BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 11:01 PM

2150

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 06:11 PM

This is another cool-down in the house; I am sweaty, covered with muddy patches, and a whiff of organic fertilizer from doing more clearing out. I get so red in the face in the heat I even scare myself sometimes, so I pace myself. I planted some stuff (from seed and a few from the nursery today) and I've had some fertilizer for blooming flowers around for a while so I spread it, but it won't hurt. One less bag in the garage. :)

I moved two stacks of tiles that were once in boxes. The boxes were slowly chewed to nothing by my pit bull. Now I can move back and forth in front of my garage workbench with no problem.

I picked up a few things I needed for a worm composting setup. A big aluminum "bun tray" for restaurant baking, some inexpensive wooden knobs (like you screw on dresser drawers or cabinets) for feet under my worm box, and a set of T-hinges for the lid. I have scrap lumber in the garage so I'll figure out how much clearance I want in the tray and go from there. I'll do more another day.

Now for the mower. It's overcast so it won't be as hot as earlier. Otherwise I'd wait and do it tomorrow morning.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 05:44 PM

Well, that was fun! I forgot we buy organic eggs which are brown. Morgan came over to dye the few we cooked which turned out all kinds of funky colours....they look like a "modern" designer's pallette! Fortunately, his parents sent over a dozen white eggs, so we have the bright, beautiful spring-coloured ones and then the "avant-garde" row. They are actually kind of neat. He is SO excited. He did 5-6 high kick jumps after we were done. At one point, he told me he thought it would be cool if in his "next life" he could come back as the Easter Bunny! OH, that kid! SO good to be able to have him over more, again.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 02:25 PM

We went to the pet store for cat food, then Wal Mart (our once in six months visit, maybe) for a cat bed, shoes for Rog, they carry a particular Dr. Scholl's type he likes, then on to the grocery store. All in all, I walked about 1.5 hours and felt it...good, though.

I've lost 13 pounds since the 12th...mostly water weight, but it sure made the doc happy!:-) My ring slips so much now, I have to take it off to type comfortably. I also am able to wear some clothes which have been too tight and a favourite ring now fits my fourth finger, again. I love those little things which show us things are working.

It rained all night, has been raining all day and is supposed to throughout the beginning of the week. The grass is so tall it's going to seed, my perennials are almost all blooming, and it looks as though Morgan will hunt eggs inside this year. We've some eggs boiling now...no soccer in the rain, so I expect he'll be over later to help me dye eggs.:-)

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 01:33 PM

Recycling dropped off, free mulch picked up. There is a chain across the drive because no new had been dumped recently, but for those of us who are gleaners, the side paths are open into the bunker and it is easy to fill a couple of trash bags full and drag it to the pickup. It'll take care of what I need this weekend.

Little chores, digging, mowing, and dog washing await. Dog washing comes last, and then I'll take my shower. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 12:45 PM

All those clean dishes are put away, breakfast dishes done, laundry is going and we are going to do a little rearranging of some tables in the living room. The wee one seems to be drawn to the table that is between our chairs. The table is small but large enough to hold a lamp, 2 coffee cups and stack of magazines without being overly cluttered. It is a normal sized end table. The baby is forever tugging at the papers/magazines and I am afraid he will pull a coffee cup over on himself. We've tried blocking the table with his tubs of toys but he is now strong enough to move that. So....we have a taller, larger table (called a commode..or so I've been told) and we'll try that for a bit.

Groceries are on for today too. I'm going to try and remember my pedometer today (once I get dressed...lazy, comfy morning here). I used to keep a log of my daily steps...it's interesting to watch!

Enjoy the day Everybody!
Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 11:05 AM

Michelle, you need to etch out time for yourself like that - there is no slacking about it. It is a "mental health day," as Kat calls it. Time to putter on your own behalf.

If I were to strap on a pedometer today I'd probably cycle through all of the numbers and end up past zero. It is a day to mow and work in the garden, and this is a big yard. I have a list of a whole bunch of chores to do as part of this - fill the gas can, empty the truck, etc.

My house is still strewn with paper, though I've made some headway. I cleared the clutter off a pretty spindled-leg table in my office, so now it has just a lamp as it sits under an antique decorative mirror. My one civilized spot in the house.

I'm going to have to turn on the A/C. Between the warm humid weather and my taking antibiotics (it messes up my HRT), I'm feeling the humidity.

Load of laundry in, linens off the bed, dishes done, put away. The yard awaits me, with my bandana, my ballcap (the scarf is set on my head so it covers my neck, then my ballcap holds it in place), and my tankard of water.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 10:34 AM

Michelle, that's what several of us call a "mental health day!" Good for you and great for Grandma, too!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 10:11 AM

10,000 STEPS

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 02:19 AM

Ok. So I really can't stand a sink full of dishes and a counter that has crumbs on it and stuff that just doesn't belong there. Dishes are done. Some table clutter has been put away. Kitchen, hall and bathroom floors have been swept (Vacuuming will wait until a decent hour). I still need to swiffer the floors too...the dogs bring in so. much. MUD!!!

I think I'm done for the night!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 11:46 PM

I have a confession to make.

My house is a disaster this week. As it happens, the third week of each month is packed with various meetings and such.

I hate the sight of my kitchen at the moment but it's late and it will wait until tomorrow. I have at least 4 loads of laundry to catch up on and my living room floor is making me twitch. And my car? I could probably live out of it for a week or two..it's FULL. Our yard is nothing but mud. Deep, suck your boots off MUD. I hate going out in it so if I have more than one trip up the hill to the car, chances are it will stay in the car. I can only carry so much at a time with the baby!

My beautiful, wonderful, kind, loving mother took the baby for a few hours today. I could have come home and cleaned and did more yard sale tagging but I decided I needed a break. I got myself a cup of coffee from McDonald's (I really like their coffee!), drove myself to a library book sale, a consignment shop, a yard sale, Walmart (where I spent a long time picking and printing out photos), two crafty shops, stopped by the American Cancer Society and filled up the car with gas. I probably should have done some grocery shopping but I just didn't feel like it!! It was nice to have a day (or at least a few hours) to myself!! I didn't even cook dinner unless you count throwing a pizza in the oven cooking!

So..aside from wandering around all day, I'm a total slacker today.

Sweet dreams everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 11:29 PM

Darn! I had a message ready to go and my browser blinked out while the Microsoft updates were going in the background. I'm not going to recreate it except to say I'm working on eBay stuff this evening and I have a weekend of yard work ahead of me.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 10:53 PM

2150

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 06:27 PM

SRS,

   Approximately 2000 steps (give or take depending on the length of the stride) is a mile. :)
    I've got my pedometer sitting on the table clipped to my baskt of *goodies* (glucose monitor, insulin pen, notebook, etc). I just have to remember to put it on!!!
    I've found that a pedometer that clips on and then has a string attached with another clip works well. My pedometer sometimes falls off and the extra clip keeps it from hitting the ground. The swinging of it against my body alerts me to the fact that it has come off....otherwise I would have lost well over 20 of them!
   I walked quite a bit today but I have no idea how far....far enough that my legs and feet are tired.

Happy Friday Everybody!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 06:06 PM

Eyestrain this afternoon after Photoshop work for several hours. Time to move around (I already took a nap, and that helped tremendously. I don't care what LaHood says about naps - they're beneficial!)

Several must-do tasks this weekend, including mowing the lawn. It rained two days this week so it is growing fast, but it needed a day to dry out a little. There is a kind of messed up area along the turf beyond my garden because of a heavy hose pumping concrete, but they gave me a big load of dirt for my front yard, so it's a fair tradeoff, the work around the gravel until it sinks into the turf.

I need to keep writing short lists and keep reading the Procrastination book. The chapter I'm in now is looking at the "messages" we give by procrastination - whether dragging feet because we don't want to be told what to do, or the classic passive-aggressive stance of not doing something because it messes up other people in the process. Or fear of out comes. I don't think mine is as much a psychological origin like one of these as it is trying to do too many things at once and consequently realizing I can't finish everything I want to do.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 10:45 AM

This is the cheapest and simplest sort of pedometer. I can convert steps to miles, but have no interest in doing it-- I'm just counting steps. No credit for stairs. (None needed.)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 11:42 PM

How do those points work out as far as distance, Susan? Does it give you extra points for stairs (does it detect them?)

Salvaged a kitchen out of the mess in there. All of the oregano is now dried, stripped off of the stems, bagged and labeled. Dishes finished. Floor swept. Stove cleaned. It's very humid today after the rain for the last two days, so I'm running the smaller of the two heat pump/AC units to dry the air a little before I go to bed.

I'll also take my second antibiotic before bed. It's a nuisance taking these because they mess up other medications, or vice versa. Taking calcium isn't helpful, it blocks the effect of the drug, and I stagger it because of my other vitamins and my HRT. I forgot to take some stuff in the middle of the day so I took it before dinner and the medication will come before bedtime. I don't think it causes sleeplessness or heartburn (the two things I seem most likely to encounter with medications these days).

I've been working my way through the Knowledge Base at the Solatube web site. I'd love to put in a couple of these (at least). I would have to run an awful lot of lights to run up the cost equal to the purchase and installation of these things, but to simply be able to use sunshine in this way, it would be wonderful. I'm at the thinking-out-loud stage.

I walked the dogs tonight, but we left late enough that the mosquitoes were beginning to appear. We got in about 20 minutes, I'd guess, and with the longer walks when we meet Zeke, we average closer to 40 minutes a day through the week. True to form, as we walked up their street, Cinnamon veered over to their front walk. We walked up to the porch and pulled a couple of ads off of the door that roof repair folks left (we had a big hail storm yesterday). No need to advertise that they're not home because the trashy ads are still on the porch. Cinnamon was thrilled to walk up to the door and sniff Zeke's doormat! Puppy love. :)

With that progress in the kitchen, I'll sign off and spend a little more time picking up. I have some papers and notebooks from school years ago that I'd like to look through, but for now I'll box them up and store them with other papers in the office closet. That'll clear the seat on one chair in the dining area.

No one has spoken up about worm composting, but I'm sure someone in this group was doing it. Any thoughts about starting out? How did you design your bins, etc?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 09:38 PM

Pedometer 2650 incl groceries

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 05:52 PM

It rained all morning and into the afternoon, but now we have a kind of watery sunshine out there. These humid warm days sometimes cry out for the relief of the de-humidifier effect of running the A/C, so I'm glad to have both sections in good working order.

I have to spend time cleaning, putting things away. Basic grunt work. Will report any progress later.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 05:40 PM

A bit of a low energy day - cold (high of 41), dank and windy. Got last night's rain off the still droopy shed roof. Took stuff to the thrift shop - after we got my car started and OOPS! blew up the flat tire with a little compressor! I bought a lovely brass lamp needing a new cord and plug - and one of my nice burgundy shades. I gave them back the green one that was on it.

Then went in search of the eco-museum - a trek due to construction but finally got good directions and found it. Had a good talk with a staff person and gave her a copy of my article, encouraging her to let people know I am available to assist with small mammals. I do believe I got her understanding. Face to face really is important! Also gave her a poster from wildlifeontario about NOT buying easter bunnies blithely. I suggested that staff members might be able to put them up when they go to grocery stores in their local areas - very diverse. Every little bit helps.

Then I went off to buy a new frig for the country. Many ads right now about no interest/no tax and long terms for payment. But in the end, I just bought the one I wanted on my credit card - theirs had a $25/year charge. I will pay some interest but the price is OK and I am not stuck with another silly card. Another store had a no cost card, etc but not the frig I wanted and the cheapest was $100 more. That is why I decided to pay interest if it comes to that - and it probably will. They will deliver it on Weds between 9 and 9 so I will load up the car and spend the day doing things down there.

Need to make a nice choc cake for Sunday

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: gnu
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 03:41 PM

I ain't done squat. Oh, I been walkin at least 4.5km every day but I put on three pounds last week. I was down ta 187.6. Then, walkin thru The Real Atlanic Super Store, I spied a five pound lasagna, regular $13 for $6.64... the bastards!

It was okaaaay but I coulda made one far better for the same price and probably only gained about the same amount of weight. Oh well, it was a test. Now I know that their lasagna, at half price, sucks less than at full price but still sucks.

Closin in on my quittin smoking weight, which I keep ajustin downwards on accounta I am scared a beefin up. If they had a patch fer lasagna eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 02:54 PM

I made a batch of foccacia bread to take over to thank the concrete workers next door, but they left early because of rain, before it finished baking. They started late, so I didn't set up the bread machine till I knew they were here. After an hour or so, they called it a day. I'll freeze this batch and try again tomorrow.

The rain is filling my first rainbarrel, I got it set up last weekend and it was too far away from the roof edge. I shifted it today. The house is a gawdawful mess, so I'll pick up this evening--I'm feeling much more up to it now. The antibiotic has helped a lot with the rash. I hadn't realized that I was feeling low because of the sting/infection, the onset was gradual.

It is good news about your son, Kat. What kind of work is he doing?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 01:38 PM

Hi, SRS. No, we won't be helping our son move in. He's already moved in! Just emptied his little travel trailer/caravan. At some point he will come over here and get his other stuff out of storage and the few things plus vehicle he left with us, but as he is on the eastern slope, it's a bit of a drive..not something we can do right now. He'll be fine.

Don't know if I said, they called him in on Monday last and told him they wanted him to go full-time. He's quite happy.

I had kind of an off day, yesterday; some old fears trying to kick up. Morgan came over early, it being early release day at school. He was really good and we had fun. He begged me to teach him how to crochet which I did. He did a pretty good start on his first chain. We also "played" baseball with me pitching and him hitting. He still has a heck of a swing. Kept hitting it over the edge of the roof to the driveway, though the last one landed in the gutter, out of reach, so we have to wait for Papa to get it down.:-) I think the most fun he had was playing with roly-poly bugs, letting them crawl up his arm, etc. He just loves them.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 12:24 AM

Another bowl of dry oregano stripped off of the stems, now in a bowl. There was something else I wanted to add, but I always think of it out in the garage or in the shower, not at the keyboard. [sigh]

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 11:00 PM

As we walked toward Zeke's house, he and Susie were walking down the hill to meet us. He was so excited to go for his walk today, she said, and my two also love this habit of meeting others (Poppy prefers Susie, Cinnamon simply wiggles and wiggles in sheer delight when she sees Zeke!) I'm really pleased to have met them, and we just talk the whole time we're out walking.

Working on healthy eating. I got into a rut for a while where I was getting more carbs or starch and not so many fruits or vegetables. I'm certainly getting a lot more exercise than last winter! It's at least 30 minutes a day for the dog walk.

Dorothy, I have used different methods for drying herbs. I simply had so much oregano this time that I laid out sections of newspaper and put the herbs on top of it. The paper helped absorb some of the moisture. I put it down in a single depth layer so it dried pretty quickly. Sometimes I bundle it and hang it up to dry.

My hands are finally clearing up. I just ran out of Evening Primrose oil, but I'll get more because that seems to help get over some of this dermatitis. It doesn't prevent the allergic reaction, but between outbreaks, my hands have been better.

I've been typing this in Max's developmental Mudcat site. The fonts look odd, and there is a drop down menu instead of the list of posters. I'll read his thread about developments as I continue to think about what I would post at a dedicated web site. I have a short list so far. (It wouldn't let me preview in the dev mode, so I cut and pasted into the regular Mudcat site.)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 08:31 PM

DP: You go, girl!

Pedometer: only 1600 today. It is clipped to a loose elastic below my knee. When there is too much leg edema the elastic strap is tight, reminding me to keep feet up when not walking. Today it was so tight, it hurt-- so lots of sitting, after I'd slept in to recoup from ydy's long drive to H'burg and back.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 07:39 PM

SRS: HAve you tried dying herbs on a piece of screening? Poultice to draw out from that spider bite?

Everyone is doing, getting things done. So encouraging. We have been busy. I triage stuff for the country. Took a pile to the thrift shop last week. Was going to take more tody but car battery dead. Maybe tomorrow. Actually it was a good thing. I went to check on shed as it is raining all day. BIG lakes on droopy roof, some leakage so I spent the time in there. All was well when I came back inside - wet all over.

The weekend at the country was great. Late down on Friday so we went to music first and then to cabin and unloaded. R started fire in wood stove. Tried to figure out how to blow up air mattress. Slept on floor - two rugs doubled over and lots of covers. Spent morning organizing stuff. Afternoon at the wonderful CD launch (Bruce Murdoch). Went to pick up four round wood columns, and back to cabin to unload and rest before concert - Bruce and Friends!!

Then back to organizing, good heart to heart, bed on floor. Sunday, I got everything sorted and put away - that could be done, then a nap! R spent the whole day outside, clearing around, bringing wood onto porch so it will be dry next time and cleaning out the garage to ready it for the pottery. We left just before 9 pm, thought it was 8. Went to landlords to pay rent and brief chat. And home for a very late supper. Thankful it is only an hour drive, esp with special route landlord gave us!

Let's see, we have a 6 month lease. That should be time enough to get moved out there! Renewable "Please don't leave!" I doubt we shall want to. It was so nice to waken and see trees out the window, and hear the wind in the trees instead of the cars and buses.

This week, we have yet to drive two hours east to buy a pottery wheel - a twin to the one I left in the NW. Hopefully on Friday so we can load the truck, leaving room for the wheel, drive east and then cross country back to the cabin - about 3 hours.

I have another load ready to go on the truck and the shed is getting more manageable.

Today, after drying out, I went through old emails - four months worth - deleting as many as possible - almost 200. Found one offering raccoon help from a woman in Ontario which I had skipped over inadvertently. So I responded and received a phone call. We talked about an hour. It was so wonderful to receive that much support, advice, etc. She will even bring dog food if we get to the point of needing it; she gets it donated. I feel so encouraged. I am going to put up notices in grocery stores, etc. And get R to phone, get article translated, try to increase our network, visit the SPCA and the Eco-museum. The latter tomorrow if R gets my car started - have to move it anyway -parked on wrong side for Thursday!

The reason we had a heart to heart is because I totally lost it on the way home from the concert. ONE: I always have to hold my ears during applause because percussive noise is hurtful (my fav musicians are told so they do not feel I am horrible not to clap); TWO: a few minutes after the concert started, my eyes were streaming so I held my shirt over nose and mouth to prevent whatever from affecting me; THREE: In the second half there was a black box right in front of me with flashing blue lights - flashing lights drive me crazy in about 60 seconds so I had to hold my mitten in front of my face so I did not see them. "That's three!"

Then the guy running the concerts made a remark to me that was unacceptable. Then, a friend who knows I have trouble with auditory processing made a remark that I could not process; when I complained, she said, "Well, It's hard on us too!" That was the very last straw. I got in the truck and screamed and swore and ended up a sobbing mess of protoplasm.

During the second half of the concert, rather than being able to focus on the music, I was "writing" an article on invisible disabilities. If someone is in a wheelchair, we do not get angry with them because they don't get up and walk. If someone is blind, we do not yell at them to "LOOK!"

I do not think it is unreasonable for those who are closest to me to make an effort to speak clearly so I can understand them instead of constantly having to ask for a translation from R. And certainly not tell me, "It's hard on us too" as though I am being deliberately noxious.

So, I guess I do not mind spending most of my time alone. Then I don't have to worry about people not speaking clearly. No trouble with the raccoon friend!

My eyes seem to be healed from too much computer. So now I can start to catch up on old emails and more research. And maybe get some other writing accomplished. And I come to this thread to see you all getting things done - so encouraging! Have you seen the youtube on the guy who plays guitar with his feet?

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 06:06 PM

The rash from the sting isn't spreading any more, but it is darker and I expect this will have similarities to a bruise as it heals.

I scored a load of dirt from my next door neighbors' patio extension today. They spread a lot of it in the neighbor yard, and I got 10 - 15 wheelbarrows from what was left for my front yard berm project. It looks like this weekend I can start on it.

I've been working on the oregano (wearing gloves!) I have processed about 1/3 of it so far, stripped the leaves off of the stems and now the leaves will finish drying on a baking pan. I have a couple more counter tops full of leaves to process, and I will end up with enough oregano for the year and for friends. It makes the house look really messy when everything gets moved so the herbs can dry, but it is so satisfying to end up with the dry herb and clear counters when I finish.

Dog walk soon, and maybe a meeting this evening. A woman is speaking about making rainbarrels for the yard - I want to see what her suggestions are, that perhaps I can adopt here.

How are you doing, Kat? Are you going to be helping your son get moved in or furnish that apartment?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 12:14 PM

Yoga on the living room floor this morning. I had assists from both the baby and one of the cat. No need for the ocean breath as Murph was purring right in my ear (still did the breathing!!) Anyway, it was different and fun.

Going for a walk later provided it isn't storming.

Have a great day everybody!

Michelle

PS. Hope that sting is feeling MUCH better...they are the worst!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 11:09 AM

One of the things I know will need to be addressed at the next doc's visit, if not sooner, is how to include sufficient physical activity in the rhythm of this ministry life as we live it in our particular household. There is a rhythm of high activity followed by bouts of resting, in between. Some of the rest needs to be physical but I suspect some physical rest is occurring that would better be made physical activity that brings mental rest. And we have not yet found an activity we both like, and can share, to fill that bill.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 04:51 AM

Hope that sting gets better soon. I used to have a lot of trouble from insect bites which triggered nasty reactions so I have great sympathy there.
I got my hammock out yesterday and found out how very big it is. It is supposedly a folding device, but when folded it is about 7 ft tall. Assembling it I broke my watch glass. It only just fitted in the patio area close to the house. I couldn't find the base of the parasol so had to lash it to the hammock frame. It's horribly awkward to manoeuvre, so taking it out to the grass area would be tricky. Unless I dismantle it.
Now I'm off to the watch repairers.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 12:06 AM

Weeded the garden after the thunderstorm came through, and washed some dishes. Didn't accomplish much; headed to bed, I think a good night's sleep will have me perkier tomorrow. I'll use a hot compress on the sting before I call it a night.

I turned on the smaller air conditioner unit for a little while this evening to dry out the house. The storm left a humid reminder with us.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 12:03 AM

Midnight: Dishes are done, pills sorted for the week, table cleared and downstairs floors swept.

Time for bed.

Sweet dreams everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 09:51 PM

I spent about an hour and a half at the YMCA...running around after Jeremiah, chatting with other mommies and playing, later running errands, lunch with a friend and more playtime. Date to go to Zumba set for Friday! I can't wait to try it out!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 07:38 PM

Pedometer so far today 2400 steps, and this is with a few hours to go that I plan to spend mostly sitting with my feet up-- bad swelling in the legs due to all-day sitting to go to H'burg renewal of ord. vows. This is Holy Week, and so far it's a typical week's schedule for Holy Week-- a few chores spread into a week of driving to and attending services, with some walking involved during each service.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 05:32 PM

The nurse practitioner says that while the sting was one event, the stinger probably had a bacteria that grew in place for a few days, then started spreading out. Overnight it spread an inch further down my leg, so I really want this to respond to the treatment. I kept my foot up today (that spot is warmer then the rest of the skin) and put heat on it to help circulation. I got a shot for the itch and an antibiotic for the infection. And I'll pamper that leg to help this go away. My brother once got a spider bite that had to be lanced and drained - twice - so I know how these things can go if they really take hold.

Good timing on the A/C work - it is getting close to warm enough to turn it on soon. I have ceiling fans running now. I was given a thermostat for xmas that I've been meaning to install. I've kept a few notes and have decided where it needs to go and how it needs to be programmed, now I just need to install it.

This place is messy. After my walk I'll spend time picking up. If I can corral some of the paper it'll look a lot better.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 04:37 PM

Just cleaned out the frig! And my son's part-time new job just turned into full-time with a free apt.! Things are looking up!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: GUEST,kmg
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 04:07 PM

I think laundromats are the best place to take magazines, a few handfuls at a time. They entertain and perhaps inform the people there and the good ones get taken home. I think taking to a doctor's office is iffy because so many have been taken into bathrooms..but that does not seem to be so bad in a laundromat setting. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 04:03 PM

Yesterday, despite not much sleep the night before because of a bloody nose, I did my sidewalk/stair laps and a few things around the house.

Today, better sleep. Hold the presses! I actually have done the dishes. Don't remember when I last did them! Also went out and did double my sidewalk/stair laps. I have sore muscles, but it's that good sore from knowing you are actually doing enough to build your muscles. I continue to lose more water weight.

Also got out my lap dulcimer, yesterday, and practised, again, for the first time in I don't know when. Sure does feel good.

Still working on formatting PC for Amazon...making progress. Dare I say publication by end of the month? That or first week or two in May.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 11:16 AM

My garage looks so much better and I can find things now that stuff isn't all seeking the lowest level and covering all surfaces. I still have to do a big shift of lumber, but that will come probably next weekend, if not one of these weeknights.

I have laundry drying, but need to leave in a couple of minutes to the appointment to get my sting looked at. I have some pants in the dryer I'd like to wear - they're Capri style and don't rub on this bite. I guess I'll wear a long pair to the doctor then come home an change and head to work. Decisions, decisions!

I've been drying oregano, and it is about to the point where I can pile it up more and let it finish drying in loose stacks. As I pick it up the countertops and tabletops are cleared. It'll look good again in a day or two.

Off to see the doctor!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 02:56 AM

Wow! that's a lot of activity!

You all seem to be "springing forward"!

Well I spent Sunday unpacking the boxes that were in the sheds out onto the yard, and sorting between tools/garden and camping gear. Unfortunately, what started out in the larger of the sheds as a fairly organised "tools one side - garden the other" arrangement has disintegrated into a free for all mess. However, the camping gear shed IS fairly organised.
I also dragged the rest of that type of stuff out of the annexe, which has made room for my bike to go in when the covered area is demolished. I will have to invest in a cover for it, as I will be unable to keep it in there later on.

I met up with Ian's cousin and her family yesterday. They are holidaying in the area (I live in a tourist zone). We went to walk round the gardens of Paxton House, just over the border in Scotland. Unfortunately, when we went to watch the children playing putting on the lawn, it turned into midge central. I now have bites on both eyelids! I didn't think they'd got me until later in the evening. Bring on the antihistamine!

I also put a lot of Freya's toys down into the annexe, and that's freed up space in the hall. Today's task (not easy on what is promising to be a lovely day again) is to sort out the bedrooms, which are fast becoming a dumping ground.

That only leaves the "I" word....and I don't somehow think I'll go THAT far!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 11:07 PM

Tonight during our dog walk my new friend described their situation more. Her husband has prostate cancer that moved into his bones. He's responding to chemo, but she is having a difficulty getting him to eat. We discussed different types of foods, and she concluded that if she could find a pasta machine she'd make her own pasta because he loves that and fresh is so much better. Somehow her machine got left behind in their move.

I have two of them, one that was a gift, and one I bought at a garage sale (it was unused), and it they sold with it a lasagna blade that I had been looking for. It was easier to buy the entire thing rather than guess if that blade would fit my machine (as I recall, the entire set cost me $5.) So I took one of them up to her after I got home.

I had Poppy wearing a pack, and she was getting pretty hot, but that pack had water bottles so I gave the dogs a drink in a cup I keep in with them. I'm making an effort to drink more water now and eat more produce (I go in cycles with this). If I'm going to lose weight, this is the best time of year to do it. It's fortunate that the walks are so good for the dogs at the same time. It'll be too hot for evening walking after a while, so we'll have to switch, but that's okay. I really enjoy having someone to talk to. The dogs just walked along companionably and I'm sure a few more of these and Poppy will stop yipping at Zeke when we first meet each evening.

All of that said, I need to turn my hand to working in the house. It seems to have piled up again. Some newspaper is now in the pickup to recycle, and I need to sort magazines and donate them somewhere. And with all of the extra bills this month, selling a few things on eBay would be a good idea.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 10:55 PM

Pedometer 2500

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 07:13 PM

Plumber has been and gone, and the problems are solved. I'm kind of drowsy today because I've been taking benedryl again. That sting from 10 days ago hasn't cleared up, it has gotten worse and is now a very itchy red rash around the distinct sting spot. I'll see my doctor tomorrow. Darn.

I hated running all of that water today so he could see if the line was still blocked. I'm working on a series of gray water collection points (one below the kitchen window, one beside the master bathroom window) in order to use gray water in the garden. I'm looking at tanks that will have a hose outlet and screens and mosquito dunks so I don't end up with bugs or critters in them. Just as well - I am certain that I use more than enough water in the house every day that would keep my garden happy. I'll post photos as I do the work, but I'll keep these things enough out of sight that I don't hear complaints from the city. It's not like I'm using sewage - the most that will be in this water is shampoo, soap, or dishsoap (I'll use the dish rinse water, probably not the washing water).

I've been walking the dogs almost every evening for the last couple of weeks, and it feels good, though sometimes I have to make myself head out. I always enjoy it once I'm out there.

When is that garage sale of your's, Michelle? We're in prime garage sale season right now -- it is so hot down here later on that I try to make it a little easier for folks - I usually fill an ice chest with a variety of cans of pop or bottles of water and sell them for fifty cents each. You really need the liquid down here for making the rounds on sale days.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 01:54 PM

Floors swept, laundry in progress, dishes done, baby clothes gone through, nursery straightened up, fridge half cleaned out, baby just about awake from his nap. I may have to take a trip to town in a bit too.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 11:42 AM

Interesting article The Seven Stones of Simpler LIving.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 11:49 PM

I took the dogs for a walk this evening, but we found Susie preparing to head over to her son's house. Cinnamon wanted to walk to the end of their front walk and wait for Zeke - there was Susie, after all! But we headed out and I have to say that even when we can't get together this meeting up with another dog walker has been good for us.

I had a photo shoot today, so I didn't do much yard stuff. I was afraid I'd get going on something and forget to leave on time. So I've only managed work in the house this evening. I think there must be a dead mouse under the dishwasher. There are a few droppings under the sink, so tomorrow I'll pull it out and look. I ran it with vinegar, but I bet that the smell will be back tomorrow. I have to call a plumber for a couple of other things - the washer ran over again and I know the drain is no longer frozen. Darn. Plumbers aren't cheap. I'll have to look up who it was I called last year.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 11:13 PM

Pedometer, 4 hours: 990

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 07:34 PM

Bought pedometer. Having trouble calculating/calibrating and finding a good spot to wear it, but I estimated steps for common household chores in this too-big house, to see how to adjust calculations and averages.

Porch cleanup began today, about 2 weeks later than my appt auto-reminder prompted me-- it's been too cold to do much, and some stuff kept freezing to the floor. But today I cleared the seating area to have a base to work from.

Hardi took some shelves out of a shelf, for me. It's contents had spilled, but now with this done I have a good week's worth of slow 'n' easy stuff to do out there, and it is now warm enough to stay thawed. The fridge pickup of Friday means we can move the grill back to its scenic spot too, which we can GET at now that I can get to that corner of spilled water jugs (they'd cracked and leaked), to get them up onto that shelf, where they will now FIT. (Good thing we had 'em, too, since we had a power outage last week and I used 3 to wash dishes.)

There is a pile of Adrian's wood scraps on the porch, to corral-- and the box the gear lockers came in is just the right size. Then that'll go out to the storage shed that is no longer inaccessible except by tractor.

I hope to start setting up mock boondocker camp this week, and am making a campsite post to identify my parking-spacefull of stuff I need to leave at camp when I leave to go off to meetings-- at a regular campground, the electric post serves that purpose, but no hook-up, no post, so.... I have a pole I can insert into a gallon jug full of water-- carry it empty/lightweight and fill it for a weighted base. (Just have to cut the hole for the pole.)


I also made an extra trip up the stairs to get parts to fill a new gigbag with the more-portable gig-gear I've been gathering. The new cot carry-bag made a GREAT mic-stand bag (which is why I ordered it), with no modification needed, YAY! The 'harp stand, music stand, cords, etc. will all fit in there, and more. The mic stand makes the bag stay extended instead of collapsing when I throw it over my shoulder. Mic bag over the shoulder, 'harp in one hand with folding stool strapped on, amp in the other hand-- GOGOGO!

~Susan-in-SUNSHINE

Subject: RE: BS: Spring Declutter & Exercise, April 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 04:30 PM

Have a fun b-day party, Michelle!

It is done! The Korean fir is planted. It looks so brave and stalwart. Rog did a great job and just in time by the looks of the roots. We'd bought, the last one, from Home depot, at Christmas. The roots has been sheared off and encased in rotten, clayey soil with a binding gunny sack type material around it. The roots were very short; we were both surprised it has done as well as it has. we cleaned all of that off, filled the hole with compost, stood it up in the hole, then put good gardening soil over it, packing it down with our feet. It sits up a little bit, so will be able to breath, plus this is such a dry climate, I feel it will be all right. We cleaned up a few small things in the yard and I watered the perennials and shrubs and redbud tree which is blooming!

Put all of our clean clothes away and did a bit more pick around the house. Called our house cleaner friend and she's going to come do a heavy-duty floor cleaning once per month for us. She does great work and is so kind.

Morgan came over and raked out the dirt from the hole, spreading it over the grass and finding beetles in the dirt which came from the root ball. Quite interesting to him.:-)

I've been averaging 1-2 books per week, requested from paperbackswap.com, so that helps to declutter. We now also have three full boxes and a garbage bag full for the pet charity center. More books and stuff to be added this week.

I am feeling so much better, my mental health is much improved, too. I may actually finish getting Prairie Child formatted for Amazon, soon! Then I can get cracking on editing On Garfield Creek, etc., etc.