Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 02:17 PM

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who are alive."
~Howard Thurman

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: maeve
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 03:03 PM

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who are alive."
~Howard Thurman
*******************************
Michelle- You would have no way of knowing this...I knew Dr. Thurman, a good friend of both my parents, when I was a young child. He was and is one of my personal heroes.

Thank you. That's a quote to add to the walls of the yurt.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 03:23 PM

Maeve!!!

That's neat!!!!! It's one of my current favorite quotes!!!!

:) :) :)

I picked up the last of the larger yard sale items from last weekend with the help of my handsome husband, helped him unload the truck and carry things down to my Mom's basement as well as about 6 garbage bags of leftover stuff. Our second yard sale at her house will happen soon! The first yard sale was not on the main drag and they did not advertise baby things so I think we missed a lot of folks. Oh well, we'll try it again!

So...got home, took the laundry off the line, made lunch and am puttering around a little bit. My thermometer says 96 degrees...it's just too hot to do much of anything and since I don't HAVE to do much of anything today, that's the plan!!! Work until I'm hot, take a break. Work. Break. Etc. :)

Have a great day everybody!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 03:38 PM

Heading into the yard with laundry to hang up. I need to get myself moving, I have no energy this afternoon. The heat is oppressive, and I need to get past it.

Ebay stuff this afternoon - indoor work is what I need for a while.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 04:49 PM

Morgan finally quit playing with the flashlight (for reading in bed) about 1130p last night. I read a bit longer and finally got to sleep about an hour later. I was up and down a couple of times, then I heard this quiet little voice, "Mama, mama? It's six o'clock." I know I groaned and told him to go back to sleep. Mama and Papa needed to sleep in a bit! So, then it was 7a and then 8a, each time he informed me very nicely. We gave up about 830a! Some "sleep" over! Still we had fun even if I was grumpy. After he went home, Rog took me for a ride up in the orchards and I caught up on my sleep a little. I love naps in the car on rides...very relaxing.

Came home, was out of sorts about our bedroom, so I folded all of the clothes, put them away, then decided to clean out the top two drawers of my dad's old highboy which has been used mostly for storage. I wanted to use it, again, as a dresser, so, after many, many years, some keepsakes either were put away elsewhere, put in a sell or giveaway box and some things were thrown out. I took my clothes out of the canvas bins which have been sitting on top of an old buffet we have in there and put them in the drawers. Emptied all three bins. I had to stop because I was hungry, hot, and tired, but it looks better and will be even more so when I finish taking care of a few things.

I plan to go through the buffet, also mostly storage, and maybe even get rid of it through selling or swapping. I really want to find a two-seater hideabed couch like we had in WY. It would be perfect for Morgan. He's only got a few inches to go to be as long as the cot he uses these days!

Also shredded some documents. Rog did the dishes and is doing the litterboxes as I type. He's been really tired this weekend...partly heat and unbelievable humidity, but mostly work stress. We've had so many thunderstorms with hour-long, or so, gullywashers, the main canal which provides irrigation water for a lot of orchards, fields, and residences, including ours, had a break when a dam broke up the canyon last Monday. The water finally was turned back on yesterday. Even without it, the humidity has reminded me of back East.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 05:14 PM

The annual mad dash to pack for vacay is in full swing. I dunno why it's not easier each year. (I suppose it is and it just doesn't feel that way.) This year we jettison an item I can sell and add an item instead with personal significance. This year we have no set destination and only our own goals to pursue. This year I cannot do a damn thing to help physically but hope to come home in better shape. This year I come back to a house being cleaned by a paid helper (thanks to Mom and Ed) and have 2 weeks till MIL arrives... instead of doing the month's worth of cleaning myself before she arrives.

This year I have work stuff to be on vacay from, that I have to watch a bit while away, and a big project a short week after we return for which I will need to hit the ground running.

This year I have pool noodles that fold and can also be pillows. And insructions from the PT to build in more fun and less extremes. And a considerably lighter meds load-- I'm taking the vacay off from one BP med I suspect is over-prescribed, and taking just the previous smaller dosage. God will have to watch my BP again this year so I can MOVE. He hain't failed me yet!

And why is Faulkner desperately hiding under my legs today??? I think he wants to come along, not board this year.

Thanks to friends who have been faithful in praying for us this year. We continue to hold you in our own prayers, and share His peace with you, as well.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 06:06 PM

Susie asked if Zeke can come stay in early August for a few days - Cinnamon accepted immediately! They're flying out again, no dogs, shorter trip this time. When I make a short trip later on in the fall I'll probably have one party feed the dogs in the evening and another in the morning. I am afraid if Susie tried to walk all three dogs that Poppy would turn the walk into a huge tangle, so we'll keep those plans as simple as possible.

Laundry is drying outside, a big drink of iced tea and my snack of salty chips eaten. I think maybe I'm a little low on salt, I've noticed a few cramps try to start in the feet and legs lately. It's this heat. Maybe time to get some gatorade. I don't like all of the sugar in it, but I could use it for after gardening (the way it's supposed to be used - when you need to add electrolytes). Seems it isn't as hot today, it stayed down at 100, but the ozone level is orange so it still isn't a good time to go out.

Bread is rising and a batch of banana bread will be mixed up close to when I start baking the yeast bread. Their baking times are a little different, but I think there can be some overlap. Banana bread (sans nuts) for my son with the tender mouth.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 07:10 PM

SRS, there are some yummy sounding recipes for alternative to gatorade HERE.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 09:15 PM

Hour and a half evening scootering. All chores today within limits. Nap per orders even.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 10:44 PM

Jogged 2/10 of a mile today.

JOGGED.

Me. I jogged. It wasn't pretty but I DID IT!!!!!!!

Why? Because I can for all those who can't because they've heard the words, "You have cancer."


I Run For Life

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 09:10 AM

Good for you, Michelle!

This morning I decluttered the yard of a skunk carcass. It seems my dogs have hit the Zen of dog-hood. In their younger years, they got skunked before they killed the skunk. Then they got a slight glancing blow of spray before they killed the skunk. Then last year we went through the peaceful 7 discharges in the yard (that I detected) but only the first landed any dog-hair or face contact. And they started chasing off the skunks without getting hit.

Now they're back in form, killed the skunk without getting skunked. It must take quite a strategy on the part of two dogs to neither get hit and still manage to kill the poor bugger. It's now floating down stream in the creek behind the house. (This is going on the facebook page where I sent a photo of the smearly departed.)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 09:19 AM

Jogged?????
WOW!
If I don't start moving soon, I won't be able to walk. HAven't jogged in years. Keep it up Michelle. I see a marathon in your future.
SINS

It's 6AM???? I'd kill him. Gently but firmly. LOL
Love,
Auntie SINS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 11:26 AM

4.15pm in a book shop/cafe in Wigtown, Scotland. They have got wifi, and I've got my notebook! The sun is shining at the moment, but i don't know how long it will last, as we have had some horrendous gales and rain over the last 3 days. It has a nasty habit of clearing up in the evening and then coming howling again overnight. (Blasted Atlantic weather systems!)
I was in this shop on Saturday, and spent a lot of money. I then visited several more....so now I have more books to find shelf space for! Wigtown is the "second hand book capital" of Scotland.

I left home on Thursday just before the archaeologist came for his last visit. The concrete had been poured for the floor, the last drain trench was about to be dug, and the blocks for the inside of the walls were due that afternoon. There was no news up until then as to when the stone would arrive.
I expect to see quite a bit of progress when I get back next tuesday, unless the stone still hasn't arrived!

A lot of driving and eating being done at the moment, but not much walking! I hope to get to a couple of stone circles soon if the weather picks up, and there are a couple of good exhibitions on in Kirkudbright, also.
And the Wickerman festival next weekend, but I shan't be going, because it's my friend's birthday, and we will be partying at the camp site.

Andrea

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 12:21 PM

Andrea, Just be glad your house isn't sitting over a stone circle, or you'd never move back in.

I cleaned some old vitamin bottles (the larger ones for fish oil capsules) and got the labels off over the weekend in preparation for this morning when I filled them with dried herbs from my garden. I packed some extra space with home-grown garlic, and am sending it to a friend in New York. The postage will still be a lot less than if he bought the herbs himself, but I think mostly this is sending along something grown by one friend to another, to add to the pleasant ceremony we can make of cooking with special ingredients.

Since I cleared a lot from the library table in the living room I'm going to see if I can move it somewhere else, or move another piece of furniture out of there. I should look around and see if there is a piece of furniture I can get rid of, but most of what is around now gets used.

Gotta get some work done and then see if my son needs lunch. His dad was off last week and took him over for the dental appointments. He's still on a soft diet, so we're trying to keep him supplied with healthy soft choices. I'm on call this week since his dad is back at work.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 01:01 PM

35 minutes PT (too short) with leg weights for various exercises and some more wave-resistance. Next visit back to stair-stepping-- the one thing that can be done at this facility that cannot be done elsewhere, almost fully underwater.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 01:54 PM

Not keeping up with everyone but ...

Spent last week planning and organizing for the "pottery/clay-play" booth at Apple Hollow Music Fest. Tripped to the supply house for clay - self hardening so kids could take home a hand built piece and take it home to paint. Regular white clay so people could try the wheel. Well, I was all organized and ready!! Five children and one adult did hand building - and had a lot of fun doing it. One musician made her first ever pot with her group standing around kibitzing! So, I was prepared for masses - had about 25 balls of each clay ready. Now to keep them ready for the next festival - whenever that is. I also threw a few pots - first time sincea 2009 and on a kick wheel - a certain muscle is complaining today but I can walk so.... Sold five small pieces and got an order for two bowls. Told her not to hold her breath. Well, it was fund and exhausting - a 16 hour day by the time I got to watch the last group on stage (I could hear them all day - GREAT MUSIC!) and load up and got home after midnight.

Then up to the Laurentians on Sunday for Quaker Meeting - made the last ten minutes because I could not get up sooner! Afternoon on a beautiful secluded lake. Need to find my bathing suit; the water would have been delicious.

Now I am in recupe mode, thinking about next project - the web site improvements for the local SPCA so raccoons and other wild animals are addressed adequately. Trade in the excessive amount of self hardening clay for my fav dark clay to throw. Plan to spend some time at the cabin making pots and improving the studio. This means going and coming according to when the bridge-under-repair offers a lane in the correct direction. We have ascertained that the small kiln works!

Constant sorting: packing unnecessaries, decide what to do about discards - yard sale or thrift shop? unpacking those items which are currently useful or fun. Dealing with two households, an hour apart - "oh that's (at the other place)! The cabin is more civilized - but the stove is not connected yet.

Oh, and one more "project" - several hundred VHS videos that need new homes. I checked one set and it was $20 on ebay so I tried to figure out how to market them on e-bay. But, that is rocket science so I guess I will try Craigslist - local and no shipping. But listing will take some time. A project for next week....   

The tomato plants are starting to produce red, yellow and orange cherry tomatoes. Rain might be helpful at this point.

Love hearing about Andrea's terrific house project! But cannot take time to read all the postings.

Actually one thing on my mind is how to deal with the 2-300 mostly raccoon emails - every day! I am working toward a strategy to get the good info without all the tripe. I need to focus on the important, useful stuff and cut down the time spent - but still get to see the cute pics because those beautiful faces always make me smile! Time and eyestrain are considerations.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 02:01 PM

I intended to do some book sorting today, but haven't got round to it because of sewing. I'm working through history books, and have done Archaeology and Prehistory, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, The Celts, and the period of the English Settlement. Next should be Saxons before the Vikings. I have to work through all the other shelves, pulling out the relevant volumes (and the ones I missed in the last rounds), filling up the gaps created with the ones I've moved from the shelf the history will be on, and putting aside books for Oxfam. Also altering the layout of the shelves to be economical with the brackets.

I have nearly finished my waistcoat, only topstitching around the armholes and the neatening to do now. The pattern company's idea for turning inside out would not have worked, unless the garment was made in really thin fabric. The fronts were to be pulled through the shoulders. Once sewn up, these were only 3" wide, so diameter 2" as a tube. Pulling through a side seam was definitely easier than that would have been. The front is cut longer than the back, with points at the bottom, and curved edges to the opening. I have appliqued the pockets from the trousers to the fronts. The front pockets had a slanting opening, and on the other side, I have abutted them to a seam I had to put to get the right width. The back pockets which had button closures I have put above them, with the edge matched to the diagonal of the lower pockets. It does look intentional. Mum had made some self covered buttons in the lining material, and I'm wondering whether to use them as a fastening, but they aren't needed.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 05:47 PM

Jogged 2/10 of a mile.

Daily chores tended to as well.

:)

A very short job in this kind of humidity (thunder in the background, black skies) makes you break a big sweat in no time!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 05:52 PM

You'll have to post photos when you finish Penny, so we can see what all of these features look like!

Dorothy, the idea of swimming in a lake sounds wonderful! I'm afraid some of them down here are probably getting pretty warm by now. I took the kids in a Corps of Engineers lake in Arkansas a few years ago when we were on vacation and on the day it was 104 out we found a public swimming beach to ourselves. The water felt heavenly!

Sold another couple of books on eBay. Tiny price, the shipping costs more than the books, but little by little my paypal account is being useful and the counter is clearing. I have a box with sheets that my son won't use again in the new dorm that I'll list next.

Now for something completely different - my brother learned about the dairy program at Washington State University last year and for xmas sent my sister and I each a Cougar Gold sharp cheddar cheese that the students made. They're aged 3 years before they sell, and I finally remembered I had it in there and I wanted a cheese sandwich, so I opened the can. This is the most delicious cheddar cheese I have ever eaten. The closest I've come is the white New York Sharp Cheddar. I see that when they sell it now it has to go in a cold pack; that wasn't necessary last December. This is heavenly, and if you have an occasion coming up where you want to knock off people's socks, this is the cheese. I took a slice of homemade bread and toasted it a little the put a layer of the cheese on top and put it under the broiler element for an open face cheese sandwich. I don't have enough superlatives for this cheese. My ex stopped by and I sent some home with him - if my son doesn't want any on a sandwich, it won't go to waste. And think about it crumbled on a salad. :)

Maybe I'll take a sample with me to work tomorrow - I bet a few co-workers would enjoy this (and the can is big - I don't want this to stick around so long it gets moldy). Fortunately the Tupperware lid for one of my smaller bowls just fits the can.

Okay. I'd better get back to work.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 09:18 AM

Clearing out a few things to drop off at Goodwill. Recycling a toner cartridge at work -- all of these things have piled up next to the door over the past few days. It'll look good when it's gone.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 10:26 AM

I rearranged the living room this morning and have a load of clothes in the washing machine. There had been a folding table in the living room for temporary use as a desk. Well, it turned out to be a piling center. Everything has been removed from that table to the kitchen table will it will more likely get the attention it needs as I like my kitchen table clear. The folding table and chair has been folded back up and put away. Ah yes. There is that extra space!!! I still need to dust in the living room and vacuum later tonight after all the toys are picked up. Bonus to taking care of that folding table....I can get to the stereo again...YAY!!!

It's supposed to be really hot and muggy here today and I've started to have pain in my left side so I'm going to take the rest of the day pretty easy.

Oh yeah, took care of some phone business and paid several bills this morning too.

Jeremiah was up early but really cranky so after a bottle and a diaper change, I put him back to bed where he's been sleeping nicely ever since. That sure does let me get a whole lot more done!! I'm sure he'll be up soon and we will play!!! Yesterday he *read* a book to me. It was sooo sweet!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 11:06 AM

Penny, I'd love to see a picture of your waistcoat. It sounds so creative, expert, and pretty!

Dorothy, good to hear from you!

Yesterday, Morgan and I went through his books on the baker's rack back in the old office, then we moved the baker's rack to the kitchen and put what books he kept on our three shelf, fold-able wooden bookshelf which Rog retrieved from our daughter's house the day before. This was a pretty big project for him. It was great fun to see him "discover" books he's had but was too young to read by himself. Now, his "top shelf" holds all the special ones he wants to read right away. It looks better back there, too. The bookshelf is lower and fits the space better. Havne't figured out where to put the baker's rack. That will have to wait for the weekend and Rog's input as he may have to move some of his stuff and/or scootch the stove over a bit.

M and I also went downtown to the health food store. On the spur of the moment, I decided to surprise him by taking him to play in some new fountains just installed. There are about 30-50 water jets which come up out of the brick paved area with park benches around the perimeter. Children and anyone else who wants to can run through them, play catch with the water, etc. It shoots straight up, some go in arcs, at times all are very vigorous and high in the air, at other times just quick little spurts. I haven't had so much fun in ages, just watching him and the other kids have a blast. Total abandonment to joy and fun. I was really proud of him for watching out for the littler kids, esp. a very independent ca 4 yr old girl who, I think, was sight impaired. She was so much fun. Morgan has on a tee shirt and long light sweat pants. He was soaked to the gills when we left. And, of course, he asked if we could go again "tomorrow."

I went back to rehab exercise class, yesterday and the new shoes work! I was able to do 5 minutes of warm-up, ten on the treadmill, then twenty of the recumbent stepper, mostly without pain! And, it showed on the scales this morning. Down two pounds. My bod just wants to m-o-v-e! I do have some soreness in my knee, but it's working out.

Also saw the doc for a check up on my fingers. He's happy with the progress and said he hopes he doesn't see me again.:-) He's got a great sense of humour. Whilst there, I called animal control after another woman put a note on a pick-up truck with a small dog yapping in it, with about 2 inches of window rolled down. It was humid and already in the high 80s which means the truck, facing east, was probably at least 100 or more inside. I gave dispatch the plate number, the make and colour of the truck. I don't know if it was because it was Monday or not, but she didn't get it right, so the officer who came, whilst I was in with the doc, couldn't find it! I called her as I left as I saw an elderly man putting a wheelchair in the back and get ready to leave. She told me she'd ask the sheriff's dept. to look up the plate and she'd send them a notice. She was very apologetic. I just can't stand it when I see that happening. One reporter did a segment where he sat in the car in 90 degree heat and within just a few minutes the in-the-car temp was at 130 degrees. My Rog reminded his news dept. they need to do reminder segments every couple of weeks so folks don't forget how deadly it is to their pets AND children!

This morning, before Morgan, I have to call CreateSpace about the book proof and finish letters to the hospitals as well as dry clothes.

kat

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Donuel
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 11:17 AM

There is clutter and there are hoarders and then there are collectors who have the proper facilities and tastfully valuable items properly stored.

The magical thinking that places sentimental or fantasy value on items can lead to hoarding which can be caught in the bud or require successive purges.

At one point in evolution this was a life saving trait but today it needs to be fixed from time to time when clutter turns to obstacle.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 11:24 AM

Thorny PT issues solved (logistics) and will discuss with PT-ist tmrw.

A number of tricky work projects are now expedited off my desk-- done or delivered into appropriate in-baskets elsewhere for other team members' pieces to carry forward:

A training event
An Anti-Racism homeschool study project
A church website matter
A brochure
A ministry fund
A hookup with a ministry colleague next county over
Resources for PT-ist
MIL early Sept visit
September retreat guest
September-June guest
A display
Training and PR materials
Fall Commission on Ministry scheduling (mine)
Sexual assault resources

The FC pickup last night netted three nice items needed for vacay and more to expedite when we return.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 04:45 PM

"I run for hope. I run to feel. I run for truth, for all that is real....I run for life." ~Melissa Etheridge

2/10th of a mile in 103 degree heat. Because I can.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 05:48 PM

Michelle, don't do that! Running in heat that high is not like running in regular conditions. If you're going to run, do it at 7am when it's only 80 out. We're dying of this heat without running in it, and I don't want to hear about you becoming a statistic. So run at a better time of day, please!

I lay down for a nap on the couch this afternoon and hadn't turned on the AC in that part of the house. I woke up in a sweat and felt awful. I see a lot of people getting physically ill after all of this hot weather, and part of it has to be because we're going back and forth into super cooled buildings and then into the heat. I have a friend who developed "walking pneumonia" doing that.

Picked up peaches and tomatoes today, and tried to get the tenant at Dean's house to wake up (rang the bell several times) but no answer. (I would have borrowed his grinder for the tomatoes, but I'll have to use my old Foley food mill instead.) He sleeps all day, apparently, but Dean told me to try it anyway. I want to steam juice the tomatoes, the peaches were just picked up by Zeke's mom (who has a sinus headache and the last thing it looks like she needs to do is can peaches tonight.) She forgot the fruit fresh - I'll drop it by.

It's reaching a point where if it rains, I'll strip and run naked in it, and I don't think neighbors would bat an eye (they'd probably join me!) Oh, how I envy Morgan that play in the water! Tell him how hot we are here and I'd love a photo of him in one of those fountains to use as my screen saver for the summer!

More later.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 06:14 PM

SRS,

It was 4:30ish here and I was in the shade. It's all good. I'm not a full sunshine kind of girl. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 06:32 PM

SRS, as soon as I get tmobile squared away with "my album," I'll send you some pics or post them on myopera.

:-)

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 07:09 PM

If you can send picture mail, my phone will receive it.

We're just so very tired of the heat. Since early June it has been consistently hot, no rain, and it never cools, even overnight. At least in western deserts once the sun goes down it cools a bit. Here there's humidity that it doesn't happen. What we need right now is a well-placed hurricane.

Mailed another eBay package, down to just one up now, so I'll list a couple of more things. I'm steaming juicing tomatoes and making sauce tonight.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 09:48 PM

After two days recuperating: Did one load of laundry yesterday and hung it on our wonderful "new" clothes line. Hung it AFTER the wonderful but short rain storm!

Today, I exchanged the excess self-hardening clay for my favourite dark clay and drove directly to the cabin to get my hands into it. Spent a couple hours organizing and putting a shelf unit together, took a meal break then threw 7 bowls on my "new" pottery wheel. Love the clay, love my kick wheel, made by the same man who built the one I left in the NW - because it sat outside for a year thanks to my sudden move and high winds, etc. Then a meal break and it was time to come back to the city. The bridge we use is one-way most of each day, geared to commuters: to the city in the am until 9:45 and from the city in the afternoon until 7:45. Home at 8 pm.

Checked through emails. thinking about what I can/need to present to the SPCA on Friday. Hmmm. I can copy some of their web pages to file and make changes and additions!

The TV says we are not having a heat wave because it has not hit 30C. I consider anything over 70F a heat wave! You guys further south.... KEEP COOL!! Sunday someone was telling me her strategy - She fills the bathtub with cool water and gets into it every couple hours to cool her body core. Adds water as needed. Some of us could plan our lives like that. I find just the water I use when potting - dipping my hands constantly - really helps. OR, if reading or other seated activity, sitting with feet in a basin of cool water makes a big difference. When gardening on hot days in PA, I would wear a wet t-shirt.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 12:52 AM

Dorothy, my pit bull does that. I have a couple of tubs of water in the yard and she's in and out all day long.

I had a flat of tomatoes to process this evening. There are six half-pints of sauce processing now, and tomorrow I'll heat and season and can three quarts of juice. I didn't have Dean's food mill (an efficient one with a crank to run everything through easily) so after steam juicing I used my old Foley food mill. It worked, (usually it sits with the antiques on top of my kitchen cabinets!) but it's messier and a lot more grinding for the result.

We've been teased by clouds overhead for part of the time every day this week, but no rain. You were lucky to get your little storm, Dorothy. I'll set my washer to go during the middle of the night and hang out a load on the line tomorrow.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 10:29 AM

Tired this morning, and went back to sleep for another hour after Susie called to say she had to take a car into the shop early and couldn't walk. The processing of tomato sauce ended pretty late. I'll process the juice today.

Item relisted on eBay, will do more today. Laundry washed overnight in the small hours when the power grid wasn't strained. Now to the yard to dry them. I need to clear off my desk, the papers are piling up again. I'd forgotten about clearing the file drawer behind me - I need to start using it! The usual kind of stuff, as you can see.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 01:38 PM

Now THAT was a PT appt!!!!

She finally found those missing muscles.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 03:00 PM

101.9 degrees at the moment. Humidity is low. Slight breeze, perfect day for doing lots of laundry, small odd loads too as everything dries so quickly on the line today!!!

I haven't gone for my run yet today but will later this evening when it cools off a bit.
ither
The kitchen is clean, the kitchen table has just about been found from yesterdays transfer of piles (why in the world is there SO MUCH paper clutter that is nothing but TRASH?), floors swept, baby soon to be in the tub and some other things going on today.

I also found myself a running coach! He started the same as I am and now runs marathons all over the place. His wife is also a runner...she did some crazy run last fall that was 80 or 100 miles...I forget. Either way, great people and he knows where I'm coming from. YAY for Tim!!!!!

Time to get moving again.

Later Gators!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 06:14 PM

This is an unhappy club to be a member of, the hot weather clan. I've cornered the market on whining about it for some time now, but I'll share the honors. Sounds like a lot of Mudcatters are going to go from warm to hot this weekend.

Slowly moving stuff out on eBay, listed some sheets today and I'll do some more books. The times I list one book at a time don't seem to sell as well as two well-chosen books. And unless a lot of books (i.e., multiples like 10 - 20 titles) has a complete set of some popular author, they're hard to sell. So I'll keep selling pairs of paperback for a small amount. Every now and then there are multiple bids. Something to keep in mind when finding inexpensive books at garage sales.

The flat of tomatoes yielded six pints of sauce and 2 1/2 quarts of juice. Not a huge turnout, all things considered. I used the old Foley food mill and it has a really metallic taste to it so I will mark these in case it gives them an odd taste. I don't think it will, but I'll keep track just the same. I am going to be taking the steam juicer back to Dean later this week and if I borrow it again I'll get his food mill (plastic and steel) at the same time. Over the last two weeks I've added 18 pints of peaches to the pantry along with the tomato products just listed. I also have to do some mustang grape jelly.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: maeve
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 06:26 PM

It's been painfully hot here for weeks...and will be even worse this week, including high levels of ozone and humidity.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 07:03 PM

We hit 19 days in a row of 100+ temps today. It was hot for several weeks before it hit 100 every day. The local weather folks are beginning the grim counting of how many days in this stretch, what records we will break.

I'm going to see if I can go sit in an air conditioned theater tonight and watch Harry Potter 7.2.

:)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 07:40 PM

It was hot when I was in Canada, it's hot here in New Hampshire. My hair's wet, though, which is a Good Thing. I should go watch Harry Potter too... maybe tomorrow. I am NOT going to clean the mouse nest out of my mower and do the lawn. Having neat grass just doesn't seem important.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 08:24 PM

The aquatic therapy tdy included diagnostic stair climbing (underwater, almost weightless) to spot how and why I injured myself, where the injury is still healing wrong, what needs to be stronger, and what compensating I've been doing that I need to retrain myself (with the PT) not to do any more.

I booked an extra session for the day we leave for vacay. I slept a solid deep sleep hour when I got home from this one, instead of sitting on sore muscles. Lots of small evening activities in short bursts will keep me from stiffening up too much.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 11:26 PM

My blood sugar at 11:00pm was 98!!!!!

YES!!! YES!!! YES!!!!

The new insulin is working!!!!!   WOOOOO!!!!!

Had an intense cancer support meeting tonight.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 12:53 AM

Good for you, Michelle! Tread lightly, Susan.

Harry Potter 7.2 was a good resolution for the series. The books of course are far more comprehensive, and it helps with the movies to have read the books. I am glad I took a long sleeve shirt with me to the theater, I had to put it on about half way through.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 01:36 PM

30 minutes mixed deepwater aquatics and wall exercises. Quite a reversal for the "I Can't" person I used to coach and exhort to now be outworking me and coaching others. Fitting though. I'm so proud of her!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 01:46 PM

Gotta start filing here today. This pile of papers on my desk needs to go away.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 02:36 PM

Too darn hot to do much of anything today. I got dinner things ready when it was cooler so tonight all I have to do is fire up the grill and steam the veggies. Dishes are done, two separate loads of wash done (only 1 item each time), toys picked up (oh why do I even bother with that?) and run put on hold until they remove the excessive heat warning. I will go splash around the pool with the baby when the sun goes down a bit more.

Jeremiah walked in the bathroom this morning, looked and me and very excitedly said, "HI!!!!"   LOL Made my day!

Keep cool out there!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 07:44 PM

Today the rubber met the road on alternating PT and workouts on my own-- a good indicator. Since the PT has now found the missing muscles, the off-day workouts need to be a tad gentler to avoid taking pain into the next PT appt-- a muscle still hurting is a muscle not yet ready to go hard right away. And the PT is supposed to be HARD. We'll discuss that at tomorrow's PT!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 07:50 PM

This evneing I have a chicken to roast in the convection oven out on the porch. I'll make a couple of open-face cheese sandwiches for dinner and the chicken is for the rest of the week. Lots of veggies and fruit in the fridge to round out meals. I made another gallon of my iced tea. The lemon balm is growing in the yard and the green tea bags are about $3 for 100, I use six bags and 1 or 2 large sprigs per jar. I was spending several dollars a week on soft drinks.

I'll pick up Dean's food mill tomorrow and if I'm able to get more tomatoes I'll show Susie how to do the sauce with the steam juicer and the food mill. I would prefer to process home grown tomatoes, but I don't have any. I'll probably have some in the fall, but I can't bank on it this year.

I started poking around and found more cables and bits that I'll add to a bulk eBay list. It seems in this day and age you need to keep the electronic packaging for rebates and updates or returns, whatever, so I need to flatten a few and find a good storage place. Now they're in my hall closet where the modem and router are, but maybe I can put a box in there for them all and I won't have to look at them. I have a basket of cables and such, I'm not getting rid of all of the spare parts.

Tonight I'm going to do some deep watering at the front of the front yard, those plants there are really stressed by the heat and I haven't paid as much attention as I should have. Some shrubs and a tree in particular. I'm not going to put drinking water on the grass, but I'll keep my trees alive, I hope! Day 20 of 100+ temperatures today.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Tinker
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 08:59 PM

Stilly we've only had a few days, your posts reminded me it could be a lot worse.

I've been using ediets to track what I eat and map out exercise. My house may still be cluttered, but I've taken off 18lbs. Hopefully I'll get the other 15 off before Getaway.

Tinker

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 09:40 PM

Good job, Tinker!

I'm getting a walk in the morning with the dogs, and I'm moving around the yard and house, but no vigorous exercise, it's just too hot. I'm eating light meals, drinking water and tea, and for the time being, not drinking wine or beer. When it's this hot a glass of wine seems more potent, goes to my head and makes me more tired than usual. Not drinking that glass of wine is no doubt a faster way to lose weight.

The chicken is roasting on the patio table, dishes have been washed, and I'm doing a little eBay work. It's nice when a couple of people bid up the books!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 09:51 PM

OK, I am a slow learner. Once again I posted and once again, it failed. So, back to writing on word before trying to post.

Tinker must have a secret! Congratulations on that weight loss!

Herbal teas – mint, linden blossom, lemon balm – are very nice icy cold and refreshing. I kept them in the frig for teenage sons who went through more apple juice than we could afford. They were content with cold tea with honey.

So, here in Montreal, it was 92 in the shade at 5:30, a record breaking day! I have mostly stayed in the house where the air conditioner struggles to maintain 77 rather than the 72 at which it is set.

Laundry on line, then down again in two installments, oregano harvested – I cut off the tops with scissors – after the shade hit that area, a few weeds pulled, a few tomatoes tied, groceries fetched this am at the nearest store.

Prepared for meeting with SPCA. Dealt with emails; getting quicker at deleting the chaff. Emailed back and forth with a woman in PA looking for a rehabber for raccoons. Such a need for more rehabbers.

Started beans for more chili, and distilled two gallons of water. These heat up the K but I keep the door shut and only try to cool LR and BR.

Supposed to cool a bit on the weekend but the hoped for rain is not coming yet.

Keep your cool, everyone!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 12:22 AM

Yesterday I went to Morgan's school and heard great reports from his teacher, esp. that he has a "great love for learning." He got a certificate saying he is ready to be a Leader in 2nd grade and an award for perfect attendance, plus his reading went up four levels!And, math whiz that he is, he had all 100%s on his math papers. He loves it!

Today, I saw my primary care doc for a three month checkup. He is quite pleased with my progress and, as we talked, told me, once again, he and the specialist really weren't sure I would respond to treatment and that they got to me "just in time." Makes me doubly glad I registered complaints with both hospitals and have received confirmation the one really did write off the rest of the bill.

I also went back to the shoe doc who adjusted the orthotics a tiny bit. When I went to exercise, yesterday, my left knee hurt more. He found a spot which was putting too much pressure on the side of my little toe which effected the knee. It's a lot better, tonight.

Besides exercise, yesterday, Morgan and I also went through one side section of the buffet in our BR and the two shelves are almost empty! We will do the other two tomorrow, I hope.

The heat and humidity have been wretched here, too, but not nearly as bad as you, SRS. At least here we can count on the high desert cooling off to the 60s or 70s as soon as the sun goes down. I was out in it too much today, though. M and I were having so much fun, after he got out of school, we had lunch out, then the shoe doc, then were going to the used bookstore when we detoured to the shoe store, first, where he and I split the cost of new shoes for him. Then we went to the bookstore which was NOT well air-conditioned. By the time we left, I was really feeling the heat. The car surface temp was 106 degrees which means it was probably about 96 outside. I didn't notice until we got home that my O2 had run out. I was okay, I think it didn't run out until we were almost home, but this high heat is making me use it up faster. Rog explained the air gets thinner because of the heat. I plan to talk to the O2 company, tomorrow, about a bigger unit AND watch the clock better!

I'd love to live more naturally and have less impact on the Earth, but I would not survive in this climate without evaporative/swamp coolers, a/c in the car, and, of course, heat in the winter. I wish we could afford solar.

Tomorrow is exercise with Morgan in tow, lunch with "Papa" and, I hope, some more decluttering. I did sell one item, for less than a dollar, on ebay, but it's kind of neat; it's going to a collector in the Netherlands. Managed to get another listing up. I've been going through a small bin of speciality advertising samples from when I sold such things for a living back in the 80s. SRS, I've got books to get listed, too, but mostly old hardbacks. I'll try a few to see how they get on.

Still trying to figure out how to get the photos off my phone. After selling me the cable for a usb port, they THEN tell me my phone isn't set up for a memory chip and I cannot load them that way into my HD. SO, I took the block off receiving and sending pix to "my album" and they gave me thirty free texts to send the ones i have on it which I did, BUT they are nowhere to be found online in my supposed album, so I shall have to call them tomorrow. I will also take the cable back to the little idjit young man who sold it to me and get a refund!

Tink!! Good going!!