Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 10:59 PM

Wow. I knew you were working on various things, but not all of them. You accomplished a great deal - and learning to relax will mean deciding when to be sociable and when to hunker down and work on exactly what you want to work on at home by yourself with whatever audible accompaniment (or none). I find I have to build in the social activities - going to work every day is not my idea of "society," though I enjoy many of my co-workers. At home, I putter around the house with the radio on, or CDs playing, but mostly radio. Society last weekend was attending a dance performance with my daughter, then coming back to the house to eat our annual "Welcome Summer" BLTs.

We have a hot spell coming (at last! Maybe it will dry up some of this humidity!) so this evening I put up my home-made sun shade on the side of the patio. One of these days I'll figure out a more attractive system than pvc pipe and leftover two-by-fours with a mesh tarp suspended from the patio cover roof out over the horizontal pvc and hanging a couple of feet clear of the ground so the dogs can run past without entangling in it. It felt several degrees cooler as I worked behind it while I put it in place.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 15 Jun 16 - 09:00 AM

Thank you Ms. Goddess for posting that, it made me feel less alone in what I'm struggling with! I've been trying to rehab and downsize out of the house I shared with my late beloved for a few decades, and it's been a far longer and far more difficult process than I ever could have imagined. Yes, it's SO hard to get flooring replaced while still living in a place! And I still, 3 years later, careen around alternately bursting into tears because I miss him and cussing him out for some of the crazy 'fixes' he did or didn't do.

Just got an inspection done (a practice run by a fledgling inspector), and looks like the incompetent roofers of last winter are going to cost me even more money before it's all over with. It doesn't take much to get overwhelmed and depressed. Just having handymen/contractors in and out for weeks on end, you lose all control of your schedule and life. Times when I am alone with a lot of unstructured days, then at least I can sit down with a notebook first thing in the morning and assess what's going on and what needs to happen next. In a way, having the pressure to get things done and get out at least is forcing me to focus, or I would be questioning the point of getting out of bed.

This spring in an attempt to make deadlines, I resorted to 'Orders of the Day' on a bulletin board, where I would pick a few key things to get done, tack up colorful pieces of paper with one or two word tasks, "Scan" or "Paint" or "Calls". Helps to focus on just a couple items, and get the rest of the goblins out of your mind til their turn comes around.

Acme & other declutterers, I've made some progress since last post. A lot of it was delegated to contractors, but at least it's done. 4 new floors, 1 room painted, countertops rehabbed, lots of things fixed, garage half-emptied, a POD in the driveway to put stuff while the interior gets worked on, and the new house-on-wheels in the driveway. Essentially the bedrooms are empty or minimalist, and I am loath to put anything back in that is cluttery or heavy looking.   Ebaying is on hold til after a trip I have to take this month, but high hopes to work through a big stack.

Visited a home store yesterday looking for Corelle for the travel trailer, instead found lots of heavy bulky 'stuff' to put in houses, I wish the people shopping there could see how much of it they REALLY don't want to take into their house in the long run. I'll try a resale shop next, I probably don't need a full 'service for 4' anyway, just a couple plates, couple bowls.

Stay as cool and hydrated as you can, guys!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Jun 16 - 11:19 PM

Try Goodwill or Salvation Army, and the patterns don't need to match, not in the camper! I picked up a handful of Corelle saucers last winter, the stack probably cost me under $5, but I use them for everything. When it's just me, even when I'm cooking, lots of times a saucer or a custard cup is all I need to hold ingredients, or to heat up a snack. I found several salad or lunch-sized plates in a pattern of stoneware I like, but wouldn't it turn out they're fairly scarce. I have a tan colored set of 5, here are six in a nice green color. I may only ever have just the five. :)

An eBay item sold and was paid for this afternoon, so I ship the box tomorrow. The Tupperware tub that wasn't doing anything useful here will go to a new home.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 16 Jun 16 - 09:46 AM

Thanks Acme, I will do some strategic buying at places I'm usually dropping stuff off. And I'll keep an eagle eye out for your green stuff!

My favorite dishes to use are the handpicked odd pieces, I love the odd clear glassware that winds up in the Goodwill and other resale shops. I grabbed 2 old molded glass banana-split dishes, that have turned out to be really handy as 'sidecars' holding bulky raw veggies, pickle spears, melon chunks, etc. alongside a lunch plate.    Also love the little sauce/nut cups you can get at restaurant supply stores, handy for salsa/dressings/dips, nuts, etc.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 Jun 16 - 01:32 PM

Beaver:

Wonderful inspiring posts from Linn and Patty! And M's gave me an idea for a porch shade project = after a bunch of other things!

There is VERY little in our home - any of them - that did not come from a thrift shop. If we decide something does not suit, it simply goes nack to a thrift shop. I am chronically stunned by the amount of fine goods, and junk, in the several thrift shops in this rural area. I am shopping less now as we seem to have plenty of everything, even the shelves I needed so badly.

Said shelves now need to be put in place and I am waiting for my friends to have time to do chores for me, that I simply do not have the energy or strength for.

R is on the 4th day of repairing the septic. The problem seems to stem back to a time when someone, told not to ... did. They broke through the lid of the tank and "repaired" it; There are small stones in the tank and one about an inch in diameter was inside the pump, thus destroying it in the long term. When R is finished, we should be ready for the next millennium! We have been fortunate to have clear days - but hot. HAT ON! Bugs are pretty plentiful in spite of the dragonflies doing their best. Every time he needs to make another trip, we are grateful that is only a few minutes away.

Someone is coming by tonight (?) to see about de-cluttering the knee high grass/weeds! I did not bother last year but this year I seem to need less, esp when needing to walk up to the, now level!, outhouse, which still needs cleaning, a window and siding. Siding and wood for deck extension are here, awaiting helpers. I am trying to not be too frustrated by a half dozen "I cannot do this until that is done..." projects - that I cannot do alone. R is going to deserve another vacation after his project!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 16 Jun 16 - 07:11 PM

Yesterday was a "good" day...got a lot accomplished during the day. Brought in more stuff from the deck (some of which will go directly to Goodwill unless I decide to keep them around until I have a yardsale -- which I can't have until I have possession of the deck again) and started raking the twigs out of the driveway and leaves in the rockery.

Last night's Voicearound was a delight. Sure, it was fewer people than we'd been averaging because it's summer and the weather is nice and some have gigs or other social events they'd rather go to, but we had two NEW people (new to the Voicearound, but not new to me) finally get there -- welcomed additions. We put the table in the middle and a couple of us brought snacks to share and we maybe did a bit more talking (rather than singing or reading poetry) than we usually do, but it was a very enjoyable evening.

Then today I had to force myself to do absolutely anything. AND I ended up taking a nap because I couldn't keep my eyes open. Ate lunch on the deck steps, but I just finished supper here at the computer (which I'm trying to avoid). Too tired to even read. It seems to be one day on, one day off lately. And I still can't figure out how to "relax"...meaning getting rid of the feeling that things are still hanging over my head.

I don't know...am I depressed? It's different from the "grief days" I had in the first two years after Tom died. I didn't take my St. John's wort this morning, but that shouldn't have made a difference.

Hope I'm more energetic for tomorrow's Friday session and Saturday's sea music singaround.

Going upstairs now to listen to some music and either read or chat with friends in the online coffeehouse at Nick Noble's "The Folk Revival" (WICN) Facebook page.

Linn

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 Jun 16 - 09:18 PM

Beaver:

Boy, do I know about that one day on, one day off! Mostly off since returning from "vacation"!

Big news! This eve at 7:20, R came in and announced it was done! We now have a functioning septic system! Flushed the toilet a coule times so he could see it go into the tank. Talked about taking a bath! not having to empty buckets! Had a nice supper and celebratory ice cream! The borrowed sump pump is washed in prep for returning tomorrow.

I did a bisque firing this week but have not unloaded it. Not enough energy. Still trying to get someone to de-clutter the yard of weeds/tall grass. Still waiting for friends to have time to do the myriad other jobs that will help with organizing various areas.

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

That is welcome news, Dorothy! And what a difficult job - having ice cream as a reward for the hard work is the least you can do!

I agree about thrift stores - when years ago it seemed like much of what was there was heavily used but still had some life in it, now many things have clearly never been used. I have filled out sets of glassware by visiting various Goodwills and Salvation Army stores in the area. Never make a special trip, just stop in if I'm in the neighborhood.

One eBay item out of the house today and a couple of others have watchers. I need to have enough things listed so a steady income comes in. Now if I sell one thing, but then end up at the grocery store spending the same amount, it feels like they just cancelled each other out. The trick is to be constantly selling and building the PayPal account. I use PayPal to pay for quite a few things, don't even bother to transfer to the bank first. It's great for things like paying for online USPS postage.

Dorothy, I'll put another photo of that home-made awning up on facebook so you can get a look at it. The tarp came from Harbor Freight and they always have 20% off coupons around (you can print them from the site online also). If there isn't a store in Canada, next time you're in the US, it's a great place for a number of everyday tool-like items.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Jun 16 - 09:34 PM

Beaver:

Friends came to make a list of what needs to be done. Will be back on Tuesday, at 10 am, to get started. The shelves in kiln room and studio are first - so tools can be organized, and I feel like I have room for more pots. Then the raised beds - at least two can be made from our $40 of rough 2x something lumber - cedar. Need to call tomorrow re soil delivery later in week. A friend has offered strawberry plants - but soon!

Then the deck so I can order stove wood. I moved a pile of stove wood out of the way tonight - after it "cooled" a bit. Do the rest, hopefully, in the am before it gets too hot.

Need to clear the area for shelf unit in kiln room on Tues am - everything has to go outside and it might rain Monday night.

R left about 4 pm after putting finishing touches on septic but not putting soil back in holes - My job. He put up two corner cabinets in K before leaving and they are now full. Nice addition! They do not hold a great deal but they look nice and give me the sense that the K it complete. They each have a closed shelf - handy for avocados, sunflower seeds and other things I like near sink but away from critters. The squirrel could open a screw top bottle to get at sunflower seeds, or almonds!

An hour long call with friend we visited last week - visit and support/encouragement for her.

Soon to bed so I can get up in the cool of the morning.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jun 16 - 11:20 AM

The pest I have to keep out of food here is my chocolate lab. He's a counter surfer. Also eats things like paper towels, dish cloths, anything that smells like food, so it all needs to stay up.

We're in the middle of a heat wave - the actual temperature may be 98, but the air is so humid that it feels like 115. So not a lot of outdoor work underway right now. And when it cools, the mosquitoes come out.

A box is packed, labeled, and ready to go to the post office if the mail carrier doesn't come by the house pretty soon. This is another eBay parcel - I've sold about $100 of estate items this month. It's work to list them, but if they don't sell, they're donated and then the photo and valuation is used to calculate donations at the end of the year for taxes.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: pattyClink
Date: 20 Jun 16 - 12:03 PM

Hot and humid here, I'm getting wrecked trying to get the camper ready to roll, pouring sweat all day. It was a strange week for me, have been acquiring clothing for the trip, and stuff to equip the camper; sewer hose, water hose, etc., and a few cheapo bins to keep things from toppling over while traveling. Strange after spending so much time 'divesting'.

Been a long time since I've bought so much stuff. I did resist the suggestion to buy the teeny tiny dish drainer for the teeny tiny sink. I mean come on, when you're doing just a few dishes what is the point. A drying mat, sure, but a clutzy drainer to take up space in a tiny RV? People are hell bent on taking their home environment with them I guess, 'unitaskers' and all.

The Corelle search was a washout, but found some fresh looking plastic plates and bowls that suit my mood better anyway. Light weight, ready for summer. Okay, A/C break is over, back to work I go!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Jun 16 - 03:38 PM

Beaver:
So fortunate that house, so far, has not gone over 80 with curtains drawn. Up about 7 am today: moved rest of stove wood, put some of dirt back into septic holes, dug some of comfrey - a pest! Went to post office to see about sending R's keys; purolater suggested so I went there and sent keys - will be there by 5pm tomorrow. I love living where things are a couple minutes apart!

Stopped by car insurance office to find out how to pay on line since the company does not provide that info @#$%^&*idiots! Then to home hardware where 4inch plants are down to 99cents. Bought some strawberry plants and some red verbena - for pretty! - for the beds to be built. Stopped to inquire about possible dirt delivery - no problem - Thurs or Fri!

Had veggie/turkey burger brunch started load of laundry!!!! and did a dump run. Stopped at Community Care to inquire about transport to ophthamologist (sp!) next month. Big hug from new director - I've known her since she was a little kid! Congratulated her with delight! Someone will phone. Cost quoted is $88! I will put a request on FB to see if anyone is going down that day. One of the drawbacks of living in the boonies: one bus a day south, one north - never at the needed times.

Two loads of laundry done; one hung and might be dry already on this breezy - might rain tonight - day! So time to go hand the second. Need better clothes line installation. Maybe my friends will have an idea. NO trees! I have one of those umbrella things in Montreal.... Not being used! If I had asked R to bring it, he either would have forgotten it (as he did the grass cutter) or taken lots longer to get here ....

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Jun 16 - 05:28 PM

Beaver:

WOW! great storm at 4:30 pm. Had to rush and bring in drying clothes, cover wood, close tailgate... Had a great shower! Until the hail started. Now: clothes drying inside; one load still in machine... A bit cooler and the dragon flies are back to work! It might do it again so clothes are staying inside to dry, for now.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Jun 16 - 05:31 PM

Many years ago I put together a basket for picnics (or lunches at Maine Old Cemeteries Association meetings) that included plates that LOOKED like white ironstone but were actually plastic (and thus, unbreakable). Drinks were served in silver plate goblets, also unbreakable. And I had a tablecloth from The Boar's Head Coffeehouse that used to be in Kennebunk, Maine (I didn't steal it; the owner gave it to me). Stuck it all in a quasi-antique picnic hamper. Made quite a splash at MOCA meetings.

Linn

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: LilyFestre
Date: 21 Jun 16 - 04:54 PM

I am doing a good job of staying on top of daily chores but now I am working on adding a little bit each day....whether it is getting rid of stuff or wiping down every cupboard door, etc. I am getting it done, little by little. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Jun 16 - 10:05 AM

Beaver:
little by little is the name of the game!

Yesterday: my friends put an eavestrough over the back door - no more drips on head or on wood! They installed an old shelf unit in kiln room/shed which is already partly organized - need a couple more shelves! And the one in the studio so that is greatly improved. Then started on the 2 10x4 raised beds for south side - one on each side of septic, whihc I have almost gotten all the soil back on top of.

a nice man came about 5 pm and de-cluttered a section of the yard of the almost thigh high weeds which made walking challenging. After an hour, he informed me this would be a $100 job. He also found it challenging. Fine! I raked up some of the grass. Need lawn rake rather than garden rake - will borrow one from neighbour. Dug part of a bed on north side for lettuce; it gets some sun. Went up the hill to other neighbour for the strawberry plants and filled a wash basin. May go for more today. These will go in one of the new raised beds. The other...??? Maybe green and wax beans. Maybe carrots/beets/turnips between?

Worked on stuff all day yesterday and some tired today. Mended a few things but stalled at machine work. Cleared a bit here and there. Down to 60 outside this am. great for working; I am waiting for energy to return.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Jun 16 - 05:55 PM

Beaver:
Just finished lunch (5:30 pm) Finally told today's crew to go home, thereby de-cluttering my life of stressor. If a person is working for me at my home, they listen to me about what and how. Phoned a mutual friend in despair, had a meltdown at the lumber yard. Then phoned a friend who had sort of offered to help and whimpered, "I need help." He is coming tomorrow morning. The deck will get done. If Stu wants to work with me on a couple projects, fine. Oh and Tammy said she can help next week!

The thigh high weeds/grasses are being decluttered! This guy is earning his $$$!

The two raised beds are done and one is partly filled with soil. I have a lot of work ahead getting the rest of the soil in since the dump truck did its best... The septic is in the way of the truck being able to get good access. Two yards of soil to move! ICK! Lots of exercise! Still ICK!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Jun 16 - 09:26 PM

Beaver:
OOPS!

Did too much and stressed too much today. Back, throat and head ache. Went to bed at 7 but had to get up to de-clutter my life of the workshop I was going to give tomorrow - clay play. The mere thought of lifting even a 20# bag of clay was too much; getting out of bed was too much but necessary. Found an email address; hope she gets it.

The yard looks SO uncluttered!!! Hope tomorrow is as beautiful as today!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Jun 16 - 09:14 AM

Think I'll get an early start on my drive to visit a friend in Tilton (about an hour's drive). The route is one of the prettiest drives in New Hampshire -- and the weather today is glorious!

It's a social visit, but I'm decluttering at the same time -- some more flamingos to decorate her front windows. Her apartment is right on the street and used to be a shop, so the bedrooms have huge windows. I previously had given her two fabric shower curtains that had flamingos embroidered on them to use for curtains. The flamingos I'm bringing today I got at a yardsale a number of years ago and have never had a place to display. Some are tall and have wooden legs so can stand on the sill. The others I'll suggest be hung by clear fishing line to visually fill up the rest of the window. They must have been used for a party or celebration of some sort -- most have little straw hats and necklaces.

She's also getting a bag of books and a bodhran tutorial video (since I sold her my bodhran).

Last night went with another friend to see "The Big Short" again, this time at the South Berwick (Maine) library. I had started reading the book but got sidetracked into a couple others, so I should probably start it over again and finish it this time so I can loan it to my friend. I find it amazing that such an entertaining film could be made about what is basically an economics book. The author DID say he wrote it so his mother could understand it.

Been doing mostly maintenance for about a week -- laundry, dishes, cleaning the kitchen counter and the bathtub. Don't feel as if I'm getting anywhere or making any headway. Been having fun, too. Between last Wednesday and Monday I either went to hear live music or participated in the live music. Voicearound last Wednesday, Press Room trad session on Friday, Press Room sea music/shanty singaround on Saturday, went to see Great Bay Sailor at Barley House on Sunday (and ended up singing three songs with them), and Oran Mor at RiRa on Monday. Maybe if I stayed home I'd get more accomplished... (Or maybe if I stayed home I'd just take a nap and fritter the day away.)

Off to bag up the trash and take it up to the road before heading north.

Linn

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Jun 16 - 03:45 PM

I canned my first case of diced tomatoes this week, with more (probably another case) to do this afternoon. Small batches every 3 or 4 days mean I don't have some spoiling and others not completely ripe. I put all of the pint jars in the dishwasher, then dunk them in the hot water bath before filling them. It's a hot messy job, always one to be done when it's hot weather in general.

The dogs went for a ride today to get their rabies shots (free, because I work at a university- they do it for police, military, and the teaching professions). But I paid for chips (finally!) for the girls. Zeke has one, now they all do. This was a good place to do it - for $35 they electronically file all of the records that they have on the dogs with the chip to the company. When Zeke got his chip he was a pup, and when I called the company to activate it I had to pay $25 then log on and fill in the information. So I think the places that offer chips for $15 are not filing the paperwork.

And, the monthly shot clinic is at a feed store I have shopped at for years but is closing in a few days, consolidating operations in another location (far away from me). I walked through the store with the dogs and spoke with a couple of the friends who are clerks. I had dog treats so they did a couple of tricks for people. As we got near the door a Mom with a couple of small children was admiring the dogs - I told them that Poppy (my 50lb Blue Heeler/Catahoula mix) gives great kisses - did they want one? No, the kids didn't think so, but on cue, Poppy carefully stepped up to the little guy, probably 3-years-old, and gave him a gentle kiss on the nose. It was so cute, and he was charmed by her delicacy. (If Cinnamon gives someone a kiss, it's across your whole face and you stay kissed. Zeke gets right in there and wants to kiss you on the lips). Now we're home and all dog-like creatures are sprawled on the cool tile floors.

I'm listing more Ebay things this afternoon, in breaks while tomatoes process. And I'll be doing some cleaning and moving of stuff in the guest room and bathroom since a friend is coming to stay for a few days. Her daughter will also be here one night, so I need to clear stuff off of the bed in my sewing room (it used to be the only guest room, but since it's where I also sew and store crafts, the first guest room is now my son's old bedroom).

Laundry, mowing, the usual stuff. And maybe garden work this evening for a little while. It needs it.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Jun 16 - 09:50 PM

Beaver:

Dear Mike built the frame for the deck - two days, 10 hours. I will put the decking on in the cool of the eve and am, little by little. I started painting the exterior of house pale yellow. That too will be done little by little when the sun is not on it. This eve I filled about a quarter of the second raised bed; that may take another few sessions as I have to do it bucket full at a time. Offered a Mike's partner Lynn a rhubarb plant: "You research the best time and do it!" In the meantime, she will be by to harvest some for now. We have two huge plants. I shall be happy to be rid of one.

Thursday I vacuumed without a mask and got the place clean but coughed the rest of Thursday and most of Friday, and still some today.

Finally a phone call from granddaughter telling me the girls received their package (sent from PA). T-shirts with artistic Wharton Esherick porcupines on them. They will have to grow into them! I did not have a clue how big they are or even how old (3 & 5). The family lives in a tiny house so I have been careful about sending anything but these shirts were so nifty!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Jun 16 - 10:30 PM

A gallon of tomatoes processed and several pounds of yellow onions diced and in the freezer. It's handy when fixing dinner after work to be able to grab a handful of chopped onions or peppers to add to whatever I'm cooking.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Jun 16 - 02:42 PM

Every other day I'm processing a small batch of tomatoes. Another eight jars are in a hot water bath as I type and I have a few pint jars over two cases. The winter and spring decluttering of the pantry and freezer were in anticipation of bringing in this year's crop and having someplace to put it.

eBay is moving along slowly; the proceeds from this month have gone to pay a couple of regular household bills. I have company coming, so despite the impulse to load the various and sundry items all into the car and donate to Goodwill, I'll keep it organized in the sun room and ready to list as I have time. So far I've managed to list a new one every time an offering sells.

The yard needs decluttering and I'm having to do that in increments of an hour at a time, then come in to cool down. The humidity this summer has been higher than usual, making the heat feel worse than it typically does this time of year.

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Jun 16 - 04:59 PM

Beaver:
Today, I remind myself, is Monday. A long weekend is coming. R is unclear as to whether he is coming here. If he is not coming here, I would go to Quebec. This clutters my mind with unknowing.

Mike and Lynn came by for rhubarb and a nice visit. That de-cluttered one clump. We decided the other two need to recover - they were partly hidden under the siding for the studio (which may get put back on someday - or not.) Lynn seems to know about rhubarb so I have put her in charge of it. She will move some to her house at the appropriate time and will make R a pie when she knows he is coming. I no longer need to think about rhubarb!

MY BIG effort for today, so far, was the removal of that siding to a different spot - for the sake of the rhubarb! Did that about 8 am and decided it was too hot to do anything else. Mike did straighten the raised bed that was bothering me as it was so out of alignment with the other. Now I can finish filling it, in increments. Lovely breeze but 79 in the house in spite of covered windows.

De-cluttered my mind of a task - writing something for my friend's 13 year old daughter; sent it to a couple friends for comments first.

Have still managed not to gain any weight and today I may be getting back on better diet track.

Mike suggested we might need to strengthen the deck for the weight of stove wood. I think two 4x4s under the joists with 4x4 supports under them. Simple and strong. See what R thinks - if he gets here.

Plan to put more soil in bed later. It is still wet from last night's nice rain - about half inch. Will cover it if it looks like more rain; no point in moving water!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Jun 16 - 10:50 PM

Beaver:
Second raised bed is mostly filled with soil and about half planted with seeds. House is getting painted in sections as energy lasts. IT is going to be a big improvement!

Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jul 16 - 12:00 PM

Good work on that garden, Dorothy! The raised bed I restored to gardening this year is going great guns.

Linen cupboard makeover this week: I had a guest stay for three days and realized the sheets for that room are the best in the house. It was time to replace the almost-transparent sheets in my room, and I found a couple of good sets. There is a store in the US called "Tuesday Morning" that sells overstock from high-end department stores. It's priced to reflect the discount when it came into the store; if identical items come in later they also reflect the that purchase by the chain, and the identical items together may reflect several different prices, so it pays to go through everything.

More canning, and I need to defrost the freezer again. It's a long weekend and I hope to use the time well. More eBay; I've listed a lot of things lately and they're selling slowly but surely. I need to keep up the momentum.