Declutter & Exercise - May 2012

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 May 12 - 08:44 PM

SRS: I missed the coconut problem. I am missing a lot this week. My current allergy is causing my head to feel not all there and I either don't upload or forget spoken stuff almost as fast as I hear it. Either squirrels or Lara bars? I thought I was getting Ok this morning and, with some trepidation, I ate a Lara bar while driving to pick up a couple squirrels to keep my singleton company and to help out a woman with too many little mouths to feed! By early afternoon it had started all over again. I sure don't see anything in a Lara bar to be allergic to but I've had the one squirrel a week now.

Squirrels:Just over a week ago, a woman found me through the wildlife lovers networks and asked for help. She works full time and they needed to be fed every 3 hours. So I took them. They are down to 4 feedings and sleep all night. There were two but one died on Saturday - suspect avocado OD.

I was delighted to find the woman needing help. I now have 3 and can also help by taking a bunch of mature ones to the country for soft release. Maybe on Thursday. She really has a LOT of squirrels!   

On the way home, it occurred to me that I could walk to the store more often and buy only a few items each time. I simply cannot walk nowhere with no purpose!

Needless to say, I never made it to the country today after 2 hours of instruction re squirrel care and raccoon affairs and the sad state of the SPCA - It isn't just me; they just do not respond! I hope to get to the country tomorrow even though it will be raining. Rain is nice in the country. My brain can be dysfunctional in the country as well as the city!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 15 May 12 - 05:14 PM

I started off finishing the sanding in the bathroom, and then did another carpet tile.

Went out to try to pump water from the hole into a tub, but the pump was in an unhelpful mood. While I was dealing with it, the phone rang, and I walked into a gutter I had rigged up in front of the door going to answer it. (Only temporary, but doubling the flow into the collecting bin.) The roofer and the solar panel guy are coming to examine the roof on Thursday.

Went over to the village and bought a new jacket from Oxfam - they keep getting new stuff in from a company called Indigo Moon, and I do like their designs. This is blue cotton with a patchwork body and flowers embroidered over it. I have cream trousers which it will go with, but I need some summer weight blue ones now. It had been there over a week, and I try to wait until someone else has bought things so as not to get carried away!

Got home to find that plants I had ordered had been delivered and put in the bin cupboard by the front door. Not a problem with the young angelica plant. The cupboard is, however, about a cubic yard, with the door only two foot wide, and the bare root plum tree six foot tall. It was not that easy to get it out. I took advantage of a gap in the rain to get it into a pot with mycorrhiza pellets and lots of water. Mention was made in the blurb about roots being kept moist, but they did not arrive moist, and the tree showed no bud swelling. I am not confident abou this. I definitely won't be getting plums this year.

Had a phone call from the health food shop in Dartford who kept some powdered almond milk for me. I've just discovered this, and it saves a lot of nut grinding not fine enough. Not cheap though. I bought a milk frother in a sale, and use it to mix the powder with cold water before topping it up with water from the kettle for a bedtime drink. Not every night. It being wet with thunder, I took the car over instead of the bus, as it allows me to cut down the outside walk.

I'm in the process of copying all the saved programmes from my first Freeview digital TV recorder. (Freeview comes from a terrestrial transmitter, including the BBC and other channels that used to be on analogue transmissions, plus loads of others.) When it's clear I'll try and sell it. It would, if I subscribed, pick up some pay to view channels, some of which I would find interesting, but I just don't have enough time. But it also picks up some of the stuff labelled adult, and I can't hide those channels. When I bought it, the software allowed hiding things, but that has been changed. I wouldn't mind if adult meant things like National Geographic, Discovery, the Open University, and other learning institutions, but it does rather exclude thinking females.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 May 12 - 02:12 PM

45 minutes AJ 164-190

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 May 12 - 01:25 PM

I feel a lot more limber now that a few days have passed since the long drive. I take daily walks with the dogs, and as it gets hot I'll do like last year and go before breakfast instead of after dinner. During those walks I have purposely not walked Zeke past her house because she is still so involved with the post-surgery recovery stuff - the chaos of a dog jumping on her wouldn't help. She had her stitches and staples out yesterday after the "bone flap" surgery on May 3. She's seeing a hearing specialist to day (had to drive to Dallas) to see if the loss of hearing on the right side (same side as the bone flap) is permanent. She's going to try to stop by here after that trip.

For my current allergy issues yesterday I read labels at the Vitamin Shoppe and found a couple of bars of soap that have no palm contents. Dorothy, if you read the Dr. Bronner's castile soap label (I have a bottle here also) it has coconut oil as its main ingredient. I read that while coconut allergies are rare here, there is a lot of it in India where coconut is so prevalent in foods and topical products. The soaps were from Africa and France, but I may need to figure out how to shop India Indian merchants to see if they carry any no-coconut products. I may need to learn to make my own soap. I also pulled out a bottle of Tincture of Greensoap and will use that as a shampoo. I'll have to see how my hair reacts (hope it doesn't hurt the highlights). These soaps are all expensive, so I'll be careful to not leave them where the dog can eat them. I haven't completely resolved the question - I don't know that it is coconut yet, but if I avoid it for a while I may be able to rule it in or out as a culprit.

Laundry is finished after several specialized loads (dark colors that might not be quite colorfast, fuzzy things that might leave lint on other laundry, etc.)

The fellow who I asked to water my garden won't accept payment, though that's why I asked him, because I felt there were too many places to water to ask an elderly neighbor to do it for free. So he's coming over to help with weeding tomorrow and I will pay him then for that work. He has too much shade for crops in his yard, so I'll also suggest that if he wants to help out here some we could set aside a garden for peppers and such that he'd like to grow for himself. A bit of a gardeners exchange that is on private property instead of in a public area where so many of them are set up.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 May 12 - 01:20 PM

Bit by bit..I managed meditation yesterday. This morning I made it through half of my qi gong when I started to fall alseep...the music and his voice are very soothing! First time I've had energy to even try in about three weeks.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 May 12 - 09:45 AM

Thoughts arising:
I ONLY use Dr. Bronners pure castile liquid soap with tea tree oil - dishes, hair, body, and other stuff. It is incredibly effective. When R had just loaded a filthy machine into the truck and we had no place to clean up, some of this and a bit of our drinking water cleaned his black hands miraculously.
Dremel is noted for its tiny tools.

I seem to be having an allergy reaction to airborne something but 500 vit C every hour or so is keeping it manageable. Was worse in the country - farmers putting stuff on fields?

Did not keep us from driving around looking at properties - same ones again - and collecting rhubarb from old abandoned plants - a huge armload. We went to see a house for sale, last week, and the young lad had run over the rhubarb patch with the mower!!! We gave him ... and picked up all the broken stalks. This week we harvested more. Always leaving enough to keep the plants very healthy - for next week? Yesterday I cooked one batch - about two qts. Some more to do today. Put some in freezer.

Had breakfast with my cousin and wife and daughter (first cousin once removed?) and her children, husband and in-laws from Colombia, S.A. We had not seen them in two years and it was great to meet more of the family. And wonderful to be with family that we really enjoy and are of mostly the same mind.

Took pottery to farm market Saturday. Only sold one piece but there were not many people; it was the first of the season. Talked to lots of people - ideas for what to make and in more colours. I signed up for 8 more during the summer - starting in mid June, every other week.

Looking on line for another wheel - one that is easier to move so I can take it to Apple Hollow Music Fest and maybe to the farm market as well. The two I have are VERY heavy.

Agreed: stuff I was collecting for a yard sale could more efficiently be donated to thrift shop and BE GONE! Maybe I will put it in car today. Declutter the studio! I did some major work there on the weekend. I can start potting anytime now. Maybe even today. Getting ancy!

If I leave now, I can get in several hours - work and rest and work and rest.

Oh yeah - I walked to the library yesterday aft and then to the grocery in the evening. The latter is usually - "I don't want to carry..." but I only needed salad and bought little enough stuff that it was not too heavy. I am very fed up with this extra 35 pounds. It may not seem much to some folk but for me it is a lot. It weighs on body and mind.

One of our friends at the cafe told me he used to be 232 and he started walking - he has set routes around the small town and walks almost daily, picking different routes. Then - he is a character - He walked to the border (USA/Canada) recently (maybe 10 miles) and one of the US guards - they all know him!- asked him if he were going to walk to the next town (in the US). He said he would go there if he got a ride so the guard, who was at end of shift, gave him a ride and he walked around that town and found a Canadian to give him a ride back! He knows LOTS of people!

Well, I am not doing that but I must try to find more ways of getting exercise. So potting will help. Bye, now. I'm off to the country!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 May 12 - 08:25 AM

Thankful for another day with my Nana. Back to the hospital today. Migraine in the works.

Baby bathed, breakfast and lunches made. I imagine that's all that will get done in the line of chores today.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 May 12 - 12:21 PM

Wow, Penny, that is impressive! One of these days I need to have the brick on the back of my house repointed - that involves taking out some of the crumbling part and re-grouting it. I could buy an expensive tool (a larger version of your linked tool) but I suspect it would take me forever to do it myself. This is the kind of job I'll hire out - one of these days. (Perhaps when I win the lottery.)

Waiting on the branch removal guy. Supposed to be here nearly 2 hours ago. I went out early and got cash to pay him (I am certain he doesn't take credit cards and I suspect even checks are a challenge). Nice guy, low tech.

I'm still working on stuff as a followup to the trip. Washing the blankets my son used in the dorm, getting all of this stuff ready for packing and taking out for next fall. I've also been laundering the thrift store clothes and adding them to my closet. Cleaning the kitchen, clearing up paper on my desk, etc. I came home to the kitchen table with about half of the space filled with the rest of the antique china - I'll set up another big piece and see if I can attract more attention from collectors. It is a lot easier to sell specific pieces the way I did the market them one at a time, but I have to attract attention first so they know to contact me. I'll say something to the effect that I will work with them to send specific pieces in a "buy it now" sale if they are interested. Saves us both time.

I keep hearing mechanical "thumps" and look outside to see if the battered pickup and trailer have arrived, but I think I'll be hearing those thumps for a long time - a new school is being built on the other side of the village, on the other side of our woods.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 14 May 12 - 07:28 AM

Rags, I have a new tool (CEL multitool, but there are other similar items) with a specialist thing for grout removal.

grout remover

You will understand from the clip why I went to the builders' suppliers this morning and bought some ear defenders.

I haven't used this particular tool, but the cutter cut through nails in an old set of bookshelves, the scraper removed messy sealer from the bath, and the sander has removed blisters in the old paint in the bathroom.

The blurb suggests that some tool or other can be used for removing the tiles as well as the saw removing the grout, and then the remaining adhesive from the wall. I do not intend to do this particular job - there are far too many tiles. I'm getting someone in.

I have been sorting my carpet tiles ready for laying. Oddly, some of them have produced stains which were not there originally. Through the process again, then.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 May 12 - 06:12 AM

Missed my thyroid dose yesterday-- OMG. Sure explains a lot!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 May 12 - 11:42 PM

Michelle, be deliberate in your choices this week, let the most important things rise to the top. Stay healthy.

Kat, I read your remark abouta Roman Totenberg story on another thread and looked it up. Wonderful! I didn't get to hear entire newscasts while I was out of town. Here is the transcript of the full story.

I've pulled out some of the clothes I picked up at the thrift store in Green Valley, AZ. It really is a remarkable place. The White Elephant is open from 9am - noon Monday through Saturday. What they put out is in good shape, works, has been tested, has been examined to be complete (no missing buttons on clothes, etc) and is all priced very low. Pants are usually $2, blouses $2 or $3. They sell high dollar things on eBay. They have furniture and they get reasonable prices (more than a lot of other thrift stores, but then I don't see Danish Modern in too many other thrift stores). Pants, vests, blouses, and more. A couple of things are a bit snug, but I will lose weight and I couldn't leave them behind because losing 5-10 lbs means they'll fit. Inspiration. :)

A couple of loads of laundry are completed and I'll run another, with some of these garments.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 May 12 - 10:37 PM

Living room floor picked up, table beside my chair is clean (tends to get VERY messy when I'm sick...tissues, meds, etc). Laundry is going. Lots of personal family stuff going on which I'm tending to.

The implanted sensor seems to be doing well for which I am thankful.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 May 12 - 10:21 PM

I folded about three weeks of laundry, then put it away after Rog carried it to the bedroom. Otherwise, it's been a bit rough go with various reactions to the iron infusion. It's getting sorted, though.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 May 12 - 10:13 PM

Weeded some, dumped a huge wheelbarrow full onto the compost pile that has been uncovered (of a bunch of the limbs from the broken branches). I'll have to be systematic about weeding it this summer if I want to make progress. It's about now, as I do all of this work, that I understand why so many people have just yards and lawns they can cut in one fell swoop.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 May 12 - 04:30 PM

rags, Dremel does have leetle needle bits.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 May 12 - 12:36 PM

My arms and hands are achy from all of the pruning yesterday, but I don't need to fool with that again until tomorrow. Aspirin is my friend for today. :) Lots of weeds to pull and I have to mow the lawn, nothing new here. The activity will serve to loosen muscles.

It seems that during my week away someone tried to break into the next door house - this time they hopped over the fence and were going to go in through the back. It makes me wonder if they tried before and are determined to get in - the last time in the fall a burglary was stopped by a brace the neighbors place against the front door knob (it's like a long walking-cane with a heavy rubber foot - the top end is placed under/around the stem of the door knob with the rubber foot firmly set on the tile and it won't let the door be opened when someone pushes against it.) Jackie was home, but was slow to open the door, and she realized someone had hopped fence. She actually spoke to one who said he was there to mow the lawn - what BS - they had no tools in the truck that was backed up the driveway to their front door. She didn't get a license but she did describe them. I hope that helps get these guys caught.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 13 May 12 - 01:27 AM

Susan, Thank you for the Dremel information. I think that anything larger than a dentist drill will be too big to fit between my tiles. There is a grout remover tool at Princess Auto here, but it's too large too.

I've been digging at the grout with a small screwdriver. It's fairly effective. Using it kills all feeling in my hands fairly quickly. I'll try wearing my wrist splints tomorrow and see if I can hold a tool in my hand. I'm supposed to wear them when I use tools, but I've found that I can't get a good grip on anything with them on.

The other problem I will need to solve is that I can't see what I'm doing unless it's directly in front of me. My progressive lenses don't work if I have to turn my head to work on something, or if I'm looking down. I'm sure I can figure something out, maybe my reading glasses and a good light would help?

For a break, and because the outdoor temperature finally reached 20^oC (70^oF), I carried the wooden screen door for the sliding door up from the basement, set it into its track, removed a storm window from each of the five main floor windows that open and replaced each with a screen. It was good to have fresh air moving through the house again.

I also addressed the "ants moving indoors in the Spring for a few weeks" tradition. For the past week or two I saw only one or two ants each day but yesterday I captured about thirty of them in various parts of the kitchen and released them outdoors. Today I moved everything on my kitchen counters, wiped then down thoroughly with ammonia and vacuumed thoroughly right through the main floor of the house. My theory is if they can't find anything in the house to eat they will stay outside. Time will tell if I'm right.

When I went out in my backyard to fill the squirrel's feeder I noticed that the water in the bird baths had evaporated. Out came the hose to fill those. The flowerbeds got watered while I was at it.

I'm not going to get that shower done at this rate, am I?

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 May 12 - 01:05 AM

Happy Mother's Day to all who are new moms especially, and to all who have lost their moms.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 May 12 - 12:48 AM

A tree guy cut up the down limbs in the back yard this evening (hired by the neighbors, who own the tree in question), and I asked him how much to take out another tree that is causing problems. $75, and we have a deal. That one is going to destroy my me fence otherwise. He'll be back on Monday morning.

The dogs are such goofy happy pooches, we didn't walk this evening (I was tired from driving and from cutting up tree limbs) but tomorrow we'll go for a walk. And we'll check on Susie. She has been busy, so tomorrow afternoon will probably be the first opportunity.

My son has been delivered to his Dad's house where he prefers to spend the summer (in the same neighborhood where his friends all live). It'll be a shorter summer because he'll have to move back to get an apartment before school starts. No more dorms. Lots to research before that move.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 May 12 - 04:25 PM

...the chair in the kitchen is too large...

I made a hi-density foam jobbie, custom-fit to me and to the relevant chair. It's working wonders.

I made it from two pieces I cut and wrapped in sheeting which I then tufted to keep all the layers together:

1 foam upholstery wedge such as raises the head of a twinbed
1 foam bolster (half the length of a twinbed), sliced into two half-rounds-- one for head and one for back.

This backrest supplements the built-in back the chair's previous owner had compressed to fit HIS back, which then did not fit mine.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 May 12 - 03:21 PM

Still haven't felt up to anything, but did go along for the ride when Rog, Morgan, and I went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Rog went in and found the sateen sheets, called me to see what colour I wanted and bought them for me for Mother's Day as well as a back chair spine support thingie: KISS MY BACK. It works well in the car and one office chair, but the chair in the kitchen is too large. I am thrilled to have it and the new sheets!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 12 May 12 - 03:00 PM

I've done something horrid to three fingertips on my right hand. I was working on rejuvenating the carpet tiles from my old bedroom, a process that goes: shampoo, dry, vacuum, check for stains remaining. Then repeat if necessary. If still stained, I have been using a product called White Wizard, then rinsing in the bath and drying. Today I thought I would vary that with the shampoo product, which I have seen on TV being used neat and worked in by the demonstrator with bare fingers. It lifts stains all right. Also made my fingertips sore, and the carpet fibres drew blood. Not to be repeated, I think.

I've also put plants in the pots I bought them in around the garden to check for appearance, and used fertiliser on the peach to counteract the weakness from the fungus, and on the choysia cutting I was given by the lovely lady who lives in my grandparent's old house, which was looking a little yellow. It has rooted, but was obviously missing something in the compost. It's planted out now, but not perked up much.

Also put slug pellets around the grow house - the horrors have nibbled my bought in celery down to soil level.

I'm just off to search for nematodes.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 May 12 - 02:43 PM

I'm back home. Drove in early in the morning after several naps on the road. Dogs have been to the low-cost shot clinic today (it's once a year), and now to address the huge limbs that came down in the back a few days ago. They are on a neighbor's tree so they're sending someone to take them out. I'll take photos then put a large plastic trash can over the small oak I hope to save that is in the mix of all of it.

SRS

Subject: RE: Right Relationship
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 May 12 - 10:56 AM

hit submit too soon

Estate matters proceed (albeit with some conflict)... Love sent, check (and ongoing). Advice sought and prayed about, check (and ongoing). Information now flowing, with adjustment of contact person, check (and ongoing). Travel plans set, check. Lodging plans in motion (and ongoing). Local representation in progress. No irrevocable actions taken to date, check (and ongoing).

IMNSHE, in any toxic situation, a clear-thinking person can choose the least toxic person in the constellation-- and deal with that person, with good effect. A PRAYING, clear-thinking person discovers an even better effect. TBTG for wise counsel, kind assistance, and a great priest.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 May 12 - 10:49 AM

rags-- Dremel makes an inexpensive cordless model with tiny router-like attachments: http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ADremel%20Accessories%20Uk&page=1

(But you can cruise in from the benefits-Mudcat portal if you buy)

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 12 May 12 - 06:45 AM

Today I ordered shower floor tiles from a flooring shop that doesn't tack a hefty shipping charge onto a tile order. The tiles should be here by the end of next week. I'll need to work very hard to be ready to install them when they arrive.

I wasn't able to find any similar wall tiles to replace the few that are broken. I bought two square feet of 6" x 6" white tiles. I'll need to be creative to work them into a wall of 4" x 7" blue-grey tiles in a way that will look "artistic". On the other hand,I spend much of my shower time with my eyes closed, perhaps the colours won't matter?

Replacing the grout and the loose or damaged shower tiles will not be an easy task. Tonight I removed the shower door for better access when I'm working in the stall and carefully removed more loose tile from the wall without breaking any more of them. I tried out the diamond edged "grout saw" for removing the grout. It appears that my grout lines are too narrow for that tool. It jumped when I was pulling it down a grout line and inflicted a nasty deep scratch on one of the tiles. There is a lot of grout to remove. I hope I can find a way to do efficiently without the saw.

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 May 12 - 02:30 PM

I forgot again to measure the church aisles as a way of measuring how much walking I do when I uber-ush a funeral, but going by the sore legs I'd estimate it was over a mile and a half-- nice improvement. TBTG for thyroid meds, and good shoes to absorb the shock my spine doe not need!

A parishioner told me at ydy's visitation that she had been praying about my "weight" for the almost 20 years we have been here. Sigh.... I wish I had known-- it was the doc who needed the prayer, so I told her that and she said she would add him to her prayer list.

We may have a new housemate on the horizon.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 May 12 - 09:40 AM

Pool between funeral home visitation and movie with Hardi: 30 minutes AJ 170-190 BPM and coldwater stretches.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Penny S.
Date: 10 May 12 - 04:15 PM

Had the first eye-test for years yesterday. Some small changes to the macular in the right eye - need lots of fruit and veg, rather than asnything worse. A small speck of cataract in the left - keep eyes covered in sun.
And I have had a faint noise like the sea in a shell in my right ear all week, sometimes less faint.
Not happy about that.

Penny

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 May 12 - 12:03 PM

Despite an exhausting round of estate stuff over two days, I DID get to the pool and I DID have the energy and legs to run in and out of all the banks and offices PLUS a few quick errands. This is so weird having a normal energy level! I am more convinced than ever that my thyroid has been out of whack for a VERY long time.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 May 12 - 11:09 AM

I researched the ingredients on my shampoo that I picked up in order avoid the Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Since I've used the news shampoo all week my dermatitis is worse. The main ingredient is sodium cocoyl isethionate, a coconut product, and I am reminded that I can't use the salon product Nexus shampoo that has coconut smell (I can't remember the name of this shampoo formula, but the smell gives it away). And I can't use Breck or Herbal Essences. I'll cross reference those and see what their ingredients are. The upshot is, both product main ingredients are from coconut, so I may have simply shifted to a more concentrated version of what I'm allergic to.

Meanwhile, look at all of the products that can be derived from coconut (and other sources, but largely from coconut):

http://bit.ly/LXWuRb

List of coconut derived Ingredients:
1,2 Octanediol
2 Phenoxyethanol
Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate
Capryl Glycol
Caprylic Acid
Caprylic Glycol
Caprylic/Capric
Caprylyl Glycol
Ceteareth-20
Cetearyl Alcohol
Cetearyl Glucoside
Ceteth-20 Phosphate
Cetyl Alcohol
Cetyl Esters
Cocamide MEA
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cococaprylate/Caprate
Cocomide DEA
Coconut Oil
Disodium Cocamphodiprop
Emusifying Wax
Glyceryl Caprylate
Hexyl Laurate
Isopropyl Myristate
Laureth-3
Olefin Sulfonate
Organic Sodium Cocoate
PEG - 7 Glyceryl Cocoate
PEG -100
Phenoxyethanol
Polysorbate 20
Sodium Cocoate
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Sucrose Stearate
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinat
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium Stearate
Sorbitan Stearate
Stearyl Alcohol
Vegetable Cetearyl Glucos
Vegetable Glycerine

"With many ingredients there is the potential for the above ingredients to be from different sources. This is just a partial listing of ingredients to research further when seen on a package."

Food for thought.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 May 12 - 11:54 PM

Nice dinner this evening, solved a couple of computer and phone questions for a friend, and her garage storage room is now so clear that she can set up in there and not have to bring stuff into the house to do that work. We filled the back of the pickup for the thrift donation and a lot of stuff went in trash and recycling.

A huge branch came down from the neighbor's tree into my back yard. I've always worried about that tree - and had my fingers crossed that no one or thing was there when it came down. All three dogs are fine. Three or four years ago one of my trees dropped a limb in their shade garden, and I was able to take a sharp limb saw and cut it up and pull it out. But this is an immense old tree - the butt end of the limb is hung up on the tree and the weight of it is down on my compost piles. I won't be able to tell for a while if it crushed the little red oak I've been nurturing for years. We'll get out to do that this weekend.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 May 12 - 04:32 PM

It's decluttering a mystery and a problem -- and what you'll have is better health and one less bit of trouble in your life.

Congratulations! It's a very GOOD thing!

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 09 May 12 - 03:14 PM

SRS,

   I am a hand washing maniac...had to be during chemo and it just stuck. Still sick with a cold. My new endocrinologist called yesterday with a cancellation leaving an early morning appointment open and I took it. Boy am I glad I did...what a DIFFERENCE!!! :) However, I thought I was going for the usual first visit (which I had) but then they scheduled me for a glucose sensor implant TODAY!!...so now I have this thing in my belly and it will stay there for a week. It will provide them a look at my glucose levels 24/7...all info is stored in this device. When it is removed, it is uploaded onto their computer along with a new meter's readings. It will provide me with a very detailed account of when and where my spikes are so we can manage it better.

   This is not a decluttering post or even exercise but it IS something that is moving me towards much better health! YAY ME!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 May 12 - 02:28 PM

Yeehah! Cabinet excised and put on deck. Also waterproof wrapped the old vac and have it out on the deck as well -- more maneuvering room for Tom's wheelchair.

Not sure what all the neighbors are taking (kitchen culch out there, too) or when...most of whatever is left either goes to Goodwill or up to the head of the driveway with a FREE sign on it.

Heard back from the friend who is taking the miscellaneous colored and textured paper -- can't tell I spent over 30 years in the printing industry...

I think I'm done for the day...

Unless I decide to move all the smaller rugs from the top of the boxes and start moving all the boxes to the other side of the room... It could happen...

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 May 12 - 11:41 AM

I also have books I should think about selling. I doubt I'll use them any more, though when I was collecting them I was pleased with what I had. Very specialized, so it may have to go to a dealer or on Amazon, not on eBay. And not to my local half-price bookstore this time.

Helping a friend declutter her garage storage area. Since I'm here with my pickup that is still empty at this point, I can assist by taking discards to the thrift store in one fell swoop.

Linn, it sounds like huge progress, and I'm lucky I'm not there to see the cast off cooking stuff or it might end up in my kitchen.

Michelle, get over this bug soon! The thing that I think is most important about not catching things is the hand-washing and not touching your face. Alas, with my dermatitis it hurts to wash my hands so I have to be careful about what I handle and when I wash my hands make it count. Give Jeremiah a lesson in nurse-style hand washing and that will help you, because he's probably coming home with bugs from nursery school. That's what happened at our house, when my oldest started school. We caught everything that was going around for a couple of years. School = New Germ Pool.

I hope you're feeling better, Kat. Getting those doctors and meds all lined up the way you need.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 May 12 - 10:02 AM

Laundry is in, physical therapist for Tom come and gone, a few more items out of the kitchen cabinets -- a friend's uncle just moved into a mobile home and has NOTHING, so I'm hoping he can use some of the stuff I pulled out yesterday and this morning.

Right now I should either head to the store to get coffee and wine (and drop off more books at the library on the way) or get serious about extricating that cabinet just off to my left... (You can tell how excited I am about moving everything on top and in front of it...)

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: freda underhill
Date: 09 May 12 - 08:23 AM

earlier this year I seemed to be rushing about so much, I was feeling pretty exhausted. so I've slowed down, and am enjoying not being under so much pressure.

Summer has finished here in Oz, and last weekend I finally got to boxes under the bed, where I'd put away last winters clothes, got them out, took the summer clothes and put them in the boxes, and washed the winter clothes ready for use. Took a few hours - I'd started a few weeks ago, but did it all properly on Sunday. And gave away a few things as well. Everything feels better as a result.

I have a cork floor in my place, so I don't vaccuum, I sweep and mop.

Linn, nothing like an invalid to force a major reorganisation. good luck & keep taking naps while you can.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 09 May 12 - 07:12 AM

I've been getting fresh air and exercise. Sunday I went for a long bird walk in a park with the Junior Naturalists. Monday morning I went to a different park for a "photo shoot" with my seniors group. Monday evening, another long walk with a teacher who was looking for a place to bring students to study birds. We saw 23 species of birds, some squirrels two muskrats and a beaver.

My legs and feet hurt a lot from the walking, but I think that my knees are working better because of it. I went to the park alone today, picked up three more species and noticed that I could manage to keep my balance much better on rough terrain. I wish I had a walking partner to help me continue taking long walks.

rags

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 May 12 - 06:41 PM

Succeeded in extricating the top load file cart and measure the width of the not-quite-built-in bed in hopes of a bookcase fore and aft (that may, if they're the right size, be de-accessioned by a friend). Put some of the stuff back, rested, ate dinner and, tired but happy, I'll retire with a book until tomorrow when I'll attack the room again.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 May 12 - 02:53 PM

Well, I haven't gotten into this room yet, but I've cleaned out the corner next to the Jenn-Aire, the drawer underneath the stove and the catch-all cabinet under the Jenn-Aire.

Gone (or soon to be gone) are some very nice stainless steel clad pans that I've not used in 30 years, along with the insert to make about 8 poached eggs at a time, along with an incredible pile of baking sheets, cooling racks, and miscellaneous pans and related culch. Including a never-out-of-the-box grill-top skewer set. Must have acquired it cheap at a yardsale.

Now I'll be able to store the pans that we DO use somewhere other than the countertop.

Yeehah! And I haven't even gotten to the main course yet.

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 May 12 - 01:56 PM

Got the rest of the books to the Nottingham library for this weekend's sale (which, uh, "unfortunately" I'll be able to attend -- I win if I purchase fewer than I donate), got some more Goodwill (or a friend) stuff into the car, and picked up the 4 planters inadvertently taken by the friend who took all the rest of the planters and flower pots.

Okay, so now I have no excuse -- I need to tackle this room. It's like a giant game of Tetris and the decluttering and moving stuff about (one square at a time...) actually starts just outside the room.

I'll report on the progress later -- at least two cabinets just need to get gone, the chairs need to go to the cellar for the time being (maybe sell the "cowboy windsors"), and every box moved at LEAST two times...

Linn

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 May 12 - 11:53 AM

The Festre Family is sick again. Sheesh. Colds all around. My boys are doing good but I'm struggling. I'm sure it has to do with the fact that my white blood cell count in is in the toilet. We need those to fight infections! aRG.

Anyway....today is the first time in a LONG time that I am home alone. It is SO quiet. I'll be working on my usual chores or maybe I'll curl up and try to nap. It's cold and icky outside....it's a good day for a nap. I had PT scheduled for today but there's no point in going when I can't breathe.

Anyway....hope the rest of you are all doing well.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: maire-aine
Date: 08 May 12 - 10:42 AM

Did some serious de-cluttering this week. Some 20 yrs ago, I took an interest in Irish literature, and I built up quite a collection of material on Joyce, Yeats, Keane, and some other writers. With the passage of time, my interests have changed, and I know I'll never (re)read any of those books. So, they're on their way out! One of our local Irish groups is sponsoring a Bloomsday event, and they're doing a used book sale, so I'm donating 3 storage boxes of books. I stopped counting at fifty books. This is the perfect place, because the people who attend are interested in Irish lit. to begin with. The group will make some money & I'll get a tax deduction. We all win.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 May 12 - 10:02 PM

Another great day at Cghurch School and all those steps to get up there. 40 minutes aquajogging plus coaching time for a friend.

Amazing how may other folks in my circle turn out to be on longterm thyroid meds! One told me of a great endo she sees, who I may decide to see.

About 2 hours scootering tonight.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: mouldy
Date: 06 May 12 - 03:16 PM

Well I did a bit more moving of stuff in the annexe, and dragged some more stuff (mainly re-usable shopping bags and some household products) out of the shed. Mouse droppings on a lot of stuff. Good job there was nothing that couldn't be cleaned! That cat's slacking!

Andrea

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 May 12 - 12:44 PM

I need to declutter the truck. It's a mess of containers, bags, bags and more bags.

I ate a piece of chocolate cake last week on Sunday and my hands have been progressively worse this week. I need to use vinyl gloves and an Rx cream and vaseline for them to feel better. I think that clinches it on the chocolate. But any that might be headed my way will not go to waste, I have children . . .

Andrea, glad to see you back and that you're still moving forward. Penny, do you have a reasonably new cell phone? They often times have alarms (multiples) and can be used in lieu of a clock radio alarm.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 May 12 - 07:11 AM

Andrea, the testing does not always cover the full battery of tests required to get an accurate Dx of thyroid issues. I really suggest you look at Mary Shomon's book on the topic: CLICK HERE

===

Tghe other day I put up a thingie on the back door-- whenever I head out I am always loaded up with bags of stuff for trhe various stoops I will make. The doorknowbs were getting overloaded with "packed and ready" stuff and there was no handy horizontal storage, so I pout an old towle bar oin the inside of the back door. On it I spring-clip each bag as it is packed and ready. Then as I head out I just grab them all. THe spring clips are a hassle so I will get some s-hooks that I will close on the towel bar end and leave open ion the bag end.

===

We re-did the back of the boondocker ydy. The cot is now folded in half-- NOT in an upright, stored-rollaway-bed-type position-- sitting on the legs of the head end, with the foot end folded up and over that. So it is ready to do a quick unfold for use. We also flipped the mattress for the cleaner side of the flannel to lie upon. The space cleared now holds my scooter with a little room to spare...

Now, I can carry both with minimal setup time to get from travel to nighty-nights-- without having to leave my scooter at home. On top of the folded cot there is plenty of room for grocery stowage, and maybe the dog too, on a comfy dog bed.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: mouldy
Date: 06 May 12 - 04:30 AM

Hello, Peeps!

It's been a while. No excuses, really...I have just been in garden-pottering mode. The house is now back in "de-clutter or else" mode. (The garden's looking...like a garden)

After a grovelling apology from the electrician after "I'll come back in the new year and finish off", he has done some of it and should be back on Tuesday to finish off the work on the build. It's all daft little things like removing a dead cable and putting covers on the extractors from the bathrooms. He is also going to move the electric meters down to a more accessible height. I really hope he is also going to connect the power to the annexe at long last, so I can actually get on and do stuff in there.

I managed to haul the 2 beds out of the annexe and dispose of them last month. My back's not been the same since! I have so much stuff in there to find some containment for - containment of the furniture type. It's one of those little conundrums that life throws at you: need to get it into proper storage, but can't get stuff in to sort it out until it's all been sorted! Hey ho. Had mice in there too.
The annexe needs some structural work, but funds are depleting, so it may have to wait. I still have to get a gate made for the garden. It's in hand, but the joiner's busy on building projects elsewhere just now.

Talk of thyroid isssues reminds me of my sister in law who, after years of putting her mood swings, lethargy and weight gain down to the menopause has found that she actually has Hashimoto's Disease, where her immune system is actually destroying her thyroid. She will need gradually increasing doses of medication. However, she is now a different person, with more energy, and much more tolerant (doing a Master's in Psychology has helped too, methinks). She has also looked at her diet (she used to be a dietician when she was young) and by making some adjustments has lost about 3 stone. She has played badminton all through this, surprisingly, but has a dodgy hip joint (not arthritis - the joint isn't quite smooth)and is awaiting surgery, I think, to sort it out, as it affects her when she does a lot of walking. It took her a long time to get that diagnosed, and eventually was picked up on an MRI scan. Her being a doctor's wife enabled her to argue the case very forcefully and get one. You don't mess with my sister in law!
My eyebrows have vanished on the outer edges, but I as far as I know my thyroid is fine. They take blood every year for my annual check, so I assume they test that among other stuff - my last docs used to.

(The cat's is overactive...)

The sun is out, but it's going to be a background chill. It's a public holiday weekend, so I am going to trawl about and see what's on. If not, it's going to have to be a foray into the annexe...

Andrea

Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise - May 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 05 May 12 - 07:52 PM

Yesterday I started pulling baskets of papers and other things out from my closet shelves, sorting into "keep", "recycle" and "thrift shop" piles. I have boxes of tiny shape erasers and stickers that I bought to use to bribe children when I was supply teaching. I hope that the grandchildren and great grandchildren will visit often. I had to throw everything back into the closet last night to make floor space again for my mattress. Now the closet looks worse than before I started.

When I woke this morning it was sunny and dry outside. I knew my son and grandson planned to come to town today so I phoned and asked if they could spare an hour or so to rake lawns for me. We made a good team. The "boys" used the two thatching rakes. I picked up the thatch and deposited it in the compost box. That's one very big job that I'm happy to see finished for this year.

The plastic sheeting that protects my carport from rain had been buckling and funneling water into the carport. I pried the eaves trough off from under that side of my deck and nailed the sheets back up where they belong.

rags