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

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: mg
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 10:53 PM

My goal for 2016 is to never look for passwords so I took a huge magic marker and wrote them on my desk at work. They are somewhat coded with blanks but still the terrorists can prob get into my health records etc. I am! Past caring.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 07:33 PM

Beaver:

mostly a day of rest, rainy, drismal.

Brought in wood, loaded pottery into car, tried to put up a towel rack but one screw did not cooperate - I'll go the hardware another day. put wallpaper inserts on the four upper cabinets and cut a piece for after a paint the last one. The background on the paper matches the paint perfectly - by accident! Decided not a good idea for lower cabinets - more apt to catch spills. Also on the inserts for the :clothes cabinet in the BR (where there were once mirrors. I need some sort of fasteners to hold them in place - on list for Hardware store.

Spent interminable time on FB until cannot stand it anymore, deleted lots of emails and sent a couple; finally figured out who to phone to find out if I ned to take tables tomorrow - yes. Happily, the Market does not start until 11 so I can get there before 10 and be fine. Washed hair. Fellow brought 3 face cord of wood - encouraged me to find him more work --After it took him two months to deliver this wood and I ended up getting not as good wood because of it!

The BR feels so uncluttered but still more I can do as I feel the way forward. Actually have not put anything in new little cabinet yet.... Best use?   Fire needs attention!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 10 Dec 15 - 07:57 PM

Beaver:
After an entire morning on the computer - did write a couple of important emails, I had a small lunch and went off to social events:of the small community variety: a gathering at Maggie's/Tamarack (women's Centre) where a dozen women and staff had a pre-Christmas lunch. Kind of emotional for me as I was one of the founders back about 1982 and it was pretty special to see how my kid has grown. One of the group has been involved since the inception! I invited her to phone and stop in for tea. The celebration of the 30th anniversary for a staff person at the Credit Union. I may have been the only non-family, non-CU person there; seemed important to me to celebrate her.

Searched for a bottle brush to fit into a one inch neck. No luck so far. Found a few useful items at thrift shop. The weather came down on me and flattened my energy. I did not even take the bag of stuff into the thrift shop. Tomorrow I must do things - wood and load car - so I shall continue to rest tonight. Maybe look for that screwdriver...

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Dec 15 - 08:17 PM

Beaver:
I DID it! construction grade bag and squeezed it down, down down!! The put two heavy rubber bands on the top and squeezed it into a plastic bin; it won't fit but it will be safe! then I organized the other stuff to the point where - OOPs, it's raining. A tremendous improvement. Several more small tasks awaiting next rush of energy and - where IS that screwdriver??? Very happy. That is probably it for tonight.

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

Beaver:
The wonderful woman at head office in Taiwan gave me a new site and a distiller is ordered!!! That was a monumental de-clutter as I was SO stressed by it. On the other hand, the wood man has STILL not brought my last 3 cord and the rock guy has not yet delivered the rock for drive - which I need to rake into place! Waiting is not fun. R was in the air today and I am waiting to hear he has landed in Detroit.

A springish day and the studio was over 50F! I brought in wood, did organizing in kiln/store room, studio, BR, LR and the back sheds. The exer-cycle is now in place again, tables ready to be covered with plastic for clay work, thoughts of where shelves need to go evolving. Buckets from the bulk food had not been washed so I put them outside - lids on ground and buckets on sides - to see if critters will help with cleaning - before I use massive amounts of soap to clean out oily residues of nut butters. Need K type sink in studio - with bucket under it - for cleaning tools and such. Or maybe just a bucket on a low bench.

Then went off to town, stopping in Gallery to confer, dropped book at library and checked out one thrift store. (These 3 are next door to each other.) bought a $10 pine bed side cabinet - quite nice with a drawer and a door. When my energy returns, I shall move the current bed side cabinet t0 a planned space in LR and put the new one next to bed.

Little red devil was outdoors this morning. I am thankful that the studio, at least, is impervious thanks to good work of T&B! It is tight! Have not heard furball upstairs lately. Started looking for access point but was distracted; tomorrow if it doesn't rain.

I am daunted by that feather bed which did such a great job of keeping me warm outside at sub-freezing temps. It cannot be forced into a largish plastic bin. It must take about 5 cubic feet of space! A large trunk - for which there is NO room in this little house, or the kiln room. OK! - a construction grade clear plastic bag and into the back shed. THAT would greatly de-clutter the BR and make a couple other moves possible! Off I go...

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Dec 15 - 08:46 PM

We're to the less-productive time of year at work, with office parties, planning to participate in holiday events, set-up, taking-down, etc. There was a pot-luck lunch and the monthly birthday dessert meeting today. Pacing myself and not eating any extra candy from the chocolate jar in the office.

I'm going to the office early so am getting out of work earlier, but finding more time for running around to do things means I'm not getting home a lot earlier. I need to head straight home to work on some of the stuff waiting here for me.

This week is supposed to end up quite warm - in the high 70s, I think. I have been happy to pull sweaters out of storage, but it looks like lighter weight clothes the rest of the week. Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest where there are four pronounced seasons, it is sometimes difficult to get in to the holiday spirit with all of this warm weather.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Dec 15 - 07:06 PM

Beaver:
Yep, sure is better to be able to do it at home; I did all sorts of things while it was happening. I have not been in a laundromat in about 6 years. The dreadful odours of soaps and fabric softeners would be a horror for me. That was the final determinant when debating to cost effectiveness of spending a lot of money (relatively) on a machine or biting the bullet and going to a laundromat.

Spent most of the eve and some of this morning trying to find/order a distiller. Even phoned the air cleaner man and begged him to add distillers to his products. Was so fed up with one site the man hung up on me because of my language; his phone was no loud enough but he told me he was talking loud. Somewhere in Vermont with a not so great website and a lousy attitude. Finally phoned someone in BC who could be heard and might send me info - in 24 hours!! Got a tech guy at another place; him I could understand and he was helpful but their website was a horror. I have generally found tcch people to be far more helpful than "customer service".

So, I may or may not be getting a distiller as soon as I need it. But the clothes are put away and the clothesline back in its hole. The BR is improved but not done. The oven is workin on a roast chicken and acorn squash and a small container of the left over stuffing topped with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. A large pan of the thighs roasted with curry seasoning finished and a couple were yummy on my salad. I had to make a special trip to the nat. food store for sage and poultry seasoning ; this K lacks a few things! Cooked in two cast iron frying pans and a griddle! Works fine.

Brought in a bunch of wood - exercise! Had a visit with Tam and Blair as he finished my storage box; Do I have the heart to tell Blair that the reason I got him to make it instead of buying an ugly plastic one is because I wanted it in wood? He used materials from an ugly plastic one. This comes under the category of "things we did not think to cover in the instructions". Arghhhh! K functions well and it is time to check the chicken.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Dec 15 - 10:43 PM

Holiday cooking this evening - a pot of beans to contribute to a staff potluck lunch tomorrow.

I have ornaments that came from my mother and sister that also go front and center - more Scandinavian and secular in origin, but part of our holiday festivities. Doesn't everyone have a nissetroll to guard the tree? They don't like to be out in the open, so you have to place them in a corner or in a semi-hidden spot on a shelf, or in a closet with the door open a little they can see the tree. Really. They're about the only "good" troll there is out there.

Even as slow as your water is running, isn't it nice to be able to do your laundry at home, Dorothy? As opposed to lugging it all down to a laundrymat?

For those following the saga of the three dogs that have lived with my friend Susie for over two years (adopted after their original owner died of cancer), my friend isn't able to take them with her when she moves sometime in the next couple of months, so we have sought a new home. This weekend it worked out - the brother and sister-in-law of a co-worker of mine are going to adopt all three. They have a dog already (used to have 2, but one died of old age earlier this year) and she is going to have a dog trainer with with her dog and with the new ones to have a good integration of the pack. This is better than any of us could have hoped for, that the three can stay together.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Dec 15 - 05:46 PM

Beaver:

Out first thing this morning to the appliance store; The nice woman showed me HOW to connect the hose to faucet! Came back and found that even tho Dave said I did not need a wrench, I really do. My hands are not strong enough to tighten the thingie by hand. And I had a really hard time STILL getting the connection firm. About the time I was ready to give them it back, I finally got it. Had to phone for directions - that were NOT on the lid.

Because the water runs so slowly in the K, it takes half an hour to fill the tub. It took about two hours for each of the two loads. And the connection was finally perfect for the last bit. Prior to that, so much water was oozing out that I collected enough in a large bowl, to wash the dishes and fill the distiller - which seems to have quit. This is a crisis; I shall have to order another one - should have done it before 4 EST!

I managed to cook rice in prep for stuffing and roasting a chicken --- Kind of late now - tomorrow! I did manage to start re-organizing the BR and got lots put away. Also needed a close line! Oh, Joy, I found the extendable one the first place I looked, and clothes pegs too! Managed to get two screws into the wall in correct configuration - close enough! It can be taken down when not in use. So, clothes are drying in the BR, the light has disappeared in the west. emails are deleted, FB is being a pain and not letting me share or like, no word from R who is supposed to start east tomorrow, a small bag of stuff ready for thrift shop, and I am hoping for some new energy in a while to sort our more of the BR. Was not warm enough and I did not have enough energy for potting. Maybe tomorrow.

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

One load of laundry done, table cleared, one tote filled with everyday shelf sitters to make room for Christmas gear, fridge cleaned out, most of the dishes are done, toilet scrubbed, floors swept an soon to put out more Christmas decorations and lights on the tree. Decorating the tree will happen when we are all here. :)

Michelle

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

I've finished a few projects, and have some stuff ready to go out of the house tomorrow. A small amount to the curb, a fair volume to go to the recycle bins behind city hall, and more stuff for the thrift store. A lot of what goes to the curb will be dust and dog hair. I also feel the need for a "deep cleaning" of the living room and den, getting ready for family events.

I enjoy spending time on Sunday afternoons cooking for the week. I just made the perfect pot of lentil soup. Last week I made a batch with chicken stock, this time with water. And last week's batch with green lentils came out brown when it was cooked. This week's batch with red lentils came out green when it was cooked. Who knew?

I'm feeling the urge to start moving furniture, but the couch in front of the television is where we all usually sit to watch a movie after our holiday dinner. Maybe I should wait (I was going to bring in a glider and a rocking chair instead, and put the sofa in the front room). Decisions, decisions!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Dec 15 - 05:42 PM

Beaver:
WOW! a lovely day, Michelle! Sure beats my effort to get clothes washed!

Got detergent: checked out a store I had not gone into yet; Tide free and clear was
$5 for 32 washes; interesting store. I checked out Foodland; same stuff was over $10! This is where foraging pays off! Bought a couple things at each of 3 stores and went home to wash clothes. BUT the thingie that is supposed to connect did not. PHOOEY! Off to Home Hardware and Dave helping me figure it out. Right! While there, I HAD to buy a beautiful Christmas planter which is now in the big front window. No room here for a tree.

Back to the wash: Still no luck. The water just disconnects the fitting. Tomorrow I will go back to the store. I see no place for the water to go through??? So I had a big salad and sat and watched the light go. The sun now sets way further south - behind the pottery studio instead of the hill.

Eating baby carrots and trying to find a nice image to send a friend on FB for her B-day. The one I wanted tells me I cannot... something... AND FB is refusing to let me share anything today. More carrots... No laundry,... But a whole bin of stuff put away. BR still undone. Maybe later after I recover from the failure to do laundry. I did bring in a good bunch of stove wood - exercise!

And put two pots of water on the stove - one for washing up and adding moisture and one for dishes. I am being picky about the well water which I consider iffy. Hoping for two things when R comes next: hot water and a filter to take out the sediment. I only use distilled water for anything that goes in our bodies - drinking and cooking. That is a sort of clutter which will not go away.

If I wash my hair, maybe I can think better?

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

It's been a beautiful day and I'm taking a break. Pete made us a nice family (WW and diabetic friendly) breakfast while Jeremiah and I had our showers and got ready for church. Then a nice ride through the country side with bright blue skies and an oh so pretty white layer of frost covered everything with glitter! A nice service at church, an invitation to play my violin during the service, time with friends, home for a nice lunch and now I am cleaning and rearranging the living room to make room for the Christmas tree. It's one of maybe 4 times a year that I do a deep cleaning of the living room. I'm tired this afternoon so it's slow going but it IS coming along. Most of the clutter is toy and book related...time to do another purge of toys I believe! The good news is that there is room for the tree already, now to clear off the piano of all my keepsakes and make room for the nativity....I always put that up first. The nativity itself is made up of Willow Tree figures but the hand carved creche is something that my Nana brought back with her from a trip to the Black Forest in Germany in the late 1970s and it's something I treasure. :) So...anyway...I suppose I should get back to work. I will probably put photos up on FB in the next few days.

Have a great night everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Dec 15 - 09:32 PM

Beaver:

FIRST - a Happy birthday email to Troy. My poor little 6 pound baby - now a beautiful, guitar playing, retired adult!

With the car mostly unloaded, there is considerable organizing needed - manana. Bought a portable clothes washer at the second hand shop this morning, delivered just before they closed at noon! Then a contractor/friend came to look at possibility of a new tub - will send me a price.

I picked up a needed part for the washer, this aft at my fav store in the whole world - Agnew's General Store in Wilberforce; I covered their 75th long enough ago that they are soon due for a 100th! A store that has changed with the times - catering to the cottagers with interesting clothes as well as useful items and a great hardware department! I bought a pair of warm socks with red moose and "Wilberforce, Ontario" on them! And two pair of especially warm winter socks. Went to the craft show and had a nice lunch of chili and bought two nice warm, crocheted. hats in nifty colours ($10 for both!)

Then spent the aft and eve with friends on Elephant lake - 3 generations. Came home and wrote an email of encouragement to the son , who will soon have the care of a disabled cousin and, I fear, a dear mom who is starting to lose it. Not too sure about the dad.

Tomorrow I must run out and get laundry detergent and start de-cluttering the clothes of dirt! I am SO happy! And sort out the studio, hopefully throw some pots; and reorganize a whole lot of stuff!

There was a small plaque at Agnew's about going off on adventures to find out where you are meant to be. This is where I am meant to be.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Dec 15 - 08:59 PM

I've eliminated most of the sugary snacks out of my diet (there is a candy jar at work) and and making sure there are not only plenty of veggies but "resistant starches," or carb-type foods that digest slowly and help the gut flora stay happy. Beans, cold pasta and breads, nuts, etc. It is helping me feel better as I get rid of the sugar craving, and an offshoot is that I'll lose some of the weight that has crept back on over the last year.

Today was a paperwork day, but tomorrow is for the housekeeping stuff, including donations to the thrift store and eBay listings.

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

Down 2.2 pounds.....making it just over 35 pounds. Two people have now commented that it looks like I've lost weight. :) Unsolicited compliments are the best!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Dec 15 - 11:48 PM

Beaver:
Yes, dear! I have no idea how to exclude the red devil. I shall call upon the expertise of my friends on Ontario Wildlife. I regret that I heard it running around upstairs this morning. No, I am not going to kill it. I am very mindful of the damage they can do. After all, raccoons turned on the AC at machineco in JAnuary.

Right now, after a long hard day, trying to get the house warm enough to go to bed. Sometimes I simply do not treat the fire right and it takes a long time to get going.

The good news is that the water is back on; the bad news is that the very nice man did not pay attention to what I told him and instead of half an hour, it took two, plus an hour listening to the poor dear telling me stories about what a wonderful cook he is, etc. Only de-cluttered my self of him when I said I had to leave! In the process, the BR was turned upside down which could result in some re-re-arranging as I put it back together -- tomorrow! Just cleared the bed so I can get in it!

Brought in more wood this aft - exercise!

My day at the Gallery was full of stuff: Friend Stu brought in freshly printed calendar - 10 for the Gallery gift shop and I bought one for me and got a Gallery visitor to buy one directly from Stu; great photos of the area and every possible event anyone could possibly think of! Now, if we can just get him to finish them in August next year - before summer people leave. i phoned Carol and she came in to put them into inventory so we could sell them - two right off!

Said visitor divulged that he was someone I have known: he had a hunt camp across the road from my "farm" in the bush AND he bought the farm a few years ago - showed me pics of the upgrading and talked about it with me until I felt he loves it as much as I do. That de-clutters some feelings of sadness about not being there anymore. He invited me to visit in the spring. So, instead of not wanting to go there at all - due to the pain - I am looking forward to a visit. He still has the wonderful old bathtub I bought at his father's junk yard - and then went to the camp and begged help from the young men to get it to the second floor! Such groaning it took for 3 of them to push that tub up the stairs!!   

The opening of the terrific art show was well attended and lots of good conversation - including a helpful lecture on plumbing by a dear handy man. The young lad thought getting the hot water, with new, more efficient tank, would run about $2500!!!! With John's helpful info and advice, I believe we can do it ourselves - that even I could do it - for far less - now THAT is de-cluttering!

Bedtime!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST,#
Date: 04 Dec 15 - 11:13 AM

At least until they've chewed up your wiring. Get it/them out soon as or you're in for a pile of damage to the house.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST,#
Date: 04 Dec 15 - 10:57 AM

Red squirrels can be a real pain. They get into your house and they won't be leaving. FYI.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 10:31 PM

Beaver:

Brought in a couple days' wood. Exercise!

MUD! to de-clutter mud which was coming into house in lumps!: drove out to the place selling various types of stones and arranged for 3 yards of stone to be delivered next week. I will rake it into place, she says hopefully. Exercise!

To de-clutter the dirty dishes, etc: Stopped at Home Hardware and said, "I NEED a plumber!" Paul gave me two cards, I called one right then and there; he will come tomorrow at 4 - after I finish at the Gallery!

Did a bunch of foraging earlier in the day: food, a nice thick comforter for the city house, and a few diverse items - all at thrift shops. Visited Gallery and we in-took four of my new pieces. Picked up 3 books at library; using the notice of when they are closed for the holidays for a bookmark! Read local paper and noted a few events to attend.

Email from contractor re possibility of new tub; appointment on Saturday. The current one is rather ratty looking. Speaking of which: red squirrel was being busy this morning and I am wondering if it is in the attic or where? It sassed me from the woodpile a couple times! Sure is a cute critter.

Partly unloaded the car when I got home and put that bunch away. Still more to go. Maybe in the am when the mud is frozen. Transferred some money, hung a wildlife calendar (free at Thrift chop). Bedtime!

.

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

It's a busy time of year for all of us, so on occasion we may need to reach down below the 24-hour line to pull the declutter thread back up to the top. But that's a good sign!

I'm helping a friend who is going to be moving in the near future. She adopted several dogs after a friend died of cancer - and now she needs to find another home for those dogs. We're pulling every string we can think of and people are looking for new homes. Decluttering warm and fuzzy older dogs - it's tough, but we'll do it.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 12:18 AM

Michelle, I loved reading

I made THE best turkey pot pie the other night! I had never made one from scratch before but I can tell you it is going to be a regular meal around here in the winter.

Homemade pot pies (turkey or chicken) are so good! The ingredients are intuitive - and I convinced my children to eat what amounts to turkey or chicken stew by making pie crusts. I wasn't going to put it in a shell (like the store-bought ones - Swanson's comes to mind) but they do need crust, so I made pie crust and used various cookie cutters (and the kids helped) to make and bake shapes to go on top of their bowls of chicken or turkey stew. The crust made all the difference.

I have lots of projects staring me in the face right now. Any direction I turn, there is something to do. So something will get done, but it may end up being bits of several somethings.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Dec 15 - 09:20 PM

Beaver!

Arrived just at 5 pm as hoped - missing the predicted fog and the deer time of night! The joy of turning the last corner and looking down the road to see ---Smoke coming out of the chimney. On a cold damp night! My friends had decided to do the last bit of work today so the house could be warm for me! To not have to get a fire going in a cold house!

To open the door and turn on the light and see the beautiful slates - the first 4 feet and then the varathaned mahogany... It looks great! And with just tile sealer as finish, the slates retained their beautiful golds and reddish browns and light grey. I phoned Tammy to thank her - profusely!

On the way out this am, returned books to library, stopped to say hello to R&F and show R, whose sister is a top potter in Canada, my new pots. She loved them and I gave her one; she has given us much, nice to reciprocate. Then I was on the road for a pleasant, uneventful trip,

The car will get unloaded tomorrow - in daylight. But food is in frig, or wherever it belongs. Left message with a plumber; time to deal with the lack of water. Also emailed contractor re possible change of tub; I thought he would come last week! And got into two different heavy discussions on FB - then left! Too much for my tired brain.

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

Basic chores going on here and taking care of business.

I have been having fun cooking....I made THE best turkey pot pie the other night! I had never made one from scratch before but I can tell you it is going to be a regular meal around here in the winter...it was loved by all! HOORAY!

I am making chili and cornbread for dinner tonight...it's cold, damp and dreary here....perfect evening for chili!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Dec 15 - 09:05 AM

Mill:
Gearing up to pack car. Top shelf of kiln looks very good! Sky is pale gray; rain is falling, hopefully sporadic so I can load without - the clutter of excess water!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Dec 15 - 09:22 PM

Mill:
Did a bisque firing yesterday and did glazing, loading today. Hope it works as well as the one I unloaded yesterday. Six small bowls exploded in the bisque so I had a clean up job to do - lots of shards. (they were not dry enough even though I had thought they were.)

Sold the wheel but Ann's husband is going to leave it here, put a red ribbon on it for Christmas and let her decide whether she wants it at home or here. Her little pots look wonderful but she has not had time to come over and clean the bottoms - or even see them.

A couple hours visit with G and came home to FUMES from firing; set up fans to exhaust from studio and bring fresh air into LR! Kept mask on until air was OK! I now have a handle on when in the firing schedule the fuming happens - about the first 6 hours! At least it was above freezing outside.

Now, having not gone to the city to do laundry, I am looking for a portable washing machine on Kijiji. Preparing to leave for Beaver in the, probably late, morning.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Nov 15 - 08:20 PM

Mill:
Hair and dishes washed. Put a large container in sunroom for water for plants. Make it easier for Ann to water when I am away. Visit from Ann's husband: she wants a wheel and tools for Christmas. I agreed to sell him the wheel she has been using and suggested a gift card for pottery supplies so she can choose what she wants. I love that wheel but can live without it. . She may get more done if she can work at home.

Went on line to see if there are any Estrin wheels for sale; none current. I will keep alert on Kijiji. Another potter friend would like one.

Unloaded kiln: Ann's pots are tiny but well done; husband was delighted with the few he saw (before I finished unloading). Fairly successful load for me. Reloaded for a bisque firing which is now in progress. I did some clean-up in the studio. Met G and S at the resto for a couple hours of interesting conversation.

Very cold all day and down tonight but going up tomorrow & Weds. Rain tomorrow will help fill the bin in the sunroom. Cold weather really got me down today; very early night, me thinks.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Nov 15 - 06:53 PM

You early snow folks remind me that I mean to put up bird feeders this winter. I have an array of them hanging from a beam in the garage, and a number of the tall shepherd's crooks to support them. What will it be? Songbirds, finches, or bigger stuff for the larger birds and squirrels? Niger seed, black sunflower, millet (not so good - a filler many of the companies use), cracked corn, etc. I'll read the labels and decide. The feeders are entertaining and I have a bird bath nearby. If it snows I get great photos of the colorful birds with the white backdrop.

I kept sewing, didn't get to eBay, but I'm going to do some of that tonight. 'Tis the season.

Michelle, I hope Jeremiah isn't reading your mudcat posts! Race tracks and Lego sets - those were the days!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Nov 15 - 10:01 PM

Mill:
Hi Guest#! Not snowing here, yet. Maybe I shall wake up to white stuff.

Kiln still firing and I cannot go to bed until it finishes so I keep checking. At least it stopped fuming so I could turn off the big fan and close the door. The temp in the studio was heading for 0/32! De-cluttering fumes is good, heat - No!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Nov 15 - 08:56 PM

My next door neighbors were due back from a cruise this afternoon, but they called a little while ago - they're stuck in the Houston channel or somewhere beyond it because of the fog. It's a cold penetrating rain here, so they might stay in town overnight if they do dock. A cold rainy nighttime drive is not the way to end a vacation. We don't get much of a fall, it goes from hot to cold quickly.

I've rearranged my kitchen in between stepping back to the computer to check out old VHS video files I've decided to convert to digital files. It took several tries to get the setting so it would load into the computer. I'm getting there. The kitchen is kind of back where it started earlier today - I moved the big kitchen queen around (it's an old fashioned cabinet somewhat the size of a standard side-by-side refrigerator), but the room is too dark if it sits anywhere but the corner so I moved it back and will be content with rearranging contents. Jars of pasta and and beans live there now, leaving the pie safe side of the cabinet free for use. I was making do with unloading regular cupboard contents to let baked goods cool, but last week I remembered about the wire racks in this tall cupboard. Baking is easier when one owns a dog that is determined to snatch food off of counter tops.

I have a number of items to donate to the thrift store and some ancient foodstuffs headed to the curb in the morning.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST,#
Date: 29 Nov 15 - 07:12 PM

It's snowing in Howick.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Nov 15 - 06:22 PM

Mill:
Ann threw while I glazed and filled kiln, then threw a couple as demo to help her remember, then trimmed the ones I threw a few days ago. The glaze rack is almost empty. The too-be-bisqued rack is close to the firing kiln so the pots will dry and I can do a bisque tomorrow, then a glaze on Tuesday. In effort to sort things out and get things done as I had hoped, I am skipping the trip to Montreal to do laundry and buy bagels. Drive 100 miles to do laundry - might be more cost effective to use a laundromat. Certainly more energy effective and feels like a great de-clutter. I will get back to Beaver a day later and miss the town council meeting. They won't miss me.

I will be glad to get home but also glad to complete my self-appointed tasks.

Changed bedding. If I get to bed early, I will get up earlier and do the dishes in daylight. Can probably finish the latest Louise Penny tonight. So well written.

COLD day and colder night. Possible flurries.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Nov 15 - 11:26 AM

Last night I watched a couple of regular programs and worked on the new wool yarn knots on the comforter I seem to have been working on forever. The first acrylic yarn is not staying tied and the strands separated into funny looking little static spots on the flannel, so I'm replacing them with wool, a double strand double knotted, and a spot of fabric glue on each knot.

It's a mix of computer work and eBay listings today. Virtual decluttering.

I'm back on the alternate day fasting, using some information about the types of carbs (I need to get off of sugar, no doubt about it, but I also need to shift to healthier carbs and work on the gut health, which helps with general overall comfort and weight loss.) No waiting till the New Year for a resolution, this is something that needs to be in place now over the food-treacherous holiday season.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Nov 15 - 08:23 PM

Mill:
Recently making the rounds on FB has been a pic of Lego-proof slippers - by Lego, no doubt!

Yesterday was pretty much a "day off": I must have done something in the morning..., Tam phoned as she remembered she had not given me the slip recipe so she went through the notebook and found it and I wrote it down; of course it only has 3 ingredients and I'll never forget it again - HAH! spent most of the afternoon in interesting conversation with G & S. (the waitress, on break, said we should have a talk show - she was getting an education - anthropology, women's issues and how they affect men, and more...) The high point of the day was BM at Gigzz; I went early and got the best possible seat. As he started, I dialed R in Montana so he could hear the first song - one of the good oldies - R said thank you.

Today, I picked up the glaze materials from V. While Ann decorated her pots, I mixed green glaze - a bucket for V and a bigger bucket for me. And divided one material, measuring out 20 pounds - 5 at a time! - for V to have. The supply house had put two wonderful strong plastic bags over each of the two BIG bags of materials, so she will get hers in a strong plastic bag. By the time A and I were finishing our tasks, it was 3 pm! I dashed to the thrift shop and got 3 plastic plates to use for "lids" on small buckets; did not see any wide enough to lid the big buckets but I have enough for the ones currently in use.

Also got a pair of black slacks as my organizational skills broke down - no clean slacks here, not even sweat pants! And a good sharp knife for veggies!!! I used it on a sweet potato and, Oh joy! A good supper and tried to get back to work. Just walking through the cold part of the building puts me off. It was OK yesterday but has gotten much colder. Even though it was not bad in the front of the studio, the glazing area was COLD. I agreed to get it warm in the morning and do the glazing, trimming... Maybe even some throwing -Manana! At this point, I am a week behind. Oh well.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 15 - 10:44 PM

Legos - there are always larger bins available to store all of the bricks. We still have a couple of large bins of them in closets from when the kids were small. They are brutal to step on with bare feet, one of the memorable down-sides of Legos in the house. ;-)

The house is looking pretty good in some areas, cluttered in others. The weekend forecast is for cold rain, perfect indoor weather to work on stuff ignored all summer.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Nov 15 - 02:31 PM

I was wide awake at 3:00am so I drove the 15 miles into town and finished Jeremiah's Christmas shopping. I got him a race track and a larger Lego set that he has had his eye on for months. I am so excited for him to have it!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 15 - 12:47 PM

Rain rain rain. It's a great day for finishing that comforter I've fiddled with for several months, and get started on the next one. And to turn my hand to some of the beading projects I've planned.

No shopping today, I'm not interested in participating in "Black Friday." But I am going to a friend's house for lunch and I'll need to check the map to be sure my route doesn't go past any shopping malls where traffic will be snarled.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Nov 15 - 11:17 PM

I finished up some non-Thanksgiving cooking this morning and then turned to the food for the day. The bird was a bit late coming out of the oven, so we ate other things first and had turkey last. :) The dishes are away, and the food is up. I cleared out the upper cupboards in my Hoosier Kitchen/Kitchen Queen because it has a pie safe (that had been filled with paper plates and such). I needed to use that to cool pies and keep several food items out of canine reach. My counter surfer is a sneaky lab and I didn't want him demolishing anything.

My eggplant are almost all cooked and frozen, only one small batch remains and I may do something real simple with them like just slice, saute, and freeze (to use in lasagna - those don'e need breading). Two batches of cranberry sauce are finished, and will be a great gift during the holiday season.

Another thanksgiving dinner tomorrow at a friend's house (one of the pies is for there).

Michelle, food is a fabulous mnemonic device to remember people. My late mother-in-law taught me a few of her Puerto Rican recipes, and I knew I'd gotten them right when the kids would walk into the house and tell me it "smells like Abuela's kitchen." I've taught them these recipes so they have that part of her to carry into their lives. My mother made great pancakes, and I made them for my children frequently. Her Scandianvian background meant that we didn't eat the thick, stiff IHOP type, they were closer to what are called "Swedish pancakes." And a favorite treat if there were leftover pancakes (batter doesn't keep so you cook them all) - smear one with jelly and roll it up for a great snack.

I'm glad I finished all of the yard work - the weather has moved in big time and there has been a steady rain for hours, not our usual few minutes of rain and the storm passes. This is more like a Seattle rain than a Texas rain.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Nov 15 - 10:38 PM

Mill:
Wonderful post, Michelle! To the orchard for apples! And all those pies! YUM!

We had our Thanksgiving last month, in Ontario, and were thankful for dear friends and our wonderful community in Ontario.

Vanessa and I accomplished two glazes this morning. Realized I did not have enough of one material to so what I had planned but V is going to Montreal tomorrow and will pick up some things. Copies of the two recipes we have are in a plastic sleeve for now. They can stay here! the 3rd has only 3 ingredients so we wrote them on the buckets - one for her and one for me. She is potting elsewhere now but needs to make her own glazes so this was lesson one AND she finally cleared the area she had been using. After she left I started reorganizing. Then went to lunch with G.

This eve has been mostly defrosting a very small freezer; the door was, inadvertently ajar and the ice.... Over 3 hours and many pans of hot water - the same pan reheated many times. Just after I started, the sunroom seemed to be filled with smoke, or something. I have spent a lot of time trying to find source and phoned R for ideas. It went as mysteriously as it arrived and has mostly dissipated - after giving me burning eyes and a mild headache - with mask on and air cleaner on high. Rearranged plugs in sunroom, in case... Wonder if it were the freezer plug from it running too much with all that ice and the door ajar. Anyway, that is taken care of - or will be when I get the last bit out and reload it, and plug it into a different circuit.

Tomorrow, maybe I can focus on pots, glazing, loading kiln! What I had hoped to do on Weds!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Nov 15 - 09:25 AM

Happy Thanksgiving!

XOOXXO

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 25 Nov 15 - 10:31 PM

I have been working in my kitchen, decluttering surfaces and it's looking great. Dishes are done, floors swept, bathroom floor scrubbed on my hands and knees, budget balanced, cranberry sauce and squash are ready for tomorrow. The turkey is thawed and will be in the oven early tomorrow morning. I was going to make pumpkin pie tonight...in fact, I did some running today to get fresh spices but alas, I have no brown sugar SO....we will have pumpkin pie this weekend with our leftovers. We went to the orchard today and got a bushel of Cortlands and MacIntosh apples and will just make apple pie tomorrow instead. My mom LOVES Pete's apple pie (he is an incredible baker) so we were going to make apple pie tomorrow anyway....now we we just make more. One pie for after dinner, one pie to go home with my mom and then we are making a bunch of mini apple pie/turnovers to send home with Mom for her freezer. I did not get Nana's creamed cabbage made....I thought I had a full pint of sour cream but alas someone got into it so I only have half a container. I will wait until I have the right amount and will enjoy it then. I have plans of making lots of turkey noodle and turkey with rice soup....both of which she taught me to make. Funny, as I sit here and type about that, I can smell her.....how strange and wonderful. <3   

I was going to tuck all paper clutter away for tomorrow but I seem to have some extra energy left tonight so maybe I'll go do that now.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

Michelle

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

Mill:
Majorly trying, all eve, to de-clutter my nostrils of clay dust! I can taste it. HAve been using Xlear - helps but it comes back. The studio did not seem dusty; I did not wear mask; I am definitely a slow learner. YICK!

Computer slow tonight. Looking for small washing machine on kijiji so I can do laundry at Beaver and not have to wait until I get to Montreal. HAve a reat machine here but it is put away for the winter due to freezing. Seems to me having the tools we need where we need them is a great form of de-cluttering!

Threw some bowls, ate too much, Went for tea with V and we planned to work on glazes tonight. When I got back, I realized we did not have enough buckets to do so efficiently. So I headed her off; tomorrow. She needs to provide some buckets! But I shall bite the bullet and go buy some.

The worst clutter today was to find I left the glaze recipes at Beaver!!!! I emailed T and, eventually she found them, photo'd two and emailed them and emailed a third which, having only 3 ingredients, I had written them and the amounts on the lid! I will be printing out the important recipes and put them between two pieces of clear contact paper and make sure I have copies that can stay here and duplicates for there. Of course, she found them in the studio which had gotten cluttered during the insulating process and I had thrown pots but had only de-cluttered the absolute necessary area.

Bedtime!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Nov 15 - 11:52 AM

A large cookie sheet of breaded and fried eggplant frozen overnight is now bagged in the freezer. A quick run to the store is needed to get some oranges - the next project (in addition to cooking the rest of the eggplant) is to get some oranges for a batch of Fresh Cranberry Sauce with Grand Marnier. I'm going to can it and use it myself and for a couple of folks who I know would like it. This comes from an odd website called agoldenafternoon.com - I searched for it last year and printed it out but found I had cut off some of the text so had to find it again this year.

Fresh Cranberry Sauce with Grand Marnier

2 12 oz. packages of cranberries
2 cups of sugar, add more if desired really sweet
zest from 1 orange
juice from 2 oranges
4 Tablespoons Grand Marnier
few dashes of cinnamon

Boil a large pot of water, 3/4 full (only if canning the sauce). In a second large pot, combine all ingredients.

Over medium heat, simmer the mixture until the cranberries have burst or until it has thickened. If not canning, refrigerate up to 3 days before you would like to serve it. If canning, sterilize the jars and lids, then immediately add the hot cranberry sauce to the jars, leaving 1/4 of headspace/room on top. Wipe the rims with a clean cloth to prevent the lids from sticking and to encourage a proper seal.

Process/boil with 1 inch of water covering them for 5 minutes, remove, and cool for 24 hours before moving. If you can this sauce, you can easily travel with it to parties or give as hostess gifts.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 10:28 PM

Mill:
Trip down from Beaver was easy and quick. Thankful for lack of snow although there were light flurries this am. B&T and Georgia were late but they phoned and I realized I needed to do things differently. I thought the storage box would arrive complete but they had a rough week. So I offloaded the car onto pallets and covered the stuff with a tarp and loaded things to come away - well most of them. Forgot some non-essentials and the very essential glaze recipes which I had taken out of their traveling box to peruse. Never did the peruse and left them behind so I just sent T a frantic email - HELP! Hope she can find them. If not, I will do a different body of work than planned.

After my email to inform of safe arrival, T sent me the list I left behind - of things I want to take back from here! VERY helpful! I would have totally forgotten. She confirmed a couple tasks at the house that I had thought of en route. I will go home to a finished K floor- partly the mahogany underlay which works over the wonky floors, with slate tiles across the first four feet as we enter - a small area for boots, a wall cabinet for hats, etc with a couple coat hooks. A bookcase on the wall of the BR and doors on the old armoire from the thrift shop. I am so looking forward to this phase. May need to stop for a while and save up for whatever needs to be done to re-instate water!

The main reason for coming back was to hear BM on Friday night. Leaving early to avoid fumes of chemicals - glue and grout and tile sealer - became a second and enables getting work done in the studio.

"Serenity is not freedom from the storm but peace within it" came to mind as I read Michelle's recent posts. Doing a great job of forging on through the storm!

And so to bed!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 08:28 PM

I fear any suggestions might come across as Pollyanna-ish - it's a difficult situation to be in. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and this year everyone is away so there will be two, possibly a friend joining us if her other plans don't materialize (they seem to be in doubt). If there was someone here in the neighborhood I knew who was going to be alone, I'd have them over, but I haven't come across any such news so far.

I am exhausted after my day of yard work. Knackered, as Liz would say. But it looks good, and if, as I suspect, this cold weather arriving is enough to push everything into a dormant state, I won't be mowing again for several months. I have been known to take the weed wacker out to trim tall weeds during the winter, but it looks like the growing season is kaput.

Cooking to freeze tonight. The jars of relish will be put in the pantry and out come the cookie sheets for freezing fried breaded eggplant rounds for meals this winter. And for dinner tonight as well, I think.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 04:00 PM

Frankly, I could care less about Thanksgiving this year. We were planning to bring Thanksgiving dinner to the nursing home where we had the celebration room reserved so Nana could enjoy the festivities. No one much feels like celebrating.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 01:53 PM

Plunge into those dinner preparations and make it a Thanksgiving to really remind you about the important things. The airborne circulating excrement will eventually sort itself out.

The mown front lawn looks good and now needs to be trimmed. The back comes next, and then I'll dump a bunch of stuff on the compost (the dead garden plants are all cut out and waiting for a trip in the wheelbarrow). A productive morning.

While out front I picked up some attractive cones from the largest pine. I think this is a year for some cone decorations around the house for the holidays. Time to pick up some glitter glue (so much easier to use than glue and glitter separately!)

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 11:29 AM

Well, I posted a nice long post here but where it went, who knows?

I am currently standing in the middle of a giant, swirling shit storm, occasionally getting hit upside the head with debris. There's no point in writing it all out as the list is long and none of it is itty bitty bad news. For whatever reason, we are getting hit all at once with multitudes of things. The one thing I am thankful for is that amongst all the bad news, my tumor markers are holding steady.

I am just about numb with frustration. Whatever. Just f*cking whatever.

So...since I can't do anything about things going on, I am going to focus on getting ready for Thanksgiving. We are having company this year so I have some extra cleaning I want to get done (been working in the kitchen all morning) and plan to make the cranberry sauce, fresh butternut squash and creamed cabbage (a handwritten recipe from my Nana) which tastes better after it sits for a day or two.

Jeremiah is helping by getting his toys cleaned up and organized. He is running random things upstairs as needed and is currently sweeping the kitchen floor. :) He is a great helper!

So...the shit storm can just SUCK IT.
Let Operation Thanksgiving commence!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Nov 15 - 11:43 PM

Four pints of green tomato relish are cooling, then next batch is draining before mixing, heating, jarring and processing. It smells wonderful, and clears one of the boxes of produce off of my kitchen counter. Tomorrow I'll cook eggplant slices, breaded, fried, and frozen, for assembly of meals.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 Nov 15 - 05:53 PM

Beaver:
Beautiful sky over the west hill, the remains of the sun which dropppd behind an hour ago - the melody lingers and is lovely.

Finally trimmed those pots; had the, apparently irrational idea that they would dry and get fired tonight! Not a chance! So, I am firing the part load I could have done a couple weeks ago. The newer ones might be dry in the morning - this is clutter as I shall have to wrap them in bubble wrap and take them to Quebec to fire and glaze and fire.

I am hoping my energy holds as I have big plans for getting work done while at the mill for 6 days. The craft show was he whole of my energy for the weekend but today I have done a little - bringing in stove wood and 3 buckets of water from the stream. trimmed the pot, moving them around fruitlessly and finally into the LR where they are cosy by the wood stove! Time spent moving things to Bathroom so they won't freeze while I am away, Also put water and other freezables under the K sink and installed the Christmas lights under there, that are to keep it warm enough. Making a list of the little things I would like done tomorrow before they start the tiles - and I must leave to avoid the fumes.

Going away in winter creates a lot of clutter in the form of extra tasks as well as the usual of remembering what to take - laundry, pots to be fired, food for the trip (sometimes I forget!), Modem and computer!!!

Took the Ipad I bought a couple months ago back to Patricia; her mom wrote a note. P won't be back 'til Friday! No problem. I carried that thing around without looking at it for a month. Then stopped carrying it around and, finally, I do not need this cluttering up any part of my life. I cannot even remember why I wanted it.

R is enjoying the challenges of getting sorted out at the gold mine in Montana. After acquiring beds and bedding and orange hats and vests to protect themselves from the elk hunters, getting the water running - it is home sweet home and they were going off today to look at the mine - having to walk in about a mile! Up hill!

Forgot I was posting here and started getting ready to wash the dishes! Which I shall go do!