BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 04:47 PM

Funny--I think we're going to have another snow storm here tomorrow also. What a winter this is in the "south." South side North Pole. . .

I think you'll enjoy unpacking your books, Allison, but you might want to think about spreading them out on a large floor area first and organizing them, if they aren't already. I used the large tiles on the living room floor and alphabetized. I needed a could of tiles each for the letters M and S and W, etc., but I found the duplicates in my collection that way. Now they're on the shelves alphabetically for fiction and still kind of a jumble in non-fiction, but at least kind of lumped by type (crafts, kids books, cookbooks, reference, etc.)

I've been letting the dogs in for a few minutes at a time. They still use their freedom in the house sniffing everything. I took a bath and Poppy wouldn't come near the tub (she does not like baths and won't get in the pup wading pool in the summer). Cinnamon hung out on the bathmat for a little while, and I think she wondered why she didn't have to get in. I'm glad she didn't try! :)

Talent show at school tonight. The snow should hold off so it can happen this time, but 2 weeks ago it was postponed because of snow.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 03:41 PM

I have my books back! They've been in storage for 7 months, and I've missed them so much!


...trouble is, they're all in boxes on the landing, and the bookshelves are stacked 2 and 3 deep, so now I have to get up there and organize. Tomorrow. During the snowstorm. Which will cancel another chorus rehearsal. oh, well, at least I'll have my BOOKS!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 03:04 PM

Welcome, Baby Xavier. Great name.

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: maire-aine
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 02:54 PM

Just finished running the snowblower. We got about seven inches today; mostly stopped snowing now, except for a stray flake or two. Warmed up with chicken noodle soup-- not home-made, but it did the trick. Don't have to go anywhere today, so I'm happy to stay inside.

Oh, we won first place in the pub quiz, and little Xavier arrived right on time this morning.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 01:40 PM

ooohh Maryanne - I wanna go to Ireland. That trip will have to wait 3 or more years.

LtS - congrats on the trouser fall down thing. Mine are too, but the roll of fat that used to hold them just moved northward on my body. I used to be pear shaped. now I am a granny smith.

Maggie and Kat - I wish I had the initiative to sell on ebay. I tend to just recycle or take my unwantables to charity shop.

It was pissing down with rain yesterday so we put off caravan work. I did laundry and TSO ironed his own shirts. Ain't he a good un?

Performance review went fine on Friday.

Today at work did much decluttering of my folders, updated my completed task list with some past one off jobs I did last fall and forgot about. Decluttered my email inbox at work but not the sub folders of which there are about a bazillion.

Came up with a system for archiving email enquiries and comments on service, so the archivist's don't need to print them out for me to file. Can't be kept in the ERO email inbox for more than 3 months.

So I save each email under sender's name and date sent and pertaining reply emails like wise in type of enquiry specific folder on the Archivist's drive. Log each email in Index spreadsheet and insert link to the email.

Now when any archivist needs to refer to an old email enquiry such as a coroner report or adoption enquiry, they just go to the index, search for the name of requester and they will have a hyperlink to the specific email needed.

We are trialling this for 6 months, so I will still be filing hard copies (6 inch stacks of them) twice a month until the Senior Archivist confirms the system is working for all.

I will still have to hard file, letters and faxes which is ok. The bulk of enquiries and comments on service come as emails. This should save a mountain of paper and ink cartridges too. I should get a bonus for coming up with this cost saving plan. I'll bet the Archive Service Manager does though. Oops! Scratch the negative thought.

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 11:05 AM

FOund the top of the kitchen table, cleared the counter as well. Straightened up the living room. Laundered some sheets. Walked Seamus - good for both of us. AND finally got the bills organized.
A busy Sunday.

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 11:03 AM

Liz, on facebook a friend posted photos of her drive to work this morning--not snowdrops or spotlights, but foggy trees in the snow, very pretty. It really can make you feel better when you pause to look at the beauty around you.

Well, I think my first answer on the futon was a scammer. I think his first contact, asking what was my bottom price, was a ploy to pretend he might "negotiate." When I didn't respond favorably, I figured he'd drop out, but this morning he wrote saying he was out of town so would send a money order and would I please remove my add so no one else jumps in. Sorry, but my ad says PayPal or cash only, and I'm not a sucker for that stupid trick. Wanna bet the money order would be for a larger amount than the purchase, and I could just refund the difference? I didn't send him my mailing information, but said if he has someone local who can handle the cash transaction for him, I'll be happy to sell the piece. Geez. No point in outing his name or email, because, as the comic says, he has a million of 'em.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 04:28 AM

I may get my bum in gear and sort some clothes out today, ready for the new drawers that will hopefully arrive next weekend...

Failing that, I have officially decluttered 10cm from my waist since last October and been downgraded to 'mildly depressed'. So that's nice. No wonder my trousers fall down.

Yesterday, I must have seen about a thousand snowdrops in the hedgerows and a million trees... so that has refreshed my spirit somewhat. Had a drive along my all time favourite coastal road, with God working the spotlights out over the bay... even though the weather was grey and showery, it was glorious.

Tomorrow is back to work, so that could be interesting.

Enjoy the day all.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 11:13 PM

There was an expression of interest via Craig's List, asking my final price. Well, that's simple. It's the one listed! Since he has a UK address I won't give a lot of weight to this query, though Moonglow also has a UK address. She thought it would be a hoot to sign up for Yahoo's mail from the UK. :)

I did a lot of laundry and dusting today. The house is still a mess, though. It seems to have gotten worse in the progress of cleaning. Funny how that works.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 01:20 PM

Kat, I sometimes let the dogs lick the plates, but they don't take much time and there is never anything left on them when they finish. I also don't put them on the floor, I take turns between the dogs handing them food from the plate, then they lick it (sauce, whatever) when the food is handed out. I don't do it often--pancreatitis is a problem in animals fed much table food.

I've pulled a futon love seat (the one I put my donation stuff on usually) away from the window, dusted and photographed it with and without the slip cover. I use it, but of the things in the living room that I can live without, this is one of them. It has never looked like anything else in the house (light wood, Scandia style) and I think it might be easier to sell than some of the other items taking up too much space around here. I'll use that space to line up my extra dining room chairs so I'll still have seating over there, but I'd really like to unload about 1/3 of the bulky furniture in here.

This is a Craig's list item, too nice for a garage sale and too big for eBay.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 12:56 PM

Just did the dishes while Rog swept and did his plastic dishes which I refuse to do. He let's the dog lick them out so they are full of dog hair and I don't like trying to get it all out!:-)

I also decluttered my email addys. Got rid of 86 most of whom I have no clue who they are. Also have another book packed up and ready to dump in the mail box, tomorrow, as it was requested from paperbackswap.

Morgan is on his way over, so not sure I'll get much else done.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: maire-aine
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 11:50 AM

Hi, folks. Haven't done much physical de-cluttering, just my bank account. I paid for my Ireland trip next month. Now all I have to do is show up. Yesterday was our second afternoon music session at the historical museum. Whole different group of musicians, so the experience was totally different-- lots more singing, rather than tunes like last time. Great fun either way. Pub quiz this afternoon. One of our team members is having her baby tomorrow (planned C-section), so we're all excited. Her mom is also on our team, and her brother is her sub this month. It is our first team baby!

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 09:27 AM

Today I'm baking Scottish shortbread for the English Country Dance this afternoon, and throwing turkey soup ingredients into the crock pot for supper after the dance and before the lovely Windborne concert tonight (incredible a cappella singing). Laundry's in the dryer, the house is reasonably tidy. But the upstairs landing is full of book cases (not enough) and book boxes (too many!). To be dealt with this week!

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 01:14 AM

First batch of mending finished and towels now finishing in dryer along with jacket (lots of snaps are making a racket as they bounce around in there).

I've rearranged my office space, removing the cat window seat that was composed of an antique trunk with blankets folded on top. Now I've moved my desk and a side table around to better positions. The cat had climbed through the plastic slats on the blinds often enough to bend and break several, so they look a bit drunken from outside. I'll replace this with a metal slat blind (better to not get the PCBs from the vinyl blinds anyway). I also need to replace blinds for the same reason in my son's bedroom.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 10:30 PM

Thanks, 2Ls..had you on my mind, too, along with the rest o'youse.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 09:27 PM

I made a quick trip to the thrift store this evening and found a few knit tops in other colors than the ones I usually wear. It was time for something different. I also found a couple of nice fitting pairs of jeans, blue and black. And a couple of cardigans and the whole lot was $32. Hard to beat it!

I set up the sewing machine and am going to do some mending then run those dark things (including the jacket) through the wash. I have a couple of really heavy beach towels that the dogs pulled a couple of holes in last month when they slept in the bathroom a few nights. A heavy duty zigzag stitch ought to do the trick.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 09:17 PM

Got rid of the box of miscellaneous liqueur glasses. Promised Jeri the silver plate set. Gave her one of the briefcase/messenger bags, and found homes for two others.

In cleaning out one of the bags, I found a small bag with a bunch of finger picks in it. The bag was labeled with a shop name I'd never heard of which is (this info was on the other side) possibly in Dallas, Texas. Definitely a mystery bag -- convenient that it contained finger picks!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 07:11 PM

Been thinking of you, Kat-me-love. Bless Morgan and you (and Roger, too!)

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 06:17 PM

Finally, I have some decluttering to report! I've been stacking bills, mail, and papers needing to be filled out for weeks now. All over my dining room desk. It's too small for it all, so it was spilling all over the place.

Today, I knew I had to address it in order to pay bills o Monday, so I went through it ALL, got it all organised as well as space will allow and am almost finished filling out the papers. They were for the hospital to ask for a discount/aid on the bills for various things. They are so invasive. I cannot believe all of the info they want and so personal, which they keep on file. And, they make you do it every six months. Ah, well, the other hospital gives us 35% off, so it helps. So, Monday I will bills done, finish the hosp. papers and get them sent out. I will also be sending out a book someone ordered from paperbackswap.com.

In the meantime, to keep from having to do all of that, again, I ordered THIS with free shipping to the local store. I dn't like patronizing them, but after looking at what other stores had, it was the best one for the price. It will take the place of a tv tray I have stuff on right now, behind me. I can keep current files out here instead of stuffed in the 4-drawer file cabinet in the old office and keep other paraphernalia off my desk in the little baskets.

Yes, I had Morgan on Wed. and Thurs. Puir kid...I was so tired and sleepy, he kind of took charge. We played Monopoly and a couple of games online. He brushed my hair and told me it looked like its "old self" again...lots better. He even put up the sides with combs. He's so kind and loving. He kept putting his hand on my shoulder and gave me a "massage." At one point I told him I was going to the bathroom. He said, "Oh, sure, no problem. Take your time. It's okay, Mama."LOL He has been quite helpful and loving this week.

Otherwise, it has been a long and tiring week, but I made it. Have not had enough sleep for three nights, now. Tonight will be better. I will be going off of the zoloft and xanax over the next few weeks, using biofeedback and therapy instead and I am well pleased about it. The side effects are too much!

Thanks for asking, Maggie. You are a wonder!

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 02:47 PM

Ah, yes, the problem of floods in apartments. I had the neighbor's dishwasher draining into our apartment and had to race upstairs and ask them to turn off the machine. The management had to send the roto-rooter folks to clear out the drain from the roof or something.

I just read through Michelle's recovery thread--I can see that suggesting she was might hit a wall was timed pretty close. Take it easy, move when you can, and feel good about what you can accomplish, but don't worry if all you can do right now is just find a comfortable spot and get through one day at a time.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 12:19 PM

Hi Maggie - you forgot to mention if the cable guy was cute!

I am back from Stratford u Avon where the mum in law did not once mention my diet, weight or arthritis. I was stunned but in a good way.

We had some excitement last night as she tipped a near full glass of red wine over her husband and his new (Christmas prezzie) sage green pullover.

He went off to clean himself up and I helped with getting the wine out of carpet, clearing the table and fixing him another plate of food (wine sauce over Portugese eggs and jacket potatoes being not very appetising). He returned to table and about 20 minutes later I excused myself to the rest room, where I found a flood of water under the bathroom basin where he left his pullover to soak with the tap still dripping a bit.

Well we pulled up the carpet tiles, mopped up the floor beneath, put the carpet tiles in tub to drain. I mentioned the downstairs flat (currently being redecorated for new owner) probably had water come through. It was a lot of water on the floor upstairs. It had to go through. I tell you the nice buzz I had from champagne and red wine vanished immediately.

Well the workman rang the bell this morning to ask if we had a leak. The bathroom he had just painted, had water damage. YIKES! So TSO and I try to tell the Mum that insurance will cover it. She is determined that no one knows about it. Not her husband or the neighbours who are all pretty much friends. She is going to pay for the damage and has asked the decorator to come give a quote for her lounge as a means of keeping him quiet and not telling the new owner of the flat (who happens to be the daughter of a gossipy neighbour). What a bluddy parlaver.

Anyway I am home now and mudcatting in nice relaxed state. Tomorrow we go visit our old (but new to us) little caravan and start making plans for fixing her up.

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 11:54 AM

I picked up some powdery dry dirt or mud on my heavy jacket in the snow last week, so I'm going to run a load of dark stuff on delicate. This is the kind of laundry where comforters, lap quilts, other bulky delicate stuff that hasn't been washed in quite a while can go through, so I'll go poke around and see what is there that I haven't laundered in ages.

Evaluation went fine, partly because the print documents that are such a struggle to produce on a time schedule (because we turn over our text and photos to another office to design) are rapidly becoming a thing of the past. I had been producing online newsletters a lot more and I think last year my boss had a couple of "aha!" moments when the design process slowed even more with new management in that other office. So I came out ahead, with my web design being a good representation of being caught up with information promotion. The print documents we do still produce I have been designing, saving a lot of time. I'll also see if I can find some training this year. I used to take local classes every year, and have gotten out of the habit, mostly because the local classes were beginner level and I need to find mid or more advanced user courses.

So, overall, it was pretty good!

My phones have been converted to cable, and it's wonderful to not hear a roar over the voices now. I have to pull cable for two more rooms and I'm finished with that job. I did the kitchen phone yesterday before the cable tech arrived, and he was pleased that he didn't have to climb any ladders or pull any cable. He hooked a modem up to the cable connection in my closet and wired it to the expansion board where my phones are hooked up, and that was it.

I'm going to see about turning that same closet into more of a media space and store some of the things in there that you keep but don't use often. Like the boxes software comes in. Even flattened, they take up space, but every time you buy a new program, you can use something off of the old box to get a rebate, so it pays to keep them.

Kat, how are you feeling? Is Morgan coming over? Michelle, you're going through a really complex process right now and as long as you feel good you're very lucky, but you may hit a point where you're tired. Don't flog yourself about that if you hit it (no everyone does, so this isn't a prediction!), but however you're feeling, continue to pace yourself so you feel good about what you can do and DON'T OVERDO!!!

Liz, VT, Susan, how are the rest of you? Maeve, are you setting up spring planting materials? MaryAnn, what are you up to? Who else is cleaning, building, moving, rearranging, etc?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 11:54 AM

Okay, the handoff of the liqueur glasses is today. Yee hah! It only counts when it's out of the house!

Just pulled a bunch more canvas briefcases, legal-sized zipper bags, and zippered 3-ring binders out of the difficult to get at spot between the file cabinet and the wall, leaning over piles of books to do so. (Gotta work my way back there to retrieve what's fallen on the floor.)

Hope I can interest some friends in these -- otherwise they'll be off to Goodwill before the end of March.

Monthly sea music sing this afternoon, work tomorrow, gotta find time to pack -- early train to Boston Monday a.m., full day of medical appointments for Tom prior to his very early surgery Tuesday morning.

No more time for de-cluttering until maybe Wednesday after we get home -- just checking things off lists.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 01:33 PM

I forgot to mention on the fitness end of things that I am finally experiencing a shift after I weaned myself from one type of HRT last fall. I accidentally put on a pair of pants I hadn't planned to the other day and was surprised they fit, even though I haven't been doing any particular diet or exercise, and I had added my evening glass of wine back into my routine.

When my insurance company stopped offering the mail order compounding because there were "suitable" versions of the medication available in regular pill form, I switched but ended up getting way more testosterone than I liked, and gained weight gradually. It took weeks of cutting back to cut out that pill, and probably weeks more to shift my metabolism. I won't go back to sweets and junk (though I did just finish a few Valentine's chocolates this morning) and hope that this spring's gardening exercise helps take off the remainder I'd like to lose.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 10:13 AM

Allison, congratulations on another room finished! I remember working my way outward when we moved into this house. I signed papers on Valentine's day and had a contractor in doing some work for a few weeks, but when we moved in I stacked all of my furniture and boxes in two rooms and slowly renovated around us. I started with us all camping out in what is now my bathroom, and we took bathes in a galvanized tub until I finished tiling the first bathroom tub surround. I tiled one bedroom and moved the kids into it, and slept on a futon in the living room while I tiled that first bedroom we'd used. And as those rooms were ready, I unpacked furniture from the two rooms I'd completely filled, so I could then paint and tile them. I still have some floors I haven't finished around here, but most of the rest is unpacked (and there's too much of it, so I need to thin it out now).

Waiting on the cable guy.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 09:15 AM

Thinking about VTam and SRS and evaluations/performance reviews- it's a day for positive energy!!

I am off to the Post Office and local shop to mail off a few care packages, and to get the goodies for tonight's overnight guests. By lunchtime the work in the guest bedroom will be completely finished, and this afternoon I will vacuum, dust, iron and hang curtains, make the bed, and there will be another COMPLETED ROOM in the house!

All that's left is window trim, one upstairs door, moving in the bookshelves for the library/landing, and then the major declutter begins! Maybe by this time next week I will actually have a real-live office, after 2 years of living out of cardboard boxes, shifting the printer around, having to go to the storage unit for the file cabinet, etc, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 03:04 AM

I promise to behave.
Try and work out more of the chords for Ride Warrior Ride on the guitar.

I sussed it and I am so chuffed. But my fingers hurt too much after to play the other instruments.

Feel pretty relaxed about My Performance this morning. I have gone above and beyond the call of duty on more than a few occasions over the year. I have exceeded expectations and I have the documentation to prove it, including thank you emails for the stellar work, etc. Yes I keep it all to remind me what I have accomplished. Never said "no" to any request for help.

What will be difficult is the over helpful judgement from TSO's Mum, re my arthritis and weight.

Just got to set my teeth, nod and smile a lot and keep telling her that I will have appointment with Healthy Living trainer to address things like diet and physical activity and the depression.

So it's all good. I am armed and ready.

BRING IT ON!

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 12:55 AM

Thanks, Virginia!

I finished a design project this evening and processed some more photos, so on some of these things I'm caught up, and ready to tackle another newsletter. Also sent some images to folks who had asked for them.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 12:29 PM

That'S it! NO MORE NEGATIVITY! Specially not in this fred!

Today at work:

- Downstairs tomb filing done in spite of frozen shoulder. Feel damn good about it too.
- Decluttered my personal work folder and organised by Service area for which I did any work.

Today at home:
- 2 Loads of clothes done.
- Turkey breast roasted and Anya Potatoes. boiled.
- Practised singing 'Fore Day Creep twice (keep coughing and losing my voice but I am determined to get my pre-Christmas dynamics back).
- Made a decision to study UK Driving theory, take and pass test, learn to drive manual transmission and get driving qualification over this spring and summer. (I miss the freedom of being able to jump in the car and go.) Also having a license will improve my employability should I lose my job.

Tonight at home:
- Try an work out more of the chords for Ride Warrior Ride on the guitar.
- Practise Let the Mystery Be and Ride On on mandolin.
- Practise Nottamun Town, The Water is Wide, Beulah Land and Boil That Cabbage Down on the lap dulcimer.
Pack clothes for trip to Stratford on Avon this weekend to see TSO's parents.

Tomorrow morning at work:
- Be positive and upbeat during my Performance Review. (Good wishes gratefully received)

HEY YOU GUYS!!!

Tam's back!

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 11:14 AM

I refilled my bird feeders this morning. One of them looks good, and I thought it would be very sturdy, but the design is lacking in insight--when I fill it one side lets a lot of seed pour out of the little hole with a perch 1/2 way up the fine mesh screen. It's always something.

I have stuff to mail today. It has moved to the top of my list.

And for work things, I have my evaluation tomorrow. I never enjoy that, though I work for a really wonderful boss. I was trying to think back to my earliest job experiences yesterday, wondering what about my early history impacts my current history, and flashed on an event I haven't thought of in years. The thing is, I don't think it impacts today at all, but it's a memory that comes back very complete because it was so shocking. The guy wasn't a boss, he worked for someone else, but he was an alcoholic and was usually drunk by lunchtime, so I can only assume he carried a flask or kept something in his desk. This was the early 1970s. We passed in the hallway in the middle of our Forest Service office cubbies, and he exploded in anger at me one day, out of the blue, and out of his drunken rage came the vitriol of a middle-aged man who was divorced, living alone, who proceeded to verbally stomp an 18-year-old for working in the woods and for not being feminine enough. He was so nasty--and none of this impacts the work I do now, but you know how sometimes you can look back and realize how much times have changed? I don't think I said a word, I was in such shock, I simply picked up my papers and went and sat in the secretarial pool to work and calm down. And the guys in the back got him out of there and gave him what-for for being drunk and out of control. But nothing was ever done about his behavior or drinking.

I hope times have changed.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Penny S.
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 09:15 AM

VTam, I'm so sorry to hear about what's happening at your work.

Cheery bit, sort of. The bluetits have discovered my garden, but not to be interested in the food, oh no. The mirrors! Once i realised that one poor little cock (I assume male) was frantically spending all his time displaying to it, and going round the back (very interesting sign of some intelligence?) I've had to nip out in the rain and cover them with cardboard. And the soil is sodden, with water running down the surface. No problem setting up a water feature eventually.

I found a wall greenhouse at Aldi,very reasonable, so have got a bit ahead of myself and bought it. And some seeds - sweet pea, sunflower, lettuce and cornflower.

I lost my temporary supply work because of budgets - classes taken by unqualified teaching assistants and newly qualified now. Still a little one to one tuition, but only two of those left.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 08:03 PM

I've caught up with a few threads, on the health of several mudcatters, and now I need to go bake some biscuits and reheat the pot roast from the other night.

Knock wood, but I hope I got the drivers into the computer for the monitor--I was getting an error message so I downloaded new drivers.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 04:33 PM

Also culled briefcases and similar items. I have waaaaaay more than I need. Went down cellar for a couple other things, but more of that will have to wait til spring -- it's way too cold down there.

Oh, yeah. And coffee cups. Now I got rid of a whole bunch of 'em a couple years ago. Where do these things come from?!?

Rufus also got a new cat food dish -- it was in the cupboard and a lot nicer than the one he's been eating out of. Has an imprint of a maple leaf on the bottom and a logo. I swear I never saw it before -- how did it get in the cupboard?!?

Also a set of squat yellow glasses that were giveaways with Shell gasoline in the early '70s -- I'd been using them with citronella candles in them...except I haven't actually done that in living memory.

Gotta wrap all this shhhh-stuff up and get it in a box so it doesn't get broken on the way to Goodwill.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 02:27 PM

Waiting to hear from Tom in Boston, I used part of my nervous energy (that's the only kind I've got -- I am soooo tired!) to pull some more stuff out of the cupboards for Goodwill or something. I think maybe the white goblet (or whatever the heck it is) with the red Chinese dragon (and a small chip in the base) may end up with a friend; I'll have to check around as to who might want it. Still have to get those liqueur glasses to another friend.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 12:50 PM

grumble... work...

Last email of the day from the CEO's office (she makes more than the bloody prime minister, Gordon Brown).
Bands 5 and above to get from 1.5 to 2% pay rise for meeting or exceeding targets.   But grunts on the ground get no cost of living pay rise this April. I think what bugs me most is we little folk won't stand up and say - NO MORE!   I belong to the union, but we are very thin on the ground. If people won't join then we have no voice.

My morale is very cluttered up with this lately. sorry.... grumble

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: GUEST,LTS on the sofa
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 11:38 AM

I am actually feeling a lot better, but still tiring early. Mind you, I've suddenly clicked back into waking at my usual 5.00-5.30am timeslot, so there is some excuse for my flagging by 4.00pm. Yesterday I had a busy day finishing the chocolates, napping on the sofa and driving twice as far for a soloists choir practice, which ended with me dozing off in an extremely comfortable rocking chair - which would have been even more comfortable if it were a little lower or my legs not so short... Took delivery of another teenager this morning, so that decluttered the bank account a bit more... I deliver the teenager back home and the chocolates to another friend tomorrow, along a few other little things that are cluttering the mantlepiece...

I have to go and prepare myself mentally for the Ash Wednesday services (new church, only been going for a few months so not sure how they do things...) and driving through match day traffic. Luckily I should be going the opposite way to the majority of it both ways. Pizza will help.

We've had a gorgeous day here today, sunshine, crocus flowers, it was almost warm at one point.... but boy is it going to be cold tonight! Enjoy the day all.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 11:19 AM


3-wheel. With battery packs off, I will be able to load it by myself. WOOO HOOOO!

I wanna find you a bumper sticker that says, "Helen Wheels"!

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 10:37 AM

Digging out tax forms that seem to have gone walkabout after finishing my taxes. I have to send them all out soon for the college application process.

No call yet from the insurance folks; the dogs had a bath, they're ready, but my housekeeping is still a little on the soft side. . . and I have to climb into the attic and run a couple of last phone lines before Friday morning.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 07:49 PM

Mine: http://www.pridemobility.com/pdf/owners_manuals/US_Scooter/US_Revo_3_4_om.pdf

3-wheel. With battery packs off, I will be able to load it by myself.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 07:29 PM

The 2nd of the two link-texts I gave should be: http://scooterdirect.com/PrideGOGOULTRAX3WHEELdetails1~cPath=1_206&.htm

~S~

Subject: PY: The View from the Scooter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 07:27 PM

I like this:

Susan, that chair sounds almost dangerous! Pix?

VTam, I feel for you. I remember work situations similar to yours. Hang in there, sweetie!

SRS, I'm just avoiding paperwork. I know where that leads in the end, but I have to get myself psyched for it. You ARE an inspiration, you know!

Michelle, you are, too. Love you, lady!

SINS, are you getting snow to cover those bulbs???

LTS, are you feeling better?

Penny, good luck with your car!

Catherine Jayne, I wish I had your energy!

So organized! A decluttered list of declutterers! (I'll be referring back to it often.) It reads a bit (in MY mind) like a horse race, except that I know we all come out in a dead heat, WINNING! "~)

===

My "chair pix" will be pix from IN the chair. The type I bypassed (was also on display/sale/used: http://www.pridemobility.com/jazzy/models.asp

The type (not the brand) I have: http://www.pridemobility.com/scooters/lifewithoutboundaries.asp


I used it tonight with great effect, zipping around the borders of the pancake supper. So comfy to sit at eye level to greet the many people who wanted a moment of closeness-- instead of standing, aware of sore feet and knees, looking down on people who teach ME. Saw and conversed with twice as many as usual, or more, and also got to check out the accessibility of the setup-- Yup, the menfolk doing the supper set up for folks with walkers and chairs purdy gude, except for a few funny tight spots in the worship space.... BUMP!

The other fun of the chair was the reactions to the cheery, non-embarrassed air I evinced among a group of folks chronically embarrassed to "need help." "Help!??" I said, "I'm having FUN!" None of them took me up on the offer of a free spin (yet), but I did tell them the keys are with Hardi, and I betcha there will be some surreptitious gallivants before long. "Oh I just wanted to see what our parish life is like from the chairbound view," uh huh! Whatev-- if they can USE it and not feel so BAD about having FUN, it's all good.

Main aisle of the sanctuary-- sacred worship space, very formal-- on HARE speed was FUN! Someone asked me, did Jesus ever laugh? Of course!!! Deep, rich belly laughs. I know. I heard that burbling sound coming from the Reserved Sacrament, even if it IS in a stone wall.

I b'lieve I heard giggles coming out of the Chapel along the one side aisle-- that's where the Columbarium is. :~) I have a few good friends in there, must stop by to chat. Power chair will not fit-- there's where the trubble will come along. I want the Columbarium totally accessible for families of the stashed. And I just joined that committee..... (oops, I did it again!) Hm, maybe it already IS accessible if I go around the one pew.... gotta check that out next.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 05:10 PM

I been pacing the floor, trying to decide whether to cancel tonight's rehearsal. Verdict- home safe and sound, after Hunt tried to drive to a friend's house 1 mile away, got stuck in a ditch, got pulled out by another friend, drove another 100 feet, turned around, came home. Cozy at home tonight!

Darling daughter was home all weekend which also cut short my puter time. We had a lovely time and yesterday was spent driving her back to college, going out to lunch, checking out a few shops in NoHo (Northampton, Mass), and driving home, then playing at the contra dance last night. I'm grateful for a much more relaxed day today!

I've also been helping with the finishing upstairs- we now have 2 rooms, one with closet AND door, the other filled to the brim. I'm dreaming of getting all my stuff out of storage, getting the bookshelves set up and filled with our books, and getting down to the business of a non-house-building life!

I've also been very busy knitting!

Susan, that chair sounds almost dangerous! Pix?

VTam, I feel for you. I remember work situations similar to yours. Hang in there, sweetie!

SRS, I'm just avoiding paperwork. I know where that leads in the end, but I have to get myself psyched for it. You ARE an inspiration, you know!

Michelle, you are, too. Love you, lady!

SINS, are you getting snow to cover those bulbs???

LTS, are you feeling better?

Penny, good luck with your car!

Catherine Jayne, I wish I had your energy!

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 04:03 PM

SRS, I'm just not "here" every ten minutes this month (or next-- I'm all Lentied up).

The power chair of course launches me at top speed into new angels-fear-to-tread areas. It may have an ejection seat-- have to check. It was dark when we unloaded it and tried it out. :~)

But it also has reverse gear.

I hope to find a basket and bike streamers for it at Sallie's, Where the Stars Shop.

It has "horns," too, and a headlight and tail-light.

It's fast enough to ALMOST keep up with Hardi's inline skating, and DEF. fast enough for my dog to chase me around the big ole parish hall.

==

Keep on keeping on, ladies/wimmin/whatever!

What's our Allison been up to?


~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 03:40 PM

Well the 2 finance colleagues (one of which has to leave) were not in the office today. So me and the other administrator felt safe to cry about what has happened to them.

It is utterly messed up.

Today we both had trouble concentrating on work. To make things worse, a couple of managers were making life hell because they don't do the work they are supposed to do. And one keeps skiving off sick or claiming he is working from home or that his blackberry isn't working. He has 1400 unread mails in his inbox and never responds to meeting requests, which for some reason all come to me. I don't even work for his service area.

While we poor foot soldiers work our asses off and fear for our jobs, this shit goes on.

AAAARRRGGGHHHHH!!


ok sorry rant over.

It is just that it is all very demoralising.

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 03:30 PM

I kinda thought I might get a rise out of Susan, so to speak, for my little silliness about her new chair.

Buried up to my eyeballs in paperwork today. It seems all sorts of things were coming along that needed to be listed at work but that weren't quite library events so no one sent me the memos. Now I'm tracking it all down.

Plus a lot of stuff to put in the mail. Looks like that will happen tomorrow.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: LilyFestre
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 12:25 PM

Cleaned up my hotel room...it's amazing how fast they can get cluttered up.

Currently I'm sitting in my chemo chair getting my first treatment...snacking on healthy stuff I brought but also 4 doughnut holes that some kind soul brought to share...YUM!

I'm tired and off for a nap.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Penny S.
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 10:54 AM

My car has a hole in the exhaust. More expense.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 03:08 AM

DAMMIT! Cakes in the staff room yesterday. There are 4 ladies in my office me included. 2 finance 2 admin. One of 2 finance colleagues has to go. Either to Central Payments (a grade cut) at county hall or take redundancy. One has worked for county for yonks and is top of her band but her husband lost his job last year and now has hand injury. The other has 3 sons living at home to support.

So I ate a small slice of dark chocolate comfort cake. And within 15 minutes I was pinging, like I was on rocket fuel. I decided not to have the afternoon coffee.

Bummer. I really have fun with these ladies. Now one has to go. End of this week, they review the admin. Wonder if one of us will have to go or have reduced hours.

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 02:35 AM

It's half term here this week, so I have Limpit at home. Of course, that means we're out and about (more therapy for me) but there are a few spare hours at home where I could be shifting crud... is it going to happen? Watch this space.

I spent yesterday making chocolates... and today I'll be finishing them off ready to deliver on Thursday. I just have to remember not to eat them myself...

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Healthy Feb-2010 Declutter & Fitness
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Feb 10 - 11:34 PM

A power chair? Is that like a vibrator bed? What does it do?

;-D