BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 07:17 PM

Time...uninterrupted TIME.

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 07:05 PM

A few weeks of spending uninterrupted with one's spouse IS a luxury.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 10:32 AM

Here is the July thread.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 09:37 AM

One day I will find somewhere to put a longcase clock in this house...

The digger came today - a little Cat mini-digger. At the moment the lads are using it to help clear the last of the demolition. All walls are down, and Will (one of the labourers) is bringing down the last of the flue from the old gas boiler. There's a gaping hole into the old chimney to be dealt with at some point, but that's not my problem! Even my cat is getting more used to them being here and having his territory disrupted...he has been seen walking through while they are working!

I have a dance-out tomorrow afternoon, but I think I'll spend the morning wiping down a lot of the dusty surfaces, and that's most of them!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 09:24 AM

SRS, no "luxury" about them, but we do enjoy a few weeks of actually seeing each other in person.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 05:05 AM

My study is looking a bit more like a study with some extra boxes in, rather than one of those rental storage places. And I actually found two things I was looking for this morning, where I looked for them, first time! The new reel of necklace wire, in a tub brought up from the ground floor to the first (or first to the second, if not UK), and an old reel of nylon thread, in a set of office drawers my mother kept her needlework things in. Trouble is I think that is too fine for the beads, and I will have to buy some more anyway.

Clock winding day today. After I have spent weeks trying to stop my grandmother's clock running slow, I seem to have over compensated. It can't be the weather, as the heat would lengthen the pendulum and slow it, which has happened to my mother's leaving school clock downstairs.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 02:40 AM

There is a ridge of whin here, and the majority of the small buildings and the field walls are made of it, as it was freely available. As I have said before, the builders hate it - it breaks tools, is very heavy and dense, is impossible to shape, and won't hold mortar easily. At Bamburgh, a few miles toward the coast, there is a bit more sandstone. There were local sandtone quarries around here, but the majority have closed. I think my new stone is coming from the Scottish border (at least, the company is based in that area!). The houses here are built of a mixture. My gable end even has bits of old brick in it!

The antibiotic that is the one to avoid with dairy stuff is oxytetracycline. Dairy interferes with its absorbtion. Otherwise it is advisable to have yogurt products to support the gut flora, especially if you are on a long course. The usual 5-7 day course of antibiotics wouldn't hurt too much, I guess, unless it's high dosage...

We have bright sunshine here, and it's forecast for the weekend (at the moment). The difference is that it may not get much above 68F!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 12:16 AM

No rainbows, Michelle, wrong time of day for here, but I love those kind, too! BTW, if you can't do yoghurt, you can always pick up some acidopholus tabs to counteract the antibiotics. When I know I am going to have to take some such as when I go to the dentist, I always start the acidopholus tabs ahead of time or asap. Remember, I said be patient with yourself?**bg** Our bods need to rest whilst fighting off those bugs. Glad to hear the little one is feeling better; a spinal tap must've been very scary for you all.

SRS, you will be surprised one of these days when you look around see that each little step, and big ones, have added up to make a difference. Yes, I do remember the tarp and all that crap in my driveway!:-)

Met a wonderful expert doctor/shoemaker this morning and a resident from the local hospital doing a stint in his office. Also met his wife and their adorable little dachshund, "Sid." She was so quiet and sweet. I left my Birk sandals with him to build in some special orthotics, so my left foot still hurts because I am wearing my older Birks, BUT, he gave me a series of stretching exercises which will help not only my feet but my entire circulatory system. He was really quite amazing and world-renowned...just down the street from us all these years. The hand exercises are really helping with my fingers, too.

I got Morgan from school at noon. Came home, made lunch, then let him build a fort in the LR with chairs, my unused walker, sheet and a blanket. We had another rare ol' time taking out alien forces, etc. HE drew the map this time and did a great job of it. We will most likely have him all day, tomorrow, so probably another fort building day after he and I go to exercise.

I did sweep the kitchen this morning and did some laundry. The rain took care of watering. Rog will be cutting up the downed willow limb this weekend. The goat next door has a feast coming to her.:-)

Dorothy, I love raccoons; we had one nest in a garage once in Connecticut. Her little ones and she would feast on the cracked corn we had for our ducks. Unfortunately, she, or some other one, took a fancy to my hand-trained duck. We woke to find it dead one morning. I could carry it around with its neck stretched out on my shoulder, while it nibble at my ear. It would also sit on the arm of the sofa and watch tv, with newspaper on the floor for droppings. I don't blame the raccoon as that is nature and I could have been more careful about allowing them about and penning the ducks at night, but it sure did sadden all of us.

G'night all. Sweet dreams.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 11:26 PM

What happens if the box is not full? Could it still be dumped? Some people get really stuck on this concept...certainly no one here...mg

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 10:59 PM

Susan, I'm working on organizing my office space also. I know some of these vacations of yours last several weeks (what a luxury, if it's a great vacation!) so maybe by the time you're back and catching up this will be totally orderly.

I have a "christmas in July" package to send. One of the Santas from last year seems to have pooped out and the pinch-hitter is going to bat (it has been so long that that Santee probably forgot they sent the note to say nothing arrived.) It goes out tomorrow. [wicked grin] Love surprises!

The box in the office is half-full now, and I've brought a couple of more file things to purge. Maybe tomorrow morning I'll have a full box that I can go dump in the paper bin.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 10:47 PM

A work project that will need to make some progress while I am away in vacay got a good boost today-- that awful feeling that it's all going to be a mess to come home to (and pack a ton of stuff to take to the culminating event)? So I put in about 3 hours unpacking some stuff that had been dumped on the run over the last few weeks (lot of print/promo stuff), and organizing a go-to drawer for all the materials that project will need, ready to pack what is needed from it when go-day arrives a few days after we return from vacay. Reward? New printer Hardi hooked up for me, so now I can finally PRINT on my new laptop instead of trying to feed all docs to the old wheezing Gateway (ca. 2000 and rode hard) which the old printer could talk to.

And made space for the rest of the print/promo/pubs materials that those event participants will need! I think I can have them shipped direct to the facility hosting the event and just tote home the leftovers......

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 08:47 PM

Actually, yes, SRS. I think I have only in the last week gotten past the April poisoning which caused so many nasty side effects. Monday, I got up feeling me. Partly the cooler weather. Certainly nice to have some energy again. Being able to garden helps as I perspire profusely and that helps eliminate some toxins as well as giving me the sense of accomplishment.

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 08:22 PM

P.S. - Dorothy, glad to see your report and that you've been so busy. And busy also seems to imply good health - I hope that's the case, finally, after feeling bad last spring.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 07:59 PM

Everywhere is local! :)

I moved from the file cabinet drawers to tossing some of the course notes. One book I'd had to photo copy to keep and read, with lots of post it notes and underlines is gone because I'd bought the book itself (takes much less space!) I moved the post-its over to the appropriate pages and marked a few pages where I'd made big notes to myself. Anyway, that 12 x 12 x 12 box is now half full, good work. I have a stack of folders and files that are probably duplicates of other things, but until I go through it all, I won't know. There's a book in that stack, so it isn't going.

Lots of looks, a few watchers, no sales yet on eBay. But I will persist.

Long weekend coming up. I'd love at the end of it to have magically transformed my house into the house I visualize. Dream on. . .

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 07:15 PM

Just checked out Australia, to see how local dolerite dykes are to Europe. They've got them, too. And Canada, South Africa and China. Don't think that makes the term local. :-)

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 07:11 PM

Roadstone - broken up into small ballast chips to be incorporated into tarmac. One sees vast holes in beautiful areas with attractive rock ground up small. Not just in Britain. Greece is beginning to look like a cheese. Massive quarries all over the place. If it was going to be used as setts (local word for brick sized bits set in the surface) it wouldn't be so bad, as that would respect the material.

I've just looked at that wikipedia diabase article again. It's a hoot, skipping between the two words after explaining the different uses in different areas, and spelling dyke dike. It seems very odd seeing descriptions of the British Tertiary dolerite dyke swarms as diabase dike swarms. Various contributors either side of the pond I suspect, but mostly American, with their own local usage.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 07:03 PM

Kentish Rag is definitely local. Dolerite I think is fairly generally used in geology, but I see from wikipedia that N America has its own usage of diabase. The diabase article is interesting.
The Whin Sill in the north of England is a basaltic intrusion that cooled more quickly than the deeper rocks which would form gabbro, so has smaller crystals, visible with a handlens, where extruded basalt has a far finer texture, as you say. The crystals would be smaller than in granite, and the chemistry, as you imply, the same as basalt.
As the word whin refers to a plant, I think the name has moved to rock from the flora growing on the outcrop of the sill. (The sill is interesting because it formed the natural boundary used by the Romans for Hadrian's Wall, and also the islands of Lindisfarne and Holy Island.)

I took some more books into Oxfam, and bought a couple of unstrung bead necklaces which I have restrung with some of my own stock of beads. I'm not sure whether to keep them as gifts for people, or take them back as a donation for Oxfam again. I also attempted to restring and old necklace I got from my mother years ago. It has triangular beads with two holes which form an overlapping snakelike pattern, but I got the threading of the ends wrong where I added some beads to make the length better. I need some thread I think, rather than the wire I usually use, as it wasn't flexible enough.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 04:23 PM

Michelle, surely need to take yogurt to replace good gut fauna/flora that the antibiotics kill. But you accomplished so much in any case!

Tomorrow is Canada Day, my granddaughter's 26th B-day! That sweet little girl I took places in her stroller 25 years ago now has her own tiny girl!

The last couple weeks seem to have been busy. The garden is burgeoning. The tomato and pepper plants are all in the ground after much effort – removing large chunks of concrete in enough of an area to accommodate them, removing enough rocks to give them root room and then putting eggshells and very old manure in the hole and LOTS of water. The ones I planted two weeks earlier are clearly happier but the later may catch up. Many have green tomatoes and most have blossoms. Need to keep a log to see which ones do what – and how much!

I also repotted a couple (free) LARGE, and very potbound, plants R brought home from a defunct office. They will be good upstairs.

We spent about 3 hours at the Montreal International Jazz Fest last night. Lots of free concerts, here and there. The very best was a couple young lads sitting on the sidewalk playing their hearts old with superb djangojazz. We listened for a while then got a name and phone number in hopes of getting them to the café sometime.

Took a load to the thrift shop on Tuesday and brought home beautiful drapes for the BR and a set of queen flannel sheets! And a pair of running shoes for R. He goes through them so I get them whenever I can. Also got some good groceries, did banking and met a kindred spirit who was reading my bumper stickers. They are quite notable and I love watching people reading my car as I walk toward it! Sometimes they stop to talk.

House phone has not worked since last electrical storm. I could not Skype them or call on my cell phone. R tried on his cell and was on hold for ten minutes… So today, I went to a shopping area (mall) and went to the Bell Kiosk where they let me use a phone, dialed the number and I got a person right away!!!! And so, with any luck, it will be dealt with. We first had to find another phone to plug in to ascertain if it was the phone or the line ---the line.

But, OOPS, before I went "anywhere", I needed to get gas at the nearest! So also got some good bargains in groceries at the store nearby.

Yesterday, I wore myself out as an earthmover, moving two small piles of misplaced earth to level out the rest of the yard. I was tired before going to the Fest!

We had a wonderful visit from two Whidbey Island friends last Monday/Tuesday, so happy they could use the newly recovered 2nd floor BR! We did the Botanical Gardens, went to our fav Polish restaurant (of over 40 years!), showed them as much of the city as time allowed, including a trip to the top of the "mountain" at night. Mount Royal is a volcanic intrusion in the centre of the city, a huge park. Nice by daylight too!

So, we got some of the house clean and looking vaguely civilized.

This long weekend: music Friday at the café, a CD launch on Sunday at the café (!) and back to the city on Monday, via picking up a kiln – 2 hours east – to attend a party with close friends of R's – a son visiting from Japan.

I am happy that my FB raccoon page (Raccoons Montreal Raton Laveur) has finally shown up on Google. It is basic but bi-lingual. Between that and a new blog with a basic name "Raccoons in Montreal – Raton Laveur à Montréal" which I hope will also show up. One of the wildlife women offered help and twigged an insight! I was feeling an abject failure for this year's crop of kits – actually depressed by it, I believe. When she offered help, something clicked. I cannot do much for this year but will keep trying for the next year's babes. I still need to make the later bi-lingual but I want to see if it shows on Google before I put more time into it.

And!!!! As I came in from the yard a few nights ago, a young adult raccoon came over the wall and went up our tree to the roof! It was within arm's reach but I did NOT reach out but murmured sweet nothings to it as it climbed. 9 pm – raccoon cruising time!!

I spend a few hours each day on raccoon sites. I delight in those who are rehabbing, in the info - a lot of which I copy to file and in those folks who love raccoons as I do and are so dedicated to caring for them in spite of the dreadful attitudes of those in power – the state Dept(s) of Natural Resources, and the provincial and federal govts in Canada who have no concept of caring for animals.   

Time to quit. My eyes are rebelling.

Thus endeth the month of June! This year - half over. We have each done much!

"Every decision you make–every decision–is not a decision about what to do. It's a decision about who you are. When you see this, when you understand it, everything changes. You begin to see life in a new way. All events, occurrences, and situations turn into opportunities to do what you came here to do."
(source unknown)

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 03:22 PM

Michelle, while you're on antibiotics be sure to avoid dairy products, they seem to make things a lot worse and work against antibiotics. I'd tell you to avoid sugar but I'm sure you already do, diligently!

I've emptied enough from two drawers to compress the contents into one drawer. That leaves me enough room to deal with this stuff sitting out on desktops in my office. I was watching Nate Berkus for a while yesterday, and there was a moment when the organizer guest gave a bit of tough love to a woman with a home office that was very disorganized. This like this, along with the Procrastination book, are gradually nudging me forward. Some of my procrastination has been because I hate to have to stop what I'm doing to go look for something that is around here someplace. I am slowly becoming a reformed character, as the clues fall into place.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 01:20 PM

Kat,

   Did you see a rainbow? I love those kinds of storms!!

Jeremiah is doing MUCH better today!!! He is talking up a storm and playful. He tires easily so we are doing lots of snuggles today. He's still not walking as much but I suspect his back hurts from the spinal tap. He is moving MUCH more than he was...does my heart good. I can hardly scold him for doing things he KNOWS he should be doing...it's just so good to see him being himself!!!

I am not doing so hot. The doctor called in a stronger antibiotic for me this morning. Despite that, I have rearranged the living room, did a load of dishes, swept the floors, vacuumed the living room and have 2 loads of laundry hanging on the line, our bed stripped and a basket of loads of folded baby clothes. A friend gave us a large garbage bag full of outgrown clothes from her boys. Most of them are too big right now but won't be when the weather gets cold. So...I'm working on getting those all washed, sorted by size and season. All of that in between snuggles, of course. I'm hoping to dust sometime today too.

Have a good day everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 12:29 PM

Kat, lucky you with your rain! Pitty poor Andrea with no bathroom or kitchen. Penny, these stone names you're describing are probably an entirely local name, and I looked it up. Is your "dolerite" a granitic looking mix of crystals? Keeping in mind I use that term only to describe the mix - granite usually has a lot more quartz, and it sounds like your dolerite has more feldspar. Basalt cools slowly on the surface so everything is mostly mixed together in a gray undifferentiated mass. Gabbro cools very slowly underground and has lots of crystals because they have time to form. And in the U.S. diabase (your dolerite) falls in between the two. Is that what you're seeing, and when you say "roadstone," does that mean you're actually putting it down on street surfaces, like they do with bricks here in the U.S. in some places (a hangover from older places with a historic look)?

I've emptied out half a file drawer since starting on that project last night, and added a couple of thick packets of reading material from one class. The file drawer things were articles I'd copied or gotten through interlibrary loan for work on my papers and thesis in grad school. Only the stuff germane to what interests me now is staying. And a couple of things given to me personally from friends. The rest is in the box, which is about 1/3 full now. Not so momentous as pulling a kitchen off the back of a house or removing the tarp-covered stack of boxes in the driveway (remember that, Kat?) - but psychologically it feels great to discard this particular academic baggage and move on. What stays is what I might use.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 10:28 AM

Thanks, SRS. I am very careful when it is so hot. I actually feel pretty good, though, sore fingers and feet.:-) I see the shoe guy, today, so that will be good.

We have a lot of thunder, today, with clouds and sunshine. A hint of rain, but doubtful. It is only supposed to get to 83,today, then high 90s until next Wed.! So, we will enjoy today. Morgan will be over this afternoon.

Michelle, I hope you and Jeremiah are feeling better. Be patient with yourself, sweetie.

OH! As I am writing this, I see rain pouring down out front with clear sunshine bursting through from the high east. It's so fun the way it does that out here. Bright sun whilst pouring rain. Lots of thunder and lightening, too!

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 10:14 AM

Oh dear, I am now mourning for that whin (dolerite, the form basalt takes if it cools underground). Roadstone! Still, better than landfill, which is what our Meeting House warden did with Kentish Rag from the garden.
I might feel different if I had not seen what the Italian lessee of one of the flats I used to live at had done to the Kentish Rag there, which I have hankered for. He's painted it white! If I'd known he had that in mind, I'd have offered him my concrete and swapped.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 07:12 PM

Michelle, get lots of rest, both of you! Andrea, do your best to co-exist with the builders and the dust. Kat, it must be even harder to deal with the heat when you're not feeling good, so I'm glad you can get out with Morgan in the mornings, but don't overheat in the afternoons!

I started tossing papers this afternoon. I was looking for something I couldn't find, and stumbled upon some stuff that I really should file and a bunch of stuff I don't need. I have two filing cabinets with stuff from graduate school that goes back 15 years that I haven't looked at for the last 12 years. I am going to recycle the lot of it, with a few choice articles set aside that I know I'll want. It's a waste of space in my cabinets when I could have an active file system for stuff that is sitting out in my office. (I was working on a second masters, the one that is more interesting to me now, so that stuff will stay put. Maybe one day I'll go on for the Ph.D.) I'm doing some culling tonight, filling a 12" x 12" x 12" box to fill then take over to the recycle bin behind city hall. A couple of those a day and I can start putting work stuff away instead of letting it lie around and get buried.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 06:55 PM

The baby and I are both still sick so I haven't done much. He did have a trip to the doctor and then to the hospital today but otherwise, we have been snuggling and just resting. He has spurts of perky which is a good sign.

Tonight I am thankful for pre-made salad mixes.

I am drained.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 06:04 PM

Did the builders get any? **BG**

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 04:16 PM

Glad you have set your mind straight about what you are going to do, Kat.

The walls won't be 2 feet thick on the new build. They will be a sandstone outer with thermally lined blocks on the inside. Building regulations have definite rules on what how you build walls etc. The old walls are from an outbuilding, and are mainly whinstone (or whin sill, as it's also known) which is some sort of basalt (volcanic, anyway) and which is nigh on impossible to work, as well as being very heavy. Builders hate working with it because you can't easily cut or shape it, and it doesn't absorb the mortar - has a habit of sliding out of position. It therefore has to be built a little at a time. A lot of cottages are built of it here, because it was the cheap option.

Because the house is listed, the stone to be used has to be sympathetic to the overall appearance, and although the back is largely built of whin stone, the gable end which is visible from the road is mainly sandstone. The back wall of the new build will also be visible from a certain angle, so sandstone is what they want. I don't think they would want whin to be used, and most new work around seems to be sandstone. Any sandstone is being salvaged, and will probably used in the back wall. The whin, brick and other rubble is being carted away to a local firm with a crusher, where it's made into hardcore. The old lime mortar has deteriorated and crumbled, so the back is extremely dusty at the moment - and so is the house!

I've piled on a lot of weight this last week. Being a bit at a loose end, and not able to do a lot, I baked cookies and a cake for the builders....yep.....you all know what that means!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 04:12 PM

Think I have the new laptop and new Kindle worked into my routine now and places where I'll use them de-goofed and nicely ordered. Now If I can get this laundry mountain folded I might be on my way to vacay packing. The last 2 weeks have been an intense period of prepping a project to survive my vacay and be well in hand with others involved and the finances involved. But in the meantime another work project has come up that will be serious FUN, when I get back! And maybe a new friend.

Yesterday's ThreeCycle went well, and netted me a bag of nice clothes for my sale.

It was brought home to me powerfully this week, also, where some of my good habits went. In retrospect I can see that I was clearing the decks for another huge segment of college-level reading that originally started as "recreational" reading. So I lost rec and gained another huge totebag full of professional "chops," while I htoiught I was backsliding. (No wonder my mind has been sending me what a friend calls the "Don't HURT me!" message!

Time to integrate them all and remake the schedule again, including funtime for summer gigs with a local band I was just invited to join.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 03:17 PM

Thanks for the input, SRS and Andrea. I have decided to take Rog's advice and that of another friend who is very good at summing up the Big Picture, etc. I am going to pay it and may attend a three hour traffic school which I *think* would mean no points on my record. In the Big Scheme of Life, this is a blip and not worth making a big mtn. out of it. It does irk my sense of justice, but it's a battle I just don't need to pick at the moment.:-) (How's that for a jumble of metaphors?!:-)

I went to hand therapy, yesterday. He did ultrasound treatments and gave me some exercises to do, also to continue with Epsom salts soaks and paraffin therapy if I want. Went again, today and then to exercise. I was able to do more at the latter than on Monday, so there's progress. I go see a German orthotics specialist, tomorrow, just down the road.

Had Morgan, yesterday afternoon. We had so much fun. He wanted to play "spies." We started out outside, but he got stung by a bee, so we had to go to the "first aid station" i.e. the kitchen cupboard for baking soda for a poultice. He thought that was pretty neat. Then we played for about two hours inside. I drew him maps of his "missions" and lined him up with imaginary weaponry ala James Bond. It was a blast. He took the map home to show his parents.

I've been doing a lot of catching up on tasks involving the computer, tape dubbing, mailing, and filing. Starting out with a list each morning as I suddenly seem to have appts. and things to go do almost every day. Phew! This afternoon is my time to take a bit of a rest, then get back to it.

We had a very strong wind at one point yesterday. I didn't think much of it, but this morning I looked out at the backyard and a large limb was ripped downward on our weeping willow. It has a lot of branches full of leaves which, at the moment, are still green and draped over Rog's grape vine. It's been close to 100 degrees every day and will be for the foreseeable future. Rog will try to get out in the early morning this weekend to cut it down and up. The neighbour's goat will enjoy the leaves, etc. although I haven't seen her for a day or two and it looks as though they may be cleaning out to move. Their place looks like a junk collector's. They've had two huge dumpsters filled so far this year and there's still tons of stuff. Wonder if American Pickers would want to come round? **bg**

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 02:02 PM

Hmmm. (!) Maybe I need to revisit my blog - I think I have a link there. I mainly was wondering if our northern girl had washed away with the might snowmelt of 2011. That can keep you busy!

Like Penny, I have my father's old Dymo label maker and as old-fashioned as the things are, it can be extremely handy at times. And cheap - much less expensive and low tech compared to these little electronic label makers. When my son was little this thing entered the household and he loved it - so I gave him one of his own. There are still quite a few things around his room with his name or a remark made in label tape. :)

mg, is that cassette player working for you?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: maeve
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 12:22 PM

Alice has her own blog, and she posted there yesterday, so I suspect she's just keeping busy with real life.

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 12:06 PM

In the last couple of days, I've assembled 12 neat cardboard boxes from Lidl, and sorted the contents of several other boxes into categories. I've managed to get Dad's old Dymo labeller working with the newer tape - not well, but enough to label boxes. I've put the last shelves up, with most of the books on them. All mixed up and some on their sides. But it's much more like a study now. Still more boxes to go through. I have one plastic box of stuff I can't think what to do with, and an old fridge salad box for small stationery odds and ends. Hopefully I will find somewhere for them.
Bin day tomorrow, so the old cardboard boxes will go, along with old papers.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 11:32 AM

Andrea, are the new walls also going to be 2' thick and stone? Is that what you were setting up as far as getting permission for the materials to use? Will they reuse as much of your original stone as possible, or was it historically incorrect for the site? How old would it have had to have been to be historically correct? (At what point did additions still count as part of the important part of the building?)

Cooling trend here today, our predicted high is only 100^o. I was up and out in the yard very early today, and all of my watering is done.

Gradually accumulating views and watchers on eBay. What else can I put up there? If it doesn't sell, it gets donated. One way or the other, it's out of here.

At the risk of uncovering another difficult story, we haven't heard anything from Alice Flynn for a while, and I see she is no longer on facebook. I used to enjoy seeing her new art work appear. Anyone hear from her these days? I know they were having a lot of flooding in Montana. Was she impacted by that?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 02:59 AM

Yesterday was 3 guys shovelling and barrowing rubble off-site all day. The remaining walls should come down today - or at least start to: they are 2 feet thick, and stone!

Hope all is peace and calm with you now, Michelle.

Kat, I'm the sort of person who would just pay. Ian would have fought it tooth and nail if he thought he was in the right of it!

Andrea x

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Jun 11 - 09:28 PM

Loading more oddball stuff on eBay. Still working on clearing that table.

I had to bring the dogs in for a while this afternoon because it hit 105^o. They sprawled on the tile in the kitchen for a while, and then in my office. I put a photo of the dogs up on twitter, and I can see the stuff jumbled around the edge of the room. My work here isn't finished yet.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Jun 11 - 11:19 AM

Oooo - my screen was up for a while and I finished my post without seeing yours, Michelle. Tell us what you're comfortable with - I hope Jeremiah is perfectly fine now!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Jun 11 - 11:18 AM

We're making a date to take the dogs to the pool this afternoon. It needed some work, filling and "shock" apparently, because the pump had shut down. I don't know about pool stuff so Susie is having her son look into it. The high today is predicted to hit 103, so a 3pm pool date sounds perfect for the pooches.

Every so often I pull out issues of Martha Stewart Living that had great room design or decorating ideas and look to see if there is as little as one small idea to take and use here at my house. It's time to look for a few of those ideas again. As I move stuff in the sun room, I can start to make parts of it look interesting with some small display or thing on the wall, whatever.

Michelle, I hope you're feeling better soon. I've also had sinus discomfort lately - not sure if it's allergies or something more, but so far using the neti pot has helped.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Jun 11 - 10:55 AM

A middle of the night ambulance ride for Jeremiah occurred last night. He is home, Mama & Daddy are rattled & both my boys are sleeping. I am doing laundry, dishes, picking up....blah blah blah....nervous energy.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 11:30 PM

Kat, it's near the end of the month. Perhaps the cop needed to fill his ticket quota? Sometimes just turning up is enough to win in court, but you might want to ask locally to see what the reading is of the police department and the court system. I have a friend who was pulled over and given a ticket when she knew she wasn't doing what the officer suggested. She went to court and described the lane she always drives in because of where she was going, and made the case for why the radar officer had seen another white car and the cop who stopped her got the wrong white car. She was excused.

I suppose you can turn his explanation on him - "Next thing I know, he'd pulled me over for "unsafe lane change" claiming he was in the middle lane and didn't see me signal." You need to make the case that you were watching for him and he failed to signal a lane change. Keep it simple. And plausible. We have all seen cops speed when they're not running their lights and/or sirens, we've all seen them weave in and out of traffic without signalling.

This evening I tested the space where my new bench is placed, at the side of the house. I sat with a glass of wine and looked out over the garden and the woods. It's a lovely area in the evening. I'm waiting for payday, when I'll go get a couple of outdoor cushions to put on it as the seat and back. Because of the size (64" wide) I'll probably have to get three sets of chair cushions and put them side by side.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 09:09 PM

Lot of running here today.

Doctor appointment for me: Severe sinus infection
Doctor appointment for my love: Looking good!
Appointment at hospital for me: Foot x-rayed

Pharmacy. Home. Meds. Sleep.

*cough* *cough* *cough*

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 07:24 PM

I was able to do better at exercise this morning, then went to coumadin clinic. My INR (blood clotting rate) is right where it should be which means the easy bruising is done with for now.

Then I went to the health food store for some shampoo and stuff. When I left there, I was feeling so good about having so much energy, feeling so much more mobile. I was driving down a three lane one-way street, turned left onto another three lane one-way. I'd seen a motorcycle cop pull out on the other street, from the station and turn onto the same street as I, though he did NOT follow the law which says pull into the lane closest to you, first, then change lanes. He should have been in the same lane as I was.

I have never had a ticket in all 42 years I have been driving. I checked all of my mirrors, looked over my right shoulder and could swear he was in the far right lane, so I signalled and moved over to the middle lane. Next thing I know, he'd pulled me over for "unsafe lane change" claiming he was in the middle lane and didn't see me signal. He was very nice and I was polite, but I was really astonished as I am always very careful, esp. after living back East where no one gives much advance warning of lane changes!

Anyway, it's a $100 fine which I can pay and only have one point on my driver's license, or I can fight it and, if I lose, it would cost me three points. My insurance company said, if anything, it might raise our rate by $7/month for three years, but we have safe driver awards so it may not change at all. Rog says pay it and be done. My son-in-law says fight it and my Aries sense of justice says to have my day in court, but I don't like the idea of losing points on my DL.

So, to salvage the day, 'cause that was a real bummer, I had lunch at home with Rog, then took Morgan to the pool for the first time this summer. He had so much fun. I told him only for an hour. It was 83 degrees when I picked him up at 1230p. When we left the pool at 2p it was 92 and rising. The outside car temp, whilst parked, was 113. Too hot for me, so I've been inside with the swamp cooler on high. It's supposed to get to 100 tomorrow and high 90s the rest of the week, then higher on the weekend. Arrgghhh!

BTW, SRS, that pool is having a special one evening only "pool party for the dogs." Owners have to show proof of vaccinations, etc., then the dogs can swim and play all they want!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 05:11 PM

We've had what is really hot weather for here for the last couple of days, in the high 80s (F) at least. I've had all the windows wide, with sheets over the openings sprayed with water, fans all over the place, the internal house circulation on, and I've lurked wherever it seemed coolest.

I watered the garden early, as things wilted yesterday. As it got cooler I was able to prune the virginia creeper again.

In the morning, because the study was on the shady side, I managed to put up the last tracks for shelves, and assemble and put a bench I got at Lidl, which fits well with the two boxes from the dump, and will be able to hold my box files. It's looking much tidier and more study like. I've also got some striped cardboard boxes to put the things, well, to be honest, the clutter, that can't go yet and yet doesn't fit easily into any category or space. But it got hot there in the early pm, and I had to stop and go off to copy recipes out of books I'm going to give to Oxfam.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 02:26 PM

Andrea's photos are pretty dramatic - that house is way-demolished right now! Talk about taking decluttering to extremes!

Boxing up a couple of quick eBay listings. Part of this is to put something back into reuse (wine corks - amazing what people will buy on eBay - I wonder what the craft is that uses them?) and partly because I haven't had a lot of activity for a while, and I think it makes a difference to show a steady level of activity as far as buyers taking you seriously. I always look at that.

Speaking of crafts (at least, the art end of that duo), we haven't heard from Alice for quite a while, and I haven't seen her on Facebook either.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 09:58 AM

Sandra, I clicked on the second link and found a familiar name as moderator on that site - Ragdall! Now there's someone we haven't hear from for a while, who is always doing interesting things. If you two speak or write, tell her to drop in and catch us up on her activity, please!

This morning was my typical start these days. Walking the three dogs, and we proceed up the middle of the road so the male isn't tempted to jerk me off my feet and go pee on something. He's doing very well, has realized we're out to walk, and that's all. My two are the ones who slow down (the pit bull drags on the leash hoping I'll let her pull me to a lawn to look for acorns or pecans) and Poppy always just pulls a bit ahead. So the visitor is actually the easiest of the batch, because he has learned something new and for my to it's business as usual. Two wading pools emptied and refilled, water dishes refilled, a ball thrown down the yard a few times, and I policed the grounds - all of that goes on the compost.

I'm pleased with the sun room progress. There is stuff sitting in the doorway to donate and to recycle, and then it'll be clearer in there than it has been for over a year. They say your entrance way should greet all who enter the house - it's like my warehouse has greeted people, and I'd like that to change.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 04:49 AM

Michelle & Stilly - I don't have a blog, the blogger is a friend of one of my friends - oops, if only I had explained I wouldn't have received all this praise. (blushing)

My place is still an enormous mess, but I am gradually moving bits out. I recently put away a pretty saucer & removed 1 casserole & lid, 1 pie dish & 2 glass plates I don't use. (patting self on back)

A few weeks ago a neighbour (carefully) threw out a gi-normous teddy bear that needed some repairs so I brought it home, sat it in my second chair & repaired it's muzzle & leg, then took it to a charity shop along with a shopping bag of clothes I had sitting around. I also took a look around before I left & filled another shopping bag with an assortment of unwanted bears from my collection!

It wasn't easy getting such a large bear in the back gate & up the narrow passage & stairs as I was on my way home from Craft Group carrying 1 big & I smaller bag.

Getting it & the 2 shopping bags out was fun, too, clutching a bear almost stuffed into a garbage bag + 2 awkward green bags led to a few giggles, especially when a toddler being wheeled towards me noticed the bear's head peeking out!

sandra

I have pics of some of my crafty stuff here & here

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 02:51 AM

Ah, Monday morning again! Still in bed at 7.40, but as the lads will be here in about half an hour, I had better get moving soon.

Yes, that was one of the unstable walls coming down. The back wall (the long one) was the one they were mainly talking about. The back wall of the kitchen, which is the back wall of the original outbuilding, will remain, but will not form part of the new build. At the moment the extension is at a slight angle to the main house, and the new one is to be squared up, albeit starting from right by it, so it's a bit of caution whilst excavating the footings close to that very old wall. The remaining void is to be capped off with lead flashings to take the rain away.
The heavy demolition starts today, as the remainder is stone, not brick. At least there's only 2 walls to do, and the long one has a doorway and 2 windows in it!

Michelle, there have been reports in the press here about research done at Newcastle University into the effect of a very low calorie diet on type 2 diabetes. I don't know if you can access them. However, they usually do recommend a low cal diet anyway. Oats are supposed to be good cholesterol shifters, and excellent soluble fibre. It's a case of porridge for breakfast! Good luck with tweaking with your food. Diabetes UK might be a good place to look for food ideas...I think you may be able to access recipes etc.

Kat, you are doing great! It must be so nice to have a small bottle with you now!

Andrea x

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 12:21 AM

It has been an education for Cinnamon, not being the biggest dog in the yard this week. The pool was a part of her learning curve - she may well want to go in later, but only if we don't scare the Dickens out of her first! Poppy wouldn't consider it, and while I could throw her in, I think her level of trust would diminish, so I won't. (I still sometimes stand her in the wading pool, just to cool off her feet on really hot days, but that's not the same as a fully body drop into a large body of water!)

More stuff to list on eBay this week, and next time I make a run out I'll drop off Goodwill stuff. I didn't go anywhere today except the 3 blocks up to the pool.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 07:19 PM

We used to have labs and it was SO MUCH fun to take them swimming! My cocker would probably love to go too but not the big dog. She doesn't even like when it rains!

Poor Cinnamon...


Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 06:32 PM

I decided to take up Susie's offer to visit the house and let the dogs in the pool. The truck back seat was pushed up, the dogs loaded in, and we drove 3 blocks (the pavement is so hot, we'd be overheated again by the time we got home if we didn't drive!) Zeke was in the water in a flash, Poppy drank from it, I was getting Cinnamon into it, but she stepped off of the second step down and landed in the pool with a splash. Zeke thought she was there to play and splashed in after her. Poor girl made a beline across the pool but with no stairs just scrambled at the edge. I reached in, grasped her by the elbows, and pulled her out. I don't think she'll want to repeat that, but maybe on our next visit she can take a gentler entrance into the water. :-)

We came home, had a snack, and they're all now happily asleep in the back.

More to list on eBay, but I think I'll spend a little time in the garage first. That's what I was starting to do when I looked at those hot dogs and decided they needed a dip.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Exercise + Declutter = power-June 2011
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 04:09 PM

Hmmmm...posted something about free mattresses in the area but it disappeared.

Dishes done, carpet vacuumed, floors swept, etc. My Love is getting some things done around here that have needed his attention for a bit...busy day here on the mountain.

Busy baby, loves to *help*. :)

Michelle