Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here's a start.

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

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

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

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

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

Now I shall go investigate further.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beaver:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Out to the garden to weed and plant.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is there a superior method to accomplish this task?

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

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

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

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

Good luck with the transplants.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Be well!

Michelle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More listings going up on eBay. Finally.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beaver:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ruminations. :)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beaver:

Good news about Linn!. Thank you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beaver:

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

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

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

Love M's good news!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dorothy,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Mother's Day!!

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

Request granted.

:) Michelle

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

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

Congratulations to Michelle on wonderful Gift!

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

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

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

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

Went to store for salad greens and veggies: "feast day" and, after veggies, salad, and sausage for lunch, I gave myself nachos for supper and then popcorn for filler. That is the most I have ingested on a feast day in weeks. That 10# I lost is it. The needle must be stuck! But I shall persevere as it seems a fine way to manage eating. Still NO cookies in 5 weeks and, last night when I made choc covered ginger for R, I had no desire to eat any.

Plaster work did not get done; needs to be done outdoors on a warm enough and still day. Still too cool and breezy out there but I have hope for later. Studio will soon be warm enough.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 May 16 - 11:01 PM

Beaver:
Decided to stay here as R is far too busy. He is trying to get enough done to be able to come here for the long weekend next week. HOPE! for the repair of the septic pump.

Trip to dental clinic yesterday - cleaning of teeth and a few errands before and after and did get one plaster basin made. Would like a larger one and looking for a "mold" for that purpose.

Made a number of getting-things done appointments this am and met with friends to encourage them re Mom in long term care which is less than acceptable - talk to other people, get together and speak to admin....

Thought of "who to ask" re getting outhouse and sheds shored up before they sink into the ground!   He will come by tomorrow eve to look at the situation. I know I can trust him - to do a good job or tell me to forget it. That will be a biggie off my mind.

Cooked way too many black beans! Some for soup, the rest... Need to freeze some!
Roasted more sunflower seeds - replacement for cookies. And hid the jar in a cabinet to keep them from Sassy who seems to be able to open screwed on lids! Sassy came to the K door today and looked at me as though to say, "Well, where is some food?" I told him/her, quietly, that I wanted her to go outside, and opened the Front door. She went out!

A beautiful day - first mosquito and a few black flies. And, finally, a few trees leafing out on the west hill!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 May 16 - 11:22 PM

I always cook enough beans so that I can freeze some. Kidney beans are usually prepared with a Puerto Rican recipe from my late mother-in-law, and sometimes I add heat to that (more of a Southwestern influence, there isn't spicy hot much in Puerto Rican dishes). And I cook black beans so I can freeze them to use in other dishes (it's better and less expensive than buying cans of them).

I have a friend here who is reliable for doing various jobs - a lot of mowing, gardening, taking out trees, but also dry wall, painting, etc. I gave a couple of people his contact information this week and he called this evening to say he was finishing up a job for one of them. Too bad he can't be cloned - there are several participants in this ongoing discussion who could use a fellow who can come by and look at the job to be done, then do it and finish when you expect. He's probably familiar with out houses, but I don't think that kind of task has come his way for many years.

I must have missed the introduction to Sassy. Another raccoon?