BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 01:28 PM

giggliggliggle...

I got the tree plugged in so good this year that it even has an off switch, AND I just pinned Hardi's surprises onto it. He's "warned" me to expect a "noting much under the tree" Christmas this year due to finances (he just paid off the van I drive that has been my handi-vehicle for several years), and I assured him that he'd find the same, from me. One special one will tide him over while I'm away next month for several days. [snaps fingers] Pefect prezzies and no bulk!

One year the kids were too old, they told us, to shop for. Teens.... So I rolled up a good amount of cash in very small bills, ONE bill per wrap, and hung 'em all on the tree. It took hours over several days-- they'd also told us that they were "too old to decorate the tree for geezers," thankyouverymuch. :~) They came down Crimmiss AM to see no packages, and really they were quite brave about it.

Then I told them where the "new" cheap, trashy-looking "ornaments" had come from-- that they would find a surprise inside each one, color coded for each kid with ribbon (some inside TP-roll cardboard tubes), LOL. Each kid also found a $20 and a $10 in their mix, which was quite exciting to them-- "WOW! What will the NEXT one hold!?!?!?!"

It took them about 2 minutes to strip that tree and count their cash.

So it's only fair Hardi get a similar jolt, I think. :~) No peeking, now, I sealed 'em up REEL GUDE.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 10:09 PM

I think I finished most of my shopping this evening on the way home from the guitar lesson. I need to wrap a few things before my daughter gets here, around midnight.

I need to bake cookies, but the kids can help with that.

Let's hope the kitty has found a warm dry hidy-hole under a porch or something.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 24 Dec 08 - 12:08 AM

Here's echoing that advice and sentiment about kitties.. I found my Raven kitty 12ft up a 20ft tree yesterday afternoon, trying to catch my tits. They're canny though, they'd already hopped it to a neighbouring bush... it took him 45mns to work out how to get down!

No more decluttering but I have managed to buy the rest of the fabric for my patchwork cushion covers so over the holidays that will get sorted and completed, hopefully in time for the New Year!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Charmion
Date: 24 Dec 08 - 10:04 AM

My house looks like the aftermath of a clutter bomb. Edmund's stuff from Afghanistan is still not entirely stowed and we now have computer boxes all over the study floor, the result of buying a laptop and a printer. There are clothes lying in heaps all over the place -- Edmund came home from Afghanistan as slim and fit as a young subaltern so all his jeans are too big; also, I never seem to find the time to put away all the laundry or go to the dry cleaner.

On top of all that is the Christmas clutter -- gifts, packing materials, wrapping. Yikes! No tree this year, because we're not hosting Christmas dinner and we're going away for New Year, but plenty of mess and ruckus without it.

I've said it for years, and I'm still convinced what we need is a wife.

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Dec 08 - 11:42 AM

Aw Charmion, this is not clutter, it's welcome-home normality-- a lot of freshly-received blessings to trip over. Don't be too hard on yourself-- it will all get put away before long.

Enjoy holiday-with-husband,

~Susan

Subject: Hear a Lost Cat Calling
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Dec 08 - 11:46 AM

Our new basement kitty seemed missing the first 3 days and we were worried-- she'd been totally friendly in the garage where we picked her up. She'd been up in the rafters, is all, watching us to make SURE we were the new Food Providers. Now she's all over Hardi when he steps thru the doorway with unbelievable treats.

But I did learn a cool thing for kitteh-finding. If they are stuck and weakened, you can hear them better by using an MP3 recorder with the recording function ON and headphones or earbuds. Acts as a sound amplifier. Turn it all the way up and you may hear a kitteh you hadn't heard.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Dec 08 - 03:50 PM

Charmion, sounds like a time when the mess shouldn't matter. Enjoy having Edmund home!

I've finished some more baking this morning, fed the kids and my daughter's boyfriend (blueberry buttermilk pancakes), cleaned the kitchen, and now I can finish wrapping and get ready to do the Santa thing once they come in from xmas eve at the ex's house. Santa doesn't fill stockings until the kids have gone to bed.

I'll have the evening to putter, and I'll probably list some eBay stuff but delay the start time until tomorrow or later. No point in listing an auction tonight only to have it end on New Year's Eve. Not many shoppers on that party night! I am happy that my little perfume bottle has two bids and the second one hit the reserve price, with four days left for more bidding. It's nice to think that I've put up an item that really is rare and that will bring real pleasure to the high bidder. It's a little work of art that will go to a person who will (one expects) know how to display it. One person's clutter can be someone else's treasure!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Dec 08 - 12:04 AM

Just poking in my head before turning off the computer for the night. Still wrapping, and will bake after that. I expect the kids to be another hour or two. Modem arrived in the mail tonight along with a gift, so I'll be able to set up a much faster connection on Friday morning when the cable guy comes and attaches the house to that cable grid. About time! This slow DSL is only a few times faster than Dialup and it hangs all of the time.

Took at peek at the eBay listing--there seem to be a number of browsers this evening, I have a couple of more watchers in the last hour or two. Good!

I have a stack of last minute donation items over on one side of the living room. I will take those down to the Goodwill this weekend and finish my write up for my annual donations.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Dec 08 - 12:11 AM

That's really neat about the bottle, Maggie. Sounds as though you've been having a good day and evening.

My car battery died, yesterday, only we weren't sure it was terminal until this morning when it once again wouldn't start. So, yesterday, my dau. took me to the coumadin clinic and the docs where the osteo doc student did wonders on my feet! My brother took me to the store this morning as he was buying most of Christmas dinner and needed me with the list. Got that done and delivered to my dau.'s house because they are doing the cooking. I made pies, cranberries, and swedish tea ring for breakfast tomorrow and I am off t'bed, now. I know Morgan is going to be calling us early to come see what Santa brought! Have fun everyone! OH, so our Christmas present to each other basically is the new battery!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Dec 08 - 01:45 AM

My kids knew (still know, actually) that whatever is in their stocking is theirs to open as soon as they get up. I always would put in some kind of Lego toy for each of them to build. I didn't think to look for one this year--we have all outgrown them, I guess.

I'm really turning the computer off this time. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Dec 08 - 05:18 PM

Fixing lunch today was much easier because of all of the de-cluttering I've been doing! Easy to set the table, easy to find a good-sized counter to work on without having to clear it off first. Nice!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 01:26 PM

Alas, when the cable installation guy came through the house I still had plenty of stuff to stumble over and around, but at least the kitchen still looks great. Time to flatten a bunch of boxes in the sun room. They may still get used for eBay stuff, but they don't need to be 3 dimensional while they await use.

Cable is fast, but now I need to reconfigure the wireless connection, and cancel the old DSL service. And I need to do income tax donation stuff today, and make another run over to the Goodwill. Anyone else planning to make one last big effort, my hat's off to you. Doing all of this with folks and new gifts under foot is a challenge, but it does feel nice in the evening when you're turning of the lights and can admire the room, not just wince at the thought of the work that awaits tomorrow. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Charmion
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 01:32 PM

I have just learned that the real post-Afghanistan clutter is still on its way, courtesy of Her Majesty, who knew that Edmund wouldn't be needing his arid-pattern combat clothing in snowbound Ottawa. So that is a nuisance for after New Year.

We now have to start planning Edmund's place in Kingston, packing up crockery and books -- kinda like sending him off to university but with money coming in, not going out. That's another thing I won't start thinking about until January.

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 03:33 PM

It's time to clean my office. I was able to take the phone jack that was used for DSL and reassign it to an actual phone, but I don't have a place in that corner to put a phone except on the floor, where the cats will no doubt knock it off the hook. So to make room for the phone I have to work on my bookshelf beside my computer desk. And while I'm at it, I need to figure a way to get this fast signal through the router to my son's computer, so I'll go for a better line of sight between the antennas. So I need to rearrange the office.

It's that Chinese tile puzzle all over again, move one tile into the hole so you can put something else in the one that you've opened up.

I wonder if I can finish this project over the break and still get anything else finished?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 03:51 PM

Maggie, we have a wireless router in my office, no line of sight available for Rog's laptop in the kitchen, yet it works quite well. Maybe I am not understanding your set-up? Regardless, good to know you've gone for cable; it IS fast!:-)

Our house is always going to look like crap until we get some new flooring put down in the kitchen and dining room and a new window in the living room and a chair or two reupholstered. I've just about given up on anything but "shabby" with a little bit of "chic" and that goes for the yard, too. I am working on visualising more beauty, though.

Paid bills this morning and have determined we have to get some stuff up on ebay to see if we can close the gap a bit more this next year.

I do have a goal for January. That I get my novel from two years ago put into pdf format for Amazon's printing specs AND that I begin editing the new novel AND that I go through my four drawer file cabinet and straighten things out in it, plus get rid of a bunch! I'll probably repost these goals in the new thread for Jan.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 04:58 PM

Our setup has always been a little dodgy; I think it's because I'm fairly close to the hot water heater. I'm looking at getting longer cords and putting the router up much higher, as well as elevating his wireless card, and see if that works. I was reading through the information at the Netgear web site about general positioning of these things. Water and metal objects are a problem.

I'm negotiating my Earthlink email now that I've switched to Charter. I could really do myself a favor by dropping a few email addresses. It has been too tempting to try out new accounts here and there, and then I have to keep track of them. I won't be setting up any at Charter. They're just the onramp to that Internet super highway. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 09:51 PM

My router is the culprit in pages not loading properly. I'll work on resolving that problem over the weekend.

Kat, I got out those coins with holes and scanned front and back so you can see what they are. I suspect coins like this were pierced to use on costumes or uniforms or as jewelry. I suspect family members found them and set them aside for the novelty of their age.

Side one

Side two

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 10:15 PM

Yikes! That's a shame they've been pierced. I've seen some like that amongst out family's old coins. You'd think coins that old, over here, would be worth more, but one source says only about $14-16 for the 1857 dimes, as long as it still has rims on both sides and, I am sure, no holes.:-) There's some interesting pix, etc. HERE. The only coins we have that have had anything done to them is a gold piece my granddad had a pin attached to so my grandma could wear it and I have pennies in which my dad shot dead center holes when showing off his skills at target practice with his "six-shooter."

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 11:57 PM

I took a shower after I posted that--you know how great ideas can come in the shower?--anyway, I think maybe if I polish a few of those with the silver polish cloth I could make them into elements of necklaces or into earrings. What about a little silver disk and a nice garnet bead on a French wire? :)

One of those coins is 1834. Staggering, isn't it? Let me see what I can do.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 12:17 AM

Cleaned up side 1

Cleaned up side 2

They're all really tiny--5/8 inch across, and quite thin.

I figure they're damaged enough because of holes in them that polishing isn't going to do any more damage.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: maire-aine
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 11:21 AM

I de-cluttered the house of cookies, by taking them to some of my neighbors. That'll clean up the kitchen and my diet. I plan to leave the tree & decorations up until Epiphany, but that's not clutter.

Here in SE Michigan, we're all in a fog. Really. Last week, we had 9 inches of snow (plus another 3" after that) and temps in the single digits. Yesterday we got rain, and the snow started to melt. Today it was 45F when I took the trash out at 6am, and it may reach 60F by the end of the day. All the warm air resting on top of the snow pack, and you've got fog so thick you can't see across the street.

I went out and bought my big "Christmas present" to myself-- got a good deal on a printer/scanner/copier. That completes the upgrades to my personal technology.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: GUEST,MAG at work
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 12:25 PM

The rain today will help declutter the snow, and qalso back up all the drains. Two people at work today have flooded basements.

I have saved pill botttles for ever as a potential craft; today I have a CS (Community Service) kid who gets to peel the labels all off so they are out of my house.

MAG, whose home computer has locked up.

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 01:37 PM

I got inspired this morning, and disgusted, and clean out our silverware drawer and put in a new liner. It hadn't been done, really well, in almost seven years! That felt good and tidy!

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 05:34 PM

Decluttered my wallet some more today... ordered the fence panels for the back fence, they'll be delivered in 2 weeks which gives me a little time to declutter the shrubbery and prune the bay tree.. and warn the neighbours! It's been a long while since I did some proper work in the garden... maybe this year I'll have a few more flowers.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 11:54 PM

I had a horrible computer day today. Last night I realized that a proxy server to connect to my workplace wasn't playing nicely with the new cable modem, so I uninstalled it. Big mistake! Everything crashed and burned. I'll have to get a new hard drive to rescue what is on the old one.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 12:37 AM

Oh, no, SRS! Sorry to hear that! Good luck on getting it sorted.

I was further inspired and cleaned out the rolling cart in the kitchen and cleaned off the top of it, too. Then I folded down some boxes to go out when Rog took out the trash. Also did three loads of wash, folded some, and swept everywhere but the living room. Morgan came over this evening and we are having a blast with his new drum...he's been imitating the taiko drummers. Now, we are drawing pictures and he is cutting them out, there goes the neatened office!**bg**

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: GUEST,Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 12:47 AM

I seem to have even lost my cookie. :-/

I'm going to have to do what we did with my son's computer a couple of years ago. Put in a new hard drive, larger, and place the original drive in a box or slave position. I'll explore to find the gazillion photos that I don't seem to have backed up. I was sure I had backed it all up this summer, but I'm not finding the files I thought I had. My monitors are screwed up, the fonts look odd, I'm out of sorts. Best to stop while I'm ahead!

Research time: I'll either get locally or order the new drive, and I will also get a second external drive, much larger for a full system backup and I'll do incremental backups from now on. Memory is cheap, a day like this is a bitch!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: MAG
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 11:23 AM

I'm really sick of my 10 year old 'puter which is still on dial up; I think it's time I upgraded; I can't even get any folk shows anymore.

What does anybody recommend?

Can I get a laptop from a box store 200 miles away and use it at home? What is the best (cheapest) way to get broadband in my home? How easy it it to shift everything into a new machine?

Or can I haul the whole thing to a (good) shop and get them to do it for me?

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 01:17 PM

Mag, there are so many choices. You need to know what connection options are available (DSL, cable, phone company via fiber-optics), you can consider how you'll use your computer (what peripherals do you want to attach, like a scanner, backup drive, cameras, etc.) you can consider how much space you have for placing it (laptop versus desk top) and if you'll want to expand (extra hard drives, video cards, tv receiver, etc.). Do you have older software programs that contain data you want to continue to use in that proprietary domain (then don't get VISTA--it doesn't work with old software, but I would tell you not to get VISTA anyway. Stick with XP-Pro).

Send a PM with your email and I can line out a few of those things. 10 years old is way too old to do much of anything, let alone trying to keep data secure. That's the really scary part of using such an old machine. The abilities of that hard drive and the restrictions of that OS mean you can't do much of the new stuff with it. New computers are very affordable, but you can buy them on time if you want (Dell does that) or probably even on layaway (I think Sears and K-Mart do that now).

Meanwhile, I've done a lot of high-tech housekeeping and will still probably go ahead and get a new hard drive. I've also been consulting with the recipient of olddude's generosity. Alas, he has been down with the flu for a few days so is only now getting caught up on his work around the house. Tomorrow is computer setup day. It should be interesting!

I seem to have established a trend here, haven't I?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Penny S.
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 02:42 PM

Last week my cousins rang to ask if they could drop next day and i had to do a rapid declutter of my living room and kitchen, and the entrance stairs. This meant a rapid removal of paperwork awaiting dealing with to the spare room, which consequently looks once more like a store room with a bed in it.
This morning I spent some time in there and managed to shift a binbag of rubbish and a bag of recycling out of the house, including some boxes in which various gadgets arrived some time back. (This will be when my hard drive and external cd drive crash, and I need the boxes for returning.) It is now possible to walk through the room again.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 03:21 PM

I flatten them and stick them up in the attic, and forget about them. That way, I have boxes going back several generations for devices that are no long in the house. :-/

Computer is weird, but interesting right now. I have to go get a gateway router and run some phone lines.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 03:28 PM

Seems to me you could have a good side job going there, Maggie! "Maggie's Home Connect - she'll get you runnin'!"

I forgot to say I also decluttered and rearranged the dishes and glasses cupboards, yesterday!

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 05:07 PM

Yesterday I cleaned out the fridge, COMPLETELY. I took shelves out, drawers out, scrubbed everything and then threw out 80% of what was in there. Just how many jars of pickles does one household need open at one time, anyway? How about hot sauce? Salad dressings? Mustards? Really! SHEESH. I took before and after shots....no wonder I was reaching for whatever was handy for food...the healthy stuff had all been pushed to the back or was a pain in the ass to find. Today I went grocery shopping and my fridge is now stocked with all kinds of good for us foods. THANK GOODNESS! And there is room to spare!!!
    Then, this afternoon I attacked the upper kitchen cupboards, emptying them out, tossing stuff I no longer use, scrubbing each cupboard and rearranging. Ah yes. Much better. Currently though, I am suffering from a bleach high/dizziness...time for a break!!
    DH is busy in the bathroom building me a closet with floor to ceiling shelves...I've been wanting this for a long time and can't wait until it's finished! I plan to get rid of the shelf that stands over the toilet and the free standing white chipboard cupboard that was purchased on clearance to make due until the closet was built. That was years ago. It certainly earned it's keep!
    Tomorrow I'll hit the lower cupboards in the kitchen but they won't take nearly as long as the upper ones did. After that, there are 2 kitchen closets that are going to get emptied out...one being made into a coat closet and the other will be enclosed and hold games, larger appliances that aren't used everyday and whatever else I feel like putting in there. I've been looking forward to this free time to take care of the house and am enjoying myself quite a bit!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: maire-aine
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 07:38 PM

I was putting away clean laundry and had to re-org the sock drawer. Then I turned my attention to the underwear drawer-- may never need to buy anything ever again. Counted 28 pair, plus 2 6-packs that I haven't opened yet. It used to be my New Years Day ritual to go to the mall (only football on TV) and buy new undies. Won't need to do that for a few years.

Brought up a few bags of old papers from the basement and went thru them. Many of my mother's vacation pictures (of folks I don't know) and menus/receipts/maps & stuff. Some things (maps & guidebooks) will go to the library for their used book sale, and the rest goes to the recycling bag.

Good to hear that you're getting reconnected, Maggie. And Michelle, you are a super-star. Congrats.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 07:49 PM

I hit a snag in reinstalling my Adobe suite. It wants to go back exactly where it was before, but right now that place is unreachable.

Kat, take a look at my eBay listings, today's sale. Blew me away! Talk about a little decluttering going a long way. (At least it will cover my computer repairs!)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 08:36 PM

Holyeffingcow, Maggie!! Congratulations!! That is terrific!!

Makes me wonder about some mini-bottles with perfume intact I have in a small case which my uncle brought back to my mom from Paris in the 60s. I gave one away, stupidly, to a friend who collected miniature perfume bottles, and I don't know if I could bring myself to sell them, but still it would be interesting to get an idea. I am really happy for you.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 08 - 01:05 AM

The thing about that bottle, it is interesting, but it has no context at my house, being the only one. The woman who bought it said she'd never actually seen one, only heard about them. The idea that I can move along something that is so unique, to give it context with someone who has studied and collected these--that is a pretty nice feeling! Think about her pleasure when the box gets there, when she opens it up. It was only made for one issue, Easter of 1940. Almost sixty-nine years ago. It should by most rights be deep in a landfill somewhere.

I did take a page from my own book, so to speak, I got out some of the glass that I have kept as a collection and I washed it in all of it's pressed-glass facets and put it on the mantle in front of some polished silver. I found more pieces to put up since I sent the photo. These pieces may or may not be worth the same as that little bottle, but they are more likely to be used and enjoyed. This de-cluttering is a complex process.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Dec 08 - 11:02 AM

That is amazing..it being that one time only and the buyer never even seeing one before this. She must be ecstatic. You have a good way of looking at it. So many of my things are so personal...emotional links to my parents, etc. I know there's a lot in storage out back which I can part with...it's something I don't know if I'll get to until Rog is actually able to retire or actually take a real vacation. (He was supposed to take this week off between Christmas and New Years, but of course, some high mucky-muck had to come to town today through tomorrow, so there he is, in the office!)

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 08 - 12:05 PM

I have plenty of those things tied directly to my parents. This was a great aunt, one I met, and who was very generous when she died, but who I don't have all of those visual cues with. I met her in my mid-20s, and she told me some of the history of the family, many of whom had lived in that house.

Ordering computer parts today, then trying to get a few things done rather than fuss about the lack of computing ability right now. I need to finish the tile floors, dig a garden for next year, de-clutter the living room, list more eBay items, so much to do in this week.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: maire-aine
Date: 29 Dec 08 - 02:26 PM

Took my car in to have the brakes inspected-- all is good, and no repairs needed. Almost all of the snow is gone, for now.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: MAG
Date: 29 Dec 08 - 03:56 PM

I got my bedroom tidied yesterday, so I could set up the C-PAP machine properly. (It didn't help last night.) In the process I found a lot of 1X clothes I had forgotten about, so that's all to the good.

I am putting 2X and 3X clothes on a rack in the den in prep for some kind of yard/house sale when the rest of the house doesn't embarrass me to have strangers see. :)

I actually got the spare room tidier than it was so I could put some gardening stuff in there which clutters up the dining room. Found more stuff to throw away. I'm such a packrat; that's the main problem. I'm told I get it from my mother. It used to drive Dad crazy, but he learned not to say anything.

I need broadband and a flat screen monitor and it is going to be my belated holiday gift to myself.

Kitty hasn't turned up, but at least I did not find her corpse under the snow so there is hope she made it to somewhere. (It has been raining since Friday night, which is melting the several feet of snow.I'm glad right now I do not have a basement.:))

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 08 - 06:45 PM

It sounds like everyone I know is de-cluttering computers, phone service, Internet providers. Oy! We're going out with a whimper, but will have great systems in place for the new year.



SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 30 Dec 08 - 05:30 AM

Pile of packaging waiting to go to the tip... some old DVD's and CDRoms will go with it - everyone wants Wii stuff now so it's practically obselete. Nearly finished another cushion cover, only 2 more to do... but I need more thread so I may have to go to the craft shop again... tragedy!

Now I just need to declutter my ass off the sofa and into some trousers for garden scraping. That'll be another bag of crap to the tip.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: freda underhill
Date: 30 Dec 08 - 05:39 AM

I've had family staying for 6 weeks, they left yesterday. So to assist in decluttering my heart, I've been sorting through old clothes (all bright pink items recycled) and books - Val McDermid, you're off to the second hand bookshop.

The clutter I've had next to my computer is going into a wooden box (with a lid) under the computer and out of sight. The large wicker basket in the living area has been moved to my bedroom, and looks beautiful under the window.

It leaves more space in a much simpler living area.

aaaahhh..

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: maeve
Date: 30 Dec 08 - 07:54 AM

That sounds lovely, Freda; peaceful, which is my goal for our home cleanout.

I have to stay off my feet for a little while, so the decluttering has slowed down. I am decluttering cactus spines from my arm while typing this, with a layer of wood glue doing the work as it dries.

A surprise gift from a faraway friend included some special teas to sip, so that's my inspiration for printing out unfinished poems to complete before the New Year takes hold. That's the best kind of decluttering in my view!

Stilly has me thinking of perfume bottles now. My father once gave me a pretty bottle of red rose perfume he bought in England. The neck was damaged long ago and the remaining perfume leaked out. Wish I could find a replacement complete with contents.

I wish you all a joyful New Year and tranquil houses filled with light and air and only true treasures, no cultch.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: freda underhill
Date: 30 Dec 08 - 09:52 AM

Thanks Maeve - and may you all have a happy and peaceful, clear and creative space for the New year too! best wishes to all

freda

31.12.08 (Sydney)

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Dec 08 - 11:18 AM

freda, good to hear from you again. I remember when you pronounced your living room finished several months back. I hope that made this de-clutter easier, because it was already in good shape when family moved out again.

maeve, I hope you're well--and does the staying off your feet have something to do with the cactus spines, or are those two separate stories?

Liz, think "compost" for some of that garden waste. I need to go round up the latest batch of leaves that have blown into my yard and either dump them on my compost (then water them in so they stay) or run the mower one more time and mulch them into the turf.

And I need to keep working on the computer, then also work on redoing some phone lines and put in a new outlet plug in the living room.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: maeve
Date: 30 Dec 08 - 11:33 AM

I'm ok, thanks. There are two stories. At the moment I'm feeling rather frustrated but This Too Shall Pass. The cactus spines were a short-term impediment resolved by peeling off the thick glue I spread over the whole side of my arm and hand.

As for my feet, I overdid it during the "fall harvest-raccoon patrolling- putting food by" stage of the veggie garden. So I'm paying for it with plantar fascia pain. Stretching and sensible behavior should take care of it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantar_fascia

I don't have time for being sensible! LOL

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: GUEST,MAG at work
Date: 30 Dec 08 - 01:50 PM

Maeve, the thing that worked best for me with plantar fascia was/is Dr. Scholl's wooden clog shoes. The very old ones are better but the new ones still have that little knob which exercises the bottom of your foot/feet.

It's the damndest thing; the missing kitty showed up last night about 9:30 meowing to be let in. She is not noticeably thinner but was ravenously hungry. Inside cat upset all over again, and a sleepless night, but on the whole worth it. She is a sweet cat.

Did I mention that the cats found a box of styrofoam peanuts I use in the bottom of large planters, knocked them over, and had a wild time knocking them all over the house?

My vac quit Sunday; the place I usually take it to for repairs has gone out of business; I finally found another one which charges twice as much.

Strong winds yesterday knocked stuff all over from my patio and carport. 1/1/09 will be a day to pick it all up.

Subject: RE: BS: De-Cluttering De-Cember
From: maeve
Date: 30 Dec 08 - 01:56 PM

Thanks for the Dr. Scholls recommendation. Alas, I will have to make do with what I have.

THE CAT CAME BACK! Sorry for the shout; that's great news.

My bantams would clean up all the styrofoam peanuts for you. I have to be sure to keep any styrofoam well out of their reach. They are mad for it! I can't understand it, though I've found other chicken owners who report the same.