BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 10:24 AM

Here's the next thread.

Onward!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 12:11 AM

AND you got the palindrome :)

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 10 - 11:45 PM

Ohmygosh! I forgot where I was. I saw Eiseley in there and went into MOAB mode. Sorry, forget the remark about MOM MOAB (Mother Of All BS).

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 10 - 11:41 PM

Couldn't we all!

The salmon was excellent, but was only a little over a pound for the three of us. I bought it for dinner yesterday with 2 in mind. I know, some people don't eat that much in a week, but we're spoiled. Anyway, I found an extra little New York strip steak in the freezer and put that on the grill also. My son really liked this salmon, so since it was kind of a celebratory dinner also I let him have a big chunk of my fish and I ate the steak. I'll go get more salmon tomorrow--it was excellent, some Columbia River salmon at 1/3 to 1/2 have the price of the Alaska fish and it's the same blankety blank varieties. :) It's all in a name: Copper River or Columbia River. Roll On Columbia, and give me some good fish. If it was good enough for Lewis and Clark (well, it wasn't really, because they preferred to buy Indian dogs and eat them) it's good enough for us!

The corn was great, that Olathe variety (or a good knockoff) and the Italian bread was warm and melted butter quickly. Watermelon to top it off. Mmmmm!

MOM, no one wants to play spin the bottle. Here, let me put that in the recycle bin. That German beer was good with the fish and corn, wasn't it?

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 31 May 10 - 09:42 PM

Your dinner sounds delicious, SRS. What a lot of work, Kat! Your sunny and warm walk sounds nice, Maryanne.

I weeded about a fourth of the flower bed, dug up big chunks of grass that are trying to encroach into the xeriscape garden (they'll just die because I don't water there, and then they'll look ugly), and organized the boys as they tidied up the rest of the yard and took some old cardboard to the recycling bin for me. I finished my final storytelling performance and posted it to the class website. It is only four minutes long, but oh how I've sweated over it!

Now it's clouded over and may rain---and water all the nice brown soil my weeding has exposed. I could really use some more days off to finish what I've started.

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 10 - 06:10 PM

Oh, what the heck.

300.

Kat, sounds like you got a lot done today. And Maryanne, sounds like a nice walk. I thought you were going to say your new shoes gave you blisters, but I'm glad that wasn't the case!

New thread tomorrow.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 10 - 06:08 PM

I just got back in from Home Depot and the grocery store. My bags of dirt, humus, and mulch are in the pickup, parked next to where they will be used. Getting the bags was the usual hassle, though. I do my own work, this is how I get some weight-bearing exercise. I had finished loading the 10 bags of top soil and 4 bags of humus when a Home Depot guy, on the phone tucked between his ear and shoulder so he didn't say anything, started to drop more bags on my dolly. I told him no, I was finished.

Out in the parking lot I actually was so startled by a guy walking up behind me, pulling on his gloves in preparation for unloading my cart that I thumped it into the back panel of the truck. "No no no! Ask first! I don't need help!" Geez. Okay, this is 14 40lb bags (the mulch is light). Yes, it is work, but why shouldn't I do it? All they need to do is ask.

I picked up a watermelon this evening, and after finally clearing stuff in the fridge, found a place to put it. So now I've cooled down a bit, and will go out for a while longer after I set up the bread machine to make a loaf of Italian bread. While I'm out working it will finish and rise, then I'll put it on it's own pan (I don't bake bread in the bread machine) and bake it just in time for dinner. I have a kind of odd mix of stuff, but it will look pretty on the table.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 31 May 10 - 04:35 PM

I walked in a nearby Memorial Day parade, a little less that 2 miles. The new shoes worked out well; my knee still feels okay. The weather was sunny and warm, so lots of folks along the route.

A big thunderstorm rolled through about mid-afternoon, but it passed off to the east fairly quickly. Now it's getting humid again.

I'm just reading this afternoon. No decluttering today.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 May 10 - 04:14 PM

With reluctant help from my Rog (he's really tired...not one day off this weekend...had to go in to fix a broken camera this morning) and Colin who both seem to think they need a day off(??):-) I have rearranged the living room. Moved the bakers rack cum bookshelf full of Morgan's books and treasures back to the office where it will be easier to get to. I also went through the books, easier to do without him here, and put about a half of a shelf's worth in a giveaway box, already put in the car. Colin took a wooden table top book rack which either his dad or my second ex-spouse made in high school shop. It's really well made but nothing fancy.

Also moved out a card table which filled a corner with Morgan's easel, paints, and lots of junk clutter. His small table now holds the "important" things on a different wall; the rest is gone. The mini-trampoline went out, too. I know he will miss it, but he won't be here much this summer except on the weekends, at least that is what I've been told, so no need to have it taking up so much room. (He's been gone since Friday. They were supposed to be back yesterday, so I was going to have him help. Poor kid has had a virus since Saturday, so they aren't getting back until later tonight. Don't know what they will do with him tomorrow for first day at camp. When I called, he was asleep.)

In the now empty corner, I put a small narrow table which holds a small music keyboard which he loves to play, plus a stool my granddad made which is just right as a "piano" stool. I am getting our larger keyboard back soon from my brother, so needed more space for the keyboard. That's going to be a surprise for Morgan. He started picking out, and remembering, his own tunes on the little one then said, "Mama, let's go get me a piano!" I could have my brother's, but we'd much rather have an electronic one for all we can do with one re' my brother's music, etc. Now, there is also room for the taiko drum on a small chair beside the music keyboard. I will be getting a coat rack to mount on the wall and will then hang the dulcimers, ukulele, baritone uke, and parlour banjo and maybe the plucked psaltery on it so we will have a music corner.

I also mopped up some cat "womit" and mopped the bathroom, though not a very good job as I was getting a bit tired. Still have more to do, but it's a good start and got me a lot of activity points!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 10 - 04:13 PM

There is a spot at the back of my yard that sometimes has deep holes the dogs dug, and other times, is level. They dig back there and end up filling old holes by kicking the contents of a new hole into it. Right now there are about three of what you call "hobby" holes. And they do love to dig. Sometimes when I'm out working they can't resist and help me.

I mowed about 2/3 of the back then stopped and took a blanket off the line so it won't get full of grass and dust. And took time to cool off, eat lunch, and put on an eBay listing. Now I'm headed back outside again. I have to do some shopping first, pick up some of that bagged top soil.

Salmon for dinner. Mmmmmm! It is a holiday, though for me, it's just like an extra Sunday in the weekend.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 31 May 10 - 03:45 PM

I still have a full-on cold, and couldn't stand the thought of staying in and doing what I SHOULD be doing...so I went for a wander round York. (I am now kitted out for the music festival I am going to on Friday, and have bought useful mini casseroles in Lakeland, which may prove useful. I have a load of baking to do in the 2 days I am at home the following week, so I bought some baking pan liners too - and other stuff!)

So, tomorrow I have some paperwork to attend to, and a kitchen to blitz, before I get stuck into the rest of the house, but before all that, I am going to deposit a car full of stuff to the charity shop. At some point I have to sort out the camping gear too, and also get a doctor's appointment for a BP check and medication review, or I won't get any more! The pond pump's gobbed up with algae yet again, so I'll have to do that too.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 31 May 10 - 11:54 AM

We decluttered Dog World today with some much-needed refinements. It only looks a tad less crappy from the road, but I don't care, because we so drastically improved functionality by swapping some ag panels around and making the end of one a small gate for me.

Now Hardi can mow in there anytime, I can go in either section anytime, and the dogs can visit in a poopfree zone anytime. Plus KatyKat (no-road-no-road!) can have a dog-free escape-proof zone for the day when she has had enough of the Upstairs Patrol zone. SamCat will go in there herself I am sure-- prolly always did. I think she hunts there. The rodentia living under the addition, I hope.

Also I had the chance to inspect the digging Sadie has done, and confirm that none of them are escape-attempts but just "hobby digs," and if that floats her boat, there is plenty of space for it. There is a lot more grass growing in, where they ran the grass off the damp spring ground, than I expected. No doubt this has been aided by the lack of mowing-- a couple of mows a summer is plenty. It's not really lawn grass-- it's pasture grass anyway.

The improvements make an additional settin' area as well, for folks what loves doggehs. It presently has one chair (mine). I'll have to FC in a few more plastic ones not affected by sun or cold. I guezz sum folkz haz thay ownz settin' chairz in thay carz anyhow.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 10 - 11:31 AM

I have a few photos I've clipped from magazines. If I ever get all of the right items into a single room, I can create an interesting look. But there is stuff on top of those interesting items right now.

Hot again to day, but it is my bonus day in the weekend so I'm enjoying clearing up around here. With the new television coming late in the week I'll be clearing out at least one of the other televisions in the house, and re-arranging the equipment in the living room. I should start on that today (dusting back there, at least!)

Listening to repeat broadcasts on NPR. Diane Rehm is replaying the interview with "Hotch," a friend of Paul Newman's who just wrote a book. Great stories! Paul Newman's salad dressing and other products have given away $300 million to charity.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 May 10 - 11:01 AM

I've got other things, such as handmade wooden toys my maternal grandfather made for me, which I think may head the line-up over the dolls.:-) But, still a neat image thinking that far ahead to what may be. Thanks, my friends.

Found the following from Energy Boosters:

9. To find the juice to de-clutter your surroundings: Picture a tidy space

Clutter is a great big drag on your energy -- and not just because of all the stuff taking up space. "So much of what ends up as clutter are tasks that we haven't finished or obligations we haven't been able to meet," says professional organizer Emily Wilska, founder of San Francisco--based The Organized Life. "Who wants to be in a space where there are constant reminders of things you should be doing or aspiring to?"

Wilska suggests mind-mapping to get motivated: Clip pictures from magazines and write down snippets or words that describe your goal -- "I want an organized living room so I can invite my girlfriends over for our book club." Then post them on the fridge, the bathroom mirror, or on your computer desktop as a reminder of where you're headed.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 10 - 12:36 AM

Good suggestion about Morgan. Perhaps that doll would be displayed as one of Grandma's favorite toys when he has children.

I did some of my shopping today, didn't finish it. When I got to the thrift store it was fairly empty and easy to shop, so I spent more time. For $11 and change I brought home a nice pair of dark brown Gloria Vanderbilt slacks, a "skort" as the shorts I was looking for, and a beautiful blousy red blouse for work or dressy occasions (like the meetings I have to go to at work in the evening).

I will admit that the dressing room mirror sent me into as big a depressed tailspin as any of them ever have. I'm sure we all know the feeling. Somehow our mirrors at home don't tell quite the same story, in so stark a manner.

My hands are still quite rough, but I used the pumice after a shower this evening, and they are in the healing stage. I did work on the yard some today, and wasn't wearing gloves, but I wasn't working full-speed for a long time, just sprinkling corn gluten meal over the plants then setting up the sprinkler to kind of soak it in. (It's good as a fertilizer and also helps fight off some of the fungal diseases that hit plants). I pulled up my yellow squash that wasn't doing well and had a worm that had crawled through the stem and was devouring the fruit. So much for the BT injection. I don't know what I'm going to have to do to grow squash around here.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 May 10 - 12:28 AM

May be, Marigold. Hadn't thought of that.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 30 May 10 - 10:53 PM

Miss Kitty,
When Morgan finds a mate, she will be a worthy recipient of your doll.
Tuck her away a while longer.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 30 May 10 - 07:28 PM

I'm impressed by everyone's diligence!

Mine is a much lesser list: I finished my story for my intensive class, made cookies for three neighbors (now I'm going to go deliver them) and kept things in relative order. When I return from the neighbors', maybe a nap or some knitting will happen. It finally started to sun here, after more than a week of rain!

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 May 10 - 06:52 PM

I had two goals for today: clean out and scrub the frig and sweep and mop the bathroom. Our frig is huge and it was filthy; spilled stuff, crumbs, leftovers which became science experiments. I mean really bad. So, I tackled it after breakfast. Did the top three shelves and all of the inside door shelves plus the outside of the door and non-functioning ice-maker. (We never have used it, no water line to it and don't really want it, anyway.) Rog had to go out to solve a problem at work, so the bottom shelf awaited his return.

In the meantime, I did two loads of laundry and our son did another biggie for us. We have a southern window in the living room, the bottom half of which has been taken up by a huge, ugly, rusted out swamp cooler. We quit using it a few years ago, but it was put in with so much old, stuck forever caulking and screws and side-boards, we just hadn't tackled taking it out. Colin takes them out and puts in new ones for a living, so this morning, he got out a special saw, cut the metal shaft which sat through the window, and, eventually, pulled the whole unit out, while I took the front part off through the inside of the now half-open window. He then chipped away all of the old caulking and a bunch of paint when the previous owners painted all of the windows shut AND got the bottom half of the window down! Whoo-Hoo! It really lets in much more light and changes the whole character of the room. I've even had to rearrange the chairs a bit so Rog won't "recline" through the window.:-)

Colin also finished moving the ornamental grasses we'd put on the north side. They are all three now on the south side, near the grapevine and already look happier. He will be leaving for the at least the summer, sometime this coming week, so he's trying to get more done for us before he goes.

I also started going through one of the bins we brought in from storage. I've earmarked a few things for charity giveaway and a couple of silk scarves to a friend. I have no granddaughters so I am trying to decide what to do with my Tammy doll. She was a less expensive doll which my parents could afford, rather than Barbie. I have a case for her and several complete outfits which my sisters made for her for Christmas one year. I was thrilled. I don't think I can sell her, maybe just send her to my daughter back East or find some little girl who would appreciate her or a friend who collects them. In looking at ebay I guess the other little doll I have with her may be her "sister."

Hope to actually clean house tomorrow, including getting to that bathroom floor.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 May 10 - 06:13 PM

The roof was falling off our scenic (FC) wishing well, so the two of us puttered it back on before it went totally. Then we adjourned to one of the new sitting areas to contemplate getting the camper off its blocks and open for the summer (for far-but-on-property campouts). It was sitting right in front of the shady seating area. I think it could be a great place from which to host congenial friends who find the house too, ugh... full of pet allergens.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 May 10 - 05:17 PM

Alas, my electric hot water heater is on the same circuit with other things. But I'm looking at the possibility of putting in one of those on-demand tanks. We were at a friend's home a while back and the water was initially too hot for the shower, you had to add a lot of cold to make it right. I told her she'd save money if she turned down the temperature on her hot water tank. Turns out it's just one of those on demand units. If she could make enough hot water for my son when he took his shower (and I told him not to leave the water running all of the time. Soap up with the water off, etc.) then it would work here. A friend of mine recommended one before, and had the specs on how they work, so I'll run it past him.

Laundry is out, but it looks like this was just the thing to attract rain, so I'm going to take it back down, then run some errands. Cards are all addressed and ready to post. I was sidetracked for a little while with a document that had to be completed and faxed to son's school, but that is now out of the way and I think we're well on our way to being set for fall classes.

Oh, I think I found the couple of things I was looking for in my on-again-off-again mailing stuff to de-clutterers program. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 30 May 10 - 04:10 PM

I did a load of laundry today and quite a bit of container gardening. In fact, I am out of pots! ARG. Pete helped with filling the pots and lugged most of them around which was a HUGE help and I love the time we spent together actually doing it!

We have decided that we love it out on the front porch so much that we are going to invest in a portable fire pit. It will be great for sitting out on summer evenings where there is a slight breeze and my head is cold (which means I ususally go inside and that ends the porch time). The fire pit won't be on the porch (although I know people use it on their decks all the time) but rather in the yard with a couple of Adadondack chairs and a small table in between the chairs. We have the foot stools too. Aaaaaaaaah. We'll be picking up a few more pots as well. Both the fire pit and pots are kind of a luxury splurge for us as the medical bills continue to float in. We are looking for ways to save cash too. And SRS....we have an older hot water tank and have found that just turning it off at the breaker box when we don't need it keeps that little electrical wheel from spinning out of control...saves us BIG on the electric bill. I keep the curtains pulled too from about 10am until 3pm in rooms I'm not in...it helps keep the house cool. AC goes on half an hour before bedtime and lately, I get up during the night and turn it off as my head is cold.

Ok...so I'm off with my honey to get a fire pit....I'm excited!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 30 May 10 - 01:42 PM

It's 83F (28C) here, but I haven't turned the air-cond on yet; just using a fan in the livingroom, and keeping the drapes closed to keep out the hot sun. I cut the front grass this morning, and that's all I'm going to do outside today. I need to run to the store and buy another soaker hose for the other side of the house. We've been so dry all week, and not much rain in the forecast for next week either.

I've noticed that I wake up in the morning with a "trigger finger" that catches when I open and close my left hand. It usually goes away after a while, but I think it's getting worse. And on top of that, I banged the tips of my fingers (including that one) this afternoon, so my whole hand aches. Not good for a guitar player.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 May 10 - 12:16 PM

We need to funnel a little of this North Texas heat your way, Andrea. I'm headed over to the thrift store this morning when I make a run for bagged topsoil. I'll look for another pair of shorts I can wear out in the garden. One pair isn't enough (I went to sleep last night and forgot to put the laundry in). No point in buying a new pair for the kind of treatment they'll get out in the yard.

This morning it's lovely for working outside but I'm finishing those cards to drop in the mail first. Same run as for top soil and shorts. Gas may cost less than it did a summer or two ago, but still I try to not make multiple trips when one will do.

Paycheck was deposited overnight. That seems nice, to make bill paying easier, but in reality, it makes June seem longer until the next paycheck comes. More frugal times ahead. I am looking at ways to automate frugal practices. Right now I have a standard thermostat on each heat pump in the house, but if I put on programmable ones, then I can reduce a lot of the time the air conditioners run in the summer. They would pay for themselves in a summer. A regular thermostat won't work, it has to have the extra stage. But I see there are several to choose from on specialty web sites.

Back to the letters, then on with the day.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 30 May 10 - 08:35 AM

Just got back from the boot fair. Am still full of cold. We had 2 sharp showers, and then although the sun got out some of the time, the wind got up too. I have a scuff down the side of the car from where Ian's skis slid down. Luckily, it's one among an increasing number! Shifted the chair, but not the large Polish picture (which I hate). A lot of interest. One Latvian woman really liked it, but not the fact that it was Polish! (Memories are long in that part of the world!) All left-overs are going on Tuesday to the Sue Ryder (Cheshire Homes) shop in Knottingley, which has car parking outside, so I can manhandle boxes in. Anyway, I took about £75, which is not to be sniffed at. I think if I had been able to do York Racecourse yesterday I might have done better as there would have been a lot more stalls, and many others with similar articles on. For this reason, you get a more likely buyer around there.

I am about to go light my fire again because although it's 17C in the sun, it's a cold wind, and I am chilled through!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 May 10 - 10:03 PM

The only extra piece of fabric on me today was my bandanna that I I place over my hair, then pull my ballcap over the top to hold it in place. Great way to keep the sun off of my neck.

I worked outside a lot today, and now that I'm in, I'll shower and toss all of these grimy gardening clothes into the washer. I didn't go anywhere or spend any money. Good!

A load of laundry was brought in from the line, but these will go through with the towels later because these are my favorite gardening shorts and I may use them again tomorrow.

Today I wrote the letter to tuck in with my son's graduation announcement, and I'll work on those this evening, and if I finish (there aren't a lot to send) then I'll do some eBay listings. I have several things ready to go.

Gardening isn't easy on hands, so I can't say if the altered diet has made a difference in a couple of days, but when I get in the shower I will use the pumice stone on some of the callouses. That sometimes helps prevent the cracking.

SRS

Subject: Tip: Liners, Hygiene
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 May 10 - 04:19 PM

Speaking of heat---

More info available by PM. But if the following does not apply to you, kindly ignore it.

~S~

===

Years ago women did not use the same types of undergarments that are now considered *de rigeur.* Whatever they did use was called *unmentionables.* Thus we lack detail on how the heck women of old times stayed fresh under trying circumstances.

You can catch a hot clue from the large cotton square found in most oldschool first aid boxes. Doubled into a triangle, it's a sling. Any Girl Scout or Boy Scout knows a lot of other nifty tricks.

Here is one that has been my comfort.

The fabric I use is old, used cotton. Soft from washing, not too stiff or tightly woven, but also not too loosely woven. Not gauzy.

Rip up old sheets (COTTON) to make squares the size it takes your bra to go around the front half of you. I do not hem-- more layers to trap moisture I'd rather wicks away. (Smallish bits left over-- snotrags.)

One of these, folded into fourths to make a narrower band, goes under large boobs on a hot, sticky day to wick away moisture; powder feels and smells nice at first, but really just holds moisture in place. (The resulting infections-- yeast and bacterial-- can be really hard to get rid of in hot weather.) The bra goes on over top; the liner will keep that layer dry. Tug the liner up into the same curve your body creates under each breast, for a resulting W shape to the fabric.

Another liner, folded in half, can go any other place that gets sweaty and sticky-- such as loose skin left over from weight loss. Over that one goes whatever else you usually wear, but the liner will keep that layer dry.

I carry one or two of these liners in my purse, and more in my travel bag. On some really long days I might throw one away at a public loo, because they get nasty, and then I boogie on re-freshened. On a really hot day around the house while I do chores, I will go through several sets in a day, plus re-folding often to put a fresh dry spot where it is needed.

I launder these with no soap, because the last thing one needs in any of these places is soap or perfume residue.

Mine are color-coded. :~) I sleep in so many places in our rambling ole house I have to keep my stashes straight.

Goodwill/Sallies are good sources. But check fiber content and texture Gauzy textures can abrade the skin when damp, making it all worse than when one started.

When we camp, these are hand-rinsed. They dry quick on a breezy day for re-use.

===

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 29 May 10 - 02:35 PM

Hot? I wish! I have the log burner fired up again.
(At least it's stopped raining).

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 May 10 - 02:06 PM

It's hot out there! Came in to cool down for a while. Weeding & mulching so far. The hay in the dog's stall is going into the garden, and I'll put new hay in for them, though they don't need much this time of year, with it being so hot.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 May 10 - 11:23 AM

Since this is the time of the month when one is coasting on fumes around here, and there is a lot of work to be done indoors and out, I need to identify all of the projects for which materials have already been purchased, or for which none are needed. I think primarily today will be about sunscreen, a wide hat and bandana down the neck, and the wheelbarrow. I can afford to fill the gas can for mowing, but I might as well finish cutting those down branches before I try mowing again. And the neighbor's chain saw should be handy this weekend.

I spoke to a friend who has the same television I just bought, this one is well-rated in Consumer Reports, and I've been keeping my eyes open for an opportunity to pick one up. And I will get rid of at least one set that is already in the house. It's helpful to purchase on time without interest. I'm tired of putting big purchases on the credit card (though I do have one card I use for just that purpose - single large things like work on the truck, that I then pay off over a few months. I find it keeps me from putting of necessary work for too long if I don't have all of the cash upfront.)

This morning when I got up it just felt like a productive weekend. I picked up all of the towels, mats, clothes, things on chairs that are too warm for now, and a couple of the comforters that live on chairs or the couch. They'll all get washed, line dried, and put away.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 May 10 - 09:55 AM

We made the fire ring ydy with cinders-- thereby decluttering two porches' cinder broken plastic bins. We promptly enjoyed it (not waiting for dark) by decluttering and deconstructing the last of a pile of shipping pallets we'd acquired some years ago. The other pallets are in use; this one was too busted for use, so we had us a fahr in the descending twilight.

I was in a different chair and footrest and I'm sore now, but may have found a good portable vacay approach. The next task in that part of the yard is trimming up the edging of an old (FC) patio-table umbrella whose rickrack has gone horribly wrong. With that off it should look merely "old".

Ydy also included declut of an oddly-cut piece of carpet out of the sleeping attic, where it was to be laid. It's too crowded up there to roll it out to cut/lay it, so down it came (out of winter storage) to the front porch. Since we also took most of the iron porch furniture (with the cinder bin) outta there, there is now room to open and cut that rug and haul it back up to its desired attic location.


I declutted a pile of cardboard last week that also had been front-porch-clut, which allowed a moldy section of stone floor that had been under it to dry pre-rug-arrival. I do not know yet what that porch's purpose is going to be, but it is not joint-friendly. It may become seasonal storage-- the hedges are tall enough now to mask whatever I might put there, and if I had a set of 2x4's to keep stuff off the stone floor it would all stay quite dry. Too bad we do not use firewood in the house.

There is more than enough lumber down in the ancient, unused corn crib to do at least one summer's worth of campfires. Clean-burning stuff. The upper part of the structure is intact enough that it has formed a natural trellis-- but the lower courses are crap that are an ugly eyesore.


An "area" parish has made a decision about calling a new priest, which has decluttered and restructured some of our joint and individual commitments. Last week we delivered some feeding buckets to a needy FCer in that area, one pretty evening. We met the recipient's miniature horses and then enjoyed the lookback, as we drove back home thru that area, at what we had been able to contribute to the parochial transition (both openly and quietly). It has been both a long and short year, since our colleague's death... They are in good shape to move ahead with a new leader; we each look forward to the natural shrink-back of those boundaries now that the transition has moved to where it is now. We get to keep the new friendships made, minus the work-chat-- tho Hardi will always be a Canon they will look to as needed.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 May 10 - 02:08 AM

I added a post earlier this evening from the laptop, but clearly it didn't post. I wish Max's system wasn't decluttering our words quite so thoroughly.

Errands finished, announcement cards picked up. Laundry all over the living room is now folded and put away. I took a plastic trash bag into my son's room and picked up the trimmings from his scrap book so I could walk through his room to his closet without slipping on all of that paper.

Today I bought a new television. I've been looking around for a while, and on a search today landed on Dell. I'd forgotten about them, but they have an almost identical set to what Sam's club carries (but Sam's is sold out both online and in the store). Dell will ship free, so the difference is probably a wash. And I can pay it off during the year with no interest since I've had an account with them for several years (we bought Art Thieme's most recent computer through Dell. If I take longer than 12 months then interest adds on. Dell may not be the highest end, but they get the job done!)

This way I'll go ahead and move out at least one of these old bulky cathode ray tubes that are here now. I don't think I'd get anything at a garage sale, unless I sell the converter box as well. And I could do that. But I may just donate one or two of them. They're new enough that they might be attractive to owners of games like the Wii or PlayStation. A dedicated tv for gaming (my son has that setup in his room. Oy. I forgot about that TV. It's huge--the next door neighbor gave it to us when her mother died. She didn't want to leave it behind at the nursing home. I guess it'll stay in his room at least for the summer.)

Kat, I understand about the sandwiches. I will be cutting down the amount of meat we eat here during the summer. I think we eat too much, and cost-wise and balanced diet-wise, I think we'd be better off with more veggies. I need to set a good example for my son. Often now if I cook up pork sirloin chops I serve them with rice, and eat it like Chinese food, a little meat with the fork-full of rice. It's very good that way.

Have you ever eaten at Schlotsky's? (Spelling something like that). They have a unique kind of bread in their sandwiches. Anyway, they have a pesto pizza with basil, garlic, chicken and cheese. But you could easily make something like that with everything but the cheese. And you could make the bread whole wheat or spelt. There are healthy ways to eat out there, but you do have to look for them.

I found fresh corn at the grocery today. It MUST be summer!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 29 May 10 - 01:24 AM

It's 6am and a light drizzle is falling. I am staying in bed for now! There is another big market tomorrow towards Hull, which is supposed to be good. my daughter may be able to come and help me.

Added another item to the pile...I think it's some sort of hand spinning wheel, loosely like the "chakra" type. It's a late Victorian home-build made from bought, or lathe-worked components, with smoothed down branches for legs. My mum got it in the 1970s, and my kids used to love turning the handle when they were little. Nobody really knew what it was! It's just been gathering dust in a corner, so out it goes!

I also have a sore throat, and cold in the early stages, so standing in a field in the damp is probably not a good idea today.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 May 10 - 12:37 AM

I have tuna maybe 2-3 times per month; peanut butter maybe once a month. I sometimes will add tofu to whatever, but I really have to keep the protein low, anyway. I tend to get most of my protein from almond milk, Ezekiel bread, cereals like Shredded Wheat or Grape-nuts (no sugar, no salt:-), a small amount of shredded cheese for meatless tacos. There is a little bit of protein in almost everything, even corn tortilla shells with no fat, so it adds up more quickly that one might think.

Your Maymester sounds intense.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 28 May 10 - 11:38 PM

Good luck, Stilly, with your hands. I have had stress-related eczema on my wrist for a couple of years. It goes away, then flares up. I wish the stress would disappear, but that's too much to ask. Yes, I am taking a Maymester class! I really like it, but oh, the work it involves! My old boss was very supportive and urged me to take the time I needed to study. But now I have to be much more circumspect.

What kinds of protein do you eat, Kat?

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 May 10 - 10:22 PM

Thanks, SRS, but I've never been a fan of subs and don't eat meat except for some fish now and then and once in awhile chicken. I don't eat much bread of any kind.

I started scanning in baby photos of my brother and oldest sister, today. They are both in an old leather album with the black pages, all black and white photos. When I am done, I will send it to whichever of them wants it, probably my sister, though she doesn't know it, yet. (Hi, Betty! In case she's reading this!:-) It's a project I've been meaning to get to, just had to find the time.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 May 10 - 03:22 PM

Kat, those sandwiches they offer at Subway also look pretty good for a diet, and you could split one with Roger and have something else with it, like fruit or a salad. I'm planning to cut out almost all of the pop this summer. I think the carbonation probably is what I'm hooked on as much as anything. The "mouth feel" aspect of the food. I like cranberry juice and am planning to use simple soda water occasionally with juice for a sparkling drink.

If I cut out one food at a time my hands could stay broken out for a while, and I don't want that. It's going to have to be a lumping process. I'll shift to beer or white wine with dinner for a while (and I do believe I'd rather give up the chocolate before I gave up the red wine.) Beer is also good in the garden--I keep it here to pour into bowls to attract and drown snails that attack tender young shoots). The cheese will keep for a while in the fridge. I'll keep note of what I already ate and when this week. If the hands clear up, I'll know that it was one of the things I dropped. I'll try adding back one at a time, and see what I react to. If it is chocolate, it only took a couple of days for the dry skin to be quite apparent (and tender).

I'm going to be running errands this afternoon. And cleaning up around the house this evening. It occurs to me that with a high school graduate here, we need to have another potluck dinner to celebrate! Or maybe a barbecue and potluck salads. Whatever. The house needs some attention.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 May 10 - 02:51 PM

Thanks, Marigold, I feel positive!:-) Did my qi gong this morning, again, the whole, stand-up routine. Everything feels so much better when I do.

SRS, in order to know which, if any of those foods is causing the problem, it would be best to cut out just one at a time, from my own past experience. I know of another Mudcatter who gets hives so badly she had to go to hospital once before she knew it was an allergy to red wine. I hope it's not chocolate!:-)

Wow, Eisely, I look forward to hearing some stories!

Andrea, I have a feeling it is a good thing I can't come to your boot sale...sounds very intriguing! Good luck with the weather.

I have made an important decision for me and food. All of my working life, I usually had lunch out. I was in sales, on the local roads all day, so it was easy and fun to meet the rest of the crew or my Rog for lunch, then back to work. When I worked in an office, we went out for lunch, maybe for takeaway brought back to our desks, but it still broke up the routine. When I started working at home, years ago, I still had my routine in taking kids to school, breakfast out, then an after school snack with them when I picked them up. In the past few years, I've been unable to get out myself to get any lunch and beat myself up over the expense, the "nutrition," and asking Rog to bring it to me.

Now, I have given myself permission to break up my day by going to get lunch myself, bringing it back, and eating it here with Rog when he comes home for lunch. (He's just the opposite, doesn't need nor want to go out for a meal.:-) I am keeping the expenses down by having my one soda, a root beer, from packs we buy at the market. There are specials on at Sonic which only cost a dollar, each, so I figure I can get by with spending two bucks a day and have decided I will do so without guilt. So far it is working AND I am staying within my points and still eating healthy for breakfast, supper, and in-between light snacks (lunches are not totally unhealthy!:-). I am on a low protein and low salt diet, so I plan on getting my protein and most salt at lunchtime and this has worked out well, according to the scales.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: gnu
Date: 28 May 10 - 02:06 PM

Two and a half pounds this week.

Well, the scales only show pounds in the display so I figure it must be 2.49 pounds which is pretty close to three pounds. If it was the Wendys Classic double burger with the works, next time I will get them to hold the mustard.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 28 May 10 - 01:03 PM

Weather forecast for tomorrow is very suspect, but the car is loaded, and if I don't go I can't really go anywhere else! However, there is another on Sunday which is supposed to be good, and my daughter says she'll be able to come along to that. I'll see what it's like tomorrow at 5.30am!

There were only a couple of pictures that I could get rid of in the loft, but I also brought a small rush-bottomed chair out. My son in law has taken some of the tools from the garage, and when he comes back after his week off, Peter is going to leave his big trailer for me to fill with rubbish. He will then take it to the tip for me.

So, I have goods on board which range from cross-country skis to antique prints!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 May 10 - 12:34 PM

Everyone is moving forward in so many directions! Eiseley, is that a class offered during the UNT Maymester? I've taken one even more compressed, an English (African American Lit) class in two weeks. 16 weeks worth of reading and papers in 2 weeks. Fortunate for us, the professor had a conference to attend so we did one week of class (like 5-6 hours a day in class, 5 days a week) then we had a week off. We all scrambled to write like the wind, in preparation for the second week that came after the week off.

Jacqui sent a PM with more information on the food allergies. I had an aha! moment last night. Liz, avert your eyes. I'm afraid that chocolate might be one culprit. My mother developed that allergy later in life. Jacqui also listed red wine and cheese, two that are daily parts of my diet. Oh dear. I'm keeping a food diary and first off, I'll avoid chocolate and I'll switch the white wine with the meals where it is appropriate. And suppose I can use my soy cheese exclusively for a while (but I just bought such a nice little piece of Havarti).

Long weekend coming up. I hope I get a few things out of the way. And I'd love it if my son started cleaning his room. But I won't hold my breath.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 May 10 - 10:48 AM

Good on you, kat. You sound so incredibly positive.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 May 10 - 09:35 AM

So... The chap I was PA'ing for because he's not particularly well, is even more not well today so I cleared a table for nothing... ho hum. Still, at least I cleared it. And I made banana flapjacks out of the black bananananas that I decluttered from the fruit bowl.

Sewing has commenced. If I get on with this one as quickly as the last one, it'll be finished by tomorrow night, providing I can find a backing for it. If I get enough done today, there'll be a big piece to take to the market and match fabrics for it. Better get back to it...

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 28 May 10 - 08:46 AM

The car has been loaded with a lot of the detritus from the garage, and I am just taking a break before raiding the loft. There are a lot of pictures that may be saleable.

I am praying for fine weather but the forecast ain't great. I will get up tomorrow and see what it's like.

All the doors are done and the guttering appears to be working.

Onwards I go now!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 May 10 - 01:37 AM

Being a PA again today, so there won't be a lot of decluttering going on, except in here where I need to make room for the poor man to actually sit!

Besides, the fabric will start to fade if it's left in the sunny window for much longer - it's already a cat bed!

Work has started on another quilt - this one has a time limit on it so I'm doing that by machine when I can, and hand when I can't. Hope it works out. It's green again, various patterns including 2 based on fabric from 1797 and 1820. The pattern is one called 'Pick and mix' and is based on the log cabin, but with double width strips. 2 more are on the table waiting to be machined. Manitas is away this weekend so hopefully I'll be able to do one a day of the smaller ones and work on the big one in between times.

Enjoy the weekend all... new month starts soon!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 28 May 10 - 12:14 AM

Hello folks,
I am in the middle of a very intensive "Advanced Storytelling" class. It is a ten-week course packed into 3 weeks. Whew! So I am very glad I cleaned the house pretty thoroughly last week. This week we're using paper plates and the boys are in charge of the laundry.

When our storytelling concert is actually launched, and it will be an online concert with streaming audio, I'll put the link here so you can all enjoy it. Until then, think of me buried up to my ears in fables and proverbs and more.

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 May 10 - 12:07 AM

Maryanne, thanks for telling us about that gizmo. A few years ago, Art Thieme scanned in hundreds of slides using a scanner which, I think, did several at a time. I bought a scanner in order to scan in all of my brother's slides, but it was too slow at just one slide per scan, so I've never done all of them. Three at a time would be quite speedy compared and the price seems really reasonable. I look forward to hearing how you like it.

I did qi gong this morning and all of the dishes plus two loads of laundry, then Morgan was dropped off at 930a. We played, he ran through the sprinkler and got soaking wet; we went out to get fast food for fun, brought it home and ate. Played some more, went to bed for a bit to rest where we told each other stories. Then we went out for an ice cream cone and a drive to see the school where he will start summer camp next week. I don't know if I will get to see him during the weekdays when he goes to camp until my daughter takes him the first day and gets the *skinny* on the whole thing, but he's excited. I am hoping I can get him for part of the afternoon at least 2-3 days per week. Going from half-day kindergarten and half-day grandma's to 730a-530p at camp seems like a bit much. I have to walk on eggshells with her as she takes offence so easily...so I would suspect the program really doesn't require attendance for the full hours, but she's the one who will ask them, etc. It's put on by the parks and recreation dept. and they are all about accommodating parents and kids.

It's been a long day. His dad wound up having to work late, so I had him until 645p...but the good news is I was not completely worn out and have a little more energy, yet! I told Rog I am ready to see about going to a gym nearby 2-3 times per week if we can afford it. It's been obvious to me, this week of having Morgan so much, that, mentally, physically, and emotionally, I need more movement/activity esp. now that I actually have the ability to do so. The qi gong felt really good this morning and I did the full work out, not the modified, sitting in a chair version. Can't remember if I already posted I lost 2.6 pounds this past week. **bg** I am happy, can you tell?

kat

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 10 - 11:53 PM

I think sugar is definitely a culprit. Jacqui, you come up with so many answers to things I'm wondering about. What a help you are! (What did the health food store offer? A blood test, a skin test, a paper test and diary?) If I'm not tolerant of wheat my goose is cooked. I need to drop sugar. Let's hope that's the one, if it's food. . .

No storms so far, but they're still in the forecast for tonight. It's so muggy, I hope it rains and gets the humidity out of it's system.

Maryanne, let me know how that slide converter works. I have been looking for one for a while, this looks very small, but the one I wanted was discontinued a few years ago (the Konica Minolta Dimage 5400 II, or something like that. They're now all sold on eBay by unscrupulous sellers who sell broken ones like they're new just out of the box. So I'm not trying for any of those now. I heard about one on Amazon that I have in my wish list, waiting to see if the price goes down.)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: jacqui.c
Date: 27 May 10 - 11:08 PM

SRS - re cracked hands - I finally ended up having food tolerance tests at a local health food store. It showed up a couple of things that I knew were a problem for me and a number of other things that I didn't know about, including wheat and sugar. It meant a drastic rethinking of my diet, but the hands cleared up. I still find, about 7 years later, that eating wheat or sugar can crack my hands - milk can also be a problem - should stay away from ice cream, but sometimes the temptation is too great!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 27 May 10 - 09:34 PM

I got my little slide converter gizmo & software installed. It does a good job of copying these slides, considering some of them are as old as I am. But it's going to be a slow process, since you can only copy 3 slides at a time. Good project for the fall/winter evenings.

Got all my laundry caught up. Sending one of the borrowed printers back to my "boss", so that will free up the other half of my diningroom table. Ran the dustmop all around the livingroom & diningroom.

Maryanne