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BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports
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Subject: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Aug 11 - 09:48 AM Here's the July 2011 thread. Rags, that's ingenious about the pants-leg pockets. I'm not surprised elastic could cause a problem because even slight constriction will interfere with circulation, but what about making something akin to a garter belt, that he could wear around his waist that would hang under his trouser legs to support the bags? Not a garter per-se, but suspended from his waist with two points, at each hip front and back for stability, and suspended in front? I drew what I am thinking of. Just be sure he's wearing loose pants! You might start with an existing belt of his, or might use an elastic belt and build on it. A Velcro closure or a buckle, whatever you have handy or feels okay to him to hold it up. Asking a bank to correct a mistake in this climate is next to impossible. Unless you have the money to hire an attorney to sue them, you're shit out of luck. In hindsight, he probably should have walked away from it two years ago. This is the time that you wish you would win the lottery or be able to make things right with a magic wand, but in reality, you start making provisions for the move as far ahead as possible. Once this heat breaks I'll be working in the garage more to make space. For a while the house was a shrine to his deceased partner, but the reality of money spent on collections that have little value in this marketplace have made it clear that he should have been firmer with him about putting inherited money in a ROTH IRA, not in a collection of antique dolls and toys. Kat, it sounds like you've picked a good dog, and in the next few weeks you'll see her begin to blossom as it becomes more real for her that she's really a part of your family and is going to stay in your home. For now it must be all so new that she's probably not going to show all of her passion until she's settled in. For now, you're getting the polite stranger behavior, and that's good. She'll be fine when you have people over. Still working on the furniture positioning in the office. I want to have my computer desk far enough away from the wall where the window is that I can walk to the window without having to turn sideways and scoot through the narrow space. More papers out of the way. The 2 shelf thing that used to hold the scanner and underneath the VCR now is where my laptop is living and I'll put my most frequently used books on the lower shelf. There's a trunk on the floor under some wall-mounted shelves that I'll probably shift to one side so I can push the 2-shelf thing back against the bookcase. There are a couple of filing boxes on the floor that need to move also. Lots to do on August 1 so I'd better get moving. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Aug 11 - 10:25 AM Pushing this back to the top, and still moving furniture this morning. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: SINSULL Date: 01 Aug 11 - 11:25 AM 8 Hours of longshoreman-like labor, sunburn and crankiness. Our yardsale produced $37. Never again. We ended up carting it all off to SallyAnn. I am officially cutting out the middleman. I will empty my house into the local charity shop and be done with it. SINS, grumpy but minus about 20 cartons and bins of crap. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: saulgoldie Date: 01 Aug 11 - 11:28 AM This is the month I finally get going and stop just lurking. Maybe tomorrow... Saul |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 01 Aug 11 - 11:50 AM WOOO HOOOO!!! A new month! Chores are done (dishes, laundry going, downstairs floors swept, bathroom sink cleaned, table cleared, counters are empty and clean, fridge cleaned out and full of healthy food, baby up, fed and playing, medical appointments made for the month, car appointment made, insurance issue tended to, dusted the living room and I've got a ton of energy left. I have plans of working in my office today as the AC was installed yesterday!! Have a great day everybody!!! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Aug 11 - 02:31 PM Bills paid. Decluttered the account big time. Whew. That's enough for now. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: MAG Date: 01 Aug 11 - 03:46 PM Been quite awhile aince I posted here; shortly to close on a house in Portland, OR no I can't afford it but am going anyway; staying where I am a very bad idea soooo ... getting rid of tons of stuff on freecycle putting breakables in a storage locker (there) regained 20 lb. of the 90 I had lost, but beginning to tackle it w/ my bike -- which I am able to ride again -- I missed e erything on this thread for awhile; best to everybody here |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Aug 11 - 04:06 PM Maryann, this is a month for doing things we can't afford, it seems. But things that need to be done. More power to us! Lurkers, come out, come out, wherever you are, join our little club, even if you're reporting that you've cleaned off the kitchen table or the kitchen counter. Made space on the hall table or organized the smallest room in your house. That's a common starting point, and you can work outward from there. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: SINSULL Date: 02 Aug 11 - 10:31 AM Lily, Your love for life is contagious. made me smile thr the sunburn peel. Emptied three bags of debris into the bin between last night and this AM. SINS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 02 Aug 11 - 10:44 AM SINS, are you on facebook? Just treading water, so to speak. Making it through one day at a time now. I am keeping the bird bath full and added some extra pans of water in the yard under my vitex - it is bird central out there as they take turns drinking and dipping. The dog troughs in the back yard are cleaned out and refilled, but they'll be in the house much of the afternoon. The kitchen is looking good - it's the only way to keep the ants out. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 02 Aug 11 - 12:05 PM MAG, congrats on the house in Portland. It's been a long time coming and I am delighted to hear of your move! Sins, I cut out the middleman years ago. Yard/tag sales just never produce much for us. We give to the Goodwill, sometimes, but mostly to a shop a physician started for the pet rescue org. he started. It's a wonderful place and feels so good, knowing we are helping to feed and house the critters. We've been a bit preoccupied and busy with a new family member whom some of you met on FB. For those who don't "do" it much...here is Luna - short for StellaLuna whom we adopted on Sunday! She and Morgan have already spent over an hour in the backyard playing "fetch" the tennis ball! She is really a delightful 2 year old! More, later. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: SINSULL Date: 02 Aug 11 - 12:16 PM Luna is a beauty. Happy boy with a dog picture. Love it. SSR, I rarely visit Facebook to catch up on family. I hate to spend anymore time on the computer than I already do. Most of the good clothing I pack visits Preble Street before SallAnn. The ladies there can use the stuff and Jacqui delivers. M |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: SINSULL Date: 02 Aug 11 - 12:17 PM Crap - just got all teary over Seamus. Miss the old dog But I have managed not to get snivelly about it un until now. Damn! |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 02 Aug 11 - 01:57 PM It's okay, Sins, bound to happen. He was worth a river of tears and snivellies.:-) Luna passed her first home-alone-with-the-cats test. We were gone for an hour. She met us at the door with her ball.:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 02 Aug 11 - 04:45 PM After a day of not doing much because of an accidental very late night on Sunday, I spent time in the garden this morning while the house was between me and the sun - even so with the factor 20 on the showing bits. I dug up loads of comfrey and weeded the veg beds. Lifted a lot of the spreading geranium to clear a bed for bulbs like the bluebells from the wood where Mum's ashes were scattered. (They came up pink, but otherwise show all the characteristics of the native, not the Spanish invasive type.) Then I weeded the bed where I had grown the lettuces. Tomorrow I need to pot up my cuttings from my parent's garden, and the house where my grandparents lived so they can get a good root system before they go in the garden soil. Then I had a bath, and have spent the rest of the day in a long frock chasing the cooler areas and having a snooze, before trying to make sense of my spending over the last year, which has fallen out of the habit of daily journal keeping. Last August, for example, I drew £100 out over a couple of days, but have not recorded any spending to account for it. Odd. It wasn't for the bent kitchen fitter, who actually wrote down for me what I had paid him. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 02 Aug 11 - 08:39 PM Today I joined the LIVESTRONG Challenge and committed myself to a 10k walk at the end of the month in Philadelphia. I need to raise $250.00 to be allowed to participate in the actual walk (this is after registration fees have been paid, which I did). So far, I've raised $154.00. If anyone would like to donate to the cause or join me at the walk, I'd be thrilled!!! :) To Make A Donation, Click Here Thanks!!! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 02 Aug 11 - 08:45 PM Penny, are you on facebook? I'm still trying to figure out who people are here and in "real life." :-) Several of us have been having that very vanishing money discussion this week. Sounds like you had a wonderful day in the garden - it's too hot to do anything more than drag a hose around my yard right now. I was doing just that when I saw a mouse (!) run under a cantaloupe vine. Explains who took a chew out of the last melon rind. There are probably several if there is one. I wonder if I put out mouse traps, would I catch any mice, or other critters as well? That was quite a display of dog photos over on the facebook page. Kat, it looks like you not only got a good dog, you have one that wasn't traumatized by the stay at the humane society. One wonders what they think about trading families, though. She must miss them, wonder when they're coming back, even though she enjoys what she's doing now. I know I still have those thoughts with my two dogs - wondering if one day they'll go crazy over some strange person because they recognize old family. Worked on arranging my office a bit more this morning. The laptop is on a new table, leaving more room on my computer desk for all of the regular computer gear. I'm thinking about switching back to the original computer keyboard that came with this HP, my older keyboard seems to stick or not get through sometimes. I'll see if the original keyboard does the same thing. It may be time for a replacement, or a blow-out with the can of air, to clear up any dust kittens in the way. My keyboard is in a lot better shape without cats in my lap all of the time. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 03 Aug 11 - 03:51 AM It was only an hour in the garden! I'm not on facebook, and unlikely to be. The woman who used to live downstairs is on there, and I don't want to make it easier for them to bully me, should they decide to do so again. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 03 Aug 11 - 09:51 AM Penny, You not only don't have to be friends with people like that, you can block them so they never bother you. That's what happened with a lot of the fake mudcatters. Took weeks to weed them out (I found a couple of more still in the membership this week, but they seem to be all the creatures of one main party and that party has adjourned). My friend Dean had been somewhat strong-armed into "friending" a couple of folks at his work who are known to be busybodies and report anything they don't like to others. I told him how to more or less let them see his basic information but not see or write on his wall, etc. They know he's there but they can't see what he's saying, and they probably don't realize that the shift was made because facebook doesn't report that kind of thing. Supposed to be 110 here today. There are no more superlatives (bad choice, but you know what I mean) to describe the amount of misery this causes. I've always known that it must be hell in the desert, must be hell in the summer in Iraq. I just never expected to have to deal with it here in Texas. I'm hiring my son to come dog sit tomorrow because I must be away during the heat of the day. I couldn't stand the idea of cooking last night, and this heat is so draining that for "dinner" I ate the last two slices of banana bread and had a small glass of wine. Lots of water, gatorade, etc. and very little alcohol or you feel bad. This morning I am going to saute my first two eggplants and put the cut up pieces in the freezer. These will go in a casserole later in the year. I've decided that if I can't think of another immediate use for them, I'll do this, and I can vary the use later. I threw out too many eggplants in the past because I couldn't decide what to do with them. Better this way. Next time I'll slice them (this time they're halved because they're small) and put them in a lasagna that is going in the freezer. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 03 Aug 11 - 03:23 PM We got to 30 Celsius today, or 86 in old money. Not as bad as you, but bad enough. I can tell by how low the bird bath gets. I went on the local health walk today, mostly in little bits of woodland. It was much more rural than last weeks, but we did have one casualty as a woman slipped off the side of the path. It wasn't very high, but there was grass over it, and she hit her temple on something. I gather her husband came for her, and took her to A&E. I made the interesting discovery of a huge midden of horse manure just off the path in one wood. I think some of it will be finding its way to my compost bin. Much easier than waiting for the passing horses to deposit on the roads. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 03 Aug 11 - 11:21 PM Zeke is here. It's 10pm and still 98o. They all get a bath in the morning; my dogs are due their heartworm meds and they need a bath before that, so I'll get them all. I tried letting them in for a while this evening, but they're like kids the first night of a campout - still so excited to be together that they're wagging tails all over, and in my office a few tail swipes under the computer table can send cables and external drives flying! I've moved more stuff in my office, more of the floor is clear, and I will recycle some bulky users manuals for things that are either all online now or that were part of older computers and I'm not using any more. Every little bit helps! I'd say that at least six square feet of floor tile more are exposed now. I'm looking at a plastic bin that covers 3 1/2 tiles that I should sort and file or toss tomorrow. I've been getting up so early that I'm not making it much past 10pm in the evening. The only way to do much outside is to do it at 6:30 in the morning as the sun comes up. I love the boy and dog photos, Kat, but I'm still waiting for the boy in the water park photo! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 04 Aug 11 - 12:40 AM Oh, SRS! Sorry, I forgot. Will do sometime tomorrow. The two times we've been there, it's been in shade and my cellphone doesn't do a great job, but I think I can isolate a snap from a couple of the videos I took. I don't know how you get anything done in that kind of heat. We have had more humidity than usual with high heat and it is really effecting me, in the afternoons, mostly. Rog is even going to put the real a/c in our bedroom window this weekend so I can at least stay cool AND semi-dry in there when it gets really bad. This is very unusual for here. I never remember this much rain/humidity when I was growing up here. So, I've done nothing but get to exercise on Monday, to swim classes M-W and again, tomorrow, and one visit to the hand therapist. By noon I am down for the count, staying inside, moving slowly with the swamp cooler on high and a small desk fan pointed at me. Morgan and Luna go out in the backyard to play, come in for an ice cube each, the back out. I cannot believe he will be starting school in just 20 days from tomorrow! I figure I'll get back into a declutter, etc. routine when that happens AND when the heat lets up. Rog had to remind me...I always have trouble with the heat, but this year it is worse because of the rain, etc. I have been doing some trying, but rewarding, emotional support work. Today, my brother, who just turned 73 last week, signed the papers on his very first mortgage! I am so proud of him and so relieved. I've been "hand-holding" for about four months, trying to keep him steady on a positive trail. He's an obsessive worrier, always looking ahead for what might go wrong, so this is a MAJOR triumph. He and Morgan and I celebrated with takeaway at home for lunch, then he came over for a non-alcoholic toast after the actual signing. I don't think it has really sunk(?) in for him. Who knew, a classical composer who never wanted to do anything but compose, has managed to accomplish this? It's pretty neat, imo and if he knew I told you all his age, he'd be mad at me.:-) katdoingahappydance! |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 04 Aug 11 - 10:21 AM After the healthy walk yesterday, I did a bit of shopping, Lidl (discount store) for some compost ready for potting up my cuttings; Aldi (another discount store) for anything they might have - turned out to be a variety of groceries, and the discovery that they seem to have discontinued my favourite anti-bacterial handwash based on grapefruit; followed by Sainsbury's (major supermarket) for watercress still growing in a pack and various other stuff. Halfway round Sainsbury's, my right knee told me it had had enough, and both legs are now complaining. I had to put off seeing a friend today. It is cooler and raining, so the potting up isn't going to happen. I don't know if you have shops like Lidl and Aldi over the pond. As well as discount groceries with their own branding that looks a bit like other brands, they have a rolling range of household goods and other stuff, which you have to catch while they are in, with occasional specials of interesting foreign foods. (They both have web sites, so you can see the sort of thing.) I had an interesting chat in Oxfam, where I didn't buy anything, but showed the volunteers how I would convert a peculiar lame minskirt into a bag - I am now committed to doing so, if the skirt, and another couple of small sized ones, don't sell in the time allotted. (Got to give them time in case someone wants to wear them.) Basically, I would stitch front to back half way up, and fold the hem part up inside to make pockets. Use a belt to make the strap, and velcro to fasten, while the zip closes a hidden pocket on the outside. We got into the conversation because I referred to a Zumba ad I had seen which advertised someone as having reduced from size 12 to size 4, which seemed to me like advertising anorexia. 12 is a perfectly normal healthy size. One of the staff was size 4 American, which is two sizes larger than our 4s, and she was obviously perfectly healthy. so we were looking at the sizes, hence finding the lame skirt. We have Zumba classes in the village, but I am not attracted - the ads looked like a religion. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 Aug 11 - 10:22 AM I hope your brother enjoys his new home! Is he moving in soon? I switched keyboards this morning, back to the one that came with the machine. I don't like the way it feels, but it doesn't seem to be having little fugue moments when nothing goes through. I'm going to have to update my IMB Selectric-clone keyboard to one that comes with a USB plug instead of an adapter, and I'll put the old one on one of the other computers that uses the old round mouse plug. There are several possible funding support or purchases to make now, but I'm letting all of that ride a bit until all of the credit card payments go through. One has, and that one is going in a drawer for a while. Retiring debt feels good, not starting it up again feels even better. Since my son will be here today and I don't have much in the way of snack food around the house (I never have a lot, but I have healthy choices he'll eat) I'm making a loaf of bread. He'll probably polish it off most of it. I've been out helping my next door neighbor set up her soaker hoses. The dogs are going to get a bath in a few minutes, and will stay in the yard to drip dry. Everything gets done early or doesn't get done outside at all. Gotta go move a sprinkler. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 04 Aug 11 - 04:47 PM IN by the end of the month, SRS, thanks! We went to swimming class this morning, then I actually felt like doing a pile of dishes AND Morgan helped me put 40+ books on paperbackswap as he read me the ISBNs while I entered them. That took about 5 plastic bags out fo the LR back to the office shelves where I keep those books. At least we got those things done, today. It's still hot and going to get hotter, but maybe not so humid next week. Luna gets to go to swim class next Monday. We asked and there is shade. She seems to be missing children a lot, so maybe that will help her a bit.(She's been running over to the side back fence where I can't see her and where two neighbour children whom we haven't met, yet, play in their backyard.) She also needs a little bit of work about coming when called. No problem inside, but in back it's a reluctant thing for her, sometimes.:-) Oh, well, she couldn't be perfect; she is only 2.**bg** kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 Aug 11 - 09:33 PM Kat, my dogs usually run to the door when it opens because there is a good chance they'll get some food. Dog treats, a little something trimmed off of a steak or piece of chicken or salmon skin, something tasty. For every time they get a snack, they probably come to the door a dozen times. At 8:30pm it's still over 100o. The dogs are in the house until it's at least in the 90s, and still may end up in for the night. I removed some of the stuff from my dining table tonight, including finally tossing out the box of large shards from antique plates and platters that broke when they were moved years ago. The trunk was opened earlier this year and I took out the set. Many are crazed, but maybe people are looking for plates to fill a set. I'll probably list them on eBay. I also put some flat baskets in the sunroom cupboard where I've been storing crystal. They look lovely propped on the shelves. I need to clear the rest of the dining room table so I can have a family dinner before my son returns to school in a couple of weeks. How's it looking in your yard, Andrea? Are the stone masons returning soon? Has anything happened while you have waited for the rock portion of the project? SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 04 Aug 11 - 11:45 PM Thanks, SRS. She is getting a treat, now, but tonight she went out with Rog when it was dark and wouldn't come in. He let her stay out, she was close to the door, then when we went back to get her, as I was upset at him for leaving her at night, she was nowhere to be found. He was tired, ready for a shower, put his shoes on and went looking whilst I called and called to no avail. I called Morgan's parents who came over, with him, and my SIL found her hiding between Rog's old caravan and panel van. She was scared. We all praised her and brought her in, I gave her a treat, but she still wanted to go back out. I think she must've been kept out a lot, though she is an absolute gem in the house. For now, if she goes in the backyard it will be on a long leash with one of us. The front yard is manageable without one and I can work on her coming out there. I've got a good book, I'll have to dig out, the Invisible Leash which has some excellent training suggestions. I suspect she got yelled at so much for chasing horses, she never wanted to come in. She is asleep on the floor beside me for now. AND in for the night. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 05 Aug 11 - 01:11 AM Busy traveling days, time spent at the hospital with a friend and her son who is in isolation (I had to gown up and gloves) and delivering paperwork. I'll be going to a camp for women with cancer later this month and the oncologist needed to fill some things out. Today I played with the baby, took care of the house and made half sours. :) They'll be ready by Monday....can't wait to try them. Sweet dreams everybody! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: mouldy Date: 05 Aug 11 - 02:50 AM Penny, we have a zumba class in our village, and it's a good laugh. How close it is to the high powered stuff at the big gyms, I'm not sure, but we have the option of really going for it, or being "ladylike". I've just bought the wii zumba (I was bored and in Morrisons) so once I have tidied enough room... A couple of my FB friends are coming to see me (with 2 dogs) in the next day or so, while they are visiting the area, and I need to be at least able to see the floor through the dust and debris! Much of what is required is to just put stuff back where it is supposed to be, and to shove the vac round. I'm trying to track a local belly dance group down at the moment. I can't find their meetings online, and they're only 10 miles away. However, they are performing at Chillingham Castle's fete next weekend... What's annoying is that there used to be a group in my village! And I have just about convinced myself to go back to WW in September. My daughter has dropped 11lbs in just over a month, but she's a very disciplined person, unlike he mum! I really feel for you guys in the high temperatures. We have had nothing like as much, and the humidity's been horrible. Yesterday was misty and showery, so much cooler, and we had some quite brisk showers overnight. Now it's a bright blue sky and a breeze. Nice day for a walk on the beach....No. I really need to get the hovel out in here. The village charity shop is open today, so maybe I can send some stuff down there. The builders aren't back till Monday. They are ekeing out what stone they've got at the moment, as the quarry's closed till the end of next week, and they are needing windowsills and lintels. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 05 Aug 11 - 05:27 PM Now I might like to take up belly dancing. The lame skirt bag, and the other one are not going to happen, as someone has bought them as skirts. Pink, gold brocade, about a foot long, and someone wants it. No accounting for taste. My knee is happier. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: mouldy Date: 05 Aug 11 - 05:41 PM Got the living room and a chunk of the "kitchen" sorted. No news yet of when I can expect my guests...and it's the village wheelbarrow races tomorrow at 5! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 05 Aug 11 - 06:26 PM Yes, we're at 110o again today. It hurts to go outside. No end in sight. It has been cooler in Tucson and Phoenix than it is here, and it's raining out there because it is their "monsoon" season. I mailed a box that sold on eBay but was a huge disappointment. I hoped to get several multiples of the starting price, but no such luck. I saw lots of sales set at a "buy it now" price only, with a sprinkling of auctions, and I see now that there is a reason for that. Some things are better sold at a set price. Lesson learned. Box is gone now. I've been tossing office paper in the big box again, hoping to take more down to the recycle bin if I go anywhere this weekend. It has to be a really necessary trip to get me out in that heat! I pulled out one of my little speakers that attaches to the Sony Walkman, and have been listening to Agatha Christie mysteries as I work. I could play it through the computer, but since I use rechargeable batteries it doesn't matter if I use small players. I try to not use disposable batteries at all unless it is in things like smoke detectors. My goal this evening is to clear the surface of my computer desk. Dust, clean, etc. No piles of papers. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 05 Aug 11 - 09:43 PM Kat, One of the things that Cesar Millan talks about is that you need to be careful not to reinforce insecure feelings in dogs. So if Luna is slinking, hiding, whatever, don't bring her in the house and make much of her. Bring her in and let her have a quite place to get over it and when she comes over to you, pat her or just let her enjoy your company. He has a book or two out that talk about some of these things in passing - enough to give you an idea how to proceed. The main thing- if they've done something wrong or are scared, don't pet them, just be the pack leader and give them a place where they can feel safe and calm down. The power keeps flickering so I'll stay off of the desktop computer until after dark. I'm still getting rid of paper and rearranging my office. Had a simple but delicious dinner tonight of scrambled eggs, fixed like huevos rancheros - with cheese and a good smoky medium-hot salsa on top. Mmmm! I have a mango in the fridge to cut up a little later for dessert. I had a big salad for lunch and wondered why the chicken wasn't shredding so easily as I broke it up to put over the top. Later I realized I'd shredded a couple of strips of a pork chop! It was just as good, but silly to think of on a leafy salad! I suppose if I like ham on the salad, a chop isn't bad. Just let the dogs in for a while, realizing I left the can of peanuts in the shell out on the shelf in the yard after I fed them, when I was moving a sprinkler. They had pulled it down, knocked off the lid, and eaten about half of the can contents. When I saw it (Zeke was nosing it) I realize that the culprit on this one must have been Cinnamon - and Zeke, the gentleman that he is - didn't bust her like she told on him when he got into the bread yesterday. Dogs are so funny (and I'll be sure these guys are outside because I'm sure their guts are going to need emptying tonight!) Back to dumping the paper and listening to my mystery. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 05 Aug 11 - 10:39 PM Thanks for the info, SRS. It's a difficult thing to do with Morgan around. His natural inclination is to make a big deal out of her, crooning praise, etc. to her. I've told him he HAS to leave her alone, to let her be settled and feel safe when she comes in. He did a bit better, today, but he's got to unlearn some bad habits from his boxers.:-) I showed him a couple of youtube videos on getting a dog to come and that's helped. He is determined HE is going to train her. I've put him right about that. He can play with her and may walk her on the leash, but all training goes through Rog or me. She's a funny dog in that we hadn't found any motivational treats that she liked, until this afternoon when I worked with her, with small bites of string cheese. When she sat and/or came when called, she got a small bite of cheese and praise. Rog also worked with her in the front yard this evening doing the same. We'll help her get over that fear of being scolded or whatever it was happened to her, previously. Just now, Rog was out front with her, sans cheese, and she came in when he asked her to, so she got a small bite and a pat on the back. Today was horribly busy and I paid for it, but it is over now. I went alone to exercise this morning and had the most vigorous hour ever. I really felt it when I was done. Then I went to an appt. with the nephrologist who had good news for me. My kidney function has improved, so he's happy AND I don't have to have any more of those expensive shots. I'll see him, again, in two months. Went home, had lunch with Morgan and Rog, then we hit the road. I drove us all over the valley to two health food stores, the specialist pharmacy, and the grocery store, as well as a couple of other places. It was very hot and we had a huge rainstorm, last night, so very humid. (I wish we could have sent you some, SRS.) Anyway, I forgot I had my O2 on continuous instead of pulse dose and got down to the very last dregs by the time we got home. Sat in semi-cool house, in front of a fan and watched some of Avatar: Last Airbender, a Nickolodeon seris, with Morgan, then, when he went home, I collapsed on the bed with another fan on me and took a nap with the cats. I was knackered as Micca and other UKers might say.:-) The sun has set and it feels marginally cooler, now. We've had supper and are just put-zing on our PCs. SRS, if you still have netflix you should check out the British series "Midsomer Murders." It's VERY good, kind of a Miss Marple, Inspector Lynley, etc. all rolled into one. The series went on for several seasons, the actors are superb, and the direction, setting, and characters are outstanding. Amazing how many murders can occur in such a bucolic setting as their little "village!" G'night all! |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: mouldy Date: 06 Aug 11 - 08:38 AM All my dogs and the cat have loved cheese - and the stronger the better! As forecasted, it has rained for the last couple of hours, and although it's stopped, it's still grey at the moment. I got a lot of clearing up done again this morning too. The stacking kit for the dryer and washer has arrived (a bit premature, but at least I have it). It doesn't matter if the machines are different makes, so I may hang on to my old washer for a bit longer, if it has survived several months under a tarp on the yard. I have bids on 2 sewing patterns on ebay at the moment. One is a basic skirt, so that I can use some fabric I got in Scotland. The other is my wedding dress! Purely sentimental reasons, but I want it (I still have the dress too) and it's the exact same size. I've been outbid once... (What was that about DE-cluttering...?) Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 06 Aug 11 - 11:24 AM Kat, I've seen most of the Midsomer Murders - I had cable up until a couple of years ago and always watched the British mysteries. Yes, there is a lot of mayhem in those small towns! You'll be able to cultivate other dog treats by combining. I think, for example, if you try peanut butter you'll find that gets a "yes" vote. Put a little on small dog biscuits and give those and reduce the amount of PB over time, and I think pretty soon the biscuits themselves will be acceptable. It's a process of familiarization. If you can get any of the DVDs of Milan (thorough NetFlix) you could watch those with Morgan and he'll get the message in a hurry - work, then food, then affection, with dogs. And just being in their company is enough, if you can recognize that proximity as a remote form of contact. I am filling that box with paper again and moving files. I realized that though I compressed one drawer from two a few weeks ago, it wasn't doing me any good because I am not using those materials now. I need to file current stuff to avoid stacking on my desk. I pulled out a plastic milk-crate file box and emptied 3/4 of the drawer. Some went into the recycle box, and the rest will be on a shelf in the closet. I rearranged my trunks (stored around the office walls) and the table I moved last week is back with the scanner. The laptop will be on the file cabinet desktop again. I listened to a couple of disks-worth of Agatha Christie while I moved and sorted. Andrea, I see patterns at garage sales every so often, and I usually send a photo of them to my costume designer daughter for an idea of the era, then follow her request as far as picking a few of various types. It doesn't matter the sizes, she can adapt them, but the designs themselves are useful. I expect at some point she'll realize she has quite an enviable collection of patterns for her costume design work. I'm being careful in my purchases, but I did solve a computer issue: I ordered another keyboard from the folks in Kentucky who make the IBM clone keyboards with the spring buckle action that feels so good when you type. My current one, even with a USB adapter, still was having a few issues on this computer. The new one is USB and I'll use the older one with the old round PC mouse plug on another computer. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 06 Aug 11 - 05:36 PM There has been a bit of a kerfuffle about Midsomer - no non-white characters, which is not realistic. Every small town and some large villages have at least a Chinese takeaway! The producer had to resign after he defended his position as deliberate. I think one black face was once seen on a bridge in the background. Another good mystery series is "Pie in the Sky" in which a detective wants to retire and run a restaurant, but is forced to stay on for special cases. It does have a more realistic spectrum of characters, while maintaining overall Englishness. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 06 Aug 11 - 05:38 PM Oh, and do not think that Midsomer Norton in the Mendips is a good place to get that rural background from the series - it is an old mining village with rows of grey National Coal Board housing. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 06 Aug 11 - 07:54 PM Penny, the program that I've thoroughly enjoyed over here on the PBS broadcasts is your New Tricks. I love a good crime mystery that also has a few solid laughs in it. If you've never seen it, get the pilot and that will sell you on the program right there. Netflix has it, and it is a program that when I first went looking they didn't have so I filled out their request that they add it. My box of paper bound for the recycle bin is slowly filling up. I'd say it is about 25% full now, but it's a large box, so this is progress. As I work there are papers I drop on my computer desk because I have to address them in some way, but once they are tended it, I do hope to have it down to bare wood. I may have to stop soon if we have power flickering again, but since it is a few degrees cooler (only 106o today) that may not happen. I made a batch of my beef and bean taco filling today, and I'll do some strawberry jelly later tonight, once the dogs are out of the house. No moving around a kitchen with so much hot stuff with dogs underfoot. On an "accountability" note, I heard an interesting interview today on The People's Pharmacy. The podcast will be out next Monday and is free for download for six weeks, so be sure to download this one on Monday. He talks about low carb and low fat diets. Gary Taubes book is Good Calories, Bad Calories and came out in 2007. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 06 Aug 11 - 10:43 PM Thanks for the info, Penny. We will check out Pie in the Sky. We just finished ALL of A Touch of Frost. Those were SO good. I hated to see it end, but it was beautifully done. SRS, we really enjoyed New Tricks, too. This morning we went over to my brother's new place where Rog tightened the waterline connector for his evaporative cooler and generally looked around. We figured out what he needs to hook his water hose for gardening to the irrigation water pipe and got it for him this afternoon. Rog will help him put it on. We came home and Rog did the dishes while I stripped the bed and started the laundry. We also swept and mopped the whole house. We went out, briefly, this afternoon, but the heat really wiped me out, again, so we came home in about thirty minutes. Just getting ready to go make our bed, take a shower, and go to bed, soon. G'night! |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: mouldy Date: 07 Aug 11 - 03:04 AM I once saw an episode of Frost being filmed on Castleford's main shopping street. It involved David Jason going into an old fashioned shop! Got the wedding dress pattern. Don't know what I'll do with it yet. It was THE pattern of 1975/6. There were 2 other girls in my office who got married the same year as me wearing variations of it! No sign of my possible visitors yet, but the weather yesterday was appalling, and it rained heavily for hours. The wheelbarrow race still took plce - with 3 contestants, and one very soggy barbecue. Today is still grey and breezy, but I don't think there's much rain forecast. I wish I knew whether or not they're coming, as I could go somewhere if they aren't. However, a quiet weekend after all the rushing about of late is probably a good idea! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 07 Aug 11 - 06:50 AM New Tricks is great. I'm currently watching the new series off air. It's quite hard to recall that I once watched Dennis Waterman as William Brown in a dramatisation of Richmal Crompton's stories! Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: ragdall Date: 07 Aug 11 - 07:25 AM SRS, Thank you for taking time to design another solution for the collection bags. It's an interesting idea. My pockets seem to be working well so far. He needs to be able to drop the bag out his pant leg to empty it. The velcro fastener allows for that. If you're not squeamish about body fluids, you can see what I made here: http://flickr.com/gp/diffuse/Do4taD. I've been slowly catching up with my spring chores. Friday I fertilized my lawns, Saturday I planted out the last of the geraniums that I brought indoors in the fall, fitted a new child's wading pool as a liner for my leaky concrete bird pond. Removed a dead shrub beside the pond, divided and relocated a large clump of False Solomon's Seal from the front of the pond to behind it to give me a better view of the birds, and filled the pool. Now I must finish getting ready for the arrival of a daughter and her family of five, Sunday evening. I have their beds ready, but still have baking to do, cupcakes, pies and biscuits. I'll try to get dry ingredients mixed before I go to bed so there won't be as much to do on Sunday afternoon. I think that in spite of pain I'll sleep well tonight/ this morning. rags |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 07 Aug 11 - 09:48 AM Rags, the only part I was thinking about when I drew that that was if the elastic was constricting his legs and causing a problem. The velcrox in the bottom looks like it works well. I wonder how many people have cobbled together things like this on their own, and how many of them could be designed and sold by some enterprising designer? I dropped off the paper last night and have started filling the box again. The horizontal surfaces are looking better and I have moved the computer desk several times to find the best position. I'm going to weed a little this morning - declutter the garden - (I have the soaker going out there right now) then put in some more mulch. I weeded rarely in this heat, so the weeds are huge and easy to pull. I'll use some of my extra newspapers and lay it down under the mulch. And it's time to pick some eggplants and saute then freeze for next winter. I use it in lasagna, tomato sauce, etc. along with a couple of casseroles. This way I don't have to eat it all right now. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 07 Aug 11 - 01:46 PM Damn it's hot out there. 98o at 11am when I stopped, and at one point I came in and chugged a quart of water and went back to finish, and I was only out there an hour. Now I'm in for the day, and the dogs will be in soon also. Moving my computer desk and trunks - again. One of them is going to leave the room, the rest of the trunks can stay. There is a broken tile near where my chair sits in this position desk, and I've moved the desk position in the past to avoid rolling into it. I think I'll have to fill it with grout because I can' seem to chip off the rest of the 12" square tile to replace it (I'd have to cut out a pattern to fit one into the existing hole). Looking forward to the new keyboard. This original equipment one has low-profile keys and I keep straying off of the home row position. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 08 Aug 11 - 07:46 AM Early morning yoga!!! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: SINSULL Date: 08 Aug 11 - 08:38 AM I wish I knew what it would take to get me to start exercising regularly. I enjoy yoga but every class I have tried has been to intense and all the beginner's (old lady) classes are given during the day. I guess I am supposed to have retired by now. Poor little me... WHINE! The reality is my company has a full gym with trainers, lockers and showers upstairs. All I have to do is get in a half hour earlier. On the bright side, I start WW on the 22nd. Somebody kick me in the butt and get me moving! SINS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: SINSULL Date: 08 Aug 11 - 08:40 AM And I am peeling from the garage sale sunburn. Sloughing really. Disgusting trail of dry skin all behind and around me. One hell of a Monday. SINS LOL I am amused a my own crankiness. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 08 Aug 11 - 10:50 AM This weekend that discussion on The People's Pharmacy was enough to finally get me to switch over to a low-carb diet, and to use the Atkins approach this time. It's difficult to get much more exercise than the morning dog walk, but if I cut the carbs way down, that should help me get rid of this "muffin top" (ha! More like a loaf of bread!) around my middle. And I've always known that as I get closer to my usual weight I have more energy. Maybe by autumn when it cools I'll be able to up the exercise outside if I've lost some of this. So that's my strategy now. My office is a lot better looking after a weekend of sorting and tossing paper. My yard is looking pretty horrible. I'll take control where I can and move forward from there. We're on track to break some long record of over 100o in a row this week. There is no joy in dirtville (no mud here). SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 08 Aug 11 - 02:44 PM Be careful with the Atkins; it can be tough on kidneys. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 08 Aug 11 - 03:34 PM Both this one and the Scarsdale diet have a two-week introduction, then a shifting in the food choices to allow in more variety. Scarsdale has always been a struggle to stay with, this one doesn't look like that is a problem. During the two weeks I'll be adjusting to lower carbs but I'll also be doing more reading and research. The Atkins recommendation is for a healthier form of eating that reduces the sugar in particular and the white flour substantially. If you lose weight on it that is coincidental, you're not cutting calories as much as you are getting rid of the things that your body latches onto more readily and saves as fat. I love the fruits and veggies allowed on this diet, so it won't be just eating meats and cheese all of the time. I am going through photos of my boss from the last 15 years, plus older photos I've been given. They're for the reception we'll have at the end of the month - he's going back to teaching from being Dean of the Library. I'm pulling out all of the shots I can find where he is with individual or small groups of library staff members - I think they'll enjoy seeing themselves in these photos along with him. It'll probably be a program playing in the background somewhere in the room. I'm pulling the photos, someone else is arranging them, but I'll suggest the cluster the staff photos for people. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 08 Aug 11 - 09:21 PM SOunds as though Atkins has changed since the early 90s when I tried it. Good luck with it. I am sure you will be successful. Sinsdarlin'...I know what you mean about getting to exercise consistently. The main and, maybe only, reason I do is because of the near-fatal scare this year. It is difficult, some days. I just don't want to go. Today, I almost started crying when I was doing one of the exercises...it hurt, I was discouraged, but I made it through. Those days I call on my "Blessed Beings" to help me and I give thanks when it seems to ease up a bit. With me, it's a matter of not wanting to move the bulk because there is so much of it, BUT IF I move it, it will improve. Catch-22. I know you know this, but maybe it helps to read about someone else feeling alike. AND< this time of year with high heat and/or humidity is NOT conducive to a positive state of mind for exercise, imo!! Took Luna-toona to M's swimming class, today. BIG mistake. She was SO excited she tried to run right to the kids and water. Morgan skinned up his knees a tiny bit catching her on the cement. I spent the rest of the time with a tight hold on here. She actually barked! Now that we know this, we'll take her to the dog park where there is a pond. We'll probably buy a little kiddie pool for the yard, too. She is coming better here at home. Exercise for an hour this morning. Worked on my someday-son-in-law-to-be's resume and sent M home at 4p. Rog was late getting home, so we're just sitting down to supper. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 08 Aug 11 - 09:31 PM I seem to be taking my sweet old time about things. Partly, I am becoming quite adamant about the "I'm retired! I don't HAVE to do anything!" But the weather is probably bigger. As soon as it is over 75 I go into get out and push mode. I cannot believe the things others manage to do. I won't even go out of the house. But I don't HAVE to. This morning I hung out laundry and pulled some weeds and harvested two handfuls of cherry tomatoes. Then I stayed inside until the yard was shady. Then I partly set up the canopy that I had bought and used for the clay event at Apple Hollow. I will use it to protect the door that I need to refinish for the front of the house, then the other one. After I acquire some non-toxic paint remover. The doors are original - about 100 years old and a mess. Another person would be helpful to finish the set up. Hopefully tomorrow morning before R goes off. I was in country a couple days last week - commuting. Bought two bouganvillia at a nursery and put them on the porch roof in city. Beautiful! The sunny upstairs LR will support them through the cold weather if I can keep them alive. Thurs eve on way back to city, I was passing through little St. Isidore and saw one of the local musicians on the terrace of the cafe there. So I stopped to chat and ended up staying for the evening - terrific music. Got to the city after 10. I went to the country on Friday late morning and spent about an hour with the owners sorting out the electric bills. Quebec Hydro had screwed up bills for 3 separate properties. All right now. I hope. Terrific music Friday night by Related. A musician friend whom I had asked for a broken guitar string - ("to cut off your pottery?" he asked) brought me said string already made into a cut off tool with a lovely wooden handle at one end and a metal ring at the other. Nicest cut off tool I have ever had! What a sweetie!! But R never showed up and my cell phone was inoperative all day Saturday, even in places it usually works. I went out to a friend's but not home so I got the bright idea of stopping at the nearby goat farm to see if they sell milk. I am feeling challenged to return to be vegetarian and avoid products from factory farms. I thought if I got goat's milk from a nice family farm, I could make my own yogurt; I used to. However, this is a meat goat farm! Wonderful family. The daughter (late teen) is interested in pottery so I offered her lessons whenever. Dad builds barns and commercial buildings so he and R will have things to talk about. Mom showed me her goats and barn and let me use phone to call R - and find out he was not going to make it at all. So I went home for lunch and "to repair the kiln". Had lunch but the heat got me and I read instead. Went back to the farm in the late afternoon to ask them about something and had another long conversation. So happy to have met these fine folks. Went for groceries and wifi to catch emails - and never got kiln repaired. Great electrical storm Saturday night!! Cooled things off a bit so I got up and at it Sunday morning. Made pots all morning, lunch, then looked at kiln situation. NEED gloves. I have tons of them, boxes of them! Could not find any plastic ones for this fiddly work. Organized and organized and found a box and now have everything laid out - next time! But I did get a lot organized. I wanted to go to the market today but the parking is dicey as two adjacent blocks are closed off completely for making a movie - tomorrow too. So I stayed home rather than lose my parking space. Now I have two piles of stuff to go to thrift shop - one at each domicile. R seems to be feeling much better this last month. He is consistently getting things done but he works from about 9 am to midnight doing it. I am not going to complain. It is one year since he was attacked and I am hoping this is recovery. Things do seem to take a year - grieving, a new dog or person or whatever settling in, recovery from all manner of things. Anyway, I might as well be in the country as he is never home and I can get pottery done there, can do more and eat less! Maybe tomorrow I can repair kiln and load it. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 08 Aug 11 - 10:34 PM Dorothy, I would love for it to get down to 75o here, it would feel heavenly compared to 111o. It wasn't as bad today, only about 105o. (Isn't that pathetic?) It hasn't been below about 83o at night for the last three weeks. Moonglow came by with a couple of friends on her way back to school from a convention down in San Antonio. She finally picked up the towel I've had sitting here forever for her, and she brought by some of my favorite country-style sausage from a restaurant in Temple, Texas, that is a regular stop along that stretch of highway. Not much else I like in that town (we lived there 8 years), but I do like the Mikeska's barbecue place and their sausage. Lots of cracked black pepper in it, I'm convinced that is what makes it so good. (There are several brothers in that family with barbecue restaurants all over Hill Country, but this one is the best of the lot.) Her Dad also came over and we all had a visit for a while and I got out a fillet of salmon (in a vacuum pack) from last xmas that my brother sent, too much for me to eat by myself, so I waited until I had company. And because we'd been talking about the garden, I pulled some of last fall's okra from the freezer and made a little batch of fried okra. My carbs for the day are the little bit of corn and flour breading on the outside. I've been good, keeping it do the level they recommend. So day one is past. It's only Monday. Long week ahead. I wish it would cool down so I could enjoy some of this summer. Every day can be torture if you focus on the heat, so we have to find ways to avoid thinking about it, or just go out anyway and ignore it. And be quick and early about whatever it was you had to do outside. Dying for the new keyboard to get here. This one is so squishy, I'm always backspacing to catch goofs. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Alice Date: 09 Aug 11 - 11:34 AM I have cleared off my drafting table completely, sorted out lots of extra pens and pencils and gave them away on freecycle, removed some of the stuff that was stacked at the back of the table and sorted it. A friend of mine gave me an old oak flat file that had been her father's. Now I can store art paper, small canvases and small paintings in those files. It is really helping a lot with organizing and safe storage. Here is a photo of it: vintage-oak-flat-file/ The small wooden box of drawers on top of the oak files is a vintage resistor storage cabinet. It is very handy for exacto blades, pen nibs and other small things. It was my mother's. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 09 Aug 11 - 12:45 PM Alice, That's a beautiful piece of furniture!!! :) For me, I have lots of motivation to move more. The one I'll share today is this: Cancer cannot live in oxygenated cells. :) I've been busy with house chores today and later plan to make some homemade chicken vegetable soup and Whole Wheat Maple bread. The weather is finally cooler...not a typical summer day at all. The wind is cool and strong. I've got all the windows open which have been closed (AC was on) for the stretch of hot weather that we've had. The fresh air sure does feel good!!! I walked several miles yesterday (should have had my pedometer on) and my feet are kinda sore this morning. In addition, I did several long holding planks and downward facing dogs yesterday morning so my upper arms are complaining too. I just tell them shhhh....it's going to be oooookay in my most gentle voice. :) Jeremiah has learned how to play chase. He runs away from me. When I stop moving, he turns around and looks at me. I extend my arms and he comes running with his arms open, waiting to be held. Ohhh how I love that!!!! :) Have a great day everybody! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Alice Date: 09 Aug 11 - 01:13 PM That is a sweet description of Jeremiah, Michelle. I love that age. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 Aug 11 - 06:31 PM Had medical stuff today (kid health issues, but not life-threatening) and will probably have follow-up later in the week. When they're 19 they're not running to Mom for a hug (this is a heads-up, Michelle!) Also, I've been in touch with my sister, my first cousin who lived in Denver died this morning. He is the first in our generation to pass away, only a few years older than me. Horrible health problems (recovering alcoholic, lots of stuff from that) and in the hospital for a broken back (from a short fall and probably brittle bones) he contracted the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection one hears about in hospitals. He hated the ventilator they had him on so it was removed yesterday and he died overnight. Weather-wise it's just one day at a time now, the heat is never ending. Even the native trees are looking awful. Yards scorched, and those that aren't, that are perfectly green from irrigation, are frankly an embarrassment. There are people in the world in drought conditions who have to carry every drop miles from a well pump, and the folks here pour millions of gallons on grass. I'm trying to keep the lawn and the trees alive (for food and shade). The grass is totally a vanity item, as far as I'm concerned, and a waste of safe drinking water. Alice, that map cabinet is beautiful. We have lots and lots of those in the library where I work, old dark wood ones from decades ago and newer ugly metal ones from more recent years. Odd post here, odd week, foul mood from the heat. It will get better! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Alice Date: 09 Aug 11 - 06:34 PM Sorry to hear about your cousin passing. Do you think people will actually move away from the drought areas of Texas after this extreme change? Move if they can, that is. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Alice Date: 09 Aug 11 - 06:38 PM I was reading a CBS news article on the Texas drought. It ended with this... "...One of the most memorable droughts occurred in the 1950s, when a decade of below-average rainfall and long dry spells actually changed the state's demographics, with many families fleeing parched farms for cities. Experts say the current drought is nowhere near so severe, but if it continues, the scarcity of water will be painful." |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 09 Aug 11 - 06:47 PM My condolences on your cousin's passing, SRS. Alice, I agree, that is a beautiful cabinet. Makes me want to freshen up our old wooden card catalogue, but we have nowhere to put it at the moment. It's in storage for now. I did qi gong for 30 minutes this morning and took M to swim class. Dorothy, I'm like you, the minute the heat starts up all I want to do us stay in somewhere coolish. It just saps me. M and Luna played in the backyard this afternoon. I got a nice picture of them and even wrote a quick little poem about them on the Mudcat Poetry Corner thread. Picture is on FB. Take easy, everyone. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 Aug 11 - 10:43 PM I love that photo/image - the dog and boy are comfortable in each other's company. My cousin who died was a hunter and had black labs most of his early years and into his 30s. Champion hunting dogs, it was a big deal (my late uncle was a game warden, so hunting really was in the family). The domesticated dog really does crave that proximity that was in your photo. Don't have to be touching, just nearby. I spoke to a friend today who did the Atkins diet - he basically presented a cautionary tale of not getting so carried away that there are no carbs, or you'll starve your brain! Good to know - don't want the bloodsugar too low. I have a few things for eBay and I'll write the descriptions but I'm going to set them to start at predetermined times, to space them out. Just because I list a bunch all on one day doesn't mean they need to end all on that same day. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 09 Aug 11 - 11:12 PM Thank you, SRS. She really is starting to strongly identify us as her pack. We've had no problems getting her to come inside, now, no hiding out. She knows what is expected and looks forward to the bennies of doing so. She's really a pleasure. She sure looks forward to Morgan coming over. I think because he has so many dogs at home and three of them are under 4 years old, or so, he doesn't get too many moments, outside, like that. It's good for him to be one on one with a good kid's dog. He does get that with Nanny Dizzy, the old pit bull matriarch at his house, too. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 09 Aug 11 - 11:27 PM Went to the country to day: lunch and made a pot of green tea to counteract the barometric pressure, then worked for a couple hours. The pots I made Sunday were not dry enough to trim so I threw some bowl and made handles for mugs thrown yesterday but still not dry enough. Too humid. It felt like impending rain ---Sorry those who are drought ridden! I really did try to repair kiln but do not have the knack. The "cement" did not hold bits in place, even after I used packing tape. I'll check tomorrow to see if anything held. May need more advice. So I worked on computer, read, had a good supper of broccoli and fish, and then had to add two small pieces of bread and peanut butter ---- and some choc. Then the rain started. I did some good in-house organizing until it was time to leave -7:15 as the bridge opens northbound at 7:45. Traffic was slower; took an extra 20 minutes to cross the bridge. But R was not home anyway - still in not. It has rained steadily all evening. News reports flooding on one highway - built below ground forming a "canal" and floods in every heavy storm - Engineers???? Figure if I make enough pots to pay the gas, it is ok to commute. Of course, I need to figure out how to sell them... Hoping this will happen or I'll have an awful lot of pots!! The green tea does seem to help me cope with hot weather - over 75! I have never coped with hotter than that. Guess I'll go to bed. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 10 Aug 11 - 10:05 AM I'm glad to see a few folks have cooler air and moisture. The forecast highs here next week are not as high as they were this week or last, though they're still in the 100s. You can feel the difference between 101 and 111. No new eBay listings to start right now, but I'll keep working on items and give them future start dates. Gotta sort out my calendar, it needs virtual decluttering. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 10 Aug 11 - 11:50 PM (((((((((((((SRS))))))))))))))) XOXOXOXOXOXO Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 Aug 11 - 10:13 AM Our dog walk this morning was in the 86 degree dawn light. The weather outlook shows that Saturday MIGHT top out at 99, then it's back up to the 100-102 range. It is slowly lowering, but the "average" daily temperature remains quite warm since it isn't cooling as much at night. I picked up a portable hard drive for moving my scanned files back and forth, only to find that this one is 32-bit only and my computer is 64-bit. Gotta swap that out today. (Things that can be put off till cooler weather are, when possible. When you compare notes down here you'll find a lot of people just don't go to the store even though they need things because it means getting out of the car one more time.) I am cutting out breads and sugar in my diet, though as I go through the day I'm trying to make sure that I get some carbs just for normal brain health, but keeping it down under about 50 grams a day. I decided not to try the first two weeks cold turkey the way the book suggests because I have to do some driving in that time and won't be able to stop at places that always have the food requirements. I'll get close, but won't push it. I am getting a walk of about 30 minutes in the mornings with the dogs. Their weight is in great shape! The basics are getting done, but this heat not only drains your energy, it saps your enthusiasm for taking on anything beyond the minimum daily activity. I'm so ready for fall - I crave sweater weather. I was at a potluck yesterday and my boss and I were talking about that point - when you step outside and it feels good with just a hint of cool, that you're okay as is but a sweater feels perfect - that is what we crave. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 11 Aug 11 - 01:12 PM SRS, My endocrinologist says 60 grams of carbs per meal is healthy. Then about 20 or so carbs for snacks. :) Just sayin....be careful with your balance. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: GUEST,mg Date: 11 Aug 11 - 02:28 PM It would be healthy for some but not others. That is probably 6 times the amount of carbs I should eat a day, which should be around 20. I am more often 40-80, which is too much. I could eat more with more exercise though I know. A blood sugar meter combined with insulin level testing will tell you for sure. If you only test blood sugar and do notknow your insulin levels..you do not have enough information. mg |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 Aug 11 - 07:23 PM I had good luck with a 60 carb grams per day when I followed it many years ago. I have to do more research before I settle on a plan, and I have to adjust the contents of my cupboards before I can make it more easily a reality. I turned over a file of photos to a guy a work today and suggested he simply run the slide show in the Microsoft slide program. I'll add more if I get a chance. There are too many for it to be worth troubling to put them in another program, and we don't want to trim the number. That is a big job off of my desk, and can turn my hand to other things. We had a fluke, wonderful little burst of cloudy weather that over North Texas today. It apparently rained on a few folks; not on me, but it was nice to walk out at 3:30 and feel it had dropped down to 89. It broke that streak of super hot days (a few folks are disappointed that it didn't last a day longer to break an old record). Lots to do this weekend - let's hope I can get a lot done tomorrow so I don't feel like I have to drag my work week into my days off. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 Aug 11 - 09:12 PM I peeled and sliced two of my garden eggplants, sauteed them and now they're on wax paper in the freezer. I'll bag them later. I'm trying to not throw out garden produce, but it's still to hot to feel like doing much cooking. I'll slice some peppers next. Gotta move a trunk out of my office. Where to put it? Will report back. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 Aug 11 - 09:35 AM Today is Friday, right? I'm pushing through enough things for work to have the weekend to myself. I've said "eBay" several times, but haven't listed much yet. That will be this weekend. I got up early as usual to walk the dogs and am already dripping sweat from just pulling a hose in the yard before 8am. We had a hint of rain in the area yesterday and technically "broke" the 40-day hot streak, but only because yesterday's high was 97. Now it's super muggy again and the temp is headed back up today. Another good reason to find work to do in the house. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 12 Aug 11 - 09:42 AM I'm not sure if this belongs in this thread but thought I'd pass it along anyway. My husband was telling me this morning that because of the high heat out west and drought that the price for beef is expected to drop for the next week or two (maybe a little bit longer) but then is expected to go sky high. If you have room in your freezer or do any pressure canning, now might be a good time to stock up a little bit. There is a site online that tracks hunger issues in our state. Last year at this time, 10% of households reported having trouble being able to supply their family with enough food. This year has just about doubled....and that is for households with children. Single households report even higher numbers. And the prices keep going up. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 Aug 11 - 11:09 AM Yup. I'm hearing about cattle dropping dead in the fields - sounds like many may go to the slaughter house soon rather than die of the heat or drought. My eggplant, peppers, okra, all of that, are an important part of my diet. I'm trying to not let things get too old before I do something with them. I used all of my eggplant from the freezer a long time ago, so I'm building up the supply and hoping for a supply of tomatoes this fall. I used my web cam and the "Google hookup" last night, it worked great. If any of you have Google+ (or would like an invitation) I see this as a good application. I need to go in and add more people and sites to it to make it more functional, but for now, that's what will bring me back, the easy web chat applications. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: GUEST,mg Date: 12 Aug 11 - 03:43 PM It is a shame about the cows. We could support probably thousands of them where I live, plus goats and sheep. Green grass the year round. mg |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 Aug 11 - 04:53 PM Bagged up the fried and now frozen eggplant slices. Those will be lovely in lasagna next winter! I picked three more today so I might use them this weekend, or fry them and freeze them also. Setting up Google Calendar to see if I can keep some of the events I track organized better than on a document. I should probably set it up in Access or Excel, but I don't like using those if I can avoid them. But I'll think about it. Heading out to the yard in a few minutes to bring in the laundry on the line. It's so muggy out there today that it really zap your energy to spend much time in the yard. The dead grass is a shiny gold almost at this point. The ground is cracked all over. Depressing to look at. After walking this morning I poked around in the closet looking for some short pants (Capri or shorter) and pulled down a pair I wore a fair amount last year. I can pull them on but they don't fasten comfortably, so I'm losing weight but not quite to size 12 yet. Soon. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: mouldy Date: 12 Aug 11 - 07:12 PM No activity on the building front this week, but loads of rain. Day after day of it. The dining room carpet is still wet after it ran under the temporary back door. It is pooling on the new floor, which is now level with the rest of the house. Doesn't help that there's a high level down pipe pouring down onto it. The weather seemed to dry up a bit yesterday, and the quarry should be back at work, so maybe some more will get built. When I get back from Whitby festival, in a couple of weeks, I am going back to WW. My daughter's already lost 14lbs! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 12 Aug 11 - 07:14 PM I have made an executive decision.:-) I am taking from now until school starts on the 24th OFF from everything except minding Morgan during the day and any appts. I already have (and reading Mudcat and the usual paying bills etc., and reading etc.:-) I think, with the heat, I took on too much and have really worn myself out. I will continue with the therapy on my hands and feet and do qi gong, but other than that, I am staying put, inside where it is cool, and doing mostly nothing other than play with the kid and dog.:-) So, no decluttering except the usual clean-up esp. as ClaireBear will be here for a one day visit next week! Have fun ya'll and may coolness prevail SOON! |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 12 Aug 11 - 10:02 PM Moon shining in the cafe window! Cooler and lovely today! I enjoy watching the beautiful St. Lawrence River as I cross over on the big bridge, sparkling in the sunshine. It is several hundred yards wide with tree lined shores on each side - even though behind those trees are buildings, the city. Started the kiln firing today in spite of incomplete repairs. Hope it works OK but only the bisque firing so it should not be disastrous. Some of the cement held, some did not???? Try again another day. R still working 12-14 hour days. Did not make it to cafe again tonight. I'll go back to the cabin to check kiln - hope it is finished! Then to city. This morning, weeded, laundry, library, Dollar store for reading glasses - the ones I took off last night disappeared! Tomatoes have only come a handful at a time but another week or so should see a bunch ripen - white, black, red zebra, yellow, orange and even a few red cherry. R seems to like them all. So does some critter so I have to be quick! |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 12 Aug 11 - 10:55 PM The baby is in bed and I'm about to start cleaning. It's amazing how fast a house can become a cluttered disaster area. Ugh. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 Aug 11 - 11:23 PM Three eggplants in the house to eat or freeze. Have to finally make the strawberry jelly. Laundry is finished, sink still full of dishes. We had a near miss on rainstorms this evening and consequently it's muggy as hell out. The AC will run as much to dry the air as the cool it. The one saving grace about the really high temperatures is that they force the moisture out of the air and at night if you can keep air somewhat cooled and moving, you can sleep. When it's muggy the balance of AC and moving air is more difficult to achieve (too much AC breeze makes sleep less comfortable). Still sticking pretty well to making the dietary shift. Way down on carbs, making a point of getting a few through the day to stay healthy. I am making myself enter all purchases in Quicken, including (especially!) credit card, and it does make me pinch those pennies twice. I was looking for a silver chain a certain length but not finding the style or weight I wanted (or the price) so I got smart and simply bought a little 3" silver chain extender. I can use this with the several I have and it was only a few dollars, not many. Money and time - two things I am trying to get much better at managing! Have a good weekend, all! Stay dry or cool or whatever your climate dictates. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 Aug 11 - 10:03 AM RAIN!!!! Enough said! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 13 Aug 11 - 06:04 PM RAIN is terrific! Look like you got a lot. Hope for more bu not TOO much! |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: mouldy Date: 14 Aug 11 - 03:25 AM I hope it's nice gentle rain that will soak in. Too much too soon onto hard ground and....well, let's not go there. I'd just be glad of a few sunny days to dry things out a bit. I'm hoping to visit a garden open for charity this afternoon, but I may put my wellies into the car just in case! Some of these bigger gardens have wild areas, where it will be quite damp. (It's also an excuse for plant buying, and tea with home made cakes). There's s sign of intent on the building front - trestles with boards to stand on have been set up by the back wall. which is higher at the moment, and doesn't have any windows to worry about. I'll see if anyone turns up tomorrow. (Weather permitting). It's just boringly grey here at the moment, with light rain/showers forecast. Very typical of a British holiday season, really! I'm off to Whitby for the week next Saturday, so I hope it picks up again for that. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 14 Aug 11 - 03:46 AM On Friday I bought a stripy top from Oxfam and turned it into a tote bag with a small bag to keep it in, which I took back to the shop for them to resell. On Saturday, I bought a small corduroy skirt which will become a handbag. I sew across a distance from the top, and fold up the bottom inside to make pockets, then provide a handle. I made myself one some time ago, which the ladies in Oxfam admired, so this one is going back to them. Yesterday I found the frog in the garden, which was good, as I wasn't sure if it had survived the winter. I have two toads which hang around near the tomatoes - still had slug damage on one of the beefsteak frutis, though. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 Aug 11 - 09:42 AM Toads and frogs won't eat snails. Beer is good for them. Put it in a shallow bowl in the evening and make sure the beer is fresh. Keep us up on the work on the house, Andrea! The rain yesterday was exactly what we needed, a gentle rain over several hours. Might have been 3/4 to 1 inch total. No more rain in sight and today is really muggy. My friend Dean is losing his house - the loan company informed him they're selling it to the highest bidder on the courthouse steps on Sept. 6. Years ago as a newspaper reporter I saw this happen - as they literally stand on the steps a cluster of men in suits transact business that will change the lives of the poor people whose homes they are selling or bidding on. I'm going to be rearranging my garage in the next couple of weeks and storing as much of his stuff that can go in a non-climate controlled environment. I have a pickup so I'll probably be moving stuff for him wherever he decides to put it, and if he needs to stay with me for a while, I'll be moving a bunch of my stuff from one of the rooms. Busy four weeks coming up! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 14 Aug 11 - 12:04 PM These are very small, about 5 mm, slugs, who have rejected the beer on offer. Sainsbury's cheapest, no wonder there are bingers out there, as I am not going to treat them with Shepherd Neame, Hobgoblin, or Harvey's. According to my sources, the amphibians will eat them. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: maeve Date: 14 Aug 11 - 12:33 PM I can't speak for Stilly's frogs and toads, but 'most everywhere else they eat slugs and snails as part of their normal diet. Sparrows and other small birds do as well. I harvested some of the wintered over potatoes this week; Red Thumb and Keuka Gold. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 14 Aug 11 - 01:23 PM Had a duvet day today, missing out on a shared lunch at Friends. Well it would have been a duvet day, except it is too warm for it! Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 Aug 11 - 02:04 PM My toads don't eat my snails. Ducks would, though, if I wanted to start wrangling ducks. It's incredibly humid here, dense moist air that causes me to move in slow-motion, swimming through chores. I changed the filters in the AC units and have to run some errands later. Trying to get those grains into my diet that aren't high-glycemic index offenders. Whole grain pastas, breads, etc. I can feel the absence of grains - the roughage factor if nothing else. Some I'll buy, some I'll find recipes for. Good thing I did laundry on Friday, it has been too wet this weekend for them to dry on the line. I'm hearing a request go out on local media that some power companies are offering rebates if people will shift their higher power usage to evenings and weekends. Just like the phone company! :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 14 Aug 11 - 05:48 PM I did some major taming of the paper monster today. I'm not quite finished but I have made a huge dent. Tomorrow I go to have my port flushed. Hopefully it won't clog up again. That was creepy. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 Aug 11 - 07:00 PM I missed that adventure, Michelle. I hope it wasn't painful. How did you know? I need a plan. I can see a lot of things concluding this month, a lot of things need doing this month, and I can feel the shadow move closer that tells me I must develop a forward moving plan. I want the month to be over, but what then? One thing at a time and I'll get past this. I think my cousin's death is also catching up with me. I've been looking a childhood photos, grieving the change and not just the loss. Finding a reason for the blues is half way toward getting past them. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 17 Aug 11 - 10:20 PM Max wins the award for the most computer housecleaning/decluttering/reconstruction. Hope there are a few battery power backup packs in his near future. . . SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Jeri Date: 17 Aug 11 - 10:25 PM And the mother of all surge protectors. I have to mow the lawn, but Mudat's back and I have a serious issue with a nerve that I believe started with the lawnmower. Perhaps the lawn will wait. There a whole squadron of dragonflies out back, I saw a hummingbird yesterday, and Mudcat lives. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 17 Aug 11 - 10:37 PM I think I have once seen one sparrow here. They are definitely in decline in this area. One year, a couple of decades back, there was a large flock down on the marshes in a wheatfield, and, flocking with them, two budgerigars, one green, one blue. I wondered if they were talking sparrow, to fit in. Now I haven't seen a single bird, let alone a flock for years. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 Aug 11 - 12:39 AM I have made a pocketbook organizer for myself from a .99 nail apron from Home Depot. I stitched a couple of more lines on the pockets in front and can now slide my glasses cases, small notebooks and card cases and pens into the various slots. I'll add velcro and a little extender later today - this is something that can come out and slide into another handbag and not have to scramble to pull out the entire contents. The main reason is so I don't have to paw through the purse to find a glasses case or a coin purse. Gotta use the trimmer and mow parts of the yard. I'm not going to bother with the mower. There isn't enough live grass to make it worth that effort. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: SINSULL Date: 18 Aug 11 - 12:45 AM Start WW on Monday and Yoga in Sept. Managed to hurt my knne and then made it worse with gentle stretches. It actually feels better if I can walk but I have to sit at my desk. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 18 Aug 11 - 02:08 PM Good idea SRS. I've been seeing versions of that sort of thing on shopping channels and thinking I wanted one, but not at those prices! Today, I planted out bulbs which I had saved from various places, and potted up my cuttings of heritage plants, fuchsia, jasmine, choisia and the Albertine rose from my grandparents' home. I dug up some of one of the mints and put that in a pot so I can clear the herb bed. This, after going on the walk this morning, has left me a bit tired. On the walk, the woman registering who was there commented on my name, and said that I wouldn't be the one she remembered - but I was! She went to the same school I did, overlapping with me for a short while. I'm afraid I didn't remember her, but we did know a number of the same people, and she could settle my mind on a rumour I heard about the Head's wife. Better than the woman I met at the village office who went to the next school I went to, who said "Oh yes, I remember YOU", and has left me thinking just what on earth it was she remembers me for. I never did nothing, no how. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 17 Aug 11 - 08:49 PM Expensive day, running around with my son. Last year he didn't buy a printer, his roommate had a wireless one and they both used that. This time I got him a laser printer - I'm tired of the constant complaint about ink jet cartridges. It cost more now, but over time it will cost less. Those "printer" companies are actually in the business of selling ink, not printers. It's getting hot again, after our wonderful cool Saturday last week. Up to 107 again for several days. Yuck. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 17 Aug 11 - 10:24 PM Tonight I co-hosted a picnic for cancer survivors, their caregivers and families. I think we had around 50 people...it was a wonderful event!!! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Tinker Date: 17 Aug 11 - 10:26 PM Settled my daughter at Law school last week and helped Dani declutter by borrowing a few pieces of furniture while she's in North Carolina. Lost a couple more pounds since I last checked in here. Monday I got quotes from a roofer... UGH.... but my bed room is leaking and plaster doesn't do well wet. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 Aug 11 - 12:01 AM Sleeping wet isn't anything to brag about, either! Decluttering a kid to college one of these days soon. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: mouldy Date: 18 Aug 11 - 03:12 AM Still no sign of any builders. If they don't turn up tomorrow, I must remember to leave a power cable through the cat flap, so that they can work IF they come the next week, while I'm at Whitby. The trouble is that while they have been waiting for the quarry to reopen and to catch up on orders, they have been put on other jobs, which they now have to get finished. We actually had sunshine yesterday, so I did the ironing in my sun trap of a back yard, and out on the floor of the new build. (It won't be a sun trap so much when it's built up!) Went to a lovely open garden on Sunday, and was pleased to see how they had got a very productive veg garden - all in quite small square beds surrounded with paving. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: SINSULL Date: 18 Aug 11 - 08:50 AM Picnic for fifty people? Tell us more. Where was it held? Menu? I miss the outdoor events I used to organize in NYC esp the ones for the children. It is time for their annual corn boil, assuming the corn got planted. So tell us more. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 19 Aug 11 - 05:48 AM Yesterday I moved the birdbath - three bits, in fake Cotswold stone, base, pillar and bowl, and planted out some more bulbs. Also attacked the Virginia creeper again - it had nearly reached across the path at the back to the neighbour's house. And cut some of the ivy on the outside of my fence. I attached some wire between fence posts for the rambling rose and honeysuckle. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Aug 11 - 11:08 AM We arrived back from vacay last night with a personal invitation from a timber wolf resonating in my heart. This was received the last day we were in camp, calling me back as soon as I can get there to continue the conversation he started (according the the small-zoo owner who interpreted for him). But on the oh-no side, the housecleaner who worked miracles while we were away was not able to work the biggest one I had requested, so we're now in urgent need of BOXES. But she did create lots of little piles that can make sense later when I unpack them, and she did get up years of dog hair apparently lurking in our rugs! I know my MIL will appreciate THAT miracle because dogs are her worst allergy! And she did dust it all as she moved it, so I can at least bag it all up before dust re-settles and then box those, as boxes begin to arrive. :~) ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Jeri Date: 19 Aug 11 - 12:36 PM I was going to mow the lawn. The last time I did was 2 weeks ago, and I think I aggravated some nerves. Luckily, it's been dry enough so the grass hasn't grown much. I had strategically placed a copper wire-covered pot scrubber blocking where I think mice were getting into the engine housing of my lawn mower. I held the thing down with an iron bar of some sort. For extra luck, I balanced some moth balls on top of the scrubber thing. I got very tired of cleaning mouse nests off the engine (with a straw, a metal chopstick, and needle-nose pliers) through a tiny hole every time I had to mow, and then still ending up with some pre-ignition (and smoke, and smouldering stuff) because I didn't get it all. I'm going to wait until it cools off some, but my mouse-thwarting apparatus was still in place--even the moth balls. My neighbor's cat, who's great at outside mice and oblivious to shed mice, was sleeping peacefully under my car. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: wysiwyg Date: 20 Aug 11 - 10:24 PM Today: 4 hours me plus 4 hours me+Adrian plus 2 hours Hardi (on top of 15 hours last week Katie)-- and it's almost civilized here again. We made 4 bags of trash today, and I could have made two small dogs. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 21 Aug 11 - 09:14 AM I have somehow done something to my right leg. The knee twinges, but I have muscle aches up to my hip and down the calf. They aren't bad, but limiting the amount of time I can spend sitting, lying, standing... I have to get out and rig up some sort of cat preventing topping to the back fence and gate, as a black and white cat has started coming in. I stuck forsythia prunings up from the top, but it still pushed through. I noticed that the window cleaner had tried to open the gate and moved a small piece of plastic trellis, and the incursion have been since then, but it was only small, so can't be the whole reason this has just begun. It's been in twice definitely, and probably once more since I put up the twigs. How many times I didn't see it before I don't know. When it comes down, it lands on the carrots which are not big enough to pull yet. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: SINSULL Date: 21 Aug 11 - 10:05 AM Ah, Penny. You have made the mistake of challenging the cat. Now it will play out like a Bugs Bunny cartoon - that pesky rabbit! Good luck... |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 21 Aug 11 - 11:53 AM What is odd is that I haven't seen this cat for weeks (months?) And it isn't the dominant local moggy. As well as the window cleaner disturbing the gate top arrangement, yesterday morning I topped up the bird feeder after seeing a flock of tits about. This can only be seen from upper windows, and the homes in the direction it went off in have very small high windows unsuitable for cats. Perhaps it saw the birds and came to look more closely. The first time I saw it, it was crouched under the feeder pole! Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 21 Aug 11 - 02:47 PM I'm back from the desert southwest, where I delivered my son for his second year at the University of Arizona. Tucson was lovely but very muggy; it was wetter and more humid than Fort Worth since they're in their summer "monsoon" season. I did the math, looking at the log book from last trip - it's 1,000 miles almost exactly. My drive back was over a 24-hour period, and the night time driving was peppered with long naps at rest areas. Trip was stranger than some, faster than the rest so far, but overall okay. Expensive - it's the biggest hit I take during the year - not only the gas to get there and back but the equipment needs (printer, new heat sink and fan), dorm needs, and books. The truck is emptied, all litter out. My Coleman cooler is falling apart, I'll keep my eye open for a good one at a garage sale, they're always out there. I am pulling back from the Atkins diet for now - I will simply do a low-carb version of what I normally eat for now. When I left for that drive I wasn't feeling good, hadn't been feeling good for several days though couldn't pinpoint a cause, and because I ate less protein but lots of apples and clementines during the drive I cleaned out my system - Atkins is not a happy colon diet. After many stops at rest areas things are back to normal. Enough information on that kind of decluttering, and lesson learned. Friends and neighbors kept an eye on my garden (such as it is this hot summer) and my dogs - they were in the house most afternoons, let in and out by several people. This weekend Susie brought Zeke's bowl and food each morning and they played then ate together. How sweet! I must work on this house. I know I haven't finished the decluttering - it was embarrassing to have people see the house still as cluttered (better, but not good enough) as it is. That's my report! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 21 Aug 11 - 06:14 PM So much for summer, she says hopefully. It now feels like fall in Montreal, which I love. And RIGHT NOW, an electrical storm is doing its thing. I totally love them. Hope the house next door is finally lightning safe so it does not get hit for the third. or is it fourth... After last September's hit, they took an, ungrounded, metal fence off the roof!! Duhhhh. The damage was so bad the poor young family did not move back in until spring. I was wondering why, after a week of dragging my tail, I felt great this morning. This storm! The air is different! The rain has started. It sounds lovely. It was raining this morning and I sent R off to the Laurentians to put up a fence, with a change of clothes. Then I went to Meeting, gave a friend a ride, went shopping in clear weather, came home after a wonderful excursion and now, the real rain has begun. Fresh apples from southern Quebec, wonderful strawberries from near Quebec City, a Heavy Metal Cleansing regime for R because the fellow at the supplement store actually sounded sensible. Said to eat lots of soluble fiber with it - hence the apples, strawberries, oats. I'll make some apple crisp with a little honey and raisins, cinnamon - good for blood sugar. And return to the winter regime of a cut up warmed in microwave apple each morning. Checked www for a list. While dragging my tail, I have not done much more than keep up with emails and send a few - personal and animal activist ones - and posting encouragements and other info on raccoon sites. Thinking is leading to ideas for info to go on SPCA website - list is begun, an article for a Quaker journal on discussion/consideration - the right use of; how to be more politically active, generally. My lack of a "permanent resident card" started to weigh heavily when I could not get a Quebec health card without it. I wanted to ride a bike but if I fell and injured myself... But the application form is impossible for me as my circumstances do not fit at all. Then I got a notice that I need a medical exam to renew my driver's license. Then I realized I am paying for Revenue Quebec for health care but have no access. Finally, a notice came that our member of Parliament was having an open house. I went by yesterday and talked with his "case manager" who gave me his card and said call on Monday. He gave me HOPE, one of the greatest things. It will be a terrific weight off me to get that solved. HOPE! I will offer some volunteer time to the office. Since Friday a week when I came home after the cafe to be supportive, I have not gone to country except we both made it to the cafe Friday and then came back to city. R is working 12 to 15 hours a day and even though he often does not get home between 9 am, or earlier, and 10 pm or later, it gives him a sense of being supported to know I am here - to bow beat him into taking a bath to get all the crud/toxins off his body before bed, to take his supplements, to eat some decent food. Otherwise, he gets so focussed on work, he drops off on a sofa, in his truck, in all his clothes and begins again when he wakens, and eats whatever is handy. The assault case will be in Court on 6 September. I hope it does not re-trigger the PTSD which finally seems to be healing. Now to decimate the 164 emails .... . |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 21 Aug 11 - 06:20 PM Home after a whirlwind trip to Philadelphia for the LIVESTRONG Challenge. It was a HUGE event which is inspiring in so many ways. More later. I'm beat. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 21 Aug 11 - 07:01 PM Morgan and I had a really wonderful time Wednesday past when ClairBear, her son, and her friend came through town. They were on a "9-day wander" as she called it...driving from California, to various natural wonders which led them through this area. M and her son got along wonderfully and had a blast in our backyard, weeds, high 90s and all. We had the house reasonably picked up, swept, dishes done, etc. I told them the books were dusty, the corners dirt-filled, and it is a work in progress. I thought I'd be a bit embarrassed, too, SRS, but it was great..no worries and they were all very gracious and kind. We had a wonderful lunch out at my fav. Mexican restaurant. As a consequence, we actually didn't have to do any of the usual, today. So, we took the dog to a huge dog park with a pond. We kept her on a 25 foot lead as it would have been very hard to chase her down if she got too excited and wouldn't come. She is great at coming in our yard, but not knowing how she'd be with other dogs, we didn't want to take any chances. Rog took her for a long walk around the pond which she was not interested in, but her nose was working overtime and she was okay with a few galumphing pals who came to say "Hi!" A gentleman sitting in his truck waiting for his wife struck up a conversation with us about dogs, horses, Russia...he was very interesting. Offered us a 12 year old mustang!! IF I only had somewhere to keep it!!! Yesterday morning we went to my brother's with the company truck which Rog helped him load with a couple of bookshelves, trunks, and kitchen table. Took them over to his new place. I will also be taking loads over for him this week, in our mini-van. He's got 4-5 aquariums, tons of houseplants and four cats to go. The heavy furniture will be moved next Sunday by our SIL and friends. I will be glad when he gets moved in and quits agonising over the past, decisions, and wanting everything just so in the new place. It is really nice and he got a great deal, but he cannot go a day without worrying over things that are in the past, may never happen, or aren't fitting into his idea of how it should go. M starts school on Wednesday. He's excited. It's supposed to get to 99 that day and high 90s the rest of the week, too. By now, it is supposed to be cooling down a bit! Later, kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 21 Aug 11 - 11:49 PM The heat just doesn't cease here. Cooling a little more at night now, but up around 107 in the daytime. The dogs love coming in, I suspect they hope to become house dogs, but I know they'd be bored if they were in more than out. It's the novelty that attracts them. One more day off tomorrow (use or lose time at work) and then back to the excitement of the new semester. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 22 Aug 11 - 12:54 AM LIVESTRONG Challenge A little montage of my adventures in Philadelphia at the LIVESTRONG Challenge! If you ever get the chance to attend this event...GO!!!! Inspiring beyond words. Love to all, Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: SINSULL Date: 22 Aug 11 - 10:31 AM Decluttering my house into Kendall's. With Jacqui gone, we decided it was a good time for Kendall to take possession on my old wind up Victrola - the full sized monster. He loves it (as do I). But I am bound and determined to pare down to bare necessities and a few treasures. The rest is OUT. Have to sort thru my Christmas stuff and share it around the younger family members by Thanksgiving. I spent two hours on the phone with a cousin on Saturday catching up on her life, family, etc. She is an amazing young woman. Has two children with CF; one also has Crohn's and now diabetes. Make A Wish sent the little girl to Ireland and the boy to Hawaii to see Pearl Harbor. Their prognosis is not good. At any given time one or the other is in the hospital. The third girl suffers emotionally mostly from guilt at her good health. And Dad left (at the family's insistence). Still Meg just goes on full of plans and excitement at her kid's accomplishments. Putting herself thru school as well in the medical field. We both "decluttered" |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 22 Aug 11 - 10:51 AM Sinsull: With only what you posted. I know nothing about the kids with CF. I went to Google and found this Canadian link with such a wonderful story. http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/en/aboutCysticFibrosis/Personalstories_mbenson.php It may have other good stuff on the site. I used to have a pamphlet written by a marvellous man in Britain who had CF and was an inspiration to many people. He wrote from his bed with one finger n a keyboard. I gave it to a mom who had twins (12) with CF. one also had Down's; the other was bright. There was also a daughter who seemed to be doing very well. The Mom was fantastic. Life moves on and I lost touch. Life certainly seems to deal hard hands to some people. This is one of the more difficult ones, for sure. Just to be there for your cousin... |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 22 Aug 11 - 11:49 AM Michelle, great video you put together - thanks for sending us that link. Any readers who aren't familiar with her story, she has a lot of videos and you'll see the links at the end of the video she linked to. Mary, that sounds like a household that must take each small pleasure as they come along and it's excellent that she can do this and has a plan to move forward. Scanning for eBay this morning. Watering trees - we're soon going to be on a two day a week watering schedule (it's about time - they should have set this up ages ago). Cleaning house. Will hang laundry out soon. Back to life as usual. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 22 Aug 11 - 01:03 PM Welcome Home SRS & Thanks!! It's nice to go away but always nicer to come home!!! While I was away, Pete put up our new microwave...one that goes over the top of the stove. Our old one was getting very unreliable and is over 15 years old and doesn't owe us a dime. So...today I'm doing all the welcome home chores. Dishes, laundry, vacuuming, unpacking, etc. :) Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 22 Aug 11 - 05:01 PM Laundry is hanging on the line out back, and I put away the leftovers from a faux-kung pao chicken. I didn't have all of the ingredients they use at Panda Express, where I usually eat it, so I cubed an eggplant into it. Pretty good. Moonglow was here for lunch then headed back to her house and school. I did a little dog first aid - Cinnamon had scraped a back toe so I used peroxide then some vet ointment. (The vet says he uses it on himself sometimes, it's very good.) I've been moving the hose with the diffuser end under various trees (it has a flexible stake to push into the soil and is meant distribute water without spraying. It isn't a sprinkler.) This screen sat unfinished for a while so now the laundry is back in. Doesn't take long in this heat. I need to pick up around here now. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 23 Aug 11 - 11:17 AM The dishwasher needed running again, I hadn't done it for a couple of months, so I washed a load of dishes in it this morning. The aim in using any appliance now is to do it before it gets too hot out. The washer is the only thing with a timer, it would be useful on the dryer, on the hot water tank (I'd love to turn it off for several hours a day), etc. Back to work today after several days off. The semester starts on Thursday for me and for Moonglow. My son started back to classes yesterday. The next couple of weeks are dedicated to the last few days my boss is in the office, so I need to drive over more, and I need to bring things back from Dean's house to store here. This evening I'll put up shelves in the garage for the first few batches of things. How's it going for everyone else? Other than Kat and Morgan, is anyone else impacted by the new school year? SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 23 Aug 11 - 11:18 AM So...I found this interesting site that lets you log your walking, running or cycling miles. They have a map that shows you your progress across communities, states or even the country. It's a fun thing to keep you motivated. There are teams as well. If anyone is interested, I could make a team for us! Here's the link: http://exercise.lbl.gov/index.html;jsessionid=EBB8BE47D4AA304130A85040D3C491D4 Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 23 Aug 11 - 12:58 PM No M this morning, so I've done the dishes, swept the DR and kitchen and done 30 minutes of qi gong (that's first time in ages!) Sure felt good. One load of laundry dried and folded, put away, another to fold and one more to dry. SRS, we don't have timers on our washer and dryer, but I usually wash early in the morning, then we turn the dryer on just before we go to bed which is usually after 10/11p, so it *feels* as though we are helping the power grid.:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 23 Aug 11 - 01:21 PM My dryer is broke at the moment so I've been hanging everything on the line. I don't mind it really as the weather is still warm and I find it relaxing. However, the recent rain we've had slows me down a bit and things get backed up. I've put in a request for another line and am looking forward to when that happens! I did some rearranging in the kitchen and am loving the extra space. It motivates me to continue working out there! Another day at home for Jeremiah and I. He's learning his colors (not able to say them but can pick them out of a line up) and how to put toys IN the basket! :) We're having fun with that. When he's all done, we high five and he smiles the biggest smile...sooo proud of himself! Mommy is too!!! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: wysiwyg Date: 23 Aug 11 - 01:41 PM A "non-trad" uni student pursuing a science degree plans to move into a room here-- Friday-- and I am READY. YAY! So is the house!!! This person met ALL the criteria for sharing this wacky clergy-lifestyle and may, if it works for us all, be here for some time; she has just recently begun her academic program. A HUGE benefit to us is that we anticipate she will be able to house-sit and pet-sit when we need to be away overnight. She also fully supports our desire to keep this big-ole farmhouse livable! There are some big, sudden health challenges for a Chicago-area family member; I will appreciate good thoughts and prayers as I will probably be less available than usual for a bit. (But we do still have some guest space, TBTG!) I'm very thankful I've had these threads to keep me moving toward this LONGterm goal. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: ragdall Date: 23 Aug 11 - 04:31 PM Penny, Is the kitty still admiring your tits? S/he didn't have to see them to be attracted. They likely create a din that is music to a cat's eats. My neighbours' cat continues to cull the Pine Siskin flock of the slower, less alert, birds who glean seeds under the hanging feeders. I'm happy to see that the neighbours are letting her out at night now. I've been told that she is bringing home (dead) mice, which were probably also seed gleaners in my garden. Good kitty! rags |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 23 Aug 11 - 05:24 PM With all this strange, extreme weather happening on the east coast, I'm doing some cooking ahead today. Why? I imagine we will be having some power outages in the near future. If not, I'll have extra food to freeze...no biggie there! We will be able to cook on the grill but I HATE to handle meat if I can't wash my hands. It just makes me twitch. ;) Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 23 Aug 11 - 08:23 PM Sounds like the range of that earthquake on the east coast was quite large - sounds like a wide shallow one versus a hard local deep one? Good luck with the tenant, WysiwyG. I may be having a friend (or at least, his stuff) here for a while. I'll clear my sun room and make room in the garage for things not needing climate control. He's being foreclosed upon, they're selling his house on the courthouse steps on Sept. 6. I'll be bringing back stuff here every time I'm in town, and doing a lot next two weekends. This place isn't convenient for a commute, but it would be a safe place to stay in for a little while, catch his breath. I'm decluttering the contents of a computer drive that is in an external enclosure; this was a backup copy of what is on the old computer and most of it is moved into this. It'll be nice to have that out of the way and reassign it to something else. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: wysiwyg Date: 24 Aug 11 - 08:32 AM SRS, our friend is not a tenant, but thanks. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 24 Aug 11 - 08:43 AM ragdall, not seen the cat for a couple of days. And I have stapled some plastic trellis to the top of the gate and the fence and threaded it with twigs so it looks like an insecure obstacle. I don't know if it works or not, as I haven't seen anything trying it out, and no little footprints in the carrot bed. The cat may have been kept in, or given up after I glared at it on the green. Nor have I seen it next door, which is much easier to get into and also has a feeder. (Didn't see it there before, either.) It has had spells of being around with long gaps between. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 24 Aug 11 - 09:41 AM So much to do, so little time. Isn't that typical? This morning Susie and Zeke came to the house - the dogs played in the back and we looked at the state of my rooms for moving stuff so Dean can park household items here. I think instead of moving things into the front room I'm going to move things into my son's room and leave the front room as a nice civilized area if we need it for my friend. I'll leave the bedroom clear enough for moving around and sleeping, but it might be useful to have that front room as a second office if he stays here for a little while. I think he's going to try to stay as close to his workplace as possible, so this is a backup plan. On the financial decluttering end of thing, I've been entering my credit card receipts from the trip into Quicken. Ouch! It'll be my biggest goal this fall to pay these off as quickly as possible. This is my contribution to the kid to college enterprise. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: SINSULL Date: 24 Aug 11 - 10:13 AM Dorothy, thank you for the link. I will pass it on to Meg.For all their health problems her children are planning their lives - college, jobs, etc. And always happy. They are deeply religious (Catholic) and find support in their faith and church. SRS, your friend is lucky to have you. Our local homeless shelter has doubled its clientelle - mostly dispossessed families and not all local. I feel so lucky to have a home a job and a family to fall back on if need be. Started Weight Watchers on Monday. New program - all fresh fruits and veggies are free. Whoo Whoo. SINS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Bettynh Date: 24 Aug 11 - 11:45 AM It's probably passed time I jump into this thread. Declutter seems to be the theme of my life at present. I live in the house my grandfather owned and my father grew up in. It's a duplex, and as time passed, my mothes' mother and sister moved into the rental. When my (fathers' mother) grandmother moved to a nursing home, I moved in with my husband (now far away) and, eventually, twin boys. My (mothers' mother) grandmother died, my aunt moved out, and eventually, my parents moved back in. The attic, cellar, and garage are huge. NOBODY EVER THREW ANYRHING OF POSSIBLE USE AWAY. I suffered from the family disease of gathering stuff, too. I've been sorting and distributing STUFF for a couple years now, with yard sales every 3 weeks or so in good weather. It'll probably be another year or two before I actually see the end of it. I like the yardsales. My son helps me set up on a Saturday morning and comes back to haul in whatever didn't sell at 1 PM promptly, I advertise on Craigslist and there's a group of people who know what this house is and come to look for bargains and interesting stuff. Peoplewatching is the fun of it, and seeing things go to people who actually want or need this stuff. I do my homework, and I realize it's a yardsale, so the quarter table is huge and various, and I usually make about $70 or so just on small items. Selling a paper-thin teacup for a quarter is ok when it makes an obviously thrifty Spanish housewife happy (I broke the saucer myself, sob). Recemtly, it's been books and papers from the attic. OLD books and papers. Dad's letters from WW2 home, I'll keep and scan. I already scanned the letters from his parents. (Now to find the letters from my mother, I read them and "put them away"). A huge set of USA history, 1858, history of the world, 4 volumes,1865, and on and on. None are in great shape, but most are readable. They are listed on ebay for tens or hundreds of dollars, but I haven't paid to find out what they actually SOLD for. They're heavy, so dragging in and out for a yardsale is going to be a problem. Hmmmm. I've already sold off lots of greeting cards from the 20s on (my fathers' mother carefully put every card back in the envelope and kept them, who does that?). So that's my life at present, sorting, lugging stuff, and thinking about family. Today a pair of young men appeared at the door, asking about the old books. The thing is, I had originally listed them on my last Craigslist yardsale ad, then deleted them when I found more books, and figured I'd list them later. That Craigslisting also had today's date, a typo. They found the listing on yardsale.com, a site I never used. Maybe yardsale.com just clones Crigslist entries? Why didn't they list my updates? That's a little bit disturbing. Anyway, they were very polite, not rich, and very excited to see 4 volumes of bound classical piano music from 1908. I sold to them for $30, and I'm happy to think the music might be actually played. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 24 Aug 11 - 07:51 PM It's quite an education to learn about your family that way, Betty. It's more or less how I met many relatives, through their stuff, when some of my great aunts passed away. On a much more modest scale, this afternoon I took a couple of frozen lasagna casseroles (in foil in glass baking dishes) out of the freezer, popped them out of the glass and wrapped them up tightly in plastic and they're awaiting a meal later this fall. I'll make a few more before this summer is finished. It's so delightful to put that hefty block of home-grown-homemade casserole away for later. I'll slip a couple of pieces of paper under the plastic to note when they were made and the ingredients. We might get some rain this evening. There is a storm blowing through the region, though it looks like it'll pass south of me a bit. Humidity and no relief? We shall see. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 24 Aug 11 - 09:24 PM Lots of walking around in Ithaca, NY today. I found a new thrift shop that was F~A~B~U~L~O~U~S!!! Picked up some fall clothes for Jeremiah. :) Tomorrow, a new consignment shop has opened up in the area and I'm going to check it out! My Wee One is growing like CRAZY!!!! :) Night all. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 25 Aug 11 - 09:46 AM Get home before the nasty weather hits the east coast, Michelle! How far inland will the storm wander, do you suppose? We in North Texas are hoping for a deep-penetrating tropical storm one day soon, but your mileage may vary. :) Cleaned up the main clutter and put away clothes in my son's room. Ready to start moving in my eBay boxes and other stuff in so I can empty the sun room. It begins later today. It's also the first day of the semester, so it will be a juggling act. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 25 Aug 11 - 12:02 PM Working my way through a stack of papers on my office's secondary desk (where the laptop lives and charges.) And last time I headed to the kitchen for another cuppa tea I rearranged the fridge a bit, discarded a couple of things way past the shelf date. Little steps as I listen to occasional thunder. No rain, but at least the presence of clouds means the day might not get quite so hot. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 25 Aug 11 - 07:16 PM Have moved most of my flattened corrugated boxes into my son's room - for now on the bed, but soon, in a spot of their own under the window, I think. I'll evict a plant table (bought at a garage sale at a late friend's house last year), a dresser I'm going to convert into a buffet, the computer hutch, and the table in there. Might leave my shelves as mailing center until last - lots of piddly stuff to move on those shelves. Doesn't this feel like it should be a Friday? SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 Aug 11 - 10:57 AM Well now it is Friday and I definitely have a huge list of things to do today and over the weekend. I spent time last night looking for old high school classmates - I reminded them who I was, in case they needed it - it's nice that after 39 years one is remembered! I have a few new ones in my facebook friends now and will watch to see if there is a reunion next year. While the hurricane marches up the east coast drenching everything in sight we're hearing stories on NPR about people in Texas selling their dessicated livestock and going out of business. Now is the time to buy beef and put it in the freezer because next year there won't be as much available. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 Aug 11 - 12:56 PM Talking to myself today. Andrea, what's up with the rock work at your house? How are you able to use your various spaces while it's in limbo? Post photos, please! Kat, I heard about an earthquake in Colorado earlier this week. Did you feel it? Penny, are the cats staying out of the garden? Maryanne, are you still canning? Liz, are you sewing up a storm or pruning shrubs to be able to see your tits in the garden? :) September is just around the corner. And so is Secret Santa. Oh, my! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: SINSULL Date: 26 Aug 11 - 02:08 PM HMMMMM If I have a yard sale on Saturday and the storm blows everything away, am I obligated to chase it all down or can I just go back inside to my clean house? |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 Aug 11 - 03:01 PM Just don't let anyone see you step out onto your porch and pitch everything into the wind! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 26 Aug 11 - 10:07 PM Didn't feel anything on this side of the Rockies, SRS. I hadn't even heard of it until you mentioned it. This week has been very busy and we've still got the next few days filled with helping my brother move. No relief from the heat for another week or so and then it will still be high 80s, but I won't complain. That's lots better than high 90s and 100!Poor Morgan came home at 350p too hot to play with the dog. No a/c in the classroom and their fan didn't work. It was about 96-98 today. Take care all. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 27 Aug 11 - 09:48 AM I'm working on consolidating stuff in my garage this morning (after I check email and drink my cuppa tea!). Zeke and Susie were out so early that I was only heading out the back gate when they walked up the drive, so she came in for tea and the dogs played, then had breakfast together (such fun, to sit and wait for me to point at the food!) Susie is a retired art teacher who makes jewelry, including gorgeous glass pieces. I pulled out my beads and findings this morning - she is going to inspire me to finally start doing some of this work - I showed her some of the combinations I have in mind and she liked them (carnelian and turquoise, for example, or carnelian and jade). The garage will get more thorough attention this morning. I usually juggle what is already in there, but I'll pull out everything on one side and put things back the way they need to go to be more efficient with the space. You know how some low thing on the floor can tie up all of the space above it - I have a flat box of rocks that my brother collected in college - I love them, he may want them back one of these days - they're all going into a 10-gallon gardening tub today to take less space. That's an example. They could go outside also, but I don't want to lose track of them. Back in for lunch, air, whatever later. I'll hopefully be moving some of my friend's stuff today, getting that started for him. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 27 Aug 11 - 02:11 PM Back to the top. Garage is looking better. Lots of mouse activity evident so after sweeping a particularly dense area of droppings I came in and used the neti pot to clear out my sinuses. The dogs catch mice and rats, but no point in making a supply for them to hunt. I'll try to keep the corners a little less tempting for the rodent population. Any other decluttering going on this weekend? SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: SINSULL Date: 27 Aug 11 - 02:45 PM Does anyone else accumulate bags of clean clothing in the laundry area and lose track of what's in them.? I just went through three huge bags and found summer clothes I can wear and tons of stained and ragged stuff I held for wearing around the house. Trashed it! Another empty corner. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 27 Aug 11 - 06:31 PM Down over a pound this week which I am ecstatic about. I haven't been doing a great job and was fully expecting about a 6 pound gain. I was wrong! YAY! I had plans to attend an oncology camp for women this weekend and just as I was making one final trip into the house to make sure I had everything, the phone rang. Camp was canceled due to Hurricane Irene. It seems the camp sits back on 5 miles of gravel roads and they were concerned about the road washing out and downed trees. I will be able to attend another camp they are having in October...can't wait to go!!! I haven't done much decluttering this weekend...just the most very basic of chores. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 27 Aug 11 - 08:02 PM Dropped off my bag of recycling at the depot nearby, and they have a covered concrete "swap shop" area where I left my shop vac. The Goodwill isn't likely to want it - it doesn't have a hose and needs a new filter, but it works and has tools. Someone can use it. And that clears one little space in my garage. It is so hot out that I'm working indoors this afternoon and evening, but I'm going to see about driving over to help my friend do some packing tomorrow. Watching web cams in NYC - the charging bull below Wall Street is in the rain in the dark, very little traffic now, but lots of people in the rain at Times Square. They must be nuts - it's raining a lot harder now. There are various cams out there (if you search in Google you might find it useful to add "-sex" without the quotes to remove the live XXX cams that come to the top of the search.) I can feel the storm, almost, even though it is so hot and dry here. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 27 Aug 11 - 08:04 PM Skies have gone from beautiful pinkish gray to a dark gray in the matter of about 2 minutes...big dark clouds rolling in...everything is very still.... Stay safe everybody! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 28 Aug 11 - 01:48 AM It's pretty remarkable when hurricanes move in - I've seen that leading edge, a rounded "shelf" of clouds move over an area several times living here in Texas. Tonight I stuck with moving things around in the house. I rearranged my living room, putting the television on the raised hearth (it looks good) and moving the leather and rocker chairs in front of it. I've never had my sofa against the wall, but I moved it over to take a look and it makes for plenty of room for a coffee table and lots of clearance over to the dining room table on the other side of the room. I also rearranged my bedroom. It's one of those Chinese puzzle affairs - you must move things in such a way to leave space for other things so you can finally move objects to where you want them. I took out a small table and vacuumed lots of dust in the process. It looks better, and Kat, this is what I was talking about a while back when we discussed sleeping comfortably. Just like you wanted to have a dog in the house to be more comfortable, I find that if I can sleep on my right side (as I prefer) and can see the bedroom door, I rest easier. It just took finally deciding to do it. The house always feels more interesting after moving stuff so I should do it more often. Stay dry, everyone! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 28 Aug 11 - 11:20 AM I have arranged with my friend to go over to help on Tuesday evening. He'll have someone there with a pickup today and Monday, so on Tuesday I'll swing by after work and deliver another load of boxed stuff to the storage unit. Pacing himself is going to make this job move along. The higher heat is with us thru Monday, but by Tuesday it's supposed to be only up to 104o. Isn't that pathetic? "Only 104o." Today I must tweak the living room placement of things. I like the space as it appears now, but I think I can make it look better. Load of laundry washed overnight, I'll hang them on the line in a few minutes. I have another load to put in this evening. Sparing the electric bill by doing that overnight is my continual goal - I may keep it up after the heat breaks because it's just good practice. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 29 Aug 11 - 12:00 AM Well it's still me, talking to myself, but I don't like to see the thread drop off the page. Hopefully everyone is either having such a great time with family or so busy with decluttering that they're not sharing. I fixed a pleasant dinner, including pulling one of my very large home-grown Irish potatoes out of the bin to cut up and fry. That will last me about three meals. I love the idea of growing my own and having them keep so nicely. I know people around the world do this, but it's new to me. My next harvest, sweet potatoes, will have to "cure" for a week or two, drying out in a fairly humid setting (according to the web sites I looked at) and then can go in a bin. Last year I had four Irish potato plants; next year I can probably use my own seed potatoes and I'll grow twice that number. I've been reading about how to start my own sweet potato slips from this year's crop, so there is quite a continuity as you learn how to grow, preserve, and sprout or seed the next crop from what you save. I've cleared out more of the stuff in my sun room. I think my friend may not have to store stuff here, but just the same, it's time to work on that room. And if he has to come spend a few days, I want it to be an inviting space. My garage is looking a lot better also. Busy week coming up. Might be cause for a blue funk - my boss of the last 15 years is leaving the library to go back to teaching. He was simply the best boss in the world so this is a huge shift for all of us, and I was one who reported directly to him. The person appointed in the interim is also good, I have no fears there, but I'll miss my old boss terribly since he's also one of my best friends. So it may be a rough week. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 29 Aug 11 - 12:41 AM Will he be teaching in the same area, so you can keep in touch, maybe lunch once in a while or so? Good to hear the interim person is okay. Fifteen years is a long time to have a wonderful boss and working relationship, as well as friend. For once, all summer, the weather was wonderful this morning. We all went over to my brother's at 8a and the kids started loading up all the heavy stuff, except the piano. We had dark overcast sky with low-throated rumbling above the clouds all morning, far off lightning, then just as we got the last bit for the day done, it rained a bit. Not a lot, but enough that Luna came in wet with her beautiful white "socks" all muddy. She had so much fun all I could do was laugh. You're right, SRS, I feel much more calm with a dog in the house, again, even though she isn't the watch dog type. I know she will alert me,regardless. Rog had a side job up on the mtn, he had to go do, so the "movers" were Morgan and his parents and my brother. There's more, but it is manageable with him doing it himself, possibly in my car since it is bigger. I'll be glad when he is completely done and out of the old place. I've kept up the laundry and Rog put away the clean dishes, but that is about it. I have been steadily sending books out to request from the paperbackswap.com site. Also, will be sending out a box of classics to my son this week. Five of them are from a set my parents had. He's in the mood for reading such so they will have a good home. I am thinking of listing a few others, old, some newer, in a thread on Mudcat, "Free to Good Home." Nothing really special, but maybe someone might see something they'd like to read and I can pass it on. My goal is to empty the library truck/cart which will open up space in the DR where I have my desk. Last weekend, we moved an old wingback chair, which sinks in on one side of the seat, to the odl office out of our bedroom and put an upholstered arm chair in our bedroom which Rog uses as a clothes horse. The wingback is too heavy and right in front of the window I open for the cats, but I do like it. May have to figure a way to scoot it over, yet still have access to other things in the near space. SRS, when I was a girl, I used to draw out a rough diagram of my bedroom and where each piece of furniture would go and rearrange it about every 1-2 months. Part of it depended on the season and part on just liking that change. I kept that up as an adult, though not as much as I've grown older and more dependent on others to help. Now that Morgan is older, though, he has become a BIG help. He loves moving stuff around.:-) He was a trooper, today, did a great job and earned $10 + lunch from us and his parents gave him a surprise "bonus" for doing such a good job. It was neat to watch the three of them working as a family unit helping family. My daughter in CT said they haven't had too much rain, but lots and lots of wind. 91% of her town is without power. She was lucky, hers didn't go off until about an hour ago. Her beau is stuck in Essex where he works at least until sometime tomorrow, maybe longer depending on when the roads get opened. There are so many little roads which will be covered with downed trees. My thoughts go out to all who are in the dark and to the crews who are out there working to bring back some light. G'night, all. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 29 Aug 11 - 03:20 AM We've been having the sort of weather we get a few days after a hurricane over west of the pond! Wind and heavy rain, but not enough to bother about. I haven't done much in the garden though. I've emptied a couple of potato bags, and I'm not sure that the process of growing in them actually saves any money, from the number of tubers gathered. I'm working through the accounts for the flats for the accountant tomorrow - I was hoping it was the last year last year, but no. And I was hoping I'd found a buyer without going to an agent, but it turned out she wanted it to let out rather than live their herself, and I had already decided that as far as possible I would not sell to someone who wanted to do that. Lettings have led to trouble for my neighbours who just want it to be their home, close off the option for people who want to set up a home of their own, and leave all the work of running the company to a few people. It will cost me money to do it the other way, and take more time, but I can't really collude in something I think is wrong. Back to the accounts... but I'll hang the washing out first. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 29 Aug 11 - 11:54 AM Kat, he isn't leaving anywhere except work in the library. All along he has taught at least one class as semester in the evening, and taught an archive class he'll continue with in the library. He's taking a year sabbatical the returning to teach history and continue with his writing and such. Not losing touch at all, but just not having this great guy right there in the library all of the time. Moonglow picked up her new glasses today - I finally talked her into getting a new frame. I think she'd put new lenses in the old frames two more times after she got them new, and they were a bit wobbly. She's running around a bit down here, I'll get one more hug in before she heads back up to her house. We're all running errands these days and this week is just packed full of the increments that add up to big jobs getting finished. Penny, when I was selling my father's house as I finished his estate I had 2 offers, one from a woman who grew up at that beach a few houses up and one from a realtor who wanted it as an investment to rent out. He made his bid contingent that he would top any other bid by $1,000 going up to $25,000 above what he originally bid. I accepted the woman's bid and got a call one day from someone at the real estate office who was there to settle disputes. The bidding realtor felt that the folks handling my sale might have convinced me to ignore his bid so they could collect a larger fee. I explained to the realtor intermediary that I understood perfectly well who had what listed but frankly when dividing his $1000 four ways when the estate was settled it wasn't worth it to me to upset the neighbors who had lived near dad for decades. They knew and liked the young woman and would prefer someone to live there, not have it become rental property. It was just that simple. You don't throw the neighbors under the bus when you sell your property if you can avoid it. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: mouldy Date: 29 Aug 11 - 04:56 PM I'm still here, but nothing's been happening with the house for a while. This weekend has had a public holiday added to it, so I may see builders tomorrow. Some dressed stone has arrived, along with lintels, while I've been away at Whitby over the last week. The only de-cluttering of late has been my innards yesterday (stomach bug) but I'm okay now. I'll probably get the washing out of the way tomorrow. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 29 Aug 11 - 09:11 PM This morning I used the clothes dryer for the first time in many weeks. It actually looked like rain this morning (we felt a few drops of drizzle, no more) and I had to go out, so I used the hot box of air in the air conditioned house. After taking care of things at work I swung by my friend's house. So much to do in so little time, but he has been making headway. We took a load of stuff to his storage locker today and I brought home yard items - concrete planters (5) and two concrete bird baths. They'll live at my house for now, but if he decides in the future he has a place for them, his name is on them. Tomorrow we'll do the same kind of thing - move whatever is ready when I get over there. He has a potential for garage sale stuff, but I can't make him see it. I think over Labor Day weekend he should put stuff in the front yard and sell some of it, we can take turns helping at the sale or continuing to move stuff to the locker. I told him he should plan to leave some things at my house indoors because with this heat he shouldn't be leaving food items (canned goods) and some of his cooking things in that locker or out of reach. He is including eBay items in the locker - if it is easy to describe, easy to ship, and easy to store, he can do that to at least break even on the cost of the locker until he can unload it. Andrea, that kind of gut decluttering can come from so many places. I'm really leery of anything sweetened and of lettuce when I travel. No shredded lettuce on sandwiches (they use something to keep it from turning brown or wilting) and pre-sweetened things sometimes have nutrasweet. They have the same strong laxative effect on me - no fun. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: wysiwyg Date: 29 Aug 11 - 10:08 PM Been decluttering and not sharing. We both arrived home from a long and great vacay to hot-n-heavy work projects going "live," in Harid's case as he arrived and in mine a week before we arrived (TBTG for laptops!). We're back over a week and I have not begun to unpack, BUT the work items were exactly as I needed to find them and altho the office looks a mess, it is really just crowded-- not cluttered-- and I just need Adrian to add a few shelves. And I need to unpack the work stuff still in the van more than the vacay stuff-- except for the electric cooler I sent to my office to replace the mini-fridge a power surge seems to have taken out... Making room for a new housemate is always interesting, but this time around I had so little to move and I knew just where to put everything I moved as I cleared space for her convenience-- while marveling that 5 people used to happily share that one bathroom, or 35 one big-MudGather weekend, LOL. I throw away a lot more stuff than I used to. Plastic bottles can now go after 2 uses, not 20, when time is of the essence. The housecleaner is scheduled back for a date soon and I do not need to clean for her to clean, tho I will clean WITH her to get a big bang for our buck-- at least part of her time here. It's great to have a friend in a room I worked so hard to prep for a mystery occupant. ALL the prep has paid off, suits her perfectly, and the room is still gaining a few planned improvements with Adrian expected here this week. I spent so little for the HUGE help Adrian has been! At the time more than a few people thought I was nuts. Developments have borne out every choice I made, as I was pretty sure they would.... I do not need to know what will happen to know my judgment is sound, even when I have no idea of the eventual outcome. Gray hairs on a wiser head, maybe. I remember needing to know outcomes, not so many years back. I'm sure Faith also plays a role there. I do still have stuff to order, organize, and maximize, but I am tickled at where we are and to be able to finally have things running just about right about here. And PT is GREAT!!! So is mountain scootering! ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 29 Aug 11 - 10:21 PM Finally figured out how to reduce number of emails!!!!! There were over 900 yesterday as I had not been on since Friday night. Just deleting quickly took several hours. Enough!!!!! Cannot find the important ones. So I cancelled a whole group. Should get it down to a manageable #. There is decluttering and there is throwing away a couple dumpsters full of history books! A story told by a friend, and we were just as upset. "No one" wanted them?? Running two households is challenging. Forgetting to bring back - foods that might spoil. Forgetting to take stuff for breakfast, at least. But I do remember to turn off the hot water heater. Even if I go back down in a couple days, the water is still warm. And it only takes 3 hours to be hot enough for a hot bath. And I am still sorting out what i have and what I need in pottery supplies. another trip to the supply house tomorrow. A new circuit breaker for the kiln as the old one failed and the kiln load did not fire. R installed it but I did not have time to re-fire it yet. The storm brought down two not very big branches in our yard No damage! No loss of power. Still working on info for SPCA. Just need to do a final edit and google translate. Then work on a press release on how to keep critters out of homes, garbage, etc. Terrific fun meeting with a "raccoon couple" from NYS on Saturday. They came up into Quebec and we talked non-stop for over two hours before they had to get back to their critters. We had gotten to know the wife on line - on raccoon rehab sites - over the last few months. Next time in their territory. Fall is here. Tomatoes are finally producing. Finally refinishing the 100 year old front door (removed) in this nice cool weather. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: LilyFestre Date: 29 Aug 11 - 11:57 PM Went for a walk with my beautiful baby boy today. He can do a quarter of a mile all by himself!!! :) Walking WITH him instead of him in the stroller is much more interesting and now that I know he can do small distances, we'll be going more often! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 30 Aug 11 - 09:18 AM Michelle, I found some cute chest harnesses that zip up the back with long cords at Sears (yes, you could call it a baby leash) that gave my kids the freedom to walk on the ground on their own but I had the straps in case I had to pull them out of harms way, or wanted to be sure they stayed on the path. They were happier walking than being carried, and I could give them a little freedom (within the range of the harness) to meander. Here it is. Sears doesn't seem to have it in stock any more. Amazon might. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: mouldy Date: 30 Aug 11 - 05:26 PM We call 'em reins over here. Wonderful things! No builders today. matbe tomorrow.... Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 31 Aug 11 - 12:00 AM What a day. Finished a banner, the image wasn't as clear as I hoped, but it was there. Moved stuff from Dean's house to my garage for a garage sale. Lots more, but I'm bushed! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Penny S. Date: 31 Aug 11 - 02:57 AM Thanks for the backup, SRS! It halps to know there are others who think as I do. Yesterday I went over the river (Thames) to Essex where the guy doing our accounts has his office, and tried to do some shopping that needed to be there (the crossing costs £3), but there wasn't much to do that made sense of the journey. I also did some more book sorting in my study. I have historical resources sorted out in chronological order up to the 18th century, and am now adding in religious history as well, which involves quite a bit of juggling. Penny |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 31 Aug 11 - 12:10 PM It sounds as though you have a wonderful library, Penny. I've got five books wrapped and ready to mailed to Mudcatters, plus a box with about 12 books in it to go to my son. I think I will have the library truck empty by the weekend and will be able to move it out. One load of laundry done and in dryer, one in the wash and one mre to go. This is early release day for Morgan and it is supposed to get to 96 today, so won't get much done in the afternoon. I observed a special exercise class for people on O2 at the life center, yesterday. I think it and one other will be doable for me, so will start next week on Tues. and Thurs. Two hours in the morning. It's a salt water, heated pool with a hot tub adjacent! My docs and I agree the exercise machines at where I've been going have been hard on my different parts, aggravating old injuries and/or bringing up new ones. I continue with qi gong as it suits with no pain or injuries after. I'd quit losing weight after my brother's b-day party, but am back on track, now. His move is over which helps! Don't need any more of that stress! kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Tinker Date: 31 Aug 11 - 02:29 PM Okay I am going to check in here at least until I finish cleaning up from Hurricane Irene. Sixteen inches of water in the basement when you prepped for 12 is still a mess. I'm losing steam (I started preparing a week ago and it's been full steam since) I just found out it will be a week before I can get my hot water heater and furnace looked at I'm on standbye for a cancellation. Because of my boys autoimmune issues everything has to be cleaned to prevent molding....so I'm getting silt off of basement floors and bleaching them today. Luckily the dryer was under less water (finished area on platform and started right up) so I can at least clean up the few things that did get wet. Later today I'll take a break and post a few photos.... |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 31 Aug 11 - 06:13 PM Tink, you might find THIS helpful. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Tinker Date: 31 Aug 11 - 10:54 PM Okay here's what I started with on Sunday.... Soggy Sunday views By Monday the waters were sinking fast even though the pumps (and all other electric) were still out of comission. Monday -- no power, but elbow grease Tommorrow I'll add a few views of how far I've gotten. This actually makes me feel better .... I've made a pretty big dent. |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 31 Aug 11 - 11:26 PM There's nothing like a hurricane or tornado make a cleanup job a lot more complicated, is there? Tinker, good luck with all of that, and I hope the mold and fungus don't become a health issue. Today I bid adieu to my boss of the last 15 years and his secretary who I have also worked with for the last 15 years. She retired, he is going back to teaching. After our lunch (it was great, and he and his wife brought their 6-week-old grandson who he slept through the entire meal!) I headed over to help my friend at his house. There I cleaned up the kitchen - it was a godawful mess, I think they were giving up on dishes since they have to move, but unless you can clean it all you can't sort and pack and stage that part of the move, so I washed everything one from one end of the counter to the other, and then packed a couple of important "apartment starter boxes" for his kitchen. A couple of skillets, of deeper pans, of baking sheets, racks, utensils, and later we'll figure out what plates and dishes he wants to start with. As he is ready he can bring more stuff in from storage or sell it. During a break he handed me a box of costume jewelry picked over by his sisters and aunt at the time of his mother's death - remarked that they left him all of the costume jewelry. I poked through it and set aside enough small gold pieces and chains that when we took it over to the gold exchange near his house he received enough for the first month's rent in an apartment - something that had really worried him. Needless to say, he was ecstatic at that part of my visit! There are several friends who will be helping tomorrow, and I have work to finish up for a coworker, so I'll be there in the afternoon if it isn't too hot so the dogs can stay out. I don't want the dogs in the house alone (and Zeke came down for a few days while his family attend to chemo then a few days with their son at his time-share.) Whew. Time to kick back. It's still really hot, low 100s, so a shower is next on my list of things to do for me. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: katlaughing Date: 31 Aug 11 - 11:34 PM Wow, Tink, is that a pet snake?*bg* Those are some shots...I hope the clean up goes well and echo SRS about the mold, etc. We lived on a property in CT, a junior executive's house, which had "wetlands" all aruound it, including a pond. We had to wipe the walls down about once per month to keep up with the m&m. It was quite an experience for a lil' ol' gal from Wyomin'. Great pix of newspaper reading, btw!:-) SRS, you are doing such great work for your friend. He's fortunate to have you as a friend. That's wonderful about the gold pieces! For the first time all summer, that I can recall, even though it got in the 90s, I didn't feel so drained in the afternoon because it was overcast and had rained a bit the night before. OUr swamp coller is not adequate, so the house has been warming up to about 80/81 by afternoon when I retire to the bedroom with the a/c. Today, it only got to 77 and I was comfortable with just a fan as long as the swamp cooler was on high. I did keep the dryer off, so the last load is only now getting dried. The other two loads are folded and in our bedroom waiting to be put away. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: SINSULL Date: 01 Sep 11 - 09:09 AM ServPro, Tink. Black mold is a bitch. Bleach does not kill it. And it is too dangerous to mess with. So sorry you have that mess to deal with. My basement flooded a few years back when the power went out and the pump shut down mid-Nor'easter. A disgusting mess especialoly when three kitty litters overturned and sloshed everywhere. Yuck. And despite my best efforts black mold set in in the walls. Had to be removed. Meantime, my decluttering efforts are paying off. I can actually see improvement. whoo whoo |
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Subject: RE: BS: August 2011 Declutter & exercise reports From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Sep 11 - 04:31 PM September 2011 awaits our industry and reporting! SRS |
