BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 03:42 PM

Um, SRS, unless my calendar is wrong, Halloween is on Sunday..it's my Rog's birthday, too, so we tend to make sure we have the date right.

Did a couple of loads of laundry, folded and put away from yesterday and one needing to be folded from last night. Yesterday was busy, today was rush out the door to give daughter ride to work, see my doc, drop Rog at work, see the therapist, pick Rog up, come home, eat lunch AND catch a quick nap before picking Morgan up. Haven't even had a chance to wrap my head around any other things, just yet. The past two weeks have been a bit rough, healthwise for both of us, and whirlwindy!

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 10:47 AM

Great image, Susan lobbing eggs at police cars! I will savor that one. :)

Sunday night is a school night just like Monday night, and Monday night is Halloween, so that's why I find it odd that people would this year choose to go a day early.

This week I've finally begun using my living room reading corner the way I intended it ages ago. For a while it was shoved out of the way and had stuff piled on it. I have a bentwood rocker with a matching rocking hassock (my father probably bought these at Costco 20 years ago). With this I use a good goose neck lamp. Critical to this corner is a lamp positioned correctly (over the shoulder but set to avoid glare in the corner of the eye or on the inside of the glasses).

I called to ask about the store this morning. Interesting history, but in the way of corporations, they buy each other up, keeping only the name, and the history of the old one is sometimes lost. Not sure if there is a connection, and the eBay hits on the name come up with unrelated products. I won't pursue it, just list the item.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 09:55 AM

Dishes are done, laundry is in the dryer, another load of clean, folded clothes has been taken upstairs to be put away. I'll soon start a large crockpot of chili to cook slowly while I work in the nursery today doing a little rearranging. I also have several packs of meat to separate, date and freeze today.

The sun is shining and it's a windy day...I might just wash some blankets to hang out on the line...love that fresh smell!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 08:31 AM

Dark country road, nowhere for kids to walk. We kill the porch lights in the remote possibility anyone would be foolish enough to try it here. Some town activities have been hosted at the church. I used to have a small role in the town activities when I managed the Red Cross. When I had an office in town I always set out candy for the afternoon children's supervised walk if it was routed past us.

But when I was 11 or 12 I got arrested one Halloween.... it turns out it's NOT a good idea to throw eggs at cars with little bubblegum machines on top, nor to swear a blue streak at the partner running after you lickety split, who turns out to be the guy arresting you, nor to run straight into a bush backed by a fence, either.

But those were years when kids were expected to be kids, and the little chat back at the copshop actually worked, and see how I turned out?

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: ragdall
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 06:44 AM

SRS,

I haven't heard any suggestion about changing Halloween to Monday, here. That would be confusing!

For decorations I put a light bulb into a plastic jack-o-lantern and set it on a table in the window. My husband loves to hand out treats to the children who come to the door. I prefer to stay out of sight until it's over.

The past four years, I've gone over to my son's house and helped supervise my grandchildren as they went begging door to door. That was followed by hot chocolate and watching my son light a few fireworks in their yard. They moved 152 km (94 miles) away from here this past summer. With Halloween on a Sunday night and school the next day, they've decided not to come back to town for it. I'd like to go there and go out with the children as usual, but that would mean leaving my elderly husband home alone and driving my thirty-two year old clunker there and back, possibly on snowy or icy roads. I'll probably stay home and hide in my room as I used to do.

rags

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 12:27 AM

I may have found the store, still in existence, where my great aunt bought the Art Deco compact that I'm listing. Back then there was a New Haven tag in it, but the store appears to have also been in nearby Ansonia as well. I'll call tomorrow and ask if they might be the source of this tag I'm looking at. Interesting.

Didn't get a walk today, but I did some yard work and tomorrow I'll try to find time to mow the back. I smelled something dead back near the pine trees but couldn't find it. Might be very small, a snake or lizard. It was twilight when I was looking.

Sounds like people are encouraging Sunday night trick or treating here instead of on Monday. Chances are people will do it both nights, or not at all, it's a toss up some years. I think it means I'll need to keep the dogs in both nights, and be sure there are no tripping hazards near the doors. I'll leave the porch lights off, that usually discourages folks. Some years I give out candy, but when I'm trying to lose weight myself, I'm not introducing that temptation into the house.

What about the rest of you? Do you decorate, dress up, or do anything for Halloween, do you give out candy, or do you disappear for a while?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 08:43 PM

Yes, thanks-- we are negotiating a weekly (shorter) visit to maintain what has been cleaned. But I expect him to be too busy with tool jobs before long.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 07:40 PM

Susan..I hope you up your goal to be able to afford him on a weekly basis, funded with room rentals, or perhaps the work that came your way recently. There is no reason whatsoever if we are not especially good at something to keep someone from earning money who is, when we can earn money doing something we enjoy and are better at. As you get rental money, how about not just non-disgusting, but clean and pleasant, hereby enjoying your house more and attracting renters more easily...mg

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 06:59 PM

Today I used two coupons. One was for a complimentary oil change (I usually go to a place near work and it's about $26). Chevy wants me to go look at the new models. So I looked at the new models while I waited, so they gave me a gift card for $30 to a local outdoors (Cabela's) store north of town. My daughter shops there every so often, so there you go, a nice stocking stuffer.

I need to vote, I didn't get out of the oil change in time to go vote early, but I'll do it tomorrow. I paid a couple of bills, and picked up dog food. I also checked with the vet, and the whole peanuts in the shell (I got unsalted roasted this time) are fine for the dogs. They sure love them for treats!

I'm going to pick up dog poop today and mow the back tomorrow, hopefully for the last time this year. The next week looks like the weather is nice, so I'll plan some yard work. I brought in quite a few large cherry tomatoes this evening, and gave most of the okra to the next door neighbors. I hadn't picked for a couple of days so a handful of big ones will go in the compost.

Tonight I'll list another eBay item. I've done most of the work on photos, just a little more description is needed.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 06:21 PM

He came, he saw, he kicked ASS. [shaking head] Adrian is FAR too good with tools to do much more cleaning, but he made my woodwork and my feelthy kitchen cabinets shine. My house SMELLS-- smells GOOD! I mean it blows my mind to reach for one to open it-- like a cat shying off a new thing it almost touched? These are not MY cabinets!

The best fix was a new landing at the bottom of the dangerous stairs, raised to the level of the last and too-shallow step. We almost lost Dick Greenhaus on that step-- can you imagine?!?!?!?!-- and I finally feel, now, like it's SAFE for anyone with reasonable caution.

The whole goal with Adrian was getting key rooms to the point of not-grimy, ex-disgustingness-- so we can MAINTAIN them in that state.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 11:35 AM

Jeremiah and I went to a Mommy and Me class this morning....lots of fun activity going on there as well as some singing. :) Later today we will be doing the bulk of our grocery shopping for next month. I made a menu and am happy to say that it's all point friendly, mostly core/filling foods. :)

It's a beautiful sunny day here in Pennsylvania....can't wait to get back out in the sunshine!!

Tschuss!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 10:32 AM

My list is quite involved today. None of it de-cluttering to speak of.

Last night I moved a little more of the stuff that is in the hall outside my office; in this instance, from a little eddy of items that piled up next to the big lumpy archaic video game of my son's that is stored behind the side door. Moved the tub of tile adhesive to under the newly placed wire shelves and took a couple of unused soaker hoses out to the garage. I have another one lying in a garden out front I have to roll and put away. The old bag of cat litter that I don't use for anything (and because it's clay probably wouldn't provide much traction in the ice) is going to the garage. There's a spot of oil under the pickup it can soak up. And that will clear out that pile that was generally out of the way but didn't look great.

A question came for an eBay item, and I see more watchers. Looks promising, but no bids yet. All stuff I want out of here that will add nickels and dimes to my PayPal account.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 07:08 AM

Hell, I ain't managing no adversity, I iz harvesting "opportun'ies," as a hockey commentator here spels it.

Correspondence with potential hunting guests (and a cabin-leasing mentor in a faraway state) is underway. I'm gonna go back and read ALL LF's posts about yayhoo hunters, plan to how to handle/convert the issues she covered so well, and rake in the "tips." Since we rent we cannot get in on the gas boom, but by golly we can serve pie and local restaurant fare!

Adrian's coming at 9 to kick some ass on dirt and stairway carpeting. Ed's coming to check on him while I leave for a bit do an MRI.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 01:12 AM

Sounds like you're all managing various levels of adversity. We had a wind alert yesterday, probably the lowest reaches of that huge storm that trounced the mid-west.

I took the dogs for a nice long walk again this evening. It is sometimes an effort to get myself out the door, but once we start walking it's great. It will get easier as the weigh comes off. I always have a lot more energy with I'm at my "normal" weight.

I made a 1/2 batch of the same tortillas I made for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I ate two and put the other four in the freezer. The interim light eating (but not the same rigid diet) says limit of 2 slices of bread a day. I filled them with a fajita filling - sweet banana pepper slices, onion slices, seasoning, and shredded chicken. I do like having a bird as leftovers in the fridge for a variety of dishes; that diet proscribes the meal every day and you can't use the bird fast enough before it gets too old.

This evening I have been photographing another eBay item. It is a small, rounded shiny enamel and silver compact. It must have been purchased in the 1920s, the price tag is still inside. 39 cents. This one has very little sign of it's age, only a couple of tiny nicks in it. Shiny round things are difficult to photograph, to light and focus and keep your reflection out. I've tried close; tomorrow in daylight I'll try it with a telephoto lens outside (I'll be way back, focusing in on it). That should let it all be in focus and the focal plane won't be quite as shallow as it is up close.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 11:41 PM

It hit in WY where my sisters are, too, Maryanne! Any storm in a port, eh?**bg**

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 11:25 PM

Same storm, Kat. I was only out for about 2 hours while they fixed the line.

M

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 11:06 PM

Maryanne, I hope you have power back. We had a terrific storm come through the other night...the lightning hit so close even my Rog was impressed and we had a deluge of rain, hail and wind. Our lights flickered, but never went out, thank goodness.

Andrea, I am so happy for you...it is finally happening and YOU made it so...it just seems to be so *right* for you, right now. Congratulations! You continue to be one of my hero(ines!)

This morning I took Rog into work for the first time since he broke his heel. We were there for about an hour while he lined out some work for others and conferred with the GM. Then we went to my doc. Then home to meet the O2 guy for a change of portable equipment and a bit to eat.

Rog managed a shower this evening with his leg wrapped in a garbage bag and me directing the sprayer part of the time. Good thing after we put clean sheets on the bed yesterday!

Got my new jewellery supplies. My focussing ability is almost non-existent at the moment so it will have to wait. Looks good though...all the pretty new things.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 04:05 PM

The original cheque was sent to the finance dept in another part of the country. However, I have had a phone call today, and it appears that the cheque from the solicitor hasn't yet arrived, and so they are going to send it straight back to them when it does, as the solicitor is aware that the bill's already been paid.

Have had today at a theme park in the west Midlands with 3 young children - and heavy rain! I got a call from Ruth saying that she's coming up tomorrow and bringing some cases of cider up, as the one I let the new local cheese shop have last week has all but been sold already! (Looks like I will be sharing my bed tomorrow, so I had better clear a bigger path into the room).

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 03:36 PM

I roasted a chicken this morning, so I should be able to eat from it for the rest of the week. Our power is out just now. We had a big storm come thru and a power line came down behind me and a couple houses north. It didn't take me out right away, but I see Edison trucks around, so it must be off while they fix it. Hope it's back soon, because I have my neighbor's crockpot plugged in because she was out before me.

Fortunately I left the garage door open, just in case we did lose power, so at least I can get around.

I have a guy coming tomorrow to give me an estimate on blinds for the small livingroom & diningroom windows; the big windows already have drapes.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 01:46 PM

The rug scraps DO equal the laundry room/mud room entry path, YAY!

No Ninja Luke so far, but Adrian is coming tomorrow, YAY!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 11:16 AM

When I went up last night I decluttered several boxes from landing that had set there waiting to be dispersed to their proper rooms-- all goodies, too. All that is left now in the landing room is stuff I actually have to SORT-- about 2 med. boxes-- plus one large boix of Hardi's stuff I will NOT sort but leave for his handling.

One bulky item came down for handling-- carpet scraps from the rug Hardi and friend laid for me last YEAR in my office. BRIGHT magenta, not sure how big the biggest piece is or how to use it til I get it out of the bag-- for winter boot wipage/drippage probably. To pressure wash in the spring. The smaller pieces can be used in the chill-pool project for the spring, so I can set them out in the vicinity of Dog World and find them, then.

A nice check to cover the pool fee arrived this AM, making the trip to take the trash out to the road (while Ed minded the phone in case I fell) unusually worthwhile. Nice timing, since the audio study resources to resume pool world are loaded on my player all set to go.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 10:44 AM

The third load of laundry is in the washer waiting for the second load to come out, the dishwasher is on, my counters look beautiful, the table is clear and clean (it's my catch all area in a big way), living room and downstairs hallway swept, diaper bag emptied and reloaded, bottles made, baby napping and soon we will be off to have a birthday lunch with a friend. Afterwards we'll be coming back here for an Oprah-a-thon....shows we've both been wanting to catch but haven't had the time....it feels like a huge luxury to just hang out and watch tv with a friend. :)

Also, pellet stove area cleaned down really well (basic sweeping and wiping down the stone base that collects quite a bit of dust from daily inside cleaning) the furnace guys will be coming to install a part that needs replacing sometime this week.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 08:43 AM

Micca leaves today and have gained four pounds. SIGH! All that wine and eating out. Back to thhe grindstone this week.
SINS (burp)

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 12:13 AM

The landing project got trumped by a new professional opportunity around the study resources I found and fell into deeply the last few days.

There's that deep, satisfied "Ahhhhhhh...." at finding what I had been looking so hard for, dropped into my lap TBTG along the hunt-- and of COURSE I reckanized it as soon as it hove into view!

The landing-room project can just go in a flash when I get to it! I also had a screamingly hilarious phone-time with my son, earlier this evening, who totally "gets" me. Oh my he really got me going!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 12:13 AM

Here's a wonderful trick to share with you!

Go to this page and, without clicking or depressing a mouse button, run your mouse over the photo from the top to the bottom. This is Hong Kong, daytime and after sunset. Wonderful trick!

Kat, depending on the version of Twitter you're using, I'm not sure where the links will appear. But I sent it as a direct message to you. If you open your direct messages, you should find the right links.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 11:42 PM

Thanks, SRS. I was wondering what the twitter was as it just showed some kind of link,but only led to your twitter blog type thingie. I'll look at it, again, in the morning. We're off t'bed now.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 11:03 PM

A trusted someone on Twitter gave me the address of the programs via bit torrent a couple of months ago, but I saved them, didn't get a chance to watch, and now I'll go back and watch a second time to get the details I missed just trying to keep up with the dialog. I sent you a link via Twitter with the links. See if the programs are still there (with bit torrent it is kind of a moving target). If you click on them they'll ask where to save them. If you have a movie file, park them there. When you click on them, your media player should open automatically. You can enlarge them more than the PBS thing will let you.

This afternoon I called my Chevy dealer about a free oil change coupon they sent, and I don't need an appointment. If I take a test drive at the same time, I'll get a gift card at an outdoor store up the road. The thing about test drives is that they make your own vehicle seem so dated, but I am curious to see what they've changed in the pickups. So I may do the drive to get the card and can use it for the holidays.

Someone asked me to relist a shirt that expired over the weekend on eBay. This time it is an auction and has a Buy It Now price. No response so far. I'm nickel-and-diming my way out of this cluttered house by listing things on eBay, to be sure, but I can see a difference.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 08:11 PM

I'm just excited at the thought of him wearing anything with an elastic waistband. I think he will like it and I know I will because I won't be telling him to hike his pants up all the time. He's got about 20lbs too many, around his waist.:-)

Thanks for telling us about SH. I found a place to watch it online HERE, so we are having supper in front of my PC to watch it. Looks good!

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 06:14 PM

Having to accommodate bandages or casts does cause some wardrobe changes. When I was a kid I broke my leg and had the full-length cast, and some split down the seam jeans legs that went with it. I don't remember (but suspect) my mother doing laundry a lot, but I'm sure I wore just a couple of pairs like that so she wouldn't have to destroy my whole wardrobe.

Paid a bill, listed another eBay item, and will make a brief run to the store. I didn't feel good much of the morning and afternoon, lethargic, achy, probably the weather shifting and allergies getting a purchase on my system. Ugg. I'll work this evening to make up for what I didn't do part of the day when I hoped a nap would help.

The more I want to move stuff out of here, the smaller the items seem to be that I end up listing. Earrings. How much space does that take in the house? But on the card are some pretty copper and silver Native American earrings I bought years ago when I was visiting my Dad's home and never wear. They were made by one of the tribal artists that lives on the reservation where he had his house. (I always stop at that store to buy locally caught and prepared smoked salmon). They were in a basket with some other odds and ends that I ended up tossing or putting where they actually belong. Cleared out the little basket for some other loose jewelry.

Kat, I have some heavy flannel sleep pants that I got a couple of years ago that I love (the kids wear those also, and we all sleep in long t-shirts). Too soon for those yet; I made the bed with a thermal blanket and a wool blanket this week, but the last couple of nights it has been so warm I've folded the blankets over and just used the sheet. Fall in Texas, quite changeable. My A/C came on a couple of times today.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 05:39 PM

We didn't know the SH was on or would have tried it. Instead, I tried a few episodes of Pushing Daisies available on netflix. Kind of funny, definitely quirky, kind of boring after a while. Don't know if I'll watch any more. We did enjoy a movie called Outsourced. It was really good.

I have crossed everything off of my TO DO list, today, including calling for two doc appts., changing coumadin clinic appt. time, taking Rog to the doc where he got an even bulkier wrap to cushion the swelling another ten days when they will probably put him in a "boot;" then I went into the health food store for figs and fish oil capsules; drove to Kmart, took in some clothes I decided not to keep; drove down the street to Walmart where we both went in.

Rog used one of their motorised carts, he was turning wheelies, looked as though he'd driven one all of his life! I couldn't keep up with him. I told him I think a hot item to invest in would be tandem carts with ageing baby boomers in mind! Can't you just hear it, "Daisy, Daisy...you'll look sweet, upon the seat of a motor' cart built for two!" LOL!

So, I took all of the bags out to the car, loaded them, then picked him up at the door. I did it...but I sure felt tired. Lots of accountability for me, today. Now we are home and have new clothes in the washer. The man has never worn sweatpants! He's finally going to try them since nothing he owns fits over the wraps on his leg. And, I finally found some 100% cotton tops I like, like the ones my dau. and I bought at least seven years ago and I wore out to nothing. I am so psyched, plus they are only XL and fit!! I use them not only for daytime, but also for sleepwear. Now that I have found them, I am going to go back and get a few more. They will last me for a long time.

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 05:23 PM

Well, a productive afternoon in the home office resulted in two big long-pending jobs (missed the pre- and post-Clonidine deadlines with a bad cold). Done and going out the door, one out now via email-list built, and one tangble going out in tomorrow's "regular Tuesday" boro chores. One left for later this evening.

Laundry is doing itself downstairs, I see the junkman finally picked up the washer and heater off the porch, and I'm on to the declut of the landing space. I left dogs on patrol downstairs and I cranked up the heat up here-- it's COLD and wet this afternoon!

Missed "urgent" aftertnoon calls due to cell phone acting up. I hate it when a good tool goes bad, bad, very bad.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 01:48 PM

I started watching the Holmes program, because I've been reading SH since I was 12 or so. Clever idea, but I didn't see the whole thing. Somehow I dozed off in the middle. By the time I woke up, I'd missed too much, so I turned it off & went to bed. I'll check the schedule & see if they broadcast it again.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 10:59 AM

Oh HELL, I forgot Hardi wants to mow DOG WORLD next week-- Ninja Luke will have to help me; I'll have to set up AM chores (in sunlight) so he can do the necessaries out there in the evening?!?!?

Because there are summer items to stash before the mower chews them up, and pix to take so I know how to resume in the spring-- there was a change to the chill-pool that relied on a visual to implement it....

Maybe Sadie is going out to the backyard kennel for the week, too, so at least she can enjoy the last of the warm days...

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 10:56 AM

Susan, one of these days one of your friends here is going to start a thread to keep track of you, like they keep track of Sinsull and Micca and Kendall and LilyFestre and others. Then it will all be in one place (and save a lot of searching all over, perhaps resulting in some virtual decluttering!)

Looks like rain over the weekend and wind today are going to declutter the neighborhood trees of the leaves. And then I inherit them from all around me. I have few trees that drop leaves, but neighbors with oak and mulberry do. And it all seems to drift to my yard.

On the indoor front, laundry is all washed and dried, some hung up, none folded yet. That's a good activity for television watching. And speaking of television, did anyone else turn on the new Sherlock Holmes on Masterpiece Mystery!? I had to turn on the closed caption feature on my television to understand what they were saying. This isn't one of the British dramas that moves along sedately with clear articulation. There is no effort to lose the regional accents and the Jack Webb clip to the dialog makes it more difficult. I hope they rethink the delivery and slow the pace a hair. It's difficult to even read the text at that rate.

Andrea, I did wonder, when you said you paid that bill, if it was unusual in the UK compared to here. The people at that office should have sent the check back to you without your having to dun them for it. The legal (closing) folks do it here, also.

So much to do this week, the last week of the month. Will report as tasks are put to bed.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 10:32 AM

LOL, I think Andrea here has the best sense of priorities.

Please know that I may be in hospital this week, and have left this thread's URL for my distant son Dave to *see* how I am doing. To anyone who has an "issue" with that-- well, deal with HIM! A nightly phone check is scheduled and an AM in-person check is in the works-- in case pets need attention.

Monday: Landing sitting room part 1; regular upstrs chores
Took large empty box up to use in sorting, ydy. (Brought one large item down that I need elsewhere.) Took before pix this AM. Going back up shortly for chores. AM studies AWESOME with new resources. One load of laundry soaking. A bit left to put away (mostly done).

Tuesday: Sitting room part 2, next pix for attic room, trash-- lunch and POOL in town.

Wednesday: MRI and doc visit; more laundry, clean dnstrs loo

Thursday: Vac office, hallway, & sitting room, POTTER COUNTY visit for water/see friend.

Friday: Clean laundry room
Saturday: Police porches
Sunday: Pack for my W Va. trip
Monday: Get ready for my departure

Friend happens to be coming into town, will spend one afternoon at his place I hope.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: mouldy
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 07:52 AM

I'm still waiting for council searches to come back, but all paperwork should be done this week, I hope. I've just now got to get the agents to pay me back one of the 2 lots of fees they've been paid. I got sent a bill, which I paid, to get it out of the way. The solicitor has also paid it as the agents, who sent me the thing, didn't actually tell me it was for information only! They say they will get the accounts dept to send me a cheque back - (she didn't know what to do at first as it never normally happens). They'd better send it! Apparently it's always paid by the legal people.

Anyway, I'm just back from Musicport festival, and getting on with the washing. of course, I acquired some new clutter from the trade stalls....

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 07:11 AM

We had fresh turnips from the garden last night and chicken....I love fresh turnips!!!! This morning Jeremiah and I are off to a Mommy and Me class, later some grocery shopping for essentials and a walk if it's nice. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 12:47 AM

Tell Rog I feel for him, and know what it is like to have to favor that foot. The more he can keep it up, the faster it will heal. When I had bunion surgery it was a month before I was legally able to drive. I did some short trips - it was about 1 mile to the post office, the grocery store, and the bank. I had a sandal that was loose enough to put on over the bandages when I drove instead of the surgical boot. There are medications that deal with the swelling that really can help.

Second load of laundry is in. I roasted a chicken tonight, but it was going to take so long that I pulled a boneless chicken breast out of the freezer and sauteed it. There was a small pizza crust in the freezer and between the two and some basil and cheese, I had a nice non-diet personal pizza dinner. Not too bad. Very small crust, and not a lot of cheese. Spinach and fruit also. I'll make a point of eating a lot of veggies for the next couple of weeks.

And speaking of veggies, the other thing I made tonight was an acorn squash. I halved it and put it cut side down on an oiled pan in the oven for an hour and a quarter. I adore acorn squash fixed this way, when the juice has caramelized on the foil during baking, and you scoop it out of the skin with a spoon. I ate about 1/4 of that and the rest is in the fridge. Lots of good leftovers for this week.

I cut and trimmed and rinsed some basil. It's in the garage right now wilting, then I'll hang it in the house to dry.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 10:40 PM

Clean sheets on the bed, showers taken (Rog used a lawn chair in the shower), and all other laundry folded and taken to bedroom, at least. We are going to hit the sack early...busy day tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 08:24 PM

What I had cleaned out was the secondary drain (seldom used except by the humidifier) that ran to the outside & connected to the sewer. The other drain (for bathroom, kitchen & laundry) is separate. There may be some blockages between the drain tiles that go around the house, but I'd have to dig up the whole foundation to get to them. But they seem to be working well enough, so I shouldn't have to do that. At least I think I explained that right.

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Jeri
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 08:10 PM

I did laundry yesterday.

Today, I went to the gym. 15 minutes on the treadmill, weights, 15 minutes on the eliptical. I would have spent longer on the eliptical, but it was Sunday and there wasn't anything good on TV. (I flipped between "Planet Earth" and some movie on Lifetime.) It's weird, but when there's something interesting on the tube, I'm not bored and can exercise longer. Took a shower, then went to the supermarket. I had to buy some food for lunches to take to work. I wound up with Cream of celery soup, chicken breasts and farro. I never had farro before. Always wanted to try it, and I like it. Went home and made some stew-like substance with the soup, chicken and farro, along with some veggies. The big pot o' stuff will get me through the week, or get me through enough of it so I can freeze some and make a farro salad. (It's good with balsamic vinaigrette.) I played guitar a while and worked on a song.

Now, I've got a facial masque on, and I'm considering supergluing a fingernail so it doesn't tear. So far, it makes me feel like I'm living life on the edge to just leave it as is.

My life is full.

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 07:52 PM

Today: Laundry, dishes
Dishes soaking. Clean laundry folded and ready to put away. Dirty stuff gathered and ready to start washing. Printed, laminated, and punched, binderized (inserted) some new study materials for the week. Great news-- audio resources to supplement studies found (free) for return to pool as soon as I have pool bucks, YAY!

Monday: Landing sitting room part 1; regular upstrs chores
Took large empty box up to use in sorting, this aftn. (Brought one large item down that I need elsewhere.)

Tuesday: Sitting room part 2, next pix for attic room, trash
Wednesday: MRI and doc visit; more laundry, clean dnstrs loo
Thursday: Vac office, hallway, & sitting room
Friday: Clean laundry room
Saturday: Police porches
Sunday: Pack for my W Va. trip
Monday: Get ready for my departure

Friend happens to be coming into town, will spend one afternoon at his place I hope.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 05:46 PM

Must be laundry day! Rog and I were both up around 4a...his foot was hurting and I had to go pee...so we slept in a bit. After we got up, I stripped the bed, washed the sheets which are in the dryer now. I had to fold a load which was in there before drying them. I also did the week's dishes. Had to call the doc this morning for an adjustment in meds as I wasn't doing as well w/out the diuretic. BP was fine, just hard to catch my breath. She wants to see me this week

Morgan came over and earned his other five bucks by mopping and taking the trash out. Did a great job..between his parents and us, he made $15 this weekend!

We had a huge deluge last night complete with lightning, thunder, and hail. Odd for this time of year; exciting, even if it did make Rog cringe each time, hoping the transmitter wouldn't take a hit.

Can't stay awake right now. Later,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 05:11 PM

Michelle, here is an article that might interest you, from our local paper today: waste water recycling from fracking and gas drilling.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: LilyFestre
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 04:46 PM

Laundry is in the works here too. One of the dogs got sick last night on Pete's chair so it has been taken all apart and the fabric washed, under pillow cleaned, etc. My kitchen is back to normal and I've been working on invitations...a struggle with my hands which haven't returned to normal (chemo induced neuropathy) just yet. I also spent some time handwriting letters today to folks that have been on my mind lately. I also spent time today tending to some extra grooming things for the dogs. :) WOOF. Eggs are washed for the week....although the hens aren't laying as many due to all the gas drilling/disturbances in the area. The loading of the dumpster has begun and will continue for the next week or so! Progress is GOOD!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 03:27 PM

What do you do to clean a French drain? I thought about one for my yard, until we finally figured the culprit in the water on the living room floor was an incorrectly mounted gutter over the back door. Funneling it into the chimney cracks instead of away from the house.

Laundry is also in here. Seems a shame, with such a new high-tech machine to only use it a couple of loads of laundry a week. That will vary, if anyone comes home for the summer or long breaks from school.

I'm about at the end of the first 2 weeks of this diet; the plan has you to shift over to a more varied but still low-carb dining for a couple of weeks. You can still lose weight on the maintenance part of the plan, but usually not as much. I've put a chicken to thaw in a tub in the sink and have a beautiful acorn squash to fix tonight. I'll add back some whole grains and more things like sweet potatoes and squash for the next couple of weeks. And I'll have some granola for breakfast.

The garden is producing some things big time, so I'll slice and freeze some peppers this afternoon. I need to also process more basil. Today what I pick will be trimmed (seed shoots) and hung to dry. I've frozen some of the leaves also. The garden needs weeding, but the hands have been tender. So far the things I've been testing haven't produced any positive results. It comes and goes, the sore cracks on my fingertips. It's a real pain, in more ways than one. Yes, I wear gloves of one sort or another.

Household-wise, it's coasting until payday. I have, however assembled a small stack of coupons that are worth using soon. I have one for a complimentary oil change that must be used this week. Since the August trip added 3,000 miles I'm ready for another oil change. The other coupons will only get used if I can manage real savings in using them (they take percentages off of purchases in places that are already less expensive than big box grocery stores).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: maire-aine
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 02:09 PM

Laundry is almost done; the last load is washing now. Looking around the basement, I noticed that it is TOTALLY DRY all around the edges, even after the rain we had the last two days. It's because I had the drain cleaned out this summer. Somebody (the plumber) finally explained to me that I have a French drain

around the edges of my 1920's basement, and how it worked. Who knew??? It being dry now, will make the house feel warmer this winter, I hope.

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 01:00 PM

OK, I have a week's worth of days to fill up keeping busy-- each afternoon can be one declut.

Today: Laundry, dishes
Monday: Landing sitting room part 1; regular upstrs chores
Tuesday: Sitting room part 2, next pix for attic room, trash
Wednesday: More laundry, clean dnstrs loo
Thursday: Vac office, hallway, & sitting room
Friday: Clean laundry room
Saturday: Police porches
Sunday: Pack for my W Va. trip
Monday: Get ready for my departure

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 01:56 AM

Whew! There were seven shirts of various sizes and colors left from a bunch of shirts from the fast food place where my daughter's roommate worked in high school. These hung on the corner of the wire shelves in my pantry and were in the way. This evening I photographed and listed them all. I started them low enough so there might be some interest, and now they're in the system if they don't sell I can hold them a little while and relist later.

They're packed and the envelopes are in their own plastic bin in the sun room so I don't lose track of any of them. Two auctions end tomorrow, both have watchers, one has bids. I've just finished getting one last one listed, some expired HP ink cartridges my ex gave me a few months ago. We thought they might go in my neighbor's printer, but hers is a different size. Even expired, they might sell if the price is right. I find that if I don't have any investment in them myself it's easier to start them at .99 and that tends to bring a higher price in the end.

A note to folks who are considering posting to eBay: I've stopped using Chrome to list items, because it seems to block the preview screen. It may be that it sees this as a popup, but I find Firefox doesn't block me when I work, so I stay with that browser.

Tomorrow I have to do some laundry and general cleaning, but I'll see if I can get some more stuff listed. I think I may shift over to doing some work at Mahalo also, because for all of the work that is involved with this listing, I could spend the same time at Mahalo and earn more cash. I've been doing my reference library stuff over there for a while, though I dropped off at the end of the summer when they changed their payment scheme. I'd have to agree to X amount of work to earn cash, but I think that would work out okay for me.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: October+ fall declutter & accountability
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 12:08 AM

HMMMMMM
How does Morgan feel about older women? At this rate he will earn more than I do.
Keep Roger off his feet, Kat. And watch your own stress levels.
Sorry.
SINS