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BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: wysiwyg Date: 16 Sep 08 - 07:34 PM I got TWO lamps plugged in. Go ahead and laugh, but one of them was the full-spectrum lamp aimed at my eyes next to the computer, so I may actually get some other stuff done in the next few days! The other one was next to my recliner, where I spent most of the day hemming travel towels. I'm accumulating a bagful of things that didn't make it into the camper the night we folded it down to beat the windstorm. One last item to wash and airdry, then I'll crank the top up enough to drop these "last" items in. My mawnlaw will be here in.... about 2 weeks. I gotta get cracking! ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Stilly River Sage Date: 16 Sep 08 - 10:48 PM Two boxes of maps and brochures are on my dining room table, but in general the space in my kitchen and dining area has a lighter look--not so much stuff sitting out and around, more room to work. I'm not ready to take these maps over yet, because I'm sure I'll discover more. But it feels really good to pull out stuff that someone might actually find useful and go ahead and donate it. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: katlaughing Date: 17 Sep 08 - 04:00 PM I did something which is stupendous, for me, today! About three years ago our street was torn up, down to the dirt, while they repaired old sewer lines. The dust was horrible. We could not sit out front for all of the dust stirred up with each passing car. At that time, our street was the only outlet street for this old subdivision so there were a lot of cars. I gave up trying to dust the house and I wasn't doing well physically anyway. About a year ago when I hired a gal to come in every other week to vacuum and wash the floors, I asked her to dust just once, but it took up too much time as I really wanted her for the floors, so nothing has been dusted in a real way for at least two years! In, a dry, dry, dirt-filled high desert valley.;-/ My house-cleaner is coming tomorrow. I can always count on Rog taking out the trash and tidying up after himself in the kitchen the day before she comes. I always make sure to have the dishes done, too. Last night I went to bed knowing I would be doing the dishes AND knowing I wanted to get the dusting done, for real, no getting discouraged, no not doing it! Hang on, I'll get to the real deal in a minute...:-) I did not sleep much last night. My lower back has been very sore, esp. if I stay still for too long, so I was up and down all night and almost emptied a bottle of tylenol (well, not really, but it sounds more dramatic). I could barely move this morning (that's not being dramatic:-) Begged Rog to do some rossiter method on my lower back just so I could get started. Felt much better and was able to get up, move around, get breakfast, etc. Even gave my grandson a ride to preschool and my daughter a ride to work. Came back to the house about 10a. Played on Mudcat and email. Timed the dishes with Fresh Air on NPR at 11a. Done with them, realised about 1215p that Rog wasn't coming home for lunch, so I fed myself(!), came back to the PC for a few more minutes, then...are you ready for it? Then, all but the bookshelves, which I will get to this week, I hope. It just smells so good, I use lemon oil, and looks good, and feels good. I cannot believe how much it was bothering me. I also dusted all of the prints and photos hanging on the hallway walls. It also involved emptying a basket on the bottom shelf of the litte table by my chair...lots of clutter in there, now in its proper place! *sigh* a contented kat (there's hope for me yet!) |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: maeve Date: 17 Sep 08 - 04:07 PM Hurray, Kat! Yip Yip Yeahhhhhh! maeve |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: wysiwyg Date: 17 Sep 08 - 04:13 PM I have more dust than you do/did. I am similarly bothered and underpowered. I cannot believe how much it was bothering me. Oh, yeaaaaahhhhh... I hear you! If and when you get caught up-- and that reminds me of a thread to start about what we're behind on and how it bothers us and what we're doing on it, but I can hear the jokes already hijacking it-- howsabout a dust/air filter/purifier or whatever to let the machine take as much out of the air as it can, to reduce the NEXT pile-up? Then send it over here if it works. :~) (Doesn't Morgan want to dust?!?!?!?) Good JOB! (Rest that bod in between challenges so you don't give yourself a setback on your activity level, now, hear?) Me, I made it up to the attic today and found the 4th travel flannel that needed to be hemmed, and when it comes out of the wash I will hem it forthwith. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Stilly River Sage Date: 17 Sep 08 - 04:20 PM Dusting happens a little more often here than you describe, but not much. And it is something I've been considering again. Time to take stuff off of the mantle, move pieces of furniture, etc. Really get around, beneath, and behind things and get the dust, dust kittens (full-flown bobcats here!), twist ties the cats have chased, etc. First, though, I have to dig out an old receipt for the logitech trackman ball pointer device I use. This latest one has died after about a year, and I looked at the box at the store--there is a five year warranty. I go through about one a year. I don't have the box, I don't think, but I have the device and the mouse and I'll get one off of their shelf and show them the problem and ask for an exchange. I do love the way they work--why move my whole hand when my thumb can twitch a little to move the mouse? While I'm at it, I have several things that need repair, replacement, or exchange. I do wish I could stop keeping so many of these computer boxes--I may not have this one, but I have a closet filled with flattened boxes for devices that have warranties. Maybe I'll cut off the bar code and staple it to the warranty--but then they come along with some savings off the next purchase if you clip a logo off of some obscure flap and mail it in. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Stilly River Sage Date: 17 Sep 08 - 04:28 PM I have the device and the receipt. Duh. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: wysiwyg Date: 17 Sep 08 - 05:01 PM Oh I forgot. Spelunking for electric cords last night I found a tennis ball wedged into the back hem of the recliner, like it has sprung a tumor on its ass. I kicked it back into play for the dogs to re-discover along with the tumblerful of dog kibbles that I spilled, chairside-- the supply Sadie's chairside treats to encourage peaceful co-existence with Hardi and make the "sit/down" place real clear to her. Maybe she'd like to chase dust-bobcats. That would be fun! I know SOME people just spray Endust on their cats, to collect it, but this sounds like a better approach. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 Sep 08 - 03:34 PM The last night the last small batch of tomatoes from the garden were cooked into a taco sauce and I processed one pint jar of it. I'm still testing recipes--no point in making a large batch of something I don't like. This was pretty good, but still not quite what I'm aiming at. I have a partial 1/2 pint jar in the fridge now for sampling. It isn't economical to do only one or two jars at a time, but it is a good way to sample and to teach myself the canning methods without too much investment in food materials. All week the temperatures have been so nice that I've had windows open all around the house. I also had the screen door open on the side, so I need to keep any eye out that critters didn't crawl in under the bottom of the door. I catch tarantulas in here every so often this time of year--I have to beat the cats to them. In the de-cluttering operation, I have a nice little collection of items to choose from for this year's Secret Santa, and have my eye on a shelf I need to empty that will also probably go into that area. Gifts or eBay. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: maire-aine Date: 18 Sep 08 - 11:09 PM Today I got the yarn & ribbon, etc. to the senior center; also took them a chess set and a cribbage board & several decks of cards. Got the clean laundry put away. Went to hear Rev. Jim Wallis (God's Politics) speak at Univ-Detroit tonight. Also took back 5 bags of plastic pop bottles back to the store (Michigan has a bottle deposit law), and did my grocery shopping. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 Sep 08 - 11:40 PM I've started listing a few clothes on eBay again. Doing a load of laundry this evening because no matter how high up or boxed in or what have you, the g****mned cat hair gets on everything if it is around for very long. This week has been lovely, one of the nicest since I can't remember when. I've wanted to take the time off and go lie in the yard with the dogs, enjoying the temperatures and the sunshine and a slightly cool breeze. A friend is coming over on Saturday and we'll de-clutter the yard a little and take some limbs out of trees around the fence line that are liable to fall on something. The goal is to not pile them up in a disorderly tangle somewhere until next spring (though those are great for wildlife, especially birds) but to chop up the biggest chunks and take them down to the curb. This isn't fireplace wood, but someone might pick it up. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Stilly River Sage Date: 19 Sep 08 - 07:36 PM Okay! I pushed that big web newsletter into the mail, off of my desk, and now the weekend is mine. MINE! I have a few errands this evening, and then a good weekend and hopefully some real progress. How are the rest of you doing? SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Bat Goddess Date: 19 Sep 08 - 09:27 PM Re: Dust The earth gains approximately two tons a day in micro-meteoritic dust. How can I be expected to keep up?!? (I'm sure it's all dumped directly over my house.) I prefer to think of cat hair as mulch -- it keeps the dust off the furniture. Linn |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: katlaughing Date: 19 Sep 08 - 11:26 PM LOL. Linn remember that thread we had, everyone posted that the dog and cat hair was good insulation?! You all sound as though you are doing great! I figured out why I am not getting much done...all of the ordinary, day-to-day maintenance things are getting in the way..the laundry, the dishes, the etc., etc. We will be mailing off some packages, tomorrow, so that will be gone, then I don't know. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Stilly River Sage Date: 20 Sep 08 - 01:21 AM That everyday stuff will get easier as you get the clutter out of the way. Keep your goal in mind and one day you'll notice how much easier so thing is to do. I have lots of little zones around the house where it is cleared up. By the door, all of my gardening stuff. By the other door, all of the dog stuff. Getting office stuff organized, and the books are looking a lot better. Now if I can get the cat smell out of the front room (still there--gotta wait till I can get past PetSmart for more odor remover) then I can use the space next to the organized books. I seem to let my dust accumulate to the point that there might be amino acids recombining. There's life in those corners! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Stilly River Sage Date: 20 Sep 08 - 09:21 AM Fluorescent light bulbs and a box of expired beauty salon chemicals are going to the hazardous waste dump today. I've a few other things on the To Do list that take me to that side of town. I'll mostly be working in the yard today, but I'll quit in time to make that run. I don't always have a lot to take over there, but I do feel a little more virtuous that I can take these things where they will be disposed of properly. The light bulbs can be taken back to Home Depot, but not the rest. (The beauty chemicals are left in the home of my late hair-cutter's partner. It's time to move on. We're planning a nice afternoon of yard work and lunch. Then the hazardous waste run. I'm planning to not turn on news or the radio the whole time--I'm looking forward to an afternoon of work and not listening to more of the Sky Is Falling on Wall Street.) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: wysiwyg Date: 20 Sep 08 - 09:32 AM Dust-- we are convinced that it is our mission, when on vacay, to move a requisite dirt and dust (and dead bugs) from one campground to another. Like unto how bees pollinate, we're ensuring a little dirt-diversity. It HAS to be good for the planet-- to do what we can to replicate the mmovement of particles that used to be ensured by hunter/gatherer societies in what is now mostly the concrete plain. So obiviously we Catters should pack up our own individual dust-bunnies and mail them on to one another. And those hugs at Catter Gathers take on a new import-- that's particle movcement as surely as it is documented by forensic examination when there's been a murder. Forensics call it "transfer." I know for a fact that "transfer" sent some Faulkner-hair to the UK pubs via Leadfingers, and that LF left some UK pub-dog hair here as well. I'm for it! ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Stilly River Sage Date: 20 Sep 08 - 10:47 AM So, Susan, you want I should mail you my full vacuum cleaner bag? ;-D |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: wysiwyg Date: 20 Sep 08 - 04:49 PM You may certainly bring it on your next visit, and scatter it about. Then I can tell everyone it ain't MY dirt. :~) ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: katlaughing Date: 20 Sep 08 - 05:18 PM LOL! We took three boxes to the mail, today, so there's a tiny bit less clutter in the office. It felt good to get them sent. I have one more to pack, after it gets done being washed. That will go out on Monday. I told Rog I'd be happier if I felt I accomplished more this weekend besides the ordinary things, so he agreed to go through the main book cases with me. We'll see if he does or not.:-)I hope to get him to work in the yard tomorrow morning as it will be cooler and he needs to weed whack. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: wysiwyg Date: 20 Sep 08 - 05:27 PM It could be a whole new strategy on decluttering. Not sure if you should keep something? Send it to me. I'll decide. You can put your return address on the box, or not. If I can't use it, and if the thrift shop can't use it, then it MAY be an entry for the Make-Do Hall of Shame. If so I'll write it up in a special thread for the purpose, THEN throw it the hell OUT. A new approach to Secret Santa. "MudPurge." Who else is in this with me as a receiver/decider? BTW I'm USING those hankies. Who knows what's next? I COULD really use some 7/8" wide bra straps. Preferably white, non-elastic. About ten pairs of them. In the meantime I'll tell the dogs that Stilly's doghair is on its way here. Won't it be FUN? ;~) ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: MAG Date: 20 Sep 08 - 07:10 PM I took the plunge and yesterday called an electrician to come and look at the fried outlet in the living room. It has only been that way for ... 18 months??? The living room is half cleaned out, and I am sure I can clear a path to the corner with the fried outlet tomorrow. Making the commitment forces me to follow through ... |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: maire-aine Date: 20 Sep 08 - 09:23 PM Glad they're working out for you, Susan. I've been a little lax on the de-cluttering effort lately, but got back into gear today. Did some cleanup in the yard. Then went all around the yard, taking pictures every few feet. After I get the prints back, I will write what I want to do in each spot on the back of the photo. Some I'll get to still this fall. Others will have to wait until spring, but at least I'll know what's there without waiting for things to sprout. I work best when I have a list; I enjoy the satisfaction of crossing things off. Oh, and I had a guy come out to look at the roof. He covered up the leak around the fan, and he's coming next week to fix it. I decided to go ahead with getting the whole roof done, since it's coming close to 20 years old. I might as well get this stuff all taken care of now. I feel like I'm rebuilding the whole house, one piece at a time. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: MAG Date: 21 Sep 08 - 03:40 AM someone gave me a penstemon, which is native here. I'll get it in the ground tomorrow. (I long ago mulched out the grass and put in a bunch of mediterranean herbs as well as roses -- yard smells great most of the time). Time for a large tomoto salad; first chill and rainy day of the dark season. Gotta eat 'em before they freeze. and I decided I deserved one shot of Hennessey's (not the virtual kind) since it's my birthday. Off the booze for some time now due to diabetes and the meds. We'll see what it does to my blood sugar. and if it makes me lathargic. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Bat Goddess Date: 21 Sep 08 - 11:56 AM When I posted that bit about micrometeoritic dust, I could neither find the original quote nor verify it from any online source (in a quick look), but I just found it on an archive CD. (See, I AM organized!) "Every hour, the Earth puts on a ton of weight in the form of micrometeoritic dust: ...bits of defunct comets, grime ground off colliding asteroids, and of powder left behind when the planets formed." So that's TWENTY-FOUR TONS a day! -- No wonder none of us can keep up! I still haven't found the source of the quotation, but my educated guess says it is probably an article, circa late '90s, in Smithsonian magazine. Linn |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: katlaughing Date: 21 Sep 08 - 02:16 PM Linn, it's quoted in the III - No Island Earth section from HERE, which is attributed as "Selected extracts from THE NEW YORKER article , January 27, 1997 Timothy Ferris." it's not really clear, though, if that is part of those extracts. There is an abstract of the article at the New Yorker. You have to pay for the whole thing. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: katlaughing Date: 21 Sep 08 - 04:05 PM Stripped our bed, doing the sheets as I type, then the bedspread. Did two loads of clothes and the dishes. A guy Rog works with told us to come get peaches out of his little orchard as they are just dropping off...they can't use any more. So we got about a half bushel, yesterday, and will go back for more. Rog picked them...he got quite a few sort of green ones. So, I washed them all, we have the greener ones on a pallet to ripen. We gave some to our daughter. I washed and skinned the rest. What I could salvage of them I put in freezer bags. I only got 2.5 bags which didn't seem like much, but it is an organic orchard, or neglected, so they are kind of small and a lot of bruising, so I had to cut out a lot. Anyway, it felt GREAT to put them up. Then I got Rog to go do a tiny bit of weed whacking...it got too hot and he's tired. So, as it is cool in the house, I got him to help me clean a bit of clutter out of the closet. Not a lot, but it looks lots neater!! So, while the house looks the same, which I don't like, we did get some things done. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Stilly River Sage Date: 21 Sep 08 - 04:10 PM You're all getting some good work (and research!) done! It's a mix of chores and de-cluttering today. Laundry, cooking, dishes, the usual, but also preparing more things for eBay and I'm set to head out to the yard to clear out a flower bed that has gone to Bermuda grass and needs a big trimming. I'll also make a trip to the free compost site and load up several bags and boxes and bring them back to pile over the top of the compost pile in my front yard, then leave it alone for now, let everything settle in and cook for a while. A friend came over yesterday and helped me trim out a couple of large hackberry (elm family) limbs that were threatening my clothes line and were shading pine trees that I would planted back there. I've trimmed one limb down to small branches and a log and need to do the larger one next. And I'll start a new compost heap over the top of these new twigs and leaves. It's time to finish up a couple of old compost heaps (dig them up and spread them in the gardens) and pull the bigger branches out of the ongoing backyard compost. They won't break down and can probably go in the trash (I don't have a chipper or I'd send them back into the compost). I'm picking up the "free" compost because it's more like mulch and I'd prefer to use my good stuff on my gardens and use the free stuff where I'm not growing anything right now. Now if that meteor dust would land just on the front compost heap it would save me a couple of trips. Alas, it has landed in the house instead. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: maeve Date: 21 Sep 08 - 06:28 PM Nothing done in the house except eating light meals and a little sleeping.. Picking beans, tomatoes and such for several days, and will continue picking, sorting and canning/freezing/drying every smidgeon I am able to for days to come. It occurs to me that subsistance farming can be a lonely lifestyle. Great progress for the rest of you. Congratulations to you all. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Bat Goddess Date: 21 Sep 08 - 07:31 PM The past few days (not yesterday, though, gig and session took up time -- beautifully!) I've been neatifying rather than de-cluttering. Stacking stuff neatly, throwing "tarps" over things, hiding stuff. Next project is to almost empty the table -- into a bag or a box. The contents will get de-cluttered soon, but right now I need the table and the chairs cleared off. Oh, and I DID de-clutter a bunch of produce -- into zucchini bread and refrigerator pickles. If I had known refrigerator pickles were so easy (and quick!) to make, I'd have started making them years ago! Made a second batch today because what I made on Thursday (first time ever) were almost GONE. And there's less stuff now on the kitchen counters and more floor showing in the library/office. Still need to take some stuff down cellar and, of course, sweep, vacuum and de-cobweb -- yet again. (It's just unending; sigh.) Linn |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Stilly River Sage Date: 22 Sep 08 - 12:07 AM I had a tough act to follow this weekend, hence the yard work and compost pile beautification. The neighbors on each side and one across the street ALL had house or yard projects going on. They paid people to do them. One is putting in smooth concrete floors over existing then putting down some kind of fancy hardwood flooring over that. On the other side, she re-did some beautiful gardens around the house and planted good xeriscape plants including one I've looked for for years, weeping Yaupon. They're never in anything under about 15 gallon pots and cost the moon. Across the street they put in a new fence. I cleared more garden, but mostly I hauled wood chips in compost, free from the city. Sometimes it really is compost, but this was mostly chipped limbs from city parks, and that is actually what I preferred. It will kind of thatch itself over the top of the messy compost I've built up since last spring. I set a sprinkler on top this evening and am letting it soak in and start kind of packing down the new stuff. The idea is that the messy grassy berm I'm building now looks organized with compost over the top 50% or so. More listed on eBay, but it seems to have slowed. Anyone else notice that? Fewer watchers, fewer sales, on mine, anyway. I'll diversify my listings some and see what is selling. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: katlaughing Date: 22 Sep 08 - 12:16 AM Linn, I had to look up what refrigerator pickles were! I guess they must be sort of like the recipe I *think* I had in the Mudcat Cookbook, only we never called them that and didn't use as many spices nor sugar. We all loved it when mom made them, just sliced cukes in vinegar water with slices of onion. Cover, put in frig and enjoy after they've had a good soak. Yummy! Only thing is I want to cover them with salt when I eat them and I have to watch that! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: mouldy Date: 22 Sep 08 - 06:05 AM After A lovely sunny weekend when I was out and about a bit, I decided that as I had to wait in today for a delivery, I would start again on the garden. So of course it's raining. Not showers that you can work between, but different degrees of spitting and drizzling. However, it has given me the chance to crank up the steamer, and tackle the remaining woodchip paper in the "decorating project" (aka the Ruth's old room), and get up the mountains of old powdered rubber powder from the 30 year old shag pile carpet that used to be down in there. This afternoon I will be taking what's left of the old flat-pack furniture to the tip. I was going to reuse it, but the wardrobe wouldn't come to pieces without breaking up, and the drawers and bedside tables have started to creak rather alarmingly! I will source some more suitable stuff. The local YMCA shop specialises in furniture, so I will pop into there and see what they've got. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: MAG Date: 22 Sep 08 - 11:36 AM "Every hour, the Earth puts on a ton of weight in the form of micrometeoritic dust: ...bits of defunct comets, grime ground off colliding asteroids, and of powder left behind when the planets formed." It is good to keep things in perspective. Off to the Y to resume my workouts, then back home to tackle the dishes and wait for the electrician. I'll have to see if my lost weekend (sugar-wise) shows on the scale. (Cake, ice cream, one shot of Hennessey's, ...) |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Stilly River Sage Date: 22 Sep 08 - 12:25 PM A friend of mine makes great refrigerator pickles and lots of canned pickles as well. Have you ever had watermelon rind pickled? It's wonderful (and so much fun eating the fruit so we can happily turn over the rinds to the cook!) It's warming up to a typical hot September after our nice week of fall temperatures. Two loads of laundry done yesterday were dried on the line, and I didn't fluff the towels on air to soften them. My son complained this morning about the plank he found for drying after his shower. Oh, well. Even if I run it on air only I'm still saving a lot. August was hot, just like July (until the hurricanes came along), but my electric bill was about $30 less for August. I think the loads of laundry dried outside did the trick. The double-whammy of the dryer (dry the clothes and cool the house while the dryer runs) adds up quicker than we realize. An electrical engineer friend did the calculation that I would save between one and two dollars per load. This isn't higher math. Re: weekend food, I have to cut out the dairy of my diet. I've let it back in after realizing too much contributed to my allergies, but eating some now has allowed the weight to creep back on. I also feel my allergies more. Cheese and yogurt are okay, I think culturing them makes them more digestible, but I need to eliminate the ice cream, sour cream, cottage cheese, etc. I don't drink milk, I use soy and generally that is only on hot cereal or in cooking. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Stilly River Sage Date: 22 Sep 08 - 12:36 PM That last paragraph didn't make much sense--it was edited a couple of times and I didn't proof it well. I had sinus headaches years ago and after I realized dairy was the culprit, I cut it out. I lost weight also. Over time I've realized some diary is better to digest than other, and on the theory that culturing it puts back digestible enzymes, I eat yogurt and cheese. This summer I added in most of the rest, but they've had an impact, so they're back out again. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: maeve Date: 22 Sep 08 - 12:57 PM Veggie trimmings are about to go into the pressure cooker. I'll strain the cooked mess and use it for veggie broth for soup. The leavings go onto the compost. Moved a bookcase away from beside the stove to allow the door to swing open wide. Froze pounds of beans. Tomato sauce frenzy after dinner. Tonight, a laundry session with the scrub board collection and dirty clothes. I'll set up the drying racks when I go to call TL in from the shed roof. Wicked fun life we lead here. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: maire-aine Date: 22 Sep 08 - 12:58 PM I took down the sheer curtains (and washed them) and put up the heavier drapes for winter. Went to our first Trivia Quiz of the year, and our team took 1st place. First prize is a ticket to a concert that I plan to go to anyway, so that worked out well. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: MAG Date: 22 Sep 08 - 02:53 PM Well well, my weight is exactly where it was one week ago. Still no electrician, but I got an estimate on a bit of fence repair. 2 loads laundry and shovelling the living room -- but it looks like I didn't need to. oh well, yes I did. and you can sit on the couch. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: maeve Date: 22 Sep 08 - 08:53 PM Four bundles of roofing shingles decluttered from the cellar to the shed roof. Eight pounds of beans blanched and frozen. Spaghetti sauce fom garden tomatoes simmering. Nearly 9 pm and we haven't eaten supper yet. Pots and dishes yet to wash, then laundry; soaking as I type. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: maire-aine Date: 22 Sep 08 - 10:48 PM The guy came and finished putting together my leaf/branch shredder. Whoo-hoo! Guess what I'll be doing this weekend... Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: katlaughing Date: 22 Sep 08 - 10:56 PM I've been wanting to buy some peaches, tomatoes, and other produce and dehydrate them to put up for this winter. Don't have the cash for a dehydrator, BUT I found a nifty DIY solar dehydrator made from shoeboxes. I have a couple of those I was going to throw away. NOw, I plan to use them for this. Goodness knows we get plenty of sunshine in Colorado, though one of the articles I read said even a couple of days of sunshine should do it. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Stilly River Sage Date: 23 Sep 08 - 12:02 AM Kat, I met a woman in Kentucky who didn't fool with dehydrators--she prepared her fruit, laid it out on baking sheets--then put it in the back window of her automobile. Worked very well and quite fast, especially in the summer. Maryanne, I wouldn't have had to send a bunch of branches to the trash this morning if I had a chipper. Does your shredder do branches up to an inch or two? I envy you that resource--such good mulch! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: katlaughing Date: 23 Sep 08 - 12:14 AM Oh, that's brilliant, Maggie! My car sits for most of the day. I'd have to put them on the dashboard as it is a minivan, but it gets a lot of sun. What a super idea; wish I'd looked into this a month ago or so, but it's still warm enough here and that would keep the bugs from getting into it, too. Thanks! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: maire-aine Date: 23 Sep 08 - 07:51 AM I can probably put thru a branch about 1-inch. Bigger would be risky. But it's good for things like raspberry branches & rose bushes, etc. I had a shredder about 10 years ago, but I finally wore it out. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: wysiwyg Date: 23 Sep 08 - 08:54 AM ...on the dashboard as it is a minivan, but it gets a lot of sun... That's how we dry clothes when camping. Not a laundry-load-full, but the handwashing, swimsuits, travel towels-- just leave them in the hot van or hot camper as they bake in the afternoon sun. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: Stilly River Sage Date: 23 Sep 08 - 10:24 AM "What's the unusual embossed pattern on your t-shirt, Susan?" "It's a radio speaker print from the dashboard. More coffee?" Kat, Maybe a combination of laying fruit in the dehydrator boxes, then placed in the van, so you can move it easily if you have to actually, like, drive the Some days I crack myself up. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: katlaughing Date: 23 Sep 08 - 10:48 AM LMAO, you crack me up, too! That could work, too and be a lot safer as in not lose all of the fruit if I sling a cookie sheet to the seat! |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: MAG Date: 23 Sep 08 - 11:08 AM You guys work too hard; I just take the tomatoes up and down the street until they are gone. 40 degrees here last night; I'm bringing 'em in as fast as they show pink. The kittens are still skittish but are eating out of my hand now. |
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Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September From: wysiwyg Date: 23 Sep 08 - 12:37 PM Very funny..... I don't think the direct sunlight is needed if you put the fruit most anywhere in the van, as long as it's got enough airspace. But the van is gonna smell a little fruity if you do this often. :~) I have been known to use hangers inside the van when it's being used as a dryer. :~) Heck, I dry my hair in there very time I go off to a parish event. It's a giant blowdryer. You think I'm kidding? Who has time to use the right machines all the time? ~S~ |
