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Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Apr 12 - 11:48 AM Here's the April 2012 thread SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: freda underhill Date: 01 Apr 12 - 08:21 AM I went for a long walk today with my neighbour and her daughter. Came home and made a huge pot of soup - which I put into the freezer in containers. Things are cooling a little here and I opened a box and took out some stored winter clothes and washed them, and put away some summer clothes. I'm going to our National folk fest over Easter, those warmer clothes will be useful. Enjoyed the garden pix, Penny! |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 31 Mar 12 - 02:32 PM Yard work, taxes, eBay. Same ol' same ol'. And maybe a visit down to see Susie. Kat, you're probably seeing a dog in search of reassurance and a pack leader. The crate may well be a good option, but do you put these dogs on leashes and walk them them way Cesar Millan shows (with the dog beside you, not out front?) Even if it is a short walk, and you do one dog at a time for them to each get the message, this is an excellent way to establish who is in charge. Also, at mealtime I put the food on the floor but the dogs sit and wait until I tell them they can eat. Then they know who's in charge - because I control the food. Building that routine and hierarchy is important with dogs. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: wysiwyg Date: 31 Mar 12 - 02:16 PM Just finished a draft of a video montage of my PT story (thanks LF for that site). Pending facility approval of pix used. Can supply link to friends via PM. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: wysiwyg Date: 31 Mar 12 - 07:51 AM We picked up a pile of gear at the sporting goods store in yesterday's fitness department, and I found line art to remind me what to do with it for my Upper Hurt Locker wall. :~) ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Penny S. Date: 31 Mar 12 - 03:38 AM Ah, and the buffet would be what I call a sideboard. Mine is working more like the flat bit of a dresser, holding such things as vouchers, and papers for action. It looks a bit farmhouse, but without the farm related stuff such as rubber bands for lambs' tails and shotgun cartridges. Four times now, the tiles. I noticed that there was a very narrow strip along one wall, so I've slid every thing along a bit to make the edges larger - does that make sense? Penny |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: katlaughing Date: 30 Mar 12 - 11:12 PM We did a ton of walking today. Started off at coumadin clinic, then on to the health food store, then Kmart, home for a little bit, then to the grocery store. Someone has been a bad little girl about getting into the trash, so we blocked it. Came home and she'd chewed a small corner of the couch cushion and taken out the stuffing to play with. She knew she'd "done bad" and hung her head for awhile, while Luna looked all innocent, which she probably mostly was. We'll get our crate back from our dau. and put her in it when we leave the house, at least until she learns to chew only on her toys. She's still a good girl, just a bit of puppy left in her! By the time we got done with everything we were both dragging our feet and tired, but we got a lot done. Hope to work in the yard a bit tomorrow. |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 30 Mar 12 - 10:19 PM Lay, lay, lay the rug. . . you really did it three times? Yes, the dressing table you linked to is what I would think of - it has a knee hole for sitting on a chair or stool in front of it. A dresser in the bedroom may have a mirror, a lot of them don't. I have antique ones with mirrors. And I have an old interesting dressing table (knee hole) that I'm going to refinish and use in the dining room as a buffet (a sort of dresser). I may build in a door and shelves where the knee hole is. Took the dogs for a long walk up and down hills this evening, and paused to talk to a neighbor (a contractor) who I might ask to do the work to fill in my living room floor (with 6 inches of concrete) when I get to that point. I was going to go to the store, but as late as it has gotten, I think I'll wait till tomorrow and get a few other things done at the same time. One-item trips are a rarity with the price of gas. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Penny S. Date: 30 Mar 12 - 03:00 PM I don't know what happened to the last sentence. "They've just seen off..." Forgot to mention laying the easy carpet tiles that didn't need cutting to shape in the spare room. Then I decided I didn't like the way I would have to cut them to fit the doorway, which would leave a thin strip where maximum tread would occur, so relaid them in a slightly different position. Then I noticed that the pile lay so they looked darker than I wanted, so turned them all round, apart from the ones under the bed. Penny |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Penny S. Date: 30 Mar 12 - 10:41 AM Ah, how words change meanings with needs. I would call those dressers, if in the bedroom, chests of drawers, though those tend to be taller. (Some ignoramuses, even in the business of selling the things, now write draws instead of drawers - drives me wild.) They aren't quite the same as dressing tables, which have mirrors, which I suspect is where the Venn diagram overlaps. In a dining room, sideboard. And when we use dresser, even without Welsh in front of it, we mean one of those, in a kitchen, with a set of shelves above it. Here's rather a nice dressing table, with the customary place for the legs to go while sitting brushing one's hair. Posh dressing table And a modern chest of drawers. (Or in the vernacular, chester draws.) I think, by comparing with my Grandad's tool chest, they got their name from putting drawers into a chest (as in pirate's treasure) to make it easier to get things out. His had handles to carry it with, as well as drawers. Modern designer chest of drawers Sideboards usually have cupboards under drawers, but when I was searching images, some of them looked exactly the same as the chests of drawers - indeed, were the same pictures. (Aside - two pigeons are playing lovey-dovey in the bird bath, sitting side by side, dipping beaks in the water, preening each others' necks and heads. Every now and then, they lift up one wing Can't photograph them through the window, and can't open it, as it would scare them off.een off a magpie which came for a drink. They've just s) |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 30 Mar 12 - 10:11 AM This is what we're talking about when we use the word dresser. Or this. My dresser is very old and has a mirror. Welsh dressers are more for the kitchen, aren't they? And I know now what you mean about the border stuff. I just wouldn't have thought to call those logs - the term implies a large item, the bole of a tree. And I see the bed parts. It's very pretty! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Penny S. Date: 30 Mar 12 - 09:39 AM Here are the pictures today, with the ones of when I moved in. My garden, a work in progress. Penny |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Penny S. Date: 30 Mar 12 - 06:08 AM I will do some new photos when the light is right. At the moment, the sun/shadow line is across in a way that will make it difficult. Penny |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Penny S. Date: 30 Mar 12 - 06:07 AM Penny, I know we both speak English, but I have no idea what you're describing in that paragraph! Do you have a dresser in your garden? You talked about drawers for potatoes - what is a "revetment" between gardens? And will the back of a dresser now not be used, but instead you're putting in logs? I can't imagine a place that takes either a plank or logs. No dresser, if what you mean is something like a Welsh dresser with shelves above a sideboard. The bath panel is a bit of timber about 2 ft by 5 ft, which has been along the side of the bath, hiding the base and the legs, which will make a sort of fence. This fence will be between a lower and a higher part of the garden, holding back the earth on the upper side - being a revetment, which is usually a wall holding back a terrace. The builders' merchants sell strips of half logs about 2" wide, various heights, joined by wires, for making edges to beds in gardens. I was going to use these for the revetting, as that is what was originally there. They are now rotten, and going to feed the chiminea. You can see them in the photos here: Garden as was. The bedheads have 2" by 2" supports at each end, topped by balls on turned "stalks", with balustrades between them, about 2'6" long, and with a row of slender turned spindles. They look quite pretty either side of the steps up into the higher part of the garden. |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 29 Mar 12 - 11:42 PM I had a nice evening- went to a posh event at school. The donation I made put me in the A-list for this year, and the event was a reception the night before the annual art glass sale. It is something to behold. I saw a piece I really loved but it was too high - of course, after I walked past it a guy picked it up. He was very nice "I waited, gave you a chance to pick it up!" I was right to pass on it, but I do regret. Maybe next year. Anyway, I did find a less expensive lovely piece that will be the tray that my mail sits on. Fused glass is pretty amazing. I took my friend who I helped move last fall - we were able to visit with quite a few Friends of the Library members we knew there, and some of the Deans and faculty. It was funny - at one point someone walked up to my friend and asked "what are you a Dean of?" He was quick - "me!" It's his name, not his title. :-D SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: wysiwyg Date: 29 Mar 12 - 11:27 PM Too busy in the house today to list it all, but I focused on what I most needed and let the tears flow thruout at how hard and unfair it all seemed. Then I did a nice attic workout this evening with increased weights (FINALLY) on external shoulder rotations (5lb each side), and some much-needed and almost painful stretches. Then we planned some new equip to get me tomorrow. Faulkner is turning into a great workout dog. Also decluttered a work thingie somewhat, ora t least began de-goofing it. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 29 Mar 12 - 01:57 PM I thought I would keep the wooden bath panel off to revarnish it, but looking at the state of the back, decided not to. It will get replaced as soon as I find a suitable replacement, and will become a revetment between the veggie bit and the flower bit of the garden. I was going to use a strip of little half logs from the builders' merchant, but this will do the job better. And join the two old bedhead balustrades. I clearly have English allotment genes - these patches are always full of adapted stuff, such as old windows becoming cold frames. Penny, I know we both speak English, but I have no idea what you're describing in that paragraph! Do you have a dresser in your garden? You talked about drawers for potatoes - what is a "revetment" between gardens? And will the back of a dresser now not be used, but instead you're putting in logs? I can't imagine a place that takes either a plank or logs. I know this sounds silly - and I can figure some of it. I've used glass from out of my old pickup back window to put over the top of a raised area where I started plants, so I get the window to cold frame reference. But I guess I'm not picturing the bedroom furnishings in the garden. Do you have photos? SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: katlaughing Date: 29 Mar 12 - 01:47 PM meditation and qi gong this morning, plus ALL the dishes are done, laundry put away, and other small things done and put away, plus having a blast with the dogs! |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Penny S. Date: 29 Mar 12 - 09:11 AM The living room curtains now fit without me having to cut and sew one of the others on to them. They had wire things to make triple pleats (similar to yours, SRS?) which I have adjusted so they are only single pleats - and lo, the curtains are wide enough to meet in the middle. The plumber has turned up, after weeks during which he forgot I wanted a shower. But fitting another one reminded him. Strange bangings from upstairs. I thought I would keep the wooden bath panel off to revarnish it, but looking at the state of the back, decided not to. It will get replaced as soon as I find a suitable replacement, and will become a revetment between the veggie bit and the flower bit of the garden. I was going to use a strip of little half logs from the builders' merchant, but this will do the job better. And join the two old bedhead balustrades. I clearly have English allotment genes - these patches are always full of adapted stuff, such as old windows becoming cold frames. Yesterday I had another go at the hole for the water tank. It is clear why water, which had hung about in a puddle on the surface, drained quite quickly once I had dug down a bit. There's a layer of interlocked flints - so gaps for drainage. But a major digging problem - flakes shoot all over the place when I mattock it. I have glasses, so my eyes are all right, but I'm going to get safety goggles as well. And have thick trousers and long sleeves. And I want to know how people used to dig wells - round here about 200 ft deep, and not much more than a yard across. Presumably with very short picks. Not mattocks and spades. Penny |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: LilyFestre Date: 28 Mar 12 - 09:15 PM My list for the day includes: * 2 loads of dishes done and put away * 6 loads of laundry, all folded. All baby clothes, sheets, blankets have been put away. *Floors swept *Carpet vacuumed *New end table in place *Dusted *Spent 1.5 hours on the phone with my health insurance company *Did some Relay For Life business things *Made contacts with upcoming speakers for our Coping With Cancer Group I'm calling it a day. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 28 Mar 12 - 12:22 PM Tami, a few weeks ago I moved a shelf full of VHS tapes to where I can see it, and I have started loading a tape into the computer to edit, but I haven't taken the time to learn to use the editing software yet. Once I do that I hope to knock off VHS to DVD conversions while I'm at work doing other things. I have recycling to take out - the truck stayed in the driveway last night so I don't have to juggle dogs to get it out. I mentioned earlier putting Zeke in the kennel - when I moved the kennel last fall I didn't realize that I'd dragged the door frame a bit crooked and it wouldn't shut properly (the opening was too large). So I took a mallet out and pounded it back into place. I'll leave the truck out today because I have a couple of runs to make. It's time to head to the thrift store for a couple of items on my short shopping list. I start there, and if I don't find what I need, then I go through a series of retail establishments. Penny, I have curtain rods on the walls with that meet-in-the-middle mechanism that I haven't used in 10 years in this house, but I'd like to one day. Trouble is, no one except the most high-end stores ($$) sells curtains with the pleats that use the hooks to go in the mechanism for moving the curtains. So I either have to modify less expensive curtains, or have to buy the high dollar ones on a good sale. For now I have blinds mini or vertical) over the openings with those rods. I'm feeling a lot better since I stopped following the Adkins routine, and because I'm finally over the sinus infection. I'm taking antihistamines religiously as the spring season blooms, and that also helps. Before I admitted that I had allergies I used to get awful congestion that led to sinus infections. Better living through science. Happy Birthday, Kat! Is Morgan going to celebrate, or is your daughter coming over as well? Or will they take you out to eat? SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: ranger1 Date: 28 Mar 12 - 10:06 AM Three boxes of perfectly good stuff to a nearby town's community center thrift shop, another in the process of being filled. I find that if I do one box at a time, filling it as I come across things, it's not so overwhelming. When the box is full, it goes in the car and gets dropped off after work. We also go the giant entertainment center emptied out (it was less an organizer and more of a clutter vortex) and out on the curb. J-boy called the Salvation Army and they came and picked it up. In its place is a small TV stand that looks so nice with just the TV and my two most modern gaming consoles on it that it has repelled clutter-gathering for eight days and counting. We also installed a nice eight-cube storage unit with fabric drawers that I have managed to organize the various piles of video games and DVDs that were stacked haphazardly all over the place. It, too, is looks nice and is repelling random clutter-gathering so far. I've also gone through the vast collection of VHS tapes this AM and pulled out and boxed up all the blank ones that we' used for various movies and TV shows. Didn't even look at 'em first! They're boxed up, but I wish I knew what else to do with them other than the dump. I don't think anyone local recycles them and I can't afford the other options of shipping them somewhere that does. Next project is going through the piles of books and magazines. Magazines will be easy - animal and bird mags to a friend who teaches pre-school for various art projects for the kids, gaming mags to my friend Micheal who reads them and then recycles them, and all others in the recycle bin. Books are harder, but I've made the decision that they have to fit on the bookshelves and most of the popular fiction that can be found at the library can go. |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Penny S. Date: 28 Mar 12 - 06:44 AM I've bought the polystyrene beads for the haybox, and found a Le Creuset iron casserole which will fit in the old cool box - a little close to two sides, but since the box itself is insulated, that should not be a problem. There is actually enough room for the casserole and a smaller version underneath, so I could do a whole meal. I have a book first published in 1939, presented to Elizabeth Gaskell College of Education in 1968 by a Mrs Birley, and then withdrawn from Manchester Polytechnic - somehow it then arrived in the south. Lovely statement in the opening para - "haybox cookery is ideal for the servantless house"! I was hoping it had ideas for complete meals, but not. I do doubt its suggestions for fish - boil gently 10 minutes and cook inb haybox 2 1/2 hours. That's perfectly cooked? Overdone before arriving in the haybox, I would have thought. Then there's "Minced Shape", & "Sheep's Head Mould". Penny |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Penny S. Date: 28 Mar 12 - 06:17 AM Curtains now hung in my living room, so it looks a lot better, and I could shade the sun out towards sunset at last. Not downstairs though, because I omitted to spell out clearly that I was only hanging one curtain. The fitting has a draw cord, which has been assembled for pulling two curtains to the middle. I'm going to have to have someone back to change it, as I can't see how to do it myself. It will involve moving all the runners to the other side of the pulling bit, as well as adjusting the position of the the cord, and it's all enclosed. I did talk as though it was to be one curtain, but did not state it clearly. Or watch. No result from the roofer, as yet another government deadline rolls by. I've spent a lot of the morning discussing energy improvements to my home over the phone - I can't insulate the loft, as I have a flat roof, and I can't insulate the cavity walls, as they aren't cavity walls, but steel framed. If I don't get insulated properly, I can't get properly paid for electricity I produce on the roof and feed into the grid. I will be having a survey done to find just what I can do. So long on the phone, I've missed the village walk. And I needed that, as my weight has gone up again, and stuck for several days. I don't quite trust the scales over this. I suspect them of not working properly, and feeding me the previous reading from memory. Exactly the same decimal of a pound when input and output have varied? Unlikely. Penny Penny |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 28 Mar 12 - 01:08 AM Dishes finished, the sheet on the futon for the dog beds is washed, along with the towels for drying the dogs today. The lint filter will be jammed. I brushed them today - the pit bull has no shedding to speak of, but the other two - oy! The birds building nests are going to love the hair supply out there this spring! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 27 Mar 12 - 10:17 PM Mrr, I saved last night's post since the 'cat was down, and forgot to come back later to post it. Sounds good (especially the weight)! Soon I'll load the recycling into the truck to take to the dumpsters behind city hall (they make a little money from this). And today is more of the same, another dog walk, though today there were also three dog baths. It took about 10 minutes per dog in the back yard with a bottle of shampoo and a hose. I had the dog-drying towels also and made much of them as they got the towel massage after. I tried getting the trimmer to run, but it just won't stay on once it starts, so I went to Home Depot and looked for the most power I could get for about $40. I'll use that in the front for now to keep code enforcement happy and I'll get my bigger trimmer back when the repair guy finishes and then I can use it when I need more power or to go more distance. I have so many things planted in the yard that a cord is a bit of a nuisance, but I already own the cord and I don't need to pay twice this to get batteries and a charger. Oh - tonight I talked to the friend who is now in an apartment. He said he would like to have a little spot to plant basil, because he uses it by the bucket. I told him he could come help me in the yard and take home his pay in basil. I think he'll jump on that offer. Buying basil is expensive, and home-grown (organic) is best when you can get it. Just like tomatoes! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: wysiwyg Date: 27 Mar 12 - 07:19 PM Wow Mrr! I decluttered the parish website today by deleting 2011, some of 2010, and requesting more content for 2012. Also two press releases about Holy Week, which had gone to the paper, came my way. I was able to use these to beef up that section of the website with just a light edit. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Penny S. Date: 27 Mar 12 - 05:44 AM I decided not to take the carcass to the dump, asd when I tipped it on its side, it looked like a planter - so, with the drawer slipped in from the base, that is what it will be, for the potatoes. I've picked up the old tiles from the new owner of my old place - nice guy, wouldn't let me carry them to the car, so I'm all poised to lay tiles. The curtain rail fitter is in, so soon I will be able to draw the curtains in the evening - unless I'm planet watching. The wall is a bit odd for drilling fittings into, apparently. I watch and learn for the remainder of the curtain hanging jobs, with light plastic fittings, replacing the venetian blinds, which make my bedroom look like a clinic. Penny |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: GUEST,Mrr Date: 26 Mar 12 - 07:27 PM I did it! Finally! I have gotten rid of: 2 carloads (ie front passenger seat, entire back seat and all of the trunk full to bursting) of kids' stuff to the little school. 1 full carload of clothes to goodwill. 1 full carload of old electronics and dead computers to a friend who wanted them. 1 full carload of books to the book fair. And I lost about 15 lbs doing it all in about 2 weeks. Mania, anyone? |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: katlaughing Date: 26 Mar 12 - 06:27 PM I hope it does, too, SRS. I have finished going through all of the papers on my desk and in the rolling file cart. Still two drawers in the desk to clean out and another rolling cart, but it doesn't have papers, just *stuff*. Making headway, anyway. I also corrected the spelling of Ceilidh.:-) meditation and qi gong this morning |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 Mar 12 - 04:23 PM I've also found Northrup's advice handy. I followed her recommendations and gradually adjusted the HRT after the hysterectomy. The insurance company thought they knew better, and when I was tired of fighting with them I used the pill for a while, but it was all upside down on the amounts I needed. Now 30+ pounds later I'm on my old formula, not fooling with insurance but paying on my own, and gradually hope to lose that weight. I wish I'd done the math when all of this started. The difference between paying for the whole thing myself and what I had to pay as a copay was only about $20. Kat, I hope that wind dies down but doesn't blow this way. It would dry out the garden I'm working on too soon. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: wysiwyg Date: 26 Mar 12 - 04:12 PM I wondered if the thyroid adjustment was going to go smoothly or take you for a bit of a ride. Good luck with that. Fortunately I have been on other hormone roller-coasters before; what I do in such times is not unlike what Dr. Christiane Northrup recommends for women's monthly cycles-- USE THEM to see what is going on that needs attention and, in that super-sensitive time, put the attention right there. So I use the upheaval of feelings to go for positive tears for old business (it clears the decks), but also walk back my self-expectations for a little while, to allow for time to ride the roller-coaster. I feel... pregnant. The ups are glorious and the downs are... reasonable. :~) ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: katlaughing Date: 26 Mar 12 - 01:09 PM She is doing well, thanks, SRS. Her name is most likely going to be Ceilidh (kay-lee) which I know doesn't make any sense, meaning-wise, but we like the sound as does she.:-) Another night of not a peep, everyone sleeping and raring to go out this morning. I'd love to have more shepherd's crooks, too! The weather here is awful. High wind warning/advisory all day and into the evening until 8p. It's supposed to be this way all over Colorado and is raising the threat of fire all over. Nothing but fine dust/dirt blowing all over the valley. I told Rog not to leave the extension ladder up after he added the water to the swamp cooler on the roof. It blew over this morning. No damage, though. I will be keeping the windows and doors closed for the most part and work on the papers and getting my desk in order. |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 Mar 12 - 12:54 PM I wondered if the thyroid adjustment was going to go smoothly or take you for a bit of a ride. Good luck with that. Lovely day outside. I went out for a few minutes and didn't want to come back in. But it's just about lunch time so I'm going to take advantage and spend an hour in the yard. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: wysiwyg Date: 26 Mar 12 - 11:24 AM I have been reading more than posting because adjusting to the thyroid meds is a little hairy, plus it was a very busy ministry week and weekend as we both fought off colds. I took a LONG nap yesterday (rare luxury) and then logged about 10 hours in the rack overnight. I get back to attic workouts in a few minutes. I am looking forward to (and prepping for) a half-day's help from a ministry intern friend who will help me sort and purge a whole lot of office paper Easter weekend. We will also tabulate the 2011 Visa expenditures to see what unbudgeted items it's been covering, so they can be worked into the budget as planned expenses. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 Mar 12 - 11:20 AM My garden is coming along, yesterday I moved some dirt out of the path areas (between beveled raised beds, there aren't any boards to define them) and put down layers of newspaper covered with cypress mulch. I'll mulch over the beds themselves with hay. Penny, if we couldn't use hoses I'd be on a perpetual bucket brigade with the size of this yard. And it reminds me, it's time to use a bucket to catch gray water in the kitchen and pour it into the garden. We've had rain, but there is no guarantee that it will continue (though some is predicted late in the week.) Kat, I bought some very tall shepherds crooks at a garden center near here a couple of years ago, and got them half price because one of them had some rust on the bottom and had obviously been there a while. Those are for bird feeders in winter, and all sorts of stuff the rest of the year. And at a garage sale I found 8 or 10 shorter ones for $10 each, they're about 4' long and I use them in the garden. I put a tomato cage around each new plant and in a proactive way to support them I put one of these crooks through the upper ring of the cage to help support the whole thing. When I had the garage sale last fall I had several people spot these in the garden and ask if I'd sell them. They're one of the handiest things in the garden. I have an old spade fork that I never got rid of - it's missing a tine, but I use it like a crook in the garden, again, to support things as they grow. I'm using hay this year - I'm determined to keep some moisture in the soil and I think hay worked better than some of the other mulches I've used. I am also thinking about some kind of sun cloth to keep the garden intact if we have the kind of heat we had. I'd have to build a canopy over the top in places, but that may be what it takes. Kat, how is the pooch doing? Are you closer to a name? SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Penny S. Date: 26 Mar 12 - 06:42 AM No answer from the roofer, but the cabinet has arrived. The base is less of a box than the old one, so it doesn't accommodate the stash of unread magazines so well, but it fits under the table, which the old one didn't. I've removed the metal bits from the old carcass, and am going off to the dump with it, and stuff from the corner of the garage I tidied before the guy arrived, where I found the straight-edge, the Stanley knife and the flexible curve. So I can get going on the spare room floor. Also, my neighbour has given me some chitted Desiree seed potatoes, which I am going to plant in the base drawer of the old cabinet as a raised bed, after drilling some drainage holes. Unless I decide to use it as the hay box! Penny |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Penny S. Date: 26 Mar 12 - 03:43 AM Hoses are a sore point here - I'm in the drought zone, and from the beginning of April, they are forbidden. Fortunately, my garden is small enough for me to lug watering cans from the tap. This morning I had the delivery of carpet tiles. Predicted time of arrival, 7.30 on. Time of phone call "half an hour before", 7.00. "We'll be there in a couple of minutes." Fastest time I've ever got dressed from jim-jams. Now to find the steel straight-edge. I'm still confined to barracks because I'm getting a delivery of a small filing cabinet to replace one I broke on Thursday when moving it to find a Bible (in pursuit of an argument on the YEC thread.) The broken one was made of chipboard, and there was no way to re-attach the castor whihc fell off. Replacing was urgent, because I need the stuff in the old one out of the way of the curtain pole fitter tomorrow. And I have to contact the roofer about PV panels, because the government arrangement for getting paid for power fed into the grid runs out at the end of the week. Frustrating, because after then, it requires me to be more insulated than is possible with my house design. Penny |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: katlaughing Date: 26 Mar 12 - 12:00 AM Michelle, my condolences on losing Nancy. I hope amidst the pain of loss, you will also focus on your victory and rejoice with life. I don't mean to sound harsh, but it's important, imo, for you to keep that focus so you don't go down a path of "what if." We've been a bit busy so not much to post for the weekend. I did sort through more papers in order to put files back into the desk drawer, but those piles are now on my desk. I will take care of them tomorrow. We got a new hose thing that hooks into the faucet in the front yard which is down low against the house and hard to reach. I don't know if they call it an extender hose or what, but it screws into the faucet, is about four feet long with a hose attachment on the other and a stake to put it in the ground. The stake is only about 9 inches, so we put a double shepherd's crook plant hanger in the ground there and wound the hose up it, so I can reach it easily. We'll plant some kind of vine to grow up it. Now I will be able to water on my own which will be nice. Morgan took out some trash and cleaned my bathroom floor fairly well for his age. He's done better, but it's passable. He was working on an "advance" we gave him for books to buy at school. Tonight he called to tell me he's been doing so well at school, his parents took him out and bought him a computer of his own. He was using a very old one which didn't do a very god job of anything. He told all about the new one having 4 gigabytes, etc. He was one surprised and happy kid. G'night all, kat |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 25 Mar 12 - 11:28 PM I'm so sorry to read of another of your valiant cancer warriors losing that battle. But I'm sure she's rooting for you, who have made it out of that quagmire. There are bags of mulch and humus in the back of the pickup for putting down tomorrow. I got more done in shaping the beds, putting down layers of newspaper and mulch in the paths, and planted the rest of the tomatoes. I liberally puffed diatomaceous earth around them to try to keep the cutworms away. I normally never see them, but there were dozens in the soil where I was working today. I think it's just the stage and time of year - I usually plant later and they would be gone in a few weeks. Must get ready for the week. Laundry is done, but I still have some hanging, folding, ironing, etc. to do. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: LilyFestre Date: 25 Mar 12 - 07:57 PM I'm reading but not posting because I haven't done a darn thing. My cold has decided to make a second round. I have been sleeping in my chair and in bed for the last 2 days. I'm a beautiful sight...hair all wild and curly, jammies, socks, cotton in both ears. Lovely. My incredible husband has been taking great care of the baby, doing dishes, sweeping, cooking and laundry. He just looks at me and says with worry in his voice...Chickster...are you ok? I am not but I will be. :) Another of my teal sisters has received her wings. She was in the hospital last week for what she thought was a cold. A spinal tap revealed she had cancer in her spinal fluid. Six days later, she is gone. She was my bestest smart ass teal sister. She had a wicked sense of humor and had a way of making jokes about cancer that you wouldn't get unless you have been down that path. I will miss her dearly. RIP Nancy. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 25 Mar 12 - 07:24 PM Still just me reporting? I'm headed out to get some mulch for the paths in the garden. And tomorrow I'll see about getting more hay. I've spread most of what I have already. It's warm out there, but I've gotten a lot done. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 25 Mar 12 - 01:20 PM Called my gardening guru this morning (on his Sunday morning radio show) and asked about the cutworms in my garden. Should have thought of the answer myself - a dusting of diatomaceous earth and using the beneficial nematodes I have in the fridge. I've done some sweeping - the dogs are shedding big time. Lovely day today. I'll see what else I can do to make the yard look good and get more crops planted. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 25 Mar 12 - 12:47 AM Congratulations, Kat! That's so nice that they get along from the beginning! I'd think about giving a McNab the name "Dorothy" - after a character in a program I loved years ago with Elaine Stritch as a Brooklyn-born writer living in London with an uppity butler. She was Dorothy McNab. ;) Mowed the back and the front. Cleaned the trimmer, put in a new spark plug, but it wouldn't stay running. I asked my next door neighbor what he advised, and he thinks that running it with the chock, as hard as it will run and stay running will eventually clear out whatever is blocking it. So I'll try that tomorrow. I'm feeling the aches of all of that work. I accidentally uncovered (or nearly stepped in) a bunny nest. I put a photo on my facebook page. I saw two run out of the grass, stopped, rounded them up a bit. One headed into a nearby flower bed, and one back onto the berm. That's the one I picked up and photographed. Mama will probably move them out of the yard tonight. And it that wasn't unusual enough, there was an odd mowing event when I pushed the mower under and past a pine tree with low supple branches. When I pulled back the mower was smoking and there was splashing - the oil cap had been popped off in the tree by a branch. I stopped it, cleaned it up, added oil, and was off. But what a strange thing to happen. A couple of loads of laundry done. One I dried on the line, it got late for hanging the second (and I don't want to take them down by lantern light.) SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: LilyFestre Date: 24 Mar 12 - 07:08 PM Swimming: 45 Minutes Michelle |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: katlaughing Date: 24 Mar 12 - 04:07 PM I've been using sodium lauryl sulfate FREE shampoos for years because SLS makes my scalp itch so badly. I can dig up the names of the ones I've tried if you'd like, BUT I started using WEN, after Jeri mentioned it and I REALLY like it. It seems expensive, but not really as it takes very little and is so nourishing. We did it. Went to PetSmart and found what they called a border collie, but she looks like a McNab BC to us, small er size and short hair as well as not hyper or vocal like some BCs. She is a doll and Luna likes her! See contest thread for finding her a new name. |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 24 Mar 12 - 12:41 PM Beautiful morning for a walk with the dogs before I fed them, and I found one of the dog toys I've been looking for since last week. I'd set it on a shelf in the garage and forgotten it, and in the meantime was looking around the yard for where the dog might have left it. Laundry is washing, so I'll see how much I can hang on the line and if Zeke knows to leave it alone. I don't remember if I put it out there last summer when he was staying during their family vacation. I'll start with short things he can't reach and go from there. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 24 Mar 12 - 01:16 AM I ran a couple of errands and then had a nice long visit with Susie this evening. We always have so much to discuss - today I confessed that right after the accident I was so in shock by her condition, and the grim prognosis, that I felt that death would have been preferable to being a vegetable for the rest of her life, if that was what was to come. I couldn't imagine the contrast to the old Susie always being in my mind. She understood - and her daughter said something similar recently. We're all so grateful that she is making such a remarkable recovery. The rehab folks are slow to respond when she rings for help to go to the loo, so regardless of their rule that only staff help the patients (liability), I made a point of taking her to the restroom before I left. Such small things can make a difference in how good someone feels. She said that when she gets to the point where she is able to put weight on the hip and use a walker she is going to throw a party. Knowing Susie, she'll want to make the lasagna herself! :) Nice weekend coming up. Dog baths (all three) are on my short list of things to do. Mow the lawn. Short list but a lot of work. BTW: I think the sulfites in so many shampoos might be the culprit on the hands breaking out. I've been using a couple of types lately that have less sulfites, and they're much improved. I heard an ad on TV this week for one that has no sulfites - I'll go looking for it and report back. I may wear rubber gloves when I bathe the dogs, to avoid the effect of the regular sulfite shampoo I use on them. I suppose I could use my shampoo. Really doesn't make a difference (just costs more.) SRS |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: katlaughing Date: 23 Mar 12 - 06:48 PM Penny, you have such interesting ideas and projects! Rog had some work for his freelance job this morning and I had nervous energy to work off, so cleaned out the bathroom cupboard, consolidated about 6 almost empty lotion containers into one, and a couple loads of laundry. He came home, we had lunch then went to what was to be a two month recheck with the new pulmonologist. After we were checked in she called from the hospital and cancelled (she does critical care, too), so we went back up the mtn. to the transmitter site because Rog had more work to do. It was the longest ride I've been able to tolerate since last year and it was beautiful, though too hot in the high altitude sunshine at about 9,000 feet. He parked in the shade, though and it was wonderful to just sit, listen to the wind in the juniper and pinyon trees and watch huge ravens wheel through the sky. Still a lot of snow up higher, but just small patches on the north side of the hill. Petsamaritans come all the way from Vernal, Utah, over Douglas Pass every Sat. to PetSmart in the valley. I looked over the dogs they have and we've decided to go look at a couple of different border collies they have. Luna needs a playmate and I need a dog who will let me know when someone is in the yard or at the door. We are taking our time and aren't really sure if that's what we want to do, but it's another dog, a young cat, a goat, or a couple of ducks. We have no pond, the neighbour's goat would try to get to any that we might have, which we wouldn't mind, but the neighbours would, and I don't want to stress my old cats with a youngster, at least not now since Trystan is just getting over a kidney infection. The cats both love dogs, so...we'll see! Besides looking at dogs, tomorrow, we are setting up new hoses for the front yard, hooking up the water to the evaporative cooler (our house was 80 degrees inside, today!), and other general stuff with Morgan in tow, no doubt. The weather is gorgeous! Come hear what's been going through my head the past two days: IN THIS THREAD. kat |
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Subject: RE: Exercise & Declutter March into Spring 2012 From: Penny S. Date: 23 Mar 12 - 05:16 PM Hot bag plan now dumped - reading round haybox sites I found that one person had used a coolbox for his - and I have too many of them. so it will be in one of those that I do my cooking. Penny |
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