BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 08:06 PM

mg, yes, I understand, but the layout of the house precludes your excellent suggestion.

Thing is, the apartment market here is squeezed past the max, due to the gas drilling encroaching on what is usually student or newlywed housing.

So for the right person, Room #1 is going to be a palace and an adventure.

I think my biggest encouragement has come from the two people who have seen it in mid-project, who are the age and lifestyle we want to attract. They each said they would live there in a heartbeat-- even with the "problems" we agree that it has.


The single biggest draw is the privacy this room offers. It is so separate from the rest of the house. And the excellent storage it has, plus storage elsewhere on the property-- those, and the snowplowing.

There is a very good chance that this room will not go to a student at all-- this year-- because we were ready a few weeks after they all hit the campus. I am taking a very long view. For this time of year a sign in the front yard welcoming hunters to inquire for next year should book it up tight for the hunting season. If not, I'll advertise next year earlier, for students. Really, just to have finished the things I needed to do before I could sublet it at all, I am happy to be ready for next year; it won't cost me a thing this year if no one is in there.

But there are always the gas drillers.... whose HQ is 1/2 mile up the road. I have not yet begun to market it to THEM.

For that, the thing I REALLY have to focus on is putting a TV up there. We do have a spare, but I do not want to foot the bill for cable till I get an occupant and a deposit. Hm, I should put a small one in there just to take the picture..... and maybe my little microwave and stage it as ready for a meal.

Room #2 will be ready in November, and adjoins the upstairs bathroom. That has to be a male tenant (for the reasons you already stated).

The other thing we have to discuss here at home is how much we will share the LR. (The couple who had applied blew my mind-- they wanted to hang out with us!) The door dividing it from the kitchen and bath makes it also quite private, and I am not sure that Hardi is ready for that to change. Yet. :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 07:29 PM

If there was any way to avoid sharing bathrooms, I would sure do it. But then I can't stand to share bathrooms. Lots of people hate it period, but if true love is involved then they can. I would seriously look at dividing them up for privacy...and maybe not by what is closest since you ahve hip problems and might not want to go up and downstairs. If it was me, with everyting you have described, I might keep the downstairs for myself and husband and let the renters have the full use of the one nearest your bedroom since you already have a toilet in your bedroom so you would be OK on either floor. This will open up your client base considerably and spare you the annoyances of shared bathrooms, and lack of privacy, especially from the opposite sex. A young female renter is not going to want to share a private space with an older man, although it is not as bad the other way except for housekeeping issues. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 06:08 PM

Lily.
Be very careful with that microwave over the counter. We have them at the office and it is too easy to grab something hot and drop it - usually on yourself. Get it set as low as possible.
SRS - be patient. The most serious bidders have software that bids up to their set limit up to the last second.
Very interesting and exciting item.
I set a rule for myself many years ago - I never do the same thing on the same day at the same time. Strict organization strangles me. Of course, that is why I frantically clean just before guests arrive.
They don't usually mind unless they are allergic to cats. Cat hair rules no matter what I do.
I am always fascinated at the amount of "stuff" I get done and still hold down a full-time job. Which reminds me - Jacqui and I may be announcing a Portland Harbor Maritime Festival for 2012. WHOO WHOO!

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 04:27 PM

MG, if that was directed to me--

There is one bath on the second floor near our bedroom in addition to a potty-only in our room.

The downstairs, shared bath (shower) is not a problem, because I spend most of each morning upstairs leaving it free for Hardi's early brush-teeth and go and one other person to use.

This bath is the last "room" in a separated-from-the-rest-of-the-downstairs area that closes off.

For years, since we had a pet that used to get sick from drinking out of the toilet, the deal has been that the bathroom door is kept closed and people knock before entering-- it's usually empty. So when we are in the LRE and hear that knock we know the bath is off limits for awhile.

It wasn't an issue when thre were 5 of uslioving here and I do not expect any trouble with 1 person moving in-- we are not runnig a bed and breakfast or a motel where each bedroom requires (by zoning) a private bathroom. If an applicant only wants a really private bath-- then we understand this will not be the house for them, and we know it will affect the "value," too.

OTOH Room #1 is so large and private that if it had plumbing, it would be a studio apartment. Wish it was our house-- we'd put it right in! And probably make THAT our master bedroom and rent the main-house bedrooms out! :~) The bath for the "master" is a shared bath too, but we've never run into any Mudcatters in the middle of the night even when we've had a very full house.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 03:59 PM

It started to rain just after I came home from my noon photo shoot. The dogs went into the garage, and though the sun is out, I hope they'll stay put for a little while longer. I leave in about an hour to get Cinnamon's foot recheck.

I know the motivation to have the worst of the dirt or mess up for the cleaning person who is coming it, but really is a waste of your time if you're serious about why you want the help. You're hiring someone to come in an clean and who can probably tackle this room more efficiently and do it faster. You're not hiring someone to come in and admire your housekeeping, you're hiring a partner to keep a baseline level of clean. Letting them establish that level for you can be part of the job. In My Humble Opinion.

I need a nap also. Less caffeine today and I made sure to take my antihistamine early in the morning. Here's an article about the value of naps. For everyone, were they/we so inclined. Harvard Business Review, Sept. 22, 2010.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 03:54 PM

is there just the one bathroom that you all have to share?

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 02:20 PM

Help, I'm in the loo and I can't get out!

(Where did I set those old specs that made the grime so invisible??? And will our subletters wear them?)

As I run from the fumes I set into the air with cleaning products-- yes I know Green is out there-- I can only think this: "This is the prep I owe to my future cleaning lady, and dollars I will save not having to pay her to do this deep a cleaning."

In the loo I do have space for two subletters's stuff-- already set aside for many a MudVisit. Six hooks for towels/etc., a horizontal towel bar, and two sections of windowsill for toiletries: one for Room #1 and one for Room #2.


Folks, IMO what we all need is a pet giraffe/anteater hybrid to lick off the dirt after we spray it with, I dunno, some leafy extract they'd like to eat up. And find the dust bunnies for dessert. (Why can't my dust bunnies eat dirt?)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 01:31 PM

"Everybody" is right, Michelle...sometimes it might be the ONLY chance you get for some sleep.**bg**

I will be glad when I get up to speed and the etsy listings go up faster. Took me a while to get a new item up...a photo of aspen trees against a blue, blue Colorado sky; not what I thought I'd get up, but I wnat to do one item per day, if possible, and time was ltd., so that was the quickest.:-)

Now for a quick catnap, lunch with Rog, then my boy'o!

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 01:06 PM

Traveled to Jeremiah's doctor's office this morning for his 6 month check up and booster shots. Poor little boy had to get 4 immunizations. It was painful for him and difficult for me to watch his face and hear that cry. The nurse left the office and I hugged my baby close and cried right along with him.

He fell asleep almost instantly on the long ride home. He let me carry him in the house and put him right to bed (usually he wakes up when the car stops and then he's awake for time at home). I'm going to let the dishes sit in the sink a bit longer and take a nap myself.

My new breadmaker arrived today. Pete went ahead and ordered one...does that tell you how much he misses my bread? LOL No he's talking about getting a new microwave (ours is probably 15 years old and is no longer reliable...coffee can be boiling hot in 15 seconds or it might take 3 minutes).....but he wants one that goes over top of the stove so it will free up some counter space. Anyone have a microwave like that? Likes? Dislikes? More than likely it will come from Sears or Lowes.

Now...on to that nap....everyone keeps telling me I should sleep when the baby does and today is the first time I (think) can do that!

Sweet dreams all!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 12:35 PM

Ani/Alli,

I just decluttered what has been a HUGE problem for me since we got back from vacay-- my schedule!

I have never, until this last year, really been much of a scheduled person. More responsive to the moment/needs. Well of course that had its own problems, and the day came when it didn't work, and I was ready to take a step. So in the last year I have been relying on a nice, self-designed structure working my "lifestyle" and health towards fulltime employment, that really WORKED for me... and supported all my goals and commitments.


But-- Hardi and I arrived at a fresh set of shared visions, goals, and commitments during vacay, that took my schedule almost completely apart. The new initiatives went well... and most of the prior-sched stuff did fit in... but it was.... all jambled! And I was all jangled!

I worked away on trying to see the new structure... it's not been about discipline-- had plenty of that-- but structure.


The last bits finally fell into place today with a call from a newly-appointed Diocesan exec who one of my bigger "responsibilities" reports to-- apparently today was the day he got his arms around the stuff I had been working on with his retired predecessor.

In his a 5-minute, FUN phone call, the last items clicked into place and I HAVE my "new" structure! WITH the needs of the shared room(s) accounted for! And stewardship of all current ministry commitments!

(And NOW I know when I can fit in lunch with galpals!)


After brekky, AM's: Thaw dinner. OT homework (Mon-Thu; Fri optional)

After lunch, afternoons:
<> Sundays: My office: spirituals, anti-racism commission, commission on ministry tasks, Presbytera blog.
<> Mondays: My office: parish website, upstairs chores, clergy blogs, convocation communications, cleaning for downstairs.
<> Tuesdays: Wellsboro activities: Tyoga Ofc Prod., church mtgs, pool, George's with Hardi, offertories with Hardi, Weis groceries (sale flyer).
<> Wednesdays: Mansfield/Blossburg errands, put away all groceries, trips for FreeCycle with Ed and Darlene as needed.
<> Thursdays: Sublets administration, prep downstairs for cleaning lady.
<> Fridays: OFF, with Hardi
<> Saturdays: Diocesan monthly class, porch/camper/van chores, yardwork.


Yippee-Yay!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 11:43 AM

Sins, where's a kid with a BB gun when ya need one, eh? IF it were a spotlight from hell, I'd be over there in a heartbeat. This one is just a regular, bright lightbulb, but bad enough as it is. They must not go to bed until very late. We turned in about 1030p. I read and was up and down until about midnight. BY 1230a, it was on and I lowered the blind, so I did sleep, just miss the full fresh air. They seem nice enough, so I suspect when we talk with them it will help.

Have one load in the wash and have been answering emails and PMs this morning. I get Morgan early today as school lets out at 150p, so am working on a listing or two for etsy BEFORE lunchtime. Better get going!

Andrea, this or something better for the highest good of all concerned...may it continue to progress well, with ease, and quickly.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 11:37 AM

Cross posted with Andrea. We're all waiting with you to hear that report! Take a look at the appliances being left behind before you distribute yours. Word to the wise. I was considering accepting the appliances in one house I made a bid on years ago, but they were ancient, fire hazards and probably on their last legs. I'd have soon had to replace them.

I had a chimney sweep inspect my fireplace when I moved in here. It looked okay and had a cap on top to keep birds out, but actually, it doesn't draw well and the glass front doesn't seal off the space when there isn't a fire. In summer heat and humidity seep into the room (there is a conduit through the back of the hearth to push out ashes, and an ill-fitting rusted door on the outside that mice and roaches can and do get through). If I ever get the money, I'll tear down the facing in the house and re do it, and rework the outer door closure. Put in a heat-a-lator (a system of tubes around the fire and a blower sending the heat into the house) and insulate the glass door well. I wouldn't ever try to rely on this fireplace as a source of heat if the power went out. Better to get out the down sleeping bags.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 11:06 AM

... there will be nowhere to dry stuff indoors much at first...

Yes.....

If the initial heating is poor, keep in mind how a dryer though puts out quite a bit if heat. Not only thru the metal housing giving off heat but, if you filter it and can welcome the moisture in the air, thru the outflow hose.

The back of a fridge does too. A fan set to direct it your way works-- we do that in Fall camping in our tent-camper with the heat-pump end of the electric cooler.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 11:05 AM

There was a light on a pole like that in the yard of a place I lived many years ago. I think they have quite an impact on the light bill also, so the neighbors maybe had a couple of reasons to get rid of it.

Horrible night's sleep last night. This sleeping with dogs in the house is something that I'm just not accustomed to and I have my fingers crossed that the bandage comes off today and the foot is ready to go. She can stay outside safely soon, if not tonight. At least I'd like to give them baths as soon as possible!

4d 11h from now I suspect I'll see movement on that auction. For now, there are watchers and the look numbers are creeping up. It's hurry up and wait. I did go in last night and get all of the parts packed carefully to avoid jostling during shipping. I'll decide on the final outer box once I know where it's going. If I ship overseas, I tend to use a bit larger box with more padding just to play it safe since the item will be in transit much longer.

I'll put the items I cleaned up from the recycle center into the pickup today so they're available to deliver to my friend's house since I'll be near there every day the rest of the week; tomorrow is probably actually the best opportunity. It'll be nice to have these out of the garage, and it'll be nice to offer some items that still have a lot of use to a friend who can indeed use them.

Better get ready to go take photos. It's a busy afternoon.

Andrea, how did the inspection go? Do you have an idea of what they found, or do you wait for a written report?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: mouldy
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 10:55 AM

Prayers are VERY welcome, Susan. (Hope the legs are better, by the way).

Got rid of a load of cutlery and glasses for the British Heart Foundation collection tomorrow morning. I will have a go at bedding and table linen next.
Heard via the agent that the washing machine and dishwasher are being left in the kitchen, so I will be able to offload mine to various people. I'm going to take the tumble dryer cos I can put that in a shed and run an extension cable out to it if I need to use it. Bear in mind that I am planning to move into an old house at the onset of winter, and the heating may (will) need replacing, so there is every chance that there will be nowhere to dry stuff indoors much at first.

Now I just have to wait until I get the results of the survey, which should be early next week, I hope.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 08:47 AM

My old neighbors had the spotlight from hell on their garage. It lit up my entire room and made it impossible to sit on my back porch at night. When they sold, I prayed it would go with them but the new owner couldn't reach it - at the peak of the garage. Finally, when they were having some tree work done, they used the bucket to turn off the light. Must have driven them nuts too.

I did nothing yesterday after work. Felt good.

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Sep 10 - 02:22 AM

My computer has been so slow. Turns out the files I thought I had going to the huge D: drive were actually piling up on the small C: drive (wher the OS lives). It was jam packed full when I got an error message this evening. So I've been doing a virtual declutter, moving to folders in D so I can find them again, and then deleting from the C: desktop. About 60 Gig so far.

The drive is defragging now. This explains a lot, and I should have paid attention. I have the system set to automatically defrag once a month, but by doing this I wasn't noticing the state of the crowded drive. I'll leave it on auto, but I'll go in and check in manually also.

Tomorrow I'll finish the photo work I wanted to do. This declutter is counting itself down in fractions of percentages, meaning it will take a while. It's at 2% after 20 minutes. Might run all night.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 08:39 PM

I wish we had fall colors down here, but it is muted at best. I had a sweetgum in the yard at my last house (the one where my ex lives) that has wonderful red leaves each fall. If I ever get rid of the hackberries around here, a sweetgum and a lacebark elm (with lovely yellow leaves) are going in around the outer edge of the back yard.

Finished a couple of big projects, but have another one to put together this evening. And then a lot of photos. Busy week.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 08:28 PM

Played hookey from loo-cleaning today for a ride thru foliage with Hardi and dinner at a favorite spot near Dharmabum's adjoining cabin and road-spring. I'll pay for that tomorrow with an all day cleaning hard on the knees-- but so worth the time (we worked on duets in the car) and NFU water: 3x7 gal + 2x5 gal = 3 gal + 9 individual gallons = 42 gallons? Times 8 lbs/gallon.... 336 pounds of man-lifting?

Planned how we will do it for winter water-trips-- take largest containers only for minimal hand-wetting, and cut the result with town water to stretch it and reduce the town-water chlorine taste (unless Poland Spring is on sale). More trips, less hand-wets per trip unless "warm" and dry. The weather over at Ron's is so far away that we cannot know what it is till there, so maybe take all 3-gal or larger containers but fill what we can.

It was in the upper 30's last night so it won't be long till water fetches are not fun hereabouts.

And the occupants will be on their own: drink the house's well water with supplied Brita filter pitcher, or supply own filtered pitcher, or buy water, or help make runs for spring water. (There is a 2-1/2 gal container of Poland Spring already up there to start them off.)

Oh! Did I mention we will add a sending unit for wireless monitoring of temps up there? Good chat about it in the car. We already use two of these in other parts of the house-- easy to add one more. I'll put it up by the smoke alarm.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: LilyFestre
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 06:10 PM

Today was a trip to the clinic to have my port accessed so there has been very little time at home today. I made plenty of food last night for dinner so there are healthy leftovers for tonight's dinner and I don't have to cook. There are dishes in the sink and I always have laundry but that can wait until tomorrow. It's been a long but pleasant day and I'm tuckered.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 03:26 PM

This morning I was picking okra when the village maintenance guy slowed in front of the house and then stopped. I walked over to meet him at the pickup - he hadn't seen me in the garden, but was there because his boss, the village idiot (aka public works director), had called him and told him to come clear across town and put a note on my door that there were grass trimmings in the street.

Village Idiot must have seen them there yesterday morning because by mid-day I had picked them up by hand. I don't use and will never use a blower, and didn't feel like getting the broom cause there wasn't much there. Since then, someone's dog probably peed at the hydrant at that corner of the yard and knocked a clump off the lawn next to the curb. So this guy is basically sent to issue a warning based up a single handful of dry grass. (This is probably because the Village Idiot knows I think he'd the Village Idiot.)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 01:36 PM

New neighbours seem to be almost finished with remodeling/upgrades and so, as of last night, are now sleeping over leaving on their side door porch light which shines right into my eyes in the bedroom. For some reason, it seems to have come on around 2a as that is what woke me up then. It was not on when we went to bed. So, I didn't get back to sleep until about 5a, up at 650a. Will have to watch and go talk with them when they are outside. I am sure they don't realise it shines through. I can just lower the shade which I did last night, but then the fresh air is more blocked. With cool weather it won't matter as much as I will have it almost closed and the glass is covered with art paper for privacy anyway.

So...after a s-l-o-w start, I have put away two baskets of laundry, researched some things I will be selling on ebay and etsy and listed about six more books on paperbackswap, so they are off my desk and on the shelf waiting to be requested. I also had one requested this morning, had it packaged up, postage paid, and in the mail on the way to take Morgan to school this morning.

Beautiful, again, Alice. Thanks for the tip on listing etc. I will try to get a 1950s aluminum/aluminium serving tray listed and, possibly, a book appropriate for Halloween.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 01:24 PM

Thanks for your comments, Alice. I may have BEEN that tenant, LOL-- but it's not funny. Earlier in life I thought it was OK to let the dog repay the lecherous landlord who offered to be my sugar daddy to excuse my late rent one month. Chicago can be icky.

Since my last post I just finished taking the "before" pictures with good ole Faulkner-dog to show the scale-- and his welcome-face puppydog eyes. The music under the pix at the moment is Mudcatter stuff (you know who you are), which I will credit in the montage when I'm done fiddling around with the thing. The first song is Swedish, for a nod at my heritage and Ani's postcard.

Right now it's just a rough upload, but at least Faulkner looks handsome and is rotated correctly:

http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/auth_preview?work_id=12617593

It is meant to depict how NOT to leave a space "broom-clean," and is the "before" group of shots that will be followed (soon I hope) by some "after-cleaning" shots. I'll work on it some more on the better monitor in the office, with the new GLASSES I got yesterday.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: Alice
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 01:14 PM

Susan, all this house fixing you are doing reminds me of the things that need to be done in my basement where I once rented to roommates.
It is not up to the new codes the city requires for rental, so I can't rent it again (without $50,000 worth of remodel for safety).

The last tenant had a small dog that she would not housebreak. She would put newspaper down on the laundry room floor (painted concrete) and let him go there. I cleaned it like crazy when she moved out, but the floor really needs to be re-painted. Nothing like a coat of paint to make things look new and fresh.

Just added today's upload to the shop. I got a tip that listing at least once a day, even if you have to de-list and re-list helps in Etsy.

Fan and Tea

I have to go to Billings tomorrow. Not looking forward to the 350 mile round trip drive. My son stays home and holds the fort.

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 11:52 AM

Andrea,

Thanks for putting the processes in parallel; I *thought* I understood but wanted to be sure-- I am trying to follow your progress closely (OK to pray?), as it's the one "journey" I most relate to out of the many other efforts ongoing thru this thread.

I'd love to track them all as close as some of you here do, but I'm decluttering fluid from my legs and that limits desk/puder time severely and emphasizes walking/stair-climbing time.

Hey, that Animaterra postcard? I pinned it to the wall in the Room a few days ago; when I wonder what improvement might be next up there (and how to do it), I look at the postcard for inspiration. The acoustic panel for instance-- my eye fell upon a very large oval embroidery hoop waiting for a purpose, in a window in my LR-- perfect fit for the place in the stairwell that most needs dampening. Easily stuffed with a leftover piece of Celotex (styro insulator) covered with pretty, available white fabric. So: fasten Celo to wall; insert fabric in hoop; hang covered hoop upon and over Celo to change as needed. Use markers to write mottos to change as needed. The first: "Let your yes be yes and your no be no."

Anyway-- GOGOGOGO! You will continue to be in my thoughts.

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: mouldy
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 11:29 AM

Yep, that's what he was doing. They are firms of chartered surveyors who do all levels of surveys, according to what's needed. He was assessing the general condition of the house and checking stuff so that the bank would lend money. The survey last week was a "homebuyer's survey", for the purchaser's own information, which was a bit more in depth and looked at damp levels, cracks, etc. The one I am having done for me is a buildings survey, which will look as far as it's possible to access into the structure of the building and suggest work that needs doing.

We have building inspectors who come on site if there is any work that has to comply with the current building regulations (foundations, drains, and other stuff, for example). They have to approve what has been done before the work moves on to the next stage. They usually work through the planning departments of the local councils.

Anyhow, he left in time for me to go to my class, and I have put 5 trays of apple slices on to dry out in my machine, since my return.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 10:04 AM

AniAlli-Oxenfreee....,

Hardi had been all worried about noise from his fitness room, below, going up to the room occupant, and waking them up. Even knowing it was week-to-week arrangement, he was fretting. I know Jess and Matt picked up on his concern, so I thought about how to help him see my vision and stop fretting. (He has to be really OK with this room thing or I will not do it.)

This AM I went up there as he used the noisiest piece. Wide awake and listening for it, with either of the two doors open, I could hear hardly anything. Even a very light sleeper (as I am) might only dream that a faraway train is rhythmically clacking over train tracks, and wake up wondering why they never heard a whistle or how a long-torn-up set of rails could run a dawn train.


We discussed how any apartment-dweller has to deal with noise from other units....how an occupant's work schedule would fit his workout time... how he would only have to close the fitness-room's door gently if he was really worried about disturbing a fellow human bean's repose... how an occupant would be different from an invited guest, a family member, or the surly teenaged offspring he recalls.

It was a very good discussion that needed to happen, and today was the right day for it to happen. It was a lot like when he discovered that he actually IS a dog person, thanks to Faulkner's way with him.

===

Also, while the ad runs, I am on to a new idea about facilitating heat getting up there from below, as it is designed and insulated to to be the primary heat source for the room above. (We even have a digital sending unit/monitor thingie that will tell us what the temp is, up there, and how low it got overnight.) I can use that NOW to see if I am right about the feasibility of heating it affordably, and to see if the temp is OK for the eventual occupant or if I need to goose the gas heater a tad.)

That way the expensive-to-run oil rad can be used less-- a flow register in the top of the lower stairwell door. And I have most of the materials on hand to do it right away-- maybe all of them-- until a cheap or free "nice" piece of metal comes my way as I know it eventually will.

===

I awoke with concerns about how our landlord is going to view these potential arrangements. I've been beefing up the barter side of my plan and I looked at it all from his view (as learned form 16 years of dealings). He's gonna be fine with it if I just tell him why we need to do it NOW. Might ask him to stop by later today and set a bit on the porch to chat.

===

I also have all the stuff I need for a sound-absorbing panel to add to the stairwell, to augment the sound-deadening effect of the tread-carpeting; have staple-gun, will travel (upholster).

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 07:28 AM

Andrea, "surveyor" must be what we USers know as "inspectors"-- people who are certified to report to the buyer on the safety and condition of the building?

Here, a real estate commitment can be voided by the purchaser if a property does not pass the housing inspection. Or a seller can be expected to repair the deficiency till it does pass, or credit the purchaser with the estimated cost to bring it up to snuff.

We also have housing inspectors in the employ of municipalities whose job is to see that any work done is done correctly to the building code in that municipality; if new construction, for example, a "permit" is required to start work; in many places the building code people have to OK the specs and drawings, first, before they will issue a permit. (Example: before the plaster can go onto the newly-framed walls, the electrical inspector has to sign off that the wiring is right-- or they will issue a "stop order" that legally inhibits the contractor from doing any more work on the property.

A "surveyor" here is someone who uses highly technical means to measure the dimensions of properties, mark the property boundaries, etc.

Then we have "appraisers" in the employ of the bank, or seller, or buyer, who is certified to set the market value of a property.


Are all these jobs combined into one, over there?

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: mouldy
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 04:50 AM

The surveyor from my buyers' mortgage company is due imminently. I hope he won't take long cos I got a tai chi class in an hour and 40 mins, which is a 30 min drive. Couldn't get to the first one last week, and I really want to go. It'll be my last few weeks, and I've been going 7 or 8 years.

Got some more apples and beans in this morning, so that will keep me busy this afternoon with the dryer machine.
Survey on my new place tomorrow - I hope it's not too awful!


Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 11:25 PM

eBay has made a nice large leap forward. I won't offer blow-by-blow accounts, but it is moving, and when I compare the previous recent purchases by these folks, I see this one I have up is a gem. Fingers crossed! :)

This evening I used another of my frozen pizza crusts for dinner because my beans weren't ready to use in my taco meat. They're cooked now and I'll grind the beef and make the filling tomorrow. One more meal left with the chicken. Gotta eat some broccoli this evening, I forgot to heat it with my pizza. And I made some raisin and nut filled biscuits (called "Raisin Bonanzas") for dessert and breakfast tomorrow.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 08:16 PM

pantpantpant

The items I'd set in the upper landing are now safely down. Big, bulky, awkward things. I left only one folding stepstool up there (one pair of little valances yet to hand-sew and add over top of the drapes). Knees have had it for the day, so I swept the stairs as I went down, step by step with the lot of it in one long trip-- blew my back but wotthehell. Doing the dishes may straighten it back out.

All the tools and hardware are in a box in the steps to take up if I need them, or grab from there, or put away.

I could easily show it "as is," or I can wait till I get a vacuum up there and dust a little bit with the duster that goes with the room. It's not "done"... but it is more than certainly showable.

I would like to add one more rug but it may need Hardi's help and he has none this week... but I think I can move all the things that would need to move, myself.

I also would love to paint the plank floor a clean white, and put in a new carpet, but alas that is not to be, this season. For next year, I absolutely could paint the perimeter (which shows around the rugs) if a new rug comes my way. That would be great to put right over the existing stuff, for a little cushier space (and higher rent, LOL).

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 07:09 PM

I finished photoshopping some images for work and sent them to the local paper and others who needed some of the meeting on Friday. Now I have to photoshop some things for my daughter. I decided that since I've been photographing one old slip for her (with bands of lace and some horizontal pleats to add texture to the 1/2 slip) I'd go ahead and soak it in water for a couple of days and see if I can't do for it what I did with those handkerchiefs. I got this technique from the folks at Martha Stewart Living. Soak sometimes for several days before using oxy bleach for more soaking.

I have some chuck roast out to thaw and grind for taco meat, and some black beans soaking that I'll cook then add to my taco meat. Between the chicken and the beef that should take care of lunches or dinners this week.

At lunch I took a little limb saw out and removed the lowest whorl of branches on each on two trees out front. A few strokes each branch since the trees aren't huge. The results are indifferent, not a lot of difference in the amount of clearance under them to see the house. I'll hold off trimming more until after the first frost. The trees in the front yard really took off this year.

As the light changes and the semester progresses, I'm looking forward some. This year christmas is going to be mostly a meal for family and some token gifts. The folks at the Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana, TX may be one of the few places I use this year. Their fruitcakes are wonderful and everyone in my family likes them. As far as token gifts go, people will eat these up! I only mention this because their reminder came in the mail today. I've sent these to people for years. They mail internationally, though I don't know how much that costs.

Update on eBay - the first bid is in, so the auction is in play. .99. I tracked back the bidder's purchasing history, and this one collects hearing aids exclusively and isn't shy about paying a good price for them. One lot of a bunch of other hearing aids from an estate went for $1,200. There have been individual devices, a lot of them the brand I'm selling, that went over $100. So here's hoping that with all of the little extras - the box it came in, the flyer, the instructions, things that often got lost, this will give a bidder a wonderful item for their collection and will help me pay a couple of bills. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 05:50 PM

Today I did next to nothing decluttering wise. I was out of town with my mom, a friend and the baby. We had Thai food for lunch, hit a bookstore and the mall. They went to another bookstore while I got myself some new sneakers for walking the trail (my current ones rub my little toes something fierce about a mile into the walk)....found some on sale that are really comfy....really ugly...but really comfy and that's the important part! I found 2 winter hats (adorable!) for Jermiah and a new teething ring as he is chewing on the loads now. Stopped by the store where my step-mother works to say hello too.

Now I'm home, laundry is going, Jeremiah is fighting a much needed nap and I have some reading to do for the book club that meets next week. I'm about halfway through the book so I'd better start reading!

:) Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 04:02 PM

Neat collage, Alice! I have so much, having trouble focussing on just one object to get ready, plus I am recharging the camera batteries. Did get some stuff off of my old desk and onto the shelves Rog put up. One load of laundry dried and folded. One more to dry, then none for a day or two. Really enjoying listening to the archived folk show Max did this past weekend, featuring a lot of folks he met whilst cross the pond.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 03:48 PM

Missed this on, MG:

If it were rooms in my house I would not want to have them have locks on doors, in case of fire, heart attack, whatever. Locked up trunks etc. for valuables would be OK.

No, they can't lock them from inside-- but they can padlock from the outside when they leave for the day. Inside, there are only chain locks. Or they can put on a security beep-alarm (like a baby alarm on a sliding door).

That's a good tip about a lock-box for valuables, thanks.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 03:37 PM

mg, we cross-posted. Yes, thanks, those ARE good and I'm already doing most of it.

I interview candidates for ordination as part of a group that asks a lot of interesting questions. Bishops don't appoint anyone to a 6-year term on that group, who doesn't have a sensible approach, and a clear mind with eyes and heart equally wide open.... A lot of the Q's might be open-ended, but they have a way of bringing out certain key facts and truths.

And I am doing all the agreements in writing, with email drafts on hand to cover key items as they come up. I'll be adding the "at own risk" part to all of it-- have some already but I'll beef it up.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: Alice
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 03:32 PM

Still working on getting art listed... time consuming.

Gradually moving things from outside to the garage or inside or compost bin for the winter.

Here is the etsy update:

CLICK HERE


Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 03:23 PM

No, SRS, there is nothing "wrong" with your focus-- sheeshe-- but you just can't SEE this far and it is a unique cultural/economic setting very different from your own (that we know quite well).

We do already have insurance (I've posted in this thread about the insurance help from our own fire), and we will be requiring proof of income from applicants.

It's on then if they want insurance-- that is a boundary thing. My role is to be sure I have not made it easy for them to start a fire up there (no smoking, no ganging up extension cords, no cooking in the room), and to provide a smoke alarm in case the whole house goes up-- unlikely, since as I've indicated this is in an addition separated from the main house by a solid brick wall. (That's how come only the addition burned/soaked up all our storage LAST time.)

Fact is, I actually know a thing or two about what I am doing. Maybe even three! :~) I only spent 15 years planning it, LOL...

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 03:20 PM

I don't know about anyone else's rental policy, but mine both when I rented out just rooms and now when I rent out whole house specifically excludes possessions of renters. Best bet is to put it in writing that nothing is covered.

Things I am concerned about as a landlord:
1. Unsavory charecters.
2. Domestic violence.
3. Moving other people in..if they are OK then not a huge problem other than excess utilities.
4. Vermin.
5. Fire.
6. Drugs.

I advise everyone to work out responses to various situations ahead of time and put everything in writing. Treat each potential tenant as a potential felon in your head, being polite etc. Ask sweet grandmothers if they use drugs and ask everyone. Ask the nicest couple about domestic violence. Ask everyone the same questions from the same checklist because sooner or later a person you do not want to rent to is going to get you on some sort of discrimination charge..even though you are discriminating against the behavior and not the religion, ethnic group etc.

If it were rooms in my house I would not want to have them have locks on doors, in case of fire, heart attack, whatever. Locked up trunks etc. for valuables would be OK.

mg

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 02:44 PM

Virginia, it's not a grass seed, we could see the injury to Cinnamon's toe. There was herniated flesh behind the nail, bulging into the gap between the nail and the toe skin. The nail bed was damaged when she was digging.

Take care of your blood pressure!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 02:39 PM

Susan, there's nothing wrong with my focus. It's naive to take everyone at face value. Renter's insurance, relative to homeowner's insurance is a modest expense (since it doesn't have to cover the repair or replacement of a structure), but it makes a lot of sense liability-wise. Of course you don't have to have it, but if something happens to someone else's travel trailer or contents of the room they rent, they're out the cash - unless they decide to sue you. As renters yourselves you should have it to cover the contents of your house, and for liability purposes. There's a little rider they can add for a few dollars that covers libel/slander suits. I'll probably add that one of these days. Not that I anticipate needing it, but because in this world there are such things as SLAPP lawsuits.

Photoshop all day. I need to get up and move around every so often to keep the circulation going.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 02:30 PM

wowee peeps have been busy.

Maggie is it possible it is a grass seed making doggie limp? My colleagues Springer had this twice. The first time the seed had worked up through the paw and into the leg.

Also do people collect perfume bottles. My Hilary has schloads of the old Avon novelty bottles from her great grandma, grandma and great aunt. She may be needing to sell to kick start saving for a big event.

Way to go Kat on the uphill walking.

I did not paint the spare room. We went for a walk by river and Papermill Lock. TSO had lemon cake. I had Earl Grey tea.

Saw cardio today. He ordered a coronary angiogram and told me to get back to GP and get the blood pressure sorted. Today it was 165 over 88. It really has been all over the place last few weeks.

I am vegging on the sofa tonight and plan an early night. See if I can catch up on sleep.

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 02:13 PM

"Finished" hanging up MudArt left/sent by past and future MudSleepers, up in what is no longer [sniff] the Mudcat Attic Dorm.

I set out last items to bring down, brougt nost of them this trip. One biggie left to carry down when I show space-- a flatter version of it can go up there when needed (baby safety rail), and stow better or be used in other bedrooms when family come.

I sat up there clipboarding the latest round of market research.... the costs structure has been better filled in now in comparison to other rental rooms, near and far within this economy. Peeps wanna cat-- will not take my by surprise again at the bargaining table. Hamsters, MAYBE. (They will have competition, is the problem there!)

SRS, your telescope is a tad off: to adjust focus; dial here: the local economy here.... some people hereabouts sleep year-round in unheated metal gardening sheds or cardboard boxes, and most folks here still do all their personal business on a handshake. The digs here is not fancy.

I DO however need to get and install a smoke-detector and provide an exit rope/tie ring for the tiny (12 x 20? trailer-size) window.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 01:28 PM

Might be a good idea to have any renters obtain renter's insurance. It would protect you if anything happens to their stuff, or to the trailer they store there. Just a thought.

Mary, take it easy on yourself. If you're not feeling good, think about what you need to do to stage your recipe if you must make it. Sometimes when I'm making something important that I don't want to slip and forget something silly (you know, like leaving out the sugar or the salt) I simply stage the entire thing, like a TV show. All of the measured ingredients in little bowls so I can combine them with reasonable confidence that I haven't left something out.

The last auction of the big knife had bidders early and it puttered along through the week. This one has a lot more early views and has quite a few watchers but no bids. The subject may be one that has a more sophisticated batch of bidders, eBayers who watch and wait and hope to swoop in at the last minute. I've seen that on a few more specialized things (kind of that way with the perfume bottle - the reserve was met in the first day, but it kind of stayed put until the last 120 seconds of the auction).

Processing photos and designing posters today. And thinking about trying out some software meant to help keep you on task. It can be pretty draconian if you set it that way. Right now the site says it's down for unscheduled maintenance, but take a look later: http://www.rescuetime.com/. I heard about it in a radio program last night.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 12:32 PM

My chicken salad is grim. Not sure where I went wrong but as confused as I am there is no telling what I actually put in there. YUK! I hope the lentil soup is better. LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 12:29 PM

Now we're talking with Jess about them storing a 1-BR trailer here they need to sell. We may end up buying it ourselves if the price drops low enough.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 11:34 AM

Two loads of laundry done this morning. I am going to work on building my brother a new website, having reserved his name last week. Nothing fancy, just a one pager for the moment, but it will be good for him to see. Also, hope to get things put up on the new shelves in the old office. No Morgan this morning as his dad is off today, BUT Morgan made sure I could pick him up after school.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 11:09 AM

Picked okra, then walked across the street to say hello to my neighbor and a driver who had pulled over to the curb to speak with him. In the end, I gave her the okra. Her garden didn't produce much this summer, and she clearly knew exactly what to do with a small pail of the veggies. A little less for my freezer, but it won't be missed, I have a lot in there already.

As we spoke I looked across the road at this house and realized it is time to raise the level of the tree branches in the yard. The trees are looking good, but one goal in landscaping is to keep the house visible to avoid prowlers or burglars. Right now there isn't a clear view through from all areas out front. I'll trim some branches later.

Many people have looked at the eBay auction and quite a few watchers. No bids yet.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 09:39 AM

When we had the housefire in 2000, a blessing that came with it was the insurance-paid cleanup crew that came: if you knew 6 people were being paid to descend on your clutter to carefully wipe and put back each single item, what would YOU do with that?!?!?!?

I did what I hope we would all do-- I used it! And I organized it to stay one room ahead of them.

Each day they'd let me know what they'd be working on the next day, so as they worked I'd be in the next day's room purging, sorting, and moving things to the rooms where they belonged after leaving them in the day's crew-workroom for wiping.

Then at the end of the crew's workday, I addressed everything CLEAN that they had stacked neatly for me to put away.

I averaged 2-3 big trash bags per day and ended up with clean, orderly cabinets everywhere, with clean things IN them. (They said they'd been in homes where every scribbled scrap of paper had to be de-smoked and put back, and loved how I made their work so much easier but yet not less time on the clock.) And this all coincided with our kids all having flown the next-- much-needed purging and organizing.

Well, in case it hasn't been obivious, I've been doing that same approach with the plan to sublet parts of our house. The attic dorm was first but I'm just gathering steam. If I am gonna pay a cleaning lady, she will need some order to CLEAN, so I'm cleaning the "subletter's" shared spaces next-- the downstairs.

At this time of year I am usually doing all the work in prep for my allergic MIL's visit (and possible Mudvisits); this time I am "working for" the eventual subletter and for the cleaning lady they will be paying for-- a room ahead of them, organizing and purging and prettying-up the rooms that have had so much of my work already in the past year... ever since the bulk of my church-admin and diocesan work stuff went up to the home office.

The LR is being left not prettied, but prepped for painting which is one of the barters open to the subletters. This may be the last year the landlords' son will be home and in high school, to be the second pair of hands and legs for the painter. Which will be me (plus, I hope, subletters).

The net will be that we will end up with a downstairs space always, more or less, "company-ready."

It will welcome Hardi home to a gracious and orderly space at the end of each day, while the upstairs becomes increasingly our private space and the downstairs is opened to subletters for their use. Those with kitchen privileges will join us, we hope, for the daily 5PM-ish cooking party; and then all parties can adjourn to their various preferred TVs or, in our case, our evening meetings and ministries.

So! Today it's wrapping up attic hardware and tools to bring down, re-run the ad, and clean the loo applicants will be using and seeing when I show the room Thursday and Sunday.

Tomorrow, town chores. Wednesday, finish cleaning the kitchen and return calls. Thursday, clean the laundry room that is the entrance area ad show the #1 room. Friday, fetch the next vanload of NFU water... about 75 gallons... from the spring at Dharmabum's road.

Next week, start changing over my spare bedroom for an eventual sublet-- because it is the space I COULD have rented first-- heat there is not an additional expense! But Hardi is not yet ready for that one. The occupant of #1 room might need it on cold nights, though.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Declutter & Accountability Sept 2010
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 01:49 AM

I agree with your philosophy of selling on ebay, SRS. It makes sense to me and I always enjoy reading what you write-up. Haven't looked at the actual auction, yet. I won't put anything up unless I know as much as possible about and then, share that, with links etc. when I actually do sell something. Right now I am pressing a Moody Blues concert poster which, if memory serves was the first time they played in WY, or at least the first time in Casper, with the WY Symphony. I actually was assigned to interview them, via phone while they were on the road, and the manager of the WSO was so pleased with my article, he sent me a great letter of appreciation with comp tickets, plus gave me the poster. It may not get a lot, but it is beautiful and was well done by an up and coming local artist, so I'll research him to see what he is doing these days, etc. before I put it up. That is one item I am saving for ebay.

Goodnight, hope that Cinnamon is okay.