'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015

Subject: Clutter's Last Stand July thru Sept 2015
From: GUEST, Don Aslett acolyte
Date: 30 Jun 15 - 09:34 AM

The last thread is here:

http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=156862&messages=387

Go forth and shed the accumulation of a lifetime. And get fit while you do it!

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST,#
Date: 30 Jun 15 - 05:17 PM

Clutter's Last Stand

LOL

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST,mag, l
Date: 30 Jun 15 - 06:20 PM

actually succeeded in accomplishing my chore for the day, cleaning the kitchen floor.

by the time i had unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, cleaned up my cat's food (he is an incredibly messy eater -- can't even keep it on the tray - ), swished a little bleach around the double sink and the sink utensils, swept, mopped ( 3 small tubs of water changing) and left a damp rag on a spot with some dried out stuff, emptied the overflowing trash, -- it was already afternoon.haven't touched the stove yet.

the dilemma of how long to keep the hose running with one week, so far, of 90+ degrees, another week of same coming up, and no rain in the offing. a friend says one inch is plenty as long as you water every day.

This sounds like not enough to keep the roots headed downward, to me. She thinks i use an ungoldly amount of water (and i'm not really happy about it) and i think i really don't want to lose anything. A hibiscus in one corner of the yard, in full sun, was so limp yesterday i watered and watered and watered it.

The sprinkler system i had put in my old yard was worth every dime.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST,mag
Date: 30 Jun 15 - 06:22 PM

and I got one box of winter tops folded into a plastic tub and put away. :)

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Jun 15 - 07:39 PM

The task for the month is several nasty hot hours of sorting the remaining half of a long, tall office shelf, and packing from it those items bound for Ohio. Shelf and plastic base shelves to travel south.

The empty trash barrel and plastic bags are already on their way up there. A bunch of stuff could be passed along to the ministry coordinator I passed the job to, but I ain't headed his way any too soon so his stuff will be boxed for fall delivery. We always have Diocesan stuff in his area to travel to.

The other big item going this trip is a double bed-- box spring and mattress. Plastic will be involved.

Then it will be a matter of catching the landlord's strapping sons home on a break, to get all that down to the front porch staging area.

Last but not least is a low bench sized for two toddlers, to hold my life size doll tableau in the front yard. That's been at the church but has to come home now.

A course this will add daily stair trips, one to the office and a steeper one to the Box Emporium.

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 30 Jun 15 - 10:36 PM

An inch of watering everyday is way too much, even in dry climates. To test if you have watered that much, place a tuna or other similar shaped can in the sprinkler zone and time your watering. When an inch of water has accumulated in the can you have calculated how long it takes. Every third day should work for turf and shrubs. For a vegetable or flower garden it might take more often, but less water on each occasion. It depends on the depth of the roots and how established the turf or plants are.

Keep up the good work in the kitchen. The stove may be a day's task all by itself.

The title of the thread is actually the title of one of Aslett's books. He presents a philosophy of how to deal with and why we hoard clutter.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Jul 15 - 12:36 PM

I'm taking advantage of today's rain to sort papers from one of the large boxes in the bedroom. Most of the contents is being chucked -- freelance work from almost 15 years ago and other outdated stuff. I've got what's important in my portfolio -- which hasn't been used in years anyway. This stuff sits around until a good rainy or snowy day to go through it and throw most of it away and get what needs to be kept filed appropriately so it can be found. It's just so time-consuming!

I also put the flannel sheets (I hate flannel sheets!) into the Goodwill pile, and found a few more books (art and photography) out of the guest room to sell (or donate to the library sale if they're rejected). I'm sure I can find more cubic footage to dispose of today, primarily in the bedroom and guest room.

I haven't bothered to get dressed or put my contacts in, but there's really no need today.

I also just typed up a recipe I developed so I could throw the handwritten piece of paper out. And now it's filed appropriately so when I make it again, I don't have to rely on my memory. I had entirely forgotten that I had written it down! Not sure I'll get the laundry done today (it'll live), but I'm shutting down the computer now so I can put the stuff from the sink into the dishwasher.

Then I can go back to decluttering upstairs. (And I need to get back into the habit of checking in here more often.)

Last week was pretty accomplished. Dentist on Monday (decluttering of bank account), plumber on Tuesday (so outdoor faucet now works), friends came to help with some household tasks that I can't do (especially those requiring a ladder) so I now have light in the bathroom for the first time since February. Odd fluorescents in the fixture above the tub and the sealant removed from the light above the sink (why the workmen who winterized the house did that, I'll never know -- did they think I'd never have to change the bulb?!?) and the bulb replaced with an LED guaranteed for 20.8 years, so I may never have to change it again. Also put a bulb in the fixture above the toilet which Tom and I had never done because it was overkill. I find that as I'm aging, more light is better and now the bathroom is very well lit. Thursday I worked on PMFF stuff, and Friday I had an early morning appointment to get the car inspected and oil changed. On the way home I got my haircut and helped my hair stylist move some furniture. (Her husband just passed away a month or so ago.) Posted a bunch of photos at Facebook because it would have been Tom's and my 33rd wedding anniversary and then, of course, went to the Press Room session (which I lead). Productive week -- on Saturday I was blindsided by the deferred "grief day" and didn't get much done except be.

Linn

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Mrrzy
Date: 01 Jul 15 - 12:53 PM

I re-excavated my room! There is carpet on the floor, and tops to dressers! Amazing...

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: ranger1
Date: 01 Jul 15 - 12:55 PM

Took Monday off as a mental health day, I have more than enough vacation leave and my boss understood that I was feeling frazzled. I did nothing other than try to get the dishes caught up, walk the dog, and grab a few groceries.

Yesterday started out very productive, I just ran out of steam halfway through my to do list. But the kitchen and bathroom sparkle, the compost got hauled out to the new compost pile way in the back of the field (not my first choice, but I don't make those decisions), and a bag of recycling prepped to go to the trailer at the end of the road.

The new heating system was installed last week, and now I'm impatient to get rid of the old Monitor heater to make more space.

Today, I hope to get to the hardware store to buy bits for the new contractor-grade cordless drill I bought last week. I was hoping to buy a weedwhacker (again, professional grade) this week, but it will have to wait for my next paycheck. With all the attachments I want, it'll probably end up costing me around $250-$300, but the one at work that is the same model is still going strong 15 years after purchase.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST,mag
Date: 01 Jul 15 - 03:52 PM

"fraid the tuna can thing only works if you've got sprinklers, which i don't in the new place. An auto system is out of my range just now. I don't waste water on the grass, so don't really want to get a surface one.

minimal watering is precisely what burns roots, which grow too shallow. Hence my deep watering before the heat wave hit last week.

laundry piled high on the dining room table. sigh.

have a date for the gym, to weigh, and use the back machine in order to recover from yesterday's mopping. I COULD do the pool while I am there ...

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Jul 15 - 05:16 PM

City:

Drove back yesterday via a slow route, arriving about 9. I did the whole trip so nothing got done after arrival - just sit and read, then bed.

Monday was mostly a do nothing day as I thought we would be leaving but R was in his head, recovering from blue funk re crisis and finally started dealing with it on Tuesday. Also informed me that he has a plan for jacking up the house and is no longer concerned about it. I can only hope for action before winter - late August!

So Tuesday, I went to town and picked up money a friend left to pay for the pottery she took last week. We had a short visit and I met the good chiropractor. I went to her office seeking my friend, found another friend was the receptionist! Then the chiropractor came out and told me who I was and where I had been in the last while! "Do I know you?" I asked her in astonished puzzlement. Oh no! She just knew people who told her who and where and she had seen me some places.... Holy moly! My life is an open book for everyone to read! Fortunately I really do not mind.

Three loads of laundry today - sorted into "here", "mill", "Beaver". Black bean soup ready for supper. R put license plates on car, not so simple as old one was hard to get off and Ontario plate did not fit in holder and there are two rather than one... "I'm doing the laundry, dear!" I said sweetly.

I drove him to his truck, dragging him away from current book/avoidance and went to the market but the sky fell and I came home without shopping; I would have been drowned within 10 feet! Came back and spent aft on internet, deleting and unsubscribing and was writing a lengthy email when I thought to look on line for quarry report in local paper - good report and two letters - very pro, very con. Back to the drawing board. The balance between what is good for the environment and what might be good, or not so good, for the community...

Hoping the van will soon be ready so next time R has a melt down, he can just get in it and go north, into the bush to clear his head... I am involved in a constant alert to keep clutter out of Beaver. Undoubtedly, we will need a library shed; the house will never be adequate for the books.

I am going back to Beaver tomorrow for a few days.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 01 Jul 15 - 10:17 PM

Correct about deep versus shallow watering. An inch is deep watering. I don't have an inground sprinkler system either, what I have is hoses positioned around the yard, snaking through gardens so they aren't in the way when I mow the lawn. They're on a timer attached to the back faucet. I only water the lawn enough to keep it alive, not lush, in the summer, and to keep the trees healthy.

Good work, Mrrzy and everyone. Discovering floors, table tops, shelves, it is a wonderful thing. Not all horizontal surfaces need to be covered with stuff.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST,#
Date: 01 Jul 15 - 11:11 PM

Fix the clutter problem.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 02 Jul 15 - 07:40 AM

Go forth and shed the accumulation of a lifetime.
Hmmm
I know shedding things should mean getting rid of them .
My first thought was "Yup, better go out and buy a shed"
FAIL!!

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 02 Jul 15 - 09:08 AM

My email accounts need decluttering - too many posts from places of no interest to me. Perhaps a massive unsubscribing binge is called for on our next rainy day. And while I'm at it, I'll sort out the piled up bookmarks. The old ones are the styrofoam chunks on the beach of my well-oiled browser logon system.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Jul 15 - 12:50 PM

Today is mental decluttering while undoing too many uses of the kitchen without a proper cleanup (rhythm of ministry). For me that means NO FACEBOOK and damn little Catting, hopefully a good long break til Monday.

~S~

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST,mag
Date: 02 Jul 15 - 03:16 PM

i was once whinging to a friend about working and working on layers of stuff in all areas of my life; to wit, I would whittle down to the center, and, like an onion, there would be nothing left.

and he replied, " but, my dear, that is a great spiritual accomplishment!"

I keep that in mind when I can't let go of stuff -- I don't need the stuff to remember happy times.

:)

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 02 Jul 15 - 04:40 PM

Getting a lot of the things I should have done yesterday (laundry and a few other miscellaneous things) done today.

But I found out this morning that tomorrow's Press Room trad session has to be cancelled because the Press Room can't have live music until they get a sprinkler system installed. The owner has been dragging his feet for a couple years but papers were served by the City yesterday. Don't know yet when the work will start or when they'll finish getting the system installed. Also don't know if the City will let them have live music while the system is getting installed or if it's none until the job is completed. So...I had to spend a lot of time getting the word out by Facebook, email, and phone calls.

Heard that Naemanson (who's visiting Maine from Guam) and Charley Noble had been planning on coming. Hope they'll still come to Portsmouth for supper so I can still visit. I plan to be at The Press Room around 4:00 tomorrow in case musicians show up who didn't get word.

So the day didn't start out too great, but then when I was out on the deck grating bacon cheddar to make a cheese salad for a party I'm going to on Saturday, I was visited by the first hummingbird this season (that I've seen, at least), gathering nectar from the wild yellow foxgloves. Earlier I had an electric blue damselfly fly up to me to check me out.

I also ate lunch on the deck -- it's a really lovely day. The problem with eating on the deck, though, is I see all the work in the flower beds and driveway that needs to be done and I get overwhelmed wondering how that's going to happen. It's great exercise, and will probably help get me back into better physical shape, but it takes me a LOT longer to get things done.

Decluttered some magazines early this morning, too. I really need to take them to the Walk-In Urgent Care down at the Circle. They've reached critical mass in the car.

Going to Rocky's session in Dover tonight. Music is needed. There will be more on Saturday, first at West Nottingham's usual Independence Day celebration (free breakfast at 7 a.m., music (mostly by the gang from the Press Room session) at 8 a.m., then reading of the Declaration of Independence from the porch at Demmon's Store at 9 a.m. Then a music party and potluck at a friend's.

Linn

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 03 Jul 15 - 09:50 AM

Dishes had piled up in and around the kitchen sink so as my water heated for tea I emptied the contents into the dishwasher and will run it when I leave the house. They are usually hand-washed and simply drain in the dishwasher. Allowing myself to arrive home later today to a clean kitchen is a gift to my future self and a good start to the holiday weekend.

A friend I haven't seen in a while has lost 60 pounds and is looking great, but he is held hostage by clutter in his house. I have a couple of suggestions that we agreed to discuss over lunch. There are two main aspects - donate the inexpensive stuff to a charity, and list the sellable items on eBay. The former step is the faster and might inspire the second part of the plan to get underway. Once the cash starts rolling it in becomes a more attractive activity.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Jul 15 - 12:33 PM

It turns out I'm getting better at spotting when my thyroid med dosage needs to be upped. I started the new dose this AM. Lesson there-- insist the nurse/PA order that lab the day I spot the need for it, cuz my doc does a 3 week rotation that slows down the changes needed way too much. Sometimes it's a dosage change-- and I always have med on hand for those-- but sometimes it's one of several possible lifestyle changes aND the blook test tells us that.

The plan for the day is to vacuum up the doghair that has piled up, using the shop vac, so I can get back to regular upkeep with the upright. Then we take off for a walkable festival and the weather is perfect.

I'm off now to make my personal list of symptoms that will tell me, DH, and the medical peeps when I need a lab test.

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Jul 15 - 02:52 PM

Art Gallery of Bancroft:

My volunteer day has been an almost constant flow of visitors. I try to engage with each to make the visit mean more to them - a friendly gallery but without intruding on their perusal. But still managed to get thru emails and unsubscribe a few. Then thru some of FB but finding it tiresome.

Arrived at Beaver Haven about 7:30. A stop at a nice thrift shop near Montreal netted me a 3rd card table for my market booth and a wheeled low tea trolley ($5 variety!) suitable for pottery workshop; I can roll it into the back shed or LR or on the deck to dry pots... Also a nice shirt and a pretty basket suitable for wastebasket. The volunteer at the shop was impressed by how little furniture we are using; I am determined not to let clutter take over this abode. There will be more , but not until the flooring is in place!!!

Stopped in this am at the Mennonite store (bulk food) and had a nice visit, thanking Alice for her support the other day and arranging for them to save me a meal - she makes wonderful curries! - to pick up after 4, when I finish at the Gallery.

A friend asked on FB if I could come to his parents tonight so I phoned and the dad said tomorrow. Much better as the Gallery opening is tonight. They live about 45 minutes away. Wish I could train people to use email instead of FB!

Feeling so much better on the Laprinol and spirulina; rarely take any other supplements. Need magnesium citrate if I eat much choc ... but Weds I ate everything in sight - choc cookies, choc, more choc cookies... and no ill effect, no cramps. I really did not want to be in city. I do much better here; the air is cleaner than the city or down at the mill. I have had the door to the Gallery wide open all day; lovely breeze. Last night was so cool I needed three quilts! Today is perfection.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Jul 15 - 03:54 PM

DP-- "Today is perfection"-- that's what we want for you!

~S~

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jul 15 - 10:14 AM

Sleeping with quilts in the summer - such a difference from running a ceiling fan and sleeping with just a sheet.

There are a couple of pieces of wood furniture in the garage that need modest repairs and a coat of paint, then will be moved to the back patio. It's time. Herbs overgrowing the brick part of the patio need harvesting and the bricks need cleaning. And the side garden needs weeding and pots need arranging to make it a welcoming doorway once again.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Jul 15 - 12:23 PM

The festival last night was a good walk. I felt like dancing a tone point but had back issues preventing that; I brought that feeling into the day thru music playing and will explore as the week goes on how I can revive what I used to enjoy (grades 7-9) before thyroid disease piled all this weight onto me. There is a weekly dance where I can take this on the road.

Hardi de-haired the LR ydy-- much better.

I decluttered one person's past this AM, with a note responding to a former friend of my late sister, who had specialized in toxic relationships. Today is the anniversary my sister chose to leave the planet, making two family members who so needed to control everyone by linking their favorite holidays forever in our minds as death anniversaries. Guess that means I should send one of the surviving family members some big love.

~S~

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 04 Jul 15 - 07:06 PM

Working in the garden in stages, filling the wheelbarrow, dumping it, then cooling off for a bit before returning. During the cooling off period laundry, cooking, and other activities. Cooking consists of making sauces or other things to freeze or can from garden produce. And a peach coffeecake for a cheerful July 4th dessert.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Jul 15 - 01:39 AM

Prepped yesterday for a picnic today but the weather wasn't cooperative so we will have our fun tomorrow afternoon. Our local fireworks were really good this year but even better was Jeremiah's sheer vocal joy at the beauty of it all. One of my favorites, "Oh Mommy! That one looks like ants crawling on a cactus!" And you know what? He was absolutely right!

Also? We found THE perfect spot for viewing the fireworks...it will forever be our spot from now on!

Sweet dreams!

Michelle who didn't do much today except hang out with her boys....happiness!

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 05 Jul 15 - 09:47 AM

The arms and back are stiff this morning from the weeding yesterday, but the garden is coming back into view. I'll work on it every day until I tame this monster. The fireworks last night weren't in view, were only audible, so the dogs stayed in. At bedtime we walked into the yard for them to take a last break and there were robust explosions. All illegal in the county, but when the fire danger is low officials seem to look the other way.

It's time to cook a batch of beans and freeze in individual portions. I have tomatoes to use that aren't in good enough shape to can so they'll be trimmed and go into the pot, and I'll use onions and peppers from the freezer, making room for this year's crops.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Jul 15 - 10:15 AM

The side garden is nearly completed, and ready for new planting. The amount of oregano is considerably reduced, and needs to be cut back still more, but will be done by digging up plants and giving them away.

Wood furniture is next on the list of patio work. Although it is overcast there is no chance of rain in the forecast, so these early hours will go for yard work, and the afternoon for patio furniture repair (on the covered patio).

One of two bulbs in the stove cook top (and overhead fan) burned out last week, and after several attempts I have bulbs that fit. They are LED costing about $18, which is high, but better than $33 and up that I was finding when I started the search. If I could find a matching halogen bulb I would be content with that, but they don't seem to make them the same wattage and the same kind of lens any more. The halogen bulbs would operate at low and high settings, but these LED bulbs are not dimmable so will operate always on high. At a few cents a year they will eventually pay for themselves because this particular light fixture is on more than any other in the house during the day and evening and the halogen bulbs are electricity hogs.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Jul 15 - 12:30 PM

excellent thread name

He is also my most despised ancestor

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Jul 15 - 01:48 PM

As my Nana has decided to take up permanent residency at a local nursing home, she has requested us to clean out her house and sell it or do what we will. The sorting and cleaning out has begun. My mom recently met me in town and we unloaded an entire car full of things from my Nana's house into my car. It is now sitting in my kitchen. So...I am sorting and trying to find places for things to go as well as all the daily chores.

Also, today Jeremiah had his first swimming lesson! :) He did great! I am one proud and happy mama!

Have a great day everyone!

Michelle

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST,mag
Date: 06 Jul 15 - 02:13 PM

indigo rose tomatoes are looking ripe; i haven't grown this variety yet so am not sure -- when purple skin turns to purple brown is what i'm told

they are the cherry variety of the purple rose tomato ( :) ) sp the bush has about 14, so far -- had hoped to have enough to take to Saturday's Song Circle, so people can ooh and aah - but what i got is what i got.

who knew that ANTS would eat your basil roots down to nothing OVERNIGHT? two bowlsful of the solution, they are drowning by the handful and i HOPE taking enough borax back to the colony to kill it/them. there are a lotta ants on my lot ...

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Jul 15 - 03:44 PM

Borax will kill anything plant-wise in your soil, so don't spill it on the ground. Spinosad is an organic pesticide that should work for you, or a couple of tablespoons of orange oil in a gallon of water poured around.

I've reclaimed one garden, the other is a tangled weedy mess. But I'll tackle it later and start treating the pests that have had free reign for the season so far.

SRS

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Jul 15 - 04:06 PM

Oh hey....just for some extra fun on this hot(86F), humid day, our boar got out! Pete isn't home! FUN!!! After some effort, I got him back in the barn and in his pen. I booby-rigged the spot where he got out so I hope it will hold him until Pete gets home. This is SO his territory. I am most proud of myself for getting Elwood back in his pen!!! HOORAY!!! Whew.

That counts as activity in my book!!!


Michelle

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 06 Jul 15 - 04:27 PM

I have helped friends a couple of times when the pigs got out. Pigs are smart and fast, and if they don't want to go back to the pen, they're damned hard to get back in the pen! Good job!

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 07 Jul 15 - 11:39 AM

Dogs, not pigs, to start the day. Over the afternoon and evening yesterday I washed and dried all of the dog bedding, and this morning I swept out their area in the garage. Even in hot weather they still like having soft bedding, though there are many times I will see they lying on the pavement instead of the dog beds. Their choice. I need to vacuum dog hair from in the house next. And ssssshhhh! don't tell them, but they're getting baths today.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST,mag
Date: 07 Jul 15 - 01:45 PM

I haven't put borax solution on the PLANTS, Acme; I just noticed a whole lot of them in and around the basil. I pulled the wilted plants up to find the ants hewing away; no roots left.

washed a bunch of sweaty pillows and they smell worse than they did before. What gives??

MA, starting chronic pain t. group this afternoon; hope i get some good advice.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jul 15 - 03:07 PM

Soaking them in a tub of water with baking soda (eyeball the amount - however much seems enough) for a while - a day or more - might help with the odor in the pillows. Soaking is also helpful for cleaning delicate or antique fabric.

I've started digging in the big garden, and have a few chores to do to break up that work (cool-down sessions outside so I don't have to take off the work boots to come in the house). I pruned out a dwarf yaupon holly that blocked the dog's view of the driveway from the back gate. Woof!

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 07 Jul 15 - 07:26 PM

Just home from Zumba.

Stick a fork in me.

I. Am. DONE.

Michelle

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 07 Jul 15 - 10:47 PM

Apparently you can't lose 50 pounds in one afternoon of Zumba, although I certainly did give it my all (Lord have mercy!). I think I overdid and have a bit of heat exhaustion. When I got home, I had to go to bed...so nauseous, hot/cold/shivering...feeling HORRIBLE. It's a little better now but ummm....I'm certain this was of my own doing....didn't feel bad while I was dancing though.

Live and learn.

Michelle

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jul 15 - 11:07 PM

In case you get cramping here is a look at possible causes. Today I drank a quart of Gatorade and lots of water during garden breaks. There will be Motrin at bedtime also.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 Jul 15 - 12:51 AM

No cramping to speak of except in the area where my ovaries used to be and that happens often...not Zumba induced although I did talk with my instructor about that and she showed me some interesting stretches to try. Staying hydrated.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Rumncoke
Date: 08 Jul 15 - 08:56 AM

I carry all my excess weight as a large 'bay window' waistline. I think it is a judgement up on me for the vanity of my youth, when I had a tiny waist and flat belly and was very pleased about it.

I have been doing more walking in preparation for the folk festival at the end of the month - I must replace the inner tubes in my bicycle tires as neither will stay up and it is so handy for getting around Sidmouth.
This is a busy month - I have done the dentist, so now there is the optician, a visit to the hospital for a mammogram, the servicing of the knitting machines for the University, the bowel cancer screening test, a visit to a more distant hospital to have my CPAP machine checked and half a dozen other things I am now worrying where the information about them has got to. I'd better go and gather them up and make a list.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Jul 15 - 09:16 AM

Excellent work, Rumncoke! The benefit year ends soon and I need to get new glasses during this one so as not to miss the opportunity (and since I have several pair, it always helps to stay relatively up to date in the Rx in all of them). It's the co-pays that kill, even though the insurance is there to take the brunt of it.

Remarkably fit this morning, all things considered. The Gatorade seems to have worked to head off the possibility of overnight leg cramps. It didn't rain overnight, so I can get back into the garden today, it isn't a soggy mess.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Jul 15 - 09:53 PM

It did rain today so my work was cut short this morning. I worked again in the afternoon, meaning I had to take two showers to wash all of the ants off of me when I got to the point where I couldn't stand them any more. The garden, such as it is, is now revealed after the grass stripped away. Puny plants but still trying to produce. Some may need replacement but others will survive and I'll get more if I leave them in place to recover than if I replace them with smaller bedding plants.

I'm getting a lot to compost out of all of this work, and I'll have to move compost from the pile I'm drawing from now to replace a lot of the bulk in the raised beds that went with the roots. I trimmed another sunflower out of the bed, but have left those standing on the outer edges. They're too beautiful to take out yet.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST,mag shouldn't show as guest
Date: 09 Jul 15 - 04:55 PM

supposedly the last day of our heat wave today, and possible free water tomorrow.

we shall see.

greens doing very badly in the heat. had to buy some.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 09 Jul 15 - 11:32 PM

A friend came over and we had BLTs for dinner. Tomatoes are one of the few things that I'm getting out of the garden this year so far. I have a head of Romaine lettuce (grocery store purchase - it won't grow here in the heat) that is only getting used for sandwiches, I haven't gotten around the cutting any up for salad, but that's okay - sandwiches are one of summer's perfect foods.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 10 Jul 15 - 09:55 AM

YUM. BLTs are a favorite around here!

Michelle

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: maeve
Date: 10 Jul 15 - 10:42 AM

^*^,

Any Batavian-type lettuce should do well there. Jericho, bred in Isreal, is also very good: http://www.highmowingseeds.com/organic-non-gmo-seeds-jericho-lettuce.html

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 10 Jul 15 - 11:24 AM

Who knew? mag and I can both look for those seeds. There is an spot beside the door into the house where I have a slatted workbench. I put tender plants under there to get a little less bright light and direct heat while they're getting established. That might be to place to start something like this.

I'm to the point where I have enough space for new planting so have to decide what to put in. I'm dying without fresh peppers, so that is top of the list. I'll put in some new healthy eggplant, and start some fresh squash. I have seeds for okra that may grow just about as fast as bedding plants at this point. I'll make some planting mounds, put out mulch, and get ready for the second growing season (fall) for the majority of my garden produce this year.

I told my friend that if she has jobs she usually has to hunt for someone to pay to do that she should just hire me to do them. That way she knows they will get done and I can use the cash. The kid she sometimes hires doesn't know the weeds from the flowers apparently, so the results are mixed at best. I see more garden weeding in my future.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST,mag should be back as member
Date: 10 Jul 15 - 01:28 PM

I normally pig out on bacon-basil-tomatoes when the tomatoes come in but i have been having lousy luck w/ the basil this year; bacon is waiting in the freezer for me to have all the ingredients. I too have been eating romaine from the store. boring.a few nasturtium leaves.

Finally hired Greenway (organic) to come over and deal w/ the moles and have some impact on the ants. they will be here at 1:00 today.

facing my avoidance project today is hole-punching a bunch of lyric sheets et. al. and getting them into ring binders.
am now diddling until Science Friday comes on NPR at 11:00.

MA