BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September

Subject: BS: De-cluttering in Ernest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 11:21 AM

It looks like Autumn, if you ignore the heat and humidity. Flowers are full-blown and beyond, the veggie garden is huge, it has been producing for so long, but languid as some plants have been for a while, they are beginning to get their second wind for a fall crop. It's a little cooler at night. The kids have gone back to school, and the semester has begun again at my university.

Preparations for the holidays will be underway any time now. Do we have the room to stage the events we would like to host? Room at the table for meals we want to share? Room to walk into the area where last year's holiday decorations are stored to easily get what we want, and are we keeping only the ornaments we actually use?

I'm getting a bit of a jump on September--it's because it's the 31st. I'm in an even/odd watering area and it means two days without setting up sprinklers to water my garden, should I wish to, unless I fudge and treat today like a free day. So along with running my sprinkler, I'm getting a start on September's de-cluttering.

I'm finding more outlets for some of the things I want to move out. eBay, consignment store, Craig's list, garage sale (finally cool enough again soon), donation, or just leave it at the curb to be hauled away or picked up by a passer-by.

There is light at the end of this tunnel. I had guests over for dinner last week and the table and counters in the combination kitchen/dining area are still relatively clear. There wasn't as much junk that had to be put back on the table after the guests left.

Fall is when I finally have real energy--I crave that first cool, crisp, clear day when the air crackles with fall color and carries the smells of leaves on the ground. When I get out my sweaters and blankets later this month or in October, I'll look to see what else is in there with them, and see what can leave permanently. (eBay is setting up a couple of new categories for antique and collectible linens--I have quite a few that could go that way.)

Okay, booster speech is over. Good luck, all!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Ernest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 11:31 AM

I suppose if people are fleeing Gustav, another way to de-clutter is to send extra stuff down there in the aftermath.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Ernest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 01:42 PM

(E-A-rnest)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Ernest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 02:46 PM

I ran a spell check, but of course it didn't parse the name version from the other one. And it became a thread before I could get back to fix it. Kat can tidy up, if she'd like. (Dyslexia is a wonderful ice breaker, don't you think?)

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Ernest - September
From: Charmion
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 04:17 PM

I spent all day yesterday tidying the downstairs library, the one with reference books, history, and Edmund's collection of Notable British Trials and other stuff about crime and law. How did I end up with so many reference books I don't use? That's easy -- Google and Wikipedia. On Tuesday I shall phone up my old high school and offer a library donation.

One grim job I haven't even cracked is sorting out the thousands of photographs I have taken over the 35 years since I got my first camera. Most of the early ones are awful, but some are quite good and even some of the awful ones have interesting information in them. I also have rather a lot of old family photos going back to Great-Uncle Harold, M.D., in his Canadian Army Medical Corps uniform circa 1916 -- a really nice portrait by a high-class Montreal studio, but what in blazes to do with it? The whole lot is bundled into two large plastic bins, now stashed in the cellar. At least they're safe from damp, which is better than before.

The space under the cellar stairs is now empty. The last of the stuff that was stashed there is boxed up and awaiting pick-up, thanks to Freecycle. Bye-bye 15-year-old duvet (leaks feathers, but warm and pretty clean considering; replaced with washable silk-fibre quilt). Farewell, the three-generation accumulation of table linen that ends with me. Only a fool would use cloth table mats when her otherwise wonderful spouse insists on putting his used cutlery down on the table instead of his plate, and I ain't no fool.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 05:37 PM

LOL...I have some of that linen to go through, soon! I shall follow your example, I hope!

We played today, so I hope we get to some of it, tomorrow. I don't know for sure, but I think Rog wishes this thread would go away.:-)

Maggie, since my Rog's middle name is "Ernest" I didn't even notice...it looked "as usual" to me, though I have fixed it...I think my fingers are dyslexic on their own, my typing is always backwards!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 07:01 PM

On August 26 in the eBay announcements they published:

The following categories will be updated:

ANTIQUES
We're building a brand-new section for pre-1930 Bed & Bath Linens.

COLLECTIBLES
Look for category additions in almost every section, including a reconstruction of Vintage Bed & Bath Linens and new section for Souvenirs & Travel Memorabilia.

In case what you have is of the antique variety.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 08:46 PM

Hey! I've got stuff for both of those categories!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Earnest - September
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 03:13 AM

I suppose I should be starting on my dining room.. it's needed soon for a meeting and a session... there's lots of old nasty glasses that could be reloved elsewhere, part sets that are never used, odd mugs and so on..

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Earnest - September
From: freda underhill
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 04:01 AM

I did some de cluttering on the weekend, after a period of intensive neglect through socialising. I weeded the garden, and cleared books from my table and folded washing that was on the couch. Doesn't sound like much but it feels good. in the process gave away and threw away various strage objects.

I'm also taking australian wildflower essences to clear out my brain - it feels good.

my granddaughter rosie assisted the clearing process by doing great frog imitations (body, sound and bounce) and jumping all over my bed, which made me laugh, laugh and laugh.

:-) freda

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Earnest - September
From: mouldy
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 05:39 AM

I did York Boot Fair on saturday and what didn't sell has either gone to the tip, or is in the car ready to go to a charity (thrift) shop. The hall is now reasonably clear, but I have come across the big bag of stuff that should have gone on saturday, and which got hidden behind a door by accident. That'll have to join the other stuff in the car.
All I have to do for the hall is to get Ruth to assist me upstairs with some book shelves that are destined for a spare bedroom, and then I can clean the floor.
I have my financial advisor coming tomorrow (I have to sign a form so that he can do Ian's last tax return - the guy's dead, but the taxman still wants him!) and this means I have to have a usable surface with seating around it - aka the dining table, which is under a load of old post and other detritus. Stan will want to go through other stuff too - he comes a long way, and doesn't just stay 5 minutes. So that's another job for today. If I get chance I will start on one of the 2 remaining upstairs rooms that need sorting. I am in a mood to fill the car and offload some crap!

Andrea
PS the cat seems to be settling in well.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Earnest - September
From: GUEST,Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 08:08 AM

Charmion, concerning the portrait of our late great-uncle, why not ask our cousins if they have a copy? Some will, I am sure, but most won't. Maybe Wakefield hospital could give it room.

Let me scan it first, though.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 08:42 AM

What is it about old books that makes them so very difficult to give up? We have hundreds in boxes, and a few hundred more already shelved and stacked, and we have just begun going through them to acertain which we keep and which must leave forthwith.

Here's a copy of "Blakiston's New Gould Medical Dictionary", complete with line drawings and color plates and printed in 1949 (3rd printing). Not a bedtime reading choice, but full of interesting tidbits.

And this one: "Travels of William Bartram" in a paperback Dover edition, unabridged with all original illustrations. Not worth more than a couple of dollars, but wonderful reading.

One more: "The Fern Allies of North America North of Mexico", printed in 1904, written by Willard Nelson Clute and more than 150 illustrations by Ida Martin Chute.

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Earnest - September
From: maire-aine
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 07:36 PM

Not having much success today. I tried organizing the bookshelves, but didn't really get anywhere. I boxed up some of the knick-knacks at the edge of the shelves, but that didn't free up any space. But I did get the books a little more organized by subjects. I'm sort of paralyzed by them, because I don't want to give them up, but I have no place for them. Aargh! Will be off tomorrow, too, so I'll try something else then.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 09:21 PM

I gave myself permission to keep half of that batch of books, and ended up keeping a bit less than that.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Ernest - September
From: maeve
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 09:25 PM

And we are still decluttering "Earnest" :)

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 12:01 AM

I swapped out my old flatbed scanner this evening, and the number and tangle of cables and electric cords behind my computer desk is astonishing. The hardest part of this was unthreading the old power cord. There's no removing any of these--they all are employed.

I repositioned the scanner to a new shelf and now I have a basket full of floppies, zip disks, and CDs, most of which get used but that aren't organized. I'm going to have to compress stuff and get this basket off of the floor.

The old scanner works still, slowly, and Goodwill will get it and someone else can fight with it.

I cleaned out my veggie garden, moved out most of the huge leggy and non-productive tomatoes. There are cantaloupe everywhere out there--I don't know how many will mature. I'll put in a lot of compost and dig it in deep, and put in some fall crops. We're due for rain from Gustav the next couple of days so the garden will have to wait, and I have to go into the office, but I'll plan to do some rearranging in the evening. I've been itching to attack my sun room again to make the eBay sales items more reachable. They're still scattered around the house and the sun room is stacked with shipping boxes.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in Earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 10:03 AM

I was tired last night, and decided I didn't want a long account so I chopped out bits, giving it a stream-of-consciousness feel. The new scanner is so welcome--the old one made my job difficult, so swapping out one that still worked was worth it.

The sun room is like the leggy tomatoes--a lot of bulk but it isn't doing anything. I'll nest or flatten boxes, re-stack the bins of sewing stuff and work out some shelves for more of the eBay items. When they're around the house I'm less likely to remember to list them when I get going on that job.

The calendar says September and a couple of days of cooling from the tropical storm will give us a faux autumn feel. Every fall I feel like rearranging for the holidays. Maybe I can put that impulse to good use and pull out more donations and eBay items as I encounter them. And set aside a nice Secret Santa item.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 11:37 AM

This morning I planned for returning to bed for a nap, after my late night walking the garden borders.

Instead, I spent the morning searching out things like our big food grinder, in preparation for putting food by. Along the way I packed up most of the seed collection and tucked it into the wooden trunk we found for the purpose a few months ago. I boxed up the summer's accumulation of paint for outdoor equipment and seating and TL tucked it away, and we did the same for our dormant oil and such for the orchard and garden.

The results in clude a cleaner kitchen and three more boxes of odds and ends of canning supplies we don't need. Get 'em out of here!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 01:32 PM

And here I'm building up a box of canning supplies. You don't have a steam pressure canner, do you?

Off to pick up the newly-repaired vacuum and some ring lights for the kitchen. And a ballast. I finally am down to no overhead lights--if this doesn't work, I'm calling the electrician.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 01:46 PM

Sorry, a pressure canne is one of our farm purchases this year.   We chose one from Lehman's, partly because it is the metal-to-metal variety that does not require a gasket. It's a very good value that will also save energy compared to our old graniteware waterbath canner.

I hope you find what you need!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 11:39 PM

Let there be light!

Yesterday morning when I got up I discovered that in the kitchen one remaining circle bulb in the fixture over the main counter (two circle lights under a translucent plastic cover) wasn't lighting. And the 2-circle light fixture in the middle of the room (also under a translucent cover) had been on the fritz for months. That one was the ballast--it gave an eerie low light that was weird on the eyes. The wall switch died for the halogen spot light over the sink (I think it was ants in that wall last summer). Pretty pathetic, the dim light I've had--there are two halogen bulbs on my cook top and that was it.

Tonight I replaced the bulbs over the counter and I changed out the entire fixture in the middle of the room. When I remodeled my contractor kept saying "it's easy--black wire to black wire, white wire to white wire, ground to ground." I finally did it, and though getting the screws to line up to hold it to the ceiling was a headache, it is all up and running. I feel like a bat entering daylight in there. I still have a list for the electrician, but it just got shorter!

(Now I can really see the clutter. . . )

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 12:23 AM

Whoo-hoo, Maggie!

Whoo-Hoo, Everyone!

I made a list this morning and set my timer, once. The timer didn't work out well as I just wasn't done when it went off, so...we'll see.

I scanned in my brother's symphonic tone poem program notes so they can go back into the storage suitcase and it can get put away. Then I emailed them off to the local radio station in Denver.

I boxed up about 6 books and got them ready to send to my sister, so that's clutter gone from the top of my dresser. And, I put away some books which were piled up on my desk.

Then I started a blog! It's been "cookin'" in my brain for about a week and I felt today was the right day to start it. So, that's 2-3 things marked off the list. Little bits like little acorns...I hope they grow!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 12:32 AM

When you fix that "it's be[en] 'cooking' in my brain" typo maybe you can step up and catch my "an translucent" in the one above? I think it's allergies, on top of editing out stuff and missing the original transitions. I'm trying to not send such long posts (Mark Twain said "I'm writing you a long letter because I don't have time to write a short one.") It takes time to edit, but if your brain is fuzzy, it misses a few things.

I'm making myself go to bed earlier these days. It's supposed to help a lot of things, getting enough sleep. Tomorrow I'm going to drop by the recycle center and drop off a bunch of stuff that has been collecting in a bin outside--let's hope the sleep takes care of the clutter that my brain is accumulating inside!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: mouldy
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 04:43 AM

Ruth has sorted her room out! Rejoice, O ye citizens of Earth!

The wheelie bin is now full, and there's still more to get dumped, but I am going to drag her out with me today, and she can help me take stuff to the relevant places, be it dump or charity shop.
I am also going to take a load of old videos and such to our doctor's. In the waiting room there are shelves with books and jigsaws, and I put a box in for videos and cds. They charge a nominal price for them, but the money it makes is amazing, and helps buy new equipment for the surgery.

Now I've just got the other bedrooms to get to grips with, have extra power points put in, and then decorate....and the upstairs is just about finished!
One of my kitchen lights is gone, but there's still one working, so I will sort it later in the year when I need more light.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 10:30 AM

Awww, Andrea! Did my kitchen light tidings make your kitchen lights envious? It is marvelous to have that much light again all at once. It makes me realize how gradually those rings had been going out. I am pleased with myself that I did the replacement on my own. :)

I have to drive to work today, so I'll find a few things to drop off en-route to get more bang for my driving buck. Even though prices are slowly subsiding, I don't consider $3.459 a bargain! I'll call the consignment shop, see if they want this set of shelves and cupboard. That would make the trip worth-while, to have that square footage freed up in the garage.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: mouldy
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 12:08 PM

The kitchen light's been broke for a month or two - I have 2 fluorescent tubes. One's still hanging in there.
I thought it was the starter unit, but changing it didn't work, so I have to get up there some time and replace the tube. I might investigate putting in an LED spotlight unit instead, but doing the tube would be easier, especially as I am intending to sell the house some time next year.

Got all the videos dropped off at the doc's. The rest of the stuff went to the tip, but they separate it out, recycle, and also send some to charities. We had half a supermarket trolley of little cuddly toys - the things teenage girls accumulate! (Actually, she's now 22, so that is probably the reason for her own de-cluttering).

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 01:38 PM

I was just going to ask you if you were getting the house ready to sell, Andrea.:-)

Maggie, got both our typos. I'm always up for that.**bg** Thanks for spotting that one for me.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 04:29 PM

The shop owner I emailed said he doesn't think he can sell that, but gave me the name of another place to try. It's closer to me than the first place--I'll swing by and take a look and see if it might fit in. Otherwise, I'll donate it and take a heft tax deduction.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 12:20 AM

Kat--I had an ah-ha! moment this evening--I identified the dulcimer that I am next going to sell. It isn't commonplace at all, at least not at eBay. It's a piano dulcimer, with one bridge. Quite unusual compared to the more standard hammered dulcimers with two or more bridges. This dulcimer is meant to be played easily by someone who already knows how to play the piano.

The buy-it-now price will be a lot more substantial this time, or it will have a high reserve.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: mouldy
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 04:30 AM

Yes, Kat, I am planning to move further north to the wilds of Northumberland.
Alex would like me to go to NZ, but he can't sponsor me for at least 4 years, and I need to move on. The only reason I have been 21 years in this village is because of firstly, the schools, and secondly, the easy links to the motorway network and especially the M62, which heads towards Manchester airport. This is not important now that the traveller is no longer with us, and Newcastle has a perfectly good airport for my needs!
Also, my niece lives in Newcastle, and my sister in law is planning to move across from Scotland when her husband retires (he's Northumbrian). My nephew works as a chartered surveyor in London, but is planning to build a client base up north, and lastly, Eleanor would like to move up that way in a few years.

Most of the work on the house is cosmetic, but I have a severe damp problem in the kitchen and dining room which may be linked to ground water. I am going to get professional advice on this one. The house sits higher than the road level, but is on an old farm yard. The ground is compacted about 2 feet down, and seems to have, unlike most of this area, a fair bit of clay in it. Couple that with a lot of old soakaway rainwater drains, and I think that we have a problem, Houston! Especially as we are getting higher rainfall these days.

I just ask myself if I would want to buy the house with this problem...

Hopefully this time next year it will be on the market.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 10:33 AM

Andrea, good luck with that. I am sure it will work out well for you and it sounds exciting!

Maggie, I didn't know they even made such things. I could actually learn to play one easily, then, as I've played piano since I was 8! (I just took a look at one at Dusty Strings. Kewl!)

We got one thing done last night. We tied a support rope across the bow for the sunflowers. Their heads are so heavy, they were dropping badly.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: MAG
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 11:39 AM

I gave myself the day off today; it being trash day, my goal is to get the trash can (dustbin to you across the pond) filled with yard trash, especially theweeds with those big heads of seeds.

You can actually walk across my living room now without having to walk around stuff.

I have this persistent shoulder problem which makes it difficult to do any sustained practice. I've tried everything: PT, arnica, acupuncture, (no more cortisone shots because of my diabetes), you name it.

This is my biggest hangup these days. Yardwork does not help.

I've been feeding a stray cat, trying to get her tamed down enough to get her fixed. a month ago she had three kittens trailing along after her; they have disappeared. I am trying to prevent a feral cat problem (as well as being a humanitarian). My ex-tomcat Scamp is not real pleased, even though they look very much alike and I am convinced they are related. Any thoughts on stray cats?

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 12:06 PM

For you shoulder: Zheng Gu Shui. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It really works. I had a sore shoulder and neck for years. I used this for awhile and they got better. Now, with gentle exercise I do well and if it flares up, a night or two of applying the "zen-goo-schwee" takes care of it. I also keep the sore part moving, gently. I used to freeze up and try not to move/use it, but that never worked.:-)

I was able to clean up the kitchen this morning! Two loads of laundry, all of the silverware and dishes, washed off the stove, counters, and table. Stuff Rog never remembers to do. Oh, yeah, emptied the kitchen trash. (My toes and thumb went to sleep while i did the dishes, but they're better now!)

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 04:36 PM

One step forward, two steps back. Sigh.

Tuesday night -- I work until 8 p.m. and have to open the next day -- I crawled up to bed to discover cat barf on the floor next to the bed. Growled and cleaned it up. Then attempted to actually get into bed when I discovered a fresh puddle o' puke ON the bed -- soaked through the quilt, two layers of sheets and into the mattress pad. Sigh. Changed the damned bed. (Glared at the cat -- I think it was Rufus rather than Sabine.) All I wanted to do was wind down enough to get to sleep!

Then, the very next morning, there was a crash at the foot of the stairs while I was getting ready for work. A terracotta head (planter) full of dirt, etc. had lept off the wall (it may have been cat-assisted) and landed on several piles of books, a formerly attractive chunk of barnacles, piece of coral, now ex-ceramic cat head candle holder, etcet etcet, breaking most of the breakables (barnacles and coral salvagable) and scattering potting soil and shards all over the lower landing. Naturally, I had just vacuumed that a couple days before. (Double sigh.)

Today I've managed to get a lot done, but not, alas, the stuff that was on my to-do list.

However I DID solve my computer wonkiness of late -- my keyboard is only partially functional. Meaning it's working okay as a keyboard, but I can't plug my mouse into it or it makes the mouse terminally squirrelly (and making anything done here at the computer very non-productive).

So...I can't afford a new keyboard (or even a used one) right now but he workaround (that's actually WORKING) is to plug my non-Apple "spare" mouse (because it has a longer cord) into the hub (because it definitely won't reach to the back of the computer). A little awkward, but it works. And a couple friends have emailed me that they've got keyboards for me. (Deep sigh of relief.)

Got a bunch of weeds pulled and piles of leaves next to the driveway schlepped to a dumping spot, and driveway dirt that had been pushed up by the snowplow last winter levelled out, too. And I got an under the counter fluorescent light fixture & spare bulb listed on Freecycle and too the milk crate and metal stand with the FREE stuff in it up to the head of the driveway.

Now all I need to do is go down in the cellar and do a few things that were actually on my list for today and start working on the piles of papers here by the computer and on the table.

I DID update my resume this morning so I can start looking (again -- still) for another job, this time one that actually pays a living wage. But at least this job enables me to call potential employers and go on interviews while I'm still pulling in a paycheck.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 05:25 PM

Linn, if these cats of mine weren't so old I'd try to give them away. I'm sick to death of the fur ball vomit at least once EVERY SINGLE DAY. They're turning the house into a vomitorium. On the tile, on the wood furniture, on the upholstery, on the bed, on the rugs. Doesn't matter where they are, they let it fly. Yes, we've tried lots of fur ball treatments and brushing the cats. I can't afford more vet bills but I will ask if they might have a stomach ailment or something that can be treated. They've been banned to one room with water, their box, food, a tile floor and a window to look out of. Then there is the corner on the one wall-to-wall carpet in the house where they have apparently routinely been peeing for the last two weeks. Not every time, there has been something to collect in the litter box, but enough to really sour the room. I'm going to rent a carpet cleaner and if I can't get it out I'm going to tear up the carpet and turn that room to tile also. I like having one carpet, but I can't stand the stink. At this point, I'd rather have the carpet than the cats. Since I've had one of these cats (most likely the culprit) almost all of my children's lives, I don't think they'd happily part with this guy.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 07:14 PM

That's what cats do -- vomit. This wasn't a hairball problem. More likely ate his sister's food way too fast, then made it as far as the bedroom to barf it up. (So it had a few minutes more to digest than when they do it a couple feet from the food dish.)

Usually that's Sabine's trick -- especially if she's hunted some fine example of small woodland creature and can hack it up again on the rug -- or right where you'd put your bare foot when you get out of bed.

I've got at least one taker for the fluorescent fixture so it'll be gone sometime soon.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maire-aine
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 08:38 PM

Hi, all. My de-cluttering train is back on track, finally. I got home from work about an hour early, so I started cleaning out the closets in the 2nd & 3rd bedroom (one is the "music" room & the other is a guest room without any guests). I got one bagful of clothes for charity (and they called me this evening to see if I had anything to donate, so they'll pick it up next week-- timing is everything). Now I can put all of my short-sleeved shirts into the spare bedroom closet as I finish the laundry.

I also went thru a whole lot of craft stuff, like ribbons & yarn & lace, etc. Most were things my mother had bought but never used. She wanted to do "crafty" projects, but never had enough time. And I'm even less inclined to make things, so most of the stuff will go to the senior center. They make lots of things for their spring fund-raiser.

I did, however, keep some of the needlepoint chair covers-- 2 are done and two haven't been started. I used to do a lot of needlepoint, until I got the cats. With 4 cats under foot, needlepoint was out of the question, as were jigsaw puzzles. Now that I only have one cat, and she stays upstairs most of the time, I can start doing it again.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: MAG
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 08:50 PM

I actually pulled weeds until the truck came at 2:00; it's amazing how they compact when you dump more on top. I actually got most all the ones going to seed. "One year to seed; seven years to weed."

My kitty Scamped2s1x (he did that) is just rabid about sharing me with the computer. or the phone. I pretty much have to put him outside when I'm on. He has figured out axactly which button to push to break the phone connection. My shrink says it's probably Freudian. :)

The kitchen sink, I didn't get to. I am totally neurotic about dishes.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 09:58 PM

Find some good, round stones to put in your cat food dishes, Maggie and Linn. They have to work to get to the kibbles and thus eat more slowly and that cuts down on the "womiting."

Maggie, the other thing to do with the pee is clean it, down to the boards with Nature's Miracle. If that doesn't stop them, you may have to get some Kilz and coat the floor to block the scent. Is the peeing something new? Cats are terrible about change. Has something happened recently that may have upset them? Do they get to come out for petting, etc.?

My floors got cleaned today but i didn't do them.:-) My housecleaner was here for her every other week do the floors day. Yippee!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 10:52 PM

I had an enzyme product that worked marginally, but the other day I did pick up some of that Nature's Miracle. I had a spot steam cleaner that died (the old battery won't hold a charge) so I'll have to go to the rental machine to clean it.

This is an episodic thing, we've been here before and solved it over the years, but when there is a new outbreak it's just so damned annoying. It started when I completely cleaned both boxes in the same day. I'll spare you the rest of the details, but I do have another problem to solve--they're in the guest room (my daughter's old room) and she's coming home tomorrow night. The other room where I put guests is the one they peed in. It's blocked to them for now, but it looks like they'll be out and we'll completely clean her room for her.

I'd really rather be doing some meaningful clearing out of stuff, not going over old ground.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 10:21 AM

We're having a little preview of what Autumn will be like in a month or more, so this morning I looked at the upper shelves in my closet to see what are the clothes I'll pull down to use and what are the things up there that I never actually get around to using. This kind of limbo-like "reserve" is clutter and includes an electric blanket (rarely if ever necessary in Texas!) and a sweater from L.L. Bean that was my Dad's that he never wore. He bought two and had worn one but not this one yet. It's a larger version of one he sent me that I really liked and wore out. Bean doesn't carry them any more, but I've never worn this because it is too big. I think it's time for eBay pass along both of these.

More information about the dulcimer from the guy who made it--very helpful! I asked him a couple of more questions and when I hear back I'll be ready to list it. I've worked out the packing and will do some detailed photographs and launch this beauty back into the world. My son asked this morning if I was selling another dulcimer, using a tone that gently questioned selling a perfectly good instrument--I think it is the acquisitive instinct to keep it even if we don't use it. I asked if he thought he'd ever be interested in playing a dulcimer and he didn't answer. I told him that if we decide in the future that we need a dulcimer, there are more to be had out there, but for something we never use it is taking space and has to be protected, meaning it requires more attention than I want to continue to give it.

Got a carpet cleaner from the grocery store this morning. I know how my afternoon will be spent.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 11:03 AM

Laundry night and laundry day. I've gotten to towels, sheets, and work jeans are next this morning.

Old frozen fruit from the freezer is gently simmering on the stove, reducing to the point of jam.I need freezer space for this year's veggies and fruit.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 07:04 PM

I'd love to declutter my badly swollen feet and ankles.

Picked our blackberries this agternoon and frose/bagged them for later use. I also picked elderberries and handled them the same. I have too many tomatoes to process, along with summer squash, to worry about much beyond freezing windfall berries.

I keep adding things to the swap shop box by the door.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 01:33 AM

My daughter is here tonight and for a while tomorrow, so I'll have her help load the cabinets in the pickup. They'll either go to the consignment store or the Goodwill.

More news on the instrument--despite the photos, it isn't a piano dulcimer--in answer to my question, the builder said he thinks those are a clever idea, but this is a different kind of dulcimer, a simpler student's dulcimer. He said they're much easier to teach with and you can play a lot of stuff with them, but in two keys only. I'll use his remarks in my auction, probably put it up tomorrow.

Carpet has been cleaned, cleaner goes back first thing in the morning. I'll do one last pass over the corner before I load it up to take it back. I'm going to rearrange that room instead of putting things like they were before.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 06:28 PM

We took boxes of books and LP records, 2 extra food grinders, curtain rods, clothing, and heaven knows what else to the swap shop.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 07:37 PM

Glasses sorted, space filled, found the table under a huge cardboard box and actually polished it. Then closed the door so the cats won't get in and fuzz up the seats again!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maire-aine
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 08:31 PM

Got a phonecall from work at 7am this morning, saying one of my jobs failed-- 3 hours (online from home, thankfully) to get that sorted out. I sure won't miss this.

Had to get a sewer guy out today-- tree roots finally blocked it up completely. But he was here and gone by 1pm.

Got all of the ingredients for making my Apple-Ginger Chutney next weekend, except the apples & I'll get them at the farmer's market next week. Just took the last of my home-made sausage out of the freezer for breakfast tomorrow, so I'm about due to make some more. Will need to make some work space in the kitchen, for a staging area, but maybe a cardtable will be enough.

Got the newspapers, etc. to the recylcing center. And got everything up off the kitchen floor; will wash it in the morning.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 08:33 PM

Just cleaned out my car (cleaned it too!) for an upcoming kayak adventure with friends, bring on the sunshine!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 08:52 PM

You've all been so efficient! Me, I wonder. . .

I did finally get rid of the shelves and cabinet. Goodwill wouldn't take it because of the number of pieces--the woman (probably rightly) assumed the workers wouldn't manage to keep all of the pieces together until someone bought it. After this discussion, my daughter decided she could use them in the house that she shares with five others. A house that is full of so much stuff, but I understood her reasoning, so said okay. They have one friend moving to an apartment, a guy who loaned them a nice wooden kitchen table. It has been used as a desk, actually, off to the side in their back living area. The table will leave and my set of shelves and tabletop will go in the same corner to be used as a desk and storage. There is a drawer and doored cabinet along with it that can sit to the right-hand side of the shelves and tabletop. I set it freestanding along a blank wall, pushed it back and put the top on it--Moonglow and I both predict it will remain there until the house is emptied again. In the age-old process of college furnishings, this is probably going to be useful for any number of uses. I told her that if she wants to give this to the friend who will use it, fine, make it clear that he has to load it all up and move it somewhere when the house is vacated finally. Whatever it's disposition, even if she decides to keep it, it isn't to end up back at my house! (It is nice to have something her grandfather designed set up in her house, though!)

I returned home (the drive up and back was accompanied by a new recorded book of a Tony Hillerman mystery I haven't heard before) and removed a shelf that was blocking the orderly stacking of stuff along the side wall, and rearranged the furniture and lumber out there. More room again for the pickup.

I've been breaking down boxes and storing them beside the table where I do most of my eBay work, and I'm going to move all of the toys out, photograph, and donate them. I don't think I'll ever get them sold at a garage sale, I might as well let the Goodwill folks have them.

The carpet seems dry; now it smells like carpet cleaner, I'll have to see if the cat pee smell is really gone as that dissipates. I'm going to pull up the pad under that patch of carpet and replace it with new, then put a piece of furniture over it, something low or on wheels that will let air circulate but won't let cats under.

I have more plans, but I'll report as I get things done; I could fill pages with what I want to do, the trick is to do it and then report.

Keep up the good work, all of you--when you describe your work I can visualize it--you're making wonderful progress!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 09:08 PM

_its_ disposition. Oh, well.

I'm going to clear out the toys and the sun room floor this evening, and haul the toys to Goodwill tomorrow (they man those drop-off trailers seven days a week now--how handy!)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Charmion
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 10:36 PM

The 1888 Encyclopaedia Britannica -- all 25 leather-shedding volumes of it -- has gone to a new home at last. Hooray!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 11:30 PM

Oh, Charmion! What a treasure! But, I know what you mean. I have a four volume dictionary set that was my granddad's from the late 1800s. Not sure what I will do with it...probably go to one of the kids.

We had a leisurely morning. Rog went for a haircut and to get a few things at the health food store. I decided I needed to start on this in my office!. When he got home, I decided we should get out of the valley...de-clutter our senses with some good old nature, so we did. Spent six hours wandering up the road to Paonia, Cedaredge, and up top on the Grand Mesa (10,000 feet), coming back down by way of Land's End road, which is a one-lane dirt switchback. You can see some so-so pix taken on the fly starting here.

"Tomorrow, tomorrow," she says, "I'll finish the office shelves!"

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: MAG
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 11:28 AM

I discovered the homemade pesto in the 'frig was all moldy. tragic!

I really should clean the 'frig.

I am sore sore from the hours of yard work Thursday but am glad I'm getti g my money's worth out of garbage pickup.

I'll see if I can get some help this afternoon to get sapling stumps out of the yard. Am collecti g various seeds. Will take dug up lily-of-the -valley to RoseClub Monday evening.We are supposed to bring roses, naturally but mine are all chewed by the aphids.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 11:39 AM

We as de-clutterers have a fairly sophisticated level of understanding about how we have been our own worst enemies in accumulating stuff. The good news is that we have kept useful things in circulation, and are moving it along, but we each have too much of it. As we all have suspected, there is a lot more to the story.

This link is to a simple discussion of the problem. It doesn't asterisk the industries that are working to do better, but overall, it is accurate. It takes about 20 minutes to watch and will make each of you want to redouble your declutter efforts, and to be vigilant about what comes back into the house and how you use your time.

www.storyofstuff.com
Watch This carefully and please send the link to thinking people you know, and don't be shy--talk about it to people who need more guidance.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 11:46 AM

I remember when we first saw that one, Maggie. I'd lost the link. Thank you for posting it. It is very important, imo!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 11:55 AM

Beautiful countryside, Kat, thanks for posting the photos!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Charmion
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 01:27 PM

The lady who got my old encyclopaedia sent me a really nice e-mail of thanks. She and her partner have been sitting around reading it ever since they took it home yesterday. Cool!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 02:32 PM

That's neat, Charmion. I sent a lot of old books to Night Owl after her house burnt down. It was, well still is as I still do it, so much fun to hear her reaction when she'd open a package. We have similar tastes in old books, so quite often I was able to replace near to what she'd had and treasured.

You're welcome, Maggie. Thanks!

And, to see what I did this morning, check out the AFTER picture of that part of my office. Still cluttered, but it's organised and all stuff that is useful or special, i.e. family portraits and the toys my granddad made. At least now I can get to the library table and work on jewellery, again!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 02:42 PM

What about that top shelf? Is it out of reach? Is there something you can display there that you don't have to take down, or will you adjust the shelves so you can reach all of them?

I'm working on the dulcimer listing this afternoon. Once it is up I'll run errands.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 03:55 PM

Small stumps gone out of the yard. 3 loads of laundry done. One bag of dated food in the trash from 'frig. Dishes done. I am feeling quite virtuous.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 05:02 PM

Whoever you are. . . maeve? Linn?

I've listed the dulcimer on eBay. Lots of work to list a big thing. I'm not taking chances with this one, that it comes in too low. No reserve, but a starting point $40 below the Buy-It-Now price.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 05:27 PM

That must be MAG working on the stumps and feeling rightfully virtuous!

You've accomplished a lot today, MAG.

I'm not as industrious as I'd like to be. My feet and ankles keep swelling and then hurt and my hands hurt. I suspect it's being on my feet too much during the day and into the night, and all the digging, cleaning, lifting, critter patrol, and food prep.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 05:53 PM

You're right--I didn't skim up very far.

Off to Home Depot to get a chunk of replacement carpet foam for under my now clean rug, then to the grocery to get lots of bread crumbs. Time to freeze more eggplant for parmesian. I have a dozen or so in the fridge from the last couple of days. Laundry is drying in the back yard, and I discovered that the inexpensive clothespin holder thing is deteriorating--why would they have made it from a paper-line substance? Gotta find something to hang on the line to hold pins that will let them drain in the rain. I'm thinking it's time to do some adaptive reuse of a milk jug, cut a big hole in the top, saw a little pass-through on the bottom of the handle to slip over a line, and poke holes in the bottom for drainiage.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Charmion
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 06:39 PM

I now have eight rather large boxes of books -- mostly paperback novels but a few more respectable volumes -- bound for the Rockcliffe School Book Fair. The book fair people actually come to the house and pick up, if you can believe it, and the sale supports the school library. We can now resume stuffing the shelves, while upholding the House Rules of *no more bookcases* and *no books on the floor*.

It's odd how the new thrillers head right out the door again, but the old Rafael Sabatini novels and collections of Kipling get to stay.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 07:13 PM

Eight boxes? That's wonderful progress, Charmion.

I've just learned that the library our village thought they'd be building won't happen any time soon. Thus, I'll declutter most of the picture books I've been saving for that purpose. They're all part of my professional collection and include some really beautiful books. I'll try to find a good home for all but the ones I'll need to refer to when I take up my illustration studies again.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: mouldy
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 05:26 AM

Thanks for the link. I'm downloading it now!
I have just got in from putting my recycling bins out. (Paper cardboard, glass bottles and metal cans). I have found that the local tip collects plastic bottles too, so I'm going to sort a container out for those, although I don't use all that many.

Hopefully I will be able to make a start on stripping out the next bedroom today. It's all a slow process, but I think I quite enjoy it now. The stuff has to be moved about like one of those little puzzles with the moveable squares. I could never do them! Whatever doesn't fit at the end will be ditched! In a week's time, Ruth will be back at uni, and I will be able to concentrate more.

I have a load of random books that I need to sort through, but at the moment the (albeit small-ish) piles I have moved from the living room to the office are stopping me from getting the stool that I need, in order to reach them, close enough!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 10:21 AM

I picked up a piece of carpet pad and a can of kilz primer yesterday. The paint was a good suggestion by the carpet guy--it will lock any smell that might have seeped into the concrete behind the paint. I can also slap it on the wooden carpet strip that probably has the smell also.

Yesterday I unpacked a printer-paper big box of files packed up years ago. I recycled most of this research for something I don't need now. A 5-inch stack of the papers need consideration. They're on the dining room table, so my short-term goal for today is to determine where those will live if they are keepers. Also, boxes and baskets of stuff have ended up on the floor in my office again; I need to re-shelve or toss the stuff.

Dulcimer has one watcher and several views. Fingers crossed this goes to a good home first time round!

It was nice going to the garage this morning and not being crowded by those cabinets. I hope Moonglow is truly able to put them to good use (the bookshelves are great--those alone are keepers even free-standing, but the table-top, that's the question mark.)

Note to self: tonight teach 16-year-old son to iron pants. This morning he got out of the house in pants a raisin would envy. They dried on the line yesterday.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 10:44 AM

Ahem...excuse me...didn't I mention Kilz before the paint guy!?

...you may have to get some Kilz and coat the floor to block the scent.

**bg** Glad you got that under control, Maggie and good luck on the dulcimer!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 11:19 AM

I missed that one. What I'm tempted to do is paint the cat. . .

It won't hurt the floor to put paint down now if I'm considering tile in the future, so it isn't a problem. But this corner is making tile look better all the time.

Went out with my masking tape to check the garden and captured more clusters of lace bugs. I see eggs for lacewing flies and they're staying put. Knocked off a couple of grasshoppers.

It's Monday morning, back at work, and I've taken time to bring my work email back down below 100. I am finding this is a useful way to get more things done sooner; when you let it ride thinking "I'll get to it this afternoon," the message can slide off the screen and out of mind. This is a useful declutter trick.

As a side note: Do you realize that here in the U.S. the biggest sign that the advertisers and marketplace are winning the make-more-clutter war is the SallyMae FreddieMac bailout? China must be celebrating big-time.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: MAG
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 02:15 PM

Yes, that was me -- feeling virtuous today too 'cause I went to the Y and did the nautilus circuit. Now, day off, I can do (more) laundry and beloved weeds. Oh, and spin my big cylindrical composter. I have to cut my way past those #$%^&* berry brambles todo it. and wash more bird poop off my car. and maybe start on decluttering the den. and venture further into that 'frig ...

MAG

oh yes, and go find out what happened to my cookie.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 03:10 PM

I wish some more of you would join the Mudcat Gardeners (http://groups.google.com/group/mudcat-gardeners) and post photos of some of these great places you're talking about!

MAG, I was listening to my Dirt Doctor organic guru yesterday and he described his home system that is just like my two-step compost system. I'm glad to know my instincts were correct. If I put kitchen waste directly in the compost pile then it is visited by critters, so I have a black plastic tub with a snug lid, and I drop it in there for a few weeks, then I lug it to the front, dig a hole in the top of the compost, and dump it in. By that point it is so wet and gushy it is of no interest to critters, and the breakdown switches from anerobic to aerobic. But I'd still love to get or make one of those tumblers.

Well, today at lunch I did it. I de-cluttered my bank account. Over the past few weeks I have moved debt to one credit card, and today I paid it off from a CD. There is a penalty on the CD, but the benefit is to have all of this out of the way, and the resolve to not let a balance go unpaid at the end of the month. With this out of the way, I can make bigger payments on the mortgage.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 06:09 PM

I would love to join the Mudcat Gardeners' group, but my computer is unable to post photos now. Even Flickr has upgraded to the point that I've lost full access to the photos I already put there, and I can no longer send or, in many cases, receive emailed photos.

Sorry. I wish I could.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maire-aine
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 09:05 PM

I'll join the gardeners group. I just got a call that my new laptop has arrived at Best Buy and they'll set it up tomorrow. 95% of the computing I do (even my personal computing) is done on my office laptop. And since I'll have to give it back next month, I figured I'd better upgrade my personal technology. I was planning to take pictures all around the yard, so I could plan what I want/need to do. But I'm not sure I want to share the before pix until I have an after to go with it.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 11:45 PM

That's fine--before and after photos are so inspiring! maeve, I hope you join the faster computing world one of these days soon! Otherwise, maybe set up photo accounts to use when you're in town at the public library? I had a membership at one photo site that kept kicking me off because my system was too slow, and even though it is somewhat faster now, I haven't gone back. Photobucket is the one I use the most now.

I've been doing extra cooking the last couple of nights, putting two more pans of single-layers of eggplant Parmesan in the freezer. And the freezer is beginning to look pleasantly full. I need to reorganize shelves to be sure I don't have orphaned pork chops buried under the salsa or pot pies, etc.

Even though the dining room table is kind of messy with papers I haven't finished sorting, in general the kitchen and dining room are holding their own as far as having more usable counter space and tabletop room.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 12:14 AM

Morgan was impressed at what "Mama" did in her office, esp. as it involved "his" computer table, i.e. my jewellery table which has the old computer at one end, which he is allowed to use.

maeve, we may have an old tower around that has WIN2000 on it. You'd be welcome to it, if it would help? We get a discount on shipping so that wouldn't be a problem. I'll have to make sure we still have it...it would be out in the *cluttered* travel trailer-turned-storage-shed.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 07:33 AM

Thanks SRS and katlaughing. I am not at all certain how long we'll be online, have telephone service, etc. I thought I had that figured out, but I guess not. The library idea is a good one, if we had a library, if I had a way to get to it, and if they'd allow downloads. At the moment I'm just going to focus on getting through the winter and accept that I'm going to be isolated for a while. Could be worse. :)

Thanks anyway. I appreciate the ideas.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 08:11 AM

maeve, sounds like you need to PM a few folks your postal address--hopefully the post office still visits you every day? Or are you so far out in the boonies that you need to travel to a post office?

Donations today, I think. Gotta clear some more space.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: MAG
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 10:13 AM

I lost the cord to connect my digital camera to my computer, otherwise I'd post garden pics.

Back to work today (sigh).

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 10:17 AM

Monumental achievements/milestones/new baselines yesterday. Sad for you lot that my descriptive post detailing it all.... got lost.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 10:18 AM

Wrong thread....

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 11:06 AM

MAG, do you have a card reader? Plug the camera card into that instead.

Wonderful day, overcast, not hot. Nice temperature, makes me want to cook up a storm! It has been too hot to cook for months. Good day to tote stuff around for donation.

Susan, have you stowed all of your camping gear yet?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 11:49 AM

SRS, no, because only a very small amount gets stowed in the house-- anything that can;t stand freezing over the winter. The rest lives permanently IN the camper. All of it stays in the camper till the freeze is impending because we still take it out the odd night or two till then-- with electric blankets.

What IS going on at this time of year is fabricating improvements that came to mind, during vacation, that needed more tools/purchases than could be handled in camp during the vacay or short camps. And cleaning the outside.

Yet to complete is the canopy-extending tarp's additional grommets.

One improvement this year was the remanufacturing of several 2-drawer Sterilite dressers into 2-drawer units, and the addition of pairs of 1-drawer units. These will stack back up into 3-drawer-high units, in use, but pack more easily into the lower half of the camper (it's a pop-up and thus all storage has to fit under the pushed-in bunks). The removed third drawers will be remade into 2-drawer units for van stuff.

I did go through several of the camper's kitchen drawers last week as I set up the new drawer units. These particular drawers hold spatulas and other food prep gadgets used both in the camper's propane kitchen and Hardi's outdoor cookery. There were no unused items, and the better drawers made favorite items easier to find and grab. We did pitch a dead electric frying pan during vacation; the electric control mechanism turned up a few days ago and is slated to go to the parish kitchen, where I understand they are missing a few bits for their frypans.

We also jettisoned some unused messkit-style cookpots during vacay, regretfully bequeathing them to neighboring site occupants. It was an extended family with younger members just starting to form up their camping supply kits. The nesting pots had been Hardi's when he camped alone with his kids-- much used and much loved, but lidless. He chose to go with the lidded, heavy-bottomed pots I'd added to our gear with this larger camper... the jettisoned pots lasted less than a minute on the campsite's picnic table: "Excuse me, we're leaving these if you can use them." The experienced camper in their group took a few for herself and passed along some of her less-desirable pots to the younger ones, etc.-- like Native American gifting where everyone rotates something around the hoop.

A well-used addition this year was a heavy-duty plastic toolbox, to stay in the van at all times for our frequent, impromptu roadside cookouts. The portable tabletop gas grill lives in the van as well. The toolbox has knives, spoons, flatware, paper plates, and a basic-for-us spice set. Hardi set it up so that one hand carries box, one carries grill, and wife carts camp chairs and mini patio-style umbrella.

Another addition this year was our very own version of tacky canopy lights. Goodwill was very good to us this year, with a set of red hearts just small enough not to be too tacky (for us) or too bright. (I had the choice of Valentine's red or Easter-egg pastel lights.) They're strung on a long bungee cord that goes up in seconds. I set up a string pulley to hike up the extension cord that powers them, since it needs to loop up over a canopy pole that gets way taller than me before I can dig out the cord. The string pulley is there, waiting, till after the more essential camping setup is done. Hardi would wait for me to get it, but we also do our setups in the rain; that cord is one of several items not urgently needed till "later."

Another fabrication yet to complete is the headboard we decided we really need. A headboard, in a canvas bunk-end? Sure, why not. The numerous pillows are stretching out the canvas, and we want to hold them back. Many excellent alternatives were discussed, and the winner was the one that Goodwill supplied.

The most-appreciated addition this year has been the porta-potti and a 4x4-foot throne room tent for it. That thing really WORKS!!!

It's lovely to camp with someone who can and does rough it, but see them gladly taking on additional conveniences with age and new interests. It means we both can make do under less than ideal circumstances, but that we also let ourselves enjoy the easier way when we want to. Yes we each can boil coffee over a fire. It's also nice, though-- when you wake up creaky-- to find the espresso machine waiting on the folding aluminum table, steaming away as you stumble down the camper steps toward your camp-chair recliner. :~) And as the morning advances, we head off for sporty activities instead of spending all our energy all day building fires. :~)

This vacay I took along a bulky music setup and then never used a lick of it. The week we left, I had just achieved a great new portability in the whole kit-- it used to take up half the van and, miniaturized, now resides in a handy cart-- but I am sure my laminated autoharp did not really enjoy the long days locked up in the hot van when I got tired of stowing it in shade day after day. To take its place next year, I just tossed in a used mini-keyboard so I can scope out a few new offertories as I sit in the shade.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 08:52 PM

As I was ready to head out the door this evening I grabbed and photographed two boxes of toys (spread the fabric cutting board on the floor, spread the toys around, take a group photo, count them later, calculate the value). They're now at the Goodwill. Those two boxes were just what it took to make the sun room go from being crowded and disorganized to just disorganized. I can see the floor again and will work from there.

I also grabbed an eggplant off the plant (literally!) beside the driveway and took it with me for my son's vegetarian guitar teacher. He loves them, and this one could hardly be fresher unless he grew it himself.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 10:46 PM

I got one book listed at eBay, today. It took most of the morning as something was wrong with either Firefox or eBay; pages kept loading wrong or dropping info I'd already ticked, etc. Very frustrating and maybe not worth it, but at least I got it done. There are only eleven copies of it listed at www.addall and none of them for less than $50, so I know it's rare and I hope it's likely t get some bids. I have more ephemera I will scan and list tomorrow, as well as some linen.

I've got some work to do before that..re-edit the last 20 pages of my new book and decide whether to self-publish through Amazon or not. THAT will de-clutter my head some.:-) Hope to have it out by early 2009.

Rog gleefully told me he'd brought home two really nice shipping boxes for my eBay sales.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 12:32 AM

Good boxes make the world of difference in shipping things as affordably as possible--I regularly bring home boxes from the library recycle bins. It's also a great way to re-use/recycle.

Sun room is looking better, more floor space. Dining table is almost clear again. But I've put an LED candle on top of the Victrola sitting in the middle of the front hall so no one trips or stubs a toe on it in the night while we await the verdict on the front room carpet.

Tomorrow I'm going to pull up the last of the roma tomatoes out front. They're so full of mealy bugs I don't think there will be any leaves by the time the few tomatoes get ripe. I'll see if they can ripen on the counter.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 09:58 AM

Oh and I deleted several shirts from the camper dresser because I added several newer (Goodwill) ones. It's wonderful how a camper, even a largish one, only has so much space. The old shirts became rags for the van-- Hardi likes to use them when he checks the oil. I didn't try making the last bits into buttons or laces. :~) Too bad I don't quilt-- nice memories in those fabrics-- but by the time I pitch things the fabric's no good to hold stitches anyhow.


Me, to old shirt before it gets pitchable: "No one could ever love you the way I do! You'll be mine forever!"

Me, at dresser, when I try to pack in the newer shirt: "My backdoor shirt! Hide here!"

Me, to old shirt, as I pitch it a few days later-- just can't stuff another one into the dresser: "Love ya, gotta go! Oh well! Fickle I guess! Got a new shirt I love more!


BTW, anybody have some nice hankies they want to pass along my way? I find I'm using them these days and the idea of buying them doesn't sit right, not to mention how scratchy new ones are.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: MAG
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 10:09 AM

The kittens (they showed up again) park by the patio door but still run away when I appear. They come back for the food tho' -- hope I can get them tamed before they reproduce.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 10:15 AM

MAG, your local humane society might have a Hav-A-Heart trap you could borrow to catch them before they start to reproduce.:-)

I have one bid and four watchers on my book, already! I am off to edit and post more to eBay this morning.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 10:55 AM

Are you watching my dulcimer, or have I picked up another watcher?

I got an ad from eBay today about "Kijiji" that I've never paid attention to but that is affiliated with eBay. http://www.kijiji.com/. I see Colorado Springs and Denver in CO, so it might not be any help to you. The closest branch to me is Dallas (45 miles east). Maine has Portland, Michigan has several communities, as does Pennsylvania. It might be another good place to at least take a look. It seems to be a civilized answer to Craig's List.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maire-aine
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 12:00 PM

Hankies? By golly, I do. PM me with an address.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 12:39 PM

:~) There's Freecycle, and then there's MudCycle.

In a box next to me are the envelopes various Catters (and other similar types) have sent me, originally containing various much-appreciated items. Of course I use 'em to send on stuff to keep the cycle going. Some of these have been hither and quite yon. There was a time when these anticipated packages were the motivation to get me out of the chair, down the painful steps, and out to the mailbox-- into the sunshine. Nowadays I bop in and out quite easily and often, but I do love exchanging "stuff."


I just came in from patching a sheet for the camper. The bunk-slides used to snag the feets-ends of sheets when we pushed them in, and after a botched repair doen inside the camper during the vacay I decided the easiest way to reconstruct the maze of rips properly would be to do it ON the bunk. Sheet on the bunk, and me on a stool outside, beneath the bunk, to get at it. Basted up quick and easy, and then I brought it in to add the over-patch left over from some matching pillowcases I'd cut down from king to standard. Why today? The patch showed up in the wash, and it's a sunny but cool, breezy day. Much cooler now than on the southern Ohio vacay!

(Bob's my uncle.)

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 01:16 PM

I guess it's a sewing sort of day. Mended several t-shirts and pillows cases to put back into circulation. One shirt needs a little more attention, hand-mending over pinhole spots probably from a couple of cat claws. Ouch!

There are some built-in problems with the free-cycle and Craig's list places that I haven't completely articulated but that register in the "ethics of stuff" part of my brain.

A lot of what I see for sale on Craig's List is stuff people in their right minds should never have bought. Now they have to sell it and they are trying to get a high price for it. There are also people trying to sell junk on Craig's list and want a high price for it. Both seem to be waiting for either the sucker or the savvy shopper, hard to say which they are unless you see the use they make of the items. The medium is overseen by a self-appointed group of users who delete messages they deem "inappropriate," not because they say anything wrong, but because they don't fit a narrow format, much of which is not published anywhere for people to learn from. As gatekeepers they probably overall try to protect their venue, but for some it looks like a power game. Big fish, small pond.

Free-cycle has a lot of people throwing out the used because they got the shiny new version of the thing they are discarding, and I guess it's good because at least they're giving someone else a chance to use the old one. But on the "wanted" side, the complex and expensive laundry lists of things people are looking for, seem to feel entitled to receive free, are staggering. It's a juggernaut of spending and discarding and entitlement that is very unattractive to view.

I realize that I'm the fish in the water, I can't remove myself from my environment to truly view my role in it objectively, but when I watch what is going on around me and sample these services, I find them off-putting and I can't sustain a steady diet of reading these ads and offers.

eBay the corporation has a thumb on the scale of every transaction that goes down, and is tightening it's control more by limiting outside payments for sellers and buyers. There are sellers and buyers who try to take advantage of others, though I would say that out of all of my transactions I've only had trouble with maybe 1 or 2 percent. In the general scheme of things, though, it tends to reveal more closely a true market value of things via a larger audience than the local lists and cycles notices do. It does help people become local consumers if the cost of shipping is too high--look around and see what is in the neighborhood, that's a good way to shop when you can, and eBay will facilitate that as well as enable the exotic purchases from half-way around the world. It's all there in black and white in the shipping charges.

Enough of my Wednesday morning philosophy pondering, but I wanted to get it off my chest.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 01:22 PM

Those are exactly the reasons I am wary of using freecylce and Craigslist, even though I was quote successful with the one thing I've sold on craisglist.

Got some more stuff on ebay today.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 01:35 PM

Here's several pictures of a camper a lot like ours. Ours is a little older, but same model/floorplan more or less.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1069443702045653997uUbezC

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 04:01 PM

My sister used to have one like that. All the kids on one side, adults on the other. It worked out well for them when the kids were little.:-)

I have spent the morning getting a few more things on ebay. It seems to take too much time for each item, so I am going to streamline, start taking all scans/photos at once, then do all write-ups ahead of time, then it's all set and ready to go, typos fixed, etc.!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 04:07 PM

I like that optimism: "floor plan!"

I took the vacuum back to the shop and explained that the hose wasn't working. I asked if there is a gate that switches when it is plugged into the base, and he said no, and I offhand remarked "I don't think it could be the hose, but I didn't run anything through it," then pulled the top out of it's storage housing, poked my finger in--and hit a solid wad of hair. Blush!

Geez. At least I didn't pay them to clean out my vacuum hose. I told him to tear up the ticket and I brought it back home. I used a pliers and then took a couple of broom handles and pushed one through the hose with the other--and removed about 4" of solidly packed dog and cat hair. [sigh]

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 05:34 PM

What? It really does have a floor plan. Plus we take no kids. The whole back bunk becomes the closet(s). It's quite roomy.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 09:02 PM

Floorplan comparison with hard-sided trailer: http://www.fleetwoodcampingtrailers.com/foldingvstravel.aspx

Top Ten Reasons Why Camping With A Folding Trailer Is Better Than Camping With A Tent:

10 Stay close to nature without sleeping on the ground where the creepy things crawl around.
9 Put your stuff in the trailer and keep it there, ready for the great outdoors, or when your spouse kicks you out of the house.
8 Respect nature, respect yourself- the Tree Hugger in you won't disown you.
7 Many have hot water, shower, toilet, refrigerator, and can even be air-conditioned. Try that with a tent!
6 Makes camping with the young'ns easier and more enjoyable- for them and for you. Especially you.
5 No busting a lung to inflate the air mattress, only to have the blasted thing go flat at 4 a.m.
4 Easier to set up- fewer poles, no moat to dig, no stakes to pound, and it even works on sloping ground.
3 Packing the camper, not the car, means more people room and fewer "Are we there yets?" from the back seat.
2 Way easier to find- won't get lost in the attic or buried in the trunk.
1 Admit it…you've always wanted your own string of tacky lights and a camper awning to hang them on!


Top Ten Reasons Why Camping With A Folding Trailer Is Better Than Camping With A Travel Trailer:

10 Fits in most garages- no need to pay big bucks just to park it when you're not camping in it.
9 Large clear windows and 360 degree viewseven when indoors, it feels like being outdoors- not in a box.
8 Enjoy a chorus of crickets at dusk and birds at dawn – not your neighbor's gazillion watt generator turning on.
7 Fits in most garages- the home owners association won't hate you.
6 Easier to tow and back up than a travel trailer, letting you get into better, more natural campsites.
5 Expands to offer more sleeping and living space than most comparable towing length travel trailers.
4 Fits in most garages- and using a drive-thru window won't result in a call to your insurance agent.
3 Enjoy all the comforts and amenities of home, without feeling like you're towing your home.
2 No need for a hulking SUV just because you own an RV- "crank up the fun without paying at the pump".
1 Makes you look smarter than the average RVer. Even impresses neighbors and kids. How cool is that.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 10:44 PM

Had a call from an old friend tonight. We talked about de-cluttering. He built a new room on his house for all of the stuff. His mother died last week, they had celebrated her 100th birthday last summer--she had a good life, a wonderful eclectic and creative outlook, and a great family. And they collected everything.

100

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 12:03 AM

OH, I don't know if that is sad or smart, Maggie, building an extra room for it all. Mind you I have dreamt of such a thing...a one-room museum for all of the family heirlooms and archival stuff I have. If my dream really came true it would be in the old ranch house where my dad grew up which is going to ruin on an elk refuge.

I did something right on eBay...I have five watchers on the book and four bids. It's up to almost twenty bucks! Whoo-hoo!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 01:20 AM

Good for you!

My friend's house has some amazing architectural features--they recycled big chunks of old demolished buildings in Seattle when it was being built (doors, windows, lintels, beams, etc.) so it really is remarkable. But there is a lot of extra stuff that they wouldn't miss if it was gone. I remember when they were building that room. It's just full of stuff now, it didn't add to their ability to enjoy the house. I think that maybe they'd have been better off subtracting stuff from the existing house (contents) than building more house.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 01:21 PM

All things considered, the kitchen is looking pretty good, and the sun room is navigable. I'm taking my son to a sold-out lecture on campus tonight so it might not be until the weekend that I get much more done. On my to-do list is the summing up of donations from August and starting the new list for September. I'm keeping on top of those pretty well this year, and it will help get a better tax refund. One hopes. The year isn't over yet.

Anyway, two weekends ago it was Hurricane Gustav that was supposed to batter us, but we had heavy humidity and overcast instead, no rain (here, anyway). Ike is taking a bead on us now, and seems to be more determined to go over the top of us. Another weekend potentially washed out.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 05:01 PM

I've been involved with Freecycle for about four or five years -- what a difference now from when I first got on two lists! (Besides the fact that the lists themselves have multiplied -- I've limited myself to just the two original lists I signed on to.)

Back then, far fewer people were involved and, in theory, non-profits had first dibs (at least, that was in the guidelines). And people didn't post greedy laundry lists, dream lists, of stuff they just wanted rather than needed.

Since I was primarily trying to find homes for good stuff that was too good to throw out and a yardsale takes too much time and trouble for the return, it worked fine. Still does. I even got a couple things I could use -- generally NOT by posting a "Want". I'm not crazy about the current trend of cluttering up the lists with wishful instead of needful "wants".

One of my best Freecycle experiences was finding homes for two manual typewriters. One went to a local Easter Seal organization to address envelopes. The other went to a six-year-old boy who was fascinated by typewriters and like to make books. How cool is that!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 10:21 AM

The Thomas Friedman lecture last night was wonderful. My 16-year-old sat and listened intently. I think that maybe hearing someone other than his Mom say these environmental things is going to help him see that it isn't just my rantings and ravings around here.

Now if he'll just take shorter showers and turn off more lights when he leaves the room. :)

There is so much I want to do, to read, write, and think about, and it is so difficult in a cluttered environment. I simply must speed up some of this clearing out.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: MAG
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 10:25 AM

Kat, I already own a have-a-heart trap, gotten when possums invaded the 'hood. Trapped 2, and drove them very far away.

I want to get the kittens tamed enough before I do anything drastic like trap them. I want to get them fixed, not get them to the pound.

I discover my band has a gig tomorrow I forgot about so my plans forthe weekend are in total flux. I actually have the morning free (WAS going to go to Portland) so I can do stuff, rather than go consume.

Den still a pit; kitchen looking better all the time. Well, I never let that get too bad.

Not sleeping too well these days; change in insomnia medication; lack of sleep is not helping. I get home from work too tired to do much except flop with a book. Haven't been to work out since Monday (necessary with diabetes).

I've got shasta daisy seeds, pink campion seeds, feverfew seeds -- all very prolific.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 04:01 PM

I have a Library "gig" tonight--a Friends of the Library meeting. I have my fingers crossed that the hurricane winds and rain really do wait until middle of the night to arrive, yesterday they were predicting earlier. I don't want to be out driving in 60mph wind with rain, it's never fun.

Looks like indoor activities tomorrow. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 05:14 PM

I quit one of the 4 Freecycles I was on, today. The closer-by ones are smaller lists with more reasonable driving distances.

Freecycle is complicated by cell phone usage-- a lot of people use theirs for not only phone, but email. That makes texting an "I wanna" request in poor spelling a snap-- no time to think about approriateness needed.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maire-aine
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 06:25 PM

Hi, all. I'm connected again, and no more websites blocked by the corporate computer security. My wireless connection is kind of weak (only have 2 bars) but I've been connected for 30 minutes now and no disconnects yet. Oops. Maybe I shouldn't have said that.

The chimneysweep came today and cleaned it up, and fixed a couple of loose bricks. I made pea soup and a pan of gingerbread, cleaned up the kitchen & did all the dishes, did 2 loads of laundry, and washed the kitchen floor. I think I'll stop soon, but I want to do a little grocery shopping this evening. Tomorrow will be another busy day.

Pulled a few weeds in the yard, but it rained most of the day, so I couldn't do much else.

Have a great weekend,
Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 06:44 PM

You have pea soup weather already? I'm so envious! I had to carry my gabardine jacket for tonight's meeting because I was sweating up a storm in it, it's still so hot outside. In the library we have hyper air conditioning, so it will feel good.

I haven't thought about fire wood, but I rarely do fires. I bought a pretty mirror last fall and propped it at the back in the grate, and I put in candles in front to be reflected. It looks good and I don't have the problems of it not drawing properly. It's poorly designed, I think. I had it cleaned when I moved in and I only do a couple of fires a winter.

A neighbor locked himself out before I left for work, so he came over to borrow a screw driver and a battery (his garage door opener had died). I was still, after all of this time of clearing, embarrassed to have someone come through. It looks better, but someone who isn't in here every day doesn't know that, to an outsider, it still looks cluttered. I have to speed this up and move it out.

More watchers on the dulcimer. Fingers crossed. It ends early enough in the evening (I planned it that way) that people should be up and around, it isn't one of those 2am auctions that no one wants to wait up to bid at the last minute.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 06:53 PM

Maggie, sounds like you might be headed towards beating yourself up a bit...all in good time, eh?:-)

MAG, I didn't think you wanted to take them to the shelter. I just thought you wanted to get them fixed and let them remain feral. Good for you for wanting to tame them and good luck!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 08:49 PM

Taking a box of software books to Maine tomorrow in hopes of connecting with a friend who will take them off my hands. Then Tuesday morning swinging over to another friend's before going to work at noon, and dumping a huge box of canning jars in her kitchen.

Haven't been able to get much accomplished lately, but that will help.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 12:43 AM

Oh, gawd, more canning jars. . . I wish some of you folks who are getting out of that business lived closer!

My canning friend made it to the Friends of the Library meeting tonight. We ended up chatting with the catering chef about a couple of her recipes. . . aren't we incorrigible! But at the same time, I like the idea that guests can stand and chat with the wait staff (as long as we don't keep them from doing their jobs). Especially since Aramark, that has the campus food service and catering contract, hires students. They have some of the BEST educated servers around. Today, waitress or waiter, tomorrow, electrical engineer or nuclear physicist. Many are MS or Ph.D. students. :)

I understand what you're saying Kat. But I've taken so long, I need to occasionally pause, look around, and see what I'm being too slow or fussy about. I want to move this job along because I have so many other things I want to be doing.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 03:55 AM

There's a fun day and jumble sale at church today... good opportunity to dispose of a few books we no longer require... and maybe those horrible glasses that someone gave us as a present.... and a few of the undrinkable bottles that we've 'acquired' at parties....

Possibilities are endless if only I could get my ass in gear!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: MAG
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 10:22 AM

My shrink suggested I take pictures of my house to sow her in case I've got something diagnosable like fear-of-getting-rid-of-wrong-thing syndrome.

THERE is a goad to getting rid of stuff. Anybody else this bad? Or do we all just have ridiculously busy lives?

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 10:23 AM

Go for it Liz, empty the clutter bin into the car and haul it over there! Make a couple of extra trips! Someone can use this stuff--that's great!

Rain's starting here. Lots of areas in the path are without power. We'll see how the day goes. I'm going to pack up eBay stuff for now, I think.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 12:23 PM

Anybody else this bad? Or do we all just have ridiculously busy lives?

There is a fine line, and it is easily crossed. Your shrink is right-- it would be a good thing to check out, becuase there are some very simple behavioral strategies (non-medicated ones) to make life quite manageable.

For me that fine line is one particular spot. When its clutter gets over a certain line, I know I am starting toward trouble. BUT if I take care of that spot when I see it crossed, it is quite easy to move on from it to other areas about to get outta control, and keep it all in good order for quite a long time til the next slip down the slidy slope.

The great news is that our brain chemistry and learned habits are quite plastic-- formable and re-formable. The higher brain, the mind, and your intentionality have quite a considerable degree of take-charge control over the lower brain, over the habits getting in the way of the life you want, and over the brain chemistry.

So I would say check it out, but then don't jump onto meds right off if they're suggested, because from other disciplines you may find this quite manageable. And if your shrink doesn't find a problem, then you can still go right to the behavioral changes.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 10:56 PM

I used to watch a program on one of the satellite channels called Clean House. It is kind of torturous to watch, it is amazing how much worse those houses are than mine ever has been. But -- occasionally -- they do one that hits home. The woman in graduate school with books and paper got to me. I recorded it, and I think it's still on the DVR. Another had to do with inherited items the woman couldn't let go of. I should go rewatch them. They touch on, in a non-clinical way, the mental process behind hoarding or not letting go. Pass some of Don Aslett's books over this and you can find permission to discard whatever you need to. If you can do it in a responsible, beneficial way, all the better.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 11:36 PM

Things have slowed down around here. We spent most of the day running around doing stuff that needed to be done, then watched a movie. Tomorrow Rog has to work some in preparation for Obama's visit here on Monday, so I *think* I will work on jewellery, finally, unless I go with him. I'll be lucky to get laundry and maybe some dishes done. I have a few things for eBay, but researched one of them and got discouraged...it's not really worth anything.

I am kind of at the point where I cannot do a lot without Rog's help or that of someone else and I don't know who that would be without having to pay them, which ain't happenin'.:-) My own work is taking over my time, right now, too.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 10:03 AM

Repairing things is another way to remove clutter, because once it is fixed, it goes back to where it belongs. The stack of shirts and pillow cases has now gone through the laundry and been hung up or folded and put in their places.

A friend sent me information about how to repair my weed trimmer, so I can fix it instead of buying a new one. And hang it back on the wall where it belongs.

Kat, are there things that you need Rog to help with that your online pals can help with also, or is this the "any strong back who is handy" kinds of chores?

On the sorting paper front, I'm going to contact a co-worker in Special Collections and ask if they have any particular parameters regarding the types of maps in the map collection they maintain. I have a bunch of maps from national parks around the country where I have worked or visited. I may be able to donate several files that are now sitting on my dining room table.

Lovely day, but muggy. If it dries out I'll try mowing this afternoon. This part of Texas was, as far as I can tell, unmarked by Ike. But go 50 or 100 miles due east and the story is much different. The water didn't even rise here. The garden still looks good, but I need to go patrol for predatory bugs. I can clear up more room in the fridge by freezing or cooking a bunch of the stuff from the garden today.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Charmion
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 11:36 AM

I have now worked my way to the last three items on the de-cluttering agenda I set myself for Edmund's absence.

The cellar is tidy: all boxes plumbed, the space under the stairs cleared out, camping gear sorted and neatly stowed, good luggage we don't use re-homed, busted luggage we don't use disposed of, stashed stuff that we don't use but is still worth having delivered to the Salvation Army.

The only cellar tasks still to do are: disposal of bits of wood left over from construction projects -- another Freecycle task -- and delivery of a box of household linen I will never use (including tablecloths and matching napkins, sets of table mats, and fancy linen tea towels) to the church for the fall rummage sale and the Christmas bazaar.

I have also purged the library and re-homed the discarded books. A great raft of reference books, including the 120-year-old encyclopaedia, went to live with a teacher of English as a second language; the novels and miscellaneous history went to the Rockcliffe Book Fair. The book fair also got our accumulation of strong bags suitable for carrying quantities of books -- liquor store bags, cotton bags Edmund picks up at law conferences (though I saved the big one advertising Divorce Mate software), and the heavy paper ones clothing shops use more and more these days.

We have space on the shelves for the first time in years, and there's nothing on the study floor but the cat basket, furniture feet, and the rug. If one were so inclined, one could actually do one's exercises in there without knocking one's head on a cardboard box overflowing with novels or a broken plastic laundry basket full of wire hangers.

In the study, I have not even started sorting, scanning and stowing the great accumulation of photographs, both negatives and prints. At least they're safely packed in plastic bins, all together instead of "lost" among the contents of a dozen boxes of junk.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 11:56 AM

Congratulations, Charmion!

Clearly, doing it (rather than writing about it daily) is an effective strategy! ;-D

I'm glad to see you still have SOMETHING left to do, so we can follow that account. The house sounds amazingly organized, and I am envious.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: MAG
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 12:57 PM

One kitten almost let me touch him this morning. I let my Scamp outside to see about the potential for making friends. Nada yet.

workout. band gig. gather tomatoes. life is good. den still a pit.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maire-aine
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 03:11 PM

It started raining on Friday night, and rained all day Saturday. And this wasn't even the rain from Ike, just some dumb ol' storm that got stuck over the Great Lakes. I was marching in a parade with Dem candidates, for a community festival, so I was soaked by the time I got back to my car.

I discovered that I have a couple of leaks in my roof, one around the chimney, and one around a fan. For now, I have a big (former litter) box to catch the drips, but I guess I'll have to have some work done. It's about 18 year (maybe 19) since I had a new roof put on.

It has been hot and very humid today, and we had a little rain about an hour ago. The rain from Ike is supposed to get here tonight and last most of Monday.

While I was crawling around in the attic, I brought down a box of books on needlepoint. I still enjoy doing it, but not really interested in creating my own patterns. So the books will go to the library used book sale.

I'm getting a better wireless signal in the upstairs bedroom, than in the diningroom, so that's where the new computer will stay. That could be good, de-cluttering-wise. I won't clutter up the dining room, and I may de-clutter the bedroom more, if I spend more time there.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: MickyMan
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 03:30 PM

I had about a dozen bluebird houses that have been in the garage for about a decade. I built them but never put them up anyway. Last month I gave in and gave them away on Craigslist. A nice older lady came who put them up that day. That's one for proper declutterin', ain't it now?

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 03:34 PM

Well, Maggie, some of the work is definitely needing a stronger pair of arms and back...so that will have to wait for Rog and who knows when that will happen. As for the other, I am thinking maybe I need to read one of those books you've told us about. I don't feel reluctant to give some stuff away, I have troubled figuring out to whom and how. Most of it I'd like to give away to friends, but that adds up in postage. Some of it I would rather burn in a kind of pre-transition Viking kind of thing (with me still alive and well just some of my things going ahead of me:-)!

If I gather for a yard sale, that takes up space, looks cluttery and I have my doubt as to when I'd have a sale and if I'd have help (Rog hates them and the last time I thought my dau. and I were going to have one together at her house, her partner got all worried we might mix up the funds. Good grief, right?). Our driveway is unsuitable until it gets a lot colder as it is full of ants again this year. Let's see have I come up with enough obstacles?**bg** This is good to think out loud this way, I think.:-)

Oh well, I am going to try to work on a necklace now. Not in the mood, but it needs to get done.

Thanks for listening, folks!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 04:37 PM

Don Aslett's Clutter's Last Stand is on eBay as item number 220280786845 and on several eBay stores. I also see his books Clutter Free (that was the first one I read, then I passed it on to a co-worker), Lose 200 lbs This Weekend, and For Packrats Only if you do a search on "Aslett" in books. Of the two I read, Clutter's Last Stand seems to approach it more philosophically, but they're both good.

As I mowed the lawns this afternoon I contemplated the order things get done here. Family, Work, Chores, then De-cluttering. As you said, I guess I shouldn't beat up on myself, since all of it is getting done, just not all at the same rates.

Maryanne, good luck with the roof (I had to put a new one on last fall) and with Ike. He was a wash here (so to speak) but really hammered the state to the east.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maire-aine
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 05:31 PM

Thanks. It's not really a bad storm, no lightning/thunder/wind, just continual rain. The humidity must be 120%.

About the emotional issues with de-cluttering, I don't think I really have a problem with that. My "clutter" is mostly glassware and china that I want to keep, but I want it stored so that 1) I can see it and enjoy it, and 2) that I can take it out & use it, then put it back where it belongs, and 3) I really need to entertain more so that I can use it. Some times I feel about the dishes, like I used to feel about my dolls & toys-- I just like to spread them out and "play with them". Does that make any sense? I just enjoy having them and looking at them-- they're pretty. But if I take things out of the china cabinet, I'm afraid I'll never get them all back in again.

The other stuff is books & record albums/CDs/cassettes, that are all over the house. I've probably got 50 vinyl records that I want to listen to, in case there's something on one that I want to learn. And that's just pure procrastination (no thread creep, really).

Oh, well. Thanks for the info on the books. I'll check the library.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 05:35 PM

The book info was for Kat, who said she wanted to read something about it to get motivated or to help her decide what and how to de-clutter.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Rapparee
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 12:25 AM

We just packed up a whole s******d of shirts, shoes, and stuff to give to Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul. I'm talking two BIG trashbags of shoes, four suitcases of clothes, and a smaller trashbag of more shirts and dresses.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 06:34 AM

Wow! That's one major closet decluttering! You've inspired me, Rapaire. :)

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: mouldy
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 09:12 AM

Ruth has gone back to uni - the boxed up tv has gone from by my dining room window! The X Box has gone from the tv table! I can see surfaces, and the towel-load in the laundry basket has drastically shrunk. All the lost mugs have reappeared!

The cat and dog are bereft!

However, her car's still here because some b*st*rd forced the door on friday night, bent it at the top, and popped the window, leaving glass everywhere. I am now trying to source a door from the scrap dealers.

No luck so far, although a friend of hers, across the road, has an older version of the car and I am waiting for my son in law to check if it will fit.

I am gradually sifting through my stuff again, and starting to accumulate another stall's worth for the boot fair, although it will take some time, I fear. I hope I get it done soon enough before the "season" ends.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 09:49 AM

The packet of hankies arrived-- JUST what I wanted, lovely! Thanks to Maire-Aine!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 10:00 AM

This is that beautiful fall day I've been waiting for! Cool, clear, crisp, dry, and because we had rain over the weekend, everything is green! The lawn is mowed so the yard is beautiful, the dogs are frisky, the windows are open!

Who knows if I'll get anything done, but this is when my energy returns!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 10:12 AM

That's great, Maggie and thanks for reposting the book info.

I have done a load of laundry and put the dishes to soak. Trying to decide if I want to battle the crowds to see Obama depending on access to handicapped parking, seating, no shade, heat, etc. Part of me really wants to try and the other part says stay home and watch My Rog bring it to me live on the tv. So, probably not a lot getting done today, at least this morning!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 11:08 AM

Find your umbrella and a folding camp chair, and GO. Use your HC parking placard to get dropped off as far front as possible ("I'm just dropping off my wife....") for an expedited front-row seat. Be sure to take a cane even if you don't need one. They will want the cameras to pick up the diversity of HC folks up close-- use that to get your access. Use your in-charge body language to excuse yourself right up to the front because you know that you belong there!


We went up to sleep in the Mudcat Dorm last night (the house's only air conditioner is up there and there's a humidity wave here). In the past year we have rearranged the beds to make one king (for us) and one double (for guests). We had not been up there since before vacay, and we'd cleaned and decluttered it then. It was so pretty to see it waiting for us last night. I keep a jar of vanilla spice hand cream up there as well as a vanilla candle, so it's delicious dreaming....

There are three projects left up there: (A) swap around the bed frames so the two matching-height frames are under the twins that became the king; (B) finish the window treatments (have all parts on hand); (C) plank across the milk crates to make shelves for the linens that used to be crammed into a small shelf I re-purposed as my table-side collating-supplies shelves.

I do the layout abnd paste-up and then, later, collate our songbooks up there. Sometimes I arrange (chordsheets) up there too. Also headed up there is the new zero-grav chair Hardi bought me for camping-- so that in the early summer next year it will be waiting as a recliner for the days it's too hot/humid to be in the living room in the late afternoon. (That means the folding zero-grav can come out of the laundry room where it's in the way a bit.)

Before heading up there last night we had an urgent fold-up of the camper-- a huge wind storm (Ike?) came our way and during a lull the winds, before the rains hit, we thought we ought to fold it down. I am proud to say that even though it had to go quick (and late! after midnight), the interior is so well organized that I'm not feeling at all concerned about what we'll find next spring-- cuz I think the pending fabricating chores are gonna have to wait. I think it will turn out that we just closed the camper for winter. And that's good-- on to the main house (maw in law's coming) and the Mudcat Dorm.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maire-aine
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 01:00 PM

You're very welcome, ~S~. Good to hear you got the camper folded up. You must have gotten the same storm we had.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: SharonA
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 02:35 PM

"De-cluttering in earnest"? Yep, never more earnestly than now, for me. The town fire marshall came a-callin' to the apartment building in which I live, last Wednesday, and told me I have 30 days to de-clutter or I'm going to be either evicted or padlocked out of my apartment. I'm dead serious here (and so was the fire marshall!). So I'm going to log out now and get rid of de clutter. Hope my next post is not from a homeless shelter!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 02:47 PM

Yikes, Sharon, good luck with that!

Susan, I did a modified version. Yes, I did, I went! Found out I can walk a bit farther than I thought 'cause my foot does not hurt! I'll put more in one of the other threads. Thanks!!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 02:52 PM

Yabbut keep babying that foot so it KEEPS working for you! :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 02:53 PM

Is that a standard procedure in apartment houses in Pennsylvania, or were you a special case? Yikes, indeed!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Peter the Squeezer
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 04:15 PM

I have to make sure that I keep moving about, just in case I get put in the bin!

Peter

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 08:48 PM

I brought a box in from the garage a couple of weeks ago, and last week I went through and tossed a lot of travel and park related stuff. But I kept my collection of NPS and other federal and state park maps and brochures, so today I called the map archivist in Special Collections at my library to talk about the kinds of maps in their collection. He would like to see them. I think what I'll do is make an appointment so we can sit down together and I'll take along some post-it notes and will tell him of anything significant I know about the maps. I don't need a tax deduction on these, because the process of having them appraised would cost more than the deduction (unless I find a friendly appraiser at next month's map society meetings on campus--that is an idea).

This will amount to a few "inches" only (in library parlance of shelf space), but it has been wonderful going through them. I'm not going to be using them for anything, but I picked them up around the country over the last 30+ years and if the university can use them, great!   

I found in this mix a drawing a friend did, a great one that I'm going to mount and frame. He is a talented cartoonist and he illustrated the occasion of my teaching rangers how to rappel on the back side of the Ferry Building at Ellis Island. But that's another story for another thread. . .

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: MAG
Date: 16 Sep 08 - 11:32 AM

Rappeling? You do rappeling? That sounds prretty energetic to me.

I tidies the patio so it's actually nice to park there for a bit.
All summer it's full of seedling starters, repotting materials, etc.
and tools that are not put away -- because I'm going to need them again right away, so why put them in the shed??

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Sep 08 - 11:50 AM

Finally working on jewellery today. That will get a bit more clutter out of the office once I get it done!

Maggie...I'd like to hear that story!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Sep 08 - 04:58 PM

I pulled out another box with several more files of maps and brochures. I'll sort them before I donate them, and since these aren't an endowed gift, the chances of someone organizing them any time soon are slim to none, unless I do it myself. Which I might, with their guidance.

I taught mountaineering for several years after taking a Mountaineer's class myself, and spent several years climbing in the North Cascades. I relocated to NYC to take a job that was an interpretive historian ranger position out at Ellis, back before it had been restored and we pretty much had the run of the place. The park had a rope and I had the harnesses and gear so I taught several how to rappel.

It was the classic case of the first time down was the hardest, and everyone wanted to do it again after that. I scouted around and found a wall that didn't have any windows for people to plunge through on the back side of this building. If you look at the gray ornamental top, that's all nickel. Beneath that is a limestone ledge topping the brick wall. Then a step down, so to speak, is a small balcony on each side, before you get to the longest stretch of rooftop. We were on the little balcony, walking down the back of this building. Not that there was much call for rappelling at Ellis or the Statue, but it was a skill that interested my fellow rangers. We had to stay out of sight of the ferry and the public, so we wouldn't alarm anyone.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Sep 08 - 05:05 PM

That is so neat, Maggie. When my sister, bet, was in college she belonged to a rock climbing club in which I think she was the only girl, as in her drafting classes. Anyway, she has actually climbed Devil's Tower in WY.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Sep 08 - 05:07 PM

Last time I did that I used...clothesline...and I didn't have no steenkin' harness either! Wrapped the clothesline around my waist and through the crouch and over the side!

Mind you, it wasn't really the safest way to rappel.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Sep 08 - 05:16 PM

Through the "crouch" or the "crotch?" That's what we called the "hot pants rappel." One to be avoided at all costs. You can do it, and have to be real careful that you get the wrap around your body and over you shoulder so that the bottom rope is under your cheek, not in the crack. And you move very slowly, this is in emergency rescue no-other-options only situations.

I looked it up, had a nagging feeling. . . the top of the ferry building was lead. They've recast it with nickel and copper, I think, to retain the look but be a little more environmentally friendly.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Sep 08 - 06:10 PM

Ouch! That give a whole new meaning to rope burn.

Back to de-cluttering...I have finally done some more. Finished a complicated necklace; not exactly happy with it, but boxed it up to send to my client, so they can try it and see what they think. I know this will probably come back to me for more, but it feels good to have it moving at least.

I also decided to tackle a myriad of scarp notes tucked into two stackable little bins, about 8 inches back, by about 3 inches across, open ended. I don't have them stacked, they sit in front of my monitor. I also have pens, business cards, CDs and cassette tapes in them. I really needed to go through all of it, but mostly the papers.

So! I did it! I decided I didn't want to put them in a recipe card file holder on index cards, so I put them in a new file drawer in my Yeah Write program. (I love that program, thanks BillD!) Each file folder is labelled so I can keep up with what I usually put on scrap paper, including:
Books to read, CDs & Musicians (that I want, well the CDs, no necessarily the musicians!), Contacts, Locations & Stores, Lyrics, Music to learn, Radio to listen to, Recipes, Sayings, and Websites. None of it duplicates anything I have anywhere else, such as contacts. The contacts here are more temporary or less personal than what I put in my address book.

Anyway, it's not a huge amount, but it sure feels good to look at my desk and see less paper.:-)

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

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

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,

I dusted the living room!!

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!)

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 17 Sep 08 - 04:07 PM

Hurray, Kat! Yip Yip Yeahhhhhh!

maeve

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

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

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.

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~

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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~

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.

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

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 ...

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

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, ...)

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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

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~

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 dehydrator van. :)

Some days I crack myself up.

SRS

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!

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.

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~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Leadfingers
Date: 23 Sep 08 - 12:49 PM

200

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Sep 08 - 01:24 PM

If you declutter all of Leadfinger's counting posts from Mudcat threads he'd vanish.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Sep 08 - 02:15 PM

I kinda like it that these accoutability threads auto-declut, monthly.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 12:12 AM

Our houses are messy, but we eat well. :)

More on eBay.

Tomorrow is hump day, and we're sliding toward a new month. I'd hoped to get more done, but with cooler weather over the last week, I finally feel like doing that work.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 01:00 AM

I've been sorting through my dad's files today, in between laundry and dishes and a trip to town for roofing supplies. The treasure so far includes a painted design and sketches he made as a young man.

While hunting down the roofing materials we came across some plastic 5 gallon buckets with lids. They are food safe and will become flour bins for my bread flours.

We looked at washing machines...............

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 10:20 AM

Fingers crossed for that washing machine shopping!

The holidays are coming, so it's time to list on eBay the items that someone might buy as a gift for a collector, along with the seasonal things (I sell things like sweaters and warm shirts this time of year).

I hope you can use that much flour fast enough to avoid it going rancid or growing weevils. I don't try to stockpile it much even with all of the baking I do, and I learned my lesson regarding finding a "too good to be true" price. I was at Big Lots a few months back and bought a couple of 5lb bags of whole wheat. When I opened the first one I realized they were rancid--so much for that savings! I buy fresh flour on sale in grocery stores that do a lot of turnover and I freeze it (wrapping the bag in a plastic bag before putting it in or it can pick up scents from the freezer).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 10:28 AM

Oh yes, flours can certainly go bad quickly. We have so many cold places in our old house it's like having extra freezers in the winter. I buy directly from King Arthur or the organic foods store, freeze it in case there are any undesireables, then store it in one of our cold spots. Having it accessible means I'll use it regularly.

Thanks for the good wishes regarding a washing machine. It would save me hundreds of hours each month, and keep my hands from being crippled from the wringing and scrubbing. We'll see. It needs to use as little water and energy as possible, even if that means we pay more initially.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 11:20 AM

Those front loading washers take less water, but lots more moola. Maybe you can find a used Neptune next time someone with too much money and not enough sense upgrades to the Jupiter. :-)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 06:57 PM

(Actually, while I know the Neptune is an energy and water-efficient model, I don't know what the newer latest greatest washers are called).

More stuff needs to go on eBay this evening. I may have to mail away all of my clutter to finally get it out of the house (harking back to Susan's observation above, sort of, but it would also be nice to have some jingle in my pocket!) And I'm hoping we learn who our Secret Santees are pretty soon so I can plot plan for my gift from this stash and give it adequate mailing time.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 07:45 PM

Okay, so I'm talking to myself this evening.

I am searching eBay for items that came from the (now gone) high-end clothing store I. Magnin. I have a few to list. And this lovely thing turned up. I don't need it, I wouldn't wear it, but isn't it pretty? And it's mohair.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 07:52 PM

I've been trying to respond with a post of my own, but Mudcat was unavailable for a while. Here it is:

The one I liked and that seemed a water and energy efficient model is called "Bravos" by Maytag. It's a top loader with a window in the lid. It has an Energystar rating , and would cost an estimated $29 per year with our electric water heater.

Half the water and energy use of conventional washers, and less than most front loaders, the capacity is 4.6 cubic feet. It's a clearance item in the nearest city.

We'll see. No guarantees that we'll be able to buy a new one, but it seems a good idea if we can. We already have a dryer wrapped in a tarp ready to come inside. $20 at a neighbor's yard sale. We only need it for jeans, sheets, blankets, pillows, etc.

PS I like mohair too. :)

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maire-aine
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 07:56 PM

People who talk to themselves, sometimes get the best answers. That is a beautiful scarf, but way too delicate for me.

My roof is done; they came today. I got home from work a little early today, and ripped down a whole bunch of grape vines that had grown up to the top of my garage roof. At first I thought they were just part of the ivy, which is why I hadn't pull them down before. I wouldn't mind them, if they actually produced usable grapes, but all I get are vines.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 07:57 PM

I'm defrosting the deep freeze and tossed a bunch of several years old freezer burned stuff. Does that count?


(There is 'wild meat' in my future....soon)

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 11:12 PM

There should be a way to figure out a Mudcat Virtual Multi-Continent Yard Sale. Except as the Cat's habitues age, it'd have to be Virtually Multi-INcontinent, nyuk-nyuk.

I'll get me Depends....

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 11:13 PM

Yes, it counts! I didn't defrost mine before I started filling it with tomatoes and eggplant Parmesan, so I'll have to do it next spring when it's a lot emptier.

I can't imagine wearing that scarf myself, but it is such a gossamer confection I thought I'd share the auction. Maybe give our knit and crochet folks some ideas. It's astonishing that something so light is of wool, but I suspect that's because wool is probably a largely-overlooked fiber these days.

More coats and garments to get listed. Clothes seem to be getting more attention now on eBay than other stuff, so I'll do more of those for now.

My kitchen is much clearer and easy to use over the last few weeks, and I've been able to keep most of the clutter off of the main central counter. It looks good and makes working there a pleasure. It's slow, but it is progress.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 04:10 PM

How many of us sell things on eBay? I haven't seen Lin in Kansas report in for a while, but I know Kat and I do. Anyone else?

Maybe as a preamble to the holidays, we should run a little competition (no prize, just bragging rights) amongst ourselves to see how much we can sell next month. As time allows, certainly, but acknowledging that this is a good time to make an extra push to sell our surplus, especially seasonal items such as decorations, gifts, and weather gear. We can see who sells the most items, the highest value, etc. And slide into November with a handy little nest egg for our own frugal shopping. That's the real reward.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 03:01 PM

All of my eBay items have watchers now, one has several bids. Maybe the slump is over.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 07:05 PM

Ebay used to be where we'd find some real treasures, but now between postage costs and the limitations of our computer we no longer spend much time there. We even set up a seller's account at one time but again, since the site no longert functions properly on our computer and since we can't post photos of our stuff, it's not an option.

Good luck to those of us who can make use of it and join in the friendly contest proposed by SRS. We have found some very good values there in the past!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 09:02 PM

Sounds like a computer and a satellite connection should be on the list with the washer. A friend out in the middle of the West Texas desert uses wildblue.net. It can give up to about 750K per second download, half the speed of the lowest telephone DSL (unless you're like me and barely getting that 750K/second speed because they really didn't have any business giving us a DSL account as far away from the phone exchange as we are). This is quite an improvement over dialup.

I'm switching to cable Internet one of these days.

I'm going to listen to the debate and during it clear up the kitchen, pick up around the living room, rearrange my CDs (I need to do one more step in my new system of storing them on a shelf in a shoe rack for it to fit well) and I'm going to clear out my fireplace (it has a brass pot in it now) and put in the mirror and candles. Soon it will be time to look to that side of the room for flickering light, but I don't use it for fires, it doesn't draw well. I discovered that candles look lovely when you burn multiples in there.

I hit a couple of garage sales this morning, but was very careful in my shopping--only spent $5.50. I have been looking for another pepper mill--I found two in brass for a dollar. (Frugal Gourmet, you know that's going back a ways). Found a hurricane lamp to put over one of the saucers on a table where I like to burn candles. I want the extra barrier between the flame and anything on the table.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 10:07 PM

LOL Yes those would be wonderful! We'll be saving for a better computer, and will have to see what connection choces we have and how we can pay for a better one. Our friends are eager for us to upgrade so we can stay in touch and I need to work with and post my photos and have access to a music composition program.

Enjoy your candles.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 10:18 PM

I recently sold my Nana's house. No one has lived there in years and it is relatively full. I've been busy packing and moving boxes in order to meet the upcoming closing date. It's been a lot of work but really satisfying.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 12:26 AM

I don't think I could come close to keeping up with you on eBay, Maggie, or even on de-cluttering! You are a whirlwind, womon!**bg** I have slowed down on ebay as I need Rog to help me get stuff out of closets, etc. and I don't know when that is going to happen.

I did finish the last 30 pages of editing on my new book, today and organised a few files.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 01:50 AM

One sale is set to tank in under two minutes, but the rest still have watchers and one has bids.

I did finish my CD rack in the living room. I had picked up an expandable shoe rack (2 tiers, not 4) at the Container Store some time back, and found that it was a little too tall to fit on the upper shelf of my heavy Mexican pine shelf where my LPs are also stored. I looked for a long time to find a 4-foot shelf that was strong enough to support that many LPs, but I found it and it is gorgeous. However, the LPs on the top make it look top-heavy, and they get less use so really belong on the bottom. Tonight I cut off the bottom 1/2 inch on the shoe rack, and the top 1/2 inch on two of the top back supports. The rack came with rubberized feet to slip over these feet, so I was able to put them back on after creating sharp edges with my hacksaw.

My fireplace is rearranged and swept out, mirror and candles in place. I've moved a few things from in front of it and need to find places for them to be stored (I had a drawer of lead type that I plant to put on the wall, once I dispose of the type. It is a lovely Garamond that I'll probably sell on eBay).

Time to go read a little more Harry Potter (book 7) and then start again in the morning.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Charmion
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 09:13 AM

I started cleaning up the garden to get ready for winter and found mildew all over the honeysuckle -- it rained all summer. This is the first time mildew has appeared here, and it's seriously yucky; I had to glean even the smallest leaf from the ground, and then wash my garden gloves and pruners in Javex. The next problem was the John Cabot rose, which is now enormous -- its top canes reaching up way above my head -- after 10 years of dominating the only sunny spot in the garden. What it really needs is one of those arched arbour things, but those are kinda hard to fit into a downtown handkerchief like our back yard. This rose means business: it has thorns that pierce a leather work glove.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 09:28 AM

There is a simple organic answer to mildew. Get a bottle (or how ever much you need) of straight hydrogen peroxide (the strength in the bottles in the grocery store is 3%) and spray it directly on, no dilution or additives. Give the plant a good coat. This is a recent discovery in organic gardening circles, and is much better than some of the previous treatments like baking soda or the potassium version of it.

Yesterday I picked up a couple of $4 pots of Swiss chard at Home Depot--I think it was intended for ornamental use, like kale, they had put in several colors of it in the same 1 gallon pot. It's up 8 to 12 inches, a good size to separate out, then put it in a couple of places where it will grow nicely this fall (for the dinner table!) and hopefully over-winter.

Re-listed the non-selling eBay shirt. I raised the price but added free shipping and have calculated it so my original sales price is down a dollar after shipping calculated. Good thing it can be stuffed into a Priority Mail flat rate envelope.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 09:36 AM

... one of those arched arbour things, but those are kinda hard to fit into a downtown handkerchief like our back yard...

There are some very pretty, tall pot-hangers in garden supply-- could you train the plant to climb and drape from that? Instant half-arch. Or a tall stake-- train it to corkscrew around it for a column?

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 09:38 AM

Charmion, PS-- do I recall rightly that a move is in the offing? If so, are you taking cuttings to get them going over winter, indoors?

Don't you now have quite a bit of indoor space cleared now where grow-lights could invite your time and attention? :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 09:52 AM

And she gets an opening bid on the chamois shirt that didn't sell last week. Yes! Free shipping seems to have helped this sale along.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Charmion
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 12:03 PM

Hey, ~S~

We have put off the move for a while because we don't know how the Kingston gig will develop, and as long as there's a chance Edmund will be posted back to Ottawa (and there is) we would be unspeakably foolish to sell our house. Its value has more than doubled since we bought it and we've paid down half the mortgage. Also, it's in an excellent location within easy walking distance of all kinds of nice things, and on three major bus routes.

The Army has a special arrangement for people in our position, essentially an allowance that covers the posted spouse's rent on a hotel room or a little apartment -- what they call in French a pied-à-terre -- plus mileage (at a rather low rate) for going home on the weekend. We will have to buy a second car, damn it, but the Afghanistan experience has left us bucks up so with any luck we won't have to borrow money for it.

The John Cabot rose is semi-jailed in a six-foot-high pyramidical frame made of copper tubing with a little copper finial on the top. The frame is all that keeps the rose from invading the neighbours' garden and possibly taking us all hostage. By mid-summer the canes extend up to five feet in every direction, snatching at your clothes and thrusting great tresses of red blooms into your face. The neighbours love it; they get the benefit of roses DARNED NEAR ON THEIR BACK STEP without the responsibility of pruning the wicked thing. Of course, they have yet to realize it has a Napoleon complex.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 12:46 PM

[snck][snort][gurgle]

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 03:45 PM

Charmion, maybe you need one of those long handled tree pruner/trimmers or long-handled secateurs.:-)

This morning I told Rog we absolutely had to get some things done, in addition to our usual chores. I walked him through the house and told him what I have been wanting to do with which I need his help. So, now he knows specifically why I go around muttering about getting "this" done and "that" de-cluttered!**bg**

So, we went to the grocery store, then came home and tackled the closet in the office. We were able to get a big, flat low trunk out, empty a good bit of it with stuff to sell on eBay, give to Goodwill, and/or put in a yardsale. Best of all, we moved it to the living room for a coffee table and emptied the one out there that we were using, into the bigger one. SO we eliminated one whole trunk! That feels good and the office closet is much neater. Still a lot to go through, but it is a start, plus Rog got out the stuff I can do on my own now that is out of there. I have three full canvas bags of papers to go through and probably shred.

I even gave away two of my treasures: a Chinese tea set given to me by a dear friend, the first person I knew who died of AIDS. My kids knew him and really loved him. The tea set means lot to my daughter, so she gets it, now. Also, I am giving her a beautiful, vintage purple wool coat with curly lamb's wool collar which my mother-in-law gave to me. I wore it several winters in New England when I walked to work. It is really beautiful, but I will never wear it, again and it means a lot to my daughter, too. I am pleased to be able to let go of these things and know she loves them as much as I do.

So, though, there is an array of stuff around my office now, it's been a good day for de-cluttering, for now.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 05:01 PM

Amazing, to me, how a little bit of help can really motivate me. I have also done four loads of laundry, today; sliced the rest of the peaches and placed them on a cookie sheet to dehydrate in the car; and, cleaned out the frig, including the door shelves which have been filthy with stickiness, etc. for ages. I just couldn't get anyone to do them and I didn't have the energy. There must've been a shift in the moon or something 'cause I've got it now! I actually would not be embarrassed if someone were to come over and open my frig! And, I even picked up the broom and swept some!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Charmion
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 10:17 PM

SRS, passing your treasures on to your children is a really good way of decluttering -- especially if they're useful treasures. A good wool coat with a Persian lamb collar -- yum, yum. I'm still wearing a black velveteen coat my mother bought in 1958 -- its arrival is one of my earliest memories. I had a new lining put in it last year and it's as good as new. Better than new, actually; in 1956 it was ho-hum, but now it's retro and very fashionable. Among my prized possessions is a Wedgwood tea set my mother-in-law gave me when Edmund and I got engaged. I know she was decluttering, but she had the generosity to aim her really good stuff at me.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 11:23 PM

That was Kat doing the most recent giving, but I understand what you're saying. I've handed out family stuff to my siblings and kids over the years, but there is still a lot here. I was named in the will of a great aunt along with a couple of other cousins--she made her bequests based upon who visited her over the years. I gave my sister a full Persian lamb coat, not just the collar. I don't know if she wears it or what she does with it. Even if she still has it.

My daughter is quite well-endowed bust-wise, and the things I'm selling on eBay now I don't wear and she'll never fit into. She's a couple of inches taller and a couple of cup sizes larger. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: freda underhill
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 04:08 AM

I have given away a lot of clothes and shoes in the last year.
This weekend I achieved some further reorganising and my home is feeling pretty good. my daughter gave me a book to read last year - NOT buying it by Judith Levine. She sold her car after reading it (they are now a one-car family) and has been doing parallel decluttering.

I still have too many books!

freda

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 10:29 AM

Project Attic due to be half way completed TODAY! I am PSYCHED!

Michelle :)

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 11:04 AM

Today I'm focussing inside the house for a change; the rain will keep me inside.

I've burned or recycled a good pile of my dad's papers, sorted newspapers and such to add to the recycle bin, and gone through a fat pile of little notes and reminders by the computer, most of which is either completed or outdated.

I've worked some on consolidation of my records in the parlor, and am in the middle of moving out boxes of sorted things that need putting away.

One load of laundry is draining in the tub, ready to be hung when we start up the woodstove this afternoon. I will never be caught up with laundry until we have a maching.

I have once again begun the saucing/ketchup making of the tomato bonanza, putting aside all of the green ones and some reds for piccalilie.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 11:05 AM

I suspect a machine will be of more use to me than a maching. Sorry. low-pressure system migraine hovering.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 11:09 AM

As I looked at and described one garment for eBay I realized that this was something I should probably keep. And I need to rearrange my coat closet in the hall so that the things I do keep are actually getting use through the year.

I did some more cleaning and de-cluttering around the living room last night, taking out stuff that has accumulated and put it in more logical places. I am leading up to rearranging the room one of these days. Part of that means attacking the mess in the corner where my son's computer desk is.

I have also cleared out the fridge more (I listened to the Friday debate and cleaned and chopped peppers). I have five eggplants I picked in the last couple of days (and a couple more ready to come in) to cook up. I have a new recipe (I got through on the radio to Lynne Rosetto Kasper yesterday, in a local call-in pledge drive show, and though she spoke too fast I'll look up the recipe she suggested.)

It has been a busy radio weekend--this morning I got through to the organic radio guy and asked several questions about getting the garden ready for next year and what to do with the bare spots now. He says to do more bed prep and put in fall crops even though there are pests in the nearby existing plants. Be sure to do good soil preparation first. So I'm carefully pulling out the soaker hoses then off to the nursery to get a few bedding plants. (I picked up some chard yesterday).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maire-aine
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 02:19 PM

Hi. The day started out very dreary; it was foggy and chilly. But the sun came out around 1pm, so I was able to do some work in the yard. I divided and planted some perennials, and got everything watered. I started a thread called BS North Amer garden Q, because I've got a tree growing in the flower bed, and I don't know what it is. Any ideas?

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: freda underhill
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 06:21 PM

this thread is about nesting - nesting, nesting. how deep our instincts are!

freda :-)

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 06:22 PM

I was hoping to get at least half the attic cleaned out and packed up today but I did even better, I finished THE ENTIRE ATTIC!!! I'm a happy girl! Only one more room to pack up and I am finished with the entire house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 06:47 PM

Yes, Freda: nesting, whether it is to make a tranquil place of personal import, or to clear out old nesting material, is at the heart of what we're all doing.

Congratulations on completing the whole attic, Michelle! That's amazing.

I cleared lots of paper from the parlor, and cleared enough boxes out that we can once again walk freely across the (vacuumed) floor. We have many more books and clutter to clear from that room, but it's a good enough start to delight my True Love.

I found a check that had been hidden by the other paper mess. It goes into the washing machine fund. Our other special fund is for a replacement computer and the corresponding connection upgrade.

I slept too; about four hours in the daylight time.

I wonder how much more we can each do before the end of the month and the birth of a new decluttering thread?

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 10:25 PM

I seem to be retracing steps. I thought I finished laundry today, but now I need to do more due to circumstances. See the Cat Puke thread for general information on this subject. Cat vomited on my son's bed over the weekend and it wasn't spotted until this evening.

eBay stuff is moving, slowly, but it is moving. Last hurrah on the dulcimer; I raised the bid price a little, took out the "buy it now" price, but put in free shipping. I want this big box out of my living room!

I'm working on clearing out work on my computer desk; I don't know if I'll get much de-cluttering done in the next two days, but if I can get this newsletter out of my hair I'll feel plenty liberated!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 01:01 AM

It's almost midnight, but I emailed all of the articles except one (I'll finish it tomorrow morning) to my boss to look at, edit if he needs, and write a three paragraph response for page two of the newsletter. It's good to have this almost finished!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 10:57 AM

See Audiocassette Giveaway thread. :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: MAG
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 12:46 PM

A big program at work (Library) behind me Saturday; I feel much more relaxed. Day off today; as noted on the other thread I'm gonna shampoo the lr rug -- after I get back from the Y.

Cold snap predicted for later this week so I need to get any tomatoes worth getting today. Fill the trash can with yard debris. Do as much laundry as I have drying racks for. Do one rackfull of dishes, put away when dry, do another rackfull.

Cleaning out the frig -- now there's a concept. I think I'll wait until I have help on that one.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 01:20 PM

The following is totally unrelated to decluttering, but it is the kind of story that I think would appeal to all of us de-clutterers because I think it is the kind of thing we would all love to do in our homes, once they're in fabulous shape. I saw the story on the news last week, and went in to find it this morning. The women are in a town north of Dallas. The dish that is featured this week looks so good!

http://cbs11tv.com/fuel-for-thought/Internet.Food.Stars.2.814665.html

Busy Moms Become Worldwide Internet Food Stars

FRISCO [TX] Two Frisco mothers have taken their passion for cooking and created an international sensation. And they're making money too. A Frisco home is the kitchen studio for http://showmethecurry.com/. Friends Hetal Jinni and Anuja Bal Subramanian were looking for something to keep them busy after their kids started school last year. But it didn't take long before their small idea became a much bigger project: An internet based cooking show. They bought cameras, lights and practiced their delivery. Now, about once a week, Anuja and Hetal tape podcasts, each with a new Indian recipe for their viewers to try at home.

Each segment details the ingredients you'll need, and viewers get step by step instructions on how to prepare the dish. They edit everything into a ten minute podcast and post it on the internet. In one year, they've produced dozens of segments and through the reach of YouTube, they have cultivated an international following. Anuja and Hetal say they're having a blast, and they're also making money through advertising on their Web site. The more people log on, the more their revenue goes up.

Anuja and Hetal say they're working on other money making additions to the show, including product placements and product endorsements.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 03:17 PM

Following my clearout of the parlor yesterday, my husband has followed suit by clearing his clutch too.

He also made a beautiful soup for our noon dinner so I would be free to complete my tasks for the morning.

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: maeve
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 03:23 PM

I meant to say that my True Love cleared his cultch from the parlor. The chickens have a clutch, which we cleared for them this afternoon. LOL

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Wesley S
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 03:23 PM

I don't know if this exactly fits under the heading of "de-cluttering" but I've managed to lose 35 pounds since last summer. In my mind I still have 15 more to go. But I'm under 200 pounds for the first time in decades. So I've pulled out lots of old T-shirts from boxes in the back of the closet and I'm wearing them. And I'm taking bunches of old fat clothes to the clothing bank at our church. And shopping for new stuff.

Hurray for Weight Watchers!!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 03:50 PM

Wesley, it doesn't count, because they didn't go away. I found 25 or so of those pounds you lost, picked them up here and there. Send them farther away next time, please!

(Congratulations!)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 12:08 AM

I just discovered that there is someone selling a hammered dulcimer like mine, used much of the same wording in title, but way undercut me. So while I have 17 views, he has 100, and a couple of bids. He's only getting about $100 so far, but I bit the bullet and lowered my price. We'll see if I can't move this thing out of the house this time. My auction is better, more stuff, more value. And hopefully, some real watchers. I think the only watcher I had last time was the competition, keeping an eye on my auction. Pfffttt to him.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 11:35 AM

I started an October thread. Let's take advantage of the seasonal shift to identify and cull the stuff we don't need.

Do we keep a stack of blankets for "just in case," or emergencies? Then put them all in one place, don't leave them all over the house, forgotten in zipper under-the-bed bags. Etc.

I've decided I need to go ahead and lose the weight (again!) to use the good clothes in my closet. They're just a size or two too small right now. In recent weeks I have dropped all dairy except yogurt and a little cheese (adding the rest back was a mistake, it was for the calcium but mostly it was fattening--I'll go back to calcium tablets and soy milk) and will take a hiatus on the glass of wine with dinner. And possibly join the thread where folks keep track of this. And I'll work now to identify the holiday decorations and see what I want to actually do with them. The house really does look pretty when they're in place, but the plants have changed so much, maybe I need to rethink the type I'm using and eliminate the ones I can't use now.

October is around the corner. Let's meet it head-on.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 12:05 PM

One last September post for me. First, congratulations, Wesley, yes it counts as decluttering! I have lost five plus since starting weight watchers 3 weeks ago.

Yesterday, I told Morgan he could have the old trunk we emptied to put his clutter of toys in, if he wanted. He loved the idea. I also told him we have company coming to spend the night on Wed. so he had yesterday and today to get his corner cleaned up. He chose to do it, yesterday, with my help. This was no small thing as his stuff had piled up, pell-mell, for several months. It was dusty, covered with pet hair, and included all kinds of paper items, little bits and big bits of various toys, etc., etc. He had to take a couple of breaks due to "hunger" but, he did a great job and got it all stored away very neatly. As it takes up a corner in our living room, I am happy it is done!

Subject: RE: BS: De-cluttering in earnest - September
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 12:05 PM

I dug out the box of tapes I'm converting-- knew where they were exactly, but had to move a couple of boxes to get the cabinet door open. Threw out some papers in the intervening boxes and stacked them for later culling. Threw out the "blank" tapes that had been saved to re-use for the 30th time, because they're crap! Threw out a few other poorly-copied tapes because they're crap! Re-arranged the hand weights in a better spot. Fastened a tall, tiny side table to the ski machine for a water station (to keep dogs from knocking it down).   Set aside a few tapes for Hardi to listen to during his longer workouts, to decide if he wants them MP3-d. Set up the system for prioritizing the good tapes to copy and managing the flow. Got one copied and listed for giveaway. Got it clipped into individual MP3s and ID3 tags edited (software). Determining the BPM for each track now (software) to stow them in my workout music folder.

Sadie walked this whole time, while Faulkner hung out.

While the tape was running in realtime to convert, I enjoyed listening to something else on the workout room's stereo. I also looked again at the small-church resource library and music-book shelves, thinking about their further organization and use.

~Susan