BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Jun 10 - 09:51 PM

I am really impressed, Alice. You've really built up your inventory and the designs are beautifully elegant, whimsical, and well-done.

JennieGee, wish I had that view!:-) Thanks for the pix...it's really beautiful.

We got the dishes, the litter boxes, and the sweeping done. I scrubbed the bathroom before breakfast(!, went through more papers and shredded most of them. Moved some stacks closer to where I will need them to either file, scan, send on, or whatever. Rog took a small box and a trash bag full of Goodwill stuff out to the car.

We had a nice time with my brother and ex over for a bon voyage pizza and salad. Colin started out with simple cheese pizzas from the grocery store added fresh mushrooms, spinach, pine nuts, and tomato as well as extra cheese and they were delicious! I figured out the points for 2 pieces was only 9 pts. so I *budgeted* though I will have to watch the salt and protein content. I was okay today as it was pretty much my only source of both.

It has been so hot I hardly feel like doing anything. I will be going to the pool with Morgan every morning, hope it is still cool enough to tolerate, then it'll be home to the swamp cooler and whatever we decide to do for the rest of the day. Next week is supposed to be back down to the 80s so that will help. I do not do well in heat at all.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Alice
Date: 06 Jun 10 - 07:39 PM

Updated my blog with some designs

My Letterpress Prints

even though I had to be out of town for a few days last week.

I am so enjoying being out in the garden and yard, but I have to focus on getting more letterpress designs done this week to create the actual ordering web site. Savings don't last very long!

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Jun 10 - 05:30 PM

I spent two hours this morning lugging brush from the back of the back yard out to the curb. There is a plastic laundry bin out there since last evening that I had various small toys and parts of toys in. I was careful not to pile brush on the bin. The contents have been thinning. Tomorrow is trash day, and also the week for bulky waste, so it's busy at the curb, but the toys will probably vanish before the trucks come. I also hauled a bunch of recycling over to the local dropoff depot. Amazing how many televisions are headed that way.

After the brush my son texted to ask if I could pick him up (I had hoped his sister would bring him later), and through maps and schedule consultation, I managed to get him to take the DART train to the farthest southwest corner of town and I met him there. Much nicer to drive to that spot than do freeway bumper cars in downtown Dallas. Plus, I want him to start learning to navigate by buses, trains, planes, etc. He took the wrong one, and called ("the sign was broken" was the reason. "Well, next time, ask someone which it is! Don't just get on!") Anyway, he got on the correct one and I had a lovely wait in a part of town I've never visited but will plan to use as my access to downtown if I have to drive over at all.

The toys were put at the curb yesterday because they came to light as I cleaned out and re-organized some of my garage. I have several items to donate to the Goodwill also. When it's so hot out I still like to work outside, but I really enjoy working in shady areas with a bit of a breeze. I can pause under the lovely tree in my front yard and cool down, or I can run a fan in the garage, etc. I guess I see this as a challenge against the elements, just like rain or cold.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 06 Jun 10 - 04:50 PM

I was pretty well caught up on the garden until yesterday, when I went to a sale of Michigan native plants (bought 5). On the way home, I stopped at a big garden center (bought 3 more). Now I have to find places for them. Somebody stop me, please!

The rain is keeping me inside today (big storm last night), so I'm doing laundry. Fourth load is running now, with one more to go.

Played (guitar) in a session on Friday night (4 hours), then we all played for a ceili on Sat night (4 more hours). When I woke up this morning, my left hand was so stiff & achy (and a little swollen) that I could barely close it, let alone make a fist.

I made a batch of carrot-apple muffins-- so yummy spread with cream cheese. By the time I washed all those dishes, the hot water had relaxed my left hand, and I can move it pretty well now. I hate getting old. I'm starting to sound like my mother did.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 06 Jun 10 - 01:47 AM

We have thunderstorms forecast for today - it's already warm and sticky and it's not even 7.00am yet - in ENGLAND!!!! Ah well, I don't mind it.

Planted plants, killed the vacuum cleaner, sorted fabric and unearthed the 2 small quilts I'd sidelined as I finished the green one for my friend (who is still suffering terribly from depression and a few other related things, so any good thoughts, prayers, *^%^ reducing candles would be appreciated... although now I have a mental image of a candle shaped like a turd burning - reducing as it goes.... I need help!), so they should be up and ready for backing next weekend. Busy week this week with meetings and stuff... hardly any time to go to work!

Will get around to decluttering this room properly soon. Already made a start by sorting some paperwork and putting fabric away in the drawer.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 10:17 PM

What a beautiful view, Jennie! Thank you for sharing it. I'd love to sit out on the veranda someday.

Not much got done around the house today. I worked at the park for most of the day because the city was having a summer festival. I signed up about 150 children for the library's summer reading program. For the first time in a couple of weeks, the rain stayed away and it was in the low 70s---perfect! The boys came toward the end and we went home together. Maybe all the standing and smiling and conversing helped me burn a few more calories than otherwise, but mainly I'm just tired.

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: JennieG
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 09:51 PM

Himself is unpacking the last box as we speak! (apart from two boxes of CDs and one box of laundry cleaning stuff) Now we need to decide where we want some things; we are putting away as we unpack (at least I am, Himself has managed to fill up the dining room table with all sorts of things and now wants me to tell him where to put them......) We may get rid of some more things too. When I get off the computer it's bathroom cleaning time, always an exciting shore.

You can see some pics of our new house and the view we have here

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 09:42 PM

I have a load of delicate dark things in the wash now, then will lay them flat to dry. Refill the washer with stuff grungy from gardening today and more, but the nice thing about this washer is that it has up to 8 hours delay on the settings, so I'll set this to wash at 5am when the power demands are much lower. And those clothes will go on the line out back.

I finally managed to empty the photos out of that new camera. It was working before, and when I reinstalled the software in the computer, it isn't working so well. But I don't want to let it just load photos wherever, I want it to put them on my D: drive. It doesn't seem to understand that. Also the regular AA batteries I put in are rechargeable and it says they are at 25%. The camera really wants to run on those expensive Energizer Ultimate Lithium that are about $10 for 4. They last for about a month, but still, that's $120 a year, and for that I could have bought a camera with its own rechargeable battery.

It also isn't as easy to get a good focus on close shots I want as my little camera before did. It has such a wide angle that it can't seem to quite figure out what I'm focusing on. I wish I'd had a chance to figure this out a while back, or I'd have returned it. I suppose I could sell it on eBay and try again.

It hit 100 here today, but I still managed to dig more bed out front and put down three segments of the steel edging that helps a bed look good. Doesn't do much to keep the Bermuda out, but it keeps you from accidentally cutting down things in the garden with the trimmer if you stay down low next to the edge.

I'll get up early tomorrow and do some of the heavier jobs before it gets too hot, then may have to go to Dallas to get my son. I'm hoping I can bribe my daughter to bring him back. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 05:07 PM

Ugh..in looking for one concert video, we pulled out a couple more bins for me to go through, BUT also found the yoga and tai chi dvds I've been looking for. Have shredded enough papers to fill two tall trash bags, so far. Much more to go through, but I remind myself I can only do it one bin at a time and try to focus on just that instead of all the others in waiting.:-)

LtS, that doesn't sound like backsliding to me; a day well-spent with your daughter who will remember and treasure those days. And, it sounds like a blast!

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 11:16 AM

Supposed to reach 100 F today. I have to haul branches out to the front curb. I'll slather on sunscreen, mow that spot so I don't have tall grass there after they finally pick it up, and then make a few trips and stop to cool off. Repeat.

I dug more of the front bed last night. I might be able to make something of it today, and I have steel edging for it. I'll wait till it's a bit shady on that side of the house. Need to pick up more free mulch to cover that bed.

In the house, I have a collection of hand creams to discard or donate, the ones with cocoa. Too bad, but I'm glad I finally figured out at least part of this puzzle.

The new television wasn't delivered yet. The shipper's website says probably Tuesday. I'll spend time this weekend getting the area cleared out and dusted in preparation for the new set.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 08:51 AM

LTS, I LOVE the concept of navigating by dice- what fun! Will have to try it.

My de-clutter of yesterday was to finally admit that I really don't need all the costumes I have accumulated over the years. I have an acquaintance who is very involved in local community theater who has agreed to take stuff off my hands. So yesterday I dug thru boxes and bags and have a pile consisting of: two bins of "medieval" hoods and donuts for heads, several old prom dresses, some capes, a few poke bonnets (though I'm tempted to save one out for the garden!), 2 graduation gowns, some harem pants, a torn velvet opera cloak and a box of gloves that the mice got into but are still in pretty good shape. I did keep some stuff, but now that the workshop is cleaned I can get to the plywood wardrobe that is now our wool storage, and hung up the cape my mother made me for the jr. high school "sociables" dance, my grandmother's Campfire Girl middy blouse, and the raccoon coat I can't bring myself to part with just yet!

Today's a rainy one so it's back to general tidying and vacuuming and mending. But wait- the rain stopped and it's sunny out- maybe vaccuuming can wait just one more day!

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 03:47 AM

Sounds like you had a fantastic day Liz!

Paul is off playing on the military ranges today with the lads from the gun club was not too impressed with them turning up at 7:30 this morning! so me and the kids will be baking some bread and some cup cakes.

I decluttered my wallet buying the final bits for the wedding reception our spare room looks a bit like a shop now but not for long. Ate too much lovely stilton cheese last night and I'm paying for it until the next batch of antihistamines kick in.

Garden needs weeding although the veggie area is fine and all is growing well.

Going for another long run tonight once it cools down and the kids are in bed.

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 02:49 AM

Major backslide yesterday... Day out with Limpit in the car, navigating by dice (you can only do this in a country where there are lots of turns.. it doesn't work so well in Nevada). You take a die with you and decide on a starting point. Throw the die. If it's an odd number you turn right, if it's an even number you turn left. Travel straight on for the number of junctions/turn offs indicated by the die; so if you throw a 4, you take the next turn left, and travel along that road, taking the 4th junction off it where you throw the die again. We ended up in Kent, in a Himalayan garden - absolutely the right time of year to see it as the rhodedendrons were in full bloom - all shades from snowy white through sunrise yellow and orange, to the usual purple, magenta and deep maroon... stunning! The trees were incredible, the weather perfect and the plants for sale irresistable. There's a purple clematis and a Japanese Acer waiting for me to dig them a hole each in the garden...

We ended up in Rochester eventually, where I managed to declutter my wallet and reclutter my fabric stash... just too many beautiful colours and designs to ignore. Even Limpit bought a fat quarter of fabric although I daresay I'll be the one to finally use it...

When we got home, we had popcorn and watched a movie - and I decluttered the wine rack of a bottle of sauvingon blanc all by myself!

Memo to self... must be good this week.

Yeah, like that'll happen.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 12:30 AM

I went through one large bin this afternoon while Morgan visited the PBSKids site. He whizzed through some number and alphabet/reading games. I emptied the large bin. Now I have three smaller piles, the largest is giveaway, next papers to go through, then things maybe for ebay. I will have him full-time for the next two weeks, so may not get a lot done, depending on if he's motivated to help or do his own thing. We will be going to swimming lessons in the mornings so that should be fun. Our son will be leaving on Wed., so we're going to have some kind of get-together with his bio-dad, my brother and Rog and me on Sunday, so I know the house will get cleaned up a bit before then.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 11:56 PM

Dogs are clean, heart worm medication has been applied. I did some more digging and watering and just disconnected the timer that doesn't always time. I just realized a sprinkler, though it was on low, has been running for two hours instead of 15 minutes.

Eiseley, it sounds like you've sussed out a good use for that space. In that yard I mentioned earlier the garage had been transformed, with windows and doors and extended place--it would be an honor to be a guest there and to wake with that garden around. Your little space with the shade and the privacy--a few lovely pots of flowers and you'll be well on your way to a private place to share with honored guests.

Jennie, I had wondered how your move went. And it is amazing how much we can live without, isn't it?

I spoke with my daughter this evening. The banana bread arrived via my son and the kids are enjoying themselves. After all of the years of sleepovers the kids have done, my son is very spartan--he can sleep on carpeting with a blanket and pillow and be comfortable. So instead of a sleeping bag for more cushioning, he took a simple blanket and pillow for his corner of the hotel room. I can understand it, though. My sleeping accommodations for years of backpacking and mountain climbing were probably not as comfortable as his bit of carpet with padding underneath.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 07:33 PM

Golly, the hard pruning ydy of the pentunia basket paid off-- WOW what a lot of flars.

We did actuallyg et all the swaparounds I outlined prev. DONE, and the van cleaned out and vacuumed. Hardi even washed it and reloaded it for my trip, and is now washing HIS car! What a man.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 07:27 PM

I took a MUCH needed day off today and gathered the younger two boys and went to a mountain man rendezvous. I gave the boys each ten dollars to spend. I thought they'd buy a coon skin cap or a foxtail or something like that, but each boy bought a jaw harp and has been twanging it ever since. I actually enjoy the sound.

That's a wonderful discovery you made, SRS, of that lovely garden. I think it is especially nice that you told the man. So often things like that go unacknowledged, even if they are appreciated. So thank you for that example.

I decided the parking pad out back, though convenient, is rather a waste of space. It has a tallish row of chokecherry trees providing lacy shade, a fence on two sides, the shed on the other, and of course the entrance itself. So I think I'll try parking out front for awhile and reclaim the space in back for a type of patio. Whatever rules of Feng Shui I know (and I don't know many) say that entrances should be attractive, so instead of parking a big hunk of green colored metal at the back entrance to the house I'll make it a more appealing space. I had no sooner decided this, when serendipitously my neighbor offered me his picnic table and benches. With Ben and Will's help we quickly turned the parking area into a plant-filled space with the table and benches in the center. NOW the important thing will be to make time to use it---just to sit, even, and read or write or knit.

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: JennieG
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 07:22 PM

We have been in our lovely new house for four weeks now and only have three or four cartons to unpack. Rather than double handling everything (although we did get rid of quite a lot before we moved) it was easier to pack it all and sort as we put away. We have decided for instance, we don't need that many glasses to drink from! My sewing room is unpacked and nearly all put away - I was sorting as I went - we are settling in so well it feels as though we have been here forever.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 07:11 PM

I visited a couple of garage sales today, and found a great veteran (heavy duty, used, in great shape still) potting table on the cheap that will either go in the garage or my sun room. Or on the back patio. Not sure yet, but I can certainly use it. I've been dying for something like this, and though I still have plans to build a more involved spot for the work, this will do it for now and can be incorporated into a greenhouse or potting shed space.

I turned down a street I hadn't looked at in a long time as I was following one garage sale sign and spotted a beautiful little yard with a gorgeous garden. I went around the block and looked again, and actually got out of the truck and knocked on the door. There was no answer, and as I was turning to leave, a car pulled up and the driver said "I'll be there in a minute," and he backed up the drive. So I walked around, and just told him I was really impressed with this garden. There's not a pattern or design, per se, except that texture and color and shape are wonderful. He has rock edges and grassy paths and it wraps around the entire house. I asked if I could take photos. I gave him my card, and asked if I could put a few photos on my blog, and I won't identify him or his house, unless someone emails and asks for the information. That was fine. This guy is an engineer at the local airplane plant. It's a tiny 1925 house in a small old neighborhood that is mostly Hispanic. People write off these neighborhoods, but I bet his neighbors enjoyed looking at that yard, and those around him looked well tended also. This was a lovely discovery. And an inspiration in the work I'm doing here.

In the allergy department, today is day two of really sore hands, that started the morning after eating a piece of strong (couple of types, very rich) chocolate cake. I'm pretty sure that is the main culprit. I've set aside the lotions with cocoa butter and will, sadly, donate those somewhere (I love the feel and smell, but heck, they're part of the problem).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 12:52 PM

Oy indeed-- yikes, too.

Back porch clutter pile has now been replaced by a rug-- and some guest chairs (incl Cinderella kid's camp chair), folded and out of the rain to deploy as needed.

I nabbed the cinderbin we had emptied to make the fire ring, and used it to containerize a bunch of padded seat cushions for the many chairs now sitting in shady or scenic spots-- the "hep yourself" stash of butt comfort, LOL.

At the local junk shop, I scored a GREAT table last week, which is on the porch now, that I'd thought we'd banish to the potting shed in development for next spring. But upon unloading it, it turned out to be way too nice for that. Painted white in many layers of oil paint. Turned legs, on wheels. Looks like a home-made deal-- drop leaves make it into a nice table for 4, but it is made to take center leaves to get even longer. The construction looks to be good ole pine boards, so we can easily cut leaves to use with it.

Sitting under and beside this are the potting and gardening stuff I've been using with the seedlings we started in the spring, and the potted flowers we have been enjoying. The half-circle dropleaf facing the walkway makes a handy spot to pot stuff.

A folding chair the church threw out years ago sits nearby to use or stay out of the way. I used it ydy to prune a hanging basket going out of control (which I will probably divide and repot as 3 baskets next week). I have three more of these folding chairs if a big picnic shapes up-- they were thrown out for "looks" but I nabbed them off the pile before the trash truck took them away! Mudcatters have used them for picking chairs.... they will probably last another 10 years, LOL.

Ydy a hummingbird joined the butterfly brigade around the hanging basket, much to my delight.

I'm so glad I took pix of the clutter pile before this-- because it looks now like it has looked like this for years, even tho it is brand new to us!

We have already enjoyed having some visitors set a spell with us. That table will make not a dining spot most likely, but a buffet. It's steps from Hardi's great grill, which is one corner of a triangle. On the third corner is the recliner seating area with various side and center table options to drag into place as desired. Comfy, self-service, flexible stuff. A fan has been added....

Oh, and when I unpacked the clutter pile, Hardi's nice binoculars turned up-- now I can see what kind of birds are flitting into the barn out back at bedtime.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 11:02 AM

Five loaves of banana bread are cooling on the kitchen counter. These are for the kids who will be in a hotel from this afternoon until mid-day Sunday at a convention. I'll put my son on the train to Dallas with these tucked into a box and hopefully easy to carry. I really don't want to spend three hours going to and from Dallas and the hotel just to help him carry a few things. We'll take the train today, I have to drive over on Sunday. You'd think with cities as large as Dallas and Fort Worth that they'd have a train seven days a week between the two.

My new antique nickel plated kettle is polished and looks nice on the stove. My old antique copper kettle is drying on the sideboard after cleaning and polishing. It will go on top of the cabinets with other antiques.

Ex asked our son for a copy of his high school diploma yesterday. This is the stage where child support gets cut off. Oy.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 09:29 AM

Weight loss is slowing down but my total loss to date is 22#. I liked it better when I was losing 5#/week. LOL But 1-1.5#/week is OK too.
Next week I start working out in the gym with a trainer. The foot should be functional by then.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 04:34 AM

5 mile run last night....feel great!

Washing on line drying this morning. Just about to set off to the post office to get a parcel that I wasn't in for yesterday.

Looks like it's going to be another glorious day today!

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 04:16 AM

My sympathies to your son. There's a big cat-shaped hole in his life at the moment, and although he needs to, he may not feel like filling it for a while.

I'm still on my first cat, and I've only had him 2 years, but he is 12 now and I realise (especially if he keeps on scrapping with the local dominant tom) that he won't be with me for ever. However, I enjoy his company more than I ever thought I would, and dread losing him. After having a cat 20 years, it must be dreadful! Once again, sympathy to to your son.

I'm on last ditch sorting out before I go off to my festival. There are now showers threatened for the weekend, so I have to plan footwear and waterproofs more thoroughly. This is the trouble with "weather" over "climate"! Here we just ask "whether the weather" is going to be rainy! And here was I about to water the garden.

It'll be interesting, given the inevitable erratic eating patterns over the next few days, to see what the weight does.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 12:05 AM

I'm sorry to hear about the cat. Having lost two recently, I know that while it may diminish the cat hair for a while, you really miss that thump on the foot of the bed when they hop up, then come curl up in their usual place. I still sometimes dreamed one of them is there, and I can tell which by where they curl up.

Computer isn't playing nice with my camera. I'm turning it all off and will try over again in the morning.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 11:33 PM

Here's to Morticia. May she enjoy cat heaven.

Eiseley

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 09:06 PM

Andrea, thanks for the definition of "virgin" I LIKE that!

I decluttered my PC by completely deleting AVG and Firefox with all personal data removed, too, also got rid of what I think was the real problem (see tech thread on slow loading.) NOW, I have Avast and a new Firefox download and pages are loading properly and fast, just like the old days!:-)

I had a morning appt. so didn't get much done, then picked up Morgan from unsatisfactory "camp" around lunchtime. He is getting over a virus so was kind of peak-ed, so it was a quiet afternoon until his dad came to get him, then I took a short nap.

I don't think I'll get much done this evening. Our son had bad news jobwise, yesterday, which has completely turned around to great news, today, but had to have his 22 year old cat, Morticia, put down this evening. He'd had her since he was a kid of 18 and she'd been everywhere with him. This is a really tough one. I think his other cat will be okay and he will be, too, but that's a long time to have a loving pet. She was an incredible old gal, pure black and didn't take anything off of anybody, yet still loved to be pet and purred to beat the band. Here's to Morticia, Colin's constant love and companion through thick and thin.

Thanks for listening,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 08:45 PM

I bought a nickel-plated antique Revere ware kettle for $5 today, but ended up with a neighbor wanting to buy a sprinkler. I'd have given him one, but he insisted. Gave me $5 for it. Break even. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 08:07 PM

Got the last (for now) of the thrift shop items delivered yesterday- one hour after their deadline, but I'm a regular so they snuck me in! Today I took the "good" stuff to a consignment shop, to find the owner sick and overwhelmed. She took the 1950's vintage Country Fare dishes and the made-in-Putney-VT iron candle stand, but refused to look at the clothes. These are my best too-small (I was seriously underweight for awhile after my previous beloved's death) professional clothes; I was hoping to get some credit at the consignment shop and may yet try to bring them back on a day when she feels better.

Then we ate a disgusting (but delicious) bbq lunch, came home, took a walk, and it's salad for supper!

(Hunt is doing pretty well on his diet, but we still have to go around and have some "last meals" such as the bbq pit!)

You are all so inspiring!

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 08:04 PM

YOGA!!!!!!    60 minutes of YOGA!!!!!!!!!

AND!!! BIG NEWS! I found that yoga mudra relieves the ever present buzzing/neuropathy in my hands....briefly but I COULD FEEL MY FINGERS WITHOUT THE BUZZING!!!!!!!!! HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am SO excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 06:20 PM

Quilt finished with 10 minutes to spare - delivered to new owner who is most pleased. I hope it helps him sleep, I laced it with lavender and cammomile!

Now back to the little ones....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 02:25 PM

Major declut of gardening tasks ydy.

Now-nearly-empty front porch has revealed it's True Purpose at long last and we will implement tomorrow: storage for the stuff that goes in the van when I sleep in it and when we camp-- all nylon-duffle-bagged to use modularly. Porch is dry, private, handy to load as needed, and well patrolled by feline personnel who do not spray. Good timing too-- for Saturday I set off on one of my little "missions."

Tomorrow the rugs out there now get cut, and sent to the destination rooms.

The chair(s) holding the rugs off the floor have a space waiting around the fire-ring.

The van will be loaded for travel, and excess stuff removed to porch.

There is some of the stuff that had been backporch storage that will also move, tomorrow, to this storage area.

That'll clear the space where one of the rugs is going on the BACK porch.

So tomorrow is a major-swaparound day, Hardi willing and the little tractor's trailer don't break. :~)

We may even try the van out, ourselves, tomorrow night, if the weather cooperates.

The "fun" job today was soaking a 50' heavy orange extension cord to get the bird crap offa it. It used to hang underneath the swallow's nest, and.... ewww. I soaked it last night in a bucket of enzymes and surfectant soaps. The crap ran right off it into a washcloth I wanted to discard anyway. In a little bit I will re-roll it into a different bucket (lets me take out only the length needed), which also doubles as a traveling pee bucket-- it has a nifty screw-tight lid a new friend gave me.

The boondocking host-driveway for Saturday has a certain type of space where I know I can try all this setup out, and a bed waiting in case I don't quite get it right on this trip.

The new screen I put in the front door last week freed up some old metal-wire screen-- probably a perfect travel window for the boondocker when I cut the rip out of it, to fit.

~Susan
cc TO BOONDOCKER THREAD

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 01:49 PM

Lawn mowed, all clothes washed, soup made (and eaten), pond pump de-algaed yet again, and a list made of things I must not forget to pack tomorrow. Not the most productive of days, really, as I went out in the afternoon. However I did manage to get some of what I wanted to buy.

Michelle, you are putting me to shame!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 01:09 PM

Today's Ta~Da List!

*Dishes washed
*3 loads of laundry...washed, dried and put away
*carpet vaccuumed
*floors swept
*black bean chili made for dinner and in the fridge
*showered
*getting ready to go out and get some poster board to make Relay for Life story boards

Enjoy your day!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 11:31 AM

Sorry guys but now this is going through my head:

"Making love in the afternoon
With Cwecilia up in my bedroom
I got up (I got up)
To wash my face
When I come back to bed someone taking my place

Celia your breaking my heart...
Oh Cecilia!

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 11:29 AM

After a couple of weeks of carefully avoiding chocolate and dairy, and not opening any more bottles of red wine when the last one was finished, we had dinner from the Olive Garden and I ate a chocolate dessert. My hands feel worse today, and I don't think it's just psychosomatic, because I'm expecting it. But this also explains a couple of things. I need to read ingredients, because though I don't eat chocolate often, I have been sometimes using a hand cream with cocoa butter. And as lovely as that feels and smells, it could be part of the problem. So I will now continue to avoid chocolate and see if things clear up. I'll read labels to be sure I'm not getting it inadvertently.

Son graduated last night, and we got smart (kind of). We had a couple of menus with us and when it looked like things were going to let out around 9:30, we gave our orders to his dad, who drove over to the restaurant and got it all to go. My dining room table was ready and we enjoyed it. When everyone piles into the 24/7 IHOP and Denny's after graduation, you wait a long time to eat. My son and I discovered that four years ago when we went out to eat after my daughter graduated. I don't remember why we weren't all together, but we weren't.

The "kind of" part came with leaving for the event. I should have KNOWN that Dylan wasn't paying attention to all of the instructions, and after dropping him off I got a call saying "I need a collared shirt and tie." I was parking, but after vainly trying to call his father before he left his house, pulled out and was ready to drive down there to ransack his closet, hopefully in time to return with the materials. His father doesn't answer the phone when he's driving, but I'd sent a text also and he saw that, so (my daughter called to tell me) he was nearing my house when he turned around and at his house grabbed his best shirt and tie and brought them back. He proceeded to go the wrong way through the crowd to try to give it to the son, and we think it was probably lost in the crowd of helpers. A t-shirt collar was in view when he went through the line and such. OH, well. Maybe the shirt will turn up at school if they gave it to the woman in charge of the event.

He later attended the all-night lock-in party, and is now sleeping at his Dad's house (a friend who lives near there dropped him off. I suggested he take that friend out for breakfast as a thank you for the rides he has gotten this year, but based on the time he returned, they probably didn't do that.)

Now to work. . .

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 05:01 AM

Kat, I have just read a pagan book which refers to the original old meaning of "virgin" as a woman who ...'was beholden to no man, needing no other, complete in herself. She was a strong and empowered individual who refused to be ruled by any masculine authority and who was fiercely independent.' The more usual meaning is a later invention. I also read somewhere that Elizabeth 1, calling herself the "virgin queen", was denoting a state of mind and attitude to life, rather than a sexual state.

In between packing for the Wychwood Festival this weekend in Cheltenham (Seth Lakeman, Toumani Diabate, Ade Edmondson and the Bad Shepherds....and Mr Tumble from CBeebies - it's a family festival!) I hope to get some more clearing out done. However, the sun is shining, and the garden may call instead! I also have a lot of windows that really need cleaning, but keep telling myself I will do it when all the work is done (which it very nearly is, so that excuse is wearing thin). There is also NO WAY I am getting the iron out when it's warm. Things get folded and stacked, and they can iron themselves to the best of their ability!

Oh well, 10 o'clock. Better actually DO something.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 02:25 AM

Tired after a long evening. Son is now graduated, and is at the lock-in all night party at a local arcade. I mentioned that there would probably be classmates who were drunk or high, having time after the ceremony till the party started. He said some were drunk during the ceremony. Sad, but not unexpected.

Eiseley, your instructor's name is unusual. I just glanced at the front page and the URL with the professor's name--Figa - unusual - does she have a spouse named Jan? I work with him at the UTA Library. He's in the Science and Engineering Branch.

It feels an awful lot like Friday, but it is only Wednesday, isn't it?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 12:16 AM

Nearly finished the green quilt which is good because I want to give it to the new owner later tomorrow.

Managed to declutter the linen cupboard of an old sheet. Cluttered the living room with bits of an old sheet.

Off being a PA again later, so nothing doing there... tomorrow I don't work so maybe I'll get something done here. Last night, this computer wouldn't shut down....

Bleurgh.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 11:39 PM

Kewl, 2Ls! I should just send you mine, but it is one of the few prints I think I'll hang onto.:-)

Eisely, very enjoyable! Thanks. I look forward to listening to the rest of them.

I had a hard time pushing through this afternoon, after being out this morning. BUT, I did finish scanning in my brother and sister's baby picture album and tucked it away safely in the trunk with the other old albums. So, that's one more thing cleared off my desk.

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 09:37 PM

Oh, I've seen that St. Cecilia print several times around the Monadnock region, Kat- I almost bought it last time! If I see it again, I just might, then I can think of you whenever I look at it!

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 07:06 PM

Quickly glancing through the list of threads, I read the title of this one asS: June '10 Declutter & Excess Accountability!!!

:) Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Eiseley
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 06:03 PM

Good job on the piano fix, Allison, albeit temporary. My piano had a cracked sound board. It sounded all right in the treble, but anything lower than the c below middle c was really hard on my ears. So when my parents felt they wanted a different piano, I gladly made room for their old one that I learned on so many years ago. It is old, but the sound board is fine, and I am so happy to play without the annoying buzzing flatness. My other one found a happy home with one of the librarians at work, so everyone is happy.

Finally, my three weeks of intense schoolwork is at an end! To celebrate with me, you are invited to listen to our Storytelling Concert. This represents hours and hours and hours worth of work, and a lot of fun as well. Enjoy! My fable is titled "The Strong City."

Kathryn

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 02:52 PM

Be kind to yourself, Andrea. There is a lot of letting go going on, ya know, even if it was planned and basically positive.:-)

As an aside, wiki has some interesting info on St. C, except the picture caption calls her a "virgin and martyr" but all the text talks of her having a husband, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 02:32 PM

When I was confirmed, about 50 years ago, we had to choose a saint whose name we would adopt as our "confirmation name", and I chose St Cecilia. She is also on a window in our church. She goes back a long way, to the time of the Roman Empire, I believe.

Got rid of all the boot fair leftovers, apart from Ian's skis, which they couldn't take. So I am still having to stack them up! They are cross-country skis, so they are very long. I may put a card in the village shop! I was going to spend a lot of this week tidying and cleaning...nothing done yet, and I am off to a weekend music festival on Friday till Monday. I am getting clear of my cold, but I am having broken sleep most nights (just keep waking up) and so I am feeling quite tired, and my natural indolence keeps taking over! Mind you, I am good at finding excuses not to do housework!

Michelle, I am thinking of you right now...it is a means to a lovely end!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 01:27 PM

Oh, that's a shame, Allison. Good temp. fix, though, very creative!:-) Out here, my parents always kept a jar of water in the piano, in back, to make sure it didn't get too dry and crack from that. Fifty years later and it still is doing well, though it needs some work. Good luck with figuring out what else you can do.

Maryanne, I would imagine my St. Cecelia may have come from a Catholic school in New England as that is where I bought it...I think a lot of those old prints made their way into the market as schools closed or updated. There is a glare from the light when I took a photo of her, but you may see her HERE.

I have been making a concerted effort to keep things picked up around here. When I get up from my desk, I look for things that need to be put away, trash that needs to be picked up, etc. Had appts. this morning, so just getting started for the day.

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 01:08 PM

Michelle, that's wonderful. I'm excited for you! But what a drag to have to dig out all that old paperwork, and the shadows of the old feelings that still hover around it. << HUG >>

I'm still picking away at the combining of the households- the car is full of stuff for the thrift shop, but we didn't get out of the house before their deadline this morning because we had a major piano disaster! The lovely Steinway that my husband bartered a painting for, has a huge crack in the soundboard, causing an obnoxious buzz in the middle octave! It had been repaired appropriately, but somehow as the humidity and warmth of late May in NH settles in, things have shifted (also probly has something to do with the instrument being played more in the past 6 months than it had been in the previous 30 or more years!).
Yesterday we had one of the most highly-regarded local piano technicians in, and he declared it "not worth the repair".
But my dear husband, long-time furniture restorer and builder, and recent house-builder, spent all yesterday afternoon and evening thinking, and woke up this morning thinking some more (like a typical Aspy, all of this thinking was done aloud, at great length and detail...). Result- pull the piano back out from the wall, wedge in a few shims, and the buzz is gone!
We know perfectly well that with temperature and humidity shifting as it does, this is only a temporary fix. But at least I can stand to play the thing while we ponder the next step.

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 12:11 PM

Michelle, you lost your cookie. But good news that things are moving forward, though I'm sorry to see this dog-leg in the planning. If you have an approximate date when the obituary or stories might have been published, and if you know what papers, I can go into the big newspaper database and see what I can find for you. This is one the university library subscribes to.

This morning was the last day to drive a child to school in the Crowley Independent School District. He is there today so they can shuttle the seniors to the Convention Center for rehearsal for graduation tonight. Time is flying! My daughter and her boyfriend will be down, and we'll all go eat after, then drop my son off at the all-night party when they're locked in an arcade called "Main Event." (This might be a chain).

Supposed to get into the mid-90s today, so I wanted to add some extra mulch to the gardens. I need to contour some of the drainage still in the bed near the back door. I'll work on that this weekend.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 10:56 AM

Thats fantastic news Michelle. We're keeping our fingers crossed for you and sending as much positive energy as posible!

Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 09:37 AM

I have several errands to run today and then on to some fun! The locl middle school is having a mini Relay for Life and I am going to go check it out! I plan to park the car some distance away and walk there. I have asked people to go with me but no one is interested so I'm just going to go myself, why not?!?!??!

On of the errands I need to do is for our adoption. At the beginning, when we filled out all the paperwork, we said we wanted an escort to bring the child to the US. Now the laws in Ethiopia have changed and we would need to go to court there. Here's the thing. I don't fly. I told the adoption agent that flying would be a deal breaker for us. She asked why. I told her that my dad had been killed in an airplane crash. She was going to talk to the attorney that does all their legal stuff and get back to me. She called yesterday and said they do grant exceptions and we could be excused if I could present a death certificate, any newspaper articles and a notorized affidavit from me. Ok. I can do that. I'm off to track down a 32 year old newspaper article and send out for the death certificate. If that doesn't do it, I have a friend who has offered to go to Ethiopia, go to court and pick up the baby. How great is that?!?!?   I think this might just work out!!! Current timeline, barring any snags will have the baby here in December or January!

Michelle