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BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter
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Subject: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 30 Apr 09 - 01:41 AM The old April 2009 thread is here. I had to search it to find the remark I made about giving us a little more time this time around, but here is that thread. Not just for May, but it can run completely through the summer months, depending on how long or involved it gets. I've made some progress this evening, rearranging large objects around the kitchen and hall so that it is easier to pass through that hall and the frozen food is in the kitchen, not around the corner and down the hall. All of this started because I was moving books to move a bookcase, and that was because I had some new glasses to put away in a cupboard. The bookcase would go from the office into the kitchen and hold my cookbooks. I'll report back if I decide to follow through with that. Good luck, Michelle, on all of the ways you're going to find to clutter your house this summer. And to the rest of you, healing after illness or injuries, and moving out into the yard and garden for various reasons. Come back into the house when you can and set a few things to rights. Keep the Goodwill folks smiling by taking them donations regularly. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 30 Apr 09 - 04:26 AM Been in a bit of a lull because Peter, my man who "does", is still tied up fitting a kitchen and disabled toilet facility into a mediaeval priory; he assures me he's nearly finished. However, my little veg patch is now dug and mostly planted, and hopefully my piano will be leaving home this afternoon. I have decided not to hassle myself and panic about lack of progress on the house - I am just going to let it take its own time. Maybe then I might actually ENJOY the process! (Anyway, two of the houses I had my eye on up north have just been sold, so I am not going to set my heart on too much). I am going to invest in some more storage bags/boxes, and start shifting stuff up to the loft. There's a charity collection coming round this week and I can easily fill a bag for them too. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: LilyFestre Date: 30 Apr 09 - 07:36 AM Thanks SRS!!! Still waiting to hear that the birth mother has gone into full labor...should be soon!!! In the meantime I am nesting in a big way, yesterday I decluttered some of my bulk food stuff by making a giant batch of granola! The car has been cleaned out too to make way for a good sized stroller and car seat. That cuts way down on the available space in the car but that in turn means I can't bring too much home...this could be a good thing!!!! :) I'll be keeping busy at home until our wee one decides he's ready to come into the world...probably some cleaning out of cupboards to make room for baby bottles and such. Happy Spring Everybody!!! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 30 Apr 09 - 10:37 AM I am glad I finally moved the freezer, that hall has opened up considerably so is not only a more useful space, it's more attractive and safer to pass through (won't drag stuff on the wall below or knock into art hung above on one side.) It's also easier to reach everything stored on those shelves when they aren't backed into a corner. My kitchen is disorganized as a consequence of the move, so this weekend I'll rearrange several pieces and see what looks best while still giving the easiest access to the dining room table and the most space for setting up an extra table if we have guests over for dinner. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 30 Apr 09 - 11:50 AM Last night I went to a talk at the library, about native plants (from the Great Lakes area) for planting in home gardens. I do have a lot of shade, so I may try some. It's raining again, and quite chilly, so no outside work today. I am baking a pumpkin pie now. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 30 Apr 09 - 11:54 AM Great new thread, Maggie. Thanks. I look forward to posting to it. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 30 Apr 09 - 01:52 PM Piano has gone - for a pittance, but it's gone! Intend to spend tomorrow sorting more stuff out, and ignoring the free tickets I've got to a very upmarket antiques fair in Harrogate. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Penny S. Date: 30 Apr 09 - 05:43 PM Spent the day at my Dad's, first writing up descriptions of books we might put on Ebay, then moving furniture so that things we want other people to buy or remove are in one room, and the stuff we want is not wher ethey will see it. We think we might get the local Sue Ryder shop to take it, as looking at the prices those shops charge, and knowing that there aren't any second hand furniture shops about suggests we might not actually make much. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 30 Apr 09 - 05:47 PM Since I was stuck at home (still raining), I washed the kitchen floor. We were supposed to have a session tonight, but not enough people were planning to come, so it's been cancelled, which is fine with me. There's another ceili/session on Saturday, so that will be enough. M |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 30 Apr 09 - 07:53 PM Lots of co-workers seem to be taking an unofficial holiday tomorrow. It's almost the end of the semester, we're all kind of tired. I've been fighting allergy headaches all week, so while I'd like to take the day off, I haven't caught up on what I wanted to do. At least I'll work at home and can take motrin and an occasional power nap to soothe the aching head if it doesn't go away soon. I continue to be amazed at how much moving those three pieces (the freezer, the pantry shelves, and the video game box) has opened up that hallway and the sunroom. I wasn't happy with that old arrangement, but it seemed too much bulk to put the freezer actually IN the kitchen. Now that I look at it, I think I can put a few appliances on top and around it and make it look kind of interesting in a 50s sort of way. :) It is time to put more stuff on eBay. They're asking me to come back with emails--it isn't like I went away, I just got busy doing other things. I found some great unused postal mailing boxes at the recycle center the other day, that fit some stuff I have in the sun room, so I need to get to work. If it rains on the weekend, I'll plan to do some of that. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: MAG Date: 30 Apr 09 - 09:31 PM Weeded after work. Already the quack grass is going to seed and trying to take over the front yard (which I mulched over and planted in wildflowers some time ago). I don't seem to be moving very fast right now. I'm going to veg out and watch Firefly episodes on Hulu. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 30 Apr 09 - 09:57 PM My daughter (Moonglow) is working on her mowing options. The home owners association mows for them and charges a penalty fee, apparently, if they don't mow often enough. They are college students and their mower is broken. I'll mow once, bring theirs back, and a neighbor and I are going to tune it up--that may be all it needs. Otherwise, their yard is so puny she could use a push mower or a line trimmer and finish up pretty quickly. I have a push mower in my garage, one I picked it up at the curb years ago and planned to use it as a yard ornament. It's an old rusty one--but heck, maybe I should sharpen it and put new rubber grips on the handles, and move out some of my own clutter. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 01 May 09 - 09:21 AM So far, no clearing out today, although the washing is all up to date. I have spent the morning talking to old friends from the village whose paths and mine haven't crossed for a while; also delivering the parish magazine, and getting a few more bits at the local garden centre (3 x 60 litre bags of peat-free compost for a tenner can't be missed! Now my back's complaining! It's now early afternoon, and a friend is popping round shortly, so any clearance will be done later in the day, it seems! Hey ho, I suppose it will get done one day. At least I got the bag of old clothes out in time for the charity collection this morning! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 01 May 09 - 11:11 AM Morgan came over yesterday for a couple of hours and helped me decluttering some of my jewellery supplies...he made me a bracelet, very beautiful, and started on a necklace for himself. I have done one load of laundry this morning. Taking my first solo trip in the car since Easter...going to Wed.'s postponed doc's visit for a follow-up. I am feeling better each day. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 01 May 09 - 12:04 PM Failed miserably at all tasks except downloading the New Zealand pictures onto the external hard drive. Have discovered that my music programme (Media Monkey) has decided to declutter itself of some of my favourite music... Grrrrr.... They're here in the computer somewhere, but where is another question! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 01 May 09 - 02:13 PM Glad to hear you're feeling better, Kat. And welcome home, Liz. I enjoyed your trip thread and pics. I made soda bread this morning, using dried cherries along with the raisins. Mmmm. Yum. Baked it in two 8" cast iron skillets (instead of one 10"-er), so I can put one in the freezer. It finally stopped raining, so I rescued some varigated hostas from the edge of the lawn, before they get dug up during the landscape work. I kept some for myself & gave most of them to my next-door neighbor. She was thrilled, because she loves hostas. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 May 09 - 03:22 PM Last night I finished moving books out of a small case in my office and now have to decide if it is going to go in the kitchen for cookbooks. Since my pantry shelves are now back in plain sight in the hall and easier to reach from three sides, it is time to organize them again. I bought a bunch of canning jars over the winter that I've tucked in on the bottom, but the jars that held jelly and are now empty and kind of stuck in here and there. They need to be put all in one place so they can be used this summer when the fruit and vegetables are ready for processing. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 01 May 09 - 03:33 PM Decluttered a small jar of pickled beets into a big empty jar that formerly held pickles, added more beets I got for a stupid price this afternoon at the market, and now Manitas has pickled beets enough to last til July and there is no longer a giant pickle jar cluttering up the kitchen counter. I appear to have decluttered my old address books too... trying to find the address of the cat sitter and now am unable to find it! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 01 May 09 - 07:23 PM Take a breather for another day and it will all come out right, LtS. Things happen like that when you come home in a jumble from a big trip.:-) Morgan made himself a necklace and bracelet, today. The doc says no swine flu and I am much improved. Thanks for the good wishes. I did okay and did not get too fatigue taking myself to the doc; didn't fall asleep driving home and in fact was able to get lunch, pick up Morgan, and spend 3 hours with him without wearing out, so that's good. Load of laundry to finish and some stuff picked up today. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 May 09 - 08:08 PM I'm a little tired of this continually threatening rain all week. Hard to plan. This was the weekend for MayFest in Fort Worth, but they cancelled it due to the flu that no one has. It's an OUTDOORS festival. Like the risk is, to my way of calculating, SMALL. Fresh air dissipates germs, one would think. Joe Biden had it right--it is those confined enclosed spaces to look out for. I'm going to take the dogs for a nice long walk, weather permitting, then I will move big stuff in the dining room. Freezer, Kitchen Queen, table, trunk, maybe a bookcase. And work on the pantry shelves. One of these days if I get enough space cleared again in the sun room I have several projects, not just eBay, to resume. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 01 May 09 - 09:09 PM Speaking of ebay...I have a very heavy, big, handmade popcorn quilt I need to research. It was made by a lady in her 80s or 90s for my mom in the 1980s. It's a little bit off, but I think blocking would take care of that. I want to make sure it is a "popcorn" one as that is what mom called it. Each little circle of cloth has been gathered by handstitching, then connected to all of the others. When I get it out of its box, I'll get a picture of it up and ask some Mudcat quilters. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 May 09 - 10:39 PM Send a PM to Rapaire. His wife Pat knows all about quilts. Actually, I was supposed to write to her, I forgot. I'll have to dig out his card. How is Morgan's jewelry making coming along? SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 01 May 09 - 10:43 PM Thanks, I will! Morgan made himself a beautiful bracelet and necklace today. Wore them home, too. I am so proud of him. He loves beading and is learning to plan his patterns. Thanks for asking. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 May 09 - 10:53 PM Mudcat is a good place for bragging about our kids (and grandkids)! (I'm using the new version of IE--boy, is it slow and fussy!) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: SPB-Cooperator Date: 02 May 09 - 08:46 AM Set myself a target of clearing out at least 16 big bin liners full of papers this weekend before I put up new shelves. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 02 May 09 - 02:21 PM Aha! A new participant! Welcome to this informal group, and we look forward to your unique yet familiar tales of de-cluttering. There are lots of previous de-clutter threads, most of them were named monthly, over the last year. We're going to let this one run a little longer for a change. I moved the freezer to the far corner in the kitchen. It wasn't easy, I got a workout, and the Kitchen Queen is now back where it started. Why go to the gym when I can spend the weekend moving my large furnishings? Lots of chores today. Let's see what others accomplish on this first weekend in May. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 03 May 09 - 01:49 AM Many hours of rain this evening, band after band passing over the top. I had a hellish drive to the hardware store earlier this afternoon. When I realized what I was driving into and had the good sense to get off the freeway and turn around to head home it was already raining so hard that maneuver was quite a challenge. Making my way through some streets and pointed back home put me in the position of seeing that the storm that had gone over the top of me once was now over my house. But if I made a right turn away from the freeway frontage road, it was clearing and bright. So weird. So I drove a few blocks south and stopped at another store I'd been planning to go to, and walked in without getting wet. Welcome to Texas. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 03 May 09 - 12:56 PM Deciding to move along some stuff on eBay that doesn't require too much work in terms of planning ahead on shipping. I have some old silver certificates from my aunt's house. I don't collect coins or currency, so most of these will go to eBay. If there are any particularly interesting ones I might be tempted to get one of those little glass-on-both-sides frames to put it in. Or not. Rain overnight, more forecast for today. Best to do something indoors for the remainder of the weekend. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 03 May 09 - 05:38 PM I am glad you are safely in from that drive, SRS. We had several bands move through here last night, with Severe Thunderstorm warnings crawling across the tv screen. I love the rain and relish the clean settling down of dust, as long as folks stay safe. We have had major improvements here, today. Rog and I got up determined to clean more than we have in the past three weeks. He swept the whole house (there was enough hair for at least one more dog!), did the litter boxes and some of the trash. I did other trash, laundry, scrubbed a tiny bit in the bathroom. He even changed out the shower curtain for me. Then we went to Office Max as I knew I'll not get my CD project done without proper supplies. I am taking all of my CDs out of the 300 CD changer and alphabetising them in a box; then I will load each one onto my HD, then transfer them back into the player in alphabetical order. (I don't know WHAT I as thinking when I first put them in there...category, I think, but not very methodically!) It will take some time, but I really want to get them organised. OM had some neat cardboard CD boxes which fold down almost flat. To put them together, you just lift the flaps, close the snaps on either end and voila! Comes with a lid,too. They didn't have index cards to fit, so I bought tabs to write on and will use regular index cards vertically for the alphabet file. So, I am getting that project lined up. Then, Morgan came over and helped me make what look like small changes, but feel major, in the LR. He has had books all over the house and I wanted to get them all in one place, which helps with decluttering, right? I told his mom we needed our nice four shelf, folding wooden bookshelf back which she'd borrowed last year. We brought it and the kid over. He helped me move an old phonograph-LP stand which was behind the front door on the same wall as the books, not very accessible. He loves to play my old 45s and children's records. It's a mess right now, needs to be cleaned out, etc. but at least we got it moved. In its place, we put the bookshelf. I don't know why my camera is fuzzy, today. He has a few treasures on top with more books to come. I had thought we might put the plucked psaltery and the autoharp-in-need-of-repair on the lower shelves, but they don't fit, so will probably hang them on a wall. This way, all of his books and little things will wind up in the same spot and are tucked neatly, but easy for him to reach. As well, we moved a small end table from under the long, tall mirror and put it over by the sofa, so Rog will have somewhere for his coffee cup. That cleared up some clutter on the other big, red wall. Getting Morgan's books really cleared up clutter from the floor, as I had them in various baskets, stacks, etc. The end table which we moved also had books on it, now on the regular shelves, so it all came together the way I'd thought it would. There are still books to put away, dusting to do, the trunk-cum-coffee-table to clear off and move out (I've decided I want to store it instead of have it out), and the LR is looking much better. It's really been bugging me for a long time! **big sigh of satisfaction** (it takes so little these days*bg*)Now to rest.:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 May 09 - 12:26 AM I have that same style of baker's rack bookshelf (two of them, in fact) here. I think I stuck a photo of it in an earlier thread when I put my mother's old cookbooks on the upper shelf and baking and cooking materials on all of the others. There was progress here over the weekend. Today I gave a bucketful of chard to my next door neighbor and other stuff to a friend who stopped by. (We got started on a funny riff on not getting "stems or seeds" in his chard or oregano that he was taking home with him. This after he pointed out that my Texas Star Hibiscus looks like a pot plant.) I have a similar box to the new CD box you're using. I put it in the kitchen for folded printouts of recipes. This afternoon I used it when I dug out and photocopied a recipe for the neighbor who received the chard--she didn't have directions for cooking "greens" (Southern style). I had gotten this recipe (ironically!) from the friend who came by later for oregano and chard. :) He'd been kind of silly about how he got the recipe--he asked a "good ol' boy" in the grocery store who he saw buying a big bag of greens. So he made up a real long southern name for Billy Bob . . . and it was all on that recipe I gave the neighbor. I've been working on eBay listings for Silver Certificates. I don't collect them so I'm not going to send them out for grading (I also probably don't have enough of them to make it worthwhile). I think I'll be posting these early this week. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 04 May 09 - 12:50 AM We have a baker's rack like it, too, but that is still at the daughter's.:-) That's my next quest, I think, as soon as I figure out where to use it. I used to have a couple of silver certificates; I was a poor, young, single mom with no child support, so wound up using them. I also had to use a ten dollar silver cert. which was issued by the Bank of Thermopolis, WY way back when. Some cowboy paid for beer with it when I was tending bar in a Shakey's Pizza Parlour. I scraped together enough in tips to buy it from the till that night, but it went for bread and milk later on, too. I still have a few Indian head nickels, lead pennies and other coins I collected as a kid, though. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 04 May 09 - 12:40 PM Continuing on this morning. I am sans Morgan; his dad has the day off due to rain. So, I have put away the rest of the LR books which were moved, yesterday, when we put in the bookstand. Also, sorted through my paperbacks for those the store will allow for trade-in and those I list at paperbackswap.com. Accordingly, I listed about 12 more on there, loaded a box to be sent to my sister, and have a small stack for trade-ins. I am really pleased with myself, though, for finally going to LibraryThing.com and starting my list of books I have read; listed 26 in about ten minutes. It's really easy! The bookstore used to print out their customers' lists for them, but she quit doing that, so other than calling and asking, I have no way of remembering all of the books I get from there and read. I can get a record of what I've received from paperbackswap, but I needed a central list to keep from getting dupes. Now, each book I get will get entered in MYLibraryThing and easily searched. THANKS to the Mudcatter who first told us about LibraryThing. I do take the concerns in that thread, seriously, and I do mean only to list the paperbacks I read, not my whole library. I see, today, I signed up in 2007, so it's only taken me two years to use it! Good grief!:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: LilyFestre Date: 04 May 09 - 12:46 PM This morning I have been working in my closet switching out the turtlenecks and adding in short sleeved shirts for summer weather along with a few sweaters/sweatshirts for damp days like today. My laundry hamper is empty and currently I am washing our bedding. I think it has been at least a year since my hamper has been 100% empty. I keep up with the day to day stuff but the bottom collected items that needed to be washed separately. I am happy to say they are washed, dried and put away. Dishes are all washed and put away, floors swept and mopped. I could go out and pick up branches that have blown about but don't want to be away from the phone. I could also sort stuff in my office and maybe later I'll start that. It's a big job that feels overwhelming at the moment. I'm not sleeping much these days so I'm kinda tired and not wanting to start a BIG project. We'll see. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 May 09 - 12:51 PM There isn't a high value for most of those. They need to be in mint, uncirculated condition to bring in much more than their face value. But at eBay, I think you find people with a romantic bent, who aren't necessarily going to collect these things, but for a few dollars they'd like to have one, or take a look and pass it along. There are so many reasons for shopping at eBay! Meanwhile, you had one for a while, took a good look at it, then passed it along. That's what currency is for! The aspect for me of selling these bills on eBay is one of preservation--I inherited these bills and they have at least the face value. I could go to the bank and swap them or could just spend them. If the bank gets them they go to the federal reserve to be destroyed, most likely. I figure this way they have some value for someone who wants to say they have a silver certificate, and I may make a little over that face value. Selling these is more an act of keeping them in circulation than getting a big payout for them. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 04 May 09 - 12:58 PM I think it is really neat they will be preserved and passed on. Michelle, it sounds as though you are nesting and getting SO ready for delivery, even more so, I mean, than before. It must feel as though you are ready just as physically as the birth mom.:-) I just noticed on LibraryThing, I can buy a handheld barcode scanner which plugs into a USB for $15. I may get one of those as it will make things that much easier and quicker when entering books. I could also do it with CDs and DVDs. I had no idea they could be so inexpensive. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 04 May 09 - 04:28 PM Spent most of the morning in the yard. Planted several herbs out front. In the back yard, I found 2 small coral bells and a very tiny bleeding heart. There are a few white anemones, too. I'll rescue them and put them in a planter box until the landscaping is done. While I was out, I stopped at the garden center and bought a tomato plant and a cinnamon basil, which I'll plant later. Thanks, Kat, for the info about LibraryThing; I'll check it out. I keep a list of books that I've donated to the library in Excel, but I probably should keep a record of what I've got. M |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 05 May 09 - 12:38 AM This was a heavy-lifting kind of day. I had several days of rain so after only a day to dry out, I (and many like-minded neighbors) got out in the yard this evening and mowed. What a miserable job, when the ground is spongy, the grass is technically not wet but is incredibly full of water, the bugs are everywhere, and every one of them seems to end up behind your glasses, actually in your eye, or down your neck. And then I made bread, and a big batch of taco meat, and a big batch of guacamole (froze what we didn't use this evening), and washed all of the dishes that had accumulated for a couple of days. I put out a whole bunch of bowls of beer in the yard after discovering all but three new bean seedlings devoured by snails (they like sprouts, now they can wash them down with some beer!) I'm bushed. I'm putting one load of laundry in, getting my shower, then to bed. I have to propel my slow as molasses in January son out the door in the morning so I can get to work in time for a meeting I really need to go to. At least the kitchen looks great and will be ready to go in the morning. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 05 May 09 - 01:00 PM I spent some of yesterday gradually tying together piles of framed pictures, sorting some random stuff, and putting them into the loft. I have just bought some more storage boxes today, and hopefully tomorrow I can box up more of my craft stuff and put it up in there. The ladder is still down so I have no excuse really. As I was just plain cold yesterday, I packed it in after a couple of hours and hunkered down by the logburner. Today I have had my weekly shop, T'ai Chi class, and a meeting with English Heritage and UK Coal to talk about the mining that is going to happen under our church in October, and what impact it might have on it. I am using this lot as my excuse for not going upstairs this evening and doing some sorting, as it's still cold and my logburner is inviting! At some point I am going to have to empty out my kitchen cupboards and really chuck out some stuff! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 05 May 09 - 04:09 PM Andrea, though I wince at the original expense, it usually feels good, once you get started, to toss all of that old (the package is several generations back) or past it's shelf date (1998?!) food and medicine (we keep the tylenol and all of that in the kitchen). And the cupboards look so nice when they're not so crowded. I cleaned out my laundry room over the weekend - I forgot to report that I've put some things away, tossed others, and simply cleaned in there. I want to keep at least one room in good order as a baseline for the other rooms to get behind. Alas, they're not making that move on their own. Today's after-effect of last night's mowing are itchy eyes and stuffy nose. I never used to have allergies. I may just make an early evening of it and see what unfolds tomorrow. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 05 May 09 - 11:10 PM We've been so busy virtually "trashing" Amos' house during the Mudcat Tavern party while he's out of the country I've hardly given a thought to cleaning up my own place. You know, even when it is just in the ether of the Internet, you begin to feel a *little* guilty about messing up the place while he's gone. I hope he gets a huge laugh out of the antics. Everyone seems to have gone out of their way to furnish his abode with the latest in very large and lush or destructive accoutrement. :) It is the time of year when the temperatures are good to open the windows but the humidity is high and makes the exercise uncomfortable. It's too cool for the air conditioner but it is still really humid. You either turn on the AC and freeze yourself just to dry the air, or you don't open windows at all and you keep the air at least moving with ceiling fans. How is spring for each of you now? Are you opening your windows, and are you still working on the house or have you all said "hell with it" and moved in the direction of the garden? (I love the garden--it is an irresistible force this time of year!) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: wysiwyg Date: 05 May 09 - 11:12 PM Seriously thinking of dropping one of my FreeCycle groups. Not because of the incessant "gimme"s, but because the list mod on that one is such a control freak that her policies, issued often, bear no resemblance at all to FreeCycle's few official policies! :~) ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 05 May 09 - 11:22 PM Our windows are open and there is usually a small breeze blowing through. Low humidity except when it rains; then it gets soaked up so fast it doesn't last. I've had to turn on the swamp/evaporative cooler several afternoons, it has been so warm in the house. One needs a window open to draw that air through, so there's always one or two of them open regardless. I remember days of too high humidity, freezing a/c, etc. when we lived in New England. I couldn't take the three aitches, Haze, Heat & Humidity, so even if the a/c froze us, it was on.:-) We're doing about half and half on inside/outside, though more gets done inside just because it is easier for me physically. Tomorrow my brother is going to come over and help me fix up a small bed and plant some annual in it. Morgan and I went to the garden centre and got some incredibly beautiful pansies, marigolds which we will put in pots. My bro will plant the stocks I bought...love their scent. I also bought two torenia hybrids.. (I see it says they like heat and humidity!) I had one last year in a pot that the hummingbirds loved, so I am going to have a few more this year. I will get a few more annuals when we get the planters out and fill them up. I want lots of cut flowers this year! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 06 May 09 - 12:34 AM Susan, I joined a couple of freecycle groups that overlapped over my area. I was overwhelmed with the traffic, even in a digest setting. I'll rejoin when I'm ready to start dealing, but it isn't recreational reading if you're not in high-clear-out mode. Kat, I haven't seen those flowers, but I think every climate has something like that, that just blooms and blooms regardless of the conditions. I remember taking my kids to the garden center and picking flower plants to put in our yard--they got such a kick out of watching their flowers all summer. And we bought things they could pick often, so jalapeno peppers were great. We didn't eat many so we gave them to the Hindu family across the street (who ate tons of them). For the kids, finding and picking them was the biggest treat. You'll be amazed, also, what Morgan remembers years from now. If he's part of this garden process, you can bet he'll have a glimmer of a gardening instinct as he grows older, from a seed you plant now. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 06 May 09 - 01:57 AM Been decluttering my colon... not good. Kat - that "popcorn" quilt - look for 'suffolk puff' quilts as well. From your description (little circles gathered and sewn together) that's what they're known as in the UK. When I can stay awake and out of the bathroom for more than an hour at a time, I'll start on tidying the crud that came out of our bags - you know the sort of stuff you accumulate on trips... leaflets, bags, receipts and general stuff.... then there's the task of finding the TV remote. I'm sure I had it yesterday afternoon... LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 06 May 09 - 04:40 AM Spring? Bah humbug! A week or so ago we were basking in temperatures sometimes in the lower 20s Celsius. The wind's got up, the rain has been showering, and the sweaters are out again. I am refusing to put on the heating system again on principle, so the multi-fuel stove is well and truly lit. I'm just typing this while I have my breakfast, and then I am off upstairs for a couple of hours. I'll get a break for my hair appointment at 12, and then I can go mess up the coiffure this afternoon! The kitchen cupboards have got to be sorted - and emptied - because at some point the whole lot's coming out to get at the damp. It will mean new worktops when it goes back, and I may invest in a new sink and taps... I'll see how the finances stand. At least while the weather's colder I will stay indoors and have to face up to what neds doing in here. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 06 May 09 - 11:50 AM Not that this has anything to do with de-cluttering, but it is good news. My cat Little One (we celebrated her 20th b'day on May 1st) had her annual physical at the vet today, and she got a clean bill of health. All of her blood tests were in the normal range, so the vet said she's in very good shape. It's supposed to rain this afternoon, so I'll be working inside today. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 06 May 09 - 11:58 AM Yeah, Little One! She's obviously doing something right.*smile* LtS...hope you get rid of the bug and feel better. Andrea, I am playing cheerleader, today. Go, gyrl, go! Isis! Isis! Ra! Ra! Ra! SRS...my mother passed on her gardening skills/love to each of us, including my brother. She had it from her folks. Morgan has been involved since he was a baby and loves it. He is very big on planting seeds this year and is convinced the sunflower seeds he planted two days ago are already coming up...what he is seeing are tiny weeds needing to be pulled, but I'll let him figure it out. I do have sunflower volunteers which are coming up from last years and he is thrilled to see those. He was so much fun yesterday, pulling a wagon at the garden center, picking out plants. He would have taken one of each of everything if possible! I decluttered some email last night, by unsubscribing to things i haven't have time or desire to read and feeling guilty for it. Also, finally got the dishes done this morning. That was major, again. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 06 May 09 - 12:04 PM Good news for such a senior citizen! My cranky old cat is gradually settling in to being the only cat in the house, with some extra pampering. He wasn't paying much attention this morning, I saw something move out of the corner of my eye and found one of our young (2") toads hopping through my office. Must have come in the back door in the last couple of days, possibly this morning (there is a big gap under the outer security door). A toad could sit on the threshold and slip in unnoticed, I suppose. It's back in the garden now. I have continued to work in small steps to make my office and the sun room more usable. I picked up a data cable yesterday and moved the laptop back to the work desk across the room in my office. I had it next to my desktop computer for a while, but that was just too much going on right here at this desk. I have room over there to set up an external keyboard, external speakers, etc. The only accommodation to operate now is to run a cable across the room if I have to use the printer. It is installed, so I simply have to run the cable, print the job, then unplug again. Not too bad. The sun room is going to get more attention when I list these silver certificates. I'll clear off that table to set up scale, tape, shipping stuff, etc. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: wysiwyg Date: 06 May 09 - 02:45 PM Yes, SRS, we have discussed FC before-- I think I am evolving. :~) Hey, hankies-- I'm all out, so I went here: http://www.giftwagon.com/24whonwhemla.html ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 06 May 09 - 07:23 PM LtS, thanks! That's exactly what my quilt looks like, though not as neatly done as some of the examples I found. Thanks a bunch! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 07 May 09 - 12:46 AM Busy day at work today, and then a long nap when I got home. I'm tired of these allergies! Dinner cooked, banana bread baked (but when the timer went off for one loaf it got left in too long. Darn!), dishes out of the way. I guess I'll feel satisfied if I can remember to get the trash out to the curb for the morning pickup. :) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 07 May 09 - 04:31 AM Giving myself a huge pat on the back! It wasn't the quantity of stuff that went up to the loft, but the "quality": I removed all of the clothing/assorted crap that I had kept of Ian's, boxed it up, and put it up in the loft. (Still can't move the 173 cards I received from their drawer, but they aren't in the way). It was all in a dresser in the spare bedroom that we use to sleep guests and/or Freya in, and I need baby rammel storage. I got it all into one big box, apart from the 2 sweaters that I was urged to keep by the kids. I took a long hard look at them, and decided that I would use them myself. One is over 25 years old, and still wearable for slobbing around in. Trouble was, it was also Ian's birthday yesterday (which is probably why him and his stuff was in my thoughts) and I did end up a blubbering wreck a couple of times during the day! Funnily enough, it wasn't while I was sorting out. I do feel that I have taken another step forward. I did also manage to clear out the worktables in the room I am supposed to be sorting out, and now one of them can be deposited at the tip, if I can manhandle it downstairs. It's only cheap, lightweight flatpack, so as long as I can get it through gaps and round corners, I should manage. Just finishing brekkie, before I head off upstairs again. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 07 May 09 - 11:43 AM {{{{{{{{{{Andrea}}}}}}}}} |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 07 May 09 - 11:52 AM Andrea, you are doing so well as you move forward, all things considered. This week has been rather like slow-motion--the heavy humidity and overcast of a Texas spring have been oppressive. As much as I don't like the high heat, I like enough of it to burn off these foggy days after a while. I want less humidity, and my xeriscape to really stand up to the climate, not mould and rot waiting for the heat to arrive! I think that's where I am at the moment--feeling a little mildewed around the edges. :-/ SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 07 May 09 - 02:36 PM I'm adding "build ark" to my to-do list. I was able to pull a few weeds this morning, but it started raining again. Good for the herbs I just planted, though. And the kitchen is looking better today. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 07 May 09 - 08:52 PM One problem solved: I called Capital One to tell them they can keep their 29.4% rate on the VISA card, and she said "It's that stupid letter they sent. That's is the default rate, meaning if you are late, the rate goes up to that. Your account is spotless." I'm still down at 8.9% Good. The default rate has always been ridiculously high; it went up from 24.9 or something like that. Kitchen is looking much better and I'm cleaning under all appliances like the microwave; darned ants are making an annual migration in. I'm using diatomaceous earth (DE) more inside this year. That, I have discovered, discourages them instantly. They don't like to cross that layer of dust. I'm also working my way through kitchen and living room piles of paper. It's what gets me every time, and magazines have reached critical stacks. They're all going to one place to be sorted and filed or recycled. I have a box of newspaper sections I sorted out all of the slick and odd-sized pieces from, and I'll use those in the garden. Time again to do some digging, then put down paper and mulch. The rest goes to the recycle bin. I've cleaned out some of the fridge and frozen the latest batch of beans (kidney beans and this time I added mild hatch chili peppers, venison sausage, and capers. Mmmmmm!) I use the pint-sized jars that peanut butter and other things come in and use a wax pencil to name and date it. Perfect for one or two servings. I will be defrosting that big freezer later this spring, I'm not adding much to it these days. Tomorrow's Friday. About time! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 07 May 09 - 09:30 PM Ants hate baby powder and will not cross it. I used it around our window frames and my houseplants one year when they invaded. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 07 May 09 - 11:39 PM It's the same priniciple. Talc or DE, it apparently has a microscopic drying effect on them. But that's good to know. Did you use talcum powder, not the cornstarch variety? Ooooooh! I got mentioned by David Pogue on Twitter! He forwarded one of my little remarks. :) What fun! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 08 May 09 - 12:16 AM Yep, sweet smelling talcum baby powder. :-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 08 May 09 - 03:04 AM "LtS...hope you get rid of the bug and feel better." Yes, she left this morning for a weekend school trip to France! Actually, having spent almost every waking minute with her for 3 weeks, I kinda miss not having her around, but I know that for my sanity's sake (yes, it's in there somewhere), it will do us both good to be away from each other. I'm slowly decluttering my sewing bag. Having spent some time with my quilting sister (no, quilting is not a euphemism, although...) I've come back to patchwork with a renewed vigour. Although the fruits of decluttering her house have not yet arrived in the post, there are a couple of projects here that I can be getting on with, like the new cushion covers! One is complete and one is in the sewing up stage. Two are still uncut. That is this month's project... to get those covers finished! Hopefully, my parcels from New Zealand (my 'fruits') will arrive before the next Bank Holiday weekend when Limpit and I are alone in the house (I see a disturbing pattern developing here) and we can make the quilts up from those pieces. There is an old army blanket that needs a revamp and will save me money on quilt batting - two birds, one stone! Mouldy - we're thinking of you. The odd lapse into sobbing wreck are perfectly normal, quite understandable and probably the best thing you could have done. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 08 May 09 - 03:40 PM I took a little time to de-clutter during the lunch hour. I found a number of yellowed pages from newspapers, some my articles and some my grandfather's articles. I've decided to collect them all on one shelf that I hadn't used yet. That makes them more conspicuous and maybe I'll get around to scanning them sooner rather than later. There was a nice wooden frame in a box of stuff that I decided to reuse. It came to me with a funny little dried up clover and hair thing in it, but I hated to throw out the charm, or whatever it was, so I simply tucked it back inside the frame behind the photo I'm now displaying in it. The photo and the charm are related, so it works. And to add a little back-story, I wrote on an inside liner sheet what I thought the thing had been about. And dated it. Who knows when, if ever, it might come to light again? SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 08 May 09 - 05:06 PM Thanks folks. Ignored upstairs today and chucked out a grocery store's worth of jars and packets from the kitchen cupboard. I managed to get most of the packaging into the recycling, but some of them were somewhat welded shut! The wheelie bin is about half full already, one day after it was emptied! That now has left room for the baby food I have got in for when I start looking after the granddaughter on Mondays next month. I'm hoping I'll get some help with the heavy stuff on Sunday, if I can get my daughter to come over. That will mean I can clear some boxes off the landing. SRS - lovely idea about the picture frame Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 08 May 09 - 06:29 PM I'll make a run to the recycle center tomorrow with several containers full. Hopefully this evening I'll make more progress. My daughter will be swinging through town on her way back from her boyfriend's family in the next county. Sometimes she leaves stuff here, other times she takes stuff with her. Not sure which this trip will be. I'm thinking about rearranging a cabinet from the front room to the living room in order to put those new CDs plus the ones I originally owned in it, along with the DVDs in cases. But to make it work I'll have to move something out of that room, it's too crowded already. You know when it comes to moving furniture that before you finish you've moved everything in the room at least once. It means a good workout, even with those little plastic slide things they make to put under the feet! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 08 May 09 - 07:02 PM For the first time in many years, I cleaned out the frig all on my own! Didn't like throwing out so much which just didn't get used up past its use by date, etc. but it looks so much better and feels good. I hate a disorderly, crumbly looking frig. What brought it on was Morgan and I going to the grocery store. He went home after helping me get the sacks to the front door of the house. So, I not only went to the store without Rog, I carried in all of the stuff and put it all away by myself. Couldn't do that until I'd cleaned out the disgusting frig. I was also able to get outdoors this morning and water all of my flowers and perennial garden. My brother planted stocks for me yesterday. This morning when I opened the front door to go out to water that was the first scent that came wafting on the breeze. Lovely. We have managed to stay ahead of day-to-day clutter. This weekend, we will try to do some in the backyard before the foxtails grow too high; My son-in-law said he'd cut the grass in the front yard for us if he has a day off next week. I am going to move ahead on my CD project this weekend, too. Oh, and my son-in-law and Morgan are going to come over to declutter my front steps. I have a large chuck of Colorado marble, about 200 lbs sitting out there which my ex, my daughter's biological father, pulled out of the Marble River for me years and years ago and which Rog has faithfully moved for me everywhere we've gone, even to New England and back! Anyway, I gave it to her years ago and with her move down here it wound up at our house, again. I told Gary I thought it would be a nice thing for them to do for her for mother's day,to come get it for their house, so that will clear off a space for my chair out front where I can sit and smell my posies all day.:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 08 May 09 - 09:30 PM It might be nice to go by a garden center and find one of those deeply carved rocks (you know--river rocks that have all been carved-- "Love" "Peace" "Beauty" etc.) and have them leave it on top of her rock. I called a friend from the Carbondale, IL area this evening, and she tells me she has spoken with her husband once since he called her in early afternoon and told her their house was hit either by straight line winds or a tornado. She hasn't heard back or been able to reach him since. She's in Minneapolis at her mother's, but she works in Fargo, and spends the summer and holidays at home in IL. I'm going to be monitoring the conditions and give her a call if I learn anything. Her mother doesn't have a computer or Internet, and though she has her computer, she has no connection. I'm putting on my thinking cap here. Meanwhile, do we have any mudcatters in that area we need to check on? Southern Illinois? Western Kentucky? Both got hit. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 08 May 09 - 10:55 PM Oh, man, I hope her husband is okay. My brother went to school in Carbondale, SIU is where he got his masters degree. Let's see, there's Mary in KY, but I don't remember which part. Art is far enough north, I think, to have missed it. I am sure there must be some others, but they are not coming to mind. Spaw might remember esp. as he knows the area better than I do. Neat idea about a message rock, but she already knows they are bringing it over for her. I think I'll just give them a big ribbon to tie around it.:-) Stay safe, yerself...the weather's been crazy, eh? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 09 May 09 - 01:16 PM Half a cushion cover done today.. my excuses are I ran out of thread and can't find the other two matching reels, and I was helping out a friend this morning when she called at 6.30am in a bit of a panic about a stranded car. A lovely 100mile round trip on a gorgeous sunny morning, with a great visit with my bestest friend was well worth it! Still awaiting my 'fruits' from the decluttering in New Zealand, hoping they'll arrive in the post in the next few days - they said 15-20 so I won't start panicing until next weekend. In the meantime, I've been planning what to do and who to gift them to when the quilts are made up. There should be enough fabric for 3 single sized quilts or sofa throws... Made a long table runner and a square table mat for the Christmas table and now I'm off to make liners for collecting baskets. That should de-clutter another bag, when completed they're going to the choir for use during concerts. LTS LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 May 09 - 04:41 PM I ended up taking Moonglow shopping today. A few essentials (Victoria's Secret has their expensive bras on sale) and a gift card from my sister helped add a couple of nice t-shirts. She has the remainder of the card to use. It was one for T.J. Maxx--what a disorganized place to shop! She has the patience for it. Anyway, now the afternoon is mine and it is going to be a mix of yard work and when I get too hot and come in, setting up to list eBay stuff this evening. I haven't heard from my friend about her husband--it's like southern IL has dropped off the map--very little, when compared to the fires in Santa Barbara, yet these storms easily hit a much larger area. But the Chicago papers and stations are covering it and her daughter is there, so I think she'll get the news she needs. I won't tie up her phone to say I have nothing to report. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 09 May 09 - 05:30 PM Our plans were waylaid a bit this morning when the starter on the car started acting up. It may only be the battery...Rog is working on it, now. We ran errands, but I stayed with the car so we didn't have to turn it off. I made flyers for my brother's lost cat and caught up on some lost sleep due to the lost cat, so haven't really done any of the things we meant to, today, yet.:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Donuel Date: 09 May 09 - 09:14 PM I really try to follow this thread but the computer room has been blocked by clutter for some time now. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 10 May 09 - 12:13 AM Hahahaha! Don, welcome to the group. First chore--kick a path through to the computer. Second, clear off the seat. Third, get all of the stuff off of the desk in front of the computer. I've loaded recycling stuff into the truck to take over to the dropoff center on Monday. Around the house I'm back to little steps, finding better places for things that are not in the right place, if that makes sense. In my office, I've found any number of shelves with only a few unrelated items, and finding better places to store each of these items, I've freed up shelves to put something else. Yesterday I worked on CDs and VCRs, and have to probably rearrange one set of shelves that will allow me to put all of the CDs in another. I still watch VCRs, especially because I have a lot of things from over the years that still aren't out on DVD. What are you thinking about starting with, Don? Start small, and work outward. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 10 May 09 - 02:09 AM Forgot... bought a couple of those vaccuum bags - the ones you put clothes in then suck out the air with a vaccuum cleaner... but these have hangers in them so they can just go back in the wardrobe. Must get around to sucking the one I filled, so it can stop cluttering up my doorway here... Busy day of interviewing a new accompanist for the choir, so hopefully that's another bit of clutter going. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 10 May 09 - 11:02 AM Yes, welcome Donuel. Just pick your way carefully into the room, and gently nudge stuff out of the way. Pace yourself. For myself, I keep the pace slow. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 10 May 09 - 12:17 PM I have so much to do today I have a list to keep track of it. Oy! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: MAG Date: 10 May 09 - 01:33 PM Two boxes of obsolete paper dealt with' most into recycling. I don't knoww how it gets this bad. Well actually I do, but that's another story. Some weeding; got to get out and do some more. One box of (more) pants out in the driveway for a Freecycle pick-up. I love Freecycle. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 10 May 09 - 02:58 PM So the few boxes I couldn't get up into the loft went up with my daughter acting as pusher, and me as puller. Now I have got room to get more more stuff out onto the landing! Act 2, scene 1 starts tomorrow...after I have been for a massage! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 10 May 09 - 03:25 PM Oh a massage sounds lovely! I decluttered my front steps by potting up a bunch, almost all, of the pansies, marigolds, and wishbone flower plants we bought the other day. I still have one more window box to plant and need to straighten up out there, but it looks really nice. More description to come in my TFTD thread as today has been really special. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: MAG Date: 10 May 09 - 03:53 PM Communicated electronically with Mpm's caregivers. Meant to send (them) chocolate but it got away from me. Maybe Godiva will have a sale. Garbage can half full of buttercups. Nasty, they are. Roses almost all weed free. Nobody's come for the clothes yet. I keep finding more and the box is even fuller. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 10 May 09 - 07:00 PM Buttercups are lovely in some places. I've never been where they were weeds, just wildflowers. Amazing how our decluttering turns to gardening, isn't it? I brought home another load of free composted mulch. I mowed the front lawn (last night I hit it hard with the trimmer, took some spots way down, so I didn't have to get so creative with moving the mower in and out of tight spots). This evening I'm going to create some leftovers. I like using chicken to shred and put in quesadillas for lunch or dinner, and yesterday when I was over at Sam's Club their chickens weren't done. I didn't have time to wait and didn't want to drive back and I have some chickens in the freezer, so I thawed one to bake this evening. And some other stuff, several things in the oven at once are more efficient. My son posted a link to this at Facebook. I remember some of this stuff, sorry to say. But you don't have to look far to still see stupid sexist ads. Anyone grind their teeth any time Spray 'n Wash has that man in the brand-name t-shirt approach or lecture to groups of women (all who apparently can't read labels or tags) and teach them how to do laundry? I remarked under my son's link that the idea that there is some science behind the laundry cleaning, that they could portray a scientific type and (amazing!) that scientific sort could be a woman as well as a man, and the people doing laundry (even more revolutionary, I know!) could be women AND men! Off my soap box. . . |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: MAG Date: 10 May 09 - 07:47 PM Yep. buttercups are weeds in my yard. They take over. They proliferate and sucker like quackgrass. A boyfriend about 10 years ago LIKED them and discouraged me from digging them out. Curse him. If I don't go after them hard now they will be dropping seeds before I turn around. Getting them out is definitely de-cluttering. Pulling the quack grass has brought on an allergy attack so I am relaxing with an allegra tablet. Laundry half done, kitchen clean. I love spending my whole day off getting ready for the coming week. 'course I did go to the Star Trek movie Friday night. and watched the season finale of Dollhouse. Anyone else find this a compelling and simultaneously appaling show? I'm sure that's deliberate. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 May 09 - 01:00 AM I only began hearing about this newest Star Trek a couple of weeks before it came out. I am apparently not keeping my ear to the ground these days, film-wise. This weekend I managed the first full cycle of laundry washed in the new energy efficient washer and dried out on the line for the season. I'd dried a few things so far, but not an entire load yet. The new washer helped--it spins so much more water out that the laundry I carry out is much lighter and dries faster once it's there. I don't have to use as much sun! :) It felt wonderful, out hanging laundry and listening to the birds and the dogs lying on the ground just enjoying being in the proximity. I once again have line-dried sheets. eBay listings didn't happen, but that is often the case when the garden calls my name. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 11 May 09 - 04:27 AM Buttercups are the bane of my garden. Anyone notice how they always choose to grow among plants with similar leaves so that they are well dug in before you notice them? With me it's the aquilegias and the hardy geraniums! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: MAG Date: 11 May 09 - 08:23 AM Yeah, mine are in the columbines, too. And near the roses. and blueberries. and bluebells and irish moss. and poppies. well, just everywhere. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 11 May 09 - 12:23 PM It's them and the Herb Robert this year. War has been declared, even if it means resorting to chemical warfare! The Herb Bennet isn't quite as invasive. Herb Robert is a sort of little wild geranium...I thought it was a pretty name, (as with Herb Bennet), so I bought one of each about 12 years ago. It's been a constant battle ever since as it seeds EVERYWHERE. It starts off very tiny, and all of a sudden it's there and flowering. Stinks horribly of nasty geraniums when you pull it up. De-cluttered the little wild pond this afternoon, and cut the long grass round it with a pair of scissors. Yes, there were buttercups in there too! However, I am allowing them there, even though I did chop them down a bit. Got the old sieve out to scoop duck weed (and, unfortunately, baby pond snails too). Also planted up the basket on the front wall of the house. Just got to remember to water it now! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 May 09 - 01:11 PM I had some lemon balm in pots on my back patio years ago and it escaped into the sand between the bricks and is moving along the back wall. It isn't as invasive as what you describe, and I have transplanted some of it because of it's tendency to keep coming back and out compete some of the grass. I no longer feel guilty when I get tired of looking at it and mow it down. It smells lovely. I would like to declutter my sinuses today. I was okay when I got up, but I have since had to go through the various steps one takes when a sinus headache looms. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 May 09 - 06:31 PM The latest issue of Martha Stewart Living was dropped into my mailbox this afternoon. Surely some of the spaces her staff feature each month started out as modest as this house and yard? What would this house look like with the glassed in porch or sunroom, wonderful wicker outdoor furniture, low stone walls, gravel paths, ornamental rocks, trellises, etc.? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 11 May 09 - 06:40 PM My 10+ year old laptop still works when it's plugged in, but not on battery, so I figured the old one's just not holding a charge any more, and I'd try to replace it. Harder than it sounds. I finally had to special order it. I had taken the old one out, so I could take it to the store, so when I got back home, I noticed that there's a little battery check button on the back. It said the battery was 75% charged. Huh? So I stuck it back in (after I blew away all the dust), and booted it up. Have you guessed yet? It booted up with the battery. So I guess I'll have one battery in reserve. Also, when I stopped for gas, I got some for the lawnmower. Ran the power mower over all the grass. Didn't take long, but it was heavier than I remember it being. I had a lawn service for the last 3 summers, so it's been a while since I used it. Maybe I was just younger and stronger then. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 May 09 - 07:32 PM Laptop batteries have a "memory" so even though it was 75% changed, chances are that it won't let you use the entire amount that is in the battery. It doesn't make a lot of sense, but that has been a problem. On some of those older batteries in particular, you need to draw them way down each time and charge them fully, or you lose the ability to use the full charge. I don't know if they still are that way, I am using a laptop here at home (provided by work) and I need to ask what is proper battery etiquette. My old laptop was such that if the battery was out it wouldn't work at all, and if the battery was in it didn't have enough charge to run it. But I wasn't willing to spend $96 for a battery since I wasn't taking it anywhere that I couldn't plug it in. If this is the case with you, I suggest you return the battery for a refund, because you won't need to get around to using it. I am my own lawn care service, and I notice every year that it is a little harder to get going with the weekly mowing. Spring is hardest anyway because the grass is wetter and taller and harder to mow. This afternoon I stopped by the recycle drop-off place and ended up helping an older guy and his disabled son stuff their recycling into the bin. He was going to put it in the trash bin because last time he was there someone told him to when the other was full. It doesn't work that way--it won't get recycled from the trash. So we pulled a few boxes out of the top of the thing that people had not bothered to flatten and there was enough room for all of his stuff. It really bugs me when recycling stuff gets put in the landfill because someone else was too lazy to do it right. That seems to be a characteristic I see most often and am most uniformly annoyed by--why bother to take the trouble to do a thing if you're not going to do it in a way that makes sense? If you're participating in a communal effort, why make the job harder for the next person who comes along? Oy. Off of my (recycled) soap box. . . SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 May 09 - 10:48 AM I didn't finish mowing the back yard last night, I decided to stop before it got dark. When the weather is like this the grass needs to be mowed a couple of times a week, and I can work that into four or five hours of exercise. Front yard one day, back the next, repeat. Trimming is another part that I usually do alternately with mowing. (Something I could go post on that accountability thread.) I did laundry in the washer/clothes line operation last weekend, but overnight I had a basket of wet laundry waiting for today to hang on the line. I put them in the dryer when I saw it was another foggy morning. This week I'll take off a day or two, I think, because I am accumulating days off I have to use and I might as well not wait to the end to use them. I have a lot to get done out there right now and not enough time in the work week to do it. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 13 May 09 - 02:01 AM There's an old saying about cutting grass and weeds... Cut in May, back in a day, Cut in June, come back soon, Cut in July, sure to die. I may have to prune my ivy... it's now wider than it is tall... not good for the fence, but I feel bad about cutting off all those lovely new shoots and destroying a potential food source for my tits. Anyhoo... total failure on the declutter front... bought more material yesterday for some black linen trousers and a green silk/cotton skirt and bodice combo. Limpit wants a corset. Still can't find those threads though, and today looks like being a washout on all fronts as it's painful breathing - I suspect I pulled something coughing last night. So it's lying on the sofa doing nothing more strenuous than reaching for the lemon tea and the tv remote today. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 13 May 09 - 05:12 AM I have a recipe for a lemon balm cheesecake if anyone wants it. That's another plant that's trying to take over! Apparently it's related to mint somewhere down the line, which explains a lot! It always smells a little soapy to me, but that's probably because I remember lemon balm soap. I love lemon verbena, but that can't be left out for the winter. The landing is stacked up with empty plastic crates and the loft hatch is still open - just waiting for the second onslaught. On a positive note, I seem to have cleared the airlock out of the shower pump and can have hot showers again. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maeve Date: 13 May 09 - 05:39 AM Yes please on the recipe, Andrea! That sounds great. Congratulations on the hot showers. maeve |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 May 09 - 09:35 AM I have a friend who just last week told me (I'm not kidding!) "If anyone offers you a recipe for lemon balm cheesecake, a word to the wise--Don't." I took the day off today to do some of my extra stuff around here. And to run a couple of errands. Liz, take care of yourself and see the doctor if it seems like its getting worse. You spent a lot of hours encapsulated in an airplane recently enough who knows what you could have picked up. (I agree with Joe Biden!) Hey, Kat, how are you feeling? Has your doctor been able to offer any medical relief to the symptoms you're experiencing? Overcast again today. This seems to be the pattern, though in the afternoons it has been burning off. So maybe I'll mow the back end of the back yard. I hope to report progress later today. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 13 May 09 - 10:04 AM Although I haven't made it for ages, I did survive eating the cheesecake! It is quite a strong herb, so I'd be a bit restrained on its use in case it got overpowering. It's supposed to make a good tea for nervous tension too. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 May 09 - 10:14 AM I love it as a tea. I use a bag of green tea and I add a twig of lemon balm right out of the garden, with several leaves, to the pot, and it's wonderful. Oh--the earlier observation was correct, it is in the mint family. Square stems, opposite leaves, same flower, and once established it does spread. SRS |
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Subject: Tip: Cleaning Levels From: wysiwyg Date: 13 May 09 - 02:22 PM BTW the thread title always seems to include TIP: Cleaning "Levels" I guess it's because some of my past day and volunteer jobs have included managing a cleaning service, doing some cleaning myself, home daycare, farm mgmt, and farm/camp kitchen duties, not to mention a couple of hundred parish suppers.... I dunno if you'll think this is weird.... About 3-4 times per year I do a TOTAL cleaning, that I call Level FOUR. Everything in sight is moved and cleaned; rugs are sent out or replaced; ceilings may even get a wash if needed. General Sherman used to call his Georgia March "Hard War," and later it was called "Total War." It's kinda likew that, but with music and reflections and humming happiness. In our old country house, it's needful. It comes spontaneously after Easter, Christmas, and before my maw in law's annual October visit. Sanitation stuff. Levels 1-3 below included. Hardi is always involved as available. The year we had the housefire, insurance paid for help. I've been known to call in favors and/or pay for some help from people I know can use a buck. I overpay the local rates and supervise/manage. Level THREE is just a little less extreme. Backsplashes, ovens, cabinets and contents, laundry room, and so forth. Hardi helps as he can, and then of course it goes better. There's a big shop vac that he runs, and he's got an oven steamer, too. I've known him to put a buffing pad on the drill and use it on backsplashes and tile. (He worked his way thru HS and saved for college as a maintenance dept. aide at a nursing home.) This usually comes spontaneously whenever company is expected who cares. Sometimes it's only the laundry room, kitchen, loo, and either back or front porch or playroom/classroom on the first floor, if the "company" is a "class" or "jam" or Mudcat Gathering. Levels 1-2 below included. Level TWO involves dusting and polishing. Wood, silver, etc., and removal/cleaning of sheets covering LR furniture. The sheets (white, Sallie's) cover GOOD furniture people gave us; this keeps cat hair instantly removable anytime for allergic visitors. This level tends to come spontaneously after a big, extended ministry "time spender," like the recent Big Funeral or when Hardi was on the Search that brought us here 15 years ago. So of course it also includes all the dishes I left to soak and all the drycleaning of clothes I used up from The Closet. The set of 18-24 dishes takes up, exactly, the dishwasher loaded with commercial kichen trays. The set of 18-24 stainless flatware (not the knives) goes into the ManuClave with commercial dishwasher solution. The drawer trays that hold all that get a dishwasher wash. When the drainer is full, the last of the handwashing is saved for Hardi, soaking in a soaking pot that acts as a second sink. The counters get sanitized and very often the microwave's interior is cleaned well. Sometimes the kitchen part happens when we bulk-cook. Level 1 included. Level 1 is whatever I have time to do in an average week, and includes loo cleaning, sink/counter sanitation, dog bowl san, laundry, etc. .... Hardi's is outdoor and includes porches, vehicle, and lawn. De-cluts tend to happen in much the same pattern, during the cleaning efforts. Level 4 for instance is when I purge whole rooms full of crap I have not been able to discard. Now, all this evolved over time. But I named the levels so I could tell Hardi what I had done all day without the list to bore us both. It's how I do what our Bishop's wife does, logistically I mean, but without the weekly, paid cleaning help his salary allows. It's how I can have ministries/work outside the home, too, even with the crazy schedule and travel our work happens to require. YMMV, and you may not need to be so organized. But since I got intentional about this it's gone a lot better. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: wysiwyg Date: 13 May 09 - 02:32 PM PS, those enzymes that eat up organic odors are really cool. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 May 09 - 04:24 PM The house gets a big cleaning like that every so often, but not X number of times a year. Most often the cleaning schedule I work on is the "a lick and a promise" program. ;-D |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 13 May 09 - 05:02 PM I doubt if I've ever gotten to Level 4, but Level 3 gets done a couple times a year-- mostly when I reach the point where I can't stand it any more. I don't have any carpeting or rugs, so that makes it easier. More rain keeping me inside again, and a cold rain at that. But I did manage to get some work done in the diningroom. I moved the buffet to the side wall, so I can open the windows. That gave me a chance to dust the floor back there. Since I needed something to put the plants on, I brought up a little sewing cabinet from the basement. I dusted it and cleaned up the top where the cat had brought up a furball, and it doesn't look too bad. I hope I didn't bring up any spiders. Made an apple crisp for later. M |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: LilyFestre Date: 13 May 09 - 05:38 PM The beautiful spring grass got it's first cut yesterday. RidgePlucker tuned up the tractor, pumped up a tire or two and he got to cut the grass! It's a job that we fuss about between each other from time to time as I also enjoy cutting the grass and driving the little tractor. He can have the big tractor...I don't like that one as much!!! So anyway, the yards and long driveway are all looking nice. The violas are out, my young lilacs are blooming and I have lettuce planted and growing nicely. It's a windy day here in northern PA and the winds bring forth the hope of the soil drying out enough to till and plant. As we are still having frosts at night, we still have a bit before it becomes to late for that. Daily chores have been taken care of (sweeping, laundry, dishes, cooking) and a few extras as well. Another kitchen cupboard emptied, wiped down and cleaned out with a few things added to the summer yard sale pile. I still haven't attempted much in my office. As it is located right next to the nursery, I figure it will be the perfect thing to work at while the baby sleeps. Also, it's a room I rarely use anymore (in fact, part of the organizing of it will be to provide space for my meditation corner) so it's all just fine to work on it a little bit at a time and close the door behind me until it's finished. My main goal at the moment is to have all the essentials I need to last for a bit (so I don't have to go to the store with a newborn) and to have the daily things as up to date as possible (this includes keeping the car cleaned out). So far, so good. :) I must say that the nursery is looking kind of cluttered.....lots of clothes with tags still on them in case they need to be returned for different sizes....the high chair, pack and play, bouncy seat and swing are up there too....will bring them down as needed. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 13 May 09 - 05:56 PM My parcels arrived from New Zealand late this afternoon, so I've been cluttering up the front room with quilting pieces and fabric swatches... lots of lovely colours to look at and piece together tomorrow - at least that's something I can do on the sofa.. I have officially pulled a muscle whilst coughing. Typical. Still, we should get at least 3 single sized quilts out of what we have acquired today! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 May 09 - 06:20 PM Michelle, you must be on pins and needles. I still haven't attempted much in my office. I read that "I haven't attempted mulch in my office" (something I have threatened a few times over the years). ;-D I've been organizing the garage this afternoon, doing it in passes as I come in for stuff for the yard. I was all set to put up the martin house a couple of months ago and then we lost a tree so I decided to wait and take out that tree then put the martin house in that spot instead. Only now I open the extendable pole box and a couple of the spring clips are broken and/or missing. The company is sending me a set (gratis--I complained about the $5 shipping for the $1.50 part, but this is new, it arrived this way, so they are being very nice in just mailing the replacement clips.) In the garage I'm going to organize mostly, I have cleared out a lot of junk stuff. What I'm looking at now are the things that were set wherever there was room and now I'm finding better places for them. And I've opened the window so there will be a cross current. This is the hot season so I may go back to leaving the door open, though having it closed would keep a lot of wasps out. The dogs will cook in there if they try to sleep inside so I'll play it by ear. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: LilyFestre Date: 13 May 09 - 06:45 PM Hmmmmm.....mulch my office....yeah....YEAH...LOL...that might actually be an improvement!!!!! *G* Actually, it's pretty empty in there as I took all my teaching stuff and put it into storage. I don't plan on using it for awhile and it was just in the way so now it's been organized, boxed, labeled and tucked into storage. As far as being on pins and needles....we are sooo excited and I am finding that I have to plan things to get through the day to keep myself distracted. Only a wee bit longer to go!!!!!!!!!! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 13 May 09 - 06:51 PM Maggie, I've seen different varieties, but would a pull-down screen door work to keep wasps out and let in a cross breeze? We had that wasn't as fancy as that, but it sure helped. Not sure how sturdy it would be if the dogs got rambunctious, though. I have done a load of laundry and watered my garden/flowers out front. Just coming off the prednisone, ate too much salt and had to do some extra meds to get rid of edema, and am grieving for a best friend who died unexpectedly yesterday morning, so...low, low energy, muddled head BUT an incredible urge to purge a ton of our stuff...just get rid of it. I know it's a natural reaction and I am not going willhe-nillhe, but my Rog has promised, once again, to take some vacation time soon so we can go through a bunch of stuff. Whether it happens or not we'll see. I'd like to have a yard sale next weekend as there are a bunch of churches and areas near us which have their annual ones then, so I figure it'd be a good weekend to do so, BUT I don't think we will pull it together that fast. I may try to clear off my desk tomorrow. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 14 May 09 - 04:45 AM I'd love a screen door, but have made do with bead curtains and the like in recent years. They are ok, but get caught in the open door. They are not 100% successful, either. For the last 2 or 3 years I have had a powerful uv fly zapper on top of my kitchen cupboards, over the hob. I believe it delivers a large voltage when they land on it. Peter (my man who "does") came to see me yesterday morning, and he figures that if the floor in the kitchen doesn't actually HAVE to come up, then he can do the painted membrane without taking the units out - just by cranking up the feet one at a time, and painting under them. I'm going to let him have a word with the surveyor, as that's the impression I got from him if the floor was physically sound, and just damp. That will save time and money all over, and be a darned sight quicker too. However there's still a load of chiselling out and replastering of walls to be done. He's still working on the priory, but the stone for the flooring has been delivered and he mainly just has that to lay now, plus a few finishing-off bits. So sorry about your friend, Kat. Friends hurt just as mich as family, sometimes more, because you don't always get as much chance to say goodbye. Sometimes you are closer than family. I was at my neighbour's funeral yesterday, and heard from my ex-boss (also a one-time neighbour) that a very feisty lady I used to care for has just died. Sometimes it seems that your social life is revolving around wakes! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 May 09 - 01:14 PM Aw, Kat, I'm sorry to read you have another thing to work through. I understand the impulse to purge things, fight your way free of something else that holds you back while your emotions are in turmoil. I've seen screens like that, but the dogs have clobbered the window screens, something like that would be like fresh meat. They don't necessarily do this all of the time, but once or twice would be enough. The garage is free-standing from the house, so it isn't like that open door lets flies in the house. I have been thinking about getting rollup shade (flatstick type) to hang on the western edge of my patio cover to keep out the worst of the summer late afternoon sun. It wouldn't need to extend down as low as where the dogs could reach it to do the job. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 May 09 - 05:54 PM Rearranged some stuff near the back door--all of the dog gear (their backpacks, extra leashes, etc.) is now stored in a bin, not stacked in and on a cardboard box. I am finishing eBay listings now and will place several this evening. I cleared out a path into my eBay area in the sun room. It seems I was too efficient with some of my kitchen storage reorganization and today I can't find the gallon jar I use for ice tea. I've decided not to make it sun style any more (warm water and soaking leaves in the sun for several hours can allow bacteria to grow, versus boiling water over the same leaves). I found a smaller jar and have some green tea bags steeping now, and I've had to put some ice trays in the freezer since I haven't repaired my ice maker yet. I'll bring in some of my lemon balm next time and add it to the blend, but I forgot about it this time, but I love it that way. Tomorrow I'll go back to work, but it has been nice to take a couple of days off. I haven't worked at anything feverishly, I've taken a couple of naps, and I've enjoyed the break. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 14 May 09 - 05:57 PM Good for you, Maggie, for taking that break. Thanks for your kindness about my friend, you all. He is greatly missed and it will take some time. I did get the dishes done this morning. I have scheduled lunch and a half day with Morgan tomorrow so I may actually get something done. We have a few pansies and marigolds to plant still.:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 14 May 09 - 06:04 PM Acquired some more 'Really Useful Boxes' today, to put the patchwork pieces in. Decluttered some of the pieces, some batting and an old sheet into what is shaping up to be a pretty nice cot quilt in blues and purples. Once this muscle pull is better, there'll be a big clear up, the house is starting to look like a sweat shop with fabric and thread all over the place! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 14 May 09 - 06:15 PM I hope we get to see pictures when you are done with the quilts, LtS! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 May 09 - 06:26 PM If you ever get to New York, Liz, be sure to visit the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. It's amazing how small, dark, and squalid those apartments were. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 May 09 - 07:58 PM Okay. eBay is up and running again, and I'll be listing some more. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 15 May 09 - 12:26 AM Got the dishes done.Phew! Oh! And, I pulled a couple of weeds! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 15 May 09 - 08:28 AM It's pississting down here, with more forecast, so no garden. Had to re-clutter a bit today as some of the dough making equipment had to resurface so I could go to the school and work with the infant class. Now got to clear the kitchen of the debris I left in my hurry to be off to school early this morning. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 15 May 09 - 11:03 AM A gentle day of wombling up and down the stairs means some magazines are boxed ready for the loft, some other stuff has made it up the stairs for the same destination and I have my sewing table back. The quilt is awaiting its edge - toying with some satin ribbon or finding some pretty blue/purple/lilac cotton fabric to put a border on it. Otherwise, it's done. There will be a photo at some point. I'm just about to go sort the pieces for the next lot, one green, one black and white (with skulls... Limpit's request) the other red planned, although I may be short of red... that should clear another box. So I've made space and a useful product, a good week on the decluttering front I feel. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 15 May 09 - 06:24 PM It's Friday! So many plans, so much to do. Now to see how much of it I can actually get accomplished. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 16 May 09 - 11:48 AM Rain started overnight and is still coming down, so it looks like a great opportunity to get some work done in the house! Sun room, here I come! And I need to finish working with my new CDs. I've moved most of them into the front room, but in there they are out of site, so I may move some furniture between the rooms to make way for CDs in the room where the CD changer is. Makes sense, doesn't it? SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 17 May 09 - 12:29 AM Rog mowed over half of the huge backyard this morning while I picked up and put away junk that had accumulated around the house and did a load of laundry. We stopped only to run the usual errands...go to the grocery store, etc. where I got lot so walking exercise...I do a kind of power walk with the cart. More to put away tomorrow along with washing our sheets, etc. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 17 May 09 - 02:47 AM Quilt is finished! Just have to wait for a good time to present it to the prospective parent (she's about 5 months with a boy but I'm not sure of her customs/superstitions about having baby stuff in the house before birth - she's Russian, this is her first baby), so that should clear a bit more space. I went with a plain, periwinkle blue border in the end... it looked better. Major clearup of the front room started yesterday - then we went visiting (great to see you Catherine - you look great too!) and it got put on hold.. Guess what today is going to bring... Plus the laundry pile is threatening to take over the world... LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 17 May 09 - 02:48 AM I carefully walked a CD storage shelf into the living room and have it shimmed in place. Looks good. I need four little shelf supports to put the bottom shelf in it--I can't find the same kind in the house, though it probably came with enough, now misplaced. I may have to run to Home Depot for something tomorrow. I have lots of supports, but for larger holes and I don't want to start drilling any of these larger. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 17 May 09 - 02:34 PM Yesterday was a little different from the ordinary. Our local Comhaltas branch hosted the Midwest Irish music competition , so I was helping with that. Mostly acting as "hall monitor" to keep people from walking in on the competitors & keeping the noise down outside the room. I was with the under-12 fiddler, an boy, are those kids good. I suppose if I'd started that young, I might be approaching adequate by now. Got home in time to throw a load of laundry in the washer, then settled down with some wine, to watch HP & The Goblet of Fire. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 17 May 09 - 03:01 PM It must be in the air! I have just moved all my CDs down the room a bit. Also re potted the strelitzia - my friend and I bought a small one each last year, and we are competing to see whose flowers first. Not a sign of a bud on either, and I suspect they aren't in the ideal conditions either. Still, they are both growing. There's going to be a lot of shifting stuff around and into the loft this week... It's granddaughter Freya's christening on Sunday, and I have Ruth and her boyfriend Paul coming home, plus my sister in law and her husband staying. It's amazing what a bit of panic will do! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 May 09 - 10:40 AM When I rearranged my office I had put a tall narrow table in front of the window and placed the television on it. I didn't like having the window partly blocked, and I had an antique trunk in the front room that needed to be moved out of the way so I put it here and the TV on it. Still in front of the window, but lower and access to the window is now clear. That small table always looked better in another part of the room and I used to keep a lamp and the phone on it. I'll go back to that, and it means I have a small bookcase I can move out. Chinese puzzles still going strong here! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 18 May 09 - 10:52 AM Rog finished mowing the backyard and whacked a few more weeds, yesterday, while I did several loads of laundry including our bedding and putting it all away. I also did some more general cleanup. Not much will get done, today. I am off to the doc this morning for a recheck and foot treatment. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 18 May 09 - 11:56 AM Went for a massage again this morning, then off to the shops with my daughter and baby. Didn't get home until about 3.30. Have put a load of towels on to wash. Am off to Weight Watchers in an hour! Too wet to go into the garden. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 May 09 - 12:50 PM Am deciding whether to put the small bookcase in the hall outside my office door, or it it will become something people walk in there. I'll try it in several places. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 18 May 09 - 01:10 PM Spent about an hour & a half shredding branches in the back yard. The lawn service guy was supposed to pick them up 2 weeks ago, but he never came back (after he got his money). The reason I haven't pitched more of a fit is that his brother is my next-door neighbor, and I don't want to cause hard feelings. My neighbor & his wife are really nice & I don't want to put them in the middle. I've got an eye-doctor app't this afternoon, and I think we're going to see Angels & Demons tonight. M |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 May 09 - 02:52 PM I did some foliar feeding of veggies and flowers, and I dug up a couple of seedlings of my lovely vitex tree. Every year when it blooms people stop and ask me about it. I have a few handy for gifts or sale. I've been drawing down the contents of the freezer in preparation to defrost it. Big job. And I've been trying to keep my refrigerator less cluttered so I can see whats in there. I'm tired of throwing out food that stays out of sight and gets too old. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 18 May 09 - 03:56 PM Two steps forward and one step back. Guess I should be glad it's not reversed. I am headed off for a nap after having a treatment and still a foot in extreme pain from muscles cramping, but I had a steroid injection and have just taken a muscle relaxant, so...maybe I'll feel like doing more after a nap. I didn't sleep last night at all. Since I will be sitting a lot this week, I am really going to try to get to my CD project. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: GUEST,Penny S. (elsewhere) Date: 19 May 09 - 08:28 AM I've had a lot of little problems recently. Big things good - my vendor has got a place to move to. My neighbour's daughter wants to move into my place. But the little things are out to get me. The cistern began to leak around the handle. Called plumber - didn't come when arranged. I had moved everything for clear access to the cistern, and to the stopcock downstairs. Put on back burner, but left everything out of place. I got bees in the wall by the bathroom, where they can't be extracted, and where they are maximum nuisance - do you fancy being exposed to exploring workers while not fully dressed? I had to get them killed, unfortunately. Then the bee man came backa week later to block the hole they had used (for the second time) to prevent future destruction. While blocking the whole, he knelt on the windowsill by the cistern. I saw a mouse on the landing, running from my bedroom to - who knows where? It disappeared. With no holes, not even pencil sized. I was gooing down to my Dad's clearing, so could not use traps, or poison, or call someone in. I got some sound generators, and an electromagnetic device to flood the wires with itchy feelings. And moved everything off the floor to allow free passage to the sound, boxed all the food, emptied the airing cupboard - no trace of the little piddles and droppings I saw last time. Now the fridge has stopped working properly. Motor running all the time, but not cold enough. I've moved all the frozen stuff to my Dad's old freezer. And the cistern has a leak, and has dripped water into the kitchen. The plumber has had a gippy tummy and is sending a locum on Thursday. Meanwhile, the split is covered with duck tape, and I've hitched up the ballcock so I only fill the thing when I need. No visitors. The gremlins have also struck the car, killing a headlamp bulb the day after a service. Penny Then |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 19 May 09 - 04:08 PM Aw, Penny. These are all those things that not only nickle and dime you, they take time. A suggestion on the fridge: I had a similar problem a couple of years ago. There is a motor that pushes the cold air from the freezer into the cool side of the fridge. I had to have it replaced, but when I saw him do it I realized it was a module and I could have done it myself. Check for the air passages being blocked, or not running (there is also a lower vent that is passive, so warmer air moves back into the freezer, and it cycles this way regularly.) I wish I had a cistern. I found some mouse droppings in the cupboard under the sink the last time I arranged the bottles under there, a couple of months ago. I don't know how long they had been there. I check back every so often. You'd think with a cat in the house this wouldn't be a problem, but I don't know if it does more than enter that cupboard then exit through a wall somewhere. This house is a sieve when it comes to gaps. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 19 May 09 - 10:21 PM The eye-doctor said that my vision was much worse that a year ago this time (due to cataracts), but I knew that already. I've been wearing my glasses almost all the time lately. He said "time to have the surgery", so that'll happen soon. Going in, I was thinking sometime in the fall, but now's good. I'd like to get one eye done before the end of the month, but I'm supposed to talk with his scheduler in a day or two. Mowed the front grass this afternoon-- it was looking kinda unkempt. Will try to get the back done tomorrow. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 20 May 09 - 01:03 AM My lawn was looking pretty good, but then the next door neighbor's guy (who does) came and mowed her lawn. Now mine looks a little wild. I've set up a blog, and spent the evening looking at the different themes to find one that is easy to read and organized the way I like. I could do the CSS and design my own, but that's a lot of work. Good luck with the cataract surgery--from all that my mom and various friends have said, the surgery is a great help. Better find someone to do that lawn mowing for you for a few weeks, though. When I get it a little further along, I'll post a link. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 20 May 09 - 04:40 AM My friend has had his cataracts done. He didn't realise how bad his vision had got until he could actually see again after the first one! Good luck, and I hope you get the first one done soon. I also hope it's not too long before they do the second, as a long wait can put a strain on the newly fixed one, as my friend found when our wonderful NHS kept cancelling his surgery, for about 18 months. It was a junior doctor on yet another of his pre-op assessments who got on the case when she found out what had been happening, and it was done within a month from then. Hopefully I'll get out into the front garden today, if my headache doesn't put me off. The weather's looking hopeful so far. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 20 May 09 - 12:49 PM It's lovely here today. I put in a few supplemental seeds in the garden where plantings were thin or seeds washed away in heavy rains. I've also started some in recycled nursery flats. I moved the wooden book case into the kitchen under the extended edge of the peninsula counter and stacked all of my tins and canisters and boxes of tea on the shelves. It doesn't look very organized and I imagine I'll have to pull many boxes off the shelf to find the one I want if it isn't right up front. I think the answer might be baskets that fit on those shelves, but don't stick out so they won't be knocked off. Categorize by spice, green, black, loose, bags, etc. I'm living with it for a couple of days before I decide if I'll leave it. It's a good time to do this because I've realized I'm drinking way too much caffiene. Time to switch over to more green tea. I'm back to full-time line drying unless there is rain. It just feels so much better to go outside with the clean laundry, and spend a little time in the fresh air, listening to birds and wind chimes and the dogs lounge nearby, enjoying the company. I'm also about back to dishpan season (versus rinsing under running water) so I can pour the rinse water on the garden. And I'll be taking bathes (versus showers) to pump water out to garden. I haven't picked up that pump yet, but hope to in a couple of weeks (after payday). With this water planning I'm doing some rearranging of yard furniture, picnic benches and such. I'll take a look in the garage and see what is out there that I've forgotten, or is going under-utilized. And my clips for the bird house pole arrived, so that will go up this weekend. Also this weekend I need to see what I have handy for donation and see if I can't get a May donation into my tax file. The kids are always outgrowing clothes, if nothing else. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 20 May 09 - 02:42 PM While I was out this afternoon, I bought a solar low-voltage light for along the driveway. I'm just going to try one, and see how much light it gives off. If I'm satisfied, I'll buy several more. The bulbs of the electric low-voltage lights have all burned out, so I won't have to replace them, and I can disconnect the whole thing. The only problem is that, some of the places I want light at night are in the shade during the day. m |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 20 May 09 - 04:47 PM I had a couple of those solar lights in the back yard but the dogs chewed them to pieces. I got them out of there before they consumed the batteries. They don't give off much light, just a little glow, most of them. I've thought about finding a system that runs off of a larger solar collector cell, like the ones that people put on the openers on ranch gates. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 20 May 09 - 06:47 PM Major clearout required this weekend... so we can piece out a quilt for Limpit... Also need to clear the dining room as I have a committee meeting there in just over a week's time... oops! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 20 May 09 - 11:40 PM Amazing how company can motivate. I actually decluttered a little bit on my desk today as my ex was to come over. We rescheduled for tomorrow, maybe, depending on we both feel. I've pulled a couple of weeds and watered outside a tiny bit; Morgan did most of the watering the past two days. Other than that, I am down for the count for a few more days. I can sit at the desk and work on redesigning my website but any activity exacerbates the pneumonia dregs. Ugh.:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 21 May 09 - 01:03 AM Are you doing any jewelry making while you're at it? Something that creates a beautiful object like that must have a curative effect, beyond sitting quietly and letting your blood circulate to your foot properly. I moved a picnic table bench from the back patio over to the side door so plants can sit on it. (The table is long gone, chewed by the previous tenant's dogs, and I took it apart and made things out of the lumber.) My dogs used to lie under it for extra shade under their 60/40 cloth patio cover, but now there is a table there for shade. I'm trying to make my collection of pots and plants that are coming or going (to the garden, to friends, to wherever) look a little more artful. The dishes are out of the way. My hands are still cracked and calloused--hard to say what set them off this time (gardening would be a good guess, though!), but I know the water never helps. I'll make a point of using lotion regularly and wearing rubber gloves and hope I can get this to clear up. I have some old alovera gel under the kitchen sink, so I'll try some of that. I'm putting a few things up on the blog just to give it a little bulk. I repeated some of the photos I have posted at Dirt Doctor over here. I plan to branch out into other interests, but for now, the garden is a good place to start. The most recent post is at the top. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 21 May 09 - 04:38 AM Managed to de-clutter a bit of the front garden yesterday. I'm afraid I am going to have to resort to chemical warfare on the hops that are trying to choke stuff up. Took several doses last time I went up against a fairly well-established hop vine! Yes, it's company that's spurring me on as well. Ruth and her boyfriend, plus my sister in law and husband, are staying this weekend as it's Freya's christening on Sunday. At least the bedrooms are sorted! I just have to remove the obstacle course of (empty and waiting) plastic crates from the landing and close up the loft hatch, so that people can negotiate their way to the bathroom. They can take the rest of the house as they find it! New log store is being delivered tomorrow. Pity I have almost run out of logs! Also booked chimney sweep for next Thursday, and have put a bit of pressure on the plumber to come and give my boiler its (2 months overdue) annual service. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 21 May 09 - 11:42 AM Rode my bicycle up to Blockbuster & back (about a mile) this morning. It was kind of an experiment, because my left knee is in really bad shape, but so far, so good. I'll try to ride a little more often, maybe add a little distance. Problem is that I live in about the highest part of the area. So when I start out, everything is downhill, easy. Coming back home, it's all uphill. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Penny S. Date: 21 May 09 - 05:34 PM Today I first cleared things out of the way for the plumber to take a whole new loo up the two flights of stairs. her reckoned simple replacing the cistern would not be possible. It's a water saving bowl and flush with a small and large flush choice, and the siphon system is compact and beautifully designed, with an internal overflow into the bowl. While he was working, I was decluttering the fridge. It turns out that that is dead, and I have had to order a new one, one which will fit into the new house. The kitchen is full of cool boxes, one which has a motor, the others relying on ice packs from the freezer part. The soonest I can have a delivery is next Wednesday, and I'll have to leave some of the moved stuff out of the route to the kitchen until then. My legs ache from running up and down the two flights to let people in and deliver tea. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 21 May 09 - 05:44 PM There's nothing like having to do without a major appliance to realize how they have changed our world. I guess I'd better get my other eBay things up. My silver certificates seemed to be languishing, no views, no watchers, until yesterday, so I hadn't bothered to put any more up. They're bidding them up this afternoon. Looks like currency folks also play it close to the vest. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 21 May 09 - 06:47 PM I've been wasting my time reading a bunch of silly-frilly "Tea Shop mysteries", written by somebody named Laura Childs. They're okay, but not great literature, but I enjoy them. I found the first 4 books at various used bookstores, and finished the last one yesterday. Today I went to a different bookstore, looking for the next group of 4, and I found them all together-- cheap, too. Somebody probably brought them all in together. So now I'm set for a while, and they'll go to the library used book sale when I finish. I replaced my furnace/airconditioner filter-- I've vacuumed it a couple times, so it's time to replace it. Cataract surgery is scheduled for the end of June, but I have to see my own doctor so she can confirm that my general health is okay for the surgery. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 21 May 09 - 08:04 PM eBay was a surprise--Two $10s went for $51. I'll have to get some more listed! Long weekend coming up here in the U.S. I can put it to good use! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 21 May 09 - 08:59 PM Kewl! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 22 May 09 - 03:54 AM Just cleaned the log stove and hearth before breakfast. Waiting for log store to come "between 8 and 5". Need to clear a space on the yard for it. Also need to know why my car is suddenly stinking of sour milk...aircon? It goes off once you get going, and this time it doesn't seem to be wet carpets. I do have a large bag of compost in the back, however... OK. Just going to remove compost from car! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 22 May 09 - 04:54 AM The kitchen is getting it today... spilled coffee from the jar last night so had to clear that up... it went under the microwave and moving it showed how disgusting THAT was underneath... hence deep clean and de-clutter today. We have 4 graters, 2 choppers and at least a dozen knives of varying qualities... and Manitas can't remember when he last used a chopper! He's away this weekend, so it's 'throw stuff out and see how long it is before he notices!' time... hee hee! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 22 May 09 - 10:17 AM Why do we need 2 woks? Cleared and cleaned some cupboards... still finding coffee granules all over the place though! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: LilyFestre Date: 22 May 09 - 10:24 AM Last Saturday the baby we have been preparing for was born. However, the birth parents changed their mind and are keeping the baby. We are moving forward with other options which means the nesting will continue!!!! Today I used a Swiffer WetJet for the first time. OMG. What a HUGE difference it makes in getting the floors done....easy breezy...LOVE IT! Yesterday I tried out our new FoodSaver...one of those machines that sucks the air out of bagged food and seals it so it will last longer in the fridge. Currently I have WAY more eggs than I can use (and many of my customers are on vacation so I have a BIG excess) so I thought I'd freeze some eggs (scramble in a bowl, bag, seal and freeze). Well, the first 2 bags of eggs didn't seal properly and I had eggs all over the counter and underneat the coffee maker...it wasn't pretty....BUT.....I fixed the problem and froze several batches of eggs for meals this winter when the hens aren't laying as many eggs. YUM. Fresh eggs are bright orange when scrambled and frozen due to the high amounts of vitamin E in the yolk...did you know that? I didn't until today! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 22 May 09 - 12:00 PM Oh, Michelle, so sorry to hear that. I had been wondering, but didn't want to ask. May you find the one little child who is right for you and you for it and may it be soon. Thanks for the call, Maggie! I am basically doing better...my feet are better. Now, it's just have a little patience in getting over pneumonia AND dealing with some seasonal allergies. I will be glad when I can take a good deep breath..today is better than yesterday in that respect. Not much done here as a result. I have managed to deal with a clutter of mail this week and I have been working on decluttering my website. I've decided it is too busy and needs to focus on just one or two aspects of writing/books and the rest, including the jewellery, can be put in sub-domains or their own domains. One more load of laundry, today, and that'll be about it.:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 22 May 09 - 01:21 PM I think the stink was the bag of compost in the back of the car. Lord only knows what the "organic moisture retaining agent" is, because it isn't peat! I'll know for sure shortly when I go out in it! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 22 May 09 - 08:03 PM So much to do that I have to not let it overwhelm me into a state of vegetation in front of the computer. ;-) I think I need to make a little list. Michelle, good luck. Kat, did you try the soap? SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 22 May 09 - 08:10 PM Tomorrow, Maggie, we will get the soap and I'll try it. It was too late to ask Rog to get it last night and he has been swamped, today. We have JUCO, Junior College Baseball Championships, or some such starting this weekend which always necessitates several extra nights and many extra hours of work on his part for the news crew to broadcast from there. We never go anywhere Memorial Day weekend due to it.:;< |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 22 May 09 - 10:46 PM OK... got involved in something else and decluttered a bottle of wine from the fridge... I am a bad girl and shall surely go to the bad place in a woven wicker recepticle suitable for manual carriage. Promise I'll do better today... (it is today here, about 3.50am.. bit early to put the vacuum cleaner on but I can clear out my mail box here!) LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 22 May 09 - 11:29 PM Liz, I understand. That hand-basket probably gets a little crowded at times. I took apart the string trimmer this evening and refilled it, ready for morning. I looked around here this afternoon and the house has had a case of the "creeping crud" for a while, but I'm onto it now. Since it is dark out I'm better spending a little time before bed working on the house rather than the yard. I've set up the laptop in the living room to watch the big TV while I work (I need to delete a lot of old email from work). It's a kind of mindless task, so I can watch a mystery I've already seen. A load of laundry can go in to wash, ready to dry on the line tomorrow, and I'll putter around the kitchen, putting away the piles of paper that have built up. I added another post to the blog; I want to diversify away from the garden but so far those have been most interesting. I can start new pages but I'm not sure how they will load, so I'll experiment a little. Tonight I put in some thoughts about the dogs and their hunting. The Catahoula killed a snake today (usually the pit bull does the most successful hunting, but based on the blood on the dogs, Poppy is the one that made this score). SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maeve Date: 23 May 09 - 08:14 AM Michelle, best wishes for your quest. You are prepared and thinking creatively. I have no doubt your little one will find you. maeve |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: LilyFestre Date: 23 May 09 - 08:33 AM :) Thanks to you all. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 23 May 09 - 05:50 PM The kitchen is looking a lot better and now, after a big bonfire, the garden is looking a better too. There was a big pile of buddlea cuttings (remember, I decluttered it to about a third of its previous height) that had wilted down nicely, and turned to kindling. So that went up in flames this evening. Now it's a much smaller pile of debris, that is big enough and not too twiggy, to get into rubble sacks and dispose of properly. That means, with only a little work, the garden should be in a fit state for company next weekend. I did a bit of moving around in the front room too... just little things like glasses and pencil boxes, but again, I'll wait and see how long it takes Manitas to realise. A weekend so far of little jobs, that has made a huge difference to part of the house. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 23 May 09 - 10:59 PM I put up part of a chicken wire fence around the front yard veggie garden--it looks so much more official that way! Didn't do much in the house. I mowed and trimmed and worked on my daughters mower so I'm tired--but it's a good tired when you've gotten a lot done during the day. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 24 May 09 - 12:30 AM I did the week's worth of dishes this morning with a little bit of help from Morgan; then I sat out in the front yard while he played and I almost fell asleep so I sent him home.:-) Roger has had to work almost all day and evening, so nothing else has been done by either of us. We were going to have the kids all over tomorrow, but I cancelled due to rain and Rog's work. It rained a good share of today, too. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 24 May 09 - 02:25 AM Up at my usual sparrowfart, looked out into the garden and discovered the bonfire was just bursting back into life! SO I knocked it out and turned the hose on it again.... ho hum! (Don't worry, it was quite safe, on a concrete base with nothing overhanging and far enough away from the house that nothing would catch)... Big day of cleaning today.. Limpit is not impressed. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: LilyFestre Date: 24 May 09 - 10:31 AM I am spending this morning getting pots ready for the container garden I have on the deck. Today I think I'll do the herbs and maybe some of the flowers...lots of pansies and violas this year. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 24 May 09 - 11:12 AM My big push is to de-clutter the driveway today. There are still several bags of stuff that need to go in the garden that are lying over to one side. I'm going to dig the end of the veggie garden a bit farther along, empty and mix in these bags, and finish that fence. I want that side garden to function well and not look too outlandish for being in my front yard. When there are bags of things still sitting around, it doesn't look as good. A goal of all of today's work is to get enough of my "regular weekend work" done that tomorrow it actually feels like a nice extra day off, and I don't have this nagging feeling that I wasted the time and it is slipping away. Toward that end, it's out to the garden! (Oh, I'll set up the bread machine to make the dough, and I'll put in another load of laundry before I head out.) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: LilyFestre Date: 24 May 09 - 11:29 AM Our pump gave out on Friday night so minimal gardening is going on this weekend. We had planned to get most things in but without water, it's just going to have to wait. RidgePlucker is rototilling the back, back garden (as opposed to the back garden) and I am still working on cleaning out last year's pots to get them ready for herbs, flowers, tomatoes and peppers. Last year I grew some kick ass poblano peppers on the back deck....it was the first year I'd had any success with any kind of pepper and I was very pleased...looking forward to that challenge again this summer! I need to clean out my car. I have an old step stool that was my Nana's and it works great for when the car is parked on a hill and I need it to help reach the straps for my kayak. The problem is is that the paint has started to flake off in a BIG way making a snowfield of paint flakes in the back of my car. I'm hoping to sand the stool down today and paint it. I have leftover paint from all the interior house painting this winter and spring so I have many colors to choose from. I'm thinking purple!!! Michelle who needs to get back outside!!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 24 May 09 - 11:58 AM It will be a lazy day for us...if Rog doesn't have to go back to work before 5p and 10p for the newscasts. We will do the litter boxes and maybe sweep. I may fold some laundry. While he is here I think I'll get him to help me plant the last of my pansies and marigolds. They've been quite valiantly waiting for a couple of weeks at least. (We kept forgetting to get potting soil.) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 24 May 09 - 12:25 PM Almost out the door: the dough is in the bread machine (on manual, I always take it out to shape for the last rise in a "regular" bread pan), and SUCCESS! I got through the junk in my sunroom to reach the sewing machine. I've mended my favorite pair of madras cotton shorts that are so comfortable for gardening. I think when I finish the garden (isn't that optimistic!) I need to keep going on the sun room. From the work this morning in there I have a new stack of donation stuff growing--you know where--on the loveseat in the living room. Maybe I can cycle stuff through there fast enough this weekend to have it donated and the seat clear before the end of the month. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 24 May 09 - 05:12 PM In for a little rest. I have made progress with my digging, weeding, mulching, and design (I have to have paths into the garden so I don't step on good stuff). Meanwhile, the bread baked while I was out there and is now cooling, and the convection oven has been now loaded with a bunch of little chicken parts for a late lunch (wings, legs, stuff still good but forgotten, that I found in the freezer in a back corner). I've whittled down the number of bags of top soil and humus out there to a half-dozen or so. I'll use those up before I consider picking up any more. I've planted one thing I brought in from Home Depot yesterday, and have one more to go. And I have seeds to plant. This evening I'll do some computer work, and will probably crash early from all of the fresh air and yard work. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 24 May 09 - 05:29 PM Garden mostly cleared, Limpit did her first patchwork, decluttering the place of some fabric and an old cushion, which now has a pretty new cover in muted plummy purples, sage greens and grey. She has a good eye for colour - it's fabric she picked herself in New Zealand. I helped her with the putting together but she sewed an awful lot of it herself. Final day of freedom tomorrow, so last push with the sorting, finding somewhere to put all my gleanings (those that aren't going in the bin) and finishing touches to the garden. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 24 May 09 - 09:30 PM I surprised myself and scrubbed the bathroom and emptied about five lotion containers into two half-full ones. I hate throwing them out with any left as even the generic is expensive. I have a funnel I use to transfer it. Also mopped the bathroom, just a quick swipe after Rog swept the whole house! Yea, Rog! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 24 May 09 - 10:30 PM It's been very quiet in the neighborhood today. I guess a lot of people were away for the holiday. I finished the laundry and it's all put away. I took 2 shoots from my red rhododendrum and planted them. If they take root, I may have new bushes in a few years. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 24 May 09 - 11:49 PM I have a lot of ceramic pots that don't have anything in them yet, so I got out old seed packets and planted them. De-cluttering has reached the seed collection! Who knows how many are still viable, but I can't afford bedding plants this year. I've been looking at these pots empty or weedy all along, so what's a little more patience to have some nice flowers come up in a few weeks? A second storm came, this time with thunder, so I didn't finish the garden. I have two bags of top soil to spread, and some mulch I can set aside for other places. I need another two bags of manure and two of top soil and I think I'll call it quits for now on that particular bed. I took a few photos, but it's late and for some reason I'm tired this evening. drifts off to sleep in computer chair. . . |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 25 May 09 - 02:16 AM I had a quick scout around the bathroom the other day Kat... I was stunned at the amount of 'out of date' and tail ends of medications we have (generic stuff like cough syrup and anti-histamines) and how much space there is in the cupboard if someone would only fold the towels and bathmats before he puts them in the cupboard. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 25 May 09 - 12:18 PM I did that search a while back and it was astonishing how much space was being taken up by old bottles of stuff we'd never use. The cabinet looks much better now and is more organized (she says as she reaches for a sudafed. . . ) Gorgeous day, but after a heavy rain last night, gardening isn't the first thing on my list. I don't like stepping in the garden anyway, and especially after a rain. I'll find something to do that takes me outdoors, though. I do have to clear out (organize) stuff in the garage. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Catherine Jayne Date: 25 May 09 - 05:09 PM I'm in the middle of sorting through toys. The kids have so many and Harry's new stuff he got for his birthday last week are cluttering the place up so I have boxed a load up and put them in the attic. The toys will come out on a rota type basis so we don't have a front room full of them and they can see what they have actually got! Paul took up a large proportion of the decking in the back garden, hideous stuff decking! So we will be having a bonfire in the not too distant future to get rid of it all. I have mentioned that the workshop needs a bit of a spring clean but he just rolled his eyes at that, he likes his creative space just the way it is LOL! I need another trip to the charity shop with all the baby clothes which didn't go last time and my clothes that too big. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 25 May 09 - 05:39 PM Got the rest of the annuals planted with Morgan and Roger's help. Also planted those seeds I'd mentioned! Folded some laundry and put it away. Roger de-cluttered his cooking mess on the kitchen counter, the first time I asked! He also did some other work around the yard and cleaned out his truck. I also packed up a box of books that have been sitting on the floor of my office, ready to send to my sister. Rog emptied one shelf in the office for me to move some "for sale" books to there instead of stacked up on top of the filing cabinet. Then I get the other box of books off of the floor, that is the ones for paperbackbookswap.com It clouded up an rained again this afternoon, so our timing this morning was just right. LtS, I though London had a big smog problem? I was surprised when you said you burned the garden stuff. They are so restrictive around here, I guess I just figured they had to be there, esp. if any of the wood has been treated (well, not like garden debris.) Just curious. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 25 May 09 - 05:45 PM Strictly speaking, bonfires are not really allowed, but it was either that or take 20+ plastic bags to the tip in 2-3 journeys... Since the clean air act in the 1950's you're only supposed to burn smokeless fuel on open fires but it's getting harder to find any fuel! Besides, I waited until everyone was inside (I lit it at about 8.30pm) and no one had washing out... The wood was not treated wood, but what came off the buddliea bush when I trimmed it down in March. I left it to wilt down, so the birds could have last go at the seed heads, and so that the leaves would have dropped off and started to compost. Nothing creates a bigger bonfire hazard than tinder dry, glowing red hot leaves floating about the place. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: MAG Date: 25 May 09 - 07:56 PM Well, my goal this weekend was not to buy anything at Pacific-Northwest Folklife Fest -- came home to discover it was very hot here all weekend and my one tomato plant is all wilted. Decluttering my amilbox of everything that goes straight into recycling is going to be about it for today. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 26 May 09 - 12:57 AM Thanks, LtS. I knew you would be/had been sensible about it, but was curious. Around here, in the springtime when everyone want to burn off weeds and/or clean out irrigation ditches with fire, there are invariably high winds and some idjit burns their house down. And, that's when it is permitted, burning off weeds, I mean.:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 May 09 - 01:26 AM I finished the new garden except for the last couple of square feet (see the gardening thread) and I quit for safely and sanity reasons. :) I've used the top soil and now I need a couple more bags of that and a couple of bags of manure, and I'm finished over there. I was quite methodical as I worked, and tried to get the lawn mowed before hanging laundry, but didn't get the laundry out before it started to cool and get humid, so gave up on that idea. I did scoop dog poop and dump my compost stuff from the front garden on top of it, and set up the sprinkler to get it cooking (hopefully). Lots of small chores were accomplished. If you do visit the gardening thread, I also posted information about my new blog and how some guy has lifted the content of one pages and posted it on his web site. I'm going to have to make an image with a copyright message that I post in each entry, apparently, to make sure it is there if someone does this again. Perhaps he'll de-clutter his web site of my post when he sees that I wrote a message and saved it with the same name as one of the photobucket photos he linked back to. Serves him right! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: mouldy Date: 26 May 09 - 03:20 AM The weekend got taken up with the social whirl of rellies visiting, and granddaughter's christening. However, I did get Ruth's boyfriend to put my new log store up for me, even though it has meant me going and buying a new drill/driver as my old back and decker seems to have vanished off the face of the planet! The logs have all been used up, bar some kindling bits, so it's all ready to fill over the summer. Today's plan is to get into the remaining bedroom that needs sorting, and use my new toy to help me get shelving down. Ruth arrived with a few bags of stuff from her uni room that needed sorting, and she's taken what she wants back down to Paul's when she left yesterday, so I can dump the rest. I was really annoyed last Thursday when the bin men stuck a label on and refused to empty my main bin saying there was garden rubbish in it. For a start, the greens recycling one was already full to bursting, and the stuff I had put in had been sprayed with weedkiller at some point - not what you want going into compost, and I remember them saying treated stuff should not be put in. I was so mad that when I took in the bins again later on, I just lobbed it into the greens bin, and thought, sod 'em! If I had wrapped it in plastic they wouldn't have noticed, but we are supposed to be keeping plastic to a minimum these days, aren't we? I would have wrapped it for next week, but with it in my main bin was nearly full already, so into the greens it went! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 26 May 09 - 03:45 AM Kat - it did get a bit hairy at one point... when the flames hit 5ft even I got worried! I doused it with the hose and made sure that the rest of the bits were a bit damper. Made it more smokey, but hey, it meant I didn't burn the house down! Manitas is back today, so it's a frantic tidy up of all the bits we left out over the weekend (thinks.. must find new home for jar hoard) and mopping the hall floor. Bet he comes in just after I finish that! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Catherine Jayne Date: 26 May 09 - 05:17 AM We're lucky that the forest isn't in a smoke free zone....good job really with all the dead wood that gets burnt in the fire pit at camps and gatherings. Great photo you texted me Liz of your bonfire, I still remember dancing in the rain in your garden at a party!!! The decluttering of toys seems to have worked. Harry is playing nicely with the toys that are left. Sent some of the premeture baby clothes off with Paul this morning for him to drop off at the neonatal unit, they were keen to have donations whn I telephoned them. Shame it's raining today as I've got some weeds that need pulling up and Harry likes to help! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 May 09 - 07:17 PM I'll have to rest up for a day or two after that heavy weekend. Or build up my stamina! I see Clutter's Last Stand peering out at me from the bookshelf. Maybe it's time to give that a look-through and go that direction again. Look for some more inspiration. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work Date: 27 May 09 - 08:24 AM Inspiration... hmm... all I see at work here are piles and piles of stuff to do.. nothing so disheartening as a weekend working hard and then coming back to a week of more. i may just quit and get a job painting the Forth bridge... that has to at least have the merit of no fluoroescent lighting. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 27 May 09 - 04:27 PM For some unknown reason, I seem to have gotten my second wind which has been missing for about 5-6 weeks! Maybe it's the fact that my ex may be coming over to work on a website with me, but I have finally decluttered the office, esp. the top of my desk and it looks much better. Went through a lot of papers, filed or shredded most of them; put CDs in envelopes ready to mail out; organised books on the shelf Rog emptied for me; and, did the trash. Now, I can work without feeling grumbly. Yesterday, I decluttered my gmail by several hundred emails, mostly from last year's political campaigns. I also got organised and sent off 18 queries to literary agents between yesterday and today. (Got my first rejection the other day and "they" say you should always turn around and send it out to another right away.) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 27 May 09 - 05:13 PM Decluttering has progressed to this room now - mainly because there's space in the front room and I have some trouser fabric I need to cut out, but cannot find the trouser pattern anywhere. It's newspaper, a bit creamy with age now, folded into itself and put somewhere safe... anyone have any ideas? It should be up here, hence the clearing out of a box. Ho hum... LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 27 May 09 - 06:13 PM I understand, Liz. I hate when that happens. You think, when you put it away, that a place is perfectly logical and obvious. Then later, you're scratching your head. That happened with several things when I packed stuff away during painting. Sooner or later, your mind will be back in the same place it was when you stored it, and the lightbulb will go on. Yesterday, I bought eleven vinyl albums (5 Dyer-Bennett, 3 labor organing, and 3 non-specific "folk" albums) from a used record store across town. Fortunately, I only visit the place every other year. It has been raining most of the day, but I got my oil changed and new windshield wiper blades. They also vacuumed my car, so something got de-cluttered. Also dropped off 4 empty printer cartridges at the office supply store, so they're off the diningroom table. Maryanne |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: LilyFestre Date: 27 May 09 - 08:46 PM The nursery has been de-cluttered of all baby clothes which have been returned to the appropriate stores. I have 2 stores to go. It's exhausting in ways I can't even begin to describe. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 27 May 09 - 10:31 PM Dyer-Bennett didn't record many albums. Did you get a full set of his recordings? I have two or three here--I love his voice. Making a costume for my son for school. Went to the thrift store for the parts. He has to dress like Pres. Andrew Jackson during the last period history class tomorrow. Cut away jacket to make kind of faux tails, a vest, a white shirt, and I'll figure out something to use as a cravat. He'll just have to wear regular pants and shoes. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 27 May 09 - 11:01 PM I already had two albums: "Beethoven Scottish & Irish Songs" and "Olden Ballads", which is RD-B on one side & Tom Glazer on the other. The albums (4, not 5, oops) I got yesterday were "The Essential Richard Dyer-Bennett", which is 2 LPs with about 25 songs; "Mark Twain's '1601'" read by RD-B; "Twentieth Century Minstral"; and one simply marked "#2". I think they had another one, but it had mostly the same songs that were on "Essential" so I didn't buy it. Some of these song I had never heard before, and they were great. I couldn't get enough of them. M |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 27 May 09 - 11:07 PM #1 and #2 are remarkable for what they are, though. He managed to maintain total professional control and was able to set really high recording standards on those LPs that few performers could claim at the time. It would have been a good investment to pick up #1. I don't think I have that one, just #2, and a couple of other things where he is the B side. And reading Mark Twain! That must be wonderful! There was a new CD release of a performance of Twain's Adam and Eve (or something like that title, I'm too lazy to look it up at the moment) a few years ago on campus and I missed the meeting where the producers spoke. It was supposed to be wonderful, partly because it is such great material to work with. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 28 May 09 - 12:45 AM Michelle, that must be very difficult. My condolences to you.{{{{Michelle}}}} |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 28 May 09 - 01:33 AM Michelle, I wondered if this would come soon. Are there any other adoptive parents available to speak with in a support group? I think their encouragement right now would be helpful. My son is almost ready to go to school tomorrow as Andrew Jackson. I told him not to start posing for currency. I can't make the collar of his jacket high and lumpy enough (like on the $20 bill). :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 28 May 09 - 01:47 AM Ah... Thus is highlighted the sad demise of the white, tubular plastic washing up liquid squeezy bottle... they used to make such wonderful things like rocket ships, wing collars and bubble fountains... Found the trouser pattern. Now I just need the elastic. I know exactly where that is though.. it's still in the shop. LillyF- thinking of you... it will happen, maybe not as soon as you want, but it will happen. (((hug))) LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: LilyFestre Date: 28 May 09 - 10:09 AM Hi Guys, Thanks for the thoughts. We are working on other options so you are right...it WILL happen. And this time we can pick the gender if we want......that's just a weird thing to think about. The car seat is now out of the car too...feels a bit empty. In the meantime, I am using my new FoodSaver to freeze up a bunch of boneless skinless chicken breasts that I found on sale and promptly bought a BUNCH as the prices have been high lately and I found that I am down to fish (and veggies) in my freezer. While I love fish, it gets old having it every night. I also picked up some turkey, ground turkey and 95% lean beef. That will all be divided and frozen as well. And again, more eggs heading to the freezer as many of my customers are on vacation..some nerve they have, eh? LOL I'll be taking things to storage this afternoon for the yard sale too. Little by little, bit by bit, it will get done! Thanks for all the PMs and love....they are much appreciated! XOXOOXO Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 28 May 09 - 11:13 AM One dog to the vet today, but the other is a handful if she goes along, so I have to be tricky. The one that doesn't get to go hates baths, so I'll bring her in and give her a bath, and then I'll send her back out and bring in the other for a bath--except we'll head out the front door and leave. She'll still fuss, but I might buy a few minutes of silence for the neighbors. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: LilyFestre Date: 28 May 09 - 12:10 PM I have a 120 pound dog who LOVES to go for rides, walks fine on leash and is most lovable....however...open the door to the vet office and she turns into a bucking bronco. Last time the vet had to come out and he held her collar and pulled while I walked in front calling her. Once in the office, she's fine. Sometimes taking animals to the vet is an event! Much luck to you today SRS!!! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maeve Date: 28 May 09 - 12:57 PM I decluttered the refrigerator. Cleared out some perennial pots from my outside potting area, too. They'll be recycled. Michelle- I have been through the baby clothes decluttering process a few times. This last time has been the hardest. You have my supportive thoughts and respect. I'm glad you have other options and can follow other paths to find YOUR child. The OT and the doctor both say I'm overdoing things with my wrist. How can I not overdo, between regular cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry whenever I'm not digging, planting, and potting plants to sell? Neither gentleman offered to stop by and do our work for us, though. maeve |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 28 May 09 - 01:54 PM Try not to end up with a chronic problem resulting from "overdoing." I know, I'm not there to help, either. Where are all of the teen-agers wanting jobs when you need them? Vet says the toe is like a big hangnail, and gave me ointment for it. I think I can use it on me also! :) I'm trying to arrange my pots so the soaker hose hits all of them, but at the same time, I'm setting up a couple of water barrels this year, and need to figure the best places for them for collecting rain, and then what I'll use it on. The barrel so far is next to plants with the soaker hose, but I could re-do that. I don't want to de-clutter my pots, I want to fill them with flowers, but only if I can do a good job of keeping them watered. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 28 May 09 - 06:36 PM Finished clearing the garden, finished planting the annuals, finished by sorting the fountain out. I've also cut out 3 pairs of trousers for sewing, there's a quilt pieced and ready to go, there are a batch of little cross stitched pictures for mounting on cards and there's a whole heap of sorting and tidying the front room to do. Oh, and the ironing. I don't know how I find time to work! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 28 May 09 - 06:48 PM Good lawd, LtS that a lot of doing! I know what you mean about being able to water them well, Maggie. I have some annuals which are dying on me! I think they got too dry, then too wet, when I couldn't tend to them as well as needed. Now, I will have to take the poor things out and plant some others. I feel badly as I've never had that happen before....who can keep annuals alive? Sheesh! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: LilyFestre Date: 28 May 09 - 06:48 PM Cleaned out the car which seems to have become a catch all of sorts. The only thing that remains is a large plastic tub full of kayak gear and 2 sets of kayak paddles. Tomorrow I am taking my Mom out to a festival and who knows what kind of space we might need on the way home! In anycase, I love having a clean car...inside and out! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 29 May 09 - 05:11 PM Today has been a series of chores, appointments, and next, packing and a train ride to Dallas with my son, who is going to an annual convention the kids enjoy. Not much time for anything, including work. Good thing I work flexible hours, I'll do some when I get home tonight and some tomorrow. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 29 May 09 - 05:30 PM Getting ready to go out on one run before we are ready for the train run. A pause to look around the kitchen, living, and dining rooms: looks like hurricane season started a little early this year. Something to come home to. Oy. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maire-aine Date: 29 May 09 - 06:34 PM I managed to get the grass cut this afternoon; it's supposed to rain again. Looks like it could start raining any minute. The landscapers are coming on Tuesday morning, and they'll start at the back first. We were supposed to play last night, but the gig got cancelled. I'm just as glad, personally, but it's not good to do it too often. I don't have anything to do with the calendar, thank heavens. Our problem is that we're mostly tunes (as opposed to songs), so we need a strong contingent of melody instruments. If we don't have that, we ain't got nuttin'. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 29 May 09 - 06:56 PM I have the dishes soaking in the sink.:-) Had Morgan today and had to run out for lab work, chest Xray and bloodwork, to see what more we can do to kick this pnew-moan-ee-yah's arse! He was a very good boy and watered my flowers for me. He also got out his uke and sang me to sleep for "quiet time" this afternoon. It was lovely. Oh, and he picked up and put away everything he got out to play with today. Good kid! The best way to declutter...get others to do it for you?!:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 30 May 09 - 10:37 AM I have had a bad day on the declutter front. Not a thing done. Must go and make orange sorbet now... that should get the orange juice out of the fridge and into the freezer at least... LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maeve Date: 30 May 09 - 11:30 AM Doing laundry all day today. Planting veggies and potting plants in between sink loads. Hauling bulk goods out of the tiny kitchen and down to the cellar. I am sick to death of this grind. Getting tired of hurting, too. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: LilyFestre Date: 30 May 09 - 11:50 AM Laundry is just about done with lots hanging on the line (I love to hang clothes on the line...love hanging it and love the smell too). Dishes are ready to go as soon as the washing machine stops running. I'll be planting the third set of lettuce today...planting it a week at a time so as to have a steady supply all summer long...so far, the first pot is just about ready to pick and the second pot is just beginning to sprout. The herbs are all planted and hopefully tomorrow the ground will be dried out enough to plant some flowers. I am going to participate in a River Fest next week which entails kayaking the Chemung River, something which I have never done before but am really excited about. That means today I will spend time in my Pungo as I haven't been in that boat at all this season. So...on the decluttering front, this means I'll be cleaning the inside and outside of my boat and doing a gear check. YAY!!! I can't wait (for later today OR for next Saturday!!). Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 30 May 09 - 02:52 PM Doing laundry and getting it put away, though I am sure that is a different and easier "laundry" than you, maeve. I wish you well and some helpers coming your way. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maeve Date: 30 May 09 - 02:58 PM I'm glad you can both get laundry done and enjoy some success. There is no help and I'm sorry to complain. It's just the way it is. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 30 May 09 - 05:06 PM It's okay...we'd all just like to be able to help and we all complain/whine a bit, too. If it helps to do so, complain away, please! I think that is one of the better uses for this thread.:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: maeve Date: 30 May 09 - 05:09 PM It doesn't help me, but thanks. I'll keep my mouth shut and find something useful to do. All the clean laundry is now drenched or in the mud thanks to the storm that just blasted through. m |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 30 May 09 - 05:58 PM Arrrggh! I also line dry, and I have had to race out to rescue the wash a few times. And heaven forbid something falls to the ground, then the dogs have a field day. At least they've stopped bothering dropped clothespins. This week I made the lines a little more taut, retied an end of each and brought them up a few inches. This is a plastic covered nylon cord so I expect this is the second and last year for the line, then I'll replace it as it breaks or next year, whichever comes first. I spent the morning on the train to and from Dallas to deliver a forgotten costume to my son (since my daughter made it both kids had something to gain from it's being worn and seen). I took the laptop along and got a lot of work done on the train, though next time I'll take the regular mouse. Some of the seats have tables, so it wasn't literally perched in my lap, but even with that support, trying to get the touchpad to work right when the train is shifting is a little like getting your sea legs. I'll join the laundry brigade this afternoon, run some errands, and when I get back, I think it will have cooled enough that I can do some garden work and walk the dogs. I've been losing weight again with the mowing and yard work--I need to lose enough that I won't announce it here, but this is my annual routine, whether when I was younger and climbing mountains or working as a forester or ranger in the summers, or later, as a gardener, etc. It's an annual cycle. It would be nice to get the trick to keep it off in the winter. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: MAG Date: 31 May 09 - 01:07 PM OK, a day off and I haveto make a plan. I havebeen doing nothing except trying to rest. I have someone coming over later to help me weed. this seems to help me keep at it; not doing it alone. House still a pit, but there is one more bag ready to go to St Vinnie's. I am wearing some dresses even though they billow. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 31 May 09 - 02:26 PM More laundry and finally did the weeks' dishes. Also a bit of pick up and put away. Rog mowed the front yard and whacked weeds out front and along the driveway. Morgan picked up pieces of a cinder block he broke up with Papa's help last week. I am making dubs of my dad's oral history and cow songs to get mailed to my Aunt Helen before she passes away. I kept promising to do so and left it...now, she is slipping away in short bouts of TIAs, still very coherent when she's now *away* so I need to get them to her asap. We had a very good phone call yesterday...how much we love one another, what she expects and how ready she is to go. We had a few laughs and tears...it was good. When we go to the post office tomorrow, we will also take a box of books ready to go to my sister and a few other pieces of mail off of my desk. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 31 May 09 - 02:28 PM Time to change out my Home Depot fencing/roofing apron (two pockets, meant for nails) for a clean one (they are only a buck, they are sturdy as anything, but they do get dirty when you wear it for gardening.) I bought several with the idea of assigning them to different tasks where I have to carry around small tools, but so far I mainly just use them for gardening. Gloves, pruner, cell phone, seed packs, etc. It's hot today so I'm not in the garden much right now, but I did cook up some chicken stock and made a batch of taco meat now so they're ready to be reheated or used later. Then I can garden more in the evening instead of cooking. Laundry is in progress, rugs on the line right now. I washed them on delicate and they didn't get as clean as I want, so I'll try regular next time. I'm still learning the characteristics of this new washer. It can really twist up stuff if you don't bunch it in the basket instead of extending it a bit or wrapping the agitator (don't do that!) I don't want to find the rugs shredded, so I'll play it by ear. I picked up seeds for stocks--a flower I've heard about (and is a clue in one of Agatha Christie's Poirot mysteries) but never grown. And a few others. What the heck--lets see how a little of this and a little of that looks out there. I did see seeds for yarrow, but didn't pick those up. Maybe next time. It is one that I like, but in the places I've lived where there was lots of yarrow it was kind of a weed, so I'll think about that. It isn't in the same category of planting kudzu or morning glories or Scotch broom, but still, it makes me pause, so I'll take that into account. Time to think about getting out the roaster oven for use on the back patio again. It saves heating up the house when it gets really warm. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: MAG Date: 31 May 09 - 05:06 PM You'll love stocks; they smell like nothing else. I've found them a bit tricky; haven't planted for awhile -- |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: katlaughing Date: 31 May 09 - 08:51 PM I agree. Stocks smell lovely. I have several planted this year. Maggie, when my yarrow goes to see I could send you some heads. I assume they would be plantable? I supervised more today.:-) Rog put new screen in our front stormdoor. It's only been needing that for about 6 years! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Jun 09 - 01:35 AM The seeds are easy enough to get here, but thanks for the thought! I started lemon balm in a pot in 2002 and now have it as a weed in my yard. I pick it every so often and use it in tea (I love green tea with lemon balm as ice tea) but I'm pulling it out of gardens regularly and I hit it with the mower and trimmer to keep it to a smallish hedge. I pulled about a bale of it from a front bed this afternoon, and gave a few springs to the next door neighbor to try in tea. ;-) Laundry is all out of the way. Veggie garden is finished, but not planted. This includes the soaker hose put in place (I put a male end on a piece of a hose I hit with the mower a couple of years ago. I kept the pieces because I've had in mind using short chunks in a garden in this manner.) My hot water tank is super-heating the water. It did this once before, and I was able to adjust it so it stopped doing it. The overflow valve has been dribbling hot water out the side of the house but I didn't see it. I heard it today when I was working out there. I'll call the plumber tomorrow. Not how I planned to spend the paycheck. Fingers crossed it only needs a new thermostat. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Liz the Squeak Date: 01 Jun 09 - 02:29 AM The orange sorbet turned into granita due to the inability of sugar substitutes to form a decent syrup (vain attempt to reduce sugar intake - huh!) and we get to eat the rest of it today. And as it is the first of June, let's stop cluttering this thread and start afresh! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Jun 09 - 01:50 PM I picked up a few concrete faux flagstones this morning. I'm going to de-clutter my front porch (pots with nothing in them and a few things leftover from winter) and put these down in the adjacent garden to deal with the rain water off of the roof (whoosh!). It pounds the garden in front of the porch. The plumber is here, and I can see the house through the eyes of a stranger--the clutter may not be as dense as before, but it has sought it's own level, so to speak, and is spread low and far and wide. Gotta get going picking up and donating to Goodwill again. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Summer, 2009 de-clutter From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Jun 09 - 02:33 PM De-cluttered wallet. Darn. |
