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Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 12 Dec 11 - 04:22 PM Susan! Many would get rid of the husband first off! Or maybe the wife! Good plan. Yesterday, I put R's papers, which covered the entire top of the beautiful Victorian dresser, into plastic containers. I can now see some of the beautiful wood. Next, I will find a place to put the containers - off the top. My excursion to look for inspiration re lamp shades and also et that much needed excersixe: Got home about 15 min ago having covered a lot of territory, including a hardware store which merely made me feel ill so I left. Then I saw a library so I went in and gathered four new novels and a new library card. Coming out with four books to carry the numerous blocks home, I checked out a small dumpster and found two new looking, med sized plastic boxes, one with lid. Now I have MORE to carry! So I looked some more and there was a really nice suitcase with wheels! How I have wished for one during the last two plane trips! So, I wrestled it out, put the totes into it - it would not close but just enough to keep the flap from dragging - and the whole lot wheeled nicely home. It is in the car to go to the country. Maybe I can go down tomorrow or Thurs, spend some time, and check out the local thrift shop for shades. Two loads of laundry done. No sign of R since yesterday aft. He and bro working on legal stuff, court today and a dif one tomorrow. May not surface til tomorrow night. HE has a massage appointment Weds at 5. He looked askance when I first suggested it but I believe he is actually looking forward to it. He certainly needs relaxing. Now, what to eat - lettuce with black bean salsa. Then more veggies and hope that will be satisfactory. |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 Dec 11 - 10:04 PM Lamp shades. Surely some of these folks ship. That's a great quote, Susan. And sometimes it takes an effort to step back and see the beauty in everyday things. The place that gives me the best view of what is right under my own nose is the fourth floor of the Brooklyn Museum of Art. I go there every trip or two to New York. Toasters, record players, plates, cups, mugs, tables, chairs - they show, by highlighting brilliant design and beautiful lines, how the everyday can be art. I had a wonderful surprise this afternoon - a friend, whose family moved out west probably 10 years ago now was in town to see his mom. His wife has a job out there as a nurse but he left his job as an aerospace electrical engineer in this town to move to live the rural life of the builder and inventor and a bit of a survivalist. Solar power, ham radio, greenhouse, deep water well, they're set in their mountain home to survive. We over the years have sent photos back and forth and shared notes on the work we're doing in our respective homes. Meanwhile, his wife enjoys quilting and makes some gorgeous creations. She has a huge quilting machine for doing the stitching - this is more than a hobby. They don't have kids so they can indulge some hobbies this way. These two are the kind of friends that even though I haven't seen them in ages, when we get together the conversation starts up like it never let off. Kat, I hope your doctor is able to offer some help. I fear you might be looking at surgery or a cast, for it to be that painful. I don't want to commingle fora here - you posted some remarks on one site and some on another. Here at Mudcat, between when you wrote on the ninth (when you were going to Morgan's school) and today (the 12th) you injured yourself. Achilles' tendon. Hurts like Hell. I don't know how much you're sharing, but that is certainly enough! Get over this, keep up the fitness routine, and get to where you're up and walking around without O2 like you were a year ago and we'll be much happier. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 Dec 11 - 10:12 PM I forgot to mention - Dorothy, I have 10 pounds more than you to shake off, I need to lose about 30 minimum, 40 at best. It's my goal to lose it by next summer in time for my high school reunion. Do you have a goal to help you tackle the extra? SRS |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Penny S. Date: 13 Dec 11 - 05:44 AM Weight down again! And I did find some frame suppliers on line - there definitely weren't last time I looked. Weird synchronicity - talking about "female relational bullying" on phone to estate agent chaser upper, back to radio, and Woman's Hour discussing just that issue. Penny |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 Dec 11 - 12:37 PM I weighed in this morning and I'm down another pound - I was afraid it might have crept back since I haven't walked the dogs as much lately. Good news, and not 10 pounds over, Dorothy, but only 6. Computer stuff today. Getting ready for kids stuff today. Baking bread today. Getting rooms ready for folks today. I guess I'd better keep moving! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: katlaughing Date: 13 Dec 11 - 03:17 PM You are all a great bunch of friends, thank you so much. Dorothy, I so admire your energy and willingness to go with the flow and get things done that you need for yourself. I love the way you write and always look forward to what you read. I don't think of myself as doing anything extraordinary. I know of folks here on the Mudcat who have lived their whole lives with what I would consider insurmountable challenges and I admire them and look up to them for inspiration when I have a bump in the road. One of them, recently, reminded me it is all relative. What might've kept you from walking comfortably in August is just as valid as anything the rest of us may go through. Having said that, though, I am delighted that you have such good health and are able to do so much. I consider it a blessing. SRS, no surgery or anything, thank goodness. My osteopath did some incredible work on my leg and my body yesterday so that I am able to put a little bit of weight on my foot with the use of a cane to at least move around from the chair, to the sink, and to the bed. Roger was able to go to work today, although he did set up a few things for me, within easy reach either of my desk or the bed. He also brought me lunch; such a sweetie. (As to why I seem to have a lot of soft tissue challenges, my doc said I am like an onion. We are peeling away the layers of years of compromised living due to the old heart valve and inability to exercise. Since the heart valve replacement, it has been up and down, as you know. My goal is definitely to get back to where I was off the oxygen and doing much more. Taking baby steps seems to be the best and safest way for me to do that. I appreciate the reminder of where I was. It shows me where I can, again.) For exercise today, my sore muscles in my arms, legs, and back are not as sore today. I have used them more and without Roger's help, so I feel I have done some good " rowing" up and down the hallway from my desk in the dining room, to the bathroom, bedroom and back. LOL For decluttering, I was able to sit at the desk long enough to print out copies of our holiday letter, get them stuffed in the envelopes with cards. For the first time ever, I printed out mailing labels both return and addressee and put those on, too. I don't like doing that, I think it looks to impersonal, but my hands are happy that I didn't make them work quite so much. :-) I already had stamps, so when Roger came home for lunch, I sent those out the door with him for mailing. That had been bugging me, so I'm glad to have it done. Time for a bit of a lie down, I think. National Public Radio station here has been playing some beautiful holiday music on their classical side. I think I'll go have a listen and will probably check in here later this evening. Thanks for being here, luvyakat |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 Dec 11 - 09:12 PM 23 1/2 Hours. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 13 Dec 11 - 09:31 PM Drove R down to courthouse in old Montreal and then wended my way along the waterfront admiring the old buildings. Watched trash for lamp shade frames. Did not go for groceries - need nothing. Made supper at lunch time but lunch did not happen until 3 pm. I was going to ask R to take me down to the market and I would walk back but it was too late in day by then. I started out earlier to walk there but it was spitting and drismal. Watered plants, edited an article and sent it of after responding to email from editor/friend. Making plans to meet wildlife rehab friends in southern Quebec - they come up from NYS. - in near future. Opened a file for another article to see if inspiration comes. Ate too many cookies and feel sick. Fat inhibits production of insulin and water is an excellent antidote for too much sugar but this is different. It is as though I want to taste of eating this stuff but my body does not want it in my gut. Curious. I eat so well and then spoil it with the cookies or choc both of which have started only recently to cause me to feel slightly nauseous and I know it but do it anyway. That is so self-defeating. I want something to munch or I want choc? I have not yet found a substitute munchy. List: toast with tahini; toast with nutella - triggers chocaholism; carrots- too sweet; celery - I HATE!; yogurt and granola. That's two - post on frig in big letters. All fruit makes me hungry. Cheese - I want MORE and it's high fat. low fat cheese -ICK. No, SRS, no goal. I never thought it would take so long but I really need to be more disciplined about detoxing. I do not have nearly enough to DO. So I fall into a kind of stupor and really do nothing. This is not good. When I was running to the country to do pots, it was better - but I sure did not lose weight! I made a financial decision to stop during the cold weather - gas for car and heat for studio. May not be the best mental health, or even physical health option. Need to look a it again. I prefer to detox there also. Important factor. I do not consider staying there overnight; R is working so hard now, I like to be here for him; he likes me to be here for him. Supposed to be sunny tomorrow. Another excursion would be nice. Interesting posts and links on FB. The one about hunters shooting kids in Texas elicited comments and responses. Just remembered that I started putting ink in printer and then did not finish. Do that and have a bowl of left-over veggies. |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: katlaughing Date: 14 Dec 11 - 12:21 AM SRS, thanks for the link. That's very interesting. I do wish professionals like him would think about folks who are unable to take walks and present different exercises which meet the same needs. I believe that's what I do with the qi gong, but those kinds of videos/statistics leave me wondering, sometimes. But, I go back and listen to my DVDs and read of the good effects of qi gong and tai chi and then I feel good about what I am doing. Good night, all! |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 Dec 11 - 09:41 AM I think between those remarks about exercise and the vitamin D discussion we had many months back, these are two of the easiest changes most of us can make that will contribute to overall health. Kat, exercise comes in many forms and if you're moving your arms you're still getting your heart rate up. Tons to do today, including a trip to the airport. ;) I have a loaf of bread rising so the house will have the smell of freshly baked bread when the kid walks in. We're going for the visceral here. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Penny S. Date: 14 Dec 11 - 01:28 PM On Monday I went for a walk around the neighbourhoods - there are footpaths around the perimeter of each area - and then decided to extend myself into the village wood. Mistake. There was a slope, it had rained overnight, and the combination of wet leaves and slippy mud led to me falling. No harm done, but muddy clothes, and the thought that it was not something to be repeated. No more solitary walking through woodland on wet ground. There are usually enough dog walkers (don't think American type woods here) about to help if necessary, but I don't fancy the wait. I must have looked very funny getting up, like a toddler. Yesterday's walk was in London. After walking 20 minutes to the railway station from where I could park my car in Dartford, that is. Up Charing Cross Road to Blackwell's to check out some books - the ones I had in mind were not there. Then down through Seven Dials, where there used to be a bead shop - now a stall in the road, and not worth stopping at - and a shop with interesting design source books, where I hoped to find something to suit my mathematician brother-in-law. There, at about 4:23, as i looked in the window, the salesman locked the door. I had a look at Neal's Yard cheese shop, but it was too crowded, and I had limited time. Then the Australian shop, where the saleswoman pointed out that for little more than I was planning to spend on 3 Cherry Ripe bars, I could have 5 - an undocumented offer. (These have a dark chocolate coating on a filling of glace cherry and coconut.)(I get them for my sister - honest!)(Well, some of them.) Then on to Kings College Chapel for their Carol service. and after that, back to Trafalgar Square where a choir was singing seasonal songs in front of the Norwegian Christmas tree - which I felt wasn't guyed enough for the expected winds, and back to Charing Cross. I cheated back in Dartford, and got a bus up the hill to reduce the walk back to the car. Sitting on the train seems to do bad things to my legs, but only on the way back from town. This may be because of the crowding on that leg, as I can't stretch my legs out if someone with their bag in the floor is sitting opposite. Knees practically touch. Today I went on the health walk again. Not very sociable as everyone is paired up with someone they know. We went round the perimeter (widdershins) of the north west part of the village, but I had to peel off towards the end as the effect of a coffee before I set out, and the chilly air, made it vital to get home to the loo! did an hour, though. A disappointing delivery awaited me. When I was growing up, we had a set of Angel Chimes for the table at Christmas, and I've been thinking I'd like ro have them back - I don't know what happened to them. I found Amazon had some, labelled as original. Today they arrived, and they were not up to original standard. Flimsy metal, and silent bells which the strikers did not hit. I've sent them back, and am pursuing a set on ebay. I have 12 watchers on my old phone, but only 2 bids, to £5.50. Some have gone for over £50. I suspect the watchers are like I was on others - all hoping to see that it's worthwhile them listing theirs! I'm learning to use a wooden knitting board - it doesn't do the sort of things I hoped to do with it, not like the stuff I did on the round looms, so I think I might have to buy some of the plastic sort with large pegs. Or possibly get back to using my needles or the machines I have upstairs. Or even get out the weaving loom I bought years ago which is designed to use the knitting machine to manipulate the warp patterning. Penny |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 14 Dec 11 - 01:56 PM 11/31 3 12/1 3 12/2 1 front 12/3 2 back 12/3 1 12/3 at walking limit, all in house chores 12/5 1 12/6 1 front plus chair carry-in 12/7 much walking 12/13 much walking 12/14 1 front, 1 back, much walking in house chores I posted signage today reminding me to GO OUTSIDE, even if just for a quick look at something in my jammies. Today that trip (in sweats LOL) netted me a great chat with a contractor doing some work here as he was packing up. The house's owner also stopped by coinkydinkally.... the net result was a longer worklist for this ole crumbling house... looks like the wreckers ain't a-gonna git this one after all-- much deferred maintenance now planned for spring work... maybe sooner. We love the contractor too-- Mennonite (think Amish lite) fella and family working hard and smart and doing really nice work. Several generations were onsite today for a big push before bad weather hits-- great people. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: GUEST,mg Date: 14 Dec 11 - 02:20 PM I got rid of a horrible tangle of cords at work yesterday by getting a new surge protector with room for those big plugs and I moved my scanner right next to my computer which really cut down dangling cords there. For some reason, I can live in a total mess, papers don't bother me, clothes on the floor don't bother me, dirty dishes don't bother me..but tangles of electrical cords really bother me. mg |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 14 Dec 11 - 02:44 PM 11/31 3 12/1 3 12/2 1 front 12/3 2 back 12/3 1 12/3 at walking limit, all in house chores 12/5 1 12/6 1 front plus chair carry-in 12/7 much walking 12/13 much walking 12/14 1 front, 2 back, much walking in house chores, driveway cleanup, fetch mail I posted signage today reminding me to GO OUTSIDE, even if just for a quick look at something in my jammies. Today that trip (in sweats LOL) netted me.... ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 14 Dec 11 - 07:07 PM 11/31 3 12/1 3 12/2 1 front 12/3 2 back 12/3 1 12/3 at walking limit, all in house chores 12/5 1 12/6 1 front plus chair carry-in 12/7 much walking 12/13 much walking 12/14 1 front, 3 back, much walking in house chores, driveway cleanup, fetch mail |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 Dec 11 - 07:44 PM Susan, did you have several screens going when you were keeping track of your exercise? That was an awful lot of chair lifting and trips to the mailbox! My son is home, at least, he's back in town. We came back here from the airport, he checked in on his old computer while I made lunch and this evening his Dad stopped by on his way home from work to pick him up. 19-year-old young men don't come home from college with plans to have long visits with their mothers. :-/ We'll all get together on Friday when we go for Moonglow's graduation ceremony. !!! Tons to do around here tonight. Where to start?! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Our Christmas Traditions From: wysiwyg Date: 14 Dec 11 - 09:17 PM DECLUTTERING CHRISTMAS ON A BUDGET II. CARDS. Each year, amid the mad rush of parish events, there is one night when we MAKE time to wrap each OTHER's gifts-- AND a card for each close friend/family, with flat ornaments enclosed. They vary each year, but each year they must be what will fit pretty flat in a card. I simply use a Sharpie to label each one with the year. We ask recipients to display it with their own decorations as a tiny reminder of how we love them, and we display one on ours. We ask recipients to pack them with their own décor so that next year when they decorate, they will remember that we are thinking about them! This year's: a few window-cling snowflakes. For the first time I can recall, I found several inexpensive sets locally, and bought enough of the snowflake pattern to give each person a large one, a medium one, and several tiny ones. As I cut these up to divvy up the sets, I prayed and gave thanks for each person, with carols playing.... In the card is also tucked a page out of a party-favor pad of Christmassy pencil-puzzles. Next year's item is all picked out and will make an all-year craft project-- a herd of paper animals I'll cut and assemble all year, with a silver bow and hanger for tree or table use. We do not otherwise send Christmas cards, tho each year I email old fwds to people who send us e-cards. I have quite a nice stash now of the good, older ones. During Advent this year I also started sending other cards to sick or troubled friends, and those ones who are not on the internet get a relevant cartoon I print off my hard-disk stash of "motivators." II. TREE. Our Christmas tree is about 24 inches tall, with tiny white fiber-optic lights built into it and ornaments we wired on permanently. We do not take it down all year. That's because if we did, it would never get put back UP till February-- which happened several years in a row, until our fire in 2000 burned up our just-blended-family's Christmas heirlooms! In 2001 we replaced the full-sized tree with all-miniature stuff, lights and all, on a table-top-sized tree. (The first one had to be replaced, but the second one's been going strong now for years.) It only needs to be plugged in for instant Christmas spirit, late at night, when we are really tired and need it. The ornaments we've been sending people per the above are on it, and the window clings for this year are on the adjoining mirror as well as the back door. And this gives me more Christmas time to GO SEE PEOPLE and hand out candies wherever I go, in my Santa hat! ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 14 Dec 11 - 09:20 PM Susan, did you have several screens going when you were keeping track of your exercise? That was an awful lot of chair lifting and trips to the mailbox! No, as I posted at the top of the month, they will look like repetitive posts but are actually cumulative. There is one extra one today so I could print the relevant portion for my doc who will hopefully decrease my meds tomorrow and INCREASE my activity level. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 15 Dec 11 - 10:15 AM Your posts yesterday from 01:56, 02:20 and 02:44 were almost identical, but I see the bottom line is slightly different. Last night I finished (possibly) some design work for Bobert. I'm waiting to hear if that copy needs more information added. That's virtual declutter from the desktop. :) There is a tall set of shelves that I built many years ago and have upgraded a couple of times. I moved it, VCR tapes and all, from the front room to a space where it perfectly fits in the hall. And now I can see all of the tapes there and decide how many of them I'm going to convert to DVD. It moved because I was able to lift on end and slide a big cardboard box (flat) under it and move across the carpet. The final touch was to put some shims under the bottom (I made the base broader and deeper than the shelves to stabilize it). Thank you Home Depot for such great shims - I used 1 5-gallon and 2 1-gallon paint stir sticks. I have a lot of paper to organize with various degrees of filing and research. I'll spare you the details - just imagine most major horizontal surfaces stacked with paper stuff. There you have it! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 15 Dec 11 - 12:04 PM 11/31 3 12/1 3 12/2 1 front 12/3 2 back 12/3 1 12/3 at walking limit, all in house chores 12/5 1 12/6 1 front plus chair carry-in 12/7 much walking 12/13 much walking 12/14 1 front, 3 back, much walking in house chores, driveway cleanup, fetch mail 12/15 1 back, fetched mail from box (box just back YAY), carried 6 trips of wood left from construx crew-- all in equiv. of 2 pound ankle weights (each). === In hockey they say "good things happen when you go to the net." This is twice now that "good things happen when I go to the yard." Today's good thing was not only wood salvaged, but also a delightful visit with our mail carrier who used to live in this house as a child, when it had a totally different layout. We had a nice chat about the reetny-moved housemate. :~) As far as activity feedback for what should be a normal trip and chore for me.... WITH the med I can barely make it to the road and back. The GOAL is to be able to SNOWBLOW that entire long driveway-- my half of the chore as agreed with Hardi when we bought the blower. Meds that interfere with that activity-- and do no measurable good-- are not good meds. I found the doc back in Chicagoland who first monitored my BP. I wish I had remembered him while I was just THERE and gone to see him, but I will be asking the doc today to do a phone consult with him-- he was pretty conservative in his meds approach, is a faculty doc, and they will play well. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: katlaughing Date: 15 Dec 11 - 01:08 PM Meditation and sitting qi gong this morning |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 15 Dec 11 - 05:38 PM MEDS SLASHED!!! To slash further in a month if no trainig effect from intervals training at PT. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 16 Dec 11 - 01:03 AM Good job! I've been researching a tape from my Dad's collection this evening, and in general puttering on the 'puter. I'll take the day off tomorrow to get ready for graduation. :-D SRS |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 16 Dec 11 - 09:24 AM It will take a few days to process out of my system, but (based on past dosing at this rate) the meds change will be enough to move me from PT to our usual pool. Not sure how bennies will work in the new year-- some changes coming to our insurance plan. This is a bennies change I have known is coming so I have been soaking up an amazing amount of info from the PT peeps in case I need to go back to running my own program. Next to find is a TRAINER who an work with me periodically at our pool/weight room, on our own dime-- even if the bennies do not change, there is a limit on PT visits in the year. So at some point I will need to have another plan. And I have two in mind..... ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 16 Dec 11 - 11:53 AM 11/31 3 12/1 3 12/2 1 front 12/3 2 back 12/3 1 12/3 at walking limit, all in house chores 12/5 1 12/6 1 front plus chair carry-in 12/7 much walking 12/13 much walking 12/14 1 front, 3 back, much walking in house chores, driveway cleanup, fetch mail 12/15 1 back, fetched mail from box (box just back YAY), carried 6 trips of wood left from construx crew-- all in equiv. of 2 pound ankle weights (each). 12/16 PT clinic (Jay), lower body at limit, new eval/functional goals w/MJ (housecleaning, snowblowing) 12/16 MEDS SLASHED, new activity/nutrition approved by doc, monthly visits planned to monitor with new "OPTIMAL" benchmarks (PT acronym) 12/16 1 front, plus walking/lifting at limit moving more wood. A little more than ydy's walk/lift/move wood (negligible difference); much walking planned for later today w/GKB ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 16 Dec 11 - 12:29 PM I cleaned out the pickup truck so riders to graduation tonight won't complain about being tucked in with boxes and bundles in the back seat. Susie is bringing Zeke down this afternoon to hang out with the girls in the back yard and keep him from being underfoot or taking advantage of unattended food during a party at her house tonight. She'll pick him up in the morning - this party is for employees of her son's business, and preparations have been complex. She builds the most amazing gingerbread houses, and today there are four crock pots going with different dishes for the party tonight. I'll be lucky if I manage to clear the kitchen table for anyone who might come over tonight. The counter is looking good, and I have materials for cookie baking set out for this weekend. Camera and spare batteries ready to go for graduation. That's the important thing! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 17 Dec 11 - 02:32 AM Over 12 hours later I'm back, daughter fully graduated, an alumna of the University of North Texas. And next semester she will be a graduate student at said school. We went out for dinner: travelling family conference as the four of us drove south from the traffic jam around school. She was texting "GOOGLE" on the cell phone to get the location of various restaurants (did you know that trick? You can text to Google - 466453 - and it sends back text with answers to your phone). Laughing at the idea of McDonald's or Schlotzky's, discussing the possibility of Olive Garden or Szcheuan (closes too early). Settled on Razzoos because she felt like gumbo, and decided to go to downtown location. Very lively scene, unlike when we moved here when my now 23-year-old graduate was 15 months old. You wouldn't know it to look at all of us that a divorce happened 12 years ago. But I think we're better for it, and it was a festive and funny evening. On another note: A couple of weeks ago I sold an old Sony VAIO laptop for repair or parts. The bidder never paid, never contacted me - I fear something has happened to him because he had a 100% score until this time. I went through steps to close it and then second-chance offer (would have gotten $5 for it instead of the winning $5.75). No response. I relisted a week ago and came home tonight to find that it not only sold for $20+, the new winner already paid! I hate to throw out things that someone else can cannibalize for parts, so that's what this sale was about. My friend whose house was lost a couple of months ago didn't know what was wrong with this laptop. I took out the hard drive and sold the rest for parts. |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 17 Dec 11 - 09:44 AM I can feel the meds decreasing-- a spontaneous thought as I headed downstairs: "I feel better today and it just gets better from here!" It's felt, physically, like I've been on the wrong planet-- the triple-grav planet? I'm getting back to the one I can LIVE on! ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: katlaughing Date: 17 Dec 11 - 10:46 AM SRS, congratulations to you all for her accomplishment! And, now grad school! Wow! Glad you had a good time. I've opened it. WOW, again! Totally unexpected and so beautiful. Warming up as I type. Thank you so much!! |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 17 Dec 11 - 05:21 PM 11/31 3 12/1 3 12/2 1 front 12/3 2 back 12/3 1 12/3 at walking limit, all in house chores 12/5 1 12/6 1 front plus chair carry-in 12/7 much walking 12/13 much walking 12/14 1 front, 3 back, much walking in house chores, driveway cleanup, fetch mail 12/15 1 back, fetched mail from box (box just back YAY), carried 6 trips of wood left from construx crew-- all in equiv. of 2 pound ankle weights (each). 12/16 PT clinic (Jay), lower body at limit, new eval/functional goals w/MJ (housecleaning, snowblowing) 12/16 MEDS SLASHED, new activity/nutrition approved by doc, monthly visits planned to monitor with new "OPTIMAL" benchmarks (PT acronym) 12/16 1 front, plus walking/lifting at limit moving more wood. A little more than ydy's walk/lift/move wood (negligible difference); one big diff was I could work till throat burned. Much walking w/GKB 12/17 front 1, mail |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 17 Dec 11 - 09:00 PM I was out running around with Moonglow while it was nice out, but by the time I returned home it was chilly and dark. Maybe tomorrow I can dig some beds for the potatoes. They go in any day now. The house looks a bit like it was picked up and shaken. Must do something about that. The electric bill came in, double last month (which was extremely low). Have to figure out if the heater in the garage is making a big drain on the bill. I may have the dogs in the house more at night or put it on a timer. Must begin cookie baking. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 Dec 11 - 12:57 AM I printed out a mudcat recipe for shortbread. Bert, thank you, it's really wonderful! I'll measure those weights and write it down (we American cooks are used to cups, not pounds). I reduced it to a small batch (based upon a 1/2 pound of butter) and have some of the resulting rectangular cut-outs in a food storage box. While I worked I watched a Fred Astaire and Betty Hutton musical I've never seen before (streaming via NetFlix on the television mounted on the kitchen wall). I'll finish watching it later - it is predictable, but a little odd. These must have been second-string songs. There is probably a story behind this one. A big push tomorrow. eBay and those playbills. Lots of research and listings ahead. I'll delay listings so they don't land on xmas eve or day, but the day after, when people may have eBay cash to spend (or spare time to search for things they collect). Susan, I hope you continue to feel better, more clear-headed. Kat, keep up the gentle exercise. Andrea, keep moving stuff into the new kitchen where you can - xmas will be upon is in no time! Maryanne, are you out making snow angels yet? Sinsull, seems to me your office did some interesting stuff last year at holiday time. What are you doing now? Kat: Did Morgan come over to help you at all this weekend? Have we told you lately what a great grandma you are? I never met my grandparents - any of them - and am the poorer for it. I envy him the rich life he has, with you there to offer your guidance in addition to what he experiences at home. I hope that during his holiday break he's able to work on some kind of drawing or craft that you might be able to send out to his various Mudcat Aunties. Hint hint! Have you seen some of the strips of colored paper that are cut out in a very elongated triangle that are rolled into beads with glue to hold them together? I bet that some of us would love something like that, if he'd care to make them. How about junk mail or magazine page beads? SRS |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: katlaughing Date: 18 Dec 11 - 01:01 AM Roger did a great job of sweeping the entire house. I did four loads of laundry AND folded and put them away. Morgan did a bit of sweeping and helped me with trash which Rog then carried out. Morgan also helped me put together some small gifts to be mailed to family on Monday. I got the idea for them in one of these threads. I think it was Penny who posted doing this with marjoram for sleeping. I cleaned out small empty Tiger Balm jars, put a small bit of real sponge in each one, then put the cap on. Filled some very tiny brown vials with lavender oil, capped those tightly, then wrapped them all up in paper, etc. with instructions to put the oil on the sponge and leave the lid off at night for Sweet Dreams! I hope they like them. Tomorrow, Rog will mop and do dishes. I've been banned from both by my osteo/girlfriend:-) I'll finish packaging the gifts and maybe put up a few decorations. Oh, Morgan did hang up a neat thing my sisters sent us to make. They got the idea from Martha Stewart. Take a personal sized bundt pan, mix bird seed and raw cranberries with lard or Crisco, pack it into the pan, then place in freezer for a few days. When it is a cold day, take it out, flip it out of the pan, put a red ribbon through the hole, then hang it outside for the birds. We had enough mix left over, Morgan filled the pan and it put it back in the freezer for another "ring." They do warn not to put it out unless the day stays cold.:-) |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 18 Dec 11 - 09:30 AM I'm thinking back over some recent doc's appts and realizing that only his malpractice-fears kept him from suggesting to ME that we slash this med-- coupla things he said and did NOT say add up. The expensive trainer has been downgraded to a cheap photo-frame to use poolside, with a slideshow off the perfect (for me) workout video PBS is running today.... keep a copy on the DVR for dry-work and slideshow for pool on the portaframe. TBTG who provides, right on time!!! To celebrate, I'm picking up the CardioGlider and moving it out to the weight room, where I will soon have the aerobic capacity BACK to pump along on it while Hardi does HIS thing out there! ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 Dec 11 - 02:34 PM Feeling in a bit of a funk this afternoon - so much to do, so little time to do it in. Everything will sort itself, but I think the dark overcast day is contributing to the mood. Time to make a short list and finish the few things on it. And to generate a few endorphins, it's time to move some furniture. That always seems to help me feel more robust! Michelle, I hope everything is fine with you. Is Jeremiah old enough to be really excited about the holiday? Do you have to keep the gifts out of harm's way, or is everything hidden until xmas eve or day? SRS |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: LilyFestre Date: 18 Dec 11 - 06:31 PM Hey SRS, Everything here is good...just wiped out. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: GUEST Date: 18 Dec 11 - 08:12 PM MODS: not really a GUEST; it's Dorothy!:-)
I'm about ready to go into hibernation! It has finally gotten cold here and although the cabin can be warmed in no time with the wood stove, the city house is at 56 today. I am wrapped up with heating pad and do not feel like moving for anything. R is off working and he has been working so many hours I am loathe to beg for more heat in the house. The electric in here is NG. I thought of taking myself elsewhere but the libraries closed at 5 pm. I am simply not motivated to do anything but stay wrapped! Book and laptop within arm's reach. The next time I get out of my cocoon, I will arrange a mug warmer at arm's reach also. |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 19 Dec 11 - 12:36 AM I managed for once not to spend any money today. That's a great thing! Instead, I worked in the kitchen, a batch of shortbread (experimenting with a mold for cookies - it didn't work well) and a batch of spritz. And I moved all of the furniture in my living room. I need to do a photo shoot tomorrow so I've left one table so I can work on it. I experimented moving one chest on the hearth, but that didn't work, so it's back to the TV on the hearth, but I moved almost everything else to a new location. Getting ready to switch out phones. I'm tired this evening so I'll wait till I'm fresh in the morning. Less apt to have problems that way. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: LilyFestre Date: 19 Dec 11 - 10:20 AM Good Morning!!! The sun is shining, the sky is blue with fluffy clouds and I am feeling much more perky this morning. I'm puttering in my kitchen while laundry is going and making plans to do some decorating. We are keeping it simple this year....two nativities, a 7 foot Christmas tree and maybe a little something for the kitchen table. That's it. Oh..and I've been hanging up all the Christmas cards. The kitchen spot is full so I've now started hanging them along the staircase which is just about at it's limit too. Next I think I'll hang them along the window casings. :) I love looking at them! And oh yes....I finally gave in after years of wanting one and purchased a kissing ball which I have hanging over the table where I am currently sitting. :) My nana always had a fresh kissing ball hanging over the sink at Christmas time...being that we heat with wood, it wouldn't last long so I have an artificial one...no matter..I love it and it reminds me of Nana every time I look at it!!! Tomorrow I'm back at the hospital to have my port accessed and tumor markers checked and a visit with my (chemo) oncologist. I'm hoping for low numbers! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Dec 11 - 12:12 PM 11/31 3 12/1 3 12/2 1 front 12/3 2 back 12/3 1 12/3 at walking limit, all in house chores 12/5 1 12/6 1 front plus chair carry-in 12/7 much walking 12/13 much walking 12/14 1 front, 3 back, much walking in house chores, driveway cleanup, fetch mail 12/15 1 back, fetched mail from box (box just back YAY), carried 6 trips of wood left from construx crew-- all in equiv. of 2 pound ankle weights (each). 12/16 PT clinic (Jay), lower body at limit, new eval/functional goals w/MJ (housecleaning, snowblowing) 12/16 MEDS SLASHED, new activity/nutrition approved by doc, monthly visits planned to monitor with new "OPTIMAL" benchmarks (PT acronym) 12/16 1 front, plus walking/lifting at limit moving more wood. A little more than ydy's walk/lift/move wood (negligible difference); one big diff was I could work till throat burned. Much walking w/GKB 12/17 front 1, mail; moved CardioGlide and chose new upper body program 12/18 some walking, meds still processing out; a bedtime chore that is usually impossible was reasonably breathable-- still lost breath but got the job done first 12/19 1 front, mail (breaking in new clogs); January/February doc appts set up |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Dec 11 - 12:50 PM prev post dupe 11/31 3 12/1 3 12/2 1 front 12/3 2 back 12/3 1 12/3 at walking limit, all in house chores 12/5 1 12/6 1 front plus chair carry-in 12/7 much walking 12/13 much walking 12/14 1 front, 3 back, much walking in house chores, driveway cleanup, fetch mail 12/15 1 back, fetched mail from box (box just back YAY), carried 6 trips of wood left from construx crew-- all in equiv. of 2 pound ankle weights (each). 12/16 PT clinic (Jay), lower body at limit, new eval/functional goals w/MJ (housecleaning, snowblowing) 12/16 MEDS SLASHED, new activity/nutrition approved by doc, monthly visits planned to monitor with new "OPTIMAL" benchmarks (PT acronym) 12/16 1 front, plus walking/lifting at limit moving more wood. A little more than ydy's walk/lift/move wood (negligible difference); one big diff was I could work till throat burned. Much walking w/GKB 12/17 front 1, mail; moved CardioGlide and chose new upper body program 12/18 some walking, meds still processing out; a bedtime chore that is usually impossible was reasonably breathable-- still lost breath but got the job done first 12/19 2 front, mail (breaking in new clogs); January/February doc appts set up |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: mouldy Date: 19 Dec 11 - 02:22 PM You all deserve to feel very proud of yourselves! I,ve just spent half an hour reading down the thread, and I feel quite humbled by all you are getting on with (all mine is in the hands of other people). I did lose 5lbs at last week's weigh-in, but it would be mainly down to poor eating. I got to 3pm that afternoon, and realised that I hadn't eaten all day. So I ate an apple. The problem is that workmen come early, and I have no table clear yet to sit at. However, the kitchen is about done, the new appliances are up and running, the decorators are in, the plumber has finished, The new spare bed has arrived, and the electrician has a couple of small jobs left to do. The sticking point is the joiner at the moment. The new dining room window went in last Friday, and as they took down the old boarding from the recess, before it went in, a load of loose stonework came down from the wall above. The central lintel (wooden) had rotted away. So one new concrete and another wooden one later, the new window's in. The recess has been partly re-boarded, and a new sill made. So an hour or two's job has mushroomed! Unfortunately, the phone line comes in there, and the ancient cable has objected in the strongest possible way to being disturbed. I have no phone line. So now I await the line engineers. Had my annual meds review with the GP today, and I am all signed up for another year. He was happy with the blood pressure readings I had done over the last week or so, thank goodness. For once, I can't wait to start cleaning! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 19 Dec 11 - 02:31 PM What is a kissing ball? I've never heard of that before. Real versus artificial? |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: LilyFestre Date: 19 Dec 11 - 03:29 PM Here you go: Kissing Ball I think they are just sweet! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: mouldy Date: 19 Dec 11 - 03:32 PM Every year I say I am going to make a kissing ball. I think I have a high enough ceiling downstairs in the old bit to hang it. They are very traditional in England, but not many people seem to do them or have the height to hang them. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Dec 11 - 03:53 PM Hardi sez the window clings I bought are almost as much fun to put up as the Colorforms we both recall playing with. I just put up the last of them. Let's see... there's a huge angel with a couple of frolicsome white teddy bears below it, with snowflakes all around, on the back door. On the front, a nativity scene and another teddy couple-- these two are toting home a tree and a sled. On the loo door (under the permanent green John Deere sign), 3 Christmas-card-like clings), coordinating well with the Deere colors. (The paint is semigloss and the clings are clinging perfectly well.) In the LR south-facing picture window, a train set Santa is driving, full of toys and trees. One door and several windows remain blank in case I find any more VERY inexpensive sets. And the glass shower.... no, they'd slide off. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: katlaughing Date: 19 Dec 11 - 03:57 PM So, I'm guessing the kissing ball is made with mistletoe? Sorry if that seems like a stupid question; it wasn't quite clear in the photo. Roger did a great job of mopping the floors, yesterday, as well as did the dishes. This time, he even remembered to wipe off the counter and stove. LOL I spent about 2 1/2 hours going through everything on the top of my desk and either filing it, putting it in recycling, or tossing it. I also filled a box with books and videos from the living room to be gone through at a later date. So that clutter was sent to the old office. Did one more load of laundry. It's waiting to be folded and put away, followed by one more in the dryer. Not large loads, though, so it won't take too much effort. My left foot is still sore and needs to remain elevated which makes doing things awkward, but doable. One thing I have to go do, right now according to the dog, is that outside and throw the ball. LOL she's been very patient but is now getting quite insistent. Later, gals, kat |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: katlaughing Date: 19 Dec 11 - 04:26 PM Forgot to say I did 15 min. of qi gong last night and have done meditation this morning, after Morgan's early arrival at 7a, all chipper, and ready for a ride to school! Qi gong will come later. Dog lost her ball under the fence, again, so throwing it was only for about 7 minutes.:-) |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Dec 11 - 07:47 PM 11/31 3 12/1 3 12/2 1 front 12/3 2 back 12/3 1 12/3 at walking limit, all in house chores 12/5 1 12/6 1 front plus chair carry-in 12/7 much walking 12/13 much walking 12/14 1 front, 3 back, much walking in house chores, driveway cleanup, fetch mail 12/15 1 back, fetched mail from box (box just back YAY), carried 6 trips of wood left from construx crew-- all in equiv. of 2 pound ankle weights (each). 12/16 PT clinic (Jay), lower body at limit, new eval/functional goals w/MJ (housecleaning, snowblowing) 12/16 MEDS SLASHED, new activity/nutrition approved by doc, monthly visits planned to monitor with new "OPTIMAL" benchmarks (PT acronym) 12/16 1 front, plus walking/lifting at limit moving more wood. A little more than ydy's walk/lift/move wood (negligible difference); one big diff was I could work till throat burned. Much walking w/GKB 12/17 front 1, mail; moved CardioGlide and chose new upper body program 12/18 some walking, meds still processing out; a bedtime chore that is usually impossible was reasonably breathable-- still lost breath but got the job done first 12/19 1 plus 2 front, mail (breaking in new clogs); January/February doc appts set up |
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Subject: RE: Dec. 2011 - Wrapping up Declutter & Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Date: 19 Dec 11 - 10:50 PM I have the height here for hanging something fancy, but never heard of a kissing ball. There is mistletoe out in the hackberry tree, but probably not pretty enough to put into a bouquet like that. I've been working on decorations, though I should be working on the papers that need filing. I've moved them around quite a lot. They must be filed soon or important stuff will get lost. SRS |
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