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BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 07 Jun 11 - 04:13 PM "frp," is supposed to be "from" - fat fingers off the home row. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: LilyFestre Date: 07 Jun 11 - 05:32 PM Baby to the doctor this morning, time with Nana, errands run, stopped by the pharmacy and am finally home. It's been a long but good day. I didn't do an ounce of cleaning or decluttering today....yet. Lately the urge seems to hit later in the evening. Tomorrow it is supposed to be 93 degrees, our highest of the year so far. I have intentions of doing nothing except keeping the iced tea cold, maybe a little swim in the lake with the baby & time working in the rooms with AC. I am a delicate flower and wilt in that kind of heat. *wink* (Ok, just kidding but really....anything over about 85 and I do get sick....always have) Love to all, Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 07 Jun 11 - 05:45 PM It hit 96 today, and after spending time in the garden laying out my ingenious plan to spike one of those ribbon sprinklers on an angle so it would spray sideways into the garden, the darned connection at the beginning of the hose popped off. I don't think clamping it tight with pliers will work, it should have been pinched in some kind of machine. I don't remember where I bought it, this has a been a reserve sprinkler for a couple of years. I'll pick up another one and try again later. [sigh] I've filled in a couple of more sweet potato vines on the wall and put one more small squash bedding plant in the new bed that I put a soaker hose in over the weekend. I'll see what happens there. I also pruned some shrubs to leave at the curb since it's bulky waste pickup in our neighborhood this week. I'm finished outside for now, and I probably won't go out again till evening, to walk the dogs. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: katlaughing Date: 08 Jun 11 - 10:49 AM It's been hot here, too. Yesterday, Morgan and I went out in the morning when it wasn't too bad and watered, etc. I slept wrong a couple of nights ago and messed up my left foot, so should not have gone to exercise on Monday. I am paying for it, now.:-) Doing sit down stuff and will elevate it, later. Found out at the nephrologist's yesterday that I have a kind of anaemia connected with the kidneys. I've got plenty of iron and it's not too troubling, but I did get a certain hormone shot which helps to build red blood cells. The only reason I could get it was the insurance company okayed the thousand dollar price tag. Yikes! The nicest thing were the last words from the doc concerning my kidneys,"You're doing good and you will do better!" So, while I feel full of energy (had no idea of any anaemia as I have been doing so much and felt good), no exercise class today. We will finish shredding papers and not much else. I hope Morgan's dad gets off fairly early this afternoon. He's a good kid, but this is one time "Mama" would like to send him home early.:-) I am excited about an indoor plant. It is a huge, rangy thing, a night blooming cactus orchid, Epiphyllum. I've had it for at least 10-15 years and it's never bloomed. You have to get up in the middle of the night to see it, apparently, as it blooms once then closes as soon as the sun comes up. The blooms can get as big as a dinner plate and are supposed to have a wonderful fragrance. Well...mine has TWO small Have had two more books requested and sent out. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 08 Jun 11 - 10:41 PM Kat, I hope those are Buds, not Bugs on your orchid cactus! :) Hot today, so of course, I cranked up the oven and made six small loaves of my high-octane pumpkin bread. They were delivered to a co-worker this afternoon who in turn took them with her when she picked up another co-worker going in for blood work. On my drive home yesterday I scouted out an antique store in East Fort Worth that has a lot of stuff, one of those overflowing places with scarce room to get through the aisles. I've driven past it many times, but never gone in. The owner is rather eccentric, doesn't own or know how to run a computer - she should be selling this stuff on eBay. I may do some research then pick up a few things to sell. But BEFORE I do that, I have to clear out a lot of the stuff here. I have to shift my habits to getting to bed earlier and getting up to work in the cool of the day. I walked the dogs at 7:30 tonight and even though it was cooler, Cinnamon clearly was not happy with the walk. She'd do much better at 7am rather than 7pm. I've worked in the yard some, and will tomorrow also. Early. I'm off to bed now. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: katlaughing Date: 08 Jun 11 - 11:18 PM That'll teach me to proofread! LOL! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: wysiwyg Date: 09 Jun 11 - 11:00 AM Kat has a Beer Cactus? ;~) ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 Jun 11 - 11:02 AM Working at home today, and doing some picking up and putting away. I was up early, walked the dogs (they're much happier when the road is cooler to walk on) and moved some hoses around in the yard. I have to refine this new layout, but I expected that. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Penny S. Date: 09 Jun 11 - 11:52 AM It's not been hot, and it's been raining in showers. Yesterday I went on a long trip to spend the second part of a birthday/Christmas garden centre voucher (see why delay below), collect cuttings from the people who live in my grandparent's last home, and turn a cheque into cash for the flats gardener. I wanted to buy a chiminea, and they weren't in in the Spring - also the giver of the voucher bought it at a chain which has no outlets near me. I've got a little pottery one, in the colour it would be if I smeared it with leaves. This is now standing on a tower of flagstones, and has had its first curing burn - shortened when I noticed that the neighbour's window was open. I had checked for washing. I've placed it so I can see it from the study window, when I've finished in there and have the desk in place. With the rain, I moved indoors, and loaded the second Ikea box with old science magazines and Nat Geogs. Then I went through old Open University stuff and put the keeping stuff in a storage unit, and the rest ready to recycle. The storage unit is weird. I bought it years back at a secondhand furniture shop in a Kentish village. It is three yard wide boxes made of wood veneered chipboard, stacked on each other, and each has a drop down flap at the front. When I bought it, it had been assembled wrongly, with each box set back a bit to allow access to the flaps, which had been placed so they would have closed with no gap to grip them to open them (as I found on my first attempt to assemble it sensibly). On top was a drawer covering a veneered top, and fixed with brass plates at the side. This is now on its own legs in the spare room as a dressing table. The unit did well for keeping school stuff, but now there's no need for that. The top level has computer stuff, the next OU stuff, and the bottom other documents. It isn't full yet, but the room looks better. I'm moving things which have been in cardboard boxes into plastic ones, so have another lot of boxes for the dump. I think the smallest spare room may have to just be a box room for the not possible to be uncluttered stuff. I've another set of books for Oxfam. I'm reading through some things to add to the bag. The current one is about the Ark of the Covenant...I picked it up at Oxfam because it contained a sentence beginning "Whether Boyle (that's Robert Boyle of the law about gases, early scientist) actually succeeded in making the Philosopher's Stone is unclear..." and couldn't resist it. It finishes by revealing that the Knights Templar managed to send the Ark through a portal generated by a vortex formed in Chartres Cathedra; between a copper disc and a large lodestone. I may have been uncluttering my room, but I think I may have been cluttering my mind! Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 09 Jun 11 - 02:51 PM Where HAVE I been?? Oft times suffering from toxin overload and feeling like.... In between times, getting some things done. The shed is almost empty and needs a truck - for big stuff - which has not been happening. Maybe tomorrow. Then I can take it down and see our two beautiful flower beds. The sunny one includes the terribly stunted rhubarb of which some have recovered and a couple still need CARE. I managed to plant 8 tomato plants before the heat hit. Still have 10 and 6 pepper plants to get in. I do NOT go out in this heat. However, a special invite to a garden tour yesterday took a special trip to the country. Took a load of stuff mostly loaded by R who does not mind heat. I endured the heat for the sake of the gorgeous garden. Then unloaded at the house, had lunch(3 pm) and started home. The "for sale" house just along the road had another pile of neat stuff in the trash pile. I picked it up and took it back and put it in the garage. Most importantly - a folding table which is just what we need to do a pottery thing at the Apple Hollow Music Fest next month!! We plan to take a wheel and clay, etc and let people try their hand playing with clay. On the way down, I had picked up cheap groceries and dropped off a pile of stuff at the thrift shop where I spent 50 cents for a useful wire cupboard shelf, already put in place. Some of this new batch will also o to the thrift shop. Then, about a half hour from the city, R called and told me the building in front of one of his was on fire! My immediate response? Wonderful!! It STOOD between their building and the historic Lachine canal. Without it, that bit of land can be purchased and made into better parking, lawn, etc. It was a paper recycling depot with transports coming and going all day long. Sometimes one waiting in the parking lot and even one or two in the middle of the street! The parking lot is entirely part of R's property - the company had right of way only - so the trucks were damaging the parking lot and drives and making dreadful noise and pollution all day. Well, it is gone. The fire fighters did, however, knock one wall over on top of a ten ton machine (also knocked over) and a travel trailer as well as dumping lots of debris on the property. Hopefully the company's insurance will pay for this foolishness. It will of course take time and effort to get all that sorted. I can only hope for the best possible outcome. The road was still blocked this morning when I dropped R off. The country home is a source of pleasure. There is light at the end of the move tunnel and also for the pottery making. I am soon going to go get some clay - a trek to the north of the city. What an exciting life, ehh!? Last Saturday I made R's life exciting. We were "exploring" in the country and he bumped into a friend who lives nearby. W said he had pieces R needs to get the stove in place (a stove extension cord!). So we went to W's. I waited and waited and ..... ...decided to go to the nearby gas station and fill up. "She left without me!!!!" W was going to have to drive him somewhere! He was SO upset- both of them! W felt guilty for keeping R and R was sure I would be furious. Then, R thought - THOUGHT! Maybe she went for gas... I really thought he was that smart. I just laughed!!! I knew this would happen with W. So we bought a beautiful plant for the town balcony and set off for the Saturday music event, stopping at a yard sale and buying two beautiful corner etageres for my pottery display. We could not get them in the car with the other yard sale purchases of the day so I made a special trip down on Monday with a load. But there was no one at the house so I left a note. (Sunday we had to come into the city.) Jou Tou is a totally amazing group. They were at the one cafe on Fri and the other on Sat. Irresistibly fantastic! The open mike was good too and I felt well enough to sing "my" song - The Frozen Logger. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: mouldy Date: 09 Jun 11 - 05:31 PM I have really enjoyed reading what you have all been up to! I had a fairly quiet start to last week, and then spent 5 days away, 3 of them at a music festival. Didn't get back till Tuesday. Anyway, Ernie is coming to fit my lovely old stove tomorrow, and I spent this afternoon and evening getting the kitchen units out, and the oven, hob and fridge down to the recycling. All this with the help of one of my morris friends who happens to be a joiner, and who wanted the units to use in his workshop. My kitchen now consists of the sink unit with attendant dishwasher and washing machine, plus the extractor hood from over the hob. The dining room is now my kitchen, and we're cooking on gas....camping gas! I went back to my friend's house with the last load of units, and had a look at his wonderful veg garden. He even got a 30 foot greenhouse with the house. Lucky beggar! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 Jun 11 - 10:44 PM I'm dripping sweat just reading what all of you have been doing. And a fire! Wow! I rotated sprinklers this morning to give each vegetable garden a good soak, after an early dog walk. I'm going to bed earlier now to up early to make use of the cool air. I think the dogs were much happier when the pavement was cool (though Cinnamon still wanted to drag me back to walk through fields and woods). I called Susie and she's game for walking earlier. (She's pretty amazing, by the way, with everything she's doing. More about her one of these days.) This evening I cleaned up produce. My onions have now been brushed off (dirt) and trimmed (roots, tops) and are in a cardboard box in the laundry room. The garlic is also a bit cleaned up, but I left the tops on for now. The kitchen counter has various fruit and veggies on it but less of everything else. I did one load of laundry, and after not having a lot of success with the iron earlier this week, I went ahead and put my various trousers into the dryer. Line drying things that are meant to be dried in heat means that those wrinkles are there, no matter how hard you try to iron them out. I still have some other things that I'll hang out in the morning. My side yard is looking better, but I have to move a bunch of rocks from the wall I'm still demolishing, so I'm planning to re-do the temporary wall that sits on the concrete drive. I am going to leave one cluster of stone where it is because it is a rather beautiful and sturdy part of the old wall. I'll make it into a part of a garden there. I didn't like the wing wall, but I did like the stone and how some of it was arranged, if that makes any sense. I'll see how much has to come out around it before it looks right. My ex is coming over tomorrow midday to help me load the tiller into the truck. I can't start it by myself and I don't want John across the street trying to run it (I think he's 78 now - this is too much for him). I'll take it over to the small engine shop on Saturday and see how much he'll give me for it. It has blocked a corner of the garage for a long time, and will allow me to rearrange things in there now. Now for something completely different: I was listening to the local NPR folk/rock station and they were playing Neil Young. I flashed immediately back to the Jimmy Fallon skit that he pulled Bruce Springsteen into. (Will Smith's pre-teen daughter recorded a song called "Whip My Hair" that Fallon re-visualized as if Neil Young sang it. It is hilarious. And if you get the Terry Gross interview with Fallon where he tells you how he talked Springsteen into it, you have a good laugh ahead of you.) Sleep tight! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 10 Jun 11 - 12:06 AM Reading about the fire on line, I see that five fire fighters were taken to hospital due to heat. It was 33 C in Montreal and some of them had to climb to the roof of R's building - so four stories - with all their equipment to keep it from catching fire - it was - and to pour water down onto the fire below. He took them juice and water. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Penny S. Date: 10 Jun 11 - 04:43 AM Exciting. But what's going to happen to the paper recycling set up? I finished the day with cutting through the stems of ivy on a fence - unfortunately some of it is coming through from the communal garden side, so I can't eradicate it as completely as I want. It will just need regular cutting to stop it overshadowing the garden. There's washing out today in nearby gardens, so no burning. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: mouldy Date: 10 Jun 11 - 07:53 AM Part way through the stove installation procedure. Ernie has lost his brush up the flue! It came unscrewed! He's got to go up onto the roof and force it back down from the top...stand by for a room full of soot! Andrea ps - we found an old wedding band on top of one of the kitchen wall cupboards yesterday. All I can think is that the builders found it about 3 years ago when the units were put in. It's an odd place to put it, however. Anyway, I have identified it as Birmingham 1928. It appears to be 9ct rose gold, or at least yellow gold with a higher copper content than nowadays. I wish it could tell its story. I can see somebody taking it off to do the washing, and then being very upset when she couldn't find it again! What is the present kitchen used to be the old wash-house, perhaps. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 10 Jun 11 - 01:38 PM Andrea, I love finding things that belonged to the former tenants of the house - not for the value, but as you say, for the possible story. In one instance I found a box in the attic with framed awards and holiday ornaments and was able to find the folks they belonged to and return them. But other things, odd things left in the garage, other things from the attic, have gone into the decor around here now. Or have been reused. My Internet has been on the blink for much of the week, and the tech is supposed to be here sometime from 3 to 5 today. It's up right now, but I won't dawdle. It's like during business hours my Internet isn't working, as if someone is tapping into it and taking my access. It's working right now during the lunch hour. Odd, eh? I can imagine someone a couple of houses up (where there is a crackpot family) doing something like that. I had an apartment one time where we were watching TV one evening (M*A*S*H - my favorite program!) and it blinked out. I heard something outside and saw a guy on a ladder putting a splitter on my cable connection on the top of the building, and he ran a cable across the gutter between the apartments and into the one next door. "I'm with the cable company" he said, but all of the apartments were wired, not needing new cable. I called promptly the next morning and complained, saying I knew they were stealing my connection. They were over there within an hour and fixed it. I couldn't believe it that evening when the babe who lived next door actually knocked on my door and complained that their cable wasn't working. I told her that they had tapped into my service, and they should consider paying for their own account next time. She looked puzzled. My ex came over this lunchtime and helped my load the tiller (what a bitch of a job!) and we also moved the wrought iron bench while we were at it. The porch in back looks much better. I'm almost ready for it on the side yard enclosure where I want to place it for now. Better send this while I can. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Penny S. Date: 10 Jun 11 - 02:15 PM In the loft at my last home I found a blue crocheted doily, which went to Oxfam eventually, and an old bakelite telephone with a sticker saying "CAUTION, THIS TELEPHONE IS NOT SCRAMBLED". Unfortunately this got lost at school. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 10 Jun 11 - 03:17 PM The recycling can move elsewhere; it will have to to keep going. The building is a huge pile of debris. This location was not really adequate for all the traffic it generated. Really hope R can buy the property; it would be such an improvement. The fire was major - four-alarm, 125 fire fighters, street blocked 24 hours - a major street. I saw the smoke - black billowing clouds of it - from miles away. The cause? A garbage ruck/recycling collector caught fire down the street a few blocks. Fire engine came and "put it out". Told driver he was good to go. He took his load to the depot and dumped it...... "WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES..." This morning dawned crisp and cool - 62F. Oh Joy. I feel human again. Another load ready to go and I started taking the skin off the shed. Put a load of clothes out to dry on a makeshift line. Now I am getting ready to see what else I can accomplish! The yard sales last Saturday- (exploring means...). I wanted a small portable vac to clean up the hearth. They were on sale at Canadian Tire last week but i said, "Oh no, we'll find one at a yard sale..." And we did! It fits nicely in an enameled pot with lid, right on the hearth, that R got last month. I have wanted a clothes line in the city yard - one of the umbrella sort - same yard sale! And a small trash bin for the country - a step and it opens type - $1! It is a total nuisance to be so weather sensitive but at least I no longer get dreadful weather headaches - green tea has eliminated them. Andrea - what a neat find! A mystery to be solved! Load car! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Penny S. Date: 10 Jun 11 - 05:20 PM Went to the dump with the ivy and more cardboard boxes, and bought cherries again. I've been getting a couple of pounds every other day. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 10 Jun 11 - 06:56 PM Tried returning a malfunctioning hose (bought a while back, never opened it till this week.) They don't carry it any more, so I'm probably out of luck, unless it came from someplace else where I spot the same model later on and take it in for an exchange. I'll leave it in the pickup for just in case. Internet access is fixed! There is a filter up near the pole that keeps the television signal from coming through since I only subscribe to Internet. That filter was blinking in and out, blocking everything. It looks so much better - I should have called a couple of weeks ago, I've been seeing this happen for a while. Now I know, so of course, now that will never happen again. I'm pleased with how the patio looks now. I shouldn't have left that wrought iron seat back there for so long. Lots of things to do this weekend, and it looks like I'll be doing it in the heat. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 10 Jun 11 - 10:51 PM Tonight is Friday night, but I've decided to walk the dogs in the morning while it's so hot, so I probably won't stay up late like I typically would. The dogs had a great day today, they like the early morning foray around the neighborhood. I am a night owl who must change my stripes (talk about mixed metaphors!) in order to accommodate these morning walks. But I think it is worthwhile, because this evening as I worked on other things I kept realizing it was so nice to not have to stop what I was doing to go for the walk. I enjoy meeting Susie and Zeke, but it always interrupts something else. Now, it's the first thing I do and everything else follows. The improved Internet is such a relief. I was feeling like my new computer was dying. It had been a problem longer than I realized, now that it's fixed and I can see the difference. Hindsight is 20x20, isn't it? Spaghetti tonight, with sauce that included tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic, and oregano from my yard. Broccoli and mango to round off the meal. I turned on the television in the kitchen and found Jamie Oliver's program (Food Revolution) which was quite inspirational. He really knows how to make the point about the value of eating healthy food. The kitchen is clean, dishes finished. I haven't completely cleared the counter yet, but a lot of what is on it is fruit that is ripening, so that's a good thing. A load of laundry is finished, and I've been sweeping around the house. I need to dust next. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: mouldy Date: 11 Jun 11 - 03:40 AM Well Ernie came back after lunch with a gappy old brush, which he sent up and after much wiggling and jiggling, brought it down along with the escapee brush and a load more soot. Once more I have tide marks where it overshot the sheets! He spent a few hours cutting steel sheets to fit the random shapes of the opening (registration plate) and at the moment there is a foot or so wide gap in the middle for the flue pipe and its plate to go in. He said he would spend this morning in the shop tidying the stove up, and he's planning to be back about 10 on Monday to do the rest of the fitting. I went up the road, after Ernie went, to where my friend's son is having his wedding party this afternoon, and helped wash a load of folding wooden chairs in the marquee. (Followed by a shared Chinese takeaway). Everyone else has travelled at least an hour and a half to get there - it's about 13 miles away from me! Some of you may know the lad - it's Ian Stephenson, who came over with Bill and Sam a few years ago. He's marrying Emily Ball, who is also in 422. There will be much ceilidh fun this evening...the bar was up and running last night! This morning I will try and de-soot what is now my kitchen, then its a good clean up before the wedding party! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 Jun 11 - 09:50 AM Great morning walk, and as typically happens, I ended up visiting with a few neighbors who were out early. If not for the dogs, I wouldn't have met a lot of these people as easily. Yard work this morning, then work around the house. Many things on my list, but let's see what I feel inspired to do. Now that the Internet is working properly it is tempting to hang out, but it would be a waste of a cool morning. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: katlaughing Date: 11 Jun 11 - 11:06 AM Andrea, please pass on my "congrats" to Ian! I well-remember him and Sam on live Mudcat radio with video. It was brill! I have done nothing except keep my foot up, tender a swollen finger and try to figure out why I have a few itchy spots on my lower palms and wrists. I think it may be from a possibly latex grip on the cane I have been using. I have been out to docs' for other things, all of which turned out good and did have Morgan on Friday. My foot is better, finger tendinitis, or whatever it is, kept me awake until I put it on ice last night. I will do some laundry today and we will go to the health food store. Rog may clean the gutters and I may sweep and pick up around the house. I know I will finish paper shredding. Morgan loaded a couple of trash bags of already shredded paper into the car, yesterday. He starts enrichment classes on Monday from 8-12, so no exercise buddy for a few weeks. I missed last Wed. and Fri. because of my foot. SRS, your veggies, etc. sound delicious! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Penny S. Date: 11 Jun 11 - 11:58 AM I've finally planted out the Solomon's Seal on the shady, damper side of the garden, practically under the forsythis. The root system had entirely filled the large pot, so it needed to be thoroughly soaked to remove it, and then a huge hole dug. I hope it takes well - some sites say it needs acid soil, though a relation apparently grows in limestone pavements up North. The soil in that part of the bed is quite good, deep and brown. I cleared more ivy from the fence, and cut back the Virginia Creeper to discourage it from taking over the garden. I then could fill the pot with compost, and plant out the bulbs from my friend's mum. Finished by hosing down the patio, and coming in to wash my feet (no socks, and clogs let them get a bit composty). Two more strawberries. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 Jun 11 - 05:03 PM I found two beautiful tennis-ball-sized tomatoes hiding in the bushes today. Most of it is tucked in underneath, not much new fruit with this heat. I've been in and out all day; it's 95 now, not much wind. I did spend a couple of hours on the phone helping a friend get a virus out of his computer. I've soaked an area where I plan to dig out the grass and put down newspapers and mulch, to keep a lot of the weeds from creeping back into the garden. And tomorrow in the morning first thing after the dog walk I'm going to trim and then mow. It has to be early now, or else by streetlight. The kitchen is looking good, I've brewed a couple of jars of tea to keep in the fridge. One is my green tea with lemon balm, the other is a commercial quart bag of peach tea. I have some black beans I cooked and I'll add to a taco mix this evening (I have to grind the meat and such, and I'll use mostly my own veggies for the dish.) If my daughter can come by tomorrow I'll make a loaf of bread and we'll have our traditional first BLT of the summer sandwiches again. Mmmmmm! I am spending some time in the house these days - and I'm experimenting with these new LED lights. I picked up one last month, a bright white one, and when I put it in the fixture on the fan in my office, I found it too bright (bluish). I moved that to the sun room fixture, and this month I bought a warm light (both are 40 watt equivalent bulbs). They're supposed to last for 15 - 20 years and cost next to nothing to run. Right now they cost about $17 - 20 each to buy. I need to keep receipts, they count off on the taxes. I suppose if I bought one a month I'd have a couple of hundred dollars for an energy tax credit. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: wysiwyg Date: 11 Jun 11 - 07:10 PM Time for new glasses: SRS is NOT experimenting with LSD lights!!! :~) === My decluttered wheeled suitcase held my downsized toiletries/pillows/travel essentials leaving the other hand free for the new laptop case and my purse. WINWINWIN!!! === My scooter transported two jam-packed displays (incl all visuals on laptop), for TWO Convention tables, a 4' tall doll who rode in a non-existent jump seat, AND and a heavy (old) laptop to pass along to a friend, which another friend carried off to deliver to him! WINWINWIN! === OUT.OUT.OUT.WIN.WIN.WIN!!! ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: LilyFestre Date: 12 Jun 11 - 12:30 AM Multiple yard sales today, got some GREAT deals for my wee one. National Cancer Survivor Day Celebration at my hospital. My surgeon was the one giving the speech today...I heard him long before I saw him and even commented to my mom...I hear my doctor!!! Sure enough! Afterwards, I went to say hello and he greeted me with open arms, said he KNEW I was going to be there today and that he loved my hair!!! I love that he knows me by name outside his office!!! I also got to meet his wife and to tell her that I think she is married to a very special man and that he saved my life. Kinda teary about it, but that's ok!!! Got new walking shoes on the way home and stopped at Sam's Club for a few things. I was on my feet a LOT today and I'm having an issue with my foot that has been ongoing for a few weeks now. Monday I'll be making an appointment to have that looked at. No decluttering going on here in the past few days...busy with Relay For Life stuff, a survivor breakfast and running around in general. Tomorrow will be a day to catch up. Sweet dreams Everybody! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 Jun 11 - 10:50 AM I've been up for a while out in the yard (this time of year I have to get up earlier), but it's already pretty hot, so I'm pacing myself again. Sprinklers running so in the front the grass will grow over the berm behind the wall, and on the other side, to keep my squash and tomatoes happy. I have two vegetable beds going in the front yard now. Side yard vegetable bed needs more work today - to remove more Bermuda between them, retrieve more free mulch, and to finish moving more rocks from the side of the front where that wing wall is still partly in place. All of that said, when I come in to cool off I'm going to look at how to rearrange my sun room. Yesterday I must have swept the kitchen floor four times, because I kept forgetting and walking through the house with my gardening shoes. I need to push things away from the door and have a shoe-changing station there that I notice and remember to use. Indoor shoes and outdoor shoes make a lot of sense. Michelle, sounds like you had a great day yesterday. Susan, if I had LSD lights I think these posts would be pretty loopy! (I've heard stories lately, though about lab work testing the drug starting up again, after a 30-year hiatus). Kat, how are you feeling? SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: mouldy Date: 12 Jun 11 - 01:37 PM The wedding went well, despite it raining all day and being very cold! It was a proper home made country style wedding of the "old school", and there was a fabulous atmosphere. I managed to vac some of the soot out of the carpet, but I think it's going to need more than that! It will have to wait, though. There is too much stuff in there. Ernie will be coming to finish fitting the stove tomorrow morning, and I have 4 days to get all the stuff out of the bathroom and airing cupboard - and find somewhere to stash it! I also need to fill as many water containers as I can, as I don't know how things will be at first regarding a supply of water onto the yard. They may have to set up a temporary stand-pipe. Oh well, I've a festival next weekend. If all goes to plan, I will return to a building site. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 Jun 11 - 02:50 PM Andrea, I envy you this new stove you'll eventually have in your house. My fireplace is a big ugly thing that I never use because it doesn't draw well. A pellet stove or some kind of insert would be wonderful. If I ever fill in the six inch step down "sunken" living room I'd take out my hearth before pouring concrete in the room. If I did that, I'd take out the chimney altogether and put floor to ceiling windows. (That's for after I win the lottery). My next door neighbors have a spot next to the new patio where they want to put a few stones to make a path from the yard through the edge garden around that patio, so I'm pleased that I'll be able to reciprocate for all of the dirt and urban conglomerate I picked up over there in early May. I have lots and lots of lovely limestone rocks, many sizes, so I'll be lugging some of those over there later. My kitchen is completely clean this afternoon. Every counter was cleared then scrubbed, and only the things that should be there were put back, so it looks inviting now. Next comes clearing the breakfast table. I haven't tackled the sun room yet, I don't think this was procrastination so much as triage - the kitchen really did need the attention more. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 12 Jun 11 - 08:15 PM Andrea, progress takes many forms. SOOT is one of them! Well, almost everything has made it to the country. I will be the next five years or so sorting it out. Exciting to be finding things that were packed two years ago. Ahh! the legs to the wee coffee table! I was so afraid they were lost and it is a unique antique which I really like. So I spent time sorting and placing while R went back to the city yesterday and came back for a music event with MANY wonderful local musicians - from blue grass to rock and roll. Then rains started and we had to run home with the truck and managed to squeeze it into the garage so we could go back (only about five minutes.) Then we were unloading the beautiful glass curio cabinet - piece of cake - and the VERY HEAVY queen size hideabed. Squashed my hand and put a piece of frozen meat on it - no ice, of course! But there is now. R got the sofa in alone being a stubborn Scot. Such a nice LR now. Sofa, love seat (matching - the only new ones of my life - about ten years old but still new - and brass lamps (all from yard sales!) with burgundy shades bought NEW some years ago! Lots still to do. But this week will focus on domesticating the city house. Insurance inspector arriving next Monday and the place is a disaster. But the shed is basically empty and can be removed. The The weather is to be coolish for a couple days so I can do that and plant the tomatoes and peppers. Then work on the inside the rest of the week when it heats up outside. Remembering to water the hanging basket - upstairs on the balcony - is daunting. I think an alarm on the computer is in order! Guess It's time for supper. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: LilyFestre Date: 12 Jun 11 - 08:18 PM Laundry on the line, floors swept, carpet vacuumed, old shower liner washed (cloth), new shower curtain up, tub scrubbed, car half unloaded from my adventures yesterday (lots of new clothes for the wee one, I even have purchased ahead for next winter...lots of cordoroys for .25 a pair!). He now has a winter coat, snowpants, boots, 2 other pairs of shoes, a few more toys, several books, about 6 CDs of kid music of different varieties), dinner made and picked up, kitchen table picked up (still needs my attention) and I am making an unexpected overnight trip tomorrow so I still have to pack for that. I'd like to get the car totally unloaded as well. Our garlic is growing like crazy (planted last fall)...the tops are very tall and I can't wait to try it (will have to wait until this fall though). Summer squash seeds are poking up, the yard is looking better all the time! Night Everybody! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 Jun 11 - 11:34 PM Michelle, When the garlic starts to send up the flower scapes, cut them off before they bloom so the energy doesn't go away from bulb formation and into the flowering activity. And when the plants start to turn brown, the ends of the leaves start turning first, any time after that you can start harvesting your garlic. I don't think you'll have to wait till next fall if you planted them last fall. I pushed a couple of more newspaper squares of mulched area along the weeded pathway around my keyhole garden. I also finished the laundry, it's down and folded. I decided to dig today and I'll mow and trim tomorrow. Great dinner, healthy, and early to bed. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: katlaughing Date: 12 Jun 11 - 11:49 PM I'm doing okay, SRS, thanks for asking. I will be calling the doc in the morning to look at my finger, though. It has been red and inflamed with a lot of pain. Ice cubes in a wash cloth most of the night helped, then hot salt water soaks today AND not using it!:-) So, Rog was a trooper and did the dishes, even reorganised the bins of pans, etc. under the cupboards, did the litter boxes, and all of the trash, plus he took out six garbage bags of shredded papers. Morgan and I did two of those before. I did the rest one handed, today. So, the basket is finally empty! I also swept up the paper scraps whilst sitting in my chair (foot is better, but still sore), then Rog emptied the dust pan. I get to see my osteo doc friend on Tues. for a 1.5 hour treatment and catch-up. That will help a lot! kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 Jun 11 - 09:14 AM I'm joining the ranks of the converted when it comes to rising early to get work done before it gets super hot. The dog walk happening first thing is great because it doesn't interrupt anything else later on. My brain/metabolism is adjusting to the earlier hour as I also adjust to getting to bed earlier. Not so remarkable, perhaps, but it is a life changer around here. I feel like I get a lot more done in a day in the early hours rather than trying to work on things late in the evening. Monday is trash day and a few doors up there was an intricately built bird feeder on the trash. I'm not going to use it for a feeder, I'll let it be yard art. I have one out there already, so this will make it a "collection." SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: wysiwyg Date: 13 Jun 11 - 11:02 AM Apparently the trick to decluttered officing is not the packing to go to things-- but the return "unpack." I feel so overwhelmed by all the tasks to harvest the energy that was generated by the displays-- great stuff really-- that I know it must be a sign of where the next declut has to get busier. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: LilyFestre Date: 13 Jun 11 - 11:12 AM Car unpacked from all yard sale goodies, giant mountain of *new* baby clothes to wash upon my return. Cooler packed, purse/diaper bag packed just for this specific adventure, one bag of clothes for us all. Packing the minimum and knowing it will be just fine! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 Jun 11 - 03:24 PM The tiller is history. I didn't get much for it, a pittance, but I wanted it out of the garage and didn't want the task of working on it to get it to start on the first pull of the cord to convince someone they should buy it. This shop knows how to start these. The fellow at the mower company told me that the rear tine machines are more popular now (mine was front tine) and that in the end he may end up taking the motor off and selling it separately. So, that cash spent on it is long since gone, there is a little back, and I have the space back again. There is a potluck at work tomorrow, and I simply signed up to bring something from the garden. I think I'll thaw okra and do breaded fried okra to take along. I'll cook it in the morning right before I head over. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Penny S. Date: 13 Jun 11 - 03:46 PM I was hoping to have a little burn in my chiminea today, but it got sunny, and people's washing went out. I dug a new patch of garden, where the comfrey used to grow. It has been absolutely brilliant at breaking up the soil, so it is really soil-like. I hardly needed the mattock. There were a couple of odd bits the mattock could not do anything with. I couldn't wash down to its base, either. A very thin sliver of concrete, set over a foot deep, fortunately not near enough to the surface to be a major problem, but a bit of a puzzle. And, in line with it, a broken flagstone, also set vertically, also very deep. They are quite close to the edge of the path, and parallel to it, so may have something to do with that. (Well, I say path, but I mean route fom the back gate, marked out by the odd small stepping stone, interspersed with weeds.) I've put a layer of mushroom compost, topped with the comfreyed soil, and then added some of my own compost. Bought topsoil goes on next. Two of the edges are marked with the last of the concrete mini boulders, some with moss on. I've nearly cleared the last of the mushroom compost pile back to the patio surface. Then I'll seed with quick salad stuff, lettuce, salad leaves, and radishes. And slug pellets, and spray susceptible plants with coffee. (I lost some salads in a propogator tray on top of the chest where I keep the tools last night!) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 Jun 11 - 06:11 PM I was planning to mow and trim this evening, but the high right now is 102o so that may not happen. Depends on how cool it gets in the hour before sunset. Papers bundled up to take to recycle bin. I'll keep a stack to use in the garden, and I will pick up more free mulch soon to use with the paper. With this, the kitchen and dining area next to it are looking about as neat as they ever will. I want to arrange a seating area outside my side door, where I'm stacking rocks. It's hot, but that will be in the shade, so I think I'll putter with that this evening. It would be nice to move the wrought iron bench over and then consider how to redo the seat on it. Maybe turn it into a bench, and for special occasions, get some indoor outdoor cushions? Rocks first, then plan the bench. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 Jun 11 - 10:55 PM It was still way too hot to start mowing or trimming as sunset approached, so I'll see what tomorrow looks like. I went shopping, loaded up on veggies. I have been walking the dogs almost every day, exercise that I haven't been reporting here, but needs a mention. There's a lunch potluck at work tomorrow, and I signed up to "bring something from my garden." I think that "something" will be fried okra. I have a bunch in the freezer still and this is the perfect accompaniment to the various things people are bringing. And my boss loves the stuff that comes out of the garden, so if no one else eats it (heck - this is The South - scratch that!) he will, and might take extra home. I tote buckets of veggies to the office every summer and I never bring the contents back home with me. (There was a discussion on the local NPR station today at noon and I called in - promoting my front yard garden and the conversation it generates.) Off to bed soon. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: mouldy Date: 14 Jun 11 - 03:45 AM I hope you got all of the comfrey root out, Penny, or you'll be harvesting it again! Ernie got the stove in situ yesterday afternoon, and back-filled part of the chimey opening behind the registration plate so that it doesn't fill up with soot. He's coming back later today to finish the fitting. There are lots of mysterious flat plates which he thinks are to be put in for log burning, but he was going to call its previous owner last night to double check. It's funny the tricks fluorescent light in a windowless room plays on you - I thought it was brown. It's not. It's a well-worn black! After Ernie went yesterday I filled a load of water containers ready for the water going off. However, Ali the builder is being mysteriously quiet... Anyway, I have a bookshelf of cookery books to get out of the back lobby and the bathroom and airing cupboard still to deal with by Thursday, so I've plenty to do. Hope your finger's easier, Kat. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Penny S. Date: 14 Jun 11 - 04:05 AM I expect I've missed some of it. This is the third extraction. The major plants have gone to a friend's wildlife site. everything else goes into the old cold tank with water so I can use the liquid after it's drowned. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: wysiwyg Date: 14 Jun 11 - 09:04 PM A day of unwelcome bed rest at least gave me time to catch up on audiobooks for which I volunteer. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: GUEST,mg Date: 14 Jun 11 - 09:12 PM read up on Dr. Johanna Budwig of Germany who had great success with a mixture of yogurt or cottage cheese and flaxseed oil in people with cancer. SOmething about sulpher bonds. mg |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: LilyFestre Date: 14 Jun 11 - 10:01 PM Glad to be back home. Lots of driving and lugging of gear for my family but had a great time. I spent most of this morning laying on the dining room floor laughing myself silly!!! An extremely busy week coming up. Night everybody! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: mouldy Date: 15 Jun 11 - 03:34 AM The stove is up and running - well at least it has survived its trial firing! The metalplates were just on 2 sides if the inside, which doesn't make a lot of sense, but we have put them in. They don't appear to fit the shape. Anyway, there's a couple of pics of it on the good ol' FB. Still waiting to hear from the planning officer about the windows, and the builder about the water. He's probably trying to round up the plumber and the electrician. One thing I will have to do some time is get onto British Telecom about the phone line to the Post Office which only just clears the present roof line. I have made the postmaster aware, and we both think it can be moved further up his wall, which will lift the whole line. The problem is, it's the main line to the Post Office itself, and so it will have to be done at a time when it's shut. I'm not sure it's my responsibility to contact them, but maybe I should make them aware. Bookshelf shifting today, and finish shifting stuff from the bathroom. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 15 Jun 11 - 09:36 AM Your photos are great, Andrea - that is a lovely stove! Truck has a brake light going on, so off to the dealer. They said it might be a sensor. I've experienced no difficulties with the brakes, but this isn't something to ignore. I'm in full summer mode these days - living outside as much as inside. I need to finish some of the declutter of pots, rocks, and such outside my side door so it finally looks the way I envision it. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011 From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity Date: 15 Jun 11 - 09:48 AM Oh, what the hell?....100! GfS |
