DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025

Subject: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Dec 24 - 12:27 PM

Katlaughing started these threads many years ago, as a place where our musically-active members exchange mostly non-musical tips and moral support. By comparison, The Mother of All BS ran for years and years and accumulated over 60,000 posts (not all in one thread – the original has been down for "work" since spammers used it as an impromptu DOS attack.) MOAB also didn't help us clean our guest rooms or garages, though it did have us diving deep into our imaginations to keep the patter moving along. These annual declutter threads may add up to a lot of posts, but don't clog the server. The Sisterhood of Decluttering has thereby spared the 'Cat shutdowns and proved that organizing content, even if only once a year, is efficient.

We've discussed organizing our homes and businesses through articles from Martha Stewart and books of Don Aslett and Marie Kondo and whatever the source was of Swedish Death Cleaning. There have been dedicated declutterers who dropped in for tips for a time, finished their work, and moved on. There are lurkers who rarely say anything, but we're glad to learn of their projects or progress when they do.

Last year we saw accounts of people moving or preparing to move, a much larger project than just the Chinese sliding puzzle most of us do. I suppose some of us who have more than one floor in our houses are doing a large-scale version of Rubik's cube. Moving is harder, especially if you're doing much of the work on your own. Pacing yourself and not beating up on yourself if things need redoing or a big change in plans is part of it.

Health issues for several of us have been working out in real-time over the weeks and months of 2024, and though some former members haven't posted here lately, I've seen accounts of knee replacements and more as we get things treated or fixed and move forward. Cooking and cleaning utensils enter and leave our homes. Hearing aids (they're no good if they aren't easy to operate), vehicles, trailers, snow tires, storage units, clean garages, organizing yards and compost, they're all part of the conversation.

Here is the 2024 thread, for reference, and each one links back to prior threads. If there is some discussion in particular you're looking for, use the Google advanced search, place your terms in the top and Declutter in the "must contain" line and point it at the Mudcat site.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Dec 24 - 12:47 PM

Every time I see some immaculate modern home on a program or film I have to snort; there are people who manage to do that, but I'll never be one. Keeping up with the dog hair and sweeping regularly, dusting on occasion, and mostly just being able to find the things I'm looking for when I need them are my goals.

Having spaces set aside for specific activities means there is a room where I can work jigsaw puzzles and another one where I can sew. There is a fully functional guest room that isn't the recipient of stuff that needs to be put out of the way (my front room, kind of a second living room, is where that happens). My bedroom is the tidiest room (though there is a chair where clothes hang that aren't ready for the laundry yet) and my closet is organized. Years ago I took a hint from my father's closet when I cleared out his estate and have clothes hanging arranged by color.

To put away the holiday decorations on shelves using a sturdy step ladder mean's I'm going to have to temporarily evict the dog and her bed that now occupy my office closet. It's almost noon on New Year's Eve and I'm still puttering in my bathrobe so I will dress and get a few things done. Since the start of the New Year tends to be a depressing time (even moreso this year) I try to have the holiday stuff put away so it isn't there as a reminder of something that needs doing. I'll take down the outside stuff when I get around to it (simply unplug for now). The new LED up lights on the mantle will stay there and I'll enjoy using them, now that they don't present a fire hazard.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jan 25 - 12:29 PM

A grim start to the New Year, news channels covering an assassination-by-pickup of revelers in New Orleans instead of what they probably planned, looking at the magical setup for the Rose Parade in Pasadena. The local fireworks and gunfire last night were noisier than any July 4th I've heard in recent memory. Is this a celebration for the year they think will be better under Trump? I hate to rain on their parade so soon, but with their votes they drilled holes in their own boat below the water line. We will all sink with this one if we don't work hard to keep Democracy afloat.

I have a fresh notepad next to the computer to keep track of letters and emails I'll be writing to my representatives and others in positions to make a difference. This is starting before the inauguration because in Texas it's all GOP hardliners who were re-elected. I may need to start a spreadsheet at some point, those being more easily searchable and use for cut-and-paste.

Meanwhile, locally, this is the year when the front room gets emptied out. I've planned it for a while, have the boxes I need to ship things, now to list them and get them out the door. My bullet journal is set up for January and I've used an earlier blank page to start a list of eBay items, to be able to see progress as things sell (versus them just disappearing from the eBay page itself). A visual aid.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 01 Jan 25 - 02:41 PM

Comment from Herself (who's a dinkum cook) about air fryers: "If it cooks hotter, you'll need better cuts of meat."

---

Here's the air fryer post from yesterday (but also from last year). ---mudelf

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: keberoxu
Date: 01 Jan 25 - 05:46 PM

Sometime this month I must complete one task,
summoning to my apartment
the 1 800 GOT JUNK people.
There are some items that are no use and I need to get rid of them.
It will be an important step in preparing for an eventual move.
So that declutter task is ahead.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: pattyClink
Date: 01 Jan 25 - 08:53 PM

So what's the breakdown on that, keb? Will you need a central staging area where all the 'take this stuff' sits, or will each room have a go-pile, a stay-pile? Sounds like a big task to get that ready.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Jan 25 - 08:07 AM

I have done something unwise, and my lower back is in spasm. Oh, well, so it goes. This is why I keep Advil in the pantry.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jan 25 - 12:47 PM

Back strain - one of those things that is so easy to re-injure when you try to work too soon. Give the cats a lap to hang out on as long as it takes to get better! And Keb, let the beefy got junk guys do the heavy lifting!

Shredding paper this morning as I looked around the office for digital journal logon information for my tablet. I keep a couple of 3-ring-binders of account information, one for the free stuff, one for the paid. I print out the pages for the binders but they tend to sit for a while before getting filed. The search for one page means I find a couple of dozen others that need filing or shredding.

Today the blue heeler's coat was brushed to remove the sticky tangles from the baldcypress. As the dogs play and roll they pick up sap from the cones the tree drops. She's not a breed of dog that goes in for grooming, but still needs attention periodically. I also have to go through the entire house with broom and vacuum to round up all of the loose hair she has shed. It's amazing how much hair comes off of one 45-pound dog.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Donuel
Date: 02 Jan 25 - 03:02 PM

I haven't had a cold in four years, but today, I am decluttering my body big time. I have bags of used Kleenex, etc.
On this side of the cold, I can almost say it's good for me now and then, but it was challenging for my rib muscles at its peak.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Mrrzy
Date: 02 Jan 25 - 04:24 PM

We might get a winter storm, so I shall be re-cluttering my fridge, I think...

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: pattyClink
Date: 03 Jan 25 - 09:59 AM

Surprising to hear the new year can be depressing to some, I'm pretty invigorated at the thought of new starts and new adventures.

Going on a road trip starting tomorrow, and am taking time to methodically get ready to go. Much less anxiety than a rushed push, so far.

This morning a redditor polled the older people on how to keep things clean, and there were well-earned bits of advice given. Same old stuff but it works; clean as you go in the kitchen, place for everything, put everything back in its place when done. Clean the way you like; if you like dedicating a day to it, fine. If not hit one room at a time, or one task at a time. Maybe this is the year I finally get into some kind of rhythm along these lines.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jan 25 - 12:19 PM

Patty, you'd think new starts would be forward-looking and cheerful, but I believe it's a combination of dark days plus the end of events and ornamental lights, etc., that set people back. They see nothing to look forward to. I had a mother and grandfather in the mental health field so grew up with lots of observations about times of year to do with holidays, length of sunlight, full moons, etc. The social worker always observed that client crises happened most often at the full moon.

While skimming Instagram this morning I saw a short video about a nonprofit group of women helping women with cleaning projects called Hot Mess Express. Their slogan is "not a handout, just a hand." I see a branch in the town west of me. I'd rather volunteer there than have them over to the house, so I need to get my stuff taken care of first.

Whether we already exercise or for those who have thought about doing more, a PBS News report from January 1 might help inspire more activities at the gym, via fitness classes, or just walking. (Bonus - the Stanford doctor has a nice Scottish accent to listen to during the report). More power to the consortium of researchers, they've decided to look at exercise for both men and women. Duh. While you're at it, does anyone else see what looks like a large boulder emerging through the floor behind the doctor?

Yesterday I offered several items through the free groups and today is eBay stuff.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Charmion
Date: 03 Jan 25 - 02:25 PM

The back is better, thanks to Advil and pool class.

In the locker room today, a plump woman well younger than me said that her goal for this year is what I did last year. Some months ago, this same woman scoffed at the notion of low-low-carb ketogenic eating. I blushfully accepted the compliment and forebore to remind her of her previous scorn. She who laughs last, etc.

I just ate the most wonderful stew: bigos, a Polish dish of hunter’s sausage, pulled pork, onions, carrots, mushrooms and sauerkraut in a tangy broth. Delicious! I got it from the nose-bleedingly expensive fancy grocery-cum-deli downtown, where they sell frozen soups, stews casseroles and curries among the virtue-signalling grass-fed this and organic that. Their chef is a genius with slow-cooked meats, and, although a litre of her bigos costs $16.95, it tastes worth the price.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jan 25 - 10:34 PM

Some items in the garage have been moved out of the way so I can drag several small potted trees and shrubs inside tomorrow in preparation for a late Sunday hard freeze. A Freeze Miser device has been installed on the back yard faucet so I can still use the hose in the winter (between cold snaps).

A potting stand and cart in the sunroom were both piled high with stuff that is now in the recycle bin. A few things were added to the donation box in the garage for teacher art supplies. I was able to unload some of my recycling at the village bins this afternoon but they hadn't been emptied yet this week so hopefully tomorrow they'll be cleared out and I can get rid of the rest.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Jan 25 - 11:13 PM

Dupont:

WEll, I again picked up "too heavy" groceries - then spent 3 days hoping I did not fracture vertebrae - as in Feb.I have stopped holding my breath and will remember to take more bags into store and only lift them one at a time! That trip to the ER was one of the worst nightmares of my life - prob The worst.

So ... It is already Friday - 3rd day of the new year! Today, I ascertained that my back is OK but energy level was barely up to get out and push level. until about 6 pm when I put cranberries on to cook - Taun's way! Watching them every few minutes lest they burn - YAY! Did a batch of apple sauce as well! There is still cauliflower soup and cooked carrots, and turkey/gravy from the bakery. Cleaned up yesterday's singed pot and accumulated cutlery and a few dishes. R helps but I need to do my share when I can.

A comment here reminded me of a visit to a couple about my age some years ago; The wife showed me around their lovely - looked like a model house ready for resale! I was stunned. Never in my wildest dreams! WE LIVE in this house!

The wedding was a bit chaotic - the tech expert may have been a bit excited about getting married! But it was a small gathering on FT, decided up and "planned" between leaving here on Sunday, getting back to Philly, getting the license and sending out lovely invitations... They did have a nice Quaker wedding - once they remembered what they had planned to say! Quaker wedding - no one officiating (as in minister) - kind of a do-it-yourself project! Attenders in person were Tenley's adult son, my ex and his 3rd wife, and the cat. On screen were R and I, T's parents and an aunt and uncle, Jeff and Agata and a couple other friends. WE did not exchange many words though I think I made an appropriately Quakerly remark.

The next morning, I pulled a notably crazy faux pas - I inadvertently hit the FT button on my phone and caught almost everyone at BF! Kind of neat actually! My son on Whidbey said a cheerful hi! Figured out what mother had done and said, "I'm going back to bed!"

And back to bed is what I am going to do!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: pattyClink
Date: 04 Jan 25 - 09:54 AM

Had to cancel my trip, hard freezes predicted every night now for who knows how long. Have to hang around and be sure the pipes don't freeze. I thought I could just drain the pipes, but would also have to drain hot water tank, pressure tank and cut the pump off, and I'm just not comfortable with all that yet.   There is someone coming to check on the air in the pipes problem by Monday. Hopefully they can fix the issue and tell me exactly how to set things up so I can leave here on winter trips. But I'm afraid by the time a new decent pumphouse is built it'll be spring.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jan 25 - 12:23 PM

Patty, that Freeze Miser device I linked to is one way to avoid the frozen pipes - when the water temperature reaches ~37 it releases a small amount to keep water moving in the pipes (once in place the water must be turned on). There are also Thermo Cube electric plugs that detect the temperature and I use one of those in the greenhouse (except I gave my extra oil radiator heater to my daughter last year for her pump house). Plug in the heater and turn it on; only when the air reaches something in the high-30s does the plug power the heater.

But like you, I'm preparing for several days of very cold weather. This morning I have floor mats and the cover of a dog bed in the wash, and will build a cocoon enclosure for Cookie, who doesn't have Zeke to sleep on this winter. That old lab really put out the heat! Pepper has never let her cuddle, so in lieu of that (and she's not going to sleep on my bed!) I'm thinking zip ties and a couple of things set up on two sides of the kennel will work. She also has a little jacket but getting her into it is a colossal struggle.

Going shopping for a few basics and some pecan halves to make the Crispy Pecans my friend shared a week ago - without being careful, those are one way I could find myself gaining weight! I'll vacuum seal them in small jars. I've realized his recipe uses a Worcestershire sauce substitute with coconut aminos (it didn't bother me but I avoid it when I can). Regular Lea & Perrins is made with HF corn syrup, and others don't have the anchovy that adds great flavor. After a search I've found one that I can pick up locally (Bear & Burton's W Sauce).

I'll drop office paper and junk mail at the recycling bins, though I've put a bunch of old holiday cards into a paper bag for a pyre in the burn barrel. They need a more dignified departure. I need to revisit some of them first, sent by now-deceased loved ones. I'll keep a few choice letters from them, but I must keep thinning out the paper around here.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Charmion
Date: 04 Jan 25 - 03:40 PM

It’s snowing again in Stratford, now officially kinda deep. Lake-effect “streamers” — ribbon-shaped storm systems — have been blowing in from the west for three days now, and I have dug out my front walk twice, sore back and all. Today I decided to let it be, and just sit at home and read.

I intend to go to church tomorrow morning. There’s no point digging out again until then.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jan 25 - 05:22 PM

After my online search for Worcestershire sauce without HFCS and with anchovies, I looked at the bottle in my cupboard - it had exactly what I wanted and came from Family Dollar. It has a few ounces of sauce still but is six years old and was supposed to be refrigerated after opening, so I got a bottle of each, and the Family Dollar product still has the same ingredients. I'll compare them.

Now to the yard to take down the all of the light strings before dark.