Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 06:26 PM

Great job, SRS. Yes, that whale knew they were there to help, I am sure of it.

Michelle, you are a wonder. I hope you got some rest!

We got a lot done today. Besides the usual dishes, litter boxes, and laundry, I packed up all of the cassette tapes in the card catalogue, all of the LPs in the record stand under it and Rog took them all out to storage until we decide what we want to do with them. I did keep out about ten or so LPs which I *think* may be saleable. We'll see.

We put the baker's rack where all of the above was. It's at the end of the table and now holds some things which were kept on the kitchen table; stuff which often got in the way, esp. when Morgan is over to eat with us. It looks much neater. I put all of our clothes away, too. I went looking for a basket to keep some of those things in on the baker's rack only to realise I gave away several of them last week, to reduce clutter.**bg** Morgan reminded me they went to help the animals and we made do with a smaller one.

Morgan had asked me to sew up a seam in his swimming trunks, so he got out the sewing machine, I showed him how to thread it and let him sew them up with my help. We also did the same thing to a couple of pairs of my pants, the last he did almost totally by himself. He loved it and wants to sew some more. He also wanted to crochet, again. He'd forgotten how, so I showed him, over and over. He got very frustrated to the point where I quit trying to help and went back to my work. When he calmed down, I showed him, again, and he was off to the races. I now have his first chain, made with saffron coloured cotton yarn, around my neck as a "necklace." We thought bracelets would be fun, too, so I showed him how to thread on little bells from India, with my help. I now am wearing a jingly matching bracelet!:-) He has moved on to the purple yarn, now, and is making me another necklace. I told him I knew a few "aunties" at Mudcat who might enjoy a bracelet, too.

It's about 100 degree here this afternoon. The house is at about 77, but it still feels h-o-t. I always close the shades and only leave a couple of windows ajar to keep the swamp cooler air moving, but it's just plain hot. SRS, move slowly and drinks lots of water...106??!! Too much!

kat

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 01:18 PM

Another rack is up and the Tupperware lids fit. Books listed at eBay. Now to wade into the kitchen and attack the peaches.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 10:57 AM

You've been busy! I'm glad you were able to make sense of that information at Lifestyle, Kat. I don't know how those work or how much they deliver, so it was a shot in the dark. And I agree about the whale video - happy tears indeed as that beautiful animal shows joy at freedom! You know they have to understand that the people in that boat are helping. Michelle, on the news today they said the heat wave on the east coast is breaking up, so you should be back to better temperatures soon. It looks like it's building up here again, this afternoon is supposed to be anywhere from 103 to 106.

My kitchen is a tiny bit more organized. I screwed on a plastic-coated wire rack inside the cabinet door under my sink. I put a little plastic long narrow organizer thing in the bottom of it to keep small dish washing things from falling through the rack. That's another bowl off the counter. I also have a rack to put inside a cabinet to hold the lids to my Tupperware lids.

Describing and listing a few eBay things this morning.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 04:15 AM

I haven't been to bed yet this evening (or very early morning). I was awake so I spent time puttering in the kitchen. Because it's been so darn hot, I let things slide for a few days. It's amazing how much of a mess can happen in that short of a time! Anyway, it's all picked up now. :)

I suppose I should try and get some sleep before my guys wake up.

Sweet dreams everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 12:35 AM

SRS, now I need a box of tissues! What a wondrous rescue that was! Thanks for the link.

Also for the O2 one. That would work for me at 3 liters per minute, but, until I lose more weight and see the doc in Oct. he's told me he thinks it best if I keep it at 4 with activity. BUT, that will change with the exercise etc., so I will keep that in mind as it would sure free us up more for travelling. It'd be a bit too heavy for just running around town. The one I use now is only 4lbs. They will have to order the larger one, but it shouldn't weigh much more..it's only about 4" taller, same circumference. I'll see one next week and decide.

We've done nothing today except errands this morning. I had plans, but Rog pooped out after lunch and I spent most of the afternoon answering some important emails and such. I had contacted a fellow about finding a McNab border collie. Turned out we couldn't afford one of his and they're all working stock dogs, BUT he was so impressed with the essay I wrote about Merlee, he told me he'd keep his eye out for one that needs a good home (I told him rejects as work dogs were fine, sometimes they just don't take to the work)AND he'd bring it to our doorstep, himself! He also asked if he could put it on his website, which should be happening as I type, so that was pretty neat. Turns out his website person has a dau. in WY, has lived there herself, and loves the state, so they are including a link and info on my book which includes the essay. BTW, it was written on Mudcat first: Thought for the Day- 5 Feb. 2000

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Jul 11 - 11:27 PM

I ended up skipping the peaches, I'll do it first thing in the morning. Yes, that is the tyranny of canning - you end up doing a lot of it in the hottest time of year.

Dorothy, here's a wildlife story that's out of your neck of the woods, but I think you'll enjoy it. You lived on Whidbey long enough to have probably seen lots of whales over the years.

This evening I have the washer set on the delayed timer so it'll start at 3am. Bed linens, clothes, and the towel I used out on the patio this evening when I took one of my lovely back yard showers. The tap water comes through warm enough that it's a wonderful seasonal experience. My yard is against a creek and woods, no neighbors look into the yard, and with the motion-detector light turned off, my shower is pleasantly private. I put a support for a shower head on one of the patio cover supports ostensibly for things like washing the dogs and for a quick shower if heat becomes overwhelming during yard work, whatever. I put the shower head (the kind on a hose that many of you probably have in your bathrooms, screwed onto the shower pipe) up and most of the time it goes unnoticed, but when it's in use it's wonderful.

Picked up a few organizing wire rack things at Bed Bath and Beyond - darn, I forgot my 20% off coupon. I will probably be back so I'll take it next time. I want to clear off some of the things that sit on the counter that don't need to, like a bowl full of scrubbers and brushes for washing dishes. I can put a small wall-mount type rack inside the cabinet door and drop those things in there, handy but out of sight.

Kat, did you get a larger O₂ tank? You don't want to run out if you can avoid it! I haven't seen that add again, but I'm watching for it. I'm pretty sure it was the Lifestyle Portable Oxygen Concentrator (I remember "Lifestyle" being in the name, and this describes what I remember the ad saying). The ad also suggests that while insurance companies will balk at paying for them, the are a prescription item and can be covered by insurance. Your mileage, as they say, may vary.

SRS

[PDF] LifeStyle Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Here's a big PDF with the info. It may try to take over your monitor, it did on mine.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 Jul 11 - 09:15 PM

Kat: I love that animal abuse initiative. Hope it includes wildlife.

Threw pots this morning (hands in water helps cool me) then we went out to look for La Petite Boulangerie. A friend told me about it last night and it seemed a good idea. Their signage is not the best and we drove around a large circle and finally asked. We were in an area of huge farms and woods - very rural.

Anyway, it was an experience. Beautiful little tea room at the end of a LONG drive. Lovely woman who loves wildlife. Great attitude, good food - organic. We had a nice lunch - about 2:30! and talked and talked. Bought two loaves of bread - black bean/raisin and sunflower seed/whole wheat. Will slice it and freeze it as we use about two slices a day! Her husband is a part time potter and had pots for sale in the tea room.

Drove back to cabin by scenic route. Covered pots with plastic to keep at right moistness, read for an hour until time to go back south to the Jazz Tech cafe for last musical event at that venue. Not enough audience to feed the musicians. Tonight is open mike. The AC not working and it is hot; I am melting - careful not to drip on computer!   

SRS: Cooking???? in the heat???

Idea I had today: I am officially posting on line -All over North America raccoon rehabbers need areas where they can release year old raccoons. An area where there is water, food, not TOO many raccoons already, no farmer fields to devastate... The attitude I liked was: You have to be smarter than the raccoons - she locks up all her animals each night to keep them safe from R's and coyotes. This is her responsibility as an animal activist! Wish all farm folks felt that way. We exchanged email addresses.

Good group on now. 4 musicians, 7 audience! Reckon this is the last. Then we can go home to hot cabin but it is cooling a bit outside - supposed to go down into the 60s tonight - I hope.

You all need to behave in the heat!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 Jul 11 - 08:41 PM

Jogged 4/10ths of a mile today. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Jul 11 - 07:32 PM

Organizing paperwork, writing a description and adding a photo and valuation of items donated to Goodwill and attached to their receipts. I had two or three of those receipts around and photos I'd parked in the computer of the donations.

Went out in the back yard for a while (the water was on a timer for 15 minutes) to hose down some of the shrubs and trees after dumping, cleaning and refilling the dog troughs. Every so often I sprayed straight up in the air and let it rain down on me - that feels wonderful in weather like this.

I have a few things on a shopping list that I will run out for soon. I'll eat dinner before I go out and maybe stop for an ice cream cone as a treat on my way back home. And tonight - canning peaches. I needed a break from it this morning, but I've cleared everything out of the way and will make the last big canning push till fall.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Jul 11 - 12:45 PM

We had a kind of "Keystone Cop" operation in the kitchen this morning with juice spilled here and there as we worked, but I showed Susie how the steam juicer works. These tomatoes, for as many as you get in a flat, are mostly juice, not so much pulp, so we used the "pumpkin" setting on the food mill and she got more seeds and bits of tomato skin in a very juicy yield. She's going to cook that down into spaghetti sauce, and I suggested she freeze the gallon of juice a pint at a time and use it as stock in soups if she doesn't drink tomato juice. There were enough tomatoes left to fill one of those grocery store produce paper bags with the paper handle that she can bulk up the sauce with. Doing it this way we got rid of most of the skin and a lot of seeds and she can add in chunks. If I spot a flat of Roma tomatoes then we'll try a heftier sauce, otherwise I'm finished buying tomatoes. Next come the peaches.

I'll do peaches this evening and take a break from the hot stove for a while. Work on other things. Stay cool, Y'all.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Jul 11 - 02:49 AM

It was a marathon cooking evening, with three batches of jelly and one flat of farmers' market tomatoes steam juiced. They don't have as strong or acid a flavor as my home grown organic tomatoes, but since my tomatoes have shut down, I have to buy a few. I've made about a gallon of juice and a quart of sauce this time. The jelly is cooling all over the kitchen, and though the juice was cloudy, the jelly is a beautiful clear purplish-ruby color, sweet-tart and wonderful.

I'm up so late getting up early tomorrow will be difficult, but I'll take a nap later. We walk the dogs at 7am and then (after she takes the dogs back home - her daughter's dog is here this week) Susie will come down and I'll show her how the setup works with the juicer and the food mill. I also have a flat of peaches to can - they looked so good and the whole flat was only $8. They're so inexpensive this year; I remember paying $15 or a bit more for this many last year.

The fridge was cleaned out to put the extra fruits in overnight, and I'll clear the shelves in the pantry for the new jars, not to mix them up with the older jars that need using first. I've spent $16 on two flats of peaches so far, and for the number of jars I'll have it is a savings over buying cans at the store. The sugar adds up, but not too bad (in the syrup). I could probably buy more canned tomato sauce for $9 than I'll get out of the ones I processed tonight, but the juice is nice and nothing will go to waste.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 11:04 PM

Hour of exercise this morning went very well, not only for me, but Morgan did the best ever on the machines he chose. He did a great job.

BTW, thanks, Auntie Sins!

We went to the fabric store for velcro for his new shoes so he could cinch them up tight enough. He likes them snug, but needed a size and a half bigger for toe room so..anyway, it worked and he's happy with them. He and I then dropped Rog at the grocery store while we had lunch out, then went back for Papa. M helped carry in the groceries then took care of the neighbour's goat. She always wants something to eat which we give her but it was so hot this afternoon we also offered her water. I am sure they have some for her on the other side of the house, but she's been hanging out in the shade on our side, so Morgan took her a tupperware filled, three times, with water, plus we gave her our water left over from our lunch outing (in to-go cups.) She was thirsty. We will keep an eye on her and offer it regularly. I hope there may be a way we can buy her from them, eventually. She is a sweetie ol' "Nanny Girl."

Our county just joined up with a few other counties and humane societies and Crime Stoppers programs to take anonymous tips concerning suspected animal abuse, neglect, and abandonment. A private donor has given $2,000 for reward money to start. I don't have a problem talking with our neighbours if I feel the need, but I am proud of our county for joining up in the effort to help animals.

I will be sending out one book and the one ebay thing which sold, tomorrow. We're also going to change the pads on the evaporative cooler now the cottonwoods have quit spreading "cotton" all over the place. It didn't feel as though the swamp cooler was working as well as it should this afternoon, so the pads are probably gummed up with gunk.

I hope to do some cleaning and more decluttering. I've decided, I think, to either store or sell a nine drawer wooden card catalogue; it's perfect for cassette tapes, but I don't do anything with them and it's just cluttering up part of the kitchen/dining room. I will do the same with an old wooden record player stand with slots below for LPs. We aren't using any of them, either, so there's no need to keep them in here and maybe not even in storage. Anyway, it will clear out some space and help things look better.

Stay as cool as possible all of you who live where it is so goldanged hot!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 09:28 PM

Decluttered two items from LR-- promo matierals for a work project delivered to State College for the group that will use them, a look at lodging and meeting space for training leader/trainees, and Korean supper with hubby-- mmmm!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 09:14 PM

YAY! R made it! There is now a two week construction holiday in Quebec! A reprieve. However, Lloyd's of London is refusing compensation for the machinery destroyed during the fire last month. "Sue us"

A bit cooler this evening. And we are here at the Cafe listening to The Echo Hunters.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 09:03 PM

Jogged 2/10ths of a mile this evening. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 08:22 PM

Meeting with SPCA this morning was a delight. I am now part of a "committee" of three to work on improved website for public education re urban wildlife. The web guy will do it; I will offer suggestions of good info from all my tedious researching.

Have the time spent on that 300+ emails way down - LOVE my delete button. Copy to file the useful info.

Laundered bedding this am, hung it on wonderful clothes line, remade bed. Finished chili and refrigerated. Distilled another gallon of water and brought it with me to country. Was here by 4. R may not make it as work is impinging again this week. Lots of chaos: Trying to prevent one of the oldest buildings on the Lachine Canal from being "accidentally" demolished this weekend. He wrote to newspaper reporter and Parks Canada, City of Montreal. I wonder if we need to go stand in front of it!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 07:52 PM

Picked up 25 pounds of sugar, and extra case of pint jars, and a good set of rubber tipped tongs meant for picking up canning jars. I have one of my Dad's that picks jars up from the side, perhaps if they've been lifted out of a regular canner in a framework of some sort, but not good for a pot. I have a couple of flimsy ones that came with convection ovens, not meant for jars, so I picked up the jar one in the canning section today. About time!

Headed to the kitchen, and I brought in the rubber mat I've had outside on my side door step for months. It's good the give my back a break with all of the standing and cooking. And I have on shoes and socks - better than open toe or sandals or anything like that with all of this work. More support, etc. When I come out the other end of this heat tunnel later tonight I may report in.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Tinker
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 03:37 PM

The third floor bedrooms are up to 97+ the kids are camping out on the 2nd and third floors. The wiring up there doesn't support AC..... we are heading to Massachusetts tomorrow and by Sunday the heat is supposed to break ... I'll keep my fingers crossed.

But today all the laundry will get finished... and everything packed. The kids are slowly coming up with things they "forgot" to mention so there will be one more store trip tonight.

The grass may just have to keep growing til we get back.

Kathy

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 03:28 PM

Picked up a flat of tomatoes and a flat of peaches. Glutton for punishment here. I also have a flat of tomatoes for Susie. I'll do some of this in the early evening and have it out of the way for the weekend. Gotta get more sugar, I'm running low if I also make the jelly I have in mind.

Another eBay package ready to go. Nickle and dime, but it sure beats sitting out in the yard for a garage sale! I'm frankly astonished to see signs for garage sales this summer. Wait until it cools down. Actually, when it cools down, have your small bills and change handy because there will be a pent up supply of stuff from those folks who are waiting till it's cooler. I've gotten some of my best garage sale purchases under those kind of circumstances.

I have a lot of things I'd like to do this weekend, but who knows how long the stamina for it will hold out. I'm a lot more accustomed to the heat than the rest of you, but I'm a lot more tired of it than the rest of you. Who knows what that adds up to as far as personal productivity.

SRS

PS I am going to go out after dark and take a hose tap water shower on the patio. That always feels so wonderful.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 01:46 PM

I am feeling for all of you in the heat, I feel bad enough in the high 80s.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 01:06 PM

45 minutes PT today
Added wave walking, step-down ham work, & squats. Learned a GREAT new stretch from Dr. Pain, as her victims like to call her affectionately.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 11:03 AM

Melted on my way to work. Central air here.
18 pounds, Tink? That's amazing. I didn't think you weighed 18 pounds.
Morgan had an excellent report? Is the pope a Catholic? I would expect nothing less. Congratulations to my young friend. I hope he will always be as generous and innocent as he is now.
Auntie SINS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: maeve
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 10:35 AM

103F in the shade at 9 am.

Basement door and windows were installed this morning. Inch by inch...

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 10:35 AM

We filled the wading/sitting pool ydy. I had thought we would not because we're only here a few more days before departing on vacay, but tomorrow may be hot enough to sell that AC we've been holding to sell for a friend-- and it's too hot to sit in a chair to babysit it! The water may still be too cold to sit in-- but I can stick my feet in there at least!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - Build on Success -July 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 10:08 AM

Kat, having a phone with a card is a lifesaver.

It's so hot, I'm dripping sweat after drinking my hot tea at 9am. I have to change from my dog walking clothes and head to the office for a couple of meetings. At noon I'm picking up canning stuff if the farmer's market has them, and Susie and I will heat up the house tonight. Dress in cotton, work outside in stages, drink lots of fluids. Follow my own advice.

SRS

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!!

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: 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: 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 - 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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