BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Sep 11 - 06:46 PM

Here's the next thread. Onward and downward (weight-wise!)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Sep 11 - 10:57 AM

I helped in my friend's yard - it was full of roaches under the pile of trash - major YUCK! factor. I'm a park naturalist, I know they're just insects, but still, to get one racing up the inside of your pants let - eewwwww! One of those times when I will squeal like a girl and jump all around. The "deal" he has with the bank is that when his house was listed for sale on the courthouse steps it didn't sell, so the bank still owns it. They offered him $2000 if by Oct. 16 he has the house "broom clean," so he's tackling this code enforcement thing then waiting for payday to get a 30-yard dumpster to empty the house of things he can't use and doesn't want to fool with a garage sale. He's looking at moving to some marginal housing in as Section 8 neighborhood, a roof over his head. He'll have to build his credit back and go from there so as long as he has a door he can shut and lock at the end of the day, I think that's the minimum he's hoping for.

This would be a perfect weekend for a garage sale, but I'm not ready yet. We may push it clear till next month and hope for good weather in the first weekend of November.

It feels like the weekend to make a move into major fall cleaning mode is about here. The garden is looking happier and we had a little rain last night, so I may do some weeding and turn the compost.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Sep 11 - 06:20 PM

Almost to the end of the month! And what a month. Today topped out at 100^o. The Internet seems to be heating up and keeping track of anything on facebook with all of the changes they've made is tough. I need to turn off the computer and read a book.

For a while I won't be posting links to photos of my projects here, just the usual topical links to articles and resources. You'll find my photos in facebook and can send me a PM if you need that URL. It's just easier for now.

Gotta go help my friend clean up his back yard. It needs some T.L.C. or the Code Enforcement folks will charge a big F.I.N.E.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Sep 11 - 02:41 PM

Susan, how's the PT and the office organizing working?

PT is great and the upstrs organizing is going slowly but well. The dnstrs is still more organized and clear/clean than not, tho maintenance is a challenge in the busiest time of the Diocesan calendar for both of us. That's because most Dio. meetings are 3 hours away, each way, and the day after is just so tough after my legs have swelled up like balloons.

I'm paring down expectations on the upstairs because I may need to get to Chicago (for my sister) sooner than I had thought. Also I can't afford Adrian this next month at all-- the ca. 1979 cooktop finally died at the same time 2 tires on the van died.

But a set of books for my studies just arrived, thanks to a generous donor who passed along someone else's books, and I am getting in a good study segment each morning.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Sep 11 - 11:00 PM

The new program is going pretty well, SRS, thanks for asking.

There have been some changes around here, most of all, Morgan will be in enrichment classes after school until December break, so I won't be seeing much of him except on the weekends. He seems to be really happy with it and need the extra help with reading. He's doing kind of what is mom did she has not photographic memory but audio graphics memory and until second grade everyone thought that she was reading because she could tell you read a book so to speak verbatim after hearing a one-time. He's not doing exactly that but he's rushing he's always in a hurry to read and it infers pretty much exactly what it's supposed to be saying but is skipping words and major thing they're going to be working with them on is slowing down. He was very excited about the first couple of days because he got to read to kindergartner and also helped her swing on the playground. As he has no siblings-that's good for him.

Other than that I've been continuing hand and finger therapy, Got the TENS unit to circumvent some pain patterns and so far, it seems to have helped.

I have also started uploading chapter by chapter my book WindWords of Wyoming to become an e-book available toa myriad of readers and online outlets. So far it's looking good. I am doing it through the new company I wrote about in the thread for writers resources recently, that is www.bookBrewer.com.so far the process is a heck of a lot easier than what create space is like at Amazon. I may still release that there is a hardcopy but we'll see how this goes with the other company first. The neat thing is it will be very easy and quick for me to get my other novels up as e-books. I find that very exciting. I hope I can get at least two of them up before NaNoWriMo starts in November.

Other than that, Roger did a great job of getting the a bunch of trash out of the driveway before the trash pickup came last Friday and Morgan came over Sunday and did a fabulous job of vacuuming the sofa after the dirty little dog and playing with her and even did a little mopping.I continue with the daily laundry several loads it seems like throughout the week and exercising the dog, Ms. Luna. She is an aerial artiste! You should see her jump up up on off of all 4 feet and capture the frisbee! She is quite an Acrobat.the only problem we've had with her lately his new neighbours with a very yappy little dog. She has taken to chiming on which is going to require little work but nothing that we can't handle; she trains very easily and continues to make us laugh and enjoy our evenings with her plus she gets me out of the house during the day.

I'll be dropping by now and then to post, but please know I am reading this thread if none other, everyday. You are all doing a great job and I'll talk you soon.

luvyakat ( almost have it trained to sign off correctly.I forgot to turn off the automatic capitalization of the first letter. LOL)

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Sep 11 - 06:41 PM

Nice work! It's kind of hard to believe that at one time the older part of your house looked as crisp as that new part looks now. Give it all fifty years and it will match perfectly.

I was dressed in office clothes today or I'd have stopped at my friend's house to help him clear out junk in his back yard. The guy who gave me the greenhouse - as we sorted stuff that was no good for anything, a pile of trash grew, that would eventually be cleaned up. It's behind a fence, not visible from the street. But either the nosy next door neighbor OR the new owner of the house complained to Code Enforcement and he now has to move that trash out of view of the side gate by Friday or get a $1000 fine. When it rains, it pours. He has until Oct. 16 to move, apparently, and the new owner, whoever, doesn't factor into it, apparently. I'll go over tomorrow after he gets home from work to help.

Gotta put some more stuff on eBay. Clutter in the sun room destined to go out the door one way or another.

There's a lot of tidying to do around here, but at least I took care of one little eyesore- the unviewed NetFlix movies. They've been here for a couple of months. I watch streaming, my son watches streaming, but when I set up my BluRay player for streaming, they upped my account to BluRay and have been sending BluRay disks. Thing is, there is only one BluRay player in the house and I don't always watch movies there. I watch them on the computer in the kitchen, on the TV/DVD combo in my sewing room, on my office computer, even in my bedroom - and I could never make myself sit down to watch those stupid things in the living room, I was too busy. So I sent them back and stopped the BluRay delivery. I'm fine with DVD, my player does the up-sizing anyway and there isn't much difference between regular DVD and the BluRay.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: mouldy
Date: 28 Sep 11 - 03:54 PM

We do have buses here, and I can get to a railway station on them However, rail travel is extortionately expensive, especially at short notice, and I would have about a 300 mile trip to make each way to get down to Hertfordshire, which is Friday's destination. My plan was to go down (today) to Yorkshire, and spend some time with mu daughter, them go down further south on Friday afternoon to arrive when my friend gets back from work.

However, as long as I get the car tomorrow sometime, this is a possibility. I called the garage yesterday afternoon, and they had been sent the wrong part. They have had to strip loads off the underneath of the car to even get at the gearbox and clutch, and when they get the right part, which was due to be sometime around midday today, all being well, it's all got to go back. They said they couldn't guarantee it for today, but that I'd hopefully get it tomorrow.

Anyway, the scaffolders have been, and the existing scaffolding has been raised, and I hope the other bit may have been put up too next door.
I've put more photos onto FB.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Sep 11 - 01:06 PM

I moved an old CD player into the kitchen, grabbed a random CD and danced all over the kitchen with Jeremiah this morning for about half an hour...FUN!   Video being uploaded to FB as I type!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Sep 11 - 05:42 PM

I won't have the calendar photo for awhile but will share it when I can! Because Jeremiah's story and mine intertwine, the photographer wanted a photo of us together...fine by me!! We had our picture taken in front of a Christmas tree and will be the December models. :)

Dishes and laundry are done for the day (well, might do another load of laundry). The water tank in the toilet overflowed and flooded the bathroom. I have it as cleaned up enough for now and I will mop it again tonight after the floor has a chance to dry up a bit more. Jeremiah was wanting to help...he brought be both a broom and the vacuum cleaner!! When he wasn't helping, he was emptying the soup cupboard into the back of a little car he has (it's a walker/rider kind of thing). I can't help but laugh!

Pete is coming home early tonight so I can go to a local book club. A Mommy night out!!

I have dinner in the oven waiting for Pete: Ham, scalloped potatoes and Harvard beets. He'll be happy. :)

I am loving these fall temperatures!!! At the moment, the sunlight on the fields is absolutely stunning!!

Have a great evening everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Sep 11 - 10:36 AM

We were supposed to have a cold front come through - but I think what passed through meant that yesterday was 90^o and not 95^o - still waiting for a consistently cool crisp fall day.

Andrea, do you have buses and trains in your area, or is it exclusively car travel?

Kat, hows the automated program working?

Michelle, do you have a photo from your calendar shoot you can share?

Susan, how's the PT and the office organizing working?

Okay, enough procrastination, back to the poster I'm designing.

Maggie

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: mouldy
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 05:18 PM

Yes, they are prefabricated. They are now stacked against the back wall of the garden until needed.

Still no news of the car...

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 05:15 PM

I know, Michelle, but I think I have been looking for something to motivate me. I won't beat myself up if I don't get there, but I am looking forward to it and would love to have the full enjoyment of not only seeing old friends, but of being pleased with myself for how I know I can look in my slimmer clothes. Plus, it'll be in August, nice months in the northwest for hiking, and I'd like to get out and do some without the burden of extra weight slowing me down.

Working on a design project this afternoon, one with a lot of elements to collect and then organize. It's the kind of job that makes you suddenly feel real tired - and take a power nap that helps sort out the design. I think I'm getting close to what I want it to look like.

My next door neighbor has hired a crew to come work on her yard today. Digging out gardens, mulching, raking, planting - I will start burning a few calories by heading into my yard to work on similar projects in the next couple of weeks. Weeding is on the top of the list.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 04:05 PM

Thanks for the backing up tips Maggie!

I'm sure Jeremiah will have an issue at bedtime but he always does unless he is in his own bed. He has stayed overnight with his Nana and also with me when I'm traveling...if it's not his own bed, he has to be WORN OUT COMPLETELY before we should even think about settling him in for the night. I'm sure he will LOVE the rest of it though as he is an outside boy to be sure!!!

I have the last batch of pears in the canner, 2 loads of laundry done (not put away yet though), floors swept, carpet vacuumed...need to mop but I'm about tuckered out at the moment. I got a whopping 4 hours of sleep last night, if that. Just me being awake.

Anyway, it's been a productive day. I've also done some planning for an upcoming trip. I'm hoping to connect with one of my best college friends who I haven't seen in FAR too many years!!!

About losing weight for your class reunion....if that motivates you, it works!!! I will tell you that I went to my 25th class reunion this year with the baby and my goofy hair and my weight gain and I was greeted with hugs and kisses all around. Not one person said anything or even looked at me funny. I think everyone is self conscious about themselves and also really too busy enjoying chatting with everyone to care about that stuff (ok..there may be one or two people...but seriously..who cares about that?). You are beautiful as is Maggie...inside and out!!! Make sure you take that weight off for YOU and YOU alone.

Love to all,

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 03:13 PM

Andrea, are they using pre-fabricated trusses, delivered ready to put into place? That is an option that is excellent when people know about it - the factory ones are a lot stronger, according to an engineer friend of mine. He designed some trusses for a garage he was building, sent the order in to a place that manufactured them and delivered them to his property.

Michelle, the first time we took my daughter camping (in a tent) was in a park about 90 minutes from home. We played in the campground, ate, all sorts of things she enjoyed, but she was 2 years old and didn't understand about not going home to go to bed. I set up the big mattress we put our bedding on (roll up foam and we took sheets and blankets, it was too warm still for sleeping bags) and she was confused, over-tired but not wanting to go to bed. I lay down with her after reading and she cried real hard for a couple of minutes then fell asleep and slept all night. The next day she was up and as happy as can be and didn't have any more problems adjusting to camping. And of course, when her brother came along and we went camping, he modeled his behavior on hers and was just fine with it.

Dishes washed, drained, and put away. Laundry and clothes taken care of, a healthy breakfast and lunch eaten. It's time to work on the diet again, watching carbs and with good proteins, but I'll adopt the Weight Watchers policy about fruit and veggies - as much as I want. I just learned that my class will do a 40-year high school reunion in August next year. Spending the next 11 months taking off the weight is a reasonable amount of time for this much weight (30 pounds) and it's a great goal, to feel like I'm looking my best to go see friends I haven't seen in all of these years. I didn't go to my 20th because I'd had my son a few months earlier, he was nursing, I hadn't lost the baby weight, I felt like a lump and would have had to take my son with me for the whole thing. This time I hope to go and enjoy myself.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: mouldy
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 07:39 AM

That sounds like what we over here call a trailer tent. I too am a wary one when it comes to trailer manoeuvring!

Anyway, at the moment I am not going anywhere because the clutch cylinder is leaking on my car, and the garage have got to source a new one, then drop out the gearbox to get at the blasted thing. Law of sod in action again - I need it to go down south in a couple of days!

The roof trusses came today, but the walls aren't ready for them yet. There's another piece of scaffold needed from next door so that they can get at the upper part of the back wall. This was supposed to go up last week, and now it is expected today! There are no builders actually building at the moment because of this.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 01:47 AM

Dishes done, 2 loads of laundry done, high chair got the deluxe wipe down, the table has been found, got rid of a bunch of junk mail and old newspapers (I swear those things procreate a few times daily), grocery list made for the week, toys are ALL picked up (YAY!) so the floor will be ready to sweep, mop and vacuum first thing in the morning. Tomorrow I have no plans except to stay home and catch up on laundry and to can pears. I have 2 bushels to do. Pete and I were going to do them together this weekend but we ended up being swamped with a few things. No matter just so long as they get done.

I could probably go for a few more hours but I know I have to be up early in the morning.

Sweet dreams everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 08:42 PM

Put your steering hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and push it the direction you want the trailer to go. You want the trailer to move to the right, hold the wheel on the bottom and push it toward the right. I don't like baking trailers, but I had to do it over the years. That was a trick that someone taught me (I learned it when I was baking a trailer bear trap in the national park campground where I worked).

I have a few pots of soil with seeds in them for fall things in the garden - chard and I'll see if I can get a few beans, they usually grow well in the fall. I tidied up the garage, and I moved some stuff out and it will go to recycling or trash. I need to do a garage sale pretty soon and I've found a few items for that also.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: LilyFestre
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 07:21 PM

We purchased a Coleman Pop-Up. It's lightweight, easy to tow, really easy to set up and a great starter camper for us! I have to learn how to back it up though....

It's going to be a lesson in patience, I can just tell!!! ;)

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 05:32 PM

What kind? Goes on the back of a pickup, a trailer, a pop-up? I used to have a double-axle Aljo trailer that I loved but my now ex talked me into selling. I always regretted that. I was always a tent camper, but trailers have a lot of interesting uses and can make a trip much easier if you're not going places too difficult to park or drive.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: LilyFestre
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 04:28 PM

Stubbed toes...YOUCH!!!!!!!!   

I have no decluttering news or exercise to report but we did do something exciting today....

***Drum roll please...****

We purchased a camper!!!!!!   

YAY!!!

Good times ahead!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 01:27 PM

I put a couple of greenhouse and garden photos up on my facebook page. I'll load them on Google+ also.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: mouldy
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 01:15 PM

Managed to lose 3lbs last week at fat club.
I'm not going this time because I am going down south for a charty lunch in Surrey, which will include a get together with my old flatmates from my college days. (One of them, a breast cancer survivor, is the organiser of the lunch).

I have handed the planning paperwork back ovcer to the architect, as he is used to the long-winded forms, and which bits of them need ignoring for what is a mere small addition to the plans.

There will be more photos up on FB soon.

I'm starting to get a bit frustrated with not being able to get sorting out the back garden. I suppose it will mean I have something to keep me occupied over the winter months!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 12:04 AM

You'll need to set up an exception of some sort to let it use your usual signoff run together. There are probably a couple of keystrokes or a word you can use that will drop in a particular word or phrase you want.

Work is done, fooling with facebook. Sent a young woman, a friend of my daughter's, this Leonard Cohen song (Dance Me to the End of Love). She's newly engaged. This song may simply swamp her, but it's so beautiful.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Sep 11 - 11:28 PM

SRS, I hadn't thought to share my son's reaction to the box of books I sent him on here, but it's a neat thing to see after having been so careful about what I did with my old books. So, here it is. For the rest of you, this is what my son had to say when he received a box of old family books, part of my recent decluttering efforts:

"Mom, thanks!
I opened the corona beer box of books and when I removed the foam stuffing and saw the books, I was taken aback. The value of these books hit me. Stuff from my grandpa's collection, and others also, they are all great books. before I even picked them up I thought wow, cool! What a great library this would be in the 19th century western plains! The text in Two Years Before The Mast is a neat connection with our ancestors. Thanks again, Im psyched!"

30 min. of qi gong during our trip today.

Marigold, take very good care of that toe. My daughter stubbed hers on the leg of a coffee table and it caused her quite a bit of trouble. But then she's too young to have taken good care from the get-go and we all know with age comes sagacity, right? LOL

LUV why a cat( this program keeps coming up with the most inventive ways of my signoff! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 11 - 09:19 PM

The center support is now finished (I had to put a large notch in the top end) and level in the greenhouse. That was the last of the things to be sure this is stable, an addition that my friend and I discussed when I was dismantling it at his house. (He, by the way, is a new grandfather - his step son and girlfriend had a baby boy last week. At least that's a big bright spot in an otherwise grim summer and fall!)

I've been thinking about how to put in place covers over the vents when it gets cold. I think putting an angled nail at both ends of a padded board and simply hooking it over the top leuvers will do. My friend tried stuffing all of the slots with insulating foam and cloth and such - made a mess I had to clear out. I'll work on that system now while it's warm and be ready for winter.

Today also I've been finishing up food preparation, stuff on trays in the freezer is bagged, new stuff will go in. I picked a bunch of basil and it is cleaned and drying. The freezer is filling up and the pantry shelves will be holding more herbs as the fall progresses.

Laundry is out of the way, another batch needs to run later tonight. I can still line dry because it is Texas, after all. Gonna watch a movie and send it back to NetFlix. About time, I've had it forever. Good thing my son gets a lot of use out of the account, though I have to redo it and give him his own.

The grandchildren of my next door neighbors came over this afternoon and each picked an eggplant to take home to their mother. My neighbor assures me their mother likes and cooks it. :) I told them if their mom doesn't want them they can bring them back. Little kids are so much fun to take into the garden - it makes such an impression on them.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 11 - 03:56 PM

The dogs are clean and shiny, laundry is in.

Mary, take care that you don't trip or stub your toe on anything because reinjuring it will hurt more and it will take longer to heal. Ask me now I know . . .

Kat, I read your exchange with your son about the books - what a great treat that he likes them so much! And what a great mom you are to have sent them to him. My kids aren't ready for too much stuff yet, they don't have the room, but I hope I'll be able to pass along things they can use when they can use them and not make them wait till I'm gone and they have their own houses full of furniture that they'd need to fit mine into.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Sep 11 - 02:41 PM

We moved our department over a few rows and I managed to sprain my toe while connecting computer wires. One helpful co-worker suggested I should have let someone else do it. My response was that if I have to admit to myself that I can't get down on my hands and knees I will just give up.
So now I am hobbling around occasionally wincing and in general being annoyed at my carelessness.
WHINE!
Maybe some WINE too. It will probably helpIt was a very stupid thing to do.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 11 - 02:16 PM

Lovely morning but hot this afternoon. Good time to wash the dogs and hang some laundry.

I'll get some exercise out working in the yard and greenhouse. It doesn't entirely feel like fall yet, but I want to be ready! I am ready in the sense that I feel like cooking. (I just need to be careful in the "feel like eating" part that I don't get too many carbs and calories!)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 11 - 12:42 AM

It's different, speaking and writing, isn't it?

I finished my tortillas, used one to make a bean burrito with some of the chicken from last night and finished the cheese in a bag in the fridge. Totally leftover and totally delicious. The rest of the batch is in the freezer for upcoming meals. It doesn't take long to make them when you're cooking, but once you start you have to keep up the pace and be careful not to burn them.

Looking forward to a lovely weekend, though I do have to finish some photos for work in the morning. I had a setting wrong on the camera, and another one I need to get checked out. I guess I need to pull out the instructions and see if that will help. When all else fails . . .

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 11:27 PM

SRS, I am doing this using Dragon NaturallySpeaking, but I haven't figured out all of the editing commands so please excuse any typos.

You asked about stretching exercises. I have found the ones from that link that you sent me being aligned to be well linked to be quite good . Also, the ones I am using right now are excellent, especially for stretching warm-up exercises. That one is called yoga for the rest of us by P EGGY C a PPY. The other one I've been using is Q I G0NG by Lee HOLDEN.

I've noticed that the stretching exercises I do using a strap as in yoga as Sean in the align to be well to really help with tight leg muscles and the yoga one really helps with tight shoulders, arms, and neck. They really get you warmed up and ready for all that fantastic work you do.

Your new greenhouse looks wonderful and I am in awe of your abilities.

Michelle, really really glad to hear your good news!

I did a little bit of walking today with Roger as we shopped. Getting a little tired of not being able to drive myself, but the therapy is helping. Tomorrow we may go for drive to another town about it to an half-hour trip all the way round. That should read about eight to and no didn't get that one either. T WO and one half hour trip is what it should say. In the morning, Morgan will be coming over for breakfast and to try his hand at Dragon NaturallySpeaking and play with Luna. About that it's spelled your name right that's not what I said. What I said was, how about that it's spelled your name her name right. LOL… I'll have to practice on the tutorials to figure out the editing on this program. It's pretty amazing how quickly that has understood my way of speaking though. I've only done the minimum of training to set up my profile and I think it's done a pretty good job. I also need to learn how to use it to navigate the web and post directly to my cat… Okay I'll have to spell it out it looks like… To post directly to MUDC a T. LOL… Not sure what's up with the capitalization and non-caps anyway I will figure it out and catch up with y'all later.

LUVYAKAT… Sorry for the caps, not really shouting!

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 08:42 PM

My right arm got a lot of exercise this evening trying to get my "easy start" trimmer going. It wouldn't stay running except on half-choke so I think it's time to clean it out. But I did get the grass growing in the garden around the okra and eggplants so picking will be easier. If we get another inch of rain the weeding out there will be good, but it isn't easy now. Before the trimmer I got exercise with the spade fork attacking the tall grass and weeds.

Time to finally watch my NetFlix DVDs and send them back. I'm going to drop the BluRay feature - I can only watch those in one room in the house and I'd like to watch my movies in my office or on the laptop. So that'll reduce the cost a little. And I'm going to have to switch my son to his own streaming account. Virtual tidying.

It feels wonderful this evening, so I'm going to clear the kitchen counter and see if I have time to make a batch of tortillas. I also need to cook and freeze some more eggplant. I picked a bucket full today, gave a couple away, but still have something over 5 pounds of them to process.

I hope you all had a good week and will have a great weekend! Michelle, are you feeling any better today? You may need to have a pampered weekend - let Pete and Jeremiah bring you breakfast in bed tomorrow. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 01:45 PM

Standing, sitting, lying down - I'm just thinking general stretching to limber me up.

Lovely cool day today. I've been out talking with a neighbor, lots of folks passing by to wave hello. The neighborhood has been deadly quiet with the heat, so this is very welcome.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 10:19 AM

SRS,

   Are you looking for floor stretches? I can write up some of the things we do in yoga that leave you feeling very stretched and sometimes longer!!!

   Dishes are done and laundry is going. I should do something with the floors here today too...we'll see. I finally have a dryer so laundry is at the top of my list...can't wait to get everything done and put away!!! It's driving me crazy!!!!

Later today I have been asked to be part of a Survivor calendar...not sure what month I am going to be but I am thrilled to have been asked. So....photo shoot later today!!! Should be fun!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 10:04 AM

Poppy was putting weight on her back foot this morning so we went for a short walk, around a couple of blocks. I didn't want her to go so far she'd limp again. The morning air was cool and we were all frisky.

I'm going to prepare some of the terracotta pots for planting - I don't know what was planted in the ones that came from my friend's house or if they had any plant diseases, so I'll make a bucket of water with some bleach and soak them for a few minutes then mix up a new batch of soil. I'll start some fall plants and if I can't get them into the ground I'll let them grow in the greenhouse this winter, see how it works. I'm still moving and arranging things back there; this weekend I think I'll finish clearing the stuff from beside the garage in front (where I initially offloaded and store related materials).

Fruit smoothie for breakfast (banana, strawberry, and yogurt) with a cantaloupe chaser (finished the last of my garden fruit). It's finally cooling enough that I feel inspired to cook again. I need a batch of tortillas and may make some lefse. And I can make several loaves of banana bread since I picked up a bag of ripe bananas yesterday (Albertson's bags the "overripe" ones for $.99 a bag that holds about 5 pounds). Thank-yous for helping with the greenhouse roof.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 07:33 PM

Took a long nap after a busy day of running around - though I woke up non-sleepy I was achy. I need to start a stretching routine, I think, just to help with flexibility. A friend sent a few pages from a book that he does for just back stretching, but do any of you have routines you do for all-over general stretching? I still have a few tapes and an old VCR - I could always put in a Richard Simmons tape, I suppose!

For those of you who wonder if our attention to the slow tidying and decluttering of our households is normal, there is this. I think we're pretty normal! ;)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 01:16 PM

yoga - 30 minutes
qi gong - 30 minutes

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 10:31 AM

Lots of okra this morning because I forgot to pick yesterday evening. Must do it twice a day now. Into the freeze it will go for a while, replacing my supply.

Caught up with the neighbor across the street - had wondered if he was okay (elderly) but was simply zigging when I zagged and we missed each other.

Our afternoons are hot but our mornings are nice. Tomorrow I'll spend some morning time mowing, I need to go to my office today and must finish things before I go. But it's a time of year that is much easier on North Texas inhabitants than that horrible summer heat.

Several new garments laundered and into my wardrobe. I have a few existing things that need to be discarded, I never actually wear them though they seemed like a good idea at the time I picked them up.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Sep 11 - 11:12 PM

I spent the afternoon at work taking photos of co-workers with various favorite "Banned or Challenged" books. After each set of photos (bracketing, to be sure eyes were open, etc.) I let them take a look on the camera monitor and they chose the one they liked best. They feel like they have control on a project that people already love because this lets them hold up a favorite book. I took some from my library this morning and I'll probably tote in a few tomorrow. Banned book week is next week and these will be added to an existing photo exhibit we did last year.

Dishes out of the way, nice dinner cooked and leftovers (chicken breast and a side of sauteed zucchini in my eggplant tomato sauce with mozzarella on top) packed away so I have another full (identical) meal awaiting, or ingredients for another one. Whichever.

Lots of walking around today, and standing. Not much to raise the pulse but at least I was moving!

I stopped at a thrift store near work and for $25 I picked up 2 good looking pairs of slacks, 2 cotton blouses, 4 knit tops, and a woven plaid vest. Any one of these new could have cost that much. I tried on a lot more than I bought - there was a woman with her granddaughter in the next dressing room and we had a great conversation about thrift stores. Her granddaughter is 14 and is learning early that they're a wonderful place to find great stuff to express yourself. She's also learning to sew - and things that are in the thrift store are just waiting to be modified.

So, a little laundry tonight and tomorrow I'll dress for success at work. Today I wore a blouse with a great neckline so I could wear my new necklace, then forgot to put it on before I left the house! I'll try again tomorrow. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Sep 11 - 09:16 PM

Hit submit too soon....

A big project before MIL came was the completion of the decluttering of the dnstrs. It's nice and it will stay nice. (It HAS stayed nice.) The last batches of stuff that belonged in the upstrs ofc went up then, along with misc yard sale crap to sort from trash crap-- a few smallish boxes of each.

Some of it ended up in the landing room outside our BR which became the bill-paying ofc when the housemate moved in (we had been using the attic dorm and a nice filebox). So ydy that landing room was reclaimed, as stuff that did not belong there was sent along either to the yard sale room, the loo closet, or the hall outside the office.

Today the hall outside the ofc got sorted and boxed, and the ofc got cleared up a bit-- Adrian will soon be building me more storage for that ofc, so I need to clear space for him to work. Some of the ofc stuff and the ofc boxes I sorted tdy will move farther down the weird "hall to nowhere" that is outside the ofc, pending Ade's building day and move-back of all that stuff into the storage he will build.

A friend is coming to stay a weekend soon and while we chat we will price all that yard sale stuff; probably Ade will help me move it out to the porch where there is already quite a stash accumulating.

All this is in good timing-- the PT has shown me a whole new way to do stairs, and there WILL be a lot of them for this next round.

In the meantime the dnstrs is set for a good cleaning tmrw, courtesy of housemate, whose turn to clean it is. Some of the paid help will no doubt be involved in helping me make the upstrs real pretty for the houseguest and, soon, US.

(Then it's off to Chicago to see my terminally ill sister, before snow, for a possibly-extended "visit.")

TBTG for strength and focus, and help of the right kind at the right time.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Sep 11 - 08:03 PM

We've begun collecting HR stats in PT to see how aquatics and the BP meds affect it. Right now my top HR possible-- on these meds (chiefly 100mg of Toprol)-- is 69, which is enough for aquatic walking/exercise but not land walking/exercise. Various tests indicate that the BP measures of the last 2 years have not been accurate-- if they were I'd be dead, long since-- so the doc has OKd a reduction of dosage and we will continue to monitor HR in PT to see how the dosage change improves breath to sustain land exercise.

FINALLY!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Sep 11 - 07:44 PM

Somewhere between potting like mad in late July and ???? I lost ALL my energy and my right hip and knee went weird. Clearly a connection. The knee got better and then worser and I finally phoned my health consultant . A magnesium deficiency, she said. So I have been ingesting magnesium and taking more baths with epsom salt. The hip started healing first and the knee is WAY better, up to 95% today! One day, I thought I was stuck in the bathtub 'til R came home but I extricated myself, painfully.

Interestingly: 1. I remember a very nice man approaching me in a parking lot a few weeks ago and telling me about magnesium deficiency; I did not pay much attention! 2. Although we take cal/mag daily, I only realized yesterday that the current vitamins do not include minerals. 3. I pay far more attention to what R needs in that department (supplements) than what I need.

I am going to miss out on the wildlife conference I was looking forward to this Friday - in Toronto, 6 hour drive! I thought R would go and we would visit several friends but he is too busy. Today is the firs day I have driven around without increasing knee pain - from sitting in car. 6 hours? I guess not.

On the plus side, I have gotten positive forms filled out by MD and eye doctor for renewal of my driver's license. No sign of cataracts or other nasty eye troubles! The clothes and dishes are clean. The tomatoes get harvested, and the oregano. One door is partly de-painted but I may need stronger stuff as a lot of the paint does not budge, soften or anything!

The pottery has not gotten fired. I shall have to spend 2-3 14 hour days in the country to get things glaze-fired before the Festival on 1 October! The cabin is still a joy; we are not there enough but greatly appreciate when we are. Another plus is that R recognized out loud that summer is gone and he did not have much of a relaxing time. I suggested next year... "I'm working on it." - said firmly!

I know the mag is helping because I can tell when I need more - rather like pain pills. The knee reminds me and I take another 100 mg, more or less, of powdered mag with a couple spoonfuls of yogurt. About 200/day. (The RDA is 3-400/day.) Researching it, I find the symptoms of too much are similar to those for too little but too little leads to high BP and too much to low BP. Actually, it was the high, for me, BP which caused me to make the phone call. Mine has always been very low.

Terrific band at the Cafe this Friday will be my consolation for not getting to meet people in Ontario - make new friends and visit old friends.

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Sep 11 - 11:29 AM

Andrea - if you can find your way around the new nonsense at facebook, please post new photos!

Treating dogs with punctures this morning. Poppy and Cinnamon seem to have had a dust-up; happens once or twice a year. Poppy has a tooth puncture on a back leg (and now is doing the classic leg in the air limp) and Cinnamon has a scrape on her muzzle near her eye. Poppy connected this time at any rate. Warm wash cloth, hydrogen peroxide to clean the spots, and their triple antibiotic veterinary ointment. They're both rather contrite and Cinnamon keeps going into the stall to give Poppy kisses. Poppy may need a but more attention but I'll give it a day or two to clear up or get worse.

Shopping this week loaded me up with more fresh fruit and veggies. Breakfast of bran cereal and an apple, other meals a mix of protein, healthy whole grain carbs, and fruit. As the weather cools I hope I'll be able to burn more calories and lose a little more weight before the winter cooking season starts. :)

I mentioned earlier that got a couple of pairs of very comfortable loafers and the tattered pair needs to be discarded. The upper is scuffed, but it is the inside that is a mess. They've been my "outdoor" pair for a while now, and I'm thinking I'll put them in a bag in my truck for an emergency switch if I find I need to preserve good shoes in bad weather. That way they'll be out of the house (out of the closet where I have occasionally put them on in the morning to run out to get the paper and then forgotten to change into a nicer pair before heading to work).

SRS, trying to remember to look business-like!

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Sep 11 - 11:20 AM

that's exciting, Andrea!

20 minutes yoga
10 - dog play

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: mouldy
Date: 21 Sep 11 - 04:16 AM

I have scaffolding! Lower floor is built. I hope the building inspector approves.

At the moment 3 lads are here and manhandling stone up to the higher level. I've dropped a note through next door's door to let him know that they are going to need to scaffold his side of the wall too. I just need to fill in the planning forms so that I can put the roof light in. the architect turned up on Monday with new drawings.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Sep 11 - 08:12 PM

This evening I put a florescent light in the greenhouse, one that my friend had been using out there before. I figured out a switch for it so I don't have to plug and unplug it. There is more to carry into the greenhouse - I'll do a little of that this evening. I need to arrange the empty terracotta pots under some of the shelves, and figure out how to best use the upper shelves (over the doors - nothing heavy up there, I don't want to drop anything on myself that might hurt). I took a string of LED lights out and will see about running them up and down the middle at the top.

I've been working on more eBay stuff, scanning some more antique costume jewelry. I'll keep the stuff that I find more interesting, but some of it is rather fine looking but I never wear it. And an old laptop from my friend's house. The things that came from his house we'll split the proceeds on if they sell.

Time to feed dogs and fix dinner for myself. And I need to saute then freeze more eggplant.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: GUEST,LilyFestre
Date: 20 Sep 11 - 08:07 PM

Today went well. My port didn't want to work so they had to take blood from my arm. They tell me that I have a fibroid sheath on my port which is blocking the blood return. So...the remedy to this was simple. They left tubes and syringe hanging out of my chest/port after putting some kind of medicine in that was to break up the sheath. It takes 45 minutes to see if it worked so in the meantime, I saw my oncologist and the initial basic labwork was back and everything looked good. I won't know about my tumor markers until tomorrow. I am anxious about it but decided to talk to my doctor today about the big WHAT IF questions. What if it comes back? What would be the next step? How is it treated? What should I expect. He was absolutely straight forward and wonderful with me. I love him. I love him. I love him. He knows how to talk to me. After my appointment, I ran into my dear friend Tracy who was there to get her results from her tests last week and she invited me to sit in with her at her appointment (tubes still hanging out of my chest and all). I am THRILLED to tell you that she is GREAT and has NO sign of any kind of recurrance! Afterwards, I went to have my port tested and it worked like a charm!!! Next, I was supposed to meet a friend for lunch at the hospital. Her 3 year old is the PICU and has been for 5 weeks...it's not good. Because of the extra stuff I had to have done today I missed her but I was able to see her son. I gowned up and watched him sleeping very peacefully, said a prayer over him, wished I could hug and kiss him and left. Maybe I'll be able to see his beautiful eyes tomorrow after my next appointment.

I did some shopping and treated myself (really treated myself) to some new clothes. I'm tired of the Mommy look..the washed out, dressed badly, over tired woman woman in shorts and a tshirt. I feel like a girl for a change! Also, today was the first time I've been for a check up without my mom. She always comes along when I see the oncologist but wasn't able to today....so I treated myself for being able to go alone.

The manager of the House of Care has a friend coming over in about an hour and we are going to do yoga in front of a giant stone fireplace. I brought my mat and can't wait to be in bare feet and lose myself in my breath for a little bit.

I'm tired and stressed. Had myself a good cry. It's ok...I just needed to do it.

Moving on.

Love to all.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Sep 11 - 12:16 PM

I will, SRS. Don just posted more about it in the resource writers thread.

last Sunday - yoga 40 minutes
today - yoga 40 minutes, qi gong 30 minutes

i am putting my physical body first most mornings now, before the computer work, the dog play, the laundry, the myriad of things which have kept me from taking care of my "body temple" which, of course, carries over to mental and spiritual wellness, too and dovetails nicely with the therapy stretches, etc. for hands and feet. it feels good.

I received much validation from the ortho doc about my decision to stop using the cardio-rehab machines for exercise. Both my osteo and family physician agree, too!

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Sep 11 - 11:37 AM

Ooo! Kat, please do report on that - I've been tempted to try it (if you want to read a lot more about it, Don Firth has described his use of it in many posts here at Mudcat).

Lovely morning here. I figured I could wait and walk the dogs later, because the pavement is no longer too hot for them to walk on in the evenings. We've been out playing fetch, and they're happy in the cool weather racing and wrestling. I think part of Zeke's wandering is that he longs for other dogs to play with.

The fall energy season is beginning to make itself apparent. I'm having thoughts of cooking again- things more complex that fried eggs or grilled cheese (though grilled cheese is a great cool weather comfort food and I picked up some nice cheddar yesterday). The first day I have to put a sweater on when I head out to the yard I'll be doing a happy dance!

Michelle, let us know how your day has gone - I know this is one of those stressful times, but I suspect they are going to be fewer and farther between.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Sep 11 - 11:35 PM

SRS, it's so good of you to help with Zeke and the human *bling* is beautiful. I am plugging along. Will be able to post more after wed. when i get my new dragon naturally speaking and get it trained.

Subject: RE: BS: Fall feats-Declutter & Exercise SEPT '11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Sep 11 - 10:49 PM

Wow.

Michelle, I wonder every so often about that woman who invited you and Jeremiah in during the snow storm last winter. Have you seen her again? I hope so - she sounded like a great person to know more about and include in activities.

Today Zeke made another break for it at Susie's, pushing the front glass door open, but she realized it after just a few minutes. We found him a couple of blocks away, but it was stressful for her as she was getting ready to leave to take her husband down for doctors appointments and chemo. Zeke is here now, and this evening I went out and made a tag for him with his name, her name, address, and phone. His collar was trying to fall off (it did the other day on one of our walks) so I got him a new one of those also. She had made a necklace for me (she has a small kiln and does the glass work on the big piece) so it was a little dog bling in exchange for a little human bling. :-)

I have a pair of loafers that are in such bad shape I'm embarrassed to take them off in public, so I got a new pair today. Time to toss the old (my shoe rule - new pair comes in, old pair goes out.)

SRS