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

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Oct 15 - 12:04 AM

Here is the next thread.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Sep 15 - 09:20 PM

Beaver!

Bread pudding! used up all the toasted and then not eaten bread/bagels of the last year (or more)! Soaked in egg/milk mixture all afternoon - cinnamon and nutmeg, too. Then baked until it smelled done. Smelled good but we already had pie to finish for dessert so I decided it would be a good BF.

Warmed in microwave and toped with a bit of Quebec maple syrup, and some yogurt - perfect BF. Left a quantity for R and brought a bit for me. Also left: stewed tomatoes, cauliflower soup, cooked rice (and a pile of packets of "Indian", stewed apples, and a cooked chicken breast. That should get him through at least a week.

Phoned propane guy tonight and he informs that the heater is illegal and needs to be replaced! He will send an email with suggestions. Stove is fine but I must wait for propane supplier to get around to installing tank. I used to just do it myself. Never blew anything up! Could buy a second hand heater for a couple hundred... Now, cannot buy second hand anything; everything is illegal!

Low of about 35 tonight! Mattress is still in studio. Heating pad is on! Fire in wood stove. I am thinking of a good fire in wood stove to last 'til morning. Baby, it's cold outside!

Anyway, left M about 10 am and arrived here about 4. Several restroom stops, green tea, thought about donuts but lucked out - a Taco Bell, unusual at rest stops, offered a quesadilla. A great choice! But after happily making the right turn onto rte 62, from the highway, I was thinking brownies; the ones I bought a couple weeks ago up here were made in Madoc. So, as I drove through Madoc, I watched for where they might have come from - Ahh! the Hidden Goldmine Bakery!

Parked and went in and stood there with my mouth open! Madoc used to be a sleepy, down in the mouth mess. This bakery/tearoom/antique shop was beautiful and busy! "I didn't know there were this many people in Madoc!" I told the nice young woman when it was finally my turn.

The various stops took an extra hour. I unloaded most of car and went to thrift warehouse - nada. Then, having seen a sign for auction, remembered I had not yet picked up my hand-painted raccoon plates. I did that and went to fav resto - since I was out that far - for a bowl of soup and visiting. Then home and unpacking, sorting, phoning...

Now I am ready for bed. Under that heavy pile of covers! Thankful for heating pad! And wood stove to come back to! Also glad to be here -coolish - rather than where some of you are sweltering. The fall colour is burgeoning!

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Sep 15 - 03:54 PM

OH:

OK! Most of previous post plan DONE, and I'm at 3000 steps (and my back is feeling it!).

Happy surprises-- finding the little hanging banners for out front. Seeing neighbor with dog for a howdy and CC reminder. How nice the garden art looks when I get a fresh look. How easy it is to do trash now. The dvd remote dying in such a way that I can leave Gumby running all day for a 5 minute break, but have o to get up to start a video. The plans coming together on too mall theseny fronts to list-- feeling like I might finally be meshing my sense of timing with God's time. Cuz all these things that felt so overwhelming ARE getting done in plenty of time.

Left to do-- bed changing and laundry. Easy evening. Time now to start a new book.

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Sep 15 - 11:08 AM

OH:

Whistling while I work-- and wearing my pedometer-- this is first extended 'sit' since breakfast, Yay! The first 1000 steps of a 5000 step (current) goal. Helpful data-- I don't always get the app into my pocket first thing. I need a belt to hang one from, when I'm not wearing a pocket. A tied-down holster with an elastic leg strap. I bet I'll see the perfect one within the week-- and I already have the elastic.

. Last current box unpacked and single still-half-full box from a prior trip unpacked and items put away in prepared spaces.
. Yesterday's groceries unpacked from bags.
. Leftover wheat-based cereal set by door for Portia or birdfood, whichever comes first.
. I HAD packed not one (as I recalled), but TWO new bras picked up in PA just a day or two before I left for here. I had forgotten that they were at the bottom of the last-packed box of miscellaneana-- cushioning a glassed, framed picture. Very welcome-- the old ones here are dying daily! A full drawer of bras that FIT-- heavenly.
. Face paint for rendezvous packed. Other items headed there to go back to PA also now in gray bin.
. CD-RW's found for a project BIL agreed to help with. The box going to their house is already in the car, so will move files onto spare flash keys emptied earlier, along with instrux-doc hopefully also now on laptop.

Planned afternoon/eve stuff:
. DW
. Setting out garden art on fresh mulch
. Reinstalling the whirligig dog on bicycle, now that the ground is wet enuf to plant his stake
. Counting number of potted plants needed for garden decor/staging/pix
. Trash night, including dead fall branch into bagged kilt weed shrub from Saturday (Matt's work).
. Maybe change my bed and more laundry.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 30 Sep 15 - 10:58 AM

Well, here it is, the end of September. As I'm looking back at this month, I see progress...mostly in my kitchen and sewing room. Eight (could be more) boxes were delivered to the Salvation Army, mostly clothes Jeremiah has outgrown and quilting books I will never use (paper templates).   I also see positive changes in my diet resulting in an 8 pound loss for this month.

My focus for today is the bathroom. Tub, toilet, counter tops and floor. The dishes have already been done and there is a load of laundry to be folded.

I have started setting 4 week goals for myself in both my weight loss and decluttering efforts. Anyone else?

Have a great day!

Michelle

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Sep 15 - 08:05 AM

Yeah, I've been sweltering and therefore sleeping lightly and fitfully, with 2 very loud fans blowing right on me-- to fall out at all.... but last night was much cooler and with the clouds and rain today, the roof won't heat up so much. So I anticipate another 8-1/2 good hours tonight, especially if I get enough activity in today.

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Sep 15 - 10:55 PM

I was able to go a few nights with no ceiling fan, but this week has been warm and humid enough to need it again. It's fairly dry but I've watered occasionally and there is some grass that needs mowing, though I might get away with simply running the trimmer in places. A lick and a promise, as the saying goes!

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Sep 15 - 09:51 PM

Today was a welcome, planned break from projects, consisting of a good visit with neighbor Portia and a little shopping-- root killer to supplement the roto-rooter job of August, and face-painting materials for ebration Circle (Sunday). We discussed property-line fencing priorities (all shared goals and esthetic, Yay!), and went to see a dog.

The root killer is neat-- Roebic (foaming type). It happened that I had meetings for the aftn, making today the perfect day to put it in the system, cuz ya gotta flush it thru and then not flush, shower, do laundry or dishes for 6-8 hours.... great to just not be here for most of those hours.

The other shopping item of note was a new printer cable, as a last-resort suggested by our church techie. He was pretty sure the whole dam printer was shot. I plugged in the cable before running off to the meeting, and the laptop instantly recognized and configured the printer, and I prinsed a page. That means I can print chordsheets for CC. It also means that 4 opened ink cartridges are not an expensive waste of money!

Portia's new dog met Biscuit thru the fence, and I found a corner to reinforce, for which I have a resin trash-can keeper to block that corner, as well as a leftover piece of fence to zip tie to the loose fence section behind it-- about a 5 minute job.

It's finally cooling off here (AC busted). Normal PA sleeping temp is 64..... I hope to get that cold tonight and really sleep. The 3am projects are getting old!

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 29 Sep 15 - 12:16 PM

It looks like a few folks are benefitting from cooler fall weather (or better meds)! My work has been of the virtual/digital variety, decluttering my hard drive of old recordings.

The idea of decluttering a machine that takes up the enough space to use for a small house is astounding, Dorothy! I hope R is successful in selling it. I'm working on shifting a few cubic inches of hard drives, swapping for a larger capacity and faster.

Allergy season is coming into full autumnal swing so I'm drawing down the sudafed in conjunction with daily zyrtec.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 Sep 15 - 10:29 AM

I like the question Susan asked...What are our priorities as we reclaim our space. Hmmm....definitely something to think about. I haven't ever really thought about it....I just do it as I go until it pleases my eye and need. I'm going to mull that over.

Michelle

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Sep 15 - 09:48 PM

Thank you DP. Yer no slouch either!

OH:

I tried to knock off after 3, but I did hang up a curtain across the guest room closet. I don't care for sliding closet doors, and the original ones to this house were already off when I first saw the house (They're in the garage rafters as free MDF to repurpose). The seller had decorated them with store bought panels, hung low because too short for the height. Dunno why-- a pretty bedsheet is the exact perfect length I had a nice clean and crisp one on hand that almost perfectly matches the bedspread in there; old patterns never look like bedsheets! I also already had a tensioned shower rod on hand. When Bob's your uncle like that, ya just gotta do one more ladder climb!

I also installed laptop-side speakers and a pull-chain light, in my work corner. Now I can broadcast Susan's Sidewalk 'Radio' thru the window behind the laptop, instead of moving the boombox in another window several times a day, or put on audio books while I work. (Outreach for CC.) Speakers and light, courtesy Mortite.

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Sep 15 - 07:11 PM

City:

Susan's accomplishments come close to exhausting!. Kudoes! for incredible organization!

We went off to an auction about 20 minutes out of city early Saturday am. It turned out to be rather a marathon - of buying for R who admits to his disease and for me as I sat in car and read most of day, walked around the village where there is next to nothing to see... Then we drove down to the concert near the Mill, arriving almost an hour late but only missing the first group. It was so loud we went upstairs - a reno'd church, upstairs was once the choir loft but now was mostly enclosed with windows. It sounded much better up there.

Then to mill to sleep and a late BF and then a visit to Geri and lunch together at the resto. Big talk about the new cafe/music venue friends are opening end of October. It will replace and improve on the one which closed in July. Back at the mill, a very sick R slept all afternoon while I read. Then he read and I went to bed about 7!

This am, I packed the car with stuff for Beaver while R, feeling much better, read. Our tenant/window manufacturer/extremely competent friend came along and helped me load , adjusting the weight distribution of the slate tiles I am taking for the entry. R thinks they are a bad idea but Fritz told me he has them in his home and they are beautiful; finish them with boiled linseed oil, or tung oil, wipe off the excess and they will be fine!!! YAY, Fritz!

Then he talked with R about the STUFF all over the Mill: Could he sort it out and get rid of some! "You're a hoarder." he said mildly. We had to agree. We went and looked things over and agreed that he could cluster some stuff on pallets and put them out of the way. R and I had already agreed on disposing of a couple dead cabinets. There is a major job of clearing a huge section so R can move a huge machine to a place where he can photo it - to, hopefully, sell it. It takes up almost a thousand sf so getting rid of it would be fab! A MAJOR de-clutter! It takes two fork lifts working together to move each piece!

Wandering around down there, I found a microwave sitting around doing nothing! My project for this aft was removing the old one, cleaning the area - and cleaning and cleaning! So now we have a "new" microwave. Nice and clean!

and dealing with over 150 emails as we did not take the computer - I thought we would be back! That done and response to the propane guy - very expensive! but....

Also stopped for groceries after dropping R at office, after lunch at Timmy's.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Sep 15 - 03:29 PM

OH:

Afternoon projects (yes I had a lunch break):

. Redistributed fans for daytime setup, fashioning a base to aim cool patio air twds puder station. That's a keeper!
. Moved files off several flash keys onto HD
. Took items out to car
. Brought in trash from car plus one nice (harvested) empty water bottle)
. Gave postal carrier CC invite
. More laundry progress
. Got dressed! Too hot for real clothes-- lightweight sort of a nightie, but bra/undies. So summer dress-- Viola!
. Stowed some office materials in bins washed ydy
. Promo for CC
. Posted offer for gospel songbooks
. Planning for mid-visit rendezvous next week with Hardi

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Sep 15 - 01:22 PM

OH:

AM projects done:

. Dismantled blackout fabric covering one BR window to facilitate no-AC cooling; adjusted string pull for its blinds; redid anti-intruder alarm for secure sleeping . Pre-soaking and bleaching stained tablecloth and blouse
. Re-dressing dining table with stain-preventing placemats
. Putting away laundry and reloading dryer
. Vacuuming up spilled Styro beads from pool noodle I shortened, to net two autoharp stand angle-adjusters and two arm supports for chairs
. Setting items destined for others by door to put in the car
. Correspondence re: systemic racism on local radio
. Allocating and folding large red tablecloth, and putting away in linen closet
. Planning for the week and overnight guests at end of visit here
. Polishing off emptying of large grey bin; putting items in it to go back to PA; setting bin in accustomed handy but out of sight spot
. Pulling AR books out of remaining containers, putting them in bookshelf, moving non-AR books and films to their proper places
. Hung up Kitchen Band uni parts, pending neighbor Portia's choice of which skirt she wants. The blouse that's bleaching will go to destined closet in guest room.
. Advancing a long term doll project:

The Dolls:
These are two 2nd-grader-height, Raggedy Ann type dolls bought for AR work. A pale one and a dark one. (Right now they're in jeans and hoodies, a la Trayvon Martin.)

Some time after the Celebration Circle this wknd, they're going to take up residence under the eaves, in the children's garden, on a bench, at a table, for hot chocolate. A third, empty chair will complete the 'booth.' (I'm hoping to recruit a doll mama at CC, to dress them for winter when it snows.) The planned location is lit at night.

At the a Selinsgrove thrift emporium, I'd grabbed Halloween wigs. Both these dolls need hair and-- preferably-- CHANGEABLE hair. There were several construction styles among the wigs I got; I set each style on a lampshade and took a pic of each, right side out and inside out. One in particular is easily reproduced with cheap fabric and yarn; before I go back to PA I'll dummy up a fabric base to fit their odd head shapes, so that when I get back I can create a range of wigs and headpieces for seasonal/topical use. And mail them to myself here.

Confident that by Halloween I can get them waterproofed, and having hair for them now, I used pinking shears to snip off the mob-cap edging they came with that would otherwise make wigging impossible. This added more crap to vacuum when I do the whole LR one cool night this week, so I left the vac out to nag me about it. But the dolls are now sharing a wicker settee, asking me to take their 'before' shots. They can come as they are to the CC-- the blond is wearing the blue yarn wig now.

All the rest of their costume pieces are in their laps-- not sure which closet gets them yet.

~Susan

Subject: The basis of priorities
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Sep 15 - 09:57 AM

OH:

I continue to be surprised and delighted that a house the right size can so quickly be brought under control/returned to comfortable function/made pretty.

Yesterday and Saturday, a lot of what had been unloaded exploded all over the LR, as the projects for which they were brought got some action. I went to bed last night with enough disorder that it woke me up in the wee smalls. A half hour of attention then made for an inviting scene after the 6am nap to complete my sleep, during which I slept well.

So when I got up at 8 it was simple to carry on and finish one last weekend project, and clear up the few things I hadn't taken care of in the 4am stint.

In the process I learned something important that I suspect could help others. I learned which KIND of disorder makes me nuts. For me, it's important to have ample pathways AND an open view from about 4' off the floor, and up. Tall storage furniture in a room's corners does not make me feel crowded. A wall between those corners, with things above that height, is over my limit. At eye level, I need windows or a particular balance between art, and blank wall space. Art against a clear wall, and not too much. People who have been to the PA house will understand THAT one!

It's also important to me that inside any storage furniture, items be visible and containerized. I don't care if the containers are small, used Amazon boxes with my labels added, but give me open containers where I can open the furniture's doors and quickly find either the bin I need to carry to a workspace-- or the bin to toss in a decluttered item, quickly.

What's the underlying principle for YOUR priorities, as you reclaim your space?

~Susan

Subject: done found that lost sheep, er, offertory booklet
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Sep 15 - 02:44 PM

I've also seen NON-food grade DE in garden stores. Another difference is that NFG DE is often made from larger-particles silicates (dead diatoms) than fud grade DE. The danger of inhaling it is the very dreal danger of beginning a nasty case of silicosis, by introducing silicates that slice up the lungs from the inside. (I researched DE big-time before the DE treatment we successfully undertook, which I have posted about.)


OH:

Sometimes a cluttered item is a blessing. Years ago now I took all my personal favorites from our Band songbooks, and bound them together as a portable Instant Offertory booklet for home and instrument case.

Creating these, the printer thought she'd messed up the directions when she made the set of white project 'originals' from the various color-coded copies I gave her, and made another. Without thinking about it much, I asked her to go ahead and comb-bind that "wrong" white set instead of discarding. It was all about the margins. The type was fine!

I happened to have that booklet here on our last visit, and gave it to a church leader so she could pick an offertory for my return visit. I have several other versions of this 75+ song booklet, all having blue pages printed on two sides. I had assumed that I gave her a blue set.

We'll, I found myself wanting to give copies of those songs to local song circles, so I could teach them those rare songs. Remember-- I had assumed the copy I gave Ruby was all blue pages-- most of the several booklets the print shop created are, and they all have the same cover. If only I had a set on white! How to get one without losing copy clarity (something I'm a stickler for).

So today Ruby returns the booklet I left with her. It's that all-white, printed on-one-side set I can take to the local copy shop!!! Those margins look FINE!

WINWINWIN! And I owe it all to never throwing away things I think might just be useful. Cuz often, they are!

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Sep 15 - 12:35 PM

Yes from the garden store, that's where it comes from (food grade), but also yes, not the pool grade variety. That is heavily polluted with other stuff that isn't good for you.

I'm going to clutter my camera with some lunar eclipse photos this evening. The end to a nice weekend in which I got some work done around the house, sold an item on eBay, made three jars of fresh pickles, and will be making bread and roasting a chicken for meals this week. I'm back on the alternate day fasting, so having meals ready for those small calorie days is helpful, I'm less likely to graze and go above the 500 for the "alternate" day (it isn't a full fast on alternate days, it is regular meals one day, and one 500 calorie meal the next, or a couple of smaller meals totalling 500 - and the law of averages works with you to lose weight as well as have the health benefits of fasting without the health risks).

---

Typo fixed

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Sep 15 - 03:56 PM

FOOD GRADE diotomaceous earth ("DE"). Not from the pool or garden store.

OH:

The second of the two black bins is empty now with items sorted by which room gets them. A big pile of clean clothes goes to the washer/dryer in the next room, then back into the TV room for hanging and sending to master BR closet. It's all stuff that goes with brown-- the color range I'd sorted for here when I first came. I have a few brights to dress outfits up, but a constantly-traveling-for-biz friend told me that was her whole packing system: one brown/beige/cream set of easy care fabrics and one set in cool colors. So-- browns here plus summer camping duds from out of the camper.

The other sorting trick I use for clothes is odd I guess, but all my PA nightie must have pockets-- because so many items must go up and down stairs there, and I need both hands free for railings. Hardi adds 2 roomy pockets for me. But in Ohio it's all on one level, so few or no pockets here. That means new gowns go here.

Feel like hell but going great guns-- old feelings coming up. Bullying memories, oh goody..... yeah it's good to shed that layer. I trimmed a few more chronic and unwinnable toxicities from my Facebook friend list.... I learn from those but really those are the dear souls better known IRL. I am still working on following Catspaw's ca. 2000 advice on that score!

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Sep 15 - 03:27 PM

Diatomaceous earth inside and beneficial nematodes outside is a start.

My friend's dogs have now had their rabies shots and a short expedition in the car. They love going places in the car.

It is too hot to work in the garden now, but I'll prepare to do some work later after it cools a bit and before the mosquitoes come out. I need to make pickles so I'll start pulling out the ingredients. There are a couple of dozen cucumbers in the fridge ready to go.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: ranger1
Date: 26 Sep 15 - 02:17 PM

Last day for the season at the park yesterday, and while I'm waiting to hear back about a job, I'll jump into cleaning the cottage. I'll have to be careful, I cut my finger badly enough to need medical attention last week, and at my follow-up yesterday, the doctor told me to take it easy until it heals a bit more. I do need to do some serious cleaning soon, though, because we have fleas :( And no, I don't use the topical flea preventative because I have chemical sensitivities and both pets sleep with me, not to mention that the dog also has chemical sensitivities.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Sep 15 - 01:01 PM

OH:

The balance of patio-debris cleanup is nearly done; an outside rug that is shot is hanging on a fence to get rained on clean. It's headed to a spot in the yard where a weed bush would like to come up again. I have some black nylon tarpage to cover it with to kill off that sh*t permanently, presently adjoining that part of the yard, covering nursery-sz black plastic pots. The pots are holding a lot of the white Rock I removed last summer from the front beds (I prefer actual mulch). There are just enough weighted pots to hold down that tarped area rug. Bob's my uncle!

I see now how to make my own dog door to get them from the patio, thru a short section of privacy fence, and into an existing grassed run behind the garag-- that is already 90% fenced. (I have the missing fence section.) The slats of the privacy panel are exactly the right size to open a pair of them on hinges.

A simple bracing job with lumber on hand on the back side, then a few minutes with the jigsaw ought to do it. I'll put up the hinges (only item to buy), before cutting-- so they work perfectly after cutting; Hardi can trim this out pretty on his next visit here, but in the meantime there shall be a shady, grassed patio alternative when dogs are not wanted in the patio.

There's already a resin trash-can-holder out there to brace the added fence and serve as a second doggie house-- I'll move the igloo into that space as soon as the door is created. I'm not even sure I need a second pair of hands to do this!

I unloaded the two packed trash barrel bins from the trailer this AM before Matt arrived. One is unpacked and now holding the debris from the patio cleanup. With other changes already made, I can go back to keeping the trash cans in the patio instead of walking my trash around the outside of the house to the garage front. Oh joy-- stepping just outside the kitchen door, whenever I have something stinky to set out!!! Not a big deal 9 months of the year, but that winter visit down here can be a b*tch!

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Sep 15 - 12:30 PM

Clearly the process of moving stuff from one house to another is a good way to sort, prioritize, and declutter. Here stuff moves from one room to another. ;)

I have a handful of items up on eBay but none of them seem to be attracting much attention at the moment. I have a lot more to list, and I need to get a bunch of them up today for a 10 day run, then they'll stay down for a while until I'm back from a short trip, because I don't want anything to sell when I'm not here to ship the next day.

Mending items have piled up in my craft room and I think are on center stage this evening. Small stuff - buttons, repairing the lining of handbag, etc. It's nice to put things back into service. The handbag is going with me on the trip, which is why I noticed all of this.

I have some extra storage bins and I'm going to use one for the extra bag of dog food I picked up last week. I don't like leaving it out just in case the most intrepid of my small pack decides to tear open to bag to help himself. I have a stack of storage bins because they help in the sorting and arranging of things, but I may finally reach a point where I can actually donate or sell them at a garage sale. I'm thinning out the numbers of baskets on shelves as I discard or sell the contents since they're not being used any more.

There is a linen cupboard in my hall, the bottom shelf behind two doors is used for storing a bunch of frames picked up over the years. I need to pull out a few and frame a recent birthday gift. I also found a matte cutter that hasn't been taken out of the package (it's a small hand-held one, used with a ruler, not one of the big mounted ones that are the best thing for the job). It's time to keep related things together, and if I really intend to mount some of the art around here, get started doing it.

The quality of the light each day is changing, if not the temperature (still in the 90s). It is beginning to look like autumn, even if it doesn't feel like it yet. Friends are getting itchy to start putting up Halloween decorations. At most I have a ceramic jack-o-lantern that goes in the front window, but some of them go to elaborate lengths. I've thinned out a lot of decorating stuff, though this year I intend to hit the sales and replace the old xmas light strings with some of the LED strings.

Just had a call from a friend who needs a hand with a couple of things, so we'll move some furniture and visit and then I'll run my errands and get back here to garden, sew, and do eBay.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Sep 15 - 10:41 AM

OH: 

The fella that helps me with the yard is great-- he chose this business to do with his teen daughters to teach them a good work ethic, get away from CouchPotatoLand and the after school drug scene, and to be able to spend time with them instead of a second job that would take his time away from them.

They were just here and got so much done:

. Persistent weed bush GONE;
. Lasagna gardening: beds extended an additional 12" into the grass and beds re-mulched;
. Iron cookstove leveled;
. Old toilet relocated as planter;
. Dead wood gathered and removed;
. Persistent weeds dug out;
. Wrought iron chairs unloaded and placed;
. Planning for edging.

What I love about working with Matt is that I get to be on the crew. They HELP me do my projects and I do enough to get a good, sore back-- but not so sore I can't do other stuff later.

The front yard looks ready for company-company-- Celebration Circle, a week from tomorrow. And now I can grab those end of season annuals to set out on top of the mulched beds, for a little color.

I also have garden art items to set out, and my cone to line with sphagnum for a short garden tower, this week, and signs/banners to set out-- good early-morning-cool projects that involve just enough walking. And chair cushions/covers to dress up the 5 iron chairs and 4 lighter weight metal chairs.

The iron stove in the patio is ready to fill with end of season plants too. Yesterday I got caught up with policing dog poop in the patio-- so I can set out the fire pit now, too!

An hour and a half with Matt and daughter Ryan-- I feel like a new woman. I was feeling so overwhelmed yesterday!

Yesterday's sidewalk outreach was spent playing the autoharp out front, working out arrangements to a CD full of songs I want to share. Met two neighbors. Today while working my favorite cashier ambled up the walk on his way to work-- he's a neighbor! Invited to CC!

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Sep 15 - 09:10 PM

City:
Susan: I guess it might be a good idea to follow the I Ching and be able to recognize such days, just in case - in case they do not coincide with the full moon. Then we might be forewarned. "Oh well, it is just one of those days!"

After I spent the am, R came and took me to lunch at a "Mexican" place. The burritos were large and lacking in flavour. Then he showed me where to get "Indian" but we did not have time to stop as he had to meet someone to sell a machine and then someone else. I used the waiting time to phone two friends at a distance with whom I had not connected for a while - thankful for my unlimited cell minutes.

Finally at home, I finished the big pot of apples, talked to my s-i-l without losing my temper, emailed her pics of house and info on supplements, connected with a guy re propane connections at Beaver; he was going to call back in 20 minutes - that was about noon! Maybe tomorrow? Did some more FB, downloaded a bunch of photos, washed dishes, cooked supper, talked with R, who came home early!, re plans for tomorrow, made sure I have a book to read during the auction... Need to leave about 8 am, when we are usually semi conscious!

Delighted to be feeling good again. Must stay on track with supplements to maintain.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Sep 15 - 02:12 PM

DP, in the Chinese I Ching system is a cycle of days; one day in that cycle is called a Broken Day-- auspicious only for house-wrecking!

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Sep 15 - 11:27 AM

City:
Susan: your event plus mine causes me to think of a woman years ago who used to walk into the coffee house and announce: "This is an astrologically disastrous day!" The same era in which a still-good-friend suggested to another friend that she needed to clear her life of the negative persons. This needs to be continually addressed!

Feeling fine today. I guess I shan't de-clutter myself of R; his support was lovely! He did go off without BF this am as we slept in. Some discussion re whether or not it is the day for a trip to Quebec City on business. I am guessing not at this late hour - 3 hours up there and 3 separate places to visit. So I am acting as though it will or will not happen - that allows me to do things but be ready just in case... Went through a bin of "winter clothes" and happily found my little jacket that got me through last winter and a scarf, mitts, hats. Yes, it is coming to that! Already has in Bancroft so I delighted to find jacket. And QC is further north.

I have had BF, deleted emails, checked some interesting articles, washed apples in prep for stewing, finished putting away the clothes I washed yesterday, checked to see if there are any good musical events down near the mill, checked Craigslist free. Now I will check FB for messages and a bit more - I have cut time spent on it severely. I do take delight in a friend finally obtaining a home for herself and rescued critters, and other good things tha folks post.

Shortly I shall do those apples - a large potful.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Sep 15 - 09:53 AM

I decluttered a chronically toxic online communicator, telling her that from now on I will only deal with her face to face. I can't tell if she's actually a two-faced liar or what, but last night she was SO NICE first thing this morning, I got an online rant about an imagined action I had quite intentionally NOT taken. And she doesn't get access to me that way any more. If she wants to go there again she will have to face me, and reality. BOUNDARIES!!!

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Sep 15 - 06:52 AM

DP-- outrageous!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 24 Sep 15 - 10:55 PM

Cit:
No teeth pulled. On deck at the correct time, I was informed the anesthesia I need had not arrived, could I come back next week! Psyched up for this event and having driven down 5 hours to be here... SO, I waited to see if it would arrive - by Purolator, the supplier having sent it "regular" instead of the requested "priority"!

It arrived and I waited 'til they had an opening, getting colder and colder, hungrier and hungrier, and tired. STUPID is what happened next: I am on the "chair" with bin, and some stuff to "freeze" the area prior to injections. My head is down hill. The Dr. came int and informed me that I needed to sign a consent. He tried to explain it and show me on the x-ray what he was talking about. He failed to communicate clearly; I was totally confused. He got frustrated and left the room. The helper also left. Then I left.

IMO, the time for an explanation and consent was before I committed to this appointment - last week! I came home and ate, and ate, and ate. And phoned R to tell him, swearing like a trooper and totally furious by this time.

So tired all eve I felt like going to bed but managed to delete emails, check some FB, look up a few things and tell R "There is rice, make yourself "Indian". HE informs me that the dentist phoned him - our usual Treena, not the extractor guy - and they talked, she apologized and suggested a different doctor for my extractions. I am tempted to drive down to my former dentist in SE PA; I know he is trustworthy and knowledgeable about my environmental problems. This one was dumber than dishwater.

Or maybe just live with these teeth until they are more problematic. At least my bank account remains cluttered!

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Sep 15 - 04:28 PM

OH:

Just back from sidewalk outreach with scooter and dog-- that was FUN! I got over my shyness enough to recall old leafletting/politicking skills and met a lot of nice neighbors. A whole porch full of af-am high schoolers had just congregated at one house. From the flirting going on it didn't sound like they were related, so I gave 'em a handful.

Back at the house a few minutes later, two of the girls I'd seen there came strolling up the sidewalk. "Are you that lady having the songs thing?" Yes, and right here.

They then got bragging rights to The Neighborhood News, taking another flyer for a reason to go see good-looking Brandon up the street.... later, after they'd left him outside, he passed by with his flyer hanging out of his pocket. Not too cool to go to a song circle where pretty girls just might show up.

One of my goals had been good clean fun for neighborhood kids. To further encourage that, I put a fun CD on, by the front window. Tomorrow, a little after-school autoharping.

Hardi used to draw campground crowds when off fiddling in lonely pavilions-- trying not to disturb campers but often finding he'd drawn a crowd. Reckon I can do that. Lotta dry, cool Fall afternoons between now and scheduled song circle. May have to set Hardi's electric guitar out there too. Yoot luvs LOUD.

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Sep 15 - 01:56 PM

DP-- yes, people seeing to your home who know and love you-- priceless. We have that blessing in Ohio. Without Matt and Scott this place would not be a home.... it would be a misery.

OH: I vision ed a sign I can make for the lawn about the Oct. 4 Celebration Circle here, outreach for which got off track. Today Biscuit and I will scooter the hood while kids are streaming home from school, and hand out invites to take home. The sign will go up tomorrow. So funny--- ".... if only I'd brought that sign base with stakes! (like a realtor's sign)...." Oh yeah! I DID, last year, and I know just where it is (to cover with poster board). That's what we do with uninvited election signage that appears unbidden in our yard!

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 24 Sep 15 - 12:17 PM

City:
But my heart is still at Beaver! Tuesday I did errands while my friends- 3 of them- did a trojan job on the establishment! By day's end, trash was loaded onto trailer, the K was finished to the best of our abilities and materials, things were stashed in the sheds that needed stashing. It was wonderful to have others help with - "This needs to be trashed?" If these guys say "trash", I KNOW the object has no more value! We trash nothing that can be used - be someone, somewhere. And we live in a rural area where stuff can be given to those who need, as well as having numerous thrift shops - from which we purchase and to which we give.

There is something VERY special about having dear friends who see eye to eye on most things and who care about me and what I want and need, working on my home.

My long time dear mechanic fit in an oil change (Tuesday) during which a wheel bearing was found needful - "I wouldn't drive far..." So, just before 5 pm, he ordered the part and it was on its way; "come at 8 am and we will get it done before you need to leave for Montreal" . After another 3 dog night, I was there at 8 and got a ride home, put a fire in the wood stove, and when I was warm enough, I started painting. Finished the LR and replaced drape and furniture. I was into the K when the car came back. Took C back to the shop, paid the bill and returned to the painting. The gorgeous day, and open doors, helped.

In order to get to M at a reasonable time - 9 pm - I needed to leave about 3 so I forced myself to stop with a partly painted K at 2. Put up the nice wood paper towel et al holder and the clock. The oiled, with flax seed oil, cutting board is gorgeous. The cabinets took paint well but I need to remove the pulls before any more painting - just did enough to see the difference! Put a couple armfuls of wood in the cradle. Closed up and left, reluctantly.

I cannot believe I managed the energy for all I accomplished and the trip to Montreal. THEN I was tired! And R was not home AND the microwave refused to work AND I was hungry! So I had a piece of peach pie and R heated the soup and served me for a change! He may come home, whenever! - with a microwave from another building: "Please do not bring it here unless it is clean!" I am neurotic about CLEAN stuff in the K.

Today, I have only managed a light BF and deleting of emails. Soon to dentist to de-clutter the mouth of two useless teeth and seriously de-clutter the bank accounts!

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Sep 15 - 11:52 AM

OH:

I did not start with a buying plan but instinctively reached for used Amazon books for the Liberation Library housed in my Ohio office-- mostly antiracism materials. This week, as I unpacked the latest purchases, a dream came true-- multimedia categorization into syllabi, by unit of study.

The materials themselves proclaimed their categories. NOW I can make a buying plan-- adding films where I'm book-heavy, and vice versa. I have some music items also to incorporate.

Good timing too; the local BLM unit is considering how to use this house as a resource, such as hosting visiting activists (I'm next door to Beavercreek), and setting up seminars using that library.

I had thought I had to wait to live here full time to join local action. Glad I followed my instincts, not my fears. It's happening!

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Sep 15 - 11:20 AM

(((Linn)))

OH:

Say, this sleeping thing WORKS. 200 unread emails I sent myself (files to D/L) are now sorted into folders to actually work on saving them.

~S~

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Sep 15 - 09:51 AM

OH:

Last of car cargo unloaded to house n garage. Car now ready to vac for bringing O/T friend home from airport if she can settlecother travel dates to specify her time here. Gardening itens from car now all in garage. Space marked out for my conical towers which i will line with sphagnum abd set over a vine I like that has overspread the lawn-- enuf growing season left to climb the towers and obscure the rust. Ace has moss left. Yay! Flagstones overgrown in grass are now pried up to reset later-- but the path I'll put in later now has its shape defined.

One large bin half unpacked. The rest of the items will gradually go to their designated spaces as I pass the bin over the next few days.

Balance of trailer cargo can go into garage later today when neighbor on that side leaves for work-- not for her help but because it's always good, brief howdy time and I believe we haz plans tmrw.

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 Sep 15 - 09:39 AM

In the runup to this weekend's Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival, I've not had time for much of anything besides festival work for the past two weeks. But I managed to get another load of culch (but good cultch) to Goodwill yesterday after picking up the printed and folded Programs and before delivering the programs and the volunteers' badges to another board member who was out in the garage updating the sandwich boards that go outside each venue.

I keep trying to sort the rest of the 78s, 45s, and remnants of the LPs so I can call my dealer friend back and convert that cubic footage to small pieces of green paper (with which to pay my electrician and computer tech). I also have to check what's in the roll of movie posters before he comes back. I'll sell him the antique Rte. 4 sign as well.

Next Wednesday will be Tom's (Curmudgeon's) birthday and I again this year don't want to be home. I'm heading back to the Bath/Brunswick, Maine area to rediscover a signed John Just Geyer gravestone I last saw in the early 1980s when I showed it to Tom. I also hope to sell some early edged weaponry (halberd, boar spears, épées, Persian shield, and various knives. If I don't sell them, I'll at least get a better idea of their likely selling price from someone I trust (and maybe an idea of where to sell them).

Linn

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Sep 15 - 09:01 AM

That might have been the same program but I don't recall beneficiaries voicing design preferences, ever. In any event we would not contemplate decorating. Suggesting storage furniture maybe. Sketch an idea for their place and refer them to local, widely-available items at local stores. Hardi builds bookcases in a snap so that might be a feature for capitalizing on oddly proportioned nooks we spot.

OH:
My self-imposed retreat from pressures I had put myself under is having good effect. Simplifying and sleeping are in order. Peer counseling sessions have also resumed; my two regular co-counselors have both been tied up during a time of my own major stress but one is back from her own 2-houses-twds-retirement (fone). The other's usual fone session time is still not open as she continues recovery from a surgery; while I'm in Ohio I set up weekly session time in person with a local co-counselor.

I had a good talk with my internist ydy to explore some recent, baffling labs . and symptoms. She gave me a welcome course correction on meds, and settled me down to await full investigative (November) testing.

I think of Katlaughing often; how often she got close to being able to do the things she longed to do and how much she had to forego; my surgery gave me years I do not intend to waste-- no matter how difficult the details. I feel her urging me on sometimes.

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 23 Sep 15 - 09:44 PM

Back when I was still paying for cable there was a program called Clean House on one of the DIY networks. They went through and culled a lot of stuff, held a garage sale, then put back furnishings from someplace like Ashley that makes highly-polished crap. They were ruthless, and I remember really enjoying the one program where the woman was very unhappy and told them she thought their choices were idiotic. Especially after she told them what she wanted as a look - it was like they worked to do opposite of what she asked for.

About the only thing I've decluttered so far this week is an overdue book back to the library. :)

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Sep 15 - 10:35 AM

A Konmari strategy I read about, that resonated for me, involves tackling like items one category at a time thruout the home-- clothes for example. I purge that way and I tidy up that way, bouncing between rooms.

The 'do it all' approach reminds me of the Clean Sweep program and host Peter's follow-on business, especially as a friend and I contemplate an organizing business. Some folks do better with one approach and some others-- so it's good to be familiar with options instead of rigidly insisting a potential client follow one particular approach. And to work with hoarders it would make sense to offer their therapist a range of approaches to apply with a specific client.

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Sep 15 - 11:03 PM

I have a firestick, but I haven't used it much. I need to see what all it can do, so far I've mostly used it to stream NetFlix and Amazon Prime to the small TV in my crafting area (which at the moment is my dining room table).

I've heard about that Japanese book, its very popular right now. I'm a fan of the Don Aslett books myself. He gives you food for thought - time to consider why you're accumulating the things that you are.

Dinner was early today, during work, and a little snack when I got home, but no big heavy meal that is typical. I'm trying to shift now while the weather is still warm. Once there is a chill in the air all bets are off because I love cooking on cold days. No dog nights here, still a sheet and a ceiling fan.

The mail was full of stuff today and it looks like the holiday catalog season is here. Those pile up in a hurry if you let them - I think I'll take them to work for the lunch and break room table.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Sep 15 - 07:56 PM

I looked through that book just the other day. One thing it says is to NOT do things bit by bit but rather to take it all on at once. Hmmm. Food for thought. I would like to read more as it has lots of good reviews.


Michelle who didn't do much today other than look through new music to play on my violin.

PS. Did you know that if you have a Firestick, you can put notated music from YouTube right up onto your big screen tv....awesome for the eyes and way better sound than my computer!

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Sep 15 - 07:51 PM

Someone in our parish reports really enjoying the KONMARI process, AKA The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. Sounds close to what I already do and find so energizing. Anyone else?

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Sep 15 - 09:29 AM

DP, 3dog night-- the house almost got that cold last night. But for me, that's perfect sleeping weather!

OH:

I hit the wall yesterday.yesterday. Made it myself and aimed myself right into it. Had to dream myself out of it!

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Sep 15 - 09:50 PM

Better Beaver!

The K glitch is not totally fixed. I am thinking I do a lousy job of explaining. It would have been far better had I been on hand to clarify. HOPING tomorrow we will be able to rectify the remaining difficulty. In any case, the K is looking better and better and tonight I was able to put things in drawers and cabinets. That de-clutters the BR! If my energy holds I shall be able to paint the LR and put some furniture in place. Furniture - stuff put away!! More de-clutter!! It was really starting to get me down.

There is now glass in all the windows in the studio . It will be cold but not as much breeze blowing through. I put a very small fire in the wood stove to take the chill off the house tonight. The two BR windows that were so badly installed (by someone else) are to be redone tomorrow. I cannot close them completely. Maybe the glass door on the backdoor, too. But closing the eaves in the studio would be a priority. ARGHHHH! Hard to keep track of priorities!

Another type of clutter was the email and several phone calls I made last week to the volunteer coordinator when I was afraid I would not make it back for my shift at Gallery. NO response was highly stressful. I did make it back, of course, and she phoned me late on Friday to explain she had been at a silent retreat all week! So at the meeting today, I made a point of the need for a better protocol.

One of the worst clutters, imo, is people chattering during a meeting. Not only wastes time but prevents some of us from hearing the real business.

Now to bed - under my huge pile of covers - a 3 dog night!

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 21 Sep 15 - 07:37 PM

Today I worked in the kitchen and did some rearranging. I have several glass/ceramic baking pans that I don't use much during the spring and summer so I had them down low in a cupboard. Since it is beginning to cool down and I am more in the mood to bake, I moved the nested baking pans into the top shelf cupboard of the hosier. I moved a good deal of the baking items (Crisco, molasses, baking powder, baking soda, extracts, etc) into the bottom shelf....I can see and reach everything very nicely. I also did some rearranging of one of the jelly cupboards. This was a necessity as I had no where to go with several jars of tomato sauce that we canned this summer.

This morning I helped Pete pick all our pears. They aren't quite ready but they will ripen nicely off the tree. We had hoped to leave them ON the trees a bit longer but this morning we found 3 beautiful deer having themselves a nice breakfast of our pears! Sorry sweet deer. The apple trees are loaded and heavy with fruit...far more than we will be able to use....enjoy those. :)

Finally got a referral to an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes and thyroid disorders. I am currently taking a ridiculously high amount of insulin and it isn't working. Time for something new, maybe. I have a new doseage of Synthroid and after having had it for a few weeks, I'm feeling somewhat better. I'm going to ask that they do more than the standard TSH4 this time and really dig into what's going on with me. That will happen the first week in October and I am SO ready for it.

Jeremiah is all tucked into bed after taking a shower all by himself (HOORAY) and I am waiting to have dinner with Pete. The air is chilly and smells like fall. I'm loving it.

Love to all,

Michelle

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Sep 15 - 02:32 PM

OH:

O frabjous joy! The USPS-held mail from the last 4 weeks just arrived-- all the Amazon goodies I had sent to myself here. One item is a box full of CD envelopes-- I go thru so many and got a GREAT deal on these.

Another great box: a set of free teaching kits from Teaching Tolerance, free that is to school, church, or community organization teachers. GREAT stuff:

http://www.tolerance.org/teaching-kits

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Sep 15 - 08:52 AM

Brrrrry Beaver!

So I got up after trying for a while to get warm with the 3 quilts and heating pad. Went in house, fought the feather bed into the cover I had, put on a sort of t-shirt dress with long sleeves, took some supplements for cramping legs, struggled back out to the studio with this monster - must weigh 25 pounds! Turned heating pad to medium, struggled under the humongous pile of covers and, eventually, slept. Felt as though there were a couple large dogs on top of me! By 7:30, I was conscious enough to rise again - not singing.

Now I am BFed and waiting for crew. Hope we can solve the K glitch so I can de-clutter the BR of K stuff and, maybe I shall feel more like painting - tomorrow as today is an Art Gallery day including the volunteer meeting at day's end. This amount of clutter/disorganization is finally getting to me - combined with the cold weather impending.

I found the scale this morning and am still holding at 160. Holding is better than going up!

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Sep 15 - 08:22 PM

Beaver:

A waitress who knows, is a joy!

Not much accomplished today. A period of nausea which I fixed with rice - forever to cook in microwave! And beets. Then something went awry and I ate cookies - again. Then I could do nothing. Finally I managed some small things - about an hour at a time. Washed the cutlery so I can put it away and washed my hair. Both required heating water in microwave. Need to find someone to connect stove and to deal with hot water situation - get it connected...

Then found out my crew is coming tomorrow and I still have not figured out a solution to the not quite the way I was hoping Kitchen! Hope we can work it out in am before I have to dash off to Art Gallery. I cleared the K so work can continue.

So, today I was going to get the interior painted and.... Some days are like this. Still have Tuesday, and Weds am she says hopefully. It really is getting cold outside! The solar gain in the studio from the big window was great with today's sunshine but bet it is cool already. The house is. Always thankful for heating pad!

I have a suspicion that being in the house most of day was not good for me. I hope a night out in the studio will give me a lift. I would put the air cleaner on but the house will be open while they work tomorrow so there is no point until the interior work is done and the house closed.

Now I am going to bed before I get hungry.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Sep 15 - 06:39 PM

OH:

My one and only "junk day" in 6 weeks past and 6 more to come.... just ended abruptly with the health crisis of a PA colleague... and I've gone looking for how to reach his wife. Great that my fridge was set up for quickie mode.

I'm also finished unloading the DW and reloaded it.

It's amazing how having a house JUST the right size keeps me clean, decluttered, and happily active. The memory is that disorder seen with the eye will be WAY more than I can EVER clear up. The reality is that a few days' disorder is a small, sweet piece of cake.

The rule for anything loaded for OH is: if I do not know EXACTLY where it will go, it's not loaded.

Subject: RE: 'Clutter's Last Stand' +fitness July thru Sep 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Sep 15 - 03:36 PM

I'm doing the "move the garden sprinklers" dance this weekend. Crops are taller and get hit by the jet, so a more distributed gentle spray is called for. Easier said than done, however, when you have more than one sprinkler inline on a hose.

The first part of the Parmesan dishes is ready - the tomato sauce. I don't have enough home grown tomatoes this year, so I shopped around and found canned organic tomatoes at Winco. They have a store brand of whole tomatoes, and for every large can of those I bought a can of Muir Glen roasted tomatoes (diced) to add to the mix. Organic onions, homegrown organic peppers, garlic, and herbs, (there is also good olive oil and ground Italian sausage) mushrooms added last. Today I'll make the eggplant and chicken and layer it together. I'll also freeze portions of the sauce (I made nearly 2 gallons).

Laundry is underway, as is general cleaning, and if there is time, some eBay stuff. I'm building up my supply of active listings again.