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

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.