Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 08:50 AM

is

Loving you lurking
Trusting you to takae the best and leave the rest
Praying you enjoy more energy
Looking forwards towards your own successes

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 04:42 AM

is

Lurking in this thread
Learning from your experiences
Longing for the energy
Loving your successes

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 01:39 AM

Best I could do about sewing today was to stick my head into the sewing room and look fondly at the sewing table.

I did get something done today, I'm sure of it. Some laundry, some paperwork. Some computer work. Dishes. And another load of laundry will go in at bedtime. Linn's box is packed, weighed, measured, ready to go. A couple of other pieces of mail also.

I nearly burned a good pan this evening - water boiled out. I should have set the timer but I let myself get distracted. Zeke came in and got my attention. I don't do that often, but I scare myself back into better practices when something like this happens. I have a new timer, I just have to get used to how it works.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Oct 13 - 10:18 PM

Twelve log cabin squares (10.5 square inches) completed! YAY!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Oct 13 - 06:30 PM

Linn, your box is probably going in the mail on Monday. It's hefty. I have a care package for my son also, and a bunch of odd-ball pads of paper for a friend who loves these things (I get them from the printer who cuts up leftover paper from print jobs and makes pads) for making lists.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Oct 13 - 06:26 PM

The biggest de-cluttering here is the brand new air cleaner hard at work in the almost completely enclosed living space. Purchasing it was as painless as spending a large amount of money can be. The wonderful customer service at the Ottawa retailer was a sweetheart. Wow! They do exist! IT was meant to arrive on Monday when we would be here but I was assured tat if they tried to deliver on Friday, they would return on Monday. My potting friend happened to be here and being a dear intelligent woman, signed for it and emailed me to inform.

I am low energy today and only managed a trip to the library, where I wore a respirator to avoid toxins. Also unpacked the "Christmas present" and set it up to do its job. Lungs are still de-cluttering, sometimes with lengthy coughing fits, but less and less.

Three days in the city with my friend, of 40 years, with Parkinson's has left me drained emotionally and physically. Need to spend time googling it. However, the reason I was there was so the husband could attend a major conference on Parkinson's. He came home with good info. A very private person, she does not have close friends coming to visit. Days are LONG! I will try to visit a couple times a month or more, as possible. Tai chi was recommended; I could try to fit it in to attend with her if possible. Also LOTS of exercise and good posture.

In the pottery, work is at a screeching halt. It is the next project for R and Bruno, who will be back on Monday. I am hoping for a working studio by the end of the week. Hoping!

Did not get the laundry done and it is to start raining tomorrow through Weds. Oh well.

Linn's posts about putting things in a designated space: I keep trying that with R - "SO I CAN FIND THINGS!" This has been ingrained in me since birth but it seems to be a foreign concept to most people. ...

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Oct 13 - 03:06 PM

Counting coups is the last best part of this kind of garage sale. Congratulations on all of those finds!

Working my way through new tasks after quitting on the computer. I'll figure out how to make the network open up at some point. Laundry is in, ant carcasses near the back door vacuumed. I've seen them outside in lines, but didn't do anything about them; they seem to have moved into the chimney. I sprayed an organic pesticide called spinosad mixed with water around the base of the fireplace several times yesterday and the message seems to have gotten back to the rest of them to stay out of the house.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Oct 13 - 02:46 PM

Today I decluttered the stuff I use for the 3-season kazoo band I'm in. One re-usable grocery bag per season, to hold skirt, hat, a few rhythm instruments, and decor. There is room in my SuperCloset for all three. The current season's costume hangs in the laundry area, freshly fluffed, on the back of the door up to the old MudDorm attic.

In doing this I came across a folding stool I used to need, to set my gig stuff on in front of me, which I no longer need to use in that way. It is a great portable footrest that can travel in the van.

In this process I also reclaimed a bibbed apron I'd used for this group, because we now have matching aprons. It's bright gold-yellow and came from my mom's estate. For the band, I had removed the neck loop and was using it folded to just a waist arpon. So now, I've pinned on a bright-pink strap that is thick and not itchy. I'll get some cheap matching ribbon to extend the waist ties, and scotchguard the whole thing to make it nearly waterproof. Till I can afford that stuff, I can wash it and then dry it with extra dryer sheets which tends to inhibit absorbability. I'll probably add patches, etc. to personalize it further. I might not have chosen this color, but my kitchen IS blue, white, and yellow!

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Oct 13 - 02:42 PM

I went to a 10 mile yard sale today and had a blast! I picked up an old Kenmore sewing machine and cabinet for $20.00 (WOO HOOO!), a rack for hanging fabric strips, a hinged 3 part frame, 4 tops for Jeremiah, a pair of barely worn, heavy duty hiking shoes for Jeremiah, a Sit and Spin, a box of 25 Highlight magazines, 2 smallish cookie jars (one winter/one Christmas) that will be cute for my coffee accessories, 2 books for mama, 2 games for the wee one (Whack A Mole and a matching game with cars which he will LOVE), a giant tin of Tinker Toys and a little lawnmower that blows bubbles. I also bought bottle of water and a cinnamon roll which I split with my friend. I spent under $35.00 and am thrilled with all our goodies...none of which we NEEDED except for the clothes and hiking boots...not too bad for a day out of FUN and shopping. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Oct 13 - 01:29 PM

Lovely cooler and overcast day. Computer troubleshooting (getting a connection between Win 7 and Win 8 computers should be easier than this.)

Into the sun room to work this morning.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Oct 13 - 10:09 AM

Oh and more decluts. ... my flannel travel towels got to be way huge. Two of them (in one pattern I LOVE) were used and labeled at the nursing home and are thus now remibders of deep upset. So I re-purposed them. One got way small to be lightweight for aquatic PT use. The other got way small for use in later years when the upsets have healed, and the piece I tore off that one went into the bag that goes to counseling sessions.

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Oct 13 - 10:07 PM

I've been going through the Lynda training sessions for various programs we use at work (Microsoft's SharePoint is our relatively new Intranet for the university) and Dreamweaver, but I've also been doing the training for Windows 8, that is on my new laptop.

Susie and I went out for dinner, nothing fancy, but nice to get out and talk. She will probably have the new dogs next week (my co-worker's mother said Friday will probably work). Turns out the largest dog that was spoken for is now in flux - who knows, maybe I'll end up with an extra. That's an awful lot of dogs. A friend is going to see about some friends of hers who live on property that would be perfect for the dog - if that doesn't go through, then we'll see.

It's supposed to be cool and possibly rainy this weekend. It should be very nice for getting work done around the house.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Oct 13 - 05:33 PM

Decluttering.... let's see...

I'm on a whole new nutrition program that has me slaving away in a kitchen I love, but 2 large crockpots are now out of my huge hutch, which we have to use as spillover produce space. We ate or discarded all the leftover produce on hand over the last several days

I decluttered and re-organized my digital photo pre-op and post-op files today, using Dropbox, and printed a set of them as smalls to pull out when I need to refer to the reality of what I went through-- WITH a loving arm around me, not by myself-- cuz they fotos is ICK!!! Four cameras, two computers' worth, ICK!!!

We made some progress on reclaiming the Sailboats bedroom which is my midnite nap space; it gets to be a warehouse of unused stuff all too easily.... I set a spare pair of glasses in there for late-night reading, that had been gathering dust in the LR.

After a great declut of the pent-up surgical emotions yesterday, I slept like a baby and have been multitasking all day. TBTG I seem to be catching on to how to have two different and warring routines in each 7-day week (a 3 sked and a 4 sked).....

I have been able to fit aquatic PT back into the week AND do errands those days, most days... some days not so much.

This week I decluttered a number of post-op hygiene routines and products from my bathroom, that had gotten way too easy (crutchy).

I decluttered a bunch of "urgent" papers from the visor of the van, and brought in various coats and stuff that were clogging up the van. I recharged the scooter battery so we can hopefully get in at least one more rail-trail expedition with bike and scooter-- the earlier sunset makes these hard to squeeze in.

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 04 Oct 13 - 04:00 PM

Well....I've been having some medical issues and today I finally called the doctor and got myself for an appointment. *Grumble Mutter Mutter* There are 3 things going on but most concerning is some increasing pain in my lower right abdomen that has been going on for a few days...not sure what that's about but the pain is pretty intense and the frequency is jumping.

So today I just took it easy. I didn't do anything other than make a crock pot full of chili. I was a lounge lizard....took a shower and sat in my recliner ALL DAY. ALL DAY.

I've been kinda tired lately too so a day at home, alone was a good time to rest.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 Oct 13 - 02:11 PM

Stilly, I swear by echinacea taken year 'round (but with week-long breaks every few months so it works effectively). Also garlic supplements.

Oh, and while you're at it, margaritas for the lime juice and vitamin C! (Or bloody marys with lots of horseradish, for that matter.)

But you're spot on -- stress is the reason immune systems fail and you pick up every bug that comes down the pike.

Really hope you can find a job where you're not only appreciated but paid accordingly.

The water shut offs in our bathroom had the old-fashioned valves and one was corroded entirely so it couldn't be closed and the other wasn't really working well, either. Replaced with ball valves last spring when the bathtub faucets were replaced. Great improvement all around and now one less thing to worry about.

Every little bit helps.

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Oct 13 - 01:07 PM

The dripping faucet out front has been replaced, an old gate valve (that used a washer that was mangled by corroded insides) gone and a ball valve installed. There is another old spigot in the back yard and I learned how to take it apart to replace the washer if it needs one. The back yard spigot is in better shape, it may be a bit newer.

My arm aches a bit from the flu shot, but I'm glad I got it - it seems like many of my co-workers are coming down with bugs. I suspect it is related to the stress of job changes and moves. I picked up some zinc lozenges to use if I come into contact with colds. They do really work, if you suck on a few in the earliest hours of feeling like you're catching a cold.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 Oct 13 - 08:32 AM

Tom saw his vascular doc yesterday -- the one that wants to do a very, very risky procedure to stent Tom's left leg and, perhaps, do a bypass from the right. He had conferred with Tom's cardiologist last week, and, since Dr. Cunningham (cardiologist) is a very conservative and cautious man (which I much admire in a cardiologist!) and our appointment with him was labelled "no hurry", I figured Dr. C had nixed the idea...and he had. There is also no immediate risk to doing absolutely nothing (while making sure the wounds don't become infected, of course).

I think Tom is very relieved that he's not facing serious surgery. Come to think of it, so am I. None of us are getting out of this world alive, but I really don't want to see Tom's exit hastened.

I need to do more research on non-surgical things that can help (I don't actually believe the vascular doc that massage or nutrition is useless). And there are a couple other doctors whose brains I'd like to pick. We talk to Dr. C on the 17th if not sooner.

Got myself a present yesterday -- I'd stopped at the local herbalist's for goldenseal to rinse my mouth (tongue still irritated from the broken molar) and splurged and got some perfume oils -- rose (which I'd actually gone in for), amber (which I was almost out of) and SANDALWOOD (which I haven't had for years and years; I LOVE sandalwood!). And when I got home, my "Instant Audience" from Archie McPhee was in the mailbox. Sometimes ya just gotta carry your own cheering audience or rimshot with ya...

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Oct 13 - 11:25 PM

I've been busy with my quilting. Today I got together with friends and we all made barn quilts (kind of like a hex sign but a chosen quilt block instead). I wish I could post photos here to share but since that's not an option, you can see all the photos on Facebook. Send me a friend invite if you want to see and aren't already on my Friends list!

:) Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Oct 13 - 08:38 PM

I seem to be ready (mostly) to set up my yard sale. Been keeping a trash bin lined with a plastic bag next to the front door so as I come across things to put in the sale, I plop 'em in. Hardi is even putting stuff in there. When a bag is full it goes out to the front porch where soon Hardi will put it all on the little cargo trailer and haul it back by the camper I'll use as the Counting House. That bin by the door has been a great help!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Oct 13 - 10:40 AM

I won't climb on my leaf-blower soapbox, but I dislike the things. I had the worst case of something in my eye when a guy using one didn't see me nearby. I'd be out there with gloves (to avoid blisters) and the rake.

Got a great (unintended) workout this morning. I took the dogs for a quick walk while the banana bread was baking, and on the steep block of my walk two little dogs, a yorkie and a pug, raced out of an open gate and were trying to get close to Cinnamon and Zeke who were closest to the yard. Poppy didn't start barking right away, and no one was growling or fighting, but it was a sudden burst of dog energy and possible tangled leashes. I shouted "get your dogs!" and Poppy started barking and a guy raced out and grabbed them, all apologetic. I didn't have enough breath to say anything. This was my intense workout for the day (citing one of those Dr. Michael Moseley programs about health, from the UK show Horizons, that suggests an intense 20-second workout is enough to take care of you for the day.)

Shower, flu shot, work. And set up a plumber appointment.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 03 Oct 13 - 09:52 AM

Well, yesterday the chimney and the woodstove connection got cleaned. Not only one more thing checked off the list, but now I can feel safe if I need to burn wood for heat before fuel assistance kicks in. (And if we lose power, which we often do even if it isn't a particularly hard winter -- and predictions for this winter are below average cold and above average snowfall.)

And I got a few piddly things done around here, although I DIDN'T get the chicken stock I made on Tuesday measured out into zip-locs and into the freezer. Maybe this morning...

Did a load of laundry first thing so Tom will have clean pants for a doctor's appointment this afternoon. Just threw stuff into the dryer and found, despite extra care in finding all the wayward Kleenex in Tom's multiple pockets, one slipped by...sigh.

Tomorrow on the way in to The Press Room, I have a couple stops. Hope I get to Ocean State Discount before the packs of driveway marker stakes are gone, and I need sleeve protectors at Staples.

My driveway guy (who "did" our driveway this spring and who plows it in the winter) stopped by yesterday to see how the driveway is holding up -- it's doing wonderfully. A very small eroded gully leads rain water down the foot of the stone wall and further downhill on the side of turnaround -- and that's a good thing. Almost as if it were intentionally created. But he also suggested I need to invest in a leaf blower to clear the leaves, twigs and pine needles off the surface before they get soggy. I was going to rake to maintain it, but it IS a huge expanse of driveway... Believe me, I never even THOUGHT about leaf blowers before yesterday (and mildly made fun of people who used them).

Got a couple articles from the '90s to take to "Show and Tell" at the session tomorrow...

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Oct 13 - 12:33 AM

Progress this evening - I decluttered the bank account considerably. I knocked off one big bill, paid down the rest.

Up in the morning to make banana bread to take to work (for the few folks who are still there - one has pneumonia, the others have colds and such. I am going to get my flu shot first thing in the morning.)

I must call a plumber. My water bill was higher than it should have been - it's that front outside faucet drip getting out of control. I need the faucet changed out so I can change the washer myself when it needs it. The one there now needs a special tool to open. I'll see if I can get that taken care of on Friday.

A few other updates have been taken care of. I changed the fridge water filter that went a while longer than usual this time. I also picked up a replacement cartridge for my laser printer. The name-brand one is about $175 but I bought a knock-off for $43, same high-capacity size. These were paid for with a rebate from a computer purchase last summer.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Oct 13 - 09:10 PM

It's the time of year for flu shot and to start pulling out blankets and sweaters. There will be occasional days for them in the next few weeks, but it probably won't be until November when they really need to be put into play.

Didn't get much of my own stuff done today.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Oct 13 - 09:44 PM

Thanks, Maggie. I've got a 3-hole punch.

An hour or so of reading (I've just read the first two Anne of Green Gables books -- for the first time, believe it or not -- and I'm now reading "Anne's House of Dreams" -- 3 books in 1 volume, soon to go to the library sale) and a small snifter of Pusser's rum works wonders. (And I got a little closer to being finished with the freelance articles)

I'm usually pretty good about snagging time for myself, but it's been pretty hectic lately with deadlines for everything and a lot of demands (other than Tom's) also being made on me. I haven't looked at next week's calendar yet, but I hope it's fairly open...

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Oct 13 - 08:44 PM

For your Secret Santa this year you just need the actual Santa him or herself to come and help out around the house - given an 8-hour day to yourself one day a week you could probably get a lot of other things done, or do nothing, as it suits you.

Strange day at work. Odd stuff. A friend from work is near death in hospice, which is part of it. Unusual behavior by one person walking through the office unexpectedly, like she was looking for something.

I found a good-sized box for notebooks. I don't have any page protectors, though I did at one time and gave them to a coworker. I could send a three-hole punch. :-/

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Oct 13 - 07:42 PM

I also would have enjoyed just spending a little time outside on this glorious fall day. I did get to drive to the post office and then up to the Circle to get dry vermouth for the chicken stock. There were a couple wild turkeys contemplating road crossing when I was almost home.

Yesterday was gorgeous, too, and I'd thought about reading on the deck when we got home, but I was so wiped out, I went upstairs and read until I had to make dinner.

Our schedule and to-do list lately has been more complicated and busier than when I was working.

We see Tom's vascular doc on Thursday to hear what Tom's cardiologist had to say about his proposed surgery. We won't be seeing Tom's cardiologist for two weeks unless there's a cancellation that we can take advantage of. But since his cardiologist doesn't think there's any hurry, it probably means he thinks the surgery is too risky. But doing nothing is risky, too, and we need to find out more about what those risks are.

Linn

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Oct 13 - 07:32 PM

No, I've made large type labels for him or help him put pills into a coded container. It's just that he hasn't yet figured out that if he has a "place" for everything and, if he moves it, he puts it back in that place, life will be a lot easier for him...and a lot less stressful for me.

He never put things away when he could see, but you would think it would make sense to him now that he CAN'T see.

It's been a frustrating day. And he's been "one more thing"ing me again today. (He totally wore me out with that yesterday. We went to Newick's, a seafood spot overlooking Great Bay, for his birthday $10 off -- discovering they had a wheelchair available made getting back into the car a LOT easier -- then we had to go and pick up his orthotics -- where I had to borrow the wheelchair from Seacoast Orthopedics next door and get him upstairs in the elevator and through a bunch of doors 1/2 inch wider than the wheelchair. Then when I thought we could just go home, he had another physically demanding "one more thing" for me.) And this all is after a weekend where he pretty much wore me out, kept me from sleeping, woke me at 5:30 after getting to bed around midnight, decided I needed to take him home, managed to fall on the deck requiring a 911 call for a lift assist...

I haven't had any recovery time. My stress level is high and my patience is short. I keep trying to make things easier for Tom while he seems to go out of his way to not only complicate his own life, but to make more work for me.

Anyway, I had high hopes for today. For the first time in well over a week, we didn't have to go anyplace. I really wanted to get a good start on cleaning out this room (so I can get a bed into it for Tom). Sigh. My major victory was getting all the leftovers of a large batch of fried rice I just made into the fridge AND found room for an extra large batch of chicken stock that I made this afternoon. (I'll divvy it up into 2 cup portions and freeze it tomorrow.) Oh, and I composted some fridge stuff that should have been cleaned out a few weeks ago. And I almost finished up getting Tom's freelance articles into page protectors. (I'm running out of page protectors...again.) And I got a couple things packaged up and mailed at the post office and I just put the dishes through. The stockpot and pans and strainer from making the fried rice and chicken stock will have to wait until tomorrow. As will actually taking out the kitchen compost.

I'm going to eat some dolce de leche ice cream then go upstairs to read and get in a better state of mind. I'm not yet enjoying a sense of accomplishment, alas.

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Oct 13 - 05:36 PM

How much vision does he have? Can he see bright patches of color if he moves it around (like to peripheral vision or where he detects some light, etc.) so you can wrap the bottles with neon-colored stickers (having made note of the pharmacy instructions, or use an old empty bottle) and color code the neon. Orange for one pill, yellow for another, green for yet another?

This page has bright labels of various sorts and if you bought full sheet labels so you can cut them to size, that would be a starting place.

Does that help? There are also lots of gimmicks for using electronic tags with smart phone so you can detect them when they go missing. Put tags on the bottles, keys, etc.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Jeri
Date: 01 Oct 13 - 01:46 PM

I'm slow. Blame Rufie anyway.

I'm having a guy come tomorrow to start the process of getting a screen/storm door to replace the messed up one in the basement. At least something is going to improve here.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Jeri
Date: 01 Oct 13 - 01:42 PM

He's got a limited range, so there aren't that many places he could have put the bottles. If it's not where he's been, blame Rufus and check under the couch (or anywhere the cat might have batted the bottles).

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Oct 13 - 01:40 PM

Found it. In the basket next to his bed where he keeps his flashlight, his glasses, a pain pill in case it's needed overnight.

This is a med he definitely does NOT need overnight. There is no reason for it to have been in that basket -- ever.

Not to mention NOT being where it IS supposed to be. Sigh.

It'll be okay. Life will go on. I'll not feel ready to fall apart when faced with a really minor crisis.

Now I can get on with what I had intended to do on one of the few days where no one is coming here and we don't have to be anyplace else -- make a batch of chicken stock for the freezer, clean out the fridge, get some overdue paperwork in the mail, ship off some CDs to a long lost friend...

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Oct 13 - 01:08 PM

I need to vent a bit, but I'll combine it with a plea for suggestions as to how to cope with the situation.

I would think that since Tom can't SEE he would figure out that he needs to have a place for things and to always put them back in that place so he can find them without visual cues.

Not that he ever did that when he COULD see -- and then when he couldn't find his keys or his hammer or the green-handled pliers or a particular piece of paper it became a crisis and MY responsibility to find it. The tools were always in the last place he used them, the keys in one of several usual spots...

But now it's a daily thing. And today it's his 2 medicine bottles of metoprolol, one almost empty, the other just refilled. And he asked me to identify the two pill containers on his side of the table...and one he had taken out of the basket on MY side of the table, which is why I can never find it when he asks for that med. (And the other was completely different.)

But it's EVERY DAY and sometimes several times during the day that I have to stop everything and find something that actually HAS a place, but he's moved it and can't find it.

Today I can't find the two bottles. He says he hasn't seen them for a couple weeks. They aren't on the floor or behind the bookcase or under the table or WHERE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE!!!!

I've been nibbled to death by ducks lately. I don't cry very easily, but I could just sit down and cry right now, but it's too ridiculous. And I didn't yell at him. I DID suggest that this is the reason I keep suggesting that he keep things in the place where they belong so he CAN find things.

Thank you for listening (or at least just giving me the opportunity to write this out). It just can be so. damned. frustrating. He's an intelligent man; why can't he figure out basic things like this?

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Oct 13 - 10:33 AM

I'm leaving this up for the next month (at least) also - we're not posting quite as much as we were a while back and this gives a little more history in one place.

I was up very early this morning, I couldn't sleep, and I thought I'd get up to work. But I took a couple of aspirin and those took care of what ailed me and I went back to bed - and nearly overslept. ;-)

This week is supposed to have some cooler weather, into the mid-80s. For here in October, it'll be nice. I think the energy will kick in one of these days soon, and I have gotten back to dog walking in anticipation of a generalized higher activity level.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Sep 13 - 05:42 PM

I'm going to be setting up the Secret Santa thread in the next couple of days (I put an announcement on another existing thread just now). I wonder if those of us who post here most often might want to work on a special project. I'm thinking of a red-headed grandson who might like a nice reminder of his Mudcat aunties.

This morning the dogs and I were out walking again. I'll probably switch to walking them before dinner, it's easier to manage after work than before. But it is so nice to be out walking again. We saw our friend Benji, a basenji mix who, when he hears us walking by, sets up a doggie caterwauling until we walk over to his gate and give him a treat. Sometimes his owners are out, sometimes not. I imagine the entire block knows when my dogs walk past Benji's yard.

A friend on campus has a little Halloween tableau on her desktop - cute - I realized that I had the most fun with Halloween when the kids were small and we were making costumes for them. That was the best collaborative time, when they said what they wanted to be and we figured out how to make the costume. I imaging Michelle is doing that these days. I have photos around here of my son as a scarecrow and of my daughter as a Princess Jasmine sort of character. I didn't get photos every year, but we always had fun. Now I manage to find some autumn themed items to set out to give the feel. What are all of you doing for the changing season?

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Sep 13 - 09:36 AM

Well, the only de-cluttering I have managed is clearing gallons of gunk from my lungs. Thank you, Pau d'Arco, vit C and heat on chest and a warm bed. Thurs and Fri were lost and who cares, Sat I managed to get out to Branches and Roots, music and so forth, but no way I could demo. People kept telling me to sit down so I went home and back to bed. I think people were having fun. But I got through about 4 hours with only one coughing fit.

Sunday, well enough to make breakfast-YAY! Muddled through rest of day, sitting outside in sun for some of it. Washed bedding - the machine did - hung it, took it down and remade bed. Double yay! Having decided this building is just too toxic, I walk outside to the closest door to laundry, put on respirator to go in and load/unload, then carry the wet laundry out that door, take off respirator, and carry laundry about 200 feet around the building to the clothesline and hang it.

Sat in the sun for a while and talked with the fellow who is now developing a tree nursery in the upper field. He gets to use the land - which we are told is about 2-3 feet deep in river rock! - and the tons of wood chips in exchange for helping with landscaping. He marches to his own drummer, planting what and where he feels like it - "But it can be moved"! He has about 1500 trees out there, he says, in pots and in the ground. Anything is better but whether anything will thrive without more soil is dubious. It keeps him occupied and he is a presence, reasonably intelligent and needs someone to talk with. The river rock was put all over the property so trucks would not get stuck in the mud. Even weeds do not grow well on a lot of it.

R worked like a fiend, at least 12 hour days, and has finally closed in the living space. The air cleaner we thought would be for here, gave off a dreadful odour when we turned it on so I need to order new filter or new air cleaner. I asked/ordered/ insisted (furious) him to FIRST remove the rotten wood they pulled out of the roof - and left lying just outside the living space. He said he had and then I looked through the window of the beautiful new door yesterday and "What's that?"   He had stacked some of it neatly on a pallet but "forgot" to remove it. Gone now. "It's only rotten. not moldy."

Anyway, we now have a nice size LR which needs clean floors, hopefully wood someday soon, and a paint job. The long back wall, closing it off from the storage area, is all windows so I need to find some light weight fabric, white, translucent for drapes so we do not look at all the STUFF back there. The purpose was to provide light for back there. It looks really neat but not suitable for hanging pictures!

Really liked Susan's concept of yard sale! My goal for today is to wash my hair and make a dent in the dish washing. Nothing left to use! And find a way to store the bedding in the LR so I can put it away during the day and have the nice futon in sofa mode, in case anyone pays a call.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 Sep 13 - 09:06 PM

I spent time working on my quilt today...it's one more step towards being complete. Aside from squaring things up, I'm just steps from having the quilt top complete and ready to send to the long arm. YAY! Tomorrow the fun part begins!

I packed up another bag of clothes that Jeremiah has outgrown. Tomorrow I hope to get some of the baby toys packed up while he is at school. I almost feel guilty doing that...seems kind of sneaky but they are toys he no longer plays with and likely will not even notice that they are missing.

Weight holding steady this week as to be expected after such a large drop last week. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Sep 13 - 03:49 PM

Royalty check hit the bank yesterday, good timing - I headed to Sam's Club to get my Zyrtec knockoff - I thought the bill would be big because I thought my membership expired earlier this summer. I guess not, it was just the purchase. And for those who use this stuff - OTC Zyrtec is still very expensive. The Walgreen's brand version is $45 for a bottle of 300. Sam's Club has 400 for $16. Since Zeke and I are both using it now, I'll save my membership just by buying two bottles of this alone.

Working on various things today, I'll report in later if I actually finish any of them. My first chore for the day is finished, though - I took the dogs for a long walk up through the neighborhood. We haven't been out much this summer, and I blame myself for that, I could have gotten up early enough to walk them in the mornings when it's cool. Blame stress for making easy decisions less easy. I'm working on it. Anyway, the dogs loved it and they were so mellow by the time we got home after our 1.1 mile walk.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Sep 13 - 09:47 PM

I realized why the allergies - I ran out of my antihistamine two days ago. I am waiting till Oct 1 to renew a membership at Sam's Club where I get the stuff I use in a bulk package. It's Benedryl and Sudafed for a few days.

I started doing some mending today - the first project was the lining of a nice purse. After losing 30 pounds I can wear some of the things again that have been languishing in the mending basket, so it's time to go ahead and make those small repairs.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Sep 13 - 11:54 AM

I think we lost a post or two since last night. I know I put up something after this.

I can tell it's allergy season, my eyes are kind of fuzzy and crusty this morning, the overnight mucus buildup in a pollen or mildew-filled season. We're supposed to have rain this weekend and that should help considerably.

More eBay this weekend, more filing and shredding. I think I found a good box for some binders (a heads' up for Linn).

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Sep 13 - 07:42 PM

I am doing some close screen work today - processing photos in Photoshop - so I take a break to refocus my eyes, move around, etc. I worked on one of the piles on the floor. A small amount went in the shredder, a portion of it went into the paper recycle, and I'm afraid most of it spread out into smaller piles. Not the look I was hoping for. I think next I need to file a couple of those piles and try again.

BTW: TGIF!

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Sep 13 - 01:48 PM

Working at home today makes the weekend feel a little longer and saves me the cost of the commute for one day.

More papers to deal with this evening - I have four stacks of paper on the floor to file or shred. I'm working on accumulating the things I brought from work (in particular, photos in files) so I can take them back and enter them into the Special Collections archive. I'm making a push to get many of my photos from 16+ years into the collection.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Sep 13 - 01:46 PM

Over in the Downsizing Tips thread, the UKers posted a thing they do there that inspired me to adapt my upcoming Porch Sale into a Yard Sale. The sale isn't any bigger than planned, but due to not being able to count on a warm day, the lack of road-visibility for a Porch Sale sign at 65mph, and needing to hang out warmly indoors if needed, yet be on the spot to tend the tables-- I'm moving the whole thing out back to the patch of yard where our pop-up camper is still sitting, unfolded-down, which has a canopy I can use for my tables if it's rainy, or if it's NOT rainy.... wait for it.... the display space will be the trash-hauling trailer Hardi bought! What does not sell (or FreeCycle the next day) goes off the property forthwith!!!

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Sep 13 - 11:56 AM

Busy with chores on this beautiful fall day. Aside from the normal morning routine, dishes are done, laundry is started, kitchen floor is swept and mopped, living room is picked up and vacuumed, most of the dusting is done, Jeremiah's summer clothes have been tucked away (with the exception of 3 outfits) for next year's yard sale (as they surely will not fit him next year) and now I'm taking a coffee break. It's supposed to be GORGEOUS this weekend and I'm hoping to be outside for most of it working in the yard, tucking some plants in for the winter, planting bulbs for the spring, taking a truckload of stuff to the dump, etc. :)

Michelle

PS. There is a Featherweight maintenance class tucked into this weekend as well.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Sep 13 - 01:43 AM

Nothing much to report. It was a busy day at work and I took it easy this evening, did some plant ID on another web site.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Sep 13 - 07:52 PM

I have little recollection of this last week. The last few days - I did manage to do a laundry yesterday which is still on the line. Today I trimmed two bowls and went back to bed. It is good to be able to look on here and see that I was functional a week ago! Did go to Thurs writers group and it was good. Too tired for Cafe on Friday. Don't know what triggered this - trip to the toxic store? Toxic building? Friend came by a few days ago and put plastic across the remaining opening - until has time to put the door in. Nice weather but no energy. I remember: Washed and cut my hair, the latter months overdue, had supper and a good visit with friends, took 3 dead bumper stickers off the car with goop-off, put one on, talked with VAnessa about her new job, Today: trimmed two bowls and went back to bed. Not so great for most of a week. Now I'm going back to bed again.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Sep 13 - 12:09 PM

What a great article, and no wonder you're trying to keep all of the records of this activity in order.

Last night I shredded the old contents from the hanging files in the box I use most often. If something isn't very active but I need to keep some record then that file goes in the a drawer cabinet, the active accounts are in a large plastic file bin with an attached lid (half folds over from each side). The theory is if I had to leave the house in a hurry this would be the bin to grab to have most of my current papers. Anyway, it is a little lighter now. The bag of shreds was put at the curb (shreds made somewhat gooey by the addition of water and a few spritzes of cooking oil to the bad contents - I don't want someone tempted to piece it together again.)

All dogs in the yard are happy and back to eating the the usual dry food. I did cook some broccoli to add to the bowl - I often give them raw veggies but they adore it cooked, because then it is "people food."

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Sep 13 - 10:27 AM

Woke up to an incredible article in the Spotlight section of the Portsmouth Herald --
PMFF / Curmudgeon Article

Gotta finish the performer/staff/volunteer badges for the festival today.

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Sep 13 - 03:02 PM

And the battery made a substantial "thump" going into the bin.

Tons of peppers to cut up and freeze this evening and lots more out in the garden to pick. I'll have to set aside an hour or so a day to address the crops out there now so it doesn't all go to waste (or seed, and end up as volunteers all over the garden next year.) I accidentally pulled out the vine of one cantaloupe that was still small out there - I'll leave it hanging on the tomato cage where it started and see if it ripens by itself.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Sep 13 - 10:35 AM

Late night at the library last night, I'm dragging my feet a little this morning leaving the house. Today is one of the lectures I was in the process of setting up when I had to hand all of the plans over to other people. They have been slow to promote, not spreading the news as far as I usually did. No newsletters sent out to library constituents who used to look for news of public events in my newsletters. I'm going to attend because I love these talks, but it is the part of letting go that is is most wrenching. I loved being able to research speakers and invite them to do these lectures.

It's time to update my CV.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 13 - 03:27 PM

Well, the brick-sized battery is here, but still in the pickup. Maybe I'll remember to lug it up to the library tomorrow.

My office desk is uncluttered right now. Don't look at the shelves behind me, though. My office at home is kind of a catchall at the moment, probably the job I'll do on the first rainy weekend.

SRS