October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 11:12 AM

Linn, glad to see you back in the land of electricity! I've seen some of the "drain flies" you described here - not sure how to find them to get rid of them, but I think it was temporary, they haven't turned up in the last week or so. Fingers crossed.

Here is the NOV 2012 thread.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 10:15 AM

So today I have to do the stuff postponed until go juice was restored.

Believe me, the shower and hair wash was incredible! (AND I used my save for special occasions or just want to feel really good Vitabath Green.)

As soon as Tom finishes breakfast, I can run a load of dishes through. Later, there are several loads of laundry.

Anybody got any ideas on how to get rid of some really annoying flies? They're larger than fruit flies, much smaller than house flies, not drain flies (V-winged medium-size fly with black "dust" on them).

Kitchen and bathroom -- which seems to mean the attraction is water. They just all of a sudden appeared one day in late September and more seem to regenerate as fast as I can get them to take the sticky walk.

Flypaper strips (and "invisible" strips on windows) fill up immediately, but they just keep coming. Fly traps of cider vinegar, sugar and dishwashing liquid don't seem to attract them into drowning. I've tried the non-poison flying insect spray, but it may be old since even spraying right on them (neat trick if you can do it) didn't seem to work.

I'll consult with an entomologist (and fiddler) friend at Friday's session, but I'd appreciate any advice.

Linn
I'm about at wit's end. I don't want to use toxic stuff around Tom and I or the cats.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 31 Oct 12 - 05:20 PM

Just got power back about 45 minutes ago -- I've been going through email and checking on whether Captain Walbridge of the Bounty had been found yet.

I actually DID get some sorting of papers and adding photos to my scrapbooks done the past two days, at least when there was enough daylight. And, of course, moving branches out of the driveway and turnaround.

Today in particular I was having problems concentrating on reading. Finished the last book to go on this past year's reading list (which runs from Nov. 1 to Oct. 31) and started the last of the Janet Evanovich's By The Numbers books, which I've been reading or rereading in order.

Got to figure out why the upstairs phone isn't working, now that the modem has go juice. (The battery lasted a few hours longer than I expected, though, but lost the phone sometime Monday night.)

Linn

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Oct 12 - 09:14 AM

How is our Pennsylvania contingent doing? Michelle? Susan? And those further north and east? Sins, Jeri, Linn, Tami, etc? And did Michigan get clobbered?

I've been thinking about my old stomping grounds in Manhattan and Brooklyn. I'm guessing my favorite Chinese restaurant on Mott St (in the basement) is gone for the time being, I know my subway station at South Street (through the Brooklyn Battery tunnel) is full of water up to the ceiling, and probably some of my favorite features of the Bowling Green area, Fraunces Tavern, the Custom House, the Post Office, as well as Federal Hall (the national monument kitty-corner from the NY Stock Exchange on Wall St.) are all sodden. And Ellis Island, a few feet above sea level with a sea wall all around, and the same at Liberty Island (I hope the NPS employees evacuated) and Governor's Island, must be closed. Castle Clinton, at Battery Park, and the historic fire station next to it, all a mess. A lot of decluttering ahead.

Sigh.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 11:14 PM

I'm doing less at the house and more at work these days - so I don't have much to report. There are peppers waiting to be cut up and frozen and I've taken eggplants to co-workers. I decluttered my wallet today. A woman at work, who has inoperable cervical cancer, is looking so thin after problems with some recent treatment is also having trouble because of co-payments for her various treatments since we're in a new benefit year. I tucked a couple of twenties into an enveloped and tucked that into her shirt pocket today - told her I wanted her to use it for something she needs. She'll probably buy dog food instead of food for herself, but at least this will give her the cash for that. We'll be sending her food, so I'm glad she can feed her dogs. I know she is worried about what will happen to them.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 08:32 PM

Had quite a time trying to deliver the tiny pot a young boy made at the fair in September. His Mom's directions in French and English, eluded me but got me close to the bank. I did banking and begged help from a staff person. She phoned the Mom and got directions which also escaped me but I was getting closer. Thinking I must be close, I parked and walked along the street searching. Finally asked a woman walking her bike. Our bi-lingual conversation was rather fun and she gave me very good directions. I admired her marvellous starfish brooch - without telling her how much I coveted it. I told her the star fish story and I think she understood. Neat lady.

I finally found the cafe and it was indeed a discovery - a delight.   OOPS! the owner's daughter had also made a pot. OK, it is on the shelf waiting to be fired because I forgot to put it in last time. I explained how terrible I have been feeling. Then had delicious pea soup and an incredible almond croissant for lunch. Wht most amazing assortment of interesting jams, spreads, vinagrettes and more and - oh my, you have room for a few pots! So she took half a dozen small bowls for the shelf. I bought dark chocolate/cranberry spread for toast or....

Took me over an hour to find this place which is about five or ten minutes away! But the banking got done and it was a successful adventure in the end.

Then I went to the country although it was after 1 pm. Thought R might be able to go down but no. It was gorgeous! I filled the feeder, started distiller, cleared the dish rack, had supper and came back to the city. Spent at least three hours driving today.

The LR feels better with yet another light in a dark corner and a sort of spot light under the plants. Now I need a different chair as I realize this one is contributing to pain in shoulder - big time. No chairs in today's trash but we collected a very nice cabinet. I took the 3 drawers to the country but the rest is in the truck. Decluttering also involves having places to put things.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 05:23 PM

It was a lovely clear and warm day here in North Texas, but I didn't want to rub it in.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 06:57 PM

Doubt we will get much more than wind and rain here in Quebec. Sad to hear about the sinking of the Bounty and two hands possibly lost. Strikes close to home as dear friends have recently served on the Picton Castle.

In fact, I have spent a do nothing but wait for the phone to ring day because I have been hoping for one to phone and visit. Have not seen her in years. So here I sit and no call yet.

I did manage to do some bits of organizing. And the usual internet stuff.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 12:01 PM

Just doing a few of the usual things to prepare for whatever the weather brings. Too early to know yet how much effect Sandy will have on the other front that's coming through. The hurricane makes its own decisions on which path to take.

So, as usual, we're prepared. Just put a few more of those blue ice thingies into the freezer to fill up any gaps. We have plenty of water, batteries, charged flashlights, car charger for cell phone (but the cell phone doesn't work in our neighborhood and, if we lose power, we'll lose the phone through Comcast), full tank of gas in the car, plenty of food and drink. I'm going to batten down a few more things on the deck and bake some more banana bread.

Can't think of anything else that needs doing (to prepare for the storm, at least).

Linn

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 01:16 AM

I made a point of NOT doing any work for work this weekend except to take a peek at email. I needed a break from what has become a very busy job.

I picked peppers today, pulled up some plants that won't have time to produce anything before the big frost, and dumped a bunch of stuff into the compost. I moved one of the big barrels that came from the foreclosed house of my friend last year in the fall into the greenhouse. He said to fill it with water because the water will hold the average temperature well enough to keep the greenhouse from freezing. For when it gets really cold I also have a cube plug that has a temperature sensor and if the temperature gets below 40 it lets the circuit through to run whatever is plugged in (an oil heater). These are typically used to keep pump houses from freezing.

I finally watched one of the NetFlix movies that has been around here for ages. They'll be shocked to see it finally come back!

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 06:33 PM

Hurray for Susan!

Had a couple good days this week but mostly just chugging along - just above get out and push speed.

Took a few things to the thrift store and brought a few more useful items back. The reality seems to be that R does not take care of nice clothes. It never occurs to him to change into work clothes so whatever he has on get dirt, dust grease on it. SO the solution is to always have something else decent on hand. Hence, 4 more shirts, two daffodil yellow bowls just because I love the colour and a very minimal wallet to replace the one which just fell apart. Next time I will keep an eye out for one to replace R's which is in disastrous shape.

With the help of energy tea I managed to have enough energy to read a skit at the open mike with the help of Anita. We got some good laughs. Then I blew my energy by eating apple pie and ice cream. I felt the energy diminishing as I ate. GOOD learning experience. Trying to up frequency of detox baths. Did get a start on city pottery studio and the LR looks better with more light and plants.

Time to fill the feeder and go back to the city.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 01:06 PM

It's a weekend, so enjoy sleeping in!

I'm shifting my diet meal-wise, and I noticed last night when I went to bed that I felt "empty" - not hungry, but empty. The process of the largest meal as breakfast is going to take some adjustment. I always eat breakfast, but it is usually the simplest meal of the day. I'm having to figure out what to have ready so I can reheat for breakfast instead of having to get up a lot earlier to do the cooking before work that I usually do after work. I talked with my doctor about having cut out a lot of carbs and foods that should result in weigh loss, but not having much success. Her practice partner lost weight by reversing the size order of her meals. The hardest part of this change will be the early dinner that is recommended. Small I can manage, early is not so easy.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 09:13 AM

Very strange... The cat alarm clock took the morning off. When I opened my eyes, it was almost 9 a.m. That hasn't happened since I worked second shift at Ram Printing about ten years ago.

Haven't had a chance to read myself into the day yet. When the coffee is made, I'll spend some time with a book (and probably the goof off cat) and come back downstairs to make breakfast...or brunch...

My internal alarm was set for 30 years at 4:30-5:00. Working at Sears Optical the past four years, it got all the way up to 6 a.m. Lately, what with "retirement" and all, I'm not surprised at 6:30-7:00. NINE is absolutely unbelievable!

Linn

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 12:27 AM

I cleared out some of the garden, dumped into the compost, and brought in some produce to prepare for the freezer. Lots of laundry done. Have made some progress on the paper in the kitchen.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 04:04 PM

There's a lot to tackle here also. Laundry is underway, but so much else awaits. I'm not going anywhere today. I guess the next thing to try to manage into submission is that chronic bugaboo - paper. I'll see if I can expose a few flat surfaces.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 01:34 PM

Did some minor declutteration this morning and also replaced a photograph in the bedroom with one with better residual memories. I'm trying to figure out where to put some other framed photographs that really should be displayed instead of being stacked in the guest room.

A local artist painted a portrait of Tom a few years ago and recently caught up with me at the Portsmouth Maritime Festival to tell me she really wanted to give it to Tom and me. And last night we were able to connect and transfer the painting. It's still in the car. I'll bring it in very soon now, but I'm not sure I'll be able to take the painting down alone that it is to replace. Wish me luck. (Otherwise I might have to wait until Jeri comes over on Wednesday for our traditional hide-out-from-trick-or-treaters dinner.)

Got a load of dishes running through the dishwasher and have a few other house rearranging plans for the day, but just not sure what I want to tackle first.

Maybe it should be the Christmas stuff since I really want to pare that stuff down. Right now I should call my up-the-hill neighbor who hasn't returned my call/FB message and see if I can give her or her kids some Hallowe'en decorations. Or maybe just go up there to visit, take along a bottle of wine and not get anything else done today...

Linn

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Oct 12 - 12:19 AM

What a clever idea, Betty! An impromptu exhibit could be generated, on an even smaller scale, from within the resources of the staff or employees of any given business or institution, if they are interested.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bettynh
Date: 25 Oct 12 - 02:35 PM

Linn, I think of it as like a tangled skein of yarn - you just have to spread it out and pick at it carefully before it can be neatly rolled up in a ball. ;-}

I went with a friend to a tiny museum in Peterboro yesterday (about an hour's drive). Interesting. People have decluttered their houses of all sorts of things from all over the world, some of them rather recently made. The key is, they put the less-precious things out for hands-on play and inspection. Toys, musical instruments, costumes, puppets, all down at kid level. The only thing missing while we were there was kids. If my kids were still little, we'd be making monthly trips there. We went for a travelling exhibit of Woody Guthrie's manuscripts and drawings (which were interesting) but fell into a talk on textiles. What fun! For me, the highlight was Kuba cloth. I'm not really sure how it's made, but holding a piece is like having jazz in your hands - wildly inventive, restrained by color and size (the piece we saw was very finely made). I had to tear myself away.

Today's job will be battening down and winterizing the side porch. Possible hurricane sideswipe by Monday.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Oct 12 - 12:40 PM

Linn, I think that is part of the formula. Mary, I hope she is peaceful and without pain till the end.

A cold front is moving into the area today. I wish I'd mowed the lawn earlier, I'm going to take some time and do it now, I think, then head over to the office.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Oct 12 - 12:03 PM

Lizzie is my docile old cat. A real sweetheart who does not pee on guests belongings - at least not while I am looking.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Oct 12 - 11:55 AM

Why does cleaning ANYTHING always involve messing something else up? Is this some sort of cosmic rule, or what?!?

Just asking...

Linn

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Oct 12 - 10:49 AM

Crawling through the week. Thursday is good, Friday is better, but I'm holding out for Saturday!

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Oct 12 - 09:06 PM

Mary, who/what is Lizzie?

Susan, good job! Hard work! Keep it up!

The talk I selected, promoted, and set up for today went spectacularly well. Our turnout was about 50 people, not bad, we hope for 75. It was an incredible discussion of legal aid in my state. I'm so pleased to have chosen and been a part of that!

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 Oct 12 - 02:56 PM

Oh, Mary...sorry to hear about Lizzie.

Well, schlepped a bunch more cr...good stuff up to the road and found over half of what I left up there (accompanied by the FREE sign) is GONE! Yee hah!

Hope someone likes the two car loads I took up today. I also consolidated some stuff in the cellar to take up tomorrow. Not too much of a workout at a time. Not sure, exactly, HOW I'll get the table up there. First I have to move the storage boxes on top of it. Then get it out the cellar walk-out door (without letting Rufus escape). Then get it uphill around the house, to the driveway and into the back of the car.

Meanwhile, let's see what else I can find to take to Goodwill on Friday.

Linn

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Oct 12 - 01:10 PM

After a full year of on again off again depression, I got my act in gear and started working with a health coach. Sensible diet and regular exercise and lots of encouragement including women who have lost 100 plus pounds and kept it off.
So 7 weeks later I am down 9 pounds and all my tests are excellent - BP, cholesterol, eyes, triglycerides.
Best of all, today my doctor took me off of my diabetes meds. Her concern was that my sugar was dropping too low.
On a sad note - my Lizzie is not well. She has a huge tumor which appears to be cancer. I am waiting on the tests. She, luckily, has no discomfort. I hope she goes quietly in her sleep.
Mary

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Oct 12 - 11:32 AM

Between the surgery and the thyroid meds, 295 pounds (down from 353).

~S~

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Jeri
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 09:34 PM

Here's a YouTube demo of the trap. No mice or fingers were harmed during the filming of that. It's also easy to open after it's sprung, without touching the business end. The last wood trap I used (on Sunday night)...let's just say that type of trap isn't always re-usable, they don't always work, and they bite.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 08:30 PM

Jeri, tell us more about your mousetrap - does it not have the nasty snapping spring? I dislike setting those things, but in the past they seemed the most efficient for actually killing the mice.

Big job finished today, lots more left to do this week. It's Tuesday, I have a late Friday this week, but I'm really looking forward to the weekend. I have a guest coming in November, but she's the kind who when we visit it's like the conversation picks up where it left off, and we both love puttering. An acceptable type of visitor. And by then it will be cool for long enough that I'll have spent more time indoors and cleared up more of the clutter.

I roasted a chicken this afternoon to use for meals this week. I have lots of fruit and veggies here and will probably be eating less protein and more veggies as I try to keep up the slow weight loss (despite the urge to cook robust cold-weather gravy and calorie rich dishes as fall deepens and winter arrives.)

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 06:50 PM

Kiln shelves cleaned and coated - I hate doing it so I did it first. Test tiles organized. A few small pitchers thrown and a couple odd pieces - whatever the clay wanted to be, and clay prepared for next session.

But first I finished current novel. Then 4.5 hours work. That's seems good. Best of all, I FEEL like me again after 6 bum weeks. My shoulder does not seem to hurt from doing things or while I am doing things. Mystery to me.

Now some granola and yogurt for supper and then off to city. The black beans have to go in frig - no salsa! Thursday.

Hmmm, I better check the steel wool plug also.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 03:32 PM

Banana bread made.

Sign and pile o' stuff taken up to the road. Have some more to take up tomorrow, then I'll also pull some more stuff from the cellar.

Just accomplished one of the more difficult things I've had to do lately -- back the car down our driveway to the house. Downhill, irregular surface, about 100 yards. Kids from the school soccer field down the road were running up our hill...trotting back down...running up the hill again, etc. Didn't want to try to pull out onto the road and turn around in our neighbor's lower driveway, so I tediously backed down. Arghhh! I suppose it's good practice and a good idea to do it every so often.

Brought some deck stuff inside, too, to take down cellar for winter storage. I try not to go anywhere, in or out, upstairs or downstairs, without something in my hand. By the way, all that schlepping, stowing and more schlepping was pretty good exercise, too.

Now I'm done for the day (unless I attack some stuff in the guest room...or THINK about attacking some clutter in the guest room...). I intend to read for the rest of the afternoon.

Supper is the soup I made yesterday, so that just has to be heated up.

Linn

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Jeri
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 12:27 PM

I bought some "Jawz" traps. They're plastic with a lever to open them without messing with the mice, who thankfully, don't stick to them. I switched from peanut butter to almond butter because I like it. Apparently, mice do too.
I think I should check to see the steel wool hole-in-the-floor plug hasn't been pulled out.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 12:02 PM

Jeri! I would love to eliminate a few mice in any way at all. We tried that sign trick with the cockroaches 40 years ago. Actually, an "Ode to the Cockroaches" was posted on the kitchen wall of our low-end Montreal flat. It was fun but I think we just got more - who came to read it?

I feel recuperated today for the first time since early Sept. Detoxed Sunday night and Monday aft. Then I started feeling like doing things.

Beautiful Day in the country. R went off to the city and I have been on line since 10. The heat is on in the studio and it is time.... to have lunch and then go see what I can accomplish today. Need to get to work on that huge pile of clay! A couple of the test glazes I made last week are quite nice and a couple are nice and unusual. I have a couple new ideas to work on in that dept. And kiln shelves need to be cleaned and coated. 1. Make pots so they can be drying then, if the energy holds, clean shelves, mix a couple more test glazes.

Black beans are in the slow cooker for my basic soup/dip. I'll go to the city tonight and have soup for when R comes home, if he manages that before I am asleep.

Trees out front are mostly nude but the beech, which I love, and the red oak (rare here) are gorgeous. Every morning the view is different.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bettynh
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 11:50 AM

Linn, it can't hurt to drop a note into the "Free" section of craigslist with a curb alert. You don't have to have pictures or even a comprehensive list.

I've had good luck with craigslist recently, since yardsales are a cold, dark alternative to unloading this old house. Sold a big construction toy (German-made, it makes climbing-size structures) for $60 to a guy with three kids who runs a construction company. He was thrilled. I was thrilled. Today I have an inquiry for the (hopefully, last) complete dinner set for 8. I ran the "come dig some perennials" ad last week, too, and decluttered the yard of peonies and hostas. And finally, I found and bought a washing machine from craigslist (the spot I have for a washer is very small, limiting the kinds I can buy. Why are small washers twice the cost of regular washers new?) That trip brought me into a town close to my son in Brattleboro, so I got to go over and have a nice visit (and he had the day off! Yeah!) I got to watch a flock of bluebirds and a pair of foxes while sitting on his front steps. Next craigslist project will be my grandmother's Hummels. I'll have to dig out the camera for those. They should sell for the holidays, if I price them right.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Jeri
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 11:45 AM

I killed three mice this week, so far. I don't like killing them, but if they don't come in here, they don't get killed. I need a "go away mice" sign and hope it works as well as the "deer crossing" ones.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 11:25 AM

Okay, 2 bags of trash hauled up from cellar and all the trash taken up to the head of the driveway for today's pickup. AND the birthday cards put in the mailbox for today's mail pick-up/delivery. Some poly on the FREE sign; will put on another coat or two and take it and a bunch of stuff I want to get rid of up to the road -- AFTER the trash pickup! (Although there shouldn't be any confusion plus it will be on the other side of the driveway.) Added some more stuff to the pile I'm taking to Goodwill on Friday. AND a friend wants the 8" tall plastic figures of Richard I, Henry VIII, Cromwell and Napoleon for her grandson, so I can give them to her husband at the Friday session.

Better go make some banana bread that I've been threatening to make so I can take Tom up to the pharmacy later this afternoon.

Linn

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 09:43 AM

Big day online today for me, but the dogs are doing the decluttering. I've seen droppings in the garage and this morning one of the dogs was all atwitter at the mousing job she has taken on. I'll have to pick up things they knock down, but chasing mice is a harmless occupation for them.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Oct 12 - 10:56 PM

Dishes done, floors swept both upstairs and down, stairs included, vacuumed the living room, made dinner, picked up toys.

Michelle

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 Oct 12 - 04:41 PM

Tom had a noon doctor's appointment, so I didn't think I'd get much accomplished today.

The verdict there (after last week's blood tests and ultrasound) is, no, he's not retaining fluids. (Which would be a problem because of his congestive heart failure/replacement heart parts/vascular problems, etc. No. Evidently my cooking is making him fat. (Or his trying to make up for being starved when he was in rehab combined with me doing almost all the cooking since he broke his ankle -- for the first time in 32 years.) The fact he's developed a sweet tooth and insists on dessert most nights probably contributes, too.

Anyway, I HAD planned on making a couple loaves of banana nut bread, but that got put on the figurative back burner.

Instead I made soup today and I really hadn't intended to -- supper is going to be leftover spaghetti and meatballs. But, well, the chicken carcass needed to be stripped and then I needed to make some stock with the carcass. And, well, as long as I made the stock (and strained the chicken bones and bouquet garni out), I might as well chop up and add some carrots, celery, a couple medium hot peppers, garlic, potatoes, some shallots that needed to be used up, lots of onions... Oh, I also added some previously made and frozen chicken stock and a splash of leftover Guinness (can't hurt). After it's simmered enough to cook the veggies, I'll add the cooked chicken I stripped from that carcass and some rotini to cook. Somewhere along the line I'll scrunch up some frozen kale and add that. And a dribble of white truffle oil. Prolly dinner tomorrow night before it gets put into the freezer.

Linn

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Oct 12 - 09:21 AM

Have decided pain in shoulder is skeletal and I need an alignment. Finding a decent chiropractor is on the list; just keeping asking people until I find the sort I want.

Spent the weekend at a craft show of horrors. I was "invited" at the last minute because someone cancelled. Sold very little but the folks at the booth next to me were worth the trip. A really nice couple with 6 or 7 year old daughter. I suspect we shall meet again on purpose. Without them, the weekend would have been a total loss. I was exhausted, drove back and forth - 180 miles of gas. R finally arrived just before closing on Sunday and got to meet my new friends and enjoyed them also. And carried all the boxes down the steps to the car! I came to the cabin for simple supper, hot bath and bed.

Working my way slowly through the boxes of papers, continuing the sorting and beginning to see the end of the tunnel. Huge clay order finally arrived. Six boxes damaged but not too serious, just bothersome. It will last me months! I was so disgusted on the weekend, if I had not just received this, I would just quit potting. I have to sell pots to pay for clay. It is discouraging. OK, have to apply for another LOCAL show.

The raccoons came to the front door on Saturday night while I was sleeping. R gave them pears. I suspect this was by way of saying "There's not enough food!" So he filled the food tube and left pears yesterday morning. No visitors last night! I gave R strict - we must NOT feed them anywhere but out at the cage! What if we move and the next tenants hate raccoons!

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 21 Oct 12 - 04:15 PM

Went upstairs to "relax" but got carried away. Found a whole new box o' stuff (ephemera) that needed to be put into page protectors and (maybe) sorted by year.

Threw out some stuff, too -- that's always satisfying.

Then finished a project here at the computer that will help me with getting all that ephemera in the right binders. And rewashed (with vinegar) the sheets that I'd forgotten in the washer even after I changed the filter the other day and dried and folded them.

Now really need to go and start cleaning the piles off the bed. On the way, perhaps poly the sign.

Tomorrow will be a more or less wasted day -- Tom has a mid-day doctor's appointment.

Tom's making a South African-style curry tonight which will also de-clutter some leftover fried potatoes and onions that need to be used.

(I think the St. John's wort -- while not yet at full strength and only taken for the past week -- is helping.)

Linn

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: ranger1
Date: 21 Oct 12 - 04:01 PM

All the items that I boxed up last week went to FCS and are out of the hallway. Carpet remnents dropped off at the park, where one will prevent things I'm working on in the shop from falling between the cracks in the floor and the other will be cut up and used as door mats. Really nice picnic set in a backpack that we never used given to my boss, who is delighted with it.

While spending Friday waiting for a phone call that never happened, I spent the day cleaning the bathroom and putting clothes aside that my sister will like. Clothes brought to grandma's with me, where they will remain until my sister picks them up.

Getting ready to tackle round two of the great book clear-out when I get home. Will need to nudge Jason again about the old magazines...

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Oct 12 - 12:21 PM

Now that the visit is over I can move forward with some of the projects here. I'll have the Salvation Army pick up some stuff - I don't think a garage sale is going to happen and I'd like to clear out some of the bulk that isn't being used.

I dried oregano from the garden last week and today I've been stripping it off of the stems in order to store in plastic bags. It is a lot on the drying tray, it looks like a lot in the bowl, but once I crumble the leaves a little it compresses down to a few cups of dried herbs. I'll give some away, keep a lot. It's an annual activity here, drying herbs. Basil comes probably later this afternoon and I'll hang a bunch of the stems in the greenhouse where I have a line and clothespins.

I told my visitor that the house is more cluttered than usual because it is the outdoor time of year for me - once winter arrives I'll spend more time selling and donating stuff. He thinks my house is crowded - he should have seen it a few years ago!

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 21 Oct 12 - 08:37 AM

When I woke this morning I started to read, but then felt energetic enough to grab a box of papers that were in page protectors but not sorted by years -- for my personal and Press Room session history project. Got most of the box sorted (except for the undated things that I'll have to go through calendars to find which years certain days fell on which days of the week; sigh) into piles by year.

Maybe I can get them into the binders this afternoon. Baby steps, but I'm making progress. (And then, first thing when I sat down here at the computer, I did some housekeeping on the information I have here -- need to print a lot of it out and get that info into the binders, too.)

But the major project today (if I don't throw up my arms and call a friend and see if I can come over for some R&R and dog snuggling) is to get the FREE sign (after I poly the hell out of it -- it's permanent marker but we've been having such a wet fall) up to the head of the driveway AND schlepp all the cra...I mean, good stuff I'm getting rid of up there, too, and hope people will take it all away.

Linn

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Oct 12 - 11:41 PM

It would be a darned shame if all of those fine vegetables were off limits. I grow Potatoes, peppers, tomatoes and eggplant. I make dishes that include two or three at a time. This evening I seeded and froze a bunch of my poblano peppers.

I found an interesting set of beads today, that I've scanned and loaded into my Flickr account. If you're not in the group who can see it, send a PM and I'll send the link. I could use them as they are, or use the strands for something else. The best I can guess is that it is a kind of yellow jade bead, it's translucent without being transparent like semi-precious gem stones.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: MAG
Date: 20 Oct 12 - 05:09 AM

I had a lot of pain in my hands for a long time; so much I couldn't fingerpick.

It took me awhile to realize it was way down at some point; all I could figure was that what a friend had told me about the nightshade family (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant) had something to it; when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes I had to cut way back on starch, mailny potatoes,which I love and used to eat a lot --also major cutback on sugar, which was a struggle

When I told my shrink, she said, "well, that is the anti-inflammatory diet" --

I onlt eat tomatoes when they are fresh vine ripened and the other stuff I can take or leave --

I read up on the anti-inflammation stuff and there is probably something to it -- other starchy veggies like corn and peas

giving up gluten and dairy are probably beyond my strength, but the other stuff has made quite a diff --(been eating tomatoes like crazy and notice some stiffness)

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Oct 12 - 06:02 PM

When I get pissed at my Internet provider I send out an annoyed tweet. I've even had them call me after that.

TGIF.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 Oct 12 - 11:46 AM

Well, I was in a really good mood when I got up this morning.

Now I'm trying to deal with Comcast.

They "upgraded" something yesterday and, as a result, in the middle of a crappy day I had to finally get through to a recorded message that told me what to unplug and plug back in to get my internet back.

This morning I picked up the phone to call the artist who is giving Tom her painting of him and...nothing.

Their website is so gratuitously bloated it's not easy to find what you need. I've already followed their instructions once (or I think I have since in the fine print at the bottom it tells you NOT to do what the bigger print at the top tells you to do). I've reset the modem. I've unplugged stuff and plugged them back in. I've waited.

All I got was a circuit busy signal when I picked up the phone.

So...I replied to a friend's email with a Comcast rant -- to go with HER Comcast rant from Florida. And I just continued the rant here. And...tah dah! we've finally got a dial tone.

So...Did they read my rant to my friend? or did some Comcast subscriber with a cell phone that works from home (ours doesn't) call them and tell them they screwed up?

Who cares -- my phone AND internet are now working. I really don't need these aggravations when I'm as much on the edge as I am. (Dammit! I was PROMISED a nervous breakdown when Tom recovered from his heart surgery in 2004. That's 8-1/2 YEARS and I still haven't got my nervous breakdown...and it looks highly unlikely I'll EVER have an opportunity...or even just curl up in the fetal position and suck my thumb. Arghhh!!!!)

Sorry for the rant.

Linn

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 Oct 12 - 09:06 AM

The other thing that has contributed is the constant pain I've been in for about a month and a half. I think I've got a small tear in my right bicep. (And a nurse-practitioner friend agrees with me.) Not horrible, but steady, and sharp pain if I do something silly like actually USE the arm and turn it the wrong way - like driving.

Linn

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Oct 12 - 08:56 AM

;-)

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 Oct 12 - 08:50 AM

Stilly, I'm the original listmaker. First thing I do after I wake up is make a list. If I do something not on the list, it gets put on the list so I can cross it off -- I need to know at the end of the day what's gotten accomplished.

And, yes, I've got a list of retirement goals/projects. I think I posted it a couple months ago on another thread.

Right now it's sort of a combination of post-PMFF let down, recovering from the bug I had the week after, repetitive tasks (Tom care plus housekeeping) that seem to be keeping me from MY projects or seeming to make any real headway.

I'm trying to get further along in organization of the accumulation of press cuttings, gig posters, photos, etc. that is not only a personal history but a history of the Press Room sessions. But I'm having to do so many things that Tom's been doing for the past 30+ years -- meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, bill paying, household repairs, his email(s), etcet etcet.

At least I finally got him (I hope) to stop apologizing every time I do something for him that he can't. That was really dragging me down. I put my arms around him and I asked him if he could do me a HUGE favor...to stop apologizing for needing all the stuff I have to do for him because he can no longer do it by himself. I told him I KNOW he knows what I do and I KNOW that he appreciates it, but I would prefer it if he just surprise me every once in a while with "thanks" and a kiss instead of constantly apologizing and feeling sorry. I love him. He's taken care of me often enough over the past 30 years. It's not a hardship for me to take care of him. I love him and I'm glad I'm here to help him.

But the St. John's wort will help me, too, as long as I need it.

Linn

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Oct 12 - 01:25 AM

Linn, you've had so much on your plate with Tom's injuries and surgeries, with work and weather, and now retirement - it isn't easy to retire. Do you make lists for yourself? I'd suggest making one that includes both long-range goals and short term tasks so that as you cross off things you finish you can see progress but you still have a plan in view - and having a plan is the one thing that always helps snap me out of the kind of depression you're talking about.

I was in Waco at noon to meet a friend, have lunch and listen to a short talk, then we took a cross country route back to my home. Like herding cats to keep him on track when he sees things he's interested in - then he finishes, announces "let's go" - whatever I'm doing. Not the perfect timing between the two of us, but it is only a 48 hour visit, I drop him off at the airport on Saturday.

MAG, glad to see you turn up! Don't be a stranger.

Susan, I know you're not online much, you're in the recuperation stage in a nursing home, but I hope you're well and healing and will be back home soon.

Busy day tomorrow and early Saturday, but I have most of the weekend to myself. Time to make progress then.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Oct 12 - 04:18 PM

Well, I'm not sure how amazing I'm actually feeling or how much I'm actually coping with. Right now I'm heading to the store. Tonight is definitely a garlic bread night (to go along with the spaghetti and meatballs) but I'll make from scratch to save pennies. And I NEED (as in medicinally) some Cheez Doodles. Crunchy. Prolly have them ripped open before I'm out of the car park. Doodle dust on my chest (and fingers) before I get home.

Got the filter installed on the washer line. Got a load of laundry done (including the sheets for Tom's bed on the couch). Also got the FREE sign done (finally!)

I'm much more mellow than I was earlier. Tom sprung a surprise bill on me and it may be more than my expected sale of a couple rings tomorrow can handle. I don't like those sort of surprises, so I popped a clonazapam and read for awhile.

Meanwhile, those Cheez Doodles are calling me.

Later,
Linn

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: ranger1
Date: 18 Oct 12 - 02:18 PM

Linn, you are amazing with what you get done. There has been so much crap thrown at you recently and you are managing to not only cope but to accomplish. That's more than I can say for myself for the four years I was at my other job.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Oct 12 - 12:17 PM

I enjoy this thread and find it to be personally very encouraging. But sometimes I spend more of my online time at Facebook.

Sometimes, too, I need more encouragement than at other times. Right now I really need the encouragement.

And this info is for Mudcat, not Facebook (if that makes any sense).

I had an "ah hah!" moment on Saturday: I'm low-grade depressed. Probably the result of seven months of too much stress, trying to do everything -- all the stuff Tom used to be able to do, take care of him, try to get my projects accomplished, etc., the usual sort of letdown (and fatigue) after the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival, having a bug that really dragged me out...not enough social time with friends. So I immediately went out and bought a couple ounces of St. John's wort and got a tincture in the works -- that should majorly help.

Actually the identification of the problem alone should help. I'm not clinically depressed and I'm still quite functional (even though I have to force myself to do things sometimes), and my history is that I'm normally NOT depressed. I've had a couple very short bouts over the past 30 years. Enough to know what REAL depression is like and what that kind of paralysis and inability to make decisions feels like. And this isn't that -- just a very low-key blah feeling. The daily joy of living isn't there. I feel as if I'm being nibbled to death by ducks -- scrambling for money to supplement social security, little repair things around the house that Tom can no longer attend to, so I have to, normal maintenance-type housework and cooking (the stuff that's never really DONE). In a way it's good because it's a learning experience. I've always been reasonably handy especially if I can read somewhere on how to do something, but I'm not as energetic or as agile and flexible as I used to be. My knees are shot, among other things, and I don't have the stamina.

Yesterday I shovelled out the woodstove chimney's cleanout. There was a LOT of crap in there, so now I not only feel accomplished (and achy), but safer. And I got a little further in cleaning out the cellar. I also winterized some of the planters on the deck since the weather's pretty good.

Today I really need to find out from Tom where the water shutoff for the washer is so we can change the filter on the washing machine line. Tom says changing the filter is a two-person project, but he's always done it alone. When that's done I can finish the laundry.

I tried yesterday to spray paint "FREE" on a piece of plywood down cellar so I can get a pile o' stuff up to the head of the driveway and hope people will take it away. Spray paint didn't work, so today I'll bring the plywood upstairs and probably use a large permanent marker and hope that works. I've been putting this off too long.

Then I need to photograph some stuff I want to sell and pull the table out (and move aother bunch of stuff) so I can unscrew the map lamp from over the table and re-install it on my side of the bed. (The previous one which matched the one on the other side died; the lamp over the table is the same model lamp.) Then I can get rid of the "make do" lamp that's been on my nightstand for way too long. And if I'm really ambitious (probably not today) I can mount the NEW lamp (had it since February, I think) over the table. (My excuse is that Tom prefers the overhead because it's less glare-y for him and I can see well enough with the overhead that we haven't been actually using the map lamp. And there were too many other things to do that it just sort of fell by the wayside.)

I wish the St. Johns wort would kick in. It will, but it takes a little while. Meanwhile I'm muddling through. And I think I need the encouragement of this thread. Thanks, Stilly, for keeping it going!

Linn

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: MAG
Date: 18 Oct 12 - 11:44 AM

really sorry, mg -- what a bummer.

I'm still here, and still following the threads fro time to time --

have Ikea furniture I've had for 10 months, and still struggle to get together properly

still can't get my stereo speakers working; no music to do housework by -- so guess what doesn't get done???

lost a few pounds -- not all of what i regained

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Oct 12 - 12:37 AM

I'm sorry, Mary. Do you own the place where you live? I don't suppose there was any way to take the renters to court? Even small claims court to get a few thousands?

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: mg
Date: 17 Oct 12 - 08:50 PM

I decluttered a house today..letting it revert back to the bank after renters have severely damaged it..floors, walls..mold all over...I don't have the money to repair what they have done and the laws are so against landlords...I can't do it any more....mg

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Oct 12 - 07:38 PM

Lots of walking today as we took Jeremiah to a pumpkin farm....we had FUN FUN FUN...my legs are killing me but I'd do it all again...WOO HOOO!!!!

Loads of walking (8 hours worth) the day before too...all on concrete...I'm sure that adds to my complaining legs. Gotta do what you gotta do!

Love to all,

Michelle

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Mrrzy
Date: 17 Oct 12 - 04:17 PM

Have almost found places for all the things I'm inheriting... but my nooks and spaces are getting filled and it's looking more full than it did with the spaces!

I have even taken BACK a bunch of stuff like all Mom's Paris books... just no room, much as I would like them!

SO proud of myself for that, too! Yay, not being a hoarder any more!

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Oct 12 - 04:57 PM

Made headway in the garden. In for a few minutes for a drink and to eat an apple. I've mixed a new batch of top soil/humate/compost/soil amendments for using for planting in the greenhouse, and have a few trays of small pots ready to plant. I also found a 3/4 inch board to use as a shim under the 4x4 post in the middle of the greenhouse. It adds enough height that the roof doesn't have a sagging look at the middle seam. I still need to level the corners again, but not today.

Laundry on the line - I figure my friend from New York City might enough fresh line-dried sheets on his bed. I've also got several things ready to go as activities if he wants to putter in the yard. He'll be here only two days, but we'll make the most of it because the weather is supposed to be lovely.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Oct 12 - 02:55 PM

One of the nice things about this thread is realizing I really did get some things done. I spite of low energy level for a month, I have a kiln load ready to bisque fire. YAY! I will do it later today. Turned the heat on in the studio so I can be comfortable doing it. Theory is that less will go wrong if one is not cold and shivering. Pending project, on the kitchen table, to do new test tiles of the various underglazes I have so when I make Jannicke's 10 gift mugs, she can decorate them as she sees fit, then I will glaze and fire them.

Today, R and I, after much consideration, managed to put together the classy futon frame ($20) in the - now - spare BR! I cleaned out and re-stored the clutter that was there and now we have a decent room and We can actually invite folks to " come down for the music. You can stay overnight!"

I won a major gift package of coffee/tea/hot choc and more at the Apple Hollow Coffee House last night. We are considering de-cluttering by repackaging what we do not need or will not use into a new gift package for a raffle at the Cafe to raise funds for ADDA.

Raccoons: still coming back for meals but generally only after dark. At least 3 were in the hammock last night but gone by 9 this morning. Hey, it was raining, Mom! I added another den site for them this week, under the shed roof and with straw and covering so they can be warmer if they need it.

Thursday, Tony, who seemed to be still alone, was "churring" at me when I arrived in the afternoon. He seemed lonely and really would have liked to come in the house. I gave him almonds and put him in the pen entrance a couple times. I was hoping the other 3 would come back and he could join them. This may have happened as I have not seen him since Thursday. He had pushed open the back door while I was away and made himself at home. Knocked over a few things and enjoyed the sofa, emptied the trash but very little mess and nothing broken.

Kat: My FB page has a pic of my booth at the Farmers' Market and of me at the wheel. I may come up with a couple more.

Pouring rain and the, mostly maple, woods are gold instead of green. winter clothes are replacing summer ones. In the process of preparing the new space for raccoons, I sorted the plastic bins in which things are stored: "fabrics", "bedding", "winter clothes" which will soon be "summer clothes" and "misc stuff". They are all outdoors under the 8 foot wide eave of the garage - planned that way for outdoor storage, esp stove wood.

The raccoon pen is also under there so it stays mostly dry unless it is windy. Seeing a damp single raccoon looking miserable in the smaller hammock, we added plywood to the roof and north side. We only "spoil" them a little. They would have been with their Moms until spring had they not been orphaned. Some folks give them cookies and marshmallows, other foolish stuff. Ours get puppy food, fruits and a few almonds. They have to forage for treats!

Three boxes of 40 years accumulation of interesting papers are gradually being sorted into: health, environment, Quaker, home ideas, archives(cannot bear to throw away), fire starter, mental health issues. (Maybe more) I now have an improved system next to where I usually sit so I can do as much as I can stand and then read or computer or go DO something and come back to it another time.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Oct 12 - 02:30 PM

Hi all. In nursing home w only a fone for internet, so just seldom here.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Oct 12 - 11:47 AM

qi gong last night

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Oct 12 - 11:33 AM

Good timing, to catch him on that impulse and offer a new home for the journals.

Lovely crisp fall day - the one I've waited for - after a huge storm washed the region overnight. I'll report later on progress. Some indoors, some outdoors, I hope.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: ranger1
Date: 14 Oct 12 - 09:44 AM

Bummer of a way to spend the morning, Tam, Sorry about that!

One good thing that came up yesterday was that J-boy took a look at the clear space that I've just made, looked at the opposite wall (where the clutter is mostly his), and remarked that he really didn't feel the need to keep all the back copies of most of the magazines there. I suggested donating them to a nursing home. We'll see what happens.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 14 Oct 12 - 06:31 AM

morning spent in A&E for frozen left shoulder. agony.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Oct 12 - 06:29 PM

Good work!

I visited the nearby restaurant supply place and finally picked up a small industrial plastic trash can with a tight-fitting lid to empty Zeke's 35 pound bag of dogfood into. I had one half this size and half of the bag sat around until the bin was empty. One time I put the bag up on top of the freezer to keep Zeke out of it and the heat from the compressor warmed it enough that when it was dumped into the bin it had the beginnings of a weevil population. We used it before they became a problem, but now all food will go in at once (I have a similar sized one for the girls' food). The small bin (that was originally my turkey brining bin) is now for bird seed and is next to the side door near the feeders. I know where to get a new bin the next time I want to brine turkey.

Other things have been accomplished, dusting, cleaning, folding, hanging up, but the dog and bird food seemed most pressing.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: ranger1
Date: 13 Oct 12 - 03:31 PM

Living room closet cleared of my clothing, clothing in laundry. Will sort after cleaning for what to keep and what to donate. Chair discovered under pile of coats, hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves. Coats either hung in closet, set aside for dry cleaning or laundering, or in box for FCS. Hats, scarves, and mittens either sorted and put in a tote for storage in closet or tossed in garbage bag for disposal. The old VHS cassettes that formerly lived in the tote now housing hats, scarves, and mittens are now in a garbage bag awaiting disposal, their cardboard covers in recycling bin. Floor now vacuumed and free of pet hair and dust where all the crap along that wall used to be. I may tackle the chair and under the chair tomorrow, depends on how bad asthma and allergies are after today's small fit of compulsive cleaning. I did buy dust masks yesterday, I just forgot to put one on until it was too late. I now feel virtuous and will spend the rest of the afternoon either watching movies or playing video games.

Oh, and seven months after installing new cube storage unit and TV stand, they remain clutter free!!!

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Oct 12 - 11:10 AM

I have a friend who makes an African yam soup or stew - it's very good! That is a big transition, VT. Good luck with it. I have been thinking I might need to eliminate dairy again, see if that helps with the final set of allergy symptoms.

A friend is coming for a visit late in the week so I have to finish up work for work so I can take a couple of days off. I also have to clean house and clear out the office so there is space for both of us to work because we have several web issues to address for him.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 13 Oct 12 - 10:19 AM

OK - I have been in really horrible pain from arthritis, sjogrens and vitamin D deficiency since last October. Soon to be tested for lupus.

Enough is enough. Friend (Guest CS) advised that I try complete dairy free (and meat free) diet. And i guess there might be something in the animal protein that is really hard on the body that is already unwell.

So today I had my first cup of dairy free coffee. Almond milk and tiny sprinkle of soft brown sugar. 5 ice cubes. Lovely.

I am off now to cut up and cook loads of veg, soak some pearl barley for veg chili, veg soup, minestrone. And tonight's meal will be a new thing.

Spicy African yam and peanut butter soup.

If I start feeling better I shall start tackling the mess in the spare room that is now spilling out to .. .well everywhere.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Oct 12 - 09:35 PM

Go, Tami!

I walked more, today, than I have since last May or June...can't remember. It was great!

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Oct 12 - 09:35 PM

Wow, Tami, that's a good result, to clear out that much stuff. And now you can reach the closet and put away stuff you DO use. (Imagine that!)

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: ranger1
Date: 11 Oct 12 - 08:33 PM

Dammit! Cat just erased the post I was working on!

I found the closet in the living room this morning. It hasn't been accessible for years. Two boxes and one big bag are packed and in the hallway waiting to go to Freeport Community Services in the AM, and another to be packed in the morning to join them. There's also some things that once came home with me because "they might be useful someday" that have found uses, and not in my home! They'll go tomorrow, as well.

I peeked in the closet - most of the clothes in there can be laundered and donated to FCS. If I haven't really missed them in the past several years, I must not need them. Actually, I did miss the flannel and chamois shirts, but the other stuff can go. Jason will have to cull his share of the clothing in there, too, and I will make him do that soon. As soon as the closet is cleaned out, we can hang up and store the coats that are currently heaped in the chair so that the chair can be used for sitting. A novel concept, I know. The other thing I noticed about the closet is that the shelves inside are pretty empty and can be used to store things like winter hats, scarves, and mittens with a few organizer boxes.

A trip can also be made to J's brother's this weekend and we'll give them the large number of toys that belonged to Clancy that Bandit will never play with.

It's amazing what can be accomplished in a short time with a bit of will, several empty boxes, and some kickin' tunes on the stereo. Between Pat Benatar and Billy Idol, the clutter may not have a chance!

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Oct 12 - 02:51 PM

Since my friend who moved into the apartment last year has lost his roommate, he told me today that he is moving a display case in from his storage locker so he can see some of his nice glass pieces. I hope he'll take a look around the locker and decide what to start selling on eBay. He can dedicate that room to the setup and shipping for eBay and give himself a nice extra income.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Oct 12 - 11:47 AM

Lovely sunny cool fall day, set a low temp for the day record but it is still several degrees above freezing. Time to harvest the herbs that will be hit by frost, though, before that day comes.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Oct 12 - 12:38 AM

Michelle, do you remember the adage about firewood warming you three times? First when you cut the tree and split it, second when you move and stack it, and third when you burn it. I'd say you were on warming number two today and just needed more movement! ;)

Kat, the photos of the pup are sweet! And the boy, of course! I'm sure they'll be very happy together!

My back yard has been mowed but not trimmed. It would be nice if this is the last mow of the season, but I'll probably have to do it again in a couple of weeks. I cleared out a garden in the front yard and will mow tomorrow evening if it doesn't rain. After clearing out the hay strewn all over the floor I plan to park the truck in the garage as the weather gets cooler. I ran a couple of errands today and when I got home I opened the garage door, and had the truck door ready so when Zeke came charging out he could hop into the pickup. The dope doesn't know he isn't supposed to leave by that door and he LOVES to ride in the truck. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 07 Oct 12 - 06:26 PM

Kat,

   That sounds GREAT and Jeremiah and I will have tons of fun with it!!! Do NOT rush on our account though....you feeling good is FAR more important!

I need to make a list out too. I have some upcoming events that are going to tie me up through probably next week (well, until Sunday but IS suspect it is going to take every ounce of my emotional and physical energy to get through it). I will share details after the fact. :) It will be far more interesting that way!

I helped deliver a cord of wood today. It's cold and dark today and I just can't seem to get warm.

I have a quilt to finish up for this coming Wednesday's final class. I'm still not sure about the border but am hoping I'll figure it out!

I'll get photos up on FB later (might be much later as I am having difficulty finding my connecting cord...)

Michelle

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Oct 12 - 05:43 PM

Thank you, Michelle and SRS. I love telling Morgan stories, too.

I've decided I didn't need another two weeks, too isolating and sad, so I am coming back slowly, carefully, and still restricting mostly phone calls and a little bit of the social media depending on subject. I still won't be posting much because I'm usually out in the kitchen where the laptop is and I don't have Dragon Naturally Speaking loaded into it. If I want to use that program I have to come back here to the office which is okay. It's just when I'm thinking about posting I'm usually at the wrong computer and it hurts too much to post using my hands on the laptop. LOL

I made a list of general things that need to be done around here a couple of weeks ago and we've slowly been crossing them off: new bolts in the picket fence gate so it doesn't fall apart and now shuts properly, determined we need a new faucet for the bathroom which will happen next payday, took the a/c out of our bedroom window, washed all of the miniblinds! That was a biggie for me as they have been covered in dirt which wafted across the room every time we opened and shut them. Roger did a great job; the light that comes through is even brighter because they were so filthy!

Morgan called me yesterday and told me to guess what. I could tell from the excitement in his voice that it was something pretty major. Turns out he and his dad went to town on some errand and just happened to be where there was a woman selling pit bull puppies. If you remember Nanny Dizzy was a pit bull. The little guy they have added to their family is seven weeks old, a Bluenose pit bull 100% and the most adorable thing. I will put some pictures up on Facebook for those of you who can access my page; anyone else let me know if you want to see a picture and I'll send you some. I got a couple of really cute ones with Morgan. He, of course, is in love with "working title Drago/Drako," as are the rest of us. He seems to be quite smart. Went to Morgan immediately as soon as he saw him. My girl dogs absolutely love him and Maizee played quite a bit with him. As soon as he woke up from his nap Morgan took him outside, set him down. He went right over into some dirt that he liked and did his business, both numbers! So, now that I've helped raise their kid, I get to raise their pup! **BG** Really, just for the first few weeks until he's a little bit older, I think he'll be coming over here quite often during the day. The kids really love the way my dogs are and would like that influence on the puppy. I am being cautious and none of us are expecting me to do anything that will stress me out or be too much or whatever, so I'll be all right.

Dorothy, I have enjoyed reading along all this year about your babies and now to see them go off into the woods that must be such a thrill congratulations "mom!" They are so fortunate to have you and R to give them such a great start, as you say. Do you have any pictures of your pots online yet? I would still really love to see them.

Michelle, as soon as I can, I have a little storybook and sock puppet that I will send a copy to you for Jeremiah. It sounds as though he's old enough now to get a giggle out of it. I made it up for Morgan when he was about that age and we embellished it over the years, tried it out on his preschool classes and teachers, and everybody seemed to love Sleepy Sneezy The Snake. Anyway it's a lot of fun and I would enjoy sharing with you. Just remember it may take me some time; I am not doing anything in any kind of rapid fashion these days. Ha ha!

SRS, I still marvel at your energy and all that you do with your garden and your yard and your house. It's just wonderful. I hope the new job duties don't wear you out and you get the new title and compensation.

I was able to dust some pictures and the library table and get them set up on it today. I washed, folded, and put away three loads of laundry, yesterday. I also did my part of scrubbing the bathroom and putting a few things away. We both like the new configuration of furniture in the dining room and living room; it seems to be working out better when we want to watch movies and such.

I know there's more, but without making notes I don't remember there's so many little things. At least it feels as though we are making some progress. When our daughter came over with the puppy yesterday she remarked on how it looked as though I was going for the minimalist look. It was good to know that some of my efforts are that obvious. I see it every day and it looks as though I haven't done anything, so it's nice to hear a confirmation of what I've actually done.

That's all for now. Roger's busy sweeping the floors. The animals are all taking naps and I think I might go join them. it's not every day I get a new grand-puppy!

Oh, and I am now at 31 pounds shed! And, there is no secret/magic except it seems to really matter HOW and WHY I eat, much more than "what."

Take care,

kat

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Oct 12 - 01:54 PM

The eggplants are roasted, mixed with lemon, and in the freezer. I commingled four of them and got three batches from it.

Must go outside and work on the yard, it hasn't warmed up, but it's not so cold and moving around is enough to keep me warm.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Oct 12 - 12:51 AM

Cleared out a backlog of magazines stacked on chairs in the kitchen and living room. In general sorted a lot of paper - the kitchen isn't perfect, but it's getting better. This is in anticipation of a visit by a couple of friends, one this month, the other next month.

Last weekend I roasted then diced and froze eggplants (with added lemon juice). I thawed one of the packages today to see how it would work for baba ghanoush, and it was wonderful. I have the roaster oven out and four eggplants ready to roast in the morning, then put them in the freezer. I'm looking forward to a healthy dip this winter (and it is relatively low calorie compared to anything with cream cheese or sour cream).

I weeded part of a couple of gardens today and I put in the various broccoli and broccoli-related plants today. I'd like to mow, but my next door neighbor isn't home right now and if I mow it will be conspicuous if he doesn't mow till late in the week. If it warms up a little I'll mow both our front yards before then.

Laundry tomorrow.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Oct 12 - 11:38 AM

It's cool this morning - enough that I went back into the house to get a sweater before I picked the okra. Wonderful! The dogs are quite frisky at this temperature.

Last week was the week from hell at work so today will be productive but at a puttering rate.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 04 Oct 12 - 06:56 PM

Kat,

I love your Morgan stories...he's such a neat kid!!! Jeremiah is interested in books now and I love when he brings one over to me and says, "Mommy? Tory?" And then he climbs up in my lap and we read. I love, love, LOVE that!

Michelle

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Oct 12 - 06:52 PM

Michelle, do you sew after Jeremiah goes to bed? I find sewing very creative and relaxing at the same time, often with a recorded book playing or play a movie in the DVD to listen to and occasionally look at.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 04 Oct 12 - 05:28 PM

We are home, unpacked and I spent the day puttering, cleaning..just enjoying being home. Now I'm off to work on finishing a quilt that I started 3 weeks ago.

Michelle

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Oct 12 - 01:06 AM

Well that was quite a process, Dorothy. Is once enough, or will you rescue more racoons next year?

I'm still mostly in summer clothes, with a light windbreaker for cool mornings. By the end of the month it will be cooler.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Oct 12 - 11:43 PM

Well, I guess one could say that I have de-cluttered my life by sending the last four raccoons off into the woods with a hug and lots of hope - and shots for distemper, rabies and parvo. May they have the best possible raccoon lives. I am glad my "kids" have moved on ----but I miss the huggable lovables.

It was lovely to watch them leave. Banjo came, when I called him to the open door. I picked him up and hugged him and told him, "It's time to go." I put him down near the water pan and he drank and then headed out into the back woods. Then Scruffy and Brother got the same treatment and followed Banjo exactly, even going up and down the same tree, following his scent. Tony, as usual, did his own thing.

They have not come back. There is food in the open pen if they ever need it. I will be sure to keep some there through the winter, just in case. They looked so beautiful, snuffling and digging in the leaves, with the confidence that comes from being well-loved. All children should be able to move into adulthood with such confidence.

Hopefully tomorrow I will have recovered enough to actually get some pots made. The woods have turned from green to yellow in the last three days!

I have managed to start the transition of clothes from summer to winter.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Oct 12 - 08:13 PM

We've had some long days at work, but the event scheduled for today went well and had a good number attending. Now for the next one - our speaker for late October cancelled just as I was about to hit "send" to send the invitation to the printer. He'll be tied up this month but that invitation is ready to go for next spring when we put him on the schedule, and I have to write a new one tomorrow and design and send to the printer. We have a staff member with a new book, so she's stepping into the breach.

No more about work, but it's busy stuff like that, an a conference to photograph on Friday that runs from 10am to 10pm.

I'm planning to spend time in the garden tomorrow morning, since I'll have so many hours on Friday that I can take some off. My broccoli needs planting.

I hope things are looking up Michelle, and I hope you're continuing to feel better, Kat. Haven't heard from Susan in quite a while - I hope that plan for recuperation is working out the way you had in mind.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Oct 12 - 03:49 PM

Michelle sent a little more information to her facebook account, her grandmother is unwell.

In my continuation of the test of freezing mashed eggplant, I'll thaw one of the containers and make baba ghanoush from it and see if that works. I don't know that the entire dish would freeze - I don't want it separating or curdling or something odd, so I'm freezing only part of it and making it into dip to use later.

Walked the dogs last night and had to swat away mosquitoes. With West Nile being such a problem that isn't something I want to repeat, so we'll try to walk earlier this evening.

I had an appointment in a fancy strip mall area this morning and as I got out of the truck in the parking lot I saw a small hawk standing on something on the ground nearby. I finally figured out (but I wasn't fast enough with my camera) that the hawk had nailed another bird and seemed to be standing there deciding whether to eat it there or leave. He left. It's the first time I've actually seen a hawk like that - I didn't witness the capture, but was still pretty close to the whole thing.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Oct 12 - 11:20 AM

Limited time and internet access here. I am out of town tending a family emergency.

*Note to self: Forget what a hassle the pack and play is and pack the stinking thing next time. ARG.


Michelle

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Oct 12 - 01:11 AM

Cooking for the week tonight - made a pot of my taco mix and made a pumpkin pie. Made a couple of small loaves of bread. It's getting to be cooking weather again!

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Oct 12 - 11:42 PM

My eyes get tired before I get here. And I have been really tired for the last 3 weeks of September. Need to de-tox more. Definitely makes a difference when I can fit it in.

The last week was busy: We had airbnb guests at the cabin Tues- Sunday, a totally delightful couple from Winnipeg who joined us at the Cafe on Friday night and attended the Branches and Roots festival on Saturday. Turned out the wife has a MA in folk lore! This meant getting the cabin as clean and tidy as possible! Giving them the solitude they were seeking, we discovered two new places to have breakfast!

I was back and forth to the city, with pottery and animal chores. Did demo on Saturday at the Fest and stayed for the wonderful eve of music. Sunday, our New York State friends visited; husband helped R with some stuff at the mill, then lunch at a junk food joint - Amy LOVES poutine - and then to the cabin to consult about releasing the raccoons. A long and wonderful day, and weekend!

We removed a bunch of R's garage sale and auction from the studio to the mill so I can reorganize the studio - AGAIN!

Today, R did some renos in the cage. One guy "escaped" --- then asked to go back in after a couple hours! The youngest was not feeling well and I spent time cuddling him in the house until he felt better. R knew he was unwell when he took no notice of an almond or even grapes! I took him back out for nap time and R gave him his last shot. He did not even notice! Happiness is knowing the "kids" have all their shots, and a better chance of healthy lives in the wild.

Tomorrow I am going to open the pen so they can come and go at will. We will miss them but I hope they get the idea that they are Free to go live their raccoon lives. The instincts are there. They need to find dens before the snow flies. I will continue to leave food for them until they no longer need it - maybe until spring. Raccoons generally stay with their moms for the first year.

The two girls escaped and refused to come back about two weeks ago. Amy says, like humans, the females mature faster. They were ready! The guys are lazy lumps. We fear they are institutionalized but Amy believes they will soon be bopping into the woods.

Not having found our country home, we will stay at the cabin until spring or more. We are now committed to being there until the guys are self-sufficient. So I will be making some further stabs at better organizing as I had quit, thinking we would be moving. We have a wonderful futon frame and futon from one of R's tenants to go in the spare room but first I have to find a way to organize all the stuff that has been stored in there!

And make pots - orders and for the Christmas craft shows and a couple shops.

What a great weight lose, Kat! It is so wonderful to hear how folks are progressing.

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Oct 12 - 03:16 PM

Good job, Kat! If that was me losing the weight I'd be at my goal by now - I envy you the discipline! I am getting more exercise and am down a few pounds - I've been at the library more often in the last few weeks and I make myself take the stairs to the sixth floor. Summer is so hot here that exercise every day is a challenge, but now that it's nice I can get exercise outside also and not just in the building stairwell. :)

It's always good to hear Morgan stories. If you can set aside a south-facing windowsill in late winter he can get some seeds started for spring planting to add to that rectangle.

I have a friend coming to town in a couple of weeks so I'll be working on de-cluttering the house. After a rainy weekend the soil will be easy to work for a week or two, so I'm sure I'll also get some digging in for the veggie garden at the very least.

SRS

Subject: RE: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Oct 12 - 11:45 AM

Hi, SRS, I hope these threads will still be of interest! In my case of course it's been my own self-imposed sabbatical. I am just here to check in because I'm going to do a another two weeks.

Alex S, this is the BS section and therefore, need not have musical content. You will find all of the music threads " upstairs."

I think I missed most of September, but in the past 2 to 3 weeks we've done a good bit of cleaning up around the yard and inside the house. I finally got two shelves of knicknacks dusted and another one emptied and ready to be dusted. I also gave up on the 45-year-old tropical hibiscus plant which the new cat used as a potty tray the first week we had her. It's not dead yet, but I sent it over to my brother's house where he can give it more emergency TLC. I really hope it makes it as it goes back to our mother and father's last house where we all lived together. Quite a history with that plant.

Morgan has a month of third grade under his belt and is doing well. Two weeks ago he started enrichment classes after school so we don't see him but three mornings a week just before school and one day on weekends usually. I am delighted each of the mornings when he is here just before school, he always asks if we can go into the sanctum. Of course, we do. Incense and candles lit, we give thanks for the day and the way we would like for it to go. This has really helped him especially a couple of times: a bullying incident at school, addressed immediately by parents and teacher, and, once when he was upset at his parents. :-) It has also helped him when he misses their old dog, Dizzy. She was the old pit bull that we called "Nanny Dizzy" because she was a wonderful nanny. Old age caught up to her; she's been gone about three weeks now.

This past weekend he asked to use my voice recognition program to write some stories. He had so much fun, training the program for his voice, then spinning his tales direct from his brain to the screen in front of him. He would print them out then bring them to me and read them to me. He learned a valuable lesson, a test I use on all of my writing: does it sound good and makes sense when read out loud? It was a good lesson for him in self-editing, spelling, and punctuation etc.

I can't remember if I told this story. We took Morgan with us to visit my brother who showed Morgan his vegetable garden. When we came back to our house Morgan asked me about seed pods from my sweet pea and if he could plant some of them. I told him it really probably wouldn't work this time of year but he was welcome to try. So he went out by the big old tree in the backyard, out from under its shade, and very carefully raked out a beautiful rectangle of dirt. He raked it so carefully it was almost like one of those zen gardens with sand and boulders. He then planted some of the seed pods and very carefully watered them. I think they require a freeze before they to be fertile, but what great fun he had and what fun it was to watch him.

Well, I know there's a ton of stuff that I've forgotten to share, but I need to get going. I will be lurking a little bit, but mostly more of the same: rest, meditate, visualize, write, cry, yell, laugh and more of the same. It's all good, all positive requiring focused attention.

One more thing, according to the scales of the specialist I went to recently, I have officially lost 29 pounds since June! We are all happy about that!

See you all soon, luvyakat

Subject: October Declutter & exercise~~~~ 2012
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Oct 12 - 01:10 AM

I'm not sure there's still a lot of interest in these threads, though perhaps everyone is simply too busy to visit every day.

It was a productive weekend here - I did some work in the back to put down bricks to keep the dogs from digging, I picked a full bucket of peppers (poblano and green and yellow bell), and at least eight eggplants. I'll be drying herbs or freezing them from now till frost. I have stuff to plant.

In the house I moved a dresser/cabinet/credenza thing into the living room, slid the plant stand over and made room for a new bench that will be the place to sit and change out of street shoes. I have planned for a while to do this, keep the street dirt out of the house by wearing slippers or something else just in the house and shoes just outside.

Roasted eggplants, froze some, made baba ghanoush with some. The kitchen is clean, the laundry is finished, and I did some ironing. Quite a lot was done considering I got started with a lazy Saturday morning.

Here is the Sept 2012 thread.

SRS