Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 12 - 01:51 AM

Here is the September 2012 thread.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: LilyFestre
Date: 31 Aug 12 - 09:04 PM

Went for a walk with Jeremiah today and did quite a bit of grocery shopping. The fridge was looking mighty bare....probably why I lost 4 pounds!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 12 - 01:51 PM

Earlier this week I installed a VPN program (a secure connection) but the computer was running so slow when that wasn't logged on. It seemed to have shifted the route that the browsers followed to connect to the Internet and I found some troubleshooting remarks that said the bottleneck was in the upload speed. True. The only thing I have been able to do to partially fix it was to do a System Restore to before I installed the VPN, but some of the settings seem to have stayed. More work later, but what a way to kill a day off, fooling with the computer!

Lots to do this weekend, I don't have a list right now, but I'll make one and cross things off. That's the only way to tackle all of this and feel like I'm making progress.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: LilyFestre
Date: 30 Aug 12 - 08:49 PM

Surprised myself and lost 4 pounds this week!!! YAY!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Aug 12 - 05:38 PM

Good day! threw about 40 small pots, put elastic on waists of two pairs of work pants and decided two in that pile - only because I don't like them - could go to thrift shop. So, I have a bag of stuff to take on Saturday after the market, and a box of books.

Kids are happy with their new hammock and a wooden box and enjoy that I replaced the feeding "pipe" which they keep finding ways to undo. Maybe I have it in place this time - tied to the fencing with square knots. Cuddlesome sweeties will be getting parvo shots on weekend - a two person chore.

Also made some more "brown sugar softeners" - maple leaves with my logo stamped on them. Packaged in zip bags with my card, instructions in two languages... Ah, marketing! Not my forte so I am grateful for the suggestion. My "advisor" told me to sell them for $5 instead of $2 but R and I agreed on $4. And $2 for the small ones. We'll see. They are $4.49 on line! I suspect my other prices are low also. Maybe that is a task for next week - before the big craft sale that brings city folks to the country. Better do some research on line.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Aug 12 - 01:43 PM

Took a peek in the freezer this morning - it's lovely, and all of those buckets of water and ice that I poured down the drain translate to more space in the compartment. I KNEW I had packages of de-boned leg of lamb (I buy the boned leg and cut it up into smaller portions, I never cook the entire thing as one roast). They'd gotten buried under stuff. Now I can use that with my Swiss chard and make my favorite spinach dish (I substitute chard) that has bite-size pieces of lamb, spices, chard, pine nuts, served over rice and yogurt spooned over the top as a sauce. Mmmmm!

I froze a pack of "sandwich thins" - those slim buns that work for sandwiches without feeling like a hamburger bun and not nearly as much bread as a typical sandwich from sliced bread has. I can try making them, but I'd have to do something with a bread recipe - my roll recipe comes out to big and fluffy.

Exercise this weekend - I have to mow the entire yard. That's quite a workout after we've had a lot of rain.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Aug 12 - 01:03 AM

I've been putting things in the freezer all summer and tonight decided I needed to pull it all out for a while and defrost. A box with newspaper in the bottom and lined with thick towels, a cooler, and working fast allowed me to finish in about 45 minutes (very little that was in there would even get soft in that time).

I used the hair dryer on high. I always am so happy to see the shiny shelves and bright inside, and to be able to arrange the contents by groups. I have gallon bags of veggies in the bottom pull-out bin and a shelf of meat (I'd lost track of some of the cuts of meat in there so now it's all in sight); a shelf with flour, grains, etc. a couple of shelves of smaller and older bags of veggies. I have a lot of frozen tomatoes and my Lidia's summer simmered sauce (tomatoes and eggplant, onions, basil).

The basil in the garden is robust right now after a lot of rain so I'll pick and freeze a bunch of that this weekend. I dry some also, but I find the dried is very good for some things and it's still a bright green.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 Aug 12 - 11:14 PM

Kat,

   That is GREAT!!!!!!! Congratulations on your 20 pound loss!!! I believe that calls for the....


********************HAPPY DANCE********************

Way to go!!!

XOXOXOXXO

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Aug 12 - 07:28 PM

Oh, happiness! Went to top up the feed bowls and the two AWOL guys were waiting for me just outside the pen!!!! Like most kids who run away, they were happy to be home again. Banjo was VERY cuddlesome! And Ping was glad to be eating. These are the babies of the crew so I am very glad they are home. AND I made sure they cannot dig out again.

I am going to have an early night and hope tomorrow is a big potting day.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Aug 12 - 06:58 PM

20 pounds sounds marvellous! I have not lost in spite of my best efforts, nor have I gained when making no efforts. I am not focusing on the annoying lack thereof for now.

As the season to sell pots is upon us, I need to focus on making and selling. I need to sell so I can afford to make more because I enjoy making them. And have been having some fun trying different glaze ideas. As soon as I come up with an accurate gram scale, I shall do some test samples of new ones. Next week I am in a big sale at a century farm. For those in the UK, that is modern! But here, a century farm is a big deal. I stopped by on Monday and she even has an outdoor bake oven. Apparently folks make the 45 mile trip from Montreal for this 20 year old event. I need to make more pots, as soon as the energy arrives.

Around Weds of last week, I inadvertently left the door to the cage open and six young raccoons went AWOL. Two were close by and I was able to return them to their rightful place. The other four were GONE! But last night at the raccoon time of night - about 10 pm - noises on the front porch, I opened the door and two guys walked right in. I picked up this huge arm-full and took them out to the pen, where the other two were on the roof. I managed to entice them into the pen with quantities of grapes. There was some arguing - the two who had had it to themselves did not like giving up their sole tenancy! But Mom left and the guys settled.

So glad to go to bed with all the kids safely home. Emailed R and my rehab friend with this great news. However, this morning two had dug their way out and were GONE. I hope they will be back. I really want them to have all their shots before they go on their great adventure. I need help with that so hope R will get here and at least the four will get shot up! These guys are not babies anymore; they are half grown raccoons but still young to be on their own. And still respectful of Mom. It is wonderful that they survived almost a week in the wild; a very good sign that they can make it.

Sunday we had Airbnb guests; after an evening of getting them settled, R and I went to the city, where I did laundry. I left at 9 am to visit the century farm and then went to the butcher on the way back to the cabin.   I came back and visited more on Monday as well as working on pots I threw on Saturday at the Farm market. They are staying at his city home for 3 nights. I also took pots on Sunday to the antique event nearby and sold a good bit and made good contacts and new ideas for marketing. I got home about 8 pm to find these folks in the driveway! SO I made super for the four of us, made up the bed, etc. I had not been sure they were going to show so I had not really done much to the house! But it was fine.

After our guests left, I settled into total exhaustion! I thought today would be better but animal chores, including cleaning up and making a new hammock out of a huge beach towel and then a trip to the library and dollar store. The rest of this day is on line, like yesterday - bare essentials. Posters for the "woolgathering" event, and other useful work.

It is still early eve and maybe I can convince myself to go get some work done.... Maybe.

Glad to hear there is rain in Texas!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Aug 12 - 05:31 PM

Good girl! 20 pounds is a great accomplishment! And I need to check out that program, I've always thought it sounded like a good idea.

I left the kitchen looking fairly sound when I headed out to the library today. Best I could do was make it easier for myself this afternoon. I'm going to start making soup or stew that I can bring for lunch. I'm not eating many sandwiches, to avoid the carbs, though I'll make a loaf of bread and put it in the freezer so I can occasionally make a PB&J.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Aug 12 - 11:49 AM

This is a test. Oh goody. It looks as though I figured out why Dragon NaturallySpeaking was automatically muting my microphone. I haven't been posting much because I could use that program. So, in the next day or two when I have more time, I'll come back and post about a few of the things have been going on around here. One thing of note which I'm really happy about and so is my doctor, since the end of May I have lost over 20 pounds!

This is great I'm so happy to have the program working again. It's fun to sit here and dictate it. It's almost as though I'm speaking with you each one in person.

I will talk to y'all later,

kat

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Aug 12 - 03:33 PM

Pistachio, we combined the functionality of a couple of thread types a long time ago since the same people were participating in both thread series. One isn't obligated to gain weight in order to declutter!

Penny, when you mention it I remember hearing something about liver flukes. One of those badies in the water supply. When I was first a mountain climber we used to fill our bottles in any stream we came to. Now you wouldn't do that because of giardia (more about it).

I have to shift to getting to bed earlier and getting up earlier; getting to campus with the traffic after 8am is tough, so it might serve me well to get here at 7am. Awfully early, but it would make my day smoother.

Tonight I'm going to have to mow the lawn; I had hoped to start work on the chandelier, but with all of our rain I can't mow just once a week. Saturday it was mowed and it needs it again on Tuesday. Oy. When the grass gets very tall the house looks like no one in home and I don't want another break-in because the house looks like I'm out of town.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Pistachio
Date: 28 Aug 12 - 12:47 PM

Hello there. A long time ago I joined this Declutter and Fitness thread - but then I guess I found facebook and have left Mudcat on a back burner. I've been computer bound today as I have just been diagnosed with shingles... and have just read through the last few days on here. Ladies, how inspiring it has been. I do need to clear (still) and I've got the plan in my mind for the remodelling of 'my' office! I work 2 days a week (when UK term starts again - 3rd Sep)and I've been out of the office for a week in Spain and then 10 days at festivals..... lucky me! Now I'm a bit down and running out of time! Oh - I've got taxes to do for Husband's business accounts - and the end of year collating too! AAArgh - I'm so good at avoiding what I need to face.

Seeing your varied suggestions of lists, slips of paper in a box, prioritising and focussing - I hope to submit this message and head upstairs to start that listing!       Thanks - for letting me vent here. I hope to return with some positive progress. PS I'm sure I had some weight to lose last time too - must confess I've probably gained! So, a bigger project beckons. I'll be back? Regards and congratulations to you on the various progress you're making. Hazel.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 28 Aug 12 - 11:14 AM

Visited a friend yesterday and raided her garden -- a lovely day finished by catching up over a beer in the back flower garden with the koi in the pond with the fountain (that's the soundtrack), butterfly bush awash in both butterflies and birds, and several bird feeders attracting finches, cardinals, woodpeckers, a mess o' sparrows and a mourning dove.

She yanked up some perenniel herbs for my kitchen garden including cutting celery, which I'd only recently heard about. What a wonderful thing! It'll be fantastic to grow it and I hope to keep a plant inside, too, now that our home's winter climate is not dependent on wood heat.

So right now I've got an abundance of riches -- a number of varieties of heirloom tomatoes, lovely long beets (not round) and greens, patty pan and crook necked squash, RASPBERRIES, cucumbers, and some home canned rhubarb, blueberries and spaghetti sauce.

What a lovely day!

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Penny S.
Date: 28 Aug 12 - 10:36 AM

I've tried a plant called American Land Cress - have you tried that? Theoretically, watercress grows in running water, and is in my view, nicer. It's peppery in flavour, and full of vitamin C. (Also, if wild, possible liver fluke and assorted other nasties.) England used to have many watercress beds where there was abundant spring water to be diverted into gravel channels, and bunches would be sold in the street in London. Imagine Liza Doolittle crying out about the stuff instead of vilets.

We used to have a song in radio music lessons which went as in here,

http://www.mudcat.org/detail.cfm?messages__Message_ID=2643766

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Aug 12 - 10:16 AM

I've never eaten watercress.

Off to photograph around the library today. We have been given a new charge in the planning process by our new Dean - which will include a lot of my photos as part of the exercise to grow our libraries for a Tier One university. We knew this was coming and now just have to see where we end up.

Dishes in the dishwasher so that I don't come home to a messy kitchen. I must do little things to pamper myself if I don't have the luxury of working at home as much - so I'll make the house more welcoming for when I come in.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Penny S.
Date: 28 Aug 12 - 06:25 AM

Some weeks ago I cleared a small area for watercress seeds. they don't actually need the water - last year I had a very good crop, and much better than buying the stuff, where most of it goes off before I can use it.

Up popped loads of seedlings of the right sort. As time went by I had a few doubts, Yesterday I hoed the lot down - not one plant of watercress, it was all one of our local weeds, hairy bittercress, which is obviously not an attractive addition to salads. fortunately, one plant has popped up from last year's planting, and given its habits of layering at speed, I should be OK.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Aug 12 - 12:10 AM

What on earth was the test?

The dogs and I took a longer walk than we originally planned tonight. I got to the corner of the street we were going to take and there was a loose dog about half-way down the block. We trotted across the intersection and kept going and back home the long way round. Good exercise, though. With my three on leash and one loose it can be a real tangle if the other dog charges up to us.

Over the course of the summer I've cut out the calories of beer and wine, I don't eat chocolate foods, so I save the dollars that bought beer and wine and chocolate, and these are foods that seemed to be the worst of the dermatitis triggers. I've done everything except start losing weight. It's getting cooler soon, more favorable for longer walks and more exercise, so hopefully that is the next stage for me. It's not that much, but I know I'll have more energy once I get back to my old weight.

Looking forward to a productive autumn - amazing that September is almost here.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Aug 12 - 09:38 PM

Had a GYN/ONC check up today. He did some kind of test that he never did before and my insides feel like someone took a stiff bristled round hairbrush to them. FREAKING YOUCH.

Good news...I'm down 3 more pounds.

I'm hunting down my percocet..the test was over 5 hours ago and I'm still way ouchie.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Aug 12 - 04:10 PM

Woke to a heavy rain again this morning. I have to remind myself that this is North Texas not North Puget Sound.

Countdown to payday to see how the plan plays out as far as shifting into a debt-free lifestyle. Except for the mortgage, and that is up for consideration - can I put that payment on a credit card (and pay off the card each month) in order to get the points? Research ahead.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 11:41 PM

Well darn, I'd have liked to have read that!

Many of the Hatch chile peppers in the freezer, the rest in the fridge to be frozen tomorrow then bagged for using one at a time (I froze them while they were still warm a couple of years ago and they became solid bricks of a pound at a time). The kitchen is looking much better now and I'm finishing some office work. It wasn't my most productive weekend, but it wasn't a waste of time, either. The laundry is finished and all of the recycling stuff was taken over to the bins at city hall.

With more hours at work that means more time spent driving and less time for other things. I'll have to make the drive time more interesting - time for the recorded books.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 07:30 PM

I hit some stupid button on this laptop and it shut down my browser just as i was finishing up a long post. I'll try to retype it, soon. My sisters, who are twins, just drove down for a visit. INteresting times.:-)

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 06:58 PM

The kitchen is a mess of piled up stuff. I have a box of peppers that were roasted at the store and when they're cool I'll freeze them them bag them later. I'm going to eat some tonight. :)

I've been feeling a bit like a bug is starting lately, achy, tired, fingers crossed this isn't related to the West Nile. Lots of times there are few if any symptoms. I did buy a small bat house to put up on the garage (I know it takes a while for them to discover it) but there is no better time than the present, and then I'll think about making a couple more. I found lots of directions online.

Spent money today but I won't have to spend more for other than bills for a while now. I'm stocked up on stuff I'd run out of.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 05:02 PM

I promised Tom I'd take it easy today. ;-)

Sorted (and threw out most) a lot of papers before breakfast. The weather is gorgeous, so we ate breakfast on the deck. Then I went and sorted some more. Again threw out a lot, but FOUND stuff I was looking for -- install discs for Adobe CS, OS10.4 (well, I wasn't looking for it, just wondering where it was), a 1952 employee handbook from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (sell!), another copy of a great photograph of Tom seated on a white Pan bench at the St. Gaudens memorial with me standing behind him (circa 1981), and output of a bunch of Australian songs.

Made a chocolate cake that bakes up floating in chocolate pudding and while it was in the oven, cut down a bunch of brush out back. Then went to the store. Came back and had some of that cake (with ice cream) out on the deck with Tom. Then just had to cut some more brush and hemlock branches. I'm looking forward to the flower bed that used to be full sun and has recently been full shade to be restored to full sun.

I'll harvest the basil tomorrow morning so Tom can make more pesto. We'll have leftover spaghetti with white clam sauce (and too much Romano) for supper tonight.

It's been a lovely, reasonably relaxing and yet very productive day. Tomorrow, too, I visit a friend who is threatening me with all sorts of stuff from her garden. (Oh, damn...;-) )

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 01:45 PM

I had all kinds of plans for today but my allergies are kicking my butt...especially my eyes...very red, itchy, burning and swollen. I'm staying put. Visine AC doesn't work for beans, just so you know.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Aug 12 - 07:11 PM

The front yard is mowed and I need to attack the back next. I'm about out of lawn mower gas so I'll shower after that and make a shopping run that includes dropping off some magazines at my local half price bookstore (and looking for some books my son needs) and dropping off my household recycling.

I spoke with a friend on facebook last night who is the son of old friends I'd lost touch with. He gave me their number and we just spent a couple of hours talking. Very nice to get back in touch again!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Aug 12 - 06:13 PM

The fit come o'er me...

I came downstairs this morning, turned the radio on for Tom, got the phone for him and kissed him good morning. Went to the kitchen, turned on the light and fed the cat. Headed towards the computer and turned the coffee on (always set up the night before). Turned the computer on and looked around the room. That's when it hit me. Gotta do something and do it NOW about the miscellaneous piles of papers and folders with papers in them.

Did first-thing-in-the-morning computer stuff, then got a cup of coffee and took a pile o' papers upstairs to sort. Which I did (throwing most of them out). Came back downstairs to make breakfast for Tom. Ate. Took another pile o' stuff upstairs to sort. Gotta go through everything because there are SOME things that need to be saved (Oh! That's where that is!)


I threw out a mess o' papers. Then I came downstairs and checked out another batch I knew was probably going to be thrown out entirely and checked to make sure they didn't need to be shredded.

Did some Portsmouth Maritime Festival work and a few puttery things outside (like get the mail). Went back upstairs and threw out just about everything in a clear folder.

Now to get the kitchen sorted so I can make supper. It's been a VERY productive day!

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Aug 12 - 02:27 PM

Check with local libraries to see what they have as far as scanners. They might be able to help you out. And the prices of scanners has come way down. I love my Canon scanner I bought a few years ago - it's a standard size that will take care of a lot of stuff. There are special scanners now with the camera above and you set the item to be scanned on the bed and then save it in any number of formats. We have several at the university. They're not quite a sharp as the flatbed unless you tweak the settings, but it can be done. They're called KIC scanners.

Here's a view of one with a book mounted on a holder but usually items are set flat on the surface below the camera. Here's a little video from my library from when we first got them.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: LilyFestre
Date: 25 Aug 12 - 11:35 AM

Pete brought me 27 pounds of tomatoes this morning which I have washed, chopped and they are now simmering on the stove. I imagine we'll have roughly 9 quarts of sauce from them later tonight. Dishes are done, kitchen is clean. Laundry is started.

Now, taking a short break.

Company arriving in 45 minutes for lunch.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Penny S.
Date: 25 Aug 12 - 07:52 AM

Betty, I have just bought a hand scanner which rolls over things. Th sort which looks like a square cross section stick. I'm intending to combine it with stitching software to make large images of old photographs. (google "scan and stitch software".) I haven't done the stitching yet, so can't report on quality, but the company whose software I have bought (Serif) does excellent panorama producing software, which must use the same sort of code. When you have your image at high res, you could get a printing company to print it out at whatever size you want, presumably.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Bettynh
Date: 25 Aug 12 - 05:58 AM

The jars are mostly the bail wire two-piece glass. There are a very few blue ones. I know they're not trash, but I really can't be bothered with mailing them. Fpr awhile, the rubber sealing rings were completely unavailable, but now they'r available again online. They're not headed to the trash. The project is to empty them, clean them, and decide just how many to keep. I have several quarts of grape juice from last year still. They seal fine.

The postcards will be sold, too. I have several regular customers, since I have yardsales rather regularly. Greeting cards, too, sell, even if they're used. I'll keep just the one postcard, since it seems so iconic. The letters will be a winter project - I'll scan them to disk. Finding a buyer will probably be a bit of a chore. I have LOTS of old paper, and it's hard to predict what people will pay for (even when the price is very low). Mostly, they like to touch it and sift through it, which eventually does more damage than good. Today will be interesting - I expect a crowd deprived of sales by weather (both heat and rain) and lots of competition from sales held back by the same weather.

The scanning company was a failure. They scan oversize stuff (mostly blueprints), but they have a roller-feed machine, which will shred the old newspapers. I have to find someone with a large-scale flatbed scanner. It looks like there's one half-way up the state, in Laconia.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Aug 12 - 09:36 PM

I hope this is a durable eBay search. Vintage mason canning jars are collectible. I have some my neighbor gave me. When I asked my canning guru about the jars with a star, there was a pause and then he said "you have star jars? Make sure you only use them for things you won't give away!"

Friday night, and I'm finishing a couple of things I need to send out so they're in place on Monday morning. I've had the computer doing a full backup since early afternoon. I think I'll end up leaving it on overnight, it is maybe at 40% complete right now. Once that backup is finished, I have a program to load that should make work easier. I've resisted adding the VPN software because it knocked out the OS on my last computer, but I think that was an anomaly. I'm playing it safe, though.

Speaking of eBay, I need to get back to my chandelier project. Over the past few days I was looking around for a thing that would let me hang the fixture from a hook and the top plate (that rests against the ceiling to cover the wiring hole) can be in place. A finial sort of thing. I think I have a jar or box of odds and ends that has such a piece of metal, otherwise I'll have to go buy a lamp finial that works that way. If I find it I'll post a photo so you can see what I'm talking about.

It's warm this evening and the cicadas are making a helluva racket. Getting business taken care of before fall comes.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Aug 12 - 01:28 PM

Betty, the canning jars use a rubber coated lid now, but the old canning jars are very collectible. You should sell them on eBay and make more for them.

Don't throw away those old letters and post cards, they are also collectible. If you don't want to do something with them individually, sell them as a lot on eBay and someone else will happily sell them. Heck, I'll sell them! :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Bettynh
Date: 24 Aug 12 - 12:38 PM

Oh, and the best part - after the sale tomorrow, we're heading to a (fairly) local restaurant/hall for a Leon Redbone concert! I haven't seen him since Fox Hollow, and I think my son will appreciate the guitar, at least (he alternately listens to rap and blues guitar, so it should be interesting).

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Bettynh
Date: 24 Aug 12 - 12:35 PM

I'm still sifting house contents and selling at yardsales. There's a room full since we had rain every Saturday for about 6 weeks (well, thunderstorms threatened, and it takes almost an hour to drag stuff back inside, so we cancelled.) I've been back to the 1900s with my grandmother, who saved every card and postcard she ever received. I'm saving one postcard: "Best Christmas wishes for you and your precious son." but sideways along the edge: "Arthur is dead. It was a sudden illness." What?? The writer was in upstate NH, and I doubt they were family. I have no idea who Arthur was. It makes me imagine a world with no internet, very local newspapers, and no phones. Meanwhile, a letter to Dad from his work buddies just after he left to be drafted - two killed in the the Cocoanut Grove fire the evening of the day he left. Four others were in the revolving door, but smashed their way out. Whew!

I'm having a disagreement with my son over canning jars. He thinks they're trash, I want to keep them, and they have food residue in them, which makes lugging them from the cellar a real chore. In any event, they have to be brought up and cleaned out. I'm pretty sure they;ll sell at a yardsale, especially since i still have rubbers for the all-glass two-piece kind (and they can be had through the net again).

I'm off to a shop that'll scan large size things to scan a couple newspapers from 1911 (HUGE gossip column, listing who visited who, and who got phones this week, with a list of numbers). They're just too fragile. I'll try to sell them at the yardsale and let someone else worry about fragmenting paper. The local historical society already has copies.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 Aug 12 - 12:33 PM

Thanks for the advice, Maggie, but I've dealt with ALL of that years ago. It's just interesting to be reminded of what, exactly, went on in my life during that period -- and not all of it was bad.

No, I exorcised all that once and for all over twenty years ago. Right after I left him and divorced him and everything, I was way too busy getting on with my life and making up for what had held me back for the previous ten years.

Then when a passing incident involving a friend triggered it, I had a nice, neat, QUICK, Teutonic nervous breakdown when I could -- I was in a loving marriage and had a great support network of friends around me. And I could work through any guilt or other feelings I still had lingering over that first marriage -- such as all my reasons for marrying him in the first place (all the wrong reasons, but I had to take responsibility for them, understand them and accept them as part of growing up).

So this is just an interesting trip down memory lane and not a ghostly demon looming out of my past. The good memories triggered by reading these letters far outnumber any residual bad energy.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Aug 12 - 12:17 PM

Linn, there was a rather toxic relationship that ended a number of years ago, and I found that it required a small ceremony to put it to rest. Fire is good. You may find that you need to keep these journals, but if there is stuff that really harks back to the bad guy then you might do well in a small pyre. Then bury the ashes and plant a pretty shrub over them. Or come up with something comparable. It really does help to see that fire and move forward.

Sinuses are on the rampage today. There is supposed to be weather moving in and I think the dairy (I've had some cottage cheese this week) needs to decrease.

Next week is the end of August and in the US we have a three day weekend for Labor Day. I'll probably take off Friday to make it a four day weekend and get to some of the jobs around the house that were put off when I was doing all of the moving-the-kid-to-college stuff. Is anyone doing anything special over the holiday? And for some of you, there may be early signs of fall. How is it looking in your area?

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: LilyFestre
Date: 24 Aug 12 - 09:45 AM

Dishes are done, laundry is in process, toys are about to all be picked up so I can vacuum. Jeremiah decided he wanted to go back to bed after breakfast so I'm off to take a quick shower (YAY!!! This means I don't have to wait until the middle of the afternoon!!!!). I've been busy selling things on a yard sale site and have a pick up of a rocking chair scheduled later this afternoon. :) Since the rocking chair is in storage and we have to go get it, I think maybe a nice walk this afternoon is in order!

Have a great day everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 Aug 12 - 08:12 AM

I was in an, uh, "interesting" space yesterday. Continued reading after supper, too.

Found all sorts of things -- notes from my then husband pleading with me to come back and talk to him (after the first time I left him, several years before I left for good), a letter from his mother saying she wouldn't pay the debts she said we incurred together (and he hadn't yet told her why he had a loan on the car she had given him), but wonderful, witty letters from friends I've lost touch with...or not. Description of a day kayaking out to the islands in Cape Porpoise harbor, a Maine Old Cemeteries Association (first trip completely on my own) meeting where I "fell in love" with an archaeologist and had an antiques dealer follow me home (not to mention found and did a rubbing of a slate stone carved by John Just Geyer), speaking engagements on woodstove safety that I'd almost forgotten I'd done, a Christmas Day walk on a rainy beach (Gooch's) sing loudly and scaring the gulls.

My head is pretty much aswirl in memories. I'm able, too, to put dates to events...my divorce, getting my driver's license, friends' weddings and children's births, where I was working, living, when I moved to Portsmouth, lost a contact lens after the first load was shlepped upstairs to my third floor apartment, the rumored Labor Day "tidal wave" that caused tourists to leave their meals without paying, etcet etcet.

I know there are several more caches of letters from my life before Tom, and I'm sure they'll rise to the surface one of these days. I also have a box of notebook journals from my pre-Kennebunkport mid-1970s that are really just too much to read through, though, in the past, I'd dipped into them for a few dates, a few films seen, and stuff like that.

Tom was having problems yesterday remembering what day of the week it was...I was having trouble remembering what DECADE I'm in!

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Penny S.
Date: 24 Aug 12 - 06:18 AM

Linn, I can't imagine what re-reading all that has meant to you.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Aug 12 - 10:52 PM

Linn, that must have been quite a remarkable reading session. Realizing where you were and how far you've come.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Penny S.
Date: 23 Aug 12 - 12:50 PM

My sister has a system of writing the jobs to do on slips of paper and putting them in a box, then taking one out at a time - doesn't work perfectly if the jobs need to be done in sequence. I'm doing this, but it keeps getting overwhelmed by things that must be done now. Like the beetles.

Yesterday, I had to stay in for a futon to be delivered, and managed to combine that with the electrician who had to come because the water heater timer had gone wrong. But the futon was only partly delivered, so I had to be in today. Fortunately, it arrived early.

Two days ago, I started to use up foods in my store. A "table cream" which is a milk pudding using carragheen to set it - it took overnight to set, and turned out to be much too sweet - it isn't going to be replaced. And fruit jellies (gelatine) which totally refused to set until I added extra gelatine, and even then it took much longer. I've added blackberries from the garden to it. It's going to be quite sloppy when broached.

That, and the discussion about using the freezer have led me to order a table top fridge. I keep seeing cookery programmes where th4e chef puts food into a nearly empty fridge - mine has no space for resting pastry, setting jellies, making ice-cubes or so on. It's going to be delivered tomorrow afternoon, and I am trying to get at the socket along the side of my vintage kitchenette (This sort of thing, but not in such good condition ). The image is of one in a similar position, but lacks the stacks of things on top, which I must move first before sliding a plug down on the right hand side.

The purchase has led to my varnishing a table from my parents' house which had somehow lost its first shiny indoors look, and having the varnish out sent me back to the bath side panel in the garage, which is now drying very slowly. I was hoping to put it back today. (That's two jobs off the slips completed, though.)

Yesterday I had a mainly produce meal - though not mine but a neighbour's from his allotment. Runner beans sliced into long shreds and treated as spaghetti with carbonara sauce and topped with tomatoes heated without oil or water.

I've been adjusting the carpet tiles in the bedroom, which seemed, despite my best endeavours, to be out of line. I still have more to lay, but that needs lots of furniture moving.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Aug 12 - 12:44 PM

I guess this counts as decluttering...

This morning I wanted to sort some papers I found last week (correspondence with an "international bawdiologist" and rugby song collector I used to know) into a binder that was in the guest room. So I grabbed a binder that I haven't looked at in so long that I forgotten what was in it. Letters -- both to and from me (I've always kept copies). Started reading the most recent ones -- 1980 to 1981. Then discovered the collection is from about 1970 (when I married my first husband) through mid-1981 when I moved in with Tom here in Nottingham. I just read several of my letters to friends after my first husband tried to kill me because I was leaving and he and I (of course!) split up at that point. I haven't seen him since they carried me out of the house on a stretcher. Needless to say, I'm in a kind of weird space right now -- but so very very glad I've been in such a loving marriage for the past 30 years.

The letter describing the events immediately preceding the split was from October 1980. describing the afternoon and night of September 24th. I had made the decision to leave him at the end of May (long story as to what made me finally do it), but when you live in a resort area (Kennebunkport), there's nowhere to go to (that you can afford) during the season. I'd planned to have some "going out of marriage" yard sales to fund both of us, but he wouldn't go along with that.

He ended up deciding (evidently) that if I was dead or a paraplegic I couldn't leave him. It made sense to him. (That's the scary part.)

So, I'm in kind of a weird mental space right now...not only being reminded of that time, but the time between my divorce and meeting Tom, and also the early months of Tom's and my relationship (including my hesitancy to make a commitment, etc.). A bunch of things I'd "forgotten" are swirling around in my brain right now.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Aug 12 - 10:16 AM

Rags, we've all been there. Start small, in one space you can tackle and finish. A drawer, a kitchen shelf, and work outward. MAKE A LIST and make the things on that list the steps, not the whole grand project, so you can cross them off as you finish them. You can find some very good affordable printers at frys.com, and newegg.com, but keep in mind that the least expensive need regular infusions of ink cartridges. I think we got my son's HP laser black toner printer for $165 at frys a year ago. Very reasonable, considering what they used to cost and the cartridge lasts quite a while.

I finished the newsletter around 1am. I worked 16 hours yesterday, so I'll probably take time off tomorrow. But it is finished!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Penny S.
Date: 23 Aug 12 - 08:24 AM

ragdall, I feel for you with the grouting - remember doing that job in my old place.

I've heard from Harvard about the image I wanted to put on the blind in my spare room. No go. It would cause too much distortion to the image. Drat. Still, I can draw and paint, so I'll get out my compasses and do my own. Which I have told them I will do, and that it will not be a copy. I told them how it would be used, and that it was only for private use, so I think they are a bit precious about it. Especially as it is all over the internet without attribution.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Aug 12 - 09:19 PM

I spent this afternoon walking the trails at the Cornell Orinthology Lab Bird Sanctuary with Jeremiah. The trails are divine as is the bird watching. If you were to ask Jeremiah what he saw today, he would proudly tell you, "I saw duckies, turtles, a green heron, a dragonfly and an airplane." We saw the airplane after our lovely walk...it was parked at the end of a runway, waiting to take off...just a few miles south.

I am in awe watching Jeremiah grow and develop. Seeing him explore in the woods today was fascinating and good for my heart!

Love to Everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Aug 12 - 08:33 PM

Summer is moving right along and we have had lovely cool weather out here. Even so cool one night I closed the windows and burned a bit of paper in the wood stove. But I am still preferring to sit and listen to the wind in the trees. Doing the farm market is exhausting but I manage to throw some small pots on my beautiful new wheel - now that R has changed the wiring to right-handed. So a full bisque firing yesterday and glazing today - took about three hours. Laundry is not critical yet. Still no washing machine but things were going so badly for R at work that I have quit asking. This month's crisis is weathered so maybe....

In a world so full of glitches where there is so much that can go wrong.... Oh the horror of it all but today was finally the closing on the property and we are very excited. He can start de-cluttering around the cabin by taking it to the mill. Also going to bring stuff down from the city and I am hoping this means he will be sorting and getting rid of some of the vast array.

I can harvest some horse tail for tea and bring some of the huge pile of wood chips to use for the animals instead of kitty litter.

We are planning a big do - October we hope - with music, an art show, my pottery and food - potluck? - and Fritz window/door display and who knows what else. I have been asking local folks for suggestions. There is tons of space indoors and out.

HAd a visit from our NYS friends on Sunday and they are very excited also. Then yesterday I went down to their place to pick up the vaccines for the guys. Need to get them well protected before release time in about 6 weeks. Will I miss them? We always will. Each one is such an individual and special. But like human children, they have to grow up and leave home to have their own homes, their own raccoon lives. We cannot protect them from predators, only from diseases.

I am still hoping for a country house.

I am not exactly a ball of fire but things are getting done. More glazing tomorrow and maybe throw some pots to start the next cycle. At least I will have a bunch of new stock for Saturday. I rather went a little off the wall glazing today. Hope they turn out OK. My theory is that there is always someone who will like it! And it was fun.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: ragdall
Date: 22 Aug 12 - 05:47 PM

The end of summer is in sight and I'm realizing that I've accomplished little (none?) of the tasks that I'd put off to do "in the summer". I don't know where to start. As I look around me, I feel overwhelmed and confused. There is so much I could be/should be doing. When I do start something, I get little done before I get distracted and move on to something else.   

I bought a laptop nine days ago, ran into a snag making back up disks, and there it sits. I haven't found out if it works as it should. If I am not happy with it, I have only 5 days left to return it to the store. I guess that moves it to the "priority" list?

I spent a fair chunk of yesterday trying to install a chat on a message board used by a small number of 'catters. Something is preventing it from running. I've installed the latest Java on my computer, but it won't open. - Frustrating and time consuming. I've always been a "can do" person. This (and my other recent mess-ups)is undermining my confidence.

The shower I worked so hard on in May and June appears to be having some grout issues. It looks as if I'll have to remove the grout, grout again and hope that I get it right this time. I've discovered if I don't wear my glasses in the bathroom, I can't see the problem. It's almost as if it doesn't exist.

I'm trying to find an affordable printer to replace my husband's, which is malfunctioning. This morning I went to the basement to look for misplaced current tech store flyers, (that later turned up under other things beside my computer). While I was down there I decided to strip a cot in the spare room so that it could be folded and put away and my sewing machine rolled out where it could be used. One bed led to another, sheets, pillowslips and duvet covers are in the process of being washed and dried.

I remembered I wanted to look for something in storage under the stair landing. That required moving a number of rolled up area rugs that are waiting to be cleaned. Those are arranged at the bottom of the steps to be carried up to the deck along with the rug shampooer. Hopefully, I can spread them all out and clean them there before it rains. My old typewriter is not going back into the storage area. I wonder if it could be of use to anyone, or where/how it should be disposed of?

That was a couple of hours I'll never get back. All I have to show for it is a washer and a dryer full of clean bedding and another pile waiting to be washed. It's almost 3 pm. I need to go shower and get dressed. I hope I can remember to get back to the above tasks and not get distracted into yet another direction.

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fittness ** 2012/ AUGUST
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Aug 12 - 01:46 PM

Will your insurance pay for lab work you order yourself? It's good if they will, if you can be ahead of things. I usually manage to have a mammogram before my annual exam, but that's it (reminds me, I need to make an appointment). Need the bone density done again also.

Newsletter out the wazzoo today. It's looking good as it comes together, as long as I use the paragraph styles efficiently. I've watched and rewatched the Lynda.com "Up and Running with InDesign" so much they may be ready to send me a DVD to spare their streaming bandwidth! :)

I'm shifting my eating to more servings of produce at each meal, eating very little bread or other carbs. This gradual progression of changes makes the prospect of healthy eating easier because I'm not suddenly having to stop various things that I've always done. Only now am I actually beginning to look at calories as something that might be counted, but more importantly, simply eating more of the healthy stuff so I'm not feeling hungry and looking around for the non-healthy stuff. I did find some nice small peanut butter whole and grain fiber snack bars that I think will be my go-to treat when I need one. They're sold at Aldi.

SRS