BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 10:24 AM

Here's the next thread.

Onward!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 12:11 AM

AND you got the palindrome :)

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 10 - 11:45 PM

Ohmygosh! I forgot where I was. I saw Eiseley in there and went into MOAB mode. Sorry, forget the remark about MOM MOAB (Mother Of All BS).

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 10 - 11:41 PM

Couldn't we all!

The salmon was excellent, but was only a little over a pound for the three of us. I bought it for dinner yesterday with 2 in mind. I know, some people don't eat that much in a week, but we're spoiled. Anyway, I found an extra little New York strip steak in the freezer and put that on the grill also. My son really liked this salmon, so since it was kind of a celebratory dinner also I let him have a big chunk of my fish and I ate the steak. I'll go get more salmon tomorrow--it was excellent, some Columbia River salmon at 1/3 to 1/2 have the price of the Alaska fish and it's the same blankety blank varieties. :) It's all in a name: Copper River or Columbia River. Roll On Columbia, and give me some good fish. If it was good enough for Lewis and Clark (well, it wasn't really, because they preferred to buy Indian dogs and eat them) it's good enough for us!

The corn was great, that Olathe variety (or a good knockoff) and the Italian bread was warm and melted butter quickly. Watermelon to top it off. Mmmmm!

MOM, no one wants to play spin the bottle. Here, let me put that in the recycle bin. That German beer was good with the fish and corn, wasn't it?

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 31 May 10 - 09:42 PM

Your dinner sounds delicious, SRS. What a lot of work, Kat! Your sunny and warm walk sounds nice, Maryanne.

I weeded about a fourth of the flower bed, dug up big chunks of grass that are trying to encroach into the xeriscape garden (they'll just die because I don't water there, and then they'll look ugly), and organized the boys as they tidied up the rest of the yard and took some old cardboard to the recycling bin for me. I finished my final storytelling performance and posted it to the class website. It is only four minutes long, but oh how I've sweated over it!

Now it's clouded over and may rain---and water all the nice brown soil my weeding has exposed. I could really use some more days off to finish what I've started.

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 10 - 06:10 PM

Oh, what the heck.

300.

Kat, sounds like you got a lot done today. And Maryanne, sounds like a nice walk. I thought you were going to say your new shoes gave you blisters, but I'm glad that wasn't the case!

New thread tomorrow.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 10 - 06:08 PM

I just got back in from Home Depot and the grocery store. My bags of dirt, humus, and mulch are in the pickup, parked next to where they will be used. Getting the bags was the usual hassle, though. I do my own work, this is how I get some weight-bearing exercise. I had finished loading the 10 bags of top soil and 4 bags of humus when a Home Depot guy, on the phone tucked between his ear and shoulder so he didn't say anything, started to drop more bags on my dolly. I told him no, I was finished.

Out in the parking lot I actually was so startled by a guy walking up behind me, pulling on his gloves in preparation for unloading my cart that I thumped it into the back panel of the truck. "No no no! Ask first! I don't need help!" Geez. Okay, this is 14 40lb bags (the mulch is light). Yes, it is work, but why shouldn't I do it? All they need to do is ask.

I picked up a watermelon this evening, and after finally clearing stuff in the fridge, found a place to put it. So now I've cooled down a bit, and will go out for a while longer after I set up the bread machine to make a loaf of Italian bread. While I'm out working it will finish and rise, then I'll put it on it's own pan (I don't bake bread in the bread machine) and bake it just in time for dinner. I have a kind of odd mix of stuff, but it will look pretty on the table.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 31 May 10 - 04:35 PM

I walked in a nearby Memorial Day parade, a little less that 2 miles. The new shoes worked out well; my knee still feels okay. The weather was sunny and warm, so lots of folks along the route.

A big thunderstorm rolled through about mid-afternoon, but it passed off to the east fairly quickly. Now it's getting humid again.

I'm just reading this afternoon. No decluttering today.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 May 10 - 04:14 PM

With reluctant help from my Rog (he's really tired...not one day off this weekend...had to go in to fix a broken camera this morning) and Colin who both seem to think they need a day off(??):-) I have rearranged the living room. Moved the bakers rack cum bookshelf full of Morgan's books and treasures back to the office where it will be easier to get to. I also went through the books, easier to do without him here, and put about a half of a shelf's worth in a giveaway box, already put in the car. Colin took a wooden table top book rack which either his dad or my second ex-spouse made in high school shop. It's really well made but nothing fancy.

Also moved out a card table which filled a corner with Morgan's easel, paints, and lots of junk clutter. His small table now holds the "important" things on a different wall; the rest is gone. The mini-trampoline went out, too. I know he will miss it, but he won't be here much this summer except on the weekends, at least that is what I've been told, so no need to have it taking up so much room. (He's been gone since Friday. They were supposed to be back yesterday, so I was going to have him help. Poor kid has had a virus since Saturday, so they aren't getting back until later tonight. Don't know what they will do with him tomorrow for first day at camp. When I called, he was asleep.)

In the now empty corner, I put a small narrow table which holds a small music keyboard which he loves to play, plus a stool my granddad made which is just right as a "piano" stool. I am getting our larger keyboard back soon from my brother, so needed more space for the keyboard. That's going to be a surprise for Morgan. He started picking out, and remembering, his own tunes on the little one then said, "Mama, let's go get me a piano!" I could have my brother's, but we'd much rather have an electronic one for all we can do with one re' my brother's music, etc. Now, there is also room for the taiko drum on a small chair beside the music keyboard. I will be getting a coat rack to mount on the wall and will then hang the dulcimers, ukulele, baritone uke, and parlour banjo and maybe the plucked psaltery on it so we will have a music corner.

I also mopped up some cat "womit" and mopped the bathroom, though not a very good job as I was getting a bit tired. Still have more to do, but it's a good start and got me a lot of activity points!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 10 - 04:13 PM

There is a spot at the back of my yard that sometimes has deep holes the dogs dug, and other times, is level. They dig back there and end up filling old holes by kicking the contents of a new hole into it. Right now there are about three of what you call "hobby" holes. And they do love to dig. Sometimes when I'm out working they can't resist and help me.

I mowed about 2/3 of the back then stopped and took a blanket off the line so it won't get full of grass and dust. And took time to cool off, eat lunch, and put on an eBay listing. Now I'm headed back outside again. I have to do some shopping first, pick up some of that bagged top soil.

Salmon for dinner. Mmmmmm! It is a holiday, though for me, it's just like an extra Sunday in the weekend.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 31 May 10 - 03:45 PM

I still have a full-on cold, and couldn't stand the thought of staying in and doing what I SHOULD be doing...so I went for a wander round York. (I am now kitted out for the music festival I am going to on Friday, and have bought useful mini casseroles in Lakeland, which may prove useful. I have a load of baking to do in the 2 days I am at home the following week, so I bought some baking pan liners too - and other stuff!)

So, tomorrow I have some paperwork to attend to, and a kitchen to blitz, before I get stuck into the rest of the house, but before all that, I am going to deposit a car full of stuff to the charity shop. At some point I have to sort out the camping gear too, and also get a doctor's appointment for a BP check and medication review, or I won't get any more! The pond pump's gobbed up with algae yet again, so I'll have to do that too.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 31 May 10 - 11:54 AM

We decluttered Dog World today with some much-needed refinements. It only looks a tad less crappy from the road, but I don't care, because we so drastically improved functionality by swapping some ag panels around and making the end of one a small gate for me.

Now Hardi can mow in there anytime, I can go in either section anytime, and the dogs can visit in a poopfree zone anytime. Plus KatyKat (no-road-no-road!) can have a dog-free escape-proof zone for the day when she has had enough of the Upstairs Patrol zone. SamCat will go in there herself I am sure-- prolly always did. I think she hunts there. The rodentia living under the addition, I hope.

Also I had the chance to inspect the digging Sadie has done, and confirm that none of them are escape-attempts but just "hobby digs," and if that floats her boat, there is plenty of space for it. There is a lot more grass growing in, where they ran the grass off the damp spring ground, than I expected. No doubt this has been aided by the lack of mowing-- a couple of mows a summer is plenty. It's not really lawn grass-- it's pasture grass anyway.

The improvements make an additional settin' area as well, for folks what loves doggehs. It presently has one chair (mine). I'll have to FC in a few more plastic ones not affected by sun or cold. I guezz sum folkz haz thay ownz settin' chairz in thay carz anyhow.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 10 - 11:31 AM

I have a few photos I've clipped from magazines. If I ever get all of the right items into a single room, I can create an interesting look. But there is stuff on top of those interesting items right now.

Hot again to day, but it is my bonus day in the weekend so I'm enjoying clearing up around here. With the new television coming late in the week I'll be clearing out at least one of the other televisions in the house, and re-arranging the equipment in the living room. I should start on that today (dusting back there, at least!)

Listening to repeat broadcasts on NPR. Diane Rehm is replaying the interview with "Hotch," a friend of Paul Newman's who just wrote a book. Great stories! Paul Newman's salad dressing and other products have given away $300 million to charity.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 May 10 - 11:01 AM

I've got other things, such as handmade wooden toys my maternal grandfather made for me, which I think may head the line-up over the dolls.:-) But, still a neat image thinking that far ahead to what may be. Thanks, my friends.

Found the following from Energy Boosters:

9. To find the juice to de-clutter your surroundings: Picture a tidy space

Clutter is a great big drag on your energy -- and not just because of all the stuff taking up space. "So much of what ends up as clutter are tasks that we haven't finished or obligations we haven't been able to meet," says professional organizer Emily Wilska, founder of San Francisco--based The Organized Life. "Who wants to be in a space where there are constant reminders of things you should be doing or aspiring to?"

Wilska suggests mind-mapping to get motivated: Clip pictures from magazines and write down snippets or words that describe your goal -- "I want an organized living room so I can invite my girlfriends over for our book club." Then post them on the fridge, the bathroom mirror, or on your computer desktop as a reminder of where you're headed.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 10 - 12:36 AM

Good suggestion about Morgan. Perhaps that doll would be displayed as one of Grandma's favorite toys when he has children.

I did some of my shopping today, didn't finish it. When I got to the thrift store it was fairly empty and easy to shop, so I spent more time. For $11 and change I brought home a nice pair of dark brown Gloria Vanderbilt slacks, a "skort" as the shorts I was looking for, and a beautiful blousy red blouse for work or dressy occasions (like the meetings I have to go to at work in the evening).

I will admit that the dressing room mirror sent me into as big a depressed tailspin as any of them ever have. I'm sure we all know the feeling. Somehow our mirrors at home don't tell quite the same story, in so stark a manner.

My hands are still quite rough, but I used the pumice after a shower this evening, and they are in the healing stage. I did work on the yard some today, and wasn't wearing gloves, but I wasn't working full-speed for a long time, just sprinkling corn gluten meal over the plants then setting up the sprinkler to kind of soak it in. (It's good as a fertilizer and also helps fight off some of the fungal diseases that hit plants). I pulled up my yellow squash that wasn't doing well and had a worm that had crawled through the stem and was devouring the fruit. So much for the BT injection. I don't know what I'm going to have to do to grow squash around here.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 May 10 - 12:28 AM

May be, Marigold. Hadn't thought of that.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 30 May 10 - 10:53 PM

Miss Kitty,
When Morgan finds a mate, she will be a worthy recipient of your doll.
Tuck her away a while longer.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 30 May 10 - 07:28 PM

I'm impressed by everyone's diligence!

Mine is a much lesser list: I finished my story for my intensive class, made cookies for three neighbors (now I'm going to go deliver them) and kept things in relative order. When I return from the neighbors', maybe a nap or some knitting will happen. It finally started to sun here, after more than a week of rain!

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 May 10 - 06:52 PM

I had two goals for today: clean out and scrub the frig and sweep and mop the bathroom. Our frig is huge and it was filthy; spilled stuff, crumbs, leftovers which became science experiments. I mean really bad. So, I tackled it after breakfast. Did the top three shelves and all of the inside door shelves plus the outside of the door and non-functioning ice-maker. (We never have used it, no water line to it and don't really want it, anyway.) Rog had to go out to solve a problem at work, so the bottom shelf awaited his return.

In the meantime, I did two loads of laundry and our son did another biggie for us. We have a southern window in the living room, the bottom half of which has been taken up by a huge, ugly, rusted out swamp cooler. We quit using it a few years ago, but it was put in with so much old, stuck forever caulking and screws and side-boards, we just hadn't tackled taking it out. Colin takes them out and puts in new ones for a living, so this morning, he got out a special saw, cut the metal shaft which sat through the window, and, eventually, pulled the whole unit out, while I took the front part off through the inside of the now half-open window. He then chipped away all of the old caulking and a bunch of paint when the previous owners painted all of the windows shut AND got the bottom half of the window down! Whoo-Hoo! It really lets in much more light and changes the whole character of the room. I've even had to rearrange the chairs a bit so Rog won't "recline" through the window.:-)

Colin also finished moving the ornamental grasses we'd put on the north side. They are all three now on the south side, near the grapevine and already look happier. He will be leaving for the at least the summer, sometime this coming week, so he's trying to get more done for us before he goes.

I also started going through one of the bins we brought in from storage. I've earmarked a few things for charity giveaway and a couple of silk scarves to a friend. I have no granddaughters so I am trying to decide what to do with my Tammy doll. She was a less expensive doll which my parents could afford, rather than Barbie. I have a case for her and several complete outfits which my sisters made for her for Christmas one year. I was thrilled. I don't think I can sell her, maybe just send her to my daughter back East or find some little girl who would appreciate her or a friend who collects them. In looking at ebay I guess the other little doll I have with her may be her "sister."

Hope to actually clean house tomorrow, including getting to that bathroom floor.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 May 10 - 06:13 PM

The roof was falling off our scenic (FC) wishing well, so the two of us puttered it back on before it went totally. Then we adjourned to one of the new sitting areas to contemplate getting the camper off its blocks and open for the summer (for far-but-on-property campouts). It was sitting right in front of the shady seating area. I think it could be a great place from which to host congenial friends who find the house too, ugh... full of pet allergens.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 May 10 - 05:17 PM

Alas, my electric hot water heater is on the same circuit with other things. But I'm looking at the possibility of putting in one of those on-demand tanks. We were at a friend's home a while back and the water was initially too hot for the shower, you had to add a lot of cold to make it right. I told her she'd save money if she turned down the temperature on her hot water tank. Turns out it's just one of those on demand units. If she could make enough hot water for my son when he took his shower (and I told him not to leave the water running all of the time. Soap up with the water off, etc.) then it would work here. A friend of mine recommended one before, and had the specs on how they work, so I'll run it past him.

Laundry is out, but it looks like this was just the thing to attract rain, so I'm going to take it back down, then run some errands. Cards are all addressed and ready to post. I was sidetracked for a little while with a document that had to be completed and faxed to son's school, but that is now out of the way and I think we're well on our way to being set for fall classes.

Oh, I think I found the couple of things I was looking for in my on-again-off-again mailing stuff to de-clutterers program. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 30 May 10 - 04:10 PM

I did a load of laundry today and quite a bit of container gardening. In fact, I am out of pots! ARG. Pete helped with filling the pots and lugged most of them around which was a HUGE help and I love the time we spent together actually doing it!

We have decided that we love it out on the front porch so much that we are going to invest in a portable fire pit. It will be great for sitting out on summer evenings where there is a slight breeze and my head is cold (which means I ususally go inside and that ends the porch time). The fire pit won't be on the porch (although I know people use it on their decks all the time) but rather in the yard with a couple of Adadondack chairs and a small table in between the chairs. We have the foot stools too. Aaaaaaaaah. We'll be picking up a few more pots as well. Both the fire pit and pots are kind of a luxury splurge for us as the medical bills continue to float in. We are looking for ways to save cash too. And SRS....we have an older hot water tank and have found that just turning it off at the breaker box when we don't need it keeps that little electrical wheel from spinning out of control...saves us BIG on the electric bill. I keep the curtains pulled too from about 10am until 3pm in rooms I'm not in...it helps keep the house cool. AC goes on half an hour before bedtime and lately, I get up during the night and turn it off as my head is cold.

Ok...so I'm off with my honey to get a fire pit....I'm excited!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 30 May 10 - 01:42 PM

It's 83F (28C) here, but I haven't turned the air-cond on yet; just using a fan in the livingroom, and keeping the drapes closed to keep out the hot sun. I cut the front grass this morning, and that's all I'm going to do outside today. I need to run to the store and buy another soaker hose for the other side of the house. We've been so dry all week, and not much rain in the forecast for next week either.

I've noticed that I wake up in the morning with a "trigger finger" that catches when I open and close my left hand. It usually goes away after a while, but I think it's getting worse. And on top of that, I banged the tips of my fingers (including that one) this afternoon, so my whole hand aches. Not good for a guitar player.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 May 10 - 12:16 PM

We need to funnel a little of this North Texas heat your way, Andrea. I'm headed over to the thrift store this morning when I make a run for bagged topsoil. I'll look for another pair of shorts I can wear out in the garden. One pair isn't enough (I went to sleep last night and forgot to put the laundry in). No point in buying a new pair for the kind of treatment they'll get out in the yard.

This morning it's lovely for working outside but I'm finishing those cards to drop in the mail first. Same run as for top soil and shorts. Gas may cost less than it did a summer or two ago, but still I try to not make multiple trips when one will do.

Paycheck was deposited overnight. That seems nice, to make bill paying easier, but in reality, it makes June seem longer until the next paycheck comes. More frugal times ahead. I am looking at ways to automate frugal practices. Right now I have a standard thermostat on each heat pump in the house, but if I put on programmable ones, then I can reduce a lot of the time the air conditioners run in the summer. They would pay for themselves in a summer. A regular thermostat won't work, it has to have the extra stage. But I see there are several to choose from on specialty web sites.

Back to the letters, then on with the day.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 30 May 10 - 08:35 AM

Just got back from the boot fair. Am still full of cold. We had 2 sharp showers, and then although the sun got out some of the time, the wind got up too. I have a scuff down the side of the car from where Ian's skis slid down. Luckily, it's one among an increasing number! Shifted the chair, but not the large Polish picture (which I hate). A lot of interest. One Latvian woman really liked it, but not the fact that it was Polish! (Memories are long in that part of the world!) All left-overs are going on Tuesday to the Sue Ryder (Cheshire Homes) shop in Knottingley, which has car parking outside, so I can manhandle boxes in. Anyway, I took about £75, which is not to be sniffed at. I think if I had been able to do York Racecourse yesterday I might have done better as there would have been a lot more stalls, and many others with similar articles on. For this reason, you get a more likely buyer around there.

I am about to go light my fire again because although it's 17C in the sun, it's a cold wind, and I am chilled through!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 May 10 - 10:03 PM

The only extra piece of fabric on me today was my bandanna that I I place over my hair, then pull my ballcap over the top to hold it in place. Great way to keep the sun off of my neck.

I worked outside a lot today, and now that I'm in, I'll shower and toss all of these grimy gardening clothes into the washer. I didn't go anywhere or spend any money. Good!

A load of laundry was brought in from the line, but these will go through with the towels later because these are my favorite gardening shorts and I may use them again tomorrow.

Today I wrote the letter to tuck in with my son's graduation announcement, and I'll work on those this evening, and if I finish (there aren't a lot to send) then I'll do some eBay listings. I have several things ready to go.

Gardening isn't easy on hands, so I can't say if the altered diet has made a difference in a couple of days, but when I get in the shower I will use the pumice stone on some of the callouses. That sometimes helps prevent the cracking.

SRS

Subject: Tip: Liners, Hygiene
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 May 10 - 04:19 PM

Speaking of heat---

More info available by PM. But if the following does not apply to you, kindly ignore it.

~S~

===

Years ago women did not use the same types of undergarments that are now considered *de rigeur.* Whatever they did use was called *unmentionables.* Thus we lack detail on how the heck women of old times stayed fresh under trying circumstances.

You can catch a hot clue from the large cotton square found in most oldschool first aid boxes. Doubled into a triangle, it's a sling. Any Girl Scout or Boy Scout knows a lot of other nifty tricks.

Here is one that has been my comfort.

The fabric I use is old, used cotton. Soft from washing, not too stiff or tightly woven, but also not too loosely woven. Not gauzy.

Rip up old sheets (COTTON) to make squares the size it takes your bra to go around the front half of you. I do not hem-- more layers to trap moisture I'd rather wicks away. (Smallish bits left over-- snotrags.)

One of these, folded into fourths to make a narrower band, goes under large boobs on a hot, sticky day to wick away moisture; powder feels and smells nice at first, but really just holds moisture in place. (The resulting infections-- yeast and bacterial-- can be really hard to get rid of in hot weather.) The bra goes on over top; the liner will keep that layer dry. Tug the liner up into the same curve your body creates under each breast, for a resulting W shape to the fabric.

Another liner, folded in half, can go any other place that gets sweaty and sticky-- such as loose skin left over from weight loss. Over that one goes whatever else you usually wear, but the liner will keep that layer dry.

I carry one or two of these liners in my purse, and more in my travel bag. On some really long days I might throw one away at a public loo, because they get nasty, and then I boogie on re-freshened. On a really hot day around the house while I do chores, I will go through several sets in a day, plus re-folding often to put a fresh dry spot where it is needed.

I launder these with no soap, because the last thing one needs in any of these places is soap or perfume residue.

Mine are color-coded. :~) I sleep in so many places in our rambling ole house I have to keep my stashes straight.

Goodwill/Sallies are good sources. But check fiber content and texture Gauzy textures can abrade the skin when damp, making it all worse than when one started.

When we camp, these are hand-rinsed. They dry quick on a breezy day for re-use.

===

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 29 May 10 - 02:35 PM

Hot? I wish! I have the log burner fired up again.
(At least it's stopped raining).

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 May 10 - 02:06 PM

It's hot out there! Came in to cool down for a while. Weeding & mulching so far. The hay in the dog's stall is going into the garden, and I'll put new hay in for them, though they don't need much this time of year, with it being so hot.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 May 10 - 11:23 AM

Since this is the time of the month when one is coasting on fumes around here, and there is a lot of work to be done indoors and out, I need to identify all of the projects for which materials have already been purchased, or for which none are needed. I think primarily today will be about sunscreen, a wide hat and bandana down the neck, and the wheelbarrow. I can afford to fill the gas can for mowing, but I might as well finish cutting those down branches before I try mowing again. And the neighbor's chain saw should be handy this weekend.

I spoke to a friend who has the same television I just bought, this one is well-rated in Consumer Reports, and I've been keeping my eyes open for an opportunity to pick one up. And I will get rid of at least one set that is already in the house. It's helpful to purchase on time without interest. I'm tired of putting big purchases on the credit card (though I do have one card I use for just that purpose - single large things like work on the truck, that I then pay off over a few months. I find it keeps me from putting of necessary work for too long if I don't have all of the cash upfront.)

This morning when I got up it just felt like a productive weekend. I picked up all of the towels, mats, clothes, things on chairs that are too warm for now, and a couple of the comforters that live on chairs or the couch. They'll all get washed, line dried, and put away.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 May 10 - 09:55 AM

We made the fire ring ydy with cinders-- thereby decluttering two porches' cinder broken plastic bins. We promptly enjoyed it (not waiting for dark) by decluttering and deconstructing the last of a pile of shipping pallets we'd acquired some years ago. The other pallets are in use; this one was too busted for use, so we had us a fahr in the descending twilight.

I was in a different chair and footrest and I'm sore now, but may have found a good portable vacay approach. The next task in that part of the yard is trimming up the edging of an old (FC) patio-table umbrella whose rickrack has gone horribly wrong. With that off it should look merely "old".

Ydy also included declut of an oddly-cut piece of carpet out of the sleeping attic, where it was to be laid. It's too crowded up there to roll it out to cut/lay it, so down it came (out of winter storage) to the front porch. Since we also took most of the iron porch furniture (with the cinder bin) outta there, there is now room to open and cut that rug and haul it back up to its desired attic location.


I declutted a pile of cardboard last week that also had been front-porch-clut, which allowed a moldy section of stone floor that had been under it to dry pre-rug-arrival. I do not know yet what that porch's purpose is going to be, but it is not joint-friendly. It may become seasonal storage-- the hedges are tall enough now to mask whatever I might put there, and if I had a set of 2x4's to keep stuff off the stone floor it would all stay quite dry. Too bad we do not use firewood in the house.

There is more than enough lumber down in the ancient, unused corn crib to do at least one summer's worth of campfires. Clean-burning stuff. The upper part of the structure is intact enough that it has formed a natural trellis-- but the lower courses are crap that are an ugly eyesore.


An "area" parish has made a decision about calling a new priest, which has decluttered and restructured some of our joint and individual commitments. Last week we delivered some feeding buckets to a needy FCer in that area, one pretty evening. We met the recipient's miniature horses and then enjoyed the lookback, as we drove back home thru that area, at what we had been able to contribute to the parochial transition (both openly and quietly). It has been both a long and short year, since our colleague's death... They are in good shape to move ahead with a new leader; we each look forward to the natural shrink-back of those boundaries now that the transition has moved to where it is now. We get to keep the new friendships made, minus the work-chat-- tho Hardi will always be a Canon they will look to as needed.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 May 10 - 02:08 AM

I added a post earlier this evening from the laptop, but clearly it didn't post. I wish Max's system wasn't decluttering our words quite so thoroughly.

Errands finished, announcement cards picked up. Laundry all over the living room is now folded and put away. I took a plastic trash bag into my son's room and picked up the trimmings from his scrap book so I could walk through his room to his closet without slipping on all of that paper.

Today I bought a new television. I've been looking around for a while, and on a search today landed on Dell. I'd forgotten about them, but they have an almost identical set to what Sam's club carries (but Sam's is sold out both online and in the store). Dell will ship free, so the difference is probably a wash. And I can pay it off during the year with no interest since I've had an account with them for several years (we bought Art Thieme's most recent computer through Dell. If I take longer than 12 months then interest adds on. Dell may not be the highest end, but they get the job done!)

This way I'll go ahead and move out at least one of these old bulky cathode ray tubes that are here now. I don't think I'd get anything at a garage sale, unless I sell the converter box as well. And I could do that. But I may just donate one or two of them. They're new enough that they might be attractive to owners of games like the Wii or PlayStation. A dedicated tv for gaming (my son has that setup in his room. Oy. I forgot about that TV. It's huge--the next door neighbor gave it to us when her mother died. She didn't want to leave it behind at the nursing home. I guess it'll stay in his room at least for the summer.)

Kat, I understand about the sandwiches. I will be cutting down the amount of meat we eat here during the summer. I think we eat too much, and cost-wise and balanced diet-wise, I think we'd be better off with more veggies. I need to set a good example for my son. Often now if I cook up pork sirloin chops I serve them with rice, and eat it like Chinese food, a little meat with the fork-full of rice. It's very good that way.

Have you ever eaten at Schlotsky's? (Spelling something like that). They have a unique kind of bread in their sandwiches. Anyway, they have a pesto pizza with basil, garlic, chicken and cheese. But you could easily make something like that with everything but the cheese. And you could make the bread whole wheat or spelt. There are healthy ways to eat out there, but you do have to look for them.

I found fresh corn at the grocery today. It MUST be summer!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 29 May 10 - 01:24 AM

It's 6am and a light drizzle is falling. I am staying in bed for now! There is another big market tomorrow towards Hull, which is supposed to be good. my daughter may be able to come and help me.

Added another item to the pile...I think it's some sort of hand spinning wheel, loosely like the "chakra" type. It's a late Victorian home-build made from bought, or lathe-worked components, with smoothed down branches for legs. My mum got it in the 1970s, and my kids used to love turning the handle when they were little. Nobody really knew what it was! It's just been gathering dust in a corner, so out it goes!

I also have a sore throat, and cold in the early stages, so standing in a field in the damp is probably not a good idea today.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 May 10 - 12:37 AM

I have tuna maybe 2-3 times per month; peanut butter maybe once a month. I sometimes will add tofu to whatever, but I really have to keep the protein low, anyway. I tend to get most of my protein from almond milk, Ezekiel bread, cereals like Shredded Wheat or Grape-nuts (no sugar, no salt:-), a small amount of shredded cheese for meatless tacos. There is a little bit of protein in almost everything, even corn tortilla shells with no fat, so it adds up more quickly that one might think.

Your Maymester sounds intense.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 28 May 10 - 11:38 PM

Good luck, Stilly, with your hands. I have had stress-related eczema on my wrist for a couple of years. It goes away, then flares up. I wish the stress would disappear, but that's too much to ask. Yes, I am taking a Maymester class! I really like it, but oh, the work it involves! My old boss was very supportive and urged me to take the time I needed to study. But now I have to be much more circumspect.

What kinds of protein do you eat, Kat?

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 May 10 - 10:22 PM

Thanks, SRS, but I've never been a fan of subs and don't eat meat except for some fish now and then and once in awhile chicken. I don't eat much bread of any kind.

I started scanning in baby photos of my brother and oldest sister, today. They are both in an old leather album with the black pages, all black and white photos. When I am done, I will send it to whichever of them wants it, probably my sister, though she doesn't know it, yet. (Hi, Betty! In case she's reading this!:-) It's a project I've been meaning to get to, just had to find the time.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 May 10 - 03:22 PM

Kat, those sandwiches they offer at Subway also look pretty good for a diet, and you could split one with Roger and have something else with it, like fruit or a salad. I'm planning to cut out almost all of the pop this summer. I think the carbonation probably is what I'm hooked on as much as anything. The "mouth feel" aspect of the food. I like cranberry juice and am planning to use simple soda water occasionally with juice for a sparkling drink.

If I cut out one food at a time my hands could stay broken out for a while, and I don't want that. It's going to have to be a lumping process. I'll shift to beer or white wine with dinner for a while (and I do believe I'd rather give up the chocolate before I gave up the red wine.) Beer is also good in the garden--I keep it here to pour into bowls to attract and drown snails that attack tender young shoots). The cheese will keep for a while in the fridge. I'll keep note of what I already ate and when this week. If the hands clear up, I'll know that it was one of the things I dropped. I'll try adding back one at a time, and see what I react to. If it is chocolate, it only took a couple of days for the dry skin to be quite apparent (and tender).

I'm going to be running errands this afternoon. And cleaning up around the house this evening. It occurs to me that with a high school graduate here, we need to have another potluck dinner to celebrate! Or maybe a barbecue and potluck salads. Whatever. The house needs some attention.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 May 10 - 02:51 PM

Thanks, Marigold, I feel positive!:-) Did my qi gong this morning, again, the whole, stand-up routine. Everything feels so much better when I do.

SRS, in order to know which, if any of those foods is causing the problem, it would be best to cut out just one at a time, from my own past experience. I know of another Mudcatter who gets hives so badly she had to go to hospital once before she knew it was an allergy to red wine. I hope it's not chocolate!:-)

Wow, Eisely, I look forward to hearing some stories!

Andrea, I have a feeling it is a good thing I can't come to your boot sale...sounds very intriguing! Good luck with the weather.

I have made an important decision for me and food. All of my working life, I usually had lunch out. I was in sales, on the local roads all day, so it was easy and fun to meet the rest of the crew or my Rog for lunch, then back to work. When I worked in an office, we went out for lunch, maybe for takeaway brought back to our desks, but it still broke up the routine. When I started working at home, years ago, I still had my routine in taking kids to school, breakfast out, then an after school snack with them when I picked them up. In the past few years, I've been unable to get out myself to get any lunch and beat myself up over the expense, the "nutrition," and asking Rog to bring it to me.

Now, I have given myself permission to break up my day by going to get lunch myself, bringing it back, and eating it here with Rog when he comes home for lunch. (He's just the opposite, doesn't need nor want to go out for a meal.:-) I am keeping the expenses down by having my one soda, a root beer, from packs we buy at the market. There are specials on at Sonic which only cost a dollar, each, so I figure I can get by with spending two bucks a day and have decided I will do so without guilt. So far it is working AND I am staying within my points and still eating healthy for breakfast, supper, and in-between light snacks (lunches are not totally unhealthy!:-). I am on a low protein and low salt diet, so I plan on getting my protein and most salt at lunchtime and this has worked out well, according to the scales.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: gnu
Date: 28 May 10 - 02:06 PM

Two and a half pounds this week.

Well, the scales only show pounds in the display so I figure it must be 2.49 pounds which is pretty close to three pounds. If it was the Wendys Classic double burger with the works, next time I will get them to hold the mustard.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 28 May 10 - 01:03 PM

Weather forecast for tomorrow is very suspect, but the car is loaded, and if I don't go I can't really go anywhere else! However, there is another on Sunday which is supposed to be good, and my daughter says she'll be able to come along to that. I'll see what it's like tomorrow at 5.30am!

There were only a couple of pictures that I could get rid of in the loft, but I also brought a small rush-bottomed chair out. My son in law has taken some of the tools from the garage, and when he comes back after his week off, Peter is going to leave his big trailer for me to fill with rubbish. He will then take it to the tip for me.

So, I have goods on board which range from cross-country skis to antique prints!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 May 10 - 12:34 PM

Everyone is moving forward in so many directions! Eiseley, is that a class offered during the UNT Maymester? I've taken one even more compressed, an English (African American Lit) class in two weeks. 16 weeks worth of reading and papers in 2 weeks. Fortunate for us, the professor had a conference to attend so we did one week of class (like 5-6 hours a day in class, 5 days a week) then we had a week off. We all scrambled to write like the wind, in preparation for the second week that came after the week off.

Jacqui sent a PM with more information on the food allergies. I had an aha! moment last night. Liz, avert your eyes. I'm afraid that chocolate might be one culprit. My mother developed that allergy later in life. Jacqui also listed red wine and cheese, two that are daily parts of my diet. Oh dear. I'm keeping a food diary and first off, I'll avoid chocolate and I'll switch the white wine with the meals where it is appropriate. And suppose I can use my soy cheese exclusively for a while (but I just bought such a nice little piece of Havarti).

Long weekend coming up. I hope I get a few things out of the way. And I'd love it if my son started cleaning his room. But I won't hold my breath.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 May 10 - 10:48 AM

Good on you, kat. You sound so incredibly positive.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 May 10 - 09:35 AM

So... The chap I was PA'ing for because he's not particularly well, is even more not well today so I cleared a table for nothing... ho hum. Still, at least I cleared it. And I made banana flapjacks out of the black bananananas that I decluttered from the fruit bowl.

Sewing has commenced. If I get on with this one as quickly as the last one, it'll be finished by tomorrow night, providing I can find a backing for it. If I get enough done today, there'll be a big piece to take to the market and match fabrics for it. Better get back to it...

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 28 May 10 - 08:46 AM

The car has been loaded with a lot of the detritus from the garage, and I am just taking a break before raiding the loft. There are a lot of pictures that may be saleable.

I am praying for fine weather but the forecast ain't great. I will get up tomorrow and see what it's like.

All the doors are done and the guttering appears to be working.

Onwards I go now!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 May 10 - 01:37 AM

Being a PA again today, so there won't be a lot of decluttering going on, except in here where I need to make room for the poor man to actually sit!

Besides, the fabric will start to fade if it's left in the sunny window for much longer - it's already a cat bed!

Work has started on another quilt - this one has a time limit on it so I'm doing that by machine when I can, and hand when I can't. Hope it works out. It's green again, various patterns including 2 based on fabric from 1797 and 1820. The pattern is one called 'Pick and mix' and is based on the log cabin, but with double width strips. 2 more are on the table waiting to be machined. Manitas is away this weekend so hopefully I'll be able to do one a day of the smaller ones and work on the big one in between times.

Enjoy the weekend all... new month starts soon!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 28 May 10 - 12:14 AM

Hello folks,
I am in the middle of a very intensive "Advanced Storytelling" class. It is a ten-week course packed into 3 weeks. Whew! So I am very glad I cleaned the house pretty thoroughly last week. This week we're using paper plates and the boys are in charge of the laundry.

When our storytelling concert is actually launched, and it will be an online concert with streaming audio, I'll put the link here so you can all enjoy it. Until then, think of me buried up to my ears in fables and proverbs and more.

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 May 10 - 12:07 AM

Maryanne, thanks for telling us about that gizmo. A few years ago, Art Thieme scanned in hundreds of slides using a scanner which, I think, did several at a time. I bought a scanner in order to scan in all of my brother's slides, but it was too slow at just one slide per scan, so I've never done all of them. Three at a time would be quite speedy compared and the price seems really reasonable. I look forward to hearing how you like it.

I did qi gong this morning and all of the dishes plus two loads of laundry, then Morgan was dropped off at 930a. We played, he ran through the sprinkler and got soaking wet; we went out to get fast food for fun, brought it home and ate. Played some more, went to bed for a bit to rest where we told each other stories. Then we went out for an ice cream cone and a drive to see the school where he will start summer camp next week. I don't know if I will get to see him during the weekdays when he goes to camp until my daughter takes him the first day and gets the *skinny* on the whole thing, but he's excited. I am hoping I can get him for part of the afternoon at least 2-3 days per week. Going from half-day kindergarten and half-day grandma's to 730a-530p at camp seems like a bit much. I have to walk on eggshells with her as she takes offence so easily...so I would suspect the program really doesn't require attendance for the full hours, but she's the one who will ask them, etc. It's put on by the parks and recreation dept. and they are all about accommodating parents and kids.

It's been a long day. His dad wound up having to work late, so I had him until 645p...but the good news is I was not completely worn out and have a little more energy, yet! I told Rog I am ready to see about going to a gym nearby 2-3 times per week if we can afford it. It's been obvious to me, this week of having Morgan so much, that, mentally, physically, and emotionally, I need more movement/activity esp. now that I actually have the ability to do so. The qi gong felt really good this morning and I did the full work out, not the modified, sitting in a chair version. Can't remember if I already posted I lost 2.6 pounds this past week. **bg** I am happy, can you tell?

kat

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 10 - 11:53 PM

I think sugar is definitely a culprit. Jacqui, you come up with so many answers to things I'm wondering about. What a help you are! (What did the health food store offer? A blood test, a skin test, a paper test and diary?) If I'm not tolerant of wheat my goose is cooked. I need to drop sugar. Let's hope that's the one, if it's food. . .

No storms so far, but they're still in the forecast for tonight. It's so muggy, I hope it rains and gets the humidity out of it's system.

Maryanne, let me know how that slide converter works. I have been looking for one for a while, this looks very small, but the one I wanted was discontinued a few years ago (the Konica Minolta Dimage 5400 II, or something like that. They're now all sold on eBay by unscrupulous sellers who sell broken ones like they're new just out of the box. So I'm not trying for any of those now. I heard about one on Amazon that I have in my wish list, waiting to see if the price goes down.)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: jacqui.c
Date: 27 May 10 - 11:08 PM

SRS - re cracked hands - I finally ended up having food tolerance tests at a local health food store. It showed up a couple of things that I knew were a problem for me and a number of other things that I didn't know about, including wheat and sugar. It meant a drastic rethinking of my diet, but the hands cleared up. I still find, about 7 years later, that eating wheat or sugar can crack my hands - milk can also be a problem - should stay away from ice cream, but sometimes the temptation is too great!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 27 May 10 - 09:34 PM

I got my little slide converter gizmo & software installed. It does a good job of copying these slides, considering some of them are as old as I am. But it's going to be a slow process, since you can only copy 3 slides at a time. Good project for the fall/winter evenings.

Got all my laundry caught up. Sending one of the borrowed printers back to my "boss", so that will free up the other half of my diningroom table. Ran the dustmop all around the livingroom & diningroom.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 10 - 07:24 PM

I installed the software that came with the camera, and while I'll still have to move it to where I want it to go (versus just selecting the images in the camera with Windows Explorer and dragging them to the file I want) it does a tidy job, not the painstaking long show. I'm sure the operating system and some of the features of this high volume card aren't quite copacetic, but the Nikon software has cut through the nonsense.

Looks like a few areas in North Texas will get thunderstorms. We haven't been hit so far, but it would be nice. I think I'll take a few hours off tomorrow (to make it an even longer weekend) and finish some of the things in my office, like making the cafe curtains for this window. And I've been looking for a file of older sample cards I designed at work many years ago, but they're not showing up. I'll find those and put them with the new cards--sometimes the old ones are useful so I'll keep them together.

Wash a small load of clothes again tonight, my son has only one uniform shirt (that we can find) out of all of the ones he started with last fall. He has to wear it Friday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and then we're finished! Bitter sweet, leaving behind the childhood of my children.

Dinner is defrosting, I have to go pick up my son and do a little shopping, and after we eat I'll work some more so I can take tomorrow off.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 May 10 - 03:50 PM

Mopped most of the downstairs, did some laundry, took a nap and some basic puttering.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 May 10 - 03:42 PM

SRS, our previous home was just that size, so I can relate. (It is now considered small?!?!?)

===

I out-clutted a big piece of the porch pile, yesterday, that remained from the reorganizing of the rear porch. Among the week's efforts was yesterday-- I was holding some buckets for someone else and they were delivered a good long car-ride away with a dinner date with Hardi. But the more fun item was the pile of nursery-sized plastic planters. I needed a potting table on the quick, so I stacked a twin pile of these and threw on a handy piece of MDF, did my tasks, and left it to sit. Rain is expected the next few days, and the tasks that remain are small, so I brung in the big MDF, put the bags of potting mix into the pots, and kivered them over with a narrower pine board I don't care about-- it can get wet if the rain insists on coming under the eaves. But it's handy for the next round of tasks there-- Lord knows when I'll have a minute to get back to them anyhow.

===

A nice new habit is cellphone fun with new friends or family, whenever I have an odd moment in the porch recliner. A lovely chat today with a new Buddhist friend. We have so much on common; it's neat to explore the edges of that when we can. She is shut in due to Lupus and stuff, so she was settin' where she sets and I was settin' where I sit-- tho of course I can and do go out, and will, later, when Hardi gets back.

===

These new habits have netted more weight loss than I had realized. No wonder my knees hurt. But a side "benefit" is that there has been so much less TV time that I actually enjoyed the Obama press conference today-- we had hardly any idea about the oil gushing till ydy-- been in hockey-world-- so it was weird to catch up to network teevee again.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 27 May 10 - 02:09 PM

If any of you have Google Earth, take a look at the village....or just Google it: there are some sites with pretty pictures! It's Norham, Northumberland.

I took 3 sacks of clothes to Arthritis UK this morning. They got them because they were the nearest to the car! I'm going to sort through the boxes of stuff that's around the place tomorrow, and see if I feel up to an early start and a boot fair on saturday.
The gutter has been re-bracketed, but Peter's left the scaffold up while we wait for rain so that we can see if it's worked! There's one door left to varnish, and some other bits and bobs to do, but we are almost on the home stretch now! He's having a week off next week, so I can get more chucking out done while i am not having to move round him all the time. I am off to a music festival for the weekend on the Friday, and the following 2 weekend I am away as well, so I have to get moving if I am to make the target of all ready for the end of June. When it's all done, I will take some pics.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 10 - 01:30 PM

Interesting, and thanks, Andrea. You've had such great descriptions of this place, it helps to have some context as to the settings and what the change is about.

I'm also realizing that once my son goes to school it's me in a 4 bedroom house with two living rooms (one of those bedrooms is my office, but if I moved my office into the front living area I'd have a full four bedrooms, large living room, and library/office room). But it's the yard that brought me here, and the location in general, so I'm not too worried about it, because the yard is still doing what I want. At 2,500 square feet, it is still in the realm of what a lot of the design programs call a "small" house. It is certainly smaller than the houses I grew up in, but more than twice the size of the house my father lived in for many years after my parents divorced. (It was a small house on a prime location, though, overlooking Puget Sound and 2 mountain ranges.)

A small step was completed when the coffee table in the living room was cleared of the tapes, books, papers, and such, but the seating area still doesn't look the way I'd like. I probably need to break it up from a couch and a couple of chairs to more separation between the couch and the chairs, with the possibility of pulling them together if needed.

My hands have broken out again, dry, cracked and sore. Makes it difficult to work on the computer if I have lotion on my hands, etc. I need to start a food diary and see if there is something in particular that I'm responding to.

I've clamped a small fan onto my computer desk to blow down across the back of my computer, to supplement the computer fans. The computer had been working hard at times, I think because I don't keep the room as cool as the computer would like. This little fan is very quiet, and the computer seemes much happier this morning.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 May 10 - 10:47 AM

Thanks for letting us know about that, Andrea. I've been wondering, too.

It's been very busy here this week. Wed. was Morgan's all-day school day field trip to the park for sack lunches and then swimming where I met up with him and took him early. We went for ice cream and came home and played all afternoon. Yesterday he had a concert (they were all SO cute!) in the morning, then took ME out to lunch as a thank you for taking care of him, etc. We went to my fav. Mexican place and had a blast. He proposed a toast to the "World's Greatest Grandma!" What fun..he is now all done with Kindergarten and so proud of being a First Grader. He is due over here any moment, for the day.

So, I've done a lot of walking the past two days and also did qi gong this morning. My weekly weigh-in says I lost 2.6 lbs! Today it is supposed to be horribly windy, again, and get to 92, so not sure what we will be doing except maybe get a quick lunch out and maybe the swimming pool for him. I will not go out in that wind, again, though, and will have to stay out of the heat as it saps my energy. Despite that, this has been a great week. I even cleared off my desk, again!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 27 May 10 - 02:42 AM

I take glucosamine or glucosamine/chondroitin (depending what's on offer). I don't notice anything until I forget to take it for a few days, and my knees seem to creak more. The two supplements work slightly differently, but I can't remember which way. I think it's glucosamine works on the joints themselves, and chondroitin on the connective tissue...summat like that (I ought to consult the tame pharmacist aka #1 daughter!)

To answer the question about moving after doing the house up...yes, that has been mentioned by other people. It's just that I can't imagine spending the rest of my days where I am, and it had never been our plan to do so. I've been too long in the village, and it is quite parochial, with nothing much going on, and a boring flat landscape. I feel I need a clean break and a new start, and just happen to have fallen in love with Norham, on the Northumberland border with Scotland, (about 10 miles from the sea, a village hall, doctor, butcher, baker, store,2 pubs, motor mechanic, 12th century church....and castle!).
Also, this is a big house for one person, and not the most eco-friendly in its construction. It costs quite a bit to heat. I have got used to this much space, so down-sizing will be hard for me, but I am a clutterbug, and it only increases to fill the available space!

As my daughter said, "You need to go for it - if it goes tits-up, you can always come back!" I'd miss her being close by, but my son's the other side of the world, and Ruth (who I don't see very often these days)is already nearly 200 miles away, so another 150 or so won't hurt, in my opinion - she'll just have to actually get up earlier, and take a break at her sister's! Hard mother!

Well Peter is doing the guttering today...we're getting there! I am going to take a car load of stuff to the charity shops every time I go to a town - I haven't got time to do the boot fair.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 10 - 12:35 AM

Thanks, Maryanne. I've noticed some activity makes the knee hurt more, so I have to choose carefully for a while. Carrying heavy stuff, etc. I have some Skeechers, may not be that style, but I'll look.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 10 - 12:32 AM

That's good to know, Jacqui! I saw large bottles of it over at Sam's Club for a reasonable price, but I also saw smaller bottles at the Dollar General for a couple of bucks. I figure next time I visit the dollar store I'll pick up a small bottle to test. I know it had veterinary uses first, and I've been watching my pit bull, wondering if she isn't getting a little stiff in the joints (we think she's about 6 years now). So it may be something we'll both take. Just like we share the zyrtec (the vet said they were using generic zyrtex 1x a day now, instead of a vet Rx. I tried the dog's zyrtec last summer and decided it would work for me also!)

My mom found glucosamine helpful. I am wondering if it might help with the recovery of that sore knee (and I think it might be as much the tendon in the back of the knee as it is the joint itself). I read the label - looks like it is ground shells from shrimp or lobster? Better in a pill than attached to the critter I'm eating!

Let's see. Today. I spent a lot of time on campus tracking down folks for photos for a publication we've been working on for ages. This is a laundry list from the design folks, and I'll finish the job next week. Tomorrow will be spent processing those photos.

The big thing for me today was to get my truck inspected. Last weekend I had the thought "I ought to look at the windshield stickers, I wonder when the inspection and tags are due?" Inspection was in April. Oops. So to my Goodyear folks late this afternoon. I walked in, the guy at the counter said the inspection guy had gone home for the day. I could go to the Ft Worth store, but it's way out of my way. The owner was in his office, he heard and waved, then headed out the back door--turns out the mechanic who does inspections was off the clock, but working on his own car in one of the bays. He agreed to do my truck.

It was funny--I told Mr. Lee thank you - and that I knew the money headed out the door was something to be avoided, though I've been a regular customer of theirs for years. :) And when the inspection was done, I walked into the mechanic's bay and tucked a $5 in his pocket and thanked him for taking time to inspect my truck.

I still have to finish some work to do with my son's graduation, and urge him to send in forms early, not at the last minute, for college (dorm arrangements). I have laundry in so he has a clean shirt for tomorrow. Some of this stuff is just going to be one day at a time until next week when graduation is over. We have one shirt left until next Wednesday, so it's laundry every day.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 26 May 10 - 11:43 PM

I'm finally beginning to get some things done. I planted the 2 tomato plants that I got at the market. The seedlings I started inside are hardening-off out on the porch, so I've got the diningroom table half cleared off. The other half of the table is full of a borrowed laptop & printer; I'm doing some book-keeping for a healthcare non-profit that's run by a friend, but strictly as a volunteer.

I started cleaning my bedroom this morning-- got all of my shoes up off the floor & ran the dustmop, then put them all back in order. No more shoes kicked all the way back under the furniture.

My two-cents about glucosamine: I've taken it from time to time, but I can't say that I've noticed any dramatic improvement. I was taking the liquid. I still take a couple of gel-caps once in a while when I think of it, but not often.

But I do have a bad knee-- the cartilage is nearly gone in my left knee-- so I have quite a bit of pain when I take my first few steps. But, a few weeks ago I bought a pair of Shape-Ups (shoes) by Skechers, and I can honestly say that my knee hasn't bothered me since I've been wearing them. I don't walk very far, but my knee really feels better. My gait is a little different (like my feet are farther apart when I walk) but it seems to be working out. I'll keep you posted.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: jacqui.c
Date: 26 May 10 - 04:33 PM

SRS - I have heard lots of good things about glucosamine - I did try it, twice.

Both times, after about 3-4 days I had developed almost suicidal depression, which disappeared once I stopped taking the stuff. I don't do too well with a lot of medication - I think it may have to do with brain chemistry - but it's worth noting that that can be a side effect. I hope that it works for you, anyway. Wish I COULD use it - my knees, in particular can get quite uncomfortable nowadays.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 26 May 10 - 01:56 PM

Wonderful to hear of all the triumphs (yes, W.Y.S.- your water was a triumph, too!).

For those of you who have been asking about Hunt, the wonderful news is that he is generally FINE- no TIAs, no heart trouble or stroke- but he does have to lower the ol' cholesterol and exercise more. After about 4 steady days, he's wavering. I try to keep ice cream out of the house, and to be the one to make the sandwiches, etc., but can't do much about his stop at Starbucks when he runs into town!
...Runs, did I say? Drives or motorcycles, but the exercise isn't happening either. I may have to put ants in his pants or something!

But this morning we hired two vibrant, strong young-uns to help and I am now almost totally de-cluttered of all the stuff that's been taking up space in storage for the past 2 years! Tin shed is tidy and waiting for the new lawnmower, and the garden shed (in which we lived last summer, which instantly became the Storage Shed from the Depths of Hell when we moved out) is clean as a whistle and ready to be transformed into Hunt's workshop.

However, there are boxes and boxes of kitchen stuff, odds-n-ends, family china, etc. sitting around on the floor to be dealt with. Luckily I've gotten used to a relatively clutter-free downstairs, so I'll be picking away at it until the boxes are gone and there's "a place for everything and everything in its place"!

Susan, your water story keeps coming back to me. I'ma gonna ponder it awhile and see what bubbles up!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 May 10 - 08:29 AM

The simple life is wonderful, isn't it, Lily? Enjoy every minute of it.

Glucosimine is a godsend, SRS. A friend recommended it about two weeks ago. As it happened, Seamus the Dog, got a daily dose and I forgot to get some from Jacqui before they went away.
So I bought the cheap stuff. $12 for a bottle of 80 caplets. Seamus took his wrapped in liverwurst and I took mine straight with water on the side.

Next morning, I was in the kitchen feeding the cats before I realized that my knee did not hurt. The first morning in months (since my fall) that I have hobbled around for ten minutes to get the knee loose. If I forget to take it, I feel the difference immediately.

I keep telling my co-worker that he is now my best friend. LOL. Try it.

Jacqui had a bad reaction to it. So you may want to hear what she has to say.

Meantime, my sore toe kept me from doing anything yesterday. Today it is fine. Maybe I will try out the gym at work.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 25 May 10 - 09:01 PM

I already posted this over on the chemo thread but really, it belongs here too! So here it is for those of you not following the other thread:

found my spark. I found some energy, ok, of course not in full force but I'd say a good 15x more energy than I've had in the last week. I took full advantage of it….here's my Ta-Da list for the day!

Did a load of dishes
Made breakfast including cleaning and cutting up fresh fruit
Made Watergate Salad for later
Two loads of laundry done, third about to be started
Hung clothes on the line
Banking in town
Mission for watermelon plants completed
Picked my my prescriptions
Had a healthy lunch
Planted flowers
Planted more herbs
Weeded the front flower bed
Soaked my toes and used some plum lotion on my feet….feels so nice and smells SO good!
Talked with Nana on the phone
Talked with Ang
Mowed the grass in the front, side and down the driveway…..started the orchard and got a flat
More planting of flowers
Brushed Mags (OMG…..I could make a blanket out of the amount she is shedding)
Swept the porch and the front walk
So…that's it so far. Next on my agenda is a shower. It feels good to be all sweaty and have actual dirt sticking to my body!

   I have more to do and if I get to it fine, if not, I'll do it tomorrow. I feel like I accomplished something today and have earned the right to be tired!!!!!

Michelle…..covered in dirt and sweat and a smile…..yes, this is better…MUCH better!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 May 10 - 08:07 PM

Be sure to let us know how it works for you! My aching knees may not be far behind.

We got the water back, at least for now. It remains to be seen how long the repair will hold, but LAUNDRY is no fun without a working washer! Dishes done and I'm ready for the next round of "can you really keep up with Hardi". May be time to set up the firepit.... naw, trash and fixin' winders fer early summer temps first, then... MAYBE....

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 May 10 - 06:42 PM

Thanks, Susan. I think it is the Gluclosamine that my Mom found helpful.

Off to the craft store to pick up scrap book pages for my son. He seems to have gotten some guidance on the project at school today. Better finish clearing that living room table before I leave.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 May 10 - 03:41 PM

SRS-- Gluc/chondroitin: Medical research shows one is potentially useful while the other is crap but not harmful. Thus IMO if you buy an affordable mix (how it usually comes), what have you got to lose? Some folks here swar by it, but is it the meds-- or their new habits?

===

Ani/Alli,

How I can tell my new habits and my life in general are working: the water has been out for three days and I did no more than was needed to deal with it, with the landlord doing his part and the stored water (country folks' insurance) holding up OK.

... Despite the mountain spring two ridges over (the REAL water insurance) being down due to unknown reasons (maybe gas drilling, and if so, GONE, dead), the already-stored water having been used up before the water went out, and the bladder infection from hell (I also found out where the great doc's new office is and when he will be in it).

... And updated about 2/3 of the parish website this AM.


Closer to the BIG bucks,

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 May 10 - 01:36 PM

PS the ice maker seems to have decided to work, now that I've tweaked the ice tray release arm screw a few times. Fingers crossed it stays this way.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 May 10 - 01:13 PM

I have a question (I'm not going to start a new thread yet) that I want to run past some of you in our little conversation group. years ago my mother tried Glucosamine to help with her arthritis. I don't think I have it yet, but sometimes feel borderline. And I stepped in a hole a few weeks ago and my knee is sore every so often. I'm thinking about researching Glucosamine as a supplement. Have any of you used it? To what effect? My mother found it helpful. I know my Dad used it (I found it at his house) but he never mentioned it or if it worked. I'm thinking prophylactic joint health, jump in there ahead of possible arthritis. Slow it down. Mom said there were a couple of types available. Is that still the case?

Thoughts?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 May 10 - 12:59 PM

I decided to download the software that came with my camera, to see how it works. I've been struggling to get some of the other software to see the card (my card reader can't see it) or download everything I select in the camera (connected via cable using Windows Explorer). I'm going to try this software to see if it automated in any way, or what I can set up. Would make photos easier--so far this new camera isn't easier than the old one (that I gave to Moonglow and she started right in using).

Lots of work stuff piled up now, so I'll be working on some of that more in the evenings, though I must mow tonight, it's getting tall and lawns on both sides of me were mowed, making mine look tall now.

I don't have any stairs here, to speak of, but I do want to put some safety rails in my tub/shower areas. My friend in Tucson (we stayed with her on the college visit) has some nice looking rails that don't take a lot of room, and they wrap around the corner so you don't have to put in a couple of different poles. Those are stainless steel, so won't probably have the same issues that Andrea's rails have.

Andrea, does it occur to you as you do this work that once you finish, you might want to stay in this house? What are the reasons for selling and moving, versus fixing this one and staying put?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 25 May 10 - 12:22 PM

Typical! The new stair rail was unwrapped, and the one bit that the manufacturers hadn't protected was split. Needless to say, another will be delivered tomorrow.

The furniture is back in the hall, and Eleanor arrived this morning to give me advice (ie tell me what I was doing wrong from the younger end of the spectrum, which is more than likely the market that will be going for a house like mine). I did go through my wardrobes and I got a plastic sack of stuff out, and a few bits to her. It doesn't seem to have made much difference.

Peter is on to re-staining and varnishing doors. trouble is, he only had a few hours here today as he had a curacy training interview this afternoon.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 25 May 10 - 04:27 AM

Hallway was decluttered and swept and mopped. It looks so much bigger without 2 buggies in it! 2 lots of washing were done and dried and 2 loaves of bread baked. I did a 4 mile run last night once the temperature dropped a bit.

This morning I'm waiting in for the new front door to be delivered. There is a loaf of bread baking in the oven. Tonight I'll be doing my usual 4 mile walk, an hours body pump class follwed by an hours step aerobics.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 May 10 - 12:47 AM

Well, I got called away to be a PA for the afternoon, but I did at least sort the laundry and put a lot away.

It was interesting, being a PA... it's been years since I took so many notes longhand, but we did get an awful lot done and I was fed copious amounts of juice and got to sit in a beautiful studio with birds (I'd like to say gently chirping, but to be honest they were downright noisy) outside and green trees all around. If only all my jobs were like that!

Ah well.. there's always next week.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 May 10 - 04:52 PM

I hope you enjoyed it, gnu. A treat once in a while is not a sin. It's a necessity.
Climb back on the Weight Watchers Wagon tomorrow.
See!
All better...except for the gas.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: gnu
Date: 24 May 10 - 04:39 PM

Forgive me for I have sinned... well, half, in a way.

Wendys classic double with the works and a medium fries. I ate half and I couldn't move. I had two small pieces of fruit and some rice & mushrooms for brekky. I had a small serving of coleslaw with little dressing mid-morn. As it's a holiday, I took Mum for a drive around town and we passed by Wendys... I looked at her and she looked at me and then we were in the driv-through. It just happened.

My belt is tight... I hope it's just the gas from the decadent burger... 2 1/4 pound patties, lettuce, onion, pickle, ketchup, mayo, tomatoe, cheese... arrrggghhhh they are so delicious!

Maybe my belt is just tight from the guilt. Which is gonna get worse when the hockey game starts. Arrrrrgggghhhhh.... mmmmmmm.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 10 - 04:17 PM

The freezer was fixed, but it didn't stay fixed. Something about the arm in the side that releases cubes. It turns itself off. I just took my little screwdriver and turned it the way he said it needs to be to release ice, and I just heard some cubes drop. It seems to be still doing what it was doing before. I'll give it a few days to see if it sorts itself out - I'm not going to take a screwdriver to the freezer several times a day to make ice cubes.

I've picked up a few things that were sitting out in the living room forever. Small goal for this afternoon, before I head out to shop and pick up the kid, is to finish clearing off the coffee table, and put each of the items away, not just in a new spot to collect more dust. Some days a small chore is enough. (I did get a lot done in the yard yesterday, so it all balances out).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 May 10 - 03:23 PM

The large, attractive basketful of sheepskin pelt and care instrux (I call it Elvis) has LEFT THE BUILDING. We had a surprise plumbing issue ydy that caused a call to the landlord... I met 'im on the back porch when he trotted over, good man that he is-- basket in hand. The intended recipient also just happened to be home for the weekend-- I put it in the front seat. I will miss that lamb dearly, but it was time for it to go to it's rightful new owner. SCORE!

I decluttered a gift issue today by shipping a Lucky Bamboo as a better idea than the logistically difficult grad/ord gift I'd been planning. This had "much better symbolism" written all over it so BANGO, off I went to my local florist's online site-- and BOOM off went the order. SCORE!

I dug out a wonderful wooden tray Hardi had made for me several years ago-- like a flat handyman's tote but in a cherry stain and low-sided, with that handle slat like a spine up the middle? It had been tried in a million places/purposes but never quite found the decent home it deserved. It now will sit in a protected but central location in the backporch settin' area for salt/pepper/napkins and candles/matches. We had our first BBQ/eat/dash-back-to-work dinner out there last night-- the area needs sweetening up jes' a tad more. SCORE!

This whole day has been like death, slogging thru the impossible in a gray fog (lo-air-pressure zone passing over, and short sleep). Despite that I also decluttered about 400 pix off my camera early this AM-- discarding bad shots and sorting them with accurate filenames into folders for later plundering. SCORE!

I got far enough away from work thinking to try to relax for about two hours and then remembered a task to go do NOW-- SCORE.

Oh and I am hungry all the time and people tell me I'm shrinking, but hey-- really I'm just too BUSY.

~Susan

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 24 May 10 - 03:20 PM

Wish I had room for one of those big American fridges!

Half a pound on again this week, but I am blaming it on the codeine I took lately for my neck/head, and the well known side effects!

Hopefully the new handrail will be fitted on the stairs tomorrow morning. Now there's just doors to sand and varnish, guttering to fix, and maybe a touch up of paint on the windows and outside doors. Once the clutter's out of the shed and garage, and the garden tidy up is finished....I can sell!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 10 - 01:43 PM

And the repair is complete! It seems there was some ice built up in the mechanical arm part of the ice maker and had turned the arm function off. And that in turn turns off the motor to the ice maker. Cleaned up and in operation. Just in time for ice tea season. I'm weaning myself from drinking as much pop as I do. I can't drink a lot of really cold iced tea, either, or I get a stomach ache, but I will be able to cool drinks a little and not have to keep extra ice trays in the freezer any more.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 10 - 11:44 AM

Waiting on the Sears repair guy. Last week I called in my refrigerator ice maker while it's under extended warranty. It doesn't make ice (though it did drop a few fresh cubes into the bin overnight, after weeks of nothing.) I think there is a sensor that isn't able to see if the cubes are present or not. I hope that's all there is to it. He'll come sometime between 10am (42 minutes ago) and 2pm. The kitchen is clean in preparation for this visit.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 10 - 12:49 AM

Made progress on the new bed out front--I had to let the sprinkler run over the area to soften it up a bit. I hope to do some planting tomorrow.

In the house, not a lot. Dishes, laundry. Hopefully I didn't mess it up any more than it was before. I picked up a few things on the slow table in the living room (VCR tapes, etc.)

Paperwork for my son. He's had a couple of requests and I've been able to find the papers. And as he makes these requests, I'll be making headings for his expanding file for school. (I told him that if he doesn't get a job this summer then I have a LOT of chores for him to do.)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 May 10 - 09:53 PM

I ended up doing nothing today except reading and fussing with sale papers. I also napped. Woke up not feeling so hot so I just took it easy.

For Susan,

    I like the idea of the recorder...whether I can access it online of just use the recorder. The phone idea doesn't work so much for me though. I wasn't in church because I was in pain and sleeping....otherwise I would have been in church! I just wouldn't be able to pay attention and you'd likely get me snoring!!! :p

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 23 May 10 - 06:52 PM

Not a lot done this weekend, life got in the way... some ironing tomorrow if I don't get called out to be a PA, leaving the sewing for next weekend when Manitas is away and won't complain about the bits of fabric all over the floor or the mess....

May even have lost a few pounds again, judging by the way my trousers keep falling down... or has the elastic gone again?!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 May 10 - 04:39 PM

I'd say it needs to be really cold, i.e. ice. Hope they stop hurting, there is nothing worse than foot pain, esp. when you are feeling so much better with other successes like your walk and heart rate. It is all just so gol-darned connected and better if done in moderation, but I know when I am feeling better, I wind up wanting to go all out and sometimes get in trouble for it.

I have folded and put away about two full baskets of laundry from other weeks which we have just been delving into. Both baskets are empty and I have done four more loads, folded and put away with a little help from Rog and MTG (Morgan the Grandson.) TTMTG we also took care of our bedroom trash and the bathroom trash, plus he carried those bags and two more of shredded paper out to Rog's truck and threw them in the back-end. Rog will take them to recycling and trash bins tomorrow.

Rog did the litter boxes and kitchen trash and is right now putting the door guard back on the bottom of our front storm/screen door. I guess that's what you call it. It hangs down across the bottom of the door to block out dirt, leaves, and any critters which might want to take their chance at crawling in here with the cats and the dogs. It has been off ages, needing a new hole for a screw drilled in it. Today is the day. Yea, Rog! With yesterday's wind, it was awful having it open at all, there was so much dirt.

He also brought in my mom's old rocker which I'd given her years ago. It's like the one John F. Kennedy used for his back. I think my ex and I paid %10 for it for mom's birthday in the early 1970s. It fits my lower and upper back just perfectly, as it did hers, so I am going to use it for sitting from now on. I love my grandad's chair, but I've noticed, after not sitting in it much for a month or more, going back to watch a two hour movie in it really stoved me up, so it's going out to storage, today. Rog also carried out some small things to store and other stuff to throw away.

These past few days, there is much more which has been done, it just feels as though we've kept at a steady pace without wearing out, plenty of breaks, BUT getting lots done and I am gratefull!

Thanks for listening!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 23 May 10 - 03:39 PM

Ouch VT!
Can't really suggest much except a nice gentle warm wash and some soothing lotion, plus your comfiest pair of slippers! It's a good excuse to put your feet up!

(Hot weather isn't kind to feet).

Having seen my friends' small garden with well stocked raised beds, I am a bit less frantic about the amount of garden I am going to need when I move. Raised beds look to be the way forward...you can even build 'em onto concrete! "It ain't how much you've got, it's what you do with it!"
I was quite restrained at the BBQ too. However, I have eaten 3 WW bars since I got back!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 23 May 10 - 02:15 PM

wonder if I soak my feet in codydramol, will it make em stop hurting?

Long walk in sandals and some grit rubbed the balls of my feet raw.
I have soaked in cold water and used biofreeze but they still hurt.

Really chuffed that I did long walk with little joint pain and got my heart rate up about 4 times. Woot!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 May 10 - 01:06 PM

Before heading out to work this morning I sat at the sewing machine and mended my favorite pair of gardening shorts. Not to be worn off the property, but light, baggy, comfortable, and deep pockets.

Still fighting ants in the kitchen. Did some picking up around the living room this morning. Set up the bread machine. Drank tea. Went to eat a banana and realized it was a small plantano, not a fruit banana. I'll make it into a couple of tostones for my son this evening. He likes those.

Back out to the yard.

SRS

Subject: AnyClone Help Request
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 May 10 - 11:59 AM

PS-- I'm on the hard-to-see monitor, catching up from a trip-- maybe that post belongs in LF's chemo thread. OK by me.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 May 10 - 11:55 AM

LF, yes, that food/weight rhythm thingie is part of the chemo rhythm.

A body needs the strength/weight gain to balance the weakness/weight loss, so you do not come out of chemo like an emaciated stick-figure unable to keep building toward health.

Gary G modeled this well, in his battle. Leslie D did not. I don't know if she was worried about weight gain, per se; but I recall that the only regret I ever heard from L was that she had to make up a lot of weight at one point, with massive caloric intakes. (It was like your platelet-count determinant.) They had different cancers (from each other and from you), but is it a coinkydink which one did better?

Your body got you to the doc quick (as you have posted was so important)-- and it has not gotten any less trust-worthy since.

We recorded most of last night's service BTW. Sandy L has taken on the weekly job, freeing me up to list "available resources" on the website. Also remember the service is short enough to listen to via cellphone call-in-- were you there the week Ed "attended" the service that way? How to arrange that: call during 6-7 PM rehearsal (Hardi's cell), A callback at 7 can be arranged on either a cell or the church landline.

Also-- there is a lap-companion next to the easy chair set for your use, in a fabric that matches the chair. I keep forgetting to suggest you take it home for the duration, but every time I see it, it "calls" to me (for you). It can be a pillow, a faux-pet to stroke, and maybe even a gently-warmed heating pad. Louise Brown gave the chair and stuffpet (when the church received her house), and she was probably smarter than I ever realized.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 May 10 - 10:53 AM

So good to see both Lily and kat having positive fun filled days. Sorry about the sweetpeas, kat. It happens...

So far this morning I have laundered clothes for the week, afghans Alice chose to pee on (I have stopped asking), done the litter box, taken out huge bags of trash and sorted through my prescriptions for the next six weeks. Not bad for a Sunday morning.
And I have found a box for the Goodwill stuff.

I am keeping the skinny clothes for better days, kat. The best is when I find a blouse that didn't fit last year and does now.
WHOO WHOO

SINS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 May 10 - 10:07 AM

I also wanted to add that I gained 13 pound over the last 3 week chemo cycle. I don't know what happened but I was hungry ALL THE TIME and the Dr. said to just go with it.....to listen to my body....the gain being totally related to chemo. Not happy about it BUT....

Since Monday, I have lost 7 of those pounds! I'm not doing anything particular.....just not hungry this week.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 May 10 - 09:48 AM

I am feeling more like a human being today and am loving reading through the more recent posts....you give me inspiration and some oomph to start thinking about working on some projects around here!

Especially loved hearing about your day with Morgan, Kat!!!   A grown up willing to play with a hose on a hot summer day....I remember that being one of the best things EVER...full of squeals and laughter!!!!

And SRS...the baby bird....awwwwww. The other night I went to bed and left the sliding glass door open a little bit in hopes of the night air coming in to cool things down. Around 4am one of the cats brought in a bunny that got loose and Pete woke to the mayhem of 5 cats and 2 dogs chasing a bunny all over the inside of the house. He was able to get the bunny (who had cornered himself) and take him back outside.

My plans for the day include laundry, a trip to Walmart, a Sunday paper, clipping coupons and finding my kitchen table.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 23 May 10 - 07:37 AM

Harumph!

It's a good word. My romantic late night drive over the moors was really me following 4 other cars who kept suddenly slowing down. Yes, there are steep hills and sharp bends, but it should not necessitate a virtual stop!
Anyway, grump over. The concert (Hut People, aka Sam Pirt on accordion & Gary Hammond (percussionist, ex Beautiful South)) was superb. I'm pleased I made the effort to go.
Today is being spent in another social whirl. I have already been in the company of the Bishop of Sheffield, and shortly I am heading over to friends' for a BBQ. Tomorrow the chuck-out will have to begin again. Hopefully it will only be 4 or 5 weeks before I start to market the house, and there's plenty to do. I seriously need to prune out my clothes. I cannot justify 2 wardrobes full! There are things as yet unworn which I have forgotten all about in there!

Pulled a heap of rhubarb just now. Guess what I'll be eating over the next few days? Mmmm! Stewed, sweetened, and with orange juice and ginger....then covered in custard, or vanilla yogurt if cold.


Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 May 10 - 02:11 AM

Sounds like he knows how to read you. I've had similar garden incidents happen. Find something else, like state fair zinnias, to plant there.

Moved papers and books off of a folding antique table and took said table out of my office, for now. Dishes are done. Dining room area cleaned up.

Time to head for bed. I usually watch CSI: Miami on the weekend. The Cold Case comes on, but tonight they have the English and Spanish feed running on one channel (click to Spanish and there is no sound. English and it is a gibberish). Definitely time to call it quits.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 May 10 - 06:37 PM

Forgot to say, Colin asked me if I was going to go on Mudcat and write a Lament for My Sweetpeas with, of course, a dirgey-sounding bagpipe.*bg* I did tell him I'd be telling you all about his over-zealous whacking! Be careful wotcha ask for, grrrrrllllzzz!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 May 10 - 06:31 PM

Ah...good for you, SRS!

Andrea, twice in one week, 75 miles each way, that's a LOT for your neck of the woods. I'd love a night drive like that; I'll bet it will be beautiful. There are some good tai chi/qi gong stretches that really help the back and shoulders, esp. after sitting in one place for as long as that drive. Oh, and it helps with BP, too.:-)

If you search youtube for "Lee Holden" you can see short snippets of his qi gong videos. I have several of them. Working my way back, I am using his Qi Gong for Seniors at the moment. It doesn't look as though it would do a lot, but it has very subtle, deep effects. There are some specific videos for the back, too.

Jeepers, Sins, anything you need to hang onto for your new, svelte self? That's neat to find extra clothes!:-)

I've lost a couple of more pounds. Been doing so much more. Today, we ran some errands, then went to a garden center where I knew I could find my fav. annuals for hummingbirds: Torenia aka Wishbone Plant. When I have one in a pot on my front stoop, up on a plant stand, I can see hummingbirds visiting almost every day while I am at my desk. They just seem to love them. So, we bought two of them.

Came home, potted them up, had my son help move the iron plant stand out to put them on and there they are...they look so pretty. I wasn't sure i would put them out at all today. We have been having wind storms with enough dust to block out the mountains around us...just swirling clouds of dirt everywhere with gusts up to 40-60mph. It's been awful, but has died down a bit this early evening, so I'll leave them out for the night. If it is windy tomorrow, I may bring them for the day. I have been so much more active. Walking into and out of all of the places we went, today, whereas, even a month ago, I would have waited in the car for Rog and just enjoyed the ride.

Our son decluttered the yard for us some more by mowing the front grass, then weed-whacking. I'd asked him to whack the weeds in the driveway. I heard him, but had my feet up while reading on the bed for a few minutes. I got up a little later, went out to water, and let out a cry, "Oh, no! He whacked my sweetpeas???!! (They are against the white picket fence alongside the driveway by the front gate.) Just then, he walked in the backdoor looking unsure. So I told him what he'd done and of course he didn't know. They had weeds right beside them and he thought they were weeds, too. He gathered the almost in bloom stalks and I put them in a jar of water. I am sure the plants will come back, don't know if they will bloom this season, though. At least, if the stalks root, I'll have more plants. This is the same kid who, with his sisters, dug up a cactus and a sagebrush, crammed them in shallow tupperware dishes with dirt tucked in and drew me a Happy Mother's Day card to go with them. Can't get too mad, nor stay that way.:-)

We will be doing more inside the house, tomorrow. I wrote too soon about the wind. It's baaaaaccckkk!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 May 10 - 05:10 PM

AWWWW SRS. That's nice. Watch for it though. SOmetimes mom kicks the weak one out of the nest. You may be fostering a baby bird all spring.

I have started sorting through clothes to put a box together for Goodwill or The Salvation Army. Found stuff I haven't worn in years. Some with tags. I have to organize!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 May 10 - 12:07 PM

Hmmph. My earlier post didn't stick.

I rescued a baby bird this morning. Put it back in it's nest - it had landed in the lambs ears planted below the spot where the birds found a hole in the wall. I had to put my clothes in the laundry and take a shower because the bird was covered with mites. And I'll spritz the cavity with orange oil before I seal it up once the birds have left.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 22 May 10 - 12:06 PM

Good grief Kat! If your BP is that low on the meds.....you definitely need to talk to 'em! I wish mine would get down to anywhere within a country mile of that! Getting off BP meds is a sort of Holy Grail for me!

I started getting stiff back and headachey again yesterday. Don't really know why, but I've done some quite long drives lately, plus walked around Whitby on Thurs. I am doing another drive tonight as I have decided to go to a gig (in Whitby...twice in 3 days)! That's about 75 miles each way. Mind you, for once the traffic will be in my favour, and a night drive over the North Yorkshire Moors might prove interesting.

Chores done today? I watered the garden!

I am now going to get some fruit and Yogurt, and i will be heading off to Whitby in about an hour.

Andrea

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 22 May 10 - 11:46 AM

Lounge is all decluttered (except dining table where sewing stuff is) dusted and vacuumed. The upright vac (electrolux) overheated and now won't start. finished with the little DirtDevil canister vac.

3 loads wash out on line. 4th load started

Lots of paper stuff filed, recycled or put in bag for shredding.

Master bedroom decluttered, dusted and vacuumed. Books organised in floor to ceiling bookcase.

Every drawer in bureau, night table and wardrobes has been sorted through and organised.

Jewellery boxes organised. Hair accessories organised.

Next project - reorganise shelves and wardrobes in spare room. Lot of books and craft supplies. We are storing boxes with foam blocks in which the stereo and DVD recorder and my laptop came (in case we need to send away for repair or replacement). But we don't have room to store them. Going to try and convince TSO that I need the room and they have to go. Or at least the foam blocks have to go. Then I can use the boxes to keep other stuff in.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 22 May 10 - 10:41 AM

4mile run this morning before 9am. Did alot of walking this after too. Feels great to be out in the sunshine

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 May 10 - 11:40 PM

I not only drove him to school, I picked him up at noon with a requested Taco Bell quesadilla for him and a 2 point meatless Soft Taco Supreme for me with root beers, ate them under a shady tree, then went for a drive in which he directed me where to turn and what he wanted to see and look at. It's something we used to do at least once per week. This is the first time I've been able to in almost a year. Then we came home, I rested a bit while he yakked at me. Then we played with watering the perennials and using the hose like the spray-ghost-trappers from Ghost Busters while he knocked ghosts out of the trees. Then I made it rain, holding the hose up so the water would arc, and he ran under it enough times to get soaked on a hot day. What fun! But, that's not all, then we finished up with teeny, tiny, baby kid's sized Wendy's Chocolate Frosties, went to get his mom from work and I took them home and I still wasn't tired, at 430p.

This evening I realised I forgot all of my meds this morning. I think some of my energy is because my BP didn't get depressed. Going to have to talk to my docs. The other morning when I drove myself to the coumadin clinic, they tested my BP and it was 86/55...too low for much energy and after I'd taken my meds a couple of hours earlier. Definitely going to talk with the docs. Could be I am just better all round, which it feels like. I just find it interesting about the meds.

I've also been doing some leg stretches throughout the day.

Marigold, your new digs sound and look wonderful...great neighbourhood boost and I like the boss man!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 May 10 - 09:45 PM

Weeded some, now to get a quick bath, reheat some lo mein from the other night, and watch my favorite British mysteries! (New Tricks in particular. I'm rather weary of Waking the Dead. They've played it several times, and the character development just isn't as interesting as New Tricks.

Maybe I'll pick up around here while I watch TV. Certainly the laundry will get folded.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 May 10 - 01:19 PM

RL = real life?

I ma on a better roll? Maybe not. LOL

But good on you - driving Morgan anywhere must be a treat.

SINS, still trying to settle in to new sights and sounds.
Just discovered another Welcome Powerpay sign across from the back end of the building. It was made by the children at a local day care center. So incredibly cute.
Last night was an open house for the community and hundreds attended. New coverage. Even some men from the homeless shelter came. Beautifully catered. Live band. Lots of politicians.
This building is a godsend to the surrounding businesses and residents. Hopefully the beginning of a new chapter for downtown Portland.

But I am dsitracted by new sounds and sights.
FOCUS!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 May 10 - 01:06 PM

They actually want a RL scrapbook and not a powerpoint presentation? Have fun!:-)

Three loads of laundry done this morning and worked with my free weights as well as drove Morgan to school. I ma on a better roll this week.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 May 10 - 12:57 PM

We need to do some scrapbook work next week, and I've never done that. That said, I'm sure a big aspect of it is space to work, so I'm going to finish filing the university application stuff, and put the items that I was organizing back onto the shelves, so we have that large dining room table ready to stage the book. It will happen next week.

Good work, both Liz and Eiseley, on those projects you've finished. Eiseley rescued one and finished putting it together. Afghan rescue without leaving the country. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 May 10 - 12:56 PM

There's a half knitted blanket somewhere in the house, that I started when my first cat was expecting kittens, for her to line her nest with... That cat has been dead and dust for 16 years... blankie still not finished.

Then there's the little green dress I started to make for Limpit who reached her 14th birthday 2 months ago and is a sturdy size 12... rather than the 12months that the dress is... Just got the buttons to sew on...

LTS

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 May 10 - 10:41 AM

The van has indeed been emptied sufficiently to escape to H'burg for a 36-hour fling with Hardi!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: gnu
Date: 21 May 10 - 08:24 AM

Great vid SRS. Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 May 10 - 08:14 AM

Lizzie,
When my sister-in-law told me she was pregnant and the baby was a girl, I started an afghan for her. It was an elaborate 3-D rose pattern . Each row was a different stitch including some popcorns. It took forever to complete a square and the color grew monotonous. Molly got her afghan for her 16th birthday. Sixteen years to complete a single project. Must be a record.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 May 10 - 06:34 AM

I haven't abandoned the projects, it's just that something new came along and distracted me... they're all there, waiting to be worked on. I have a bag of big cross stitch pieces that occasionaly comes out and I put in a few stitches here and there.. it gets to a certain point and I think 'a few solid day's work and this will be finished' and then it happens. So it takes me an average of 6 years to do one A4 sized picture - slow but sure gets there in the end!

That's why it's such a miracle these quilts got finished... the major reason is that they're for other people and there's a deadline (before the children grow out of their beds!) so that helps... but to have finished in less than a month, a quilt for myself, is nothing short of incredible!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 21 May 10 - 05:04 AM

I hope you feel better soon, Liz. Well done on all the sewing! I have lost count of all the projects I have abandoned over the years: I think I am too impatient.

Kat, your young man has a real "old" head on his shoulders. He's a treasure! You are so lucky! The tasks don't seem so when somebody makes them fun.

You are all impressing me with your activity! I haven't done that much over the last week, although I did eventually finish the salt dough figure that had been causing the box of paints to hang around on the table for absolutely AGES....but now the hall is being decorated, all the coats etc are piled up on it now. Peter got a lot of painting done yesterday while I was off meeting family in Whitby for the day (life's hard, ain't it?). However he's not coming today, so things are still where they have been put and the study is resuming its previous dumping ground status. When he's finished, and I can get at the loft access a bit more easily, I can get some more stuff away.

One achievement this week has been to get the printer to work wirelessly again, and so it has been moved to where I wanted it. In the next couple of weeks I am going to have to start doing boot fairs. I have too much stuff to cope with on my own, so I may have to do two smaller lots. In past years I have done them with my friend (who has moved 250 miles away) or my daughter (whose husband works weekends, and is therefore Freya-laden).

My sister in law firmly told me to lay off the heavy gardening yesterday, when she found out about my wedged vertebra. Well that ain't going to happen, as there's never an able body available when I want anything doing! Between us we're a right pair - she suffers from vertigo, and my shoulders and back are not what they used to be!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 May 10 - 03:56 AM

Oh and "Don't put it down, put it away" - this has to be our new house motto... if only I could persuade the child to do so, life might be less crunchy underfoot.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 May 10 - 03:51 AM

A major miracle has happened this year... I have finished 4 sewing projects - trouble is, only one of them was one I had hanging over from last year... They're all quilts, 2 big ones, 2 little ones. The last one (check the photos on facebook, for some reason they won't load here), the earthy colours one - the fabric was only purchased at Easter, so I've done remarkably well to have finished it so soon! Chest infections and colds have their uses.

Been feeling poorly again (see above) so haven't done anything towards accountability. Have decluttered some fabric into a sensible container and am presently working on the computer room, whilst binding a booklet for church and texting a friend who is going through a really, really rough time (anyone so inclined, a &^%* reducing candle or a mention in prayers for Alex would be greatly appreciated - can't say what the problem is but it's a biggie and could have major league knock-on effects for a lot of people), deleting some of the 165 emails in my in-box and trying to find out why the printer makes a noise like a chainsaw. I bet it's a paper clip somewhere, or a tiny bit of plastic, but it's a pain in the arse and makes the printer go screwy.

Ah well, must away and do something constructive... or at least something on my list of things to do today!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 May 10 - 01:06 AM

I haven't used my dishwasher in a while and I noticed a few days ago that the water in the bottom of it was looking kind of gnarly. So the dishwasher is running. The washer is also running, because as the school year winds down my son seems to have lost all but two of his uniform shirts, so I'm doing laundry frequently to keep up with the school's uniform code. I won't miss that.

New homework asignment has arisen: he must do a scrapbook. Since both of us think scrap booking is highly overrated and rather silly, this will be a struggle to complete. There's nothing in the house that will work, so I guess we'll head down to the craft store this weekend.

I sprayed the garden with BT this evening. It was dark, but that's okay. My gardening guru says BT breaks down fairly quickly in sunshine, so evening application is best. This will give it overnight to get any caterpillars that are contemplating chomping on my garden.

I set up the camera to download a bunch of photos into the computer. I usually use Windows Explorer and choose the ones I want and put them where I want. I have no idea what this is doing now, except I THINK it is putting them in a folder according the the metadata, arranged by date they were taken. So what's downloading is repeat stuff, a lot of it. I'm still trying to figure out if I actually really LIKE this camera--my other one was much easier and less fussy, but this one can sure do the closeups, when I get the settings right. I have to finish the graduation announcement and get it to the print shop tomorrow (I finally got my son to model the cap and gown yesterday. They sent him home with a cord that reflects his scholarship, so it was nice to have that round his neck also).

Catching up on my NetFlix movies tonight. I've had a couple here for at least two weeks. I may have them drop me back to 1 movie at a time, or just online viewing for a while. At least my son watches enough stuff downloaded from there that it is getting some use.

That's my report. Not much physical activity today, just a little weeding. I have been eating more fruits and veggies. The camera seems to be hanging at photo 82. Hmmm. I may have to cancel this download.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 May 10 - 07:24 PM

Keyhole garden video on YouTube shows where they really make a difference. I'm using old rocks, not making it as tall, and am making more of a garden feature. Some of the American versions I've seen are downright ugly, you have to poke around to find interesting examples if you Google the term. You'll find, for example, that Sunset Magazine has some far-removed fancy layouts (I'm not going to post a lot of links, but is a Google Image search on the gardens.

I am putting in a raised bed, built in this style, and intended to include a compost in the middle. I have a big yard compost at the back of the back yard, but I would also like on in a spot like this that I can work and turn and simply scoop onto the garden when it has finished working. Probably in the spring, so the accumulation may mean I occasionally have to tote some of it to the back compost. Anyway, this is an experiment but I like the idea, and it will be in the place of a bottom terrace in the side garden.

Didn't wash those dishes, but I did remember to call Sears and schedule a repair on my fridge ice maker. I've had that on my list of things to do for a while. I need to do this while the fridge is under the extended warranty that I bought last November.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 20 May 10 - 06:09 PM

It finally dried out long enough for me to cut the front/side/back grass. I wanted to get it done early, because I knew my next-door neighbors were bringing home their new baby this afternoon, so I wanted to be quiet. It's a little girl. I haven't seen her yet, just from a distance when they drove up.

Made a pot of vegetable soup-- just canned tomatoes & frozen mixed veggies with some pasta shells-- but it's the easiest way for me to get my vegetables. I find it hard to cook just the right portion size for only myself, and if I cook too much, the leftovers just sit in the fridge until I throw them out.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 May 10 - 05:54 PM

Congrats, Eiseley!

As usual "Thanks to Morgan the Grandson," TTMTG?, he and I have shredded a whole box of receipts from 2001 and 2002. Nothing feels better than clearing out that kind of stuff. There is something so satisfying about the actual shredding process.:-)

Other than that, we have played on our musical instruments since he got home from kindergarten.:-) I'll take him while I can; next week is end of school and then he goes to all-day recreational and sports camps. I'll probably get him one or two afternoons or on Fridays, plus as always on the weekends. I may have to get a life, again.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: GUEST,Eiseley
Date: 20 May 10 - 04:47 PM

Rejoice with me: I finished putting together the afghan I found last weekend. It's blocking right now. Then yesterday I was able to find good homes for the wringer/washer and the heavy woodburning stove that have been sitting on the parking pad for some years now. When I parked the car last night after work, there was so much more space! It was wonderful.

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 May 10 - 01:09 PM

We're all about repurposing and living cheap. A day came not long ago when I realized that if I got a million bucks, I'd still live cheap. I WORK better, cheap. Oh I'd take the money, but it would not go to very many "things."

With that in mind, we did not buy a chimenea or a fire ring. We have a box of cinders the township gives away each year for icy rural driveways-- you go to the township road crew's pile and take what you need (via low, local taxes). This binfull is 3 years old and the bin is cracked. It can safely be moved once more and then the bin needs to be "trashed" (repurposed for gardening). Next year's cinders will go in some metal boxes that came our way-- one for the front porch and one for the back porch.

So the current cinders will be spread for a fire ring, on top of which will go an old smoker Hardi has been using to torch shredded financials. Last night it gave us a lovely settin' fire (with the little fire-tending door left open like a tiuny fireplace opening).

A downed treetrunk was hauled to this area years ago awaiting sitters (singers) at campfires. (Little Hawk, remember?)

The new fire ring will go where the grass is already kilt from a camper left sitting there for 3 years that now sit elsewhere. With enough campfire action, it will stay kilt enough, like a campground ring stays kilt if used often enough. I am sure the cinders will help keep it kilt, too, as well as making a mow ring for Hardi's lawn tractor.

===

3 CD racks going unused-- leave today. I got them free but I can sell them and I will. I see a table materializing in their place. The table is all picked out and I have enough surplus merch to barter for it.

===

The Band will host an anniversary party here in July. The doors are open for Getaway travelers to enjoy the new yard spaces with us as well. All are welcome, who know the way here. Others are invited to PM for direx.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 May 10 - 11:59 AM

Forgive my ignorance - Stilly, what is a keyhole garden? Sounds like something Alice and the White Rabbit might frequent.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 May 10 - 11:54 AM

My pickup still has that load of mulch, but I think this evening I'll be able to drop it on the lawn beside the drive to wait until I have a use for it. I've started marking the boundaries of my Keyhole Garden.

Dishes in the sink to be washed at noon today, and dinner stuff lined up. I'm thinking about making a loaf of French bread. The store was out, and the stuff at the store isn't really very good, just handy. I did a little shopping for items that will let me start working more diligently on a diet. It has been several weeks since my Rx HRT changed, I know I have more energy, and now I need to make use of it. Gotta lose this spare tire.

Gnu, that "Activia" stuff is over-hyped. Any active yogurt is going to have the same cultures in it. Don't waste your money on the expensive stuff.

My son's last AP test is this afternoon. Finals are next week. He graduates on June 2. Time is flying! I told him I'm going to have some chores for him to do once school is out. Now that ought to inspire him to get his summer job back, if nothing else does! ;-D

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 May 10 - 10:13 AM

The van WAS empty for about 5 minutes ydy, but came home re-loaded by one of the "delivery" recipients. I'm taking some of it to sell to the local "Sanford and Sons" place-- for a potting table I want-- but the bulk of it already went to the parish-- 3-1/2 boxes of canning jars for the soup supper sales, one of which is tonight!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 May 10 - 06:38 PM

That clock has a different destination. It is a piece of wood cut to be New Zealand with a clock in the center and all sorts of shells and crap and lobster claws glued on. Really hideous. about 2'x3'. But not for Severn.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: gnu
Date: 19 May 10 - 06:35 PM

I vote for "the anatomically correct sheep". Soft wooly buddy to snuggle up with at night.

That what you meant, right? Wooly bugger?

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 May 10 - 05:43 PM

LOL! You lot are a hoot!

Send 'im the sheep, Sins!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Art Thieme
Date: 19 May 10 - 05:22 PM

(smile)
They're going after the creature from the Black Studies Program!!

Art--1963
(Azizi, it's just a joke ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: jacqui.c
Date: 19 May 10 - 05:11 PM

What about the shell clock? - The one with the aquarium scene in it.

Let me know if you're up for playing on Saturday.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 May 10 - 05:07 PM

I have a serious decison ahead of me and need some input. I have promised Severn a piece of Maine hideobilia - something to brighten his day. It has to be shipped so fragile and big and bulky are out. Rules out that nasty lobster trap coffee table and the lobster lamp. I am not ready to part with the inflatable moose butmaybe the anatomically correct sheep. There is the hideous musical fountain from hell with the smiling lions and fat cherubs but it weighs forty pounds. Decisions Decisions.

maybe I should just hit the yard sales Saturday and see what turns up...but I would prefer to get rid of some of this crap.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 May 10 - 03:51 PM

Me too. But I'd rather be alive. It is temporary. A daily glass of red wine is actually recommended.

And a shot or two of JD once in a while won't hurt. LOL

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: gnu
Date: 19 May 10 - 03:49 PM

No alcohol? Screw that. I'd rather be fat than sober.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 May 10 - 03:31 PM

Don't apologize. I guess I am doing about the same with three meals and two snacks but the meals are less than half what I used to eat and exclude whites - bread, rice, potato, anything starchy - but unlimited fruits and vegetables all fresh. Fiber One makes a fat free cottage cheese loaded with fiber that equals 4 Weight Watchers points for an entire pound. That makes for a huge lunch with strawberries and pineapple. About once a week I treat myself to a tiny bag of chips or a sandwich on a roll. But no wine or alcohol because it triggers starch cravings. I am losing weight. Whether my sugar and cholesterol are also dropping - I have to wait until my next follow up in August.
70 lbs! I can only dream. Thank you for sharing.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: gnu
Date: 19 May 10 - 03:19 PM

SINS... typical...

6AM two heaping tbsp yoghurt (Activa with the beasties good for the guts) and one or two heaping tbsp 2% cottage cheese and two mouthfuls of skim milk.

8AM 1/4 serving of mini-wheats and 1/4 serving of Honey Nut Cheerios or an egg "McMuffin" (never two days in a row) or fruit salad.

10AM repeat 6AM.

12PM whatever I want, but only half a "normal but smallish" meal.

2PM repeat 12PM with the other half.

4PM PM and 6PM half of whatever I want. Sometimes, at 4PM, I have a LARGE bowl of butterscotch ripple ice cream and skip 6PM.

9PM Sommat like leftovers... last night, it was a toasted (white whole wheat) roast beef sandwich SLATHERED with Miracle Whip with hot water for my drink.

So, you get the idea. Eat every two hours and try to mix it up. Doesn't matter what you eat, just eat "half" or less each time. All the better if you can eat a "balanced" meal. Health Canada has great advice and there are lots of others including diabetes type eating.

At least twice a week, I make one of those meals just a tin of Del Monte French Style Geen Beans or a half a tin of corn or a tin of sardines or whatever, and I eat it over one hour. And at least twice a week, I eat a "whole meal" at 12PM and then just drink water until 4PM.

I identified what I had to cut back on. Salt... no. Nuts... no (I avert my eyes when I pass the nuts in the shops because if I have them in the house, the fat is back). Weekly, I treat myself, but don't repeat the treat for at least a month... I pig out on old cheddar mac & cheese... I pig out on lasagna... I pig out on baked spuds with enough margerine to grease an entire pig... in other words, I treat myself to comfort food weekly but I don't eat the same treat in one month.

As for the frustration of slow progress, that has been my biggest challenge. As I was a jock, it was more frustration with becoming older and not being able to admit that I just can't exercise the weight off whenever I feel like it. I finally had to accept the fact that it took 30 years to put it on and that three years to take it off is acceptale to me now. Closing on 70 pounds now, so I may bring this puppy in before schedule and under budget. If I don't, I don't. Someday I will. I ain't a young jock anymore.

Sorry for the long rambling post.

Subject: RE: BS: Tip Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 May 10 - 01:16 PM

Some cluts sit till their use becomes clear. Some of them get clear possible-use-sparkles...- but the real recipient and the way to give them "right"-- THAT can take time to manifest.

This week a lot of items are moving out of the "gotta go" section of the LR. (I established the section there because at that time it was where I sat most, and I knew I'd see the items often enough to keep tugging at me. "I gotta go! Who? How? WHEN?")

===

<> A personal gift was re-opened; items useful to a relative were allocated to his family's Christmas box (other items are waiting), and the personal part of it stays in my office till I'm ready to pass that part on to him, too. I keep the contents that I can use now, and the pretty box as a display to recall times with the gift's givers, who I see seldom.

<> A set of scooter parts went to live where the scooter lives. I do not use them, myself; they are easily removed and a place to stow them has been identified, along with policies for lending the scooter in today's risk-mgmt world.

<> A basket from FC is now holding a precious item Hardi will deliver to the landlord's family. One of their young men taught me a valuable lesson and did me a small kindness a few months ago. His sheepskin pelt (I harvested it in the late 80's) is carefully folded for safe display to the fellow's squeamish mom. A care-instrux flyer I handwrote (like a gift card) is stuck in where she can see how to take good care of it for him, till he gets home from kollidge for a visit. Or she can mail it to him, or-- whatever they decide makes the most sense, including re-gifting if they prefer. They will now what to do with a yummy pelt. The basket itself "originally" came from a major re-gifter who moved back to the UK. (We may have gotten a pie in it once, LOL.) This crazy, re-gifting community! :~) The care instrux are on a piece of parchment paper a church committee pal gave me last week as a sample for a planned project. "It's never failed me yet, this paper," she said, and it gives a real nice handfeel with the sheepskin, too, as well as being a pretty golden creamy color.

<> A HUGE Gateway box waiting for my MIL awaits her Oct. visit and instrux. It holds a PILE of Hardi's dau's stuff the dau might someday use with her babies, at the MIL's house. MIL will fly here for the annual visit, look thru the box, and then we'll ship the box home to her per her instrux.

<> When the box ships, that will remove the "gotta go" section, because the top of it has the right size to use for it. ANd that is where the sheepskin basket will sit till Hardi pays the rent or the landlord comes to look at an overdue faucet, LOL.

<> A gift a Mudcatter declined left 3 days later, to a charity sale we support.

====

It's all connected, this ecology of life in the mountains here. It's part of the Appalachians (tho the locals forgot). But it is, and we can see it in the people anyway, and learn from it, TBTG.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 May 10 - 11:36 AM

gOOD FOR YOU, GNU. i AM IMPRESSED AT HOW YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP LOSING. uSUALLY i LAST SIX WEEKS AND GIVE UP. hOPE THE NEW GYM WILL KEEP ME ON TRACK. hOW DO YOU DO IT?
sins
oH cRAP! dAMN CAPSLOCK!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 May 10 - 11:35 AM

Ani,


MEGA-WIN COINCIDES WITH BIRTHDAY!

Each slo-mo line below is a major accomplishment on its own:


I decluttered several professional tasks

to permit (and in conjunction with) a vacationally-oriented overnight stop this weekend

in Harrisburg

where I will scooter for two charities

with mah honeh

while doggehs use secure home kennel we built last fall.


Later today I will unload mostly-declutted van of a few remaining cluts,

visit new non-parochial friends,

and fix something at church

then have B'day dinner out with Greg

pack van together for H'burg lvg room to load scooter Thu eve

and measure van for

newly FC'd-in mattress materials

for conjoint boondocking

which materials we will clean upon our return.


Then we can load van with garden dirt (next payday)

together

unload dirt then to set up earthboxes

and clean van for conjoint boondocking

because

Hardi and I each shrank enough in the last two years that

Hardi and I now fit into smaller beds

and enjoy but no longer need kingsize beds!


TBTG,

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: gnu
Date: 19 May 10 - 11:30 AM

Same loss for me SINS this past week.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 May 10 - 08:31 AM

Official Weigh In and I lost another three pounds. Can't wait to see what exercise does for my program.

SRS - I PM'd you the company name. Can't be too careful with some information. They are amazing to their employees. Two industrial refrigerators filled with water, fruit juices, V8, soft drinks. Fresh fruit twice a week. Bonuses for maintaining weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose levels. Catered company lunches; semi-annual dompany parties at the best places in town. Last year it was held on an island and we had a choice of ferry or sailing ship for transportation. Now we have a gym with showers. Interesting people all just a little quirky with many interests outside work. The company matches donations raised in marathons and walks for your favorite charity as well as having an ongoing fund raising program with matching funds for three charities chosen by employees.
Jacqui mentione to me last winter that the Preble Street Women's Center was short of socks. I asked HR if I could put a box out to collect socks. The next day the owner of the company had HR purchase a couple of hundred dollars in socks and left them at my desk for Jacqui to deliver. No fan fare. No press release. And no one from the company followed up. Jacqui delivered them. I was on the original Giving Committee. In the first year, we raised and matched $10,000 with auctions, raffles, donation bins, etc. In December we worked with a local woman who runs a women's program in Haiti and helped her get supplies to her clients - thousands raised. This year we have matching funds of up to $30,000 and are on target to get them.

They hire based on qualifications. Young old black white fat skinny Asian Caucasian Hindu. It is a great place to work. And I am very lucky to have found it.

Thread drift over.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 19 May 10 - 03:32 AM

Last night I did a 2 mile brisk walk an hours body pump class followed by a 2 mile jog home. Did the jog in 12 minutes!

At the moment the living room is filled with ripped wrapping paper. It's Harry's 3rd birthday today and he's unwrapped all but one of his presents. His main present (bicyle) is at nana's where we'll have a party tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 May 10 - 12:38 AM

Maryanne, you have a lot going on your plate. Good luck with getting all of that retirement stuff worked out easily.

Hazel, you've been a positive influence already. That saying, "don't put it down, put it away," is a good one. So before answering this thread, I went in and filed all of the papers I've been dropping on top of my filing cabinet this week. It took about 10 minutes, I shredded a couple of things, and the items left on top now are action items, they require a call or a response. The rest could be filed. Thank you, and keep checking in on us!

Mary, can I ask who you work for? It's nice to be welcomed to the neighborhood like that -- and it's nice to know that there are places around to stop in if you decide you want a lunch for a special occasion or to take a client out. Here on my campus they put in a "club" on campus for faculty and staff, decorated to the hilt with gorgeous glass by our premier glass artist in the region who teaches on our campus. It really is a nice change to go in there and feel pampered, after much of the food service (Aramark) or fast food offered on campus. Enjoy the new digs, and all that the neighborhood offers!

So, papers filed, dishes done, and laundry is in drying.

My son has 2 weeks of school left (he's graduating), and we're down to only two uniform shirts that fit him. We're doing laundry every day or two--whatever it takes. He actually looks pretty good in the style he chose to wear to school, so we might buy a couple to take with him to university, but for now, we're coasting on fumes. And washing and putting things away as often as we need to.

Planning ahead - French toast for breakfast tomorrow. And that's it, I'm done for the evening. I go in to the office tomorrow, and have to do some de-cluttering (of paperwork) there. Catch you later!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 18 May 10 - 10:24 PM

On Sunday, our Irish session musicians group (I counted 15 of us) went busking at Eastern Market for Flower Day. The market is the big farmers' market in Detroit & flower day (they're not usually open on Sundays) is kind of their big "beginning of summer" even. They sell plants, flats of flowers & garden decorations, and they get around 150,000 people that day. Anyway, we collected money for a breast cancer treatment program. A little bit of sunburn & a sore shoulder, but we had a good time.

Last week I went down to the Social Security office, and signed up for benefits. My birthday is the last of June.

Rained last night, so the grass was still too wet to cut. Will try to cut at least the backyard tomorrow.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 May 10 - 08:55 PM

Hey Hazel. Now sell it all and come the Getaway in October, then on to Maine. Micca will be here. We can get some serious playing in. Even a trip to the Press Room.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Pistachio
Date: 18 May 10 - 08:26 PM

I've been away from the 'cat' for ages (and no real reason) but on my return I set myself a task (collating paperwork and enveloping, labelling and adding postage stamps) and have just read this entire thread. Wow.
Way back, I meant to keep up with the accountability - but failed to post. I have been busy tho' and found a fantastic book 'the complete idiots guide to organising your life'. The phrase to remember is "don't put it down, put it away"...and with that in mind I've transformed a load of clutter and kept up with current tasks. It seems I need a day a week to catch/clear up - but it's something I know that bothers/affects so many others that I don't beat myself up. I want to say well done to all of you - and I hope to draw from your inspiration. Photos, poems, comments, encouragement, care and above all love...it all helps. Thank you. Hazel.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 May 10 - 07:34 PM

This evening I gave myself an hour to see how many of those limbs and trees I could get out of my neighbor's yard. The answer is, all of them. Plus I cut down the other trees at the fence line. I took them off with tall stumps (~ 4') so they would topple into my yard. Tomorrow when the neighbor comes over with his chainsaw (we decided today was too wet for that work) I'll take out those posts as close to the ground as possible. And I'll take the string trimmer over and clear her side and my side of the fence, so it is a nice clean look.

This was all in an hour, but my shoulders and elbows can sure feel it. I took a lightweight bow saw (21") and a standard pair of loppers out. I cut what I could with the loppers and tossed the segments over, then cut the boles into 3 - 4' pieces and tossed them over also. Good steady motion, not quite breathing hard, but I think this declutter definitely also counts for the accountability portion of the thread!

Must drive to work tomorrow to take care of some stuff, and I'll make sure to park way south of campus and walk up to the library. I easily get a mile round trip that way. And climbing the stairs there is something I should do several times a day. This is the time of year the metabolism is in gear to burn energy and lose weight, so I need to take advantage of it. I sure didn't do anything productive to keep the weight off last winter.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 18 May 10 - 04:05 PM

Stopped hurting now.(The 15 mile bike ride with #1 daughter on Saturday afternoon didn't help. However, I went to a Health and Healing fair on Sunday afternoon, and treated myself to some Indian massage).

I have started to liberate some random clutter from underneath the stairs, and I am planning to get the table under the gazebo cleared of the defunct sundae dishes, gardening equipment, windbreaks from last year's camping, dust sheets, etc.
The stairs and landing are nearly papered, and I dare say the first paint will be going in the hall tomorrow. I have sent for details on 2 properties in Northumberland, and am starting to feel like I am getting some degree of control on what is going to happen over the Summer months. There will be still plenty to do after all the decorating is done, but they are smaller jobs, and much of it is more clearing out and organising.

...and I lost a pound and a half last week, so I am about back where I was before I went to Iceland and ate a lot of bread!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 May 10 - 02:29 PM

No lack of segue: if one prefers dark, one can simply create deeper darkness. (You just didn't follow my train of thought.)

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Alice
Date: 18 May 10 - 02:28 PM

I'm curious about how other towns deal with the branches pruned from residential trees and shrubs. Our town used to have us pile the branches in the alley near the trash cans and twice a summer they would remove them.
Now they no longer pick up branches and home owners have to find a way to dispose of them. General question to all, what is done in your town?

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 May 10 - 02:22 PM

That lack-of-segue gave me a severe case of whiplash. Sunglasses?

Drawing down frozen stuff still getting ready for summer crops in a couple of months. Beans and rice today, and the jar will get washed and stored for some other small portion (holds about 12 ounces, used to have a local brand of picante sauce). I'll take out some spaghetti sauce for tonight.

Didn't cut up limbs in back yet, it's too wet back there this morning, after another heavy rain last night. But I have been working in the house, clearing up the dining room table (the big one in the living room) to put away more of the college application and paperwork. They keep sending stuff in the mail.

Kitchen is clean, garden is looking good.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 May 10 - 10:49 AM

After an indolent day of housechores, it's back to a major work push. This is "grant-writing-hell mode," where the word processor (and web work) call loudly... at any hour as the ideas ovulate.... so the best one can do is put on the pretty bathrobe, gather nutrition and pets, and ride the work/nap rhythm till the deadline is met. TBTG for good movies on the DVR ydy to pace those housechores. I got a lot done-- and the BTW nightgowns are getting loose again.

That reminds me-- stereotypes. Hardi and I both assumed I was "afraid" to be seen naked. It turns out I just prefer deep, velvety darkness, because I have unusually vivid night vision in the dark. The cure? Cheap sunglasses. Maybe that is what ZZ Top meant! :~)

I got so much done this past week (painlessly, one tiny bit at a time as I passed by clutter on the way OUT) that Hardi has begun vacuuming. TBTG he has learned to do it when I can't hear it. No, I don't care how he does it-- the SOUND makes me as nuts as it makes the dog! :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 May 10 - 10:13 AM

Things are settling down here. Everything unpacked. Invites from all the local restaurants with coupons. They have eagerly awaited our arrival. Too expensive to order lunch every day but nice to have an assortment for a treat.
Tomorrow morning one restauarant is supplying a free breakfast buffet to welcome us.
Meantime, it has finally sunk in that it is at least a quarter mile from my desk to anywhere else I need to be - printers, cafe, rest rooms...my doctor will be thrilled.
This morning I had my gym orientation and made an appointment for a one on one with a trainer - we get two free sessions each. I may finally have a handle on daily exercise. I hurt just from the intro - LOL
Have been up and down the stairs twice and it is only 10AM. Ah well.
Back to work.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 May 10 - 05:58 AM

Kitchen dishes finally caught up after several weeks of more than fulltime work took me out of it. Spent ydy being professionally lazy but housewifely responsible. MUST maintain the balance-- or know the reason why!

The best-- In so many ways Hardi and I are more on the same page for the rhythms of this crazy ministry life.

TBTG for my home office. And the cushy rug Hardi and a friend put under my feet. Yummy reminder of Provision and a multi-sensual reminder of Marriage Vision! :~)

Sleepover trip to H'burg planned for Friday aftn - Sat. aftn, in a slick guest apartment we have stayed in often enough that I know what I left for dinner, in the freezer. (Yet another extension of this Brick House.) Destination: R&R, work/scootering a charity walkathon along the river with friends and colleagues in need of our presence. . Dogs set to go in the kennel we built last year-- this life is WORKING, at long LAST!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 18 May 10 - 12:23 AM

I washed the dishes and cleaned the counter until it sparkled. The boys are in bed, my afghan is nearly all put together (now I just need to weave in the ends and then block it), but that's about all I have energy for tonight. I think I talked to about 850 school children today, and about the same amount tomorrow. It's quite wearying to be "on" so much.

Goodnight, friends.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 May 10 - 12:23 AM

Kat, you need to get some DNA to clone and patent this kid. I want one.

Alice, I ignored blogs for a long time, but with the sophisticated templates and the templates that can be customized, there is some real potential. Add cloud computing to that, when you can store lots of stuff "out there," it makes reaching the world at large a matter of understanding metadata and keywords. And design, yes, but there is more involved that is easier than it used to be. And that is exactly what my tour guide friend needs. But talking him into learning to Twitter and send phone photos - that will be one big gab fest. ;-D

Dishes are finished, laundry is drying. I'm off to bed.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 May 10 - 11:38 PM

Good for you, Alice! It's good to see you getting back more into your artwork and making it available in such a lovely presentation. I love the look of fine letterpress. Good luck on your collaboration with the printer.

Got a humongous amount of dishes done, today, as I played Pirates with Morgan. I was the ship's bottle-washer and chandler, selling all manner of things a proper pirate might need. We had so much fun. The dishes took a wee bit longer, but the washing was done happily. He wants to do it again, tomorrow.:-)

We will also start on shredding papers, tomorrow, and I've a couple of spaces I want to get cleaned up, dusted and all, including my sanctum. Oh, and laundry, as usual.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Alice
Date: 17 May 10 - 07:57 PM

Should have mentioned this blog has been my way of easing back into work in spite of anxiety and panic attacks. I'm gradually getting there!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Alice
Date: 17 May 10 - 07:28 PM

No, I haven't created the ordering web site yet, just have the domain parked, but linking a site to a blog, twitter, facebook, etc., helps get traffic (eventually).

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: ragdall
Date: 17 May 10 - 06:41 PM

SRS,
I love your ducks, their reflections and the warm lighting. I wonder what they think about being able to walk on water? I also wonder how birds' feet can take so much cold without it seeming to harm them?

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 10 - 06:38 PM

I forgot to ask - Alice, are you going to run your business through that blog? And if you do, will you pay a fee, versus those of us who just post garden news or do our ranting in public now on free versions of the blog? I have a friend who is so desperately in need of something more than just the web page he is running now.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 10 - 06:29 PM

Interesting. Fire is scary--you're lucky it worked out so well.

Thunder and lightning all around now, heavy rain. I'll wait to go pick up my son after the storm lets up.

I have a box ready to go to the Office Depot folks, though I just found a couple of bits that need to go in. I'll open the bottom side (that doesn't have the packing lable) and add them in. The ear buds to the dead mp3 player. I wonder if they want the cable also? Probably ought to stick it in also, though a spare would be nice. Anyway, we'll get the cash back on the purchase, though I'd rather they replace the player--I got it for 1/2 price and it was a phenomnal deal. I haven't seen it that low since (Office Depot probably learned their lesson. . .)

Oh--the reason I opened this thread- a new recycling place (to get rid of and to pick up, so beware): http://www.ecofreek.com/. I've only taken a cursory glance at it, but maybe some of the rest of you have experience with it you can share, or want to take it out for a spin?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 May 10 - 05:21 PM

Other threads:
Fire in Praise's Home         
Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty

~S~

Subject: The Brick House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 May 10 - 05:19 PM

Susan, I wonder that you have a whole floor in your house that you only visit part of the year. How big is that house?

We rented this big ole house when we had 3 teens who needed space. They moved out, but we still liked the house, and were too busy to move. And then the Mudcatters started visiting.

The house has, at various times, been a 5 BR single fam dwelling, a 2-family dwelling-- even a 3-fam for a time. Many people living in the community now have loved here and told me what it was like when they lived here. The lady who delivers our mail (and whose father Hardi buried last year) grew up in the house working the farm as a teenager, and told me how some of the layout has flexed over time.

Her people are close to our landlord's people. They live down the road on the big dairy farm they started after they moved off this farm. They win the county fair's dairy prizes most every year.... Hardi buried our landlord's dad too, not so long after we moved here. He warn't in our church, but he knew Hardi, and that's how it works here.... you get close if you're solid.

Anyway-- this property (diff owner) was originally the HQ property for dairy farming on this road; we surmise from the amount of space and the numbers we have slept here that it was planned to be able to sleep and feed 35 or so workers in bunks at peak seasons, plus a second farmworkers' house across the creek. That house is also owned now by our landlord, but has a different tenant every few years.

The landlord's fam bought this property when the property's widowed matriarch eventually sold out to stay in FL fulltime, because their barn had burnt and they needed a good barn for hay and dry cows. The house, tho, has been a rental ever since-- their own house is 1/4 mile up the road and I see the green silos from my front porch. We've become good friend over the years, swapping favors like county folk will do. Bruce made a man outta my kid (let him milk cows in all weather, fun job), and we've had the pleasure of Bruce's kids doing a chore or two here as well, esp. vacay pet-feeding. They also own a number of smaller properties that can be rented or used to help pay farm helpers-- our house they call The Brick House.

Anyhoo-- the attic was built over a laundry room and downstairs studio apartment-- an addition to the main house. At one time the attic was a 16' x 16' dorm-type bedroom. With faded wallpaper when we moved in (1994). The side walls are 4' high and then it slopes up from there to be normal room height in the middle-- much more headroom that the average attic. All new drywall and wiring now, over an old pine plank floor (2x6's).

It was this attic that mostly burned in our Dec. 2000 fire. We were lucky the nextdoor tenants saw it break out and threw creek water on it in a bucket brigade-- smoke filled the maion house but the fire narrowly missed coming in because the addition was added onto a brick wall of the original house. There is still smoke stain on the door casing above the door that opens between them, where you can see how it poured up and into the kitchen on its way up the staircase to the bedrooms.

We came home to find the fire trucks just packing up. It was about 2 weeks after I had stopped managing the local Red Cross-- I knew these fire volunteers well. I had often been on fire scenes they were running, to aid disaster victims-- then suddenly WE were the victims ourselves. It was pretty surreal to joke with the fire chief as people here always do.... but that's how this place runs. Ya gotta laugh when it's tough.

At that time we had one kid still here, and the attic stored empty moving boxes, Christmas stuff, unused furniture, and other seasonal stuff. The floor below (mostly unheated) we've used at various times as an office, a playroom, an adult ed classroom, a music room, a spare bedroom.... it's Hardi's weight room right now.

The attic portion was rebuilt so well after the fire that I took one look and saw usable space. We started hosting Catters before the work was all done, in fact, and the first Gather we hosted found me sitting amid burnt rubble, on the now-nice back porch, in an afghan.

The attic soon had a number of accumulated beds and linens. This is mostly described in the MudDorm thread. We planned at the outset to use it as camp-type overflow sleeping space. We furnished it with free or thrift-shop items that could mostly be left behind when we eventually move (for either the next tenant or the parish thrift shop to pick up).

Mudcatter Hesperis almost moved into it as a studio apartment, but did not make it across the border from Canadia.

Later Hardi and I decided that since the rebuilt attic had the only decent wiring in the house, we should try cooling it for the humid nights that periodically last an entire summer here-- I can't stand humidity. We discovered much to our joy that the wiring up there and its miniscule (new) window DID stand a trailer-sized AC. The night we went to WalMart to get it we installed it and, that night, made a king bed out of two twin beds.

Over the several years since it has been increasingly a place of refuge. There are a few photos of the old MudDorm layout (and colors) in a YouTube montage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocjMckTtZ1Y


The total spaces of this house basically amount to three different one-floor-living spaces, so we use them that way. Each floor has some kitchen and loo capability. The kids' rooms have also been re-purposed a number of times.

Now if I could just build a high deck off that attic room, it could help keep the building from tipping over the rest of the way AND I'd have a brekky balcony up there! :~)

The main house (all brick) was built in the 1800's out of clay dug out when the farmworkers' property got a pond. The clay was molded and fired at a brickmill that used to be just up the road. The family that built it (the builders, not the farmers) still work in the area as contractors, and I learned about the bricks when they came to fix a loo one day.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: gnu
Date: 17 May 10 - 03:44 PM

SINS... ahhh... I understand. I was just concerned that you might have seen him smiling at you ans waving or wagging his tail.

Now, as for the "... with white tips on his dangly bits. Very handsome." I am NOT gonna ask and I don't wanna know.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 May 10 - 03:40 PM

I took Bluebs (named by fellow employees with a nod to mine) home in a plastic jug. He has been on a counter in the kitchen and he was not happy. Sat on the bottom of the jug looking grumpy. Jostled to my house and jostled back, poured back into his bowl - he immediately started swimming around and doing his fish dance - lots of wiggles and swirls - begging for a treat - dried worms.

I have new cubicle mates and they are not used to me chatting with the fish. He resonds to my voice and needs company. Plus, like my cats, it took no time at all to figure out how to get a treat.

He has more than doubled his size since December - I must be doing something right.

Bright blue Betta with white tips on his dangly bits. Very handsome.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Alice
Date: 17 May 10 - 03:20 PM

Well, I feel like I am gradually coming out from the dark cave... still unemployed, but have started working on a project to develop my own designs for letterpress printed wedding invitations, birth announcements, etc. I have the domain name of myletterpress, com, but still have about 40 designs to do and 180 layouts to create from them before I can upload and start the site.

A mando player I met through music, who is a printer here in town, suggested the idea that I do the design site and he do the letterpress printing. I've worked with him before.

I'm just getting started, but here is a blog about it with a few designs:


My Letterpress


The car is on the fritz and at the mechanic, lots of work in the yard needs to be done, and no money is coming in... I feel like I should be outside because it is sunny, cleaning the raspberry brambles, but I still have those 40 more designs and 180 layouts to create.

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 10 - 03:03 PM

;-D I wondered about the fish's whereabouts also. . .

Looks like rain. I'll have to put off trimming the branches until tomorrow. Trash guys missed a few houses on our end of the block. I'm watching for them to help with the trash because I don't want them to tangle with those cactus pads.

Susan, I wonder that you have a whole floor in your house that you only visit part of the year. How big is that house? My great aunt in Connecticut had one that didn't really look so large from outside (partly because mature trees in the area kind of concealed the height) but she had the ground floor, the second floor with four bedrooms, and a not-quite-finished third floor with four more bedrooms (used for storage). And the attic on top of that. Plus a full basement. A lot of house, when you come right down to it. (There was a maid's room and washroom on the back of the kitchen on the first floor, and my aunt slept in there the last few years so she didn't have to climb stairs. A grand total of 9 bedrooms.)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: gnu
Date: 17 May 10 - 01:50 PM

SINS. Windows... can't beat em. And, "My fish, Bluebs, is deliriously happy to be back in his tank on my desk." Ah, well maybe I shouldn't ask.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 May 10 - 01:31 PM

We opened the attic room last night. How delightful to find that all those miscellaneous trips up the steep stairs to "stock" it at the end of last summer has paid off. A mouse chewed up a candle, but that was the only serious attrition. So far I have not found a nest or chewed bedding. A nice surprise was the glass-encased snack department. I knew I had left one but did not recall the details, but it was all right there along with water and a spare supply of bedtime BP meds. And it was nice and DARK for solid sleeping. There was even a charger for the bedtime-stories MP3 player-- I thought I had removed it but it was right there waiting.

The sloped ceilings make it just like being in our camper. AWAY. But without paying for dog boarding! :~)

The home office will go into summer hibernation-prep this week.

A gate for better upstairs kitteh-mgmt has been fashioned-- Hardi gave me his Friday as surprise early-b-day gift, to help out with little chores waiting for that second pair of hands.

It was a bumpy re-entry to the downstairs, but my backporch prayer bag also was waiting for me when I managed to get out back for a bit. I need to go back to bed! The last month has been an intense worktime-- I need the downtime to balance it.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 10 - 12:28 PM

I'm working at home and have my ear out for the trash guys. I'll walk the large plastic can down with gloves on and ask them to tip it into the truck carefully--under the brush are the last chunks of the cactus I got rid of.

Before starting work this morning I spent about 20 minutes cutting up brush from yesterday's lumbering, and took two modest stacks to the curb (each one was a full armload, but I piled them separately, so I know they'll be easy to pick up and toss in the truck.) I stacked up more back there and left them ready for the Thursday pickup. I wish my village would invest in a heavy duty chipper and bring it around for a modest price so we could chip our branches. It would be the best use of all of this. Tomorrow my neighbor across the street is going to bring over his saw and we'll lop some of the bigger limbs and take down the tall stumps I left. There are several trees I need to take down out there. Maybe we'll get the whole lot. He likes to help, and we do favors for each other across the street all of the time. I think he figures he probably owes me (I give them lots of produce every summer) so this will be a good payback. :)

I have blisters today, from yesterday's chopping. No surprise. One other (but less vigorous) thing I took care of in the yard was to dig up some of the garlic. The stuff growing in the shade isn't worth harvesting, the bulbs are so small. But those in the sun next to the drive and in the oregano were huge. I got one the size of a hardball. I gave them moderate cleaning then gathered it together in a couple of bunches and they're hanging in my laundry room to dry.

I took a look at the tree with the mustang grapes yesterday. I can see lots of grapes from the road. Hard and green right now, but give them 2 or 3 weeks. Now I wonder if I can beat the birds to them? Will I make a supply to take to school next fall for my son? We'll have to see.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 May 10 - 11:46 AM

Way to go, MariGold!

Didn't have to wait until this morning to do the rest. After Colin ate and gave his back a rest, he emptied the caravan while I sat and sorted, slightly. There wasn't a lot of trash, so most of it just went to the van; even then, the van still has tons of room we will NOT fill up, again...I promised! He then gave the caravan a good cleaning, sweeping, dusting, and mopping. He also got a table out of his rented storage space and set it up in there. It looks nice, his cats are happy, and it's a little bit more comfortable, though NOT too comfy.

In between, the cleanings, Rog and I took Morgan to the skate park. He looked so darn cute with his helmet and scruffy-looking skateboard under his arm. He really is a beginner which is fine as far as I am concerned. So, he scooted round, watched the big kids, thought he might go down a slope than decided it was a bit more than he was ready for...even with Papa's help. So, we took the dog for a walk and bought Morgan some real Mexican ice cream from a fellow pushing an ice cream cart throughout the park. That is rich stuff...lots of cream and butter came through in the taste...yummy!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 May 10 - 10:36 AM

We moved!
I am in my shiny new cubicle with a new phone and less space. But I have windows all around me and the restaurant across the street has a huge sign in their window welcoming us.
Best of all, there are three flights of ten steps between the first and second floor. I have to use them up and down at least twice a day. If I never get to the Employees Gym I will still get more exercise.
Wednesday is weigh-in although we didn't get enough participants to continue on site Weight Watchers. I will weigh myself and join the local one if I can't stay on track. Or maybe I will go on line.
My fish, Bluebs, is deliriously happy to be back in his tank on my desk.
All is well.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 17 May 10 - 03:54 AM

Before the big rain storm hit yesterday I did a 4 mile walk and an hours spinning class. We had some bills to pay at the hotel for the reception so did that before working in the garden. Veggie patch has been extended, the rocks removed and new compost added. George and Amelia planted some runner beans and Harry transplanted the sprouts.

The new ceiling is up on the upstairs landing.....where the attic hatch was left a big hole so the whole lot came down we now have a lovely smooth ceiling. Bath pannel has been sanded down, undercoated and glossed ready to be put back on tonight.

Just about to get the kids ready to go out for a walk this morning to the sorting office to pick up some parcels, I think they are all for Harry's birthdya on Wednesday, can't believe he's going to be 3.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 May 10 - 02:27 AM

Oh don't talk to me about aching feet!!!

Didn't go around elephant spotting (Google 'Elephant Parade' - about 260 elephant sculptures decorated and placed around London), but to the British Museum for their Italian Renaissance Drawings exhibition instead. Must have walked about a mile around the gallery... it was exquisite! Then pootled off to church, getting soaked to the skin in a rainstorm on the way (which took the dye out of my green scarf and transferred it to my favourite white shirt in blotches. I am not a happy bunny...), bumping into one elephant on the way, and then another different one on the way home - so did manage to see a couple after all. So that's 5 down, 253 to go...    Still, I walked a fair distance, judging by the way my legs feel, so that should help.

Today, I should manage to piece the quilt together, if I concentrate on it and don't sew the wrong bits again... I may even get the next three planned, if not cut. They're similar colours and just simple squares so I can work on them simultaneously.

Enjoy the day all.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 10 - 12:07 AM

Kat, that sounds like a great day, and it allowed all of you do deal with issues of space and stuff in your own way.

My feet are aching after a day of working in the yard. I cleared along the back fence, and I took out a lot of smaller limbs (that I could get with the loppers or the bow saw). And I took out a couple of small hackberries along the back fence. (The fence is built too far into my property, so though it was on the outer edge of the fence, they're still my trees. Next time we need a new fence, we'll split the cost of the survey and the fence and get it put in the right place. The mistake was made by the original owner of this house.) I let that neighbor know that I won't leave those down trees long on her "back 40" (the property behind her privacy fence) because I'm cutting a lot of this up for the bulky waste pickup. Early June is our part of town's turn (it's quarterly). I'll have a lot to go out there this time.

I was about ready to wrap up that work by mowing the lawn, ready to kick back, when I got a call from the ex. He needed to help our son make a Puerto Rican dish for his Spanish class tomorrow (and of course, said son didn't mention it till mid-afternoon on Sunday. Son wanted to make a fried banana dish called tostones, but they wouldn't have been very good served a day after they were cooked, and cold. When fresh they're kind of like a super french fry). Instead, they chose a couple of dessert like things - fried battered finger bananas and a crispy coconut and sugar topping. The coconut was grated before they came over here, but when they got cooking I'll spare the details. They came to my house to cook because I had the cast iron skillets needed, plus various ingredients. It seems that the ex doesn't cook much these days. I also had a little deep fryer that made the bananas a lot easier, but there was considerable cleanup after everything was made. Now to take it to school tomorrow morning.

My aching feet are telling me it's time to put them up on a mattress and call it a night.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 May 10 - 05:21 PM

Rog, our son, Colin, and I went out to the old panel van in which we moved back West in 1993 and which has been parked for several years, in the backyard, with clutter stored in it, almost to the ceiling. Colin is the perfect, dispassionate, strong, and willing young'un to help us go through it all! My Rog would just chuck it ALL and Colin probably would, too, but they both understand my emotional attachment. More importantly, Colin has a kid's way of convincing mom she needs to let go of certain items, whereas with Rog and I, I'd wind up resenting it and thinking he just doesn't care, which is NOT true. Anyway...the van is now nearly empty with only two plastic bins and four antique floor lamps which need to be rewired, then sold. There are two bins of things Colin will take to Goodwill, if no one claims them this evening. We put them and four laminated shelves out by the mailbox with free signs on them. Usually things disappear that way.

Tomorrow morning, Colin and I plan to do the same to the stuff which is in my caravan in which he and his cats ares staying. The stuff left over from that will go to the old van. That will give him and his cats a tad bit more room until he moves out, plus he can get his houseplants from his ex-girlfriend's thus cutting one last tie he doesn't need to that relationship. It all feels so good. I do have some bins we brought in to go through. One is all papers which need to be shredded. Morgan will love that. Two of them go to my brother as they include some of his books and other things.

This is stuff Rog and I have been wanting to do forever; he's never had the energy after work and after cleaning house, etc. with me to tackle them with just me to help out in small ways. I've often wished there were someone we could ask to help or hire, but the kids were all too busy with their own work and families. I can see the hidden blessings in Colin's breakup, not just in a selfish way, but also as he is doing so well...working his plan and feeling better in all ways since the beginning of this month.

Major decluttering frees up my mind, too!**bg**

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 May 10 - 02:25 PM

Andrea, I know about that pacing yourself based upon injuries. I had to postpone some of the heavy mulch and dirt lifting for a while earlier this spring. Today I've been clearing along my back fence. I got into poison ivy by accident late last month, and I wanted to be sure none of it had crept back in. Plus, if I can keep the brush and weeds behind the fence, I'm likely to lose less wildlife to the dogs.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: gnu
Date: 16 May 10 - 01:47 PM

rags... your pics NEVER cease to amaze me.

That "juggler" is a stunning pic!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 16 May 10 - 01:39 PM

Tomorrow I have 3 beds to get stripped and changed. Could have done it today, but I went out to a fair, and I am out to a concert tonight. My outing today resulted in Moroccan lantern #3 - a hanging one, which has replaced 2 very tatty candle lanterns under the gazebo.
This week I will have to sort out all my coats that are currently hanging in the hall, and really be ruthless...there are enough to clothe a large family! I mean, I only wear them one at a time!

Haven't done much more in the garden - stuffed up my neck and shoulders hauling at hop-vine roots last Wednesday, and they're still not right. The headache's about gone, though.

I should think that by the end of this week I will be down to door varnishing and finishing off other odd jobs, such as the guttering (fingers crossed). Then there will be a month or so of really organising the stuff I'm keeping, followed by marketing the house. (There is still some sorting out of a water feature on the patio, but my son in law has promised to help....don't hold your breath!)

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 May 10 - 10:38 AM

Photos can appear to animate (circulate to music you choose) at OneTrueMedia.com. Like the old flipbooks. Free photo-montage web service a couple of us are using.

===

TBTG, the accumulated Scripture/study resources make a nice "store" from which I can "shoplift" items to disperse to my new sitting areas:

Ancient items falling apart go into water-resistant carry-bags so that every area has, waiting, material for "Ew, my office is too hot today" alternatives.

I just stocked one stash for the porch--- and another for the "summer" sleeping attic-- which, OH JOY, it will be warm enough to sleep in TONIGHT! That will serve (like a quick overnight stop at a faraway vacay home) as a "what needs to be done up here" occasion to prep for the longer summer use.

(That "attic" [old MudDorm to you newbians] functions like a studio apartment, with office corner, etc..)

The ancient laptop I FC'd-in last week is sitting in the attic stairway now, to be evaluated up there tonight (or whenever.) All I need up there is a text/word processor, and I was told it does do that.

I always say, if the sheets REALLY need changed-- go sleep in another bed that already has clean ones! :~)

===

Animaterra: TBTG I slipped the sucker punch on what my "priorities" "ought" to be-- and stuck with MINE!!! (mic'd: "She wins, the crowd's going crazy....")

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 May 10 - 04:15 AM

House is relatively tidy, I need to look out for a decent backing for my earth tones quilt and I'm all caught up with the TV.. today I'm going elephant spotting around London - lots of fibreglass elephants about 4ft high have been decorated by various people/organisations and dotted around the city. I'm going to pootle round London this afternoon seeing how many I can spot.

I may even take in an evening service and a small gin and tonic....

There went the accountability....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 May 10 - 11:10 PM

I picked up a big batch of free mulch this evening. Two weeks ago the vault over in a city park where they store it was empty, but tonight there was no one around and lots of mulch. I quit after a little weeding, it was still too squishy in the garden this evening.

I did recycle, then clean out all of my recycling containers and washed down the step. I have a mat I used to keep in front of the sink that got left on the porch a while back. I brought it in again, but may get one more. I like something in front of the sink (it is a hard floor) but having a good shoe scraping mat pays off also.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 15 May 10 - 10:54 PM

Ragdall: Now if you could only add some animation to those photos you could have flickering flickers on Flickr.

Thank you, folks, for your kind words about this lovely afghan that is shaping up quite nicely. Maybe it's really possible to turn over a new leaf and actually finish a project. I have several on the burners right now. It's a little bit like books---I have never been able or seen the need to read just one at a time, though I admire those who do. It's probably just different ways of organizing. My question is, do people who read only one book at a time need only one bookmark?

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: ragdall
Date: 15 May 10 - 10:15 PM

Eiseley,
There was nothing silly about your exchange at the church. You freed up a great deal of space and came home with something which will be very useful and beautiful, once it's finished.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: ragdall
Date: 15 May 10 - 10:11 PM

katlaughing,
It's wonderful that your son is willing and able to help you so much. It sounds as if you'll soon have a gorgeous backyard.
No, I'm far from being a professional photographer, but thank you for asking. I just use a good quality "point and shoot" camera, usually on the "automatic" setting. I take my camera to places that it can find the subjects and it does the rest.

Eiseley,
Your favorite poems--about bird watching is lovely. The poet must know both elderly people and birds very well.
The poem reminded me of when I got my elderly dad interested in feeding and watching the birds in his garden. I supplied him with a feeder, a field guide and a supply of white millet and sunflower seed. It certainly brightened his days, as my birds now brighten mine.

SINSULL,
Thank you. Flickers fascinate me, too. I think I have more photos of Flickers than any other species.

I vacuumed up a large quantity of sunflower seeds from my lawn today. When I watered two days ago, I'd pulled the clothesline to move the feeders far away from the house to keep them from getting soaked by the water. I noticed today that the lawn under them is now covered with seeds too. :-(

I looked online for seed catchers. At $20 each, plus shipping, I won't be buying any but I did see instructions for making one so I may have a go at that next week. I really would like to make the yard much less attractive to any rodents who live on the ground.

Or maybe I'll work on tidying inside the house? Why is it that it's so much easier and faster to clutter than to declutter?

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 May 10 - 01:32 PM

Eiseley, sometimes ending up with less clutter but one treasure in place of it is a good thing, don't you think? You'll treasure the space!

I was poking through the cabinet of remnants and pieces of fabric for things that never got made, and I have a couple to choose from to make short curtains for my office window. I'll poke around a little more. If I make a lining in them they'll last longer, but this window has a nice shade tree outside it now (one I planted when I moved in) so the lining is mostly to keep the fabric from being translucent when I'm working in here at night. I can still lower the mini-blinds, but I'd like to have the split of blinds above, curtain below.

The dogs got their shots today. It's sometimes higher math to do this right. I got their regular inoculations, but I skipped rabies, because they only need it every three years (according to the serum instructions). The trick is, some vets give a certificate for only a year, as does this vet who runs the shot clinic. I think that next times my dogs need their heartworm test I'll take advantage of my vet's offer of a free rabies shot. And I think they might license for 3 years.

I leave one dog in the truck and walk one through the fire hall to pay, then take the first one to the truck and take the other dog in for the shot. Last year Poppy walked through, this year Cinnamon did. And Cinnamon is such a character. My knees are bruised because she was wagging so hard at all of the other dogs. She was smiling, and offering licks when she could get close enough to the other dogs in line with us. She's so funny! Poppy is all protective and while she would like to meet them, she also doesn't want them near me. I think. So we're finished for another year.

Today is weeding and housework. And some sewing. Not bad.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: GUEST,Eiseley
Date: 15 May 10 - 01:08 PM

I did a silly thing: there was a swap-your-junk-for-other-peoople's-treasures gig over at the church. I took a whole trunkful of stuff, including the heavy-duty-but-too-plastic-for-my-yard garden chairs. Everything was taken. My silliness is that I exchanged it all for a bag of knitted afghan strips that just have to be attached together for the piece to be done. The squares are all beautiful solid colors with a knit-one, slip-one pattern---lovely. I spent about an hour this morning planning the layout and beginning the first joining. It will be so pretty to put out on the porch swing---but it will take some work. My plan is to do it quickly so it doesn't malinger in the bag for years and years.

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 May 10 - 07:39 PM

I've picked up those hard plastic Rubbermaid-type drawer organizers you see at garage sales (slots for forks, knives, teaspoons, soup spoons, salad forks, etc.) and used them successfully in my kitchen tool drawer (I know you called it the "junk" drawer, but really, all of that stuff is there because we perceive a USE out of it again one day. Not exactly a treasure drawer, but at least a rat's nest of useful stuff.) Good job, Morgan!

I also have a couple of those organizers in my tool cabinet out on the work bench in the garage, and one on the bench top itself. I think there is also one on the sliding keyboard try in my daughter's old computer desk, the one my sewing machine is sitting on top of.

Poppy is doing much better today. Tomorrow morning we'll all head over to City Hall for annual shot clinic, and I'll make sure they approach her from the healthy side or she'll yelp the place down. Another thing off of my list. (I have a list of things to do on my fridge that I put there in February or March, but hadn't looked at for a while. I was able to cross a couple off today!)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 May 10 - 06:57 PM

Susan,

   My Relay For Life Team will make several themed baskets that will be up for auction during the event. If you are in need for a home for the bait fisherman gear, I bet it would be nothing to make up a little basket from those rods....just a thought. Pete is going to make up a fly fishing basket with a hand wrapped graphite rod (that he built) and flies that he has tied!   Just a thought!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 May 10 - 06:09 PM

It seems I keep starting out recent reports with "for the first time in ages/years/etc" and now I have another:

THE junk drawer in the kitchen, the one with screwdrivers, nails, screws, washers, screws, ceiling hooks, rubber bands, etc. has been cleaned out. Where previously one couldn't find a nail without scraping their knuckles on some other sharp object, couldn't find anything without an archaeologist's kit, or had the entire contents fall out when they finally grasped that hidden object, there is now order and ease.

Thanks to Morgan for the inspiration! I sent him in the house to get the electrical tape as we were cobbling together a home-made shuttlecock for badminton. (He hit the real one up on the roof the other day and the wind blew it away.) I could hear him huffing in complete frustration because he couldn't get THAT drawer shut and he muttered, "Why don't you ever clean this out!?"

Then he decided the package tape would work, brought it out and we've decided that a small Styrofoam cup with a small hole in the bottom, the end cap for one of the net poles shoved in the hole, then taped in to stay (with a cross bar of twigs wedged in tightly inside the cup against the cap to keep it from pushing through) works better than the smaller, more lightweight "official" shuttlecock. Had a blast with it.

I cannot wait to ask Rog to hand me a screwdriver, tonight.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 May 10 - 03:11 PM

Oh yes, SRS, I started with that-- but there are a few tricks up my sleeve beyond that.

In unpacking the week's pickups, I count:

Fishing box of "junk please remove": 4 good bait-fishing rods, 4 shorties light enough for kids, a brand-new reel still in plastic, a coupla odd parts, a pair of 2-pc willow-branch rods (or maybe it's dried bamboo) that are VERY nice, a foldable flagpole for my scooter, and $1.85 in coins mixed in with mud, mouse-eaten insulation, and reel installation instrux in the chewed-up box the reel came in.

Baskets to Keep ("We're moving pls take it AWAY!"): Four hangworthy wicker baskets, a big desk-trashcan-size with handles, three 'hang-on-milady's-arm" type to gather or display flowers or decoriana, a matched pair of whitewashed, deep rectangles (large raw-materials inbox, tiny-for-digitized-output outbox), a matched pair of capacious, deep rectangles with handles (mag size and one sz larger).

One "Can you use this" old laptop I may pass on (VERY old) in a GREAT new carrycase I will KEEP for the nicer laptop olddude sent me...

A referral to someone who may be a GREAT petsitter for vacay... who the donors paid to load all this up! Yes! He took things out of my hands to load them for me!

A round, diassembleable table with legs, hole, and lightweight, portable umbrella stand-- all light enough to go camping (or visiting), and seat 6 who bring their own chairs.... needs a coat of paint.

===

Misc to go straight to yard sale, such as a small humidifier...

Yet to be determined-- keep or sell or donate-- several more misc baskets I cannot immediately allocate, plus a few older baskets the new lot will replace that can go to the yard sale.

===

Local fishing folks will help evaluate all the fishing gear before I disperse it-- Hardi's a flycaster, not a bait dangler.

And Hardi LIKES the wishing well, now looking pretty good on a sunny day (as-is & moldy) when yer driving our road at 55+ m.p.h.-- to which I will staple on a few lightweight 49-cent surveyors' stakes (think mini-picket-fence pickets), and paint. The well, not Hardi. :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 May 10 - 01:59 PM

I've done Freecycle before, and have also tamed it. Between getting a digest (once a day) or if I want them as they happen, sending them to a free a account that is just for freecycle.

I finished my mowing and was sweeping in the drizzle. As I finished the last dust pan full of leaves and grass the heavens opened. I just looked at the radar--all I wanted was my garden watered, but it looks like we have a huge front coming over the top of us. Let's hope it doesn't scour the beds. I transplanted some of my basil so they grow in more of a pattern (they're all volunteer from seed today) and I did some foliar feeding and spraying this morning. It doesn't really matter that it is raining now, the impact of foliar feeding comes soon after the spray lands on the leaves.

Thunder coming. I guess I'd better shut down the computer.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 May 10 - 01:04 PM

SRS, the secret has been to know what sorts of things (size, shape) I want, and be patient while they accumulate. I have space that can be used till critical mass is reached, and beyond that I have just a few email tricks to keep me from getting drowned. Details if requested.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 May 10 - 11:31 AM

Quilt blocking slowed down, due to being knackered and a shopping trip... the small ones are all done though, they need to go into their 4s for the big blocks.

Meanwhile, I've re-packed 2 tents (see, told you I was stressed) and now have a dining room to excavate... time for a walk I think!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 May 10 - 10:34 AM

Great photos! I am afraid mine are scattered all over the place, but I've been sneaking up on birds and bugs for a while now also. I don't have so many flickers and such, though. I recently shot through the screen door (hence the hazy image) to get a cardinal attacking my strawberries. He and his friend Mr. Mockingbird. That's why I put up my bird feeders again. To distract them. :) I think I've put several in photobucket, but here's one from last winter in my Picasa pages Ducks on a frozen pond.

Susan, I'm about to the point where I will join Freecycle again. I'm impressed with just how many things you've managed to pick up to build up the dog area and outside seating. I have a few things to donate, and a couple of things to look for.

Gotta go mow before the heavy weather gets here.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 14 May 10 - 08:57 AM

Washing done and on line drying....hopefully, although it does look a bit grey outside, it might rain.

Kitchen floor swept and washed this morning. Another 2 black bags full of clothing has gone to the charity shop yesterday. We calculated that I have lost 27% of my body weight! I've got some saggy skin in places that hasn't gone back so easily but I'm toning up well now, with a bit of luck the skin will go back in place if not will have to consider a tummy tuck!!!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 May 10 - 08:55 AM

Amazing photos, ragdoll. Northern Flicker is my favorite. Beautiful.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 14 May 10 - 08:45 AM

Oh Ragdall, what wonderful photos! Absolutely beautiful---thank you for sharing them with us. Here is a link to one of my favorite poems--about bird watching and, well, just see what you think. Here it is.

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 May 10 - 08:07 AM

One of the best things about this crazy ministry life is that any professional responsibilities involved (beyond "crisis ministry") are always paced in the context of the cycle of the church seasons.

That means that I can declut the inbox (and use the outbox) to keep priorities straight in such a way that the focus remains where it should.

While I'm less-here (busy being "more-there,") I'll keep all you declut-pals in mind. I wish you all sunny days full of energy and productive work. I may even get some of mine done-- I picked up the almost-brand-new windows yesterday as well as a load of basketry, and I get to keep whatever I like and put the rest in the parish's annual yard sale. This FreeCycle thing-- you can really make it work for you! :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 May 10 - 05:40 AM

WOW! Those are incredible photos, ragdall, and such beautiful birds. Are you a professional photographer? Thanks so much for sharing. I *wish* we had such a variety and as many birds when we put out our feeders in the winter.

Eisely, your house is the kind I just love...lots of beautiful character. I love the archway alcove with the wonderful piano, the floors, windows, etc. Really a wonderful looking home.

Our son continues decluttering the huge backyard. He's now hauled away over 40 wheelbarrow's full of old sticks, leaves, etc. and dumped them in an old garden area at the very back where we've dumped what compost we've had over the years. That is a large space in itself which we may some day turn over, but it will take a lot. Next we are going to look at the budget and decided whether we can handle getting an irrigation pump and grass seed and he will plant it for us. I could finally have a pleasing backyard!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: ragdall
Date: 14 May 10 - 04:47 AM

katlaughing,
Thank you for the suggestion. I don't own a shop vac, but I do have an upright Dirt Devil that I'm not very fond of. The feeders hang on a clothesline above my lawn so there will be no topsoil to pick up. I have to wait for the lawn to be dry before I try it, though.

VirginiaTam,
Thank you for the artificial turf idea. That might be handy on my deck if I can find a way to hang the feeders there.

Stilly River Sage,
   I have lots of seed weeds coming up in the flower bed under my window feeder. Unfortunately only the seeds that the birds don't like get tossed over the edge so the plants won't bear anything of use to me. I have feeders up all year close to the house because I like to try to photograph the birds that come to visit. 2010 Backyard Birds

rags

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 May 10 - 12:05 AM

Yo mama, Susan! You guys must live dangerously in Pennsylvania! I get approached often enough without asking for someone's tamales and posting my phone number! :D

There is a little rock house a couple of miles north of here that is a small bakery that sells tortillas part of the year and tamales part of the year. I can go ask them. And on the other side of the creek from me, about 2 blocks over, is a neighborhood of small modest older homes (built as housing for what was an army camp and is now the armory nearby). Lots of Mexican families in there. I have the names and phone numbers of a couple of folks I talk with regularly, I'm sure if they don't make them, they'll know who does.

Gotta finish readying that book and write that review. And I see my son has finally left his barely functioning mp3 player on my desk (only after borrowing my identical player--I probably will never see it again) to return under warranty. He wore his out.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 May 10 - 08:22 PM

I don't want to hang out in a laundry for lunch.

Easy-peasy.

"Yo quiero tamales, por favor. [insert telephone number]

Put it up in the laundromat.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 May 10 - 07:04 PM

Lucky you, to have a tamale lady! There are folks who make the rounds here, and I wish I knew where they are. There is a laundromat where they come sometimes, but I don't want to hang out in a laundry for lunch.

This afternoon I poked around in the soil next to my back door for a few minutes. I think I mentioned cleaning out the other side of this doorway, where I have potted plants and bags of stuff, and today I decided to weed the bed on the other side of the step, then use up the last of a bag of mulch. I have some bright red verbena next to the step, and beyond that are some tall perennial Texas star hibiscus that seem to be growing quite a lot of stems this year.

It seems also today I've been practicing eye-strain exercises, working through the clear-as-mud technical instructions for a remote signage system we have going at work. I think once I figure it out I need to write and post some clear instructions. I'm not the only one using this system.

I started the announcement card for my son for his high school graduation. They charge too much for the standard cards on fancy paper. I design my own and I put a toddler photo on the front and a photo of the same kid in the cap and gown inside, and include the text that goes in the expensive announcements. I'll have about 25 printed at the work print shop. What is the point of making an announcement if they can't see what the finished product looks like?

The cap and gown came home yesterday, so I'll get a few photos, finish the card, then send this to the campus print shop tomorrow. I should be able to pick it up on Monday or Tuesday and get it mailed out soon.

Rushing to the finish line, we are. . .

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 13 May 10 - 05:11 PM

Mais oui, c'est moi!

A Mexican woman comes by on Saturdays with homemade talames for sale. After a lunch of three of them I'll go dig up some day lilies to transplant to the front yard and replace them with herbs. I'm trying to slowly build up a xeriscape garden in the very front, using only plants that I can plant and forget about. So far I have the smaller area well established (though it can use more sedum) and the larger area started. A friend dug out a lilac bush and the trunk and root part look like the club a troll would use. I just dug a trench in the larger part of the very front where I will lie it lengthwise as kind of a garden structural texture.

Wonderful decluttering work everyone!

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: gnu
Date: 13 May 10 - 03:42 PM

SINS... good on ya!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 May 10 - 03:30 PM

Sins...WAY TO GO!!! I'm pretty sure I found those 10 pounds!!! Damn steroids.

Spent all day working upstairs in our bedroom. The closet is ALMOST finished, just need to go through the 2 dressers that are in there and figure out what to do with a giant laundry basket full of hangers no longer needed. I also did some dusting in the bedroom, moved a big pile of blankets into Veronica's room to be sorted in June.
   Apparently I have a thing for stuff that begins with the letter B. I have too many blankets (can you really have too many blankets?), bags (Oh come on.....seriously? You can have too many of those too?), bras (multiple sizes, colors and styles) and bowls (multiple sizes, colors and styles of those too)!
    I did a good job sorting out the bags and put a good amount of them in the yard sale pile (please Lord don't let our baby get here until after the yard sale as I am using the nursery to store, tag and bag stuff until then).
    I tossed all bras that looked icky (we used to have hard water making all things that are white look dingy or with orange stains) or uncomfortable. Damn them straight to hell!   Life is TOO SHORT to wear uncomfortable bras no matter how perky they make things out to be!!!!!
    I watched from the upstairs window as 2 folks carrying bibles came to the door and knocked. I decided I was too scary looking to open the door. Besides, I have a church I'm happy with but they don't seem to get that as they keep coming back periodically.
    I have a heavy container of STUFF on our bed that Pete will move tonight. I decided I could keep one tub of miscellaneous stuff but that was it. It WILL be sorted when I do the blankets next month. If I find a use for some of it by then, I'll keep it, otherwise, HELLLLOOOOO Yard Sale!
    It's time for a break, some water, a phone call to a friend, shower and then yoga. :) :) :) It has been a productive day!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 13 May 10 - 01:31 PM

A second day of all-day rain. It's too late to start building an ark. I've got seedlings on the diningroom table (under grow-lights), but I can't get them out into the garden until the weather warms up. At least until we stop having frost overnight. Maybe next week (keeping fingers crossed). Plus the cold, wet weather makes every joint in my body ache, and there aren't many pain meds that I can take.

So, today is all about working inside. Cleaning the upstairs (bathroom & my bedroom) is a must. And I need to find another table for the computer. This one is too low to work at. I find myself hunched over, and that contributes to heartburn and a stiff neck. I have a desk in the other room that will be good, but it has a hutch on top that is in the way; I need to find a place for the hutch (luckily it's not attached), but all the horizontal surfaces are already occupied.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 May 10 - 12:22 PM

I poked back and forth through Eiseley's photos--is that you on your front porch? And I love the leaded glass window--they do sparkle, don't they?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 May 10 - 09:46 AM

Eiseley, I love your house too. All the wood! And no tumbleweed - very impressive. LOL
My favorite room is the dining room with the piano. It must be huge. Your entire home looks warm and inviting.

We are moving offices tomorrow and decluttering desks today. Cubicle mate just discovered about 35,000 paper clips in his bottom drawer. heh heh I have plane for them

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 May 10 - 09:40 AM

I think what Susan is aiming at with the dog run and seating areas on that back porch is where I would like to go with all of my doorways--not dog runs, mind you, but covered seating areas. An extension of the house outward, a "garden room" as one of the television gardeners calls it. Shade, seating, landscaping, and cool breezes. I'm not there yet in any direction, but I'm examining my options as far as preparing the spaces for that use.

Well if it is any encouragement, SRS, I can tell you that what we have gotten so far is like unto heaven on earth. I'm allergic to sun, so for me the shade is a need, not a want. It's the views that are the want more than the need. But Hardi (and visitors) seem to need THOSE, so we're glad to have enough space here (rented) that we can try to make each area serve both.

Ydy aftn I unloaded the 4 used chairs and the used wishing well-- the day's exercise component after a busy AM snapping website pix for church. I snapped all these items and sitting areas "as is" and "in situ," but they ain't prettied up yet. This is a depressed area; most of the yards look a lot like this one looks now. But Hardi tells me that Rustoleum is now a one-step process in many colors-- so it may all look quite nice a lot quicker than I thought. I think we can afford a couple of cans and I'll see how it goes.

Next week the dirt is due for the Earthboxes, which will keep me busy puttering-- and appreciating shady areas of rest available nearby for garden-puttering company (and me!).

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 13 May 10 - 06:38 AM

Amelia shared her cold with me and the boys. It has now gone to my chest so have a doctors appointment for my steroid tablets. Hopefully it will clear up soon as I can't exercise like this as I get far too breathless just walking up the stairs let alone doing an hours class or so.

Harry's bicycle has been put together and is waiting at Paul's work to be dropped off at nana's ready for his birthday!

Veggies are growing well in the garden. The kids love watering them and watching them grow. We have found that all 3 love blueberries and strawberries so fruit is getting a bit expensive. Fruit is working out to be a good treat as they don't automatically go for chocolate and biscuits.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 May 10 - 01:43 AM

Been poorly again, but the child's quilt is finished, been road (or sofa) tested and found good. Have started piecing together the earth tones quilt - although it goes together quite quickly (jelly roll pattern called 'Zen' something or other), it's taking a while because I'm running out of steam quickly. Still, it should all be cut and put into first blocks today, then I just have to make the big blocks and put them together. Still haven't found a nice backing for it though.

As for accountability... I'm still getting breathless going upstairs so any major activity is a no-go... but it's getting better. I walk back from the station if I didn't walk to it, I'm pottering around the house and have been fairly active at weekends - although that does tend to wipe me out for Mondays... Had a problem with swollen ankles and feet last week at work - 4 day weekend and no swollen ankles... stress gets me in some very funny ways!

So... the upshot is, I'm improving very slowly in a '3 steps forward, 2 steps back' sort of way, the depression is receding - being creative has helped a great deal for me in that - and all the hospital tests indicate I'm really quite healthy... just stressed out and overweight, but we knew that already!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 May 10 - 07:30 PM

I love your house, Eiseley! Wood floors! And some great woodwork and detailed shapes. A nice wooden wardrobe also--I'd love one of those one of these days. My 1976 house is just straight lines on a concrete slab. But a great big yard on a creek--that's what got me in here. It also has some wonderful paneling in the living room, and I'm thinking about painting it. All of my wood furniture competes with all of that wood on the walls. But so far it's just a thought--once you paint, you don't strip this stuff any too easily.

If you ever look at the houses in Realtor.com (I love to look in other people's houses!) you'll sometimes see the photos of houses where people still live. And clearly the realtor couldn't talk them into putting tons of stuff away. It's so difficult to get the feel for a place when it has way too much stuff to begin with, all spread around. Even though my kitchen is fairly tidy, all of the antiques on top of the cabinets make it look cluttered in a photo. It's like the pull your eyes to the stuff on top, but I barely notice it when I'm in the room normally. Funny how that works.

Finished shopping and stopped by the insurance agent. It was my signature on my "missing" check--but it was so long ago, and I thought that was for something else, that I didn't realize I had received the refund on the truck insurance. Thought it had to do with the house and flood insurance. So while I could have used another $125, at least I don't have to start fooling with bank accounts and worry about id theft right now.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 12 May 10 - 05:04 PM

Way to go, SINSULL!

Stilly River Sage, you're right. As soon as the picture is framed in the little camera window, all the clutter immediately jumps into view. SOOOO, I took put my eye to the camera and then ran around tidying the details I could see. Now I sit in my relatively clean house, being thankful. Please don't notice that the kitchen isn't included :).
First

Second

Third

Fourth

Fifth

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 12 May 10 - 04:50 PM

Weight Watcher Weigh In - lost 10.4# to date.
WHOO WHOO

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 May 10 - 04:12 PM

With Morgan's help, I have just weeded the entire length of my perennial garden! Boy that feels so good! I do not remember when I was able to do that ever in the past eight years. Wonder never cease.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 May 10 - 12:15 PM

ragdall, I had a seed-paved area that was tilled in in the spot where my garden is now, so I'm regularly pulling up weeds that would, if left alone, generate lots of seed. I did leave a few sunflowers around the garden, and the plants are lovely (no heads on them yet). I moved the bird feeder posts and set up the feeders themselves again for a while. The birds were attacking my strawberries, but given seed, they go there first. But now the feeders are on a lawn area, so I'm sure that turf will be full of weeds soon. I don't intend to leave these feeders up long, maybe a week, and then I'll phase them out again.

I spent an hour this morning cleaning up the potted area next to my side door, under the bay window. It was full of leaves and drifts of plastic and this year lots of crumbled terracotta pots (the freeze and the snow last winter nailed them). I emptied pots with old dirt and nothing growing, along with some of the leaf litter, and moved a few things. I didn't clean it completely because there is a lot of wildlife, lizards and toads, mostly, who love that area and need the cover. It's all standing on the old concrete driveway. I built a small temporary wall that most of the pots sit behind, and that shades the pots some (the sun here is brutal on potted plants).

The next door neighbor is having the garden club over to her house for lunch tomorrow, and I'll never have it up to immaculate standards (and they're not fussy, they won't say anything about my mix of stuff here), but I figured that since she had her yard guy cleaning yesterday, I ought to spend a little time working on my leaf litter as well.

I think what Susan is aiming at with the dog run and seating areas on that back porch is where I would like to go with all of my doorways--not dog runs, mind you, but covered seating areas. An extension of the house outward, a "garden room" as one of the television gardeners calls it. Shade, seating, landscaping, and cool breezes. I'm not there yet in any direction, but I'm examining my options as far as preparing the spaces for that use.

Looks like rain later this week. I have plenty to do indoors still, and I could do more cleaning in the garage. Last weekend I organized some of my gardening stuff, and made use of a large empty plastic bin to store soil amendment stuff. Now that we're into the hot season again (93 today) I have the side door propped open with bricks so the dogs get some cross ventilation if they spend time in their stall. I have to make sure there isn't stuff that will blow out of the garage when I open the big door and create a little whirlwind of air in there. I pick up enough of the neighbor's trash blowing around, I don't need to add my own to it.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 12 May 10 - 11:25 AM

men fooling around in the ceiling Are you sure you want to move? Sounds pretty entertaining.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 12 May 10 - 10:10 AM

Came into work today tiscover my cubicle walls were missing. We are moving to a newly renovated location complete with a staff kitchen the size of a small restaurant,employee gym with showers, and best of all a reserved parking space - I won it in the lottery.
Unfortunately, we don't move until Friday and the current office is being sold off for parts.No walls, living out of bins, men fooling around in the ceilings.
Pretty funny actually and not at all conducive to working on the phones.
Monday is move in date. Thursday, I think, is a press conference, gym orientation, and cocktail party with guests. Jacqui will get to see the new space. These cocktail parties are always first rate catered affairs. Did I mention they put a wet bar in the employee cafe?
LOL
So I am being decluttered and moved with no accountability.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 12 May 10 - 10:06 AM

ragdoll - maybe a square of artificial turf beneath the bird feeders? then you can pick it up and shake it out elsewhere.

just a thought.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter Tip SHE WINS
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 May 10 - 09:56 AM

"SHE WINS!" (The daily battle.)


I went to bed last night totally drained (mentally limping) by a much-awaited and intense afternoon project. I'd sprained eyes and brain, and filled legs with bad-for-me fluids-- only to find (at the end as Hardi arrived and I showed him the work) that a major part of the work had gone wrong and would need to be re-done.

"Fie!" I said, "FIE!" on the upset, leaving Hardi to pore over the "completed" work-- of course he only saw the good parts because he is wired that way, TBTG!

I adjourned to my recliner punctuated by dinner (Hardi cooks), hockey, heartwarming video, and an also-much-awaited kitchen project.

Some chairtime with Hardi (who also went to Walmart and got me CHOCOLATE) allowed the excess fluids to drain up and outta my pore, desk-chair-manged laigs. "I trust SLEEP!" I said, "and FIE on feeling overwhelemed."


And-- I DID sleep well, and awoke with ideas to easily make sense out of the "ruined" project, so I got right at it before coming downstairs.

But first-- my AM Bible study/prayer time, which helped me see that I had PLENTY of material intact for ANOTHER long-wanted project, that could be easily done in a few happy hours! So instead of fixing what was broken, I set to work harvesting GREAT stuff out of the "mess," for THAT project. Of course it went lickety split and WELL.

THAT made it clear that I needed a few photos I could catch TODAY at noon-- and oh look! It's my "go-do-chores" day!!!!


So I came down to dress for that, and found a kitchen neat enough to make tea in, my cell phone charged and waiting, my camera freshly loaded with batteries (ydy), and--- clean clothes to throw on! Time to relax over tea before rushing off for pix!

Amazing. This declut thing, plus sleep, plus (for me) morning Bible time, WORKS!!! I may even toss in my pool bag!

Contrast this with me, in my 20's, working one fulltime job, doing another one half-time as a volunteer to learn a new profession, being a single parent with no nearby support, and running a school referendum campaign on the way to work each morning!!! All at the same time!

That was normal life from about age 26 to 39, when Hardi (TBTG) pulled me into this crazy ministry life-- which at least offers tools for organizing it all, and prorities! :~)


TBTG! And the good people of Mudcat.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 12 May 10 - 04:47 AM

Peter is scraping the last of the woodchip off the stairwell. Yesterday we discovered that the ceiling of the stairwell was merely hardboard papered over, and wouldn't scrape. So we took it down and found a pristine plastered wall and ceiling behind it, but vertical, rather than the 45 or whatever degree slope that was there before. Peter has a ladder that can be used on stairs, so we are keeping the height and space, and I am now looking around (ie Ikea!) for a swish pendant light to have as a feature, and to give extra light to the stairs. I can't believe how different it looks!
Woodwork will be painted today, and the plasterer is coming tomorrow afternoon sometime to skim the ceiling and anything else that needs it.

The side strip that I always forget about down the "blind" side of the house is nearly clear. I think I will attack the front bed today, as I have some bedding plants to go in. Frost forecast tonight, though. Good job they're hardy!

My desktop computer has been re-homed with my son in law! Hooray! Not only that, he found out why it wouldn't start, got a part to fix it, and has downloaded the contents onto my (up to then unused) terrabyte external hard drive. Yay!

Andrea

ps I whacked on 2 and a half pounds while I was in Iceland....carb fest!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 May 10 - 12:15 AM

Kat, look into some of the permaculture gardens, where you have compost next to gardens, and you use raised beds and water all sparingly. I think you're in the perfect situation for it. And Google "Keyhole Garden." You could build one and have a great time with Morgan and all helpers in putting in a small but very efficient garden. I'm planning to build one here this summer. (Permaculture classes and the book itself are very expensive, but your library can get the book, and there are some wonderful videos on YouTube.)

The kitchen is spotless. I washed every last pan, put all rags and towels on the washer, and everything is put away from dinner. It will be beautiful to walk into the kitchen tomorrow.

I have to write a book review, so I need to finish reading the book. It has been very helpful and when I write and publish it I'll send links. For a book that costs under $20, I know I've saved way more than that with the various consumer choices I've made this winter and spring. (And since the author sent the book gratis for a review, all the better!)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 May 10 - 07:59 PM

Morgan wanted to make jewellery today, so we emptied the table which had become a catchall in the office. Now, it's all on the desk, but at least I know what is where and we were able to start on a new bracelet he is making for me.:-)

I have a teeny-tiny blue and white tea set which Morgan and I use for tea parties, SRS, thanks for the idea, though. And, my dau. has done a great job of teaching him about healthy snacks. First thing he gets over here, he usually has a fig or two and banana, etc. I'll hang on to them for awhile, though, he could always have a sandwich on one. Rog and I tend to use paper as much as possible when it's just the two of us..we neither one like doing dishes.

Our son has been helping out, doing something everyday. Today, he did the dishes. Yesterday he raked almost the entire, huge backyard and moved some stuff around, carried bag a ton of compost stuff to a large area where we've been gathering stuff for years. Because of our "benign neglect" in the backyard, it seems we have some excellent black soil out there and he's offering to put in some grass seed. But, we'll have to see about an irrigation pump, first. They can be a bit pricey, so we'll see. It's nice he is so much better and more than willing to help out while he stays here.

This coming weekend, if we are up to it, he is going to help us go through some storage *crap* in the old panel van out back and in the caravan he is staying in. It feels good just to know someone will be here to help us...it's been bugging Rog and I for ages.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 May 10 - 07:38 PM

Dodged another repair bullet. Opened the line (where it was held with pipe clamps) and used the turkey baster to take some liquid out of the sump pump. Clear, not full of algae. I put a mix of bleach and water back in, and watched it drip slowly outside. To check the outside end of the line I took one of those curved metal picks that comes with the fancy nutcracker and picked some mud and stuff out. I suspect a wasp or bug plugged the line. It runs up into the attic from the AC closet, and then across the attic and down the outside wall, to drain down near the ground next to the heat pump box. There was only a drip coming out, and I realized as I poked at it that the pipe had a crusty end. Once I knocked that off the pump ran briefly then turned off, as it is supposed to. Whew. I'd hate to have burned out that wonderful little pump. (And I'd have felt really stupid having a repair person come out for such a simple solution!)

It has looked like rain all day. It's supposed to rain later in the week. Meanwhile, it is humid, and the warm room here has resulted in my computer fan turning on and off all day. So I knew I had to at least cool off this room a bit. Computers don't like to run in very warm rooms.

Twice this week I've had to sit down in the sewing room and reattach the zipper button on trousers I've been wearing. Kind of has me wanting to do more than sew buttons in that room. I have a window in my office with mini blinds that I'm thinking about changing. Put cafe curtains over the bottom sash and run the blinds just on the top half of the window. It would make it easier to open and close the window.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 May 10 - 06:50 PM

Just went looking for a slim glasses case in the drawer where I put my previous pairs of glasses. I realized I have a couple of extra pair I can donate (and still keep the most recent past pair) plus a half dozen of those clam shell glasses cases. Every little bit helps! (I wanted a narrower case, or a soft one if I had it, to take up a little less space in my handbag).

I turned on the AC and my sump pump seems to be laboring. I think the line is blocked. Gotta dismantle and clear it somehow. Will probably have to declutter with some chlorine bleach.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 May 10 - 05:50 PM

It's not so much a collection, it's a stack of plates to pull out when we have one of our potluck dinners. Before you consider sending them anywhere, I think you should have a tea party for Morgan, with cheese and crackers or fruit and cookies or something like that. See if you can use them for a nice healthy snack tradition. So often we overlook interesting uses for things. I'm trying to rediscover some of these things I have here, decide to use them or send them on.

I'm continuing to create interesting little zones. I feed the dogs at the back door, and I keep their extra stuff (leashes, backpacks, medicine, etc.) in this antique trunk. I originally had just a plastic case in front of the door, but decided putting the case in the trunk would streamline the area (one thing instead of two -- after I emptied the trunk of a few antique blankets). Trunk photo

And I have a pile of oregano drying (and a little bowl of berries I got before the birds destroyed them).

I suppose I could do a photo tour of the house. Amazing how all of the clutter shows up clearly when you point a camera at any given room. Try it! Very revealing. :-/

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 May 10 - 03:07 PM

ragdall, a shop vac probably would do okay. At least them you'd have the stuff in a bag, but you'd probably take away topsoil, too?

Eisely, another great link. My yellow yarrow are at least two feet high, already. I didn't know that about them being good for stopping bleeding. I am on a blood thinner and a few weeks ago, in the middle of the night with a nosebleed, I would have definitely stuffed some leaves if I'd known!:-) I will also dry some this year, now I know more of its uses. I have herbal books, just haven't looked at them in ages, duh.:-)

SRS, plastic plates. I have two bright yellow, small ones, made to look like this kind of Seashell. Would you like them for your collection? I think they are a "Tar-shay" original. Actually very appealing, we just never use them. Well, except for some cheese and crackers one time.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 May 10 - 01:49 PM

Dishes in the dishwasher, second load of laundry running and I'm about to go upstairs and work some more in our room....course there's a bed in there and I'm kinda sleepy.....maybe I'll get something done and maybe I won't! ;)

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: ragdall
Date: 11 May 10 - 01:32 PM

I've been cleaning out the storage area under my deck, which we call "the shed". I was encouraged to do so by the discovery, when I brought out out summer tires to put on the cars, that it had been heavily used by mice during the winter months. I disposed of bags of bird seed I'd been storing in there. When I removed the loose lid from one container to look inside, a very healthy looking brown mouse ran up the bag inside, perched on the container rim looking at me, then slipped away over the far side. I now understand why the neighbours' cat had been spending so much time on our back steps watching the ground below.

Eight folding lawn chairs which haven't been needed for many years are now lined up in the carport to be put into the car the next time it's going in the direction of the community swap shed. All my empty flower pots and planters have been moved to the far end of the garden so there will be fewer places for mice to hide.

I need to figure out a way to keep bird seed and sunflower seeds from accumulating on the ground under the bird feeders near the shed. I'm hoping if I eliminate a food source and hiding places the mice will go elsewhere. I wonder if a vacuum cleaner will work on a lawn?

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: GUEST,Eiseley
Date: 11 May 10 - 12:33 PM

I've found that dropping a few leaves of yarrow into the compost actually helps it break down really fast. When the boys mow the lawn I scatter a few leaves on the tall grass and it gets chopped up by the mower as it passes. As I typed, I wondered if I was just believing a spurious tale, so I found another source besides myself (thought it also might be spurious) to back me up. Here, under utilitarian uses.
Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 May 10 - 11:24 AM

I pulled a bunch of nearly dry oregano into one heap and will let it dry a couple of days more. Now I can put things out of the way again in the kitchen (I completely covered the counter top on the Kitchen Queen, displacing other things).

Had an aha! moment with a work project. After I cleared off my desk and found the papers I needed to get started on that project. I see the need for a few more pocket folders or a big binder with project tabs.

Picked up a bag of leaves from the next door neighbor's house. Her yard guy is cleaning up (Garden Club meets there on Friday). I'll put these leaves in my compost.

Looks like rain today, but I don't think any is actually due for a couple of days, so I've been out watering. I need to organize my pots and dump the dirt from pots that aren't doing anything into the wheelbarrow and put it on the compost. It's full of roots and will help the rest of the pile break down faster.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 May 10 - 01:20 AM

Oh! Oh!!! Oh!!!! I DID do something!   All the jewelry that I've had out (and end up wearing the same things daily) and left on the dressers or in the bathroom have all been put away neatly. YAY. Less clutter!!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 May 10 - 11:36 PM

I think I might pass on that earring tip. I'm making myself discard those lone items (that will assure that the lost one turns up, won't it?). I can't quite visualize how it would help my clothes stay on a hanger--they don't have much trouble now (partly because the closet is crowded enough, even after sorting and thinning, that clothes are crowded enough that they don't fall.

I found a very pretty specular hematite necklace, 5/16 beads, 20.5" long, for $2 at a neighbor's garage sale last weekend. It's a good length and a nice model for other beading projects that I've wanted to get to. She also had a more ornate hematite necklace, but I prefer the simple pearl-like beads. I'll leave this on my dresser as a reminder of those other projects. I also pulled out a string of faux pearls that fit just like a collar. Not bad looking, actually, but I'd prefer to be lighter before I wear such a short necklace.

My son just cleaned me out of cash in order to pick up his cap and gown tomorrow. And he has a field trip on Friday. Another $20. Bleeding cash here. I definitely need to get moving on some of these income producing projects. :-/

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 10 May 10 - 11:34 PM

Spent the day away from the house so I didn't do a darn thing in our bedroom as far as organizing goes. However, it is 11:30pm and I am wide awake so maybe I'll get through a drawer or two. Tomorrow I am aiming for the stuff on the closet floor, most particularly a big appliance box full of purses and bags...cosmetic bags, tote bags, gym bags....I've decided that I am keeping a total of 12 bags....ok, maybe a few more....but the others are headed to the annual yard sale!!!! YAY!

Michelle

Subject: Declutter Tip
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 May 10 - 12:59 PM

Oh hey, THIS is a HOT TIP!

Those barrettes, earrings, and/or hair clips you used to wear in pairs? And one half the pair is now lost?

They will hold your bestest blouses-- neat and uncreased-- onto any sort of clothes hangers!!!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 May 10 - 11:16 AM

Coming later today via FreeCycle are an old wishing well, a metal outdoor table, and 4 metal outdoor chairs. These will be dispersed around the outdoor yard features we have been working on.

Later this week, also via FC, are coming two old windows to hang from the porch overhang, to block a little of the wind and rain that get at our sitting area (with old upholstered recliners). I'll paint (or decal) birds on the glass and hang a clock on them as well, which has been waiting for a more protected spot in the sitting area. Maybe a faux windowbox-- no sun in this corner, but I have square pots to re-purpose... so they can sprout fishes lurking in feathers!

It is amazing what can come your way if you are looking for it, even in the backest part of a strokebrain. It's all due to "vision," and relaxed patience (TBTG).

A cool thing for us is that these are ALL things that can be left in a heartbeat, if we have a sudden clergy move (which happens sometimes). In that event they would first be the landlord's option to keep for the next occupants; or the parish thrift shop could carry them away for him, for their annual yard sale. And as a last resort a friend is a salvage-shop owner.


Does anyone else here know how cool it is to fill up a barren space with free items you never have to move?!?!?!? Living on the edge voluntarily? I call it Depression Celebration-- beggars CAN be choosers. Learning from one gen's depression tricks in time for the next depression!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 10 May 10 - 07:54 AM

you are all an inspiration!

Saturday I took 6 bags to charity shops - & didn't buy anything! Some was my stuff, other things were left by tenants who move out of the building & leave good stuff in the garbage area - last tenant left so bulky much I had to get rid of it immediately & rang a friend for a ride. Now that those bags have gone I can get into the other door of my lovely old wardrobe, I'd almost forgotten how easy it is to open a door without moving the bags in front!

I live in a large 1 bedroom apartment with lots of collections & interests, & some of these things need to live on the floor in front of cabinets & bookcases. But after a while these small mountain ranges become lava flows. oops.

Now where was I before I transformed the living room lava flows into mountains?

Maybe I'll just disappear & move stuff in the bedroom while I'm on a roll.

I'll pop back again when I've recovered from all that effort.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 10 May 10 - 07:48 AM

Thank you Liz! George will be impressed! But you make sure you are looking after yourself.

The weekend was filled with lots of family stuff. Saturday we went to Kent for Paul to be measured for his coat for the wedding. The kids loved running around on the farm and seeing the animals. Harry enjoyed his first horse riding lesson. Sunday I did a 4 mile walk in the morning and an hours spinning class. We all went out for a 6 mile walk as a family in the afternoon, had a look around Upminster Windmill and the farmers market.

Morning workout dvd was done this morning, washing on line drying. Evening invitations cut out and written last night.

Tonight we're having a treat in the form of a chinese meal and a bottle of wine! Got a follow up appointment on Thursday with the gynaecologist to discuss what to do about fibroids. Other than that life is excellent. Harry turns 3 next week and Paul is picking up his brithday present tonight. Cake has been ordered from a friend, I would bake it myself but don't have enough time to make a Thomas the Tank Engine cake between now and then!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 10 May 10 - 02:51 AM

TSO did the measuring, I did the writing measurements down. He measured the windows. I thought he was measuring the old curtains. I have loads of fabric. I will just redo them.

just puts my MOJO coat on the back burner a couple of days.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 May 10 - 11:05 PM

The fridge is looking better this evening. I had a few bowls of cooking fat (from hamburger, chicken, etc.) that I chill until the night before the trash goes out. Often I forget it's there, but this evening I got all of those little bowls. I had some mealy apples so I made an apple Betty and some applesauce. Reheated some veggies, etc.

Front lawn got mowed yesterday. Political signs came down this morning, and my candidate won. :) I'll reuse the heavy duty wire framework the plastic sign fit over for something in the garden. Perhaps they (2) can help prop up a couple of eggplant plants.

Laundry is finished, but not folded yet. I'll do that then head to bed. Trying to get more sleep, trying to cut out the sugar, trying to eat a more balanced diet. Trying to lose weight without scheduling every bite, but following general guidelines from Dr. Tarnower.

I have a counter top covered with drying oregano, and am having to do it in stages. If I don't bring in too much it dries fairly quickly (the trick is to not crowd it).

My computer keeps telling me that my video card isn't compatible with Windows 7. Something I'll have to research and sort out. It's a great card, and fairly recent, so I'm hoping one of these days Nvidia will come up with the drivers for it.

That's all she wrote!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 May 10 - 07:29 PM

VT: I agree with Liz--put some trim on those curtains. And remember, the carpenter's saying that is doubly true for sewing: measure twice, cut once.

Please do post a photo, Liz!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 May 10 - 05:18 PM

Small curtains? That's what lace ruffles were invented for...

I've lost track, and possibly the will to live, but Catherine, No.2 quilt just needs the hemming done and it's finished. Will post a pic if I remember where the camera is. Can't believe how quickly this one has gone together... the last little one took forever!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 May 10 - 05:16 PM

I had a magazine put out by one of the paint companies and there were some photos of a kitchen painted in blue and yellow. I thought it was lovely, but hadn't thought about doing it in this house at all. It just accidentally happened in that dressing room and I was happy to enhance it by painting the trim blue rather than white.

I just came in from a nice lunch with the kids. Mothers Day in the U.S. I still have some time left for puttering around, and it's kind of chilly and overcast outside, so I'll do my puttering indoors. (The good thing about this weather, it doesn't dry out the garden and it doesn't heat the house, so I dodged the bullet of turning on the air conditioning. That can wait a while.)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 09 May 10 - 04:27 PM

sigh... some of the caravan curtains are a wee bit small. back to the drawing board. chest of drawers looks great though and the porch awning fits.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 May 10 - 11:00 AM

LtS, I think you meant SRS and I am in complete agreement re' MS and colour schemes. I think certain shades of yellow and blue are really nice together...as in your house, SRS. Great combo, thanks for the other pix. I think I suffer from a skewed depth perception or summat.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 09 May 10 - 10:41 AM

At least in England you can enter new worlds by climbing into wardrobes. Here in the USA we need large closets because our wardrobes just end at the back.

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 09 May 10 - 04:19 AM

Eisley - I am envious of that front porch and swing. God I so miss have an outdoor space to call my own.

SRS - I am envious of your walk in closet. No such luxuries here in England. You have to eat up floor space with big clunky wardrobes

All of the ironing is done. One load of laundry left to wash and bed linens to change. I have cut some more squares of red and purple fabric and a red leather skirt I found in charity shop. Will start sewing after we take painted chest and other bits to caravan and pick up porch awning from Dagenham today.

Bidding on several cameos on ebay. They will be sewed onto my Mojo coat, if I win them.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 09 May 10 - 04:05 AM

I made decent headway in the closet yesterday. I also found some tools for organizing actually worked! It's a hanger that holds 5 other hangers and then can be let down so things hang vertically. I have no idea what it's called but it does save some space. I thought our clothes rack bars hung too close to the floor to use those effectively but I was wrong! I got most of my stuff taken care of and started on Pete's. The man will never need another flannel shirt, ever. I'm anxious to work on it a bit more today as I made a serious dent and now that the ball is rolling, I'm looking forward to seeing what else I can do! Also, my next chemo treatment is one week away. I'm hoping to have our bedroom done by Saturday so when I need to spend a few days in bed, I don't lay there thinking...OMGosh...what a freaking disaster area!!!! It's not that it's dirty but more like cluttered with piles of clothes that previously didn't fit in the closet but now all that has changed! The clothes are taken care of and now it's time to focus on the other dressers and the boxes of STUFF in the closet and a BIG box of various kinds of bags and purses. I do NOT need all those.

Michelle, the secret bag lover

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 May 10 - 03:48 AM

Kat - screw Martha Stewart - blue and yellow are a marvellously cheerful combination, although my altime favourite after plain yellow, has to be blue and buttercream (too dark to be cream, too pale to be primrose) which reminds me of a tea plate at my granfers house. At the age of 3 I fell in love with it and cried if I didn't get it at tea time... I still wonder what happened to it, whether it was part of a set and what happened to that set?

Anyway... pieced and sewed almost all one quilt - got distracted by a Sean Connery film (Robin and Marian - Sean at his most rugged, Audrey Hepburn at her most beautiful, with amazing photography and a glorious baddie - it coincided with the child's piano lesson and my excuse for watching it was that the sewing machine would have been too noisy and distract them) and sewn two bits in the wrong place thus necessitating the unpicking and resewing of an entire row of squares (it's 7 x 9 and it just had to be a 9 square row didn't it!). Still, at least I noticed it before I did the next bit... There's just one row to go then I can start to piece together the next quilt (in earthy tones of sienna, ochre, umber, rose, heather and slate) which is a bit bigger, a more complicated pattern that just squares and as yet has no intended recipient. It's making a pleasant change from cross stitching cards but I really should be getting on with some serious dressmaking before the child grows too big for the pattern I have.

I may have lost a couple of pounds although the curry last night will have put them back... I haven't checked recently.

Enjoy the day all, I'm off to slave over a hot sewing machine!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 May 10 - 12:51 AM

The photo is a rectangle, and the very upper left corner has a tiny sliver of blue. I was looking at that when I described the space.

The closet door was ajar when I took this (I wish I'd closed the cabinet in the bathroom before I took this).

Moving around a little more into the dressing area you you see this. Looking into the closet, you see the blue and yellow. I seem to have a couple of picasa albums for Mudcat. I uploaded that first image again into this album.

I don't give more of a view of my dressing room because I hung several of the pieces of erotic art in there that came from my father's estate. I figured I wouldn't broadcast those, or you'd really wonder about just what goes on in my closet!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 08 May 10 - 10:27 PM

I transplanted two African violets that I picked up at the grocery store a couple weeks ago. They had been in "quarantine" until now so I didn't bring any critters into the house. I moved a night-stand from the guest bedroom to the diningroom for the new plants. I was running out of room on the other tables, and it was in the way upstairs. I'm getting ready to transplant my tomato seedlings into bigger pots, but it's still too early to put them out. My dad never planted his outside until Memorial Day weekend (end of May). And even that can be cold.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 May 10 - 08:37 PM

Just walked to and back from Morgan's house; got my mother's day present early...some marigolds and pansies. Very pretty! Came back and cleaned off the cat feeding table and cleaned out their water and food servers and filled them. This is really feeling good.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 May 10 - 07:53 PM

Ah, that's another lovely one by Frost. Thanks for posting it.

SRS, I think I know what I am seeing. Do you have a mirror that is framed in blue and is the safe, etc. showing up in the mirror? Otherwise, I still don't get it. I don't even see any blue in the upper corner. What I see appears to be the top shelf at the back with containers on it, with the safe etc. on lower shelves which are framed with blue boards which look like a window or door frame. It looks kewl whatever and I have NOT been smokin anything from Bobert's.**bg**

I guess I finally got some decent sleep for the first time in about a month and a half. I've done more today than in ages. Got up from a short nap just now, went to the bathroom, looked at the glass-doored shelves over the commode and the medicine chest above the sink and went into a cleansing frenzy, tossing out a bunch of out-of-date etc. stuff, consolidating several almost empty bottles of lotion into one (I do this anyway, but they were adding up. I use a funnel,)scrubbing the shelves and wiping down the contents. Have not been well/energetic enough to do that in I don't know how long, so this is a Good Day. Now, we are going for a short walk!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 08 May 10 - 07:26 PM

The woody vine is a trumpet vine---it's just starting to get a bit of sprouting around the tips. It's one of the latest to green up. You could also see a blue spruce in the background. There are also two maples in front and a black walnut in the side yard. I'll send photos later in the season when everything is leafed out. Right now things are just starting. There's a golden hue everywhere.

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leafs a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
-Robert Frost

Back to the dishes.

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 May 10 - 05:58 PM

Duh! Of course, I used the same blue on those shelf-fronts. I looked at the photo and saw the little bit of blue in the upper left corner and wasn't even looking at the middle of it. I stood in the dressing room and photographed into the closet. Not very big, but it is walk in. Probably could set a cot in there if needed during really heavy weather.

Eiseley, looks like a fir tree of some sort in the front yard. Is that woody vine behind the swing a wisteria? They've already bloomed and finished down here.

Front lawn mowed. Must go vote, then work in the house. Michelle, I use big t-shirts to sleep in most of the year. When it's cold I add a pair of flannel pants.



SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 May 10 - 05:15 PM

I spent 2 hours working in our room. One dresser has been completely emtpied and organized. All my winter clothes have been taken out of the closet, organized and bagged according to categories...still have to tag the bags. All my clothes that were in the closet and too big have been folded and set aside for an upcoming yard sale. YAY! I have a huge pile of t-shirts that I never wear and I guess I had been saving them for outside play in the garden but seriously....just how many of those kinds of shirts does a body need?

I made a dent today and it feels GREAT!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 May 10 - 04:58 PM

Eiseley, me, too! That is lovely...so peaceful and inviting.

SRS, I must be looking at that with crossed eyes. Did you take the photo from the back of the closet or the front? It looks like the blue frames the shelves the safe is on, along with the other stuff. I don't see how it can be a door. I know I'm not looking at it right...or it's like an optical illusion. I'm really not that dense.:-)

Our son mowed the front grass for us, yesterday. I just swept the kitchen. We ran errands today and will clean more tomorrow. I hope to get some posies for the front stoop planters, tomorrow.

Part of the errands included getting printer paper and ink cartridges. I finally feel able to get to work on the second edit of my second novel, so I am going to print it out. Not really decluttering, probably the opposite UNLESS I clear off my desk in the office and use it for the editing which I may do as it would be nice to have some flat space to work on.

I am also going to get some of that ticky-tack stuff..it looks like clay, but is an adhesive. You can roll it into small balls, stick it on the back of pix or things you want to put on a shelf, safely, and it will keep them from being knocked off. I am going to move the cat knickknacks I have on my desk, in front of the screen, to the top of the half wall my desk sits against. So the kitties will look down on me in typical cat fashion and the clutter will be less. I did a kind of neat re-purpose a couple of weeks ago. I was going to sell a personal-sized sugar and creamer set on ebay, but they sat on my desk and I started using them. Paper clips go in the sugar bowl, my lip gloss and small rolled up notes stick up out of the creamer, right at my fingertips. I'll take a picture when I get it all set-up better. One of the cat statues is an angel with wings, made to sit on the edge of a shelf with a hind leg hanging down. It's made of terra cotta and I love it.

I have done some walking each of the past three days and qi gong two of them.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 08 May 10 - 04:24 PM

I've been sweeping off the porch today, and planting pansies in the porch boxes. I also did a bit more in the basement but that's enough for down there today. I wish you could all come over and enjoy a cup of tea and a swing in the porch swing.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 May 10 - 11:16 AM

Kat, that tiny amount of blue in that photo is the doorway into the closet. When I was painting the bathroom yellow and the bedroom blue (I know, these aren't Martha Stewart's colors, and I'm planning to gradually repaint) I fell in love with that yellow and blue combination where they intersected in my dressing room next to that closet. The dressing room (fancy name for a wide hallway with a built in cabinet and big mirror) is a little bit toned down version of the yellow, but since I bought it I wanted to use the brighter paint somewhere, so I put it in the closet. :)

This morning was the first time to approach the kitchen medicine cupboard with the lazy susans and it works fine. I can see much more of what is in there, and have arranged it by medicine to treat stuff (colds, flu) in one area, general aids (antacids, tylenol, motrin), vitamins, and the bottom shelf nearest the sink are the few everyday bottles. The back corner of the bottom shelf is skin stuff--me and my poison ivy treatments, and the usual things like isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. There are a few things I dumped as out of date (but I'd done this last year so there wasn't much of that) and some that I don't use (the pet meds were in that cupboard also, and we don't have cats any more.) The dog meds moved to the trunk of other dog stuff next to the back door.

I propped a broom across my computer chair last night to remind myself to sweep the room again after an empty wine glass took a header off of the desk when I was setting up the camera for the shot I shared last night. Strap got away from me; at least the glass was empty. Amazing how far a glass can shatter when it falls onto a hard tile floor. I'm washing that under-desk rug and a few others along with it today, so even this task spawned another.

Today I'll thin down my oregano to a smaller patch (I have a couple of neighbors who want some of what I dig out) and bring more in to dry. And I'm going to poke seeds into the ground in the garden around the things I planted last week. Onions, flowers, whatever.

But first, before it gets hot, I'll mow.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 May 10 - 10:23 AM

I like the totes! For me, it's not so much the clothes that are too small, but rather the ones that are too big. I guess I keep them because in my heart, I think I will always be a bigger person. It would be nice to be confident enough to know that while I may never be small, I will never again need the larger sizes that I have. In the meantime, they are taking up valuable space in our closet. I am going to take some before and after photos of this process and will post them when everything is done.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 08 May 10 - 06:36 AM

You could try putting an ad in the paper - safe breaker wanted....? You could get some interesting answers!

Sewing has started slowly... the car did get cleaned out though and biscuits delivered to the church jumble sale where I DID NOT BUY ANY BOOKS which is a miracle for me... I did buy a lovely green velvet scarf though, well it's chilly out there today and it was a long walk back to the car...

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 May 10 - 12:10 AM

Is that a door frame or window frame around the safe shelf area? The blue frame, I mean? Interesting.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 May 10 - 11:42 PM

Michelle,

I went to Lowes, I think, or Home Depot, and bought their large 33 gallon containers that I could see through. I sorted all of the clothes in my closet that I couldn't fit into, and those that were worth keeping I arranged by size, and put in those storage boxes and then stored them in my closet on the top shelves. Each has a sheet of paper in plain sight with the size printed on it, for future reference. Here they are, in my closet. One of these days I'll get down into those smaller sizes, but for now, they're out of my way and not making me feel guilty about not wearing them now. :)

That safe is prominent in the photo, but I don't notice it any more when I go in the closet. They couldn't give me the combination when I bought the house and it seems to be firmly attached, so I'm kind of stuck with it. One of these days I'll have a locksmith crack it open or remove it. It's the storage I was trying to illustrate in this photo.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 07 May 10 - 09:50 PM

I need to set a goal for myself. My closet is a disaster area. It is too full because I have clothes in multiple sizes. Some are far too big and just need to go. My drawers are the same way. So....I need somewhere to report daily and I'm going to try and do that here. My goal is to have my closet and drawers (in our room) in shape by next Saturday.

I can only do bits and pieces at a time as I get tired fairly easily but I think this is an attainable goal!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 May 10 - 06:37 PM

Wow! Liz was up with a flourish today! Good work!

I stopped by a couple of garage sales this morning and did minimal shopping. I think I spent all of $4.70. I picked up two lazy susans for organizing the cupboard to the right of the sink that has medicine and vitamins. There was a vinyl covered wire rack in there, but it meant digging around still, so I'm going to see if I can set these lazy susans on two shelves and organize by type (though size would be easier, it would be less logical during a search).

I also picked up four sturdy unused thick plastic plates to add to my kitchen queen (also called a Hoosier Kitchen) collection of plates for when we have a lot of guests come over. I never have enough china, so I pull out all sorts of plastic plates. Last year I saw a Martha Stewart Living in which they had something like this set up on a sun porch for impromptu picnics. This tall cabinet is in the house, but still, with the napkins, paper and plastic cups, place mats, plastic cutlery, etc, it's all in one place, making set up easy.

I need to mow, I need to do laundry and hang out some to dry, and I need to keep an eye on one of the dogs who is limping and not putting one back foot down. No blood or bones apparently broken, so I'm not racing to the vet with her until I've had a couple of days to observe. I'd be willing to bet Poppy (the catahoula) was trying to jump over something and pulled a muscle or twisted something and it will heal on it's own without the pain of a several hundred dollar vet bill. If she seems to get worse, or not improve after the weekend, then I'll take her in.

It's finally hot and muggy enough here to turn on the air conditioning. I was really hoping I could get through May before I had to do that. I'll wait till the weekend at least--I'm here on my own this afternoon and I don't complain like the son does (he also doesn't pay the electric bill).

The kitchen is looking pretty good. I've been drying oregano, and this evening I need to check out some that I put in the freezer a few days ago. A woman at the garden center said that's how she dries hers. I wonder if this is how she does it? I spread it out on a plastic tray and popped it, uncovered, into the big freezer.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 07 May 10 - 03:28 PM

Today I cleaned the kitchen surfaces, baked chocolate chip cookies, sorted camping gear, ironed a weeks' worth of shirts and trousers, put some grey clothes into a black dye run (they were looking particularly washed out), filled the dishwasher, vacuumed the sitting room, hosed down 2 groundsheets, folded and put away 3 bits of tent, re-vacuumed (Catherine - your forest gets everywhere!), arranged quilt patches for the next project ready to sew and sorted through a crate of crud. Tomorrow is vacuuming out the car (more forest), putting the seats back in it and then an afternoon of sewing squares together! If all goes well, this next quilt (blues and purples) will be ready next weekend.

Weight is not going anywhere in particular, which is annoying because it should be going down - but I see by the state of my feet and ankles that I'm retaining water again... how can I have water retention AND dry skin? It's just not fair!

So... I'm off to bed now, instead of choir practice... I'm knackered!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 May 10 - 01:32 PM

It doesn't show up as a huge change, but was having a terrible morning and decided I needed to get busy, so I scraped some old cat upchuck off the top of a half wall. I'm not telling how long it's been there, dried and covered with a cloth. At the time, I could not get to it without help and we were all in major physical/mental funks. It sure felt good to clean it up and is a major accomplishment, for me.

Seems I've been doing laundry every day this week. It's even folded and in the basket! Also cleared off my desk, again.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 07 May 10 - 08:20 AM

Concert tonight, so taking it easy- I'm only digging dirt this morning to put in the new raised bed boxes Hunt made yesterday.

And I did some major sorting and filing in the office yesterday- it's been hanging over me. A bit more yet to do, but the worst is over.

Dog gone- the cats and she didn't get along, plus her former owners had second thoughts and wanted her back. We're happy with the decision and have stopped the doggy search- makes for a calmer household all around.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 07 May 10 - 06:18 AM

Morning work out done this morning. Kitchen floor and hall way swept and washed. Lemon cake in oven baking, chocolate chip cup cakes to be baked later. Washing on line drying....hopefully the rain will hold off til it's all dry.

Looking forward to spending the day with my sister in law to be tomorrow, horse riding is on cards! Harry is going to have his first riding lesson too.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 May 10 - 01:14 AM

The kitchen is clean, but ants have come in. Those tiny little ones that wander all over and don't seem interested in food. They congregate under moist cloths or sponges.

Lots of work and running today. Here's hoping tomorrow is quiet!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 06 May 10 - 11:58 PM

It was a snowy day, but the hole in the garden that the boys tried to dig to China was begging to be filled. So I threw in the last of the sprouting potatoes and shoveled in the detritus from the compost pile and began to fill the rest of the hole with topsoil. It started to snow again as I worked, and the huge flakes drifted down to add their tiny bit of moisture to the soil. Then I got cold and had to go in, but at least half of the dirt is back in, and all the potatoes and compost are covered up.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 06 May 10 - 10:48 PM

I got the last of the grass cut, and now it's time to start over in the front again. I'll do that tomorrow if it doesn't rain. All the hostas (that were dug up for the driveway) have been planted out by the back fence. They should fill in nicely out there.

It's still too early to plant seeds. There is still frost in the overnight forecast, so I'll wait at least one more week.

I have a line on a part-time job. A friend is retiring at the end of June and her boss is looking for someone to help around the office. I'll know more next week. It would probably be good for me to have a little discipline in my life. Since my time is (nearly) unlimited, I take my sweet time in getting things done.

M

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 06 May 10 - 12:47 PM

Today was another day when the hall didn't get emptied, but Peter isn't coming until Monday. However I have 2 spare bedrooms to get up and running for tomorrow night, so I really have to start to move some stuff tomorrow. I did get the lawn mowed this afternoon, though.

It has got cold in the house while I have been away in Iceland, and I've had to re-light the stove. I think I may have to put the heating on morning and evening too! I hope it'll work, cos the system is full of air yet again! (It's due for a service). Coming down with a cols while I was away hasn't helped my nesh-ness

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 May 10 - 10:18 AM

The pile, on the rear porch, that I had hoped to photograph as a record of work done, is diminishing. (But it's still a big pile of stuff from various quarters all having been moved and re-allocated.) Some will surely go to the trash, but for now all items are "fair game" to use in various sitting areas about the place, that can be left to weather and get a tad more use.

The remaining pile is a good illustration of chaos, and the areas now receiving them are a good example of "order out of chaos." I'm already thinking how glad I will be, NEXT spring, to find all these areas waiting for us, already mostly prepared. :~) And from all he new vantage points I can see plants to prune. So I close my eyes! :~)

Yesterday's "big" project (it was, for me, in my weakness) was a pair of iron chairs under a shady tree that adjoins the now-closed pop-up camper. (It will open in a few weeks for sleepouts plus pre-vacay cleaning/shakedown.) The chairs are in full shade from about noon till dark, and offer lovely views. Under these is an old (free) green rug to make a no-mow zone around them, for Hardi's convenience. I must turn them to face away from the road-- or keep seeing the 80' fenceline that needs to be bought and installed to make the screen from the busy road. :~)


I hope to take the camera out before long, to capture the work and the new views, but the busy weekend of services looms. I'm glad to know, after some of the more arduous tasks (a rough mem. svc tonight for example), that these places of rest will be waiting, looking so inviting.

Our friend Ed will be released from ortho rehab in a few weeks-- he'll be so surprised to see all this, and so pleased to see the third chair in each spot. There are camp chairs for times when there are more peeps, but we feel three is our more usual "family chat" size. The recuperating (broken leg) outdoor cat agrees-- she feels that each of these 3rd chairs is hers, whether it holds a lap for her or not! :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 May 10 - 11:40 PM

Exactly!

I have a lot of inherited stuff here at the house, and one reason it has been slow to go is because some of it represents people I never met, but I know about, and don't want to forget who they were. Sometimes I simply use the object as the mnemonic device to remember the story I was told about the person who owned it. But I'm getting better, there don't need to be so many reminders. Less is sometimes more, and the decluttering is working.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 05 May 10 - 10:59 PM

Thank you for sharing that. I certainly hope I am less attached to things than to people, though there are many areas for improvement. I liked what it said at the very end of the article---how sometimes just telling the story relating to an object was enough for the woman to be able to throw the article away.

I read a wonderful book some time ago about a man's quest to rescue Yiddish books from destruction. People would call him up and ask him to take their books because their children did not value them and they were getting too old to read them. When he arrived, the people wanted to talk about the books, to share their stories. He soon learned that the pick-up crew had to go in teams---one person to listen to the stories, the other people to cart the books off the premises.

I think both stories, the one SRS shared and the Yiddish book one illuminate a key point: we need to share stories, and objects can be that catalyst for those stories. SO, I will try to include a greater effort to share stories as I declutter, thus helping break a sentimental connection with an object and making with a real person at the same time.

Thank you again, Stilly River Sage.

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 May 10 - 05:54 PM

Stuff is a major part of what these threads are about. Are any of us as bad as the video clip illustration?

Scary.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 May 10 - 01:06 AM

Somehow I seem to have gotten into poison ivy very early in the season. Four spots clustered above my knee, and a spot on my forearm. I don't know how--I can't find any in the yard and I haven't been into the woods. I'll look around. Maybe something left over on a tool from last year?

I have a couple of trays of oregano drying. I put one of them into the freezer. A worker at the garden center near hear says she freezes hers rather than just drying. Will see if it works.

Kitchen is clean, laundry is folded. I had a few little brushes (for scrubbing veggies, scrubbing finger nails, etc.) that had mildewed in a bowl. Put them in another bowl with water and Clorox and they look great now. Cleaned the stove. Ready for tomorrow.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 May 10 - 01:05 PM

We're still weeks from planting in dirt-- very cold nights here.

Found two used garden hoses to extend waterline to the container garden, plus hose reel. Made a deal with thrift-shop prop. to spot me a wide bamboo (or faux) roll=up shade to keep some of the rain off the porch recliners. He threw in a hopsacking-covered cushion for one of my needs-cushion-chairs, gratis. I think he is the same salvager who helped us de-junk after the 2000 fire-- remembers us and the house, so that must be why. He sold me my scooter, too. Nice man.

A good haul.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 May 10 - 12:13 PM

This morning I finished planting the bedding plants I picked up yesterday and last weekend. I've used all of the bags of stuff (top soil, humus, mulch, compost, etc., some left from last year) and have "shopped" my collection of gardening tools and supplies to save money by using what I already have here first. This includes one of those ultra-basic tools, the "weeder," simply a ~18" long steel and wood tool with a "V" notch in the end for digging out weeds. I've had that thing around forever, but forget to use it. It was absolutely perfect for loosening the weeds along the edge of the old garden and digging out the weeds in a crack down the driveway.

The dogs got baths yesterday and got their prevention stuff for fleas and heartworms. Today they greeted me in the garage, wagging up to the gate with a little puff of shampoo smell on their coats. :)

I've changed the background of my Twitter feed to show the early days of the garden this year.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 May 10 - 06:28 PM

Heavy thunderstorm overhead, I'll turn off the computer in a minute. I stopped by the garden center this evening and picked up a few puny samples of what they had left. I should have gotten some of these at the other nursery on Saturday, but I try not to pick up more than I think I can plant right away, so I held off on some purchases.

Laundry is in. No line drying today. After cleaning my kitchen cupboard that had some kind of beetles from the beans, I'm gradually bringing in new supplies, and making sure they're air tight. The sink is all cleaned out because I brought in an arm-full of fresh oregano. I rinsed it in the sink then laid it out on a small bath towel on the kitchen counter. When that counter isn't cluttered up I can do things like this. I stage the herbs--as they dry I move them into a more compressed space. It takes a lot of herb to fill a small jar, so what I'm processing this week will fill a jar that costs a dollar over at the grocery. I can enjoy this because it is fresh and home grown, but it isn't without work and bother. :) I picked up some flat cardboard boxes that the canned goods come on at the grocery store, so I can dig up some chunks of herb, root and all, and give them to neighbors. It's a great ground cover even if you're not cooking with it.

After this rain I'll have to go apply my second batch of beneficial nematodes. And I'll have to plant a few new ones I mentioned above.

This is all slow stuff, compared to folks who are remodeling and moving. Keep us up to date on your progress!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 03 May 10 - 03:10 PM

got some exercise walking about Rochester and up that bloody great hill from the pub to the B&B. Did not eat much this weekend and did not drink much either unless you count all the water.

when I got back all the fluff and string is still al over the carpet, so did not magically clean itself up while I was away.

got some great fabric to add to my Mojo coat.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 May 10 - 02:02 PM

I took all of my packages to the PO this morning and mailed them off, by myself. It just felt as though I could and should. First time I've driven alone in several weeks, and then it was only for a short run, AND the first time I've taken packages to the PO and collected our mail, alone, since last Fall, that I remember. I did great, too. Things are definitely getting better!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 03 May 10 - 09:18 AM

Had a fantastic time camping in our forest on Mayday. The rain held off until 7:30pm and a great time was had by all.

Tent has now dried out. It took a while as it is huge and we had to get creative with hanging it on the washing line in the garden. The black box full of cooking equipment etc was brought home and has been washed and sorted ready to go back for the next lot of people who are holding a camp there next month. I've got a massive pile of washing to do but I'm holding off until the weather brightens up hopefully in the week so it can all dry outside on the line.

Paul has fitted the new taps in the bathroom and new shower has been installed too.

I'm down another 2lbs too this week which is probably down to lugging camping stuff. Had a big compliment from someone I haven't seen for 3 and a half years. She walked up to me on Saturday and said really quite loudly "Hello how are you? My God you are skinny!!". Made me smile!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 May 10 - 12:36 AM

Wow, that's wonderful, SRS!!! Lotta work there!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 May 10 - 12:21 AM

Great stuff from all of you. I'm exhausted and pushing to post this before I head to bed. I worked all day in the garden--all weekend, actually. It looked like this this afternoon, and this this evening. It was a lot of work to build those raised beds, but I beveled the sides, didn't put in boards or rocks. Mulched throughout, even in the drainage paths (hoping to make them less slippery but still able to drain).

SRS

P.S. - great, calm looking dog, Allison! Congratulations!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 May 10 - 09:55 PM

They will..she looks like a sweetie! I finally got going. Have your package, one to my sister, one to Kendall, and one to another friend all ready to go. Rog will take them for me, tomorrow.

So, I decluttered my desk of those packages which also entailed writing a couple of notes and letters. we did our usual weekend cleaning, shopping, etc. MOrgan came over and redeemed his IOU from us for last weekend's work when we didn't have any cash. He liked that so much he asked if we had anything else he do to earn some more, so he got another couple of bucks for "high point" vacuuming. We had blast.

MAG, it is GREAT to hear from you. Be proud of your courageous self!!!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 May 10 - 07:46 PM

She is beautiful, Alison. Enjoy!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 02 May 10 - 07:38 PM

I'm here! Thanks Kat, and take your time! It's been quite a time; Hunt is getting new hearing aids and has a few doctor appts coming up; I always try to go with him on these forays.

It was a glorious May day weekend, with lots of morris dancing, and last night we had a gig at the local elementary school auction. At the auction we de-cluttered some prints I've been dragging around for years. And brought home a basket of herb plants, a back scratcher, and a gift certificate! Not bad!

Of course, on the way home from the morris, we stopped at one yard sale and brought home a box of wood screws, two pillowcases, a toaster oven (ours died this week) and an oversized tea cup with no saucer (we have a tradition in our village of monthly teas, and I'm always looking for proper china tea cups in extra-large sizes...).

This afternoon we have also added one more addition to the household: we have found Jazzy , a lovely lady, who fits all of the requirements. Now we just hope that with time, the cats will accept her. They haven't come down from their upstairs hideout all day!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 02 May 10 - 06:41 PM

Well, there's always book art.

And if you don't want to spend the time to make trinkets like that, you can always donate the books to the thrift store where people who WANT to spend the time can find them.

Good luck!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Sorcha
Date: 02 May 10 - 04:07 PM

I need to ask a question. WHAT do I do with a full set, plus almanac volume of Encyclopedia Americana 1982? They are outdated, and pretty worthless. I can't just BIN them--they are BOOKS!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: maeve
Date: 02 May 10 - 03:44 PM

MAG- Thanks for taking time from your decision making to keep us informed. You are in a great adventure!

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 May 10 - 12:48 PM

Current program:

Daily~~ putter outdoor projects and brekky tea on the porch with Faulkner
M, W, F~~ Free weights with trainer
T, Th, Su~~ Aquatics with audiobooks (African history is current)
Rec. Scootering~~ Weekly

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: MAG
Date: 02 May 10 - 10:53 AM

I'm still around; still on my self-appointed vacation, going through every single thing I own hoping to relocate.

You wouldn't believe how much stuff I've given or thrown away, and the house still looks like the proverbial tornado, maybe because so much stuff is out in the open in plastic tubs.

I keep the yard looking as nice as I can, as i will be putting the house on the market as soon as I figure out what I'm doing next.

I'm following threads but not posting much.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 10 - 10:55 PM

My exercise today was all the heavy manual type and I can feel it now. I must have lifted about 1000 pounds (40 pounds at a time) of dirt and humus bags (I picked up one batch and went back for more, and I dug up backyard dirt and compost). Time for a soak in a hot tub.

Tomorrow I'll finish filling in a couple of areas and get my bedding plants in the ground. I'm going to thin out the oregano (giving chunks of it away, and moving some to other parts of the yard) and transplant a few of the basil that are coming up as volunteers this year, along with some coriander seed I put in last year that didn't sprout till now.

This evening I think I can do a little more work around the house before I crash. I didn't eat dinner, wasn't hungry, but now I could use a bite of something. I'll try not to put on the calories I burned off today!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 May 10 - 10:35 PM

My weight is up this week. ARG. Oh well. Tomorrow is another day.

I walked to church (about half a mile) but got a ride back to the car...legs still a bit achy. I was glad to even a little walk!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 01 May 10 - 08:17 PM

I cleaned out where the old piano had been (it is now at the home of one of my coworkers) and completely organized the china cupboard! Tonight I have the last performance of Brahms Requiem (I'm an alto), and then I can start working on another project.

I'm still working on keeping the counter surface clean.

Off to the performing arts center!

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 May 10 - 06:13 PM

The weeping wound scabbed over, so I was up and at 'em, this morning, even after no sleep. Went to the store with Rog and spent an hour walking around, pushing the cart and getting several things which have been on the list for when we had a little extra cash. The walking felt good after a week of basically legs up.

I get Morgan every afternoon starting on Monday as his dad has been called back to work. As long as I don't have to keep my legs up too much, I should be upping the activity with him around.:-)

This is the only time I've been able to say I lost 2.6 pounds last week doing basically nothing except lying around and watching the salt. The family situation is still very stressful, but seems to be moving in the right direction.

I raked a few leaves from around my sweet-peas and clematis. My redbud is almost done blooming...a high wind and temps down to the low thirties took the wind out of its sails. My baskets of gold, flax, and columbine which were planted last year are all blooming despite the chilling weather.

2Ls, if you read this...the tins really will be on their way to you this coming week! My apologies for the delay. Oh, and I have to pay our POB rent..it was locked on us this morning because I forgot!*bg* Did declutter the bills, yesterday...paid and filed...that felt good!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: gnu
Date: 01 May 10 - 06:10 PM

I was thrilled last week when I scubbed Mum's floors. I weigh myself on her scales when I scrub and I was down three pounds. I have been struggling to get my weight down from the "stall" I have had. Celebrated several days later with a big order of Chinese food from my fav. First time in well over a year.

Yesterday, I was scrubbing again. Three pounds back on... NO WAY. Weighed myself again... lost 2 from last week... again... gained 3 from last week.

Changed the batteries... down one pound from last week. But, the take-out was good.

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 01 May 10 - 05:45 PM

A loud thunderstorm rolled through about 7am and woke me up. I've got a lot of yard work to do, but not today. I have some very dense hostas along the edge of the driveway. When they re-did the driveway, they dug into that dirt, so I need to dig them up and replant them. They need to be divided anyway. But that's going to be a full day's job.

Yesterday, I tried my hand at making icecream-- dark chocolate with just a hint of Guinness. Oh, it was so good.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 10 - 04:33 PM

I tried to stop at a community garage sale this morning, but as the road wrapped around the fenced in area I could see it was mostly crafts and handbags and such. Not my idea of a "garage sale." I love them this time of year, but didn't see any last week and didn't have time this week.

Every couple of weeks I take stuff over to the recycle facility near me, but this is the off week. It's tempting to pick up things over there, so it's just as well I don't go every week.

Out to the garden. I've picked up most of what I wanted, though I did forget a couple of things on my list.

Mary, even if you took the time off, you still earn many kudos. How many times have I taken time off for some task and barely gotten started when the time is up? I think we can all tell stories about the cleaning days that got away from us.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 May 10 - 03:48 PM

Just spiffified the table and found an empty chair -- Jeri is coming to supper in a bit. Thought it might be nice to offer her an empty chair and a place for her plate at the table. While accomplishing this, I found the wedding invitation I was looking for AND put some stuff away. (Or at least have it in the vicinity of the stairs so I can take them up next time I go up.)

And also while taking something TO the car, and bringing something inside, I stacked some more branches in the wheelbarrow and combed dried leaves out of the succulents on the bank.

Oops, just remembered a small item in the car. Might as well take the stack of magazines for a friend out with me.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Maryrrf
Date: 01 May 10 - 02:30 PM

SRS said "Mary, if you're half-way through a massive de-cluttering, my hat's off to you! AND you planted the garden? You're Wonder Woman!"

It helps that I took time off specifically to declutter and get the garden started. Plus, I'd been getting annoyed at the amount of 'stuff' I had lying around, and was really in a 'clearing' out frame of mind. Now to tackle my clothes, and the upstairs bedrooms!

Subject: RE: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 May 10 - 01:39 PM

Okay. I took 2 boxes of books to the Nottingham Library for the book sale next weekend (when I won't be around). Score one for me.

But...there was a community flea market at town hall on the way there. Uh huh. Of COURSE I stopped.

But I was a reasonably good kid and bought useful stuff cheap -- great brand new folding step stool, cover for a stack of plastic chairs, clear shrinkable window covers for next winter, a Christmas present for my brother and a Christmas present for Sinsull (you can imagine). Oh, yeah, and two boxes of very nice rubberstamps. I NEED rubberstamps...I only have a map chest, 2 small storage units and multiple plastic boxes full of them. (Anybody want to buy a rubberstamp company, vulcanizer and all, that's been on the back burner for about 20 years?)

After I dropped off the books and did another errand, I set off on my usual yardsale loop. Yardsale season has started earlier than usual this year and I've already missed two over the past few weeks because I was on my way to work and couldn't stop.

Again, mostly useful stuff that I otherwise couldn't afford including a wonderful large garden I-don't-know-what-you-might-call-it, like a tarp made into a big bag-like dealie with handles all 'round. I can use this.

And I gave a miss to a few yardsales and to things that, while sort of enticing, would just become clutter.

I think I'm feeling virtuous. Didn't spend much money, either.

Hey, Stilly! Glad the post office got it to you in a timely fashion. Surprises are good -- I hope you enjoy it.

Linn

Subject: BS: May 2010 Declutter & Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 10 - 01:12 PM

May Day and I've been out working on behalf of my garden. I need to declutter a bunch of cracked and broken pots (the snow and long hard freeze this winter was very hard on them). In the accumulation category, I picked up bedding plants to put in today. Herbs and veggies and a few flowers.

Here is the previous thread.

I stopped in to get lunch after running around this morning (and got the haircut I wanted--I'm back to a really short cut) and shopping. I have another run to make, and then it is into the garden. We're expecting rain so I'd like to finish and let the rain take care of watering in the new plants.

Charge forward, all, and use the momentum of spring and longer days to get the jobs done that you want to do, and remember, for those in the Northern Hemisphere, THIS is the time of year to try a diet, when your metabolism is perkier with this weather and amount of light.

SRS