Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 13 - 12:04 PM

Here is the next declutter and exercise thread. And I even got fitness mentioned in the name this time!

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 31 Oct 13 - 08:42 PM

A FreeCycler picked up the magazines tonight and is a local teacher who can use more til the subscription runs out, so if any more come I can drop them at her school, YAY!

I delivered the parish thrift shop bags today and it was also a great chance to pass along a message from a good friend of mine who is looking for specific items to use at her assisted living facility, YAY!

I had a great workout at the pool and a nice visit with the manager, and the aquatic equipt I am adapting from my old stuff for my new PT Rx is working well, YAY!

Dinner included curried coconut milk/chicken broth butternut squash soup, YA and YUM. Harid grilled a steak to go with, YUMM-OH!

~S~

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 31 Oct 13 - 06:15 PM

I had a great time at Jeremiah's party and more importantly he did too!!!

This is the first year that he is really aware enough to enjoy dressing up and going trick or treating. Since his entire class went trick or treating today we are going to pass on doing it tonight. You should see the candy this child has....it is going to last to at least Christmas!!! They also had a class party....it was so fun to watch the kids intereact and do some exploring. They made a big batch of goblin guts....LOL...too silly...I have photos (of course) and will share some later.

Then I was off for some major grocery shopping...got some great deals today, picked up Jeremiah, emptied the car (4 trips), put it all away and am now sitting with my feet up....taking a little break before time to make dinner.

I also had a medical appointment this morning..didn't go as well as I'd hoped but all will be well....I need to make peace with a few things and life will go on! :)

Happy Halloween!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Oct 13 - 05:05 PM

A couple of remarks have been lost in space this afternoon, I'll copy this one before I hit submit.

They have found someone to take over the photo part of my job and this was my last shoot today. How do I find out? Not from anyone in charge, but I knew this was coming by how they moved that co-worker to the new marketing department. I told her to get some good equipment to work with out of it.

I'm going to start clearing out extra stuff in my office. I want to be able to pick up and move easily if something new comes my way. I don't want to be slowed by my clutter!

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 31 Oct 13 - 10:00 AM

Not a H'ween tradition but part of my new Leptin program: early mornings spent roasting several days'-worth of veggies before my pre-lunch PT or workout, because that way, the recovery calories required within an hour of a workout fit also into the Leptin-required meal pattern and food choices. Kitchen sends me off with baked squash and welcomes me back in a bit to eat some, and then other stuff cooked goes into a dinner which makes me sleep so well.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Oct 13 - 09:38 AM

I don't do much usually, some years we have lots of kids, other years we don't see any. I bring in the dogs so they aren't targeted and so they aren't alarmed by the foot traffic after dark.

I see this morning in my email that another rat leaving the sinking ship co-worker has a new job. The department administration used a passive/aggressive method to thin the staff with the re-organization. They put a few in really cushy new jobs and parked the rest of us in illogical places until we finally leave. At which time they can use the position to underpay some new person to do a different job. That's the scary Halloween observation I have for today.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 31 Oct 13 - 07:39 AM

I got up a little early this morning to make treats for Jeremiah's Halloween party....I am excited for him to take them in! I made little spiders out of Ritz crackers, peanut butter, honey, pretzel sticks and green gel for eyes...I think they came out kinda cute! YAY. Photos going up on FB shortly!

Happy Halloween!!! What do you do special for this day?

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Oct 13 - 12:27 AM

Guest was Dorothy, reporting in.

Today was doctors visits, my annual physical and a hastily made appointment with an ophthalmologist to have my eye checked. A large floater appeared on Sunday and it was so startling that I was afraid it might be a precursor to something like a detached retina. It can be a symptom, and it has been a kind of scary couple of days as I realized I needed to get it checked in case that was happening, it might mean a rather unpleasant procedure. I dodged that bullet and probably got the information that many baby boomers are hearing - your eyes are getting older. Whew!

Last year at my annual physical I weighed 22 pounds more than today. I gained more weight after that, before I started losing it, so I've actually lost 30. We had a discussion about eating patterns and I'll continue my alternate day modified fasting, and make a point of eating my largest meal in the morning and keeping dinner very light. It might help me reach my goal weight a little sooner.

I didn't get much done on my afternoon home after the eye doctor. It takes many hours for the dilating drops to wear off. I took a nap. It was a great nap!

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Oct 13 - 07:59 PM

Misery loves company! Toilet problems, electric that doesn't work... Oh my!

I had to rearrange numerous cords yesterday when the super special 8 outlet thingy quit. Except the heating pad in the foot of the bed?? Had to move the air cleaner to a different side of the room to get an outlet. Now all is working for the moment. Most of the outlets are non-functional so extension cords abound - carefully.

Spent yesterday hanging in the city as R decided to work at home on a pending court case - suing the province for the lack of protection in the Court of Appeal when he was attacked 3 years ago and ended up in hospital with the subdural hematoma. Not knowing any time line, I just read, did some laundry, did the electric things, and spent time on line, some of which is pottery related- learning and looking at others work. And fed us meals.

Today, more of the same. Changed the bed, washed bedding, triaged things to go to the country but not 'til Friday as I am with my friend Thurs and Fri afternoons. R has had my car so no trip to library or elsewhere. I need to come to some kind of terms with my time problem; I could have made a whole bunch of small pots on the portable wheel on these two days. I "could not start" because I did not know how much time before I would need to stop and do something else. Need to deal with this somehow. To ask R "how long" would be an exercise in futility. My problem, my solution....

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Oct 13 - 06:12 PM

The last yard sale debris (signage, supplies) left the camper today and we folded it up after I singlehandedly changed the bedding in the king bunk, so it will all be ready on the first night in it next summer. I put on all the layers, on the inside edge, and then pulled them all through from the outer edges.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 30 Oct 13 - 01:09 PM

Have to take Tom to the wound clinic in about 45 minutes and I'm wiped. Raised my heart rate and stress level, screamed at the cats a few times (Rufus in particular was pushing the how can I annoy Mom envelope...repeatedly.

I DID get the table moved (got Tom to sit in the recliner and out of my hair; didn't have to use duct tape) and a few things done: dug the ladder out and rehung the harpy sculpture, set up the nebulizer (and Tom used it!) -- what was so tedious was finding a power strip that would work in the only outlet available. And I had to test out various power strips for one that would work. I think the fault, though, lies with the outlet which should probably, like several others, be replaced.

But that's another project and I've been soliciting recommendations for a local electrician who can replace several outlets and switches without putting us into bankruptcy. My handyman was going to do the work, but has decided to no longer do electrical projects because of the liability. He's not licensed. These are all projects Tom used to do and are easy enough I could, but I don't feel comfortable doing even simple electrical work...even with a book with diagrams.

Handy man is coming tomorrow to hang a swing arm lamp (I'll remove the old one and install it upstairs -- that I can do), install a couple battery-operated smoke alarms, and tighten up some cannister lamp fixtures that have never been right, so they can actually be used again. And measure for materials for a simple handrail to match the single handrail on the deck steps.

Now if I can find someone to replace the switch so we have an outside porch light and working lights in the front hall.

Have to take Tom to the wound clinic and take a few bags of things to Goodwill on the way home.

With luck, when we get home I can schlep a few boxes and things down cellar out of the way for the time being.

It all sound so simple on my list. And it all takes so damned much time in actuality.

Not going to be as cold tonight as the past two nights, but really need to clean off the woodstove and remove the stuff around it. Just in case.

Somehow I don't think I'm going to get the nap I'd really like. Or even some quiet reading time until after supper.

Other good things in the works...with the admonition that I have enough on my plate so don't worry about it and let friends deal with it.

Where, exactly, did October go? WHO is responsible?!?

And I think, if I don't get a nap, I should at least get chocolate.

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Oct 13 - 10:04 AM

Appointments morning and afternoon. It rained overnight and is a heavy overcast now. Not too hot, not too cold, just a nice fall day for puttering around town and visiting with my daughter. If the whole day isn't taken up with waiting rooms, I might get some puttering done around the house.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Oct 13 - 11:56 PM

Another bag of VCR tapes to the library recycle bin, then three pulled back out when I saw they were commercial with printed covers and they will go to the Goodwill.

Lots of personal stuff (appointments) tomorrow and lunch, I hope, with Moonglow.

I picked up the truck this afternoon, it drives fine, but on the way to work hit a road hazard that enough others had hit that it was flat. A piece of sheet metal. I'd have seen it if the jerk driving the wide load truck (a tender) hadn't decided to pass me and shoot into the lane in front of me, removing the distance between me and the next car (I'd have seen it otherwise). My nominee for jerk of the week driver.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 29 Oct 13 - 07:14 PM

Got a few more things to the car to take to Goodwill tomorrow on the way home from the wound clinic. Took 4 boxes of books to the Nottingham library for the library sale on Nov. 9th. Hope to take another box or so by the beginning of the week.

Have a Madras curry simmering right now, and a pot of green lentils being simmered in chicken stock. I cheated -- it's a store-bought Madras sauce, but it definitely gets your attention. (Supposedly "medium" -- I'd hate to try "hot"!) Good meal for this weather. Had the first really cold night (26°F) last night. (Sigh...and me still with yard cleanup and some planting to do.)

Finally had a chance this afternoon to watch a movie -- nobody else coming over, errands run, phone calls made. Made a bowl of popcorn and watched "The Lion In Winter"...and Tom only whistled me downstairs once. (Actually, he thought the film was over as I'd gotten up to go to the bathroom.) Sabine started stealing popcorn out of the bowl before I had the DVD in. And Rufus only got in her face once while she was sitting on my lap. Sigh. Kids! (Rufus is actually the little brat and Sabine is a mature lady cat, but I swear sometimes they both act like bratty 6-year-olds!)

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Oct 13 - 05:30 PM

Oy, our downstairs terlet died last week and last night the landlord took it out. Today he is expected (shortly) to put in a new one. Good thing we had a portapotti last night from our camper, because after a week of bucket flushing... and going upstairs for solid waste handling got OLD, 'nuff said!!!

The Goodwill items got delivered today, including the games that had been waiting to get boxed. From the camper I also removed the Smithsonian magazines no one bought (surprise!). They will appear on FreeCycle for a few days and then go off to local doc's offices. But they ARE in the car.

On a Leptin Reset program I have lost 12 pounds relatively un-craving-ly.

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Oct 13 - 04:01 PM

Saturday, I stayed out from underfoot while R finally completed the task of putting in a toilet in 1st floor that flushes! No more bucket in the second sink to flush the toilet! Basically, my whole day was spent thinking we were going to the country but it took longer - like so many things. I cannot start doing much of anything when I don't know how much time I have. We did get that curtain back up. It covers a window that is covered with chip board since the firemen broke it a few years ago when the house next door was on fire. One would have thought R would have gotten compensated but not.

Sunday: R &I went to the mill in separate vehicles. We hoped to get to the rehabber down there to see if he could take the new raccoon. R was way too late, too late even to get a meal except at Subway. It was cold! I plugged in small electric heaters in the sunroom and kitchen and set up little guy with food, water and a wash basin for a "pond" which he loved. Concrete floor great for a very wet raccoon! I just stayed with him. R started working on a heater for the LR. I finally went to bed with all my clothes on and a rice thingy heated in the microwave for my COLD feet. R finished hooking up heater about midnight and crawled into bed with some of clothes still on. Warm by morning!!

Monday we discovered the raccoon had escaped into the larger part of the building - with doors opening and closing - so no trip to rehabber. We put food and his "pond" out there and hope he will be OK. He is very small and in no way able to fight for his life.

I started putting things into the new cabinets!!!! One area still needs more work so those are still empty. So wonderful to have cabinets. I oiled the birch counters with canola oil and they look great. I have cleared most of the temp "K" and put those units out back. Still have the dish washing table in the LR until we get water in the K.

R put heat into the studio so I could have done some work in the late afternoon, but tired. Very happy to know that I now have heat. I told my potting friend and she is also excited. She offered to paint the ceiling after we clean off the mold.

Found an article on my computer (forgot I had it). A Quaker woman in PA writes about cleaning mold out of her home with tea tree oil - 1/4 teaspoon to cup water. She washed all washable surfaces then sprayed the room and everything in it, and let the fumes settle. Respirator and goggles were necessary; this is strong stuff. But she has no more mold. I will try that in the studio but not spraying as I have no idea how it will affect clay, pots, etc.

Still coughing, but productively and very little at night.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 Oct 13 - 12:17 PM

Home!

There's no place like it.

I've been cleaning out some corners today...very dusty corners.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Oct 13 - 12:43 AM

The truck is still in the shop, the oil is leaking from a seal - an expensive fix, but one it needs because I don't want to be mopping up oil in the garage, smelling hot oil when I stop the truck, and burning oil off the engine as I drive. But it's a big "ouch" to my pocketbook.

I had enough gas for the lawnmower to mow the front, but I don't have enough for the back yard. I might get started on it in the morning and stop when the mower runs out. When I get the truck back then I can fill the gas can. It's a little too soon to be draining the gas from the mower yet.

I made a great batch of kung pao chicken - my version of it (as served at Panda Express - not bad for a little fast food place with healthy food). It lets me use up several green bell peppers that are still growing fast in the garden.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Oct 13 - 09:51 PM

Linn, won't there be a home health nurse to show you how to run the nebulizer?

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 28 Oct 13 - 04:22 PM

Still haven't had time to watch the nebulizer DVD and figure out exactly (the diagrams in the manual are pretty unclear) how the ampule of med is put into the where on the nebulizer.

The last person of the day just left and, for the first time today, I have some breathing space. So I'm going upstairs to under-react before I have to make dinner. (And NOT watch the DVD; sorry, I really need some just plain down time!)

But the day was productive, I guess...

Tom now has an emergency button to wear (and we've worked out a signal for accidental pushing -- they're pretty sensitive -- so that if Tom is home alone and the button is accidently depressed if he blows the whistle when they start asking questions -- they can't hear his quiet voice -- they'll know it was an accident; if they hear nothing, it's an emergency) and got everything all plugged in right and all the paperwork done. She was still here and hour and a half later when Tom's physical therapist came.

After Tom's workout with the therapist, I had time enough to make lunch and go out to pick up a prescription and gas up the car before his case manager came out to see what CFI might actually do to help us. And that would be to have a service come out once a week and run a vacuum over the place, dust, and spiffify the kitchen and bathroom. You. Have. No. Idea. How much that would help me!!! I think then I could get a bit more accomplished with the de-cluttering.

But there WEREN'T any free spaces today in between people coming out -- didn't get to schlep some stuff to the cellar or get much else accomplished. (Well, I did get some of the books for the library sale into boxes to take to the library tomorrow...and I swept the room where the computer is and the kitchen.) And snuck in a couple phone calls to get a bill straightened out and verify an appointment.)

And now I have a date with a novel and reclining pose (and a cat) for a couple hours before I have to make supper.

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Oct 13 - 03:25 PM

At lunchtime I went out and did the weed whacker trimming on the street edge, the one that the code enforcement guys study for any stray blade leaning over the curb. My lawn needs mowing, I'll do that after 5pm out front and maybe get to the back in the next day or two. Will try to finish the yard before a big cold-weather event arrives on Wednesday evening.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Oct 13 - 11:47 AM

Three bagfuls of fabrics cleared from the camper-- one fat one for Goodwill (items the parish thrift shop does not sell), and one bag of nicer things for the parish thrift shop. That leaves a box of games to pack for Goodwill and then we can clean and fold up the camper for winter storage.

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Oct 13 - 11:34 AM

Sounds like it was a good weekend, but not so great to pick up a bug while you were there!

I left the house early this morning with Zeke and drove over to the Chevy dealer a few blocks from here. The truck started leaking oil recently. Maybe it's a loose oil filter but in case it is something more serious I want to know and know my options. I hope to get it back in the early afternoon. Zeke and I walked home then I took all of the dogs for a long walk around the neighborhood.

This morning I tried on one of my "normal" size rings and it fits well. This is a half-size larger than the rings that I also want to wear, and those don't quite slip on yet. I wondered if I'd ever get to where I could wear my regular rings again. The weight is again slowly sliding off, now that I've made a couple of changes in my diet and am doing a better job of keeping the limited fast day to just 500 calories.

Yard work at noon today, a good source of exercise.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Oct 13 - 09:53 AM

Today I will unpack all my gear from the AWESOME quilting retreat and do some more sorting out of things in my office. I found someone with a new granddaughter and will pass on some of Jeremiah's things so she will have goodies at her house for when the granddaughter comes to visit. :)

I have dishes to do, laundry is already in the works and just some general picking up to do today.

Not feeling so hot...sore throat, earache, exhaustion ick....so I have hot tea brewing and some local honey all ready to go for my throat. Later today I have some medical stuff to tend to and will be staying at the hospital overnight, all will be well.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Oct 13 - 09:37 AM

Today begins the sorting of post-yard sale clothes and linens.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon In Hospital - Oct 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 28 Oct 13 - 09:01 AM

Oh...no...I still haven't figured out the nebulizer. Hope to find time to watch the DVD sometime today in between stuff. But I also have to pick up some meds for Tom at the pharmacy -- maybe THEY can help me...

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon In Hospital - Oct 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 28 Oct 13 - 08:46 AM

Energy? Just barely enough to do what needs to be done.

Thought I was somewhat recovering (despite no real down time -- just little snatches here and there), but I've snapped at both the cats and at Tom this morning and I've only been downstairs for 30 minutes. Sigh.

Tom didn't here the impatience in my voice (or so he says) -- I was in the middle of two "business" emails when he whistled for help getting out of bed.

Tom's got coffee and things are under control here at the computer (PMFF board meeting yesterday required some followup emails). Gotta go get dressed and see if I can make this place look a little less of a disaster area before the emergency button people come at 10:30. Then Tom's physical therapist comes at noon, and his case manager for CFI at 3:00.

In between I've got a bunch of more or less little things that all involve schlepping up and down stairs multiple times. I guess that's MY physical therapy!

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Oct 13 - 12:32 AM

I made real progress today in the living room. I feel a session of moving furniture all over the room coming on. . .

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon In Hospital - Oct 2013
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 27 Oct 13 - 09:46 PM

Wow! I don't know how you do so much or where you get your energy! I'm exhausted just think about all you've done.

Hope you get the nebulizer up and running in two more shakes of a lamb's tail.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Oct 13 - 08:21 PM

Susie and her grandson came down to watch some online training for Windows 8, and the introduction was fine for him but too much for her. I've reset her computer and we'll go through the training slowly. Some of the things people have done to her computer make it hard to use the way intended, so we'll start from scratch.

I seem to have a floater in my right eye. It's kind of twitching around as I move my eye. I'll call the eye doctor tomorrow, but I don't think there is anything to be done about them. Getting older is a bitch.

Back to cleaning, laundry, vacuuming.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Oct 13 - 03:52 PM

OUTIES:

The outdoor-stored yard sale items I FreeCycled have all been picked up, except for one smallish bag still sitting out there awaiting pickup.

The items no one claimed are in a box in the van awaiting the next trip into town to drop off at Goodwill. If the bag awaiting pickupo doesn't go by morning, it goes in that box too.

Gone are a number of items that had become clutter, as well as some with bad memories attached.

The rest of the yard sale items are fabric stuffs sitting in the camper. The sun each day bakes them dry. On the warmest day this week I'll sit in there and sort them and bag/box 'em up for the parish thrift shop and Goodwill.


INNIES:

At a fave Salvation Army that had relocated, I grabbed a pile of cushy but disposable long sleeved tops for winter wear as I continue to shrink. This means that, as I do laundry this week, an equal number of items will be added to the Go-to-Goodwill pile. I also found several pairs of tennies, now that I can bend over enough to tie a shoe. I got 3 distinct styles so I can see what I like; eventually I'll decide what kind of new tennies I want to buy, retail.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Oct 13 - 01:41 PM

Dusting and vacuuming today, though I made a detour in here to look at the online TV listings. Nothing to speak of so I'll play a movie or stream something while I work.

Laundry is underway, kitchen is clean. After all of the dusting and vacuuming I may go ahead and mop. The house won't know what hit it.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Oct 13 - 12:42 AM

That doesn't sound at all like a pajama day to me - it sounds like a jeans, sweatshirt and grubby sneakers day.

I have paper off of the floor in my office for now, but there are now new smaller stacks on a couple of desk surfaces that need to be transcribed into a notebook then tossed, or filed. The sorting yesterday yielding some more eBay items. Now that I can see the floor I need to go through here with a vacuum and dust cloth tomorrow - I need to go through the whole house with them.

Dishes washed this evening, kitchen pretty clean. I spent the afternoon at Susie's where they did a baby shower and birthday party in one. Her son as 1 son from his first marriage and is expecting a second from his second marriage. Lots of food, a nice sized group, and most of them a bit skeptical about all of the new dogs, yet all in agreement that they are mellow and well-behaved.

Before heading to the party I made a round trip to the restaurant supply to get the vinyl gloves I use in the kitchen, then over to Sam's Club for a pack of 2-dozen washcloths (blue for a boy) for the shower. I know it isn't a cute little outfit that will be outgrown in 3 months, it is a stack of nice wash cloths that will be handy in the kitchen or wherever when she needs something to wipe up baby and then toss in the laundry. I went through a couple dozen a week when my kids were little and they are very handy and a much better option than paper towels. They're great as napkins at a meal and if you have a plastic table cloth you can put a moist washcloth at each place.

After Sam's I dropped off VCRs at the Goodwill and a bag of paper and cardboard at the village recycle bin. The tapes to Goodwill are the ones we discussed earlier that Betty suggested selling. So I'll let the Goodwill sell them. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Oct 13 - 07:28 PM

Today was probably the closest I'm going to come to a "pajama day" in the foreseeable future. No appointments today and no one was scheduled to come over. I didn't have to go out at all for any reason.

Did this mean I have the day off? Well, noooo...

Today I attempted to get caught up on the stuff around the house that I haven't been able to get done for about three weeks. I indexed ALL of Tom's freelance articles from 1995-1999 (I'd already done 1994) and I'm partway to getting the information into Word files.

I also got several loads of laundry done (including hand washing), dried some laundry, and ran the dishes through. (Not all at the same time.) I'd hoped to get my bed changed, but that didn't happen. I DID get the kitchen compost taken out, the rollator out of the car (and outside the cellar door, but I didn't get down cellar to bring it in) and Tom's old wheelchair put into the car to use tomorrow. Got the kitchen compost taken out, too, but didn't get a chance to REALLY clean out the fridge and swab down the shelves.

But then I made the mistake of trying to set up the nebulizer -- without any information from the hospital or prior use by Tom. Makes my brain hurt. I'll watch the DVD tutorial tomorrow, perhaps. With the manual in front of me. Or maybe the visiting nurse on Tuesday can help.

Went over the agenda with Tom in prep for tomorrow's PMFF board meeting and made notes. The meeting will probably be a long one -- Tom will be there in a wheelchair. But I think we've agreed to postpone the annual dinner until April. That will make life a lot simpler for me (and Tom) as I hope he'll be out of the wheelchair again by then so that getting into the Press Room will be easier.

Monday it starts in again -- Emergency Response people coming at 10:30 to set up Tom's emergency button, Tom's physical therapist at noon, and Tom's CFI caseworker around 3-ish. I'll have to check my calendar for Tuesday (but I'm pretty sure the visiting nurse will be here), and Wednesday Tom has an appointment at the wound clinic.

Supper was leftover smoked scallop chowder (which decluttered the fridge a bit more) and dessert (maybe after a bit more digestion...maybe tomorrow...) will be the last pieces of the rum cake.

I'm exhausted, but feel a bit more in control of life again, for what it's worth.

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Oct 13 - 05:47 PM

Another big bag for thrift shop and a box of silk blouses,a beautiful leather briefcase and a beautiful pendleton blazer off to dress for success..I had those clothes and was not particularly successful so good luck to someone else.

With every item I get gone..and I thought I was down to almost nothing anyway, it feels better and better in my tiny cabin.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon In Hospital - Oct 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Oct 13 - 03:52 PM

Arghhhhh!!!!

In between everything else, I've just attempted to put the nebulizer together. I'm just unclear enough about where to put the meds, how to make sure the tubing has no moisture in it after Tom's done with it, etc. that I'll HAVE to make time RIGHT NOW to watch the DVD.

I truly wish they'd explained a little more at the hospital where it was prescribed. All they did was hand me the prescriptions when Tom was released. Didn't spend as much time going over prescriptions (actually I don't think they really did except to say that the metoprolol was time release (thus different from what Tom had been taking) and there was one completely new prescription and a Rx for spironolactone which Tom's cardiologist had taken him off of last March. No other information at all (and damned little in the printed material). Checked with Tom's cardiologist about the spironolactone the other day and he said take it at least until Tom sees him in a week and a half from now. Tom's PCP went over the meds list when we saw him Wednesday, but I hadn't been able to pick up the nebulizer last Monday because they needed Tom's Medicare card rather than his other insurance information and I couldn't get back in to pick it up until Thursday.

And, of course, he didn't use anything like it IN the hospital...

So here I am trying to figure it out with with a thick manual with not the best of illustrations. When in doubt, find time to watch the DVD... And then, if I need more help, maybe the visiting nurse can answer any questions on Tuesday.

Going to try to get another load of laundry in before I watch the instructional DVD. Then try (it gets complicated) to change my bed (first, I have to move all the books, papers, phone, binders, etcet etcet that take up the other side of the bed -- actually changing the sheets is the easy part).

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Oct 13 - 12:34 PM

Bread machine set up soon for a batch of dinner rolls, and then a quick trip to recycle and drop off VCR tapes at the Goodwill, and pick up a baby gift. I think perhaps a gift card wrapped in a lovely box. Must polish a couple of silver cake stands I'm taking up for the shower.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 11:28 PM

Tonight I've been in my home office working through boxes of papers and shredding occasional sheets. I opened a file drawer and realized that much of what was in there that had been related to my busy job before is not only no longer germane, but no one else needs it. They're going to have to recreate that wheel on their own. Lots is going into the recycling bag and many hanging file folders now have blank labels ready for new projects. Also in the process I found some topics that really interested me but I haven't had time to research or write about. Now I might.

Dinner was a large helping of stir-fry broccoli. This is a modified fasting day, and now that I've eliminated the alcohol from my diet altogether and am trying to seriously lose the last 15 or so pounds, I'm trying to do more interesting things with vegetables so I can eat good-sized meals with relatively low calories.

Tomorrow morning I'll make a run to the recycle bins with some of the paper bagged this evening along with some stuff that has been in the back of the pickup for a while that I forget to drop off. I think I've reached a point where I'm ready to toss a lot more stuff, to see more floor space or counter tops or book shelves without extra layers on top or in front of books. Fall cleaning as I get ready to spend more days indoors with the arrival of winter, hoping to not trip over everything in the house. Trying to dispose of stuff properly, not just all into the trash. Recycle, reuse, sell.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 09:02 PM

I'm glad to read that you're feeling better, Dorothy, and that you are finally having some functional rooms in that mill of yours.

I've rounded up another bag of tapes and will put all of the rest of them around the front room into the one case this evening. And I'll tackle some piles of paper that I'm tired of looking at. Tomorrow I'll be doing some baking and stuff around the neighborhood, but I'll also set up that chandelier and finally photograph it then pack it for listing on eBay. It's about time!

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 07:35 PM

Ahh! Friday eve and I am in the city. No music at the cafe tonight but a concert at the FAirgrounds to raise funds for HAbitat. I LOVE Habitat but the last year's concert at the fairigrounds put me in to hypothermia. Anyway, no heat yet at the mill living space. MAybe tomorrow. I went down on Weds with a car full of stuff to deliver and to rescue the food I had left behind on Monday. The noise of the new construction and dust, etc, was so distressing on Monday, I just put stuff in the frig and left. I had hoped to do some pottery but it was too cold - both days. Had a great visit with friends on Weds after I collected the food.

So yesterday, feeling almost my good old self, I went down, again to try to pot - to no avail; I could not get the propane heater started. But I rescued some much needed winter clothes. Found some but not others. Will do for now.

The Kitchen has been in progress all week and yesterday was at the point where Bruno and I could consult about the rest of the cabinets. Then I went away for the writers' group and when I came back he had finished it - not at all in the manner to which we had agreed! Anyway, it is a beautiful K and I am so looking forward to finally unpack and organize K stuff!!!!! There will still be no running water for a while. I need to varathane the slate tiles for the back splash and oil the birch counters.

In two weeks, B will come back and do the K and LR floors - floating bamboo. (Or so he says.) I am holding firm on maintaining the black concrete floor in the sun room - as a heat sink and also because I intend to have lots of plants = lots of wet and mess and I do not want to deal with a wood floor. I also do not believe I should have to fight for what I want but he is so incredibly into "the way things should be done" HIS WAY!

I will need to take everything out of the one pantry cupboard we have been using - well it needs to go elsewhere anyway - so we can cut an inch off the bottom! There is an archway in front of it and with the insulation and plywood on the floor, the top doors now hit the frame of the arch. I have a beautiful curved cupboard, with curved glass in the one door - Don't break it!!! - where I can put the Limoges tea set we bought at an auction in September. Honest! I could not resist it and am really looking forward to putting it into the perfect cabinet. And having friends over for tea! I promised this to a wonderful couple who gave us a lovely window which will go in my studio.

Back in the city, the laundry has been getting done - warmer here! Dishes are washed, but pots still not getting made in the upstairs "studio." I took curtains down from one window and washed them but need a hand to get them back up. They are several shades lighter!

Oh, and we have a very young raccoon as of today. Someone at the SPCA phoned in desperation this afternoon, although i am not legal, it was me or death for this fellow. She had phoned all over Quebec and eastern Ontario trying to place him. He is too small to survive outdoors, even if he had not lived with humans since a baby. I have no idea how we are going to cope. He will have to be housed in the mill in a way that he will not be coyote supper. For now, he is in the bathroom, with food, water and stuffed animals.

My long term malady has abated a great deal. I feel almost my self but the cough lingers as the system still clears the particulate. Two nights of NO coughing but coughing a great deal of every day. Nice to sleep! But also good that particulate is clearing - lots of Pau d'Arco, sage tea, red clover tea and mugs of fresh apple juice with cinnamon, and vit C.   Who knows what helps! Oh, yeah - staying away from polluted air, wearing my new mask in toxic places. You think I might miss coughing when it finally stops. Hope it happens!

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 06:18 PM

At least the "lift assist" is available and nearby. I called the fire department in 2011 when I was up at Susie's house and her husband was trying to get off of the floor but couldn't get past a kneeling position. They got him up, but called the ambulance (she had been trying to take him to the ER). Her story is a lot different, because he was weak and in pain from metastatic cancer, but I was able to tell them (since it is a small local department) that we didn't want sirens blaring up the hill, we needed to get him up off the floor and perhaps out to an ambulance, if he agreed to go.

Friday evening. Heading home via Aldi to pick up some broccoli for the dogs.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 01:59 PM

While air drying my hair I almost finished indexing Tom's freelance articles of 1995. Moving right along... (Hadn't had any time to do that for over two weeks.)

Also ironed a blouse to wear to the session tonight, but had to make a mid-stream mid-thought recalculation when I discovered the lightweight sweater I'd planned to wear with it really needs to be washed first. That's okay, because I FOUND that sweater (and the one I'm now wearing) AND I got most of the clothes on the chair onto hangers. Didn't have time to get them put away in the closet, but I can do that tomorrow morning.

Unpacked Tom's new nebulizer and thought at first that a bunch of necessary stuff was missing, but finally found it packed in the other zipper compartment on the carrying case. Now all we have to do is figure out how to use it since no one at the hospital thought to -- and he wasn't using one while he was IN the hospital. Maybe I can find time to watch the DVD tomorrow, too. Oh, and Tom's Lifeline has been approved and now we're just waiting for the call for the company to come over and put in the service.

Plenty of stuff still on today's list still undone, but at least I FEEL reasonably accomplished today. Yesterday I got the boxes to put the books for the Nottingham library sale into so I can pack them up tomorrow, take them out to the car, and deliver them to the library next week. Probably can't put them in the car until Monday, though -- I'll need the back of the car for Tom's wheelchair for Sunday's PMFF board meeting at the Portsmouth Library.

Just had lunch which helped to declutter the fridge...and supper tonight after I get home from the Press Room will declutter the last of the meatloaf, mushroom gravy and potatoes. And then I might be able to find things in the fridge again.

I've still got about an hour to get something else accomplished before leaving for the session. I'll be in "being Tom" mode again tonight. He doesn't want to attempt the trek from house to car to Press Room back to car and into the house until he's had a bit more strengthening sessions with his physical therapist. Wednesday he made it to and from the doctor but couldn't make the last step into the house -- and I had to get another lift assist from the EMTs down the road. (Tom's been racking up frequent flyer miles lately...)

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 12:01 PM

Another bag of VCR tapes deposited in the recycle bin. This clears out two shelves in the front room that used to be stacked with them. There are still a few in there that will be moved to a tall shallow bookcase in the hall as soon as I thin a few more out of there. And then I'll work on culling them just from that one location. Slow and steady gets the job done.

There was an excellent discussion on a local radio talk show about the distraction of living without the resources you need to conduct your life comfortably. The podcasts for this program (Think) stay online for a couple of weeks - if you don't have time to listen to it now, download it. http://www.kera.org/podcasts/think/ is the page, then scroll down to the 10/22/2013 program "Living Without." You can listen to it now, or, right click over the "Living Now" link and "save target as" and give it the program name (it has KERA and a series of numbers as the mp3 file name.) I downloaded it and can share it from my dropbox if you miss it (more on dropbox another time, but there are various cloud storage places like that available for free.)

I'm ordering the book by Eldar Shafir, it strikes a chord with me that I want to explore. So like the Don Aslett books (such as Clutter's Last Stand) and the book about procrastination that I discussed as I read, this is another one that I'll share with the rest of you. The gist of this is that if you are chronically worrying about some things it makes other things much more difficult. Forgetfulness, reduced critical thinking, decision making issues, are all discussed in the podcast and at greater length in the book.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Oct 13 - 11:33 PM

Mary, you should have one of those tiny trailers that gets pulled behind a tiny car (like this).

That sounds so cozy at your house, Michelle! I came in this evening and first thing I did was wash and pierce a sweet potato and put it in the convection oven. The house smells wonderful now, and that's part of my dinner.

This week I've taken two bags of old VCR tapes to put in the recycle bin at work, and I have another bag ready to go now. Each bag has weighed about 10 pounds and probably had a couple dozen tapes each. I still have quite a few to go through, but I can consolidate all of them into one set of shelves.

The buffet is finished, though I need to touch up the paint in places, after a few dings while I worked on it and spots I missed. I put the ironing board in front of the TV this evening and watched Elementary while I finished the cloth napkins.

Another funeral tomorrow, and an estate sale for the friend whose dogs Susie adopted. She was under water on her mortgage so there is no selling the house for the estate, the probate lawyer advise that they empty it and hand the keys back to the bank.

Hell of a month, this October. That's the third funeral in two weeks.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: mg
Date: 24 Oct 13 - 08:39 PM

Oh it is so good to get rid of stuff..I live in a tiny cabin and have already gotten rid of most of my possessions but the landlords of cabin had old utensils, rugs, bedding, furniture I had to work around. They are going to sell but it probably own't sell for several months and today I got rid of almost everything of theirs...except for one totally ugly sofa/futon thing that would not fit down the stairs. I am going to advertise it as a comfortable mattress for a van or truck camping..it folds up nicely..I will have to cut it from the frame and then look at the frame and see ifthat can be disassembled. but I think the foam part itself can get through the attic cutout...I could retire soon and want to be ready to bundle up and go if I lose my job or have family emergencies etc..I am down to almost nothing and love it. Need a good dependable computer, probably laptop. I'll keep a few clothes for dressup and a few shoes..my library of two books...give away my huge costco bottles of Dove shampoo and conditioner which take my frizzy hair to a whole new level...and off I go.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 24 Oct 13 - 03:11 PM

Up and out early this morning....little man to school, Walmart, hair cut, highlights, groceries, picked up my little man early, home to do dishes, laundry, general pick up, empty the car, repack quilting gear and then I have a nice family dinner planned: Roasted chicken, stuffing, greenie beanies and Jeremiah is going to help me bake a cake for a special treat.

The house is cold. We are out of pellets and Pete will be building the first fire of the season when he gets home. I know how to build a fire and can start one in the wood stove but the first fire of the season requires some fiddling outside with the chimney box as a cold chimney means the fire is difficult to start. Instead, we'll do some baking until Daddy gets home and that will warm the kitchen nicely (which is where I will be working and Jeremiah will be nearby playing with his cars).

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Oct 13 - 01:16 PM

Sked/energy glitch today so I replanned the whole day to start later and list a few more FC items in a few more FC groups.

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Oct 13 - 01:10 PM

I just heard that a friend who has been financially strapped for years has qualified for social security at a level much higher than he expected. It still won't cover all of the rent, but it is a huge help nonetheless. That is a relief!

Linn, sometimes a small thing like the perfect ingredient can make your whole day or week, can't it?

I can't get them to look at the truck until Monday, so I made an appointment to get myself in line for the work. The guy said this still doesn't guarantee they'll get to it - what does "appointment" mean to them, I wonder? I'll pull my "you wouldn't let your mother drive out of here without popping the hood and telling her whether it is safe or if it should be parked until it can be repaired" line. It worked like a charm the last time they suggested they might not get to it.

Exchanged my drawer pull this morning so the cabinet will be finished tonight. Yay! Now I'll poke through the antique trunk and decide what all I want to get ready to use. My goal is to have a lovely table for Thanksgiving, using all of this stuff. Cloth napkins, nice silver - I suppose I ought to start looking around for nice plates. I like estate sales for that kind of thing.

Finally, I had another feedback score on eBay the pushed out all four categories that are rated on the "detailed" feedback chart if you look at a seller's record. There were only two for the longest time, but a sale last week posted to all. She got a great price on the item because I made a mistake, leaving a remark about free shipping in the auction text, but intended to lower the price and take out free shipping, making the shipping extra. I honored the wording and took a big hit on it, but at least I didn't lose money. Note to self: don't put anything in the text about shipping, leave it in the listing details only.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 Oct 13 - 10:48 AM

Started to feel sort of caught up yesterday, even though it was a pretty busy day.

I finally got the bread pudding made that I'd started on Sunday. Also got the chowder for supper made before we left the house to get to Tom's late afternoon PCP appointment.

The chowder turned out WONDERFUL -- probably due to the smoked scallops I found at the fish market Saturday when I went to pick up some finnan haddie.

Tom's physical therapist came around noon and he was able to figure out what caused the wheelchair to collapse (seat not clicked into the lock on the front -- not set up properly when it was delivered) plus showed us all the other features of the chair. It's a really good safe and sturdy one. Would have been nice if the delivery person had given us the short course as he was supposed to.

So, the visiting nurse just left, I've got Tom's bedclothes in the washer, the wheelchair guy is coming between 10 and 2, then I can go out and pick up a couple things. And I just set up a meeting with Tom's case manager from CFI/Medicaid for Monday to maybe get me some housekeeping help/relief so I can concentrate on the other stuff. He's also put in for an emergency call button for Tom so Tuesday's experience will never be repeated.

Things under control.

So...I've invited Jeri to supper tonight ("leftover" chowder) but haven't yet heard back from her. I'm making a rum cake (which I've been craving for WEEKS) anyway no matter what I hear from her!

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Oct 13 - 10:01 AM

The downward slope of the week toward the weekend, but a truck repair looms. The drips of oil on the driveway speak volumes, so I'll make an appointment for Saturday to take it to the dealer (I live about 3 blocks away or I wouldn't use that as my first choice for repairs). Expedience and not having to sit in a waiting room for hours makes it worthwhile.

SRS