Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter

Subject: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 10:56 AM

Here's the old thread.

We have a day or two shorter month ahead of us, but a one in four year event. What can we accomplish to make this a memorable Leap Year February?

Last year at this time we were preparing for an Arctic blast like is rarely seen in North Texas, this year I'm still mowing the lawn (after a summer of no mowing because it was a parched brown). I usually do more work in the house, but the weather is tempting me out of doors.

What does it look like where you are? Will you get a range of activities, or will it be mostly indoors? Give yourself a bridge to spring this month - order a seed catalog, start some plants in the window. Maybe you can bag up some of those papers you've been meaning to shred and use them for mulch in the garden come spring.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 11:03 AM

Down 2.8 pounds this week.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 11:05 AM

Kat, you mentioned having to pay a fee to LibraryThing once you had more than 200 books listed. How much do they charge? Do you think the system is amenable to setting up more than one account (I'm thinking of my personal book collection versus the books I consider part of my Dad's collection that may go live somewhere else one of these years). This comes under the heading of rearranging the stuff on the walls - and decluttering may happen along the way if I discover more duplicate volumes.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 12:59 PM

SRS, it was six dollars for a year. I don't remember how much for 2 to 3 years, but lifetime was only $25, which I will probably do sometime this year, or rather when my first year which I paid for expires.

I almost got my exercise by leaping over clutter on Monday. I had been to my girlfriend, the osteopath, where I had a wonderful hour and half session. That evening, I decided to try sitting on my yoga ball at my desk. I was reading to Morgan on the telephone, went down and didn't realize how much air it had lost. Roger was sitting across from me at the kitchen table and watched as the ball went out from under me, I fell back, hit my head on my office chair, and then fell flat on my back. I guess it looked pretty spectacular, it certainly felt like it. I had my Bluetooth on so I told Morgan I'd call him back, tossed it up on my desk and by that time of course Roger was over beside me.

In the past, I have been so weak, I've been unable to get myself up off the floor without more help than what Roger could provide. I thought that might be the case Monday night so called my daughter as I sat on the floor and asked her to send her husband over to help Roger and me. The good news is, by placing one knee on a pillow and one foot on the floor, with Rog lifting under one arm and me pulling up by holding the library table, I was able to get myself up! Up until then I had not cried from the shock or pain, but I did burst into tears of relief that I was finally strong enough to do that. It just showed me the past three weeks of eating right and sticking with my exercise had paid off. No more embarrassing calls to the fire brigade. ( we've only had to do that once when I fell and once when I couldn't make it to the car.)

Fortunately, my girlfriend had an opening on Tuesday, so I went back to her. She did a fantastic treatment on me, said I had a mild concussion and whiplash and advised rest for a couple of days. I did pretty well at doing that yesterday afternoon but didn't get a lot of sleep last night. Anyway, I am feeling better, don't have as many bruises as we'd expected, and am taking it easy.

I am determined to get one of those saddle chairs for my office, though!

Otherwise, we haven't done much around the house since Sunday. Morgan was over for supper on Monday and has been here each day before school. I have received more books in the mail, and have piles of books and other things which need to be packaged up, ready to be sent out to friends and family. I think that's the most decluttering I'll get to this week.

One other thing, we think my fall scared Luna. She huddled against the back door, just behind me after I fell. When I got back up we reassured her, but she would not leave my side. Ever since she's been with us, since last August, she has never wanted to spend the night in our room, no matter what we did to entice her. That night, she came in when I went to bed and wouldn't go out to her bed on the sofa. Roger brought in a scatter rug from the living room that she likes to lie on. She spent the whole night in our room on that night. I didn't get a whole lot of sleep, because no matter what I did, even just turning over in bed or coughing, I would hear the tip-tap of her toenails on the wooden floor and there she would be, right beside the bed checking up on me. I would have to reach out, pat her on the head so she'd know I was okay, then tip-tap back to the rug. She is so sweet.

Seeyasoon,

kat

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 02:56 PM

The dogs Poppy and Zeke hear my alarm go off each morning and stir as soon as it happens.

In order to hear them better during the night I leave my bedroom door open a crack with a laundry basket in front so Cinnamon stays in with me. I'm still keeping her separated from the others at night for a while - if Poppy growls at Zeke for getting rough, he backs off, and that's all that needs to happen. I don't need Cinnamon giving her a quick corrective chomp for telling Zeke he's out of bounds. Until we're able to resume a good daily walk schedule, I'll do this. Anyway, the alarm went off, I heard toenails, but didn't realize how many or how close until Zeke jumped up on top of me. Oooof! He was right back off the bed again, he knows he's not allowed up, but what a wake-up-call!

Anyway, it sounds like Luna is a good girl and is doing what she needs to in order to protect her human. Maybe some non-skid rugs around the bed would mean less toenail chatter.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 05:01 PM

Kat.....so glad you are ok!!!! And HOORAY to you for being able to get up..that's progress!!!!

Jeremiah is still not at 100% but he's been playing in a ray of sunshine for the last hour which is quite a switch from the clinging, weepy, coughing baby of this morning.

I managed to do a few loads of laundry, the dishes are done, toys WERE picked up. My goal for this month is to do a little at a time each day instead of setting large goals. Let's see how that goes.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 05:49 PM

toys WERE picked up

Michelle, have you done the "spoonful of sugar" routine and made putting toys away a game? I don't know if I ever was terribly successful, but when my kids were little we were in a tiny house and there were a lot of toys. When we started putting a bunch away and getting out some "new" again every so often, I think it got easier.

I agree with Michelle and should have said, Kat - congratulations on getting up on your own! Having to call the fire brigade, or thinking of JoyBell's story some years ago of collapse (before her corrective surgery) and the threat that Hildebrand was going to have to go get the wheelbarrow - there are some indignities you want to avoid if possible!

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 06:19 PM

Jeremiah does help to put his toys away when asked to put things in his basket. Keep in mind that he is not yet 2 years old! I had put all the toys away earlier today as he had every single basket dumped and spread out between the kitchen and the living room which was crazy. Now he has maybe 1 full basket of stuff out and it's all in the living room...much more manageable.

I thought I was being all smart a month or so ago and stocked up on vacuum cleaner bags which in theory was a great idea. However...I pout the wrong ones. As soon as the baby is feeling better, I'll be taking him out with me to exchange the bags for the proper ones. I never thought I'd be saying this but I can't wait to vacuum! It makes SUCH a difference and right now our carpet is making me twitch.

I'm making salmon, basmati rice and steamed broccoli for dinner...what are the rest of you having? I'd be interested in seeing some other thoughts as I'm getting tired of making the same few things. I do have a collection of recipe books but it's much more interesting to me to see what people are REALLY eating for meals. :)

More laundry is going. I'm tuckered out from a few days of little to no sleep (hyper alert isn't sleep!). Since we know that Jeremiah has febrile seizures...I can't help but worry. I thought they only occurred when the body temperature rose too quickly but yesterday his doctor told me they can happen when the temperature drops too quickly too. I didn't know that.

I'll be paying bills later tonight and cleaning out one or two drawers of my nightstand.

Have a great night everybody!

Michelle

Have a great evening everybody!

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 07:45 PM

OK, someone has to say it-- I will.

I leap over clutter every day on my way out the door! :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 07:59 PM

I have some on the floor of my office that I step over that needs to be filed, not just elevated.

Michelle, I've been looking around and I have some basic ingredients and I could fix something but since it's payday I think I'll make a brief shopping trip then stop by my corner place and buy a gyro. I have some good yogurt here to use (they use a commercial cucumber sauce that isn't as good as just plain yogurt) and a glass of wine and maybe an apple after?

Probably on the weekend I'll be making some pizza crusts (very small) to partially bake then freeze and I'll make a batch of tortillas. I'm short of some of those things that help me build a meal around (get out a tortilla, fill it with a mix of beans or taco meat or chicken fajita, etc, and it's a quick meal. I can pull out the crusts and spread on olive oil and herbs and a little cheese, cut it into strips and serve focaccia bread as an appetizer or make a personal pizza. I need to pick up some spelt flour and see how well it works for some of these things - the carb hit isn't so bad, apparently, with other grains than it is white white or whole wheat flour.

I also have to pay bills - it's amazing how fast they declutter the bank account! I also have to lay out my paperwork for taxes. Yuck!

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 10:06 PM

I've started something new this month. I've been accepted at Penn State and will be training to train others as part of the Master Well Owner Network. Organization absolutely will be stepped up around here and I'm looking forward to it immensely.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 11:39 PM

I imagine there is more to it than keeping the well from freezing.

Headed to bed early, ending this by phone. I wouldn't want to use only this. Tedious.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 09:23 AM

Decluttered a trash bag of laundry from bedroom.

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 11:07 AM

One thing about keeping a counter-surfer chocolate lab here at the house, I make sure my dishes are washed at the end of the day and the trash can is either up or has been emptied. He's keeping me on my housekeeping toes!

I pulled out some of my climbing hardware (carabiners, figure 8 used in rappelling, break bar, etc,) and am running the dog leashes through, working out how to keep the leashes at a set length but still being adjustable if I need to loosen the leads and re-arrange them. I took knots out of the leashes because the set lengths didn't work when I rearranged the dogs on either side of me. I'm working on getting my two to stop pulling - there is a way, I'm sure, but I haven't accomplished it yet. One thing I will do is get another Gentle Leader head collar for the pit bull - she hates it, but she does walk better with it.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 11:40 AM

Got my exercise yesterday by walking all the way across the parking lot to buy potato chips.

We de-cluttered the dining room table because tonight I am teaching a class on fretted dulcimer. (Four attendees so far.) Pray for me.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 11:47 AM

Somebody asked about the weather. Kansas City is having a beautiful day - sunny and 60 degrees. Tomorrow we expect rain and 45. I'm enjoying the strangely nice weather, but it's a relief to know that soon it will be more normal for February.

Though in Kansas City it's hard to define normal. I have seen winter (Jan - Feb) range from minus 25 to 70.

Yesterday was also nice, and I sprayed the roses to thwart thrips. Nasty little creatures! I'm feeling stuffed with virtue.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 12:12 PM

The fretted dulcimer classes sound interesting. I hope you get a lot more students, though it will be fortunate for the students if there are less...more attention?:-)

Meditation and qi gong this morning. One thing my doc friend and I noticed is my neck seems to have been whacked back into shape by my fall. I'll explain more on my alterkate blog as I mean to be more consistent in posting to it. I've neglected it far too long and I don't want to post so much of that kind of thing on here.

I am off to finish the final copy edit of PC and then submit it for e-book rendition!

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 12:49 PM

PT per schedule. 6 weeks to go-- pushing more and more weights each week. Went to 6" step-ups today.

Ouchies! :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 06:37 PM

Two weeks of no choc, no cookies and lot of veggies. No weight loss. Next step: cut out cheese.

An article on obesegens from Environmental Health News

A friend's raccoons, in Wisconsin, predicted a long winter. She says they are never wrong. In Canada, there were early spring predictions in Nova Scotia and a long winter in Quebec. Oh well. Today was in the low 20s and SUNNY!!

So off I went on non-icy streets to the market for more apples. The nice man at the apple booth had no seconds today but suggested I come back tomorrow afternoon. After a bit of other shopping, I came home and went upstairs to start a HOT bath and water the plants. There was last week's bag of apples just inside the door where I had left them to keep cold.

I'll do up another pot of stewed apples tonight. And go get more tomorrow because I said I would.

A long phone call with my rehab friend in NYS was a special treat today. We would love to visit again soon - when the weather is cooperative!

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 07:40 PM

I was looking forward to a dog walk this afternoon, but it clouded over and drizzled with occasional storms. We'll try tomorrow, with the new leash and splitter (hook to two dogs then hook a leash to the middle ring.)

There is work around the house this evening. Nothing fancy, but stuff that needs doing.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 12:01 PM

Hi, Dorothy. I used to live in Wisconsin. Those raccoons are conducting a scam. Predicting a long winter in Wisconsin is as safe as predicting a hot summer in Florida, so tell your friend not to pay them.

The dulcimer class went pretty well, considering it was my first one. I had four students (good thing there were not more), and then said they appreciated it and had learned, although the amount of material was a little daunting.

I was unprepared for how hard it was to tune up. Most of the dulcimers had been sitting unplayed for a long time, and their strings were all over the map. The tuner couldn't cope, and the needle swung wildly to and fro when a string was plucked. I was getting pretty flustered, but the DH rallied round, analyzing which way to turn the knobs and taking some dulcies away for therapy in a quiet room.

We had fun. I could have done without the woman who said she would be 'a little late' and showed up one hour late for a two-hour class.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 12:25 PM

Gentle warm rain today, a nice lead into the weekend. It looks like tomorrow is my best bet for yard work, and the rain should end by then.

Several eBay items are listed, none exciting a great deal of attention. Time to find something different to put up.

I've been arranging a few things on a small table in the bedroom hallway intersection. A lamp, an interesting stone, a pretty little brass bowl, to create an artful spot. I mentioned last month that I moved a bookcase from that area. I'm thinking that I might actually prefer to mount a shelf in that hall under the mirror. The table is one of the old square top with legs attached near the middle of the top and splayed outward and has a lower shelf. Mine is this type, but smaller, the perfect size to hold a telephone. I also have a plug at about the same level as the one in this photo, and my little LED light shines on the shelf, not on the floor. I don't want someone kicking a leg accidentally and toppling it and I want the light to be more effective.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 01:42 PM

A reminder of why we love libraries (I think I'll start a separate thread for this also, but I'll give it to all of you first):

A friend sent this video made by her cousin for students at George Washington University. Enjoy!

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 08:39 PM

Me again.

Yesterday I wore another pair of Clark's clogs (rubber sole, leather upper) and thought they looked pretty good, considering that the other slip-on pair I wore on Friday fell apart as I wore them. So this morning I again slipped on the second pair and they felt so lopsided - I took them off and both of the soles were crumbling! Two pair, probably bought 3 or 4 pairs ago (I usually have between 15-20 pairs of shoes at a time, according to weather, occasion, season, etc. so they don't get worn that often) both self-destructed this winter. Really odd.

The dogs and I went for a truly superior walk tonight. I fitted the pit bull with the new Gentle Leader head collar (yes, she pried it off once before the walk and got one foot hung up in it - so I snugged it up more) but they were so much more responsive to my request that they not pull! My two still aren't completely reformed, but we're working on it.

Tornado warning around here this evening. I'd have known it even if I didn't see it on the weather channel - the warm muggy weather tells me so. We're settled in - I picked more broccoli from the garden and will do a beef and broccoli stir fry. I saw my first daffodil, almost open, this evening in the yard. Spring isn't far away. Amazing how the time flies!

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 11:20 PM

After a heated phone discussion with a young nurse who apparently thinks she knows more than the doctor, I took Jeremiah in to the doctor for the second time this week. His cough has gotten much worse and he has developed a wheeze. So...back to the doctors we went where they prescribed a nebulizer. Next fun was dealing with the insurance company. Finally got things straightened out and headed home where the medical supply company arrived 5 minutes later with the nebulizer and they showed me how to use it. There are 2 meds that require a longer treatment....16 minutes to be precise. Needless to say, Jeremiah HATES it (despite the cute fishy mask). He kicked and fussed the entire time and after the treatment was over, he was very snuggly...for about 30 seconds and is now the BING BING BING RICOCHET RABBIT!!! He is off the walls!!! You know what? I don't care as long as he can breathe more easily. :)

It has been a long day but I managed to get the dishes done, the table found, scripts picked up and dinner on the table.

Pete surprised me with some yummies from the store. I had asked him to pick up some water but he came home with water and then some! Grapes. Blueberries. Bagels fresh from the bakery. Cream cheese. Butter. Apples. YUM. YUM. YUM.

I haven't been able to get to the store this week because I don't want to take the baby out and while we have plenty of food, I was missing the fresh stuff!

Dinner here tonight was a teriyaki chicken stir fry. Yum. How about the rest of you...what was for dinner?

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 11:28 PM

Because you are all women I love, I want to share this...I think it is worth watching: What It Is & What It Isn't

Amen.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 11:49 PM

I watched that earlier today - it reminds me of the stages my Mom went through, and some of the things she had to say about what that kind of radical surgery and fear do to you.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 11:58 PM

<---lived it & have a 110% understanding

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 10:55 AM

Unpacked/sorted a large box and a laundry basket where linens had been set aside in our BR when MIL came to visit. Nice bunch of stuff:

<> 6 empty large trash bags buried in a box-- and I always need those up here!
<> Sm. round tablecloth for a small round table in our stairway, so I can take out the square one that is way too big.
<> Flannel to add width to a new king flannel sheet
<> 2 queen flats to rip down to squares
<> An electric bed-warmer to add to the attic dorm/hunters' room. Probably a twin, to add to the one of the twins now making up a daybed. (A heated daybed, yum!) If it's a double, I'll swap it for the electric blankie (a twin) now on the double bed.
<> Two crib sheets for the portacrib we keep here for emerg. visitors
<> Misc blue things that go in another room that is mostly all blues
<> Bedspread and a few sheets to add to the linen closet

Linen closet: Oh, look-- Hardi had added some lengths of sewing fabric. I added more, there is room for MORE.

===

Decluttered a vol. project someone else has screwed up.

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 11:04 AM

First load of laundry is in, the sun is out for a nice winter day, and it's another weekend of way too much to do. I think I'll make a list.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 12:38 PM

Slept in. YAY!!!!!

Made breakfast of fresh bagels and fruit with my family.

Gave the baby his nebulizer treatment and rocked him to sleep.

Getting ready to go visit my nana in the nursing home who I haven't been able to see all week.

Going to do some much needed grocery shopping that has also been put on hold this week as I didn't want to take the baby out.

Daddy is staying home with the baby and I am thankful to have a little bit of time to myself.

In case you didn't know...today is WORLD CANCER DAY! Remembering those people who were taken far too early, praying for those currently in treatment and celebrating with other survivors and giving thanks for my life!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 12:38 AM

Lots of bed linens changed, a couple of loads of laundry washed. Wrote an article. I could have done more, but it didn't happen. Maybe tomorrow.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 10:25 AM

I am about to make juice and clean up the kitchen, plus do a couple of loads of laundry. Rog is off getting parts for our furnace which quit last night. Thankfully I noticed before it was too late in the night. He was able to jury-rig it to keep us warm overnight. I will do the dishes, too, since his day will be spent with the furnace and he has to go to work about 4p to be there to make sure there are no glitches in reception of the #@%^&*% Stupid Bowl. It's going to be a long day. I hope he gets a nap in, first.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 11:23 AM

Kat - we're on a roll - I also cleaned the kitchen this morning. I have a long shopping list to pick up today and having the counters clear makes unloading the pickup easier.

No interest in the Stupid Bowl, it's just another Sunday. :)

Decluttered the bank account with some bill paying, then decluttered some disks and files as I move backups around and get ready to save a backup to a DVD. I don't know if Susie's family goes to church so I'll wait till later till call - to see if we can set up a schedule for taking Zeke down to see her. Her son filled out a form so he can even go up to her room. I need to give him a bath, he's getting a little doggy smelling.

Need to do some work in the greenhouse today. I have asparagus coming up and some early daffodils, and I need to get seeds started for a couple of months from now. I have a heater set up in there, and I'll also put in a little fan to move warm air.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 12:17 PM

Afraid I have added to the clutter by purchasing little Italian Maquetry music box jewel table thing. Only 5 quid, but I really have no safe place to put it.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 12:20 PM

Fresh asparagus and daffodils? What could be better???? Pete said he thought he heard a robin singing this morning when he was out cutting wood!!!

A lovely breakfast of blueberries (that actually taste like summer blueberries!) and English muffin bread toasted. YUM. Orange coffee too. Yum. YUM. YUM.

I gave the baby his bath....the first one in over a week (doctors orders). His deep, congestive cough is almost gone and the runny nose is much more manageable. He has found his appetite and vocal cords (oh my). He is irritable and pitching fits today. It's better than weepy, sick cries so I'll take it.

I now have his cold.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 01:26 PM

Nothing like sharing with family members. On a happier note, you remind me of my intention to make blueberry muffins to take with me next time I see Susie.

Time to send something different to eBay, diversify, and maybe pull in more interest. The last batch was kind of a dud - or priced too high.

Muffins are baking so I'll scan a couple of things, post a quick listing, then when the muffins are cool I'll make my rounds. I wish it was warmer out. We're back to a wintery looking day.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 09:20 PM

Got a boatload of laundry done and put away. Got the access to a new online class all set up on the puder (I'm a participant not the teacher), so I will be all set to join them when it starts next Sunday evening.

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 12:02 AM

Susie's son wants to pick up Zeke to take him over to stay at his house, and then to see Susie the next day. An overnight stay (his son, Susie's grandson, is also there). I'll make every effort to give them the practice in putting on his collar (this one works so much better than the old one) and practice walking him so they know how to keep him under control. Meanwhile, I got the hospital form that needs to be filled out 24-hours before each visit and I'll do that and take him down myself also, mostly to save her son the drive sometimes. She has another 3+ weeks in there, at least, hardly enough time to do all of the stuff he has to get done to make her house ready for her and take care of her business concerns. So much to do after this, and she still has so far to go.

Got some stuff done this weekend, about 3/4 of the shopping I needed to do, and the kitchen cleaned again. No gardening. This week it is a must.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 09:58 AM

Yesterday I decluttered the end of the road of snow, with some others, and ate very little (did include a few birthday chocs), and put on weight.

A planned meal out to celebrate my birthday last week is on hold - it wasn't much snow, but ice is forecast, and freezing fog, so driving a bit hazardous.

I have given myself a photo scanner and am digitising all my slides, moving on to prints, which is a nice indoorsy job, and involves ultimately storing the source material upstairs out of my study, thus releasing space down there for putting things out of the way so the table is free. I'm trying to save things in dated folders, but the developers did not always date the prints, so it's guesswork.

Penny

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 09:59 AM

Cold day here today, but not cold like Pennsylvania or Colorado or Michigan. How's everyone doing?

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 11:39 AM

It's chilly with a breeze in the 30s this morning.

Meditation and short bit of qi gong - 17 minutes. The whiplash is kicking up when I raise my arms over my head too much. Due for a treatment this afternoon. Can't wait. Low grade headache all week, worse if I "compute" for too long at a stretch.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 01:05 PM

Sick here with a chest cold...very congested...coughing, sneezing, dizzy and exhausted. I did dishes, a load of laundry an made 2 meals anyway as well as taking care of the wee one. He and I are both going to take a nap very soon.

I am absolutely drained and am looking forward to melting into my mattress.

Pete is working from home today so I might even get to do it sooner rather than later (oh please, please, please)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 02:07 PM

Michelle, how is your thyroid? Hope you get plenty fo rest, fluids, and TLC. You deserve it!

Rog was going to take today off. So far he's had to go in twice! The second time because Romney is in town and the news crew forgot how to set up the remote truck, plus his asst. somehow managed to take vacation just before Stupid Bowl. Arrgghhh!

Anyway, I've been finishing up final copy-editing of PC. I am on Chapter 25 and there are 31, so almost done. I hope to finish it by tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 02:59 PM

SRS, it's actually unusually warm here this week. Not warm like Texas, but warm for here. :~) SUNNY today!

I had to miss a pool visit today due to the trots, but am using the "make-legs-ache" rule of thumb to replace the aquatic activity with house chores in this big ole barn.

I've been up to attic dorm twice already today, with so much walking around beds up there that my knees are asking for drugs (nope!). Faulkner helped me put the bedwarmer on the daybed and make that up fresh with sheets and down comforters. I also sorted thru some boxed linens, which are stored up there for other setups the room sometimes has (such as the 3 twins that become 1 daybed and vice-versa). And I swapped out a thick, fragile, vintage item for an airy, synthetic fabric item-- where winter damp would love to breed some mold. Rearranged a few items, and brought down one I needed in my office which is up the OTHER set of stairs....

I DO wish that guests would honor the house rules, and at least pick up after themselves... there is always too much to do, to get it ready for the next guests-- next are a couple who may be here for a formal ministry internship and definitely for an informal one. One of them is the ministry intern and the other is the accompanying support person-- who will (by God and by golly) take a share of "keeping" that room!!! I plan to get it broom clean, and then let them borrow the vacuum cleaner! :~) Hey, they get free room and board on us-- not maid service!

But the last user left me with some damaged items to repair, darn it, beyond normal wear and tear. I'm especially surprised at some sharp broken plastic and discarded razor blades she left on the floor-- she had toddlers up there the last 4-5 weeks she was up there. ???

~Susan

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: ClaireBear
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 04:24 PM

It seems chilly in northern California today, but I think it's mostly that I'm sick and can't get my feet warm. Martin's home sick in bed, which is where I wish I were -- but hey, someone has to work!

It's supposed to rain later, according to Weather Underground. Here's hoping! The car needs a good wash... and our hills need rain. Oodles of it.

On a happier note, I just sent a letter to my intentional community informing them of the beginning of the restoration phase of my housefire drama. That feels really good, even though the rest of me doesn't.

On the decluttering front, I am pleased to report that I am declaring myself a FORMER thrift-store-holic. I went into two of them this weekend and came away only with two books, both replacements for ones that burned in the fire. Several times in the couple of months since the fire, I've even gone in and come out with NOTHING! Nothing like living in an 11'x11' room to make you reassess whether you really need that extra whatever-it-is.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 10:20 PM

Kat,

   I won't know much about my thyroid for another 4 weeks or so. We did some readjusting and need to wait and see if that fixes the problem. I see the endocrinologist in about 10 days or so, then or a mammogram, port flush, blood work and oncology check up. And then.....my chemo partner and I are going to a day spa to celebrate our 2nd chemoversary!!!   I can't wait.

Manicure. Pedicure. Paraffin wax. Massage. Facial. Might have my eyebrows shaped...something I've never had done before...we'll see. I can't decide exactly what kind of massage I want. A foot massage sounds absolutely heavenly to me and a scalp massage too but then I love back massages.....oh the choices!!! :)

I have decided that from now on, after every single gyn/oncologist check up, I AM going to the day spa for one of the above as a treat! One of the more expensive options....can't go all out that often!!! Well...at least I never have before!!!

And ANNOUNCEMENT: My husband and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary this summer on the same date as my Relay For Life. We have decided to renew our vows at the Relay in the early evening!!   I am sooo excited about this! It's going to be a bit more than reciting vows but I'm not sure just what that something else will be. It's fun to think about and plan though!!! HOORAY!!

That's all for now.

Sweet dreams everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 01:20 AM

How sweet, Michelle! And as far as a massage or day at the spa, I don't care about the mani-pedi stuff or eyebrow shaping (I barely have any now as it is), but the massage I was given as a gift (1 hour from a neighbor whose computer I repaired) was wonderful and the most memorable part was the hot rocks. They are incredible. Ask if they have hot rocks. :)

Claire, I spent several months as a park ranger living in a travel trailer, and though the space was cramped, it was a wonderful experience. I wish I hadn't let my ex talk me into selling it - for casual trips or for using as a guest room, it was nice. A small space does make you decide what is necessary and though you may have some stuff stored in bins in odd corners, even that has to be useful stuff.

Susan, that sharp plastic and razors report is troubling. I hope she was just clearing out stuff she'd kept out of reach of the kiddos during her stay. If one has free rent it SEEMS to me an unspoken rule that one should leave the space either as one found it or in a little better shape, as a way of saying thank-you.

I spent nearly an hour on the phone with my most remote kiddo as he put together a CV (Curriculum Vitae) to use as a resume. I pointed out that he didn't probably have yet the kind of scholarly things a CV asks for, but it's not a bad start (keep it in a file with a list of classes, any papers published, conference attended, etc) and extract from it for a resume. That's what he really needs right now, but starting with the CV format isn't a bad idea. Businesses coming to campus to interview students - and the one tomorrow evening is the biggest of the big. It Go^bogles the mind, so to speak. :)

SRS Don't you just love html?

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 09:53 AM

SRS, yes I DO Love HTML!

Susan, that sharp plastic and razors report is troubling. I hope she was just clearing out stuff she'd kept out of reach of the kiddos during her stay. If one has free rent it SEEMS to me an unspoken rule that one should leave the space either as one found it or in a little better shape, as a way of saying thank-you.

Thanks. Sometimes others' craziness seems so NORMAL. But it's NOT! :~)

===

Help Me Rhonda, I think we're gonna join the local Y.

===

None of the following will make any actual sense except to people who actually KNOW ME, and that's who it's posted for.

===

Now, CALORIES. Dagnabbit to heck, the wrong person has been in charge of these and I just woke up to it. New goal: cut them in the daylight hours-- feed the night otter.

===

CHAOS. I was raised in total chaos. Every morning I can get out of bed and even know who I am is a victory.

===

"May she go from strength to strength." And there is a handy PT appt due in an hour to put all that anger, YEEHAW!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 01:27 PM

Last night I set a pot of beans to soak and now they're simmering with a ham hock from the freezer and the first bay leaf I've picked from my own plant in the yard (planted in early 2011). Other freezer items to go in this pot will be peppers, tomatoes, tomato juice, coriander, and some venison sausage I save to use in beans.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 01:51 PM

[bleep]

Lost post-- but that DOES look like my Y!

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 05:41 PM

Writing from the country! where, thanks to our good neighbour (and Bell), I now have internet. SO, having driven into the city with R this am, I turned around and came back because it is a beautiful day and so much nicer here with the big east facing windows looking into the trees. Lots of solar gain and good insulation makes this place very easy to heat and to keep warm.

I spent most of last week researching the effects of wind turbines: human health, environment, bats and birds, migrating birds, hydrogeology.... On the weekend, R and I talked with our neighbour - we are in cahoots -- visited area people, postered about the council meeting on Monday night ...

Went to the city Monday am and came back for the mtng, with a notebook of info and two page hand out. What a meeting! People were really ticked! Many were there because they had seen the posters or been called by friends who had, or visited by us. "We knew nothing..." " How come the council can send out a letter telling us how we must place our recycling bins but cannot tell us about a proposed wind farm!" Two hours of comments in French and/or English.

The only person in the audience (out of close to 40) who seemed to be in favour (said not a word!) was the one who owns a large part of the ecologically sensitive, and one of 20 in the world, sandstone pavement barren - an amazing ecological feature. R spoke about it and almost wept as he talked. As a geologist, he addressed the hydrogeology of the area and possible effect on the aquifer of 4-5 wind turbines being constructed there. He also noted the interesting - you would not allow 16 houses to be built on this land, zoned agriculture but are considering wind turbines?

At least 3 of these monsters are shown on the plan as being less than a km of us, two of them in the east where I watch the sun rise.

We had tea and snacks with our neighbour after the meeting to debrief and agreed to write letters to editor - his in French, mine in English. He had alerted the local paper and there was a reporter. YAY!

We went back to city this morning to R could get to work. I made up the bed there (washed sheets on Friday) and was back about noon. Have done the email thing, and written to a friend and had a hot bath. Will go back about 6:30. A lovely day.

Yesterday's push to get info ready - I ate junk. Today, broke two week choc fast - big time- and I feel blick! Back to veggie's and good stuff. Had broccoli and black bean sauce for lunch with sprinkle of grated cheese. Good start and yummie.

My brain is full of more info than I ever wanted to know!

We also went to an art show on Sunday - and picked up an old baby walker, I think it is, for the raccoon friends. They LOVE kids toys! They have the mentality of 2-3 year old human kids.

Speaking of libraries: I have to visit at least every two weeks, go through at least 4 novels and whatever other interesting books I can find in English. What would I do without?

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: GUEST,999
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 07:03 PM

Good for you and R, Dorothy. I'm presently looking into fracking in this area. When I find out anything, I'll keep you in the loop.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 12:55 AM

We are gonners here in Texas. They've been putting up windmills and have been fracking for a while now.

Made a big pot of beans, the kind of meal that makes me think back and thank my past self for saving all of the great ingredients. Tomatoes, poblano peppers, herbs, all came from the garden. Venison sausage came from my next door neighbor.

The sink has been cleared out, I'll run the dishwasher tomorrow. Paper still piling up in my office.

I washed Zeke this evening - he doesn't really like baths, for all that he's a Labrador retriever. He prefers open water, pools, wading pools, not bathtubs and shower heads on a hose. We both got a bath in the process.

For exercise got a couple of dog walks in today. For other good intentions, I handed an eBay box over to the postal carrier today.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 10:47 AM

Looks like everyone is moving forward, I'm looking forward to a few facebook photos when you have the time, Claire and Maryanne. Andrea, do you have any more progress to report or are you waiting till spring to do yard and garden stuff? Isn't there something more to be built out there?

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 02:11 PM

If making the bed, straitening the blankets on my chair, picking up gobs of used Kleenex off the floor every hour or so, putting the lid on the Vick's after every use and covering my mouth when I cough count towards leaping over clutter, I'm all over it today!!!

OK...some laundry done as well. Three trips of stuff went up into my office/in the works playroom and toys have been picked up too. I got the vacuum out, used it. I took it apart as much as I could to see what was keeping it from working, put it back together only to find I made it worse.

And now, I shall sit in my jammies and watch the snow come down. A shower is in the works in a little bit. I am sick. I am exhausted. I am taking a break!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 08:17 PM

meditation yesterday and this morning

Spent about two hours working with my brother on his business FB page and Soundclick VIP page...tedious and a pain in the whiplash, but felt good to get it done

Made a big pot of veggie soup from the first soup recipe I got from jointhereboot.com.

It's been busy around here. I am working almost eight hours a day on my stuff, my brother's stuff, and answering emails, etc. plus Morgan's been over almost every morn before school, so breakfast with him and reading with him every evening for about thirty minutes. He's so special. Always wants me to end each night with two lullabies, our thanks giving and the "positive" word for the next day. It's like balm to my heart, sharing such with him.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 10:24 PM

Big Day on personal program today-- new bus driver. Scrip from doc for Y after PT discharge. Weird emergency pastoral matter today via cellfone.

Sister back in hospital, this time 'way out in Californy. :~| Found out son plans a trip out there (I knew that part), by TRAIN so he can PREVIEW it for me accessibilty-wise!!!!!!!! (Who raised that one? I have no idea.)

Decluttered.... oh yes, some files off the old Gateway (it worked today!!!) at a too-early hour so I can email them via the working modem to the requestor.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 11:09 AM

I may have mentioned the train. My mother loved traveling by train, she also got sick as a dog on one trip from food poisoning in the dining car. After that she was very careful and also carried along a number of non-perishable foods for just in case.

I shared this on facebook, but for those who don't use that application, here is a TED talk about the food supply that everyone should listen to. With no distractions. It's really important, and though many of us have known there are problems, that processed food isn't healthy, this looks into the science of what is going into the processed foods - and that Europe has managed to reject these modifications. So why hasn't the US? It's way past time to have a healthy food supply. Chalk this up to "accountability" in choosing healthy foods for your weight loss goals, or in the "declutter" compartment when trying to get this junk out of our diets and bodies. Either way, it's helpful.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 11:43 AM

I have, finally, sorted through the last paperwork from the flats I've left, put it into neat folders and files, copied computer files to a CD, and put the whole lot, with my forms removing me from the bank signatories and Companies House records as director and secretary, in a box to deliver this evening to someone there to take it over, so I am completely finished.

Rather naughtily, I left in the note I printed out and never distributed telling the rogue director roughly what I thought of his behaviour. I did not include the version, still unwritten, which might have been channelling 'Spaw. That remains until I have, possibly, visited Companies House some time when I go to Wales to my niece's, to find out if they have something from him on file about me.

I can't celebrate properly, though. My weight plateau is turning upwards for no apparent reason. So no icecream, no chocolate, no cake.

And then, when I have got rid of the box, I have a new committee meeting this evening, at the new place. Glutton for punishment, me.

Penny

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 12:11 PM

I think over the months you've referred to this, but I forget how it started, Penny? Sounds like you've wrapped up an aggravation, at any rate.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 12:16 PM

meditation and qi gong thi morning

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 01:19 PM

I did some absolutely necessary shopping this morning. Cold meds, Vick's Vapor Rub, cough drops, seriously wonderful tissue for my vaseline smeared red, chapped nose, an easy breezy supper which requires nothing more from me than throwing it in the oven.

The house is quiet. The babe is being taken care of. I am loaded up with cold meds, a comfy chair in the sunshine, a cat sleeping beside me, lots of water within reach and I am about to take a very long, much needed nap.

Oh yeah. It is time to do some serious ass kicking of this cold.

Sweet afternoon dreams everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 01:30 PM

Sweet dreams, Michelle.

I wrote to the pulmonologist-friend-doc who moved to the eastern slope of CO telling him about the juicing I am doing as a result of watching the docu, Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead. He is pleased and also highly recommends any and all who are interested in good health watch another one, available at Netflix, too, called Forks Over Knives. I see there is also a follow-up The Engine 3 Kitchen Rescue.

Forks and Knives starts out with quick bits of depressing and frightening stats, etc. on the rapid growth (no pun intended) of Americans and all of the medical problems which result. Hang in there, though, because it gets lots better with some great info, etc. A lot of stuff we all know, but, like FS&ND, it offers practical ways to change things around.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 05:35 PM

Did it! Just finished the final edit of Prairie Child - A Novel Memoir. I will submit it for creation as an e-book, first, by the weekend. It usually takes about a month or so for them to crank it out and distribute it. Now on to the next one, On Garfield Creek - Touchstones of Our Past.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 08:12 PM

Brutal day. Decluttered a fellow band member's mind of a boatload of grief. I was not in the best shape to receive it.... for me, it was like downshifting a Ferrari in a too-tight, fast turn while double clutching to avoid sliding downhill.

Second Y visit today with another take on their trainer dude. Looking better and better. Plan forming. Fit into more of their machines than I anticipated, so great.

Sis has had labs, PET and CT scans on the overnighter plan. Important results may be tomorrow, lot of peeps to coord info for/with. Very busy.

Picked up cinder blocks to make FRONT steps as accessible as the back porch steps. Lot of yard walking this AM.

Have not slept well for several days now, strokebrain all FUBAR. New supplement-- DHA. Pharmacy only had prenatal version so I guess I am having someone's baby now. Bedtime meds shortly!!!


Nightio,

~Susan
(BIIIIIIIte me)

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 09:10 PM

Well, no nap happened here. I ended up on the phone with our state representative and a few other agencies regarding policies and guidelines for the Family Caregivers Support Act, HS 210 to see what kinds of programs my nana will qualify for when discharged from the nursing home. I got a lot of information after wading through some people who really have no idea what their job is. Next step is to see what results come in from neurology and such.

It's a process that my mom and aunt had no idea even existed. It feels really good to have the *You did good* stamp of approval from them both. YAY.

I thought the baby was on the track to being well but he is uber clingy tonight, won't eat...not even ice cream. He did drink a bottle but that's not his usual MO. His temperature has gone up as well so now I will be a slave to the video monitor all night watching for seizures.

I am sick myself. This will pass. It will all pass.

In the meantime, if any of you have a cold with a constantly running nose, I'd like to share that Kleenex brand tissue has a pop up box of tissues called Cool Touch...a little pricey but ohhhhh myyyy...it's like a silky kiss on my very raw, red nose. Well worth the extra cash.

I have also joined the Y but will not start there officially until my cold is gone. Kinda hard to get your body rockin' when you can't breathe fully....plus, I don't want anyone else to catch my bug.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 09:20 PM

Michelle, the Simply Saline spray really helps with running nose. I get the kind that's in a pressurised can which keeps it sterile.

Boy! We're watching Forks Over Knives. Some very important info on scientific studies on the correlation between food and most illnesses which kill us, esp. cardiac problems and cancer. Really glad my doc recommended it.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Feb 12 - 02:02 AM

I did a little today, but I'm bushed. Tomorrow is Friday, so I'll either have something to report, or something to look forward to on the weekend!

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 10 Feb 12 - 02:53 AM

I'm not going to revisit the neighbour trouble. I think they genuinely believed that I was extinguishing their rights, and that any means (short of actually paying for legal advice and solicitor's letter) was justified in getting them. Living in a solipsist universe.

After handing over all the paperwork, I had a mysterious text from the person I handed them to, completely meaningless to me, apart from crying out for me to notify the other neighbour, who also doesn't want to be involved in running the place, of something. Not My Problem!

Penny

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Feb 12 - 11:22 AM

Meditation and qi gong this morning.

We've also taken all of the trash out...it's collection day. Next to last hand therapy today, plus coumadin clinic and a few errands. We're also going to strip the bedclothes and remake it with fresh, clean sheets. By tomorrow, I hope to have all of our clean clothes put away.

kat

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Feb 12 - 12:20 PM

We're preventively decluttering our annual vacation plan, with a bunch of new activities-to-consider/research pushing out the less-active, boring stuff to which I am no longer relegated!

#1 son sent me a neat blog entry he found online, that's purty hilarious, so enjoy: http://jangosteve.com/post/380926251/no-one-knows-what-theyre-doing

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 10 Feb 12 - 12:38 PM

Hi, LilyFestre. I hope you and the baby get well soon.

Did y'all happen to notice a recent link which showed - 5 beautiful people 5 - playing the same guitar? It was cute, but what I noticed was how deadly earnest they are. Not a smile, not even a twinkle of the eye for as long as I could stand to watch. Then a couple of attractive, healthy, well-nourished white males squinched up their faces and sang about how miserable their lives are. (not that I can understand the words, but we can tell.)

They took turns, of course, because being 25, they don't know how to sing together.

Man, I'm tired of earnestness. Everything is so damn earnest today. Music, home decor, TV shows, sports...

So I'm learning "The Blue Skirt Waltz" and "The Band Played On." If you go to YouTube and enter "Blue Skirt Waltz" you can actually see old TV shows with people singing, dancing and having fun. When was that last on TV?

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Feb 12 - 04:07 PM

Getting ready for the weekend, trying to finish various chores so they don't carry over.

Penny, sounds like that is the kind of paperwork you want to hand over then brush off your hands. Hopefully that is the end of it.

Michelle, are you feeling any better today? If I have a raw nose like that I use a stick of chapstick on the skin around and even into the nose a bit - it really helps. Vaseline also works, a very light coating.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 10 Feb 12 - 04:48 PM

Off to the country soon. First pick up a TV found on Craigslist Free and only ten minutes away. The guy won't be home until 5:30. Then whip down to cafe in hopes of getting a seat because this group is SO terrific.

Did not do much all week. Seriously processing this wind turbine problem. And doing more research. Wrote and sent letter to newspaper. Did not even grocery shop until this morning. The first day I've felt like bothering. I did walk to the library this week.

Find putting green tea back in has settled blood sugar. HAd one day when I went beserk with choc and too many cookies but back to being very low on choc and almost no cookies. Finding a sort of digestive satisfies me with less sugar and only two or three are usually plenty.

Hear there is a petition at the post office about the wind farm. Check it out sign it, see who started it and how we can get the most possible signatures.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 10 Feb 12 - 04:59 PM

Today I decided to start the solar panel plan. I couldn't raise anyone at the roofing firm, because someone is in hospital - and it wasn't clear whether the son mentioned wasa child or the man-, and some sort of garbled conversation at the electrical number that kept breaking up. No-one called back. I'll have to try again. I have to get in a pitch to the village association for permission by Wednesday, or it will be too late because of the government changes in fitting the things.

Problems.

Penny

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Feb 12 - 08:41 PM

The cinderblock step improvements out front are DONE, and I love the new size blocks I used. I will no longer have to be on the phone with someone when I'm home alone to be sure I am safe on these awful steps we've ignored since 1994-- hmmmm.... $20 bucks worth of joy and safety vs. $100+ for a metal ramp, and TBTG and PT I can STEP UP and STEP DOWN with the right height steps to check the mail and take out my own trash. I unloaded and placed most of them before I crapped out and Hardi finished it off. A nice detail by the front door-- the square pattern I laid them in left a 6" sq. hole in the middle-- dangerous. I had wood scrap from the Mennonites' porch repairs right there, including a 6" cube left they'd sawed off a 20' post. It fit like a glove!!!

I plan to fill some huge pots we got via FC with concrete, and sink posts in them for a handrail, with flowers on top. Front and back steps, for all 3 entries.


We picked up fabric trim to make the desk skirt PRETTY-- 3 yards/a buck!!! The pattern evokes a favorite wallpaper in another house I once rented.

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: ragdall
Date: 11 Feb 12 - 01:01 AM

In April, Mr. rags and I will have survived 30 years together. Looking forward to that occasion has made me realize that 30 years of accumulated everything, tucked here and there is at least 20 years too much stuff. I began shredding old financial documents.

Strangely, the oldest in the only box I found date back to 2001. Somewhere there are 19 more years of files. My search took me up to the dreaded roof space where they may be tucked away behind piles of more recent items. The shredding was abandoned. I'm now in "empty the attic" mode. It was hard, but I flattened a large portion of my "dandy little boxes that will be perfect for something someday" collection. This morning I put them into a skip at a neighbourhood recycling collection site. Tonight's task is to look through a box of exceptionally beautiful calendar pictures and either commit them to the recycling track, or find someone who will appreciate them. -- surely my son's classroom walls would look much better with some of these photos hanging there?-- The remainder of the box contents are files which I'm hoping I will no longer care about.

Disposing of the paper items will be my easiest challenge. After that is completed, there are boxes of dishes, glassware, decorative items, biscuit tins, and camping supplies which I will have to lug down a ladder before I can bid them farewell. I'm afraid that the memories that live in each object will make it difficult for me to want to give any of it up.

A peek around the roof space last evening: http://flickr.com/gp/diffuse/p44246/
My goal is to shift as much of it as possible elsewhere before April. A wonderful 30th anniversary present to myself would be a house with as little in it as there was 30 years ago.   

rags

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Feb 12 - 07:12 AM

Well, rags, you have a LOT of open space there to work in-- so I KNOW you can do it!

===

I think I forgot to post that the doc-appt of Wednesday included a whole new calorie regimen for the next 3 weeks, and it's... brutal, with a whole new set of flashbacks to process. I'd have preferred not to add it to the stress of current fam health crises, but apparently PT progress has brought me to this opportunity to avoid my own next health crisis-- with this painful but healing strategy we decided was next up. Good thoughts and prayers will be appreciated, 'nuff said.

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Feb 12 - 12:23 PM

It was hard, but I flattened a large portion of my "dandy little boxes that will be perfect for something someday" collection.

Oh, dear. I'm not alone. I have that disease also. They're the boxes in my eBay area of the sun room and spilled onto the couch in my son's bedroom. rags, that's a good looking attic. Mine is built with trusses instead of joists, so while it can support some stuff like empty boxes, it isn't meant for flooring and major storage. One of these days I plan to get some of this stuff to put up there. It would make wiring and such much easier.

The wifi system in the house is acting up - my phone keeps going into the locked mode (I have a app that lets the phone stay unlocked as long as I'm in my "home" network - if I buy the app then I could add other networks, but for now, this is fine. As long as my wifi works.) Looks like I need to do a little troubleshooting. Could be the phone, could be the router. Darn.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Feb 12 - 05:27 PM

Oh, dear. I'm not alone. I have that disease also. They're the boxes....

Good news! Unlike lombosis, this disease is never fatal and has a one-day quick-cure. You just need to picture them as flat files to file by size, and keep a few not-too-deep boxes intact to be their file holders. I cured my outbreak exactly that way, plus all the padded mailers Mudcatters keep sending all those CDs in. (If you prefer you can string them overhead as giant mobiles-- but that's a different craft.)

You need to first calculate how many of these boxes, empty file folders, empty mailers, colorful post-its with cute cartoons, pretty gift boxes...... see I really did have this one too-- how many you actually used last year. No pencil needed-- a quick ballpark estimate will probably be pretty accurate.

RECYCLE the rest (scan the cartoons of you must)-- and store the ones you KNOW you will use....

Not the ones you HOPE you will use.


It's a much bigger problem: "preferring the hope to the reality." It cuts across all behaviors, not just clutter.


If desperate, simply arrange Skype support. I'm about to do that for workout buddies myself. OH yeah. I can auction off 50 pounds of prime fat right now, via Skype. Say "Whaaaaaaat??????" FB friends will know what I mean because I will roll it out quite soon now. Probably the next time someone pisses me off on a Friday. Haven't chosen the auction's beneficiary yet.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Feb 12 - 09:26 PM

Well, the babe and I are both still sick. He has a temp of 101.1 and mine isn't far behind. Deep icky coughs, sore throats, raw noses, very thirsty. My abdomen muscles and ribs are sore from so much coughing...wakes me up during the night too. He also has a double ear infection. So...my end table and kitchen counter look like something that belongs to an elderly woman. Tissues. Used tissues (gets cleared each time I get up), saline nose sprays...one for each of us, a nebulizer with two meds, a honey elixor, Infant Advil (for fever and reduction of inflammation of incoming rear teeth), chapstick, vaseline, vick's vapor rub. Pete made us some wonderful homemade chicken vegetable soup and has just brought a steaming cup of lemon tea over to me. I am snuggled up in one of my most favorite blankets while Daddy shares monster truck videos with Jeremiah who is hacking away. Nebulizer time comes soon. I hate to do it. He hates it despite being able to play a bit with the mask, tubing and power switch. However, it DOES help him so I just have to hug him tight, sing softly and reassure him that he's ok.

As far as doing anything here. Forget it. I took a shower this morning and was absolutely drained.

We had family plans to attend the annual Winter Bluegrass Festival tonight but between the baby and I and the icky roads (first real winter day of the year I think)....we all stayed in. I napped with the baby in my arms late this afternoon...that was good for both of us.

I really don't have any other news. I have 2 days of back to back check ups next week with endocrinology people, a mammogram, port stuff and a check up with my oncologist. If I'm still sick, I'm gonna tell him to please put me in the hospital so I can get better...I'm tired of this already. And today is the first real day that I've done nothing. No cooking. No laundry. No sweeping. No managing the fire in the woodstove, no diaper changing (Daddy did all of that)....nothing. I just sit here and cough. And cough. And cough.

I have high hopes of getting to the YMCA next week...even if it's just to walk a bit. I've signed up for classes and a trainer but those require clear lungs...which I currently do not have.

Blah. Blah. Blah.   It's just a cold. A freaking miserable, suck the energy out of you, wake you up coughing kind of cold.

Michelle who is almost out of the good kind of Kleenex..NOOOO!!!!!

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Feb 12 - 10:19 PM

And to add to the fun, my mom just called me to inform me that my nana, who lives in a nearby nursing home as of recently....was unresponsive for a nurse so she has been taken to the ER via ambulance. Nana is alert now but with obvious issues...stroke? TIA? We don't know yet. My mom is with her and I am about 30 miles away...comtemplating going to be with her so she's not alone. The roads, however, are currently in poor shape and she has told me to stay home.

Jeremiah and I both did an albuterol treatment and I am now wired. No worry about falling asleep on the way over.....

Also, 4 years ago (on the 12th), my grandfather passed away. I'm sure this is weighing heavily on Nana and my mom's mind. Coincidence? I don't know. Given the chance to leave this world and be with Pappy, I know she would let go easily. She misses him terribly and I can't say that I blame her.

Goodnight all.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Feb 12 - 11:18 PM

Sixes and sevens this weekend, apparently. Busy afternoon and evening. And I've started some new stuff on eBay.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Feb 12 - 12:04 AM

Michelle, sorry to hear about your nana, but I agree with your mom about staying put. It doesn't sound as though you are in any kind of condition to go anywhere and you have to take care of yourself (I know you know this:-) before you can take care of others. Sounds as though your body is trying to get you to slow down a bit, in any way that it can, besides just it being the season for such nasty colds to be passed around. It's good to hear you did nothing today except the treatments and napping with your babe in arms. That's good medicine!

luvyakat

It's been busy, here. We did a lot of errands, yesterday, and did get clean sheets on the bed last night. Had Morgan over for about five hours, today. We played Uno and Canasta and we also went to the branch library. He checked out several books, then we came home for lunch and more card games. It was a blast. he wants to do it again, tomorrow, and has even offered to help clean.

I did get my qi gong done, today and a couple of loads of laundry.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Feb 12 - 11:12 AM

Drat this cold weather - makes it harder to approach the garden work. It looks like mid-week should be more comfortable again. I have a huge bale of hay to get started with the mulch approach, but I have to get rid of initial weeds first.

I have another item ready to list on eBay. One of those sets I don't want to keep is an 1870s- 80s set of china. Semi-vitreous means they can absorb moisture and with a crazed surface they do. I figure collectors trying to complete sets might be interested. I put myself on the registry of one of the places that sells replacement pieces and they'll contact me if they develop a number of folks wanting the Mercer Waldorf pattern. Yesterday I listed a small serving platter and today I have a small tureen ready to go.

Laundry is in, doing a couple of delicate loads first, things that will hang or lay flat to dry. I need to sweep and vacuum. Dogs in the house more this winter has generated a few windrows of dog hair in the halls and living room.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Feb 12 - 11:51 AM

Think I have the calorie plan finally coming into view, that might actually WORK for this crazy clergy schedule. Duh, it felt like I was 2 people, and I am and will eat accordingly. I AM eating for 2, but they are both in one body/24 hour time period and each gets a shift to eat for. If I were diabetic, I'd have gotten all this via nurse ed. I'm not.

Have added preferred calorie count to fone alarms so I can do what I told myself to do.

Liking that DHA!

Was out of one BP med so took the bad one in a higher dose for a few days, but am now back on the right mix and the bad one is clearing quickly.

===

I've been setting up eldercare planning for my mom the same way Hardi and I do with parishioners' families. We found that missing third party coordinator among extended family members-- the Californy fam who is caring for Mom now has no clergypeeps/social svcs peeps involved. We have equipped all parties now with the best text available on levels of care/fam decision-making etc.... . They will all have had it to read/reference by the time my adult son arrives to proxy for me when the fam mtg for my mom happens in March.

That "third" person-- not pt., not fam, not profit-minded facility rep-- is really important for the elderperson to get the best care. TBTG we have great ones here in the local Area Agency on Aging! They know to raise the important questions not being covered, as we've seen with our band's founder... it's tricky networking-in the Californy counterparts from this coast!

~S~
PS
http://www.amazon.com/Stages-Senior-Care-Step-Step/dp/0071621091

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Feb 12 - 03:24 PM

Decluttering photos from the camera this afternoon and finished that second china listing. I put it in two categories to see if that brings more eyes. A search by itself on the name would make one category enough, but for someone browsing types and not names, this should be better.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Feb 12 - 07:53 PM

Good luck with that, SRS.

Morgan came over and did help to clean. He swept and ran the vacuum a little bit, then drew pictures and played with the dog. I got all of the laundry folded and put away, save three loads which will be finished by tomorrow morning. Rog finished the vacuuming and mopped, at least the high spots. I went around after and got the to-me-obvious-spots he missed.:-)

I also cleared off my desk and organised all of the mail which has been getting stuffed into a pull-out basket on a rolling rack I have by my desk.

Got my new office chair on Friday - a saddle chair. It does keep me from slumping and I think will be good for my back and hips, etc. but it will take some getting used to it. I'm a bit sore today from sitting in it for too long last night. Morgan loves it.:-)

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Feb 12 - 12:25 AM

It's 12:13am and I am sitting in my nana's hospital room while she FINALLY is resting peacefully. The diagnostics today are far worse than what they had initially thought last night.

My mom and I are here for the night...not sure what's going to happen.

Today I drove about 130 miles between back and forth, getting this and that, going to the hospital, going home, back to the hospital, etc.

I did some gathering of medical paperwork for my Nana. I also did some stepping in for my nana this evening. There was a nurse who was handling her MUCH too roughly and shouting at her. My nana is 89 years old, her body doesn't move freely on a good day. I asked the nurse to please more gentle and she snarled at me.

Oh Really? Miss Michelle doesn't back down like she used to and I stood my ground (with 4 other medical people standing just watching and my mom also watching). If looks could have killed, I'd be on the floor and in the ground already but fortunately for me...they don't kill and they don't phase me either. Another nurse stepped in and GENTLY finished what was going on. I had immediate words with the supervisor and later her doctor. That particular nurse will NOT be *taking care* of my Nana. She shouldn't be taking care of anyone as far as I'm concerned.    I want compassionate care for my nana, it's what ever single person in any medical facility deserves and I'll be damned if I'm going to stand by and watch anything less than compassionate go on.

Regarding the local area agency on aging....yes...there are some superb people there that are well equipped to help with making far away plans for a loved one. There are others there who really shouldn't be. Sounds like you got a good one. I did too...after making a call to the local state representative office and hen the supervisor at the agency. :)

Gotta do what you gotta do to see that the ones you love and who can't really tend to themselves (on different levels) get proper care.

*sipping my coffee, looking over at my Nana who is connected to all kinds of machinery and knowing that I did the right thing*

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: ragdall
Date: 13 Feb 12 - 04:54 AM

Michelle,
I'm sorry to hear about your Nana. With you watching over her, I'm sure that she is now getting the best care possible. It must be a great comfort to your mom, having you there.

SRS,
That flooring system looks very handy. The "floor" in my roof space is pieced together from the good parts of the plywood that I salvaged when I removed and replaced the surface of my sun deck.

Susan,
I know that you're right. I used nothing last year because I did nothing. Therefore all boxes should go. I need to let go gradually, I'm afraid. This round, I targeted boxes that held computer peripherals and those that part of my doll collection came in. It was hard to let the doll boxes go after keeping them for 30+ years as "collectors items". For the time being, I will keep the boxes for one brand.

I recycled all my nature calendars with the bird paintings by prominent artists and the gorgeous photos of birds and wildflowers, (sigh), followed by correspondence I was keeping from family members and friends -- lots of memories as I glanced through those.

All my notes and mailings from my time as an Ecological Reserve Warden, and field notes from bird nest record studies are gone forever now too. I'm a little sad that there will be no record of the things that I've done and the small contributions I've made to natural history here over the years.

My 8 foot high ladder is outside in the rain. I'll have to wait for it to dry before bringing it in to climb up into the roof-cave for another load. My university notes and assignments are 15 years old already so I guess they should go to the top of the hit list for the next round?

rags

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Feb 12 - 07:31 AM

rags, yes, of course, you will need to move at your own pace. This might help when you are ready: a set of .jpeg's of your treasures makes a GREAT screensaver in Windows. Example: when I set up my Super Closet, I took an afternoon or so and did a photo-shoot of the outfits the contents comprised. (Nice pix as for Ebay, but for ME.)

That made it a lot easier, later, to purge the actual items as they wore out. The last to go were scraps cut from them during alterations, and when I pawed thru the scrap bag-- no room for the size it had assumed-- I kept a small fraction and am donating the rest to a quilter. I think of this process like a funnel-- which gets narrower as it points to the receptacle it will fill?

This decluttering for me, has evolved to where I can jump in the van on 10 minutes' notice and rush off to opportunities as they arise, including clothes for an overnighter for long-distance consulting spots. Thinks midwife-type readiness, except add in a full suite of comfy digs to camp in overnight.

As always, YMMV and we all learn from one another here.

A new ministry contact BTW is a priest and home organizer, who has made not only a biz out of declut consulting but also a ministry to hoarders in her area, after a housefire where she lost house and barn (no critters/hoomins TBTG).

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Feb 12 - 01:11 PM

meditation and qi gong this morning, plus packaging up six books in three packages to be sent out, one of them with a just made CD. Plus, three CDs of my Aunt Helen's oral history, stuffed in envelopes, with a sympathy letter to each of her children. I've been meaning to do that for ages. She passed away last month. So, there's a stack of mail to go to the post office when Rog comes home for lunch.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Feb 12 - 02:46 PM

I put a couple of pieces of the Mercer Waldorf china on eBay, unusual pieces as bait to draw attention to the type. The small tureen has bids now, and the small platter has watchers, so that has done the trick. I'll try to keep a steady trickle of these up and hopefully move them out of the dining room cupboard.

rags, that flooring system would make my attic a lot better looking and not just tidy. I'll probably buy segments a few at a time and build outward from the attic entrance. It's light enough that it wouldn't affect the rest of the house (putting a whole floor on trusses would cause structural problems because of the weight, but these lightweight panels don't present the same problem as heavy planks.)

Michelle, you have to be the advocate for your Nana, so more power to you. Kat, sounds like you're getting back up to speed in spending time with Morgan - I tend to take that as a measure of your health and comfort, vs times when you had to limit your activities because you didn't have the energy. This Morgan Scale looks like a sound one!

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Feb 12 - 04:02 PM

Made a new non-church friend in the pool today-- Purple Pat. Similar public school leadership experiences, yay! Spirituality a good fit too. We are two of the 6-7 women coaching an employee there on Life After Abuse, and found ourselves coming from he same page so much that we just had to get acquainted.

My Californy fam is now into the routine of my calling my mom each week, ending a long estrangement caused by toxicity. We talked today about the exercise videos #1 son is bringing to do with her, so she can do assigned exercises in her preferred environment. It was extra fun that sis connected us while I was towel-wrapped after 2 hours of pooltime, in the locker room, which lent a little more credibility to the videos I was describing to mom! And she was able to recall a silly play-exercise we used to do with our fingers, to understand how really BASIC the videos are. She wants her strength back and I have the tools right here.

It so neat to be able to put to her service the tools I learned from helping to care for Hardi's dad as well as our older parishioners.


More hospital testing for sis tomorrow-- prayers welcome.

~Susan/BiIIIIIIte Me

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Feb 12 - 05:27 PM

Thanks, SRS. Yes, it does have to do with my energy levels and abilities, but also that his (step)dad, who is a cement finisher, has had steady work throughout the winter, which is unusual, mostly due to weather, so we get him early mornings before school which is a very nice way to start our day, all three of us, as Roger drives him to school.

It also has to do with my getting a full face mask for the BiPap machine as I seem to be a mouth breather and was not getting the full benefit of the machine, at night. I've been sleeping longer, more deeply, and more comfortably since using the mask. I am, though, going to try going back to the nasal "pillow" I was using and adding a chin strap. It would be more comfortable. The mask is okay, but I cannot scratch my nose (outside!)or clear my throat from allergy phlegm without taking the whole mask off, then having to strap it back on and it is not the easiest to get situated with no leaks. The real "miracle" I've noticed since using the mask is waking up with virtually no pain in my muscles and tendons. THAT had been going on for so long, I now wonder what if we had known years ago about sleep apnea and treated? But, here we are now and I am gratefull for what has been done. I don't feel decrepit and arthritic(none has been shown in xrays, but it sure felt like it and was misdiagnosed years ago) any more!

I like the "Morgan Meter!":-)

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Feb 12 - 05:45 PM

Oh, that TV. Arghhhh! It is HUGE and HEAVY and the young lad lived on the second floor with a worse than typical Montreal outside stairs - so steep it was almost like a ladder. The reason he was giving it away was so h did not have to carry it down and put it on the sidewalk. I looked at it and the stairs and announced they were terrifying. Don't know that I have ever said that before. This very slight man and his even tinier girl friend started down - one step and YAY! a man came along who had some substance and the three of them carried it down to my car - where it remains. I drove straight out to Ormstown for the wonderful music. R came later in his truck but on time as he loves this group. Even bought another CD.

Sat was cold with snow showers. R read and I read and computered all day. I fetched in more stove wood. HE did not set a foot outside. Sunday we met with next neighbour and plotted more strategy re wind farm. Then we went to local eatery for brekkie - saw two folks we know. Nice to start feeling part of a community. R went to city to work and I came home to do more research. Bridge was closed to city after two pm so I stayed over.

Finally found some info based in Quebec. I got so into research, I lived all day on cookies. Could hardly get out of bed this am DIZZY and blick!! Managed some water with apple cider vinegar while reading in bed. After the second cup, I felt I would live and had a good brekkie. Toast with black bean salsa and then a cup of black bean soup.   Lovely day today. Roof dripping, just above freezing. Unknown neighbour dropped in to talk about wind farm and we exchanged info. EXC!

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Feb 12 - 08:29 PM

Spent the day at the hospital.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 04:28 AM

Well. I'm still sick. I woke up early this morning (maybe 2am) with raging pain....second only to waking up after my hysterectomy. I drove myself to the ER (Pete needed to stay home with the baby and I was NOT going to wake the little one up to go out in the middle of the night), got a fine shot of Toradol in the ass, some antibiotics and a handful of Percocet until I can get the script filled sometime tomorrow.

That's what I get for trying to take care of everybody...none of it well, I might add...and ignoring myself knowing full well that I was sick. What's a body to do when their child is sick? Immediate family in the hospital...fully thought she was going to die last night....and trying to help my mom who was watching her mother just crumble.

Apparently it's my turn to fall apart. I'm staying home today. Someone else is going to have to do the the running.

Oh Toradol and Percocet...do your magic please....pretty please????

Good night. Sleep tight. Don't let the bedbugs, clutter bugs and people with a bug up their ass bug ya!   :)

XXOXOXOXOXO

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 09:08 AM

LF,

Someone else is going to have to do the the running.

Someone else IS doing some of it. (Did you see him at the hospital yesterday in that funny white collar?) Rest... assured that support is there and working well.

I can do some too: I have a stop in the Boro this afternoon if you need anything. If you have his cell you sort of have mine, but 3311 (I have his old fone).

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 09:52 AM

Susan,

I didn't see him there yesterday but we were in and out due to testing, her sleeping, etc. He may have run into the same things as she didn't mention him being there (because WHOA...she was alert and speaking yesterday!!!). Yes, others will be doing the running today and also caring for the baby. I cannot. I am spending the entire day in bed with my pain meds and try to let my body catch up to me.

Thanks.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 10:54 AM

Michelle, when it rains it pours. Take care of yourself, and I hope we don't have to read about you driving yourself to the ER again. That is always a difficult thing - getting home again seems to be the worst part of it.

I was tired last night so didn't add anything to the thread, but last night I went down to see Susie. The old Susie is really beginning to show through. We both agreed that a month ago it wasn't in her plan to take several months out of her life by recovering from an accident, but she is recovering and we're all not only behind her, we're astonished at her progress. She's in the "now" most of the time, but every so often her memory shunts her off into a dialog fugue about "starting over" - her husband (who died last October) needing to "start over" in hospice, or she herself has to "start over" in talking to doctors about things that are already going on. I'm sure it is a brain glitch but it will hopefully clear as she gets stronger. She is in control when it comes to getting out of bed into the wheelchair and heading to the bathroom, concentrating on this small but important task as much as in the past she would have focused on layering pieces of glass in the kiln to make a new piece of jewelry. Everything in it's time, and she will fight her way back to good health and a fit body.

Zeke goes to the vet in a few minutes. He'll be able to go see her once he's caught up on his annual booster shots.

Rain overnight, rain tonight. I really wish it would dry enough so I could mow the front - it was February in 2005 when the grass was tall like this and it looked like no one was home that my house was broken into. Last week someone tried to break in next door. The mown lawn tells passersby that someone is here. Now, the dogs tell them someone is here. I guess I'll leave the other two in the house when I take Zeke to the vet. And I hope to mow the weeds in my front lawn later in the week.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 06:09 PM

Busy day, but I'm coming up for air and will take the dogs for a walk. It's a pretty afternoon and evening, up to 65. Perfect!

I need to find a couple of more types of things to list on eBay - I'm still testing the waters to see what people are buying this time of year and at this time (because of the economy). Things they can use, collectible things they really wanted, etc. Kat, are you still listing anything there these days? Or at Etsy?

Alice, we haven't heard from you for a while - did winter finally arrive? Andrea, have you finished moving into the new rooms? Are there any photos?

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 07:39 PM

I just mowed the front yard. Grass was very tall and weedy, and last week someone tried to break in next door. It was in 2005 this time of year (on Feb. 18) when my house was broken into. Tall grass showed footsteps of burglars who pulled into the drive, walked to the front to ring the bell, then kicked in the side door. There were two or three times over the years when I was working at home and in the middle of the day a youngish man rang the bell and asked if I wanted my lawn mowed. Chances are each of those could have resulted in a burglary if I hadn't been home.

I have attractive security doors, bars on the windows (also decorative, but meant for security - they were here when I moved in and are throughout the neighborhood.) And there are the dogs. They bark. They won't attack anyone, but they bark.

Time to take said dogs for a walk. It warmed up today but is supposed to rain again overnight. I hope it is warming up for those of you elsewhere who are out having to drive long distances to keep a whole bunch of health and maintenance balls in the air.

SRS

P.S. It was 10 years ago today that I signed the papers to buy this house. How time flies!

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 08:33 PM

We bought our house ten years ago this spring, too, SRS!

meditation today and a lot of phone call counselling...oomph! Instead of qi gong, I decluttered the jewellery table!! Went through every single bead and sorted them back into their tiny boxes, which are stored in bigger plastic containers, organised all of my tools, etc. and now have a cleared off desk/table where everything had been put out of the way since last year, off and on! Nice antidote to taking care of other folks, today, i.e. listening. Had enough for the day.

And, I found some really pretty costume jewellery which may sell well on ebay. Will have to research. SRS, I haven't sold anything at either place this past year. I closed my etsy store several months ago when I decided I had the energy for concentrating on getting my ebooks out, but not for maintaining the store, too.:-) Good luck!

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 10:45 PM

Great PT today with special emphasis on an old injury I never reported/got treated. FABFABFAB. Made sure they are OK with trainer visiting with me. From there went to Y to be sure that is OK with them-- and put in a request for that first visit. Nice to catch up with their director (a daughter a parishioner). Totally the same view of what a Y can be. I had met her briefly but seldom see her (different schedules).... I really like her, and it was so neat to see her in her own element.

In honor of Valentine's Day, much of my time today went to tightening up a certain friend's safety net-- she left, he's stalking, and he has been leaving "love offerings" on her car (the scary kind).

Then I bopped over to a woman-run store and caught up with friends there while doing a little project task.

Then I came home too full of great ideas to watch where I was going as I got out of the car and.... splatt, on my side in cold mud on top of frozen ground. Laid there long enough to recall what the PT had said just TODAY (same day???!!!) about a certain move which, as it turned out, I needed to do to GET MYSELF UP which I DID (yayyyy!).

Have made sure not to let it stiffen up too much, but one knee and the back muscle (the one I'd worked with PT on) are talking to me. Phone check on sister (hosp test for Valentine's) and enrolled her to pray for that friend being stalked-- best distraction from her own worries.

All this on shoes I normally (= till now) have not found provided enough support/shock absorbing for any actual walking! Very sore, happy to be able to do so much, bruised-- and med for bed!

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 11:26 PM

You're lucky you could get up, Susan. Sounds like a situation where you could have waited a while for help if you hadn't helped yourself. Good girl, and good for figuring it out!

Ran a few errands in one of my typical circuits - post office, a couple of stores, Panda Express (a treat for dinner) and the bank. It's always nice to find a check you weren't expecting, hence the trip to the bank.

There are piles of paper on my desk again. Time to sort and file soon. Tomorrow.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 01:32 AM

Stayed home and IN BED just about ALL DAY. It's 1:07am at the moment and my body had decided we are not done with the percoset. Ok. It's just in time so I can get up in the morning and hopefully have enough energy and balance (oohhh dizzy and nauseous..add to the list) to get my little one to the doctor for a checkup. Good thing cuz he's not much better yet.

Afterwards, I will most likely crash at Mom's house where she can keep an eye on the bambino and I can sleep. Seems all I want is ice cold water and ice cold applesauce. I just finished the last one an am bedded back to bed. Im sooo tired. How come I can have applesauce in the fridge for months and not taouch it and now it's all I want and it's gone? ARG> HMPH. Oh well..could be worse.


Ok...gotta go. I keep falling asleep at he computer...it's now 1:31 and it's taken me since `:07 to write this. Anyway I want a hammock and a nice warm breeze please. And a cold...very cold suppoy of water anbd aoolesayuce please,.

Nufht.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: ragdall
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 02:30 AM

Michelle,
Take care of yourself. Will you be able to drive when taking percocet, or do you have another means to transport the ailing infant?

Susan,
Ouch! I hope that you were able to keep from getting stiff from the fall? Good that you knew how to get up without help.   

SRS,
It's hard to imagine someone mowing long grass in February when my lawns are buried under snow and ice. It's frightening to think of break ins in your neighbourhood. Did you not have the dogs when it happened before?   

   It's -8ºC here (+18ºF). Walking in my yard is very dangerous. Water accumulated in the paths that the snow blower cleared then it turned to ice. In the thaw and freeze cycle we're currently experiencing, it get more and more smooth and slippery. This afternoon, I very carefully carried my stepladder out to the front yard and climbed it with a long pole pruner to snip off a few small twigs that prevented my camera from getting a clear view from the window of a new nest cavity in my Birch tree. Then ladder and I skated to the back yard where I replaced two depleted suet baskets with full ones.

   Another ten boxes from the roof space line my hallway, waiting for me to process and recycle, sell, donate or trash the contents. I brought them down Monday night and should have worked on them today, but the weather was beautiful and there was news of a Northern Hawk Owl posing for photos at the industrial site. One must have priorities.

rags

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 05:26 AM

Woke up to a muted silence...almost like deep clouds are covering everything. I also woke up to ick with blood in it coming from my left ear.

The baby has a doctors appointment this morning and I am going to have her look at my ear for a second. Sometimes this is a natural event after an ear infection..an ear drum blows out and then will heal itself in a few days (or so I've read).

I'm a little confused...do I lose some hearing? I don't know. I'm going back to sleep for a bit.

MIchelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 05:51 AM

Thanks SRS and rags. I think that the lucky part was the sun being out, and no breeze, so I could lie there long enough to THINK. And having had some Flexaril on hand from a previous sitch (vacay back spasms most people would have called the ambulance for), and knowing how to use it. So yes I have been pretty well able to rest deeply to heal quickest. A coiple of spots are still talking. It will affect PT tomorrow but TBTG not the meetings lined up for the weekend.

Sometimes ya can't really know how MUCH PT (or whatever) is helping till ya HAVE to call upon it. My priest who has been insisting I stick with I-messages (and put my own health needs first) is also in for a pretty big set of THANK YOU's.

And dear Faulkner. He always knows when Mommie really needs help; he was right there last night to let me put on his collar so I could get that little tug when I needed it.


It is pretty weird to have a body now that does what I think it can't, and does NOT do what I think it will. OTOH that makes my little patch of the world a whole new candy store in a playground, and spring is coming! All but one of the plastic planting bins (I got them via FreeCycle for reservoir container gardening) are ruined-- that's where I was headed when I face-planted. The one I wanted for office storage is all I got. The rest I will have to recycle. :~( They sat too long in the elements and are now perma-brittled breakage. The wrong person unloaded and stored them I guess-- so that's one FC wasted oh well!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: freda underhill
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 07:52 AM

I love this month's thread title.

I have been through the kitchen cupboard, and sorted out bowls, a pot, cups and plastic containers - plus a wooden chopping board - that take up space and don't get used. I put them out the front on the footpath and they've all found new homes.

I need another bookshelf to accomodate more books that are accumulating - I have them hidden on the floor behind the TV.

I haven't been doing much leaping - its so rainy here I havent been walking in the evenings, but doing lots of mending.

I have boxes under the bed with things I didnt want to throw out - at some point I have to look under and see what's there. it's been five years now and i haven't touched them, so I don't need whatever's in them - sewing things, patches, shoes, artwork, maybe more books?

:-)

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 12:31 PM

Michelle, do get that ear looked at! You might have something else going on - an ingrown hair that burst as an abscess, for example, would have some bleeding.

As I mowed last night I thought about where everyone else is climate-wise. And about last year's "normal" mowing season here being non-existent because of the extreme heat and drought. It's like it was shoved six months down the road this year. The weeds are huge right now, and need addressing. Maybe some of them this evening, if I get this next print job out of the way today. The rain this morning will have washed any lawn clippings out of the street - but playing it cautiously, I swept last night because our code enforcement guys don't have much to do this time of year and will post warnings on the front door if they see grass in the street. :-/

Susan, brittle plastic is a problem here with so much hot sunny weather. Wading pools for the dogs only last a couple of seasons (assuming the dogs don't chew them to pieces first). If I leave bags of mulch over beside the house for too long the bags deteriorate and I have to move it to flower beds via bucket because the bags crumble.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 12:53 PM

meditation and qi gong this morning. Also moved a few more books to the office and washed the four foot antique mirror which hangs in the LR and was pointing a "clean-me" finger at me since I started doing the qi gong consistently four weeks ago. It looks so much better.:-)

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 04:52 PM

That's it! From now on I'm a Mighty... something too! :~)
via FB: As [Pittesburgh Penguins] head coach Dan Bylsma was walking to the podium to address the media today, someone said something about him being a "former Duck."

Bylsma corrected the claim: "I was a Mighty Duck, thank you."

===
The bad back was so happy to be confined to the upstrs today and I was very active but careful to follow both the PT instrux and DO instrux. The heat was off all day upstairs so I got a lot done both in trip prep and in wellness stuff for myself.

I weigh more than I ever have and ever will. The next goal involves tossing Clydesdales thru the air. :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 05:25 PM

30 more minutes of qi gong this afternoon

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 06:56 PM

correx: The heat was off all day upstairs...

DOWNstairs.

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 07:14 PM

when I arrived in the city on Monday eve, the house was 50F. I was so disgusted after being cosy in the country for 3 days, I phoned R and told him I was not @#$%^ cooking supper in a 50 F k. He eventually came home and offered to take me out -- at 9:30. I nuked some frozen broccoli for my supper.

He commented on being cold in bed without me - he had not put the other quilt on. What survival skills? After brekkie on Tues, I went back to the country. Very pleasant day. Lost signal for internet and walked to neighbour. On the way, another neighbour came along in his truck and told me about his bad day yesterday and we conferred about the wind farm thing. Agreed we now have a good group of folks to meet with our Member of National Assembly (Quebec equiv of state rep or senator) as soon as he is available.

Leo told me to turn off the modem and restart it. Conferred as with previous neighbour. How to get to know your neighbours - get active. Then I walked back and got back to it - after a hot bath. Back to city about 10 pm. R still was not home. I blew. Happy Valentine's Day, my foot. ( I had phoned and he said he would be home.) No sense of time. Phoooey, again.

My eyes which have been bothering me a lot, stopped during time in country. Started again today. Something in air? Lighting? Interesting.

I fell on Monday on my hip, while knocking the ice dam of the roof edge, and thought it would be nasty. put some herbal salve on it and as long as I do it every 24 hours, no pain. It makes itself known if I forget.

Today, I went to bank and a dif grocery store - picked out a route of google. Stopped to catch R on way home and he back to finish he breakfast he left when his bro phoned in a tizzy. And some lunch also since it was now 3 pm! Bro called 2x while he was trying to eat. "Hang up!!!" pointed out that telling his brother "I am trying to eat,,," but not hanging up just trains him to ignore the "trying to eat" part. I hang up on bro often; he just blithers to anyone he gets on phone. "I don't need to hear this." Click.

Now, to cook or not to cook, that is the question. A meal for both of us or a bowl of broccoli and black beans for me.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 09:08 PM

Baby's ears were tended to today but the doctor. New antibiotic. My sweet mother kept the baby while I slept ALL DAY in her bed. I don't care what anyone says...sometimes it just feels good to sleep in Mom's bed!

I'm headed to the clinic early tomorrow morning for a port flush and to have my tumor markers checked. Then it's off to breakfast with my chemo pal and later for pedicures or maybe a manicure. We'll see!

In the meantime, I have my ears full of cotton, my body full or antibiotics and a dash of percocet to let me rest comfortably. I'm gonna have my oncologist check out my ears tomorrow and see what he says. He has handled other less complicated things for me before....and he's sooo sweet. Can't wait to see him tomorrow!

Night everybody.

Michelle...down 3 more pounds...not hungry...everything tastes and feels like mush

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 11:56 PM

We'll all be glad when the slippery part of the year clears up. And the colds and flu that people have caught.

I took Zeke over to see Susie this evening. He was good, sat there and got his head rubbed. Ate a few treats I took along. There's a reason they refer to a bit of excitement as a "dog and pony show" - so I took him at the quietest time of day, just before visiting hours ended. We'll go earlier now that he has an idea of what to expect, and hope to catch Susie a little more awakes.

I had a query about my china from someone via eBay - I'm not selling privately, that is too fraught with difficulties, but I told her if I send her a list of what I have she can let me know what she's most interested in, but will have to either bid or buy it at the Buy Now price.

I didn't make it to the office today, the thing I was going to take to the printer wasn't ready, but a proof is out now and I might get it printed tomorrow. Shopping list time also, if I make a run to work. I buy some of my best cooking items at an Asian market over near the university and I'm about out.

Don't ask me about the eddies of dog hair in the halls and the piles of paper - they haven't gone anywhere.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 11:35 AM

morning meditation and qi gong done

now on to making new juice, cleaning up the kitchen, and working on my bro's music and my books

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 11:58 AM

does wiener dogs count? Dang critters are always under foot and I gotta leap to not step on em

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 02:48 PM

Are you trying to declutter your house of wiener dogs, Dan?

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 07:14 PM

Either that or he's got leapin' lizards.:-)

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 12:26 AM

Zeke got skunked tonight. I am surprised, he usually shows no interest in wildlife and doesn't race to the back of the yard when my two, who know how to avoid getting hit, torque off skunks regularly. And sometimes kill them. No carcasses tonight, just one stinky Labrador retriever who won't go see Susie until the Nature's Miracle kills the smell.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 09:59 AM

Skunks and dogs. Ugh. We had a doberman when I was a kid and that dog was attracted to a skunk like a magnet on the frige. We always used tomato juice baths but then of course, we didn't have Nature Miracle Spray at that time.

I called for my test results this morning, my tumor marker is up bu 4.3 points. It's not a huge jump and I know that there is some fluctuation involved but I don't like it anyway. It's easing it's way too close to the number that means scans are necessary.

I am overwhelmed with stuff at the moment. I can't hear much out of my right ear now despite new meds. I hope that wears off in time. It's very easy to see how it annoys people when you don't accurately hear what they say or have to ask them to repeat themselves frequently.

My house is a disaster area. The baby is up and running. I feel like crap. Pete went running out the door this morning when he heard the new tumor marker number and all I want to do is sleep. I'm tired. I need some help here today but it's not going to come. I feel like my nana's roommate in the nursing home...she walks/rolls around all day muttering to herself. I am overwhelmed today.

So on the decluttering end...I have laundry going and next on my list is dishes, blah, blah blah.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 01:30 PM

Michelle, you've landed in a perfect storm of stuff and crud, but it will pass. Don't worry about the housework, other than the essentials, clean clothes, food, keeping everyone safe.

Is there anyone you can hire to come in for a few hours to help you get to a baseline level of order? Whether they work independently or alongside you, it makes a huge difference to have someone come in just to help with those chores. I had someone come in for 4 hours every two weeks and it was a lifesaver when I was working and in school and had the kids.

I've had a few ear infections over the years that involved drops or antibiotics, and one time I had that was when I was a naturalist leading cave tours in Kentucky. Though we don't call it radar, we do use our ears for proximity to walls and such, and I bumped my head a few times at places where the wall bulged and I had my back to it. Nothing that left a lump, but I just didn't have as good a sense of where I was in relation to the cave's irregular architecture.

I have to take time and start picking up paper, folding laundry, just in general clearing out stuff that hasn't been completed for the last couple of weeks. I did empty the dishwasher this morning.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 02:18 PM

If anyone has ever said is there anything I can do to help, now is the time. I say get the baby out of the house in good hands elsewhere because if Mom is home that is who he will want..find someone else to do the laundry and dishes and go to sleep. mg

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 06:50 PM

Multi-taskitudinous day being in 3 places at once with secret "pastorwife powers." My new calorie/schedule plan held up fine tho, because I had good road eats from which to make great choices, and I got a great chair nap in.

TBTG!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 10:45 PM

qi gong this evening

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: freda underhill
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 11:20 PM

I've just been for a long walk (1 hour), bought two second hand booksat a garage sale (Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides - for my sister, and Artemesia, about the artist Artemesia Gentileschi).

This afternoon I'm going to babysit my grandchildren, and will be taking some books and toys that I got for them recently.

And I've just passed on an electric kettle to my neighbour (I have a new stainless steel one).

so, more books, less kitchen clutter:-)

Lilyfestre, your mum sounds wonderful. I hope you continue to get lots of rest!

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 11:43 PM

I crabbed my way through the entire day...simply exhausted. I did do 3 loads of laundry, cleared 3 tabletop areas of ALL clutter (GONE!), emptied out a magazine rack which I have a tendency to save forever (not today) and made a yummy, healthy dinner which was ready when my Love walked in the door. He surprised me with a large bunch of bananas (which Jeremiah and I love), a BIG bag of green grapes, 8 pounds of our favorite apples and a large box of strawberries that smell like April and 7 1/2 gallons of my favorite beverage (water...my favorite brand)which means I will not have to leave the house all weekend if I don't want to. YAY!

He had sent me an email during the day that said, "When I get home, I'll take the baby so you can have some me time." Sooo sweet but as I thought about it, I decided that's not really what I want or need. As a result, I left him a large pink sign on the front door so even before he walked in the house, he would see it. I wrote, "I love you and there are 3 things you need to know. 1. I am sick and I need rest. 2. I do not need or want me time. 3. I do want and need WE time. :) XOXOXOOX"

He was all smiles and that made me feel good because since I've been doing my very best chug chug along these last 2 weeks, he's been picking up the slack.

I can't remember if I already posted this or not but my oncologist has offered to let me have my tumor marker tested again next month instead of waiting 2 months. I have accepted his offer. I'm still not happy with the rise I saw yesterday but there's nothing I can do about it. The numbers go fluctuate for many reasons and my cancer was caught EARLY and I've been told that the chance of a recurrence is slim. I know it will always be in the back of my head but today it came stomping up loudly. With me being sick, over tired, over stressed and a very long (but WONDERFUL) day yesterday...it was just too much.

I've taken my night meds along with a percocet for my painful ear (I never knew they gave that kind of med for an earache...but then again, I never knew my ears could hurt that much)and had blissfully fallen into sleep after Jeremiah had his good night kisses and Daddy put him to bed. I woke up, had some of those outstanding grapes and am now in bed. I had turned the electric blanket on this afternoon when Jeremiah went down for his nap.....his nap was very short so the nap I had planned for myself didn't quite work out the way I had planned....anyway..I didn't turn the blanket off...so now...in our unheated bedroom, our bed is soooo toasty warm.

Oh yes...this is MUCH better. And my cold is feeling MUCH better....could be the meds. Anyway....it's looking like my start time at the Y could begin as soon as Monday.

I'm looking forward to that as I am on a mission. Pete and I are going to renew our wedding vows at this year's Relay For Life and I want to be in better shape than I am right now. My dear friend Cynthia is going to be standing up with me. :) It makes my heart soo happy.

OK. Goodnight friends. I'm sorry for growling today. Sometimes it's all just too much.

Sweet dreams.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 02:12 AM

Sounds like you have been tending to some very important stuff today, Michelle.
Another day on campus today. Zeke was lucky I spritzed him so quickly last night, he smelled fine. No extra work there.
SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 07:39 AM

Off this AM to a budget defense meeting with the Big Guys, to watch Jesus mudwrestle piranhas and see my spot to be sure my program gets the bucks it needs. None of the bucks pay me, so I will be on solid moral ground for the PROGRAM.

Why this post is in this thread is because all the decluts I've been doing-- and all the wellness/activity I've been doing-- meant that:
() I didn't have to pack the car cuz it was already
() I didn't have to pack my bag of cloths cuz it was already
() I didn't have to work too hard to craft the key 1-page document cuz I had Hardi's template to start from
() I didn't have to cobble up the program budget cuz it was already
() I didn't have to hustle up lodging/travel bucks/stops because I was already booked to go that way anyway for a Sunday meeting for that same program

... on a week's surprise notice, during which week I also did PT, negotiated Y membership, face-planted/injured/healed my back, and helped bury a neighbor who used to live in this house, whose daughter and I have a special connection-- and in the hour between the funeral and funeral lunch I ran pets back and forth to the vet. Oh and my laundry is current, I posted a key blog item and updated a website and negotiated several agreements for training partners on programs I work with.

I read and prayed for every post in this thread as I generally do, so I KNOW you will all reach YOUR goals too!

And TBTG and Hardi, I'm OFF! I really like the DHA and extra vitamin D I added!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 09:08 AM

My husband works with DHA, Omega 3 and 6 and Lipils on a very frequent basis at his job. He can and has gone on for hours about the benefits of DHA....it's some serious good stuff.

And vitamin D. Mine happens to be low so I take an over the counter amount daily but twice a week I have tablets from the doctor of the 50,000 unit variety. A vitamin D deficiency is common in people with cancer. I never knew that but that's a fact!

Today I am going to spend a few hours with some friends from high school. Funny...several of us were not friends then at all...nothing hostile going on but just never really connected. Can't wait to see them!

My loving husband let me sleep in, has the baby up and dressed and is making something wonderful with those apples...mmmmmm.

Have a great day everybody.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 10:58 AM

Raining again today. The power was off for about an hour yesterday and flickered off again this morning. Makes computer work a little more precipitous if something is iffy, so I'll have to save my work regularly. I had a nibble on my china and several items end this week on eBay. Must put up more listings.

Laundry is in and there is a lot of in-the-house stuff to tend to. I may put on a slicker and head into the garden for a while, though. It has simply been too long since I could get stuff I need to taken care of out there.

Have a good reunion visit, Michelle! Kat, are you sleeping better now? Andrea, are you still moving furniture? Rags, are you still toting boxes out of the attic? Maryanne, what are you up to?

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 04:17 PM

I keep a printout of the registration page any time I set up a new account or logon and those pages live in a notebook in my office. It also has bill pay stuff and social media account info, all under different tabs. And it was getting a bit full. I spent some time weeding and shredding old sites and updating a few accounts. This needed doing.

I baked a chicken, it's sitting now before I have a late lunch. I also have a small potroast (1 pound from a larger roast I cut up and froze) to cook later with root vegetables. I want to have some leftovers this week so I'm manufacturing them on this cold rainy afternoon.

Laundry is underway. Watching eBay. Pushing running around to another day when it's nicer out, there was nothing critical.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: freda underhill
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 04:30 PM

my doctor told me I was Vitamin D deficient after a blood test, I'm taking supplements now. In Australia we tend to pack on the sunblock lotion as we have a high risk of melanoma here, and now we're all becoming deficient in Vit D. It's also been linked to diabetes (which i was diagnosed with 6 years ago) - it is as important as Vit C for health.

I'm babysitting right now while my daughter is out running for 2 hours.

freda

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 09:50 PM

Morgan, Rog, and I rearranged the LR this morning which also entailed sweeping out a lot of dust and pet hair which had accumulated under the sofa, etc. The layout has been bugging me for ages. I love the way it turned out! I can look out there, from my desk and see a nice, cosy, welcoming space where before it just looked like a hodgepodge and wasn't useful as anything but a room for the sofa/dog bed.:-) I kept wondering, as I looked through old pictures of previous houses, even this one, and wondering what happened to my "look" which really made my home look like my home. I guess I was on hold for several years because of health. well, now, I am back!:-)

SRS, thanks for asking, I am getting better sleep, but I am not using the mask. I went back to the nose "pillow" and just put tape on my mouth. As long as I don't breath through my mouth the docs are happy...they call it being "compliant." LOL...I tried putting on a chin strap and couldn't get it off quickly enough. I see the specialist again in late March. We'll see what the bloodwork and the chip from the bipap machine say, but Rog, Morgan, and I all notice a difference. It's good.

So, we also went to KMart. Do you know one cannot buy a single bed sheet alone? All they had were sets. I wanted to get a king size flat sheet to use as a bottom sheet. When I trained in hospital they never used fitted sheets. Since we have a select-comfort type bed, the deep fitted sheets we have don't stay taut unless we keep the bed full of air, so they are always slipping and bunching up. I think with a flat sheet I could eliminate most of the problem. I'll do some looking online.

Morgan was with us for 7.5 hours. What fun! We bought him a magic set complete with hat, wand, rabbits etc. He must've spent 2-3 hours trying out each trick and showing us his Amazing Powers.**bg** We also had a discussion about the art of M.C. Escher, whom he already knew about due to a great art teacher. And, while we were in the ca,r he explained to me about how things may look motionless, but were really in motion because of the rotation of the earth. I asked him why the people don't under don't fall off. He looked at me and said, "Really? You're really asking me that?! Then he grinned, and proceeded to tell me about the three laws of physics, gravity of course being the first he mentioned. Pretty kewl, kid. I am so proud of him.

Tonight he called to tell me he baked his first batch of muffins all by himself, except for his parents putting them in and out of the over. Two batches, on chocolate chip and one blueberry, said to taste as good as when his mom makes them. I don't like that they spend so much time on their computers playing WOW, imo, but they are doing some things right with him...esp. letting him spend as much time as possible over here.:-)

Tomorrow we go to the health food store to stock up on whole food plant based goods, do dishes, finish up some laundry, and take the afternoon off, mostly. Monday is a school holiday. I may have Morgan if his dad has work that day. Even if he doesn't, he'll still probably come over for a bit. I've got a manipulation appt. next week and a dental cleaning. Busy week, but good stuff.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 11:35 PM

Hey Kat,

   Walmart sells sheets individually..flat...fitted...whatever. :) I'm not a huge Walmart fan but it is what we have here. Salvation Army always has separate sheets too!

XOXOXOOX

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Feb 12 - 12:50 AM

Thanks, Michelle. I am loathe to tackle WalMart. I'll probably buy some online, even if it's from them.:-) And, I don't mind sheets from someone I know, but can't stand the idea of used sheets from a stranger, even if it's gone through Sally Army's cleaning process.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 19 Feb 12 - 01:13 AM

Okie doke! Just a thought! I'm not big on reusing sheets to sleep on myself but I do buy them, bleach 'em and use them for frost coverings in the garden.

Goodnight Friends.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Feb 12 - 01:32 AM

I've bought a couple of very good used sets at garage sales, though I'd had the thought that someone else's sheets might not appeal. The set I bought was barely used, and I suspect they were for a guest room or something with modest use.

I bought a couple of flat sheets at Macys and I also found them at Bed Bath and Beyond. They didn't have many, they were all solid colors, and the reason I bought the Macy's ones is because they were on clearance and cost less.

This evening I finished putting away some files I'll pulled out and filed some mail mixed in with them. Tomorrow I start tackling the income taxes. I'll put a last load of laundry in before heading to bed.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Feb 12 - 03:56 PM

Laundry finished. Cleared up more paper, updated the account notebook, shredded old stuff.

The sun is coming out, so taxes will just have to wait.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Feb 12 - 10:27 AM

Hadn't thought of Bed, Bath & Beyond, thanks, SRS.

Michelle using them for frost covers is a great idea!

When I do buy new sheets, they get washed, and washed, and washed, over and over, with vinegar to take out the sizing and to just soften them up. And, they have to be 100% cotton with a high thread count.

qi gong, last night. I didn't get much sleep, though, so today is going to be quiet, I hope, with a nap in some time. We work to bright sunshine and about two inches of snow! It's very pretty. Just enough to cover the drab of a dry winter, nothing on teh street. It will be gone by the afternoon.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Feb 12 - 12:15 AM

Last night I was a bit revved up by being startled by what sounded like tapping at my window. I let the dogs in and had all of the porch lights stay on all night (they're usually motion sensors). It took me a while to get to sleep.

Today started heavily overcast but turned into a nice afternoon. I dug another couple of square yards of garden and I took the dogs for a walk around the neighborhood. And one of them got a bath. I'll eventually get their baths finished so they can get the heartworm meds they were due a week ago.

Tons to do before the end of the month. Hardly room to take a breath. Probably just now I need a soothing Asian exercise, but I'll settle for turning of the computer and heading to bed. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Feb 12 - 12:36 AM

SRS, Lee Holden has seven minute breaks videos on his site. Very relaxing.:-)

qi gong this evening. I had Morgan over about 1030a. Sent him home after lunch after he emptied the dryer and loaded the washer for me. (I could hardly keep my eyes open.:-) I took two tylenol and went to bed about 230p and slept really well until about 430p. I feel much better, now.

I uploaded another of my brother's pieces. I've been finding photos to post as thumbnails for each song. Also wrote up the descriptions and "story" behind each piece. I am ready to release Prairie Child but for a technical glitch, minor. Waiting for someone at their help desk to answer my query about it.

Tomorrow, I am going to walk my oldest daughter through a really involved application, online, for a gov. job, then to the osteo for an adjustment. I've started gathering tax info. Luckily, I have a friend who does that for a living. All I have to do is send it all to her in an envelope. She does outstanding work, too, very thorough.

I also need to make up a new batch of juice tomorrow and start loading my next book, On Garfield Creek- Touchstones of the Past.

It's supposed to be in the 50s the rest of the week. I am very ready for spring!

kat

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Feb 12 - 12:51 PM

Well, not quite as warm as they claimed and we still have high clouds, but still some blue and sunshine.

meditation and qi gong this morning

heading off to the osteo in a few minutes

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Feb 12 - 10:11 PM

Busy day at work, only now relaxing to look at what needs doing here at home. Stopped by a produce stand on my way home and among my finds were wonderful huge avocados and a pot of Swiss chard that I'm going to tease apart and transplant into my garden. The stuff I have growing isn't growing as fast as I'd like yet and by adding this extra few plants I'll reach a point soon to eat it a couple of times a week.

Took a nap instead of walking dogs this evening, but it is supposed to be warm overnight so we'll go before breakfast.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Feb 12 - 04:12 AM

Great trip. Many new friends. Many surprising "new" capabilities from PT. Work unpacking done and followups almost done. New opportunities flooding in now need followup.

House heat snafu'd. Oil rads popping circuit breakers, boo!

God is good.

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 22 Feb 12 - 11:54 AM

My weight's got down below the major stone mark (we do weight in stones and pounds, a stone being 14 pounds) so the next target is the whole stone since I started - another 2 pounds to go to that target. Then I'll switch to the next BMI whole number, or the next round ten of pounds, so I keep having a little target to get to.
Meanwhile, the percentage of fat is dropping as well, so in terms of weight, that's actually dropping faster than the overall weight, which can't be bad. Mind you, I don't believe the amount of fat it says I have at all. If it were all to go, I would be 7 stone, or 98 pounds, which does not look like a healthy weight to be! And I DO have big heavy bones, so I'd probably look like a Ray Harryhausen skeleton warrior from Jason and the Argonauts.
Today I went on the local healthy walk, at a fair old lick, plus an uphill section, but this afternoon is a bit sedentary, watching items I've bid for on ebay. This is in order to declutter the wool stash faster. I was after a Simpleframe knitting machine, a wooden double bed with no carriage, made back in the 70s, when I couldn't afford one, and found myself up against a very determined last minute bidder, who had been bidding against me since I put the first bid in. I pulled out. Now I'm waiting for the last moments on a double bedded Bond machine, again against a determined person, who lost out on the last one to be auctioned, which went for £130 - we're already higher than that. Two hours to go. If I get it I'll be getting rid of my single bed version.
Neither of these items come up very frequently, but I've found one of the wooden ones which no-one bid for last year and have emailed the seller in case it's still available.
Funny way to declutter.
Penny

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 22 Feb 12 - 01:57 PM

Got the double bed machine!

Now to sell the single bed one...

Penny

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Feb 12 - 05:12 PM

Penny, I never bid on an item at eBay until it's down to about the last 20 seconds. I'll watch carefully and look at the info on any bidders during the week, but I decide what the highest is I'd pay, how much I'd add if I was annoyed to lose it at that price for a few cents, and post that bid. I hover over the keyboard and send it in when it's between 10 and 20 seconds out. Barely time for an extra bid, but it gives me time to affirm my bid and hit the final send button.

Lovely day here today. Fabulous lunch-time walk with the dogs.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Feb 12 - 10:13 PM

meditation this AM, then to get my teeth cleaned

worked with my brother on his music this afternoon. got all of his pieces uploaded to CDBaby, just the artwork to finish up and we'll be able to launch!

The antibiotics I have to take before the dentist kind of wiped me out, so I had a great, deep-sleep nap, then was up in time to throw the ball a bit for Luna. Just got off the phone with Morgan. He got a great surprise at school today, a North Star award which is the highest they can get...pix on the major bulletin board, t-shirt, certificate, etc. He's beaming. And, some guy came to their enrichment class and gave them each a tiny compass, so he's really, really happy.

No qi gong, but a bit of walking. Still a little sore from the osteo treatment, yesterday. We did some deep tissue work.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Feb 12 - 10:21 PM

RANT ON (from this aftn and not submitted then)

===

OK, the decluttered house no one has time to clean supports [his] Lenten insanity begun and [my] grant-writing hell in full swing-- but it has seriously screwed up my hard-won wellness structure and I am now walking around this WAY TOO-BIG house SCREAMING.

I think we need to change who is driving the housing bus, too, because I have tried all measures suggested by the current driver and this is NOT working! As follows:

I am WAY behind already in the class I'm taking.

I have managed somehow to maintain an approximation of weight-losing calorie goals despite travel and house hell and grant hell, but when the electrics pop I have neither heat nor a chair I can sit in after PT that I can actually get OUT of once the electrics pop: the electric lift recliner for post-PT soreness doesn't let me sit-- or worse, if it goes out while I am sitting, won't let me get out to PEE!

===

RANT OFF. It's not funny! 'NUFF SAID.

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Feb 12 - 11:06 PM

Still not 100% yet from this miserable cold. It seems to have settled in my ears making the world a heavily blanketed hush.

I took a friend to a doctor's appointment today and then met up with an old classmate of mine who I haven't seen since the 7th grade. He and I have been chatting it up on Facebook....along with my girlfriend who I took to the doctor today.....anyway...we met for lunch and he was great, as was his girlfriend. It was hard to fully participate in the conversation as I had Jeremiah (who had been sitting for a few hours by that point and was VERY antsy) and because of my ears. They understood and we are going to get together again soon.

He does a lot of primitive woodwork...furniture...that is spectacular. And for whatever reason, he loves me like we've been pals for a long, long time and has offered to make just about anything I'd like for very few $$$. He's also given me his phone number for anytime I'm passing through (which is as often as I go to the hospital and clinic). He also offered a place to crash if the roads are icky on my way home or if I'm just plain tuckered out from an appointment.

Speaking of appointments....I have some coming up early next month. I'm going to visit my endocrinologist and have a mammogram. I hope you are all keeping up with that annual check up! Before the appointments, I am treating myself to a pedicure, including a paraffin wax dip. YAY!!!!

My car has been cleaned out. Instead of going to WW this week (There's no chance I can HEAR the speaker plus the topic of the week was eating out which I rarely do), I emptied my car, vacuumed it and washed it. It's been needing it for a bit.

Goodnight All!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Feb 12 - 11:36 PM

I know you said it wasn't funny, but I was laughing by the end of your rant, Susan. A sympathetic laugh, but it was a good laugh!

I did eat out this evening, a gyro and a beer that I brought home - I had a lot of work all day and then as it got into evening I rounded up Zeke and took him to see Susie. I don't share photo links on Mudcat any more, my photo files are closed, but anyone who would like to see the image send a PM and I can share a link to a personal page. Since the door was closed to her room when I got there I closed it behind me, and since staff couldn't see in, we let Zeke hop up on the bed. It was rather conspiratorial, but those two were in heaven! It was a 20-minute visit of ear scratching and offering treats. She is so much better, but still isn't ready to move back to her house or live independently. I share photos to her facebook page so she can see them (she has her laptop at the hospital) and I put a photo and occasional updates on a page her family set up. I seem to be the only one sending updates lately, but I suspect a lot of her friends are hanging on every word. I had a call from one woman who was in town a few days ago and wanted to check in. I had a great walk with the dogs today and realized that it was just about this time last year that Susie and I met because Zeke had gotten out through a hole in her back fence.

She has five children, they don't all live here. Two do, the rest are spread out. Her sister will be coming down soon, and she has several siblings. But here in the neighborhood, we are a little family, the two of us as friends and our three dogs. This winter the borders really blurred for the dogs; Zeke has been here for so long now that my girls bark if I take him out of the yard, just as they always used to do if one or the other of them was taken out of the yard and one left behind. So I bring the left-behind dogs into the house so they don't disturb the neighbors. I suspect our walks for a while, once she is back home, will be me walking up there and clipping Zeke onto Cinnamon's leash (I have them walk on a double lead and Poppy walks single on the other side). Then Susie can walk but not be dragged around by Zeke. And learn how to walk with him so he won't drag her around. What you expect them to do is transmitted by your body language, so we need to retrain the body language.

That's my introspection on the way things have worked out this year. Last fall her husband died and I picked up the slack; as the weeks progressed it looked like we were all going to come out of that experience whole. A fluke accident and here we are. But things are getting better, slowly, and we're all a part of the process.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 01:24 AM

SRS,

    Letting Susie and Zeke have together time was the greatest thing you could have done. Melts my heart and makes me want to snuggle with my pups which I think I'm gonna do right now.

Very sweet of you...VERY.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 09:55 AM

SRS, that reminds me of after heart surgery. My daughter brought Morgan up to see me, in his carriage with the dog, Merlee, on a leash. There was no worries about either of them getting on the bed as the hospital gave permission without any caveats. I was in a private room, so maybe that was partly why, but it was so great to see them both. I will always appreciate my daughter doing that. It is a huge hospital and I am sure it took some doing finding a parking place, hiking in and up the elevator with a baby let alone a dog in tow. Susie and Zeke are blessed with you in their lives.

kat

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 11:07 AM

SRS, YER allowed. :~)

This AM I have finally gotten one night of continuous, deep sleep after the trip and grant-writing hell. For those who have not done that grantsmanship dance, it involves integrating impossibly complex pieces of last-minute info into a deadline-driven, format-prescribed writing/selling job. With detailed budgeting, outcomes measures, strat planning..... it's a good thing if you're a generalist, as I am.

Pressure? You write what you can as you know it, and at the end it somehow magically is what it needed to be, on time, and (usually) in the Fed EX drop box. And then when it's "over" you recoup from the jerked-awake, must-write moments your shortened sleep has presented to you during the intense and insane rush. You do not spend the waking time fretting-- you go right to the word-processor.


In my younger days I didn't always make time for that recoup-- and could not, when single-parenting. NOW tho I know so much more about my own processes of doing this, and can spot the recoup moment as soon as it's available. And that is TODAY:

The meds I took last night to ensure that schedule-reboot (I had almost slid into total nightshft mode) are still so much in my system that I could not drive to the planned PT appt today. I AM awke enough to "chore" my way inside and around the yard instead. So I rescheduled the PT into tomorrow. And that will be actual FUN, because Hardi can come along and see what his honey has been up to since he last visited the aquatic PT. Now he can watch me pump some serious iron in the dry clinic, which he will love!

The rest of today is take-care-of-Susan day, catching up with laundry and other chores to make the next crazy round kinda comfy. TBTG I figured out why my back was so bad the last few days-- knew what it WARN'T but not what it WAS, till I took off my shoes at last night's Ashy service and the pain vanished. THE SHOES I've been having to wear to avoid the next muddy slide/fall in the parking area of our lawn!!! So one task today will be finding the spiked walking stick to use instead, because NOW I have enough upper-body strength to use THAT if I slide. The stick is prob in the van I needed to clean out a tad anyway, which is parked on DRY grass right by the back steps.


Ydy was a daylong rant in several quarters, where I fired various bus drivers and put new ones in their places.

Because....... despite following all med and PT instrux and prescribed calories, I now weigh more than I ever have or ever thought I would. When I have time to do the HTML to express it accurately, I will post the number, but it's a big one.

So, thyroid, next appt. Next week.


Today is MY DAY. "Crisis Ministries" can't have this one!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 12:13 PM

Sunny warm day. And a note on the village sign board that "tall grass is a code violation." Lots of tall grass, but mine in the back yard is out of view. I do need to mow it though. I'll take a screwdriver with me so I can scrape the pesto-like paste of wet grass from under the mower that bogs it down.

The reason I was concerned about Zeke being on the bed was due to the isolation status that they have on some of the rooms there in that head injury ward. Susie isn't isolated any more, but they might frown on the outside dog germs one the bedding (which probably gets laundered very regularly) but anyway, we were just being cautious.

Gas prices going up, I need to go fill the pickup and buy my mower gas for the season before it skyrockets.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 02:14 PM

I understand about the dog cooties.:-)

meditation and qi gong - putting me first, every day for over a month now..it's working and everyone who sees me notices. Wonderful feeling!

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 03:57 PM

I can not imagine allowing dogs in a hospital, except perhaps in one special visiting center..then I would have them on a leash and with a muzzle and small ones in a container..and you still don't know what germs they have and fleas etc. and some animal owners do not have them trained or think they should be. Imagine a big friendly St. Bernard knocking over a medicine cart or leaping up on a nurse, to say nothing of a patient walking the halls. A rehab center would be different, but there are still people who are terrified of animals and some who are allergic...I think one isolated room for visitign with pets would be OK and I do realize the therapeutic benefits but I just can't see the epidemiology of it. mg

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 04:13 PM

This isn't a regular hospital, this is a rehabilitation hospital for once the urgent medical care is past. And we had to jump through several hoops in order to get him in, vet check, shots up to date, etc. And I wait until it is very quiet to take him down because he does get excited when little kids squeal and want to pet him. No muzzle (so insulting to most dogs!) and no cage, just good manners and an attentive person with him.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: maeve
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 05:02 PM

Here's one good example:
http://www.nmh.org/nm/animal-assisted-therapy

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 05:54 PM

I've put my single bed knitting machine up on ebay - 6 watching, no bids.

Tomorrow I go to pick up my "new" one, but I've a couple of bits of furniture to put up for sale as well.

Penny

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 07:40 PM

Some regular hospitals DO allow therapy dogs, if they are set up for it programmatically. The therapy dog in such a program is certified as behaviorally appropriate and adequately handled by the handler, and up on all needed shots as determined by the facility.

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 09:38 PM

And the freaking cold from Hell continues in the Lawrence family. Jeremiah is crusty. Pete has a very sore throat making his already quiet speaking voice just about non-existent. My head is surprisingly still attached to my body...I was sure it was going to blow off earlier today. My ears are still way cloudy despite both an over the counter and a script of drops. Between his quiet voice and my deafness...we are a pair. He's sitting right near me but when he wants to say something, he sends me a message on Facebook...that way he doesn't strain his sore throat and I will understand him the first time.

Laundry, dinner and dishes done today. Not bad for being a sick puppy.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Feb 12 - 11:32 AM

This has kept going and going - sounds like an opportunity for family togetherness - all go see the doctor!

Racing to the end of the month, trying to find a piece of paper (a receipt) I've misplaced. Arrggggghh! I may be able to reproduce it, but I'd rather find the original.

I'm drinking more green tea now, just an occasional cup of black tea, drinking more water, adding more veggies. Spring is here, almost. Time to up the exercise outside and move forward with the weight loss goal. Since the weekend is here I'm sure I'll get a lot - the lawns all are unruly and need mowing.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 24 Feb 12 - 03:44 PM

SRS,

The baby has been to the doctor 3 times and is scheduled to go again next week. Family doctors around here are urging patients to not come in with this as it's viral and there's nothing they can do. I will, however call on Monday if my hearing has not improved by that time.

UGH.

Pete is home today and really in a bad way. When I got up this morning the first thing I did was make him some chicken soup and then made jello to help ease his throat pain. He's all pale and just sitting around....that is SO NOT my husband!

And me? I'm sitting pretty with paper towels sticking out of each ear..just finished an ear treatment and am soaking up anything that didn't get to where it should have gone. SOOO BOOTEEEFULLL! :)

Dishes are done, kitchen table is completely cleared, all toys in the kitchen have been picked up and moved, one load of laundry done and 2 business calls made. The baby is napping and I have the urge to do some more general puttering.

Later Gators.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Feb 12 - 05:32 PM

Superb PT today and a stop at Lowe's for one el cheapo GREAT fix led to a cartfull of OTHER "OMG-they-actually-have-this" finds, also el cheapo.

At PT Hardi snapped not only his hardworking honeh's routine and my great PT aides' faces (it's goodbye in about 3 weeks), but also all the machines to show the Y trainer-- who I guess is also sick and has not called yet to set an appt. time.

But the best part was a stretch I drooled over this AM during a hockey program this AM, for which (thanks to Hardi's cell pic) the PT was able to show me several land-based varieties of that stretch. One instant-gratification version can be done an the edge of the bed when I get up creaky in the AM [music" Rise Up Singing Creakin' or, for that matter, during the middle of the night AND on my office chair.

WINWINWIN A travel exercise for long drives to the other end of the Diocese!

I'm taking up body building next. (It's the best and cheapest way to fill all the non-shrinkable skin that will be left over.)

~Susan

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Feb 12 - 06:01 PM

Pssssst!

Check this out:

http://www.cowgirlfilms.com/

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Feb 12 - 10:01 PM

qi gong and walking today

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Feb 12 - 01:16 AM

A travel exercise for long drives to the other end of the Diocese! I'm curious - what exercise did he prescribe? Something for while you're driving, or for stops along the way?

Kat, walking is always the best thing you can do for yourself. Good for you! Once summer is here you'll be out hiking again.

I went to a classical guitar concert tonight, the only one I've made it to this year. I was happy to see a big crowd there, and I met an interesting young woman, who was sitting in front of me in the balcony. We were both up there for photos - I because I'm a friend of one of the organizers, she because she is a student journalist at the university where the concerts take place. We talked shop about photos.

I have been learning about the Adobe CS5 suite by the seat of my pants, but as we talked she described the same thing I have felt - the photos take an hour or two to shoot and the processing of them takes days. I told her about Adobe "Bridge" where you can do batch changes. She looked entranced to learn about a program that will let her do this all at once (select the ones you want to work with, then set the batch parameters and let it go.) You still have to do individual corrections, but you can speed up some of it. I kidded her "I've sold you this car, haven't I?" She's ready to go back to her school workstation and check out that program. Decluttering the busy schedule for one interesting student this evening. :)

Fooling with a phone app, so I'd better stop being distracted. Off to bed soon - busy weekend coming up.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 25 Feb 12 - 03:46 AM

I had an ear thing, as did my neighbour. Just my left one. The doctor prescribed drops and an antibiotic (it seemed likely that my eustachian tube was blocked as well as something affecting my ear canal) and it cleared up in the five antibiotic days.

I've a definite buyer for a wooden storage bench, and a number of watchers for my knitting machine. One for a chair. I don't think I'll be able to set off the cost of the "new" machine, though.

And the new machine is not quite as it should be. (Couldn't fault the advertising - she didn't say it had the instruction books! Just didn't say it didn't.) I'm downloading the manuals from the internet, and will then have a go at setting it up.

Penny

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Feb 12 - 04:55 AM

...travel exercise for long drives... I'm curious - what exercise did he prescribe? Something for while you're driving, or for stops along the way?

I have a long-chronic hip spot that is too tight to allow good leg position when I am driving. It pulls against a muscle trying to roll the leg in to get the knee straight... the result is persistent knee pain from screaming tendons and ligaments. While I drive I need to rely on one hip muscle behaving differently, and then I can also do this stretch every time I stop for a pee break. (Since I also need to drink more water, it's a great combined strategy.)

This is particular to my own anatomy/weak places, but it's a stretch football and hockey players do called an IT stretch. They do it on the ground, but she showed me a few other ways runners do it, standing and/or using a low table as a support.

There are lots of ways to stretch the IT (or any joint or muscle); a PT can show you ALL of them from a range of positions. The trick is to pick the ones that work for you AS THEY ARE PRESCRIBED. At the place I'm going, then they print off a drawing to remind you what goes where and in what direction the force is applied.

My main-PT Tina showed me one version awhile back in the pool. Today it was her boss (Ms. MJ) driving this bus, with footballer/skier (Mr. Jay) helpfully doing various other demos with her on the floor while Hardi showed the pic and I talked about how my eyes and body had responded so excitedly when I saw it in hockey. It's just the nest cool thing I can feel that I need to do.

A few they've shown me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c55IYpoGZQ

I guess this is all just Applied Anatomy, but it's new (and FUN) to me.

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Feb 12 - 12:48 PM

I was driving to the library yesterday and saw an Estate sale sign at the edge of a neighborhood I'd never visited. Followed signs for a few blocks and found a modest 3-bedroom home with the family running the estate sale. There were some interesting pieces, some no-name pieces, things were a bit high, but they had some lovely antiques. I don't have room and I didn't have the money, but they were nice. I enjoyed taking a look and moving on.

Exercise today is on-the-job. I have to mow and do some gardening. I need to clean the kitchen a bit first; the dishes were washed last night but there is mail to sort and move off the counter. It's nice to come in for a break from the yard work and have a clear counter for fixing lunch or bringing in garden stuff (I may harvest some oregano today).

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Feb 12 - 11:37 PM

I didn't mow but I did dig up more of the garden. I found during the day that my gut was still upset by yesterday's McDonald's burger. Kept me up late, and I was tired enough this morning that a nap was a big help midday. Tomorrow I'll go put some more potatoes in the garden.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Feb 12 - 12:30 AM

Today we picked up the meat from our first steer. Over 400 pounds of beef in 6 boxes. I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me. I miss seeing Stewie out in the field. I know what he was raised for and I know he had a better life here than he would have had if he had gone to auction.

My ears are still clogged and tonight I'm nauseous. Great. Pete is feeling much better today for which I am thankful. It bothers me that *I* am not feeling better after nearly a month. When I brought it up this morning, he said, "Well, you had chemo and I did not." *Sigh*

Ok.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 26 Feb 12 - 09:03 AM

I have had the neighbour's friend, who is a joiner, in to measure up my built in wardrobe doors for replacement - which meant being up much earlier than I wanted, and a quick tidy.
I have downloaded the instructions for my knitting machine and printed them out, and while I was waiting for the printer to run through all the pages, I have shredded nearly all the old bank statements, utility bills, payslips and tax certificates that have been waiting to be put in the compost bin - can't do that yet, because the existing one is brimfull, and the new ones I have ordered have not yet arrived.
Now I'm going out to see if I can get a rucksack to fit my autoharp.

Penny

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Feb 12 - 11:20 AM

Michelle, I wonder if nausea is a result of the ear thing still - is it making you at all dizzy?

I think there must be some virtual component of all of this talk of illness - last night my sinuses started enough of a reaction to something that I had a sore throat when I went to bed. I was up to let a dog out in the wee hours and thought I'd try the neti pot, but it hurt so I stopped it. I looked up salt for that use and it turns out the best household salt for the neti pot is pickling salt because it doesn't have the anti-caking agents or iodine. I used it this morning quite comfortably. I have a busy week coming up so I hope between careful treatment and enough sleep I can knock it out quick. I may have had an allergic reaction to something in the garden yesterday so I'll be sure to say on my Zyrtec and maybe add Benedryl at bedtime.

Will walk the dogs this morning since that isn't a problem now.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Feb 12 - 12:30 PM

Cool breeze in the face during the walk - I'll pamper the sinuses after that, but the vitamin D of a sunny morning is much appreciated.

Usual stuff today. Laundry, dishes, shopping.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Feb 12 - 05:36 PM

SRS,

   Dizzy? Yes...mostly in the morning though or if I bend over for something that I dropped. Ears are still clogged and we replenished the tissue collection today. I swear. I should have lost at least 30 pounds (warning...GROSS ALERT) in snot this month. UGH.

Laundry is going and I'm going to spend some time decluttering in our bedroom shortly.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Feb 12 - 11:35 PM

Ok. So here's the thing. I'm drowning. My house is in ok shape but there is certainly much to be done. My energy level is in the toilet. I've been sick. There has been some stress in my family concerning my grandmother's health and place of residence. My last thyroid check was RIDICULOUS. Chemo is still working it's way out of my system (just how freakin' long does that take?!?!?!?). I keep thinking things need to be as they were before my cancer diagnosis. The thing is...I'm about 18 months out of treatment now and I find myself in this weird limbo. I want what my life was before...I want to be at the weight I was before cancer, I want the energy I had before cancer, I want my body to do the things it could do before cancer but those things just aren't reality.

That left me thinking. My life before cancer was kind of like the first chapter of my life. Then I hit a giant freaking pot hole. Lately I've been standing in the middle of the road, kind of in a haze. Don't misunderstand, I have been doing my best to take excellent care of the baby and my husband but just about everything else has fallen to the wayside. So..if that was the first chapter, what is it I want in this second chapter? Some things just aren't going to change or ever be the same...that's called change and growth. You all know how I love my yoga. Well, the reality of today says I can't afford it, I don't have a sitter during that time of day and that's that.

I suppose I'm rambling but my point...because, yes, I do have one, is that the first chapter of my life was pretty darn fantastic. There's no reason to think that the second half won't be equally as wonderful or even better but if I stand here in the middle of the road, in the fog...longing for what was and kinda being skittish about the road ahead...I'm going to be standing in the fog for a long time and not going anywhere. So...after a long talk with the Love of My Life, we have an initial plan and tonight I took the first step forward in writing to my endocrinologist (who I see next week) about what's really going on for me (as in...I feel like I'm trying to run in hip depth mud and how I feel like the earth just sucks me in at every turn) and how we can medically get a grip on this so I can move forward.

Pete and I discussed a few other things and we'll see how it goes. It was a hard conversation to have...I can't do this..it isn't working...I need your help....but in the end, it was a good conversation to have. I needed to hear that he KNOWS I am deeply fatigued and that he KNOWS I am doing my best to take care of things around here and that Jeremiah and he are my top priority...and most importantly (at least to me) is that he acknowledges that I am NOT being LAZY.

With that said, there was no physical decluttering today but a plan has been created...at least the beginning steps of a plan...something that I can manage for the next few days and then we'll take a look again. It's a tough thing to say I can't do all of this when you are used to doing it all...but I've been struggling and trying to keep up and I just can't.

I am cutting myself a break and starting this game over.

Welcome to Chapter 2.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Feb 12 - 11:50 PM

We had a busy weekend. Morgan came over yesterday morning at 830a. We had breakfast, then went to visit my brother. We hadn't been over for a long time, so he was pleased, plus Morgan was thrilled as he got to play the piano, whistle back and forth to my brother's birds, pet the cats, and feed the tropical fish, some of which are huge and really neat. Then we went to the grocery store. Came home, watched a few episodes of Avatar-Last Airbender, then Morgan and the dog headed out the back door. He was out there for about three hours, playing all kinds of imaginary games. It was so fun to watch him. OUur yard is huge and wild, much bigger than his at home, plus we aren't fussy about him lining up old tree limbs, boxes, etc. for play forts and the like. He finally went home about 4p.

I did walking and qi gong for that day.

Today, he came over again for breakfast, home around noon. I didn't get any sleep last night,but we all pitched in and did some cleaning before he went home, plus he got to play more in the backyard.

I moved some stacks of very dusty books in the LR, freeing up two shelves which I dusted and am beginning to fill with my collection of cats and other pieces. It looks nice. When I am done, I'll take a picture. Rog did the dishes, kitchen trash, and cooked me up a nice steamer of brown rice. (I had it with shelled, roasted pistachios and a tiny dab of butter. So yummy!) while Morgan helped me with the rest of the dustbins. He also washed off some knick-knacks that are his...marbles, a dragon, etc.

Michelle, I would urge you to watch that video my doc recommended, "Knives Over Forks." It has some astonishing scientific evidence about food and cancer, heart dis-ease, etc. Actually, I would urge anyone who is interested in good, healthy nutrition watch it. As my doc said, it is very "mainstream," not a bunch of *softies* eating alfalfa sprouts.:-)

ATB,

kat

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: mg
Date: 27 Feb 12 - 12:27 AM

Don't forget y ou also adopted a baby in the midst of things. That alone takes all sorts of energy.

I see your posts sometimes and I say to myself why is she doing all that? Clothes never have to be folded. Babies can learn very quickly to put their toys into baskets. Very little new stuff needs to be bought and garage sales especially have tempting prices but the more stuff brought in the more to deal with later. I would have a minimal amount of clothing for the baby, which is going to outgrow anyway. Same with toys. They don't need that many and their IQ is not going to suffer with fewer toys. As long as they are clean and fed and get outdoors to run around, they are generally quite happy and develop quite well. Take lots of naps and let others care for your grandmother. Your focus just has to be your health, your baby and your husband. I would not bring any pets or additional animals into the equation for now. Simplify and flourish. mg

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 12 - 11:58 AM

Michelle, suggesting from a non-professional capacity I think you need to add "depression" to that list. Understanding full well that depression is a natural part of our world and when things get tough we go through it. For me, the way to fight my way out of it has been to develop a plan. Once a plan is in place I have an anchor that is beyond where I am now that I can pull myself towards. This and the "talking cure," of discussing with friends what is going on. Use private discussion sites more if you need to. I've never wanted or asked for the medications that are so prevalent today (I think they don't help so much as mask the anxiety that goes with depression.) Mary has a good point also - for the time being you can let the shopping for extras slide. As long as everyone has a few clean seasonal garments that is good enough.

You did get started on the right foot - you do have a plan to address the medical end of things, but if you think about it, you may find that it is a mid-way goal. What do you want to do when the medical things are resolved? What is there in your area that you have been wanting to do that you can focus on as a goal? Go back to school, perhaps, to learn to teach yoga, or go take a master gardener class in order to set up a commercial organic gardening patch at your farm. Or take something you do already and push it into a commercial environment - a craft that you can turn into a business? Join a writers group? These are broad educated guesses at the kinds of things you might consider. If you're going to pull yourself up by your bootstraps, you must have your boots placed someplace firm yet achievable.

On my small and local stage here, I have a cold. We seem to have been talking about them enough that I'm taking my turn. I'll try to keep the complaint minimal, it's a smallish one and I hope to keep it that way. It's a very busy week at work so this is quite inconvenient. I'll try to get lots of sleep to get it to move along as soon as possible. Drink lots of fluid. Etc.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Feb 12 - 01:07 PM

Dear Michelle, you are indeed in the midst of - what to do while you hope the storm is passing. I have vaguely in mind a famous quote about peace within the storm. You do seem to find that from time to time but then another wave hits you and you fear you will founder but you find your balance and keep on until the next wave. In between, you may be anxious about when the next wave will hit; that is not helpful but it is human.

I am minded of the worst period of my environmental illness; the four years when I could do so little I decided life was not worth living. Ten years, and many changes, later I am still perking along - help came when I needed it most AND was open to it.

And you and the family are perking along. I am amazed at what you manage to get done in the midst of your storm. You just keep on rowing! ("Have faith... but keep on rowing.") In the midst of chaos, you have a firm center. And a support group that cares, that is rooting for you. D.

As for where have I been for 2 weeks and here it is almost the end of another month!

The internet at the country quit and having finally reached a, hopefully, helpful person at Bell, I am off in a bit to a Bell centre to get help. (I brought the router to the city and it does not work here either.) So I felt bereft of connect -ability for the last 3 weekends. During the week, I focussed on the wind turbines and R spent two days writing a contract. I read.

My letter to the editor was well received by our group. We met with the MNA on Fri in the midst of our worst yet snow storm. He lives two roads over from the cabin and seemed surprised, even shocked by the environmental aspects, and empathetic. He doubts it will ever happen. But we need to be vigilant and that means going to the council meeting each month and providing them with info they will accept. Neighbour Leo had copies of a provincial report; he read all 150 pages, in French!, and found lots of helpful, hopeful info. He will give a copy to the council.   The MNA thought it would be available in English and I am hoping Leo will order some in English. Amazingly, they are not only free, they were delivered by Purolator! Of course, the taxpayers pay.

Laundry is in the works; two loads today. R is off to work and I am preparing to go back to the country tomorrow, may even go to NYS to visit rehabber and take her some gloves. This is part of my "de-cluttering"! On the way back from Whidbey Island, I bought a huge bin of gloves - work gloves or various types - whole boxes of latex gloves as well as goat skin gloves good for gardening and heavy rubber gloves, good for raccoon cage cleaning. The whole bin was $20 because they were ALL small - in a man's world, a machinery company! If I give Amy a plastic bag full, I still have a banana box full to give other rehabbers and a life time supply of gardening gloves. That was a GOOD buy!

During a day on my own at the cabin, I sorted out a bunch of stuff to go out to the garage for storage but it is in the hallway waiting for warmer weather. I did check the freezer full of clay and found the light bulb out and the clay might have frozen. I replaced the bulb and will HOPE!

Excellent music Friday eve at the Cafe - Bobby Dove is GOOD! Farewell party Sat eve gave a chance to socialize without disturbing the music - it was a dinner at the restaurant next door to the cafe, with most of the regulars! Sat next to a gardener (flowers); this was a great opportunity to find out about the local garden club and talk about gardening in zone 4. Although there is little sun at the cabin, I am thinking of a moveable garden, on wheels so I can put it in the sunniest spot - in front of the garage door! - and move it when necessary. I guess I am not over my gardening addiction.

I am not having much luck de-cluttering my body. Warmer weather will bring more opps for walks in the woods, potting and gardening in the city yard. Time to order tomato plants, I guess. Since I never wrote down the ones that were best last year....

The last two Sundays, we visited with Scottish friends who have been renting a cottage near the cabin - across the road from our environmentalist friend Blad who has taken (Scottish) Leo for walks and they are to go to the gorge yet, through a foot of snow. Leo (37) is "high functioning autistic" with 4 degrees and wonderful art work. His Mom is a historian and super mom who managed to get her son the help he needed throughout his school years in England. Leo's art work is here.

And last Weds I drove down to NYS, picked up a rehabber just the other side of the border and thn we went down to Wilmington where we met Amy at Wendy's Adirondack Wildlife Center and went for a walk in the woods with a very large and beautiful wolf, on a leash!, and Steve who gave a lecture throughout the whole hour on wolves and moose and other animals and their interactions, etc. Fascinating!

Then us (4) women went to the village to a thrift shop - one lovely old fashioned, lidded thingy for maple syrup, one small bowl - then to a natural food, Gluten-free shop for lunches to take back and eat in the dining room looking out on woods and snow covered mountains. A great day! Then I drove Marcia back home and came straight on to the city. All that in only 12 hours. Next time we must plan it so R can go. He would have loved it and he is quite capable of being "one of the girls"! He would not have dominated like many men would. Amy, Wendy, R and I had a great time together at the rehab conference in November.

Sat morning as I made breakfast, neighbour Leo came and plowed the driveway so he joined us briefly for breakfast; he needed to get to the city. Great neighbour to have! Sunday, he stopped in to try to get the internet going but no dice. R agreed to help him with some electrical wiring.

And it seems as though I spend most of my time just internetting or reading.

WOW! I have black bear Jewel's Den on half the screen and it is very noisy right now! Feeding time for the twins!

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Feb 12 - 01:12 PM

Phooey! That guest was me, obviously. I need to pay more attention. Had to reset my cookie for some reason unknown to me.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Feb 12 - 05:29 PM

meditation and qi gong this morning

finished with Prairie Child and have ordered it to be turned into an e-book...finally!

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Feb 12 - 05:51 PM

Saw a doctor today about my ears. Seems they are both really red inside and FULL of fluid. My right ear has 2 bubbles in it too that are about ready to burst. He gave me another antibiotic and some steroids. The things in my ear will need to burst (which he tells me will be very painful) and drain before my ears and hearing improve. In the meantime, I can expect to hear less every day. Thanks Doc!

Got some grocery shopping done today too.

Heard from the doctor I had emailed. Did not get the response I was hoping for. Oh well. I'm not giving up there.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 12 - 09:34 PM

Oh, Dear! Michelle, do you have an ENT you can see? Maybe someone more specialized can help you now?

This WILL pass, and you'll get out of this slump. It doesn't help that it is winter with shorter days and less green and sunshine. Can you help yourself with some good lighting in the house? You know the medical side of things, but maybe we can help by suggesting things for the emotional side. If there are aromas that help, dig them out. Dorothy can probably suggest some good ones.

I wish we were nearby so we could take turns helping with baby sitting, chores around the house, and driving trips to see your Nana. Such a lot on your plate right now.

Meanwhile, I can hear just fine but I have absolutely no voice and I can't taste a lot. I made a sandwich for dinner (Brautwurst, sauerkraut, on a roll) and it seemed bland. My nose isn't stuffy, but my sense of smell is still impacted by this. It'll be interesting this week at work. I have to go over tomorrow and Wednesday, sick or not.

Congratulations on the book, Kat! And Dorothy, once your router is working you'll perk along. You could plug the computer directly into the modem to connect to the Internet, if the router is broken. Just be sure your firewall is up and working.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Feb 12 - 11:41 PM

Thanks, SRS! Feel better! You, too, Michelle!:-)

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Feb 12 - 12:46 PM

Hope everyone is feeling better, today.

I managed to finish washing off my "katknacks" and moving them to the LR shelves. It still looks cluttered, in the PIX, imo, but I like being able to look out there, from my desk in the DR, and seeing all of them, plus family photos. Still have to go through the rest of the books, dust them and decide which ones we want to keep. We've shelves back in the old office where we are moving the Keepers. eventually, I want to do something besides the white shelves AND want to repaint the wall a green. I like the red, but it's getting dull and scruffy looking.

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Feb 12 - 03:35 PM

The decluts of last year made room for serious distance learning. The decluts of this year have made room for doing the distance learning with a group in an online classroom. Some stuff I had started on last year really needed that group interaction. My notes from that stuff from last year's more-isolated approach were right where I expected them to be, waiting, and I am now all caught up with the online group's posted progress thru the same material's opening chapters. God thing I had the notes-- I do not have time this month or next to read the material from scratch. It is great to reinforce the previous learning with the review/posting of notes as I clear my schedule. I look forward to the group's posted responses and to responding to their posts. It's a different posting structure from Mudcat-- so hard to get used to but so great to have the group.


Possible travel to Californy is looming as sister's treatment saps her ability to care for our ma. I may need to go portable, but I have the tools to do it seamlessly now at least. A care package for Mom and Sis goes to the post office today as I head out shortly for PT.

BIG FIND yesterday, oh frabjous excess of joy! A home-party-type rolling tote that is in GREAT shape and will hold laptop and lit for the Diocesan visiting I am doiong nowadays, AND a pile of magazine-racks such as I use for live-project-files before I archive them into binders. SIX of those, some match what I had and some are colored for easy spotting of priorities (like my HEALTH). AND one of those staplers wiht a long jaw that allows booklet-stapling, or the reprint now in progress of our mst popular songbook!!!!

WIN.WIN.WIN

I decluttered an unhealthy family process last night, beginning with the dismantling of an Unhealthy Triangle.

My phone now carries alarms that ring as often as school bells to keep me moving thru a huge amount of activity. I LOVE.LOVE.LOVE the structure.

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Feb 12 - 08:13 PM

I received a phone call from a WW friend a few days ago. She said she had some clothes that she no longer could wear and asked me if I would like them. I said sure! We were about the same size going down the scale prior to chemo. After chemo, I regained quite a bit of weight so she is now about 2 sizes smaller than me. I went to her house expecting just a few things. She had 7...yes SEVEN...very large garbage bags full of stuff for me to go through. I left with 4 bags of some great clothes...several hundred dollars worth, I'm sure. She was so pleased to be getting rid of them and I am so pleased to be on the receiving end. :) I vow to not even take them out of the car until I have my closet cleaned out and emptied of all clothes that do not currently fit (but will in the future). I'm going to bag those up and get them out of site for now.

As I went through her bags, she and her husband sat and chatted up a storm and then when we were all done with the clothing, we had a nice lunch together.

I came home, cut up a bunch of veggies and added them to a roast and cut up some potatoes too. Laundry is also going. The house smells wonderful and I've enjoyed this day immensely.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Feb 12 - 08:21 PM

You sound much happier today, Michelle - I hope you're feeling better also!

I have this stupid cold, and at a reception today that I had to be there for, there were several of us with the same bug. We hovered around the edge of groups, not touching anyone, careful to cough in our elbows. It'll be the same tomorrow, and then I'll stay home the rest of the week. Get extra sleep (and tonight I'll sleep in the recliner - I didn't sleep well with all of the coughing last night.)

I did a load of laundry, got some folded today, but that's it. There are dishes in the sink. Maybe I'll run the dishwasher, but I suspect it will be another day before they're out of there. I need another nap. :-)

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Feb 12 - 08:32 PM

It's not so much that I am unhappy. I am just tired. Deeply fatigued. Frustrated with my body. I feel ok today but can't hear a thing unless I'm looking at you, talking to you on the phone or you are right next o my ears talking quietly (that works best, really).

This cold has been going on for nearly a month and it's just dragging me down.

I keep trudging along, doing my best...whatever that may be on any given day.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Feb 12 - 10:48 PM

I have everything crossed that I can think of that my cold doesn't catch hold or last so long as your cold. Do you have allergies? Some of the worst colds I ever had were so snot-filled and several doctors and nurses suggested that I also had allergies at work. I (knock wood!) haven't had a cold anywhere like those I used to have since I started acting like I have allergies and using a regular antihistamine.

Did a load of laundry, but the dishes are staring at me from the sink wondering when I'm going to pull them out of that cold soapy water. ♪♪ Tomorrow, tomorrow! ♪♪



SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Feb 12 - 07:28 AM

LMAOROTF--

The heavy saleskit bag I nabbed IS a great-quality piece of luggage, but it is adorned with the logo for Creative Home Arts Club-- which a cursory Google search reveals is a BAD logo to parade around for which... I was already... looking into ... creative Home arts to cover it up!

Under the KISS principle I can print the desired logo in color, and insert it in a name badge with pin (or maybe one glue on one of those nifty, heavier ones on a cord).

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Feb 12 - 07:52 AM

(That was 200)

Found it-- it's not a sales case (tho it can and will be), but a portable seamstress kit:

http://web22.creativehomeartsclub.com/reviews/member-tested/articletype/articleview/articleid/1345/sewing-machine-on-wheels

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Feb 12 - 08:11 AM

Mine ($6) is an older model than the one shown in the above URL, and probably no longer available. It has the wheels set on the wider side, which is great (I have had narrow wheelbases tip while towing), but Tutto Luggage (www.tutto.com) has a slew of portable office, craft, or sewing bags currently made that have all kinds of inner-pocket coolitude.

Mine has side pockets that zip open to lie flat. Each side is different. One side has a binder with large and small plastic pockets for craft or print material, and/or CDs/DVDs. The other has 2 velcro on/off mesh zippered pouches. When I do a presentation, I also am expected to supply nutritious snacks, so that is what will go in there-- protein bars (meal replacement), cereal bars, dried fruit, etc.

The large inner core of the case has 3 sections-- a narrow central section will hold laptop in padded sleeve and power cord. The 2 outer ones will hold soft binders of curriculum material. One of the side pockets (each has also an inner section) has room for singalong booklets or songsheets. The other-- my Kindle with more songs already on it to lead.

The top on mine is a heavy flap-over with that logo I can velcro over (have the velcro, LOL) hinged on the wider side. Under it are gadget pockets of various sizes, and a few more zippered areas.

Portable sales/workshop/FUN.


A large laptop case Hardi gave me is a backup item. With that added I can also carry a pair of speakers to run off the lappie, and a tiny piano keyboard (or plucked psaltery) I already have, for opening pitches-- a capella songleading.

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Feb 12 - 11:00 AM

meditation and qi gong

Now on to a new batch of juice and beginning the uploading of chapters of my next book, On Garfield Creek - Touchstones of Our Past.

One load of laundry in the wash. More ideas coming to me re arrangement of LR shelves. I face them every time I do qi gong, so there are always ideas which come to mind.:-)

kat

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Feb 12 - 11:40 AM

Other progress here includes a personal calorie list now on my phone to augment the alarms already set with desired calories/time of day. I think of this as the digital equivalent of mom-calling "Time to come in for [meal] now..." Family life was too toxic and chaotic for much of THAT, but I can do it for myself for retraining purposes with the phone alarms.

By using this approach I also do not have to track calories micro-managerially-- I tend to under-eat (skipping snacks and meals), not over-eat (we shrunk our stomachs already), and to eat the wrong foods (not enough fruit). So now that I am already in the habit of including the fruit, the real report to the doc is whether I am on plan or not, and that means playing the scale-numbers game balanced by clothing fit for muscle-development adjustments to scale data. And it's working, for ME, and the scale to me is just data-- not anxiety.

So I am now at the top weight I will ever be: THREE hundred FIFTY-three POUNDS.

I just got off the phone with the doc (ice storm preventing sched. office visit), and will have an order waiting for me at the hospital I prefer for the thyroid testing we agreed will be the basis for next week's face appointment.

===

A new area-- PT has taught me what the difference FEELS like between:
<> arthritis,
<> weak muscle,
<> over-worked muscle/tendon/ligament,
<> injured muscle/tendon/ligament,
<> tight muscle/tendon/ligament.

It has also taught me what to DO when I notice any of those.

Thus I now realize that there is some very-localized lumbar spinal osteoarthritis, which needs VERY strong muscles to carry this weight thru continued training/rehab. (Stronger than they are now before I add any more weight to the machines I am now working out with.)

I just booked a last aquatic PT appt next week, so I can revisit where I started, and feel how easy the early "impossible" exercises are now-- but more importantly, so that the Muscle Queen can show me what people USUALLY do to strengthen the area around that spinal issue on LAND-- which I can do in my club pool, where the water will continue to protect my back from fast-developing osteoarthritis in that spot.

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 29 Feb 12 - 12:42 PM

After a few days with the weight up over the stone boundary again, its gone down. Yesterday's walk felt as though I was lugging around a load more extra than I actually was, so I'm drinking lots of dandelion coffee in the hopes of losing water. Today's led walk was much longer, but not so dragging until the end.
I had two compost bins delivered - I don't really need two at the moment as I already have one, but the second one was half price, so i thought I might as well get one now.
I had to move and empty the old cold water tank which will one day be sunk as a reservoir to make the space for the first one, next to the old one. Into it went a load of weeds that have been waiting for a home, a box full of shredded paper (isn't it odd how much room a small stack of bank statements takes when shredded?), the slurry out of the tank (rotted down comfrey) and various other untidy stuff. There will be more when I start work properly on the garden.
Into the second went a bag of last years compost and some netting and plastic trellis, to keep them out of sight. The garden looks much better now.
Sadly, I found a bloated frog or toad in the water. I can't imagne how it got in, as the sides of the tank are two foot high. On the offchance that it is in fact not dead, but hibernating, I tucked it under the fence behind a board which came from around the compost which I put in the bin.

Penny

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 Feb 12 - 07:58 PM

Dishes and laundry for me today. And a nap. A glorious, multi hour nap. The weather here is craptastic so Pete worked from home which allowed for that wonderful nap.

I'm taking steroids for my ears which is making my blood sugars highly chaotic. An email is in to my endocrinologist as to how to manage it for this week (and then the steroids will be done). Current blood sugar reading? 490. YIKES. I've already taken a large dose of fast acting insulin only to have it jump up another 40 points. A smaller dose has been taken and I will check it again in an hour. No more large doses...I'm afraid it will drop me in the bottom of the river really fast if I do that too many more times in one day.

Still can't hear much. I can hear just fine on the phone but face to face...not so much. Whispering in my ear is great too...must be that the phone and the whisper are close enough to get the vibrations through.

I'm planning on paying some bills tonight and doing a little organizing on that front after the baby goes night night.

Be well everyone.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Feb 12 - 10:51 PM

Susan, you're a brave woman. I have about 30 pounds to lose and haven't stated my weight here. It's a rough thing to do. I looked up the site the bag came from and agree - disguise that logo! Sounds like a fly-by-night operation if ever I heard of one.

Michelle, congratulations on that nap. I had a long day today but I did get to the doctor and am set with an Rx for the cough syrup. The neti pot and the meds I'm using now are good (and she was interested in my findings about using Pickling Salt in the neti pot).

This evening I walked up to Susie's house and spoke with her sister for a while, she's in town from north of Chicago. The place Susie's in now doesn't have as much staff so it takes longer to get help when you ask for it. I think now, once the cold is over, is when going down to see her and help is going to make a bigger difference.

Taking tomorrow off, after I get some photos processed from the last couple of days. Giving myself some time to take naps and knock out this cold.

Here is the next thread.

SRS

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 12:20 AM

PT uber alles! I'm real sore tonight, so I'm up "late" waiting for pain meds to kick in. It's up-late night/sleep in morning. Tomorrow we plan a full day of scootering, and it may be warm enough for Hardi to bicycle. We're heading for an area we have been wanting to try for some time now. In the environs is a sales place where 2 cheap dog leashes will be picked up-- they will be exercise equipt I need to replicate from PT for trainer/home use.

Just 3 appts left, next week, and then I get my schedule back. Worked on that today. Lot of new activities to squeeze into it. TV almost has to go.

Today was grocery day. A new driver was running the bus, and she dragged home everything we REALLY needed, including over 50% of the grocery bucks in PRODUCE.

Most of the produce was handled like we used to bulk-process meats. Two items netted are particularly clever.

One is a plastic bin that had already become a pull-out salad-items bin-- to carry to the counter at suppertime? Now it holds several tallish, slender tubs (empty Chobani's!) of salad items already cleaned, sliced, de-bagged, etc-- an open salad bar in a bin, which needs only a set of tongs to make it complete. Why? Because I am adding salads to lunches over which I will not have time to linger in preparing. The central item is the splurge-feeling bouquet of flatleaf parsley with its feet in a square water-jar I saved (was jam) that I LOVE:LOVE:LOVE. Right next to that tempting red bell pepper.

Item 2 is a shallow little pull-out drawer in the fridge holding a gallon-sz ziploc of sliced and mixed veggies. I can take the whole bag to my chair and munch happily while Hardi (or the nukerator) prepare the rest of a meal, or between meals to augment snacks.

The lemons I have tried buying for years always seemed to mold in the fridge, so I threw 'em out of the fridge-- permanent-like. They are nestled under the bread in a basket we've been using to cache carbs for several months. It oughtta be airy enough to flavor the bread, smell wonderful, AND keep the lemons fresh and usable.

Another splurge item: squeeze garlic, YES! Pre-minced, in a plastic squeezerooni! Refillable!

~S~

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Penny S.
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 06:25 AM

Up again, drat. serious cutting back on input today. Starting with a berry smoothy.

I've sold the knitting machine for a good price, to be collected on Monday, and a storage bench for a less good one. The chair, despite watchers, has not gone, so I've relisted it.

Penny

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 01:02 PM

We have a new thread - March 2012. Be there or be square! :)

Subject: RE: Feb 2012 - Exercise by Leaping Over Clutter
From: ragdall
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 12:46 AM

Time flies when we're having fun. February 15th was the last time I worked in the attic.

rags