Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012

Subject: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 11:09 AM

Debating about turning this into a NOV-DEC thread - they've gotten a bit shorter, fewer participants (dare I hope that everyone has finished decluttering and is getting adequate exercise and weight loss?)

Here is the Oct. 2012 thread.

I had to run out to an early appointment this morning; the cup of tea I made early tasted like dish soap so I dumped it and and started with a fresh cup. That ought to set the day to rights.

This month I must finish working on that chandelier and list it on eBay. It takes up space in the kitchen. Must revive the general eBay section of the sun room and move out more stuff that someone else can use but that I don't need. I would eventually like to spend time at estate or garage sales and turn around and sell on eBay, but I won't do that (much) until I clear out more of my own stuff.

How is everyone health-wise? I hope the cooler weather refreshes and energizes.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 12:17 PM

General picking up and some decluttering going on here. Weight remains the same. My gyn/onc says that after what my body has been through, it's going to be a very difficult thing to get back to where I was prior to surgery. Lovely. *shrug* I'm healthy and happy and that is the most important thing to me.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 12:33 PM

You betcha!

I mentioned before, but I'll repeat here since this thread is just starting out again, that I am in the process of reversing the order of meals as far as size and timing. I've already pared my diet down to healthier foods, but the 30 pounds I'd like to lose haven't budged.

At my annual physical a week ago my doctor suggested doing what a partner in her practice has done, eat the largest meal for breakfast, medium for lunch, and a small meal for dinner, and try to not eat after 6pm. A study they read suggested this is a healthier eating pattern and her partner lost the weight she wanted to. I can do small dinner but I'm struggling with the early part. And I need to figure out what to have for breakfast that has the same robust and well-rounded quality of dinner. Breakfast may have to be reheated dinner items. Dinner may have to be breakfast items.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 12:35 PM

I've got LOTS of decluttering and other work to get done and I really do find this thread useful and encouraging. And, believe me, I need all the encouragement I can get!

I've loaded the clothes washer for right after the dish washing cycle is done. I also need to neatify the stuff that is still left up at the FREE sign at the head of the driveway. And I hope to take a small 3-drawer chest up there, too. And maybe today I can nail Tom's feet to the floor and force him to go through all the shirts he doesn't wear so I can take them to Goodwill.

And, since it was this morning's post on the October thread, here's my previous post again on this thread --

So today I have to do the stuff postponed until go juice was restored.

Believe me, the shower and hair wash was incredible! (AND I used my save for special occasions or just want to feel really good Vitabath Green.)

As soon as Tom finishes breakfast, I can run a load of dishes through. Later, there are several loads of laundry.

Anybody got any ideas on how to get rid of some really annoying flies? They're larger than fruit flies, much smaller than house flies, not drain flies (V-winged medium-size fly with black "dust" on them).

Kitchen and bathroom -- which seems to mean the attraction is water. They just all of a sudden appeared one day in late September and more seem to regenerate as fast as I can get them to take the sticky walk.

Flypaper strips (and "invisible" strips on windows) fill up immediately, but they just keep coming. Fly traps of cider vinegar, sugar and dishwashing liquid don't seem to attract them into drowning. I've tried the non-poison flying insect spray, but it may be old since even spraying right on them (neat trick if you can do it) didn't seem to work. I'm about at wit's end. I don't want to use toxic stuff around Tom and me or the cats.

I'll consult with an entomologist (and fiddler) friend at tomorrow's Press Room session, but I'd appreciate any advice. (Thanks, Maeve, for the PM!)

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 04:04 PM

I lost 107 pounds (with Weight Watchers) eating aftern 8pm every single night as that is when Pete gets home from work. One hundred calories is one hundred calories no matter what time of day you eat.

Michelle who has picked up toys, straightened the living room, made 2 trips to town, a few business calls and is about to hang her second load of laundry on the line when it is 30 degrees outside because her dryer still is not working. )(&*&%$^%R^%^&%$#%$#^%$

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 07:29 PM

When I was very young my Mom had clothes lines run from the ceiling beams in our basement for hanging laundry in bad weather or when the dryer wasn't working. I've seen stories about people with clothes lines in the attic (probably warmer up there). Any possibility of doing that? I may have a few more weeks of line drying here, before I take down the pins.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 08:32 PM

No attic. No basement. I do have a clothes rack and it is in use. The problem lies in the fact that it has been raining for just about a week straight....so I have way too much laundry to do all at once.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: maeve
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 10:11 PM

I've had years of it, Michelle...minus the beautiful kidlet's dirty clothes. Here's a friend's take on it: "Diapers by Heart" - Cindy Kallet Lyrics
And a sample as sung by Cindy and friends...excerpt- Diapers By Heart mp3

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: ragdall
Date: 02 Nov 12 - 01:21 AM

SRS,
I've mostly given in and am letting the clutter have free run of the place.

The garden declutter project was tabled when cold temperature rendered the ground too solid to remove weeds. Snow began falling October 25th and appears to have settled in until at least April. I have been decluttering snow from the driveway and deck. Does that count?

My spring built-in shower project has problems, one of which is that moisture somehow got into the plywood facing under the door sill. The plywood buckled, the tiles that were glued onto it cracked and split. After I removed as many broken pieces of tile as I could, I came up with the bright idea to use the unused silicon caulking that was left in the tube to "waterproof" the exposed plywood and cover the sharp edges of remaining broken tiles. About a week ago, when the wood was dry, I caulked any large spaces/gaps then spread silicon all over the surface of the wood and the edges of the tiles, leaving a clean white rubbery surface. So far it seems to be intact and repelling the water in the shower stall.   

My current pressing problem is ants. We've never had them wandering around the house this time of year before. They have made appearances in every room in the house. We see only one ant at a time. There is no indication where they are entering the house. I hate poisons and I hate harming living things. I keep hoping that the ants will disappear again, as they do in the spring, but suspect that I will have to take action soon.

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: ragdall
Date: 02 Nov 12 - 01:33 AM

I forgot to mention that I've been decluttering crows. They were stealing the peanuts that I put out for "my" squirrel. At first there were only two or three but were becoming so plentiful that the squirrel was lucky to get one or two of his peanuts before all had disappeared.
I modified a broken plastic watering can to make a "Crow proof squirrel feeder". So far it seems to work. No crows are hanging around now.

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: MAG
Date: 02 Nov 12 - 05:07 AM

living room is quite tidy, as I shoved it all into spare room for when trick-treaters came ...

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Nov 12 - 08:42 AM

Tumor marker check up for me today. I always take my oncologists something to eat from the farm. One is a vegetarian (so he gets eggs and herbs) and the other, who I am seeing today is NOT a vegetarian. Last time I took him filet mignon. Today he is getting bacon. I can see his smile already...LOL.

Michelle who is leaving the toys on the floor and dishes in the sink.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 02 Nov 12 - 08:48 AM

Despite Sabine keeping me awake at 2 a.m. insisting it was the purrfect time to pet her intensively instead of going back to sleep, I evidently awoke at a normal hour this morning with a reasonable amount of energy.

Before going downstairs to wake the house for Tom and get the coffee started, I snagged a few skirts I'll never wear again and a couple blouses out of the closet to add to yesterday's pile of Tom's excess shirts to take to Goodwill before going to The Press Room.

Now I'll make Tom an English muffin for breakfast (I've already had banana bread) and take my tea upstairs to ease into the day.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 02 Nov 12 - 08:52 AM

Oh, AND take the three boxes of books to the Nottingham library sale.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Nov 12 - 11:28 AM

We had troublesome crows here this year, during spring and early summer before they moved on. The pattern of bird occupancy has changed as builders continue to take away the open prairie in the area adjoining my neighborhood. And the weather is changing, impacting plants, insects, and birds. I purchased bird seed a couple of weeks ago, thinking it might be time to put out the bird feeders, but I'll start with one in the front yard. The birds bother my garden if they're invited to the area by the feeders and I have a bunch more eggplants and peppers I want to harvest.

That is a clever squirrel feeder. I don't intentionally feed the squirrels, but they do figure out how to raid the bird feeders.

Just now I heard a startling noise - like maybe something big moving in the attic - and had visions of having to find and seal a hole into the attic after I drive out a racoon or possum - but it was a delivery man on the porch, moving the heavy bench in order to leave a large box out of sight. When the doorbell rang I relaxed from the attic visions. I ordered some items with points from a credit card - a bunch were about to expire and I didn't have a plan to use them as air travel points so I shopped carefully and have brought some useful devices into the household. The one I have been thinking about for a long time is the heat seal vacuum food saver device. I spoke to a friend who told me that Sam's Club sells a roll of the bag material that works well with them, keeping the cost reasonable. My freezer is full of bags with air in them and I'm going to shift to putting things in the freezer in the vacuum sealed bags to save space and help it last longer.

After the freeze scare last week it looks like we have a couple of warm weeks forecast. I'm going to try to make the most of the garden this year. I'm also thinking that a generator might be a good investment one of these days.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Nov 12 - 01:11 AM

Long week, but I turned off the work part of the computer shortly after 5pm and I hope to spend more time pursuing my own projects this weekend. I've started by putting the chandelier where I can work on it. A large box was delivered today that might just work for this fixture when it comes time to pack it. Prisms and photos tomorrow.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: ragdall
Date: 03 Nov 12 - 02:41 AM

SRS, you're certainly an inspiration. You never seem to slow down, or run out of tasks to tackle.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Nov 12 - 01:38 PM

I kill way too much time on facebook, though. I'd get more productivity out of the day if I ignored it.

This morning my across-the-street neighbor came over to pick up an eggplant I offered earlier. And then we dug up the sweet potatoes on the berm in my front yard. Not much turned up, but at least the rats didn't get what was there. For two years I've tried different experiments and it hasn't panned out - that spot is best growing grass, sloped in such a way so I can push the mower up to the wall at the front of it. So this afternoon I'll take the wheelbarrow and hoe out front and pick up the vines then shape the area so it can be mowed. I may pick up a couple of squares of St. Augustine to put down (we're due some rain and cooler temperatures next week).

That large box I mentioned had a few items that were paid for with points from a credit card. I was due to loose a bunch of them at the end of the month so I looked at what was there and decided on a few things that I would actually use that I didn't have some version of already, described above. Now I need to get rid of some of the duplicates of things that I have that I don't use. :-/ Time for that call to the Salvation Army.

So the sweet potatoes were a wash (I really only wanted them for the foliage, so I'm not disappointed) but I do have some lovely crops on the side of the house where my garden works hard. Broccoli, broccoli rabe, and kohlrabe. I've looked up the later two because I haven't cooked them before. I think I'll get more broccoli rabe and broccoli (you have to put in new plants every few weeks to keep a steady supply going during the winter.) Kohlrabe is a test, the other two will be more regular diet stuff. A sauteed broccoli rabe recipe has my mouth watering in anticipation!

Back to the yard, now that I've printed my recipes.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 03 Nov 12 - 02:38 PM

Sitting here while catching my breath in the middle of a few neatifying tasks before Jeri arrives for our postponed annual avoid-the-trick-or-treaters dinner. Don't have to go crazy; Jeri is not a judgmental housekeeper, but it's a great excuse to do some straightening which will make next week's necessary cleaning a bit easier.

Tom hates it if I sweep (or do any other cleaning) when he's around, so he's hiding here at the computer when I'm driving a broom.

Got one bagged (for easier carrying) box of books to the car; two more to go.

Just need to finish sweeping, finish spiffifying the kitchen counters (before Tom makes a mess of them making dinner), and pick up Tom's clothes in the living room and pull the quilt up over his bed on the couch. I already threw a tablecloth over his commode -- camouflage.

Might even get the table cleaned off...at least enough for three plates and wine glasses.

Jeri's going to help me take down the awkward-not-heavy painting at the foot of the stairs so we can hang Cheri Dennett's portrait of Tom (framed in a lovely wide plain gold frame). Portrait of Tom sans frame

Better take the cheese out of the fridge, too.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Jeri
Date: 03 Nov 12 - 03:17 PM

The furnace guy is coming to clean it on Monday, and possibly get it to stop making that truly obnoxious low vibrating noise it's been making since the power came back. It's like there's a one-stringed bass running the length of the house along that wall. (I think the fan vibrates and the wall or heating pipes pick it up.) So I was outside cleaning the way into the basement on the outside, and discovered the stone walk-way goes a little farther than I'd known. The volunteer sedum which I avoided ripping up has been ripped up.

It still amazes me how a little bit of playing in the dirt outside can alleviate stress so powerfully!

Ready to move stuff, ready to eat. I have one minor correction though: "Jeri is not a judgmental housekeeper" should probably be "Jeri is not a housekeeper"-- nor am I judgmental.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: maeve
Date: 03 Nov 12 - 03:44 PM

Jeri is a peach, and that's a beautiful portrait of Tom. I wonder what you could swap to barter for one of you by the same artist, Linn?

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Nov 12 - 04:47 PM

Sounds like you're having a great afternoon up there! And I agree, playing in the dirt is therapeutic! I've been sloping the sides of a berm I built so I can now run the mower easily up on top, and pulling expired plants out of the veggie garden. It feels wonderful!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 03 Nov 12 - 08:49 PM

I have to rethink what will be hung below the portrait (the other painting was taller) and I think it's going to be some framed music-related photos that I haven't had room for (we don't have enough wall space!). Hmmmmm...photo of my Dad in the dance band (Frank Dessel and the Melodeons) he played in during the '40s, a great group portrait of a bunch of us from The Press Room the afternoon we played at the NH Farm Museum back around 1990, and maybe a copy of the photo of me that was in Downeast Magazine in 1980 leaning on a gravestone with Hilda Fife and others from the Maine Old Cemeteries Association. Plus the two terracotta heads.

I have no end of things to put on walls. Alas, I have a very finite amount of wall space.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Nov 12 - 11:43 PM

Saturday evenings are my "at home with the TV" time - three PBS programs in a row that I adore. I've been puttering around the kitchen with the television on, and I have the wired the chandelier. All eight bulbs shine brightly, so I'm ready to load it with crystals.

Dr. Who is on. "How can it be bigger in here?" asks the child's father, after he and the Doctor are sucked into the cupboard. "It's more common than you think."* :) I need to build myself a Tardis bookshelf. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Nov 12 - 12:51 AM

*If it were bigger on the inside then I wouldn't have such a clutter problem. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Nov 12 - 08:10 AM

In my experience, George Carlin was right:"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x_QkGPCL18".

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Nov 12 - 01:52 PM

I'm running out of veggies so it's time for a shopping run this afternoon, but I have a pot of beans on the stove. Out comes the crock pot, and as and I fished out a wood cutting board to put it on I realized that while I got a lot of my basic cooking information and recipes from my Mom, I got a lot of my great gadgets and materials in the kitchen from my Dad. He had to start cooking for himself after they divorced, and he really built up a great kitchen. My siblings got some of the more charismatic devices, but I have a lot of useful odds and ends.

The beans smell great - I have some dried pinto beans from a while back that I added half again as many dried black beans to for this batch. I don't cook pinto beans often, these were here for something my son wanted to try, but I want more dietary oomph that black beans will add, and though I don't usually see types of beans mixed, I know of no reason why it can't be done.

Now that the beans are shifted I'll do a couple of yard things first before shopping - level the bird bath and put out one of the tall iron crooks and a bird feeder nearby. It's going in the front yard to keep them away from my garden, and near the window where I can watch them. I compared prices at Home Depot and at Wild Birds Unlimited - to buy the budget bag of Southwestern Mix at Home Depot with all of the seed hulls costs the same as buying a bag of patio mix hulled bird seed, when you figure how much of the seed is actually going into the birds. And there is a lot less mess if the ground isn't paved with millet and sunflower seed shells.

Preparing for cooler weather. It'll get here eventually.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 04 Nov 12 - 08:26 PM

Tumor marker check up had to be rescheduled so I don't have any news on that front. I spent yesterday almost entirely alone...went to a quilt shop, finished (I hope) all my Christmas shopping for Jeremiah, hit a few other places and completely enjoyed myself. Today I had a day out with my mom...more quilt shop shopping (got material to make Pete a quilt for Christmas), lunch out, some grocery shopping...another good day! I have a busy day tomorrow as well but am looking forward to Tuesday when I can stay home and get caught up on things around the house.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Nov 12 - 11:36 PM

Made a big batch of beans - the jars are cooling a little before I put them in the freezer. Did some shopping. Nothing exciting or very productive.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 12 - 09:41 AM

Sometimes the biggest accomplishment seems to be getting the trash to the curb in time for pickup. Our bulky pickup is again in December, but December isn't always great for doing the work in the yard that leads to having bulky stuff at the curb. I tend to break up the heavy pickup things and put them out during the week in smaller amounts. I'll be doing some of that with things from the yard that don't go in compost.

House cleaning this week, in preparation for company is my other thing to focus on.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Nov 12 - 11:34 AM

Nowhere near lunch yet and I feel pretty accomplished.

Right off the bat, I scrubbed down the bathmat (which really needed it) right after my shower.

Got a few more items into the scrapbooks and called the local metal recycling place to find out whether they'd take a 35 year old canister vacuum cleaner. It's almost all metal, so yes. Later this week I'll take that, a coil of copper tubing that used to run between the underground oil tank and the furnace, an expansion tank and a few other small items up there. A few bucks is a few bucks...

Took the other boxes of books to the car to take to the library sale later today on my way to the store, took the outgoing mail up to the mailbox. While I was up there, I stuck the vac in the boot, and bagged some other untaken items for trash pick up tomorrow, and neatified a smallish pile of things remaining and set the sign back up. Maybe later today I'll extricate that small chest from the bathroom and take it up there along with a few more useful items from the cellar. (Oh! it just occurred to me that the shovel head was also gone from the pile at the road.)

When I got the car back to the house, I brought in from the car the 2 large bottles of seltzer and large package of toilet paper that was among the groceries I picked up yesterday.

Had a WONDERFUL visit yesterday morning with a friend in Portsmouth who is an avid reader and former librarian (like teachers, there are no "former" librarians...) and, when I got home, I dutifully emailed her with links and clarifications of a lot of what we had talked about, but this morning I remembered a few more and sent along the links. A book she'd never heard of (and I've been fascinated with since the '70s when I first ran across a copy) was Caroline Mytinger's 1930s book (about her late '20s adventure) "Headhunting In the Solomon Islands, Around the Coral Sea" ("No woman is fulfilled, they say, until she holds in her arms her own little book."). While checking links, I found this -- Gibson Girl In New Guinea

Onward!

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 12 - 02:36 PM

It is difficult to fix a breakfast that amounts to the same amount of calories as dinner that is at all breakfast-like, so I seem to be having a fairly regular breakfast and a more robust lunch, and a small dinner. That may be the best I can manage for this shift of meal size/time of day.

I made beans last night, froze most of them, and today for lunch I set up the rice cooker to make a batch of rise with orzo (for the beans) and steam cauliflower on top. Yesterday's shopping brought in lots of produce and I'll be doing some kind of veggie dish for dinner. I have some broccoli rabe to try, to see if I want to plant more in my garden and to see what it is supposed to look like for picking. I think the plants in the garden are already too big. :-/

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Nov 12 - 03:10 PM

Did all my outside errands -- gassed up the car, picked up a couple grocery items and found some really good stuff on the markdown racks, and dropped off the books for Saturday's library sale.

Almost had a (figurative) heart attack coming up our road and seeing all sorts of fire equipment, police, EMTs, etc. close to our house, but it WASN'T our house.

Unpacked the groceries, made and ate lunch and discovered that the marked down celery wasn't in the bag. I'd really wanted it for the fried rice I'm making for dinner. Ah, well. I still have a couple small stalks left, so I'll get the $1 refund or whatever next time I'm in the store.

I think I'm more or less "done" for the day (after I take out the kitchen compost) and intend to go upstairs and READ. The book ("Folly" by Laurie R. King) is getting really good...

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Nov 12 - 11:05 PM

Ah, November! The clocks turned back. DARK so early! Thankful not to have lost power as we had no storm effect other than drippy, dreary, drizzly days. Was lovely to see blue sky this morning - for a while.

Saturday was: go to the library, the hospital bazaar where I found a very nice hanging lamp for the spare room (which looks pretty good now) to replace the one we do not like, chatted with a few people, then to the thrift shop and got a good lid for big frying pan, microwave cover so the eggs do not go everywhere when they explode, and a couple other items of use, then to the saw mill to wrest R away for lunch at Subway and a stop at the thrift shop for a winter jacket for him - needed right now! Grocery shopping and home to computer and read. Made and ate supper but R came home at midnight ++++!   

Note: I used a nippon taka pepper in the veggies. The veggies were so hot I could only eat a little. I am adding small amounts to black bean or split pea soup (made Saturday). That pepper, which grew on a plant I bought at the farm market in August, was the length of and half as thick as my little finger! I have a bunch in the freezer which will last forever!!

Sunday I finally had the energy to go pot. R had gone off to the "saw mill" again and I had checked the email. I went to put the computer down and OOPS, he forgot his phone. So I drove down and helped him unload some stuff and then lunch at Subway AGAIN. By the time I got back to the cabin... I did manage to drag the containers of winter clothes and boots into the garage and sort out what is most needful. I will repack and put them back outside along with two containers of summer clothes - another day. Frost last night.

I stayed in the country and managed to work most of today in the studio. Oh YAY! Went to the municipal council mtng tonight and connected with neighbours, some for first time. We are staying on top of the wind turbine issue as we do not trust this council AT ALL! I also managed to clear a bunch of clutter in the BR, finding places to stash stuff. Took hot baths last night and late this afternoon. They do help.

On the way home from the mtng, I saw, for the first time, the lights of the turbines on the ridge in New York State. What a horror - all those red flashing lights would definitely cause me to move.

My weight continues to maintain at 160 regardless. Maybe if I keep my energy up and make lots of pots... Tomorrow I need to complete the pots I threw today - 22 mugs and five tea pots - she says hopefully. Still need to throw lids and a couple more spouts. Amazingly, my hands seemed to remember how although I had not done any in many years. Our brains are ...

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Nov 12 - 08:41 AM

I have always read that breakfast is the most important meal and needs to be the biggest, with lunch large and supper small. It is not part of how most of us do it. Have also read often that food eaten close to bedtime puts on the most weight. That makes some sense as we do not do much to burn it off. But also, as Michelle notes, ...

I have found I usually get through the morning quite well on one piece of that good rye bread toast with tahini. Today, I did two pieces and added a skim of comb honey. I am planning/hoping for a productive morning and not wanting to be hungry before noon.

FB does take too much time some days but it is mostly interesting and I meet some terrific people, like on here. But last night I thought, oh I'll just check emails (9:30) and got to bed about 11:30.... And ended up eating some cookies. I used to quick go to bed before I got hungry again.

Emails are done, heat is turned up in the studio (minus 5 Celsius outside this morning but very beautiful), off to work shortly. I warm the water in which I dip my hands with an electric tea kettle. Sure helps! And the next box of clay is near the heater. Maybe a fan pointed at the ceiling would bring the warm air down - high ceiling!

That is why I like this thread - it helps me think about things - what can I do better, what else can I get rid off, where is a better place to put... , what can I sort out next. I was doing very little at the cabin for a while, thinking we might be moving but if we are going to be here til spring.... Things to make life a little more pleasant, more attractive, more efficient. Of course, the gift of the futon/frame caused the resurrection of the spare room - and the inconvenience of having weekend tenants (through airbnb). Now it will not be inconvenient if others come along.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Nov 12 - 09:14 AM

Clearing the kitchen counter, getting ready to throw in a load of laundry. Taking a bunch of eggplant with me to work today.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Nov 12 - 12:35 PM

Bigger breakfast was not the thing. Just as hungry by 11:30. Triaged stuff in the studio then realized I better go pick up pots at closed venue - DONE! - and try to pick up more animal food - not accomplished - and find stove wood - phone number for nearby place accomplished but no one around. Checked pots - too damp still so lunch. Then checked pots - still too damp but turned up heat and will go throw those lids, pull handles and whatever else I can manage.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Nov 12 - 01:28 PM

Not a big breakfast, but a robust lunch. I'll plan on a small dinner, and see if this shift works. I guess the biggest challenge is to eat that last meal of the day earlier, I typically eat quite late.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Nov 12 - 08:55 AM

It was a late night last night. This morning I couldn't find my glasses until I remembered that I fell asleep on the couch during Obama's speech. There they were on the coffee table. It'll be a bit slow today, maybe I can get a power nap along the way.

So much to do at work, it's killing my free time at home, but the extra work will be finished soon.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Nov 12 - 01:04 PM

I decluttered my garden of about 15 eggplants yesterday, took them to work and sold them for a suggested donation to co-workers to donate the cash to our library staff association. This will mean this year I donated about $120 cash to the group. I may not have a lot of cash for donations but I have been rich in stuff to exchange for cash.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 07 Nov 12 - 06:42 PM

Didn't really get a lot accomplished today. Not sure if my fatigue is because I'm coming down with something or because I was out of sorts yesterday (and probably overnight) because of low (low? how low?) level anxiety over the election (and the constant get-out-the-vote phone calls yesterday combined with getting up waaaaaay too early this morning. Tom had insisted on my leaving the radio on low tuned to NPR when I tucked him into bed downstairs. Not sure how much HE slept...but all the lights downstairs were on at 5 this morning (which used to be my usual wake up time, but not for several years) and they're visible in the upstairs bedroom (canister lights inset into downstairs ceiling/upstairs floor).

I DID do an incredible happy dance (after putting on shoes to clean up the wine glass Tom accidently broke) upon hearing the news this morning and then revised my physical Christmas card address list and dug out the cards with good intentions to start writing them out.

But I went to the store, read for awhile and tried to take a nap instead.

Petticoat rule in New Hampshire! Maggie Hassan (D) governor, Carol Shea-Porter (D) and Anne Kuster (D) overcame the incumbents in their district for the House of Representatives and they will join our Senators, Jean Shaheen (D) and Kelly Ayotte (R).

Tomorrow is another day...

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Nov 12 - 09:10 PM

Seriously derailed shoulder by trying to inappropriately move 20 kg boxes of clay yesterday, Impacted ability to complete pots today. In 3 hours I managed to have 22 mugs and one teapot to dry out for firing stage. Five more teapots were beyond my energy. The pain/discomfort is tiring and almost constant right now. I had been almost pain free for over a week. We learn by these things. Wonder what I will do wrong next! Now, if I could just find a comfortable position to just sit. Ahh, better.

While pulling handles, I improved the comfort zone by moving tools to better locations. a few inches made a difference. So I was able to complete the task.


So, today we had breakfast at a little cafe, then I sat with R while he talked to me and on the phone, trying to sort out a situation, then I drove to the country, interneted for a couple hours (I'll just check the email...), worked in studio for 3 hours and drove back to city, cooked supper and ate mine. Now TV: Dragon's Den and Titanic. Hope R gets home before midnight.

Yesterday, I picked up those pots and obtained more animal food from the dog rescue friend but no stove wood. "We don't have any." when R phoned. I'll have to ask around more.

Ah, Linn: A happy dance indeed! I did not realize how stressed I was until the tears of relief came - at the gas station this morning when the Quebecois staff exulted about the election results! We had spoken before as my bumper stickers from four years ago proclaim me. Oh joy!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 08:20 AM

Woke up to white stuff this morning...ach!

I DID start writing out Christmas cards in bed this morning. Got the letter pretty much written last week when we were without power. Just need to formalize it on leftover winterish stock and it will be good to go. But I'm not going to mail any until Thanksgiving week!

Today, I guess, after my hair dries, I'll have to shovel off the deck. Tom says, "It'll melt" (that's always his philosophy...no matter HOW deep it is!) but I don't want to have to chip ice out of his path to the car.

Dorothy, it's amazing how stressful this election has been...and, other than getting annoyed at the number of robo-calls, etc., I really didn't realize it. And the fact that, for all practical purposes, it's been going on for three years. I really think the game plan was to wear the electorate down so no one would vote. Such relief yesterday morning!

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 09:19 AM

I agree - the pressure exerted by both parties was tremendous. I was tired of all of the phone calls (I have a phone so I can talk to people I want to talk to, but all I was doing was answering surveys or telling them I already voted, hoping they'd stop calling. They didn't.) I pulled out the signs yesterday, figuring everyone else is as weary of this so I probably should flog the neighbors with political signage beyond the first day of gloating.

I did myself a favor last night by loading and running the dishwasher. I didn't want to be greeted this morning by a sink full of dirty dishes. I was going to try to take tomorrow off to get ready for a friend's visit, but I don't think that will happen. I'll have to scurry around on Friday night and on Saturday before her flight.

Still haven't finished the chandelier. Perhaps also something for tomorrow night.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 12:50 PM

Okay...

Cooler from last week's power outage cleaned and stowed on the cellar steps, snow shovels retrieved from cellar, door closed on inquisitive cat in cellar (with enough room left for his paw when he's ready to come upstairs), slushy snow and dried leaves shoved off the now very slippery deck (but it should melt completely and be less slippery, stuffed peppers prepped for supper and now I have to go serve Tom (and me) lunch of the leftover fried rice I made the other day.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 03:14 PM

Got chicken stock simmering on the stove...for the freezer when it's done.

Just had a couple outside tasks to accomplish and found that the deck, while wet, is not slippery anymore. Got the snow off my windshield so it doesn't freeze there if the temperature goes below freezing tonight. (That also meant I got the brush/squeegee out of the boot and into its winter position on the floor of the backseat; sigh.)

Not sure I'm up to pulling out everything in the cubby in the bathroom, taking the little chest up to the FREE stuff at the road (not a good idea; it's raining), finding a place (or de-accessioning) everything in the drawers, and shutting off the cold water until either I need it or the friend who is going to take care of teh bathtub drip gets to it.

Think I might just go upstairs and read for awhile. I've read a bunch of post-election articles aloud to Tom and I think I crave something completely different.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 05:43 PM

I need to cut up produce for the freezer tonight. A lot of it.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 05:59 PM

Today felt like a snow day, even though there was nowhere I had to go.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Nov 12 - 10:09 AM

TGIF - and what a very long week. I was at the office much earlier than usual today, but a co-worker took one interview off my hands leaving me a chance to finish several things today. We're almost at the end of the data gathering phase of some research. Beyond the glazed over eyes we all see that the results will be interesting, but what a huge job it has been!

Scrambling at the house tomorrow to clean. There is a guitar concert tonight that Susie and I are going to attend, so the housework can wait till morning, when I'll race around the house picking up and vacuuming.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - NOV````2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Nov 12 - 11:42 AM

Finally! Got the third (last!) stuck drawer out of the little black chest. Got the awkward thing down the stairs (despite the back wanting to fall off). Will bring the third drawer down when I go up to get my watch, which I forgot to put on when I got dressed. Then I can get it into the back of the car and take it up to the FREE sign at the side of the road.

Also pulled off the two Sterilite drawers that were on top of that, cleaned the tops off, figured out they're stackable, and, I think, I have another empty one in the cellar.

Meanwhile I can clean out the cubby -- a basket of vitamins spilled when I extricated the chest.

Last week I discovered a cache of packages of labels, both stringed and stick on. After an announcement on Facebook and a small emailing, I got rid of them all...most (maybe all) to be picked up at The Press Room session tonight.

Now I can access the water shutoffs in the bathroom and turn off the cold water until I either need it or the drip (which is waaaaaay more than a drip) gets fixed.

Oh, I also went through and threw out a bunch of local free papers.

Linn