BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 02:15 PM

If you have metabolic syndrome, and it sounds like you probably do, a low-fat diet is probably not going to do it for you. Really low carbs (with calories..those without like green vegetables unlimited), a good amount of protein and plenty of fats but no absolutely no trans fats would probably help most people with metabolic syndrome. REad up on it..these symtpoms go together: high blood sugar, excess weight, high bp, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, type 2 diabetes, hypoglycemic symptoms. Ifyou    have all or some of of them, suspect metabolic syndrome...caused by ancestry, eating too many carbs for given ancestry and personal metabolism, and getting wrong information from medical profession??? If you are on the wrong diet for your metabolism you will have health problems, and it does not matter what someone else eats that is good for their's and tries to impose on you. If you need meat, you need meat. If you need fat, you need fat. Some people get by with tiny amounts of each and do fine...great for them. Each body is different. mg

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 02:08 PM

Michelle, I always find that any meds that leave a hangover feeling usually respond well to sunlight and moderate brainless activity. Also I find that if I try to do brain stuff before it wears off, I stay in the fog all day.

YMMV.

===

CLONIDINE FLUSHED. Still sky-high BPP-- it did nothing for me except screw me up. On to the next trial, and doc had 4 weeks' free samples YAY! The AM dose is wearing off even as we speak, and I can STUDY. We discussed qualifying me for local handi-transport for appointments, YAY, because now I get to choose between an MRI-- and a new scooter. :~(

My cholesterol, alas, did not come down with strict dietary changes. DAMN, but at least no new meds yet for that, and TBTG WalMart had nonfat Greek-style yogurt. It warn't cheap but then we don't have to eat it like ice cream, either.

TBTG and bandmate Ed, who drove me over there today AND for a grocery stop. And who tells me we qualify for reduced-cost coffee at Mickey D's! With free refills!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 02:02 PM

Have a restfull nap, Michelle. Sins, maybe you'd better join her?**bg**

I've spent the morning adding a Custom Designed Jewellery piece in my Etsy shop. Everyone there seems to really write a lot of description/story for each item, so it can take some time, esp. the first one. I found a neat chat going on in which I asked for some advice about listing custom stuff as the ones I have to show are obviously already sold. Found a really nice gal in Oregon who gave me a link to her custom stuff so I could take a look. Her shop is Greenfingers.

Phew, now I need to stretch out some kinks from sitting here so long. Today is Morgan's early release day, so I have a "date" at 150p. Yesterday was a mad dash at 4p when I picked him up and we realised he and his parents forgot a b-day party at 5p for a little girl in his class. He and I quickly made her a cobalt blue bead bracelet, made a card and stuck it in an envelope. I told him he'd better watch out. All the little girls will be inviting him to their parties and want a Morgan designed piece of jewellery. He just shrugged and said something about how he'd be happy to do so.:-) I love that kid!

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 01:33 PM

Dishes are done (can you tell that's it a big deal to me to have those done all the time?!?!?) Laundry is going, baby is sleeping, countertop is clean. Spent most of the morning at a friend's house who was hosting a Mary Kay party. We did facials and hand treatments...it was fun and relaxing. Jeremiah loved being held by all the women there!

Took Ambien late last night and got up early this morning, I feel like I'm in a fog....feeling funky even though the day is going just fine. Not enough sleep and this gray weather maybe.....

I called about a dumpster recently. DH wants to clean up a bunch of construction stuff and other things that needed to be disposed of some time ago so that I can park next to the house this winter with the baby. YAY. I had just planned to put Jeremiah on a sled and slide him down to the house...he'd love that!!

So...Jeremiah is napping and I think I'm going to do the same (or at least read until I do).

Rain rain go away, come again another day!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 10:50 AM

I must have gotten carried away with my decluttering - I arrived at the getaway sans luggage.
Home to a mess - at some point I have to resurrect the vacuum and attack the bathroom.
Too much music in my head at the moment. And my thyroid is running rampant. SIGH
It was good to sleep in my own bed with only Alice snoring.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 09:21 AM

Today there will be a showdown over the Clonidine. I asked the doc, before vacay, how many co-pays to budget for, August 2010 to August 2011. I got an answer, and we duly budgeted. (Of course there is more $ to tap in case of an ER trip.)

We have used now half the year's budgeted co-pay with no change at all in my BP and no change in daily function except for the rather severe attrition across the board with the Clonidine. The energy is flowing in the wrong direction-- and I always know "Which Way is Life?"

So if it has not produced a measurable result-- 8 weeks into a 3-week trial-- it's bye-bye Clonidine, and on to other diagnostics and meds adjustments.

... because I am no one's "deep pocket" to furnish unlimited "maintenance" co-pays.


~Susan, Empowered Patient

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 12:14 AM

Accountability-wise, the dogs and I had another nice evening walk. They are simply such good company.

How do you describe the bond between a human and their dog pack? I know Kat is feeling the emptiness at her home after the passing of her pooch. Dogs are somehow a link between the human and the animal world - the view through to the other side. We don't talk, per se, but we communicate. My pit bull literally smiles and wags her pleasure when I stop by the garage gate when I get home. I think she can no longer separate that "trick" of smiling from wagging. They go together, and she learned it because I smile at her. Amazing, when you think about it.

We go for walks and my catahoula is very protective of me if we meet people or other dogs; she is such a one-woman dog, she would be happy at my side all day long. I have my suspicions about her early puppy-hood; I think she was the pampered pet until she got to be big and noisy. I need to understand that it is her nature to be bonded to a human or her pushy behavior would be way-annoying. She likes Cinnamon and doesn't want to be separated from her, but she would choose me in a heartbeat if she could have only one of us. Luckily, she doesn't have to choose. :)

Enough of a riff on dogs, but after that Nature series about dogs and their domestication (I may have mentioned it here, it has come up at Mudcat), it makes me appreciate these two all the more (you can watch the programs online, if you're interested).

Laundry and dishes are finished. I need to move the extra set of shelves in the sun room, and I'll do that before I head to bed. Will report in the morning, if I have time before I head out for appointments and a photo session.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 07:07 PM

Moving can be a racket - as in criminal - here in the U.S. There are interstate commerce rules that are in effect if you move from one state to another, but within the state you can be on your own. In Texas these companies are all a crap shoot. I've had stuff damaged and stolen by the big name movers and I've had stuff crammed and moved and broken by the "firefighter" types (the idea being that these are for-real fire fighters who do this on their days off. They're not.) The last move I did by myself, with my pickup truck. I got a great workout, and it is amazing how many pieces of furniture can be easy to move when they're taken apart (the heavy mirror off of the dresser, the drawers of out the dresser, etc.)

Moonglow was 13 when we moved from the apartment to this house, and she did a lot of hard work on a couple of days when we were taking apart and lugging in and out. I'd told her I'd pay her something, but mostly it was just a family thing and we had to move. I remember her eyes opened wide when I handed her a folded up $50 bill. It had been in my wallet for a long time as mad money, but this kid earned it.

I need to finish moving the extra shelves out of the sun room, to someplace useful. The larger set will be a help in there, and I suppose I could set the shorter set on the window seat and let them hold plants. I'll give it a thought anyway. Time to start digging up a few herbs to winter over in the house in that window.

National Night Out (crime prevention) here in the states. Anyone going to the events in your communities? I may go sit on the front porch and just be visible. ;)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 07:03 PM

Whew. It's craptastic outside today! Gray. Cold. Rainy. YUCK.

I did laundry, dishes and grocery shopping (which for me means about 50 miles round trip of driving in the rain). I also made some homemade macaroni and cheese to go with some beef BBQ tonight....filling and something to warm the belly.

I'm off to play with my baby. :)

Lator Gators.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 03:38 PM

The removal companies usually run a packing service, if you want it. Your stuff is put into a container - everything boxed, all furniture wrapped - The container is sealed in front of you and then the they will store it in the sealed container till you are ready for it to be delivered. The company I had round today will only require a day's notice to deliver it out, and will be outside the new house at 8am to unload!
I've 2 more (including the well-known Pickfords) coming tomorrow.

I'm starting to make lists of the stuff I am going to need to pack for my use between houses. I think early next week the suitcases will be coming out! I am also going to stack up all the boxes from the attic into the middle of the kitchen, once the knacked old table goes mid week.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 03:16 PM

Apparently Clonidine plus headcold does not equal doing Tuesday errands-- it equals soup from canned beans, and MAYBE cleaning up after ydy's workday in a warm kitchen, with tunes. And a chairnap.

And a trip up to Room #1 for... what the heck did I leave up there? I just know I have to go up there. With dog-- he's still looking for Adrian whose smell is up there and whose name Faulkner is learning.

Oh well, I'll spot it when the Clonidine wears off I hope;

And I drew a whole-house-plus-addition for one friend who is a great resource on landladying and another with years of experience hosting hunters for Big Bucks.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Alice
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 03:00 PM

photo of my treadle laptop desk

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 01:33 PM

Ah, another reason I found I didn't like that exerciser is because it is actually pedalling and so cannot sit under my desk as my knees come up too high whilst pedalling...they hit the keyboard tray. Alice, I think you've really made a NEAT discovery. Wish I had my MIL's old treadle machine.

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 01:25 PM

Sitting for long periods of time is hard on the feet and legs, so that kind of exercise sounds excellent. Some program I passed over on television a while back showed how some doctor has set his office equipment up in such a way that he slowly walks on a treadmill as he works on his laptop, mounted on the front handlebar. He was making the case that if we just moved around more instead of sitting still we'd be a lot healthier and more fit.

Have been in the yard talking to the phone company contractors working next door. They are trying to locate the cable from that yard to the next phone co. node, and we're all kind of blank on where the cable runs. The dogs have been watching them from the back of the yard, enjoying the activity. I pulled out my survey but don't find any indicator of where the phone lines may run underground. I did make notes when I had the Invisible Fence put it - they marked where all of the lines and wires run to avoid cutting anything. None were straight across the middle of the back yard, though there is a sewer easement under there.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 01:08 PM

I bought a cheap pedal-exerciser thing which sits on the floor for lower leg sort of like what you do with a treadle and on a table for the arms, but it is so lightweight, it won't stay put! Rog offered to mount it on a board, but I didn't get it to have that kind of clutter, so it sits in storage. Qi gong will suffice, for now.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Alice
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 12:50 PM

I'm loving this treadle under my laptop for exercising... I should have thought of this years ago!!

A.

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 12:39 PM

Love that treadle exercise, Alice, and Uncle Pete! Our daughter pulled up the wall-to-wall in our LR when she and Morgan lived with us. We were delighted to find hardwood underneath. No carpeting in our house now and yes! it is much cleaner, esp. if one has pets.

I've spent the morning registering some books at the Library of Congress. I saved $15 per book by doing it on line, though I do still have to send two hard copies of the one which is already published.

Have also folded and put away one load of laundry; another is in the dryer. Just getting ready to photograph some more things for etsy/ebay.

Oh, and have had another book requested. It is ready to go out the door with Rog when he comes home for lunch.

Accountability...I am working without extra O2 this morning and concentrating on NOT being a lazy breather...O2 sats are staying up, too!

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Alice
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 11:17 AM

Forgot to say, added this painting today
uncle Pete

There is original hardwood floor in my house that was covered by wall to wall carpeting when I moved in. Over the years I have removed all of the carpeting except for what was in my son's bedroom. Now I can rip that up, too. Hardwood is so much cleaner!

A.

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 10:58 AM

What a novel exercise form! :)

Last night when I was shopping at the high-end grocery (lots of organic and bulk items) I found some relatively inexpensive fresh wild salmon. It's coho, not the highest salmon in demand, but this looked nice and was a big enough fillet to brine and smoke. This morning I boned and cut it into pieces and made my brine (wine, soy sauce, sugar, salt, seasoning) and it will marinade all day and overnight. In the morning I'll pull the pieces out of the bowl and set them in a single layer on a plate in the fridge so they can dry a bit. The sugar in the brine will help it form a kind of skin or surface layer that it needs to absorb the smoke well. I have appointments tomorrow until early afternoon, and when I come in after that I will see if it is ready to go in the smoker for a few hours.

From there, they'll be individually wrapped and go in the freezer. This is one of my holiday gifts for the kids. They've been asking me to smoke some salmon for the last couple of years, and it was a problem of finding the time and the fish. I have about 3 1/2 pounds in there, just one large bowl full. But it's enough to give them plenty of fish eating pleasure and the "value added" aspect of my smoking this fish makes it a very nice gift. (It's like buying the fabric and making the garment or buying the wood and building the cabinet - all the better because it has some of you in it!)

For accountability, I walked the dogs again last night, and each evening we'll push the walk a little longer until we're out for about 30 minutes. They love walks this time of year because there are lots of acorns on the ground. They munch their way around the neighborhood and these dogs know the location of every red oak on each street we regularly traverse. So far we're not finding any pecans worth paying attention to. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Alice
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 10:17 AM

I decluttered my bedroom last night to the point that it echos now.

Exercise - I moved my laptop to my treadle sewing machine (with the machine folded inside of course) and discovered that without the belt on, I can just treadle away while I'm on the computer, and it gets my heart rate up quickly. Yay!


A.

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 09:07 AM

Andrea, following mg's thought upthread about hiring assistance, do you have this option we here in the US have:

1-800-PACK RAT. Of course there are several other similar vendors here in the US-- the idea is they can take the filled unit and store it till you are ready to unload it-- or plumb its depths. But I thought the name of this one was so memorable for us declutterers that when I saw it on TV this AM, I thought: hm......

Their story: In 2001, a North Carolina entrepreneur sketched out an all-steel weatherproof portable storage design that was jokingly referred to as a Pack Rat because of its ability to store everything. The founder then sought out one of the most experienced heavy-equipment manufacturers in the country. Together they built a system that can lift a fully-loaded (up to 8,500 pounds) PACK-RAT container without swaying or shifting and gently place it anywhere a truck can be driven. This state-of-the-art system was critical to creating 1-800-PACK-RAT - The simplest way to store or move your stuff.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 04:04 AM

There are so many coincidences between buying the place I'm in right now and the new one:

Same time of year, same degree of haste in finding a place, similar problems with the building (though not quite as many).

We moved in here with the plasterer just starting work on the ground floor after the injected damp proofing. There was no kitchen, as all that had to be ripped out, and all the radiators were off the walls. It was November 17th, grey, damp and cold. We were 2 adults, an 8 year old, a nearly 7 year old, and a 16 month old. We just moved upstairs for the duration, and used a kettle and microwave.
If I have to, I will just do the same (depending on when I decide to do work. In the previous move, the mortgage company wouldn't release all the cash until the damp work was done. I have no mortgage now, so there's no such pressure. I can see that when I do the damp I may end up replacing the kitchen, unless I can find a dry place to store the units. However, it's small, so the cost of a new one won't be too bad.

The next few days are involving going through stored stuff yet again, and seeing what can go in round 3 of the reduction process. And it's getting much harder!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 09:38 PM

Alice,

   I love the watercolor!!! And thanks for the reminder about planting bulbs! I purchased some new ones this year and had tucked them away..forgot all about it! I'll get them out in the morning and wait until it dries out around here...3 more days of rain predicted.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Alice
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 09:16 PM

Yesterday planted the last of the tulip bulbs, including a large container on the deck that is right up against the big picture window that fills that wall. It will be cheering to look out and see red flowers there next spring.

Today finished clearing up the garden except for two blooming containers of marigolds that I'll keep out there until after frost. I brought in the container of bell peppers that is still growing and the herb pot. The last to come in will be the 5 pots of blooming flowers on the front steps.

Added a watercolor to my etsy spot: CLICK

A.

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: ragdall
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 08:40 PM

Got the outsides washed on the four windows that don't open, also the two glass panels on the back storm door. Moved the trellis/mini pergola under the spruce trees. Carried the deck chairs, umbrella and stand down and stowed them under the deck for the winter. The chairs will change position with the snowblowers next month. Washed the deck railing to remove the black slime that accumulates anywhere the trees and shrubs overhang. Pruned overhanging lilac branches.

Am now trying to motivate myself to clean the inside of two basement windows where geraniums will spend the winter. Also need to brush down, wash and dry the planters that will each hold five geranium pots and get at least the ten geraniums along the back of the house potted and inside before the predicted -2ºC arrives tonight.

Where to start?
rags

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 07:32 PM

Made a little progress with the gardening shelf by the door last night, and I'll do more this evening, but first I have to go get more shoes for the garden. I'll set up a place to leave them under the shelf - as it is, I sometimes have to go check three or four places to find where I left my outdoor shoes when I'm getting set to go work.

Usually a pair that has been used in everyday service becomes scuffed enough to be relegated to the garden, but I don't have any pairs like that right now so I'll head by Famous Footwear and get two of the Reebok "Princess" walking shoes (hate the name, but it is a very practical style I've been using for years). One pair goes straight into the dirt, the other will be for general walking around in black walking shoes.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 06:46 PM

Yes, but if I had not received the wonderful generosity of Pat and Brian (groceries) at a timely moment, I could not have had the pleasure of aiding the beginning of this young man's professional career in HandymanLand. As it was, I was his #2 crew member, which is how come he got so much done, too-- I stayed a room and a step ahead of him, to make his time as productive as possible.

And I really enjoyed his honesty about just starting out-- we had a "how to work with us" chat when he came, about how since I am working on my own, in this house, to get as much done as possible... and since I only call him in for things I cannot do-- that by the time he arrives I have a pretty clear view of what needs to be done and how to go about it. BUT, more importantly, that I do not care to micro-manage or "have it my way" if he has a better way or a way he prefers to do a task-- Part of what we expect is that he be clear, right back, on how HE thinks a job ought to proceed.

And he did have a few ways of doing the job that differed from my idea of how it might have been be done-- with a FABulous result I am happy to credit him with, and thrilled to have left in his hands. (I paid enough attention to learn how to do the few steps he was not able to complete, and he's happy either to come back and do them if I don't, or come back and start a new project.)

We also discussed whether he wants to decide when to call in a second helper, and when to claim all the "paid" hours for himself-- for a kid still living at home it's gas money, but for Adrian it's how he makes his living. "I think I don't know enough yet to decide," he said, "so we'll have to decide together."

I think it helps that I have done most of the jobs I now must pay others to do-- the flow of work and the expectations are more realistic. OK so he took longer on the stairs than I thought-- HOORAY, because I was near enough to know (working on sorting all those cans) that there was not one wasted minute, and that he took longer because he took CARE.

He was doing something he wanted to be proud to put his name to-- an attitude I can respect so much.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 05:04 PM

More has gotten done in the last 2 hours than I could do in a week. He's finished everything I could not do in Room #1 and is now onto the stairs.



--

Is this not usually the case when we hire professionals? And why are people so resistant..I know money plays a part, but there is bartering for services..sometimes with cluttered people there are appliances or furniture or household goods to offer in exchange...I always always recommend having professionals do whatever we can not do efficiently ourselves..they need the money and can do it so much better usually..even just a person with a truck for a few hours can do wonders and yet people are just refusing often to do this...shame of seeing our messy lives I think is a factor...someone ..was it Gloria Steinem or somebody..who gave women the notion we had to everything there was..I don't know and I don't get it but we have to break through this and just Hire It Done. mg

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 04:23 PM

There's a new program on - the Nate Burkus Show - one of Oprah's spinoff's. I've caught it a couple of times during the week. He does a lot with de-cluttering and flea market finds. A great idea is to have people "shop their own houses."

I'm underwhelmed by his person who advises on collectibles and such. Frankly, I can't see going to Target to buy some platter because this assistant says that in 10 or 20 years it will be worth a few bucks more. What a waste of time and money. Like the collections of Beanie Babies and such - they are artificially "valuable" and that idea can tank easily (and, I think, predictably).

Maybe in 50 years a Beanie Baby collection will have some value and interest, but there are a lot of things people collect that are so widely mass produced that frankly, putting the uncirculated paper money away for many years will probably bring more value from collectors than the things you'd buy with the cash.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 03:57 PM

Floor playtime for Mommy and Baby today.
More laundry going (lots of baby clothes from that giant yard sale), a couple of butternut squash from our garden peeled, cut and cooked up (makes enough for a few meals), potatoes peeled, cut and in the pot ready to make mashed potatoes to go with dinner later on.

I'm tired. The baby is napping and I'm going to too.

Night all.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 03:31 PM

Got most of the lawn mowed today; just a little out in the back left to cut. Will spend the rest of the afternoon dead-heading. Took a trunkful of stuff to the recycling center this morning. That cleaned up my front porch. I've seldom "had a plan come together". Glad it's working out for you, Susan.

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 03:03 PM

(((Alice))) Been there. It is sad and joyous, isn't it?

The haul of canned good is now in the house and sorted. It was quite easy to allocate it; bandfriend Ed took home quite a bit and word was passed about the rest of it; he had stopped by to meet Adrian because if Adrian is ever sched to be here one day and I can't be, Ed will let him in and help find tools, manage dogs, etc.

I'm keeping mostly meal-in-a-can stuff for travel and home-office worktime. Some of it is hot chilies Hardi will enjoy to spice up his boring diabetic diet, and canned fruit. TBTG Pat's diet was a lot like ours-- all that fruit is packed in juice, not syrup.

I hain't added up the lowball cost of it all, but a good portion of it will go to the church as a donation towards my ministry-ed expenses. For now it's at least listed.

The part I kept, it turns out, neatly fits in the spaces cleared last week. The part going to the church is all sorted, inventoried, neatly packaged, and will sit in cool storage in the church bsmt till needed.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Alice
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 02:38 PM

I've been going through some sad decluttering because even though I am happy my son is moving on with a career opportunity, it is sad to have him be so far away that I don't know when I'll see him again. I will re-arrange a desk he used to be a place for etsy shipping, and have a chance to clear some space in the house, but it is a big life change for both of us.

A.

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 02:26 PM

If you're doing that exercise program with him I think you'll find a lot of extra ways to watch his development as he rolls around the floor with you. What fun!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Alice
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 12:47 PM

That is such a sweet age! I know you are treasuring every little milestone.

A.

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 12:43 PM

Nervous energy today. Breakfast made and cleaned up, lunch packed for my honey, dishes done, 2nd load of laundry going, pot roast cooking, half a bushel of apples washed and soon to be cut up for applesauce as soon as I get the jars run through the dishwasher (next load) and sterilized (I run them through the dishwasher and then boil them...overkill, maybe....rather be safe though).

Jeremiah is ready to crawl! I heard him cooing in he woke up from his nap, went and found him in crawling position at the other end of the crib...smiling from ear to ear. I called to him and he crawled/scooched (combination) right to me!!!! He's all proud of himself and I'm soooo excited for him!!!! :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 12:18 PM

SRS, I wouldn't want to hang one of those around my neck, either, but it is supposed to be THE latest and I think it will be fun to try, at least my own version of it. You will get to your beads, I am sure...when the time is right, there you'll be!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 11:53 AM

Adrian is here. He came early, he shook hands, and I suspect he's our Mmario's cousin. He plays bass. He's great to work on his own, or with me as second pair of hands. He has none of the older locals' attitudes about women (and women as bosses in particular)-- collaboratively able to hold his own.

And Faulkner OKd him.

More has gotten done in the last 2 hours than I could do in a week. He's finished everything I could not do in Room #1 and is now onto the stairs.

From Pat and Brian I learned that when you recommend someone to someone else, it's important to be sure it's understood that you are not giving up your own "spot" in that person's schedule. We've committed to monthly help-- twice monthly if the budget allows-- if the rest of the day goes as well as the first part has gone.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 11:43 AM

Congratulations, Andrea!!!

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 11:34 AM

Andrea,

When I moved into this house I had a month between signing the paperwork and when I had to be out of the apartment. The contractor was going full-tilt - by the time I got moved in he had completed a lot of the indoor work (put in new shower surrounds, raised the ceiling in kitchen from an oppressive fur down cave-like feel, etc.) That said, my plan when I moved in was to completely fill two rooms that the contractors didn't need to touch with all of my furniture.

Sinks and toilets worked but we bathed in a galvanized tub for a few weeks. At first we had beds and cots in one bedroom and I painted and tiled another one. When it was ready, I moved the kids' beds in there, and set up a futon for myself in the living room and started working on that room we'd first slept in. When that was was ready I moved furniture into there and cleared out the third bedroom that had been packed full and painted and tiled it. I finally moved my daughter into that room and we gradually unpacked as I finished my end of the work. Hopefully it won't take you so long to get settled in, but it is possible to have possession of a house and still have to camp out for a while. It certainly helps you appreciate the finished house!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 09:42 AM

! ! ! G O   A N D R E A ! ! !

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 09:12 AM

Looks like I will be officially out of here on 22nd October (they want to exchange contracts on Friday). In fact, if I can, I want to get the furnishings out and away on 19th or 20th, which gives me a day or two to clean up and drop off the keys. Then I will be able to relax and enjoy the Musicport Festival in Bridlington from 22-24 October. The cat will go into the cattery a day before the removers come, and he can stay there until after I am safely in my new place, when I will come down and fetch him up there.

The YMCA are collecting the sideboard and chair next Monday, and I will arrange to get the new sofa delivered sometime that week too. I hope to have some idea later this week as to a likely completion date at the northern end. It's all moving very fast! I would like to get up into the new place a day or two before the furniture arrives, so that I can start to organise plumbers etc. I must just make sure the removers leave me a sleeping bag, airbed and kettle! There's several places to eat in Belford, plus a fish and chip shop and a supermarket, so I won't starve!

Andrea

Subject: ADD: "Gee I love it when a plan comes together"
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 08:44 AM

Another frequent saying around our place is, "Gee I love it when a plan comes together." This is one of those days.

Adrian-the-handyman is indeed coming today as scheduled; the other job that threatened to squeeze us off his schedule for the day is an outside one, and it's due to pour buckets today. So as he predicted Sat., he will be free for the time we booked. (I'll never be able to afford to claim a week's worth of his time, and am happy just to fit into the edges of his schedule.) I'm glad he's busy-- that means he's good.

Now, Adrian's pay is coming out the the Oct. 1 grocery check. I figgered on a lot of beans and hot dogs this month, but his pay is still a pretty deep cut in the bottom line. Silly me-- I hadn't anticipated that dear Pat would fill my van with beans and fruit yesterday. Adrian will unload it. "Gee I love it when a plan comes together."

These cans went into the van via Pat's laundry basket (dumped and refilled x number of times). I do not have such baskets, nor boxes-- I have the same dear Pat's 5-gal plastic nursery pots, only a few of which were in use this year. That's how we met Pat and Brioan and Sean and Orla and Katy who now lives with us-- FreeCycle. "Gee I love it when a plan comes together."

Adrian can use the pots to stow cans for me to paw thru and sort-- we used one last ight to bring in a representative batch for supper, YUM!

Pat's an organic shopper, and also a huge supporter of my back-to-life plan. A lot of this is stuff she can no longer eat. "Gee I love it when a plan comes together." She intended most of these cans to go up to my home office kitchen. I know there's not room for TOO much of it and we DO know a lot of hungry people-- not least of which is Steve, who helped Pat and Brian load the lot.

Steve is homeless (don't worry, he will not be worried that I gave his real name), and has nowhere to store cans.... "Gee I love it when a plan comes together." His stash will be kept at the church, where he regularly helps Hardi move heavy things for some help with his food program. And encouragement/support for HIS "back to life" program.

Today's plan is for Adrian and I to carpet the stairs up to Room #1. Who knows-- he may end up living up there, or pass the word among his pals. We will also lay and trim a roomsize rug upstairs, and look over some future painting work.

I like Adrian already. He remembered to call regarding the scheduling, and to find out what we'd be doing so he'd bring the right tools. That's a great start! :~)

Gee I love it when a plan comes together!!!

~Susan

Gee I love it when a plan comes together.

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: ragdall
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 05:31 AM

SRS,
Your house and yard are beautiful. What a lot of trees and shrubs you have.


rags

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 02:28 AM

A clean office is quite a luxury! Good work, Kat, and again, it sounds great about the access to the beading materials. I know enough people with tangled chains that didn't need any special construction - I don't know that I would want to wear the weight of that tangle around my neck on even the chain they show. But I'm not quite ready yet to even work on the modest single strands I have in mind.

The back lawn has been mowed and I pruned a few branches in the way and little trees growing up in the fence line. The limbs are piled at the curb for tomorrow's trash. I worked on my keyhole garden a little more, digging and setting a few more stones around a big curve in the wall and filling in with three more bags of humus and top soil.

I also did some shopping and found pot roast on sale so picked up three that are now cut into 1 and 1 1/2 pound pieces in the freezer, enough to last me for quite a while. I use this for my ground beef now instead of buying hamburger.

I was thinking about grinding a pound of the last batch of that beef chuck, and took it out yesterday to thaw a little (it is easiest when it's still slightly frozen). It thawed completely, so today I made a small pot roast. With 2 carrots and potatoes it was enough for a meal this evening and leftovers for another dinner. I also made banana bread, so breakfast is handled for this week.

Kitchen is clean. Trash is at the curb, linens changed, groceries put away. The garage has been adjusted because the weather is finally cooling. Window closed, door closed, and the dogs can go through their dog door now into their cozy hay-filled stall and dog houses.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Oct 10 - 07:09 PM

Thanks, Alice! Now, I might finally be able to get going with more stuff on Etsy as it is all back there, waiting for me on the shelves Rog put up last weekend.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Alice
Date: 03 Oct 10 - 07:04 PM

Congratulations, kat! Clean office... big WIN for you!

A.

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Oct 10 - 03:46 PM

After about 2.5 hours of strenuous work, Rog and I have mucked out the office! That room has been calling me, my sanctum and Morgan's are in there and I didn't even want to go in to light candles and incense, it was such a mess.

Rog has been a trooper, today. He carried about 3-4 loads of stuff out to the caravan for storage, stuff we use when needed, but doesn't need to be in here all of the time. He also hauled out trash and giveaways.

We got my laptop set up, again, on the huge desk, with external monitor, keyboard and wireless mouse, (wait 'til Morgan sees that!), the rest of the desk cleared off except for jewellery making supplies, so now I truly can get comfy and CREATE! My first project will be something along these lines, MESSY CHAIN, as it is supposed to be THE thing this Fall. I think it won't take me too long to come up with a piece or two for Etsy.

Also in the office, I used a narrow, tallish old nightstand with one wee drawer and two shelves to display some pieces of Beauty which I had nowhere to display, previously...a beautiful large seashell; some driftwood; a basket of small seashells and sea glass; two tiny pottery pieces with collected stones; and, a bronze-casting I made from a bittersweet vine which I'd dried in the form of a circle. I used to make dream webs using them. The bronze piece unintentionally looks like a "crown of thorns!" (Hmmm...another Etsy idea has come to mind!)

We also got the shredder set up beside my chair in the DR and there is a box of papers which had been sitting in the old office, waiting to be be fed to the shredder.

SRS, with all of your talk about your wonderful CD collection, I have become more determined to finally get all of the rest of my CDs loaded into my external HD, then put away in my 300 CD changer. That way I can listen to them, either way; one reaches the back of the house, i.e. bedroom, better than the other; they will be preserved both dust-free in the changer and on the HD. I am just about to order an external DVD/CD player for my laptop, but will also use it out here for loading the CDs onto the HD as it will be easier to reach than the built-in one. Thanks for continuing to inspire me to get more done!

We're sure clicking along this month. Only the third and already almost one hundred posts!

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Oct 10 - 03:07 PM

Kids get so much out of seeing the example of their loved ones working. Good for his dad, taking Morgan with him to work.

Spoke with neighbor this afternoon, she's doing some heavy yard work in front. My tiller hasn't been run for a while and I'm afraid would tear up her irrigation system, but this was a reminder that I should use it on occasion to keep it running.

Had a late lunch, now back out to the yard. I have several CDs in the changer and will resume listening at the next break. So far it was Glen Gould with Bach's Goldberg Variations.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Oct 10 - 01:43 PM

Alice, thanks for the video link. How neat!! I remember reading about etsy when it first started, in fact, I think it was on the Mudcat Crafters thread, years ago, but how cool to hear the founder etc. Wouldn't a craft night be fun!?

Rog put away clean dishes, I've done a couple fo loads of laundry including the cover off of the dog's bed...it's time to put it away for awhile, at least, put some already folded clothes away, Rog swept while I scrubbed the bathroom and we cleaned up a bunch of miscellaneous in our bedroom.

We also taped up the huge box to our daughter. It is by the front door on its way to Rog's truck and I packed up a box of stuff to a friend, plus had three more books requested from paperbackswap...so packaged those up as well as one or two to our son, so there is a pile of mail by the front door, also, which will go out tomorrow.

After it is gone, I will take a picture of the LR window with the Norfolk Pine to share with you all.

SRS, I'd love to see more of the gorgeous yards you all work so hard in, but ours looks like a wild mess...maybe a shot of my few perennials would do. The backyard is sad-looking. OH and we really don't have much in the way of Fall colour changes, yet, soon, though. I wish I could get up to the high country today to get pix of the aspens as they are golden, now, but it's just not feasible, today and they'll probably be done by next weekend. Rags, your backyard and trellis look beautiful, as do you. Looks as though you were having fun!:-)

Rog is going to help me try to make a dent in the office, then I think I will try to get some more vintage books up on etsy or some other things. At some point Morgan is supposed to call me, when he gets done going to work with his dad, and we may go have lunch. He told me his dad's boss needed "another guy and that's ME!" But, as he is not getting paid, he could "take a break and call you any time, Mama!" He must be having fun because I haven't heard from him, yet.