Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Sep 13 - 01:44 PM

Rags, if you go to the top facebook search bar (where it says "search for people places and things") and enter your city and town and high school name (i.e., Sealth High School Seattle WA class of 72) you'll likely find there is a group that either is in place for your school, or a group that is more specifically in place for your year of graduation. You'll see some of those people contributing info about local lore and can track back via their friends to find the people you're looking for.

Another way to find some of those people on facebook is on one of the proliferation of "You're from Seattle if. . . " threads (using Seattle only as an example, these aren't my search terms, and probably not yours either.)

I've been meaning to turn off the lights and computer earlier to get to bed earlier, and I managed it last night, even though sometimes it's tough after a few days off. That meant I was up early this morning and I even had time before heading to work to put up a couple of the bracket supports and three shelves over my potting bench in the sun room. I have a bunch of painted boards that we used as shelves in a setup years ago. They've been stacked against the wall in the garage and every so often I find a place to use some of them - this was one of those places where three are in use. I'll also pick up a couple of those under-shelf hanging wire baskets and use those for gardening gloves or other lightweight things that can stand to air out a bit on the wire racks. (Like this.)

It was a pretty morning and the high is predicted in the mid-90s. It's getting closer to being nice weather again (not too hot, not too cold.) Fall is creeping up on us.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Sep 13 - 01:38 PM

17 quarts of corn canned or frozen
6 quarts of peaches canned...so far today....at least another 9 to go!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 03 Sep 13 - 01:10 PM

Thank you ragdall! I get tempted to buy lots of nice bulbs and plants, then when they arrive I groan inwardly at all the planting. But hopefully it'll be worth it next summer. Must also get lots of compost to replenish the soil. Norfolk soil is light and free-draining, and needs some added bulk to retain moisture.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: ragdall
Date: 03 Sep 13 - 11:15 AM

Sky blue Allium sounds gorgeous! Good luck with the new plantings.

rags

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 03 Sep 13 - 10:57 AM

Have cleared an area of my garden which never looked much. Plan to plant with small Heucheras (it's a bit shady down there.) And have just ordered 50 Allium bulbs of 'drumstick' type and 50 of 'sky-blue' type. They're really good for flower arranging and stay around forever in the garden without being bullies. At this time I try to assess what is looking nice and what is a bit of a mess. Too much of the latter and not enough of the former, so a few changes needed before the spring!

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: ragdall
Date: 03 Sep 13 - 03:12 AM

The wasps were still hale and hearty today. They allowed me to remove equipment that I'd left near their nest last evening and paid no attention to me as I wandered around my yard. There were signs that my neighbour is determined to eliminate them, the most promising being that he had purchased and left three more cans of wasp spray in the walkway that fear of the wasps has prevented me from using.

Weather was perfect today to give my living room and dining room drapes and liners their annual washing, followed by hanging them on the clothesline in the hot sun. With relative humidity ranging from 32% to 50% they dried very quickly. I was able to wash and dry them all in two lots. They are all back hanging where they belong tonight.   

SRS,
What does "If you search on your high school graduating class" mean? I have no idea how/where one does that.

Thanks,
rags

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 13 - 10:12 PM

If you search on your high school graduating class you may be surprised at what you find. I located quite a few people that way.

Kitchen work this evening. Heading to bed early and back to work tomorrow. This has been a very nice four days off!

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Sep 13 - 07:45 PM

The impending annual MIL visit this year coincides with cleaning-as-PT and (as usual now), flea control. A helper gave the downstairs a good deep cleaning about a year ago and now my turn begins.

The flea application of choice this year is food-grade Diotomaceous Earth (DE). So as I clear up the floor of each zone in the downstairs rooms, it gets all furniture moved for a thorough vacuuming, then the DE is applied and brushed in, then furnuture moved back.

A week later each zone will get re-vacuumed and thoroughly dusted. A zone or two a day should get it done. Hardi helps by moving larger pieces and brushing the DE into the rugs. When we get to the dusting we willl do it together.

As I go I am feeding the Trash, Keep, Sell, and Donate bins and boxes. I'm hoping MIL will help me price and display the Sell items for a late September porch sale.

My hope is that this wil be a foundation for adequate home care routines now that I have a metabolism to do that, thereby ending recliner life and TV school.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: ragdall
Date: 02 Sep 13 - 05:49 PM

I've tried to locate the other geeky kids I hung out with in high school, we were a loose collection of loners, in the fourth year Latin class and the Physics Club. The last time I saw any of them was the day we graduated. So far no luck. I'm guessing that the women married and changed surnames? It's likely that some didn't make it this far? We're all close to 70. The one "boy" in the group should be easier to find, he'll still have the same surname. Unfortunately that name was "Chan". Any idea how many "Joe Chans" live in the Vancouver, BC, area?

rags

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Claire M
Date: 02 Sep 13 - 02:35 PM

Hiya,

Dr's appt @ 8.50am tomorrow, cos I wanted a specific dr – aarrrgh!

I'm always de-cluttering; clothes I now find uncomfortable due to increasing stiffness [ooh Matron], along w/ other reasons I won't mention [no more jeans for me!], magazines, cds, dvds etc. I no longer want. Some were/are 2nd copies [unwanted, given away, then – God knows why – wanted back]

Craft-wise, I've always loved designing, so @ some point, I'm going to start making my own tops, floaty/tie-dye ones. & yet more earrings [I need to grow more ears!]. & posters; w/ lots of help of course. Well, help w/ 1st 2 @ least.

Usually try to pass whatever it is on/leave it where others can use it; that's what I was brought up to do, rather than throw it away. People are a bit finicky here – they think I've left my stuff by accident, & insist I keep it w/ me @ all times.

I always think if people want to contact me they will. I vividly remember an encounter w/ a former classmate who cornered me, telling me how his gf had dumped him after discovering he lied re being ill; another one said he hated everyone @ college, it was crap, he wished he'd never started etc. This is why I don't use Facebook..........

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 13 - 01:05 PM

Rags, I bet you'll still find some ways to connect with some of them. I didn't make it to any of my reunions so far; maybe I'll make it to 50. And I suppose it will be incumbent on me to try to reach some of those folks I want to reconnect with and see if they're going or meet them elsewhere.

We had some rain overnight! There was a noisy (but rainless) storm in the evening, and it passed, so I thought that might be all, but then about 2am lightning started again and at dawn it was actually raining. Good omen for autumn, I hope.

Shifting gears a bit today. I have a half-dozen electronic related items listed on eBay, now for a few soft goods, then some puttering around the house. And paying bills. Oy. That's going to hurt, after last month's impromptu travel.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Sep 13 - 06:12 AM

On the top of my declutter list is getting rid of wasps that have been living and procreating in timbers that raised the yard on the other side of my fence about 2.5 feet higher than my yard. I enlisted the help of my neighbour as the nest is technically on his property. It's my walkway that is not useable until the wasps are gone. So far all we've accomplished was removing one fence board to get some access to the nest site and upsetting the wasps who stung the young fellow on his hand when he went closer to see if they were asleep. I'm wondering if it will be safe to go anywhere in my yard this week?

My high school grad class will be celebrating 50 years with a dinner in the city where I graduated. A few months ago I sent the money to pay for myself and Mr. rags to attend. Now that the event is just weeks away, I'm regretting doing that. The few friends that I had, of the 250 students who graduated with me, are all on the "unable to contact" list, leaving me, a social phobic, to spend the evening sharing memories with people I don't remember.

rags

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 13 - 02:36 AM

That sounds like a lovely afternoon, and something Tom has probably been craving for a long time.

More stuff on eBay this evening. I'm stacking the boxes as they are described, measured, weighed, and listed. I try to list things that I think will actually sell, so here's hoping this adds up to not only getting bulky stuff out of here, but bulking up the PayPal account.

Monday off. Nice!

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Sep 13 - 08:46 PM

Tom and I just spent a lovely afternoon with a couple of friends, sitting around the table on the deck under the umbrella (which became important when it started to spritzel, then turned into a real and steady rain).

Better than a vacation, we finally had a chance for real conversation where Tom could contribute -- it being reasonably quiet on the deck and there just being the four of us. I am finally very mellow and relaxed...

We also sampled some Sea Hagg's poteen (I'm not sure what they actually called it), some of Flag Hill's Karner Blue gin (ineresting aromatics), and some of my infused vodkas -- the Earl Grey made a hit.

Time to go upstairs and under-react for a while before putting Tom and the house to bed. What I was reading last night out of H. Allen Smith's "Life In a Putty Knife Factory" has inspired Tom to start on his memoirs.

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Sep 13 - 04:42 PM

I am half way through the video and must stop to do something else but I am interested and intrigued. Hmm.   Can't wait to see the rest of it..maybe it is something I can do! Thanks Maggie!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Sep 13 - 03:14 PM

Yeah...I take insulin so I'm not sure this is a good option for me. Thanks for sharing it though!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 13 - 01:38 PM

Sounds like a great plan, Michelle! Here is the video that set me on losing weight, but I know you have health issues that might not make this entirely do-able. It's here for anyone to refer to. I latched onto the bit about alternate day fasting, and have lost almost 30 pounds since I started this in April. Today is a "fasting day" so I've been drinking tea and I just ate some cantaloupe from the garden and a peach. This evening I'll have a bowl of soup or something along those lines, keeping in the 500 calorie range for the day.

Another hot day (hankering for fall cool weather also!) that is supposed to hit 104^o, so I'll list more eBay items. I went outside this morning thinking it would be cool enough to weed but it never really cooled off overnight because the humidity is pretty high.

Back to the stack of stuff in the sun room.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Sep 13 - 12:48 PM

I love the beginning of you post...thinking of Kat often and wondering if she can see down into our lives and is giggling at how much work we have yet to do and how much of it really matters in the end.

However, for me, September is the beginning of my favorite time of year. The days are cooler, the leaves are beautiful (ok...I do love the changing colors but abhor the thought of naked trees to come) and the renewed sense of energy. It feels like the perfect time of year to start fresh with things...perhaps from all those years of heading off to begin a new school year.

I want to begin really working on my weight issues in earnest because I haven't been. I haven't gone crazy with eating things I shouldn't but the fact is, I've gained enough weight that I am now ready to begin again on that journey. Weight Watchers is in my very near future. I'd like to think I can go it alone but I know myself well enough to know that that just isn't the case. I hate to spend the money on it but in the end, it's what I need to do for myself. I will feel better and have more energy...both are things that I wake up wanting on a daily basis.

My house will continue to be in a chaotic state for a bit longer as it is canning season. I have cases of empty jars and cases of filled jars with more work to be done. This week will involve corn, cucumbers and pears...perhaps some apples as well. It's just a crazy busy time of year. I am toying with the idea of joining the local YMCA however, not until canning season has considerably slowed down. In the meantime, I'll continue to do the daily chores that keep the house running smoothly and livable but will save the larger jobs for a bit later.

Craft wise, I am currently working on a Christmas quilt and have everything cut and ready to sew for a large tote bag...a very large, cute tote bag that I am anxious to see finished. I'm also working on several different table runners/toppers to sell at a local craft fair that I've committed myself to do in November. It's my first and I'm excited about it.

My nana turns 91 years old in a few days and I am going to head downstate to be there for her special day. The family has planned to take her out to lunch (which is about all she can handle) and then to return to their homes. This means I'd have to drive 3 hours, do lunch and drive another 3 hours with my 3 year old. That's not a great plan. So....I've decided that I'll go down the day before and spend some time with her at her house, staying overnight. She loves to see Jeremiah so that will be nice. I made a chicken dinner that she LOVES (which I also make a ton of so I can freeze a good 12 servings or so that I can freeze individually for her) so I'll make that for her birthday dinner. :) She doesn't want or need anything (although she always loves photos of Jeremiah) so I think this is the best thing to do and then maybe a game of Phase 10, her favorite game. :)

So...for now, that's my plan.

Happy September!

Michell

Subject: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 13 - 02:41 AM

Poetic license in this name of this thread. It's the first one in which Kat isn't at least reading some of it in all of the years these have been running (almost five!) We're moving forward without our friend, but knowing that she cheered us on and enjoyed reading about our experiences and observations. This one's for you, Katlaughing!

As the seasons change and it cools into weather that brings more energy and anticipation of the holidays, this might be a good time to make some short lists of the things we want to accomplish before the end of the year. I'll let this run for a couple of months again and we can look back to our lists and see how we're doing. If you want, we can even do strike throughs on the lists (just let me know and I'll add the code.)

I always want to have eBay stuff going to both make space and make money. This fall I'll endeavor to actually do so. My kitchen is looking much better with the new closet pantry in place, but now I need to finish drawing down the sales things in my sun room because that is where I keep crystal and platters, in a shallow cupboard behind sliding mirrored doors. It is a bit of an obstacle course to reach that cupboard, so clearing the eBay stuff also clears the sun room.

I do have higher retail goals - I would eventually like to pick up things at estate sales to sell on eBay, but I've resisted much of that shopping until I have the room to stage the things I bring home and turn around and sell them quickly. There's no profit if all of my cash is tied up in unsold items. So it needs to be ready before I expand. My other ongoing project is that I have 15 - 20 pounds still to lose and I want to finish by the end of the year.

What are some of you planning to do, and can you pace yourselves to accomplish it/them this fall? Declutter, crafts, sales, remodels, repairs, etc.?

Into September with anticipation of more comfortable weather and establishing reasonable goals. Here is the last month's thread.

SRS