Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 17 Dec 09 - 11:29 AM Musical minds think alike! I've been rearranging furniture in that front with with an eye to reaching the piano easily. It needs to be restored, it is out of tune (though it is ~ in tune with itself and has held what it has remarkably well, all things considered) and has a high C that doesn't play, but I've been meaning to sit down and play more, get my hands back into shape. Just yesterday I was debating hauling out music while my son is at school so he doesn't have to suffer through my limbering up. ;-) I made a wonderful discovery today when I was shopping. I go to a small store called Save A Lot; they don't have every brand, or even every size and flavor of the brands they carry; it is a place to buy the staples, and it gets me through most weeks. There is a clerk there who I first met at another of their stores that closed. She's a beautiful young woman who had one glaring problem--really bad teeth. One in front on top that was clearly rotted more than half through and kind of a snaggletooth. I always wished there was a way the store would get dental insurance because clearly she needed a lot of work. I was over there today in her checkout line, and I remarked that I hadn't seen her for a while, I've been through on a different shift. And then it hit me, she had a perfect smile. I pointed and asked her when this happened, and she is so pleased to have this work done (and noticed!) that it wasn't an imposition for me to remark. I did also tell her that I thought she was a beautiful woman and had always hoped she'd be able to do this. She needed to hear that. The story is the remarkable part. She had a customer come through her line in September--she named the day--and he told her he was a dentist and that she needed to make an appointment with him. She held onto his card for a week before calling, and her co-workers urged her to call. When she made the appointment he did the xrays and told her what he proposed--her teeth were in bad enough shape that she needed a full plate on top and would also lose a couple of lower molars. It took a couple of months for the entire process, she said. I moved from the register with my groceries and began to pack them nearby, and we were talking across the space between us. I asked if SaveALot had put in insurance to help her cover this? She said no, and that was the amazing thing, this dentist offered to do it for free--no cost beyond what her medicaid covers. We both burst into tears right there in the store and I had to give her big hug. That was such a generous thing for him to do--she knew this was a lot more work than normally would be covered. I took my groceries out to the truck then returned with my camera phone and sent one of my twitpic posts to Twitter. She pulled out his card for the spelling--this man is a member of a family well known for good dental work here in town. His brother is an orthodontist we consulted (it was a long drive to get over there, which is why we ended up going somewhere closer). To go from broken, blackened teeth to a beautiful smile--it isn't just a vanity issue, it is a major health issue and such a huge psychological boost. And I am so happy to be able to share this story with each of you. Go through the day with a smile! Maggie |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 17 Dec 09 - 11:21 AM Maeve, I have a spare digital recorder that can convert those off a tape player and into MP3s. Then you can keep them ALL. (Ask Janie-- you should!!!) It's so easy to use. Shall I send it? === I had hoped we would hear from LilyFestre by now. Since we have not, let's keep a good thought for her. In my case, that will be prayer (as I go about busy activities) that she be surrounded on all sides and in all dimensions by pure positivity in every form imaginable, and then some-- may she have more than enough, Amen. === We have godkids this year, for the first time. I'm slow. I got stocking stuffers ydy to mail tdy or tmrw and 2 more books in a series we give the two of them for b'days, etc., that will arrive here and be sent in a few days. The stuffers are tiny and were QUITE affordable (begin as you mean to go on), and the books were BEST quality (Helen Caswell illus) gotten via MudLinked Amazon sellers. One annual gifting has been 1 tiny ornament at a time-- I buy a different set of mini's each year. I get a set or two and put one ornament on our tree, and give the rest away (1 to each person) as a sign of our growing circle of dear friends. In a lucky year I can find these in a flat design that goes in a card, so they do not feel obligated to "gift" back to us. In other years when the ornaments have been a little bulkier, they go in shipping bags from Catter-CDs that have arrived thru the year-- more evidence of growth in the circle. These dear ones really only care that we thought about them, and they know how short we are on time. That we send anything out of that busy-ness is always treasured, but they seldom take credit for the treasures they are, to us. Some of them are canners, tho, and have "gifted" us in that way at odd moments just when we need them. Our little tradition is just a way of re-'membrancing that closeness. Sans clutter! :~) ~Susan |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: katlaughing Date: 17 Dec 09 - 10:51 AM maeve, that is wonderful about your violin! I have been feeling guilty for not playing my dad's and, even my old one which I learned on. Maybe...I'll be inspired by you and get one of them out, soon. Morgan wants to play one, but he's a tad too small, yet and I took the little rental one back as he wasn't into practising at the time. I decluttered a few more beads yesterday making jewellery for my sisters. A little bit more to do on that this morning, then I will box up the gifts and get them out by tomorrow, I hope. |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: maeve Date: 17 Dec 09 - 09:59 AM P.S. I also found, in said storage room, my cassette tapes of a bunch of early songs I wrote 12 or so years ago. I might keep a few. maeve |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 17 Dec 09 - 09:30 AM Well, I MADE myself finish sleeping this AM and am much the better for it. "No, brilliant minsd, I do NOT want to come out and play just yet! I'll be ready to play around 11, our usual time!!!" "Oh! Righto, then, see you then!" I don't mind having two heads but sometimes I wish they were the same age! I think most of the sleep issue would be improved with an Upstairs Cat. I just have to figger out how to get one into the mix that will not upset Hardi. He's not one for upstairs pets. I know which cat-- have one waiting for me-- but the logistics are tricky. ~S~ |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: maeve Date: 17 Dec 09 - 08:20 AM Thanks, Maggie. I'm glad Khatt's friend has delivered successfully. I have done something... dug my violin out of storage in the nursery/guest/storage room. Haven't really played it for years, and I can't do much with it yet because of the wrist, but so fun to try it out again! One it warmed up (it's cold in that room, having been closed up for so long) I was able to tune it back to pitch without breaking strings or pegs. If I decide I still am not happy with the tone I may see if I can trade for a better quality fiddle, or go for a viola. For now I'll use the mute. I also pulled out two big bags of clothing to get rid of. Maybe moving forward again; just a little. How are y'all? maeve |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 17 Dec 09 - 12:32 AM Okay, the dishes are washed. A few gifts are wrapped and bagged. Another early day tomorrow, but the weather should be warmer. That always helps perk things up. Sleep tight, everyone, and DON'T OVERDO it! :) SRS |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 16 Dec 09 - 09:31 PM maeve, I saw on her facebook page that her friend had the babies several days ago. VTam, that's a bummer, and it sounds like something you should ask your ob/gyn about. Or a urologist. My hands are so cracked and dry because of the time of year and just because they're doing this a lot. I put on the intense hand cream (Eucerine) and a pair of vinyl gloves so it can sink in and not smear grease on things I touch. Shopping for incredibly practical gifts this year. I won't name any because Moonglow does sometimes read over here at Mudcat. Must wrap before my son gets home in the next hour, so I'll check in later. There has been some more progress, but you wouldn't know it from looking at the state of the dishes in my kitchen sink. SRS |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 16 Dec 09 - 05:06 PM VTam, I know that there are waterproof pants used with incontinent folk during aquatic therapy, but I dunno if they keep water OUT as well or if they are just meant to absorb accidents. If you can locate an aquatic therapy physical therapist, they might know. As for pooltime, there are several stretching/relaxation programs; look into Ai Chi which is so gentle you might sleep during it. For more vigorous aquatics there are several modes more vigorous (and fun!) than swimming, and I have lots of info on those. And for anyone for whom hypertension is an issue-- I have LOTS of info, but the main thing is that aquatics done vertically reduces BP markedly even during high heart-rate aerobics, while aquatics done vertically (such as swimming) increases cardiac load rather than relieving it, tho it is good exercise otherwise. ~Susan |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: maeve Date: 16 Dec 09 - 04:57 PM Khatt- How is your expectant friend? maeve |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: mouldy Date: 16 Dec 09 - 02:26 PM Well done Kat! I just hope I can get through the festive season on damage limitation. Andrea |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: VirginiaTam Date: 16 Dec 09 - 01:57 PM ok I am gonna get icky for a minute... Planning to do pool time 2 nights a week with TSO after New Year (well after they reopen the Riverside Ice and Leisure pool (managed by Chelmsford Borough Council). It is being redecorated from now through 23 January. Anyway, in past every time I went on vacation and used time share pools, I got UTI. I am worried about a repeat of this problem, because as we all know, antibiotics cause yeast infections. When I get this it tends to be systemic, affects my whole body. Is there any trick to avoid getting UTI from bacteria in public pools? Some kind of protective or preventative treatment. I know about cranberry juice (both uses). |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 16 Dec 09 - 11:20 AM Maeve, Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: WYSIWYG - PM Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:31 AM And I DID get to the post office ydy, AND the pool. ~S~ Pooltime will resume Monday if not sooner. I'm dealing with some fibromyalgia-like shoulder issues (meds are on the way via mail) and I did establish a workable pool approach to it (alt heat/cold with the right movement pattern) that has let me do daily chores again. Ydy I was able to play music HARD for a gig. Shoulders were sore as hell after, but I know it's improving with the current regimen because it only took anti-inflammatories to make it right by bedtime, and I didn't have to take pain meds at all, even in the night after sleeping on it for hours, and woke up feeling fine. Today is land-based-- grocery day with extra stops. === I have a really good, scholarly article in a book here that goes into detail about restorative sleep. I MIGHT be able to get the scanner hooked up soon, to get the text, so I can post that. I prefer to set that scanner up in the upstairs office, but it's whistling cold wind up there today. In a few short days I'll be in the weekend-interruptus mode again and trying to restart my other priorities again on Monday. That's another whole kinda cycle, but I added some select Maxines to my screensaver up there early this AM and she may work wonders! :~) ~Susan |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 16 Dec 09 - 10:38 AM And Kat is out in front, leading the pack as we crawl and roll over on our sides moving toward the new year. . . (laughing!) Anyone unfamiliar with us, visiting Mudcat and reading all of these threads might be tempted to send the ambulances or spike our IVs after this month's entries. We'll get through the season. It's a convergence of stuff that I'm certain is seasonal. Each day is a little easier. I don't catch colds often, and I've been very careful to try to contain this one. My whole face has felt kind of chapped the last few days because it has been so cold out, but I've set the heavy duty guiafed aside and am taking the Robitussin knock-off for cough and cold, and that seems to be helping (probably has as much guiafed as expectorant, but it's good for cough.) I made the banana bread last night, and I had just enough batter for the loaves to take to work for co-worker gifts. My son was dying to eat one, but I told him I didn't have any to spare. Last night I pulled one out of the freezer, but it just isn't the same. I felt so sorry for him, munching the older loaf. So I've made some cookies to go to work also, and am going to take a plate past and leave at his father's house. He goes there after school, and Wednesday he spends part of the evening there. So he'll at least have a fresh batch of homemade Christmas tree (almond) cookies for himself. I've begun wrapping a few things, to place in a hanging basket we always use. It has lights running up and down the macrame and they chase and blink and such. I fill the basket with small gifts. If I have a tree, we always open those gifts first (or otherwise, they're on the hearth) and then we always remember a few more in the basket. It's a lean year, but I can still put gifts in to make it look right. Gotta shower and head over to work. With lots of baked goods. Michelle, how are you feeling today? I think all other counties have been heard from. And what part of the country are you in, anyway? Are any of us close-by to stop in and offer some cookies or banana bread? (I make bread with splenda to cut the calories for friends with that requirement, and use some whole wheat to make it a little healthier). PM your address and I'll mail a loaf, or at least post a couple of recipes. (My boss's wife is diabetic, but 5 years ago she had breast cancer and was having a hard time eating when she was going through chemo. I really worked on a recipe that I could send home with him to her, that had as little sugar as possible, because all through it she loved and could eat the banana bread, but we didn't want her diabetes to spiral out of control. It was a tough call. SRS, food scientist and kitchen wizard. . . |
Subject: RE: BS: Athletic Wisdom From: wysiwyg Date: 16 Dec 09 - 10:36 AM TIPS Pro athletes say that 5-10 lbs gained "back" in the offseason are no problem as long as training for the new season occurs-- when the "extra" pounds will melt right off on their own. The annual cycle in that gain/lose range is normal for them. So TRUST that one's normal season of highest activity CAN keep one approx. where one is. There is also the good news that a speeded-up metabolism due to muscle-mass increase will last 6 weeks, so a short layoff from vigorous activity is not a crisis. On the other hand, athletes who take a layoff say that anything longer than 2 weeks will need to be rehabbed and/or retrained back up to the pre-breaktime level. They ALL say that as we age, we FEEL the breaktime loss of muscle-flexibility is felt in function, sooner and sooner. There is also info out there that the slower the weight loss, the better for our health, and that periods of loss followed by periods of maintenance are GOOD for us in many ways. One way I monitor all that is that I own ONE pair of "fat pants" that can be worn when my tummy's acting up or I have all-night-sitting to do. They fit like pajamas. I have FOUR pairs of jeans/trousers that are snug. The day I have to put on a pair of fat pants to do a non-fatpant activity comfortably-- that's the day I drop everything and get back to the pool NO MATTER WHAT, and I stay on the pool schedule till I feel so damn fit I want to get out of the water and DO stuff. Then I slack off pooltime in favor of land-based muscly work/fun. In the high-activity phase I eat (healthy) when I'm hungry, day or night. I'm feeding a fast metabolism. In the low-activity phase I eat as many tiny (healthy) mini-meals as my shrunken tummy requests, because I am feeding a metabolism that may slow a bit. Because the MAIN thing that gives me feedback is my tummy. Now that I don't fight with it any more, it gives me good info on when to stop, and it hurts if I ignore it. :~) ~Susan |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: maire-aine Date: 16 Dec 09 - 10:19 AM Thanks for asking, Maeve. The songbook is "Songs of the Workers to Fan the Flames of Discontent", the Little Red Songbook of the IWW, 2005 ed. The trouble was, the book is only 5-inches square and thin, so it was hard to spot among all the other material. I want to do more labor-oriented songs, considering I live in the Detroit area. I am putting together a set of social justice songs, using Rick Fielding's song "Voices of Struggle" as the backbone, then adding the songs that he referenced or some similar songs. I tried to find a link to Rick's song, in case anybody isn't familiar with it, but something seems to be wrong with "Search" right now, because nothing came up. I can post the lyrics, if anybody wants them. M |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: katlaughing Date: 16 Dec 09 - 09:51 AM Thanks, maeve. I am a happy camper this morning, at least. It is weigh-in day and finally I have shifted some more...lost 2.8lbs! I had a hard time, yesterday, staying out of a mental fog long enough to sign 19 Christmas letters with added handwritten noted and get them all addressed, ready to go. It is one thing I love to do, but it was difficult...felt as though I was slogging through some really wet, deep snow. I had some laughs after, though, watching that clever octopus and its coconut shells. Looked like an old lady hiking up her skirts and running.:-) My best to you all. |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: maeve Date: 16 Dec 09 - 05:50 AM VTam- I went years without writing, and it only began a couple of years ago when I escaped from years of chronic migraines. Friends here provide important encouragement; I also began to finish grieving for my dad and some other loved ones. The first songs grew out of a lovely vivid dream. Others are old poems retuned to who I am today. Be patient with yourself; your words will emerge, and we will love to see your laughter in song. SRS- How are you feeling today? Guaifenesin makes a difference for me- thins the mucus. Sage/raspberry leaf tea with honey has also helped me a lot. Susan- Looking for "Pooltime" posts by Monday. Take care. Sleep. Andrea- Hurt my back the same way. I hope yours is feeling better. Maryanne- Care to say what songs you got from the songbook? Good for you finding it so soon. Michelle- Keep breathing, find that pool of quiet inside you. Kat- "Step be step, row by row" works for gardens and ourselves. maeve, who needs sleep too. |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: VirginiaTam Date: 16 Dec 09 - 02:56 AM oh I am so envious... writing songs. Would so love to be able to do this.. funny ones.. ones that make people roll with laughter. I used to write poetry but now in too much of brain fog to do it. Stilly... please please please look after that chesty cough. huggles to everyone from the mad goober of virginia :~} |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: maeve Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:59 PM As of tonight, yes. I've written more songs in the last 6 months than I had written in the last ten years. And I can remember some of the traditional songs I used to know, now the migraines don't run my life. Still, there's a lot of work needing doing. Sigh. Time for sleep. maeve |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:38 PM Music wins, hands down, right? ~S~ |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: maeve Date: 15 Dec 09 - 10:33 PM Fighting an inner battle here between the clearing out/regular chores and my instrumental practice/songwriting. The first are necessary for our comfort; the second for my well-being. Courage to those of us in need of it, good health and peace to us all. maeve |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 15 Dec 09 - 04:52 PM The cold is moving along, but that means the coughing needs to be kept at bay. I hate waking up in the middle of the night with an explosive cough. It disturbed the cat, also, who as he gets older and more frail, wants to sleep right on top of us. I went over the mantle last night and dusted then carefully washed all of the crystal. I left it there during the year, but without the seasonal color. So now I'm putting glass balls and colorful ornaments into some of the cut and molded glass containers. And I found a couple of new lovely pieces to add to it. A few of the nutcrackers are also out. Had a meeting at work, then dashed home, printed up a mailing envelope, and went to school to get the stack of sealed high school transcripts. I hope being postmarked on the last day is okay. He sent his first one in late last night, and this is part of it. Now all week we're going to be finishing up more. I hope. I hope. I hope. I want to have some of my break for something else, like researching scholarships. . . Because I've had a cold I have been dragging. A bit of a nap this afternoon helped, will tide me over for a while. I hope my son doesn't catch it. I've tried to avoid spreading it. I am way behind on my shopping, baking, etc. Tonight I'll be doing some baking to take to work tomorrow. I think I'll pick up some foil baking containers so I don't have to wait to bake the next batch after I empty and wash the pans. I make small loaves of banana bread and take them to work. The office party is tomorrow. I'm going to bake this weekend and pack up and mail boxes of cookies to family. We are simply bleeding cash with all of the college tests, applications, etc, and I don't have the time or the energy to figure out clever thoughtful inexpensive gifts I can pack up and send this year. So it'll be nice food containers and cookies inside. (Some of our favorite family recipes). I'll send them well-padded and priority, so they're still fresh. SRS |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 15 Dec 09 - 04:27 PM James was at my elbow all during the senior-home concert/singalong we just did, watching my fingers. It will be so easy to work with him! He's also the most joyously patient person I know in music! "~) ~S~ |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: VirginiaTam Date: 15 Dec 09 - 02:54 PM Susan - lovely idea that gift. Wish I could settle to learning my lap dulcimer. Maybe after Hilary leaves. |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 15 Dec 09 - 01:20 PM For me, and I suspect most of us, "starting" to recover isn't quite it.... it's ongoing and always vulnerable to life crap (like when work stuff has hills and valleys). I AM having a good day. Some of that is the result of holding firm on some potential crazy-making crap that was offered to me. Mostly it's that I trusted my best thought that SLEEP is, as I thought, ESSENTIAL and notnotnot a frill. For me. I did talk to my great doc today and got a use-as-needed scrip to shore up a few loose boards. :~) But the BEST of the day has been figgering out the perfect Xmas gift for a dev-disabled band member/roadie. Roadie who wants to PLAY music. James RULES, and he's getting Edith's (our band founder's late wife's) autoharp, with lessons starting in January, and we'll present it Sat. Night as a surprise with his mom in town to be there as well. ~Susan |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: maire-aine Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:55 AM I found the songbook! Yippee! M |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: maire-aine Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:46 AM Sometimes I wonder if I have adult attention-deficit disorder.... I came into the computer/music room, to tidy up, and I can't even figure out where to start. I need to practice the songs I know, and learn a few more. But I can't get out the guitar and set up the music until I clear some space, so I cleaned up a corner. Now I'm looking for a songbook that's around here somewhere. Maybe I'll get some practice in before the day is over. Maryanne I hope the today's postings mean that folks are starting to recover. |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:31 AM And I DID get to the post office ydy, AND the pool. ~S~ |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:28 AM Kat, the imagery-- did Rog in the chair fly, or were did they stay on the ground? :~) (Movie, Danny Deckchair) ~S~ |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: LilyFestre Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:15 AM Did my normal morning chores today....it seems that doing that kind of stuff helps to ease my mind a little bit. I have pain meds that also help to ease my mind but I'm kind of reluctant to use them. I went to yoga last night and prayed/meditated while my fellow yogarians held a beautiful practice. Since I won't be allowed to do yoga for several weeks, I asked if I could come sit in the back and meditate. I asked this because I don't want to get out of the habit of going to yoga, I miss the people, the space and the energy and right now I need all of those things very much. My yoga teacher said of course I could come...she said I could color, knit baby blankets, drink pina coladas....but just to come! So...I did go last night and it was good for me in so many ways. A little strange to be sitting while everyone is in triangle or down dog.....but I'm glad I went anyway. Other than that, I'm taking it easy and am working hard to not fall into panic attacks. Michelle |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: katlaughing Date: 15 Dec 09 - 11:09 AM An old office chair went out the door with Rog this morning. We also moved a few more things back to the old office until the holidays are over. I did five loads of laundry, yesterday. |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 15 Dec 09 - 10:20 AM Decluttered a HUGE piece of lay ministry today. Snip, snip, snip. Like taking off one's own skin tags without a stiptic pencil. Neatened things up quite a bit that had gotten VERY messy. ~S~ |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 15 Dec 09 - 12:33 AM I pulled a few glass items out of a trunk from my great aunt's house. A friend packed it for me in 1984 and I didn't even know what all was in here. Some pretty depression glass and crystal. It will go on the mantle with stuff I have already and some ornaments for nice color accents. Still fighting this cold, though it's getting a little better. And still struggling to get applications finished. Not one has been turned in yet. One must go tonight because the deadline is tomorrow. And it will be a squeaker. SRS |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: LilyFestre Date: 14 Dec 09 - 04:00 PM Go Andrea GO!!!! :) That's awesome!!!!!!!!! And Susan, the pool sounds wonderful right about now! I did some grocery shopping today and was very good about asking them to not bag much weight at a time....I just can't do it right now. I used a sled to haul groceries down to the house and I think I did it without causing more harm. Michelle |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: mouldy Date: 14 Dec 09 - 03:47 PM Another pound and a half gone! That's a stone and a half! 11st 9lb now. BMI is just a little over 25, I think. I'd like to shift another stone if I can... Andrea |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 14 Dec 09 - 10:00 AM Some more progress on equipping the office ydy and late last night. Involved revisiting some old business and re-purposing/gifting some of the "evidence" of the past. And adding some more storage furniture, even tho I had to leave the result in mid-mess. I DID leave it better than I found it, and did that as well all over the house in may spots ydy. I also made myself a desk cube (toy) of a series of Maxine cartoons and ordered a desktop Maxine from Amazon! Today's plan is to finish packing and addressing trwo boxes, take them to post office next to pool and then POOL. Then meet Band for loaduip and delivery of sound stuff for a gig tomrorrow. MUCH bettyer to drop off the heavy bits the night before! ~S~ |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: Catherine Jayne Date: 14 Dec 09 - 09:41 AM I'm sat here waiting for my friend to call, she went into hospital yesterday morning to be induced to have her twins. At about 4am this morning her waters finally broke and she went onto the labour ward. We haven't heard anything since, niether has her sister. Sitting here hoping everything is all well. I have baked cherry scones this morning with the kids. The tree is still standing although the kids do like to hide underneath it. Most of the presents are wrapped and in their hiding places. Yesterday we delivered presents to those that needed delivering. Paul cut back the apple tree and the grape vine, the garden looks so much bigger. New stair case is being fitted next week! |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 14 Dec 09 - 09:27 AM Wheels on the Bus is indeed pizza dough. It's a concept rather than a recipe. You can put ANYhting into it and make the dough thick or thin. The main thing is good stretchy dough so the roll-up will hold the stuffings closely, and not trying to pack in too thick a stuffing. Just try it with a usual pizza recipe, but make the dough square. Leave one edge naked, to seal well at the end of the rollup, but when the pizza is decorated, roll it up tight, slice it into sections that will hold together when set flat, and let it all rise. Then bake. If you make the sections too thick you'll need to turn them over once during the baking. If you use a lot of cheese it will ooze out the bottoms and make a toasted-cheese base. But it's all good. Leftovers go well in there. The first one he made per my request included crispy, flash-fried shredded onions in the filling, and all the minced beef ended up in the center of the rollup looking like a chewy center. The next one he made, for himself, was a wet mess loaded with prosciutto because he's a sauce lover. It's all good. They're fine alone, and/or great with a dipping sauce that contrasts with the fillings. Like applesauce for a pork sausage, or a hollandaise for a fishy one (for the lemon), etc. Just play! Lump crab was yummy..... It could be done with dessert items too of course, meatless. Or a holiday one with mincemeat..... It's an adaptation of another local delicacy called Bocaccino's. (Bo-kah-chee-no) Which I believe is "Little Mouthful." Size also can vary from cocktail munchy-tiny with thin dough to a plate-sized giant. The big ones squash when sliced, but if sections are gently pushed back into circles, the rising takes care of most of the fall-apart, and toothpicks or cotton string may come in handy at first makings. Don't crowd the baking sheet-- they need a little room to expand and heat evenly. Just think truck tires and what kind of bus you need to drive or ride in on any given day-- and stuff these accordingly. Be sure to make as many as your bus needs, to get you there, and don't forget the spare. :~) ~Susan |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: VirginiaTam Date: 14 Dec 09 - 04:29 AM Hilary is my youngest. Andie's little sister. She is coming to UK for visit from 18 through 30 December. I have not seen her, hugged her since July 2008. She has lost a lot of weight since I last saw her. Afraid I won't recognise her. |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: VirginiaTam Date: 14 Dec 09 - 03:46 AM The Secret Garden My favourite book (an my Mom's) as a child) I love that film. It does give tingles doesn't it? Another I want is Fairy Tale: A True Story with Peter O'Toole as Arthur Conan Doyle and Harvey Keitel as Harry Houdini. Film about the little girls in 1917 producing photographic evidence of fairies which caused a media stir. Really lovely film. Damned aggravating though, because I cannot get a copy in UK that will play on our Sony DVD player. I wan the recipe for the wheels on the bus. Is it pizza dough? I think I will experiment with that one. |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: VirginiaTam Date: 14 Dec 09 - 03:31 AM Rocky Road Candy 2 big bars of dark chocolate melted chopped brazil nuts dried cranberries miniature marshmallows mix all and pour/scoop (it should be fairly thick and chunky) onto buttered wax paper in baking sheet or jelly roll pan chill and chop into pieces with a hot knife |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: VirginiaTam Date: 14 Dec 09 - 03:26 AM Almond Toffee Bark - USA recipe 1 cup Butter 1 1/3 cup Sugar 3 tablespoon kayro white corn Syrup 1 tablespoon Water 1 cup Almond flakes 1 giant Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar ½ cup ml Almond flakes (topping) Almond Toffee Bark - UK recipe 236 ml Butter 307 ml Sugar 48 ml Golden Syrup 16 ml Water 240 ml Almond flakes 227 gm Milk Chocolate 120 ml Almond flakes (topping) Melt butter, sugar, syrup and water together in medium saucepan Cook to a rolling boil until the candy reaches 149 degrees Celsius or becomes medium brown toffee colour *. Remove from heat and quickly stir in 240 ml (1 cup) almond flakes Immediately pour mixture into well greased 33cm X48cm or jellyroll pan or baking sheet with raised rim. Spread evenly while mixture is still hot Mixture should be approximately 1.3 cm thick Allow to cool completely Melt chocolate and spread over toffee Press remaining almond flakes into melted chocolate Refrigerate until chocolate is solid Break into large bark like pieces Put a few pieces into tissue paper lined mini gift bags A lower candy temperature will make fudge consistency rather than toffee if you are worried about dental work. |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: maire-aine Date: 13 Dec 09 - 10:15 PM Went to a pot-luck lunch this afternoon, and had a nice visit with friends. Then went to the "Poinsettia Soiree", a fund-raiser for the Belle Isle Conservatory. I even won a door-prize, a nice fuzzy scarf with a poinsettia print design. I wore it home, too. Maryanne |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 Dec 09 - 09:40 PM Susan, that is quite an operation to open the sinuses! I do use hot water and steam--I had a bowl of water and a towel in the kitchen the other day and that felt wonderful. But I think I'll take a bucket of hot water and a couple of cloths into the shower tonight before I go to bed. And I'll take several big drinks of water, because by morning I'm thirsty and my sinuses hurt from the dryness. I felt better today and did move around enough outside to cut down the canna lily clutter (after the freeze it turns to mush) and some of the garden plants (tomato vines, pepper plants, the woody basil plants). All into the compost. I have been intending to put up a panel of lights, and this evening I did it. On the front porch I have a piece of 2x4 on the floor and a hook from the ceiling. I spaced the lights so they looped under the board and all moved up to the hook, resulting in a tall pyramid, ala lighted stylized tree. My porch light is a motion detector and is still working even with these lights, so while it's off most of the time, if someone approaches, the porch light turns on. I walked the dogs around the block, and that about was it. I'm going to head to bed early; I have to take my son to school in the morning and order his high school transcripts to be sent to several schools. We'll see if they can do it electronically and we will provide the account numbers we have so far. I think he's finally getting more excited about it, and is feeling the pressure to do this. He has two in the bag, it isn't like he won't go to college for free. But we are going to apply to Princeton, Yale, and Stanford (I think Stanford would be perfect for him). If he can get accepted these schools have a policy to fund the students if their parents are low income. They don't expect kids to take out loans; if you have a high power degree and have to take just any job to pay your loans, you lose time and momentum. I think they know this. And I think the important lesson in all of this application process is for him to learn when to pay attention and when to do the work on time for his own behalf. SRS |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: mouldy Date: 13 Dec 09 - 05:44 PM Hang out the flags! I have cleared the ironing! Now I've got to take it all upstairs and actually PUT IT AWAY! It is now 10.30 pm, and I need to be up early tomorrow to get the place sorted for my 360 day old granddaughter coming for the day around the same time as my financial advisor is due to pick up and sort out my income tax paperwork, which I have been nagging him to do for 2 months. he's gone into panic mode because he's going on holiday for 3 or 4 weeks in 5 days' time, and when he comes back he will be entering a load of tax returns online for the 31st Jan deadline, so won't have time to come and see me - and I go to NZ in 6 weeks or so. All of a sudden he has cleared space in his diary and is able to come (he's based about 70 miles away). Apparently he has worked out Ian's last tax return, but hasn't submitted it yet. It was due in 2 years ago! As I haven't heard a murmur from the revenuers, I thought it was all sorted and was just a bit miffed that they were taking their time returning any tax overpaid... Oh well, it'll be nice when I get it, and hopefully I am paying too much as well! Carol service went well, and I have also managed to quickly rig up my illuminated door wreath. I am starting to feel in a bit more of a festive mood as I am off to the pantomime on Thursday evening. By then I will have hopefully survived Tuesday night's "Christmas Cracker" making session with the local Homestart group's parents. I still have to work out how many tubes I can get sorted to fit one inside the other, and cut a load of papers to fit so that they can be covered. I will probably do it with my usual "fly by the seat of my pants" method! Andrea |
Subject: Wheels on the Bus & Foolproof OUTs From: wysiwyg Date: 13 Dec 09 - 12:46 PM My favorite chef makes a dish we named, "Wheels on the Bus." Becuase they are portable and they get you going where you need to go, and they gho 'rpound and 'ropund. It's pizza ingredients wrapped and cut into roulades. ANY "pizza" ingredients. Well, so my Missing Link this AM was to put in a standing order for this crazy-creative chef to make me a platterful, each week (we dine there weekly), of whatever he feels like putting into them. Meat, fruit, veg, who cares. I can tell him what NOT to put in and he'll follow that to the letter. They make perfect brekky or snack food. I'll take each boxful home and freeze each wheel individually, in our bulk-kitchen mode, and bag 'em up. As the freezer starts to fill with these, I can make bags of two's to grab for the office, for pool food, to grab to take on the road, whatever. It will take a few weeks for the varieties to build up in that bag, and then after that I can start making up bags of mixed assortments. Ministry here is crazy-busy enough that we will definitely be able to eat these all up to prevent freezer clutter, and they can be made in a healthy way. An endless variety, always available. === Part 2 of the AM brilliance du jour (caff free, just a good sleep) is the movie version of the book that lit the most recent, still-running-powerfully inspiration-- the Foolproof Means of Getting OUT of the Hole-- The Secret Garden. I splurged on a copy (whole 10 bucks) of the video for AM inspiration/RC self-sessions. === If you read all that and can remind me of it again when I get way too low, please PM with a subject line that reflects our friendship, and that availability. I KNOW that a lot of us do not actually READ this thread, but only post-- so, it would be nice to know who the real, potentially-supportive peers are among us. ~Susan |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 13 Dec 09 - 11:52 AM Set out ingredients and make with Hilary? ~S~ |
Subject: RE: BS: 2009 Dec. De-clutter & Accountability From: VirginiaTam Date: 13 Dec 09 - 11:50 AM tree is up and decorated. lounge is de-cluttered, dusted and vacuumed. one load of laundry left to do. quite a lot of ironing AGAIN - sheeeeesh. need to make almond toffee bark and dark chocolate brazil nut rocky road candy, but been feeling sick at tummy this afternoon so don't think i will. need to clean the bathroom and master bedroom and wrap prezzies and then wait for Hilary to arrive. |
Subject: RE: BS: Opening the Sinus From: wysiwyg Date: 13 Dec 09 - 11:48 AM SRS, do this. Steam up the bathroom and run a sinkful of hot water. As hothothot as you can stand to touch. While the steam is filling the loo, get the Neti ready (all but the last of the water) and set three washcloths to hand. Sit in the still-steaming loo and put the washcloths into the sinkful (OK, panful for you germophobics). Take one out and wring it semi-mushy-wet/dry, and apply it to the whole sinus-mask area. It will feel SO GOOD. Breathe that steam and the shower's steam, thru your mouth. Don't try that nostril just yet. Just enjoy the moist heat there for now. Toss that cloth back into the hot sinkful as soon as it starts to cool, take the next cloth, then the third. If this is the correct-for-you approach, it won't open your sinus yet but you will be almost orgasmically relieved of a great deal of the misery. Persist! Repeat this in succession until you feel the stuff in the sinuses start to shift. The next steps need to be done more quickly, so be ready. Now take TWO of the cloths in succession and apply briefly then blow, very gently, right into them. You want not to empty the goop but just start it moving. Discard them into a washpile as you go. Top off the Neti just enough to get the temp right; apply that third cloth as you did the first two; start the Neti after the third cloth is applied and blown. That oughtta get you access to the sinuses, get your favorite Neti solution moving thru them, and give you a good wet noseful to gently blow out afterwards. It will all solidify again as soon as you leave that steamy loo, but you will have gotten the Neti-full thru it, and that should start the sinus passages on recovering. You can do this several times a day. You will probably want to do a whole facial, too, because you also will have opened your skin pores quite a bit. How I know this is that I regularly do most of these steps sitting comfortably in my health club's hot tub, except that what comes out of my nose nevernevernever goes into the hot tub water. Try it once and you will be hooked. === I woke up smart this AM (Faulkner confirms that), and I will post in a bit about the things I need to do to keep myself moving forward-- it will all sound quite silly but it's a HUGE "Missing Link" (bocaccinos) and I need to write about it. It will help if each person who reads that post just sends me a PM letting me know they SAW it. ~Susan |