BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 04:15 AM

Linn, YES it counts!!!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 07:44 PM

I filled a big plastic bag with all sorts of cardboard boxes and bits that had been collected for the off chance they're needed to pack things for eBay. I think I can live without all of this stuff, and it makes the room look a lot better.

My kitchen is looking tidy now, and I'm looking for ways to store some things I don't use often without losing complete sight of them, so I forget they're around to be used. Maybe I need to pin lists on the inside doors of cupboards?

Overcast today. Amazing how much the mood can shift with a gray day if you've had more than your usual share for a while.

I'm getting ready to add more shelves in the hall closet to organize the stuff I plan to store in there. I need to find screws long enough to go through the shelf supports and dry wall into the studs. I know I have some around here, somewhere. They're stored in a couple of areas, and then there are those 'catch-all' jars where things that came out of packaging and don't have a box or bin of their own go. Leftovers from appliance installation, etc. I've been sorting and filing some of that stuff (those electrical wiring screw caps, and the expanders for putting screws in sheet rock, and hooks and such, all in a little multi-drawer bin thing.)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 09:19 PM

Jeri and I are having lunch tomorrow at the Fish Shanty in Dover -- and afterwards I can drop several boxes o' stuff at Goodwill. Hope I don't acquire too much while I'm there (but I HAVE to look!).

And I can give Jeri the silver plate liqueur glasses I've been promising her. And a co-worker today said she'd look at the briefcases, etc. in my car -- she just didn't have time today.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 01:49 AM

I had everything in place (carpenter's saw, drill, a couple of shelves that were used somewhere else and are available to cut down, and little boards for shelf supports) so this evening I put in a shelf in the back of the area where my modems and router are. This is not as deep as the router shelf, but it is a place to put wire and fittings for some of the work I need to do. I have about cleared a little rolling cart that this stuff used to sit on. Now where to put it? Anyway, for now, the cart, the extra monitor, the wiring stuff, are all neatly in the closet where there is still lots of room for other related stuff.

For an hour, though, at 9pm (central) I watched The Good Wife. Is anyone else watching this program? It is so phenomenally good compared to simply anything else on night-time television. For years. And tonight was very good. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 01:59 AM

The only thing I watch consistently, now, is Desperate Housewives. It is so fun and well-done. Just a hoot!

Julianna Margulies is one of my fav. actresses, though, so I may try The Good Wife.

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 03:50 AM

I used to watch Ugly Betty until they stopped showing it here in UK.

I love America Ferrera. Her mouth is almost exactly like Andie's (sans braces) Full lips and humongous infectious smile. Also there is something about her mannerisms in that , that are very Andie-esque.

I am quite smitten with Glee for the obvious reasons. Reminds me of the days chauffeuring Andie and Hilary (and a load of their friends) around to countless school and church choir related activities. Directing them in church youth choir. I would give anything to return to those days.

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 01:27 PM

I am pleased with the result of that new shelf. It started a little cascade of clearing, so the closet and hall look better. And I didn't spend a dime, it was put together from materials at hand. I have another shelf to put in later, that needs more comprehensive support (to hit a couple of studs). In loading the first shelf with small home wiring items I realized many of those will go away as soon as I finish the wiring. I have extras that can go back to Home Depot for a store credit.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 08:09 PM

To the office for a while, and shopping today. I need to finish some work this evening, then look forward to a four day weekend--one of them I'll take as a vacation day, the rest is the weekend and our puny little Friday "spring break."

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 09:37 PM

I did the dishes for the first time since we got the in-sink drainer. (Rog did them before, so there wasn't a huge stack.) I really am pleased with it. It was so nice to look around my kitchen and see clear and clean counters with no clutter, esp. the huge old drainer and mat.

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 03:19 AM

I was at a thrift store today and saw one of those quesadilla griddles. I can see how they would be appealing, and if you're using smaller tortillas, slap one in, spread stuff on it, put on another, and close the lid. Even embosses them where they need to be broken or cut appart. (But I didn't buy it--I have too many gadgets already).

Didn't finish some stuff for work tonight, spent time playing, so I'll have to get up in the morning and do it. But I've been making progress around here! I rearranged my laundry room this morning and am going to take a bunch of grocery and newspaper bags over to recycle tomorrow.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 03:36 AM

Maggie? What time is it there? Honey go to bed.

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 03:50 AM

Couple of days at home to prepare for a concert - since January I've been taking longer to recover from busy weekends, so this time I'm easing myself in with as much preparation as possible. Means I'm decluttering the kitchen of a lot of chocolate, cream, flour, eggs and pastry (I make the refreshments and this term we're giving soloists some home-made chocolates as thank yous), but it also means that the boxes of wine and fizzy water cluttering the hall and dining room will soon be gone. I may even vacuum!

If only I could declutter Manitas who has taken the day off to recover from St Patricks day yesterday and is cluttering the sofa. What is it with this ability certain men have to always be standing just where I want to walk?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 11:33 AM

My time clock hasn't reset for the daylight savings time, and it is spring break, so the usual constraints haven't been in effect this week--I've been waking late so going to bed late. But thanks--I do need to get to that regular pattern before Monday or we'll all suffer that first couple of mornings of getting up for school. :)

Lovely day. Finishing some work for work, then will take the afternoon off.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 04:27 PM

I pulled a box down from the office closet shelf and finally packed away all of the wrapped up strings of xmas lights that have been moved from here to there and back again to get them out of the way. I'm going to make more of a push this evening to add another shelf in the same closet as the last one, and then tidy the space and look around for other things that, assuming I need to keep them, should be stored in there.

I've been out weeding in the garden. Feels so nice to get the warm sunshine and look at all of the daffodils and grape hyacinth coming up.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 06:13 PM

I dumped 124 email messages in my Bin. Also sent out an involved email I'd promised almost two weeks ago. Did a load of laundry and watered my houseplants. Also made a couple of important phone calls, one to my "aunt" (my dad's cousin) who is 91 yrs. old today. Tomorrow is my mom's birthday - she would be 94. My aunt always held mom in a special place in her heart as my mom made her the first b-day cake she'd ever had when she was 21. (Her mom was sent away when she was only 13, so she grew up with dad and bros. on a ranch.)

Rog and I have been noticing all of the dust and dirt and grime on our stuff and the walls. Everywhere there is a heat vent, the air has blown fine pet hair onto the walls, esp. in the bathroom. Next time we paint I am going to see if they have a paint with an anti-static element. I think we will be working on that this weekend and/or rent a controlled spot burner to use on the weeds out back before they begin to really grow. I can already see some green out there. Rog seems to have a bit more energy these days for this kind of heavy-duty cleaning, probably because he sees an improvement in my being able to help, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 11:41 PM

It must be spring. I washed some windows!

I ended up working today after all. It took a while to finish the web page I was hoping to whip up in a hurry. So much for the extra day, though I can probably take Monday off instead.

Watching a couple of NetFlix movies to send them back, and since the one on now is one I've seen years ago I may not stay glued to every minute, I'll work and listen to it (it is the Donner version of Superman II, re-edited to reflect how the first director wanted it to look.)

I'll putter for a while. Maybe I'll rearrange some stuff in trunks after I finish that shelf (which is in the hall next to the DVD player, so I can listen and work at the same time. I'm so bad about treating movies like radio).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Penny S.
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 04:24 AM

Third attempt.

On the first one, IE closed without warning, losing my almost complete post.

On the second, I finished and hit submit, and it vanished without trace.

Now I'm writing in Notebad and going to copy across. If it gets lost, I'll just do it again.

This time, IE closed just as I hit post.

Three days ago, I managed to unscrew the book shelf screws, using a bent screwdriver designed for screws in odd corners. It gave enough leverage to get all but two screws undone. Those two were at the end of the track, which I used to lever them out. I now need some filler, which I have a tube of, but see below.

When I'd done that, I visited the new tenant downstairs, with some plug in mouse repellers, since her landlord isn't much bothered about her small visitors. He has been regaling her with interesting stories about his growing up in that flat, sharing a bedroom with his sister. This seemed odd to me, as I'd been there since '76, and there wasn't much of a window, given his age, for them to have been there. But I was a bit concerned, since if he had gone out of his way to rebuy (I'm sure they could not have owned it all that time with everyone I knew there being subtenants) his childhood home, it would change his statement that "I had driven him out of his home", even if I had done it inadvertently by sticking to my rights.

Two days ago, after a session in the public library with the old electoral rolls, I knew it wasn't true. (Interesting in its own right, since names suggest that early occupants in the '60s were retired couples, but later young people in starter homes.) This means that my hypothesis that the guy has Asperger's cannot be correct, since the condition precludes deviation from fact. Something else is going on.

After the library, I worked in the garage, organising the storage at the end better. I've put an old kitchen unit in there along with a set of shelves Dad made, and a chest of drawers from school - there were already two old office type cupboards.

Yesterday I had to wait in for an engineer to work on my dishwasher, and spent more time in the garage, emptying small boxes out of the large monitor boxes they had travelled in, and putting gardening stuff at the end. As I loaded the empty boxes for the trip to the dump, and new neighbour introduced herself, and commented at how tidy my garage looked. I had to explain that it only looked tidy, as I did not really know where things were - thinking of my tube of filler.

I then went up to the kitchen, to reallocate baking tins and saucepans, clearing cupboard space for plastic storage boxes. I have still got too much space full of food. Last year I bought some emergency stuff in case of swine flu closing things down. Then, when I had moved most of my larder, I was in the other place with no stores and the snow setting in. Some of it will have to live in boxes until it gets eaten.

When the engineer arrived, he had the wrong hose. I will have to spend another day in next week.

In the afternoon, I did some gardening. I planted out some primroses from the old garden, moved my mirrors (no nest behind them), and trimmed part of the Virginia creeper to allow space for climbers I'm going to plant. I'll have cuttings of my grandparents' Albertine rose and honeysuckle, which the people from their old house have agreed for me to have, and there are plants from a rootstock rose of a neighbour, which has clusters of small cream roses with a gorgeous musky scent - only for a week, but it's lovely.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 07:22 AM

Kitchen floor swept and washed this morning. Chocolate chip cookies baked and cooling ready for my best friend and her 2 kids arriving tomorrow morning, blimey we're going to have 6 children in the house, mind you her twins aren't crawling yet so we only have to field 4!!

Bedding all washed and hanging on the line drying. Veggies watered in the greenhouse. This weekend I must transplant some of them out of the seed trays as they are getting a bit big.

Might bake some bread this afternoon.

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 01:01 PM

You know, it can be really interesting reading, but at the same time, kind of puzzling when you click on a name down the list to read their entry but get the wrong author. I just read Penny's post and thought I was reading Khatt's. And was really interested to see all of these new things Khatt was doing. Then saw the error and had to go reread to recalibrate my understanding of Penny's move.

Odd, but interesting!

This is my spring break. I'm making headway around here. eBay and garden today.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 02:10 PM

Not a scrap of ironing left to do. The sewing jobs (save the caravan cushion cover fabric) are all prepped for doing the actual sewing which will be tomorrow with better light.

After they are done I will cut and seam up the cushion covers.

Also for tomorrow, try and figure out how to remove the sticky adhesive left from fablon (contact paper) on the little wood chest from caravan. Tried straight vinegar 3 times with no effect. Think I have to try the cola now. Or can I paint directly over the sticky stuff?

Also will take some junk to the recycling centre.

If I get time I will practice instruments and sing. Maybe.... somehow I don't feel much like singing lately.

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 10:45 PM

VTam, do you think an art eraser might work? Or, what about an SOS/Brillo pad or steel wool?

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: maeve
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 11:22 PM

Tamara- If the finish on the chest can withstand it, either http://www.ciao.co.uk/Goo_Gone__6645336
or Citra-Solve will remove the goo.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: maeve
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 11:28 PM

I've also had good success from Krud Kutter.

m

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 01:13 AM

The first thing I would try is WD-40. It gets used like a lubricant but it is really first and foremost a cleaner. Great on things like crayon and the adhesive from the back of stickers. Spray a little on a corner and see what happens.

Kitchen is looking good, laundry folded, more in washing. Shopping taken care of, errands run. Nothing at the post office. We're hoving near the mail box to learn about college acceptance.

I didn't drink nearly as much caffiene today, and that helps. Night, all!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Penny S.
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 04:19 AM

I've had success with Sticky Stuff Remover - widely available, but try Lakeland - you're quite near Bluewater, aren't you, VTam? My Dad had stuck labels reminding him of things over his kitchen units and it took a bit of effort to remove them. It's a fine oily liquid smelling of citrus, and left a polished film on the wood.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 05:55 AM

Thanks for the advice all. The problem is the entire surface of chest top and 4 drawer fronts have been left tacky from really long term of fablon (contact paper) left in a caravan in hot and cold temperatures.

The paper itself came off very easily. But the sticky residue stayed. You can't see it, only feel it. It is so strong that if you press your palm flat on a drawer front you can lift the drawer without gripping it.

As I want to paint the chest white, I can't use anything that is oily, because that would mean I have to make certain every bit of oil is off. That is double the work in prepping to paint. As the body of the chest is built into the caravan (we would have to dismantle the bench/bed base to get it out), we are stuck with it. If it were not, I would just replace the whole unit with a used one from a caravan wrecker's yard.

I will try mineral spirits when I have some fine weather to take the drawers outside and work in garden. Don't want the smell in the flat.

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: mouldy
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 06:47 AM

Celebratory mood engaged!

After yesterday's reflective mood, I am clicking my heels in the cliched manner - the suite has just gone from the garage!!!!!

Not only that, I managed to give Ian's golf clubs to one of the guys, who had been wanting some.

It was interesting watching them move the furniture - 2 heavy recliners and a large sofa - as they are actually a family firm of undertakers!

The living room is decorated and, apart from a few pictures to go up, is finished. The oak corner cupboard is being collected by the YMCA on Monday. (I have boxed up a lot of my precious Staffordshire figures and, if I can prove to myself that I can live happily without them, I will sell them). Now the garage is clearer I have somewhere to store them.
The downstairs loo is decorated and done, the study is a work in progress, and the carpet for there and the little bedroom are being laid on Thursday. I actually managed to find an off-cut of the carpet I have in the living/dining rooms and so the study will be done in the same. The study will be decorated, hopefully, by the end of Tuesday, the books will go back, and then it's kitchen, small bedroom and hall/stairs/landing to be done. I have made a start on the garden, and my mental target is June to get it on the market. The cottage across the road has just gone on sale, but the details weren't up online as of yesterday... It's smaller than mine, and has less garden, but it is about 400 years old at its base level (added a second floor at some later date), and is full of character.

I am feeling cautiously optimistic....

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 08:30 AM

We spent yesterday morning cleaning up a bit...floors done, upstairs hallway done, general putting away of stuff....looks pretty good in here!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 01:00 PM

My house was built in 1976.

It's cold and wintery here today, after a lovely day yesterday. I didn't mow yesterday, I was doing other stuff, so I'll have to wait till next week to do that. But in general the yard is looking spring-like and not too tattered after winter.

Laundry today, and I think some tub and tile cleaning is in order in the bathrooms. I realized that while my son may be heading to college in the fall and I'll probably give the house a good once over when it's just me here (sniff!), that I should let him enjoy the polished shiny tile now. Set a good example.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: mouldy
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 03:17 PM

Mine was 1903, with older hand made bricks from the barn that preceded it used on the interior faces of the walls. The plaster and the rest of the brickwork is that hard that I have to hang pictures on masonry nails!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 06:33 PM

Ours was built in the early 50s, thank goodness it was before they started putting in narrow, horizontal windows so high no one could see out, or in, which I guess was the point, but I can't stand them. We were going to put on siding a few years ago, but found the wood was so good and solid, all it needed was paint.

Spring is in the air, here, even though it was COLD last night. Rog cleaned up his desk area, even vacuumed all of the pet hair and dust which had accumulated in the corners. He also took out the trash. We went to the hardware store and bought a new vent cover for the bathroom heat vent. I don't know why, but the white one we had just deteriorated very quickly with the finish wearing off and it looking really dirty and almost rusty. It isn't where we would drip water on it, so I think it just wasn't a very good product.

When we got back, Rog found my inside hose with sprayer for washing and watering the houseplants. Hooked it up to the sink and helped me get various plants moved to where I could wash them without getting the PC wet!;-) Anyway, it has been at least a couple of years, if not longer (so much of it is a blur) since I washed them. So...right now they are all sitting around looking very happy and sparkley, esp. since I promised them I'd not let it go so long 'til next time!

Then, Roger emptied one of the above the cupboards shelves so I could wash all of my special pieces. He also cleaned off the space. You can see some old, not very good pix of the shelves I mean and all of the stuff I have on them HERE. I got that first batched washed and drying when I got a kind of emergency/intervention phone call. That took about thirty minutes, then my brother dropped off a book I wanted returned, then my girlfriend called. In the meantime, Rog had fallen asleep, so the stuff sits on the counter until he helps me put it back. After that, we'll do the others, I hope today, but it's getting kind of late for it.

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Alice
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 06:54 PM

I resigned from my job yesterday.

I'm not sure what I'll do next for income, but hopefully I can go back to something art or design related, maybe even be self-employed again and work from home.

I'm relieved that I won't be out of town working on the road most of the year now that I'm out of that job.

The job consumed my life 24/7, and now I hope to be able to actually spend time on my home and garden, organize inside and out.


Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: mouldy
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 06:29 AM

That was a brave move. I hope you find what you are looking for.
I think it's quality over quantity that's important.

Andrea x

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: maeve
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 07:50 AM

Congratulations, Alice! I hope your wise decision will lead you to an healthy and interesting life.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 08:11 AM

Good for you, Alice!
Goethe may or may not have said it, but it's a great phrase:
"Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 10:39 AM

Congratulations, Alice! It's a relief to know you won't be driving in that winter weather *up thar* and will be able to spend time in your home and garden. I am sure you will find the next steps and make your way to better days. It would be esp. neat if you can get back into your artwork, again!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 10:52 AM

I tackled the sunroom yesterday and will finish it this week. Boxes of crap out the door for a yardsale or trash. I may actually be able to use that room again.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 03:19 PM

Good luck with the transition, Alice. While there may be trepidation, I bet there is also a huge feeling of relief.

I am staying in, it's cold outside--we had snow overnight. I'm staying close to the computer to listen to the health care debate and watch the vote, and working on online sales. A new listing on eBay got started this morning and I'll work my way through a stack of stuff in the sun room that I've been meaning to list for ages. Meanwhile, I went looking in the freezer for a chuck roast to thaw and fix for dinner, but seem to be out (only 1 lb chunks) so I pulled out a container with a couple of large chicken breasts.

I've also gone back and forth to that hall closet where I added a shelf. As I come across something that should logically go in there, I go ahead and put it away. I did rearrange the shelves, putting some boxes that I keep for the various proofs of purchase and UPC codes (you never know which portion of the box the next rebate is going to require, so I keep the entire thing). And I printed out several rebate forms to mail tomorrow. No point in buying these on sale if I'm not going to follow through.

I think I need some kind of aromatherapy going here. I'll make some bread along with the thawing/slow cooking chicken to make the house smell and feel perfect on this chilly day.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 04:57 PM

Well, we got a second batch from the high shelves down this morning and washed. Rog is cleaning out his work truck, lots of mucking to do! When he gets done, I'll have him put some of it back up. There are a couple of tins which will get sent on to friends. What we have done looks so clean and sparkly and my houseplants are so much better looking in the sunshine, now. Now I have to see if I can get Rog to help me tackle the filthy windows!

He also swept while I followed along with the mop and bucket. It's not perfect but the place is cleaner and fresher smelling. Morgan came over and helped a little bit..finished a little mopping and put some trash away, etc.

I will continue dusting small bits throughout this week.

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 06:46 PM

While out shopping I went by Office Depot and picked up a package of plastic business card holder pages for a 3-ring binder. I have stacks of cards sitting around in drawers and on bookshelves and needed to organize them. Some went in the binder in the kitchen with the information about the house and occupants (business cards for our doctors, lists of phone numbers, an instruction sheet on how to operate the smoke detectors, etc.) I had taped quite a few in a spiral notebook and I'll leave those alone.

Bread is rising. I've decided to make a batch of raisin and nut filled biscuits to go with dinner--that has a mix of brown sugar and cinnamon in the middle, another great smelling combination for the general house aromatherapy at the end our our spring break.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 11:59 PM

Whew! About time! Health care available to millions more Americans soon. Some sooner than others, but at least it is on the way.

I did more eBay work this evening while I was watching the feed from C-SPAN online.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 12:30 AM

Yes! I heard the good news, too! This is an historic day!

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 01:16 AM

I have a few books (college test prep) up on eBay now, and a few other things in the pipeline. I'm close to earning enough Mahalo bucks to be able to cash in on that next month. But eBay is more consistent and less work than Mahalo.

Now to watch what happens as a result of this legislations. Insurance companies will look for every rule they can bend or cheaply break. Like if they drop you because of your health they are fined - $100 a day. Things like that will have to be fixed, because I'm sure they'll see that as peanuts.

Back to work tomorrow, though I may take the day and return on Tuesday, since I didn't take Friday off like I hoped to do.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: maire-aine
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 12:22 PM

I leave tomorrow evening, so I packed today. Will tidy up the bathroom and kitchen, so it's not such a mess when I get back. I gave away the vegetables & milk that I won't use up before I leave. I'll post when I get back on Easter Sunday night.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: mouldy
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 05:00 PM

The oak corner cupboard has gone to the YMCA, Peter has painted behind my bookshelves, and I have started to cart the books back into the study. I'm going to try and prune out a few more, but don't hold your breath!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 05:35 PM

Like I told Allison earlier his month, if you have the space and the leisure to set the books out in a row on the floor (I used the floor tiles and made an alphabet grid) and put them all there first before putting them back on the shelves you may be surprised at the repeats. I was able to do some serious weeding that way and probably got a couple hundred bucks from Half-Price Books for things I already had or will never read again.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: mouldy
Date: 23 Mar 10 - 04:21 AM

I'm getting them back into subject matter on the shelves. There are 7 shelves, about 8 feet long. It's just after 8am now, two thirds of the books are down (a few on the shelves) and I'm just going to get the steps out of the garage.

I've only got a couple of hours to work at it this morning, but I should get quite a bit done, as I pruned a lot of them out when I took them off a week or so ago. I can't lay them out on the floor too much, as I am sharing the 10 x 12 room with various objects, including a Peter!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work
Date: 23 Mar 10 - 08:45 AM

Decluttered a whole heap of someone else's crap out of my desk today.. why do people keep putting stuff on my desk?

LTs

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Mar 10 - 05:42 PM

I had an 'aha!' moment this morning, when I realized what I could do to give the kitchen a more airy look. You know those long expanses of empty counter space in Martha Stewart's kitchens at her various homes? With the occasional well-appointed work space? I wanted a bit more of the open space look, even in my small kitchen.

I moved the two baker's racks with cookbooks and cooking implements across the room, I moved a table from under the window to where the racks had been and I set up one wing of it to hold things set down in front of the microwave which I relocated to that table. I also left the toaster on that table (it had already been, but across the room. We rarely toasted bread from our seat at the table, so it made it kind of out of the way over there.)

This way I can see the pretty dining area wainscoting better, I could move the microwave off of the peninsula counter next to the sink, and I could set up the pretty wrought iron wine rack where the microwave used to sit. And move a few things around to make it look functional but not to have such heavy stuff taking up the counter. My Kitchenaid blender is back on the counter between the stove and the fridge. That was always the best spot for it, right by a plug and near the ingredients. Amazing thing is, these moves all probably took under 10 minutes total.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Declutterers March 2010 Like a Lion
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Mar 10 - 01:26 AM

I found fresh* halibut at Central Market this evening, so I brought home nearly three pounds (at nearly $50 - I won't do that again soon!). I cut it into three strips and we used one for the two of us this evening. The rest is in the freezer and that means it's only about $15 a meal to have 2 portions. It was very very good!
*Fresh, as in, it flew here on a plane and is a couple of days old, at least. But beggars can't be choosers.

It was a delight working with all of that counter space this evening. I still have stuff that needs to find the best place to live, but I think the kitchen is finally looking efficient and attractive at the same time. You can see a lot of the antiques up on top of the cupboards and around the rooms (the kitchen and dining area are all one oblong space, with the peninsula counter acting as the logical cut off from kitchen to dining area.)

I also have a dining room table set up in one corner of the den/living area. There are two of those in the house also (living rooms); redundancy is the norm here. There are shelves there, and that's where a lot of the family crystal is on display. I try to use it every so often. I'll have to find another occasion soon (at least we can use the cut crystal glasses for sparking cider or for wine).

In the late morning I'm headed to the office to photograph an event at noon and will stick around to attend an evening lecture. I picked up two tickets weeks ago, hoping my son might want to join me, but no. One of the library directors said she missed getting a ticket, it's sold out (they're are free, but you have to get them through a regular university ticket outlet) so I will give her my extra one. This is to hear Jeffrey Toobin, who writes for The New Yorker and is regularly interviewed about the Supreme Court and other government topics.

Laundry folded and put away, trash taken out. Dogs still need a bath. Tomorrow morning, I think, before I shower and head to work.

SRS