BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports

Subject: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 09:48 AM

Here's the July 2011 thread.

Rags, that's ingenious about the pants-leg pockets. I'm not surprised elastic could cause a problem because even slight constriction will interfere with circulation, but what about making something akin to a garter belt, that he could wear around his waist that would hang under his trouser legs to support the bags? Not a garter per-se, but suspended from his waist with two points, at each hip front and back for stability, and suspended in front? I drew what I am thinking of. Just be sure he's wearing loose pants! You might start with an existing belt of his, or might use an elastic belt and build on it. A Velcro closure or a buckle, whatever you have handy or feels okay to him to hold it up.

Asking a bank to correct a mistake in this climate is next to impossible. Unless you have the money to hire an attorney to sue them, you're shit out of luck. In hindsight, he probably should have walked away from it two years ago. This is the time that you wish you would win the lottery or be able to make things right with a magic wand, but in reality, you start making provisions for the move as far ahead as possible. Once this heat breaks I'll be working in the garage more to make space. For a while the house was a shrine to his deceased partner, but the reality of money spent on collections that have little value in this marketplace have made it clear that he should have been firmer with him about putting inherited money in a ROTH IRA, not in a collection of antique dolls and toys.

Kat, it sounds like you've picked a good dog, and in the next few weeks you'll see her begin to blossom as it becomes more real for her that she's really a part of your family and is going to stay in your home. For now it must be all so new that she's probably not going to show all of her passion until she's settled in. For now, you're getting the polite stranger behavior, and that's good. She'll be fine when you have people over.

Still working on the furniture positioning in the office. I want to have my computer desk far enough away from the wall where the window is that I can walk to the window without having to turn sideways and scoot through the narrow space. More papers out of the way. The 2 shelf thing that used to hold the scanner and underneath the VCR now is where my laptop is living and I'll put my most frequently used books on the lower shelf. There's a trunk on the floor under some wall-mounted shelves that I'll probably shift to one side so I can push the 2-shelf thing back against the bookcase. There are a couple of filing boxes on the floor that need to move also.

Lots to do on August 1 so I'd better get moving.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 10:25 AM

Pushing this back to the top, and still moving furniture this morning.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 11:25 AM

8 Hours of longshoreman-like labor, sunburn and crankiness. Our yardsale produced $37. Never again. We ended up carting it all off to SallyAnn. I am officially cutting out the middleman. I will empty my house into the local charity shop and be done with it.
SINS, grumpy but minus about 20 cartons and bins of crap.

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: saulgoldie
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 11:28 AM

This is the month I finally get going and stop just lurking. Maybe tomorrow...

Saul

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 11:50 AM

WOOO HOOOO!!!

A new month!

Chores are done (dishes, laundry going, downstairs floors swept, bathroom sink cleaned, table cleared, counters are empty and clean, fridge cleaned out and full of healthy food, baby up, fed and playing, medical appointments made for the month, car appointment made, insurance issue tended to, dusted the living room and I've got a ton of energy left. I have plans of working in my office today as the AC was installed yesterday!!

Have a great day everybody!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 02:31 PM

Bills paid. Decluttered the account big time. Whew. That's enough for now.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: MAG
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 03:46 PM

Been quite awhile aince I posted here; shortly to close on a house in Portland, OR

no I can't afford it but am going anyway; staying where I am a very bad idea

soooo ... getting rid of tons of stuff on freecycle

putting breakables in a storage locker (there)

regained 20 lb. of the 90 I had lost, but beginning to tackle it w/ my bike -- which I am able to ride again --

I missed e erything on this thread for awhile; best to everybody here

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 04:06 PM

Maryann, this is a month for doing things we can't afford, it seems. But things that need to be done. More power to us!

Lurkers, come out, come out, wherever you are, join our little club, even if you're reporting that you've cleaned off the kitchen table or the kitchen counter. Made space on the hall table or organized the smallest room in your house. That's a common starting point, and you can work outward from there.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 10:31 AM

Lily,
Your love for life is contagious. made me smile thr the sunburn peel.
Emptied three bags of debris into the bin between last night and this AM.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 10:44 AM

SINS, are you on facebook?

Just treading water, so to speak. Making it through one day at a time now. I am keeping the bird bath full and added some extra pans of water in the yard under my vitex - it is bird central out there as they take turns drinking and dipping. The dog troughs in the back yard are cleaned out and refilled, but they'll be in the house much of the afternoon.

The kitchen is looking good - it's the only way to keep the ants out.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 12:05 PM

MAG, congrats on the house in Portland. It's been a long time coming and I am delighted to hear of your move!

Sins, I cut out the middleman years ago. Yard/tag sales just never produce much for us. We give to the Goodwill, sometimes, but mostly to a shop a physician started for the pet rescue org. he started. It's a wonderful place and feels so good, knowing we are helping to feed and house the critters.

We've been a bit preoccupied and busy with a new family member whom some of you met on FB. For those who don't "do" it much...here is Luna - short for StellaLuna whom we adopted on Sunday! She and Morgan have already spent over an hour in the backyard playing "fetch" the tennis ball! She is really a delightful 2 year old!

More, later.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 12:16 PM

Luna is a beauty. Happy boy with a dog picture. Love it.
SSR,
I rarely visit Facebook to catch up on family. I hate to spend anymore time on the computer than I already do.
Most of the good clothing I pack visits Preble Street before SallAnn. The ladies there can use the stuff and Jacqui delivers.
M

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 12:17 PM

Crap - just got all teary over Seamus. Miss the old dog But I have managed not to get snivelly about it un until now.
Damn!

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 01:57 PM

It's okay, Sins, bound to happen. He was worth a river of tears and snivellies.:-)

Luna passed her first home-alone-with-the-cats test. We were gone for an hour. She met us at the door with her ball.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Penny S.
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 04:45 PM

After a day of not doing much because of an accidental very late night on Sunday, I spent time in the garden this morning while the house was between me and the sun - even so with the factor 20 on the showing bits. I dug up loads of comfrey and weeded the veg beds. Lifted a lot of the spreading geranium to clear a bed for bulbs like the bluebells from the wood where Mum's ashes were scattered. (They came up pink, but otherwise show all the characteristics of the native, not the Spanish invasive type.) Then I weeded the bed where I had grown the lettuces. Tomorrow I need to pot up my cuttings from my parent's garden, and the house where my grandparents lived so they can get a good root system before they go in the garden soil.

Then I had a bath, and have spent the rest of the day in a long frock chasing the cooler areas and having a snooze, before trying to make sense of my spending over the last year, which has fallen out of the habit of daily journal keeping. Last August, for example, I drew £100 out over a couple of days, but have not recorded any spending to account for it. Odd. It wasn't for the bent kitchen fitter, who actually wrote down for me what I had paid him.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 08:39 PM

Today I joined the LIVESTRONG Challenge and committed myself to a 10k walk at the end of the month in Philadelphia. I need to raise $250.00 to be allowed to participate in the actual walk (this is after registration fees have been paid, which I did). So far, I've raised $154.00. If anyone would like to donate to the cause or join me at the walk, I'd be thrilled!!! :)

To Make A Donation, Click Here

Thanks!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 08:45 PM

Penny, are you on facebook? I'm still trying to figure out who people are here and in "real life." :-) Several of us have been having that very vanishing money discussion this week. Sounds like you had a wonderful day in the garden - it's too hot to do anything more than drag a hose around my yard right now. I was doing just that when I saw a mouse (!) run under a cantaloupe vine. Explains who took a chew out of the last melon rind. There are probably several if there is one. I wonder if I put out mouse traps, would I catch any mice, or other critters as well?

That was quite a display of dog photos over on the facebook page. Kat, it looks like you not only got a good dog, you have one that wasn't traumatized by the stay at the humane society. One wonders what they think about trading families, though. She must miss them, wonder when they're coming back, even though she enjoys what she's doing now. I know I still have those thoughts with my two dogs - wondering if one day they'll go crazy over some strange person because they recognize old family.

Worked on arranging my office a bit more this morning. The laptop is on a new table, leaving more room on my computer desk for all of the regular computer gear. I'm thinking about switching back to the original computer keyboard that came with this HP, my older keyboard seems to stick or not get through sometimes. I'll see if the original keyboard does the same thing. It may be time for a replacement, or a blow-out with the can of air, to clear up any dust kittens in the way. My keyboard is in a lot better shape without cats in my lap all of the time.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Penny S.
Date: 03 Aug 11 - 03:51 AM

It was only an hour in the garden!
I'm not on facebook, and unlikely to be. The woman who used to live downstairs is on there, and I don't want to make it easier for them to bully me, should they decide to do so again.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Aug 11 - 09:51 AM

Penny, You not only don't have to be friends with people like that, you can block them so they never bother you. That's what happened with a lot of the fake mudcatters. Took weeks to weed them out (I found a couple of more still in the membership this week, but they seem to be all the creatures of one main party and that party has adjourned). My friend Dean had been somewhat strong-armed into "friending" a couple of folks at his work who are known to be busybodies and report anything they don't like to others. I told him how to more or less let them see his basic information but not see or write on his wall, etc. They know he's there but they can't see what he's saying, and they probably don't realize that the shift was made because facebook doesn't report that kind of thing.

Supposed to be 110 here today. There are no more superlatives (bad choice, but you know what I mean) to describe the amount of misery this causes. I've always known that it must be hell in the desert, must be hell in the summer in Iraq. I just never expected to have to deal with it here in Texas. I'm hiring my son to come dog sit tomorrow because I must be away during the heat of the day.

I couldn't stand the idea of cooking last night, and this heat is so draining that for "dinner" I ate the last two slices of banana bread and had a small glass of wine. Lots of water, gatorade, etc. and very little alcohol or you feel bad.

This morning I am going to saute my first two eggplants and put the cut up pieces in the freezer. These will go in a casserole later in the year. I've decided that if I can't think of another immediate use for them, I'll do this, and I can vary the use later. I threw out too many eggplants in the past because I couldn't decide what to do with them. Better this way. Next time I'll slice them (this time they're halved because they're small) and put them in a lasagna that is going in the freezer.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Penny S.
Date: 03 Aug 11 - 03:23 PM

We got to 30 Celsius today, or 86 in old money. Not as bad as you, but bad enough. I can tell by how low the bird bath gets.

I went on the local health walk today, mostly in little bits of woodland. It was much more rural than last weeks, but we did have one casualty as a woman slipped off the side of the path. It wasn't very high, but there was grass over it, and she hit her temple on something. I gather her husband came for her, and took her to A&E.

I made the interesting discovery of a huge midden of horse manure just off the path in one wood. I think some of it will be finding its way to my compost bin. Much easier than waiting for the passing horses to deposit on the roads.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Aug 11 - 11:21 PM

Zeke is here. It's 10pm and still 98^o. They all get a bath in the morning; my dogs are due their heartworm meds and they need a bath before that, so I'll get them all. I tried letting them in for a while this evening, but they're like kids the first night of a campout - still so excited to be together that they're wagging tails all over, and in my office a few tail swipes under the computer table can send cables and external drives flying!

I've moved more stuff in my office, more of the floor is clear, and I will recycle some bulky users manuals for things that are either all online now or that were part of older computers and I'm not using any more. Every little bit helps! I'd say that at least six square feet of floor tile more are exposed now. I'm looking at a plastic bin that covers 3 1/2 tiles that I should sort and file or toss tomorrow.

I've been getting up so early that I'm not making it much past 10pm in the evening. The only way to do much outside is to do it at 6:30 in the morning as the sun comes up.

I love the boy and dog photos, Kat, but I'm still waiting for the boy in the water park photo!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 12:40 AM

Oh, SRS! Sorry, I forgot. Will do sometime tomorrow. The two times we've been there, it's been in shade and my cellphone doesn't do a great job, but I think I can isolate a snap from a couple of the videos I took.

I don't know how you get anything done in that kind of heat. We have had more humidity than usual with high heat and it is really effecting me, in the afternoons, mostly. Rog is even going to put the real a/c in our bedroom window this weekend so I can at least stay cool AND semi-dry in there when it gets really bad. This is very unusual for here. I never remember this much rain/humidity when I was growing up here.

So, I've done nothing but get to exercise on Monday, to swim classes M-W and again, tomorrow, and one visit to the hand therapist. By noon I am down for the count, staying inside, moving slowly with the swamp cooler on high and a small desk fan pointed at me. Morgan and Luna go out in the backyard to play, come in for an ice cube each, the back out. I cannot believe he will be starting school in just 20 days from tomorrow! I figure I'll get back into a declutter, etc. routine when that happens AND when the heat lets up. Rog had to remind me...I always have trouble with the heat, but this year it is worse because of the rain, etc.

I have been doing some trying, but rewarding, emotional support work. Today, my brother, who just turned 73 last week, signed the papers on his very first mortgage! I am so proud of him and so relieved. I've been "hand-holding" for about four months, trying to keep him steady on a positive trail. He's an obsessive worrier, always looking ahead for what might go wrong, so this is a MAJOR triumph. He and Morgan and I celebrated with takeaway at home for lunch, then he came over for a non-alcoholic toast after the actual signing. I don't think it has really sunk(?) in for him. Who knew, a classical composer who never wanted to do anything but compose, has managed to accomplish this? It's pretty neat, imo and if he knew I told you all his age, he'd be mad at me.:-)

katdoingahappydance!

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Penny S.
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 10:21 AM

After the healthy walk yesterday, I did a bit of shopping, Lidl (discount store) for some compost ready for potting up my cuttings; Aldi (another discount store) for anything they might have - turned out to be a variety of groceries, and the discovery that they seem to have discontinued my favourite anti-bacterial handwash based on grapefruit; followed by Sainsbury's (major supermarket) for watercress still growing in a pack and various other stuff. Halfway round Sainsbury's, my right knee told me it had had enough, and both legs are now complaining. I had to put off seeing a friend today.
It is cooler and raining, so the potting up isn't going to happen.
I don't know if you have shops like Lidl and Aldi over the pond. As well as discount groceries with their own branding that looks a bit like other brands, they have a rolling range of household goods and other stuff, which you have to catch while they are in, with occasional specials of interesting foreign foods. (They both have web sites, so you can see the sort of thing.)
I had an interesting chat in Oxfam, where I didn't buy anything, but showed the volunteers how I would convert a peculiar lame minskirt into a bag - I am now committed to doing so, if the skirt, and another couple of small sized ones, don't sell in the time allotted. (Got to give them time in case someone wants to wear them.) Basically, I would stitch front to back half way up, and fold the hem part up inside to make pockets. Use a belt to make the strap, and velcro to fasten, while the zip closes a hidden pocket on the outside.
We got into the conversation because I referred to a Zumba ad I had seen which advertised someone as having reduced from size 12 to size 4, which seemed to me like advertising anorexia. 12 is a perfectly normal healthy size. One of the staff was size 4 American, which is two sizes larger than our 4s, and she was obviously perfectly healthy. so we were looking at the sizes, hence finding the lame skirt.
We have Zumba classes in the village, but I am not attracted - the ads looked like a religion.
Penny

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 10:22 AM

I hope your brother enjoys his new home! Is he moving in soon?

I switched keyboards this morning, back to the one that came with the machine. I don't like the way it feels, but it doesn't seem to be having little fugue moments when nothing goes through. I'm going to have to update my IMB Selectric-clone keyboard to one that comes with a USB plug instead of an adapter, and I'll put the old one on one of the other computers that uses the old round mouse plug.

There are several possible funding support or purchases to make now, but I'm letting all of that ride a bit until all of the credit card payments go through. One has, and that one is going in a drawer for a while. Retiring debt feels good, not starting it up again feels even better.

Since my son will be here today and I don't have much in the way of snack food around the house (I never have a lot, but I have healthy choices he'll eat) I'm making a loaf of bread. He'll probably polish it off most of it.

I've been out helping my next door neighbor set up her soaker hoses. The dogs are going to get a bath in a few minutes, and will stay in the yard to drip dry. Everything gets done early or doesn't get done outside at all.

Gotta go move a sprinkler.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 04:47 PM

IN by the end of the month, SRS, thanks!

We went to swimming class this morning, then I actually felt like doing a pile of dishes AND Morgan helped me put 40+ books on paperbackswap as he read me the ISBNs while I entered them. That took about 5 plastic bags out fo the LR back to the office shelves where I keep those books.

At least we got those things done, today. It's still hot and going to get hotter, but maybe not so humid next week. Luna gets to go to swim class next Monday. We asked and there is shade. She seems to be missing children a lot, so maybe that will help her a bit.(She's been running over to the side back fence where I can't see her and where two neighbour children whom we haven't met, yet, play in their backyard.) She also needs a little bit of work about coming when called. No problem inside, but in back it's a reluctant thing for her, sometimes.:-) Oh, well, she couldn't be perfect; she is only 2.**bg**

kat

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 09:33 PM

Kat, my dogs usually run to the door when it opens because there is a good chance they'll get some food. Dog treats, a little something trimmed off of a steak or piece of chicken or salmon skin, something tasty. For every time they get a snack, they probably come to the door a dozen times.

At 8:30pm it's still over 100^o. The dogs are in the house until it's at least in the 90s, and still may end up in for the night.

I removed some of the stuff from my dining table tonight, including finally tossing out the box of large shards from antique plates and platters that broke when they were moved years ago. The trunk was opened earlier this year and I took out the set. Many are crazed, but maybe people are looking for plates to fill a set. I'll probably list them on eBay.

I also put some flat baskets in the sunroom cupboard where I've been storing crystal. They look lovely propped on the shelves. I need to clear the rest of the dining room table so I can have a family dinner before my son returns to school in a couple of weeks.

How's it looking in your yard, Andrea? Are the stone masons returning soon? Has anything happened while you have waited for the rock portion of the project?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 11:45 PM

Thanks, SRS. She is getting a treat, now, but tonight she went out with Rog when it was dark and wouldn't come in. He let her stay out, she was close to the door, then when we went back to get her, as I was upset at him for leaving her at night, she was nowhere to be found. He was tired, ready for a shower, put his shoes on and went looking whilst I called and called to no avail. I called Morgan's parents who came over, with him, and my SIL found her hiding between Rog's old caravan and panel van. She was scared. We all praised her and brought her in, I gave her a treat, but she still wanted to go back out. I think she must've been kept out a lot, though she is an absolute gem in the house. For now, if she goes in the backyard it will be on a long leash with one of us. The front yard is manageable without one and I can work on her coming out there. I've got a good book, I'll have to dig out, the Invisible Leash which has some excellent training suggestions. I suspect she got yelled at so much for chasing horses, she never wanted to come in. She is asleep on the floor beside me for now. AND in for the night.

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 01:11 AM

Busy traveling days, time spent at the hospital with a friend and her son who is in isolation (I had to gown up and gloves) and delivering paperwork. I'll be going to a camp for women with cancer later this month and the oncologist needed to fill some things out. Today I played with the baby, took care of the house and made half sours. :) They'll be ready by Monday....can't wait to try them.

Sweet dreams everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: mouldy
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 02:50 AM

Penny, we have a zumba class in our village, and it's a good laugh. How close it is to the high powered stuff at the big gyms, I'm not sure, but we have the option of really going for it, or being "ladylike". I've just bought the wii zumba (I was bored and in Morrisons) so once I have tidied enough room...
A couple of my FB friends are coming to see me (with 2 dogs) in the next day or so, while they are visiting the area, and I need to be at least able to see the floor through the dust and debris! Much of what is required is to just put stuff back where it is supposed to be, and to shove the vac round.

I'm trying to track a local belly dance group down at the moment. I can't find their meetings online, and they're only 10 miles away. However, they are performing at Chillingham Castle's fete next weekend...

What's annoying is that there used to be a group in my village!

And I have just about convinced myself to go back to WW in September. My daughter has dropped 11lbs in just over a month, but she's a very disciplined person, unlike he mum!

I really feel for you guys in the high temperatures. We have had nothing like as much, and the humidity's been horrible. Yesterday was misty and showery, so much cooler, and we had some quite brisk showers overnight. Now it's a bright blue sky and a breeze. Nice day for a walk on the beach....No. I really need to get the hovel out in here. The village charity shop is open today, so maybe I can send some stuff down there. The builders aren't back till Monday. They are ekeing out what stone they've got at the moment, as the quarry's closed till the end of next week, and they are needing windowsills and lintels.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Penny S.
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 05:27 PM

Now I might like to take up belly dancing.

The lame skirt bag, and the other one are not going to happen, as someone has bought them as skirts. Pink, gold brocade, about a foot long, and someone wants it. No accounting for taste.

My knee is happier.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: mouldy
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 05:41 PM

Got the living room and a chunk of the "kitchen" sorted. No news yet of when I can expect my guests...and it's the village wheelbarrow races tomorrow at 5!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 06:26 PM

Yes, we're at 110^o again today. It hurts to go outside. No end in sight. It has been cooler in Tucson and Phoenix than it is here, and it's raining out there because it is their "monsoon" season.

I mailed a box that sold on eBay but was a huge disappointment. I hoped to get several multiples of the starting price, but no such luck. I saw lots of sales set at a "buy it now" price only, with a sprinkling of auctions, and I see now that there is a reason for that. Some things are better sold at a set price. Lesson learned. Box is gone now.

I've been tossing office paper in the big box again, hoping to take more down to the recycle bin if I go anywhere this weekend. It has to be a really necessary trip to get me out in that heat!

I pulled out one of my little speakers that attaches to the Sony Walkman, and have been listening to Agatha Christie mysteries as I work. I could play it through the computer, but since I use rechargeable batteries it doesn't matter if I use small players. I try to not use disposable batteries at all unless it is in things like smoke detectors.

My goal this evening is to clear the surface of my computer desk. Dust, clean, etc. No piles of papers.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 09:43 PM

Kat,

One of the things that Cesar Millan talks about is that you need to be careful not to reinforce insecure feelings in dogs. So if Luna is slinking, hiding, whatever, don't bring her in the house and make much of her. Bring her in and let her have a quite place to get over it and when she comes over to you, pat her or just let her enjoy your company. He has a book or two out that talk about some of these things in passing - enough to give you an idea how to proceed. The main thing- if they've done something wrong or are scared, don't pet them, just be the pack leader and give them a place where they can feel safe and calm down.

The power keeps flickering so I'll stay off of the desktop computer until after dark. I'm still getting rid of paper and rearranging my office.

Had a simple but delicious dinner tonight of scrambled eggs, fixed like huevos rancheros - with cheese and a good smoky medium-hot salsa on top. Mmmm! I have a mango in the fridge to cut up a little later for dessert. I had a big salad for lunch and wondered why the chicken wasn't shredding so easily as I broke it up to put over the top. Later I realized I'd shredded a couple of strips of a pork chop! It was just as good, but silly to think of on a leafy salad! I suppose if I like ham on the salad, a chop isn't bad.

Just let the dogs in for a while, realizing I left the can of peanuts in the shell out on the shelf in the yard after I fed them, when I was moving a sprinkler. They had pulled it down, knocked off the lid, and eaten about half of the can contents. When I saw it (Zeke was nosing it) I realize that the culprit on this one must have been Cinnamon - and Zeke, the gentleman that he is - didn't bust her like she told on him when he got into the bread yesterday. Dogs are so funny (and I'll be sure these guys are outside because I'm sure their guts are going to need emptying tonight!)

Back to dumping the paper and listening to my mystery.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 10:39 PM

Thanks for the info, SRS. It's a difficult thing to do with Morgan around. His natural inclination is to make a big deal out of her, crooning praise, etc. to her. I've told him he HAS to leave her alone, to let her be settled and feel safe when she comes in. He did a bit better, today, but he's got to unlearn some bad habits from his boxers.:-)

I showed him a couple of youtube videos on getting a dog to come and that's helped. He is determined HE is going to train her. I've put him right about that. He can play with her and may walk her on the leash, but all training goes through Rog or me.

She's a funny dog in that we hadn't found any motivational treats that she liked, until this afternoon when I worked with her, with small bites of string cheese. When she sat and/or came when called, she got a small bite of cheese and praise. Rog also worked with her in the front yard this evening doing the same. We'll help her get over that fear of being scolded or whatever it was happened to her, previously. Just now, Rog was out front with her, sans cheese, and she came in when he asked her to, so she got a small bite and a pat on the back.

Today was horribly busy and I paid for it, but it is over now. I went alone to exercise this morning and had the most vigorous hour ever. I really felt it when I was done. Then I went to an appt. with the nephrologist who had good news for me. My kidney function has improved, so he's happy AND I don't have to have any more of those expensive shots. I'll see him, again, in two months.

Went home, had lunch with Morgan and Rog, then we hit the road. I drove us all over the valley to two health food stores, the specialist pharmacy, and the grocery store, as well as a couple of other places. It was very hot and we had a huge rainstorm, last night, so very humid. (I wish we could have sent you some, SRS.) Anyway, I forgot I had my O2 on continuous instead of pulse dose and got down to the very last dregs by the time we got home. Sat in semi-cool house, in front of a fan and watched some of Avatar: Last Airbender, a Nickolodeon seris, with Morgan, then, when he went home, I collapsed on the bed with another fan on me and took a nap with the cats. I was knackered as Micca and other UKers might say.:-)

The sun has set and it feels marginally cooler, now. We've had supper and are just put-zing on our PCs. SRS, if you still have netflix you should check out the British series "Midsomer Murders." It's VERY good, kind of a Miss Marple, Inspector Lynley, etc. all rolled into one. The series went on for several seasons, the actors are superb, and the direction, setting, and characters are outstanding. Amazing how many murders can occur in such a bucolic setting as their little "village!"

G'night all!

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: mouldy
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 08:38 AM

All my dogs and the cat have loved cheese - and the stronger the better!

As forecasted, it has rained for the last couple of hours, and although it's stopped, it's still grey at the moment.
I got a lot of clearing up done again this morning too.

The stacking kit for the dryer and washer has arrived (a bit premature, but at least I have it). It doesn't matter if the machines are different makes, so I may hang on to my old washer for a bit longer, if it has survived several months under a tarp on the yard.

I have bids on 2 sewing patterns on ebay at the moment. One is a basic skirt, so that I can use some fabric I got in Scotland. The other is my wedding dress! Purely sentimental reasons, but I want it (I still have the dress too) and it's the exact same size. I've been outbid once...

(What was that about DE-cluttering...?)

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 11:24 AM

Kat, I've seen most of the Midsomer Murders - I had cable up until a couple of years ago and always watched the British mysteries. Yes, there is a lot of mayhem in those small towns!

You'll be able to cultivate other dog treats by combining. I think, for example, if you try peanut butter you'll find that gets a "yes" vote. Put a little on small dog biscuits and give those and reduce the amount of PB over time, and I think pretty soon the biscuits themselves will be acceptable. It's a process of familiarization. If you can get any of the DVDs of Milan (thorough NetFlix) you could watch those with Morgan and he'll get the message in a hurry - work, then food, then affection, with dogs. And just being in their company is enough, if you can recognize that proximity as a remote form of contact.

I am filling that box with paper again and moving files. I realized that though I compressed one drawer from two a few weeks ago, it wasn't doing me any good because I am not using those materials now. I need to file current stuff to avoid stacking on my desk. I pulled out a plastic milk-crate file box and emptied 3/4 of the drawer. Some went into the recycle box, and the rest will be on a shelf in the closet. I rearranged my trunks (stored around the office walls) and the table I moved last week is back with the scanner. The laptop will be on the file cabinet desktop again. I listened to a couple of disks-worth of Agatha Christie while I moved and sorted.

Andrea, I see patterns at garage sales every so often, and I usually send a photo of them to my costume designer daughter for an idea of the era, then follow her request as far as picking a few of various types. It doesn't matter the sizes, she can adapt them, but the designs themselves are useful. I expect at some point she'll realize she has quite an enviable collection of patterns for her costume design work.

I'm being careful in my purchases, but I did solve a computer issue: I ordered another keyboard from the folks in Kentucky who make the IBM clone keyboards with the spring buckle action that feels so good when you type. My current one, even with a USB adapter, still was having a few issues on this computer. The new one is USB and I'll use the older one with the old round PC mouse plug on another computer.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Penny S.
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 05:36 PM

There has been a bit of a kerfuffle about Midsomer - no non-white characters, which is not realistic. Every small town and some large villages have at least a Chinese takeaway! The producer had to resign after he defended his position as deliberate. I think one black face was once seen on a bridge in the background.

Another good mystery series is "Pie in the Sky" in which a detective wants to retire and run a restaurant, but is forced to stay on for special cases. It does have a more realistic spectrum of characters, while maintaining overall Englishness.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Penny S.
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 05:38 PM

Oh, and do not think that Midsomer Norton in the Mendips is a good place to get that rural background from the series - it is an old mining village with rows of grey National Coal Board housing.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 07:54 PM

Penny, the program that I've thoroughly enjoyed over here on the PBS broadcasts is your New Tricks. I love a good crime mystery that also has a few solid laughs in it. If you've never seen it, get the pilot and that will sell you on the program right there. Netflix has it, and it is a program that when I first went looking they didn't have so I filled out their request that they add it.

My box of paper bound for the recycle bin is slowly filling up. I'd say it is about 25% full now, but it's a large box, so this is progress. As I work there are papers I drop on my computer desk because I have to address them in some way, but once they are tended it, I do hope to have it down to bare wood. I may have to stop soon if we have power flickering again, but since it is a few degrees cooler (only 106^o today) that may not happen.

I made a batch of my beef and bean taco filling today, and I'll do some strawberry jelly later tonight, once the dogs are out of the house. No moving around a kitchen with so much hot stuff with dogs underfoot.

On an "accountability" note, I heard an interesting interview today on The People's Pharmacy. The podcast will be out next Monday and is free for download for six weeks, so be sure to download this one on Monday. He talks about low carb and low fat diets. Gary Taubes book is Good Calories, Bad Calories and came out in 2007.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 10:43 PM

Thanks for the info, Penny. We will check out Pie in the Sky. We just finished ALL of A Touch of Frost. Those were SO good. I hated to see it end, but it was beautifully done. SRS, we really enjoyed New Tricks, too.

This morning we went over to my brother's new place where Rog tightened the waterline connector for his evaporative cooler and generally looked around. We figured out what he needs to hook his water hose for gardening to the irrigation water pipe and got it for him this afternoon. Rog will help him put it on. We came home and Rog did the dishes while I stripped the bed and started the laundry. We also swept and mopped the whole house. We went out, briefly, this afternoon, but the heat really wiped me out, again, so we came home in about thirty minutes.

Just getting ready to go make our bed, take a shower, and go to bed, soon.

G'night!

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: mouldy
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 03:04 AM

I once saw an episode of Frost being filmed on Castleford's main shopping street. It involved David Jason going into an old fashioned shop!

Got the wedding dress pattern. Don't know what I'll do with it yet. It was THE pattern of 1975/6. There were 2 other girls in my office who got married the same year as me wearing variations of it!

No sign of my possible visitors yet, but the weather yesterday was appalling, and it rained heavily for hours. The wheelbarrow race still took plce - with 3 contestants, and one very soggy barbecue. Today is still grey and breezy, but I don't think there's much rain forecast. I wish I knew whether or not they're coming, as I could go somewhere if they aren't. However, a quiet weekend after all the rushing about of late is probably a good idea!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Penny S.
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 06:50 AM

New Tricks is great. I'm currently watching the new series off air. It's quite hard to recall that I once watched Dennis Waterman as William Brown in a dramatisation of Richmal Crompton's stories!

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: ragdall
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 07:25 AM

SRS,
Thank you for taking time to design another solution for the collection bags. It's an interesting idea. My pockets seem to be working well so far. He needs to be able to drop the bag out his pant leg to empty it. The velcro fastener allows for that. If you're not squeamish about body fluids, you can see what I made here: http://flickr.com/gp/diffuse/Do4taD.

I've been slowly catching up with my spring chores. Friday I fertilized my lawns, Saturday I planted out the last of the geraniums that I brought indoors in the fall, fitted a new child's wading pool as a liner for my leaky concrete bird pond. Removed a dead shrub beside the pond, divided and relocated a large clump of False Solomon's Seal from the front of the pond to behind it to give me a better view of the birds, and filled the pool.

Now I must finish getting ready for the arrival of a daughter and her family of five, Sunday evening. I have their beds ready, but still have baking to do, cupcakes, pies and biscuits.   I'll try to get dry ingredients mixed before I go to bed so there won't be as much to do on Sunday afternoon. I think that in spite of pain I'll sleep well tonight/ this morning.

rags

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 09:48 AM

Rags, the only part I was thinking about when I drew that that was if the elastic was constricting his legs and causing a problem. The velcrox in the bottom looks like it works well. I wonder how many people have cobbled together things like this on their own, and how many of them could be designed and sold by some enterprising designer?

I dropped off the paper last night and have started filling the box again. The horizontal surfaces are looking better and I have moved the computer desk several times to find the best position.

I'm going to weed a little this morning - declutter the garden - (I have the soaker going out there right now) then put in some more mulch. I weeded rarely in this heat, so the weeds are huge and easy to pull. I'll use some of my extra newspapers and lay it down under the mulch. And it's time to pick some eggplants and saute then freeze for next winter. I use it in lasagna, tomato sauce, etc. along with a couple of casseroles. This way I don't have to eat it all right now. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 01:46 PM

Damn it's hot out there. 98^o at 11am when I stopped, and at one point I came in and chugged a quart of water and went back to finish, and I was only out there an hour. Now I'm in for the day, and the dogs will be in soon also.

Moving my computer desk and trunks - again. One of them is going to leave the room, the rest of the trunks can stay. There is a broken tile near where my chair sits in this position desk, and I've moved the desk position in the past to avoid rolling into it. I think I'll have to fill it with grout because I can' seem to chip off the rest of the 12" square tile to replace it (I'd have to cut out a pattern to fit one into the existing hole).

Looking forward to the new keyboard. This original equipment one has low-profile keys and I keep straying off of the home row position.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 Aug 11 - 07:46 AM

Early morning yoga!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 Aug 11 - 08:38 AM

I wish I knew what it would take to get me to start exercising regularly. I enjoy yoga but every class I have tried has been to intense and all the beginner's (old lady) classes are given during the day. I guess I am supposed to have retired by now.
Poor little me...
WHINE!
The reality is my company has a full gym with trainers, lockers and showers upstairs. All I have to do is get in a half hour earlier.
On the bright side, I start WW on the 22nd.
Somebody kick me in the butt and get me moving!
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 Aug 11 - 08:40 AM

And I am peeling from the garage sale sunburn. Sloughing really. Disgusting trail of dry skin all behind and around me.
One hell of a Monday.
SINS
LOL
I am amused a my own crankiness.

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Aug 11 - 10:50 AM

This weekend that discussion on The People's Pharmacy was enough to finally get me to switch over to a low-carb diet, and to use the Atkins approach this time. It's difficult to get much more exercise than the morning dog walk, but if I cut the carbs way down, that should help me get rid of this "muffin top" (ha! More like a loaf of bread!) around my middle. And I've always known that as I get closer to my usual weight I have more energy. Maybe by autumn when it cools I'll be able to up the exercise outside if I've lost some of this. So that's my strategy now.

My office is a lot better looking after a weekend of sorting and tossing paper. My yard is looking pretty horrible. I'll take control where I can and move forward from there. We're on track to break some long record of over 100^o in a row this week. There is no joy in dirtville (no mud here).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Aug 11 - 02:44 PM

Be careful with the Atkins; it can be tough on kidneys.