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Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012
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Subject: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Dec 12 - 02:09 PM The year has flown by. I've been very busy at work and had less time to work on things at the house, making the time I have to work at the house more precious. It's time to liberate the dining room table from all of the playbills stacked there, and it is time to finish some of the other projects that will not only add to comfort, they will make zones in the house look more interesting. Maryanne asked in the November thread about my greenhouse. I have a smallish plastic (PVC) portable building I dismantled and brought to my yard when my friend Dean was foreclosed upon and lost his house. It's about 8 x 12 and is very cute. I need to stabilize the corners because it is set on a dirt and gravel area and not concrete (the preferred setup). I have a long break at the end of the month, but I want to have some things out of the way before that break, not save everything up to try to do then. I've been adding more exercise and eating healthier and need to keep moving in that direction to become more fit and to lose weight. I don't want to leave this as a New Year's resolution - this is something I'm seriously working on now. What about everyone else? November 2012 thread. |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Dave Hanson Date: 01 Dec 12 - 02:18 PM Pub |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: MAG Date: 01 Dec 12 - 05:06 PM I inherited a greenhouse kit that was left in my new (to me) garage -- there is really no place to put it, tho' I'd love to have it set up -- my nackyard is the one thing I miss about where I used to live -- |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Dec 12 - 05:34 PM What is going on in your front yard, or along the sides? Is there a place to put it there? I have a batch of beans simmering, early stages yet. Cooked 2 minutes, let soak for an hour, then refilled with water and it has simmered for an hour so far. I didn't have a ham hock so I used some bacon and it smells pretty good. Decluttering bank account to pay monthly bills, running errands, walking dogs. Those are on my evening list of things to do. Laundry is partly finished, and I could hang it on the line today it is so warm out there. My $2 ticket didn't win that big lottery this week so I must continue to live frugally. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: GUEST,Wysiguest Date: 02 Dec 12 - 10:51 AM Can you put a link here to the surgery thread, Maggie? ~S~ Here it is. |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 02 Dec 12 - 10:54 AM Last night Moonglow and her dad came by - they had gone out to a stage performance and she parked at my house so should wouldn't have to drive all the way to his. And when they returned my pot of beans was just about ready so at 11pm I ended up setting up the rice cooker and giving them beans and rice. Not the evening of decluttering I had planned, but a nice visit! I grilled eggplant on the gas grill last night - it's fast and easy - and mashed it before adding lemon juice and then put it in the freezer. Breakfast this morning is pita and baba ghanouj - and fruit. Very nice! I'll play catch-up this morning. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 02 Dec 12 - 09:24 PM The leaves that were piled up against the curb in front of the house have been scooped (using an over-sized dust pan) and piled in many heaps in my vegetable garden area. During that exercise I picked up leaves but tried to leave the acorns on the road, so I could go back and sweep what was left into a different bin and take it to the compost. Laundry is finished, and the kitchen is clean. I'm going to work on the buffet for a bit, watch a program, then call it a night. I'm trying to stop the late nights and favor getting work done early in the morning. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: katlaughing Date: 02 Dec 12 - 09:35 PM The tablets are kicking in and I am doing better...enough so that i dusted the hall and LR, scrubbed the bathroom and did some laundry. My main goal, though, is to get back to work on editing my books. |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 03 Dec 12 - 09:03 AM Started this morning by de-cluttering a small brandy snifter. Slipped out of my (rather full) hands while aiming towards the radio to turn it on for Tom -- I have a whole dance routine I go through when I come downstairs to turn the house on for Tom), fell on the floor and, of course, smashed. Fortunately, I have two more. I like the small size as it of necessity keeps my nightcaps small. Actually, I'd already been filing letters from the '90s and making notations to put on the calendars in my archives. Yesterday was more or less unproductive. I again woke up way too early. Finished a book, then declared the day to be a pajama day. Did get a nap later that gave me a little bit of energy for a long phone conversation later comparing notes and giving encouragement to a friend juggling work and being caregiver for her husband. Then got a surprise email from a total stranger wanting to know if some of her ancestors are related to some of mine. Gave her some info off the top of my head and now I have to find the mimeographed "buch" I've actually had in my hands within the past month but is now totally lost in the piles of papers, notebooks, etc. covering the bedroom floor (which I HAVE to do something with REAL SOON to make the bedroom safe for Tom to come back up before we get a Christmas tree. Arghhh!!! Saturday I goofed off and visited with a friend in Portsmouth and drank wine and petted her totally floozy dog who doesn't like most women, but loves me and floozes with his head in my lap so I can rub his belly. But I DID get rid of two bags of Christmas stuff I've been trying to find homes for. Now if I can just find someone who wants a 5-foot tall inflatable bottle of Lauder's Scotch... Enough... I've got work to do! Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 03 Dec 12 - 09:28 AM Put it on eBay, Linn. You'll be amazed when you search on advertising ephemera what people will purchase. I need to organize and donate the collection and get it off my table soon. No waiting till the last minute (like December isn't already the last minute in the tax year?) Big meeting coming up on Friday. All eyes are on that this week. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 03 Dec 12 - 06:52 PM I did check, Stilly. Similar items bring maybe 10 bucks. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: LilyFestre Date: 03 Dec 12 - 09:42 PM December already? Wasn't it just Halloween? I have rearranged the living room to accommodate the 7.5 foot Christmas tree. The lights are on but it is not decorated just yet. Jeremiah loves the lights. :) I also did some rearranging in the bathroom so that my very large drying rack fits as it's getting too cold to hang laundry outside. It was gorgeous today and will be tomorrow too and I'd love to hang things out, however it is hunting season and the sound of gunshot is too close for comfort. I cleaned off the table and today I did 2 loads of dishes...still have another to go. I cleaned out some cupboards and had lots of plastic ware that really needed a good cleaning...so that's what I did. Yesterday I made a Christmas tree skirt or possibly a table cloth for the kitchen table. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. :) That's it for now. Jeremiah is getting so he likes to help Mommy...especially with putting silverware away (after Mommy puts all the knives up and away). We are working on having all the toys picked up from the living room floor before he goes to bed at night. He likes to organize so we have saved these really big jugs that animal crackers come in (from BJ's Wholesale) and he puts his small cars in one and legos in another. :) All big toys go in the toy box and books in another box. He's growing so fast and talking up a storm....life is going on at full speed and I wouldn't have it any other way! Love to all, Michelle |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 03 Dec 12 - 11:01 PM When will he start school, Michelle? Very busy day today, one that battered the spirit a bit. Lots of good things were done, but one favor went awry (why, if you tell someone that you'll see if a date and time are available for an event in one of your event rooms does the person assume it is and tell everyone else? The room turns out not to be available because an event already scheduled there will last longer than I thought.) By quitting time today all I could offer to the last person who brought it up was that "no good deed goes unpunished." Her answer was "especially if it wasn't your deed." But I wasn't doing anyone else's job, I had been asked a question by someone from campus, I simply asked a couple of questions and forwarded the information over to the person who does the job. Sheesh. This co-worker is dying a slow death of inoperable cancer, punctuated by bouts of chemo to prolong her life. She has been very busy and I tried to give her all of the information to make her decision on the room a little easier. Events intruded, and I don't need the others sniping about it, my co-worker and I cleared it up. It's only Monday of what looks like a VERY LONG WEEK. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: katlaughing Date: 03 Dec 12 - 11:28 PM {{{{{{{HUGS-SRS}}}}}}} |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 Dec 12 - 09:47 AM Thanks. I decided to work at the house today and stay out of the line of fire. I'll be over there all of the rest of the week. It's cooling off a bit today, it should feel more like December by the end of the week. If I'm really organized I'll get out the lights and put them on a tree out front before it gets really cold. There seem to be no flat surfaces in my office not covered with paper, so my decluttering today is clear: organize, file, recycle. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: LilyFestre Date: 04 Dec 12 - 05:00 PM Jeremiah goes to *school* 2 days a week for 4 hours or so....it gives him time to play with other children, do some crafts, etc. He is only 2 1/2 so regular school is a few years away. :) Today I learned how to put a binding on a quilt and later had lunch with an old friend I haven't seen in awhile. Both things went very well and I enjoyed myself. I didn't do any chores yet. I'm dreading making dinner because I'm not hungry and don't feel like cooking. Also, I didn't get anything out to unthaw. It might be a soup and bread kind of dinner tonight. :) Michelle |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 Dec 12 - 06:55 PM When that kind of evening approaches, I find that making breakfast for dinner is very satisfying, and a pleasant surprise for the kids. The thing I like about blanket binding is that you can take an old blanket that looks ready to retire but add a crisp strip of binding to each end it suddenly has many more years of service ahead of it. And the older blankets are the ones that feel so good on the bed or as a throw on the couch or lounger. I spent the afternoon watching training videos we have available through work. I should be greedy and watch as many of these as I can since it doesn't cost us anything since there is a site contract. It is a pleasure to finish one of them and realize I now can do a better job of using software that until now has been under-utilized. Now to turn my attention to activity for tomorrow. Baking another batch of those cranberry bars, and digging out holiday ornaments. Even if the weather isn't cooperating, the calendar says it is time to act like xmas is near. While I'm at it, digging through ornaments, I need to set aside those that are truly retired and either donate (if they work) or toss (if they don't). Old electrical devices, in particular. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 04 Dec 12 - 08:53 PM Tomorrow my #1 son is 53. Oh, the things I remember like it was yesterday. But I can still remember yesterday - if I work at it! Made our veggie chili yesterday and it is almost gone already. Now black beans in slow cooker for soup/dip or I just put it on a bowl of broccoli - yum! I'll start another batch of chili tomorrow. It is so easy when R comes home at unusual times. Also did a big pot of stewed apples, another staple. I throw some, and some cranberries, in porridge or pancakes or on French toast or just plain apples. I also de-cluttered by bank account - paying the bills. Today I had to go renew my driver's license - new photo. Accidentally took two numbers so when an acquaintance came along, I gave him one. And arranged to go to his shop tomorrow to get the money he owes me for pots! While I had been waiting for my turn, I walked down the street - trash day - and found a gold coloured table cloth for the thrift shop, a loose leaf photo album with Renoir on front (needed) and two short wooden stands which can be used on table of pottery booth to hang the ornaments I have not yet made. And later, a clothes hamper - round metal frame could be an interesting stand for a vine sort of plant - like bougainvilla. Then to the Market for a few things - large basket of "natural" apples - not certified organic but working on it, some cheeses, veggies and two of those wonderful choc/cranberry loaves - one into freezer. Did a tour of the market to see what else is there as I had not done that for a while. No surprises. Arranged for a cord of stove wood for the cabin to be delivered Thursday. Planted 15 daffodil bulbs in this thaw. Today was "warm" and sunny! A couple above freezing days were nice but it is dropping again tomorrow. R came home for a quick supper and then rushed down to the sawmill to do a task needful before the freeze. Hope he gets home safely - over two hours driving plus however long the task should take. He came close to putting his eye out today, walked into a pipe, broke his glasses. This FB stuff is taking too long and is like a drug. Maybe if I had more energy I would stop and do else. Still not quite right since last week's food episode. |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 05 Dec 12 - 11:35 AM I'm in the middle of one of those "it's complicated" de-clutterings. Tom wants to use the bedroom upstairs before we get a Christmas tree in about a week and a half. Since he's been sleeping downstairs, his side of the bed is covered with telephone, notebooks, calendar, books, magazines, unsorted papers. The floor is covered with piles of books, piles of notebooks, boxes of papers, boxes of photographs, more piles of books (because I had to repair the built-in bookcase), two big bags of cowboy boots and shoes he wants to keep (the bags of cowboy boots I need to sell are downstairs), and other miscellaneous ephemera in varying degrees of organization. Okay, I just started in the logical place -- the bookcase just outside the bedroom door. In taking the stuff off that's piled on top so I can fill the top shelf (I've de-accessioned a bunch of stuff), I had to clean out between the bookcase and the built-in bookcase on the wall. (The little bookcase backs up to the solid side of the stair railing.) That's opened up a bookshelf I haven't seen in years -- so I have to do something about that. See what I mean? After that's done, I'll pull everything out of the Christmas boxes which are temporarily in the bedroom (taking up even more floor space). Since I've recently de-accessioned decorations, I think I can consolidate what's left into two boxes instead of four. Then I HAVE to do some errands -- pick up my meds, check that grocery store for items I couldn't get at my primary store, stop at the post office and mail a package to my sister and, if I'm really organized, one to my secret santee (I just have to find a box and finish the letter; I just ran out the label), if not, then tomorrow. And go to my preferred grocery store for a couple necessary items. I'd like to think that by the time I get home, I'll do some more organizing in the bedroom, but what is a LOT more likely is that I'll finish the last 40 pages in one of the books I'm reading and then read a bit in one of the others. Gotta go put shoes over these socks so I can go down cellar and find a box and bring up a couple things to take up to the FREE sign. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 05 Dec 12 - 08:09 PM Well. Found and labelled the box to send stuff to my sister, got my meds picked up and some stuff found that I couldn't get at my regular grocery store (plus packaging tape so I can mail that package), paid the mortgage, stopped at the hardware store so THEY could get the battery compartment open on the flashlight that needed batteries so I got new batteries (and bought another flashlight just like it for the car -- don't tell Curmudgeon), got the few groceries I needed, and went to the post office to mail the package to my sister. But when I got home I had to go back upstairs and attack the bookcase in front of the bedroom door. I had left piles of books blocking the bedroom door, more piles on the bed, and had a really interesting time getting into the bedroom with almost no floorspace in the hall in front of the door. It wasn't easy and I'm going to ache tomorrow, but it's now not only better organized (shelves on BOTH bookcases), but there's now only one tall pile of smallish books tucked into the corner on the floor. When Tom comes upstairs, it shouldn't prove an obstacle or danger. Also found stuff (from seminars on typography and page layout that I've given and newsletters I've written) to file in my yearly ephemera files. Made Italian sausage, onion and pepper with provolone and lots of mayo sandwiches for supper with enough sautéed peppers and onions left over for the pizza Tom wants to make tomorrow night. And did some research and also dug out a magnifying glass to be able to send the information on my circa 1957 Noblet/Normandy clarinet to a friend who may be able to find a buyer for me. Now I'm grabbing a wee dram and going upstairs to finish the last 40 pages of a book...after I move some more stuff off the bed. Sigh. It's like those little games we had as kids, the little flat ones with the numbered squares and the one empty square. And you were supposed to move them all around to put them in order. Organizing my house is like that. The problem is...I don't have an empty square. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 06 Dec 12 - 11:20 AM That's an analogy I've used frequently, Linn. The stuff and papers on all flat surfaces problem. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: MAG Date: 06 Dec 12 - 12:41 PM I remember a photo I snaooed once: taped it to my desk w/ the note: clean spot on mary ann's desk; and the date |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 07 Dec 12 - 01:14 AM Kind of beating up on yourself with that photo you describe! Tomorrow is the largest meeting of the year of a group that meets in our library. It'll be a busy hectic day but hopefully when it is over I can enjoy the weekend - and that includes a trip to the airport to pick up my son. :) The house is a shambles. I'll have to do something about that. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 07 Dec 12 - 09:10 AM My primary theory of housekeeping is that if you have a lot of really interesting stuff, nobody notices the house is a freaking mess. Worked the other day. Last year Community Action weatherized our house. We got a new furnace, a few windows, the cellar was insulated and the whole place was sealed and tightened. That was over a year ago. All of a sudden somebody figured the inspector for the town should take a look at the cellar insulation. (And it's a good thing, I guess, I've been doing some major decluttering in the cellar.) So the guy shows up right on time, Tom invites him in and he immediately glommed on to the vintage globe in a wooden cradle in the entry passage (which is more like an L off the main living area). The globe is circa 1940s -- India before Partition, etc. Then he spotted the 16th century bill hook and the boar spear and a few other polearms and spears we have kicking around. (The 16th c. main gauche that we used to cut our wedding cake hangs on a post right around the corner from a 13th century poignard.) And he went down cellar and pronounced it good. (Which it is.) Came upstairs for a bit more conversation about Life...the Universe...Everything...with Tom and was gone in about 15 minutes. The rest of my theory on housekeeping can be summed up in one word -- tarps. Today I have to try to accomplish what didn't get done yesterday (step two in making the bedroom floor safe for Tom) -- consolidating (and finding storage space for) the boxes of Christmas stuff. And portable display for some vintage jewelry I'll be taking along to The Press Room to sell. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: GUEST Date: 07 Dec 12 - 02:16 PM 291. This is W-Y-S-I-W-Y-G |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 08 Dec 12 - 02:15 PM I picked up Susie this morning and we drove down to a nut vending company (called Nut Vending, of all things!) to get materials for her gingerbread houses. I picked up a few things for the house and gifts. My house hasn't gotten any neater in the last few days. I need to apply myself to cleaning the house this evening. I won't be distracted by my favorite PBS programs because we're in a pledge period. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 08 Dec 12 - 03:06 PM As we reach towards the shortest day, THIS LR NEEDS MORE LIGHT! No sun today so it has been DARK ALL DAY. I bought some more plants yesterday but I can barely see them. I wanted to buy an LED rope yesterday but they are all made in China. Right now, I am going to the Sally Ann to see what they have in lights. |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: MAG Date: 09 Dec 12 - 06:31 AM took me all morning to get my kitchen clean and organized to the point where I could make a somewhat elaborate dish for a potluck -- another one on Sunday needing the same dishes, so I HAVE to do them first thing. small but very well laid out kitchen -- after 20 yrs w/ a galley kitchen, it's bliss. made it to the gym once this past week; shoulders hurt like hell and I didn't even do anything shoulder heavy. sigh. a couple more pounds off -- but,after that potluck, who can say?? |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 Dec 12 - 11:05 AM I sometimes forget who is who, even though I see the names regularly. I think I have notes - MAG are you still in the same town in the same state as a few years ago when I sent you a t-shirt? And are you on facebook? (I probably ask that every few months - sorry!) Paperwork today, but I do need to pull out some lights and set up one tree in the front yard as my token contribution to neighborhood lights. It's supposed to get cold overnight, so I also need to set up the heater in the greenhouse. The system I use is to have a plug with an internal switch that only opens the circuit if the temperature gets below 40 degrees. (These are made primarily for well houses to keep the well from freezing, but are also good for greenhouses.) I have an oil radiator out there that will be plugged into that sensor plug and will keep the seedlings and basil warm enough to thrive on the few cold days we have this winter. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 Dec 12 - 05:39 PM A friend called and it looks like the big holiday get-together of our families is at my house this year. Great motivation for clearing up around here! Winter is arriving this evening, according to the weather folks. I walked the dogs (two walks - I've decided that they all way better if I take the catahoula on her own and the other two together. The catahoula pulls because she's always in competition with the other dogs, but one-on-one with a person she's perfect.) I may walk one morning, the other two evening, etc, to spread it out - and it's good for me to get the extra exercise. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 09 Dec 12 - 09:13 PM SRS! that plug sounds magical! I'll have to ask R about one for the studio. That would be fantastic. We may get snow tonight. Snow tires are not mandatory until 15 December which is pretty silly as we often have snow before then. I did mine two weeks ago or so, just to be safe. Never got those Christmas decorations made. Today was last craft show I'm doing this year. Sold enough to be worthwhile and it was a rather fun day. Drove down to the country from Montreal; after the show I stopped by the cabin to put out food for the animals, check the temp in the studio, drop off stuff that belongs there. Back to city and had a nice supper with R. Crisis is gradually getting resolved He worked all weekend and hopes to be finished moving stuff by end of week. Then the legal issues .... could take months or years.... A trip away would be nice, she says wistfully. I got some very cheap lights and three, not as cheap, grow light bulbs, for the plants. A great improvement!! And a nice cushion for this wooden platform rocker - also an improvement! Need to focus on making new glazes and small test pots and planning instead of just playing around. Today someone wanted a sugar bowl to match... Someone else broke the lid to the butter dish they bought in the summer... I need to be more meticulous about sizing things so lids and bottoms fit interchangeably. Currently have a number of bottoms and a whole bunch of tops, for butter dishes! Some day I hope I get some to fit each other! So, tomorrow is the day I -again - hope to have the energy to make more pots. After I make more chili - after I go to the store for more onions and bell peppers! If it snows, I will do without the latter. I do not clutter my life with trying to deal with driving in snow if it is not essential. Too many people out there who don't know how. It just occurred to me that one of those hospital tables - adjustable height that fit over a bed - would be useful so I could work on computer or read while using the exer-cycle. Watching TV is not enough because I currently read during commercials and/or use the computer throughout most of the programming. |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 Dec 12 - 10:23 PM Dorothy, I agree, they are a very clever idea. I have one for the garage and one for the greenhouse. Here are the two I picked up to try out: Farm INnovators Thermo Cube Thermostatically Controlled Outlet Easy Heat EH-38 Freeze Thermostatically Controlled Valve and Pipe Heating System. They have a whole bunch of related products, I just got the plug. Since I have a lot to do before the holiday I figured I'd better start out by taming the kitchen. I scrubbed the corner of the counter where my compost bowl sits (got the bits off the back splash) and cleared out things in the fridge that are too old. It's all in the compost with the usual upper layer of dog droppings policed from the back yard. Once the kitchen is looking good I'll just force myself to keep it that way and work my way into the rest of the house. Since the sink is clear, for example, I can now take the various pieces of crystal off of the mantle and wash each before putting them back in the china cupboard. I'll figure out what I want the holiday decor to look like once it is completely clear. And then there are all of the cardboard boxes in the sun room . . . lots to do around here, but with the pressure on, that makes it easier to get motivated. Got two dog walks today and I'm back to larger meals in the morning and midday, small in the evening. Despite a season filled with calories, now that I can't eat chocolate I may actually be able to lose some weight this season. That is definitely a mixed blessing! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 10 Dec 12 - 09:16 AM I'm not sure I did anything constructive yesterday except strip a chicken carcass and prep to make stock today. Oh, I did file a couple things in the morning and make a lovely breakfast for Tom. Then I ran away from home for a couple hours. Went to the Nottingham Winter Farmers' Market where some friends were playing and did a couple songs with them. Then I went to a new Irish pub in Dover where a couple other friends have just started a "session" -- sort of an odd session. More like they are the featured musicians, a couple "regular" instrumentalists on the stage, microphones and all for the singers. I was "called up" several times to sing and then the featured performers (with whom I've sung for years) instead of joining me on choruses and accompaniment (which they knew and which they'd promised to do) wandered over to the bar to, I think, eat. Just...odd. Not what I think of as a session. Definitely not like the Press Room sessions. It was also very strange for me to be performing without Tom. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 10 Dec 12 - 10:14 AM Even if it was different I hope a good therapeutic day nonetheless, Linn! The kitchen was a lovely sight this morning, and out the window I was greeted by a little extra white. It froze last night and there were a few flurries to leave a little snow on leaves and surfaces above ground level. I roasted the last three big eggplants and mashed and froze them. Lots of baba ghannouj this winter and next spring! I cut up some green bell peppers and thought a couple of the red ones were red bells, but they were something hot and my fingers smarted for a while because I wasn't wearing gloves when I cut them. I didn't get all of the peppers cut before some started to mold (darn! I hate it when that happens!) so there is more to go in the compost today. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 10 Dec 12 - 02:06 PM Feeling a bit stretched already today... Thanks to the weather (overcast, drippy), I actually slept until 7:45 this morning. Got up and did early morning stuff -- get Tom his coffee, email, contests, check here and Facebook... Took a cup of tea upstairs to read my way into the day (and probably pet a cat or two). Body wanted to stay put but my brain was all over the place, so started putting ephemera already page protected and sorted by year into my binders. And pulled everything out of the cubby in the bathroom (piled the plastic drawers temporarily onto the shower stool in the tub) and checked the cold water shutoff -- it's still frozen. Sprayed more WD-40 on it. Shutting off the water to the house is the option for when a friend can fix the drizzle in the tub faucet.) By then it was going on noon and I figured I'd better actually get dressed and do some of the stuff on my list. Retrieved from the deck the shelf braces that a friend cut and dropped off for me yesterday while I was out. As soon as I get them installed, I can get all the multiple piles of books in the bedroom off the floor and reshelved. (Which will give me enough maneuvering space on the floor to find places for the rest of the clutter and make the bedroom safe for Tom to walk into.) Meanwhile I got a chicken carcass, a bunch of veggies, etc. into a pot and started brewing stock (for the freezer), troubleshooted a website vs. computer problem for a friend, made lunch, got the dishes out of the dishwasher and more put in, got a few more Christmas cards ready to mail, and shooed the cat (Rufus, who else) off the windowsill (where there is absolutely NO room for him at all) about 37 times, put some stuff away...I dunno. Feel as if I've done more. Oh, getting the seeds out of two pomegranates without getting juice on the table, anything ON the table or me. Yes, I took my St. John's wort... Now to call my friend and tell him it's his computer, not the website (and find out if, perhaps, it might be better to visit his wife tomorrow when I'm not quite as...whatever it is I'm feeling). Oh, it's only two o'clock... Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 10 Dec 12 - 07:15 PM Glorious batch of chicken stock in the freezer in 2-cup bags. The rest is strained and in the fridge -- I'll deal with it tomorrow (including freezing it as cubes). Got errands done this afternoon and came home and actually was able to goof off for about an hour (reading). Came downstairs and reheated yesterday's fried rice for supper (after adding some more water chestnuts). Did some piddly computer "housekeeping" and I think now it's time for cake... G'night! Was a pretty productive day even if I didn't get the books reshelved in the bedroom bookcase. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 10 Dec 12 - 08:39 PM THANK YOU, SRS! I will take a good look, with R, to see if I can triage stuff or just have to keep the whole space above freezing. R uses heat wires in a building, just on water pipes but no gadget to turn them off when not needed. These look very useful. Huge batch of veggie chili made and now need to make space in freezer and frig! Rearranged some of the K today for more counter space. Roasted some sunflower seeds for healthier snacking. Washed bed clothes; will put them back on shortly. Bottom sheet was dead so will make non-paper towels out of it. Handy for small clean ups and washable; saves on paper towels. Snow/rain/mess today. Better part of valor - stay home! Again frivoled too much of the afternoon on the internet - pottery, animal concerns and a bit of other. |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 Dec 12 - 10:41 AM Yesterday I plugged in the yellow Easy Heat cube. Last night I looked out the back door and through the greenhouse window could see the glow of the cube letting me know the heater was on. Just the way it's supposed to work. It got down to the teens last night. What a turnaround - we were in the 80s last week. I haven't set up the garage heater yet so the dogs stayed in. (They love it - but they are outside dogs and a generally acclimated to the weather.) SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: MAG Date: 11 Dec 12 - 04:43 PM sitting here feeling grumpy 'cause I'm waiting on the Maytag repairman. machine has never performed as advertised, and I finally got someone to concede I'm right, and then went through another menu to get a repairman out, blocking out the entire afternoon. Now there will be another fight if they do not want to honor the 10 year warranty on parts. and hoping the repairman will document that a part has never worked. grr. have a sugar hangover since Sunday; a reminder I really can't eat the stuff for so many reasons. at least I'm getting more indoor chores done. MA |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 11 Dec 12 - 07:13 PM Last year, thanks to a very generous friend, we were able to replace the dishwasher that died about eight years ago or so (maybe longer -- it was before the year where the refrigerator died in February, the clothes washer in April, the hot water heater in July and then we had to put a new roof on the house in December). We bought the least expensive Kenmore from Sears. According to Consumer Reports, it was better in every way than the more expensive machines by other manufacturers (and, for the money, better than the more expensive Kenmores). And we have been exceptionally pleased with it right from the get-go. Energy efficient, cleans exceptionally well, is designed well, and I just can't believe how QUIET it is. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: katlaughing Date: 11 Dec 12 - 08:17 PM We just found out our new hot water heater has been saving us about $40 per month on utility bills! |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 12 Dec 12 - 08:50 AM Each appliance has made a major contribution towards cutting the electric bill. And switching to compact fluorescents from incandescent bulbs has also made a noticeable difference. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: LilyFestre Date: 12 Dec 12 - 10:52 AM I've been working in our kitchen quite a bit. It seems that it never really left CANNING mode from this summer. I put away extra tables that initially had been set up to hold all the jars of food while they cooled and then turned into the I'll put that away later table. It sure is good to have that all picked up and put away! Today I am making a turkey...we stocked up a little bit while they were on sale so that we could have turkey once a month or so. :) We never stuff our turkey so it's really not too much extra work and we get SO many meals out of it.....and bonus, I can make my turkey soup!!! YAY. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 Dec 12 - 03:08 PM Got an important package in the mail today. Decluttered something from my "to do" list. Out in the greenhouse I'd forgotten to put the pieces of plywood over the vent holes so my big basil in the pot froze, but there are lots of seedlings in that same that are still happy in the pot. Now the boards are in place and the plug is set up (I put the two-outlet plug in the greenhouse and I plugged the heater and the string of overhead LED lights, so I can see the lights on in the evening when the heat is on. It's very pretty!) This afternoon I'll figure out how I want to set up heat for the dogs. They spent that last couple of nights inside, but this isn't how we'll do it all of the time, it was kind of an "occasion," with our first really hard freezes. It's sunny and warm this afternoon. Typical Texas. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 Dec 12 - 09:31 AM The dog heater is set up on the heat sensor in the garage, so this winter I don't need to worry about the heater being on when the day warms up or nights when it isn't needed. Clearing paper lately - must spend the evening filing and/or shredding. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 13 Dec 12 - 12:33 PM It doesn't LOOK like I did anything, but I got some papers (already in page protectors or, if not, put them in) sorted into years in the file box. They all came out of the same box, so it doesn't clear another pile on the floor or anything, but, trust me, it was major. Some of the information uncovered I can now use to update yearly files stored here in the computer. And most of THOSE pieces of paper can then be thrown away. Gave Tom a sponge bath, made lunch, trimmed and cleaned his hair, and trimmed his beard. Now I've got about a half hour to update some historical files here at the computer before I have to take Tom to Portsmouth to have his defibrillator read. While in Portsmouth, there are three "fancy" grocery stores where I can check for Knorr's or McCormick's Hunter Sauce mix (for Christmas dinner) and Medaglia d'Oro instant espresso (Christmas present to ourselves -- not so much to drink as to use in stuff). Oh, and decent canned or frozen stir fry veggie mix. I HATE LaChoy's... Then, alas, I can clean up the kitchen and start loading the dishwasher. I just got it unloaded this morning. Never done... Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: LilyFestre Date: 13 Dec 12 - 01:43 PM Interesting how our interiors and exteriors of both homes and persons can change but the initial core sense of being remains the same. For some this is beneficial...for others, not so much. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 13 Dec 12 - 05:01 PM Well...I actually found frozen "stir fry vegetables"...alas, they didn't include water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, mini corn, or anything else that one would expect in Chinese stir-fry vegetables. The only vegetables included were those I normally have on hand frozen or prefer to buy fresh. And NONE of the fancy grocery stores had any canned oriental products other than LaChoy. Sigh. I DID get the Medaglia d'Oro instant espresso. And one of the stores even had an optional brand. No hunter's sauce or sauce chasseur or demi-glace (even the expensive concentrated "gourmet" brands). And, while a couple had a reasonable decent selection of Knorr products, none had the bouillabaise base, either. Oh, well. I got the instant espresso. We'll make the hunter sauce -- got plenty of my really rich chicken stock in the freezer to use as a base. But, boy, am I glad to be home! Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: wysiwyg Date: 13 Dec 12 - 05:58 PM A current OT/discharge goal is standing time in the shower-- at least 15 minutes without sitting. Yesterday's top: 3 minutes Today's: 4 minutes ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 Dec 12 - 03:35 PM Dress code being formulated at work. I have been upgrading slowly (have discussed it before) but now it is official - soon there will be a list of what we should and shouldn't wear, so I'll go ahead and finish filling in a wardrobe with enough "casual academic" garments to fill the bill. It probably also means I'll get rid of a lot of stuff. I've been meaning to anyway, and the closet will look better. I have been moving sweaters to a new hanging storage system but haven't addressed some things yet that need to be moved or moved out. Looking forward to a more usable closet! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 Dec 12 - 11:35 PM Tons to do this weekend. No point in listing it all, but I'll report if I manage any large hurdles in the clutter around the house. I've filed papers this evening and cleared the kitchen table. Tossed a bunch of moldy peppers into the compost. :-( Didn't have time to cut them up. We had rain today, after several dry weeks. It was very welcome, and there is still a chance for tomorrow, so plans will vary according to the weather. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 15 Dec 12 - 10:58 AM Towels and sheets changed out, laundry in, shopping list in hand, headed out the door. At least I don't have as much laundry as Liz, who has to wash some blood out (see facebook - all is well now, except he has a headache). It rained yesterday and again overnight - so very welcome! Now, how to drive to a place that is on a busy street and NOT go past the mall. Shopping out of the way, some of it of the gift sort, some of it for the renovated work wardrobe, including shoes. Back at home I threw out two pairs of shoes that are worn out and will donate a couple of others that I never wear. Thrift store had some lovely slacks that will add variety. I tend to always buy black. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 15 Dec 12 - 08:13 PM Pushing this back up to the top. I walked the dogs in two separate batches this evening so I am well-exercised. More laundry done, I had a small dinner, and this evening I need to start clearing out the living room clutter. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: ranger1 Date: 15 Dec 12 - 08:40 PM Culled about a quarter of my books for the move. That was painful. New futon delivered to my new space today. Double bed frame will be going into storage, as the cottage is too small for it. Antique bedroom set in storage out of state given to my sister, so I can stop renting the unit there and maybe rent a smaller one closer to home. I must say,moving is an excellent way to declutter! |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: MAG Date: 16 Dec 12 - 01:57 AM still sugar hangover from last weekend -- and I know better -- tell me to be good tomorrow losing pounds but not inches |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: MAG Date: 16 Dec 12 - 03:54 PM Made gingerbread cookies for today's potluck -- feels good to get out those cutters; haven't used them for 20 years |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 16 Dec 12 - 05:06 PM Took my ex to the airport this morning and that put me on the side of town for the clearance center for a nice department store so I stopped in - my goal was a couple of good blouses, which I found. Also found a gorgeous light cotton and linen Ralph Lauren unlined jacket, from $189 down to $20. It's a season back, but the price is that low because the little packet of extra buttons is missing. I imagine that with the difference if I lose a button I could afford to buy new buttons and replace them all if I can't match one. I'm going to set up the "work clothes" part of the closet with everything hanging there to choose from, no more of this poking through the knit tops - I'm going to make sure it all goes together and put it together and choose from what is there. That is the plan, at any rate. Some of the pants from the thrift store are in great condition, but the legs are too wide. I'm going to take out the hems and reshape a couple of pair. Since Moonglow is a great seamstress now with her theater costume design work, I'll run the idea past her, see if she has any tips. Isn't it nice when the kids start being the expert in things? ;-) I have a bag for t-shirts that are going back to the thrift store circuit. Only a few in it now, but I need to be ruthless and weed out a bunch more. The kitchen is starting to look good, but the afternoon is so nice right now that clearing up can wait - I need to take those dogs for a great walk. There's nothing like the dressing room mirror to inspire more exercise! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: wysiwyg Date: 16 Dec 12 - 06:00 PM One parking lot ydy and back. One tdy and back by a longer route (paved). With walker as a portable chair (not support). ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 16 Dec 12 - 08:36 PM Almost to the end of the physical move part of R's crisis, we went to the wonderful concert in Huntingdon this afternoon, then came to the cabin due to freezing rain - a great excuse not to go back to the city. Now I hear him snoring in the bathtub! Guess I better go move the clutter from the bathtub to the bed! |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: LilyFestre Date: 16 Dec 12 - 11:00 PM Three loads of laundry washed and hung, dishes done, turkey carcass picked over and soup made, fun ride on the Christmas train with Pete and Jeremiah. It's been a lovely day! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 16 Dec 12 - 11:07 PM What an image - snoring in the tub! I've nodded off in the hot water, but if you wake when it cools, that's no fun. The mantel is cleared of all of the crystal, is dusted, and now is ready for this year's holiday decorations. I've been so slow to get to this in place, but I have that dresser-to-buffet project going in there near the door (next to the fireplace) blocking access. I've packed up some of the saws and clamps and such and am a little closer to finishing. After the last post I took the dogs for walks - first one dog and then the other two. I get better results because the first dog pulls and is in competition with the others and I've gotten tired of it. One-on-one she walks the way she is supposed to. I walked dogs for almost an hour this evening. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: LilyFestre Date: 17 Dec 12 - 07:48 PM I made 5 gallons of turkey vegetable rice soup today, a pork roast in the crock pot with veggies and I made my first attempt at a Red Velvet cake for my husband's birthday. It turned out great with some minor glitches. All the dishes are done and son I am off to clean off the table so it's all pretty for dinner when he gets in on this very rainy, muddy, icky night. I'll be glad when he's home. Michelle PS. I did some grocery shopping today too...ran into a friend who asked Jeremiah about his train ride with Santa. He wrinkled his nose and announced he didn't like Santa. We talked about how Santa gave him a little gift (a bell to hang on the Christmas tree) and he was all smiles. My friend said, "So he's not so bad after all?" Jeremiah thought for a minute and said, "He's a good man!" LOL He cracks me up. I hear so much of US in him!!! |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 17 Dec 12 - 09:40 PM Hindsight may render Santa a bit more tolerable. :) I've picked up stuff around the house this evening, but it's time to finish up, do some ironing, then get to sleep early. If I want any time left at the end of the day in daylight I need to get started early. I have an eBay item to list if I get a chance this evening. Getting back to that routine will help my pocketbook! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 Dec 12 - 05:38 PM One big thing off my desk today. Another tomorrow. Scads to do at home. And it is only 7 days till xmas? Where DID the year go . . . SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 19 Dec 12 - 11:59 AM Interesting program on Diane Rehm's second hour today. About shopping addiction. I don't think the de-clutter we're talking about has to do with shopping, it has to do with accumulation of useful stuff or inheritance and the slow deaccession of the collections we find ourselves with. Aspects of what they discuss may apply to the cluttered home. Diane Rehm show Dec. 19, 2012 second hour. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 19 Dec 12 - 02:48 PM Figured I'd HAVE to take a trunk-load of scrap to Harding Metals this morning or I'd have no room for a Christmas tree in the back of the car, which we really wanted to get today. But first I had to investigate and identify the water shutoffs in the cellar in anticipation of having a friend fix the leak in the bathtub faucet tomorrow. EVERYTHING involves more and takes longer than you think it will. After bushwhacking to the main water shut off for the house and clearing out the stuff in front of it (that's where the other clamp light was!) and moving around a bunch of other cellar stuff AND finding another length of copper tubing to sell, I came upstairs exhausted, out of breath, sweating and explained to Tom that all I had energy left for was drawing a diagram of the plumbing & shutoffs around the water heater (that seems to be the hub) and cleaning the bathroom. Tom looked as if I'd just shot his dog (if he had a dog)...he'd really been looking forward to getting out of the house today. So... we went out. The scrap metal is GONE and converted into 33 bucks. Traded 16 of those bucks for a Christmas tree. Yeah. I feel pretty good that there's two more things to cross off my list. The tarps which had covered the metal are now folded and in the boot of my car. Lunch was made and consumed. Laundry is in. Dishwasher almost totally loaded. I think I'll take a couple pictures of the Rube Goldberg plumbing arrangement and maybe Tom can see it on the computer screen and remember exactly what he did when he was plumbing it... I may bring a few more things up from the cellar to take up to the (diminishing) FREE pile at the head of the driveway. It's spitting rain. (At least it's not snowing -- all of Sunday and Monday's snow is gone except for a few dirty remnants.) Gotta go do stuff or my body's gonna seize up. I can feel the aches already from this morning's exertions. Oh, besides the cellar stuff, I cleared out the stuff in the bathroom cubby (in front of the frozen cold water shutoff) and stored it temporarily in the guestroom. Mostly I've spent the day getting into weird positions and moving stuff. Who needs to pay a gym membership to workout? Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 19 Dec 12 - 04:34 PM "stored it temporarily in the guest room" is to put your foot on a very slippery slope, Linn. I hope you know that! Second major event this week out of the way. Now several minor things coming up. The house hasn't changed a lot in the last couple of days. On the way home today I must purchase the turkey, and get some dog food (different transactions and uses, obviously!) and prepare to race against the clock over the weekend. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 19 Dec 12 - 06:21 PM Fact of the matter is, there's no available space anywhere else to put them -- but they not only definitely belong in the bathroom, but, once the leaky faucet is taken care of, they can go right back in the cubby where they belong. I actually made some minor headway in the guest room this morning. It hasn't actually had space for a guest (unless they don't mind sleeping standing up) for quite some time. Now that I've actually LOOKED at the plumbing in the cellar and where the shutoffs are, and how it's mapped out...I can't believe Tom actually put it together like that. It's like computer spaghetti code -- it was probably fine originally, but each repair cobbled in or add-on (or removal!) makes it look like a Rube Goldberg contraption. I made some, ummm, "humorous" comments about it which Tom took the wrong way and got depressed, thinking that this (still unfinished after close to 40 years) home sweet home of ours will probably end up as a tear down. (Which will be a lot of fun because it's a pretty damned solid post-and-beam.) I wasn't involved in the building of it and there are things I would have done decidedly different had I been involved. But building the house together is probably what split up Tom's first marriage (his ex-wife did all the cabinetry, by the way, and it is beautifully done). And if they hadn't split up, then where would I be? Winter comfort food (mostly leftovers) for supper tonight -- beef tips in a savory gravy, oven roasted carrots, mashed potatoes and reheated celery root. Tom will probably want to split a beer, but I think I prefer wine. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 19 Dec 12 - 09:03 PM Leftovers here as well, and an early night. I'll get up early and tackle the dishes in the kitchen. I'm trying to take Friday off - there is shopping I'd like to do before the weekend rush. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: ranger1 Date: 19 Dec 12 - 09:22 PM Feeling discouraged that the move is taking longer than expected. Good news is that I have two open boxes of books slated to go to the FCS thrift store and I keep adding to them rather than taking any out. I've also thrown out, recycled, donated, or given away a bunch of the clutter that has been taking up space in the kitchen for several years. Bathroom is next, closet shelves are done, just the shelves next to the sink left. Living room and bedroom are another story, though. This is the first time in over four years that I've missed my truck... |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 19 Dec 12 - 11:47 PM If it takes a little more time to do it right, then you'll probably feel better when you finish. The wind has picked up. It was quite warm today but overnight a cold front is due to arrive. This must be the leading edge. I suspect there will be some picking up around the yard in the morning. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 20 Dec 12 - 08:08 AM Our problem is that Tom and I have NOT moved in 33 years. Tom had been living elsewhere for a year or so before we moved in here together. I, too, had jus (several years before) dissolved a marriage, so my belongings were fairly compact. (And most of my books were in storage.) Stuff expands to fit the space available and Tom's too much of a Yankee to throw away things that might prove useful in the future. "Waste not, want not." And he tells me, despite my Midwestern origins, that I was born a Yankee. So now it's crisis level. Fortunately I've thrown off the chains of wage slavery and have SOME time left around caring for him, but he can no longer help with almost anything. And EVERYTHING needs doing...cleaning...sorting...culling... It would be nice to have the luxury of just picking one room and working on it until it's done. Then I could SEE the progress. But life doesn't work that way. I KNOW I've accomplished a lot since June (outside as well), but I can't really look at one spot and say, "Wow. That's done. And doesn't it look great!" Gotta get away from here and spiffify the bathroom before a friend arrives at 10, bring up the tree stand, make sure the upstairs water shutoff actually works... I'll keep you posted... Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 20 Dec 12 - 11:51 AM Well, tried the shutoff I thought would work, but it wouldn't turn so I couldn't even check it. Said to hell with it, shut the water heater off and shut off the main valve to the house. In between I also managed to schlep the ladder up and down the stairs and schlep some lawn chairs and camp stools up to put in the FREE pile (and got them up to the head of the driveway). Bagged some more cellar trash to go out next Wednesday and identified some other boxes o' crap that need to be hauled out of the cellar. I AM seeing progress down there. Found some more copper and brass for a future trip to Harding. The next thing I need to do in the cellar is pull nails from all the shelves from the built-in that the guys took out last year when they insulated the cellar. I'm not going to nail them back in, but just getting them in place will GREATLY help in sorting out tools and fasteners, etc. -- what to keep, what to sell, what to give away, and what goes into the metal bucket for Harding. My repair guy hasn't arrived yet (but we've communicated several times this morning), but I'm physically exhausted. I think I hear his car... Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 20 Dec 12 - 02:10 PM Leak in bathtub faucets fixed. New handheld shower unit installed. (Tom started that project several years ago -- I think he was having vision problems at the time but was not telling me about it and probably denying to himself that there was a problem.) I'm exhausted. Think I'll watch the other DVD my sister sent so I can return it and get a small package out to her ASAP. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 20 Dec 12 - 06:59 PM May I scream? Please? My friend fixed the bathtub faucet. I turned the water back on. Water in the bathtub, faucet and shower, worked fine. No drip. Let me repeat that: no drip. Later, I turned on the faucet in the bathroom sink -- almost no pressure. So I tried the bathroom faucets again -- and they worked fine. Maybe even more pressure than before. But when I turned them off, guess what -- the leak is back. And when I dumped the water in a pan in the sink, it was a very slow drain. This is not necessarily surprising as it happens every so often. I dug around in the drain with the end of a coathanger and grabbed a really disgusting glob of...whatever it was. I tossed the stopper (which was also covered with slime) in a thingy of bleach. I need to take a shower after supper and wash my hair. Let's see what happens before I email my friend. Arghhhh! Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 21 Dec 12 - 12:37 AM Linn, unfortunately your plumbing projects are a demonstration in how all of these problems are related and have a domino effect when you start working on one of them. It's cold again tonight - the LED lights are on in the greenhouse, meaning it is below 45 out there, so the heater turned on. Now it will warm until 55 then turn off until 45 again - lights on and off all night. Same in the garage, but there are no dogs in there tonight. I brought them in (to their utter delight!) Work tomorrow, then a long break. Time will fly. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 21 Dec 12 - 06:49 AM Had to get up early this morning because Tom has an early doctor's appointment. Came downstairs in the dark with a flashlight. Woke Tom up, turned on the radio, turned the heat up and started turning on lights. The switch on the wall next to the table was wet... Grabbed a different flashlight, went down the cellar stairs and turned off the main water line. Arghhh! Not a great way to start the day. (Coffee isn't made yet.) Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 21 Dec 12 - 08:30 AM And I didn't mention I woke up at 4 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep. Sigh. After such I start, I can only hope the day improves. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 21 Dec 12 - 10:44 AM The switch on the wall was wet? What kind of plumbing takes water over to that area? After I moved in and did work on the house I had a leak problem under my kitchen sink, to the point that the MDF in the bottom of the under-sink cabinet swelled and buckled and got moldy. I finally broke it up and pulled it out and had nothing under there. When I finally called a plumber he looked at the odd mix of pre-cut PVC that was stuck together to drain from the sink to the wall - "the carpenter put it in" (when the sink was put in the new countertop). He understood enough and went to work, removing the various twists and turns and leaving with a tidy descending line with the trap bend and nothing more. It was later when an English professor friend was visiting that I had help to put a new piece of MDF under the sink. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 21 Dec 12 - 12:34 PM The light switch is in the room below the bathroom...and directly underneath the bathtub plumbing in the wall above. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 21 Dec 12 - 05:48 PM So the leak was aggravated, not fixed. Do you know what the repair consisted of? I did a little shopping this afternoon, turkey brine (my daughter talked me into it) and cream for making some lefse. I still need olives and pimentos for Monday's empanadillas, so need to make one more run (possibly early tomorrow to beat crowds). I wish the air wasn't so dry, my sinuses are very unhappy with the state of things right now. I'm going to put a kettle on to add moisture to the house. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 22 Dec 12 - 08:59 AM He's coming over in about an hour. Probably (according to Tom who would have repaired it himself, but he just can't SEE anymore) everything just needs tightening. The leak inside the wall is probably not from the faucet, but because Jeff replaced the shower flange and installed the new(er) handheld shower that I got at a yardsale. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 22 Dec 12 - 10:32 AM Tom and I just had a discussion of semantics. He pointed out that the bathroom faucet was a DRIP and the water downstairs from it was a LEAK. I do strive to be more or less precise... It (they) may or may not be fixed right now. So far, so good. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 22 Dec 12 - 11:40 AM Susie walked down for a visit this morning so we had a cuppa tea and I sent her home with a box of Celestial Seasoning's Throat Soother tea. I think the dry air here is making sinuses sore and contributing to sore throats. Tons to do today. The turkey is in a sink full of cold water and after a while I'll put it in the fridge to finish thawing until I get ready to brine it on Monday night. I forgot I have a small fridge, I don't need the cooler. I'll have to turn the turkey in the plastic tub that fits in the fridge so I get the brine evenly soaked in top and bottom. Now where did I put that can of primer? I need to finish that cabinet. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Claire M Date: 22 Dec 12 - 02:29 PM Hiya, Finally got internet in new place, been waiting for ages. Been on various trips, actually saw Maddy Prior in 2nd week of move. The concert was in a couple of days & the staff didn't really know me/my needs. I don't know many places that would do that. I told her about said move & she seemed pleased – now have framed photo of her & I on my wall. Slowly getting used to living with, & socialising with, so many (21 now) other people but when you've had one conversation with them you've said all there is to say. Mum & Dad are at a bit of a loose end but they brought Merlin [dog] who thought everyone wanted to be jumped on Looking forward to Steeleye – you wait ages for 1 gig & 3 come at once. Can't afford all 3 because I'd have to pay for carer's ticket too. |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 22 Dec 12 - 05:46 PM Over in the MOAB (Mother of All BS) thread Eiseley commented that she just came in from touring Don Aslett's Museum of Clean. For declutterers the man is a god! Lucky Kathryn. :) I found the primer. I've measured the last board. Now I have to find my safety goggles and get started cutting. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: GUEST Date: 22 Dec 12 - 10:02 PM Kitchen is now packed up and moved to the cottage. Tomorrow AM I will finish the bathroom and hopefully the living room. The bedroom is a work in progress, hopefully I can spend a solid chunk of time on it next week. The biggest problem is all the piles of paper. I think maybe I'll take one box at a time and sort and file, recycle, or shred as needed. I have an as of yet unused file cabinet fo just that purpose. |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 23 Dec 12 - 02:01 AM That was Ranger1. I'm close to finishing the doors on the cabinet, but I need to pick up a planer or a mill file tomorrow and to rasp it down enough so they will hang properly with the hinges. It's too close to perfect to use the big saw on it. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: ranger1 Date: 23 Dec 12 - 10:23 AM Thanks, Maggie. The hour was late and I was exhausted. I bought myself a Christmas present on Thursday: a smallish hardwood kitchen table and a pine bookcase. The bookcase looks nice in the cottage, but I've already filled it... A second culling of my books is in my future. Sigh. |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 23 Dec 12 - 05:21 PM Picked up a hand plane today and will test it on a spare piece of plywood before I try shaving 1/16 off each door. I'm that close. Kitchen is a mess. Baking cookies tonight once I get everything cleared out. I'll paint primer on the cabinet (won't take long) then go back and forth on cookies and cleaning. I expect to feel like I've had a real workout by bedtime. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: katlaughing Date: 23 Dec 12 - 05:39 PM i did qi gong, standing up, not in my chair, last night. Morgan was a good elf, today. He came over and wiped down the lower kichen cabinet doors, the stove, fridge, and the wall by the trash can. He also vacuumed a bit and took out a bag of trash. I did some laundry, Rog did the floors and dishes. We still have to mop. Looks like we're having Christmas at our house this yr! |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 23 Dec 12 - 08:56 PM Sounds good! Will Morgan spend time at your house over his holiday break? And does he bring the new pup - do all of the dogs enjoy each others' company? Just about finished the doors on the cabinet. The opening isn't quite square so it has been a slow job to adjust it to fit. I have one set of hinges on and got the second door adjusted. Now I'll feed the dogs then do the next hinges. Then race like the wind with the baking. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 24 Dec 12 - 12:16 PM Initial coats of primer and then first of lacquer on the cabinet. It will look elegant but plain until I find the antique brass pulls I want for it, but it will be at work by tomorrow! Now to race to bake cookies, clean house, and clear the dining room table . . . |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: LilyFestre Date: 25 Dec 12 - 02:29 AM Merry Christmas Sweet Friends!!!!! Love to All, Michelle |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 25 Dec 12 - 04:05 AM Way late, the kids just got in. All sleeping late tomorrow. Pancakes for brunch. Have a great day with your friends and loved-ones! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: wysiwyg Date: 25 Dec 12 - 10:59 AM In the first 24 hours back from the nursing home, I have begun to take back my house from the dirt and clutter only a very sick person and a lone, overworked bachelor can amass. And OMG. To deal with it, there is enough OT and PT in this house to keep the home health services (HHS) peeps working with me for the duration of SAD season. [shaking head] Will have to set some goals (SMALL ones) and develop a strategy of attack. But I know this much-- it will have to start with any areas I personally use; there are still open wounds, which means that any infection control issues need to be addressed first. And OMG, OMG, Jesus help me.... But I DID find the long long-lost electric parts for that heated lap throw sitting on the back a LR chair, in this first pass thru certain areas. And I DID find a great new place for the FreeCycle kitty tower I ejected a few weeks ago from the LR. The kittehs were found finally USING it, out in the laundry room, so I put it in a slightly-warmer spot while one slept IN it. Big Isis can resume her queenly perch on top of it once it heats up for her! :~) A new winter chore can be sweeping my ramp. Dear Allyn Contractor actually laid tar paper (it is rough-- for nonskid footing-- not sticky) on the decking surface. In snowy weather that means sweeping, not shoveling. The walk, supporting myself on the ramps handrails, will be very helpful and will net some fresh air and sunshine I badly need. More home-based OT/PT THERE. The section right outside the door runs under the big porch roof and should be easily doable.... a little later! I made my own breakfast without needing to sit down once. I expect to make our traditional Christmas brunch entree when Hardi gets home from church-- The P-Vine's Egg Gravy on toast, with cheese and what-not added. Precooked, peeled eggs courtesy of my Secret January Shopper. Merry Christmas! The 12 days of 'em start today! ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 25 Dec 12 - 12:09 PM Breakfast will begin soon, but I have to finish taking any clutter to the garage before and shower and dress. We had a cold front with noisy rain and thunder last night so every trip to the garage will be met by muddy dog feet. I'll get that out of the way before I dress for company. The house is looking better but it isn't ready. This is my last look in here for a while today. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: LilyFestre Date: 25 Dec 12 - 08:57 PM Christmas Day has been wonderful! We started here with stockings, then off to my Mom's house where we opened our presents and enjoyed lots of snacky kinds of foods. I firmly believe the holidays are meant for EVERYONE'S enjoyment and that means NO ONE should spend hours cooking a big dinner. :) This year we ordered a fruit plate from the local grocery store (which was FABULOUS), had a tray of meat and cheese and a large veggie platter. Doughnuts, chips and other things were abundant as well. I was good and truly enjoyed the fruit platter and some cheese (Cabot 75% less fat cheddar is pretty good!). :) Later I went to a local nursing home downtown and delivered a fresh fruit plate with some cheese, ring bologna and a piece of chocolate to a friend who recently had her knee replaced and is doing so rehab therapy. She was so excited and we had a nice visit. :) At our house, we decided that to give Jeremiah all his gifts at once would be nothing but overwhelming and a huge stimulation overload sooooo he only did his stocking at home today. Mom had maybe 5 presents for him (2 books, 1 sweater, a magnetic train and a car carrier). That was PLENTY. He entertained himself for hours! She has other gifts but we decided to just do a few at a time so he can really enjoy everything! Pete and I will have presents for Jeremiah for the next week or so...just a few at a time. It is working beautifully! It's been a lovely day and I am enjoying every moment of the day with my family!!! Merry Christmas! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 Dec 12 - 10:59 AM Got a lot done yesterday, there's more to do this week. The dogs got me up early today. I had to dress and take them out the side and through the garage because the back door was frozen shut. I put salt on the track and it opened after a bit, but by then I'd been up for a while and decided to stay up. Now I've had breakfast and my cuppa tea and I still need a nap. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 26 Dec 12 - 07:29 PM Tom and I shared kitchen duties yesterday. I made the stuffed oyster appetizer and Tom made the chicken with sort of a hunter sauce entrée. Didn't have to go nutzoid spiffifying the house because Jeri was our guest and she's family. (Better than family because she's not a housekeeping Nazi as my mother used to be.) I was planning on goofing off today...but the trash had to be bagged up and taken to the road for pickup, Tom had to go to Hannaford's for meds... Then I decided I might as well do some laundry and, of course, make lunch. Finally was able to take a nap. Got a couple hours...I think. (Doesn't feel like it.) Then there was other stuff to do (including turning the car around so it's facing up the driveway). Then stole an hour or so to read and have some serious one-on-one time with Sabine, my needy black lady cat who can't seem to relax. (Does that qualify as goofing off?) Then I had to make supper. Right now I drying Tom's sheets and pillowcases now so I can remake his bed and he doesn't have to stay up and listen to the radio all night... Pie. Book. Gibson or Martini...but I got cocktail onions for Christmas and we haven't had them for a loooooong time. Then, before I fall asleep myself, put Tom and the house to bed. Somehow I don't think we'll be keeping his appointment with his cardiologist tomorrow...there's snow coming in tonight, though it will probably finish with rain and mixed snow and rain tomorrow. That's the really great thing (probably the ONLY great thing) about being over 60 -- doctor's don't expect you to drive when the weather is disgusting. Maybe I'll have a snow day tomorrow and can sort some stuff that has surfaced recently (with an eye to sorting it right out of the house!). Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 Dec 12 - 08:00 PM We had enough snow and very cold weather yesterday (20o is unusual here but we've had that twice this winter already) that we lost six of our party for dinner last night. The drive from Dallas was inadvisable for three, and the other three were either sick or also had a difficult drive. Seven made it, and though I expected to have one overnight guest last night, my daughter was the one to stay, not my out-of-town friend who got into town earlier this week. Moonglow's ride had to stay at his parent's house overnight because they (and his girlfriend) insisted he stay put since he'd already been in and out of one ditch on the way there. He came over this afternoon and they drove back to school after I'd showed Moonglow how to make krumkaka, a Norwegian cookie made on a specialized griddle. For lunch we had scrumptious open faced hot turkey sandwiches. Mmmmm! Now, to the tax stuff. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: ranger1 Date: 26 Dec 12 - 08:10 PM Spent the day running around dealing with getting internet service, having car checked out (needs new rear struts, oh, joy!), and making a run in to Portland to get some more stuff. Mainly, my electronic toys. I am an unashamed TV, movie, and video game fan. If I am going to be snowed in and without a car, I will have my toys! I expect I will also putter around the cottage finding homes for things and organizing and reorganizing until I get it right. My mom is hopefully coming up this weekend to help me organize and decorate, so I'm hoping Friday's weather is decent so I can get my artwork over here for her to hang for me. Also, she's got a set of pots and pans for me. It's difficult to cook without the proper tools... |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: wysiwyg Date: 26 Dec 12 - 08:37 PM SNOWSNOWSNOW. I swept my ramp today and flew around the house putting stuff where it belongs. I found and reclaimed a small laundry basket commensurate with my current lifting limit (hernia repairs). And used it! I decluttered the meds the nursing home sent me home with and got the dosing sked worked out and laid out handy. I had all dressing supplies needed by the HHS nurse, waiting for her, so that she could use them and organize them as she wishes them to be. Hardi and I swapped a table so these supplies will sit near my blondwood desk and chair-- a blondwood tray table with a small trash basket for discarded dressing materials, below. And I made 90% of dinner. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 26 Dec 12 - 11:18 PM You're sounding more fit these days, Susan. Good work! My laptop isn't letting me log on. I changed the access password before the break and I logged off and logged on again while on campus, but not apparently with the amount of gusto the laptop requires. That means I have to do my research back and forth between the dining room table and the office computer on the collection I'm finishing this week to donate to my library. Bummer. Lots of back-and-forth, because no way I'd get the office tidy enough to bring it all in here to work on, and I'm not moving this tangle of wires and equipment into the other room. It must be me doing the back and forth. I had a big lunch today (turkey sandwich) and a small dinner (a bowl of sweet potatoes.) It's so darned cold out there is no dog walking in it, but it is supposed to clear and warm starting tomorrow. This week I have been revisiting old friends, watching VCR tapes that I never got around to copying to DVD yet. And there are lots of exercise videos, so there has been exercise. The dogs will be in tonight again (they love it!) and you should see the muddy prints on the floor from this afternoon when it thawed some. Why is the mud so particularly intense after a snowy freeze? SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 27 Dec 12 - 11:47 AM Figured out the laptop. I somehow managed to change my campus logon information with that computer yet it didn't get the memo and is still using the old password. It's okay until a couple of weeks into January so I can use it without being shut out during the holiday. I'll be working on my donation from the comfort of my dining room table today. Still very cold and slick. It doesn't take much leftover snow to make it slippery, but I think today it'll disappear. I've been so busy I didn't even bother to take photos this time. Maybe I'll snap a shot of my garlic sticking out through icy oregano. I got the devices to handshake. Windows Media Player can see the new software and I had to go into a couple of different files on the computer and the BluRay player so the computer can see the device it is supposed to share with. I have a film playing on the television in the living room that is streaming through the router, so it's working. Now to the laptop for the afternoon while programs on the computer play in the living room. When I need a break I'll wash dishes, there is a sink full. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: ranger1 Date: 27 Dec 12 - 01:43 PM Turned the bed back into a couch and did my dishes, shoveled a little bit, and played with the dog in the field behind the cottage. Giving myself permission to do nothing constructive for the rest of the day. If I end up doing anything, it will be because I want to, not feeling like I have to. I really needed some downtime, and the storm is allowing me to have that. And on a completely unrelated note, I am able to fit back into my 30x30 cargo pants (trousers to you Brits, thanks!) comfortably once again, even with a pair of long johns underneath! Amazing what stress and not eating right for a couple of months will do. Not my preferred way to lose weight, though. |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 27 Dec 12 - 01:46 PM Good job, Tami! I wish it would warm up. I watched a movie as I tested the new setup, and other than the third section switching to Spanish (great trick, I'll have to look at the file) it is a wonderful little sleeper but it is so dark and set in winter. A double whammy with all of the ice on the ground here still. I'll turn on the lights and find something tropical to watch. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 27 Dec 12 - 02:23 PM Snow. Lots of it. I really wanted a pajama day today...but...alas, I had to go out in the thick of it (that was a couple hours ago and it's still the thick of it) and clear about 8" of white stuff off my car, shovel out in front of the car, and drive my car up to the spot on the lower part of my neighbor's field to park it so, when the snow stops, my plow guy can finish the driveway. Glad I have a good, secure pointed hiking staff for walking back downhill to the house. Pajamas would have been inappropriate... Got feeling back in the fingers of my right hand fingers and Tom and I polished off the baklava a friend made for us. Right now I'm resting in between chopping vegetables for a chicken stew for supper: my homemade stock, chicken, celery root, potatoes, carrots, onions, GARLIC, mushrooms, celery, and green beans. Oh, and a generous splash of dry vermouth. Then put it in an oven dish with biscuits on top. Tom asked for soup, but I think this will be better. When everything is in the pot and simmering, THEN I can go back upstairs and do the important work of the day -- petting cats and reading. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: wysiwyg Date: 27 Dec 12 - 05:11 PM We got so much snow that it took both of us to clear the 48' ramp, but my back is happily sore from the gentle workout it got-- and it was great to be OUT in fresh AIR. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 28 Dec 12 - 11:02 AM It has been so grim here, weather-wise, I might as well be back in Seattle. This doesn't look like typical sunny Texas. The frozen slush is finally gone but the heavy overcast and drizzle are to remain until next Tuesday. The whole holiday is looking this way, and then it's back to work. Bleh. I made progress with the playbills last night, though I went out for dinner with friends. I passed on watching a movie with them so I could work some more, only to find the Internet was out when I got back. It was repaired overnight, but too late to get anything done. Tea and fruit for breakfast this morning. The cookies are bagged and in the freezer. Even though I'm not eating chocolate plenty of calories found their way into my house, and I suspect there was coconut in some scones a friend gave me. My hands are sore again (dermatitis is the reaction to food allergies.) I sent the rest of them home with my daughter along with cookies. Holiday decorating was on the light side this year so it won't take long to get it all put away. I'll do that and then get to work on the chandelier, as soon as I finish the playbills. The extra cash will be welcome - it looks like there are going to be two hits on this looming "fiscal cliff" event - the Bush-era tax cuts will expire AND the tax holiday on Social Security (part of the stimulus that was extended once) will also expire. That Social Security cut amounted to about $40 a month, the other one will be an additional $120 to $150. Thank you, GOP tea-baggers et al. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: wysiwyg Date: 28 Dec 12 - 11:50 AM My share of the 48' ramp ydy was the upper leg mostly under the porch-- about 18' of ramp. I used brooms, and a small car-sz snow shovel (slid, not lifted). For tomorrow's 1" dusting, maybe I can do it all with a push broom. Today it's endless trips to the laundry room to do the tiny loads I am allowed to carry, plus putting it all away in the closet I just sorted. Walking is an assignment and so is at least one nap. Home PT begins soon. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 28 Dec 12 - 12:35 PM Why not do multiple trips with small amounts of laundry and put it in a big load? Move small amounts from the big load to the dryer. Speaking of which, I have laundry to fold. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: wysiwyg Date: 28 Dec 12 - 06:47 PM Yeh it is sorta like that but I need NOT to accumulate large loads to begin with. Wear, wash, put away sanitized, re-wear promptly-- while infection control is a high priority. We get free water out here in our boonies. Small loads on the large-load setting = extra rinsing. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 29 Dec 12 - 01:47 PM I'm working my way through the musical theater history of the Dallas Fair Park programs as I file these playbills. The State Fair always has performances and there are other programs during the year. I've found lists of both sets of programs and combined them in my list and matching up playbills. There are only a few orphans now. I'll keep at this and take this next set over to campus by or before Monday. Some of the ornaments are down, they all need to be boxed and put away. The floor inside the back door is a pattern of dog toe finger painting, in mud on tile. I need to do some mopping and rug washing as soon as it warms up and this particularly slick mud stops being an issue. What is it about mud after a freeze that makes is spread so? SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: wysiwyg Date: 29 Dec 12 - 05:46 PM I did the whole ramp today (another big snow but fluffy), except that Hardi had to re-do the lowest section because the snow would not go thru the slats into the ground there-- therefore lifting I am not allowed to do yet was required. But I got even that part cleared enough for the HHS nurse who came. I cindered it all, as well. This is one of those nights Hardi may have to sleep at church due to road conditions; I am so grateful that HHS seems to have dropped the notion that "your husband can do these dressings, right?".... because he really cannot always be here! ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 29 Dec 12 - 06:09 PM Doesn't sound like much but I decluttered the wicker chair in the bedroom this morning. Stuff with small sewing repairs were piled on it as well as my sleeping gear. I quickly realized I hadn't a clue what all was on the chair. Threw out some nightshirts way too ratty to wear (I have trouble throwing out stuff; sigh) and found some I'd forgotten I had -- yeehah; new nighttime wardrobe. Threw out some of the sewing projects, too -- sometimes it's just not worth fixing something again. (Especially if it's wearing out somewhere else.) Fixed a tab on a dish towel and sewed a button on a favorite summer shirt, then re-sewed all the other buttons. When I go to bed I'll check the length of elastic needed to fix the white skirt and maybe try to find some red thread for the other nightgown. Now...dinner. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 30 Dec 12 - 10:00 AM I need to do that also, Linn. I moved a bunch of mending off of a chair when Moonglow was down and stayed in her room. Reminds me that my heavy robe still needs a new collar. I made progress through a second set of playbills on the dining table. I've concluded that some of them came from a Civic Music Association that is now called something else. I emailed asking if someone has a list of their old programs. I'll turn this stuff in today or tomorrow, but I'll continue some of the research until I have answers. Now to the symphony concert programs. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: wysiwyg Date: 30 Dec 12 - 01:09 PM Today's focus is continuing to straighten, organize, etc. as I come across items-- and (later) NAP. I did get a nice sunny AM in my sunny Sick Bay-- the first since coming home. And I spread cinders on the ramp in time for the HHS nurse's arrival, and unpacked a new rug for a walkoff mat inside the front door where the cinders come in. :~( I also hung a hazard flag near the icy section the cinders need to work on! SKED: I'm decluttering my schedule-- I had quite a good one at the nursing home, but with HHS it all revolves around their daily visits which seem to be either 9-ishAM or 1-3ishPM. I still require massive amounts of protein to fill in the hip wound (it's been like growing a liveborn preemie), so food and meds had to be organized first. Alarms on the cellphone are set. DRESSINGS DEPT.: I decluttered the dressing supplies and meds boxes this week, which had piled up on the two previous HHS rounds and in the Home; I learned a lot about how nurses like their "kit" organized. I modeled my "active use" kits after the nursing home nurses' preferences (and it easily passed inspection). (These are in gray plastic bins they use at the Home for washing up.) A box of open-as-needed additional supplies sits below, draped off to keep dust bunnies from attacking them. This all sits on (and under) a tray table Hardi traded me for, matching the other blondwood furniture in my mini-Sick Bay. SICK BAY: Sick Bay (I sleep and nap there till PT can get me OK for stairs) sits screened behind 3 draped clothes racks at the far end of my LR, by the sunny southern window where I spent one winter studying, studying, studying. The nurses also get their own little (washed) trash can so they can bag up used dressing material (and get it out of my corner, which I discovered nurses dearly love to do so that the pt. is not breathing rank air). SWIFFED: Katy came to klean yesterday. (Thank you MIL for that Xmas check!) She removed about a year's worth of dust from the rest of the LR, and she sanitized the loo. (Sick Bay had been cleaned and dusted before I came home, by a clergy friend and her partner.) The DR is yet to dig out-- Hardi's huge walk-in closet/dressing room, it has become. Katy will be back once and then I'll explore other funding possibilities. CLOSETS: I am working my way thru the Magic Pastorwife closet. Most of the contents so far are too big. :~) Thank you thyroid medicine. It's GOOD to have a metabolism! :~) ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 30 Dec 12 - 06:53 PM Making my way through souvenir programs from various visiting artists in the 1960s and 70s, and now into the movie souvenir booklets. Some of these are really collectible. I suppose those things that don't quite fit the theater collection I could hold onto, but I'll wait and see how far I get before I decide about it. I'm playing movies (I'll get through my NetFlix selection and into the streaming soon) and drinking tea. Need to throw in a load of laundry and clean up the kitchen sink. It has been nice with quiet time to myself, even if I have something I have to finish and didn't get to some of the recreational things I hoped to do. I'll have one day for that because I have to take these playbills to the library tomorrow. It's cold and starting to rain again. Darn. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 31 Dec 12 - 08:50 PM I delivered a box of playbills to the library this afternoon and the archivist said she figured she'd see me today. I hope to finish the rest of this collection this week and have it out of the house. I can take the deduction for the rest of it for the 2013 tax year and the archivist will have the whole thing and be able to work with it. Time for a new thread and a new year. I have to feed the dogs and clean up the kitchen, but I'll get it started later. I hope all of you have a great new year and are able to push all of the extra stuff out of the house and off the property (and maybe make a few bucks in the process!) SRS |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 31 Dec 12 - 10:57 PM Delighted to hear Susan's progress! We have been at cabin since 21 December. Resting, snowbound on 27th with 20 inches of snow! Did some shoveling of 150 foot driveway then neighbour did the rest with his magic ATV/plow. And when we got home today, he had done it thoroughly!! There had been a couple more inches and some drifting. I have spent a lot of time sitting in the car reading while R works on the saw mill property, getting the elec to the point where it can be turned on and doing other needful tasks. He has lost his license for three months - from 21 Dec - so I do a lot of chauffeuring - gathering pieces to complete tasks. So cook breakfast, eat lunch elsewhere, and generally cook supper, gathering laundry in garbage bag for transport back to city. There will be lots of laundry to do in between chauffeuring! Changed the bedclothes this eve. Need more books. Saturday eve, we rousted out a Cafe friend to join us at a restaurant for supper, then went back to her lovely home and sat in front of lovely fire in fireplace, chatting for a couple hours. A nice change. Finished Simple Living by Frank Levering and Wanda Urbanska; a chapter on de-cluttering BIG! One woman rented a dumpster and filled it! Book is mainly about simplifying their lives. Very readable. Chauffeuring is putting big crimp in my life. Just occurred to me that maybe I can bring myself to take the laptop and doing some actual writing/blogging. That would be really useful. Might de-clutter my mind of some things about which I have been "meaning to write"... As the new year will soon begin... May we each have a productive de-cluttering New Year! |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Bat Goddess Date: 01 Jan 13 - 09:30 AM Okay, it's officially January now, but I have to get this off my chest. Sometimes I think Tom goes out of his way to give me ONE MORE THING to worry about... He called me a little while ago to get the pie crust ready for the quiche he's making and to set the oven because he can't see the controls. When I got to the stove area and saw what it looked like, I told him that it really bothered me to see him leave flammable things on the stove (it's electric, by the way) -- a plastic bag with Gruyere was close to a burner and the bacon was on a folded paper towel actually ON a burner. He snapped his now standard excuse back at me -- "I can't SEE." Well, he CAN see if he's put something on the stove or on the counter next to it! So now he's mad at me for mentioning it, nagging him. Geez, even his physical and occupational therapists when they visited last May (to see if and how he could come home from rehab after the broken ankle) told him so. I'd asked them specifically to warn him (since he pays no attention to my saying it) about his bad kitchen habits (that and leaving pot handles turned outward) said, "Tom! That's Home Economics 101, for pete's sake!" I just want him to be safe! (And not burn down the house, either.) Linn |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: wysiwyg Date: 01 Jan 13 - 10:05 AM YEAH!!! ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Declutter & Exercise )()( December 2012 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 01 Jan 13 - 12:17 PM January 2013. :) |
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