BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 21 Mar 11 - 04:14 AM

Think I am living vicariously through Maggie's detailed garden work. :~)

Yes save the wooden spools to make french knitters (girl scouts will know how to make them) and the cotton thread could be broken up into small bits and intermingled with wool for felting. Adds interest to the finished product.

If snails are a big problem, could you put in a small pond and collect some frog spawn from nearby? I understand that frogs will take care of a snail problem. Though you may have a job getting Poppy and Cinnamon to leave the frogs alone.

Michelle - Time to put big letters (at least 4 inches tall) of alphabet (upper and lower case) around walls of Jeremiah's room. Before and after every nap, walk around room and point to and call out a few letters. Big B, little b, what does b sound like? buh. buh. buh. b is for ball, buh buh .buh. b is for baby. Helps to have items or pictures you can use with the game.

I did this with mine and they knew every letter by sight by age 3 and were sounding out words even reading by age 4.

If you get hard cardboard stencils you can paint the letters and hang on walls with bluetac and use the negative of stencils to make colouring sheets for Jeremiah. That stencil set will be used as he goes through school.

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 21 Mar 11 - 12:37 AM

Kitchen floor and hallway, mopped.
Living room floor, swept.
Dishes done, counters cleaned off and scoured.
Kitchen cupboards wiped down.
Kitchen cabinets, cleared & dusted.

It's 12:35am & I'm wide awake wondering what else I can putter on and not wake anyone.

:) Nice day here...went for a ride and saw 3 eagles, 3 loose cows, a herd of escapee goats and a pig on the run! BBQ too! YUM.

Jeremiah is cutting quite a few teeth and is clearly uncomfortably and won't eat much either as I think it hurts his mouth. Cold applesauce and bits of a bottle is about all he will even try. Advil given to reduce inflammation and (slight) temperature.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 11:39 PM

I finished mowing the back and even ran the trimmer around the edges. Since I mowed the entire 1/2 acre I got a very good workout. When I finish it's good the have the job behind me, but tomorrow morning when I wake and look out the window I'll see the long expanse of smooth green and my yard will look like a park. That is so nice!

I would like to walk the dogs in this lovely weather, but with her injured foot, I've taken it easy with Poppy. If she has troubles on the walk I'd have to carry home a 43 pound dog. I've done it before, but it isn't easy, and looks pretty silly. We'll give it a try tomorrow.

The song from The Mikado goes "I've got a little list," but as an English major, I know that grammatically it should read "I have a little list." It sings the same, so I'm going to go with the grammatical version after this. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 08:25 PM

Good for you, SRS. I had written a long post, but had issues with babelfish popups, so restarted my PC and lost the post. I"ll try again, tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 07:19 PM

And the dogs are clean, the kid is at the airport and his plane is probably just lifting off the tarmac. I'm taking to myself today, but I've finished my short list, and in the process got a lot of exercise. The mower is out back where I left it to cool, so I can refuel and mow some more, or put it away and mow another day.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 03:20 PM

Haven't washed the dogs yet, but the other two are completed. After mowing the lawn I need a shower, so I might as well get wet washing the dogs then get the shower.

I mulched some leaves on the front, but I see more piled up in the street, as if I hadn't scooped up a whole bunch a couple of days ago. Sisyphus had it harder, so I won't complain. :)

Here, Cinnamon! Here, Poppy! Good girls! Into the bath!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 11:28 AM

I've got a little list . . .

Must wash the dogs (time for Revolution), must roast a chicken, must mow the lawn.

It's a pretty day, the garden is so inviting. Rethinking some of the sprinkler stuff, and I have to get a functioning timer. It doesn't pay to buy an expensive one, they also die after a year. I need to find a good location out of the sun, that might help.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 12:14 AM

Michelle, if you run your finger under the words as you read them, and point to the things on the page that you're describing, you'll be astonished in a fairly short time to realize how much of this he processes. When Moonglow was just 10 months old we were reading a favorite book, and I had a thought - I asked her to point to the key on the page. And she did. She pointed to everything. We used to cut out pictures from magazines and I remember some ornate invidivual letters that she would hold and look at while she was on the changing table - this was her diaper changing routine, to admire these pretty pictures. We still have some of those in a scrap book my sister in law made for her - as we found images she liked we'd get out the book and she'd put them on a page. By the time she was three she could read. It sometimes takes boys a little longer, but when words and letters are their friends, it is such a joy to them when they can crack the code and put the words together for their own entertainment.

Laundry is in, and I've moved more stuff from the craft cupboard to drawers and shelves in the guest room. I'd forgotten about some of these projects, and I did find a couple of things I made for Moonglow when she was little. Her Disney "Jasmine" Halloween costume - boy, was that a project! And her Kindergarten backpack. Great memories!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 19 Mar 11 - 11:39 PM

Today I did laundry, put away clean dishes, swept the hallway and bathroom floors, scrubbed the tub, vaccuumed the living room, vaccuumed the nursery, dusted, orgainzed yard sale stuff, put laundry away, stripped the crib sheets and put on a fresh set. In between, I had play time with Jeremiah. He's beginng to like being read to....and I love having him in my lap looking at a book!

Michelle

PS. I got a plant/greenhouse deal that came with pellets. I soaked the pellets and tomorrow will start tomato seeds. It's an experiement for me.

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Mar 11 - 10:21 PM

I was busy today, but can't really put my thumb on many things I finished. I researched a few items for a neighbor who would like me to sell them on eBay for him, but they're not worth a great deal. One had potential, does have some potentional, but as an apparent reproduction of a railroad watch, it isn't a sure thing that it will sell for very much. I puttered in the yard, and I worked with my seedlings in the house.

Tonight I'm going to move more stuff into the shelves in the guest room, and move things remaining on the sun room shelves lower and out of the way so I can start putting the glass and collectibles in there. And while that is underway, I can put in a load of laundry.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Mar 11 - 01:00 PM

Lovely day, and some of my beans are finally sprouting. I have a couple of quarts of beer in the fridge to run interference to keep the snails from munching them back into the ground. Beer in a shallow bowl at night and the snails die happy in the bowls of brew. I need to transplant a couple of bean plants that I started in the house. This was an old packet of seeds, but enough sprouted that if I can fight off the snails I should get a crop.

Recycling has to be dropped off at bins today, and I'll pick up free mulch from the city at the same time. I'm thinking about taking some of the scrap pieces of lumber in my garage and making some small platforms to leave in the garden for those times when I have to step onto a path after watering. If I do this I'll send photos. I saw something like this in Martha Stewart Living recently (I think that was where) and of course those were for sale for megabucks.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Mar 11 - 02:00 AM

Garage sales all over the neighborhood today, and one had some very nice items. Unfortunately many smelled like deeply ingrained cigarette smoke - pieces like that give me a headache. Too bad. I did pick up a very sturdy pizza pan (Wilton) and a DVD of Breakfast at Tiffany's and 4 half-pint canning jars for a dollar. Total spent today, $4. Not bad. There was a little display case that I liked that had been refinished. It has the same Queen Anne feet as a couple of other pieces I have here and would fit in. Maybe I'll go back tomorrow and if it is still there, offer a lower price.

I caught up with a friend whose husband died last week. Details are superfluous, but she is close enough, depite our physical distance, that I knew a long phone call would do a world of good. 2 1/2 hours later we hung up after she was able to unload a lot of things that people nearby would misunderstand. I'm glad to be here, to be able to absorb those things and help her sort through it all. Dying is hard work and declutter of the spirit goes on my list for this week. They say having a good friend to talk to is as useful as having a psychiatrist - we proved that this evening.

My potential list of things to do for the weekend is long, but in keeping with the procrastination book (no, I haven't finished it, but yes, I'm still reading it a page or two a night) I'll make the to-do list short and practical enough that I can actually do everything on it. I do feel quite a difference when I pace myself the way she suggests.

Full moon on March 20 - Vernal Equinox is supposed to be spectacular. It may be the official first day of spring, but the first day of garage sales already told me that spring is here!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 18 Mar 11 - 12:56 PM

Thursday: the city came early and we had water by about 9 am!! Dishes washed, then some groceries - while stores are quiet, then detox bath, then laundry and resting, reading, computering. No choc.

Now: computering - three projects on list after FB and mudcat - looking at Japan for hope to reassure friend on west coast. Rob has my car because truck would not start.

Michelle: I went through almost five years of no energy due to environmental poisoning. It was terrible. Yours will return! You seem to be doing pretty well. Remember not to "should" on yourself but accept what you have and care for yourself first so you can care for others. Sorry, that sounds like a sermon; I am having some focus trouble myself, today. Please accept in the spirit!

47F and sunny!!!!! I can see the two primrose, still with flowers! They are just barely uncovered in our 3x10 front "yard" which gets sun most of the day - when there is any!

Vernal Equinox sounds great! Sunday! And I am going to the country for our Irish afternoon at the cafe. With three sons to sing, and promised accompaniment.

Tonight the Friday cafe. So on with the projects!

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Mar 11 - 11:09 AM

If they are wooden spools, I hope you will save them, SRS. They are hard to find these days and can be used for so many things, including fun things for kids.

Got the seeds. Morgan was thrilled and wanted to do them right that minute! Thanks! You will be getting a proper thanks from him, too.

We're off on errands and doc appt. More later.

Merry Spring all!

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Mar 11 - 12:10 AM

I forgot to mention - I put another Rubbermaid container and a big pile besides of the trimmed shrubs at the curb for trash pickup this morning. That's two batches in one week! I was out there when the truck came by to help if they needed it. I handed over a small stack of brush, then picked up the loose bits that would play havoc with the mower. This is great, to not just trim, but also get rid of the piles that sometimes sit in the back for ages before I haul them back out front. Doing it this way, they don't need to go into the back yard at all.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Mar 11 - 12:02 AM

It took about 30 minutes this evening with 4" containers, a spoon, and a couple of scoops in my home-made mix of potting soil to transplant seedlings from the starter trays with little 1" holes into the larger pots to grow larger before putting them in the yard. And I also planted another starter tray with flowers to plant around the garden.

I probably spend $25 on seeds this year, but I have so far repotted about $50 worth if I bought these bedding plants at the nursery. There are plenty of other seedlings in the starter tray that will go directly into the ground soon, so total I'll probably save myself about $75 to $100 on plants. I still have to get my tomatoes, the ones I like are hard to find as just seed.

Moonglow was down today and we looked at the sewing stuff I'm moving around, and she gave me a useful tip on thread. Since she's sewing costumes that sometimes are put under quite a bit of strain, there is no point in using old thread because it turns brittle. With an old spool of white she picked up the loose end and gave it a tug. It snapped easily. No point in keeping those old spools of my Mom's, they're past their prime. I'll do that test on the spools and toss the old ones. Who knows what I'd have used them for, but even if I was making something relatively passive like a quilt, if it snapped in the machine I'd have to keep re-threading the machine. I love it when there are these exchanges of information! It's not just parent to kid any more. :)

She needed a couple of cookbooks for paper for a food class she is taking. They have to be pre-1975. I have some really old ones, several that they talked about in her class (the Fanny Farmer books used to say they were from the Boston Cooking School, etc.) So I sent her home with one from the war years in the Puget Sound area (think of all of the items that were rationed - that tells a story right there!) and one that came with some kind of product promotion for desserts from the 1950s. We had fun looking through some of the others and I seriously think I could do a dinner party with people here just looking through some of these old books, laughing, and occasionally deciding to try making something. As long as I had a lot of the basics, or time to run to the store, I suppose we could do it!

Everyone ready for a spring weekend? March 20 is the Vernal Equinox.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: mouldy
Date: 17 Mar 11 - 04:54 PM

Zumba cancelled...still went and got a fish supper.

However I have filled the new fridge with low fat stuff and lots of salady things for tomorrow. Also ordered some young lavandera stoechas "tiara" plants: purple/green heads with white butterfly petals. I had some at my last house.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 11 - 11:20 AM

Michelle, I suspect that one day you'll notice that something you're doing feels "normal" and at that moment you'll realize you're there. From the outside, we see you've made huge strides already.

This morning my garden got over wet from the sprinkler - it seems every year I need to buy a new timer for the water. I have one that was good last year but isn't turning itself off this year (I flooded the garden this morning when I only wanted to water the peas and potatoes, not grow rice.) I am feeling a bit stiff today, after yesterday's digging, but with all of this water I won't resume digging for a couple of days at least.

I'm back at work, with a gap in the middle of the day when I need to take Poppy to the vet. Looks like she and Cinnamon had a dust up yesterday, and her front right leg is swollen and she's putting no weight on it. I can see the puncture from a bite, and I'm assuming it's dog, not another animal. I had the dogs in the house last night after observing her limp. I'll leave Cinnamon in the house while I take her over or else Cinnamon will bark the whole time we're gone.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Mar 11 - 10:26 AM

A check up with the oncologist yesterday indicated that there are several good things going on in my body: Slightly elevated HDLs, great LDL, thyroid is finally balanced out, blood sugar under excellent control and best of all, no sign of recurrence. So....I've slowly tackled one thing at a time, now it's time to focus on getting in more movement in my life along with more veggies and fruit. Let the weight loss begin!

Yesterday I quickly walked the entire hospital campus between appointments.

Today I am taking Jeremiah for a walk, lunch with my church friends and then the baby and I will go swimming.

My body is tired and I was told yesterday that to expect that for up to a full a 2 years following chemo...they said, "We waged a full fledged assault on your body. We understand it's frustrating but you are not lazy, your body is recovering and it takes time. Be patient with yourself." It's hard for me to fathom that something can take THAT long to recover from....it was over in June...surely (I think) it should be gone and out of my system....but they say otherwise...so ok. I'm moving forward and doing what I can! What more can I ask from myself?

Have a great day everybody!

XOXOXOOX

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: mouldy
Date: 17 Mar 11 - 04:12 AM

I do have an access across the back, but it means hauling garden waste along the back of 3 other houses, mainly across a gravel path, before I can get to the nearest point I could bring my car to. However, it's a virtually straight line through the house! Once the shrubby bits of the garden are sorted it won't be so bad, as it's only small, and any cutting can be done in stages. I have a conifer that wants bringing down, but i am going to wait until the building work is done, as my garden is to be the materials compound.

If my shoulder wasn't trashed I'd have got rid of it all ages ago. I meant to cut it up a bit at a time and take a couple of tubs to the tip each time I went to town. I will have to make an effort soon.

Zumba tonight, but I bet I go to the fish and chip shop on the way back! Alternatively, I could sashay into WW as I pass the meeting on my way home.....

Fish and chips it probably will be!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 17 Mar 11 - 03:35 AM

sigh... this tread makes m want to cry.   Cannot believe how much I miss gardening.

Plan to get me through the next few years stuck in a first floor flat.

After the kitchen is replaced - get or build a narrow, open shelf unit to place in the floor to ceiling, near wall to wall lounge window and fill it with plants, flowers and herbs.

Problem maybe how to protect the plants from the heat of morning sun burning in through the summer. The window faces east.

I don't want to completely obscure the window and view out to the nasty half dead leylandii on the other side of back fence. There is some bird activity to watch there.

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Mar 11 - 09:36 PM

I pushed my veggie garden boundaries into the turf this afternoon and took a wheelbarrow full of weeds to the compost. Next door the yard got the first big mow of spring and I called George, who does her mowing, to ask what he bagged. All leaves and grass (no trash thrown in the mix.) I picked up all eight bags, and though the live oak leaves break down slowly, they do break down. I tossed the contents of one bag onto the compost this afternoon, then spread my barrow of weeds over the top. The pile will grow all year, will sit undisturbed in the yard next year, and in two years it will be just fine for compost. This spring the pile I made two years ago is perfect.

I worked too long on the yard and didn't get a walk with the dogs, but I at least got a lot of exercise.

Moonglow is coming down for lunch tomorrow, and I'll have her poke around in the stuff I'm sorting in her room. Nothing is etched in stone, placement-wise, and maybe she'll have some suggestions for organizing after working in a theater costume workshop for the last couple of years.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: maire-aine
Date: 16 Mar 11 - 08:27 PM

I'm beginning to believe that spring might be coming. It got up to 56F (13C) today, and sunny. I had a meeting this afternoon, and I walked the half-mile (I got a ride home, but it's a start). The snow is almost gone from the yard, but it's still muddy. Too early to see what made it thru the winter yet.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 Mar 11 - 05:54 PM

SRS: The eczema, or an allergy reaction is very hard to pinpoint, as we all know! There were, in the far past, times when too much chocolate gave me a migraine, as does one cup of weak black tea. The later took years to fathom as it starts 24 hours after ingestion and lasts 24 hours - set your clock by it!

Right now, I am, I think, getting over a never-before rash. On left arm up to elbow and right wrist. Since the recent episode of Robin coming home covered with toxic dust from creosote soaked wood blocks, it first got worse, then, as we each took two or three detox baths, it is healing. I finally decided the reason for the difference: I put my left arm around him in bed but my right one only gets close. I think the toxins he imports from that toxic building caused the problem - and he seems to agree. He now gets a burning throat if he is there a short time - sensitized. I hope he recognizes that bringing it home causes us both to be unwell.

More baths are needed but, again we are without water - since Monday! They neglected to inform us last time that we needed to leave a tap running 24/7 until warm weather. The snow is doing its part- I am melting it on the stove to get the bucketful to flush the toilet!

I finally phoned the city myself -today- and managed to get someone who spoke English and was very nice about it. Someone came very quickly, then went away and came back with 8 gallons of bottled water and the assurance that they would come to fix it in the morning.

I was getting VERY down about it so I gave up and ate 100 gms of choc - after a good lunch -and trying to figure out what else I could do - to no avail (not to break my choc fast). Down the hatch went the choc, in short order. I am feeling better. It was five days without and that is about 2500 calories saved. Mind, I probably ate more carbs than usual. I might as well eat chocolate! We'll see.

I really needed (!) a detox bath on Monday. Rob had one on Sunday. Only enough hot water for one. Then no water - no dishes or laundry washed, no bath - no energy. Water and sun tomorrow - and bath, then I will be me again.

We are waiting for warmer weather to continue reclaiming the upstairs. I can start with washing the windows - one big one and the door to balcony. It is a lovely bright room. I am waiting for a burst of energy - to clean and move stuff. Maybe tomorrow! Supposed to be in the upper 40s and sunny!!!

Good-Oh - I went out for another bucket of snow before it gets too dark. It is raining - PROJECT for warmer weather - a gutter and downspout to collect rain water!

I received yesterday a wonderful series of pictures of a bear in a rain (half) barrel!! It was such a delight I simply sent it to "Everyone" - over 200. Good - eliminated some out of date addresses and received several good responses. Then sent responses to those from whom I had not heard in quite a while.

Also sending info and lots of support to a friend on the west coast who was in panic mode. She appeared on my doorstep two years ago, like an angel, when I really needed her - just the right person. So I do not hesitate to give her my time, energy and, if need be, a little financial assistance as possible. She is settled down for now. That, which included a good look at the situation in Japan, took a good chunk of today's time and energy. Just to remind myself that I have done some useful things today!

Guess I can go to the store now that I am no longer waiting for the city. After the rush hour.

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Mar 11 - 04:32 PM

My rosemary hedge was pretty badly damaged by the deep freeze in January so I've removed two of the three plants and a large portion of the third. I found a sprouted root section of the big plant and potted it to nurse along.

I have a bay tree that I'm going to plant where I took out the two shrubs. The root ball is soaking right now and once the dirt is loose I'll bare root the tree and plant it. I'm running a sprinkler on areas where I want to dig up the turf, but I need to let it soak before digging is practical. I also need to get out the power mower and mulch a bunch of leaves that I need to scoop out of the street at my curb. The back yard is becoming a jungle and will need to be mowed another day. In all of this you can detect my source of exercise. :)

Tonight in the house I need to transplant some of my seedlings to larger pots, and I'll work more on the sewing stuff. I made progress sorting notions last night.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Mar 11 - 12:13 PM

Today is probably the last of the vacation days I'll take (the students and faculty had the week off for spring break, but staff don't have any days off this week; sometimes we get 1 or 2 days, it varies.) I hear mowers going around the neighborhood, and mine is about to join the chorus.

This is the time of year when I'll be in better shape and my work will shift more to the out-of-doors, whether working on the garden, or working in the garage on things for the house.

Andrea, you and Liz the Squeak both have this odd situation of having to take yard waste out through the house! Is there no alley, no way to exit the back of the yard? I do remember seeing that your house is completely connected to others (it looks like what we would call a row house here in the states). Do you have a basement? A pass-through from the back to the front under the house? (Don't some UK houses have a coal delivery door at the front?)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: GUEST,VaTam -exhausted
Date: 16 Mar 11 - 11:04 AM

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading through this thread. By the time I get home in the evening, I have little energy to do anything. Even reading Mudcat is a chore.

So different to read in the day time when my reserves aren't depleted.

I have nothing to report, because I am not doing much worthy of reporting. When we start the kitchen replacement, i will try to put up before, during and after pics.

Wish "dreary" weather would go away.

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Mar 11 - 10:33 AM

Traveling, temporarily back on a puder WITH a keyboard--

As I check outta the motel and head to the nearest WalMart/CVS, I can say with certainty that there are certain "femolly" items one NEVER wants to declutter from one's toiletries' bag, whether one thinks one has passed that certain age, or not.

So the AM started with a little sewing project, with items I found that a smarter, younger me had stashed, TBTG!!! I'd forgot!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: mouldy
Date: 16 Mar 11 - 04:20 AM

Hi folks!

I've not been on because I don't appear to have been achieving very much at the moment. We've had quite a few days of grey and drear weather, and I appear to have gone into "hunker down by the fire" mode. I have also been having some muscle problems with my right shoulder, so have been holding off from clearing the shrubbery debris from the garden. It has to be hauled out through the house, so I am not looking forward to it. I started making a rag coat for morris, but even that has subsided and is just lying around the room. I think I need a break away from home somewhere warm and foreign! I seem to have been caught up in a whirl of official house-related stuff since last August. At least I have got a large part of the front flower bed planted up, and many rose bushes put in, with lavender and Sweet Williams. As the back is going to be a building materials compound, there's not much point in doing that, although I have planted some rhubarb and some climbing roses down at the bottom.

I have to ring the planning office today and try to find out exactly what stone they want used for the building work. It isn't very clear. The architect has said mixed stone, and one of the planning letters says local sandstone, while another says it has yet to be finalised.
I just want to get on with it all! I still have to get in touch with the archaeologists and get them sorted out, but until I have final costs in, and have chosen the builder, it's a bit pointless. I suppose I could give them a "heads-up"...

Well done all on the fantastic weight losses! Kat, I am so pleased and excited for you and your progress. Michelle, you are making me miss having my babies and their mess around!

I am having a free-standing fridge delivered tomorrow, and set up in the dining room. At some point I will move the freezer up in preparation for the work which WILL start at some point in the next few months. I want it done before next winter, and it could take around 4 months. The dining room will become my kitchen, and water will be in containers. "Indoor camping"!

I am looking forward to getting the work done, but I am not looking forward to any hassles with the planners, who are known to be very awkward round here. I sometimes wonder if any of them actually have been to look at the house, as the part the extension is being built onto is most definitely NOT sandstone.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Mar 11 - 11:33 PM

I have a sewing cabinet that would stand beside a chair, perhaps - the top has hinges on both side and when it is open a tray lifts out. It can hold bulky stuff in the bottom and has compartments in the tray that lifts out. I gave that to Moonglow, though she hasn't used it so far. My sister mailed it from Seattle after our mother died.

I found some clear plastic shoe box-sized plastic bins at Office Depot today, for $2 each. I'll probably set two per drawer and put small stuff in them, and the space between the bins can hold larger notions. There is no point in keeping these things if they can't be found and used. I also found a great Ott lamp on clearance (the Office Depot I visited is closing, to relocate a few blocks south in the middle the worst traffic on this side of town. Sheer lunacy, but the corporate office seems to like traffic snarls.) From $50 down to $20, simply because they didn't want to lug it to the new location. It comes with a magnifying glass on an arm, perfect for my eBay work, so I'll probably set it up on the table where I do most of my photos and packing.

Another day off tomorrow, and I'll do more heavy work in the garden. This evening I finished weeding the raised beds I put in last year (and since they are recent they were pretty easy to dig). The harder work comes tomorrow when I push the garden into the next area of turf. I'll pick up another plank to extend to back edge of the garden, and probably have to pick up some more bagged dirt. I have most of what I need already, though. It's just the physical labor to shape the beds that is needed now.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 Mar 11 - 03:51 PM

I did my normal morning chores today, ran some errands (paying bills) and spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the park with Jeremiah. We had a nice little walk too. :)

Michelle

PS. There is the annual Yoga Challenge coming up for next month and I have been wondering how I could do this because I really want to but am in need of a sitter. And then I had an A-HA moment!!! There is a morning class from 6am to 7 am.....Daddy is home during that time...it is entirely doable...HOORAY!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Mar 11 - 01:28 PM

SRS, my granddad on my mom's side was always making things of wood. I have the neatest sewing notions cabinet he made. It's kind of like a steamer trunk, though smaller, in that it stands with a handle on top and opens up like a book. It has several rows of spindles for spools of thread and two deep "pockets" on either side for tucking other notions. Not super practical in this day and age, but my mom used it a lot and I still have some of her notions in it, plus an antique lubricant can which she used as did my grandma, though grandma sewed most of her stuff by hand.

I, too, am tired of bins I cannot see through to see what is where. I am thinking of going through each closet, first, with clear bins, like LtS has touted from the UK, to consolidate and make it easier to find things. Also, so that they will stack more uniformly.

All I have accomplished today is a load of laundry and getting the socks beat off of me in several hands of UNO with Morgan.:-)

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Mar 11 - 12:02 PM

I started sorting through all of the boxes of notions I have between my mother and myself last night. Since I grew up sewing with the same stuff that is in the boxes from her house, I think commingling is fine - it is all still usable, and will simply span generations, not separate them. I still have my great aunt's sewing kits separate because they're almost artifacts at this point. I think I'm going to have to look for some kind of dividers and stop with the odd-sized cardboard and plastic boxes - they don't fit efficiently in the drawer and I want to have a tray of zippers, a box of papers of buttons, a tray of the trim and elastic (I wonder if the elastic still is elastic, or all dried out?), etc. all in one place.

I suppose if there is enough of one thing (buttons) I could put it in a small bin instead of a drawer. Decisions, decisions. The idea is to make all of this visible and usable rather than another tangled mess tucked away in a bin in a cupboard. Useful if my daughter the costume designer comes looking for something, or if I as I create something, go looking for it. Logical to both of us.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 Mar 11 - 10:35 AM

Make that a 3/14 evening walk! Sorry...no coffee yet....running on 3 hours of sleep.

*YAWN* *STRETCH*

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 Mar 11 - 10:33 AM

3/13: Went for an evening walk

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 11 - 10:36 PM

The garden plot is looking better and I'll plant some more tomorrow.

Evening of clearing guest room bed not necessary, Moonglow may not make it for overnight this week. Maybe I can get her down for dinner, or we might have to drive up there and take her out. (She eats out a lot, so eating at home is probably more of a treat).

Dorothy, I like chocolate, but I'm not convinced that it likes me. My eczema is less pronounced now, and I haven't eaten any in a while, but I suppose there are other things I haven't eaten for a while also. It's still a mystery.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Mar 11 - 10:20 PM

Tonight was the last episode of Village on a Diet, an 11 episode series about the village of Taylor, BC. on CBCTV. The village received a group of helpers: doctor, trainer, chef, therapist - to help them loss a total of 2000 pounds. They did it over three months. Certain individuals were highlighted and followed throughout. The last episode is four months after the "end". They had lost more weight. The episodes are available:

http://www.cbc.ca/liverightnow/village/videos.html

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Mar 11 - 06:32 PM

Ah, Spring Break with a seven year old. This morning, Morgan came over about 9a. We went out to work on his raking the yard but it was a tad too chilly, so we came inside. I suggested we go back to the old office and work on jewellery designs...or just play with the beads, etc. He told me to go ahead HE had something else in mind. The next thing I knew, he had the vacuum out and did the whole house. Then he did some sweeping, and, after I filled the bucket and carried it to where he needed it, he mopped everywhere, too! It's not perfect, but he did a great job and our floors look much better.

Then we went out to rake, again, but found playing ninjas much more fun. When we do this, I sit on the landing in front of the front door, give him his "assignment" having him scale mtns.(piles of leaves), dangle from a branch (swing set) and go hand-by-hand on it to cross a river until he gets behind enemy lines and steals the "plans." He always has some martial art-like fight and then makes it back to "base." Yesterday, we played cowboys going after some bank robbers for the sheriff. What fun!

We did come in and work with the beads and started a Sir Lancelot book which was mine when I was a kid.

I am just finishing up a load of laundry.

So far, I am still doing well, weight-wise, without the diuretic we stopped. The hospital doc wanted me to do 1500 calories/day. Until today, I hadn't even bothered to monitor them because I knew I had not been doing very many. I was right. Today, with a couple of small treats, I am up to 915. Dinner will probably be about 300, so I've room to spare. Yes, I know I don't want to go with too little. The kidney specialist and I talked about malnutrition. He doesn't care what I eat as long as I watch the sodium. So no hard and fast rules for me. I shall follow what I am doing and slowly introduce other choices within the sodium parameters, etc. I am feeling really good about what I eat these days and how I feel.

Oh! And, my first croci/crocuses have bravely pushed through the leaves in the flower bed and graced us with their beautiful purple with saffron blooms, plus the daffodils are almost ready to bloom. I love springtime.

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Mar 11 - 04:28 PM

I bought a beautiful almond glass cooktop when renovating in Pennsylvania. I hated it in no time. It was too "fragile" and got dirty too easily and needed special cleaning.   Totally not useful. Just another pretty face!

SRS: If I lived in your clime, I would find a way to do canning and the like out of doors - porch or shed. Even a cheap propane stove under a tarpaulin! Even in PA I had the crock pot and distiller on a cheap baker's rack on the back porch. And propane would not be an earthquake hazard. I much prefer cooking with gas. When it is on, it i on and when I turn it off, it is OFF! No foresight needed.

We have no water again today. It was almost up to 40 yesterday and today but I suppose the frost in the ground could have gotten it again. Rob did not have time to phone the city today. The eternal optimist, he hopes it will start again. So the faucet is open and I hope I will hear it start running - SOON! I was planning another detox bath today. Darn!

I have eaten no chocolate in four days. I am having a distressed GI system. Correlation? I know choc is good for us but not at 100-150 gms/day. Detoxing last week seems to have alleviated the craving - correlation uncertain. Actually it is not the amount of choc that concerned me; it is the calories - 400-500 extra per day. I also seem to need less food generally. The warmer weather makes salad more acceptable; find cold food in cold weather unpleasant.

Managed to reset the clocks. NOT happy about DST. As I dragged myself out of bed and off to meeting, I suspected this time change is not healthy. Sure enough, a friend posted a link to an article - more heart attacks and suicides in the month after the change. I would think that enough reason to stop this nonsense.

I went through 11 pages of google on microwave safety and have decided it is, re an article in Ontario provincial health site. I thought if I looked far enough I would find the negatives but found none - yet.

Ready to write to newspaper reporter with the hoped for approach to public education on raccoons, aiming for National Wildlife Week, 2nd week of April. Feeling very supported by the raccoon rehab subculture!

Worm composter is looking good. I found room for it and another storage box in the laundry room (from the LR!). Worked on tidying up the plants in LR and sorting it out a bit. Better place for African Violets' "safe home" - the mouse ate the flowers off another which I had forgotten to put in safe place for the night! Was able to move two boxes from middle of floor - one into "closet" and the other - books, cunningly stashed behind a big chair until I figure out whether or not to keep them - all are on writing. Have I ever really looked at them? No. So I feel as though I need them? No. But - maybe it would be a good thing to do anyway? Out of sight for now.

Found fabric to make two new pockets for a pair of Rob's work pants - a stained dinner napkin in strong fabric; will sew them later today and continue to try to get the old zipper out of other winter coat. It is well attached! And put three buttons on anothe coat and that will be three projects and a chair cleared.

Spent several hours on Fri and Sat outside: roof of shed sagging with weight of water, some of which was raining in through small holes in roof. Floor wet, several boxes wet, two frozen to ground. Cleared roof, scooping out water with a sauce pan, props on inside to maintain pitch. Saved most stuff to dry places. Box of Ceramics Monthly magazines salvaged, I think; another box dead in the water - literally. These are reference materials in which I have used post-its to mark important pages. I am still hoping to get back to potting.

Sun is pouring in the windows!!!!!! On to sewing....

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 11 - 04:22 PM

Kat, I already found that site, and sent it to Dean for evaluation as far as the stove alternatives for canning. Some of those individual electric hot plates look like they'd melt under the weight and heat of a canner. I'm not completely sold on glass top either, but it seems to be what is predominant out there now. I have a lot of cast iron pans and I am keeping that in mind - I don't want to stop with the cast iron.

Michelle, you wrote I've never used one before but I certainly am looking forward to it! It will cut down on the amount of time I need to spend in the kitchen AND I will be able to can meat this year

Is this a regular consumer pressure cooker? I asked Dean about those last summer, if mine could be used for small batches instead of using a pressure canner. He said the consumer cookers don't have high enough pressure to process canned goods. I was looking at pressure canners on Craig's List last summer, and on eBay. There are some to be had out there.

I've finished making a batch of my taco meat (with black beans) for tacos, burritos, etc. And I have a batch of tortillas almost ready to make. I'm using butter this time (it comes out wonderful - Central Market here makes them and they're delicious) because I'm tired of thinking about how bad shortening is for us. It was chilled so it is still a little lumpy in the flour in the food processor. Given a few minutes the lumps will soften and I'll do one last mix, then add warm water and roll and cook my tortillas. Since I started making them I've gotten pretty good at it, and again, when you read the label on the store tortillas, there are so many unnecessary ingredients in there. The trick to making them without smelling the whole house like burned flour is to keep a brush handy to sweep the extra flour off before putting it on the griddle. And no grease on the griddle, it's a dry process.

It's still kind of cool out today, but after I finish this I'll go work in the yard for a while. I want to plant more seeds and transplant some of the stuff I've already started in the house. I watered two areas yesterday in preparation for digging today.

Tonight I'm planning to work on my daughter's room/guest room. She may be down this week so I need to clear off of the bed.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Mar 11 - 03:21 PM

We have used all types of pots and pans on our nine year old glasstop with no problems. Rog's pressure cooker gets very heavy when it is full of water and whatever he is cooking in it.

SRS, this looks like some Excellent Research/Advice> on ceramic/glass stoves and canning.

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: maire-aine
Date: 14 Mar 11 - 03:08 PM

I've used an electric stove my whole life, except for 3 months when I moved into this house. A gas stove came with it, but after the first few weeks, I knew I had to replace it.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Mar 11 - 03:07 PM

We have a gas stove here with a propane conversion. I love cooking with gas...it's fast, consistent and it's off when I turn it off...no slow cool down like an electric stove. It's just my personal preference.

I have read that glass stovetops are not good for canning as they cannot sustain the weight but I've never tried to can anything on one. My mom has that kind of stove but she does not can anything.

Speaking of canning, I ordered a long awaited pressure cooker yesterday!!! We have been wanting one for some time now and have been researching and searching for months. WOOO HOOOO!!! I've never used one before but I certainly am looking forward to it! It will cut down on the amount of time I need to spend in the kitchen AND I will be able to can meat this year....think stews, chili, soup and of course just plain meat! Since we have a steer that will be going to the butcher this fall, this is a good thing! Meat in the freezer is great but not if you have just one power outage that lasts any length of time!

Things here have been busy....too much going on to list. Today I have been working on sorting out some paperwork, laundry, muddy floors, bathroom floor, scrubbed the tub, did dishes and made dinner for my honey as I will not be home when he gets here. I have to stop at the store for catfood later today and then it's on to my finance class.

I have a check up with my oncologist on Wednesday...port accessed, flushed and 8 tubes of blood plus a physical check up. I am feeling a bit nervous but I know that's normal. I've planned for it and in the event that I should get news I am not wanting to hear, I am working like crazy to have things here at home all taken care of. This way, if I need to collapse into a pile of tears, I can. The house is relatively clean, all the laundry is done, dishes are done, grocery shopping is done, meds are all layed out, bills paid, etc. Logically, I know things have been going very well. I have some concerns about something and will share that with the doctor and see what he says. There's nothing more I can do. Someone needs to tell the butterflies in my stomach to go away because they just don't get that logical stuff. I have Xanax on hand for anything that remotely feels like a panic attack....YAY for me that I remember I have this option (I usually forget).

A tree has fallen on our back barn, doesn't look like too much damage has been done but will find out for sure when we remove it this weekend. I'm taking photos for the insurance company for just in case.

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 14 Mar 11 - 02:32 PM

I personally would not want a glasstop..

And I would never be persuaded to cook with gas, or heat with gas if I could help it due to earthquakes etc. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Mar 11 - 10:24 AM

MaYBE THE NEWER ONES ARE ok, BUT THE GLASS COOKTOP PARTS THAT CAME WITH THIS HOUSE WHEN WE MOVED IN WERE ALL BADLY CRACKED-- LOOKED MORE LIKE HEAT STRESS THAN weight-breakage-- and scuffed up from cast iron sliding on it. I think the glass stovetops may have to be used with similarly magazine-pretty, brand new pots and pans to hold up. Call me crazy, but iron to iron and glass to glass, in my way of thinking.

sorry capslock

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 11 - 12:42 AM

I have a very large stock pot to can quart jars that is really wide and heavy, and I know it wouldn't work on those glass top stoves. My stove has its moments when it doesn't seem to heat as well on the front burners, and it is in line to be the next appliance replaced in the house. Not urgent, but it on the radar. Even if I don't replace it right away, simply having this conversation about alternative methods for heating that much water is useful. Canning in July and August means you heat the house so much when it's already a scorcher out of doors. Better to find a way to keep all of the heat outside.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: maire-aine
Date: 13 Mar 11 - 09:02 PM

SRS, I have what sounds like your stove. Electric stove from 1989 with regular coils. The largest pot I use is a 5-qt pressure cooker, sometimes with pressure, and sometimes just as an oversized pot. I also have a big stock-pot for soup/spaghetti.

I've done some canning on it. This may not be exactly to current standards, but I use an old Nesco roasting pan across 2 burners (filled with water) to boil the lids & jars beforehand, then to create the hot-water bath for the canning itself. Last time I did it, 100% sealed.

But I've also been thinking about replacing my stove-- the self-cleaning timer doesn't work. I hadn't thought about that aspect of a glass top. Let me know what you find out.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Mar 11 - 06:41 PM

No good deed goes unpunished. . .

I made a good start on the yard. Mostly in the side where the veggie garden will grow. One of my rosemary shrubs was dead, this last winter finally took it out. It is the contents of this week's large Rubbermaid trash can down at the curb. Next week I might have another - I planted three rosemary plants way too close together, and they became this huge hedge.

Now to walk the dogs then work in the house.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Mar 11 - 04:52 PM

I found some square yardage... ok footage of space in my bedroom and got rid of a bag of throw-out clothes, a bag of donated clothes. It's not much, but it's a step in making this place look less pathological.

I really needed to get to the gym and get away from media sources. Post-earthquake Japan, nuclear melt-downs and impending melt-downs, the middle east mess, the Wisconsin mess, the budget mess, the north-east flooding mess, and I just needed to get away from it for a while, so I went to the gym. I had a good workout and grabbed a mini Tootsie Roll on the way out, which in turn grabbed one of my crowns. So I'm off to the dentist tomorrow, and I hope he can just glue the sucker back on.

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise & Declutter March 2011 - Roar!
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Mar 11 - 04:48 PM

We have a glass top and I'd never want to go back to the other kinds, ever. However, I haven't done any canning on it. The largest pot Rog uses on it is his mom's old pressure cooker which is large. I'll measure it, later, and let you know. You do have to be diligent in keeping the top clean. Rog is a sloppy cooker and I regret that at times I hadn't the energy to clean up his messes. As it is, it has some blackened spots that kind of blend in, but when I have more "elbow grease" will get scrubbed clean.

This morning, Rog and I cleaned up our bedroom, put away all of our clothes, emptied the trash, and generally cleaned up. He loaded a ton of trash into his truck and took it to the dumpster we use..so that's finally gone from the backyard.

Then we went to town to the used bookstore only to find it was closed, so we headed over to KMart where he bought a "Big Boss Grill." A tabletop grill with removable plates for grilling, sandwiches, waffles, donuts, etc. I think he's been moving towards this for some time. Now he has a bunch of one function other appliances which he will put in storage as he plays with his new "toy." It's fun to see him take such joy in trying new kitchen "aids" out. I got myself a bunch of new Tshirts for the season. It was 80 degrees in the house the other day as it was about 60 outside and I'd forgotten to open the windows when I left in the morning!

We picked Morgan up when we came home from KMart. He told me he wanted to rake my front and back yard, then wanted to vacuum and mop when he was done! I told we'd start with the front yard which is a good size. He did a masterful job with three or four huge piles to which I also added some effort. I also read some wonderful stories to him from my dad's old book, one of my very fav. called Wonder Tales of the World by Constance Armfield with illustrations by her husband, Armfield. My fav. story was Cap O'Rushes, from England. You may read the whole book at that link. Another fav. was Fitna and the Cow, from Persia. He took frequent breaks to sit with me on the steps. At one point he asked me if I was going to tell the "Mudcatters" about what he was doing for me, today. He was happy when I told him yes!

With the time change, we didn't got to sleep until the new 2a, so I am now ready for a bit of a lie down. See ya later!