Declutter & Exercise - May 2012

Subject: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 12 - 01:20 AM

Here is the previous thread.

I'm starting this just before shutting down the computer to head to bed. Tomorrow is May 1, Mayday, but also, more importantly, Payday. :-)

I worked for a couple of hours this evening to finish digging the planting area on top of the berm, and put in all of the sweet potato slips. That thing should be covered with beautiful vines this summer. But I'm bushed, so it's a short report.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 May 12 - 10:12 AM

MayDay, Mayday....

A growing pile of paper I wish I did not have to be accumulating sits at my elbow, in a portfolio pocket starting to bulge.... I hope the next size up will do it because if it doesn't, it will mean a legal mess has begun. Too much like the 2000 fire insurance thing-- ya gotta do it but it don't feel good.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 12 - 10:37 AM

Does anyone else find themselves operating on a daily/weekly basis by tackling each pressing obstacle and then moving to the next one? And everyday stuff just fits in where it will. Ugg. I'm hoping to finish up a couple of big challenges this month then just have time to work on whatever, without some new URGENT!!! item begging for all of my attention. I'm not offering specifics, but a hint: Two kids in college. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 May 12 - 12:02 PM

I am switching gears. I'm not making goals for this month because I do my best to achieve them and end up feeling like crap when I don't even get close. I'll post what I've done but any future goals can just kiss my big, fat, jiggly, super white behind. ;)

On that note, so far today I failed to get up early enough to take care of my family and get to the gym. I woke the baby out of a deep sleep to get him some breakfast, dressed and off to school however my keys were missing. Pete had already left for the day and he had my keys last. *sigh*   I emailed him but now it's just too late in the day to take the wee one to school. He'd get there in time for lunch, nap and playtime. I'm not driving all the way to town and back for that. I am more than happy to have lunch, nap time and play time here today.

I did a load of dishes in the dishwasher and hand washed another load and a half. We've been busy and I've been slacking. Bonus? Pete took us out to dinner last night so I wouldn't have to fuss with the dishes and make dinner after a very long day of grocery shopping and play time at a park. (Thanks Love, you're the best!). Laundry is started too.

I have tons more to do, if I get to it, I'll share. If not...it means I've decided it can all wait. I'd much rather have play time with my son than worry about a messy house. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 May 12 - 12:40 PM

SRS: I feel good if I manage to accomplish the most pressing things before they are overdue! Have found that more than two items per day can put me on overload so priorizing is essential.

I have done two on the essential list today already. Still have a few secondaries that may get done.

Tomorrow's primary will be to get to the country and turn the place inside out looking for the missing checkbooks! The great mystery of life right now!! option #2 is figuring out how to get money from a credit union about 6 hours away; I usually write a cheque and put it in local account. Why don't I cancel the other?? I lived there 17 years and I like the sense of connection! I keep moving but I still care about the folks I left behind.

I just need a flash of light, a brain storm, a memory of the safe place....

OK - shopping - second time today but dif store - limes and our good bread.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 May 12 - 01:25 PM

Oh yeah..SRS...you have to take care of first things first!!!

XOXOXO

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 May 12 - 07:28 PM

Doing anything around our house reminds me of that little game we had as kids...the one with the numbered squares and one empty square. For way too long we just didn't HAVE the empty square!

Another thing I've had to buck against (or just give up...) is Tom can't stand to watch me clean. If I tried to sweep or vacuum, he'd leave. Or I'd have to try to fit it in when he wasn't home. Unfortunately with him now being legally blind and unable to drive that's been more or less impossible. Can't say that I fought much. I have a pretty high mess tolerance. Probably a reaction to my nasty neat mother who was convinced that when I vacuumed her living room it wasn't clean enough because I started in the "wrong" corner. She never ironed the sheets or underwear, but it was almost as bad. When I moved out, I swung to the opposite extreme, but, even so, my mess tolerance is much lower than Tom's and sometimes it just gets to me.

The other problem is we're both, well, Yankees (which translates into "pack rats"). Tom by birth in New England, but he claims I was born a Yankee, too, even in the upper Midwest. Waste not, want not, can't throw this away, might need it someday. And our home certainly does show it.

When Tom can finally come home, his healing ankle won't let him go upstairs to the bedroom and bathroom, so I've been forced into some sudden decluttering. It's probably a good thing to have not only incentive, but a deadline. Antique-ey stuff to sell had been piling up on the couch. But he'll need that as a bed. Today, I finally got everything on the couch sorted out elsewhere. Tomorrow two of his physical therapists are doing a home visit to make suggestions and plan strategies for getting him able to get into and out of the house, so I also had to do some serious spiffification to keep from being totally embarrassed by the place. (My usual strategy is to rely on having enough interesting things to look at that no one notices the house is a mess.) Most of the downstairs clutter that could quite literally trip Tom up had to get gone. I think I succeeded.

But this is decidedly a work in progress. I can't call the antique guy until I locate and corral some of the other stuff that's lurking in boxes in the, oh, let's call it the computer room. Before I can do that, I have to dig out a cabinet that used to hold a 600 dpi laser printer and get rid of it, and also extricate a top loading file cabinet and de-accession that, too. (But then I'll also have to find a place for whatever is IN both of those things...)

I made major inroads in the cellar last week when I needed to find space for most of the chairs from upstairs. In one swell foop I gave away a chainsaw and a shop vac, bagged up a bunch of what I'd suddenly declared to be trash, and got a bunch of other stuff into the car to take to Goodwill (although, instead, I gave it to a friend who says she'll take whatever she can't use to Goodwill).

I might just be starting to see that it's making a difference...

Next week I can take a huge pile of books at the foot of the stairs to the Nottingham Library book sale and, if I don't buy more than I contribute, I'll win... (It's always a struggle.)

Since we're getting a refund for the folk gathering Mother's Day weekend because Tom's surgeon won't recommend travel that far in a car, I bought a new vacuum yesterday. Unfortunately, Sears didn't have it in stock, so I won't get it until Thursday. I REALLY could have used it today.

My old vac is a 30-year-old Eureka canister that was factory reconditioned when we bought it. Not only can we no longer get bags for it, it, well, doesn't suck. What I bought is the Oreck Ultimate Handheld which strikes me as absolutely perfect for our highly idiosyncratic home -- I have very little floorspace but a LOT of really odd places that need to be cleaned. I think keeping this house clean is going to get a LOT easier and I'll be able to keep up as well.

I'm ridiculously excited about getting a new vacuum cleaner. I've gone all over June Cleaver-ish. Looking forward to getting it home and trying it out. It might even get the cobwebs off the rough cut beams and posts...

Let's hope Tom can come home soon...then I'll have even more time to beat this place into submission.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 May 12 - 08:47 PM

Linn,

I get that way about new vacuum cleaners too!!! Or any vacuum that really works well!!!
I also married a *Yankee* who doesn't like to throw anything out either....which is fine...to a point. It's part of his charm! ;)

Later in the day I did some sweeping (not finished), made healthy meals all day long, more laundry, cleaned out my car, put groceries away, made dinner and enjoyed Jeremiah.

Michel

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 12 - 09:32 PM

I was watching Jay Leno many years ago. The model Elle McPherson (I think it was she) was on the show, and he brought up a tidbit that he'd heard she loved vacuum cleaners, and presented her with one. It was cute, but she was clearly quite pleased to have this new device. :)

Not only can we no longer get bags for it, it, well, doesn't suck. Well that sucks, doesn't it? ;-D

I mailed a box of antique china today. It cleared out a couple of cubic feet of space it had occupied on a shelf. The box was flat behind a cabinet so that didn't make much difference, and I hope to hear from another person interested in a few pieces. I made a counter offer; if he comes back with his earlier price for these pieces that will be okay - one of the ones he wanted went in the box today because she was clear and named a higher price that he was offering. So, the same price for fewer pieces, I can live with it. Today's sale was one where we corresponded through eBay, agreed on the pieces and the price, I packed it to have all weights and measurements, then listed as "Buy it Now" it at 11am. By 11:30 it was paid for and by noon I had it at the door waiting for the mailman. And $125 in my PayPal account. I don't mind doing it this way, though eBay has some constraints on the email (number of characters, takes out email addresses, etc.). But we do have more protections this way.

Stuff to do tonight. I need to clear the kitchen island. I'm tired of looking at all of the paper.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 May 12 - 11:48 PM

Linn, I would be thrilled to still have my old Electrolux cannister vac. I called around to the shops and they all said they never get them in..no one wants to give them up, though I can see why yours had to go. I hope your Oreck works out. It sounds like a dream!

I've mostly been resting in between making and answering a lot of phone calls this past week. I get to spend 3-4 hours getting an IV infusion of iron on Friday..oh, joy!:-)

Morgan and I did get some more annuals potted out front. He did one pot all by himself and it looks beautiful. He is going to make me a pancake from scratch sometime this weekend.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 May 12 - 10:41 AM

Yesterday errands, bloodwork, and pool.

Errands: more than ever-- amazing to have some energy
Bloodwork: great staff made sure I got all the tests I wanted, to the tune of 8 blood vials' worth.
Pool: 160-180 BPM 40 minutes

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 May 12 - 01:44 PM

Several errands run this morning and I now have a concrete date for my physical therapy to begin. Also, tonight I begin quilting lessons! I can't wait!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 02 May 12 - 03:05 PM

Well. found out during the home visit by Tom's physical therapists this morning that there are MORE things that need to be moved out of the way or rearranged. Now where, exactly, did I put that "empty square"?!?

Maybe I can wait until tomorrow to wrap the old vac in plastic and leave it up by the head of the driveway with a FREE sign on it. Maybe I can put some more bait up there as well...

I need to put some of my overabundant perennial euphorbia into a couple pots for a friend, and call a neighbor to tell her that I have most of the big flower pots from the cellar up on the deck for her to take whatever she wants.

Then I need to extricate (and remove) a couple things in this room so I can move some boxes so that Tom will have maneuvering space around the computer and into the room, too.

This morning's visit gave me a bit more focus in fine-tuning the downstairs for Tom's convalescence. And incentive to find out what are in the boxes that are currently surrounding me so I can GET RID OF THEM!!!

More work...but it looks like Tom will be able to come home Friday or Saturday. It's mostly dependent on getting a wheelchair. (See the Curmudgeon Adventure thread.)

We're making progress on almost all fronts...

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 02 May 12 - 04:12 PM

Not much work today.

I went on the "health walk" arranged by the local authority, round the village paths and over the fields. I've been feeling very heavy lately (and that odd weight amount is back on), and did not feel full of beans afterwards (or before).

This afternoon I drilled holes in the wall and put up one of the two tracks for a set of bookshelves. I started the second track, but it got harder- a new bit, as well. (I have finally got Dad's drill wired up to use instead of my hand drill.) I'll finish that tomorrow, and then start moving books - mythology and women in religion first. Then anything else religious.

That should clear some shelf space for the stuff that isn't on shelves at all yet.

I had the new power tool delivered today - jobs for that are removing bolts from an old garden bench frame (iron) ready for new wooden slats, and cleaning the botched sealant round the shower screen. And probably chamfering the wood for the bench when I've got it.

But I'm finding it hard to find the energy at the moment for sustained activity. Lots of snoozes in between.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 02 May 12 - 09:10 PM

I'm trying to convince myself that I am capable of re-tiling the floor of my shower and re-grouting the walls. Now that it's seldom freezing in the daytime here I need to get started. Today I drew up a diagram to help me calculate how much tile to buy and copied the addresses of likely places in my town to get tile. Tomorrow I must make myself go order some tile.

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 May 12 - 02:39 AM

rags, I did the shower surrounds in both tubs in my house. It takes a little while, but if you only put up as much adhesive as you can use at at time and pace yourself, it is doable!

I packed up and shipped a 28 pound box of china on Tuesday. Another 12 pounds is set to sell and ship tomorrow. These are the result of discussions with interested buyers via eBay's email, and then when we're set, I list it at a given time as "buy it now." We're both protected more than a sale via Craig's List or something similar. This clears I'd guess about 2/5ths of the surface area of my kitchen table. I'll have to think about the rest, how and when to list it.

I've decided to have a neighbor guy come help in the yard a bit. Side-by-side stuff, mostly, helping weed, trim. It's kind of like having someone come in and clean the house for a half day every three or four weeks - it isn't a lot but it still helps to keep ahead of things. He doesn't have room to garden very much at his house (his yard is heavily shaded) but he grew up on a farm in Mexico so knows his way around a veggie garden.

Lots to do tomorrow since I'm taking a vacation day on Friday.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 May 12 - 11:57 AM

Yesterday I waited for work on the truck (tires rotated) and walked next door to Jack in the Box. They have a milkshake on their menu - I hadn't had one in years. I think there was more to that shake than I expected. Based on the discomfort and many trips to the loo last night, I think there must be nutrasweet in the mix, possibly in the syrup. That's a big note to myself for something to avoid in the future.

Cleaning up the kitchen, making a jar of iced tea, fixing a few things for lunch for the next couple of days. Laundry is drying. Second eBay box has been sold, will ship this afternoon if the payment comes through in time. I've compressed the china on the kitchen table to half the space (it is stacked according to type and size, but some of the stacks of bowls are on top of stacks of plates, etc.) I had a blue bedsheet (a denim color) that I use for background shots and I'll pull that up from around the table and fold it over the top to keep dust off till I'm set to list more. I have half the table to eat at now (no more eating at the kitchen island. . . )

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 May 12 - 12:00 PM

Just back from a great visit with a friend-- the dog trainer who boards our dogs-- for a little evaluation with Faulkner on how his Service Dog training is going. She thought that he's doing great and "cleared" him for train/bus rides to acclimate him to the type of motion he may experience on a plane in June. We also discussed in-flight meds if the altitude/air pressure bother him, etc., and traded "war stories" of first responders (she also runs ambulance).... we don't get to chat often but she knows my life better than most and I know her better than most... always a great little pick-me-up when we can chat a bit. Interestingly, she said-- when I shared about the new thyroid meds-- that the last time she'd seen me, she almost sent me off for a thyroid panel... because with one look she saw the typical thyroid patient. It will be interesting to share that with my doc tomorrow, when we discuss how long he missed that! :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 03 May 12 - 01:11 PM

Could you say what the typical thyroid patient looks like? I am one of those who test out normal but I suspect thyroid deficiencies..one thing to look at is eyebrows..if the outer third is sparse or gone, suspect problems..but treat adrenal problems first...and I know I have very minimal adrenal function...mg

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 May 12 - 04:32 PM

MG,

   I have had thyroid issues for a very long time...never heard that about the eyebrows, nor do I have what you have described.

   Busy day here, found a new local doctor, fired my current endocrinologist and have my referral in place for the new doctor. Leaving someone without access to insulin for as long as they did is inexcusable. FIRED. YOU ARE FIRED. New endocrinologist is much closer to home too which is another perk!

   Surprised with something this morning...will write about it in a few days. *GRIN*

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 May 12 - 04:47 PM

Could you say what the typical thyroid patient looks like?

Weight gain, suddenly thinning hair, listless energy, is sort of what she described. Ya kinda had to be there. Mary Shomon has a great book I recommend. I've been waiting since 4th grade for this Dx, but I am not yet an expert. There are some good online forums, tho, where people have been helping each other effectively for years. I think this is one of those "we each have to find our own way" kind of things.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 May 12 - 05:33 PM

I never had the thinning hair or energy issues (that came after chemo)but I know many people who have had that issue. I know when my thyroid is out of whack (as it changes frequently...hence the frequent lab work), I can fall asleep just that fast. It's not a tired like oh I'm dragging but a BAM...I'm asleep. Some people also have difficulty in regulating their temperature and dry skin too.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 03 May 12 - 06:54 PM

You can take your temperature frequently starting in bed in the morning and there is a pattern that will show whether you have more of a thyroid problem or an adrenal problem...I think, but am not sure, that thyroid is more constantly depressed but adrenal would be up and down more...mg

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 May 12 - 11:45 PM

My mother had thyroid problems - I have heard of the hair, and the eyebrow thing, Mary. Come to think of it, my eyebrows aren't any great shakes, haven't been for a while. I have a friend who had the classic goiter/thyroid scar on her neck who said that with a thyroid problem you can drink only water and gain weight. (Perhaps not literally, but a low-calorie diet doesn't help you keep the weight off).

I spoke with my brother this evening - a very helpful talk. He was a mortgage broker for 20 years. I have a home mortgage at 5.5%, which at any other time in history is fabulous, but now they are down at 3.25% and I am going to shop around. My bank didn't want to offer a mortgage that would let me roll in credit card debt, but when I ran my numbers past my brother, he said there are plenty of others with money for conventional loans who will do exactly what I want. Once I have the numbers, then I can talk to my bank and see if they want to meet them. Otherwise, adios. Something interesting to ponder for a little while.

I handed off the box to my mail carrier - he asked what it was I was shipping so I showed him the pattern. Here is a sample at Replacements.com. I cleared $200 with that china this week. Nice! Decluttered house, and a little more cash in the bank.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 04 May 12 - 04:11 AM

Today I visited five shops which sell tiles. None have tiles that are the same size as the broken tiles I need to replace on the shower walls. I need only about 12 square feet of floor tile for the shower floor. None of the shops have the tiles I need for the shower floor in stock. Most add a large charge for shipping. There are still two shops I haven't visited. Tomorrow?

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 May 12 - 09:36 AM

I'm NOT going to wear myself out today...at least not until I get Tom safely ensconced in the house.

But...I HAVE already consolidated miscellaneous sea shells in the cellar and brought up a milk crate for spray paint storage. A few more milk crates will provide a base in an odd corner (next to a litter box) to store some stuff that I want neither in the cellar nor on the cellar steps. I just stuck clear plastic around the computer chair I'm sitting in so I can move it to the deck temporarily and moved the heavy, solid wooden antique desk chair here in front of the computer as Tom will be using the wheelchair for the time being at the table and this chair is way too heavy and awkward for me to safely get down the cellar steps.

My life is a constant whirl of moving things from one place to another...(which fortunately includes sometimes moving them out of my life altogether).

After Tom's home, I hope to wrap the old vacuum cleaner in clear plastic (we're having a drizzly spell) and take it and several other things up to the head of the driveway with a FREE sign on them.

Then there are two cabinets buried in the computer room that need to be extricated and disappeared. Then boxes (including ones on the top of antiques to sell) need to be stacked somewhere other than next to the door, so that Tom will have wheelchair access to the computer.

I guess I'm halfway there -- I have a plan...

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 May 12 - 02:45 PM

Linn, may this be the last major AFGO you ever have to experience! You are incredible!

The iron IV was cancelled for today until the ins. company is satisfied that the doc really knows what he's talking about as in I really do need it! I was kind of scared the past few weeks because I kept needing more and more O2. The docs all said my heart and lungs sounded good, so I stewed. I talk to the nephrologist's nurse today to confirm the "aha!" my muddled brain dredged up from past nursing experience: anemia=less red blood calls=less O2=gasping, etc. when trying to do anything but sit. I know it's logical and obvious, but my brain must've been starved for it, too.:-) Anyway, she said most folks see a difference within a couple of days, so next week sometime I can feel useful, again!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 04 May 12 - 03:51 PM

I finished the shelves and loaded them up - but I still have need of more. I've bought four today while the DIY store had a 20% discount day. Also two sacks of peat free compost, two grow bags, two tomato plants, a litre of mixed to my choice blue bathroom paint, a litre of hammerite rust covering paint in dull green for the iron garden seat my sister passed on to me, wire brushes for cleaning same, and some self amalgamating tape to have by me. Unfortunately they didn;t have any timber which would do for the slats of the garden seat.

I taught the swimming class, and checked on the rowan I gave the school - the third. It had become a little skewed, so I bought a new tie to fix it to the wooden support more firmly.

I also found that they are having supply teachers again after not being able to afford them, and moaned about this to an ex-colleague. (I was dumped for being excessively expensive.) He told me that the local environmental education centre needed occasional staff, so i went to sound it out. Not impossible, and a nice change if available.

And I also finally made contact with a person who will be coming to assess my roof for solar panels, and can contact the roofer who has been very elusive, possibly doing up a property in France.

And just to complete a busy day, I made an appointment for an eye-test next week, and bought a replacement for a broken radio which no-one can repair. Irritating, because I believe it is only a loose connection to the aerial, which needs soldering.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 May 12 - 05:59 PM

Determined to get more done and get away more - and remember what the heck I am doing!

Using computer for memory aid for events. Made date with a raccoon loving friend up north; will get to see her new (rented) home and talk about life.

Spent three days in the country, commuting, this week. Now it is Friday and I am here for the weekend. Hope R makes it. Need to look at property we are considering to see if it is still available. Pork dinner at a country church tomorrow eve might be fun.

Still need to sign up for Farmers Market to sell pots; the forms are incomprehensible! Need to get back to working on wind turbine fact sheet; new info coming in that they cause climatic changes which may be useful or not. Very interesting article in New Scientist about the possible negative effects of "green" energy.

Sorting through the plastic bins of fabric-ey stuffs to get out summer clothes and have the rest more carefully organized - "bedding", "wool blankets", "winter clothes". Tired of searching!

Found a bag of stuffed animals and a bunch of those neat rubbery floor mats in someone's trash on the way down today. The animals are great for raccoons. The mats are great for the studio - so much better for the body than concrete floors!

Started sorting out the confusion in the studio that accumulated during winter. The next few days may be warm enough to get to potting. Right now it is colder inside than out! So I have had the doors open all day. The bug season has started but none today. The black flies tend to stay outdoors and don't last too long here. The mosquitoes were in hordes last year but I was able to pot anyway.

Considering a couple short trips this summer - a few days in Pennsylvania - family and folk dancing party and a few days in Ontario, where I used to live, to see the folks and the newly restored train station - in July or August - after the black fly season there.

The SPCA here is still not responding re raccoons and I know it is the baby season. Frustrating! We have a few - the neighbour has seen three adults going up our tree to the roof. R has gone up and ascertained there is a hole big enough. He put a board, loosely, over the hole and it gets moved. About a month and they should be ready to move on with the babes. Then we will get the tree/highway cut back and fix the hole.

We spent Sunday in the Adirondacks with our raccoon friends there, helping get a new enclosure ready so Amy can prepare 7 of last year's crop for release. A beautiful day in the woods.

Ahhh, the sun just started to peep through! Off to the cafe for terrific music. Hope R makes it tonight.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 May 12 - 07:03 PM

Thyroid: Eating more, lost 4 pounds.

~S~

Subject: RE: Pastorwifing (Clergy Spousing) Highlight
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 May 12 - 11:42 AM

No, it was 5.

I can so seldom share what I actually DO as a clergy spouse, but here is one I CAN share: TBTG and knowing how to build connections, I'll get to hold several thousand dollars Monday just long enough to "anonymize" the source as it goes to a recipient. This will declutter a whole LOT of BS that only needed someone to see the need and set the right wheels moving so they intersect like Shimano bicycle shifter! And all I have to APPEAR to do is to be home at the right time on the right day, and then drive over to my bank and WalMart!

This is a real Mother's Day Week honor-- God is GOOD!

I also just decluttered by personal schedule: Between the x-rays that were taken in 2006 and mis-communicated... and the thyroid diagnosis missed since.... 1960?... and me now being 349 pounds (I just lost 5 while eating more, thanks to thyroid meds)...

This meant that if I do not want to grind my spine to dust before I melt off 200 pounds of medical mismanagement, I need to be running in the pool Sunday nights. LOL: "Online class sitting, with my legs hurting? or running my ass off to great tunes and exhilarating hard breathing while I melt in the rural mountain country club pool with the great views and my newly-trained service dog happily nearby in the grass?" It was the 5 pounds I lost effortlessly that finally made THAT choice clear! :~) (This is an object lesson in being a clergy spouse which you are free to pass along!)

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 05 May 12 - 06:22 PM

I had to take the new radio back. Only deeply hidden in the manual was the information that the alarm and the sleep functions only work when it is connected to the mains, so I now have no radio I can take away with me to help me sleep.

None of the major manufacturers make models like those of only a few years back which work on batteries. Not even analogue only, without draining digital wavebands.

Then I felt a bit drawn, so did not see my friend, sleeping instead.

After that, I put in a bit of work in the garden, moving one of the old bedheads slightly (which involved moving half a dozen paving slabs first), and building up a new flower bed with seven bags of top soil. It only occurred to me afterwards that I could have buried all my shredded paper under it, but it's too late now, as I have sown a seed collection I was given on it, and planted a few old bulbs.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 05 May 12 - 07:52 PM

Yesterday I started pulling baskets of papers and other things out from my closet shelves, sorting into "keep", "recycle" and "thrift shop" piles. I have boxes of tiny shape erasers and stickers that I bought to use to bribe children when I was supply teaching. I hope that the grandchildren and great grandchildren will visit often. I had to throw everything back into the closet last night to make floor space again for my mattress. Now the closet looks worse than before I started.

When I woke this morning it was sunny and dry outside. I knew my son and grandson planned to come to town today so I phoned and asked if they could spare an hour or so to rake lawns for me. We made a good team. The "boys" used the two thatching rakes. I picked up the thatch and deposited it in the compost box. That's one very big job that I'm happy to see finished for this year.

The plastic sheeting that protects my carport from rain had been buckling and funneling water into the carport. I pried the eaves trough off from under that side of my deck and nailed the sheets back up where they belong.

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: mouldy
Date: 06 May 12 - 04:30 AM

Hello, Peeps!

It's been a while. No excuses, really...I have just been in garden-pottering mode. The house is now back in "de-clutter or else" mode. (The garden's looking...like a garden)

After a grovelling apology from the electrician after "I'll come back in the new year and finish off", he has done some of it and should be back on Tuesday to finish off the work on the build. It's all daft little things like removing a dead cable and putting covers on the extractors from the bathrooms. He is also going to move the electric meters down to a more accessible height. I really hope he is also going to connect the power to the annexe at long last, so I can actually get on and do stuff in there.

I managed to haul the 2 beds out of the annexe and dispose of them last month. My back's not been the same since! I have so much stuff in there to find some containment for - containment of the furniture type. It's one of those little conundrums that life throws at you: need to get it into proper storage, but can't get stuff in to sort it out until it's all been sorted! Hey ho. Had mice in there too.
The annexe needs some structural work, but funds are depleting, so it may have to wait. I still have to get a gate made for the garden. It's in hand, but the joiner's busy on building projects elsewhere just now.

Talk of thyroid isssues reminds me of my sister in law who, after years of putting her mood swings, lethargy and weight gain down to the menopause has found that she actually has Hashimoto's Disease, where her immune system is actually destroying her thyroid. She will need gradually increasing doses of medication. However, she is now a different person, with more energy, and much more tolerant (doing a Master's in Psychology has helped too, methinks). She has also looked at her diet (she used to be a dietician when she was young) and by making some adjustments has lost about 3 stone. She has played badminton all through this, surprisingly, but has a dodgy hip joint (not arthritis - the joint isn't quite smooth)and is awaiting surgery, I think, to sort it out, as it affects her when she does a lot of walking. It took her a long time to get that diagnosed, and eventually was picked up on an MRI scan. Her being a doctor's wife enabled her to argue the case very forcefully and get one. You don't mess with my sister in law!
My eyebrows have vanished on the outer edges, but I as far as I know my thyroid is fine. They take blood every year for my annual check, so I assume they test that among other stuff - my last docs used to.

(The cat's is overactive...)

The sun is out, but it's going to be a background chill. It's a public holiday weekend, so I am going to trawl about and see what's on. If not, it's going to have to be a foray into the annexe...

Andrea

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 May 12 - 07:11 AM

Andrea, the testing does not always cover the full battery of tests required to get an accurate Dx of thyroid issues. I really suggest you look at Mary Shomon's book on the topic: CLICK HERE

===

Tghe other day I put up a thingie on the back door-- whenever I head out I am always loaded up with bags of stuff for trhe various stoops I will make. The doorknowbs were getting overloaded with "packed and ready" stuff and there was no handy horizontal storage, so I pout an old towle bar oin the inside of the back door. On it I spring-clip each bag as it is packed and ready. Then as I head out I just grab them all. THe spring clips are a hassle so I will get some s-hooks that I will close on the towel bar end and leave open ion the bag end.

===

We re-did the back of the boondocker ydy. The cot is now folded in half-- NOT in an upright, stored-rollaway-bed-type position-- sitting on the legs of the head end, with the foot end folded up and over that. So it is ready to do a quick unfold for use. We also flipped the mattress for the cleaner side of the flannel to lie upon. The space cleared now holds my scooter with a little room to spare...

Now, I can carry both with minimal setup time to get from travel to nighty-nights-- without having to leave my scooter at home. On top of the folded cot there is plenty of room for grocery stowage, and maybe the dog too, on a comfy dog bed.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 May 12 - 12:44 PM

I need to declutter the truck. It's a mess of containers, bags, bags and more bags.

I ate a piece of chocolate cake last week on Sunday and my hands have been progressively worse this week. I need to use vinyl gloves and an Rx cream and vaseline for them to feel better. I think that clinches it on the chocolate. But any that might be headed my way will not go to waste, I have children . . .

Andrea, glad to see you back and that you're still moving forward. Penny, do you have a reasonably new cell phone? They often times have alarms (multiples) and can be used in lieu of a clock radio alarm.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: mouldy
Date: 06 May 12 - 03:16 PM

Well I did a bit more moving of stuff in the annexe, and dragged some more stuff (mainly re-usable shopping bags and some household products) out of the shed. Mouse droppings on a lot of stuff. Good job there was nothing that couldn't be cleaned! That cat's slacking!

Andrea

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 May 12 - 10:02 PM

Another great day at Cghurch School and all those steps to get up there. 40 minutes aquajogging plus coaching time for a friend.

Amazing how may other folks in my circle turn out to be on longterm thyroid meds! One told me of a great endo she sees, who I may decide to see.

About 2 hours scootering tonight.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: maire-aine
Date: 08 May 12 - 10:42 AM

Did some serious de-cluttering this week. Some 20 yrs ago, I took an interest in Irish literature, and I built up quite a collection of material on Joyce, Yeats, Keane, and some other writers. With the passage of time, my interests have changed, and I know I'll never (re)read any of those books. So, they're on their way out! One of our local Irish groups is sponsoring a Bloomsday event, and they're doing a used book sale, so I'm donating 3 storage boxes of books. I stopped counting at fifty books. This is the perfect place, because the people who attend are interested in Irish lit. to begin with. The group will make some money & I'll get a tax deduction. We all win.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 May 12 - 11:53 AM

The Festre Family is sick again. Sheesh. Colds all around. My boys are doing good but I'm struggling. I'm sure it has to do with the fact that my white blood cell count in is in the toilet. We need those to fight infections! aRG.

Anyway....today is the first time in a LONG time that I am home alone. It is SO quiet. I'll be working on my usual chores or maybe I'll curl up and try to nap. It's cold and icky outside....it's a good day for a nap. I had PT scheduled for today but there's no point in going when I can't breathe.

Anyway....hope the rest of you are all doing well.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 May 12 - 01:56 PM

Got the rest of the books to the Nottingham library for this weekend's sale (which, uh, "unfortunately" I'll be able to attend -- I win if I purchase fewer than I donate), got some more Goodwill (or a friend) stuff into the car, and picked up the 4 planters inadvertently taken by the friend who took all the rest of the planters and flower pots.

Okay, so now I have no excuse -- I need to tackle this room. It's like a giant game of Tetris and the decluttering and moving stuff about (one square at a time...) actually starts just outside the room.

I'll report on the progress later -- at least two cabinets just need to get gone, the chairs need to go to the cellar for the time being (maybe sell the "cowboy windsors"), and every box moved at LEAST two times...

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 May 12 - 02:53 PM

Well, I haven't gotten into this room yet, but I've cleaned out the corner next to the Jenn-Aire, the drawer underneath the stove and the catch-all cabinet under the Jenn-Aire.

Gone (or soon to be gone) are some very nice stainless steel clad pans that I've not used in 30 years, along with the insert to make about 8 poached eggs at a time, along with an incredible pile of baking sheets, cooling racks, and miscellaneous pans and related culch. Including a never-out-of-the-box grill-top skewer set. Must have acquired it cheap at a yardsale.

Now I'll be able to store the pans that we DO use somewhere other than the countertop.

Yeehah! And I haven't even gotten to the main course yet.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 May 12 - 06:41 PM

Succeeded in extricating the top load file cart and measure the width of the not-quite-built-in bed in hopes of a bookcase fore and aft (that may, if they're the right size, be de-accessioned by a friend). Put some of the stuff back, rested, ate dinner and, tired but happy, I'll retire with a book until tomorrow when I'll attack the room again.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 09 May 12 - 07:12 AM

I've been getting fresh air and exercise. Sunday I went for a long bird walk in a park with the Junior Naturalists. Monday morning I went to a different park for a "photo shoot" with my seniors group. Monday evening, another long walk with a teacher who was looking for a place to bring students to study birds. We saw 23 species of birds, some squirrels two muskrats and a beaver.

My legs and feet hurt a lot from the walking, but I think that my knees are working better because of it. I went to the park alone today, picked up three more species and noticed that I could manage to keep my balance much better on rough terrain. I wish I had a walking partner to help me continue taking long walks.

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: freda underhill
Date: 09 May 12 - 08:23 AM

earlier this year I seemed to be rushing about so much, I was feeling pretty exhausted. so I've slowed down, and am enjoying not being under so much pressure.

Summer has finished here in Oz, and last weekend I finally got to boxes under the bed, where I'd put away last winters clothes, got them out, took the summer clothes and put them in the boxes, and washed the winter clothes ready for use. Took a few hours - I'd started a few weeks ago, but did it all properly on Sunday. And gave away a few things as well. Everything feels better as a result.

I have a cork floor in my place, so I don't vaccuum, I sweep and mop.

Linn, nothing like an invalid to force a major reorganisation. good luck & keep taking naps while you can.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 May 12 - 10:02 AM

Laundry is in, physical therapist for Tom come and gone, a few more items out of the kitchen cabinets -- a friend's uncle just moved into a mobile home and has NOTHING, so I'm hoping he can use some of the stuff I pulled out yesterday and this morning.

Right now I should either head to the store to get coffee and wine (and drop off more books at the library on the way) or get serious about extricating that cabinet just off to my left... (You can tell how excited I am about moving everything on top and in front of it...)

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 May 12 - 11:41 AM

I also have books I should think about selling. I doubt I'll use them any more, though when I was collecting them I was pleased with what I had. Very specialized, so it may have to go to a dealer or on Amazon, not on eBay. And not to my local half-price bookstore this time.

Helping a friend declutter her garage storage area. Since I'm here with my pickup that is still empty at this point, I can assist by taking discards to the thrift store in one fell swoop.

Linn, it sounds like huge progress, and I'm lucky I'm not there to see the cast off cooking stuff or it might end up in my kitchen.

Michelle, get over this bug soon! The thing that I think is most important about not catching things is the hand-washing and not touching your face. Alas, with my dermatitis it hurts to wash my hands so I have to be careful about what I handle and when I wash my hands make it count. Give Jeremiah a lesson in nurse-style hand washing and that will help you, because he's probably coming home with bugs from nursery school. That's what happened at our house, when my oldest started school. We caught everything that was going around for a couple of years. School = New Germ Pool.

I hope you're feeling better, Kat. Getting those doctors and meds all lined up the way you need.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 May 12 - 02:28 PM

Yeehah! Cabinet excised and put on deck. Also waterproof wrapped the old vac and have it out on the deck as well -- more maneuvering room for Tom's wheelchair.

Not sure what all the neighbors are taking (kitchen culch out there, too) or when...most of whatever is left either goes to Goodwill or up to the head of the driveway with a FREE sign on it.

Heard back from the friend who is taking the miscellaneous colored and textured paper -- can't tell I spent over 30 years in the printing industry...

I think I'm done for the day...

Unless I decide to move all the smaller rugs from the top of the boxes and start moving all the boxes to the other side of the room... It could happen...

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 09 May 12 - 03:14 PM

SRS,

   I am a hand washing maniac...had to be during chemo and it just stuck. Still sick with a cold. My new endocrinologist called yesterday with a cancellation leaving an early morning appointment open and I took it. Boy am I glad I did...what a DIFFERENCE!!! :) However, I thought I was going for the usual first visit (which I had) but then they scheduled me for a glucose sensor implant TODAY!!...so now I have this thing in my belly and it will stay there for a week. It will provide them a look at my glucose levels 24/7...all info is stored in this device. When it is removed, it is uploaded onto their computer along with a new meter's readings. It will provide me with a very detailed account of when and where my spikes are so we can manage it better.

   This is not a decluttering post or even exercise but it IS something that is moving me towards much better health! YAY ME!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 May 12 - 04:32 PM

It's decluttering a mystery and a problem -- and what you'll have is better health and one less bit of trouble in your life.

Congratulations! It's a very GOOD thing!

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 May 12 - 11:54 PM

Nice dinner this evening, solved a couple of computer and phone questions for a friend, and her garage storage room is now so clear that she can set up in there and not have to bring stuff into the house to do that work. We filled the back of the pickup for the thrift donation and a lot of stuff went in trash and recycling.

A huge branch came down from the neighbor's tree into my back yard. I've always worried about that tree - and had my fingers crossed that no one or thing was there when it came down. All three dogs are fine. Three or four years ago one of my trees dropped a limb in their shade garden, and I was able to take a sharp limb saw and cut it up and pull it out. But this is an immense old tree - the butt end of the limb is hung up on the tree and the weight of it is down on my compost piles. I won't be able to tell for a while if it crushed the little red oak I've been nurturing for years. We'll get out to do that this weekend.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 May 12 - 11:09 AM

I researched the ingredients on my shampoo that I picked up in order avoid the Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Since I've used the news shampoo all week my dermatitis is worse. The main ingredient is sodium cocoyl isethionate, a coconut product, and I am reminded that I can't use the salon product Nexus shampoo that has coconut smell (I can't remember the name of this shampoo formula, but the smell gives it away). And I can't use Breck or Herbal Essences. I'll cross reference those and see what their ingredients are. The upshot is, both product main ingredients are from coconut, so I may have simply shifted to a more concentrated version of what I'm allergic to.

Meanwhile, look at all of the products that can be derived from coconut (and other sources, but largely from coconut):

http://bit.ly/LXWuRb

List of coconut derived Ingredients:
1,2 Octanediol
2 Phenoxyethanol
Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate
Capryl Glycol
Caprylic Acid
Caprylic Glycol
Caprylic/Capric
Caprylyl Glycol
Ceteareth-20
Cetearyl Alcohol
Cetearyl Glucoside
Ceteth-20 Phosphate
Cetyl Alcohol
Cetyl Esters
Cocamide MEA
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cococaprylate/Caprate
Cocomide DEA
Coconut Oil
Disodium Cocamphodiprop
Emusifying Wax
Glyceryl Caprylate
Hexyl Laurate
Isopropyl Myristate
Laureth-3
Olefin Sulfonate
Organic Sodium Cocoate
PEG - 7 Glyceryl Cocoate
PEG -100
Phenoxyethanol
Polysorbate 20
Sodium Cocoate
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Sucrose Stearate
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinat
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium Stearate
Sorbitan Stearate
Stearyl Alcohol
Vegetable Cetearyl Glucos
Vegetable Glycerine

"With many ingredients there is the potential for the above ingredients to be from different sources. This is just a partial listing of ingredients to research further when seen on a package."

Food for thought.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 May 12 - 12:03 PM

Despite an exhausting round of estate stuff over two days, I DID get to the pool and I DID have the energy and legs to run in and out of all the banks and offices PLUS a few quick errands. This is so weird having a normal energy level! I am more convinced than ever that my thyroid has been out of whack for a VERY long time.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 10 May 12 - 04:15 PM

Had the first eye-test for years yesterday. Some small changes to the macular in the right eye - need lots of fruit and veg, rather than asnything worse. A small speck of cataract in the left - keep eyes covered in sun.
And I have had a faint noise like the sea in a shell in my right ear all week, sometimes less faint.
Not happy about that.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 May 12 - 09:40 AM

Pool between funeral home visitation and movie with Hardi: 30 minutes AJ 170-190 BPM and coldwater stretches.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 May 12 - 02:30 PM

I forgot again to measure the church aisles as a way of measuring how much walking I do when I uber-ush a funeral, but going by the sore legs I'd estimate it was over a mile and a half-- nice improvement. TBTG for thyroid meds, and good shoes to absorb the shock my spine doe not need!

A parishioner told me at ydy's visitation that she had been praying about my "weight" for the almost 20 years we have been here. Sigh.... I wish I had known-- it was the doc who needed the prayer, so I told her that and she said she would add him to her prayer list.

We may have a new housemate on the horizon.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 12 May 12 - 06:45 AM

Today I ordered shower floor tiles from a flooring shop that doesn't tack a hefty shipping charge onto a tile order. The tiles should be here by the end of next week. I'll need to work very hard to be ready to install them when they arrive.

I wasn't able to find any similar wall tiles to replace the few that are broken. I bought two square feet of 6" x 6" white tiles. I'll need to be creative to work them into a wall of 4" x 7" blue-grey tiles in a way that will look "artistic". On the other hand,I spend much of my shower time with my eyes closed, perhaps the colours won't matter?

Replacing the grout and the loose or damaged shower tiles will not be an easy task. Tonight I removed the shower door for better access when I'm working in the stall and carefully removed more loose tile from the wall without breaking any more of them. I tried out the diamond edged "grout saw" for removing the grout. It appears that my grout lines are too narrow for that tool. It jumped when I was pulling it down a grout line and inflicted a nasty deep scratch on one of the tiles. There is a lot of grout to remove. I hope I can find a way to do efficiently without the saw.

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 May 12 - 10:49 AM

rags-- Dremel makes an inexpensive cordless model with tiny router-like attachments: http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ADremel%20Accessories%20Uk&page=1

(But you can cruise in from the benefits-Mudcat portal if you buy)

~Susan

Subject: RE: Right Relationship
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 May 12 - 10:56 AM

hit submit too soon

Estate matters proceed (albeit with some conflict)... Love sent, check (and ongoing). Advice sought and prayed about, check (and ongoing). Information now flowing, with adjustment of contact person, check (and ongoing). Travel plans set, check. Lodging plans in motion (and ongoing). Local representation in progress. No irrevocable actions taken to date, check (and ongoing).

IMNSHE, in any toxic situation, a clear-thinking person can choose the least toxic person in the constellation-- and deal with that person, with good effect. A PRAYING, clear-thinking person discovers an even better effect. TBTG for wise counsel, kind assistance, and a great priest.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 May 12 - 02:43 PM

I'm back home. Drove in early in the morning after several naps on the road. Dogs have been to the low-cost shot clinic today (it's once a year), and now to address the huge limbs that came down in the back a few days ago. They are on a neighbor's tree so they're sending someone to take them out. I'll take photos then put a large plastic trash can over the small oak I hope to save that is in the mix of all of it.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 12 May 12 - 03:00 PM

I've done something horrid to three fingertips on my right hand. I was working on rejuvenating the carpet tiles from my old bedroom, a process that goes: shampoo, dry, vacuum, check for stains remaining. Then repeat if necessary. If still stained, I have been using a product called White Wizard, then rinsing in the bath and drying. Today I thought I would vary that with the shampoo product, which I have seen on TV being used neat and worked in by the demonstrator with bare fingers. It lifts stains all right. Also made my fingertips sore, and the carpet fibres drew blood. Not to be repeated, I think.

I've also put plants in the pots I bought them in around the garden to check for appearance, and used fertiliser on the peach to counteract the weakness from the fungus, and on the choysia cutting I was given by the lovely lady who lives in my grandparent's old house, which was looking a little yellow. It has rooted, but was obviously missing something in the compost. It's planted out now, but not perked up much.

Also put slug pellets around the grow house - the horrors have nibbled my bought in celery down to soil level.

I'm just off to search for nematodes.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 May 12 - 03:21 PM

Still haven't felt up to anything, but did go along for the ride when Rog, Morgan, and I went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Rog went in and found the sateen sheets, called me to see what colour I wanted and bought them for me for Mother's Day as well as a back chair spine support thingie: KISS MY BACK. It works well in the car and one office chair, but the chair in the kitchen is too large. I am thrilled to have it and the new sheets!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 May 12 - 04:25 PM

...the chair in the kitchen is too large...

I made a hi-density foam jobbie, custom-fit to me and to the relevant chair. It's working wonders.

I made it from two pieces I cut and wrapped in sheeting which I then tufted to keep all the layers together:

1 foam upholstery wedge such as raises the head of a twinbed
1 foam bolster (half the length of a twinbed), sliced into two half-rounds-- one for head and one for back.

This backrest supplements the built-in back the chair's previous owner had compressed to fit HIS back, which then did not fit mine.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 May 12 - 12:48 AM

A tree guy cut up the down limbs in the back yard this evening (hired by the neighbors, who own the tree in question), and I asked him how much to take out another tree that is causing problems. $75, and we have a deal. That one is going to destroy my me fence otherwise. He'll be back on Monday morning.

The dogs are such goofy happy pooches, we didn't walk this evening (I was tired from driving and from cutting up tree limbs) but tomorrow we'll go for a walk. And we'll check on Susie. She has been busy, so tomorrow afternoon will probably be the first opportunity.

My son has been delivered to his Dad's house where he prefers to spend the summer (in the same neighborhood where his friends all live). It'll be a shorter summer because he'll have to move back to get an apartment before school starts. No more dorms. Lots to research before that move.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 May 12 - 01:05 AM

Happy Mother's Day to all who are new moms especially, and to all who have lost their moms.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 13 May 12 - 01:27 AM

Susan, Thank you for the Dremel information. I think that anything larger than a dentist drill will be too big to fit between my tiles. There is a grout remover tool at Princess Auto here, but it's too large too.

I've been digging at the grout with a small screwdriver. It's fairly effective. Using it kills all feeling in my hands fairly quickly. I'll try wearing my wrist splints tomorrow and see if I can hold a tool in my hand. I'm supposed to wear them when I use tools, but I've found that I can't get a good grip on anything with them on.

The other problem I will need to solve is that I can't see what I'm doing unless it's directly in front of me. My progressive lenses don't work if I have to turn my head to work on something, or if I'm looking down. I'm sure I can figure something out, maybe my reading glasses and a good light would help?

For a break, and because the outdoor temperature finally reached 20^oC (70^oF), I carried the wooden screen door for the sliding door up from the basement, set it into its track, removed a storm window from each of the five main floor windows that open and replaced each with a screen. It was good to have fresh air moving through the house again.

I also addressed the "ants moving indoors in the Spring for a few weeks" tradition. For the past week or two I saw only one or two ants each day but yesterday I captured about thirty of them in various parts of the kitchen and released them outdoors. Today I moved everything on my kitchen counters, wiped then down thoroughly with ammonia and vacuumed thoroughly right through the main floor of the house. My theory is if they can't find anything in the house to eat they will stay outside. Time will tell if I'm right.

When I went out in my backyard to fill the squirrel's feeder I noticed that the water in the bird baths had evaporated. Out came the hose to fill those. The flowerbeds got watered while I was at it.

I'm not going to get that shower done at this rate, am I?

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 May 12 - 12:36 PM

My arms and hands are achy from all of the pruning yesterday, but I don't need to fool with that again until tomorrow. Aspirin is my friend for today. :) Lots of weeds to pull and I have to mow the lawn, nothing new here. The activity will serve to loosen muscles.

It seems that during my week away someone tried to break into the next door house - this time they hopped over the fence and were going to go in through the back. It makes me wonder if they tried before and are determined to get in - the last time in the fall a burglary was stopped by a brace the neighbors place against the front door knob (it's like a long walking-cane with a heavy rubber foot - the top end is placed under/around the stem of the door knob with the rubber foot firmly set on the tile and it won't let the door be opened when someone pushes against it.) Jackie was home, but was slow to open the door, and she realized someone had hopped fence. She actually spoke to one who said he was there to mow the lawn - what BS - they had no tools in the truck that was backed up the driveway to their front door. She didn't get a license but she did describe them. I hope that helps get these guys caught.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 May 12 - 04:30 PM

rags, Dremel does have leetle needle bits.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 May 12 - 10:13 PM

Weeded some, dumped a huge wheelbarrow full onto the compost pile that has been uncovered (of a bunch of the limbs from the broken branches). I'll have to be systematic about weeding it this summer if I want to make progress. It's about now, as I do all of this work, that I understand why so many people have just yards and lawns they can cut in one fell swoop.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 May 12 - 10:21 PM

I folded about three weeks of laundry, then put it away after Rog carried it to the bedroom. Otherwise, it's been a bit rough go with various reactions to the iron infusion. It's getting sorted, though.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 May 12 - 10:37 PM

Living room floor picked up, table beside my chair is clean (tends to get VERY messy when I'm sick...tissues, meds, etc). Laundry is going. Lots of personal family stuff going on which I'm tending to.

The implanted sensor seems to be doing well for which I am thankful.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 May 12 - 11:42 PM

Michelle, be deliberate in your choices this week, let the most important things rise to the top. Stay healthy.

Kat, I read your remark abouta Roman Totenberg story on another thread and looked it up. Wonderful! I didn't get to hear entire newscasts while I was out of town. Here is the transcript of the full story.

I've pulled out some of the clothes I picked up at the thrift store in Green Valley, AZ. It really is a remarkable place. The White Elephant is open from 9am - noon Monday through Saturday. What they put out is in good shape, works, has been tested, has been examined to be complete (no missing buttons on clothes, etc) and is all priced very low. Pants are usually $2, blouses $2 or $3. They sell high dollar things on eBay. They have furniture and they get reasonable prices (more than a lot of other thrift stores, but then I don't see Danish Modern in too many other thrift stores). Pants, vests, blouses, and more. A couple of things are a bit snug, but I will lose weight and I couldn't leave them behind because losing 5-10 lbs means they'll fit. Inspiration. :)

A couple of loads of laundry are completed and I'll run another, with some of these garments.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 May 12 - 06:12 AM

Missed my thyroid dose yesterday-- OMG. Sure explains a lot!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 14 May 12 - 07:28 AM

Rags, I have a new tool (CEL multitool, but there are other similar items) with a specialist thing for grout removal.

grout remover

You will understand from the clip why I went to the builders' suppliers this morning and bought some ear defenders.

I haven't used this particular tool, but the cutter cut through nails in an old set of bookshelves, the scraper removed messy sealer from the bath, and the sander has removed blisters in the old paint in the bathroom.

The blurb suggests that some tool or other can be used for removing the tiles as well as the saw removing the grout, and then the remaining adhesive from the wall. I do not intend to do this particular job - there are far too many tiles. I'm getting someone in.

I have been sorting my carpet tiles ready for laying. Oddly, some of them have produced stains which were not there originally. Through the process again, then.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 May 12 - 12:21 PM

Wow, Penny, that is impressive! One of these days I need to have the brick on the back of my house repointed - that involves taking out some of the crumbling part and re-grouting it. I could buy an expensive tool (a larger version of your linked tool) but I suspect it would take me forever to do it myself. This is the kind of job I'll hire out - one of these days. (Perhaps when I win the lottery.)

Waiting on the branch removal guy. Supposed to be here nearly 2 hours ago. I went out early and got cash to pay him (I am certain he doesn't take credit cards and I suspect even checks are a challenge). Nice guy, low tech.

I'm still working on stuff as a followup to the trip. Washing the blankets my son used in the dorm, getting all of this stuff ready for packing and taking out for next fall. I've also been laundering the thrift store clothes and adding them to my closet. Cleaning the kitchen, clearing up paper on my desk, etc. I came home to the kitchen table with about half of the space filled with the rest of the antique china - I'll set up another big piece and see if I can attract more attention from collectors. It is a lot easier to sell specific pieces the way I did the market them one at a time, but I have to attract attention first so they know to contact me. I'll say something to the effect that I will work with them to send specific pieces in a "buy it now" sale if they are interested. Saves us both time.

I keep hearing mechanical "thumps" and look outside to see if the battered pickup and trailer have arrived, but I think I'll be hearing those thumps for a long time - a new school is being built on the other side of the village, on the other side of our woods.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 May 12 - 08:25 AM

Thankful for another day with my Nana. Back to the hospital today. Migraine in the works.

Baby bathed, breakfast and lunches made. I imagine that's all that will get done in the line of chores today.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 May 12 - 09:45 AM

Thoughts arising:
I ONLY use Dr. Bronners pure castile liquid soap with tea tree oil - dishes, hair, body, and other stuff. It is incredibly effective. When R had just loaded a filthy machine into the truck and we had no place to clean up, some of this and a bit of our drinking water cleaned his black hands miraculously.
Dremel is noted for its tiny tools.

I seem to be having an allergy reaction to airborne something but 500 vit C every hour or so is keeping it manageable. Was worse in the country - farmers putting stuff on fields?

Did not keep us from driving around looking at properties - same ones again - and collecting rhubarb from old abandoned plants - a huge armload. We went to see a house for sale, last week, and the young lad had run over the rhubarb patch with the mower!!! We gave him ... and picked up all the broken stalks. This week we harvested more. Always leaving enough to keep the plants very healthy - for next week? Yesterday I cooked one batch - about two qts. Some more to do today. Put some in freezer.

Had breakfast with my cousin and wife and daughter (first cousin once removed?) and her children, husband and in-laws from Colombia, S.A. We had not seen them in two years and it was great to meet more of the family. And wonderful to be with family that we really enjoy and are of mostly the same mind.

Took pottery to farm market Saturday. Only sold one piece but there were not many people; it was the first of the season. Talked to lots of people - ideas for what to make and in more colours. I signed up for 8 more during the summer - starting in mid June, every other week.

Looking on line for another wheel - one that is easier to move so I can take it to Apple Hollow Music Fest and maybe to the farm market as well. The two I have are VERY heavy.

Agreed: stuff I was collecting for a yard sale could more efficiently be donated to thrift shop and BE GONE! Maybe I will put it in car today. Declutter the studio! I did some major work there on the weekend. I can start potting anytime now. Maybe even today. Getting ancy!

If I leave now, I can get in several hours - work and rest and work and rest.

Oh yeah - I walked to the library yesterday aft and then to the grocery in the evening. The latter is usually - "I don't want to carry..." but I only needed salad and bought little enough stuff that it was not too heavy. I am very fed up with this extra 35 pounds. It may not seem much to some folk but for me it is a lot. It weighs on body and mind.

One of our friends at the cafe told me he used to be 232 and he started walking - he has set routes around the small town and walks almost daily, picking different routes. Then - he is a character - He walked to the border (USA/Canada) recently (maybe 10 miles) and one of the US guards - they all know him!- asked him if he were going to walk to the next town (in the US). He said he would go there if he got a ride so the guard, who was at end of shift, gave him a ride and he walked around that town and found a Canadian to give him a ride back! He knows LOTS of people!

Well, I am not doing that but I must try to find more ways of getting exercise. So potting will help. Bye, now. I'm off to the country!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 May 12 - 01:20 PM

Bit by bit..I managed meditation yesterday. This morning I made it through half of my qi gong when I started to fall alseep...the music and his voice are very soothing! First time I've had energy to even try in about three weeks.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 May 12 - 01:25 PM

I feel a lot more limber now that a few days have passed since the long drive. I take daily walks with the dogs, and as it gets hot I'll do like last year and go before breakfast instead of after dinner. During those walks I have purposely not walked Zeke past her house because she is still so involved with the post-surgery recovery stuff - the chaos of a dog jumping on her wouldn't help. She had her stitches and staples out yesterday after the "bone flap" surgery on May 3. She's seeing a hearing specialist to day (had to drive to Dallas) to see if the loss of hearing on the right side (same side as the bone flap) is permanent. She's going to try to stop by here after that trip.

For my current allergy issues yesterday I read labels at the Vitamin Shoppe and found a couple of bars of soap that have no palm contents. Dorothy, if you read the Dr. Bronner's castile soap label (I have a bottle here also) it has coconut oil as its main ingredient. I read that while coconut allergies are rare here, there is a lot of it in India where coconut is so prevalent in foods and topical products. The soaps were from Africa and France, but I may need to figure out how to shop India Indian merchants to see if they carry any no-coconut products. I may need to learn to make my own soap. I also pulled out a bottle of Tincture of Greensoap and will use that as a shampoo. I'll have to see how my hair reacts (hope it doesn't hurt the highlights). These soaps are all expensive, so I'll be careful to not leave them where the dog can eat them. I haven't completely resolved the question - I don't know that it is coconut yet, but if I avoid it for a while I may be able to rule it in or out as a culprit.

Laundry is finished after several specialized loads (dark colors that might not be quite colorfast, fuzzy things that might leave lint on other laundry, etc.)

The fellow who I asked to water my garden won't accept payment, though that's why I asked him, because I felt there were too many places to water to ask an elderly neighbor to do it for free. So he's coming over to help with weeding tomorrow and I will pay him then for that work. He has too much shade for crops in his yard, so I'll also suggest that if he wants to help out here some we could set aside a garden for peppers and such that he'd like to grow for himself. A bit of a gardeners exchange that is on private property instead of in a public area where so many of them are set up.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 May 12 - 02:12 PM

45 minutes AJ 164-190

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 15 May 12 - 05:14 PM

I started off finishing the sanding in the bathroom, and then did another carpet tile.

Went out to try to pump water from the hole into a tub, but the pump was in an unhelpful mood. While I was dealing with it, the phone rang, and I walked into a gutter I had rigged up in front of the door going to answer it. (Only temporary, but doubling the flow into the collecting bin.) The roofer and the solar panel guy are coming to examine the roof on Thursday.

Went over to the village and bought a new jacket from Oxfam - they keep getting new stuff in from a company called Indigo Moon, and I do like their designs. This is blue cotton with a patchwork body and flowers embroidered over it. I have cream trousers which it will go with, but I need some summer weight blue ones now. It had been there over a week, and I try to wait until someone else has bought things so as not to get carried away!

Got home to find that plants I had ordered had been delivered and put in the bin cupboard by the front door. Not a problem with the young angelica plant. The cupboard is, however, about a cubic yard, with the door only two foot wide, and the bare root plum tree six foot tall. It was not that easy to get it out. I took advantage of a gap in the rain to get it into a pot with mycorrhiza pellets and lots of water. Mention was made in the blurb about roots being kept moist, but they did not arrive moist, and the tree showed no bud swelling. I am not confident abou this. I definitely won't be getting plums this year.

Had a phone call from the health food shop in Dartford who kept some powdered almond milk for me. I've just discovered this, and it saves a lot of nut grinding not fine enough. Not cheap though. I bought a milk frother in a sale, and use it to mix the powder with cold water before topping it up with water from the kettle for a bedtime drink. Not every night. It being wet with thunder, I took the car over instead of the bus, as it allows me to cut down the outside walk.

I'm in the process of copying all the saved programmes from my first Freeview digital TV recorder. (Freeview comes from a terrestrial transmitter, including the BBC and other channels that used to be on analogue transmissions, plus loads of others.) When it's clear I'll try and sell it. It would, if I subscribed, pick up some pay to view channels, some of which I would find interesting, but I just don't have enough time. But it also picks up some of the stuff labelled adult, and I can't hide those channels. When I bought it, the software allowed hiding things, but that has been changed. I wouldn't mind if adult meant things like National Geographic, Discovery, the Open University, and other learning institutions, but it does rather exclude thinking females.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 May 12 - 08:44 PM

SRS: I missed the coconut problem. I am missing a lot this week. My current allergy is causing my head to feel not all there and I either don't upload or forget spoken stuff almost as fast as I hear it. Either squirrels or Lara bars? I thought I was getting Ok this morning and, with some trepidation, I ate a Lara bar while driving to pick up a couple squirrels to keep my singleton company and to help out a woman with too many little mouths to feed! By early afternoon it had started all over again. I sure don't see anything in a Lara bar to be allergic to but I've had the one squirrel a week now.

Squirrels:Just over a week ago, a woman found me through the wildlife lovers networks and asked for help. She works full time and they needed to be fed every 3 hours. So I took them. They are down to 4 feedings and sleep all night. There were two but one died on Saturday - suspect avocado OD.

I was delighted to find the woman needing help. I now have 3 and can also help by taking a bunch of mature ones to the country for soft release. Maybe on Thursday. She really has a LOT of squirrels!   

On the way home, it occurred to me that I could walk to the store more often and buy only a few items each time. I simply cannot walk nowhere with no purpose!

Needless to say, I never made it to the country today after 2 hours of instruction re squirrel care and raccoon affairs and the sad state of the SPCA - It isn't just me; they just do not respond! I hope to get to the country tomorrow even though it will be raining. Rain is nice in the country. My brain can be dysfunctional in the country as well as the city!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 May 12 - 11:21 PM

I'm trying to stay out of the dish soap today, I'll run the dishwasher this evening and wear gloves when I wash things that aren't dishwasher safe. I've collected all of the regular soap from various bathrooms and sink areas and set them out of reach so I don't forget and use them. I have a lovely box of fancy soap that I'll give to my next door neighbor as a thank you for picking up my mail last week.

Susie came down to visit today, dropped off by her sister and I took her back home. She's looking so much better without that big depression on the side of her head! She's also moving around a lot better now with practice and she will be in out-patient physical therapy for a while. Zeke came in to visit - and promptly jumped up on her. Good thing she was in a chair, but we know that for now he's still too much of a handful for her. We're looking at options that would allow him to go back and be contained more (putting in the same Invisible Fence system as I have might remedy the dog wandering the neighborhood trick he used to pull when he pushed open a door or window, and if he came down here, his collar would work with my system). Keeping him from knocking her over in the house is another thing to be pondered.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 May 12 - 11:49 PM

I spent today at the hospital with a family member, went out to lunch with my Mom (our first alone time in quite a while), helped family member settle into nursing home, did the dishes, laundry and cooked an awesome dinner.

Tomorrow I have the sensor implant removed (an hour drive to the hospital and I'm going alone) and speak with the doctor about the results and what we need to change (clearly something needs to change) and then a meeting that I arranged for my Coping With Cancer Group. It took me at least a month to get this speaker set up....he's a surgeon who uses robotic surgery for ovarian and uterine cancer. I had been looking for a surgeon who would come speak to my group about using robotics for cancer removal and was pleasantly surprised to find that he is a gynecological oncologist!

I'm hoping to do a tiny bit of grocery shopping and to get in a visit at the nursing home too.

Also...just in case anyone ever wondered....the Monster Rehab drinks (mostly vitamin B) have really helped with my energy levels. They have 0 sugar and 10 calories. I think the Roho Berry and the Orange ones are best (non carbonated). I found that drinking them slowly is best. Chugging one left me jittery. No harsh drop in energy later in the day either. I know some folks use this all the time...I have had all of 4 cans in the last month....but it helps when there are things that I MUST do and am tired.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 May 12 - 12:17 AM

Sounds like an interesting talk you've lined up, Michelle.

Ate a couple of cookies this evening, the last in the container. As I tossed the tin in the recycling, there on the label was "coconut oil" as a possible ingredient. I think there can be different reactions regarding topical vs eaten, I hope so. After my research this week I feel like tomorrow is the first day when I'll be able to completely avoid soaps or lotions that contain coconut ingredients, so we'll see if the hands clear up.

I picked up my line trimmer at the repair shop yesterday and at the same time bought a premium line (with a wire in it) so for tomorrow's weeding I'm going to have Antonio work with me in the bed at the front of the house, taking out the overgrown Louisiana iris, and leave the vegetable garden for later. I'll use the trimmer to scalp the Bermuda grass in between the beds, spray it with orange oil and vinegar, then put down more newspaper and mulch. Pulling all of that grass or digging it up is just too much work. My front bed has needed attention for a long time, so I'll take advantage of an extra set of hands to clear it out. I think if we have three hours we can make a big difference along the entire front.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 16 May 12 - 07:34 AM

Thanks, everyone who gave me suggestions. The shower floor tile arrived today. I have everything I need for the job. I'm getting a little panicky realizing that I have only three weeks to get the shower and all other preparations done before my in-laws arrive to spend a month with us.

Penny,
Thank you for suggesting ear protection. I hadn't thought about that. The tool you have looks very handy. I think it would be much too thick for my grout space. Thank you for suggesting ear protection, though. I hadn't thought about that.

Susan,
   I paid out the $60 for the Dremel grout remover and a bit. The smallest bit they had was 1/16th. I don't know if that will be narrow enough or not. I plan to replace a couple of broken tiles at the bottom of the wall. I'll test the grout remover on there before trying it on the tiles I need to reuse. If it chips the tiles I can't use it.

I haven't had a chance to try it because my "good" knee decided to give out yesterday and I can't bend either knee now without great pain. I'll rest it for a couple of days, hoping for improvement. I hope there won't be any big, nasty, time consuming discoveries behind the tiles.
rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 May 12 - 09:18 AM

I hope there won't be any big, nasty, time consuming discoveries behind the tiles.

You can also use that one, with a grinding attachment, to knock down dogs' toenails.

How bathrooms were tiled (and how waterproof the walls behind them were/are) has changed significantly over recent years, as the "Go Green" movement have made people less willing to chuck their money and their tiles into a landfill. Nowadays there are neat products (plastic based of course) to make the tile jobs and walls last A LOT longer. So if you do find nasties back there, at least now there are things you can do to keep YOUR work greener and cleaner. Good luck! I hope it all works out! Practice with that Dremel on a slow speed first!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 May 12 - 09:27 AM

It isn't that difficult to put up the green board they used in wet environments, tape and seal it, then put up tile. But you might want a carpenter or finisher to do that part if needed, they would probably work a lot faster.

A neighbor is coming over any time now to help with the weeding. I'm looking forward to tacking the tough job out front.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 May 12 - 08:41 PM

SEVEN trips/tasks/meetings/errands today including 45 smokin' minutes of pool AJ in the upper ranges of the 170-190 BPM, sustained and better coordinated.

The better I feel, the sicker I realize I was. I just thought fat people had no energy. WRONG! :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 May 12 - 11:58 PM

My neighbor was going to come over at 8:30 this morning, so I was working in my office, ready to greet him and suggest we dig iris instead of pull up Bermuda. I looked out the door at 8:30 to see if he was arriving and he already had several huge piles of grass and weeds out on the driveway - he'd come over at 7:30 to get started while it was cooler, and having brought an adze/pick tool, was making great progress through the beds. I learned something there - I'll get myself one.

I let him work and got out gloves and joined him for a couple of hours, and now my veggie garden looks wonderful. I'll work on the iris later on my own. He didn't want to be paid, but I wouldn't ask him to do it without paying him, and I offered $15 an hour - he's a grown man, has a family, but hasn't been able to find work for years since he broke his back at work about 10 years ago and went through surgery and physical therapy. He still has issues with it, but he is able to do landscaping and some casual construction work.

I view hiring him to help as the same when I had someone come to clean house - she wasn't cheap, but she was worth every penny to help maintain a baseline level of clean that I could keep up with as I worked and was in graduate school. This guy grew up on a farm in Mexico - he knows about weeding a garden! I need to set aside some cash to have him come over every couple of weeks and help with some of the various projects here, things I've wanted to do for a long time but never quite had the time to get to myself.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 12 - 12:24 AM

Forgot to say that in addition to the garden work I took the dogs for a walk. All healthy eating today. Picked zucchini for this week and have chard and asparagus also.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 17 May 12 - 01:42 AM

The rest and Ibuprofen did their job, my knee is usable today. I've started working in earnest. I've found a more loose tiles than I expected. A few broke. I hope it won't be too hard to clean the mastic and grout off the survivors to be able to reuse them.

The plywood under the tile on the door sill is waterlogged and yucky. It's short pieces, I'm sure I can find scraps from other projects to replace the pieces I remove. I'll have to wait until morning to run the noisy saw to cut them to size.   The horizontal board came off easily. The vertical board is firmly attached. I'm afraid it will take some nearby tile with it when I pry it off.

I'm considering "Plan B". I've been trying online to find some plastic panels that they use for shower stalls. The tile and grout from eye height up is in great shape. I'd like to use those white wall panels to cover up the tile on the inside of the shower walls to about eye height, caulk around the top edge and down the corners, and cover the shower floor with the $80 worth of tiles that I bought. I think it would look okay.

I've had no luck finding if anyone in this town might carry those panels. I'm almost to the point of considering buying linoleum and cutting it to fit the walls. I swear that's what I've seen used in some motel bathrooms.

One way or another, this project needs to get done.
Back to work.
rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 May 12 - 09:39 AM

Neighbor came over on Monday, I think, and took the beige cabinet, the good frying pans with covers and a couple other items. And I unloaded some other kitchen gadgetry and panage to a couple guys at work. Today, I've got the car loaded with a nifty small file cart (for hanging files) on casters for Dr. Song.

More cubic footage.

Tomorrow, on the way to The Press Room, I can drop off the rest of the stuff at Goodwill (as it fits in the back seat leaving the rear area for Tom's wheelchair).

Maybe I can continue with the pulling stuff out of cupboards part of decluttering tomorrow and Saturday mornings -- sea music sing this Saturday afternoon. More rearranging in this room will have to wait until next Wednesday -- I don't think there are any appointments set up for that day.

My new manager (co-worker of the past year and a half) is giving me more hours.

Discovered the other day that absolutely every (save one) of my short-sleeved blouses needed washing. That's accomplished. But after they're dry, they'll need ironing and I still haven't got the usual (only!) spot for the ironing board cleared out of the guestroom. (When the guys were tightening up the house, that's smack in the middle of where they piled everything...)

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 12 - 10:15 AM

Linn, I have the "big" ironing board hanging on the wall in my laundry room, ready to set up wherever (sometimes the kitchen, sometimes my daughter's room), but the one I use most often is the one that hangs on the inside of my dressing room/closet door. The iron sits on the counter where my radio, jewelery boxes, various personal products all sit, and that quick touchup before work is right there in the closet. You might look for one of those at K-Mart or WalMart or someplace.

Last night Gargoyle posted a remark, and except for the toxic footer, it was valid:

You will ALL be healthier and wealthier to do the work yourself.

A 6:00 am wakeup...a daily 7 to 8:30 "constutional " before summer depression will be gone...weight will be less...self esteam will be UP.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

That has been my approach for years, but the problem is the number of hours in the day for yard and house and personal care plus an 8-hour work day. Sometimes farming out the work (might have been done by another family member in the household in days past) is the best way to help your self-esteem - getting the job done and not beating yourself up because you couldn't get to it yourself. You have to choose your battles and chores, and the cost of this chore was lower than some of the others around here that I can do. And there is still a lot more garden to weed! So I don't mean this as a defensive response so much as a clarification - no one is lounging here.

Photos of another china piece will be processed and go into another eBay listing today. And at lunchtime I plan to go dig up some iris in the front yard. I figure an hour of that will give me some good exercise and make the afternoon go faster. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 May 12 - 11:03 AM

they'll need ironing...

Have you tried putting a few at a time in the dryer with a wet dryer sheet, on low? You may find that they become wearable.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 17 May 12 - 01:23 PM

More carpet tiles, and I've cut out a few stems from the juniper near the study window, leaving two slender ones to fill out - I hope. The stems I've cut were leaning over and pulling the whole tree and blocking the view of the garden from where I intend my desk to be. Tomorrow I'll take them to the dump.

The weedkiller I've sprayed on the creeping buttercup and forgetmenots where my tomatoes are going hasn't worked yet, so that digging job is delayed. The forgetmenots are lovely, and each year I get a cloud in a different place, but this year they are taking up a veggie spot.

I've trimmed the dead twigs from the olive I'm going to take to my niece when she's ready - I need that spot for the unplanned passionflower I bought in Lidl yesterday.

The guys came to measure up for the solar panels, and one pointed out how I could get rid of the graffiti on the garage brickwork near the front door. Crudely cut, it stated WOS ERE, just where I needed to put the house numbers my sister gave me some time ago. So I attached a coarse sander attachment to my new gadget and off it came. Then I drilled the holes for the digits, and up they have gone. My number can now be seen before anyone actually arrives at the front door.

Yesterday I bought some remaindered alpaca yarn in a natural colour to make a hairpin crochet shrug in a pattern I saw in Oxfam (the actual shrug, not a paper pattern). Today in Oxfam, I found some more interesting yarn in Oxfam, so I'll try and work the two together. It's to go with a sleeveless chiffon dress from the same place - I don't think I'm up to sleeveless.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 12 - 02:52 PM

Is this the kind of thing you have in mind, Penny? They're very attractive and practical. I tend to wear a lot of vests, but should look into something like this as well.

I've eliminated all of the coconut products and I'll have to see if that works. The hands feel a bit better today already, but time will tell.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 May 12 - 06:49 PM

Fantastic day here, got tons done and am now packing up my gear for tomorrow's Relay For Life event where I have been asked to be the Honorary Chair. I will share my story in front of a few hundred people, be a judge on the dessert committee (oh the horror of it all), lead the Survivor's Lap carrying an Olympic torch (that's the theme of this particular relay) and lighting the larger torch that will burn for the remainder of the relay. I am STOKED!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 12 - 07:16 PM

You'll glow enough to light up the room, Michelle! Have a lot of fun, but also keep a hankie in your pocket. I suspect there are a few tears at events like this.

I finished a writing thing I've been working on all week so I'm now headed out into the garden. Yes! Irises, here I come!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 May 12 - 09:05 PM

I've been practicing. It is much easier for me to write about my adventures with cancer than it is to say it out loud. I've been crying off and on all damn day...LOL. I know it's part of the process but you all know how easily I cry. I'll have tissues in my pocket...no worries about that! :) I am SO excited!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 18 May 12 - 06:16 AM

That's the sort of thing. Made of six rows of hairpin crochet sort of folded over down the arms, as if it were a rectangle with a triangle folded over for each sleeve. I can't post a piccie as someone bought the the turquoise one in Oxfam - don't know why I didn't take a photo on my phone as well as sketching it out on my PDA. The rows are to be joined with chains of crochet, and the whole edged with a wide band of double crochet. (I think that is single crochet across the pond. The stictch I'm thinking of is made by pulling througn the stitch below and then pulling through the two loops on the hook again before doing the next stitch.)

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 May 12 - 06:57 AM

Re: ironing. I do as little as absolutely possible, but when things come out of the dryer --especially cotton or blend blouses -- they still need a little touchup on collars and button line. Usually they have to wait until I want to wear them -- I don't do multi-item ironing.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 May 12 - 12:04 PM

Thanks to thyroid meds, I have been able to resume participation in a particular women's church group I have loved since we arrived here in '94, which was the very first group to welcome me as their new priest's wife. Also thanks to the meds (and TBTG an old puder chose to work today to run my scanner!!!)-- a Church School project long on hold has been resumed, that may involve that same group-- it's so neat when something integrates across the whole church organization and invites missional outreach-- circularity around the community/organization has wonderful synergy I've learned to respect as the movement of the Spirit, as our more Pentecostal ecumenical partners call it. This project may come up for discussion after tomorrow evening's service, as the Canon Rector directs-- after a day off scootering/riding bike/taking pictures!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 May 12 - 12:06 PM

Spent a little time in the garden this morning, watering and planning this evening's work. The sooner I get the digging/weeding done the easier it will be. The summer heat bakes the soil to a hard clay. I need to move a piece of steel edging from one side of the yard to another and transplant some of the things I pulled out of the front. Might as well recycle as much as possible.

In the house I've continued to "shop my cupboards" and am eating out of the garden. I'm eating the steel-cut oats (they're very good!) that I've had in my freezer for a while (kill any bug eggs that might have traveled with them) and there is fresh zucchini and chard for this weekend. I thinned the onions, picking the big ones crowding small ones to see if the small ones will grow more. These will dry some then go in a bin of peat moss.

I can report that since I've avoided coconut this week my hands are already feeling better. Not only the dry skin and rought spots, but the inflammation that has been present (fingers kind of stiff, almost arthritic). This month I also started taking some probiotics. Healthy gut flora can't hurt and will probably help.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 18 May 12 - 05:17 PM

I had a really bad night last night, awake much of the time - not with thoughts racing or feeling bad about anything, just awake, awake, awake. I read. I made camomile tea. I put a wash load in the washing machine. I thought it was near enough morning to get up, but it wasn't - disceptive twilight is now quite early.

I dozed for much of the morning, but had to get into town to collect my new glasses. No time for breakfast, just a cup of tea. I ate lunch (shepherd's pie and loads of veggies) at the cafe attached to the church, and met the mother of a couple of past pupils and heard a lot about the family's life. Just a bowl of cherries, she said, but most of them were the sort that sends the whole bowl to the compost heap. The son had been taken hostage in Tehran, but was released when he explained he had ot get home to his sick father, haing picked up enough Farsi and Arabic. Nice lad with an open face, I can imagine it. The rest was local stuff, but neighbours worse than mine. I couldn't follow all of it.

After the swimming lesson, I dumped the cut juniper at the council recycling plant, and bought some terracotta pots to replace plastic, and a planter tower for the strawberry runners. Also some willow trellis to obscure the veggie patch in the view from the study and allow one of the climbers somewhere to climb. Choice of jasmine, rose, passion flower and honeysuckle.

Then I came home and slept again. Off to do more of it now.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 May 12 - 09:46 PM

I was going to garden this evening but decided to make tomorrow a messy in the dirt day and do some indoor stuff for now. A gravy boat and saucer are now listed on eBay, and my kitchen is cleaned up. If I have a box the right size I may list some of the bowls or plates also. So far I've moved about half of a large set of antique china - of a sort that isn't really good for eating off of (semi-vitreous). People collect it still, though. I've put out pieces in order to attract attention to the set, but I have have exhausted the supply of two people who collect it! The set was all on my kitchen table but this evening I consolidated it into a spot on the kitchen peninsula counter and took up the denim-blue sheet (I use as a background to photograph auction items) from the table. It's an eating table again - nice!

Still no guy to pick up the tree limbs that he cut apart last Saturday. He is evidently waiting until the neighbor gets back home to do the work so he can be paid at the same time. Means the branches dry out and the job gets harder and there will be dry leaves all over the place for a while.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 May 12 - 12:10 AM

Dinner tonight included zucchini from my garden. I picked up around the house more, enough that I may invite a retired co-worker over to lunch soon. I think she doesn't get out much.

Load of laundry in, dishes washed. That's it for now. This weekend should be nice, up to about 90, so I'll have to get up early to do some of the yard work.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 19 May 12 - 01:07 AM

Today was a day well lived.....completely amazing.

Michelle with deep sense of renewal and focus on what is important and what just is not. :)

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 19 May 12 - 01:13 AM

Today was a day well lived.
A day to inspire and to be inspired.
A day that leaves me longing for more.
Amazing, exhausting and amazing.
Huh. I said that twice, didn't I?
Meant every word of it!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 May 12 - 07:37 AM

Well, I got the May basket pansies in a terracotta pot to go with the earlier pansies brought to Tom in rehab. I've got an odd-shaped drawer 2-drawer file cabinet (little thing, but not for 3x5s) that I moved out of "Thee Room" and decided to hang onto...but took it to the cellar.

Took a bunch o' bags o' stuff to Goodwill...to lighten up the car so I could pick up what was left of that beerobilia I'd given to a friend to sell. Ah well. I made a couple bucks out of it.

Still need to catch up with the friend who is taking the multi-colored and textured paper in the back of the car. And the friend who is taking the rest of the box of K-cups we can't use.

Can't put big things in the car unless I'm making a special trip -- Tom's wheelchair takes up the entire back.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 19 May 12 - 04:22 PM

I made my first quilt today. The only thing left is to add the border and binding. Great fun!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 May 12 - 05:39 PM

Laundry finished and I've been puttering around the house and garden. I'm going to mow after it cools down a bit.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 19 May 12 - 11:48 PM

Here is a link to a few recent photos including: A quilt I made today, yesterday's Relay For Life, the glucose implant sensor and Jeremiah.

Photos

Enjoy!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 May 12 - 11:56 PM

A bit stiff and sore this evening - I mowed the front and dug up a big chunk of thyme to move to the front garden. I'm going to put more of it in a bed down near the curb - I didn't realize just how tough this plant is!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 May 12 - 07:41 PM

I've changed my mind, I don't think this is pulled muscles. Am taking the right meds now.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 May 12 - 08:33 PM

You ok, Maggie?

Dishes are done here,laundry going, some unpacking of Relay gear has happened (mostly the thank you gifts I was given and the cooler has been emptied and readied for next time).

With the new endocrinologist, I now have to test my blood sugar 4 times daily and am taking multiple shots of insulin....so today I spent some time getting my meds ready for the week as well as all diabetic supplies filled and the to go bag is ready.

My nana was was at death's door last week has been moved to a nursing home and has been doing well. I was not able to see her today but reports are that she is not doing well. I will be packing a bag just in case I get another middle of the night call so I can grab it and go.

We ran some errands today too.

That about covers it.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 May 12 - 09:27 PM

Susan's wonderful- finally - diagnosis and progress is so exciting! Congratulations on your new life!

I came to the country on Wednesday, I think, and have been here ever since. R was going to come down Weds night but did not make it 'til Thursday. I get little bits of stuff done, feed the squirrels and did triage stuff to get rid of - a good sized pile and being added to.

Squirrel friend came with on Friday with friend, truck, very large squirrel cage. She will be back with squirrels-to-be-released. This is a lovely woods for them. We off-loaded cage and had tea, then she was off to get back for the next feeding.

We are in a long weekend - Victoria Day, I think. So Tuesday I can arrange for new window for car, she says hopefully. (The car is from the USA.) I will email my friendly service manager so he can get back to me early on. The window? We went to an auction on Saturday - after doing about 20 yard sales in Ormstown's semi annual yard sale weekend. Yes we accumulated a good bit more STUFF! Mostly useful. Including three good toilets. Unfortunately, we put them in my car and not well-battened down so when I turned a corner, they tilted.... I went round the next corner slowly but had the window not been all the way open.... So three for $4 will turn out to be ????

Un-needed were an ancient radio $100! R already has a couple.)Some sort of saw $90! (and a couple of these also!) and an ancient iron crib $20 only. Crib may become a garden bed for the country so not too useless. All else were useful objects.   

As we drove around, my allergy reaction, much better on Friday, worsened severely. There was an unpleasant odour in the air. We suspect chemicals. It improved after we stopped at the auction - up on a breezy hill and away from whatever smelled. After transporting 3 loads each with truck and car (only a few minutes each way) and then picking up the toilets and the saw, we went into town for a meal and were in bed before 9 pm.

Today, I went to see if I could pick up a cupboard at Adrien/Beer"s but no fit in my car so I had a visit and then bought stripper for the two bureaus we bought yesterday. Managed to brave the mosquitoes long enough to get one half done. Good stripper! Fierce mosquitoes!

My weight has become critical. I no longer have slacks that fit with any comfort and am reduced to full/loose dresses. Constantly trying to think of things to do to get moving. The mosquitoes are now a problem but I walked a ways in the middle of the road just to do something. And just went to start a hot bath to try to detox some after yesterday's exposure to whatever it was. I have not been so sedentary since that four years after I was poisoned when I could barely do anything. Toxins in bod make it almost impossible to lose weight but I shall have to make much more of an effort.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 May 12 - 10:31 PM

I seem to get a bladder infection as a result of these long drives to Arizona and back. The pain comes on fast, this time this morning I thought I was stiff and sore after yesterdays digging. Cipro, Rx pain pills, and an early night will help.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 May 12 - 09:01 AM

Long post last night disappeared. WTF?

Thanks, DP. What do you think might work for you to be less sed?

===

Pool last night-- 35 smokinmg minutes AJ 170-200 BPM. Side kicks, Ai Chi, stretches. Working towards a full side split.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 May 12 - 09:58 AM

cyclist just went by. I wish - but it is so long since... Well, we bought a small bike at the auction maybe... That would keep the bugs away. They are so fierce and so MANY!

Got up at 6:30 am thinking to beat the bugs and went out to work on stripping. Lasted about five minutes before running for house. So I came in and thought I'd feed the critters but they said it was too early so I fed me and then did little forays outside - collected fresh maple twigs for the guys, pile of stuff to outgoing stash, started the distiller for another gallon of water, took out garbage and ascertained the studio is warm enough and probably un-buggy enough to pot, or at least get some clay ready - when allergy abates enough to have energy. The only trips outside need to be fast! We did not find out until after we rented that it is notorious for mosquitoes.

Sorted some stuff in BR and look forward to having a cupboard in which to put the sorted piles. Changed the sheets last night after bath and now there is more laundry - to take to the city to wash. Maybe tonight.

The spirit is willing but between the allergy and the bugs I am not getting much done in the way of physical exercise. I will get desperate at some point and take a walk down the middle of the road.

R went off Sunday am to go to church and do some necessary stuff with bro. No ETA. I doubt he will be back today. Today is a holiday but stores are open and it would be good if they/HE could get some work done around the parental home. Empty for three years, or more, now. I will be glad if he gets at least the hole in the roof... (Bro is good at "WE need to do..." but it usually ends up with R doing it. )

I can see how I became so sedentary. Kind of just gave up because there was nothing to do. Even gave up dancing. It is hard to get going again. I seem to go into a do nothing but computer/read-while-eating fog. The clothes not fitting has bludgeoned me out of the fog. The bugs are a challenge. The frame for the screened tent are in the city. NEXT trip...

OK, off computer and try again ...

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 May 12 - 10:52 AM

I can see how I became so sedentary. Kind of just gave up because there was nothing to do. Even gave up dancing. It is hard to get going again. I seem to go into a do nothing but computer/read-while-eating fog. The clothes not fitting has bludgeoned me out of the fog. The bugs are a challenge. The frame for the screened tent are in the city. NEXT trip...

What about shadow dancing?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 May 12 - 11:02 AM

I know that as I lose weight I have more energy, and as I have more energy it is easier to lose weight. This infection has slowed some of my activity, but since I didn't eat dinner last night I probably won't gain while this thing is treated.

Evening is when the mosquitoes are so bad around here, Dorothy. I need to finish what I'm doing in full daylight or they eat me alive. The nice thing about going out after dark is that the mosquitoes aren't such a problem any more but the fireflies are out. We have them in our neighborhood I'm sure because the creek and the woods are here. They look lovely glowing on and off over the lawns and hedges.

SRS (drinking lots of fluid and taking it easy for a couple of days)

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 21 May 12 - 03:07 PM

After some very tired days making up on sleep, I got busy today again. More carpet tiles. I took the wooden bath panel off and sanded the old varnish off. I also filled a triple layer flower basket with the runners from the strawberries which have been living in flower pots. And took off the plastic hooks from some gadgets which take five coat hangers and replaced them with S-hooks - the plastic stretches so they don't work. This sort of thing

And because I have had a week of lower weight, I allowed myself a breakfast from the local cafe.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 May 12 - 08:18 PM

I didn't do much work today, just slept on and off, but I wanted to get something done so turned to an annoying little task I never get to: washing windows. I took the glass out of the security door in front and washed both sides - it looks much better. I washed the back sliding glass door that had lots of muddy paw prints and nose prints. As I finished Zeke poked his nose on it and licked the glass. [sigh] Gotta love those dogs!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ranger1
Date: 22 May 12 - 12:27 AM

I finally cleared out under the futon. Now all that needs to happen is a good vacuuming, and I'll have half of the living room in shape. Unfortunately, it's not a contiguous half. Have also decided that come payday, a trip to Staples will be in order. Maybe if we have a real file cabinet, we can keep the paper clutter contained and organized. And the new TV stand and cube storage unit are still repelling clutter two months after being installed!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 May 12 - 12:57 AM

Good job! I just wrote a paragraph and the connection failed and lost it. Not a kind of decluttering I appreciate. It sounds like you need a weekend to unpack then rearrange that room.

I am feeling better this evening, off of the heavy pain stuff. Pain is information, and with this kind of thing I don't want to mask symptoms since it can get much worse.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 May 12 - 07:57 AM

Yesterday I did basic chores around the house, took my Singer to the repair shop, made another stop and then back home. Since my sewing machine is old...I've been looking at other machines. It's not that my machine is just old, it's worn out and likely will cost more to fix than it's worth. So...I've been looking at sewing machines and even had the chance to sample a few different ones last Saturday when my machine gave out during a Jelly Roll Challenge. I used a Singer Featherweight and a new Brother that has all the bells and whistles. I fell in love with the Featherweight...the look, feel and sound = perfection!

Anyway, I was chatting on Facebook about this and how much I loved the Featherweight and that I was going to check into one when someone I met at the Jelly Roll Challenge sent me a note and said she had an extra one! I met her an hour later, checked over the machine and this morning I am taking it to a man who specializes in the Featherweight 221 who lives less than 5 miles away (which is incredible since I live in the middle of nowhere). I'm also going to pick up some border fabric for the quilt I made last Saturday and maybe a little bit extra for my stash! I'm looking forward to it!

Maggie, I hope you are feeling better today. I understand the desire to be able to feel some of what is going on but you've had the meds only a day or so....use them if you are in pain. If you still have intense pain tomorrow, give the doc a return call. In the meantime, take it easy. XOXOX

Michelle

PS. Kudos to keeping the tv stand and cube decluttered!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 May 12 - 10:30 AM

On the books for today is two band gigs, a pool visit, I've been declutting kitchen stuff, and I woke up feeling like crap-- but I had gotten a full night's sleep. Ydy felt the same but short and bad sleep. Ydy was draggy all day, today ready to pop now that I am fully awake.

Lesson learned: it's the sleep, now, to add to the thyroid regime.

My second thyroid book had an interesting section about eating with thyroid meds-- to stop mini-meals.... hm. Have to do a tad more research before I change that because it HAD been working.... (not a help request, just saying)

A church project is gathering steam so I went ahead and sought a few items via FC which I will also advertise in the parish newsletter.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 May 12 - 10:43 AM

Michelle - thanks! I did use the codeine stuff on the first couple of days, but I was reminded of a coworker who ended up with a kidney infection and it moved up and got much worse. She was in the hospital for a month and nearly died before it was all over. So yesterday though I was feeling twinges and occasional spasms of pain I took aspirin and that was pretty good. I figure if there are any symptoms of it not continuing to clear I'm to the doctor or ER in a heartbeat.

I tried to call a neighbor yesterday but her business card numbers didn't work - she telecommutes now so a new person has one number and her cell phone's message site is full. I'll walk up later - I didn't feel like it yesterday. I'm looking at refinancing the house from 5.5 (30 years) down to 3.25 (15 years, at almost the same cost to me as now), same bank, streamlined, no closing costs. They want to keep their people so they offer this, and I qualify. She works for them. By calling the branch I made sure that she does work for them (!) and they gave me her cell number. Never hurts to check. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 May 12 - 08:35 PM

Tomorrow I've actually got a day off with no medical appointments!

Maybe I can get some more stuff done around here. Most of the stuff I decluttered a couple weeks ago is out on the deck and now needs to be washed before it goes to Goodwill. Also hope to get a bit more yard work done. It'll probably be too wet to mow, but I can cut some of the woody stuff that's coming up in the wrong places and continue to rake out leaf mulch from the beds. Maybe get some of the volunteers back into a bed...

Little by little...

I also need to plant nasturtiums and salad fixin's in the deck planters and maybe get some cherry tomato plants.

I still need to try out the new Oreck handheld vac I bought a few weeks ago (and order some more bags online).

But mostly, I really hope I can just lounge in bed with a book for awhile tomorrow morning and then watch a movie in the evening. Gawd I need the R&R!

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 May 12 - 09:46 PM

Congratulations, Michelle on your Featherweight. I love mine.

Shadow dancing? I love International Folk Dancing but it is hard to find here. There will be dances on Mount royal during the summer so I need to look into the parking and the walk to Beaver Lake soon and try to get myself moving and doing.

Well, still here in the country. Forgot today is no longer a holiday and I could have done something about car window. Pouring rain off and on all day. When I decided to go to city, I realized I have no dry place for the car in the city and plastic on the window - very easy to break in. So here I still am.

R spent Sunday with bro and came back yesterday afternoon. Unloaded a bunch more stuff - free and from yard sales. Oh dear! I think this is right out of hand! I mentioned that he brings it home faster than I take it to thrift shop. I suggested a psychiatrist. He thinks I'm kidding.

Then he informed me he had gotten me a free exer-cycle but he had to drive back to get it. Is it still "free" if you drive an hour each way to get it? But we drove back the scenic route and I realized the wonderful park along the canal is only 20 minutes away - a beautiful place to walk!

The cycle went to the city where I can rearrange the LR and ride it while I watch TV.

Some of the stuff is raccoon toys so that will mostly go to our rehabber friend. Books will be sorted but never let go, I fear. We need a large barn!

I managed a bit more of the stripping but the bugs here are ALL DAY and ALL NIGHT! WE are thoroughly in the woods - very damp and darkish - a green environment with grey highlights, small patches of blue.

I am working on eating less. Sometimes I try to go to bed before I get hungry again! I am doing better but I know how careful I must be to lose and I am not there yet. Another de-tox bath today, hopeful. If I do one each day, maybe it will help. That is as difficult as eating less - I hate sitting in the tub for near an hour even though I read part of the time.

With any luck, the plants I bought last week will still be alive and I can plant them tomorrow. Before I rearrange the LR.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 May 12 - 01:18 AM

I harvested a bunch (but not all) of the onions this evening and put in a couple of my homegrown bedding plants in their place. I need to do some weeding and build up the soil in a couple of other areas before I plant more.

Tomatoes are starting to turn a bit yellowish on the bottom, that stage they get to just before the pink starts to appear - time to get the bacon and be ready to bake a loaf of bread. Soon will be time for the rite of summer - the homemade bread and homegrown tomato BLT!

Kat, are you feeling any better this week? I hope that iron infusion is beginning to take effect.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 May 12 - 02:27 PM

Today the dishes are done, the laundry is going, furniture has been moved and cleaned underneath and I now have a new sewing center that will allow me to be in the same area as my family instead of holed up in my office. I am most happy about this! I also found a very handy spot to hang my mats and cutting templates so that they will be within reach of where I am sewing. The only thing left to do on that project is to figure out what to do with the coat tree that I needed to move. Hmmm.

I'll be picking up toys in the next few minutes, folding some clothes and getting ready for my quilting class.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 May 12 - 04:10 PM

The kitchen, living room, and car got a little ignored while I ran around doing stuff with the new thyroid meds and having fun. So yesterday and today were catch-up.

Today I decluttered some pending work for my health, transcribing the round of blood tests into a forum where other thyroid patients share their experiences and lessons learned.

Also decluttered some estate and health details-- the estate stuff had overrun the nice pocket envelope the bank had given me for my copies, when I added all the tax and other stuff to it. I got a cheap zip-binder and dividers and now it is my LIFE binder, with a section for thyroid, estate, and couple-fun stuff in there now and other keys areas of my life will get added there such as workout logs, etc. that have been accumulating-- stuff I need to refer to as I get things working for ME.

The landlord has had a crew here all week and some of last week, finishing work started outside late last fall. It's been hilarious to see Faulkner NOT bark, but just silently patrol and check my face for worries. "OK... Mommie's got this one," and then he flops out asleep. His favorite part was when the lifter-bucket deposited three Mennonite men in traditional garb, right outside the LR picture window, and me not dressed yet-- hey, they start earlier than we do. TBTG for Hardi's rollup shade, which I dropped when they happened to turn away for a moment!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 May 12 - 05:38 PM

I'm really looking forward sometime to not being tired...

I took a nap this afternoon and then finished a mystery I was reading (one book down...), but I can't help feeling I just wasted part of a day off.

Woke up much later than usual this morning (7:45 -- where was my feline alarm clock?) and despite giving myself time to read my way into the day before making scrambled eggs with cream cheese for Tom and me, and then packaging up some stuff to send to my sister, by late morning I still felt as if I were trying to wake up.

Did my errands -- post office, credit union, grocery store. Even splurged and got a hanging pot of bright magenta petunias for the deck (and the two tomato plants I wanted) came home barely able to keep my eyes open. The visiting nurse had already been to see Tom, so I made leftover curry for lunch, then gave in to my sleepiness.

Tried calling my sister (no answer) and took a nap.

After finishing the book, I came back downstairs and scrubbed a couple things and bagged them and put them in the car to take to Goodwill on Friday. Didn't have the energy, though, to finish the job.

Tom and I nearly came to blows this morning about putting in the window for the screen door. The screen is torn and a bad design (it was a cheap door) in the first place, and I can't seem to figure out how to put the window back in (so I can hold the door open with my tush and keep the door from slamming me in the back of the ankles each time I come in the house). Each time Tom tries to explain it to me (keep in mind he can't see well and there's no light for me just inside the door) it seems it's always upside down... After this last attempt I just gave up. I'm not touching it again -- EVER. It's not important enough to be such an irritant. And I'm REALLY short on patience...still. Tom says he can do it when he can stand again.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 23 May 12 - 07:52 PM

I freaked out about the waterlogged boards I couldn't remove and phoned a contractor for a price to remove everything, repair floor and walls if necessary, install a fibreglass shower and a give a time frame for completion. His wife took the message and promised a call back that evening. It's been about a week, no call back.   

My son was in town on the weekend. He removed the yucky board for me and also removed most of the caulking where floor walls meet.

I haven't tried the Dremel grout removal tool yet because I discovered that all the tiles on the lower part of the walls are loose. The 25 year old adhesive had dried out and let go. The grout was holding the tiles together in sheets. As soon as I released one tile, many others fell off with it. Most of the grout crumbled off the tiles in the process.

All (I hope) loose tiles and accompanying grout have been removed from the bottom four feet all the way around. Many tiles broke. I'm scraping the old glue off the walls in hopes of leaving a clean, dry, somewhat rough, surface for the mortar to bond to. My husband has begun cleaning old glue and bits of grout from the intact tiles. When I'm satisfied that the walls are sound, I'll work on cleaning tiles too. There is rather a lot of them.

There is one place where the wall is bulging out. I'll see if I can figure out how to use a wood plane to make it flush with the rest of the wall. If that doesn't work I'll have to try to cut out that piece and replace it.   I hope my efforts won't cause more tiles to fall off. I only have about a week to get this done.

Next, I'll try to remove the old one inch square floor tiles. I wonder what nasty surprises lurk there?

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 12 - 12:31 AM

Sometimes, Rags, it pays to hire a carpenter to come in and do this -especially when it keeps getting bigger. They are usually a lot faster than we are at the same job. Just a thought.

Susan, I'm impressed at how Faulkner does with his service dog job. I could use some good dog service here (to fill in the hole in the back, to not jump when I walk out the door, etc.) I'm glad they're glad to see me, but must all of my shirts have dog prints? :)

I've filed and sorted papers this evening, pulling together the documents needed to complete a refinance application. A neighbor works at the bank where my current mortgage is and I can do a streamlined one without an appraisal, etc. Most of the paper was turned in this afternoon except for these few documents. From a 30-year mortgage at 5.5% to a 15-year at 3.0%. My monthly payments will go up by about $70 but the costs overall come down tremendously.

This evening I've been going through the kitchen and processing food. Cleaned and cut up some Swiss Chard, it is uncooked in a container in the fridge for tomorrow; the stems were cut up and given to the dogs with their dinner tonight. I bought a box of fresh mushrooms the other day and sliced them and sauteed with butter and red wine, and they're in a container in the fridge to use with things this week. I baked a chicken, ate a little, the rest is for leftovers this week. Ate the asparagus I've been collecting for a few days until I had enough for a meal. I brought in my first pink tomato today, a cherry tomato, and there are others showing signs of preparing to ripen soon. Time to get the bacon and the night before our ceremony to officially welcome summer, I'll make a loaf of bread. Gotta have fresh bread, thick bacon, and home grown tomatoes for the first BLT of summer!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 12 - 12:04 PM

Watered some in the front last night with a sprinkler (I can only water that way on Wednesdays and Saturday), and this morning I went around with a hose (I can hand-water any time). I also sprayed spinosad on the non-flowering plants in the yard that are being munched by bugs. It kills honeybees, so there should be none of it near the plants that attract bees.

Last night I was trying to figure out where some important papers had gotten to, that I hadn't seen in a long time, and then I remember the other antique desk in the house, the one in my bedroom. Ah ha! and all of my papers are now in order. This mortgage person doesn't know about flood insurance and didn't ask for those forms, but I have them ready for her anyway because I've done this a couple of times before. Certificate of Elevation, survey, and cover of flood insurance policy. All ready to go.

Linn, I hope you and Tom sort out the screen door. I have screens for my front security door but since there is a gap at the bottom and I never figured out how to attach the little steel extension that goes down there to cover the gap, just about anything can go under the door and into the house. I did wash that window glass the other day and I'm enjoying the result every time I go out front.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 12 - 10:23 PM

Took the dogs for a walk up to Susie's house so I could check the mail, and while I was there I let them loose in the back. Zeke loved it and was into the pool several times. My two barked frantically at some Jack Russell terriers on the other side of the fence so I had to put them back on the leash and not let them tear the fence apart. Oy.

After waiting all afternoon the tree guy didn't come - again. I begin to notice a pattern here, and I think I'll start cutting and dragging branches, a few a day, out to the front. I told the nextdoor neighbor I was taking the dogs out and to call me if the guy arrived, but my walk wasn't disturbed.

If I'm smart I'll spend some more time filing papers this evening. I got a start yesterday, but there is some left. I set up a file for keeping all of the refinance papers. I probably don't need to keep all of the old original and refinance papers, do you think? I am probably going to shred most of those old files, keeping just a few pages that show exactly what I paid, where I borrowed, etc.

So glad tomorrow is Friday. And Moonglow is coming down for a visit! I will have her dad and brother over for dinner so we can all hang out a little. I've been harvesting garden stuff and she can take some back - turns out she was never here when I dug up the potatoes (she didn't realize I grew them last year till she found my bin full of them last winter). So I'll wait for her and let her dig some potatoes so she can see how it looks. I find non-gardeners are uniformly impressed with this kind of thing. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 25 May 12 - 11:43 AM

Not my decluttering, but someone else's, and it's left me feeling down.

I had to deliver post back to my old block of flats, and found what the people who bought the place had done to the garden patch by the front door. Everything had been taken out and the area covered with bark chips. The sage bush, the lavender and the rosemary. All the scented carnations. The rambler rose I had brought on from cuttings (fortunately, another clone has taken well at the new place). And, worst of all, the rose which I had brought on to have the most buds this year that it has ever had, and which I would have thought was a selling point. Gone.

I wish I had dug up the carnations.

The guy I spoke to had wanted to show me the inside - where they had taken out the kitchen that had cost me so much to put in for the sale (I never used it), the immersion heater and tank that cost me again, and the bathroom tiles which I had put up myself, and which the lady downstairs would have liked had she bought it. I'm not going back again. I feel I was cheated by the estate agent into selling to builders at a low price after all the work I had had done, when they knew I wanted to sell to people who would live there. And the guys were so proud of all the work they had done. (I'm glad I swapped the cookers so I have the one I was used to in that place.) I didn't go in.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 25 May 12 - 12:40 PM

(((((Hugs Penny))))))))

We've had something similar happen and it just plain stinks. I won't go back either, I prefer to remember things the way they were.

Busy day here, dishes, laundry, floors, cleaning out the car, packing, organizing the nursery, vacuuming, cleaning the upstairs hall on my hands and knees after sweeping, finding the kitchen table, picking up toys and clean sheets on the bed. Whew.

Tomorrow I shall play!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 May 12 - 01:05 PM

I have that thought sometimes also, Penny - all of these plants and beds I have worked so hard on in the bed - sometime in the future, will someone cut the trees, rip the beds and turn it back into lawn? You have to enjoy it while you're there, but it sounds like you would have done better if the agent didn't meddle and let you sell it to who you wanted.

So, last week I had a very productive Saturday out in the yard and that work ground to a halt Sunday morning when the bladder infection hit. I'm up to another weekend and am pretty close to feeling up to work, but I'll pace myself carefully. I want to finish a bed by the front porch, that's where I stopped. And I'll get ready to do another bed at the curb. I have an acquaintance a couple of blocks away, just a little older than me who retired recently and she's out doing much the same thing in her yard, putting in interesting beds and reducing the amount of grass. We'll have to put our heads together occasionally when it comes to buying stuff - perhaps we can order a load of mulch and have half delivered at each place.

My eBay sale hasn't attracted much attention - I'll run it once more with a lower starting price, and I'll list a different set of dishes. I have a charismatic tureen that may well sell, but the rest of it is simple plates and bowls. I may pack the rest and offer at a lowball price just to get it out of the house. Start it at a penny. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 25 May 12 - 02:01 PM

Maggie,

   What's your name on eBay?

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 May 12 - 03:28 PM

Check your facebook messages, I'll send it.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 May 12 - 09:55 PM

Pewl 20 hot minutes

Estate moving along, owwwwchies

Picked up two van seats (needed one) ydy; one I'll keep as an occasional third seat RECLINES and this should fit under the cot-- will try it tomorrow. The other will be a confy seat up in the attic that is so hard to get furniture into.

Also picked up bulletin board materoals for a church project, from the same wonderful FC donor-- we have been blessed by him so many times-- he's active at HIS church, good dude.

I'm passing on his huge pile of laminated counters, tho they match my office-- he gave me a tiny piece to guesstimate the job with, and way too much adapting would needed around the existing built-ins so NOPE.

Picked up the first page of a boatload of old labs, going in the endocrinology section of my Life Binder. The rest due to print for me for Tuesday pickup.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 May 12 - 01:45 AM

I have papers to shred soon, old contract stuff from a mortgage or two back. I'll keep the essential info just to remember who was the lender when, but a lot can go.

Decluttered the garden of potatoes this evening - my daughter was down to visit so I let her have the honors, after showing her how to dig them (not tough) - mainly, don't accidentally clobber them with your digging tool. She enjoyed it after missing this activity last year. She'll have to come back soon for our rites-of-summer BLT. The first big tomato goes into a sandwich made of homemade bread, homegrown tomato, good lettuce and mayo and thick-sliced bacon (making it worth our while!)

It's nice to be more or less back to normal speed now. I can pick up this weekend where I stopped on Sunday morning. I mowed part of the back yard this evening and I'll finish that, then move to the flower beds out front.

I relisted an eBay item (the gravy boat and saucer) just to keep something in play and will list another couple of auctions this weekend. I'll do more china, but I'll also find something else, books, or something on the table back there waiting to be listed.

I think the thing I'm most looking forward to this summer is the refinance on the house - I'm glad I made that move. If you looked at the interest amounts on older mortgages with higher interest rates or looked at higher overall house prices, it seems huge, like double the house price or more. But the interest on this loan will be less than $20,000 - that seems so remarkable for a home mortgage. And it is one of those that if I make an extra payment a year I can knock off several years of this puppy. It would be nice to have the house paid for by the time retirement rolls around.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 May 12 - 12:00 PM

Three day weekend is here and my list of stuff to do is long. I've lingered over my tea, now to hit the garden (on the shady side of the house).

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 May 12 - 12:39 PM

Estate matters have led to financial planning (I never thought I'd have $$ to plan), which leads to a retrospective budget analysis that I think will not be a lot of fun to actually DO. But that is the Next Big Office Task, and thanks to the intern who helped one day awhile back I do at least have all the data in one place staring me in the face.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 May 12 - 02:16 PM

My hands are broken out again, I'm eliminating another possible food source of irritation. Will report probably next month.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 May 12 - 07:42 PM

Well, yes, I know it is the holiday weekend but I was doing a project for work that I wanted to finish and put away (part two of this project will involve a lot of rifling through files, but this was one long relatively easy transcription). The evening is cooler so I'll head into the yard for a bit. And walk the dogs.

Linens changed, one load of laundry finished. Dishes finished. Headed over to Big Lots to get a pair of rubber garden shoes to try them out. Susie swears by them for comfort.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 May 12 - 09:57 PM

I actually finished the first run thru the expenses that needed to be sorted-- writing down what each item in the charge-card billing had been for, and getting a sense of the categories I need to set up in Excel. Hardi and I will be able to knock it out Monday, easy-peasy. This is not for tax purposes (we do not itemize), but for a sense of what levels of ministry expenses we absorb without reimbursement ("let's find a donor with that interest"), and for ongoing expenses better budgeted as cash purchases now that the retrospective tabulation will make them more accurately predicted.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 12 - 10:13 AM

Another day of puttering, oriented toward finishing a couple of gardening tasks, but I also have some sewing to finish. Looks like Liz is sewing up a storm lately. I simply need to finish the duvet I picked up sheets for - I am trying to finish projects that I picked up materials for, before it all gets put away and forgotten.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 12 - 02:26 PM

In for lunch and a cool-down. I'm making slow but steady progress in the front bed. Once I get to a certain logical stopping point, I'll shift gardens and work on the one where I need to plant some more crops (I have the bedding plants ready).

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 May 12 - 03:58 PM

Home after a FANTASTIC concert near Philadelphia. Pete and I spent the night laughing, dancing and singing....there will be much more of this in our future.

I'm glad I worked my tail off on Friday...it meant coming home to a house in decent order today which is nice...we can kick back and relax for a bit.

Did I mention that the music was INCREDIBLE and we had FUN?

*Contented Happy Sigh*

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 12 - 07:55 PM

Sounds great, Michelle! And did Jeremiah spend the weekend with grandma? I bet he enjoyed a "sleepover" also. :)

Picked up some hardwood mulch this evening and spread a couple of bags in the part of the front garden I finished today. Tomorrow is the last big push for a while, I'll try to make myself get up early enough to finish before it gets hot.

I'm going to walk the dogs now, then fix dinner and kick back for the evening. While I was out I stopped for an early dessert - I haven't had an ice cream cone in quite a while. I figure the upper-body exercise today (chopping with the adze end of the pick-adze I bought yesterday) is just like chopping wood. I burned at least an ice cream cone-worth of calories today. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 May 12 - 08:36 PM

Jeremiah did stay with his grandma last night...it was his first night away from us. We enjoyed our adult time but we also missed him and talked about him, talked to him on the phone, etc. He did a good job...had a hard time taking a nap but slept a solid 9 hours. We were afraid he wouldn't sleep at all....he surprised us!!! Wish you could have seen the happy dance we received when we picked him up early this afternoon!! Pure joy!

Well...the car is unloaded, the videos and photos have been downloaded, dinner made, table cleared, some fabric cut and I'm THINKING about starting some laundry but since I'm tired, it will most likely wait until tomorrow.

Pete and I had great conversations within the last 24 hours and there are some changes in the works.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 May 12 - 09:13 PM

Where did my long post go?

Here it is again.

Early in June, I have an appt already booked with the current doc, where I will see if he is ready to take responsibility for the two times he has now ranted at me. RANTED AT ME, yup! (Lost his boundaries and he's a stressed young parent, but NOPE!).

I have two excellent references from friends with tricky diagnoses, for two docs who, it turns out, are in a different, newish practice group-- whose senior doc is one of the few MDs in the area I still respect and might trust. One of these two treated me well, several years ago, for shingles. She was located then in an odd spot in the county and had just begun to practice-- I thought she would probably move to the Big City but has stayed and is now closer.

Tuesday, I expect to pick up the older lab printouts that will show how long (in recent years) I've been chugging along, blaming myself (and allowing others to blame me) for what will turn out to have been thyroid issues the current doc MISSED (while he was ranting at me).


Once I get (and look thru) those labs, and put them into my Life Binder, I will make an appt to interview the people at various levels of this newish practice, starting with an hour of just sittin' in their waiting room to see what the vibe is, out front. If I like it, I will make appts with each of the 3 docs to see what the practice's philosophy of care might be, and how well the three docs play together-- and see if that matches the vibe and office peeps' sense of who these people are as physicians.

And if I like them I may transfer there-- I will have had minor stuff in the appts to let them "play with," before I roll out the thyroid history. If I transfer, I will ask to have their best history-taker take mine. A lot of what needs to go in there I'll have to comb out of various journals to correlate with my medical records and the old labs.

And if they do not measure up, there is also a really cool dude near Philly I can see periodically-- I have places to stay along the route now, to make it an easy trip. Holistic/integrative/complementary care due. Might just see him annually anyhoo.


I also have a surgical consult in June for a longstanding problem, just before we go to Calif. to scatter Mom's ashes, to figure into/with all of these choices.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 May 12 - 11:31 AM

FAIR WARNING

The filler in the generic synthroid I'm taking has a few annoying side effects so I may blow up once or twice till I can use 'em up (90-day supply), and go on something else. SO BITE ME. :~)


I have been trying to correlate Mary Shomon's thyroid book with the May 1 labs I got. Based on that, I just ordered the two antibody tests that were missed, plus ferritin, via HealthCheckUSA-- yup, patients CAN order their own blood tests and get the results themselves. Blood, saliva, all of that stuff, cheaper than the local hospital lab.

I can get the blood drawn later in June, probably when we fly to Calif. to scatter Mom's ashes-- we have overnight layovers near Chicago where LabCorp has testing facilities right near our hostess. Or I can drive 3 hours each way to the nearest, here, or I can pay the hosp. lab to send them out (big bucks). In any event I will have the results by the end of June.

The rest of the old labs I get tomorrow-- I can hardly wait.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 May 12 - 11:39 AM

I hope you find an office you're happy with, Susan.

Michelle, that first night away from home can be a big deal or not, it all depends on if you make an issue of it or not. My kids started doing sleepovers with friends in elementary school and they still do sleepovers in college. :) There was one night when my six-year-old son was feeling out of sorts because his older sister got to go to a sleepover, and I knew the six-year-old granddaughter of my nextdoor neighbor was staying for the weekend, so I called and asked if she wanted to come to a sleepover at our house. She came bouncing across the driveway in her pjs with her pillow and blanket (she'd actually already gone to bed!) and they had a great time. Turns out this was her first sleepover, but because it was so close to home and because she didn't have time to think about it being a new or scary place away from home, it went perfectly. (One of the few things in that child's life that has gone easily!)

Last night I left myself a sink full of dishes, and this morning I found a spider and her web across the top of my blender. It was only overnight, honest, but it had a bit of the abandoned look with that development.

This morning I made a smoothy with banana and frozen blueberries since I was almost out of frozen strawberries. Wonderful! I looked up some of the foods that cause "inflammation," thinking about the hand issue, and find that the "nightshade" plants are on a list to avoid. Ack! Tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, potatoes. Everything that is in my garden! I will see about eliminating the other stuff and see if that takes care of the tomato conundrum.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 May 12 - 12:51 PM

We didn't make a big deal out of the overnight. I packed his suitcase (yes, he has his very own Sesame Street suitcase...Jeremiah sized and sooo cute) the night before and he had fun lugging it around the house. Pete and I dropped him off at my mom's house, gave him hugs and kisses goodbye like normal and off we went! It really was nice to see that he did just fine. Mom has agreed to take him once a month for an overnight now if we need or want an evening to ourselves.

Today I made a project.....a little tote bag made of strips that I cut this morning, some fusible interfacing,etc. It's even lined! I used teal (for ovarian cancer), peach (for uterine cancer) and dark purple (for SURVIVOR) for the stripes. The top color used for binding and the lining of the bag are also dark purple. I'll be using this bag to carry my medical paperwork to appointments. I love the dark purple..makes me feel strong! :)

Later I'll be out in the raised beds that Pete made me (close to the house so I can get in and out of the sun quickly...bright, hot sun makes me sick and meds make my skin photo sensitive).

Laundry is going, dishes need to be done later.

A Gotcha Day party is in the works too!

As Travis Tritt likes to sing..."It's a GREAT day to be alive!"

Michelle who loves having home time with her guys.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 May 12 - 02:54 PM

I've almost finished digging the Louisiana iris in the front bed. I came in to cool down and have lunch. Once the iris are out I'll dig the soil a bit more (I know I left a lot of rhizomes behind) and mulch it. I worked carefully around my Texas star hibiscus (four plants out there).

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 May 12 - 05:51 PM

Second wheelbarrow full of weeds will head to the compost in a few minutes. I came in for a refill - I'm on my third tankard of ice water. Now to the veggie garden for some surgical weeding - a few spots that had a crop (potatoes) and now need weeding before putting in other crops (squash, okra, and some beans). Yes, it's too hot for beans, but I thought I'd like to have a climbing plant so I'll find someplace to plant it.

It is a holiday so I took a steak out of the freezer to grill later. The chard is looking good so I'll bring in a few leaves, and let the dogs have the stalks in their dinner. I'm glad I started putting raw veggies and fruit in their dinner dishes--I think it's better for them and it means I don't waste some of this stuff that I don't get around to eating. I've been eating a few of my cherry tomatoes, still waiting on the big ones to pinken before bringing them in (I don't want the birds or squirrels to notice them so I don't usually leave them out much beyond pink. This kind of ripe tomato is so different than the ones they pick in fields that are hard and green for the trip to the store. Here, "windowsill ripe" is the same as "vine ripe." :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 May 12 - 06:08 PM

Sewed together 45 5"squares...it's the beginning of a nice coverlet. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 May 12 - 11:06 PM

managed a modified qi gong in a chair for about 20 minutes and about 6 x's up and down our hall, last night

scrubbed the batrm today and took a few more steps whilst shopping. No naps today...working on getting new schedule going with alt. meds. and other changes.

morgan will be here all day for the next two weeks and I get a new tip up on IV iron this Friday

done with tylenol for pain and benadryl to kill the itching because of tylenol. it looks as though we've found a painkiller which really helps.

i'll write more when more of the ultra-shock wears off from docs with dickheads.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 May 12 - 11:20 AM

Rats! Missed the non-lightning window of time for the pool while setting up some things for health needs, so..... I guess it's stair-climbs in the house and porch today!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 May 12 - 12:45 PM

Kat, that's good news about the new painkiller. Getting rid of the tylenol/benedryl will give you a lot more energy.

Well, the tree guy was here, but he left again, to get his trailer. It has a flat tire - but I came in and checked my water bill - the second week next month is bulky waste so we can pile all of this at the curb. His phone skills aren't great, I tried calling. I even texted him a short message that no trailer was needed. I wonder if he will read it and come back. It's warm and very muggy out there today, but there seems to be a lot of outdoor activity - next door is having tree work done and across the street they're painting. Lots of traffic on this end of the block.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 29 May 12 - 06:45 PM

When I was 5 I did my first away from home stay -- with my grandparents on the farm a couple hundred miles from home. I rode to Colby from Milwaukee with a couple great aunts. My mother called after I'd been there for a couple hours and was very hurt that I didn't want to talk to her. After all, I had just seen her a few hours before...

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 May 12 - 08:41 PM

I have some antique cameras to take to work tomorrow for an exhibit, then I'll hurry back home and see if the tree guy has arrived YET. My goodness but this is a long drawn out process. I saw him for a little while, but he didn't come back after he went to get a tire for his trailer.

I have been weeding the garden, one spot is a little low and must not have good drainage, it's where the basil grows but it's full of nutsedge. An annoying weed. I'll water and pull some more tomorrow. After a while the basil will be big and crowd it out, but so far the sedge is winning.

A sink of dishes has piled up, and I need to clear more space in the sun room, it's time to post some more eBay stuff. I made some sales on the china and there are more pieces that have popped up but no one else is having any luck selling it. I'm going to bundle what I have and put a low-ball price and see if I can ship it out of the house that way. I've kept a few pretty pieces, that's enough of an impractical design.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 May 12 - 09:59 PM

Got some of the old labs, more to order from other labs.

3 sets of stairs today plus pool this evening-- 30 hot minutes 172 - 188 BPM.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 May 12 - 12:35 AM

Dishes finished, kitchen cleaned, laundry all folded and put away. I didn't mow the front today, though I hoped to find the time. I've been working on a kind of complicated and tedious article for work so I spent more time on it to get it out of the way (I hope to finish it tomorrow - it's a compilation of information for a campus organization for the last 25 years. I think the last 10 years should be in digital form and I can cut and paste. The rest had to be transcribed.)

Weather is supposed to cool down for a few days around the weekend. I'll work on my indoor stuff tomorrow and see how yardwork looks on Thursday.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 30 May 12 - 01:17 AM

You people are all so energetic! I get tired just reading about all that you do in a day.

From: Stilly River Sage - Date: 24 May 12 - 12:31 AM
Sometimes, Rags, it pays to hire a carpenter to come in and do this -especially when it keeps getting bigger. They are usually a lot faster than we are at the same job. Just a thought.

SRS, I tried to do that. He wouldn't even call me back, let alone come to do a cost estimate. I'm on my own with this project.

The old tiles are sorted, broken pieces too small to use are piled in a box. Broken pieces which might be made to fit somewhere are with the "reusable tile". I discovered that the tiles had retained moisture from the leaky walls. Some were wetter than others. They have all been set out on the deck railings and tables in the sun on three days. At night and now all are spread on tarps in the living room, continuing the drying process. Mr. rags and I have removed the 25 year old dried mastic and grout from all the whole tiles and most of the large broken or cut pieces.

Today I bought 13 ft² of plain white tile to use to make up for the old tiles that broke when I was removing or cleaning them. I'm planning to use them along the bottom of the walls where I will need to cut tiles to fit. I'm afraid the old tiles will shatter if I try to cut them. They're irreplaceable. At least if these white ones shatter I know where I can buy more of them.

I'm still scraping dried mastic off the plywood walls. I can't do it for very long at a time because my hands go numb and I can't hold the tools. I hope to have a sound dry surface to work with soon. Because the shower is in the ensuite bathroom, in anticipation that I'll soon be able to start gluing tile, I've relocated our bedding, clothing and toiletries to the basement where we will hopefully be safe from any fumes.

I'm afraid to get started with the gluing in case I mess this job up. I wish I could remember how I did it 25 years ago, but I have a hard time now remembering a few minutes ago.

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 May 12 - 07:20 AM

rags, I salute your commitment to the history of the old place, really I do, but plywood is not a historic material. Would it not be better to remove that and start with underlying material that will keep the old tiles from having to be taken off in 5 years? Here we would use a type of sheetrock with built-in moisture prevention....

===

I have a selection now of old labs going back a number of years, from one of the providers who "missed" my thyroid Dx. I have a few more laboratories to solicit for some missing pieces-- one would have probably been a more complete testing battery by an endo but first I have to spot that appointment in time before the hospital will go back into what are now archives, and I am not sure I need them just yet-- what I have plus new labs I will get in June will probably add up to a Hashimoto's Dx. For now I am going with what I know.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 May 12 - 10:24 AM

I agree with Susan - try another carpenter and have him remove the plywood. You should be using a greenboard version of drywall - it's meant to go in shower surrounds, kitchens near the sink, etc. The carpenter needs to take down the entire wall, though, and replace it, then you put new tile up. If he's careful he can take down the old wall and the tile and you can pick it off. Might be easier and cheaper to replace all of the tile and have the whole surround replaced with greenboard. It isn't cheap, necessarily, unless you consider the times in the future you'll have to fuss with plywood.

Taking stuff over to the office - this almost guarantees that the tree guy will arrive five minutes after I leave. I will leave the lock on the gate but unlocked so the neighbor can corral the dogs, and I left a hoe near the gate so they can mend any new holes the dogs dig (since I filled a couple an hour ago.)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 May 12 - 02:46 PM

I made the lab results into a chart even a doctor can read, and binderized the lot.

I remade a screen and started another-- we have enough to do that I need Hardi to convert a screen-making bench out of the scrap table on the back porch, and then it might be a 1-perspon job to make them all. I'm adding a layer of scrim fabric to catch Marcellus dust on the main floor windows, else they have to be kept shut except for rainy days. I have some pretty scrim on hand-- so nice to look thru-- that I am saving for the two LR windows yet to make, which have a weird metal spline I am nervous about removing till I find where I can buy replacement rubber spline.

Then I have a lot of old fabric I can slice out of old sheer window panels for the tall kitchen's narrow winders. TBTG I recall how the old farm workshop's screens were made to do a batch the easy way! It was.... circa 1999-ish but it's as clear as a bell, thanks to the thyroid meds. Maybe it's NOT strokebrain.

Also sprang up the stairs and did a buncha chores up here. Headed back down now, tra-la!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 May 12 - 05:09 PM

The tree guy and his son are here, the trailer is up and running (it had a flat tire yesterday) and they're hauling branches and limbs out of the yard. The dogs are in the kennel that is half sun, half shade, and they enjoy watching the guys work. It's a cooler afternoon than we've had lately (high 80s today), making the job easier. I need to mow back and front this week, I've left the back till they finish so I can mulch in all of the leaves that are left behind.

Gave myself a scare today - I got to the feed store to buy dog food and had no wallet in my bag. (!) It was on a chair at home, having fallen out. This was a good reminder that I need a scan of everything in my wallet for "just in case."

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 May 12 - 08:02 PM

There's some life, yet. Managed to do a small amt. of dishes this morning. A whole day of Morgan, good as he tried to be, was very tiring. He did water the perennials, annuals, fir and redbud trees. He also played with the dogs.

We've been talking, all along, about death and dying. Young as he is, he's already been touched by it when his step/only-dad-he-know's dad died when they were up for Tksgiving. We have very frank discussions. When his mom was 8, she popped up one day with the question of a vintage fur coat I had. Wanted to know if she could have it when I died. Made me laugh at the time. Yesterday Morgan commented he hoped I wouldn't go on a holiday. When I asked him why, he said 'cause they would all be really sad on that holiday. So, we talked about being happy someone has been released from pain, etc. if appropriate and how they'd probably want you to have a good time, etc. over the years. I do love him so.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 12 - 12:32 AM

Hard lessons for kids. He sounds kind of scared, Kat. I hope you helped him understand a bit.

The branches are all gone, but so is one of my pines. After cutting and loading all of the neighbor's down limbs on his trailer, I had arranged for Mr. Molina to take down a hackberry at the fence (that was going to break the fence). As they pulled it over with a rope once it was cut, it became snagged in a tall spindly pine (one that was never very healthy) and that tree snapped off halfway up. Last year's drought and growing in the shade were too much for it, so I'm short two trees and all of those limbs. I'll put in a better variety of pine (Italian stone pine instead of an Afghan pine - they're a true desert tree and don't like the prairie so much). With more light back there, a new tree will be healthier also.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 31 May 12 - 11:53 AM

Tip for the day:

LEPTIN.

LEPTIN!

THE READER'S REVIEW DESCRIBES ITS RELEVANCE

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 12 - 03:42 PM

Amazing how all of the different parts of the body can mis-behave or respond to stimulus. Good luck with that one!

We had an amazing stormy night, between 2 and 3 inches of rain, and now the yard is well-watered to the point that it is gooshy. I'll wait a couple of days before I mow, but I'll also take advantage of this good soak to do more work on a new bed over the weekend.

Susie got a note on her door from the code inspector that if she didn't remove a bunch of branches (her son trimmed trees for her) at the bottom of her driveway by June 3, they'll write a ticket. Trouble is, bulky waste for our area is starting the week of Jun 11, when the city would pick it up. They won't cut her any slack for barely being back home let alone able to do anything. I told her about my neighbor Antonio and he came up to meet her this morning (she and her grandson walked 2 1/2 blocks to my house for her exercise). I drove her to run a couple of errands and then back to her house and he was there to cut up and haul them to the city dump site in his pickup. And she has also arranged for him to mow her yard every 10 days (to keep it in the budget she has for it and for the amount he'd like to be paid per mow job). This is great - it means Susie has someone else she can call for these jobs, and Antonio has another source of work. He himself was badly injured 10 years ago (broken back, spine has pins and plates in it) but he can do these things. He said what he doesn't do now is heavy lifting or standing or sitting in one place for a long time. After years out of the workplace it has been difficult to find a regular job, so at least we can give him this kind of thing to help with the bills and use word-of-mouth to get him more jobs.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 May 12 - 05:28 PM

You sure seem to have a great neighbourhood, SRS.

I don't think Morgan is scared and as we talk, he seems very self-assured, accepting. His mom was that way as a child, too. Kind of "in the know," but of course I do work with him about such things. He does know it will be hugely different some day when I am no longer here, but we've already gone 2-3 days without calling or seeing each other (a first for us!) as he matures, 8.5 yrs now!, and as he is used to never seeing his other granddad since almost two years ago. He is also very aware psychically and in ESP communication.

He was wearing me out, yesterday, so I sat him down and got a little exact about what I am working on healing and how stress doesn't help. I specifically told him I'd like to be here to see him graduate and do a lot of other things, so my days need to be less stressful, ie. we both need to use our communications skills, better, esp. listening!:-) It got through. We had a great talk and today was much better.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jun 12 - 01:43 PM

I forgot, I was distracted. I'll do that now.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jun 12 - 02:00 PM

Here you go. June 2012.