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

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!