Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016

Subject: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: GUEST, Don Aslett's Acolyte
Date: 31 Dec 15 - 12:47 PM

The Oct-Dec 2015 thread

Here we are at the beginning of a new year with new lists of things to do and plenty of old lists needing tweaking. I'll provide no summing up of the last year because it is really only yesterday or last week or last month - all positions from which we looked forward. And still do.

Onward!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Dec 15 - 02:05 PM

Starting the year with some reading:

From Quartz

I'll admit it: "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" actually changed my life (A breakup story that led to clearing out and decluttering.)

From Don Aslett

Clutter's Last Stand (My favorite text on the subject - he has several titles you might find useful.)

And in case you wondered, there is an OCD aspect that takes things too far.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 31 Dec 15 - 07:13 PM

Shopping ahead of this holiday isn't too difficult; last minute shoppers are mostly out getting booze, the grocery and craft stores were quite civilized.

This week I set about hanging some framed art, and matting some art that needing hanging. I'll have to find a new source of large sheets of mat boards, Michaels now keeps the large ones in back for themselves and out front only sells the smaller, thinner sheets in a few colors. Pulling frames (purchased at garage and estate sales for pennies on the dollar) out of one of my hall linen cupboard cabinets means I'll now have room to store something else (but who know what that might be?) in that spot. I have enough wall space for most of what I want to hang, though with the wood panelling in the den, I need to suspend wires from the picture rail (it is easier in some ways, but I need a ladder to reach the rail). This is one of those houses that from the outside is one simple story, but inside looks bigger and has a higher ceiling than one might expect. Not quite a Tardis, though.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Dec 15 - 07:56 PM

Michelle had a great post at the end of the last thread, and I didn't want to move it out of place but I think it is a great message to post early in this thread:

Today I had my port flushed and I was a bit worried as I am about 3 weeks past when it should have been done. Welcome to the joy of a one car family. Initially it wouldn't flush and I have to say I am amazed at how fast panic sits up and roars in my chest....thankfully, the nurse had the needle in at the wrong angle and it was easily fixed. Good flush and great blood return.

When I got home, I found a post on FB from a friend who took herself to the ER on Dec. 14th, 15th and on the 16th she went and had a stroke followed by a heart attack, a life flight, catherization, stent, ventilator and a 10+ day stay in the hospital. They had to use the paddles on her 6 different times. She is 3 years younger than I am and it was a reminder to me how blessed I am and how fragile life is. She and her husband recently divorced so she has been living on her own and now must sell her house and move in with her mother as she has only 30 percent of her heart working and has to wear a cardiac vest for the next 6 months. The vest will detect any events that would need to have a shock to get the heart back in rhythm. She has to get rid of her beloved dogs too. My heart is very heavy for her and after she has a few days to get settled in, I will be going to visit.

So...this situation with my friend has made me look around at the things I have been unhappy with and have decided to make a list (which is now already made) and get on with taking care of the many things that make me crazy around here. I don't want to take care of them but by not taking care of things, I am prolonging my own crankiness about it which isn't good for anyone.

I am the one who runs in the budget in the house and this month we are taking part in a No Spend Challenge. The only money going out will be for bills, medications, medical co-pays, animal feed and a set amount for groceries. Nothing else. It's not like we spend extra on much of anything....except for this last month with all the holiday activities. I am interested to see how we do. :)

I just spent maybe 15 minutes going through a box of paperwork...a very LARGE box where we have been piling mail and got through about a third of it. It still needs to be sub-divided and put into the proper folders but at least the initial sorting has begun and copious amounts of junk mail and old newspapers have been tended to.

We will be celebrating Christmas with my MIL and FIL tomorrow and the following day all Christmas decorations are being packed up with love and tucked away until next year.

Goodnight All,

Michelle

I looked for "No Spend Challenge" and found a lot of articles from earlier in the year. I found a blog about saving a whole lot over about 15 months (not just one month - she feels the longer you can go, the better).

This guy thought a month was probably too short and had some observations about future attempts.

Here are some tips for managing a 30 day no spending challenge.

I think this is an interesting idea, and today I did shop, but only for the thing that were already on my shopping list. I'll read through some of these tips and see if I can make it through as they suggest. As a gardener, my freezer and pantry shelves are loaded with last summer and fall's produce. That's a great starting place. Some eggs, flour, milk, and the rest in the freezer and let's see what happens.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Jan 16 - 12:04 AM

Today was busy...the tree is down, a few things were crossed off the To Do list, I made homemade beef vegetable soup and a large pot of ham and bean soup which will be split up and put in the freezer tomorrow.

About the No Spend Challenge.....yes, I'm sure it is MUCH more beneficial the longer you can do it. For us, it's new and we'll take it one month at a time. :) It's not just about money, it's about using what you have on hand, especially with groceries. I'm not looking at it so much as deprivation but really, as a challenge. :)

I'm off to make up our bed.....fresh polar fleece sheets from the dryer....YUM....SO snuggly!!!

XOXOXO

Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jan 16 - 03:27 PM

There are a number of leftover items that are being combined into a small pot of beans for lunches next week. Papers accumulated from last year (saved monthly - receipts, bills, statements, etc) are put away and the new year's file set up. Some of my previously identifiable stacks of paper were shuffled over the holidays and now I'm sorting, filing, or shredding what I come across.

After several years of sorting, puttering, buying and selling, I can look around and see a lot more open space through out most of the house. I started with a glut of stuff that came from family estates and have donated and sold a lot of it. After the kids moved out for college I similarly down-sized stuff they aren't using and have said I can dispose of.

Every year we have newcomers to the threads who report their personal progress. Often they were lurking, keeping track of tips and progress in these threads for personal inspiration. On occasion, they took the job on in one big move and completed it in short time. I'm hoping we'll have the same kind of reports this year.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Jan 16 - 04:19 PM

We took the Christmas tree down and are really liking the open space it gives in the living room so it is going to stay that way. I am beginning a new yoga program on Monday and this gives me a lovely open space to stretch and do my yoga. :)

I made ham and bean soup last night but didn't have any until just now. YUM. It's snowing here...and sticking....for the first time this season and I think homemade soup on a day like today is absolutely perfect (with grilled cheese, of course).

I'm down 2.8 pounds this week. That means I was able to take off almost 18 pounds in the trifecta of food holidays and I am most happy with myself! :)

Michelle :)

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Jan 16 - 10:44 PM

Beaver:
First time I have had a signal in about 3 days!

It is not in my nature to be less than kind to the voles, mice, etc. Speaking with a friend yesterday, she said, "They are tame" and told me of a vole who would sit next to her as she, an artist, painted. I am not, however, trying to encourage them and hope that when R finishes the bathroom they will be excluded. My reasoning behind giving them seeds was to get them to go down under the house so they are not inside when the holes are closed.

Amazingly, I just asked R to put down under the stash I found in a box. He insists that, as there are no teeth marks on the choc covered almonds, a human must have put them in that box full of totally non-food stuffs. This is an Alice in wonderland moment! He flatly refuses to put them under the floor, says they are good to eat! I shall have to sneakily disappear them. I may not be mean to voles but I am not eating after them!

A week down and I have a drain back in the K sink. R had to take up part of the floor in the utility room because it was really wonky. Found broken, but not rotten, underpinnings, another day's work. Some of the new water lines are in place. He thought the whole job would take a day or two!

I bring in stove wood and make good meals, And look forward to the house being clear of the chaos of on-going work - and, of course, running water, she says hopefully. I find it hard to think about anything serious in the midst of this mess.

But now that I have a signal, maybe I can manage a couple things.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Jan 16 - 10:46 PM

Beaver:

The vole was out from under the stove briefly today. I have received no assurance that it cannot get in through the hole for the propane line. The utility room seems to be closed tightly now - almost? Google did say they only live 3-6 months. Great! Then I may have a dead vole in the house. OR, it may go back outside if we get warm weather?

R is assuring me he will finish the water before he leaves; he expects to leave for Montreal tomorrow. I assured him it would be OK to only have cold water again and forget installing the washing machine. We'll see. I can continue to use it in the K. It was not the water pressure that made it take so long to fill; the water was not totally turned on under the sink.

There may be a very fine line between "thorough" or "perfectionist", and OCD. He is clearly enjoying the process in spite of pressure to get back to the city.

Meanwhile, I cook meals, delete emails and write a few, do internet, read, and brought in lots of wood today. The temperature is dropping like a rock; expecting -20C tonight. It is already down to 11F/-11C and I can feel it coming through the walls. Keeping the fire hot without overheating the chimney has me bouncing up and down. Finally got it through my thick skull that the stove door needs a new gasket but I will need a warm spell to let the stove go out so I can replace that.

I vacuumed this morning because it was unbearable; it is now unbearable again - sawdust everywhere and I am wearing protective mask most of the day. And the air cleaner running.

Actually saw a bit of blue sky before the sun set!!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jan 16 - 11:57 PM

Home Depot sells a couple of types of foam insulation, one for regular spaces, and one for around windows. The Windows one is meant to fill a space and not exert pressure to break a pane of glass. I think the window stuff is pink (foam). I would suggest getting some of that and filling the holes (around the propane line) so that the line isn't squashed. But enough to keep voles out.

Back to the salt mines tomorrow. The break has been nice - I did a lot, but not as much as I hoped. As is ever the case.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Jan 16 - 08:01 PM

Beaver:
We have all types of insulation right here! I have found plain white duct tape to be very useful as well for excluding small bodies. Vole seems a bit confused tonight. He came out from under the stove, wandered around the LR, went into the bathroom and utility room; the floor holes are well closed so he went looking elsewhere. Though, he might have been a bit confussled by R trying to herd him.

Plumbing not quite done. R made my day by informing he is too tired - at 7:30 pm for the 5 hour trip! I was truly concerned he would insist on setting out. Cold water is functional! He just now moved the water heater back into it's place...

Brought in quite a bit more wood for another cold night. Thinking I need to have more space in the house for wood in case of a number of cold and snowy days. Or days when I just do not feel like doing wood. I still have the wood just outside the door for when things get really hairy.

So, car needs attention; using the booster pack each time to start it; made appointment for tomorrow to et it looked at; bought R four warm hats at thrift shop, and that was my day - internet, emails, meals as per usual.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Jan 16 - 06:27 PM

Beaver:
As of 11 pm last night! we have functional hot and cold running water! And what a beautiful installation! R left at 2:3o pm today, after a lunch and clearing away of some lumber. I started clearing the tools and other stuffs left from the long job. Shop vacced the bathroom and LR, put some stuff into the lots of space in the utility room - well lots more than there was. It is a very small space and once the washing machine is in there, there will be little storage. Just room for 2 or 3 shelves on one wall. That, and the two beautiful, mostly glass doors for between LR and BR will wait the next trio. Very minor tasks compared to the incredible time the plumbing took - mostly thinking about the best way forward. It is done so it can be easily heated when we are not here.

R left with a large storage bin to take to the city - mainly a nice quilt for the bed there, which he has been needing. Left a nice clear space here! Today I got him, at the thrift, two good long sleeve shirts - a heavy flannel which he had on to leave. And a pair of good sweat pants for me for this cold weather.

What a joy to turn on the faucet and have water come out - hot water even! oops! There goes my electric bill!!! I forgot to ask what temp he set it to. Lower is good. But it does help heat the room. We may want to turn it off for periods in the summer.

Tomorrow is meant to be a bit warmer (19F right now) so I can move some of the tools back into the kiln room, finish smartening up the LR, bring in lots of wood, and do laundry, go to library, to Canadian Tire for shower rods - for tub and for the doorway to utility room and to K. Closing off the K - with a large, heavy, elegant piece of upholstery fabric will keep more of the heat in the LR/BR at night - it was 45F this am; minus 6F outside! For the utility room, a light piece of cotton just for pretty. I like the idea of spring loaded rods - easy to put in and take out. I'll see what is in my fabric trunk - the one that is here (several still at the mill).

Car did not start this am until R adjusted the clips on the booster pack; he cleaned the terminals this aft; thinks that was the problem. I'll see what it does tomorrow. May need new battery but the little "open door" light does not go out no matter how many times I close each door and wiggle the little buttons that are supposed to make the light go out. If it not behaving, I shall take it to Pete's. Rather glad to have the "holidays" over and life back to normal.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jan 16 - 08:50 PM

Dorothy, I'm glad you have water, hot and cold!

I went to put some potatoes in the small refrigerator in the sun room and discovered ants had colonized both of the orchid plants that sit on top of it. Yuck. Spinosad to get some of them, and I mixed up some compost tea in water and added a little spinosad then soaked each plant. It doesn't seem to be killing all of the ants - there are tiny ones and some big ones in the mix. And where they come from - I'll have to find the path and spritz it with diatomaceous earth.

We finally have winter weather, cold days, frozen overnight. And frisky dogs in the house. Still working on some organizing projects like filing papers and re-packing the contents of the closet where the holiday decorations are stored. And not leaving anything chewable down where someone might chomp on it.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: GUEST,Eluned
Date: 06 Jan 16 - 02:07 AM

I love that book! Will recommend it to folks who are looking to de-clutter.
But, about the vole; why not live-trap it, seal the holes, then release it somewhere it might survive well, like near a barn or stables?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Jan 16 - 05:37 PM

Beaver:
Hi Guest! Seal the holes? We are trying but this is a very poorly built house and our best efforts may never make it. Live trap? he speed at which it moves, I could put a yogurt container over it, however, have been leaving it until there is hope the holes are sealed. I suspect it would survive quite well, and has been, UNDER the house. Have not seen it since Monday so hoping it is excluded. If not, we shall have to co-habit until R puts another wall in the utility room. The vole is very civil in its habits; stays on the floor and does not get up on anything. We are rather fond of it and really want to be sure it does not get trapped indoors.

Rosy glow at the southern foot of the west hill tonight. So nice that it is not black out at 5 pm!! Nice to have a warmer, sunny day!

Car problem pursued: After boosting car this am, I went for groceries, leaving car running, then to CT and asked if WD 40 would hurt anything if I used it on those critical areas. So I bought a can and sprayed, and sprayed, and sprayed... Then to thrift warehouse and got a wonderful ceramic water holder - couple gallons! - with faucet!!! Then to Pete's; he wanted car over night so I continued to do errands, gathering needful things and a long conversation with a friend. Having gathered stuff for projects, I took car to Pete and he gave me a ride home.

Brought in wood, had lunch, deleted emails and now am gathering energy for other tasks. Too late to do laundry as I am not keen on it hanging over my bed at night but dishes and rods can be done and some re-organizing in K... maybe.

Need to re-think where the wood will be for next year. Hope to get a small one of those tent sort of things as it is becoming somewhat difficult for me to get under the tarp and out again - with over a foot of snow and ice on it in places. Placing something without blocking view of the hill for 8 months of the year!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 11:40 AM

Beaver; art gallery:

vole not seen since R left! Hope he has re-homed.

Chilly morning and foggy but sort of clearing. Car problem not resolved and Pete picked me up and brought me to Gallery this am. In the wee hours, this am, I realized we were not on track - this is definitely electrical. Hope it gets solved today-Friday! I thought the computer would tell them!

Without both car and signal yesterday! 3 loads of laundry, washed, dried on line in BR and put away by bedtime. Washed hair and soaked feet in hot water, SO nice to have hot water. I used a bit for the laundry so it was not icy cold when done. Wood brought in. Remains of chicken cooked in crock pot - will make soup this eve. Tools, etc cleared from LR and Christmas stuff put in larger plastic bin and placed in kiln room for now. Too cold to be making pots right now. Shower curtain hung; Almost life sized wolves in the bathroom! For the utility room, almost life sized dolphins.

K re-arranged to accommodate wonderful new water jug. Need to do a major revision of how I use lower cabinets - not yet full, I realize I can put a recycling bin in one and possibly trash receptacle, then the floor would be clear! Also, the spare microwave can go in storage outside.

The cutlery I culled and sent to Montreal with R: He, after asking, picked out the set with black handles for his bro's b-day yesterday! Re-homed! R was glad to have the"new" quilt; the house was 2 degrees above freezing when he got home! The plants were ok!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 12:27 PM

HOORAY for hot and cold running water!!!!!!! That is such a HUGE thing that many of us take for granted! I have hot water in the kitchen ONLY. No cold. It isn't bad except when I am washing dishes and it goes from hot to scalding in a matter of minutes. I have to do the dishes in shifts so I don't burn my hands.

I have been buzzing around the last 2 days. I was in Ithaca on Wednesday and did some grocery shopping and Jeremiah and I hit Sally's because it was Family Day. That means that all clothes and shoes are half the normal price with the exception of one color of tags (they cycle clothes in so yesterday the white tagged items, the newest items on the rack, were excluded). I went in search of some winter friendly clothes for Jeremiah. He had some but not really enough because I had bagged up his winter clothes for storage in late summer and the bag was mistakenly taken to Sally's along with all the other clothes had had outgrown. There were a few shirts and pants left out for cooler summer nights and fall wear and he did get some clothes for Christmas but I felt he needed a few more items.
   
Here's what I got for $25.00: 5 every day long sleeved shirts, 5 church shirts, a pair of jeans, cozy jammies (brands including Walmart, Old Navy, Gap, The Children's Place, Land's End and LL Bean), a pair of cranberry slide on suede shoes (LL Bean) for me, a wooden marble run in pristine condition, a very sweet tea cup and saucer for me (which I have always wanted and never had...this one is white with dainty pink rosebuds around the rim of the cup and saucer) and a queen sized quilt in perfect condition. It is not handmade but it sure is pretty. It has dark gold, cream, dark greens, copper tones and plum with appliqued maple leaves on it. It goes beautiful with the dark wood in our bedroom. I LOVE SALLY'S!!!!

Today I am organizing the calendar for the year, working on my budget book, filling in a new address book, helping Jeremiah with his schooling, laundry, dishes, cooking, etc. This weekend I hope to help Jeremiah sort out his toys as we have an overload. The new marble run was purchased with the promise that he would trade in the plastic one which doesn't really stay together well and is frustrating to all of us. :)

Happy Friday Everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: GUEST,#
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 12:41 PM

"vole not seen since R left! Hope he has re-homed."

The vole is in Montreal after hitching a ride with R.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 09:41 PM

Beaver:
Thanks for a great laugh, Guest#!!! You do realize I kinda miss the --vole!

Michelle! You really made out at Sally's! Wooden marble run! what fun my grands had with one I found - back then. And a Sally's in Ithaca! Lots of good stuff, I'll bet! Mind, I am constantly shocked at the amount and quality available here in Bancroft - and appalled at how much stuff people need to get rid of! We profit from their conspicuous consumption!

Came home from Gallery pooped and distressed by car; light still on and 3 men could not explain it. I did not ask about the high bill for a new battery and... What? I love Pete but rather wished I had gone to Canadian Tire; their computer would be better; electrical problems are such a pain. As soon as I parked and put on the brake that darn light went out!!! YAY! Life's mysteries.

I have a list of things to accomplish tomorrow, territory to cover, so happy that I will not be having to boost the car though there is still a possibility it needs an alternator as well. Pete ordered one but held off putting it in to see if it is really needed. He really does care. Well, yesterday, he told me about growing up, one of ten kids and dad working seasonally; running home from school and - no food in the house. But lots of love!

So, listening to Abba and remembering Mama Mia!, the movie, the last fun trip for my landlady (on Whidbey) before she died of stage 4 ovarian - diagnosed in hospital a week before she died. So glad I was able to give her that gift of sheer enjoyment!

And glad it is not getting too cold tonight as I did not have the energy to bring in more wood - enough to last the night. To go above freezing tomorrow! And rain - then get moderately cold and snow some more - all week! My assessment of wood supply - think it will last 'til spring. Would like R to put in propane heater next trip - just in case.

On the good news side: While I was, perforce, at home yesterday, I received a Phone Call from Citizenship and Immigration; the woman who has, apparently, been shepherding my application; initials "AW", hand-written on each missive were the only indication there was a real person out there! Arianne Wind: calling to tell me she had reviewed my file and I was approved!!!!!!!! In 2-3 months, I shall receive a letter telling me when to report to citizenship court. That will be about 49 and a half years since I received my Landed immigrant status- my best Christmas present - in 1967. Her call, I told her, was my best birthday present.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 11:38 PM

HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOX

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 11:50 PM

Good news, Dorothy!

I think the winter weather the rest of you have experienced is arriving. Tomorrow. And tomorrow's weather is also pushing a huge airborne load of cedar pollen this way. Ugg. Cold and sneezing all together.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 09 Jan 16 - 03:05 PM

Not such a good weigh in this week....up a bit. Darn Shepherd's Pie. It just was TOO GOOD.

Ah well. It's a new week. Onward!

Michelle who is about to indulge in a lovely and well deserved weekend nap.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Jan 16 - 06:02 PM

Beaver:
Hearing about citizenship was a major de-clutter!

Today: returned excess parts to Home Hardware; they made it SO easy; exchanged a non-functioning rod at CT; left a bag of stuff at thrift shop; bought and installed new gasket on stove; cleared back deck of ice and snow from roof; cleared the walk at the Gallery of melting mess before it could freeze tonight; replenished maple syrup supply (and two jars of jelly) at the Market - folks who are friends of friends; it was special to get it from the Lentz sugar bush and a bit of catch up; visited with Stu and L, arranged a visit here on Tuesday (must email and offer BF; left the set of dishes in their car along with money for the grippers they bought us on sale; had wonderful veggie chili at SunRun cafe and social time; visit at a Gallery with friend under-going physical ailments - so good to see him up and about!

Then zipped down to Gallery for student show reception. Suggested to several volunteers that it would be a good idea to give each student who participated a free membership; it would cost us nothing and might encourage them - they would get emails about openings and workshops, reminding them that the Gallery exists for them also. Lots of positive response: I will send an email to the group and ask it to be on agenda for next meeting. Only two students showed up and no teachers. I will be visiting one teacher (a friend) in the next week, try to see what we can do about that. The student work is terrific; they deserve encouragement. Maybe give the teachers memberships as a thank you for helping their students participate!

waiting for the glue to set on gasket so I can start a fire; temp holding at 58F. Still 33F outside. It was a warm raining day, de-cluttering the roof of great chunk s of snow and ice - noisily!   Shall have to bring in close wood as it is dark and wet out and ---- because I FEEL like it! Or do NOT feel like going out into the snowy yard in the wet and dark. Sometimes de-cluttering is taking the easy way? YEAH! Can do it while I wait...

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Jan 16 - 09:23 PM

Beaver:
Finally got a fire going in the wood stove. The gasket seems to be too thick so I cannot close it tightly; trip to hardware in the am. In the meantime, a fire is doing OK and the temp is going up; brought in only 3 large chunks; should get me through to morning. Still 33F outside! Put up the new rod and hung heavy fabric - long enough to be double most of the way; does a great job of keeping the heat in LR/BR!

Must keep in mind that below 59F I tend toward hypothermic re-action; stop thinking and doing. Had to force myself to get up and start fire. I did have two electric heaters going, one on my feet! Being too cold could, conceivably, de-clutter one of life. Tonight I learned my cut off point. It's OK to jump out of bed into the cold and jump back in again but not to sit and let the body get colder...

Emailed friend whose husband is retired local art teacher, organized our 1st student show! Wife indicates he would like to talk about it. I will try to phone him tomorrow with goal of working up an article on art as an indication of the adolescent mind/socio-political concepts - then and now. Change seems positive. Secondary goal: suitable for local paper to encourage people to visit Gallery to view the current show. Bob is terrific artist and teacher with great ideas!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Jan 16 - 10:22 AM

I have been keeping track of spending, re: Michelle's "No Spend Challenge." And it seems that there are some months when I just bleed money. The car registration and inspection were due by the end of the month, a car repair of a safety system sensor, a quarterly prescription came due. The spending on food so far is zero - I have canned and frozen stuff from my garden, I have enough eggs and milk (and powdered milk) and flour and such to last. When the ripe (and still ripening) fruit is finished off I have frozen fruit. When Michelle mentioned this I decided I wanted to try it so I did my grocery shopping for the stuff that was already on my list on the day before the month started. Clearly there is some planning ahead that goes into this.

I do have some non-cash shopping to do this month is with points or gift certificates. Birds in multiples are finally visiting my bird feeder and I have a supply of bird seed, but if I need more I have a gift certificate (from the holidays) for my favorite feed store. Also, my bank offers points for my VISA card, and some of the points annoyingly "expire" every year. So I used most of them this weekend to keep from losing more. I ordered an enamelled cast iron 5.5 quart dutch oven (Cuisinart). The score point site only lists items, no reviews, but the Amazon reviews for this pot were excellent. I'm looking forward to trying out my new favorite pot soon!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Jan 16 - 07:56 PM

An important organizer I have to set up every year is now in place - an accordion-type 12-month folder file for receipts and paid bills. It makes income tax so much easier if I have to dig something out or total things up to determine several lines on the tax form.

There is *tiny* chance of snow flurries overnight - this winter has been mild compared to the last few. A snow day would be welcome, but I won't hold my breath.

For those interested in a fascinating, though not entirely proven weight-loss method, here is an article about the benefits of not always being comfortably warm. It seems our metabolisms burn fat much faster if we're a little chilly.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Rumncoke
Date: 10 Jan 16 - 09:35 PM

This morning, after some hesitation, I got down to clearing out the drain in the conservatory. It is the sump for all the waste water, and has blocked up several times before - the house is Victorian so there are these little hitches from time to time.
After half an hour of moving things, then getting down and dirty, the blockage gave up and water began to run - but the smell!!
I took a shower and a bath, need to wash all around the drain area where I touched anything, plus wash the floor, then do all the washing and washing up not done for the past several days whilst I psyched myself up for the deed.
Now I can put the Christmas tree out in the conservatory, on top of the cabinet which sits over the drain cover - it could not go out before now. It being a living tree it needs to be cooled off gradually before going back outside. It is a Picea glauca conica, so it only grows an inch or so a year in a pot, and it smells nice, though not as good as Norway Spruce, but they have aspirations when it comes to height.
It is still raining here. It seems to have hardly stopped for weeks - months even. Although there are clear spells they last scarcely half a day - the barometer is waving frantically up and down the scale getting a good workout.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Jan 16 - 12:14 PM

Beaver:
Frozen! - car doors - after yesterday's "warmth" and rain! Back door - where I nee d to go to fetch wood. Got up early - before 8! - so I could go register the vehicles ----Because I blew doing it on line; Yesterday, I could not find the registration and ins for the Scion and, with the rain, did not go to the Westfailia. So today was going to go to insurance guy for a card and forget the VW.

Phone call to helpful neighbour - from "Calamity Jane"! "Hot water", he said. "Towel on floor inside." "Not too hot. might break windows." (I was only thinking hair dryer which I, of course,do not have!) Got the back door open! One car door; started car; took everything out of glove box into a cardboard box; found the papers! Brought in Lots of wood and more wood...!

Have had BF and lunch; will soon go off to register the Scion if I still cannot get into the VW. 11F this am.

Keeping in mind that remark about being not comfortably warm! I have been trying to keep the temp around 65. Lower than that is too uncomfortable for me.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Jan 16 - 06:29 PM

Beaver:
Back down to 11F, heading lower. Just looked out the window and see a marvellous sliver of a crescent in the dark sky. The light did not leave until after 5, a beautiful, very cold day. The car is registered. There was only a short wait! Then I stopped at the HS to visit my art teacher friend. Very good conversation about the student show and what would work better. Wrote an email about her and my ideas and sent it to her. Will put it on agenda for Monday's mtng. When I met her in '81, she was a young mom with marital problems. Now, second marriage, 5 grands, and our ability to communicate with each other/relationship has not changed.

Came home and made a salad but too cold to eat a salad so I let it sit until a bit ago so it was room temperature - 62F. Now I am warming the house a bit; need 65! Put a pillow on the floor with the heating pad on top for my feet. Warmed my water. No need to do anything more tonight but read and internet - deleted about 200 old emails as well as today's flotsam. If I stay warm enough for brain to function, I may be able to move some stuff around - move a bunch of email messages of info, re potting that I would like to keep, to files. Warm feet are essential!

No shopping: thinking about the no spending rule. In general, that has been lifelong though I do have 2 or 3 spurts in a year. This small house does help! I bought two beautiful sauce pans last week at the thrift; Now I have at least enough. Will need a bit larger fridge before warm weather. Currently keeping veggies in a cupboard that is quite cold enough.

Moon is setting quickly!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 12 Jan 16 - 11:09 AM

Decluttering the craft room is helped by the purchase (with Christmas gift cards) of a set of drawers in jolly rainbow hues... making room to get these in, has opened up a large part of the room again, so I can now get in and onto Ole Bessie, the computer (which still runs Windows 8!) and thus onto the 'Cat.

I'm wading through boxes of fabric, sorting into different varieties (cotton, polyester, wool, fleece etc); putting card making equipment back into its respective boxes; sorting little piles of accumulated crap; putting like things with like and wondering how on earth we ended up with 3 freezer baskets and why am I keeping them all half full of garbage?!

Next month's challenge is to touch up the interior paintwork, put up shelves and fix the little things that I've been meaning to fix for ages.

On top of this, I'm still doing my 'Dozen Stitches a Day' challenge that I started a couple of years ago now. My UFO pile isn't any smaller because I will keep starting new projects, but I do have several finished items to show for it, and a little more room in that corner! I think I will have to give up starting new projects for Lent.

As for the weight.... Circumstances have meant that I have put on several pounds since last I posted - about 20 of them. It's becoming obvious that that 'time of life' is upon me, as I've had a few dizzy spells and hot flashes, but on the whole, they've been minor. But, it does mean that I'm doing a very passable impression of the Hoover Dam, I have cankles and my shoes don't fit any more. The cold weather has meant stiffer joints and I'm at my limit of corticosteroid injections in my knees, so moving more is a very painful option. Roll on Spring!!

Still, I'm quite content, doing what I do; sewing, reading, researching family history (a family member has got us back to the 1560's - Tudor times!), and wrangling cats. No new kittens since 2014, which is a relief - the mothers are now growing sleek and fat, because their energy isn't being spent on making babies and milk.

LTS

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 Jan 16 - 12:49 PM

Beaver:
Just what I need! Inspiration, incentive, encouragement! As I sit here watching the inexorable snow fall - Beautiful but do I really want to go out in the car on those messy roads? Or do I want to sit here all day - on the computer? Arghhhh!

21F outside. 66F inside. That's a no-brainer. I could sort through the yarn I brought here - but have no implements.   

I have brought in a good pile of wood - from the close pile. Tired of struggling with the back side of the wood pile. I'll do that again when I have the energy.

Today, I got up early in a cold house and straightened up and cooked a big batch of buckwheat/apple/cranberry cakes for Stu and Lesley; they brought two cats to the vet to be fixed; when L said she would have to come without BF, that was a cue to have them here! The cakes were yummy and I have a bunch left over - freezer.

The snow stopped! I will bring exer-cycle in from the studio. Try it in short spurts. Every hour or some such. Cannot face sitting here all day and have absolutely no reason to go elsewhere.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Jan 16 - 08:13 PM

Beaver:
8F this am. It was beautiful to see the sun hit the hilltop for the first time in a couple weeks - and I got up in time to go to the town council meeting - but I forgot I would have to shovel snow! About 8 inches yesterday, but light. I was some late but worth being there. Then went looking for friends at Timmie's, realized they might have gone to their mom who is now in long term care - very distressing for them.

So I bought hinges for BR doors and had a catch-up visit with a friend; asked about doing a story about her father - she would be thrilled and she felt he would be too but "he will grumble". I said I would like to do one for her mom as well - "Well, dad could not have done it without her!" Wow! That is not what I meant - her mom has done monumental volunteer work for the community for about 50 years! I feel she deserves recognition. This from a woman who is pres. of the hospital fund raising committee! And has helped run her husband's business for over 30 years.

Went to Post office and thanked the woman who helped me mail those darn packets to Citizenship. Bumped into a friend in the parking lot and agreed to meet on Sat.

Came home and had lunch, cleared snow off deck and brought in lots more wood, started split peas cooking, phoned for Apple help to upgrade macbook - After a couple hours last night trying to find any sort of help on the web site, I phoned a number today which gave me an 800 number where I got a guy in Florida who tried hard but barely spoke English. He managed to get me to the place to order a CD and I hung up thinking - OK! Part way through filing out order, something froze so I called the 800 number again in desperation. Got a nice woman an hour away who took the order on the phone - so adequately and with good humour! A step closer to being able to upgrade Safari and, hopefully, be able to "support" dropbox so I can open the wonderful things #1 son has found!

Split peas did not burn but were cooked. so I did carrots in a separate pot then ate the left over squash and now the rest is for tomorrow! Brought in more wood before it got dark! Beautiful day! Love watching the days get longer.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Jan 16 - 06:04 PM

Jeremiah and I spent yesterday doing some organizing, tossing and donating. I have had this big box on the couch for a few months now, filling it with papers and such. I had hoped to get it done earlier and while I did get SOME of it organized, it still was an eyesore and just weighing on me. I went through ALL of it yesterday, tossed a lot of junk mail (why do I not do it when it comes in the door?), sorted out medical bills, receipts, special items/non bill related paper things, magazines...ALL OF IT. Then I put things in folders and got them labeled. Jeremiah went through 2 of his drawers where we found much to be donated or weird things he was keeping that we both agreed were trash. He filled one large box yesterday (which Pete already dropped off at Sally's) and a large garbage bag today. :) It was work but it sure feels good.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jan 16 - 06:37 PM

That's so much better when you work with the child. My mother used to periodically purge stuff in our rooms without our approval and it was the reason I was careful to not do that to my kids. We definitely had messy periods, but when it was time to donate, they worked with me, I didn't lay down the law.

I'm digging out papers these days also. Like Dorothy, the registration and inspection stuff on the car are now complete, the receipts for tax season are assembled, awaiting a few more forms. Taxes paid on some small property bills that aren't paid out of mortgage escrow.

Much warmer weather than the rest of you, and much warmer even that we usually have this time of year. I've only worn my heaviest jacket a few days this winter so far. I am making a concerted effort to "shop the pantry" for now, to use up stuff here in the house and not purchase more food for convenience when all I need to do is remember to thaw something that will be just as convenient for dinner - think ahead.

Such sad news about both David Bowie and Alan Rickman this week. I have a number of films I plan to watch for the first time or re-watch over the long holiday weekend coming up.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Jan 16 - 06:42 PM

Well....to be honest....we have a bucket toy cars and trucks that require fixing. Because Jeremiah has SO MANY cars and trucks, just this week I have decided to start slowly throwing out the broken ones. He isn't going to miss them (they've been in the bucket for months) and most are not fixable....so yeah....I HAVE been chucking those and I don't feel bad about it one bit. :)

For the other toys, I wouldn't think of just throwing them without his ok. I think that is mean and I wouldn't want anyone to do that with my stuff.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Jan 16 - 07:55 PM

Beaver:
Prodigious job, Michelle!

I have the advantage of being able to slowly choose what comes to Beaver. I can pretty well sort and organize as stuff arrives - over a week or so. Though some things have not yet found homes, some furniture has not yet arrived and the cold and snow has precluded taking some bin to the back shed. Next trip to Quebec, I will carefully choose another car load to bring and maybe ONE box of archives.

The Family Health Team is offering a free, 4 session workshop on "Craving Change: Changing your relationship with food" in February. I shall try the first session, at least. Today, I did manage to stop at a shop for cheese and leave without the wonderful brownies. I hurried!

Cool house may mean using more calories but I may be eating more; but generally avoiding cookies and no brownies in 3 weeks. But no weight loss either.

No hot water either. I finally told R last night and he told me what to look at; this morning I checked the reset button and took the fuses to the hardware, where they were declared well but "maybe an element is burned out." R phoned for a report and will replace one or both elements next trip. The water out of the hot water tap is not as cold as that from the cold water tap so I shall use it to wash clothes - time for a load.

Wore myself out today without bringing in any wood! Hardware store, two food stores, library, home for lunch, took car for a new alternator - as it did not start this am. (If it quit starting with the new battery, then it needs an alternator) Chris took me to the Thrift Warehouse to wait for car; it is closer than going home and it was only going to be an hour - And it was.

While there, LONG conversation with friend who just put mom in long term care - father is beside himself and wants her back; house is a disaster - filthy from dad and also untrained 10 year old dog - if you don't let the dog out when need... Not really "untrained"; it is trained to do it in the house! I am amazed the daughters have not stayed on top of it; there is such a thing as giving too much respect to leaving them to themselves! But all 3 have to agree... So we talked; maybe it helped.

I had a sort of epiphany on my way to mechanic; an emotional de-clutter! The guy who wrecked my life in 1998 by taking all the work and leaving me with inadequate income (long story) was clearly a sociopath. I was terribly hurt and angry; had to sell my dream home... Boom! Maybe he needed that job more than I did. I did Ok and some good things happened while I was away, because I was away. And, although I lost 15 years of being here, people have welcomed me back and I am happy to be here.

Only bought two things at Thrift and each is already in its useful new home. Got home, fed fire - more and more to get house back into 60s, put heating pad on my back - a cacophony of ache, and sitting here eating broccoli, went through the flyers, deleted emails, signed petitions, and thinking about a couple emails I need/want to write. Oh, and organized tools and stuff from the water project into shallow "tomato" boxes, that I remembered to pick up at grocery. I can stack them on the counter in the kiln room tomorrow.

I am really tired - this is when I want to eat cookies to get going again. Of course, that does not work but they taste good. Later I will eat some sunflower seeds, cashews and almonds. Was still light at 5:15!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jan 16 - 11:05 PM

That's different, Michelle. My mother went through our stuff while we were there and made the decisions regardless of what we had to say about it. Dictatorial. Things that were not forgotten, things that were simply, to her, not negotiable. It was a wretched exercise whenever she decided to perform it. She also refused to listen to our requests that she not smoke cigarettes in our bedrooms. "It's my house," was her answer. She was a very smart, talented, and in general good mom, but there were some things that simply made no sense as far as good parenting.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Jan 16 - 08:36 PM

Beaver:
Brought in lots of wood after clearing the deck of more snow. Two loads of laundry - no, 3 after I had to re-do the 2 sheets bought at a thrift shop - they still reeked of fabric softener after the first go round. Tolerable after the second. Put boxes of tools in shed and extra boxes in the studio. Talked over an hour with artist friend/retired art teacher - nothing perceived about possible evolution of student art/world view. But we covered a lot of other territory. Then lunch - about 2 - and effort to not eat cookies/choc. On line rest of day and struggling so made a batch of popcorn as consolation prize. Not sure that is a good thing either.

LR is back to civilized. An on-going process, getting a house to where one wants it and then it continues to evolve.

Felt stronger today, after 10 hours sleep! Carrying the wood seems to be getting easier. The fresh air was good. Getting things in order feels good.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Jan 16 - 11:27 PM

There has been a lull in housekeeping after the flurry right before the holidays, and now is time to sweep, vacuum, mop - in general declutter the dog hair and tracked in stuff. It wasn't going to stay tidy by itself forever. We have a three day weekend, so a full day of housework still leaves two days to putter with other things.

I'm sure there will be plenty to report as the weekend progresses.

It's good to be able acknowledge a regular participant's celebration today - LilyFestre is six years out from kicking cancer (see her thread). Now THAT is a major declutter! I think these declutter threads have kind of been the adjunct to the cancer thread, they've been around about as long. I know they were here as cheering sections at various times.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Jan 16 - 03:30 PM

It's cold outside, but I'll be making a few trips out to the greenhouse, to the car, to move stuff, store stuff, to the trash. Time to clear out all of the dog hair and misplaced items left over from the holidays. The dining table has eBay stuff piled up, it's time to figure out the shipping arrangements then photograph and list. I've danced around that task for several weeks, but it's time to tackle it.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 Jan 16 - 08:30 PM

Beaver:

Load of laundry, wrote long email to Gallery committee re Student Show, shoveled drive and went to town, picked up order of Laprinol, long lunch with friend conferring on rural issues and life in general, open house at a Place for the Arts, talking with people about rural issues, and lack of communication and what to do about it in this situation. Epiphany while chatting with someone: bring portable wheel into house and get some work done! Even if is only a few pieces. Came home, partly cleared the deck and took a few items out to kiln room, brought in lots of wood, long talk on phone with a volunteer about a severely negative response to the emaii - after I had spent considerable time trying to respond and we agreed to let it sit (several positives), supper, internet. Time for bed, perhaps to read.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Jan 16 - 10:41 PM

I've moved several potted plants into the greenhouse, and left a few in place outside to compare how they do. Some things, like Swiss chard, can stand a few modest freezes, but I'd like it to thrive, not just survive the winter, so there is enough to occasionally harvest.

The kitchen is looking good, and I've caught up with a lot of dust and dog hair. Dishes and laundry out of the way. Some paper out of the way, but more needs to be filed or shredded.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Jan 16 - 01:35 PM

I had an aha! moment over breakfast this morning. I've struggled to keep the dogs out of the food portion of the compost pile in the back yard, and remembered a friend taking an industrial barrel (I gave him several extras that another friend gave me) and drilling it with holes around and using it for this kind of compost. I don't have any more of those barrels that aren't already in use somewhere else, but I just remembered a large Rubbermaid lidded trash can that came from my dad's house many years ago. I think he stored bulk foodstuffs in it (to keep out mice), and I stored coastal hay in it until a couple of years ago when I phased it out of both garden and dog stall use. I can drill holes in it and easily open, fill, and close it. The holes all around are to drain, but also to let in air, and it is shifted/rolled on edge periodically to turn over the contents. Much easier than one of those fancy garden appliances that cost a small fortune. Once the contents are broken down enough it can be poured onto the regular compost. Some weeds and grass can be added periodically to bulk it up.

Another problem solved without spending any money to do it.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 17 Jan 16 - 03:47 PM

Beaver:
So the above reminded me that I need a large metal container for ashes from the wood stove. Added to tomorrow's list.

I have been keeping the house cool in hopes of using more calories but today I reved it up to 70 so I could comfortably wash hair and sit here 'til it dries. Just as it got TOO HOT! I realized this was a good time to bring in wood. Lovely out with a light snow falling; the air so delicious! Then I washed hair and had lunch. Started clearing space in BR for pottery but NOT going to bring stuff in through the falling snow. Anyway I am incredibly tired. All the clothes are dry and away but one stinky sheet - from fabric softener is still hanging over the wood stove so the heat can off gas the toxins. The clothesline is retracted and -I could go lie down on the heating pad for back aching and watch the snow fall and read.

Emails are dealt with and FB - enough!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: GUEST,#
Date: 18 Jan 16 - 12:34 AM

Dorothy, all heat pad manufacturers advise--indeed warn--against putting heat pads between one's body and the surface upon which one intends to recline so as to lessen the chance of burns. And the burns can be serious. FYI.

http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/PublicHealthNotifications/ucm242866.htm

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: maeve
Date: 18 Jan 16 - 10:02 AM

Gardeners may find this interesting: http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/How_Mold_on_Space_Station_Flowers_is_Helping_Get_Us_to_Mars_999.html

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Jan 16 - 06:23 PM

Zinnias are particularly prone to powdery mildew when conditions aren't perfect.

Finally, after three weeks, a few more birds visiting the feeders today. Maybe a dozen at most at the time little sparrows and finches, and a few doves passed through the yard. A friend on the other side of town said she has also seen very little interest in the bird feeders this warm winter season.

I've rearranged some of the bags of various types of loose tea and teabags in my kitchen tea cart. The boxes are in one basket, the containers (jars with gaskets, fancy tins, boxes that the tea came in, etc.) are in place, and I made room for this new basket. But I think I actually liked it better while I was waiting to arrange the tea in it, when I dropped the daily mail into it. I'm rethinking how to keep track of all of these types of tea. I don't need to buy any new for a very long time, and I think I'll take a couple of tins to work for a little variety there.

I made a pot of hearty soup for the week, with ground beef, tomatoes, vegetables, kidney beans, mushrooms, some whole wheat penne pasta, red wine, a hint of allspice, and sliced Swiss chard. It smells good and is very pretty.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Jan 16 - 09:14 PM

I read the instructions and now the settings on my battery backup (a gift this holiday season) are in place. It charged and devices were plugged in a couple of weeks ago, but I hadn't downloaded the management software until today. I have a second device, smaller, to set up in the hall closet where a modem, router, and expansion unit to send data hard wired to all of the house live.

Dishes in the dishwasher, a small crock pot of steel cut oats are set for tomorrow's breakfast, and I'm ready with a good lunch as well. The dogs kind of undid all of the vacuuming I did yesterday by rolling around on the back lawn (in the sunshine - it was a lovely day) then coming back in to sprinkle dried grass everywhere.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Jan 16 - 08:46 PM

Beaver:

Guest#: Where else would one put a heating pad? However, if I sit too long: the ad feels too warm and my legs do not move easily. These are not related! SO, I have to move around fairly often. In the bed, I warm it piece by piece and then put it way down to warm my, often, very cold feet so I can sleep. It is always on low.

I am thoroughly annoyed, frustrated and aggravated. This makes me want to eat cookies, brownies, chocolate!!!! So I am here to rescue myself. After a nice big salad, a bowl of broccoli and a small bowl of warm cranberries and melted brie, maybe I can tough it out.

Spent most of the last 24 hours upgrading the computer and Safari and the bloomin' Dropbox which still does not do anything! And a bunch of other stuff that seemed reasonable and took forever. And I still cannot sign petitions on Change.org.

I'll see what more I can do and then give up and go to bed. Without cookies.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: maeve
Date: 20 Jan 16 - 06:42 AM

"Zinnias are particularly prone to powdery mildew when conditions aren't perfect. "

Yep. My interest was in the emergence of a gardener in space- no more waiting for orders for each and every gardening move. That's great and quite new.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Jan 16 - 09:22 PM

Beaver:
GEtting ready to depart tomorrow. I was at the point of reneging but one of our fav groups is playing at the Cafe on Saturday so... Unfortunately my pottery student has no time to work so she will have to wait until February when I go back for Geri's house concert. Plants are in the bathroom and I have looked around for what might freeze and needs to be put under the sink. Now I am feeling mentally ready to go. Will leave about 10 am so I can get there and warm it up!

Wrote a letter to the editor re the Student Art Show and sent it to two papers. Response from one, "Great letter!" So I guess it will go. Had a long talk with volunteer coordinator about resigning and putting my energy into something more socially useful than an art gallery - the board has decided not to do any more student shows. I consider this the most important show. We talked about some other things also. I will not leave them in a lurch but I did cancel one day in mid Feb to give myself more time to travel and be there for the house concert. I signed up for a different day. Could I de-clutter myself of being hyper-responsible?

Started to make a healthy lunch and remembered it was Weds so turned off stove and dashed off to meet my antique dealing friends to de-clutter my car of all the boxes I collected for them. Good, short, visit. Then returned a "shower rod", the second one that did not work so I just got a refund. Will get another one later. Stopped for good bread at one store and more at another. Then home to do lunch. Brought in a lot of stove wood.

Then I ate 5 large choc chip cookies, first in 2 or 3 weeks. Phooey. Have not lost an ounce! Hour conversation with friend de-clutering herself of abusive husband; fortunate to have a super supportive family.

Supper: delicious sweet potato, sliced and nuked with lots of ginger and some apples with cinnamon. apple slices and brie for dessert. Soon I shall load up the stove with wood and go to bed to de-clutter the tiredness! .

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jan 16 - 12:10 AM

I also thought the autonomous gardener was a good move.

It is more difficult to lose weight in cold weather - if you can keep from gaining that is probably the easiest strategy.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jan 16 - 07:18 PM

The weekend is here, as is a huge winter storm. I hope all of our northern and eastern US and Canada participants stay safe and warm. There may be activities around the house that are rewarding while staying indoors and avoiding the harsh weather. And cooking! Do lots of hearty cooking.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Jan 16 - 11:39 PM

Mill:
Got here in good time, turned up heat, lamented the frozen plants in the sun room; have not yet removed them. Spent a couple hours with GEri and settled into computer and book for evening.

Late morning today; tunred up heat in studio, hoping to get some work done. Then turned it down as needed to go fetch good meat and stopped for visit with potter. Looked through two bins of fabric and sorted some from one in the other to take back to Beaver. Will take sewing machine this time. Healthy lunch/supper, made choc covered ginger for Robin and went off to music. Maybe tomorrow, I can spend time making pots and de-clutter the sunroom of dead plants - maybe. Kind of sad as they had been blooming beautifully.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Jan 16 - 09:21 AM

There are several of us who can describe the issues that come with collecting fabric - where even the ugliest piece can be "used for something" and is kept. :)

I decided this morning was the time to turn over the foam topper on my very heavy latex mattress. This mattress is one of three that was ordered by a friend - the first one arrived and had a flaw (cosmetic, but since it was expensive, that wasn't acceptable). They said don't return the first one, and the sent another, also with a flaw. He ended up with three of these. Two went to use in his house, the third was in the garage for a while, but I finally asked for it and after much heaving and dragging we moved it into my house. And when it leaves it will be worn out and cut into pieces because it weighs a ton. Anyway, each of these comes with a 4" foam topper to help give it a more normal mattress feel and the right height, and they need to be turned every so often. Finished.

The birds are finally hanging out on and under the feeders at the side of the driveway so I'm filling them every couple of days. I see a lot of the large seeds and nuts from one mix I bought are too big for most of the birds (and squirrels haven't discovered it yet - once they do, there goes the big stuff). A bag of the black oil sunflower seeds is probably all I need to keep most of these guys happy. I have a gift certificate for my favorite feed store and have compiled a list of items so I can use the certificate all at once. It says they will run a store credit, but in fact, I found last time I had one of these they prefer you use it all at once. Dog stuff, garden stuff, bird stuff ought to take care of it.

This week I programmed my battery backup for the computer and last night was the first test - I set it to turn itself off on early Saturday morning and turn itself back on a few hours later. It worked, and the software has the computer resume all of it's activities so every screen that was open is there again when you turn the computer back on. Good job!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jan 16 - 12:12 PM

Bread rising, laundry is in. Decluttering some virtual stuff I've needed to work on for a while.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Jan 16 - 05:22 PM

Beaver: But sitting in Tim Horton's due to lack of signal.

Good weekend of good music and visits. Not much else - Dishes washed! So, on Monday, I announced BF out - so there would be no mess and I could get on the road. And so it came to pass. Arrived back about 3:30, cleared ashes from stove, got a fire going, checked Bathroom for heat - YAY! the new outlet did work and the room was above freezing! The house was about 32F! Af. violets and poinsettia did not like it that cold but others were fine. Nothing froze under the sinks. Thanks to "Acme" for the idea!

Dashed off to a meeting at A Place for the Arts - pretty good meeting - major issue of communication was well addressed and today there were excellent emails letting us know what is happening! - De-cluttering an issue that was weighing on me.

Unloaded car, found temp spots for everything. Picked up formica for Hoosier cabinet's counter, started removing the ceramic tiles, de-cluttered the hair on my head at Gary's - a couple months overdue! Brought in LOTS of wood and cleared deck of soft ice and snow, twice. Scotch mist and sometimes rain and sleet. Yicky but just at freezing/not freezing point. Colder tonight. Almost 5:30 and still light!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Jan 16 - 08:06 PM

Dorothy, you're using the thermostatic plugs? They are a great way to keep unattended areas from freezing and not running an expensive space heater all of the time. I have one going in the greenhouse right now. For those who aren't aware, you can buy these cube-type plugs that you plug your heater into and if the temperature gets to 39^o it lets the current flow to the heater and turns off when the area reaches 50^o. They're meant for well houses, barns, greenhouses, etc.

I'm finishing up a barter arrangement this week, doing some video work in exchange for dance lessons. And I've been researching the possibilities of writing a few freelance articles, but for work. The topics are to do with work currently going on and new developments in the building. We would queue up with other freelancers to sell the idea, but may have a boost up by being members of these professional organizations. The key word is "writing." Something I want to get back to.

Time to start planting the garden, and I think I'll rent a tiller this year. Last summer we had so much rain that it made the soil very compacted. I need to loosen it up, and in places where I chose not to plant last summer, give it a good working over.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 27 Jan 16 - 04:08 PM

I need to start reading and posting here again.

But not today. I wrote an incredibly long email summation of the past few weeks and I'm about written out.

Linn

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Jan 16 - 05:11 PM

You're always busy with something - we look forward to what you have to share!

Daffodils are poking up, the green, not the flowers yet, but there is a particularly early patch of white iris on a south-facing slope of campus that are blooming happily now. It's hardly like we had a winter here.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Jan 16 - 11:54 PM

I have been having more energy lately which feels SO GOOD and as a result I am getting some things done around here that have been annoying me for some time. I sold one of our couches that was just taking up too much space and not being used, did some rearranging of furniture in the living room and also was able to move something out of our dining room that really should have never been there in the first place (antique sewing table). I organized Jeremiah's school books as we have been given several from a friend who is retiring after many years of teaching and she is sharing her books....now the current ones are easily accessible with the ones to be used in the future within easy reach. I organized 4 boxes of CDs that belonged to my Nana so that they are easily accessible and neat. :) I've been cooking a bit lately too....I roasted a turkey and made homemade potpie, soup, turkey sandwiches, etc. Today I made banana bread. I am in charge of snacks for church on Sunday so I'll be baking for that on Saturday. I think I'm going to make mini blueberry muffins with a crumble top and fill a beautiful bowl with fresh strawberries. :) I'm also thinking of making dark chocolate orange oatmeal cookies too....we shall see.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Jan 16 - 01:23 PM

Beaver: watching snow fall! (now at library)

Adding to what I wrote at home (below): Planting a garden! Daffodils showing!? Ah well. The outlet I am using goes on at 35 and off at 45. Worked well and no one but you (acme) knows about them - including the local hardware store where they know almost everything. They do require a GFI outlet which I only have in the Bathroom; maybe someday we can have one in the studio! And I guess Michelle is also reacting to the increasing day length and hope of spring!

Written earlier:
DE-cluttering ice and snow from back deck is on-going. As more and more falls both from the sky and off the roof, I consider the need for a woodshed of some sort for next year – one the snow can, at least, be pushed off. Better still, eaves trough and heating cables for roof and trough to avoid the current problem of ice build up. True de-cluttering! Bringing in wood also ongoing!

Wonderful neighbour stopped by yesterday to check on lack of hot water. He did everything I had done but this morning I have hot water again! Super yay!

Sorted through archive box – one of several – and threw away some but found treasures. A file folder from the papers of my early pottery teacher/dear friend yielded the 1977 invoice for the wheel I now have! Most of the rest went toward heating the house. Next trip I can bring a couple more boxes of papers; there is room in this plastic bin for lots more – consolidate and de-clutter. Even found a good storage spot for it.

Found I could put a card table over the pottery wheel in the BR and use it for sewing space, move it to a different spot to use wheel. Sewing machine is set up and projects lining up for completion. The bin of fabrics is not in the way but has not yet found a good home. In warmer weather I can re-organize the kiln room for better storage opps.

Made room for more books by burning a torn poster (I really liked it but…) and put another on the wall. And moved screen-making materials to a better spot. That cleared about 3 feet of shelf space! Can bring another box of books next trip.

Little by little! I seem to have more energy and inclination – the lengthening of days? Hope of spring? Above freezing predicted for the weekend days? The house meets my low standard for someone dropping in – a place to sit without needing to move a bunch of stuff!

Movie last night at A Place for the Arts(P4A) – Midnight in Paris was delightful- my 2nd viewing but still could not process any of the dialogue (APD in a nuisance). I realized and Colleen noted afterwards, as we chatted, that I could get a DVD from library and use closed captions. They could do that at P4A and offered last time but it does hinder full appreciation of the wonderful photography – and several of the audience were photographers.

Need to get more aggressive about talking with people, esp those who might be able to do something and form a pushy group, to do something about the pitiful library here. A major topic in four dif conversations yesterday! I am currently reading a history of the Bracebridge, ON library, a Carnegie library. We need a Carnegie! The subject greatly clutters my mind as I have already run out of books to read and borrowed several from the "Little Green Library" in Quebec while I was there. On list: talk to librarian at LGL.

No signal last couple days and spent time in Timmy's or library to deal with emails. So I can spend the least amount of time elsewhere – this is written at home and emails are ready to fly away.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: GUEST,#
Date: 28 Jan 16 - 05:59 PM

Dorothy, does your library do inter-library loans?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Jan 16 - 05:51 PM

Tim Horton's - and getting uncomfortable after 3 hours!

Guest#: only on books over a year old! I am trying to start a movement for a new library.

Started sorting papers again this morning but it was a box of personal mail from pottery teacher so I put them aside for Robin to take a look at; he has better reading skills for hand written stuff.

More wood and snow moving. It gets easier as I get stronger.

Anyone have thoughts on th effect of calcium chloride on vegetation and ground water? There are cubes I can throw on the roof to melt the ice build up. Would be useful.

Arranged to interview former mayor, to write his story; talked with glass artist repairing a piece for us. Consulted with Kitchen guy about doing the formica top for the Hoosier cabinet. He is to call on Monday. I have all the old tiles off! Did a number of small things today. Feel progress. Couple more ideas for letters to editor - library, environmental sensitivity.

Sassy red squirrel was back yesterday. VERY sassy but left when I got up, via utility room. R did a good job on walls but the ceiling is a sieve. I shall have a better look tomorrow; maybe I can do something - hard for me to work over my head but my arms and shoulders seem to be getting stronger.

Still have hot water! I hardly know what to do! Finally realized I CAN take a bath. Maybe the shower even works. Ever notice that the more we do, the more we find that needs doing?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jan 16 - 07:35 PM

I walked around the entire yard today and have a long mental list of things to do. I need to put it to paper and prioritize. It looks like there isn't much more winter for us, it hit 78^o today. There are branches to pick up, limbs to cut, saplings to encourage (with adequate light - need to do some thinning). I need trees growing at the back of the lot so I don't lose any more of the bank. At least the neighbor across the creek stopped pushing dirt into his side - the result was more washing away on my side. His wife died, and apparently she owned the property. Her children have inherited and it is now experiencing benign neglect, which is good for all of us. I have been throwing cactus chunks and iris rhizomes back there for several years and now before the grass grows in it is a lovely collection of round and pointed shapes, prickly pear and iris leaves.

The list is going to be my template for activities next month. I will have a few items on a shopping list, but I'll give it another month of the No Spend Challenge - I've barely made a dent on some of the stuff in the freezer. I need to make some lentil soup and some tomato sauce this weekend, and put some of my diced, sauteed, and frozen eggplant into it for richness. And I have breaded and fried eggplant slices for making Parmesan when I want.

This was a lazy week as far as laundry, I did the laundry last week but most of it is still unfolded in the laundry baskets. With longer days and warmer weather, I'll perk up to do more of these things in a timelier fashion.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Jan 16 - 12:50 PM

I decided to make it a more formal list, of things I'd like to accomplish this year. It'll hang on the fridge in plain view of anyone who passes through, so feedback may be a part of the process.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Jan 16 - 07:56 PM

Tim Horton's Again!

Signal brought in morning emails and quit!

Went into the COLD K this am and felt a gale blowing through - again. Looked up! The cover on the "door" to the attic was open about 6 inches! MAnaged with a long stick to put the light weight cover back into place. This afternoon I prevailed upon a tall younger person to stop by; he put a heavier piece of wood on top of the other. No more gale! When it helps to be only 4 minutes from town.

Long talk with chair of Library board reveals that any effort toward better library must be VERY tactfully done. Other than that, I seemed to get some little things accomplished and feel closer to getting some sewing and potting done - the foundation is taking time.

I like the idea of a formal list on the fridge. But rather than overwhelm R with a long lis, I only set one or two priorities at a time. I can hide a list somewhere! As for "walking around the yard! Maybe in April.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Jan 16 - 11:29 AM

A short term item, not on the list, is to mow the lawn today. This kind of chore or project doesn't go on this list because it's so frequent, like laundry or cooking dinner.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: GUEST,#
Date: 31 Jan 16 - 07:11 PM

"Anyone have thoughts on th effect of calcium chloride on vegetation and ground water?"

http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/was/salt-reduction-initiative/impacts.htm

That will I think answer your question.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Jan 16 - 08:02 PM

I was going to rent a tiller for a half-day and work on the garden patch, but my across-the-street neighbor suggested calling a mutual friend to come till it for me - the neighbor sold his tiller to the friend, and tomorrow the friend will bring his tiller and do the work for the same cost of renting and doing it myself.

I know it seems awfully early to be doing this, but cold weather crops need to go in. Last year's rain compacted the soil to the point where digging is difficult. The tiller he will use is large and will work deep - I'm going to be raking out Bermuda rhizomes as fast as I can tomorrow. And I hope the neighborhood birds are attracted to come eat grubs and bugs.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 01 Feb 16 - 06:09 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
Manualbirds, 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.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: GUEST,#
Date: 01 Feb 16 - 10:46 AM

Acme, I expect you know this stuff, but it never hurts to check.

http://forum.vpaaz.org/forum/topics/bermuda-grass-anatomy-and

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Feb 16 - 12:12 PM

Beaver:
A semi sunny day and just about or above the freezing point. I moved the modem to a dif window and then another dif window. It is now working, whether due to wheather or change of window...???

Yesterday, I made the worst piece of sewing of my life - a pot holder that looks like ... Need a different way. So fed up, I read all day, with breaks to move ???!!! yep - snow and wood!! Like a spring day at 35F! Wrote a blog for the art gallery - show being hung today. Artist loved it.

Today- decided - a while back - the wood ashes need to go into something, esp after researching - 50 feet from well, and from ground water. Took a couple gallons of HOT water - oh, it quit again but I managed to get the reset switch to reset and keeping record on its own calendar; it only takes 2 hours for the water to get HOT! So out to where there was a big, fancy, empty compost bin stuck in the snow. Now it is unstuck and at the end of the walkway in front of studio - handy to house, easy to get to. I had been dumping the ashes there so I put the bin over the pile of ashes and added the compost that had been building up. I know it is still in the ground water area but it is the best I can do and still be able to access it. The current snow is as high as my boots and we have a bit of a storm warning for this week. Also took some copper piping out behind the back/back shed.

My research on Cal chloride elicited similar info to the good article Guest offered (thank you). So No to that. But found an ice melter that will not hurt paws so I will check it out at the pet store. If it is suitable, I will try putting it in little bags and throw it up on the roof. Almost all the snow is off side that most needs heating cables - so I sat here wondering if there is anyone who could install before the next storm.

Man came this morning to take the Hoosier counter and formica, saying he could do it on Weds. Will be nice to have that completed and re-consider the K organization - still in flux.

Just downloaded a free kindle copy of Diet for a small planet; I have a hard copy somewhere... Just want to check out memory of combining foods to complete proteins as I lean towards less animal protein.

MAYBE I can get out to pot today. It is already 50F in the studio.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: GUEST,#
Date: 01 Feb 16 - 01:44 PM

"Just downloaded a free kindle copy of Diet for a small planet"

About ten years after the book came out the first time back in the 1960s(?) the author had reconsidered the mixing/matching of complementary proteins and decided (due to scientific evidence new after the book had first come out) that the proteins didn't have to be eaten in the same meal but rather in the same 24-hour period. I ecpect the Kindle book will reflect that change from the original.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Feb 16 - 03:22 PM

Bruce, Bermuda grass is a horrible plant. The worst weed in the garden. It's dormant right now, and it has deep roots. The rhizomes that run along the surface are apparently the worst part, but I think the whole thing can probably sprout. That said, it seems insane to till it all in, but that is indeed what we did. Why? Because till it or not, it will still end up in the garden, and the soil got such a soaking last year that it compacted to the point where it was difficult to work in. As the tiller made repeated passes my neighbor and I raked out chunks of root, and I took four heaping wheelbarrows full back to the compost. I'll be raking out there when I work in the garden for weeks to come.

I paid the friend with the tiller, and because the neighbor would never accept pay for helping on something like this, I sent him home with some frozen breaded fried eggplant from the garden. I know his wife used to cook eggplant that way when I gave them in the past, but she doesn't cook as much now so I give them the cooked vegetable. [And both of these people are friends, but I refer to friend and neighbor to help tell them apart here. :) ]

This afternoon I'll start working on some of the raised beds, blocking out where they'll go so I can establish paths, etc. With all of this manual labor I'll sleep well tonight.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Feb 16 - 03:34 PM

Also - my favorite web site for owners manuals is http://www.manualsonline.com/. And as guest mentioned, I've also scanned and uploaded manuals to the site. These sites are a great public service - they help keep older equipment in use longer, and used safely. And they put out of business those folks on eBay who sell owners manuals for a small ransom.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Feb 16 - 08:32 PM

Beaver:
Good info , Guest. Never figured out how to download book - maybe tomorrow. Spent 1.5 hour on phone with health consultant/friend. She is amazing in her ever-increasing knowledge. Gave me a couple suggestions for helping friend with probable budding dementia. So, no pots made. But all the ice is off the back door mat and more wood brought in. Chickpeas in slow cooker in prep for potluck tomorrow. Lentil stew for supper - the red lentils are so quick to cook, the veggies were just a bit crisp.

All that fresh air and exercise, ready for bed but trying to hang on a bit longer. Still have hot water! I might get used to it - then it will quit again? R will be back in March to remedy the situation.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Feb 16 - 09:43 AM

Beaver:

So nice to wake up early feeling good and the sun coming onto the west hill! And have a signal!

Started more chick peas and the distiller and had BF and wrote emails and studied a couple health articles and a few environmental ones, gone through emails and ready to fetch groceries for potluck recipe and check pet store for ice melter.

I cleared almost 2000 emails, last week, from that department into files and need to remind self to go through them to sort into tighter files by subject and delete the debris.

A sunny day, even just at the freezing point feels wonderful.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Feb 16 - 03:36 PM

Beaver:
I see warnings of nasty weather tonight. Promise I shall plan to be home before the freezing rain begins.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Feb 16 - 11:07 PM

Beaver:
Safely back home though, I admit, conversations kept me busy and it was snowing a bit as I left the party, but slowly down the mile long hill and home.

Never got to pot due to concern re buzzing noise which turned out to be the alarm for the septic pump but it has not repeated.

R reports that he is starting to get rid of things!!!!!! Feeling overwhelmed with stuff, he is giving it away--- "T don't need this, you can have it. You like it?You can have it. He has a long way to go but this is an amazing revelation! What de-clutters his life, also de-clutters mine!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Feb 16 - 09:48 PM

It looks like everyone is hunkered down for the winter, Dorothy! Once the days are warmer and longer, the urge to spring clean may bring out some of the stash people have been tripping over all winter.

We have a few chilly days here and the forecast for a week shows only up to the low 60s. The solar gain will keep the greenhouse a good temperature for starting plants in small pots, ready to plant in mid-March or later. It isn't quite garage sale weather, that's when real temptation to stop and shop comes along for me. I did see an estate sale sign on my way to work this morning, the car was tempted to drive itself over there but I held the wheel firmly and passed it by.

I finished my income taxes and have filed away most of the paperwork I pulled out for that. No joy in mudville, I got a puny few dollars back, but it's better than having to pay more out of pocket. There is a lot more paper to file, something to do while the weather is still cool. Once it's nice, it's difficult to make myself stay indoors.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Feb 16 - 03:48 PM

Beaver/Art Gallery:

Long day. Thankful for FB ad the 10 people who visited.Was able to pass info re distiller on to a man who was very grateful. He was considering spending $16,000 for a drilled well!

Threw 11 bowls yesterday; not quite the full loaf of clay and blew a couple. The last one was a sign to stop - I was tired. Had to carry everything back into the house due to COLD last night. MAYBE I will be able to trim them this evening. Energy???

I did start to work through clayart files in Word. All today's emails deleted - petitions signed...

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Feb 16 - 10:41 AM

The paper declutter has been productive, but not complete. Bills paid, taxes submitted (electronically) and accepted, paper shredded. Horizontal surfaces need a going over to clear up paper that may no longer have a purpose.

Bird feeders arranged along the garden that was tilled earlier in the week have had the desired effect. This morning I watched doves and smaller birds active at both the feeders and foraging across the newly tilled garden soil. I need to reduce the number of insect pests and birds are a great natural way to start that process. Mornings doves, sparrows, and finches, included gold finches. I'll sneak around the house with my camera later to see if I can get a few shots with a long lens.

As to my activities this weekend, ♫ I've got a little list. ♫

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Feb 16 - 05:32 PM

Beaver/Ar Gallery:

The hot water was still hot this am BUT in mid-stream, it QUIT! Call to R and he knows what is wrong but it is complicated. After I get home again, maybe he can walk me through it OR maybe I will just do without until March. Not a big deal.

Pluses: Great opening for the new show last night; lots of good networking, including a possible venue for selling some pots. The pres who reamed me out for my emails of suggestions a few weeks ago... Was all lovey dovey with thanks for the "beautiful blog" I wrote for this show and referred to me as "our new blogger". HAH! "No, I am not your new blogger but I will try to write a few..." Not to clutter my life with someone else's expectations.

Phone call this am from a woman who is interested in working with a group towards a new library was uplifting; we know each other from the 28 years she worked at this library and are totally on the same page. We will continue this project in March after the new librarian is on board. We each know others to add to our group. A good step forward!

And signed up another Gallery visitor for possible Library advocate.

Snowing and lovely. Still light at 5:30!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Feb 16 - 02:31 PM

Beaver:

hot water fix was not that complicated but very foreign to me so, insisting R tell me one step at a time - he has trouble with that! - I managed. The hot is working; the heater is still heating it. I have a very slight leak at the joint I unscrewed but I will call R later- after I trim the pots in the now warm enough studio.

De-cluttered my life of four bags of trash/recycling - about 4 months worth - with a trip to the dump. I do not want to do that again. I had to drive past the dog pound where the sweetest dog ever spent a month and then was shot and left in the dump - because the SOB who offered to care for her, did not. 1991 and the pain is still ...

Thinking that the brain is what needs to be de-cluttered the most. Yesterday's move forward re the library moved my thoughts from "How can I..." to a wonderful sense of "WE can work on this!" Then I feel better about my "socially useless" volunteering at the Gallery because it will also give me opportunities to network re the library. I feel lighter today - at least my mind does!

Gearing up for trip to Quebec on Thursday - organizing 3 weeks of supplements, putting stuff into a bag, planning... - no snow for that day predicted but a very cold week ahead so careful to collect everything into bathroom and will plug in two heaters this time, just in case. Last time I missed a cantaloupe and a pineapple; they froze but were fine when I got back - still frozen! Maybe I'll take the new Af. Violet with me; it is still lovely.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 08 Feb 16 - 08:35 AM

A productive weekend in the garden followed by back spasms on Monday morning seems par for the course in the early spring (faux spring?). The insulated cover came off of one faucet so I could do some watering with a hose that is out of storage and back in use.

The industrial-sized dustmop made a circuit of the house and the easiest way to be sure I got all of the dust out of it was to run the vacuum over it. So I emptied a full vacuum tank of dog hair into today's trash and the house looks much better, no more dusty hair tufts (surely not "dust kittens" when formed by dog hair?)

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Feb 16 - 12:56 PM

Beaver:
Have not lost any weight but I am stronger. A couple days ago, "I don't FEEL like bringing in wood - but it has to be done." Once I started, I felt my strength and it was like the Sorcerer's Apprentice - I just brought in more and more 'til there was no reasonable place to put more! I felt SO good. so today, having used most of that, I did it again. So wonderful to feel stronger!

Gearing up throw more pots when the studio gets warm. The 11 from a few days ago are rimmed and drying in the LR!

Need to block Sassy Rad's access! Should have been done in the summer. He was running rampant this am - in the K. A couple days ago he knocked things off high places. OK, I can close the Bathroom door and block the crack under the door at night. Duh! New thought!: A good screen door on the utility room can block critter and permit air flow. Of course, fixing the ceiling...! Major job; will happen in the summer. OR the hole he comes in from the outdoors.. . Maybe...

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: GUEST,#
Date: 08 Feb 16 - 11:32 PM

Red squirrels can get through a hole the size of a quarter. Good luck.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Feb 16 - 09:25 PM

Beaver:
Yep,GOOD luck is what I need.Sassy is somewhere; I have no idea where. I hear noises from over there and - over there and....

Well, add to that, the leak I produced when I "fixed" the hot water. So I turned it off, returning to cold only. Then I turned it on this am to add a bit warm to the laundry water and did two loads, then turned it off again. Unfortunately, I neglected to take the thing out of the sink - that then blocked the drain and flooded the K! Dried the floor and the counter, then realized the water had run into the drawers and one cabinet. Cabinet not a big deal but added all the towels in the drawer to the clothes line and everything else on the counter to dry out. In between, I watched the snow fall and fall and fall.... ALL day.

Never got up to even 30F in the studio so I kept yesterday's pots covered to be trimmed tomorrow - hopefully. Have to because I am leaving for Quebec on Thursday.

Coming to terms with/getting used to Firefox since I keep getting told Safari is not up to snuff. At least now I can sign change.org petitions = the only reason I upgraded computer - or tried to. LONG session with Apple tech yesterday; informed computer is too old to upgrade anymore... "So why did I go to the trouble of..." Supervisor called in: suggested Foxfire instead of Safari? I did not bother asking why it would work but S would not. And ticked with sites that tell me Safari is "unsupported". Why do they do that to people. My son told me this computer would last the rest of my life - either he was optimistic about the computer or pessimistic about how long I might last!

Other than that: Good that I brought in lots of wood yesterday as there is a few inches of snow out there - to be cleared tomorrow in time for my 10 am interview with former mayor. FB, deleting emails and reading fill the day - which will soon end for me.

And other people are starting gardens! Enjoy!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Feb 16 - 09:30 PM

Found a wonderful Jesse Winchester youtube - just posted a few days ago but from 2008. Over an hour long; I listened to the whole thing. And sent it to friends. Excellent quality; almost as good as being there.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 10 Feb 16 - 09:33 AM

Some tasks can only be performed during regular business hours, so I'm home tackling that list today. And while I'm at it, scanning and decluttering the computer, before doing another backup.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 10 Feb 16 - 05:03 PM

Hello Friends,

   Long time, no post. Just a few things today:

1. I have now lost 10% of my body weight plus an additional 5 pounds.

2. I am going for a tumor marker test tomorrow. I've been having some issues with my belly so I'm a little more anxious about this check up than normal. Bleeding belly button and a pulling sensation behind my belly button have me concerned. I went to my local PCP and she feels I have an infection and gave me some meds. The bleeding has stopped, the pulling has not.

3. After my test, my mom and I will be headed downstate to bury my Nana. She was cremated in November and we have been waiting for a significant date to bury her.

My house is looking better daily. :)
I have done a really great job of sticking to the No Spend Challenge with the exception of a trip to the Salvation Army on Monday where I purchase a handmade flannel lap quilt (for Jeremiah's bed) and a hand knit afghan that matches our couch perfectly...the stitching is beautiful and it has long fringes on the ends which I love......both for $8.00. Hooray for Sally's!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Feb 16 - 12:08 AM

Change of plans. Spent this evening at the ER with Jeremiah who was throwing up blood. We are all home now and think it was a one time thing.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Feb 16 - 12:12 AM

When you don't shop very often those trips stand out. I've also adopted a form of that no spend challenge, in order to make myself draw down the contents of my freezer. Tonight I thawed some spaghetti sauce and pulled out a few pre-breaded and fried slices of eggplant and assembled eggplant Parmesan for dinner (I have a brick of mozarella in the fridge).

Congratulations on the weight loss - and I hope this is just "shrinking pains," so to speak. There can be consequences of rapid weight loss, but you've been working on this slow and steady, so hopefully it is nothing. I remember reading that people who go in for gastric bypass often end up having their gallbladders removed first because they get messed up by the body chemistry with so little food going through.

And as a complete aside, did you know that we each have highly individualized flora in our belly buttons? And that scientists know more about the surface of the moon than they do about that belly button flora (I made that up, but it sounds about right according to the rest of what I heard in that news segment a while back). ;-)

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Feb 16 - 12:13 AM

Cross-posted. I hope he's better quickly!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: GUEST,MAG on library 'puter
Date: 11 Feb 16 - 03:49 PM

finally, a year after my knee replacement, it is reqsonably functional.
i can finally last at the gym for more than 15 minutes.
one would think that w/ all this time at home, the place would neat as a pin, but noooo

all the bulbs are coming up, and the scented viburnum is in full bloom. result of the warm spell here in Portland. (OR)
i keep TELLING them ...

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Feb 16 - 08:39 PM

Good to hear from you, MAG! I'm glad you're up and moving comfortably. Our other Maryanne has had hip problems recently but is also on the mend.

I found a daffodil ready to open this evening.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Feb 16 - 09:19 PM

Mill
Got pots trimmed, lots of wood in, house battened down for my sojourn in Quebec. Left early this morning, arrived, offloaded car, went to library, supper with Geri at resto, emails deleted,petitions signed, Foxfire and I getting used to each other. Now time for bed on this COLD clear night.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Feb 16 - 11:28 AM

Survived the week - an accomplishment in itself!

It looks like the garden is taking the lead in weekend work as the weather continues fair. I have to shovel compost from a couple of piles in the back yard and distribute it in the tilled garden spot, in preparation for planting next month. We could still find ourselves at the mercy of cold weather or snow, so the work now is such that survives such a snap. The potatoes are in as are onions, which do fine in snow.

I recently had the thought that it might be nice to finish the lion's share of this "decluttering" at some point in time. Could I manage to go through everything and use or redistribute it over the course of the rest of the year? And then enjoy living in an organized house? I don't know. What do the rest of you think? Do you see an end to this, if you shift gear from clearing space at a puttering pace, vs emptying the contents of a room and only putting back the things you really think you can use?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Feb 16 - 04:51 PM

Several loaves of banana bread are in the oven, still using supplies retrieved from the freezer, nothing purchased new to make it. Though I did just finish off my walnuts with this recipe.

I switched out a bird feeder in the yard since one of them they empty very fast, mostly by dropping the contents on the ground. I have a feeder I found at a friends house as we packed up during his move out (after foreclosure). I've never tried this one, its for the nyger seed that the finches favor. They're active on the other feeders but I haven't seen anyone try this one yet today.

I'm strongly considering the "empty a room" exercise later this evening, using the sun room as the starting point. Tons of stuff would go to recycling, in that case.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: mg
Date: 13 Feb 16 - 05:25 PM

I think there are points in between the extremes. I suggest more or less the !o n mari method..or categories rather than rooms. Think volume..get sofas gone before clothespins...there is danger of losing steam if you empty a room or even a closet..that approach would not work for me. Just keep lightening the load and keep nothing the kids might want unless they ask you too.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Feb 16 - 10:21 AM

I have done some of that, Mary. I had a futon that I liked and used as a sofa, but it was so big that I didn't have much use of the rest of the room, so I donated it to Salvation Army. I tried selling it on Craig's List, but that place is a crap shoot - no matter how low the price, they always wanted to push it lower (or if they said they wanted it they never turned up), so I simply donated it.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Feb 16 - 06:27 PM

Mill:
There is a great deal to be said for saving time and energy by simply donating stuff. There is also a great deal to be said for just moving to another house! It has given me such a strong motivation to not clutter a very small house. But I also have the option of leaving stuff in storage here at the mill as I decide what to take along to Beaver. Two as early in the spring as possible projects will be improving the two storage sheds at the back of Beaver so the large plastic bins which contain summer/winter clothes/bedding have a home there. Also bins of sewing materials that I cannot yet give up. Only a couple more pieces of furniture have places in Beaver. Excess will need to be dispensed with somehow. I will be taking some more with me this return trip as there is still some space available for books and papers.

The jury is in: a pasta meal definitely is not a good thing for me. Friday night at the café and again last night at the house concert – each resulted in an afternoon nap of some length and totally sleepiness. I had de-cluttered it from my life re my own cooking and now will do without in public. Two totally wrecked afternoons.

I did manage to trim some pots before lunch yesterday. Still a bunch to go but will have to do tomorrow. The heater in the studio is failing to de-clutter the excessive cold sufficiently to work in there. Ann's car would not start so I suggested she just stay home. About -28C last night.

The larger heater in LR is running almost non-stop. Very noisy but it beats being cold. Still, I am wrapped in mohair throw. We went to the store – my car started! – and collected salad and soup makings. Salad is eaten; celery soup, with added chunks of chicken breast, is simmering. R is sleeping!

Beautiful sunny day and stayed light until close to 6 with a lovely rosy glow on the horizon. Compensation for the bitter cold? Tonight is predicted to be the end of the cold spell. Tonight will be mostly reading - after the soup.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Feb 16 - 11:23 PM

City:
Horrible day: trying to get pots trimmed,trying to find a place to stay tomorrow night in or near Ottawa as we have to be there for 8:30 am. Finally tried airbnb. Signal was so bad, the computer was slower than molasses... I would go trim a pot or two and come back hoping it had accessed the next page. 4 hours! Then I tried to register - paid and then "verify identity". I do not speak the same language! Cannot provide adequate pic of ID. Cannot get intelligible instructions. Do not know whether or not I have satisfied the criteria, whether or not we have a place to sleep.

Then, pots finished, I packed up and drove to city. House was 49F. R came home and, after some time, announced we had no water in the K and the lines to the laundry are broken.Then he went off to end to a different building. I am very cluttered -annoyed, discouraged, tired, fed up and more. Ate popcorn for "supper" with some humus. Going to bed with clothes on.

Clutter can be seriously caused by not doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 16 Feb 16 - 08:10 AM

Sounds like a trip to the library to use their modem, and try turning off and restarting the modem and router at the mill or wherever that bad signal was evident.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 16 Feb 16 - 09:13 AM

I cleaned up my medical supply yesterday. I had a lot of medications that I no longer take so they have all been disposed of. I also tidied up my diabetic supply area..looking great!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Feb 16 - 09:16 PM

I'm assuming that is a very good thing, that you're not using all of those medications?

I stepped next door to look into the connectivity problems on my neighbor's laptop. She got it last year after I pronounced the last computer dead (well, too expensive to fix, a new one would be cheaper, faster, you know the drill. . . ) and it came with Win 8.1. Last week we decided to download Win 10 (she asked, I didn't suggest it.) I went through the steps, set it up so she doesn't have to log on with all of the Microsoft nonsense and saved her preferences. I was back on the weekend because she couldn't get it to display her desktop properly, and we discovered it had switched to "tablet mode" when she was playing Solitaire. (This computer makes suggestions - don't automatically say "yes"!) This evening it was the WiFi that had disconnected because somehow Airplane mode was on. I finally got it to connect after fiddling with setting and then turning everything on and off a couple of times.

She said it has just been one of those days - her stove has been rocking so she had to practically stand on her head to turn the little adjustable foot on the front corner, and had the plumber over because the washer was overflowing.

She paused after this recitation and asked "Have you installed Windows 10 into your computer yet?" I waited a beat, and answered, "no, I'm waiting till I work out all of the bugs in yours first." I think she'd been needing a good laugh all day - that sure brought it out!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 18 Feb 16 - 04:23 PM

City:
Had a laugh at the comment about waiting to see... All my efforts to upgrade have been good and not so great. Keep hoping I will figure it out.

The slowness continued after I got to the city on Monday eve. The saga of airbnb continued with me writing scathing comments - finally on the FB page and finally getting my "badge" late Tuesday aft. Too late, imo, to book for that night so I passed on it. R got home about 6 and we got ready to leave, stopped for a good meal - the smartest thing we did!

Phoned Geri just before leaving and she had a virtual fit - "You can't go to Ottawa Tonight!"Apparently a snow storm... But Montreal was fine and there was no choice - I had to make my appointment. The 2 hour trip to Ottawa took FOUR! Blowing snow, transports passing so close I could have touched them, two hands on the wheel all the time, did not dare change seat adjustment, kept wiggling and changing position and trying to relax various muscles...

May have been the worst trip on my life. It de-cluttered me of two days energy and totally cluttered my body with mini-pains, aches, etc. The highway only had enough snow for danger; the city streets were a morass of un-plowed snow. Finding a place to sleep was another hour. My phone rang at 6:41 - wrong number but not so bad because it helped me wake up and face the day. And the $95 parking ticket! "Oh yes, there is parking!" Right!

Took half an hour to find the building - just a few blocks away - rush hour and unfamiliarity with the city and its profusion of one way streets = all the wrong direction! AND the morass of snow!

Thankfully, we were not the last to arrive and the staff were super nice and the ceremony was gracious and friendly and - very Canadian. And I, de-cluttered of all the hoops I went through to get there, am now a Canadian citizen. (And still a US citizen.)

R drove us home - 3 hours because he took a back road! Then I went to bed - just to be horizontal instead of sitting in the car! Apart from a two hour stint deleting emails, I was in bed until this am when I awoke feeling good. I was amazed!

Glad, as I drove through the storm, that there was not an airbnb host waiting for us. Sometimes things work out for the better. I drove because I have the better night vision. R slept; he was still tired and came home about 7 pm to nap, then watch the news. I still feel close to tears just thinking of that trip.

However, this am R de-cluttered the LR of a whole bunch of stuff so I no longer feel entrapped in a nightmare! This episode included me, "I divorce you...x3" and him laughing, "Finally!" Off he went with stuff for the friperie(thrift shop) because he has a bunch more to take from another venue!!! He also put a heater in the "basement, preparatory to repairing the water lines to the laundry. I'll try doing the laundromat thing down near the mill tomorrow - LOTS of laundry!

Long phone call with Hannah: I suggested a supplement for her Mom's increasing dementia and she convinced me my coughing is just what she has - severe postnasal drip to be dealt with by salt water cleanings. If I can de-clutter that it will improve life - less coughing - more sleep/rest. And she suggested glazing ideas for the next batch of pottery - to be glazed this weekend. That helped me not have to think about it! De-cluttered the brain!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Feb 16 - 07:30 PM

Jeremiah and I spent a few hours organizing his books and going through my collection of magazines...tossing many. I also cleaned out Pete's largest magazine rack.....dusted off, sorted out, chucked way outdated catalogs.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Feb 16 - 10:02 PM

I've located files I'd forgotten about that are useful in compiling a list of the various publications I've worked on over the years. Go looking for one thing and find another, isn't that always the case?

Congratulations on the last step to citizenship, Dorothy!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Feb 16 - 11:18 AM

As the weather warms the drifts of dog hair are growing larger faster, requiring a combination of brushing the dogs and then vacuuming the house.

Bird seed is starting to sprout in my garden, so I've pulled out the stirrup hoe to work the top inch of soil and knock down the various seedlings while they're small. I think I've gotten most of the bird foraging of bugs in the garden that I'm going to get for now, so I'll gradually move the hanging bird feeders to different locations a bit away from the actual garden itself. I have a lot of feed left to distribute, so until it's gone, I'll keep the feeders operational. An acquaintance on campus used to talk about a "feeding table" she had up that attracted a huge number of birds - I'd have to figure out how to construct such a thing (maybe put edging on a plank of plywood then set it atop an empty bird bath?)

My seeds are starting to sprout in the greenhouse. I have a lot of decluttering to do out there to get ready for the full-fledged gardening season, so some of that will happen today. The garage needs clearing out, the sun room needs clearing out . . .

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Feb 16 - 11:05 PM

Mill:
NO laundromat in Huntingdon! or Ormstown. R managed to pull the washing machine out of storage so I could do two loads - his! dried it on a rack in front of LR heater. The rest will go to Beaver to be done there. Washer here has to go back into heated space until warmer weather. Fortunately today is above freezing; rained ALL day. De-cluttered most of the snow.

Did bisque firing yesterday, glazed and firing again tonight. Tried some new glaze combos on small pieces. De-cluttered the shelves quite a bit. Can do another glaze firing tomorrow. A shop took a bunch of pots on Friday! Helped de-clutter back of car.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Feb 16 - 03:18 PM

Wow, having to unpack the washer - that's rough living!

There were two pots of agave on my patio forever, rootbound for sure, that are now in place beyond the back fence overlooking the creek. If they are able to get some roots going soon they'll withstand the occasional high water back there, and will hopefully stabilize the bank some more. This crosses an item off of the list on my fridge.

I pruned an invasive Nandina (no more planting those as decorative landscaping, they apparently are now a huge pest plant in some areas) and put compost on the asparagus. I'm working on setting up a watering system much earlier than usual because things seem to be determined to grow now instead of a few weeks from now when they would usually be getting started.

Dog hair vacuuming in time for trash day tomorrow. Laundry finished, kitchen clean. More bananas thawing to make banana bread for the upcoming week. I made a big batch of spaghetti sauce last night but I wish I'd scooped out the tomato skins first. I'll be picking those out each time I want to use some of this. I should have just pureed it and no problem, but now all of the chunky bits are in and I don't want to puree all of that.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Feb 16 - 09:29 PM

Beaver!
Having a washing machine at all is a luxury! Pulling it out of storage got the job done! I shall do the rest here; maybe tomorrow. eraniums are fine but the more tender plants may not have made it. The bathroom was not as warm as it needed to be. There were some VERY cold nights.

The house was about 38F when I got here about 3:30. By 5 pm, the air in the house was 70 but the furniture is still cold! Arrived, shoveled snow to make a parking space, unloaded car, set up computer, found I had a meeting in 3 minutes and went off with a piece of cheese to sustain me. Decent meeting; I might know what happened when I read the minutes!6 people talking at once prevents me from understanding anyone.

Time to de-clutter exhaustion! Bedtime!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 23 Feb 16 - 08:21 AM

There is a nursery I drive past some days on my way to work that seems to have steel 55 gallon drums for sale. It's tempting* to use one of those as a burning barrel - with compost, recycling, and burning there would rarely be any trash to go to the curb. Too bad I can't opt out of the rubbish part of the city fee (water, sewer, trash). I put a small amount of trash at the curb every two weeks (they pick up twice a week). The one exception is that I use the quarterly bulky waste pickup once a year to get rid of large tree limbs and brush I don't have time or equipment to chip. This spring I'll put out bulky stuff after I cut up some of those limbs with a reciprocating saw so they're the right size for the trash guys.

*Tempting but probably not good for air quality, at least not if all of us were burning our trash.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Feb 16 - 11:36 PM

A soaking cold rain drove me indoors for a couple of days, but I didn't do much around the house.

I'm harvesting the first few asparagus already, and they've been delicious. Potatoes haven't sprouted yet, but after today's rain I expect to see leaves soon. And I'll plant beans this weekend.

There is some kind of community garage sale coming up, so I may pull a few odds and ends out of the garage to contribute to that. I don't envision doing my own garage sale any time soon but there are things stored in the garage because they need to be sold or donated.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 16 - 01:20 PM

Posts have been skimpy - any lurkers who want to add remarks about successful thinning out of personal items, feel free to share!

Soon we will enter the season of Garage Sales. It's a great temptation to pick up items, but I usually only shop for parts to replace broken things or to complete sets. And sometimes pick up items I'm familiar with and can immediately sell on eBay.

This morning it took time to bring the kitchen back to a relatively clear state, since dishes had piled up in the sink and stuff was left sitting on the peninsula counter. It's warming up and the garden is calling, but before heading out I'll put in a load of laundry and lug my recycling out to the car.

The "no spend challenge" that Michelle remarked on has been running in a modified form here - I didn't read up about it so I don't know exactly what the standard rules are one should follow. Making it up as I go along, it has been helpful in drawing down the stuff in my freezer, even though there is still a lot left. I have shopped a couple of times, to replace things that ran out completely that I consider staples. Olive oil, fresh fruit and veggies, etc. But it has been remarkable successful in calling my attention to my previous spending habits, as I now pause to consider "is that purchase necessary?" It reveals to me the backlog of items I have here at the house that can accomplish the same thing as a newly-purchased item.

I'm going to try an experiment - if I have any tomatoes in the freezer that were frozen without cooking, I'm going to pull out some of the seeds and see if any will germinate. I have lots of spare pots in the greenhouse so I'll set aside a garden science corner.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 27 Feb 16 - 05:38 PM

Hello Acme, I'll delurk if you like.

I'm hoping to list the house for sale in about 3 months. This in itself has given me a shot of urgency that I guess I needed long before now. So I've declared a 100 day plan in effect, and every morning I post on the bulletin board a tag with a big fat number (the days left). Below that is/are one or more half-sheet(s) of colorful paper with the main thing to be done that day, also big and bold. Sort of an army style 'Orders of the Day'. Anywhere from 1-4 major objectives; DECLUTTER or SCAN or ERRANDS or BILLS, etc. Just helps me focus on the main thing. It sounds stupid but it has been helpful for keeping on track.

This week I finally got some bulky things moving; got the car out of the driveway, for someone else to hopefully sell, since horsetrading is not my forte. Also a couple pieces of furniture and a couple of instruments went to good homes. And eBaying, which has taken a ridiculous amount of time and grief to figure out, has finally started generating some sales, although not much help with the bulky stuff. Still appallingly large amounts of things to get out of here.

Having fun figuring out how to use things up, in hopes of emptying the medicine cabinet, chest freezer, etc. Who knew commercial meatballs and homemade onion soup from the freezer were a match made in heaven? Who knew that half-bar of bitter chocolate would be perfect for a half-batch of an old family recipe I haven't tasted in 40 years? Lots of interesting things happen when you set out to clear out.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Feb 16 - 10:27 AM

Where in the world (!) are you, Patty? US, UK, Australia, etc. Some may be able to recommend methods of clearing out or selling.

eBay is an obstacle course, and it is time consuming, but when you get momentum going it is a nice way to add to the PayPal account. I just discovered something yesterday that will sell that I was considering taking to the recycle bin at city hall. It would be fastest to do that, but I can also fairly easily put a handful of vintage travel brochures at a time out, take a group photo, and post them at a fairly low price. I am still trying to grow my score at eBay (not up to 500). And small things like this help with the feedback so if you have something big to sell people can look at your detailed feedback score. It is a lot of work, but people make a living at it, or supplement income.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Feb 16 - 10:23 PM

My attention is thoroughly focused on the garden these days; it's simply much more interesting than housework. Rainy days will be designated for declutter. But since some of the yard stuff constitutes clutter, I made progress as far as the list on my fridge. Dead branches from the wild patch behind the fence (overlooking the creek) were removed, broken up, and are either ready for the trash pickup (too large for my chipper) or are stacked for the next afternoon of making hardwood chips for garden mulch. And I put in the seeds for bush beans.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 29 Feb 16 - 10:28 PM

Well, I am in the southern US, so no Freecycle or some of the more interesting outlets. I've got access to a consignment shop that accepts a narrow range of clothing and decor, but yes Ebay seems to be more practical for generating cash from a wide variety of things. I admire your feedback score if you're up to 500, I think I'm at 6!

And yes, it is amazing how some things you think are worth selling are in fact not worth it, yet other seemingly insignificant items around the house actually have an active market. For example, I did not realize there is an enormous market for used shoes online; seems screwy, but I guess with new prices the way they are it's an important resource for people.   

Today's adventure was opening up my late husband's guitar case, discovering there is a battery inside the Takamine, it's a combo acoustic electric. I went to remove the ancient strings to get to the battery lest it start leaking, but the darn thing has tight bridge pins, and I don't want to damage it by trying to plier them out.   

So, I guess it's time to go see the guitar shop, get them to get the thing tested and strung, and/or make me an offer. Not looking forward to it, but can't put these things off any more. And maybe the guitar guy can advise me on who can take a fiddle off my hands.

Who knows the best way to clean some old microphones? Coupla AKGs that are made of kind of a pale golden metal, I am hoping alcohol will clean up the garage-band crud without harming the metal. Guess I'll test a little spot and see what happens.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Mar 16 - 07:51 AM

You might want to look in Mudcat's Tech: threads and see if there is anything about the microphone maintenance. People talk about selling instruments every so often, so find an existing one or start a new one (above the line) and see what advice you get.

If you have things that fit their list of acceptable donations, the Salvation Army will send their truck out to pick up everything. Take photos and get a donation slip from them and take it off of your taxes. (Schedule A) - and if you need, you don't need to take all of the donation credit in one year. Or you can add a couple of years' worth together (check the form instructions, they tell you about this).

If you are on facebook, there are local selling groups that are apparently more reliable than Craig's List.

My score isn't 500 at eBay, that's the next target. I'm somewhere around 300. There is the "local pickup" option on eBay, so you might want to try listing some items that way, and have a friend come over to the house to be there when the party arrives to pick it up. Get the PayPal payment before they come over, to be sure they're for real.

I hope this helps!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 03:09 PM

Beaver/Ar Gallery

After about a week of no signal at home, and lengthy times spent at Tim Horton's for their signal, I took the modem to Patricia who pronounced it dead. SO I will go get a nw one, hopefully today. When my new bill came from Bell a few days ago, I looked at it long enough to realize it was not being paid automatically as was s'pozed to happen. In the process I saw that the Feb bill was much higher. A call to a nice man at Tech and we realized it was all that upgrading! Ouch. Talk about "no spend"! But it is done now and I still need to sort myself into foxfire more completely. Still using it plus Safari. I shall be happy not to need to be at Timmy's - not as comfortable as home.

Meanwhile, the cold weather has not motivated me to do much else at home but starting tomorrow we are to have a milder week! The foot of snow that came down on top of freezing rain of a couple days earlier.... I have been house bound 3 days in the last week - with no internet. Instead of DOING things, I read several novels. Cold grey days are highly un-motivating.

It has helped in the no spend area! And I did get some small organizing things accomplished, and wrote two segments of my proposed newspaper column this am. A lot going on in my brain while I "did nothing". I had to call for a snow plow to get out on Weds night. I was well dug out and the municipal plow came along and thoroughly snowed me in. After some shoveling, I went in and phoned the Employment Centre for help. Enough is enough. getting wood in has been daunting enough. WOOD SHED for next year!!!!! Shoveled a path to the studio- one shovel wide. Never mind the storage shed. Bought a strong metal ice breaker just to break up the icy snow so I could move it.

I am SO looking forward to the predicted 40's and 50s of next week!

Not losing weight but getting exercise, getting stronger so I can garden when the ground comes back out from under.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Mar 16 - 12:26 PM

I could use more stretching and dexterity exercises, I feel it when I do some of the heavy lifting chores around the yard and garden. I'll get a cardio workout this afternoon when I mow the back yard.

A friend is moving out of her house and has help with the final logistics today, but doesn't want to sleep on the loveseat at her son's house tonight so will stay here. She's between houses (her son is soon moving into a new house, and she'll move in there with his family) as she simplifies life (after a head injury the upkeep and many chores were too much). It should be interesting, she has a small puppy. Of my three, two love other dogs, one, not so much. Since one of my dogs used to be one of her dogs, I'll be curious to see if he tries to go sleep on her bed (he and the others sleep in the living room or in the garage).

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Mar 16 - 06:34 PM

Beaver:

Beautiful thawing day!!! New modem, as off today. Cancelled bloomin' Bell; How they try to keep you - what about this, or that PHOOEY! And I kept saying "I just want to cancel!" Done! Now if anything goes wrong, Patricia can mediate. She was wonderful on the phone with the Telus guy in Central America and tells me she got me a great rate - because of all the business she does with them. De-cluttered my wallet and my stress level. Fair trade.

I did get some things into better places and sorted a good bit so the house is ready for the next load. Supposed to be above freezing for the next week! I shall go to Quebec tomorrow and try to complete some pottery for my son; birthday on 1 April, I might make it! May be able to send him bagels as well.

I can now see a few sf of the deck. Pink glow in the west.

Thought I had closed up the places Sassy gets down from upstairs but still manages!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Mar 16 - 08:27 PM

My friend Susie decluttered herself of an entire house, but it wasn't without a lot of drama. She spent the weekend with me, and her little dog too (who, I just discovered, found a corner to poo in, rather than wait till we could send her into the yard). :-(

She's a free agent this month, stuff in storage, mostly spending time with her sister several states away. When she returns she'll have to find a place, and I'd hope a number of folks will counsel her that she's better off keeping family and not stressing over the furniture. If they don't want family heirlooms, that's sad, but it's sadder to be estranged from family over it.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 Mar 16 - 07:59 PM

Mill:
Came down on Tuesday to get some pots mad. Have done so. Will make more but have a good bunch drying. Sorting out bits and pieces here to take back to Beaver. Scanned some photos and put aside a bunch to send to one sun with the pottery I shall send him next week. Hope to finish the pots for #2 son and send them along with bagels for his birthday. This is the pottery that was a fiasco last year: I sent it to wrong address and after USPS said it would be sent to corrected, it came back to Canada in myriad pieces - and a return cost of $50. I will get the address correct this time! And package even better. I think it was used as a football on the return trip!

The warmer weather is helpful! Most of snow it gone and there are things coming up in the flower bed - very protected against a concrete wall, facing south. Rather miss being at Beaver to watch the thaw there. The de-cluttering of winter is a wonderful thing!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Mar 16 - 08:43 AM

The dog hair is piling up in the house but the garden calls - we are into the season of nice weather spent outside, rainy weather spent indoors. I don't think we had any snow this winter, and only saw hail one time. We're still in the zone where a late frost could clobber a lot of stuff, so we have our collective fingers crossed here. All of the potatoes are sprouting, onions are in, and seeds are going in this week.

I have some things that didn't sell on eBay, and other things that have waited for a garage sale that just isn't going to happen, all going into the donation bin.

The USPS folks can trash items, no doubt about it. Years ago someone managed to fold a flat box with a hardcover book and jam it into my post office box. There was no way I could pull it past the rim, so I had one of them pry it out from their side, then complained to the manager. He just shrugged and showed it to a couple of people and said "don't do it again." The idea that someone had the strength to bend the book but not the intelligence to know not to do it meant there was a strong stupid person loose on the street. :-/

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Mar 16 - 08:30 PM

Mill:
Pottery drying. Planning to get a bunch of stuff in various geographical areas over the next couple days; very busy three days planned, hopefully. "planted potatoes" - threw them on the ground in one of the beds, covered with straw and some soil and walked away. They are protected against a south wall and will either grow or not. Of the many plants in the sunroom - ONE geranium survived the freeze! And the asparagus fern and sedum. That geranium is a lovely red and I have hopes of regaining some as it grows.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Mar 16 - 12:27 AM

Under the heading "all things are created equal," I've managed to find projects to work on and finish here that were equally important when compared to projects that require the purchase of new or additional materials. So I've extended this "no spend challenge" into this month by simply looking for parts purchased and stashed in the garage or greenhouse or laundry room, and finish the projects they were intended for. It's good for morale and good for the pocketbook. Most recent project, adding a lower shelf to the potting bench I use every spring and summer. I doubled the space by identifying the old lumber to use as slats, with a cross-member to hold them in place, drilling a few holes and inserting carriage bolt anchors. My plants will be happy.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Mar 16 - 08:49 PM

Mill:
We are pretty good at the "no spend", rarely buying anything new when something from a thrift shop will do. I am getting better at avoiding thrift shops lately. Do not feel as though I need anything. Just need to sort out what I have and jetison as much as possible.

Busy week: three days in Montreal getting things done: finalized passport application, visited friend who bought enough pots to pay for passport! Much needed new cord for Mac, various food stuffs and down to mill for music. Another trip to good butcher for their nitrite-free sausages - this lot to take to Beaver - and visit to local potter where I obtained much needed supplies and a bottle of purple underglaze to try out. Went to our fav pizza place and --- the pizza knocked us both out for several hours so we missed the Saturday eve music event, did not get glazing done, and forgot to go to the farm market today. Worse than the pasta last month. That was NOT de-cluttering!

Glazed today and a firing is underway, with 3 trial pieces. Second glaze firing will have to wait 'til next trip. Four loads of laundry done; drying has been tedious. Dishes need to be washed before I leave for Beaver in the morning. Looking forward to seeing how much the snow has de-cluttered up there! There is none here though we had another inch yesterday. Still below freezing nights.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: MAG
Date: 21 Mar 16 - 05:17 PM

Haven't posted for awhile, tho' I do silently read at times

I have been absolutely nuts getting ready for Our annual weekend gathering for singing:

trying to herd a bunch of very opinionated volunteers

last minute drastic changes

etc etc

I am eating over it, which is a disaster as I have an overeating disorder.

yes, our bulbs and other flowers are all up here in Portland; today is the first day of spring; I am about to print out a bunch of lyrics which i will have to read out this weekend since i have not had any time to learn them off book;

life is good. life is good. life is good.

MA, whose back is killing her from yanking out the dandelions. (They come up so easily when the ground is saturated ...)

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Mar 16 - 08:57 PM

Beaver:
Neglected to mention the bagel/pottery mailing excursion to NYS: de-cluttered wallet, and my mind of wanting to send the sons pottery and bagels. Phone call from #1 today full of thanks and extolling the beauty of the bowls I sent him. He was talking with mouth full of bagel! I will be making more of that style. I also sent family pics to each so that de-clutters me a bit. I know #1 will keep nothing unless he really wants it!

During the drive from Quebec, I watched the clouds in the sky and thought about how to glaze to approximate that. And thought about it today as I was at the Gallery. I am getting some good ideas and need to make a bunch of flattish white bowls to try on. Then saw on FB an incredible plate on which a long ago potter did exactly what I want. Light at the end of the tunnel; experimentation is in my future!

Starting to sort the piles of stuff I brought newly here: a box of stuff I have not seen since it was packed on Whidbey 7 years ago. Some useful objects, some definite keepers, some need to be put away until the other pieces of whatever it is show up!

Tomorrow will be a clearing up day - of stuff I brought and arranging car repairs and getting back into gear re some writing. I found it impossible to think "here" while I was "there". Even failed to email to renew a book here. This is a de-cluttering of the brain - too hard to think of both. Be here now is the idea and then be here now, there!

It is snowing - since 5 pm - so I will not be thinking potting for a few days. Maybe I can re-do those 4 directors chairs.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Mar 16 - 10:20 PM

Good to hear from you, Mary Ann! It sounds like you're enjoying yourself! And Dorothy, watch out for those carbs!

I dropped off items at a thrift donation station, and am back to documenting each donation (a photo is pasted into a Word document to itemize each piece, state a garage sale or eBay price, then file it).

We had a huge hail storm here last week, so it knocked some of my plans for a loop - I took several days off to work in the garden, but mostly cleaned up millions of twigs and branches strewn over the yard. The car was in the garage and the roof is new and hurricane rated, so we're okay. It was the noisiest storm I've ever heard, and the dogs were very unhappy during the 20 minutes of pounding by hail stones up to golf ball size.

Today I set up the automated sprinkler timer thing in the back yard, with only two zones watered by it right now. Next weekend I'll probably have to extend the range as I put in more plants and start some things by seed. Spring arrived with an overnight frost after a very warm winter. The soil is probably warm enough now that I can plant my tomatoes.

My kitchen counter/peninsula is completely cleared as of last weekend, and I'm trying to keep both it and the kitchen sink free of stuff piling up. much of the mail that comes to the house goes straight into the recycle bin, and I have a basket for the few pieces I actually have to do something with.

I'm back doing the alternate day fasting, and with the weather we've had, I get plenty of exercise mowing the lawn a couple of times a week. There are always a few pounds to declutter. My fitness routine has always been a "no spend" one.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 24 Mar 16 - 03:03 PM

Beaver:
Still recouping from trip but most of this trip's load of stuff is put away - pile set aside to send to #1 son and a couple shopping bags full for thrift shops. Back to snow clearing and bringing in wood! Snowed a couple inches on Tuesday, melted on Weds and has been snowing all day today. Plow just went up the hill and back.Took car in for service this morning - noisy exhaust and oil change.

Checked at Township about paying taxes on line but took a second call to credit union - Done! Emsiled friends re getting more work done here - after the snow stops! Great visit with friends yesterday aft, supper at Chinese and we went to the movie at Place for the Arts - Black Swan, a horror!

The latest Af violet had made two trips to Quebec and back on the front seat and is doing nicely! A lot of pleasure for $1.49!

The south wall of house is/was clear of snow and soon will be again. Then I can dig up a comfrey for neighbours in Quebec. Chickpeas in slow cooker. Today's storm may or may not be bad.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: MAG
Date: 25 Mar 16 - 12:38 PM

Cat has clean box, car is packed, one last check around before i take off for a weekend that is always a blast!

Did i mention that squirrels got into my garage? sleeping bag and various garden supplies not toast. I'll deal w/ it when i get back ...

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Donuel
Date: 25 Mar 16 - 05:08 PM

The great purge to prepare for old age begins this spring.

Any do's and dont's suggestions from the experts here???

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 25 Mar 16 - 10:22 PM

Donuel, are you talking about downsizing to a smaller place?   I'm not much of an expert, just bumbling along, and appalled at how much time can be consumed by just trying to empty out one very ordinary house.

A little progress this week. Several more shelves and a credenza were gone through and cleared out.   Several more boxes went to storage. Many albums got 'ripped' while I was doing other things.

A whole SUV full of printers and electronic crap went to the toxic waste collection place. And another SUV load of stuff got donated to the shop run by the women's shelter.   So yeah, feels good to have more living 'space' and to have tried a lot, even if a mountain still remains.

I was talking to the lady at the shop about how I was sure they didn't want winter clothes donations at this time, but she said no, they have offsite storage and they do take in the stuff whenever people can clean out their closets and then they'll hold it for fall. So that's good to know. Never assume...

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Mar 16 - 12:23 AM

Don,

Are you moving? Do you have the leisure to sort and donate or sell what you don't want or need?

There is a book that I recommend to people, it helps not only declutter, but decide why you're keeping the things that you are, and if you really need to. Don Aslett's Clutter's Last Stand, found easily in many used bookstores, or used online.

If you have time to approach it logically, then you might enjoy the process. If you want it all done quickly in one fell swoop, then you need to plan how you'll identify the things that go, and what to do with them (donate is fastest, and you can get a tax credit depending on garage sale prices, ebay, consignment shop, etc. - you choose but document your reasoning and keep photos and information together in your tax files).

Good luck!

My tidy kitchen made it easy to fix an impromptu meal for five this evening. We kind of scrounged around in the freezer and pantry but ended up with a pretty good spread. And now all of the dishes are washed and the counter is once again clear. But the laundry from last week still hasn't been folded, so it isn't like I was efficient in all areas of housekeeping.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Mar 16 - 01:18 PM

It's time to change name of this thread to keep it going. Our participation is slow but steady, so just having a declutter thread for 2016 is probably enough. We were ahead of the curve, discussing this before the most trendy books came out.

Last night my daughter and a couple of other friends were here for dinner, and afterward we dove into some of the trunks of antiques I brought back in the early 1980s from a great aunt's estate on the east coast. Every few years, as the kids grew (but in particular my daughter) we find new treasures that suit our current activities. As a theater arts major and costume designer, the late-Victorian hand-made bodices, skirts, and blouses are fascinating to her. And several of them fit her - it was amazing to see them on someone all of these years later. I still hold them here, but they are of course hers - so when she has a place where she can safely store these items, they'll move to a new home. And still probably smell like cedar chest and have fragments of antique ostrich plumes clinging to them.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Mar 16 - 11:10 PM

Beaver:
We have been walking on water the last couple days: the ice pellets formed a crust on the snow that even the car had trouble getting through. The sanding/plow truck had trouble getting up the hill yesterday morning and had to make 3 trips to get through and sand. I went no where until the evening when the roads were clear and I managed to get out of the driveway to go to the music. Whew!

Above freezing today and the deck is clear and the roof as well by early eve. Then I brought in some wood; I really hate water dripping on my head! It is still 40F and tomorrow meant to be warmer!!! That south side might get free of snow again. Today felt like the first day of spring - again! I wonder how many we shall have before actually having spring.

Wonderful pancake BF and flea market this am in Wilberforce and visits along the way back - dropping off boxes for antique store friends who always need them for shipping. I collect them from grocery when available.

R is on his way from Montreal with a larger frig and a small freezer - for freezing good local produce this summer. I did not get much done today after I got home as I thought he might be here by 6. He finally phoned about 8; I had a moment of considering de-cluttering my life... He might be here by midnight if he does not have to stop and sleep. Had I known sooner, I would have made some pots; the studio was still 60 at 7 pm from solar gain. Chicken is nicely cooked - for tomorrow! Goin' to bed!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Mar 16 - 09:32 PM

Most of the weekend was unproductive - catching up on a DVD series I started watching via NetFlix. I found the public library has the programs also, and after a couple of tries figured out how they package them (a five disk season is in three boxes, vol 1 has 1 & 2, vol 2 has 3 & 4, and vol 3 has 1 disk.) NetFlix's streaming trumps running to the library, but the library beats waiting for two at a time from NetFlix to arrive through the postal mail.

Today the front lawn was mowed, and more importantly, I FINALLY got out there at the curb with the loppers and pruned the limbs of a huge rosemary bush out of the street. The village code enforcement folks would eventually come along and post a notice on the door saying plants need to be out of the street (even though it looks lovely and softens the edges of the landscaping). There was a lot of accumulated leaf mulch and compost under all of it (two wheelbarrows full) that is now shoveled into the front flower and asparagus bed.

Purchases are still in the minimal category - a garden hose, dog food, and gasoline this weekend. Last year I stretched a hose to water the vegetable garden but ruined a portion of it by driving over the top of it all summer (I've cut and mended it into shorter pieces) so I'm running a long hose around the garage and down the far side of the driveway this growing season.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Mar 16 - 01:10 PM

Life has been busy here. Spring cleaning has started which includes going through my cupboards to get rid of things I simply don't use, going through Jeremiah's clothes and toys and today, the dreaded shoe rack. I don't want to go through it but I NEED to. The poor shoe rack is about to collapse, we can't find what we are looking for and for goodness sake, there are quite a few pairs of shoes that Jeremiah can't even wear anymore! It's mostly a collection of farm boots.....I'm gonna heave ho the ones that are long overdue. They are dusty and icky and I am going to move all of it and mop (after they have been sorted). It's almost as though no one but me sees it. I'm tired of looking at it and since it's not bothering anyone else,I guess I'll be the one to clean it out.

Easter weekend was fabulous for our family. We went to church and all of us participated in the service. It was supposed to be 60 and sunny yesterday and so we planned our Lawrence Family Easter Picnic. It was gray and cold. No matter....we enjoyed ourselves anyway...just cut the day a little short. I hope you all had a nice Easter as well!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Mar 16 - 09:28 PM

Beaver:

R arrived at midnight Saturday. With larger, but still small, frig and a mid sized freezer. Although Sunday was another "first day of spring", sunny and warm, we spent a great part of the day clearing ice and snow from deck and woodpile. R investigated the water heater problem but no stores open so ...

It started pouring in the night and rained all day until - "Oh, it stopped!" Then half an hour later is started snowing and did that until about 7 pm. Put a real damper on getting things done. And still a foot of snow on most of the yard.

The frig is in the K but needs a platform under it to make it convenient; R will build it any hour now. The freezer is on the shadiest part of the deck. I will ask B&T to put a roof over it. The hot water heater is working after a consult with our friend at the hardware store, and a new element.

BUT the pump for the mound septic has quit; that requires digging a hole to find the pump. We don't know where to dig and I asked R to go see the neighbour who grew up here - at 7 pm.... Then we both forgot. Now it is too late and tomorrow he will be at work. And R is supposed to go back to Montreal. Until that is fixed, the toilet cannot be flushed - we went to town to use facilities today!

Well, we had 3 good meals from the chicken and stuffing I cooked on Saturday.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Mar 16 - 01:05 AM

I saw the photos on facebook, Michelle - it looks like your little guy had a lot of fun finding and opening those eggs.

Dorothy, sounds like you're gradually getting that place pulled together, but I hope you get the septic system working ASAP!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 Mar 16 - 05:04 PM

Well, I didn't get to the shoe rack yet.

I spent time spring cleaning the inside freezer today. Tomorrow we shall tackle the big one outside.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Mar 16 - 08:43 PM

Dorothy, our mutual friend # sent me a note to pass along.

You might find these links helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhdRJ8KCB3E

There are also some excellent diagrams on Wikipedia

https://www.google.ca/search?
q=Images+for+mound+septic+system&rlz=1C1CHNY_enCA587CA5
87&oq=Images+for+mound+septic+system&aqs=chrome..69i57&sour
ceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Mar 16 - 08:15 PM

Beaver:
Thanks, M! Our mutual friend does have my very useful email address! I shall check out those sites and send them to R who went back to Montreal today. In the meantime, I will check the thrift shops for another commode.

In any case, we cannot do anything until the ground thaws . Tomorrow, I shall phone the former owner about it. We talked to her mother and she had some clues. I suspect the critical area is that where the snow left most quickly, both yesterday and a few weeks ago - before the storms. If it is really down four feet as we were told yesterday, I will seek someone to do the job sooner rather than later! And rather than R having to dig that much.

Wonderful to have the larger frig and it is on its sturdy pedestal so I don't have to get on my knees to it! I managed a bit more straightening up while R was here. The warmer weather and lessening snow cover enabled removal to outdoor sheds of some things. I have a bureau in the BR with nothing in it - R brought it and I am not sure I want it.... Things are reasonably tidy for now.

Snow is mostly gone BUT could happen again. The snowbirds are returning from points south - geese, humans and others.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 31 Mar 16 - 01:06 PM

Beaver:
After a very slow start to this day, I remembered a conversation yesterday about using green tea for weather related discomfort. I found energy in a cup of green tea! And cleared a bunch of stuff in BR and K, worked on calendar for next few weeks, made phone calls re dentist and eye check appointments and the where of the septic pump - four feet out from bathroom window and ONLY 18 incHes down! SO happy!

R is safely in Montreal after a 15 hour trip with numerous fun and business related stops. It takes me five hours but he had fun!

There is a four inch deep moat outside the front door. If it ever stops raining, I shall move some of the crushed stone to this area! At least the drive is covered with stone, otherwise it would be a morass. That stone was a wonderful de-cluttering!

Now to the library.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Apr 16 - 01:01 PM

Now that we're into warm weather again it is much easier to make the alternate-day modified fast work as far as weight loss (regular eating one day, 500 calories in one or two small meals the next, repeat). And though I'm not quite there yet, I'm expecting a bump in energy level after the first few pounds drop away.

It's the same old story - there are about 30 pounds that need to go, and while I'm not near the weight I was several years ago, some of it has crept back slowly. One of these days I'll step on the scale, but not until I'm into some of the pairs of pants that have waited at the back of the closet for many months. :)

Weeding the garden, mowing (good activity on a fasting day), and transplanting. The house is a sea of dog hair, so I'll declutter that and empty the vacuum in time for tomorrow's trash pickup.

I don't expect to see as many people drop in now that you must be registered to share in the BS conversations, but good wishes, and do drop in if you get a chance, decluttering lurkers! You provide some of the best stories for everyone else to take inspiration from!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Apr 16 - 09:54 PM

Beaver:
No warm weather! We have had the first and second snows of April but only one inch and then half an inch with a thawing day between.Today was cold and damp. The river is high and our tiny stream was very wide but now down about 10 inches so maybe the river will go down also. The yard will not be de-cluttered of standing water for another month.

After reading a good article, from Atlantic,about fasting, I am taking a hard look at the Every Other Day diet. This after finding my weight has surpassed the life record by a couple pounds. Crisis! Can I maintain my determination???? 15 minutes on the cycle this am and nothing but tea water and miso broth, now broth with some millet and carrots, cooked for a meal on Monday.

Phoned friends this am trying to find a commode to borrow for the duration of our septic problem. One informed me she has a membership to use pool/sauna/ exercise room at a local motel so I stopped in to check it out. Considering it. Swimming would be helpful but only if I did it regularly - and often enough to justify the expense. No commode but a another idea that can work. We have an outhouse but it needs re-furbishing so this is at the top of the list for when our friends have time.

Vacuumed! And got a little entry rug to replace tatty Christmas one. Brought in wood. Keep sorting out bits to take to thrift shops or send to the sons. Two local families had the ultimate de-clutter when their houses - next to each other- burned yesterday.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Apr 16 - 11:52 PM

Here's a start.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Apr 16 - 04:41 PM

Beaver:
Thank you, M. I cannot watch a video that long; the flashing of changing scenes makes my brain hurt; the dialogue is hard for me to follow and, hence, also hurts my brain.These are a direct result of the brain damage done in 2000 by environmental toxins.

However, when I considered fasting, I googled it and found the most helpful thing for me was the Every Other Day plan. It has a FB page which I found encouraging, almost a support group sort of thing. This grou is my primary support group. So I am here to say, I am making it through the 2nd fast day with determination, telling myself the hunger I feel is for a good cause! Using the computer and reading to take my mind off it.

BEst of all was the high energy level yesterday, when I still managed to eat conservatively and throw some pots, wash the dishes and more. Felt great all day; keeping that in mind, I am getting through today. Managed errands this am: the 50% sale at the Thrift Warehouse (spent $4 on useful items) and was not tempted by their 1st anniversary cake (it wasn't chocolate!), took a couple dozen empty salsa bottles to the Food Bank (they were appreciative), bought onions and apples and made a batch of stewed apples, had my hair de-cluttered but not my brain. got a project idea from the hair-cutter, picked up my new Canadian passport at the post office(!!!), phoned R to tell him, trimmed yesterday's pots, brought in more wood as snow is in the offing, and ran out of steam.

I continue to do little organizing things as the spirit moves me, finding bits to be sent elsewhere. Every little bit helps! Gorgeous day but below freezing. I watch the west hill daily for a tinge of green. Friday was the first anniversary of owning this house; we are doing OK!.

Now I shall go investigate further.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Apr 16 - 07:23 PM

The physician who did that video later did a couple of books. Look up Michael Mosley at Amazon. I think he modified it to a 2/5 pattern when he worked on the book.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Apr 16 - 11:31 AM

Beaver:
I saw that book on line also. I am going to take a bit from here and there, including the article which explains research wherein mice did not gain weight if they only ate within a 12 hour/day. I have heard for years about the dangers of those late night snacks. So, on my own, I can have BF about 8 am and nothing after. If I start to lose, I shall feel more determination and less apt to slip.

About 6 inches of heavy snow yesterday; beautiful coming down but not so beautiful to move. Small shovels fulls and I was clear. If only the snowplow ... But while I was still out there, my wonderful neighbour came along with plow equipped ATV and did some extra clearing - toward the down hill side so as it melts today, it will run into the stream rather than across the drive. That was today's exercise! And de-cluttering! So far.

Then I zipped into town to be sure Iny, volunteer, had made it to A Place for the Arts. She had, so I checked out the thrift shop across the street and found two wonderful T-shirts - one with wolves and one with a black bear! - and a duvet cover in marvellous strips of sort of taffeta in shades of red and brown. Harem pants?? My contract with self is that I must start this today. I am contemplating the How of this.

Yesterday   was fairly lost: I thought I would pot but it did not get warm enough and I simply could not get inspired to sew any of the numerous projects. Lying in bed contemplating the why of that: I went to the Town council meeting at 9 am and got home in time for lunch; morning is my most active time ---SO go set up sewing machine and cut up material.... Go, Dorothy, Go!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Apr 16 - 07:49 PM

Spring is in full swing here now, the days are in the high-70s. I have gardening goals and inside-the-house goals that will be met according to the weather and temperature outside. I have crossed a couple of more items off of my list I made for things (involving little or no cost) that I want to do this year.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Apr 16 - 09:55 PM

Beaver:
Took the duvet cover apart while volunteering at A Place for the Arts; very quiet afternoon. I am used to taking out seams with a razor blade; the young man at the shop suggested an exacto knife when I balked at the absurd price of razor blades ($9!). The exacto knives - 3 for $1.49 - worked great! I have enough fancy fabric for two garments - still cogitating on the how of harem pants and may make a skirt out of other half. Yep, I googled for a pattern - fed up with nonsense but I think I know where I am going. Need to re-arrange stuff to set up sewing machine - a morning job. Also, the brown cotton of the other side, which may go to thrift shop if I cannot soon think of a use for it.

Stopped into a community org - "Lifehouse"; it appears to provide cheap lunches and a place to hang out - mainly geared to mental health, I think. But they offer free use of a washer and dryer! "call on Friday for an appointment." So I shall - just to de-clutter one load would be great!

Fifth day of "diet". I think I am doing well. Almost used to feeling hungry and realizing I CAN get by. Tomorrow is feast day - but moderately.

Drizzled today but snow did not go away and freezing tonight. Brought in more wood.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Apr 16 - 08:15 PM

Beaver:
Trying to keep going in order to go to music at 9 pm! Need a nap!

Did some useful errands but did not get sewing set up. Took a beautiful pottery tea set (not made by me) for the fundraising auction. Brought in wood; ate moderately. Ate a bagel at lunch, with chili, and came home and fell asleep?? Maybe the bagel; the rest of the week has gone so well. Oh, so I already had a nap. Darn. Need another to get through the evening.

So I went and deleted a whole bunch of old emails! Time to leave.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Apr 16 - 06:22 PM

I decided that some of the things in the garage for an eventual garage sale weren't worth holding onto, so they've now gone to Goodwill, and I did spend time in the thrift store, picking up a couple of items to sell on eBay.

That same run included library and shopping and my last stop was at the city park department's free mulch site. I had a heavy duty trash bag and several bins to fill. I used to get a lot more at a time with the pickup, but even these modest amounts are helpful. The site is only a mile or so away, so there isn't much fuel involved (no point in driving a long way to get something free if you can buy it nearby and break even).

It's raining this afternoon, but since they are small storms that pass over every so often, next clear spell I'll take some newspaper out and pull weeds, put down several sheets of paper, then spread mulch on top, to make the paths through the garden. I use a different type of mulch right up against the crop plants (a home-chipped hardwood mulch).

Also, I picked up a couple of air-tight glass storage containers. I've gradually built up my supply of those, glass or acrylic with silicone ring gaskets, because I find the dry foods I keep here will last longer in a sealed container instead of in the original plastic packaging with a clothespin or rubber band keeping it closed. Now that it's mostly just me here, I don't use noodles, rice, various types of flour as fast, so they need to be stored in a way they stay fresher longer.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 09:45 AM

Beaver:

There has been a discussion on clayart.org about the failure of plastic to maintain moisture in or keep it out. I have found a wonderful bunch of ceramic jars with sealed lids held in place by metal clips. But a first-on-the-list chore for today is to but two bags of clay into a bucket of water; the limit on how long a really good plastic bag maintained adequate moisture has passed.

The sewing is set up but not started. Yesterday's pancake BF blew my fasting day but was great, with Tammie and Georgia joining me and meeting my Grove friends. Real Fresh maple syrup from the bush up the road, harvested by Joe, whom I have known since he was 10. He and his family were very present at the BF. The local Catholic priest sat across from me and we had a good chat and hours later I remembered I had known him better in the past I made simple candlesticks for the wee church in the 90s. Tried for a baptismal font but could not, still cannot, throw large enough.

Then to the Market in Maynooth to visit with many friends there and home to rest and then throw a few pots while the heat held in the studio. Then not quite enough energy to sew but enough to set up talbe and see a start.

Broke my "do not buy books" rule and bought an autobio from a local woman which I read most of yesterday. "A Magnificent Life" by Lea Kitler, who lives at Magnificent Hill Farm on Magnificent Road. (they named the road for her farm. So many ways to abuse a person. Well written; it gives surprising insights into a person I have found rather prickly. She is doing with her farm what I would have liked to have done...

Tam has found she can sell "junk" on Kijiji; perhaps she will give me lessons. I find it easier to jus give it away.

Sunny day again. Was 14F this morning but the studio should be warm enough to work by about 2 pm.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 11:02 AM

Kijiji never took off in the US, you can't find it here now, but it seems to be a good option in Canada.

I ran out of picante sauce and am going to make a batch instead of buying more. I found a recipe for a cooked/canned sauce that I'll try this afternoon.

Out to the garden to weed and plant.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 11 Apr 16 - 09:18 AM

Another three barrels of stuff went into the trash this week, but a lot of it was debris from drywall and counter contractors. So much clearing and cleaning was done to get ready for them.

But now I have two more old sinks and a dead microwave that need to go to the metal yard, and a giant countertop microwave that needs a new home.   I dread the whole Craigslist concept of entertaining random strangers, but the zapper seems way too big and heavy to go Ebay.

And a HUGE box of spices to dig through because the big spice rack had to come down. Chuck them all except the often-used handful, or reserve the fresher ones for family-come-get-stuff day at the end of the process? I know there are lots of things like garden and shop tools that would be best just divvied up to family after the house is sold.

Well I digress. Let me go get dressed before the drywaller shows up one last time, and start phoning to see if I'm really supposed to go more than 6 days without a kitchen sink.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Apr 16 - 07:56 PM

Around my area (this region in North Texas) it is understood that if a device or object is left at the curb a day or two before trash day, that it is free for the taking. And if you put a note that says "free" on it, all the better. Perhaps someone else will take it off your hands and recycle or reuse or re-sell the old microwave?

You can sell things on eBay for "local pickup only." And I'm hearing ads these days about a new phone ap called "Five Miles." I just looked it up: https://www.5milesapp.com/. Craig's List is an asylum run by inmates. I rarely look at the site any more.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 12 Apr 16 - 07:15 PM

Thanks acme, good ideas. I guess Ebay local would be a good option for the decent microwave. And I'll check out that app, if I can forge ahead and activate my first little smartphone I got. Geez I dread it, but the old flip has about had it.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Apr 16 - 08:48 PM

There is a learning curve that comes with smart phones, it's more like having a computer than a phone in your pocket.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Donuel
Date: 13 Apr 16 - 10:22 AM

I have about five years to declutter to a level of organized space I can navigated without detailed vision. Pinning all my hopes on transplants would be short sighted so I hope to keep materials for at least two sight intensive bobbies while eliminating the rest.

Is there a superior method to accomplish this task?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: mg
Date: 13 Apr 16 - 02:52 PM

There is although everyone differs. First go through and get rid of garbage. Then recycling. Just get it gone. Then stuff for charity...like today I will gather up some bags for goodwill. Keep going and going. Set papers aside for now. Set small sentimental objects aside. Look closely at getting rid of large objects..old appliances, chairs with stuffing coming out. Either sell or donate. Do not try to do a small area again and again. Get rid of objects that have little financial or sentimental worth. Keep setting aside smaller objects to sell or decide on. Look around with your family and see what is important to them and what annoys them.

Certainly music can be done with low or no sight...Not sure of other things...needlepoint might be out ...

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Apr 16 - 08:22 AM

Good luck with the transplants.

I agree with Mary - go through the big stuff that you can see, clear out what you can there first. If it is a matter of navigating through papers out on flat surfaces, get a few boxes and box them up until you can go through them properly, but they'll be up and out of harms way, and out of your way, until you can file. (The alternative being, if you decide in the future that none of the papers is worth the trouble, you can send the boxes to be shredded).

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 14 Apr 16 - 10:47 AM

Donuel, I agree with mg's post, good summary of what needs to be done. When you are first tackling decluttering particularly, I do think it's more productive to go through the house 'fishing out' items that need to go elsewhere, whether that be to give to a friend, relative, or charity, check what it might be worth on Ebay, or simply bag up for trash or recycling. As you go, put the items which will leave the house into a staging area, such as the front hall or in the car, so you're not tempted to re-store anything.

Other people ascribe to the 'process one spot completely' approach, where you take a closet or whatever and sort everything into what's to be done with it; maybe 5 boxes/piles such as trash, sell, repair, give away, and 'put somewhere else in the house'. To me this is tough because you create a big mess until you can get it all dealt with, but some people like it because then that spot is 'done'. But if you're a busy person prone to clutter, you can just wind up halfway done, with messy piles or reboxed stuff that is still in the way.

So you might want to try both approaches and see which one suits you.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Apr 16 - 07:58 PM

Mill:
A few busy days. I was so encouraged by selling pots wholesale that I made a bunch more at Beaver, of the sorts Lillian suggested, and brought them down here to fire. A stained glass pro came by and discussed the piece I need repaired and took it away to do so. I showed him drying pots and he got quite excited and offered to do a trade for some of the fee. But these were not glazed and I started wondering if I could make them look more like they do "raw". So will be mixing a new/old glaze to try out. Tomorrow!

Yesterday was LONG: trimming pots, went for tetanus shot, trimmed more pots, loaded car and dashed away to dental clinic, a totally positive experience, then wended my way here, arriving at 9 pm. Today - taking a break but also did a bit of sorting and organizing of stuff. This thread reminds me I have a very large microwave around here somewhere; maybe I could put it in the studio; I hear one can dry pots with it.

I tend to move from area to area, doing what I can, then running out of ideas for that area, move on to another, just looking for what I have the energy - physical and mental - to accomplish.

Four hours on the computer is long enough!!!! Time for supper and a book.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 16 - 02:13 PM

I'm still drawing down the produce in my large upright freezer; the garden is going in, and though it will be a while until I have crops to preserve, that time will be here soon enough. A batch of beans is finished (rid kidney beans, with mostly Puerto Rican seasonings and poblano and Jalapeño peppers for some heat). This will be frozen in 12 oz jars to take for lunch over the next few weeks. Next, a beef dish with a similar version of seasoning (hotter and spicier) to use for meals at home during the week. That will also use up more stuff from the freezer and pantry.

We have entered what forecasters say will be a week of rain, but before it started I'd made progress in planting the garden. Tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, beans, chard, some of all of that is in - the bedding plants for squash, cucumbers, eggplant, await a couple of dry days for working in the soil.

I'm sticking to the shopping list pretty well when I shop, and making a point of only bringing home things I'm going to work with right away. No more saving up for future projects, too often those items are pushed to the background and not used. Money wasted, space occupied.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Apr 16 - 02:27 PM

I haven't been doing much decluttering lately although I am doing well with keeping up with daily chores. My energy is higher than it has been in awhile and I'm feeling great! I'm down about 6 pounds in the last 3 weeks. I'm still doing Weight Watchers and love my group...very friendly bunch. I recently celebrated my birthday and my mom got me a FitBit Charge HR. I've looked at them on and off but couldn't justify the cost with my budget....I didn't think it would make that big of a difference to me but I was quite wrong! I set my own step goal and worked at that for a few weeks and was pleasantly surprised that I was meeting it daily. I have since set my goal 25% higher and am doing well reaching that goal as well although sometimes I have to push myself a little bit to get moving. I live out in the sticks where there are no sidewalks and we do have bears. I walk our driveway (which is 1/10th of a mile) and part of our property line. One day I was out walking and the township trucks were widening the road, doing some mowing and some banking. They took out a chunk at the end of the driveway. I wasn't really upset about it as they do this every few years to help with drainage but one of the guys came over to talk to me about it. Turns out he is a neighbor he has been here 35 years and we have been here about 18...people tend to keep to themselves) and we chatted up a storm. He asked if we would like any of the dirt as they were scraping off the top layer along our frontage. I said sure and he asked where to put it. I wasn't sure so I waited to talk to Pete. The next day we were going out so I left the guy a note about putting the dirt at a certain edge along our field. I explained that Pete wanted to make a a spot wide enough to drive the tractor down into the field as that field has a somewhat steep drop which makes getting in there almost impossible. We came home and now only had he put the dirt where we asked but he packed it down so now we can get the tractor and bush hog down in the field easily and safely!!! All that because I was out for a walk!! :)

I still haven't gotten to the shoe rack but Jeremiah and I did an all day, big time clean out and up of his room. I have 3 large leaf bags full of clothes and toys that are going to go. I was going to take them directly to the Salvation Army but there is a new kid's consignment shop in town and I think I'll take some of the better toys and clothes there. They will either give cash at the moment or you can get more bang for your buck and let them open an account for you which you can use towards future purchases. I think I will do the latter as she has nice stuff and since this is her second store (the other is about 40 miles away), I know she'll be in business awhile....even if she were to close this location, the other has been around for years and my credit would be good there as well. Anyway....Jeremiah's room looks FABULOUS!!!! I took out the changing table and will be selling that outright. It was barely used except for holding blankets, etc. In it's place, I built a large garment rack....really intended to have a cover over it for long term storage...I didn't like the zip up cover so just got rid of that part. It is very sturdy and I have a board across the top for added storage space and since Jeremiah's hanging shirts and pants are short, I put a dresser underneath where those are hanging. I have a basket on top of the drawers for mittens, hats and that kind of thing. It worked out better than I had imagined.

This weekend Spring made her return!! Jeremiah had a play date on Saturday so Pete and I went for a walk on the Rails to Trails. We did 3.8 miles. On Sunday, after church, we went for a walk called the Lamb's Creek Trail. Jeremiah rode his bike and we walked maybe 2 miles or so. I am really enjoying going with my family.

So....decluttering has slowed down some and my activity is picking up in a big way! In the end, I'm feeling good and that's what is important to me!

Be well!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 18 Apr 16 - 09:36 PM

Mill:
Geez, Michelle, sounds to me like you are doing very well! Down 6 pounds and leaf bags full of stuff!!!

I really was low on energy Thurs until today; back to very good energy today. Saturday I did a bisque firing, with a few left over. And Sunday did glazing and fired, opening this morning was wonderful! Another one is on the go now. Otherwise, accomplished some cleaning up and organizing and lots of visiting and great music on Friday night. Doing pretty well in the eat and fast dept. So, in all, not too bad.

A friend's dad has just come off a 25 day water fast. She said he wanted to beat his sugar addiction, and has. Started eating again VERY carefully, to the relief of family and friends. She admits he had researched it carefully and knew what he was doing. He is in a position where he does not need to do anything at all; just read and took short walks. Not something most of us could manage!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 16 - 10:01 PM

Michelle, you're making a lot of progress on a lot of fronts, and those bags of clothes and toys sound like excellent decluttering. The earth moving sounds like a great improvement - the idea of rolling a tractor when getting into a difficult spot is something no one wants to contemplate.

Dorothy, I'll have to go to your facebook page to see if you have posted any photos of all of these pots you're working on.

My garden is about 2/3 planted now, with a pause for rainy weather this week. Hail smashed some bedding plants a few weeks ago, they have been replaced, and will go in as soon as I can walk into the garden without wearing hip waders. I have a souvenir from mowing on Saturday - tall grass sometimes has chiggers, and I have an uber itchy spot right near my pants waistline.

More listings going up on eBay. Finally.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Apr 16 - 06:31 PM

Mill:
Uh, oh! No pics! And they are all packed ready to be loaded. I will take that under consideration.

Latest firing also came out well. I am really delighted with new glaze ideas. Back to Beaver tomorrow to make more pots. I did mix three glazes today but ran out of town water so went to town looking for a place to get water. The nice women at the dollar store had a handy big sink and filled 7 gallons for me! I did a bit more in the studio when I got back but ran out of steam. I had worked 9 to 4! Had my afternoon snack and am computering to utilize time until I leave for special music event at Cafe. Also to keep from thinking about being hungry! I am VERY happy with what I have accomplished; I wanted to do two more glazes but reality...

The sun room is partly cleaned up, the LR is more organized, the dishes await tomorrow - last thing I do before leaving. I might have done them now and gone out for BF but no dish washing energy left either.

Beautiful day after yesterday's cold, overcast and, ultimately, rainy one. Perennials coming up. Snow is still gone. Looking forward to seeing the state of the yard at Beaver.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Apr 16 - 10:28 PM

Beaver:
Home again, home again, dancing a jig! So happy to be back in the real country. Busy day loading car, doing laundry and washing dishes, alternately as I prepared to leave. Then an uneventful trip! Arrived in time for supper at the Halibut and then the movie night. Then home to a cold house but decided I would survive until morning and did not start a fire. A bit weary.

Up and moving early, and a terrifically productive "fasting day". Foraging for goods and answers, I was thinking a sheet of heavy plywood cut in half for counters in the studio BUT!!! At the Thrift Warehouse there were two 24 inch doors, only $10 total!

So, there is food in the frig, a fire in the stove, the car is unloaded and about half of stuff is put away, 181+ emails tended to (mostly deleted), new summer tires waiting for me at Canadian Tire to be installed Monday, and that netted me a $50 coupon which I can spend on casters for the platforms under the counters (to be made - more doors???) for glazes - to roll in and out. Wow!

And all this while fasting! What is wonderful is that I am being very successful and feeling ever so much better physically and mentally - without the sugar? Not even really missing it. And eating moderately on the other days.

I did start getting sick from the pollution in the store and had to beg someone to let me go ahead of them in line so I could get OUT! Had forgotten my mask.

Tomorrow is Earth Day with activities in the park but I hope to start organizing the studio before time; I will work more effectively in an organized space!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Apr 16 - 10:52 PM

Since I did some clearing in the living room earlier this week (I decided to move large pieces of furniture to clear an area in the middle for exercise or dance practice) I went further today and started clearing the boxes and objects on my dining room table (in one corner of that room). Things for eBay were sitting there and I finally have several photographed, described, packed, and listed. This table is where I also do some crafts, but I haven't been able to with all of the boxes in the way.

Tons of work in the yard awaits my attention this weekend - we've had rain this week so the lawn needs mowing and weeds need pulling before more bedding plants are put in and mulch distributed around them.

Asparagus season finished a few weeks ago, but now it is time to pick herbs, thin onions, and start eating Swiss chard.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 22 Apr 16 - 02:54 PM

Acme, I also did some ebay boxing and listing, feels good to get some of that under control. I'm using the shop building as storage for all the boxes and wrappings, it helps keep the main office area functional, though doesn't help with 'let's empty the shop building' goal.   Now if the larger items would sell and be on their way, but no, it's the smaller things that sell!   

I must say mudcat's big red 'don't-post' circle is a little daunting.   There's a 'join' box right there, but for those who have to reset their cookies, it's a lot of clicking around to get set up and back to the post. I guess it's a good thing, but it may further thin out the posts.

Good luck with the gardening. Reminds me to go deal with some little bugs before the next monsoon comes through.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 16 - 12:24 AM

I know how you feel about the space taken up by eBay items. Those little sales make the PayPal account grow, though, so I don't begrudge them. I have things on the dining table that I meant to list a while ago because the sun room where I usually keep the eBay activity was a bit full of cardboard (must thin) and a few gardening items. There is a domino effect, as eBay stuff moves out of either part of the house I can compress it back down to occupy just one room.

If you use one browser consistently for your mudcat account you shouldn't have to worry about logging in and out. If you're posting above the line, use any browser, if you're posting below the line, use the one that is logged in. If you use one like Chrome or Firefox you can log on to that browser and let the sites you link to stay logged in via that browser across machines.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 16 - 06:30 PM

Crossing another item off of the list on the fridge. I finally got rid of the extra fence posts standing inside the stockade fence - at one time there were two fences paralleling the boundary on the SW side of the yard, and weeds and vines used to grow between. The original owner of this house was a bit eccentric and put it up way inside the property line. The neighbor's fence that stands now and was just behind it is way inside my line also - one of these days when that one needs replacing we'll survey and put a new one up in the proper place.

It's not that big a deal except that if you don't acknowledge that someone else has fenced off your property, after a while if you don't acknowledge the problem it becomes theirs. (I forget the term for that, but I've seen a court battle over just such a boundary line. My friend won - but it's an expensive way to get your property back.)

Anyway, now I have 10 stained solid wood fence posts that I can use on the ground for a raised bed.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 Apr 16 - 07:45 PM

Beaver:
Glorious day! All the snow is gone and I took the cover off the wood pile so the wood would dry better and the ice at the bottom could melt - not all one yet. moved stuff out of the way in the studio to make way for new counter and found wood for supports and scavenged enough screws from the assortment in the shed. Using recycled 2x4s for supports and legs and for under counter dollies, mainly for glazes. Moved the clay out of the bathroom and vacuumed the whole house. Now the clay is on a dolly in the BR but I have high hopes that it will soon be warm enough to put in studio. Moved 3 pallets from front yard to back yard. I could not do it in the fall but moving wood all winter has strengthened me a great deal.

Went off to a celebration of the life of a a friend; lots of socializing! Easy on the food - fasting day! Fortunately, I am not big on the fancy foods the wonderful caterer provided. I may have lost 5 pounds so I am encouraged to stick to it.

Stopped at Thrift Warehouse and was stunned when a "total stranger" said. "Dorothy!" Once married to a dear friend, and her former in-laws are also dear friends so I have seen her kids recently; we talked about them and I made some suggestions re the difficult one. I had not seen her in 20 years; guess I am a memorable character for her. I am now foraging for ratty bookcases to go on my counters as quick and easy shelving.

Consolidated woodpile and swept most of the debris into a pile so I track less into the house. Dug along the electric line for the septic pump - VERY good exercise! I am realizing this was not really necessary but seemed a good way to find the septic tank. I think I am getting close but my back said, "quit!". Tomorrow, if it is not raining.

"THE exercise": When driving on the highway, I have found it helpful to put my left foot against the wheel well as hard as I can, pushing my back tightly against the seat, then pull in stomach for a count of 10 or so. In the past I have done this as I remembered but this last five hour trip I did it most of the 3 hours on the big highway and then continued on the secondary road - until I was tired of that! I does make my back feel better; I hope it exercises the left leg and stomach muscles.

Time to cover the wood for the night. Tuck it in!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 16 - 11:34 PM

I hope there's no rust in the bottom of the vehicle - I'd hate to hear about you pushing a foot through that wheel well. :-)

I've figured out where to put the fence posts for raised beds, and will place them tomorrow, then bring in some compost and mulch to add to existing soil to build the beds.

I moved furniture this evening, after moving some of it a couple of days ago. The room's look needed refinement so some things were swapped out, still leaving a large clear area in the middle of the room. That was the goal, making space for exercise in a larger looking room.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Apr 16 - 05:58 PM

Beaver:
VERY GOOD POINT, M.! Maybe I had better check - but if it were bad, Pete would have mentioned it, or the guys at Canadian Tire when they put on summer tires today.

I have clearly lost 5 pounds!!!!! Definitely encouraged. Realizing how unnecessary it is to eat just because I feel "hungry".

Friends popped over Sunday am to lend me an electric drill so I could put counters in studio! Dear folks; they had never heard of Jesse W until I mentioned him and sent them some U-Tubes; They are delighted. We had a nice visit after which I had lunch and set to work. By 4, mission accomplished - counters in place and two dollies made for glazes to live under counter. Much more workable space but today was cool and cloudy. Snow predicted for tonight!

Did a series of organizing errands this am, deleted emails and ordered supplements and requested to order new gaskets for distillers. Checked the two older distillers: First checked the outlet that had not worked and put in a new fuse! Put the two into the basket to take to Quebec with a fuse which may be needed for one. The other only didn't work because of the fuse - DUH! So now I do not need to transport a distiller when traveling. I numbered them with a red marker so I know which is which. Number one is over 10 years old; the fuse might help!

Tried to explain to a dense young woman in a small produce store why I was wanting organic and would NOT eat "delicious" sausage with nitrites??? When car was done, I went back and bought the 3 organic products, mainly to make a point.

Bit by bit, things are finding homes - or I am finding homes for things? Still too cool to put clay out in studio; working with cold clay is NOT fun! Now I have 4 expensive winter tires to store ...

I was tempted to buy "carpet roses" for in front of studio but restrained myself - Dig the holes FIRST!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Apr 16 - 08:40 PM

Beaver:

Found the septic!! Also dug part of a small garden bed, registered the hippy van, sorted bunches of stuff, continue on EOD fast and it is making me feel really good AND I have lost at least 5#. Today, a "feast day", I ate moderately and had a scant teaspoon of fresh maple syrup for dessert. Concerned that losing weight will result in a pouch from lack of abdominal muscle, I try to remember to "suck it in" frequently.

Hung a white canvas drape on the huge studio window for when it gets TOO hot. But have not made any pots in my refurbished studio. I wake up each morning full of energy but by the time it is warm in the studio, my inclination has flown away. New idea: Put the heater on and get to it right after BF!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Apr 16 - 09:09 PM

Is this studio in the new place or a shed out back? I've forgotten.

I turned on one of the house air conditioner units and have it set at about 85. That way if it gets really hot this will turn on and remove some of the moisture from the air. By evening it cools and I can use a ceiling fan.

A friend stopped by yesterday, her mother is visiting and they were looking at my vegetable garden. She always has great advice (and is the agent who got me the 3% mortgage refinance on the house a few years ago). She likes the idea of more eBay - as a job, not just as a hobby. But it means stepping up a lot on acquiring things to sell, and first I think I need to sell what's already here.

Ruminations. :)

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Apr 16 - 08:01 PM

The area is under what the forecaster called a "patchwork quilt of storms" tonight - it means the yard will be too soggy for much work this weekend.

This evening and tomorrow are dedicating to finishing clearing the dining room table and finish moving some furniture in the living room. And I'm doing some virtual de-cluttering, moving some of the recorded (DVR) files from my computer onto disks to clear up space. It's the processing that is slow, so I'm experimenting.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Apr 16 - 09:06 PM

Beaver:
The studio is a 10x12 cabin a few feet behind the house with a walkway from back deck to the studio to make it easier to move pots back and forth. The kiln is in the shed attached to the house and the deck so this is important. It is so well insulated and gets so much solar gain that now (8:23) is is still 68F out there and 68 in the LR which also gets solar gain in the late aft when the sun is on west side.

It was the warmest day so far; tomorrow not so warm and might rain. Believe it or not, there is still a chink of ice in a corner where the sun never shines; I want to move a tarp but it is secured to the ground by the ice!

I trimmed a bunch of pots today, working about 3-4 hours and finishing, plumb wore out, about 5 pm! All of those I threw yesterday (about 20) and the mugs and wee jugs I had sequestered in a cooler for almost a month. That worked perfectly! They did not lose a speck of moisture and were just right for putting on handles.

I also managed a complete route of shopping this am and felt a sense of completion. But no shelves for studio yet. Haunting the thrift shops for shelves netted me a very un-needed, beautiful, antique sewing machine yesterday, circa 1910. Something shall have to leave to make room for it and I have not yet managed a truck to bring it home; maybe Monday. I will put sewing stuff in the drawers but it is mainly ornamental.

About 15 years ago, in PA, I went looking for book shelves and ... It is a beautiful china cabinet, not at all suitable in a house sorely lacking storage space.. I love it. All will be well.

Looking for possible shelves in the shed, I see we have an long upper K cabinet, suitable for better organization in the kiln/tool/store room. YAY!

Next door neighbour was out mowing just the other side of the stream so I went out to chat (second time in a year!). He allowed as how he would like to put a new bridge over the stream - even though that area is on our property - but he says he has the wood. Well, he works at a lumber yard! So that de-clutters our list of things to do. He built the falling apart one when he was 14; now his son is 14. We had a great chat about the wildlife in the pond/swamp; he said he was mowing a path so I could walk back in there and see the turtles - painted and snapping. That is SO thoughtful! Once again, a good neighbour, a treasure! He and his sibs grew up in this little house that his dad built 50 years ago. Now he has a regular house and his Mom and bro have houses around the corner. They worked their way up the food chain very nicely.

This house was poorly built but still standing and we are really enjoying it.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Apr 16 - 10:55 PM

I'm on the second round of burning a BluRay disk of an opera I recorded via the receiver in my computer back in 2012. There are four (Wagner's Ring Cycle on PBS) and it amounts to about 15 hours of broadcasts that I'm converting to mp4 files and burning to BluRay. The first attempt had no chapters, making it difficult to advance through - hit chapter advance once and it was out of the entire 3+ hour program. It's burning now with (I hope) chapters being automatically added. I was trying to edit out some of the channel's earlier and later programming that ended up in the recording, but for now, I'll settle for a good disk of the whole thing. I played the first one this morning and it is gorgeous. Now to work out the details on the formatting.

Moving furniture, doing laundry, cooking. My freezer is slowly being emptied of the produce frozen from the last year's garden and I have two jars of marinara sauce to use in the next week or two. I see lasagna in the near future.

Of the "usual" participants here, I think Lin has the best shot at making a huge change in a hurry, with the new flooring that was installed in her house. I am willing to bet that the floor will inspire her to arrange the room contents and organize extra stuff in a way that lets the house take on a whole new look. A good thing since she gets to stay and enjoy it. So often you hear about people fixing up their houses in order to sell and wishing they'd done the work earlier so they could enjoy it themselves. (I remember a home improvement program that featured those makeovers, and at least one set of homeowners decided not to sell after all).

Tomorrow is May 1, and Spring is fully underway. Good cleaning, and good decluttering, everyone!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 May 16 - 02:34 PM

Beaver:

Good news about Linn!. Thank you.

Drismal day today and I am having trouble getting started. Have cleared the small piece of furniture that will be displaced by the antique sewing machine but cannot find a place to move it! Found space for the piles of books. It has a drawer full of important things - like cello-tape and... stuff like that - this is turning into a re-org project. I still have the bureau R brought last time - with nothing in it because I don't want it so it is just taking up space. And too big to move alone. OK, plan: that is where little one can go AND the piece I DO want from the mill; hopefully next truck trip. In the meantime, little one may sit in middle of BR! Or under the "sewing table" since it is warm enough for the clay to go in the studio - she says hopefully. The other can go in the shed or R can take it back to Montreal. I am really getting antsy about wanting the organizing complete in here.

Cranberry cocktail was on super sale today at "Drug Mart". A fav for us, I bought 4 bottles and got a raincheck for 4 more. There must have been a sale of soda pop also as people were leaving with carts full! Shocking to me as I won't give it house space.

Saw next door neighbour and negotiated his help to fetch the sewing machine on Monday. Did some organizing in studio to be ready for more throwing but I feel more like doing naught! Put the heater on and will need to go turn it down soon so maybe that will get me moving.

Many thanks to M for mentions of the EOD fast; I would never have noticed it. I feel so much better since I have been doing it and have now lost 10 pounds. I suspect it may become more difficult but no cookies, brownies or choc in a month and really do not miss them - because I feel so much better. With the weather like this, it would be a most of a bag of cookies day.

That chunk of ice is still immovable! Maybe it will melt this week when the temp goes up to 65F?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 May 16 - 10:02 PM

Beaver:

Five hours on the phone today! Some of it useful. Found a niche for the wee piece of furniture and collected the sewing machine with the help of the neighbour and a volunteer at the thrift shop. It weighs a ton! The two men could barely lift it in and out of the truck! It is beautiful, however, not very useful. Not my best ever idea.

No pots made in two days, however. I almost made it to the studio but called a friend to see about arranging a visit and she talked..........two hours. I hope she decides not to meet me on Sat! Trying to be supportive has its limits.

Potted dahlia and canna so they can start growing. Shoots already trying. Shall have to cover them at night until the weather is warmer.That decluttered the LR a bit. Last week's pots are still drying in the studio. Still no shelves but some room left for a few more - maybe tomorrow, I hope.

Love M's good news!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 May 16 - 08:32 PM

Beaver:
Today, Superwoman moved the cabinet from the corner of the LR out to the kiln room, after clearing the area onto the deck, moved the bureau I did not want in the BR into the corner of the LR as it has shallow drawers and will be more useful for organizing papers and more, bought a counter at the Thrift shop to go on the cabinet in the kiln room - i will be a good work space -, and put stuff back in for the night; a lot went into the back-back shed.

Also found inexpensive 12 inch triangular cabinets - "you assemble" - for each side of the K mirror - 3 open shelves and the lower one with a door. I was thinking of quarter round shelves but these will do. Holes are drilled, screws included. I opened them and put them on deck to air out possible toxins then covered for the night. Feels like rain. Ran out of steam about 5 pm and ate an extra, but small, meal on this "fasting" day. Never got to pot but last week's are almost dry; hopefully by tomorrow aft I will be able to store them in kiln and have space for a new lot.

Tried to find a leg (one missing) for that cabinet and for the sofa - to no avail - so at the Thrift shop, I found a good solid plastic mug the right height for the fourth leg. Put a piece of 4x4 under one end of the very heavy sofa - perfect. Need another for the other end.

Talked with Tammie about coming by to help me get the outhouse into a more civilized state. A two-seater, it is big enough for some good storage as well. We will need some semi-professional help to jack it up and give it new underpinnings; there is a definite list. Then a window facing the swamp... .   Blair has obtained a steady job - good for him but he's not available for me.   

SPRING is finally here! ALL the ice is gone and the ugly tarp is out of the front yard at last! Got a pic of a red fox through the K window! Deleted emails and now going for a short stint on FB. So happy about the re-organizing!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Donuel
Date: 04 May 16 - 04:43 PM

Thank you, the contributions are more practical, varied and insightful than I ever imagined.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 May 16 - 03:18 PM

Beaver:
No pots yet but bits of re-organizing are ongoing. Weight seems stuck and yesterday - a fast day but not! I was tired and hungry and ate an extra small meal of veggies and some cheese. Computer was in "get out and push mode" !t took totally forever to so the smallest thing so half an hour with applehelp today, helped some but I lost all my cookies and have to redo as I go along - like here. I the art gallery today with the door open!!!!! In a T-shirt!! Yay for spring!

Still looking for shelves for studio. Still not motivated to actually sew any of the increasing pile of projects. But the kiln room is better and the house is better and I see possibilities for more improvement as the energy presents itself. May even buy two new toilet seats and paint for the outhouse; I am thinking I might have energy to do that much myself.

Today I had a vision of painting a rainbow on the outside wall of the house BUT decided that won't happen. Nice idea though!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 May 16 - 07:18 PM

I'm pushing more items from my dining room table into boxes and listing them on eBay. The boxes, open but ready to seal and ship once the items sell, are stacked for now on the bench in my sun room. I need to work on the dining table (completely clear it) then organize the sun room (make some sitting room on the bench).

I'm still using frozen foods in much of my cooking (not eating out as often, or picking up prepared meals) and the freezer is looking good. On my trips to Goodwill over the winter I shopped for food-storage containers (glass canisters with snug plastic lid liners, and high-end acrylic jars with silicone rings and hasp-like closures, etc.). My grains, beans, and pasta always go into the freezer for a while before being stored in the canisters, but the dry goods in those canisters compliment the frozen and canned veggies. (We find above average stuff at our Goodwill because it is next to a village with a high elderly demographic. A lot of the donations are from estates and after estate sales).

This looks like a weekend for garden work, and when I want to cool off indoors, spring cleaning will involve dusting, vacuuming, moving furniture, and identifying more eBay items.

My goal is to spend no money this weekend, beyond a couple of things I need to pick up at Home Depot that I have no substitutes for here. Birds have taken up residence in a hole in the stone front of my house, and as soon as those chicks fledge, that hole is going to be sealed, so I must be ready. Every couple of years I have to patch a few spots, and I'm going to work on the wall around one bed with the bulk of the bag's contents.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 May 16 - 10:21 AM

Beaver:
The sun is quickly de-cluttering the skim of snow from last night. Thankfully it not begin until after I was home in bed. A 14 hour day included driving almost to Toronto (Markham) for pottery supplies and a visit with a friend; my hoped for stop at Richter's Herb Farm was short-circuited by the time it took me to find it; the pottery place was going to close! visit was good with de-cluttering a topic -home, mind, emotional clutter.

On the other hand, when she phoned me about noon to see how I was doing (hands-free) and I was franticly wondering if I were going to make it/not sure how far I still had to go (actually, I had almost reached the point of accepting that I would not), she got on the computer and gave me exc directions, took my order and phoned it in, telling them I would get there, could they give me a few extra minutes, then phoning me back that all was well. I did make it at 12:29 but felt so glad that they had the order. I hate rushing in at the last minute; it seems so inconsiderate of employees. 10 boxes of clay in the car, 8 of which need to be removed and a 50# bag of potting plaster. today's assignment mix plaster and make basins for drying clay - will greatly de-clutter a potting chore.

That was a 4 hour trip. Then I headed north to drop off a box of angels which have cluttered my life for 7 years. Gene likes angels so I felt the compelling need to give her these angels. 2 hours north to the most cluttered home I have ever seen. I did not hide my consternation "Gene is moving slowly" said the husband quietly. Health issues abound plus unwillingness to have anyone help for fear they might throw away something precious.

I suggested firmly that the variety of angels could be given away, "Everyone needs an angel!" (OK, not everyone, but they believe that so I shamelessly used it.) I would not be surprised if I were to go there a year from now and see the box right where I left it. I have an idea that might work if I could find time and inclination to spend a couple days with them. Idea: triage what I think could leave into a spot and let them pick out the must-keeps; keep repeating this step. I was matron-of-honour at their wedding; I have a responsibility.

The trip home on beautiful secondary roads was very enjoyable until the dark and heavy mist obscured the views and slowed me down. Just over two hours and I fell into bed, grateful it was 55 in the house. Not needing to start and tend a fire is a wonderful de-clutter! No longer need to keep clay in house! Another de-clutter!

Having failed to consider loading and unloading when placing the studio needs some additional consideration of how to get clay from car to studio with the least amount of energy consumption -mine! Hmmmmmm.... we are talking 500 pounds to be moved!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 May 16 - 11:55 AM

Dorothy,

If your friend has computer access, maybe sending her the link to a few of our older threads, just for reading and inspiration. The link to the previous thread is usually at the top of the current one, so you could send her back a few episodes. These are read-only for non-mudcat members at this point.

I also did a trip to pick up bags of stuff yesterday, to Home Depot - I'm just about to the point of calling for the "Lot Loader" to come put them in my car next time. Two 60# bags of mortar were barely okay, but I wouldn't want to pick up any more (they made the two bags of commercial compost mix light by comparison!) Assuming your clay is in parcels and not one 500# unit, do you have a wheelbarrow or garden cart you can shift the boxes into and move them with?

The dining table is as good as clear, time to figure out what project goes there next. I have a lot of lacy embroidered, crocheted, etc old chair and table items (antimacassars, doilies, napkins, table runners, etc.) that are too many to use in several lifetimes. There is a trunk full of those so I may select some of those for eBay.

Computer clearing of old files progresses. I have processed three of the four Wagner operas that take up a lot of space in my recorded TV disk (working like a DVR but in my computer). Today I'm burning the original un-processed file onto blu-ray and then I'll delete that file from the computer. If in the future I learn more about video editing so I can work on it to make a better disk for playing, or just want to keep it for whatever, it takes up a lot less space on a blu-ray. They've come down in price to under a dollar per disk (meaning they're probably soon going to be obsolete. . . ) Just copying the original files is quick, it's the processing to a form that will play on the living room blu-ray player that takes time.

Drinking tea on a fasting day before I head out to work in the garden. It's overcast, so will be comfortable. I started the day by bundling sheets to put into the laundry and remade the bed before I left the room. There was a basket of clean from last week that is now folded and away. And it is time to take another blanket (the thermal one) off of the bed. Down to one sheet and one light blanket in early May. Welcome to Texas. Soon the ceiling fan will run every night. Anyway, that room was finished. At the end of a long day it's always disappointing to have to make the bed before going to bed. Not a problem this week.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 May 16 - 08:02 PM

Happy Mother's Day!!

My request for Mother's Day? Don't buy me a hanging basket, please spring clean the front porch and make it a beautiful place for sitting in the sunshine with a cup of coffee with my love.

Request granted.

:) Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 May 16 - 11:37 AM

Beaver:
A gorgeous - cool - day! The wood is uncovered to dry more; the cover blew off and it got wet from the snow. Fire in the stove as 52 is below my limit.

Congratulations to Michelle on wonderful Gift!

A clear DR table is a wonderful thing! Your computer work is such "Greek to me"! Having a made bed to crawl into is a great thing, too!

My friends do not use the internet AT ALL and trying to find their address - just the number so I could send a card for a friend who is having an 80th this week - that is also a secret from Canada 411. Not only cannot let go of things but also info! I was hoping not to have to phone but really want to send this card ASAP. But not home. So went the morning. I spent too much time trying - surely somewhere! But not.

By the time I removed 8 - 20Kg boxes (2 go to the mill) and the 50# of plaster -- long rest. I feel it in my shoulders today but only a little. I used a dolly - rolled it to the front door, but on four boxes and rolled it through the house onto the deck and down the ramp to the studio. Not bad. I put it on the rolling dollies I made a couple weeks ago; works well. One kind on each side. After, I perceived that it would be possible to back up to the window and pass it through as long as the ground is dry enough. I am wondering if this is the last year for doing this much; we'll see. So easy to get into a rut of thinking...

Mostly rested and did some small useful things. Loaded dry pots into kiln and it was only half full so I started unloading to take them to Mill tomorrow ---- WOKE UP to the fact that I do not need them and can wait until I have a kiln load HERE instead of transporting needlessly! THAT is a de-clutter! So they are out of the way, safely in the kiln and I can go out and make more.

Went to store for salad greens and veggies: "feast day" and, after veggies, salad, and sausage for lunch, I gave myself nachos for supper and then popcorn for filler. That is the most I have ingested on a feast day in weeks. That 10# I lost is it. The needle must be stuck! But I shall persevere as it seems a fine way to manage eating. Still NO cookies in 5 weeks and, last night when I made choc covered ginger for R, I had no desire to eat any.

Plaster work did not get done; needs to be done outdoors on a warm enough and still day. Still too cool and breezy out there but I have hope for later. Studio will soon be warm enough.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 May 16 - 11:01 PM

Beaver:
Decided to stay here as R is far too busy. He is trying to get enough done to be able to come here for the long weekend next week. HOPE! for the repair of the septic pump.

Trip to dental clinic yesterday - cleaning of teeth and a few errands before and after and did get one plaster basin made. Would like a larger one and looking for a "mold" for that purpose.

Made a number of getting-things done appointments this am and met with friends to encourage them re Mom in long term care which is less than acceptable - talk to other people, get together and speak to admin....

Thought of "who to ask" re getting outhouse and sheds shored up before they sink into the ground!   He will come by tomorrow eve to look at the situation. I know I can trust him - to do a good job or tell me to forget it. That will be a biggie off my mind.

Cooked way too many black beans! Some for soup, the rest... Need to freeze some!
Roasted more sunflower seeds - replacement for cookies. And hid the jar in a cabinet to keep them from Sassy who seems to be able to open screwed on lids! Sassy came to the K door today and looked at me as though to say, "Well, where is some food?" I told him/her, quietly, that I wanted her to go outside, and opened the Front door. She went out!

A beautiful day - first mosquito and a few black flies. And, finally, a few trees leafing out on the west hill!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 May 16 - 11:22 PM

I always cook enough beans so that I can freeze some. Kidney beans are usually prepared with a Puerto Rican recipe from my late mother-in-law, and sometimes I add heat to that (more of a Southwestern influence, there isn't spicy hot much in Puerto Rican dishes). And I cook black beans so I can freeze them to use in other dishes (it's better and less expensive than buying cans of them).

I have a friend here who is reliable for doing various jobs - a lot of mowing, gardening, taking out trees, but also dry wall, painting, etc. I gave a couple of people his contact information this week and he called this evening to say he was finishing up a job for one of them. Too bad he can't be cloned - there are several participants in this ongoing discussion who could use a fellow who can come by and look at the job to be done, then do it and finish when you expect. He's probably familiar with out houses, but I don't think that kind of task has come his way for many years.

I must have missed the introduction to Sassy. Another raccoon?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 May 16 - 09:36 PM

Beaver:

Sassy is the red squirrel that has plagued me all winter. Cute, LOVES sunflower seeds ... HOPE: sometime this summer, a new opening to sleeping loft so someone can tighten up the places that allow a tiny squirrel in. Also more insulation would be helpful!

Stu and Les and Walter were here for lunch. I made the black bean soup and cauliflower cheddar. Fresh pineapple/ground ginger for dessert. Still have a bunch of black beans to freeze, one bowl of BB soup and a couple meals of the other soup.

Stu suggested, in his quiet manner, that he could do some work for me; he worked with Tam and Blair last summer. So! We walked around looking at what needed to be done and I suggested he could start by putting the siding back onto the studio. I suspect it will be a bit tedious.

(Walter is about 85 and was living in a tiny cabin with NO amenities and not looking very well. S&L took him into their home and he now looks healthy and happy and has hearing aids but NO driver's license. He was using a beautiful walking stick that Stu's dad made from diamond willow from the Yukon.)   

Nathan came in the early eve and agreed that the outhouse and shed can be lifted and new sills put under them; he will call in a week or so when he works out a schedule. Then Stu can put some kind of cheap siding on them so they look somewhat more civilized. And a window in the outhouse - facing onto the swamp! Roofs are OK!

Steve came, from up the road, to look at the "lawn" and figures he can civilize it with his riding mower - in a week or so after he gets it our of winter storage. Today was the warmest this year - might have been 75F. May yet have snow next week!! I feel as though progress is being made. YAY!

I have messed up the last two fast days. Not TOO badly but still. Served cookies a lunch but did not have any. Slightly tempted. Try again tomorrow. Need to do chick peas to make humous for Saturday. I'll put them in the slow cooker right now!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 May 16 - 01:06 PM

I have a system, and finally got around to putting it back into play - I have a wrist watch I wear when I work in the yard. The face is scared from bumping into things and I've sweated through many leather wrist bands. I also have both a nice silver and a nice gold wrist watch, for general wear and work, and since the yard one had a run down battery, I had forgotten and worn a good one into the garden a few times.

Last week I found a card of watch batteries for about a buck a piece. Amazon sent the slim card in a box that would hold a couple of pounds of anything else I might have ordered. What a waste of paper and postage. But today they redeemed themselves by packing the same sized box full of a few things I later ordered in my declutter and replacement operations here. Amazon sells Nylabone dog chew toys for 1/3 to 1/2 the price the chain pet stores charge, but that price is only for "add on" items combined with other purchases over a certain $ amount. This week I had enough purchases and ordered two chew toys. Everything was tightly packed into the box left on my porch by the mail carrier. So it averages out, I suppose. And now I have two boxes to flatten and either use for eBay or recycle. Keeping good shipping boxes is one of my weaknesses. :-/

And apropos of nothing in particular, today is the first day in ten years of my not having a child at the university. Both are now graduates, (the oldest with a shiny new master's in library science!) and we shall see what comes next!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 May 16 - 06:37 PM

Beaver:
Congratulations on being free of University - for a while!

I was back to my ever-so-cluttered friends' home yesterday and suggested someone else set things aside. Ralph deflected that idea in his own gentle fashion. Amazingly, the yard is only slightly cluttered and they have specific plans for that - maybe this year.Clearly the yard is higher priority than the house.

We were each able to sit down in the LR, with piles of stuff everywhere else. For me, there was no direction in which to look that was not painfully cluttered. I deliberately arrived late enough that it was time to leave for the B-day party within minutes. Someday, G's son will have an awful job on his hands.

In a marvellously uncluttered home by a lovely river on a cold rainy day about 135 people helped Hope celebrate 80 years. Amazing woman owns a catamaran in Fiji - which she visited again last year. I am slightly daunted by thinking of a trip to Whidbey(west coast) in the fall.Conversations with 4 different interesting women got me through the aft. Broke fast with 2 home made choc chip cookies which did a sugar number on me. Humous and chips I had taken saved me, and 3 shortcake (high fat to subdue the sugar). Well, that was lunch and I only had 3 T of sunflower seeds for eve snack. Had to bring in the veg plants.

I remember Hope's flat in Toronto as wonderfully uncluttered 20 years ago; I wonder...

Hand washed some socks and underwear today. Had to start a fire last night and keep it going all day - cold and grey. Threw pots, went to the tearoom for soup and a scone for lunch (trying a fast today), then to the Old Hastings Gallery and Mercantile and Lillian bought a few more small pots. We had a long chat. Then home to bring in more wood -DARN! Considered more potting but succumbed to late afternoon, care of shoulders and trying to maintain fasting since yesterday was shot.

The house is as good as it gets until things move to the next level. Constant transition.

Maggie: oldormsbyschoolhouse.ca is where I went for soup. A marvellous restored one room school to tearoom - exquisitely done. Original pressed tin ceiling and walls, oak wainscoting, lovingly stripped of paint, chalkboards, teacher's desk.... The Mercantile, across the road, was a general store.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 16 - 09:52 PM

This weekend I made the executive decision to exchange the old battered Tupperware pieces (lots of sizes and shapes, most still with lids) for a new set of BPA free Rubbermaid containers. Amazon had a sale, and these are nicely designed to keep the lids close by (they fit onto the foot of each container). Then I pulled out all of the "poor man's Tupperware" (the take-out containers) and before tossing them into the recycle bin had second thoughts and put them in a large container that lives on top of the large upright freezer. I will be freezing a lot of produce this year, so I'll hold onto those for season, but they're out of my kitchen cabinets. The Tupperware will go on eBay. And there is so much room in that lower cupboard now!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 May 16 - 03:26 PM

Beaver:
I seem to have lost a post. Oh well. R was hoping to finish enough in Montreal to spend this long weekend here. Did not happen. Septic ... Someday...

Substantially de-cluttered finances by ordering lumber to extend the deck so the stove wood can be on the same level rather then one step down and also up off the ground. There will also be some extra just-deck space so wood is not in front of BR window. An eaves trough along that roof line will keep water from dripping on the wood but I am also formulating a plan to have a better cover for the wood. I also ordered enough cheap siding for the sheds and outhouse so, after they are made level, more or less, they will also look more civil. All this will come by truck from Lowe's, saving R, or someone, the trouble of transporting. Save work! Save personal energy! Also, long weekend sale - saved 13% taxes!

Started early this am to find the hacksaw to make now needed screens. Spent a couple hours taking almost everything out of the kiln room/storage, sorting and better organizing myriad tools.moved a shelf unit from back shed with wheel barrow and managed to get it on top of the lower cabinets; no way I can get it high enough to screw it to wall. A year ago I could not have moved it; stronger now - from moving stove wood all winter!

Also got a pine bookshelf, bought at a yard sale yesterday, into the studio. Buffaloed by failure of drill to work; charging another battery. It also has to go UP, but I think I can do that if I get supports screwed in. The hacksaw was hanging on the wall all along!!! So I made the two screens for BR windows; the second one went so well I was tempted to go get another kit to do Studio window. Restrained myself.

Found summer clothes, sorted and placed them, while removing some winter ones to the emptied bin. Put the tools back in room, took some things to the back sheds. Life feels lighter.

Glorious day and, surprisingly, I was not at all plagued by bugs.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 May 16 - 06:44 PM

Beaver:
Oh well. Getting lots done yesterday precluded getting much done today. Plumb wore out and shoulders aching somethin' terrible. But managed to plant a dozen plants before it hit and checked out a couple things, went through emails, did a tiny but of research on memory/DNA and sent to friend, took more MSM and more again and a short nap.Pain gone now; just tired. Some days are like that. Finished a couple books. Now going to veg for a while and hope for energy tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 23 May 16 - 10:19 PM

It's about time I joined this thread, not that I've been lurking, it's just a thread I notice in a guilty fashion as I trawl thru the 'Cat.

I recently replaced my decrepit old shopping trolley with this top-of-the-line trolley which is perfect for taking stuff to charity shops.

I live in a large 4-room apartment but have lots of past & present hobbies & interests & now have less of the past stuff, but there is lots more to go. I got onto a roll after hesitantly removing a few things, then off I went. Some of the stuff which lives on the floor (starts as neat mountain ranges, ends up as lava flows ...) has been put into empty shelves, but ...

When I stopped dressing dolls in period costume in 1988, I kept a trunk full of fabrics (vintage fabrics, small lengths of expensive silks, satins, velvets etc + lots of cheap dress lining fabrics) & after 2 trolley loads almost all of the fabrics are gone. I have kept a few pieces in a large plastic zip-lock bag. One load of usable lengths & other needlework stuff went to a fabulous charity shop formerly called The Needlework Cave (& I only bought back a couple of vintage embroidered items!) I'm heading back with my lace & embroidery books soon (several trolley loads there) & will take with me an unfinished vintage embroidery to buy the threads I need to complete it. The shop is really a treasure chest! 2 large plastic bags of linings & short lengths went to Reverse Garbage -The experts in reuse home of several previous loads of stuff, including storage boxes. Reverse Garbage is haunted by teachers & artists & parents looking for project material.

When I stopped making bobbin lace in the late 90s I gave away most of the threads & my inexpensive utilitarian bobbins, but kept all my handmade wooden bobbins, my books, a huge box of patterns (why??) & some of the threads.

One day the handmade bobbins will be a display on the wall - one day I will have more wall space instead of wall-to-wall cupboards & bookcases with lots of stuff on top!

After sorting my thread collection, & taking most of them to the Needlework Cave, four of my eight 2-pound coffee jars have gone to another charity shop, along with a set of four 1970s nesting kitchen canisters like these. I'm keeping a set of seven Depression pressed glass jars with Bakelite lids so all I have left is 1 tin + 4 jars of thread. I don't count the 3 large boxes of knitting yarns, cos they are a different matter & in current use!

To be continued

sandra

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 May 16 - 11:54 PM

It sounds like you're essentially a charter member of this group, Sandra, having made a lot of the difficult decisions already. And this isn't about getting rid of what you love or your favorite hobbies (I remember when LilyFestre took up quilting as a new hobby - now she's going full-tilt!). But it does help to remove the things that are redundant or no long in use.

I have containers with some of the crafts that my mother was working on, things I've thought I'd like to do. I'll one day have to decide if I want to make braided rugs and keep her materials, or move them along to a hobbiest who can use them.

My work this weekend was mostly outside. We have a long weekend coming up and I'll do a bit more eBay listing (if we have rain so I have to stay indoors, that is).

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 May 16 - 05:20 AM

I do love recycling! I wish I could sell some of these thing I'm clearing out (especially when I see what they cost me!) but there is no market for used doll & bear & craft books & items, & besides postage would kill any profit!

Besides I give myself brownie points for helping charities (grin)

sandra

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 May 16 - 10:12 PM

Have you looked into eBay? It's amazing what people will buy there, if you price it right and describe and photograph it well.

Today it took a couple of passes through the laundry room and garage before I found two packages of weather-stripping. I have to redo what is around my sliding glass door. Now that there is a dog door spring load panel there the people passage isn't as wide, so I've bumped into the weatherstrip too often and torn some off. That needs replacing, and I need to figure out how to keep warm humid air from coming around through the gap on the side of the door opposite from the dog door panel. I was going to stop by Home Depot, but this wasn't so urgent that I couldn't hunt around the house first for what I thought I might already have in readiness. A few bucks saved. Next problem to solve, probably just around the corner. . .

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 May 16 - 03:31 PM

Beaver:
Tuesday, I was still tired. Weds, I went to a chiropractor to get shoulder re-aligned. Thurs was better but still painful. Today is good but still on MSM and it's a fasting day so taking it easy.

Each day I managed to delete emails and do FB and read, did a bit of shopping today; Finally asked the meat woman to order "Free From" chicken and picked up some today. I fought off mosquitoes and black flies - in the HOUSE! for a couple days and could not figure out how they got in. But seems they are now excluded; one of life's mysteries.

I will NOT try moving anything heavy! That is that. Reality has reared its ugly head.

Stood in the thrift shop today and went through my whole little house in my mind, trying to find a spot for a smallish corner shelf - NOPE! but got a small bookcase for the studio - but it is too nice for the studio so...we'll see. May end up in the sleeping loft.

Visited the RONA to check out possible purchases tomorrow on their "no tax"day; there was NO ONE there today! Have a list made up for tomorrow. All are things that were on my NEED list. Eaves trough so run off does not drip on my neck, stove wood or the S garden bed. Patio stones for entry to avoid wet, muddy feet in house. And those concrete supports for the deck extension; the wood to be delivered by Lowe's on 4 June, along with siding for outhouse and sheds!

Last night at Country Jam, I gave Nathan a mandolin picked up at a yard sale last week; he will find a home for it, asked his advice on stove wood and wood for raised beds; he will be coming on 4 June to shore up outhouse and back-back shed. So nice to have a trusted advisor!

Need to look at finances re projects. Must remember stove wood must be bought in July. Hoping to drive to PA, with R, on 5 June for grandson's HS grad.

Would be good to make a schedule but I tried printing out a calendar on Weds eve - the WHOLE eve - and ended up with nothing working - not the modem, not the computer, not the printer - turned off everything and went to bed! In the am, the computer and modem consented to relate. The printer? I will tackle that again --- maybe even today. Maybe not. Yep. I followed the pdf instructions... Well, I thought I had. Achieving this will be a great de-clutter as I have had trouble with this printer every time - hence the -futile- attempt to sort it "for once and for all". HAH!

Ah! Today is the first day of summer! I wonder when the second day will arrive. Big excitement this week was a local posting, "The dragonflies are here!" A chorus of "YAYs" were heard in the area! The dragonflies signal the end of the black fly season and THAT is a major de-clutter!!!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 May 16 - 11:23 AM

I started the day by clearing the counter in the master bath and in the dressing room, and continuing on to the kitchen counter. I'll also clear the kitchen table. Flat surfaces have piles of mail, newspapers, and more, that need sorting and filing (many in the recycle bin).

Laundry, mowing, listing eBay items, weeding the garden, moving plants and putting in mulch. It's a three day weekend and if I get a lot of work done on Saturday and Sunday maybe I'll kick back on Monday.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 May 16 - 08:20 AM

Beaver:
Finally feeling better.

Picked up stuff from RONA Sat am - took two trips due to weight (only 5 minutes away) AND I had to, ever so carefully, offload each very heavy deck block and patio stone.

Off to Market and bought a rescued balsam for the NE corner after consult with Val; she rescues small trees which are in the way of mowing, carefully pots them and gives them time to recover before bringing them to market. All that for $11.50 for an 18 inch tree. Agreed: she is not making money; she is rescuing!

Talked with a "cottager": Mike is here 75% (like me, his partner is here rarely) and is developing a wood working shop. Will call him later today about getting some round "bats" made for studio; he can but will he have time? THEN I can make plates for my son.

Picked up sand for patio stone project at front door.

Rest of day - basket case: internet and reading until - just as the sun was about to go behind the hill in a clear sky, I heard thunder!!! Ran to close car window, took basket and scissors and trimmed oregano and into house before the deluge! Went out on deck and had a wonderful shower. What a treat! The house did not cool off but I sure felt better.   A great deal to be said for privacy!

However, when I went out this am to empty the K bucket: that deluge had washed considerable mud over about 15 feet of my nice crushed stone driveway. DARN! Maybe we can get more stone when R is here with truck. Need some sort of barrier along the road; it is complicated - to be where it will not impede parking, not be on the road allowance and still prevent run-off.

Going to be hot again today. So: east drapes closed already (8am) and going to studio to finish pots that have been waiting and waiting- before it is too hot to work.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 May 16 - 02:05 PM

It's time to work on my patio cover - I need to replace the 60/40 sunshade cloth after it was ripped to pieces by hail. It will work for now but slowly fall apart. I'm thinking about using a translucent corrugated (shape) sheeting and make it more waterproof out there. But I also have a tarp I hang to keep the sun from hitting the glass door and baking the living room and kitchen.

Spring is usually rainy around here so I'm going to be doing a lot of mowing this week.

I picked up a little round teracotta grill (think mushroom shaped with a hole in the side of the base of the stem) at a garage sale a couple of years ago, and had researched how to use it - did coals go in the top and the opening in the base just collect ashes, or did a sterno or fire go in the space below and the thing is for warming only? It turns out the first is true - I tried adding some stones to absorb heat from below, but it didn't work, so I pulled the stones out, moved the coals into the top, and what you have is a small grill that can sit on a tabletop and not overheat the table below. The open space is to clear out ashes and let the air flow. It worked beautifully (but got rained on last night so I need to clear it out, oil the grate, and store it till next time.)

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 May 16 - 03:12 PM

My house is a wreck as Pete and I have been sick for a few days. Whatever we have is highly contagious and so my Mom has been taking care of Jeremiah for us. I am so thankful for that.

Just yesterday I started feeling better so I went to weigh in...must be I still look like ick because my leader asked me if I was staying for the meeting and when I said no, she put me at the front of the line to weigh in. I am happy to report that I am currently down 43 pounds!

   We picked up Jeremiah this morning and when we got home, I did the dishes from the past few days. I feel so much better when my kitchen is in order. I have some other cleaning to do as well and am thankful to being on the road to being able to do it.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Jun 16 - 07:46 PM

Beaver:
Very hot for a few days and not much got done. Now it has been cooler and still not much getting done. Friend with woodworking shop did the bats for me yesterday morning plus nice short visit with eh and partner. Mike offered to help build the deck! And wants a BIG coffee cup for doing the bats.

Spent considerable time on FB and reading.

Tammy came by and we cleared the back/back shed in prep for work on Saturday. Good visit with friends at Timmy's today.

Tried to go to Town council mtng and the building was toxic so I left after ascertaining that the anti-inflammatory I gave an employee there for her parents, is working!   Did the library thing, picked up some US funds for trip at bank, attended a community gardens meeting and spent an hour successfully connecting printer to computer wirelessly!!!! Printed out two possible newspaper columns but never got the energy to take them to the editor.

Made appointment for oil change tomorrow and was called re appointment with ophthalmologist in July! Need someone to drive me home---- Will put it on FB. What an imposition - it is 60 miles!

So, the house is reasonably tidy. Several tasks that are no longer DIY for me still need doing. Our older friend was missing for a while today - in the back yard. Talked to Tam about the alzheimer bracelet. When someone goes missing here, we are talking thousands of acres of Canadian bush country, full of rocks and dead falls.

I have been having dieting/fasting difficulty the last few days; may need a break.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Jun 16 - 01:18 PM

Beaver:

Yesterday after oil change, I FILLED my wee car with cardboard found in the back of the shed when we cleared it. This am I took it to the recycling. Wow, lightened the load! Kept a few whole boxes but some of them may yet leave. I thought that cardboard would go into the wood stove last winter but other things was then piled in front of it. Guess I did not need it, so NO More saving cardboard.

Got to Art Gallery early, after trip to recycling, and did some weeding of our beautiful front garden. Two lengthy conversations re health care stuff. And some on art!

Emails deleted, a couple written, petitions signed. Now, 3 more hours to amuse myself....

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jun 16 - 06:27 PM

An earlier post was lost. (Unwanted decluttering!)

I manage the fasting a couple of times a week now, and try not to go overboard the rest of the time.

Some success with eBay listings, I need to keep adding more when things sell to keep an active presence on the site. There are people who manage to make a living with it, but it takes a lot of determination and organization to keep it going.

I hope the rain won't be as bad as last year at this time, but this week has been one of deja vu, when we couldn't do much more than stand on the porch watching the grass grow as the rain falls.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jun 16 - 12:39 AM

It was dry today, so I hope to mow fairly easily tomorrow. But there is a lot of it to mow, front and back.

The lower kitchen cabinet next to the sink is looking much better and I have three boxes of vintage Tupperware listed on eBay as of this evening. I had lost track of just how much of it I had, and how rarely I ever use it any more.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Jun 16 - 09:15 PM

Maggie,

   What is your user name on eBay?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Jun 16 - 06:30 PM

I'll send it in a note.

I have an old trunk with dog items near the back door, but there is a mysterious/occasional leak when we get rain. I have moved the trunk a few times with it on a piece of cardboard, but when that gets wet I don't want it soaking into the trunk. And the little knobs at the bottom of the trunk leave lines on the tile floor. So today I'm putting together a few boards and castors to put under the trunk and make for easy moving. I still haven't figured out the leak, but have ruled out a few guesses.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Jun 16 - 02:47 PM

Not a lot of other stuff accomplished this weekend, but the trunk is now standing on the assembled bits of leftover lumber and hardware, supported by four inexpensive castors. I've rearranged the trunk contents and realized I was using a Tupperware tub to hold stuff that could easily be arranged in a cardboard box. One more item moved into the eBay stash.

Dorothy, are things drying out and warming up finally?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Jun 16 - 09:36 PM

Beaver!
Back from our week in PA which only de-cluttered my wallet and energy level. We visited with friends, went to museums, yard sales and antique shops.And I went Int. Folk Dancing twice which felt SO good; the tunes continue to run through my head.

I did not gain weight. Did not try to fast but did try to eat moderately. Actually, must have de-cluttered my body of something; Connie used the Rife machine and ionic foot bath on me and I am almost free of coughing for the first time in about 3 years. The oregano/ginger tea is helping me stay that way plus an Amish herbal antibiotic that C gave me. Moving toward a ketogenic diet that has helped C lose some weight, which is almost impossible for her.

We are really tired today but R did start working on the septic and the neighbour came with advice. Friend Nathan brought some stove wood,as he wanted to make up for what I paid him to level the outhouse - felt it was too much. We had a great visit, showing e and Laurie the book of the Wharton Esherick museum (might interest Maggie) and told them of the incredible Hearne's hardwoods that we also visited. Discovered mutual interest.

Fire in stove last night! But the ground is dry - until it rains again. Tried to reach the guy who was going to mow - still no luck and knee high grass and weeds! THAT I would like to de-clutter!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 11:28 AM

I think it's been over six months since I've regularly posted here. I've had a LOT on my plate, but that stuff has been mostly accomplished and now it's time to get back into the habit of posting here. You're my support group and I've missed you!

It's a gorgeous day -- dry, sunny, low humidity, breezy and I got to bed very early last night (because I couldn't keep my eyes open) and slept all the way until 7 a.m.

Lately it seems I have energy one day, zilch the next, then another day when I'm functional, followed by a day I not only can't get out of my own way, but desperately need a nap. Part of it is probably a bit of depression triggered by my birthday last week. That's the most difficult of the "significant dates" of the year...difficult because Tom (Curmudgeon) isn't here to share it with me.

I'm on a roll this morning -- made my list, as usual. Read and disposed of one of the free publications that stack up and sewed up (not exactly darning) a hole in a favorite pair of socks. Then, and I think most importantly, I got dressed and attacked the day. It's altogether too tempting to just stay in bed reading, petting the cat, etcet etcet and then, by the time I get up, the day is mostly shot and only the stuff that HAS to get done gets done. Today I'm making headway on the stuff that's been waiting.

And I ate breakfast on the deck. I sat on the steps because I still have furniture and things stacked on and around the deck table under a tarp. I'll work on THAT today, too. Then I swept the twigs and effluvia from tree sex off the deck (again...). I need to rake the twigs, etc. off the driveway, too, and move the larger branches that I haven't already picked up. It's been quite breezy of late.

On my list for today is to start raking the leaves out of the hosta bed in the turnaround -- way overdue. But it didn't get accomplished in the Spring because it kept snowing -- usually right after a stretch of pleasant and warmish weather. It was a very strange Spring, and I'm sorry to have to announce that there were only two (TWO!!!) pink ladyslippers this year. I usually have between 12 and 45. I can't blame the deer, either. Nary a bloom nipped off by deer teeth. (They ONLY eat the blooms.) I did splurge and buy some granulated coyote urine for the patch. Hope it will keep the woodchucks away from them, too.

So...what have I been doing that has taken up so much time and energy...

The main thing is I researched, got HUD counseling, applied for, had the house appraised, etcet etcet and achieved a reverse mortgage. That means I don't have to sell the house and I'm now in a modestly comfortable and sustainable position. But it was a lot of work and time consuming. But all my repairs and replacements in cobbling the house back together paid off. But before we could close, they required I put a railing on the deck, something Tom and I never wanted. (HUD regulations, I think.) Outdoor carpentry in January -- yeah, that's a favorite thing. But my not-always-reliable handyman took my idea of using rope in between the top and bottom rails and made it even better looking by puting a twist on it.

Then, after the closing, they hit me with the requirement that I put in a floor on the entire main living area of the house -- 85 square yards -- and a six-month deadline to accomplish it and get it approved. We've only had (deteriorating) subflooring since Tom built the house in 1977. He made a couple tactical errors at that time. First, he used mostly a particle board material instead of plywood throughout, and second, he and his first wife moved in before the house was finished. By the time I came on the scene a few years after they split up, there was furniture, rugs, and stuff throughout the house and whenever we had the money, we didn't have the time and whenever we had the time, there was no money.

I'd replaced a few pieces of subflooring after Tom broke his ankle and before he came home from rehab because his wheelchair would have gotten stuck in the potholes, but mostly it was subflooring showing its age. So...I decided on hickory floating laminate. Only a few pieces of subflooring had to be replaced, but what made the job so complicated was EVERYTHING had to be moved...and I couldn't do it. It all got done. I moved what I could (especially so I could find some things) and a young and agile helper did the rest while my handyman did a great job on the floor using my table saw down cellar. And he didn't fall off the wagon (I was watching, holding my breath) until right AFTER the job was done. (Okay, so now I have a few other little jobs plus cleaning up the scraps, etc. down cellar that he didn't do.) Paperwork got submitted, inspection completed, and I'm still waiting for the check for the set-aside (set aside covered the materials, but I had to come up with that and the labor, etc. upfront) which SHOULD come today.

So I'm breathing a little easier. I also realized a few months ago that I'm totally burned out on the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival, so I first extricated myself from participation this year and announced it was my last year on the board, and then last week resigned completely (except for consulting and producing the program)from the board and my position as president. I think I accomplished what Tom would have had he stayed healthy and alive. I had thought I'd get out before I burned out, but came to the crashing conclusion I was already too late.

Now I have to learn how to relax again without having all that bearing down on me.

I still run the two trad and sea music sessions at The Press Room and last October I started a monthly Voicearound at Red & Shorty's in Dover -- both music (not necessarily trad or even folk) and spoken word. Maybe now I'll have both the mental and physical breathing space to pick up the guitar again and to start trying to learn English concertina.

Having to move everything has been good, too. A lot that I'd entirely forgotten about has come to light to be dealt with, archived (I found the original papers from the post & beam kit people -- from when this house was built) or disposed of. LOTS of trips to Goodwill and a huge pile of books to the May library sale that I knew wouldn't be cost effective to sell.

Now I've got more time to concentrate on decluttering.

Linn

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 10:59 PM

Wow. I knew you were working on various things, but not all of them. You accomplished a great deal - and learning to relax will mean deciding when to be sociable and when to hunker down and work on exactly what you want to work on at home by yourself with whatever audible accompaniment (or none). I find I have to build in the social activities - going to work every day is not my idea of "society," though I enjoy many of my co-workers. At home, I putter around the house with the radio on, or CDs playing, but mostly radio. Society last weekend was attending a dance performance with my daughter, then coming back to the house to eat our annual "Welcome Summer" BLTs.

We have a hot spell coming (at last! Maybe it will dry up some of this humidity!) so this evening I put up my home-made sun shade on the side of the patio. One of these days I'll figure out a more attractive system than pvc pipe and leftover two-by-fours with a mesh tarp suspended from the patio cover roof out over the horizontal pvc and hanging a couple of feet clear of the ground so the dogs can run past without entangling in it. It felt several degrees cooler as I worked behind it while I put it in place.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 15 Jun 16 - 09:00 AM

Thank you Ms. Goddess for posting that, it made me feel less alone in what I'm struggling with! I've been trying to rehab and downsize out of the house I shared with my late beloved for a few decades, and it's been a far longer and far more difficult process than I ever could have imagined. Yes, it's SO hard to get flooring replaced while still living in a place! And I still, 3 years later, careen around alternately bursting into tears because I miss him and cussing him out for some of the crazy 'fixes' he did or didn't do.

Just got an inspection done (a practice run by a fledgling inspector), and looks like the incompetent roofers of last winter are going to cost me even more money before it's all over with. It doesn't take much to get overwhelmed and depressed. Just having handymen/contractors in and out for weeks on end, you lose all control of your schedule and life. Times when I am alone with a lot of unstructured days, then at least I can sit down with a notebook first thing in the morning and assess what's going on and what needs to happen next. In a way, having the pressure to get things done and get out at least is forcing me to focus, or I would be questioning the point of getting out of bed.

This spring in an attempt to make deadlines, I resorted to 'Orders of the Day' on a bulletin board, where I would pick a few key things to get done, tack up colorful pieces of paper with one or two word tasks, "Scan" or "Paint" or "Calls". Helps to focus on just a couple items, and get the rest of the goblins out of your mind til their turn comes around.

Acme & other declutterers, I've made some progress since last post. A lot of it was delegated to contractors, but at least it's done. 4 new floors, 1 room painted, countertops rehabbed, lots of things fixed, garage half-emptied, a POD in the driveway to put stuff while the interior gets worked on, and the new house-on-wheels in the driveway. Essentially the bedrooms are empty or minimalist, and I am loath to put anything back in that is cluttery or heavy looking.   Ebaying is on hold til after a trip I have to take this month, but high hopes to work through a big stack.

Visited a home store yesterday looking for Corelle for the travel trailer, instead found lots of heavy bulky 'stuff' to put in houses, I wish the people shopping there could see how much of it they REALLY don't want to take into their house in the long run. I'll try a resale shop next, I probably don't need a full 'service for 4' anyway, just a couple plates, couple bowls.

Stay as cool and hydrated as you can, guys!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Jun 16 - 11:19 PM

Try Goodwill or Salvation Army, and the patterns don't need to match, not in the camper! I picked up a handful of Corelle saucers last winter, the stack probably cost me under $5, but I use them for everything. When it's just me, even when I'm cooking, lots of times a saucer or a custard cup is all I need to hold ingredients, or to heat up a snack. I found several salad or lunch-sized plates in a pattern of stoneware I like, but wouldn't it turn out they're fairly scarce. I have a tan colored set of 5, here are six in a nice green color. I may only ever have just the five. :)

An eBay item sold and was paid for this afternoon, so I ship the box tomorrow. The Tupperware tub that wasn't doing anything useful here will go to a new home.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 16 Jun 16 - 09:46 AM

Thanks Acme, I will do some strategic buying at places I'm usually dropping stuff off. And I'll keep an eagle eye out for your green stuff!

My favorite dishes to use are the handpicked odd pieces, I love the odd clear glassware that winds up in the Goodwill and other resale shops. I grabbed 2 old molded glass banana-split dishes, that have turned out to be really handy as 'sidecars' holding bulky raw veggies, pickle spears, melon chunks, etc. alongside a lunch plate.    Also love the little sauce/nut cups you can get at restaurant supply stores, handy for salsa/dressings/dips, nuts, etc.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 Jun 16 - 01:32 PM

Beaver:

Wonderful inspiring posts from Linn and Patty! And M's gave me an idea for a porch shade project = after a bunch of other things!

There is VERY little in our home - any of them - that did not come from a thrift shop. If we decide something does not suit, it simply goes nack to a thrift shop. I am chronically stunned by the amount of fine goods, and junk, in the several thrift shops in this rural area. I am shopping less now as we seem to have plenty of everything, even the shelves I needed so badly.

Said shelves now need to be put in place and I am waiting for my friends to have time to do chores for me, that I simply do not have the energy or strength for.

R is on the 4th day of repairing the septic. The problem seems to stem back to a time when someone, told not to ... did. They broke through the lid of the tank and "repaired" it; There are small stones in the tank and one about an inch in diameter was inside the pump, thus destroying it in the long term. When R is finished, we should be ready for the next millennium! We have been fortunate to have clear days - but hot. HAT ON! Bugs are pretty plentiful in spite of the dragonflies doing their best. Every time he needs to make another trip, we are grateful that is only a few minutes away.

Someone is coming by tonight (?) to see about de-cluttering the knee high grass/weeds! I did not bother last year but this year I seem to need less, esp when needing to walk up to the, now level!, outhouse, which still needs cleaning, a window and siding. Siding and wood for deck extension are here, awaiting helpers. I am trying to not be too frustrated by a half dozen "I cannot do this until that is done..." projects - that I cannot do alone. R is going to deserve another vacation after his project!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 16 Jun 16 - 07:11 PM

Yesterday was a "good" day...got a lot accomplished during the day. Brought in more stuff from the deck (some of which will go directly to Goodwill unless I decide to keep them around until I have a yardsale -- which I can't have until I have possession of the deck again) and started raking the twigs out of the driveway and leaves in the rockery.

Last night's Voicearound was a delight. Sure, it was fewer people than we'd been averaging because it's summer and the weather is nice and some have gigs or other social events they'd rather go to, but we had two NEW people (new to the Voicearound, but not new to me) finally get there -- welcomed additions. We put the table in the middle and a couple of us brought snacks to share and we maybe did a bit more talking (rather than singing or reading poetry) than we usually do, but it was a very enjoyable evening.

Then today I had to force myself to do absolutely anything. AND I ended up taking a nap because I couldn't keep my eyes open. Ate lunch on the deck steps, but I just finished supper here at the computer (which I'm trying to avoid). Too tired to even read. It seems to be one day on, one day off lately. And I still can't figure out how to "relax"...meaning getting rid of the feeling that things are still hanging over my head.

I don't know...am I depressed? It's different from the "grief days" I had in the first two years after Tom died. I didn't take my St. John's wort this morning, but that shouldn't have made a difference.

Hope I'm more energetic for tomorrow's Friday session and Saturday's sea music singaround.

Going upstairs now to listen to some music and either read or chat with friends in the online coffeehouse at Nick Noble's "The Folk Revival" (WICN) Facebook page.

Linn

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 Jun 16 - 09:18 PM

Beaver:

Boy, do I know about that one day on, one day off! Mostly off since returning from "vacation"!

Big news! This eve at 7:20, R came in and announced it was done! We now have a functioning septic system! Flushed the toilet a coule times so he could see it go into the tank. Talked about taking a bath! not having to empty buckets! Had a nice supper and celebratory ice cream! The borrowed sump pump is washed in prep for returning tomorrow.

I did a bisque firing this week but have not unloaded it. Not enough energy. Still trying to get someone to de-clutter the yard of weeds/tall grass. Still waiting for friends to have time to do the myriad other jobs that will help with organizing various areas.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Jun 16 - 11:28 PM

That is welcome news, Dorothy! And what a difficult job - having ice cream as a reward for the hard work is the least you can do!

I agree about thrift stores - when years ago it seemed like much of what was there was heavily used but still had some life in it, now many things have clearly never been used. I have filled out sets of glassware by visiting various Goodwills and Salvation Army stores in the area. Never make a special trip, just stop in if I'm in the neighborhood.

One eBay item out of the house today and a couple of others have watchers. I need to have enough things listed so a steady income comes in. Now if I sell one thing, but then end up at the grocery store spending the same amount, it feels like they just cancelled each other out. The trick is to be constantly selling and building the PayPal account. I use PayPal to pay for quite a few things, don't even bother to transfer to the bank first. It's great for things like paying for online USPS postage.

Dorothy, I'll put another photo of that home-made awning up on facebook so you can get a look at it. The tarp came from Harbor Freight and they always have 20% off coupons around (you can print them from the site online also). If there isn't a store in Canada, next time you're in the US, it's a great place for a number of everyday tool-like items.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Jun 16 - 09:34 PM

Beaver:

Friends came to make a list of what needs to be done. Will be back on Tuesday, at 10 am, to get started. The shelves in kiln room and studio are first - so tools can be organized, and I feel like I have room for more pots. Then the raised beds - at least two can be made from our $40 of rough 2x something lumber - cedar. Need to call tomorrow re soil delivery later in week. A friend has offered strawberry plants - but soon!

Then the deck so I can order stove wood. I moved a pile of stove wood out of the way tonight - after it "cooled" a bit. Do the rest, hopefully, in the am before it gets too hot.

Need to clear the area for shelf unit in kiln room on Tues am - everything has to go outside and it might rain Monday night.

R left about 4 pm after putting finishing touches on septic but not putting soil back in holes - My job. He put up two corner cabinets in K before leaving and they are now full. Nice addition! They do not hold a great deal but they look nice and give me the sense that the K it complete. They each have a closed shelf - handy for avocados, sunflower seeds and other things I like near sink but away from critters. The squirrel could open a screw top bottle to get at sunflower seeds, or almonds!

An hour long call with friend we visited last week - visit and support/encouragement for her.

Soon to bed so I can get up in the cool of the morning.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jun 16 - 11:20 AM

The pest I have to keep out of food here is my chocolate lab. He's a counter surfer. Also eats things like paper towels, dish cloths, anything that smells like food, so it all needs to stay up.

We're in the middle of a heat wave - the actual temperature may be 98, but the air is so humid that it feels like 115. So not a lot of outdoor work underway right now. And when it cools, the mosquitoes come out.

A box is packed, labeled, and ready to go to the post office if the mail carrier doesn't come by the house pretty soon. This is another eBay parcel - I've sold about $100 of estate items this month. It's work to list them, but if they don't sell, they're donated and then the photo and valuation is used to calculate donations at the end of the year for taxes.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 20 Jun 16 - 12:03 PM

Hot and humid here, I'm getting wrecked trying to get the camper ready to roll, pouring sweat all day. It was a strange week for me, have been acquiring clothing for the trip, and stuff to equip the camper; sewer hose, water hose, etc., and a few cheapo bins to keep things from toppling over while traveling. Strange after spending so much time 'divesting'.

Been a long time since I've bought so much stuff. I did resist the suggestion to buy the teeny tiny dish drainer for the teeny tiny sink. I mean come on, when you're doing just a few dishes what is the point. A drying mat, sure, but a clutzy drainer to take up space in a tiny RV? People are hell bent on taking their home environment with them I guess, 'unitaskers' and all.

The Corelle search was a washout, but found some fresh looking plastic plates and bowls that suit my mood better anyway. Light weight, ready for summer. Okay, A/C break is over, back to work I go!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Jun 16 - 03:38 PM

Beaver:
So fortunate that house, so far, has not gone over 80 with curtains drawn. Up about 7 am today: moved rest of stove wood, put some of dirt back into septic holes, dug some of comfrey - a pest! Went to post office to see about sending R's keys; purolater suggested so I went there and sent keys - will be there by 5pm tomorrow. I love living where things are a couple minutes apart!

Stopped by car insurance office to find out how to pay on line since the company does not provide that info @#$%^&*idiots! Then to home hardware where 4inch plants are down to 99cents. Bought some strawberry plants and some red verbena - for pretty! - for the beds to be built. Stopped to inquire about possible dirt delivery - no problem - Thurs or Fri!

Had veggie/turkey burger brunch started load of laundry!!!! and did a dump run. Stopped at Community Care to inquire about transport to ophthamologist (sp!) next month. Big hug from new director - I've known her since she was a little kid! Congratulated her with delight! Someone will phone. Cost quoted is $88! I will put a request on FB to see if anyone is going down that day. One of the drawbacks of living in the boonies: one bus a day south, one north - never at the needed times.

Two loads of laundry done; one hung and might be dry already on this breezy - might rain tonight - day! So time to go hand the second. Need better clothes line installation. Maybe my friends will have an idea. NO trees! I have one of those umbrella things in Montreal.... Not being used! If I had asked R to bring it, he either would have forgotten it (as he did the grass cutter) or taken lots longer to get here ....

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Jun 16 - 05:28 PM

Beaver:

WOW! great storm at 4:30 pm. Had to rush and bring in drying clothes, cover wood, close tailgate... Had a great shower! Until the hail started. Now: clothes drying inside; one load still in machine... A bit cooler and the dragon flies are back to work! It might do it again so clothes are staying inside to dry, for now.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Jun 16 - 05:31 PM

Many years ago I put together a basket for picnics (or lunches at Maine Old Cemeteries Association meetings) that included plates that LOOKED like white ironstone but were actually plastic (and thus, unbreakable). Drinks were served in silver plate goblets, also unbreakable. And I had a tablecloth from The Boar's Head Coffeehouse that used to be in Kennebunk, Maine (I didn't steal it; the owner gave it to me). Stuck it all in a quasi-antique picnic hamper. Made quite a splash at MOCA meetings.

Linn

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 21 Jun 16 - 04:54 PM

I am doing a good job of staying on top of daily chores but now I am working on adding a little bit each day....whether it is getting rid of stuff or wiping down every cupboard door, etc. I am getting it done, little by little. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Jun 16 - 10:05 AM

Beaver:
little by little is the name of the game!

Yesterday: my friends put an eavestrough over the back door - no more drips on head or on wood! They installed an old shelf unit in kiln room/shed which is already partly organized - need a couple more shelves! And the one in the studio so that is greatly improved. Then started on the 2 10x4 raised beds for south side - one on each side of septic, whihc I have almost gotten all the soil back on top of.

a nice man came about 5 pm and de-cluttered a section of the yard of the almost thigh high weeds which made walking challenging. After an hour, he informed me this would be a $100 job. He also found it challenging. Fine! I raked up some of the grass. Need lawn rake rather than garden rake - will borrow one from neighbour. Dug part of a bed on north side for lettuce; it gets some sun. Went up the hill to other neighbour for the strawberry plants and filled a wash basin. May go for more today. These will go in one of the new raised beds. The other...??? Maybe green and wax beans. Maybe carrots/beets/turnips between?

Worked on stuff all day yesterday and some tired today. Mended a few things but stalled at machine work. Cleared a bit here and there. Down to 60 outside this am. great for working; I am waiting for energy to return.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Jun 16 - 05:55 PM

Beaver:
Just finished lunch (5:30 pm) Finally told today's crew to go home, thereby de-cluttering my life of stressor. If a person is working for me at my home, they listen to me about what and how. Phoned a mutual friend in despair, had a meltdown at the lumber yard. Then phoned a friend who had sort of offered to help and whimpered, "I need help." He is coming tomorrow morning. The deck will get done. If Stu wants to work with me on a couple projects, fine. Oh and Tammy said she can help next week!

The thigh high weeds/grasses are being decluttered! This guy is earning his $$$!

The two raised beds are done and one is partly filled with soil. I have a lot of work ahead getting the rest of the soil in since the dump truck did its best... The septic is in the way of the truck being able to get good access. Two yards of soil to move! ICK! Lots of exercise! Still ICK!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Jun 16 - 09:26 PM

Beaver:
OOPS!

Did too much and stressed too much today. Back, throat and head ache. Went to bed at 7 but had to get up to de-clutter my life of the workshop I was going to give tomorrow - clay play. The mere thought of lifting even a 20# bag of clay was too much; getting out of bed was too much but necessary. Found an email address; hope she gets it.

The yard looks SO uncluttered!!! Hope tomorrow is as beautiful as today!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Jun 16 - 09:14 AM

Think I'll get an early start on my drive to visit a friend in Tilton (about an hour's drive). The route is one of the prettiest drives in New Hampshire -- and the weather today is glorious!

It's a social visit, but I'm decluttering at the same time -- some more flamingos to decorate her front windows. Her apartment is right on the street and used to be a shop, so the bedrooms have huge windows. I previously had given her two fabric shower curtains that had flamingos embroidered on them to use for curtains. The flamingos I'm bringing today I got at a yardsale a number of years ago and have never had a place to display. Some are tall and have wooden legs so can stand on the sill. The others I'll suggest be hung by clear fishing line to visually fill up the rest of the window. They must have been used for a party or celebration of some sort -- most have little straw hats and necklaces.

She's also getting a bag of books and a bodhran tutorial video (since I sold her my bodhran).

Last night went with another friend to see "The Big Short" again, this time at the South Berwick (Maine) library. I had started reading the book but got sidetracked into a couple others, so I should probably start it over again and finish it this time so I can loan it to my friend. I find it amazing that such an entertaining film could be made about what is basically an economics book. The author DID say he wrote it so his mother could understand it.

Been doing mostly maintenance for about a week -- laundry, dishes, cleaning the kitchen counter and the bathtub. Don't feel as if I'm getting anywhere or making any headway. Been having fun, too. Between last Wednesday and Monday I either went to hear live music or participated in the live music. Voicearound last Wednesday, Press Room trad session on Friday, Press Room sea music/shanty singaround on Saturday, went to see Great Bay Sailor at Barley House on Sunday (and ended up singing three songs with them), and Oran Mor at RiRa on Monday. Maybe if I stayed home I'd get more accomplished... (Or maybe if I stayed home I'd just take a nap and fritter the day away.)

Off to bag up the trash and take it up to the road before heading north.

Linn

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Jun 16 - 03:45 PM

I canned my first case of diced tomatoes this week, with more (probably another case) to do this afternoon. Small batches every 3 or 4 days mean I don't have some spoiling and others not completely ripe. I put all of the pint jars in the dishwasher, then dunk them in the hot water bath before filling them. It's a hot messy job, always one to be done when it's hot weather in general.

The dogs went for a ride today to get their rabies shots (free, because I work at a university- they do it for police, military, and the teaching professions). But I paid for chips (finally!) for the girls. Zeke has one, now they all do. This was a good place to do it - for $35 they electronically file all of the records that they have on the dogs with the chip to the company. When Zeke got his chip he was a pup, and when I called the company to activate it I had to pay $25 then log on and fill in the information. So I think the places that offer chips for $15 are not filing the paperwork.

And, the monthly shot clinic is at a feed store I have shopped at for years but is closing in a few days, consolidating operations in another location (far away from me). I walked through the store with the dogs and spoke with a couple of the friends who are clerks. I had dog treats so they did a couple of tricks for people. As we got near the door a Mom with a couple of small children was admiring the dogs - I told them that Poppy (my 50lb Blue Heeler/Catahoula mix) gives great kisses - did they want one? No, the kids didn't think so, but on cue, Poppy carefully stepped up to the little guy, probably 3-years-old, and gave him a gentle kiss on the nose. It was so cute, and he was charmed by her delicacy. (If Cinnamon gives someone a kiss, it's across your whole face and you stay kissed. Zeke gets right in there and wants to kiss you on the lips). Now we're home and all dog-like creatures are sprawled on the cool tile floors.

I'm listing more Ebay things this afternoon, in breaks while tomatoes process. And I'll be doing some cleaning and moving of stuff in the guest room and bathroom since a friend is coming to stay for a few days. Her daughter will also be here one night, so I need to clear stuff off of the bed in my sewing room (it used to be the only guest room, but since it's where I also sew and store crafts, the first guest room is now my son's old bedroom).

Laundry, mowing, the usual stuff. And maybe garden work this evening for a little while. It needs it.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Jun 16 - 09:50 PM

Beaver:

Dear Mike built the frame for the deck - two days, 10 hours. I will put the decking on in the cool of the eve and am, little by little. I started painting the exterior of house pale yellow. That too will be done little by little when the sun is not on it. This eve I filled about a quarter of the second raised bed; that may take another few sessions as I have to do it bucket full at a time. Offered a Mike's partner Lynn a rhubarb plant: "You research the best time and do it!" In the meantime, she will be by to harvest some for now. We have two huge plants. I shall be happy to be rid of one.

Thursday I vacuumed without a mask and got the place clean but coughed the rest of Thursday and most of Friday, and still some today.

Finally a phone call from granddaughter telling me the girls received their package (sent from PA). T-shirts with artistic Wharton Esherick porcupines on them. They will have to grow into them! I did not have a clue how big they are or even how old (3 & 5). The family lives in a tiny house so I have been careful about sending anything but these shirts were so nifty!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Jun 16 - 10:30 PM

A gallon of tomatoes processed and several pounds of yellow onions diced and in the freezer. It's handy when fixing dinner after work to be able to grab a handful of chopped onions or peppers to add to whatever I'm cooking.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Jun 16 - 02:42 PM

Every other day I'm processing a small batch of tomatoes. Another eight jars are in a hot water bath as I type and I have a few pint jars over two cases. The winter and spring decluttering of the pantry and freezer were in anticipation of bringing in this year's crop and having someplace to put it.

eBay is moving along slowly; the proceeds from this month have gone to pay a couple of regular household bills. I have company coming, so despite the impulse to load the various and sundry items all into the car and donate to Goodwill, I'll keep it organized in the sun room and ready to list as I have time. So far I've managed to list a new one every time an offering sells.

The yard needs decluttering and I'm having to do that in increments of an hour at a time, then come in to cool down. The humidity this summer has been higher than usual, making the heat feel worse than it typically does this time of year.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Jun 16 - 04:59 PM

Beaver:
Today, I remind myself, is Monday. A long weekend is coming. R is unclear as to whether he is coming here. If he is not coming here, I would go to Quebec. This clutters my mind with unknowing.

Mike and Lynn came by for rhubarb and a nice visit. That de-cluttered one clump. We decided the other two need to recover - they were partly hidden under the siding for the studio (which may get put back on someday - or not.) Lynn seems to know about rhubarb so I have put her in charge of it. She will move some to her house at the appropriate time and will make R a pie when she knows he is coming. I no longer need to think about rhubarb!

MY BIG effort for today, so far, was the removal of that siding to a different spot - for the sake of the rhubarb! Did that about 8 am and decided it was too hot to do anything else. Mike did straighten the raised bed that was bothering me as it was so out of alignment with the other. Now I can finish filling it, in increments. Lovely breeze but 79 in the house in spite of covered windows.

De-cluttered my mind of a task - writing something for my friend's 13 year old daughter; sent it to a couple friends for comments first.

Have still managed not to gain any weight and today I may be getting back on better diet track.

Mike suggested we might need to strengthen the deck for the weight of stove wood. I think two 4x4s under the joists with 4x4 supports under them. Simple and strong. See what R thinks - if he gets here.

Plan to put more soil in bed later. It is still wet from last night's nice rain - about half inch. Will cover it if it looks like more rain; no point in moving water!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Jun 16 - 10:50 PM

Beaver:
Second raised bed is mostly filled with soil and about half planted with seeds. House is getting painted in sections as energy lasts. IT is going to be a big improvement!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jul 16 - 12:00 PM

Good work on that garden, Dorothy! The raised bed I restored to gardening this year is going great guns.

Linen cupboard makeover this week: I had a guest stay for three days and realized the sheets for that room are the best in the house. It was time to replace the almost-transparent sheets in my room, and I found a couple of good sets. There is a store in the US called "Tuesday Morning" that sells overstock from high-end department stores. It's priced to reflect the discount when it came into the store; if identical items come in later they also reflect the that purchase by the chain, and the identical items together may reflect several different prices, so it pays to go through everything.

More canning, and I need to defrost the freezer again. It's a long weekend and I hope to use the time well. More eBay; I've listed a lot of things lately and they're selling slowly but surely. I need to keep up the momentum.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jul 16 - 07:45 PM

I went to a party this afternoon at a co-worker's house, saw a house that is definitely a work in progress host a lot of people. I'm farther away, so if people would drive here is one question, but one of these days I'll bite the bullet, put away the flattened cardboard boxes in the sun room, and just say phooey to the mis-matched everything here and have people over. But I would like to put down some new flooring in the bathrooms and maybe the hall first.

I'm home early from the party - it's still daylight, and still July 3, but the locals set off illegal fireworks and the dogs don't like them. The next couple of evenings would be hard on the dogs if I wasn't here - to keep them from racing out through the dog door every time they hear an explosion.

The humidity this spring has been brutal, and it is extending into summer when the heat usually dries out the air. I'm doing many more indoor activities than one would normally find me working on in a typical summer. I've looked into the antique contents of a trunk and am considering putting some linens and crochet/lace items on eBay. They're light, easy to package and mail, though it may involve international shipping. A lot of the sales I see are in the UK, so that might be where the buyers are. eBay has some kind of setup for international shipping that I haven't tried yet.

I'll spend time poking around looking for bits and pieces that can go in eBay sales. For example, I have LED lights all over now, but I used to have the little mini-maglights all around the house. I see people are still buying them on eBay, so I need to find where I put them and see if they're working and list them. And find the other categories of things I'm keeping for no particular reason. The things you wouldn't think twice about saving if the house were on fire - that's a lot of stuff, when you give it some consideration. So some of it, if it is easily packaged, can be sold and shipped out.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jul 16 - 03:32 PM

Found some more stuff around the house that I'd not thought about in ages, but that will mail easily and list quickly on eBay.

Picked a couple of more zucchini. The trick seems to be to inject full-strength BT into the stem when the plant is small so the vine borers can't get into it once it's planted and destroy the stem. One day a healthy plant, the next day it's dead when they're at work. These are looking pretty good.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Jul 16 - 03:48 PM

Beaver:
I left the photo albums with son in PA so if the house catches fire there is naught to save! As for sheets! We now use only flannel and, for some reason, I have been able to get lots of nice ones at thrift shops. The way we live, if anyone visits, they had best bring a sleeping bag, maybe a tent! We do have a hide abed - SO comfortable???? But beats the floor.

R arrived Saturday eve, missing all the "festivities" of Canada Day. There were a couple he might have enjoyed - tea and croquet at the outpost hospital! However, we worked on where to put the umbrella clothes dryer and it ended up in the worst possible place for the view and the best place for convenience. I did several loads on this wonderful drying day and am hoping I can remove the post from its sleeve and store it out of the view. Actually, today, R can!

As I write, he is cutting a hole in the LR ceiling for the new trapdoor to the sleeping loft. We are hoping at least one friend will make the trek for the famous Gemboree - rock and mineral event which draws about 20,000 people for the August long weekend. I usually lay low during these influxes but R is, after all, a geologist!

Yesterday, we took time off in the late aft to trek to visit art galleries/visit with owners/friends and then to a BBQ with Tammy and Blair and gang of folks, including a great music fest still going when we left to get home about 9 so R could continue. My bedtime!

Two qts of rhubarb stewed - from a friend's patch, chicken roasting in the oven. I bought a few zuke plants for the garden and sage. Also basil and rosemary for pots.

While the work is happening and the oven is cooking, I have a fan in the K window in hopes of drawing the heat and dust that direction! Almost 4 pm and it is 75F in LR. Lovely breezy day but hot sun. Expect it to cool off tonight, again.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 05 Jul 16 - 06:29 PM

Back from the first road trip in the camper. Had a great time and loved living in a small place that goes where I go, it's like a magic carpet. I find myself in a beautiful place, and presto, I happen to have a cabin there! Came home with 1 new book, 1 small field guide, and a palmful of rocks, which is not ideal but beats my usual trunkful of rocks and souvenirs.

Now back to the cold (actually stifling horrifically hot & humid) realities of The House and All Its Stuff. I was kind of hoping it would all seem simpler when I returned, but nope, I've just added a stack of new to-do's like 'buy grease for hitch', 'pay tax collector for new plate' etc., and the old to-dos are still here.

Plowing my way through my multiple lists, will try to group the errands and projects into coherent plans for days, and pray for a cold front!

Acme, I'm glad you are finding lots of 'mailable' stuff to sell, I know what you mean. There are so many things that will mail well that have no sentimental value and need to get to somebody who's looking for them. Glad there is a way to do that.   

The big klutzy stuff, a whole 'nother ball of wax. Can't persuade the relatives to take the old family furniture yet. Some is going to get goodwilled but a couple of actual heirlooms need responsible homes.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Jul 16 - 07:55 PM

Beaver:
The sleeping loft has an opening and has been vacuumed thoroughly. R says it is OK for someone to stay up there but I am dubious. Maybe with a cot and foamy. But if S visits for the Gemboree, she can sleep on sofa. A great deal of work needs to be done up there to make it comfortable - summer only. Needs two good windows and kneewalls to improve stability of floor and roof. Guess we are pickier than some former tenants.

Anyway, it was a nasty job which I only suffered from as the dust factor impinged - one antihistamine and maybe another one and a nasal spray. R gets a few gold stars. And a couple wasp stings.

There is a piece of plexi-glass over the trap door hole so light comes down from upstairs window. We hope to make a trapdoor with insulated glass insert so the "skylight" effect continues. R wants to put a skylight in the west roof as well. what year?

The deck needs some more work - another support and more before I do the decking. But I have a new drill and drill bits so it should go along better.

I have been reduced to mainly meal prep and a tiny bit of planting and weeding - support staff! Serious lack of energy. Hope I feel better tomorrow.

I happily took down the clothes dryer all by myself and put it aside - not blocking view! We had beautiful days so R took half the window out and threw all the left-from-before trash out the window, including a TV, and took it all in the truck to Montreal.

Last eve, I sorted a number of the plastic bins and triaged 3 bins of sheets and blankets for upstairs - when the time comes. R dragged the old carpeting out of back/back shed but it still needs some attention to make floor better. The rugs are to go on a spot to kill vegetation in prep for a raspberry patch in the fall, she says hopefully!

We looked at a spot to one side for R's library/cabin. Looks good. It will have no windows other than skylights so no view needed! Just bookshelves and a glass door. Maybe next year.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jul 16 - 10:44 PM

After a four-day weekend it's back to the grindstone. I used a couple of my zucchini to make a casserole (Italian sausage, pasta, onion, pepper, tomato, wine, mushroom, cheese. . . ) to take for lunches. The kitchen is clean. Laundry is finished. I pulled weeds today, but didn't mow out front (though I did mow in the back yesterday). There were lots of things on my list, but it was a slow-motion weekend, unmotivated because of the oppressive humidity.

There are a dozen listings in my eBay account, as many as I've ever had up at once. Some more likely to sell than others, but eBay is always a place to be surprised by what sells and what doesn't. It comes from a suggestion from a friend - that if I enjoy it I should make time for it, and accomplish the declutter at the same time. I have a couple of projects along those lines to work on this summer.

Have you posted any photos of this cottage of yours on facebook, Dorothy? I'd like to see what it looks like, especially before and after shots.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Jul 16 - 08:42 PM

Beaver:
No before pics! We just lit into it - ripping out the carpets and closets. Then the fix up work started and is on going! I think I will wait until I finish the exterior painting - hopefully with a big rainbow on the north wall. I'll try to post a couple - K and LR and the studio exterior.

I got up at 2:30 am for a hot bath - a desperate situation as I knew I would just feel worse without doing it. Bath with Epsom salt and a first shower to clear off. The hot water only half fills the tub so it is not great but in the half hour I sat, the water got warm enough for the shower. I'll do another tonight - not at 2:30 am! Have to get the dust out of my bod: I feel it building up again. Have a fan going and three windows open.... I think the dust is already in me.

Really hot and humid today; hoping for rain tonight - or at least the excess humidity falling onto the ground!

Found pots for rosemary, etc. at Thrift shops, a rod for door curtain for utility room, a nice thick foam mattress for upstairs.


I collect small boxes all week - at the grocery stores - for my friends with antique shop; on Weds they come to Town and I give them the week's collection - a lot this week! They sell lots of china on E-Bay.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jul 16 - 10:44 PM

D - I saw some photos on facebook - it's nice to have a place in mind when I read about the work you do there.

We haven't heard from Susan in forever - I wonder how that move has progressed and if everything is in the places she has in mind?

I have more eBay listings up, one that ends later tonight, and an auction that will run for a week that started very low (.99) to attract interest. It seems that if you start something at 9.99 or 19.99 that you'd actually like to get $100 for, it's less likely to happen than if you start at .99. I suspect you pull in more folks gambling on getting the bargain price but who stick around longer and bid higher in the heat of the moment.

For a short week it has been extremely long. I'm looking forward to my 3-day weekend and plan to get to work by 7 am tomorrow so I get an early start on the days off. The weather is finally cooperating for mowing, which must be done as soon as possible.

Mudcat is decluttered of one server, one of them was taken out of the rotation this week as too old to be up to the task. Max is decluttering - maybe it's time to direct a few dollars his way to purchase a replacement.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Jul 16 - 10:30 AM

A few weeks ago I used spare lumber and castors and framed a set of wheels to place under an antique trunk. I used to keep the dog food in there till the ants discovered it; now on wheels I hope to resume storing dog food there and move it out of harms way if necessary. This move clears a large space on my Hoosier Kitchen (an antique large cabinet organizer built in the late 1800s) at a time when I can use it for canning.

My eBay listings are varied and will continue to be so. I see so many things I intended to list that if I'm serious about decluttering I need to keep this momentum going. My favorite sized box for shipping is a flat rate Zone A USPS box so I've ordered another batch to pack and keep listing.

Mowing and weeding for outdoors work today, and some canning salsa this evening.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Jul 16 - 04:19 PM

Working my way around the livingroom, dusting, putting things away all the way - so if it is shoes that go in the bedroom closet, walking them all the way in there, not leaving them in the hall that goes to the bedrooms. And as I come across donation or sales items, they're going to that room and are in the queue. The weed eater is set up with new nylon line, so as soon as there is shade on the front and side of the house, I'm headed out to tidy the yard and driveway.

I'm pretty sure the extra energy I'm feeling today has to do with a substantial drop in the humidity level, making a world of difference.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 Jul 16 - 10:47 PM

Beaver:
Some getting things done days and some getting nothing done days! Yesterday am I finally threw pots for the first time in weeks; 4 hours work felt good and netted a bunch of nice pots which are now waiting to be trimmed - tomorrow. The rest of the day was exhaustion!

Today was an interminable trip to Peterborough - about 1.5 hours - with super friends who volunteered to chauffeur me to appointment re cataracts. Not ready for surgery yet so another appointment in February. What a nuisance.

We had a pretty good visit and I treated them to lunch when we got back. Talked with Bob re his December show at the Gallery, which I am sponsoring, having kicked him into applying! We agreed that he will pick out some of his "sketches" of Bancroft buildings circa 1970s for a 2017 Calendar and I will arrange for production. They don't need the money but we want to give people the opportunity to have the wonderful pics. So a visit to find out about production is on tomorrow's list - after I trim the pots!

The garden is progressing and I managed to cut back some of the weedy shrubs and dragged one piece of carpet out to kill grass and weeds in prep for raspberry patch. Planted 3 types of peppermint on the mound septic where they can spread to their heart's content!   


Beautiful cool eve after hot day. And so to sleep!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Jul 16 - 10:45 PM

Beaver:

Would seriously like my eyes to recover from drops of Tuesday.

Sorted through a bag of pics and negs and triaged them for new homes; keeping some. Delivered a set to a friend - her current home as seen in 1982: She was delighted.

Yesterday was too hot to do much beyond breathing. Long consult today with a friend re the calendar project - "Vintage Bancroft". This will entail another two consults tomorrow and hope that I can move this forward and have the calendars ready in two weeks for a big weekend here. Pen and ink sketches of local buildings, some of which no longer exist, some have changed drastically.

Critters have de-cluttered garden of all bush bean sprouts and about half of zuke plants! Discovered it too late to do anything today but will look for netting in the am and replant beans.

Rained a lot of today; lovely! and a cool night for sleeping!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Jul 16 - 11:15 AM

You know how you end up cleaning counters and putting away random stuff when someone is coming over to the house? That is me, this morning, waiting in the air conditioning tech crew. I'm sure they'll manage to declutter my wallet of a few dollars.

I'm not sure if they'll spend more time indoors (that inside unit is in a closet in a hall - easy to reach) or by the outside fan (next to the asparagus and the hibiscus). I've planned to trim the asparagus to get another crop, I think today, before they arrive, is the perfect time.

For the time being the large canning pots are back in the pantry. The wild grapes weren't ready when I checked on them this week - I picked a couple of quarts of ripe fruit, but the rest are green and will ripen in the next week or so. This weekend is soon enough to try again. I have a steam juicer to extract the juice, and then I can make jelly any time in the next couple of weeks.

Dorothy, I also have a few crops that have had predatory visitors. The beans are gone (snails, I think). The tomato plants are looking unhappy. It's time to plant for fall crops if I want new plants (instead of nursing these along) but the place that consistently sold the variety I like has closed the nearby store. I'll try to keep these vines going and come fall they'll perk up and make more fruit.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 Jul 16 - 09:12 PM

Beaver:

Willy woodchuck dashed from the vicinity of the raised beds to his front door when I went out about 8 pm! I cut the leaves off a cauliflower and left them at his door! Maybe...

Busy all day - well after I got up about 10 after getting to bed at 3, thanks to problem contacting tech support - 2 hours! THEN I turned everything off and re-booted and....! Yep! So I paid some bills and spent time on FB and deleting emails to settle down before bed.

Had a fun time at the Market, visiting and gathering info. To the home of woman from whom I agreed to buy an old kiln - last fall! She was going to phone me... So today I picked up the shelves and furniture, gave her a couple things bound for thrift shop; she gave me a pair of slip on shoes which I was feeling the need of! And they are going to deliver the kiln - not tonight I guess! Hope for tomorrow! It is closely related to the kiln that died on Whidbey so I am looking forward to checking it out. That one, I knew how to repair totally - after over 20 years of use!

Then to grocery store; I think the ginger root has a couple potential sprouts so I shall give it a try. Advice? I tried this about 35 years ago to no avail... To bank for cash for kiln, to Rona for end caps for eaves troughs - STILL do not have any so Paul promised to write it down and order some for Weds. Still working on a RAIN watering plan for raised beds.

Sorting stuff in shed no room for new kiln.... Bad mosquitoes forced me inside. Manana! Need to get serious about glazing and firing for big craft show in two weeks!

Devised a chart a few days ago - to keep track of weather, what I eat, what supplements I remember to take (reminder), It may work for a while and just maybe I will learn something from it.

Now to write a letter to editor re providing heat relief for our older or heat sensitive residents. In the cities people can sit in malls - if they are able to get there. No malls here so where???? Weds was so bad the eve outdoor concert was cancelled. I sat home and breathed - quietly. But did try to go to concert. Glad it was only 4 minutes away.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Jul 16 - 09:50 PM

Mill:

Finally realized, yesterday am, that I was not going to do glaze firing at Beaver; did not even have enough kiln furniture in the sizes I needed. So I packed up all the pots - bisqued and green and set off, Stopped to pick up the Wharton Esherick book - almost an hour visit! And arrived at 6:30, went right into unloading pots and glazing and got firing going by 8:30. Ate roasted cauliflower - left overs - and a small pice of cheese. It was rather a fasting day as i managed all day on green/ginger tea.

Part of getting ready to leave was wrestling the kiln onto a dolly and getting it into the house. They had delivered it on Sunday while I was away and it was sitting in the yard when I got home!

Today, I threw pots for a couple hours took a lunch break then a LONG visit with Geri, supper and finally unloaded kiln, glazed pots, re-loaded kiln, and started it at almost 8:30 - again. Then I went to check the flower bed. Pulled weeds; it was not too bad but some of the perennials need dividing. Some of that dreadful poisonous plant are around the area. Tomorrow...

Then I hacked a path to the front door through the weeds with hedge trimmers, including reeds higher than my head. I guess it is at least two months since I was last here... Maybe late April as that is the last firing in the log book. Nature does abhor a vacuum!

Bedtime!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Jul 16 - 10:25 PM

It's time to start the jelly-making, pickle-making, salsa-making, etc. activities now. Today I picked more wild grapes and had enough (added to what I picked last weekend) to steam juice about 2.5 litres of juice for jelly. I have zucchini from the garden for bread and butter pickles, and the salsa has needed making for a while now. I hope I get to the ingredients in time.

I also have to plan time for a new air conditioner compressor to be installed, and finish some editing. None of the stuff needing attention right now is something that can be handled in a sort of multi-tasking approach. They each demand one's full attention. I'd best get organized.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Rumncoke
Date: 20 Jul 16 - 07:17 PM

I managed to grow a ginger plant by placing the root into a pot of sand and compost with added fertiliser and placing it in the hottest part of the conservatory, which was against the south wall below the level of the windows. The pot was wide and shallow.
I used a root from the local grocer, washed it several times in warm water over the course of a day, planted it and sprayed it with warm water every day. It will rot if over watered and die if cold water is used. It seems to like heat but not sunlight. It was shaded from the sun by a wicker waste paper basket the year it grew best, so about 50 percent shadow.
Use a heavy pot as it can grow quite tall.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 Jul 16 - 09:26 PM

Mill:
Thanks for that bit, rumncoke! Saved.

Have done a firing each day - Monday thru Friday. Today, on peeking in still hot kiln, realized it had not gone to temp so re-started it. Was planning to go back to Beaver tomorrow but can put it off to Monday to do last load.

Serious lack of energy Thurs onward; have not accomplished new pots nor much else. Two good rain storms - Fri and today! Cooled off and I feel better this eve. Found a new general store, in the middle of nowhere, near mill which carries the good sausages and meat that I have been driving an hour for! YAY! We accidentally found it when going to a restaurant nearby. That is a terrific declutter - driving only 10 minutes! And encouraging a new business.

I will have 4-5 boxes of new pottery for next weekend's big art & craft show. Hope it clutters my wallet!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jul 16 - 02:11 AM

I remember being told that a form of wild ginger lived in the Smoky Mountains and we had to keep our eyes open for poachers. They lived in a the moist green understory, so your description of conditions sounds about right.

Today my fridge needed attention - tomatoes, onions and peppers are now converted from veggies in bowls in the fridge into containers of salsa cooling in there that will go in the freezer tomorrow. I didn't process them (canning) because some of the tomatoes were so ripe and had spots that were cut off. Canning really does require fruit at peak condition without spots, holes, mold, etc. And there is a batch of guacamole in the freezer. Tomorrow may be pickles - I thought I'd try to get to them today, but the two other projects ran long. Decluttered the fridge, and restocking the freezer.

My eBay listings have been moving along, and I have a bunch more to put up this weekend. Plus some freelance work. Lots to keep me busy indoors when it's so hot and muggy outside.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jul 16 - 10:22 AM

If I'd pulled out my recipe I'd have known to cut up all of the pickle ingredients last night and leave them soaking in salty water overnight. Then I'd be bottling and processing this morning. I'll put them in the fridge for 8 hours and process them tonight.

Some of the larger extra zucchini I'll cut into chunks, saute, then freeze for a casserole I make through the year (usually with purchased zucchini or other squash).

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: maeve
Date: 24 Jul 16 - 11:13 AM

"...eyes open for poachers." Sounds more like ginseng, perhaps? Wild native ginger (Asarum canadense) is a very nice little ground cover smelling like roses when divided, but I can't imagine it being attractive to poachers. Tropical ginger (Zingiber officinale" is not related to either, although Asarum has a similar spicy scent to that of Zingiber.

Tropical ginger is building quite a good market in the Northeast, grown in hoop houses and sold fresh and rosy pink.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Jul 16 - 09:48 PM

Beaver:

Good to be home! Drove back yesterday and did very little. Unpacked car today, other than new pots. Did errands, groceries, haircut - great de-clutter! Then rested a long time before getting to it again.

Beautiful cool eve and a few more things planted. Zukes are starting to produce; should be a few before first frost! The ginger root that seems to have buds was left in a bowl of water last week and it does seem they have grown a tiny bit. I will deal with them tomorrow, energy permitting.

Spent a couple hours last eve and this eve trying to deal with "customer service" for Bank of america. Most of it on hold, then bad phone connections, failure to speak clearly, horrible noise between... I will de-clutter my life of this credit card; the company does not speak Canadian. It used to have decent customer service but no more. A US credit card at my Canadian bank has an annual fee but by now the $39 seems like nothing compared to the nuisance. A chore for tomorrow at my friendly local branch where I entertained two tellers this morning with - "The cheque never got there, what do I do now..." And agreement that the options were.... The next time I go to the US, just take cash or traveller's cheques? Do those still exist???

Plum' wore out.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Jul 16 - 11:28 AM

We had a heavy rainfall this week that the garden liked but it has increased the local humidity to an uncomfortable level again. This has been the muggiest summer I remember in years. The AC is up and running so the house is tolerable throughout now.

Working on an eBay project I was at the Goodwill and found a few items that are intended to go directly into online sales. My kitchen counter is a bit crowded right now, but they'll go into boxes and listings this weekend.

More canning this week - jelly this time.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Aug 16 - 11:17 PM

I've researched the items I want to next list on eBay, but haven't taken the photos yet or picked out the boxes for shipping. That comes this week. The kitchen counter is clear.

After a busy weekend the kitchen in general is cleaned up after several cooking adventures. Jelly making, fixing meals for the week, and teaching a neighbor how to make a dish she asked about. Waking to a clean kitchen in the morning is the biggest gift one can give oneself, so with that in mind, the house smells like the fried eggplant for eggplant Parmesan, but all evidence of the cooking is now put away.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Aug 16 - 06:04 PM

Beaver:

Calendar is on the market - beautiful! Proceeds to local Hospice. Rough week physically. Finally realized that I had the first ever outdoor allergy and took a pill and started feeling better - with head de-cluttered! Craft show de-cluttered a number of pots and helped the wallet. Sales of calendar helping to pay the designer and, hopefully, soon the printing. Hospice will be able to sell lots at their many fund raising events. Phew! OK, so it was not well thought out. I just wanted to DO it but did not think beyond having it - to celebrate the artist and his upcoming show at the Gallery.

Robin helped me set up and take down booth, thankfully; We treated ourselves to good suppers both days. There certainly would not have been any otherwise! But now the dishes are washed, the "new" small freezer is in the utility room, the deck is finally ready for me to screw down the boards and will look great - and useful when it is loaded with 10 face cord of stove wood - ordered so I better get busy with the electric drill - early tomorrow morning before it is too hot to breath. And the booth next to mine used plastic "lattice" which we will purchase to put on the deck to protect the beautiful boards from the wear and tear of stove wood.

Major trash run, with truck, to land fill site - carpets cost $10 and we decided 'twould be far better to spend $10 and de-clutter! And a bunch of other dead building materials - so nice to see them gone!

Unfortunately, R took my lovely scythe to my beautiful tall mullein, the one I just stood and admired the other day! The one I was looking forward to seeing in full bloom! IT"S NOT A WEED! It's an herb. And it is gone..... I went out and put the stalk in a bucket of water. I am bereft. R is chastised.

New task, after a small meeting today, to seek info re what is happening at the old uranium mine site and think on forming a local environmental working group.

The house bills are paid. The plan for steps to sleeping loft allows a large, specific piece of storage furniture in LR. Hoping for that and another piece for the BR for R's next trip so I can do some serious organizing. Bins are in back/back shed so I can go through them, organize and decide to get rid of some more stuff.

Arghh! I just looked out the window and I still have a kiln on the deck - covered with tarp. Tomorrow!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Aug 16 - 09:23 PM

Beaver:
Kiln still on deck but the new deck extension (about 10x18) is almost finished - 7 more boards to go! Looks great! Working in the early am before the sun gets there worked well. Maybe tomorrow I can work on the kiln situation.

I am giving The woodchucks - yes,two! - veggie scraps. They enjoy the cauliflower leaves and even weeds I pull and leave at their door! I can watch out the window as they pull things into their home to nibble! My "garden" has been decimated but the tomatoes and peppers are intact and will produce something before frost. R brought a bunch of window glass this last trip and tonight I placed them all around the raised beds; they are about 6 inches taller than the beds - Maybe??? Harvested oregano tonight - my very best crop! The shoots on the ginger root seem to be growing VERY slowly. I am still grieving to loss of the elegant mullein.

I can work outside from six am (if I get up!) to 8:30 and 7:30 pm until 8:30. The heat is dreadful; kind neighbour came by today and offered me a space in their walk out basement to sit and read. But today I got the brilliant idea of a fan blowing over an ice pack plus a wet wash cloth on my head. Worked Very well.

I managed numerous errands today - in air conditioned places: calendars in the bookstore - the owner was enthusiastic!, the Times sold 6 already and I suggested they could print another 100 at their leisure; there are about 130 being marketed at present. Picked up my new USdollar credit card at the bank. Some pottery to the Art Gallery and viewed the new exhibit - by the Algonquin First Nations folks, including a genuine birch bark canoe!

Looked for some real food - unpolluted with chemicals - futile. Fed up and wondering how far I would have to drive to get better produce and meat. When the weather turns cold - in a month or so! - I will be able to bring meat from the good butcher in Quebec. Bought frozen fish and was too tired to cook it so had a big bowl of broccoli for supper and some cheese.

Did two loads of laundry this am and hung them on my wonderful umbrella dryer! They dried quickly in the heat and are put away. Still need to make bed. Can only move around for short stints due to the heat but it is cooling now. Soon to bed so I can get up early and get a few things done before the heat; my day in the Gallery tomorrow and the opening reception in the eve - air conditioned!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Aug 16 - 07:23 PM

Beaver:

Caught willy woodchuck enjoying the cherry tomatoes; put cage around them. Kiln still on deck but today I bought the stuff to make a way to plug it in so in the morning: finish last 7 boards, move kiln into kiln room and plug it in to see how it functions - if it functions!! Make some pots if there is time before the heat hits again.

The last two days have been quite nice - feels like fall! Glad the firewood is tacked down from reliable person! Yesterday was a mainly have fun day. Today, mostly on computer deleting and sending emails and researching a few things. Roasted large batch of sunflower seeds, and made cheese out of numerous containers of sour milk, thus de-cluttering the frig! Freezing the whey for baking projects. It was cool enough to use the stove and oven! Heat returning tomorrow. Checked out tents for over the firewood. And tickets for Seattle but would prefer to drive - 41 hours each way. If R can get away.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Aug 16 - 07:40 PM

I finally mowed my front lawn - it really needed it - and I finally put all of the dishes from the sink into the dishwasher to run. This week I just couldn't make myself wash dishes by hand, so I suppose my brain was telling me to run the machine for this month.

We're in the low 100s now every day. But the air is dryer, so it is actually easier to put in short spurts of work in 103^o weather than it is in 90^o weather with high humidity. And I think it has reach that time of summer for evening showers on the patio now the city water is so warm through the tap.

I picked up several things more to put on eBay. Something to do this evening, perhaps. My garden isn't producing much now, but this afternoon I mouse-proofed a bit and put gobs of dog hair (bagged after brushing the pooches) into the peppers, eggplant, and sweet potato beds, and then followed behind with a homemade mix called "garlic pepper tea." I added a little orange oil to the mix because I read the ingredients of a "mole scram" product, and garlic and orange oil are two of them. I don't have castor bean (just as well) but I do have orange oil. Put a couple of bulb's worth of garlic and a couple of jalapeno peppers into a blender with a couple of cups of water and make a slurry. Pour through a sieve to remove solids, and I filled the jar up to 1 quart. My organic gardening guru puts this much "tea" into a gallon container and fills that to the top with water, and then uses only 1/4 cup of that per gallon in a sprayer. I don't want to fool with that gallon jug so I'll be careful and use less of this more concentrated mix.

A little bit of this goes a long way, a few teaspoons of it into a pint squirt bottle and I squirted it onto the ground under the garden plants and on the little spot where I noticed rodent digging in the garden wall. Must be careful not to spritz myself with this stuff.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Rumncoke
Date: 07 Aug 16 - 10:16 PM

I've had courgettes hide under the leaves and grow into marrows some years. I made marrow and ginger jam - actually more like marmalade, and great on toast.

If you want it I can look for the recipe.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Aug 16 - 12:23 AM

While you're at it, tell us what "courgettes" and "marrows" are. :)

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: mg
Date: 08 Aug 16 - 09:14 PM

I am on a mission to spare people from dealing with customer service at verizon. except for dell, i have never seen anything like it at all. the people meant well, but their hands were tied. oh you have the wrong department...i must have gone through 12 reps in a matter of days. after establishing with technical support i had a defective phone, you would think they would just send me a return mailing and be done. no..days and days have gone by. someone was sending me one and we got disconnected. more reps. one said there is one in your account. i said i can't get into my account. finally they figured it was locked. so then the dumber than dumb ones sent me a text to the phone that did not work to unlock the phone. i said can you email me. no..i would lose my job. they said go to the nearest verizon store and they will mail it for you. it is in the next state and i don't have a car but i got there. they said they could not mail it because it was the different kind of store.

if i can save 10 people from buying anything from verizon, i will feel good. i have to use verizon towers but i am now waiting for a phone from jitterbug/aarp. nothing but verizon really works here although some phones do work...i am waiting for my seventh phone in a few months. my brother in law is dying. no one can reach me. if you have any way to use any other carrier, i recommend it. this has been so beyond bad they should use it as a lesson in an mba class. i think someone could blow them out of the water if they had decent towers and decent service. since jitterbug uses verizon towers i will let you know how their service is..i will say it is 8 days since i ordered a phone from them and it has not arrived but the customer phone service was good. ANYTHING BUT VERIZON.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: maeve
Date: 08 Aug 16 - 09:55 PM

mg- Yes, indeed. I agree.

Acme-
courgette=zucchini squash
marrow= the same grown very large.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Aug 16 - 10:00 PM

So I've been growing those all along and didn't know it! :)

mg, I'm so sorry about your phone hassles. Once you get the one you intended, then you have to spend time (it took me weeks) to finally get everything set up and/or disabled so it works the way you want. There is a lot of "bloat ware" on the company phones that you need to disable or delete if it will let you. Good luck with that.

The back yard is partly mowed and trimmed, the part closest to the house and as far back as the greenhouse. I find it is pleasant to look at it now.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Aug 16 - 10:29 PM

Beaver:
Too bad I no longer have that Great Pyrenees - for fur. No dogs/no fur. Willy does not bother the pepper plants or the larger tomato plants. Next year the cherry tomatoes will be in the raised beds and those will have protection. Too late for much more to happen this year. If we get another month frost free, it will be a bonus - AND a result of climate change. Fall is in the air and, although it was quite warm this afternoon, a cool night is in progress. Hot is predicted rest of week. But our hot is 90F! I am useless when it gets above 75! Good thing I live in the north!

Moved the remainder of last year's wood onto deck, finished those last 7 boards, pulled weeds in various places, put up an outdoor thermometer - and realized it is only in Celsius, sorted a pile of papers and organized categories, mended down jacket to stop the flurry of feathers, phoned helpful neighbour re the kiln project; I am having a visual perception problem and could not figure out how to wire the receptacle; Larry did it is short order; later I plugged in the new kiln and ascertained that it seems to work just fine!!! Did some organizing in the kiln room/toolroom. Inch by inch...

Have a great rhubarb crop; too bad I don't like rhubarb; emailed a rhubarb loving friend hoping she will re-home at least one patch! Cleared a pile of kindling to better site and planted a lovage in it's place, next to a patio stone to hold rain barrel. the last lovage I had, years ago, grew into a HUGE plant about 6 feet tall. Great disguise for the rain barrel.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Aug 16 - 12:40 PM

Beaver:
Only working in the cool of the am - by 10 am it is too hot in the shade! So 3 hours plus a bit in the early eve on the shady side of the house. A notice in the newspaper offering a place to cool off!

So, in my window, I am actually getting lots of little things done. Opted for duct tape to repair a down vest. prepared a nifty OLD screen door for painting, taking off old moldings and screening and sanded it, now painted two coats on one side, tomorrow the other side! Then new screening and molding and the hope that R will help me hang it on front door. Another is OK for back door but hanging doors is a two person job. By the time they are hung, it will be time to put them back in the shed until next summer/June! But it is a move forward.

I delight in finding things long stored and organizing little things where I can then find them! Sewing projects continue to pile up... I keep hoping for a rush of sewing energy.

I bought fiberglass screening and put it over the raised beds to reduce depredations thereof, after I caught the murder of crows leaving the strawberry bed as I arrived the other day! Constantly pulling comfrey - so invasive and WAY too much. I gave some small plants to a woman with a garden business, with warning! She told me Saturday of her amazement at how fast it grows; I re-warned her! She says she will keep it in pots; it may break the pots in one season. Might be worse than bamboo!

The perimeter of the back yard is a delight of goldenrod, Joe Pye Weed and cat tails! Then alders about 20 feet tall. But NO shade on west side. And No tree - except the WEED Manitoba Maple will grow fast enough to create shade in the next few years. OK, I am thinking 80! But I could plant shade for the next owners. Will consult with my tree provider.

Now, what else can I accomplish today....

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Aug 16 - 06:23 PM

I was going through a jewelry box and dug out an necklace I made right after Katlaughing died. I had intended to send her a large round bead of rutilated quartz (much like this one, about 3/4 inch in diameter). I have several of the beads, and I used one for myself as a reminder of Kat. This has been a good week to wear it; enough said.

One dog to the vet yesterday for emergency surgery - she has a bunch of skin surface lesions on her abdomen and she evidently scraped a couple of them that had gotten very large and they were bleeding - everywhere. I bandaged her overnight and first thing in the morning we were at the vet. It could have been worse, it turned out they were all pretty easy to remove or cauterize, but with three incisions and staples, I now have her wearing a t-shirt (she hates the cone) to keep her from licking. One of the other dogs has a dew claw that is enlarged and inflamed and I'd already scheduled him for surgery for that next week. Ouch!

We're in the "low 100s" this month, so it's day to day, keeping the plants in the yard alive, managing the air conditioning to try to keep the bill down, ditto with the water.

I have more eBay items to list, but no energy when it's this hot. I envy those of you who have those wooden decks outside your houses - and weather that lets you enjoy them.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Aug 16 - 10:26 PM

Beaver:

Getting things accomplished little by little. Screen door is now painted ready for new screening and molding. New kiln is in kiln room but I still need to make a new dolly for it - in the am. Plates (8) were thrown yesterday and will be trimmed tomorrow. Ten mugs trimmed and have handles. Oregano harvested and drying on a nylon netting. chores lined up for tomorrow early am - before it gets too hot. Made a support for a tall geranium using thin copper tubing - twisting it into a tall cone. Looks neat!

Splurged and bought a 3 seater swing with canopy for the back yard. A lovely place to sit tonight when it was not SO hot and watch the sun go down, and read.

I am delighting in the very tiny but clear growth of the sprouts on the ginger. Still keeping them in a bowl of water so I can see the progress.

The screening is keeping the crows out of the strawberries. The windows I put around the garden has kept the woodchucks out of the other raised bed and I actually have some lettuce, parsley and possibly some carrots if frost holds off long enough. The basil is growing very well as it seems that woodchucks do not like it!

Re skin problem: Long ago, my dog of the time, had sebacious gland cysts. A vet operated -$180 in 1981. By the time the hair grew back so had the cysts. Vitamins A &D cleared them up completely and she had beautiful shining fur - at 14. Poor dog, no one wanted to pet her while she had those dreadful looking cysts.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Aug 16 - 11:02 PM

Beaver:

Dolly is ready for kiln; waiting for a second human to help move kiln onto dolly. Plates not trimmed but screen door is almost done. Swing is in a nice spot with a small patio stone and a rubbery support under each leg to keep in off the wet ground and stable. Painted some more of the east side of house tonight - after the sun was elsewhere and in the cool of the evening. Lost the light by 8:30! Stacked two Face cord of wood in last couple days = an hour each. Very good exercise! Many little things getting done/organized. Four more yellow tomatoes ripened! Woodchucks seem to have moved on by squirrel came to visit today - in BR! Phooey.Much yet to be done to exclude critters from house.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Aug 16 - 11:13 PM

I'm clearing out my sun room to reorganize. That means there is stuff stacked in the kitchen by the dishwasher, by the kitchen table, and in the hall outside my office. And I'm not finished emptying. I'm seeing a pattern - the shipping stuff is the bulk of the clutter. I need to decide to compress, move to the garage, or discard a percentage of it.

I heard a tip from someone at work about cooking beans with a finger-sized piece of ginger root. It is supposed to remove all of the gassy properties. The trick is to take the root out the moment you take the pot off the stove or it will take on that flavor. I haven't tried this yet. Has anyone else heard of it?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 Aug 16 - 06:19 PM

Hi Guys!

   I've been away for far too long but to be honest, not much has been happening on the decluttering front. However, school will be starting this week which means I might actually have some time to myself to CLEAN and HOE OUT!!!! I am looking forward to it!!!! The downstairs of my house isn't TOO bad although there are lots of things to be packed up and given away or sold. Upstairs, particularly my sewing room and bedroom are a DISASTER area! I really don't like to shut myself in a room upstairs when I know Jeremiah is downstairs. If I bring him upstairs into the room I'm working in, nothing gets done. So that leaves the time when Pete is home and let's be honest, when he's home, I don't get much done. We like to spend our time together! Soooo......it looks like this might actually be the time where I can make some serious headway and have something worthwhile to report.

I have spent a good chunk of this summer taking care of my mom who had surgery in July. It's been a long road and I underestimated just how hard it is to manage two households at once. Live and learn, right? Her house is in MUCH better order than mine and so I've been working to keep it that way for her. I hope to get my house as organized and decluttered as hers eventually but it's going to take some work.

Anyway, I haven't read through all the back posts...time is pretty short these days...but I hope you are all well and have been busy this summer making your lives and homes exactly how they make you most happy.

Much love to all,

Michelle who can't believe Jeremiah is headed into the first grade already! How did that happen?? XOXOX

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Aug 16 - 11:09 PM

Michelle - most moms I know really missed the kids for about 30 minutes on the first day of school - then enjoyed the time to work on things that have been set aside during the summer. Welcome to the club! It's part of the cycle of life, the school year and summer vacation. You've really moved into quilting as a hobby - is this something you'll do more of this year? We've all come so far from the day they put Jeremiah in your arms.

My sun room is in transition. I cleared out everything portable, swept, organized packing materials and boxes, and put some in recycling. I've moved all of the stuff out of the kitchen and the dining area, but there are still boxes (of items to list) in the hall. I need to be organized to take care of my eBay listings - I want to finally clear out the last of some estate stuff and think about specializing in some of the vintage items I can find at area garage and estate sales.

Since I use the door into the sun room to enter and exit the house a bonus of this work is that it should be more welcoming.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Aug 16 - 09:49 PM

Beaver:

Finally, a good day! The weather was perfect - not too hot, low humidity, nice breeze and I finally managed to trim those 8 plates!!!! And did lots of other things. Put in a couple hours in the am and about 4 in the late aft. All outdoors. All wood is stacked, until next load. I am happily tired.

Yesterday a small group went on an organized tour of 5 area gardens - mainly veggie with some flowers interspersed. Great fun, lots of ideas, a great variety of styles, each was unique, And I arrived home exhausted!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Aug 16 - 09:29 PM

I had a couple of friends over for lunch today and it was remarkably easy to clear a few things off of the central counter, off of the kitchen table, and cook and have our meal. In the past it sometimes involved moving a lot of stuff and mixing up stacks of stuff (my typical organizational setup).

A dozen more items listed on eBay yesterday, and it was much easier to work in a room where the possibility of tripping or slipping has been removed.

My yard needs attention, but I'll try to pace myself and do some of it each afternoon after I get after work. It rained hard yesterday morning so mowing will be easier after it dries more.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 31 Aug 16 - 07:57 PM

Montreal:

What a week! De-cluttering: Fritz took the front off the kiln box and seemed to shake something tight. The kiln which was missing on two of 8 elements seems to be OK ---but too late to catch up with glaze firings. NExt time I get back; about 3 loads waiting to be fired..

The house here is in sore need of de-cluttering - no place to sleep, no clean dishes no place to sit.... And when I arrived with frozen food and in a hurry, the lock was changed and I had to pace until R arrived to let me in. I dumped stuff and dashed off to visit a friends, daughter and mom - whose mind is being sadly de-cluttered of memory. Also a son/brother who will send me a link to a company that offers to help people retrain brain to hear consonants; that would be helpful.

THEN, it took an hour to negotiate the rush hour streets of Montreal to get back to the this house - so bad I wish I had the energy to go back to the mill - where I was since last WEds - sold a bunch of pots at the "antique everything event, tried to organize a bit in the storage area. looked for specific items - to no avail. But the living space was tidy when I left this morning.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Donuel
Date: 31 Aug 16 - 08:08 PM

2 rooms decluttered and 2 to go. Intermittent help is crucial.

Also the lost item makes for excellent motivation.
I can't find a cello neck. Not a small item.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 16 - 09:13 PM

The room recently I cleared out revealed quite a few things I'd been looking for or completely forgotten were stored in there. The final room that really needs attention is the guest room/craft room. I probably won't get there until cool weather sets in.

Dorothy - the lock was changed and you didn't know about it? Did something happen at the house, or did someone lose their keys and ID together in a bad place?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Sep 16 - 09:33 PM

Beaver:
R claims he told me the lock was changed two months ago - In two months, he never thought to give me a new key! ARGHHHHHHH! The old lock was iffy and I am glad it was de-cluttered but .... I tried to sit down - the door mat was wet! YICK!

Thurs was spent clearing up as much as possible - washing dishes, foraging for decent food....

Ah well, Thurs we went to a CD launch for the Bombadils - in Montreal. R went down to the cafe to hear them again on Friday and took a friend. Fri I drove back here and Sat sold a few pots at MAynooth MAdness - LEFT early due to Dreadful noise of alleged music at twice any reasonable decibels. Would like to lay criminal charges for physical assault. I was so wrecked by the noise it took me twice as long to pack up and I was in bed by 8 pm - after an apple and cheese for supper. Will de-clutter that event from next year's agenda.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Sep 16 - 12:22 PM

I spent a few hours on Saturday getting ready to mow the back yard, mostly by trimming and weeding around the shrubs and trees that have grown large and play host to tall grass I can never reach with the mower and is difficult to hit with the trimmer without mangling the shrubs. The lawn was mowed and I went around with the bucket to police the dog droppings - that's the best way to keep the fly population down back there. Still more pruning needs doing, as lots of limbs have grown into the way in paths and up against the house. Maybe later today. The mowing is regular work, the trimming might be construed as decluttering. (The trimmings are piled and once dry go through a small chipper and are used in the garden as hardwood mulch).

A while back I decided it was time to recycle VHS tapes - then promptly forgot about it. This weekend I packed some bags with home-recorded tapes, with plans to carry one or two in each day to drop off in a e-wast bin at work. These aren't home movies, these are television programs captured that are now available via streaming or DVD. I have a good-sized shelf I can use for something else once these are out of the house.

It is soon time to defrost the big freezer again, so I can rearrange and see what all I've accumulated over the spring and summer, and be ready for the final fall crops that (fingers crossed!) will come like gangbusters once the weather cools.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 12:54 PM

Beaver:

Something de-cluttered most of my energy this week. But little things were sorted and organized, small changes making a difference. Stacked the firewood from Saturday's delivery last evening - it was dry and I was functioning. Cooked new batch of roasted cauliflower (two heads). Read a lot, thought a lot. Neighbour came by to help me decide what to do about leaking shed roof; tarp, as it is in too bad shape to replace metal roof. Have to get help for this. And someone to de-clutter "grass"/weeds while it is still dry enough.

Need to find better ways of selling pottery. I think my mind has become too cluttered - need some lists.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 12:20 PM

Several mornings this week I carried a grocery bag of VHS tapes to work and deposited them in the e-waste bin. It stands waist high and was about half full before they emptied it. I have a stack next to my computer of tapes I recorded off of television years ago that I may need to convert to digital myself. Not everything is available streaming or via DVD, so these tapes will be checked against what is available online before they also go into the recycle bin.

I have a lot of DVDs from over the years and as I go through the VHS tapes am finding many I already updated to disc. I made a list of the DVDs this morning to compare those VHS tapes against.

It's a rainy out, nice for working in the house. Cooking shows playing, partly because it also feels like it needs to be a no-news day.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 07:02 PM

I pulled a frozen casserole and have it in the oven for dinner tonight and lunches this week. Eggplant and chicken Parmesan. I'm not getting much eggplant from the garden this year, so I'll have to rely on the freezer for last year's surplus.

I have a bunch of bedding plants to put into the garden and have cleared a space for most of them. They've been languishing in pots for too long. Maybe I'll have Swiss chard this fall and winter. A VHS tape being digitized, and as soon as this finishes the tape goes into the recycle bin and I run to the store. Overlapping tasks today, nothing very pressing, but when I finish with these plants, I'll conclude planting everything I started growing last spring and it will be time to clear out space and set up for the next season of bedding plants. I'll try to plan better next time - like ordering my seeds this fall, not waiting till winter or spring.

More VHS tapes to the e-waste bin tomorrow, and I am considering painting that case they've been in and assigning it to a place in the den to hold all of my DVDs and CDs. The next batch of obsolete media. . .

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 Sep 16 - 07:15 PM

BeaverL

When the sun goes behind the hill at 6:30, is that de-cluttering???? It is definitely a warning that I need to get ready for what is to come. Today I cut most of the basil crop. It looks like enough for the next ten years! And had some yummy fresh lettuce for my salad.

Designed a show case for pottery to go outdoors on the road side of the house. I think I have it down so I can actually construct it myself. Hoping to get the guts to start tomorrow morning.... As I wrote that, I realized I had made a math error! New list of materials ...!! One of the things that causes me great discouragement recently is the brain disfunction that leads to this sort of error. And no one to bounce it off - well, here!

OK, so the wood is stacked up to date - two cord this week - and well covered. And a note to Ryan, in the money jar, to stop at 12 cord. I hope we are close as the deck is getting full but room for 3 more cord if needed. No, I have NOT kept track! I an secure in trusting Ryan.

Have a call in to friend who may help with some of other chores - roof and siding for sheds, cutting grass/weeds, painting upper parts of house - because I do not care to go up that high on ladder. A friend just emailed me two more possibles if this one does not work. That will take care of winter ready chores.

Meanwhile, I do sorting and organizing as energy and inclination arises. Time to get out winter garb!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Sep 16 - 08:58 PM

Beaver:
De-cluttering means finding someone to help with chores. I went out this am, set up the skil saw, cut two pieces of siding to fit shed ---Could not carry one to the shed, well not easily enough for it to be worth the expenditure of energy! While going about errands, asked folks for referrals of possible helpers. One is stopping by tomorrow and he is highly recommended so HOPE! The original friend phoned, at least! He is too busy right now but I am happy to have him on my side! A possible for future tasks.

So tomorrow I can focus on the tasks I CAN do! Harvest parsley and get ready to go to Quebec for a few days. And make 100 or so small tumblers for the Yellow Door 50th. Maybe...

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Sep 16 - 10:53 PM

We have a few days of rain ahead, and my garden needs it to shift into the fall growing season. And once the soil is moist, I can pull (or use the mattock to dig out) encroaching weeds.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Sep 16 - 07:09 PM

Handing off the Secret Santa mantle this year - and I pulled notes from several previous years together to mail to the new titular Santa. Only a few ounces of paper, but lots of joy in the process!

I alphabetized my DVD collection and they're in the old VHS shelves for now (they were on my dining room table). I can either leave them there or return them to the top shelf of the cabinet in the den where they used to live. If I don't return them, I have to figure out where that cabinet would be best situated, and what goes on the top shelf.

I know it's only September, but I've started accumulating a few things for xmas. There may be a few things already in the house that would be good gifts, so I need to keep my eyes open as I go through shelves and trunks.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 17 Sep 16 - 03:59 PM

Montreal:
Ice on Windshield on Thursday am. I had seen neighbour out in his yard Weds eve and took that as a frost warning. Threw tarp over garden. Harvested a shopping bag of lovely lettuce in the morning but left the parsley and carrots with hope! Trip to Montreal/time to stop at Lowe's/time to think. Decided the small trailer, still at the mill, would be a great showroom. Need to nudge R until he gets it to Beaver. Saves need to construct one!

Work at Beaver is in good hands and will begin on Monday. I will go back on Tuesday, maybe Monday. Here in Montreal, I had forgotten how dreadful this house is: tried to bake and remembered the oven does not work - used the toaster oven. Washing machine still dysfunctional due to frozen pipes -WHAT Year! So, triaging laundry to go to Beaver - the one spot where everything functions - so far!

A friend is coming to stay upstairs for a few days - and then sporadically while daughter attends McGill U. Tomorrow!!!! And R still needs to take stuff out of BR. Yesterday, he made a good start but had to dash away to load machines on a transport. He would be done by 4 and then go to music at Cafe and we would come back this am and finish??????? Now - 4 pm, the next day and he is still loading. De-clutter? a realtor stopped by earlier today looking to see if people would sell their house I told her "no" but as I turned back to the LR (????? full of stuff) I was tempted to run after her and beg her to sell it! Let someone buy it who has time to do the much needed rehab!

I threw out dead plants - from not getting watered. Sad for the one I had rescued that was doing so nicely... Went to the Mill last night, after the music, and this am I boxed a bunch of mustache cups R bought at an auction; my friends with antique shop can sell them on Ebay. Cleared a whole shelf in the K. Collected some money and left more pottery at a shop. Will de-clutter this place of numerous window panes, in metal frames, useful for Beaver gardens. But as fast as I clear a bit....

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Sep 16 - 08:43 PM

That house does sound like the runner-up for the film Money Pit.. Maybe it is time to let someone take on the challenge, before you kill yourself falling through the kitchen floor into the basement. I'm glad that everything at the Beaver house seems to be falling in to place.

I mowed the front yard this morning then had friends over for lunch and a long visit; there was enough time left in the afternoon for a nap and then I pulled weeds out of the bed beside the kitchen door. I still have more work to do, but for this weekend I hope to clear out the weeds and grass so the cilantro seeds that fell in that area last spring will seed and give me a good crop over the winter. As I worked out there I realized my jeans were sagging a bit, something they haven't done for a while. I've gone back to the alternate day fasting this fall.

I have weeded out at least 3/4 of the VHS tapes from a shelf in the hall (most of them were recordings that are now easily available online), and this weekend I've started digitizing some of the films that don't seem to be available on DVD or streaming. Or at a reasonable price. This is a slow process, to play them in real time to AVI and then process the file into an mp4 format.

The oddball things I listed on eBay are selling, so I need to list more stuff. I wish people were better about posting feedback; I'd guess that only 1 in 5 ever post feedback.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Sep 16 - 09:11 PM

Beaver:

YAY for sagging jeans (Acme) and Michelle's good news (on FB)!

And for my new entry with the patio blocks finally in place and the pallet on which they spent the summer out of the front yard, the little cedar planted near the stream, the high places (on the house) mostly painted and the siding started on the dreadful looking sheds. So nice to come home to! And another cord of wood to stack and my share of screws yet to put in the new siding - physical things to keep me moving and feeling as though I am DOING something! The rest of the garden survived that frosty night and there were five yummy strawberries for me tonight! The person doing the work even took my folding chair from the front yard to the back so the front looked supper tidy. I brought it back so I could eat supper out front where it was cool.

The BR in Montreal came together at the 11th hour after poor R spent two full days loading the 12 machines to go to Michigan, painful de-cluttering. Eleven more leave this week. But the house.... The BR looks pretty good. Our friend is staying 9 days and will de-clutter the compost bin which has tried to self destruct. If he cannot get it back together, I shall purchase another one. The compost to go on the flower beds in the back yard. A wonderful helpful thing he will do competently! YAY again!

A realtor knocked on the door Saturday and I quickly informed her the "house is not for sale"; as I turned back into the chaos of the LR, I wanted to run after her and beg her to "sell it at any price!!!" Thank heavens for Beaver, my Haven.

My eyes started to hurt tonight and I changed from CFL to LED bulb; seems to help, though I suspect the good old bulbs are better.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 Sep 16 - 01:10 PM

Beaver:

Most of the de-cluttering is from the list - north side painted by Dan, and the shed reinforced in prep for a non-leaking roof, and siding going on the sheds, the yard trimmed, pallets piled behind a shed, .... My wallet will also be de-cluttered by the joy of all this guy has accomplished, and continues on Monday, wildly clutters my whole self.

Small fire in the wood stove this morning. My huge deck extension is almost full of wood and now we start de-cluttering it! three frosty nights ahead; I will cover the veggie's until final harvest on Weds before I leave to go back to Quebec for a week.

Now I need to open a window as I did not pay enough heed and it is too warm! The amaryllis I bought a couple weeks ago is blooming - a huge gorgeous flower - I shall have to post it on FB.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Sep 16 - 05:17 PM

Beaver:

Email from R yesterday: "Well, today i took the immigrant Congolese parents home via 3810 top floor and offered them various furniture items if they would like them. I expected an "either" this - or "maybe this" - but it was like a feeding frenzy occurred and they wanted everything I offered. Now they have two new sofas, two big easy chairs, a recliner chair, two armchairs, a rocking chair, a round table with four rolling chairs, a side table, a microwave, a bicycle, a scooter, and happy kids! I delivered it all to Lasalle in two trips and helped them move it all inside their basement apartment." A great way to de-clutter a bunch of stuff, unneeded but too good to throw out, and helped out the new immigrants! So glad that R is de-cluttering! It helps his state of mind, and mine as well.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Sep 16 - 09:15 PM

I bet they were thrilled, Dorothy, to have such a windfall, and when they have friends or family visit and remark on the furniture, it will become a story about a great welcome and friendship extended to them in their new home.

An eclectic dinner tonight - I had a few okra ready to eat and I took a piece of salmon out of the freezer to bake. The okra was rolled in flour and seasoned cornmeal, then fried in shallow oil. Not the healthiest vegetable, but during the season fried okra is a favorite delicacy. I picked a few this evening as I did some work in the garden - I fear the sweet potatoes have once again attracted mice or rats; I cut out a bunch of the vines this evening near the okra, poblano peppers, and eggplant, then spritzed some garlic and hot pepper "tea" around the bed. I have a Vietnamese neighbor who said sweet potato leaves are a popular vegetable, but for now I'm cutting and removing, not preparing to eat them.

Today was rainy and cooler, I think fall is finally arriving. With some weight loss and the cooler weather I expect soon the moment when it's a clear, crisp fall day and I have tons of energy - something always missing during the hot Texas summers. Every year I think I've acclimated, and every fall I realize I never did. The house is incredibly improved, clutter-wise, from a few years ago when these threads started. This process is slow because I generally sell (if I can) or donate the surplus as I identfy it. And sometimes I find great things that I forgot about and now want to keep and put on display.

Every so often I offer a "shout out" to the lurkers; the mudcat logged-on only policy in the BS section means fewer responses, but I know Donuel has been clearing out, as have PattyClink, and MAG. Are any of you reading along, and how is it going? And LilyFestre, BatGoddess, and others, what's up these days at hour houses?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Sep 16 - 05:27 PM

Beaver:

The very small Quaker meeting in Montreal is welcoming these Congolese Quakers who have come to us after 7 years in a refugee camp in Kenya! Getting them outfitted for a Montreal winter - 3 youngsters! And helping them find their place in a foreign land! At least they speak French!

By tomorrow afternoon, Dan will have completed de-cluttering the back/back shed - new leak-free roof and a floor we won't fall through! Then I can place the plastic bins in there for organized/labelled storage that I can access easily. This work is greatly de-cluttering my finances but also my mind! The whole place looks much better and is much more useful. Even the outhouse is suitable for storage and has a window so we can look at the beaver pond when using it. Using it will help keep clutter from the septic system. It is now ready for interior paint -white! when I return from Quebec - and have a warm enough day.

The last firewood arrived today; I will have that to stack when I get back. I feel ready for winter! THAT alone de-clutters the brain! I still need to do a little more re plants and clay but have a couple more weeks to arrange it - before the interior of house freezes when I am away. Was a lovely day today. Parsley (lots!) is drying in the studio; it gets VERY hot - 80-90 with solar gain. Basil in the house. I cleared the ornamental annuals out of the raised strawberry bed; the strawberry plants are doing their own cluttering - wonderfully! - the red verbena was beautiful all summer but now is compost. Lantana died in first frost; verbena still healthy! Canna and dahlias pulled.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 01:55 PM

Last winter I did some sewing and beading work on my dining room table, so I set up the small television on the buffet. It has an Amazon Fire Stick to play movies that I get through Amazon and Netflix. I moved that setup back into the sewing room and decluttered the work table and am ready to enjoy finishing a lot of forgotten sewing and craft projects.

This month I'm decluttering my "Too Big to Fail" commercial bank. I've planned this for years, but the kids were in college and had accounts linked to mine. They are on their own and now I'm ditching Wells Fargo. We were one of the victims of that unsolicited credit card account nonsense - they sent one to my son shortly after we visited a branch to take care of unrelated business. At the time we thought it was a fluke and the card was never used.

I picked up a few items at the local Goodwill that should yield a profit when sold on eBay, and I found a skirt that I'm going to modify (add a channel and drawstring in the waistline because the elastic is not stretchy any more). It's one of those that is printed Indian muslin that you handwash then twist and leave in position to dry.

I've reclaimed my hall bathroom after weeks of one of the dogs needing to stay in there on my work days following foot surgery (he could only go into the yard briefly on a leash a few times a day). It let the other dogs have access to the dog door flap when he was confined. My next job in that bathroom is to peel up the linoleum, scrape off the adhesive, and put down ceramic tile.

Dorothy, your firewood preparations sound good. It would be nice to have a season here for using the fireplace, but I have mine blocked off year round, it lets in too much cold air in the winter and heat and humidity in the summer. Perhaps I'll set up an outdoor fireplace. I set up a temporary one last year in the back, but it sends smoke directly toward the back door, so it needs a new position before it is made into a permanent fixture.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Oct 16 - 09:55 PM

Mill:
The music was great and I managed one glaze firing which came out fine but took 5 hours longer! We cannot figure out why; usually elements wearing out make it slow down over a period of months but this happened between one firing and the next. Still contemplating! In any case, my energy level has not been adequate, mainly due to heavy weather. R and I had a nice weekend with the music events and doing things around the vicinity. Finally --- got him to remove from LR the cabinet to go to Beaver (so I can organize BR!) and he found and brought into LR the replacements; temporarily - for who knows how long! - the beautiful bamboo cabinets I had bought for the bathR we still do not have. They are too large for Beaver; I would love to have had them there. In any case, it is nice to see them out of the dreadful storage area. They are so beautiful!

After R left, I found the bed frame I want him to take to Beaver (too big for my car). And had a chat with Fritz about getting the place better organized. Also had words with R about that before he left. Both a lack of clear communication and R's lack of .... I'm not sure what. He designated an area for F then filled it with stuff. We are each frustrated. Progress needs to be made. F will extricate the Bed frames for me so R can bring them to Beaver on Friday.

My car, as I leave tomorrow, will be loaded with stuff that will be useful at Beaver OR will eventually be sorted so some can find new homes. Clearing space here for R's SOMEDAY wood working area.

I finally sat him down and explained, "You don't want to hear this but.... I no longer find "maybe next year" reasonable. I am no longer feeling that next year will be happening for me....." Perhaps recognizing that one's age -almost 80- is a psychological factor in viewing life and time factors is also a sort of de-cluttering factor. I have a sense of wanting/needing things to happen ASAP so I have time left to enjoy, for example, a home that is as nice as I can make it. It is great to know I am going back to the improvements Dan has made for me - better storage areas, a place where I can sort and organize and discard the chaff.

As for the stove wood! Remember that this is my main heat source! I am SO happy that it is well done and I am taking a heavy duty cover back with me - the skin of the Tempo that collapsed a few years ago will keep the wood well protected through the winter.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 04 Oct 16 - 08:54 PM

Hi Declutterers, delurking as requested. I have indeed been following along, and glad to see all the progress being made.

I've been attacking the 'stuff' on a few different fronts. Lots of trash cleared out of garage and shop, but lots more sorting/purging to go. Have passed on or trashed several pieces of furniture. The Ebay machine is cranked up again for the fall/winter selling season, so far so good. Tried the Amazon scanning app route on a stack of books, but the fees are so heinous I took the listings down after literally losing money on the first sale.

Sorting memorabilia for scanning. And, the most fun aspect, I'm 'ripping' all the old LPs to digital, a few a day, whilst doing paperwork and other to-dos. I'm not breaking and titling them now, that is so time consuming. Just want to get them ripped and the covers photographed for reference, and a few of them are saleable. The editing work can be done later while I'm on the road. Anyway, it's nice to hear music I haven't heard in a while.

Still enjoying having a few rooms pretty minimalistic after empting/painting them, although it's hard to keep them that way while actually living in them and getting things done. Still, much better and less stressful to have some clear space.

Any and all advice on cleaning laminate floors welcome, my new ones are lovely but damp mopping isn't quite enough. I've been advised to use Windex but that seems drastic.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Oct 16 - 11:10 PM

Any of the analog to digital work takes a while because the originals have to play in real time. I'm not there yet as far as my LPs, but I did all of my Dad's LPs (to cassette tape, at the time) many years ago.

I tend to try vinegar for things - Windex probably has ammonia, so you're looking at acid vs alkaline. But using ammonia certainly is cheaper and a different strength than what is in Windex (a derivative product that is going to cost a lot more and have less punch).

Dorothy, are you finished at the mill, or do you still have stuff over there also?

Fighting with the bank, Wells Fargo didn't complete one transfer I set into motion on Sept 30 and today charged an overdraft fee because of their failure to complete my transfer. I didn't print the confirmation number, but perhaps I can browbeat them later. ;-) I have one last set of automatic withdrawals happening any minute now; once they register I'll call my public radio folks and change the bank they get that from, and then be ready to abandon Wells Fucking Fargo. Good riddance!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Oct 16 - 09:45 PM

Big trade-off today; decluttered a lemon automobile that required way more repairs than reasonable for a vehicle of it's age and mileage. I discovered it was on a list of vehicles to avoid (Consumer Reports - Buyers Guide). I've researched vehicles for several weeks anyway, and when I learned today that the extent of front end repairs added up to nearly $2000, I headed across the street to the used car lot of the dealership and picked out an SUV that isn't on the avoid list and is several years newer with lower mileage. I broke even on the lemon - they paid off the loan, and I am now driving a better and larger vehicle. Room for more of the stuff I haul around (I won't have to ask friends with pickups to make a run to the hardware store for me).

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Rumncoke
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 02:10 PM

Wow - my husband is decorating the front room - painting the walls a lovely fresh green and there is talk of carpet tiles.

I am selling off some of my knitting machines, two punchcard Knitmasters, and they want two more, electronic ones. For money!!

They also want natural fibre yarn, so I am selling them cotton and cashmere, and will add more as I find it. Pity they don't want acrylics but a couple of sacks of yarn out of the house isn't bad.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 08:29 PM

Today I ran errands and count myself as ahead of things at the house because I managed to clear off the kitchen counter. :)

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 10 Oct 16 - 10:01 PM

Beaver:
Congratulations on new vehicle, Acme!

I actually have stuff in the house in Montreal - not much but enough for when I am there and stuff at the mill - still quite a bit as I gradually get Beaver sorted and organized. This weekend was great. R finally arrived just after 5 pm - the PS sent him in several wrong directions! We jsut had time for him to change clothes and we headed off to Thanksgiving Dinner at the Tea Room. After rushing to get there, we were 20 minutes early and had time to stop at the Old Hastings Mercantile where Lillian was delighted to see me and bought a bunch of pots I just happened to have in the car! She told me what she needed and on Sunday I took a few more for her. YAY! Now there is room in the pottery storage for all the pots But I need to make more - for my son and for Lillian!

R brought 3 pieces of furniture. One has greatly de-cluttered the BR!!!!! The other two took thought re placement and will be waiting for the next trip to be fully functional. This is a very small house! The ladder to the trap door for the sleeping loft will take up a certain space so furniture has to be planned around that. Agreed: things in one area can be moved into the "new" cabinet and two pieces jettisoned to make room for the china cabinet. The elegant antique sewing machine is basically "up for sale" as it offers almost no storage - just a marvellous piece of work. I googling it to find out how to get the machine into the cabinet, we found one for sale on Ebay - sold for $350 in the US. It has a temp space in the BR, where a smaller piece which is also "on its way out" has been moved to a bit crowded area until I decide how to let it go. Unique but battered.

I am delighting in the new arrangements and future arranging. The back shed also was re-organized, making room for more storage and the woodpile is now well covered with the shell that huge Tempo that collapsed under the snow in Montreal a few years ago. AND I finally have hung a lovely pastel, a lake scene, on the BR wall, a nice view to wake up to! (The artist gave it to me for my birthday in1988.)

Dan stopped by on Sunday and he and R conferred on indoor jobs that Dan agreed to do when I am away and he has time. I am delighted that R finds Dan competent and is willing to let him do some of the work so R can enjoy his time here without feeling he has to DO stuff. #1 is insulating the ceiling in the utility room and making it squirrel proof! GREAT de-clutter! The the sleeping loft: closing it to fur-balls and reducing heat loss! THEN........

So, I look up at the lovely lake and am happy to be moving along on the de-clutter route!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Oct 16 - 08:42 PM

Beaver:

Well, I finally found my fav winter jacket - not in a bin but in a large plastic bag with lots of other stuff - mostly really wet because there was a hole in the bag and it was in the back/back shed before the roof was fixed. Everything is salvageable and I spent time laying wet fabrics out on the grass, in the sun. Sorted through the plastic bins and ended up with two more empty bins! About half are back in the shed, labelled! The rest need more attention, hoping for a non rainy day tomorrow. A pile to wash, a pile to get rid of, a pile to take to Quebec, a pile to maybe get rid of. Did a little plant work. Hope for a few more nice days before the snow.

The ginger shoot is almost 8 inches - VERY slow!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Oct 16 - 09:25 PM

I am finding that the new vehicle is a good choice as far as the insurance company is concerned as well - the little lemon HHR I was driving cost more than the pickup I drove before, yet this 2012 SUV costs $35 less a month to insure. It's safer and costs less because of it.

Yesterday I took the dogs for a walk around the neighborhood and we visited some of our favorite trees. The pecans haven't started dropping much yet, but in a couple of more weeks we should find plenty to both munch and pick up for home consumption. (The dogs eat them shell and all).

We all enjoy this time of year.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 Oct 16 - 09:26 PM

Beaver:

Did some more sorting and organizing today. Tomorrow may rain, but today was the BEST! I now have five empty bins as a result of sorting and letting go. But have too many winter jackets! And no closet space SO need to make hard choices.

Having the house and shed more orderly is a great incentive and feels terrific!

Hmmm, I probably need to take the empty bins to the mill so I can sort stuff into them and bring them back full. As I sort, I find things that have been unseen for several years. Some treasures, some which are parts of other things and some can be let go. I am on a journey of discovery and letting go...

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Oct 16 - 09:57 PM

Too many winter jackets? Leave one in the car as a spare or just in case you meet someone who needs one. That's one less to worry about.

Agreed about the journey of discovery - simply clearing out the HHR and in the garage, sorting the contents of the green plastic bin that used to ride in the back of my pickup, I've culled some things and restored others to useful places. I got a call and visited the dealer this evening - they had a couple of more forms to sign, so they can transfer title to the old car. Good riddance!

I have an enamel 5-quart pot that is new to me this year; tonight I made the BEST batch of chicken noodle soup in it. Sauteed two chicken breasts, then added oil and sauteed onions till tender. I added carrots to soften, then diced potatoes, oregano, salt and pepper. I had a defrosted jar of chicken stock with a healthy dollop of chicken fat, and then added mushrooms (bought fresh, sliced, sauteed, and frozen) and egg noodles. Thinned it with some hot water; when it was done I ate a small bowl. Wonderful. This will be great for lunches this week and weekend.

In the garden I'm starting to see tomatoes emerge and the eggplants are looking happy. I'll start making things with eggplants soon, plus I plan to bread and fry and take some to my neighbor across the street who loves this but doesn't cook much any more.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Oct 16 - 09:24 PM

Beaver:

"I'm starting to see tomatoes emerge and the eggplants are looking happy." And I am having frosty nights! Tomatoes long gone! Geez, when I saw that, I looked to see if I were in the right place/time! I am gradually putting the house into winter mode as I prepare to go to Quebec for 10 days. Everything needs to be freeze-proofed - moved into the bathroom, basically, as it is the only place I heat when away. And that with the magic outlet, thanks to Maggie!

So, with some wonderful energy the last couple days, I am trying to use as much clay as I can so there is less to keep warm. Yesterday, I threw 44 pounds - one box - and about 7 boxes to go. If the energy holds, I have a fair chance of using 3 more boxes. I will, hopefully, bisque fire before leaving and take the ware to Quebec to glaze fire.

As the weather gets colder, I am not going to stand on my head to try to make pots in a cold studio and have to deal with the cost of heating. I can do some when in Quebec if the weather is not too cold. The studio is larger and easier in some ways though I am gradually whipping this one into shape. Need more shelving for freshly thrown pots; yesterday's throwing filled all available space.

A coat in the car is a great idea as I tend to forget to take one. Also need to take a warm one to Quebec! Time to make a list!   

Found a book at the library: The life changing magic of tidying up, translated from Japanese. An interesting read.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Oct 16 - 01:54 PM

Dorothy, I use one of the temperature plugs in my greenhouse, I used to have one in the garage as well but the dogs sleep in the house at night now, so it isn't needed. (For readers who may have missed the earlier discussions, the Thermo cube plug senses the temperature and turns on the power at ~35^o and off at ~45^o. It's great for well houses, green houses, places in your house that might freeze without having extra heat. I use the cube with one of the sealed oil radiant heaters.)

My daughter borrowed a large folding cot for an upcoming camping trip, and it dawned on me that a huge non-woven cloth bag that Amazon gift-wrappers used to "wrap" a vacuum cleaner box that was shipped here a couple of years ago would be a good cover. Amazingly, it fit, but she'll have to add velcro or straps or a zipper to the top edge to keep it closed. I know, that packrat in me has me keep things like that, but at least I remembered it was in the hall cupboard so now it has a use.

I've cleared the papers off of most of my office desk (after losing my phone in them a couple of times). I still have a lot of filing to do. And recycling, and I have to get the last few pieces of hardware to put the hall bathroom commode back into commission. The flush mechanism was changed out, but I also need to redo the connector from the wall outlet pipe to the new guts. The old one cracked and leaks. I know how to do this, I've done it before. It is one of those "several trips to the hardware store" kinds of projects.

I've learned that there is a finally an REI (Recreational Equipment Incorporated) store in town. That place is as seductive as a good kitchen gadget store - too many things that are really useful (but that I don't really need). Hats, mittens, jackets, socks, camping gear . . . but now I have a vehicle I can actually use to GO camping. Hmmm.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Oct 16 - 09:41 PM

Beaver:

Now, Maggie! REI or no REI....
As for our pack rat syndrome: If one has the space and can keep it organized... A friend and I bought a new pick up truck 0n 1973. Thanks to my backing into a tree and then a telephone pole, the tailgate fell off. It was not needed due to our plywood camper - which was why I backed into things! So Tom put it in his workshop where it sat for YEARS! Contrary to usual behaviour, he finally put it in the trash; the truck was long gone. A week later, I kid you not, Jerry came by and wondered if he could have it for a truck he just bought. SO, being a pack rat....

After getting that good lot of pots done on Saturday,   I seem to have come to a screeching halt. Lack of space, lack of energy, surfeit of rain. The pots are now in the kiln room, still drying an now the temp is dropping and I am going to spend the night hoping the space stays above freezing; I put the outdoor part of thermometer in there.

That special outlet only works, it says, with that special receptacle (GFI) and there is only one in the Bathroom. We need to upgrade the electric a great deal. Maybe next summer...

Anyhow, I have not gotten much done and go to Quebec tomorrow for a few days. My brain needs to work out logistics re pottery. It's tired too.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Oct 16 - 11:09 AM

I had good results with my modest plumbing job over the weekend; both toilet tank mechanisms are now silent, they only flush and offer no more dribbles. This should bring the water bill down in the next full cycle. It also encourages me to move forward with my "things to do" list. There are loose squares of Linoleum tiles in the laundry room, and that would be a good place to put down ceramic tiles, abutting the kitchen tile. It's a very small room and will take a couple of stages, but only need probably two boxes of tile.

This is the continuation of the "if I decided I want to sell the house, is it ready to list?" thinking. It is not. I can't think of a reason to sell it, but prices are finally increasing again (meaning a replacement would cost more also . . . ) And if any of you have ever watched any of those programs that prepare homes to put on the market, every so often someone decides they like the results so well that they stay in the house. That is my goal - to make the house look so good it is all the more inviting to stay.

I ordered a Hillary ⇒ tote bag yesterday.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Oct 16 - 10:47 AM

It is possible to have virtual clutter and project clutter that is as distracting as tripping over things around the house. I'm working on finishing several freelance and volunteer assignments this weekend.

There is a small but growing stack of parcels that need to be mailed soon, some of it items that have been around the house for ages, others have arrived recently and will leave soon. I have to sell a few more eBay items to build up the PayPal balance - I decided a long time ago that PayPal is my postage slush fund.

Lovely fall-like weather here, so if I finish the paper work I'll get into the yard and prune some limbs, use the weed whacker to trim some tall grass, and I need to weed tall grass out of the tomatoes so I can find the lovely orbs as they appear. I fried some breaded eggplant and delivered it across the street this week - she loves that, but doesn't cook much any more. I also assembled a couple of eggplant Parmesans for myself in single serving Pyrex containers. Yum!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 24 Oct 16 - 07:57 PM

Montreal
Drove from Beaver to the Mill on Friday, in time to get to the library, warm up the living space and go to the Cafe. The Steam Fitters were terrific. R made it down. Quiet eve, long sleep and quiet BF before he dashed away to work again - after repairing the electric to the studio heater! But I still got nothing done and came along to city in time to have a bite to eat and wait in vain for him to get home. Too tired to do anything, I went to bed.

Sunday, we tried to attend Quaker meeting in the Laurentians. We found the address but no one deigned to let us know it was elsewhere. It was beautiful but cold; not a great day for a walk in the woods. After an hour on the phone trying to find out where everyone was, we gave up and drove back to the city, had lunch at Falafel, went to library; R stayed and I walked home as the library air was stuffy. Nice walk! Still got nothing done but computering and reading. R went to bed at 7:30 and I at 10 and morning arrived about 9. Not tired?

So, a better day. R went to work and I phoned a friend in need. Then wrote her a long email, trying to be helpful (it helped me!), made a pot of green tea and sorted out the K and laundry room!!! Partly, looking for onions. NO onions so I phoned R to see if there were any possibility of him picking them up; at this time of day I did not want to lose my parking space! He laughed and said, "finally someone is asking me to do something I CAN do!"

He came home with onions and I made a nice, not great, Chicken Korma and we had supper in my sorted K. Made some choc coated ginger, R went back to work and I am back to computering. Managed a few useful things. Resting is also useful.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Oct 16 - 10:45 PM

I've misplaced a NetFlix DVD, so I'll be filing paper and sorting out stuff on the tabletops and counters until I come across it. In the process I've found a few papers I need to follow-up on, so I'm starting down the path of respond, recycle the papers, respond, recycle the papers, search some more.

Paperwork came today formally announcing the pay-off of the old vehicle, traded in for the current SUV. Part of the kind of paper trail I have files for.

The end of the first game in the 2016 World Series is on. I don't generally watch sports, but I'll keep an eye on these - both teams have such a long long wait for this time that it is bound to be interesting whoever one roots for. Between these games and the upcoming elections, the next couple of weeks may be a wash due to distractions.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Oct 16 - 03:29 PM

Found the DVD, right in front of me after all.

The yard and garden have encroached on the driveway this summer, so today I'm pruning and dragging limbs and trimmings into the back yard compost pile. It's good to have this activity as I coast on fumes into the next month. It doesn't cost anything to clean up the yard. Halloween sometimes adds an expense, but there's no predicting how busy (or not) the night will be, so I keep the dogs in and turn the lights off and remove all doubt.

Still practicing the swap-out routine - when a new item enters the house an old one leaves. I found what looks like a good splatter screen for over skillets, so an old one that was only marginally effective is now in the donation bin.

Back to the yard. It's still warm around here so this was a brief cool-down in an afternoon's activity.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 16 - 07:24 PM

Still quite warm this week, the garden is happily producing.

Houseguest arriving for a couple of days so a lot of stuff was put away (or stacked neatly). Sweeping, vacuuming dog hair. Mowed the front. That's about as prepared as I ever am around here.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Nov 16 - 03:25 PM

Beaver:
That was a long two weeks. Very little more accomplished in the de-clutter category. Arrived back from the Mill on Tuesday eve after a hectic couple days and am still sorting and finding homes for things. A on of laundry - at least! on Weds and then the weather turned damp and I had to bring most of it inside to dry. And sort - Montreal, Mill and here. Here is put away and the rest in shopping bags to leave with me on Tues!

Dan did the work while I was away do there is less heat loss through the bathroom ceiling! Looks better, too. Had a consult today, with him, re further strengthening the ceiling and then finishing the wall between the LR and BR. The BR doors are cluttering the LR but cannot be put in place until the other work is done - a domino effect? To be further considered when we can both be there. (Doing my Art Gallery day)

That work will help with a sense of completion - walls for pics, and a knowing of the available space. Must collect the stained glass piece for the wall from the fellow who repaired it for me.

Frosty morning. We are to have some sun the next few days and I may be able to get some studio work done. Before I leave again, I must clear the studio of anything that will freeze so I do not greatly de-clutter my wallet - small electric heater is keeping it above freezing for now. The thing that de-clutters fastest is my energy!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 16 - 02:00 PM

Warm still, but overcast and rain overnight. Autumn is inevitable, but it is a long slow descent this year.

Finishing a freelance editing project and then I can declutter my desktop of a whole bunch of papers. I also have a freelance video editing project - takes up less desk surface, but will clear a little more when the disk is filed away. Filing papers from changing banks (Yay!) will also clear up some wood desktop. I have a stack of videos to convert to digital, but when these are cleared away there are more to take their place.

Time to defrost the big freezer pretty soon, as things are disappearing that I know should be in there somewhere. This involves bringing in several coolers, stuffing some things into the side-by-side freezer, and giving the upright freezer a quick defrost with a hairdryer and some buckets and towels.

The front room has a bunch of things that need to go on eBay; I need to make room for them in the eBay room and think about rearranging some of the front room's furniture.

Lots of projects for cooler and rainy days. If they'll only get here!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Nov 16 - 07:11 PM

Beaver:
A better energy day today. No rain but cool and I managed my entire list of errands, including a 45 minute jaunt to my fav village where I found a friend at the craft show to sell some of the calendars and had a bowl of chili for breakfast, stopped into my fav "general store" - It has changed with the times and caters to cottagers with all sorts of interesting clothes and bric a brac; I almost left with nothing but a nifty door mat caught my eye - LIVE LOVE LAUGH it declared. I bought it and then, in a flash of insight, gave it to a friend as a house warming gift for her son and his wife (the egg folks).

IT's November and I still have quite a lot of calendars left; have not sold enough to pay the printer! Well, pay me as the printer is paid. Dropped off empty boxes for my friends who sell on ebay from their antique shop, egg cartons for friend who will deliver more fresh eggs tomorrow, groceries and picked up more small boxes, library for a couple books in hope that one will be OK. It is so far. More calendars to the bookstore which seems to be the best place. (up to $700 of the $2000!) And a few things to thrift shops.

Negotiated with book store about selling some pottery. Need to send him pics but I have none right now. Will have to drag out boxes and make a picture display. I did manage to spend a little time in the studio in prep for HOPEFULLY getting in there tomorrow - a warmer day with sunshine - solar gain! predicted! Pictures, load stuff in kiln and make more ---HOPE!

Then I came home and ATE..... Hoping not to eat much more today! Emails are deleted and one more thing to check on FB.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: mg
Date: 06 Nov 16 - 03:19 AM

Easy as pie to defrost with small steamer. Ice just disappears into vapor. Do not need to move or unplug anything..no mess..no water anywhere.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Nov 16 - 10:14 AM

I need the job to be done fast - I can't visualize how a steamer would work. This is an old freezer that isn't "frost free."

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Nov 16 - 10:45 AM

Before I do anything in the freezer, I have several square feet of adhesive to scrape off of the bathroom floor. I'm timing it so this bulky stuff (the Linoleum and the scraped up adhesive) can go out in the trash tomorrow morning. I'll buy enough tile so that I have extra to put down if I decide to take out the cabinets and replace them with smaller footprint sinks and storage. I've hated this flooring for ages, and after having a recent visit I decided that rather than cringe at what this looks like to guests, I need to just fix it. The tile will probably cost less than $100, the project gains value via sweat equity as I put down the flooring myself.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Nov 16 - 04:02 PM

Beaver:

"sweat equity as I put down the flooring myself." I am still laughing, with tears, remembering my putting down a small sheet of vinyl flooring - UNDER the bathtub! - with no help at all but ingenuity. Tiles might have been easier was what made me laugh. I was a lot younger then.

More laundry today, catching up with stuff that had gotten wet and a bit mildewed. But today is sunny and "warmish". Losing an hour of sun at the end of the day is a nuisance! But tomorrow is predicted to be sunny so anything that does not dry today can just stay out there. In putting something "away", I found the extra clothes pegs which eluded me on Friday! Sheets will soon be dry so I can remake the bed.

Also roasted cauliflower and sunflower seeds this am. Since this is the only place I have an oven, I will be taking some with me - back to Quebec on Tuesday in prep for the Yellow Door Coffee House 50th anniversary. Anyone who doubts the effort they put into a folk venue can take heart from my son's comment: Troy Chapman Where did I spend most of the '70s? At The Yellow Door Coffeehouse. Why do I play guitar? Yellow Door. What was my address? The Yellow Door. It was literally my home address for years. I hope you get to hang out someplace that cool someday!

This comes under the heading of "things mothers find out years later".

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Vashta Nerada
Date: 15 Nov 16 - 01:34 PM

Houseplants in one large bay window are now tamed after much unraveling of vines. One viney thing was evicted (ants had made themselves at home; they're gone now, but the plant is outside) and though the space is still filled with plants, it looks much better. Vines from the haircut each got are in the compost - there is no need for more of those plants, as easy as they are to propagate.

One xmas cactus was repotted - a dicey operation since it will bloom in a month or so. The other was left alone and will be repotted after the bloom (and so I get at least one plant to give a lovely seasonal show!) There are several pots filled with a potting soil mix, in the hopes that some more African violets will find their way to my house.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 16 Nov 16 - 09:01 AM

Greetings, Vashta, are you a new poster or a new 'nom de plume'?

Slow but substantial progress around this place. Several trash bags of debris and some junky furniture gone from the shop building. Six boxes of books sorted, and most donated, a few keepers, a few sellers. Many stereo components cleaned and tested and ready for photos and listing. Hired help hauled off lots of heavy 'stuff' from garage, a wall now visible for the first time in many years.

All this talk about freezers makes me wonder if it's time to decommission the old chest freezer in the garage. I've been slowly emptying it and replacing the space with frozen water jugs, and maybe it's about time to cut the cord before the next haul-off round. It's addictive trying to clear some open floor space whenever I can.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Nov 16 - 09:27 PM

Beaver:
Clearing floor space seems a good goal!
I am back after about 12 days in Quebec. The big 50th anniversary of the Yellow Door Coffee House de-cluttered a great deal of energy but the entire three day weekend was an incredible treat. three generations of musicians and us fringe folk - the young musicians are dynamic. And the first gen gave the third a lot to think about! There were 3 youngsters sitting on stage with mouths agape as Chris Rawlings did Pearl River Turnaround! What a treat Many of us still conversing/processing via FB.

I went to the mill for a few days and managed two glaze firings, threw a few pots, trimmed them and left to dry. There will be a bisque load when I go back in a couple weeks and at least one more glaze load.

Not much organizing - too tired and then the cold.... Left laundry and other stuff in the city as I had planned to go back but energy level said NO! When I saw expected snow for today, I quickly left yesterday - pots trimmed, dishes washed - what more needs to be done?

Arrived about 5 pm, unloaded car, found freezer in fridge non-functional; the fridg working, and today the freezer also??? Put food outside where it is COLD and will cook that which thawed - tomorrow. Today was a day of rest other than trying to get the cover back on the fire wood. Partly successful. did not want 8 inches of snow on it! Some stuff put away, some not. Tomorrow I will wake with energy - she says hopefully.

So glad I brought in lots of wood before leaving!!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Nov 16 - 10:59 PM

Many jars of green tomato relish processed today, though these tomatoes came out of the garden yesterday (it finally froze overnight - excellent timing!). Tomorrow some lasagna casseroles will be assembled and go into the freezer. And the turkey into the fridge, and will finish thawing in cold water the day before the night it gets brined, to road on Thanksgiving day.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 Nov 16 - 08:58 PM

Beaver:

Load of laundry, roasted cauliflower, still trying to motivate sewing. Consult with Dan today re finishing wall between LR and BR. He suggested building shelves into the wall! Great idea! In order for him to do this, I shall have to clear a lot of space before next trip - 11 December. He has to put in a beam to better support ceiling, a stained glass window and hang two doors. Then the interior will be complete! (except for trimmings.) Oh, and access to the loft. Robin will have to consider that next trip (Christmas, she ways hopefully).

Anyway, I have a great deal of organizing to get ready.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Nov 16 - 11:37 PM

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, so I've worked to process garden produce and have it out of the way. Tonight I cooked all of the store-bought sweet potatoes for two casseroles - one for my house tomorrow, and one to take to a friend the next day.

The turkey will go into brine before I go to bed. We do dinner at normal dinner time, so I'll have most of the day for baking rolls, getting the veggies set to roast, etc. With all of the concurrent baking needs, I may get the roaster oven out of the pantry (it does a great turkey, but it's quite fast, so I have to pay attention).

I'm ready to assemble another lasagna tomorrow morning; the kitchen is clean and I don't feel like cleaning it again before I go to bed. That will go into the freezer, and some more tomatoes will go into another batch of relish. And I haven't figured out what I'm going to do with all of the sweet potatoes I expect to dig out of the garden this weekend. Turns out I had a bumper crop. I'll send some leftovers home with each person who comes to dinner tomorrow.

After the holiday activities I'll work on the usual mix of seasonal and declutter projects. Also, on various sites I've read about lots of people getting back to their sewing and knitting and such - my craft room is ready to go, now I need to plant my butt in the chair at the sewing machine and get to work.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 16 - 01:19 PM

Packing sweet potatoes huge and small in a bin of peat moss; they'll keep in there for quite a while. Five lasagnas total now in the freezer, four of them made last night. Good thing there is a DVD/BluRay player under the kitchen television - Jane Austen flicks were good company while I worked.

My home office desk is a sea of papers. I need to sort, shred, or file these. I'd like to see the faux wood desktop.

Last week I stopped by a thrift store on my way through town in an area I rarely travel - and found a newer model of West Bend food chopper than the one I own. These are small capacity high-speed choppers and mine has a faulty switch; I rigged it with a piece of twist tie through a gap so I could turn it on and off, but I always struggle to remove the lid. The new one has everything except the chopping blade, and the blade seat is different than my chopper. BUT - my chopper cup and blade fit perfectly on this newer gadget, so I "married" the two and have put the motor of my old device into the trash. No point in sending a broken motor to the thrift store I donate to.

Other than tossing that motor, I have placed several things I never use into the donate bin, and it's almost time to make a trip over again to empty it.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: ranger1
Date: 28 Nov 16 - 11:36 AM

Decluttering isn't moving along very well, but fitness is happening. Since getting Beau, the new dog, on Sept 29th (still very much a puppy at a year old), I've lost twelve pounds and an inch off my waist as of Thanksgiving afternoon. That's just with daily walks and playing. I just started running again last week, so hoping to see more results in the near future.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Rumncoke
Date: 28 Nov 16 - 12:40 PM

Well - I thought it was old age, but no - I have diabetes.
Ah well, at least it hasn't arrived before now, and it concentrates the mind wonderfully.

The front room is being redecorated, it will have carpet tiles put down and then get a going over for Christmas. There are a couple of curtains to hang, two in place already, after being washed. The walls are a nice fresh green, and there is more space after we disposed of one of the armchairs.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Dec 16 - 10:14 PM

Beaver:
Ever since I "upgraded" my computer, I have had difficulties. Cookies disappear. Things do not go the way they used to....

have a spot for sewing; have machine out; have drape ready to hem....

Threw a bunch of mugs a couple days ago; trimmed and handled them and threw some more today and a few small pitchers; worked 4 hours today; then wrapped the remainder in plastic for tomorrow; totally pooped; had a good brunch/supper; that is the only meal happening today; I was very late up; realized a short time ago that I had been so intent on getting into the studio - noonish - that I never even washed face, never mind BF!

Sorted through a box of papers and put a couple inches in fire, the rest into appropriate places; one empty box! Starting to get house ready for Dan to finish wall and reinforce ceiling while I am away. Hopefully this is the last work in house, other than minor stuff like nicer lighting. Many surfaces must be cleared, room made for him to work!

spoke with Gallery pres yesterday about the opening for my friend's show (Friday!) I requested chance to speakat the reception, very briefly - she was totally OK with it! I am sponsoring the show for this friend of 40+ years. SO EXCITED! So are he and his wife! I am SO happy as it was my idea that he have a show and I kind of pushed it, starting 2 and a half years ago when I was visiting and saw the walls covered with wonderful art! In the meantime, he started painting more, had a heart attack, died, recovered and has been painting and making the most wonderful ceramic/multi-media fish to hang. So, yeah, not exactly de-cluttering but I am SO excited!   

Today was sunny and cold but at least it was sunny! Already down to 20F; heat on in studio, for sure. Hope to get more done tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Dec 16 - 08:36 PM

Beaver:
Reality: no energy. Finished finishing the mugs today - finally! Need to fire them but did not want to carry them from studio to kiln shed in snow. Hopefully tomorrow! Need to bisque fire them to take with me to Quebec to glaze fire - easier there and they are less breakable when bisqued.
Not much else done - laundry and some little things. Watching weather to see when I can safely travel to Quebec - after the party at Place for the Arts on Saturday.

Hope everyone saw the amazing video of traffic in Montreal which had 2o million hits. About 6 were mine, trying to figure out where it was and phoning R to tell him about it and to stay off the streets!

As soon as I clear the deck, it snows again!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 10 Dec 16 - 05:47 PM

Ach!

It's been a year of one damned thing (mostly expensive) after another with no time in between to recover. And, while I intended to be HERE more often, it just didn't happen. Seems like I was dancing as fast as I could and Facebook won out. Not enough time for FB and this thread, too. Missed you all.

And it's not over yet. My sister is still in hospital or rehab (currently rehab) for antibiotic therapy for osteomyelitis (serious infection of bone and bone marrow) and learning how to walk again and is looking at being under care for at least another three months, according to her doctor (with whom I wasn't able to speak until I returned to NH). I was able (thanks to my cousin needing to drive to Colby, WI) to hitch a ride to Milwaukee and get to visit her and assess the situation close at hand, meet my brother there for a few hours (he's five hours in the other direction -- first time the three of us sibs were in the same room since my mother's funeral), and get in a good visit with my 96-year-old great aunt.

My current One. More. Thing. is needing a root canal. Right after I returned from Milwaukee, I had an appointment for a crown. The tooth needed to be built up first, so the dentist put in a pin...which poked through into the canal and got sucked in. So...I get 60% off from the community health place I go, but I'll have to pay full rate ($1250) on the root canal at another facility. At first I had no pain or discomfort. Then it started sporadically aching last Saturday. By day before yesterday the pain was in full blast. I called to make sure I was on the list in case of a cancellation and got the original appointment rescheduled for this Thursday at 8 a.m. The pain calmed down...but now it's getting achy again.

So... I had no Thanksgiving to speak of and right now I have absolutely no Christmas spirit. December is just another month in a train of months, all of which were complicated. Maybe I'll feel a little more in the mood when I wrap a few gifts. I've received a couple cards, but feeling really blah about that. (Or maybe a bit guilty because I have no desire to send any.) Sang one seasonal song last week at the Press Room session. (Couldn't go last night because of pain and pain meds.) Didn't make much of a difference. Maybe next week's shanty sing will help -- and the following week's Voicearound.

Right now Christmas is taking up less than 1% of my thoughts...and I'm okay with that. I just have no interest this year and no desire to be interested. And I don't know if that should bother me or not.

Yeah, it's probably a bit of depression -- caused by too many things just hanging right now. Things that I can't do anything about anyway. And Trump, of course. Looming over everything.

I'd like to think things will change for the better once this year is over, but I'm not as optimistic as I usually am.

Ach!

Linn

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 10 Dec 16 - 05:58 PM

Beaver:
So, the energy came back and some things got done. The house is almost ready for me to leave tomorrow - before it snows again. Ready for Dan to work on, that is. And plants and freezables in bathroom which will be only heated area, though I expect Dan will put a fire in the stove while he works. Very chilly here!

Adjusted the kiln and did the bisque firing which is now cooling. I will need to package the pots to take with me for glazing. TRying to balance work needing to be done with wish to leave early enough to go to Quaker Meeting 2 hours en route. Maybe.

I am exhausted from the emotional aspect of getting ready for the art show opening last night and, of course, the actual event. It was a huge success as folks came out to celebrate a local artist of over 40 years. I'll post some of his pics on FB. The biggest stressor was: will the 3 of us actually make it to this evening? Bob's health issues - he died last year and will be in recovery the rest of his life. Then, would the roads be clear???? I was so relieved and happy and elated and ...So I am exhausted. I am hoping to be inspired to finish that drape to put it back up tonight. If the sewing machine behaves and I find a bobbin....!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 10 Dec 16 - 06:00 PM

Oh! Almost forgot the GOOD news!

Had a routine check-in with my doctor this past week (and got a flu shot) and found I've lost 11 pounds since my last check-in in July.

At least I know for sure that the steps I've been taking are working, so if I kick them up a notch, I should lose more weight a little faster. Getting together with my brother (5 years younger than me) and my sister (ten years younger than me and a LOT unhealthier) has really made me aware that I'm the skinny one of the family (at way more poundage than I'd like to be carrying). I've returned from Milwaukee with firm resolution to lose weight and get more fit.

A few months ago I finally got my hips and lower back formally diagnosed -- my hips are fine, but I've got a lot of arthritic deterioration in my lower back. Doctor prescribed physical therapy and it was wildly successful, so that's a start. I can't get back into a walking routine if I'm in pain and I now know how to go about getting into better shape without doing any damage.

I don't want to give the impression I'm totally down in the dumps. Major progress has been made on many fronts this year, although it seems as if each step was a struggle and an expensive one at that. But I don't seem to have time -- mental or physical -- for Christmas.

Linn

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: ranger1
Date: 10 Dec 16 - 08:29 PM

Dumped a bunch of stuff in a bag for Good Will, but haven't gotten it out the door yet. So far, that's the extent of my decluttering. I'm only working two days next week, so hopefully I'll get something accomplished on that front between now and Thursday. But I'm not going to stress about it.

On the fitness end of things, I am finishing week four of the Couch to 5K running program tomorrow. I'm up to 1.4 miles in 21 1/2 minutes now. Five more weeks to go after that, and then my first snowshoe race of the season the following week. Beau's been really good for keeping me on track and on target. I may not want to go out running or walking, but he needs me to. And if I don't make sure the puppy gets exercised, there is no rest for me, and the cat tends to get annoyed when he tries to play with her.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Dec 16 - 08:51 PM

I cleared up the kitchen to fix lunch for a few friends who came over today, and all of the dishes from the meal have been through the dishwasher. Some small throw-rugs went through the wash, and I need to next dust the house, sweep, mop - the usual getting cleared up ready for company at the end of the month.

Some things always seem to require a few steps. I had a lace table cloth on the dining table still, but need to start wrapping gifts there. Today I brought in the needle and thread to mend a couple of rips (it's a very old tablecloth) before I gently soak it to clean and put away.

I have a buildup of eBay items, and need to start listing them with the option to gift wrap. The sunroom is still in excellent shape, and I working on my plants last week, removed a couple, trimmed several, and repotted a christmas cactus. Not the best time to do it, right before it blooms, but it seems to have survived and is putting out buds. I have two of them and I'll leave the second one to repot after it finishes blooming.

The craft room will be used as a bedroom this month, so there's a lot of work to do in there. I started on it last week with a bunch of mending (my clothes closet says "thank you!") and I also have some frames and matte material in there that maybe I should just work with and hang art instead of finding a new place to stash it.

Outside, we've had a couple of hard freezes. I need to haul a lot of garden stuff into the back to the compost, and it's time to plant onions, potatoes, and broccoli. That may not happen until the long holiday break from work. And before then I should probably string a few lights out front for a little holiday spirit.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 13 Dec 16 - 02:22 PM

So where is everybody?

I need to go back upstairs and attack what I sort of started this morning (when I didn't have any time) -- clean out the top drawer of my dresser. Found a lightweight pair of leather gloves that will be very useful in the car (not in the drawer). I really don't like to wear gloves when I drive, but I can deal with these when the temperature goes way down.

Found more stuff for the Goodwill pile, and a few more things to take along with other jewelry to the Press Room this Friday to sell. Oue regular waitress asked me about that a few weeks ago -- last time I brought in jewelry to sell was, I think, about a year before Tom died.

Luck went my way this morning and a pinhole leak in my car's exhaust system turned out to involve just a new clamp -- got out of it for less than $70. All the better in light of tomorrow's major dental expense.

Thing is, I have the energy of a dead haddock. I'd really like to take a nap. Maybe if I throw myself into a couple projects in the bedroom where I can see what I've accomplished, I can beat that.

Oh, and I should wrap a couple Christmas presents. Maybe that will help get me in the spirit. (I wore a red and green sweater today and Christmas earrings, but I don't think it helped.)

Ach! My root canal appointment is so early tomorrow that I have to set my alarm -- first time in ages. (I usually wake up between 5 and 6:30 -- but 6:30 will be too late.)

Linn

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 13 Dec 16 - 05:47 PM

Wrapped some presents. Then pulled some handmade leather belts with brass buckles signed by the artist out of my closet with the intention of taking them along with some vintage jewelry to The Press Room to sell to friends.

Found the artist's name (which I had forgotten) -- Carl Tasha -- and looked up his stuff on eBay. Hmmm. Between $150 and $250 for buckle only. My "Leaping Unicorn" is numbered 82/1000 -- circa 1974 or 1975. Think I'll save them to sell on eBay. I also have a lovely Steve Burr signed buckle.

Pulled some other items out of closet and drawer, but let sloth overtake me -- I started a book instead.

Not sure why I was thinking my root canal is tomorrow morning. It's not -- it's Thursday morning.

Will turn that drawer out tomorrow morning and see what's to be found.

Linn

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: ranger1
Date: 14 Dec 16 - 12:50 PM

Handed off several articles of clothing to a young friend yesterday, as well as a necklace that I've never worn. I still need to get the bag out the door and to Good Will.

In the fitness department, week for of Couch to 5K saw both my fastest mile, and my distance increase to 1.5 miles. I'm managing running five minutes at a stretch with little stress. Today's run will see neither speed nor distance, as there is now six inches of snow on the trails and I'll be running in snowshoes. I'm going to take a break from my own trails and go run on the snowmobile trails today, they'll be harder packed. Running in snowshoes is much harder than running in just running shoes and I don't want to set myself up for failure at this point.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 14 Dec 16 - 03:49 PM

Hi guys, glad you are all making progress on the declutter. This time of the year it's hard to make that the focus, but I did get some listings up on Ebay, and am learning more about the finer points. Turns out you can ship stereo components, using FedEx ground, less costly than USPS for big/heavy stuff and a substantial discount. I'm fresh out of big ungainly boxes though, will have to round up some new ones.

Have been ripping lots of albums whilst doing paperwork. A few handfuls of the choicer ones will need to be listed for sale, and it will be another adventure learning the drill of packing those to avoid crushed corners etc. It's a daunting stack of stuff to deal with. But I've been enjoying listening to my sweetie's albums, some stuff I'd never heard. Kind of like the olden days when we teenagers would sit around and listen to each other's records.

Today I've had to work on an inventory of the many boxes/batches of 'stuff' I need to deal with, only way I can get a grip is to have a plan for each box or batch.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: ranger1
Date: 14 Dec 16 - 11:41 PM

Well that was an exhausting and brutal workout! Trails were maybe less packed on the snowmobile trail than they are behind the cottage.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: mg
Date: 15 Dec 16 - 01:47 AM

I took a leaky air mattress and put it in the dumpster after trying and trying to find it a new home. The space now is wonderful.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Dec 16 - 12:09 PM

Patty - I also have been working my way through media, converting the analog VHS tapes that are unique (stuff not likely to turn up on DVD or NetFlix that I want to keep). Family videos I'm keeping, but others are going in the e-waste recycle bin at work.

I have a stack of papers that need attention, in particular an account closed once that didn't seem to stay closed, etc. I checked my free credit report and the closed account that isn't closed seems to be undetected by the agencies I looked at. Decluttering accounts that I don't use that are still active is a goal for this month.

I must make myself get back to eBay - the work area is clear and efficient, but it is work and I need to get into the pace of it. I have a few things just just haven't sold - and will have to decide what to do with those. I have a bunch of cardboard book mailers I picked up years ago when they had way too many at the library (they were in the recycle bin). You might ask at your local library about how they mail those materials and if there is any overage that they might share with you.

I have materials for beading and jewelry that I want to get into, I have several projects in mind. But I need to designate a work space and I fear in the next few weeks those spaces will be in demand for a higher calling (the dining table for people to eat at, etc.)   

No snow here, but I need more exercise. You're an inspiration, ranger1!

My Goodwill bin is filling up, time to take the contents over to donate pretty soon. And a bag of recycling needs to be dumped in the bins behind city hall.

It seems time again soon to rearrange furniture. Do I want to put up a tree? If I do, I'll get it very close to xmas and it will be down before New Year's. I find the trees harvested for holiday use make me sneeze a lot, despite having grown up around and having worked in them for many years. The smell is great, the needles not so much. But I'm not to the point of buying an artificial tree, I'd have to store it in the attic and it gets awfully hot up there, probably not good for the man-made tree.

Good luck with the oral surgery, Linn. Once that clears up I'm sure you'll have a lot more energy.

mg, every little bit helps, doesn't it?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 18 Dec 16 - 05:33 PM

Montreal:

I DID get that drape hemmed at each end before I left! It felt so good to finally get it done!! The dear old featherweight, circa 1954, runs like a top but the foot pedal only worked by hand! I pressed with thumb while moving fabric with other hand. Even after I took it apart and tried to "fix" it. That used to work. Maybe R can look at it when he is up next, hopefully Christmas. In any case, having the drape back on the kitchen door to keep heat in LR - and not having threads hanging down...!!!!

Word from Dan: 15 inches of snow; I phoned "snowplow Mike" and gave Dan his number as it is to do it again! SNOW! Work on wall is progressing. That will be such a treat! He is filling in every possible line of entrance for critters as he goes and putting in four new convenience outlets. Not that I will be plugging in lots of things but will be able to do so without ext cords! It will be wonderful to get the place into its new order!

And Dan will make sure drive is plowed the best way so we can get in when we get there at the end of this week.

I have determined that R really "needs" me here more so am working on being here more. I need a bit more civilization in this crummy house; today he turned on heat in upstairs so I have the option of doing some pottery. The frozen pipes are more of a problem so the alternative is finding a semi rural laundromat - on the way to the mill. My job.

R is so overwhelmed with what he needs to be doing that I hate to ask for anything but PLEASE even out that pile of papers! HE is now having a long nap, much needed! First "day off" in over a week. Yesterday he fell asleep in McD's about 3 pm! Not a first.

With the cold weather, I have only managed one glaze firing and did not even unload it. Tuesday I shall go at it again as it is to warm considerably. I'll do what I can before going to Beaver for Christmas.

As for de-cluttering here? Not my stuff - he put a coule pieces of paper in the recycling.... His brain is too tired or too taken up with necessary thoughts... I need to get more creative...

Google laundromat, Mercier QC!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: ranger1
Date: 21 Dec 16 - 08:31 PM

I found the table briefly yesterday and then lost it again. But I'll have to find it again soon, because Beau is not likely to allow me to wrap presents on the floor without attempting to "help".

On the fitness end, haven't run in a week due to weather - first there were the sub-zero to single digit temps, and then there was snow, followed by rain that turned everything to ice. And I was loathe to try out the spikes I bought to screw into the soles of my running shoes on my $160 pair of trail runners. Bought a cheaper pair today, installing the spikes tonight, and will try them tomorrow AM. Wish me luck!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Dec 16 - 11:51 AM

So many things to work on - I'll be staging some of these things together. I'm still converting VHS tapes to digital files on films that I can't find in any other way (other than too-expensive offerings because of their rarity). I have to file papers so, like ranger1, I can find some of the table and desktops. If I file in the room where the VHS is running (real time conversion) then I can catch it as it concludes and don't have to edit out anything extra (easier said than done).

The entire family, plus two, will be here for a late holiday this year (you do what you must to get them together at the same time). Most of the preparation is food-related.

No way I would try to wrap gifts within reach of these dogs - even as elder representatives of their species, any time I'm on the floor working on something they assume it is an invitation to offer kisses and nuzzles. My dining table has boxes of ornaments, the ones I want will be spread around then the boxes stashed in the office closet until the new year. There are also other projects out that need completion so I can set that table.

Recycling today, and a drop-off at Goodwill with a few things from the laundry room bin. I have to move some things from the fridge to the compost bin at the bottom of the back yard.

That back yard needs to be mowed; the arctic snap passed through, so I can finish the job I started last week (mowing the front). If in my shopping run I find some onion sets I need to plant those, along with some potatoes I've saved for now.

eBay always looms, and will be taken care of as time allows. The more things I list the more space I'll clear on the large table in my sunroom.

For fitness, I've set up some exercise videos on a thumbdrive plugged into my BluRay/DVD player so I can exercise in the space I've cleared for this activity. Now to make myself do it. I've also walked the dogs - these old pooches still love to tour the neighborhood, (there is a signal I give them: if I wiggle my foot at the pitbull when I'm putting on a shoe and she is instantly excited and runs to get the others) so we'll do that on nice days.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Dec 16 - 09:23 PM

The lawn was dormant after a hard freeze last week, so I mowed the dead grass tops and mulched in most of the leaves. I noticed one of the dogs trying to poke her head through a gap in the fence so I repaired that and I've rearranged some of the patio furniture. This is all to make the place look better for guests.

The guest room and the craft room will both be used when they're here so I need to rearrange my sewing and other craft stuff, move everything off of the bed, and see how many of the projects awaiting attention in there can actually be finished and put away.

I'm making a few things ahead for the visit and at the same time trying to clear kitchen counters. A time-lapse view of my kitchen would tend to show a breathing effect as things pile up then dissipate, each time leaving a little more open space. In order for six adults to participate in the meal we're planning to cook, all counters need clearing and the dogs will be confined to the yard for the time being to avoid the tripping hazard.

Now to work on the batch of spritz.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: ranger1
Date: 25 Dec 16 - 10:27 PM

Due to a hectic work schedule the last couple of days, I didn't get out running until this AM. The new shoes and the spikes worked well, I just need to lace the right shoe a little tighter next time.

The cottage looks like a bomb went off, I will need to do some serious organization so that I can find needed things in the next couple of days But the good news is that for once, I took more out of the house than I brought back for Christmas! The other good bit of news was that when I weighed myself at Jason's parents' house after dinner (I don't own a scale and have no place to keep one), I was done another three pounds. So fifteen down, fifteen to go! Yippee!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Dec 16 - 12:07 AM

Excellent, Tami!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Dec 16 - 09:57 PM

Beaver:
As Maggie posts about mowing grass, R is out trying to scrape the almost frozen ice off the deck!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 27 Dec 16 - 05:39 PM

I went out today -- that was my major accomplishment. I've been down with a bug since Saturday. Today was the first time I left the house since I came home from The Press Room session Friday night. I went out to get more garlic tabs because that's my treatment of choice for whatever this is that I've got, but I only went as far as the Walgreen's at Lee Circle rather than the CVS at Stratham that has the tabs I prefer.

Yesterday after a shower and hairwash I DID get the sheets on the bed changed and a load of laundry done. I haven't had the energy, though, to dry and fold the sheets. Read down a pile of magazines to deaccession.

I THINK I'm feeling better...but I said that yesterday before the headache came back. And the iffy tum.

I'd LIKE to say since I have no appetite and a mildly upset stomach that I'm probably losing a couple pounds, but, alas, I've also been searching for the magic food that will make me feel better. And some of what I've been craving (and indulging in) has been sweets.

Finished a book yesterday. Should be finishing another this evening. Need to go brew a cup of tea and retire to my book.

Linn

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Dec 16 - 09:10 PM

Beaver:
Big news! R spent hours on my sewing machine, found a sneaky wire that was shorting in an obscure spot; ALL WELL! Ready to use

but today was another spate of freezing rain until afternoon. Did a load of laundry; one yesterday also; hanging them in the BR so one load at a time fills the line. Then we went foraging. Groceries and the hardware store and home for salad and the veg soup I started before we left. Did a pot of stewed apples as well.

R de-cluttered the roof edge of LOTS of SNOW and the back deck is mostly clear. Light snow again this aft and eve.

The weather is not conducive to anything. Inching the house back to a semblance of order. And enjoying the new wall very much.

Hot bath and now for bed.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 31 Dec 16 - 05:10 PM

Beaver:
Looking at a post from last January, I see progress! Snow removal (more today!) and bringing in wood are still ongoing. No wood shed yet but the heavy cover is wonderful.. The snow is holding it down VERY well! The eaves trough without heat cable were an error and the house one has fallen down from the weight of snow and ice. Next year. Sorting through archives has progressed but still has some to go. No potting wheel in the BR; I took it to Montreal to use when there. Sewing machine is on a TV table, repaired!!!! And ready to use. The kiln room is better organized but not optimum yet. **New thought: that new cabinet (below) might work better in there than what is there now. On a warm day, I can pursue this possibility.

The BR, now that the new wall is in and painted!!, has been re-organized with the bookcase across the foot of the bed raised on 12 inch concrete blocks so things can be stored under the bottom shelf and books on 3 shelves – bed width. The bottom shelf is about level with the surface of the bed; there is just enough space to tuck things down there – about 8 cf of storage! The bookcase will prevent the mattress shifting – sort of a footboard! A tall 28 inch wide antique cabinet is next to that and still leaves good room to see out the window. I will finish loading it today and this will clear most of the BR clutter so I can re-organize the other cabinet and HOPE this will complete de-cluttering of BR.

We now have an empty wall space where the ladder to go to the loft. No furniture planned for there until that job is complete. Book shelves may ensue.   

The studio is in torpor. There is about 2 feet of snow on the roof.. I will use it on warm enough days, use the M one when there and the one at the mill when it is warm enough. I am getting quite taken by the concept: "I'm retired, I don't HAVE to do anything!"

.An article in Bancroft This Week gives hope that the Town might find a better space for the library. Might be time to get folks organized, after this holiday, to work with those "in charge" with the aim of supporting a library for the people. New librarian seems positive addition. Maybe we could take him to lunch for a consult.

Auction this am: one $5 cabinet that can go in shed for better organizing OR I can give it to the friend who was also there and transported it for us; it occurred to me too late that she may have wanted it but she "went to the washroom,,," Otherwise, R bought some things for elsewhere. and we netted a nice hand painted wood loon for here.

R is, "as we speak" putting in new light fixtures in the LR so I can use nice light covers which have moved across the country with me. This de-clutters them from storage to useful.

Just agreed: insulate roof next year.

Speaking of which - MAy everyone hae the best possible New Year!!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jan 17 - 03:50 AM

There's a new thread for 2017.

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Link repaired.