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Yet More Clutter's Last Stand - 2016
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 09 Jan 16 - 09:23 PM Beaver: Finally got a fire going in the wood stove. The gasket seems to be too thick so I cannot close it tightly; trip to hardware in the am. In the meantime, a fire is doing OK and the temp is going up; brought in only 3 large chunks; should get me through to morning. Still 33F outside! Put up the new rod and hung heavy fabric - long enough to be double most of the way; does a great job of keeping the heat in LR/BR! Must keep in mind that below 59F I tend toward hypothermic re-action; stop thinking and doing. Had to force myself to get up and start fire. I did have two electric heaters going, one on my feet! Being too cold could, conceivably, de-clutter one of life. Tonight I learned my cut off point. It's OK to jump out of bed into the cold and jump back in again but not to sit and let the body get colder... Emailed friend whose husband is retired local art teacher, organized our 1st student show! Wife indicates he would like to talk about it. I will try to phone him tomorrow with goal of working up an article on art as an indication of the adolescent mind/socio-political concepts - then and now. Change seems positive. Secondary goal: suitable for local paper to encourage people to visit Gallery to view the current show. Bob is terrific artist and teacher with great ideas! |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 09 Jan 16 - 06:02 PM Beaver: Hearing about citizenship was a major de-clutter! Today: returned excess parts to Home Hardware; they made it SO easy; exchanged a non-functioning rod at CT; left a bag of stuff at thrift shop; bought and installed new gasket on stove; cleared back deck of ice and snow from roof; cleared the walk at the Gallery of melting mess before it could freeze tonight; replenished maple syrup supply (and two jars of jelly) at the Market - folks who are friends of friends; it was special to get it from the Lentz sugar bush and a bit of catch up; visited with Stu and L, arranged a visit here on Tuesday (must email and offer BF; left the set of dishes in their car along with money for the grippers they bought us on sale; had wonderful veggie chili at SunRun cafe and social time; visit at a Gallery with friend under-going physical ailments - so good to see him up and about! Then zipped down to Gallery for student show reception. Suggested to several volunteers that it would be a good idea to give each student who participated a free membership; it would cost us nothing and might encourage them - they would get emails about openings and workshops, reminding them that the Gallery exists for them also. Lots of positive response: I will send an email to the group and ask it to be on agenda for next meeting. Only two students showed up and no teachers. I will be visiting one teacher (a friend) in the next week, try to see what we can do about that. The student work is terrific; they deserve encouragement. Maybe give the teachers memberships as a thank you for helping their students participate! waiting for the glue to set on gasket so I can start a fire; temp holding at 58F. Still 33F outside. It was a warm raining day, de-cluttering the roof of great chunk s of snow and ice - noisily! Shall have to bring in close wood as it is dark and wet out and ---- because I FEEL like it! Or do NOT feel like going out into the snowy yard in the wet and dark. Sometimes de-cluttering is taking the easy way? YEAH! Can do it while I wait... |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: LilyFestre Date: 09 Jan 16 - 03:05 PM Not such a good weigh in this week....up a bit. Darn Shepherd's Pie. It just was TOO GOOD. Ah well. It's a new week. Onward! Michelle who is about to indulge in a lovely and well deserved weekend nap. |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 08 Jan 16 - 11:50 PM Good news, Dorothy! I think the winter weather the rest of you have experienced is arriving. Tomorrow. And tomorrow's weather is also pushing a huge airborne load of cedar pollen this way. Ugg. Cold and sneezing all together. |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: LilyFestre Date: 08 Jan 16 - 11:38 PM HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOX |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 08 Jan 16 - 09:41 PM Beaver: Thanks for a great laugh, Guest#!!! You do realize I kinda miss the --vole! Michelle! You really made out at Sally's! Wooden marble run! what fun my grands had with one I found - back then. And a Sally's in Ithaca! Lots of good stuff, I'll bet! Mind, I am constantly shocked at the amount and quality available here in Bancroft - and appalled at how much stuff people need to get rid of! We profit from their conspicuous consumption! Came home from Gallery pooped and distressed by car; light still on and 3 men could not explain it. I did not ask about the high bill for a new battery and... What? I love Pete but rather wished I had gone to Canadian Tire; their computer would be better; electrical problems are such a pain. As soon as I parked and put on the brake that darn light went out!!! YAY! Life's mysteries. I have a list of things to accomplish tomorrow, territory to cover, so happy that I will not be having to boost the car though there is still a possibility it needs an alternator as well. Pete ordered one but held off putting it in to see if it is really needed. He really does care. Well, yesterday, he told me about growing up, one of ten kids and dad working seasonally; running home from school and - no food in the house. But lots of love! So, listening to Abba and remembering Mama Mia!, the movie, the last fun trip for my landlady (on Whidbey) before she died of stage 4 ovarian - diagnosed in hospital a week before she died. So glad I was able to give her that gift of sheer enjoyment! And glad it is not getting too cold tonight as I did not have the energy to bring in more wood - enough to last the night. To go above freezing tomorrow! And rain - then get moderately cold and snow some more - all week! My assessment of wood supply - think it will last 'til spring. Would like R to put in propane heater next trip - just in case. On the good news side: While I was, perforce, at home yesterday, I received a Phone Call from Citizenship and Immigration; the woman who has, apparently, been shepherding my application; initials "AW", hand-written on each missive were the only indication there was a real person out there! Arianne Wind: calling to tell me she had reviewed my file and I was approved!!!!!!!! In 2-3 months, I shall receive a letter telling me when to report to citizenship court. That will be about 49 and a half years since I received my Landed immigrant status- my best Christmas present - in 1967. Her call, I told her, was my best birthday present. |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: GUEST,# Date: 08 Jan 16 - 12:41 PM "vole not seen since R left! Hope he has re-homed." The vole is in Montreal after hitching a ride with R. |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: LilyFestre Date: 08 Jan 16 - 12:27 PM HOORAY for hot and cold running water!!!!!!! That is such a HUGE thing that many of us take for granted! I have hot water in the kitchen ONLY. No cold. It isn't bad except when I am washing dishes and it goes from hot to scalding in a matter of minutes. I have to do the dishes in shifts so I don't burn my hands. I have been buzzing around the last 2 days. I was in Ithaca on Wednesday and did some grocery shopping and Jeremiah and I hit Sally's because it was Family Day. That means that all clothes and shoes are half the normal price with the exception of one color of tags (they cycle clothes in so yesterday the white tagged items, the newest items on the rack, were excluded). I went in search of some winter friendly clothes for Jeremiah. He had some but not really enough because I had bagged up his winter clothes for storage in late summer and the bag was mistakenly taken to Sally's along with all the other clothes had had outgrown. There were a few shirts and pants left out for cooler summer nights and fall wear and he did get some clothes for Christmas but I felt he needed a few more items. Here's what I got for $25.00: 5 every day long sleeved shirts, 5 church shirts, a pair of jeans, cozy jammies (brands including Walmart, Old Navy, Gap, The Children's Place, Land's End and LL Bean), a pair of cranberry slide on suede shoes (LL Bean) for me, a wooden marble run in pristine condition, a very sweet tea cup and saucer for me (which I have always wanted and never had...this one is white with dainty pink rosebuds around the rim of the cup and saucer) and a queen sized quilt in perfect condition. It is not handmade but it sure is pretty. It has dark gold, cream, dark greens, copper tones and plum with appliqued maple leaves on it. It goes beautiful with the dark wood in our bedroom. I LOVE SALLY'S!!!! Today I am organizing the calendar for the year, working on my budget book, filling in a new address book, helping Jeremiah with his schooling, laundry, dishes, cooking, etc. This weekend I hope to help Jeremiah sort out his toys as we have an overload. The new marble run was purchased with the promise that he would trade in the plastic one which doesn't really stay together well and is frustrating to all of us. :) Happy Friday Everybody! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 08 Jan 16 - 11:40 AM Beaver; art gallery: vole not seen since R left! Hope he has re-homed. Chilly morning and foggy but sort of clearing. Car problem not resolved and Pete picked me up and brought me to Gallery this am. In the wee hours, this am, I realized we were not on track - this is definitely electrical. Hope it gets solved today-Friday! I thought the computer would tell them! Without both car and signal yesterday! 3 loads of laundry, washed, dried on line in BR and put away by bedtime. Washed hair and soaked feet in hot water, SO nice to have hot water. I used a bit for the laundry so it was not icy cold when done. Wood brought in. Remains of chicken cooked in crock pot - will make soup this eve. Tools, etc cleared from LR and Christmas stuff put in larger plastic bin and placed in kiln room for now. Too cold to be making pots right now. Shower curtain hung; Almost life sized wolves in the bathroom! For the utility room, almost life sized dolphins. K re-arranged to accommodate wonderful new water jug. Need to do a major revision of how I use lower cabinets - not yet full, I realize I can put a recycling bin in one and possibly trash receptacle, then the floor would be clear! Also, the spare microwave can go in storage outside. The cutlery I culled and sent to Montreal with R: He, after asking, picked out the set with black handles for his bro's b-day yesterday! Re-homed! R was glad to have the"new" quilt; the house was 2 degrees above freezing when he got home! The plants were ok! |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 06 Jan 16 - 05:37 PM Beaver: Hi Guest! Seal the holes? We are trying but this is a very poorly built house and our best efforts may never make it. Live trap? he speed at which it moves, I could put a yogurt container over it, however, have been leaving it until there is hope the holes are sealed. I suspect it would survive quite well, and has been, UNDER the house. Have not seen it since Monday so hoping it is excluded. If not, we shall have to co-habit until R puts another wall in the utility room. The vole is very civil in its habits; stays on the floor and does not get up on anything. We are rather fond of it and really want to be sure it does not get trapped indoors. Rosy glow at the southern foot of the west hill tonight. So nice that it is not black out at 5 pm!! Nice to have a warmer, sunny day! Car problem pursued: After boosting car this am, I went for groceries, leaving car running, then to CT and asked if WD 40 would hurt anything if I used it on those critical areas. So I bought a can and sprayed, and sprayed, and sprayed... Then to thrift warehouse and got a wonderful ceramic water holder - couple gallons! - with faucet!!! Then to Pete's; he wanted car over night so I continued to do errands, gathering needful things and a long conversation with a friend. Having gathered stuff for projects, I took car to Pete and he gave me a ride home. Brought in wood, had lunch, deleted emails and now am gathering energy for other tasks. Too late to do laundry as I am not keen on it hanging over my bed at night but dishes and rods can be done and some re-organizing in K... maybe. Need to re-think where the wood will be for next year. Hope to get a small one of those tent sort of things as it is becoming somewhat difficult for me to get under the tarp and out again - with over a foot of snow and ice on it in places. Placing something without blocking view of the hill for 8 months of the year! |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: GUEST,Eluned Date: 06 Jan 16 - 02:07 AM I love that book! Will recommend it to folks who are looking to de-clutter. But, about the vole; why not live-trap it, seal the holes, then release it somewhere it might survive well, like near a barn or stables? |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 05 Jan 16 - 08:50 PM Dorothy, I'm glad you have water, hot and cold! I went to put some potatoes in the small refrigerator in the sun room and discovered ants had colonized both of the orchid plants that sit on top of it. Yuck. Spinosad to get some of them, and I mixed up some compost tea in water and added a little spinosad then soaked each plant. It doesn't seem to be killing all of the ants - there are tiny ones and some big ones in the mix. And where they come from - I'll have to find the path and spritz it with diatomaceous earth. We finally have winter weather, cold days, frozen overnight. And frisky dogs in the house. Still working on some organizing projects like filing papers and re-packing the contents of the closet where the holiday decorations are stored. And not leaving anything chewable down where someone might chomp on it. |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 05 Jan 16 - 06:27 PM Beaver: As of 11 pm last night! we have functional hot and cold running water! And what a beautiful installation! R left at 2:3o pm today, after a lunch and clearing away of some lumber. I started clearing the tools and other stuffs left from the long job. Shop vacced the bathroom and LR, put some stuff into the lots of space in the utility room - well lots more than there was. It is a very small space and once the washing machine is in there, there will be little storage. Just room for 2 or 3 shelves on one wall. That, and the two beautiful, mostly glass doors for between LR and BR will wait the next trio. Very minor tasks compared to the incredible time the plumbing took - mostly thinking about the best way forward. It is done so it can be easily heated when we are not here. R left with a large storage bin to take to the city - mainly a nice quilt for the bed there, which he has been needing. Left a nice clear space here! Today I got him, at the thrift, two good long sleeve shirts - a heavy flannel which he had on to leave. And a pair of good sweat pants for me for this cold weather. What a joy to turn on the faucet and have water come out - hot water even! oops! There goes my electric bill!!! I forgot to ask what temp he set it to. Lower is good. But it does help heat the room. We may want to turn it off for periods in the summer. Tomorrow is meant to be a bit warmer (19F right now) so I can move some of the tools back into the kiln room, finish smartening up the LR, bring in lots of wood, and do laundry, go to library, to Canadian Tire for shower rods - for tub and for the doorway to utility room and to K. Closing off the K - with a large, heavy, elegant piece of upholstery fabric will keep more of the heat in the LR/BR at night - it was 45F this am; minus 6F outside! For the utility room, a light piece of cotton just for pretty. I like the idea of spring loaded rods - easy to put in and take out. I'll see what is in my fabric trunk - the one that is here (several still at the mill). Car did not start this am until R adjusted the clips on the booster pack; he cleaned the terminals this aft; thinks that was the problem. I'll see what it does tomorrow. May need new battery but the little "open door" light does not go out no matter how many times I close each door and wiggle the little buttons that are supposed to make the light go out. If it not behaving, I shall take it to Pete's. Rather glad to have the "holidays" over and life back to normal. |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 04 Jan 16 - 08:01 PM Beaver: We have all types of insulation right here! I have found plain white duct tape to be very useful as well for excluding small bodies. Vole seems a bit confused tonight. He came out from under the stove, wandered around the LR, went into the bathroom and utility room; the floor holes are well closed so he went looking elsewhere. Though, he might have been a bit confussled by R trying to herd him. Plumbing not quite done. R made my day by informing he is too tired - at 7:30 pm for the 5 hour trip! I was truly concerned he would insist on setting out. Cold water is functional! He just now moved the water heater back into it's place... Brought in quite a bit more wood for another cold night. Thinking I need to have more space in the house for wood in case of a number of cold and snowy days. Or days when I just do not feel like doing wood. I still have the wood just outside the door for when things get really hairy. So, car needs attention; using the booster pack each time to start it; made appointment for tomorrow to et it looked at; bought R four warm hats at thrift shop, and that was my day - internet, emails, meals as per usual. |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 03 Jan 16 - 11:57 PM Home Depot sells a couple of types of foam insulation, one for regular spaces, and one for around windows. The Windows one is meant to fill a space and not exert pressure to break a pane of glass. I think the window stuff is pink (foam). I would suggest getting some of that and filling the holes (around the propane line) so that the line isn't squashed. But enough to keep voles out. Back to the salt mines tomorrow. The break has been nice - I did a lot, but not as much as I hoped. As is ever the case. |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 03 Jan 16 - 10:46 PM Beaver: The vole was out from under the stove briefly today. I have received no assurance that it cannot get in through the hole for the propane line. The utility room seems to be closed tightly now - almost? Google did say they only live 3-6 months. Great! Then I may have a dead vole in the house. OR, it may go back outside if we get warm weather? R is assuring me he will finish the water before he leaves; he expects to leave for Montreal tomorrow. I assured him it would be OK to only have cold water again and forget installing the washing machine. We'll see. I can continue to use it in the K. It was not the water pressure that made it take so long to fill; the water was not totally turned on under the sink. There may be a very fine line between "thorough" or "perfectionist", and OCD. He is clearly enjoying the process in spite of pressure to get back to the city. Meanwhile, I cook meals, delete emails and write a few, do internet, read, and brought in lots of wood today. The temperature is dropping like a rock; expecting -20C tonight. It is already down to 11F/-11C and I can feel it coming through the walls. Keeping the fire hot without overheating the chimney has me bouncing up and down. Finally got it through my thick skull that the stove door needs a new gasket but I will need a warm spell to let the stove go out so I can replace that. I vacuumed this morning because it was unbearable; it is now unbearable again - sawdust everywhere and I am wearing protective mask most of the day. And the air cleaner running. Actually saw a bit of blue sky before the sun set!! |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 02 Jan 16 - 10:44 PM Beaver: First time I have had a signal in about 3 days! It is not in my nature to be less than kind to the voles, mice, etc. Speaking with a friend yesterday, she said, "They are tame" and told me of a vole who would sit next to her as she, an artist, painted. I am not, however, trying to encourage them and hope that when R finishes the bathroom they will be excluded. My reasoning behind giving them seeds was to get them to go down under the house so they are not inside when the holes are closed. Amazingly, I just asked R to put down under the stash I found in a box. He insists that, as there are no teeth marks on the choc covered almonds, a human must have put them in that box full of totally non-food stuffs. This is an Alice in wonderland moment! He flatly refuses to put them under the floor, says they are good to eat! I shall have to sneakily disappear them. I may not be mean to voles but I am not eating after them! A week down and I have a drain back in the K sink. R had to take up part of the floor in the utility room because it was really wonky. Found broken, but not rotten, underpinnings, another day's work. Some of the new water lines are in place. He thought the whole job would take a day or two! I bring in stove wood and make good meals, And look forward to the house being clear of the chaos of on-going work - and, of course, running water, she says hopefully. I find it hard to think about anything serious in the midst of this mess. But now that I have a signal, maybe I can manage a couple things. |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: LilyFestre Date: 02 Jan 16 - 04:19 PM We took the Christmas tree down and are really liking the open space it gives in the living room so it is going to stay that way. I am beginning a new yoga program on Monday and this gives me a lovely open space to stretch and do my yoga. :) I made ham and bean soup last night but didn't have any until just now. YUM. It's snowing here...and sticking....for the first time this season and I think homemade soup on a day like today is absolutely perfect (with grilled cheese, of course). I'm down 2.8 pounds this week. That means I was able to take off almost 18 pounds in the trifecta of food holidays and I am most happy with myself! :) Michelle :) |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 02 Jan 16 - 03:27 PM There are a number of leftover items that are being combined into a small pot of beans for lunches next week. Papers accumulated from last year (saved monthly - receipts, bills, statements, etc) are put away and the new year's file set up. Some of my previously identifiable stacks of paper were shuffled over the holidays and now I'm sorting, filing, or shredding what I come across. After several years of sorting, puttering, buying and selling, I can look around and see a lot more open space through out most of the house. I started with a glut of stuff that came from family estates and have donated and sold a lot of it. After the kids moved out for college I similarly down-sized stuff they aren't using and have said I can dispose of. Every year we have newcomers to the threads who report their personal progress. Often they were lurking, keeping track of tips and progress in these threads for personal inspiration. On occasion, they took the job on in one big move and completed it in short time. I'm hoping we'll have the same kind of reports this year. |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: LilyFestre Date: 02 Jan 16 - 12:04 AM Today was busy...the tree is down, a few things were crossed off the To Do list, I made homemade beef vegetable soup and a large pot of ham and bean soup which will be split up and put in the freezer tomorrow. About the No Spend Challenge.....yes, I'm sure it is MUCH more beneficial the longer you can do it. For us, it's new and we'll take it one month at a time. :) It's not just about money, it's about using what you have on hand, especially with groceries. I'm not looking at it so much as deprivation but really, as a challenge. :) I'm off to make up our bed.....fresh polar fleece sheets from the dryer....YUM....SO snuggly!!! XOXOXO Michelle |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 31 Dec 15 - 07:56 PM Michelle had a great post at the end of the last thread, and I didn't want to move it out of place but I think it is a great message to post early in this thread: Today I had my port flushed and I was a bit worried as I am about 3 weeks past when it should have been done. Welcome to the joy of a one car family. Initially it wouldn't flush and I have to say I am amazed at how fast panic sits up and roars in my chest....thankfully, the nurse had the needle in at the wrong angle and it was easily fixed. Good flush and great blood return. I looked for "No Spend Challenge" and found a lot of articles from earlier in the year. I found a blog about saving a whole lot over about 15 months (not just one month - she feels the longer you can go, the better). This guy thought a month was probably too short and had some observations about future attempts. Here are some tips for managing a 30 day no spending challenge. I think this is an interesting idea, and today I did shop, but only for the thing that were already on my shopping list. I'll read through some of these tips and see if I can make it through as they suggest. As a gardener, my freezer and pantry shelves are loaded with last summer and fall's produce. That's a great starting place. Some eggs, flour, milk, and the rest in the freezer and let's see what happens. |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: GUEST, ^*^ Date: 31 Dec 15 - 07:13 PM Shopping ahead of this holiday isn't too difficult; last minute shoppers are mostly out getting booze, the grocery and craft stores were quite civilized. This week I set about hanging some framed art, and matting some art that needing hanging. I'll have to find a new source of large sheets of mat boards, Michaels now keeps the large ones in back for themselves and out front only sells the smaller, thinner sheets in a few colors. Pulling frames (purchased at garage and estate sales for pennies on the dollar) out of one of my hall linen cupboard cabinets means I'll now have room to store something else (but who know what that might be?) in that spot. I have enough wall space for most of what I want to hang, though with the wood panelling in the den, I need to suspend wires from the picture rail (it is easier in some ways, but I need a ladder to reach the rail). This is one of those houses that from the outside is one simple story, but inside looks bigger and has a higher ceiling than one might expect. Not quite a Tardis, though. |
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Subject: RE: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: Stilly River Sage Date: 31 Dec 15 - 02:05 PM Starting the year with some reading: From Quartz I'll admit it: "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" actually changed my life (A breakup story that led to clearing out and decluttering.) From Don Aslett Clutter's Last Stand (My favorite text on the subject - he has several titles you might find useful.) And in case you wondered, there is an OCD aspect that takes things too far. |
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Subject: Yet More Clutter's Last Stand Jan - Mar 2016 From: GUEST, Don Aslett's Acolyte Date: 31 Dec 15 - 12:47 PM The Oct-Dec 2015 thread Here we are at the beginning of a new year with new lists of things to do and plenty of old lists needing tweaking. I'll provide no summing up of the last year because it is really only yesterday or last week or last month - all positions from which we looked forward. And still do. Onward! |
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