Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 13 - 08:08 PM

Here is the new thread.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 13 - 10:31 AM

Exciting middle of the night doings at your house, Linn! I'm sorry that news article didn't give you a new lead as far as solving this nonsense the bureaucrats have dreamed up.

I decided to plug in the earphones today and tune out the office. I'm sitting in the middle of the public area and there are so many distractions. It's going to be a long summer!

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 31 May 13 - 09:22 AM

I wish all the shit in my life were from goats!

Stilly, that program (or at least NH's version) is what we've been working on since January. Spouses are specifically EXCLUDED from being paid as caregivers, but they didn't bother to tell us that until a few weeks ago. Also holders of Living Wills or Medical Powers of Attorney. That's the whole bureaucratic process that has wrung me through the wringer. They're still pointing fingers at each other and not giving me all the information (or even correct information). I can't seem to get any two of them to agree on ANYTHING. There may be some benefit (not financial) to the program (which we've basically qualified for), but I'm going to come out of it with PTSD.

Meanwhile, I'll be navigating on a sleep deficit today. Around 4 a.m. the cats flushed a flying squirrel. Earlier, I'd heard some squeaking, but I got back to sleep. At 4 I had a cat run across my head. Grabbed the flashlight and discovered Rufus sitting on top of the bolster pillow staring at the peak of the ceiling where, at the top of a post, was a flying squirrel. Sabine was sitting on the bed, also staring. I sat up to watch the show, since I couldn't actually DO anything. Then the wide-eyed little fur-for-brains glided down to the bed...and Sabine (in her youth, AKA "Sheena, Queen of the Jungle and Great Huntress") grabbed it firmly in her mouth. Instead of dragging it off elsewhere, she looked as if she were going to eviscerate it smack in the middle of the bed. I put the kibosh on that and when she put it down, I grabbed some paper towels, wrapped them around the squirrel (which wasn't moving; don't know if it was dead), and marched it downstairs, out the back door and flung it off the deck. This was all just before dawn, but I live in a neighborhood where I CAN stand on the deck starkers and no one will notice. Went back upstairs and tried unsuccessfully to fall back to sleep. Read for a bit, and just as dawn was starting to be visible, tried again to fall asleep. Sort of did. Not well.

Never a dull moment...

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 13 - 12:30 AM

Are you sure it isn't the mother raccoon under the house?

My back yard pack were doing their "possum on the top of the fence" bark just now, but the flashlight shows that whoever was there had the good sense to climb down and go around.

Tomorrow evening I'm planning to mow the front. It's a "fruit day" as my co-workers call it - and on those days when I'm not eating as many calories, when I get the extra exercise it does seem to help the pounds drop off. And I'm looking forward to the weekend with a variety of pursuits, health and hearth-wise. I have to finish weeding the big vegetable garden, and list more eBay stuff. Several end in the next couple of days and I want to keep a steady stream of items listed.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 May 13 - 10:33 PM

If life gives you shit - let it be from goats! Such wonderful garden projects, Linn.

R having gone off early to work on various what-evers, I came to the cabin to deal with animals. With a stop at a greenhouse for a few perennials (expensive!) and a long chat with the staff about environmental sensitivity. I went into the greenhouse and started coughing non-stop. Recovered when I left.

After lunch and a hot bath, recuperating on computer, I decided to move the squirrels outside. Made the outdoor cage accessible and came in to figure out how to entrap the girls to move them. Ended up with two AWOL critters running around the cabin. After a long and fruitless effort, I put the cage out on the porch, opened the door and eventually herded them out side. Worse than herding cats!

Now it was after 5 pm so I went down to the mill to check on raccoons. Mom had not retrieved her progeny. SO I fed them some and brought them to the cabin, with a stop at the library to return books and pay fines, and chat with librarian. She told me there is a local woman who has a business card stating she is a "de-clutterer". She helps mostly older people ... de-clutter! What a diplomat she must be. The library had de-cluttered 40 boxes of their "books for sale" by taking them to a place in Montreal that distributes them in book poor areas. Now I am wondering what to do with the bag of novels that I have accumulated.

So, I fed kits and fed kits and... Put the fed ones in a cat carrier lest I feed the same ones twice, then the lot back in the cage. Some people can tell raccoons apart. Not me. They have only just now stopped complaining vociferously, poor little orphans want their real mother; she must have come to a bad end.   

Oh, my! noises under the house - the skunk or the ground hog? At least I don't have to feed whatever it is.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 May 13 - 09:42 PM

I did some weeding, I cleaned up in the kitchen, I am preparing to cook a late dinner using some of my zucchini and canned tomatoes. I explored the garden and I see some nice-sized potatoes under the mulch. I picked a handful of strawberries, now that the snails have been eliminated (thank you, Sluggo!)

Linn, I heard a story about aging and funding tonight on The News Hour. They spoke about how a daughter/caregiver was able to get $500 a month, a pittance, but still, she was paid for a few hours of work with her mother every month (her mother lives with her). You might want to check that out.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 30 May 13 - 02:50 PM

It's hot. Last weekend there was snow not that far from us (we had rain) and today it's in the 80s F. and supposed to be in the 90s F. tomorrow.

Brought up a couple more large pots from the cellar and got them outside but not filled or planted (more herbs). Went outside with good intentions, clipper in one hand and lopper in the other. Headed up the driveway with the ultimate intention of getting the mail. Consolidated some downed branches to be easier for my neighbor to pick up for a bonfire and cut some low hemlock branches that, I think, are shading out the ladyslippers that used to bloom there. Also managed to get some of the low hanging branches at the head of the driveway -- neat trick, trying to pull the branch low enough to try to cut it (one-handed) with the lopper. Got the lowest, at least.

Oh, I can, indeed, set up the ironing board and iron the blouse I want to wear tomorrow. And found some more stuff to de-accession...and may be able to foist it off in a few minutes to my neighbor.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 May 13 - 09:32 AM

I arranged with a friend with a van to move that cabinet yesterday, but it turned out that the vehicle didn't have the height I thought. I'll have to have their guy who moves stuff pick it up. I could slide it into the pickup, but it would have to rest on the wheel wells and I don't want to do that then jostle it. I don't think that would do it any good, and there is a built in mirror that could suffer with the maneuver.

It was a surprise this morning to realize that for the first time in a long time I hadn't remembered on May 27 that it was the date that my mom died. I do remember her birthday, that is etched into my brain, but for a long time the death date seemed as significant. I think it is loosing its strength finally.

Another friend is at the point where he needs to start selling a bunch of stuff set aside for eBay, but a friend of his keeps borrowing his camera. I'm thinking that the old adage "for want of a nail" applies here, and I should give him a camera. I hadn't expected to have this extra little camera I received recently, but it is the best one for carrying around in my handbag, so I got a good card and put it into service. I tested it last night and find it can handle the closeup shots that he needs. I've started looking online for comparable features - he could use one that was manufactured a year or two ago and it would be very reasonably priced. Amazon is probably the best place for this shopping, but I'll try a couple of others also. He doesn't have a credit card, so I would simply buy it and he can pay me back later.

I am trying to practice what I preach and get more of my stuff listed. This weekend I have several things ready to go.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 30 May 13 - 09:10 AM

It rained yesterday, but I managed to lop off and stack some of the woody stuff that's been trying to take over way out back. Today I'll go out with a bow saw and try to get the stuff that's a bit bigger. Then maybe I can start transplanting the tall bearded irises out there into the bed behind the house that didn't exist when I first put them out there. And maybe move a couple more rocks around to border that bed.

The woods will encroach and take over if you give it more than a year's chance. I think it's got about an eight year headstart while I was a) working a deadline insane publications job and then b) working retail with strange hours and the knack of having every spring/summer/fall day off rain. Oh, and then there was Tom's medical crises, too, one after the other. I'll attend to the thorn bushes (again!) later... Also shovelled some of the newly moved loam pile into the turnaround (hosta) bed next to the newly replaced rock border.

My brain has been so fried this week that I missed lunch with a friend yesterday. I was convinced it was today. I really HAVE to actually look at and READ my calendar... The Monday holiday probably didn't help, but I was convinced lunch was Thursday (as it had been last week when I had to reschedule because of Tom's cardiologist appointment). I feel bad about making her wait at Margaritas and then never showing up.

Meanwhile, I spent yesterday morning on the phone with the insurance company since everything they'd told me on Tuesday was wrong. So...I can't download the form. But they've now filled it out and mailed it to us to sign. And I emailed the person I'm accounting to and let her know the necessary schedule -- they mail to us, we sign and mail back, they take 7-10 working days to process and approve and then mail us back a confirmation letter. So my deadline will have to be adjusted to accommodate. Especially since this option was never mentioned until Tuesday morning.

Got a lovely package in the post yesterday -- two books from a friend. "Drying Food With An Attitude" and "Holy Shit: Managing Manure To Save Mankind" -- been dipping into the books and reading bits aloud to Tom. They look both fun and profitable. This same friend gave us a CSA share in a local farm (and blueberry share) and we've been exploring dehydrating food since I refuse to can and have limited freezer space.

Oh, and speaking of shit, my up-the-hill neighbor offered me about 12 years' worth of well composted goat manure and bedding. Hope she'll be around this afternoon so I can give her some of what I've been de-accessioning from my glassware cupboard and some stuffed animals.

Today's project is to continue to move stuff around, de-accession, and stow stuff properly in the guest room so I will again have enough space to set up the ironing board. Goal: ironing the new blouse I got at Savers for four bucks so I can wear it to The Press Room tomorrow. And maybe move all the stuff in "The Room" to retrieve the brass antique-but-not-in-good-enough-shape vacuum cleaner so maybe I can make a run to Harding Metals one of these days and make a few bucks.

It's good to have a goal...

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 30 May 13 - 08:13 AM

Dishes done from the last 2 very busy days, laundry started, hall and bathroom floors swept, toilet cleaned, mail sorted, kitchen table found, stove and counters all wiped down and clean....all before 8:00am. YEEE HAWWW!!!!

Michelle who usually is still sleeping!

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 May 13 - 11:19 PM

I stuffed my binders today. Burp!

~S~

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 May 13 - 09:37 PM

SRS: Congratulations on your beautiful new piece of furniture!

Linn and Mary: Thinking of you - because that is all I can do for you. "Life is fraught with hazard." is a fav saying of my 87 year old dear dear friend. Also "hope is the best thing we can give anyone". So we can only keep on hoping....

R just got definite word that a lawsuit is impending resulting from he, and bro's, effort to help a friend save her house and business by lending her money. This caused the late summer and fall crisis which lasted until 21 Dec - 7 day weeks, paying a crew and renting heavy equipment with absolutely no support from that friend. She was given a great deal of help to sue the culprit, which would have helped but cannot carry through. R gets quite overwrought and did not sleep last night. So I am back to spending most of time in city to just be here for him. It seems to help.

Nothing is getting done in studio, or re the move but I still need to go back and forth to care for the squirrels and, now, the four kits at the mill. They were out of cage this morning but I don't know if mom let them out or they managed it. So, I re-collected the screaming kids and put them back in cage. Then I managed to get some raccoon formula into each with a syringe. Put them back where mom could find them. If tomorrow is a replay, I may bring them with me - commute with my menagerie hidden under a blanket. It is a tough call. If mom is still around, I don't want to upset her but don't want these little guys starving either. I'll try a bottle tomorrow in hopes they will ingest more formula. They are not fat.

Managed to delete a bunch of old emails tonight. And NOT eat 8 cookies. Oh, it rained on the clothes I hung on the line yesterday but I left them to dry whenever. Brought the unhung ones back and dried them in the dryer and did another load as well. A day.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 May 13 - 05:03 PM

Oh, Mary. That is so difficult. My best wishes to them.

Linn, those people should all get together in one room and discuss their programs. Not make you run between all of them.

Yesterday I unloaded the boxes and packing things off of the computer desk with a hutch and loaded it into the pickup to take to the Goodwill. My next door neighbor bought this MDF desk from Walmart about 20 years ago, then gave it to me about 10 years ago, when I painted it and my kids used it for several years. I moved it to the sun room for a garage sale but it didn't sell, so stayed in the sun room collecting stuff I use for packing eBay packages.

There is a space there now for the cabinet I've mentioned. I bought it yesterday and a friend is helping me take it home tonight, it doesn't fit into my pickup.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 May 13 - 10:53 AM

You got it Sins!!!! XOXOXOXO

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: SINSULL
Date: 29 May 13 - 09:46 AM

Asking for prayers for my cousin and her children. The CF is almost out of control. Her son has less than 40% of lung function. Her daughter is at 70%. The meds to help them are ten years away. Never less than one child in the ER.
And medical bills? LOL She lost count years ago.
SINS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 29 May 13 - 08:44 AM

As of yesterday I'm back in the bureaucratic hell. Four bureaucrats, four different answers. Two deadlines. Simple solution to handling Tom's life insurance that we should have been told about weeks ago. But the program won't pay more of what we'd been told it would pay.

I've got too much invested in it to just pull out now. At least it won't actively HARM us and, if my mother dies, I'll be able to go to the funeral. There might be some other benefits, but I'll still have to scramble every month for money for luxuries like eating...registering the car...heating oil...

If it doesn't work, we just drop out when we have to requalify next year.

Either they don't tell us anything...or they only tell us part of the information...unless they tell us the wrong information...

I. Am. So. Sick. Of. It.

I'd really like to get on with my life and all the other stuff that needs doing.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 May 13 - 11:55 PM

oops, looks like my html skills are out of practice.sorry!

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 May 13 - 09:31 PM

Nice to hear from Kat! On her Purple day!

Left city this am and went to the cabin and dropped off stuff, to the mill to check on baby raccoons; they were happily in a pile in a garbage bag of debris so I put a blanket in a cage and piled them into it, gave them each a few droppers of water and left them in hopes mom would come back. The cage top can easily be removed by an adult raccoon. R and I agreed I would need to take him back to the city so I will have the car to check on the kits. So, after a trip to the municipal office to get permit to fix up the mill - good for anything he does for a year! - and a trip to the auctioneer's home to pay bill, and some lunch, we headed back to the city, stopping at a yard sale where I got a marvellous lamp shade and an old lace tablecloth in great shape.

I hoped I would get to the hospital to visit friend but was so tired I have just sat here on computer and reading, ate some good food and some - uh oh - cookies. half asleep the whole time. Back to cabin tomorrow, to check on squirrels and then to mill for kits. Will take a baby bottle and goat milk just in case mom did not come home. R checked with neighbour to make sure he did not trap mom and we have not seen any dead on the road.

Bed - after I fetch R from the office.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 May 13 - 05:31 PM

One kid delivered to the airport, after a trip to the bank to get his accounts in order. He'd never activated his debit card, no wonder it wasn't working.

I unloaded the pickup this morning and spread a couple of bags of mulch in the already weeded garden. This evening I start on the big garden, weeding and mulching as I go.

As far as the allergy test I've been running since I finally got the hands to clear up, the two glasses of wine more than a week ago have set off the cycle of dry and cracked skin on my hands. Not so bad because I only had two glasses, but it clearly is a player in the allergy investigation. Beer also set it off, but I think it has less of whatever I'm allergic to. After this round clears up comes the REALLY important test: chocolate. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 May 13 - 01:02 AM

It sounds like it was a wonderful day, Kat! And I am looking forward to the dog photos.

I'm waiting on my son's arrival. Probably late late, after I go to bed. He has a key. I'll take him on a couple of errands then to the airport tomorrow afternoon. He flies to Seattle for his summer internship with Amazon.com! I'm from Washington, my family is right around Seattle, so I'd given him information ages ago, but never heard back from him about it. I spoke to my sister this morning to tell her he was on his way. "I know - I'm picking him up at the airport tomorrow."

I spoke with my ex - we figure that though our son plays his cards very close to the vest, he has been listening and is figuring out how to make this work. I'm glad he contacted her - and he probably assumed we had talked and that I knew. Now I'm hoping he has room in his checked luggage to take her a jar of my zucchini bread and butter pickles. I told her about them this morning. I figure if we have a kid going between us we might as well make him transport stuff! :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 May 13 - 12:09 AM

It feels kind of strange, my feeling better while the docs are talking "tenuous" situation. Today was a RED, I mean a

PURPLE

kind of day. I woke up with energy and lots of pain. I'd decided I didn't want to be so sleepy in the morning from the painkiller.

After we had breakfast at 9! we both got busy. I went back to the office and Rog's help. I cleaned a bunch of games and papers Morgan has had free range of it without a clean it up Supervisory Team. The unhinged door from our bedroom has been blocking some key areas, so Rog moved it over. I just at that of putting stuff away when my abrother showed up to see Mz. StellaLuna's new haircut, design by Monsiuor(sp) de la France. she's so cute. Photos, soon. I've never seen such a thick,dense, curls every which way coat!

My bro went on to water my perennials, trees, and houseplants whilst I kept going in the kitchrn, finding old dog toys, tons of dog hair and visited with my brother whilr Rog made us veggie tacos. I still was not sleepy and only a bit tired. After lunch, Rog went to the grocery store and I took time out to watch an episode of Murdoch Mysteries on netflix.

There's more but work calls Rog so we have to get some sleep. I am amaxed and happy with all this energy!

kat

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 May 13 - 09:41 PM

SRS: "I need it because I want it"... Marvellous looking piece of furniture with wonderful storage space!

Michelle! A hoosier is such a treasure!

Auctions on both Sat and Sun. I read through the Sat one, in the car in the rain. I am not owning R's clutter! Sunday, I helped add to it just because the auctioneer was having trouble getting people started so I ended up with a pile of stuff for $2. We need a designated yard sale area, a library room and a museum room! That is, R does! I am only responsible for the nice apple painted cake platter with matching server which I really took a fancy to for $2!

We also managed to plant about a dozen small trees at the mill - wild cherry along the road and red spruce behind and staggered. Then I read in the car while R did stuff inside. There is not yet a clean, environmentally safe place inside for me. And one month to moving time!

R reports there were 4 baby raccoons in the mill yesterday, running around screaming for mom. If she has not sorted them out when I go there tomorrow... The squirrels are ready to go to the outside cage (I am looking forward to this de-cluttering of K) so there will be room for little raccoons in the K?? We are hoping not. They are better off with mom.

In the city today: brought R in and dropped him off at work site but worked on internet all afternoon waiting for him to need ride. Missed the right time to visit friend in hospital but we went for supper and then I dropped him back at office and went to folk dancing. Did a few dances then they started doing couple dances. I left. And here I am.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 13 - 05:14 PM

It's amazing how much stuff you can store in those things, isn't it Michelle? The wide shallow drawer under the counter is where I keep all of my spare silverware (it came from Dad's house, he had it for when they did potlucks during Song Circle meetings at his house.) And odds and ends napkins, folded placemats, and cutlery. The bottom drawer that was the bread box is all sorts of kitchen gadgets that came from his house.

Linn, I found a new tool I'm using for some of my weeding that works well and fast when they're small. It's a workout, but faster than pulling by hand. At Home Depot it is the Ames Action Hoe. You put enough pressure on it to run the stirrup blade an inch or so underground and take off small or tender weeds at the roots. Then pick them up and toss them in the compost.

Must go get gas for the mower and mulch for the weeded garden.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 May 13 - 04:52 PM

Some home medical supplies finally left. No one in FreeCycle wanted them so they went to Goodwill. In med supply I am down to one box of plastic canisters for a Wound Vac. Probably have to recycle them for the plastic-- insurance regs mean that once they are in a patient's home they can't go to another patient, even if the box has never been opened.

~S~

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 27 May 13 - 03:34 PM

Just came back inside and need to sit a bit after balancing on the incline of the rockery pulling out leaves, cutting some woody stuff that shouldn't be there, pushing over a small tree that I'd limbed a few years ago and now is dead. I got it almost entirely pulled out but there's one strand of root that won't give up and I wasn't inclined to fight with it today. My thighs and feet are killing me. (Good, though.)

Tom came outside (using only a cane!) to sit on the deck under the umbrella and enjoy the garden and driveway. He went for a short walk over to the turnaround garden and was able to stop and inhale the lilacs. The glare was getting to him despite his yellow goggles so he retired to the deck and the umbrella table again.

I also weeded in the bed just behind the house, pulled out some more leaves, moved some rocks around (including get the nice one I found up the road out of the back of my car -- imported rocks; like we need more rocks...), and tried to plot out strategy at reclaiming the yard. Wore gloves but didn't feel like methodically tackling the thorny stuff or the grape vine. I can see progress... Need to figure out what to do with all the perennial euphorbia (spurge) that is taking over. I'll dig up some and put it up on the bank in the rockery and try some, too, in the turnaround bed. (Hmmm...or maybe even better, on the edges of the area in front of the house to stabilize the drop off.)

Yesterday I got all the rest of the medical/financial papers sorted, into folders and into the file cabinet downstairs. One more box out of the bedroom.

And earlier today I called an old friend (double old -- I've known him since 1973 and he's now 88) I've been out of touch with for way too long. Will go over for a visit probably next week.

Leftovers for supper: took the leftover Mexican lasagna out of the freezer and will add the guacamole I made yesterday. Probably should mix up more margaritas, too.

Making progress...

Linn

I KNOW it's a lovely day outside, but I think I'm going upstairs and veg out in front of the last disc of the second season of "White Collar"...

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 May 13 - 02:50 PM

Maggie,

Our hoosier has a metal lined bottom right hand drawer for a bread box too. Let's see, above that are 2 drawers. I have one filled with my canning gear...jar lifter, funnel, magnet wand, plastic bubble buster, boxes of lids and rings. The middle drawer is empty yet but I'm sure I'll have that filled soon...not sure what to put in there yet. Jeremiah likes to open all the drawers so I don't want to put anything in there that would be a problem if he were to get in there. The big door to the left has two sets of grooves to hold sliding metal racks. The one on top is a half shelf rack. At the moment I have a collection of large bowls in there...my canning bowls and popcorn bowls. I still have quite a bit of room. There is a white enamel counter/top that is trimmed in black enamel that slides out and doubles the tabletop space...will be beautiful when canning season is in full swing for hold cooling jars of whatever we have made and will leave my counter tops free for cutting, slicing, processing, etc. additional canning that goes on for hours/days on end. The top piece has the flour sifter still in tact...it is very clean and clearly well cared for. I have stored sacks of flour, sugar, quinoa, cous-cous and smaller bags of odd flours that I have been trying out. Under the rolltop, I have decided to store condiments...salad dressings, mustard, vinegars, pickles, peppers, etc. I also have a set of nesting bakeware in there. It's a lovely little set my mom got for me and I've been storing it out in the open because it is so pretty BUT it collects dust that way and I'd much rather be able to reach for a clean baking dish from the cupboard than have them on display and have to wash it each time I hope to use it. The cupboard above holds as much tomato paste/sauce/stewed/diced, etc as I can fit. On the shelf above that is canned fruit and another set of much smaller nesting bakeward. Correll (spelled wrong) ware that had belonged to my nana and a few matching pieces I picked up at a yard sale. They are white with turquoise farming people for the design. I just love those little dishes and use them often. I had them out in the open sitting on top of my toaster oven but again....every time I wanted to use them, I had to wash them from the dust. I suppose that's what you get when you heat with wood and a pellet stove. *shrug*. I have some canned veggies (2 cases) sitting on the very top of the hoosier and some rather large jugs..one full of flax seeds and the other full of Mr. Potato Head gear for a sweet little boy I know! Prior to us having this hoosier, it had been used for storage of paper things and candles so it has a nice cinnamon/apple smell to it mixed with old wood...very nice!

I had thought I'd use it entirely as my canning center but since I'm not canning ALL the time, that stuff can stay in the mudroom. I'll have the jars of food in the kitchen (and out of the mudroom....of the remaining canned things we have left) in a closet that was built under the stairs. That way it will be better climate controlled. :)

Thanks for asking!

:) Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 13 - 12:23 PM

Have checked email and a few of the usual sites. Headed out to mow the front and back yards, and after I repair the trimmer, get that edging done this week. That ought to burn off a few calories.

Michelle, what are you putting in your Hoosier Kitchen? And when you open the doors, what is the smell? I remember my parents' kitchen queen being used as the bar, so when you opened it there was the scent of wine and spirits, but before they did that, it was an interesting kind of wood and flour smell. It had the old sifter. Mine doesn't, though it does have the metal lower drawer on the right, for the bread box. And the tall cabinet on the upper left, I put in two shelves so I can store more in there (it used to be where the sifter was). I still have the metal racks and the louvered front works and the little spring hooks to keep the doors shut are still there and still work. It has a bread board that pulls out from under the white work top, and there is a wooden lower shelf in the large bottom cabinet that pulls out. Mine is the exact footprint of yours except it has a white enamel paint coat and the porcelain on the pull-out worktop is completely white with no edge trim.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 May 13 - 08:51 PM

I finished weeding one of the garden beds this afternoon, and spread the two bags of hardwood mulch that I had. I'll pick up more tomorrow and finish spreading it before starting the much larger garden bed on the other side of the driveway. I could smell the thyme, oregano, cilantro, and rosemary while I worked, and part of my weeding was to pull the nut sedge and other weeds out of my regular basil bed. It seeds itself every year and I pull weeds until the basil is tall enough to shade them out.

The asparagus is delicious, but I'm not picking any more, I'll let it continue to grow robust crowns. I need to have the plumber come fix my front faucet - I've let the drip run through the hose to the soaker that runs past the asparagus, but it seems to be running more now and I don' want the garden to turn to a swamp. After payday, that's top of the list.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 May 13 - 08:23 PM

I ended up putting the hoosier in my second choice spot. It looked great in my first choice spot but let an odd space for the jelly cupboard...it works better this way! I've been actually enjoying the deep cleaning that is going on and all the rearranging. Of course, my little helper was napping at the time...that makes things much easier!

:)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 May 13 - 05:55 PM

The great thing about those Hoosier Kitchens or Kitchen Queens is that they can actually go other places. We had one in the living room when I was growing up and it was used as the bar.

Dogs have been brushed - tons of hair coming out of two of the three. The third was brushed so her feelings wouldn't be hurt. :)

Laundry finished, some sorting of stuff finished, things put in the truck for Tuesday. Now to do more weeding, it should be easier that it is a little less muddy.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 May 13 - 05:01 PM

Today we picked up an antique hoosier that was left to our family from a very close friend. At the moment it is sitting in the back of Pete's truck. Within the hour it will be in my kitchen!!! This means I have some rearranging to do. I need to move a freestanding cupboard and a tall jelly cupboard (not entirely sure where those are going just yet). This will give me the perfect opportunity to hoe things out and do some scrubbing of the floor where the hoosier is going...or at least where I think it will work best. If that doesn't work out, I have my Nana's antique desk sitting near the kitchen table...that could be moved and the hoosier could go there...it's not my first choice but will depend entirely on how much space is left in the first choice spot. The hoosier is about twice as deep as the current jelly cupboard and may stick out a bit too far for my liking...I'll find out soon enough! I am so thrilled to have thie piece...it's something I love which we would never be able to afford. I have a photo of it on FB if anyone wants to see (and if we aren't friends on FB and you want to be, just send me an invite...I keep lots of photos up). :)

I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend...it's absolutely GORGEOUS here. Might do some rock picking in my raised beds later and clean out 8 larger pots...hoping to get some hot pink or dark purple petunias and place the pots around the yard. Pete cut grass today while I did the dishes so now it's time to make the yard a great place to hang out (some comfy chairs, the fire pit, Jeremiah's swimming pool and sand box, a few side tables, umbrella and flowers)!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 May 13 - 02:00 PM

Moonglow was down here on Friday, and as she often does during visits, went prowling through the dresser and closet in her bedroom that is also my sewing room. I was in there with her and spotted some of my stuff in the closet - some coats and dresses I'd forgotten I'd stashed there. I recovered one that I'm going to leave hanging on the back of my dressing room closet door as inspiration. It is a lovely dark blue silk dress that I would love to be able to wear when I am to my target weight.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 May 13 - 11:08 AM

I found a new hanging-clothes area right behind the door that leads up to the MudDorm which has been designated for misc dressy clothing-- a great place to hang stuff fresh out of the dryer that is headed that direction. I used to hang a noisemaker from a hook there so sleeping guests would not be surprised by intrusions, and later used that hook to pull the door shut when going up there so kittehs would not sneak up there-- it was the last of the allergy-free space and I also did not want to inadvertently trap one of ours up there.

Beside the dryer is one of the 3 racks that had curtained off Sick Bay. It's been 20 years since I could stand at a dryer and hang stuff up as it came out. A large litter-box was in the prime, targeted spot for the rack-- so I raised the box up on bricks I already had, to accommodate the rack's lowest stability bars. Things will NOT be left on THAT rack to accumulate! :~)

Up in the bedroom are 3 zippered, dust-cover hanging garment units. Once I label those to remind me to peek in to see pretty fall items, and label the attic door similarly, my last 105 of wardrobe mgmt will be complete. Yesterday I "shopped" the attic for some cool and coordinating summerwear-- the current cold snap cannot last forever but if it does I know right where my flannel shirts went!

I love the after-season fashion sales BTW-- plenty of time to get a newly-affordable item altered (inexpensively) to fit just right before it needs to be worn.


Kitchen/LR de-junking continues, but the week's main area of activity will be the van-- the broken scooter finally left the back of it for a faraway service call, so I can set it up for summer boondocking. Just in time, too-- I have a boondock booked for next weekend in conjunction with a friend/ministry/support group foray of several days' duration and THIS time I will leave with the cot already set UP!

~S~

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 May 13 - 10:33 AM

I was going to copy some VCR tapes into the computer in the kitchen, but one (not an important one) jammed in the machine and there is no getting it out. That is now a large piece of e-waste. [sigh] Only one working VCR left in the house and so many tapes to convert to DVD.

I did the research on some costumed dolls (Greek) to list them on eBay but was pretty tired when I got back to the computer last night so I let that one wait till today. I find the research of items I'm going to list interesting. I don't collect these things, I think they were gifts to my mother from someone who travelled to Greece in the 1980s, but they are interesting.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 May 13 - 09:23 PM

Moving forward - did some weeding, did some listing on eBay, and a load of laundry is in. One of the pairs of slacks in the wash will go into the Goodwill bag when it comes out of the dryer because they are now too baggy on me. Down 15 pounds. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 May 13 - 12:42 PM

Starting a new box of e-waste to take to the recycle bin at work. Old routers that died, more cables than I could ever use, and I wonder how many printers and monitors I have owned over the years? I'm finding this while pulling out a mix of parts to list on eBay with some working but retired devices.

Planning to move my computer desk and the nearby table (extra monitor and scanner location) so that I can reach the back of the devices easily when needed. I'll probably liberate a few more cords or a couple of devices in the process. I have a new USB hub - the one in use now has some ports that blink in and out. That will go as e-waste.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 13 - 11:47 PM

I've run these through my head. It may be the luck of the draw - see if it is there next week. I wouldn't kick myself the rest of my life, but that said, there are still a couple of pieces I saw years ago that I sure wish I'd had the good sense to pick up.

We had a bit of a thunderstorm tonight, just in time to soak the group of us as we went out to dinner. My kids, my ex, and Susie all went with me to a favorite Mexican restaurant. The kids don't have opportunities to get together that often these days, being three states apart most of the time. It was nice (and Susie was along because before the family thing evolved the two of us were planning to go out so I could treat her to a birthday dinner.)

After tonight's rain my weeding should go very well this weekend. Perfect timing!

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 May 13 - 08:21 PM

The main thing is, if you don't get it, will you be kicking yourself for the rest of your life?

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 24 May 13 - 08:12 PM

Voice of Clutter Logic: Do you NEED it or do you WANT it? If the answer is BOTH, then take it home with you! Beautiful!

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 13 - 03:00 PM

I have a mix of stuff. Some Stickley style pieces. You're obviously suggesting I jump at this one. :) That makes two of us.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 May 13 - 01:04 PM

Gorgeous piece of furniture, Stilly. Practical, too (and, I think, a bargain at the price, at least by New England standards).

Do you have other Art Deco or Bauhaus pieces? Or is your overall furniture style one that would showcase such a delightful piece of furniture?

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 13 - 10:43 AM

I knew I had an instruction booklet here that I need to scan and print, but couldn't find it. This morning I looked at a basket behind me and there it was, hiding in plain sight. Time to do some more eBay listings.

Time this weekend to move some tables. And I may need someone to talk me off of a ledge. I found this in a second-hand store last week. It is $359, a very reasonable price for a quarter-sawn piece (that bent wood is solid oak, it isn't veneer). It has some funky shelf liner inside, easily dealt with. It is gorgeous, spacious, but I already have too much furniture in my house. What would I give up if I brought this home? Hmmm. I'd think of something. I purposely didn't go past while the store was open yesterday, I won't be back in town until next week, but on Tuesday, if it's still there. . .

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 May 13 - 11:58 PM

I had the thought this might be the case. What a sweetie!

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 May 13 - 11:42 PM

Jeremiah's Banana is my mom. We started with Nana Banana but he has shortened it to Banana. :)

When we say our prayers it kinda makes me giggle: "God bless Jeremiah, Daddy, Banana, Banana K....."   

<3

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 May 13 - 11:37 PM

Wow! You're making great waves, Michelle!

What is Jeremiah's "banana?"

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 May 13 - 10:21 PM

Had a wonderful family day today...picnic at my favorite park and time on the playground with Jeremiah and his *Banana*. :)

I had a phone interview with the local paper regarding Relay For Life things and my story and then later today was asked to speak at 2 different Relay For Life events as the Honorary Chair. :)

I am honored!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 May 13 - 09:58 PM

Thursday evening, and wallowing in the pleasure of having four days off in a row. I have another shipment ready for Linn and I found a box that fits. I'll see about launching this tomorrow and declutter some more at the same time.

This evening I stood in the dark living room and watched Zeke and Cinnamon playing on the patio. About every 20 seconds one of them would glance at the door to see if I was nearby, but mostly they rolled and offered kisses and legs and paws were entangled as they rolled and enjoyed the anticipation of being fed soon. This is what Zeke craves, other dogs to hang out with. Such a sweetheart!

I have a list to work through for the weekend, I'll report as I knock off chores. I want to make real progress, not let the time slip away.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 May 13 - 03:10 PM

Terrific progress Susan! and great weight loss, SRS!
Susan: my printer will not accept paper with holes. It says so!

Electric just went out! So I will write this in file and post later. Short because I have done nothing today but sit in bed with computer – lots of posts. No inclination to do else – except go back to sleep. Another hot bath might help but not while the electric is off. Yesterday seems to have done me in. That mall with the triple dose of physical assault… I did look at Google to see how I could have done better coming home so I will definitely remember next time. Will look into portable air cleaner; there are ones for around your neck which could be helpful. To lose most of a day …

Squirrels fed, breakfast, dry laundry put away. Damp laundry will have to wait until rain stops. Wonderful rain just now, and great sound and light show in the night. Don't suppose it would drown the overabundance of mosquitoes!

Time for another bite to eat and a window with enough light to read and my bod is tired of bed!

Ahh, electric back!

It looks as though today is fast and rest. Miso soup, vit C and pau d'Arco, another hot bath and maybe a move to the sofa for a change of pace.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 May 13 - 11:16 AM

Linn, how are you for set hole punching? I know someone in Pennsylvania with a couple of heavy duty ones! (Teasing Susan!)

Looking overcast, I hope it rains today, we didn't get much precipitation in my yard with the storms earlier in the week. It will make my weeding on my days off easier; also, I hear we are under water restrictions again, so I need to figure out when I can water. And drag out the soaker hoses.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 May 13 - 11:06 AM

SRS, I detailed all that in yesterday's PM. :~) The printer is using pre-punched paper. I hope.

But if not I have two great punches-- oh MY I scored a REAL deal there. The printer/office supply store here had gone to an auction of another biz going out of biz. I got TWO heavy-duty, old-school, multi-page punches. I could have gotten four but I behgaved mysself. One for the home office and one for church poubs to live at the church office.

The newer-fangled ones... we have 'em at church and I do not like them. The older ones have more adjustment options and fell heavier. Shine 'em up and they'll be great-- already using. At the same used-good sale the store had I also scored heavy file folders for their various uses-- two boxes-- and a plastic portable file to tote under my arm when I visit each parish.

When I shift the old ministry off, I will also have room for the comb binder that presently lives at the church office, so I can bind my own stuff as this new ministry shapes up. We bought it for songbooks but planned all along to use it for other stuff. That church office is way too small for the amount of stuff it holds, even with good organizational furniture. I believe the binding machine lives in Hardi's overstuffed vestment closet.

Speaking of church org space, the 18 72"+ tablecloths I laundered post-wedding are now mo' better organized than when I found them. I like fabric. I want to be the tablecloth lady. Inventory is next! :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 May 13 - 10:03 AM

I hope to hear that those binders were put to use soon and don't add to your respective stacks of clutter - should I have sent along a hole punch?

I sorted through the closet this morning. Tried on pants, shifted a couple of pairs to the "almost there" section of the rack. Today is the first day I'm wearing a fitted blouse over a pair of gray slacks without a vest or sweater to hide the spare tire - because the spare tire is greatly diminished. I'm down about 15 pounds now.

Working on a fairly detailed shopping list. Lots to do over the holiday weekend.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 May 13 - 09:06 AM

Well, I have been busy. The below is all within 3 contexts: I have a new body, a new metabolism, and a planned, eventual-retirement process that will take several years of downsizing.


<> In May, a little at a time, I took apart Sick Bay: The entire south-facing bay window is thus no longer blocked by my sleeping recliner and room dividers, now that it no longer needs to hold the dear friend preparing for his wedding. That recliner went back to its usual TV position, tho I am not in it very long each day anymore. It gained some extra foam padding for the guest, but it is now way too hot to sit in during warm days. This is a help to the new habits of home-tending which I am now able to undertake. The smaller recliner I used, while waiting for that wedding, has gone back to its back-porch-settin' spot for brekky, dinner, and reading-- interspersing yard cleanup forays.

In the LR a lot of small furniture has been moved a bit to get that room back to what we like, post-surgery. The LR is almost ready to vacuum. The window screens go in after I post. The AC can go back in that spot when it needs to. Thus I have the cross-ventilation system for this house in place. Hardi has been working on same, for the upstairs, and he surprised me by putting the window AC in our bedroom last night-- heaven on humid nights!!!


<> A clothing process that has gone on for months is done-- a boatload of alterations. I have 100% of what I need now, and 90% of what I might need for the next 1-2 years of gradual weight loss, all able to be taken in more (as needed and as item condition warrants).

Because so MANY old sizes all got altered down to where my body is now, there is a LOT of stuff. I passed quite a bit along before the alts process; what I kept is guided by a sensible inventory of what our lifestyle actually requires. That same inventory will guide any new purchases as items wear out.

The new way of organizing what is now a HUGE wardrobe is 90% done, including a rack by the dryer to hang items as they come out now that I can stand long enough to do it-- they do NOT need to be carried to the LR with tidy whities to clutter us up until folded/hung up/reworn! Also included are the little hanging thingies that allow 4-8 hangers to be combined onto a hanging hook.

The old MudDorm/guest space is a spare closet at the moment, for dressy items a church event or special personal occasion might require.

Our bedroom has a closet for off-season items to move back and forth, between it and my personal closet next to the loo. (I might move these to the MudDorm-- have to see how much bulk.) That loo-adjoining closet now holds casual tops/dresses (it used to be folded, IN the loo), and will also hold a sampling of dressy items, per season, for quick changes as our lives sometimes compel.

The loo closet is now all undies and PJs, shorts and jeans-- folded-- to put on after showers. The surgery allowed me to wear panties again, so I have a LOT-- half of them various shades of pink. (These also get taken in, by hand, as needed.)


<> Professionally: Stilly's wonderful HUGE binders arrived as I was completing a new traveling curriculum and letting an old diocesan job go to someone else. This means office space for the new ministry can occupy space taken up by the old job, in which I will now only act as a mentor holding the hand of the person undertaking it until they are ready to go on their own. They get the stuff I am clearing out, to make more room for the new ministry!


<> My schedule is once again decluttered and therefore open for the new ministry and new social activities.


~S~

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 May 13 - 11:18 PM

Sounds very industrious, everyone!

I picked more Swiss chard this evening to go with dinner, and cut up a second batch that I cooked (I steam it in a pan in a basket, and I usually cut the large leaves into strips cross-wise) for lunch tomorrow. The steak was out of the freezer (I am not eating nearly as much beef with this fasting diet, and that has to be part of the reason why it lowers harmful levels of some hormones or chemicals in the bloodstream). I've been drawing down the freezer contents in the last couple of months - I am going to get myself some free-range chickens to cut up and freeze after payday (you need a wheelbarrow full of money to buy those expensive hens!)

My potatoes aren't ready, but they're coming along. I have green tomatoes and blooms on various other things, and there is a banana pepper out there almost ready to eat. I eat strawberries in the garden, I have to beat the bugs and my ex-husband to them. I've been tending the zucchini carefully, watching out for the worms that kill them off by boring out the main stem (I'm pouring a mix of compost tea and a little Bt over them every week or two).

I mowed out front tonight, I worked a bit in the sun room, and I ran a couple of small handwash loads of laundry - I think I mentioned picking up some fabric yesterday. I'll see which I want to put on the frame once I've ironed them both.

My weight is still creeping downward. I am trying to keep my eating on regular days to healthy stuff, but I don't beat myself up for those occasional ice cream cones. Lunch (my one meal) tomorrow is going to have a couple of the most gorgeous little Ataulfo mangoes I found yesterday, along with some strawberries and yogurt, some walnuts, and some of that chard from tonight. Eclectic, but all stuff I love. :) I've been eating these little Mexican mangoes since last winter when I was watching the women shopping in a local Hispanic grocery store. They bypassed the big green/red ones for these little ones. They are so good, the seed is smaller and the flesh is buttery.

Tomorrow I'll climb the stairs in my library a few times. It doesn't tire me out as much as it did a couple of months ago, and I'm making more trips. The thing about being successful in a dieting plan is the more weight you lose, the more energy you have.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 May 13 - 09:48 PM

Busy, HOT day here.

This morning I picked up a FB Yard Sale Score. I got an Amish made, LARGE clothes drying rack for $15.00, then on to deliver a folding wagon that my friend gave my mom money to pick up, who gave it to me to deliver, then it was on to the butcher to pick up our pork. Home to inventory and get it into the freezer. Lunch. Back on the road to go pick up 4 little piggies to join our homestead. Unload piggies into pen, do dishes before big storm, start pressure canning process for additional carrots, dinner and still working on the carrots. Also, one of our calves died today so Pete buried him in this heat....poor man sweat right through his hat.

It's been a long, hot, humid day full of work but it's all good. We are happy!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 May 13 - 07:39 PM

Binders: Darn! I have simply jettisoned, well to thrift shop thinking no one wanted them anymore!

Drove to city this morning with lots of laundry. Put 5 loads through washer, dried 2, brought 2 back damp and left one in the machine for R to put in dryer. Left laundry room light on as reminder. Made two trips to stores in dif directions while the washing was happening, collecting a variety of needed food stuffs.

Headed for APPLE store at 2 pm, concerned re impending rush hour. Had to wait for tech appointment - just in case bulging battery was a problem. Educated one staff on environmental sensitivity. Left there after 4!

Trying route I hoped would be less busy, made wrong moves twice, then had to stop for a lengthy squirrel call (no blue tooth but it is on the list) Convinced her to take the squirrel to where there are trees - NOT in her apartment! - and let it be. I was NOT driving 20 miles for a perfectly competent squirrel.

Finally got on the correct route but made a bad decision again. Got back to cabin about 6. We learn by these things!

Unloaded car incase it rained harder. Supper, tried to feed Feisty squirrel but she has decided not to be fed anymore, as did Snarky one a few days ago. Fine by me. They have a bowl of formula and a bowl of hard food and some branches and dandelion leaves. Less work for mother!

Thanks to SRS for Ebay assist. And good for you to be getting into smaller clothes!

I am happy that the needle on scale is below 165 now. Millimetering its way downward as long as I behave and the more it goes down the easier it is. Have to report that the Choc mousse cake on Sunday was worth every luscious calorie. A very special treat not to be repeated for a while.

Next: hot bath to de-tox the city from poor bod and more clearing of computer now that I have it down to a fine science.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 May 13 - 04:01 PM

When OfficeMax left Portsmouth, Staples decided, since they now had a virtual monopoly in the area, to stop carrying the Econo-binders, just the ones where the 3-inchers and more were way out of my price range. I find them occasionally at yardsales, though, but haven't really lucked out for a couple years.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 May 13 - 02:29 PM

I know - megabucks for the huge binders. I just looked at Office Depot - the heavy duty high-capacity binders with the D-rings at 3" wide start at about $10, but the 5" ones list at $64.79. [ouch!]

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 May 13 - 01:58 PM

Got it, Maggie! And the binders are perfect for the archives. Really appreciate you rescuing them from the rubbish heap and sending them to me. I can really use them. These are the really good ones -- the kind I really can't afford.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 May 13 - 11:49 AM

A humane society may offer free euthanasia, knowing that sometimes that is the last kind thing you can do for an ailing animal. Ours does here. It can cost a great deal if a vet insists on an exam, then charges for the injection. Kind of adds insult to injury.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 May 13 - 11:31 AM

SQUEAM ALERT

We have a kitten to declutter. Born diseased/deformed. Mama headed for spay-- next mouser. Ideas via PM? Barn cats. Employees, not pets.

~Susan.humane.certain

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 May 13 - 10:58 AM

Linn, the box appears to have headed out for delivery. It's amazing how one can track stuff these days. it's like it sent a little post card: "Had a nice trip, have arrived at Linn's house!" :)

I put up a tutorial post on that eBay strategy thread. Anyone can benefit from it, but I had Linn in mind. The other thing I'll add here is that since you are retired you can save yourself a lot of work and travel by using the eBay shipping labels and handing over packages to your carrier because you're home when they come by. On days I work at home I have a note that I put up on my mailbox that gives my carrier a heads-up that I have a parcel for him. When you use the eBay shipping tools to print your label and hand over the box you're finished. Postal regs say that you can't ship more than a few ounces without handing it over to a person, whether at the post office itself or to your carrier. When you pay for shipping online there is a savings and not having to drive makes it all the more affordable.

I'm wearing a pair of pants today that at one point, not too long ago, were so snug that the spandex puckered. They are now only for around the house/gardening - the puckers show and the pants are almost to the floor. They used to almost be above my ankles! I need to reach back into the closet again soon to see what can come back into use.

My sun room is looking good, but I have things that I brought home from work that are now on my big dining table in the large living room. I think I can find homes for the new stuff and begin the table swap this weekend.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 May 13 - 12:23 AM

Nothing is this world is going to help with R's clutter. I simply am going to refuse to "own it" and will carve out spaces that will not permit it. He once had a friend who had separate houses for himself and his wife, on the same property. Sounds like a plan!

I am thinking that "clutter" also has to do with time. We spent 5 hours this morning helping an employee purchase a vehicle. I read a book in the car. But R has "not had time" to do anything about his own lack of vehicle. The mishap with the forklift on Friday night - due to a lack of proper care of the machine. "Freak accident", my foot! Maintenance had been needed. So all of Saturday was spent purchasing another forklift. I was in the country! Thankfully!!

Sunday, I went into the city to bring him to the country only to find that he wanted to go to the hospital re hurt foot - a week old injury. (Why didn't you get Dan to drop you off and call me to fetch you after? I do hate being in the city.) However, in the 3 hours that took, I managed to do some cleaning up in the back yard, weeding and cutting the sparse grass with the kitchen scissors! Time for something more effective as I have succeeded, through sheer encouragement, to have lots more grass than the odd bit 3 years ago - now covers most of a 15 foot square. Not enough to mow but - maybe that push mower we saw at a yard sale.

The yard is still full of piles of small stones (I have raked up bit by bit) - used to be a stable there! Once the back neighbours finish their current reno, which impinges on our yard, I will wheelbarrow all the stones to an area in the back corner where we hope to have a garden shed - someday.

Also picked rhubarb that was ready. Need better support for the once tiny clematis which are about to take over the world! I am thinking that green coated wire fencing.

The rest of today was - stopped at a neighbour's plant sale and listened to the wife go on about impending move for about an hour! Bought a few plants, hot bath and moving emails to file and deleting lots. Very time consuming but got rid of about 400 today and Friday. Sent my piece of writing to the editor, after R read and approved it, and then she wanted a pic, and a very brief note.

Also trying to assess whether or not to visit friend in coma in Montreal - motorcycle (not an "accident" when idiots dig a trench across the road and fail to put orange cones or any kind of warning but I cannot think what to call it. Witnesses put his speed at 35 mph. Tire went in trench and he went over the handlebars.My furious self would call this physical assault.) Father, husband, exc musician, good person.

Exc rain (downpour!) all evening and more predicted for next 3 days.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 May 13 - 12:00 AM

He came to live here when she was injured in January, 2012, and after many months, we realized that if he knocked her down, he could severely injure her; with a brain injury she's weak on the left side like a stroke victim. She had problems with him before her accident, he used to pull away from her on walks, or break out of the yard or push out of windows or the front door and wander, looking for dogs to play with. That's how he ended up in my yard the first time, and several others after that.

He has never broken out of my yard because he's happy with other dogs, and she realizes he's made the switch to living in a pack. We both know that if he left, all three dogs would be miserable, and he'd go back to breaking out again. This dog is incredibly strong. (Yes, I love him, and I'd hate to give him up, I don't deny it.) When she was injured, it happened that we could look after him best, so he didn't have to be put in a kennel for ages, at an expense and detriment to him. Last year about this time we had a tearful conversation, she called to say she knew she couldn't keep him because he was too strong, that she'd have to find him a new home. I told her if she put him anyplace else but here that my girls would be heartbroken. I think also, that she see's leaving him with me as payment for the extraordinary amount of work that went into helping her for the months she was in the hospital and rehab, and since then. It's the only payment that makes sense between us. Money isn't the issue, making the dog happy and leaving him with someone who loves him is. We all fell in love with him, and he with us. It is more expensive to have another big dog here, but it isn't a hardship because he's such a sweetheart, hard-headed as he is. He's knocked me over a couple of times, in ways that Susie couldn't have handled. He's brought new life and vigor to my two pooches. None of them can leave the yard without the other two making a huge fuss about it. They all expect to go everywhere together.

When 12-pound Max arrived as a stray a year ago, he seemed like the perfect answer to her desire to have a dog, a small dog who wouldn't knock her down, who came with all of the affection of a big one. But he has the little dog attitude that she didn't ever figure out how to deal with, and it has gotten worse. Susie is smart, if she will dedicate herself to learning how to be in charge of this little dog, I support her, I think she can do it. But if he continues to be out of control, then we'll look to plan B.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 21 May 13 - 11:13 PM

You have peppers already Maggie? Shoot. We don't even have ours planted yet....it's almost time though!

Today I cut up 20 pounds of organic carrots and we are trying out the pressure canner tonight. :) Can't wait to see how it turns out!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 21 May 13 - 10:58 PM

c ouldn't the trainer work iwth her larger dog you are keeping? why does a dog get to knock her down? i don't get it.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 May 13 - 10:54 PM

Susie decided she needed to take further steps to try to reform her little dog; she hadn't realized yesterday that the only outcome of surrendering him was euthanizing him because of biting. In her heart of hearts I think she feared it, but hoped they would give him to a family with no small children. No way.

So she called me today to tell me that she was hiring a dog trainer to work with them both - giving him a last hour reprieve. Yesterday was the wake-up call she needed. Training will be for herself and anyone who works with the dig in how to handle him and keep him in control if he feels aggressive. He can be the most charming little guy - I know she loves having a dog with her, and the scale of this dog is right for her, so I wish them both success and will do what I can to help. He is good with me because I make him behave. That's what she needs to learn.

On other matters, today we had a good rain. My veggie garden always benefits. I've been seeing pests, so I need to be diligent to keep all of my plants happy and producing. I'll do what I can in the evenings after work, and I'm taking Friday off so I have a long weekend. It's into the garden for more weeding and pest control. I saw a lovely pepper this evening - I'll find an excuse to pick it and cook it in the next couple of days. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 21 May 13 - 07:02 PM

Got a UPS delivery yesterday and it was the first time EVER that a UPS truck came down our driveway. Our local USPS person drives a Jeep, so I'm not sure she's been often intimidated in the past. (And I bet she loves the driveway now...)

Despite taking the afternoon "off", I had a pretty productive day. And now I'm about to heat up Sunday night's ground beef and smoked oyster stirfry and serve it on torn up lettuce (instead of in neat little lettuce bundles -- I don't have the energy).

After getting Tom breakfasted, the trash taken up to the road, large carnivore piss sprinkled around the ladyslippers, a package to my sister addressed and taken to the post office and mailed, I decided, since I was absolutely exhausted (juggling a bunch of things and a good friend's funeral last night) to take the rest of the day more or less off. Oh, I also stuck a springy flamingo into a planter, cut up a box for next week's trash, and decided to plant the -- I don't know what they are; they're not coleus but are similar -- in one of the planters at the head of the driveway. (But I didn't actually DO it.)

Tom's physical therapist came at 11, I finished up at the computer and went upstairs and read until lunch. Made lunch, went back upstairs to my book, and fielded phone calls, but they were phone calls from friends and took my mind off a strong desire to nap.

Still very tired, but doing better than earlier. The new surface makes it a lot easier to walk up the driveway to collect the mail.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 May 13 - 03:43 PM

Ah ha! Tracking email from USPS - binders have reached W Y S I W Y G. I hope soon the mail carrier will be admiring Linn's new driveway. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 May 13 - 10:34 AM

About 10 pounds of e-waste delivered to the blue bin in the basement. It still has stuff I delivered there last week, so I need to find out how often they pick up this stuff. I'd like to see a larger collection bin in a public area, but that can only happen if they get it regularly, before it fills up and looks ugly.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 May 13 - 08:08 PM

I posted earlier...have no idea where it went.

Today has been busy with normal chores, extra time cleaning in our bedroom, bagging up seasonal stuff, stuff that isn't fitting for now, dusting, etc. I also spent time brushing and grooming our Bernese Mtn. Dog and giving our Cocker a haircut. He let me get him about half done. We'll finish up tomorrow. I also spent time planting one of the raised beds that Pete made for me. There are 3. Today Jeremiah and I picked rocks, loosened the dirt and planted sunflowers and cosmos. :)

I'm about to make dinner...garlic and lemon chicken with sauteed spinach and walnuts. Baked potatoes too.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 May 13 - 07:19 PM

The afternoon from Hell for Susie. The humane society won't take an animal that is being surrendered for biting if the bite was recent, it has to be taken to the city pound. We were told that euthanasia is the only answer after a 10-day quarantine. The map to the pound has the wrong hours, the place closed early on Monday. So she took this dog back home, sad beyond measure at the outcome ahead, that she couldn't get it over with today. I told her she could put him in a muzzle except when he's eating. She doesn't think that is any kind of a life, but perhaps tonight she'll think it over.

She knows about a co-worker of mine who has inoperable cancer and has three dogs. They're older, gentler than her young large lab (who lives with me now because he knocks her flat) and I think Susie has decided that when that woman decides the time has come to find a home for them, that she'll step forward. Offering relief for my coworker, to know that the pack is still together.

What an afternoon. Storms brewing. I need to run another quick errand then put the truck in the garage. One more ride for Zeke.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 May 13 - 08:35 AM

Yes, in case my description of "large carnivore urine" wasn't clarification enough, it was, indeed, free and freely donated by Tom. Alas, he can no longer climb up on the bank and spritzle it directly... I'm hoping doing this even after the flowers have been eaten will discourage the critters from even checking out the area in the future.

This won't sound like much, but it was a major decluttering decision and victory -- On Saturday I spotted a great computer chair at a yardsale for 5 bucks. I was very tempted to get it to replace an ugly orange one. But the orange one isn't in current use; it's being stored (for the past year) "temporarily" on the deck covered in plastic. Since Tom is still using a wheelchair at the table and around the house, the vintage wooden office chair he had been using is now in service at the computer. (I'm sitting on it right now.) So...I temporarily passed on the yardsale chair while I did a short yardsale loop and thought about it. And I not only thought myself out of it, but came to the conclusion I should get rid of the chair on the deck ASAP.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 May 13 - 10:23 PM

I'm sure Gargoyle urine would drive ANYTHING away. I'll bet it's noxious stuff.

I have some things here at the house that a friend sent for me to sell on eBay. I've listed them occasionally, when I had time or could reach them on that messy table. All is in order now and I'm working on listing a mix of his stuff and mine. He can use the cash, though none of it is going to go for very much. Every little bit helps.

There is stuff in the truck to go to various recycling locales. There is a lot to go out to the curb for morning trash. A LOT.

Must help my friend Susie with dog issues tomorrow. The MinPin she adopted isn't working out - he has bitten everyone in the family and gave her a bad bite today. She was in tears when she called. He has to be surrendered, she knows it, but she has lost so much lately. Her big dog is still with me, but he would mow her down. We need to find an older larger gentle dog. Wish us luck, and a relatively smooth transition.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Jeri
Date: 19 May 13 - 09:31 PM

This is why people should avoid assuming things.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 19 May 13 - 09:03 PM

Have your husband, mate, kid down the block,...pee on the plants.

(Give a donation - to the local university - and ask the reamanders of the Monday NCAA "piss-pot report" to go into your collection.)

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

something within this post is lacking common sense when you spritzled the area with large carnivore urine...

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 May 13 - 07:50 PM

Pink ladyslippers are almost impossible to transplant because they have such a deep taproot and also such finicky growing conditions (under pine trees). They depend on a certain quality dappled winter shade -- so I never know how many we'll have each spring (never fewer than 12 nor more, I think, than 46). They also depend on naive bees for pollination...the flower encloses nothing useful for a bee, but it has to attract them twice.

This afternoon I spritzled the area with large carnivore urine...and will continue to do it. Maybe I can permanently discourage those woodchucks. A couple weeks ago they (or some critter) nibbled the tops off the Egyptian onions in the half barrel up close to the deck and also dug in one of the nasturtium planted planters on the deck. Cheeky! (Deer sometimes get at the hostas.)

I got a bunch of little niggling things done today. Satisfying, though.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 May 13 - 04:04 PM

What a difference a few hours made to clear out my sun room. I have consigned some "possible" eBay items (that sat in a box of leftover electronic stuff) to e-waste that I'll take to work to recycle (now that I know about that e-waste bin in the basement.) It doesn't take long to break down boxes, put the various packing materials with the rest of it for future use to make a lot of room. I dusted. And did a lot of searches to see if the things stored in there were still items that might sell on eBay. Some surprised me.

I've made several trips into the sewing room to put things away in there. I need to clear out some of the kid craft stuff in both the sewing and sun rooms that is dried out or curled up an no longer useful. This seems to be the last blast of spring cleaning before summer (which in the world of park rangers and tourist areas arrives on Memorial Day weekend - for the rest of the world, it arrives on June 21).

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 May 13 - 11:31 AM

Dorothy, one of the local broadcast UHF channels here (ION Life) is playing old episodes of neat with Hellen Buttigieg. I see she films in Oakville, Ontario. She has a web site with newsletters and such. Perhaps it is time to threaten to call in a professional. It looks like she works in the Toronto area, but even visiting the site might help.

I use the Don Aslett book Clutter's Last Stand to get motivated, but here is an article recommended by Buttigieg on her facebook page that might give some ideas.

I felt silly last night, but I couldn't find some of the things I was going to sell on eBay, looking through rooms where they once lived. I'd forgotten than after getting rid of the old Dish satellite tv boxes in a hall cupboard that I moved these items into their place. I found them this morning. Now for some eBay listings.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 May 13 - 09:24 AM

19 May 2013

Linn! A good driveway is marvelous! Losing the lady slippers is not. The way I felt when my beautiful African violet flowers were totally eaten overnight – the mouse did it! Taking action in a positive way is good for the spirit. Good move!

Travel trailer shown and well received. Just need clearness from bro to sell this and get it out of here.

So glazing got done on Friday and I tried something new with some pots. The firing was perfect except that because my friend's piece, shaped like a fruit bowl on a pedestal, took up a whole shelf, I placed smaller pieces under it. One mug was too close. The mug has a piece out of it and there is a spot on the underside or her piece that will need to be ground off. All the rest of my pots were good and the new thing I tried is really nice.


When I delivered the piece to her at the Market on Saturday, she was thrilled to pieces and unphased by the blip. I was happily amazed at how well the glaze had come out. And delighted to make her so happy. Uncluttered my mind of the concern of having it turn out well and safe. It was weighing on me!

I needed that as I lost a baby squirrel that morning. He would not eat and I went outside to get a signal and phone the squirrel lady. She told me what to do but when I got back in – he was dead. I found it hit me very hard. And I had to message Melanie about it. She had done so much to save this little guy. He may have been injured when his tree was cut down.

The loss of a child is certainly the worst thing that can happen; I was thinking of that as I felt the pain of losing a squirrel I had only had a week! I feel so incredibly fortunate in my healthy progeny.

I still went of to "do" the Ormstown yard sale day. Met some friends and unloaded my sorrow – some of it anyway. But my heart was not in yard sales so I went to check the unplanted trees at the mill, found notice from building inspector – Need permit for the work already done! Heaven forbid R should clutter his life with doing things in the right order!

Watered trees, stopped at the thrift shop – the women there are so cheery!- and purchased a heating pad (always useful!), found "rat food" for the other squirrels at a pet food store, and sunflower seeds at the bulk food store to keep me going until I got home.

By the time I go back to O-town I was able to do the yard sale thing and it was good. I had on my wonderful raccoon shirt which, interestingly, generates conversation with a select few! This separates the animal lovers from the general, unaware, public.

Talking about little guy helped ease the pain, hugs from friends and talking with animal lovers was healing. Had a long sit down chat with a couple I have met many times at craft shows. Finally walked up to a home where I was greeted as though these people knew me. Loved my shirt, offered me a chair and after about an hour of talking with this wonderful family about raccoons and other things, I realized they had not met me before but we are certainly friends now! Now it was 5 pm and I could go home feeling better.

I did come home with a few items: small gate-leg table (round) for solarium, already painted so we can make it the colour we want; drapes for the big front window; a beautiful blue glass vase, a cylinder about a foot tall to put in a window; 4 mugs in a watermelon motif that remind me of a dear friend – no one needs more mugs but these are special; two clear glass objects – look like tiny butter dishes but they are very heavy and only about 4 inches across, they will be terrific for the amount of butter we use – about a 20th of a pound lasts several weeks and often goes rancid so with this well fitted lid it may keep better; a nice metal wall piece that holds two pots – a 5 inch geranium pot would be perfect; 2 pots of two dif types of hosta; a beautiful and unique aged copper "plant holder (would be great for a pie if one had a fancy "do").

R was stuck in the city. On Friday aft, it was "I can come down but have to come back in the morning". That did not seem a good idea so we agreed he stay and I would fetch him on Sat when he was ready. If I had fetched him on Friday, the fork lift he would not have been driving would not have had a freak accident and destroyed itself – but fortunately not him! Then it took all day Sat to purchase another fork lift and have it delivered. So much for our 3-day weekend (Victoria Day). Phooey! Maybe today "but I have to bring some paper work with me…"

This is totally ridiculous – I had this fantasy that he could de-clutter his life and have a real life – go paddle his canoe, get a van and travel….

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 May 13 - 10:24 PM

Thanks, Michelle. I can't think of anything more difficult for a parent than losing a child. What equipment is she wanting to add to local schools?

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 May 13 - 09:00 PM

I spent most of this day photographing an event that my friend organized. She lost her son Kyle to asthma a little over a year ago when he was 15 years old. Today's event, The 1st Annual Kyle Lenhardt Asthma Memorial Walk was a great success for a first year event! She is raising money to promote asthma awareness and equipment for the local schools. I made a little montage for her and thought I'd share it here as well.

The 1st Annual Kyle Lenhardt Asthma Memorial Walk

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bettynh
Date: 18 May 13 - 03:27 PM

My great-aunt had a whole bed of yellow ladyslippers behind her kitchen ell - apparently you can transplant the yellow variety, but I've never been able to move the pinks. She picked a bouquet for the local flower club one year and the ladies were scandalized (even though at that point she had hundreds). Ladyslippers have always been mysterious and sacred.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 May 13 - 01:59 PM

Awwww! The city version of that (as Janie would attest to, I remember her remarks at her other house) is the urban flower-filcher. You look out one day and your gorgeous iris is in bloom, you look back the next morning and there is a hole where someone dug up and made off with it.

Poppy had her stapled stitches out this morning. She still has to wear a t-shirt until her scab falls off (on its own).

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 May 13 - 12:59 PM

Most likely woodchucks. But I'm devastated. In 35 years, we've never had this happen.

Many years ago on the other side of the driveway and a little closer to the house(but not by much), I tried to have a small flower bed with lilies (lilium, not fulva) in it. Every year, just as the blooms were about to open, woodchucks would neatly nip them off and eat them. I figured it was because the cats (then inside/outside cats) didn't usually range in that direction. I gave up on that bed.

For those of you who are my Facebook friends, I'm just about to post driveway pictures. (And one photo of ladyslipper stems...)

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bettynh
Date: 18 May 13 - 12:23 PM

Linn, it doesn't make a lot of sense to us, does it? The book is great - he's one of my favorite authors (this is an account of his retirement - a day in his life frequently starts before dawn so he can climb a tree and be ready to watch his geese!). In a way it does make sense for the geese to nest and hatch their goslings away from other geese and predators on tiny spots of water in the woods. But they need grass for themselves and the family while the goslings grow. A march through the woods is apparently the common answer to the problem.

My sympathies about the ladyslippers. Could you have a woodchuck? They're quite the gourmets. They'll often eat just flowers and leave the remaining plant behind, though I've never had ladyslippers for them to eat. Hot pepper spray works if you see more damage.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 May 13 - 12:09 PM

I'm in a state of shock. There's been a ladyslipper slaughter! The pink flower at the top of the stem of every blooming ladyslipper at the head of the driveway has either been eaten off or plucked off.

Before I left for a quick yardsale loop I took photos from the house of our new driveway. When I got home I was taking pictures of the new driveway from a different angle. Went to photograph this year's ladyslippers -- there were 20 blooming yesterday afternoon -- and all that remained were tall stems. The flowers were gone.

In almost 35 years, I've NEVER seen this happen!

Finding a turkey feather in front of the back beds didn't make up for it.

Bettynh, I didn't think the adults took goslings too far away from water.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bettynh
Date: 18 May 13 - 09:46 AM

Linn, this book has the answer to your goose question. The author had a good time watching nesting geese in a tiny bog near his home, then they were gone. He found them in a farm pond two or three miles away. Apparently, that's normal. There's a pond next to a restaurant near here. Last week I noticed there were no geese at all there. By the end of the summer, there'll hardly be room on the shore for the grazing geese, and they're notorious for mugging restaurant patrons on the patio.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 May 13 - 09:09 AM

Official ladyslipper count (as of yesterday afternoon) is 20.

And, as I turned from the mailbox to walk back down the driveway, two Canada geese and 5 or 6 goslings crossed the road just down the hill from me and waddled up our down-the-hill and across-the-road neighbor's driveway. Nice to see, but a bit puzzling as there is no water closeby. There's a bit of swamp and trickle of a stream way down at the bottom of the hill (bit of a hike for those goslings) and a beaver pond way out back of the house they were headed for. Again, not exactly close.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 13 - 05:46 PM

Boxes to post office. Contents are printed music book pages and binders. Music pages included to fit the letter of the regulation; let's see if they get there as media.

Hot here today. I'm headed out to mow. A load of laundry is out of the way; tonight I'll work on the sun room some more, and I have a couple of eBay things to list.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 13 - 12:41 PM

It's nice to have a big project like that finished, isn't it? I'm looking forward to someday soon getting the step-down (6 inches) from the rest of the house into the "den" filled in with concrete and finished so that concrete surface can be stained and left alone. I'll have so much more freedom to move the furniture around my house then.

Lovely warm day, I took the day off. Heavy weather headed this way come evening, so I'll finish my running around soon.

Michelle, that looks like a great afternoon out hiking!

Dorothy, I have been making of point of trying new routes between work and home. There are a couple of bottlenecks I can't avoid, but there are many possibilities once I get past the main one, and I've discovered some wonderful neighborhoods and rural areas tucked into an otherwise fully-built-out city.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 May 13 - 12:34 PM

Spent a looooong time on the phone this morning with my contact at NH ServiceLink who guided me into the CFI/Medicaid application and with my contact (who had guided me to ServiceLink when I couldn't get a real person at Social Security) at my Congressperson, Carol Shea-Porter's office.

After feeling for the past week when everybody seemed to be pointing fingers and my emails asking for advice and more information seemed to be ignored, I finally got some answers and clarification. I also found out that, since I pointed out the failing in the system to inform me at the beginning of the application process of what I would be actually applying for and what would be excluded because of marital status, this problem is also being addressed in the agencies involved so this situation doesn't happen again.

I'm still going to write to the governor's office outlining my experience. Others have expressed surprise that I'm specifically excluded from being paid as Tom's caregiver because we're married. That if there is financial abuse, it could be ANY relative or other caregiver, not just spouse, and that abuse should be addressed on a case by case situation, not by a blanket exclusion. Tom is convinced, too, that it's a violation of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.

I still need more information, but with what I have now, it does seem more likely that we will go through with the final item (change of beneficiary on Tom's life insurance) that needs to be filed before the deadline.

Meanwhile...THE DRIVEWAY IS DONE!!!! Maybe after lunch I can take some pictures and post them at Facebook. Besides making life a lot easier and SAFER for Tom, it looks fantastic. What a difference!

And my "new" car should be ready for me to drive home next week.

The official count on ladyslippers at the head of the driveway is 16. Tricky little beauties to count, I've gotten 16 three times, so that's official for now. Good possibility there will be more, but who knows... How many we have in the spring depends on a certain type of dappled winter light and naive bees...

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 16 May 13 - 11:03 PM

Jeremiah and I spent hours at Sapsucker Woods Bird Sanctuary walking the trails, taking lots of photos, watching the birds, looking for *shishies* and just really, REALLY enjoying the day!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 May 13 - 03:54 PM

Weather is warming again! Weather sensitivity may well be why yesterday was - well I did get on line stuff done and do not feel it was time wasted. I was giving support, communicating, getting info, sharing stuff...

The modem is outdoors because I was not getting a signal indoors! We do not have a phone so we are getting the signal from a tower "out there somewhere". It just plain quit and I was getting fed up so I tried and it works. YAY! Our neighbour is planning an 85 foot tower to get the signal! His livlihood depends on it.

So today I have cleared a lot of stuff in the BR, emptied stuff out of the travel trailer in the back yard so the postal lady can look at it and taken my language disability in both hands and gone off to St. Antoine to find the friend for whom I am firing a clay piece she made. I have not seen her and did not know where to find her but I knew she baked pies at her daughter's in St. A. I googled and got two addresses. The first was a marvellous bakery I did not know existed. I bought two pieces of choc mousse which I will refrig until R comes back.

The second was - Oh my gosh, there really is a motel and bar here! It looked derelict from the road. THEN, the post office! Yep, told me the street address and I found her and consulted re "pot" AND got phone number. And met her daughter who sells marvellous plants at a market in St. Barbe. I managed this trip with a mixture of French and English. Most people hear my attempts at French and offer English!

Driving back, road work initiated a new route where I found suburban St. A. It is just a tiny village! But now I know how it supports that incredible bakery - lots of upscale houses back in there!

Squirrels fed, internet caught up, ready to go to the studio and start glazing so I can fire the "pot". I will have enough as hers takes up an entire shelf and about 8 inches high! I really want to de-clutter it out of my life lest a mishap befall it!

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 May 13 - 10:12 AM

Linn, I'm sorry you missed the goodbye, but her husband probably told her you had been in touch - you were in her thoughts, I'm sure.

Dorothy, good luck with the house shopping. Interesting setup with the modem - why must it stay outdoors?

There was a lot of damage in the region from thunderstorms and tornadoes, but it stayed to the west and south of here. Lots of rain and some straight line winds - I haven't been out to see if anything was knocked down in the neighborhood (I did check my fences to be sure the dogs would still be contained in the yard.) For this part of the county it was a hefty rainstorm and a threat of flash floods. I have coworkers who live in the Cleburne area where one of the tornadoes hit, so I expect to hear news of them during the day today.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 May 13 - 08:36 PM

Oh Linn, that is hard! One more heavy thing to come to terms with. Coming to terms does take energy.

I knew I needed a de-tox bath last night but did not feel like it so I woke up feeling like nothing at all, fed the squirrels, had a light brekkie and took a bath. Then spent the morning catching up on the internet.

Rousing wildlife rehabbers to do better PR, or trying to. Put the wrong words in another place and got shouted at, yet again, by someone who is just too angry. Took a lot of time to decide whether to ignore her or try to respond. I ended up giving her a very thoughtful response. Probable that she will misread it and be angry all over again. oh well. "I do the best I can and I am sure you do too." Cannot exactly tell someone you hardly know, on FB, that you feel sorry for their pain and anger but are tired of being hit with it. But....

Still need to write a message, tonight, to my troubled friend about the book, Unchained Memories. I keep hoping I will say something that will inspire a response. Also hoping I do not say anything that will make things worse!

Squirrels are enjoying the bigger cage and starting to be more active. I hope the weather will be warm enough for them to move into the large outdoor cage in early June. A 3 foot cube in the kitchen is rather a nuisance!

I had to find a way to keep the modem dry and still outdoors! I did it! In a dog crate turned up side down so the floor protects it and the cord connection is on a high stool with a large plastic bag over it. A different arrangement did not work.

Drove by a house for sale - totally unsuitable so that is off my mind. So far we have missed out on 3 possibilities due to the chaos of our lives. My life would be monumentally uncluttered without R. So I need to un-clutter my brain - as in - that is his stuff; I do not need to deal with it. He is a lousy driver; I will quit worrying about it - just scream when he scares me too much! I need to find a place to live that I can afford and his clutter can stay at the mill. I am letting it weigh me down. (this is a just now at this very moment revelation.)

Now to write to TF.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 15 May 13 - 05:33 PM

I'm currently dealing with a feeling of regret...

A dear friend had been in hospice at home for the past week and a half. And I've been juggling a few too many things, and while I've talked with her husband, I hadn't yet had a chance to say goodbye in person to her -- Tom and I have been trying to figure out if it were feasible for him to come along for a last visit as getting into their house would be complicated for him, still tippy and using a walker.

She passed away early this morning.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 May 13 - 03:29 PM

Hoping to take a day or two off to get stuff cleared out in the sun room. I've been turning sideways to slide past some of the boxes I brought into the house.

Michelle, I've been reading about all of your quilting activity, and last night I had a small dream of having my sewing machine out and a man coming by with a piece of leather and a thick woven piece of strap and he wanted to sew them together on my machine. "No! That's too thick! You'll destroy the timing belt!"

Years ago I had trouble with one of my machines, it's an antique White (the original type of White, before the company name was bought by a Chinese corporation) and I had to take it in a couple of times to get the timing adjusted after my now-ex sewed some leather with it.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 May 13 - 11:45 PM

I still have a bit of unpacking to do at work tomorrow, and I am thinking about pulling my desk a couple of feet out from the wall and sitting with my back to the wall. That way anyone walking behind me won't be looking over my shoulder at my work. Or not work (mudcat, facebook, etc.) I don't know if they'll let me expand out that much, but everyone else has much more space and I may have constrained myself more than I need to.

After that I think I'll be able to take a day off and get some work done around here. I need a weekday when I can run errands when the stores and bank and post office are open.

My son had a good flight in from Arizona this evening and we stopped for dinner at a favorite French restaurant. We'll try to get his sister down for an evening soon so we can all have a meal together.

My fasting/eating/fasting/eating schedule is working out pretty well. I did have two days of regular meals in a rwo because of events where I did want to sit down and share a meal with people. Tomorrow I'll be back to a fasting day, and I need to go buy more fresh fruit for my midday meal. I really do like that part of it - a day in which I eat one meal that is all fruit is not a hardship!

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 May 13 - 09:16 PM

Glad to hear Michelle is still cancer-free. The stress of wondering.... OVER!
Linn, knocked down, is popping back up to find new options to get through life. That is what we do.

My glaze load came out nicely and I sold a few at the market on Saturday and two mugs on Sunday at the demo at the "museum". Hands in cold water on a day that was near to blowing us away and not very warm; R was helpful in loading, unloading and loading again. Then he explored the village while I froze, finally giving up and putting on a coat. The other potter (there were only the two of us for this non-event) sold 3 pieces. We chatted some and hung in until we reached the appointed hour to leave! A dozen people may have stopped in the 3 hours. R drove us home, I fixed a light supper, took a hot bath and went to bed.

I spent all Friday afternoon driving around parts of Montreal picking up three tiny orphaned squirrels, and formula from the "squirrel lady" who gave me a treasure! - a t-shirt with a larger than life raccoon face on it! That got some attention at the cafe. I LOVE it! Spent ner 3 hours with the woman who brought the third squirrel. a new friend. We had a great time shampooing the flea bag three times! Then she sat and watched to make sure there were no more fleas and we talked and talked, until R was finally ready to go back to the country.

Bought a nice, comfortable, like-new denim dress at a rummage sale. My old one is getting seedy looking.

Hoped to go dancing last night in the city but by the time we got there I would have been late. Ten minutes later I was kicking myself for not going even late. The rationale being that the first dances are warm up ones - slow and easy. Anyway, I bought groceries and came back down to the squirrels.

I did all sorts of things today but lots of little things, like putting a closure on the side of the big wire cage R brought from the mill yesterday - heavy cardboard and bungee cords! Twill suffice until I go to town for a piece of hardware cloth. there is a heating pad under part of it for the babies, with a piece of wood on each side so the wire is not resting on it.

I am holding at the 5 pounds lost and have de-cluttered Nothing! Does cleaning the distiller count! I took the top apart after it did not give me water the last two times. The water must have run down onto the floor in the studio. So I brought it into the cabin and checked to see if anything was blocked and cleaned it with great care and perseverance and put it back together. The water was now running down the side onto the counter. Took the top off and adjusted the gasket- several times and finally started getting water in the jug instead of on the counter! Hurray for me!

As the internet has been dicey for two days, I got fed up and took the modem outside and plugged it into an extension cord from the garage to the trailer. It has worked fine sitting on the trailer! Need to do something else when it rains!

Now to feed the kids and take a book to bed before I get hungry again.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 14 May 13 - 03:24 PM

Stilly, we own 33 acres of south slope, heavily wooded land that goes back to the North River. Most of it is totally useless except to be taxed on. (But it's in Current Use, which helps.) Our house is built into the side of the hill.

It's a big pie-shaped piece and we only have 30 foot frontage on the road so there is no access to the multiple acres of trees out back except (partially) through our up-the-hill neighbor's field.

There is only one configuration possible for the driveway and that's what was originally bulldozed when Tom built the house in 1977 (and to which nothing has been done until now). The driveway meets the road just over the crest of the hill and is 225 feet downhill to the house with a turnaround which meets up with the driveway about halfway up. The interior area of the turnaround is planted with mostly hosta, ajuga and some spring bulbs (because I got tired of having to view the spring bulbs on the rockery/bank with binoculars because of the mud).

My flower beds are in a cleared area behind the house -- two major beds and a sundial garden. Parts used to be full sun but now, at best, are partial sun. There is no sunny spot except way out back for a vegetable garden and I can't get water out there, so it's not a good spot (as I found out after trying). I keep salad fixings, nasturtiums and herbs in pots on the deck.

Yesterday the driveway was scraped and leveled. (If there was a market for large rocks, I'd be rich!) Today he's putting down road base and tamping it. There will be gravel on top of that. Paving (asphalt) is too high maintenance and not really a good idea for this location. Should be finished by tomorrow and I am really looking forward to having a decent driveway for the first time in 35 years and not getting soaked to the ankles every spring and fall and losing whole heifers (if we had a heifer) in the driveway every Spring.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 May 13 - 11:36 AM

I have been out of town, got back yesterday. It's always good to be home. At this moment, I'm not sure how long I will be home...we will see. Today I am doing laundry from the away time, catching up on dishes and other household chores.

I just wrote a long paragraph here about other stuff going on but time is short...gotta get going.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 May 13 - 10:46 AM

Linn, how big is the property you're on? Given unlimited resources, how would you lay out the driveway, the garden, the woodpile?

I just read through a thread that Penny S. has been running for a while. And offshoot of the sort of thing we talk about, she is examining the work of gremlins in causing things to stop working. Interesting. I need to be careful that my truck doesn't read that thread. It was fascinating a few years ago when she was working on her last house and getting ready for the move. Clearly that work confused the gremlins, but now they have a clear shot at the household.

My son flies in this evening, and I've been clearing out some clutter on the kitchen counter and table so he can sit down and eat when we get here. I'm sure he won't stay long, he usually head's over to his dad's house as his base of operations for visiting with his friends. Neither of us will see him much during this two week's visit. :)

I have a lot of the clutter that I brought home from the office that still needs to be put away neatly or packed to ship out. I have a bunch of frames in the front room that I'll lay out on the dining room table and see if I have things that will fit in them. The local craft shop has matte board, and I do have a cutter that I don't think has been out of the box. Its time has arrived.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 12 May 13 - 04:29 PM

I think I've had an accomplished day so far. A few more things to do, of course. Always more to do.

I got the rhubarb safely transplanted from up where my driveway guy wants to dump the dirt scraped from the driveway, I consolidated some firewood to give him more space, moved the grill and the ash containers as well as the concrete pavers and bricks that were on the front and side of the deck. Got the 40 lb. bag of topsoil out of the car, filled a couple large planters and got the basil planted. Rescued some more violets, too.

And inside I got the beef tongue into the freezer and ran out the recipes I'll be using with it, one trying to duplicate a dish I had in a neighborhood Mexican restaurant in Chicago years ago with a tomato sauce and green olives, and one a stew with Thai overtones. Not sure if I'll have enough to pickle, but maybe I can make a taste at least.

Tomorrow is a busy day with the driveway work being started. Tom has a doctor's appointment in the afternoon and I have several errands that can also be done while we're out -- including taking a bunch of stuff to Goodwill. Of course, I might stop at the library on the way home and pick up some more books (quick reading mysteries that I can take right back for November's sale) for a buck a bag.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 May 13 - 11:55 AM

so far we are okay: we owe more than it is worth (bad mistake using the equity we inherited buying a repo, then later, to finance buying a house for our daughter and Morgan, and we haven't used any government insurance. in fact, until i am older, i'm not even eligible.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 May 13 - 12:28 AM

I don't know if they let you get away with signing your house into a child's name when you are on Medicaid--I'm sure they have lots of ways of undoing things people might do to save assets. It's a piss pour excuse for "health care" if you have to be destitute to be eligible for it.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 May 13 - 10:48 PM

SRS, my daughter has been telling us we to something to protect our house, but I didn't know it was Medicaid. Thanks for the link.

kat

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 May 13 - 02:54 PM

Sounds good, and yes, you're backsliding. :)

Dog adventures this morning. I fed them at 8am and was waiting until everyone had taken care of their business before I took them over to the village for the annual shot clinic. At 10am they came up to the door and Poppy was licking her side- I found a 2" gash through the skin. It looks like she got stuck somewhere or ran across some edge that has become sharp. I'm going to explore the yard this afternoon to find out what it might have been.

A call to the vet got us wedged into the morning schedule at the vet's, where they shaved her side, stapled her up, sent her home with some pills and a cone. She looks like she's drunk figuring out the cone. And if I send her outside I'm to put her in an old t-shirt. That will go over well with the other two, who will no doubt try to take it off of her.

Back home by noon so Poppy and I swung by the firehall annual shot clinic for her shots (and some oohing and ahhing about the stitches) and after I dropped her at home I took the other two dogs back over. It was an expensive day dog-wise.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 May 13 - 01:02 PM

Just got back from the library sale...I "lost". But I scored some really good books, a couple of which are baseball books that will go to my brother (after I read them), and a couple will be loaning copies (such as "Misquoting Jesus" and a Robert Hellenga's novel "Philosophy Made Simple") and books I intend to give to someone who deserves them such as a couple Nick Bantocks.

And, sigh, I will probably go back sometime this week and buy a bunch more -- especially quick read mysteries -- at a buck a bag.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 May 13 - 10:33 AM

I also parse out my sales, like you suggest. Furniture goes on Craigslist (there is a local classified ad for eBay, but I can never remember how to get to it, so I assume others don't readily go there to search). I've sold quite a few books that had a higher value on Amazon. The eBay portion has to fit some specific criteria - you can sell anything as long as you can give a good and accurate description, and as long as you can find a reasonable way to package and ship it. Sometimes I only list as "Buy it Now." Other times I list items via auction with a "Buy it Now" option if someone wants to skip watching the auction for the lower price and just buy it outright for a few dollars more.

I wouldn't rely on the Medicaid folks to tell you what the negatives are for joining their program. I'd look for local attorneys who represent claimants in Medicaid cases. I searched on "Losing your house to Medicaid" - here.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 May 13 - 08:29 AM

Selling stuff has been my supplementary income since I "retired", but it's such a scramble. Mostly I've been selling directly, but I HAVE planned to get set up with eBay and I have some stuff that would probably sell better on Craig'sList. (And some books, because I want to ask a specific price rather than leave it to auction, will go on Amazon.) Maggie, I would REALLY appreciate your advice and the benefit of your eBay experience.

Last night I sold a vintage carnelian and marcasite ring (to a friend) and "made a date" to sell a vintage carnelian necklace to a former Press Room waitress. (Her new job is seasonal, so she can't really budget it for about a month, but she's a good customer.)

I've come to the conclusion that Medicaid, if we can't benefit from the CFI program, is more of a hindrance than a help in our lives, so Tom's life insurance is saved and that last T will remain uncrossed. I still have to write the emails to the Medicaid people involved and ask for an explanation (as to why we were never told I was ineligible) and, just in case, to explain exactly what the benefit to Tom would be if he completes the applications AND what the negative aspects would be. Meanwhile I'll do some more research and find if there is anything else that might make life a bit less of a scramble.

I'm probably not going to declutter anything today; it's the Nottingham library sale. I win if I purchase fewer books that I've donated. Alas ;-) I usually am lucky to break even...

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 May 13 - 11:44 PM

Michelle, I am inspired by your adoption of quilting - I've been clearing a workspace in my daughter's room/the guest room/my sewing room. I love the smell of the room when I go in, a little bit the stuff my daughter collected, but a lot of it is the scent of sewing materials and fabric. And probably more than a hint of dust. :)

I picked up some items that were junked by other departments on my floor of the library. We had to get rid of stuff we're not using or that is old technology to be ready to move out for summer renovations, and I found a beautiful portable light table that is in excellent condition that I rescued from the discard area. Plus a bunch of other stuff rescued - and my sun room is the more crowded for it. Backsliding. Alas. Some of these things will go straight to eBay, others will go to the sewing room. I used to make myself embroidery patterns by tracing cards onto paper (light table) then drawing that traced pattern onto cloth (again on the light table). Plus I have tons of slides to sort and eventually scan.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 10 May 13 - 10:06 PM

Lots of fabric cutting today. I have another 2 Sit & Sews coming up and I prefer to cut my fabric when it's quiet and calm. Cutting doesn't come easy to me and so I take my time at home and then have everything ready to sew when I get there.

I did clean up my sewing area, got caught up with the laundry, everything is put away from the retreat and the table by my chair has been almost cleared. I have a stack of magazines to go through. I WILL get through them and I WILL get rid of some of them!!!

I intended to dust today but ran out of my Endust so I guess it will just wait.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 May 13 - 01:31 AM

It seems to me that this is the time when you contact your local congress person to see if they can help pull any strings. That restriction makes no sense. I suppose they figure families will abuse it, but what makes it any less likely that other pairs of people won't abuse it? He can show he is in need, and you had to retire to deal with this.

Meanwhile, Linn, it's time to start doing something from home, like eBay, because that is off the books. I've been talking a friend in NYC through how to get started with it. As long as you don't earn over $40,000 a year, there is no taxing the income from it.

Headed to bed. I got to sleep earlier last night, and I'm sure I'll sleep late on Saturday (though I need to be up to take the dogs to the shot clinic at City Hall). I've just about finished the packing in my office and I'll take more stuff down to the new location tomorrow. And try to take the afternoon off, after one short meeting at 1pm. Next week our summer in a cramped little office begins.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 10 May 13 - 01:28 AM

that is such an obvious question they should have told you right away. Is Tom a veteran perchance? There could be something from VA.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 09 May 13 - 07:26 PM

Double check just to be sure. We received lots of conflicting information when my nana was in the nursing home. People make mistakes and I'm hoping for your sake, that your caseworker made a giant one.

It seems to me that getting help when you really, REALLY need it is so much harder than necessary.

(((((Hugs)))))))))

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 May 13 - 05:04 PM

I seldom cry, but I think I could just dissolve right now into a puddle of tears of total frustration. I feel as if I've just been slammed in the chest by a telephone pole. Since January I've been jumping through Medicaid and CFI (Choice For Independence program) hoops with the promise that the program would pay me to be Tom's caregiver, since I can't work even a part time job to supplement our meagre social security. All the way along the line, the goal has been to get a supplemental income. Today, talking to the man who would be Tom's case manager, I suddenly was informed that a SPOUSE is not eligible to be paid. If Tom and I weren't married (erasing our 31 married years) I could be paid. If I were Tom's child, I could be paid. If I were a total stranger I could be paid. But a spouse is NOT eligible. For the past 4 months at every stage of this very complicated process no one ever said a spouse was ineligible -- and everyone we dealt with knew that this was the ONLY reason we were applying for Medicaid. I'm almost reduced to tears...of frustration...disappointment. I don't cry easily but I may just have a crying fit when I go upstairs. At least we haven't yet signed Tom's small life insurance policy over to the State of New Hampshire.

By the way, the case manager is a wonderful person we hit it off with immediately (even on the phone when he called to make an appointment to see us). And he, too, is...disappointed, I guess, would be a good word...that all of this effort will not give us the goal that we were, well, promised.

I am just...stunned.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 09 May 13 - 12:57 PM

Exhausted from yesterday....doing some laundry, dishes and puttering. Still in my jammies...might curl up on the couch for a bit.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 May 13 - 10:02 AM

I said I'd clear up some of the stuff I brought home from work - I'd better actually do that, or I won't be able to come and go through the side door.

Fingers crossed we get rain today, I prefer that to having to drag hoses and sprinklers. I have some mulch to spread in a couple of areas before the rain, clearing the bags out of the driveway. It's an old habit, to have extra bags of topsoil or mulch around, but they sit there too long and grass grows into them or the plastic rots and I can't move them from the spot. I'm making a point to use this stuff as I bring it home, or very soon after.

Linn, are you relocating the herbs, or are you abandoning that effort? Is your entire yard shady?

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 May 13 - 08:46 AM

Ah, Michelle! It's good that they're cautious, but even if the head knows it's probably nothing, the wait and...concern...is exhausting.

The excess dirt is probably going where my rhubarb is now (and which I'm moving, as I've intended for several years, out back) and that area in front of the house that is currently not quite level and then drops off down the hill. The 4-quadrant herb garden which I built 25 years ago has been destroyed over the past 10 by loads of firewood being dumped there (no one asked me) or snow and dirt plowed up there. Plus it's gone from full sun to almost full shade Sigh. You'd think the half barrel with the statue in it might have been a clue that it wasn't barren ground...

Anyway, I'm giving up on that location for anything decorative and Drew will level it and probably extend the plateau a bit so that can be an area to dump snow.

It's very sleepy out today and I'm not sure how much (besides cooking that beef tongue) I'll get accomplished today. And a visit from Jeri. And making the phone calls necessary to get the complicated wording just right on the change of beneficiary on Tom's small life insurance policy. And change the bed and wash sheets.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 May 13 - 08:13 PM

Hallelujah!!!

Thanks for sharing the great news!

Linn, that dirt that gets scraped up from the driveway probably has many possible applications - no wonder you want to know where it will end up. I have a friend with a pickup that doesn't have shell on the back (like mine does) who is going to pick up a load of dirt and mulch for me one of these days. Looking forward to more raised beds, but also to filling in a few holes in the back dug by dogs.

More boxes packed at work, more stuff brought home. The sun room is a mess right now; I'll straighten it tomorrow before I head to work, because I have to unpack and take a crate and a few bags back with me to the office for more.

I have a new category of item to list on eBay, I'll see about doing that this evening. Last night I was busy finishing a freelance project. Turned in, with the invoice this morning.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 May 13 - 07:37 PM

After several call backs for more photos in bizarre positions and a trip to the radiologist, I have been cleared. NO CANCER. What they were seeing was a vessel that got squished.

I am exhausted and going to bed. I appreciate all the love, good thoughts and prayers my friends.

Love to you all.

Michelle Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 May 13 - 03:45 PM

Looks like my earlier post disappeared.

Michelle, thinking good thoughts and praying for you.

I've had a very productive day. Supposed to have a meeting with the driveway guy at 8 a.m., but he had an emergency commitment and had to postpone til later. So I made breakfast for Tom, got the dishes done, gave Tom a manicure, watered the deck plants to ensure it rains tonight, paid some bills, got an important letter to the mailbox, moved a few rocks, and got the kitchen compost emptied. Counted 21 not-yet-ripe ladyslippers in their usual spot(s) at the head of the driveway. Looking forward to their annual display!

Had the meeting with the driveway guy, who hopes to start on Monday, and I pointed out the edges of the flower bed (mostly hostas) inside the driveway and turnaround and I'll get the rhubarb transplanted this weekend (even in the rain). I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't lose any hostas through carelessness, that Tom can get out to a doctor's appointment on Monday and that I know where the excess dirt from scraping the driveway area is going.

Then after lunch I took the last batch of books to the library sale and went over to my car guy and gave him a deposit on the 2002 Subaru which I can pick up next week. Did a couple errands on the way home at grocery and hardware store and then called the auto insurance people when I got home, so now all I have to do is call again when I know exactly when I'm picking up my "new" car and trading in the old. Oh, got some other paperwork (of which there seems to be a lot in our life right now) done as well.

Oh, and I researched some recipes so I know what to do with the 5+ lb. beef tongue I bought yesterday. I'll cook it up tomorrow and parcel it out into about three different meals plus sandwiches and refreeze. Looking forward to it.

Life seems to be checking things off lists lately.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 May 13 - 01:44 PM

More stuff being lugged home from the office that would otherwise end up dumped or in surplus. I'm emptying file drawers today.

Several trips up and down the entire flight of library stairs today, and if it doesn't rain, I may be able to mow the front after work. That's always a good workout.

Waiting to hear from Michelle, here or via PM, as needed. Take care, kiddo!

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: ranger1
Date: 08 May 13 - 07:54 AM

(((Michelle)))

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: maire-aine
Date: 07 May 13 - 11:37 PM

Sending love & prayers, Michelle.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 May 13 - 10:35 PM

Oh, dear. Michelle, we're right here with you, even though we're scattered all over the planet. (You weren't packing your cell phone around in your bra that day, were you?)

Call if you need to. Friends on facebook can go to my "about" page and find my phone number.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 07 May 13 - 09:25 PM

This has nothing to do with decluttering or exercise but since you are people I talk to frequently, I am posting this here.

I had a mammogram last week. Today I came home to find a letter and a message on my machine that something asymmetrical was found and they want to see me back ASAP.   *Deep breath*

If you pray, I would truly appreciate your prayers for the next few days.

Michelle who is feeling pretty numb.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 May 13 - 10:38 AM

Some pieces of a Russel Wright set of Melamine (a teal speckled melmac set from my childhood) came in yesterday. They're the same plastic and color, but not the same molds. I'm using this for extra plates if I have folks over for informal potlucks, etc. I'm still looking for the exact match, and if I find them, I'll sell off the extras that aren't from the set. That's the great thing about eBay - it can go right out the door again. :)

I have to do another purge in the closet soon. I have clothes that will fit in smaller sizes, but since I can't wear many of them to work any more, I can pull them for the Goodwill. I always keep a few for my own casual wear, and I need all of the yard pants I can find (I am hard on the gardening clothes). I'm not saving any of this for garage sales - clothes just don't sell well at garage sales unless they are brand new.

It is garage sale season, and as tempting as it is to go take a look, I still have stuff to clear out here before I start shopping for my eBay sales. I'm not there yet. Getting rid of the paperbacks last weekend helped some, but there is a lot of stuff here still to sell or donate before I have room to actively shop categories of things to sell on eBay.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 May 13 - 11:02 PM

If they'd seen me hauling all of the stuff at my friends' house after it was foreclosed, dismantling the greenhouse pieces, loading it in the pickup, erecting it at home - this table is nothing. In the middle of all of the big stuff going on, it seems to be the small stuff that is most annoying or catches one off guard as far as an emotional response.

I stopped to see a friend this afternoon, and called another this evening. Good vibrations from friends were just what was needed to get back to a good mood.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 May 13 - 08:12 PM

Female chauvinists - those who believe there is men's work and women's work - ARGGHHHH!

Managed to load kiln, prepare clay and, later, start kiln. Otherwise inertia. Just got out of hot bath. Did not get to go dancing again this week; R has car, truck that was supposed to come at noon came about 4:30. It would have been better if I had driven him to mill and come home. I could have gone to the city, done laundry, gone dancing and back to pick him up about 10:30. Maybe next week.

Thanks, SRS. I will keep that in mind. I just went to check the scale. It really is the pits but I washed it and moved the markers and ascertained what numbers meant what. I was about 167, the best I could tell but I thought it was 165 this morning. I am belabouring it! Try harder tomorrow. De-toxing does help make it easier - or less difficult.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 May 13 - 05:45 PM

May seems to be "Trolls come out of the woodwork" month.

I was set to move a narrow desk down to the temporary office we'll be in for the summer when our office manager said no. I have to wait a week until movers get here. I'd like to move it now and have it in place so the rest of the stuff I'm taking down there can be set where it needs to be. Nope, the office manager isn't having it. I had to put it back. I work with women who apparently have men move all heavy objects for them. I moved my entire apartment contents to my house when I moved in, except the upright grand, I have a guy who does that professionally. A desk - nothing to it.

It is going to be a wasted week.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 May 13 - 12:49 PM

Michelle, good work! I can see why you enjoy a dedicated time for sewing. And Dorothy, it sounds like you have your hands full! Linn also, with the visits and driveway and firewood and such.

Dorothy, a heads up: I had my dentist appointment for my six month appointment for cleaning, and I told them about the fasting diet. There was more plaque to be knocked off in a couple of places, and apparently with the tea drinking on days I don't eat much, and what I do eat being fruit, the acid levels in all of those things help the plaque stick more. So I'll make sure to brush my teeth more often on the fasting days. You might want to build that into the routine. I'm still down the same amount of weight, I haven't lost more, probably because I made sure to add extra carbs in the last couple of eating days. I'll now eat fewer carbs, but also less protein, making sure I have more meals of cooked vegetables and fruit, to keep things regular.

My office is at that awkward place of having less paper and stuff, but the things I sorted through were stacked so I can address them for scanning or filing, so there are still some messy flat surfaces in here. There's just a lot less of it.

Kat, we haven't heard from you for a while. I hope you're reading along and getting stronger every day. And I hope spring is there and making things easier with the warmer weather.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 May 13 - 11:20 AM

This is really long. I wrote in Word, not to lose it. It has been a very special time. I hope all you wonderful people will forgive me. This weekend did me a lot of good.

At cabin, on second pot of green tea –

I may have lost as much as 5 pounds; this is very encouraging and will help me continue to try harder. (my scale is not very readable.)

Ranger: Congrats on stopping the flow of stuff! I wish!! And also on other ah hah's! What a load we put on ourselves when we get into ruts of our own making. It took me ten years to realize that – Hey, I have running water now; I can wash dishes - with out worrying about how many I am using!

Michelle: You continue to be an inspiration. You are doing so much!

Deadlines: It seems that some of us need them. The spirit never moved me on Thurs! I took another detox bath and went to bed! So there I was, early Friday morning, getting the house clean enough for guests due to arrive at noon, then trimming pots until … Happily got an email saying they would be later so I could trim longer. Quit just before they were "due" and left some trimming for later, well wrapped. Was happy to have at least a kiln load drying knowing the weekend was going to be full - with guests and wedding.

It was about 3 when they finally arrived so I had everything as orderly as possible. Friends when we met, Broome has known R since his years at McGill – early '70s, and I have heard about him for years. So we spent an hour or so telling tales. Then went off to give them a chance to see the saw mill where he would have liked to spend 4 hours! He and R are twins! Guests are also avid folk music and dance people. He coveted a couple of my old albums so we will find a place to download them onto computer and send them to him.

The wonderful window was not in place but a plain one was. I am assured by R that it can be changed but B talked him into this and I was considerably less than amused. B told R it would be frosted all winter and we wouldn't be able to see out, and a vandal might break it. The first is nonsense; it faces the rising sun. If the frost melts and runs down, there are ways of coping. The second – put a piece of plexiglass over the exterior – like they do on church windows.   B is so caught up in "the way things spozed to be". Right now it is a long thin, ugly, horizontal window, taking up wall space that could be used more effectively - in a K that R insists will have plenty of cabinets. HAH!   

Guests and I went to the café where the open mike was terrific. R arrived in time for the featured performer. After being physically assaulted for a while by too many decibels, high pitched sounds and the heavy bass, I was delighted to be able to leave in my car and let R come home with the guests. I felt as though I had been run over by a steam roller - beaten to a pulp. Penny also found it difficult, Broome was asleep in their car!

Sat: R dashed off to work and the rest of us talked and talked and finally left for the city in their car about noon. It was very special for me to hear their tales of R and bro, and their complete comprehension of and concordance with my own feelings.

After we arrived in the city house, the guests spent a couple hours deciding what to do with their non-wedding time - 'til 7 pm. Finally went off about 3:30 to walk to one comic book store, no longer having time to visit all four, and then to the wedding. I cleared emails until R arrived about 5 pm, as ordered!

The time they spent decision making was interesting; to me it needed some serious de-cluttering! But that is their way.

Washed and appropriately attired!, R & I actually got to the church a few minutes early "so we have time to talk to people". To our surprise, the only people we knew were so involved we just sat and waited – in the front so I had a chance of understanding. In an hour-long service, I only understood the bride and groom as they said their vows. R tells me it was very good and the priest was excellent. (High Anglican in the Cathedral)

Same at the reception. This time it was D's daughter who spoke comprehensibly. Everyone else did not. Same sound system, so it is clear that I can hear and understand if persons speak clearly – most people do not. R understood. There were lots of interesting words spoken but… Then there was good finger food, music, dancing. As the music got louder, I started feeling as though I were in an oil drum and people were beating on it with baseball bats. I offered to go sit in the car but it was almost 11:30 so we left. Only Broome remembered our plan to go to the all-night bagel factory and did not mention it because I was so exhausted.

It was the first thing I thought of Sunday morning and I felt like weeping – Saturday Night at the Bagel Factory is a wonderful book with good reason. It is an event! But we went as soon as all were conscious. The guests wanted several dozen to take home – "a frozen bagel from the factory is better than anything available in Albany!"

(I also woke up so achey from the trimming session on Friday I could hardly move! Better enough today so I can get back to it!)

Also stopped briefly, on the way, to see a friend, near the factory, to show her the beautiful new pot from last week. I gave it to her and paid heed to her orders about other glazes she wants me to make!! Guests wondered what her children were like! (They are wonderful!) H has been giving me instructions on what to do and how to live since she was about 13 – 40 years now! I really missed her when I lived away.

Wedding brunch at the home of the radiantly happy wedded couple, prepared by kids and close friends, an elegant, laid back, beautiful event in their lovely Victorian town house, restored years ago by the now ex of the new bride!   The marvelous network of friends of 40 plus years made some new connections – "I've heard of you for years!" It would be interesting to chart it.

Wonderful to pick up an adult relationship with the, almost 30, son. "I haven't seen you since you were 9!" "I remember," said he. R is his godfather and has a close ongoing relationship with each of the three "kids". I have been away but, happily, remembered fondly!

Guests announced they would get a ride back to their car with L and gave us the spare key to their car so we could put their bagels in their car. Also the items husband pulled out of the trash he found after we had found a parking place near enough to the brunch! (R collected some useful items also.) They also went off to get cream cheese for the bagels and ate one each before going to brunch. Cannot beat bagels fresh out of the fire! Once upon a time, I would have eaten two or three! R & I left the brunch so R could get back to work – after long good byes.

Back at the city house, I firmly announced, "I am leaving for the cabin at 3 pm, with or without you." R made some calls while I eliminated emails and we had soup and a bagel; we had been too busy socializing to eat much at the brunch! I drove him to meet a friend with a truck and left for the country where I took the essentials – food for the frig – from the car, went inside and turned on the tub, put the food away and got into the bath. When I fell asleep, I dragged myself out and into bed where I stayed until phone rang at 10 pm.

I tried to return the call but no signal, went outside – no signal. Put on a T'dress and shoes and searched for a signal and ended up finding it back where I started. Then off to pick up R and bring him home to fall into bed.

After a quick brekkie, he went off to the mill, today, to start the process of de-cluttering it of a huge machine which will be going to Mexico on three separate transport trucks. They are, hopefully, loading one piece a day for these 3 days, a tricky task needing total attention, crew and two fork lifts.   

I am, of course, carless, hoping to load the kiln with dry pots and make some fresh ones. Need to make larger batches of the tests that are interesting and make a couple more tests – trying to get the turquoise and grey that H wants.

Another gorgeous day and the leaves are almost full size, shading the cabin nicely. Rain predicted for Weds but that is OK. The wedding weekend was marvelous for our dear ones. And rain is necessary.

Off I go!

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 May 13 - 08:32 AM

Home from the quilting retreat where I had so much fun!!! I did lots of sewing and that was great but the camaraderie was amazing!!! Lots of friends there!!! I can't wait for the next one! Anyway, I finished 2 quilt tops, a table runner, a little gadget to hold a cell phone and a bag! :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 May 13 - 10:31 PM

I made another round of stops this afternoon. The pharmacy was open this time, the Humane Society also, where I drop off newspaper for the animal cages. My feed store was just closed but they let me in to buy one bag of my usual dog food (and fill out my frequent buyer card - the next bag is free!) Dropped the last of the Mercer Waldorf semi-vitreous china (a few plates that had been in the last eBay auction that didn't sell) at Goodwill to go with the rest, wherever it ended up. Maybe as old as it is, they sent it to Goodwill central for their online auction. http://www.shopgoodwill.com/

I've rearranged a lot of stuff in the office, I didn't finish, but I did shred a lot of paper and organize a bunch more of it. I uncovered a lot of tablets of paper and some books I'd forgotten about. Moved one table.

This evening I was in the back yard and spoke over the fence with the kids next door (Avery, about 7, and Gavin, 3, going on 4, who says he's 5) and told them I was going to take the dogs for a walk, if they wanted to come out and meet them face to face. (Two of the dogs don't get near the fence because of the Invisible Fence collar.) The kids were excited and came out with their mom who is a huge fan of one of them (Poppy). We talked, they wanted to know the story of how the dogs came to live with me.

Only one drastic shock during our visit, when Avery started jumping and screaming and hitting at her foot - her first fire ant bite, and it was an invisible painful mystery to them until I picked the tiny ant off of her foot as her mother held her. They just moved here from California. "What does it feel like?" the mother asked. "It's like a hot needle, a shot." Oh!!! They'd been told about these, but this was the first painful meeting. A quick trip in for shoes and she was back out with the dogs.

These kids don't seem to know any other kids here yet, and when they play in the back they always see my dogs, who mooch because the dogs are given a biscuit a day by their grandfather Cecil (he has for years). The kids have started giving them biscuits and they see how the dogs do or don't cooperate with each other - I told them how to let each dog know a biscuit is for him or her. They've figured out how to get Zeke to do tricks for them, after I showed them what he could do last week. "Sit. Down. Roll over." These dogs are their best friends in the neighborhood right now, so it only seemed fair to meet face to face.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 May 13 - 07:04 PM

I took today off and headed to a friend's tranquil garden to sit in the sun, drink some wine, pet a Schnauzer who loves me (we share a name; everyone else he has a tendency to bite; me he invites into the house and rolls over in my lap to get rum tums) and enjoy some wonderful conversation.

I also de-accessioned a brand-new-tag-still-on stuffed pooch that plays "Sugar Sugar" at the press of a button (don't ask...), a book on creative women, a ceramic blue and white 8" high wing chair that will look lovely (in my friend's house) on top of a stack of books, and my favorite lacy brass hair clip (c. 1973) that will look much much better in her long full hair (I'll never have hair that long again).

She was also the recipient of some firewood I de-accessioned this week.

Doesn't sound like much, but every little bit helps and it was all stuff I wanted to go to a good home, the right home. AND (even more importantly) I de-cluttered a massive amount of stress.

Really lovely afternoon and I even got a light bit of sunburn on my face. (And got home sober enough to make chicken vindaloo for supper.)

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 May 13 - 02:10 PM

Moving forward slowly today, but moving. I had to stop and post a letter to the local newspaper about a really strange election. I'd done a lot of research last week when the local paper didn't say anything about it. And today an article appeared, so I reposted remarks that I put up last week. I editorialized and had to tweak to remove hot links.

The shredder is busy today as I do more work in the office. I have a new USB hub I need to install, the one in use now has ports that are failing. How a solid-state device can fail is a mystery - but this is planned obsolescence for you. I need to move a bunch of wires and the desk to do it, so the clearing out and moving around the office is the preliminary move.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 May 13 - 03:51 PM

The sun room is looking better, but I'm tired of looking at all of these boxes of books. I ended one sale on eBay (a box of 15 mysteries), set aside a few I'm pretty sure will sell in small lots, and the rest are going into the pickup for the run today (didn't make it out as early as I hoped). I'll stop by my half-price bookstore so they can to go to new homes.

One of the items in the sun room was a set of flannel sheets I should have sold on eBay last winter. They were a bit dusty so I dropped them in the laundry. I'll take a photo then list them later.

I've cleared out some of the stuff in the office (part of that clutter was a big box of books) so I can start moving furniture. And dusting.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 May 13 - 12:43 PM

This lovely morning is the one where I hit the ground running as far as clearing up around here. Hanging up stuff, folding laundry, doing laundry, in and out to the garden, working on boxing things to ship, cleaning up my office (preparing to move my desk to a new spot means I have to move a lot of paper - either file it or into the recycle bin).

Yard work also. Must refill the line trimmer with the heavy duty line I've been using (what a difference it makes!) and start my vinegar weed control now that it is warm and sunny.

I have to make a trip across town this morning so I'll have stuff in the pickup that I can drop off along the way. Recycling, Goodwill, etc. And hopefully pick up - these damned moths are back (the Safer moth traps had a 3 month life, and at three months and one day, I started seeing the buggers again.) This time I mail-ordered a box of a dozen traps and I'm going to nail those suckers all around the house. The box is supposed to arrive at my local Home Depot so I didn't have to pay for shipping.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 May 13 - 12:41 PM

I de-accessioned a few sea creatures this morning -- plastic and stuffed ones. Tom had a new visiting nurse today and she has a 3-year-old daughter who is fascinated by marine life. The nurse commented on my wonderful stuffed octopus from Micca and I told her that I have the largest collection of rubber squid (and other non-edible cephalopods) in the state of New Hampshire (probably the ONLY collection of rubber squid in the state of NH) and she told me about her daughter. So I pulled a couple things out of the guest room and gave her a plush stuffed crab and a seahorse plus two collections of small fish and other sea creatures from which I had extracted the squid and octopus. One happy kid plus I've gained "cubic footage"!

The firewood is almost entirely gone out of the driveway. (The last bit is being loaded as I type.) And in a few minutes I'll go out and move the sedums from the "holding bed" and dig up and replant the violets in the driveway...oh, and move the ajuga that are jutting into the driveway. Then I'll message my driveway guy that everything is set for him to start on the driveway on Monday. (He'll move the loam pile.) AND I'll explain to him again exactly where the edges of the flower bed on the inside of the turnaround are -- my hostas are NOT expendable, and a couple are right on the edge, so he'll have to pay attention.

The time-consuming part of dinner (slowly simmering the meat) is finished, so after moving the plants I can spend the rest of the afternoon on the phone. Maybe I can fit in some time for Tom to practice concertina with my singing. He's been unable to play concertina for most of a year and not only has to get back in practice, but come to grips with the fact that, in a pinch, he can no longer visually locate the correct starting note. I've lost my vocal partner; I don't want to lose my accompanist as well, especially now that I'm singing a lot of "his" songs.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 May 13 - 03:22 PM

I decluttered the computer last night and this morning - dumped temporary files, emptied the cache, etc. I'll see if it is running any faster when I get home. I am thinking it is the provider this time. I did the turn off everything including the router and modem and computer bit, and it doesn't seem to have helped.

This weekend has much of the usual work - some garden attention (put more mulch out, put in the last few plants I found that I wanted in the veggie garden) and I need to see if I can't make the flower part of the front yard look more tidy. Get some of the grass out of the flower beds, etc.

In the evening I'll be moving stuff around in the house. It's also time for another recycle run and a Goodwill drop off.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 May 13 - 01:28 AM

The entire Internet seems slow tonight.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 May 13 - 09:25 PM

Thank you Ranger! It kept timing out on me!!!

XOXO

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: ranger1
Date: 02 May 13 - 08:47 PM

Michelle's link

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 May 13 - 08:33 PM

I am short on time tonight but have been quite busy. As you know, I started the Yoga Challenge last month. The goal was to do 30 days of yoga. I did 16. I wish I had done more but I do have other things going on and a problem with energy. I have not had a consistent yoga practice in 3 years...oh heck..I haven't had much of a practice at all. So...given my post chemo body with an additional 60 pounds....I am absolutely THRILLED with my 16 days. I have signed up for more this month...4 days a week if I can drag my butt out of bed. Anyway..I have some packing to do...but thought you might like to see what my practice looks like. I am in some of the photos but none of the close ups. I love my yoga studio. :)

The Blickifier isn't working at this moment so here's the web address..cut and paste and you'll be good to go!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9VBdsFVKbU

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 02 May 13 - 07:52 PM

Busy day all 'round and I feel quite accomplished despite having a bunch of undone tasks still on my list. And got everything done around Tom's visiting nurse's and his physical therapist's visits.

Spent this morning on the phone tracking down information and then getting the final financial requirement in Tom's application for Medicaid in the works -- getting the change of beneficiary forms for his life insurance and taking care of final arrangements that can be paid for with his insurance before the rest of the death benefit goes to the state of New Hampshire. More things checked off the list...

Also was able to pick up forms for this year's "Low and Moderate Income Homeowner's Property Tax Relief Program" from the town offices (and again thank Marge for yesterday's May basket -- we live in a wonderful small town) and drop off another box of books for the library sale in the same trip. They see me coming and come out to schlep the boxes for me. (Nice; today's box was a heavy one.) I still need to find a box for the others.

Moved some rocks around when I got home -- the plow guy had managed to rearrange a bunch of the rocks lining the (mostly) hosta bed inside the turnaround and I needed to put them either in a place where they wouldn't get lost when the driveway is done next week AND indicate where, exactly, the flower bed starts up at the point. The hostas are just starting to come up -- invisible to certain male eyes, alas. I'm getting tired of plow people, delivery trucks, etcet stressing my flower beds (dammit!). It'll be great to get the driveway done properly (after 35+ years), but not at the expense of my flower beds!

And then I couldn't postpone it any longer. (Not that I didn't try -- I called my sister, but she wasn't home.) Sigh. Sabine, the sophisticated mature lady cat, has been pooping in the corner of the bedroom to show her displeasure with the young(er) brat, Rufus. Of course, cleaning it up is not as straight forward or simple as it sounds because there's an antique wicker rocker (filled with stuff), an camel back trunk, and a number of piles of books and papers in the way. (And the mess is back under the eves to boot.) And nowhere to put any of it. Well. I moved the piles (in some cases several times as they spilled over the floor) on top of other piles for the time being and the Victorian wicker platform rocker ended up on its side on the bed. (That's incentive...this all HAS to be done RIGHT NOW or I don't have anyplace to sleep tonight.) And do it I did -- scraped up and bagged the, uh, "ordure", sprayed "Nature's Miracle" heavily over everything and then mixed some eucalyptus oil in water in a spray bottle and sprayed that over the area in hopes that it will discourage Sabine from sneaking back there again. We have two litter boxes that are kept clean, but Rufus really likes to use both of them. There's just no way to ensure that they each have private use of just one litter box. Arghhh! Cat psychology!

Since I forgot to take the puff pastry out of the freezer and didn't have time to simmer the meat for steak and mushroom pies, I postponed that meal until Saturday and heated up the WONDERFUL frozen "Doc In a Crock" chicken and barley soup (from What a Crock Homemade Soups, a local business) that came with the May basket yesterday. What a tasty supper and all I had to do was heat it up (and pour the wine).

I ache and I'm very tired, but I feel very accomplished.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: ranger1
Date: 02 May 13 - 07:07 PM

Finally worked up the courage to ask my mother NOT to bring anything else up when she comes to visit. She had already realized what that was doing to me and told my gramma no more stuff. Thank you, Mummy!

I finally realized that I don't have to do every chore all at once. One small load of laundry will get done faster than three double loads at the laundromat. As in, I am far less daunted by the prospect of a small, single load and am much more likely to get it done. I'm also treating dishes the same way. More gets accomplished this way. Yay me!

I also need to get to work on the boxes still sitting in the corners as someone is coming to check on possibly fixing the horrible, falling apart shower on Monday. Nothing like a deadline to get your adrenaline going!

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 May 13 - 06:52 PM

Mrrzy: Someone on another group is considering a service dog which can tell her when she is going manic! The thread involved much interesting commentary about the myriad qualities of service dogs. I was totally amazed and educated.

At cabin!
Today was a good potting day. Inspired by imminent company tomorrow, realizing I would not be able to do any work for two days, or more, I went out early and transformed about 40 pounds of clay into decent looking pots. Also started the process of reclaiming old clay from the bucket.

R still in city so I did the detox bath last night and was up early this morn. Best of all, I felt good, as I usually do when I detox at night.

I also made the black beans into soup/salsa. Very little time on internet - can be done!

I may have lost a pound or two. That is enough to encourage me to try harder. But then I came in from studio HUNGRY and ate an apple cider donut. That was a very bad idea; of course it made me hungry. Sugar always does. But too tired to cook, I then ingested yogurt and granola.

Now I am ready for bed! (6:30!) Hoping for another rush of energy to run the vacuum and wash K floor! Guests arriving noonish tomorrow!

Looked at "April Showers wash away clutter" and thought - it would take a typhoon. The new pile of books has finally dawned on me! OK. Put out animal feed, cover pots, phone R, if his phone is charged, and lie down until the spirit moves me.

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 May 13 - 11:09 AM

I have no idea! Try posting a song challenge above the line - there are enough folkies up there who have probably had a passing acquaintance with gaol to offer advice. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Mrrzy
Date: 02 May 13 - 10:51 AM

Song challenge! Great idea! Is it just here or do they keep jails freezing cold all over the US?

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 13 - 11:22 PM

Do you have a story to tell, Mrrzy? Or a song to write about your experience? It also sounds like you have room to work with - the best thing to do is not clutter it in the first place.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Mrrzy
Date: 01 May 13 - 11:15 PM

Yikes need to work on my brain. Denied was getting manic till i landed in jail... am out now, several pounds lighter.

Also just moved, got a lot of new organizing/decluttering things... much room and many surfaces in new place!

Subject: RE: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 13 - 11:10 PM

Here is the April 2013 thread.

Subject: Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 13 - 11:05 PM

Spring is fully engaged and Spring Cleaning is underway. I have plans to rearrange the tables between several rooms, once I clear their surfaces. It's time to bring the mid-century modern table from the sunroom (where all of my eBay stuff lives) and put it in the living room. I need to repair one of the support hinges, it droops a bit when it is in the full-extended position, but it folds down quite compact, and that will be useful in the front room. I'm planning to move the dining table in the large front room into the dining area next to the kitchen, and rearrange stuff around the walls in there. And I'm planning to move the small table in that kitchen dining area into the eBay room. The footprint of each table is what will make the shift to different locations a good arrangement arrangement.

I know there's lots going on, so I'll transfer a few of those posts from today (May 1 in the April thread) into this thread, so this won't end up being the first post. Don't be confused, its just the way the Mudcat order of things works.

SRS

Subject: RE: April 2013 Showers wash away clutter!!!!!!!!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 May 13 - 09:10 PM

Realizing that much of time on internet has been searching - glazes, kitchen cabinets, patio doors!, and the ongoing property hunt. Not just playing around. I get a lot of info, connect with people who are special to me and have picked up terrific info on various aspects of pottery making, firing, glazing, and more. -Lest I feel like a twit for being on line so much.

Subject: RE: April 2013 Showers wash away clutter!!!!!!!!
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 May 13 - 08:44 PM

The post I wrote about this time yesterday escaped! Botheration!

Move: by 30 June. Hope the space at the mill is habitable.

From cabin:
Yesterday was spent at the mill. I could have driven R down and come back but I was so tired from the day before I just stayed. Wished I had a clean place to lie down. Maybe next week.

We met the auctioneer at the auction site and collected the books, wood stove, and--- whatever else was left over - just to help Randy clear the church hall!!! Two pick up truck loads and four of his guys, a caravan to the Mill where we unloaded - two pallets of books and they put the stove on a pallet also. Then R can move them with a ---pallet truck or fork lift when their next home is ready. Could be a while. I hope he sorts and gets rid of lots of the books. Some date back as far as 1867. Some he says he would pay $5 for in a store. A yard sale or a bonfire? Both?

Was on internet, using portable modem. read, washed a couple more windows. Went to town to get lunch for R. Stayed out of the way. Talked to a neighbour about growing M and other things. R and I looked at what to do in the K. The window - over the sink and facing east - will be an old door with a fabulous piece of glass in it, trimmed down a bit, set at just the right height for seeing out, stripped first! The room is fairly small, no place to eat but a pass through and door to LR and doorway to solarium, which is also about 9X9, big enough for brekkie. Went home by 10, yummy leftovers and bed.

This morning I had brekkie ready when a call came for R to meet someone at the Mill, PDQ. He ate and took my car and that was the last I heard! I hung those still damp clothes, did the emails, many responses, had a call from the Montreal SPCA about 5 squirrel orphans but no car to fetch them; suggested she call R in case he could do it but doubtful as they would have to be fed often; had lunch, trimmed pots, packed two boxes of books, cooked black beans and chick peas, put food out for critters, had words with the groundhog as he scooted across the drive, took clothes off the line and put them away, drained the tamari almonds, washed some dishes, did on-line banking. I had hoped to throw some pots also but I am not sure if it is inertia or concern for the shoulder. Right now, I could prepare clay for tomorrow or take a helpful hot bath...

Glorious weather, finally and little green leaves today!!! Want to garden but need the front loader to fill the frames. The repair is not a priority.

May Day!!

Subject: RE: April 2013 Showers wash away clutter!!!!!!!!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 13 - 11:08 AM

Yesterday I pulled a pair of pants out of the back of the closet and added it to my wearable wardrobe because they now fit. I also retired a pair of large pants for the Salvation Army bag.

Weigh-in at work this afternoon for a group weight-loss effort as different departments compete across campus. I've lost about 12 pounds so far, but still have plenty to lose, so I might as well let the points for my weight loss count for my co-workers. I don't know if I'll use the campus gym much, but my lawn mowing and yard work should be equally useful in attaining a better level of fitness.

The days of regular eating are really important to the process - getting a variety of good foods, especially getting healthy oils and good fiber.

SRS