BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 10 - 07:24 PM

I installed the software that came with the camera, and while I'll still have to move it to where I want it to go (versus just selecting the images in the camera with Windows Explorer and dragging them to the file I want) it does a tidy job, not the painstaking long show. I'm sure the operating system and some of the features of this high volume card aren't quite copacetic, but the Nikon software has cut through the nonsense.

Looks like a few areas in North Texas will get thunderstorms. We haven't been hit so far, but it would be nice. I think I'll take a few hours off tomorrow (to make it an even longer weekend) and finish some of the things in my office, like making the cafe curtains for this window. And I've been looking for a file of older sample cards I designed at work many years ago, but they're not showing up. I'll find those and put them with the new cards--sometimes the old ones are useful so I'll keep them together.

Wash a small load of clothes again tonight, my son has only one uniform shirt (that we can find) out of all of the ones he started with last fall. He has to wear it Friday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and then we're finished! Bitter sweet, leaving behind the childhood of my children.

Dinner is defrosting, I have to go pick up my son and do a little shopping, and after we eat I'll work some more so I can take tomorrow off.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 May 10 - 03:50 PM

Mopped most of the downstairs, did some laundry, took a nap and some basic puttering.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 May 10 - 03:42 PM

SRS, our previous home was just that size, so I can relate. (It is now considered small?!?!?)

===

I out-clutted a big piece of the porch pile, yesterday, that remained from the reorganizing of the rear porch. Among the week's efforts was yesterday-- I was holding some buckets for someone else and they were delivered a good long car-ride away with a dinner date with Hardi. But the more fun item was the pile of nursery-sized plastic planters. I needed a potting table on the quick, so I stacked a twin pile of these and threw on a handy piece of MDF, did my tasks, and left it to sit. Rain is expected the next few days, and the tasks that remain are small, so I brung in the big MDF, put the bags of potting mix into the pots, and kivered them over with a narrower pine board I don't care about-- it can get wet if the rain insists on coming under the eaves. But it's handy for the next round of tasks there-- Lord knows when I'll have a minute to get back to them anyhow.

===

A nice new habit is cellphone fun with new friends or family, whenever I have an odd moment in the porch recliner. A lovely chat today with a new Buddhist friend. We have so much on common; it's neat to explore the edges of that when we can. She is shut in due to Lupus and stuff, so she was settin' where she sets and I was settin' where I sit-- tho of course I can and do go out, and will, later, when Hardi gets back.

===

These new habits have netted more weight loss than I had realized. No wonder my knees hurt. But a side "benefit" is that there has been so much less TV time that I actually enjoyed the Obama press conference today-- we had hardly any idea about the oil gushing till ydy-- been in hockey-world-- so it was weird to catch up to network teevee again.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 27 May 10 - 02:09 PM

If any of you have Google Earth, take a look at the village....or just Google it: there are some sites with pretty pictures! It's Norham, Northumberland.

I took 3 sacks of clothes to Arthritis UK this morning. They got them because they were the nearest to the car! I'm going to sort through the boxes of stuff that's around the place tomorrow, and see if I feel up to an early start and a boot fair on saturday.
The gutter has been re-bracketed, but Peter's left the scaffold up while we wait for rain so that we can see if it's worked! There's one door left to varnish, and some other bits and bobs to do, but we are almost on the home stretch now! He's having a week off next week, so I can get more chucking out done while i am not having to move round him all the time. I am off to a music festival for the weekend on the Friday, and the following 2 weekend I am away as well, so I have to get moving if I am to make the target of all ready for the end of June. When it's all done, I will take some pics.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 10 - 01:30 PM

Interesting, and thanks, Andrea. You've had such great descriptions of this place, it helps to have some context as to the settings and what the change is about.

I'm also realizing that once my son goes to school it's me in a 4 bedroom house with two living rooms (one of those bedrooms is my office, but if I moved my office into the front living area I'd have a full four bedrooms, large living room, and library/office room). But it's the yard that brought me here, and the location in general, so I'm not too worried about it, because the yard is still doing what I want. At 2,500 square feet, it is still in the realm of what a lot of the design programs call a "small" house. It is certainly smaller than the houses I grew up in, but more than twice the size of the house my father lived in for many years after my parents divorced. (It was a small house on a prime location, though, overlooking Puget Sound and 2 mountain ranges.)

A small step was completed when the coffee table in the living room was cleared of the tapes, books, papers, and such, but the seating area still doesn't look the way I'd like. I probably need to break it up from a couch and a couple of chairs to more separation between the couch and the chairs, with the possibility of pulling them together if needed.

My hands have broken out again, dry, cracked and sore. Makes it difficult to work on the computer if I have lotion on my hands, etc. I need to start a food diary and see if there is something in particular that I'm responding to.

I've clamped a small fan onto my computer desk to blow down across the back of my computer, to supplement the computer fans. The computer had been working hard at times, I think because I don't keep the room as cool as the computer would like. This little fan is very quiet, and the computer seemes much happier this morning.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 May 10 - 10:47 AM

Thanks for letting us know about that, Andrea. I've been wondering, too.

It's been very busy here this week. Wed. was Morgan's all-day school day field trip to the park for sack lunches and then swimming where I met up with him and took him early. We went for ice cream and came home and played all afternoon. Yesterday he had a concert (they were all SO cute!) in the morning, then took ME out to lunch as a thank you for taking care of him, etc. We went to my fav. Mexican place and had a blast. He proposed a toast to the "World's Greatest Grandma!" What fun..he is now all done with Kindergarten and so proud of being a First Grader. He is due over here any moment, for the day.

So, I've done a lot of walking the past two days and also did qi gong this morning. My weekly weigh-in says I lost 2.6 lbs! Today it is supposed to be horribly windy, again, and get to 92, so not sure what we will be doing except maybe get a quick lunch out and maybe the swimming pool for him. I will not go out in that wind, again, though, and will have to stay out of the heat as it saps my energy. Despite that, this has been a great week. I even cleared off my desk, again!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 27 May 10 - 02:42 AM

I take glucosamine or glucosamine/chondroitin (depending what's on offer). I don't notice anything until I forget to take it for a few days, and my knees seem to creak more. The two supplements work slightly differently, but I can't remember which way. I think it's glucosamine works on the joints themselves, and chondroitin on the connective tissue...summat like that (I ought to consult the tame pharmacist aka #1 daughter!)

To answer the question about moving after doing the house up...yes, that has been mentioned by other people. It's just that I can't imagine spending the rest of my days where I am, and it had never been our plan to do so. I've been too long in the village, and it is quite parochial, with nothing much going on, and a boring flat landscape. I feel I need a clean break and a new start, and just happen to have fallen in love with Norham, on the Northumberland border with Scotland, (about 10 miles from the sea, a village hall, doctor, butcher, baker, store,2 pubs, motor mechanic, 12th century church....and castle!).
Also, this is a big house for one person, and not the most eco-friendly in its construction. It costs quite a bit to heat. I have got used to this much space, so down-sizing will be hard for me, but I am a clutterbug, and it only increases to fill the available space!

As my daughter said, "You need to go for it - if it goes tits-up, you can always come back!" I'd miss her being close by, but my son's the other side of the world, and Ruth (who I don't see very often these days)is already nearly 200 miles away, so another 150 or so won't hurt, in my opinion - she'll just have to actually get up earlier, and take a break at her sister's! Hard mother!

Well Peter is doing the guttering today...we're getting there! I am going to take a car load of stuff to the charity shops every time I go to a town - I haven't got time to do the boot fair.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 10 - 12:35 AM

Thanks, Maryanne. I've noticed some activity makes the knee hurt more, so I have to choose carefully for a while. Carrying heavy stuff, etc. I have some Skeechers, may not be that style, but I'll look.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 10 - 12:32 AM

That's good to know, Jacqui! I saw large bottles of it over at Sam's Club for a reasonable price, but I also saw smaller bottles at the Dollar General for a couple of bucks. I figure next time I visit the dollar store I'll pick up a small bottle to test. I know it had veterinary uses first, and I've been watching my pit bull, wondering if she isn't getting a little stiff in the joints (we think she's about 6 years now). So it may be something we'll both take. Just like we share the zyrtec (the vet said they were using generic zyrtex 1x a day now, instead of a vet Rx. I tried the dog's zyrtec last summer and decided it would work for me also!)

My mom found glucosamine helpful. I am wondering if it might help with the recovery of that sore knee (and I think it might be as much the tendon in the back of the knee as it is the joint itself). I read the label - looks like it is ground shells from shrimp or lobster? Better in a pill than attached to the critter I'm eating!

Let's see. Today. I spent a lot of time on campus tracking down folks for photos for a publication we've been working on for ages. This is a laundry list from the design folks, and I'll finish the job next week. Tomorrow will be spent processing those photos.

The big thing for me today was to get my truck inspected. Last weekend I had the thought "I ought to look at the windshield stickers, I wonder when the inspection and tags are due?" Inspection was in April. Oops. So to my Goodyear folks late this afternoon. I walked in, the guy at the counter said the inspection guy had gone home for the day. I could go to the Ft Worth store, but it's way out of my way. The owner was in his office, he heard and waved, then headed out the back door--turns out the mechanic who does inspections was off the clock, but working on his own car in one of the bays. He agreed to do my truck.

It was funny--I told Mr. Lee thank you - and that I knew the money headed out the door was something to be avoided, though I've been a regular customer of theirs for years. :) And when the inspection was done, I walked into the mechanic's bay and tucked a $5 in his pocket and thanked him for taking time to inspect my truck.

I still have to finish some work to do with my son's graduation, and urge him to send in forms early, not at the last minute, for college (dorm arrangements). I have laundry in so he has a clean shirt for tomorrow. Some of this stuff is just going to be one day at a time until next week when graduation is over. We have one shirt left until next Wednesday, so it's laundry every day.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 26 May 10 - 11:43 PM

I'm finally beginning to get some things done. I planted the 2 tomato plants that I got at the market. The seedlings I started inside are hardening-off out on the porch, so I've got the diningroom table half cleared off. The other half of the table is full of a borrowed laptop & printer; I'm doing some book-keeping for a healthcare non-profit that's run by a friend, but strictly as a volunteer.

I started cleaning my bedroom this morning-- got all of my shoes up off the floor & ran the dustmop, then put them all back in order. No more shoes kicked all the way back under the furniture.

My two-cents about glucosamine: I've taken it from time to time, but I can't say that I've noticed any dramatic improvement. I was taking the liquid. I still take a couple of gel-caps once in a while when I think of it, but not often.

But I do have a bad knee-- the cartilage is nearly gone in my left knee-- so I have quite a bit of pain when I take my first few steps. But, a few weeks ago I bought a pair of Shape-Ups (shoes) by Skechers, and I can honestly say that my knee hasn't bothered me since I've been wearing them. I don't walk very far, but my knee really feels better. My gait is a little different (like my feet are farther apart when I walk) but it seems to be working out. I'll keep you posted.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: jacqui.c
Date: 26 May 10 - 04:33 PM

SRS - I have heard lots of good things about glucosamine - I did try it, twice.

Both times, after about 3-4 days I had developed almost suicidal depression, which disappeared once I stopped taking the stuff. I don't do too well with a lot of medication - I think it may have to do with brain chemistry - but it's worth noting that that can be a side effect. I hope that it works for you, anyway. Wish I COULD use it - my knees, in particular can get quite uncomfortable nowadays.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 26 May 10 - 01:56 PM

Wonderful to hear of all the triumphs (yes, W.Y.S.- your water was a triumph, too!).

For those of you who have been asking about Hunt, the wonderful news is that he is generally FINE- no TIAs, no heart trouble or stroke- but he does have to lower the ol' cholesterol and exercise more. After about 4 steady days, he's wavering. I try to keep ice cream out of the house, and to be the one to make the sandwiches, etc., but can't do much about his stop at Starbucks when he runs into town!
...Runs, did I say? Drives or motorcycles, but the exercise isn't happening either. I may have to put ants in his pants or something!

But this morning we hired two vibrant, strong young-uns to help and I am now almost totally de-cluttered of all the stuff that's been taking up space in storage for the past 2 years! Tin shed is tidy and waiting for the new lawnmower, and the garden shed (in which we lived last summer, which instantly became the Storage Shed from the Depths of Hell when we moved out) is clean as a whistle and ready to be transformed into Hunt's workshop.

However, there are boxes and boxes of kitchen stuff, odds-n-ends, family china, etc. sitting around on the floor to be dealt with. Luckily I've gotten used to a relatively clutter-free downstairs, so I'll be picking away at it until the boxes are gone and there's "a place for everything and everything in its place"!

Susan, your water story keeps coming back to me. I'ma gonna ponder it awhile and see what bubbles up!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 May 10 - 08:29 AM

The simple life is wonderful, isn't it, Lily? Enjoy every minute of it.

Glucosimine is a godsend, SRS. A friend recommended it about two weeks ago. As it happened, Seamus the Dog, got a daily dose and I forgot to get some from Jacqui before they went away.
So I bought the cheap stuff. $12 for a bottle of 80 caplets. Seamus took his wrapped in liverwurst and I took mine straight with water on the side.

Next morning, I was in the kitchen feeding the cats before I realized that my knee did not hurt. The first morning in months (since my fall) that I have hobbled around for ten minutes to get the knee loose. If I forget to take it, I feel the difference immediately.

I keep telling my co-worker that he is now my best friend. LOL. Try it.

Jacqui had a bad reaction to it. So you may want to hear what she has to say.

Meantime, my sore toe kept me from doing anything yesterday. Today it is fine. Maybe I will try out the gym at work.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 25 May 10 - 09:01 PM

I already posted this over on the chemo thread but really, it belongs here too! So here it is for those of you not following the other thread:

found my spark. I found some energy, ok, of course not in full force but I'd say a good 15x more energy than I've had in the last week. I took full advantage of it….here's my Ta-Da list for the day!

Did a load of dishes
Made breakfast including cleaning and cutting up fresh fruit
Made Watergate Salad for later
Two loads of laundry done, third about to be started
Hung clothes on the line
Banking in town
Mission for watermelon plants completed
Picked my my prescriptions
Had a healthy lunch
Planted flowers
Planted more herbs
Weeded the front flower bed
Soaked my toes and used some plum lotion on my feet….feels so nice and smells SO good!
Talked with Nana on the phone
Talked with Ang
Mowed the grass in the front, side and down the driveway…..started the orchard and got a flat
More planting of flowers
Brushed Mags (OMG…..I could make a blanket out of the amount she is shedding)
Swept the porch and the front walk
So…that's it so far. Next on my agenda is a shower. It feels good to be all sweaty and have actual dirt sticking to my body!

   I have more to do and if I get to it fine, if not, I'll do it tomorrow. I feel like I accomplished something today and have earned the right to be tired!!!!!

Michelle…..covered in dirt and sweat and a smile…..yes, this is better…MUCH better!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 May 10 - 08:07 PM

Be sure to let us know how it works for you! My aching knees may not be far behind.

We got the water back, at least for now. It remains to be seen how long the repair will hold, but LAUNDRY is no fun without a working washer! Dishes done and I'm ready for the next round of "can you really keep up with Hardi". May be time to set up the firepit.... naw, trash and fixin' winders fer early summer temps first, then... MAYBE....

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 May 10 - 06:42 PM

Thanks, Susan. I think it is the Gluclosamine that my Mom found helpful.

Off to the craft store to pick up scrap book pages for my son. He seems to have gotten some guidance on the project at school today. Better finish clearing that living room table before I leave.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 May 10 - 03:41 PM

SRS-- Gluc/chondroitin: Medical research shows one is potentially useful while the other is crap but not harmful. Thus IMO if you buy an affordable mix (how it usually comes), what have you got to lose? Some folks here swar by it, but is it the meds-- or their new habits?

===

Ani/Alli,

How I can tell my new habits and my life in general are working: the water has been out for three days and I did no more than was needed to deal with it, with the landlord doing his part and the stored water (country folks' insurance) holding up OK.

... Despite the mountain spring two ridges over (the REAL water insurance) being down due to unknown reasons (maybe gas drilling, and if so, GONE, dead), the already-stored water having been used up before the water went out, and the bladder infection from hell (I also found out where the great doc's new office is and when he will be in it).

... And updated about 2/3 of the parish website this AM.


Closer to the BIG bucks,

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 May 10 - 01:36 PM

PS the ice maker seems to have decided to work, now that I've tweaked the ice tray release arm screw a few times. Fingers crossed it stays this way.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 May 10 - 01:13 PM

I have a question (I'm not going to start a new thread yet) that I want to run past some of you in our little conversation group. years ago my mother tried Glucosamine to help with her arthritis. I don't think I have it yet, but sometimes feel borderline. And I stepped in a hole a few weeks ago and my knee is sore every so often. I'm thinking about researching Glucosamine as a supplement. Have any of you used it? To what effect? My mother found it helpful. I know my Dad used it (I found it at his house) but he never mentioned it or if it worked. I'm thinking prophylactic joint health, jump in there ahead of possible arthritis. Slow it down. Mom said there were a couple of types available. Is that still the case?

Thoughts?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 May 10 - 12:59 PM

I decided to download the software that came with my camera, to see how it works. I've been struggling to get some of the other software to see the card (my card reader can't see it) or download everything I select in the camera (connected via cable using Windows Explorer). I'm going to try this software to see if it automated in any way, or what I can set up. Would make photos easier--so far this new camera isn't easier than the old one (that I gave to Moonglow and she started right in using).

Lots of work stuff piled up now, so I'll be working on some of that more in the evenings, though I must mow tonight, it's getting tall and lawns on both sides of me were mowed, making mine look tall now.

I don't have any stairs here, to speak of, but I do want to put some safety rails in my tub/shower areas. My friend in Tucson (we stayed with her on the college visit) has some nice looking rails that don't take a lot of room, and they wrap around the corner so you don't have to put in a couple of different poles. Those are stainless steel, so won't probably have the same issues that Andrea's rails have.

Andrea, does it occur to you as you do this work that once you finish, you might want to stay in this house? What are the reasons for selling and moving, versus fixing this one and staying put?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 25 May 10 - 12:22 PM

Typical! The new stair rail was unwrapped, and the one bit that the manufacturers hadn't protected was split. Needless to say, another will be delivered tomorrow.

The furniture is back in the hall, and Eleanor arrived this morning to give me advice (ie tell me what I was doing wrong from the younger end of the spectrum, which is more than likely the market that will be going for a house like mine). I did go through my wardrobes and I got a plastic sack of stuff out, and a few bits to her. It doesn't seem to have made much difference.

Peter is on to re-staining and varnishing doors. trouble is, he only had a few hours here today as he had a curacy training interview this afternoon.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 25 May 10 - 04:27 AM

Hallway was decluttered and swept and mopped. It looks so much bigger without 2 buggies in it! 2 lots of washing were done and dried and 2 loaves of bread baked. I did a 4 mile run last night once the temperature dropped a bit.

This morning I'm waiting in for the new front door to be delivered. There is a loaf of bread baking in the oven. Tonight I'll be doing my usual 4 mile walk, an hours body pump class follwed by an hours step aerobics.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 May 10 - 12:47 AM

Well, I got called away to be a PA for the afternoon, but I did at least sort the laundry and put a lot away.

It was interesting, being a PA... it's been years since I took so many notes longhand, but we did get an awful lot done and I was fed copious amounts of juice and got to sit in a beautiful studio with birds (I'd like to say gently chirping, but to be honest they were downright noisy) outside and green trees all around. If only all my jobs were like that!

Ah well.. there's always next week.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 May 10 - 04:52 PM

I hope you enjoyed it, gnu. A treat once in a while is not a sin. It's a necessity.
Climb back on the Weight Watchers Wagon tomorrow.
See!
All better...except for the gas.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: gnu
Date: 24 May 10 - 04:39 PM

Forgive me for I have sinned... well, half, in a way.

Wendys classic double with the works and a medium fries. I ate half and I couldn't move. I had two small pieces of fruit and some rice & mushrooms for brekky. I had a small serving of coleslaw with little dressing mid-morn. As it's a holiday, I took Mum for a drive around town and we passed by Wendys... I looked at her and she looked at me and then we were in the driv-through. It just happened.

My belt is tight... I hope it's just the gas from the decadent burger... 2 1/4 pound patties, lettuce, onion, pickle, ketchup, mayo, tomatoe, cheese... arrrggghhhh they are so delicious!

Maybe my belt is just tight from the guilt. Which is gonna get worse when the hockey game starts. Arrrrrgggghhhhh.... mmmmmmm.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 10 - 04:17 PM

The freezer was fixed, but it didn't stay fixed. Something about the arm in the side that releases cubes. It turns itself off. I just took my little screwdriver and turned it the way he said it needs to be to release ice, and I just heard some cubes drop. It seems to be still doing what it was doing before. I'll give it a few days to see if it sorts itself out - I'm not going to take a screwdriver to the freezer several times a day to make ice cubes.

I've picked up a few things that were sitting out in the living room forever. Small goal for this afternoon, before I head out to shop and pick up the kid, is to finish clearing off the coffee table, and put each of the items away, not just in a new spot to collect more dust. Some days a small chore is enough. (I did get a lot done in the yard yesterday, so it all balances out).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 May 10 - 03:23 PM

The large, attractive basketful of sheepskin pelt and care instrux (I call it Elvis) has LEFT THE BUILDING. We had a surprise plumbing issue ydy that caused a call to the landlord... I met 'im on the back porch when he trotted over, good man that he is-- basket in hand. The intended recipient also just happened to be home for the weekend-- I put it in the front seat. I will miss that lamb dearly, but it was time for it to go to it's rightful new owner. SCORE!

I decluttered a gift issue today by shipping a Lucky Bamboo as a better idea than the logistically difficult grad/ord gift I'd been planning. This had "much better symbolism" written all over it so BANGO, off I went to my local florist's online site-- and BOOM off went the order. SCORE!

I dug out a wonderful wooden tray Hardi had made for me several years ago-- like a flat handyman's tote but in a cherry stain and low-sided, with that handle slat like a spine up the middle? It had been tried in a million places/purposes but never quite found the decent home it deserved. It now will sit in a protected but central location in the backporch settin' area for salt/pepper/napkins and candles/matches. We had our first BBQ/eat/dash-back-to-work dinner out there last night-- the area needs sweetening up jes' a tad more. SCORE!

This whole day has been like death, slogging thru the impossible in a gray fog (lo-air-pressure zone passing over, and short sleep). Despite that I also decluttered about 400 pix off my camera early this AM-- discarding bad shots and sorting them with accurate filenames into folders for later plundering. SCORE!

I got far enough away from work thinking to try to relax for about two hours and then remembered a task to go do NOW-- SCORE.

Oh and I am hungry all the time and people tell me I'm shrinking, but hey-- really I'm just too BUSY.

~Susan

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 24 May 10 - 03:20 PM

Wish I had room for one of those big American fridges!

Half a pound on again this week, but I am blaming it on the codeine I took lately for my neck/head, and the well known side effects!

Hopefully the new handrail will be fitted on the stairs tomorrow morning. Now there's just doors to sand and varnish, guttering to fix, and maybe a touch up of paint on the windows and outside doors. Once the clutter's out of the shed and garage, and the garden tidy up is finished....I can sell!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 10 - 01:43 PM

And the repair is complete! It seems there was some ice built up in the mechanical arm part of the ice maker and had turned the arm function off. And that in turn turns off the motor to the ice maker. Cleaned up and in operation. Just in time for ice tea season. I'm weaning myself from drinking as much pop as I do. I can't drink a lot of really cold iced tea, either, or I get a stomach ache, but I will be able to cool drinks a little and not have to keep extra ice trays in the freezer any more.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 10 - 11:44 AM

Waiting on the Sears repair guy. Last week I called in my refrigerator ice maker while it's under extended warranty. It doesn't make ice (though it did drop a few fresh cubes into the bin overnight, after weeks of nothing.) I think there is a sensor that isn't able to see if the cubes are present or not. I hope that's all there is to it. He'll come sometime between 10am (42 minutes ago) and 2pm. The kitchen is clean in preparation for this visit.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 10 - 12:49 AM

Made progress on the new bed out front--I had to let the sprinkler run over the area to soften it up a bit. I hope to do some planting tomorrow.

In the house, not a lot. Dishes, laundry. Hopefully I didn't mess it up any more than it was before. I picked up a few things on the slow table in the living room (VCR tapes, etc.)

Paperwork for my son. He's had a couple of requests and I've been able to find the papers. And as he makes these requests, I'll be making headings for his expanding file for school. (I told him that if he doesn't get a job this summer then I have a LOT of chores for him to do.)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 May 10 - 09:53 PM

I ended up doing nothing today except reading and fussing with sale papers. I also napped. Woke up not feeling so hot so I just took it easy.

For Susan,

    I like the idea of the recorder...whether I can access it online of just use the recorder. The phone idea doesn't work so much for me though. I wasn't in church because I was in pain and sleeping....otherwise I would have been in church! I just wouldn't be able to pay attention and you'd likely get me snoring!!! :p

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 23 May 10 - 06:52 PM

Not a lot done this weekend, life got in the way... some ironing tomorrow if I don't get called out to be a PA, leaving the sewing for next weekend when Manitas is away and won't complain about the bits of fabric all over the floor or the mess....

May even have lost a few pounds again, judging by the way my trousers keep falling down... or has the elastic gone again?!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 May 10 - 04:39 PM

I'd say it needs to be really cold, i.e. ice. Hope they stop hurting, there is nothing worse than foot pain, esp. when you are feeling so much better with other successes like your walk and heart rate. It is all just so gol-darned connected and better if done in moderation, but I know when I am feeling better, I wind up wanting to go all out and sometimes get in trouble for it.

I have folded and put away about two full baskets of laundry from other weeks which we have just been delving into. Both baskets are empty and I have done four more loads, folded and put away with a little help from Rog and MTG (Morgan the Grandson.) TTMTG we also took care of our bedroom trash and the bathroom trash, plus he carried those bags and two more of shredded paper out to Rog's truck and threw them in the back-end. Rog will take them to recycling and trash bins tomorrow.

Rog did the litter boxes and kitchen trash and is right now putting the door guard back on the bottom of our front storm/screen door. I guess that's what you call it. It hangs down across the bottom of the door to block out dirt, leaves, and any critters which might want to take their chance at crawling in here with the cats and the dogs. It has been off ages, needing a new hole for a screw drilled in it. Today is the day. Yea, Rog! With yesterday's wind, it was awful having it open at all, there was so much dirt.

He also brought in my mom's old rocker which I'd given her years ago. It's like the one John F. Kennedy used for his back. I think my ex and I paid %10 for it for mom's birthday in the early 1970s. It fits my lower and upper back just perfectly, as it did hers, so I am going to use it for sitting from now on. I love my grandad's chair, but I've noticed, after not sitting in it much for a month or more, going back to watch a two hour movie in it really stoved me up, so it's going out to storage, today. Rog also carried out some small things to store and other stuff to throw away.

These past few days, there is much more which has been done, it just feels as though we've kept at a steady pace without wearing out, plenty of breaks, BUT getting lots done and I am gratefull!

Thanks for listening!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 23 May 10 - 03:39 PM

Ouch VT!
Can't really suggest much except a nice gentle warm wash and some soothing lotion, plus your comfiest pair of slippers! It's a good excuse to put your feet up!

(Hot weather isn't kind to feet).

Having seen my friends' small garden with well stocked raised beds, I am a bit less frantic about the amount of garden I am going to need when I move. Raised beds look to be the way forward...you can even build 'em onto concrete! "It ain't how much you've got, it's what you do with it!"
I was quite restrained at the BBQ too. However, I have eaten 3 WW bars since I got back!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 23 May 10 - 02:15 PM

wonder if I soak my feet in codydramol, will it make em stop hurting?

Long walk in sandals and some grit rubbed the balls of my feet raw.
I have soaked in cold water and used biofreeze but they still hurt.

Really chuffed that I did long walk with little joint pain and got my heart rate up about 4 times. Woot!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 May 10 - 01:06 PM

Before heading out to work this morning I sat at the sewing machine and mended my favorite pair of gardening shorts. Not to be worn off the property, but light, baggy, comfortable, and deep pockets.

Still fighting ants in the kitchen. Did some picking up around the living room this morning. Set up the bread machine. Drank tea. Went to eat a banana and realized it was a small plantano, not a fruit banana. I'll make it into a couple of tostones for my son this evening. He likes those.

Back out to the yard.

SRS

Subject: AnyClone Help Request
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 May 10 - 11:59 AM

PS-- I'm on the hard-to-see monitor, catching up from a trip-- maybe that post belongs in LF's chemo thread. OK by me.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 May 10 - 11:55 AM

LF, yes, that food/weight rhythm thingie is part of the chemo rhythm.

A body needs the strength/weight gain to balance the weakness/weight loss, so you do not come out of chemo like an emaciated stick-figure unable to keep building toward health.

Gary G modeled this well, in his battle. Leslie D did not. I don't know if she was worried about weight gain, per se; but I recall that the only regret I ever heard from L was that she had to make up a lot of weight at one point, with massive caloric intakes. (It was like your platelet-count determinant.) They had different cancers (from each other and from you), but is it a coinkydink which one did better?

Your body got you to the doc quick (as you have posted was so important)-- and it has not gotten any less trust-worthy since.

We recorded most of last night's service BTW. Sandy L has taken on the weekly job, freeing me up to list "available resources" on the website. Also remember the service is short enough to listen to via cellphone call-in-- were you there the week Ed "attended" the service that way? How to arrange that: call during 6-7 PM rehearsal (Hardi's cell), A callback at 7 can be arranged on either a cell or the church landline.

Also-- there is a lap-companion next to the easy chair set for your use, in a fabric that matches the chair. I keep forgetting to suggest you take it home for the duration, but every time I see it, it "calls" to me (for you). It can be a pillow, a faux-pet to stroke, and maybe even a gently-warmed heating pad. Louise Brown gave the chair and stuffpet (when the church received her house), and she was probably smarter than I ever realized.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 May 10 - 10:53 AM

So good to see both Lily and kat having positive fun filled days. Sorry about the sweetpeas, kat. It happens...

So far this morning I have laundered clothes for the week, afghans Alice chose to pee on (I have stopped asking), done the litter box, taken out huge bags of trash and sorted through my prescriptions for the next six weeks. Not bad for a Sunday morning.
And I have found a box for the Goodwill stuff.

I am keeping the skinny clothes for better days, kat. The best is when I find a blouse that didn't fit last year and does now.
WHOO WHOO

SINS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 May 10 - 10:07 AM

I also wanted to add that I gained 13 pound over the last 3 week chemo cycle. I don't know what happened but I was hungry ALL THE TIME and the Dr. said to just go with it.....to listen to my body....the gain being totally related to chemo. Not happy about it BUT....

Since Monday, I have lost 7 of those pounds! I'm not doing anything particular.....just not hungry this week.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 May 10 - 09:48 AM

I am feeling more like a human being today and am loving reading through the more recent posts....you give me inspiration and some oomph to start thinking about working on some projects around here!

Especially loved hearing about your day with Morgan, Kat!!!   A grown up willing to play with a hose on a hot summer day....I remember that being one of the best things EVER...full of squeals and laughter!!!!

And SRS...the baby bird....awwwwww. The other night I went to bed and left the sliding glass door open a little bit in hopes of the night air coming in to cool things down. Around 4am one of the cats brought in a bunny that got loose and Pete woke to the mayhem of 5 cats and 2 dogs chasing a bunny all over the inside of the house. He was able to get the bunny (who had cornered himself) and take him back outside.

My plans for the day include laundry, a trip to Walmart, a Sunday paper, clipping coupons and finding my kitchen table.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 23 May 10 - 07:37 AM

Harumph!

It's a good word. My romantic late night drive over the moors was really me following 4 other cars who kept suddenly slowing down. Yes, there are steep hills and sharp bends, but it should not necessitate a virtual stop!
Anyway, grump over. The concert (Hut People, aka Sam Pirt on accordion & Gary Hammond (percussionist, ex Beautiful South)) was superb. I'm pleased I made the effort to go.
Today is being spent in another social whirl. I have already been in the company of the Bishop of Sheffield, and shortly I am heading over to friends' for a BBQ. Tomorrow the chuck-out will have to begin again. Hopefully it will only be 4 or 5 weeks before I start to market the house, and there's plenty to do. I seriously need to prune out my clothes. I cannot justify 2 wardrobes full! There are things as yet unworn which I have forgotten all about in there!

Pulled a heap of rhubarb just now. Guess what I'll be eating over the next few days? Mmmm! Stewed, sweetened, and with orange juice and ginger....then covered in custard, or vanilla yogurt if cold.


Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 May 10 - 02:11 AM

Sounds like he knows how to read you. I've had similar garden incidents happen. Find something else, like state fair zinnias, to plant there.

Moved papers and books off of a folding antique table and took said table out of my office, for now. Dishes are done. Dining room area cleaned up.

Time to head for bed. I usually watch CSI: Miami on the weekend. The Cold Case comes on, but tonight they have the English and Spanish feed running on one channel (click to Spanish and there is no sound. English and it is a gibberish). Definitely time to call it quits.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 May 10 - 06:37 PM

Forgot to say, Colin asked me if I was going to go on Mudcat and write a Lament for My Sweetpeas with, of course, a dirgey-sounding bagpipe.*bg* I did tell him I'd be telling you all about his over-zealous whacking! Be careful wotcha ask for, grrrrrllllzzz!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 May 10 - 06:31 PM

Ah...good for you, SRS!

Andrea, twice in one week, 75 miles each way, that's a LOT for your neck of the woods. I'd love a night drive like that; I'll bet it will be beautiful. There are some good tai chi/qi gong stretches that really help the back and shoulders, esp. after sitting in one place for as long as that drive. Oh, and it helps with BP, too.:-)

If you search youtube for "Lee Holden" you can see short snippets of his qi gong videos. I have several of them. Working my way back, I am using his Qi Gong for Seniors at the moment. It doesn't look as though it would do a lot, but it has very subtle, deep effects. There are some specific videos for the back, too.

Jeepers, Sins, anything you need to hang onto for your new, svelte self? That's neat to find extra clothes!:-)

I've lost a couple of more pounds. Been doing so much more. Today, we ran some errands, then went to a garden center where I knew I could find my fav. annuals for hummingbirds: Torenia aka Wishbone Plant. When I have one in a pot on my front stoop, up on a plant stand, I can see hummingbirds visiting almost every day while I am at my desk. They just seem to love them. So, we bought two of them.

Came home, potted them up, had my son help move the iron plant stand out to put them on and there they are...they look so pretty. I wasn't sure i would put them out at all today. We have been having wind storms with enough dust to block out the mountains around us...just swirling clouds of dirt everywhere with gusts up to 40-60mph. It's been awful, but has died down a bit this early evening, so I'll leave them out for the night. If it is windy tomorrow, I may bring them for the day. I have been so much more active. Walking into and out of all of the places we went, today, whereas, even a month ago, I would have waited in the car for Rog and just enjoyed the ride.

Our son decluttered the yard for us some more by mowing the front grass, then weed-whacking. I'd asked him to whack the weeds in the driveway. I heard him, but had my feet up while reading on the bed for a few minutes. I got up a little later, went out to water, and let out a cry, "Oh, no! He whacked my sweetpeas???!! (They are against the white picket fence alongside the driveway by the front gate.) Just then, he walked in the backdoor looking unsure. So I told him what he'd done and of course he didn't know. They had weeds right beside them and he thought they were weeds, too. He gathered the almost in bloom stalks and I put them in a jar of water. I am sure the plants will come back, don't know if they will bloom this season, though. At least, if the stalks root, I'll have more plants. This is the same kid who, with his sisters, dug up a cactus and a sagebrush, crammed them in shallow tupperware dishes with dirt tucked in and drew me a Happy Mother's Day card to go with them. Can't get too mad, nor stay that way.:-)

We will be doing more inside the house, tomorrow. I wrote too soon about the wind. It's baaaaaccckkk!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 May 10 - 05:10 PM

AWWWW SRS. That's nice. Watch for it though. SOmetimes mom kicks the weak one out of the nest. You may be fostering a baby bird all spring.

I have started sorting through clothes to put a box together for Goodwill or The Salvation Army. Found stuff I haven't worn in years. Some with tags. I have to organize!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 May 10 - 12:07 PM

Hmmph. My earlier post didn't stick.

I rescued a baby bird this morning. Put it back in it's nest - it had landed in the lambs ears planted below the spot where the birds found a hole in the wall. I had to put my clothes in the laundry and take a shower because the bird was covered with mites. And I'll spritz the cavity with orange oil before I seal it up once the birds have left.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 22 May 10 - 12:06 PM

Good grief Kat! If your BP is that low on the meds.....you definitely need to talk to 'em! I wish mine would get down to anywhere within a country mile of that! Getting off BP meds is a sort of Holy Grail for me!

I started getting stiff back and headachey again yesterday. Don't really know why, but I've done some quite long drives lately, plus walked around Whitby on Thurs. I am doing another drive tonight as I have decided to go to a gig (in Whitby...twice in 3 days)! That's about 75 miles each way. Mind you, for once the traffic will be in my favour, and a night drive over the North Yorkshire Moors might prove interesting.

Chores done today? I watered the garden!

I am now going to get some fruit and Yogurt, and i will be heading off to Whitby in about an hour.

Andrea

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 22 May 10 - 11:46 AM

Lounge is all decluttered (except dining table where sewing stuff is) dusted and vacuumed. The upright vac (electrolux) overheated and now won't start. finished with the little DirtDevil canister vac.

3 loads wash out on line. 4th load started

Lots of paper stuff filed, recycled or put in bag for shredding.

Master bedroom decluttered, dusted and vacuumed. Books organised in floor to ceiling bookcase.

Every drawer in bureau, night table and wardrobes has been sorted through and organised.

Jewellery boxes organised. Hair accessories organised.

Next project - reorganise shelves and wardrobes in spare room. Lot of books and craft supplies. We are storing boxes with foam blocks in which the stereo and DVD recorder and my laptop came (in case we need to send away for repair or replacement). But we don't have room to store them. Going to try and convince TSO that I need the room and they have to go. Or at least the foam blocks have to go. Then I can use the boxes to keep other stuff in.