Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 14 - 08:46 PM

The next thread.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Nov 14 - 08:21 PM

Twarn't flu the last two wks after all... no wonder I could not shake it! Effing gall effing bladder!! That'll make getting home fun! :-(

~Susan

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Nov 14 - 03:36 PM

City:
R set the live trap for Rat - an avocado for bait. So that is ready. After bf, I drove him around to try to see if he could pay a long overdue ticket and get driver's license re-instated. Sat morn!!?? NOPE! So he had a choice between being stuck somewhere with bro or me driving him places and waiting in the car - as every place he goes is too toxic for me. He opted for staying home, cleared that shelf for me - which is now full of food stuffs and there is a small pile of stuff for thrift shop. The plastic bin is empty and out of the way, ready to go back to the mill for sorting and storing stuff for the winter. Shelves for the empty cabinet are in the works - will help clear the counter.   Then, after a nice celery soup lunch, we watched Betelgeuse - a good break.

With yard things that could be done before dark, R has opted to read, and prob fall asleep. Good. I will quietly computer and read. Someone posted re snow on the West Island but none here. Friends in Ontario posted pics of snow - a couple inches. Also snow in the Laurentians yesterday. Chilly out but dry so far.

The outside hole is more in need of concrete blocks than steel wool! Maybe tomorrow. So much needs to be done that it is hard to remember it all. OK! make a list... Done.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 14 - 03:01 PM

Exactly. I'm looking for a low-flow model, one that will fit well in the space.

I should probably start another thread, it has been three months.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Rumncoke
Date: 01 Nov 14 - 07:53 AM

Hey SRS - the entire inner dooh dads for the cistern are not expensive and easy to replace. The grit from the pipes used to kill ours off regularly and they were an easy fix as long as you put in the chokes to reduce the water pressure if it needs it - otherwise you get 'monsters in the pipes' groaning and thumping.

The water company flushed out all the pipes and did some work and that has reduced the problem considerably.

You might need to measure the old one for size, but just have a look on line to see what is available.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 10:39 PM

Dorothy, I'm glad this helped! And blocking those holes is a good start. I'd put some steel wool in the mix - supposedly rats and mice don't like to chew through that.

This evening I drove to the airport to see a friend who was on her way to somewhere else but had a long layover. Since this airport is a major hub I've been able to see quite a few friends this way over the years. Getting home was a challenge, there was an accident to go around, and I did worry about the dogs out in the back on Halloween, but it doesn't look like there was much traffic. No one when I got home (around 8) - I think people headed down to the city hall a few blocks from here. They pull out the fire trucks and do games and have candy. Probably a better option than door-to-door in a neighborhood where a lot of people turn off the lights and hide out.

Fixing a toilet drip tomorrow, and while I'm at it, I'll do some more pricing on new commodes. If there is any expense involved for the repair (beyond about .89 for a washer) I'll look at stepping up to replacement.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 05:13 PM

City:
I appreciate greatly the thoughts that are helping me sort out what I need to do. It is so easy to get bogged down in a situation and not be able to see a way out. With so much brain fog afflicting me as a result of environmental issues, I often just sink into just coping with what is.

I had firm talk with R last night about excluding rat. I was hoping there might be some action today but B never showed up. This means that not only did nothing get done on the house, I also did not get do any pottery because I expected him to be working up there. Unfortunately, my energy level drops by this time of day - if I had any - so I could get a couple hours work done now, but cannot. Maybe R will have time to do something tomorrow as B will not be back until Monday. For both R & B: "you can' pin them down, they're just like air." Who wrote that?.... HAH! A line from The Talking Atomic Blues circa 1948.

I did move the plants that needed to be protected from future work. And laundered the bedding, cooked a large pot of cranberries - for use with poultry and in porridge. I still need to do a bit of moving stuff in the backyard. Tomorrow?

We looked at the exterior area of a house for sale nearby. I told R , "It looks like heaven to me." Even if it is 100 feet from the RR tracks and a train went by while we were there. The interior pics look good. Nice yard and shed and PARKING! Another subject for serious consideration. I would LOVE to just move there - I think - and let this house get reno'd and sold for a big price. We need to look at possibilities. OR just dream?

Then I picked up a few more things at the Market - the famous Atwater Market.

In any case, y'all have strengthened my resolve to be rat free. I have never felt so lacking in autonomy. Not too many years ago, if the roof needed new shingles, I did it. If the chimney needed repairs, I tried it - and decided it was better to pay someone and spend my time making pots! But it was my home and my money. Now it is R's home and I don't have enough money for it. So I got bogged down, feeling powerless.

I think of this thread a great deal as I muddle through my days. I try to get things done, feel as though I will have something positive to report. MY trips to Ontario helped me feel better in a lot of ways but now I am here for the winter, mostly, and have to figure out how to deal with it. Without rats!

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 12:49 PM

I just decluttered my car..paying off a big visa bill from a real estate situation..car was good but i was not going to drive it for another year at least and even then not on longer trips, which is what i really need a car for..do fine here with walking and bus...could have sold it but gave it to portland rescue mission on the day i got a letter from them asking for cars..their people fix them up..mine was losing power but was basically in good shape...will give a lot of homeless..almost typed in hopeless..people a thanksgiving dinner so i feel i did the right thing rather than sell it. money for insuring it even parked and not driven donated to doctors without borders.

the more you can get rid of often..not always..the easier your life gets. i am down to one broken accordian and a couple of costco tables and that is about it. there is nothing more i want except perhaps an alarm clock that does not infuriate me.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 11:29 AM

Dorothy..I am only saying what I would do in your shoes, not making a recommendation..but I would rent a room with a friend somewhere, tell R I would continue to have conjugal visits, dinners, social engagements, but that I would have my living quarters elsewhere, presumably under doctor's orders. I am sure most doctors would recommend not living in a house in constant state of carpentry and repair with your chemical sensitivities etc. If money was short, I would look at assisting someone in caring for an elderly relative perhaps..people always need a break in that area. I would make a firm decision, announce it, do it, and return when things were up to a standard OK for my health. No return until it is done and adequate, not promised only. I would do it calmly and in a friendly manner. No arguments, pleadings, one more chance etc. I would just do it. But that is me...whatever works for you is best.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 09:56 AM

Of course you can get insurance if you have a pitbull. I have insurance and have a pitbull. Lots of people do. They're bred to hunt, they're not bred to fight other dogs. Terriers - think about it. The entire set of dogs in the terrier breed is a form of working dog.

Sorry, I have no sympathy for rats that are coming into the house. And for every one you see, there are probably dozens outside waiting to come in. I could mail you some of the dog hair I've brushed off of my dogs - that also works to repel rodents. Once they know a predator is present, they stay away.

I figured out the problem with the drip behind the toilet tank in the master bathroom. I turned off the faucet the other day and it continued to drip, but after I flushed to empty the tank, it stopped. So I'll take apart that line this weekend and replace the washer or whatever is in there.

Heard from a coworker in my department yesterday - she has been asked to start writing for the library for about 25% of the time. What I used to do, and was suggested a few months ago that I should "pitch" such a job. Apparently I'm supposed to guess about that need, but when they identify it and offer it, they give it to someone else? I need to have a talk with the woman who oversees this and ask them to play fair - don't make me guess and make a pitch, just ask if you have something that needs doing and let me say yes or no, don't tiptoe around. Would I have taken an offer to spend 25% of my time in this new task? I don't know. I want to move out of this current job completely, not just by 25%.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Rumncoke
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 05:42 AM

There is no problem for me in caring for all God's creatures and having to get rid of a rat in the kitchen.

Once the place smells of rat - or mouse - the problem gets harder as others will detect it and follow the trail of the first ones. Even if you block up the holes they will try to get in by gnawing, and they are persistent and determined. They also do so much damage. Over the years mice have destroyed things I valued, and there is still mousy odour in places which I find sickening. It will only go if the furniture and carpets are stripped out - and that would be very expensive.

Years ago now my first husband thought we had mice and put down food for them, which caused an argument - and then I found a rat in the food cupboard. I went ballistic.

Here in the UK the council will come and get rid of rats, as there are laws which insist on them being dealt with.

You can't keep a place 'clean' when there is something running around on the works surfaces, over anything left out, contaminating the entire room - anything it touches which you then use or eat could result in you becoming seriously ill. You'd need to sterilise everything and anything using hydrogen peroxide - bleach is not going to kill everything.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Oct 14 - 06:02 PM

City:
So, SRS, I, who do not like to do harm to any animal, will get a dog that will catch and chew on this poor innocent rat!

I thought of two solutions and ran them past B as he was leaving just now. He is willing to go into the cellar and put hardware cloth/mesh over any openings. THEN, he tells me he has found the hole where rat gets in! (And did he block it? NO!) I will check it tomorrow in daylight.

THEN he tells me there is a plan afoot to do the interior reno in January! (Would I be the last to know?) This means I need to dig up a whole bunch of plants and move my "junk" - "That's not junk that is flower pots!!" What part of "plants need to be moved before the ground freezes"...?

I, who do not like to do harm to any animal, consider strangling B? or maybe R? I NEED TO KNOW! I need hope, light at the end of the tunnel, and to be consulted about the what and how of it. Have not accomplished much else today.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 30 Oct 14 - 06:00 PM

in my part of us you can not get home insurance at least for renters if you have a pit bull.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Oct 14 - 04:15 PM

Like I said, a dog that likes to hunt would be a good start. How about borrowing someone's dog for a while? Do you know anyone with a young pit bull who would dispatch those rats? Two of my dogs kill rats. One is a mixedbreed blue heeler/catahoula, the other is an American Staffordshire Terrier. The terrier breeds are working dogs, the short coats are meant to stay clean when they dig or burrow after vermin. They like their work.

It looks like Halloween and Saturday are going to be cool, but not cold. I need to check the yard for tripping hazards, because with the triple witching effect - Halloween/Friday/nice weather, I probably will have trick-or-treaters coming to the house. Unless I turn off lights and hide out.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Oct 14 - 03:39 PM

City:
Rumncoke: I am listening to you. I just do not know what we can do. This is one of those situations where one simply carries on because there do not seem to be any options. The reno that I have been expecting and which is critical to the situation has been derailed, perhaps until spring. Rat only arrived last spring, when I thought the reno would get started and solve the problem. Your comment has really kicked me into a state of "There must be something we can do". I have been "using band-aids" for so long, I just got used to it. Your concern for disease has been in the back of my mind all along; I just try to keep things clean. I have to admit my feelings for all creatures great and small does include rats --- although I would prefer not to live with them, or mice or any of the other critters we do not really want inside our homes. But I cannot kill them. .... OK, I have thought of two possibilities. Each requires paid labour. I will broach the subject to R. with a firm recommendation that something MUST be done. B told R that his wife would have left a note.

Work to exclude the rats would also mean my having to go to the mill for the duration. Such a nuisance.

Well, on the lighter side, my car is legal for another year and my bank account smaller. I picked up lots of veggies at the Market and a big basket of Quebec cranberries and a lovely jar of honey to use in cranberries. I sent off the mail-in rebate re the new snow tires; it was all in French so R had to fill it in. Clothes are in drier. Long John season has begun. And I am ready to hibernate!

B is ripping out the old, rotten sills of the upstairs windows and putting in concrete ones. Too bad we do not have new windows to go in. This was not part of the plan. (WHAT PLAN!) I suggested he put heavy clear plastic on the exteriors for now. At least something is getting done.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Rumncoke
Date: 30 Oct 14 - 02:37 PM

Rats carry some seriously dangerous bacteria - Weil's disease or leptospirosis can kill you or result in kidney or liver damage - just from handling something they've pee'd on or clearing up a nest or poop off the carpet.

Here in the UK having rats in the house is one of the reasons that the authorities can enter by force if necessary. I have just been reading the posts about the rat and having three fits. You really do not want rats in the kitchen or anywhere near food or water you might consume or wash in.

We get a few mice each year, but they are soon dispatched by some metal traps which are highly effective and efficient. I expect there are sized up ones for rats which are equally as effective.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Oct 14 - 09:41 AM

City:
SRS: Just having a house in good enough shape that someone else can clean it sounds great! And sharing with someone else is terrific therapy.

The hoodie R had on yesterday - which made me start coughing when he took it off last night - now has two large holes in the pocket - the one he put the naan in that he did not eat for supper. Not that it matters but it sure gave me a good laugh. He had left it on the LR floor. What does not make me laugh is his failure to comprehend, or acknowledge, that the thing was covered with dirt/dust/propane fumes... So when he took it off, all this swirled and I coughed - for a while. I don't mind that he wears clothes to death - which is why a few more holes don't matter - but we need a mud room or air lock - he laughs. My dust allergy is not going away.

With all that, why would I mind a rat or two...   

The back fascia is complete and they moved the scaffolding to the side - without painting? The ceiling looks lovely with nice tongue and grove boards as it would have been originally. Needs to be painted light blue - traditional. (just quickly phoned R to so inform him.)

Having an OK day. Need to go do errands.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Oct 14 - 11:38 PM

Ugg - Dorothy - I hope you come up with something less benign that "oh well" as far as those rats!

I picked up the car this evening after a couple of recall repairs, oil change, door handle repaired, etc. Costly, as usual when one goes to the dealer. Ran a couple of errands, and then, because I hadn't heard from her in a while, I stopped by Susie's house. I think it was quite timely for both of us. We seem to both be experiencing an autumnal funk, and ended up making a pact - we'll plan to do something for a few hours every week or two. Start with 30 minutes at her house working on something that needs doing (clearing off counters, doing dishes, vacuuming, etc), then heading to my house for another 30 minutes. The idea is to work together to tackle things that have been neglected when we're by ourselves. After an hour spent this way, we'll spend time going out to a museum or a movie or lunch or something - a social opportunity that we both need.

Also, I'm going to get a recommendation from a friend for the cleaning woman she employed for years (that friend moved away recently but made a point of finding new jobs for this employee). If between us we had her spend 4 hours every week or two at each of our houses, it would help keep up with the tedious stuff. We live in the next town over, so by coming up with two houses on the same day, it makes it easier for her to say yes (we hope). Spend $50 for house cleaning each and we might get at least as much bang as if we were going to therapy. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Oct 14 - 07:36 PM

City:
Shimrod! Wonderful!
Linn, You have made amazing progress! And continue to do so!
SRS: No room in our lives for a dog. I am not about to have to walk a dog on icy city streets in cold miserable weather. I do suspect more than one rat and I suppose I am being too kind. I actually leave a pan of whatever veg or fruit trimmings would go into the compost. I have gotten used to putting things away - except when I forget. It has chewed holes in most of my pockets to get tissues so that is no longer a problem. In other words, a rather OH WELL, approach to the rat situation. The reno that I was hoping for last April may not start until next April. That's the way it is.

On the plus side: another day on the gallery and it will be beautiful. R has OKed in theory my hope for a minimal closet - rod and shelf and rod for curtain - in the BR so I can move our sleeping quarters upstairs where there are windows! And a closet and bureaus. I plan to move the TV there also so when R falls asleep... Just this PLEASE before he sends B down to the mill to repair the roof there.

R mentioned moving to That apt in VSP for the reno and "I don't want to move to VSP". No further discussion yet but my idea is to just go to the mill or to Ontario or some of each. MOVE is a four letter word and I see no point in moving to a second floor apt in a crummy neighbourhood with no parking. IF he misses me enough, he will keep B on the job until it is finished???? Possibly we could have a small frig, microwave and toaster oven upstairs and eat out at times. I could cook at the mill and bring it back.

Detox bath this am took until about 3 pm for recoup. I went back to bed and could not even read. I have been experiencing strange symptoms the last several mornings - akin to niacin flush. I have been leaving out various supplements to find the problem. Today I had only taken the nux vomica. SO, no more of that for awhile. Had a good lunch of chicken/brussel sprouts/spaghetti sauce at 4 pm. Hope tomorrow is a GOOD day as there are a few errands now needful. Maybe even drive to the country to deliver a couple pots.

Even though I left a note in an obvious place, I had to go take stuff off the flower beds again this eve.

I have solved the cold feet by putting the heating pad in an old pillow case and put it on the floor under my feet! Time for something good to eat - stewed apples and almonds... warm.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Oct 14 - 02:17 PM

I think that Chinese puzzle with the empty space is a metaphor for the whole declutter movement. :)

Today on the local NPR station Chris Baty, founder of the NaNoWriMo movement, is being interviewed. Some of you will remember that Katlaughing participated in that at least once, possibly several times. Her last book was written during one of these challenges.

I'm thinking that might be a very good thing to do right now, as I contemplate the whole empty nest syndrome unfolding here. Having something to create is helpful, whether a quilt, jewelry, paintings, crafts, etc. For a wordsmith, stories are a creation. Organizing my thoughts to put together some of the stories that for years I have threatened to write - I'm considering it. Kind of short notice, but what the heck. Here are some tools to help for those seriously pursuing it. I hadn't heard of the Scrivener software - it sounds interesting.

I've been thinking a lot about character development lately. Some of you know that a few months ago I started watching the program Bones on NetFlix, from the beginning. I had never watched it, except to see a few this year when the television was left on in the room and repeats came on - they finally convinced me to explore the series. By watching 9 years of a program over a fairly short space of time (perhaps 9 weeks instead of 9 years) the character development is interesting. And that particular program is much more comprehensive that many a mystery/police procedural. Each episode is free-standing, yet each one adds to what we know about a lot of characters. Contrast this to something like the CSI or Law and Order programs and you learn very little about them beyond the job. The Good Wife is written with some of the same characteristics as Bones as it uses nuance and depends on the viewer's memory and knowledge of previous stories to understand the full extent of the most current episodes. I like episodic novels in the same way - Raold Dahl wrote collections of short stories that, by the time you finished, you realized was actually an episodic novel. With all of these examples in mind, perhaps it is time to take the plunge. And, if nothing else, I would end up with a set of short stories that I could consider sending out individually for publication. This is something found in literary novels - writers like Louise Erdrich will often run a single chapter as a story in The New Yorker.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 29 Oct 14 - 09:40 AM

Yesterday I went to York, Maine to borrow a 4-track cassette recorder from Harvey Reid and Joyce Anderson -- leave it to Harvey to have an archive of obsolete technology! (And a place to store it!) I'll get it to Dave Hallowell on Friday and we can finally (I hope; we've hit snags before) find out (and digitize) what's on the mystery tapes taped off the board by Tom Smith the sound guy from 1995. I'm hoping it's St. Patrick's Day at The Press Room -- and that Jay Smith's voice might be there, too.

Yesterday, too, while I was in York, I stopped at York Hospital's financial office to give them a copy of Tom's death certificate. I'm still getting tiny bills of amounts left over after Medicare and insurance paid. Good grief! It's two weeks shy of a year since Tom died! And he hadn't seen his cardiologist (the origin of the bills) for at least a month before that!

Right now I'm waiting for an antiques dealer friend whom I hope will take some cubic footage off my hands in exchange for some small green pieces of paper.

The 19th century French (or Continental) dueling epees and a leather top hat case are at another dealer/friend's shop.

Tomorrow my neighbor WILL get the huge old computer monitor out of my living room and to Goodwill (who will take it without being paid to do so).

I've left calls with both the electrician (who still hasn't made it over here) and a real estate broker friend from whom I need some advice about disposition of about 25 acres of land.

And a bit more PMFF board biz this morning.

Progress...

Life is like those little games we had as kids, the ones with the numbered squares and one empty square. Only I've never had the empty square... Hoping to achieve that soon.

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Oct 14 - 03:22 PM

Dorothy, how long do you suppose it will be just one rat? Sounds like it's time to get a pit bull or other terrier - they are natural at killing rats (that might be too large for most cats).

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 28 Oct 14 - 01:38 PM

"Sometimes I feel I am going to die in a house that is a total mess and it is depressing."

Yes, Dorothy, that's how I felt for years. Then, about a year ago, something snapped! It's got something to do with being retired. I've now got the space and the time to explore who I really am. For most of my life, I've had fairly low self-esteem but on retirement I got involved in environmental campaigns and have been more successful than I thought possible (and had a lot of fun). So I suppose I thought: If I can do those things, I should be able to at least sort my house out ... and, of course, I was able to. Perhaps I'll have a go at mastering quantum mechanics next! Uuuum ... perhaps shouldn't get too ambitious!

Yes, Michelle, breaking it down into small steps does work - but you've got to be persistent and stick at it. Please have a go and let us know how you get on.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Oct 14 - 11:05 AM

City:
YIPPPEEE again! And again, I wish... Autonomy was a part of the key to success. I have never lived quite like this. I have a lot of stuff but it always felt a controlled situation. My home looked good - to me though not to my minimalist son. So this morning I said, about a pile of paper on a LR chair, "Is that all for the recycling?" Negative. My hope was that it would at least be moved. I strive for small pockets of restrained chaos. Then put on blinders until I cannot take it any more. "Home Beautiful it isn't." "No." I did not shout, "Then DO something!" Sometimes I feel I am going to die in a house that is a total mess and it is depressing. Other times: does it really matter? Darn it. YES!

Well, the roof does not leak and I am not going to fall through the K floor. The repairs to the Gallery are extensive but may be finished this week. Then with any luck we will be able to use the upstairs BR. Then I shall make a new list of priorities for the K table.

The reason Rat has free use of the K is that the floor behind the cabinets is deteriorated - by the powder post beetles. Short of a complete reno - back to the brick wall - we need to co-exist. This am R said, "I left a napkin on the table last night. Did you move it?" "No, but Igor loves napkins." It had a phone number on it but he managed to find it in his phone after I gave him the area code- different from usual ones. I looked in the oven drawer but since it was emptied and I put newspaper in the bottom, it has not being used for storage. Another avocado was taken off the table last night; I forgot to store it in bin. And the napkin!

In 1977, I found that although milk makes me nauseous, whipping cream does not. I used apple juice on my granola. Now I use plain yogurt as juice is too sweet. In 1982, I did a year or more of no wheat and no cheese. Did not seem to make a difference but I know I am sensitive to wheat bran - itchy eyes - and I hate white bread generally so I keep wheat to a minimum. No sandwiches, generally. One slice of 100% rye for bf is usually all of bread for the day. But humous has been important - on salad or with corn chips when on the road.

I was going to visit friend in NYS today but I got in the car and stopped for gas and decided it was too nasty out - not so much cold as dreadfully damp. So I came home and phoned her to cancel. Now I am trying to figure out what I can DO. The upstairs is useless until the work is done. Go to the ...???? IF I sit here all day I shall be stultified.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Oct 14 - 10:01 AM

YIPPEEE is RIGHT!!! Way to go!!!! I love the idea of breaking it down into steps...I should do that for my own house. I keep saying...Little by little.

Well done!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 28 Oct 14 - 02:59 AM

I planned my house improvement as a 7 stage project:

1. Severely prune the book collection and get rid of as much junk as possible.

2. Install double-glazing in all of the windows - not just half of them.

3. Get the electrical wiring checked out and renewed where necessary.

4. Get the loft converted into a storage space for any stuff which escaped stage 1. above.

5. Get the two spare upstairs rooms (now free of zillions of books) re-decorated - now I have a spare bedroom and an office.

6. Get the backroom, and hall and landing re-decorated and move furniture from the front room into the back room.

7. Get the front room re-decorated and buy new furniture for it.

All seven stages now completed! Yipee!

The most difficult stage was, of course, stage 1. I just looked at the books, though, and thought, "if I live to be 500, I'll never read all of these!" About a third went to charity and two local book dealers bought the rest (I probably got about 20 pence per book). Much of the rest of the junk went to charity. Ruthlessness is the key!

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Oct 14 - 11:33 PM

Excellent, Shimrod! Would you like to give us a bit of the story of the kind of things you did to finish this job? Tip the house and let everything flow out one side, have a big sale, donate to a thrift shop, rent a large trash bin, or some or all of the above?

CS, I also noticed that reaction to sugar - it was something that would hit the same time every day, the need to eat a candy bar, etc. And the tired feeling 20-30 minutes out. I also had to wean myself from that kind of sweets habit.

I cut out a lot of dairy from my diet years ago, when I was drinking milk, eating a lot of things that weren't that healthy. I settled later on the idea that cultured dairy products didn't seem to be has hard on me (sinuses/congestion/headaches). Milk now is for my morning oatmeal or bowl of bran flakes, I sometimes make bread pudding. Having the fat in the milk actually makes it more digestible, from what I've been reading in the last few years. I read labels, if I'm going to use something like cream cheese or sour cream, I get the real thing, but I don't keep it in the house all of the time.

Went to the eye doctor today, he could see the abrasion from the pine needle yesterday and said it looked fine. I have some drops for the next couple of days, just a lubricating formula to make it feel better. Apparently it doesn't take much if you get a poke in the eye by something with fungus or bacteria on it to end up with an infection, so they didn't think I was silly to go in today.

Tonight I cooked up several eggplants, in something I haven't made for a while: eggplant parmesan. This is just the slices breaded and fried in olive oil (I usually use cheaper corn, but I thought I'd try it this way this time). I freeze them and then later will make a plate of pasta and warm a couple of these parmesan slices to go beside it and top it with homemade marinara sauce, all of this made from stuff out of my garden. Not the pasta, but the sauce. This is for quick meals this winter.

Finally, here is a TED talk that all of you might enjoy. And use as motivation to get a good night's sleep.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Oct 14 - 07:15 PM

City:
Shimrod: what Michelle said!!

Oh, how I wish! But the fascia is coming along and the gallery ceiling. Workers just left and it is dark so I shall look in the am.

Yesterday, I did the library, Picked up the glass storage containers, and a few groceries. When arriving home, R was "waiting for you to feed me". I was ravenous. We had celery soup which entails a piece of toast topped with cheese and, today, some pieces of skinless sausage.   Then I was wiped out and started falling asleep bout 7 and went to bed at 8. ????

This morning did not go so well either. R had to rush off so I had my standard toast/tahini/ stewed apples. Then a hot bath so I guess it was not unreasonable to have no energy til mid aft. Read, computered, stewed a small pan of apples, cooked a spaghetti squash for which I have an idea for supper. Supposing there is supper tonight.

R came in at 6:30, just after I put the squash in the oven so I fed him celery soup - what else!? And cheeses and lemon cranberry bread and he left to work some more. If he gets home before I fall asleep, maybe we will have a squash concoction.

Speaking of diet: I have come to the conclusion that I am not going to be vegan in this lifetime, regardless of the apparent hypocrisy, noted by some, of being an animal advocate and still eating them. I am, however, endeavouring to find meat that is raised in decent conditions, with reasonable success.

Sugar: Definitely addictive. have not bought any (white) in about 20 years. I do, however, use honey on occasion and more rarely we may have maple syrup on buckwheat cakes. (A qt lasts about a year.) BUT, we do buy foods that contain sugar - such as chocolate mousse cake, cookies, ice cream... I took a look at diabetes 2 diet and saw that the foods most likely to help avoid it were the ones we eat most. I rarely bake but if I do I cut the sweetener by 50%.

Paleo diet: the latest, it seems, in "healthy" diets. meat, veggies, nuts, seeds, fruits. NO dairy, potatoes, grains or legumes. Cheese definitely creates mucous. Yogurt does not seem to. Wheat is prob not good for most of us. OK! I love cheese and will not deprive myself totally. Use very little wheat, almost no potatoes; they are for R. Legumes? Hard to live without - Humous and our fav Indian meals.... I got through one week with none of those but will continue to examine the day to day use of all. Thank heavens choc is OK! I think, for now, I will increase veggies and fruits, nuts and seeds - and hope I do not gain weight.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Oct 14 - 01:41 PM

YAY Shimrod!!!!!!!! That is FANTASTIC!!!! Good for YOU!!!! :)

XOXOXO

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 27 Oct 14 - 01:29 PM

" ... because there are lurkers who occasionally report in that they have made progress on some small personal goal and want to share the news. The successful diet, the renovation of a room or a house, the setting of a personal goal and finishing the project ... "

I just wanted to announce (shout from the rooftops!) that, just over a year ago, I set myself the goal of sorting out my grossly untidy, junk and book filled Edwardian semi-detached hovel in Manchester, UK, and I'VE FINISHED THE PROJECT !!! I can't believe it! I must say, I'm very pleased with the result. It's gone from 'squalid' to 'immaculate' - and it was worth the effort (not to mention the money!).

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 27 Oct 14 - 12:08 PM

I just thought of another shift in diet, I rarely eat sugar now, though when I was younger I think I may have been actually addicted to the stuff - inasmuch as I frequently experienced powerful cravings for sugar-dense foods, several times a day. The sugar-injection (so to speak) of a couple of sugar stuffed chocolate bars, would leave me buzzing like crazy for an hour or less, and then would come the low. Boof! So mood and energy swings all over the place for quite a few years. I weaned myself off the stuff, and feel much more level as a result. Both mental mood and physical energy is far more steady without the white stuff. If I do have sugar, it's usually in the form of homemade puddings. Puddings with wholegrains, fruit, oats and nuts, and such good things that help to give the blood a bit of a mattress. I also make use more 'natural' (I know it's a bit of a nonsense word) sugars like maple syrup and honey. No meds stopped, but I don't get sugar cravings or the resultant mood swings any more. Minimising sugar in my diet, has certainly impacted on my health positively so far as I'm concerned.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Oct 14 - 12:07 PM

Today I dusted and vacuumed the nursery, packed up ALL the clothes that no longer fit Jeremiah, packed up equipment and toys no longer used and made space for all the newer, bigger clothes that he has. I also found 2 large shopping bags full of clothes that will fit him now through the winter that I had picked up at Sally's but forgotten about (thank you chemo brain).

While doing up the mountain of dishes last night, I was washing out a collection of coffee cans that I will now take to Jeremiah's preschool where they will be put to good use. Anyway, so I'm peeling the lids off of all these things and found one that was full of old grease.....*GAG*....it smelled HORRIBLE. Later last night I asked Pete to please dispose of any coffee cans that he uses for that kind of thing. I got a blank look. He said he didn't do that. Apparently I did and had forgotten about it and it got set aside with the other coffee cans.

Again, thank you Chemo Brain. I am amazed at the things I forget. I wonder what I have forgotten but will remember later...hmmm.

It's sunny and warm here so I have several windows open and some fans blowing in fresh air. Tomorrow is supposed to be 74 degrees so I'll do it again tomorrow. This coming weekend, they are predicting snow and who knows how long it will be before we can open the windows again for a few hours. I love fresh air, don't you?

Have a great day everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 27 Oct 14 - 11:50 AM

Regarding diet, the one thing there seems to be a very clear correlation with for me, is dairy and asthma. I initially gave up dairy some time back, along with meat, when I went 'macrobiotic' for a few months. I didn't expect the result, I wasn't looking for it or hoping for it, in fact I'd never thought about it. But my asthma symptoms cleared up, almost entirely - apart from a week when I had a bad cold, when they returned quite strongly, but went again as soon as the cold cleared up. I stopped using both inhalers.

After I reintroduced dairy at a reduced rate, the asthma symptoms returned, also at a reduced rate. So I started using inhalers again, but less frequently. I've since decided that the asthma - and the cholesterol - really isn't worth it, so I use subs for the most part now. Cheese can be an occasional temptation, though it's becoming less and less so, mainly because I know when I've eaten it; half an hour later my lungs begin playing like an accordian. So it's pretty much on the banned list now, along with milk and butter.

Also prior to the point I went macro, I'd started developing rheumatic type pain in knees and hips, to the extent that I would walk downstairs sideways to prevent knee pain. I hadn't got to the point of seeking medical intervention, so no meds stopped, but that went, and never returned. Which I was most thankful for. There's a less clear correlation there, as for one thing I'm eating more fish of late, but I suspect there may have been a link with so-called 'inflammation causing' foods which I now eat little of.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Oct 14 - 09:52 AM

You're welcome. FYI, Susan sent a citation she was wanting to read but couldn't access from a home computer without having to pay a high fee per piece. It was for an article available free through a library database (that the library pays megabucks to access). I found it, downloaded a couple of files, and emailed. If any of you find yourselves in a similar situation, let me know and I can look up and possibly send the PDF of a book or article. That's what friends are for!

I have a mid-afternoon appointment with the eye doctor. I am experiencing a generalized itch and puffiness today, not quite as pointed a painful spot as yesterday. Very watery. It needs checking, and possibly soothing eye drops.

Over the last couple of days I've enjoyed reading the Mudcat thread about Vegan Mudcatters. I have cut way back on the amount of meat I eat, and am to the point of trying to find organic sources. It's spotty still - I can go to the high end market and find organic chicken, but finding lamb or beef isn't as easy, or is so expensive to be prohibitive. There are a few old-fashioned butcher shops around, I will check them one of these days. I tend to use meat as one ingredient in multi-ingredient dishes. I made beans yesterday and the only meat was the ham hock, I didn't add any Italian pork sausage (though if I have venison sausage I like to add that). This summer I decluttered my upright freezer of things old and freezer burned as I added this year's produce. I'm using a seal-a-meal system now to keep the produce in better shape over time.

What are the rest of you doing as far as what you know about diet in the modern world? I know there are health issues being addressed by diet, and health issues being addressed by medications. Have any of you managed to shift the diet to the point to get off of medications? I added that link because decluttering the unhealthy foods from our diets may be something you want to discuss over there at more length. I've traced that thread, and today I ordered a copy of the book that Chanteyranger recommended (written by his sister).

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,cookie lost Wysiwyg
Date: 26 Oct 14 - 06:44 PM

SRS, my cookie's lost so can't PM. Thanks-- the gmail attachments arrived!

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Oct 14 - 02:51 PM

I got a poke in the eye with a sharp pine needle this afternoon, and suspect a scratched cornea. I've rinsed it with warm salty water and it if isn't feeling better tomorrow I'll go to the ophthalmologist (my annual checkup is next week, but I imagine with an injury he won't want to simply move it forward). I remember my daughter getting sand in her eye and the test for the scratch was a drop of something and a black light. She wore a patch for one day and had drops. I'm not going to the ER for this today, it is annoying and blurry but not horribly painful.

A loaf of bread has finished, as has a chicken breast to use for dinner and a couple of meals this week, and I'm going to make a batch of beans this evening. I also need to do something with tons of produce in my fridge. Laundry underway. I've (despite the injury) pruned the pine near the driveway that was partially blocking the view of the street, and I've poured several gallons of soapy water around the foundation to try to discourage some of the ant activity that has been so annoying this year.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Bettynh
Date: 26 Oct 14 - 02:17 PM

Dorothy, when I have kitchen invaders that have gnawed their way in, I use can lids (or flattened cans if the hole is too big) to cover the hole. The critter won't be able to chew through metal, especially if the edge is on my side.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Oct 14 - 12:27 PM

City:
Speaking of vit "D" - R was home for a little while after BF. (R came home, apparently, about 2 am and at 4:30 I got up to turn off the lights and found this pile of dirty clothing on the sofa sound asleep!) Happily, he took a notion to look into putting shelves in the collapsed K cupboard - measured! He also took the stove drawer outside and dumped all of Igor(a)'s nest in the trash. That's were the vit D was! Igor(a) LOVES anything with a rubber dropper. It managed to get this bottle off the K table to its nest in the drawer! Early this morning, I heard thumps and got up to find the container on the K table that had contained 5 avocados was on the floor and only one avocado in sight. This critter is growing strong on the pickings around here. I have now nailed a board over the hole I believe was being used for this thievery. I have not thought of a way to keep it out of the drawer so I but a newspaper in the bottom. I have never used that drawer; it was such a mess when I arrived I just closed it and forgot about it. No wonder Igor could move into the "Vacant Apt".

I HATE yucky messes, esp cleaning them up. I feel like I need hazmat gear. R LOVES cleaning up messes!! YAY!!!! (clay is not a yucky mess.)

R also banged the lid of my nice compost container back into almost perfect shape ( a piece of cast iron was dropped on it!) so I cleaned the bucket, a moderately yucky mess, and it is almost ready for use. I shall still give Igor choices in a bowl on the floor before casting things out to the bin. I re-arranged and cleaned some of the dreadful K table - one end is tools and stuff. Put a bread bin on it that I shall use for supplements. Later, with a couple newly cleared shelves, I can empty the plastic bin that is cluttering up the K and fill it with summer clothes to go to the mill for storage.

Anyway, R's activity encouraged me and I have only just sat down after a morning of - GOOD energy! - getting lots of little things done in the K. The idea of two more rat-proof shelves has given me hope! My friend Tina says hope is the greatest thing you can give someone. I have even decided that R can clear a couple other shelves into boxes for me and then I will feel as though I have something resembling a workable K. So I stewed the tomatoes he brought home, telling me he likes stewed tomatoes. Also cooked some potatoes for morning home fries - for him. Next I shall stew some apples. But first, I shall go to the store for some of those covered glass containers. A real treat! - as I think they will be better than re-cycled yogurt containers - We can SEE what is in them.

A decent day in the city. Not raining. And having energy is a terrific treat.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Oct 14 - 10:57 AM

Crazy busy with sewing here. My kitchen is a disaster area at the moment and I am doing tons of laundry today. I also have the table cleared off and cleaned, the countertop is clear and clean, floors have been swept in the hall and kitchen and all Halloween cards have been signed, addressed and are ready to go.

Jeremiah was sent 3 large boxes full of clothing from one of Pete's coworkers. I'm sure they are already washed and clean but I like to do the again anyway. :) Some of the things are too big or will be for next summer so there will be some sorting and packing away (labeled) for the next season....hence the big amount of laundry today.

I had a tumor marker check up on the 15th and am happy to report that all is well on that front. I had some other tests run and the results aren't where they should be but with an adjustment in medication, things should shape up fairly soon, I hope.

I have been extremely tired lately, sluggish, etc. I thought maybe I was just being lazy but in reality, my thyroid is WAY out of whack and underactive. Now mind you, I already take meds for this but as it goes, the thyroid levels change themselves around and this is one of those times.

Normal TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is anywhere
between 0.27-4.2. My test result came back at 26.38. Houston, we have a problem!

I know Vitamin D is the trendy new thing that is supposed to fix many ills and so people are buying it over the counter like crazy but mine is beyond the over the counter fix, kind of low. Normal clinical range for vitamin D is 30 to 100. Mine is sitting pretty at 14.1 and has been flagged. I'll be getting high prescription levels of Vitamin D for a few months.

With these corrections, hopefully I will be having more energy in the near future!

Maybe those dishes won't look so daunting...LOL

Happy Sunday!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Oct 14 - 09:30 AM

I picked up a few paint color printouts at Home Depot yesterday - they don't do nearly the number of helpful color palate suggestions that they used to. I have a few older ones I kept when I started painting a few years ago, so I'll refer to those also. First project is the hall bathroom.

This week I'm going to spend some hours each day to relocate myself at work (in the library), moving up to a floor with windows and see if that helps get out of the funk I've been in. I can't see the weather, I don't have a sense of the type of day, and I don't think taking vitamin D is enough to counter that dungeon environment. To this end I'll pack up my laptop and a set of portable desktop materials to pack and take with me each day.

Today will be some good sunlight exposure - I must rid the veggie garden of the tall grass. I think the itch reaction from yesterday is completely gone, I'm pretty sure it didn't come from anything I touched here, it was something I ate. With all of that Benedryl I got a good night's sleep!

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Oct 14 - 12:29 AM

Benedryl worked on whatever the itching was, but it also knocked me out for a chunk of the afternoon. Looks like tomorrow will be a busy day for playing catch-up. I also have another resume to send out for a different job that opened a week ago. And to finish a request for an adjustment on the requirements on one job that opened in early October but seemed to have a flaw in the description. It may be only an exercise in writing a nice memo, but they can only say no.

Really warm here this weekend. It feels like we're back in summer again. Time for the ceiling fan, and to take the thin blanket off the bed tonight.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Rumncoke
Date: 25 Oct 14 - 09:44 PM

From the structure of the fabric it looks like a hand woven twill. It could be of some age - and the kilt is still wearable, just no longer heavyweight.

I have never seen a similar alteration before, it is extreme. The washed out fabric is very soft and comfortable to wear, the original was slightly rough so it could be seen as an improvement.

At least I have almost unlimited fabric available, and I really like sewing, particularly the hand work of pleating a kilt.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Oct 14 - 09:17 PM

City:
Came back Thursday eve. Could not take hot bath due to workers on 2nd floor, door open, a bit chilly! Actually R was home when I arrived and we zipped off for a quick supper and came back to watch TV - David Suzuki and The Doc Zone were interesting. R managed to stay awake thru most of the news. I gave out before 11.

The roof is complete and not leaking. The Bathroom ceiling is closed up. B and a helper have been working on the fascia and ceiling for the second floor porch - called "gallery" in Quebec. Had to remove wood from flower bed again. Missing K scissors and bread knife. What is it men do not understand?? These are MY TOOLS. I don't take their tools!

Fri, I did some de-cluttering of frig as two weeks absence .... I put all the dead veg in bowls and put them on the floor as I did not want to go out while the guys were working on the scaffolding. Igor the Rat found the cauliflower interesting and dragged it toward its "home" but it was too big. I have left it in a bowl on the floor for it. Someone may as well have it. I had brought all the dirty dishes from the mill to wash here as it is more convenient. So that was three drainer loads. And did a load of laundry.

We went down to the Cafe Fri night and enjoyed some excellent music and not too loud! Stayed over at the mill and rushed back to the city as R had a 10 am meeting. He was a good 20 min late. We stopped very briefly on the way as a member of the cafe gang had broken the lid for her teapot. I had a spare which was only a bit loose. She was happy!

Today I had good energy and went to the Market for veggies, cheeses, good chicken and sausages and a few things from the bulk food store. Had a good lunch veg/sausage lunch, made a double batch of choc covered candied ginger as we were right out and tried choc/almond bark, and made a pot of celery soup. Another load of laundry. All computering done - emails, enough of FB, etc. Oops - want to research Paleo diet some more...

Having read something neg about "frying" meats, I took the casing off the sausage, broke it into pieces on top of the veggies and microwaved it all. The sausage was well cooked but I had to take it off and put the veggies back in for a few more minutes. Seems an exc way to cook the sausage though.

Hot bath today. Prob another tomorrow as work will prob resume on Monday. When this job is done, there is a roof job at the mill for B. The window manufacturer who was supposed to move in to a large space there is finally getting ready but the roof needs to be leak free! I was hoping work might move on into the upstairs BR.... All I want is a shelf and a clothes rod and a rod for a curtain to close off the closet.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Oct 14 - 07:52 PM

That was a lot of fabric sizing or something! I've never seen anything like that happen before.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Rumncoke
Date: 25 Oct 14 - 06:13 PM

The last tartan kilt is rather a disappointment.

The first time I washed (by hand) it a lot of stuff came out of it - the water was black for the wash and all the rinses. I have washed it 3 or 4 times now and the same thing happened, the fabric is now far lighter in weight than when it was sewn, far more flexible and it is possible to see light through it. The colours are actually not greatly altered, but it is disappointing when I thought I had a good Winter weight garment to be considering putting it away until the weather is warmer.

I will have to take another piece of fabric off the pile and make another kilt for the cold weather.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Oct 14 - 05:32 PM

Defensive driving was actually fairly interesting. I scanned my certificate when I got home, called the insurance company, and emailed the file to the woman I spoke to. It'll save about $15 a month. It'll save me about $700 over the next three years, having taken this course.

At the classroom before the session started they had a box of donuts and a box of kolaches with sausage, so I picked up one of the sausage rolls and ate a couple of bites before deciding that the spice was too strong in it. Within an hour my skin on my upper arms started itching. My scalp was itching by the time I got home. The only other thing I had this morning was a bowl of bran cereal, something I eat every so often with no side effects. Lunch didn't make it any worse, but no better either. Who knows what was in the meat or roll, but I've taken a full dose of Benedryl and already feel better, though a bit sleepy.

Some of my physical ailments this last three months started around the time the mouth/gum stuff after that half-crown was put in. The specialist I saw said I might wait a few weeks and decide about going in for a deep cleaning. I am going to schedule that next week - I'm still experiencing difficulties and I wonder if it is progressing beyond simple mouth pain. If there is still adhesive that I'm apparently allergic to stuck under my gums, then this isn't going to go away.

It's really warm out there now, so I'll wait till tomorrow when it's cool again and approach the veggie garden with clippers to get rid of a lot of the tall grass. I think right now I need a nap.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Oct 14 - 10:26 AM

My disfunctional workplace has traditionally held monthly or every-other-month staff meetings, but they haven't had a real one now since about March. Today there was a notice that we have a meeting on Oct. 30. I daresay it may have a bit of the feel of the trick part of trick-or-treat.

Last night I performed an important small declutter - I got a plastic tub of hot water and soaked my feet while I watched television. Layers of dry skin from all of my running around in sandals and sockless loafers all summer soaked and scrubbed off, stuff that just doesn't go in a regular shower and even though I wash my feet. The pumice stone did a good assist, as did the nail clippers. My feet feel wonderful this morning! I always know I'm going to enjoy the foot soak and the subsequent comfort, but I'm not good at remembering to pamper myself. While I'm at it, I've begun using a anti-fungal cream meant to kill the fungus under the nail on one toe. It's something I have to do twice a day for the next couple of months - good luck with that - but it is far preferable to taking an oral medication that is preceded by a liver test. That always struck me as absurd, taking a medication so powerful it can compromise a weak liver just to get rid of a funky toenail. I'll take the slow and safe route.

Defensive driving tomorrow. These classes are usually boring but useful - there are things to be reminded of every so often that help us be better drivers.

I haven't been a very good housekeeper over the last few weeks. This weekend is supposed to be quite warm, into the mid-80s, so I expect I'll be lured into the yard again and heck with the dust kittens.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 Oct 14 - 09:39 AM

In the 34 years I've lived in this house we've never once had a trick or treater. And Tom had nary a one in the years between building the house and us getting together. I think our driveway is much too intimidating. I always buy a bag of candy (making sure it's something I like) just in case... But even when we specifically asked our up-the-hill neighbor's kids to come down, they didn't. (Although Druinn LOVES our house...)

Anywho, our tradition has been (at least since Jeri moved six miles from us) is to invite Jeri to dinner on trick or treat night so she can avoid the little beggars. Tom would make stroganoff or Székely goulash or something else seasonally appropriate. Unlike trick or treat night when I was a kid in Milwaukee, the date of trick or treat night is subject to the whims of the town fathers (and mothers), so we're never quite sure what date it will be close to traditional Hallowe'en. This year Hallowe'en falls on a Friday, so I'll be at The Press Room session. If they choose that late afternoon for trick or treating, I'll have Jeri over another night for dinner.

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Rumncoke
Date: 23 Oct 14 - 06:18 PM

Oh grief - Halloween. I'd forgotten about that.

We never used to get bothered by kids at the door, but somehow they have got it into their heads that it is an olde English custom and a way to get free sweets, so there are more and more of them every year.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Oct 14 - 06:13 PM

I'm heading out soon, the eclipse is just starting and the weather has cleared. It takes a while before you can see much, I drive into the sun on the way home, so I'll detect it (no, I don't look at the sun when I drive home, but a glimpse happens on occasion).

Need to spend tonight cutting up produce to freeze, there's quite a buildup in the fridge.

Up on the sixth floor the eclipse is underway. I was able to use a pinhole to see it very clearly.

SRS