Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!

Subject: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jan 13 - 12:15 PM

Some late entries last night remind me that while we now on January 1, 2013, it is tempting to plan for an entire year on this holiday, but it is more practical to keep the house safe and livable and make sure you're ready for work tomorrow. Or for whatever tasks await this week. It is, after all, just another day.

Yesterday I turned in the second of three parts of a collection I have been curating and last night I worked on it more while a couple of movies played. I'll work on it again today and hope to complete this and turn it in later this week. It has been a journey through a family's extensive attention to and love of music and theater.

I have a bit of a headache this morning - a combination of staying up late (I was watching Harry Potter movies - they are LONG!) and a couple of extra drinks on the holiday, but that is now the exception. I like a couple of glasses of wine in the evening, but I read an article that spells out why that second glass of wine way after dinner, or the glass of wine before dinner, isn't such a good idea. From Huffington Post - "The Effects of Alcohol In The Body" - shows that if it isn't consumed WITH food it is going to have more deleterious effects. So my shift in dining is that if I don't have the wine with the meal, I won't have it. This tends to support some of the studies I've heard about in the past that talk about drinking in European countries, where in Italy or France the wine is most often consumed with meals and where people also have fewer weight and alcohol problems. So my goal from here out, not just for 2013, is to keep eating healthy and to modify the evening drink.

And today I have a short term goal to finish a few things around the house so the house is orderly for heading to work tomorrow and welcoming when I come home from work. I'll make a batch of soup for meals this week and make sure my closet is in order.

What about the rest of you? What plans for this week, this month, this year?

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: ranger1
Date: 01 Jan 13 - 12:55 PM

I'm continuing to organize my new space and pack up things from the old space. There is now drama associated with the latter and I need to get it done by the 7th.

I spent this morning cleaning and tidying in the cottage. I held a second book culling and made room for more of the books still on the floor in the bookcase. My plan was to go to the 24 hour laundromat and do a bunch of laundry and then go on a nature hike at the park, but plans have abruptly changed due to aforementioned drama. Said drama is not mine, personally, but does affect me. Sigh.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jan 13 - 01:05 PM

I think you've told us about the source of the drama in the past. Here's wishing you a new year free of drama once you're completely moved into the new place!

Time for another cup of tea!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Jan 13 - 01:49 PM

Tea! Now THAT'S a good idea.

I've managed already this first morning of the new year to get Tom pissed off at me for suggesting he not put flammable materials on the electric cook surface AND have my mother (in Milwaukee) hang up on me because I refused to argue with her while she was insisting that we were, indeed, arguing. (Deep sigh) All I did was say that what is a common rental practice in her area is not usual practice anywhere else. I wasn't arguing. Others had already mentioned the same thing to her (as she had just told me about "arguing" with my aunt about it). My mother can be the most exasperating woman on the face of the planet. Life will be a lot simpler (you'd think I'd have figured this out in the past 63 years) if I just never mention ANYTHING no matter how trivial that counters her world view. (I think that will be one of my New Year's resolutions...) She never has let unimportant things like actual facts mess up her thinking. (After all, she votes Republican...)

But I've also gotten caught up and decluttered some magazines and free papers. And I'm about to message a friend who is horticulturalist at Strawbery Banke museum to see if he wants some mid-'90s "Herb Quarterly"s for his archive. And I've filed some more stuff in my binders.

And I've washed -- FOUR times!!! -- the waist-high stack of black plastic letter files that had been stored in the dusty part of the cellar. I washed them in the shower thinking that would be most efficient. Rinsed off enough dust to have to clean the bathtub drain several times, but when they dried, they still looked dusty. Spray rinsed them off yet again...and when they dried, it looked as if I'd just moved the dust around. So did it again with Windex and paper towels...and when I turned them upside down, found I had to do it one more time... But now it's done and I can organize the loose papers in the bedroom into it and get them off the floor.

Right now I'm literally in the middle of cleaning the two litter boxes.

I think I've done something else useful today besides put the quiche away, but offhand I can't think what. (Maybe make a shopping list for later this week after social security comes.)

I've got to try to make some headway in this room, too. The day is still young...

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Jan 13 - 02:11 PM

After spending the last hour and a half catching up on dishes that have been set aside with our holiday activities, I'm happy to say that my sink is sparkling clean and all dishes are washed. One load in the dishwasher and probably another 2 loads washed and are air drying.

I spent some time working on the area around my kitchen table chair too. I had a bag of Relay for Life stuff there, some of it outdated and so it hit the garbage can. A basket of magazines was sorted out, old ones I no longer want were tossed. The bottom of the basket was cleaned of all dust bunnies and repurposed. Also there is a stand with 5 drawers sitting to the left of my chair. I had all my beading supplies in there but since I haven't been doing much beading, I put all those things in a tote to go in my office....all neatly stored for easy access should the mood strike. I have it now supplied with daily things I need. One drawer with my insulin pens, record chart, pen, extra lancets and strips, glucose monitor; the next drawer is equipped with my Weight Watchers things that I use daily (except the scale which sits on the counter), the next drawer is all needle tips for my insulin pens (this drawer has always held these...there are hundreds of tips floating around in there which makes for easy access when I sit to do my insulin). The fourth drawer has stamps, envelopes, address book,etc and the last drawer is a collection of Weight Watcher items that I use as a reference. I also cleaned the top of this set of drawers off, moved it and cleaned the sides and underneath it. While I was under there, I cleaned under the feet of our pedestal table. :) I took all the framed photos off an antique desk, dusted the entire desk dusted each frame and Windexed the glass on the frames. I am hoping to pick up the toys that Jeremiah missed when he goes down for his nap, dust and vacuum. Perhaps the ornaments will come off the tree too. Maybe not...I really love our tree!

I am not making any resolutions or goals for this year but rather a few very private intentions for myself.

Happy New Year!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Jan 13 - 02:38 PM

I plan to fly by the time my birthday rolls around. No, not on a plane-- just FLY.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Jan 13 - 04:07 PM

Had mid-afternoon port and cheese instead of the tea.

Also cleaned the kitchen and did the dishes. Did some prep for supper. Decluttered a few more free papers for tomorrow's trash pickup.

Put some books away.

Now to go see if I can get through to my elderly great aunt in Milwaukee who has neither caller ID nor voicemail/answering machine. The line was busy every time I tried calling earlier.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Jan 13 - 05:55 PM

Back to present reality... the new ramp is 48 feet long... call it 50 each way if getting coat and shoes. So a lap down and back is 100. With an incline of course.

One lap today and winded. It's a start tho and a longer straightaway than can be done IN the house!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 12:50 AM

My kitchen is cleaned up, all of the containers that came out of the fridge (I made soup with the stock from the turkey) are in the dishwasher that I'll start before heading for bed. I have the breakfast and tea stuff ready for morning and clothes hanging in place in my dressing room. After I get home tomorrow I'll have to do some ironing, but I'm set for Wednesday.

Now to remember where I left off 13 days ago.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: MAG
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 03:57 AM

went thru several bags of paper, in order to winnow it down -- making room to set out my recorded music (am still analog)

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: ranger1
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 07:44 AM

Drama has been quieted for the moment. Other than affecting how long I have to pack the rest of my stuff, it really isn't my drama. Anyway, today has been reserved for going to the laundromat and calling my mechanics about an issue that showed up right after I had work done on the car. If they were at fault, they'll take care of it, and if not, they'll either fix it or recommend someone else to me if it's not something they do.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 10:19 AM

Further declut of sked today and setting of fone alarms to train myself to the new structure. It includes more ramp-walks per day. Today's first one (imminent) will include chopping out some ice that is making it unsafe in one longish spot. A later one today, down and around and up icy steps onto the main porch area (which is only safe for me when someone else is home) will include, hopefully, digging out a saved slab of foam cushion and a squishy pool noodle-- I need these to make my sleeping chair work better for my healing.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 10:29 AM

I found and ordered a small crock pot on eBay to replace the cracked ceramic bowl on my 40-year-old crockpot. I like to make oatmeal overnight and the 1 quart size is perfect for it, but I accidentally cracked the hot bowl when I put in cold oats (they came out of the freezer). My bad. These come up every so often (a couple a week, different models - I want the low-power one with the removable bowl) and I got one for about $20 the other day. I'll declutter the broken bowl when this arrives and keep my eye on eBay for anyone selling just the bowl since the old heating element and lid are still good. Then I'll have two sets of them, one for me and one for a friend who also likes to cook oatmeal overnight. :)

The work week is here, I'm packed up and ready to go with my bottle of turkey soup, a half a baked sweet potato, and an apple for lunch. I prefer a diet without all of the tempting sweets around so it is good that the holidays are over. I hope there aren't residual candy gifts on my desk when I get there this morning. If so I'll have to put them in one of the public areas where students pick up candy we leave there. They're always hungry!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 02:31 PM

Ramp chopped, part one. Part two, going out now. Taking doggeh. Him have tie strap waiting so him keep me safe no fall downs.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 06:45 PM

Ramp ice BADZ. Getting salt for the worst patch which gets no sun and is constantly watered from a drippy gutter above.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 07:19 PM

Slept very poorly last night. This morning managed to get the usual morning stuff done plus gather the trash and get it up to the road for pickup and shower and wash my hair (AFTER going out into temps in the teens F.)

Then I took a nap. Not that successfully, but better than nothing. Made lunch for Tom and me, read Tom a couple articles, then went back upstairs to under-react and read.

Then decided I really needed to do SOMETHING useful today, so added items to my binders -- 1999 to 2003 -- and separated 1999 and 2000 into two binders. (Haven't a clue how they'd managed to fit in one!)

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 07:44 PM

"Under-react and read" LOVE THAT

Third trip on the ramp today, CHECK.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 08:02 PM

It's still cold here, I'm really tired of this. I live in Texas, ferchristsake, it's supposed to be warm part of the time in the winter. I have to put away the holiday decorations this evening. I'm sure there are other things that need doing as well, but that is the only one I'm committing to. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 09:46 PM

Hey Maggie,

   Care to share your recipe for overnight oatmeal? We have oatmeal just about every other day here. Love it!

   Pete and I had our very first outing ALONE in months!!!   Oh what a wonderful day!!!!!! We did tons of walking, lots of antiquing, lunch and dinner out and enjoyed ourselves immensely but also found that we missed our little man. (A few calls to the sitter happened, of course...just to see that all was well).

   I ate more than my points allowance today but will be helping with firewood on Friday so I'm sure it will all be burned off just fine. :) (Helping to load and unload 2 cords of wood on Friday, possibly a cord tomorrow too).

Also...I got to pick out my Christmas gift today....completely excited about that...there's something I've been wanting but didn't have the money for...today I had some Christmas cash AND the item was 40% off and an extra 10% off at the register! SCORE!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 08:58 AM

CLOSET: At the moment I am wearing a favorite cotton flannel shirt that is starting to be TOO baggy in front. It's that good flannel that wears and washes softer with no pilling.... I think I will pin some princess seaming into it, and baste it up later to try it on. It is time to start prepping individual items for the seamstress for that hourglass shape... she can take apart my basting and make 'em right... it will mess up the hems but these are all too long anyway!

I bet I can get a year and a half's wear out of that magic pastorwife closet, before I melt so much that I will need to start investing in new, better-quality stuff...

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 09:21 AM

Oatmeal with the regular store brand (knock-off Quaker so it doesn't cost as much) is your classic 1 part old-fashioned oats and 2 parts water with a dash of salt and a handful of raisins. I set that up overnight so it's ready, but it doesn't take long on the stovetop.

The one that really needs the crockpot is when I cook steel-cut oats. Those I put 1/4 cup (per serving) in the crock pot, a pinch of salt, a handful of raisins, and 1 1/2 cups of water. In my little 1 quart pot I have to start with the water boiling or it doesn't cook enough overnight because it really is low power. On the stovetop those take a minimum of a half-hour and closer to 45 minutes to be near the consistency of the crock pot, and it's easy to burn to them in the pan if you're making a small amount like I do for just myself.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 11:07 AM

It was so cold this morning I just couldn't make myself head out the door as early as I intended. So instead I've let the day warm a bit and I'm burning DVDs of work photos in my computer. Virtual decluttering and taking these in to the office in a bit. I have a bunch I need to burn as backup, but I'll do a semester at a time. This morning's task is Spring 2011.

It's supposed to snow tomorrow. Again. I'm tired of this odd weather. Just as the dry warm fall was odd (we should have had some cool and rainy days, but not necessarily the couple of really low freezing spikes that hit and killed my fall garden) we don't usually get weeks of below-freezing weather like this. It usually comes and goes and gives one a bit of a break and a chance to get out in the yard to work every week or two. Not this winter.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 01:14 PM

Thanks Maggie!

   I make the regular store brand of Quaker oats, in the pot with boiling water, raisins or whatever I feel like putting in it. It just so happens that I have some steel cut oats to try so I'm going to give it a go in the crock pot! It will be nice to wake up and have it all ready to go, especially next week when Pete returns to work after having 3 weeks off....we have all gotten absolutely spoiled rotten having him home!!!! Anyway...we've been sleeping in daily so getting back in the swing of things will take some adjusting and this just might be the ticket!

   Today I am returning Christmas gear to it's storage spot for the year,doing some deep cleaning and getting the house back in order, specifically the living room. Now, without the playpen and the Christmas tree down, I finally have room for my treadmill again. I'm looking forward to that. Next week I begin yoga classes again. :)

Michelle

PS. Regarding the flying comment, there is a song I love, specifically the following:

I am a fallen angel. I am a sacred heart.
I am awake and I am alive.
Some say that I won, some say I survived.
An angel vigilante others might proclaim
As I breathe I will not be a pawn, a piece of anyone's game.
I am a fallen angel. I am a sacred heart.
I am invincible and I am divine
I could be a beauty with a little bit of shine
Or maybe patron saint of rage with black marked eyes
Well I have looked into the face of fear,
I know what I'm doing here
WATCH ME FLY!!!!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 07:09 PM

I decided to work in the kitchen instead. Pete was outside dragging logs out of the woods and Jeremiah was watching intently from the kitchen window so I worked out there. I emptied my purse, cleaned that all out. Went through the mountain of paperwork on the middle of the table, dusted the various jelly cupboards, did all the dishes, took down almost all the Christmas decorations in the kitchen (left the nativity on the ledge over the sink...it's one of my favorites), cleaned the baby's chair (really scrubbed it down) and oh yes, we started potty training today and so far, with great success!!! HOORAY! I might still take the ornaments off the tree tonight while we hang out in the living room in front of the fire. We'll see.

There were lots of little other things that were done as well...those itty bitty things that you set aside to put away later....yeah..their time has come!

Dinner has been cooked, eaten and dishes are done (normally we don't eat for another hour and a half).

Family time! HOORAY!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: ranger1
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 08:47 PM

Spent a couple of hours at the apartment going through the mountains of paper clutter and sorting them. Biggest pile is the recycle pile, then there's the shred pile, and the rest is being sorted and put into file folders as I sort. I invested in a package of hanging file folders today, so all I will have to do when I bring the temporary storage box home is put the manila folders into the hanging folders in the filing cabinet. I just have to remember to wear a dust mask when I'm at the apartment...

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 09:22 AM

Potty training is one of those occasions when if you let the child lead by naming the reward (within reason!), have a calendar on which they can cross of each successful day (that is a reward in itself!) and count up to the number you both determine is appropriate to earn the reward, it is a win-win situation. Both of my kids were pretty easy, I'd say it was 4 to 6 weeks and we had it down.

Burning a few more discs this morning then headed out the door. The snow didn't materialize (!) but I'll make a point after work of heading to Home Depot to buy a load of top soil and leave the bags in the back of the pickup until warm weather is with us again. That helps with stability in slick weather.

Looking forward to the weekend - it's supposed to warm a bit on Sunday so perhaps I can finish some of the clearing of the gardens (the collapsed cannas and finish trimming out the datura and pull up the old eggplant and cut down the asparagus.)

Last night I fixed another batch of the empanadilla filling (I sent some over to my ex on christmas eve) and I'm going to measure and freeze it. I've figured out that if I use 1/4 cup of flour I can make enough dough for two of the meat pies, so I'll freeze this in portions enough to thaw and make them two at a time. I bought the pork, olives, cilantro and capers, but the rest of it, onions, peppers, tomatoes came from my garden. I need to work now to draw down what is in the freezer. Last year I was too slow and had more left than I needed when I started filling it up again.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Mrrzy
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 10:48 AM

Sigh. Louder sigh.

Oh ok. I've done my room. Nothing out that could be put away, nothing there that doesn't belong there... and my desk (!) and the dining room. Do the twins count as something I should put away or throw out? They are almost 18...

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 12:32 PM

In the long run you'll be glad you kept them, Mrrzy. :)

I've been told I need to start decluttering my work file drawers of photos into the university archive's file drawers. I've asked people off and on for years if they want any of these, this is the first university archivist who not only wants them but wishes one of the other archivists had asked for them starting 15 years ago.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 04:26 PM

New 48' ramp:

CLICK!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 05:36 PM

Today we are decluttering more dressing supplies-- especially the expensive Wound Vac parts that cannot be returned for a credit. But we know how to pass them along and they can stop reminding me how sick I was, and they can clear outta my UPSTAIRS Sick Bay too, dagnabit! :~)

Also passing along a bag of unopened adult diapers the nursing home gave me by mistake. Maybe I should save them for the MudDorm--- NONONONO.... just kidding there really is a bucket up there.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 07:57 PM

What a long week for only three days in the office. It was also a lot more interesting than usual because I was able to do some things that are more creative and unique than the usual news stuff. I worked for two years at a local newspaper and I enjoyed writing articles, I didn't mind writing obituaries, but it got old doing the "Bulletin Board" items - rewording the little announcements for various community activities. But that is mostly what I've been doing for the last couple of years. I'm finally doing more challenging things - now to get the job description that goes with it!

Many things on my weekend list, and I'm not sure what direction I'll go first. Dinner. Then I'll see. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 08:48 PM

Helped to load 2 cords of firewood today and unloaded 1 1/2 cords of firewood on my own. I was just too tuckered to do the last 1/2 cord myself. It was a GLORIOUS day outside...bright blue skies, cold, a little wind....it makes a body feel SO alive!!! Also, the exhaustion my body is feeling comes with almost a high...much like a really good yoga class.

I am exhausted but in a GREAT way!!

Also, my best friend's (he died in 1999) sister is here from Georgia and stopped in to visit for a few hours. Gonna go out to dinner with her tomorrow too (and unload another 1/2 cord of firewood if my arms are still functioning tomorrow morning)

Life is good!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 11:23 PM

I bet your arms and shoulders will be stiff and sore tomorrow! Sounds like a great day!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 09:57 AM

HHS PT began yesterday. That woman knows her stuff! Gentlest exercises yesterday, major aches today, YEE HAH the right track is before me.

I am to repeat 2-3 times per day. She returns Tuesday or Wednesday next week to add more/correct form. Dressing changes now go to every other day, so hopefully nursing and PT will alternate days. I am also cleared for stairs (in the main house) at my discretion-- so shower bench, here I come!!!

Next PT visit to be up in my attic workout space (the old MudDorm), with the great hard double platform bed she can climb on with me to move me around as needed. There are two mattress options up there for it-- her call. One is a slim foam mattress for firmest surface. I hope she will clear me then for those stairs, too-- no handrail at all in that stairwell. :~( Very steep and twisty. But I need to be on that bed to FEEL what I am doing-- my left leg is still almost numb and the scar tissue is binding muscle movement/getting in the way. Till we get up there I can do the exercises she gave me standing, or in my extends-nearly-flat recliner.

I am to keep up the ramp walking 3x/day and increase distance as able. On her next visit I will also show her our treadmill and I hope I can be cleared for that as well-- to walk while Hardi does his weight-lifting.

When I go off HHS I expect to pick right up at outpatient PT and, hopefully, with ultrasound to soften that scar stuff up.

Osteo and MFR (Google "myofascial tissue release") will resume with my DO in a few weeks.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 11:07 AM

OK, the prev post was the PT context. I forgot to mention that the PT is good with making my workouts into ADL/IADL for now. Here are the current goals/plan:


<> In Sailboats bedroom bed, at bedtime and rising: three supine stretches/exercises as illustrated/assigned.
<> On ramp, 3x/day interval walking as tolerated, starting with one lap and increase as able, after each meal. "Intervals" is where you go to the limit of your particular aerobic tolerance-- briefly-- and then slow back down just enough to get back to a normal workout breath/pulse, and then go again before totally cooling down. (Increases stamina/endorphins.)
<> Sitting at ramp, shoulder shrugs/neck rolls to break bedrest neck tightness/pain.
<> At laundry time, step-ups on 4" platforms leading to machines, with each load/machine check, for stair-climbing muscle-building (quads), with proper weight-shifting, probably start with 1 set of 3 reps per trip. Step-ups is where you carefully start on one leg and go up, and then go back down backwards. Then again starting on other leg. Normally reps are increased to fill a set of 10 reps, before adding additional steps to the process, but this spot has only a few "steps" to play with, so....? We shall see.

This is a LOT more than the PT assigned. We will see how I tolerate it. She may wind me back down a tad... I'll be focusing on getting these into a routine, decreasing reps as needed.


Today-- very tight and sore from breaking bedrest "rigor mortis" with PT yesterday, so normal chores to keep moving. At top of ramp, cinders are now swept (back rotation), items rearranged (bending, gentle lifting), rollator (walker with seat) placed in position for outdoor exercises. Heavy items left for hubby to remove.

The first bird feeder arrived yesterday. Hopefully hubby will arrive home this aftn with birdseed and we can mount this one on one of the ramp's posts... I hope the waterer/bird bath comes next! I can feed and water the "stock" each morning (cardinal colony. They can bathe before their water freezes! :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 11:35 AM

My arms and back aren't sore one bit....the back of my thighs are complaining a little bit. I'm going to do 1/2 a cord in just a few more minutes..the combination of the cold air and physical labor make me feel really, really good!!!!

Yeah baby...bring it on!!!

YAHOOIE!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 12:54 PM

In case your bird bath freezes, there are devices and bird baths that keep the water from freezing. Scroll through the products on that company.

It's a lovely day, I'm going to run a few errands but plan to return home before dark so I can walk all of the dogs. It has been ages since they've gotten out of the house and yard.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 02:14 PM

Thanks. I know these from farm mgmt. The bath/water dish I bought is tiny. The country plan is topping off with small amounts, hot water. Repeat daily. (Think small, renewable puddle.)

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 02:53 PM

That plan is probably less likely to electrocute any birds.

Bills paid (most of them) now off to declutter the wallet.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 03:34 PM

Wood has been taken care of, a healthy lunch has been had, laundry is on it's way into the dryer, I'm on my way into the shower and then out to enjoy an evening with friends at a lovely local restaurant! I have already decided what I'm having and have counted the nutrition accordingly! YAY!

I also made a pact with a WW friend at the meeting this morning. :)

It's going to be a great week....big results are in the air!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 05:32 PM

SO sore... but I easily did three laps of the ramp, so whatever I did in the last few days was apparently good for me-- maybe the long tour of the nursing home next county over, which got me so whipped, took me to this next level. I hope soon to extend off the ramp and into the driveway with the dog, but we are due for a thaw/refreeze cycle so that will not be good for me for playtime for a week or so.

I discovered a stool we had that is tiny enough to fit our tiny shower but large enough for my butt, so I rinsed the PT ouchies out with a good soaking shower. But I am not going in to the Sat. nite svc-- I am saving these tired ole legs to get up to my BED tonight! After I take a warm nap!

The step-ups were pretty awful-- weak leg (left) is the same leg now almost-numb from the surgery, so THAT side did NOT want to do the 3 reps I told it to do. Oh well. We know the muscles are in there and just need to recondition, but yikes!

It is so weird having energy (thyroid, metabolism), but no stamina!!!


Hardi was late with hospital visits this afternoon. Have birdseed, but the feeder goes up tomorrow. We enjoyed a hockey game instead!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 08:20 PM

... post-nap report (not planning this amt of posting daily):

I DO know this PT planet: I rested enuf for ydy's exertions that now I can move as directed and do those step-ups, GO TEAM!

And....

My abs are starting to work around all the scar tissue criss-crossing them. I was not sure I could DO this at all but I already can!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 08:46 PM

My mother once remarked that after her various surgeries (mastectomy, gallbladder, and abdominal surgery to put dacron arteries to replace the ones that were constricted from decades of smoking - Burger's disease) she felt she looked like a diagram for how to cut up a chicken.

Finished the running around today, got in just before dark. It gets cold when the sun goes down now, so the dogs and I will walk in the morning. No plans to go anywhere tomorrow, and Susie is coming for a visit.

No luck today finding any good-looking hardware for the buffet, but I'll work on it some more and mail-order the ones I want. I need to sand off some dribbles in the lacquer and re-paint a couple of drawers, and need to adjust the cupboard doors (the paint affects the way the doors open so I have to shift the hinges.)

I turned on the dishwasher before I left, now time for the clothes washer. I realized this afternoon that the t-shirt I was wearing is the one I wore to work on the turkey on xmas - and I have to treat it for some grease spots on front after wrestling with the turkey. [sigh] I wish I'd noticed it before a lady walking toward me in the Lowe's parking lot peered directly at my shirt. She probably wasn't reading the "MOAB" on the front. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 11:30 PM

i did 30 minutes of mostly standing qi gong yesterday.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 09:29 AM

Not a decluttering event (although I was poking around in the last place I saw something I intend to give away), but I had an absolutely amazing thing happen this morning.

I don't know how many months ago (sometime last summer) my adventurous and inquisitive red cat Rufus managed, in the middle of the night, to knock over several boxes on the high shelf to the right of the bathroom sink, strewing jewelry, essential oils, the container holding dental floss with earrings hung from the rim and just about everything on four shelves all over the sink, counter, bathroom floor...everywhere.

I managed to locate and put back just about everything. Some stuff was hidden under the RubberMaid drawers, some under the edges of the linoleum... You get the idea, things scattered every which way.

The one thing I absolutely could not find was a large (and favorite) silver earring -- just the one. I tore the bathroom apart, looked everywhere, likely or totally unlikely. It HAD to be there someplace, but damned if I could find it.

Until this morning. I was into the middle of those RubberMaid drawers and saw an unusual shape silhouetted against the back of the translucent drawer. I pulled it out. It was the long lost earring.

HOW it got in there (there's a narrow slit in the back but it's protected in the direction the spill came from), I'll never know.

But I found it. And I now have a favorite pair of earrings restored.

Great way to start the day!

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 10:21 AM

I was afraid you were going to describe pulling a gob of hair out of the drain and finding it - a much more satisfactory disposition!

I made more progress on the playbills last night. I've also found an interesting bit of history - Betty Buckley is from Fort Worth, she's the one who you've seen in many movies and musicals - and is probably most well known for her version of Memory from Cats. There is a playbill from Texas Christian University and a student production she performed in.

I hope to make a foray outside today. It's supposed to be nicer this afternoon.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 01:33 PM

Way too big an earring to have gone down the drain. Plus, we're Rufus-trained -- we keep a washcloth folded over the drain at all times except when we're standing there. Rufus likes to just...see what happens when he taps something with a paw.

I have a dilemma. Yesterday I was offered the musical archives (mostly papers, notes, some recordings) of a deceased elderly friend, the woman I learned "Aunt Clara" from over 25 years ago. (She learned it from her college roommate's father back in the '40s.) According to her partner, it doesn't take up as much space as a banker's box...but the RESPONSIBILITY for preservation, etc. would take up a HUGE space. I would ultimately also be responsible for finding a permanent, accessible and searchable home for the archives. (Bess was originally from Philadelphia, I believe, and any folk archives around there would probably have a priority

I'm already working on archiving and preserving not only Tom's legacy, but that of the 30+ year old Press Room session that he founded and still guides. And, believe me, that is a GIGANTIC project!

Any advice will be appreciated.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Jeri
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 01:55 PM

Ask Jeff?

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 10:48 PM

It's been a busy day yet nothing in the house got done. I did get to nap for a few hours late this afternoon...oh how I needed it!!!! Now I'm up and puttering. Isn't that usually the way? :)

Another day well lived!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Health JANUARY 2013 - To Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 01:53 AM

Linn, I picked up the six boxes of playbills and other ephemera in the summer of 2010. I organized them for the donation to the Special Collections at the library where I work, so I turned over the first batch of a couple of large boxes in 2011, and another large box fully packed last week. And today I finished organizing the last, smallest, and most local of the playbills, oddball stuff, clippings, etc. They are in file folders in a larger box and I have all but the overtly-church connected stuff listed in an Excel spread sheet. I'll go through the folders and assign values this week and they will be the 2013 portion of the collection. Because they are so rare they are the lynchpin of the collection and the archivists are waiting for the entire thing to get started on it.

It has been quite a journey, to learn something about a total stranger. I am astonished at what I have learned. I've had to rely on a lot of external resources, but I have also realized that I'd like to write about it and I know several people I need to interview in this context.

If you take on a project like that you'll probably learn a lot more about your friend. You may find intersections with the things you're already working on. I just got my dining room table back after all of this work, but I feel like I've contributed something really important to the community - not just theater but I think a lot of demographics are represented in these four large boxes of organized papers. I've pulled a couple of people from obscurity and they will have a collection with their names on it, and I'm hoping to find more information about them personally before I'm finished.

These are just observations, but think about it - what else will happen to her papers if you don't take them? Even if you simply mark them with what you know and hand them over to the proper library or archive, you've done a lot.

SRS