Spring Declutter & Exercise MAY 2013

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