Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 14 Nov 13 - 03:08 PM

Maggie - Duvet insertion made easy.

Turn the cover inside out.
Reach inside with both hands and grab the two adjacent top corners (like puppets).
Now grab the two corresponding corners of the duvet.
Lift and shake the cover down over the duvet.

I had been doing this trick for years, until recently. My shoulders can't take the strain now so Chris does it for me. He thinks it is a clever trick too.

Defrosting chest freezer - I sped the process up by putting a large roasting pan on folded towel in bottom of freezer and pouring boiling water from kettle into pan. Close the freezer and leave for 15 - 20 minutes and repeat several times. Also used wide plastic spatula to slide the chunks of ice off. This could be adapted for upright freezer I suppose.


Charmion - you are an inspiration. I am almost hoping to be made redundant so I can focus my energy on healthy lifestyle. Right now work sucks everything out me, mentally and physically.

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Nov 13 - 02:21 PM

I don't have a steamer, but I do have a hair dryer. And the dripping would get into everything in there, if that's what you're thinking. If I'm visualizing the system you're proposing. I don't mind defrosting a couple of times a year - the freezer gets kind of disorganized over time and I lose track of some of the contents. It looks brand new after the ice is gone and the food returned to it is a reminder of how busy I've been in my garden.

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: mg
Date: 14 Nov 13 - 01:21 PM

you can defrost instantly with no mess and no drips with a steamer..it just vaporizes the ice. just point it at the ice and it is gone. you don
t have to move anything around.

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Nov 13 - 12:37 PM

P.S. - VT - those storage bags have a cognate in the kitchen. Last year I got myself one of those seal-a-meal machines and bought a big box of the make-your-own-size bag rolls and have been using it for meats so far. I'm going to test freezing some of the diced produce then putting it into bags and sealing to see how well and how long they last in the freezer. I'll package smaller amounts versus my big gallon-size zip lock bags.

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Nov 13 - 12:28 PM

Last year I bought two large top sheets to make a duvet for my down comforter, but never got around to making it. I had considered various plans, but last night I decided I needed to act before another year passed and just get it done in the easiest manner. Those sheets probably cost about $25 each (they were on sale, but still not cheap, at Penneys.) I put right-sides together and stitched around three sides and from the fourth side I stitched in a couple of feet from each corner before turning it right side out. It took a bit of work to get the comforter in and spread out inside that case, and I am going to follow up by adding tabs or Velcro inside each corner to keep it distributed in the case. I need to make use of supplies I have already purchased, not just buy stuff for new projects. I was comfortable last night.

Tonight I'm going to bring in the coolers to empty then defrost the upright freezer. With all of these veggies to freeze I need to organize the contents first, discard anything too old, and figure where to put the new as it is cut up. I love how great the inside of this classic avocado green 1970s freezer looks with the ice gone. (Once it is empty I put a tray under it to catch water and use a hairdryer to melt the ice. The whole operation only takes about an hour.)

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 14 Nov 13 - 09:27 AM

Space bags are my new best friends. Collecting craft fabric and yarn while living in a flat with little storage doesn't fit. Literally. I am packing fabric and yarn into space saver bags, vacuumming the air out and packing in boxes in the small single bedroom.

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Nov 13 - 05:14 PM

Yesterday was "patch Tuesday" so I spent time updating computers last night and this morning. I have a couple more in the house to do later. They aren't used often, but when they're needed, it's nice if they're up to date. One is for guests in the guest bedroom, the other streams my NetFlix content in the kitchen. Hand-me-down computers - the old ones, if they still work, have a job they can do.

I need to list more on eBay, the three items there are getting a bit shopworn. Maybe this evening. But before I do anything else I finally need to finish the duvet cover for my down comforter. It's going on the bed tonight, I was freezing last night.

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Nov 13 - 10:51 AM

I turned around and drove back to the mill after brekkie. Stopped to make an appointment for new winter tires and a belt for the alternator on Friday - 8am!!! But the clever woman pointed out that if I were first there would be no one ahead of me and the danger of having to wait! She has recognized that I HATE to wait. I had, of course, forgotten that the former winter tires were pronounced dead last spring. Or, I think that since we cannot find them anywhere!

This small, local service centre seems to be reasonable. I informed them early on that their job is to keep my car in good running order for another 20 years, so they give me notice when anything needs future maintenance - like the alternator belt.

Then I stopped to pick up the local paper from a friend and had a chat with her. And, finally made it to the mill where I turned up the heat in studio, and dropped off 4 gallons of city water - in front of the heater to keep it warm. It seems, from reading clayart, that the orange country water could be the cause of a problem with some glazes.

Then I turned up the heat in the living space and made lunch. But it never seemed to get quite warm enough either place and I considered the cost of heating overnight vs the cost of driving back to the city house which is warmer. I checked the weather and ascertained it would be much warmer on Thurs and through the weekend. My potting friend Vanessa showed up as I was getting ready to leave. She was OK with the studio and was going to get some work done. I need to find warm short sleeve clothes. I'll go back down on Thurs and today, I will work on small stuff on the portable wheel upstairs.

R came home, rather glad to have me back and we had supper about 7:30 after which he fell asleep on the sofa, then went to bed about 9. He was excessively tired and did not get up 'til after 8 am. I read and computered until 10 and went to bed and got up at 7.

Did two loads of laundry yesterday and two more in progress today, including changing the bed. May wash two bed pillows as well. They seem to always smell. Maybe because they are foam? Mine are feather. Duh! I do believe there may be an extra feather pillow or two at the mill. Make a note of that!

This house is not very warm either. All little space heaters, carefully arranged due to poor electrical service. Cannot do laundry and have one heater on! Floors are like ice so I finally put a thick throw rug in front of my reading chair.

It is marvellous to have energy at long last! However, I have not weighed myself since the beginning of this environmental thing. I did wear a pair of pants that kept falling down the other day so they go back to the thrift shop. Need to find the scale and bring it back to the city. Once I started feeling better, I also starting eating everything in sight.

OK, check laundry and get to potting.

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Nov 13 - 01:18 AM

Linn's news about Tom

and her

one day at a time message a little later.

Big hugs all around, Linn. Like Mary Garvey said, let others handle the logistics and you work on the loving. She said it very well.

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Nov 13 - 06:04 PM

We're due a hard freeze overnight (we didn't have a frost this year, just this hard freeze to start with). I spent a couple of hours in the garden cutting up plants and trimming off all of the produce. I have buckets of hot peppers (jalapeno and poblano) and bell peppers and sweet banana peppers. I have a basket of lovely green tomatoes, and a big tub full of eggplants. The sink has a large bunch of basil. I dug up some little patches of cilantro and put them in the little pots that my broccoli came in. I planted the broccoli this morning to get it into the ground to protect it a little. It has it's own kind of anti-freeze, but the roots need to be in the ground for that to work.

Whoosh! Lots of cutting and freezing this week!

After that (it was a cool windy morning) a nice hot bath before heading over to work. It's my late day, so I'll be greeted this evening by hungry dogs and counters full of produce needing attention. It feels good to have got this before the freeze - and another opportunity to do some canning. I'm going to make some green tomato relish. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 Nov 13 - 08:30 AM

"Move a Little, Lose a Lot" sounds like good lines for a song. Ah, yes. Reminds me of a song: "Give a little, get a lot!" by a dear friend. Time to re-listen.

Good to see Linn making progress in a determined manner. I think of her as I move through my so much less stressful days.

Sunday, trip to Ontario to deliver poor little Ralphie to the next step, and kind arms, of his journey. They would take him on to a rehab center where he would be introduced, carefully, to other raccoons. Hopefully, he will spend the winter learning to be a raccoon so he can be released in the spring.

I stopped for a leisurely brunch on the way back at a Tim Horton's on the highway. In Ontario I can get sour cream donuts without glaze. I treated myself to nice soup with a small bun, hot chocolate and a donut and read my book. It was only 86 miles each way but it was a treat to be where everyone speaks English and I always find it a treat to go in a different direction, Also filled up with cheaper gas.

Strangely, I kept thinking of Ralphie and had to remind myself he is not in the car anymore. He was a pesky guy but two weeks was long enough for him to become a part of my life. When I got back to the mill, I started putting the sun room back into pre-raccoon condition, missing him but also wanting to wash him out of my life! We shall always hope for him a good raccoon life which we could not provide.

Nearing home, I remembered a friend was at a craft show in - ah, THAT"S where St. Barbe is! So I stopped for some of her wonderful brownies and found a nifty hand made card which I am sending to son's wife and her mom make neat things like that. And purchased a hand woven blue and white cloth. A strange size but very nice and made right there - where the women still weave and knit and crochet... The goods were different from other craft shows just a few miles away. A tiny show in a tiny community centre but another treat on that rainy day.

Having gotten up at 5:30 am, I soon bottomed out and was back in bed by 7:30, after reporting back to the woman who had passed him to me. She was SO happy.

Monday I got up and into the studio with determination and energy! Threw parts for six small teapots and a bunch of small lids for jars. Then went to lunch with a friend. When I got back, I decided I was tired of looking at the RAIN! So I came to the city to take a hot bath. R came home for a nice supper and then went back to work. I had my bath, read and went to bed.

Now, I have finished the computering for now and maybe R is ready to get up and have brekkie. Still grey out there but I hope to go back and finish those tea pots, mix glazes and get things done! The more I accomplish, the more energized I am to do more. Mustn't break the spell!

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Nov 13 - 08:53 PM

I posted here this morning.....not sure where it went.

:/

Michelle

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Nov 13 - 10:50 AM

The charm of an old house comes with a price here also, if it is recognized as a historic dwelling, but a lot of times people change them or tear them down and thumb their noses at the glacial-speed of authority that should protect them.

My files are lighter after some filing and shredding (mentioned above). I had a couple of things to file this morning and there was no pulling the folder out a ways to shove the document in, it just dropped in easily.

Here is my hornworm photo made public on my Flickr account. I love the composition of this - he's such a striking character!

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: mouldy
Date: 11 Nov 13 - 09:01 AM

On the 'Cat for the first time in what seems ages, so thought I would drop in and say "Hi".
Weight-wise, I got to goal, after losing 32lbs ("goal" being 31). It just suddenly fell off when I only had about 5lbs to go. However, I think it was stress and worry over my daughter's split from her long-term boyfriend, and arrival at my house, with bag and baggage.

2 months later, she went back to him, and I am struggling now to maintain the status quo, even within the 5lbs leeway that WW gives. At least, having got to goal, I don't have to weigh in more than a few times a year, and I have the tools to get rid again, if needed.

This year's home improvements have centred mainly on the shed and garden. I got guttering and flashings sorted on the outbuildings, and had the door and windows upgraded on the shed/outhouse/workroom. The pet project was the gazebo in the corner of the patio, and the "up-cycling" of an old butcher's block into a table to use with it.

Next in line has got to be restoration of the front door and windows. The joiner was going to come and fettle the door, but I doubt he'll come this winter. The windows will have to come out and be taken away for restoration. I can't replace them without permission, as they are the 190 year old originals, and protected. A summer job, methinks!

None of the work that needs doing on the house can be done on a low budget, unfortunately, as it needs to be done with traditional materials and skills. It'll just have to be a bit at a time.

I could do with sorting the back garden a bit, but it's cold and damp out there!

Andrea xx

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Nov 13 - 01:27 AM

I've cleared off about half of the surface of my computer desk and a large amount of paper and stuff off of my kitchen peninsula and table. I sent a big bag of shredded paper (commingled with bacon grease to make it very unappealing, just in case) out in the trash. Laundry and hand-washing out of the way.

I got some great photos in the garden this weekend. If I'm going to have a great big cutworm eating the pentas, at least it is interesting when it is a really unusual looking one.

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Nov 13 - 07:09 PM

Baby steps, but things DO get accomplished...

First off, went to the Nottingham library sale this morning...and I was GOOD. I "won" (meaning I purchased fewer books than I donated -- and at least one of them is going to be a gift, to boot). One of the librarians pointed out, though, that the sale isn't over today. All week it will be 2 bucks a bag so I have plenty of opportunity to fall off the wagon.

And on the way to the hospital I dropped off a large pile of magazines at Lee Urgent Care. Then in Dover I dropped off a bag of stuff (small, but every little bit helps) at Goodwill.

Keeping on keeping on...

Linn

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Nov 13 - 05:01 PM

We have a treadmill with a desktop in front of it at work and though I've used it stationary, I should go up and work on it moving occasionally. Thanks for the reminder.

Front yard mowed, came in for a cool down, now out to the back. That part of the job is more complex - I must scoop before I mow, and since I'm going to scoop I also take out anything to compost from the kitchen. When I commingle dog droppings with the food trimmings then the dogs leave it all alone. :)

While out front I got some photos of the hornworms that were chowing down on the penta flowers in the front bed. I mashed one plain old (but very large) caterpillar, then realize I had several of the hornworm variety at work also.

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Nov 13 - 02:43 PM

A recent fitness trend is described in a book, Move a Little, Lose a Lot (see Amazon). One feature is standing at your desktops-- some people have treadmill workstations-- so you can move more while you work.

It took 5 minutes, using items in my LR, to put this laptop at dancing height. Feel free to join me!

~Susan
(doing the Wobble)

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Nov 13 - 11:25 AM

SRS,
In general I'm compressing my office into a space for my personal work because I am no longer working at home for my employer.

YES!!! This is what I have been doing as well, for different reasons, but YES.

In OUR space we work for US. From that base we can do work for others but first we must work for ourselves.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Nov 13 - 10:41 AM

I had thought about heading home early when I posted yesterday, but decided instead to use the time to go through some of the training videos offered by the Lynda subscription in place on our campus. Since you can come and go and gradually work through these courses I had a few I needed to finish and then print out the certificates for my own reference.

This morning I went through my master list of online accounts and pulled out the pages that are no longer relevant, and compressed some information from two pages to one. Shredded the discards and that notebook now works better (it had reached a point where opening the three rings meant pages were going to pop out of the book. Rather than move it to a larger book, I need to keep weeding unused stuff.)

In general I'm compressing my office into a space for my personal work because I am no longer working at home for my employer. The dean and her second in command have banned telecommuting. This organizing and purging has opened up space in file drawers and I'm rearranging some of the books near the computer and there will be additional changes. I'm also bringing home personal books and objects that I had at work, basically anything I would have to pack up if I leave for a new job. I want to be able to pick up my purse and walk out of the building when the time comes. Yes, it really is that bad at the library where I work. Sad to say. [Trying so very hard not to burn bridges. . . ]

The weather report says the afternoon will be sunny, but right now the day is gloomy and gray. I'll work inside until it brightens. I'd love to make a big dent in the weeds and finally get my broccoli and onions planted.

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Nov 13 - 10:52 PM

Great Day! Glaze recipes found. Ralphie goes to a rehab center on Sunday! And I finally figured out that I needed to re-set my cookie lest I be always a guest. Now I can go to bed, perchance to sleep, she says hopefully.

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: GUEST,Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Nov 13 - 06:17 PM

OK, last night's "GUEST" was me again! WHY???

Anyway, After I survived a lot of coughing last night and got my self moving this morning, I went on the serious SEARCH for glaze recipe notebooks. TWO hours of lifting and moving a million boxes and then going back to see if there was any box hiding somewhere, then checking every nook and cranny of the storage area--- maybe in a pile of papers. And, LO! aching in every joint and muscle, there they were, under a cook book and mixed in with other papers which had been in the house, not in the studio. I must have been looking them over in the cabin just before the dreadful move. Does this not say a great deal for de-cluttering????

Oh, YAY!!! I did find them. But now I was too tired to do anything but take myself out for a celebratory lunch. And picked up a few groceries and came back and have just sat and computered, Off to the cafe in a few minutes.

But also have a line on a placement for the furball!!! I am to phone at 8 pm.

Bruno never came back yet and floors have not been done. But the studio is in good shape and tomorrow, if nothing intervenes, I can sort out glazing materials and start mixing new buckets of glazes and some smaller batches of test glazes - to try out something new and to, hopefully, replace the cobalt blue and, with any luck, the softer sky blue.

Cold grey day with a few tentative white flakes. In the search, I found our winter clothes!!! and the brush/scrapers for the vehicles. My snow tires are not found and I wonder if they were deemed finito at the end of last season. Must do something SOON!

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Nov 13 - 01:01 PM

It's a lovely day outside today, and if it dries enough I'll head out and mow the lawn. The winter grass is sprouting and looks like rye (but I don't plant rye, so I know it is the cheat grass or whatever they call it.)

Lots to do this weekend. I'll post results, not plans.

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 09:12 PM

OH, Linn!

And, as usual, all I have to worry about is a scrungy little raccoon, who is getting way too nippy and needs way too much wrestling. Long talk with my NY rehabber friend the other night: messaged a Mohawk friend who MAY be able to help. She would have friends both sides of the darn border. If only I could smuggle him into NY, Amy would help. But she offered to come up and help build a living space for him. In the spring, when the hormones flow, if released he would probably get et, not having a team to back him up. That's what friends are for!

The super news is that yesterday was a happy, happy day. I was able to fire the kiln on Tuesday night, then reload it and fire again last night. Did a great deal of organizing in the studio and threw a dozen small tumblers to fill an order for two - on hold since last May! Those were the first firings since 17 May. R put a bunch of shelves in the storage area so I can pre-sort things before taking them into the studio. I still need to get the shelves in place in the studio. It is wonderful to have space to properly organize.

And I continue to delight in the K cabinets!

Went into the city last night, had hot bath and good sleep - no coughing! Did two loads of laundry this morning, sorted between city and country. Filled four gallon jugs with city water for the studio; info on line indicates the orange country water could be causing glaze problems.

Came back out this afternoon in time to go to writer's group and replenish books supply at the library. Then home to the lonely raccoon, so starved for attention he drove me away but I lasted about an hour and a half. He needs R to rough house with him.

Now I will rest up, go to bed early and look forward to searching assiduously for the glaze recipes which are now critical. Then hope to have enough energy left to throw some more pots to fill orders that are 3 months old. Several teapots are needed and they are SUCH a pain!

And Thinking of Linn, thinking of Linn, thinking of Linn...

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 08:04 PM

((((Linn)))

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 06:09 PM

I just revived the "Curmudgeon In Hospital" thread as he is, indeed, on his way back to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.

I'll be following as soon as I make all the notifications that I need to.

Linn

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 04:18 PM

Rags, I've been dying to get out into the garden. Weather and work have complicated it a bit. I think this weekend will have to be the one, because frost is beginning to threaten in some of these overnight forecasts. I tossed a blanket over the Patchouli last night - I need to pick those leaves to dry them in the house, not let them get clobbered by frost first.

I have decluttered the Secret Santa list and all assignments have been made. I'm sure there will be a few stragglers, but I haven't heard from them yet.

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: ragdall
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 04:02 PM

Linn, It's so hard to understand why things that seem obvious to us, don't seem as obvious to them. Eventually Tom will "get it". In the meantime, he's fortunate to have someone as caring and patient as you to help him.

My decluttering in the garden was put on hold today with what appears to be the start of our usual six months of snow. Last week's 1600 km "Adoration of the Infant", (grandchild #15), trip, prevented me from preparing my two big flower beds for winter. I'm hoping that there may yet be a melt that will allow me to access them, but will have to wait and see. I was able to rake up and compost most of the fallen leaves before it snowed, the night that we arrived home.

I loaded all the toys from my roof space that would fit into my Vibe for the baby's older siblings to enjoy. Slowly, the roof space is becoming less full. Somehow, I have to empty it faster. I can't put off getting my knees done much longer.

rags

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 03:26 PM

Well, today was not without "drama"...

While sitting in the exam room waiting for my doctor, I got a call from the emergency service (Tom's "button"). He used it, they ascertained it wasn't accidentally deployed, and sent the EMTs. He had tried to get from the wheelchair into the recliner, and thought one arm of the chair was the other...and sat on the floor. EMTs came and gave him a lift assist back into the wheelchair.

The upside is we know the system works.

Tom is still somewhat in denial about his blindness and just seems to have problems with the concept of relearning how to do things without sight and how to be very careful and cautious about every move -- such as making sure that chair is behind him when he sits down. I guess the good thing is every time something like this happens, Tom DOES learn from it.

He finally admitted this afternoon that he needs something on the "answer" or "send" button on the phone (already oversized as is everything on this phone) so he actually hits the right button to answer a call or place a call.

It's very frustrating for me to have to deal with a very intelligent man who can't seem to figure out the work arounds he NEEDS to figure out in order to make his life safer and less stressful. He's NOT a child. He's a very capable, bright and creative man. But sometimes I sure wish he'd ACT like it!

Linn

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 11:36 AM

Linn, I know you will know what is best.

More than anything else I just want to encourage you to remember that no matter how it feels each day, or how crappy managed care is--

You really, really do not have to do it all alone, singlehandedly.

Managed care will use you up, if you let it. Remember caregivers get perks too, and that your MudBuds can look up crap you might not have time to do. And then boss us around! :~)

~Susan
(and prayin')

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 08:40 AM

W y s i w y G !, thanks for the ideas and the encouragement.

I don't have a lot of research time right this moment because I have to get Tom settled so I can go to a medical appointment of my own this morning. (And pick up some meds for him on the way home.)

With a quick search though I found a website that has a lot of options/ideas that hadn't even occurred to me. So I sent it on to Tom's case manager.

My R&R music therapy last night was really nice -- a bunch of singers I'd not met before (though I know the couple who run it and the couple who own the venue).

And no real drama when I got home, despite Tom having some sort of problem with the phone in the middle of the evening and having "lost" his emergency button (it was twisted around onto his back, probably when he took his shirt off).

Thanks for the ideas!

Linn

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 08:34 AM

Kendall is coming over to work his magic on my now defunct kitchen faucet. Anyone who has visited me within the past year will not be surprised. Turning off the drip is a trip.
Roof postponed to the spring. Teeth take priority.

Meantime I am still working full time and able to pay for stuff. Plus I thoroughly enjoy the people I work with. Hilarious tales of weekend dates, car troubles and young people's stuff. Sometimes I feel paid to laugh.

Promised my brother I would continue to eliminate one box of crap per week so that if I die suddenly he won't have to deal with it. He doesn't care that there are antiques in the boxes in the eaves. He says they are headed to the dumpster. heh heh

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Nov 13 - 07:59 PM

Linn, I didn't think I could have one that would not be in the way either. It took me years to realize that come hell or high water, I just needed to get it done.

So I finally decided on what I thought might work, and got an estimate to build that. TBTG I got a second estimate, because THAT contractor could see what I had missed and had a GREAT design.

Because it was his own vision, he was able to build it in a jiffy-- and got me into my house the night I was discharged from the nursing home-- Christmas eve-- when my bennies ran out. On 3 days' notice.

And it was the best money I ever invested. It MATTERS SO MUCH to know you can get in and out. It changes everything to know that this is handled. So----- I hope you go for it!

Also, strategies can be combined-- there are nifty and unobtrusive stair lifts now, too. A boardwalk from drive to house and a lift into it the house, for example. You can have whatever you need-- don't worry about not being able to see it. Someone else will!

It may not just be you who needs to use it. It will make house access easier for friends, emergency personnel, anyone who you want to come in and help or visit. I know my home health nurses loved it!

~S~

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 06 Nov 13 - 04:27 PM

Did some "drive-by gardening" on my way home from the store -- on the way down the driveway I pulled the variegated vinca vine out of the planters at the head of the driveway and tipped them into a winter holding bed (the loam pile) where they'll have a good chance of wintering over. (Yes, I got out of the car both at the head of the driveway AND when I pulled in next to the house. I even remembered pots and protective newspaper for the floor of the backseat when I went to the store.)

Of course, now I have to scrub my fingernails before I go out to the song circle tonight...

Linn

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Nov 13 - 03:18 PM

Good suggestions, Susan, about the ramp. I wouldn't have thought of Harbor Freight.

Sounds like a good escape for the evening, Linn.

I went to a talk at noon today, one I set up before my job changed. It was a spectacularly good lecture - but you have to be a tech teaching and pedagogy geek possibly to have been there in the first place. The woman who spoke about distance education brought some of her fellow collaborators - and made me wish I'd stayed in the teaching end of things back in the day I was finishing my master's. It was well attended and I could see wheels turning all around the room as people had ideas to follow-up on. This was a great plus for my week, and the speaker was a fellow graduate student with me back in the day, so it's always nice to make things like this happen for friends. Hump day. There's nothing that makes the week go slower than having an unhappy workplace. That helped a lot.

My lawn has grown a lot with the rain this week but it'll be too wet to mow until the weekend. I know how I'll spend my Saturday, mowing, weeding, and planting. This evening sewing seems to come to the top of the to-do list (a warm bathrobe is now in demand, so it's time to finish that collar.)

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 06 Nov 13 - 09:16 AM

Paying for it isn't an issue -- I think it's covered under CFI/Medicaid. I'm just having trouble envisioning one that would work and not be more in the way.

Mostly, I think, what's REALLY bothering me is the realization that Tom is not only not getting better (which I didn't expect anyway), but is -- subtly -- failing. And his problems getting back into the house after a doctor's appointment, session at The Press Room, whatever, is a key indicator.

Tom's cardiologist yesterday really didn't answer any questions other than HE wouldn't attempt any other procedures -- including swapping out Tom's existing (since 2004) defibrillator/pacemaker with a bi-ventricular one. And each of his doctors seem to want another doctor to explain risks -- including the risk of doing nothing. The vascular doc told me to ask his cardiologist -- yesterday the cardiologist told me to ask the vascular doc. Meanwhile, the doctors at the hospital never really gave me any answers, either, or even the suggestion of a plan.

Meanwhile, a heating crisis was averted this morning and a lot more quickly than expected. Right now I really need to wash my hair before making breakfast for Tom. His physical therapist and the visiting nurse are coming this afternoon. This evening I'M off for some R&R and music therapy at a singaround at friends in Dover. Couldn't happen at a better time.

Linn

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Nov 13 - 08:02 AM

To see if you can get a ramp made for you, free, check with your local Area Agency on Aging. In many communities this is where ramps come from, and a lot of folks do not know that AAA funded them.

If you do not qualify, you can ask any contractor for an estimate, and they will tell you how they plan to lay it out to be ADA compliant as to slope... and then you can use their design to build it yourself or more cheaply by friends.

Also Harbor Freight has metal automotive ramp sections you can use (about $125 each) to deck between stacked-shipping-pallet corners.

Be thou ramp-ed! :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Nov 13 - 12:18 AM

Back home after my late day at the library. I've about finished the last touches on the Secret Santa, and might get that sent out tomorrow. That always feels very good, to set the holiday cat among the willing pigeons.

Dishes were stowed in the dishwasher while my tea brewed. That's about all that is getting accomplished around here tonight, aside from feeding the dogs and myself.

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: ranger1
Date: 05 Nov 13 - 07:57 PM

Wheelchair ramps don't need to be straight, Linn, just wide enough at the angles to make the turns with the wheelchair. Got any boy scouts looking for Eagle projects in your area? That might be a good solution.

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Nov 13 - 07:04 PM

Ach! I don't don't if I'm frustrated, depressed or just tired. Maybe all three.

Handyman was back this morning to put the finishing touches on the deck stair rail. I got the trash up to the road early and the frost off the windshield before Tom and I headed to York, Maine to get his defib read and have a consultation with his cardiologist. I LIKE Tom's cardiologist a lot -- he's a very cautious man. Maybe too cautious. I just couldn't get him to give me any real answers about Tom's congestive heart failure and his vascular problems. All I really want to know is general realistic expectations. I don't think Tom will drop dead next week or next month...but he could, I guess. It's highly unlikely he'll challenge his cousin's longevity...she's 93. But nobody seems willing to even suggest a ball park. All his cardiologist would say is, "One day at a time..."

On the up side I took the shore road through York (stopped at Nubble) to Ogunquit. It was a beautiful day and high tide. The ocean was blue and blue green and green...lively and lovely. Then we stopped at a friend's antique shop in Cape Neddick for a nice visit.

But I had to pull the car over a couple times on the way home to help Tom find whatever it was he was looking for, or do whatever I needed to do to keep him from, I don't know. Fidgeting and doing whatever he was doing that was distracting my attention from the road. The other half of the time his head droops and I have to ask if he's okay...

Then when we got home, he made it from the car to the steps (about 6 feet) and needed to sit down. I convinced him to WAIT while I got a chair and stabilized it so he could sit down. If he'd sat on the steps as he started to, I'd never be able to get him to his feet. As it is, I still had to call 911 to get a lift assist.

And now I think it's realistic to get a wheelchair ramp or something (which we certainly didn't think he needed last year after he broke his ankle). I haven't a clue as to how it can be designed to be effective, to be a gradual enough slope that I can actually push him up the ramp, and not be in the way of the driveway. Whatever the solution, we can't continue to get frequent flyer miles for lift assists...

And the ongoing family crisis (my family) out in the Midwest is, well, ongoing...

I think I need to under-react with a book for awhile...

Linn

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Nov 13 - 06:47 PM

Strategy for the above link:

I walked an hour at a store ydy and another hour today (even after a rough PT), plus I made dinner tonight (45 min standing). Painful, but I think I can handle that much without causing an arthritis flare-up, so it is my new "standard" daily walking assignment. These both included short sits as needed; I carry a folding stool in my grocery cart; I use it to ponder brands on the shelf when I need a short break for my back. Very handy to spot low-shelved gourmet or nbargain items to try as well.

I also use it when the cashier line stalls, so I can be patient with the cashier and shed sunshine to other waiting line-peeps (especially parental beings), without exacerbating the back.

~S~

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 13 - 02:21 PM

Linn, the interview with Howard Mansfield just concluded on our local Dallas/Fort Worth NPR station. It was very interesting, and more than that, it shows how we are networking on Mudcat to share things across communities. Soulful Shelters will be a podcast later today or this week, and it will replay this evening on the station if you want to stream it.

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 13 - 10:32 AM

A few years ago I poked the side of my thumb, right at the nail bed, and there was this spot that wouldn't heal where the skin was pulled back a bit from the edge of the nail because a little flesh protruded. I did that by poking myself with a piece of metal when putting the dog's rabies tag onto a split ring on a collar. I stuck my hand in my pocket last week and somehow hit my index finger nail on a rivet and seem to have done the same thing - it's a silly problem but it doesn't heal. I'm gong to have to go to the doctor and have this treated. At least I remember what worked last time (silver nitrate, I think, or liquid nitrogen to kill that little patch of flesh so the skin could heal over it.)

Darn. Like I need another doctor visit.

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Nov 13 - 07:53 AM

My current challenge: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK27213/

~S~

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Nov 13 - 08:21 PM

I've taken a different tack, alternate day fasting, with the fasting day modified - it's a 500 calorie day. The law of averages works. You eat regular stuff (don't go crazy) on your feed day, and on your fast day, make it more veggies and fruit in the afternoon, and be careful about eating too much protein on feed days (or you'll get constipated). I watched this program and realize I could do this - I adopted the method described at about 38 minutes into the program. This is Dr. Michael Mosley who hosted some programs on "Horizon," a UK science program that was broadcast here in the US on PBS.

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Charmion
Date: 04 Nov 13 - 08:07 PM

There is no secret to losing weight, damn it.

It's a lot easier, however, if you stay out of restaurants, cafeterias, coffee shops and snack bars, and if you walk everywhere you go. A gym membership is a big help, too.

A particularly useful tool is a website where I track everything I eat and drink. In combination with an accurate kitchen scale, it's close to a secret weapon.

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Nov 13 - 07:45 PM

Wow! A couple of great accounts! I know a lot of people read this thread, and I am always glad to see lurkers contribute. Charmion, congratulations! My target weight loss is 50 pounds, that would put me at my former "light" weight of 144 (in the summer when I was more active). In the winter I usually weighed about 5 pounds more. It is nice to get rid of the clothes you're swimming in, isn't it? I am at the point where things I bought last year that were snug are now baggy, and I'll be making a trip soon to pick up a couple of things to tide me over to the target weight. Also good news about your asthma management.

Rumncoke, thanks for the encouraging news of the CPAP. Kat told us about it when she was getting fitted and getting used to it, she had a lot of troubles before the apnea was diagnosed. My daughter's roommates thought my daughter might have something like that and one even contacted me - I'd been after my daughter for years to see the ENT about her tonsils because they were huge and after that we all worked to get her to the surgeon - and I think that took care of a lot of her snoring and sleep problems.

I left work early today. My jaw was aching from all of the little injections to numb it and I can feel some swelling. I shopped a little on the way home, dog food, dishwasher detergent, apples and veggies. I can hear the reassuring swish swish of the dishwasher running as I work now.

Stay warm and dry, everyone! It's getting to be that time of year.

SRS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Rumncoke
Date: 04 Nov 13 - 07:24 PM

I have been using CPAP machine - aka 'the snozzelizer' for some years now. I recently obtained a smaller and less noisy air pump and nose cone which is an improvement. In order to minimise the noise of the escaping air I got into the habit of pulling the duvet over my head. I have a small blanket which I put over my neck and shoulders to keep the cold air off me, and I put a loop of the hose between it and the duvet to try to warm up the air a little.

I asked that the controls for the air pressure on the new box be shown to me and left unlocked, as I find that I need to vary the pressure if I have a cold, otherwise I can't sleep as my nose stays blocked. Sometimes I have to wait until I can breathe then turn down the air.

I still find waking up without that weary weight still on me such a relief.

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Nov 13 - 06:49 PM

YUP
Healthy and happy. Everything else falls into place.
Well done, Charmion. Any dieting secrets to share?
SINS

Subject: RE: Fall into Winter Declutter & Fitness 2013
From: Charmion
Date: 04 Nov 13 - 05:56 PM

Checking in after a long absence ...

I'm down to 156 pounds today, from 201 on the first of January. Of the clothes that I wore then, the only garments still in service are some LL Bean turtleneck shirts that were kinda snug then and are kinda big now. Everything else in regular rotation -- from underwear to trenchcoat -- had to be replaced.

I still can't quite bring myself to part with the long purple raoncoat that made me look like Barney the Dinosaur; I can't have worn it more than a dozen times, and it's one of those wool-lined H2OFF ones that repel everything that's nasty about November. But it's swimming on me, so I look like a kid dressed up in her mother's coat.

I also have real muscles again, and no more batwing triceps.

A big part of all this change is the new asthma drug I started this summer. I feel better than I have in many years, perhaps better than at any time in my life. Thank God for the supplementary health insurance that provides drug coverage; the co-payment alone is more than $175 per month.

The house-repair prject is nearly finished, after having clobbered nearly half our savings account. For that, we got four new exterior doors, rather a lot of new siding, and healthy new framing timbers and Aspenite sheathing to replace the rotten stuff damaged by water seeping where no water ought to be. Next, we probably have to do the roof!

I'm no better at vacuuming and dusting than I ever was, but our diet has improved significantly since I quit my full-time job and now have time to shop carefully and cook more complex meals. We bought a book of "no-knead" bread recipes designed to produce dough that keeps in the fridge for upwards of a week, so I'm back to baking our bread. Edmund gets a proper home-made lunch now, too.

I can practically hear my mother's eyes rolling in disdain -- "For this you quit a well-paid job?" But both of us are healthier and happier, the requirements of daily living are taken care of without scrambling, and the loss of my salary is not causing us to go short of anything we need -- or indeed anything we really want, except maybe a European vacation.

Come to think of it, the last time we took a European vacation, I came home with a two-month dose of bronchitis and lost my voice for ten weeks.