BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter

Subject: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 11:29 AM

Here's the old thread.

Maybe the energizing effect of the cooling after summer will inspire some of us to get more done. I always find fall to feel so good after the heat of summer that I'm amazed not only at how much more I can get done when the days cool, but at how I managed to keep moving at all when it was so hot out. :-/

Several folks are moving in or out of new houses. If we can be the cheering section to help them in the process, that would be great. A few questions to those moving: Are you boxing it all up and going to sort it out when you get there? Let me tell you from experience: it doesn't work as a "system." The less you let into your new house, the better. If you can at least sort and pack things according to "sell later" and "keep," you'll do yourself a favor. I couldn't afford to just dump stuff I don't need, I'm slowly selling it off. I just wish I'd started selling it a long time ago.

And consider the avenues of getting rid of it. Here in the U.S. for many of us who have mortgages and can do itemized taxes, donating stuff (keep a record!) and claiming the eBay or Resale shop price or Thrift Shop price, depending on where you would have sold it if you'd taken the trouble, can add up to considerable savings at tax time.

I have to do a lot of gardening stuff this fall, and I've made progress in added to my home canned supply and to what I have in my freezer. I decluttered in there when I defrosted a while back. Fall is a great time to load the freezer for winter, if you pace yourself.

Good luck all! Keep up the de-cluttering, and make sure that your preparations for the coming seasons don't add to the problem, that they just add to your efficiency!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 11:24 PM

It's still been in the nineties here plus we are inundated with smoke from the California fires. The Bookcliffs, the Grand Mesa, and the Colorado National Monument rise up thousands of feets above three sides of the desert valley here, but you wouldn't know it the past few days...all you can see are faint outlines behind an ugly yellow miasma of smoke. They've issued health warnings.

Still, inside is not too bad. Morgan moved a couple of small tables in the living room, setting up the small music keyboard on one of them, by an outlet, so he can play more easily; the other table is his child-sized card table, in his corner now for easy access for art projects, etc. Still his stuff spills over. I have three baskets on an old trunk, each of them handy receptacles for his little toys, etc. which seem to proliferate.:-)

I soaked the dishes two days ago..the smoke has been getting to me, so I haven't done them, yet. Maybe by tomorrow. Have done laundry, at least.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: JennieG
Date: 02 Sep 09 - 07:45 AM

We intend to have The Big Cleanout before we pack to move - it's less to take with us. We are moving 6 hours' drive away next year, the timetable at this stage is to list our house for sale at the end of January. We have started in a small way and really need to get cracking more. But with every box of donated items that go to the local Salvos op shop (Salvation Army thrift shop) we are gradually whittling 'stuff' down.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Sep 09 - 09:23 AM

I am spending today canning and freezing. This means all the canning equipment will (hopefully) be put away at the end of the day so I can have my kitchen back. If not, at least the cases of empty canning jars will be filled and tucked away in the pantry to enjoy during the fall.

    Late this afternoon I will undoubtedly be tired from all the kitchen stuff I have planned for today and will spend my rest time sitting in the living room sorting out old magazines. Do I REALLY ever go back to read them? In short, NO. So they are going OUT.

Later gators.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: mouldy
Date: 02 Sep 09 - 11:13 AM

Hopefully I will have this place on the market around April. That gives me 6-7 months to get it finished and looking (relatively) uncluttered. However, at the moment I am staring at bare cement floors, damp patches, new wiring conduits (had to have an electrician in this morning after old, damaged wiring was found behind some plaster. I got him to fit more sockets while we have the place in a mess.

Peter has been and put the damp proofing stuff into the holes he drilled yesterday. Hopefully he can start and put some rendering back up tomorrow, and perhaps in a week or two I may be able to order carpets etc. he put my washing machine back in yesterday, as the floor will be the last thing he does, and I am behind with laundry. It didn't help having the power knocked off for a couple of hours today!

When this lot is sorted, I have to tackle 2 more rooms. One has ceiling to floor book shelves, and I keep getting rid of books, but they don't seem to get any less!
Oh well, at least I've got today's mess and rubble swept up!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 09 - 12:19 PM

Maryann, I wanted to comment on your state fair trip. I have a friend who has entered preserves for years and in the last two has won several blue ribbons and some ribbons for runners up. I always thought that looked like a lot of fun when I was a kid, but I've never competed. I wonder, with the economy constricting the way it is, if those home arts might enjoy a resurgence? This year I'll probably actually go to the State Fair of Texas--I hate to drive over there, I hate to pay to park, I hate to be tired and have to drive home again. But now the commuter line finally will go over to the fair, starting in a couple of weeks. I'll be on it! I can take a train from downtown Fort Worth and step across the track in Dallas to take the new line out to Fair Park. My kids have been over there many times on field trips, but I haven't. So I'm looking forward to it!

Meanwhile, I think the ragweed is out. I'm decluttering my nose with sneezing. Bleh.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: MAG
Date: 02 Sep 09 - 01:30 PM

Got rid of another box of 3x clothes through freecycle.

I have another bag ready for Helpline.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 02 Sep 09 - 02:41 PM

People are definitely doing bottling round here. The shop I went to for some more jars had none, and told me they get a new delivery each day, which is cleared each day.

Over here, there is a process called Gift Aid, which allows charities to claim rebates on tax paid to them, and this can also apply to donations to the shops.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 02 Sep 09 - 03:39 PM

Last Saturday or was it Sunday, while I was sorting out the papers that had been piling up, I found little box of rings I thought lost. 1 gold and jade, 1 diamond engagement, 1 diamond cocktail and one platinum/emerald/diamond ring. Most inherited, rarely or never worn so didn't worry me too much when I thought them lost.

I have now put them away somewhere else that I am sure to forget in the next few months. Ready to surprise me the next time I have a clear out.

Must organise my beads and other crafty things into nice donate-able packs to take to area schools and playgroups. Don't think I will take up the beading now I can do music again. It was good to have when music hurt too much.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 02 Sep 09 - 05:26 PM

I shredded a pile of branches that were sitting in front of the garage door. Also cleared some space inside, so I can put the car in the garage. I'll be wanted to do that one of these days. I moved one of my purple coneflowers and planted my new red lily. Cleaned the bathroom, too.

Maryanne

PS: have fun at the fair, Maggie.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: mouldy
Date: 03 Sep 09 - 04:04 AM

ooh! ooh! please can I find some pretty rings too?

Going to spend the day sorting stuff upstairs and being strict with myself...I hope.

Peter should be here any minute to start rendering the walls, so it's going to be cold and messy down here - the back door will be open, and it's very breezy and rainy.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Sep 09 - 10:54 AM

I picked up a heavy metal end table at my neighbors right before the garbage truck pulled onto our block. It's in the back of the pickup, and will remain there until I go by Goodwill. I am sure I could find a place to put it but that doesn't mean I need to find a place for it. But it is in good shape and someone else can use it. I didn't pick up the funky old Mr. Coffee or sewing machine, but too bad the metal, glass, and plastic can't be recycled, not buried in the landfill.

We have a long weekend coming up, and this month is when my side of our village gets the bulky waste pickup down at the curb (probably during the week next week). I should go take out some of the limbs in back and pile them at the curb, and this might be the best time, with the extra day off. If I leave branches piled in the yard for months it ends up with grass and weeds in it and is harder to move later. But this is just a thought.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 03 Sep 09 - 03:26 PM

I called a mover and had the old refrigerator in the basement hauled away. Cost a bit, but I'm glad to have it out. It was the one left behind by the previous owners, and I kept it in the basement for over-flow, but it's been unplugged for many years. Edison has a recycling program, but it's only for appliances that work; I plugged it in but it wouldn't run, so it didn't qualify.

m

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 03 Sep 09 - 04:50 PM

I took a load of assorted rubbish to the dump, and some card tubes to school, where I found people unpacking A4 exercise books from cardboard boxes just the right size for books. Also reclaimed some shoeboxes I took in last week, and have subsequently found the right size to fit in some packing cases.

Tuesday and Wednesday I had the outside timber painted, so the place looks very good from outside. They got the door paint the wrong colour by one block on the sample sheet, so instead of a slightly orangey brown warm yellow, it looks like yellow lines on the road. It wasn't their fault, but the mixer, I think, and as I am selling, it isn't critical to me.

The storage place I investigated rang me again to see if I wanted to rent a place - they must be desperate - but I think I can cope without. Still no completion date.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Sep 09 - 05:44 PM

One of the fastest growing businesses in this part of the country (and probably others, but I haven't been around to take a look) is storage lockers. I had to use a couple after my parents died and when I was in the process of moving from a house to an apartment and then back to a house. They have been very useful, and in the instance of the one I used for my Dad's stuff, it was a good "cooling off" place to park things. By the time I was ready to move the stuff the pain of his sudden death had begun to subside and I could move forward.

I have resolved to never use one just to store junk I don't have room for in the house. If I'm moving, that's one thing, but if it's for junk, then it's time to get rid of junk.

I'm looking into the trunks I have here from my great aunt's estate. I need to move out enough contents from a couple of those and move each trunk itself out. My kids don't need to be fooling with all of this old stuff, as interesting as it is. I'll let them look through what I'm planning to sell so I don't get rid of something they have to have, but most of it is interesting but it's okay with all of us to sell.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Sep 09 - 07:02 PM

I called my sisters and asked them if they could come down the holiday weekend to get their stuff out of our driveway. It's been there for over a year and the tarps are all ratty with stuff spilled out. Our driveway looks like white trash live here and it is depressing. This was a big deal, my calling them. They don't have enough money to get here, so it will probably wind up with us having to take it all to the dump, unless I can find someone with energy to go through it all. It's a touchy subject because I had told them it didn't matter until about a month ago when I suggested I have a pet charity send someone over to take what they could use in exchange for hauling off the rest. The one who answered the phone, today, angers easily and predictably got mad and hung up on me after saying they would talk about it and call back. Ugghhh.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Sep 09 - 07:10 PM

Well no sooner did I write that and she called back, quite reasonable. Looks like I will have to recruit some help and go through it, but it will be worth it.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Sep 09 - 10:19 PM

As of tonight, our son is supposed to come over Saturday morning and help us clear the driveway! (As long as the dump is open to take the load to.)

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Sep 09 - 11:01 PM

That sounds great! You'll feel like you have a new yard with all of that cleared away.

Four of my son's six video games have bids this evening, and all of them have watchers. I'm going to see if I can't list something from a trunk this weekend, shift eBay into high gear for the autumn.

This evening it feels almost autunmal out. The weather has turned stormy, with big gashes of lightning and thunder in the distance (don't you just love those, as long as they don't tear the place up?) It's still hot and muggy during the day, but it's cooling more at night, down to the 60s sometimes. The dogs are sleeping in the garage at night now, not flopped out on the lawn wherever they happened to get tired. I'll clean out their stall this weekend and put new coastal hay in their dog houses. They had baths today so are quite nice smelling (they're going to the vet for checkups tomorrow, and since I just cleaned the truck, I thought I'd put clean dogs in it.)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: mouldy
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 04:06 PM

I love it when the outside gets cleared. Unfortunately, me being me, it soon fills up again!

The first coat of a damp resistant grey slurry has been painted onto the exposed brickwork near the damp course. The bricks, however, are extremely old. I knew the lower courses of both the interior walls and the inner layer of the outer walls looked like the builders had reused bricks from the 18th century barn that was on the site, but last night I spoke to the guy who used to live in the old farmhouse next door, and he said they had traced it back to 1713! So there is Peter this morning trying to brush this grey gunk onto porous handmade bricks that are trying to chuck down more brick dust, as they are probably nearly 300 years old! he managed it, and will put a second coat on top on Monday, followed by render, then plaster and an epoxy membrane painted on the floors and up the walls a bit. Then, once he's put new skirting boards on, I can get some new floor coverings, and begin to put furniture back.

Should only be a week or two! The trick is going to be not replacing the clutter!
Then I can start on the remaining 2 rooms!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 04:56 PM

Any pictures? I"d love to see the old bricks before and after.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 05:16 PM

Bricks that old over here, people would sell them on eBay as antiques! :)

Long weekend ahead for the U.S. folks on the list; let's see if we can each report at least one significant improvement in our clutter arrangement or number by Monday. A challenge to each of us.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 05:35 PM

I've taken an old chair apart - I had tried to give it away to an upholstery class, but without luck. It was a gift from a friend when I was starting out, and I had to throw its partner away a few years ago when it broke. When I got the sitting part out, I could see the frame (teak) would work as the frame of a low sling type chair if I put in a canvas base, and a cushion over the top. The canvas would cost about £30, and a cushion as much again, but I remembered the old eiderdowns at Dad's, and will use one of those.

Middle of chair to dump, with old door knocker, biscuit tin, and assorted junk. Bin men collected paper etc.

I fitted new brass flap to door, plus pull handle.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 09:07 PM

I dug around in the garage and found my old nylon line grass trimmer, which still works. I ran it around the edge of the flower bed, but it took longer to untangle the 100-ft cord that it did to do the trimming. Also took the shop-vac down to the basement and vacuumed in the places I couldn't reach before. Really kicked up a lot of dust though.

Bought some tapestry material (a remnant on sale) and foam to re-cover my footstool. Will try to do that over the weekend. Lots of end-of-summer festivals around town, and the cider mills are opening.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 05:14 AM

Packed some duvets and pillows from the airing cupboard into one of those plastic zip bags that markets sell, and you see refugees carrying, in order to reach the one really rubbish old pillow due to go to the dump. This filling up the floor even more. Soon I will not be able to move.

Call from bottle shop, they're in.

Going up into the loft later when a friend is here to remove last of the stuff - box of old jars being one thing.

Got rid of some play sand from the garage to the school yesterday, and some more card tubes. Picked up some more book boxes. One of the teaching assistants asked if I really needed the books. I can't quite get along with that idea, and I hope my surprise showed. I have been ferrying old fiction and other stuff to Oxfam, stickered for Gift Aid, but it hasn't made much difference.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 11:11 AM

It feels like time for some Fall Cleaning.

I finally got some of the all-fabric bleach I use but for some reason forgot to buy for ages. I'm going through some of my white towels that aren't as bright as they could be and doing a pre-soak and wash then I'll hang them on the line in the sun for a while. I'll swap them out with some of the towels that have been in the linen cupboard for a while and do the same to those, so I have sunny, fresh smelling towels for springing into fall. I should also decide if I really want to keep all of the bedding I have in there. Some of it is handy for covering furniture, it's not used on beds. So if I don't intend to actually use it in the house, maybe there is a bin in the garage where I can store it? (When I moved family antiques from Pennsylvania many years ago some of these things came along, wrapped around antique headboards and such).

This is where the de-clutterer can shoot herself in the foot--if it is something that has an occasional use, something you wouldn't want use your good bedding for, then there is a reason for keeping it. But finding the place to store it so it doesn't become one big mouse nest or something, that is the challenge, isn't it?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 06:09 PM

What about those bags that you suck the air out of with a vacuum cleaner - I haven't been impressed with how well they keep the air out, but they would keep things clean?

I have got the stuff from the loft. Two boxes of jars - not preserving ones, but some nice shapes for kitchen use, and some jam jars which I will keep. We went to the bottle bank to lob them in and smash them up. One box with some china - the set I had at college, and some from a landlady who decluttered in my direction when I moved. That will go to Oxfam. A load of old wallpaper, which I will secrete in the school art room. Some which can be used to refresh my bedroom walls. Some offcuts of carpet - the dump, andschool for the larger pieces. Shoe boxes.

The problem up there is the old doors and things I used as flooring, and some old wood I don't know about at all. It'll need to come down if I have more insulation put in, but I can't do it. The companies need the place fully prepared first. Maybe if I plead age and singleness.... as they are supposed to do it for free for people over 70, they must have a way round it.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 07:16 PM

A couple days ago SRS mentioned "those home arts might enjoy a resurgence?". I'd love to do more of that stuff. I might even start sewing again. While I was cleaning out a chest-of-drawers in the basement, I found "The Last Whole Earth Catalog (c. 1971, I think) & The Next Whole Earth Catalog (c. 1980). Weren't those the days....

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 12:58 AM

I remember giving a couple of newer editions of those to my (then) husband. It is probably long gone. If it started today it would be a fabulous web site, don't you think?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 01:12 AM

We started at 9a with my brother coming over to help with the driveway pile of my sisters' stuff. It took two loads to the dump, and a full load to my brother's in his car, for us to really get most of it out of here and we didn't get done until 1p, so it was a l-o-n-g, hot, tiring morning, but it looks better.

There are a few empty crates and other stuff to clean up, but the side of our house is now visible and we didn't find a bunch of bugs or mice in anything, thank goodness. I guess the loose neighbour cat must've chased them away.

I feel ashamed to say we did throw out some books; there was just too much for the three of us to through and a lot of damage, though some were okay. Most I think were out-dated teaching supply books and/or religious ones which they haven't seen or used in years. Most of those were marked up so not able to sell them. It would have been better if they were able to come down, go through it all, and find other teachers to give stuff to, but it is over with now, so I am letting it go and know we did our best. I am also resolved that our children will not have to do the same with our stuff! I'll burn it first!

We may run away tomorrow for a drive to a transmitter in the mtns. If not, we will putter, finish the driveway and made whack some weeds. Cleaning up the drive has done wonders for some situational depression!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: mouldy
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 01:25 PM

Kat, I'm about to take some piccies of bricks and the general state of stuff, and mail 'em to you.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 06:24 PM

Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 09:39 PM

Will you put them up on your photo site then, Kat? Or do you have a photobucket or flickr account, Andrea?

My front yard is mowed. It's miserably muggy out and was mid-90s so I took a long break in the middle, but managed to finish it up. Tomorrow I'll do the back and spread out the workout.

I picked up the wire I need to do the attic, and I solved a problem about having to redo a wire I put in over the holiday. It stretches from point A to point C, bypassing point B. It isn't long enough to pull over to point B, I have to cut it and drag one end to point B, and then splice on a new chunk of wire so the other piece reaches point B.

I asked the guy at Home Depot about splicing the wires and he handed me a container with these cute little plastic buttons that you slide the wires into and pinch it closed to make the connection. Since there are four pair in the cat 5 cable I'm using I'll end up with 8 of these little things. He said there's no need to wrap it or anything like that. I did pick up a small box that isn't a junction box but that will work as a place to attach to a truss and at least keep the wires and these little thingies out of harms way. This is a job to do in the morning while the attic is still cool. I just laid down for a "power nap" and it came to me how to arrange these in the closet and I've drawn a little diagram so I remember it. Ah, the power of naps!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 09:49 PM

Ten more pints of pickles canned and 4 quarts of yellow beans processed too! My husband, however, cluttered up the kitchen with 2 more 5 gallon buckets full of zucchini, another 5 gallon bucket full of summer squash and 7 1/2 gallons of potatoes he dug up today. I'll have to work a bit more at decluttering my kitchen in the morning!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 11:40 PM

I picked up several extra bunches of carrots at the farmers market, so I peeled, cut & pre-cooked them, then bagged them up for the freezer. They'll taste better than the shipped-in ones in the winter.

Maggie, you're so handy with all the wiring and network building; I envy you.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 12:26 AM

myopera where I've already got some from Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: mouldy
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 03:56 AM

Hope they arrived ok. The first sending wimped out half way through, so I reduced the number. Seemed still to take an awful long time!

Got Freya again today, so when she has her nap, I'm going to start and go through my craft work bits and bobs to see what I can sling out. a lot is boxed up in the loft, but to be honest, salt dough ain't kind to steel cutters, even if you do wash them, and so I am only going to keep my most frequently used ones.It also has a nasty habit of fraying plastic cutters too! It's probably going to be a year or two before I really swing back into it like before, and so I may then invest in some new ones, rip-off priced though they may be! (A lot of mine are sugarcraft ones).

Peter can't come till this afternoon - he's chair of governors at a local church school, and he's got to deal with school business this morning. I sometimes wonder how that guy earns a living. Good job his wife works!(Mind you he isn't cheap!)

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: MAG
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 11:17 AM

Yes, some of you are really talented at the home maintenace thing.

I couldn't do any of that stuff with a map.

I did get all the odd little piles of unmatched into one bigger box and got some pairs reunited.

Somebody peed on what was left, so through the washer with a big dose of odormute (I find it works best).

Listed some stuff on freecycle. I always do it strictly first come, first serve. Beyond me to do lists and call the enxt person after a no-show. (I accidentally gave away one of my Seattle Folklife shirts, sob sob -- it was inside out and I just looed at the tab which said 3x, so into the box it went.

She later emailed to say she especially liked the black one with the pretty picture on the front saying
...annual folklife festival.

I am wondering if I should list my baby Weber grill. I haven't used it in years.

MA

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: mouldy
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 03:39 PM

Well I looked through the boxes in the loft and realised I had already sorted through them. So I made my way into Ruth's room and stripped the bedlinen. She's visiting this weekend for a couple of days, and seems incapable of doing the job herself.

Shortly afterwards, I had just gone into the little spare room (aka the dumping ground) and got into the craft bits and bobs stored there when Freya woke up early, probably due to my stomping about.

So I didn't get a lot done today.

Peter came round after lunch, and we found that there is now actual water sitting on top of some of the damp proof coating where it's horizontal (floor). Hopefully it's residual damp in the bricks forcing its way up and out...or there actually IS a leaky heating pipe under the floor. He's coming back in a couple of days to see if it's dried out at all. If not, it's dig up part of the floor time.
So it's going to be 2 or 3 weeks, at a guess, before I can think about getting new flooring.

However, I did get a large bag of clothes sorted out at the end of last week to go to the charity shop. My daughter has raided it already! She went to a pharmaceutical committee meeting today, wearing one of my old skirts. Looked fabulous.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 04:27 PM

Old wallpaper and carpet into school, where I got offered a one-day a week job. That will cover the mortgage nicely.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: MAG
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 05:52 PM

I had some proactiv left over from menopause when (to my great surprise) I got zits -- amazing what you learn.

I listed it on freecycle a couple hours ago and it is already gone, one box per person.

I LOVE freecycle.

MA

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 07:15 PM

Maryann, I'm changing my meds since one I have been taking is going off the market. I'm going into a little mini-menopause as I drop one ingredient. It isn't pleasant, and is rather distracting.

And what size t-shirt do you wear? I have a pile of various Seattle Folklife and Folklore Society and Song Circle and such shirts piled in my closet that were my fathers. I could send you one--Hobson's Choice would give you a nice surprise, or you could describe the one gone missing and I can see if I have it. He died in 1997, so I don't have anything recent. I kept them because when my kids were little they used them for sleep shirts, but they have since outgrown using their grandfather's folk shirts. He wore size large.

I have battled some lethargy this weekend, I'm sure it is the medication adjustment. I did get moving this afternoon and trimmed the tree outside my office window and moved around some bulky stuff that was in the way in the garage. One big plastic toy chest that is in great shape is coming back into the house and into my daughter's closet. I'm going to fill it with her seldom-used costume supplies so it can keep them out of sight and out of harm's way. We have an old cat who every so often decides to pee in closets and he sometime hits clothing left on the ground. He's an old fart, about 15 now, so mostly we try to keep him away from those places where he tends to misbehave.

I've pulled out some stuff from the garden that isn't producing (didn't get a single squash this year) and the chard is huge but over the hot summer has gotten bitter. I'm going to plant onions and chard by seed in the old spot, after I trim back the oregano a little bit. It is a robust ground cover here. I was thinking about putting a bird house in that same garden, the purple martin house, but if I do they might eat my pollinators and june bugs. We have toads to take care of june bugs. Maybe the bird house should go in the back where I know we have lots of mosquitoes.

I went to see Julie and Julia last night. I wasn't sure if I'd like it as well as I did, because I had read about some mixed reviews (I won't say more), but it really is quite a charming movie. And the food! I must get out my Mom's copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking and make something. Not aspic, or duck, nothing hugely fancy, but something. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 09:43 PM

I saw Julie & Julia a couple weeks ago, and enjoyed it-- esp. the food. Funny thing is, I've tried almost every used bookstore in town, and there's not a single copy of "Mastering" to be found.

m

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 11:08 PM

Tinctures of motherwort, dandelion root, and hawthorne berries got me through peri-men. and menopause. I put a few drops of each, together, in a small amount of good water, usually about 4-5 times per day. Worked well. I had some night sweats, so had to start wearing pyjamas again as it was easier to wash them every day rather than strip the bed everyday.:-)I considered that a small trade off from taking any drugs, esp. any which, at that time, were still being made from pregnant mare's urine.

Sorry I was so terse earlier, SRS. The past week must've been from hell, but it is over and done with now, so I am back to some extent.

Take care, ya'll!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 11:17 PM

Andrea, forgot to say I never received any photos. Maybe resend?

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: mouldy
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 05:22 AM

Will do

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 10:13 AM

Got them. I'll put them up later today/tonight. Thanks,those are OLD bricks!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 10:38 AM

The sleeping attic was started on closure for winter, yesterday, with bed change, trash and laundry removal, and a review of conditions up there for planned Fall or Spring (if Fall is too busy) projects for next year. A priority up there will continue to be stowing things into practical and attractive storage, not least of which are the huge cardboard boxes I've been stockpiling for underbed storage behind the dust ruffles hanging from raised beds.

Hardi bought us two chairside full-spectrum floor lamps for the LR, which sends the fluorescent tower I've used for years up to the home office for great winter light up there in my workspace. That room already has huge south and west windows, so this additional light will be great on gray days and I believe one of the windowsills is actually deep enough to hold the tower, to simulate window light from its usual source.

A mini-fridge (it holds a sixpack of soda cans) moved from the sleeping attic up to the home office which also features a mini-kitchen to make trips downstairs unnecessary when I'm in grant-writing mode-- 'round the clock writing as the deadlines and inspiration drive the writing. This mini-fridge easily holds opened cans of whatever, to stay fresh till being taken downstairs on the next trip down. A great help when either of us need a mid-night snack, too, without waking up ALL the way by coming downstairs where stay-awake temptations abound. The kitchen section of that home office looks more like our camper kitchen than like an office kitchen, and it reminds me of camping fun past and future.

Maybe I'll tell you how I decluttered milk gallons from my grocery shopping. We make our own now.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 11:25 AM

Linn (Bat Goddess) has been reporting some of her de-cluttering progress over on Facebook. I hope she'll rejoin us, if she has time. She's dealing with a lot with Curmudgeon's throat cancer, but joining familiar groups and experiencing success and moral support will help. If and when she's ready, I'll be glad to see her back in our monthly endeavors.

The toy box was a tight squeeze through the narrow closet door, but it is in and toys we wanted to keep but no one plays with ("for the grandkids") are stowed, as are some extra costume stuff and after many months gone-to-college clutter, the floor is clear. Her room looks nice, though not entirely traditional as a bedroom because I did move in some sewing furniture a while back.

The garage is roomy again; not that much was thrown out, it was simply arranged better.

Aren't we a silly group of de-clutterers--waiting in anticipation of photographs of old bricks. I have to chuckle at us sometimes. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 02:02 PM

Discussion with a colleague revealed that we both have the same problem in our lofts - broken up wardrobes belonging to the previous occupants - and not used as boards for improvised floors.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 02:07 PM

Lunchtime saw the eBay packages prepared to ship for my son. Six games out of the house. I have a box in the back of the truck of some Goodwill stuff, and all of that will get dropped off this evening.

I bagged up some things in the garage that I forgot to put in the trash today, but I may swing by the recycling drop-off lot and drop them in the trash there.

Every little bit helps.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 10:04 PM

Ye Olde Bricks Right Here!

Click Fast!**bg**

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 11:10 PM

Ah ha! A moving target!

I think after a few photos we run out of antique bricks. Unless that high altitude out house is of boards over brick? ;-)

Thanks!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 11:17 PM

Oh, the first five shots are of the bricks and other parts of Andrea's. The outhouse is definitely only wood!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 10:15 AM

Dropped off a box at Goodwill. It's a nice new store, and the clerk told me "we have a lot of nice items in there!" That's what I'm afraid of! But I'm trying to DE-clutter, not RE-clutter!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: mouldy
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 12:38 PM

Ye olde ancient bricks I would be happier about if the house was older than it is! (1903). However, I dare say builders have been the same all through history, and have reused materials wherever they can.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 04:29 PM

My house was built around 1976. A new one by many standards. I grew up in a house built around 1912. There is a measurable difference in the quality of materials and construction.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 05:23 PM

Something got me going today. Morgan and I went out for lunch and a drive. Normally that would do me in and we'd come home to do quiet stuff. I might even lie down for a bit. Today, I felt like going through more stuff, so he helped me get some bins out of the office closet. He shredded papers as I handed them over, then moved the bins around. I was able to empty one bin, load a basket with small ebay stuff and consolidate some other stuff into one bin, so it feels quite productive even though the closet still looks full.:-)

Didn't know I had it in me and we found some fun stuff. He'd been wanting me to find a folding paper fan so he could play ninja. I didn't make any special effort to find it, but knew it probably was in that closet. Sure enough, we found it, so he practised flipping it open. Also found some old family photos in an album my grandmother or mom set up. I'll have to scan those in. Also found a cloth doll my grandmother made for my dad's cousin's daughter back in the 1940s. It was put away when it was made, so it's in great shape. My dad's cousin gave it to me when she moved. I don't really want it and have no granddaughters, so not sure what I will do with it.

It feels good to be back in the swing of things.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 11:23 PM

I've ripped several recorded books and loaded them into my mp3 player. I plan to listen to these as I work around the house or in the garage and garden. I'm like a kid, I like to be read to. Interest in a book is great for keeping me on task while I'm doing something that might otherwise be a little dull, like painting or cleaning. :)

Maryanne, the offer is still open: if you can wear size large t-shirts, I'll send you one of these PNW beauties.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Sep 09 - 12:47 PM

Oh it is just so not happening at the moment... no energy, no incentive, no chance!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 11 Sep 09 - 08:34 PM

I've been working on basic housekeeping today. I cleaned the bathroom, including scrubbing the tile floor on my knees. It looks great (inviting, even) and now I take my shoes off before I walk in (ha-ha). Going through the summer clothes; some things will go to charity instead of the storage closet. Did 2 loads of laundry, but lots more to do tomorrow. Planning a trip to PA & MD in October; want to do some family history research.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Sep 09 - 10:55 PM

Did two loads of laundry and went through a small plastic bag from yesterday's closet foray. Go figure, it had some special rocks, hair comb and barrette, a screwdriver, small wrench, and an old watch in it. I think it was last minute packing during some move.:-) Called my back East daughter about some small things of hers still here. She wants them, so will get them ready to send out.

I am going to get Rog to help me videotape everything I have that is meaningful and send it to her so she remembers what I have and can let me know if she wants any of it "someday." Some of it will go to her before I pass away, if she wants it. I've already done some fo that with her siblings. I keep asking her what she wants and she really doesn't remember what I had nor seen newer stuff since we left in 1993, so a video may just help with that. The other two are here and can get their bids in early.*bg*

I am amazed at how much more energy I have now that I am off one of the meds they had me on to help with muscle cramping and to get to sleep. It seems evident, now, that it was causing depression, not just physical, but mental/emotional due to the physical, along with other nasty side effects including a sort of palsy, handfuls of hair loss, and oedema of my lower legs and feet which the docs just couldn't explain. I am so grateful I have the internet and can research stuff myself! Anyway, it is all much better now and I am eager to get back to decluttering!

Tomorrow morning my Rog is going to mow the front lawn, then we will finish the driveway. There's just some bits and pieces, plus some of his work related stuff which needs to be put back in his truck.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 11 Sep 09 - 11:46 PM

So good to hear that you're feeling better, Kat. You'll be de-cluttering rings around us before long, and we'll never be able to catch up.

m

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Sep 09 - 12:33 AM

Thanks, m. Not sure I'd go that far, I think SRS beats me hands down but I am for sure going to be doing more.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Sep 09 - 02:50 AM

Kat, I'm going through my own wacko meds story now (HRT has to change, part of Rx formula is no longer available, but getting off of it has to be gradual, it involves withdrawal. Who knew?) so I sympathize more than you know. It's so frustrating when a chemical that is supposed to be good for you is such an obstacle. And because it's something you took by choice, it feels like a self-inflicted wound.

Looks like rain this weekend, so I'll be working indoors.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Sep 09 - 03:50 PM

Enforced indoor activity means I've gotten a few things started (laundry, hand-washables, etc.) and am clearing paper off of various surfaces where it has accumulated. That by itself will be a marked improvement!

eBay rules are changing soon, as was discussed in another current thread. I'll continue to list, but I'll have to re-write some of my boilerplate text and do some extra math before my next listings.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 12 Sep 09 - 04:30 PM

I have so much to do, but so little incentive to do it... I'm off work for a couple of weeks so I've fallen squarely into the "I can do it tomorrow" trap, with no inclination to get out, not whilst there's this box of chocolates and this rather nice red wine in here with me...


I need something to aim for, and at the moment that is just a good night's sleep.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: MAG
Date: 12 Sep 09 - 08:59 PM

Y'all have been so busy.

Right now I seem to be coming home from work and doing anything else mindless instead of cleaning.

Tomorrow I'll give the back yard a whack. It is VERY neglected.

MA

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Darowyn
Date: 13 Sep 09 - 04:12 AM

It has turned out just as I thought. The more boxes we open and unpack, the more stuff we find that nobody in their right mind would ever have held on to anyway!
On Friday we took six boxes of crockery, ornaments, books and gadgets to the Charity shop.
Why did we have three Coffee Makers, when we use a simple Cafetiere any time we want coffee?
We have now got three large bookcases in the study, and yesterday I sorted all the books out.
On the floor next to the bookcases is a box of books, most of which come into the category of "read once and never want to read again" or "nonsense from beginning to end"
Why did we bother to bring them? The Hospice shop specialises in books, so they can go there.
Oh well....
Keep on keeping on.
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 13 Sep 09 - 06:49 AM

Yesterday the bane of my life turned up and parked his car to block mine in while clearing his garden patch. I follow the belief on a badge I found while sorting, "Never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by stupidity", but I couldn't go out to ask him to move in case he regarded this as harassment - he's accused me of this to an official body, according to a letter I have. So there I am, trapped. I managed to pack many more books, and have run out of book boxes. I have put aside three for Oxfam.
I have had the letter from the solicitor asking me in to sign and exchange contracts! Soon all will be over. Apart from needing more boxes - it's amazing how much more room books take when they aren't on shelves.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Sep 09 - 03:42 PM

Yea, Penny! Won't it be nice to be done with him?!

Dave, that's the way of it, throughout time. Why even back in ye olde days, once a lady moved from one castle to the next, they always wondered why they had to pack around more than one heavy, clunky chastity belt. I mean they all had the same function and were limited in design and colour to try to match each outfit and sometimes weren't even seen at all, so why bother?!**BG**

Don't mind me...my house smells clean and it feels good!

Morgan called before 9a.

Can I come over.

If you do, come to clean because that's what we'll be doing and I don't want to hear any whining about 'why am I the one who has to always do this hard work.'

Otay, I'll be right over and I'll bring my cleaning stuff.

Darned if he didn't. He helped me dust and vacuum, plus picked up some small toys, put away some books and carried three books out to the car because they are going home with him.

I told my Rog I didn't know if the kid just loved us a bunch, couldn't stand to be home on the weekends, or just really loved cleaning, but god/goddess love him!**bg** He did a great job as did Rog and myself, so the house is fairly clean. We'll never get all of the dog hair, nor dust, nor little bits of dirt in corners, and there's still clutter, but I can at least stand to sit in the living room and not get an overwhelming urge to just chuck it all out the door. I was going to do that with a chair today, but Rog convinced me to try selling it instead.

I am going to tackle my desk in a few minutes.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Sep 09 - 03:54 PM

I cleared out stuff in the fridge veggie bin that I didn't get too soon enough. Alas, several eggplants. I could have taken them with me to work to give away on Friday if I'd realized they were in there. Liquefied lettuce (so much for buying two because they're on sale).

I also went through my seed packages and tossed about 3/4 of them. I'm not disciplined enough to plant everything I buy in the year I buy it, so I keep them from last year. Or two years. Or five. I tossed almost all of the old ones, except a few that I haven't seen anywhere since. I'll be planting a bunch of stuff to grow over the winter, and some of these old ones can go in and if they grow, fine, I'll have tons of onions instead of just lots of onions. Etc. When I finish, I want to compress down to seeds in only one small box.

Liz, I know about that 'no energy' sensation. I've been changing my meds and it's not easy. I go in spurts.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Sep 09 - 09:48 PM

The fridge is looking even better. I took out the bowl of overripe bananas and made three loaves of banana nut bread. I'll use one for breakfast tomorrow and freeze the other two. Beans are still simmering, full of ingredients that needed to be used (peppers, onions, tomatoes, for starters).

We must have had a foot of rain in the last three days. My neck and shoulders are still stiff from the difficult drive home on Friday night. I woke Saturday morning feeling like I'd been in an accident. It was just the tense position I'd held for about 45 minutes of really hard driving in a huge downpour.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 02:41 PM

I can't believe all of this rain. Over five inches in an article I read from yesterday, and we've continued to have heavy rain overnight. More possible today. I'd like to de-clutter some of this water from the yard! All of my cherry tomatoes are bursting.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: mouldy
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 05:40 AM

I'm thankful for the dry and slightly breezy weather we have at the moment, as it means that my dampness is airing out a bit. Peter is here at the moment, putting the second coat of grey gunk on. Hopefully he will get the render and plaster on this week, and then he is away for a week, so that can dry out some more then. When he comes back, 2 coats of epoxy stuff will go down over 2 days (animals will have to go away for that period) and then the skirtings can go back, and THEN I can get some proper floorcoverings and start to resume something approaching normal life!

However, Ruth has - at last - told me what she wants getting rid of out of her room (let's face it, she doesn't really live here any more) and this gives me somewhere to move stuff into while I tackle the very green room and the study. I think I may be glimpsing a twinkle of light at the end of this very long and convoluted tunnel!

I'm off for my first T'ai Chi class of the season shortly, and this afternoon I am going to move some stuff across to Ruth's room. I won't be able to do much tomorrow because I have to have Freya again, thanks to her dad buggering up his ankle playing a paintball tournament on Sunday - severe internal bruising, and he's hobbling around on crutches, feeling sorry for himself, but not getting much sympathy.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 01:07 PM

Sounds promising for moving along, Andrea...good for you!

I just posted this to the Activity Accountability thread which had fallen off since the 10th. Please let me know what you think?

I am wondering if this wouldn't work better if we combine this with the decluttering thread? There seem to be most of the same group, plus losing weight is decluttering, right?:-> And, I find myself posting the same stuff to each as the decluttering involves activity which counts with weight watchers.

We'll leave this one for the rest of the month, but please do post what you think of that and I'll post the same note on the decluttering thread, too.

I've got more to post for today, but will do it in a separate post. Thanks!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 05:12 PM

Hmmm. I'm open to your suggestion of combining the threads, Kat, although I seldom post to the accountability thread. Like today, I walked to the post office & grocery store, but I wouldn't seek out the acc't thread just to post that.

Yikes. While I was in the middle of writing this post, I got a phonecall from I guy I used to work with. He told me that 6 of the people I used to work with (almost the whole group) have been laid off, as of last Thursday. Many of them had 20 years or more with the company. I feel terrible for them. Sure glad I got out when I did.

m

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 12:19 AM

They were together for a while, and somehow got separated when people were more active in both endeavors.

I am tired of tossing veggies because I lost track of them in one of the two drawers in the bottom of the fridge. So today I cleaned out one and I filled it with jars and long-lasting things. Mustard, relish, mayo, taco sauce, etc. I can read the top of the jars when I open the drawer. There is a type of clear plastic containers I like over at The Container Store that I'll pick up. I have small ones, but I'll get the ones that are the size of a double loaf of bread or thereabouts, for putting produce in and leaving those at eye level on the shelves.

I found a great recipe for a tomato sauce that cooks slow with eggplant and it's all mushed together. Mmmmm! I'm going to make this recipe on the weekend, and can some. That'll take care of some of my fridge clutter.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 10:50 AM

My son is unhappy. He's swamped at school and very tired. I have to help him de-clutter his life, get him off of Facebook and IM so much so he can get his homework done more efficiently.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 11:33 AM

Well, for now, I ma going to try just posting to this thread, as they seem to go hand-in-hand for me.

I have realised, finally, that I DO have the time and HAVE to make the time to really get active. I have graduated from doing a qi gong for seniors, modified to do from sitting in a chair, to qi gong for beginners which is the same routine standing, to yesterday, getting back to my qi gong flow DVD which I had been unable to do for about 6-7 years. As I have devoted at least 45 minutes, first thing each morning, to exercise/meditation I find my body craving it by the next morning AND my day following with much more energy.(Of course, it helps to be over the pneumonia and all of the effects from it and medicine bs! Five months lost!) This is a HUGE thing for me, mentally, as for over ten years I had been in the mental AND physical state of "can't do that..not enough energy/oxygen/etc." They don't deal with the mental/emotional changes which can occur with heart surgery and it has been a struggle to not only realise that I DO have the energy and wherewithal, but also to convince my family, esp. my Rog, of this, too.

Because of this, I have begun photographing a bunch of stuff for eBay, did two weeks of dishes, a bunch of laundry and a lot of other cleaning. And, here I go, again...:-)

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 12:21 PM

Rock on Kat!!!!!!

I've been working on cleaning out our upright freezer today. We have 2 other freezers and this one has been needing to be cleaned out and defrosted for some time. Today my goal was to clean out the door shelving. Done.

I might do more but at the moment, my fingers are defrosting!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 01:43 PM

And Monday, moved some furniture in lounge so I could dust and vac behind and underneath. And put the aerial cable under carpet so we don't trip on it after the furniture rearrange.

Sometimes we gotta take a break when needed. I could not get any of my real work done today because Head of Service (in China this week) constantly emailed me with requests for this and that and changes to her diary.

So this afternoon, I dragged myself away from desk and diary jockey duties and took a 10 minute coffee break in the staff room. I never do that.

This evening after work, started cleaning out the old car to get it ready to sell.

Tonight, another half truckload of ironing.

Is there a diet and fitness accountability thread? I desperately need some comraderie on the getting in shape thing. Very difficult after mind numbing and soul defeating day of work on top of rheumatoid arthritis.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 03:02 PM

There is, VTam, RIGHT HERE. We've had a new one for each month for over a year, now. Please join in, if you'd like. There's no competition but your own goals and housework counts!:-)

I forgot to say I lost 2 pounds this past week!:-) Ten more to go and I will be back down to what I was before I got sick.

More ebay photographing coming up. I am sans Morgan-the Grandchild this afternoon.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 07:17 PM

Kat, a friend was telling me about how she started qi gong (sp?) a while back because her neck and shoulders were so sore from the computer work. I got new glasses for the same problem, but that doesn't take care of it completely. Do you have a method or DVD that you recommend? I'd been planning to look into it myself, but if you've already had success, I'd like to know what you're using.

I can't believe that it is pouring down rain here again. Since a week ago I think we must have had close to 12 inches. There are the strangest fungi growing around the yard and the doors are starting to stick. I need to run to the store and the post office, but I'll wait until I don't have to run my own personal wet t-shirt contest. There's no taking an umbrella out when it's blowing like this. It's just warm enough that the humidity is really oppressive, but cool enough that the air conditioner isn't coming on. So one either mildews in place or cranks down the AC to dry the house and freeze it at the same time. [sigh]

Kat, good for you on the eBay photos. It can be a labor-intensive process, but once you get a group of things going it is nice to see (especially if they sell). They've changed the rules again--you can't give buyers the option to buy insurance. You have to choose to either insure or not, and if you choose to, you are expected to add the cost into your postage and handling or price. Not only that, you can't tell someone that if they don't buy insurance you aren't responsible if it breaks or disappears. Good ol' 800 pound eBay gorilla. This is intended to drive away the unscrupulous dealers, but it gives everyone a bad taste in the mouth.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 11:13 PM

Shit! Sorry, gals, just lost a long post with lots of links. SRS, I'll write it up again, tomorrow. But, for now, check out MY FAV. qi gong teacher/DVDs: Lee Holden. Can't recommend him highly enough!! I started with his Qi Gong Flow for Beginners. Also have Qi Gong for Seniors in which his mom demonstrates it sitting down; and a couple of others. More later.:-)

That sucks on ebay...more packaging expense for the sellers and no control over how carriers treat our packages. *Sigh*

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 11:26 PM

Forgot to say his Qi Gong for Seniors has a lot of really good remedies for sore, tight upper back/neck muscles!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Sep 09 - 10:30 AM

I can't believe it rained hard again last night. There is a chance it will start clearing tomorrow, and if so, I'm taking the day off. Otherwise, I'll take next Monday. There's just too much stuff to catch up on that I haven't been able to do with all of this rain for the last 10 days.

The garage is going to get some important attention. I need to sweep out the summer dust and get the dogs set up with coastal hay in their dog houses and enclosure. They are so funny--when I fill their houses they rush in and curl up--it's just like how we respond to getting a new comfy bed or chair.

Thanks for the Qu Gong info, Kat!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Sep 09 - 10:57 AM

I have not read the whole article, but scanned the first few then skipped to the tenth. Seems to me we have done some of what they are talking about in THIS ARTICLE in the NYTimes about social influences on our well-being.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 17 Sep 09 - 11:34 AM

Thanks for that article, Kat. I had missed it somehow. But the subject of circle(s) of friends has been on my mind a lot lately. Before, my social circle had been mostly people I worked with, but that has changed dramatically. This whole past year has been about dismantling and rebuilding my circle of friends, and it's still a work in progress.

m

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Sep 09 - 11:46 PM

I've continued the rearrangement of the fridge--it looks better and I can see everything in there. I am considering removing one of the drawers. There is a glass shelf below it, the top of the bottom drawer. For now it's filled with jars and not-very-perishable stuff.

Laundry is out of the way, and today I started my routine to see if I can't help my son get more time to do his homework. He was taking a long nap at his dad's after school, then coming in to do homework and I got around to fixing dinner pretty late. He stays up till all hours and is tired in the morning. We need to reset that clock and get him a good nights sleep every night. One way to fix this is that he needs to feel like he has all evening, so I'm picking him up an hour earlier and am fixing dinner right away. We'll see if this helps. It seemed like we had a lot more time this evening, and this includes all of those dishes and folding three batches of laundry.

Meanwhile, it rained again today. I think the Olympic Peninsula has come to North Texas.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: GUEST,MA at work
Date: 18 Sep 09 - 05:42 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Sep 09 - 09:53 PM

I've been plowing slowly and steadily through projects that are stashed in my work email. I'm making progress, but I need to balance that by cleaning my office. Lots of paper. And it has once again spilled over into the rest of the house. Time for a filing and/or shredding blitz.

Oh, it rained again today. :-(

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Sep 09 - 11:42 PM

I hear ya, SRS. I went through the spiral notebook with pockets in which I keep current bills to be paid as well as a written record of what I pay and when. It was bulging at the seams as I had slowed down on filing. I went through them all and now have a pile of shredding for Morgan (he loves to shred.)

Also did two loads of laundry and went to a couple of stores to get sundries and look for a new billfold/pocketbook with straps. I don't want to carry a purse of much size any more and have decided to get one of those flat wallets/billfolds which fold out and have a strap. Didn't find any I liked so will probably look elsewhere tomorrow. I got in a good amount of walking, though! Oh, and I paid bills. So there are some envelopes going out the door tomorrow as well as two boxes of books which have been sitting by the front door for two weeks.

It has been a toughish week; glad it is done with.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 11:27 AM

I cleaned out the old car and washed down the hard surfaces inside. TSO vacuumed it. Getting ready to sell it.

Did grocery shopping, went to post office, up and down stairs for 2 loads of laundry hung on the line. Took apart the floor fan and put in box for winter storage.

Ironing next. No more puttng it off. And then the spare room wardrobe clearout.

I found a box of half done fairy wings in one wardrobe. Colourful tights stretched over wire hangers. They need beads, glitter and stuff added then taken to charity shop. Hey! maybe i will make them into decorate your own fairy wings kits. Certainly a good way to offload all the beads and glitter and ribbons.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 11:40 AM

I've started on the filing this morning, and I'm going to work in the house through the conclusion of my favorite radio show (Wait Wait Don't Tell Me!) and then I'll see if I can start mowing. After almost 2 weeks of steady rain the lawn is rioting and the work is hard--the grass is tall and damp. Waiting a little will help, though it means it will be hotter for me. I may have to do it in quadrants this week.

I made progress in the email last night, but I need to clear out another 300 messages in my work email to get back to my self-imposed limit of no more than 100 emails riding in the In box.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: mouldy
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 02:12 PM

Peter is away next week, so I am more or less plastered, and have probably about a week or so's work left. Trouble is, I will have to kennel the animals for that week, as the floors will be inaccessible for them.
I think I'll try and get measurements for flooring done next week, and maybe get some chosen. It'll give me a bit of a psychological boost, as sitting in the house as it is at the moment is starting to get me down.

I have an idea of what I want to do in the one remaining bedroom, and after that there is one more room to sort out, and a few odds and sods, plus general redecorating, and one helluva lot of sorting out still.

I have 6 months to do it, and in that time I am planning to go to NZ again to meet my new grandchild (due 13th October). After that, no matter what, it goes on the market!

Andrea

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 10:16 PM

I . . . mowed . . . the . . . entire . . . yard . . . today.

1/2 acre of sodden, tall, dense turf. What a workout, but I couldn't stand looking at it any longer. I missed a spot in front, but I'll get it with the trimmer tomorrow. I saw a guy last week working for a lawn crew, who had cut the bottom out of a heavy plastic bag and tied it around his waist, wearing it like a skirt while he used the trimmer. What a great idea! No more grass plastered into my pants or cuts from flying sticks or rocks. I'm going to do that tomorrow.

Some filing is finished, lots more to do, and a load of laundry is drying right now. I have pizza dough rising and am going to make myself one with pesto, peppers, shredded chicken, and some kind of cheese, probably mozzarella or jack. I'll put olive oil, salt, and garlic powder on it before the toppings. Kind of a pesto focaccia with chicken. Mmmmmmm.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 12:05 AM

That sounds delicious,SRS! How long did it take you to mow all of that?! We ran errands form 930a-145p with Morgan in tow. His mom called at 730a today to see if we could watch him while she and her spouse helped her co-worked move out of bad marriage. I didn't think it was going to take that long and Morgan got bored in the car, but we were still okay. He scored at the dollar store with Pushover Papa.:>

Rog put away a few clean dishes for me so I can wash up tomorrow. Didn't get much else done as we were pretty wasted from the running around, etc. Oh, I did sit down at my CD changer and run through it to find out what the CDs were that I forgot to title when I loaded them. I couldn't remember how to enter their titles, so I just wrote them down and stuck them in the recipe box where I have all of the liner notes alphabetised. At least I will know what they are. I've decided not to even try to reorganise the whole thing. I already kind of know the order of them all and can find them fairly easily. I may go through sometime and designate them for specific groups, but for now I am done. I have more to load into it, when I do I will remember how to enter titles.:-) (I know it's obsolete, but it is so good at keeping them dust-free!)

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 11:55 AM

That pizza was great! I'm getting away from always putting tomato sauce on them. That limits the number of subtle flavored things you can do with them. I baked three extra crusts that are in the freezer for pizza during the next couple of weeks.

I think I did yard work for about 4 hours, Kat. I mowed a big chunk of the front then stopped and pruned the vitex before returning to mowing. The break was good because that was hard mowing. I don't use the self-propelled feature on the mower for two reasons. I figure it gives the mower more power without running the back wheels, and I get a lot more exercise. It was wonderful to open the blinds this morning to a lovely park-like lawn this morning! My shoulders feel like they had a great workout.

I'm tidying my office at the moment. A few weeks ago I came across a letter written to me by a friend's mother back in the mid-1980s. I'd lived in New York City for several years and had worked with this guy for a couple of them. He sent me some extra copies of articles I'd written (an aviation magazine, only at the airport) and she sent this letter about the same time, expressing pleasure at reading my articles. It was great for me, but also she described all that her son was doing and expressed such love and admiration that clearly he needs to have this letter now. She died a dozen years ago, but won't this be a lovely reminder for him? She was so thoughtful--she included clippings of all sorts of addresses from various New York publications. I've tucked it all into an envelope and will mail it tomorrow.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 12:56 PM

Today I only made 2 banana/pecan loaves and prepped stuff for tomorrow's dinner. My home made ricearoni - kind of a stirfry with basmati rice and sauteed angel hair pasta broken into little bits and loads of veg.

been so lazy.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 01:53 PM

That is really neat, SRS...what a treasure for him to have.

We just worked on the driveway again, for about an hour. My Rog did more than I, but we both picked up trash and bits and pieces from his work-related stuff and my sisters' leftovers. Then the light rain come promising more so we came inside, even though I LOVE the rain...the day is coolish, there's a slight breeze, the sky is dark and the rain is o soft it feels as though I am in the mountains.

I have to clear off my desk, today or I will get nothing done. IT is really distracting me. We are also going to muck out the kitchen, i.e. do dishes, clean off top of frig, scrub stove.

VTam...rest is good, esp. after the week you had.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 04:25 PM

I've made progress on one side of my desk today, and have set up the next batch of eBay stuff to list, based on that clean-up (unearthing a project).

V-Tam, I buy bananas when they're over-ripe and either make the banana bread right away or freeze them five at a time (that's the number I use in my recipe, though it calls for three) so they're ready for a quick batch.

I'm going to make some soup later, and need to pick up some veggies for it. I've rearranged my fridge, so I have room for a 10-pound bag of potatoes, though I think I'll make it 5-red and 5-Russet or Yukon gold. I re-listened to the Diane Rehm show from last week with Andrew Weil. Dr. Andrew Wiel discusses healthy lifestyles and what he'd like to see happen with true health care reform (teaching healthy eating and lifestyles).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 06:48 PM

Remember to peel the bananas before you freeze them!*bg* (We didn't one time. LOL)

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 11:10 PM

I got rid of a bunch of yard signs that have been taking up space in my garage. The cardboard I re-used, and the metal frames went to the recycling center. It seems like everybody puts up yard signs these days-- the landscaper & the painter, not to mention the political candidates.

My friend and I participated in the 150th anniversary of one of our local institutions, St. Patrick's Church in Detroit. We did the Communion hymn. It was kind of an honor to be asked to be part of it.

And (trying not to hurt myself, patting myself on the back) our trivia team won first place this afternoon at the pub quiz. And we found out that one of our team members is pregnant. Woo-hoo!

M

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 11:42 PM

Pregnancy is no trivial matter!

Kat, I mash the bananas and mold them into a plastic wrap lined Tupperware container. I end up with several of these frozen banana bricks in a gallon freezer bag or one of the big Rubbermaid plastic cannisters I have around here (my Dad had so much of this stuff that it filled a large moving box. I have a lifetime supply even after weeding out some.)

The soup is made, to go with lunches this week. Bread is made, and it'll be for breakfast tomorrow and then for sandwiches or French toast. I'm trying to plan ahead with more things so I can get dinner faster in the evening. The kitchen is clean, laundry is finished, and I'm taking tomorrow off to work on things around here that need work.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 09:04 AM

I'm having the water line, from the street into the house, replaced. The crew showed up at 9AM and started jack-hammering holes in the sidewalk and my basement. I saved some water into 2 big pots, just in case I need some. But they say I'll have the water back on by 6PM.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 09:54 AM

I've been to the solicitors to sign the contracts, and have a completion date of October 5th. I'm going to have to live with the book boxes for a fortnight more. I'll have to move them around to get at the others behind and box them up.

There's a very odd thing about the books - there seem to be more than there were in the shelves.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 11:57 AM

It's amazing how many books can be around the house, not on shelves, but in stacks. Then when you start organizing and putting them actually onto shelves, the discrepancy becomes apparent.

I bought a short stack of books and book-like material at Half Price Books yesterday. I should, to keep the clutter down, discard a similar amount of book-like stuff, but I don't have any in mind. So I guess the accretion is continuing. . .

Beautiful day, but slow metabolism-wise. Still working on those darned HRT meds.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 02:49 PM

I got up early did some ironing and last night's dishes after my shower. At work... WOOT! this is so great. I was up and down the stairs over and over again loading trolley with big mailing to libraries and pushing it from one end of building to the other. Did I mention this building is about length of football field.

I don't hurt very much either. Only the feet and they always hurt.

Going to do some more ironing tonight.

Nice tip about freezing bananas and even though we don't have very much space in our fridge freezer, quite tempted when bananas get too ripe for us to eat to freeze them and when I have enough make bread.

Hey! Think I will add that tip to the Love Food Hate Waste campaign. BTW. Last year, I won local LFHW competition with my recipe for recycling Christmas dinner into Boxing Day Pie. Lovely meal out at a very expensive restaurant. And I have been asked if I would agree to having my recipe added to the National Campaign website. Woohoo! Nearly famous.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 06:08 PM

I have water again, altho the pressure is still a bit low. Things were going along fine, they replaced the pipe into the house, and then a problem occurred. The pipe from the watermain to the sidewalk connection developed a leak. So the city water dept. had to come out and replace that pipe. Another hole, this time in the middle of the street. Of course, all the big yellow trucks and earth-movers entertained the n'hood children.

They'll patch the driveway tomorrow, but they suggest waiting until next spring to replace the concrete.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 11:08 PM

Virginia, when I don't have enough bananas for a batch I mash what I have, put it in the freezer in my plastic-lined container and stick a note on top with the number in the box so far. You can accumulate them one at a time or any number, up to what you use for your batch. If you freeze fewer at a time then you can combine them for bread or use the lower number for other recipes (muffins, etc.) That sounds like a good idea, "Love Food Hate Waste." What is it?

I didn't get a day off today after all. I've worked extra time trying to get some things off of my desk in time for an early meeting tomorrow. Maybe later this week.

Mother Nature is killing us with kindness this year. It is raining again tonight (Flash flood watch overnight). My eggplants are a mess, they're just way too wet. My tomatoes aren't fruiting. Yech.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Tinker
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 11:48 PM

I actually made it into the first floor closet (former butler's pantry -- long since reformated) After 10 years here I haven't seen the floor for years. Three garbage bags are at the curb tonite and a large box of paper recycling is ready to go to the curb on Thursday. There's also a three and a half foot pile for the local learning center my days homeshooling my youngest.

Hopefully by the end of the week I'll get the rest of the stuff in there sorted.... but it feels good.

I need to get back in the yard, but all the rain this year did amazing things to the poison ivy crop and I've already spent one week on steroids and benedryl. I guess we may go for the large overgrown scary look this Halloween.....

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 22 Sep 09 - 03:11 PM

More ironing done this morning.

4 over ripe bananas mashed and frozen for next loaf baking day.

Old car now washed so clean inside and out.

Clutter in lounge cleared up except the NO GO area behind TheSilentOne's desk. Must be done first thing tomorrow, before the shelf/drawer unit arrives. Piece of furniture I ordered specifically for tidying the NO GO area.

Stilly - In the UK Love Food Hate Waste is part of the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle campaign.

There is website. Last year, the County council for which I work, had a contest for recipes in which you reduce food waste. I entered Boxing Day Pie which uses the leftovers from Christmas dinner. I won dinner out for 2. This year, the County Council contacted me to ask if I would be happy to let a nearby borough council have it for their LFHW cookbook and then later I was asked if it was okay to send it to the National LFHW. So I may be semi famous. Move over Nigella Lawson.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Sep 09 - 05:25 PM

After telling us about it, are you going to tell us how you made "Boxing Day Pie?"

I'm reading Andrew Weil's 8 Weeks to Optimum Health since I found it in the clearance rack at my local 1/2 price bookstore. It's only 3 years old, certainly current and at $2, a bargain. I've read and skimmed the first couple of chapters of testimonials and annecdotes, and taken a look at "the first week." It's simple enough, eat broccoli (we had some last night) and eat some wild salmon. He wants to displace the not as good foods with better ones. We already eat fairly healthy, but since I gained weight, partly due to a medication that I'm slowly stepping back from, I thought I'd see if I could also do a gradual improvement in my diet and health. I also have to teach my teenaged son something about good nutrition that he can take with him to college, and this is my last year that he'll for certain be under my roof consistently (he graduates this spring).

I mention it here because the task he assigns in the first week is to go through your pantry and cupboards and get rid of the foods with food colors, with more chemicals than "real" ingredients (aren't too many of either of those), to get rid of margarine and vegetable oils (except canola, and he suggests a specific type) and to switch to olive oil. I'm already there with most of the oils, but I did dump a pound of margarine from the freezer that was for baking. I'll stick with butter now (since it is twice the price of margarine, it means I'll think carefully before I start baking--this is a good thing--but it will also taste much better and not have transfats). He says get rid of the shortening, and right now I have one that is better than Crisco (some animal fat, and no transfats), but still shortening. I suppose substituting butter or oil for it is the skill to learn. I think Jane Brody (a foodie of the New York Times) had a formula of using 2/3 the amount of oil to replace shortening. He says get rid of all of the artificial sweeteners, though Splenda was coming on the market and he said "the jury is still out." I'm a Sweet 'n Low user going way back. Dropping that will be a challenge. I don't use sugar in my tea, but I do like it sweetened. I tried some honey this afternoon, and I suppose if I pay attention and buy local honey, that might help with my allergies.

So I'm decluttering my cupboards and fridge and diet. I tend to use whole wheat crackers, though I have a few of the "Ritz" knockoff variety. Those I think I'll just draw down and not replace because we only eat a few at a time. I can't afford to dump everything!

If I use more expensive oils and fats, it means I won't use it as often and I'll be more careful with it. He doesn't insist that you cut all meat and such, but hopes you'll eat more fish and vegetables. We'll see how this goes. I want to get to where I'm not tossing so many things that vanish in my fridge drawers (hence the reorganization earlier this month) and so that I'm planning a couple of days ahead at least to make meal time a little easier and earlier (again, discussed before).

Funny how when you start one project (changing my HRT) it spills over into other things. And it does suggest that maybe trying to merge the diet and declutter threads again for a while might not be a bad idea.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 07:30 AM

All ironing done. 2 loads of wash.

NO GO area cleared. Unit arrived a few minutes ago. Soon will start assembly.

BOXING DAY PIE

Ingredients
Leftover Quorn Roast or Turkey cut into cubes or thin strips
Parsnips & potatoes cut into small chunks
Leftover veg e.g. peas and carrots
Leftover gravy (vegetarian or turkey)
Leftover stuffing (meatless only)
Melted butter
Roast Chestnuts (optional)

1. Toss all the ingredients except the stuffing, butter and chestnuts
together in a baking dish. Make certain there is enough gravy to
make the sauce for the pie; this will help keep the underside of the
stuffing top moist.
2. Crumble the leftover stuffing over the top then drizzle the butter over the stuffing.
3. Bake at 180°C to 190°C until heated through and stuffing goes
crunchy and golden.
4. Serve with a few freshly roasted chestnuts and any leftover
cranberry or mint sauce.

The beauty of this dish is that you can prepare steps 1 & 2 when cleaning up on Christmas Day and it can be kept in the fridge for Boxing Day.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maeve
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 09:34 AM

Your recipe sounds very good, VTam. Thank you for posting it here.

I've decluttered a song from the privacy of my notebook to the pages of Mudcat. That's a big deal to me.

m

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 10:42 AM

It's the first morning that really feels like fall. Not because we've had all of that rain, but because of that special combination of crisp cool temperature, the quality of light, the way the leaves are beginning to look on the trees, and because one of these days the cat will begin to curl up on my bed again. He doesn't sleep with people when it's warm out.

Looks like it's time to pull light blankets out of cupboards and give them an airing so the next time the bed linens are changed the blankets can be added to the bedding.

I'm working on an eBay shipment. I took it to the post office yesterday, but since it is an ordinary envelope I can't mail it with tracking, I'd have to do a more expensive delivery method. I'm going to have to put it in a padded envelope and ship it that way to get the cheap tracking and relatively inexpensive shipping cost. And having taken a look at Kat's holiday-oriented eBay listings, I need to see if I have any similar items to sell. I'm sure I do.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 12:58 PM

Caught up on the laundry today. While I was in the basement, I collected a lot of loose stuff and hung it on hooks on a pegboard. All of the posts about eating better got me planning to cook more from scratch. Last night I put some dried beans into water to soak, and they're baking now. (They've started smelling good, but they're not ready to eat yet.) Also made a bowl of mixed fruit with a lime-anise-mint sauce.

Minted Cantaloupe Medley

½ C sugar
¾ C water
2 T lime juice
1 t chopped fresh mint
½ t anise seed
dash of salt

5 C fresh cantaloupe, cut in chunks
4 C fresh peach or nectarine slices
2 C fresh blueberries

Combine sugar, water, lime juice, mint & anise seed in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil & let it boil for a minute, then turn down heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.

Place fruit in a bowl & strain syrup over fruit, to remove seeds. Cover & chill for 2 hours or more, or until ready to serve the same day. Makes 10 servings.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 01:20 PM

And a beautiful song it is, maeve!

I dumped a bunch of photos of stuff I've already sold or given away over the past year, while adding more of things I will list on ebay. Thanks, Maggie, for the motivation to get off my bum and get back to ebaying.:-)

When I came home from the eye doctor this morning, I saw a leaf stuff right next to the hinges of our storm door, out front. My eyes were dilated from the exam, so I couldn't see really clearly. As I reached up to see if the leaf was connected to a vine I hadn't seen before, I realised we have a A Katydid!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 03:03 PM

I love Katydids. Miss those too. Not a lot of bugs here in England. Get the occasional daddy long legs (crane fly) and odd spider in the house. I saw more butterflies and moths this summer than ever before.

Ohh I want to see the song. Where is the song, maeve?


Unit built (what there was of it (2 drawer wraps and bottoms missing as well as the back to the unit). Email sent to the manufacturer.   

Having done to loads of wash and hung on line today, I now have more ironing to do. Not tonight, though. I am knackered.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 03:13 PM

THE SONG!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 03:45 PM

Took some books to Oxfam. Took some more out of a cupboard so I could put boxes in front of it and get at some of my music - theory books from a school system, so I could mug up on chords. No sign of them, and I can't remember seeing them in the decluttering. I don't want to have to buy them new. I can remember enough to get the major chords for each key, but I'm sunk on the minors.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 04:07 PM

Penny, if you google "minor chords for each key," there are a bunch of sites which come up...maybe you won't have to buy the books.:->

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 04:55 PM

Thanks - I'll do that. The thing with the books is that they are work books, and explain why the chords are what they are in an easily learned way - I know I've forgotten, but I only used the major when I was using it before.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 07:03 PM

My dogs think katydids are delicious! The pit bull will chase off the catahoula if she gets to one first. In (translated) dog language, it looks like "Rawrrr! chomp chomp chomp   wagwagwagwagwagwagwag wiggle, sidle up, lick lick Sorry! I couldn't help myself!"

I swept out the old coastal hay in the dogs's kennel this afternoon and put in fresh hay. As I was fluffing and stuffing hay into the big plastic dog houses in there they were wiggling and crowding me, trying to push past to get into their houses. They just love it when I fill them with hay, but until now, it wouldn't have felt so good (too hot). Now they are in dog heaven, with nice days, cool nights, and soft and warm beds. I know a lot of dogs live in houses and sleep on furniture or dog beds, but these two aren't suffering. They have a cosy stall in the garage and they come and go at will, to run around or bark or pee or get a drink. Sleep in the sun when it's out. What more could they ask for?

I have a couple of things to take to the post office this evening. One is for eBay. . . and one isn't. . .

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 10:07 PM

I like that dog interpretation, SRS! Pretty funny. I wasn't letting anyone get near my katydid! She flew away when she got tired of my fussing around her with the camera and stuff. I was going to put her in a jar to show to Morgan at lunch time, but she'd had enough.

We are getting ready for some more major things. I am giving my daug. my grandma's trunk, so we will empty this weekend. Have to find a bedstead and/or a small bench to put at the foot of the bed to replace it, kind of. Also, ,oving my old computer out to the dining room so I can spend my evenings out there, near my Rog, entering books into my bookstore and doing ebay plus some mudcatting. I think it will work out better that way, separating my daytime writing and other work from those things which I would enjoy doing in the evening but don't do because I am tired of being in the office and I want to be nearer to Rog. We'll see how it goes.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 02:02 PM

Kat, interesting you're talking about putting the computer in the dining room. I've been looking at the rooms as I'm using them and wondering if I want to move their functions. I am thinking about the space on the other side of the big kitchen counter, that has been used as a dining room. I'm tempted to turn it into more of a space where my son's computer and comfortable lamps and chairs could be, and putting the dining room stuff in the next room over, the den (it's like we have two living rooms here) on one end of the room. The two are connected, there is a step down into the den. But it might be a way to give the dining room table an easy way to be expanded if we have company, but putting it in the larger room where this is an easy task.

It's a thought.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maeve
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 02:06 PM

VTam, thanks for asking about the song, and Kat, thanks for linking. It has sunk from sight already, so my head will remain it's usual size.

I re-potted two huge pots of clivia for some nice folks in an area retirement community. It took a while to unravel the roots and remove enough "pups" to allow the mature plants to remain comfortably in their slightly pot-bound preferred state. I've been told to keep the young plants. I'll drive the originals back home in a few minutes.

Continuing the battle of the uncluttered home, I attacked numerous piles of Things-Which-Get-in-Our-Way this morning.

m

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 04:11 PM

Maeve, the song was sweet, should revive the thread for Valentine's

I spent the day freezing in my seat and researching alternative funding for the applicants who have been rejected for the Essex Life Raft trust (pot of money dedicated to helping Essex attractions threatened with reductions in staff or hours of operation due to the economic downturn).

We don't just hand out rejection letters. we sign post these groups, organisations, etc to other sources. That is good.

I am brain tired though.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 04:54 PM

This is some research I've been working on in conjunction with the 8-week health plan I'm working on. I wanted to see what they considered "inflammatory" foods, and he discusses it clearly here. I have come across the term "inflammation" in conjunction with diet several times, but never had a clear grasp of what they meant. I guess visualizing upset blood vessels isn't too far off!

I had a call from Moonglow this morning, she wasn't feeling good. I insisted she make an appointment at the campus health clinic, and they say that she is early into H1N1. Early enough that Tamiflu should do her a world of good, and they'll also follow the directions of her hematologist, with a precautionary antibiotic he recommends (she carries a letter with her with these instructions, ever since surgery to remove her spleen a couple of years ago).

Looks like I'll be on call to deliver chicken soup or health care services. Her boyfriend has been ill for a couple of days already, but keeping her distance and sleeping in the living room wasn't enough to avoid the bug. I'll get a flu shot at work tomorrow. Not the H1N1 shot, but at least the first flu shot.

MAG, I mailed a package to you yesterday.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 05:06 PM

I woke up this morning, with one side of my sinuses congested and the left side of my throat sore. I don't think it's the flu, tho. Just a garden-variety headcold. Am taking it easy today.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 06:09 PM

Poor kid, the school clinic was ready to do the Rx antibiotic, but it is via IV and they couldn't get a vein. She must feel like a pin cushion. They're sending her to the ER to get the treatment.

I see a trip north in my immediate future.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 10:25 PM

She's finally getting her IV and they say it will finish dripping in by about 10pm (taking ~ a hour). What a long day this has been! It's the kind of day when you want them at home so you can hover if needed, give them hot soup, run a bath if they think it would feel good, make a cup of tea, maybe settle them in the comfy chair in the living room with a quilt and let them fall asleep in front of the tv. . .

Those Mom instincts just don't go away, do they? :-)   

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 11:08 AM

Okay, no more blow-by-blow accounts of the flu. Today is a spectacularly beautiful fall day, it's the day I wait for all summer, when it is comfortable yet crisp, clear, clean, and invigorating. The summer heat lethargy is broken at last.

I'm going to spend this evening going through the trunk in my office, seeing what can be listed on eBay. I need to finish the currency listings. There are a few of those now that are just old federal reserve bills, I've gotten rid of most of the silver certificates, etc.

Yesterday I took the dogs for a walk and wore some cotton work gloves that helped--I've been going through another cycle of dermatitis. Handling their leashes if they pull hurts, that's why the gloves. I also put on a good coating of lotion so the inside of the gloves would continue to keep some of that in contact with my skin. I think it was peeling tomatoes without gloves a few weeks ago that started this and I need to simply stay out of water, and soapy water in particular, to let this clear up. So much of my work this weekend will be with gloves of various sorts.

So I'm getting more exercise now that fabulous walking weather is here, and I'll be working on eBay stuff this weekend. What are the rest of you up to?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 12:30 PM

Used to be I could find wonderful old cotton gloves at second hand stores. My sister and I used to coat our hands with Vicks Vaporub, the wear gloves to bed, to soften and relieve any chapping. Now, I can't stand to have anything on at night, unless the fingers are cut out. The cotton gloves available at drug stores are fairly shapeless and hard to keep on, imo. Are you getting plenty of water, SRS?

As noted, earlier, we will be moving one PC out of my office to the dining room so I can ebay, enter books, etc. in the evenings out near my Rog and away from my office where I spend most of my day. I hope it works out okay. It will be up to me. We will also be emptying my grandma's trunk in order to gift it to our daughter. I've had second thoughts, but only because it is handy storage and a guide for me when getting up at night; I don't like to turn on lights, so I feel my way along and am used to reaching out for it at the end of the bed. I will have to think of what else we can put there..maybe see if we can find a small bench or a bedstead with finials(?).:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 01:18 PM

I loved those old cotton gloves too. Wore my mom's until they fell dissolved. They were perfect when I had bouts of poison ivy and eczema on my hands.   

I think you can still get the good quality, well fitted ones for working with delicate documents and items in museums and archives. Conservation or researchers gloves.

I am practicing for the beer/birthday thingie http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=123188 this weekend.

So no work getting done.

Everybody keep well.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 02:22 PM

We are also having a beautiful autumn day. I'll probably go for a short walk later. My head feels like an over-inflated balloon but my throat feels a little better & temp is normal. I guess I'll live.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 02:18 PM

It's gorgeous here also. Had to rescue my damaged container of instant grits from the pit bull--I predict a stomach ache for that girl. I treated the ants and forgot the container on the porch. My bad.

Need to take allergy stuff and do some yard work. I've been in the house rescuing a friend who is locked out of his email (that is fixed) and his computer died. In New York City. Alas, it is something I need to go take a look at, but not an easy process. We'll think of a way to fix this. Long distance de-cluttering isn't easy.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 06:08 PM

Kewl pix, Maggie!

I am a bit disappointed today. We didn't get all of the stuff done that I'd envisioned, but we did get some. Rog moved my old computer but there is something wrong with it. It just keeps trying to boot, over and over. After several attempts to work around it in safe mode, etc. we gave up and hit F10 to do a whole system thing and it is taking forever. I don't know if it will work or not. Before we knew that, this morning, we had to go get a small flat monitor for it; then Rog took me to the new building the tv station is moving into. Our dog loved the approx. 15,000 square feet to run around in and I got to see the excesses of the idiots who spent a million to renovate. The manager spent over 50,000 on her office furniture, but there will be NO bonuses this year, again.

Anyway, we also went to Habitat for Humanity and picked me up an office chair for $15, for out in the dining room at the old PC or whatever one I wind up using out there. It's a very nice chair. They also had a beautiful wicker bench which would work well at the end of our bed, but it was $45, so we passed. They give senior discounts of 15% on Tues, so if it's still there I will get it then.

Speaking of the end of our bed. We opened the trunk I told my dau. she could have and it is full of artwork. I have NO idea of where to put it. A couple of pieces will get mailed to Night Owl. The others I just don't know, so we closed it up and I told our dau. she'd have to wait a bit, which is fine with her.

So, foiled a bit in getting up and running in the dining room and bedroom, I took a look at my desk where the old PC was. Messy with too many papers,all kinds of dust, etc.. So, I had Rog help me move the newer PC tower to the other side, moved the scanner to the right and will put the rest of the stuff on here tomorrow, though I have a question:

I realise I really like an uncluttered desk. What really bugs me the most are scraps of paper and larger pieces, printed out stuff that I want to have to hand for whatever reason. So...what can I use to keep them neatly out of sight on top of my desk? I have file holders and that never works. I am thinking something more solid, maybe that would hang on the side of my PC? Maybe I'm dreaming? Any thought, suggestions are welcome! Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Sep 09 - 01:32 AM

Kat, those bits of paper bother me also. I have a couple of notebooks that some of them go into (via three-hole punch) and I just got out a wire standing file thing for beside my desk that has 8 slots to hold papers or folders. I had some eBay stuff that I put in one of those heavy envelopes with expanding sides (one of the inch thick files) and it fits on top of the set of shelves beside my computer desk. It may get in the way on occasion, but can be moved around.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Sep 09 - 11:56 AM

Lovely day today. I listened to a few morning news programs and now it's out to the garage to finish my thing for the wall. I may need to make one more trip to Home Depot for brackets to hold it in place (there aren't any studs in the area so it needs to have good anchors, which are okay because it is lightweight, or I need to put up something that reaches between studs and mount it that way.) I'm still debating about putting the modem and router in that closet. There are two electrical outlets in there and I could run a tap to make plugs convenient.

Once this is in place, the big job of rearranging a large room full of furniture comes into focus. I think if I move out as much as possible first and start with a blank slate would be the easiest way to do it.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 27 Sep 09 - 02:02 PM

I've been shredding a lot of bills/receipts/statements, etc. and I've filled a 20-gal. bag to take to the recycling center. If I stay at it again tonight (while I watch tv) I'll have a second bag full.

m

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Sep 09 - 04:02 PM

Wow, whole lotta shredding goin' on!:-)

SRS, yea, I have used accordion files, in my filing cabinets. Maybe I'll get a small one of those like they have for coupons or something and keep it on the desk. right now, I am loving my empty desk!

We hauled an 1880s Renaissance Revival chair to the street yesterday with a free sign on it. It sat there all day. It was one my dau. tried to recover with no money...beautiful material, old stuffing and never finished. I'd offered it to her numerous times; she said she didn't want it. I didn't get any phone calls when I tried to sell it. Last night I asked Rog to put it in the car for Goodwill. It was gone when he went out. This morning we drove by her house and there it sat in her front yard!**bg**

We did the usual this morning...sweeping, litter boxes, scrubbing bathroom, soaking dishes, load of laundry. Went for a ride and to pick up a few things at the store. I may try to figure out how to cure my BIOS in the old PC or not. Have some paperwork to do for the hospital financial "consultant" and may try to get my office back in order...i.e. excavate the jewellery table...it's where all the desk stuff went.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Sep 09 - 04:09 PM

I was looking in a trunk in my office that I thought was full of odds and ends, but it is in fact the trunk that has most of a 12-place setting china set from my great aunt's house. So I went looking in another trunk in the front room to see if that was where the odds and ends I had in mind are stored. I opened a box I haven't seen in over 25 years that had many of the other glass pieces I knew my friend packed up for me, but I thought had gone missing. Depression glass, ornate Japanese ceramics, crystal. [sigh] Tempting to pull it all out, but I stopped with just a few pieces. These will need to be washed and put up, but this isn't what I had in mind. The other trunks in there are a little harder to reach so I'll put aside the plan to list another antique gadget on eBay and finish my wiring and then my living room arrangement. Then I might have a better place to put some of the stuff in the trunk, or find the items I wanted to list.

Amazing how many old blankets, tea towels, bath towels and textiles are in all of these trunks. Also lots of embroidery and crochet and linen items. Lots to look through and and give to family or list.

My office is neater; I filed and shredded paper that was on the trunk and the shelf with the new file mentioned above. Laundry is washing, and I'm about ready to start on the wires. I'll do that next.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 12:26 AM

Well I must be getting better... Saturday saw me actually decluttering the front room of a single drawer TV table that had been there since before Christmas. It was full of old toys and things so Limpit and I got a couple of bin bags and just sorted through it all.. result was an empty TV table, a bag of rubbish and a bag of recycleable materials... and a big space in the front room. I have a little more sorting to do, and some major reorganisation but the improvement is already obvious!

No-one has freecycled the table yet... I put it outside in the garden where things are practically guaranteed to vanish in hours, so the garden is cluttered but that could be resolved with a trip to the tip later today.

So I have actually done something constructive this month!!! I am so proud of myself.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 04:44 AM

I hauled my old vinyls out of the unit where they have been living and packed them in an old record case and a heavy duty carier bag ready for moving. The videos that had been living in the case now need new homes briefly - they are old OU programmes. Anyone know a really good way of recycling old videos? I've boxes full.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 12:58 PM

I've always had a fondness for those old VCR tapes. And in some ways they're like the cassette tapes that much of our music was on for years. It is a durable form of data storage, so I haven't been quick to toss them all. I doubt the world will suddenly stop using CDs and DVDs, but don't feel particularly guilty about having a tall bookcase filled with them still.

I went through another trunk, to see if it had some of the things I had in mind to list, but it is a collection of personal letters from an uncle I never met and some family photos. And more blankets. Oy.

I'm stepping down my meds again this week, taking the reduced amount every 36 hours (I have a little chart to keep track). I suspect I'll be feeling it, so I am not planning to conquer the world this week or next, I'll let my system adapt to this lower level. This is a nuisance, but it is necessary.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 01:23 PM

We had a cold-front move thru MI last night, so it has been windy, rainy, and downright chilly. It looks like the rain will continue thru most of the day, so nothing will get done outdoors. I'm going to concentrate on cleaning/washing/polishing floors.

I've postponed my trip to PA until Spring. Better for me and my cousins there. Now I can plan on incorporating more music events in the trip.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 02:41 PM

Maggie, I don't know why I didn't mention this earlier. For what you are going through there is no better book than Susan S. Weed's Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way. The menopause "bible" for 350,000 women who've chosen strong bones and healthy hearts without recourse to hormones. A treasure trove of accessible, reliable, non-drug remedies. You can see inside if you look at it at Amazon. That's where I learned about the tinctures I used.

I thought I was to have Morgan this afternoon, but Gary is home so I may try to finish the jewellery table and my desk this afternoon, though a new book I am reading is really tempting.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 03:37 PM

I have a rule at work and in my house that no small pieces of paper are allowed. I will tape them to a large sheet. Otherwise they fall out of files, etc. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 05:02 PM

I have a notebook that kind of incorporates that policy, Mary. I try to tape any notes or cards I'll want to refer back to into a spiral notebook in the kitchen (I also have one for work in my office). I can scribble notes on the page next to the card, etc.

That doesn't explain the rest of the paper, though.

Kat, I'll look into that book. There's also one I've been meaning to pick up by Christiane Northrup. I have her Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom but she has a later one on menopause.

I have a few more tomatoes finally growing in my garden so I'll be paying some attention to it again. I think the eggplant took too big a hit from all of that rain--every day, torrential rains, for two weeks. September and October are still good gardening months down here. Today at lunch I made a batch of guacamole and froze it; I'm tempted to start the seeds growing in water, but there is no way to plant them outside later and have them thrive or survive our winters. That would be lovely, to grow my own avocados. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 06:10 PM

I went to Office Max and bought a spiral bound bunch of index cards, BUT that's not going to do what I want, plus it's not recycled paper. I tear any paper up which I don't need anymore, into four pieces and put them in a desk drawer until I need to make a note of something. Those scraps are what wind up on the desk. Eventually I transfer the info on them or throw them away when I use the info, so I don't need anything huge. I am thinking something along the lines of the checkholder which better restaurants bring to your table for your credit card, etc. to pay. It's not exactly the right size, but I could put the day's scraps in one and check it, while it would keep the neat look on my desk. I didn't see anything like that at office max, so will look online.

Northrup's books are excellent, too, SRS.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: vectis
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 07:24 AM

I have finally made it into the kids rooms (28 & 29 now) and started sending their books (they have taken all the ones they want ) to charity shops. So much wall is appearing that the rooms are now twice the size I thought they were and I have space for my stuff in the study again.
Ah! Bliss...

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 12:29 PM

Last week I picked up an address book, one that is about 8" x 5" that has room for enough information and for making changes. For years I used a Rolodex, but that's out of date. I will start this address book by simply printing out the labels I have in a file on the computer onto address labels and sticking them into this book, and I'll handwrite in changes. I've been in limbo for a while with an address system, but I don't want to have to turn on the computer every time I want to address a card. This should take care of some of the scraps of paper sitting around.

I'm into the last of the old currency at eBay (some of this isn't pretty, but it is old. Let's see what happens.) It isn't taking up much space but it does add dollars to my PayPal account. Has any of you set up their PayPal debit card for drawing down your accounts? How do you like it?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 12:45 PM

I cleared out the fridge, which I had intended to do on Saturday, so there was more to go out to compost. I didn't do it on Saturday because my troublous neighbour was working out the back then, and as he used to watch me from his kitchen and has accused me of harassment by implication I avoid the kitchen when he's there. And I certainly wouldn't have taken the next step to the compost bin with him out there.

I shovelled compost out from the bin into a garden tote to take to my new home. Oddly, there was no sign of the ants anywhere. I had to push the newer compost down from the top, but I'm leaving that for a couple of days to allow any wildlife to evacuate. I think the mouse ws about.

Incidentally, I had been using the supposed recycling plastic compost bags to collect kitchen waste, but it looks as if some from last year have not decomposed as advertised. I now use paper ones anyway, but it may be worth recording that.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 02:10 PM

WOOT! All the filing (upstairs and down in the tomb) done for September.

Been up and down and back and forth both yesterday and today. Grocery shopping for the week done as well.

I am kicking back now.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 04:45 PM

Penny, I'm sorry you've had a troublesome neighbor. I've experienced a couple over the years--they can take the charm out of an otherwise sunny place, can't they?

I've pulled out a smallish top round roast and have it braising this afternoon. It was still mostly frozen when I started, but that isn't an impediment when it has a long time to cook. Before I pick up my son to go to his guitar lesson I'll put it in a crock pot with the veggies I want to cook with it. I've been trying to give him an early dinner on school nights; this is my attempt to help him organize his time for homework so he isn't getting to bed really late. Last night he fooled around and then started an essay at midnight. I objected to that, and will have to put the pressure on to start the homework early and play later. He has to pace himself better in this senior year.

Meanwhile, I'm trying to pick up the pace in some of my work. I've been fooling with a set of web pages forever, and am finally putting the CSS code in a table side by side so I can see where the differences are. I can't get them to quite completely agree with each other.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: MAG
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 11:45 PM

I'm so relieved to see that other people have stuff they haven't looked at for years.

I am feeling very self-negative about two bags full of paper that just sat here near my desk for longer than I am willingto admit.

I gave up on shredding everything; it took forever. Now I just set it our with recycling as close to truck arrival as possible.

Making slow progress; some progress also with insomnia; my team finally acknowledges needing a C-PAP does not explain why I cannot fall asleep in the first place.

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 03:25 AM

Someone was spotted at our flats going through the bins, under the unwrapped baby nappies (diapers) looking for bank information. I had a bag of paper taken by someone who wasn't the council, which led to my changing my bank accounts and other things. I wouldn't risk not shredding. At the moment it's a bind because I do it upstairs - the machine being noisy and otherwise over the sleeping shift workers. Soon I'll be able to do it while watching TV.

Today I have to contact utilities about taking over the new address.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 12:01 PM

If you have a burn barrel, you might want to consider pouring the contents in and burning them instead of shredding. Some areas don't allow burning, but I've also set up papers in a rack in the fireplace and burned them there. But whatever you do, don't put them at the curb, even at the dump they can go awry. It's just too risky.

My next door neighbor and I have decided to be good influences on each other and are going to go for a walk at lunchtime. We'll begin slow, and I'll let her hold the leash of the pit bull (who is much better behaved, despite the bad rap they get as a breed). We're both on diets (as I learned when I found a bin of biscotti on my porch yesterday, and called to inquire about it. She said it would be good to take to the office for my co-workers. She is retired so doesn't have an easy place to send it like that, and doesn't want to throw out perfectly good chocolate cookies. . . )

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 04:34 PM

Today I rang the utilities and sorted out about next Monday. I collected yet more boxes from shops for the rest of the books. I took a bag of books into Oxfam. I've had an email from them saying they've raised £3.40 from the sale of donations and reclaimed 87p from HMRC. Is this worth all my visits? What are they doing with the good stuff? I know some of it is good. If it has gone to other shops, does it still claim Gift Aid?
Tomorrow I have a teaching day.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 07:13 PM

Went to the dentist in the morning, and got a mammagram in the afternoon (ow). Did some laundry this afternoon, and went thru some cupboards in the basement. They mostly contain overflow kitchen gadgets and baking equipment. Didn't really throw anything out, but I did consolidate a lot of things into a single, smaller box. Re-arranged some of the stuff and freed up some more shelf space.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: MAG
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 08:23 PM

OK OK; the bag I have ready to put out tomorrow I will save for Sunday and shred.

You have no idea hpw many years of records have been sitting here forever.

MA

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: maire-aine
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 11:36 PM

Brought the planter of herbs in from outside for overnight. The TV weather guy said there'd be a hard frost overnight. Welcome to October.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Spring into Fall: Sept. 2009 declutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Oct 09 - 12:40 AM

It's October--do we want a joint progress report thread? Let's see if we can get a name that supports both. I set one up here.

SRS