Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 11:28 AM

I think it's been over six months since I've regularly posted here. I've had a LOT on my plate, but that stuff has been mostly accomplished and now it's time to get back into the habit of posting here. You're my support group and I've missed you!

It's a gorgeous day -- dry, sunny, low humidity, breezy and I got to bed very early last night (because I couldn't keep my eyes open) and slept all the way until 7 a.m.

Lately it seems I have energy one day, zilch the next, then another day when I'm functional, followed by a day I not only can't get out of my own way, but desperately need a nap. Part of it is probably a bit of depression triggered by my birthday last week. That's the most difficult of the "significant dates" of the year...difficult because Tom (Curmudgeon) isn't here to share it with me.

I'm on a roll this morning -- made my list, as usual. Read and disposed of one of the free publications that stack up and sewed up (not exactly darning) a hole in a favorite pair of socks. Then, and I think most importantly, I got dressed and attacked the day. It's altogether too tempting to just stay in bed reading, petting the cat, etcet etcet and then, by the time I get up, the day is mostly shot and only the stuff that HAS to get done gets done. Today I'm making headway on the stuff that's been waiting.

And I ate breakfast on the deck. I sat on the steps because I still have furniture and things stacked on and around the deck table under a tarp. I'll work on THAT today, too. Then I swept the twigs and effluvia from tree sex off the deck (again...). I need to rake the twigs, etc. off the driveway, too, and move the larger branches that I haven't already picked up. It's been quite breezy of late.

On my list for today is to start raking the leaves out of the hosta bed in the turnaround -- way overdue. But it didn't get accomplished in the Spring because it kept snowing -- usually right after a stretch of pleasant and warmish weather. It was a very strange Spring, and I'm sorry to have to announce that there were only two (TWO!!!) pink ladyslippers this year. I usually have between 12 and 45. I can't blame the deer, either. Nary a bloom nipped off by deer teeth. (They ONLY eat the blooms.) I did splurge and buy some granulated coyote urine for the patch. Hope it will keep the woodchucks away from them, too.

So...what have I been doing that has taken up so much time and energy...

The main thing is I researched, got HUD counseling, applied for, had the house appraised, etcet etcet and achieved a reverse mortgage. That means I don't have to sell the house and I'm now in a modestly comfortable and sustainable position. But it was a lot of work and time consuming. But all my repairs and replacements in cobbling the house back together paid off. But before we could close, they required I put a railing on the deck, something Tom and I never wanted. (HUD regulations, I think.) Outdoor carpentry in January -- yeah, that's a favorite thing. But my not-always-reliable handyman took my idea of using rope in between the top and bottom rails and made it even better looking by puting a twist on it.

Then, after the closing, they hit me with the requirement that I put in a floor on the entire main living area of the house -- 85 square yards -- and a six-month deadline to accomplish it and get it approved. We've only had (deteriorating) subflooring since Tom built the house in 1977. He made a couple tactical errors at that time. First, he used mostly a particle board material instead of plywood throughout, and second, he and his first wife moved in before the house was finished. By the time I came on the scene a few years after they split up, there was furniture, rugs, and stuff throughout the house and whenever we had the money, we didn't have the time and whenever we had the time, there was no money.

I'd replaced a few pieces of subflooring after Tom broke his ankle and before he came home from rehab because his wheelchair would have gotten stuck in the potholes, but mostly it was subflooring showing its age. So...I decided on hickory floating laminate. Only a few pieces of subflooring had to be replaced, but what made the job so complicated was EVERYTHING had to be moved...and I couldn't do it. It all got done. I moved what I could (especially so I could find some things) and a young and agile helper did the rest while my handyman did a great job on the floor using my table saw down cellar. And he didn't fall off the wagon (I was watching, holding my breath) until right AFTER the job was done. (Okay, so now I have a few other little jobs plus cleaning up the scraps, etc. down cellar that he didn't do.) Paperwork got submitted, inspection completed, and I'm still waiting for the check for the set-aside (set aside covered the materials, but I had to come up with that and the labor, etc. upfront) which SHOULD come today.

So I'm breathing a little easier. I also realized a few months ago that I'm totally burned out on the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival, so I first extricated myself from participation this year and announced it was my last year on the board, and then last week resigned completely (except for consulting and producing the program)from the board and my position as president. I think I accomplished what Tom would have had he stayed healthy and alive. I had thought I'd get out before I burned out, but came to the crashing conclusion I was already too late.

Now I have to learn how to relax again without having all that bearing down on me.

I still run the two trad and sea music sessions at The Press Room and last October I started a monthly Voicearound at Red & Shorty's in Dover -- both music (not necessarily trad or even folk) and spoken word. Maybe now I'll have both the mental and physical breathing space to pick up the guitar again and to start trying to learn English concertina.

Having to move everything has been good, too. A lot that I'd entirely forgotten about has come to light to be dealt with, archived (I found the original papers from the post & beam kit people -- from when this house was built) or disposed of. LOTS of trips to Goodwill and a huge pile of books to the May library sale that I knew wouldn't be cost effective to sell.

Now I've got more time to concentrate on decluttering.

Linn

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Jun 16 - 09:36 PM

Beaver!
Back from our week in PA which only de-cluttered my wallet and energy level. We visited with friends, went to museums, yard sales and antique shops.And I went Int. Folk Dancing twice which felt SO good; the tunes continue to run through my head.

I did not gain weight. Did not try to fast but did try to eat moderately. Actually, must have de-cluttered my body of something; Connie used the Rife machine and ionic foot bath on me and I am almost free of coughing for the first time in about 3 years. The oregano/ginger tea is helping me stay that way plus an Amish herbal antibiotic that C gave me. Moving toward a ketogenic diet that has helped C lose some weight, which is almost impossible for her.

We are really tired today but R did start working on the septic and the neighbour came with advice. Friend Nathan brought some stove wood,as he wanted to make up for what I paid him to level the outhouse - felt it was too much. We had a great visit, showing e and Laurie the book of the Wharton Esherick museum (might interest Maggie) and told them of the incredible Hearne's hardwoods that we also visited. Discovered mutual interest.

Fire in stove last night! But the ground is dry - until it rains again. Tried to reach the guy who was going to mow - still no luck and knee high grass and weeds! THAT I would like to de-clutter!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Jun 16 - 02:47 PM

Not a lot of other stuff accomplished this weekend, but the trunk is now standing on the assembled bits of leftover lumber and hardware, supported by four inexpensive castors. I've rearranged the trunk contents and realized I was using a Tupperware tub to hold stuff that could easily be arranged in a cardboard box. One more item moved into the eBay stash.

Dorothy, are things drying out and warming up finally?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Jun 16 - 06:30 PM

I'll send it in a note.

I have an old trunk with dog items near the back door, but there is a mysterious/occasional leak when we get rain. I have moved the trunk a few times with it on a piece of cardboard, but when that gets wet I don't want it soaking into the trunk. And the little knobs at the bottom of the trunk leave lines on the tile floor. So today I'm putting together a few boards and castors to put under the trunk and make for easy moving. I still haven't figured out the leak, but have ruled out a few guesses.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Jun 16 - 09:15 PM

Maggie,

   What is your user name on eBay?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jun 16 - 12:39 AM

It was dry today, so I hope to mow fairly easily tomorrow. But there is a lot of it to mow, front and back.

The lower kitchen cabinet next to the sink is looking much better and I have three boxes of vintage Tupperware listed on eBay as of this evening. I had lost track of just how much of it I had, and how rarely I ever use it any more.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jun 16 - 06:27 PM

An earlier post was lost. (Unwanted decluttering!)

I manage the fasting a couple of times a week now, and try not to go overboard the rest of the time.

Some success with eBay listings, I need to keep adding more when things sell to keep an active presence on the site. There are people who manage to make a living with it, but it takes a lot of determination and organization to keep it going.

I hope the rain won't be as bad as last year at this time, but this week has been one of deja vu, when we couldn't do much more than stand on the porch watching the grass grow as the rain falls.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Jun 16 - 01:18 PM

Beaver:

Yesterday after oil change, I FILLED my wee car with cardboard found in the back of the shed when we cleared it. This am I took it to the recycling. Wow, lightened the load! Kept a few whole boxes but some of them may yet leave. I thought that cardboard would go into the wood stove last winter but other things was then piled in front of it. Guess I did not need it, so NO More saving cardboard.

Got to Art Gallery early, after trip to recycling, and did some weeding of our beautiful front garden. Two lengthy conversations re health care stuff. And some on art!

Emails deleted, a couple written, petitions signed. Now, 3 more hours to amuse myself....

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Jun 16 - 07:46 PM

Beaver:
Very hot for a few days and not much got done. Now it has been cooler and still not much getting done. Friend with woodworking shop did the bats for me yesterday morning plus nice short visit with eh and partner. Mike offered to help build the deck! And wants a BIG coffee cup for doing the bats.

Spent considerable time on FB and reading.

Tammy came by and we cleared the back/back shed in prep for work on Saturday. Good visit with friends at Timmy's today.

Tried to go to Town council mtng and the building was toxic so I left after ascertaining that the anti-inflammatory I gave an employee there for her parents, is working!   Did the library thing, picked up some US funds for trip at bank, attended a community gardens meeting and spent an hour successfully connecting printer to computer wirelessly!!!! Printed out two possible newspaper columns but never got the energy to take them to the editor.

Made appointment for oil change tomorrow and was called re appointment with ophthalmologist in July! Need someone to drive me home---- Will put it on FB. What an imposition - it is 60 miles!

So, the house is reasonably tidy. Several tasks that are no longer DIY for me still need doing. Our older friend was missing for a while today - in the back yard. Talked to Tam about the alzheimer bracelet. When someone goes missing here, we are talking thousands of acres of Canadian bush country, full of rocks and dead falls.

I have been having dieting/fasting difficulty the last few days; may need a break.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 May 16 - 03:12 PM

My house is a wreck as Pete and I have been sick for a few days. Whatever we have is highly contagious and so my Mom has been taking care of Jeremiah for us. I am so thankful for that.

Just yesterday I started feeling better so I went to weigh in...must be I still look like ick because my leader asked me if I was staying for the meeting and when I said no, she put me at the front of the line to weigh in. I am happy to report that I am currently down 43 pounds!

   We picked up Jeremiah this morning and when we got home, I did the dishes from the past few days. I feel so much better when my kitchen is in order. I have some other cleaning to do as well and am thankful to being on the road to being able to do it.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 May 16 - 02:05 PM

It's time to work on my patio cover - I need to replace the 60/40 sunshade cloth after it was ripped to pieces by hail. It will work for now but slowly fall apart. I'm thinking about using a translucent corrugated (shape) sheeting and make it more waterproof out there. But I also have a tarp I hang to keep the sun from hitting the glass door and baking the living room and kitchen.

Spring is usually rainy around here so I'm going to be doing a lot of mowing this week.

I picked up a little round teracotta grill (think mushroom shaped with a hole in the side of the base of the stem) at a garage sale a couple of years ago, and had researched how to use it - did coals go in the top and the opening in the base just collect ashes, or did a sterno or fire go in the space below and the thing is for warming only? It turns out the first is true - I tried adding some stones to absorb heat from below, but it didn't work, so I pulled the stones out, moved the coals into the top, and what you have is a small grill that can sit on a tabletop and not overheat the table below. The open space is to clear out ashes and let the air flow. It worked beautifully (but got rained on last night so I need to clear it out, oil the grate, and store it till next time.)

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 May 16 - 08:20 AM

Beaver:
Finally feeling better.

Picked up stuff from RONA Sat am - took two trips due to weight (only 5 minutes away) AND I had to, ever so carefully, offload each very heavy deck block and patio stone.

Off to Market and bought a rescued balsam for the NE corner after consult with Val; she rescues small trees which are in the way of mowing, carefully pots them and gives them time to recover before bringing them to market. All that for $11.50 for an 18 inch tree. Agreed: she is not making money; she is rescuing!

Talked with a "cottager": Mike is here 75% (like me, his partner is here rarely) and is developing a wood working shop. Will call him later today about getting some round "bats" made for studio; he can but will he have time? THEN I can make plates for my son.

Picked up sand for patio stone project at front door.

Rest of day - basket case: internet and reading until - just as the sun was about to go behind the hill in a clear sky, I heard thunder!!! Ran to close car window, took basket and scissors and trimmed oregano and into house before the deluge! Went out on deck and had a wonderful shower. What a treat! The house did not cool off but I sure felt better.   A great deal to be said for privacy!

However, when I went out this am to empty the K bucket: that deluge had washed considerable mud over about 15 feet of my nice crushed stone driveway. DARN! Maybe we can get more stone when R is here with truck. Need some sort of barrier along the road; it is complicated - to be where it will not impede parking, not be on the road allowance and still prevent run-off.

Going to be hot again today. So: east drapes closed already (8am) and going to studio to finish pots that have been waiting and waiting- before it is too hot to work.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 May 16 - 11:23 AM

I started the day by clearing the counter in the master bath and in the dressing room, and continuing on to the kitchen counter. I'll also clear the kitchen table. Flat surfaces have piles of mail, newspapers, and more, that need sorting and filing (many in the recycle bin).

Laundry, mowing, listing eBay items, weeding the garden, moving plants and putting in mulch. It's a three day weekend and if I get a lot of work done on Saturday and Sunday maybe I'll kick back on Monday.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 May 16 - 03:31 PM

Beaver:
Tuesday, I was still tired. Weds, I went to a chiropractor to get shoulder re-aligned. Thurs was better but still painful. Today is good but still on MSM and it's a fasting day so taking it easy.

Each day I managed to delete emails and do FB and read, did a bit of shopping today; Finally asked the meat woman to order "Free From" chicken and picked up some today. I fought off mosquitoes and black flies - in the HOUSE! for a couple days and could not figure out how they got in. But seems they are now excluded; one of life's mysteries.

I will NOT try moving anything heavy! That is that. Reality has reared its ugly head.

Stood in the thrift shop today and went through my whole little house in my mind, trying to find a spot for a smallish corner shelf - NOPE! but got a small bookcase for the studio - but it is too nice for the studio so...we'll see. May end up in the sleeping loft.

Visited the RONA to check out possible purchases tomorrow on their "no tax"day; there was NO ONE there today! Have a list made up for tomorrow. All are things that were on my NEED list. Eaves trough so run off does not drip on my neck, stove wood or the S garden bed. Patio stones for entry to avoid wet, muddy feet in house. And those concrete supports for the deck extension; the wood to be delivered by Lowe's on 4 June, along with siding for outhouse and sheds!

Last night at Country Jam, I gave Nathan a mandolin picked up at a yard sale last week; he will find a home for it, asked his advice on stove wood and wood for raised beds; he will be coming on 4 June to shore up outhouse and back-back shed. So nice to have a trusted advisor!

Need to look at finances re projects. Must remember stove wood must be bought in July. Hoping to drive to PA, with R, on 5 June for grandson's HS grad.

Would be good to make a schedule but I tried printing out a calendar on Weds eve - the WHOLE eve - and ended up with nothing working - not the modem, not the computer, not the printer - turned off everything and went to bed! In the am, the computer and modem consented to relate. The printer? I will tackle that again --- maybe even today. Maybe not. Yep. I followed the pdf instructions... Well, I thought I had. Achieving this will be a great de-clutter as I have had trouble with this printer every time - hence the -futile- attempt to sort it "for once and for all". HAH!

Ah! Today is the first day of summer! I wonder when the second day will arrive. Big excitement this week was a local posting, "The dragonflies are here!" A chorus of "YAYs" were heard in the area! The dragonflies signal the end of the black fly season and THAT is a major de-clutter!!!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 May 16 - 10:12 PM

Have you looked into eBay? It's amazing what people will buy there, if you price it right and describe and photograph it well.

Today it took a couple of passes through the laundry room and garage before I found two packages of weather-stripping. I have to redo what is around my sliding glass door. Now that there is a dog door spring load panel there the people passage isn't as wide, so I've bumped into the weatherstrip too often and torn some off. That needs replacing, and I need to figure out how to keep warm humid air from coming around through the gap on the side of the door opposite from the dog door panel. I was going to stop by Home Depot, but this wasn't so urgent that I couldn't hunt around the house first for what I thought I might already have in readiness. A few bucks saved. Next problem to solve, probably just around the corner. . .

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 May 16 - 05:20 AM

I do love recycling! I wish I could sell some of these thing I'm clearing out (especially when I see what they cost me!) but there is no market for used doll & bear & craft books & items, & besides postage would kill any profit!

Besides I give myself brownie points for helping charities (grin)

sandra

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 May 16 - 11:54 PM

It sounds like you're essentially a charter member of this group, Sandra, having made a lot of the difficult decisions already. And this isn't about getting rid of what you love or your favorite hobbies (I remember when LilyFestre took up quilting as a new hobby - now she's going full-tilt!). But it does help to remove the things that are redundant or no long in use.

I have containers with some of the crafts that my mother was working on, things I've thought I'd like to do. I'll one day have to decide if I want to make braided rugs and keep her materials, or move them along to a hobbiest who can use them.

My work this weekend was mostly outside. We have a long weekend coming up and I'll do a bit more eBay listing (if we have rain so I have to stay indoors, that is).

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 23 May 16 - 10:19 PM

It's about time I joined this thread, not that I've been lurking, it's just a thread I notice in a guilty fashion as I trawl thru the 'Cat.

I recently replaced my decrepit old shopping trolley with this top-of-the-line trolley which is perfect for taking stuff to charity shops.

I live in a large 4-room apartment but have lots of past & present hobbies & interests & now have less of the past stuff, but there is lots more to go. I got onto a roll after hesitantly removing a few things, then off I went. Some of the stuff which lives on the floor (starts as neat mountain ranges, ends up as lava flows ...) has been put into empty shelves, but ...

When I stopped dressing dolls in period costume in 1988, I kept a trunk full of fabrics (vintage fabrics, small lengths of expensive silks, satins, velvets etc + lots of cheap dress lining fabrics) & after 2 trolley loads almost all of the fabrics are gone. I have kept a few pieces in a large plastic zip-lock bag. One load of usable lengths & other needlework stuff went to a fabulous charity shop formerly called The Needlework Cave (& I only bought back a couple of vintage embroidered items!) I'm heading back with my lace & embroidery books soon (several trolley loads there) & will take with me an unfinished vintage embroidery to buy the threads I need to complete it. The shop is really a treasure chest! 2 large plastic bags of linings & short lengths went to Reverse Garbage -The experts in reuse home of several previous loads of stuff, including storage boxes. Reverse Garbage is haunted by teachers & artists & parents looking for project material.

When I stopped making bobbin lace in the late 90s I gave away most of the threads & my inexpensive utilitarian bobbins, but kept all my handmade wooden bobbins, my books, a huge box of patterns (why??) & some of the threads.

One day the handmade bobbins will be a display on the wall - one day I will have more wall space instead of wall-to-wall cupboards & bookcases with lots of stuff on top!

After sorting my thread collection, & taking most of them to the Needlework Cave, four of my eight 2-pound coffee jars have gone to another charity shop, along with a set of four 1970s nesting kitchen canisters like these. I'm keeping a set of seven Depression pressed glass jars with Bakelite lids so all I have left is 1 tin + 4 jars of thread. I don't count the 3 large boxes of knitting yarns, cos they are a different matter & in current use!

To be continued

sandra

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 May 16 - 06:44 PM

Beaver:
Oh well. Getting lots done yesterday precluded getting much done today. Plumb wore out and shoulders aching somethin' terrible. But managed to plant a dozen plants before it hit and checked out a couple things, went through emails, did a tiny but of research on memory/DNA and sent to friend, took more MSM and more again and a short nap.Pain gone now; just tired. Some days are like that. Finished a couple books. Now going to veg for a while and hope for energy tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 May 16 - 03:26 PM

Beaver:
I seem to have lost a post. Oh well. R was hoping to finish enough in Montreal to spend this long weekend here. Did not happen. Septic ... Someday...

Substantially de-cluttered finances by ordering lumber to extend the deck so the stove wood can be on the same level rather then one step down and also up off the ground. There will also be some extra just-deck space so wood is not in front of BR window. An eaves trough along that roof line will keep water from dripping on the wood but I am also formulating a plan to have a better cover for the wood. I also ordered enough cheap siding for the sheds and outhouse so, after they are made level, more or less, they will also look more civil. All this will come by truck from Lowe's, saving R, or someone, the trouble of transporting. Save work! Save personal energy! Also, long weekend sale - saved 13% taxes!

Started early this am to find the hacksaw to make now needed screens. Spent a couple hours taking almost everything out of the kiln room/storage, sorting and better organizing myriad tools.moved a shelf unit from back shed with wheel barrow and managed to get it on top of the lower cabinets; no way I can get it high enough to screw it to wall. A year ago I could not have moved it; stronger now - from moving stove wood all winter!

Also got a pine bookshelf, bought at a yard sale yesterday, into the studio. Buffaloed by failure of drill to work; charging another battery. It also has to go UP, but I think I can do that if I get supports screwed in. The hacksaw was hanging on the wall all along!!! So I made the two screens for BR windows; the second one went so well I was tempted to go get another kit to do Studio window. Restrained myself.

Found summer clothes, sorted and placed them, while removing some winter ones to the emptied bin. Put the tools back in room, took some things to the back sheds. Life feels lighter.

Glorious day and, surprisingly, I was not at all plagued by bugs.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 16 - 09:52 PM

This weekend I made the executive decision to exchange the old battered Tupperware pieces (lots of sizes and shapes, most still with lids) for a new set of BPA free Rubbermaid containers. Amazon had a sale, and these are nicely designed to keep the lids close by (they fit onto the foot of each container). Then I pulled out all of the "poor man's Tupperware" (the take-out containers) and before tossing them into the recycle bin had second thoughts and put them in a large container that lives on top of the large upright freezer. I will be freezing a lot of produce this year, so I'll hold onto those for season, but they're out of my kitchen cabinets. The Tupperware will go on eBay. And there is so much room in that lower cupboard now!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 May 16 - 06:37 PM

Beaver:
Congratulations on being free of University - for a while!

I was back to my ever-so-cluttered friends' home yesterday and suggested someone else set things aside. Ralph deflected that idea in his own gentle fashion. Amazingly, the yard is only slightly cluttered and they have specific plans for that - maybe this year.Clearly the yard is higher priority than the house.

We were each able to sit down in the LR, with piles of stuff everywhere else. For me, there was no direction in which to look that was not painfully cluttered. I deliberately arrived late enough that it was time to leave for the B-day party within minutes. Someday, G's son will have an awful job on his hands.

In a marvellously uncluttered home by a lovely river on a cold rainy day about 135 people helped Hope celebrate 80 years. Amazing woman owns a catamaran in Fiji - which she visited again last year. I am slightly daunted by thinking of a trip to Whidbey(west coast) in the fall.Conversations with 4 different interesting women got me through the aft. Broke fast with 2 home made choc chip cookies which did a sugar number on me. Humous and chips I had taken saved me, and 3 shortcake (high fat to subdue the sugar). Well, that was lunch and I only had 3 T of sunflower seeds for eve snack. Had to bring in the veg plants.

I remember Hope's flat in Toronto as wonderfully uncluttered 20 years ago; I wonder...

Hand washed some socks and underwear today. Had to start a fire last night and keep it going all day - cold and grey. Threw pots, went to the tearoom for soup and a scone for lunch (trying a fast today), then to the Old Hastings Gallery and Mercantile and Lillian bought a few more small pots. We had a long chat. Then home to bring in more wood -DARN! Considered more potting but succumbed to late afternoon, care of shoulders and trying to maintain fasting since yesterday was shot.

The house is as good as it gets until things move to the next level. Constant transition.

Maggie: oldormsbyschoolhouse.ca is where I went for soup. A marvellous restored one room school to tearoom - exquisitely done. Original pressed tin ceiling and walls, oak wainscoting, lovingly stripped of paint, chalkboards, teacher's desk.... The Mercantile, across the road, was a general store.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 May 16 - 01:06 PM

I have a system, and finally got around to putting it back into play - I have a wrist watch I wear when I work in the yard. The face is scared from bumping into things and I've sweated through many leather wrist bands. I also have both a nice silver and a nice gold wrist watch, for general wear and work, and since the yard one had a run down battery, I had forgotten and worn a good one into the garden a few times.

Last week I found a card of watch batteries for about a buck a piece. Amazon sent the slim card in a box that would hold a couple of pounds of anything else I might have ordered. What a waste of paper and postage. But today they redeemed themselves by packing the same sized box full of a few things I later ordered in my declutter and replacement operations here. Amazon sells Nylabone dog chew toys for 1/3 to 1/2 the price the chain pet stores charge, but that price is only for "add on" items combined with other purchases over a certain $ amount. This week I had enough purchases and ordered two chew toys. Everything was tightly packed into the box left on my porch by the mail carrier. So it averages out, I suppose. And now I have two boxes to flatten and either use for eBay or recycle. Keeping good shipping boxes is one of my weaknesses. :-/

And apropos of nothing in particular, today is the first day in ten years of my not having a child at the university. Both are now graduates, (the oldest with a shiny new master's in library science!) and we shall see what comes next!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 May 16 - 09:36 PM

Beaver:

Sassy is the red squirrel that has plagued me all winter. Cute, LOVES sunflower seeds ... HOPE: sometime this summer, a new opening to sleeping loft so someone can tighten up the places that allow a tiny squirrel in. Also more insulation would be helpful!

Stu and Les and Walter were here for lunch. I made the black bean soup and cauliflower cheddar. Fresh pineapple/ground ginger for dessert. Still have a bunch of black beans to freeze, one bowl of BB soup and a couple meals of the other soup.

Stu suggested, in his quiet manner, that he could do some work for me; he worked with Tam and Blair last summer. So! We walked around looking at what needed to be done and I suggested he could start by putting the siding back onto the studio. I suspect it will be a bit tedious.

(Walter is about 85 and was living in a tiny cabin with NO amenities and not looking very well. S&L took him into their home and he now looks healthy and happy and has hearing aids but NO driver's license. He was using a beautiful walking stick that Stu's dad made from diamond willow from the Yukon.)   

Nathan came in the early eve and agreed that the outhouse and shed can be lifted and new sills put under them; he will call in a week or so when he works out a schedule. Then Stu can put some kind of cheap siding on them so they look somewhat more civilized. And a window in the outhouse - facing onto the swamp! Roofs are OK!

Steve came, from up the road, to look at the "lawn" and figures he can civilize it with his riding mower - in a week or so after he gets it our of winter storage. Today was the warmest this year - might have been 75F. May yet have snow next week!! I feel as though progress is being made. YAY!

I have messed up the last two fast days. Not TOO badly but still. Served cookies a lunch but did not have any. Slightly tempted. Try again tomorrow. Need to do chick peas to make humous for Saturday. I'll put them in the slow cooker right now!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 May 16 - 11:22 PM

I always cook enough beans so that I can freeze some. Kidney beans are usually prepared with a Puerto Rican recipe from my late mother-in-law, and sometimes I add heat to that (more of a Southwestern influence, there isn't spicy hot much in Puerto Rican dishes). And I cook black beans so I can freeze them to use in other dishes (it's better and less expensive than buying cans of them).

I have a friend here who is reliable for doing various jobs - a lot of mowing, gardening, taking out trees, but also dry wall, painting, etc. I gave a couple of people his contact information this week and he called this evening to say he was finishing up a job for one of them. Too bad he can't be cloned - there are several participants in this ongoing discussion who could use a fellow who can come by and look at the job to be done, then do it and finish when you expect. He's probably familiar with out houses, but I don't think that kind of task has come his way for many years.

I must have missed the introduction to Sassy. Another raccoon?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 May 16 - 11:01 PM

Beaver:
Decided to stay here as R is far too busy. He is trying to get enough done to be able to come here for the long weekend next week. HOPE! for the repair of the septic pump.

Trip to dental clinic yesterday - cleaning of teeth and a few errands before and after and did get one plaster basin made. Would like a larger one and looking for a "mold" for that purpose.

Made a number of getting-things done appointments this am and met with friends to encourage them re Mom in long term care which is less than acceptable - talk to other people, get together and speak to admin....

Thought of "who to ask" re getting outhouse and sheds shored up before they sink into the ground!   He will come by tomorrow eve to look at the situation. I know I can trust him - to do a good job or tell me to forget it. That will be a biggie off my mind.

Cooked way too many black beans! Some for soup, the rest... Need to freeze some!
Roasted more sunflower seeds - replacement for cookies. And hid the jar in a cabinet to keep them from Sassy who seems to be able to open screwed on lids! Sassy came to the K door today and looked at me as though to say, "Well, where is some food?" I told him/her, quietly, that I wanted her to go outside, and opened the Front door. She went out!

A beautiful day - first mosquito and a few black flies. And, finally, a few trees leafing out on the west hill!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 May 16 - 11:37 AM

Beaver:
A gorgeous - cool - day! The wood is uncovered to dry more; the cover blew off and it got wet from the snow. Fire in the stove as 52 is below my limit.

Congratulations to Michelle on wonderful Gift!

A clear DR table is a wonderful thing! Your computer work is such "Greek to me"! Having a made bed to crawl into is a great thing, too!

My friends do not use the internet AT ALL and trying to find their address - just the number so I could send a card for a friend who is having an 80th this week - that is also a secret from Canada 411. Not only cannot let go of things but also info! I was hoping not to have to phone but really want to send this card ASAP. But not home. So went the morning. I spent too much time trying - surely somewhere! But not.

By the time I removed 8 - 20Kg boxes (2 go to the mill) and the 50# of plaster -- long rest. I feel it in my shoulders today but only a little. I used a dolly - rolled it to the front door, but on four boxes and rolled it through the house onto the deck and down the ramp to the studio. Not bad. I put it on the rolling dollies I made a couple weeks ago; works well. One kind on each side. After, I perceived that it would be possible to back up to the window and pass it through as long as the ground is dry enough. I am wondering if this is the last year for doing this much; we'll see. So easy to get into a rut of thinking...

Mostly rested and did some small useful things. Loaded dry pots into kiln and it was only half full so I started unloading to take them to Mill tomorrow ---- WOKE UP to the fact that I do not need them and can wait until I have a kiln load HERE instead of transporting needlessly! THAT is a de-clutter! So they are out of the way, safely in the kiln and I can go out and make more.

Went to store for salad greens and veggies: "feast day" and, after veggies, salad, and sausage for lunch, I gave myself nachos for supper and then popcorn for filler. That is the most I have ingested on a feast day in weeks. That 10# I lost is it. The needle must be stuck! But I shall persevere as it seems a fine way to manage eating. Still NO cookies in 5 weeks and, last night when I made choc covered ginger for R, I had no desire to eat any.

Plaster work did not get done; needs to be done outdoors on a warm enough and still day. Still too cool and breezy out there but I have hope for later. Studio will soon be warm enough.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 May 16 - 08:02 PM

Happy Mother's Day!!

My request for Mother's Day? Don't buy me a hanging basket, please spring clean the front porch and make it a beautiful place for sitting in the sunshine with a cup of coffee with my love.

Request granted.

:) Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 May 16 - 11:55 AM

Dorothy,

If your friend has computer access, maybe sending her the link to a few of our older threads, just for reading and inspiration. The link to the previous thread is usually at the top of the current one, so you could send her back a few episodes. These are read-only for non-mudcat members at this point.

I also did a trip to pick up bags of stuff yesterday, to Home Depot - I'm just about to the point of calling for the "Lot Loader" to come put them in my car next time. Two 60# bags of mortar were barely okay, but I wouldn't want to pick up any more (they made the two bags of commercial compost mix light by comparison!) Assuming your clay is in parcels and not one 500# unit, do you have a wheelbarrow or garden cart you can shift the boxes into and move them with?

The dining table is as good as clear, time to figure out what project goes there next. I have a lot of lacy embroidered, crocheted, etc old chair and table items (antimacassars, doilies, napkins, table runners, etc.) that are too many to use in several lifetimes. There is a trunk full of those so I may select some of those for eBay.

Computer clearing of old files progresses. I have processed three of the four Wagner operas that take up a lot of space in my recorded TV disk (working like a DVR but in my computer). Today I'm burning the original un-processed file onto blu-ray and then I'll delete that file from the computer. If in the future I learn more about video editing so I can work on it to make a better disk for playing, or just want to keep it for whatever, it takes up a lot less space on a blu-ray. They've come down in price to under a dollar per disk (meaning they're probably soon going to be obsolete. . . ) Just copying the original files is quick, it's the processing to a form that will play on the living room blu-ray player that takes time.

Drinking tea on a fasting day before I head out to work in the garden. It's overcast, so will be comfortable. I started the day by bundling sheets to put into the laundry and remade the bed before I left the room. There was a basket of clean from last week that is now folded and away. And it is time to take another blanket (the thermal one) off of the bed. Down to one sheet and one light blanket in early May. Welcome to Texas. Soon the ceiling fan will run every night. Anyway, that room was finished. At the end of a long day it's always disappointing to have to make the bed before going to bed. Not a problem this week.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 May 16 - 10:21 AM

Beaver:
The sun is quickly de-cluttering the skim of snow from last night. Thankfully it not begin until after I was home in bed. A 14 hour day included driving almost to Toronto (Markham) for pottery supplies and a visit with a friend; my hoped for stop at Richter's Herb Farm was short-circuited by the time it took me to find it; the pottery place was going to close! visit was good with de-cluttering a topic -home, mind, emotional clutter.

On the other hand, when she phoned me about noon to see how I was doing (hands-free) and I was franticly wondering if I were going to make it/not sure how far I still had to go (actually, I had almost reached the point of accepting that I would not), she got on the computer and gave me exc directions, took my order and phoned it in, telling them I would get there, could they give me a few extra minutes, then phoning me back that all was well. I did make it at 12:29 but felt so glad that they had the order. I hate rushing in at the last minute; it seems so inconsiderate of employees. 10 boxes of clay in the car, 8 of which need to be removed and a 50# bag of potting plaster. today's assignment mix plaster and make basins for drying clay - will greatly de-clutter a potting chore.

That was a 4 hour trip. Then I headed north to drop off a box of angels which have cluttered my life for 7 years. Gene likes angels so I felt the compelling need to give her these angels. 2 hours north to the most cluttered home I have ever seen. I did not hide my consternation "Gene is moving slowly" said the husband quietly. Health issues abound plus unwillingness to have anyone help for fear they might throw away something precious.

I suggested firmly that the variety of angels could be given away, "Everyone needs an angel!" (OK, not everyone, but they believe that so I shamelessly used it.) I would not be surprised if I were to go there a year from now and see the box right where I left it. I have an idea that might work if I could find time and inclination to spend a couple days with them. Idea: triage what I think could leave into a spot and let them pick out the must-keeps; keep repeating this step. I was matron-of-honour at their wedding; I have a responsibility.

The trip home on beautiful secondary roads was very enjoyable until the dark and heavy mist obscured the views and slowed me down. Just over two hours and I fell into bed, grateful it was 55 in the house. Not needing to start and tend a fire is a wonderful de-clutter! No longer need to keep clay in house! Another de-clutter!

Having failed to consider loading and unloading when placing the studio needs some additional consideration of how to get clay from car to studio with the least amount of energy consumption -mine! Hmmmmmm.... we are talking 500 pounds to be moved!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 May 16 - 07:18 PM

I'm pushing more items from my dining room table into boxes and listing them on eBay. The boxes, open but ready to seal and ship once the items sell, are stacked for now on the bench in my sun room. I need to work on the dining table (completely clear it) then organize the sun room (make some sitting room on the bench).

I'm still using frozen foods in much of my cooking (not eating out as often, or picking up prepared meals) and the freezer is looking good. On my trips to Goodwill over the winter I shopped for food-storage containers (glass canisters with snug plastic lid liners, and high-end acrylic jars with silicone rings and hasp-like closures, etc.). My grains, beans, and pasta always go into the freezer for a while before being stored in the canisters, but the dry goods in those canisters compliment the frozen and canned veggies. (We find above average stuff at our Goodwill because it is next to a village with a high elderly demographic. A lot of the donations are from estates and after estate sales).

This looks like a weekend for garden work, and when I want to cool off indoors, spring cleaning will involve dusting, vacuuming, moving furniture, and identifying more eBay items.

My goal is to spend no money this weekend, beyond a couple of things I need to pick up at Home Depot that I have no substitutes for here. Birds have taken up residence in a hole in the stone front of my house, and as soon as those chicks fledge, that hole is going to be sealed, so I must be ready. Every couple of years I have to patch a few spots, and I'm going to work on the wall around one bed with the bulk of the bag's contents.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 May 16 - 03:18 PM

Beaver:
No pots yet but bits of re-organizing are ongoing. Weight seems stuck and yesterday - a fast day but not! I was tired and hungry and ate an extra small meal of veggies and some cheese. Computer was in "get out and push mode" !t took totally forever to so the smallest thing so half an hour with applehelp today, helped some but I lost all my cookies and have to redo as I go along - like here. I the art gallery today with the door open!!!!! In a T-shirt!! Yay for spring!

Still looking for shelves for studio. Still not motivated to actually sew any of the increasing pile of projects. But the kiln room is better and the house is better and I see possibilities for more improvement as the energy presents itself. May even buy two new toilet seats and paint for the outhouse; I am thinking I might have energy to do that much myself.

Today I had a vision of painting a rainbow on the outside wall of the house BUT decided that won't happen. Nice idea though!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Donuel
Date: 04 May 16 - 04:43 PM

Thank you, the contributions are more practical, varied and insightful than I ever imagined.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 May 16 - 08:32 PM

Beaver:
Today, Superwoman moved the cabinet from the corner of the LR out to the kiln room, after clearing the area onto the deck, moved the bureau I did not want in the BR into the corner of the LR as it has shallow drawers and will be more useful for organizing papers and more, bought a counter at the Thrift shop to go on the cabinet in the kiln room - i will be a good work space -, and put stuff back in for the night; a lot went into the back-back shed.

Also found inexpensive 12 inch triangular cabinets - "you assemble" - for each side of the K mirror - 3 open shelves and the lower one with a door. I was thinking of quarter round shelves but these will do. Holes are drilled, screws included. I opened them and put them on deck to air out possible toxins then covered for the night. Feels like rain. Ran out of steam about 5 pm and ate an extra, but small, meal on this "fasting" day. Never got to pot but last week's are almost dry; hopefully by tomorrow aft I will be able to store them in kiln and have space for a new lot.

Tried to find a leg (one missing) for that cabinet and for the sofa - to no avail - so at the Thrift shop, I found a good solid plastic mug the right height for the fourth leg. Put a piece of 4x4 under one end of the very heavy sofa - perfect. Need another for the other end.

Talked with Tammie about coming by to help me get the outhouse into a more civilized state. A two-seater, it is big enough for some good storage as well. We will need some semi-professional help to jack it up and give it new underpinnings; there is a definite list. Then a window facing the swamp... .   Blair has obtained a steady job - good for him but he's not available for me.   

SPRING is finally here! ALL the ice is gone and the ugly tarp is out of the front yard at last! Got a pic of a red fox through the K window! Deleted emails and now going for a short stint on FB. So happy about the re-organizing!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 May 16 - 10:02 PM

Beaver:

Five hours on the phone today! Some of it useful. Found a niche for the wee piece of furniture and collected the sewing machine with the help of the neighbour and a volunteer at the thrift shop. It weighs a ton! The two men could barely lift it in and out of the truck! It is beautiful, however, not very useful. Not my best ever idea.

No pots made in two days, however. I almost made it to the studio but called a friend to see about arranging a visit and she talked..........two hours. I hope she decides not to meet me on Sat! Trying to be supportive has its limits.

Potted dahlia and canna so they can start growing. Shoots already trying. Shall have to cover them at night until the weather is warmer.That decluttered the LR a bit. Last week's pots are still drying in the studio. Still no shelves but some room left for a few more - maybe tomorrow, I hope.

Love M's good news!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 May 16 - 02:34 PM

Beaver:

Good news about Linn!. Thank you.

Drismal day today and I am having trouble getting started. Have cleared the small piece of furniture that will be displaced by the antique sewing machine but cannot find a place to move it! Found space for the piles of books. It has a drawer full of important things - like cello-tape and... stuff like that - this is turning into a re-org project. I still have the bureau R brought last time - with nothing in it because I don't want it so it is just taking up space. And too big to move alone. OK, plan: that is where little one can go AND the piece I DO want from the mill; hopefully next truck trip. In the meantime, little one may sit in middle of BR! Or under the "sewing table" since it is warm enough for the clay to go in the studio - she says hopefully. The other can go in the shed or R can take it back to Montreal. I am really getting antsy about wanting the organizing complete in here.

Cranberry cocktail was on super sale today at "Drug Mart". A fav for us, I bought 4 bottles and got a raincheck for 4 more. There must have been a sale of soda pop also as people were leaving with carts full! Shocking to me as I won't give it house space.

Saw next door neighbour and negotiated his help to fetch the sewing machine on Monday. Did some organizing in studio to be ready for more throwing but I feel more like doing naught! Put the heater on and will need to go turn it down soon so maybe that will get me moving.

Many thanks to M for mentions of the EOD fast; I would never have noticed it. I feel so much better since I have been doing it and have now lost 10 pounds. I suspect it may become more difficult but no cookies, brownies or choc in a month and really do not miss them - because I feel so much better. With the weather like this, it would be a most of a bag of cookies day.

That chunk of ice is still immovable! Maybe it will melt this week when the temp goes up to 65F?

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Apr 16 - 10:55 PM

I'm on the second round of burning a BluRay disk of an opera I recorded via the receiver in my computer back in 2012. There are four (Wagner's Ring Cycle on PBS) and it amounts to about 15 hours of broadcasts that I'm converting to mp4 files and burning to BluRay. The first attempt had no chapters, making it difficult to advance through - hit chapter advance once and it was out of the entire 3+ hour program. It's burning now with (I hope) chapters being automatically added. I was trying to edit out some of the channel's earlier and later programming that ended up in the recording, but for now, I'll settle for a good disk of the whole thing. I played the first one this morning and it is gorgeous. Now to work out the details on the formatting.

Moving furniture, doing laundry, cooking. My freezer is slowly being emptied of the produce frozen from the last year's garden and I have two jars of marinara sauce to use in the next week or two. I see lasagna in the near future.

Of the "usual" participants here, I think Lin has the best shot at making a huge change in a hurry, with the new flooring that was installed in her house. I am willing to bet that the floor will inspire her to arrange the room contents and organize extra stuff in a way that lets the house take on a whole new look. A good thing since she gets to stay and enjoy it. So often you hear about people fixing up their houses in order to sell and wishing they'd done the work earlier so they could enjoy it themselves. (I remember a home improvement program that featured those makeovers, and at least one set of homeowners decided not to sell after all).

Tomorrow is May 1, and Spring is fully underway. Good cleaning, and good decluttering, everyone!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Apr 16 - 09:06 PM

Beaver:
The studio is a 10x12 cabin a few feet behind the house with a walkway from back deck to the studio to make it easier to move pots back and forth. The kiln is in the shed attached to the house and the deck so this is important. It is so well insulated and gets so much solar gain that now (8:23) is is still 68F out there and 68 in the LR which also gets solar gain in the late aft when the sun is on west side.

It was the warmest day so far; tomorrow not so warm and might rain. Believe it or not, there is still a chink of ice in a corner where the sun never shines; I want to move a tarp but it is secured to the ground by the ice!

I trimmed a bunch of pots today, working about 3-4 hours and finishing, plumb wore out, about 5 pm! All of those I threw yesterday (about 20) and the mugs and wee jugs I had sequestered in a cooler for almost a month. That worked perfectly! They did not lose a speck of moisture and were just right for putting on handles.

I also managed a complete route of shopping this am and felt a sense of completion. But no shelves for studio yet. Haunting the thrift shops for shelves netted me a very un-needed, beautiful, antique sewing machine yesterday, circa 1910. Something shall have to leave to make room for it and I have not yet managed a truck to bring it home; maybe Monday. I will put sewing stuff in the drawers but it is mainly ornamental.

About 15 years ago, in PA, I went looking for book shelves and ... It is a beautiful china cabinet, not at all suitable in a house sorely lacking storage space.. I love it. All will be well.

Looking for possible shelves in the shed, I see we have an long upper K cabinet, suitable for better organization in the kiln/tool/store room. YAY!

Next door neighbour was out mowing just the other side of the stream so I went out to chat (second time in a year!). He allowed as how he would like to put a new bridge over the stream - even though that area is on our property - but he says he has the wood. Well, he works at a lumber yard! So that de-clutters our list of things to do. He built the falling apart one when he was 14; now his son is 14. We had a great chat about the wildlife in the pond/swamp; he said he was mowing a path so I could walk back in there and see the turtles - painted and snapping. That is SO thoughtful! Once again, a good neighbour, a treasure! He and his sibs grew up in this little house that his dad built 50 years ago. Now he has a regular house and his Mom and bro have houses around the corner. They worked their way up the food chain very nicely.

This house was poorly built but still standing and we are really enjoying it.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Apr 16 - 08:01 PM

The area is under what the forecaster called a "patchwork quilt of storms" tonight - it means the yard will be too soggy for much work this weekend.

This evening and tomorrow are dedicating to finishing clearing the dining room table and finish moving some furniture in the living room. And I'm doing some virtual de-cluttering, moving some of the recorded (DVR) files from my computer onto disks to clear up space. It's the processing that is slow, so I'm experimenting.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Apr 16 - 09:09 PM

Is this studio in the new place or a shed out back? I've forgotten.

I turned on one of the house air conditioner units and have it set at about 85. That way if it gets really hot this will turn on and remove some of the moisture from the air. By evening it cools and I can use a ceiling fan.

A friend stopped by yesterday, her mother is visiting and they were looking at my vegetable garden. She always has great advice (and is the agent who got me the 3% mortgage refinance on the house a few years ago). She likes the idea of more eBay - as a job, not just as a hobby. But it means stepping up a lot on acquiring things to sell, and first I think I need to sell what's already here.

Ruminations. :)

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Apr 16 - 08:40 PM

Beaver:

Found the septic!! Also dug part of a small garden bed, registered the hippy van, sorted bunches of stuff, continue on EOD fast and it is making me feel really good AND I have lost at least 5#. Today, a "feast day", I ate moderately and had a scant teaspoon of fresh maple syrup for dessert. Concerned that losing weight will result in a pouch from lack of abdominal muscle, I try to remember to "suck it in" frequently.

Hung a white canvas drape on the huge studio window for when it gets TOO hot. But have not made any pots in my refurbished studio. I wake up each morning full of energy but by the time it is warm in the studio, my inclination has flown away. New idea: Put the heater on and get to it right after BF!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Apr 16 - 05:58 PM

Beaver:
VERY GOOD POINT, M.! Maybe I had better check - but if it were bad, Pete would have mentioned it, or the guys at Canadian Tire when they put on summer tires today.

I have clearly lost 5 pounds!!!!! Definitely encouraged. Realizing how unnecessary it is to eat just because I feel "hungry".

Friends popped over Sunday am to lend me an electric drill so I could put counters in studio! Dear folks; they had never heard of Jesse W until I mentioned him and sent them some U-Tubes; They are delighted. We had a nice visit after which I had lunch and set to work. By 4, mission accomplished - counters in place and two dollies made for glazes to live under counter. Much more workable space but today was cool and cloudy. Snow predicted for tonight!

Did a series of organizing errands this am, deleted emails and ordered supplements and requested to order new gaskets for distillers. Checked the two older distillers: First checked the outlet that had not worked and put in a new fuse! Put the two into the basket to take to Quebec with a fuse which may be needed for one. The other only didn't work because of the fuse - DUH! So now I do not need to transport a distiller when traveling. I numbered them with a red marker so I know which is which. Number one is over 10 years old; the fuse might help!

Tried to explain to a dense young woman in a small produce store why I was wanting organic and would NOT eat "delicious" sausage with nitrites??? When car was done, I went back and bought the 3 organic products, mainly to make a point.

Bit by bit, things are finding homes - or I am finding homes for things? Still too cool to put clay out in studio; working with cold clay is NOT fun! Now I have 4 expensive winter tires to store ...

I was tempted to buy "carpet roses" for in front of studio but restrained myself - Dig the holes FIRST!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 16 - 11:34 PM

I hope there's no rust in the bottom of the vehicle - I'd hate to hear about you pushing a foot through that wheel well. :-)

I've figured out where to put the fence posts for raised beds, and will place them tomorrow, then bring in some compost and mulch to add to existing soil to build the beds.

I moved furniture this evening, after moving some of it a couple of days ago. The room's look needed refinement so some things were swapped out, still leaving a large clear area in the middle of the room. That was the goal, making space for exercise in a larger looking room.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 Apr 16 - 07:45 PM

Beaver:
Glorious day! All the snow is gone and I took the cover off the wood pile so the wood would dry better and the ice at the bottom could melt - not all one yet. moved stuff out of the way in the studio to make way for new counter and found wood for supports and scavenged enough screws from the assortment in the shed. Using recycled 2x4s for supports and legs and for under counter dollies, mainly for glazes. Moved the clay out of the bathroom and vacuumed the whole house. Now the clay is on a dolly in the BR but I have high hopes that it will soon be warm enough to put in studio. Moved 3 pallets from front yard to back yard. I could not do it in the fall but moving wood all winter has strengthened me a great deal.

Went off to a celebration of the life of a a friend; lots of socializing! Easy on the food - fasting day! Fortunately, I am not big on the fancy foods the wonderful caterer provided. I may have lost 5 pounds so I am encouraged to stick to it.

Stopped at Thrift Warehouse and was stunned when a "total stranger" said. "Dorothy!" Once married to a dear friend, and her former in-laws are also dear friends so I have seen her kids recently; we talked about them and I made some suggestions re the difficult one. I had not seen her in 20 years; guess I am a memorable character for her. I am now foraging for ratty bookcases to go on my counters as quick and easy shelving.

Consolidated woodpile and swept most of the debris into a pile so I track less into the house. Dug along the electric line for the septic pump - VERY good exercise! I am realizing this was not really necessary but seemed a good way to find the septic tank. I think I am getting close but my back said, "quit!". Tomorrow, if it is not raining.

"THE exercise": When driving on the highway, I have found it helpful to put my left foot against the wheel well as hard as I can, pushing my back tightly against the seat, then pull in stomach for a count of 10 or so. In the past I have done this as I remembered but this last five hour trip I did it most of the 3 hours on the big highway and then continued on the secondary road - until I was tired of that! I does make my back feel better; I hope it exercises the left leg and stomach muscles.

Time to cover the wood for the night. Tuck it in!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 16 - 06:30 PM

Crossing another item off of the list on the fridge. I finally got rid of the extra fence posts standing inside the stockade fence - at one time there were two fences paralleling the boundary on the SW side of the yard, and weeds and vines used to grow between. The original owner of this house was a bit eccentric and put it up way inside the property line. The neighbor's fence that stands now and was just behind it is way inside my line also - one of these days when that one needs replacing we'll survey and put a new one up in the proper place.

It's not that big a deal except that if you don't acknowledge that someone else has fenced off your property, after a while if you don't acknowledge the problem it becomes theirs. (I forget the term for that, but I've seen a court battle over just such a boundary line. My friend won - but it's an expensive way to get your property back.)

Anyway, now I have 10 stained solid wood fence posts that I can use on the ground for a raised bed.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 16 - 12:24 AM

I know how you feel about the space taken up by eBay items. Those little sales make the PayPal account grow, though, so I don't begrudge them. I have things on the dining table that I meant to list a while ago because the sun room where I usually keep the eBay activity was a bit full of cardboard (must thin) and a few gardening items. There is a domino effect, as eBay stuff moves out of either part of the house I can compress it back down to occupy just one room.

If you use one browser consistently for your mudcat account you shouldn't have to worry about logging in and out. If you're posting above the line, use any browser, if you're posting below the line, use the one that is logged in. If you use one like Chrome or Firefox you can log on to that browser and let the sites you link to stay logged in via that browser across machines.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 22 Apr 16 - 02:54 PM

Acme, I also did some ebay boxing and listing, feels good to get some of that under control. I'm using the shop building as storage for all the boxes and wrappings, it helps keep the main office area functional, though doesn't help with 'let's empty the shop building' goal.   Now if the larger items would sell and be on their way, but no, it's the smaller things that sell!   

I must say mudcat's big red 'don't-post' circle is a little daunting.   There's a 'join' box right there, but for those who have to reset their cookies, it's a lot of clicking around to get set up and back to the post. I guess it's a good thing, but it may further thin out the posts.

Good luck with the gardening. Reminds me to go deal with some little bugs before the next monsoon comes through.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Apr 16 - 10:52 PM

Since I did some clearing in the living room earlier this week (I decided to move large pieces of furniture to clear an area in the middle for exercise or dance practice) I went further today and started clearing the boxes and objects on my dining room table (in one corner of that room). Things for eBay were sitting there and I finally have several photographed, described, packed, and listed. This table is where I also do some crafts, but I haven't been able to with all of the boxes in the way.

Tons of work in the yard awaits my attention this weekend - we've had rain this week so the lawn needs mowing and weeds need pulling before more bedding plants are put in and mulch distributed around them.

Asparagus season finished a few weeks ago, but now it is time to pick herbs, thin onions, and start eating Swiss chard.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Apr 16 - 10:28 PM

Beaver:
Home again, home again, dancing a jig! So happy to be back in the real country. Busy day loading car, doing laundry and washing dishes, alternately as I prepared to leave. Then an uneventful trip! Arrived in time for supper at the Halibut and then the movie night. Then home to a cold house but decided I would survive until morning and did not start a fire. A bit weary.

Up and moving early, and a terrifically productive "fasting day". Foraging for goods and answers, I was thinking a sheet of heavy plywood cut in half for counters in the studio BUT!!! At the Thrift Warehouse there were two 24 inch doors, only $10 total!

So, there is food in the frig, a fire in the stove, the car is unloaded and about half of stuff is put away, 181+ emails tended to (mostly deleted), new summer tires waiting for me at Canadian Tire to be installed Monday, and that netted me a $50 coupon which I can spend on casters for the platforms under the counters (to be made - more doors???) for glazes - to roll in and out. Wow!

And all this while fasting! What is wonderful is that I am being very successful and feeling ever so much better physically and mentally - without the sugar? Not even really missing it. And eating moderately on the other days.

I did start getting sick from the pollution in the store and had to beg someone to let me go ahead of them in line so I could get OUT! Had forgotten my mask.

Tomorrow is Earth Day with activities in the park but I hope to start organizing the studio before time; I will work more effectively in an organized space!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Apr 16 - 06:31 PM

Mill:
Uh, oh! No pics! And they are all packed ready to be loaded. I will take that under consideration.

Latest firing also came out well. I am really delighted with new glaze ideas. Back to Beaver tomorrow to make more pots. I did mix three glazes today but ran out of town water so went to town looking for a place to get water. The nice women at the dollar store had a handy big sink and filled 7 gallons for me! I did a bit more in the studio when I got back but ran out of steam. I had worked 9 to 4! Had my afternoon snack and am computering to utilize time until I leave for special music event at Cafe. Also to keep from thinking about being hungry! I am VERY happy with what I have accomplished; I wanted to do two more glazes but reality...

The sun room is partly cleaned up, the LR is more organized, the dishes await tomorrow - last thing I do before leaving. I might have done them now and gone out for BF but no dish washing energy left either.

Beautiful day after yesterday's cold, overcast and, ultimately, rainy one. Perennials coming up. Snow is still gone. Looking forward to seeing the state of the yard at Beaver.