time to put away all the laundry or go to the dry cleaner. On top of all that is the Christmas clutter -- gifts, packing materials, wrapping. Yikes! No tree this year, because we're not hosting Christmas dinner and we're going away for New Year, but plenty of mess and ruckus without it. I've said it for years, and I'm still convinced what we need is a wife. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: wysiwyg Date: 24 Dec 08 - 11:42 AM Aw Charmion, this is not clutter, it's welcome-home normality-- a lot of freshly-received blessings to trip over. Don't be too hard on yourself-- it will all get put away before long. Enjoy holiday-with-husband, ~Susan |
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Subject: Hear a Lost Cat Calling From: wysiwyg Date: 24 Dec 08 - 11:46 AM Our new basement kitty seemed missing the first 3 days and we were worried-- she'd been totally friendly in the garage where we picked her up. She'd been up in the rafters, is all, watching us to make SURE we were the new Food Providers. Now she's all over Hardi when he steps thru the doorway with unbelievable treats. But I did learn a cool thing for kitteh-finding. If they are stuck and weakened, you can hear them better by using an MP3 recorder with the recording function ON and headphones or earbuds. Acts as a sound amplifier. Turn it all the way up and you may hear a kitteh you hadn't heard. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 24 Dec 08 - 03:50 PM Charmion, sounds like a time when the mess shouldn't matter. Enjoy having Edmund home! I've finished some more baking this morning, fed the kids and my daughter's boyfriend (blueberry buttermilk pancakes), cleaned the kitchen, and now I can finish wrapping and get ready to do the Santa thing once they come in from xmas eve at the ex's house. Santa doesn't fill stockings until the kids have gone to bed. I'll have the evening to putter, and I'll probably list some eBay stuff but delay the start time until tomorrow or later. No point in listing an auction tonight only to have it end on New Year's Eve. Not many shoppers on that party night! I am happy that my little perfume bottle has two bids and the second one hit the reserve price, with four days left for more bidding. It's nice to think that I've put up an item that really is rare and that will bring real pleasure to the high bidder. It's a little work of art that will go to a person who will (one expects) know how to display it. One person's clutter can be someone else's treasure! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 25 Dec 08 - 12:04 AM Just poking in my head before turning off the computer for the night. Still wrapping, and will bake after that. I expect the kids to be another hour or two. Modem arrived in the mail tonight along with a gift, so I'll be able to set up a much faster connection on Friday morning when the cable guy comes and attaches the house to that cable grid. About time! This slow DSL is only a few times faster than Dialup and it hangs all of the time. Took at peek at the eBay listing--there seem to be a number of browsers this evening, I have a couple of more watchers in the last hour or two. Good! I have a stack of last minute donation items over on one side of the living room. I will take those down to the Goodwill this weekend and finish my write up for my annual donations. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 25 Dec 08 - 12:11 AM That's really neat about the bottle, Maggie. Sounds as though you've been having a good day and evening. My car battery died, yesterday, only we weren't sure it was terminal until this morning when it once again wouldn't start. So, yesterday, my dau. took me to the coumadin clinic and the docs where the osteo doc student did wonders on my feet! My brother took me to the store this morning as he was buying most of Christmas dinner and needed me with the list. Got that done and delivered to my dau.'s house because they are doing the cooking. I made pies, cranberries, and swedish tea ring for breakfast tomorrow and I am off t'bed, now. I know Morgan is going to be calling us early to come see what Santa brought! Have fun everyone! OH, so our Christmas present to each other basically is the new battery!:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 25 Dec 08 - 01:45 AM My kids knew (still know, actually) that whatever is in their stocking is theirs to open as soon as they get up. I always would put in some kind of Lego toy for each of them to build. I didn't think to look for one this year--we have all outgrown them, I guess. I'm really turning the computer off this time. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 25 Dec 08 - 05:18 PM Fixing lunch today was much easier because of all of the de-cluttering I've been doing! Easy to set the table, easy to find a good-sized counter to work on without having to clear it off first. Nice! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 Dec 08 - 01:26 PM Alas, when the cable installation guy came through the house I still had plenty of stuff to stumble over and around, but at least the kitchen still looks great. Time to flatten a bunch of boxes in the sun room. They may still get used for eBay stuff, but they don't need to be 3 dimensional while they await use. Cable is fast, but now I need to reconfigure the wireless connection, and cancel the old DSL service. And I need to do income tax donation stuff today, and make another run over to the Goodwill. Anyone else planning to make one last big effort, my hat's off to you. Doing all of this with folks and new gifts under foot is a challenge, but it does feel nice in the evening when you're turning of the lights and can admire the room, not just wince at the thought of the work that awaits tomorrow. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Charmion Date: 26 Dec 08 - 01:32 PM I have just learned that the real post-Afghanistan clutter is still on its way, courtesy of Her Majesty, who knew that Edmund wouldn't be needing his arid-pattern combat clothing in snowbound Ottawa. So that is a nuisance for after New Year. We now have to start planning Edmund's place in Kingston, packing up crockery and books -- kinda like sending him off to university but with money coming in, not going out. That's another thing I won't start thinking about until January. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 Dec 08 - 03:33 PM It's time to clean my office. I was able to take the phone jack that was used for DSL and reassign it to an actual phone, but I don't have a place in that corner to put a phone except on the floor, where the cats will no doubt knock it off the hook. So to make room for the phone I have to work on my bookshelf beside my computer desk. And while I'm at it, I need to figure a way to get this fast signal through the router to my son's computer, so I'll go for a better line of sight between the antennas. So I need to rearrange the office. It's that Chinese tile puzzle all over again, move one tile into the hole so you can put something else in the one that you've opened up. I wonder if I can finish this project over the break and still get anything else finished? SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 26 Dec 08 - 03:51 PM Maggie, we have a wireless router in my office, no line of sight available for Rog's laptop in the kitchen, yet it works quite well. Maybe I am not understanding your set-up? Regardless, good to know you've gone for cable; it IS fast!:-) Our house is always going to look like crap until we get some new flooring put down in the kitchen and dining room and a new window in the living room and a chair or two reupholstered. I've just about given up on anything but "shabby" with a little bit of "chic" and that goes for the yard, too. I am working on visualising more beauty, though. Paid bills this morning and have determined we have to get some stuff up on ebay to see if we can close the gap a bit more this next year. I do have a goal for January. That I get my novel from two years ago put into pdf format for Amazon's printing specs AND that I begin editing the new novel AND that I go through my four drawer file cabinet and straighten things out in it, plus get rid of a bunch! I'll probably repost these goals in the new thread for Jan.:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 Dec 08 - 04:58 PM Our setup has always been a little dodgy; I think it's because I'm fairly close to the hot water heater. I'm looking at getting longer cords and putting the router up much higher, as well as elevating his wireless card, and see if that works. I was reading through the information at the Netgear web site about general positioning of these things. Water and metal objects are a problem. I'm negotiating my Earthlink email now that I've switched to Charter. I could really do myself a favor by dropping a few email addresses. It has been too tempting to try out new accounts here and there, and then I have to keep track of them. I won't be setting up any at Charter. They're just the onramp to that Internet super highway. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 Dec 08 - 09:51 PM My router is the culprit in pages not loading properly. I'll work on resolving that problem over the weekend. Kat, I got out those coins with holes and scanned front and back so you can see what they are. I suspect coins like this were pierced to use on costumes or uniforms or as jewelry. I suspect family members found them and set them aside for the novelty of their age. Side one Side two SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 26 Dec 08 - 10:15 PM Yikes! That's a shame they've been pierced. I've seen some like that amongst out family's old coins. You'd think coins that old, over here, would be worth more, but one source says only about $14-16 for the 1857 dimes, as long as it still has rims on both sides and, I am sure, no holes.:-) There's some interesting pix, etc. HERE. The only coins we have that have had anything done to them is a gold piece my granddad had a pin attached to so my grandma could wear it and I have pennies in which my dad shot dead center holes when showing off his skills at target practice with his "six-shooter." |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 Dec 08 - 11:57 PM I took a shower after I posted that--you know how great ideas can come in the shower?--anyway, I think maybe if I polish a few of those with the silver polish cloth I could make them into elements of necklaces or into earrings. What about a little silver disk and a nice garnet bead on a French wire? :) One of those coins is 1834. Staggering, isn't it? Let me see what I can do. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 27 Dec 08 - 12:17 AM Cleaned up side 1 Cleaned up side 2 They're all really tiny--5/8 inch across, and quite thin. I figure they're damaged enough because of holes in them that polishing isn't going to do any more damage. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maire-aine Date: 27 Dec 08 - 11:21 AM I de-cluttered the house of cookies, by taking them to some of my neighbors. That'll clean up the kitchen and my diet. I plan to leave the tree & decorations up until Epiphany, but that's not clutter. Here in SE Michigan, we're all in a fog. Really. Last week, we had 9 inches of snow (plus another 3" after that) and temps in the single digits. Yesterday we got rain, and the snow started to melt. Today it was 45F when I took the trash out at 6am, and it may reach 60F by the end of the day. All the warm air resting on top of the snow pack, and you've got fog so thick you can't see across the street. I went out and bought my big "Christmas present" to myself-- got a good deal on a printer/scanner/copier. That completes the upgrades to my personal technology. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: GUEST,MAG at work Date: 27 Dec 08 - 12:25 PM The rain today will help declutter the snow, and qalso back up all the drains. Two people at work today have flooded basements. I have saved pill botttles for ever as a potential craft; today I have a CS (Community Service) kid who gets to peel the labels all off so they are out of my house. MAG, whose home computer has locked up. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 27 Dec 08 - 01:37 PM I got inspired this morning, and disgusted, and clean out our silverware drawer and put in a new liner. It hadn't been done, really well, in almost seven years! That felt good and tidy! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 27 Dec 08 - 05:34 PM Decluttered my wallet some more today... ordered the fence panels for the back fence, they'll be delivered in 2 weeks which gives me a little time to declutter the shrubbery and prune the bay tree.. and warn the neighbours! It's been a long while since I did some proper work in the garden... maybe this year I'll have a few more flowers. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 27 Dec 08 - 11:54 PM I had a horrible computer day today. Last night I realized that a proxy server to connect to my workplace wasn't playing nicely with the new cable modem, so I uninstalled it. Big mistake! Everything crashed and burned. I'll have to get a new hard drive to rescue what is on the old one. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 28 Dec 08 - 12:37 AM Oh, no, SRS! Sorry to hear that! Good luck on getting it sorted. I was further inspired and cleaned out the rolling cart in the kitchen and cleaned off the top of it, too. Then I folded down some boxes to go out when Rog took out the trash. Also did three loads of wash, folded some, and swept everywhere but the living room. Morgan came over this evening and we are having a blast with his new drum...he's been imitating the taiko drummers. Now, we are drawing pictures and he is cutting them out, there goes the neatened office!**bg** |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: GUEST,Stilly River Sage Date: 28 Dec 08 - 12:47 AM I seem to have even lost my cookie. :-/ I'm going to have to do what we did with my son's computer a couple of years ago. Put in a new hard drive, larger, and place the original drive in a box or slave position. I'll explore to find the gazillion photos that I don't seem to have backed up. I was sure I had backed it all up this summer, but I'm not finding the files I thought I had. My monitors are screwed up, the fonts look odd, I'm out of sorts. Best to stop while I'm ahead! Research time: I'll either get locally or order the new drive, and I will also get a second external drive, much larger for a full system backup and I'll do incremental backups from now on. Memory is cheap, a day like this is a bitch! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: MAG Date: 28 Dec 08 - 11:23 AM I'm really sick of my 10 year old 'puter which is still on dial up; I think it's time I upgraded; I can't even get any folk shows anymore. What does anybody recommend? Can I get a laptop from a box store 200 miles away and use it at home? What is the best (cheapest) way to get broadband in my home? How easy it it to shift everything into a new machine? Or can I haul the whole thing to a (good) shop and get them to do it for me? |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 28 Dec 08 - 01:17 PM Mag, there are so many choices. You need to know what connection options are available (DSL, cable, phone company via fiber-optics), you can consider how you'll use your computer (what peripherals do you want to attach, like a scanner, backup drive, cameras, etc.) you can consider how much space you have for placing it (laptop versus desk top) and if you'll want to expand (extra hard drives, video cards, tv receiver, etc.). Do you have older software programs that contain data you want to continue to use in that proprietary domain (then don't get VISTA--it doesn't work with old software, but I would tell you not to get VISTA anyway. Stick with XP-Pro). Send a PM with your email and I can line out a few of those things. 10 years old is way too old to do much of anything, let alone trying to keep data secure. That's the really scary part of using such an old machine. The abilities of that hard drive and the restrictions of that OS mean you can't do much of the new stuff with it. New computers are very affordable, but you can buy them on time if you want (Dell does that) or probably even on layaway (I think Sears and K-Mart do that now). Meanwhile, I've done a lot of high-tech housekeeping and will still probably go ahead and get a new hard drive. I've also been consulting with the recipient of olddude's generosity. Alas, he has been down with the flu for a few days so is only now getting caught up on his work around the house. Tomorrow is computer setup day. It should be interesting! I seem to have established a trend here, haven't I? SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Penny S. Date: 28 Dec 08 - 02:42 PM Last week my cousins rang to ask if they could drop next day and i had to do a rapid declutter of my living room and kitchen, and the entrance stairs. This meant a rapid removal of paperwork awaiting dealing with to the spare room, which consequently looks once more like a store room with a bed in it. This morning I spent some time in there and managed to shift a binbag of rubbish and a bag of recycling out of the house, including some boxes in which various gadgets arrived some time back. (This will be when my hard drive and external cd drive crash, and I need the boxes for returning.) It is now possible to walk through the room again. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 28 Dec 08 - 03:21 PM I flatten them and stick them up in the attic, and forget about them. That way, I have boxes going back several generations for devices that are no long in the house. :-/ Computer is weird, but interesting right now. I have to go get a gateway router and run some phone lines. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 28 Dec 08 - 03:28 PM Seems to me you could have a good side job going there, Maggie! "Maggie's Home Connect - she'll get you runnin'!" I forgot to say I also decluttered and rearranged the dishes and glasses cupboards, yesterday! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: LilyFestre Date: 28 Dec 08 - 05:07 PM Yesterday I cleaned out the fridge, COMPLETELY. I took shelves out, drawers out, scrubbed everything and then threw out 80% of what was in there. Just how many jars of pickles does one household need open at one time, anyway? How about hot sauce? Salad dressings? Mustards? Really! SHEESH. I took before and after shots....no wonder I was reaching for whatever was handy for food...the healthy stuff had all been pushed to the back or was a pain in the ass to find. Today I went grocery shopping and my fridge is now stocked with all kinds of good for us foods. THANK GOODNESS! And there is room to spare!!! Then, this afternoon I attacked the upper kitchen cupboards, emptying them out, tossing stuff I no longer use, scrubbing each cupboard and rearranging. Ah yes. Much better. Currently though, I am suffering from a bleach high/dizziness...time for a break!! DH is busy in the bathroom building me a closet with floor to ceiling shelves...I've been wanting this for a long time and can't wait until it's finished! I plan to get rid of the shelf that stands over the toilet and the free standing white chipboard cupboard that was purchased on clearance to make due until the closet was built. That was years ago. It certainly earned it's keep! Tomorrow I'll hit the lower cupboards in the kitchen but they won't take nearly as long as the upper ones did. After that, there are 2 kitchen closets that are going to get emptied out...one being made into a coat closet and the other will be enclosed and hold games, larger appliances that aren't used everyday and whatever else I feel like putting in there. I've been looking forward to this free time to take care of the house and am enjoying myself quite a bit!!! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maire-aine Date: 28 Dec 08 - 07:38 PM I was putting away clean laundry and had to re-org the sock drawer. Then I turned my attention to the underwear drawer-- may never need to buy anything ever again. Counted 28 pair, plus 2 6-packs that I haven't opened yet. It used to be my New Years Day ritual to go to the mall (only football on TV) and buy new undies. Won't need to do that for a few years. Brought up a few bags of old papers from the basement and went thru them. Many of my mother's vacation pictures (of folks I don't know) and menus/receipts/maps & stuff. Some things (maps & guidebooks) will go to the library for their used book sale, and the rest goes to the recycling bag. Good to hear that you're getting reconnected, Maggie. And Michelle, you are a super-star. Congrats. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 28 Dec 08 - 07:49 PM I hit a snag in reinstalling my Adobe suite. It wants to go back exactly where it was before, but right now that place is unreachable. Kat, take a look at my eBay listings, today's sale. Blew me away! Talk about a little decluttering going a long way. (At least it will cover my computer repairs!) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 28 Dec 08 - 08:36 PM Holyeffingcow, Maggie!! Congratulations!! That is terrific!! Makes me wonder about some mini-bottles with perfume intact I have in a small case which my uncle brought back to my mom from Paris in the 60s. I gave one away, stupidly, to a friend who collected miniature perfume bottles, and I don't know if I could bring myself to sell them, but still it would be interesting to get an idea. I am really happy for you.:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 29 Dec 08 - 01:05 AM The thing about that bottle, it is interesting, but it has no context at my house, being the only one. The woman who bought it said she'd never actually seen one, only heard about them. The idea that I can move along something that is so unique, to give it context with someone who has studied and collected these--that is a pretty nice feeling! Think about her pleasure when the box gets there, when she opens it up. It was only made for one issue, Easter of 1940. Almost sixty-nine years ago. It should by most rights be deep in a landfill somewhere. I did take a page from my own book, so to speak, I got out some of the glass that I have kept as a collection and I washed it in all of it's pressed-glass facets and put it on the mantle in front of some polished silver. I found more pieces to put up since I sent the photo. These pieces may or may not be worth the same as that little bottle, but they are more likely to be used and enjoyed. This de-cluttering is a complex process. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 29 Dec 08 - 11:02 AM That is amazing..it being that one time only and the buyer never even seeing one before this. She must be ecstatic. You have a good way of looking at it. So many of my things are so personal...emotional links to my parents, etc. I know there's a lot in storage out back which I can part with...it's something I don't know if I'll get to until Rog is actually able to retire or actually take a real vacation. (He was supposed to take this week off between Christmas and New Years, but of course, some high mucky-muck had to come to town today through tomorrow, so there he is, in the office!) |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 29 Dec 08 - 12:05 PM I have plenty of those things tied directly to my parents. This was a great aunt, one I met, and who was very generous when she died, but who I don't have all of those visual cues with. I met her in my mid-20s, and she told me some of the history of the family, many of whom had lived in that house. Ordering computer parts today, then trying to get a few things done rather than fuss about the lack of computing ability right now. I need to finish the tile floors, dig a garden for next year, de-clutter the living room, list more eBay items, so much to do in this week. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maire-aine Date: 29 Dec 08 - 02:26 PM Took my car in to have the brakes inspected-- all is good, and no repairs needed. Almost all of the snow is gone, for now. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: MAG Date: 29 Dec 08 - 03:56 PM I got my bedroom tidied yesterday, so I could set up the C-PAP machine properly. (It didn't help last night.) In the process I found a lot of 1X clothes I had forgotten about, so that's all to the good. I am putting 2X and 3X clothes on a rack in the den in prep for some kind of yard/house sale when the rest of the house doesn't embarrass me to have strangers see. :) I actually got the spare room tidier than it was so I could put some gardening stuff in there which clutters up the dining room. Found more stuff to throw away. I'm such a packrat; that's the main problem. I'm told I get it from my mother. It used to drive Dad crazy, but he learned not to say anything. I need broadband and a flat screen monitor and it is going to be my belated holiday gift to myself. Kitty hasn't turned up, but at least I did not find her corpse under the snow so there is hope she made it to somewhere. (It has been raining since Friday night, which is melting the several feet of snow.I'm glad right now I do not have a basement.:)) |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 29 Dec 08 - 06:45 PM It sounds like everyone I know is de-cluttering computers, phone service, Internet providers. Oy! We're going out with a whimper, but will have great systems in place for the new year. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 30 Dec 08 - 05:30 AM Pile of packaging waiting to go to the tip... some old DVD's and CDRoms will go with it - everyone wants Wii stuff now so it's practically obselete. Nearly finished another cushion cover, only 2 more to do... but I need more thread so I may have to go to the craft shop again... tragedy! Now I just need to declutter my ass off the sofa and into some trousers for garden scraping. That'll be another bag of crap to the tip. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: freda underhill Date: 30 Dec 08 - 05:39 AM I've had family staying for 6 weeks, they left yesterday. So to assist in decluttering my heart, I've been sorting through old clothes (all bright pink items recycled) and books - Val McDermid, you're off to the second hand bookshop. The clutter I've had next to my computer is going into a wooden box (with a lid) under the computer and out of sight. The large wicker basket in the living area has been moved to my bedroom, and looks beautiful under the window. It leaves more space in a much simpler living area. aaaahhh.. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maeve Date: 30 Dec 08 - 07:54 AM That sounds lovely, Freda; peaceful, which is my goal for our home cleanout. I have to stay off my feet for a little while, so the decluttering has slowed down. I am decluttering cactus spines from my arm while typing this, with a layer of wood glue doing the work as it dries. A surprise gift from a faraway friend included some special teas to sip, so that's my inspiration for printing out unfinished poems to complete before the New Year takes hold. That's the best kind of decluttering in my view! Stilly has me thinking of perfume bottles now. My father once gave me a pretty bottle of red rose perfume he bought in England. The neck was damaged long ago and the remaining perfume leaked out. Wish I could find a replacement complete with contents. I wish you all a joyful New Year and tranquil houses filled with light and air and only true treasures, no cultch. maeve |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: freda underhill Date: 30 Dec 08 - 09:52 AM Thanks Maeve - and may you all have a happy and peaceful, clear and creative space for the New year too! best wishes to all freda 31.12.08 (Sydney) |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 30 Dec 08 - 11:18 AM freda, good to hear from you again. I remember when you pronounced your living room finished several months back. I hope that made this de-clutter easier, because it was already in good shape when family moved out again. maeve, I hope you're well--and does the staying off your feet have something to do with the cactus spines, or are those two separate stories? Liz, think "compost" for some of that garden waste. I need to go round up the latest batch of leaves that have blown into my yard and either dump them on my compost (then water them in so they stay) or run the mower one more time and mulch them into the turf. And I need to keep working on the computer, then also work on redoing some phone lines and put in a new outlet plug in the living room. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maeve Date: 30 Dec 08 - 11:33 AM I'm ok, thanks. There are two stories. At the moment I'm feeling rather frustrated but This Too Shall Pass. The cactus spines were a short-term impediment resolved by peeling off the thick glue I spread over the whole side of my arm and hand. As for my feet, I overdid it during the "fall harvest-raccoon patrolling- putting food by" stage of the veggie garden. So I'm paying for it with plantar fascia pain. Stretching and sensible behavior should take care of it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantar_fascia I don't have time for being sensible! LOL |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: GUEST,MAG at work Date: 30 Dec 08 - 01:50 PM Maeve, the thing that worked best for me with plantar fascia was/is Dr. Scholl's wooden clog shoes. The very old ones are better but the new ones still have that little knob which exercises the bottom of your foot/feet. It's the damndest thing; the missing kitty showed up last night about 9:30 meowing to be let in. She is not noticeably thinner but was ravenously hungry. Inside cat upset all over again, and a sleepless night, but on the whole worth it. She is a sweet cat. Did I mention that the cats found a box of styrofoam peanuts I use in the bottom of large planters, knocked them over, and had a wild time knocking them all over the house? My vac quit Sunday; the place I usually take it to for repairs has gone out of business; I finally found another one which charges twice as much. Strong winds yesterday knocked stuff all over from my patio and carport. 1/1/09 will be a day to pick it all up. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: maeve Date: 30 Dec 08 - 01:56 PM Thanks for the Dr. Scholls recommendation. Alas, I will have to make do with what I have. THE CAT CAME BACK! Sorry for the shout; that's great news. My bantams would clean up all the styrofoam peanuts for you. I have to be sure to keep any styrofoam well out of their reach. They are mad for it! I can't understand it, though I've found other chicken owners who report the same. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 30 Dec 08 - 01:59 PM I've managed to reach my files, but what a mess this computer is! Stuff scattered all over the place, little of it in the registry. :-/ I'm about to get into Microsoft Money Plus and access my last update so I can see how much money I have. I still can't get into all of my email easily, though I made a lovely discovery about Thunderbird. It serves several accounts very tidily! I'm waiting on PayPal and a bank account for the bottle sale (most of us don't have that much floating around in our PayPal accounts, I understand that very well!) but it will help with some bills this year. I'll declutter my bank account later today some also when I get a few wall plates and installation thingies to work on my phone and cable lines. Oh--200. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 30 Dec 08 - 02:00 PM Oops! 202! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: freda underhill Date: 30 Dec 08 - 08:27 PM Maeve, i was wondering about those cactus spines! :-) SRS, you are on the ball. My youngest daughter and her family have gone back to Austria, leaving good vibes and my living room is still cluttered with baby equipment borrowed from my oldest daughter - high chair, pram, collapsable cot, mobile phone, + 2 bags of toys and sheets. So while it's potentially moving towards a zen space of peace and comfort, I need an excavator. However, three piles of books cleared last night!! And yesterday I bought a flexible curve - a flexible "ruler" to help me create the abstract drawings I seem to be moving into. This is what creating a clear space is all about - making room for good things to happen!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 31 Dec 08 - 12:34 AM You go, gyrls!! I love these threads!! Can you believe we've being doing them almost a year, now? SO GLAD the kitty came back!! Whoo-Hoo!!!!!!!! love yew all, kat P.S. Maggie, you going to start the new thread tomorrow? And, maybe the accountability, one, too, if they don't fix our cable by tomorrow night? It has been dodgy all day and evening. They say they are coming out tomorrow and have identified a problem, somewhere on our street, apparently! Thanks! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 31 Dec 08 - 02:17 AM I'm ready to place my computer peripherals order after lots of comparisons, and I'll do some email and Mudcat tomorrow, but I'll also do some wiring in the attic. My holiday has been largely spent bailing out this blankety-blank computer! I can start an accountability thread, but I'm a lapsed participant. I put some of the remaining holiday cookies in the freezer this evening and still have a couple of tins to freeze soon or give away. That is very good news that the cat came back. My younger cat has not been well, probably a pancreatitis thing (she got into some greasy chicken bones in the trash and I think that set this off). We're nursing her along, but extreme measures aren't possible and would probably only make us feel better, not her, if she was deathly sick. Sounds like your little kitty did just fine wherever she ended up! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: LilyFestre Date: 31 Dec 08 - 03:49 AM My plan for the day is to finish cleaning out the kitchen and all closests in the kitchen....LOOKOUT dust bunnies...it's wabbit season............ Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Liz the Squeak Date: 31 Dec 08 - 04:18 AM No composting facilities - I already have a spare bag of horse poop and the stuff that needs to be removed is far too woody and thick. I cut down some ivy in the summer and it's lain there ever since, not even starting to break down, so it's going. Eventually. I could be out there doing some now... but it's flippin' freezing! Besides, the amount of cats I have using my garden as a bathroom, most of my topsoil is beyond redemption. Anything I scrape into a compost bin would be at least a third cat poop. The ivies are brown and scabby to a height of about 2ft - or about level with a tom cat's arse - but otherwise they're doing their job of covering the fence. It was planted with church flower arrangements in mind - as was most of my garden as greenery is the hardest thing to get hold of and the thing needed most. Trouble is, after a haitus at church, I've not been going so much and we've lost our florist to another parish. Consequently, the regular trimming and annual Christmas cull of the evergreens didn't happen for about 5 years. It's all got a bit out of hand, so de-cluttering the garden is way overdue. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: GUEST,MAG at work Date: 31 Dec 08 - 01:02 PM My inside kitty is really pissed off; this morning he took a dump in the bathtub. Admittedly the 2 catboxes dirty quickly right now. I'll be happy when everybody goes outside again, but only in good weather :). I'm feeling a lot better physically these days, in spite of no sleep, so the house is slowly righting. Pretty soon I'll be able to have someone in to help me with setting up a new computer :). My boss from hell is treating me a little better right now, because she needs me desperately. I got a ticket to a Tom Paxton concert in Portland 1/18/09, so that is something to look forward to. Also Singtime Frolics with Portland F M S in March which is always a tremendous life. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 31 Dec 08 - 01:17 PM I have a bin I use for kitchen veggie trimmings, and it is full, so I'm going to get a second. It hasn't broken down enough to put in the regular compost (and be uninteresting to the dogs and rats and such). I have been experimenting, this bin is about 20 gallons. It took me a couple of months to fill it (it has been breaking down, compressing itself over time). Now it needs to sit and finish the job, while I fill another. The bird feeder is out and a little stubby-tailed squirrel has been trying to raid it already. My computer is still a mess, it keeps updating stuff and then resetting things I'm working on. When the new drive arrives (probably Friday) I'll start all of this over again. From scratch. Ugg. The payment came through from eBay and I used PayPal to order my new computer stuff. Very nice, being able to do that. Today I'm going to run a hose over to the new vegetable garden location and soak the sod so I can start digging the area. This is the best time to get started, so I can put down soil and soil amendments and compost and let it all work together for a while before I start planting in a couple of months. This morning I've been emptying trash and washing sinks and toilets as I go through rooms, kind of setting the scene for a tidy new year. I'll do another load of laundry (still have to call the plumber to roto-root the sewer line, so I'll monitor the cycles and open the lid to let the water drain out slowly). The holiday decorations are coming down and being packed away, and I need to work on that hall closet some more, because I'm going to locate my router in there, along with my revamped phone line. MAG, I got your email, I just haven't had a chance to sit down and ask the questions to help you with your computer upgrade. But take a little time and look around where you have your computer now. Is that where you want to keep using it? Is there someplace you'd prefer to work? How is the space there, how are the plugs (do you have enough for all of the equipment you'd like to run on the computer?) Maybe later today I'll get to that. It's a gorgeous day, I've spent too many gorgeous days this week indoors, so I'm going outside. And I'm also going to mechanically fasten the gate from the dog's pen into the garage because the catahoula has decided she likes getting through it and into the truck area (I had it blocked with a couple of garden tools but she has figured that out and now pushes the gate open just to prove she can.) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 31 Dec 08 - 02:47 PM I have internet for a few minutes at least, so will post! My Rog is home today and has done a major decluttering of his office area in the kitchen! He surprised me doing it while MOrgan and I were at the store. Now, Morgan is vacuuming! (He loves to do it!) I did dishes this morning and Rog swept. In a minute I am going to go take down Christmas stuff and we will put the tree outside. IT is still very fresh with no needles falling off. My new phone is supposed to be delivered today and the cable company called once to tell us they were working on things. Maggie, thanks, if I can get on I will do the accountability thread. You gals and guys are a great bunch of friends! Happy new Year, luvyakat |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 31 Dec 08 - 02:52 PM I've been planning activities today that will put me in good standing for that list if I need to temporarily step in. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: katlaughing Date: 31 Dec 08 - 08:16 PM Whoo-Hoo! We are back, I think! So far, it's working and the guy even came to the house and did some stuff outside with my Rog, the Broadcast Engineer, watching over his shoulder.:-)I think I'll be okay for the accountability thread, Maggie, but if you have thought up a clever list or whatever to start it, please feel free. I assume you will start the new de Clutterina thread? (That's my new name, like it?)**BG** Morgan came over with his new floor puzzle of the solar system. He took a look at my floor and said he thought he should vacuum it for me before we did his puzzle! Kid did a great job. I kept telling him he could quit we'd done enough (also put away Christmas stuff) but he said he "wanted to do something nice for you guys." He is a doll! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember From: Stilly River Sage Date: 31 Dec 08 - 10:22 PM Loan me Morgan, will you? I'll have him work with my son. :) Off to start a new thread. Here it is. SRS |
