BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 13 Jan 10 - 02:57 AM

Michelle - I have Pmd you. You have all my thoughts of care and love, as I join this circle of woman surrounding you. Powerful magic in this. Keep that in mind.

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Tinker
Date: 13 Jan 10 - 12:11 AM

Michelle, here are a few chants I listen to when my mind gets too cluttered and worried to focus. Some "de-cluttering" chant

Kosi R'vaya half way down the page is probably my favorite. It means my cup overflows and comes from the 23rd Psalm..... Just let them play over and over to fill and soothe...


Blessings and Light....

Don't forget to breathe

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 11:47 PM

Michelle, I had uterine cancer 10 years ago and am here to tell you that while the surgery isn't fun, it can be a very effective treatment. They remove what they need in order to reach a "clear margin," or tissue completely free of the cancer. They took my uterus, ovaries, and cervix. I still have my lymph nodes. I didn't have to do chemo or radiation. This was adenocarcinoma.

Look up my PM and give me a call if you want.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 08:05 PM

Michelle,

You do not need to worry about worrying us, or keeping us waiting. We've all had a lot of experience with waiting in the last year or so.... When we don't know what is happening for you, I expect most of us just redouble our prayer efforts, and that never hurts.

This is a whoa-nellie track you are on. You are definitely up to the challenge. Trust yourself to know what to do and how to look at things along the way. We will all be with you, one step at a time, ready to catch you whenever you need it.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 08:01 PM

The results of my biopsy came in about 4 hours ago.

I have uterine cancer.

At the moment, finding my breath is difficult and finding my way to the next 5 minutes feels nearly impossible.

I'm sorry for not checking in more....I'm struggling mentally in ways I didn't know existed.

I appreciate your love and prayers and some especially beautiful PMs I found just now.

I am scared shitless and totally stunned.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 07:50 PM

My husband was given some frankincense (and the charcoal to burn it) at Christmastime and has been burning it every day. When I smell it, I have come into the habit of holding those in my heart who need it most. Michelle has been forefront in my heart. Maeve, too. And all of you lovely ones.

(WYSY, sometime I'd love to hear more specifics about your Daily Reference materials appropriate to the current focus....

Allison

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Tinker
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 07:39 PM

Stopped in here to see how Michelle was doing.... I stand waiting with the rest of you ...

I've gone through all the food cupboards in the last few days and discarded all of the things past their expiration.... when my daughter was first put on a rotation diet for dietary protien problems we bought things that "looked interesting" (to me) but not necessarily appetizing to her. She never was an adventerous eater. Most of those things were now several years past their use by date... definately in the de-clutter catagory.

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 07:33 PM

Michelle, a good many of us are praying for you. Come in for a landing when you can-- we'll be here.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 05:54 PM

I am finding it difficult to do much at home this evening. It is all still frantic at office trying to get on top of stuff before I fall ill. Feel it coming.

How is it we predict that we going to hit the skids and so work like the devil to get things done thereby hastening the commencement of that down time. Dumb.

I feel like utter crap and I am worried about Michelle.

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 05:41 PM

Think of the kind of sneeze you hate most. It may be different than mine, but I just had one of the one's I hate. I suppose, on the up-side, my sinuses are now decluttered, but my head is going to feel like that stupid sneeze is echoing around in there for a while. Ugg.

It is a pretty day, but I think this nose thing is all tied in with the recent cold weather we had. Even though it is warmer, it is still extremely dry. Keeping a vaporizer going in the largest room in the house hasn't made a dent in it, it's still around 28%. No wonder my skin is dry, my hair stands on end when I take my wool hat off, and my nose is dry (and now sneezy). We need some rain!

Working on lots of things paper-wise (or perhaps I should go more generic and say wood-pulp-wise) today and this evening. I did swing by my neighborhood recycle drop-off center and unload newspaper, cardboard, and the kitchen recyclables. My sunroom is showing steady progress--there isn't a path through from the door, it is cleared out on that end of the room.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: maeve
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 03:48 PM

Thinking of you, Michelle. You like to plan for good things- I hope you will do so now.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 02:33 PM

Lovely office day; got most of the packed-up-for-carpeting stuff unpacked and a great deal of the waiting-tasks-box's contents DONE. The missing daily log was found the 8th time I looked where I'd been sure it was, so I must not have needed it till today-- where I log daily tasks completed and next steps needed.

A big project is now back on track. A friend coming next week to swap thoughts on priorities-- she has a new home office, too, and between us we know quite a bit about keeping the eye on the ball.
Perfect timing to rock and roll on scanning text from out of the resume that turned up recently-- just need a power cord and I'll save hours of re-typing/re-casting old but still-snappy copy, YAY!

Ready now also to meet with an outside contracted web-magician to clear up some pending church website tasks-- in comfortable time to boost in Hardi's just-started Epiphany preaching series. Soundfiles to start going up, finally.

The next rug is sched to be picked up at cleaners and laid Thursday-Saturday-- for the long-waiting LR.

===

Animaterra, I got the day started right with a lovely assignment from ydy that pulled a lot of loose ends together, and it resulted in just the right spot to keep the Daily Reference materials appropriate to the current focus. Looking forward now to starting the NEXT day, and easy to shift gears to wifely stuff for the afternoon.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 01:02 PM

I agree--this is just dabbling, I think it isn't worth the time and one is at most a big fish in a little pond even if you establish a beachhead in there.

Nice day, finally. Sunny, warm. I've been at the office, but must stop by the garage to see why I have an oil drip after the last oil change, and need to pay a few more bills.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 11:21 AM

SRS, there are other sites which do that and have been around for some while. I looked into one, once, but decided it wouldn't be worth my while, but I also didn't approach with anything specific in mind.

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 11:17 AM

Just got some bills paid and discovered that the property tax bill isn't due Jan. 20, 2010 (01/20/2010 here in the US) but WAS due 12/02/2009!! I want to add more responses to various posts here but I'm off to pay my taxes!!!

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 10:30 AM

Michelle, no new is no news. Prayers for good news continue. The time spent waiting-- how do you want to use that?

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 04:14 AM

I agree with Liz! spoil yourself a little and cuddles are fantastic.

Circuit training last night was fantastic but hard work. We did a fitness text and I didn't come last!! Hurrah!! Next one in 6-8 weeks.

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 03:15 AM

Still waiting with you Michelle... why not spoil yourself a little this morning, take a bubble bath, have that chocolate muffin rather than the bran one, spend an extra 10 mins cuddling a sweetie or a kitty (or a sweet kitty?)... give yourself a break.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 02:52 AM

btw - 2 letters/cards written and put in envelopes and addressed. 3 more boy fairies done. load of laundry started.

guitar still not restrung.... grrr.

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 01:35 AM

last minute essays, a friend of my daughter's got into UVA (Uni of Virginia) with an essay titled Why I Like Waffles (or something similar).

I think she was studying communications.

Still here for you Michelle. First thread I checked this morning.

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 12:34 AM

Have any of you heard of Mahalo.com? It's a newish site, and is there mostly to answer questions. I discovered it via someone on Twitter. A lot of the questions are kind of silly, many of them could easily be Googled, but it seems there are people in the world who would rather pay someone else (or several someones who compete for the one payment) and then choose the best answer. Payment is typically very low for the time required on some of these questions, so it's best to answer the ones that are a slam dunk and avoid the research questions unless it is something you can research easily or would also like to know the answer to. People also offer tips of a few cents or sometimes a few dollars, if they like your answer, and sometimes even if you didn't have the best answer. Kind of odd, kind of cute.

I have been dabbling over there, observing the kinds of questions, the amount of work for the low pay, but interested in observing the dynamic of the place. It's taking baby steps and makes Mudcat look like the grandfather of all discussion threads. Having bounced around this place for 10 years or so means Mahalo is pretty easy to tolerate.

For some of us who seem always to be answering tech questions or gardening questions or other household maintenance kinds of questions, it's a place to earn a few bucks. Slowly but surely, and what I'm curious about are the "private questions," when someone can ask you and offer to pay if they like the answer. And you can set your minimum rate for a private answer. When you earn as much as $150 Mahalo dollars, you can cash in and get it via PayPal. If you're spending your Mahalo dollars on the site, they are at par, but if you cash in they keep 25% of what you earned. Slower than eBay, and if you answer a question you're not guaranteed the payment if someone else answers better or is simply voted higher by readers. So you have to learn to pick your subjects. But I bet a couple of our folks who have more energy for the computer and a little writing and research could run up a tab after a little while. And you can choose to write pages for a set amount. I'm working on one now, to see how it goes and how long it takes. You have 3 days to work on it or abandon it.

Here's the site: http://www.mahalo.com/.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 11:53 PM

HooooooooooooRAYRAYRAYRAY!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 11:24 PM

He turned it in, with time to spare!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 08:57 PM

A little more progress in the sun room, moved the cat gear back to the laundry room from the guest room (now that the dogs are out in the yard and garage again--for which we are ALL truly grateful!)

Wracking our brains on a couple of difficult last minute essays

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 06:49 PM

(((LF))) Hang in there!

Pool today was focused on shoulder-fibromyalgia-type-rehab while getting the rest of the bod back up to a higher fitness level, so:

10 minutes slow whole-body aquajog
10 minutes ars only Ai Chi
10 minutes armless Backhab
10 minutes armless Ai Chi

... in probably a different order interspersed with hot tub and cold pool visits with my favorite spiritual encourager looking at Scriptural wisdom shedding light on various icky things gratuitously aimed my way today....

To Animaterra---
.... which were very helpful, and very cultural-context-accurate as well. We agreed to formalize swapped time in equal measure, and that was a nice change too. I'll meet with two more similarly-interested folks later this month, tho the topic will be different, but it will have to do with the Jan. 6 post above that was also addressed to you.

Another nice outcome of the visit with my spiritual friend was the detail it added to a decision I had just made about starting mornings in the office with tea and spirituality readings, prayer, etc., before coming doen in the AM. I had just enough energy after the workout (and shoulder pain) to set the necessary materials in the stairwell that serves as my UPbox, for tomorrow AM's new habit.

I also saw another good friend at the pool who has also been part of this spirituality group; the brief hello was just about right for where our talks have been of late-- they get intense, and mutuality/time splitting is not quite part of that dynamic yet but looks to be possible sooner rather than later.

===

Besides decluttering today's "issue," I also decluttered a good amount of sinus blockage in the steamy hot-tub-- nice esp with the ear infection I'm treating.

I REALLY enjoyed the African-history study I'm on this winter, today..... today also I discovered a way to pace the 3-hour MP3 of that audiobook better, so I can find and resume my place better-- the same player runs the workout music and it's hard to switch back and forth but the Africa material is off the really hard part for now so I no longer have to slowdown the playback while I juggle wet maps, and then try to reset the settings for the fast workout and reset it again to slower reading, etc., so the rest of the Africa project (which is behind schedule) should move along better now.

Before I left there was the greatest little girl in the ladies' dressing room. There is only one shower, and as the pool day goes on it gets very crowded in the dressing room, so I always holler out, after I do the shower essentials, to see if anyone else is waiting for the shower-- before I commence the girly-girl add-ons to the shower, in there. "It's just me," answered a tiny, girlish voice; "Do you need me to step out?" It was just such great manners and kindness-- I guess she's run into modesty issues with other members and was thinking I was afraid to come out! :~) Happily, her mother came in next, so I was able to tell her how impressed I had been with her daughter. A fine young lady there!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 06:04 PM

guess I will just have to read in the morning.... will be a restless night though (big surprise)

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 04:38 PM

We're ALL waiting for that call, Michelle.

Let us know what you want to tell us, when you're ready. By PM if that is easiest. But we're all hanging in here!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 04:38 PM

Tidied the dining room... decluttered a few piles of paper... not a lot else. Back to work tomorrow after an elongated holiday, due to snow, illness and stuff... wonder what will have changed?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 01:43 PM

oops for got the declutter / accountability bit.

yesterday I got everything working on new laptop and imported old email from old laptop to new. Got hooked up to my docs on desktop pc and networked to printer. Cleared out and organised all old emails.

I made 8 jack frost fairy top bits (head through wings) last night. completed 3 with lower body parts this morning at 5:20 am and did some ironing.

Went in to work and worked through lunch trying to catch up on the stuff in my in tray, and my email inbox that I could not deal with while working from home last week. Checked the head of service's in box. While she is away I have to monitor it and seek most appropriate colleague to deal with urgent stuff, which can be surprisingly time consuming.

Now to write some cards out and make more fairies.

I need someone to nag me about making an attempt at putting new strings on my guitar. I miss playing my Odetta.

hugs all.

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 01:17 PM

Wonderful advice SrS...

We are all rooting for you LF. Lots of love and light flowing toward you.

Kat we have Quorn in the UK which is micoprotein meat sub. I have found the texture to be more meat like and less papery than the soy protein products. It is quite expensive and not easily found in the US. In the UK there are tons of Quorn products. Lots of variety which makes vegetarianism easier for carnivore like me.

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 12:26 PM

We're racing to finish the scholarship application--he promised to write the essays at his dad's house, and of course he didn't. Now he has to finish after school.

And now we have to fill out a set financial aid forms. Oy. And they need to be in yesterday, final deadlines in February, but we'll aim to get them in by the end of the week. Most of this is filled out by his dad and me, and I have to do my taxes super quick.

I think I need a couple of days off. That cold was so numbing it kind of immobilized me. Now I need to race along and get this in place.

I will be so glad when we finally have decisions on all of this.

Michelle, try not to give yourself a stroke worrying about cancer, okay? It's not a great tradeoff. Do some of that deep breathing from yoga. Drink some green tea and relax. I can tell you from first hand experience that even if it IS cancer, yes you'll be thunderstruck and scared and all of that, but after a day of shock, you'll realized that there are things to be done, and there are many more more complete recoveries today than there are poor outcomes. I'm living proof of that!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 09:30 AM

SRS is taking LFs before and after pix?!?!?!? Just kidding.

LF, you are wrapped in prayer, so it's safe to let the worries go and enjoy this sunny day. The next gray snowfall day will come soon enough. Your yoga posts have all been about joy-- what is the joyous activity you can safely do (with your present situation), that goes straight to the joy?

Me, I would include at least some time talking to my body, reassuring all the parts that hurt. "We're doing everything we can to take good care of you, my friend. You will not believe all the people helping me and [hubbyname] and [momname] do that: [list people and critters]. And bigger than all that, God is working for your good, too: [insert what God is doing}. So there's no need to spike sugars, race heartrate, etc. [insert other physical stuff most bothersome, such as pain]...."

En-joy the day,

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 06:54 AM

((((Michelle)))

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 06:28 AM

Today I am waiting for the results of my biopsy to come in (via phone) and I am scared to death.

Michelle

PS. SRS,thank you for the suggestion.

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 04:00 AM

Harry went all night clean and dry and asked to use the potty this morning. Yesterday he only had 2 accidents. I'm so proud of him for getting to grips with this in a week.

We're making bread today as we have run out and we're not going to the supermarket until Wednesday evening.

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 03:13 AM

Michelle, have some of your favorite tea or juices there to pamper yourself with when you come home. And though it may seem like an odd suggestion, get yourself a bottle of stool softener. NOT a laxative, but just the softener. After abdominal surgery if you're not moving around much or eating much you can get constipated, and the last thing you'll want is any kind of pushing. It's not good for you anyway, but after surgery, you don't want to scare yourself with wondering (with nearby stitches) if it'll all come out right in the end. So to speak. (And double check with your doctor that this is okay to take.)

I got the "before" photo but I haven't finished. I'm a little of the way into the "during" stage. Maybe more tomorrow (or I'll be tripping over a couple of boxes in the kitchen).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: maire-aine
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 06:59 PM

In my Sloppy Joes, I use ground beef and my grandmother's chili sauce (near the end of this thread), along with whatever I have on hand that seems like a good idea.

This morning I cleaned the bathroom real good, incl. washing the floor. Tomorrow, the kitchen.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: LilyFestre
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 05:34 PM

I have 3 days left before we have to leave for my surgery (staying Thursday at hotel near the hospital as we live about 2 hours away and do not want to drive in the middle of the night or during possibly bad weather). Anyway, I am beginning to feel the urge to nest a bit...to have everything taken care of and in order before my surgery. Why? I don't want my husband to have to tend to any of it and I think it's because I want to come home to the way I love it and just be able to collapse. I imagine that's a pretty common phenomenon.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 03:47 PM

Didn't find the little camera (yet) but did get that photo. Now to work. I think the only approach is to empty that room's contents into kitchen then dump them or replace neatly. Tomorrow is trash day. Good timing!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 12:49 PM

What a busy group! The new year is finally kicking in, after the holiday blues. Liz, I can't recommend your skin peel method for general use. Try oatmeal next time. ;-) Susan, in this cold weather your new rugs make my toes curl with pleasure at the thought of another layer of insulation under your feet! Michelle, that sloppy joe recipe sounds intense. My mom also had to make up a recipe, because we would see these things in school at lunch (we always took our lunch, but we saw the pizza and stuff that seemed wonderful at the time.) I think she made spaghetti sauce and poured a little over a pan of crumbled hamburger. And I think she used store-bought hamburger buns. We were kids, we loved it. I don't know now. I wonder what would happen if I fixed that for my son?

This morning I revived an old recipe that I first encountered 30 years ago at a friend's home in Virginia. I was passing through on my way from NYC and bound to drive across the entire U.S., and I picked up an old friend at her son's home for the ride We were both from Bellingham, Washington, and I lived with her when I was in college. Her son had spent several years working for the Corps of Engineers overseas in South Africa. One morning they made something called "Dutch Babies," a sort of frying pan sized popover. I reduced the recipe so I could make one individual one: Pre-heat oven to 425. Melt 2 Tablespoon butter in a cast iron skillet, then in a separate bowl fork beat 1 egg and blend in 1/4 cup flour and 1/4 cup milk. Pour the batter into the skillet and put the pan in the oven for up to 20 minutes. No sugar, leavening, and there is salt in the butter. It takes on a grotesque and wonderful shape, which you put on your plate and pour syrup over. The original recipe for a full size skillet is 3 or 4 eggs (with the multiples of the rest, and yes, that is a LOT of butter, but you need it and some stays in the pan).

I'm going to take a "before" photo of my sun room as soon as I can find my little camera in the mess in my office, and then this afternoon I'm going to take an "after" photo. Let's hope there is some progress in between!

It's bright and sunny and the dogs are in the yard sleeping in the sun. Time to clear up that room where they've been sleeping, repair any rips in the towels, wash and put it all away. I think the worst of the cold is past. I put a pottery saucer (the kind that goes under a big potted plant) out on the ground near the bird feeders and put fresh warm water in it. The creek, the bird bath, all of the other water is frozen solid and I can't get the ice out of the bird bath without cracking the concrete.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 12:18 PM

VTam, I just had vegetarian sloppy joes, last night, using Morning Star's Crumbly soy/wheat gluten meat-substitute. I also use it in tacos and goulash. It is delicious!

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 10:05 AM

An hours spinning class again today. Tomorrow I'm going to a circuit training class.

The new stair case to our 4th bedroom is nearly in, when it's finished there will be more decorating to do!

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 07:56 AM

aawww thank Susan

in every desk job I've had except the current one, I have had a tray or box full of little toys, including several mini bottles of bubbles, squirt guns, puzzles, etc. Because they were great a diversion, especially when verifying U S Federal code and a boon when servers went down. Everyone descended on me for some little toy to play with while waiting for work to come back on line.

I love that relaxed crone thinking image. That's how problems get solved.

I have made 6 red rose fairies in the little break I just took, (2 and a bit hours) and some of that was setting out the bits on the table. Think I'll make some Jack Frost fairies next.

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: LilyFestre
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 07:50 AM

An old family recipe for sloppy joe sauce is:

Ketchup
Mustard (I like to use brown spicy)
Brown sugar
vinegar

All my nana wrote on the recipe card for measurements was: "Schlop it together until it looks right"

It's definitely a taste as you go kind of adventure!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 07:03 AM

I'm still breathing and not in need, so I count that a successful week.

Heck, that's a smashing success! :~)


VT, you missed at least one of the inspiring folks around here with your list. YOU. Dontcha think I'm following your model when I take a moment of office time to do a quickie craft project? "It's part of my process, dear," I said to someone just yesterday. And it is an essential I had not honored in earlier iterations of career-iffication. That few moments or hours while hand and eye coordinate something lovely is part of THINKING time! (Not young-blood, driven, deadline-specific thinking either, but relaxed crone thinking full of its own ripeness.)

Ifficacy. I like that one. Think I'll keep it.

A bagful of great "hand toys" came my way last night, and I kept only a containerized subset of it for myself and sent back the rest. Some wonderful, old-fashioned, UNISEX rainy-day fun for the littler set. I remember well the play/work treasures my grandmother's home office used to hold; she was a before-her-time (pioneering) career woman. Another friend taught me something else (years ago) that my offices have always reflected-- soft handfuls (i.e. puppets, soft toys) to wordlessly soften tense visitors, so that the office is always a spot of respite for weary colleagues.

So-- the whole lot I kept goes to my renewed office, for such occasions, AND it's near the guest room where visiting godkids will bunk. No closet for this neatly-containerized mini-toybox of fun-- my office shelf! Wish I knew who they'd come from so I could thank them; the payment to the thrift shop isn't quite "enough."

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 06:02 AM

LtS - what was that? A face lift on the cheap? Brownies seem like good compensation for the pain, though.

Susan - congrats on the room redo

Maeve - your positive pots, just rock!

All posting here... all of you are inspiring.

Oooohhhhh... Sloppy Joes.... I haven't had in years. TSO is a vegetarian, so I haven't had beef mince (hamburger meat). Wonder if they would taste the same with Quorn mince? What to season with I wonder, since they don't have the canned sauce in UK. Let's see, tom sauce, bt of brown sugar to cut acidity, sauteed onions, peppers. Then what?

I am still working on getting the new laptop set up. Still cannot figure out ho to get my Outlook contacts and inbox, transferred from old lappy to new.

Must do ironing and make some fairies now.

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 07:47 PM

Done nothing towards accountability except drink Belgian beer and eat monster uberbrownies...

Decluttered a lump of skin from my face by slipping in the ice and scraping it on a wall last Thursday, but it's a lot better today...

Otherwise, total failure on all counts... but I'm still breathing and not in need, so I count that a successful week.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 05:13 PM

[happydance} no, not me, SADIE. :~)

Me, drinking tea in newly carpeted (BYOOTIFOO!!!) office almost all put back like it was.

And a potential spring job offer from the day, YES! For someone I could actually work WELL with, too.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: maire-aine
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 04:37 PM

The "all about" for me is my car. If my car is running and my driveway is clear so I can get in and out, I'm happy.

Subject: RE: BS: 2010-Jan De-clutter & accountability ^^^
From: LilyFestre
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 02:11 PM

Maeve,

   I've been thinking a lot about you too. I love blending new and old things together and your cape with the pewter brooch sounds LOVELY!!!!!

(((((((((((Hugs and Love))))))))))))))))))

Michelle