Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness

Subject: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 14 - 08:20 PM

Here is the previous thread.

Mostly the usual stuff today. I cleaned out dog dishes and the galvanized tank, the stall with dog houses and bedding, scooped the back yard, and mowed the areas with tall grass (at the back it is bare during the heat so now as winter grass is coming up from last spring's seed I'll leave it alone and let it get established). The dog bedding is in the laundry now and every few minutes I open the dryer and pull more hair and debris out of the lint filter.

The stuff I have listed on eBay is gradually selling so I need to put up more. I pay for online postage (US Post Office postage) with my PayPal account, which is funded via eBay sales, so I use this as motivation to list. As far as eBay goes, it is a good time of year to put up listings. As the weather cools and the holidays approach, people shop. A lot.

The declutter threads have brought in some newcomers and lurkers who occasionally visit. We recently heard the following from Shimrod:

" ... 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!).

Not everyone is going to progress as quickly, and others might move even faster if motivated by a deadline. Many of us are simply trying to stay ahead of the clutter accumulating in our homes, or are downsizing simply make our homes more comfortable.

Good luck, everyone!

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 14 - 08:51 PM

I was going to do some shopping and general running around today, but the university has changed the way paychecks are deposited. They always used to arrive overnight on the first but now will be deposited on Monday if the first is on a weekend day. Facebook lit up with all of us trying to figure out where our pay was before the university sent out a special announcement "reminding us" of the routine. Like anyone would forget if they were told their paychecks would be late.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 02 Nov 14 - 07:54 AM

I am setting a goal to have the dining room all sorted by the Winter Solstice.
There are things in there from when the children were learning their ABC and the youngest is almost 29 years old.
If I get rid of a bookcase for more space, it might even be possible to have Christmas dinner in there WITH GUESTS!!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Nov 14 - 11:01 AM

I have a set of built in shelves in my living/dining area. Three tiers across, all filled with various objects that are part of collections. There are too many things in there so it isn't much of a display. I should take a page from your book and organize those. And the goal of having guests over is a great one! Last year I finished converting an old small dresser into a glass-topped buffet, and I still haven't done any entertaining to show it off.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Nov 14 - 02:09 PM

Like Dorothy Parshall I live in more than one place. The rented 3-family PA house has provided furnishings for the 1-story, small 3-bedroom/1-bath Ohio house purchased in Dec. 2013 as an eventual retirement home near family. (Until retirement it's set up as a work camp for home improvement and vacations.) I visit that house 3-4 times a year to work on it and start getting to know folks and ease into the rich local music scene.

The trip which ends this week (I leave on trash day after bringing trashbins back in) focused on landscape prep and measurement for ongoing garden design, on installing kutchen cabinet hardware, and on making offline friends, as well as completing the establishment of a social justice library (books, films), and reviewing those. I've read almost a dozen uni level texts while here and created discussion questions for several key films. I've also been invited to join both the Diocesan antiracism training group and a choir at a local multicultural parish.

This trip was extended far longer than planned for several reasons and while here I've discovered I probably have a failing gallbladder. So Thursday, with various friends abd family helping, I'll start limping home.

The next trip will NOT include a cargo trailer. Most everything we need here for years to come is here now and anything else can ride in the van or on the cargo platform that rudes on the hitch.

Probably the best personal highlight has been next door neighbor Portia, whose community of origin is farm country with the values we've been adopted into in PA these last 20 years. Her presence and friendship have been a haven from the too-fast/too-shallow urban culture here, making a good bridge to joining that without losing what we could add to it in simpler perspectives.

I return to a house I left cleaner and neater than it has been for many years. When I'm rested up I have a bathroom to paint and re-floor.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Nov 14 - 02:45 PM

My first goal is to be comfortably prepared for my very first craft show coming up for next Saturday. I have some sewing to still do and am comfortable with not having tons of stuff. This will be more of a learning experience for me as a vendor.

My second goal is to have all of the kitchen clutter picked up, taken care of or removed. I hope to have this done by the weekend before Thanksgiving. This includes cleaning out all cupboards and drawers. I also have a few boxes of things laying around the kitchen full of paper stuff that needs to be gone through, sorted out and most likely burned.

I picked up my new thyroid meds and prescription Vitamin D today, hopefully this will get me feeling much more like myself. Insulin has been wonky...too many lows and lately it's something else that wakes me up (husband, bathroom, child)....it used to be that when I hit about 60, my body would wake me up..that's not happening lately...kinda scary.

Anyway....my goals are to be ready and have fun at the craft fair and to get through my kitchen.

Happy Turn Your Clock Back Day!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Nov 14 - 09:12 PM

Good thing my phone sets the time itself, and last night I found the main clocks (the stove clock and one on the wall going into the laundry room). I have to find the setting for my automobile clock. My wrist watches are set.

Today Susie and I participated in a mutual support thing we dreamed up. I went up to her house and we set my phone timer for 30 minutes. Then we attacked the mess in her garage (her grandson is old enough that we're going to have to lean on him to pick up after himself after this). We made great progress and put a bunch of stuff at the curb. Then we came down here and brought her "Shark" vacuum - the best thing I've seen on dog hair and something I'll put on my xmas list. For 30 minutes, while I cleared the kitchen peninsula counter she vacuumed. We ended up with a clean dining room carpet and three excellent looking Persian carpets. Then we went out to dinner. If we get started earlier next time we might do a museum instead.

This evening I spoke to my daughter about belly dancing classes. She has been dancing for 2-3 years and has a lot of fun, and told me that there is a good studio just a few blocks from my house. I'm going to give them a call and see about getting into a beginner class. As I get closer to my target weight I need to build in a fitness component to help smooth out some of the bumpy spots, and I find exercise classes to be boring and hard to stick with. When I was in college I took belly dancing for a while and enjoyed it - I only quit because I didn't have a reliable ride to the class. Time to pick it up again.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Nov 14 - 10:22 AM

I dead-headed several marigold plants and have kept the heads to dry so I can use the seed for next year. These marigolds were the prettiest I have ever seen with a beautiful mix of burgundy and orange...loved them!

I am off to my sewing room to cut fabric for a marathon sewing session later tonight. The craft fair is coming SOON. I am having fun getting ready.

Pork tenderloin going in the crockpot for dinner. YUM.

Michelle

PS. I now have joined the 21t century and have a very cool phone (not the Samsung Galaxy 5 that I wanted but hey....this works VERY nicely....it's been fun figuring it out, giving certain people certain ring tones...LOL....I swear sometimes I think I might be 12.)

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Nov 14 - 01:13 PM

City:
I think I am "thread-dependent"! As soon as I saw SRS post - OOPS there are clothes in the washer... And "pork tenderloin in the crock pot" never occurred to me. I did one in the oven yesterday with a variety of root veggies and found R also enjoys them. A spaghetti squash has been a big hit, too. At 3/$5 I shall get a few more and some of the other winter keepers! I did an acorn yesterday but there was enough with what was with the roast. I really did it because the oven was on so might as well get the most use of it.

R, without drivers license, had a great reason for not going anywhere else to do the tons of things needing doing. He stayed at home and finished sorting out the shed - after a conference on "I thought we were going to tear it down" ending with "not yet". I stayed indoors and did big pot of stewed apples and big pot of cauliflower soup and the roast.

This morning, after a trip out to pay ticket and reinstate driver's license, and BF, we finished clearing the back yard of almost everything so we are ready for snow - Friday they say.

He put on the upstairs heat and moved a pile of wood and two Victorian chairs from area of pottery wheel. I CAN pot today. I hope I shall.

B has hurt his back so badly we have no idea when he will be able to return. The upstairs BR is totally cluttered with his tools so doing anything there will be future.

Igor does not go into the trap. Not even for an avocado. I need to make trip to library; dress warmly and walk, hopefully. 42F and sunny. OK - clothes to dryer and GO!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Nov 14 - 02:09 PM

Lovely surprise today - the eBay chandelier finally sold! I'll pack it up and drop off at UPS this afternoon on my way out to annual eye check. This is a day for personal business and paying the bills since the paycheck was finally deposited. I predict pushback - though I also think I see what happened. The university used to have all student and campus accounts through Wells Fargo. That relationship ended earlier this year and now they deposit finds via Chase, that then pushes payments out to all of our accounts. Wells Fargo favored its own customers and we got our checks on time.

Overcast today, rain 100% in the weather forecast tomorrow. I can start taking in the soaker hoses around the house foundation, and if I'm smart, on one of these warm November weekends I'll put up the string of lights that will run through December. Why wait till it's miserable to put up the decorations?

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Nov 14 - 04:18 PM

City:
Happy news about that chandelier! Definitely do decorations on a nice day!
Walk to library started out in sun and returned in overcast. Prob in for more rain so it is nice the yard is clear. Also good to water in the plants I moved a few days ago. The hose we bought for the yard is a lesson in what not to buy. It is too full of kinks to be useful.
Now contemplating what I can do that is useful. Might generate enough energy to pot. or ...

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Nov 14 - 04:36 PM

Jeremiah and I just finished picking up all the outdoor toys up from all over the place and situated in one spot for the winter. This way we won't be looking for lost toys covered in snow. Also, all trikes, bikes and scooters are put away and the little red wagon has been emptied. Tomorrow we will put away all lawn chairs, tables, etc. From the looks of the sky this evening, winter isn't terribly far away.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 04 Nov 14 - 08:52 AM

Somewhere I have a lightweight black wool fabric that the moths or woolly bears (larvae of carpet beetles) got at - I think I will take apart the sadly thinned out tartan kilt and reassemble it lined with the damaged black - so making a wearable garment out of two disasters.

It is really strange - every time the kilt is washed there is black water thick with particles, and the threads get thinner and thinner, but the colours are still good - just you can now see light through the weave. What was a fairly sturdy garment is now soft and floaty.

I have had a couple of goes at a knitted beret style 'Outlander' cap one lot by hand and the other knitted sideways on the machine. The first one off the machine I had not thought out very well and it was square - wrong technique for the shaping, I had used one for skirts, which of course require a nice straight edge, now I am doing the opposite which would give a dip in the hem, but of course that is what I want - in effect, a dip that goes all the way round in a curve to make a disc. The hand knit one will have a nice 8 panel pinwheel effect - not sure that is what I want for the ones to be sold, though. I am having to push back the nice and neat methods of working for this.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 Nov 14 - 12:32 PM

I've been pretty remiss lately about checking in here. Still in a bit of "coming up on the first anniversary of Tom's death" funk, I guess.

My computer is in the shop right now and, despite having an iPad, I'm feeling rather lost without it. I might be coming down with a job and I'm meeting this afternoon to discuss it...and I can't even run out my old unupdated resume, even if I probably won't need it. I'm hoping this computer glitch won't lose anything but time and that, on a positive note, it will set up my "new" backup computer and get my "new" computer (purchased last February) set up and running. Basically a totally new computer configuration at home.

Been a busy day today, first getting the weekly trash taken care of, then going down and voting. Got to talk to a friend who was widowed a month after me and see another old friend, the retired town clerk. AND got the paperwork I have to file early next year for a property tax exemption I'll be eligible for.

Last week sold some antiques...but he didn't buy any of the furniture, so there's more cubic footage I have to work on. But I did finally get all the bankers boxes labeled so I can find things. And my neighbor's back was bothering her so the heavy computer monitor is still sitting in the living room.

Sunday's wind managed to dislodge the heavy round table from where iit's sat on the deck for the past 15 years. Blew it right off the deck, along with a stack of chairs. The glass top is fine. The legs are fine. The thingies that hold the legs together to support the top and the umbrella are smashed to smithereens. Sigh.

I think I need to work on reorganizing all the papers and stowing away Tom's paperwork which I think after a year doesn't have to be readily accessible in the file cabinet. Believe it or not, had to take a copy of his death certificate to a billing office last week.

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Nov 14 - 02:55 PM

Cold blustery rainy day here today. Some kind of crisis in another department in this building - I've heard of it only, not the nature of it. I think I don't want to know.

The dog area was spiffed up over the weekend so they're set for cooler temperatures while they're in the garage. I have the doors closed but one window open, and soon that window will be closed. Once it gets really cold I'll set up the oil heater next to their stall and plug it into a thermo-plug that turns on when the air reaches a certain temperature and stays on until it reaches a temp about 15 degrees warmer. It means I don't need to go out to turn the heater on and off.

In the fresh from the garden department, I'm going to look up a recipe for pickled okra and get ready to bread and fry some more eggplant.

I need to get a bead project started. That's coming out of a bin on my dining table, so once I have the materials selected I can keep just that bit of stuff handy to work with and set the bin aside and be able to use the table for the holidays.

My chandelier will probably ship later in the week. I don't use UPS often and the connection between my account there and eBay was messed up. I had to reset it and for some reason they want 3 or 4 days before they send me an email authorizing the eBay rates for shipping. It'll save me about $30 so is worth the wait. But it is a pain in the butt.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 Nov 14 - 07:57 PM

Got the part time job. Should not only be interesting, but take a bit of the financial pressure off.

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Nov 14 - 10:17 PM

Good news, Linn!

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 09:52 AM

City:
Good news, Linn. Also gives you a new focal point. You seem to have been making marvellous progress in getting your life sorted.

Well, I started this last night but R came home and I put it aside. Yesterday saw a major change in the K! Hard to explain but R finally gave me the go ahead to clear STUFF off the table - that had been there for YEARS! First: he moved the huge and very heavy antique grocery scale to the newly de-cluttered shed!!!!!!! (He has at least a dozen scales of all sorts, up to and including scientific gram scales and .... Could start a scale museum!)

As he was leaving, he brought in a bunch of stuff that someone had left behind in one of the buildings. I sorted, washed some and put aside the sheet for next hot load. Included was a very nice black winter jacket - black is good as everything he wears turns black in short order. The one he has been wearing is seriously tattered but still serviceable; nice to have a replacement.

MY job, which took all morning, was to collect boxes (trash day) from the pizza place across the street and sort and "file" tools, papers and miscellaneous etceteras. Carefully remove dusty and mouse sign cluttered fabrics, that had been part of his "filing system", to the back yard and shake well before putting in laundry. And the 1x12 board that, inexplicably, was under it all to the back yard. Found that back 12 inches of the old door that formed the table top was lovely, so I scrubbed and scrubbed the front 24" (by about 7 feet) trying to get it to look almost that nice. Then put a row of cotton place mats across the back and re-placed the bare essentials, Even climbed up on a chair (knees not so good as they used to be!) and got a nice glass bowl off the top of the cupboards to gather small containers into a tidier cluster. The new table includes a shoe box, stapler, rubber band and notebook: "Maybe you could put a date on the paper and wrap a rubber band around your papers and we can file them" ( in a plastic lettuce box). Of course, he is so excited about being able to see the table that he agreed! His papers are a major clutter problem.

In spite of my best efforts, I may have gotten too much dust. So after a nice lunch I ended up going back to bed for a couple hours. Spent the eve on computer and fed R when he came home and was grateful for bedtime.

Here's to a new day! Clear and sunny, so far, so off to replenish some supplies. Heat upstairs will make it possible to pot comfortably if energy prevails, she says hopefully.

No sign of Igor since we put the trap in place!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 10:20 AM

I finally pulled out the owners manual for my stove and looked up the F1 code that blinks when the oven doesn't start properly. It says there is an error and to unplug it for 30 seconds then replug. Which is not easy because of course one must move the stove out to reach the plug.

The error is still there, so the manual says to leave it unplugged and call a service repair person. I don't like this stove so I'm not going to waste good money on a service call. I'll probably buy a new stove at Sears and for $75 have them deliver it and take the old one. I guess there is a reason the chandelier sold just now! I have a short list of activity for this weekend.

Just about everyone I voted for lost - typical when a liberal democrat lives in a GOP dominated state. It is a reminder every couple of years of how gullible people are - how they respond to the huge buck$ pumped into the state by rich republicans who want to keep getting richer, and the only way they can do it is by convincing voters to vote against their own self-interest. We need to get rid of the Citizens United decision before real political discourse can continue.

Off my soap box. It's a rainy cool day, seems about right for the mood. On the other hand, once I get the new stove I can get started with some cold weather cooking and baking! That always helps fix the mood.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 11:42 AM

The van is substantially loaded for tmrw's drive to Toledo, thanks to Richard. Tomorrow it'll just be me, Faulkner, leftover groceries, water bottles, small computer bag and large purse w meds and small purse inside with ID.

I have three patio chairs to garage, a peony to cut back, and a few mums to store.... later today if dry or tmrw after trash if not today.

And a fridge to clear out tmrw, clean dishes n laundry to put away today.

~S~

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 12:35 PM

PS: R is so excited to be able to see the K table maybe he really will cooperate with anti-cluttering campaign!

However, I just spent a great deal of time on FB, finding the elections were not to my liking, mostly posting messages of encouragement and hope for those totally demoralized by the elections, for friends who lost fathers this week, and a friend whose vegan restaurant only lasted 4 months.

Now I better get foraging before I am too hungry to leave.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 12:41 PM

More sewing for me today. In just a bit, Jeremiah and I are going to get our hair cut. I have been wanting to do this for awhile but today I found a really good rhythm for my sewing and kinda hate to go. Oh well...I'll find it again later today! :)

I'm getting my hair cut shorter than it's been in a long time (minus regrowth from chemo). I'm looking forward to it...found a cut I like with some sass! Imagine that....me liking some sass! ;)

LOL Go figure!

Have a great day everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 01:07 PM

You've been kicking ass for years, Michelle. Now the haircut will give folks a warning from the distance. :)

After some shopping online, it looks like Sears does a lot of free delivery - depending on the final price. I had already called a friend and asked him to help, and I think the difference between letting Sears deliver it free and having Antonio pick it up in his pickup is that I can get it this weekend, not have to set aside a block of time in the next week or two for the delivery.

I recycled some e-waste that came out of Susie's garage last weekend. She still has a very large CRT television out there - I think next weekend we need to take screwdrivers and pliers to it and dismantle it and put it at the curb in pieces. That will clear up a lot of room for her.

eBay and UPS still aren't linked yet, I check every morning. Once they are I'll save $30 on shipping the chandelier - why would UPS take so long to make the connection? I need to call them later today and urge them to move faster. I want that huge box out of my house ASAP. This delay blows my perfect eBay record for shipping the next day.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 04:27 PM

LOL Maggie!

XOXOX

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 06:42 PM

Boy have you got it right, Stilly (on the political front). We lost Carol Shea-Porter to a corrupt Repug hack, but hung on to Jean Shaheen over carpet bagger Scott Brown, and Governor Maggie Hassan. A couple friends hung on to their NH house and senate seats even though I couldn't vote for them as I'm not in their districts.

I think, too, that one of the things affecting my mood lately is we seem to keep having to fight for the same things -- especially women's issues -- over and over and over again. For the past 45 years that I've been voting.

The electrician finally got here -- and I've got him flummoxed. The breaker seems to be fine, but the outlets which also should be fine don't work. Argghhh! Tomorrow I have to clear out stuff in the guest room (I had hoped to continue in "The Room") to see if there's an outlet on that wall he can hook into rather than rewiring outside the south wall. Double arghhh!

Deaccessioned some art materials to my up the hill neighbor and found the copies of Avant Garde to sell. Also threw some stuff out. But my neighbor gave me a great sage-colored polar fleece zip up the front L.L.Bean jacket. Now I have to go through some stuff in the closet to give to her...

The news on the computer front is, well, different than we'd hoped, but everything on that hard drive should be able to be dumped onto my "new" iMac that I bought last February. I can worry about the ideal backup box to update my current backup computer later, after I'm bank in business with the new computer (and have access to my data again).

Got a lot of work done while waiting for the electrician and while he was here. Got all of Tom's paperwork out of the file cabinet but consolidated and accessible, though out of the way. Started sorting and rearranging the rest of MY paperwork so stuff can be easily found. Threw out a mess of windfall apples, but have the good ones remaining in a wire basket so the shouldn't rot before I get them cut up and either into an apple crumble or the freezer or both.

Oh, and got the lounge chair extricated from the bank behind the flower bed so I can get it stowed in the cellar for the winter. Every little bit helps. Wish I weren't feeling so stressed and so close to tears. Too much hanging unfinished and, I think, too close to the first anniversary of Tom's death.

I'm okay. Really. Just feeling...fragile, I guess.

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 06:54 PM

Please tell us a little something about the new job, Linn?

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 07:12 PM

(((Linn)))

~S~

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 08:36 PM

Can't really say much. Mostly answering phones and holding down the fort when the brokers are out. Also helping with the organizational tasks that Sandy and the others are too busy selling real estate to get accomplished (especially if they keep getting interrupted by the phone).

I've known Sandy since I did all the production and advertising sales at The Real Estate Guiide. She was one of my advertisers. And I used to have a broker's license in Massachusetts, though I never used it. So I'm not a total stranger to real estate and, because of my graphics background, I'm more computer savvy than most real estate brokers. Plus I can help with ads, etc , because of my graphics background (with experience specific to real estate). Basically, I've got more skills for her purposes than the average administrative assistant out there. Plus Sandy wants me to help get her better organized. She doesn't really know what exactly she needs, but she knows I can hep her and she's willing to pay me to do it. I don't think I'll have any trouble getting her to communicate what her expectations are, and I don't think I'll have any trouble meeting those expectations.

Plus it's six miles away -- practically next door. And both flexible and informal. And she can give me advice while I'm trying to sell some acreage to a local conservation outfit and later trying to get a reverse mortgage.

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 09:14 PM

Sounds good - and sounds like something that might even allow some telecommuting if the weather is frightful! It also sounds like this woman is savvy enough to recognize the changes/improvements you'll be able to make.

I applied for another job on campus this evening. It has been open for about three weeks - they need to stay open at least 5 business days. Longer means they haven't gotten the candidates they're looking for yet. Fingers crossed this one closes soon now!

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Nov 14 - 12:23 AM

Crossing my fingers for you Maggie!

Sending lots of love your way Linn

<3

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Nov 14 - 11:52 AM

City:
Linn! You have made such marvellous progress! First anniversaries are the WORST. But your new job sounds interesting and your progress generally is awesome.
Michelle! A new haircut can be so up-lifting!

As for me - we are still delighting in the clean K table. I am still waiting for two more shelves so I can organize more stuff. One thing at a time but I keep wondering "will it happen in my lifetime." R questioned "All that stuff in the laundry room"! "All that stuff would be in k cupboards if there were any" (that weren't full of non-K stuff. The nerve of the man! "OH!"

I am trying to figure out where/how to store winter squash that are 99/pound at the grocery or 3/$5 at the market. I don't need a calculator! Just space. I would like a couple dozen of the big ones. We got a lot of mileage out of that spaghetti squash and the acorn and butternut were delicious. That's 3 in 2 weeks. If it sounds as though I am "discovering" squash - I had not had any in years, so yes.

The electric in this house - all overhead light stopped functioning 4 years ago, and many convenience outlets. No one knows why. An electrician? Waiting for the reno.

Yesterday's foraging: Canadian Tire struck out on 4 of 4 but I got some light bulbs, clear plastic bags and bandaids - all needed but not on list. Then the grocery - I needed 3 things and left with more than would fit in one big bag - the only one I took in. Had to take the cart to the car as I just put the leftovers in the cart and bagged them when I got to the car. I am SUCH a plastic bag refuser! I did get the 3 things on the list!

By the time I got home I was ready for lunch and then it was 4 pm and - I am not too good after 4. So it was read and computer, Big Bang and the news. Ah well, today: laundry is in progress, dishes are half done, R had a good BF, I had my toast/tahini/apples. I need to move the car in half an hour so I can get a spot on the Fri side. Then I can go upstairs to a warm!!!!!! room (after 4 years R got the baseboard heat on!) and try getting some pots made. I cannot bear to sit any more/to spend anymore time on computer, no shopping to do so the only option left - POT!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Nov 14 - 12:18 PM

Early today I went to the lab for the blood draw (after a 12-hour fast) as part of my physical on Monday. At least my visits are typical; I have several coworkers out ill, one for sure with strep and a couple who don't feel great. I'll keep my distance. They asked if I wanted to put a credit card number on file in case there are extra charges with the test - I said no - putting a card on file anywhere not necessary is foolhardy, considering all of the breaches in security. (BTW: a note of pedantry - the topic in the news is "breach of security," but in fact, these data thieves are getting in through holes in security - that could be called breeches.)

Dorothy, that kitchen sounds like a nightmare. And here I've been thinking I put things off for a long time because my oven doesn't work (the stove has been beeping and giving me a code on the clock panel). I've determined it is a time for a new stove without having several other appliances and fixtures die first. Aren't you afraid of a short with all of that electrical work on the fritz?

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Nov 14 - 12:50 PM

City:
SRS: I am VERY careful about the electric! My bro is a superb electrician and my dad could do anything around the house and let me know how. anyway, breakers turn off at the slightest provocation. I can only run one appliance at a time: microwave, toaster oven or electric kettle. Making a meal is doing things in the right order: Make hot choc in microwave, then toast. Put the kettle on as soon as i get up so it is mostly hot by the time I have to turn it off to... Do the toast last and it will still be warm... Oops, I know which breaker has gone when I forget and turn on one thing too many. I lived without an oven for a long time as that circuit was being used to heat the basement but it eventually was remedied. Now I remember to use it on occasion. The crock pot does not impede anything nor does the distiller----- I wonder? Must check if that outlet is on dif circuit.

Reminds me of the story about the woman who always cut a roast in half and did it in two pans. When husband asked why - "That's the way my mother did it." She asked her mother - "That's the way my mother did it." She asked HER mother and "Oh my goodness, I only did that because I did not have a pan big enough!" 3 generations!

I have the rest of the house figured out as to what can go on which working outlet. Of course, I have only lived with electric for last 15 years, after 15 years in the bush without any. So it is not as much a hardship to me as it would be to those who have never done without - other than outages. It is only recently that I realized I DO have running water here and do not have to be THAT careful about using another dish. HOWEVER, I am looking forward to being able to do things more easily - someday. The mill is slightly better: I can run two appliances at the same time - but no running water.   

The second floor works OK, so far. But we rarely use it and now cannot until B's back allows him to finish the work. The BR is wall to wall tools. Wisely, I covered the bed with plastic before he started.

Car is moved to prime parking spot, close to house for loading. Will be taking some more stuff from here to the mill for winter storage, and part of clearing house for reno. Bring back some more winter clothes. Good music tomorrow night at cafe. Hope to deliver tea pot/mugs to woman who has waited 14 months! Come back Sat. May not be any snow.

Now: check that outlet and then pot.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 06 Nov 14 - 01:44 PM

I very rarely use the oven in the cooker(stove) these days. I got a halogen oven - a big glass bowl with metal stands in it and a radiant heat source with fan over the top. It uses less power than the big oven and serves as both the container and the oven - it is a lot easier to clean than the big oven too, plus it doesn't dry things out.

I tend to cook for just myself using it, as it is economical, so there isn't much of a saving, but I benefit from having better choices than before - plus there is no warm up time, so the food is on the plate faster.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 06 Nov 14 - 02:26 PM

I use something similar and never need an oven for myself. I do most of my cooking at work and it just sits on the counter. Food turns out very nicely in it. Mine would hold a roast chicken, a pie plate, cake pan etc. I have a very inexpensive one now..around $30 from Amazon..works well. And you don't need the 220 wiring either.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 06 Nov 14 - 02:30 PM

they are especially nice for bacon. Also, you can do this in regular oven as well, but just put your frozen food on the rack and it cooks very nicely. No need to thaw. Also you can keep an eye on things since the cover or the bowl will be clear.

I am tending more and more toward minimalism. Today I will call the local thrift store and see if they can pick up a folding table, a flourescent lamp and an exercise machine and if I have time I will go through all my shoes. I tend to keep old hiking boots for the inevitable tsunami but they will just end up floating on the tide so I might as well just let them go now.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Nov 14 - 04:53 PM

I like to make meals that have several things that go into the oven at the same time. I also still do turkeys, etc. in the oven. I also have a convection oven (a large glass bowl in a stand and the heating element and fan in the lid) and I have an 18-quart Nesco roaster oven. The reason for replacing the stove is because I don't like having a bum appliance plugged in all of the time and it is too difficult to reach to keep unplugging. I will do some research on the stove and see what a repair would cost, if it is possible.

I have a number of pans that simply don't fit into the convection oven, and while things do bake in the Nesco, it sometimes takes considerably longer and any time I open it to check, there goes a lot of heat.

I'm tired of sitting in the basement all day - I got out for a few minutes after lunch to photograph a head shot for a fellow staff member and it's lovely out there. I'm off to climb the stairs just to get my system moving.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Nov 14 - 11:41 PM

My stove is 17 years old, and the most likely looking culprit for the oven not heating is a discontinued part. A coworker today described taking her stove apart and fixing a piece, but I don't think I'm going to try that. I've gone through the manual and looked up the model and find nothing hopeful.

I think a self-cleaning oven is a must, and doesn't add too much to the cost. I see glass top and traditional heating elements - and I've posed the question to my canning-guru - which is better when it comes to putting a hot pot on the stove and letting it boil for ages to process whatever it is that is being canned. I suspect the answer will be the old-fashioned element. I seem to remember reading that also when I was looking into canning a few years ago.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 07 Nov 14 - 10:39 AM

Last time I wanted to make Yorkshire puddings to take to my daughter's place when we were having dinner together I found that the oven wasn't working.

It was taken apart and just looked at, and it started working again - I remember to test it from time to time now. The jolting, or a component being turned over might have done the trick, so it is worthwhile having a poke around. Over the years I have received some very nice but not working items which have been easy to fix.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Nov 14 - 11:20 AM

Lots of appliances are constructed of modules, and if this was available I could pick it up and replace it with a new one. It is the module that is no longer available. I saw the Sears guy fix my freezer a couple of times and realized I could probably have made those repairs, but that is about 10 years newer than the stove.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Nov 14 - 03:02 PM

City:
I use a toaster oven for a great deal of stuff. I was actually looking at new ones at CT the other day. They were called convection ovens (I never realized that before?) and were only about $40. I used the stove oven recently because it helps heat the house, now that cold weather has set in. I did both the roast and an acorn squash for later. Then Michelle caused me to realize I can do the roast in the crock pot. a terrifically good idea. But not for squash so how? I may even bite the bullet and buy a new larger toaster/convection oven. Maybe.

Yesterday, again I never got to pot. Today is not looking good either. I did check the outlets in the K; there is only one circuit for the entire K! It's time to start making a reno list: Cabinets closed to the ceiling - I hate that dust catcher when there is an open space - to put pretty things on - to catch dust! At least 3 circuits for the K. What else...?

I ended up taking a hot bath yesterday and another early this morning. I feel better but cannot get myself upstairs. I still have two working hours available...

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Nov 14 - 06:01 PM

City:
So I decided lunch was a good idea and had a really good one. Then I still did not move so a cup of herb tea and a few cookies - choosing ones I do not care for. Then I needed choc and water. Then .... I am in a total quandary. Now it is time to leave for the cafe and no sign of R and not answering his phone. AHHHH!! Pick him up in 15 min.YAY!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 07 Nov 14 - 11:17 PM

Fourteen hours of sewing for me today and I think I am as ready as I'm going to be for the craft fair tomorrow! I'm excited!

I may have to change my goal of having the kitchen done by Thanksgiving because I have a huge disaster area going where I've been working. Creativity is NOT a mess-free activity!!!

:)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Nov 14 - 11:48 PM

Sounds like you're having a great time, Michelle! And stay warm, Dorothy, with all of that renovation and oven choosing stuff.

I've looked online, so tomorrow morning I'll look in the stores and see what the features are on the current stoves for sale. And I'll check out Consumer Reports. And I'll make time tomorrow morning in whatever I'm doing to stop and listen to the remembrance program they're going to play on Car Talk for Tom Magliozzi who died on Monday. I've listened to those guys for many many years. Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers. RIP Tom.

And then I'll get on with the rest of my day, possibly the work with Susie. Not sure if we are on for Saturday or Sunday since she has been babysitting her grandson a lot.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Nov 14 - 12:20 PM

Mill:

We made in time for the Echo Hunters and a good open mike. Then to cold room at the mill. I keep heat in the sun room lest the plants be unhappy but not the LR. Maybe we will leave a tich on this time. It took a while and an extra quilt. By morning it was quite warm!

I have been unloading the car and sorting more winter clothes to take to the city. Still have not found my good winter jacket. If it is no colder this year than last, I will get through with the lighter one.

Off to deliver teapot and pick up apples at a no-spray orchard and some good locally grown meat. R is working on the roof here.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Nov 14 - 12:42 PM

This morning I pulled up the 2014 Buyers Guide from Consumer Reports and found two stoves that are in stock on my side of town. Sears has one that is a close match to the top model, the second best on the list is identical and is $50 more at Lowe's. I've ordered and paid online for that second one (Frigidaire FFEF3015LW).

Susie and I are going to do our side-by-side cleaning thing this evening - she'll come by here on her way home from babysitting and we'll have dinner then move my stove out and clean up the space (grease drips, dust). We'll head up to her house and dust in her bedroom to look for her hearing aid (misplaced last week) and I'm going to look into her funky DSL connection and see if she needs to have AT&T replace the modem. She has been paying for this all along and probably not had a signal since last spring.

Michelle, if you have any energy left at the end of the day, please let us know how the craft fair went. What did you learn, what changes will you make? Did you take any special orders? A co-worker of mine was at a fair last week (she sells sparkly beaded stretchy loops for putting on scarves to keep them in place.) She had one special order and the woman offered to pay her a bit more because it was a special order.

A bit of shopping, then out to the garden. I need to pick most things because we have a possible frost in the forecast during the week. Better to get stuff now than to risk forgetting or getting to busy to be able to pick all of the stuff that has to come in. I'm sure with the new stove I'll be looking for excuses to cook up a storm, so the timing is good. Green tomato relish, here I come! I went ahead and got the electric burner stove, not the glass top. Better for canning and no other fussing about how to set up my processing pans.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Nov 14 - 12:24 AM

I started with the picking, a few okra and a plant of jalapeno peppers. A lot more to go in the next few days, and then cutting up and freezing them.

I was over at Home Depot today getting the replacement parts for the master toilet (I said I wouldn't spend money on it, but $15 is less than a new loo when I just had to replace the electric range) and a man was outside with a boxed generator. I asked him a couple of questions and he offered to sell it to me for cash at a discount because he couldn't return it (no receipt) and didn't want a store credit. I don't buy stuff that way, so declined, but it was a reminder that another purchase I'd like to make is a generator to keep my big deep freeze in business if we get another long outage like last month (not at my house, but in the area).

My stove is now in the middle of the room, and the new one comes in tomorrow afternoon. Susie and I ate dinner then cleared up grease that had dripped and puddled behind and below. Yuck. Then up to her house to clear out stuff on her bedroom desk. I got her DSL up and running (the modem had been turned off - easiest fix I've ever made, just pushing the "on" button!)

It helps the mood to work together and to help someone else solve their issues.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Nov 14 - 08:01 AM

Don't know if it's the time change, the season shift, the weather, or what (maybe the first anniversary of Tom's death this week is contributing, too), but I've been so what listless and definitely lacking energy this week.

Didn't really do anything yesterday except go to the library sale (I "won" -- I purchased fewer than I donated) and pick up the special ordered honey loquat. Came home intending to do laundry, make cheese salad, put some outdoor things away and try to excavate the guest room in search of an electrical outlet on the common wall with the bathroom.

Instead I took a nap. And not a very good one at that. Phone calls took up the rest of the day, but I also finished the March issue of Vanity Fair -- yes, I'm nine months behind.

Ate "lunch" at 5:30, so I called it supper. Wasn't hungry til then despite having just plain yoghurt with a spoonful of blueberry jam in it for breakfast.

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Nov 14 - 12:14 PM

I spoke with a friend in Arizona yesterday - she will be visiting for a few weeks after the new year, but the oldest daughter she usually stays with has a houseful these days. The youngest son/brother moved to town and is with her, and both of her children are at home. This family needs a boost, so I'm going to see if we can get them out of the house and over here for one of our famous pot luck dinners. And if my friend comes to town, she can stay here. I'll work on finishing up straightening my son's room (now the main guest room) in anticipation of this. It does remind me that my nest is empty when I work in there, but I'll get over it, and one day there may be grandkids, a whole new phase to look forward to. Guests will do for now.

I'm so ready for that stove, but I need to do some outside work first. Mow the front, bring in the soaker hoses for the season. I'm still watering the veggie garden occasionally, but the rest of it can fend for itself now that it is cool. I also need to get some heavy-duty plastic plant platters to put under three pots I'm going to bring in for the winter. The lemon grass, the lemon verbena, and a pot of mint. Not sure if the mint will be happy in the house, but I think the others will be okay. I could put them in the greenhouse, but I forget to go out and water things out there.

Linn, the dark earlier aspect of fall, especially in northern states, was something to deal with when I lived in the Pacific Northwest. I also deal with it now because I work every day in a basement with no windows in view. Have you thought about putting in a few daylight lamps to help with the SAD aspect of the season? Maybe a reading lamp with a daylight LED that will hit your forehead when you read? I'll use this as a reminder to myself to position the Ott lamp on my desk at work so it shines down on me.

My favorite radio gardening program is over, now out to the garden to prepare for winter. I don't think this is the last mow, the weather is predicted to be mild for another week at least, but it is time to prepare for the cold.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Nov 14 - 04:03 PM

Mill:
Linn gives me hope that it is only the change in the weather that is causing my lack of energy. But I did perk up enough Friday to realize I had gotten way off track in the self care area; trying to get back on. Today the sky was leaden, heavily pregnant with possibilities - none of which seem cheering.   The big window here helps.

Yesterday's excursion took about 4 hours and many miles: Books in and out of library, a creamer delivered to a nearby shop owner. The apple orchard was closed and a for sale sing on it. I was stunned. So I backtracked a bit and went on to the home of the woman who has waited 14 months for a tea pot! Part was paid in honey from her bees and lovely herbal - non-scented- soaps she makes. They will be nice little gifts. After a nice visit - her husband made all their doors windows and gorgeous kitchen cabinets out of butternut from the woods behind their home! It needed to be cut. Then off to the local butcher for several packets of various sausages without nitrites. A stop at the super bakery in St Antoine ---- an amazing choc pie and a choc mouse cake. That will keep us a while! A side trip to an organic orchard - closed! Gas at a cheap station - near the US border gas is the cheapest. And finally back to make simple supper using a packet of curry sauce and good chicken from the other butcher and brown rice - and some plain yogurt a it was a bit hot. I was in collapse on the sofa by 7 pm and in bed by 9.

While SRS is in the garden doing all sorts of neat things, I think of going to look at it and reject the brry idea! But Vanessa just came in for a quick chat after she made a bunch of pots. So, my nudge today: the studio is warm so I shall go do the bit of glazing and load the kiln.

Failing to take my supplements caused an increase in discomfort in shoulders so back on track there is helping.

I fetched some groceries today. I was not expecting to be here this long but R is finishing the repair to the roof!! It will be such a load off his mind. Lots of food in the city frig but there was not much here so I needed a few things.

To the studio while it is still light.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Nov 14 - 05:20 PM

Just got back and it is 5:13 and DARK! But the kiln is loaded and ready to turn on! YAY! I did something.
Oh, the garden: I did go and, of course peppers are totally caput. I picked the last few hot peppers. They are so hot, I am afraid to use them! There were some bits of broccoli which I picked and threw in today's veggie pot. One cauliflower was beautiful a week or two ago. Now it is over the hill. That was the only one of a dozen that turned into a real cauliflower. Maybe I will have the energy to do better next year.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Nov 14 - 06:01 PM

The new stove is installed, it will do it's maiden baking and cooking soon. I'm going to take the box out to the garage and let the dogs have it as a den. See what happens with that.

Lots of paper and plastic and stuff left over after the stove was set up, I'll take the support stuff over to the recycle bins tomorrow. I'll clear off my kitchen counter again so I can prepare some of what is going to be cooked and baked tonight.

The last load of laundry needs to go in - I'm not drying on the line now, it has been too humid lately. I need to shred some paper I brought down from Susie's last night, and file some of my papers. It'll be a productive evening in with good smells coming from the kitchen.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 10 Nov 14 - 10:11 AM

The craft fair went ok. I learned that I need far more inventory, that I need to have my own table and something different than everyone else. I have something in mind and will be working on that for another craft fair. My partner is a good friend but her idea of being on time and setting up and manning the table are a bit different than mine. We had agreed on having 2 tables and that she would have her stuff set up on Friday night because she lives near the venue while it's a 40 mile drive for me. Thursday night she said we'd only have one table because she wanted to set up a Christmas tree and drying rack where the one 8 foot table would have been. *deep breath* Ok. Then I showed up early on Saturday morning and the only setting up she had done was to bring the laundry rack over. In addition, she kept leaving the table. I understand that it's good for each of us to get up and move around but she would leave for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. She also had her 8 year old there....he just would walk over from home and he didn't do much but eat. I would have been fine with him there...I don't mind kids at all but he was putting his soda on the table, eating his hotdog, loaded with drippy catsup on the table.....the same table where I had hours and hours worth of work on. I had to ask him several times to take it off the table. So....next time I will have my own table...near my friend is fine but not with her. My sales were enough to cover the cost of the table, lunch, gas and a little bit left over. To be honest, I was not happy with that but I did not have lots of inventory or variety.....so, that's all on me. It is what it is.

Today I am headed into my sewing room to clean, organize and maybe even sew for my own enjoyment! When Jeremiah is home from school, I'll tend to the dishes, floors, etc. I won't sew when he is home with just me as I don't want to be in another room and leave him alone. He would be fine but I don't like that.

So...today I am over tired, crabby and pretty much hate everyone. Feeling useless.

It is what it is.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Nov 14 - 10:40 AM

Michelle, that sounds like a great crash course on how to work this the next time - and as the commercial says, that is priceless! Think of it as a specialized garage sale, something I'm sure you know how to put behind you once it is finished. I have some craft ideas I'd like to put into action, I've gone so far as to price out materials, but I think I'd have to sell online. If I ever go so far as to start designing and sewing, I'll let you know. Chin up, and enjoy the planning for next time.

The UPS connection finally came through on eBay, and it saves about half of the standard cost of shipping. I'll drop that off in a few minutes. The sale of the chandelier covers the cost of the new stove. I'd hoped to bank it, but I can live with this outcome, and having a stove and oven that are safe means more than just having a transaction that might otherwise cause buyer's remorse. It is a relief to take a hazard out of the house.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Nov 14 - 03:03 PM

I forgot to mention that I did a fair amount of yard work yesterday before we started the work on moving and picking up stoves. I weeded the new asparagus bed and mowed the front lawn. The longest set of soaker hoses has been pulled for the winter. I can feel it today a bit, the slightly sore muscles after the bending and mowing activity.

This probably wasn't the last mow of the season, but soon the garden will be completely finished and my evenings will be spent processing veggie stuff - tomorrow I need to finish a lot of picking, it's getting cold late in the week.

This morning I hunkered down in the back bathroom and finally took apart the dripping fitting on the little pipe that runs from the wall to the toilet tank. I cleaned out the threads, used some Teflon tape, and when I was ready to leave the house I looked in and it seemed to be working. Even avoiding a plumber call it was an expensive weekend, but an extremely productive one, all things considered! None of this is technically decluttering because nothing left, or if it did it was replaced. But it is a better operating house today.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 10 Nov 14 - 09:44 PM

City:
SRS:pic of new stove looks great!
Michelle: I never realized how important presentation is until I saw my pottery beautifully displayed at the art Gallery last month! I thought white was best for my variety of glaze colours but contrasting colours make a big difference. I am trying red table covering, with some white lacy place mats for this week's market. We'll see.

By 8 pm last night I was wishing I had gone back to the warm studio and thrown some pots for a couple hours. For reasons best known to someone else, I did not fall asleep early but was good 'til about 10:30 and well bored with both internet and reading. At least I felt better. Getting back on track with supplements does seem to be helping.

Of course this morning I could not get into the potting as it would have meant a couple hours of pre-heating and I had no idea when R would decide to leave for city. I changed the bedding and loaded winter clothes and other stuff into car so I was almost ready to leave when the word came about 1 pm. Turned on kiln after a call to Van to ensure she was not coming today; the fumes are toxic. Someday we will have an exhaust fan... Van will unload tomorrow - but be sure and clear the air!

I drove so R could do business on phone, dropped him off and came home and unloaded car, put food in frig, had a healthy lunch, cooked chicken, cauliflower and cheese sauce for supper. In between - internet, Big Bang and reading during meals. I was going to watch a program about a Canadian literary prize but, when I turned it on, the host was one of my most detested TV people. Why would they have a "comedian" host a literary event!

Tomorrow I am transporting two turtles from the SPCA to Trois Rivieres (about 90 minutes) for rescue. I have no idea why they need to go so far! I am just the chauffeur. I do enjoy going "in a different direction" once in a while. I really miss not having any raccoons but I had no energy for them this year anyway so it is good none came to me.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 Nov 14 - 07:43 AM

Never had a problem with SAD (if that's what it is) until this year. That was one of Tom's problems. I think it's more the run up to the "last of the firsts"...the first anniversary of Tom's death. Of course, the weather, the change of seasons, and the autumn time shift (how I wish they'd just keep the time the same year round!!!) certainly don't help.

Sunday was a bit of a weepy day. I scored a copy of Gail Sheehy's "Passages In Caregiving" at the library sale and started reading it. Wish I had read it back when I first heard about it...but then being Tom's caregiver got progressively more complicated and, quite honestly, I forgot about it. But even reading the intro, I evaluated it's still important for me to read it now. It pissed me off that Tom isn't here to share it with and I yelled at him and told him so. (I'd thought I'd skipped the anger at being abandoned part of the grieving process, but I guess not. Just twinges of it, though.)

Anyway, I got a lot of writing done. It was both a retrospective and an introspective day.

So, today I first have to gather the trash for pickup, then scare up something for breakfast, then head off to my first day at the new job. And after work get my hair cut.

Looks like a lovely day out. Should be a day!

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 Nov 14 - 09:44 AM

Should be a GOOD day!

(Even though it's clouded up.)

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Nov 14 - 11:10 AM

It is lovely to finally have that huge box out from underfoot. The dimensions of the UHaul moving box were 25" x 24" x 21" tall. Now it is on its way to California to a room being remodeled. I need to put a lot of things away - now that I have the new oven the roaster oven can go into the pantry for a couple of weeks (until Thanksgiving), I can put some of the extra canning jars away (given me by a friend) in the bottom of the pantry, and I need to sweep and mop the floor in the sun room and hall outside my office and pantry. Ages ago I talked about making the entry way I use a welcoming space - it has been a piled up storage space for a long time, but I think now I can tidy it and possibly even stage some of the areas in it.

I need to call some friends about Thanksgiving. I think they need to get out of a shell they're constructing, not sure what the origins, but it looks unhappy. We can help each other this year.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Nov 14 - 03:17 PM

Looking up "yoga pants" on Google image searches is rather appalling - these comfortable workout pants are also a hot sleaze trend, apparently. :-/ Good thing when I search for them on Target I find comfortable pants that just look like close-fitting fleece. I'll get something I can use for a class I'm going to enroll in. I need more exercise and just going to the gym to work out doesn't hold my interest. I'm about to join Andrea/Mouldy in the dance-studio-as-exercise category - belly dancing. :)

I can see the faux wood top of my computer desk today after shredding, filing, and recycling paper. But enough paper shuffling, I need to get out and pick stuff in the garden, the first freeze is imminent.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Nov 14 - 07:58 PM

I picked over a half-bushel of green Super Fantastic tomatoes this afternoon, a couple of buckets of peppers and small Roma tomatoes, a dozen eggplants, and need to dig up one of the basil plants to pot for in the house this winter. Supposed to get below 32^o tonight.

Looks like I'll be making green tomato relish this weekend. And I'll be slicing and dicing lots of peppers.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Nov 14 - 09:59 PM

City:
Was a beautiful day! Maybe summer's last gasp! The trip to Trois Rivieres was way longer than expected. Google, as usual, did not give adequate directions and I had a grand tour of TR before finding a small restaurant and begging for a bathroom FIRST!, then directions and a soup and almond croissant to go. Getting closer, I stopped at a veterinarian office and begged the french-only receptionist to phone for an address. Tammie had failed to provide a number! The "reptile man" spoke pretty good English and we had a nice visit. These abandoned turtles are not viable in this zone so he cares for LOTS! And abandoned snakes too. His biggest is 14 feet. I told him right off I did not want to see any snakes! He lives in an ordinary frame house close to downtown but has a large back yard. I wonder if the neighbours know?? He uses some of the animals to educate children about them and the importance of not trying to keep wild animals in their homes.

The trip back - well I missed the turn to the highway and had a tour of downtown. Then I was driving into the sun and it just got worse about 3 pm so I made a wrong turn - not being able to see the signs. It was a relief to not be heading into the sun even though I was no longer on the highway and it may have taken longer but I really did not care.

I was back by 3:45 and had a healthy lunch. Been on computer mostly since lunch. Partly arranging what bagels friends in Ontario want. I will pick them up on my way out of town on Friday morning. Yes. Montreal bagels are special. Google "Saturday night at the Bagel Factory".

R came in about 8 and had a good meal then rushed out again. Not having a good day. He got zapped by a bunch of electric - not his fault. And other things went wrong so he spent some time in the library, his go-to recovery site. It may not have helped that he got to bed at 4 am.

Well, that was a day. The scenery was not beautiful. I was tempted to go over the beautiful big bridge at TR and come back on the south shore but the reptile man told me there is no other bridge until Montreal area - 90 miles! There would be dreadful traffic in the M area. After wending my way through the city on the way back - through increasing traffic, a friend had posted on FB about an incident on the route I did not take. So, really glad I got off the highway. The turtles are safely homed. And so am I.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 12 Nov 14 - 10:32 AM

Husband and I went to the tip this morning to get rid of things from work - less to end up in the house if it all goes pear shaped.
The Irish financial 'experts' have a lot to answer for - a few years ago there was money being poured into the economy and now it seems that there is trouble and woe everywhere, both for their people and for anyone who did business with them.
At least whilst I have access to the office I can work there and make a little money doing lessons and repairs - it is so handy to be able to turn around and say 'can you put an oscilloscope on this reader?' or 'can you see what voltage this is?' and in a little while be seeing what the problem is and maybe even fixing it.

At home I have a music centre in the kitchen, and a load of cds - I seem to be going through the ones by Status Quo at the moment - dancing around the kitchen must use up a few drops of fat each day. Husband thinks I am off my rocker, but dancing is good exercise and you keep the moves, bend the knees and twist the spine, put in a few kicks here and there - groovy!!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Nov 14 - 11:35 AM

I'm in the mood to cook today and so that's what I've been doing. I made 2 large pans of apple crisp and just finished cutting up 3 butternut squash, some for soup, some for eating and some for freezing. I have a box of about 12 more to tend to at some point. I'm thinking I'll cook some of them up and freeze them for Thanksgiving (or whenever as I LOVE winter squash).

A load of laundry has been done, toilet cleaned, floors in the kitchen swept, dishes done. And Jeremiah is home sick today. Go me.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Nov 14 - 03:22 PM

I mailed a care package to my son, a bunch of stuff from the house and a loaf of pumpkin bread tucked in the middle of it all. It was kind of expensive to send it priority mail, but I didn't feel like standing in the line at the post office to mail parcel post, and the bread wouldn't be as fresh if it gets there a week later. Next time, though, I'll send the bread in a flat rate box. The oven has a great thermostat, it is spot on the right temperature and it heats very quickly, both the oven and the burners. I need to be careful they don't get too hot too fast as I adapt to the new appliance.

I also love squash - just cutting an acorn squash in half, putting the cut sides down on an oiled piece of foil and baking it till it is soft - I scoop it out with a spoon, not adding anything to it.

Susie and I have discussed our work next weekend. She has an ongoing project, I have to look around and decide which of many. I might just shift gears and say lets work on a design with beads for 30 minutes - I've been meaning to get started on a couple of projects forever.

The freeze came over the area last night, but actually didn't freeze at my house. I missed a batch of Roma tomatoes and realized this morning that they weren't frost bit so I can pick them after work.

I took the box that the new stove came in and cut out one of the sides, then slid it back into the dog's stall in the garage, and put the two dog houses back in. There isn't room for a third dog house, but the whole thing is covered with a tarp and whoever isn't in a house can sleep next to the oil heater at the side (when it's cool enough to be on). Now there is an enclosed area outside the two dog houses so all three will actually be in an enclosure if they want. I'll have to take a photo so you can see what this looks like. At any rate, the cardboard didn't go to waste.

Finally, I spoke to some of the guys in the FabLab in our library (it's a "maker space" - they're popping up everywhere these days) that has a sewing machine that none of the guys in there know how to use. I'll give them a crash course in a week or two. They're fine with computers and 3D printers, but not so fine with the older technology.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 12 Nov 14 - 07:24 PM

The nice thing about going to work at 11 am is I can get a lot of things done before I leave or before I have to be there. I made sour milk cornbread, called the credit union to find I didn't have to do anything about the confusing letter they sent, put the new session cards in Tom's CDs, and went to the remains of the library sale to buy a bag of books for 2 bucks (for which I gave them $5). Oh, I also picked up my prescriptions. Sandy was 45 minutes late this morning but I a) learned a few more things about using my new cell phone and b) she called to tell me where the key is hidden.

The job is fun, but I DO have my work cut out for me -- but she seems to so appreciate what I'm doing. I'm not so much an administrative assistant as a personal assistant...or, mor accurately, a personal nag. She's ADD or ADHD or both. And I'm here to get her to focus on not wasting time and energy on bouncing around in 37 different directions at once and getting things done so as to eliminate the stress of NOT getting things done. F'rinstance... This morning after I let myself in, I was nosing around to see where everything was and found in the supply closet the slip of paper she'd been carrying around most of yesterday to remind her to call someone back. So I put it back on her desk and when she came in, I suggested she call this person back, since his call was on Monday. Then I reminded her again when she got sidetracked. Then t reminded her again. She said she'd call him tonight. I said, no, call him now... So she did and set up the appointment. She's got some virus mess on her computer, so I suggested a trustworthy tech and called him. He came this afternoon, took the computer and will bring it back tomorrow with, we hope, all of the virus trash cleaned off. Then maybe I can teach her not to click on ANYTHING she has the slightest doubts about, even if they say Microsoft.

Anyway, we found the (physical, not computer) file she was looking for, finished copying a borrowed document so she could return it and basically crossed a lot of things off the list I made for her this morning, starting with replacing the batteries in her hearing aids which yesterday she said she hadn't done. Since she did it before coming in, we crossed it off the list along with mailing an important thing we got done yesterday...so first thing this morning (well, noon) she was on a roll and already felt the day was going well. And with a list she can SEE what we're getting done...and it's easier to see what still needs to be done so it gets on the list tomorrow (and DONE, I hope!).

She says, "Yes, Mom," when I nag her (she's about 10 years older than me)...but with a big smile. And I got a big hug as well as thanks. She also likes that I make her laugh. She says I'm really making a difference.

I don't know how long the job will last, but so far it's both fun and gratifying. And I make some money to supplement my Social Security.

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Nov 14 - 09:17 PM

That sounds like a great opportunity to do a lot of different things, Linn. Picking up could get old, but establishing personal docking stations around the office might help. I'm going to do this with Susie - head over to the Dollar Store and find some colorful bowls and leave one in each room. If she sets down her phone or her keys or her hearing aid she has to put it in one of those bowls. Then at least she can search the bowls, not the whole room, when she has to find the item again.

Really cold today all day. I got gas on the way home because I figure it'll be colder tomorrow morning that it was on the way home. I parked in the garage this evening so I don't have to thaw the car or chip frost off of the windows. I'll set up the oil heater for the dogs this evening. They sleep in the house at night, but they'll be outside when I'm at work and will appreciate the extra warmth, though the garage itself tends to be a solar collector during the day.

Someone is bopping my arm off of the chair to get my hand off the keyboard to claim my attention. It's time to feed the dogs, sez Zeke (who got to hop into the car when the garage door opened and ride into the garage).

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 Nov 14 - 11:38 PM

City:
Went to the country and back again. Started a load of laundry and got it into dryer before I left. Went to the mill, packed and loaded latest pots into car and a few other items, had a visit with Geri, stopped at the thrift shop and got a nice basic curtain rod for mill K, and a seat cushion. Home for a healthy supper and computer/TV eve. The news is finished and I can go to bed. R phoned about 9 and will be late again.

Linn's job sounds rather fun and interesting.
I am surprised the dogs, SRS, don't pile into one compartment. And frost! We have not had any yet but this weekend it is promised. And if I make it to Ontario, will definitely be frost; 5-10 degrees colder up there. Darn! Where is the windshield thingy?

Visiting with Geri at the local restaurant brought up an interesting conundrum. There was nothing I wanted or needed to eat so I ordered French fries $2. When they came I just looked at them; I really did not want them. But over the hour or so, I managed to eat them all. On the way home I considered asking the waitress to give me a bill but not bring me any food! Usually I get soup but today's was not to my liking. It is awkward to not order anything.

Beddie bye time!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Nov 14 - 12:19 PM

Dorothy, the dogs may pile into one spot - when they're in the garage stall I don't see how they arrange themselves, and there is no sneaking up on dogs to see what they're doing. As soon as I touch the door they pour out of the garage to see what is up. Maybe I should set up a "Dog Cam" out there. :)

Winter has arrived, in typical Texas fashion. Earlier in the week the high temperatures were up in the 80s. Now the highs are in the high 30s or low 40s. I need to tweak the programmable thermostat since my work schedule has changed as much as it has. I know I've harped on this - it is always such a shock when it goes from hot to cold with little pretense toward mild autumn in between.

Time to make a push on small items on eBay, and to stage the photos with a tree ornament (no included in the sale) and offer gift wrapping (for a modest cost, or perhaps as a free option.) I moved a big chunk of the paypal balance to the bank but left enough in there to cover some of my seasonal shipping costs (the post office takes paypal). These small sales go toward my postal needs.

Has anyone else been watching and gotten a terrific boost from the landing on the comet adventure this week? It's nice to see a pure science event take the limelight with a look at humanity at its best via technology and cooperation.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Nov 14 - 03:38 PM

Down 2.6 this week.

I did some Christmas shopping today, almost all stocking stuffers for Jeremiah as I am about finished with his Christmas goodies (except maybe 3 or 4 more things...I still want to get him some Christmas jammies, a Christmas movie and an item of the Paw Patrol variety).

I have nothing for anyone else. Not even ideas.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Nov 14 - 07:59 PM

City:
A dog cam might be interesting. But might not! They sleep a lot!

After BF and getting R gone, I took hot bath - an hour, went to bed to recover - an hour, took minerals and chicken broth with rice. Felt much better and started getting little things done. Yesterday's laundry out of dryer and a load into washer and then dryer and out. So nice to have the K table clear for sorting and folding! Prepared supplements in container for next ten days and extras to take with me. The extra MSM and Glucosamine I have been taking since Sunday have helped my shoulders a great deal. It is amazing to be able to fold a sheet or reach a top shelf without difficulty.   

Made big pot of stewed apples last night and cranberries today. Still have enough raw cranberries for 2-3 more batches but they keep really well, both raw and cooked. Sorted out bagel orders and phoned to place order and then again to add to it. 16 dozen bagels going to Ontario! My car will smell so good! Hope to pick them up about 10:30 am and get on the road so I should be at destination one by about 4. I really want to avoid driving after dark where there are deer along the road - maybe on it or crossing it.

My 2nd son phoned about an hour ago and we talked 41 minutes. He was stuck in traffic, in rain, on way to a programming seminar. He ordered bagels from the Montreal "Factory" and froze them and has one "every day"! ( We lived in Montreal when the boys were pre-teen/teens. Bagels from the bagel factory (NOwhere else) were a big thing - and still are, apparently!) He also told me about his new bagel toaster which has a setting for bagel thaw and gives him wonderful crisp bagels. Also has a new double oven - a small part at top which takes place of toaster oven and a regular one below. I do learn from the guys!

I have not lost any weight and may have gained a bit. Not trying any weight losing until I get through the detox and will hold that until January. Now have clear directions and it will not be easy. My body seems to react more quickly and intensely than most. Maybe that comes with the environmental sensitivity - or enables it.

Clothes sorted for trip and No snow in sight!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Nov 14 - 12:29 PM

So much to do this weekend - green tomato relish, defrosting a turkey, getting the shopping done. Oy. I need some extra days off, but don't know if I can take them in the current climate at the library.

My son's care package is nearing delivery and the eBay parcel (chandelier) arrived yesterday. Time to photograph, describe, and pack some more eBay stuff.

I may hire a local kid to come help for an hour or two in the garden, to work side-by-side rather than unsupervised. That would speed up the removal to the compost and let me do some of the turning over of soil in preparation for onions and potatoes and to put in some broccoli (I could have planted them earlier, but all of the space was covered with active crops).

Dog stuff this weekend - brush, possibly bathe all of them. I'll be making their stall winter-worthy. When I telecommuted I could let them in in really cold weather because I was in the house with them, but now that I have to be away every day I need to be sure their space in the garage is comfortable on the coldest days.

If I'd acted like I threatened a few weeks ago I'd have put up some holiday lights in the warm weather. Now I have to put them up whenever I get a chance and be bundled up to do it. At least I have a couple of trees just the right size to string with the big lights that are a lovely spot of color. I don't do the entire house, just an accent or two in the yard.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Nov 14 - 10:06 PM

Ontario:

Left the house almost on time, after a last minute "Where is the cell phone?!!!!" In bathrobe pocket. Then off to drop books at library, stop at ATM, pick up 16 dozen bagels, and drive to Ontario. Arrived about 4pm, made appointment to see "financial advisor" on Monday about selling shares, stopped at garage to check on van but Pete not there, went to Craftsman Restaurant to deliver bagels, have a nice visit with friends/owners and a bowl of pea soup, then to Saidie's to deliver bagels and a wonderful two hour visit with her and husband and finally to Lake St. Peter and a short visit with host Stu and another house guest before retiring to an early night.

Soon to sleep!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Nov 14 - 10:32 PM

I walked around so much today that I wore out my child. No small fete there.

I'm beat myself.

Sweet dreams!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Nov 14 - 11:38 AM

Pea soup! Sounds perfect. I'll make myself some. This weekend I broke out the sweatshirts - and it's time to buy a couple of new ones, these are pretty decrepit after many years of use. I layer, of course, so they still work, but they aren't the most attractive for going out in public.

I shopped on the way home yesterday, bringing home a lot for both the foreseeable near-future activities (thanksgiving) and for every day use for sometime to come. I found some tenderloin steaks in the "managers special" bin that I cut into 4 oz sections and froze in seal-a-meal bags. Small amounts makes it an affordable treat and helps keep the cholesterol from rising when I occasionally partake. Mostly I'm eating healthier proteins: in particular, I found a recipe for croquettes recently and I'm going to try to master the salmon croquette this winter.

I should have thought ahead, though - this time of year stores usually give a free turkey if you buy $X amount, and I met that criteria last night, something I don't do often. I think I can manage it again one more time by picking up a couple of more cases of canning jars next time I shop. I'm going to be using up most of what I have this weekend to make green tomato relish. The major christening of the new stove - a big pot of water for processing the relish.

I also have to work on a book for work that I have pushed aside for way too long. Now I need to finish it, and on my time.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Nov 14 - 12:52 PM

Take that receipt to the service desk and get your turkey!!!

~S~

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Nov 14 - 11:38 AM

I should try that - the ads will be in the paper today, I'll take a look and see what I can do. It probably depends on how long the offer runs.

I brought home a wooden "in box" this week and I'm going to clear off the trunk that acts like a credenza in my home office and make that the place where I put the pages I print to read or use later. They otherwise end up spread around and contribute to the office visual clutter.

The weather is shifting - we woke to a drizzle today - and I can feel it in my sinuses. Supposedly there is a threat of freezing precipitation - this would be an excellent time for that to start happening. I don't need to go out anywhere and could stand to have an extra day off. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 16 Nov 14 - 06:11 PM

Two wood deliveries today. Next week? Focus on the kitchen and getting ready for Thanksgiving. :) What are you all doing for Thanksgiving? I'd love to hear some of your traditions!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Nov 14 - 07:22 PM

Cold and drizzly out. I'd love a snow day tomorrow, but I doubt it will continue to drizzle as it freezes. Too many people want it to happen for it to actually happen. :-/

Susie and I didn't get much done today, but I did set up the closed caption on her television and we trimmed one toenail on one of the dogs. It's a very long, abnormally long one, and even though I trimmed way out, it started bleeding. Hard to get that to stop, but I think overnight it will finally clot and quit oozing. I told her this is something she needs to go to a professional for. It didn't seem to hurt her, the only good part of that misadventure.

Editing tonight now that we've finished our visit and dinner and the dishwasher is loaded.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 16 Nov 14 - 08:56 PM

I have joined the land of the cell phones as of last week. I've had cell phones before, just phones....not the crazy phones that are now available and that I now have! I have been having fun learning about it, mostly fussing around with it instead of reading the manual, which I will eventually do.

However. Tonight I was playing around with available apps. I have one to tune my uke, one for my violin, a metronome, some quilting tutorials and calculators but then...oh but THEN I found the JUST DANCE app that you sync up with your laptop.

I had SO MUCH FUN dancing along with the videos...I can see that this is going to become a secret fun thing to do alone when no one is home to watch!!! I imagine this app was created for 12 year olds but I don't care....it was SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!!   

I love exercise when it's FUN! YAY!

And Thursday? I'm getting an active link (Fit Bit). I love tracking things and seeing graphs so maybe this will encourage me to move more than I am (which honestly isn't much lately...C'mon Synthroid...KICK IN ALREADY.....also, have started some B complex vitamins to perk up the energy.....it's going to happen...it IS going to happen!!!)

Michelle who is still giggling about the dancing!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 Nov 14 - 09:36 PM

Ontario:
Kind of slept in yesterday, visited with hosts and their other guest for a while, stopped in Maynooth for a couple quick visits and then dashed off for an afternoon with my friend in Highland Grove, sitting in the library with her and chatting as she did her librarian thing, chatted with in-comers and rushed to the community room to stir the stuffing! She and others were working on a big turkey dinner fund raiser. got to meet 3 of her grandsons and see a d-i-l down from the far north for a visit. Like many afternoons similarly spent when I lived in the Grove, except then her children were only a bit older than the grands are now!

Then back up to Lake St. Peter to meet Dave, the other guest, and we went off to dinner at my fav eatery and then to an open mic out east of town. He was determined to play and did his 3 songs and later went on about how the other musicians did not know any of them. I had never heard them and found them a bore. It was a wonderful old time event with old time music, about a dozen musicians, intermittent square dancing, waltz, two-step. I loved it. And connected with two people I had not seen in 15 years.

Then he decided to take the back road back to Maynooth so I held on and bit my tongue, wondering why anyone would do this mainly dirt road in the pitch dark with flurries. Back at the Arlington there was another sort of open mike - a terrific pianist, a marvellous performance by a guy in drag with a great voice, poetry readings, mini-skits... I sat out in the hall as it was too loud, and read my current novel. Tired and wanting bed! So much for an early night - midnight is early for some?

This morning I was off to the farm market (in the municipal gym) and a day of meeting old friends and acquaintances and lots of conversation with those and ones I have connected with over the few months I have been "back". A high point was being recognized and conversed with by a young woman whom I had not seen since she was a teen. I felt the gift of friendship. Did not sell much but it was a good day. I feel so much a part of the community here; it is home.

Stu and Les packed up their stuff and then helped me finish up and load the car and we came back to the house where they prepared a simple meal, including rosemary bagels from Montreal. I have been on line since about 7 - going through emails, including one from sick R who got some care today - a friend brought him an Iranian "cure everything" soup and made him herb tea! I phoned when I got back and he is much better than last night - taking C and Pau d'Arco, sleeping and watching TV, inlcuding the French channels!

Soon to bed.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Nov 14 - 10:13 AM

Took yesterday as a "Quiet" day...recovering from the sessions and sociability surrounding the first anniversary of Tom's death. I needed to be surrounded by friends and music -- as I had last year when he died. But yesterday I needed quiet.

Tried to call a couple people (late in the afternoon when I could finally deal with it), but several weren't home. Called my 94-year old great aunt to apologize for having not sent a card and a note. (I've not been doing well in that regard this past year, although I seem to manage to mail the sympathy cards of which there are way too many.)

Today I have to get things done...including a funeral this afternoon. I really am tired of friends dying. Someone said recently that we're all getting further and further out on progressively thinner ice, but it's still a shock when someone falls through. Nate was 46 -- way too young. I found out Friday (anniversary of Tom's death) and just. Couldn't. Call his mother. Tears and my loss are still so close to the surface and I feel the loss of others so intensely... I knew I couldn't speak without crying. So I wrote her a note and mailed it at the Portsmouth post office, so she probably got it Saturday.

Friday I also got the letter printed out, signed, notarized, and mailed back to the bank for the final settlement of my mother's estate. It'll be the first anniversary of her death in about a week.

My computer is still in the shop so I'm doing everything on an iPad, which means there's a lot I can't do. The bathroom electrical situation is still up in the air and now my clothes dryer has suddenly stopped working...which might be electrical and not the machine. Arghhhh!

Been having some sort of gastro-intestinal problem off and on for the past week. Yesterday (and today) I've had oatmeal for breakfast and mostly rice the rest of the day. And a bit of kimchee because it's fermented. Need to go out later an get some live culture yoghurt because I'm out and some bananas. Sticking to easy to digest foods for awhile and stuff to get my gut flora and fauna back in whack. (That's a technical medical term...)

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Nov 14 - 11:08 AM

One day at a time Linn, and make the most of the time you spend at work letting your social batteries recharge.

I discovered this morning that Zeke had snagged his collar somewhere in the yard and lost his name tag. I must get new tags for all of the dogs, they're either missing or so worn the can't be read. I took a day off work with "urgent dog issues." Let them think the worst - once I get the new tags I'll do some work for work and only take off the hours I actually had to do the shopping. No telecommuting these days, but I still get better work done here than in the environment at the office.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Nov 14 - 02:13 PM

Yeehah!!! The dryer is fine! I reset the breaker AGAIN and it worked.

But yesterday something slipped off my nightstand. I didn't chase it. Today I realized it was my watch and, try as I might, I can't find it.

Deep breath... It's all going to work out.

"Wintry mix" out there today. Still mostly drizzle, but the temp is hovering close to freezing. Glad I'm in. Subaru for my trek to and from Portsmouth.

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 17 Nov 14 - 06:22 PM

I carried my big knitting machine out of the house into the car, along with all the bits and pieces and the stand, then got it up the stairs to the workshop and did a lesson and then got it back again, and half put back together - it is a lot of effort, but I earned some money for it, so probably worth it.

It will probably be all back together again tomorrow.

We have a new PC with Windows 8.1 on it. We've been working to make it feel more like Windows 7 but it is like pulling teeth - get rid of this screen and that screen, but it still takes longer as it thinks about things whirling it's little wheel - just who thought that it would be a good idea to make it the only thing available even to devices which do not have a touch screen?

It keeps missing letters when I type, and I am not all that fast a typist, but the machine came with a flat laptop sort of keyboard and I use a curvy one - it can keep up when I use one hand and the flat keyboard but not now the racing one is plugged in.

There is no media centre so I can't record the Stargate series nor Timeteam to watch during the day. Bit of a pigs ear really.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Nov 14 - 09:11 PM

I found an excellent tutorial about Win 8.1 and have enjoyed learning to use the new computer. Does yours have a touch screen? That is what Win8 is designed to work with. If you can get to www.Lynda.com take a look at the choices of courses they offer. I think an individual membership is $25 a month and your courses are unlimited. I'd suggest paying for a month of that and sitting down with the Win8 tutorials and you'll learn a great deal - and perhaps decide you don't need the screen to look like Win 7. That's the conclusion I came to.

Today I took a big step and gave the dogs their annual immunizations myself. I have known for a while that the feed store sells kits with individual doses. It comes out $12 each and you use the hypodermic to extract the liquid from one bottle, inject into the other with a small cake of the material, shake, then fill and after cleaning a spot on the neck or behind the leg, inject under the skin (not into the body or a vein). The hard thing is to make myself press it into the skin with enough pressure to do it quickly, but not with such force that it goes too far. But I did it and not a one of them complained. They also each got a treat after, which never happens at the vet's office.

They'll get their rabies shots next weekend at the monthly shot clinic at the same feed store, $11 each. I had other dog activities as well - Zeke lost his collar last night, and when I found it in the yard the name tag was off. So part of the trip was a new collar that buckles and will stay on better, and a new tag.

Darned cold here again tonight. The car is in the garage and the dogs will be in the house. Last week it was in the 80s.

I'm working on stuff for work this evening, but during the week I'll be listing more eBay items and getting started on some crafts. I've picked up enough materials for projects that it is finally time to start doing some of them.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 17 Nov 14 - 11:36 PM

Ontario:
Out this am to volunteers' meeting. Sparse attendance = quick meeting. The group took my suggestion of a circle instead of rows so no chit chat and everyone could see everyone and hear better. Then went out to visit the van; asked Pete about winter storage. After having told me a couple months ago that I should put it in a heated space, he now said it would be fine outside and agreed to keep it in his yard until spring, when, I hope, he will have time to do the repair. Now he is up to "there" with people needing their snow tires. It has been snowing lightly for a couple days and a larger amount is due tomorrow. I am counting on the road south being clear when I need to leave at 4 pm.

Then visited a friend's Christmas shop. Very nice! Stopped in at A Place for the Arts and viewed the latest art work - a wonderful variety of photos and paintings by local artists. Then had an appointment at the bank to register my shares so I can sell them and have a down payment if I ever find a property cheap enough. The went seeking a place to have hair cut. Enjoyable time chatting with Gary as he cut off most of my hair! It has not been this short since infancy! As I was leaving, I noted out loud, "At the art gallery, we were talking about haircuts and I remember someone saying, 'he gets talking and keeps cutting...'" Gary laughed and said, "Pat Cooke!" Nice man. If I ever go back, maybe he will not cut off quite so much.

Then stopped at each grocery store. Bought nothing at first and went back in for more at the second, having gotten in the car and realized I needed lunch stuff for tomorrow. Got back to the house in time for a bite with hosts who then went out. I made a couple sandwiches for tomorrow and started organizing for departure. When Lesley came back, we chatted for awhile. I told her I am having separation anxiety already. I cannot see myself staying away until spring. She assured me I am welcome to stay here if I want to come back. Even being away the last month has been very difficult. I will watch the weather and try to come back once a month. This is no only a healthier environment physically, it is where I feel comfortable, and have friends.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 17 Nov 14 - 11:41 PM

Just re-checked weather for tomorrow and it does not look like much snow but some wind and flurries. Not too bad. She says hopefully.

And so to bed.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Nov 14 - 12:57 AM

I baked a sweet potato and an acorn squash this evening to use for lunches this week. I have a crock pot of raisin oatmeal going for tomorrow morning. This evening seems to be all about warm food for tomorrow, another cold day.

The ant situation in the house is taking a radical shift. I shopped for organic treatments and am trying a couple of bait methods - small traps with abamectin are of some interest, but the little cardboard things you put liquid bait (containing borax) on - they go for that big time. I'm hoping they carry this back to the vast mound that is evidently under my house and kill off the rest. There are a couple of places where ants are gobbling up the liquid this evening. This stuff is called Terro.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 18 Nov 14 - 05:07 AM

SRS - the ants should die off with the borax - we can't get it here any more, borax, but our ants are not so destructive. This time of year when things are going into Autumn and Winter the numbers should be declining and few if any new queens being produced.

The new computer is not touch screen, and we really don't want to learn to accommodate Windows 8.1 - we want it to work for us. Getting rid of screens which have no purpose has helped, but I find it so slow starting off and it is so annoying when I can't close something because the X in the corner doesn't appear under the cursor and there is no way to get out. Why hide it in the first place? Well - it is for teeny tiny screens I suppose, so every little bit of extra viewing space is precious - but my monitor is really quite large.

It isn't the look of Windows 7 we want but the feel - I don't have the time to wait for it to get ready or to go through the animation. I've done the teenage eyeroll and oh per'leeze at this machine rather a lot - I mean - whoever designed this should grow up a bit and try again because their first attempt needs a lot of pruning and tuning.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Nov 14 - 12:46 PM

Oh Hallelujah! I cleared out 5 30 gallon sized trash bags of clothes that Jeremiah has outgrown, baby toys, kitchen appliances no longer used, dishes and cups no longer used and a box of heavy gear too. And a tall oak chair that swivels...nothing wrong with it, just no longer have a need Best of all? I have a promise from my husband to take it to the Salvation Army tomorrow! HOORAY! I have 3 large totes of toys to sort through and add to the pile but I ran out of garbage bags....so....I'm off to get some of those! It sure feels good to have that OUT OF HERE! (It's on the front porch until tomorrow morning and then buh bye!!!)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 18 Nov 14 - 01:54 PM

awesome..catch and release for kiddy toys, clothes etc.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Nov 14 - 02:03 PM

I think you'll find if you simply left click the symbol in the lower left hand corner it will toggle between the old Win 7 look screen and the new Win8 screen. You can work off of that instead of the fluid "metro tile" screen from Win8. Any time you click on one of the tiles that doesn't have a Win8 setup, it will open in the older desktop.

Rumncoke, I'd be happy to mail some of this ant stuff to you. It isn't very expensive and isn't very large. Send me a PM and we can work out the details. This is the product.

My next door neighbor caught me as I was leaving the house this morning to tell me that thieves stopped by his front yard a couple of nights ago and picked up a bunch of ornamental paving stones that they took 2 blocks up the street and proceeded to use after they jacked up a truck to steal all four tires. Left the truck perched atop his pavers. I'm directly across the street from him and I've been parking in the garage at night since it's cold, but this tells me it is all the more imperative to park inside. Zeke with his race out the door trick is why I don't bother all of the time. It's time to finish the dog enclosure, put up the last bit to keep the dogs from exiting around the gate into the rest of the garage. Then I can come and go without worrying about him. I'll put this on the top of my to-do list over the long break next week.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 18 Nov 14 - 05:32 PM

We used to have several different ants nests in the garden - and they did come into the kitchen - but I told them off for it and they stopped coming in - I really don't know why as I'm sure they have no understanding of English.

Over time, however, I changed the ecology of the garden growing fruit bushes and trees rather than having grass, and they have gone. There used to be a big nest of black ants under the paving stones, but it is constant shade from the apple trees, and just that bit colder, I suppose.

Hopefully the great great granddaughters are busily doing the ant thing elsewhere. They used to swarm in their many thousands when they hatched a generation with wings, so they were flourishing at one time.

Ah now there is no toggling between for this PC - no symbol for it - lower left is the start menu - the new PC is getting more 7-ish all the time. There are 8.1 parts I'm sure, but we don't need to go there at all. The big lack is Windows Media Centre, but we can buy something to do the job. I record early evening programs to watch the next day, or when I have time.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 18 Nov 14 - 08:43 PM

any recommendations for where to buy an old laptop with xp on it and wireless ready to go and cd drive..i need it to use my good genealogy program..newer computer is not compatible....just got a new laptop so don't want to put much money into it.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 18 Nov 14 - 11:34 PM

City:
Safely home by 9 pm. no snow until on the Island of Montreal and that only light, sparse and dry.

A quiet day at the art gallery. Friends came in for a visit. A woman I had never met came in and we talked long enough to be well acquainted. Another area resident, came in to actually see the art and in chatting asked, "Did you know Agnes...?" "What happened to her?" "She died on Weds." WOW, probably a blessing for her as she had cirrhosis of the liver. And am I ever glad I went to visit her in July! Long chat with this woman and asked her to let me know if there is some sort of memorial. That was the day. I found the wifi password and spent time deleting emails, etc. Changed into sweat pants for traveling and headed toward Montreal. I had filled tank in the am so did not have to stop except to use the facilities at a service centre.

Came home to a cold house (56F) and a still sick R. More work completed on house but still on-going and BR still full of tools and no closet. Felt like getting back in the car ...

Looking around the gallery today, I decided it is time to start spending more time on my pots to make each one more interesting, more creative. I have enough ordinary pots. I can take time to do some interesting embellishment.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Nov 14 - 01:44 AM

You can buy Windows Media Center from Microsoft for $10. I did that when I got my Win8 laptop. It's a download once you pay for it - just do a search at Microsoft.

I just looked at my Win8. If you don't have a "desktop" tile on Win8 already, you can create a tile that takes you to a desktop that looks like Win7. That is where any non-Win8 programs will run by default anyway. I'll have to think about it, or research to tell you how, I don't remember what I did if I created that tile, but it may already be there. Then you click on that to get to the old desktop or click on the corner windows icon in the desktop to get back to the new metro screen.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Nov 14 - 01:54 AM

Dell has an auction site where they sell old laptops and desktops. eBay has lots of older computers - but there, buyer beware. Since XP isn't supported any more, you'll have a difficult time finding anything that isn't quite used, possibly decrepit. Why don't you research compatibility settings on your current computer, see if you can run an XP emulator to run the old software.

I can't keep Zeke out of the ant stuff. He has knocked off two of the little bait traps and one tab covered with the liquid. I think it must have tasted bad because he left it alone after the first chew. I have to remember to keep the door closed all of the time so he doesn't get into that bathroom when he's in the house part of the time. He got into the tub to get the last one, it was on the far corner. I guess I'm lucky he didn't eat a bar of soap while he was in there. I've thrown out any that were still in reach.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 19 Nov 14 - 07:29 AM

To get Windows Media Centre would be over 100 UK pounds, so we'll get something cheaper.

We have already changed to the Windows 7 looking options, and removed opening screens associated with Windows 8.1 - it doesn't like it, but that is the way it is going to be.

The new metro screen is not going to be making a reappearance any time soon.

It is not behaving at all well - opening is slow, maybe they expect things to be left open all the time, it looks that way. I am just waiting for things to be moved off the old computer and then I will set it up in one of the bedrooms and probably keep it until it goes wrong, or Microsoft stop messing about and start making a serious OS again.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Nov 14 - 11:51 AM

I wonder if that is something I could buy on a disk and send? I don't see it.

I like WinDVD, I bought a copy on sale at Amazon that I have to install soon (I can burn BluRay DVDs but I can't play them in my computer). Here is a page with information about the topic that was posted earlier this year.

For the weekend, I'm going to assemble the scrap wood in my garage and see about constructing the final bit of fence I need to keep the dogs confined to their stall area in the garage. I'm pretty sure I have enough scrap 2x4s and cross member parts to build something that I can anchor to the exposed studs and joists (my garage isn't finished, you can see the studs and mdf, which is actually very handy for attaching things to the walls and hanging things from the ceiling).

Also this weekend, my faucet in the kitchen is leaking a lot, and I think there is a cartridge that can be replaced. If it isn't too cold I'll turn off the water (the shutoff is at the bottom of the front yard near the street) and disassemble it and find a match for the cartridge. It was supposed to be replaced free (a lifetime warranty) but I've never been able to convince Home Depot that this is the case with this faucet. A project good to have finished before the marathon cooking/cleaning that happens in the kitchen around Thanksgiving.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Nov 14 - 12:49 PM

City:

Managed to get warm in bed. Did not want to get out of that nest this morning! Poor R was out about 6 am having forgotten to "close the basement windows at VSP". When he returned about 9, I had managed to drag myself, necessarily, out of bed and made french toast with the marked down, and fairly dry, cranberry bread, accompanied by all natural cranberry/maple sausage which was delicious. The F toast was good too.

Then R dashed away and back and away and B came to collect some of his tools to help with one of the weather induced crises at VSP. I sorted out the K while until chaos settled and then went upstairs and taped the crack around one door to balcony with duct tape and brought down a small heater, sorted out the extension cord someone had bunched up and -AHHHH! warmth - pointed at my feet/legs!

Then I could sit down and delete emails and get here. Want to write email to gallery committee and check a couple websites then back to some odds and sods in K. And put a quilt across the doorway between "BR" and pottery area to keep the heat in one place. Emailed Vanessa to leave some heat on in studio if she gets there. Down to 28F and due to drop lots further on Friday. We need to get down there! But I DO have my snow tires on.

Wanting to get things done. Onward...

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 19 Nov 14 - 05:05 PM

We are close to the sea so the weather tends to be mild.
Made another run to the dump this morning and it was pleasant enough to go in a cotton kilt with tee shirt and sandals, not needing even a waistcoat or hat to keep in the heat.

I have hats to finish - knitted and crochet ones in imitation of the Outlander costume item.

Another knitting machine to go back to its owner, needs a good scrub tomorrow morning and then down to the workshop by one pm. Then one more - perhaps for the weekend.

I must finish at least one woollen kilt for the winter, two would be better, and another long cloak, also in wool - nothing is as warm, but I think I'll go for a half circle shape rather than anything heavier.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Nov 14 - 02:07 AM

I made a batch of green tomato relish tonight, about half of the recipe because that is all that will fit in the pot I wanted to cook it in, and fills as many jars as fill the pot for processing, and creates enough tomato/pepper/onion slurry to drain in the over-the-sink drainer thing I have. Eight and a half pints.

The house smells wonderful. The dogs are in now, and Zeke stole a tomato off of the counter. I thought I'd fix him so I lined up some jalapeno peppers along the edge. One was missing after a few minutes, but apparently he bit it and dropped it and the pit bull ate it. Poor girl was slobbering up a storm. I gave her some milk to help ease the burn. I guess someone learned a lesson about hot peppers this evening, just one the one who was the target. :-/ (This is too good to post just here, so it's going on facebook also).

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Nov 14 - 01:17 PM

Gallbladder ultrasound was ydy. It was fun-- seeing the whole contents of the ab cavity plus kidneys. While she scanned the tech and I had a hoot talking abt how church really works. I love answering church questions.

Ydy was also The Return of Amber and Justin, the housecleaning couple we must have known well in a parallel universe. We took apart my Supercloset (I got pix first), because I needed its bookshelf in the LR against the first wallful of birds Hardy has painted out for me while I was in Ohio. It replaced a desk I loved so much, which had to go because i just couldn't find a place for it in Ohio. It (and a headboard-sized shelf that'll fit on top) went to a friend of theirs they've been digging out. Perfect craft table for her.

To replace it for my continuing studies, I brought down a small folding tv stand thingie you've probably seen on tv. Tilt top, slides under chair. Adjustable height, in clean white. The bookshelf happily swallowed up all my winter books. The whole end of the room glows, cuz Amber cleans when no one is looking. ;-)

I also packed up the still-clean linens I use to dress the main floor for company. Thet went into the clear zip bag a comforter had come in and were easily stowed where I'll see them daily and can quickly deploy them (guest towels, etc).

The comforter that came in it is what I picked out for Hardi to replace a pretty but green roll up shade he'd made for the bay window. Matches paint. The green one goes to Ohio where it will solve several issues and fit without alterations.

In Supercloset will now go a shoe rack. Half the clothes, shoes, and handbags that had been in the shelf are now packed for Ohio. The LR is very close to winterized/done.

Amber and Justin are now scheduled to be here twice a month except during Advent and Lent. When I'm here I'm on Boss Amber's team. When I'm in Ohio they will help nicen up the place for Hardi and keep up witj dog hair.

Yay!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Nov 14 - 06:22 PM

Not getting my "new" laptop til Monday... My computer is still in the shop -- contents of old hard drive being transferred to "new" computer that I bought last February. Plans for backup computer arrangement went pear-shaped so I'll deal with that later. A friend is rescuing the old drive for free, so I can't really get impatient when he has paying jobs to work on. But I'm going nut zooid without a computer. The iPad is great, but I have no access to data, etc. I've got a lot of backup material on DVD or flash drives which I can transfer to the laptop so I'll be back in business again, more or less.

No bit of fun goes unpunished, it seems. Got to bed too late last night and woke up too early. Felt initially okay, considering, and got some stuff in the house put away in anticipation of my up the hill neighbor coming down to help me with some cleaning. But just couldn't deal with the major schleppage to the cellar. Called Izo to tell her I was feeling less than optimal so maybe we should reschedule. Turns out she hadn't gotten to bed til 4 am because she was cleaning HER house... We got together, though, and I gave her some clothes I de-accessioned. Did an errand, then went home and took a nap and ended up feeling worse after the nap. Not sure what I got into.

The fun was last night. First went to a talk at the Portsmouth Athenaeum by the author of "Mortal Sea: Fishing In The Age of Sail" ( he's a very engaging speaker), then crossed Market Square to RiRa to see Great Bay Sailor. Sat with friends who were already there and was surprised when the band invited me up to sing. Sang "Bridget Flynn" with some really nice accompaniment, then returned to my Guinness. And a bit later Jim started playing "Fisher Row" and very nicely insisted I return to the stage to sing it...and he really did some nice guitar work behind it! Stayed longer than I'd intended to, but there were a lot of friends in the audience and, of course, the music was really good. GBS has managed a miracle in taming the wild acoustics of that pub. I've been avoiding it because the sound bouncing around (it's a former bank building) is painful and good for an instant headache that sticks even after I've escaped. But Jim and Steve have figured it out and keep the volume comparatively low and restrained. Sounds good!

I have an early appointment to get the oil changed in the car tomorrow. Then a pretty busy day. Hope I feel less like doggy doo after a good night's sleep.

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Nov 14 - 10:45 AM

The surplus chair brought in for MIL use the week before I went go Ohio is going back out again, abt two weeks since returning. Not bad for juggling with gallbladder issues!
;-)

Ran the cords thru the newly installed bookcase, redecorated my favorite pretty study cgair, added a lamp, and put away a few more travel items us odds n ends Amber n Justin had uncovered. One gem was a bottle of brand-name Synthroid in the most easy-to-split dose for future dosage adjustments.   

In a bit, I hope to take delivery of the cheap notebook charger fed ex is bringing-- was so sick when I left Ohio I never even thought about packing it!

~S~

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Nov 14 - 11:00 AM

... and the LR is now open, non-green-light-filled enough to see the bag I unloaded from the van ydy, full of Blue Songbook arranging waiting to be done this winter in the pretty-pretty room! A comfy chair to pull up for a friend, and room for all we enjoy doing, with space to get at and behind every piece of furniture for cleaning myself or with help!!! And the tree is up!

~S~

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Nov 14 - 02:54 PM

A box just arrived from my sister with things my mother collected in the time she lived in Japan after WWII. I've been thinking about gifts this year since my daughter went to Japan last summer so this is perfect timing. I'm sure there is something in there that she'll appreciate.

More green tomato relish this afternoon after the dishwasher finishes. I've loaded it with a case + of pint jars. A friend on facebook mentioned using her relish to make tartar sauce - I've asked for that recipe. I love good tartar sauce but so much of what you buy has a weird flavor. I'll use relish as gifts this year and include the recipe if it's one I like.

Took the day off from work to do a lot of this stuff. I've been in the garden and found a place outside next to the side door where the ants are still very active (they swarm over my compost container). I put an old piece of ceramic tile down in the path and loaded it up with the liquid borax ant bait. This should nail the population in the wall near the kitchen. The trail of ants to the bait in the bathrooms are almost gone and this morning I find that a new bait in the living room next to the chimney isn't getting any attention. I think the ants in the master bath have been coming in through a wall up against the other side of the chimney.

Linn, I'm sorry the aftermath of such a great evening is a headache. (I'd love to have been in that audience!) I wonder if you were dehydrated? In cooler weather I have to remember to drink a certain amount of water and try to remember to drink a glass of water at bedtime. I know, it might mean a trip to the loo during the night, but generally it helps with the electrolyte level and such. Alcohol and caffeine will work against you unless you add extra water.

Susie and I are going to work on dog things this weekend. I told her about giving my dogs their shots, and she's going to do the same thing. The woman who her dogs used to belong to used to give them shots herself. Tomorrow is a shot clinic at the local feed store so we will head down there to get the rabies shots for all of our animals. The rabies vaccine isn't sold OTC, that has to be given by a vet, but it is $11 per animal at these clinics.

It is warm and overcast today but supposed to be cold and rainy tomorrow, so anything outdoors has to be finished soon. It's nice to have a couple of long weekends to take care of stuff around here.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Nov 14 - 03:00 PM

Beautifully sunny - and cold 23F - in Montreal. No word from Vanessa re heat in studio. We will be going down tonight for the cafe; hope nothing has frozen. R needs to turn on heat in that distant toilet room and freeze-proof the laundry area. Always a bit late; I suspect he was born late?

Yesterday I spent the entire morning foraging: food, MSM, a floor sponge mop and extra head as I have given up trying to find the correct heads for the handles we have... Got back and put car in legal today spot and sorted groceries into places.Then bf as I had dashed out to move car to legal parking and decided to do errands while out. Then lunch; I find I have to catch up so I ate the left over F. toast, still yummy. Then had to finish the current novel which I did before 5 and then walked to the library and returned it and came back with 5 - of which 2 turn out to be too far out for my taste. R came home early and SICK. A friend was having a b-day party nearby but he fell asleep until after 7 and I suggested no one would thank him for coming in that condition, so we stayed home, watched Big Bang, Suzuki, the Doc Zone and the news. And on computer.

I had trouble sleeping and after two trips to can, I decided a hot bath was in order so I went upstairs to do that. It was dark when I went up and still dark when I came down. Eventually I went to sleep and was content to stay in bed when he jumped up and dashed away about 7:30. Got up at 11 and had the toast bf, put the bedding and more into machine and now in dryer. R came home for lunch and we talked about the issue of going to the mill. Looks as though we are going together at 6ish. UNLESS he gets a trailer loaded.... "And the only reason I'm hanging around is to find out what the heck is going to happen next..." But I do get tired of waiting at times.

Good news for me is that I am better able to negotiate getting in and out of the bath tub. I am also increasingly able to do things with my arms; I have to tell myself "I can!" and usually am able to move in directions as not before. I need to strengthen the muscles by doing things.

Although we thought Igor had left, he came back and finally we caught him about a week ago in the live trap. He had managed to remove an apple and an avocado from the trap and had gone back in for the other apple which was further in. R took him to the office and bro got so excited that they were feeding him and gave him water and admired him. He was a handsome fellow. Poor guy died yesterday and we feel badly. I would have preferred he be released and live out his days in his natural habitat near the canal. Even if he was killed by a predator, it would be better than dying in a cage. I have requested the trap back to be stored in the back shed in case... It is lovely not having a rat, even a handsome one.

Reminded that I do have yarn, hooks and needles at the mill; I keep meaning to start some small project, hats or scarves to sell at the Market. Maybe I can find the yarn in the morning.

I take delight in Susan's progress. And everyone else's also.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Nov 14 - 05:26 PM

Rats can carry diseases, it isn't a good idea to make a pet of a wild one. If either of the guys get sick, be sure to mention the rat to the doctor.

Dog droppings policed, compost bin emptied, all commingled in the compost heap that has been topped by part of the dead garden plants. Out now to trim more tomato vines and dump them before dark. It's nice now, but will be cool and very rainy tomorrow, so tomorrow after all of the dog stuff I'll work on the project in the garage (connecting up the dog stall gate with the wall so the dogs can't just wander into the entire garage).

Tonight also will be canning relish. I've set everything up to work on. Also, I'm going to be starting some sewing projects soon. I got one of those Amazon Fire TV Stick's when they were half-price on pre-order. I am going to use it with a small LED television that I can move around the house. I like to watch movies while I sew, and I can stream NetFlix or Amazon prime through this and not have to set up a cable or computer to do it. I could have used the laptop connected to the television, but that involves multiple plugs, cables, and space on the tabletop. For $20, I figure it's a good way to set up a comfy work space.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 21 Nov 14 - 06:11 PM

could you elaborate on using a windows xp emulator on windows 7 laptop? someone else said i should do this..could i screw it up?

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Nov 14 - 06:58 PM

Mary, here are a few links that should help:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/install-and-use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/windows-xp-mode

http://www.wikihow.com/Install-Windows-Xp-Mode-in-Windows-7

The dead eggplant, okra, tomatoes, peppers from the big garden are now in the compost. There are a couple of pobalo plants still standing near the kitchen door. I cut the basil and dropped it in place so it will seed itself in the spring. The bench cushions have been brought in for the season. If I'd had time I should have put up the holiday lights on this warm afternoon, but it will have to wait.

Good news on the dog front: I called Invisible Fence to order new batteries. I have one collar that I trade off between Cinnamon and Poppy and this is enough to keep them away from the fence. I wanted to know if they had any used collar units ($125), but they didn't. We discussed prices - new they're $350 with a full warranty, or I can get a 1 year warranty for $130 less, and I was thinking about that. I mentioned that I knew the full warranty wasn't everything they claimed, because I was told a couple of years ago that they wouldn't replace a unit the dogs broke - they would only replace those that failed electronically. She said that was wrong, if the dogs broke it they would replace it. I dug it out, she looked up my account, and I'm going to mail this to her to replace and use that on Zeke to train and then wear. Whew! I'll train Zeke over the holiday break.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Nov 14 - 02:29 AM

A full batch of green tomato relish finished - I now have (in pint jars) 11 quarts of relish. It'll be a good gift for people this year because this is definitely a lifetime supply if I kept it all myself.

The eBay chandelier purchaser posted remarks and has rewired the fixture and says it is lovely. Great! I thought it was gorgeous also, but I don't really have a chandelier kind of house.

I zapped a bunch of ants outside today, but the drizzle has started and they seem to have fled the scene of the bait. I put a couple of spots in the corner of the living room and no one has responded so I think the ants in the chimney were clobbered from the other side that backs up against the master bath. If they're back next year I won't ignore them for so long, I'll zap them when they first start swarming.

I'm wired after all of that cooking, but I will call it quits and head to bed, maybe read a bit.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 Nov 14 - 10:22 AM

No headache, Stilly. Great Bay Sailor knows how to set the sound system so the usual pain and the headache are avoided for the first time that I 'be been at RiRa.

Found out last night that my desktop transfer is complete with no data loss. May get it back today after Steve reformats the external hard drive and sets up Time Machine so it will actually work this time. I think the last time failed because the computer was too old for the new drive. It never backed up completely, wouldn't restart, and interfered with the computer itself. If not today, then Monday.

Monday I get the laptop and may swap out the old big monitor on my old G4 (OS9.2) for a flat screen that was given to me.

Then I'll have TWO big, clunky monitors to take to Goodwill...

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Nov 14 - 03:19 PM

It'll feel so good to get rid of those monitors and use the space in some other way!

Rabies shots were free- for teachers, police, military. I told them I was with the university, but the library, not teaching. "Good enough!" and the shots were free (usually $11 ea, so I saved $33). Nice!

Getting ready to move some lumber around in the garage for that gate thing, and later to make tomato sauce since so many tomatoes are all getting ripe right now. I have so much stuff in my fridge, I need to make room to defrost the turkey.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Nov 14 - 03:41 PM

I helped to unload firewood today, went to a meeting, stopped at our favorite Agway store where the owner had a box of clothes for Jeremiah and 2 boxes of fabric for me! Also, we picked out our Christmas tree today! It's likely it won't go up until after Thanksgiving but it's the perfect tree for our house and we got it for a heck of a deal!

I wonder how much live trees go for where everyone is living?

Maggie? Linn? Mary? Dorothy? Anyone else?

XOXOXO

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 22 Nov 14 - 04:26 PM

some on the property i housesit could be dug up and used for potted trees and then replanted. they are too close to the house. i don't know that i have ever bought a chirstmas tree but in seattle i lived right by a tree lot and it was christmas magic.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Nov 14 - 05:29 PM

City:
Back by noon from our eve at the cafe - good music - and night at the mill. The hose that brought water near to living space split and the pump was running - how long? - forming a lake/very large puddle about where we park. But that was the only casualty. During the winter, water will have to come in buckets from the far end of building. I am NOT carrying! Toilet room has heat but flush will be by bucket - I am NOT carrying! I turned on a bit of heat in the studio; all was well. It is to get warmer for a few days and then COLD again. We need to consolidate work area in studio so there is less area to heat. Next time.

Have been on internet most of aft; ordered new supply of supplements from BC. Some "research" phone call pointed out to me that, for these, I do not shop locally! I think they were trying to pedal alarm systems really; the guy was calling from PA. He was VERY good.

Christmas trees: Have not, in years, priced any, never mind live ones! I have my eye out for a Norfolk Island Pine again this year since last year's did not survive.

I did bring the "Christmas box" back to the city in hopes I can find room for a small tree in a slightly more civilized LR but it certainly is a daunting proposition. I am still waiting for those two shelves for the K; R said last night that they are ready to be cut. I need a super big rush of energy and a few miracles. Where is Mary Poppins when we need her!? This is SO ridiculous: a toilet, toilet seat under a chair, two bags of Quikrete, a large shop vac, useless picture frames, antique butter churn, useless antique coal stove, antique water pump, an extra portable heater/AC unit, an uncomfortable but cute, love seat that is totally in the way of the lovely antique table ---AND MORE! Oh yeah, and the gorgeous Victorian buffet suitable for a LARGE DR which is still taped shut from the move because it does not belong here at all. No wonder, I just sit here in despair and focus on the computer. And R so busy moving machinery and dealing with other crises that all I ask is that I get two shelves. Then get rid of this love seat. Seems as though the harder I try to move toward sort of nice, the worse things get.

Well, that rant -- here I go to try again. See how much can be done before I dissolve again.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 22 Nov 14 - 07:22 PM

The new computer is now acquiring the old files, and programs. It is slow though - when starting out it sits spinning its wheel for far too long for my liking. Once it gets going it is just about OK - just about.

I have a Christmas tree in a pot, only a small one, and in about four weeks I'll be bringing it into the conservatory and brushing it off, then thinking about where to put it for the twelve days of Christmas.

I decorate the tree on Christmas eve and take it down the day after Twelfth night. It seems such a shame that the full Christmas period is not celebrated these days - but it gets pushed earlier and earlier each year.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Nov 14 - 02:33 PM

Trees are very expensive here. The nearby garden center/nursery sells them for anything from $100 to about $250. If I get a tree I go over on xmas eve and ask if they have anything I can have for $10 since it will be on the curb in two days, and they always let me have one. I usually end up with a $200 tree but it isn't up for even a week before it's out and my sinuses clear up again. I don't have a truck to bring home a tree now.

I had a list for this weekend but the house has had other ideas. I worked on the faucet off and on yesterday and am now back with the original setup so I can have water (and I keep mopping up my counters). I'm going to return a new faucet (oops - got one for a three hole sink but mine has four holes) and maybe try another new one, but most likely go to a plumbing supply house tomorrow with the cartridge and see if they have a replacement. Thing is, this cartridge is going to end up costing about 1/2 of what a new faucet will cost. If I can keep this one going for a while that;s good, but if it is too much bother, I'll shop again for a new inexpensive faucet.

I decided to look around the house for more ant activity and have found it in two closets used for storage. I've put ant bait and spritzed some diatomacious earth for now, but this evening I'll take the vacuum in, move boxes, vacuum and spritz more DE along with the bait and see if I can't remove that scourge from the house. I may have to spend $3 more to buy another bottle of ant bait. :)

I steam juiced 2 batches of tomatoes last night. One batch is going to be canned sauce, another batch (with less than perfect tomatoes that were trimmed before putting in the juicer) was put in the freezer. I have a gallon of tomato juice that I'll just drink now instead of canning or freezing.

The gate thing in the garage is my next project. I have been invited to Susie's house for the birthday party of her 1-year-old grandson but I may make only a brief appearance. We didn't have much luck doing our weekend activity because it was a rainy (yesterday) and now busy day today. But that is good - so maybe we'll do something next weekend and skip this one entirely.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 Nov 14 - 10:43 PM

City:
Trees: Saw cut ones for $20. No live ones. Bought a Norfolk Island Pine about 3 feet high for $20 and hope I can keep it alive this time. I think I bought last year's on a COLD day, along with a couple other plants - all died. Today was mild. I even bought a small string of LED lights for it. R was really pleased.

Yesterday's endeavour was still in progress when R came home for supper about 6:30. He pitched in and finished cleaning up the remainder of Igor's nesting. I believe several boxes of tissues were under the love seat and antique table! I put on protective mask before disturbing any dust. Dusted, swept, R took down the once off-white drapes in the bay window, removed the love seat today and the exer-cycle ( I gave up on the style of it). Drapes are washed and ready to go back up. We went out for supper so the dust could settle. To be continued.

Today I went to the mill to receive my fifth (pottery) wheel, bought a while ago. I met the vendor at the new auction "palace". WOW, what a great addition to the town. After getting the wheel into the mill, I drove back to the city - took almost 5 hours as I took my time and stopped in various stores, picking up a number of useful items, including slippers with good soles so I don't slip again this winter.

A few more items will be leaving the LR as R has time but, for now, it feels lighter!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Nov 14 - 11:01 PM

I spent a couple of hours in the garage and finished erecting a bit of fence adjacent to the gate from the dog stall. At one point in time there was a lot of stuff stacked in the space where I built the fence - the dogs couldn't get through there. And over time I moved stuff and Poppy kept knocking things over other (in her frantic goal to chase mice) and I finally just let the dogs into the garage because they ran around the gate through that gap. The girls are trained to not run out the front of the garage - but when Zeke arrived he didn't have the same training and has never caught on - the best I can do is turn it into a game so he races to my vehicle, hops in, and rides back into the garage. Now the dogs can't get around the gate.

The wind is gusting heavily so it was good to work indoors (I'll be picking up branches and raking leaves this week). I have a coffee cake in the oven now, several jars of tomato sauce cooling, and in a little while I have some more cooking and stuff to put in the freezer. The only day I'm planning to work this week is tomorrow, but that may change if we don't have enough bodies to keep the department open.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Nov 14 - 10:11 AM

This plan to work on the house on weekends to push back the blues seems to gradually be working. I woke this morning to the feeling that I'd accomplished something this weekend. I didn't realize how much it bugged me that it was hard to park the car in the garage without having to always do the dog ride bit. I avoided parking inside, but this is the time of year when it is desirable (to say nothing of avoiding theft or vandalism).

The ant population seems to be subsiding. I swept up a few thousands of bodies that decided to die on the bathroom floor and the bait seems to have taken care of a lot of them in the wall. I spritzed diatomaceous earth along the baseboards in the closets last night and that repels them very well. I need to figure out how to get rid of the source of the rest of them, so I'll keep my eyes open for more opportunities to put down the bait. It took a week of keeping the bait on surfaces in both bathrooms but that seems to have turned the tide.

Now to take apart the kitchen sink faucet and stop by the plumbing supply place to see if they have that cartridge. That will be a HUGE deal if I can finally fix this faucet (without calling a plumber!) I'll even get out the Limeaway and clean it up so it looks like new. :)

Susie and I didn't do a lot, but we made contact this weekend. I picked up the kits for her so she can do her dogs' shots, and I took up an appliance light bulb that I pulled out of my old oven before the stove was hauled off. I put it in her fridge so I figure she'll think of me every time she opens the fridge now that she can see what is in there!

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Nov 14 - 09:16 AM

I really and truly feel in electronics hell this morning. I charged my cell phone last night and this morning it won't turn on.

Yesterday when my "new" (to me) laptop was delivered and I was getting the short course, we discovered that there's something wrong with my HP6400 printer -- it won't turn on. It was fine until I unplugged it from the computer (which is still in the shop). We tried plugging it in to another outlet, this time on the UPS. Still no go. Power light is on on the UPS...and that's where I charged the cell. Is this some sort of weird coincidence? That's where the computer had been plugged in when it, all of a sudden, couldn't turn on.

Also on the electrical note is my two bathroom outlets, after being "out" (the little lights on them, at least) came back on day before yesterday for no apparent reason. I left a message for my electrician who had been flummoxed as to why they were out.

I thought back in the middle of September that all the household repairs, etc. were taken care of and I was in decent shape. Now I'm totally up in the air.

Yesterday when the weather was in the 60s (!!!) I got the stakes around the turnaround and reflector stakes at the head of the driveway so my plow guy won't destroy my hosta bed. I just found out tomorrow we're supposed to get 4-6" of snow... I still have a couple planters on the deck that haven't been winterized, and stuff that's closer down the hill to the cellar door, but not yet actually IN the cellar. And I have to go to work...

I think I'm more stressed right now than I've ever been. I'm sure that's been the cause of my gastric distress of the past couple weeks.

Despite my life being up in the air, I hope I can get Sandy's day organized...

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: GUEST, Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Nov 14 - 12:21 PM

Well, I think one problem is solved and I MAY have an explanation for some of the others.

I tried charging my phone from the outlet where I charge my iPad -- and it not only charged, but when I checked it and unplugged it so I could take it to work, the phone then actually turned on.

So now my UPS -- or perhaps where the UPS is plugged in -- is suspect. Of course, I can't follow through and verify one way or the other right now because I'm at work, but there's a chance the outlet (which is also where the printer HAD been plugged in) may need to have the breaker reset. At least it's something that needs to be tried.

At least I know there's no problem with my cell. So check one thing off the list...

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 25 Nov 14 - 05:38 PM

The central heating has been coming on more frequently now - enough to heat up the radiators to a heat useful enough to dry off the washing. The conservatory is now too cold and damp for complete drying of clothes. I've had to bring the washing into the house and hang it for some time to dry it in the past few weeks.

The outside temperatures have been dropping and today was quite fresh. I've been putting on an extra layer for some time, but I think that stockings or long socks will be required before long, in order to be comfortable.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Nov 14 - 12:45 AM

I spent the day working on the kitchen sink faucet. Two trips to the plumbing supply across town led me to pronounced the faucet dead. A third trip back to return the items I'd purchased, then swung by Lowe's to buy a faucet with the supply hoses attached.

The lines were difficult to remove, I had to lie there with my head on bottom of the sink cupboard floor crap and use a wrench to tap the finger-tighten thingies holding the old faucet to the sink. I finally wrestled it out and put the new faucet in. All of this took about 8 hours of running around, thinking, rounding up stuff, clearing out the cupboard, etc. And now the water shut off for the hot water is leaking out the stem - probably needs a new washer. I'm waiting till it's light tomorrow and then I'll turn off the house water at the curb and work on that one. Thank goodness for YouTube. For now the cold water is on to the faucet, the hot water valve is off until it is repaired.

My hair is clean, I've washed my glasses and put away most of the gear used today. The turkey is thawing in a tub of water, to go in the fridge overnight and back in the tub tomorrow if it isn't ready yet. And brine on Wednesday night. Let the staging of the holiday meal begin . . .

Linn, sounds like your UPS might need a new battery. They can be purchased and replaced, though as UPS units are improved, you may want to compare the price of a new one vs repairing the old.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Nov 14 - 10:03 AM

Right, Stilly. And the battery has already been replaced once, so a whole new unit may be the best option around.

The office is closed today and we're waiting for snow... So I'm "lounging" here in bed with drying hair, a stack of magazines to read down, and a cat asleep between my knees, but I'll get a bunch of stuff done around the house later.

The prediction for today is the first real snowfall of the season...3 to 5 inches. Sigh. I rather hope it's on the scant side of that prediction. I'm still in total denial about winter. (Not hard when it was 60 degrees F. day before yesterday.)

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Nov 14 - 02:32 PM

Multi-tasking today as I finish the sink, clean the kitchen, and get ready to start cooking. I'm thinking that defrosting the freezer might be a good activity this evening so I know exactly what I have (I need to dig out some frozen cranberries, which got me started thinking about the defrost exercise).

The Invisible Fence folks have declined to replace the collar unit after all - why am I not surprised - yesterday I got a voice mail saying I overtightened it, breaking a post. But it was in use for years on one of their collars that is meant for the unit so it isn't overtightened. I'm going to call back and make my case. They offer a warranty and it is very expensive so I think they need to honor it. Period.

I have two bumps on my head from the under-the-sink antics yesterday. I discovered them this morning and wondered what was up, then remembered banging my head a couple of times. At least now the area under the sink is totally cleared out and I've decluttered some of the products that I've had for years and never use. I hopefully won't have to tuck myself into that space again any time soon. The shut-off valve that needs work is easily in reach.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Nov 14 - 08:02 PM

Well, it's not the UPS and I don't think it's the outlet, which seems to work okay when I plug a lamp into it. Might be a bad power supply. It's just such a coincidence with all the other wonkiness going on. Stressful.

Enjoyed today's snow by not going out in it. I don't think I got enough to plow. Hope not. Really don't need a forty buck bill right now. Talked to Jeri earlier. Sounds like she (6 miles up the road) got a bit more. Spent the day sorting papers, throwing out a lot and organizing the rest into folders in the file cabinet. Still have more, but of an entirely different sort, including the odd stuff that Tom kept in his file basket.

Also got some laundry done, mixed up a batch of margaritas for the fridge, and made a batch of spaghetti with meatballs. In trying to keep elderly pain in the butt cat Sabine from getting hurt (she likes to sit on the stove, shove her head in my food, and stand between me and the sink when I'm trying to do something) I managed to lightly scald MY hand draining the pasta. Not bad at all, the pain's long gone.

And I found a hard copy (a bit outdated) of my address list, too, so I can think about writing out Christmas cards.

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Nov 14 - 09:17 PM

City:
The LR looks a great deal better and cleaner. The tree looks cute and Christmasy. I was exhausted on Monday and got very little done. Went shopping again on Tuesday but ran out of energy by noon. Bought another set of those neat glass storage bowls. Only now I have no place to put them; still waiting for the two shelves in the K. The counter is a bit cluttered as I have really run out of places to put things. Now, we need to take bets on whether or not R will remember to get to Canadian Tire tomorrow morning in time to get a deal on a new TV - one that does not take up so much space and is movable without hernia. Well see.

Two new books from the library are NEW and the odour is sickening. One is airing out and the other I read a little at a time so it does not get me too sick. Probably need to de-tox again tomorrow. Other than that, laundry is done, dishes mostly washed, messages and phone calls taken care of. And I hate ending a sentence with a preposition! Hope everyone who is celebrating Thanksgiving has a good one.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 03:31 AM

I fixed the hot water shutoff valve today and proceeded to cook several things that were needing preparation. Five pints of tomatoes that have ripened are now diced and in pint jars, I made a batch of beans that is now frozen in small (~ 12 oz) jars to take for lunches. The few things I fixed were to use up ingredients in the fridge so I could clear out space.

The kitchen is generally okay for a room that is going to get a huge workout tomorrow. Since I started this plan to work on the house on weekends I've made progress. Tomorrow's cooking will be with the stove and faucet I replaced, and in past weeks some light fixtures were replaced, I've built a fence thing in the garage to keep Zeke from running out when I open the big door, and I finally sold that chandelier. After a couple of weeks of keeping the ant bait supplied I've just about killed off the worst of the buggers. Maybe over the holiday break I can contemplate one of the larger projects like floor tile and paint in a bathroom.

Turkey is in the brine, and I'm headed to bed. Have a great day tomorrow, those of you doing Thanksgiving. Sometimes there isn't much time for the computer when you're stage managing a feast.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Charmion
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 10:48 AM

I fixed the furnace! By myself!

Well, not the furnace per se, but both its peripherals, the condensate pump and the humidifier. Watson the cat likes to rip the condensate pump apart -- he can't resist the slurping noise it makes, or the smell of water -- so I have become adept at putting it back to rights. But then the furnace technician came and messed with the wire mesh cage I erected around the pump to keep Watson off it, and the cellar floor was flooded again.

I called the service company and they offered the same technician in two weeks. Bugger that, I said, and got out the wire cutters and screwdriver again.

Cut my thumb and tore a hole in my shirt (that wire mesh is fierce stuff), but I got the thing working again. Yay me! And it's still working -- slurping away under Watson's gaze from the lid of the freezer.

Encouraged, I set about fixing the humidifier -- flushing the hoses, clearing the drip pan, replacing the water pad and wick. Of course, the installer promised that the consumable parts are available at Home Depot and they're not ...

Next challenge: the twitchy smoke alarm that goes off at three o'clock of a Sunday afternoon when there's NOTHING HAPPENING in the house!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 12:18 PM

City:
Congratulations, Charmion. There is no end to what one woman can do if she chooses to believe. And is determined in the face of incompetent service people.

Today is good. I woke up this morning thinking about how to make myself feel better - a schedule for sticking to taking those supplements that help AND set alarms on my cell phone to remind me! R left before BF so I went for a hot bath - and was able to get out of the tub reasonably for the first time in a couple years? Then my BF and remembered to add in apple pectin; also good for aches of arthritis but has to be taken with food because I bought the powder and it is not tasty so I hide it in something - today some of my stewed apples.

I have finished the emails, BF, read a while/finished book, made a schedule, set alarms on phone. I doubt I shall see a new TV as R had a meeting at 8 am. I sit here looking at the room for further improvement. I have not had to go to bed to recover from bath so, having given myself a 3 hour recovery time, I am going to walk over to the library and the closest grocery. And move the car to the Friday side of the street.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 01:51 PM

Good job, Charmion! It is a good feeling when you can fix those things yourself. Not just because you save money and always wonder if they did the job that needed doing or embellished to charge a higher fee, but also because there is a feeling of competence and accomplishment.

Dorothy, you can use pectin in salad dressing as a thickener, so maybe one delicious way to get it regularly is homemade dressing (Italian comes to mind) and thicken with a box of SureJell or the powder you have there. My canning guru says not to use last year's boxes of pectin for jelly, to always use fresh on general principle, but don't throw away the old boxes, make salad dressing.

I slept late today, starting leisurely to a frenzy of work this afternoon. The bread machine is running for my rolls, the bird will come out of the brine in an hour or two and into the oven, and in the meantime I'll be cleaning, setting the table, and planning the other dishes (mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and steamed broccoli because people in my family always like something healthy and green at the meal also). I was thinking about making a pumpkin pie but Susie came down and borrowed the last of my powdered cloves. I have whole cloves, I suppose I could grind them myself if I need them.

Have a great day all, whether it is a national holiday or not, and stay warm and safe. Michelle, you're in the really magical years of re-learning about the holidays through the eyes of a child. We probably don't need to wish you any more magic than you have there already. Linn, enjoy your meal out with friends, Andrea, we haven't heard from you in a while, fill us in on your activities one of these days. How is the house? Susan, in all of your comings and goings I hope you're back home for the holidays. And Mary Garvey, we don't hear from you often, you've decluttered so much more than any of us, but I hope you have a charming musical gathering of friends and food today.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: mg
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 02:24 PM

Thanks..sotting in mcdonalds having a jalepeno burger..will see family saturday. Decluttered my car thks month..big exercise machine with irrepaceable cable missing goes next. Must be mobile in caze i have to move quickly. Finding lots of dna matches, mostly from mother,s side.    Happy thanksgiving..

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 05:05 PM

city:
Never made it to the library. It took me a lot of resets to get the cell phone alarms correct and so I could hear them. Working now. spent most of aft on FB. Spaghetti squash in oven and I just over cooked a couple pieces of red meat. I will have one with the yummy roasted cauliflower w blue cheese and maybe a little squash with spaghetti sauce. R will have whatever when he eventually gets home. Yesterday's red lentil soup was a success- onion, curry, cumin.

Cold out 30F so a walk did not seem appealing in any case. I still puzzle over the LR. R refuses to move his non-furniture antiques elsewhere so there is no room for real furniture. There is a really nice love seat on craigslist/free and I know where I could put it but it depends on R having time to fetch it... Not worried about bugs in that part of city.

SRS: My pectin is specifically a supplement, 100% pure. Not in a box. I find it easy to put on a spoon with some stewed apples. I eat my salads with NO dressing - part of my "eating disorder" - includes most condiments.

I actually am having a day of feeling like me! My balance, agility, mind, aches are all improved. But to pot, I have to cover the door to keep the heat in the potting room. Not ready to get up on a chair to do that. I'll ask R - make myself a reminder.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 10:22 PM

We did not have the traditional Thanksgiving dinner here today. Instead we had Beanie Weenies with Mac & Cheese....the same thing that my Nana was having at her house and my aunt was having at her house...both of them alone. Tomorrow we shall have the traditional dinner. Jeremiah is WAY excited about the turkey! Today he played, went sledding and had fun with one of his Daddy's guitars (if you are on FB, there are photos and a video of him playing the guitar and singing a song he made up called The Chicken Nugget Blues).

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Nov 14 - 11:16 AM

City:
Sprinkling of snow this am. And right chilly. R put up a quilt on doorway between "Studio" and "BR" before he took off for the day. (I am still being careful about getting up on chairs to reach high places.) The love seat is prob taken; I waited to consult with R to see if he would pick it up. I just cleared a space for it and was preparing to rearrange the LR. Oh well.

In addition to feeling unwell for the last year and a half, I had also done nothing here due to expectation of reno. Still up in the air and I hate putting energy out for naught but I need a more civil looking and feeling living space. OK - I am going to try again - put the TV in front of something I do not need to get into daily - the antique sewing machine! and re-arrange the chairs to face it. Oh, no new TV yesterday; R was totally busy from 8 am -9 pm when he ate a large meal as he had had nothing all day. Then I woke him about 10:15 for bed.

My city life often centers around parking! Not moving car because I have a good spot; moving it because it will soon be illegal, etc! Today the parking on side street is only good until 3:30 as, apparently, a movie will be using the street. That is what comes with living in a picturesque area? Happens a few times a year. So, I shall wait until then to go anywhere. Then struggle to find parking when I return. Going to the country is up in the air, depending on what R needs to do. The weather is an iffy factor.

FB seems to be totally a mess - for me- this morning. I tried to get in and got weirdness. I'll try again later. I really need to get across to friends that email works better for me than messaging on FB. That is often, more and more, the only reason I open it.

Time to go do things.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Nov 14 - 06:40 PM

City:
Plan A was not satisfactory. Plan B is OK. For now. Found a cabinet space for hats and gloves. No place at all for hanging coats. Cleared space to some drawers that might help with R's interminable papers. Maybe I will get a rush of energy and clear or organize my desk drawers.

No movie but right now there are 3 fire trucks down the side street and I saw a fire fighter coming out of a house. Cold night, but that is when fires mostly happen.

No word from R so I guess we are not going to the cafe tonight. Nope. I called and he is an hour out of town. I really do not feel like going outside anyway. Am becoming a real wimp. Warmer on sunday. However, I just got an email that a package of supplements was delivered at the mill this afternoon. Serious consideration ended with deciding it will survive and I will not phone the next door neighbour to rescue it. I had it sent there because I thought I would be there. I did discover that "Canada 411" enabled me to find his phone number even though I did not know last name or exact address. Now I do and put it in my phone. There are 134 people listed on that section of the highway in Godmanchester. Neat!

The alarms are working nicely - remind me to take supplements and eat a meal. Darn. Missed one. Time for supper.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Nov 14 - 03:23 AM

I spent a quiet day clearing my kitchen counters, clearing several work surfaces in my office, and watching NetFlix while I worked. This evening I catalogued some textbooks to list on www.half.com.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Nov 14 - 11:52 AM

My office doesn't seem that much clearer this morning when I look for progress. At best the paper is less dense. I can see some wood on the desktop over my file cabinets and I've organized some things into the bookshelves.

The kitchen is where more progress is visible, now that much of the canning is finished (there is the possibility of one more batch as several bowls and a box of tomatoes ripen slowly).

I pulled up Consumer Reports buying guide (via my university library) and saved the PDF of the vacuum cleaner section, then had a conversation via text with my son about my short wish list for xmas this year. Susie has a Shark upright bagless vacuum that does wonders on pet hair. I have a larger Hoover with hose and attachments for all other vacuuming, but it is a struggle to keep up with pet hair and one can go through a lot of bags. My son points out that bagged cleaners are considered better on pet hair, but my point is that if I have a bagless I'm likely to use it more often because I don't have to fool with the blankety blank bag. I think the point got through, and he asked me about a model that appeared in the daily deal page at Amazon. Not rated well for pet hair, but there is a smaller and less expensive one that is, so I sent him that model number. Just because the kid is now pulling down a good salary it's no reason for overkill. I already have two vacuums, I'll be donating or selling one soon, so less is indeed more.

It's a lovely day so I'll mow and mulch leaves, trim the dead cannas, and in general do one of the last mows of the year. I'll probably have to mulch again, but this will take care of the grass in the yard. If I'm really organized I'll get out the holiday lights for the smallest Italian stone pine.

There is lots trash for Monday after all of this tossing and shredding. December is my bulky waste month (once a quarter) so if I played my cards right I'd have Antonio take a problem tree out and pile it at the curb. Alas, no cash for that. Maybe in March.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Nov 14 - 12:28 PM

More declutter work yesterday and the desk is looking good - lots of faux wood in view on several surfaces. I have to work in the yard today because another arctic front is coming through tonight and by tomorrow it'll be miserably cold.

I have a list of seven textbooks that my son isn't interested in keeping (the one he wants is the motherlode of expensive textbooks, but it is important to his field, so is one he should keep). They'll be listed this week on half.com to be in place in time for the next semester's textbook purchasers. Half is a company owned by eBay so my same account information is good and I don't need to set up anything like PayPal, etc. I see that some collector books are listed there also, but I suspect this isn't the best place to sell them because they're mixed in with the less expensive copies, making the high prices seem ridiculous. (I just found one that I got for the normal retail price but that is prized by collectors, yet is listed low by sellers who don't know what it is. I bought a low-cost first edition with a dust jacket to send to a friend who probably doesn't have a copy).

Out to the yard in advance of the Arctic blast.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Nov 14 - 02:35 PM

City - still:
Shredded paper makes good fire starter - if one has a wood stove!

Drove to library yesterday and the Market and grocery store. I feel more able physically but still lack energy to get doing - at least re pottery. My brain is working on finding the way forward - wanting to do some different sorts of decor on pots. It has me a bit stymied as I need to be at the mill where all the clay and decor materials are but do not have the energy to go. Not knowing which way to go, I do not move? Spent a lot of time last night scrolling through clay sites on FB.

We agreed that this LR arrangement is best we can do right now. Monologue - mainly - about my being fed up with housing. Re-discussion of how this and that do not work - electric baseboard heat, lights, convenience outlets... R is so caught up with all the other crises in his business life that he does not even remember the why's of this house dysfunction. Finally I asked about the two shelves for the K and he clutched at that and ran out before BF to get that board cut.

Came back an hour later having gone to Home Depot and had two cut there. I offered to do that weeks ago. We got one in place followed by long circular discussion about whether I wanted two or 3 shelves. Do ALL men always know what the other person needs regardless?   We had BF and he ran off to deal with what REALLY needed to be done today. I put stuff on the one shelf and re-arranged things in other cabinets. Got most of stuff off counter! One more shelf - we need those things that hold it up; the ones I have won't fit in the holes and none of the half dozen drills we own between us are here. I suggested he needs a portable tool shed. We never have the tool he needs - except for MY hammer which I guard ferociously, along with a precious screw driver and my pruning shears.

The gloomy weather helps nothing. I gave up about 1 and sat down for a lunch break and emails and this. Now I think I will go see if I can find a way to enlarge those holes to get the other shelf in place and, hence, be able to free up other spaces. It has been good to move stuff around, re-organize and find - "Oh, forgot we had that..."

Maybe I can work on drawers in LR also. Of course, right now I think "Maybe I can throw a few pots today!" R will be really late tonight. I have time...

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 30 Nov 14 - 02:57 PM

Scroggling around in the kitchen - it means dragging out things from under things until you find the edges of the room, and there was the large measuring jug which I have not seen for ages - underneath the ironing board.

I can't imagine what on earth - oh - I was using it for warm water when pressing one of my kilts - ages ago. I remember now I've found it by accident.

Ah well - I found lots of other bits and pieces which can now be sorted back into their proper places or disposed of. I never have the right sized lid for pans. Over the years pans must have been altered to different diameters, as I seem to have so many, but never the one I need. If I had enough space to put the pans one by one, rather than stacking them, then perhaps I could match them up, eventually, by a process of elimination. There is something to be said for colourful cookware as an aid for finding lids.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Nov 14 - 07:01 PM

City:

HAH! two 40 inch shelves makes a terrific addition to the storage space! And realizing the drawer under the stove is no longer rat haven and is no longer full of junk, I claimed it for the pans sitting on the counter. Using a sharp drill bit and pliers, I reamed out the holes and hammered the supports into place they will be securely held by the fact that the shelf fits very tightly. The counter is as clear as it will get. I still have a tiny bit of cabinet space with things much better organized. The dishes are not yet washed.

I started on the drawers in the LR but it is daunting. I shall pick away at it as energy permits. May need more boxes from Tuesday recycling.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 30 Nov 14 - 10:13 PM

Was without power from 8:30 Wednesday night until sometime before I got home fromthe Press Room session on Friday. Had Thanksgiving with friends a couple towns away on Saturday because she was without power until mid-afternoon on Thursday.

I'm with the Co-op so I'm always prepared for an extended power outage -- batteries, jugs of water, everything charged up, woodstove ready even though I haven't used it for three years (clean chimney, plenty of firewood, kindling, newspaper). We lose power if a butterfly slams into a pole. This time the heavy wet concrete disguised as snow not only shut down the Deerfield substation, but there was at least one downed tree resting on the wires just down the road.

Nothing was open on Thanksgiving around here, (even businesses that said they'd be open) so I couldn't get ice or dry firewood (mine was stored outside and i didn't know how much effort would go into lighting a fire) and my only option for breakfast and coffee was McDonald's. (And my laptop couldn't tap into their Wi-Fi from the parking lot and I didn't feel like going back in.)

Found even dryer wood inside the stove, so built the fire, touched it off, and it caught right away and was pushing out heat within 5 minutes. Actually, the house was too warm on Thursday. Spent the day shoveling the heavy wet white concrete off the deck and schlepping firewood. Got quite a workout. Finished a book during the rest periods.

Got ice Friday morning. And a lovely breakfast at Good 'n Plenty. Cashed my small paycheck (only worked one day this week) so I could pay for the plowing, and called my hairstylist to see if she had power and I could come over and get my hair washed. Noted on my way home that Jeri's driveway was empty and had no tire tracks so I figured she'd found refuge at a motel with wi-fi, heat, and hot water. And electrical outlets for recharging. That was confirmed when she stopped over a bit later.

Schlepped more firewood and stuffed the stove before I left early for the Press Room session and a light repast (pizza) beforehand.

Wonderful session. Place was packed with loud strangers, but they shut up and listened when we started playing. I went out and schmoozed and explained a bit of the history to three or four groups who really were enjoying the music and the experience. We had a couple guests (Melissa from Cape Breton and Doug from Seattle) plus a few people we haven't seen for awhile came out of the woodwork. Sang the Thanksgiving Round and the birthday set (to the Halleluyah Chorus plus "Why Were You Born So Beautiful") twice. Really great session!

Spent Wednesday and today sorting papers and throwing stuff away. Did Thanksgiving with friends yesterday. Will pick up my computer (!!!) tomorrow.

I'm wiped. Will take a it to recover from the past few days. And it's the extension of the past couple month's rollercoaster. I can't make up my mind if I'm depressed or hanging in there. Or barely hanging in there. That's the problem: so many things have been hanging. And the the first anniversary of Tom's death and another funeral. Fetal position and sucking my thumb looks pretty enticing... And now it's almost Christmas and I have to get my posterior into gear.

And I need to charge this tablet...

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Nov 14 - 10:45 PM

The only place I found open on Thanksgiving on my foraging trip (from the hotel I buggered off to for one night) was Walmart. Pringles & sweet tea (entirely too sweet) for T-giving dinner. Came home Friday and woke up Saturday morning to about 38° in the house and, after a McDonald's breakfast, came home and got a fire going in the fireplace. The power came back on sometime - maybe close to noon-ish.

I ♥ electricity.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Nov 14 - 11:20 PM

So you don't want to hear how I forgot to get the Russet potatoes ready to boil then mash and I forgot to make cranberry sauce (my daughter came down much earlier than I expected, and we talked)? I simmered some small red potatoes, smashed them slightly, then sauteed them in butter. No gravy either. with no mashed taters. The bird was good, sweet potatoes, but the rolls were hard on the bottom and I need to remember not to try to bake them in the roaster. Maybe the pan size was the problem.

Cold weather is supposed to wallop us tomorrow.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Dec 14 - 09:41 AM

City:

Reveling in my newly organized K, I spent most of the eve on the phone with a couple lengthy catch-up calls. One was a lengthy - about 10 minutes - conversation with a friend's husband, probably the longest we have ever had. That seemed special. It was half time in the football game; "You timed it well!" I never found out where wife was!

R called in the middle of one and reported on progress - about 9:15. I moved on - to FB and watching the 10 pm news. He came home about 11 (local news) and presented me with a new toaster oven! The one here is OLD and functional but the one at the mill has lost top element so the new one is happily ensconced in my cleaner K and the old one I shall clean up today and take to the mill. I have "Joe" to thank for this as R bumped into him in Canadian Tire and, as they talked, Joe noticed a DEAL and picked one up, causing R, who never would have noticed, to remember that I had been looking for one. "Thank Joe for me!"

I gave R a tour of the re-arranged cabinets - those are the treats you like (cans of things I would not touch) and here are soups; so when I am away... He managed to complete what he set out to do yesterday so it was a good day all round.

Today: he dashed away to a bf meeting but I managed to get him to have his hot choc, a piece of zuke bread and a pear, with his vitamins before he left. He came home last night coughing badly. The building in which he was working is toxic and very old and full of machinery - airborne particulate is my diagnosis and "Take the Pau d'Arco to prevent infection!" Sent him off with a bottle of chewable C.

I am gearing up for the day. It was a late night and early morning so I am not moving very fast- at all?

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Dec 14 - 09:49 AM

On Thanksgiving Day I ate leftover spaghetti and meatballs warmed up on the woodstove. Really glad I'd had leftover pasta and sauce...not to mention the woodstove!

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: ranger1
Date: 01 Dec 14 - 11:23 AM

Had an organizing fit yesterday and condensed three boxes full of paper clutter down to half a box. Dog toys are collected into a box and not spread out over the whole house. Dog is a bit disconcerted...but he had fun poking in the box last night. Old home-made printer stand that was built for dot matrix printer with the connected paper has been repurposed into a bookcase and placed in the open space created by getting rid of the boxes filled with paper clutter and reorganizing the rest of the pile o' stuff in the middle of the floor. Books too tall for the shelves of the other bookcases have been removed from the top of the bookcase and put on the new shelf. Also put a wooden crate on the top of the new shelf and put my cook books and home repair books in it. Put a reading lamp on the top of the bookcase where the pile of books was and that space now looks really nice. Just need to take care of a couple more boxes and that pile in the middle of the floor will be gone. Then I can start on the pile in the corner.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Dec 14 - 04:42 PM

When Zeke came to live with me a friend suggested that to help him understand what were his toys that I create a toy bin for him. I have a large brass pot near the door that he jams his head into every time he enters the house - he's looking for anything in there to play with.

I'm taking a breather from work where I am formatting a book, line by line - all of the author chapters have different Word formatting. I'm forcing it to the exact same line spacing now. Paragraph by paragraph. I can use the "paintbrush" tool for a few at a time, but there are tables and figures and bold subheads and things that need to be formatted differently so there is no global way to do it. Ugg.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Jeri
Date: 01 Dec 14 - 05:09 PM

Power outages and freezing houses make you stupid. MY theory, anyway.
I came home from the hardware store on Saturday (for wood), built the fire and I remember thinking I should put the credit card in my pocked someplace safe. I did, and (you know how this works) it's quite safe from ME.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Dec 14 - 11:58 AM

Hardi put up the shoe rack mentioned HERE a few days ago. Designed to hold 18 pairs, it now contains the 6-10 pairs I kept here and hanging bags, scarves, etc. as planned.

It's the metal kind that is meant to hang from a door and have the shoes stowed facing the door. Who wants to see all soles! Because we installed it onto a cleat mounted on the side wall of the closet, it left room to stow the shoes facing out-- my heels are a max of kitten heel height. I'll add one just like it in Ohio when we get there, to hold the shoes that are going there. As for the shoes here now that I don't love so much-- and seldom wear in this climate-- when we move, they can go back into the thrift shop.

BIG change, for me-- a little ukulele now hangs from the bookshelf that came out of Supercloset, now that the big belly that blocked guitars, etc. was surgically deleted (Sept. 2012). It is a heck of a lot easier to transport than my many-piece autoharp setup! Toting THAT has been like toting a drum kit! It even has a pickup and onboard tuner.

~S~

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Dec 14 - 12:14 PM

Don't worry, Jeri, you'll find it next year when you pull out that particular garment you hid it in. :)

Today I called my Internet provider to get a credit applied to my bill (worked) and asked about the ads they have been mailing about a new faster Internet service. Turns out the old "legacy" service, that I had cost $10 more a month and was half the new speed of the new one. So I switched to the new speed and my bill will go down by $10. I can't take advantage of the introductory offer they were advertising, but this will do. Even next month when that new service goes up by $5, I'll still be ahead by $5. Now I need to go ahead and put a solid state C: drive in my computer and speed it up on this end.

Yesterday I was looking at the solid state drives on Amazon - sales come along for a few hours at a time. I searched other places as well and there always seems to be some kind of a sale going. I've researched the changeout and am convinced it is pretty easy. I'll make a list of specs and watch for sales and when the right one at the right price comes along, I'll pounce. It's too easy to make a mistake if you shop those sales without knowing very well what it is you really want. The tyranny of all of these holiday short-term sales.

As far as the fitness end of things, my recent exercise is mowing (both front and back yards this weekend) and stair climbing. I'm doing the alternate day fasting still but haven't lost much weight as the holidays approach. I'll be content to not gain weight, keeping in mind that I have a 10-15 pound loss goal to get to my ideal weight. I think exercise is probably the way to finally reach that point.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Jeri
Date: 02 Dec 14 - 12:55 PM

Not shorts weather, Stilly! ;)
I had 11 or 12 pockets on at the time, I put it somewhere safe, and it's not in any of them, because the safe place was not ON me. I had a hat wander off on Friday. I have a theory they're hanging around together somewhere. By Saturday, I was cold, tired, and even more stupid than usual. I think I'll go frisk the car (again).

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Dec 14 - 03:43 PM

Ah - well, I've done that also. Set things on a shelf that I designated for something then promptly forgot about.

I missed your earlier posts, Susan. Must have been during one of these head-down-finish-the-job-for-work episodes this month.

Had to stop the book work to do another thing - grrrrr!

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 03 Dec 14 - 06:35 AM

I was given a load of patterns and information for machine knitting at the weekend. I went through it and found that a lot of it was copied.

The former owner said that she'd been in a club which folded - presumably the person with the printer left.

I have heard so many people bemoaning the way their work is pirated, shortly before they go and do something other than waste their time on producing patterns for knitting.

I should just dump it all in the recycling bin - but much it is things which people are looking for - because it is no longer available to buy from the writers. It's a bit of a dilemma really.

I have threatened to start publishing, several times, and never have done, as I know that people will copy anything good as a favour for their friends, of course, not out of malice or wishing to destroy what they obviously value, but that is what they do.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 03 Dec 14 - 09:33 AM

I have made myself a bag I can put around my waist which is large enough to carry the most essential things - pen, glasses case a cheap pocket watch thing which also tells me the date and has an alarm plus a stopwatch - inside is a open pocket and a zippered pocket, on the outside a pocket made from what was a purely decorative bow, fastened with a strap and button.

I have lost far fewer things since I started to use that, and life is less exasperating.

There is also a 'going out' backpack with cards and money, bus pass, supermarket coupons in a tiny handbag inside it, a folding shopping bag, hairbrush, glasses for driving, keys in one front pocket, bank books in the other, in cold weather it holds a hat, scarf and gloves, and in Summer sun protection lotion, often it holds the latest project, notebook, anything which it would be annoying not to have. It is almost always in the same place, or in two other places, but no more - no use organising a place to put things and it not having a place to be waiting to be used.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Dec 14 - 01:24 PM

City:
Hmmm! I once lost a credit card just after getting gas. It never showed up in the car or pockets or being misused. Went to credit card heaven and I had to wait for a new one. Now anything I need to go shopping is in a small wallet in my pocket. No "handbag", back pack or whatever accompanies me. I get out of the car with what is in my pockets, including a plastic bag in case I need it and reusable shopping bags if I know I will need them. STILL I left my wallet in that gas station in Ontario this fall! We need to do these things once in a while as a sort of wake up call to be more careful?

Monday turned into a hot bath and not much else got done. I made up for it yesterday by driving down to the mill so I could stop worrying about the studio heat level. Turned out Vanessa had been there and left the heat turned up. whew! Frozen clay is a LOT of extra work. She had done some work so I loaded it into the the kiln and realized a lot more is needed so I shall have to make pots so V can have a kiln load sooner! I told her I need encouragement so she emailed me this morning. I also need to find a you-tube on making handles as hers need to be much better.

Had a good talk with her (retired homeopathic physician) Dad about homeopathy, visited with Geri at the restaurant, headed back to the city thinking about things needing to be done, and contemplating her ideas on glazing. As I was getting off the highway, I suddenly realized that turning right would take me to Fabricville where I could get the twist pins to hold the chair arm covers in place- YAY! So nice. Then, realized I was almost out of cash as I paid and YAY! There was an appropriate bank right there!

Then stopped at a BIG, and upscale, grocery and did a leisurely shopping tour, buying some interesting things and feeling really good about it. A misunderstanding with a staff spoiled it and rather than leaving annoyed, and not finding a manager, I chatted with another staff, explaining that I did not want her to lose her job but this young woman needs better training on how to treat customers. "Not the first time" said the nice young woman and assured me she would deal with it. I felt much better.

Energy was starting to flag but the cell phone people had suggested I go to where I got the bluetooth (Best Buy, which was en route) and maybe they could get these things to pair. Nice man was also having difficulty but as he had almost given up, I found the place in the phone and he took it on. It "found" everything in the store and finally found the bluetooth and connected!!! Triple YAY! I have been trying for months. Then I went home feeling I had had a VERY GOOD DAY!

Soup supper and Big Bang, then rest of eve on computer until 11:30 (fighting to stay awake) when R came home VERY hungry. Bed was about 1 am with alarm set for 6:30! R went off to work and I stayed in bed. Cosy, because I also remembered to collect a king size quilt that was at the mill. For some reason, the covers have been migrating to R's side. With this quilt hanging down to the floor on 3 sides, nothing moved! Another YAY!

I stayed in bed until near 10 and am now BF'ed, supplements are organized for next 12 days, emails checked for anything special. Time to go make pots.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Dec 14 - 03:19 PM

Hey Rumncoke I have a similar bag that also sometimes nests inside a larger 'dress' bag. Within that small bag is a microbag that zips and holds ID, visa, coupla bucks n change. (Slips inside bra.)

TBTG for a superb doc. All gallbladder Q's covered in one staccato foner = no copay. My week's worth of college level self ed on all aspects were great prep and now I can inplement natural treatments while tracking down a great surgeon who had no involvement in the 2012 surgery-- and the complications from which I'm still recovering.   

That was a hard study, plus done in crunch mode-- I need another nap!!!

~S~

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: ranger1
Date: 03 Dec 14 - 03:53 PM

OMG! I think I just found my kitchen table!!! And several dollars' worth of laundry quarters that I'd forgotten I had under the all the cultch that had gathered on the table. And the needle threader, embroidery hoop and magnet board that went walkabout a while ago. The cat will be pleased that I cleared off her solarium.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Dec 14 - 07:13 PM

City:
YAY, Ranger1
We are still reveling in the new LR arrangement. I am still waiting for the new TV that will connect with the computer and we can watch movies - as if R ever has time.

Threw 11 mid sized pots and one flop in two hours. Shoulders were starting to feel it. They moved about 25 pounds of clay. I guess I should have used mask as I am smelling clay dust. Will use nasal wash the next time I get up. All the discussion on clayart about how to sit/stand at wheel worked; After the first pot, I thought it might help if I were higher so I put a 50 pound box of clay on my chair, raising it 6-8 inches and it DID help! I think it reduced stress on shoulders. Tomorrow I may stick to smaller pots.

Ordered new batch of homeopathic remedy from pharmacy. It seems to have helped my healing a great deal. Now Lee tells me to take it 1/w or if I feel like I need it. I have also cut back on some other supplements as the healing has been taking effect.

Now nasal spray, check pots and watch Big Bang. Then.... maybe some FB. Trying to remember my son's b-day is Friday! I think I will send him a message now as I seem to remember b-days before the fact but forget them on the correct day. Maybe I can set an alarm? I really like the ones on my phone; they are good reminders and the ring is actually delightful.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 03 Dec 14 - 07:57 PM

I heard today that the new grandchild - due next April, is apparently another boy, the third, and my daughter in law so wants a girl.

Unfortunately my husband and all his male relatives seem to produce more male than female offspring, so they could end up with an awful lot of boys before a girl child is conceived.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Dec 14 - 08:23 PM

We decluttered the yard of 2 pick up trucks that no longer work....made an awesome sale/deal with a young man who hauled them off to the salvage yard.

My kitchen is looking better than ever these days and the living room isn't too bad either! :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Dec 14 - 12:28 AM

Sounds like we have great kitchen tables all around. I've managed to keep mine clear since Thanksgiving, when everything got moved so I could use it as a staging area.

I rewired a lamp this evening. My dad had several of these torchiere lamps at his house and I think a couple of them may have come from there. I had a couple myself (tall, flat black, simple design, up to 500 watt, but I only use 300 these days). Anyway, he had also purchased replacement switches I'd forgotten about until I stumbled over them last week when looking for tools for plumbing (same cupboard, different shelf). So this evening I fixed one that was on its way out and has been unused for years. Back in service.

I went to the first dance class tonight. Talk about patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time - there are lots of simultaneous moves that require either extreme concentration or extreme familiarity so they can be done without thought.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Dec 14 - 06:27 PM

City:
A low energy day. I managed to trim yesterday's bowls and am pleased with them but did not make any more. The spirit is willing, I think, but the body just does not move. Interesting posts on FB and a great deal of sadness over recent killings. I think the latter affect me a great deal. It feels as though things have gotten worse; this is distressing when one's children and grandchildren have brown skin. Yes, definitely getting me down.

Congrat's to Michelle for clearing those trucks to a more useful place. I am delighted this week that our Dragon Fly friends worked together to do likewise with 14 assorted vehicles that have been sinking into the ground in the beautiful Ontario bush for MANY years. A great step forward - major event- and a move that we might be able to build upon for better community relations. It took several people cooperating to accomplish this so - yes we can, she says hopefully. R & I would kind of like to be more a part of that community but hold back - being supportive but watching hopefully for the community of dear people to become.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Dec 14 - 12:18 PM

City:
Hah! Looking at this reminds me that today is my son's birthday - 55! I woke up this am realizing how much life my dad missed. He died at 58. He so wanted to spend time with "little boy": "When I retire, little boy and I will go on trips..." I never told him I was pregnant; it would have been more to miss. I have outlived my dad by almost 20 years, have had 30 more years of my sons than he had of his kids, grandkids and, now, great grands.

I feel - either very tired, or somewhat "depressed". I got up about 9:30, not wanting to but to make BF for R. I found him different clothes for today, washed the dishes and ate BF while reading. I am failing to understand WHY I am so tired, never mind what to do about it.

If I am going to sit here wanting to go back to bed- a de-tox bath...

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Dec 14 - 12:34 PM

Friday at last, but it's a long day since I have an evening event to attend. The number of craft and holiday projects awaiting construction is growing, and will be featured in my weekend "to-do" list.

I've sent an invitation to various co-workers about stuff in my yard that they might want to come dig up. Things that have spread or overgrown or have seeded themselves. Tomorrow morning I may have company, or not, depending on if any of my gardener friends decide to come over and take up my offer to dig for transplant some of these plants. I'm a couple of pounds down since I last stepped on the scale, helped in large part by the yard work last weekend. If I can get some serious digging and weeding done tomorrow, that'll keep me going in the right direction. I'm so close to 160 I can almost taste it. :) 150 is the target, 145 is what used to be "ideal," we'll see if it still is once I try on a few things in the closet. I have a couple of little black dresses I'd really like to be able to wear again.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: ranger1
Date: 05 Dec 14 - 02:25 PM

Started on the boxes and other assorted stuff that had been shoved under the table. I swear it breeds when I'm not looking! The pile of stuff by the door waiting to ogo elsewhere is growing. I'll need to decide where it's going and distribute it accordingly. Unfortunately, I found another pile of paper clutter that needs going through. Sigh.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Dec 14 - 08:12 PM

Tami, if I open the doors to my children's rooms there are many instances of "another pile" of stuff to sort. Sigh indeed!

Tedious parsing of stupid MS Word formatting in several chapters today. I had done most of the editing but now as I approach completion of placing in InDesign, I realize that the writers had let Word do the numbering of examples, and InDesign doesn't pay attention to those - not reliably, at any rate.

This weekend it will be sewing, other crafts, eBay listings, yard stuff (though I haven't heard from any co-workers so far), and errands. I need to vacuum a whole bunch of ants that have accumulated since the ant bait was out a couple of weeks ago.

My daughter has some music to use for practicing during the week between dance classes. This weekend she said she'll share some via dropbox so I can burn a CD. We have a few other things to exchange as well, a couple of costume parts and the zils I gave her last year. It was an old pair that needs new elastic, an easy procedure.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Dec 14 - 11:54 PM

I have this little gizmo called an Active Link. It's Weight Watcher's brand of a FitBit. Anyway, it tracks my movements and activities (as well as my sleep patterns) and sets a challenge based totally on my own week long base line. I'm happy to say that I've been meeting the challenges at 100 percent and then some on a daily basis.

I thought it was a silly thing at first but it really does motivate me. I find myself checking it to see where I am in the day. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Dec 14 - 12:28 PM

I suspect that if people carry their smartphones in their back pockets there is probably an app that does something similar.

Long list of things to do today, starting with simmering a batch of spaghetti sauce to use of more of the tomatoes from this fall that have ripened, combined with a couple of bags of last year's cherry and grape tomatoes.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Dec 14 - 06:26 PM

Maybe but I don't think it would tie into their food plan, track how many hours and movements during sleep as well as actual time slept, etc.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Dec 14 - 08:03 PM

I heard about a survey recently that a huge percentage of smart phone owners have their phone on or next to the bed. I think it wouldn't be a huge leap to have someone figure out how to wear a belt or arm band and collect that information. But that's just speculation, doesn't have anything to do with other devices out there, really.

Finished some of my running around. I was going to run by Aldi to buy ground cloves, but they are too close to the mall, and on the weekend, that would be a traffic jam for sure. I stopped by a local small store (Save A Lot) and they don't have ground, only whole, and jars of pie spice. I'll try again tomorrow. I'm going to bake pumpkin bread and ship it to my siblings again this year - it's delicious and a lot less expensive than the local fruitcake.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Dec 14 - 10:15 PM

I enjoyed an unexpected day at home with my boys today. This morning we found our long driveway and road to be coated with ice. That means no one goes anywhere. :) HOORAY! I cooked, did some cleaning, ordered the perfect Christmas gift for my mom, organized my sewing room some....it's just been a nice day all around.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Dec 14 - 01:33 PM

This morning I decided to try out the big camera (in contrast to the compact Nikon that I gave to my daughter for her birthday, so don't actually have a small camera any more) to shoot a short kitchen video. They're shot from one position using a tripod, no fuss. I put these up on YouTube for my kids but I don't publicize the links.

Susie is coming over soon and we'll find some chore that needs doing here and for 30 minutes work on it, then go up to her house. The last couple of weeks were about getting her ready for a court case, which is almost over, so I think this afternoon I'll suggest that we dismantle and move to the curb a huge television that takes a lot of space in her garage. It was left behind by the previous owner because he was too lazy to take it apart and take it to the curb. If we could move it intact we could put a sign on it that it works, but someone could really hurt themselves moving a device this size. It's bulky waste pickup this week, so it's perfect time to discard it.

Yesterday my sauce was made and half of my laundry was washed. I didn't do some of the shopping I intended because I realized the store I wanted to go to was too close to the mall (huge December traffic jams). I'll wait till tomorrow and finish my shopping near work where there are no malls.

I need to set up my sewing projects tonight and work on them in the evenings this week.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Dec 14 - 09:51 PM

Susie didn't make it over and I instead spent the afternoon making a batch of turkey soup and a loaf of bread then clearing old stuff from the fridge.

I made a short cooking video for the kids this morning that is uploading as an unlisted item. I realized one I put up was private and they'd never been able to see it, so now I have four for them. I used the Canon EOS60 this time; the rest of them were done with the smaller Nikon I gave to Moonglow back in August. I have to focus this manually for some reason (so far - there is probably something I'm missing in the setup) so I had to do it a couple of times.

I was pulling out canned goods for the village food drive and found expired cans in the pantry. The contents are for the compost and the cans will be recycled. With my home canned tomatoes here the store-bought cans should have been donated somewhere ages ago. And while I was looking at the pantry setup I realized I can do one more thing to use the last bit of space in the closet I put shelves in last year. If I have a wheeled cart I can stack things on it and roll it into the cavity when I'm not in there pulling out other things. The other possibility is a set of wire shelves on wheels. I have one the right size in my window with plants - I'll look around for another one to put coasters on. It would be perfect for cases of canned goods or empty jars.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Dec 14 - 09:41 AM

Last night I looked around and decided it was time to move out the last cathode ray tube in the house. The television under consideration is a small (13") flat screen one with a DVD player on the front. I never use it, and I imagine the range of disks it can play is inadequate to what is out there now. It is in the sunroom awaiting my decision where to take it - there is am e-waste recycle bin at work, but I could drop it at the Goodwill. No point in accumulating donation slips any more, I won't have enough mortgage interest to let me do itemized deductions this year. I could drive to the back door of the library to take it in. I think that's what I'll do, though I'll check with Moonglow first to see if there is some project she could use it for.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Dec 14 - 03:19 PM

Bizzy bizzy peeples!

A volunteer stepped forward to help with a FB group I mod on ending racism, freeing me up to be here for a few minutes, YAY.

This AM I planted the second winter-bulb kit of 4 I bought last week. Good news was I also fouind the leftover potting soil.

I also am making progress on a whole new food program (limiting gluten among other things), which meant making starches ahead of time to combine quickly for mealtime on the jump. So today it was a pot each of grits, oats, and brown rice. When lunch rolled around I had no excuse not to stop and eat. AND it was yummy-- I used up some leftover cornbread stuffing and diluted its overly sage-y flavor by cutting it with the fresh rice.

~S~

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Dec 14 - 04:27 PM

City:
Susan gave me an idea re planting bulbs. Ground is frozen so I will use the soil I bought last spring and pot them, put them in the unheated part of the building until ???? Then bring them into warmth.

Not at all a good idea to have cell phone close against body - from what I am reading. When mine is in my pocket, I have other items between it and my body to reduce the danger. I must say, however, that I am not much concerned about cancer because of my age. Even if something takes hold, it grows much more slowly as one get older. And I really am not going to concern myself with it. in any case.

I like the idea of something that records movements. I once had a pedometer but now I have a box for it and ... If I see one - maybe the dollar store. My alarms on cell have been helpful. I am feeling so much better, I know I need to move more.

Detoxed on Friday. Spent most of the aft in recovery. Phoned R about 5:45 and he was ready to go with me to cafe, and mill. So I loaded car and picked him up. Good music. Mill was cool but we turned up heat and I warmed the bed. Slept in and had BF then set off to visit our former neighbours, with a stop at the new auction "palace" - in a beautifully renovated building. Had a wonderful aft at our friends gathering. Stopped at auction house on way back but it was over. They had failed to advertise well and few arrived. Back at mill, I went to store for some salad makings and we had big salads for supper. I had made lentil soup but the salads were sufficient. I washed the accumulation of dishes. Read and bed.

Dragged myself up about 7:45 and we quickly got ready to go to Christmas Farmers' Market. R helped me carry stuff in, went and fetched me some food for the day, wandered around visiting, then went to auction. It was fun day with lots of visits and sold some pots. R came back to help reload and we went back to mill for soup and small salads, then back to city. HE bought some stuff at auction; admits un-needed; admits it is a disease.

I developed a sore throat/ear ache during the Market and was some concerned but this morning realized it was from the dust generated by 25-30 vendors plus perfumed soaps, etc. After a late BF and washed all previous dishes, I did a de-tox bath and am still in recovery. Spent the entire bath time on phone with my 88 year old friend in PA who actually sounded better than she has in a while! She has discovered the joys of a bread maker and is better able to make her annual stollen as she does not have to knead it! She bakes it in her oven. I wondered if I could use it to wedge my clay! I spent a few minutes on clay work while waiting for tub to fill. Thinking about what for supper.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Dec 14 - 08:47 PM

Great idea DP. I'm gonna steal it as soon as I can!

~S~

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 Dec 14 - 10:56 PM

Jeremiah has to be at school an hour earlier these days which means a jolt to our morning schedule. No matter...we did fine with it. Then it was off to our favorite butcher, even though they are out of the way, it was worth the extra time. A trip home to pick up a gate that we had used to surround the wood and pellet stoves when Jeremiah was little and then delivered it to a dear friend who has twins that are 18 months old...she will put it to good use. We had a nice visit and then it was time to head home and pick up Jeremiah from school. When I arrived, he didn't look right to me and sure enough, he wasn't feeling well. He just finished up the last of his meds for walking pneumonia yesterday and had been complaining about belly pain. His color was off, his face was pink (not normal for him) and he was quiet (REALLY not normal for him). I asked him if he wanted to go home and snuggle for a bit but he asked if we could go to the doctor. Yep...my 4 year old was uncomfortable to ask to go to the doctor so I made a call and they got us in today. We had a 3 hour wait before the appointment so we went to visit my mom, hung out, helped decorate the tree, had snacks, rested and went to the doctor. We have a new medication to try and when we go back for a recheck on the walking pneumonia, he'll recheck Jeremiah's abdomen and if things aren't better, we are headed for xrays. A 30 mile drive home in the dark, unloaded groceries, tended the fire, Pete walked in the door so I made some dinner and phew...here I am. A busy day.

Jeremiah is sleeping peacefully and I hope he stays that way all night long...poor little guy still has some chest rattling going on (Dr. says this is normal....antibiotics will stay in his system for another week and should clear things up)....he's just tuckered out.

There is a storm pending for this area beginning tomorrow....the weather folks can't say for sure what is happening as it's a coastal storm and will depend which way it blows....BUT...I am hoping for a big storm and keeping both my guys at home.

I have fixings for a big pot of chili as well as a pot roast for the crock pot...I love to cook ahead in anticipation of a big storm. Pete has ribs thawing as he loves to BBQ in blizzards. Any way you look at it, we're going to be set with lots of good eats no matter which way the storm blows or if the power goes. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 02:09 PM

Awww. I hope Jeremiah is feeling better!

There is a faculty staff reception on campus this afternoon and I was *that* close to wearing a dress to work, but while I've reached the point where I can put on many of the clothes that I want to wear again, I'm not far enough along so they looks the way I want. The waist is higher in that dress right now because there is still extra weight hiking it up. Patience is required. And exercise.

Didn't get much done last night except find some books to order for the holidays. I found used volumes for durability and price (new copies are quite expensive of this particular cookbook that I'm giving to all of my family since we all drool over my copy).

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 08:18 PM

Progress on the book today, and I ended up providing a photo for a library newsletter after being assured that they wouldn't need any of my photos because they have a student taking their photos now. Heh.

I'm thinking about taking a day off to get some stuff done around the house that needs doing during the week. Phone calls, trip to the post office, etc. I was in both of the kid's rooms yesterday and there is a need for attention, especially if there is a possibility of an overnight guest or two during the holiday break. A friend may be coming to town and I'd like to be ready ahead of time.

Yesterday after work I drove up to the library back door and took that small television to the e-waste bin. I moved it using a library cart that had a dry-erase marker on it so I made a note on the side of the set that it still works. Now there is a small table in my room that can be relocated for some other useful occupation.

We have rain in the forecast - this year is back to typical weather, just cold and overcast, not the successive ice storms we had last December at this time. I'm assuming the rest of you are experiencing the usual cold weather? How is it going in your necks of the woods?

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Dec 14 - 03:51 PM

I'm working in an office next to a construction zone, so I'm glad I was able to find of box of foam ear plugs in the stuff my son brought back from college. We usually have dispensers in our library for those who want to study in silence, but have run completely out.

Nose to the grindstone, working on tweaking the first chapter of a book to see if the look is what we want. I need to walk around a little to stay awake.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 10 Dec 14 - 11:27 PM

City:
As of today, I am aware that it is possible to spend an entire day on the internet. I did take a de-tox bath early this morning, thinking I would feel good by 2 pm. I did but I had been trying to get out of FB since about noon and never did succeed. I stopped for lunch and read for a while, watched the early news, Big Bang, The Republic of Doyle (the very last of it!!!!) and now the late news, but basically I have been on line since about 10:30 am. I am fascinated by having done it. Oh I did make two important phone calls and checked the weather. The latter convinced me that I cannot travel to Ontario this weekend and I am bereaved. I posted on FB: "quel drag" - the friend I stay with; it was nice to see that they were looking forward to my visit; so was I. And one friend noted she had been thinking about me being "homesick" ; so right. Hope I make it during the February thaw! So, although I felt a slight urge to go upstairs and pot, I think the internet was my grieving time. I think the only way is to not go there at all - tomorrow! I did do a few minutes of clay work before bath. Plan to make a bunch of small pieces to use as test tiles in Jan

Second day of heavy wet snow - must be about 8 inches. The removal machines rattle the windows! Trees will be falling all over the area. Power may go off in some areas. But the west coast rains look more dangerous. It was, however, highly amusing to watch the high waters and wind and see wind surfers out on the water!! I loved watching them on Whidbey. They were not mentioned at all even though they appeared several times!

The laundry and dishes are done. Not much cooking as there is enough cooked food in the frig for another day or so. Cooked veggies/Arabian spices for lunch to add to curry/Lentil/rice, with a little Gorgonzola.

I found "flattened chicken" and bought one with Indian spices. Quite yummy. With roasted cauliflower and curry/lentils/rice. R just came home for supper (second time) so that is what he is having, after a small salad. Then he will prob fall asleep - with any luck! Hope all our friends in snowy or flooding places are safe and warm.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Dec 14 - 01:44 PM

City: 14,000 homes in Quebec without power. We, thankfully, are not one but the mill could be. I shall have to contact someone.

R left before BF. It took a lot of shoveling and 3 men to get him out and another vehicle as well. I demanded the return of the little snow shovel. If he leaves with it, I shall never see it again and I am tired of buying new ones. So when he came to return it, I gave him books to drop at library - due today. I AM NOT GOING OUT THERE!

Detox bath, BF, was falling asleep over book so went to bed and, sure enough, in about 15 min I was able to get up and make a snack - apple and cheese, then news and now trying to get back off computer as that is what I do while watching TV. I have been frustrated at not being able to sign change.org petitions so, after going though FAQs, I decided o re-sign up. The email just came in so I shall see if this works. THEN going up to pot. After I shovel front steps.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Dec 14 - 06:08 PM

City: I DID it. Made pots for over 2 hours. Had a nice supper and now watching news and - yep - on the computer. Current novel calls to me but I can use computer while watching TV. I want to finish the book tonight.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Dec 14 - 12:44 AM

I'm glad we don't have much of that kind of snow down here. Everything is a lot harder to do when you need to chip your way in and out of the house first.

Another evening of stuffy nose - something to do with allergies, I suspect. My zyrtec isn't enough, it's another decongestant at bedtime again. One Sudafed this time since the Rx one seems to keep me awake. Two Sudafeds and I buzz so dose is very important.

Busy next few days coming up. Will report later.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 12 Dec 14 - 01:22 PM

Have I mentioned that I'm already sick of winter? And we really haven't had any truly wintrish weather. As long as you don't count the 5 inches of wet white concrete the day before Thanksgiving which brought down trees, branches, power lines, etc. and left me without power for 2+ days. We've had fog, rain, freezing rain, sleet, and even a little bit of snow for over a week. Seriously dreary. Then yesterday it started spitting snow in between the rain. Went to the session in Dover driving carefully as the temperature hovered around freezing. Didn't prove to be slippery, but ya never know... Roads just wet on the way home except for the stretch past Swain's Lake and Mendum's pond where the road was white, but the driving wasn't bad.

This morning there was less than an inch accumulated and I didn't have to clean off the car, just push that slop off the deck.

Was going to get together with my up the hill neighbor, but got stuff done while waiting for her -- made chicken vindaloo, cleaned up the kitchen, brought some stuff in from the car, started a bread pudding. She called an hour after she was going to be here. She'd worked on a project through the night until her youngest needed to get up for school. Then slept a bit, then talked to me. She called (an hour late) to ask what we had planned as she didn't remember. Doesn't look like we'll get together today. She was going to help me get the two computer monitors to Goodwill. Eventually...

Trying to figure out if I even want to dig out more Christmas stuff than I already have (a vase full of artificial anthuriums and a Christmas plaid napkin). Should get a spray of greens just for tradition and the fact I like to have evergreens and their scent in the house in December. Maybe I'll stop at the hardware store on the way to The Press Room and get a swag or something and a bag of sand so nobody (especially me) kills themselves on my deck and steps.

Oh, threw out a mess o' papers this morning. Looking forward to the time when it seems to make a difference.

Sigh. Should go and finish the bread pudding and write out some more Christmas cards.

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 Dec 14 - 02:11 PM

City:
BF with R, then detox bath. I was sitting here recovering/reading when R phoned to ask where my car was! He was driving around looking for it! At that moment, the BIG truck which was parked in front of the house - moving stuff in or out of next door, I never figured out which - started up and the pollution from the exhaust came right in through whatever cracks it could. I scurried upstairs but it was also full of pollution, the BR was stinky from building materials. By the time R arrived, I was in the K which seemed safe.

First there was the discussion of "How did it get in" and something about air pressure and if it comes in how does it go out.... (The flippin' house is OLD and drafty; it needs new windows!) I was dumbfounded; brain does not work at all when diesel fumes hit it. I knew the air cleaner would deal with it soon.

The came the "we need a real snow shovel" discussion as he was going to use that tiny one. He left and I noted he did not take the car key. I booted up and went out with broom to clean car. The little shovel would have been better but he took that with him. There was a frozen mass of 10-12 inches of snow - not ice, just hardened snow. I had almost finished when R showed up with TWO! snow shovels. WOW! He listened to me. The space behind my car was clear as someone had pulled out while I was cleaning! SO I suggested he merely clean behind my car and back it into the more clear space. I guarded against anyone pulling in there while he accomplished the maneuver. So, with finesse and some luck, I can probably get out.

Then he took off to "Get things done" and I came in and washed dishes, warmed a cup of tea and deleted emails. Now, maybe I will finish novel. Last night I talked on phone with friend in NYS for an hour - dumb me! I called her just after 7 pm and missed two episodes of Big Bang.

I don't know how much effect the de-tox baths have had - one each morning the last several days - but I continue to feel better and have cut back on the MSM, Glucosamine and Zyflamend as the pendulum indicates. The pectin is good still and I am eating more apples, fewer cookies (almost none).

The Paleo diet is not going to be strictly followed. I am not giving up cheese or my one piece of toast but added in a lot of root veggies, reducing rice, legumes, grains. I like it. Buckwheat is not a grain! It is a fruit! I use buckwheat flour for pancakes or crepes about once a week. And we have porridge on occasion.

I guess clearing snow constituted recovery from hot bath! Now for a nibble, finish book, and trim pots. There has been no discussion about going to the cafe tonight... Short of that, I am not giving up my parking space to go anywhere!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Dec 14 - 05:28 PM

I did a lunchtime commando raid on the local Dillard's outlet to find a couple of separates to use for interviews. Last summer I had a jacket and slacks that were good, but a friend pointed out that this is winter and a linen jacket doesn't look right. I suppose she has a point. I found a lovely wool-blend charcoal gray 2-button jacket, black slacks (I'll have to take in the waist a little) and a neutral ivory sweater. I was trying on 12s and 10s - though I think they are roomier than years ago when a 10 or 12 was standardized differently. Whatever the number attached, I want it to look good.

I have a 3 makeup dance classes for this month (because the studio is closed next week and through to the New Year) so I'm going to make up one of them tomorrow morning. It'll be a repeat of Wednesdays class, but I can use the refresher. I picked up a package of CDs and the lesson plans so I can use the music for each step and move she teaches to practice. I'll do a the other two in January.

eBay this weekend, and wrapping and preparing to ship some stuff. Also sewing. And decorating. And it's time to start baking cookies and fancy breads. Busy busy busy . . .

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: ranger1
Date: 12 Dec 14 - 06:23 PM

In a momentary fit of insanity, I registered for a 3.5 mile snowshoe race at the end of January. I can walk it if I need to, but I'd rather not keep the race volunteers sitting around in the cold any longer than they have to (I know what it's like, I've been one of those volunteers in the past!). I have six weeks to get in shape. Oh, dear (insert diety of your choice here), what have I done?!

I did it because now I HAVE to get out and get active. I've been getting fat, lazy, and sedentary and I needed to do something about it. I could join a gym, but I'm not really the gym type, and I don't see myself ever actually going. I'd have good intentions, but...

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Dec 14 - 07:17 PM

No snow here, but I'm doing something similar with the dance lessons I'm taking now. Good for you, and I agree, the gym isn't an inspiring place and I would also have trouble making myself attend.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: ranger1
Date: 12 Dec 14 - 07:39 PM

I'll get plenty of support. I've been friends with most of the members of the trail running club that puts on the races for a long time, and they've been trying to get me out there with them for a couple of years now. Heck, I'm already getting "woohoos!" from them since I announced I'd done it. Jason's cousin's wife may run it with me, too.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Dec 14 - 11:35 PM

I've been planning my first garden at a house I (we) own, and I'm sure enough of my landscape planning now that I invested $50 in help getting the the digging started for the first section of the childrens' cottage-garden-within-the property. Just forward of the spot shown below in front of the kitchen windows, in the center of that half of the front yard, is getting prepped for the tall plants that will anchor that whole min-garden. A 24" circle to extend later as time, digging power, and money permit. My list of perennials for that spot will be set by the time planting season returns.

I won't be able to SEE that at our Ohio house til late January, but I'll know it's ready for spring to come!

~S~

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Dec 14 - 01:14 AM

I need to dig up the garden for onions and potatoes. Onion seeds can go in now, potatoes will be planted in January.

More cleaning and filing this evening, and I recharged a few electronic items. I also ripped (into my computer) the dance music from the instructor at my class. She has two disks with numbered files on the disk, but on the face of each the names are printed. So I've edited the files so the numbers are now names and loaded them into my mp3 player. I can practice wearing the player and scroll through to the piece for the dance step she associates with it.

Some laundry done, and a lot of stuff to do tomorrow. Lots to do this weekend.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Dec 14 - 10:25 AM

Ooops! Forgot to post the link to the foto referenced in the last post. I'll throw it in when I get a chance.

The children's/cottage garden is a planned 20x20-ish foot area on one side of the front yard; the other side holds a majestic tree that will provide shady sitting for visiting with passers-by, and eventually woodland/shade plants; we want to eliminate as much mowing as possible, over time. Separating these two sections, there's an existing concrete, straight front walk from front door to sidewalk. We plan to replace that with a meandering gravel path after we're all done moving in (when Hardi retires), but for now it's great for unloading!

I got the idea for the children's garden from seeing how sparse are activities for the kids in that large neighborhood. Once they're old enough to leave their own yard, there's not much for them except trouble, and pedophiles, especially for the boys. We got a lot of longing glances from kids passing by, when I started work out there with helpers in September.

This suggested that a cottage-garden (with little paths snaking thru to pick peppers, see new things coming up, etc.) would offer a chance to involve neighborhood families in a TV-less, healthy, ongoing activity.

So I've drawn a plan for a centerpiece, for that section of the property, of tall, flowering plants. That's what my $50 bought-- a place to start that whole thing up. There is already a children's table and chair in the now-existing bedding area right in front of the kitchen windows. They fill a gap in the existing plantings of hollies.

The spring plan for the rest of that hlf of the front yard is to kill off a lot of crabgrass by the lasagna-gardening method of layering newspaper, compost, and bark mulch. This will outline the whole, eventual planting area and I can start to lay out the paths, yard sculpture, etc.

On top of that mulch I can scatter potted plants when I'm there, to play with color and texture ideas before we live there fulltime and I can put in annuals and perennials. Each subsection of that cottage garden can be tilled and planted as feasible, but in the meantime, under that bark mulch, Mother Nature will be getting most of the soil amendments all ready.

And all that will be my PT over the next several years-- my activity-level-increaser as we get to know neighbors OUTSIDE in the fresh air!

~S~

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Dec 14 - 01:30 PM

I decided against the dance class this morning - too much stuff to do - but I have the practice music now and will work with that.

I'm thinking about moving furniture. Big pieces, things I have to empty to move. It feels like time to streamline a few rooms.

Yard work on the list today - enough leaves have pile up that I need to mulch again. I am daily glad that a few weeks ago I built the fence thing on the dog stall in the garage - I can now open the big door and go get the mower without having to put Zeke in the kennel first, meaning there are a lot fewer steps involved in a large number of tasks.

I'm down a couple of more pounds, so mulching with the mower today is a good way to keep up the exercise and continue the weight loss. Next week is going to be one for the calories at work, I'll pace myself, and try to not let myself get hooked on sugar again.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Dec 14 - 07:07 PM

City:
And once again this thread reminds me: there is a big International Folk Dance party tonight and I must decide whether to give up my parking spot so I can go. ....

Light BF for R today and my usual then he went off to get things done. Of course we did not get to the cafe last night as he was doing things and came home about 8. Gave him a nice salad and it took him an hour to eat it. When I brought the next plate of food, he was totally asleep! (10 pm) I told him, "Go to bed" and he did. He can have that supper tonight. I had also made myself a small plate but saved it for lunch today. I feel as though I am eating less but forget the scale - at the mill. And after posting yesterday "eating fewer cookies", I ate some cookies!

I walked to library today and brought back 3 novels and one book on food allergies and one on disciplining children. Spent part of aft on FB and deleting and part on little things around the house - apples are washed and ready to cut and cook, mini ironing board and iron are found and ready to do iron on patching, needle and thread ready to mend night gown. Pots still need to be trimmed; I realized I would not get to it yesterday and wrapped them well. Maybe tomorrow.

An hour phone talk with Montreal friend last night - we made a new list of things to be done - plastic on windows so pollution, and cold!, stay out, clean Bathroom of roofing tar so I can take a hot bath without being poisoned, get the BR cleared so it can be used. These are all R-do things so it will take time but I have started suggesting and need to be patient while he deals with all the other things on his agenda. Hannah, same age as my son (55 today - Hannah; son's was on 5th), has been telling me how to run my life for about 40 years! She, like my son, has good ideas so I enjoy her support and, sometimes, brow-beating.

Another hour phone call with dear friends at a distance this morning, just catching up.

Not going to dance. Keep my parking until tomorrow when I will go pick up a big lot of bubble wrap from Craigslist/free then do some grocery shopping, maybe get a small poinsettia, plastic for the windows, good fresh apple juice.... And hope for parking when I get home!!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Dec 14 - 01:09 PM

Oh my aching arms - I raked all along the front curb (the widest part of the pie-shaped yard) then muscled the mower over the top of them.

Warm and heavily overcast - it feels like rain is coming - thunderstorms, to be precise. I have a little bit of running to do today, so I'll get it in now before the storms cross over the area (according to the weather radar they're 30-60 minutes out).

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Dec 14 - 10:56 PM

This weekend I was less productive than I hoped for, but it wasn't completely wasted. Tonight I finished emptying the fridge of unused or out-of-date things that have taken up space for way too long. Out to the compost or the curb it all goes.

I wasn't watching television this evening - I just looked at the listings and see that The Vicar of Dibley: The Christmas Lunch Incident was on tonight. That is one of my all-time favorites. My daughter and her boyfriend live in the county north of me, and used to spend Thanksgiving and xmas making the rounds - they drove to his mother's home in the county west of here and had lunch, then to his father's home for something in the middle of the afternoon, then drove here for a later dinner. They were absolutely stuffed by the day's end, and I always told them they didn't need to eat anything when they got here. They always did, or took leftovers home.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Dec 14 - 01:06 PM

Tried on some of the size 10 pants from a bin in my closet. I can fasten one pair, most of the others I can pull on but not fasten. There were many years when I never weighed myself, those years when I was fit and slim. Only now am I figuring out the weight numbers that go with the clothing sizes. :-/

I was down to 158 this morning.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Dec 14 - 03:48 PM

City:
YAY! SRS you broke 160! I am hoping I might have but sometimes it seems that, even though I think I am not eating much...

Yesterday, we had a quick BF, went to pick up the bubble wrap - two big armloads! Then went to Quaker meeting; it was great to visit with people after meeting, over tea and snacks. A friend of about 40 years, our two sons(each) are about the same ages and we were single moms in the 70s. She had a good job as a librarian and stayed put in Montreal while I rolled all over the map. He one son has pancreatic cancer; what do you say? I feel so fortunate. I want to phone her ---- and do not want to/know what to say... She is almost 80 and getting frail. Once a Raging Granny, she says her activist days are over. Now this.

I drove R back to his vehicle and went grocery shopping and picked up that great apple juice at the Market and some reduced fancy cheeses. Then home for a snack and computer. R came home before 8 and we watched Home Alone - much enjoyed! I love to see a child showing power and initiative and creativity - yes it is a movie but it shows kids that a kid can do. I gave R custody of the computer and he fell asleep in the middle of the news (10:30) so BED!

Late getting up - after 9;I wonder if we have sleeping sickness. For him, it is not wanting to get up and face the day. He worked all weekend and is still at, or back to, square one due to the snow conditions. As we got ready for BF, the man from the Pizza across the street knocked on the door to tell us my car was in jeopardy re snow removal so R moved it while I made BF. After he left, I assessed the day and decided to take a hot bath then, after recovery, go to fetch my homeopathic.

After the bath and a short time in bed, I felt good and put the bedding in the laundry and had lunch, went off to get the pills and returned in time for R to pop in looking for good clothes so he and a lawyer friend could go work on a banking problem. As I was giving him fresh clothes, A shadow at the front door! A good looking, well dressed man - his friend had to be invited into our maelstrom. As I mentioned just returning from getting homeopathic med, we had a great conversation about environmental sensitivity and alternative healthcare. What a delight to meet someone who is on same wave length!

Off they went I am am here. Second load of laundry is in, a couple nice blouses are found and ready to be ironed - now that I know where the iron and board are! The iron parches got done yesterday. I sorted out some of clothes this morning and feel I may get more done today. Break time right now.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Dec 14 - 09:53 PM

Wild guess, that was Dorothy. :)

Weight tends to plateau so I'm not expecting the last 10 pounds to drop off. And since this is the holiday season, I'll be lucky if I can stay at this point for the next few weeks.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Rumncoke
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 09:32 AM

It is interesting that at 159 lb a size 10 almost fits - back in the days when I weighed 147 lb I was a 16 at first, then when I left home and was more active I went down to a 14 but did not lose weight.

Of course those were the UK sizes at the time, but it makes me feel better about my size now to know that the US sizes have to be larger than I have been thinking they are.

I am busy making hats at the moment.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 11:31 AM

I'm sure sizes have shifted over the years - I suspect what is called "10" now in the US was probably a "12" when I was growing up. And there is the truism (I'm not going to research it) that Marilyn Monroe was a size 14. The idea that anyone could fit in a size "0" is logically ridiculous, a mathematical non-starter.

I have a lot of projects on hold till I finish a big project today. Sending my holiday cards, preparing to mail parcels, getting set to train one dog to the Invisible Fence - all needs doing, but it can wait till tomorrow. They have made so much noise in the basement on a building project that I'm taking today off. Yesterday we listened to jack hammers only a few yards from my desk, through one thin wall until we couldn't take it any more (ear plugs and head phones weren't enough) and today some kind of compound being put down before a concrete pour that will smell bad. All of the department adjacent to the work site has abandoned the office for other locations or taking the day off. I'll be over there later and may step in to get a few photos, but mostly it's just a day for my project.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 06:52 PM

Job interview concluded, and I think it went well. I celebrated afterward with a large bowl of ice cream. Now to resume my healthy eating for the rest of the month. :)

Tomorrow evening I'll plan to do a bunch of baking and I'll mail on Thursday. We've reached the point where the kids are all grown and in my family we won't be sending individual gifts to each kid, etc, just a family gift. That makes it a lot easier.

It got cold today and tomorrow rain is forecast, so it'll feel more holiday like to get all of this work done. I wonder how people in Florida and Southern California ever manage to really get into the holiday spirit with all of that warm weather and sunshine?

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 09:18 PM

City:
When I used to shop in upscale stores (60s), I found that I was a 12 at Sears and a 6/8/10 in the more expensive clothes. I tried on a 6 and it hung on me! I figured those who could afford high priced clothes were being coddled.

My cough is back. I hope the homeopathic I picked up yesterday, after a week without it, will get it back under control. At least I did not cough all night last night but most of today. Feeling OK but not terrific. Mostly resting today. Hot bath about 11 am and then quiet time but did not need to go to bed. Trying to keep the eating down the last while but today I "needed" more; after a bowl of broccoli, a cheese bun topped with cheese and salsa and toasted finally settled me down. That was lunch. Now....

Made a pot of stewed apples, moved car - and that is about all. Internet, reading, news, Big Bang... brief visit with neighbour, consult with Vanessa re pottery and the dreadful state of the parking lot at the mill - knee high frozen snow. Phoned R to inform; he needs to get someone with heavy equipment to clear it.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 10:29 PM

Dorothy, you've lost your cookie!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 12:29 PM

I didn't sleep well last night - though I would have if the dogs didn't have an agenda concerning protecting the yard. Every hour or two someone burst into my room excitedly informing me that they NEEDED TO GO BARK AT THE BACK FENCE. NOW.

I've learned that it is prudent to roll out of bed immediately and respond to these requests else Zeke jumps up on the bed and knocks the wind out of me.

Going to the latest Hobbit release this afternoon. I expect to be assailed by creatures that did not inhabit Tolkien's small novel for children, 2.5 hours to cover the last few pages of the book. I'm taking socks because theaters are usually chilly.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 01:44 PM

We stewed some Granny Smiths in a neat crockpot-type electric casserole Hardi bought while I was in Ohio. Very neat item, esp when hooked up thru a timer for starting while at work, etc.

Thanks to the prompting of my gallbladder I'm in the midst of a total overhaul of my food program, which has been hard but is working better all the time. It's based on how people in the US ate and had strong health before the US Ag Complex propagandized the whole food industry for the profit of the few corporations that control our fud supply.

Right now I'm studying Mary Enig's primer.

~S~

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 02:28 PM

I am a fan of Mary Enig..have not heard of her in a while..is this a new primer?

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 07:57 PM

Cold sloppy weather today. I need a nap, but think I'll simply make an early night of it and get an early start tomorrow also. I just can't get up the energy to spend all of the time baking, so I'll take tomorrow and ship on Friday.

The dogs are in at night now so I haven't put out any decorations in the house so far. I'll have to be careful to choose things that go up and out of reach, or else things will get knocked over or chewed. When I was a kid there was the one-two punch of pets - the cats would knock things off of the mantle or tree and then the dog would chew up whatever it was.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 09:07 PM

No, mg, don't think so. 'Know Your Fats."

~S~

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 10:08 AM

I was up late last night (midnight-ish) sorting a 32 gallon tote of paper clutter. A good chunk of it went in the trash and the other has been fairly well sorted. I have a little bit more to do of that today but otherwise, that is DONE! Thank goodness as it has been sitting here staring at me for far too long! I paid bills this morning and dissected a child care grant so it will best meet our needs for $2015. It's hard to believe that as of August, we no longer will have a need for day care!

My plan of action for the rest of the day includes doing up the dishes, cleaning up my counter top and then cleaning off the lip over my sink. I have 4 large totes of Christmas decorations sitting in my kitchen and one thing I love to do is put up the nativity sets. One goes in the kitchen and the other in the living room on top of the piano. Oh the piano. I'm going to have to do some cleaning and moving of stuff there as well if I want to put the nativity set there!!! The lights are on the tree but it's been crazy busy here and we haven't gotten the ornaments up yet...well...there are 4 ornaments on the tree. Jeremiah picked out 3 a few weeks ago at a craft store and then he was given a special early gift of an ornament of one of his favorite cartoon characters to hang on the tree. I kind of like the tree with just the lights but I know I will love it just as much with the ornaments which will be fun for all of us to do! However...the ornaments will wait until the weekend when we are all home and can do it together.
    Jeremiah is still not 100% and has a recheck at the doctor's office tomorrow. I won't be surprised if they run another set of antibiotics and steroids.

Stay warm everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 02:10 PM

A friend of mine had a double-whammy of flu and strep throat - she has grandchildren who bring home the bugs. Michelle, I think you'll find that the first (and possibly second year) of elementary school is one where they commingle germs and it seems like the kids are sick all of the time. The group gradually forms an immunity to some things and outgrows habits the allow others to happen and it gets much easier after that.

I took a case of mustang grape jelly to work today and have distributed most of it. Tomorrow I'll bring in green tomato relish for those who express an interest in it. I was surprised by a coworker who came in to offer a gift this morning - I think it has to do with when her husband died about 15 months ago. At that time I dug out photos that I'd taken and one of them was his favorite image of himself (he was a physics professor here on campus and had spoken in a library lecture series). I had an extra jar that I gave her in exchange, and she's on the list of those wanting a jar of relish.

The last couple of days where "normal" calorie-wise, but today is a fasting day. You take them when you can get them this time of year when there are meals served for staff here on campus. I'll climb the stairs a couple of times also put a little fitness activity in the day.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 08:04 PM

I forgot about an afternoon reception for a departing co-worker. Fairly healthy fare was available, I skipped the cake, but did have a few chocolate m&ms. :)

I need to bake up a storm tonight.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 08:19 PM

The CROCK POT - CASSEROLE COOKER Hardi got for us is neat because it's easy to tote it to a parish supper, and pretty for serving there, too. Also a great size for dinner plus leftovers, for two. I want to try cornbread in it.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 09:41 PM

Mill:
Too bad I have not lost ALL my cookies because I sure have not lost any pounds! I fear I have gained a few back. Here I thought I was doing better.

Weather forecast impelled me to come down here yesterday for appointment this morning. Knee high snow and the two foot ridge left by the snow plow, compelled me to walk in from the road - about 150 feet. Several times. (Exercise!) R had left a message re snow removal with a neighbour; this morning I phoned the guy and he "had not listened to messages" but would have "someone there by noon".

Yesterday, I had lunch at rest. with Geri, et al and came back to mill with lots of energy and got all glazes ready to use. I could have kept going and mixed a glaze or two but thought it best to go to bed and do things this morning - which did not work as phone did not get signal here and I had to go into town to call re plowing and pottery. Went to dollar store for more iron on patches as I used up the last batch.

Instead of having pots un-boxed and on shelves in studio, I arranged to meet client in a parking lot at 11; she had to go to work. It was only raining a little, and not TOO cold. she picked out four pieces and I went back to mill. The someone did arrive and cleared the yard nicely so I could get to studio and unload. Only dropped one box, breaking 6 nice mugs. Phooey. I no longer get upset. Just shrug my shoulders. Another "Oh, well" moment in life.

I did start the kiln at 8:15 am, thinking I was going to the city. but all of the above, and more, intervened Now it is cool enough to start glazing but not tonight. The firing did not, as I feared, stink up the building, thankfully. A glaze firing would have been intolerable.

After the yard was cleared, I went to the library, the fabric store (just to say hello to my friend, the owner but I DID look) and the organic butcher. I started to go back to city but phoned R and he said he might come out tonight or tomorrow so I turned around. Did not see Geri's car in town so I came back to mill, had a visit from Vanessa and we opened the kiln a bit more, then I had a good supper of Lentil stew and curry sausages! Then a short nap and now I do not have that glaze making energy. No sign of R so maybe I will have an early night and get to it in the morning. OR maybe he will show up at midnight. Oh well.

I now know it takes the bisque firing 6 hours to cool enough to remove pots. I spent some time tonight looking at glaze notes and figuring out some mysteries and deciding what I would like to accomplish tomorrow - in glaze mixing. Need to upgrade the record keeping! My eternal weakness. Discarded two notebooks and consolidated info; could do more. Always!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Dec 14 - 03:50 PM

One box in the mail, two more to go in the morning after I do more baking tonight. I'll do some modest holiday decorating, but I need to be careful that I don't put out what amount to expensive chew toys for the dogs. :-/

Dog training will commence with the holiday break - I'll train Zeke to the Invisible Fence (the girls have been trained for years). I'm still working on getting an extra collar unit, but for now will train him with the one I have.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Dec 14 - 10:54 AM

DP, re: Need to upgrade the record keeping! My eternal weakness.

No! You need an INTERN!!! ;-)

Part of yesterday's weekly-when-we-can day off focused on reorganizing the kitchen for the new food program I MUST be on and Hardi CAN be on, without inconveniencing his diabetic program. Mission accomplished, in true couple-mode.

It was his idea to go a little farther afield than we often do, in search of the UNtoasted (relatively flavorless) sesame oil for this Mary Enig Recommended All-Purpose Stovetop/Brolier Oil:

1/3 sesame oil (we got refined/high heat tolerant)
1/3 coconut oil
1/3 EV olive oil (splurged on organic EVOO cuz I needed a dark, pretty glass bottle for the countertop)

This not only gives a great balance of nutrients, but keeps the coco oil liquid-- year round. Said blend has now been put into said pretty bottle, labeled and ready to go, with its former contents stored alongside all the other oil reserves in a cool dark place for later use.

Also got a smaller dark glass bottle to take to Ohio for the same blend there-- former contents-- balsamic vinegar, which I use when sauteeing liver, which my fud peeps highly recommend and which we love.

We also VERY happily found that in the several years we have not been at our favorite Oriental market, they had restocked our favorite masala, and got a BIG new jar of it. The company changed the recipe a tad since our BEST favorite from them, but by now I have cracked the code for what to add... so will just add some of that component to this jar (we have it in bulk), and Bob's your uncle!

Another recent find-- been there all along, who knew! Spinach/Baby Kale mixed green. Here come the salads! Both are inimical to good thyroid function, so will cut with romaine, even tho my doc is always happy to adjust dosage as our food programs shift.

~S~

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Dec 14 - 02:03 PM

Whew! Gift loaves of bread successfully launched via postal carrier this morning. Now to concentrate on stuff I need to take care of around the house. There is a great deal to do.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Dec 14 - 05:17 PM

Shopping for xmas eve ingredients is finished - every year I make a Puerto Rican dish for my ex, and my kids help, so they learn the recipe. There will be just one kid here this year.

I found a couple of things I forgot to put in a package, so I'll mail them early on Monday and hopefully they'll squeak in at least before week's end.

It's a heavily overcast drizzly day, there is a somber mood over the house. Time to put a movie on or watch to one of my NetFlix comedy discs. They've been here for a long time, I need to send them back and set something else (I stream mostly these days).

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 20 Dec 14 - 05:54 PM

you know about soy products and the thyroid i presume

wonder how much is behind the thyroid epidemic of problems

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Dec 14 - 06:47 PM

Yes mg we eschew soy. Americans eat way more than native Asian consumers, and Consumer Reports has a scary detail about rice and arsenic in their current article on sensible approaches to gluten free products.

~S~

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Dec 14 - 09:26 PM

So, a half sesame, half olive oil mix would be good for stovetop cooking? I am allergic to coconut so that is out. I have a misto bottle that I put oil in and pump to spray onto baking pans and occasionally a skillet. I've used macadamia oil, it is good, healthy as far as Omega 3, and high heat, but it is about $10 a small bottle. I buy my olive and sesame oil from a Middle Eastern market where the imported oil is bottled from locations as small as a single village, not from a giant industrial conglomerate pooling oil from all around the Mediterranean to sell to the states.

Another pan of tomatoes was sauced this evening and it is cooking down now. They were kind of dry, so I'm not canning, I'll freeze this batch. Home grown tomatoes for sauce - I am so spoiled.

Getting ready to make cookies, I'll start with spritz because my daughter has imprinted on them as THE best and classic xmas cookie. And krumkaka, in a day or two. I'm not making the whole batch I usually do, or if I make more, it will be to give to neighbors.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 Dec 14 - 10:02 PM

My boys went to town to do some errands so I took advantage of the quiet. I put on some quiet Christmas music, put up the nativities, wound the garland up the rail, hung the stockings, put out some do-dads, packed up stuff that will come back out in January and am now going to settle in to do wrap some of Jeremiah's gifts. I still need to do my Christmas cards and find some time on Monday to wrap up gifts for both Pete and my mom. That won't take long as the grown ups aren't getting much this year but Jeremiah? Well....let's just say I did my best to keep it under control. I didn't go hog wild but I can see how it could happen. I started shopping for him in late September getting the larger items that we had decided on for him (big Lincoln Log set) and some rescue vehicles, slightly larger than normal HotWheels. But then I found the Five Below store and stocked up on some games, more cars, puzzles (which he loves), etc. The only clothing item he is getting (and needing, really) is socks. I have some candy for his stocking, some black scratch pads that he loves and a battery operated toothbrush. I personally don't like them...feels like a bee is in my mouth but I've read lots that supports the idea that a child's teeth will be cleaned better with such a thing. It's worth a try. The other thing I got him that was kind of last minute is a set of full sized headphones for when he wants to play his alphabet games or watch a Scooby Doo and Paw Patrol you know!!!

Time to get busy. I'm having fun!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Dec 14 - 11:23 AM

I have a pan of chicken stock cooling for use this week (I'll make rice with it). Laundry almost finished. Some lights up and I'll put out more decorations - carefully placed to be out of dog reach. It'll be interesting doing gifts - I'll try Liz's trick of gift wrapping a large box to put gifts into and keep the box up out of the way until the dogs have been let out for the morning.

I have an idea for storing canning jars in my pantry - I have to do some measuring first - I may make headway there today. It's another heavy overcast day and I find moving furniture and generating endorphins is a good way to counter to SAD blues.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Dec 14 - 06:52 PM

SRS, I haven't learned enough to recommend that blend. I CAN recommend the Enig text to learn about it.... and I suspect there's a third oil that would substitute, in her view of balanced hlth bennies.

But rice-- pls read consumer reports on arsenic in rice.

~S~

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 21 Dec 14 - 07:48 PM

and boy do some medical "professionals" owe great apologies for destroying the local economies of some places that produce coconut oil..or used to...

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Dec 14 - 09:16 PM

Isn't coconut oil all the rage now? And it's in everything. I have to read labels not just for food but for soap, shampoo, lotions, etc. It's a huge crop, probably like sugar cane, corn, etc, probably hard on places that used to grow more variety.

Two batches of cookies finished. The burners on this stove are so much hotter/faster that I had to keep turning down the burner - where I used to make krumkaka with an iron over a burner on medium high, now it was just above medium. I singed quite a few. They taste okay, but are considered overcooked by connoisseurs. :)

One more batch of laundry, early to bed, and then one day more of work before the long break.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Dec 14 - 12:52 PM

I'll ship a couple of missed gifts and cookies tomorrow when I have time at home. The cookies weren't baked until last night, and no chance to mail this morning and either way it will arrive after xmas. Tomorrow will be the usual race to tidy, decorate, cook, and do some sewing ahead of guests on Wednesday and Thursday. And I begin the dog training session - teaching Zeke to respond to the Invisible Fence. I'll pick up Home Depot utility flags (10 for $1.65, I'll by a couple hundred and return any I don't use) to mark the boundary of the yard, and I'll have to keep Zeke in the house for the next couple of weeks. Should be interesting. Very interesting. I need to take him out on a leash when he enters the yard so I can teach him the response to the noise and then the zap of the collar. The girls already understand, so they'll probably be a great help.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Dec 14 - 03:45 PM

CIty:
Felt really good at the mill. Accomplished many little things and some big ones. Kept going all day, each day as though I were all better.

R finally showed up at 1 am on Sat. Sat we had a quick BF and he went off to the auction house to pick up stuff he bought two weeks ago. Another Auction started at 11 am and when he was not back by 1ish I went in. In the meantime, I was working on getting things done in living space and studio. We have MICE! So we spent time cleaning up the under-sink cabinet where they had a toilet tissue nest and the stove drawer AND under the burners where they had another nest of the insulation from the stove. R cleaning out that part.

By Sunday eve: we had spent time at auction, cleaned the entire living space - floors, stove, cabinets, discovered the bottom element of stove does not function so R took it out and I have it in my car to find a replacement. R also took an air cleaner apart to find why the switch does not function; something broken, I need to order a new switch assembly. He managed to put a new sponge on sponge mop - and wondered how many are thrown out due to difficulty. R is patient and competent; he loves repairing things.

Discovered the seriousness of mouse problem when I turned on oven on Friday to cook a chicken and went to do something on the nearby counter and HOLY MOLEY!!! the ammonia fumes forced me out of the room! Coming out though one of the burners. So everything is clean and the burners are covered; hole offering pathway to stove has a motorcycle license plate over it! Pans in drawer are covered or turned upside down; holes in sink cabinet covered with wood, AND there are 4 traps baited with cheese, one in the drawer. Sorry mice but this is beyond my level of endurance.

Trip to the library, two more glazes mixed, R showed me how to use his gram scale as mine had been knocked to the floor and even R could not find a missing piece. Glaze firing loaded - all but two of Vanessa's pots went in. Included were two small pieces to test new glaze batches. Then we came back to the city last night. Cannot be there with firing going until the exhaust fan is installed.

We did buy a few things at the Sat auction. My share: a lovely cut glass bowl -$5! and a small, about 12 inches high, lamp with lovely white/opalescent/dk pink flowers stained glass shade ($10). Most attenders were in the buying/selling business. Several whom we know slightly.

So after these good days, I was hoping the energy would continue but thought I better do a detox bath this am right after R left. Did that and not much else since; Soup lunch and R came home for good clothes. Been on internet and emails all afternoon. But I think I am getting energy back so I shall go see if upstairs is warm enough to work.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Dec 14 - 10:44 PM

Port accessed in a new place today with an unfamiliar nurse....anxiety a bit high but all went well (well..ok...bruising today...but still ok).

Six rather large bags of Sizes 2T TO 4T delivered to friends who can use them.

YAY.

And tonight the winter plague has hit the house. Pete wasn't feeling well yesterday or this morning and is now sleeping (since 8:30), Jeremiah wanted to go to bed without dinner (not feeling well) and my throat has been hurting since around 3pm.

And I know we are all sick when the adults in the house opted for a bagel and hot tea for dinner instead of a beautifully roasted chicken that was already prepared.

Night all.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Dec 14 - 12:21 AM

I hope all of you get over this soon, Michelle.

Dorothy, we had a mouse that it turned out was living in the fibreglass insulation inside the stove that packed around the oven under the burner area. You know how you can lift the burners to clean? If you take out that sheet metal piece and look around the vent area I think you'll find it is full of mouse droppings.

The long break has begun. Time will fly in no time, but right now, it looks like a wonderful long period of time to be productive.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Dec 14 - 11:32 AM

Cleaning house today, wrapping, setting up some projects. Moving furniture, organizing my pantry, cooking cooking cooking.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Dec 14 - 03:29 PM

SRS, re: Isn't coconut oil all the rage now? And it's in everything. Yes, it is on the upswing because the buzz is on favoring it. I'm sorry that's an allergy for you. Unfortunately, you're probably as sensitive to the cheaper, lower-nutritive-quality version. (I use the best of the best-- one small splurge.)

Michelle, "port"? (Are you sick again?)

================

Kitchen decks cleared for Christmas cooking which, for us, is AFTER Christmas. On the stovetop is the soup I finally got made from the t'giving turkey carcass-- Black Bean Mushroom Turkey Soup. No meat pieces IN it this year because I plan to serve it tonight with some leftover sausage fine-sliced into a large salad with the homemade mustard dressing we need to use up. (Next time I serve the same batch, I have cooked turkey to thaw and add.)

I also have all the dishes washed and partly put away, and ALL the handwashing done and counters wiped.

I miss my busy man! TBTG this year I can cook!

Two years since I got out of the nursing home, and still healing.


~Susan

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 Dec 14 - 03:52 PM

City:
SRS! Even R did not think to try to remove that piece. We can check when we are down for Christmas weekend. I did turn the oven on again and there was no odour!!

Have not gotten around to trying to replace oven element so planning weekend meals - not in oven! Bought some chicken breasts which I can do in the toaster oven. Hmmm! I have crock pot there which I might put to use. The remains of last weekend's chicken is in a large pot becoming soup. Hoping some folks can visit while we are there this weekend; I put out the word on FB to drop by. And we hope to visit our friends in NYS.

I went to Market this morning for veggies, the good chick breasts, a gallon of fresh apple juice and some brie. All is in the cold room(laundry) packed to go to country. Several gallons of water and a gallon of distilled water also by the front door and another gallon almost ready. Now, the pots that did not get trimmed yesterday because I ran out of energy need to be done yet today.

Hope everyone has the best possible holiday and weekend.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Dec 14 - 07:59 PM

It doesn't seem to matter the quality or the form, if a food or product has coconut in it, I break out.

Finished the last short shopping run, I hope I don't have to go out again for a couple of days. Now to work around the house. And if I have time, the pantry. I'm also set to upgrade my computer hard drive - probably the least expensive but most significant upgrade in that I'll be going from the hard drive with moving parts to a hard drive that is solid state. Only the C: operating system and program files will live on it, data is elsewhere in the computer.

While I'm at it, I need to tidy the stuff around my computer desk, clear up some of the password files that are old and not up to snuff, and probably get rid of a whole bunch of online accounts I never use.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Dec 14 - 11:25 PM

It's a squeaker, but the new shelves will fit. I have to move the power strip on the wall up a few inches (my router and modem are high up on a shelf and this power strip is also for a lamp in there). It will be a process of extracting the shelves when I need anything, but it should hold all of the canning jars plus some of the more frequently used equipment. Or perhaps jars in the back on the bottom and a lot of stable (as in, it won't fall when I move the rolling shelves) stuff on the rolling shelves.

My theory is that if I can get all of this stuff put away, then I can clear the kitchen more easily because I won't have as much in there to fool with. And then to the kitchen table, and finally the dining room table - domino effect decluttering.

SRS

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Feb 15 - 07:14 PM

Let's pick up our February 2015 conversation here, and if the newer thread comes back, I'll transfer it all over.

NOTE: I found the missing part of this conversation in the cache and have dropped it in here on the bottom of this post so it makes the most sense. More info at the bottom of the thread.

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Stilly River Sage Date: 24 Dec 14 - 11:36 AM

And the pantry door will close! It looks good, and has cleared out some bulk from the pantry shelves in the hall also.

Wrapping, baking, cleaning. In the background a full backup of the C: (OS and programs) and D: (data) drives is underway (Norton Ghost). When that finishes I'll be ready for the next step, to put in the new SSD. That'll probably wait a day or two, but who knows, maybe there will be time before everyone wakes up tomorrow for breakfast then gifts.

Have a great holiday, everyone, however you celebrate it! Those of you with the added magic of small children in the house, you may not have time to do anything for a couple of days except pick up the wrapping paper after the kids and pets finish playing in it. For the rest of us, enjoy those small beautiful moments during the days ahead and rest on your laurels for bringing your families along to this point.

SRS

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 24 Dec 14 - 08:13 PM

Mill:

OH well! I never did trim those pots. I packed just about everything in the frig into large shopping bags and a couple small boxes and plus some bits of clothing, did laundry, remade the bed so it is nice when we get back and loaded the car and left about 2:30. The bridge was having some sort of problem and took an extra half hour.

I stopped at a sort of home depot store but NO element like mine. But a large Norfolk Island Pine already decorated with 2" dark red balls was being liquidated for $10 so I brought it along! I had taken the lights off the one in the city and now the new one is here in the big window so R can see it when he arrives; he promised by 8! HAH!

I also remembered that I had not paid for new drivers' license and stopped on the way to do that. Then stopped at a grocery for more stuff. Now all is unloaded and the frig is over-flowed and I have a box out in the cold area if building but need to find a safer spot as R says we have raccoons somewhere. If there is food, THEY will find it!

Vanessa turned the kiln back on this am as it had not gotten hot enough, thanks to me not plugging the peep holes. It went off about 6:30 and I emailed her to come any time after 8 hours - time to cool. This load is her Christmas presents! We are hoping every thing will be OK! The fact that it was a second firing of same pots seemed to have reduced the odour and it has not permeated the living space, thankfully! I did smell it out in the other area and in the studio but not as bad as usual.

Looking forward to four days of peace. relaxation, maybe some visiting or even visitors.

Note: got an email that bro gave me a membership in NRDC for Christmas! (SHOCK!) I had to go to website to find out what it is: Natural Resources Defense Council! That is sweet! I shall email him and thank him!

AlsoThis came to my attention yesterday. I have not had time to really look at it but it sure does make some sense!

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: GUEST,LilyFestre Date: 25 Dec 14 - 04:25 AM

Merry Christmas!!!

Michelle

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 Dec 14 - 01:20 PM

I dug down below the line to refresh this thread. I had a busy day away from the computer, though we did refer to the kitchen computer a couple of times, but that was during a trip down YouTube's memory lane. My 26-year-old daughter had never seen the Tim Conway dentist skit on the Carol Burnett Show. Yesterday was about getting together with loved ones and sharing food and laughter. Our evening movie is one I selected this time - she also had never seen The Big Lebowski. It's one that parents of small children might want to watch after bedtime, but I spent my children's teen years introducing them to important films, and I think this is one of those. It's also very very funny.

Fewer decorations this year actually fit into the "less is more" category of holiday cheer. I won't feel like it will be a huge task to put it away and what is out now will look festive for the next few days if friends come over.

There is an ebb and flow to the year and in our lives, so this was a good time to celebrate things going well. I'm still looking for a new job, to dig myself out of a random basement assignment of 18 months ago that doesn't use most of the skills I brought to the old job. That said, I still have a job, so the complaint is tempered by understanding that I was more fortunate than a lot of people during a bungled reorganization of a workplace.

Not everyone who passes through this thread is so well-situated, making the global distance that Mudcat.org traverses an obstacle to offering help when it is needed. It's a time when I wish the screen was a door, when we could step through to offer an encompassing hug, a plate of homemade cookies, or complete prepared meals so our friends can feed themselves without taking time away from pressing family matters or health issues. A portal to invite friends into our kitchens for a cup of tea or coffee and face to face conversation. Offering assistance to those in pain of all sorts - here's hoping the words in all of these threads have helped and that for everyone 2015 will treat our complicated lives gently.

SRS

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: ranger1 Date: 26 Dec 14 - 02:10 PM

Love you, Maggie. Hug and virtual plate of cookies accepted.

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 26 Dec 14 - 06:33 PM

Mill: Yesterday was a quiet day of reading. and moderate eating. A little time on computer connecting with distant friends. Today we went to the Boxing Day Sale at the nearest Canadian Tire - Valleyfield/ about 30 minutes) . Unfortunately we did not realize they would open only at 1 pm - a reasonable thing for staff!! We got there about 12:15 and there were already people standing at the door and a moderate number of cars, mostly with people in them. Shock! SO, I took us for a drive along the lake shore which took almost enough time, then we read for a few minutes until everyone was inside.

With some trepidation, we went in and were surprised to find it not a bit crowded. It is much larger than the ones in the city. R was enthralled so after we found the few things we wanted, I suggested he take time to look around and I went off to the other end to see what was in the housewares, of interest. Nada.

R phoned to tell me he had to take something to the car so I took him the keys and then wandered and waited. Eventually we had ENOUGH - of noise and confusion, bought our few things and left. His first trip was due to finding something he needed that the staff had to take to the cash because it was small and expensive - a laser measuring thing which he has been wanting/needing and happened to find as he wandered. So that was good. My big purchase was more glass storage containers with lids. I love the ones I already have and now will have enough for both kitchens. Very good for traveling back and forth also - secure.

I am still feeling good and my arms are gradually getting stronger as I keep remembering that I can now use them to lift higher and more. It is so special to me to be able to do that and to feel better in general.

We have caught 4 (dear little brown country) mice and the traps are reset. We feel badly about killing the mice and I doubt R would but I am beyond enduring any more mess. That odour of ammonia was horrendous - and thankfully gone!

We have had thawing weather for 3 days and will continue through Sunday so giving R a chance to bring in the hose he missed doing before the cold started, as well as a couple other winterizing chores. The temp will drop severely after Sunday. True winter.

We finished up the chicken soup for lunch (4pm!) so I am thinking a chicken stir fry and salad for supper - about 8ish.

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: ranger1 Date: 26 Dec 14 - 06:51 PM

I am very fond of wee mousies, however, I draw the line when they start messing where I eat, or eating my food. Or sitting up begging on the kitchen counter within inches of where I am making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. When I was rooming with two co-workers at the first park I worked at, we had a huge mouse problem and we finally all agreed on snap traps. Guess who got stuck with removing their little corpses? Not the two guys...

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: LilyFestre Date: 26 Dec 14 - 07:11 PM

Pete and I have been sick for the last 5 days or so and today we are FINALLY feeling almost human! We had our Santa Christmas yesterday...Jeremiah got to open his presents from Santa but nothing from us, nor have Pete and I exchanged presents yet or visited with family. I think tomorrow will be the day when we visit with family. It was hard for me to not be with my mom on Christmas day (an afternoon event for us) but she knows we've been sick. We didn't feel good enough to go out and even if we could have sucked it up to go, I didn't want her to get sick either. Thankfully, Jeremiah has remained healthy. :)

Susan, I had my port flushed earlier in the week...standard maintenance. My hematologist/oncologist retired so now all my port (or chemo care if ever needed) is in the hospital and not at the clinic as all GYN Oncology has been moved over. No matter, the people are still stellar..just new to me faces. The nurse did a great job and didn't bat an eyelash when I interviewed her about how long she had been accessing ports, etc. She wins my vote of confidence and she did a fabulous job....however, for whatever reason, I bled a lot this time and some of it seeped under my skin making a lovely purple ring around my port. Not painful, just ugly. Jeremiah kisses my *boo boo* every night before bed. So sweet.

Michelle

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 Dec 14 - 07:34 PM

Tami, I have a friend who used to live on the other side of our neighborhood who had a mouse problem but hated setting the traps. I used to go over and set them, then return to empty them. I also remove tarantulas from neighbor's houses (but they're alive and stay alive).

Michelle, I remember various years when family members had to postpone the holiday because of flu. I don't think we missed any holidays that way, just luck, I guess.

I've put up the flags for Invisible Fence, and as soon as we got near a flag and Zeke heard the beep he backed off - he has heard it and knows that when the girls hear it they jump and give a whimper and are clearly careful. He thinks they don't like the noise so he doesn't like it. Right now the collar device has a rubber tipped cover so it is only the noise, but in a day or so I'll take off the cover and we'll go into the front yard where he hasn't experienced those boundaries and let him get a zap. It takes a few days to train dogs when they're new to it, but Zeke has seen the collar in action so I think he'll be a quick study. It means I have to take him out on the leash for a while, though, each time he needs to go out. I'm going to blog this one.

Paper and plastic picked up, cardboard boxes flattened for the trip to the garage or the recycle bin. Sometimes very large pieces of cardboard are handy, so since I'm thinking about sliding a large cabinet through the house soon the largest piece will stay in the garage for a while.

SRS

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Stilly River Sage Date: 27 Dec 14 - 02:51 PM

Zeke's coat is so thick that I can't hear the beep from under his chin when he's wearing the collar. And I don't know if it is able to give the zap the way it does on the girls. I'll see how the day progresses, with various trips out with the leash.

Papers in the kitchen are shrinking, shredded and filed and recycled. Work on the computer isn't going as I hoped - I need to get the SDD to be the boot drive, and it isn't yet. Still working on it.

Today is cold and dreary, we had a lot of rain overnight. It's a great day to stay inside working on stuff. I hope everyone is enjoying the house-bound activity in your necks of the woods. :)

SRS

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Stilly River Sage Date: 28 Dec 14 - 12:05 PM

It is a fasting day (something I am glad to have as a fall-back for getting over the mega-calories of xmas day) so there is one modest meal in the middle of the day (500 calories). That meal is going to be split pea soup. It's a cold and overcast day, quiet in the house, with the radio and the sound of snoring dogs in the background. A good soup day.

I'm still decluttering by zone - I worked in the sunroom yesterday, compressing clutter on my potting bench and removing most of the stuff set on the wheeled cart next to the bench (one of those heavy duty plastic kitchen-style carts - it came from the friend whose house was foreclosed a few years ago). Now that cart holds my outdoor bench cushions and the bench is loaded with organized hand tools and my box of seed packets. I took the bigger tools out to the greenhouse. When it is time to start seeds I'll be ready to work (and that time is very soon - I'll put flats of seedlings in my window till the garden is ready in a couple of months). Our cold season isn't so long or pronounced as what many of you experience. I have to be on my toes to be ready for that garden weather - I grew up 100 miles from the Canadian border so despite all of my years in Texas, the early spring always takes me by surprise.

SRS

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Stilly River Sage Date: 28 Dec 14 - 08:49 PM

Someone dumped a puppy in the neighborhood last night - the neighbors checked their outdoor camera and saw a car stop across the street and eject a puppy. Sweet little lab mix about 4-6 months old. They're clearly smitten, but travel a lot. I told them that if they travel I'll feed it. :) We'll see if we can find a new home or they'll take it to the Humane Society.

Another evening of Lord of the Rings. I made the soup, it was delicious. Now I'll make a pot of herbal tea and kick back.

SRS

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Stilly River Sage Date: 29 Dec 14 - 12:10 PM

I spent a lot of time yesterday trying to figure out how to get the signal from the old VCR into the computer, but had absolutely no luck with any attempts. I did it before, but for the life of me can't figure out what I must have done. I hate having to buy another piece of equipment (a converter) but I guess that's what I'll have to do. There are a number of tapes that are unique and need to be digitized. I could ask my ex what he did - I think he has converted some in the past. There may be a borrow-able piece of equipment available.

Stray puppy hasn't had any takers so far, so I think the neighbors will take it to the humane society and tell them it is a stray. It was dumped - they saw the act on their security tape - but they don't know who owns it so it is stray to them. And the "stray" designation means they keep it at least three days before deciding to adopt or euthanize. It's so hard to relinquish an animal, even if it isn't yours, when you know that is a possibility. I'm maxed out on the pets I can keep here and can barely afford these three. I wish I could talk them into adopting her - with me as backup when they go out of town, but I don't think they're buying it.

Though this is my holiday break it is a business day so I need to get some business taken care of. It's sunny so I should probably also take down the lights in the tree outside while it's fairly warm. I've spent my evenings watching the expanded versions of the Lord of the Rings trilogy - they broke each film into two disks when they added content, so it is actually like watching six normal-length movies.

I also have around the house puttering and postal things to take care of today - I'd better get moving.

SRS

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Stilly River Sage Date: 29 Dec 14 - 05:15 PM

I believe this is the longest run of posts by an individual on one of these threads in quite a while.

We tried the facebook route overnight, almost had a taker on the pup, but she discussed it with her new significant other and decided she has so many irons in the fire that fostering a dog until she can move in a couple of months might be one too many. The neighbors are taking her to the Humane Society and will turn her in as a stray. They keep them for three days waiting for an owner to turn up, and then they decide to adopt or euthanize. I hope they would adopt this one out, and I hope the foster groups will plead for this pup - I'll let them know where she is now. She spent time with my dogs in the back yard - I have one very unhappy pit bull, she really liked having a new puppy to play with.

The last couple of straggler parcels have been mailed, now to work around here some more. I have lots to do, just have to make up my mind to do it.

SRS

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 29 Dec 14 - 10:25 PM

Mill: Frozen world again. The thaw was nice - but very wet! There was thawing and raining and the roof still leaks in several places - not in the living area or studio, thankfully. I have not been out in the main part of the building but it could well be skating rink in parts. Beautiful sunny day today and it was nice to sit in the sunroom and watch the sun set.

It was good to be able to go look through stuff in the unheated areas when they were a bit warmer. I continue to revel in my new energy level. So exciting to be feeling more and more like myself. I had not looked at most of these job lot boxes since we bought them las September. Found a couple throw rugs in stuff from that auction a year ago that perk up the LR a bit and one designated to go to the city to perk up the LR there. Went through a few boxes and sorted stuff to keep and stuff to go. Suggested to R that we need a new designated area for "stuff to go" as the previous one has been usurped.

In reading The Brain That Changes Itself, R has started to understand his acquisitiveness and to think about it as a disease. I am hopeful. Lengthy "state of our relationship" discussion this morning resulted in some positive learnings/realizations. I am staying at the mill for a few days which will enable me to focus on some pottery.

Newest wheel is in place in studio and older one moved out, probably to be sold to another otter friend for a nominal price. Studio looks good with all the finished pots on shelves. A friend stopped by this eve with a gift of cookies; I took her to see the studio and gave her a reject she just loved. Happy to find a good home for an elegant pot with a flawed bottom. She then chose to buy two bowls for gifts. She is a marvellous artist herself so it is always nice when she likes my work.

Current temp 17 F with a low of 5 predicted.

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: LilyFestre Date: 29 Dec 14 - 11:01 PM

Well, the Christmas Crud hasn't left us entirely. I'll be calling the doctor tomorrow for myself and I might make an appointment for Pete too although he doesn't seem to think he needs to go (never thinks he needs to go) but the wheezing he is doing while he sleeps suggests otherwise. Last night I woke up and thought I was hearing Jeremiah sleeping (through the monitor) but it was Pete wheezing!

Our house is a a chaotic mess at the moment. Between Christmas at my mom's house (read as we brought home LOTS of presents) and not feeling well, things are falling a little bit behind. However, we have plans for when we are feeling more like ourselves.

We took it easy today and plan on puttering around here tomorrow. I will be on dish and decluttering duty in the kitchen.

I did declutter 3 bags of size 3T clothing today to a friend who can use them. I love being able to say, "No, I don't want any money for these, just pass them on when you are done."

Michelle

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Stilly River Sage Date: 30 Dec 14 - 11:23 AM

Dorothy, I'm glad to read about your increased energy and working on things with R. Michelle, "wheezing" is never good. Do you have any albuterol there for just in case, before you get Pete to the doctor?

I'm working my way through the Lord of the Rings films during my long break and will finish them today. I spent daytime hours yesterday trying to help the neighbors find a home for a puppy dumped at their house. She's a sweetie and at the end of the day they took her to the Humane Society. An hour later a friend on facebook got on touch and said she could pick up the pup - too late - but she is backup to foster the dog if she isn't adopted from the shelter in the next few days. I'm not going to tell the neighbors about that, they already felt bad about having to take a dog down there let alone missing a foster opportunity, but they aren't in a position to keep what will grow into a large dog at this time in their lives (they travel a lot - though I told them I'd be their backup and would keep her while they're away). He brought the information so we can track her online and if she gets a home here soon that is the best outcome.

Still fiddling with electronic connections. For some reason I can't get my television sound to broadcast through my speakers like it used to. The older BluRay player had RCA outlets to feed sound to the amplifier, but the new one doesn't. I also have a few computer tasks (clean up passwords) and office stuff (filing, rearranging, etc.) Plenty to do here today on another cool and overcast day. Before the break ends I have to go mulch leaves one more time and mow the rescue grass (a native winter grass that looks like rye) around the yard.

SRS

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: LilyFestre Date: 30 Dec 14 - 11:31 AM

*My prior post should have said I thought I heard Jeremiah SINGING through the monitor but instead, it was Pete wheezing. I have suggested using the nebulizer but he doesn't want to. MEN!!!!

Today I caught up with the dishes and laundry has been started. I made 3 different types of soup for the triple crock pot that I got for Christmas and LOVE (classic chicken noodle, curry chicken rice and beef vegetable). I made cinnamon buns for breakfast and corn bread muffin tops will be in the oven soon. A salad has also been prepared.

It's a day of catch up kind of stuff around here.

Michelle

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: W y s i w y G ! Date: 30 Dec 14 - 12:31 PM

Three anniversary Misto's washed; one dried and filled. One for blend and one for EVOO, in PA. One for blend in Ohio. Color-coded with hair ties on hand. All will be filled and deployed by evening.

I'm putting a motion-activated LED light in my always-dustiest lower kitchen cabinet. When cleaned, its interior gets painted light vanilla semigloss.

~S~

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Stilly River Sage Date: 30 Dec 14 - 01:53 PM

For those interested in shopping: I found the best price on Misto oil pump bottles at World Market, down to $10 now. World Market is also the source of a long necked oil bottle I use, attractive and with a great pour spout, for $6.

I bought a bunch of LED flashlights over the summer and left them in various rooms and near the back door, etc. Some I got free with another purchase (paced so I got things I needed and the light) from Harbor Freight, others from Home Depot. They are energy efficient, light, and inexpensive enough that one can leave them in targeted high use places. I can't see the back of my computer or the front or back of my FM receiver in low light any more, for example. It doesn't have to be a huge light to do the job.

SRS

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 30 Dec 14 - 07:19 PM

Mill: Love the idea of a motion activated LED for closets!

Planted all the bulbs in big pots; put a bunch of geranium cuttings in sand. Put new cube heater in sun room but I guess it is just plain cold out! Put the drapes on wooden rings with clips; so convenient and easier to push back to let in max sun. It was beautifully warm until about 3 pm, then the sun went behind trees and the heater back on! So I read most of day because it was so nice in there and a bit chilly in studio. Did check out a couple things in studio and purchased a new, minor but necessary, piece of hardware for one of the wheels when I went out hoping to find Geri.

I wanted to give her some Zyflamend to see if it will help her shoulder but she never showed up at the resto and I came back to mill. Finished the Anticancer book - very good whether or not one has cancer as it focuses on improving lifestyle - food, exercise, attitude... The food is mostly what we eat but I do NOT get enough exercise and - winter in Quebec! Phooey!

Returned 4 books to library but did not need any more. Stopped in to see friend at fabric shop; she had helped me weigh the last ingredient for that glaze last week and was glad to hear it came out GREAT! Finally I have a burgundy glaze that works! Need to make more pots on which to use it.I did NOT buy any fabric! Getting little things done/moved/organized. Not dealing well with cold weather which will continue at least a week, except Thurs when it may go up to 30F so it can snow on us again. Good way to start the New Year!

(JUST this moment got an idea on glazing design with the burgundy and white glazes. Try to get some made for Valentine market. So exciting!)

This will be an early night and I shall turn up heat in studio when I get up so I can get in there and WORK!

Happy New Year!

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: LilyFestre Date: 30 Dec 14 - 08:34 PM

We've been using a Misto for years....love it.

Michelle

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Stilly River Sage Date: 31 Dec 14 - 01:48 AM

Finished the Lord of the Rings. It's good that each film, now longer, is broken into two disks, giving viewers a logical stopping point if they need one. Which I did. Today I watched the entire last movie, but I started a lot earlier in the day. Didn't get a lot done during that time, but I'm glad I did it. I was disappointed that even in the longer version they short-changed the hobbits by truncating the story after the king was crowned.

Oatmeal is in the crock pot, sleet is in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow. Definitely weather for working indoors. I won't complain too much, the cold here is nothing like the rest of you are experiencing for a lot longer each winter. I'm not acclimated to the cold any more (and this alternate day fasting can mean I feel cold more because of fewer calories.)

I have a pile of papers here to attend to first thing in the morning. We'll see what happens after that.

SRS

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 31 Dec 14 - 08:33 AM

Mill: Lay in bed this mornin watching the sky get lighter. Sun seemed to be comin up so I got up and made B, transformed the futon to day mode and sat down to eat, having seen light snow falling in while in the K. NOW! Boom, the sun is up and clouds are scattered. But it must be COLD as the heater keeps going and going - sounds like an airplane taking off! It is the sort one might see in a garage or some such space. R tells me we will someday have quieter heat in here. Cannot hold a conversation and be warm at the same time!

I am grateful we only have mice and NOT tarantulas! Teo more bit the dust while R was here and no more since, and no mouse sign!

Off to turn up heat in studio.

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 31 Dec 14 - 08:59 AM

Mill: On second thoughts: it is going to be difficult and costly to get the studio warm enough to work - for me. Plan B - I'm thinking about what that can be! Need to do something...

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Stilly River Sage Date: 31 Dec 14 - 01:36 PM

I'd rather have the tarantulas, Dorothy! They generally stay outside, they are beneficial in that they eat a lot of bugs I don't want in the house and they will eat mice and such. Did you know that a tarantula can live as long as 35 years?

Cleaning today, I think, and I'll see what I have time for when I finish.

SRS

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Stilly River Sage Date: 31 Dec 14 - 04:00 PM

Kitchen is looking better, I've cleared counters and scrubbed down with Formula 409, then put back just what belongs. Some papers that were sitting on the counters have been filed or scanned and tossed. It's time to pause and make a run to the village recycle bins. The predicted sleet never arrived, so the drive is safe.

I am thinking about just one declutter thread for the year - any observations pro or con?

SRS

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: LilyFestre Date: 31 Dec 14 - 06:03 PM

A thread for the year sounds good or maybe quarterly? It's nice to have it all in one place to look back over.

Anyone have any traditions they do on New Year's Eve?

Michelle

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: W y s i w y G ! Date: 31 Dec 14 - 06:17 PM

I say continue a quarterly thread. One annually is too much for fone or tablet.

~S~

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 31 Dec 14 - 10:09 PM

Mill: Quarterly I really do not care what tarantulas eat, they are really creepy - to me. I suppose one can get used to them. Then someone on line was mentioning scorpions. ARGHHH! Reminds me that there are parts of the world to which I do not wish to go!

New Year's Eve tradition - home with a good book! Maybe some good music, too. Spent some time tonight on the phone with a couple friends doing the same. R is in the city dealing with a VERY large party renting space in one of their industrial buildings. Hope he can come down tomorrow.

My plan B ended up being a super job of sorting and organizing sewing stuffs and separating out a number of unfinished projects, finding a small table for sewing machine and getting set up. Removed dead elastic from a pair of slacks and ---pooped out. But they are on the table with new elastic, ready for the morrow and new energy. I actually ended up with four empty plastic bins that I can now use for sorting other stuffs.

19F tonight going up to 45 on Sunday then down to minus 5 on Monday night. What a roller coaster!

May it be a good year for all!

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Stilly River Sage Date: 31 Dec 14 - 10:29 PM

Okay, we'll go with quarterly - I wondered if there were any devices other than computers being used to access the thread.

I've finished the kitchen and moved on to finish the dining area. One big bag of household glass, plastic, cans, and cardboard recycled this afternoon and more stuff ready to go out tomorrow. I need to mop the kitchen then vacuum a couple of carpets and then stop. My goal is to have a great looking kitchen and generally tidy house when I get up tomorrow - it is my gift to myself.

I have a spare vacuum cleaner that I'll list on eBay, if it looks like they sell there. Otherwise maybe Criag's List. It's a small apartment type (easy to pull around, not upright) and only used a little bit, but is one too many for the household. Also there is other stuff for eBay to put up tomorrow. While I was in the sunroom this evening (where the eBay stuff lives) I found a trail of ants into one of my plants so I set up a couple of cardboard tabs with ant bait. That is disappointing - I hoped I'd knocked them off this fall.

Not a very exciting evening at home, but not bad, either. Sleet is predicted for overnight and tomorrow, so best to be home with no travel plans. A couple of glasses of wine for the festive nature of the evening, and I see some old movies on TV that I can let run in the background. Have a safe and sane evening, everyone! (And Dorothy, I agree whole-heartedly about drawing the line at scorpions!)

SRS

---

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Jan 15 - 12:43 AM

Here is the next thread in the series, from January through March, 2015.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 20 Feb 15 - 07:45 PM

I am going through the last bits of junk..why am I keeping painting clothes when i hope to never paint anything again..why am i keeping a very few (like 5) books I will never read again...a few old electronics cords..do i even still have the equipment?   I might have to pack up and move quickly as my rental cabin is on the market...moving will be easy..I am down to very very little. I am so glad I like reading Kindles and am not a clothes horse...less to store and move.

Well, I am trying to get to Mystic this summer if I can work enough on the upcoming weekends...I have probably enough british airways miles to go again to ireland and could just go from there...i did not like boston airport at all..hear new york is bad..i would fly into providence and hear they fly into ireland..any suggestions about that or other better airports int he area?   and chanty lass would you like to share a motel room??????

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Feb 15 - 08:48 PM

Mill:
Sitting home tonight with the car still stuck. Could not think of anyone who might be near enough to give me a ride to the cafe. One friend decided not to make the effort due to bad roads and Geri is still sick.   R was not answering phone ... Oh well.

The house offer has been accepted at $30,000! We are really excited about it. Close on 1 April.

Other than that, I did little today - emails, FB, shoveled snow for a while but could not get car to budge. Tomorrow I will try to find something to put under wheels to get some traction. I had thought R would be down but he could not make it and has a toothache so will try to see dentist tomorrow. So, I am on my own and I need to get back to the city on Sunday. I need to make an effort!

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 20 Feb 15 - 09:11 PM

Dorothy..could you give us a recap on your housing situation..I try to follow it but missed something. You are living in two places plus visiting others it sounds like. Now you have bought a little house. Will that replace one of the frozen places? Or will you rotate among 3 houses?

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: pattyClink
Date: 20 Feb 15 - 09:29 PM

Another day, another 20 pounds of paper and folders purged. Boxes mounting up in the hall, closet almost cleared out.

So many picture frames and shadowboxes never used, and a few paintings and tired old framed prints etc no longer on their walls.   Things you never meant to collect, but quite a collection at this point.   

I put a few small ones up on nails in the now starkly empty bedroom, nice to have them in focus if only for a little while. Mom's plaque, a little award, St. Francis' prayer.   

I guess we are all museum curators, it helps to rotate the collection to get any enjoyment out of it.

Subject: RE: Nov-Dec 2014 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Feb 15 - 12:24 AM

I found the old thread, minus a few posts, in the Google cache. I pasted it all together for now in a couple of very long posts. Tomorrow I may move these over to it, and if the original comes back, simply move the newer posts to the old. So either place will work right now, they'll fall into order when moved. http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=156419&messages=2

Decluttering or recluttering, both are work!

SRS