Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 05:34 PM

With the world coming to a hard boil lately, in everywhere from Missouri to Iraq to the Ebola-ridden African continent, it feels like time to impose an (at least) one day a week news blackout. Just to give my brain a break from all of the horrible news.

I'm heading out early today (comp time for overtime last week) and am going to heat up the house with baking eggplant and making jelly and pickles.

There is a large piece of garden equipment I need to declutter back to the store, along with the receipt. Maybe I can work on that this evening and return it tomorrow morning.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 12:51 PM

Annual rotation of furniture underway, a little more complex due to second house being so far:

. Boondocker cot goes to vacay hse for niece/neph visits. ..
. LR mini-recliner goes to van for chairnaps in transit... long trips planned. ..
. Porch recliner comes to LR for short sits. It's not as comfy but my TV times now is nil and I can climb to BR now for naps....
. Somedamnwhere is a spare zero-grav chair for porch-reading in the few warm wks left and for next summer. Also have iron rocker if zero-grav not extant....

I have learned what sz and style of recliner actually works for my wide but short frame, for Goodwill hunting.

Therefore one totally wrong chair goes to the front porch for Freecycling. Now!

~S~

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 12:28 PM

I spent the evening clearing a bit of malware out of my computer. It came in with an update of freeware I've used for years, dug in like a tick and I had to scan with Malwarebytes to get all of it. (It had no check box to accept or not). There was one fragment extant when it finished, so I ran System Restore overnight. I was going to evaluate the updated version for a work project, but I think I'll pass on that now.

The dogs and I went for a walk this morning and I am reminded that I need to find some wheat-free treats to put in my fanny pack I wear for our walks (with plastic bags, an spare leash, and dog treats).

Planning to make batch of babaghouj and a jar of refrigerator pickles this evening.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Rumncoke
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 06:10 AM

The air is cooler, nights almost chilly. Summer is fading - a few of the blackberries are ripe, the apples are enlarging and changing colour.

I did not put away a couple of long sleeved things after sorting through a bag of stuff - just cotton things but they might be needed in the next month

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Aug 14 - 10:55 PM

Patsy, when my father died he and my mother had been divorced for many years, so what she thought wasn't an issue (but she would have agreed): I took a couple of large moving boxes and filled them with pairs of shoes (keep count) and pants, shirts, and jackets (also keep count) and took them to a local thrift store. I was able to get a considerable tax advantage from that donation, but even better, they received shoes and clothing in excellent shape that they could use for the shelter that they sponsored. Too many older men end up in there.

The thing to realize is that giving away the possessions doesn't mean you're giving away your father. You're sharing the wealth. You may remember things, perhaps stories, as you go through the garments. I kept a couple of sweaters and a bunch of his folk festival t-shirts, and my children wore those for sleep shirts for many years.

Ask yourself if your father would want you to be loaded down with the various things from his lifetime. Probably not. As parents get older some of them try to sort it out, others don't. But they wish the best for their children and I suspect he wouldn't want you to worry about this, if human nature can be relied upon.

That said, it has been many years since my father died, and I still have some of his music collection, that I will one day donate somewhere appropriate.

Good luck with the process. These threads are here because over the years a lot of people have needed to air the difficulties of managing surplus stuff. They came by it through various avenues, but inheritance is the most common. Keep posting if you need to.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Aug 14 - 10:33 PM

Walked about 3 miles today. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 18 Aug 14 - 06:44 PM

I am in the middle of forced decluttering because I am moving again into a new flat and at the same time going through some of the remaining things of my late dad. Although it is about 18 months now since he passed away it has still been hard to finally remove everything. It would be an opportunity to do this and I suspect that my mother would not even notice that his clothing was gone, because of his poor health he was in a separate room anyway but I still feel that I need her approval for it to go. I thought it would be easier as time went by but it is as hard as ever to collect it up together and take it to somewhere where it would benefit someone else.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Aug 14 - 02:43 PM

I was walking through the construction area in the library today where there are a lot of trades folks finishing up work. I watched and learned a couple of useful things while I was up there. I have a sheetrock patch I need to put in and now I know how to do it. I've seen a carpenter friend do it also, but this way would be easier (trimming down a larger piece of sheet rock but keeping the surface paper in place a couple of inches beyond the patch in all directions so you can use mud to attach the patch and then sand and paint).

Lately I've caught myself looking at the beads and pendants on eBay - always fascinating, but I have materials I haven't used yet, so what I really need to do is get out the stuff I've accumulated over the years and plan a few trinkets. I think Jeri indicated that she's doing some beading - I hope you'll tell us what you're up to. It's still all-out summer here, but what with people talking about the arrival of autumn, it's time to think about indoor activities that use extant beads and findings.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Aug 14 - 10:29 PM

Chores never seem to be just one thing, they are part of a sequence. Any time I need to empty the ~3 gallon compost bin beside the back door I first take the bucket and scooper thing around the back yard and police the dog droppings. This way when I burrow into the compost pile for a recess for the compost I can dump dog poop on top and the dogs leave the mashed up food alone. The top dressing for this mix is some of the grass and weeds from elsewhere in the pile. Just before all of this I clear out the bins in the fridge (for anything needing to go in the compost), resulting in emptied fridge containers to wash. Lately even though I've used up tidbits the fridge is still very full. I'm taking a bucket of peppers to work tomorrow to deal with that over-supply, and after taking a brick of frozen mashed bananas from the freezer there will be a loaf of banana bread for my coworkers tomorrow (it smells heavenly right now in the convection oven).

Someone sent a query about my chandelier on eBay. That doesn't imply a sale is imminent but at least someone is reading the ad. I have a bunch of stuff to list (accumulated, but I didn't get to listing it yet). Doll house furniture, old collectibles, things that are literally collecting dust around here).

Some dishes seem to have crept out of the cupboards and smeared themselves with food while my back was turned. As a favor to myself tomorrow morning I'll wash these (by hand) and let them drain in the dishwasher.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Aug 14 - 09:17 PM

Yesterday I rearranged the kitchen water and dish-washing setup. The DW died awhile back and no sign of a replacement yet, so I moved the sink-side 7-gal spring-water and Brita department to a counter that used to hold a panini press we got bored with-- and set up a large dish drying rack in a large re-purposed plastic bin to catch the drips. This also pout the bottled water supply in the same general direction it occupies in the Ohio house.

I also enjoyed keeping the kitchen I'd cleaned pre-vacay clean for a change. I splurged on a pack of the pre-moistened cleaning cloths I use in Ohio to keep that kitchen OR clean.

I got started setting up containers or the next load of Ohio stuff.

~S~

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Aug 14 - 03:57 PM

Stilly,

I am just the opposite of you. Normally I run the dishwasher but for whatever reason, lately I am hand washing everything. :) It's kind of meditative for me.

The wood is done for the day, corn has been shucked and is ready for dinner, errands run (Walmart, hay, Agway, Mom's house to share corn) and I'm headed outside to sit under the umbrella and cut beans for freezing....well...in a bit....the sun has come out and it's pretty warm. Pete is napping (my honey works HARD), the dog is napping, Jeremiah is busily playing with Legos (he made out like a bandit today...our last wood customer gave him an icy pop, our friend with the hay gave him 2 homemade molasses cookies and our sweet friend at Agway gave him a bag of popcorn). I think it's time to put my feet up, kick back and play a game or two on the computer (mindless fun). I'll take photos soon if I can figure out what the heck I did with the camera! ARG. :)

Enjoy the day ya'll! :)

Michelle, formerly from the deep south ;)

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Aug 14 - 01:45 PM

Your kitchen sounds lovely with all of the colors and textures of those baskets of produce, Michelle. I hope you'll take a few photos and let us enjoy your garden vicariously. I've had the dish pile-up also; I usually hand wash but this week I've used the dishwasher to move them all out of the way in a hurry.

We have a rainy cooler day today and I've been out hunting for cucumbers (two on the plant with smaller cukes, and I'm glad to see the burpless vines are perking up. I may have a fall crop). I've also started a project I've threatened to for a while - I dug up some of the native horse herb that grows in patches all over my back yard. I'm going to try creating a bed of it in the front. It's pretty tough, it can be mowed and bounce back. The only down side is that it goes dormant in the coldest weather. It seeds itself, so I'm going to try planting it in alternating squares and letting it spread. It seems to tolerate shade so I'll start in a bed that has become shady over the years. Photos and blog comments will follow on the organic gardening site where I'm active. I'm also thinking about doing this with the native purslane that springs up around the yard.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Aug 14 - 09:02 AM

At this time of year when the produce is super fresh and coming into the kitchen all the time, I have baskets and bowls of all kinds of things. My kitchen is so full and busy that it tends to fall into a disorganized, cluttered mess with far too many dishes. Last night I took care of that. All the dishes are clean and while my counters are still full of corn, yellow tomatoes, red tomatoes, red and yellow cherry tomatoes. Green and yellow beans abound as well as fresh garlic.

Today I'll be throwing more wood....another cord to be exact. I'm thankful for these cooler days...it makes the wood that much easier to take care of.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Aug 14 - 11:06 PM

I rearranged my pantry shelves and moved in the new tomato products. So far have 2 cases from this summer's garden, pints and half-pints mixed. Every little bit helps. There are also 3+ cases of peaches and In the process I found a few jars of things I'd lost track of (green tomato relish, salsa, etc.)

The kitchen is looking okay considering all of the traffic. I cut up jalapeno and green bell peppers this afternoon. Each is on a large baking sheet in the freezer, and will go in seal-a-meal bags tomorrow. Time to make some pickles soon also. My cucumber plants are getting larger and I am attempting to pick cucumbers before they become huge because they make better pickles (smaller seeds are desirable). There is a standing set of canning tools in the kitchen for when the time is right.

Enjoy your adventures with fabric, Michelle and Rum! Congratulations on the move progress and the weight loss, Susan.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 16 Aug 14 - 03:29 PM

I went to a yard sale/benefit this morning and scored a brand new coffee pot for $3.00 and a dehydrator (still in the box and in beautiful shape) for $5.00. Later I helped to throw a cord of oak off the back of our truck. A quick stop at the local Amish farmer it get more corn (OMG is it GOOD) and also ordered 2 bushels to be used for corn relish and freezing. I'll be picking that up later this week.

My quilting room s looking pretty good and I'm just about ready to sew. I think that after a few more hours tonight it will be organized just how I a wanting it. I got a new ironing board cover and some material to make new curtains for that room too...I could easily stay there for days! I love my little sewing room!!! :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Rumncoke
Date: 16 Aug 14 - 02:47 PM

I found three bags containing pieces of high quality all cotton curtain materials, now I am longing to do some patchwork.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Aug 14 - 01:34 PM

The annual post-vacay fitness boost is in full swing. Example: an item requiring a coordinated, strong right arm overhead lift? Pre-vacay no could do. .. dropped it on my head. Post-vacay.... BAM! Annual physical Weds to measure weight loss. I was surprised, upon arrival at vacay hse, that jeans I'd left there went on at all--- expected them to be at least really tight. Loose! Then I was pretty active for 2-3 weeks so..... looking fwd to that scale!

The chores I left myself to do on return are going great guns less than 24 hours after return. A huge help this yr was the diatomaceous earth I took a minute to spread in the room the cats were left in for the catsitter's visits. No evidence anydamnwhere if fleas. Usually it's been a nightmare!

The annual MIL visit in Sept coincides this yr with a quick return trip to Ohio midmonth. This means pack for next load of stuff while doing fall's "spring cleaning." The porch will again collect items as I get to them. I brought back tge Ohio house's two 55 gal plastic bins. They have wheels. One at a time will come in to be filled.

I'm also looking fwd to the annual Trash Purge.

~S~

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Aug 14 - 12:30 PM

I've sold special occasion fabric on eBay (xmas holiday themes, mostly Santa). Letting go of extra yardage is a lot harder than clearing out knick knacks and spare furniture.

A box is waiting at the front door for the knock of my mail carrier. Disappointment in selling this doll/door stop figure, it didn't go for a vast sum, just the initial asking price. But it's out of the way now. I'll be listing a bunch of small items this weekend.

I've treated the garden for pests - my mix of molasses, Murphy oil soap, orange oil, fish fertilizer, and today I added some hydrogen peroxide to knock off any fungus that might be starting in there.

Time for general cleaning around the house. It needs it.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Rumncoke
Date: 16 Aug 14 - 07:41 AM

I opened up a cupboard where I had stored fabric - so much fabric!!

I can probably create a whole wardrobe of clothes from what I have in there and a few other places, with lots left over.

Perhaps I can sell some, to help our finances.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Aug 14 - 01:47 PM

Lucky grandsons! My kids go to various conventions and come home with hand-out trinkets with lots of characters on them. I tend to raid the stuff they leave (forget about) in their when I need small cases or straps for small electronics, so I'm carrying around a number of cartoon and anime characters with me.

Doing some work for work on my day off and will take some time next week. Someone asked for photos with only a day to spare for a deadline. I'll have to speak with him about giving me more time to work on these in the future.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Rumncoke
Date: 15 Aug 14 - 04:56 AM

I ate the last of the chicken for breakfast, and must go down to the supermarket for salad for lunch. Yay bus pass!

I have been gathering up the stray cones and packs of yarn - I have so much yarn - I am sure I could never knit it all even if I knitted every day. I will stack it in the roof space so as to (try to) keep it out of the way.

I will knit the DH a couple of jerseys as the weather will be changing soon, and perhaps make another for myself. The two grandsons would be delighted by Mario jerseys I'm sure - the knitting of the characters takes far longer than the whole of the rest of the garment, but their reaction is worth it. I did the elder one a jersey with Sonic the Hedgehog on it and he was so pleased. Even though I did an old version of the character.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 Aug 14 - 12:09 AM

Down 2.8 this week.
Had some fabulous corn on the cob for dinner tonight along with yellow beans from our garden....YUM-O!

I haven't done any quilting this summer but tomorrow I am on a mission to get my room ready to be in full swing. I have some orders waiting to be filled! HOORAY!

Sweet dreams!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Aug 14 - 10:39 PM

About 5 hours of shopping and no lunch. And a much less grandiose idea of what I need for a closet. One rod 10 feet long for clothes - will need at least one support. A second one down lower, and going only half way, for a shirt and pants section and the other end for the dress/skirt section. Another rod for drape - will also need middle support but I will use the light, white fabric I bought for the mill and the wonderful wood hoops with clips! that I found on sale at the Canadian Tire today. Also bought one tired looking pepper plant, with peppers - skinny green ones. I HAD to rescue it.

Stopped at a grocery and got some good pork on sale and cookies - but only ate 4. And green tea and eggs - I remembered eggs! Then stopped again for apples to make applesauce to go with the pork - done.

Came home and found Ikea catalogue had been delivered - FRENCH! So I went on line and spent a good part of the evening perusing one in English. Arrived at previous conclusion. Saw a few interesting things but not enough to make me rush off to that horror store - always crowded!

No R yet so I am going upstairs to see what needs to be done. HAH! I had a fantasy when I left early this aft that I would get what I needed, come home and fix everything and the room would be ready tonight. Ho, Ho, Ho!

Clothes are sorted and ready for trip to Ontario tomorrow. Hope for some good peaches!

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Rumncoke
Date: 14 Aug 14 - 03:56 PM

You have to do what works for you, I used to fast every Monday, and it threw me into a low energy state where I would sleep 11 or 12 hours a night for half the week.

I'm having chicken thighs and mushroom stir fry for dinner - I need to make potatoes and another vegetable for the DH though as he would moan if served with what I eat, plus I think he regards mushrooms as something toxic.

I have a hot air fryer - the smell of the cooking chicken is wonderful.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Aug 14 - 01:07 PM

I'm back to doing the alternate day fasting, though it is a couple of days a week, not every other day right now. There is a program from the British series Horizons that gave me the information (about 38 minutes in is the one I do). Eat, Fast and Live Longer. I am also making a point of getting to bed earlier. Those both help with weight loss (for me, anyway).

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Aug 14 - 12:45 PM

City:
Coveting Michelle's peach... It occurs to me that I shall be passing through southern Ontario tomorrow and might be able to find real peaches rather than the kind they export to Quebec!

I left two cookies for him but he did not eat cookies last night. Maybe I will get more today.
This morning:
Fix the incinolet (electric toilet for the mill) by the end of this month - a year is long enough to wait.
Pay the hydro bill TODAY.
Get roof fixed NOW - the fall rains have already begun.
Got agreement to a closet in the upstairs BR and assurance that the balcony is safe even though it looks like .... Phoned my go-to friend about getting a closet built. His upscale reno-ing son uses IKEA! Phooey. I will go shortly to Home depot to see what I can find. 10 feet wide and nine feet high, 35 inches deep or less. Need tracks for sliding doors - upper and lower, plywood shelf across, ...   Will make a fine closet - after I get him to move out the extraneous junk - and I will be able to put stuff away and use the room. And wake up in daylight instead of a cave.
But I forgot: Fix the upstairs heat.

Find paper and marker and put each item on a separate sheet and post in K - until the floor falls in. After four months of talking reno, he is digging in his heels. So I am going to move everything upstairs and MAYBE there will be a reno and I will have to move stuff again.

If the TV goes upstairs (BR is big) --- I was going to say the LR would be better but it occurs to me that we could move everything upstairs except the K and have a much more pleasant living space. And move the mini-studio downstairs. Upstairs has windows and a big skylight! It is bright and cheerful - except for the ceiling falling a little because the roof leaks!

OK, guys. Here I go. Thank you very much! If it were not for this thread, I would not have gotten here. Home Depot bound - and more cookies.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Rumncoke
Date: 14 Aug 14 - 10:59 AM

A sack of old clothes, stained and worn out things sorted and in the dustbin and another of things to wash waiting at the top of the stairs to be brought down to the machine.

I have decided to lose some weight - I have always been plump, right from being very small, but put on weight when being guided in what I ate by health professionals.

I can't eat lots of carbs and maintain my weight. When I do Atkins my weight drops easily - I feel well and energetic, my joints don't hurt. I do get a lot of negative advice though - but over time the science has been done and the poor Dr has been vindicated. By the time I am geriatric it will probably be compulsory to eat low carb rather than being considered a death sentence.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: GUEST,#
Date: 14 Aug 14 - 01:12 AM

I finally understand why the heron is waist deep in the river. It's winter and twelve below zero.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Aug 14 - 11:56 PM

My favorite recipe for baking powder biscuits uses water instead of milk, and they rise like a dream. Add a little cream of tartar and use water next time and see how they turn out.

I'll dig out the recipe and post it later.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Aug 14 - 11:40 PM

Nine pints of peach butter canned and the leftovers are in the fridge. I had hoped to make biscuits to go with it for dinner but ran out of milk....it will wait until tomorrow. In the meantime, I had some in my Greek yogurt. Mmmmm. Mmmm. GOOD!

Sweet dreams Everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Aug 14 - 08:30 PM

Dorothy, eat the cookies. It sounds like R doesn't deserve any today!

Michelle, I'm not surprised at all by your report - he sounds like he's coming along very well! And when I think about Jeremiah arriving I also think about you shaking off the last of the cancer.

Closing in on the last day of my compressed week, and I don't know if we'll get any more, I think it's back to 5 days 8 hours a day when the semester starts.

I've kept my shopping trips very small this month, there are only a couple of more purchases that need to be made (dog food and a dog Rx). The rest can slide or isn't necessary. I wish that May freelance job would finally pay - I'm hoping it comes in on Friday. I did use a few of my PayPal bucks for a pair of silver and carnelian earrings. They're lovely, but it was kind of an odd purchase. They came from India, cost $7.99 that included free postage. The guy sends them well-packed in a little plastic box in a registered parcel. Postage must be very inexpensive in India! The earrings are a good match for a string of faceted carnelian beads I bought a couple of years ago.

I processed more tomatoes last night, sauce and juice. I'm slowly accumulating a stash of garden produce for the rest of the year. I may cut up more peppers tonight, and it's time to start looking at pickle recipes (small batch). I picked up two boxes of the vinyl gloves I use when I'm cutting hot peppers and for various projects around the house where gloves are advised.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Aug 14 - 05:47 PM

City:
Warning: This has been written by a fed up woman.
Went down to the country to get car repaired yesterday. After I spent about 90 minutes waiting for my appt and for them to get going, they realized they only had one of the two parts needed. So I went to visit a couple friends, then to the restaurant/hangout and visited with a couple more, then to the mill where I finished unloading the kiln, had a quick bite to eat and went to writers' group., where we talked about just about everything but writing. One woman, with MS, is having a mold problem so I gave her a little bottle of tea tree oil to clean it. Came back to the city and fed us salads about 9 pm. An improvement over the night before when R came in at 1:30. That was beyond the call of duty. He ate a couple small yogurts and a cup of juice.

I am in a blue funk today. When I asked about the reno - the one that was supposed to start in April.... I could yell and holler and jump up and down --- and R would give me a hug, smile sweetly and.... Nothing would happen. But nothing is happening anyway....

That was after the phone rang at 8:30, giving me a headache - my brain cannot cope at that hour. It was stupid, who has been told repeatedly not to call my phone. Then R was on the phone interminably and then dashed off without bf.

Spent most of this morning trying, and finally succeeding in cancelling Skype in hopes they will not be able to automatically charge me for another year. They have done something so it does not work any more and give no help in the upgrade it says we need. While trying to cancel, I seem to have acquired a $10 charge that I phoned my credit card company about but not posted there yet. My PA son tried helping. He tells me to go to Apple and upgrade computer so I can use timeface. In the meantime. NO skype even though it is paid for and I deserve a refund. No such thing as customer service. Just waste our time with nonsense.

My PA son wants to bring my grandson to Montreal to visit McGill U. HE is that age!!! "My little darling"! Because I am here. R thinks it a great idea. Right! You think maybe in the next two years, the reno might be done and we might have a spare BR for an 18 year old?????

I do not want to be here. I am sick of living like this. I do not want another piece of plywood on the K floor; I want the major reno this house needs. I am FED UP. This house is major-ly depressing.

Raining all day so no walks. Feeling crappy so no pots. Took de-tox bath and wiped myself out completely. Hungry again and tired of trying to eat "properly". Have neither gained nor lost.

And I cannot even get a decent peach in Quebec. They always end up being dreadful. I want to drown my sorrows in choc chip cookies but then there would be none for R and it's too rainy to walk to the store. And I did not get a call that the part is in for the car so another weekend with the tailgate held closed with a bungee cord.

We are going back to Ontario for the weekend. Meet with our friends about Dragonfly, look at properties, visit other friends. I will be looking for a place to stay that is more civilized than here. R can fend for himself - eat yogurt at 1 am.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Aug 14 - 04:45 PM

Fall projects planned for Camp Ridgebury in need of any experienced advice include:

. Fill irregular yard hole with Spirea bush at center and bulbs flowing out into cavities left by roots removed with prev dead tree by sellers. Mulch.

. Paint patio/garage shutters to gauge color choice-- a rich red to contrast w wht siding n blk roof shingles. Add container/planters ready for spring annuals under that window.

. Continue garage cleaning/space allocation n add a few tool shelves at MY eye level... have wood n some brackets in hand. Replace missing ceiling bulbs. Maybe paint my wall w priming paint already on hand.

. Dog World, what next out there.... oh yes prune and fall clnup.

. Front flower beds: mulchitudinous decor

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Aug 14 - 02:46 PM

Jeremiah has one more year of Pre-K before he heads off to Kindergarten (oh my gosh...how has this happened?!?!?). He is a smart little cookie with a great vocabulary. I think that might have to do with the fact that we didn't do much baby talk with him....just a guess.

He knows his numbers, colors, alphabet and most letter sounds. He has not mastered the art of writing letters just yet although he does love to trace them. It will come and I'm not worried one little bit about that. He has decent manners, can identify just about any pick up truck in site and can identify over 30 type of flowers. He love to help and one of his current favorite things to do is to help pick blueberries and yellow beans. Last night he helped me husk corn and did a fine job of it! He has daily chores as we function as a team in this house. For example, all his toys are picked up and put away before Daddy gets home for dinner. He doesn't love that chore (of course) but he does do a good job. Jeremiah also clears the table at night of all silverware and plastic/melmac/paper plates. This morning he "made breakfast" which consisted of going to the fridge and getting a yogurt out for each of us. :) Spoons too! He was so tickled with himself!
    Like any 4 year old, he has his moments....however, he is very good at getting himself to time out (sitting on the stairs in the living room) and settles pretty well when he gets there (most of the time).
   I put his clothes out in the morning and he dresses himself...still struggles a little bit with some zippers and sometimes requests a different shirt but he is a pretty independent little being. No problems with shoes (Velcro), sandals, flip flops, etc. We haven't started to learn how to tie shoelaces just yet.
   He loves to splash around in the water, play in the dirt pile, g down the slide, ride his bike (with training wheels) and to RUN. Legos, Lincoln Logs, trucks and crayons are some of his favorite inside things to do (and to be read to). I think he's pretty typical in these things. :)
   I know you know that I could go on and on and ON but I thought maybe some of you would like to know how much he's grown. :)

On another note, I made peach butter today and it's in the crock pot as I type. I'll use it for some homemade biscuits tonight and will can the rest. I don't have many small jars so if I have leftovers, I will freeze the rest.

Love to All,

Michelle

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 13 Aug 14 - 02:12 PM

we have absolutely amazing apples on trees this year..so many i can't believe it..that is western wa...eastern wa is having its biggest crop ever i think they are saying. very long spring.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Rumncoke
Date: 13 Aug 14 - 09:23 AM

Last year my apple trees were in danger of collapse due to so much fruit, this year the crop is much lighter, about 1/6th or perhaps 1/5th of last year if they grow larger.

It all depends on the weather being warm and dry enough for the bees during the time the blossom is open - without the bees the crop is minimal.

One year when it was very wet at blossom time there were three apples on two trees.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: GUEST,#
Date: 13 Aug 14 - 09:18 AM

"I'm starting to wonder what would happen if I made the thing 3-d. Shoot me now."

Make it 4-d and you'll have solved yer problem.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Aug 14 - 01:36 AM

The creative process is interesting, isn't it? I tend to pull photos out of magazines or print them, and think about how I would make the item in question.

We've had a couple of not-so-good years for some regular produce here. Oh but for another summer like 2012 for the tomatoes! This year it is peppers that are thriving.

Does Jeremiah go to pre-school or kindergarten this year? I bet there is excitement building about that!

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Aug 14 - 09:42 PM

Hey Stilly,

   We can mostly our own vegetables but have to hit the local orchards for pears, peaches and apples. We normally have plenty of apples but this year there are few to no blossoms. The previous year was loaded like never before so perhaps this is just part of the cycle of the apple trees or maybe it is because of the ultra long and extra cold winter we had....I'm not sure. Our neighbors are experiencing the same thing.
   Tomorrow we are having a water testing company come in for the third time to test the water. Oil giant Shell Oil is getting ready to frack and drill yet another pad near our home. We are within 4,000 feet of this new pad and so Shell offers the service free to anyone within that distance. The law requires a much smaller distance but we are thankful that Shell goes that little bit extra. This means that I spent some time today making sure my sinks and faucets/surrounding areas are looking shiny and spiffy.
   I also signed up for a new quilting class today that starts in the middle of next month. I have the pattern and now it's time for the dreaming to begin...I like to let the pattern and colors mull around in my brain before investing in the fabric. It's one of my favorite parts of the progress
Tomorrow is an at home day for my wee little man and myself. I have the living room picked up (could use a dusting a little clutter control), the floor is all clean and lots of room for some yoga to start happening. :)
   We currently are enjoying daily bowls full of blueberries from our own bushes...Jeremiah LOVES to pick berries. Yellow beans are in their prime right now too....and oh how we LOVE them! I steam them and then serve them with a touch of butter sea salt and granulated garlic. Mmmmmmm.

And oh yes...we have a bear this year. I named him Willy.
Willy be back? Willy eat more corn? ;)

Love to All,

Michelle

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Aug 14 - 06:41 PM

Sounds like you have your hands full if "he will probably bring things home." All of the offices on my floor in this library were emptied for the summer two years ago so it could be refurbished and updated for fire safety. We all took lots of stuff home and cleared out things from our work spaces that people were allowed to take home (lots of old frames left over from donated art to the library Special Collections, for example). Heavy duty library binders (mudcatters Linn and Susan got most of those), various things that had gone out of fashion or would probably never be used again. It meant finding places to put my stuff I brought home plus the frames I thought I could use. I have framed a few things, but there are still a number of them leaning up against walls waiting to be used or stored.

I pulled a page out of a gardening catalog that has photos of some simple wooden racks and bins for vegetables. I may have mentioned here that a neighbor of mine (a recent widow who isn't snapping back to her old self very quickly) has a lot of power tools in a shed in her driveway. Her father was a carpenter and she accumulated these tools over the years. I've always wanted to ask her to teach me how to use them, but didn't because she had her hands full with her husband's illness.

Earlier this week I spoke with her and asked if she'd teach me how to use some of those tools - I have a few in my garage I've never learned to use. Her response was an immediate "yes!" - qualified by the comment that the shed is pretty hot right now. We'll wait till the weather cools a bit, but I'm looking for examples of things I'd like to build. She distinguishes between woodworker and carpenter, and I know I'm probably conflating the two, but anything I can learn will make future projects easier. And probably more polished in appearance.

Watching eBay as the week progresses - I time auctions so they end on my days off. I would like to ship out a couple of more items, and the cash would be welcome.

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Rumncoke
Date: 12 Aug 14 - 05:28 PM

I had a wonderful holiday, rushing about to different places to listen and sing, all very organised.

I go in a van, and always put things in the same places so I can find everything I need quickly and efficiently.

I drove home on Saturday morning, had a sleep and then unloaded the van, returned it to the hiring place, which is very close, very handy. I have put the camping things back where they should be, ready for next year, I must loosen the strings on my guitar - it gets used so infrequently these days and I do not want it to bow.

The washing is done, I have to iron and press my kilts and hang them up ready to wear.

I usually bite my nails - when at home, but they have grown quite a bit during my time away.

My husband's firm is closing down - going out of business, but he will probably bring things home so I need to clear out the back bedroom so he can make a workshop here.

I have already used the local Freecycle list to get rid of a pair of large curtains which used to hang at the French windows, and a lot of other stuff will have to go to make room. I am quite looking forward to it.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 12 Aug 14 - 01:51 PM

T-shirt quilt update: The quilt top is FINISHED! (No, forgot to bring the camera, so there are no photos.) I had two navy blue queen-sized sheets to use for backing, but they weren't long enough, so Carol remembered some striped fabric she had on a roll in the corner.

Well, THAT was even more work than sewing the last row in the middle today. Had to extricate it from the corner where it had been hemmed in by a bunch of craft items, cabinets, etc. on the sides and a bunch of boxes in front. Then had to try to grip the 60" roll and pull it out of the "well" in the corner.

Succeeded. Cut two sections out to be sewn together next week and Carol serged the edges so she can wash them without problems.

In theory at least, the quilt should be totally finished next Tuesday.

I stopped at my local herbalist's on the way home for a few odds and ends and told the young woman who works there about the quilt. She picked my brains because she's been thinking of making a quilt with shirts from her favorite band. Told her the options ranging from how we did it to the sew the squares directly together with the seam up (ruffled) method. She thanked me for inspiring her...wonder if she'll feel the same way after she makes the quilt!

Also bought some really ripe (!!!) peaches at a farm stand on the way home and I think I really need one cut up on a dish of ice cream right now.

Think I'll take the rest of the day off and read the book on Portsmouth, NH cemeteries that just came in the mail.

Linn

Subject: Camp Ridgebury Phase One Wrapping
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Aug 14 - 09:40 AM

Thanks DP. Pix at FB if u get bored and want the tour.


Camp Ridgebury Furnished, Phase I Wrap-up

When the job of "make camp" started in January '14, my job was cleaning up after my wonderful helpers, and feeding them. A Phase One foto album show where they put items for me, our many projects done and left undone-- and the need for a week's worth of straightening it all up (between long naps)-- after they left!!!

During that and subsequent trips Greg and I had fone mtgs to review progress n prioritize remaining $$ allocated. He was here for his first look in February (our first Valentine's here), and I was back again for 3 work-packed weeks in April.

Phase One is coming to an end as we prepare to depart later this week. We're leaving it substantially livable-- comfortably so-- with the main pieces of house furniture in place, and amenities for two plus guests where and how they need to be.

I see we're just about at the 100-foto mark and hmmm.... it took 9 months from the first unlocking of the door. That was a VERY big baby! Whew! Glad it's out! 

A September trip will either end this phase or start the next. Sept is all about the yard and my side of the garage. The house is set with storage improvements for the 2 55-gal cans-worth of miscellanea I'll haul down then. I leave a scooter here to start really street-meeting the neighborhood. We chose this area partly for its longer springs and falls, so I hope to shop the nearby retail with that instead of the van-- and hit the local rail trails with Biscuit, too.

~S~

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 06:12 PM

Michelle, will you be canning your own garden crops or are you bringing in bushels of veggies and fruit? Or both? Over on facebook this afternoon I posted a link to a photo from the 1930s, showing a cellar full of shelves of quarts of canned stuff. When I'm by myself I mostly can pints and half-pints.

Linn, so sorry the search for berries took you into harm's way. Fruit has been late here this year, is that the case with the berries? Or are the vines crowded out and gone? When I lived and worked in the woods (in Wa State) my rule of thumb was to stop and eat the berries when I found them. Chances were I wouldn't find them again or they'd be gone when I came back by.

Dorothy, if you get a headache, please promise you'll go get it checked out. Head injuries aren't something to be ignored, even if you have a hard head!

SRS

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 05:45 PM

Where oh where has this summer gone? I can't believe it's just about mid-August. Crazy.

I had some serious car troubles leaving me without a vehicle for all of July which is a problem when you live in the middle of no where and one of us needed the car for work 60 hours a week! We managed.

I've been enjoying Jeremiah who is a ball of energy and FUN....Lord that child has ENERGY!

I did some sorting out of things for the yard sale but mostly just daily chores have been kept up to date with (for the most part).

I am down 23 pounds since May. YAY. Lots more to go but it's a good start.

I see lots of canning in the near future...tis that time of year!

Love to All,

Michelle

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 03:40 PM

Okay. That's it.

Took a berry bucket but first got sidetracked pulling weeds. Then went part of the way out back. Should have taken the kitchen compost with me and emptied that while I was at it... Pulled some more weeds. Dragged some brush around.

Went way out back (tricky walking) to where the woods begins. No blackberries. But an incredible crop of mosquitoes. Got to get out there again one of these days and drag some brush up front where it can be disposed of. Also need to cut some of the scrub trees that aren't supposed to be in the clearing. (Russian olive -- invasive species. Been meaning to hack it down for several years.) Ah...the opening to the woods looked so clear and inviting! (Almost like a distant mirage or portal to a mythical forest.)

Decided I didn't want to chance West Nile or Eastern Equine Encephalitis from the mosquitoes, so came back into the house. Didn't bring the buckets or move the plywood... It will all be there tomorrow (after I get home from working on the quilt)...

I'm bushed, but I better go cut and chop some veggies for supper. I'm intending on pouring a margarita as soon as Jeri gets here, so I hope all I'll have to do at that point is mix the pie up and stick it in the oven.

Linn

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 03:32 PM

I made those avocado brownies last night. Simplified the recipe and they came out fine.

I simply beat, with a hand mixer, the ingredients, adding in order with good mixing between, esp the avocado to avoid lumps.

4 eggs
1 cup sweetener - (I used honey)
1 cup melted choc chips
half cup almond meal, half cup cocoa, teaspoon almond flavour
2 ripe avocados

preheated 350 oven. 8x8 pan. 30 minutes.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 03:25 PM

City:
Oh my! triggers! Blackberries, oh whidbey, neat! Oh! The last thing I did for my landlady before she fell and was whisked away to the hospital, never to be seen again - "look, Rosemary, fresh blackberries. I just picked them!" Trying so hard to get her to eat anything at all. 6 years ago and I still hurt to think of it.

Idea of sawhorses and a board is good but has to be small enough to fit in small car and stable enough for pottery. Thinking...

Susan seems to be planning very well with great determination!!

I unloaded and reloaded kiln on Friday. Nice load of sponge ware came out. Have not unloaded the new one yet. I had a good sleep and was up early enough to load car on Sat am and get to the Market in good time. When I was all set up and ready to start demo, I looked at a chair, thought it looked strange and----sat on it anyway. Then I lay on the tarmac saying, "Stupid, stupid, stupid......" Emu egg on head. I was carefully picked up and put on a good chair with ice for head - in the shade next to a lovely woman who kept moving me out of the sun. We had a great conversation for the next 3 hours. R found a friend to drive down with him. We packed up and went for lunch, then to the mill to leave the shelfs that I have to put on roof of car, and back to the city. R got nothing done at work.

My head came OK. But I could not drive safely with a left arm that would not move in some directions. But I only phoned for fear my head injury might be worse than it was. Proves what a hard headed woman I really am. It really hit hard on the edge of the curb and I did not even see stars!

I took lots of MSM for the pain and extra glucosamine and this morning, the arm in almost 100%. Better than before I fell. Yesterday we went to quaker meeting and came back to the house and R read all day while I read and computered and fed us. Also I walked to the library. And a LONG phone call with a woman about a raccoon she is trying to rescue from a well meaning human. She said she would phone back today and I dread it. She goes on and on. I need someone to yell, "Fire!" or something...

Today, I have not gotten away from the computer except to have lunch. A couple on line discussions took a lot of time. A good email re Dragonfly does not seem to need reply but good info before we go back on Friday. It sounds as though our friends are taking life in both hands and moving forward! It is even possible that the support we gave them last Sunday helped them. I was included in the email as one of those trying to help, referred to as "a Quaker firebrand who wants to help DF heal and offers mediation."??? There is a "work week" at the end of August which I think I can get to. Looking forward to this weekend visit to work on it some more, gain more clearness.

One of the most important tasks ahead is to de-clutter the property of a man who has filled spaces with a hoard of tools. A fragile man who will need to be treated very gently and given every possible support. He does not live there and his son has bought him a piece of land nearby so I am hoping for some sort of storage space to be set up and lots of physical support given in moving his treasures.

Now, I need to write something about "going home". Then get some pottery work done.

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 03:09 PM

I'll leave Ohio in full summer when we return to PA fall at the end if the week.

Today was close-the-camper and memorize the garage's contents day. It afforded also, FINALLY, the face mtg with the garage-side neighbor, Portia. Her sked has made her the most elusive neighbor to meet, but I anticipate a good friendship there with tea and coffee.

She was thrilled to hear that the new neighbors do not have a mad dog named Killer (thexsellers used to tie Killer to their fence which to jump to eat them), and will not be continuing the seller's loud; large, late-night parties--- that the neighborhood's "party house" is becoming a music house-- and pastor's house to boot. The famous Tiki Lounge is closed!!!

We were able to dispose of a number of property-line concerns and had no trouble planning the demise of mutually-detested fencing and a weed tree from hell. Go Portia!!!   

~Susan

Subject: RE: Summer 2014 Exercise the right to declutter!
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 02:44 PM

Gotta wait til the banana bread is out of the oven to head out back and see if there are any blackberries left...but the timer just went off.

Jeri, behave yourself! Are you coming for supper? I might try to find a chair...or we could eat on the deck.

Linn