Declutter & Fitness November 2011

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Dec 11 - 01:23 AM

December 2011 thread.

Go for it, Michelle! If you can feel it you probably got in plenty of steps, even if they weren't measured.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: GUEST,LilyFestre
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 10:37 PM

Lots of walking here today....sure wish I'd worn my pedometer so I'd know just how far I went!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 06:39 PM

I was just preparing to walk the dogs when the phone rang - a friend is flying from Michigan to DFW to Seattle, and there are 2 hours in DFW. I've racked my brains and finally found a place where I can pick up a couple of personal pizzas and drinks and take them out there so we can talk at the airport and not have her miss her flight. Nice! I was going to do grout, but that can wait another day.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 01:08 PM

I think the best way not to gain holiday weight is to not listen to people who do not understand your particular metabolism..and there is lots of unhelpful advice..if you have metabolic syndrome/insulin resistance..and if you are overweight with weight kept in the middle you most likely are...you need to work with it. They will always tell you you can have anything you want, just small amounts. Small amounts will trigger your insulin rush if they are high-carb, so you will want more and more. If you don't have this problem, (a) you probably are not overweight and (b) you can eat carb treats in small portions.

So best to eat a good meal in advance of a party and if you have insulin resistance, go with the meats, cheeses, vegetables, dark chocolates, nuts, vegetables, etc. Even a small amount of high-fat ice cream is better than cookies. I would avoid everything with white flour period at events, and bring your own treats if you are worried...mg

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 12:56 PM

How To Avoid Holiday Weight Gain from the Huffington Post. Some helpful tips there, and not just for over the holidays.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 12:19 PM

My morning started off with a whiz bang when Morgan came through the door at about 7:15 AM. We knew he was coming as he needed a ride to school, but it's always so nice when he hasn't started out rushed at home and is feeling so happy. He had some toast and fruit smoothie with me then he decided he would write some songs on the keyboard. Isn't very intrigued with the movie Amadeus which we've been working our way through. he's got so many questions about the times, actions, and characters, that we have several "stop and discuss" moments, so it's taken some time for us to watch it.

This morning, he decided that for each song he played that I really liked, he would earn a little bit of money from the can we keep change in. He'd placed something, then ask if I thought it was worth $.20-$.30, etc. I think you mean about a dollars worth in the 10 to 15 min. he was doing it. :-)

After Roger and he left, I went into my sanctum and gave thanks and meditated. After that, I did about 30 min. of qi gong.

SRS, I use a videotape, actually two DVDs, I alternate them. They are both from Lee Holden who has been on PBS for years, during fund-raising, when they give his DVDs as gifts for donations. The three DVDs that I have of his, all have music which I really like, it's very unobtrusive. On two of them, you can choose whether to hear just the music or have the music and his voice instruction together. I like hearing his explanations of how each movement effects the body and his gentle reminders to deep breathe and blow it out. I also incorporate a little tai chi I learned years ago. The DVDs I have are: Qi Gong For Beginners, Qi Gong for Seniors, and Qi Gong for Weight Loss. That last one is quite vigorous and a bit much for me at the moment. They are all good, in my opinion. The one for seniors includes his mother sitting on a chair to demonstrate how it can be done thus.


SRS, I do have to tell Dragon Naturally Speaking punctuation I want, but I have not explored the program completely. I think it may have an auto punctuation function. I've noticed sometimes it doesn't capitalize the first letter of a new sentence, but if you write a word or it writes a word for you and you want it capitalized all you have to do is say "cap that" and it will do it.

The main thing I've noticed is it works much better if I slow down and enunciate. The only complaint I have about the software at all really is I have been unable to watch the tutorials as the program tells me I'm missing some component. I've downloaded several times, the component that is, and went round and round with their help people and it was still never dealt with to my satisfaction. But I'm the type that just jumps in and mucks around and figures things out as I do it, so it suits me. There is a neat function if it just can't get a word that you're speaking: all you have to do is say "spell that" and a box opens up with choices of what it thinks you said which you can choose from or you can spell it in the box and train it, at that point, to how you say the word so that it gets it next time. All in all, I think it is well worth the money spent.

Andrea, it's good to hear that at least some things are getting done. It must be terribly frustrating to have to be there all day and basically twiddle your thumbs. Soon though I'll bet you'll be extremely busy and it will feel so good.

See you all later,
kat

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 09:49 AM

Andrea, is there anything you can do to prepare for moving into the new area? When you unloaded cupboards and drawers and such did you sort out what was moved or will you have to declutter as you put it back? Maybe now is when you can sort out what won't go in the cupboards? (This is akin to stuffing everything in boxes when you have to move then sorting it out when you get to the new house and giving away or doing a garage sale for the stuff you really didn't want to keep.) Just a thought.

I'm zeroing in on clear kitchen counters - on the peninsula there are more ripening tomatoes in a bowl and peppers didn't get cut up yet, but other surfaces are just about perfect. I'm also clearing my big dining room table and aiming to take boxes of paper to the library this week to donate to Special Collections. I've made slips of cardboard and dated them from 1958 forward and filing these things. I looked up one randomly and find that it is priced at about $75 on eBay. I have dozens of these things. I'll need to keep a lot of records to document why I'm claiming a tax deduction for this stuff.

The next bag of grout awaits my attention, and that's also this week. Busy days here!

Kat, when you do qi gong do you have a DVD or tape you use to follow, or have you worked out a routine via classes that you do now? Is it silent or do you use music?

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 07:58 AM

The joiners have been working since yesterday. No plumber, but the electricians have got lights working, and should be back tomorow. The main one said he may come on saturday to lay the new cable from the box at the front of the house (and put a new box in). Meanwhile, the tiles are on behind where the showers will be. They need grouting, but the plumber should be able to get things in.

Slowly, it's coming together. One week from now, I have the flooring being fitted. That should be interesting.

I'm getting very frustrated at not really being able to get on and do anything, and I bet it will show on the scales tomorrow evening. At least I have my belly dance class tonight, but having to hang around here during the days is not doing me any good!

Andrea

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 10:50 PM

I had a small (1.5 lb) pot roast in the freezer that is now dinner for the next couple of evenings. This week the kitchen is clearing out as I continue the garden harvest wrap-up. The sauce yesterday dispatched a bunch of tomatoes and small eggplants off the counters. I have to cut up a bunch of green bell and jalapeno peppers next and who knows, I might hear an echo in there. :)

The dogs got baths tonight, and are happily curled up on the futon in the front room. Last winter was so bad that they had to stay in the house for about a week and this was their place to hang out, so they're determined to head for it in cold weather now. They are clean, the next move is to put a couple of extra heavy sheets over the top and keep the dog hair off of the mattress and pad themselves. They're both getting older, so I think there will be more time in the house anyway (Cinnamon is at least 7 1/2, and Poppy is a little younger than that.) I have to also address a bookcase in there, one I built years ago that is now full of (gulp!) old VCR tapes. I haven't looked at them in ages, but I need to convert them to DVD still.

Kat, aside from the occasional "Dick manipulation," when you speak into that Dragon software, do you have to tell it periods and commas? How much punctuation do you need to spell out?

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 08:22 PM

SRS, what a neat thing to do with your kids. My dad passed away on this day in 2004. Maybe on Sunday morning, I'll surprise Roger and make baking powder biscuits from scratch in memory of my dad. He would do that on a Sunday morning quite often and Rog loves it when I make them.

Probably most of you have already heard over on Facebook, but I forgot to mention here that my book, WindWords of Wyoming, first published in 2004, is now officially available as an e-book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and soon, Google books and Kobo books. Seems like it took forever but really the folks at BookBrewer did a great job and once they told me they'd sent it out it only took a couple or three days for it to become available on the websites. I'm looking forward to finishing up with Prairie Child now so it will be an e-book first, then I'll have them go ahead and do the PDF for an actual paper copy which will then become available. I'll probably do the same thing with WindWords.

Had a wonderful osteopath Dick manipulation (LOL, I have to leave that typo by the voice recognition software, too funny!) Anyway, I had a really good session with my friend, the osteopathic physician. She did a lot of very healing good work on my hands and forearms especially. She pronounced my right wrist sprained and popped a few things back into place.

I managed to clear off a pile of paper from my desk yesterday and have done a couple of loads of laundry, paid some bills, and was on the phone, off and on, for about two hours, today, making sure certain reports and papers were fielded to the right people. I feel for anyone who cannot stay on top of things when it comes to their own healthcare.

One thing about doing the qi gong every morning in the living room is I notice all of the dust, ugh, and all of the pet hair, ugh. More motivation, i.e I have energy to clean after qi gong!

My goal this week is to do the qi gong in the morning Monday through Friday. So far so good. Might have to do it a different part of the day on Friday due to morning appointments but so far it feels great. Just knowing I'm reporting to you all really helps me to feel motivated. Thank you.

kat

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 05:52 PM

Designing a document for Friday and I just researched how to install new fonts. I've been meaning to do this for a while.

It looks chilly outside, though it is almost 60. I need to move around more to both get exercise and to stay warm, but that means stopping what I'm doing to do something else. (I did in fact just get up, put the kettle on for a cup of tea, and while it heated I went out to the greenhouse and took the branches of basil off of the drying line). The dogs are going to get a bath when my work day is finished, so they smell sweeter for the nights they spend indoors. That's less exercise and more a way to bend in odd directions).

Two things to finish, and then on to dog washing. Pot roast defrosting so I can make it tonight with carrots and potatoes as a break from the turkey (to pace myself). Lunch today was turkey fajita burritos. (I wrapped the mix, folded in the ends, and fried the tortillas till crisp.)

I'm thinking about holiday gifts to make for people. I am hoping my daughter will come over (my son also, if he will) on xmas eve to help cook her Abuela's empanadillas as a gift for her dad. Last year we did that and he had enough to freeze for later. This year the gift will be broader - I'll teach the kids to make these and we can all give them to their dad. Abuela died a year ago next week, so we need to carry on with the foods she always fixed for them.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 04:27 PM

I'm between-prescriptions for PT.

In the interim I am doing two things: noting what I can do now that I could not do before PT (they have a chart used for this), and increasing my volunteer activities (very carefully).

In that latter regard I stopped by a local NP to register with their vol. coord., and noted how the layout of the place would be "handleable" with (and without) mobility aids. I also spent some time thinking and feeling my way thru, "How might this vol. job affect me emotionally?"

And I was glad I had, because there is enough stress right now. But it still added up to a good vol. opp., so I am looking forward to it as an all-weather, no-pressure, FUN, non-verbal thing in line with past volunteering I have done. (winwinwinwinWIN!)

As to the new can-do's: administering flea meds from a position I could not here-to-fore maintain without pain. I also know which muscles I used, how they flexed differently than before, how much stronger they were, and what else it means I should try to do. Handy to know, because I see doc tmrw for new PT scrip possibilities. I think that I can now move to 2x/week dry/wet PT with the new vol. job to putter with.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 12:10 PM

Well, the pound I thought had gone yesterday was back this morning... I did think three in fours days was a bit unlikely.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 11:18 AM

qi gong - thirty minutes, followed by meditation, now classical music...lovely

Since I go out only one or twice per week, there won't be so much temptation, food-wise for me, as for those of you who are out and about with jobs, etc. (I had to smile when I read your "three-bite rule" SRS. I've used that since Morgan was little to get him to eat his food. He'd take two bites, then want to go play, etc....still "chomping at the bit" sometimes...so I still occasionally use the three bite rule...he takes three more bites and then is excused. They can be as big or little as he wants.) It's what we bring in I have to watch for. We don't go in for anything in a big way, so it will be not eating all of the potatoes, cranberries, and pumpkin pie, up in too short of a time for me.:-)

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 10:21 AM

Michelle - We cross-posted. I missed whatever happened to your computer? I hope you get it back with all of your data in place!

I need to get myself out to exercise also - the cold air makes my eyes water (we talked about this last year - I need goggles). I have to walk when the days are warmer and find a pair of Rx goggles.

Next month is probably one of the most difficult for not gaining weight. If we can encourage each other to be very careful about the snacks so we don't lose ground, that might be the best thing we can do for each other. Maybe we need a "three bite rule" or something (is there some strategy out there already that any of you knows of?) so no one feels deprived, but so we're not doing measurable harm to our good health and weight loss intentions. And we need to keep getting exercise despite the weather. I have VCR tapes I should burn to DVD and use indoors when the weather is yucky. Does everyone have something like that to help? Michelle, if you put in Sesame Street songs and dance with Jeremiah you'll be ahead of the game and he will love it. I have several tapes of songs I taped from the program so we could dance to the tapes.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 10:09 AM

Dorothy, you have such adventures of an artistic sort! That household sounds like a wonderful discovery. Freda, we forget it's summer there and you probably had a wonderful warm stroll. We're into cold weather finally, and dry, so my sinuses are protesting. I need to get more humidity into the house.

This morning as I waited for the kettle to boil I decided to take a few minutes and trim freeze damage in the garden. All of the summer crops are gone, and once pruned down to soil level the winter garden is revealed - beautiful blue-green broccoli and cabbage, along with various hardy herbs and my bay tree that is finally growing. Asparagus doesn't seem inclined to die back yet (it's closest to the house and the heat pump, which probably generates some heat outside also). It's lovely out there - I'll take time at lunch to haul the cuttings back to the compost and reveal the tidy garden area to those walking by in the street. A good vegetable garden isn't just produce, it is also very pretty!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: GUEST,Lilyfestre
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 10:06 AM

Kat,

I would love any beads that you are wanting to get rid of!! YAY!!! I'll send you a PM when I get my own computer back...which may be in a week or so.

I did a lot of dishes yesterday, finished making the turkey soup (had to wait for all the fat to be cold enough to skim off) and did some vacuuming....which really means spending a bit of time picking up toys and shoes first. By the time Pete got home, Jeremiah had his toys all out again (which I expected). It's amazing how even with a good deal of his toys tucked away in my office, he can STILL make our living room look like Toys R Us has exploded in there!!

I did some budgeting this morning and plan on working out some new menu items for the next trip to the grocery store.

SRS...I really like that you will ask Kat how her activity is going if she isn't posting for a bit...would you do that for me too please? I'm not doing so hot in that department lately.

My check ups with the oncologist have been spread out a little further apart now and I'm finding myself feeling a bit anxious and wondering about every little twinge. I know that's normal and to be expected but it sure is annoying. I have about 3 more weeks until my next check up. I wish it was today. :/

It's hunting season here in PA and folks are out driving VERY SLOWLY along our road. It's a rainy, windy day which means many of them will be hunting from their trucks...illegal....but it happens quite a bit. Pete already had to chase 3 folks off our land early this morning.

Have a great day everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: freda underhill
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 06:32 AM

Last night and tonight - met friends to walk around Sydney Harbour (not ALL the way round) - what a lovely way to get some excercise!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 11:58 PM

R managed to get to the cafe with me on Friday - first time in a while. Saturday, we took a car load of tires to a special recycling in the township and visited the goat farm so R could see the barn and he got to talk with the husband/contractor about buildings and such. We got an old freezer arranged as a place to store clay and glazes through the freezing weather - with a lightbulb for heat. But we put it outside and I think we need to put it inside - next time he is down. The weather is not too bad yet.

Then went to concert on Saturday night. Sunday he slept in - much needed. I made cran/apple sauce with the last of maple syrup - yummie. I loaded greenware in kiln and put it on low overnight to finish drying. Came back to city and he phoned about a truck - from list I collected on Kujiji Friday. Off we went to see the one he had chosen - THEN he tells me it is an hour and a half from Montreal! It's an adventure! Up toward Quebec City - interminably! Then off the highway for 10 km - oops - 10 km in the OTHER direction. Then ten km down an obscure -- "Is this road dirt?" "No, I think it is paved!" Good thing we had made a pit stop at a McDonald's and had a bite to eat.

I waited in the car, working on computer, while he inspected truck - until ----I needed the facility! Realized as I walked toward house that there were two women on the other side of that picture window. And entered a beautifully, creatively renovated old quebec house. So we chatted. One woman spoke English fluently; the other worked at it. We had wonderful conversation and eventually the men came in and we talked more and they looked at my slide show of "our" raccoons and listened to my son's music. There was a marvellous "violin" on the wall - created out of pieces of wood gleaned from the forest, and seaweed. Trudi said she will send me pics of her other work. I would love a guitar for my son; I think he and his wife would accept that into their very minimalist home. Their home is a terrific example of non-cluttered.

We arrived home at 9 pm and had an early night! Today, I bought a small kiln, with furniture, in new condition for a very low price, and took it down to the country. This helped the seller de-clutter! I managed to get it out of the car onto the top of rolling counter - by using wood to lever and slide it. There it shall stay until I have help. Did a bisque firing and came back. 35 mugs did not fill the kiln - 50 would, so now I know. Tomorrow I will go do the glazing and firing.

I do not have any pics of my pottery other than two very old ones on FB page (open to the public). Now that I have figured out how to download from my phone, maybe I shall take some.

I need to get R to put the large kiln we bought onto his website for sale. I really did not want one that big but the stubborn Scot bought it anyhow. It is definitely CLUTTER! I need it out of the studio.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 11:51 PM

I have a big pot of my tomato and eggplant sauce simmering right now (Lidia's of Italy has the recipe - simmered summer sauce I think she calls it.) These tomatoes were pulled off the vine after our frost so I can't can them, I'll have to freeze this sauce. I'll cool it overnight in the fridge and pick up some plastic freezer containers tomorrow. I hoped to get some of the take out containers from my ex, but he recycled the last batch.

The big event at work we're preparing for is the Friends of the Library meeting on Friday. I got them to book Jed Marum this year, and I hope he knocks their socks off! :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 11:44 PM

qi gong this morning, thirty minutes, all standing, no using the chair...glad about that!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 09:46 AM

Andrea, getting things done in the right order is important, so be seen to hover as you keep an eye that no shortcuts are taken. They aren't the best practice you're looking for.

The ironic thing about my floors is that once they're finished they'll vanish. Front door hall (you can see where I ran out of grout last night) and bathroom hall. It's difficult to see the color but it's a dark green with gray and brown, making it look like a weathered greenish stone. I need to go over both of these areas with a sponge mop a couple of more times to get that film from the grout off. That goofy rounded step has vertical cut tile and that will be one of the last things I grout as I go over the edges and side of that step. I hadn't placed the cut tiles on the left side of the front door hall because I hadn't finished the fancy cuts (freehand and taking out notches or making curved edges).

I worked through several pair of vinyl gloves because grout is pretty hard on the skin. My body is feeling the ache of odd kneeling and scrubbing positions.

It's really cold this morning (froze the rest of the garden this time) so I need to once again think about finding a pair of bicycle or aviator goggles. My eyes tear up in the cold. I've talked about this before, but now that I have someone to walk with I don't want to keep bailing because the weather is cold. Watery eyes are such a nuisance so I need to do something.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 06:35 AM

Well, the electrician has been laid up in bed all weekend with a cold, so Ali must have seen his partner's van in the village. He is coming tomorrow. The joiners went last week to build a flat-pack wardrobe which turned out to be a full Ikea bedroom. They will be here later today, or tomorrow for sure. The tiling should start tomorrow too.

And surprise of surprises - the plumber's here! He is fitting valves to shut off all unconnected pipes, and may be able to get the boiler fired up by using an extension cable...if he does, I will be able to (carefully) get a bath! However, even if he doesn't, once the sparky has done his bit, all will come together. He has, however, got a LOT of work to do!

Andrea

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 05:47 AM

I have now lost another pound. That makes 3 in four days, which is not likely. So, either I have a set of duff scales, or a tapeworm which pushes what it ingests into a parallel dimension.

I have failed to buy a knitting frame on an ebay auction, but found a buy it now one for less!

I have watchers on my odd items, including a set of 8 wooden cubes, refugees from a school lab where they must have been used to test density! I did not expect these to attract any attention. No-one interested in the really good item, a pocket microscope.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 01:26 AM

I'll report more tomorrow - I looked in a couple of times today but I seem to be checking things on Mudcat often enough that I seem to be hovering here. It's good to see more variety in postings.

I finished the grout in one main hall, a few touch-up spots, and started on the second main hall. I used up a bag of grout and stopped there. I have another bag in the garage I'll bring in this week.

This evening I was sorting those playbills that I want to finally take to work this week as a donation for my taxes. I've done some online pricing as I box them up. Very interesting, and some quite high priced.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 11:25 PM

Thank you, Michelle. I have seen the importance of what I call benign neglect when it comes to letting children play and create on their own in a safe way, of course. My daughter once told me she counts on me to give him the artistic creative background that she knows is so important. That sure made me feel good. Would you like a donation of beads? I have some that I'm not using and I know I need to go back in the jewellery room and go through them. If you're interested in a "grab bag" please let me know. I know choosing beads can be a very personal thing, so no worries if you'd prefer not.

Andrea, I've got my fingers crossed for you. May all the workmen report to your doorway post-haste and finish up now!

SRS, using the voice-recognition program really saves the pain in the hands especially my right hand and wrist. I foolishly threw the ball for 30 min. straight for the dog about a week and a half ago, without support for my wrist. I've been paying for it for the past week or so. I get to see my girlfriend osteopath on Tuesday and it is feeling better. This program really does help.

Also thank you, for understanding about the accountability re' exercise.

Roger did the Thanksgiving dishes today, while I worked on printing out four 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper which spelled out

"INDY 500,
1,372 miles that'a way"

with a big arrow pointing east. I made two sets of these and taped them on some real estate sales type signs which each had iron posts to push into the ground. I didn't want to do that because it would have to be outside our fence and I knew some kids or whoever might pull them out and destroy them. So, Roger and Morgan took the two signs taped together, so that each side had an arrow pointing to the east, with the message, and taped them up high at the top of the pickets of our fence at the end of the driveway. That way the signs are visible from both directions.

Since July, a major road about a half a mile from us has been closed with the majority of the traffic being routed down our little two-lane, old street with no sidewalks. The traffic has increased, it seems tenfold, and when the drivers reach our part of the street, it's a straight stretch, so a lot of them gun their engines and go hell-bent for leather. Sitting on the front steps and yelling at them to slow down takes up too much time and is counterproductive as well as could be dangerous. The county has brought out an electronic speed counter and set it up a couple of times. That slowed the folks down for a little while, then they got used to it and didn't pay any attention. When I told the traffic guy my idea about the sign, he laughed and said something about maybe using humor would get across to some of these folks in a better way. I hope so. They do all seem to think they are running a race, i.e. the Indy 500! The project is supposed to be done by November 30, but I don't see any evidence of that yet.

That's about it for the night. I've lost 7 pounds over the past month. Gained a pound after Thanksgiving, but I think it was just water weight. It's gone again, yippie!

The only thing I've noticed about the VOC is it really slows me down, but I guess I better just be happy without speed typing. Good thing I didn't try to do NaNoWriMo this year with it; it would've taken me forever to get 50,000 words, well, that is if I'd ever gone back to proofread! :-)

kat

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: GUEST,Lilyfestre
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 04:20 PM

So glad to hear that everybody is taking steps forward, that always feels great! SRS....can you post photos of your tile job? I can't wait to see!!!

And Kat...I love that you are so much a part of Morgan's life and that you encourage him to be creative and follow his own talents!!!

Andrea...I don't blame you for being frustrated with your electrician. We've had that happen every once in awhile and it gets old really fast. Is your builder contracted with these particular electricians, if not..I'd be making phone calls to a few other companies that might be interested enough in the job to actually show up!

DP....I would love to see photos of your pottery too...I LOVE pottery and would have everything here that way if it was feasible!!! I'm especially fond of bowls. My mom pokes fun at me as I seem to have a thing for B words: Bowls, blankets, beads, books and bags!! What can I say? I love them all!!!

Thanksgiving here was small but lovely. We had a traditional Thanksgiving with turkey, stuffing, etc and then played cards afterwards. It was a healthy meal too with the exception of the pumpkin pie which has a cup of heavy cream in it. I enjoyed cooking this year and it seems I'm enjoying cooking more in general too. At the moment, I have turkey broth cooling in the fridge after cleaning the meat from the bones and bowling the bones for a few hours. Veggies are all chopped, cleaned and ready to go in the soup once the broth cools and I can skim off the fat.

I have a sitter all lined up on Wednesday to go to yoga which I am really looking forward to!!!

I did do some shopping on Black Friday although I didn't go out in the middle of the night as I had intended. For whatever reason, I got sick in the early morning hours on Friday. I was worried that I had done something wrong with the Thanksgiving meal and that others were also going to be sick but that wasn't the case. Not sure why I got sick but it passed and I went shopping later in the day. I think that was a better option anyway as the crowds weren't bad, parking was easy and lines were really short. YAY. The biggest deal for me was at JCPenneys where I purchased new clothes for Pete...not as a gift but rather because he just needs some!! I spent $131.00 and saved $171.00 YAY!!! I also picked up several frames at a craft store as they were 60% off and the majority of my family will be receiving photos as gifts this year (family photos). I also indulged in quite a few stings of beads, spacers, tools and storage! The deals for those were just too good to pass up!!!
   
I am happy to say that my hips, knees and feet are in much better shape than they were last year at this time as are my energy levels. We were all in bed early last night (that means 10:00 around here) but around 1:30am, the dog started to HOWL...waking us all up and scaring the baby half to death. So...Jeremiah and I were UP last night until 5:30 this morning. I managed to do some picking up while he played and have been productive today as well.

I've started reading a new book on decluttering as I'm looking for a bit of inspiration....watching Hoarders inspires me more than just about anything else so far!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 03:44 PM

Forgot to mention-- sis is decluttering/downsizing for her move, so I am managing it from here, via FreeCycle, and have already found a perfect recipient for her approval! I can verify the safety aspects of it all, from here.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 01:24 PM

The problem is that the electrician and plumber aren't part of the builder's workforce. They are independents, and have other clients too. It doesn't help when the electrician doesn't answer his phone, every time the builder tries to get hold of him! I can understand if he didn't have time to get to me, but he could have let Ali know! The plumber can't get the boiler going until he's done all his wiring.

Ali has forwarded my moaning text messages to him. He's getting frustrated too, because it makes a liar out of him, when he has told me that the electrician is coming - and he doesn't.

All I want is to be able to start and get stuff back into cupboards, and then I will be able to see where I'm going from there, and what needs to be done to clean and clear.

Andrea

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: freda underhill
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 04:05 AM

My home is now back to it's pre-travelling condition - organised, uncluttered, looks good. I have four new CD racks full of CDs, books are organised, and I'm so pleased (tho there are a few things that were shoved inside a wicker basket that need to be examined at some point). It took an awful lot of non-procrastination to get here.

Tonight I'm listening to music and doing some hand sewing, tomorrow I start a new, short term job for three months. 5 days a week (how will I cope with that again?) thanks SRS, kat and everyone for this thread and the inspiration.

freda

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 03:51 AM

The spin dryer is now up to a good price. The autoharps are getting a bit expensive.

I'm wondering about putting some kitchen worktops up, but they don't seem to move all that fast.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 01:05 AM

Kat, you certainly post more detail when you use the voice recognition software - it's nice to see inside your cupboards, etc. I always feel so virtuous when I get rid of all of the old cans and containers - and have an idea of what is there to be used. I used to tape up a list of the various types of frozen meat in the freezer. I lose track of pork chops or how many and what types of sausages if I don't, so I should go back to that. (I do keep a list on each heat pump of when I change the filters and their condition - and completely forgot they were there till I found the heater guy who came to do the thermostat chuckling about some of my notes.)

Per your request, we'll politely inquire about your exercise routine if we don't see anything for a while.

I was more an contortionist than an exerciser this evening: I finished "buttering" and placing the tile in three halls. Two here, 15 there, a half-dozen in another spot. They are finally all finished. About time!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 12:18 AM

Recently, we've done a few things around here. Roger planted the little apricot tree that my ex gave us this summer. And most of the junk that was around in the driveway and the backyard was cleaned up, tossed, or put away for the winter.

I decided today I was tired of having a bachelor's kitchen and decided to reclaim some of it to encourage myself to do more of the cooking. It finally dawned on me, all of these years Roger's been doing most of the cooking mostly because I was unable to, but in the process he's really reverted to his bachelor type ways around the kitchen. It's not his fault he does try, it's just old habits I think.

This morning, Morgan came over and started on illustrations for a story I made up for him when he was little, which we are turning into a book. He had found my artist's sketchbook from a metalsmithing class I took and asked to sketch in it a few days ago. He did a few imitative pieces, a few of his own designs and also used tracing paper over some of mine. He was really tickled to find we bought him his own sketchbook and was eager to use it this morning.

While he was doing that, I cleaned out both of the food cupboards with a little bit of help from him and, later, Rog. I found too much stuff that was past the use-by date and had to be tossed, but I moved everything down, to the first two shelves, that I might need to get hold of…that's one thing that's really been bugging me: feeling inspired than going out to the kitchen and either not being able to find what I need, or not being able to reach what I need, safely. In the process I was also able to de-clutter the counterspace a bit.

I have also decided I have to find some way to hold myself accountable for doing qi gong at least 4 to 5 times per week. The old "accountability" part of these threads going back what, to three years now? :-)

Accordingly, I've asked Roger to help me keep track, encourage, and check on me, but I am also putting myself on public notice here with you my friends. I don't want or need any one castigating me or anything like that. I think just the thought that I have put myself on notice here will encourage me in doing what I have set for a goal. I will promise to post each time I have done so. Kind of a getting back to the basics for me.

SRS, now you've had your first big adventure at a child's Thanksgiving dinner! I know what you mean about leftovers though. It doesn't matter daughter's or not, Roger always fixes the turkey and potatoes and I fix whole cranberries. They were gone this year so we had a nice time with my brother who came over. He actually was very pleasant this time didn't get into negativity and really enjoyed the movie that we watched on Netflix that I knew he would like. It's called The Curiosity of Chance and is really quite charming in my opinion.

Andrea, I can't wait to see the transformation once you have cracked your whip and the fellows all hop to it and get your house done! I know it's really the builder who needs to crack the whip, but I like the vision of you doing it. It's going to be so lovely, I am sure.

Dorothy, I would absolutely love to see photos of your pottery and your mugs if you ever get a chance to post any online. And I love reading about your visits out the country. Sounds so healing an almost magical, even in the winter time.

The voice-recognition program seems to be getting better, or I am getting more used to its peculiarities. :-) I have not proofread all of this, but I don't think there are any glaring errors. If there are it's the program's fault, ha-ha!

kat

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 06:22 PM

Andrea, you're officially in a "hurry up and wait" mode on that house. Maybe once any of them gets there you need to bolt the door and not let them out till they finish.

I decided my next big thing on eBay will be a chandelier. It's a pretty multi-colored copper and brass one. No prisms, but it should be easier to pack and ship. I left a lot of stuff at the recycle bins and the center of my sunroom is now clear and wide. All the better for packing up this fixture.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 04:58 PM

No electrician - again!

Andrea

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 04:30 PM

I've cut all of the tile small bits and curved sections (free-hand on the wet saw gets kind of messy, but I did that and also used a trimmer to pinch off bits). I'll save the sticking them down for a little later.

I have to get some more stuff listed on eBay today - this is the time of year when people shop more and you never know what they're going to buy. I'm glad I ignored the woman with the low-ball bid and the snotty reply to my polite refusal. I got more than twice what she was offering. I need to make a recycle run - I'm overwhelmed with cardboard right now, and I don't need it for shipping.

Turkey sandwich and a bowl of warmed up sweet potatoes for lunch - mmmm!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 03:17 PM

I've had one bid on my spin dryer, and another watcher as well on it, and one watcher on my antique ammeter. And I've got my eyes on some autoharps. (Only one required, of course.) I lost out on a knitting machine on Friday at the end, but I dare say another of the model will turn up. Outgoings will not be balanced by incomings...

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 12:04 PM

Lovely name for a dog, Stilly, 'Cinnamon'. Here in UK that breed is banned, which is so daft, as they can be gentle, loving and smart. It's their owners who (in UK) used to train them to be vicious and aggressive for illegal dog-fighting. They even beat and kicked them to make them 'tough' (ie dangerous) I've seen many pit-bulls in USA on TV (particularly with Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer) and it's obvious they're just as darling as any type of dog. I'd like to hear more about Cinnamon!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 11:55 AM

Susan, sounds like a great trip, all things considered!

It's getting cool and overcast out - sooner than the weatherman predicted for today. An eBay box is packed and the note on the mailbox (I missed the mail carrier yesterday and had to drive over to drop off a package meant to mail on Friday). I'll scoot out and get that tile cut now before it's too cold to comfortably use the wet saw.

Susie and Zeke came down this morning and we went for a walk. She got back to town and picked him up here at about 10pm last night, then she was here at 8am and Zeke ran through the house over to the iron gate on the back door and my dogs outside just grinned (Cinnamon the pit bull has a big happy nose-wrinkle smile) and wagged like they hadn't seen each other in ages. :) I've been getting a walk every day, but it's longer when there are two of us walking the dogs.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 11:24 AM

Back from Chicago, to find we may shortly be losing a housemate we've really loved having here-- her family has suddenly grown and, perhaps, outgrown the space available here; we'll be sad if she needs to move on. (A ministry intern may be the next housemate, at least for part of the week.)

My sister (not in remission but legally disabled) has a superb plan to move to California to help our brother care for our mom who has been thru the C-Diff mill of late and who has thus (temporarily we hope) lost her independence. My MIL has reminded me that I can take a train to CA, which will be helpful for a number of "pending events," 'nuff said.

Our landlord is doing some long-deferred maintenance, TBTG, and the new cooktop's downdraft was successfully installed while I was gone.

I used my boondocking cot for one of my stops (in-house this time), which was FAB-- the best sleep I got the whole time. One HS friend who put me up (we had so much fun re-connecting) had dream guest space-- her townhome has two master bedrooms/ensuite loo's. Mine had also a comfy reading chair/lamp and space to spread out/unpack. The place had such a neat layout, too-- not long and narrow as most townhomes of its vintage seem to be. She's planning a remodel to sell or lease it and has a great plan a la HGTV.

At my MIL's she and I enjoyed a LOT of chickflicks. She has quite a quirky DVD collection!!!

This was probably the best trip I've ever done in terms of seamlessly stepping back into homelife on my return. On the long drive back I marathioned into one day's drive, I stopped at all our fave takeout joints (ethnic all), and brought home the bacon with the last of the travel cash I'd kept squirreled away.

I owe a lot of the several renewed strengths to PT, GPS, and other initials including TBTG. This has permitted me to put some great "rule of life" materials to use, beginning with Advent weekend.... which will keep me busy along with work stuff this season.

And the sun is shining over a snowless landscape!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 10:46 AM

Most of my tomatoes that were green when the frost hit a few weeks ago are now ripe or ripening, so I'm going to make my tomato and eggplant sauce soon. I'll blanch them and put them in the fridge as they get completely ripe and then I'll do the slow simmered sauce. I have to pick some of my basil sprigs before the next frost (possibly Monday or Tuesday) to use in the sauce. I can't can this because the tomatoes were hit by frost (some shift in the chemistry, apparently) so I'll get a bunch of 1/2 pint restaurant take-out containers from my ex (who fed my son all summer and a lot of that was Chinese take out). Those freeze beautifully.

Yesterday was a glut of movies. I had them running in the background while I worked. It was a nice and productive day.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: mouldy
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 05:48 AM

The builder has been this morning, and told me the electrician is working in the village. What time I'll get him remains to be seen. Apparently the workforce has has the stupid error virus this week, and he said he could have happily sacked them all! Even John, one of the joiners, and extremely reliable, let his van run out of diesel!

So...the sparky should be here some time today, (and maybe tomorrow, if he doesn't get finished). The plumbers are definitely coming next week (not sure when) and the joiners are going to be here from Monday, until they are no longer needed.

He said he wasn't sure if he'd get the yard done before the holiday, but I always felt that was something that could be delayed - if last year's snow is repeated, there will be no chance! However, he said the inside will be done. How much time I'll get to clean and de-clutter the rest of the place is not known.

Andrea

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Nov 11 - 07:47 PM

Pleasant surprise this evening! I came to see how my eBay stuff was coming along and two items I'd listed with "Buy it now" prices sold.

I have been saying I'll finish some tile for a couple of weeks now, and today I mixed up a small batch of the Versabond (thinset) adhesive and did most of the tiles in the front hall along one side and in the back of a closet. And I got out the wet saw to cut a few more so I could use all of the adhesive before it hardened. That is the messiest, nosiest, most tedious part of it, the saw, but now it's out I'll finish up this weekend.

I had a text from my son, he's at the home of the person who fed him yesterday until tomorrow, and they had turkey and bread pudding. (I asked if they did a turkey or ham meal or something more southwestern.) Since bread pudding isn't typically a Thanksgiving dessert, I wonder if perhaps the friend asked him what his favorite dessert is? He loves that stuff. That was very nice of them!

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Nov 11 - 01:52 PM

Penny, you can list them today and set them to start tomorrow, but they charge ten cents apiece on auctions to do that. Would that fit the criteria? Most low listings are free anyway. Starting an auction high can sometimes make it harder to sell, as will putting a reserve price on. Sometimes it's what you have to do, though, so free listings are good in that instance.

Three things sold this week. Don't add up to a lot, but they move more objects out of the sun room.

I'm playing old movies today and cooking, making a few leftovers that I didn't bring home yesterday. :) Mashed sweet potatoes and a turkey breast. I'll make mashed Irish potatoes over the weekend and make lefse to freeze.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 25 Nov 11 - 12:57 PM

I'm just collecting together details for some items to put on ebay - and now have to put them on hold till tomorrow because of a free listings option. But I don't think I'm eligible as I have no history. I have a telscope eyepiece from I don't know where, and ancient ammeter (or similar), a pocket microscope with a history, and a box of wooden blocks originally for teaching density.

I saw the microscope, a neat design, on a fleamarket stall, and picked it up to look at. The stall holder was deep in a conversation with a friend. I took it out of the box and opened it up, putting the slide in place. The stall holder took no notice and continued her private chat. At some point, the slide snapped. I tried to catch her eye, but the conversation continued. I waited. No change. I moved about. No change. I replaced everything and put the box down. Nothing. Then I started to move away, to be accused of all sorts of bad behaviour. Naturally I bought it, and have replaced the slide. But I don't go near that stall any more.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Nov 11 - 09:58 AM

Folkie, out of curiosity, do you have any decluttering or exercise issues? Sometimes people wander into these threads and the see people rebuilding houses, clearing estates, selling art, moving things on eBay, and they stick around for a while. On your first topic, maybe we would benefit from a thread that simply discusses download options in this day and age and people can spell out the different types they use.

This morning it is calm and fairly warm, but I think rain and chill is headed here by evening. I need to finish some more digging in the garden, and I have a confession. The dark blue jeans I was wearing to my daughter's thanksgiving dinner last night were the same ones I wore the day before while digging. I hadn't gotten anything on me and they looked best with the colorful dressy blouse I paired with them for dinner. But as I was seated at the table I reached down to scratch my ankle and realized there was a bit of straw or something in the folded cuff of my pants and without thinking, I folded it down and back up - and looked to see what looked like the contents of a coal scuttle dumped onto the beige carpet! It was a pattern around my foot of dirt particles picked up in the yard. So embarrassing! They told me the carpet had seen much worse (I've seen it much worse!) but still! After a few minutes I stepped onto the porch and tipped the contents of the other cuff.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: GUEST,Folkie
Date: 25 Nov 11 - 05:29 AM

No I will NEVER post to that thread because of the way I was treated and the names called (they called me a racist.....which I am not) Thanks again for your support and I hope you have a great Thankgiving and enjoy the Transatlantic Sessions 5 (I promise there are no hidden Viruses on the links and it isn't a Torrent file that that stupid guy BTNG thinks it is....they are just links to MP4 files....that you watch on your TV)
If you want more of the series just ask and I will find more links

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Nov 11 - 11:55 PM

Thanks - Did you try posting them in that thread again? I haven't looked (it's Thanksgiving here- I've been away, and I'm about to head to bed, but I'll look in the morning).

Thanksgiving went well; turkeys are always a challenge and the cook was less happy with the bird than everyone else was. I guess this is the way to get insight into one's own past thanksgiving dinners - I always grumble about the bird coming out too late or too early or too dry or not cooked enough- but the guests all seem to enjoy it and eat around anything that isn't up to par! ;)

I am exhausted. I'll check in tomorrow, see how Andrea's house is going, etc.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: GUEST,Folkie
Date: 24 Nov 11 - 03:43 PM

Stilly River Sage I know this is'nt the thread for this link but the last time I put any links up for Transatlantic Sessions 5 I was called all kind of names but I know you defended me ...thanks
so here are new links:-

http://www.network54.com/Forum/672272/message/1322166789/New+Links

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness November 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Nov 11 - 12:52 PM

Strangely quiet day here at the empty nest. :-| Dinner rolls are kneaded, shaped, and now rising. That's it for my dinner preparations.

I worked in the garden a little, walked the dogs, and am puttering around the house till it's time to change and drive up.

SRS