Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jun 15 - 11:42 AM

Summer work hours (4/10) have begun.

Shorter hours in the evening at home mean I have to be a bit more organized. I painted trim and I made some spicy beef taco mix for lunches this week. Sometimes when you have less time it means you prioritize better, I'll have to see if that happens.

Still waiting to get my car back.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Jun 15 - 10:08 PM

City:
Went to mill via the two thrift stores - no card tables. Stopped at the meat shop for some goodies. Opened the kiln and found one glaze needed a different firing schedule so I took out a few pieces - from the very hot kiln - and re-started it. This meant not working in the studio so I mended 4 pairs of R''s jeans with 33 cent thread that kept breaking. Got tired of re-threading the needle and left two pair for another time. Refilled supplement supply. had lunch and supper and read- finishing current novel just as the firing was ready to be turned off. Back to city in the long shadows of the setting sun. Sorted socks and put clothes away, finding space for all. Phoned R to make sure he was not asleep in truck as he was last night - when I phoned at 11:30 he had been sleeping for an hour or so; drove home and fell asleep without making it out of the truck! I was somewhat annoyed; he simply does not have the wit to come home before he is exhausted. THEN he needed to eat because he does not have the wit to stop and eat! So I fed him. So tonight I have phoned him to check up. Will phone again in a while.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jun 15 - 01:34 PM

Day two of the rental car, and a diagnosis from Aamco: the seals on some lines on either side of the transmission are leaking. Not technically "in" the transmission, but usually covered under warranty. He has to call the shop in Odessa to get their approval, though. Great. Either way, it needs fixing.

This morning I spent a few minutes to start painting the trim in the bathroom. This way when I get home I'll have the visual reminder and can be sure when the paint dries it looks the way I want. Guests arrive on Friday so I need to finish and let the paint smell vanish. The bathroom floor will get tiled soon, but not until these friends leave.

Warm and sunny summer weather finally. I'll be able replant in the veggie garden soon, but I'm giving it a little more time to dry out and I'll add compost and soil amendments since there may well have been some leaching out of nutrients.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Jun 15 - 10:23 AM

Yes SRS, I am still in PA and thank you!

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 10:50 PM

Michelle, it sounds like your Nana has things well in hand. My mother was a psychiatric social worker and used to tell us about the inner workings of things going on in peoples lives. It sounds like your Nana has done a "summing up" of her life and is making sound decisions for herself. Your mother and aunt aren't at that stage of their lives and will suffer until they come to terms with it all.

My great friend Elaine is 100, and over the years has given me various pieces of handwork. Knitted shawls, crazy patch comforters - maybe 10 years ago we were talking, and she commented that I'm like one of her kids. I told her that what I'd really like as a memento, is that when the time comes, would she leave me one of the beautiful hand-made quilts she made over the years? I've known her literally all of my life, and spent several years caretaking at her house while she was away helping her daughter raise children and go to the university (a couple of those years in the UK). The room I stayed in had one of them, as did all of the bedrooms, and she has given a lot away. A few weeks later, right on my birthday, a box arrived with one of those quilts. She wasn't leaving it to a will, she sent it to me then. It is a wonderful household item that I treasure because she made it with her hands. That's enough.

The second coat of paint is on the walls in the bathroom. Some touchup needed tomorrow (where I bumped the ceiling), but I'll be down mostly to painting the trim. This bathroom has the same old paint on the trim that was there years ago because I never completely finished painting when I moved in. Now I will. The job that will wait until after company leaves is to put down a new tile floor.

I've been putting away things in the living room - and I need to up the pace on that so that it's ready for company before they get here. :)

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 10:21 PM

City:
Back from the mill, a long day of phoning Koodo to sort out recent bill then drive to mill with stops at two thrift shops, looking for another card table or two - no joy. Put a bit of heat on! Then a nice bowl of veggies and, finally, got into the studio about 4 and worked on glazing for 3 hours, loading the kiln and leaving it open to dry glazes while I had a nice salad. Closed kiln and drove back to city. Took this mornings load of laundry out of dryer and put another load in washer, made up bed, paid a bill on line and checked accounts. Now I am here. Dishes, done this am, are put away. I am still delighted to feel like doing things rather than having to push myself every inch.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 08:44 PM

Dishes and laundry are mostly done. I've been really tired the last few days...not sure if my thyroid meds are out of whack again or I'm just tired. I fall asleep really hard and fast all over the place in the last few days.

Anyway.....the house is in decent shape and I am getting things ready to go away for a few days. My Nana has decided on permanent residency at a nursing home nearby and has asked us to do what we will with the house. So....this first visit to her home will involve a realtor coming to do an estimate on the house, the gathering of Nana's clothes so she can have her own things here and some of her possessions that she wants close by. It will be just my mom, aunt and I working on doing this. I am feeling strangely numb but I wonder if that's in preparation for helping my mom and aunt through as I know this is not easy for them at all. I think the thing to do on this visit is to get Nana's things (clothes and a few personal items she wants on hand at the nursing home) and for us to remove all valuables. The house has been empty for some time now but a neighbor goes in daily to switch lights around, pick up mail, etc so the house looks lived in. Once the real estate sign is up, I think more people will be taking notice of the house and the goings on/not going on. Because everything in the house is going to be divided between my mom and aunt, I hope they will do a walk through, make some lists and go from there. I think there are only a few items they will fuss over and honestly, either way, the items will stay in the family and that's the important part. Nana recently told me to also make a list of anything I'd like and if it's not on the lists that the other two make, then I can have whatever. I've been thinking and thinking about what I might be a good remembrance for me. For example, my other grandmother left her entire estate behind for me but of all the fine china, antiques, jewelry, etc...the things I like the most are a music box that you play by cranking the handle...it was a wedding gift her parents brought to this country from Wales in the 1800s with the wedding card still attached....lovely calligraphy in tact and a set of old metal teaspoons. I used to crank the music box when I was a child and it played so beautifully and it would echo through her house. And the measuring spoons? My nana taught me how to bake....she always had me measuring. Anyway....my nana that is still here...she lived far away and so we didn't make memories like that. Some of my most favorite memories are of playing cards with her...we still play cards at the nursing home. So.....I have asked for a quilt that is on my grandfather's bed that was made by my great, great aunt. I have also asked for my grandfather's desk for Jeremiah. I don't know...I hate the whole idea of asking for things but in some strange way, I think it gives my Nana comfort to know that she has something that I love and she can share. She made it very clear that her organ and music are to be mine. We have a history with the organ starting way back including the both of us playing it, her playing it with my Fresh Air Fund children sitting on both sides of her singing their little hearts out as she played and there were times where I'd play my violin while she played the organ. We had some good times doing that. :)

Maybe all this sleep I am doing is helping me to deal with the stress of the upcoming trip. I am worried about my mom who I think is already grieving, although Nana seems to be doing quite well. Nana made the decision to stay at the nursing home, no one talked to her about it or tried to coerce her. She told me she feels like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders and I am happy for her. She is well cared for and is nearby so we can see her often. My mom sees her almost daily and always takes her fresh fruit, a drink and whatever else Nana asks her for. She has a phone and calls my mom every morning with her request....lately she is on a popsicle kick. I love that we can do those things for her as we see many who have no visitors or nearby family.

So.....that's where I'm at. Not much progress being made at the house...or not as much as I had hoped for by now. Given the situation with my Nana and needing to get her house packed up, we have reset our initial home study until the end of the summer.

Susan correctly once pointed out that I come from a line of very strong women....I'm thinking that now, it is my turn to be the strong one.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 05:07 PM

Two boxes shipped, expected delivery next week on Monday. Susan, I sent it to PA, that's the last place you said to ship, but it has been a couple of weeks since that message.

It's warm out - mid to high 80s. And it's finally feeling a bit dryer. All week is supposed to be this way. I'll give a couple of more days for drying in the garden (minimum) before I start digging, but I'm going to start some seeds today.

More paint going on, and books being culled so others can go in their place. Maybe a trip to Half Price books today. These are all small jobs, the biggest part of any of them is getting started and working till I finish. :)

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 12:43 PM

Sorry SRS, I thought it was known here. Pip (real name actually Elizabeth but Peter's father who's daughter is Elizabeth decided "two Elizabeths in the family would not do... and for some reason used Browning's "Pippa Passes", shortening it to Pip) is my mother. Not a regular here but she likes folk music, tried to take on the Annexe for a brief while and has met a few "Mudcatters". Peter is my father.

I did post a couple of pics of us all to the sorcha obit thread (she stopped with us for a few days) but that thread seems to have suffered with the crash.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 12:27 PM

Jon, who is Pip? And Peter?

The car wasn't in as messy a shape as I thought. A few drink bottles into the recycle bin, shopping bags in a neat stack, and empty the trash bag. The trick will be to remember to hold onto my parking sticker with the rental and then get it back when the car is ready.

My neighbors are doing a power wash of their lovely concrete back patio. I would love to power wash my driveway, my patio, my house . . . I suspect they're moving out algae stains and bits of moss.

I still have boxes for people. Maybe today. Susan - PM - if it goes book rate today where should I send it?

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 11:53 AM

Aye SRS, I gather you've had things pretty rough with the weather lately!

I can't remember if I said this before so apologies for a possible repeat but I can like it when Pip gets "rained off". She usually has to create something to do and once in a while that something is baking. Last rainy day produced a batch of cheese scones and I love those!

---
Last week, Pip had the health services remove whatever was fitted under her bed. I can't remember why she didn't like it other than to suggest she found it awkward. The removal created the problem that she could no longer move the storage boxes under the bed and I think the bed became even harder to move.

I wound up fitting a set of castors to it, 2 braked and 2 plain 50mm ones. While I was at it, I also fitted the Shepherd ball type castors to a chest of drawers.

It's not the first time I've put castors on a bed in that room. I'd fitted some 75mm ones to one of the beds before but they had to go for some reason. It's difficult, a small room and my parents preferring separate single beds. Sometimes they have had to swap beds, eg. Pip after her hip replacement could only access a bed from one side for a while and Peter through the legacy of a stroke can at times be weak on one side.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 11:39 AM

I hadn't thought about a phone app to count steps. Let us know how well that works (and if it is hard on the battery).

Yesterday I finished work in the front yard and last night I had the worst leg cramps I ever remember having. I'm sure it must be not enough salt/not enough water - some combination of dehydration. Ugg.

Today I have to take my car in to see if the dripping fluid is transmission fluid (they say it could be power steering, same color, but since I have 1 week left on my year repair warranty, I'll try the transmission check first). I'll rent a car because at minimum they'll have it for a day and I need to be able to get around. That transaction happens in a little while. This car is taking on lemonish qualities. . . I'll clear it out a bit so as not to be embarrassed by all of the stuff piled on the seats and the floor (mostly reusable shopping bags - I never know what size or how many I'll need, so they all live out there).

Then, home for more errands and to paint some more.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 10:02 AM

THe new fone has a built-in pedometer function, so the FitBit we were trying (unsuccessfully) went back to Dick's with a full refund to pay on the fone's cost! THe new fone also has a louder speaker, so I can carry my online radio wherever I go on the property.

I eyeballed the little tree farm the landlord has started, and its tractor path is calling me. Not yet-- I hurt my sole-- but soon. MY scooter can carry me to the mouth of it, and I can park there (off-road) to walk in from there. With a good walking stick to lever myself back uphill to the scooter. And maybe to lever myself back up if I sit on the edge of the track for a break.

I love it when a plan comes together. An anticipated Thursday visitor will be here after a good week's clear-up of the LR, but we will do our visiting on the back porch we've been clearing of its winter detritus, and we should have the chicken-wire up by then to re-route the nesting and pooping birds that moved in after the cat ate too many mourning doves last year. This year's residents are loud, messy, and don't play well together either, so we're gonna change their flying route (they have ittle ones to feed).

But prep for her visit also coincides with a lot of laundry, so with the fone worn as I wear it-- I should get a good count on how much activity is racked up so that in future, I can know what I'm getting (even if I leave it on the charger all day as I often do, instead of wearing it). That will be useful to report at my next doc visit.

I don't aim to step, yet, to the usual goal of 10,000 steps per day. My unit of measure is, what will result in a good night's sleep? For me right now that's about 2,000 plus a few stair climbs.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 31 May 15 - 09:11 PM

City: Nice trip back on drippy day. Went to mill and was loading the kiln when Vanessa came and watched and chatted. When finished we had tea in the sunroom and Geri came along. V & G left, I started kiln and met G for light, late lunch at resto, then back to city. Off loaded car and watched big bang and now CSI - whatever that is. May quit and read book

Put R's exceptionally filthy clothes through very hot wash and a rinse with tea tree oil, hoping to kill possible pathogens. Now another cycle from start with HOT water. He was cleaning out a shed in which raccoons had been living; we know what could be in their excrement and - taking no chance.   

I see a new-to-us pottery casserole on stove - exceptionally lovely and hand made, obviously from a thrift shop. Well, I did break the lid to my fav one a few months ago so maybe this is a new fav.

De-cluttering is tough! I dropped off a bag of stuff at a thrift shop this week but things add on faster. I shall persevere.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 15 - 06:59 PM

Jon, plans have certainly been flexible lately with so much forced indoor time!

Today I came in for a cool-down and spent a few minutes culling paperbacks that I've read and won't read again. I see a trip to Half Price Books in the near future.

Bread is rising, a chicken breast is baking, and I have the ingredients thawing to make my taco/burrito filling for lunches this week.

I'm going to pull out a couple of jars of green tomato relish to take next door - she very helpfully mowed a part of my front yard this afternoon, a big time saver for me! Back out to mow.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 31 May 15 - 05:10 PM

Plans come and go don't they?

What I think was a tentative for much later in the year (if at all) a couple of weeks ago has been done. Willy Weasel's (the ferret that found us and we took in) space outside is now on a floodlight with a PIR) so another "completion" of the outside lights...) Pip got the bits so I just fitted them.

Having said I''d take a break and having said I'd clear my debt with Pip first... I do feel inclined to do the bathroom to LED this coming week...

(Pip would by happy either way btW).

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 15 - 03:42 PM

The bathroom ceiling is painted. Now to the yard. I did have to scrub paint drips I'd stepped in off of my feet. There is a plastic drop cloth and sheets of newspaper around everywhere in there.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 15 - 12:14 PM

Sounds like you're on your way, Tami, and it's excellent to run into someone who knows exactly what you propose as far as the exercise and shoe needs.

The rain seems finally to have stopped the daily torrential storms and now I need to get back into my mowing fitness routine. I can mow four times a week - twice in the front, twice in the back - for a good cardio workout. It'll be heavy lifting at first because the grass is so tall, and if it stays hot and dry like a normal summer, it drops back to once a week in each yard, then to just trimming edges near the garden (that gets watered regularly) until the fall rains.

The kitchen is clean, the laundry is finished, and now I'm going to stagger my activity. Paint the bathroom ceiling, then let it dry for a while as I mow out front. Come in to do a second coat on the walls, then take the weed whacker out front and get control of some areas that have gone untended for weeks. Repeat.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: ranger1
Date: 31 May 15 - 11:52 AM

Still keeping with the Couch to 5K program. Just started the 4th week and ran a solid five minutes for the first time last night. The program is a mix of running and walking, easing into solid running, and takes about 9 weeks. The 4th week consists of three minutes of running, 90 seconds of walking, five minutes of running, 2.5 minutes of walking, three minutes of running, 90 seconds of walking, and finishes with another five minutes of running. I was doing well until the final 90 seconds - the last two minutes of that final five minutes of running were all uphill.

I have a six mile trail race on July 12, I probably won't be able to run for the whole thing, but I know I can finish it and in a reasonable time (for me). I'm already seeing health benefits - some weight loss, feeling more fit, and in a better state of mental health. I even went out and spent an ungodly amount of money on a pair of serious trail running shoes. I went to an actual running store so that I could get properly fitted. The kid who helped me is also running the same series of races I am, and did the snowshoe races last winter. Gave us something to talk about in common and gave him an idea of what I needed in terms of shoes.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 15 - 11:02 AM

Finally the rain has cleared and the day is sunny, warm, and fresh. Where to begin? The lawn needs mowing, the gardens need weeding. The bathroom still needs painting and the guest rooms need to be put in order. The back yard grass is knee high, to be tackled in several sessions. The front can probably simply mow, it has been two weeks since I was last able to get out there.

Yesterday I finally realized that some of the puddles on the garage floor are not from the continual rain dripping off of the car. There is transmission fluid dripping. I'm coming up on a year since this transmission was rebuilt, so on Monday I must get it over to the transmission shop while it is still under warranty. This is so annoying.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Rumncoke
Date: 31 May 15 - 10:27 AM

The bedroom is upstairs - so carrying the rubbish out is far more taxing. I should have taken that into account rather than just carried all the bags down, moved things to where they should be - doing for more than my normal number of trips upstairs.

Today I am exhausted, but progress is being made.
I will rest, and tomorrow start again.

There are so many things to throw away, but it will get done, bit by bit, and as the carpet emerges I can organise, maybe put up a clothes rail as a temporary measure to have somewhere for all the clothes when they are washed.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 May 15 - 11:34 PM

Beaver Haven:

Managed to get the little wardrobe to house! I thought it would fit in the car and asked if there were people who could carry it out. They did but it did not fit so I asked them to just leave it outside while I sought a truck. There was a truck and trailer in the parking lot and I had seen the driver go to the restaurant so I started across to see if he would be willing to help - whoever he was! However, someone shouted. The husband of the manager said he would help so they loaded it on his truck and he followed me out to the house and we managed to get it inside. It was not TOO heavy! We had a little chat about mutual acquaintances and he went on his way with my great thanks. It will be quite nice when I put a fabric on the doors - where there were once mirrors.

I started out this day with a trip to the Farmers' Market, walking around touching base with everyone and purchased a loaf of cranberry orange bread for R. Stopped at a friend's art gallery/ junk shop and she had a sturdy card table for $5! I need one or two more for next week''s market. And bought two books at another friend's yard sale - a Norman Doidge, the brain that changes itself.

Went up the hill to my friend's BIG greenhouse for the first time and had visit between customers. Numerous visits with friends around town and out to the auction house - auction over but nice chat with the auctioneer, catching up and discussing the sad state of the local Chamber. This is becoming a strong letter to the editor, with encouragement. Need to talk to a few more people.

Lunch about 3 at my fav restaurant - but a bad choice of food! Good pea soup and Jim's delicious home fries; I had to take a nap when I got home! But it sufficed for supper. After my nap, I managed to plant two dahlias, 3 geranium and a tiny tomato plant, and pick some rhubarb. Then the bugs chased me indoors. A few came in with me but they have been eliminated. I managed to finish the "7 day" book from the library so I can return it tomorrow before I head back to Montreal. Now it is bedtime!

In spite of 15 year absence, I am totally a part of this community, finding ways to be useful, supportive.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 May 15 - 08:31 PM

Last week I made an appointment for a home energy audit through a regional energy delivery company (they work with all of the various companies - but are the way the power actually reaches the house). They came over today and now the windows have a rubberized strip in place to lower the air leaks, and more importantly, they put weatherstripping around the front and side doors, and I can feel the difference there already. They also sealed the air handlers on each air pump. All of this after they covered the vents, seeled the intakes, and ran a fan to "pressurize" the house to find the leaks. My electric bill has been pretty reasonable since I switched from the big electric provider (kind of the default company, with all of their high rates and fees and charges). Now it should be even better.

The dog hair around here is astonishing. I need to brush the dogs and vacuum the house. I wish I could vacuum the dogs. . .

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 May 15 - 01:57 PM

Yesss. ... BOLO for a lot if typos from this fone. It's now auto correcting where it used to just offer options. :-(

And it moved my ~ to a bad place!

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 May 15 - 10:18 AM

My phone was upgraded to a new operating system last week. Pushed out by AT&T. I'm still getting used to it. Some things work better, some look odd. I've replaced the keyboard I was using to an app I bought for the phone before this (you seem to own purchased apps in perpetuity, they follow your phone number).

The rain that hit Lubbock last night arrived here early this morning and it's still raining now. So no yard work, and if I paint, I'll have to run the AC and keep the house really cool. I'm noticing that the baldcypress in the back yard has put on a ridiculous amount of new growth this spring. The baldcypress at the front curb needs to be trimmed out of the street and the front walk.

The dog hair is everywhere, so after I get home from dance and running to Lowe's in the next town south to pick up a ceiling louvered vent (the only store that has them in stock in the area) I'll brush the dogs and then vacuum. It's a week till guests arrive, so I must start putting things away in earnest now.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 May 15 - 09:36 AM

Took delivery of new fone ydy and spent most of the day learning/configuring it. Almost like it try. A few software upgrades to use to replace the workarounds I had been using.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 May 15 - 12:39 AM

Trying this again - I had too many tabs open and accidentally deleted my answer.

Dorothy, you can find wholesale replacement prices for china at Replacements.com, where they list prices of individual pieces in a given line. Kovels.com probably charges to use the online price list, but if you visit a bookstore you might find something in the annual price list they publish. Photograph the page with your phone camera and have it handy for future reference. The library is likely to have the book, but several years old. Tastes change, and so do prices. And of course, what the guides list is not necessarily what the market will bear. And of course, check at eBay. A Limoges search on sold items comes up with over 1000 bits of information. You can sort this list to narrow the information down to your pattern.

The humidity is at 80% right now and showers are in the forecast after midnight. The storm headed this way is over Lubbock right now. Color me really tired of thunderstorms. This has been the wettest month ever recorded in North Texas, ever. Any time of year, any year. Yuck. I know the 1980 heat wave was remarkable, with 42 days in a row over 100^o. 2011 was a bad one, with the benchmark being the number of days over 105^o - not as many as in 1980. (I need to search for total records for the year, I'm finding stories from July and August 2011 that weren't at the end of the heat wave.) The argument over the years I've heard (and have made) about the badness of heat versus cold is that you can put on clothes to deal with the cold, but the heat is there and you can't do much about it. In the summer I set my AC at 80^o and run a ceiling fan and sleep with a sheet only. But now, with all of this wet, it is more penetrating because the temperatures are relatively cool and the air compressor in the AC (that removes moisture) isn't going to kick in unless you set it to a very low temperature. Then it is cool and clammy. Seattle is cooler as a climate goes, but generally it isn't this wet. Summers there are nice because the daytime temps aren't too high and it doesn't rain all of the time. Here right now is it warm and very wet, making it quite a miserable feeling. It is probably a typical tropical climate that someone else experiences all of the time and doesn't think much about it. It's all what you're used to.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 May 15 - 06:50 PM

Beaver Haven:
And happy to be here. Car now has safety check and needs new windshield - next Friday appointment. Begged that van be certified also so I can make ONE trip to Service Ontario to register the two and apply for health card.

bought a nice old wood wardrobe ($20) at thrift shop today but need to find truck and two strong bodies to move it tomorrow. Hope to achieve that tonight at the Open Mike. Great fun last night at another open mike - chatting with folks I had not seen in years.

Met a neighbour/township councilor at the grocery today - I have known him for years and not seen him... It was great to touch base. He and wife live on the other side of the beaver pond and he tells me there are also otters and, of course, blue herons.

Took the Limoges luncheon set we bought a couple years ago to my friend with antique shop. She loves it and we need to work out a price. We cannot remember what we paid for it but I think 50% of what she gets would be reasonable - whatever it is. She will search it on line. What do you think, SRS?

Many visits - with volunteers at Art Gallery and at A Place for the Arts. Looking at things which need to be clarified, a Chamber of Commerce doing a really poor job and how I can light a fire??? Tourism is the major source of income for this area. I keep thinking of things that need to be written about and forget to write them down before I forget!
            
Met with a solar provider today and he gave me a pessimistic picture of all the regulations which now need to be met. But we shared lots of health care ideas. Checked with local bank about a better exchange rate but I will have to do that in Montreal.

Getting closer to official resident status in Ontario. Comfortable in ratty little house. Loving the fresh air ----AND off to tonight's open mike!

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Rumncoke
Date: 29 May 15 - 05:52 PM

Well - I am onto the bedroom.
I have unearthed loads of clothing and fabric. I was almost distracted from the work by all the lovely bits I collected for patchwork, but I managed to put it into bags to move to the craft room for later in the year.

I devised a new, possibly impossible to achieve pattern some years ago and have been wanting to try it out - first I will have to find the shapes I made for the pieces, which I hope are in there somewhere.

I found the vacuum cleaner and did the stairs - they are scheduled for the first of the month, but I am getting ahead with the housework now that the kitchen is staying clearer.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 May 15 - 11:30 PM

I'll finish painting the bathroom this weekend. I've tracked down a louvered vent cover to replace the rusted one on the ceiling now, and tomorrow I'll pick it up. No point in sanding and repainting this item that costs $7 new. Tonight's storms are now passing over the area, so I'm not opening the paint cans. It went on okay earlier this week, but took a lot longer to dry than I expected. It looks like the rain chances drop to about 20% over the weekend and in the foreseeable future.

I've finished carrying home disassessioned books I retrieved from the recycle bins at work. Several good-sized stacks. I'll redistribute them soon, one way or another. It's nine days till house guests arrive. It looks like the rain chances drop to about 20% over the weekend and in the foreseeable future.

The local power company is sponsoring free home energy assessments and they come through and caulk windows, spray in insulation, etc. I suspect I'm probably up to speed on most things except the windows. I could use new windows, but for now, I'll accept the offer to caulk the gaps. The front door has a gap with the edge also. I suspect they'll scratch their heads when they see my fireplace, blocked off completely with a sheet of insulation.

All of this wet weather seems to be contributing to aches and pains - partly because I can't get out and get my usual exercise. Perhaps this weekend I'll be able to contribute to the fitness component of this thread.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 May 15 - 03:07 PM

I'm in the midst of decluttering the paper trail documenting (for memorialization) the violent and degrading deaths (at the hands of mistake-making badge-wearers) of more than 60 Black women (at last count; it was "a mere" 22 last week). I am no longer surprised at what human beings can do to one another.

This is all in preparation for a meeting at church to pray for the families who endure the anniversaries of their losses each year-- as well as being reminded on a regular basis of more, similar deaths every time one hits the news, which, TBTG for the justice side, is happening more and more often when these deaths occur. They continue to occur. I will document each one that comes to my attention as we go forward.

All those wombs, erased from the planet. All those generations never born.

These losses now have names and pictures. In slavery times they were invisible to most white people. Slow rate of change!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 15 - 11:14 PM

And again it is raining. We're mentioned in the list of communities particularly vulnerable to flash flooding. This weather is expect to continue for the next 10 days.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 15 - 10:23 AM

So sad this morning to learn that Art Thieme died. He had MS and some years ago he and his wife moved into a nursing home. Mudcat members twice raised money to send him computers, and the first time it was our beloved Katlaughing who spearheaded that. I'm glad Mudcat as a group was able to help Art share his music with the world. He converted all of his cassette disks to CD and sent them to the Smithsonian (at their request!).

We had more torrential rains overnight. It's a lovely clear morning now and my front yard is again in desperate need of a mow, but the grass and soil are too wet. Maybe tomorrow, if it doesn't rain again tonight. The back yard is a jungle - I've given up on most of it until this rain event passes. I mow close to the house, paths to the back gate and the compost and the garage, and paths to the garage, and one to the fence where I say hello to the neighbors.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 May 15 - 07:28 PM

Unbelievable. My favorite local weather source shows more storms headed this way. I need to get a move on to get home ahead of the wind and rain. If you want to narrow it down, look at the Tarrant County radar. In the middle of our square shaped county you see Fort Worth, with a red circle for the loop highway around town. I-35 runs right through the middle top to bottom. I live very near where the bottom part of that loop highway is intersected by I-35. It's also near the weather radar, so it always has a bit of activity in that area, but later today I fear another red storm zone passing over the top of us. My yard is so squishy that you can hardly stand to step off of the pavement onto the lawn.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: GUEST,wys sans cookee
Date: 26 May 15 - 09:45 AM

Yesterday also included a nice 1/2 mile walk in a local park not in our fishbowl. I also had taken my scooter to find areas in that park worth another few walks. One is planned for Thursday.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 May 15 - 12:03 AM

The first coat of paint is finished in the hall bathroom. I'll cut in around all of the edges after I do a second coat (assuming it is needed). When I moved in here I did a lot of this work, but priorities were different then. We had two bathrooms with sinks and toilets but the tubs were barely usable. One was full of debris from tearing out the old tile and putting up the green board, and the other just had the greenboard. We'd taken out the old ugly glass sliding doors and hadn't tiled the walls yet. I got the first few tiers up in the hall bathroom and we were able to use the tub for baths. It took a while to get to finishing the second tub tile surround. When I painted I did the big work but never put in a new color of trim, so all of these years it was the old paint still in view. I will remedy that this time.

There is a chance of rain every day this week, getting heavier late in the week. The gift that keeps on giving - it is taking care of much of the drought, but at the cost of the soggiest yard I've ever seen. I realized today that I have two squash plants growing in the tall grass in my back yard! They are seeds that escaped from the compost, no doubt. The squash in my garden looks miserable but this is thriving.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 May 15 - 07:13 PM

City:

Went down to the mill yesterday but got there about 3:30 and tired from the day before, so I just unloaded the kiln: two VERY nice bowls in the new style, the rest of the load was mediocre - sort of OK. At least the glazes stuck and nothing ran off onto the shelves so no monumental mess to clean up!!! I thought of doing another firing today but did not even feel like the drive. After I sorted out the kiln, I went to lend Geri a book and we went for supper then I came back to the city and fed Robin when he got home. Very nice to have small containers of soup in fridge - added a nice salad. I went to bed about 10:30. Woke R later so he could get to bed!

Today, I did not feel like the drive but then had to work at finding things to do. Mowed the small mowable bit of grass, cut some with K scissors, pulled down and cut back a bunch of Virginia creeper - torn between whether or not the neighbour would like it better... But there is another climbing plant that is evergreen and has gotten to the top of the wall in a couple places; it takes priority. I also moved some of the pile of old lumber that was blocking the view of the flower bed. watered the indoor plants and washed the windows in front and back doors!! Made celery soup, talked on the phone with Connie, sent a comprehensive email to a friend re the protocol for Lyme Disease - and got an excited "thank you" back; they have been using a part of it but not the whole - break the biofilm, kill the bacteria, eliminate it from body.

Made appointment to have car safetied in Ontario on Thurs and one to meet with solar guy on Friday. Realized that it might be helpful to get the hippie van registered so there is a spare vehicle for times like this past weekend when R was working on water and, although I was no help - he prefers to do it himself, I could not go anywhere lest he need to go to town for something. I shall phone tomorrow to see if I can light a fire under my sweet mechanic to get the van repaired and safetied.   My insurance agent will love me! My wallet might not! The van might be easier to use when I do the Farmers; Market as well.

I want to focus on more of this new glaze; these two pieces are really special- unique! Geri loved them. I'll try to post a pic on FB soon.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 May 15 - 12:12 PM

The origins were discussed, I think, in the Ken Burns series The Civil War, but it has been a while. Might have been a follow-up program. It's coming back to me as I consider where I saw it. If I come up with a link I'll share it.

Many years ago (21, to be exact) I was visiting the town of Salladasburg, PA, where my family have history (my grandmother's side of the family settled in the region circa 1850). On the hill above the town there is a graveyard where my grandfather is buried. It was the end of a long day and I wished I could drive my truck with the UHaul up the hill to visit my grandparents (my grandfather had the usual military star on his headstone) but I couldn't remember if there was room to turn around and the road was a skinny dirt road not suited to backing down a mile with a trailer in back. One of these days I'll get back there. It's a beautiful place.

This morning I started taking things off the walls in the bathroom to paint. I'll scrub dust off of the trim then mask it off and get started. It's a small room so I'll probably use a brush or a small roller. I have a huge mirror (4' x 6') that is going to stay in place, no way I'm taking that down to paint behind it, though I'm the one who put it up there (I moved it from in the dressing room when I first moved in - and moved other large heavy mirrors around as well, to places where they are going to stay put). This does bring back the early days when I first moved in here, though. Nice!

I have a couple of more boxes of things to prepare to mail to friends. I may use up all of the proceeds from the eBayed doll furniture on postage this week, but it should provide nice surprises for a couple of friends who could use a pick-me-up.

Since it is Memorial Day (observed) I may barbecue if we get a gap in the rain: I'll thaw something or pick up a piece of salmon if I go out today.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: GUEST,wys sans cookee
Date: 25 May 15 - 11:39 AM

Because of White Privilege, I can commemorate Memorial Day (including knowing and teaching its Black origins) with a snazzy ADA scooter paid for by others, instead of mourning a family member shot by police.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 May 15 - 12:11 AM

The grab bar is up. It took a number of tries to get the holes through the tile to the correct size so the screws could pass through but not put pressure sideways on the tile (screws are supposed to cut into the wood as they pass through, but that had to happen behind the tile). It looks like a grab bar in a tub, not ugly, not attractive. Functional. I think it took longer to assemble all of the bits and pieces to do the job than to actually drill the six holes and put up the bar. I used a silicone sealer on the screw holes to avoid any water problems.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 15 - 08:22 PM

Finding the studs behind the wall when there is tile on the entire wall is a trick, and I first resorted to measuring the other side of the wall (with marginal results), then trying to tell where the studs are from along the very top of the shower stall (but run into the horizontal members). I'm going to have to run this grab bar from the very edges of the short wall because there will be studs behind the corners where the wallboard behind the tile meets. If at least two long screws hit the studs on each end it should be okay, and where there isn't a stud I'll use those plastic things that hold screws tighter into sheet rock. I picked up a masonry drill to go through the tile and viewed a couple of YouTube videos to form a plan how to drill but not crack the tile.

I picked a bright yellow for the walls in there to compliment the blue Mexican tile on the shower surround. I forgot to pick up trim color, but I'll probably make that a bright white. I may have some around here already, stashed in that kitchen cupboard where all the the paint cans lived for a long time.

The space I cleared in a kitchen cabinet above the sink is where the white ceramic dishes are now going to live. Small baking dishes, some with lids, and small ramekins with heavy-duty plastic covers that I use for butter. There are probably a few more pieces around that will move up there also. The island has one of those corner cabinets that has two doors near the sink and one on the far side of the counter that is large and I usually forget what is stored there. That's where they used to live and is why I often forgot to use them.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 24 May 15 - 08:12 PM

Today was a much slower day here. Jeremiah was up with nightmares early this morning. Pete got up with him first and then went downstairs but I could hear something weird on the monitor so I went in to check on him and found him under his covers, trembling and whimpering. I snuggled with him for a bit, sent him to the potty and tried to get him settled back into bed but no luck. The poor child was shaken. I sent him downstairs with his Daddy where he stayed for maybe an hour or so before he went back to bed for a bit. Pete being the wonderful human being that he is, let me go back to sleep and I slept WAY in....think 11:00!!! So....today I mostly just did dishes and cooked for both today and tomorrow. We are going to have a little picnic at home. :) Yep. Today was a lot of porch sittin' with Pete as we watched Jeremiah play with his freshly filled little pool. Life is good. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 May 15 - 11:54 AM

I had WAY too much fun Friday with my honeh at a local festival that was JUST my size and speed! Took the walker for insta-seating, and clocked about a mile in about two hours of music, he althy food, people watching, photography, and a little romance. At the top of the bridge I just HAD to explore, my hip muscles (chronicall weakest) clanged a final warning that they were DONE, so we took turns pushing each other back down the bridge ramp towards the car for a little muscle recovery, laffing all the way. It was a great day for learning as a couple what I can really do this summer, and it was the first activity from the "Honey Let's Go" folder whicht resulted from a mailing of ad papers I went thru Thursday afternoon while he was stuck at a meeting.

Once again we learned the hard way: how fast a little hill climb can use up the muscles-- just like a scooter battery-- so future expeditions will mean any hilly parts go LAST, and preferably towards the car!

Only needful item I hadn't packed: 1 hair tie. The walker basketry easily held everything else needed. What a great night's sleep I got! Next venue needs wider paths so we can walk side by side. Probably a bike path, so I can also calibrate the pedometer that is so far not making useful data. Faulkner will come, since his sore back and mine need about the same amount of walking.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 24 May 15 - 04:05 AM

Your way ahead of us on tomatoes, SRS. Ours haven't produced their first flowers yet. Still, we're on course for our own growing season. As usual, we are growing std/salad ones in the greenhouse and a few outdoors and cherry ones in hanging baskets. We don't grow a large (as in beefsteak) one. Lettuce are "pickable" now. Not fully hearted but we will start using them now rather than buy from the shops.

Had rhubarb and apple crumble for tea last night. The apple was frozen (in stewed form) from last year but the rhubarb was fresh from the garden.

I've still got a few veg plants indoors and am hoping a particular nurse comes to do my back this week. I gave her a couple of plants last time I saw her but said there should be more after I sorted out what we were going to plant. Either way, I think I need to shift what remains (I think a couple of cucumbers, 2 types of tomato, 2 sweet peppers and 2 basil) this week.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 15 - 01:47 AM

It was a busy day here as well, mostly spent indoors because we have a full weekend of heavy weather to look forward to. Two parcels are ready to mail next week, several bags of stuff dropped off at the thrift store donation center, though I did go in the store and find a few things that go with sets I've been working on here (glassware, mostly). Bought dog food, and now need to tend to the dogs - two of them are shedding like crazy.

I baked bread for BLTs - the first large garden tomatoes are ripe. I have the lettuce and bacon at the ready. I made a banana cream pie because I had two large ripe bananas to use and I haven't made a pie for a while and this is one of my favorites. Meringue looks a little odd, it pulled away from the crust, but it tastes wonderful.

I've set out materials for tomorrow to decide which grab bar to put up in the hall bathroom. After that I'll return the one I didn't use (I picked up two lengths to avoid having to go back to the store later if I changed my mind about one) and get some paint. The bathroom could use a touchup. All of this is getting ready for guests in a couple of weeks - taking a look at the house through someone else's eyes is a great way to see chores needing doing.

Thunder in the background tonight, and a tornado warning until 4am. There is nothing like waking to a storm and the tornado sirens to make Memorial Day weekend memorable.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 May 15 - 09:00 PM

Four loads of laundry done, dishes done, a long hand written letter to a dear friend, awesome dinner made and enjoyed (Steak on the grill, roasted asparagus and mushrooms with balsamic sauce, summer squash with red peppers, wild rice and a pineapple angel food cake). Floors swept, counters cleaned off and now to find a little something else to do before bed. I am fired up and knocking things off my ta-da list! We WILL be READY!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 May 15 - 08:31 PM

Mill:
Waiting for the glazes to dry in the loaded kiln, thanks to my super boo boo of over firing the bisque The pots still took glaze but are taking forever to dry. I spent about an hour and a half trimming the pots I threw Thursday - nice bowls. Then built up the energy and inclination to glaze. Took me until about 5! So I did not finish until 8.I got so "into it" that I was just focussed on trying a couple different things - then had to run and get the dish pan and pour glaze into it as the bucket was not big enough to dip the big bowl. I guess I need to find some larger round containers - Dollar store!

Now I need to prepare something to eat on the way back to the city, close the kiln and get on my horse and go.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 May 15 - 01:11 PM

I had plans to hand two boxes to my mail carrier today, but the post office has thrown a rub in the works. There used to be a great desktop application that let me print a label with the barcodes and tracking numbers, then I could affix stamps and mail it that way (you always have to hand a parcel to a real person). The updated application now only works for businesses that have postage permits, so I can no longer print for parcel or media packages and pay with stamps. I have a couple of boxes ready to go and I'll have to wait till next week and take them to the post office.

Today is drizzly but I think I'll be able to weed some in the vegetable garden. I'll take out a garden shear and cut some of the grass around plants if it is too muddy trying to pull it out by the roots.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 May 15 - 11:15 PM

I'm impressed with all that people are doing. Jon, you never know when that setup is going to work in your favor. A co-worker had a scare this week - her house was broken into while she was in it. She ignored someone ringing the bell then knocking, and when she finally headed toward the front door, she realized they were trying to kick it in. She retreated through the bedroom (locked that door) and into the bathroom (locked that door) and called 911. When police arrived he was leaving, and tried to run them over. He was shot but got away, to be captured later in the parking lot of his apartment complex. The trick is figuring out how to make the house look too robust, not vulnerable to a burglar who chooses randomly (it seems) from houses on a street he chooses to travel down.

I have an ice axe near the door (mine is like the longer one in that photo) - I think I'd shout through the door that if they enter they'll get their effing brains blown out. That bluff is probably enough to stop most burglars - but if not, the ice ax is a wicked weapon and I know how to use it. And 911 is on speed dial.

Four bags of clothing are in the car to be dropped off at a thrift store donation center tomorrow. There are a couple of books I missed and probably other items as well. My daughter and I went through donation items that came from her brother's room and she kept a few things, and I kept a couple of shirts he doesn't wear that I like. The rest is out of here. I'll work in his room some more this weekend to make it ready for guests, and I expect there will be more trips to Goodwill soon.

Must work in the garden, but more rain is forecast. We haven't had any really hot days yet, probably breaking a record for cool days this time of year. I'll do what I can - I've usually had my first sunburn by now, but I've barely seen the sun this spring.

Subject: RE: Declutter (x-hoarders), Fitness Apr-June 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 May 15 - 12:24 PM

The crib has been disassembled....whew...what a job! The carpet has been vacuumed and the new big boy bed is assembled and awaiting fresh sheets to come out of the dryer. There is some major clean up and rearranging to be done....probably will happen today and tomorrow and that room is DONE! YES!

Pete is home for a long weekend (YAY!) and he built a rabbit hutch for the little bunny we found on the side of the road. It's a sweet little bunny condo!

I am feeling accomplished and ready to tackle more on my to do list!

Have a great day everybody!

Michelle