More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015

Subject: More 'Clutter's Last Stand: Oct - Dec 20
From: GUEST, Don Aslett Acolyte
Date: 01 Oct 15 - 12:01 AM

A question was asked near the end of the last thread: What's the underlying principle for YOUR priorities, as you reclaim your space?

It seems to have struck a cord, so is a good starting point for this quarter's thread. I have noticed that staggering tall and short in a space looks better to me than uniform pieces - a tall cabinet next to a tabletop cabinet, and on the table next to the cabinet, a tall piece of art. More tabletop space, then a tall lamp. The variation in height is comfortable and pleasing to the eye.

Also in that post, the following remarks:

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. . .

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.

As you (and this includes regular lurkers) consider the process of bringing order to your overstuffed household, what looks good, feels good, to you? Lurkers, we always appreciate your thoughts, because you often surprise us with your results.

Some of us have puttered at this for years as we spend spare time in a work week dividing our time between recreation, regular maintenance, and tackling the decluttering rooms or houses. Others drop in and tell us about reading along and deciding to do it all in one fell swoop. All approaches are interesting, and we look forward to reading about what YOU do to manage the stuff in your living space.

A final thought: lists are helpful. Listing projects you want to do gives you something you can prioritize. But make sure you have a list that reflects all of the things you have to do. The big list on the fridge might show the tasks you want to accomplish over the next few months, but to give yourself a view into what you actually do with your time, be sure there is a list on the counter that includes shopping, laundry, cleaning the house, cooking ahead for the week, and more. Crossing off those items is likely to give you the best view of your productive self and help you decide which items need to come first on the big list.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Oct 15 - 08:39 AM

Another idea in the last thread was about monthly goals. For me, that always starts not with that time range, but with the ultimate,long-range vision.

That vision drives all the interim goals, and that's behind the recent productivity here in Ohio: these are the projects that show the fist vision I had when I first toured the house and sat in it while the inspector inspected. Dream time, for me, while I listened to the house speaking to me.

Every project since-- my answering.

So picture a chart-- rows and columns.

Reading down, the categories are yours to choose. It might be by room, or as the OP describes, ALL the wellness areas of your life (Health, Household Beauty/Order, Fitness, Family, etc).

Reading across (and the first column becomes your daily task list):
Today, This Week, This Month, This Season, This Year, Next Year, Five Years, Forever.

You may not fill it in all at once, but start at the Forever end. The shorter time frames--in areas you really care about-- will come soon.

Keep it where you'll see the chart daily... seeing your vision, in that Forever column, will guide you. And it need not all be text. It might be pix you draw or magazine clippings. It might all be in song titles.....


OH:

Today, my only project involves dogs meeting each other.

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Oct 15 - 08:42 AM

PS, every 5 years, revisit ALL of it and make a new chart. ;-)

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Oct 15 - 08:10 PM

Ahhhh. A new month! October happens to be my favorite month of the year....I love the cooler temperatures, the beautiful colors, the smells....all of it!

Because we are currently down to one reliable vehicle, I am home most of the time as Pete takes my car to work. This is fine except that it means grocery shopping has been a challenge. Today I had an appointment to have my port flushed at the chemo clinic which is about 80 miles away. Pete worked from home today so he would be here when Jeremiah got home and I took the car. Normally I have someone go along just for the company but today I went alone. I needed that alone, away from home time for a little bit. Being that I was out of town and had the whole day to myself, I did some major grocery shopping. I'm not sure when I'll get to go again so I loaded up. Now I'm home and everything has been put away and I feel like I did a stellar job of making the most of the money I had budgeted. My Nana always liked to say she could make a penny scream and I did that today!

I also stopped at the Salvation Army in Danville where I was hunting for a light blue oxford shirt, tie and vest for Jeremiah. He wants to be Chase from Paw Patrol (think dog police officer). I found all 3 and spent under $6.00. I already have some silly glasses for him, a mustache and a pack of play police badges. All I have to do now is make a police hat and pick up some face paint and he is set for Halloween. :)

I know having long term goals works for lots of people but I'm not one of them. I have found that for myself, I do better with short term goals, otherwise I tend to put things off and off and off thinking that I have time to do XYZ later. Which brings me to my next point.

My decluttering goal for October is to empty out my office as much as possible, selling some things and donating others. My office is laid out so that half is my sewing room (which is organized nicely, thank you very much) but the other half has been a catch all for far too long. I did a little bit of sorting the other day and found Jeremiah's infant car seat. Um. He's 5 now. Buh bye car seat. I also found a HUGE stash of Legos and Hot Wheels that I found at a yard sale and forgot I had. Hello Santa! I am all set for his Christmas except his annual night before Christmas goodie box of new jammies, a movie and snacks. I even have stocking stuffers! YAY MOMMY! Ok...ok...let's get back on topic...goals. My other goal is to have our bedroom in order. We are never in our room except to sleep and sometime that doesn't even happen. I have gotten into the bad habit of not putting things away in there and it's a mess. I guess I do that because I think...well, who is going to see it? Just us....but I've decided I want to wake up to a nice organized space. I think it will take one solid day of going through clothes and bags (I am going to suck it up and get rid of a BUNCH of my bags...I love them but I don't use most of them and all they do is take up space that I could be filling with fabric *wink*). Seriously though....there is a lot that can go and I am ready to part with a lot of it.

So there it is, I want my office in order and our bedroom.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Oct 15 - 08:30 PM

Beaver!

No signal at home so I am in the parking lot a Tim Horton's. Light in car does not work so I have a flashlight under my chin! Sun went behind the hill at 6:30 tonight! May be more errors than usual. How to, what to de-clutter!!!????

!st: the chin did not hold so I had to come inside and OOPs - hungry! Food.

2. Major haircut today!

3. Phoned neighbour to let him know the comfrey plant he would like is in jeopardy as a propane tank will be going "Right there!" So he will remove it tomorrow.
4. Neighbour warned of frost tonight so I put a sheet over tender plants lest they be de-cluttered.
5. Lecture on LED lighting by friend in charge of lighting dept at Home Hardware - help to de-clutter electric bill and alleviate SAD. Rather than clutter my brain - just tell me what to buy!
6. Life became cluttered when no one had opened the Art Gallery! Seeing someone wanting to see the current show, I opened up, phoned another volunteer and stayed until she could arrive. While I was there, I had a great conversation with the young reporter for the local paper and helped her do a photo set up. In the process, she told me my nemesis (the reason I left town 15 years ago) has retired! "Good riddance!" I encouraged her to watch her back and call me if she needed help. OK! NOT de-cluttering - for me but maybe for her.
7. Majorly- After long talk with propane provider - very nice man - I phoned R and I think we agreed "We don't need this". "This" being the over $1000 it will cost to have the propane installed and hooked up at an exorbitant rate. R agreed to "phone Ziggy", who is qualified, and get advice. Less de-cluttering of one's bank account is always a good thing.

As for planning years in advance. Never have. never will - that is too much clutter for me. A month is possible, a week might work but I start most days with a short list and am delighted to accomplish most, or even some. Even the list in my head does not go very far into the future. No long term goals. Just trying to keep it all together from week to week. Wrest some order out of chaos. Make a few - or at least one - oases of order in the midst of it all.

Do my darndest to stay as healthy as possible. Take advice from those I trust. Help others to learn to care for themselves; share what works for me -body, mind, spirit.

This morning, Iny told me, in amazed perplexity, that the Gallery was not open; did I know who was supposed to be there? She was volunteering at A Place for the Arts. When I went to the Gallery and looked at the calendar - Iny was in the wrong place! It confused my morning and Isla's morning but it all worked out. When I saw Iny about 4 pm and we talked it over, we agreed, "The world is unfolding just the way it is meant to!" I got no painting done nor pots thrown .... What constitutes clutter? Perhaps it, too, is in the eye/mind of the beholder?

And I met some interesting people whom I would not have met - today - had my day been unfolding differently.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Oct 15 - 08:49 PM

Interesting that where I write 'vision', some folks see 'planning'....

But then whatever any of us writes is of course only useful to others if it's useful. A lot of people are living fuller lives by that method, which is not my creation.

OH:

Foster dog Newbie (small rott/shep/pit/heinz mix) is settling in... TBTG I had a lot of chew toys on hand. Poor thing is trying to bury them in a lino floor on a slab. In the patio, evety placecshectried had a single under the vines-- anti-termite trick by the wood fence. She'll improvise.... and hasn't QUITE humped poor Biscuit to death. The oddest command stops her when I see Biscuit nearing frustration-- MINE. Mine???? Where did that come from? It works!

Life the next few days is crazy busy. Plus Newbie, whose crate will hopefully come via US very soon.... in the meantime Biscuit will be in HER crate in their shared space til my usual 3am wakeup.

More fun working with dogs today than I can say... but my fitness app ran way over my goals about 3, so I expect to sleep well tonight!

~SusanLivingTheVISION

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Oct 15 - 09:32 PM

Fitness tracker see I met my 5000 today. Yay! Rather have critter steps than treadmill steps, any day. Just how I roll!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Oct 15 - 10:28 PM

Vision or planning, either way for me is the same. I can't visualize things in the far out distant end just as I don't plan for much longer than a month at a time...I get overwhelmed. That's how I operate best. It's always a good thing when you recognize what suits you best. There's no right or wrong...just a matter of knowing what works best for ourselves.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Oct 15 - 11:40 PM

I disagree about not having long-term goals, but it is how you accomplish them that makes a difference. The long-term goal of having the house in shape to sell if I decide to move for another job or to retire means that I strategically plan a series of tasks that are short term in nature but that ADD UP TO the longer term goal of having the house in shape. Paint, tile, woodwork, attic work, landscaping, they all are part of having the house in shape to sell - which doesn't have a date attached, but I know these other things need to be accomplished to reach that point. So I have to determine which task to do now, which comes later, depending on cost, time involved, hiring help, etc. I have put a list of these things on the fridge that I want to try to do during the next year, and crossing off a fraction of them is an accomplishment. I suspect, when it comes down to it, that Linn has a list of things that add up to a house in good shape so she can decide to stay or to sell, and though Susan doesn't own the house she's in, she has a lot of short-term tasks that add up to the long term goal of moving to the new house. I've lost count of how many places Dorothy is moving in and out of, but I'm sure there are goals involved. :) We watched Andrea fix up one house then move to the one she's in now, and then the months of renovations to achieve the current comfortable house. Back when Penny was posting here, she had a similar project, and it was fascinating to read about her discoveries and decisions. All long term goals with short-term steps along the way.

Last year I finally completed a refinishing job that involved converting a dresser (with a knee hole and a mirrorless frame) into a buffet with cupboard doors and an enclosed space (the frame backing was screwed onto the back of the dresser and a shelf put in for the base). It sat in my sun room for a long time with stuff stacked on it while I considered the possibilities of how to do the job. I don't remember what finally tipped me over the edge of deciding to finish it, but it is now a lovely piece in my dining room. That was a relatively short term project that took a long time because I had to consider how to convert the furniture. Other things don't take so much consideration, like painting a room or hallway, or changing out light fixtures. Every project isn't equally creative and sometimes the simplest ones can have the biggest impact (like painting a room).

Halloween costumes: I had a lot of fun making costumes for and then with my kids. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that my daughter majored in Theater Arts/costume design at the university - she'd had her initial exposure to that creative process at home. She managed to take it from a hobby to an art form and possibly a career. You never know what thing you do with your child is going to make the biggest impression. :)

You can correct the new dog when it does the hump/I'm in charge here move on the other dog - when the new dog tries to take charge, it's time for a walk to show them both who is in charge. You. The new dog may end up being the dominant animal, but you are the pack leader.

Tomorrow I declutter my wallet at the nearby auto dealership when I take the car in for some needed work. A recall, an oil change, and new tires. Even though I shopped around, compared prices, and they gave me the offer of a few dollars off per tire, I know they'll still manage to achieve sticker shock at the end of the day.

My parting thought: there was a wonderful image on facebook today, forwarded by a librarian friend:

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Oct 15 - 05:02 AM

Acme, was there sposed to be a link to an image or sumpin?

Methinks Michelle and Acme are BOTH 'right,' and here's how I resolve the apparent dichotomy.

Going purely by what you've presented in these decluttering/fitness threads, Michelle, I'd gather your primary vision is about family.... that's what everything else is subsidiary to, right? That vision could be shown as a poem or picture, in that Forever column, with you as the farm-woman-strong, healthy great-grandmother of a large, flourishing brood in the world, with ancient Pete at your side?

If that's even close, you *might* find some of those other columns filling in.... or you might be so creatively wired that-- for you-- being bound by a plan does not make sense during your years of most-active parenthood. After all, as the saying goes: Man proposes, God (Life) disposes. Your several degrees and careers, your frequent repurposing of rooms.... all sound to me like creative flexibility toward your vision.

And Acme is right by virtue of 'task analysis' (which Google can explain for you non-classroom teachers).

So it IS about different strokes. It's also about different semantics, as well as different life stages.

If you re-read my post above, I described how it looks for ME. I gave away years of experience applying a method used by many, whose homes are a constant delight of balance and simple beauty. But I think that by now folks know I mentally add YMMV to every post. If not, now ya do.

My life stage, health, and family history make me one of the old ladies of this thread. Take the best, and leave the rest. I do not have enough hours in the day to explain that again. I got my LIFE back and I plan to LIVE it!

;-)

So see my gray hairs, wouldja please? Cripes, I been HERE for fifteen years now, and I warn't a spring chicken when I crossed that road!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Oct 15 - 11:30 AM

Cold weather has arrived which in my house means it's crock pot time! I use the regular one often throughout the year but last year I was given a triple crock pot (that was on my wish list) that I had out on my main counter until spring arrived. I love it but it is long and takes up space I'd rather have for chopping and such. So...today I am rearranging the items on my kitchen counters. I have a 3 foot section of counter where I have a rarely used Kitchen Aide mixer and a toaster oven...both have been there for years. Then I have a very small counter between the door and the stove that has held a primitive clock. This morning I moved the clock and put the toaster oven there. The mixer will go into the mudroom to be pulled out when needed. On that 3 foot section of now clear counter space, I am going to put the bread maker (currently on my main counter taking up more space than I'd like) and the triple crock pot. :) Now my main counter is mostly clear except for a piece of pottery that holds several cooking utensils at one end and the microwave at the other end.

I think this relates to Susan's question about my underlying principle for reclaiming space....as of late, I am finding that sparsely covered table tops, counters, dressers, nightstands, entertainment centers, washer and dryer, vanity, etc....I just like them cleared. I have a ledge over my sink and a CD rack behind it that has a flat top on it. It is currently covered with CDs that don't fit on the stand. It bugs me and has bugged me for awhile so maybe..MAYBE I'll dust those off and try to find a new space for them. Every time I do the dishes I think....gee, I should take care of that but then get side tracked into a hundred other things.

    I'm making a big pot of chili for tonight. The house is chilly and that will help warm things up. I also have a turkey that is ready to be roasted....having the oven on for a few hours will take the chill out of the air too, I hope. I think it's crazy to have to turn the heat on so early in the season but perhaps Pete will build a fire tonight. The polar fleece sheets go on the beds today and everyone gets an extra quilt. :) The air conditioner has been taken out of Jeremiah's room and the one in the kitchen will come out tonight too. I'm leaving one in our bedroom but only because sometimes we still get a pretty warm spell during October and I just can't tolerate a hot bedroom.

Have a great day everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 02 Oct 15 - 12:23 PM

Kitchen counter space is valuable real estate in my kitchen as well. I have my Kitchenaid blender on a 1-cupboard-wide counter between the stove and the fridge. On the opposite side of the stove on an identical-sized counter I also have a pottery pitcher with wooden spoons and spatulas. I had more there, but recently rearranged the bookcases in the dining area of the kitchen and now one next to that counter holds the spinning Pampered Chef tool turn-around and a couple of large recipe boxes and jars of pasta that used to be out of sight in a cupboard so I always forgot about it. I have reached a point where I want to see everything, and can't decide what should go in the cupboards. With the dogs in the house I'm not going to take off the cupboard doors (at least not down below). My cabinets aren't Martha Stewart tidy so I'm not ready to take off those upper doors either.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Oct 15 - 01:36 PM

Beaver:
The use of different words, or the same words having different meanings and/or triggering different thoughts for different people. "Life is what happens while we are planning." Lots of thoughts triggered by recent posts. Grade 7 history class (circa 1949): designing houses and thinking I want to live in the middle of 1000 acres; I would have to marry an artist, farmer or writer. No plan. (I hated history class!)

!967: I moved to Canada with the "plan" of buying a piece of land and building a wee cabin. Reality: I bought a used car and took my kids camping in the maritimes and Quebec for a few summers. We had fun. The plan was now a vision: someday I would live at the end of a dirt road with no amenities; I did not buy ANY electrical appliances for years.

1981: Rented a cabin on a knoll back a dirt road - no amenities - for a few years. Loved it!
1989: With the help of dear friends, was able to achieve the dream - full vision accomplished and enjoyed for 10 years.

All this I thought about this am as the sun gradually came up and brightened the west hill from top to bottom, eventually hitting the back yard. Woods all around me - not mine so I don't have to pay the taxes. This home was not a plan; this was reaching the point of realizing it was time to do something sensible - close to town, amenities, convenience... The plan was to be back here where it feels like home. Achieved.

Clearly my life has not been planned. At least not consciously. I feel a kinship to Tigger's bumbling through the 100 Acre Wood. I might have made it to Pooh's house, via a circuitous route. My plan for this house is to make it nicely, simply, livable - my way.

I spent time last night and this morning unpacking a few more things and thinking about/planning? what to do very next: take the handles off the kitchen cabinets so I can get on with the painting. I even had the first two doors open as I went about the other sorting! Closed them when it was time to leave for the Gallery! Maybe, when I get back this afternoon, I will open them again and even pick up the screwdriver and get to it.

Last night I hung a huge drape across the unfinished wall between LR and BR. Such an improvement - until we decide how to finish it. That 10 foot by 8 foot drape, innocuous cream and beige with nicely woven in pattern, was last used in 1999 at my special home. I was glad to find I had not de-cluttered my life of it. Then I arranged two small pieces of furniture and put stuff back in them - one at each end of the sofa - which is still in Quebec!

Yep. That is a plan.

The grass was white this am and I slept well under my pile of quilts and feathers! With the heating pad on medium now. The man who will be bringing another 6 face cord of wood came by at 7:30 to check where I want to put it. Not above the window level! My friend, the logger who cuts the wood, when we conferred about the delivery guy, noted, "He's a few logs short of a load!" He does a great job of delivering wood.

Glad for M's reminder to use the crock pot. Maybe I can fill mine with good stuff before I take the handles off. That means I plan to go to the store for said goodies -- scratch that. I'll do it tomorrow so I can get good veggies at the Market. Still hoping for a couple folks to get that mattress into the house! Then PLAN to paint in small pieces to keep fuming down. Maybe do a bunch on Sunday am and then go somewhere... Two hours tonight between leaving here and coming back for reception, then bed. That could be a good plan. Glad we thought of it!

Vision: getting the house to the point where I have time/energy to make pots! May that not be a fantasy!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Oct 15 - 08:03 PM

OH:

Today was largely given over to more dog introdiction and a vet visit. In between I won a fight with Sears about covering a service call. Long story, ew!

I neatened and did some administrivia, and swapped two nightstands so my expected HS friend will have more stowage space. I purged a pile of paper and started prep for vacuuming tomorrow.

But the dogs got me to my fitness goals.... so I set them a notch higher.

Tomorrow I'll be awaiting a Sears svc call and slicing up thrift shop fabric for no-sew lawn chair seat covers. Red plush fleece bottoms and cherries on a white background for the tops, with red ties. Hardi will tack the layers together at the August visit.

I started the next packlist for PA stuff to bring--more AR/Liberation Library materials, and a short legal-sz file cabinet. No trailer-- all car stuff-- cuz winters here is mighty slushy. AR lead trainer visiting here maybe week after next, to see Library and discuss plans for its use.

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Oct 15 - 02:52 AM

Yes, it didn't go through. Trying again: App/Lap.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Oct 15 - 10:51 AM

A full computer backup ran overnight, and that new very large hard drive is now set aside out of view, and will come out monthly for an incremental backup. This frees up the previous external hard drive that was used for backups. There are still things to be moved out of my main computer drives for use but that don't take up so much space on my D: drive.

Just the usual stuff this weekend. Cleaning, recycling, yard work. I have a couple of small sewing projects that need doing.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Oct 15 - 01:15 PM

OH:

Worn in a jacket pocket-- not ideal, leg pocket just ordered will be more accurate-- vacuuming the LR and kitchen is about 800 steps. Luckily, Newbie does not fear or chase vacuums.

Also this AM:
. linens for chair covers moved to workroom;
. dog bedding sprayed with bitter apple (anti-chew),
. bottle mixed oh Get Down Dammit mixed and set chairside (equal parts bitter apple/vinegar).

SO happy to have found a missing spray bottle, already labeled for Garden Spray, so I can mix SMALL quantities of vinegary weed killer. That saves a trip to the county haz waste disposal, for the gallon sprayer Hardi sent me down here with, half full of dursban. But I do know where to take it later, and I don't really need gallons of spray til spring. The little one will work now that growth is slow to nil.

Lots more stepping today, as I prep the house and yard for Celebration Circle tomorrow evening. This week, I was able to put my rolling 'workshop' bag back into the office to pack for workshops to present-- because when I took two cushy floor pillows out for CC, I discovered that the upholstered black cube didn't have anything else in there as I'd thought-- enabling me to unpack the rolling bag. So that cube is now Celebration Circle Central: songbooks, story books, rhythm instruments, face paint..... all easily held in a cube you can sit on. I'll make a CC label for it in PA (have full-page computer labels there).

The last CC also was sked for outdoors, and also fell victim to weather as is likely tomorrow; it was easy to arrange seating for 12 in this LR, with more space/seating by sliding one shelf sideways that presently acts as a low kitchen divider.

The office/tv/guest room seats 6-8, by simply sliding 2 small recliners into a different configuration: the guest bed in there is my old Boondocker cot, reinforced with plywood, as a long bench. Toy box as second bench, stools added. That room's rug is a SOB to vac, so will do in the AM-- after I cut up that fabric in there tonight.

Easy peasy, a little at a time! Same setup for workshop mode! I'll take pix, in case I'm not here to set up for the next CC or workshop.

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Oct 15 - 02:01 PM

Fall has arrived rather abruptly here. It's not just cool outside, it's cold! Not much around this house is set in stone, thank goodness because I didn't get the kitchen finished. We decided it was time to light the pellet stove which is fabulous but I had been using the top of it to hold some things (a fan and a medium sized tote of paper stuff) and Jeremiah had toys around the base. So....Jeremiah and I worked together to get that area all spiffy, floor swept (good grief, there was a LOT of dog hair back behind there), toys put away, my paper stuff relocated for now and once the momentum was going, we did some other cleaning up in here too, some dusting, toy organizing and putting away of just stuff. :)

Today I am on my 3rd load of laundry, have a pot of chili simmering on the stove, a turkey in the oven that should be done within the next 2 hours or so and some fun playing Trouble with Jeremiah. It's raining and blustery outside so we are completely enjoying our family day at home. :) I see some sewing time for myself later this afternoon.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Oct 15 - 03:44 PM

Lol I misread that you were having trouble playing with Jeremiah, and were on your 3rd BOAT load of laundry.... nonono!

OH:
Since I have few enough RSVP's for CC to be pretty sure we won't need to jam in the bedroom, I asked myself what SUSAN wants to get out of CC-- cuz this ain't a class, and I get to be there too. There are songs I am dying to pass along, and my printer's finally viable, so-- creating songsheets from excellent Mudcat resources, on which to write the chords I'd already roughed out on scrap paper... got about 7 done and may do a few more.

First, off to the local kennel with Newbie. I don't know her well enough to trust her yet with children, and am expecting several at CC.

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Oct 15 - 09:23 PM

Half the CC setup done (and foto's posted); also finished unloading trailer except for ramp, just cuz I was out there anyway-- moving my car to the 2nd driveway. Topped out today at 2666 steps, but I'm sick. Also a lot of it was lifting.

But the thermostat got changed today, which may have resolved the inadequate cooling of the AC. I'll know tomorrow, when sunlight returns and bakes the roof. Worth every penny! I got the non-programmable digital version-- anyone in residence walks by it a million times a day. Easy to adjust if needed, and this is easy enough to use even if we let someone else use the house in our absence, which is part of the plan, starting with family and close friends. (That programmable one was not only busted, but a PIA!)

And I folded a lot of laundry, sorting it by where it goes tomorrow. Another 800 steps of vacuuming, maybe 200 of dusting. Then outdoor chairs to place, since the first hours of CC for kids should be warm and sunny (according to the latest crazy forecast). I boarded foster dog Newbie for the occasion, who BTW looks just like Gomer Pyle's Sgt. Carter when he's chagrined. ;-) Down to the last wrinkle!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Oct 15 - 11:14 PM

The paper buildup reached a point today where I had to start filing and shredding. Quite a bit has also gone into the recycle bin. This seems to go hand in hand with the computer clean-out and I'm making progress.

The pellet stove sounds great; my house used to have a heatalator but it rusted out before I moved in. The fireplace is not well-built and doesn't draw efficiently so I have blocked it off completely.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Oct 15 - 11:00 AM

We blocked a fireplace as well-- with a wide bookcase that fills the very wide hearth. Don't miss it at all-- outdoor fires are such easier maintenance. Plus more seating capacity. The OH house's sellers even left me a portable fire pit for the huge patio.

OH:

I miss Newbie!

CC prep is back in full swing. Fabric cut, tunes pouring out a window, flyers ready as I see passersby. Sewing for chair covers to be done outside. Two styles of chairs; two mockups to copy are done for 4 chairs. (There are 3 of the one style, but that's not getting a cover now.)

Tables to clear for shared snacks. Vac job due soon. Settin' now!

I'm so grateful to the Mudcatters who gathered with us in PA; they taught me well. Especially: how to pace myself!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Oct 15 - 03:56 PM

OH:

I topped out at 2000 steps for setup. Used scooter to un-garage chairs, and to meet a few more neighbors. I ate lunch out front..... lots of drive-by looks at the chairs set up out there...

I'm in this for the long haul, so I'm happy they'll have something to remember when the flyers go out again (or get sent home with Halloween candy).

I took and then posted all setup pix, for the areas that will be available tonight, drawing on our MudGather hosting experience. I wish Catspaw was still on the planet; he'd have been just a short ride away. In his honor, I took the setup as easy as possible. ;-) Next year I'll invite Karen and gang.

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 04 Oct 15 - 05:28 PM

So last night I picked all the meat off from the turkey and boiled the bones resulting in approximately 2 gallons of broth which was put into the fridge for the night. I was surprised at just how little fat needed to be skimmed this morning. I made a small pot of turkey noodle soup for my nana in the nursing home. Her turkey noodle soup was always one of my favorites so it makes me feel pretty good to make some for her. :)

Jeremiah had a soccer game this afternoon where I passed the soup on to my mom who will get it to my nana. Afterwards we went out for ice cream. :) A special treat for Jeremiah who had a stellar week at school.

Back home and helped with some pen work for the new calves. Oh my word but they are cute. Then some laundry, packing lunches for the week, warming up some leftover chili for dinner to go with a cheesy quesadilla.

Tomorrow I meet with my new endocrinoloist. I still need to make a list of my current meds, a list of things I am experiencing and questions that I have. I hope it is a good fit. Having had more than my share of doctor visits, I have learned that I need to speak up for myself, I need a doctor who LISTENS and one who meshes with my personality. Condescending, rude doctors are no longer tolerated. I'm crossing my fingers that this is a good fit.

I am planning to get some Halloween decorations out this week as well as our portable fire pit. I am wishing it was already out as tonight would be a great evening for it.

Have fun ya'll!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Oct 15 - 07:12 PM

Mending is out of the way and a favorite leather handbag is now back in service with a repaired lining.

Dog bedding has been laundered and created tremendous amounts of hairy lint in the dryer. Now to vacuum the house to capture a lot more of the dog hair drifting around here.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Oct 15 - 09:22 PM

CC successful as a neighborhood activity for young adults. Very pleased that outreach in this diverse neighborhood met my chief goal: multiculturality.

Need to recruit a partner next time-- to keep it going while I take a short supper break!

Some items from setup already put back. More over the next few days.

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Oct 15 - 02:33 PM

LR/K restored. Garage cleared for better chair storage space. One chair stored, 9 more metal ones to go as the week progresses. Chair cover fabric (cut) bagged to go home for winter sewing.

~S~

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Oct 15 - 03:49 PM

Beaver, via Tim Horton's!

No signal last few days. Weather is heavy.

Volunteered at Gallery on Friday, loaded pottery back in car when I got home and ahd supper. Out of house by 7:15 Ast for the MArket. Sold lots but near froze to death! Another vendor lent me a huge quilt to wrap myself! Visited friend in the Grove and picked up a check for the heirloom china I took them a couple weeks ago. Still conflicted over giving it up. I was worth nothing after I got home. Food and bed.

Sunday: Finished painting BR and put away lots of stuff. Closed off the doorways with plastic. fabric, doors and windows open to evacuate fumes, fire in stove turned up to keep warm! Did do a crock pot of veggies.

But today, did a last bit of floor, moved two bookcases into probable places, put down a few throw rugs, ran out of steam after an early lunch. Went to store for boiled Linseed oil to put on floor slate tiles and some plastic feet for one to go on cutting board for hot pots. Maybe one for the other side of stove also. Stopped to visit at Gallery, now here. Soon home to eat and read and hope for a burst of energy - to remove cabinet door handles and prepare for more painting in K. Maybe even get some done.

R is excited about having gotten all the instruction and parts to install propane stove and heater. He also made progress: collected the large forklift from previous owner and drove it to the mill; moved a bunch of stuff out of the way in prep for moving that huge machine to a place where it can be photographed for prospective buyer! He informs me that he found there are more cabinets there for the K here! Rather too late as all is done. Organization is difficult when there is too much room and too much stuff. I suspect he will be up along about Friday for our Thanksgiving weekend. Weather for the week highs of 57-63; low of 34. chilly!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Oct 15 - 04:42 PM

Go Dorothy!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Oct 15 - 08:45 PM

Visit to new endocrinology team was AMAZING!!!!   Every single part of the visit from the time I walked in the door until the moment I left....I am THRILLED with!!!

I know it doesn't relate to decluttering but it certainly is going to help in the fitness area....in a HUGE way!

It's nice to have a doctor who actually hears me regarding my practically dead thyroid and blood sugars that seemingly haven't been touched by the HUGE amounts of insulin I have been taking lately. I had some very large concerns about kidney issues but thankfully, there is nothing to be concerned with on that topic.

She told me, "You are going to be feeling MUCH better in the very near future." I cried...tears of relief.

She walked me down to the lab and on the way there I apologized for crying and she stopped me and she said that people don't understand just how exhausting and horrible people feel when their thyroids are so unbalanced. The normal range is something like 0.3 to 4. Mine is 29.something or other. She promises to have me sitting pretty at 1 before long. I felt heard and I felt hope. I even allowed for some day dreaming about what I will do when my energy levels return....it's a wonderfully pleasant thing to do. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!

:) Michelle who is now going to stop beating herself up for being so sucked into the earth tired and not being able to keep up in the way I'd like to. I simply can't right now. BUT.....SOON I WILL!!!!!!!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: maeve
Date: 05 Oct 15 - 09:19 PM

Wonderful news, Michelle. Congratulations!
Maeve

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Oct 15 - 09:29 PM

Excellent news, Michelle! Considering the energetic level of stuff you get done already, we probably will hear news reports of weather satellites picking up a glow in your part of PA once your thyroid is at a normal level. :)

We're having wonderful cooler weather this week. The window will be open tonight and a blanket goes on the bed. Whoo hoo!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Oct 15 - 09:53 PM

The lovely thing about a properly treated hypothyroid condition is the way the body relaxes when it gets what it needs, and running a body with adequate thyroid energy is completely different than running it on adrenaline energy.

My internist agrees that women do well with a TSH around 1.0. She also pays attention to symptoms, however, and over time we've come to agree that my optimal range is .02-.05; I'm medicated accordingly.

Adjusting to THAT life change has actually been more complicated than recovery from surgery, it's complications, adrenal exhaustion, or menopause.

Michelle, some women report getting a surprise pregnancy after thyroid treatment is optimized....

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Oct 15 - 11:15 AM

Steps thus far tdy 2000. Good AM number!

. Put away 6 metal chairs with scooter, after brief re-org of garage space for them
. Called on neighbor (who usually comes here)
. Caught escaped foster dog (she never knew she was loose)
. Scootered foster dog in prep for 2-dog scooter training
. Gathered up dirty laundry and set in washer
. Reconfigured gate fasteners to facilitate garage access
. Found 4 wienie/marshmallow forks for fire pit
. Moved fire pit closer to garage door for better access
. Cleared garage door auto-close obstacles and stood long time alternately clearing same/trying to close it
. Brought in floor lamp from garage for office corner
. Sat to observe progress in foster dog soc.
. Registered for wkshp, and started arranging travel thereto

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Oct 15 - 05:32 PM

Aftn projects were scrapped in favor of assembling the dog crate which arrived early enough (thank you UPS) to begin gentle crate training today, in anticipation of 2 dogs sharing the car Friday-- who may not be immediate friends. It's a great, affordable one that has a door on one end (of course), but the other end also can be left open (disassembled) for a walk-thru dining opportunity.... and treats will appear in there all evening. At some point one end will close. By Friday she'll own it.

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Oct 15 - 09:04 PM

Topped out at 3000 steps again but a fair amount of lifting in many of the day's activities. Back less sore; finally muscling up.

One happy project was a slight rearrangement of ofc corner furniture. I had brought a heavy brass floor lamp-- the kind with a round table on it at side table height. Perfect to light the very dark puder area for late-night browsing. Has a 3-way switch too so good night light. I put on a shade that was too dark for the LR lamp it was on, so just need to buy a cheap shade, maybe at Goodwill. That brass table/lamp is so handy for a water bottle/flash keys etc. Looks good there too.

More stepping now that I've found two foster dog wee's in the house... have to watch her signals better. This house came with plenty of seller's dog pee, and we had planned to replace carpeting at some point so this is not a big deal. Just one more habit to remediate.

Closin the day shortly with a chat with my honey, after watching a neat Disney movie, 'Selma, Lord, Selma,' about MLK's 'youngest activist' Sheyann Webb.

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Oct 15 - 10:45 PM

I have been busy, but with nothing worth reporting, except to note that EVERYTHING seems to declutter the wallet. :-/ I had to do some driving today and am happy to report that new tires make for a much better driving experience. I hadn't realized how much I was compensating, especially when starting after a red light. The traction was poor with those old tires.

I have a template of heavy-duty cardboard for a plank I need to cut to slip over the sliding glass door handle for use with the dog door in place. One of the dogs has figured out how to nudge at the glass and slide the door open even if the plastic cover is over the dog flap itself - he trots through the large opening if the dog door opening isn't available. This will prevent that.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 07 Oct 15 - 12:32 PM

It's been a beautifully busy day already. By 10:00am, I did the dishes, made breakfast, packed two lunches, swept the floor, chopped up vegetables and added them to the turkey broth I made the other day. I spent an hour on the phone with a good friend and did some laundry. I also wiped down about 60 CDs that were sitting on the top of the CD rack and they have been bugging me...I want that surface clean....so...yes, now I have sparkling CD cases that are being moved elsewhere. :)

Time for lunch!

Michelle

PS. People who have had both ovaries and the uterus removed due to cancer do not have surprise pregnancies no matter what great shape their thyroid is in.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Oct 15 - 03:11 PM

Big oops. Sorry!

~S~

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Oct 15 - 07:42 PM

BEaver via siting outside Art Gallery: This will be full of errors as I can barely see the keys. Alternative would be tp sit in Timmy's and be tempted by donuts.

Michelle! good health enables far better de-cluttering! May you be VERY healthy! You work so hard at it!

Things people pot remind me of things I can or need to do, want to do... Maybe I shall get to the dishes tomorrow! That requires some warm water and I now have a pot on the wood stove.I have, however, put a first coat on the K walls and the uper cabinets. YAY! More yet to do but that feels so good. I did most of the floor as well and then left home. Terrible fumes. I dis some fpraging and collected emails at Timmy's thinking I could look at the at home but -not. HAd supper at Halibut with the doors open as there was a strong odour of chlorine! Suggested that using choline needs to be done when no customers are in. SO toxic! Good meal though.

At the library this aft, I had a chat with the librarian about the sad state of the facility. Not really accessible; too small. no meeting room for special activities. no room for more books .... I asked if there was any way I could help. She suggested I attend board meeting and took my email address.

Attended Township Council Meeting this am. Barely understood anything due to Auditory processing disorder. Explained it to council during a break. But also told them I would like to help if there were anything ... Have I mentioned that I lived here 17 years and wrote for the newspaper 6 years. These people know me! It is good to be here. The deputy reeve mentioned a bear problem so I put here in touch with someone who can help her de-clutter!! It is coming onto her deck and knocking on the door! In talking with my wildlife advocate friend, I realized that I now have an opportunity to make a difference with some offerings to the local papers.

Sleeping in studio again tonight though it is to go down near freezing. I have that pile of feathers to keep me warm!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Oct 15 - 09:50 PM

A delightful day mostly spent enjoying the house made more functional and attractive by all those projects.

Newbie took to her crate besutifully; I think she was in and out of enough dog catchers' crates to find this one quite luxurious! She slept about 2 hours in it quite happily this AM (when I had to go back to bed), and was delighted to get into it in the hatchback of the car-- so I took her for about a half-hour ride, including an extended stop at the vet's office to pick up shot records. And she waited calmly and quietly.

Tomorrow I rendezvous with Hardi and we swap dogs-- Biscuit is going home with him and Faulkner coming to Ohio for the rest of the month.

More Liberation Library films afried today. One was 'Cocoon,'so I watched it when I couldn't get back to sleep at 4am. Marvelous!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Oct 15 - 09:56 PM

Films ARRIVED

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Oct 15 - 12:27 AM

Sweeping (dog hair central here) and laundry this evening. Trash day tomorrow so I'll make the rounds to each room. I cleaned out the fridge (because trash day is tomorrow) and flattened some boxes that will go to the recycle bin. Some of you need to bottle that energy and sell it!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Oct 15 - 04:15 PM

1800 car packing, Biscuit chasing steps before departure for rendezvous.

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 Oct 15 - 05:40 PM

I didn't do any decluttering today but I did add something that is valuable to my family. You see, we lost all our chickens this spring. All 30+ of them were found with their heads separated from their bodies. At the time we also found two raccoons and one opossum in their pen. Who is the guilty party? We aren't sure. It's funny how nothing had changed in their hen house for years and then BAM apparently the critters found a way in. So...it was a sad chicken free summer on the farm. I tried to order more from several of the larger hatcheries only to find that most varieties that we were interested were sold out and no date given as to when they would be having more (which is usually how it works). I was talking to one of my best friends about this and she offered to collect eggs and incubate them at her house (even though I offered to do that here). Well...today was the day that I got to bring them home! Sixteen little bits of yellow fluff, some with chubby cheeks, that are happily chirping in the brooder box at the moment. I put it in the living room on top of the pellet stove as that isn't in use and the plexiglass front of the brooder makes for some fun watching of the chicks. :) She also sent me home with 2 large bags of Roma tomatoes and gave me a crocheting lesson, which she is GREAT at. I am working on a prayer shawl for a friend of mine who is currently going through chemotherapy for her EIGHTH ovarian cancer recurrence. She is a warrior and one of my teal sisters who I am in contact with frequently. She is amazing....anyway....I am excited to learn how to do this (will post photos on FB after it's complete and has been received) and get it to her.

Yes, it's been a good day. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Oct 15 - 11:01 PM

Beaver:
Signal working tonight!

Seems a fact of my life that if I do a lot on one day, I do next to nothing the next. I stayed under covers until 10 am. White grass this am and the tomato plant is dead in spite of a covering of doubled over sheet. I could have done better; did not realize it was going to get THAT cold! The basil is history and two small dahlias frosted. I think I will dig them tomorrow; tonight is to be above freezing - and Friday night colder yet again.

Read most of day, brought in some stove wood, moved some stuff to a better place in the yard, pulled a few weeds, brought in the geraniums and put them in a plastic tub with lots of water - will get them some saucers tomorrow at a thrift shop. Found the ash bucket behind the wood stove! Need an ash shovel. Deleted most of 200 emails; trouble loading them and a few refused to load at all - the ones I most want to see. Will phone provider again tomorrow to see if they have a solution. Never had this problem before.

And, finally, about 9 pm, painted the lower cabinets in the K! They will need some more tomorrow but are mostly done. I can put the handles back on and arrange stuff on the counter. Would like it to look civilized when R gets here.

His wonderful getting-things-done hit a glitch yesterday when he realized the fact of no water might be in the basement. He spent most of the day repairing broken connection. Hopefully he will get to the mill tomorrow, load whatever will fit on the truck and get here sometime! I have the goods here under control and told him to just load what he could and I would deal with it. There is always the back shed! The Knechtel Kitchen Cabinet (hoosier) will complete the K and provide plenty of storage and more counter area.

Another fact of my life is that I need 10 hours sleep. Soon to bed.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Oct 15 - 05:09 PM

Back from rendezvous. Faulkner rode back smelling Newbie's presence all the way back to Ohio. Then after a shot visit at the house to reclaim it and smell her all over it, we picked her up at the kennel. She rode in her crate looking friendly while Faulkner ignored her. We went straight to Animal Control to use their big empty classroom for them to sniff noses and decide their pack order. Faulkner snapped her into line and this supposedly dog-aggressive, "unadoptable" dog is happy to have him boss her. It'll be a little tense for a few days but they were totally fine walking together on leash. Tonight they share the LR-- she in her crate and he on his huge dog bed. Tomorrow they scooter together! No projects calling me!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Oct 15 - 06:40 PM

Beaver:
Kitchen painted! Could be better but it is fine fore now. Handles are back on doors. Most appliances are in appropriate spots; usage may bring changes. I am hoping for dish-washing energy yet tonight. Neighbour helped me wrestle the mattress back into the house! Going below freezing tonight. I gave him a supply of Zyflamend for wife; he says he may use it also. I gave them enough to determine whether or not it will be helpful. Then ordered a BIG bottle from my online supplier - much cheaper than stores.

Obtained ash shovel - had to go to a real store! At thrift shop: small glass bowls for geraniums, an excellent wooden shelf with a leg at each end to put under the east window and, with a burgundy cloth on shelf, they are in place (4), Plan to find something for under Bathroom window for them; they will need to have some heat when I am away in the dead of winter.

R may be VERY late or tomorrow. At noon he was just going to lunch with friends who rarely visit Montreal. I suggested he just get in the truck and come without bothering to go to the mill to bring anything. I would rather he have time to relax and de-clutter brain and body of city stuff.

Lots of traffic by noon already! I have a pile of warm clothes ready for tomorrow - layer upon layer!

The sun has dropped behind the west hill already (6:20). I am going to try a red lentil/beet stew in crock pot. NOW!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 10 Oct 15 - 03:19 PM

Traveling for the week, with a backpack suitcase that yesterday I had to finally pull out the straps and wear on my back because the handle and wheels (good wheels - skate variety) just don't cut it on cobblestones. Now in the hotel for a couple of days, and this morning got an impromptu tour from the sister and brother-in-law of a friend I'll see later on this trip. What a pleasant morning! There was a running commentary on all sorts of historical places, and lots of fall color. Not peak yet, but still very nice. Photos here and there along the way.

Now to dress for a wedding.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 10 Oct 15 - 05:34 PM

Down 2.8 pounds this week. :)

No decluttering taking place today but instead we went for a ride out in the woods. The leaves are so beautiful and the temperature today was perfect! I had a great WW meeting this morning, the program has changed a bit and I am really liking the changes going on in the meeting....I find the discussions really interesting and motivational. We have a nice group of people and I look forward to seeing them. :) Then home to make breakfast which was a challenge as my fridge is somewhat bare at the moment....well, not bare but lacking in diabetic friendly options...so we made quesadillas with cheese, ham, a tiny bit of pepperoni and red peppers with tomato sauce for dipping. Then we were off to the woods, stopping along the way at a local orchard to pick up a bag of fresh Ida Reds and Honey Crisp apples...both a favorite in our house.   We did lots of leaf peeping, I took some photos (see FB) and just overall enjoyed each other's company. My aunt is visiting from downstate and so I will spend tomorrow with her and my nana. Tomorrow is Jeremiah's soccer game and then my week is fairly open which is a good thing as I need to prepare for an upcoming quilting retreat. It takes me forever to decide just what projects I want to take, all the sewing doo-dads that will be needed and I also like to have all my fabric cut before I go...that can be long and tedious depending on the project. I am looking forward to the process of selection, packing and the actual retreat.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Oct 15 - 07:25 PM

OH:

Huge strides in dog relations today = one tired Mommeh with enough activity to sleep tonight AND use up my back.

The rock-moving project is done insofar as I did what I could on my own and then worked with 3 enterprising neighborhood kids looking for a bit of pocket money. Snagged addresses and fone numbers for thank you notes to parents (and CC flyers). Great kids. Today's Work Habits 101 was about saving energy for Site Cleanup, whether the work has been hands-on or all brains. They also showed me Newbie's great love for kids; while I sat nearby with suggestions for easier ways to work, the two tethered dogs got closer... and closer... and we're trusted while I'd step inside for water, etc. Very nice being in a suburbsn-type neighborhood. They have hills hm here too. It's kinda nice being around the busy-Ness of an age-diverse neighborhood like this. Original owners still dot the streets. Some rental houses here as well so lots of turnover. Lively. Nice people.

So now that the cleft full of landscape rocks is empty (the rocks on plastic kilt the grass there for me), I get to buy soil and amendment matter and plant the easiest drift of mixed daffodils. The kids who helped will use their fones to send me pix, cuz it may be years before I'm back at exactly the right time to see them come up. The cleft is where a bush and its roots were ripped out by sellers-- the roots had clogged the drains. The line left is beautifully shaped au nature, and I'm leaving one end unplanned because that's where the wishing well will go. My houseguest the last few days here just may help me remake the one I brought down from PA-- it's too tall and the base was not done in presdure-treated, so I will lop off the rotten bottom 1/4 and refrain it in p.t. wood, make it a new roof on the existing base, trim all this out in board and batten, paint..... and I have all the materials but the new p.t. 2×4's.

3000 sore steps today.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Oct 15 - 07:26 PM

Damn autocorrect... refrain = REFRAME

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Oct 15 - 11:14 AM

OH:

For me, vacay time has always seen a boost in activity level. So has time in the Ohio house. COMBINING those with the 6 week-long current trip here may really do what I've been needing....

Because this new dog requires about 3000 steps from me, daily. The same routines in the larger PA house may double that. And by the time I leave here I should be just about muscled for it. I'm looking forward to it!

The challenge will be giving her enough exercise in the winter, without my scooter. Playtime!!! That's what Dog World is for; I'll just need Hardi to plow by the gate so it opens.

Or teach her to treadmill, like I did with two other dogs.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Oct 15 - 08:52 PM

Safely arrived in NYC for a visit with mudcat member GVTom. Traveling with casual clothes and more computer technology than went to the moon. No cluttering or decluttering this week.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Oct 15 - 08:57 PM

For those of you who remember my sweet Veronica, I'd like to ask you to keep her in your prayers as her 5 year old son died from cardiac arrest triggered by a severe asthma attack.

My heart hurts for her.

A lot.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Oct 15 - 09:13 PM

+++(((Michelle n Pete)))+++

+++(((Veronica)))+++

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Oct 15 - 02:21 PM

OH:

Finally was able to post a few garden pix this AM to the gardening forum. Lovely to stage a few areas to remind myself this cold winter in PA what this house is capable of.

Then this aftn, I ran out for dog bones and bananas I'd forgotten to nab-- these two tense dogs are like having newborn twins just home from an ICU! Getting the bones, I ran into marked down mums to stage the rest of the garden areas. More pix to take tmrw, love it.

Yard kids have a project Saturday. Then I'll have all my pix-- and post the lot to my FB album.

Both dogs have colds, so I prob do too. Lots to straighten up for a visitor coming tmrw!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Oct 15 - 12:35 AM

I think there must be nothing in the world as painful as losing a child. My condolences to your family and hers - and my best wishes.

Taking Manhattan by storm. And a little bit of Brooklyn, also.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Oct 15 - 11:32 AM

You are closer to Veronica right now than I am. I so wish I could be there with her.

I have been cleaning out cupboards and throwing stuff for the last 2 days.....trying to do anything to get my mind off of what is.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Oct 15 - 12:07 PM

Beaver:

Loss of a child is a parent's worst nightmare! My warmest caring thoughts to the mom!

MY other reaction is the preventability of asthma - SO environmentally induced; research is clear. Food/air/water must all be cleaned up.

No signal for a couple days.

Robin and I lost one of our dearest long time friends on Saturday night. Phone call on Sunday from the son was a total shock. (I thought he was telling me his mom had died; my darn auditory discrimination problem!) Cause unknown- after three weeks in hospital! Yes, he was in early 80s but he was still very active, working on health projects/religious ethicist for the Montreal Breast cancer clinic/ Anglican priest at the Cathedral and involved in so much. Leaving wife of about 60 years - my friend with Parkinson's. I have been close to whole family for almost 50 years and grasping for how to be supportive. Will go back to Montreal in a couple days and stand by - visit wife, listen to daughter (I made her confirmation dress!) I detected tears in R's eyes Sunday while we were dining at our fav resto. Contacted a couple close people to let them know.

On the home front, R has almost finished installing the cook stove - converting it from Natural gas to propane was more of a chore than expected - mostly figuring out the "instructions" in very poor English. He arrived on Saturday at 5, just in time to go to supper at our friends - a fun eve.

He brought the Knechtel cupboard, now a perfect fit in the K, repaired by himself, with a nice stained glass panel in the middle door! The sofa is in place but the legs are still at the mill; I shall have to look fir them next trip. Two extra K wall cabinets can be used to good advantage in the BR above the desk. Once the stove is in place, the K will be wonderful. We are considering a larger frig- not a big one - but the space is adequate. We are happy!

We washed the K windows yesterday! Worked well with one of us outside and one inside! But I can see we ned to try harder. They are sliders so we had to keep sliding them back and forth - still not perfect but better by far.

We went out to the hardware store this am and my credit card was declined??? Scary! I had a voice mail on phone from earlier today that it had a hold on but I rarely hear the phone ring. I phoned and it was a recording and inconclusive. So I phoned the usual number and waited -"patiently"?? Apparently someone had tried to use it several times yesterday - to no avail but the man thought it best to change my number so they are sending me a new one. It took a while to determine where to send it as I need to go back to Montreal but this is now my address so we finally agreed to send it to a not too inconvenient branch in Montreal. Sensible but a nuisance.

An ancient cupboard now in the BR has allowed me to stash almost everything current. A bit more time and the BR will be civilized! More shelves in the kitchen cabinets will be helpful. The Knechtel cupboard is still mostly empty - lots of room for storage! Planning a tea station - an outlet handy for kettle - and herbs - it has lots of specific herb niches. We are thrilled with it.

Only one TV table still in use; the rest are nicely stashed. accessible if needed. The studio needs some closing up work before he snow flies. Hope our friends have time!

Next trip will be desk and whatever else fits in car. This house WILL be nicely uncluttered, she says with determination.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Oct 15 - 01:02 PM

(((DP)))

OH:

I ended the day ydy with 4000 steps and a 40 min sustained activity stint.

This AM I awoke with a cold, got up for a bite, zinc, and C.... let the dogs out and in.... and went back to sleep for 2 hours. Felt better, so staged mums and yard dolls, took pix, posted pix.

The Liberation Library reorganization is going well; I cut boxes this AM to catch large categories.

I mounted a dog gate that's been helping with dog separation, and reallocated an outdoor dog bed they can now take turns sharing.

Anticipating a fevery afternoon, I made soup from freezer leftovers-- mystery stock, cooked pork cubes, frozen green beans, cooked sweet potato, brown minute rice. Had some.... plenty for later. Pushing liquids. It's cold here today... heat may pop on.

Newbie loved her re-located, open crate. She has demonstrated her brilliance again by following my pointy finger, like she sees Faulkner doing. Having him help train her is worth all their scuffles and my work.

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Oct 15 - 01:34 PM

Lots of cooking going on here: Butternut squash peeled, cleaned, chopped and cooked and ready for dinner and some to freeze. Spaghetti squash cleaned and baked. Seeds for roasting are ready too.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Oct 15 - 02:41 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend Dorothy. :(

Goodbyes just SUCK.

((((((Hugs& Love)))))))))))))

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Oct 15 - 11:52 PM

I'm not keeping up a lot with the world, I didn't watch the debate, haven't heard much news. I have been busy helping a friend and doing a lot of travel by "shanks mare." New York City is a very walkable city. Only came close to being run down by a bicycle once. My fault, I was at the crosswalk but in that bike zone they've started painting on some of the main streets and avenues.

I have a box so I can mail some stuff to myself. It's easier to do that than to fool with checked bags. This is the overflow, the things I've picked up in my travels. Modest, but just enough to strain my luggage.

Dorothy, I'm sorry to read about your friend. Michelle, distracting work can be good therapy. Susan, good luck with the dogs.

I met Mudcatter Lorcan Otway this evening! We sat at his bar on St. Mark's Place and had a great conversation. One more mudcatter I've finally met in person.

Subject: long road to the purge
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Oct 15 - 09:21 AM

Neat, Acme!

OH:

I topped out last night at about 3000 steps; not bad for how sick I started the day. Thanks to zinc and a great co-counseling session, by bedtime I felt almost well. And then slept well.

Part of that was due to decluttering an evening teleconference I'd signed up for; the online registration hadn't gone thru. A day spent trying to get the call-in PIN was nuts! By the time I got it (ten minutes before the conference started), I was deep into catching up the laundry folding. I can hear the whole thing later!

Yesterday I also put the brakes on some neat things that just weren't fitting comfortably into this visit. Boundary issues with other folks. They'll have to await the February visit, which led to determining dates.

That led to setting the next CC date in early February. That led to typing up and posting docs for that, as well as making and printing a half-page flyer-- for distribution with Halloween candy.

I refuse to buy one more dog gate.... I've been using the skinny box Newbie's crate came in, as a barrier. Faulkner finally figured out how to push it aside-- so it's now weighted with spare, heavy boxes of dry wall screws and a couple of full water bottles. "Oh! Mommeh not fooling!" ;-) Another makeshift gate is the folding bed rail; it has struts to go under the mattress that are srsly in the way for quick gate deployment! So I zip-tied them to stay put, swiveled onto the rail. Boom! (When duct tape isn't appropriate, zip ties!)


Today I plan to get the stuff for planting my daffodils, and get them into the ground. A cold snap is due here, and I have music to arrange then.


I've come to the conclusion that this house has just about the right amount of stuff in it now. A few storage helpers will come down on the next trip, but not much else. It's furnished just enough that rooms can still be quickly rearranged for temporary needs.... with room to swing a cat. That means keeping it all tidy which, because the house is much smaller than the PA house, is pretty easily maintained.

I find myself reflecting often, here, on the fast beginning of our household's formation. Hardi and I had both been single parents with fully furnished homes (esp kitchenware). We blended all that with hardly any purging. We used it all, too, since the only rental available when we took up the PA ministry call was the 3-family house converted back to a single residence.

So the ability to fully furnish this small house with minimal purchasing makes complete sense. Most of what is now furnishing the Ohio house will either furnish an insulated 2-car garage we don't really need, or be yard-saled... some PA furniture will be left for the patish's annual yard sale.

22+ years after we first met, that's when we'll actually have TIME to purge!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Oct 15 - 10:35 AM

My box is packed and headed to the post office this morning. Stuff I don't have to struggle with in my luggage (so, it seems I am decluttering luggage today).

Part of yesterday's friend help was to shop for a DSLR camera within his budget. The new ones (i.e., Canon Rebel) could meet that, except that the lens in the box wouldn't do what he needs (photographing clocks on historic buildings). We selected used separate pieces - a camera body a long macro lens, that will work for near objects (narrow field) and great for far objects. He'll end up getting another lens, I'm sure, for the closer day-to-day work. Camera stores abound in NYC and we went to one of the best of them. I'm tempted to go back - but I also have a budget for this trip. :)

More walking around today. Over to Union Square to start, I think.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Oct 15 - 11:13 AM

Beaver:

About to leave. Car packed except for computer. Double sadness - to be leaving this little home for two weeks AND facing the trip to Montreal which means really dealing with the loss of my "go-to" person of 45 years. Hope I can weep a bundle when I get safely to Montreal. It might help.

Smart move to mail stuff to oneself. I have done that a couple times and it is a great way to de-clutter the stress of a journey.

Leave now. Get there before dark, with time to unload and sort out the house before exhaustion sets in, she says, hopefully. OK, OK...

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Oct 15 - 04:33 PM

DP, the most healing tears are the love teas. Dwell on the love and let it out through your wet eyes.

OH:

This AM, Newbie and I had a delightfully productive trip to the local garden center, where Master Gardener Judy scoped out my overall garden plan and helped me buy a whole bunch of mixed daffodils and grape hyacinth for the trench in front, where the neighborhood kids had scooped out 2 trash bins' worth of white rock for me. Tomorrow they go IN THE GROUND!

I rebuilt the bed rail gate and put it in a much better spot.

I played thru several dozen hymns finding the right keys for the song circle here, to reproduce when I get back to PA. It's so neat to have the printer/copier working!!!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Oct 15 - 12:03 PM

City:
Yes, Susan, I just managed to shed a bunch without drowning the computer!

The trip to Montreal was also down memory lane. Realizing that Roger was important to the 70s folk scene in a back stage sort of way, I was moved to write a brief piece about that involvement, the Yellow Door Coffee House, hereon. Tears flowed profusely. This afternoon, I visit his daughter and widow. Perhaps we can shed tears together. Hannah has been too involved in the "getting things done" aspect.

While driving and thinking, each of my moments of sorrow was accompanied by thoughts of M's friend - how much bigger the hole in her life is. My grief is mini compared to hers - or Linn's.

I stopped near the city and bought lots of on sale groceries and got here to find a full fridge. R had not eaten the food I left him. So he had some last night and we had bread pudding for bf. I ate so much along the way, I realized I was eating and eating to fill the hole in my life. Or so it seems.

I have done laundry and am in middle of changing bed - letting it air! Lunch and go...

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Oct 15 - 01:39 PM

Grief is grief. Grieving is what keeps us human. There is really no scale; our efforts to compare it are part of just trying to make sense out of what can't make sense, and hurts.

OH:

I'm getting nice compliments in the garden forum, on the antique woodstove repurposed as a patio planter. It holds just a few pansies and mums now... Just imagine when all the doors and burner openings are stuffed with spreading annuals this spring! I am! My laptop in the kitchen gives a great view already, off to my right thru the open kitchen door! Sunshine, flars, doggehs. If only hubby would retire so we could live here year 'round-- it would be herbs!

The bulbs are in, just in time to look like a fresh grave for Halloween. I have several more inches of topsoil and mulch to add, and bricks all around to prevent dirt creep-- the adjoining grass gets lasagna layering in the spring so this daffy bed is mounded accordingly. Haha-- lasagna in the cottage garden. Makes sense since the odd veg here and there goes in too. Green peppers. Leeks. Carrots for kids-- this IS after all on the children's side of the front walk.

The 65 big bulbs up the middle are mixed Daffs, loosely clumped (with a few 'escapes') by variety. The 45 little ones at the edges and lower end are grape hyacinth. In the cleft left when sellers tore out a bush or small tree and its long, reaching root, all that remains of the hole is held open by a big black bin-- that will be filled in Saturday with white rock for the wishing well to go on, in the spring. I'll add some garden art after I add the rest of the topsoil-- my back hurts. Enough for today-- they're outta the bags and IN THE GROUND!

TBTG for the huge plastic nursery pots I got from a Free Cycle several years ago who became a friend. I used them for the last 6 bags of topsoil, setting one at a time on a child's chair at the hatch to pull a bag into it, slit and empty the bag, then 'deliver' the heavy, full pot to the ground (less lifting). I sat to sprinkle the topsoil onto the placed bulbs. Much easier than digging a new bed!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 Oct 15 - 01:41 PM

Safe travels and hugs Dorothy.

Today my Veronica will bury her son. I can't get her off my mind.

Lots of big, not so good things happening around here and I'm ready for the shit to STOP.

UNCLE already!

In the meantime, I found myself 2 tubs of old paper clutter that I am sorting out. Lots of trash.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Oct 15 - 07:02 PM

City:
Michelle - you are sharing her grief, as am I.

Visit with friends was short. Mom tires quickly feels "whipped". 62 years of marriage... We grieved together, and visited. This family has kept itself to itself; very few close friends and some have already died. we younger ones are the remnant of their long and productive lives. I suspect there are others on the fringe about whom the family knows little - people who were helped along the way by my friend. Then, we often do not know how we have touched the lives of others.

On the way home, picked up new credit card at the bank and some groceries at the Market. Have deleted over 100 emails - the elections ... TOO MANY!

Now to stuff and roast that organic chicken I obtained yesterday.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Oct 15 - 09:47 PM

Sometimes the difficult stuff piles up. Take deep breaths, and cherish the small moments when people (or events) offer succor, and love. Friends can make a world of difference. I am thinking of my parents, losing them six months apart. Friends helped me through that, they offered small gestures that I could focus on. Each of you, Dorothy and Michelle, take from this thread what you can. For two people I've never met, I have such profound respect, so please know that we are following your stories with true interest. Share what you feel is appropriate. Venting helps.

I'm home again. Luggage unpacked, lots of stuff in the laundry. The dogs were ecstatic to see me, and when my ex stopped by (he has been feeding them) they were sure they were going to get lucky - SOMEONE was going to feed them soon. ;) Their lives are simple and their love is constant. I had a great trip that felt like a lot longer than just seven days. Travel is therapeutic, and I got a lot from this excursion.

Subject: Mag Wisdom
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Oct 15 - 07:43 AM

Acme, that had to be your wisest post yet.

OH:

That gardening forum feels very Mud-like. A huge asset there is ppl can post up to five foto's PER POST. Can you imagine if we could post 5 mps's per post here! We can edit/proof our own posts, too.

Today, almost all activity to be purchasing. Bricks, landscape cloth, and topsoil. Groceries. More chewies for Newbie. A stop at the garden center to show Judy the bulb placements, if I go past there.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Oct 15 - 10:31 AM

My gift to myself last week was to make sure that everything in the kitchen was put away, the dishes washed, the stovetop cleaned of cooking splatter. The house was vacuumed, so walking in after a week away meant there wasn't an inordinate amount of dog hair and there was no kitchen clutter to work through before fixing myself dinner.

The thing I love about NYC is all of the walking. I did ride in a cab once, but the rest of the time it was subway or walking. My jeans were positively sagging when I got home yesterday, and I should have gone into my luggage for my belt but I didn't want to dig through that tightly-arranged pack. I was always very fit when I lived in the city because of the amount of walking, literally several miles a day.

I have plans here for the next few days - when I come home from a trip like this I'm able to see my house through someone else's eyes and target things that I'd like to put in order to make the house even better. My friend's apartment is 1 bedroom with several closets, a foyer, etc and is about 900 square feet - large by NYC standards. I feel positively rich here when it comes to space; my kitchen (without the dining area) is the same size as the bedroom in that apartment, and my hall from the living room past the bathroom is about the width of the kitchen there. Another friend, who just moved into a new high rise, has far less space, no storage (but she does have a washer/dryer closet), and we laughed about where she could mount IKEA cabinets on the walls. I showed her photos of the Greenwich Village apartment (occupied for 40 yeas by the friend I stay with) and we speculated at the apoplexy the peg boards and bright yellow paint would cause in this new building. :)

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 Oct 15 - 10:40 AM

City:
Taking lots of deep breaths!

Wonderful you had that great trip, M. I am thinking it is time for us to have a new adventure. Beaver is in good shape for leaving; A winter visit to San Diego? Nope, might snow on our flight! Maybe early April. My 2nd ggd is already two!

Meanwhile: I was going to go to the mill today - to pot. But will wait until R can go tonight for the music event. Tomorrow I can pot while he moves stuff - still trying to get at that monster machine for which he has a probable buyer. Maybe I shall find my winter jacket now that he has moved stuff to an accessible place.

I am stuck here until after the memorial on 29th so am trying to find ways to fill my days - usefully. And find the energy to do it rather than sit and breathe! But I shall do that also!

OK - take load out of dryer, water upstairs plants, mend quilt.... Up at at 'em!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Oct 15 - 07:40 PM

My overflow box arrived today and I unpacked tidbits that I didn't want to fool with in my luggage. Some gifts, some bling to go with my dance class (mostly for the twice-yearly hafla), and some more beads. Shoes, wedding clothes, etc. It really is amazing how much you can stuff into one of those 12" x 12" x 7" sized boxes.

Laundry is finished, garden is picked, gift T-shirt delivered to my dog minder. You can get incredibly inexpensive good T's in Chinatown, and if I'd found more than two I liked, I'd have bought them, but as it is, I found one for each of us.

This evening I'm planning to catch up on a couple of programs I recorded and to work on finishing a comforter that needs to go in the mail soon. That time of year is approaching when a lap robe is appropriate.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Oct 15 - 10:29 AM

Been sick for the past 2 days, still not 100% but I think I'm better than yesterday.

Down 2.8 pounds this week.

It was snowing this morning!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Oct 15 - 03:39 PM

Nooooooooooooooo!

OH:

Finished getting the bulb garden done today. Over the two days aI worked on it, mostly on my own, I emptied 14 40-lb bags of dirt and I placed about 35 bricks around it today. Neighbor/friend Portia helped me supervise the neighborhood Kid Crew to finish outlining the giant mulch ring around the grand old maple, in white rock.

The kids enjoyed emptying the last two bags of topsoil onto the buried bulbs; the lightest of them was invited to walk gently on the whole, to compact it a bit. I'll add more topsoil in Feb. once it settles. They're still trying to figure out why I would plant bulbs, when I know won't be here in April to see them come up. No matter; when I'm here in May, I can set out annuals above them. If I did it right, they'll greet us some April after we retire to here. Portia promises pix. I hope the kids will enjoy seeing "their" garden come up.

We also covered the scar where a bush was torn out in the side yard, using an old rip-stop tarp to prevent any more new growth in the spring; it's weighted down with buckets full of more rock to use elsewhere next year. There's just enough rock to cover a wide ring outside the front door for song circle chairs to sit upon, making the old (straight) concrete walk up to the door appear to blow out into curves. I'll add a little pea gravel on top, to variegate the color and blend the ring with the concrete color. inside the ring, some ground cover-- vinca?

A path will branch off from it into the children's garden, for which this new bulb bed furnishes a rounded corner.

~S~

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Oct 15 - 08:52 PM

Since Newbie almost learned how to chew through a door last night to escape her sleeping spot, tonight I reconfigured her space-- and its louvered door is now clad in galvanized. I was too tired to do a really great job.... but it's up there now and tonight we can ALL sleep!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 10:46 AM

This weekend I am finishing a sewing project and when finished if there is time I'll list some eBay items. It's that time of year to look for good gift items to list, collectible things that are stilling around my sun room.

We are to open window weather finally, and it is cool enough to consider using the greenhouse for some fall and winter plants. I need to level it out with some flat pavers (use a pry bar and shims to shift the PVC structure up, then slide the pavers under the low spots around the edge. I have a heater for that space also, and put in a barrel of water help keep an average temperature (and use for watering).

Yesterday I found three 5+ lb packages of chicken thighs in the last-chance meat bin (for $3 ea). I usually don't buy chicken that has the "15% broth" injected, but it was a great price and I've planned to make some chicken and rice to take for lunches. I'm sauteing now with pepper and some other seasoning, no salt, hoping it wasn't too salty to start with. I'll drain most of the oil then add basmati rice and vermicelli to make the rice part, and I have some chicken stock from the freezer to use. The cool morning seems to have convinced my brain that cooking season is here.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 12:58 PM

Mill:
Oops, we had a signal for a bit but it may leave me in limbo. I can write but will need to copy in case it does not go through.

Poor Newbie is lonely!

And Michelle has snow! No signal since Friday but I did hear a rumour there would be snow north of Bancroft on Friday night. Will check: 32F right now! Colder than I was counting on all week. I left a small heater in the bathroom - HOPE!

Fri we made it to the Steven Barry Blues Band concert - excellent and a chance to see friends down here. I think talking with C&A helped; I woke up Sat am without that dreadful gasp of pain that had been hitting every "30 min" more or less, all week. A welcome change. The reality still exists.

Not much got done yesterday: I made meals and triaged some stuff to go to Beaver, tried sorting a bit but it is COLD in the storage area. R slept most of day; we suspect the am hours spent with a VERY OLD, musty book affected him, in addition to the usual overwork and over-stressed. He thought it gave him a headache and I sat next to it while he slept and ended up moving it AWAY! as I was getting a headache.

I put a bit of heat on in studio (Saturday am) but did not get to work. Today is up in the air; I cannot work in short bits; need to know I have a chunk. R "feels human" and went to move stuff - still working towards that monster machine; someone wants to see it!

I cleaned up the plants, floor, bench, table in the sunroom. Heat on a bit in there and lots of solar gain. Watered profusely. Also put a bunch of summer clothes away. And found a pile of fabric stuff for thrift shop. No idea where it came from but know where it is going!

Not much but every little bit helps. I will come down during the week to, hopefully, energy allowing, get pots made. Christmas shows are coming.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 01:11 PM

Oh:

Yes, Newbie is being transitioned from shelter habits to pet habits. I'm declining a lot of invitations this trip so I can keep her on short cycles for everything, and prompt her to the next activity instead of playing keep-up-with-anxiety stuff. And I'm doing things in such a way that her bond with Faulkner strengthens. For example they have negotiated how to both be in the kitchen now, and use their faces and voices instead of teeth, to fine tune proximity.

I'm using the same separation zones to keep her in view, no matter what I'm doing, as we have in PA. Great for interrupting and redirecting all sorts of mischief.

Today that all means, for me, what athletic trainers call an 'active rest day'--- where you reckver from something past your limit by moving, not crashing So the dogs hang with me on while I do a short task, and then we all go sit. Newbie's 'go sit' spot is the recliner across the living room, viewed easily over my book while I read a short chapter or two. I'm so sore from ydy's garden work that I need a recovery day or two.

So I'm only up to 800 steps so far today.

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 01:38 PM

Mill:
Cleaned the LR floor - swept. Now suffering dust allergy reaction. Such a slow learner. I just think, If I am careful... Go outside for some air! COLD out there. But snowing north of Bancroft. I would rather be there, in any case!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 03:00 PM

I haven't done a thing in almost 3 days now except sleep and be sick. I did go to Jeremiah' s last soccer game in the snow! Just flurries but still pretty cold. Despite several naps yesterday, I slept for 12 hours last night (unheard of for me). So far, the one and a half pancakes and 2 eggs that I had this morning have stayed down. I'm hoping this is a sign of good things to come.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 09:16 PM

It's so difficult to be ill when you have small children. Like the commercial says, there is no "taking a sick day" with little ones.

I'm making progress on the lap quilt; I'm working on the last 25% of the length now. I knotted around the edges first and across the middle from both directions to anchor it, and now I'm filling in. Knots in yarn to stabilize the comforter. I didn't get to eBay stuff, but it will feel good to finish this and I think tonight it is a possibility. When it is finished I'll put it in the wash with a couple of towels on gentle and be sure it comes out okay, then put it in the mail.

The kitchen is clean, trash goes out for morning pickup, and I'll have a lot of shredded papers to go. I cleared off some horizontal surfaces yesterday and filed receipts from the trip. Tomorrow, back to the grindstone.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 07:24 AM

OH:

I hope the cold I awoke with runs away from zinc like the last 2. At least I got chicken broth and applesauce last grocery trip. First time getting sick, gluten free. That's different!

Tasks today include stowing a bunch of stuff in the garage for spring gardening projects, and prepping space for a Saturday project in there with the NKC. Moving stuff towards the front to take back to PA like scooter, tarps....

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 09:11 AM

Zinc does work, if you suck on a lozenge or two as soon as you feel the cold symptom that always hits you first. Me, it's a scratchy throat. I never use the expensive version (Zicam) - the grocery store has inexpensive zinc lozenges and a bottle lasts for years.

This morning is almost cool enough for a sweater though it will be several weeks before it cools enough to switch from AC to heat on the heat pumps.

I came into contact with something coconut last week and the slow outbreak of a contact dermatitis or eczema has spread to several fingers. Possibly the contents of some of the hand soap along the way. There is a lot of hand-washing when one travels.

A new week awaits, let's see how it goes.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 09:13 AM

Yes I know. I got right on it.

I finally figured out how to transfer a satellite view of our property to tracing paper, to sketch gardening plans. It occurs to me though that when the subdivision was planned, some gummint office must have had the original, pre-development equivalent. Which city or county office do I start with? (Hearing issues complicate just phoning thru the bureaucracies to know where to walk in to request a copy.)

~Susan

Subject: Household tips
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 11:01 AM

Household tips going around Facebook:

1. Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

2. Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

3. Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

4. Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

5. To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.

6. For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

7. Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.

8. Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream. Yummm!

9. Reheat Pizza
Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

10. Easy Deviled Eggs
Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

11. Expanding Frosting
When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

12. Reheating refrigerated bread
To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

13. Newspaper weeds away
Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go. Cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

14. Broken Glass
Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

15. No More Mosquitoes
Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

16. Squirrel Away!
To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

17. Flexible vacuum
To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

18. Reducing Static Cling
Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and ... guess what! ... static is gone.

19. Measuring Cups
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out. (Or spray the measuring cup or spoon with Pam before using)

20. Foggy Windshield?
Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

21. Re-opening envelopes
If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.

22. Conditioner
Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

23. Goodbye Fruit Flies
To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

24. Get Rid of Ants
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

25. Dryer Filter
Even if you are very diligent about cleaning the lint filter in your dryer it still may be causing you a problem. If you use dryer sheets a waxy build up could be accumulating on the filter causing your dryer to over heat. The solution to this is to clean your filter with with a toothbrush and hot soapy water every 6 months.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 04:33 PM

City:

Those household tips are fascinating to me. Some I will save - getting rid of this or that bugs! Dryer sheets are toxic - to me! Amazed that people still fry hamburger; I understood frying anything is on the do not do list. I admit to still doing bacon on rare occasions but usually broil, usually in toaster oven. Ah, well!

We finished the bread pudding and it was so yummy, I am wondering which bread to sacrifice for a new, not so large, batch.

I managed to get R to bring me a bucket of hot water, at the mill last night, so I could do the pile of dishes. YAY! He worked until 10:30 last night and the machine is clear enough to be moved when he has a helper. The whole huge area - maybe 50 by 100 feet or more - is organized, with a huge clear area, all swept! I insisted he go wash while I made him a late snack. (we had chicken dinner for lunch) He has "Pig Pen" beat all to hollow!

Left mill this am after a nice BF and the dishes washed. Came back to 48F house. Went to the library to get warm but was falling asleep so took out 3 books and came back to 52F house. Went to bed for a while.

Got up and noted that I need to DO Something about the situation. Went upstairs to look for a fabric for the laundry room doorway - no point in heating that area. Took down an elegant tablecloth that I was using for an elegant drape and brought it down to wash. Watered plants and I think I turned on the heat up there. Too bad there is no decent heat down here. And not enough outlets capable of carrying a cube heater without tripping a breaker. SO wishing I were at Beaver with the wood stove!!!

Finally mended that quilt and put it on bed. NEED it! Have dealt with emails. Go put that drape in dryer...

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 07:10 PM

Stay warm, DP!!!

OH:

Found out where to get property/line info.

Found out son is coming the last 2 days of this trip. OMG that solves a couple of huge problems. I'll leave the day after he leaves.

Today I used the scooter to put away two heavy chairs from the front yard, leaving only the few lightweight ones in the patio which I'll use when he comes. Then we can put them away too.

I also took a scooterful of things out there that didn't really need to be in the house. I like how I have that garage so well organized. A heavy piece to make it even better can move Sat with the NKC.

I scored $50 worth of garden chatchkes yesterday at Goodwill, concluding that I must be planning a lot of garden. My plan is to unpack them all Sat with the NKC (onto the heavy shelf they can move), and ask each kid (and my houseguest, son, and DIL) to choose one, each, to place in the garden.

Friend Portia and I will place the beautiful 12" stone angel, at the foot of the daffodil garden to balance the wishing well at the head. I have a nice stand she can perch on/in-- it unfolds into a black, iron, oval cage with a center plate to hold a plant or whatever.

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 10:05 PM

Darn. I zapped my own message.

I think the 3 vs 4 lobes on the bell peppers is a myth. I never use dryer sheets for anything, and I fry a lot of meats. Beef, pork, chicken, plus things like sausage (with mixed contents). Julia Child made tender omelets by adding about 1 teaspoon of water per omelet (I think she usually used 2 eggs per).

Dorothy, I thought the new Beaver house was because you were leaving the mill location? Is that still the case? And how much time do you spend in town at the big old house (Montreal?).

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 10:21 AM

I need to uninstall and reinstall a new program (on a 30-day trial - it tried to take over file types I don't want to give it). I didn't let it take over so WinPatrol is zapping it.

Time to see about leveling the greenhouse structure (a PVC pre-fab construction) before the rains come. And see about using it AS a greenhouse again this year. If I do get this in shape I foresee some decluttering in the house as a few plants make the move outside. Which will work as long as I remember to go water everything regularly! I have a special thermostatic electric plug cube that turns on when the temperature reaches a low of about 39 and turns off again when it reaches nearly 50. An oil heater is plugged into it for the season. Once leveled I'll also clean out the greenhouse and probably recycle some of the extra stuff I'll never get around to using (old plastic pop bottle cases that also hold four-inch pots, a lot of those extra four-inch pots, etc.)

There are a couple of parcels here waiting to be mailed, perhaps by the end of the week.

Subject: Carpentering
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 02:28 PM

My late Mom must be cackling in delight at my little Carpenter project (her maiden name) just completed. I jerry-rigged a couple of chunks of pine already the right size... to pass as a tiny nightstand where I only have 4" of space beside the guest bed. It's now on its way to the garage, to be painted with the Neighborhood Kid Crew Saturday-- for my HS bestie's Sunday arrival.

At Carpenter Camp, cabin-guests were expected to pick up a saw and a chunk of wood if something needed a fix....and half the cost of this eventual-retirement house was paid via Mom's legacy. So I like to think she's somewhere watching her middle daughter get more like her, the grayer my hair gets!

Mom was very creative with her own little projects, and would always be as tickled with herself as I am right now... (Example: the large funnel attached to a chunk of garden hose, by the fridge, with the hose going to another funnel in the basement, where she insisted on doing ALL the laundry? "Hey, MOM?")

We kids came to call this kind of Mom's projects a 'make-do.' Our judgmental opinions would weigh whether a particular fix counted as either a 'good effort' (aka Fail), a 'fabrication' (useful, unique, clever), or an entry in the 'Make Do Hall of Shame.' I think we'd agree this one is in the middle category. (It is at least NOT a clear winner for 2015.)

A wide board at the base slips into a narrow, open section of the bed frame to prevent racking. The top is actually right at the custom bed's unique bedside height.

I have no idea which essential(s) Leslie HAS to have there, but that's her call, and I can show her to the tool dept., if she wants to improve it with a hook under the top!

~S~

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 03:25 PM

City:

"I have a special thermostatic electric plug cube that turns on when the temperature reaches a low of about 39 and turns off again when it reaches nearly 50." I NEED something like this! Please! What is it??

The city: I am here when not at the mill or Beaver. It is R's primary abode. I am here now, waiting for the memorial service on 29th, then I will go back to Beaver. I also drive to the mill when I hope to have the energy to pot as that is where the studio is. From Montreal, it is 5 hours to Beaver/Bancroft and a bit over an hour to the Mill. At Beaver, I am at home and have friends; at the mill I have a couple friends; in the city, only this special family as everyone else from the YD community has moved elsewhere.

I came down from Beaver to be supportive of family of my friend. Phoned dghtr this am and she is in midst of writing obit; will email it to me for my input. Told her of phone call from friend this am. Jonathan just got home from England. It was he who connected me with the Yellow Door in 1968. I met him at Quaker mtng when I first arrived in Quebec; he found me a temp place to stay and a job - at the Door!   A nice Jewish boy, about 18, in the seeking mode had stumbled onto the Door/SCM in McGill and Roger. "I would not be the rabbi I am today if it were not for Roger." Roger, an Anglican priest, has been his role model as a rabbi. I passed this on to Hannah; Jon will be calling her. He is one of my very top fav people.

I just emailed her to ask if they might have a book at the service for people to write in, or bring pre-written thoughts to place into a book.

Talking with Jonathan threw me back into heavy sorrow. I was about to leave for the mill when he phoned. Now, I shall go get my tires changed (summer to winter) about 1 pm and have arranged to pick up pigeons from the SPCA to take down to a rehabber near the mill tomorrow. Right now, I am wrecked.

The drape got hung. The temp went up outside and inside, thankfully. I spent most of eve computering until after 9 when the polls closed out west and we watched the election until it was clear who won. Then we could go to bed in a more hopeful, to us, Canada. A great relief.

Need to look for more documentation for citizenship application. I have lived here since 1967 except for the 20 years I was back in the USA. Only the period from Aug 2008 to Aug 2012 has any validity to the bureaucracy. I am sure I already sent them this lot once.... Very stressful.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 10:29 PM

I have a couple of those. One seems to be discontinued but it looks like Amazon still has a few for sale.

I also had one of these, but it seemed to have gotten a little hot and had a brown melted spot, so I tossed it. I'll probably get another because it did work well. Cold Weather Thermo Cube.

(Interesting - I just found an opposite one - that turns on in hot weather and turns off when the AC cools to a certain point - Warm Weather Thermo Cube.)

I remember your talking about sending in citizenship papers a while ago. I hope you have a file so you don't need to reproduce the work to send it again?

It sounds like a time for memories and stories. Autumn seems like a time for that anyway, so perhaps you're feeling this loss all the more because of the season. I wish you well, and hope your stories are able to help others.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Oct 15 - 06:38 PM

Thermocube may solve a big one for us in PA, thanks!

OH:

Lots of puttering today. The only achievement worth noting was putting a 10' (yes really) USB charging cord in the one area of this house that lacked full fone function. The outlet is nowhere near the chair but a 3-tap WAS. Rather than daisy-chain off that, I used a cord I'd bought 'just because' and once again confirmed that Bob IS my uncle!

Prep for houseguest (Arr Sunday) continues amid AR administration stuff.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Oct 15 - 09:49 PM

City:

"I remember your talking about sending in citizenship papers a while ago. I hope you have a file so you don't need to reproduce the work to send it again?" WHO, ME!???? If I do, I have no idea where I put it. It is over a year since the last time.

Outlets are just what I am looking for!! Thank you. Now to find in Canada.

Delivered 5 pigeons, bought two frozen choc mousse cakes, went to mill, had lunch. Trying to convince myself that I could get some pottery done, I said to self, "Just one hour..." So, having warmed up studio, I prepared some clay and kept myself going until I had used the 19 small balls - about 1.5 hours. YAY! Sorted out some soup plates and little plates to take to Beaver; this does not diminish the overall number but will help me not feel like buying more! It is so easy with all those thrift shops. Also found some fabric for Christmas show display - just white as red or green would clash with my glazes. Then back to city.

Baked a filet of salmon after consulting google for a recipe - simple and yummy. Watched Big Bang. R came home hungry. I grated some little potatoes and (oops!) stir fried them with some snap peas. Nice meal but he still had ice cream. Watched Dragon's Den. Now I am here and he is reading about mining and geology. Still no sign of a trip to Montana.

Dishes were done but, of course, now there are a few more. In the am.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Oct 15 - 11:09 PM

Dorothy, you should be able to order those from the US Amazon if you don't seem them on the Canadian Amazon, and if it doesn't work, let me know and I'll order them and send them to you.

Baking filet of salmon: Oven at 325^o, a few pats of butter on the flesh, a light sprinkle of garlic powder, a grind of pepper, and put it in for about 30 minutes. One of nature's perfect foods.

Rain finally in the forecast for the next three days. I've turned off my sprinkler system (it only waters the veggie garden, not the rest of the very large yard). I'm picking okra every day now and eggplant every couple of days, as with cucumbers. There will be some produce activity for a while, even if it hasn't been a spectacular year. Once it cools off and does start to rain more I turn to the indoor activities.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Oct 15 - 10:56 AM

So...after having a miserable stomach bug for the last 4 days, I am finally feeling better! YAY!

I've been busy with household stuff....dishes, laundry, scrubbed the bathroom floor on my hands and knees (oh boy does she shine) and did some heavy scrubbing in the shower. We have hard water that leaves a rusty residue that has been difficult to manage. I know Susan has had issues with that at her place in PA...anyone have suggestions for something that actually works in the shower without fumes that make you want to throw up? I have found that Comet works but only if you wet the tub first, liberally sprinkle the powder and let it sit and then do some serious scrubbing. I do ok with the tub floor and sides of the tub but the shower walls are where I am having trouble. Thankfully, it's not as bad on the walls of the shower but still..EW. I'd like to get it OFF.

I've have been walking quite a bit more than usual as we are down to one vehicle at the moment. This means I have to walk to Jeremiah's bus stop to pick him up. It's not a long walk..maybe a half a mile on way but to get him, it's a half mile up the mountain. Whew. I can do it but I have to stop twice on the way up. I can do it in 8 minutes if I push it (found that out the day the truck wouldn't start for me to get him so I had to really book it to meet the bus on time) but I leave early, giving myself 20 minutes or so...that gets me to the top with about 10 minutes to sit in the sunshine (thank you Lord for the recent nice weather) and I either meditate/pray or read. It's very beautiful up there and quiet. I park myself either right at the bus stop or across the street at an old cemetery and wait. So...extra walking and a workout for my legs for sure! I don't mind as long as it's not raining or snowing. Hopefully the vehicle situation will be resolved soon so I will have something if the weather is bad. I might just continue walking to meet the bus as I enjoy walking home with my little man. I am curious just how much walking I am doing and may invest in a pedometer sometime soon. I used to have one......no idea where it went.

Today both sides of the sink were full of dishes, some on the counter...not to mention the pots on the stove....they are now all clean except for the soup pot that is soaking. I have one load of laundry ready to come out of the dryer, one to go in and am headed to Jeremiah's room to vacuum, dust and do some general picking up. If energy allows, I am going to decorate his room for Halloween...a nice surprise for when he gets home from school...nothing scary...some purple lights, window clings, some friendly looking bats and 2 silly 3 foot paper creatures to hang on the wall. :)

Have a great day everyone!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Oct 15 - 12:02 PM

City:

Waiting for a load to finish in the washer as it seems to be unbalanced. I forgot to close the lid so it did not finish the cycle while I was computering... Then to the mill.

Brown water - Vinegar? baking soda? Those are all I use, that I can remember. We had a brown tub at the cabin and frequent attention worked best. At the mill, I only get a bucket full at a time. When the bucket is empty, I can wipe out the brown with a cloth - in the theory that at least the bucket has that much less the next time.

Amazon: I have a hate affair with anything that seems to be a monopoly! I cannot believe that Amazon is the only listing for these outlets. SO, I shall have to brave Amazon.ca. Anything that has to come across the border can be a problem. When my dil mailed me my printer in 09, they wanted almost $30 for it. I told them I could buy another printer for that; they gave me my printer! It is Russian roulette. I shall have to do this when my brain is feeling good. Right now, it is very up and down. I keep forgetting to validate the new credit card. No, I do not feel up to it right now.

Hannah and I consulted on food for the reception after service. I phoned a country caterer for amounts and H is calling caterers for prices. We would like to do it ourselves; her bro wants a caterer. I did all the food for R's father's. A week from today. I just took time out to find the obit and post on FB with my personal comment. I could write a book - but I did not.

Now I do not have the energy to go to the mill. It's a rainy day and the pots will not get too dry. I shall weep for a while, maybe watch TV. Get a movie from the library? Listen to some music? Eat chocolate...

The laundry is in the dryer.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Oct 15 - 12:14 PM

Barkeeper's Friend will get it-- long hard scrub job-- but remove the finish over time (abrasive plus bleach). CLR now comes in a spray, but is liquid and runs off making clean streaks. Hardi has been using something else while I've been in Ohio. I'll find out what it is. He also reports that new buildup is slowed by squeegeeing the walls dry each time.

It's important to remember that bleach sanitizes and whitens but does not actually remove anything adhered to the finish; a paid helper worked on ours recently, then Hardi did more. I'm hoping to do one last round, then use Armor-All to get a new finish, and then keep up with it using CLR..... I'm sure those vinyl surrounds, in rural PA's water, have a short life and that when we move, landlord will replace ours. The ultimate solution is water-softener/filter the minerals. Me, the darkening is not so important as long as it's disinfected often. In Ohio it's different minerals/colors, and when we're fulltime here (or sooner), we'll add a softener for sure.

OH:

Puttering around getting the floors cleared aND stuff stowed for vacuuming tonite/tmrw AM. I balanced my checkbook. I reclaimed a barrel that had held rock and packed it with items coming back to PA (to go in trailer). The huge dog bed Faulkner needs has been relegated to the back bedroom for a few days; its cover is in the wash. I added a removable cover to a cushion Newbie's been using. I brought in trash/recycling bins, moved some flars and took pix, had breakfast with zinc, played with dogs.... am at about 1000 steps on the day so far.

I'm finding that I can now incorporate the dogs' cycle of in/out/fud/boredom in my daily routine. I'm glad to have some practice time left, here.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST,LQF
Date: 22 Oct 15 - 04:37 PM

Bleach does nothing for the hard water stains we have. The Works does a great job on the toilet and I know they make one for the shower but it's so strong and I don't like the smell of it. Everything is plenty clean as far as being sanitary.....it's just that the light rust spots on the walls of the shower bug me. It's not all over the shower walls, just a few places.

Today's walk to the bus stop was dificult as the wind was blowing in my face. While I was waiting for the bus, a neighbor stopped by to talk. He divorced last year and has been a bit of a hermit, it was good to see him.

Also...just about the time I said we were down to one vehicle, two different friends offered me a vehicle....one car and one mini van! I will be getting the car on Saturday. M friend will be in Florida for a month so she won't needit and is insistent that I take it!! She knows how sick my nana is and wants me to be able to get to her if need be. I am overwhelmed at the kindness of them both. I did not ask either person to borrow a car....both offered freely. I am truly blessed with some amazing friends (and I don't mean just because of this....it's just one heck of a reminder!)

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Oct 15 - 09:42 PM

City:

Never went to the mill. Never did much of anything. Did watch TV most of aft - stuff I do not normally watch - mindless. Bed is half remade! Supper of soup and R is having left over salmon - 1/4 cup tamari, 1/4 t each of ginger and cinnamon. Good. Was supposed to have a t lemon juice but I had none.

I avoid bleach due to hypersensitivity to chlorine. The water softener idea - we are not supposed to ingest it so is it worth while? Some water is so bad the laundry does not come clean! That is worth some sort of system! I wonder what a full house distillation system might cost. I have had 3 dentists who had them for their entire offices drinking water. Beaver needs something to sort out the sediment. Not hard water, or maybe it is! But there is an amount of stuff that seems like what would be in river water with lots of organic material in it. I use it for washing dishes and body but not totally comfortable with it.

Interesting program on The Nature of Things re vitamins - to take or not. Inconclusive but informative.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Oct 15 - 09:06 AM

I'm pretty suRe The Works is a powerful (toxic), finish-eater as well.

OH:

Crate loaded early (dark!!!)... for a road trip this aftn. That led to sweeping dog closet with new janitorial dustpan on a handle-- $17 Lowe's treasure. That led to eyeballing the divider in there that keeps dogs from chewing the 110 and 220... plan in place to frame it in and still leave it removable for opposably-thumbed peeps. Yay!!! Had planned on 1 2x4 tmrw, now 2!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 23 Oct 15 - 09:58 AM

I frequently buy cleaning products at the Dollar General, but have found the store knockoff brands don't do much on the buildup in the shower. The name brands have more of whatever. Right now I'm using an Arm and Hammer soap scum with Oxy product - "no scrub" around here means "less" scrubbing. I spray it on the dry wall, getting as much light coverage so it won't automatically run off, then leave for a few minutes. I'll spray again to moisten it, then use one of those white or green non-abrasion pan scrubbers (Scotch makes some, and there are knockoff varieties). The last time I did the big scrub I determined I'd try to avoid it again, so I have an old towel hanging on the rack near the shower and when I turn off the water I immediately give the entire three walls where they are wet a once over. Big swooping motions, it doesn't take more than 30 seconds. The towel dries until the next shower. This seems to be working. I also pull up the mat and drop it in a heap on the tub floor, not letting it sit there and mildew in place. I do still have to scrub the tub, and I use BonAmi to avoid scratching the tub surface.

When we lived in Kentucky where the water runs red after a rain storm I discovered LimeAway. That works on sinks and such. The dry crystal cleaners like SaniFlush worked to keep the loo from turning a permanent dark red. Your mileage may vary, according to the minerals in your water. I was considering a move to New Mexico and learned that most of the homes there have a whole-house water softening system put in to deal with the strong mineral taste in the water and the buildup on sinks and such. There is something about adding salt to the tank periodically, but the water isn't actually salty? I never figured out the chemistry of how those worked.

Subject: Comparatice Space: Mansfield, PA vs Camp Ridgebury
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Oct 15 - 11:26 AM

As I have written before, for some time now my instincts have been telling me that I have actually been occupying and trying to maintain a 3-family home in PA-- because it did, at one time, serve as a 3-family dwelling.

This week I did the math, after finding an old Zillow-type, buried 2004 listing of the property's particulars. At that point, the landlord's family must have restructured who owns what on the total farm acreage-- with one house for each son. (I'm pretty sure which of the 4 sons got 'our' house; my favorite! He's just finishing medical school; his uncle had managed that house, in the past, also from his own medical career downstate.)

The MudDorm would constitute a 6th bedroom if the stairway were re-positioned to make a legal bedroom (Like it had before the fire.) With it, the home's total living space is 4,144 square feet. That dorm sits over what would be either the 5th bedroom in a 1-fam dwelling, or the 3-fam configuration's 3rd living room (if the bath in that section got finished being plumbed in).

OK, so that's the PA rental.

Camp Ridgebury, Ohio is 1008 square feet, with an additional 576 possible with garage being finished and connected via a very tight planned breezeway, for a total of 1590 square feet. This creates a music/weight room with garden tool storage in the garage. (Adjoining the garage there is also room for a weathertight scooter/garden shed.

At present CR is furnished mostly from the MudDorm's former contents (I swapped in the better double bed we had in the main house that Dick and Susan used to use during their visits, til they retired to a senior housing complex and reduced their travel range somewhat. I used it for surgery recovery myself. Due to the bad bathroom adjoining I was never able to rent that room. Now I don't care to; the income it could have generated is now covered by SS.)

Its current purpose is to serve as a comfortable work camp, home for the Liberation Library I draw upon when I am in town here to do that work, and host to music events and neighborhood fellowship.

It is at least twice the size of the trailer we had thought would be our retirement dwelling, thanks to Mom's legacy and low real estate values/interest rates at the tine she passed.

The pop-up camper I'd have happily lived in, on a more rural property in the area as long as we were able, was about 200 square feet of indoor space plus another 160 square feet of screened/canopied space-- the equivalent of a large, 360 square foot Tiny House.

We spent entire summers in the MudDorm, which was 256 square feet (plus using the house shower), until we realized that the main house wiring was OK for AC.

~S~

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 Oct 15 - 09:53 PM

Mill:

A good morning getting ready. Realized R was coming so cleared out the frig of food needing to be et and brought it along. Stopped to look for my friends who had moved but still cannot recognize what Ruth described. I knew I was on the right road. AHA! I went to the nice garage I have been patronizing and asked if they knew. Yep! Gave me an address but no one home. Darn! I did not have the nerve to ask for the phone number; I would not want my number given to just anyone...

Stopped to visit Geri and we went to lunch. Finally got to the mill and sat in the nice warm sun room reading while waiting for the studio to warm; started falling asleep and went to lie down on sofa and then it was almost 6 pm. I really did not feel up to anything; Turned the heat back down in the studio and covered the drying pots with a wet towel and plastic.

Computer signal is sporadic. R still not here. Wanted popcorn so went to grocery. No popcorn fit to eat (chemicals), bought some veggies and came back and cooked some egg noodles and had it with spaghetti sauce and grated emmental - comfort food. I feel comforted.

Now it is too late for me to start work. But I did drop off a little at the thrift shop and put another pile in the car for tomorrow, the living space is fairly sorted, I warmed water and washed hair. Now, phone R and computer and read until he arrives or go to bed if he is stuck in city.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Oct 15 - 10:48 PM

Pouring rain here for a couple of more days so it looks like I'll turn my hand to indoor pursuits. One of them will be making pickled okra (so I'll be out picking with an umbrella if necessary).

I have some computer software to fiddle with and a new content management system to learn to help a friend with his new web site. And some hand work on a comforter. The thing that will make a difference for the holidays (coming fast) is to get some diverse listings up on eBay. There is plenty to keep me busy, and the eBay items are definitely declutter.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Oct 15 - 09:25 AM

OH:

Topped out at 3000 steps ydy, after picking up dog poop.

Neighbor Portia and I went a couple of county lines out yesterday, to lunch with a friend, where I was delighted surprised by new GF options and counter knowledge at Panera. Newbie's crate was great sideways, and she tolerated the longish drive very well.

We stopped at one point, using FB to coordinate, to drop a birthday CD off to a new friend hereabouts. Nice parking lot chat about her hopes to relocate to OR (drat!). Nice talk about music therapy (her work) and long range CC plans.

During the drive, i decluttered so e relationship issues with happy result. Once home, Portia's hubby was kind enough to reinforce the dog corner with his superior tools. He went too fast for my superior plan-- I can disassemble, add a brace, reassemble. Newbie liked her new quarters.

Bob also eyeballed a few items about the house's idiosyncrasies-- their home started with an identical (prefab) floor plan. Their numerous reno's mean that Bob knows what's inside our walls. The net result confirmed my plan to move a closet wall to fit a particular cabinet next to the stackable washer/dryer; that hutch offers HUGE, tall and beautiful storage but is 1" too wide for the opening. I had hoped I'd figured out how to get that inch very easily-- Bob agrees. One more thing off my worry list-- that hutch MUST go there. My sister built it. It will become a built-in. Great getting to know Bob better.

Today the NKC get an easy, short project unpacking garden chatchkes. There's time to vac the back bedroom before, and the LR/K after. Kitchen/bath cleaning done except tub vinegar tonight. That leaves a quick swiffering for tmrw AM, and picking up Leslie!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Oct 15 - 10:39 AM

OH note to self:

AlwaysALWAYSalways do back vac first!!!

Because that pretty-pretty rug in the back BR is a bitch unless vac'ed backing up or sideways-- never towards the closet-- and the vac job around the dryer fluff, doorway hazards, etc to the L into the LR is actually one mf of a job best NOT done tired. (And so worth it!)

The LR once picked up is a snap (chair covers washing). The K is another pesky-thing zone. These two halves of the total vac job are still painful to my back-- no wonder I avoid them!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Oct 15 - 11:51 AM

OH:

Whew! LR/K now picked up, vac ready, throws distributed.... back BR decluttered (guest chair), all NKC project materials out on front step headed twds garage, spare jackets gathere'd (she's traveling light).... and I'm at 1500 steps (not the usual 1000 step morning).

Nice man campaigning took as many CC flyers for February as he left for candidates. Promises used campaign signage dropped off at my mailbox, Yay, for future CC yard signage. Gay man calling me honey-- hopefully another new local friend.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 24 Oct 15 - 12:21 PM

Down 2.6 pounds this week! Hooray!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 24 Oct 15 - 12:52 PM

Mill:
Last post lost in loss of signal. I am quickly using computer when the signal comes through - sporadic! Rather like my energy level. De-cluttered emails and attended to remainder in one of the on times. Still trying to find energy to pot so Broccoli is cooking and green tea steeping. A one to two hour coughing spell in the night left me bereft of energy this am. Need to look harder at the why - when signal is on! In the meantime, took a homeopathic pill as have not done so in quite a while.

Congrats on weight loss !

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Oct 15 - 04:14 PM

OK. .. vacuuming done, small rugs shaken out. I'm at 2500 very sore steps but in schedule.

The NKC gave themselves a new business name today; it was a short and easy, fun project. There are 4 total; today it was the core pair plus a third 6th-grader. After the garage work they piled into the LR and found the mini-toys all the adult visitor have missed (perched on top of picture frames). Played with these on the floor while we conducted a meeting so I could make them a flyer. "Oh yeah we could use at least ten of those!" Name? AWESOME SQUAD, how cool is that! We discussed also that they'd keep an eye on the bulbs and rest of the garden.... would have done it as a free neighborly thing but oh no, I assured them, you get paid for that. I want pictures? No problem. We discussed all the services their flyer should offer. "Housecleaning?" "NO HOARDERS!" That TV program plus one old neighborhood lady have them totally terrified. "No," I said, "I'll put 'light housecleaning. You're free to take a job or decline it. This is just to get people calling you." "We can go look at a place first, and say no thanks?" Babies. I can teach them polite ways to say no thanks.

So I just have the dusting left to do. That vacuum HURTS to run! Ought be a powerchair that sucks up dirt.

My back will never get better. Lot to think about.

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: mg
Date: 24 Oct 15 - 06:13 PM

what if you got one of the kids to vacuum....in exchange for tutoring, help with college applications or whatever.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 24 Oct 15 - 09:41 PM

Mill:
As it nears bedtime: R never made it. Maybe tomorrow. I have had a quiet do almost nothing day. No energy. Visit at resto with G. Good conversation anyway. I ate broccoli with salsa and grated cheese - at home. Green tea. Lettuce with salsa and grated cheese. two small choc muffins. Coughing constantly. Checked for foods that help, foods that hurt - cheese, choc, dairy, wheat. But gee whiz.... Try harder tomorrow. Print out list in large print, maybe.

Paid a couple bills on line and phoned to validate new credit card. Maybe tomorrow I can copy stuff for citizenship. Been on FB for hours but too tired for anything else; shared some good stuff, read some good stuff. Tribute to our friend, at the Yellow Door last night. Now I shall open the bed and read 'til sleep arrives. She says, hopefully.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Oct 15 - 05:11 AM

mg, of course I'm thinking THAT. It's the $ end I need to work out, thanks, vs the obvious boon to my activity level doing it myself would be. In PA. HERE is not an issue.... I'm leaving in a week. Smh.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Oct 15 - 10:20 AM

Last year I switched to a bagless vacuum, which means I use it more often. Bags aren't particularly expensive, but they are tedious to change. And this one (a Shark) is lightweight and fits into more places than the old Hoover.

The house smells wonderful after making bread last night and this evening I'll roast a chicken to use for meals during the week. The A/C is still on (so not running at all right now) but the quality of light and the length of the days are telling my brain that cooking season is just around the corner.

Digging eBay items out of the closets and from areas where they got stashed during the summer. And it is approaching beading season. I miss the conversations I used to have with Katlaughing about beaded projects, materials, and findings. She was a wealth of information on those art projects.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Oct 15 - 09:42 AM

Our paid PA helper brought his own vac last time; seemed very lightweight. Question is do I really need one of my own there and/or how often to pay for him to use his own. Not my sole decision-- PA budget is shared budget. NOT A PROBLEM I PRESENTLY NEED HELP SOLVING, nuff said please. I am very good about asking for help I actually need.

OH:

Rec day with Leslie. Doggy walk/scooter this AM. Light lunch with friend Ruby at Olive Garden. Aftn nap for me, doggy playtime for Leslie. Evening plan: cheese grits, salad, hog wings... and conversation.

Projected 3000 step day.

Leslie departing Thurs AM. Son and DIL arriving Thurs bedtime to finish out my stay here. Lvg for PA a week from ydy.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Oct 15 - 03:44 PM

Mill:
Again no internet for awhile. Difficult as there were a couple important things needed doing so I am quickly using it while it lasts. Important things first.

I finally had the energy to go make pots; turned up heat and need to get back over there. Not much of value as the low energy level has had be baffled. Finally ingested some choc bits and-- Voila! So off I go to see what I can accomplish before energy fails..

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Oct 15 - 06:44 PM

I walked miles more than usual today and my body is complaining. My mom and I took Jeremiah to a place called Iron Kettle Farm in Candor, NY. We went on a hay ride and walked all over the place checking out the displays of pumpkin people made into nursery rhyme characters/cartoon characters. We have gone every year since Jeremiah was a baby. They have farm animals to feed (some different ones than we have at home) and just general fun stuff. It is the first year that Jeremiah has really been into it....he is all tuckered out too. We also stopped at a junk/fun shop on the way home...another hour or so of walking around.

Mom had a little bit of a health issue while we were out...she's ok...really wish she'd get to the doctor....but we decided it would be best if I did the driving for the rest of the day. I drove maybe 100 miles...not much but I am without my glasses right now which makes for some tired eyes. Upon getting back to this area, I drove to where I had left my borrowed car, which is standard and I just learned how to drive yesterday...and made it home just fine. I think I really like driving a stick shift...it's FUN! :)   Photos to be uploaded shortly after I tuck my sweet little man into bed.

It's been a day well lived but man....my body is NOT happy.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Oct 15 - 09:22 PM

Mill:
Cut a 10 kg loaf of clay into 6 chinks and managed to throw 4 of them into bowls - messed up two. Then came back and put together a light supper of soup - from yesterday's pot full and toast and cheese. Internet finally decided to work - I put the modem outside on the doorstep! - so I have been on here for a couple hours - deleting emails, and checking out posts on friend's obit guest book. Maybe I can find what I wrote last week - that started the water falling. Staying over here again tonight in hopes of getting more pots finished tomorrow.

I have been triaging things to take t Beaver, packed up dishes to go and ... will take boxes of stuff out to car tomorrow.

I have ALWAYS driven a stick shift car - except for the one I got at a good price from a friend's brother years ago. It was a great car. However, I picked it up with a passenger and as I tried driving this strange car - the passenger noted, very kindly, "You only need ONE foot for this car." I got used to it but was glad to get a stick shift for my next old car.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Oct 15 - 10:59 PM

Remarks aren't always meant for just one recipient - that's the beauty of these threads, with probably more lurkers than participants. The vacuum advice won't go to waste. :)

Before a recent trip I let the produce level in the fridge dwindle, and since I've been back I've had some from the garden, but I finally made a stop at my favorite Fiesta grocery and picked up at least a half dozen bags of fruits and vegetables. I give some to the dogs to supplement their dry food, but most of it is for me. The smell of baked sweet potato is in the air now. I steamed some cauliflower to have it ready to warm and eat, and since I have a few smallish tomatoes from the garden right now I had a BLT for dinner.

This autumn I've done a better job of getting myself to bed early enough to get at least 8 hours of sleep before my alarm goes off. Getting plenty of sleep has lots of health benefits and the price is right - compared to many other stay-healthy programs. I have the amber glasses here (like Alice recommended) but haven't had to use them often. Another thing I like is a cup of chamomile tea in the evening (Linn, I have a parcel of loose tea that I'll get mailed to you one of these days).

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Oct 15 - 11:06 AM

Mill:
Gearing up to o to pot! But a peek in here, after going thru emails and some FB - mainly to check for messages. Internet intermittent this am. I have gone and turned up heat in studio and turned last night's pots so they can dry for trimming. cleaned up a corner of the LR and made a new spot for modem - hoping for better reception. Last night I put in out side the front door but then cannot close the door tightly and it is COLD. Frosty morning!

Woke up feeling better today than in a while! Want to get stuff done then go back to city and rest up tomorrow for the service on Thursday and helping H with the food.

Want the pots dry enough to travel to Beaver (current plan. I really want to go home and I can do more there to make up a kiln load, which I do not yet have. But, OOPS! (This thread is such a good reminder) I could glaze and do a glaze firing tonight. Then I have to come back on way to Beaver to pick up the glazed pots. Arghhh! Whole new plan.

Better get to it.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Oct 15 - 12:45 PM

It's been a busy morning around here, breakfast and lunches made/packed, swept the upstairs hallway, a load of laundry done, another waiting to go in the dryer, a double sink full of dishes done, fridge cleaned out, I made a large kettle of potato corn chowder, red beans and rice and meatballs with gravy that will be warmed up in the oven later to go with egg noodles and greenie beanies. :) I have a 6 month check up on Friday with my gyn/onc....I haven't ever waited 6 months for a check up so the butterflies are starting to stir. Cooking keeps me busy and ensures that I won't have to cook a thing on Friday when I get home. The check up is mildly painful but I think it's more my nerves that exhaust me...I always come home ready to sleep. Anyway....on the list for later today is more sweeping and I hope to clean out the inside freezer...there are some things in there that are freezer burn and I'd like the space! Since the other freezers are in the mud room....which is loaded with canning supplies and such...I'd like to get out a week's worth of food at a time and keep in the kitchen freezer so I don't have to navigate the land of jars and large canning pots/pressure cookers, etc. One day I hope to have hooks from the ceiling to hang those big pots as they take up SO MUCH SPACE!

I'm also going to take Jeremiah out for a spin in the new/borrowed car later today....I'm digging on the stick shift! :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 28 Oct 15 - 09:26 AM

I've started my holiday shopping. It is fairly modest these days because the kids are grown and either have limited space and/or have the ability to buy the things they need. I give consumables, small practical things, and make it more about the holiday meal. So, the shelf in my closet is starting to accumulate a few things that will be decluttered in late December.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Oct 15 - 06:22 PM

City:
Do NO holiday shopping; have not for years. Give things to folks if I find something I think they will like, when I see them next. Do not want to clutter people's lives with unwanted objects. Saved up a bunch of stuff I thought the gds might like and had them take turns choosing when they came to visit. Nothing was left over although I assured them that would be OK. We do have similar tastes!

Appalled at the quantity of stuff in thrift shops, even in rural areas. Thankful they exist! This am I realized I had better find something to wear to the service tomorrow. The one decent outfit here - ---- So I had not worn this lovely dress in over ten years. And, now that I recall, Connie took it in a bit then! NO WAY this blimp was going to wear it. Yeah, I got into it but ...I have no idea what I weigh; the scale is at Beaver; the last weigh in was 160. The last time I wore that dress I had lost 35 pounds in 4 months and kept it off! - Was about 135 or 40. Even if I let it out, I would still look like a blimp.

Went to a nice thrift shop and managed to find navy dress pants, gray-blue cowl neck long sleeve sweater and a lovely wool shawl in shades of gray and more. YAY! The shawl will help hide the blimpishness. ALso Christmas lights for under the K sink at Beaver to provide heat when I am not there; because if a couple go out, there are still more but if one regular light bulb goes out... And two wonderful turtles because I like turtles and they can go in corners of the house at Beaver in winter and out in the yard in the spring. And two beautiful sheets. Under $30 total.

THEN I went to a supermarket and got a bunch of organic chicken - a whole one and 8 individual breasts at 30% off; may do the chicken tonight but the rest is in freezer, along with nice piece of salmon. Other stuff was mainly 30 or 50% off so I "saved" $68. Spent $144. none of the reduced stuff would I have purchased at regular price but delighted that this store has good chicken and often good things marked down - some nice cheeses also today.So less de-clutter of the wallet and better quality food on the table.

De-cluttered computer of excess emails, checked out outdoor containers for Beaver - to store pottery and tables between shows - right in front of house where it is accessible even when the snow is deep! Need to determine whether to buy one or have Blair construct one. Could do it myself if I could regain my guts for using circular saw. Is my mind in tune with my aging body and has decided said body cannot do certain things safely?? I simply cannot bring myself to do some things that used to be "NO problem". I once cut every piece of wood for a 24 by 24 two story cabin and now... The spirit remembers but the mind refuses. I could get upset or accept... Mostly I accept.

When I get back to Beaver - in a few days - I shall have to give serious consideration to the excess weight.

Not exactly looking forward to the memorial service but hope it will be a turning point and time to let go and move on. The last few days have been better. Pocket full of tissues a good idea.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Oct 15 - 03:06 AM

OH:

It's been a busy, intense, and tiring several days with my houseguest and Newbie has reacted accordingly.... finding new ways to break out of her corner and chew things up

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Oct 15 - 03:19 AM

... so when I awoke to visit the loo, there she was wanting attention. I tried to pretend I hadn't seen her and went back to bed, since she's usually quite crashed out all night. What coukd she hurt?

An hour later, not being able to fall asleep, I returned to the loo, passing the back bedroom I'd left open. Which now had a strangely light swath across the carpet. Neighbor's light filtering in thru window....? No.... a cherished and highly useful neck pillow's superfine Styrofoam stuffing beads.... all.over.the.worst.rug.to.vacuum.EVER. About 2' × 4' of emptied pillow particles. White, on dark carpeting. Poop on top of item just washed for the 3rd time in two days that she'd peed into. Dog crashed out innocently in LR.

I leave Sunday for PA, where the larger and stronger crate is. I hope she's still alive by then!!!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 29 Oct 15 - 09:50 AM

Are you walking her? That will be her job. You're in charge, so everything you do during the day tells her so, from the feeding to the control of activity. Do you have a contained area where you can let her out the door unaccompanied at night for a few minutes? It sounds like she was trying to tell you something. Good luck!

Invariably as I have things listed in eBay that aren't going anywhere I wonder what the next step is - donate, or find a use? I was beginning to think about one item I might be able to use - and invariably, it sold overnight! Must do this more often.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Oct 15 - 01:35 PM

Sarcasm alert on:

No, I'm a complete idiot who doesn't have a clue and seeks advice wit out having to request it or even describe what I'm confused about.


End sarcasm alert.


Did I ask for help from someone who has no idea of the situation I'm working within or the strategies I'm already using?

The dog is at doggy daycare today enjoying a break from stress in the familiar kennel environment-- instead of car-barfing while I spend the day taking bestie to distant airport, participating offsite in 3 hours of booked teleconferences, and visiting her kennel of origin for further info and direction from folks who know the dog, me, the training objectives they assigned, the environment she's in here, the resources available in PA.... oh and help is arriving here at 10pm tonight to implement the guidance gained from consulting those professionals.

Please pass the salt; I'll need a LOT more than a mere grain! ;-)

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 Oct 15 - 02:08 PM

We have decluttered a large amount of drama from our life...it happened with a lengthy, soul searching conversation and we ended up on the same page. :) I love when that happens and it is exactly what makes us a perfect match. :) It involved a little bit of legal paperwork and BAM.....end of drama.

It doesn't matter what other people think, we have done what is best for our family. <3

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Oct 15 - 05:02 PM

City:

Stress abounds!
Today is the day after the Celebration of the Life of...A lengthy event in an over heated Cathedral. R understood the speakers and gave me precis of the tributes. I had an opp to tell the widow how much I have appreciated conversations with HER; she said, "it matters." and I responded, "yes, very much!". (She always assumed I wanted to talk with Roger and passed me on before I had a chance to say anything. I only got to talk with her if he were not at home, or if I were at their home. This has been bothering me for about 30 years!)

Helped with food prep in the am, then went to home an saw the pots/bowls Hannah likes best - a total surprise! She has quite a pile of "Dorothy bowls"! Rode back to church with a son's long time partner, my first opp to visit with her, ever. R arrived on time! We had a long and disturbing talk with a long time friend at the reception. I am looking at doing some attempted damage control via email. R totally missed the wonderful slide show - his back was to it and he did not notice when he went for more food!

I felt like another surrogate family member, realizing only after this event just how connected we have been over the 47 years and still are, more so it seems - children and, even, grandchildren. I hope they are not being hit by this aftermath but suspect it may be so. They have each other and I am not comfortable phoning to see how they are. Maybe tomorrow. Esp worried about widow. She held up very well throughout and is probably exhausted- which may be a good thing. She may let go of life - faced with the Parkinson's plus the loss of her husband of 62 years.

I expected a come down in the aftermath and so it has come to pass. Doing nothing today other than periodic tears and deep breaths and gasps of pain. Did feed the Robin x2 and started unloading the dryer. deleted emails, spent an hour and a half trying to sort out Bell bill/change of address and more. Finally, after two times on "Chat" and an attempt to reach by phone, I sent a VERY annoyed email with my questions and concerns. OK, so I did something today - added another level to my stress.

Instead of driving down to the mill and then to the grand opening of Gigzz, I asked R to try to go on time and I shall go with him. I want to be there but it seems so trivial in the face of our loss. I simply do not have the energy/motivation to pull together what needs to go to mill plus drive there.

We realized at BF today, that without Roger, without the Yellow Door, we would never have met each other or a number of other people who are important to us now.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Oct 15 - 06:25 PM

I don't always scroll back to see what the earlier answers were, and yes, we have talked about this before. I think getting a read on this dog is what is needed. Age, breed?

There is a leak next to the sliding glass door in my front room. I think I figured it out, but I kept an eye on it today to be sure. We lucked out with just rain, not the sideways wind (or tornadoes like hit to the south of us).

There was little bit of rebellion here today. It felt wonderful.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Oct 15 - 10:41 AM

Halloween - the night to turn off the lights, bring these dogs in so they're not scared by the activity out in front of the house (if there is any - it may keep raining until tomorrow), and work some more on the comforter. I'm still trying to find the right yarn to tie it with that won't unravel or untie once it is washed. I have a comforter here that I was given by someone I've lost touch with or I'd ask her what kind of yarn she used.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 31 Oct 15 - 02:08 PM

OH:

Typical house-closing stuff since early AM, but with an hour of Awesome Squad, and enjoying my son and DIL the last few days. A few last items just about my scale remain to complete, before noon departure tomorrow. The best was that the 20% acetic acid vinegar arrived in time to mix a batch for AS to use, and for them to take home to use here in my absence... they took home all the potted annuals, for their moms and a grounded AS member.

Many thanks to SRS for the herbicide recipe.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 31 Oct 15 - 05:39 PM

City:
Just back from the mill. The opening of Gigzz was a great success. For me there were way too many decibles. Even when the music was just recorded. I am told I am the only one who complains although many others complain to me. For me it is painful, also frustrating that I cannot converse. Social time is important to me. Outside, getting some air, I managed to talk with a friend about my loss and it was very helpful to "say it out loud". I thanked her.

Today I am in recovery. Packed up the pots from the newest kiln load - some very interesting so I want to show them to Hannah. Spent most of the am working on citizenship papers. Missing two docs which I just cannot find, I spent a great deal of time "registering" on two different gov sites to try to access them. I have to wait for some sort of code, for each!, to come in the mail - to the city address; I will be in Ontario! R pointed out that there is a number to call if I cannot get everything on time. Did I mention how dreadful I find this sort of thing - totally daunting and barely comprehensible to totally incomprehensible. I ended up realizing I had done all I could, gave R lunch, and myself.

Exchanged emails with a woman who is starting a pottery coop near us in the city. She advertised on Kijiji for people to share wheels. I could do that with one of mine and have a place to work near here thru the winter. We will arrange to meet. I need to know we are on close to the same page. It would greatly de-clutter my life not to have to be running back and forth to the mill so often to work. Would also save on heat there. And gas for car.

Packed up stuff to go and went to studio to see what I could get done before R needed to leave. Very little but it counts as it will not need to be done next time. I am feeling much better. Gearing up to make celery soup. And a quiet evening.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: mg
Date: 31 Oct 15 - 05:42 PM

i bet you could find a retired secretary or someone who was competent and could do some of the paperwork fore you in exchange for some pots.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: mg
Date: 31 Oct 15 - 11:13 PM

Great halloween. Got home too late for truckers so took mhy candy to McDonalds to pass out with their permission..they knowme.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Nov 15 - 10:36 AM

City:
Good idea, mg! But now I just have to wait until I can access these two pieces via the govt site. Robin does help. I really have a problem, mostly psych, with any kind of paperwork, esp govt. Oh, reminds me to take another look in a different place. Almost everything was in my "income tax" file, honest! but there must be an alternate hole in the universe> .

Actually, I am only here to check on our friend in Texas! The news of what is going on there popped up on my "Environmental Health News" - 8 dead! Hope Maggie is staying home!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 15 - 12:24 PM

Rain washed out most holiday activities here, and on Friday night the village carnival was cancelled as well. There is a local email list and the garden club ladies were a-twitter because they were scheduled to bake for a cake walk at said-carnival.

The rain forecast for today is 60%, but it isn't raining right now so I'll transplant some volunteers in the garden that should go to good homes (a native hibiscus) and transplant some herbs from the side garden down to the curb garden. And my neighbors got home last night after a couple of weeks travel so I have a backlog of okra. I eat some, they eat lots, and my plants are producing, so I'll unload some today. Decluttering the fridge, filling up the greenhouse.

A loaf of bread is rising, laundry is finishing up. This afternoon I need to harvest and prepare a variety of stuff for freezing.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 02 Nov 15 - 09:56 AM

Now that Halloween is over hopefully web sites will declutter the zombies and monsters and various associated images. Just in time for Thanksgiving xmas. They want to get a jump on motivating holiday shoppers, at the expense of the holiday itself - they wear us out with all of the seasonal hoopla.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Nov 15 - 10:40 AM

City:
I was surprised by previous post. I am so oblivious to advertising and mainstream stores, I did not even notice the zombies et al.

Gearing up for trip to Beaver, hopefully tomorrow. Phone call this am from a friend up there made me more homesick.

Am I cluttering my life further: a friend since 1968, whom I had not spoken with in over 10 years, was posting constantly on FB yesterday so I found her phone number and called, "Get off FB and DO something!" An hour and a half later we had agreed that she will email me her accomplishments. She "wants to spend the winter with her 97 year old mom but has to clean house first. "Just go and leave the house." "I don't want to come home to a messy house." UH, OH!

A post on kijiji re a pottery coop: several emails and now two phone calls - me being supportive. It would be helpful for me to lend her a wheel for the coop and have a place to pot in the city. I have been highly stressed by not bringing the portable wheel back with me and spending hours on internet when I could have made a few pots each day (my "just work an hour" idea) - DO SOMETHING!

Oops! go put load of laundry in dryer. Wash dishes. finish novel, return books to city library. visit Hannah to show her a couple new glazes.

My energy is back and I need to get doing.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Nov 15 - 02:23 PM

Well, we have decluttered our lives of one vehicle and had a ride in the ambulance all in one afternoon. :/

There was some stop and go traffic in front of a funeral home and the car in front of us stopped, we stopped too but the pick up behind us did not stop. He smashed into the back of our car which shoved us into the car in front of us. Pete was driving and was not hurt Jeremiah banged his head but was checked out in the ER and is ok. I banged up my forearm/elbow pretty bad and have some neck and shoulder pain. The CT scan and xray show no breaks and I will be fine. They report acute, severe cervical strain and severe muscle strain for my forearm/elbow.

This leaves us without a vehicle but hopefully a rental car will be put into place until the insurance sorts itself out. I'm pretty sure the insurance company will total it out but we don't have the final decision on that as of yet.

Photos are up on FB.

Be well everyone.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Nov 15 - 05:15 PM

City:
That is more adventure than anyone needs! I am sure you will be doing the appropriate heat or ice or... I can never remember which.

All I did was drive, safely, to Hannah's where we consulted on the latest batch of pots. She highly approved one new glaze and somewhat liked the other. It is so helpful to have her ever so honest opinions!

Then we spent a couple hours talking - de-cluttering feelings about her dad and the service and various mutual friends. It really helps to talk things out.

Remains of chicken is in a pot, cooked and ready to dismantle into soup. Had to go to two groceries on way home to get egg noodles! A few dishes in sink, laundry sorted, taking a break before doing the soup.

Putting off leaving until Weds. I wanted to attend Township Council meeting but need a bit more time to get in gear.

Crisis: cannot find next novel. Must have left it at mill. Tomorrow.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Nov 15 - 12:12 AM

I spent time this evening doing research for future eBay listings. It's an interesting rabbit hole once you get going on some of these subjects. I have a handful of old coins from a family estate. I don't collect them and they usually stay tucked away out of sight for years at a time. I decided that if I keep any they should be displayed and searched on mounts and bails - I have an 1883 Morgan silver dollar that is gorgeous, and would wear as a necklace. There is also a big old Mexican coin, but that would probably require a special mount and bail. It's an 1822 Mexican Revolution 8 reale silver coin that is so large it is almost a hub cap. :-)

I'm shifting to healthier eating this autumn. Not in time to lose weight before an upcoming annual physical, but in time to feel better soon. The garden was such a mess most of the year that I didn't have the large volume of vegetables to encourage healthy eating - I got into a carb habit that added several pounds. That is shifting this fall as I bring in several peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, or tomatoes a day. I have a squash casserole for lunch this week - onions, peppers, tomato sauce, garlic and herbs from the garden, a chopped store-bought zucchini, some grated Parmesan, and a handful of pasta to make it pretty.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Nov 15 - 09:37 PM

City:

I too am planning to eat more veggies, less carbs when at Beaver on my own. Getting decent veggies will be challenging. Maybe Joey will have some winter veggies in storage.

Went to the bill by way of the good meat market - a LONG detour! Picked up about 10 packages of their good (preservative free) sausages. Frozen, I took a cooler and ice, put them in freezer at mill and back in cooler to get them here. I left the mill about 3 and did not get here until 7 and even the ice had not even begun to thaw. Bodes well for tomorrow's 6 hour trip. Everything in freezer now.

At the mill, I made decision to bring all levels of pottery to Beaver - green, bisqued and the few completed pieces. And bits of equipment and one small bucket of glaze - inside a larger bucket to keep it safe. So I will be able to fire and glaze with a bit of variety two glazes and different decorations.

Loaded the car with as much as it would hold, leaving room for what I knew was here needing to go. Went for gas and realized I might be able to visit friend Ruth. Gee, good thing I left mill at 3! Left Ruth's at 5 after a grand tour of her wonderful new-to-her, uncluttered home, and much conversation covering genealogy, her trip to BC, my loss and more. This house will not be cluttered. She is being very careful of moving stuff from the farm house where they lived 33 years. She has lots of closets, her K cabinets are not yet full! AND a wonderful cold cellar! She is SO happy! She and Fred majorly de-cluttered their life by giving their top-prize-winning Holstein dairy farm in Canada to their son.

My friend who needs help de-cluttering her life is emailing me her progress at least once/day. The woman trying to start a potter's coop is getting more interested people; We email back and forth once or twice a day.

Emails are deleted. I left the dishes unwashed at the mill. Will leave this city house in as decent shape as possible - tomorrow. Need to order bagels to take to friends in Ontario; to pick up on way in the morning. --REMINDER: Leave room in car for 8 dozen bagels!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST,#
Date: 04 Nov 15 - 08:02 PM

I am very happy y'all are ok, Michelle.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Nov 15 - 10:03 PM

Beaver!!

Got up this am, washed hair, washed dishes, made light BF, told R to get out of bed, "I want the sheets", did laundry, ate BF, put laundry in dryer, started final loading of car, made bed, put frozen food into cooler with a chink of ice, drove to bagel shop and picked up bagels, drove to Beaver, offloaded frozen food into freezer - had not thawed at all! (the cooler was 3/4 full of well frozen food)., started fire in stove. Sorted bagels by recipients, stopped and picked up mail, drove to fav resto and delivered, chatted with owners and waitress, had a bowl of good pea soup, came home, went thru mail, deep-sixed a pile of flyers, read latest newspaper (last week's!), put food away and another bag full of assorted stuff, discovered small critter problem in most of cabinets, will pursue solutions tomorrow!

Have dealt with most of 65 new emails, responded to another query from pottery coop friend. In her search for a venue, she talked with R's property manager who told her " Rob's girlfriend is a potter." We have finally put it all together! Now she was enquiring about a kiln that is in the building, "Is it yours?" Wow! Maybe we can de-clutter that darn kiln I never wanted! I will happily help her with repairs. And told her there is another large one down at the mill...???

The house is warm enough; mild night. Quiet here and I am near ready to hit the sack and de-clutter the tiredness of this good day.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Nov 15 - 11:31 PM

Thanks for your remark, # - it kind of looks like no one was paying attention to Michelle's news. Several of us saw the photos on facebook and responded there, but we should have acknowledged it here also. She has some colorful bruises from that experience.

Granular research into specific old coins still underway. They're pretty, and interesting, not worth a lot, but worth something. eBay is the right place to list them.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Nov 15 - 07:57 AM

Thanks Guest. :) I'm thrilled that we are all ok too!!!

It should come as no surprise that we have all been kind of sluggish these past few days. Not total sloths but not doing quite as much. The normal chores have been tended to: Cooking, dishes, laundry and sweeping.

Hopefully we will all be feeling a bit more sparky today. We are enjoying having Pete home and will continue to do so until a rental comes through. We think they will total the car but have to wait and see what the collision center and adjuster think. The car is currently at the collision center and as of yesterday I have a call in to see what the expected timeline is.

My mom came and took Pete to the car the day before yesterday to empty it out so maybe today I'll go through those couple of bags of stuff and get that taken care of. It's amazing how much stuff was in my car...mostly everyday things...jackets, a few books, CDs, change, etc but in the hatch, there were things from this summer and soccer season....lawn chairs, blankets, balls, toys, re-useable grocery bags, cooler bags (for the grocery store), etc.

In other news, one of our female pigs died. She had been bred a week or so ago and we are wondering if somehow she had been internally injured. She showed no signs of sickness or of being hurt.

I am hoping we can plant some spring bulbs later today. :)

Have a great day!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 15 - 09:03 AM

Annual physical today. I didn't manage to declutter the pounds I wanted to from last year, and probably added a few back on. [sigh] Silly to worry about a few pounds, I should be glad of good health.

Rain forecast for today, but I need to start transplanting and putting some of the flowers that popped up in the veggie garden into the greenhouse until I can transport them to friends for their yards. Rain today will make for good digging on the weekend.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Nov 15 - 08:57 PM

BEAVER:
Beautiful day today and I was up and moving about before 9 am - good for me! Unloaded the car, BF, sorted some stuff. went off to Thrift Warehouse and Gallery - dropped off bagels and egg cartons (for the egg person), went to New to You and got a good black turtleneck for R, had a lengthy chat with volunteers - realized it was a beautiful day and I could be making pots. Went home and cleared the kiln room, loaded kiln but not enough, thought I could make more but the table for the portable is holding up the little frig! Could not think of another solution other than going back to warehouse in hopes of something suitable; so I brought in stove wood, mouse-proofed one cabinet, arranged some stuff in the studio - which was really warm! I think I will be able to work in there on sunny days until i gets really cold. I considered using the other wheel but did not have the energy for the special style - did not even have the energy to connect the motor!   Ran out of energy, had lunch, read for a while, did FB for way too long, deleted most of 90 emails. Now I am going to pack it in and take book to bed. Pooped. Some of the stuff I brought this trip is still packed; The house is NOT cluttered!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 15 - 09:44 PM

A couple of great finds at Goodwill this week. A large sturdy basket to use for newspaper recycling so I can corral the otherwise sprawling brown grocery bags filled with newspapers. It was one of those finds that as soon as I picked it up a couple of others were right there waiting to see if I was going to put it down. I suspect it hadn't been out on the shelves long that morning.

Today I found a few more items at my local thrift store. Yes, they add to the "clutter," but I will evaluate if they stay or go. For a long time I've wanted a small toaster oven but didn't want to spend the money or tie up the counter space. There are times when I want to heat a meal but don't want to turn on the large oven in the stove. Today I found a small convection (bake/broil/toaster) oven for $11, making it worthwhile to purchase and test out. It was in excellent condition, easy to clear up to near-new condition. I have a toaster for bread and bagels, but I'll try them in here and see how they turn out. If they're good, I can substitute this oven for the toaster.

I have a couple of eBay items in play this week, one awaiting payment and another with a watcher - similar items, and it may be the same shopper. My favorite app on the phone is the one that occasionally awakes me with the "ka-ching" of the old cash register drawer - it's my eBay app telling me I've sold something. I heard it this morning.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Nov 15 - 10:02 PM

I have a toaster oven and LOVE it. It takes up a lot of space but I prefer to use it when making brownies or a casserole instead of heating up the big oven, which to be honest, I use mostly for larger pans, dutch ovens, etc. We have a microwave but I prefer things to be baked, unless it's a potato...I LOVE the microwave for baked potatoes (and reheating coffee and that's about it).

Michelle who is getting a rental car in the morning...HOORAY!!!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Nov 15 - 06:43 PM

Beaver:
Love my toaster oven; have not had a toaster in years. Like Michelle I use it for lots and almost never use the big oven.

After I signed off last night, a burst of enegy got some organizing and sorting done. And more this morning as I got ready to go to Art Gallery. I was a bit early so stopped into nearby thrift shop and found a wheeled "tea trolley" for $10; the frig is now on that and the little stand is free for the pottery wheel! If it is sunny tomorrow I may be able to get some work done! Because the frig was on a board, I was able to ooze it onto the trolley.

Very quiet day at the Gallery, a good thing as the place was in disarray as four workers were putting in a new heating system. They finished at 3 pm, even vacuumed!!! Sarah called to see how it was going and I was happy to report. The head guy told me that the landlord had opted to put in the propane system to save the Gallery money on heating costs! IT should reduce cost by 50%! We are good quiet, clean tenants!

I used the time to delete emails and order thermostatically controlled ourlets from Amazon,ca! This was not without frustration but I persevered. Now I am home with my feet up, after supper, resting 'til time to go back for art show opening tonight. Happy to have my little table back for the wheel so I can get studio more organized tomorrow. House still needs a great deal of finishing but it is warm, comfortable and un-cluttered!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Nov 15 - 09:59 AM

The rain was supposed to have moved out of the area by yesterday and I had planned some garden activities, but this morning it's still drizzling. Maybe in the afternoon. I've decided to dedicate a large new pot to Swiss chard this fall, and I have to transplant a bunch of stuff out of the vegetable beds.

eBay is picking up again and I'll scan some items this morning to list. I found a coin on the floor and many disturbed last night - and realized that the chocolate lab had seen a balled up tissue on the desk (he eats kleenex) looked like a tidbit (but was in fact wrapped around a Morgan silver dollar) and while snatching this from my workspace he knocked coins into the keyboard and I suspect spit out the silver dollar he wasn't expecting in that mouthful. That bit of mischief might have been worth seeing! ;-)

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Nov 15 - 07:52 PM

Tedious work, but I set up the tripod as a copy stand so I could get the camera close to these coins. Scanning doesn't result in as good an image as a close up camera lens. I have at least a half dozen ready to list.

The house needs a good sweep and vacuum as the hair is building up again from three dogs. When I brush them I keep it to use in the garden to repel mice and rats and other bothersome mammals, but the scattered hair goes straight out in the trash. I've moved around some things in the kitchen making it easier to sweep under furniture (part of what I moved are bags of newspaper that are in the car, destined for the village recycle bins). When I took the last bag out I looked at the lab who followed me and was just dying to get into the car. "Okay, just for a minute," and he hopped into the back end and over the seat backs into the passenger area. I guess we'll need to make a trip to the park tomorrow if the weather is nice. They haven't been anywhere out of the neighborhood for a while.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Nov 15 - 11:21 PM

Beaver:

Strange weather: sunny, cloudy, gorgeous light, gloomy, rain, in alternating fits but getting colder all day. Frosty this morning, frosty tonight.

But in between times, sorted out a bunch of stuff this morning, then went to Gallery as I was hoping to meet a woman who is knowledgeable about government stuff. I have talked to her twice when she has been in and tried to phone her yesterday but the phone went dead when she lost power! But I caught that they were coming today and - YAY! - she sat down with me and gave me support and information to get me through this current rough spot. And told me to phone her again if I needed. I felt, and feel, SO much better for having consulted her.

Then the library for a few books, to hardware and bought a door mat. It was a Halloween one and I have been watching to see if it sold or went on sale because it is a nice rubber mat of the sort I like and I don't mind if it is a cobweb and spider! Down to $5, it is outside the back door. Fun!! And useful.

Then a hot air corn popper so I can make my own, cheaper than buying bags! I can add herbs or spices after it is popped - a touch of curry is nice. AND wandering around Canadian Tire, there was a small Dirt Devil vac on sale and I decided it would be nice to have something more manageable and easier to store than the shop vac. This will fit in a K cabinet. The long hose can hang in the utility room. Tomorrow...

Bought some groceries and an African violet. I have no luck with them but it was only $3 and looks so cheery right here next to the love seat, under the lamp. pink with lavender fringe, it matches the flowers on the embroidered cloth that is on the table. Before my next rip to the city, I have to find a way to put plants in the bathroom, which will be heated electrically while I am away.

Feeding the wood stove has been a priority today. I may order a couple more face cords - to de-clutter the cold!

Moved the scale into the BR where I can see it when I get up in the morning - and use it. Afraid tomorrow will be a shock. Oh, well. Spent time on FB and deleting emails, and reading.   

R has an overnight house guest thanks to FB. A friend here asked if we could and he has but he just phoned to see if there were anymore blankets! No! But he will manage - give her his extra quilt and use coats for tonight. I need to take more blankets from the mill to the city and a heating pad from here to the city. A few glitches in the management of 3 venues.

He did open my mail and apprised me of a bill I am happy to have clarified AND my Personal Access Code for Service Canada which will enable me to access the remaining papers I need - I hope. I just might live long enough to complete this citizenship ordeal. THAT would be a major de-clutter in my life!

Bedtime!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Nov 15 - 01:09 PM

Sunshine! Now to declutter some of the end-of-summer stuff from the gardens into the compost. And put away a few things for the season.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 09 Nov 15 - 08:33 AM

I overdid it yesterday. We're getting close to when the lawn goes dormant, but it's not there yet and I mowed (just the front so far) and weeded and cleared out. I'm feeling it this morning.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Nov 15 - 05:27 PM

Beaver:
No garden or lawn to de-clutter, although I am thinking that mowing once or twice might be useful next year. I am definitely not a suburban type. I did mow the lawn around the house when I lived in the bush. It helps keep the bugs down.

I DID IT! I managed to register with Service Canada and access the docs I needed and find good paper, print and copy and MAIL the latest round demanded by Citizenship - Express mail!! After all that I want to be very sure it gets there. The postal clerk was so kind; she did all the addressing for me; she could tell how wrecked I was. "I don't want you drinking at my counter!"

I did build up to the computer work by sorting and organizing and hanging a couple wall pieces. After the PO, I went to order some Laprinol and found that Arlene had assessed when I would need the next bottle and had it ready for me! Small town living!!! Phone call from Tam that they are coming tomorrow to do more work. tighten up studio is priority so I checked on insulation today - expensive!! but necessary. Stopped by bank to inquire as to how to pay people in the USA if banks there still charge extra for my US account cheques. Now to learn about email banking.

Stopped at cop shop to see about getting fingerprinted for ....! They were very nice and we worked hard to finally succeed, the third time, to get acceptable prints. YAY! Either age or being a potter, or both, make my fingerprints barely there. They suggested I could take up crime as it would be hard to identify my prints! Four people, over one hour - 4 people hours! The receptionist, who remembered me (it is very nice to be remembered), and two officers were so supportive.

Bought a nice little 3 step folding wooden step ladder; I have been wishing for just this sort of thing. It will fit into a K cabinet, maybe under the sink. Also soup ladle and brass switch plates - at a thrift shop, of course.

Yesterday I went into the hardware for batteries and came out with a "fajita pan = cast iron with a wooden under-piece and its own tiny handle sized hot pad. Now, how to make a fajita! I made a pot of veggie stew in the crock pot. Rather overdid it, I shall be eating it for a few days. Good though. Put heavy white duct tape on some of the holes in K cabinets. Sassy red squirrel said hello this morning as it ran across the top of the outside woodpile.

Washed the few dishes, brought in half a dozen armloads of wood - try to keep two days worth inside so it is dry. Want to set up an indoor/outdoor thermometer; the out one will be in studio. First I need to find a tiny phillips screw driver - again. The one I got to use on the computer has disappeared; I now have a tool drawer in the hoosier cupboard.

Frosty morning, sunny but chilly all day. The little Af. violet is nice to come home to - cheery!

Sorting and organizing is on-going as energy arises. More paper/computer work awaits.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Nov 15 - 08:23 PM

There is supposed to be some sort of storm stretching from San Antonio to near the Canadian border based upon conditions in the Gulf of Mexico sucking moist air into the atmosphere. From National Weather Service:

The low pressure system will continue to deepen over the central plains on Wednesday as it begins to pull ample moisture northward from the Gulf of Mexico across the central U.S. With a surface temperature contrast of more than 30 degrees across the frontal boundary in the central U.S. on Wednesday, along with a very dynamic low pressure system, the stage will be set for an active day with the potential for severe thunderstorms and flash flooding. The Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a slight to enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms across much of the lower and middle Mississippi valley as well as portions of the lower Ohio valley on Wednesday. In addition, the warm front and surface low will serve to focus the potential for heavy rainfall, with flash flooding possible on Wednesday across portions of the Upper Midwest.

There seems to be some kind of a bug going through my workplace - or maybe several of us have allergies that present similar symptoms. Plenty of sleep and drinking enough water are easy things to do to keep the immune system strong, so it will be an early night here. This early night could also be me not wanting to do some of the picking up and vacuuming that needs doing right now. Save it for the daylight hours.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Nov 15 - 05:03 PM

Beaver:
Just raining here, sporadically. My friends have been insulating the studio for two days and are now packing up as the rain ... It is exciting to finally be getting the studio closed in for the winter. Expensive too. De-cluttering the wallet is ... well, that's what happens. Inside: I found a cabinet to be smelling moldy! Next to my bed! It is a small, oldish but elegant music cabinet with half a dozen shelves and lovely inlay. Great for my life-in-photo albums. So the cabinet has been washed with tea tree oil soap and the albums are standing open next to the air cleaner.

The LR is vacuumed with my new little vac. Many things are ready to go into the cabinets - Bathroom and BR - after the guys put them in tomorrow!! Hopefully, they will be able to tighten up the utility room, adjacent to the bathroom it is chilly! And build a storage cabinet on the concrete pad at front door for finished pottery and tables between Markets so it is convenient to the car.

I bought a motion activated light for outside the front door so it will only go on long enough for me to get from car to house! And an LED bulb for it. Replenished the indoor wood supply, dug the dahlia tubers - they really grew! and googled storage. The duct tape has, so far, kept critters out of the cabinets.

Grey sky, mist on the west hill. Lovely. But wet! A very quiet evening at home. I am about to the point of taking up knitting or crocheting - after 40 years!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 Nov 15 - 10:14 PM

Beaver:
WHERE is everybody???

Poured rain all day do the insulation did not get finished but a cabinet went up in the Bathroom and is full of towels! I found a piece of wood for the floor of a cupboard - to keep critters out - and it is getting full of sheets and clothes, and the table covers for potter booth.

The utility room is less leaky but still needs some work, a small heater is in wall but R will have to connect it to electric. An uninsulated piece of wall in the BR has been seriously insulated and will get closed next workday. Blair and Tammy have a list for next workday; they gave up ealy today due to rain. My wallet is seriously de-cluttered but piles of stuff that had been awaiting homes are also diminished.

Home just feels better and better. Thought arising today: how good it feels to not have a lot of extraneous stuff. MUST keep it this way. It is much too small to endure cluttered.

R and friend Dan leave tomorrow for Montana!!! Very exciting for him to be going on a geology assignment albeit, unpaid except expenses; 30 years since he has done work in his chosen field and it is doing him a world of good. Maybe it will increase the will to de-clutter other aspects of his life, and mine.

This also means I can stay here without feeling I am neglecting him!! Now, I need the energy to get some pots made for next week's two-day show.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 13 Nov 15 - 03:44 PM

It has been a rough week, Dorothy, I think activity will pick up soon.

Today I'm at home working and have taken breaks in which I file stacks of papers (there are lots of stacks around the house - this is the "choose a random stack and work on it" method of decluttering). There are more seasonal preparations to make as the days are shorter. The last harvests out of the garden being part of this. It's time to bring in the various coolers and empty the big freezer and defrost it. One of these days I'll make a chart of where things are and leave it on the door. Perhaps this time.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Nov 15 - 09:09 PM

Beaver:
"Chart on the door" sounds like one of those wonderful ideas for which we need a "round tuit"! "Stacks of paper" - similar to a plague of locusts! Mercilessness needs to be applied! I am reminded of a friend suggesting that it would be nice to see what that desk looks like! Or the "Shoe" cartoon - which is in a pile of archives somewhere! - "That's not a sofa; That's a pile of papers that Looks like a sofa." Computers were supposed to... They have not! I have a couple boxes of archives to go through someday - or not! Maybe my kids can just throw them away someday. But when I do go through a box, I mange to eliminate some and cannot bear to part with some - pieces of my history. Someone else can deep-six them.

Rain all day again. Hoping for dry at some part tomorrow: my well covered, with a brand new tarp, pile of boxes of pottery... I peeked and some of the pots are full of water and some boxes are soaking wet, I need to DO SOMETHING before the Market on Sunday.

Wanting a sort of night light for the K so I don't have to turn on the big lights to get another mug of water, I picked up a string of tiny white LED lights to put around the mirror; battery powered with a switch. Will set it up in shortly; next to the sink, I have to put the battery in something dry!

Picked up those thingies to hold shelves in cupboards; will try placing them to add two shelves in K - when I have the energy. Bought a 30 pound propane tank for studio heater and only managed to get it out of the car. Will have to wait for someone stronger to come along! Bought 7 ceramic canisters with tight seals for nuts, grains, beans at thrift shop. They match 4 I have - mouse/red squirrel proof! Amazing how many little things it takes to make life less complicated?

Emails deleted or dealt with otherwise. Now to order supplements and pay renewal for auto licenses - while I still have a signal!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Nov 15 - 10:12 PM

Beaver:

Frosting of snow this am! Mid afternoon, it thawed enough to fetch firewood safely! Have ascertained that chimney needs cleaning. Friends will do it on Monday. Fortunately it will be warmer - above freezing anyway! I shall have to let fire go out Sunday night but can use electric heaters if needed. THAT is what comes of not de-cluttering the chimney in August!

Shall have to get up at do the loading in the morning - and leave by 9:30, she says hopefully!

I must have done something useful today? Bought beans and nuts at bulk food store and put them in my new canisters. Went to Turkey supper at the Grove and emptied my car of the small boxes collected for antique dealer friends. Went to two bazaars and only came home with a "welcome" slate. Measured for the outdoor storage cabinet. Decided a small upper cabinet could be made into a lower at the end of the counter, right by the door, for mittens, hats and scarves.

Spent way long on FB; some of the craziness re Paris...   Did the emails and sent a couple to a recuperating friend to try to cheer her along. FB has become too depressing for her!

And so to bed!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Nov 15 - 05:39 PM

The big freezer is now defrosted and contents organized. Some desiccated vegetables have gone into the compost, and I can now see where I have enough frozen produce and where it would be helpful to have more.

I made bread, but split the dough into two smaller loaf pans and will freeze one. I can't eat an entire full-sized loaf by myself these days and I hate to waste it and only so much of an older loaf can go in the freezer.

Laundry is about finished, trash is ready to go out. I have a couple of eBay things to ship this week, and more to list. Same ol' same ol'.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Nov 15 - 08:00 PM

Beaver:

LEt the fire go out today in prep for chimney cleaning tomorrow.
two elec heaters going. Warmish eve - about 45F.

Today's market was fun but Ionly sold one mu and traded one nice bowl for a nifty book. And broke at least two when I dropped a box off the dolly. That is not the way I wish to de-clutter! However, a number of good conversation. Mostly de-cluttered my energy! REady for bed NOW!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 17 Nov 15 - 11:02 AM

It took downloading and deleting a few versions, but I finally found an owner's manual that looks like the correct one for a small used kitchen appliance I found a couple of weeks ago. Pre-Internet you just had to guess how to use appliances properly if they came from a garage sale, thrift store, etc. But now there is Manuals Online, where I have found numerous sets of instructions over the years. I'm pretty certain I've also uploaded to their library. The information is downloadable as PDF.

With cooler weather it finally feels like cooking season, and it's also time to shift the hobby activities to indoor pursuits. I'd better dust off some table tops and decide which craft lives where. I prefer to have a choice, and not have to put one thing completely away to get out another. One room here is dedicated to sewing machine activity, and the dining table - that infamous formal dining table we all have - gets used for things that need spreading out. Until it is time to bundle it all up for one of the annual holiday events. So best have the crafts on that table the sort that are easily picked up. That's the theory, anyway!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 17 Nov 15 - 08:57 PM

Beaver:
Chimney clean; studio tight as a drum, well insulated, Tyvek on, tiny hole in wall for "installed" extension cord which will have to do until spring. Solar gain is incredible but as soon as the sun is gone...!!! My indoor/outdoor thermometer is installed and last night I watched the temp drop in studio; at 28 I went out - in the middle of the night - and plugged in a cube heater under a table on which there was clay. Draped a heavy sheet over the table. Watched the temp go up to 35. Good enough!

The thermostatically controlled outlets arrived but can only be plugged into those special bathroom outlets. This will work for keeping the bathroom from freezing when I am away. The clay is in there, in the utility room alcove. I will put the plants in there also. Shelf is installed for them, under the south facing window. Still need to put pieces of insulation on two vents that are supposedly there to let heat from LR into Bathroom. When R gets here again, he will install a propane heater in wall of bathroom; that will help greatly. Whenever!

I believe he is currently in Michigan, on way to Montana but VERY slowly! So glad I am not there.

Did a day at the Art Gallery today. Yesterday's meeting was not great; I managed to clutter my life with making a stab at starting an email auction for a lovely rug to be removed - hazardous; It is so easy for bad feelings if someone's someone gets something like that just because of who they know. 4 positive responses and only my "bid" of $50. we'll see. Basically, I am seeking devious ways in which to de-clutter our org of a mini clique - not going to let "them" get away with mucking up a super Gallery - some of us have been involved since '78. One very good, staunch woman left the meeting early - very upset. ("A" list) We cannot afford to lose her. Some do not want to see it. some do not want to hear about it; I am beginning to perceive a distinct separation; could make two lists of names...

Clutter: phoned an artist/friend who has been accepted for show next December. Hour long chat with wife caught me up on his health. He was dead for 20 minutes last month! But all is being taken care of. I wondered if it would be OK for me to sponsor his show - $400 to cover show expenses. She felt there was no one else he would rather have! So I reported to our sponsor coordinator and was told to communicate with curatorial committee - each of whom I find prickly! (B list!) Will email the least prickly. Still need to talk with Bob about some details - before they get to him. (we/they?) Most sponsors just pay the fee and show up at the opening but I have been pushing him to do this for over a year! I hope we both make it to December 2016! These are the things which make life exciting/interesting/worthwhile. If it is good is it still clutter? I think so.

More clutter: Suggested in email to volunteer coordinator that we have mini tea parties of a few volunteers at a time - so people can get to know each other and better understand each other so we can do business together without so much anxiety/pain/ lack of respect.... I offered my home, 4 minutes from the Gallery. Very un-middle class, it could be a learning experience for most. "Yes, this is the way I live and from which I come to meetings and have the nerve to stand up and speak my mind."

A couple more emails to write tonight. At least the house is less cluttered each day.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Nov 15 - 10:40 PM

It's been one hell of a few weeks. Veronica's son died on October 9th leaving me wanting to be near her, to hug her, hold her tight and take away as much sadness as I could...but could not do that for a multitude of reasons. Then on November 1st, the car in front of us stopped, we stopped but the pick up behind us did not stop...hitting us so hard that it pushed us into the vehicle in front of us which pushed their tailpipe forward by 3 feet. We had an ambulance ride and I am thankful to say we are all ok. I was bumped up a bit and my elbow is still tender but it could have been so much worse. Enter insurance nightmare. Pete missed a week of work, finally got a rental for 10 days (returned that today).

So...one week ago today, I got a phone call at 1:28am from my mom telling me that I needed to meet her at the nursing home where my nana was. Nana had been throwing up for 3 days and on that night, she was throwing up lots of blood. Her oxygen was removed (they said it caused more discomfort than help for her at that point), morphine administered. She would sleep for the next 30 hours with my mom, aunt and myself at her side. She would make facial responses to some things (I told her I had roasted a chicken the day before and was planning to make her some soup....her eyebrows went up and a big smile) and she did say a few words but maybe only 3 times. She tried to talk at other times but we couldn't make it out. While it was exhausting, I'm so thankful that I was there and awake for all of it with the exception of 2 hours. So....I was there on a very early Tuesday morning and she passed on Friday, November 12th at 10:03 am, holding my hand. She had been in pain and wanted to go and we all prayed that she would....and I thought I was ready. As it turns out, I am anything but ready. My brain gets that she is at peace and she is with my Pappy but my heart just hurts. I am crying all over the place and the smallest things trigger more tears.

Meanwhile the insurance company hell is in full swing creating loads of frustration and some not so nice things coming out of my face. I regret it the second it comes out but by then it's just too late but then again, I think some of it is warranted. It's just RIDICULOUS that there's so much red tape in such a clear cut accident. Thank God for full tort insurance company because I think we are going to have to go after the other driver for some expenses. So I go from heartbreak to a very high amount of frustration back to such sadness. The swing is fierce. I have Ativan around here somewhere....now if I could just find it...maybe that would help level some things out but then again, maybe it's better to just work it out of my system as best I can. It all makes me want to curl up in a ball and just not come out.

As of today, we have a new to us car, another Subaru Forester. I should be happy about it. Pete told me earlier today that I should take the car out and enjoy it and that I deserve it but I don't feel that way and told him so. It will make getting back to our lives easier and I am glad that we could get another Subaru because I think it is a solid, safe car but I just can't wrap being happy about it in my brain. Nana died on Friday. It's not even been a week yet even though it feels like months....I guess I just need to be sad.

I have managed to do the basics around here and Pete did well for the time I was at the nursing home nonstop. The dishes are done (except for todays), laundry is up to date, floors swept, I put things away that I brought home from the nursing home along with a few bags of things my mom sent but nothing more. Maybe tomorrow.

I am beyond done for the day.

Much love to all.

Michelle

---

Paragraph breaks added to make for easier reading. And offering mudcat's sincere condolences. ---mudelf

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Nov 15 - 11:17 PM

Forgot: My car was totaled.

Correction: Nana died on Thursday morning, not Friday.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Nov 15 - 11:18 PM

Ah, love, let us be true

To one another! for the world, which seems

To lie before us like a land of dreams,

So various, so beautiful, so new,

Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,

Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain;

And we are here as on a darkling plain

Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight,

Where ignorant armies clash by night.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: maeve
Date: 18 Nov 15 - 05:25 AM

"...I guess I just need to be sad."

Yes. Feel what you feel, recognize what you feel, and you will find the way through darkness back to light, Michelle-Who-Loves-Wholeheartedly.

Love,
Maeve

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Nov 15 - 02:53 PM

Today is better but I've been too busy to sit and think. I made a double batch of chicken cacciatore and that's in the crock pot, I baked 2 yams for tomorrow's lunch and will make some rice in just a bit to go with dinner. Dishes are done, laundry needs to get in the dryer, the counters are looking good and I'm going to work on clearing up some of the piles of things around the kitchen.....harvesting baskets, a canning pot, summer coolers, etc. I also have plans of cleaning out a very large drawer that I like to keep aluminum foil, Saran wrap, baggies and the like in that has become a catch all for bread ties, spoon rests, a toothpick box that has exploded, warantees that are not needed, etc. I was looking for my corkscrew today (wine for the chicken) and had to DIG for it. I found a random bag of flax seeds in there, some half packs of PEZ candies for Jeremiah and all kinds of random things...yep..that's getting emptied today.

We are having company for Thanksgiving. My first reaction was a groan...I'm just not feeling it but it's giving me something to focus on (planning/deep cleaning, etc) and that's a good thing.

My Nana doesn't want a viewing/wake, a church service or even a graveside service. As it happens all too often, when she got sick, her church family disappeared. No calls. No visits. No cards. It was like she evaporated. She had been a member of her church for over 70 years...a very active member and it was a slap in the face to her. She said she felt like she was merely the number on her pledge card. I don't blame her one bit for feeling as she does....so....she also felt that way about people who didn't come to see her while she was alive...why bother now? We watched distant family come for a grave side service for my Pappy...people who live not far away yet never picked up the phone or stopped by to see him but then came to his funeral service. It ticked Nana off. Those same people promised to stop by and see Nana but in those 8 remaining years, never did. She doesn't want them at her funeral. Immediate family only. No speaker. No minister. So.....I am finding it hard to imagine how that will go...the 5 of us standing around looking at a hole in the ground? Sharing stories of Nana or silently standing there doing our best to hold ourselves together? I have no idea. I have decided that I am going to play my violin. None of us know what her favorite hymn was so I have picked a song. My Nana's name is Grace and for many years, she has been my Amazing Grace...she was a very strong woman who worked hard all her life with an irreverent sense of humor and always a twinkle in her eye, no matter how bad things were. Even in her last hours, while we played cards at her bedside, we'd joke and nudge Nana and she would raise her eyebrows. We thought she was leaving us on many occasions but she would always surprise everyone and bounce back to her good natured self. She was amazing....my Amazing Grace...so what better song to play? There is a verse in that song that is seldom sung but it is the verse that helped me decide that this is indeed the right song for Nana. It goes like this: "Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace.

A single violin playing her song. I like it. And I love her.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST,maeve
Date: 18 Nov 15 - 03:31 PM

Perfect. You're a lot like your Nana, I think.
Maeve

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Nov 15 - 10:47 PM

Family dynamics are always a challenge to sort out.

Just for the wisdom of it, I searched for and found an essay on "This I Believe," a series of 3 minute essays contributed to an NPR project. It may or may not line up with your experience, but it is something I try to do. Always Go to the Funeral. They played it over 10 years ago and it still sticks with me.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 11:57 AM

Beaver:
Michelle!: Such a month you have had! With all the pain and stress, you seem to be moving forward admirably. Your wisdom will keep you grieving as needed. I am just only over the worst of losing my friend on 10 October; I know the loss will always be with me.

Auto insurance is such a crapshoot. Perseverance is all that can work.

Yesterday, I was able to throw - 5 good sized - pots in my very well insulated studio. I shall never sell enough pots to pay for the work that has been done but I can enjoy it and use it as long as I am able.

My auction idea was well received by a few but part part way through the day, I received an email - just to myself and the treasurer- that the carpet belongs to David and he wants a cheque! I felt it would have been appropriate for D to send it to the whole group himself so I just let it go and wondered how to deal with it. Finally the third person sent a similar email to the whole group, then I explained that I had understood he did not want it back and I was hoping to raise funds for the Gallery. Received a PM from one vol. who praised the effort, and talked to Carol this am, thinking she had instigated the group email. She had not but either the sender thought better of it or someone else put her straight. Thus endeth the affair of the carpet!

Most floor areas are clear on stuff that should not be there. Ah! That box can go in a K cabinet! When I get up. Then to the studio.

R flying from Detroit to Montana today. Speaking of clutter: Did you know that you cannot buy a ticket at the airport! They told him he had to do it on line and then he could not find and no one could help him find, the flight he had seen earlier on line! Instead of early morning, he has to leave in afternoon. THAT is clutter of the worst kind!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 20 Nov 15 - 07:46 AM

This weekend is our first freeze, so on Saturday I will harvest the rest of the garden in anticipation of the frost Sunday morning. And then it begins all over again. I'll have lots of produce to do something with - "declutter" the suddenly filled counter space soon.

It's also time to switch one of the heat pump units from "cool" to "heat." That first dusty smell of warmth gushing through the house is always a nice reminder of the season to come. Soon I'll have both units set to warm, but for now, the local climate isn't so cool that we need it yet.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Nov 15 - 10:16 PM

Beaver:

Did not get pots trimmed - not dry enough. So I covered with plastic and have the heater on very low, just to keep it above freezing. Got booth set up for craft show - nice to be able to do it today rather than the crack of dawn. And that it is two days. Came home plumb wore out. Big salad with chicken and cheese. Then a brownie. Managed to go without for a couple days.

Robin is safely in Montana.

I am trying to figure out why the recent electric bill is $15 more than previous ones (About $60) when I was away for 3 weeks of the 33 days and left no heaters on.

My friend who has needed to de-clutter and get off to New Brunswick to visit with 9o-something mom, is leaving on Sunday. Tells me I am a good cheerleader - thanks to this group. I hoped we could cross paths in Montreal but I will get there two days too late. Don;t think I have seen her since sometime in the late 70s.

Went foraging for shelves today; came home with a microwave, which I have been wanting, a small wicker shelf unit for a specific spot and a could-be-beautiful antique table ($20) which also has a spot but needs re-furbishing - badly! Did some organizing in the kiln/store room. Ideas on how to do more.

Looking forward to that storage box Blair is making for my pottery. Had to clean water out of some pots today as I unpacked. Tomoorw and Sunday will be the craft show and not much else.   BEDTIME!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Nov 15 - 11:59 PM

Taking three days off from work next week yields nine days in a row home. Whoo hoo! I have a list of things to do, beginning with the final garden harvest and moving a few pots into the greenhouse. I have a few more gaps to caulk, and to fill the water barrel and put the oil heater in place.

For those who sell on eBay, this is the time to have any gift-type listings ready to run by Thanksgiving and keep them up through the New Year. There are shoppers on the day after Thanksgiving, there are shoppers from home and from work in the days between Thanksgiving and xmas, and there are people with holiday cash who are shopping after xmas through the New Year. Since people will by things they need as well as things they want, you can list all sorts of things that might be in demand. If what you have to sell also allows you to declutter, all the better!

Tomorrow ends a week of dog-sitting, and I've got those dogs to now sit and wait before they eat. Finally they "get" it - and the trick is a good one - they do it right and they get to eat, so they are encouraged to keep doing it right. There were four dogs, but one got out of the yard 3 weeks ago after a wind storm took down a section of fence. She was a pure-breed small spaniel and the fear is that someone kept her instead of looking for the owners. Signs and notices have been posted everywhere, but she hasn't turned up, been turned over, or found on a road. But removing one dog from that pack does make it easier to work with the three remaining, and it brings them into compliance with the village rules (three pets per household). One hopes that pooch found a good home in her escape.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Nov 15 - 12:23 PM

The garden took a turn overnight, and is now dead from the freeze.

It's time to start making wood-chip mulch for next spring. I bought a chipper a while back but found that during the gardening season I wasn't inclined to stop everything and run sticks and twigs through it (it isn't very large and it is electric, but it deals with a lot of the size of material I trim around this yard). It has dawned on me that a cool-season activity would be to spend time trimming then chipping the pile of woody branches next to the compost.

This is a week for lots of cooking and eating here in the U.S. I'll try to not generate too many leftovers early in the week so there is room for leftovers from Thursday. That means decluttering the fridge and counter tops so there is room to cook and room to store the finished products.

It sounds like lots of snow and ice and otherwise slithery weather has arrived across much of the U.S. and Canada. Stay safe, everyone!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Nov 15 - 10:45 AM

I'm taking days off this week for a long fall break, and it looks like the garden has given me something to do with my time. To start, I'll make a batch of green tomato relish. Last year I had nearly a half-bushel when the first frost threatened, this year I have maybe 10 pounds. Enough to fill a few jars and tide me over till next fall. (I can't bear to pick them green when I know they have time to become ripe fruit - green tomato relish is a perfect remedy for this time of year.)

A batch of branches are chipped, and the larger ones are cut to a size to burn in a small makeshift outdoor fireplace that yesterday I put together as a test. If the size and location work, I'll get more bricks and build one that the dogs won't knock down during rough play. This was constructed with existing materials around the yard and house (the spare bricks, a couple of grill racks, sand, etc.) Decluttering through construction.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST,#
Date: 23 Nov 15 - 12:31 PM

"Decluttering through construction."

That was the motto the Egyptians used when they built the pryamids at Giza and it accounts accounts for stone fences all over the world :-)

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 Nov 15 - 05:53 PM

Beaver:
Beautiful sky over the west hill, the remains of the sun which dropppd behind an hour ago - the melody lingers and is lovely.

Finally trimmed those pots; had the, apparently irrational idea that they would dry and get fired tonight! Not a chance! So, I am firing the part load I could have done a couple weeks ago. The newer ones might be dry in the morning - this is clutter as I shall have to wrap them in bubble wrap and take them to Quebec to fire and glaze and fire.

I am hoping my energy holds as I have big plans for getting work done while at the mill for 6 days. The craft show was he whole of my energy for the weekend but today I have done a little - bringing in stove wood and 3 buckets of water from the stream. trimmed the pot, moving them around fruitlessly and finally into the LR where they are cosy by the wood stove! Time spent moving things to Bathroom so they won't freeze while I am away, Also put water and other freezables under the K sink and installed the Christmas lights under there, that are to keep it warm enough. Making a list of the little things I would like done tomorrow before they start the tiles - and I must leave to avoid the fumes.

Going away in winter creates a lot of clutter in the form of extra tasks as well as the usual of remembering what to take - laundry, pots to be fired, food for the trip (sometimes I forget!), Modem and computer!!!

Took the Ipad I bought a couple months ago back to Patricia; her mom wrote a note. P won't be back 'til Friday! No problem. I carried that thing around without looking at it for a month. Then stopped carrying it around and, finally, I do not need this cluttering up any part of my life. I cannot even remember why I wanted it.

R is enjoying the challenges of getting sorted out at the gold mine in Montana. After acquiring beds and bedding and orange hats and vests to protect themselves from the elk hunters, getting the water running - it is home sweet home and they were going off today to look at the mine - having to walk in about a mile! Up hill!

Forgot I was posting here and started getting ready to wash the dishes! Which I shall go do!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Nov 15 - 11:43 PM

Four pints of green tomato relish are cooling, then next batch is draining before mixing, heating, jarring and processing. It smells wonderful, and clears one of the boxes of produce off of my kitchen counter. Tomorrow I'll cook eggplant slices, breaded, fried, and frozen, for assembly of meals.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 11:29 AM

Well, I posted a nice long post here but where it went, who knows?

I am currently standing in the middle of a giant, swirling shit storm, occasionally getting hit upside the head with debris. There's no point in writing it all out as the list is long and none of it is itty bitty bad news. For whatever reason, we are getting hit all at once with multitudes of things. The one thing I am thankful for is that amongst all the bad news, my tumor markers are holding steady.

I am just about numb with frustration. Whatever. Just f*cking whatever.

So...since I can't do anything about things going on, I am going to focus on getting ready for Thanksgiving. We are having company this year so I have some extra cleaning I want to get done (been working in the kitchen all morning) and plan to make the cranberry sauce, fresh butternut squash and creamed cabbage (a handwritten recipe from my Nana) which tastes better after it sits for a day or two.

Jeremiah is helping by getting his toys cleaned up and organized. He is running random things upstairs as needed and is currently sweeping the kitchen floor. :) He is a great helper!

So...the shit storm can just SUCK IT.
Let Operation Thanksgiving commence!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 01:53 PM

Plunge into those dinner preparations and make it a Thanksgiving to really remind you about the important things. The airborne circulating excrement will eventually sort itself out.

The mown front lawn looks good and now needs to be trimmed. The back comes next, and then I'll dump a bunch of stuff on the compost (the dead garden plants are all cut out and waiting for a trip in the wheelbarrow). A productive morning.

While out front I picked up some attractive cones from the largest pine. I think this is a year for some cone decorations around the house for the holidays. Time to pick up some glitter glue (so much easier to use than glue and glitter separately!)

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 04:00 PM

Frankly, I could care less about Thanksgiving this year. We were planning to bring Thanksgiving dinner to the nursing home where we had the celebration room reserved so Nana could enjoy the festivities. No one much feels like celebrating.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 08:28 PM

I fear any suggestions might come across as Pollyanna-ish - it's a difficult situation to be in. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and this year everyone is away so there will be two, possibly a friend joining us if her other plans don't materialize (they seem to be in doubt). If there was someone here in the neighborhood I knew who was going to be alone, I'd have them over, but I haven't come across any such news so far.

I am exhausted after my day of yard work. Knackered, as Liz would say. But it looks good, and if, as I suspect, this cold weather arriving is enough to push everything into a dormant state, I won't be mowing again for several months. I have been known to take the weed wacker out to trim tall weeds during the winter, but it looks like the growing season is kaput.

Cooking to freeze tonight. The jars of relish will be put in the pantry and out come the cookie sheets for freezing fried breaded eggplant rounds for meals this winter. And for dinner tonight as well, I think.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 10:28 PM

Mill:
Trip down from Beaver was easy and quick. Thankful for lack of snow although there were light flurries this am. B&T and Georgia were late but they phoned and I realized I needed to do things differently. I thought the storage box would arrive complete but they had a rough week. So I offloaded the car onto pallets and covered the stuff with a tarp and loaded things to come away - well most of them. Forgot some non-essentials and the very essential glaze recipes which I had taken out of their traveling box to peruse. Never did the peruse and left them behind so I just sent T a frantic email - HELP! Hope she can find them. If not, I will do a different body of work than planned.

After my email to inform of safe arrival, T sent me the list I left behind - of things I want to take back from here! VERY helpful! I would have totally forgotten. She confirmed a couple tasks at the house that I had thought of en route. I will go home to a finished K floor- partly the mahogany underlay which works over the wonky floors, with slate tiles across the first four feet as we enter - a small area for boots, a wall cabinet for hats, etc with a couple coat hooks. A bookcase on the wall of the BR and doors on the old armoire from the thrift shop. I am so looking forward to this phase. May need to stop for a while and save up for whatever needs to be done to re-instate water!

The main reason for coming back was to hear BM on Friday night. Leaving early to avoid fumes of chemicals - glue and grout and tile sealer - became a second and enables getting work done in the studio.

"Serenity is not freedom from the storm but peace within it" came to mind as I read Michelle's recent posts. Doing a great job of forging on through the storm!

And so to bed!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Nov 15 - 11:52 AM

A large cookie sheet of breaded and fried eggplant frozen overnight is now bagged in the freezer. A quick run to the store is needed to get some oranges - the next project (in addition to cooking the rest of the eggplant) is to get some oranges for a batch of Fresh Cranberry Sauce with Grand Marnier. I'm going to can it and use it myself and for a couple of folks who I know would like it. This comes from an odd website called agoldenafternoon.com - I searched for it last year and printed it out but found I had cut off some of the text so had to find it again this year.

Fresh Cranberry Sauce with Grand Marnier

2 12 oz. packages of cranberries
2 cups of sugar, add more if desired really sweet
zest from 1 orange
juice from 2 oranges
4 Tablespoons Grand Marnier
few dashes of cinnamon

Boil a large pot of water, 3/4 full (only if canning the sauce). In a second large pot, combine all ingredients.

Over medium heat, simmer the mixture until the cranberries have burst or until it has thickened. If not canning, refrigerate up to 3 days before you would like to serve it. If canning, sterilize the jars and lids, then immediately add the hot cranberry sauce to the jars, leaving 1/4 of headspace/room on top. Wipe the rims with a clean cloth to prevent the lids from sticking and to encourage a proper seal.

Process/boil with 1 inch of water covering them for 5 minutes, remove, and cool for 24 hours before moving. If you can this sauce, you can easily travel with it to parties or give as hostess gifts.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Nov 15 - 10:15 PM

Mill:
Majorly trying, all eve, to de-clutter my nostrils of clay dust! I can taste it. HAve been using Xlear - helps but it comes back. The studio did not seem dusty; I did not wear mask; I am definitely a slow learner. YICK!

Computer slow tonight. Looking for small washing machine on kijiji so I can do laundry at Beaver and not have to wait until I get to Montreal. HAve a reat machine here but it is put away for the winter due to freezing. Seems to me having the tools we need where we need them is a great form of de-cluttering!

Threw some bowls, ate too much, Went for tea with V and we planned to work on glazes tonight. When I got back, I realized we did not have enough buckets to do so efficiently. So I headed her off; tomorrow. She needs to provide some buckets! But I shall bite the bullet and go buy some.

The worst clutter today was to find I left the glaze recipes at Beaver!!!! I emailed T and, eventually she found them, photo'd two and emailed them and emailed a third which, having only 3 ingredients, I had written them and the amounts on the lid! I will be printing out the important recipes and put them between two pieces of clear contact paper and make sure I have copies that can stay here and duplicates for there. Of course, she found them in the studio which had gotten cluttered during the insulating process and I had thrown pots but had only de-cluttered the absolute necessary area.

Bedtime!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 25 Nov 15 - 10:31 PM

I have been working in my kitchen, decluttering surfaces and it's looking great. Dishes are done, floors swept, bathroom floor scrubbed on my hands and knees, budget balanced, cranberry sauce and squash are ready for tomorrow. The turkey is thawed and will be in the oven early tomorrow morning. I was going to make pumpkin pie tonight...in fact, I did some running today to get fresh spices but alas, I have no brown sugar SO....we will have pumpkin pie this weekend with our leftovers. We went to the orchard today and got a bushel of Cortlands and MacIntosh apples and will just make apple pie tomorrow instead. My mom LOVES Pete's apple pie (he is an incredible baker) so we were going to make apple pie tomorrow anyway....now we we just make more. One pie for after dinner, one pie to go home with my mom and then we are making a bunch of mini apple pie/turnovers to send home with Mom for her freezer. I did not get Nana's creamed cabbage made....I thought I had a full pint of sour cream but alas someone got into it so I only have half a container. I will wait until I have the right amount and will enjoy it then. I have plans of making lots of turkey noodle and turkey with rice soup....both of which she taught me to make. Funny, as I sit here and type about that, I can smell her.....how strange and wonderful. <3   

I was going to tuck all paper clutter away for tomorrow but I seem to have some extra energy left tonight so maybe I'll go do that now.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Nov 15 - 09:25 AM

Happy Thanksgiving!

XOOXXO

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Nov 15 - 10:38 PM

Mill:
Wonderful post, Michelle! To the orchard for apples! And all those pies! YUM!

We had our Thanksgiving last month, in Ontario, and were thankful for dear friends and our wonderful community in Ontario.

Vanessa and I accomplished two glazes this morning. Realized I did not have enough of one material to so what I had planned but V is going to Montreal tomorrow and will pick up some things. Copies of the two recipes we have are in a plastic sleeve for now. They can stay here! the 3rd has only 3 ingredients so we wrote them on the buckets - one for her and one for me. She is potting elsewhere now but needs to make her own glazes so this was lesson one AND she finally cleared the area she had been using. After she left I started reorganizing. Then went to lunch with G.

This eve has been mostly defrosting a very small freezer; the door was, inadvertently ajar and the ice.... Over 3 hours and many pans of hot water - the same pan reheated many times. Just after I started, the sunroom seemed to be filled with smoke, or something. I have spent a lot of time trying to find source and phoned R for ideas. It went as mysteriously as it arrived and has mostly dissipated - after giving me burning eyes and a mild headache - with mask on and air cleaner on high. Rearranged plugs in sunroom, in case... Wonder if it were the freezer plug from it running too much with all that ice and the door ajar. Anyway, that is taken care of - or will be when I get the last bit out and reload it, and plug it into a different circuit.

Tomorrow, maybe I can focus on pots, glazing, loading kiln! What I had hoped to do on Weds!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Nov 15 - 11:17 PM

I finished up some non-Thanksgiving cooking this morning and then turned to the food for the day. The bird was a bit late coming out of the oven, so we ate other things first and had turkey last. :) The dishes are away, and the food is up. I cleared out the upper cupboards in my Hoosier Kitchen/Kitchen Queen because it has a pie safe (that had been filled with paper plates and such). I needed to use that to cool pies and keep several food items out of canine reach. My counter surfer is a sneaky lab and I didn't want him demolishing anything.

My eggplant are almost all cooked and frozen, only one small batch remains and I may do something real simple with them like just slice, saute, and freeze (to use in lasagna - those don'e need breading). Two batches of cranberry sauce are finished, and will be a great gift during the holiday season.

Another thanksgiving dinner tomorrow at a friend's house (one of the pies is for there).

Michelle, food is a fabulous mnemonic device to remember people. My late mother-in-law taught me a few of her Puerto Rican recipes, and I knew I'd gotten them right when the kids would walk into the house and tell me it "smells like Abuela's kitchen." I've taught them these recipes so they have that part of her to carry into their lives. My mother made great pancakes, and I made them for my children frequently. Her Scandianvian background meant that we didn't eat the thick, stiff IHOP type, they were closer to what are called "Swedish pancakes." And a favorite treat if there were leftover pancakes (batter doesn't keep so you cook them all) - smear one with jelly and roll it up for a great snack.

I'm glad I finished all of the yard work - the weather has moved in big time and there has been a steady rain for hours, not our usual few minutes of rain and the storm passes. This is more like a Seattle rain than a Texas rain.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 15 - 12:47 PM

Rain rain rain. It's a great day for finishing that comforter I've fiddled with for several months, and get started on the next one. And to turn my hand to some of the beading projects I've planned.

No shopping today, I'm not interested in participating in "Black Friday." But I am going to a friend's house for lunch and I'll need to check the map to be sure my route doesn't go past any shopping malls where traffic will be snarled.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Nov 15 - 02:31 PM

I was wide awake at 3:00am so I drove the 15 miles into town and finished Jeremiah's Christmas shopping. I got him a race track and a larger Lego set that he has had his eye on for months. I am so excited for him to have it!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 15 - 10:44 PM

Legos - there are always larger bins available to store all of the bricks. We still have a couple of large bins of them in closets from when the kids were small. They are brutal to step on with bare feet, one of the memorable down-sides of Legos in the house. ;-)

The house is looking pretty good in some areas, cluttered in others. The weekend forecast is for cold rain, perfect indoor weather to work on stuff ignored all summer.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Nov 15 - 08:23 PM

Mill:
Recently making the rounds on FB has been a pic of Lego-proof slippers - by Lego, no doubt!

Yesterday was pretty much a "day off": I must have done something in the morning..., Tam phoned as she remembered she had not given me the slip recipe so she went through the notebook and found it and I wrote it down; of course it only has 3 ingredients and I'll never forget it again - HAH! spent most of the afternoon in interesting conversation with G & S. (the waitress, on break, said we should have a talk show - she was getting an education - anthropology, women's issues and how they affect men, and more...) The high point of the day was BM at Gigzz; I went early and got the best possible seat. As he started, I dialed R in Montana so he could hear the first song - one of the good oldies - R said thank you.

Today, I picked up the glaze materials from V. While Ann decorated her pots, I mixed green glaze - a bucket for V and a bigger bucket for me. And divided one material, measuring out 20 pounds - 5 at a time! - for V to have. The supply house had put two wonderful strong plastic bags over each of the two BIG bags of materials, so she will get hers in a strong plastic bag. By the time A and I were finishing our tasks, it was 3 pm! I dashed to the thrift shop and got 3 plastic plates to use for "lids" on small buckets; did not see any wide enough to lid the big buckets but I have enough for the ones currently in use.

Also got a pair of black slacks as my organizational skills broke down - no clean slacks here, not even sweat pants! And a good sharp knife for veggies!!! I used it on a sweet potato and, Oh joy! A good supper and tried to get back to work. Just walking through the cold part of the building puts me off. It was OK yesterday but has gotten much colder. Even though it was not bad in the front of the studio, the glazing area was COLD. I agreed to get it warm in the morning and do the glazing, trimming... Maybe even some throwing -Manana! At this point, I am a week behind. Oh well.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Nov 15 - 11:26 AM

Last night I watched a couple of regular programs and worked on the new wool yarn knots on the comforter I seem to have been working on forever. The first acrylic yarn is not staying tied and the strands separated into funny looking little static spots on the flannel, so I'm replacing them with wool, a double strand double knotted, and a spot of fabric glue on each knot.

It's a mix of computer work and eBay listings today. Virtual decluttering.

I'm back on the alternate day fasting, using some information about the types of carbs (I need to get off of sugar, no doubt about it, but I also need to shift to healthier carbs and work on the gut health, which helps with general overall comfort and weight loss.) No waiting till the New Year for a resolution, this is something that needs to be in place now over the food-treacherous holiday season.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Nov 15 - 06:22 PM

Mill:
Ann threw while I glazed and filled kiln, then threw a couple as demo to help her remember, then trimmed the ones I threw a few days ago. The glaze rack is almost empty. The too-be-bisqued rack is close to the firing kiln so the pots will dry and I can do a bisque tomorrow, then a glaze on Tuesday. In effort to sort things out and get things done as I had hoped, I am skipping the trip to Montreal to do laundry and buy bagels. Drive 100 miles to do laundry - might be more cost effective to use a laundromat. Certainly more energy effective and feels like a great de-clutter. I will get back to Beaver a day later and miss the town council meeting. They won't miss me.

I will be glad to get home but also glad to complete my self-appointed tasks.

Changed bedding. If I get to bed early, I will get up earlier and do the dishes in daylight. Can probably finish the latest Louise Penny tonight. So well written.

COLD day and colder night. Possible flurries.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST,#
Date: 29 Nov 15 - 07:12 PM

It's snowing in Howick.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Nov 15 - 08:56 PM

My next door neighbors were due back from a cruise this afternoon, but they called a little while ago - they're stuck in the Houston channel or somewhere beyond it because of the fog. It's a cold penetrating rain here, so they might stay in town overnight if they do dock. A cold rainy nighttime drive is not the way to end a vacation. We don't get much of a fall, it goes from hot to cold quickly.

I've rearranged my kitchen in between stepping back to the computer to check out old VHS video files I've decided to convert to digital files. It took several tries to get the setting so it would load into the computer. I'm getting there. The kitchen is kind of back where it started earlier today - I moved the big kitchen queen around (it's an old fashioned cabinet somewhat the size of a standard side-by-side refrigerator), but the room is too dark if it sits anywhere but the corner so I moved it back and will be content with rearranging contents. Jars of pasta and and beans live there now, leaving the pie safe side of the cabinet free for use. I was making do with unloading regular cupboard contents to let baked goods cool, but last week I remembered about the wire racks in this tall cupboard. Baking is easier when one owns a dog that is determined to snatch food off of counter tops.

I have a number of items to donate to the thrift store and some ancient foodstuffs headed to the curb in the morning.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Nov 15 - 10:01 PM

Mill:
Hi Guest#! Not snowing here, yet. Maybe I shall wake up to white stuff.

Kiln still firing and I cannot go to bed until it finishes so I keep checking. At least it stopped fuming so I could turn off the big fan and close the door. The temp in the studio was heading for 0/32! De-cluttering fumes is good, heat - No!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Nov 15 - 06:53 PM

You early snow folks remind me that I mean to put up bird feeders this winter. I have an array of them hanging from a beam in the garage, and a number of the tall shepherd's crooks to support them. What will it be? Songbirds, finches, or bigger stuff for the larger birds and squirrels? Niger seed, black sunflower, millet (not so good - a filler many of the companies use), cracked corn, etc. I'll read the labels and decide. The feeders are entertaining and I have a bird bath nearby. If it snows I get great photos of the colorful birds with the white backdrop.

I kept sewing, didn't get to eBay, but I'm going to do some of that tonight. 'Tis the season.

Michelle, I hope Jeremiah isn't reading your mudcat posts! Race tracks and Lego sets - those were the days!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Nov 15 - 08:20 PM

Mill:
Hair and dishes washed. Put a large container in sunroom for water for plants. Make it easier for Ann to water when I am away. Visit from Ann's husband: she wants a wheel and tools for Christmas. I agreed to sell him the wheel she has been using and suggested a gift card for pottery supplies so she can choose what she wants. I love that wheel but can live without it. . She may get more done if she can work at home.

Went on line to see if there are any Estrin wheels for sale; none current. I will keep alert on Kijiji. Another potter friend would like one.

Unloaded kiln: Ann's pots are tiny but well done; husband was delighted with the few he saw (before I finished unloading). Fairly successful load for me. Reloaded for a bisque firing which is now in progress. I did some clean-up in the studio. Met G and S at the resto for a couple hours of interesting conversation.

Very cold all day and down tonight but going up tomorrow & Weds. Rain tomorrow will help fill the bin in the sunroom. Cold weather really got me down today; very early night, me thinks.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Dec 15 - 09:22 PM

Mill:
Did a bisque firing yesterday and did glazing, loading today. Hope it works as well as the one I unloaded yesterday. Six small bowls exploded in the bisque so I had a clean up job to do - lots of shards. (they were not dry enough even though I had thought they were.)

Sold the wheel but Ann's husband is going to leave it here, put a red ribbon on it for Christmas and let her decide whether she wants it at home or here. Her little pots look wonderful but she has not had time to come over and clean the bottoms - or even see them.

A couple hours visit with G and came home to FUMES from firing; set up fans to exhaust from studio and bring fresh air into LR! Kept mask on until air was OK! I now have a handle on when in the firing schedule the fuming happens - about the first 6 hours! At least it was above freezing outside.

Now, having not gone to the city to do laundry, I am looking for a portable washing machine on Kijiji. Preparing to leave for Beaver in the, probably late, morning.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Dec 15 - 09:05 AM

Mill:
Gearing up to pack car. Top shelf of kiln looks very good! Sky is pale gray; rain is falling, hopefully sporadic so I can load without - the clutter of excess water!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Dec 15 - 02:29 PM

Basic chores going on here and taking care of business.

I have been having fun cooking....I made THE best turkey pot pie the other night! I had never made one from scratch before but I can tell you it is going to be a regular meal around here in the winter...it was loved by all! HOORAY!

I am making chili and cornbread for dinner tonight...it's cold, damp and dreary here....perfect evening for chili!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Dec 15 - 09:20 PM

Beaver!

Arrived just at 5 pm as hoped - missing the predicted fog and the deer time of night! The joy of turning the last corner and looking down the road to see ---Smoke coming out of the chimney. On a cold damp night! My friends had decided to do the last bit of work today so the house could be warm for me! To not have to get a fire going in a cold house!

To open the door and turn on the light and see the beautiful slates - the first 4 feet and then the varathaned mahogany... It looks great! And with just tile sealer as finish, the slates retained their beautiful golds and reddish browns and light grey. I phoned Tammy to thank her - profusely!

On the way out this am, returned books to library, stopped to say hello to R&F and show R, whose sister is a top potter in Canada, my new pots. She loved them and I gave her one; she has given us much, nice to reciprocate. Then I was on the road for a pleasant, uneventful trip,

The car will get unloaded tomorrow - in daylight. But food is in frig, or wherever it belongs. Left message with a plumber; time to deal with the lack of water. Also emailed contractor re possible change of tub; I thought he would come last week! And got into two different heavy discussions on FB - then left! Too much for my tired brain.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 12:18 AM

Michelle, I loved reading

I made THE best turkey pot pie the other night! I had never made one from scratch before but I can tell you it is going to be a regular meal around here in the winter.

Homemade pot pies (turkey or chicken) are so good! The ingredients are intuitive - and I convinced my children to eat what amounts to turkey or chicken stew by making pie crusts. I wasn't going to put it in a shell (like the store-bought ones - Swanson's comes to mind) but they do need crust, so I made pie crust and used various cookie cutters (and the kids helped) to make and bake shapes to go on top of their bowls of chicken or turkey stew. The crust made all the difference.

I have lots of projects staring me in the face right now. Any direction I turn, there is something to do. So something will get done, but it may end up being bits of several somethings.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 10:10 PM

It's a busy time of year for all of us, so on occasion we may need to reach down below the 24-hour line to pull the declutter thread back up to the top. But that's a good sign!

I'm helping a friend who is going to be moving in the near future. She adopted several dogs after a friend died of cancer - and now she needs to find another home for those dogs. We're pulling every string we can think of and people are looking for new homes. Decluttering warm and fuzzy older dogs - it's tough, but we'll do it.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 10:31 PM

Beaver:

Brought in a couple days' wood. Exercise!

MUD! to de-clutter mud which was coming into house in lumps!: drove out to the place selling various types of stones and arranged for 3 yards of stone to be delivered next week. I will rake it into place, she says hopefully. Exercise!

To de-clutter the dirty dishes, etc: Stopped at Home Hardware and said, "I NEED a plumber!" Paul gave me two cards, I called one right then and there; he will come tomorrow at 4 - after I finish at the Gallery!

Did a bunch of foraging earlier in the day: food, a nice thick comforter for the city house, and a few diverse items - all at thrift shops. Visited Gallery and we in-took four of my new pieces. Picked up 3 books at library; using the notice of when they are closed for the holidays for a bookmark! Read local paper and noted a few events to attend.

Email from contractor re possibility of new tub; appointment on Saturday. The current one is rather ratty looking. Speaking of which: red squirrel was being busy this morning and I am wondering if it is in the attic or where? It sassed me from the woodpile a couple times! Sure is a cute critter.

Partly unloaded the car when I got home and put that bunch away. Still more to go. Maybe in the am when the mud is frozen. Transferred some money, hung a wildlife calendar (free at Thrift chop). Bedtime!

.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST,#
Date: 04 Dec 15 - 10:57 AM

Red squirrels can be a real pain. They get into your house and they won't be leaving. FYI.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST,#
Date: 04 Dec 15 - 11:13 AM

At least until they've chewed up your wiring. Get it/them out soon as or you're in for a pile of damage to the house.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Dec 15 - 11:48 PM

Beaver:
Yes, dear! I have no idea how to exclude the red devil. I shall call upon the expertise of my friends on Ontario Wildlife. I regret that I heard it running around upstairs this morning. No, I am not going to kill it. I am very mindful of the damage they can do. After all, raccoons turned on the AC at machineco in JAnuary.

Right now, after a long hard day, trying to get the house warm enough to go to bed. Sometimes I simply do not treat the fire right and it takes a long time to get going.

The good news is that the water is back on; the bad news is that the very nice man did not pay attention to what I told him and instead of half an hour, it took two, plus an hour listening to the poor dear telling me stories about what a wonderful cook he is, etc. Only de-cluttered my self of him when I said I had to leave! In the process, the BR was turned upside down which could result in some re-re-arranging as I put it back together -- tomorrow! Just cleared the bed so I can get in it!

Brought in more wood this aft - exercise!

My day at the Gallery was full of stuff: Friend Stu brought in freshly printed calendar - 10 for the Gallery gift shop and I bought one for me and got a Gallery visitor to buy one directly from Stu; great photos of the area and every possible event anyone could possibly think of! Now, if we can just get him to finish them in August next year - before summer people leave. i phoned Carol and she came in to put them into inventory so we could sell them - two right off!

Said visitor divulged that he was someone I have known: he had a hunt camp across the road from my "farm" in the bush AND he bought the farm a few years ago - showed me pics of the upgrading and talked about it with me until I felt he loves it as much as I do. That de-clutters some feelings of sadness about not being there anymore. He invited me to visit in the spring. So, instead of not wanting to go there at all - due to the pain - I am looking forward to a visit. He still has the wonderful old bathtub I bought at his father's junk yard - and then went to the camp and begged help from the young men to get it to the second floor! Such groaning it took for 3 of them to push that tub up the stairs!!   

The opening of the terrific art show was well attended and lots of good conversation - including a helpful lecture on plumbing by a dear handy man. The young lad thought getting the hot water, with new, more efficient tank, would run about $2500!!!! With John's helpful info and advice, I believe we can do it ourselves - that even I could do it - for far less - now THAT is de-cluttering!

Bedtime!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Dec 15 - 11:05 AM

Down 2.2 pounds.....making it just over 35 pounds. Two people have now commented that it looks like I've lost weight. :) Unsolicited compliments are the best!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Dec 15 - 08:59 PM

I've eliminated most of the sugary snacks out of my diet (there is a candy jar at work) and and making sure there are not only plenty of veggies but "resistant starches," or carb-type foods that digest slowly and help the gut flora stay happy. Beans, cold pasta and breads, nuts, etc. It is helping me feel better as I get rid of the sugar craving, and an offshoot is that I'll lose some of the weight that has crept back on over the last year.

Today was a paperwork day, but tomorrow is for the housekeeping stuff, including donations to the thrift store and eBay listings.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Dec 15 - 09:32 PM

Beaver:

FIRST - a Happy birthday email to Troy. My poor little 6 pound baby - now a beautiful, guitar playing, retired adult!

With the car mostly unloaded, there is considerable organizing needed - manana. Bought a portable clothes washer at the second hand shop this morning, delivered just before they closed at noon! Then a contractor/friend came to look at possibility of a new tub - will send me a price.

I picked up a needed part for the washer, this aft at my fav store in the whole world - Agnew's General Store in Wilberforce; I covered their 75th long enough ago that they are soon due for a 100th! A store that has changed with the times - catering to the cottagers with interesting clothes as well as useful items and a great hardware department! I bought a pair of warm socks with red moose and "Wilberforce, Ontario" on them! And two pair of especially warm winter socks. Went to the craft show and had a nice lunch of chili and bought two nice warm, crocheted. hats in nifty colours ($10 for both!)

Then spent the aft and eve with friends on Elephant lake - 3 generations. Came home and wrote an email of encouragement to the son , who will soon have the care of a disabled cousin and, I fear, a dear mom who is starting to lose it. Not too sure about the dad.

Tomorrow I must run out and get laundry detergent and start de-cluttering the clothes of dirt! I am SO happy! And sort out the studio, hopefully throw some pots; and reorganize a whole lot of stuff!

There was a small plaque at Agnew's about going off on adventures to find out where you are meant to be. This is where I am meant to be.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Dec 15 - 04:15 PM

It's been a beautiful day and I'm taking a break. Pete made us a nice family (WW and diabetic friendly) breakfast while Jeremiah and I had our showers and got ready for church. Then a nice ride through the country side with bright blue skies and an oh so pretty white layer of frost covered everything with glitter! A nice service at church, an invitation to play my violin during the service, time with friends, home for a nice lunch and now I am cleaning and rearranging the living room to make room for the Christmas tree. It's one of maybe 4 times a year that I do a deep cleaning of the living room. I'm tired this afternoon so it's slow going but it IS coming along. Most of the clutter is toy and book related...time to do another purge of toys I believe! The good news is that there is room for the tree already, now to clear off the piano of all my keepsakes and make room for the nativity....I always put that up first. The nativity itself is made up of Willow Tree figures but the hand carved creche is something that my Nana brought back with her from a trip to the Black Forest in Germany in the late 1970s and it's something I treasure. :) So...anyway...I suppose I should get back to work. I will probably put photos up on FB in the next few days.

Have a great night everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Dec 15 - 05:42 PM

Beaver:
WOW! a lovely day, Michelle! Sure beats my effort to get clothes washed!

Got detergent: checked out a store I had not gone into yet; Tide free and clear was
$5 for 32 washes; interesting store. I checked out Foodland; same stuff was over $10! This is where foraging pays off! Bought a couple things at each of 3 stores and went home to wash clothes. BUT the thingie that is supposed to connect did not. PHOOEY! Off to Home Hardware and Dave helping me figure it out. Right! While there, I HAD to buy a beautiful Christmas planter which is now in the big front window. No room here for a tree.

Back to the wash: Still no luck. The water just disconnects the fitting. Tomorrow I will go back to the store. I see no place for the water to go through??? So I had a big salad and sat and watched the light go. The sun now sets way further south - behind the pottery studio instead of the hill.

Eating baby carrots and trying to find a nice image to send a friend on FB for her B-day. The one I wanted tells me I cannot... something... AND FB is refusing to let me share anything today. More carrots... No laundry,... But a whole bin of stuff put away. BR still undone. Maybe later after I recover from the failure to do laundry. I did bring in a good bunch of stove wood - exercise!

And put two pots of water on the stove - one for washing up and adding moisture and one for dishes. I am being picky about the well water which I consider iffy. Hoping for two things when R comes next: hot water and a filter to take out the sediment. I only use distilled water for anything that goes in our bodies - drinking and cooking. That is a sort of clutter which will not go away.

If I wash my hair, maybe I can think better?

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Dec 15 - 06:09 PM

I've finished a few projects, and have some stuff ready to go out of the house tomorrow. A small amount to the curb, a fair volume to go to the recycle bins behind city hall, and more stuff for the thrift store. A lot of what goes to the curb will be dust and dog hair. I also feel the need for a "deep cleaning" of the living room and den, getting ready for family events.

I enjoy spending time on Sunday afternoons cooking for the week. I just made the perfect pot of lentil soup. Last week I made a batch with chicken stock, this time with water. And last week's batch with green lentils came out brown when it was cooked. This week's batch with red lentils came out green when it was cooked. Who knew?

I'm feeling the urge to start moving furniture, but the couch in front of the television is where we all usually sit to watch a movie after our holiday dinner. Maybe I should wait (I was going to bring in a glider and a rocking chair instead, and put the sofa in the front room). Decisions, decisions!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 07 Dec 15 - 04:07 PM

One load of laundry done, table cleared, one tote filled with everyday shelf sitters to make room for Christmas gear, fridge cleaned out, most of the dishes are done, toilet scrubbed, floors swept an soon to put out more Christmas decorations and lights on the tree. Decorating the tree will happen when we are all here. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Dec 15 - 05:46 PM

Beaver:

Out first thing this morning to the appliance store; The nice woman showed me HOW to connect the hose to faucet! Came back and found that even tho Dave said I did not need a wrench, I really do. My hands are not strong enough to tighten the thingie by hand. And I had a really hard time STILL getting the connection firm. About the time I was ready to give them it back, I finally got it. Had to phone for directions - that were NOT on the lid.

Because the water runs so slowly in the K, it takes half an hour to fill the tub. It took about two hours for each of the two loads. And the connection was finally perfect for the last bit. Prior to that, so much water was oozing out that I collected enough in a large bowl, to wash the dishes and fill the distiller - which seems to have quit. This is a crisis; I shall have to order another one - should have done it before 4 EST!

I managed to cook rice in prep for stuffing and roasting a chicken --- Kind of late now - tomorrow! I did manage to start re-organizing the BR and got lots put away. Also needed a close line! Oh, Joy, I found the extendable one the first place I looked, and clothes pegs too! Managed to get two screws into the wall in correct configuration - close enough! It can be taken down when not in use. So, clothes are drying in the BR, the light has disappeared in the west. emails are deleted, FB is being a pain and not letting me share or like, no word from R who is supposed to start east tomorrow, a small bag of stuff ready for thrift shop, and I am hoping for some new energy in a while to sort our more of the BR. Was not warm enough and I did not have enough energy for potting. Maybe tomorrow.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Dec 15 - 10:43 PM

Holiday cooking this evening - a pot of beans to contribute to a staff potluck lunch tomorrow.

I have ornaments that came from my mother and sister that also go front and center - more Scandinavian and secular in origin, but part of our holiday festivities. Doesn't everyone have a nissetroll to guard the tree? They don't like to be out in the open, so you have to place them in a corner or in a semi-hidden spot on a shelf, or in a closet with the door open a little they can see the tree. Really. They're about the only "good" troll there is out there.

Even as slow as your water is running, isn't it nice to be able to do your laundry at home, Dorothy? As opposed to lugging it all down to a laundrymat?

For those following the saga of the three dogs that have lived with my friend Susie for over two years (adopted after their original owner died of cancer), my friend isn't able to take them with her when she moves sometime in the next couple of months, so we have sought a new home. This weekend it worked out - the brother and sister-in-law of a co-worker of mine are going to adopt all three. They have a dog already (used to have 2, but one died of old age earlier this year) and she is going to have a dog trainer with with her dog and with the new ones to have a good integration of the pack. This is better than any of us could have hoped for, that the three can stay together.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Dec 15 - 07:06 PM

Beaver:
Yep, sure is better to be able to do it at home; I did all sorts of things while it was happening. I have not been in a laundromat in about 6 years. The dreadful odours of soaps and fabric softeners would be a horror for me. That was the final determinant when debating to cost effectiveness of spending a lot of money (relatively) on a machine or biting the bullet and going to a laundromat.

Spent most of the eve and some of this morning trying to find/order a distiller. Even phoned the air cleaner man and begged him to add distillers to his products. Was so fed up with one site the man hung up on me because of my language; his phone was no loud enough but he told me he was talking loud. Somewhere in Vermont with a not so great website and a lousy attitude. Finally phoned someone in BC who could be heard and might send me info - in 24 hours!! Got a tech guy at another place; him I could understand and he was helpful but their website was a horror. I have generally found tcch people to be far more helpful than "customer service".

So, I may or may not be getting a distiller as soon as I need it. But the clothes are put away and the clothesline back in its hole. The BR is improved but not done. The oven is workin on a roast chicken and acorn squash and a small container of the left over stuffing topped with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. A large pan of the thighs roasted with curry seasoning finished and a couple were yummy on my salad. I had to make a special trip to the nat. food store for sage and poultry seasoning ; this K lacks a few things! Cooked in two cast iron frying pans and a griddle! Works fine.

Brought in a bunch of wood - exercise! Had a visit with Tam and Blair as he finished my storage box; Do I have the heart to tell Blair that the reason I got him to make it instead of buying an ugly plastic one is because I wanted it in wood? He used materials from an ugly plastic one. This comes under the category of "things we did not think to cover in the instructions". Arghhhh! K functions well and it is time to check the chicken.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Dec 15 - 08:46 PM

We're to the less-productive time of year at work, with office parties, planning to participate in holiday events, set-up, taking-down, etc. There was a pot-luck lunch and the monthly birthday dessert meeting today. Pacing myself and not eating any extra candy from the chocolate jar in the office.

I'm going to the office early so am getting out of work earlier, but finding more time for running around to do things means I'm not getting home a lot earlier. I need to head straight home to work on some of the stuff waiting here for me.

This week is supposed to end up quite warm - in the high 70s, I think. I have been happy to pull sweaters out of storage, but it looks like lighter weight clothes the rest of the week. Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest where there are four pronounced seasons, it is sometimes difficult to get in to the holiday spirit with all of this warm weather.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Dec 15 - 06:15 PM

Beaver:
The wonderful woman at head office in Taiwan gave me a new site and a distiller is ordered!!! That was a monumental de-clutter as I was SO stressed by it. On the other hand, the wood man has STILL not brought my last 3 cord and the rock guy has not yet delivered the rock for drive - which I need to rake into place! Waiting is not fun. R was in the air today and I am waiting to hear he has landed in Detroit.

A springish day and the studio was over 50F! I brought in wood, did organizing in kiln/store room, studio, BR, LR and the back sheds. The exer-cycle is now in place again, tables ready to be covered with plastic for clay work, thoughts of where shelves need to go evolving. Buckets from the bulk food had not been washed so I put them outside - lids on ground and buckets on sides - to see if critters will help with cleaning - before I use massive amounts of soap to clean out oily residues of nut butters. Need K type sink in studio - with bucket under it - for cleaning tools and such. Or maybe just a bucket on a low bench.

Then went off to town, stopping in Gallery to confer, dropped book at library and checked out one thrift store. (These 3 are next door to each other.) bought a $10 pine bed side cabinet - quite nice with a drawer and a door. When my energy returns, I shall move the current bed side cabinet t0 a planned space in LR and put the new one next to bed.

Little red devil was outdoors this morning. I am thankful that the studio, at least, is impervious thanks to good work of T&B! It is tight! Have not heard furball upstairs lately. Started looking for access point but was distracted; tomorrow if it doesn't rain.

I am daunted by that feather bed which did such a great job of keeping me warm outside at sub-freezing temps. It cannot be forced into a largish plastic bin. It must take about 5 cubic feet of space! A large trunk - for which there is NO room in this little house, or the kiln room. OK! - a construction grade clear plastic bag and into the back shed. THAT would greatly de-clutter the BR and make a couple other moves possible! Off I go...

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Dec 15 - 08:17 PM

Beaver:
I DID it! construction grade bag and squeezed it down, down down!! The put two heavy rubber bands on the top and squeezed it into a plastic bin; it won't fit but it will be safe! then I organized the other stuff to the point where - OOPs, it's raining. A tremendous improvement. Several more small tasks awaiting next rush of energy and - where IS that screwdriver??? Very happy. That is probably it for tonight.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 10 Dec 15 - 07:57 PM

Beaver:
After an entire morning on the computer - did write a couple of important emails, I had a small lunch and went off to social events:of the small community variety: a gathering at Maggie's/Tamarack (women's Centre) where a dozen women and staff had a pre-Christmas lunch. Kind of emotional for me as I was one of the founders back about 1982 and it was pretty special to see how my kid has grown. One of the group has been involved since the inception! I invited her to phone and stop in for tea. The celebration of the 30th anniversary for a staff person at the Credit Union. I may have been the only non-family, non-CU person there; seemed important to me to celebrate her.

Searched for a bottle brush to fit into a one inch neck. No luck so far. Found a few useful items at thrift shop. The weather came down on me and flattened my energy. I did not even take the bag of stuff into the thrift shop. Tomorrow I must do things - wood and load car - so I shall continue to rest tonight. Maybe look for that screwdriver...

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 07:33 PM

Beaver:

mostly a day of rest, rainy, drismal.

Brought in wood, loaded pottery into car, tried to put up a towel rack but one screw did not cooperate - I'll go the hardware another day. put wallpaper inserts on the four upper cabinets and cut a piece for after a paint the last one. The background on the paper matches the paint perfectly - by accident! Decided not a good idea for lower cabinets - more apt to catch spills. Also on the inserts for the :clothes cabinet in the BR (where there were once mirrors. I need some sort of fasteners to hold them in place - on list for Hardware store.

Spent interminable time on FB until cannot stand it anymore, deleted lots of emails and sent a couple; finally figured out who to phone to find out if I ned to take tables tomorrow - yes. Happily, the Market does not start until 11 so I can get there before 10 and be fine. Washed hair. Fellow brought 3 face cord of wood - encouraged me to find him more work --After it took him two months to deliver this wood and I ended up getting not as good wood because of it!

The BR feels so uncluttered but still more I can do as I feel the way forward. Actually have not put anything in new little cabinet yet.... Best use?   Fire needs attention!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: mg
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 10:53 PM

My goal for 2016 is to never look for passwords so I took a huge magic marker and wrote them on my desk at work. They are somewhat coded with blanks but still the terrorists can prob get into my health records etc. I am! Past caring.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Dec 15 - 10:27 AM

Pass phrases are easier to remember and can be longer and complex. When I change a password I give myself a clue of a number or two and then a space to indicate what part changed.

Dorothy, I keep the house pretty cool in winter so the down comforter is coming out soon, not getting put away. It has a place where it lives on a top shelf in a closet inside an bag to keep the dust off.

It's unseasonably warm here this week, so I may get my holiday lights up in one tree out front. I have a lot to do today, tomorrow I should probably spend working on holiday letters, etc. so they arrive in time that people who have dropped me off of their card lists can still send something. Sometimes I have to wait for a card from friends to be sure I have a current address.

This weekend a couple of the bird feeders in the garage will migrate out to the driveway. After a bad experience of weevils in bird seed I'll work out a storage system that doesn't allow any to get into the house. The worst offender was the hull-less seed, so I won't fool with that either. I'm hoping that once lured to the garden area by the seeds, birds poking around on the ground will take out some of the pesky insects that are still in the area after tormenting my garden last summer. Or that when spring arrives, the birds will harvest the new hatch of annoying bugs. (The trick is to keep the birds out of the produce also!)

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 Dec 15 - 08:24 PM

Beaver:
This feather bed makes a down comforter seem like a baby blanket; I can barely carry it. IT is safely ensconced, in bag and bottom of a too small bin, under a table in the studio - until I get back to Quebec bring it a larger bin.

Birds and seeds: Seems to me if you expect them to clean up the insects, you need to also plant enough produce to share! Only fair!

I put all those password type things in a book; also feel who cares! But take reasonable caution.

Sold a few pots today, had a bunch of good conversations, esp one with a person with whom I have been wanting to connect ever since I got back here - over a year. She remarried but I knew she taught art at the HS - left my card and a note - she never got; gave a card and message to one of her students - she never got! So now I can visit her at her classroom. In a real sense, this de-clutters my mind of wishing I could connect with Carol. We were once very close; she also did my logo and sign for pottery.

Bought a kiln and may already have found, asking at the Halibut, someone who wants it.

R is back in Montreal. I am quietly, exhaustedly at home.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Dec 15 - 02:30 PM

Dorothy, I'm offering up seeds and insects during the winter when nothing else is around. And hoping they will deal with some of the worst offenders. Birds are hard on tomatoes, which isn't necessarily the best bird crop, it's simply opportunist.

A visit to Tractor Supply yesterday landed me the dog food I needed and bird seed that has a mix without millet. I don't want milo, most of the companies add it as a filler, and millet in the hanging feeder just ends up all over the ground (I found an Audubon site explaining how it should be used) and I think I'll get more of the black oil sunflower seeds, and sweep the shells into the garden to mulch. If I get a setup for smaller birds then I'll add milo back in. I do enjoy the bird watching but by the end of winter they're sucking down that bird seed like nobody's business. It can be an expensive hobby.

Sorting through the sun room today, flattening boxes and re-discovering things I'd forgotten were stored in there. I need to clear off some countertops for holiday baking - I'm so glad I remember the pie safe, I'll be using that a lot this afternoon and over the next couple of weeks.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Dec 15 - 04:54 PM

Beaver:
Drismal day with some precipitation.
Acme: if one is gardening in the country, there must be either a VERY good fence OR enough for everyone - groundhogs, raccoons, etc Birds - some netting over the tomatoes... But you know all that. I have never fed the birds; but I spent quite a lot in the raccoon years. Them, I miss! Birds - ho hum. Though I did enjoy our spring Robin and the crows.

I am taking on a - why do today what can be put off till tomorrow attitude? OK, I'm still tired from yesterday. I did go get a new set screw and install the towel rod and got things to hold the panels in the doors of the cabinet.

T&B stopped by to put handles on the pottery storage cabinet; maybe tomorrow I will unload the car. Tam discovered the outlet I was using for the distiller is not working! It worked one day and not the next! So I ordered a new...? Oh well. I plugged it in elsewhere and it is working fine?? I have tried to see if a fuse is bad - to no avail. There is no proper chart on the panel; it is easier to work that out with two people. It's hard to see them up there.

12 year old Georgia managed to close the window that I had not been able to close. most of the way. I will put white duct tape on the small crevice and look for a new window in the spring - unless R takes it aport and makes it work correctly.

Brought in wood. vacuumed, washed the few dishes. got the chicken in the frig - instead of outdoors! But had to put the lettuce outside to do it! A BIG salad for supper would help. A bit larger frig would be nice. Otherwise things are in pretty good shape - except tired me. Only tired is fine.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Dec 15 - 06:23 PM

Laundry, picking up clutter, packaging things to mail. Baking - pumpkin bread. A pot of chicken/turkey pot pie stew is simmering.

Dorothy, the birds are fascinating to watch, and on many occasions I'll see something interesting from my kitchen window (the feeders are in clear view) I sneak out my front door and around the side of the house with my camera to get some photos.

And isn't it annoying when something you pronounced dead only had an unplugged cord or a blown fuse? A friend couldn't get his camera to download into the computer, and finally discovered there were identical cables and the one he was trying to use was not plugged in. At least he didn't do much more than reboot the computer.

I'm pulling my sales listings from half.com and going to take those textbooks over to the local used bookstore that buys them. I may not get much, but they'll be off of my table and out of the house.

Time to write the letter and send cards. And get more parcels in the mail. Consider that a heads up!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Dec 15 - 10:08 PM

More progress. A box of canned goodies from the garden is in the car to take to co-workers tomorrow. Rather than make cookies or something I distribute bounty from the garden that has been processed. And remind them that if they think of it, eventually send the jar back.The textbooks are bagged to take to the local used bookstore that buys them now.

A batch of stew is now in the fridge, and the most scrumptious bread pudding is ready to be stowed away as well. Minus a serving for dessert tonight.

I found ants swarming the dog food container this evening (they've come in near a window - tiny little things that probably have a long trail ringing the house) so I zapped them with spinosad and I'll figure out where to put the dog food (new bag in cleaned out bin) where they won't find it. I hate ants.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 14 Dec 15 - 07:43 AM

I finally got the old computer in the kitchen (the one retired from the office) to run using the little WiFi dongle that I have installed and reinstalled several times. This means I don't need to keep changing the data cable around (I also have the old BluRay player in there, and both are attached to a TV on the wall for watching or looking up stuff when I'm working in the kitchen). I have a couple of RAM cards to swap out in it as well, speed it up a tad.

No, I haven't considered decluttering the house of the various old computers yet (there are only four here, after all). . .

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Dec 15 - 07:02 PM

I am down another pound this week. Weight Watchers has switched up their program so I am currently just taking it all in and deciding on my plan of attack. I think it is a change for the better and really, it is much more diabetic friendly now but they have changed up the point values so I have some relearning to do.

My house is looking ok lately...no decluttering going on but am hoping to clear out a box of paper stuff tomorrow, depending on how much school work Jeremiah gets done/how long it takes to get through our lessons.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Dec 15 - 08:59 PM

Beaver:
I seem to have de-cluttered all my energy on Saturday! Either that or the two sweet wheat thingies I ate when out this morning did me in - also a possibility. They are so tempting and I foolishly went from the morning meeting off to do some shopping without going home for lunch. The rationale was that if I went home, I might not get moving again!

So I got a couple of needful things including a bottle brush small enough to go into the holes in two bottles - less than an inch in D. I think. I had looked in near every store in town - all 6 of them! Unfortunately one was Foodland ... So I came home and had a decent lunch and crashed - on computer or reading until 8 pm. RAINED! But it was 45 in the studio and I could have warmed it up easily and gotten some work done - NO energy. The spirit was almost willing ...

It was a bit of a blow to find I had ordered a new distiller -$200 - and the old one is fine! but I can leave one here and take one to the city when I go. One less thing to clutter the car when traveling. They are also sending me a fuse, so perhaps I can repair #3 and have one at the mill also.

Tomorrow, I shall unload the car into the storage cabinet! So glad to have that now! I'll pull out the newest pots to have handy. Maybe photo them to send to a couple friends. Then go see this latest kiln, take some items (stained glass) to see if friend in LSPeter can repair, then visit friend in the Grove. Then I shall have done stuff!
   
As for the birds.... I get excited about raccoons! No sign of red devil lately. I can hope it went into the woods for the winter, which I presume will come along eventually.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Dec 15 - 12:40 PM

Beaver:
Unquestionable: those sweet raspberry rolls are BAD for me. I ate the last one at lunch a bit ago and now I want to go back to bed and my feet have turned to ice. (The house is warm.) This morning went off track when the kiln viewing was postponed to tomorrow; there went that plan - things were planned according to geography.

Then electric went off about 10 am - very unusual - but, thinking it was local, I went up to the HS to see the art teacher. Amazed to find the loss was widespread and everyone was leaving. So, nothing else in town would be open either. So I came home for lunch - bread with almond butter; did not want to open frig so I added the roll thing. Blichhh. Hope I remember this and not purchase anything else of that ilk.

Still, I thought I would go to the Grove but better phone to be sure my friend would be there. No answer. Considering canceling today! I have unloaded car into storage, brought in wood and found a possible recipe for something to take to Saturday's potluck.

Two positive emails last night, after I thanked, by email, those at the meeting for restraining themselves and not talking on top of each other. It went SO much better. Saved me from feeling bent,folded and mutilated by the end; I tend to get very prickly when that happens - my brain simply cannot cope with chaos.

The electric came back on about noon and now I think I shall take my cold feet out into the world. If I do a round of the thrift shops at least I will be moving and my feet will warm up. Better than sitting here wanting to go back to bed. Maybe if I warm up I might have the energy to work in the studio. Maybe.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Dec 15 - 06:44 PM

My nextdoor neighbor's yard guy left at least 10 large bags of leaves at the curb. I had asked if he'd drop them off in my driveway storage area, but he forgot, so I'll spend a little time with the wheelbarrow this evening moving the bags. They make great compost. Actually, I may let them sit and begin rotting then spread them over the garden area (that way they won't blow away). I do what I can to use native and local materials in the garden.

I took various home canned goods to work this week (after querying folks on what they'd prefer) - cranberry sauce, grape jelly, green tomato relish. Homemade items make great gifts and since I made these things earlier in the year it doesn't cut into my time right now (when I'm working on baking breads and cookies in preparation for the holidays).

I wish it would cool down so it feels like the holiday season - we're up to nearly 70 during the day this week again. It's good for my electric bill, but not so good for the psyche. Last year I cleared out a lot of the strings of lights, the very old ones, and this year will pick up some LED strings as they go on sale. They're more economical and I think they're better made now. Less chance of one bulb popping out and killing the whole string. Time to put garland and sparkly stuff on the mantle also. The last couple of years my fireplace has been blocked (to keep the house comfortable - it was a constant source of hot air in the summer and cold air in the winter) and my television is on the hearth. I stream NetFlix's burning fireplace and it works just fine. :) I should look to see if they have a window overlooking a snowy day.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Dec 15 - 11:07 PM

Beaver:
My gardening friend considers leaves "GOLD!" We have none. Thie wet, warm weather - we are going to need hip waders to cross the "lawn" the water table is so high! Will go a bit below freezing tonight. Need to phone about the stone for drive which has not yet been delivered; I wanted it for the mud!

Stopped at mail box on way out. My new distiller arrived! I had to go to a postal sub station in a drug store - TOXIC! Maybe that's why I have been coughing more. I am leaving it packed so it is easy to transport next time I go to Montreal since the other one is working fine - on a functional outlet!

PIcked up a beautiful winter jacket, with zip out lining!, for R at thrift warehouse and five pieces of clothing for myself at the 50 cent sale at "Choices". I do prefer spending my money at the ones I know are funding local health care.

Then I read and computered the rest of the day, finishing another page-turner.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Dec 15 - 07:47 AM

I'm working on a mystery - somewhere in the house, probably still on a pants hanger, is a pair of jeans. Of three I've been wearing this fall, the favorite pair has gone walkabout. Probably hiding in plain sight.

The kitchen is slowly improving, the kitchen table slightly better. I'm about to start moving furniture around, large chairs mostly, to make better use of the front room where I once had a huge futon that I finally gave to the Salvation Army (a story from last year, and the confirmation of why selling anything via Craig's List is almost a lost cause.) The rocking chair will come out of my daughter's room and in turn I'll then be able to organize some of the space that was blocked by that chair so craft items can go back to her room (that is also my sewing room) so I can have the big dining table clear for when company is here later this month. It's a domino effect around the house.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 Dec 15 - 05:38 PM

Hiding in plain sight? A common occurrence!! Maybe under something on a hanger? Or we just forget where we really did put ...

Stone for drive delivered!!!!!! Will definitely de-clutter mud coming into house. The young lad placed it where I wanted it except for the last bit which landed in a pile close to door and I easily raked into a walk way to door.

Putting mind to a new surface for the Hoosier cabinet pullout counter yesterday: I started at the furthest building supply. Staff person said, "Are you on a mission?" Guess I was but he kindly worked with me until we quickly ascertained they could not fulfill my mission. Next store does kitchens and bathrooms et al: flashing lights (in brain) - countertop material! I picked out a colour chip to coordinate with the wood and asked about getting a piece; Kim phoned with a positive today and a two week wait time. There will be a big piece left over so I can think about another use. Big job will be getting the UGLY ceramic:tile off, then glue the ... to a thin piece of plywood - TOXIC but can be done outside and left to off-gas.

Went to see kiln - I want it for myself; it is just like my original one. They will deliver it! Ann Marie insisted I must then go to the Outreach thrift shop. Following orders - it was further than I thought - I met a couple nice people, great thrift shop, acquired a really nice winter jacket with hood and instructions to talk to Hydro (electric) about getting $30 off bill due to low income I forget I have a low income so - yeah!

Drove rest of way to LSP but friends were not home so drove back to M and visited friend and his beautiful art gallery. My first really in depth conversation with him; I usually have them with his partner - but he is too sick right now. He also pushed the Hydro discount.

So, Clutter and de-clutter As I look at things in the thrift shops, dollar stores or elsewhere, always enters my mind: Do I need it? Do I need it because I want it? Do I have a place/room for it?

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 17 Dec 15 - 09:44 PM

Beaver:

Saw the sun for brief periods today! Cloudy days are warmer, generally. So I could have made pots but went off to obtain some items. Got home in time to bring in wood - exercise! HAd a talk with myself about my refusal to do anything after 5 pm - pottery/outdoor.

Went to building supply to see if I could get a sheet of metal to make a cookie sheet, or two. Nothing available! Need to look on line, or ask R. Aluminum or stainless steel. Want cookie sheets without teflon or any other "non-stick" toxins. Maybe a cast iron griddle.   

A man came this morning, doing a study of the wells in the vicinity of the proposed quarry - lest the quarry affect the water quality. I invited him to sit beside me while we talked but quickly sent him further away. His hoodie stank of fabric softener. Sickening.

Just realized I bought two small chickens - on sale - this am; not even finished the last one and I was just hit with - Arghhh! I've been eating chicken for two weeks! I don't want more chicken!!! Maybe I can get them in the freezer.

Forgot to go to the Jam session tonight! Need to make myself a sign so I don't forget the one tomorrow!   OK: freezer, sign, bed!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Dec 15 - 11:12 PM

I have a Hoosier Kitchen and the metal pull-out shelf (with a porcelain finish) is in great shape. It's perfect for making pies. I usually pull it out and load it with plates, cutlery, cups, etc and people start there when we have pot luck buffets here at the house. I used to store plates and cups in the upper cabinets, but finally remember that the right hand cabinet is a pie safe and I need it to keep cooling baked goods out of reach of my counter surfing Labrador retriever.

Still haven't found those jeans. Maybe on a hook behind a door?

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Dec 15 - 01:52 PM

Not much is going on here. Normal chores have been tended to, I still have 3 totes of Christmas decorations to put out...I think I will get some of them out so it is festive for Jeremiah but I'm not feeling it so much just yet. I haven't wrapped a thing yet..that's on my agenda for tomorrow. It's been a tough year here and so present wise, it will be less than I'd like to give but it will be ok. The adults in our family have all agreed that we would do minimal for each but not for Jeremiah. He is way excited this year and I am excited to see him on Christmas morning. He will be getting a few of the things he really, REALLY wants. :)

I had a migraine yesterday...weirdest thing, really. My boys went out to get the mail and I was fixing up a big salad, cutting cucumbers when I had intense pain in the back of my neck that traveled up behind my right eye. They came back in and I was in tears and said I was going to bed..intense pain and nausea. I went to the bathroom to get some Advil, sat down at the kitchen table, took the Advil and in about 10 minutes, the pain was all but gone. I have no idea what happened but took the rest of the day pretty easy. I had wanted to make country fried steak for Pete (his favorite) and a pumpkin pie but the thought of even smelling those things yesterday made me queasy...so that's what I'm doing today. The pie is already done and he wants home fries with his dinner so I have the potatoes all pre-baked. Salad is all prepared....so it will all come together relatively easy.

Speaking of salad. I went to a restaurant supplier this week and picked up a 5 pound bag of lettuce. :) I spent part of yesterday peeling and cutting up carrots and cucumbers to go with the lettuce. My thought is that if I have it all ready to go/prepared, I'll eat more of it. In addition, it was $6.00 for that huge bag of lettuce.....cheap. So far, that plan is working out just fine. I have hard boiled eggs all made up, feta and blue cheese, veggies all ready to go and tomatoes on the counter, washed.....just need to cut those up when I'm ready for them.

My downfall this week? It just happened...LOL. My pumpkin pie recipe makes enough for 2 pies but I only ever make one. I bake the remaining filling in a casserole dish and eat it without the crust. I just had maybe half a cup of that...oh so good! It's made with heavy cream and brown sugar so I'll do my best to limit it.

The pie is for Pete. I'll share the custard with Jeremiah..he will love it and it will mean less for me to pick at. It's a win win situation. ;)

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Dec 15 - 07:55 PM

I mailed a couple of boxes today so they reach family members early next week. Nothing big, we tend to exchange food items - consumable gifts don't clutter up the house (though they can do a number on the waistline).

Dusting, picking up, arranging more ornaments in a few places. I don't do as much of the house now that the kids are big, but I do enough so it's pretty. I think we're all more interested in what adorns the inside of the refrigerator instead of the mantle!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 18 Dec 15 - 09:41 PM

Beaver:

Michelle: that pain in head - I am sure you will tell your physician. Though I have had similar, in the past, which seemed to stem from twisting my head/neck/shoulders. A couple times it brought me to my knees.

Acme: My "hoosier" is a Knechtel, made in Ontario. Pie safe to me means a ventilated door? Mine does not have one but the centre top might have had one before it was changed. Could again as the insert comes out easily but the chances of me making pies... As for the slide out counter - totally messed up. It was probably like yours once upon a time. I will be glad to get an attractive, usable formica surface instead of ugly, broken and loose, 4 inch tiles! I am quite excited that I got this idea. It is going to be a lot of work to get the tiles and glue off. I am waiting for R to get here even to pull it out to work on it.

I seemed to get little done today except foraging - foods, new filters for respirator (ordered last week), a couple flowerpots for the cilantro and parsley plants - they probably won't live but I will try - organic potting soil AND a cast iron griddle that was on sale - $50! Never spent that much for a cooking anything in my life but it covers two burners on my beautiful gas stove and will be great for buckwheat cakes and the little potato cakes I am designing for tomorrow's potluck (hopefully).

Lots of conversations - de-cluttering and sharing thoughts and concerns does help. Many times a day I think about how happy I am to be back in this community - where people know me AND speak English!!

Wrote a longish email to a group about my concern that there is inadequate communication. The catalyst - going to the 7-11 Cafe and the place was closed. Came home to see if there was anything on their FB page. NO! It is on their google calendar...

Today I wore my, new from the "Outreach", winter jacket - nice and cosy. Cold, windy but only just at freezing point, with scattered blue. A sprinkle of snow this morning is still in shady places - like the deck where I walked very carefully to put some things in the kiln/store room.

Did not bring in wood; fortunately brought in plenty yesterday. Will not be optional tomorrow. I do have the supply route planned: there is enough right on the deck for a few days as well as the woodpile coming right up to the end of the deck - right outside the door. Right now I go to the farthest part of the pile but if snow builds up, I will start on that nearest the door. There will be minimal shoveling needed.   

Love the stones on the drive and short walkway - so much less dirt coming in!

Chatting with a woman in line at grocery, she told me she had just done a major clear-out of her home and she was SO happy!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Dec 15 - 10:40 PM

Not a pie-safe in the sense of a hammered tin door with holes, but a tall cupboard on the side that has wire shelves for cooling foods. The other side tall cupboard didn't have any shelves, it probably had a flower bin and sifter (long gone) and I put in some shelf supports and two shelves to get more use out of it.

I was on my feet much of the afternoon and evening, making cookies, the kind you press out of the twisting handled cookie press. Christmas trees and spritz. The kids' requests. I still have to make some krumkaka (a Norwegian cookie that is rolled after cooking briefly on an iron.) The dusting is waiting until tomorrow.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Dec 15 - 11:20 AM

This morning when I look around I see a house in which a slow motion explosion of paper, plastic, and cardboard boxes occurred. I've starting small, clearing out the laundry room (where some of this stuff is supposed to live, and the excess gets recycled).

And this year I'm going to try a completely new cookie, one I've never made or tasted before. The joy of exploring an old cookbook. I'll report back on the results.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Dec 15 - 12:14 PM

Beaver:
I returned the griddle; it is "pre-seasoned" I researched this and found the explanation rather uncertain but the fact that the directions tell me not to use veg oil, only lard or shortening was the last straw.

A phone call to R, when he was at home and not mostly asleep, elicited the info that I have 4 cookie sheets and he is instructed to bring two with him. I was not aware there were four and think he might not have a clear idea of "cookie sheet". We shall see -when he gets here - whenever that may be.

In the meantime, I roasted sunflower seeds in two frying pans and the griddle (all cast iron) in the oven. Added a bit of curry powder for flavour. Did the remains of the chicken in the crock pot, cooled it, took out all the bones and have added red lentils and gold beets. Should be a nice lunch. ---for a couple days!

A couple inches of lovely soft snow yesterday; cars were coming down the hill very slowly. So I checked the road conditions before heading north - and bookmarked said page. Only our least travelled road was snowy. So safe trip up to LSP and back. A wonderful afternoon and evening amongst dear people at T&B's home. Tam and her Dad are friends since '77, others since '81. Lots of history and lots of love.

After a sumptuous meal, John played carols and then fiddle tunes, with daughter and granddaughter on guitars! I phoned R so he could listen to a bit of it. Filling one self with music by special people de-clutters the self of stress and negative feelings. None were possible in that ambiance. I never tried to count - but ages ranged from 3 months to 90!

I came home about 9 and de-cluttered the computer of emails. And the wood pile - filled the stove with lots of dry wood and got the house up to 60 before bed. Another grey day; heading toward 32F at the moment. Lots of traffic on this dead end road this am! Emailed the next door neighbour to see if she is here (lives in Toronto and Michigan), suggesting she phone or stop by; I do not want to intrude.

At the party, L gave me a pin cushion with several sewing needles so I can mend few things; she must have made it as it is a soft round ball with a lovely crocheted surround; 6 needles with eyes I can see! (I had asked for a needle. I have lots at the mill and did not want to purchase MORE! ) I broke down and bought a $4 iron at thrift shop - maybe I shall even de-clutter a shelf of some ironing! First wood and mending. Ah, I smell chicken soup!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Dec 15 - 12:31 PM

That's a rich wintery image, Dorothy! A couple of years ago we had a thick sheet of ice over the region and several snow days in a row. Today it's still sweater weather.

I'm going to make a recycling run and drop off items at the thrift store soon - and I have a bunch of flattened boxes that need clearing out. They're the size I most typically use for mailing stuff, but I only need so many of them.

Agreed about the cookie sheet question - I have some shallow pans (a 1/2 inch raised edge all around) that in the past I might have treated as cookie sheets, but after getting my hands on the insulated flat aluminum sheets, I'll never go back. Those edged pans work well with foil over them for roasting vegetables, and are good to put under other pans in the oven to catch drips.

A couple of holiday-themed crafts are about to be put away, the sideboard is dusted and cleared as I get ready to set the big dining room table. I'm curious if the toy train set (nothing fancy, just one that can circle a tree, etc) might fit on that table down the middle. If the trains aren't running, people could eat with the track on the table. I think.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 21 Dec 15 - 04:34 PM

Today, on this shortest daylight of the year, we are decorating with lots of lights and sparkle for Christmas. The tree has been up for a week or two (decorated) but the rest of the things haven't been taken out and put up until today. I am really liking it. :)

Yesterday Pete, Jeremiah and I played music at church. Pete played the guitar, Jeremiah on the djembe and me on the violin. It was the first time Pete and Jeremiah had ever played in front of anyone and the first time for me in a few years. I think we sounded good and there was clapping and even some cheers when we were finished. That made us all feel really good. :) We've been asked to play again soon. :)

I am down 0.8 pounds this week and given all the holiday goodies and a change in program, I'm good with that. I've decided that I will be most happy with myself if I maintain this week. It's Christmas. It's Pete's birthday. There are a lot of goodies circulating that are a once a year kind of thing. I am not going to go crazy with things but I'm not going to deny myself either. Moderation. I'm going to do my best to keep things in moderation.

You all know that I used to have a very active yoga program. Between now being a one income family and the fact that I am home all day....well, yoga at the studio isn't an option right now so I am very seriously considering the DDP yoga program.

I hope everyone is well on this day with the shortest amount of light. I personally am lighting up the house in a festive manner, making a healthy, colorful dinner and running Christmas movies as I bustle about.

Much Love,

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Dec 15 - 08:16 PM

Beaver:
It was Sraining most of today. It looked beautiful - like snow - coming down but hit the ground as rain. Just above freezing - I did NOT go anywhere. Glad I brought in lots of wood yesterday! The shortest Day AND the greyest - foggy, misty GREY! There was still a bit of snow in our valley but it will soon be gone.

Days getting longer - by tiny increments! Temp going up until a high of 55F on 24th! Then down again. Possibility of sun on 25th. That would be a nice change! Maybe I will feel like doing something.

Acme: I don't cook as much as you. Would be happy with anything that does NOT have a "non-stick" surface. I have always thought of those with the half inch ... as jelly roll pans. May even have used one as that many years ago. My beautiful new stove does give me the will to cook. That and being back home. I have not actually had a New stove since 1962. The stove at the mill was great until the oven quit - two years ago! The one in Montreal is OK but the whole K is hopeless - falling down, falling through, cluttered with tools and no room for K stuff. I gave up 5 years ago.

Short visit from next door neighbour last night; she is still getting her house finished - BUSY! And one from round the corner, helpful neighbour and his grand-dog this am. I wonder if we could accommodate a dog that size - about knee high, a lovely furry black dust mop. Too much clutter?

Virtually nothing the rest of day. Phone call to R. No cooking needed - lots of soup. Emails, FB and other computer stuff. And reading.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Dec 15 - 08:02 AM

Dorothy, the best way to avoid food allergies and hazards of materials used in cooking is to cook for yourself. I hope that at least the new kitchen will inspire the use of it. I got a new stove about 18 months ago and am still learning a few things about how I make old dishes. One holiday cookie, made in a griddle of sorts, used to need the small back burner on one notch below high, but on this stove that burns them and it is closer to one notch above medium.

The kitchen counter is clearer, as are the counters next to the stove. The stuff on the dining table is gradually being put away. I may be ready for guests this year, since we are delaying the holiday meal and activities by a couple of days to allow a global traveler a day to sleep around the clock. :)

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 Dec 15 - 08:09 PM

Beaver:
I DO cook for myself - but very simple. And almost NO baking. So that appetizer for last week's potluck was not a raving success but I have a better idea for another time. Invited to Dinner on Christmas Day: I offered a sweet potato casserole - doubt I can mess that up - apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, maybe some butter or cream - if I can get any fit to eat.

Once upon a time, long, long ago, I cooked LOTS of good food - for 25 to 50. Owned a luncheonette and made "the best veg soup in Montreal". Then I lived alone for many years - and, very poor, I lived on rice, beans and cabbage for months at a time. Quite enjoyed it. Trying to get back into cooking gear...

Yesterday, I was thrown into a tailspin by a letter from Citizenship and Immigration. The good news: I head from them in less than a year! Now they want my bank statements and credit card statements for 2008-2012. Sent me a business size envelope for what will amount to over 100 pieces of paper??? Nope, cannot phone them. Arghhhh!

Then I went to work in the Gallery 'til 4 and could do nothing. Was informed the show would come down"tomorrow". R won't get to see it; it was supposed to be here until 4 January. Then the main artist phoned about sending someone down who might buy a painting. He was miffed. I gave him # for president. Got word that today's vol would deal with it. This is actually breach of contract. Wrote a calm email last night about our reputation and being reliable for both public and artists. If PR says 4 Jan.... Stupid response form pres and a supportive one from an unexpected source.

Left before BF this am, but after stating the still, to get pics of the incredible paintings, before the Gallery opened - prices in the thousands but so wonderful I fantasized about mortgaging the house... Went to a thrift shop and bought 6 place settings of delightful winter china, excellent quality cutlery and blue/white cotton napkins -$35. Went back to the Gallery and found I had somehow set off the alarm. ?? But I was forgiven as I had also broken up the $100 bill someone brought in yesterday - without wallet all day yesterday, I could not do it then and it threw our cash box out of whack.

Went to bank and was easily provided with the statements! Stopped to see fav realtor looking for prop for friend. We had a LONG chat! Went to Credit Union and was easily provided ... AND she gave me a large envelope! R is bringing files of credit card statements. And cookie sheets and a largish cast iron pot with lid. Great for that casserole! I might live long enough to get citizenship.

I have downloaded the pics. put the new dishes in cupboard, took out some that will be leaving, put the old cutlery aside to go to Quebec, had a nice visit with Stu and Les; Stu had worked on house but Les had never seen it. Had a meal, cleaned the distiller and put it away, did a load of laundry and hung it in the BR.- on the extendible line, brought in wood - not a huge lot but enough, as the weather is warm still and I am having to be careful not to make the fire too big.

After near falling asleep while the washer was going, I am now looking around for what else I can do. But while I was on internet, I saw that a new shop WAY out in the country has "spruce bud jelly" . I will phone in the am and if they still have some, I shall drive out and get it for R. S&L really liked the choc covered candied ginger today so I need to make a good batch of that - for R and for the Christmas supper guests. Now...

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Dec 15 - 11:30 PM

Gifts wrapped, the kitchen clean, put away stuff that had been on the big dining room table (a great flat surface for sewing and crafts). Our actual holiday is delayed a couple of days until the entire family can be here, but there will be small skirmishes with party foods and consumable gifts tomorrow.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 25 Dec 15 - 07:09 PM

Blowing my diet to smitherines today enjoying all of the holiday goodies!!! Tomorrow is a new day! YAY!

Merry Christmas!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Dec 15 - 11:42 PM

Cooked up a storm today, part one of two. The rest on Sunday when everyone is here. Today's cooking was a consumable gift. The request shifted from just the meat pie filling (to put over rice) to having it put into the meat pie crusts (friend meat pies once a year isn't so bad after all, and they freeze well, he says). So on Sunday when the turkey is in the oven we'll work on the meat pies for him and for everyone.

Have a happy, safe, and healthy holiday everyone. And Maryanne, we expect you to walk into your house for the new year.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Dec 15 - 10:52 AM

The date has passed but the event hasn't - we're celebrating on Sunday when all of the immediate family will be present. They have travelled long distances this year to be here, but need a little time to get over jet lag and adjust to the time zone.

A big bag of recycling to the village bins, a trip to the store for that fresh turkey, and more puttering in other rooms because for once the living room looks pretty good and doesn't have a big station for crafts in play (aka the dining room table). I'm going to shift the dog beds and the big chair one of the dogs calls his own to the front room and see if they'll accept the reassignment. At least for the next couple of days, when I don't want to be tripping over all of the dog accouterments to and from the dining table.

Laundry in (because it IS Saturday!) and it's warm and muggy outside for now. Maybe I'll push the mower out for a quick trim of the winter grass in the front lawn.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Dec 15 - 03:45 PM

Beaver:
Went to that shop in the hinterlands and got the spruce tip jelly, chokecherry - was yummy on yesterday's buckwheat cakes- and rosemary. Also raspberry vinegar and purple basil vinegar. There were lots more in a beautiful square timber house, the interior of which looked as though it belonged in a fairy tale! R is well pleased with his gifts and we are looking forward to a trip back in warmer weather.

They had raised beds made of 18" patio stones; an exciting idea for me to use here where the "lawn" is under water until mid May! We need to investigate how they are help together, or devise out own system. And it must be done at the time of year when a truck can get in to deliver soil. R has a bunch of patio stone in Montreal; transporting them - HEAVY! - will require time with the truck. I am delighted to have this idea as wood would quickly die in this wet ground and I had given up on a garden.

After that lengthy trip, I shopped in the two food stores, stopped at Tim Horton's to see if my friends were there. No, but had a long chat with other friends. Arrived home for a 3 pm brunch! Made the house as tidy as possible and awaited R - working on computer. 7:30 pm - then a meal and chit chat, catching up after several weeks.

Christmas Day was a nice breakfast and exchanging of gifts: I gave him his before BF so we could use the jelly! It was, wonderfully, not very sweet; they make their own pectin from wild apples so they do not need to use as much sugar, I was told. R brought all manner of nifty books and useful objects, from thrift shops - well wrapped in newspaper - with price stickers intact! The top prize is a LARGE blue ceramic mixing bowl which has a place of honour on top of the K cupboard! A small planter holds the latest Af. violet and a small pot with an amazing glaze and 3 frogs as feet and 3 on the rim, is a pen holder on the coffee table. He also brought a 3 level pine table, about 2 feet square, which will provide good storage while filling the corner where sofa and love seat meet, at a right angle and form an open space, 2 feet square!.   

We need storage and we need to always be mindful of not bringing in anything that does not have a space and a function. We are each delighting in our cosy little house.

After giving R a private viewing of the wonderful show at the Art Gallery, we went for a free Christmas Dinner in my fav nearby village. It was sponsored by the Kawartha Bikers Church "by and for bikers" and wonderfully supported by the whole community. It was so neat to see the bikers scattered about the room, being hosts and making ballon crowns for the kids! Not how most people think of "bikers".   Everyone got a ticket and there were more than enough door prizes for everyone there, as well as a sumptuous repast. R, 1st to be called!, got a multi-coloured blown glass cruet. I caught up with a couple folks not seen in 15 years.

We had to leave before my number was called so I gave it to the folks with whom we had been sitting. I drove like the dickens on a wonderful back road - 40 minutes to our Christmas dinner with our friends at LSP. We were late but in good time. Wonderful meal with wonderful company. R took them organic honey from the hives in the yard of one of his buildings in Montreal - 25% of the crop for the use of the land!

R looked into W's Rife machine, at his request, and found a loose connection; there was discussion of who, in our community, c/would repair the connection. W really needs it. He is pushing 90 and getting frail. Living with our friends has been very good for him but he misses his cabin - no indoor conveniences and clearly he does not eat properly. He is thinking better and less paranoid since eating better.

Left over sweet potatoes made into potato cakes for BF today. Very lazy am. I have brought in a good batch of wood - precipitation forecast. Made sure all the outside wood is well covered.. R has started the process of getting hot water; like everything he does, it is complicated: first: move the water heater.......

Ann is excited with her "new" wheel; one son and gdghtr phoned yesterday. Other son left a message. I am going to bring in more wood!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Dec 15 - 12:59 AM

Turkey(s) purchased - the first store had pulled all of the fresh turkeys because today is the sell-by date. I asked if I could have one and they refused to sell it. I bought a sale-priced frozen one, as a backup (would have to defrost in water all day and night) and ended up putting it in the freezer because at the next grocery store I found the fresh turkey I was looking for. I like having a spare bird, in case we decide to have some kind of a big event during the year.

Recycling disposed of, and cleared out some boxes that were underfoot. The extra leaf is in the dining table (we have an extra guest for tomorrow) and the dogs have been moved to the front room. The lab doesn't seem to want to go sleep in there, I expect it'll take him a day of sleeping on the floor before he decides to follow his chair. And as mentioned before, I might be convinced to move the dog beds back to the big living area later.

My two christmas cactuses are on the sideboard in the living room and the table in the kitchen - one is bright scarlet and the other is a neon pink. The half of the plant nearest the window (from their usual location in the sun room) is in full bloom each, so that is how they are arranged now. They'll go back to the windows on Monday.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 27 Dec 15 - 01:22 AM

why not just cook a frozen turkey..of course in this case it was a backup plan..but you can cook frozen meat...i never thaw anything. turn down the heat and cook more slowly so heat goes all the way through and does not scorch. take out giblets when somewhat thawed from cooking. you certainly can also cook steaks, chops etc. frozen. saves all sortsof time and worry.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Dec 15 - 04:39 PM

A frozen twenty pound bird directly in the oven would take forever to roast and would resist any kind of seasoning prior to cooking. I always brine my turkey so I defrost in water (or in the fridge if I have time), and I was looking at a 24 hour turnaround this time because my plan was to buy a fresh bird the day before, not needing thawing. The bird is in the small fridge in brine right now.

Tornadoes ripped through the area last night because a cold front advanced upon our unseasonably warm wet weather. The volatile intersection is called the "dry line" and is still offering up some storms today. No white xmas for us this year, just storm cleanup and funerals. Several people died in those night time storms - you can't see what's coming if you're out on the road - it seems to have taken out a swath of highway, throwing cars around like small toys.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Dec 15 - 07:31 PM

Beaver:
BF of pineapple, sour milk, buckwheat cakes (de-cluttering sour milk!), made space and work areas for plumbing to proceed, washed dishes prior to water being turned off, filled several buckets with water, deleted emails, checked FB for a short time, talked with bro for a short time, lunch got rid of turkey, trip to hardware, to grocery, and supper at the Halibut/visit with Saidie, home, and R is at work. Hope to have water again someday soon!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Dec 15 - 11:19 AM

I listened to this video (Eat, Fast, and Live Longer) again yesterday. I see new things each time I view it. This played in the US as a free standing program, but is apparently part of a longer-running UK program called Horizons. Watch it all of the way through, and make particular note starting around 38 minutes into the program (but don't just skip to it, understand why this is important to Moseley, and the rest of us). Don't wait till New Year's to decide to pledge to lose weight. Pledge now to stay healthy. Here is one option.

The house is on its way to starting the new year relatively uncluttered. The kitchen is clean, the living room is set for guests, and before I put my craft stuff back on the dining table, I may have a few friends over. The ornaments will go away today, and I'll put stuff back up on the closet shelves for another year. Sometimes I do a better job than others of labeling the boxes I think I'll really use. Maybe this will be one of those years.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Dec 15 - 12:31 PM

Beaver:
Acme! sounds as though you are in control!

I am currently at the point of trying not to gain. After R leaves, I shall knuckle down to my weight loss regime again.

This am, a nice BF, brought in LOTS of wood very carefully. The ice storm of two days ago has not thawed at all. Fortunately, pellets that came down mean the ice it lumpy and has some traction. I take every step with deliberation. 14F this am and the house was down to 53F. Now it is 65 which is quite reasonable. Overcast day or it might be colder. Up to 24 in the studio - a bit of solar gain even through the haze.

The plumbing is virtually ALL ripped out, including the water heater, as R redoes the whole show, heading toward hot water. For now, NO water. It has turned into major job but I think he is committed to completing it before running off to Montreal. HOPE!! Remembering not to pour anything into the sink ...! So far.

Oh dear, R just saw a small furball , species undetermined, in the K. Mice can get out but the vole needs to go down under so I am hoping it gets out before R closes up the floor. The holes in the floor are a terrific source of cold air and we are really looking forward to being de-cluttered of them! I plan to put some sunflower seeds down there as a gift, to try to encourage it to stay under until it is closed out -NOT in!

Christmas is packed into one box; I shall put it in a clear construction grade bag and take it to the back shed - on a better day, and after R leaves so he is not out there looking for parts and pieces to use on this project. Emails deleted, one bill paid and finances investigated and written down for today.

A phone call from VISA was lengthy on 26th: someone hacked my credit card and spent over $600 on video games! All shall be removed from my bill but my card is history and I await a new one - using debit so must know balances. Also will be getting a new low limit Mastercard ($1000), at the suggestion of a helpful staff at the bank last week - for use when shopping on line. These visa guys do keep pretty good track of me. I am surprised they let those charges through - clearly on line purchases. A few years ago, I was denied use because I was somewhere unusual! Then I would let them know if I were going further afield, like San Diego.

Wondering if Michelle is iced in?

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Dec 15 - 01:18 PM

I call my credit card company and let them know when I'll be travelling and where, because I've had purchases denied due to previous hacked accounts. I set up alerts so I get a message every time my card is used, so I can also participate in keeping an eye on it.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Dec 15 - 08:30 PM

Beaver:
Where it is 18F and dropping! Winter storm warnings: 8-10 cm of nasty icy snow tonight. and R just fell on the front door mat; only scraped his hand: did not break hip, did not hit head! Silly man said it was lucky he is not older! I do believe that 68 year olds can break things also. But we do eat more healthy food that most. I handed him a pair of cleats for boots.

However, he did not break anything and we are cosy and warm with sufficient wood for the stove. And plenty of food. The forecast is for snow daily through the week.

NOW: how does one set up this alert system? I am a bit fed up as I just got this new card in October.

Gradually sorting things into new places and finding the papers I need for citizenship office. The BR floor is almost clear at one end. Still need the desk from Montreal to finish that end of room. Maybe next month.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Dec 15 - 09:31 PM

It probably depends on the company. I have one set up on my Chase card, I need to see if I can do that on another one as well.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 15 - 11:17 AM

Some of the shelf space in my office has general interest books, the rest of the shelves have playback equipment, lots of music books (I've added to my father's collection), cassettes, reel-to-reel tapes, and baskets of sundry equipment (cables, switches, headphones, and various not-quite successful small devices like speakers to use with the mp3 player, etc.) I found things in the closet I've been cleaning that I completely forgot I had, and after moving the books to the front room with the rest of my books, will put the computer and other electronic stuff on the shelves here, in view and hopefully where it will get used.

All of this clears out shelves on the sturdy wire rack in the closet, where I have thinned out the number of smallish backpacks, messenger bags, etc. I suspect places like Goodwill and Salvation Army make a real killing this time of year as people toss last year's model of items. I'm going back a lot of years on some of these things, but they are still looking good and functional.

I hear the mail carrier driving down my street, but I'm not ready to hand over stuff I have to mail today. Looks like it's time for a trip to the post office, then to make the rounds. Eggs, cereal, dog food . . .

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 Dec 15 - 01:23 PM

As of this morning I am officially down 41 pounds!!!!!!!!!!

***HAPPY DANCE******

I still have a lot more to go but I guess I didn't realize I had passed the 40 pound mark. HOORAY!!!!

My house is a cluttered disaster area but all the Christmas stuff is still out and Jeremiah has all his new toys out at once. I intend to let it be until the first of the year and then we begin clean up.

I did work in our bedroom this week which is the last place I ever really tend to. I had piles and piles of clothes. Most have been there for a bit so they are being rewashed. Bedding too.

Michelle who is sitting a the table watching this years chickens all congregated under one bird feeder waiting for the blue jay to drop a seed or two. It's their first snow/ice/winter day. I wonder what they think about it.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 15 - 01:59 PM

That's a charming image, Michelle! When I had the bird feeders in the back yard my dogs used to do the same thing. Until they figured out how to rise up on their back legs and slurp seeds out of the hanging feeders. (The feeders are now next to the driveway, where the only opportunists tend to be hawks watching for little birds attracted to the feeders.)

Various cookies are now bagged and in the freezer, with one tin left out for snacking and the first to go to work next week to share in the office.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Dec 15 - 08:35 PM

Beaver:

About a foot of light snow. It only stopped about 1 pm and was lovely to watch; at times we could not see the west hill. I shoveled for 40 minutes to clear my car. Shortly I shall shovel my way to the woodpile. Internet is sporadic.

Plumbing proceeds slowly. In order to keep everything in a heated area when we are not here, R cut a hole through the bathroom/K wall, including the backs of respective cabinets. Heat in the bathroom will also reach the K plumbing. He very carefully sealed the area from small critters. A single drain gives me all the space under the K sink free of pipes! Wow! That has taken two days so I am hoping the acquisition of running water will ensue!

Still, I managed to wash my hair and dishes, and tidy up a few things, delete emails, and write a few.

However, Sir vole just crossed the LR! I bought it sunflower seeds yesterday and asked R to put them under the floor to encourage it to stay down under! He put them on the K floor last night because he heard it in the trash. The rationale escapes me.

Michelle! Wonderful news. You certainly are working on a good track. So glad you are having a great holiday season with your fine big boy.

I shall have to phone Visa and ask about the notice thing. And last night I managed to get all the papers needed for Citizenship - this time! I am missing 4 months of credit card statements but I hope they can forgive that - out of four years, Will mail tomorrow if the weather holds.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Dec 15 - 11:13 AM

Yes, absolutely, congratulations Michelle on the 40+ pounds. It feels good every time you get dressed and have to set aside garments that are now too loose!

eBay day today. The dining table is still clear, so I am setting out an array of items and will find a box and packing for each, and get started. Simple descriptions, lots of photos (you can post up to 12 photos per sale or auction at no charge). I'll probably list most of these as auctions, starting low, to see if I can simply get them out of the house.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 31 Dec 15 - 01:22 AM

Today I had my port flushed and I was a bit worried as I am about 3 weeks past when it should have been done. Welcome to the joy of a one car family. Initially it wouldn't flush and I have to say I am amazed at how fast panic sits up and roars in my chest....thankfully, the nurse had the needle in at the wrong angle and it was easily fixed. Good flush and great blood return.

When I got home, I found a post on FB from a friend who took herself to the ER on Dec. 14th, 15th and on the 16th she went and had a stroke followed by a heart attack, a life flight, catherization, stent, ventilator and a 10+ day stay in the hospital. They had to use the paddles on her 6 different times. She is 3 years younger than I am and it was a reminder to me how blessed I am and how fragile life is. She and her husband recently divorced so she has been living on her own and now must sell her house and move in with her mother as she has only 30 percent of her heart working and has to wear a cardiac vest for the next 6 months. The vest will detect any events that would need to have a shock to get the heart back in rhythm. She has to get rid of her beloved dogs too. My heart is very heavy for her and after she has a few days to get settled in, I will be going to visit.

So...this situation with my friend has made me look around at the things I have been unhappy with and have decided to make a list (which is now already made) and get on with taking care of the many things that make me crazy around here. I don't want to take care of them but by not taking care of things, I am prolonging my own crankiness about it which isn't good for anyone.

I am the one who runs in the budget in the house and this month we are taking part in a No Spend Challenge. The only money going out will be for bills, medications, medical co-pays, animal feed and a set amount for groceries. Nothing else. It's not like we spend extra on much of anything....except for this last month with all the holiday activities. I am interested to see how we do. :)

I just spent maybe 15 minutes going through a box of paperwork...a very LARGE box where we have been piling mail and got through about a third of it. It still needs to be sub-divided and put into the proper folders but at least the initial sorting has begun and copious amounts of junk mail and old newspapers have been tended to.

We will be celebrating Christmas with my MIL and FIL tomorrow and the following day all Christmas decorations are being packed up with love and tucked away until next year.

Goodnight All,

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Dec 15 - 10:13 AM

Wow, you don't write as often as some of us, but when you do, it's a doozy, Michelle! I'm sorry about your friend - clearly she knew something was up that the hospital should have paid attention to. And her dogs - my friend Susie is in the same situation, but we found someone who will take all three (the new home has acreage and lost a dog last year and are charmed by the story of the three dogs adopted after one of my co-workers died of cervical cancer 2.5 years ago). She will be moving and can't take the big dogs with her. I hope your friend is as lucky - networking via facebook is finally what worked here.

And your plan - I hope you can share more information - it makes sense for all of us. What can you tell us about the No Spend Challenge - do you have a site that offers tips, moral support, etc? There will be a new thread later today - that's a great way to begin the new year and the new thread.

Don't you love those off-date holiday celebrations? Because they are reminders that it isn't the actual date, it is the gathering of loved ones with the intent of enjoying the day with each other that makes it special.

I concur with your paperwork goal - I'm going to do my income taxes as soon as possible. Every year now I hear about acquaintances who file, only to discover that someone fraudulently beat them to it, and have to wait for all of the investigatory paperwork to be cleared up. I won't characterize them here, but however easy or complicated they are, taxes will be done early rather than late.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST,#
Date: 31 Dec 15 - 10:25 AM

Voles will infest your place and being nice with them makes no sense because they don't understand nice.

"Meadow voles can carry a variety of potentially serious human pathogens. Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma microti, rabies, Hantavirus, and Korean hemorrhagic fever are a few of the potential disease agents that have been detected in meadow vole individuals."

Also, females can have a dozen litters a year. Ain't no such thing as having one vole in the house. Either trap them and relocate them a mile from where you are or kill them with mouse traps.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Dec 15 - 12:49 PM

Here is the first declutter thread of 2016