Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 10:59 AM

Here is the thread for autumn. They get too long when we run more than about 3 months, but there are too many of them when we change out monthly.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 12:26 AM

I see - on the header of your page.

We had a good birthday lunch today, puttering around the yard and house, and sending my daughter home with a few trinkets. I ended up giving her the small Nikon Coolpix 15X camera that I loaned her for her trip to Japan. She has continued to use it this summer for other things, and you know how it is when you loan something to a kid, you kind of know it may end up staying with them. She took a few other things with her also so we accomplished some decluttering today. Also, I've started putting another batch of stuff in that bin I have in the corner of the kitchen for collecting donation items. I added a stack of Martha Stewart Living that Goodwill might use.

The kitchen is looking tidy (considering all of the produce sitting around), and I've gradually converted those garden items into dishes (my taco mix, pickles, cut up veggies in the freezer) and more are planned. I'm getting enough cucumbers and peppers from the garden that I need to plant a larger batch soon. Processed this time. The refrigerator pickles are beginning to taste like good pickles.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 11:37 PM

Hey Stilly,

    Look on my facebook page for photos. :)

XOXOXO,

Michelle

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 08:24 PM

How do you "paint barn quilts?"

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 07:14 PM

Unloaded 1 cord of wood from the pick up by myself today, went grocery shopping, went along to pick up 12 bales of hay, made breakfast and lunch, did dishes from the last 3 days that weren't done and am currently relaxing with my legs up. I have some laundry going too.

Earlier this week I joined some friends at a mountain top park where we painted barn quilts and had a picnic lunch. :) Good times!

Another cord of firewood to unload in the morning.

Sweet dreams everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 05:39 AM

Big doings yesterday-- Hardi brought do lots of small but heavy items and they went out to the porch for loading next week. The second bin is almost full enough to go out.

Enough of my overstock of clothing (created by seamstress after my surgery) has gone down to Ohio that I was able to take apart the clothes rack that had been in the old Sick Bay end of the LR. Since Hardi was short on downstairs closet space, a tall dresser came down from the BR where it has sat unused for years. The LR is so big (and the ceilings are so high) that it looks quite pretty where we placed it. The rack goes to Ohio and I have some unused hanging wardrobe bags I'll use to keep camping linens in the garage-- like these: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Household-Essentials-Canvas-Collection-Hanging-Wardrobe/15387209. (When I add those bags to the bin it will be full and out of my LR.)

A used recliner came our way to supplement the TV-viewing part of the LR, just in time for MIL visit. It's proportioned for a shortie like myself, and is easier to recline than the one I'd been using, so MIL will like using it; she's getting pretty fragile. We added a seat pad when we stopped at a local shop that sells upholstery foam near wholesale prices. A very wide wing chair that had been by the bay window went to the dining room table (looks great), and the narrower recliner I'd been using went to the bay window to be pulled up when MIL comes.

So I'm on to LR cleaning next week, with a paid helper.

~S~

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 01:49 AM

There were small accomplishments today at home. In my sunroom window I have watched a succulent plant (a tiny potted plant as a presentation at work 2 years ago for participating in some program or other) wilt over and over, yet it has grown because I've been careful with it. Today I transplanted to larger pot, and this evening when I could see what parts were going to recover, I trimmed the chronically wilted limbs. I've tossed a couple of other plants that looked bad, so now my window area is full of healthy green plants - succulents, orchids, vines, xmas cactus, an amaryllis that didn't bloom this year but the leaves are gorgeous. Maybe next year?

Paying bills begins. Ugg.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Aug 14 - 10:15 PM

Lake St. Peter, Ontario:
I am back staying with our friends here for a few days while R chose to remain in Montreal for the conference. Arrived Weds in time for the concert in the park where I chatted with a couple friends and then headed north the rest of the way. Caught up with Dragonfly and our friends, and BED! Thurs after some discussion, I phoned a friend and made an appointment to talk with him, then went to visit another friend until it was time to meet him. We sat in Tim Horton's and I LISTENED to him for almost 3 hours. It was a good thing to do. I came back and reported the reportable, not breaking any confidences, then went and sat in the car by a lake and enjoyed sunshine sparkling on the water. Listening is hard work!

Evening spent in conversation with 3 good people, talking about living in community and how it needs to be and about values, vision and mission and how to deal with difficult people. Some progress.

Today, I phoned a friend to see if she could lunch but not, so we had a nice chat and I went off to see what other mischief I could get into. Visited with a couple people in Maynooth, then went south and stopped to see a guy I was told was a recluse; listened to him for two hours. Although I had not seen him in over 15 years, nothing much has changed; we still agree on most things and he was glad to see me. I wonder how many days of listening it would take before he had said enough to be able to listen a bit more. He needs to de-clutter his brain.

Then I visited with a potter friend; we had tea and she offered me an ingredient I need for a pottery decoration I want to get back into doing! It is no longer available so this is a BIG deal! Now if I can find the recipe. By now I was feeling ready for a good meal so I drove the distance to my fav eatery and had a good lunch and great, long visit with my owner/friend, to share with total confidence and trust, thoughts, ideas, pieces of our lives.

The weekend traffic heading north was terrible so I took the long, and very beautiful route back north, took almost an hour. Spent about an hour talking with o Dragonfly person and then we all went to Maynooth for the "Talent show". It was already over so I went to the cafe and visited with several women there, old and new friends. An absolute treasure to be where I can do this, where I feel I am a valued member of a very real community.

SO now I have 3 places on my itinerary. This one is more home than the two in Quebec, both of which I would happily give up. This feels like home, only R is not here this time; he needs to be able to de-clutter his life a great deal in order to spend much time this far from Montreal.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Aug 14 - 09:30 AM

The sinuses aren't blocked, but I think there is some kind of infection going on that I'm feeling both in my teeth and sinus. Everything is so close together that sometimes finding the origin is a challenge. I had x-rays at my dentist check up a couple of months ago so am considering sinus before going back to the dentist for another look at one tooth. I just started a prescription to see if it will clear up.

I awoke to a happily rained-upon garden this morning. I looked at the forecast and this wasn't in there so I didn't turn off my watering sequence in the yard this morning. Everything got really wet today. This usually boosts the output and I have some eggplant and cucumbers busy producing right now. I'd love the okra to start, the plants have gotten large with no flowers yet. It's time for another round of cooking and canning soon, and I ran a batch of jars through the dishwasher the other day in preparation.

Three day weekend one more time this summer! Labor Day (Monday) is the traditional beginning of fall, though it will be hot down here for weeks, well into the actual fall season.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Rumncoke
Date: 29 Aug 14 - 07:50 AM

Blocked sinuses can be due simply to low humidity.

When I worked for Allied Lyons there was a technician who suffered with his sinuses in the air conditioned offices.

He spent a couple of days in the steamy test lab and - oh boy - did his sinuses clear. He was walking about with a roll of disposable towels under one arm and a piece of it held to his face so he didn't drip into the boiling fruit gloop.

We are due for some dryer weather according to the forecast - I am planning on sorting out the garden, repotting some plants which have been suffering from being in too small pots and putting them in the conservatory to - hopefully - recover - in the last of the warm weather. Today, however it is preparations for a visit to my son's family - a two mile drive away and we go there and back in a day. I will roast a chicken, get a loaf out of the freezer and gather up things which have been found/acquired since the last visit as suitable for there rather than here. Toys and books usually, but this time we are taking a partly made run for the new guinea pigs, to finish off there so they can go out on the lawn in safety.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Aug 14 - 11:17 PM

Morning spent at doctor's and then lab for a look into the sinus crud that has bothered me of late. I'd like to declutter that.

It's about time for a new thread, for the autumn. Soon, very soon!

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Aug 14 - 10:12 AM

eBay is a place to sell a lot of stuff like that. You have to look at completed sales and sold listings to see what works and what doesn't, but once you've figured that out, it's something to do in your spare time (assuming you have some).

I chased down the rabbit hole of my own eBay research last night regarding a bunch of doll house furniture that was in a box in the garage for ages. I have the same sort (StromBecKer) in my childhood doll house that is on top of my upright grand piano, and I added a couple of pieces to that from this box (it was being discarded at a friend's house when they were moving out). I finally found an online site with history of the company itself, and there I was reading about the toys and models that came from a company that started because a business auditor thought he could do something with all of the scrap lumber wasted at the John Deere machinery company in 1911.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Rumncoke
Date: 28 Aug 14 - 04:47 AM

My local Lidl supermarket is shut for alterations, so I went to Aldi instead and whilst there I bought a couple of very large round bags - intended, from the illustrations, for use in the garden but I can take them up into the roof space and set them up for sorting through the yarn I have up there - I will never knit all of it in my lifetime but I want to find the good stuff and use that first.

I thought that filling up the two bags with cones of acrylic yarn, one bag for the 4 ply and one for finer stuff, will assist in the management of the hoard.

Once it is corralled I can perhaps consider further sorting - into brands maybe and then selling off might be a possibility. People want to know exactly what they are buying or they aren't prepared to pay for it.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Aug 14 - 11:54 PM

Sorting through stuff on the kitchen table today to put it on eBay. I spent the day at home after a rough morning with a sinus headache. The afternoon was okay. One more listing then I'll wrap it up for the evening. It was quieter online today with Mudcat in radio silence.

Linn, I read on facebook about your finished t-shirt quilt. I hope you'll post photos somewhere soon.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 25 Aug 14 - 10:56 PM

Betty,

Thanks for the link....a very cool idea indeed! Like SRS, we use a tarp but who's to say someone else wouldn't like the idea of a cloth tarp....after all its much easier to wash and lug around than a big old tarp!!! Thank you!

Mission completed at Bass Pro and a little adventure with Jeremiah to a new to me quilt shop where I picked up some fabric to make some Halloween log cabin runners. :) We also found a new Salvation Army and scored a Willa Cather book and a Spirograph boxed set that is nearly complete. Jeremiah loves to draw so I think he will have fun with this..I sure did as a child!

I've been invited to an annual barn quilt making event (I went last year too) but it coincides with my WW meeting so I'm going to venture out and try a new meeting on a different day with different people this week..could be fun!

Sweet dreams to all,

Michelle

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Aug 14 - 10:46 PM

Yes I know!

~S~

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Aug 14 - 10:32 PM

Dorothy, via a magical time warp, inhabits a large portion of space at any given time - she's always planning ahead and coming or going between those places! I hope the wallet activity works out well.

Odd things are unfolding at work. No way to describe it succinctly, but it sounds like another round of job changes is coming up soon. We've lost so many people because of the debacle of a "reorganization" and now, one year out, they're trying something new. I think we're all at this point trying to simply hold onto a paycheck.

Taking it easy this evening; it was a busy weekend, so maybe tomorrow I'll get back to decluttering. It's time for the amber glasses and early to bed.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Aug 14 - 08:33 PM

DP you're probably the person most able to relate to living in two places at once!

~S~

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Aug 14 - 08:06 PM

City:
Well, I live in Canada and the difference is overwhelming. When I talked to the first woman at the Ultramar, she was just so Ontario country; the next one was her daughter in law and the manager was - not bright enough to not tell the PO it was someone else's card! So I shall be giving thanks to Sherry, Julia and Charles when I stop for gas later this week. Maybe I will give them each a small pot- their choice from the $10 basket. My wallet was in the house when I got home a few minutes ago. Every item was there, even the stamps! Only missing the cash and I have no idea how much there was; less than $100 I think.

A couple years ago, I must have left the car unlocked here in the city and my wallet was stolen. A homeless man found it in the trash and had someone phone us. R went to fetch it and gave him some cash. That time I had to cancel and replace things, even my driver's license. Someone has suggested photocopying both sides of each item. But now I think there are things I might keep elsewhere - like my Quebec health card. Quebec bureaucracy is so horrific that I do not even want to go there. Life is so full of learning experiences.

Susan's project is amazing!

I planned the trip back to the city to watch Big Bang only to get here in good time, unload the car and turn on the TV - the Emmy Awards. Phooey! I could have stayed and did some more work. All weekend production is completed and drying. But I miss-organized. Had I thrown new lids for teapots FIRST, they would have been dry enough to finish before I left. Next week. If I do them on Tuesday, they should be fire-able by Thurs and glaze on Friday. Another big show that weekend - for fun you can google Roxham Woolgathering. It is held at an OLD farm in the middle of no where, in southern Quebec near the US border, and draws people from Montreal and the US, in droves! This is the 22nd year.

R is still at work. The library is closed. Nothing on TV worth watching so it is back to the computer. Maybe I will be inspired to cook something but the inspiration better come soon; the stores will soon close. Maybe I will just relax.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Aug 14 - 06:16 PM

First of two barrels packed and out. Loading layout for trailer starting to form in my mind. I was lucky to get two 6x20' vented, woven-nylon truckers' tarps this summer to cover all. The cheap poly tarps don't take the wind well. No more of them!!!

I spent the whole afternoon de-spicing a coffeegrinder we had used for Indian cooking. Need it to grind coffee in Ohio. I can't believe how spice-oil greasy it was!

The second barrel and a few boxes will fill fast and be out of my LR by the end if the week. That makes next week's MIL cleaning right on time. I hope to have helpers to srsly clean the LR; we can handle the rest.

It's time to pitch some cheap, beyond-cleanability rugs and throw down the last set we'll ever put I here. Last night we reviewed our memory of how often these have been replaced.... each has lasted a good five years of walkoff-mat life in this mudhole of a prooerty so the new ones should hold up till Hardi retires. A nice touch will be taking the blue ones from the DR and putting them into the blue kitchen to replace the ugly stripes thst I will send out to Dog World to inhibit weed growth. The bathroom rug being replaced will fit their kitchen corner before snow flies. I still have their old corner rug to usexas a pattern, after the old bathroom rug serves as a pattern for the new one.

Hallelujah!!!

~S~

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Aug 14 - 12:29 PM

Dorothy, has it occurred to you that the wallet story may be a story - is someone trying to delay you from cancelling your cards? I looked back to see:

Yesterday, I went to the country to get the tailgate repaired; we have had to use bungee cords for weeks while waiting for parts. With an overdue oil change, over $700! For de-cluttering the pocketbook, add about another $100 due to leaving my wallet in a gas station (four hours away!) on the way home. The very good news is that nothing was missing but the cash and they are using my debit card to pay for returning it by 2 day mail! We will stop there for gas and to give them our super thanks when we go that way in two weeks.

I'd cancel every card, get the debit card reissued, and report this as a theft. A friend lost her wallet and stopped the cards but not the checks because nothing was happening on that account. On payday, Bam! There was a hit to take out as much as they could. The cards may have been left in the wallet to lull you into thinking the information wasn't all captured. If it was out of your sight, replace and report it all.

Betty, the burden cloth looks like a great product! Sometimes I use tarps to move things, most often the wheelbarrow or a large trash can, but when stuff is just bulky and not heavy, this would be much faster and easier. (And who in this group hasn't gathered up the front of a large t-shirt, skirt, or apron to collect things in the garden rather than go back to the house for a box or basket? It's a natural!)

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Aug 14 - 11:52 AM

Country:
The wallet never arrived and when I phoned the guy who mailed it to see if he had the tracking number, he had put it in with the wallet! So I left w/o wallet. If it arrives today, I am here and will have to pick it up tomorrow at the PO.

The weekend event was wonderful but I sold half as much as last year. The woman doing machine embroidery also did half of last year. Sign of the times. Lots of visits with friends and two gorgeous days. I threw a bunch of pots which I need to go finish shortly. I was so exhausted on Sat that I phoned R on his way down and we met at a restaurant for supper. I was in bed before 9. Sunday, he helped me pack up; it was hotter and I threw fewer pots, staying out of the sun in the early aft. I managed to cook rice, we had pre-made "Indian" for supper and I was in bed by 9.

Another couple long emails re land co-op, and responses. I hope to get back up there on Weds and try to be an intermediary in mediating with, at least, one of the frustrated persons involved; although I have not seen him in 20 years, I am hoping that our past relationship is still remembered as positive. R wants to stay in Montreal to attend a conference re architecture and old buildings.

Our friend is in a bit of a down as only myself and one other have responded to his request for input. So this morning, I tried to buoy him up as well. New beginnings take time and much effort, patience, diplomacy.

Message from wife of artist friend informs he is building a frame for new painting!! I would have thought the painting would come first but he must have a vision. So I messaged him to say "YAY" and encourage the application be sent. The Gallery is booked through 2015.

Michelle! My 75 year old friend in Ontario is still logging and providing winter wood to many families! He is also taking, and filling, orders for hand-hewn timbers. When I was a newspaper reporter, I was covering a 60th wedding anniversary; the husband still cut a winter's wood each summer, even though he and the wife went to Florida for the winter! I would happily unload and stack firewood. The 50 pound boxes of clay get to me - after the first one! Vanessa says she will pick up the next load - YAY!

I am working my way through the accumulation of dirty dishes here. Have not been here long enough over the last month to take time. But I am almost to the bottom now - a dish drainer load at a time. Laundry triaged to go back to city. Enough of this computer stuff. To the studio, I go.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Bettynh
Date: 25 Aug 14 - 11:25 AM

Michelle, an online friend made these to sell at farm markets in Oregon. There are some picture of construction details here, A lghter-weight version would work well for picking up kids' toys (Legos!) as well. Her daughters are carrying on, I see. TimlesEnt once travelled to her 50th college reunion by bus (from Oregon to Vermont), stopping and staying with AOL gardeners the whole way.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Aug 14 - 10:46 AM

Maryanne, that is good news! Don't worry about reading back issues, jump in and join us. It cycles through topics so don't worry about bringing up something already hashed over.

The defunct chipper is now back at the store and the price credited back to my card. Good. That was a bulky bit of cardboard, metal and plastic out in the garage.

Back to a normal work week since the semester is underway. And today around the county many K-12 students are back to school. The drive in to work will now be earlier and depending on the route, slower, as each elementary school adds a bottle neck along the route.

My hands are a mess after working in the yard, getting some kind of sting or bite, bringing up blisters from mowing, and dermatitis from food allergies. Time to avoid chocolate, coconut, etc. and stick with dry red wines if I'm going to drink wine at all.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: MAG
Date: 25 Aug 14 - 02:35 AM

i'm never going to get this entire thread read;
hello to you all; over the summer i've managed to release a few (just a few) pounds.
decluttering my mind some more, too, these days. happier than i've been in years.

MA

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Aug 14 - 12:07 AM

I messed up my kitchen with a variety of cooking projects. It was a hot day to do it, but I'm both on a budget and trying to stay with the alternate day fasting and taking a healthy lunch with me to work means I'm less tempted to 1) spend money for lunch or 2) eat something not so healthy.

I started this hours ago then walked away from the computer. Susie came by and we had a light summer dinner of a cheese quesadilla each, a salad, and a slice of warm homemade bread. We washed it down with a bottle of Martinelli's sparkling cider. The dishwasher is running now and other stuff I was working on is put away. My zucchini casserole is for lunches and the batch of black beans for various things. Three jars are in the freezer and one in the fridge to use tomorrow.

After she left I grabbed my towel and soap and headed for the back patio. A friend this week mentioned his outdoor shower, and I realized I hadn't put mine to use at all this year. I have a showerhead set up and it's next to the hose with a shutoff valve. It's wonderful in hot weather to take a shower in semi-warm tap water. The only time you can get the thrill of a slight chill out of doors in August in Texas. With no lights on, no view from neighbors, and the woods behind the yard, it is private. I have to remember to bring in the soap or Zeke would eat it.

Michelle, we also have a few things that have been replaced with a policy like the Bass Pro folks have. You can add L.L.Bean to the list. Over the years I think we replaced my son's school backpack twice. I've replaced sweaters and parkas through there also. It sounds like you have a great ritual for the socks! Eddie Bauer used to do that, but I don't know if they still do.

For your quilting business you might be able to get some bounce from a blog, and if you have a Google account you can set up a Google+ page for yourself and spin off one for the quilting business. A friend of mine in West Texas (the folks I stayed with for a week while my transmission was being gold plated, or so it felt by the bill) has a large quilting machine, it fills a room and is programmable. It's a hobby that she has kept up over the years. I don't know if she has sold many, but she is always making quilts for friends and baby showers and such.

Back to work tomorrow, and I'll drop off the expired wood chipper at Harbor Freight (for a refund) on my way home. One more bulky thing out of the garage.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 24 Aug 14 - 10:46 PM

Purple Acorn Creations was born a few months ago but this summer has thrown us a few curve balls so my official opening isn't until Tuesday. I am not going to have a storefront but rather will sell items on consignment at local stores, FB sale sites, seasonal craft fairs, etc.

At the moment, I am focusing on smaller ticket items as people really just don't have available cash for big beautiful quilts...at least not many people. I have had a few requests for quilts for custom orders. I think most people are shocked at the price of a quilt of any size but with good quality fabric running $8.50 a yard and up, plus long arming....yikes. So yeah...I am sticking to smaller ticket items. As things are perfected, I'll be making an album on FB so you can all see. I'll be having a website as well but for now, my opening day will consist of sewing, sewing and more sewing. :)

Today was another wood delivery one of which I helped to unload, the other was at a weird angle and better handled by one person unloading.

We added a boar to our little farm today.   I think we've settled on the name Elwood....but since both my boys are sleeping, I'll wait to confirm that in the morning. He is the beginning of our little homestead being able reproduce our pig population on our own. Bonus? He came from a farmer neighbor...great folks.

Tomorrow Jeremiah and I will take a little road trip to huge Bass Pro shop where a few years back I invested a lot of money in some special socks for Pete. He wears them out so quickly and requires something that wicks away moisture very well. So..I think the socks were $14.00 per pair and I picked up 8 pairs. Here's why....Bass Pro will replace them for life. LIFE. Once a year I go with his old, well worn socks and pick up brand new ones that don't cost a penny. It is about an hour from where Pete works but I don't mind the drive and they have a huge, lifelike fish cave where Jeremiah loves to watch the fish, :)

On Friday both Jeremiah and Pete got their hair cut. Jeremiah has his cut close on the sides and back with it being slightly longer on top (NOT a Mohawk). Pete had his ponytail cut off. He has had it for years and years...it had gotten quite long and he decided it was time to have it cut, saving the actual ponytail to donate to Locks of Love in honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (in September). I have to say.....he was handsome before the haircut but oh la la....Mama LIKES!!!!! ;)

Sweet dreams everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Aug 14 - 07:34 PM

I can't believe how far I am on the September Packlist and the first barrel is only half full!

This trip seems to have a subtext of candles-- a pair of small wall sconces and their candles; a candle-stick lamp, shade, and bulb; two electric window-type candles (those tiny bulbs on electrified candlesticks)-- all to sprinkle around the Ohio house to soften the hard look left over from the first several loads/trips, which focused on furniture to sit on and sleep on.

My pitch-or-wash cleaning cloths are heavenly. I decided that I'd rather do aromatherapy than clean per se, so I added leftover cinnamon and nutmeg oils. I have begun using them and it is SO NICE (and so nice on the hands, too).

Also de-junked a few LR/DR areas by snatching up dusty linens to cover the pretty Ohio tables (it's an almost dust-free house). With each item I pack, I am de-knick-knacking its room of origin. It's a delicate balance-- the Ohio house is so open and uncluttered that I don't want to take too much there. But until we retire and move out of this house entirely, we will be able to enjoy both homes relatively uncluttered and easily cleaned.

Once we retire, the whole PA-houseful will go to Ohio and we can decide there what to Yard Sale or Goodwill away-- it's not until then that Hardi will really know which items he wants to keep forever. Oh, I can see that for my own items, but he's working fulltime with no time to dwell on hard decisions. And we do have a lot of stuff-- we blended two complete households when we married, and then when we moved into this big 3-family house 20 years ago, we were glad we had kept as much as we did, to furnish it for the kids and for MudGathers.

Our pension plan includes a huge moving allowance the year he retires from active, fulltime parish ministry. So we will move a lot then, and Hardi will take great photos to frame memories of keepsakes he decides to let go of, when the Big Van dumps it all into the Ohio garage!

My Ohio habits came home with me-- my PA kitchen has stayed sparklingly clean since we got back. Must be time to mess it up with a Meat Sale (bulk cooking) party with MIL!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Aug 14 - 02:34 PM

It was a "spot mowing" job today, going over the few areas where grass is green (near the soaker hoses). After watering the foundation in the back I'll target water a couple of trees in the front. I have officially reached the point where I have had enough of summer. It's old now. Too hot, everything is stressed from the dry heat. Miss watering a potted plant one day and it's crisp the next. How is everyone else doing? I've read of a couple of folks on facebook who have already switched to small heaters and a duvet for the bed. Not the case down here, not for weeks and weeks yet.

Assembling stuff for the curb now, filling the trash cans with objects that don't recycle and don't sell on eBay. Next month is our "bulky waste pickup" but I don't have that much so there is no point in waiting.

I found a turkey wing forgotten in the freezer that is in the roaster oven now. Meal and/or to go into something else. I'll be in the kitchen the rest of the afternoon, I think. Cutting up peppers for the freezer, making more refrigerator pickles, and maybe this evening advancing to a batch of jelly.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Aug 14 - 11:48 PM

Michelle, do tell! Purple Acorn Creations? You've kept those cards close to your vest! And isn't is fun meeting people in that way as today's wood delivery? I remember you told us about being stranded in a snowstorm a year or two ago, I think, with an elderly woman who fed you and Jeremiah? I thought that sounded like a great relationship to follow up on. Anyway, are you going to create a facebook or Google+ page for the Creations workshop?

So far I have a tall kitchen bag full of shredded papers and I'm not through the stack of stuff that needs filing and/or shredding. Lots of dishes washed and put away and laundry underway. Yard work in the morning before it gets hot, then the afternoon is open. I might make jelly. There's nothing like pots of boiling water in the house when it's 100+ degrees outside.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 Aug 14 - 05:47 PM

I went along for the ride to deliver another cord of wood today but when we arrived, instead of me helping, the gentleman came out (I'd say he was 75+) and said he'd help unload. I asked if he was sure and he said he was old but not dead...LOL. He cracked me up. So....I didn't get my upper body workout today but I did make some new friends. :) Another quilter to boot!   YAY!

In other news, my quilting room is looking stellar! Purple Acorn Creations will officially open for business on Tuesday. YAY!

Back to the studio I go!

Be well everyone!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Aug 14 - 05:04 PM

In order to put things away this afternoon, I've had to file a bunch of stuff. And in order to easily file, it has been necessary to purge and shred some of the old papers. I haven't yet found a couple of papers I've been looking for, but I've found a lot of interesting things.

I think success will be determined by the volume of the trash bags at the curb on Monday, and how much I toss in the village recycle bins this weekend. So far I don't see anything to donate to the thrift store. I have found some that can go in the compost.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Aug 14 - 05:01 PM

Had a great doc visit and confirmed NSAID dosage change and wt maintenance.

So much fun packing barrels. We've added painting out one LR wall to our upcoming orojects, prob when I get back. So art needed for Ohio is coming off THAT wall.

~S~

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Aug 14 - 01:29 PM

Susan, moving and planning and lists have been featured here this week also. My son and I brought home stuff from college last spring, and this week he took some of it as he packed his car for a to move to the northwest for a job. He left behind things that he can easily and inexpensively replace up there. So I now have duplicate stuff on my hands. Some can go into cabinets here, but I'll have to figure out where to share what I don't need. And I have several of those plastic lidded bins that he didn't take. I suspect that if any of us drives up to see him we can take requested items in these bins, so I'll stack them in the closet.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Aug 14 - 11:51 AM

This time of year the ants have been trying to move in. I had a piece of bread leftover from lunch I dropped into the bowl on the corner of the counter that this morning was ant central. A few puffs from the can of diatomaceous earth took care of them, plus a few quick swipes with a damp sponge to wipe out legions on the march.

It's hot day in a predicted sequence of 100^o+ days so most plants have shut down. Since I water a few areas I do have to mow a little, but I'll leave it for evening and instead putter in the garage and greenhouse. And pick up around the house. My daughter's birthday is next Saturday, and mine follows a week later, so we try to get together to celebrate. If the house is looking good we might have a few folks in. The only official thing I had to do re: this birthday was to renew my driver's license, and I did that yesterday.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Rumncoke
Date: 23 Aug 14 - 07:12 AM

The nights are getting cooler - I am seeking a mid weight duvet for our bed.

I know where all the heavy ones are - I took them with me on holiday to use as a mattress, and I found another lightweight one - it might be as well to use two light ones together, as they will fit, one at a time into the washing machine, but the heavier ones won't.

This morning I ate some bread - eating a low carb diet it is easier just to avoid all grains completely, but I thought it would be a nice change - but I can't say that it was something I'll do again. Boiled eggs and salad for lunch I think, then pork chops and mixed, low carb vegetables for dinner.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Aug 14 - 06:36 PM

Weight stayed the same this week and I'm good with that...it's a gift really! :)

Today I helped to unload a cord of wood and am about to go cook us a delicious healthy meal....even though my butt is whipped and I could stand to sit for an hour or so.

Onward!

:) Michelle

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Aug 14 - 06:07 PM

I hope your wallet arrived, Dorothy!

We're to the time of year when it's hot every day and is when we have to make a point of watering every potted plant well each morning or it will die completely by evening. Sometimes that happens even with the water. I picked a few cucumbers last night and forgot the plastic bin on the rock wall next to the garden. Good thing I found it early, a little lizard had gotten into the tub but it was too slick for him to get back out of.

New driver's license ordered, wallet decluttered of $25. They've streamlined the process so that it no longer an excruciatingly long wait. Other errands run on the way home. Now I'll work inside until six when I can run sprinklers in a couple of really dry parts of the yard. I don't care about the lawn but I want to keep the trees alive.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Aug 14 - 11:52 AM

City:
Mary: what SRS said!
SRS: "frittering away" means you had some time for you to relax! Enjoy it when you get it!

ME: still WAITING! Sewed button on R's trousers so they will stay up! Brought demo wheel downstairs, having gotten no pots made again this week. Ready to load the car as soon as wallet arrives. Biggest show of year this weekend. I want to get to mill and recharge my self so I can get up early feeling good. Maintain calm while waiting, she tells herself.

That temp screen door on the back door here, made a terrific difference. It is bound to the mill for the front door there but, after a visit from a squirrel - caught jumping off the K table yesterday, I put it here and determined it would probably keep out anything but a raccoon so I left the door open all night. Nice to have air - not the noisy AC. Cool today but rain not arriving. I will take the screen door to the mill when I leave as house will be closed all weekend. Will try to buy a second one along the way. This one was next to last at Home Depot.

I am chafing at the bit! Looking for useful things to do near front door. NOTHING! FB is getting boring or tiresome or both.

R surprised me with a "new" -company- truck this morning. Bright red with a crew cab and V-8 engine, basically to pull heavier trailer for business. It is so beautiful and clean but uses too much gas for casual use. 1998, $2000 at an auction.

I managed to get R to remove a handful of envelopes from LR floor and chairs to office. "Surely you have a place to file...!" Note: "Take food to mill."

PLEASE, Post person, come soon!!!!

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Aug 14 - 10:17 AM

Mary, is the car your only option if a tsunami strikes? Assuming enough notice these days, wouldn't there be some other way (a ride with a neighbor, call a cab) to get out of there? The car will just lose value and require routine maintenance in the meantime.

The heat of summer seems to be irritating folks all over the northern hemisphere. Lots of bickering in various threads, and a new one just started with an offhand remark out of context in order to apparently start another argument thread. Everyone needs to step away from the keyboard, unless it is a musical one. I'm about due for a weekend news blackout, everything going on in the world right now is enough to make one cranky.

This is my last four day compressed schedule week. I saved some gas by not driving to work five days a week, and I think the best I can say is that if I frittered away a day of my weekend I still had two in which to get some stuff done. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Aug 14 - 09:55 AM

I took off two very heavy hats today, and replaced a third with a smaller, lighter version. So of course now I can FLY!

~S~

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: mg
Date: 21 Aug 14 - 08:02 PM

I have to decide if I get rid of my car or not. I have it just parked with minimal insurance while I pay off a large visa bill...it will sit for probably a year in salty air but weather is pretty mild...vandals have been around and probably siphoned my gas tank since they used the property i help housesit for a siphoning operation...big property..100 thieves etc. could camp out here. Or regular people. I would need the car for tsunami evacuation. It has 220K miles on it and although it seems to be in good shape I am not comfortable driving long distance. I don't need it for regular activities...it could come in handy if I got a supplementary job which won't happen unless one falls in my lap. 1998 Intrigue..high miles but good repair..blue book is about 1300..I think if I got that I would take it..if best offer was under 1K I would probably keep it.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Aug 14 - 06:00 PM

City:
For about 30 years, worn out flannel sheets or nightgowns have been torn or cut into paper towel sized pieces. A pile in the K saves tons of paper and they take up little room in the laundry.

Waiting for my wallet to arrive (two day mail takes how long?) has had me tied to the house all day today. I managed to do a load of laundry, now put away. I spent a long time replying to the email which needed my best effort of caring diplomacy. I feel I made it and off it went. The recipient has about 30 years of frustration/anger to manage. I closed with the hope that this could heal and he could once again be part of the community of his childhood and young adulthood. I am sure it helps that I have not been a part of the painful years.

The rest of this day have been a bouncing up and down but afraid to leave the house, I moved the car and walked up and down the sidewalk a few times. I cannot even stop waiting now as Postal staff often work 'til late. A phone call to my quilting friend to give her info re art showing to pass on to artist husband, a message to her husband reminding him I would like to see this happen in my lifetime!

Several other shorter messages and viewing a few short videos. I am holding on to sanity. I am not good at waiting. I need an enthralling novel but I am clean out and cannot go to the library! Call to a more experienced potter last night elicited a - let go of those over-fired pots; they cannot be glazed. I have a couple possibilities but must be careful that they are permanently marked "NOT FOR FOOD". Responsible potting.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Aug 14 - 12:54 PM

When the kids were little I bought a large package of wash cloths at Sam's Club. They were moistened and used instead of regular paper or cloth napkins. We never got out of that habit, though now those old wash cloths (most of them still hanging in there) get used around the house for all sorts of things.

SRS

Subject: Home made disposable damp-dusting cloths
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Aug 14 - 11:57 AM

Cost of small pkg of pre-moistened dusting/polishing cloths, about $5.... NO!!!

Cost of Murphy's flax soap, about $5. YES, use all the time.

Cost of un-needed, cotton-polyester sheet ripped for washable OR disposable rags, $0.

Cost of pop-up-cloths-container for pre-moistened dusting cloths, left from nursing home care, $0. (Size of same determined size of rags ripped.)

WINWINWIN!

How I got to this approach was that I LOVELOVELOVE pre-wetted, containerized cloths for personal care and kitchen counter cleaning.

I also love Swiffers for maintenance dusting.

I use all those very sparingly.... when they dry out, I just add a little water to their container, and they are like new.

I was hoping to find a similar and CHEAP one for deep-cleaning of filthy furniture. So I re-purposed all of the above in about 1/2 an hour, and there you have it.

I'll soak the rags in Murphy's plus lemon oil, fold them into the plastic box, and add water as needed when they dry out. I'll have enough for this cleaning cycle to dispose of the and have plenty for ongoing use and rewashing.

But they'll live in a box easily identified and easily brought to the area of work-- and then PUT AWAY.

~S~

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Aug 14 - 09:50 AM

My PA living room is looking huge with that unworkable chair gone. It's sitting on the roomy front porch where, after I depart for Ohio, it will be picked up by a Freecycler. It can hold me while I direct trailer loading.

It also no longer blocks the space prev cleared when the cot left. That space (after I clean it) easily swallows up one or two containers at a time to pack for Ohio. The first items packed were a lamp and a musical instrument. There are many small items on my list to sweep up and add to these first containers, as I move thru the house to clean for MIL and my return a few weeks later from Ohio.

It looks like I'm over the hump of being able to live in a clean house whether I'm in the 3-fam barn in PA or the my-size Ohio house. Til now it has never felt like I'd outlive this PA house!

~S~

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Rumncoke
Date: 21 Aug 14 - 04:49 AM

distracted from housework by a box of lambs wool, now I am making a bolero for myself. I need small things and layered clothing, and to finish off a few items needing fasteners - and some medium weight kilts as I have light and heavy and nothing in between.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Aug 14 - 12:26 AM

Very little material left the house with my son. A couple of the blankets he has used since childhood (and through college) are now bound for Seattle. They came from my great aunt's house in Connecticut and are certainly well-travelled! There is some virtual files (decrypting a hard drive with music and game files from high school took part of the evening) and all told I think a couple of cubic feet of stuff left. I'm going to discard or use some of the stuff he figures he can replace when he gets to the new place (rather than lug them up there). He'll probably come by the house in the morning for anything he forgot or to pick up a couple of the plastic lidded boxes we've used for moving stuff back and forth from school for the last four years. This evening we talked about cooking and about getting moved in and getting insurance - interesting and instructive when not made over-powering.

He's a great kid. And there is absolutely nothing to complain about - he earned a full scholarship to the university, graduated magna cum laude, and he has a good job with Amazon that starts in a couple of weeks. The world is his oyster.

SRS, basking in a job well done (parent-wise)

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Aug 14 - 02:55 PM

City:
News black out is great idea. During our stay in Ontario, we saw no news and I did not open the computer. Even though we were back late Monday (11 pm), I am still getting caught up.

Wonderful to hear all the stuff you guys are accomplishing! We each had a great peach at our friends' home and we bought a small basket of OK peaches to bring home. This am I cooked a small bunch of rhubarb from their garden. R still wishes I would use sugar instead of honey; I would have to buy it for the first time in 30 years or more! I hope he gets used to it some day.

Yesterday, I went to the country to get the tailgate repaired; we have had to use bungee cords for weeks while waiting for parts. With an overdue oil change, over $700! For de-cluttering the pocketbook, add about another $100 due to leaving my wallet in a gas station (four hours away!) on the way home. The very good news is that nothing was missing but the cash and they are using my debit card to pay for returning it by 2 day mail! We will stop there for gas and to give them our super thanks when we go that way in two weeks.   

The weekend was spent almost entirely in the area of our friends: Farm market, lunch at the Pantry across the road, where a friend works, wonderful potluck supper at that friend's home with her dad and his wife and our hosts - community building. We passed on the folk music at the "hotel"; bed was a priority. Sunday was bf with our hosts then they took us to see a hunt camp for sale and we toured the land coop (about 250A) with them, walking back to the beaver pond - lovely!- and getting some more history and current update on WWWW...

Back at the house for lunch, we talked about it more and I told them I had written to ... to address one of their "difficulties" but had not yet looked for a response. Their concept of where they want to go with the coop is evolving and we are happy to be a part of watching it grow into a cohesive future. I am sorely tempted to be a part of it. When I told L that I am preferring a south facing hill for an earth sheltered cabin, she said there were such at DF. Almost an invitation.

This morning I phoned and apprised Les of the response to my email - positive. Not as much as she would like but I encouraged her to live with it as R and I both feel it is very hopeful. I have not yet responded; it takes considerable thought and diplomacy. Maybe later today. We also considered how to fit R and I into a sleeping accommodation during the "work weekend" - labour day. Told her we want to help with the work and meet more of the people.

Sunday night we drove further north for a terrific visit with my, artist and quilter, friends. Pat is working on two quilts for a show in Sept. Bob, I am encouraging to have a show at the Art Gallery; he is seriously considering it! So Monday, after the volunteer meeting at the Gallery, I inquired about process and will message both Pat and Bob re process and more encouragement. I really want to see this happen before he gets much older. And it has him thinking about doing more art to prepare for a show!

After the very well run meeting, at which there were several friends and acquaintances, we went looking at land for sale and back in town, we bumped into a friend who encouraged supper at "The Granite". (And could we bring her bagels from Montreal?) We had a good meal and set off down the road back to Montreal.

While waiting for the car repair, my potting friend stopped by and we chatted. She did a "bisque firing" that was to the wrong cone which will make pots very difficult to glaze. Those of mine were particularly difficult for me and I am not happy. It may be that the book in which I record was not clear to her. Today I ordered 6 boxes of the clay the supplier does not keep in stock. She is willing to make the trek to pick up supplies so I can look forward to not needing to do that. I also encouraged her to spend more time practicing rather than "wasting clay" on not very good pots.

Now I am trying to get the energy level to go make pots. The bedding is washed and out on the drying rack in the beautiful sun light. I even managed to carry the feather bed out to get a couple hours of sunshine. And pulled some weeds each time I went out to check on drying. It is fall in Montreal.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Aug 14 - 02:38 PM

The pickles and eggplant are done but the jelly might be this evening. My son is replacing some jars he never returned (left behind) from college.

Yet another colleague has announced a new job and leaving this library. That means 23 people of our just over 100 member staff have left since our dean committed the reorganization. The new semester starts tomorrow with lots of new equipment in place, but the upgrade running so late that no one will have been trained to run any of it. Will. Not. Be. Fun. Me - I intend to wear my library t-shirt and my official nametag and go outside the library with an armful of maps and red pen and help people find the classroom buildings they're looking for. They're so very grateful to have a friendly face show them where they need to be.

SRS