Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Senoufou
Date: 17 Jan 18 - 01:12 PM

It's interesting to hear about rubbish collection and removal in other places.
We have three wheelie bins and all have strict rules about what can and can't go in them:-

   - a brown one for garden waste, no sticks or branches over a certain diameter, no stones or lumps of wood.
   - a black one for recyclables such as glass bottles, tins, plastic containers (milk, cooking oil, ice-cream tubs etc), paper and cardboard
   - a green one for landfill stuff

We have many urban foxes, rats, mice and feral cats etc which used to get their noses into the old large plastic sacks, and spread the rubbish far and wide. Now they can't do that.
The bins can weigh quite a bit and I have to get my trusty husband to trundle the correct one out the front for me. But they have inbuilt wheels, so it isn't as hard as it sounds.

Does anyone on here get furious (as I do!) about the totally MAD amount of plastic used for wrapping up food in supermarkets? Even onions, potatoes and nuts are sealed in plastic. Meat can have two or three layers if one includes the outer tray. No wonder the oceans are awash with the stuff.
In the early fifties, I can remember that NOTHING was wrapped like this. One bought vegetables loose from the greengrocer, and meat at the butcher's was cut in front of you, then wrapped in white paper, as were loaves of bread. Our metal 'dustbin' was only for ashes from the coal fire!
There's a move afoot recently to reduce all this pollution. It can't come soon enough for me!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: ketchdana
Date: 18 Jan 18 - 01:46 AM

"Let's recycle" sung by the McCalmans. Fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a01x9PXN5dI

..Bob

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Charmion
Date: 18 Jan 18 - 09:41 AM

Yes, the amount of plastic packaging is mad. On the other hand, that awful plastic film keeps fruit, veg, meat and baked goods clean, and easier to handle at the check-out counter as long as the cashier can be prevented from flinging one's carefully bagged fragile comestibles. If our society insists on marketing food as if apples and animal parts were widgets made of stainless steel, then plastic film is essential to the maintenance of even the pretense of food safety.

People talk a lot about food poisoning and fret noisily about botulism and E.Coli contamination, but the actual incidence of food-borne disease has declined radically in industrialized nations over the last century. That's mostly attributable to public health inspections, vigorous prosecutions when negligence is found, and widespread use of impermeable food packaging.

There is such a thing as biodegradable plastic film; I've seen it in several Ontario grocery chains. I have a nasty, sneaking feeling, however, that it is more expensive than the bog-standard kind, and I know from messy experience that it is not as strong.

The Ottawa "solid waste" (i.e., garbage) system is so complex that the city distributes leaflets and calendars to every single municipal address to ensure that people know what is collected and when. I suspect that every household that manages its garbage competently has a member who has accepted the role of Garbage Guru, and spends anywhere up to an hour a week rounding up and sorting debris.

The collection and composting of animal waste -- everything from chicken bones to dog droppings -- was one of the city's most debated programs, second only to the construction of a multi-billion-dollar light rail system that includes a tunnel under most of downtown.

In Stratford, garbage is a little simpler, but not much. We have plenty of raccoons in this neighbourhood and a large community of crows, so I am just as particular about garbage management in this leafy small-town suburb as I was in the big city.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Senoufou
Date: 18 Jan 18 - 10:15 AM

The thing is, most of the vegetables will be peeled first and then cooked. The fruit will be well washed before eating. Meat will be cooked. I can see that, say, bread will need to have some sort of cover, as it may not be heated before eating. Similarly ham or tongue.

Our milk came in glass bottles which one later washed for the milkman to collect. They were refilled at the dairy.

But decades ago, we had a nice compost heap where the peelings went.
We never became ill from food poisoning. In fact, I'd say we were healthier in those days than people are nowadays.

I'm so tempted to do what has been suggested on 'green' websites, and after passing through the checkout, unwrapping/removing all the plastic junk and leaving it for the supermarket to deal with! It amounts to absolute piles and piles from a single visit.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Senoufou
Date: 18 Jan 18 - 10:25 AM

By the way, loved that McCalmans' song Bob!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Jan 18 - 04:13 PM

Ohio:

The trash processes here are about halfway between easiest and worst. Two big bins. Robotic arms pick up the bins weekly, into mega-trucks too big for our little streets. One is for recycling.

They distrubuted guidelines as rules when they transitioned from 'human-handles/sorts one small bin' to this robotic approach.... they threatened that if you recycled stuff not on the list of authorized items, they'd leave the whole bin curbside, not emptied. Not ticketing us, but massively inconveniencing us.

While I was away, apparently citizen pushback occurred. Now its pretty much, "Just NO styrofoam, people!" They adapted to US-- because WE are their source for income-producing material. In kindness to them and the longevity of their sorting/processing machinery, I do disassemble boxes thst process as misc paper-- not only large cereal boxes but tiny raisins boxes.

Never once have they left anyone's bin, in this big little neighborhood, un-emptied. Hmpf! :-)

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Jan 18 - 04:40 PM

Beaver:
Since I obtained the new modem, I have rarely been able to use it here. The old one could be put up in a window to catch a signal but this plugs into the computer. Useful in Montreal but not here! I am seeking a new system and a friend suggested a local company which tells me that in a few months there might be service on my road. Very local! When I asked where they were located, I had just driven past it on the way to and fro mechanic. She told me she also goes to Pete! (about 6 minutes away.) I have been taking vehicles to Pete for 32 years, but not the years I lived away. I missed him then.

Happy to come home to a warm bathroom - where all the pipes are warmed by a small electric heater. When it was SO cold, I asked a neighbour to check- just in case. If the pipes broke, the pump would spew water until it burned out! So, Sue happily informed me that all was well!! However, the door to the studio had blown open due to heavy winds. All the plants and clay... Oh well.

Car did not wake up on Saturday after minus 26 C night. Neighbour Larry came to rescue but could not start it; But he did leave it to charge from his car for about 15 min while we had a cup of tea. He doubted it would help and went home. After a bit, I went out to close the hood. He had disconnected one of the terminals. So, I put it back on with a "why not give it a try" attitude and -it started right off. I was able to do errands after leaving a second voice mail to friends canceling the first one - a request to send out an email to the group to try for a ride to a Celebration of Life on Sunday! I got through the next few days, and am still, doing errands then disconnecting overnight. The mechanic thinks he fixed it but the nature of electrical problems has me still disconnecting so I can get running the next day. The day Larry charged it, we found their were small lights on even when the key was not in the ignition!

I emailed #2 son a request for a phone consult re my concern that this car may be reaching the end. I could have made payments on a new one for several months for what I have spent on it the last three. Well, having written that - maybe that is not too bad, if this run of repairs does not continue.

I came back to Beaver on 9th after having to wait out snow storms in Montreal. SO glad to be back: warm house, friends, fresh air and the exercise of bringing in the fire wood. The latter is wonderful exercise and I really detest "made up exercise". I also clear snow off back deck almost daily. There was quite a bit when I arrived; wonderful neighbour had cleared driveway! Then we had rain which uncluttered a great deal, but not all. But two above freezing days were welcome. Each one is a gift. I am hoping the next couple - on the weekend- will warm the studio enough for me to feel inclined to pot, which I have not done since early October.

Trying to get back to a modified Keto diet. A friend lost 25 pounds with NO wheat, dairy or sugar! What a challenge! She looks terrific. I have trouble with the no dairy but I am beginning to see that cheese causes me to cough; of course, it builds up mucous and my throat is constantly tickled into coughing.

Being here has many advantages. The nature of the uncluttered house, in which I can stay organized while keeping warm; the uplifting views, the sense of being home, the freedom to run to town (4-5 minutes, going into shops where I know staff and they know me. This is a generally friendly community where folks smile and greet each other even if they do not know who!

I finally gave up and took the computer to the library on Tuesday and shall do so again, maybe tomorrow. The air made me cough but I put on my mask and stopped. I love to go out on the back deck and just breathe in the wonderful air.

I am still lobbying gently for a better house in Quebec so I can spend more time with R. He has eaten up the food I left for him. I do not intend to go back there until the weather warms. He is not home much but it has been about 48F in the house. No fun getting up in the morning!

I have still not gotten into sewing. Waiting for .... I hope to surprise myself by just starting. I did not have to put Christmas things away because we never got them out! R was so tired we did almost nothing.

So, while I have finally managed to get in here: This am I managed to do the ironing for the last ten years, more or less. Not a lot but finally done and put away! Came to A Place for the Arts to use my modem. warm and friendly. Just about freezing today. Wonder what tomorrow will be!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Jan 18 - 05:10 PM

Auntie Soup is happily exhausted from joyous, spontaneous playtime with brilliant 2-year-old Gavin (and modeling nonviolent discipline for daddy)-- fun!

It had been a long time since the last folkbaby sat in my lap... and aside from the fun of finally meeting my helper's son, it was a good chance to gauge my current fitness for childcare (and the house's fitness too.) I had lots of fun and creative things readily avsilable to hold happy interest. Not toys. Real THINGS hed never seen.

Potential housemate issues with his daddy were identified, named, and worked out. However, Tyler needs to stay in Dayton for work, and I need the jazz room as a daily setting spot-- but it would also be fine if something changed and he used that room. (Of course, it's still a guest room, and he'd be a guest.)

I was definitely right that past housemate issues have arisen largely from not physically being here for an actual trial period, when each of the previous incumbents moved in.

S~

Subject: Artwork Planning
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Jan 18 - 05:56 PM

Ohio:

One of my designated hats to wear in Ohio is to be the "Merge" team/decorator. And I shop the PA house for decor. (Google that TV progran.)

When we married/blended kids/started in another rectory, my tastes kinda got squished under his tastes plus the house's rental limitations. Here-- I get to make us a home, and finally blend beautifully what we both love into this house made just for us.

I'm thinking about artwork today. Nothing of real value-- framed prints and posters mostly.

I'd been picturing two particular favorites together in the LR on one wall-- love the wall color and assumed they'd harmonize on that color. WRONG!!

These two look hideous together! But the frame sizes kinda work here and we have other pieces in that size to pull from. That Renoir print that looks awful here needs to live either in the loo, my office, or our bedroom over the dresser. And with that realization, I can suddenly see our whole artwork plan. Here it is.

Each Ohio room has one large potential art wall, with room for two big pieces and several smaller ones set among the bigger ones. Each room also has a small area for an arrangement of 2-3 smalls. Many of the rooms have already have nails in the right places-- eerily superb.

We will have to rotate pieces within each room seasonally, to enjoy all the ones we love-- but I was worried that we had more than the house can hold. They can stay right in their assigned rooms-- one set, up on the wall, and the alternate-season set, slid behind furniture-- won't need to go into the garage at
all!!!

All I'll need to do is label each item when I pack, to go into the parallel room here. The wall colors differ some-- but all go together well. I'm ready now to bring it all down in May.

Exceptions-- Hardi's gold-framed degrees and certificates I've been worrying about can be treated that way in either his sewing room or on the wall on his side of our bed. Family photos now in the PA DR can go above our headboard.

Sculptures/3D items-- the sellers of this place left, of all things, 3 pretty cube-cubbies that hang on the wall. Add a sculpture on top, a small knick-knack inside-- boom! Interest and texture and shape variety, scattered between framed items. (Hardi has a woodshop to duplicate more!)

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jan 18 - 01:46 AM

My work this week has been technology-driven; an outage in the neighborhood that the Internet cable company didn't recognize as an outage meant that I went and bought a new modem because the customer service office person did their test and said it was my modem. My router was blinking out lately so I got both. Only to learn the problem was the cold contracting the lines so much that a fitting at the pole in the yard next to mine pulled apart. But since I have the new equipment, it's in for now. I like the router interface a lot more than on previous models and the modem is just another modem, same protocol (Docsis 3.0) - amazing how devices with no moving parts can wear out, but apparently the connections inside are made of very thin wires or printed circuits and they burn out after a while. I'd had the previous modem long enough that it was due to die one of these days.

Paper inventory and organization improved for a while there, but got out of control again during the week. Round two this weekend.

I also liked your song, Bob. Are you a lurker here or did you come across a good song and go looking for a place to park it?

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jan 18 - 03:24 PM

The U.S. Federal government non-essential employees are not going back to work until the House and Senate agree on several bills. The Post Office is self-funded so our mail will continue to arrive and shipping will be possible. The main thing that will be put on hold is the IRS - and I've prepared to file my taxes early. That will have to wait till a budget is approved. If any of our participants are U.S. federal employees they will have some free time to work on these projects (and here's hoping there is back pay at the end of these days of political turmoil.)

Thank goodness the cold temperatures have moved out of the region; I've had yard work waiting on good weather and my improved health. Today I'll start out by trimming out all of the dead asparagus fronds and moving some soil into the depressed area where the fill is settling in over the new sewer line.

I hope some of our lurkers will drop in and tell us what they're up to. New blood is always welcome!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jan 18 - 12:18 PM

Yesterday I did several loads of laundry - I used more bulky clothes during the cold spell but I didn't like doing chores that brought me in contact with moisture, it just makes you feel colder. There were a number of mid-layer garments (shirts or sweaters) that are now back in the closet, no longer lying on the trunk or chair in my room in case I decide I need something to take the chill off. The bedroom looks like it's had a makeover.

I need to do another donation run since the bin in the laundry room is filling. I find this a particularly useful way to clear stuff out of the house. Once I've decided an item will be donated it stays there, out of sight (the lid is opaque, the sides translucent), until I notice through the sides that the bin has filled up.

The discount grocery I visit had a good selection in the produce warehouse yesterday; I was out of poblano peppers in the freezer, they had nice salad greens, and I loaded up on several fruits. The trick now is to use these fresh items fast enough that they don't become compost contributions due to neglect.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Jan 18 - 04:03 PM

Beaver:

YAY!!!!! I did it! I did it! I actually vacuumed the whole (little) house and then left to come to the grocery store that offers free wifi! Dual purpose: escape the dust and use the internet. Also did a load of heavy clothes this am that are hanging in the house - much nicer in this weather. The jan Thaw has been wonderful, enabled me to go out to back-back shed and find hepa filter for shop vac and clean it. It is due to end in a couple more days and dump a new load of white stuff.

Feeling caught up. Well, still no sewing... But feeling stronger each day and was able to go out last night to hear wonderful Bobby Dove. Now back is tired of sitting here so I shall go home to finish one of the 3 "seven day" books on the pile. And think about the next thing to complete. One bag went to thrift shop this week, another is started.

I was doing a good job of eating good stuff, not bad stuff. But spent the aft nibbling cookies and cashews. Home for veggies and chicken.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Jan 18 - 06:17 AM

Yay DP!

Ohio:

PTSD after an oral surgeon visit years ago (people died in that chair) = no dentists for 30 years. Great teeth genes (no significant cavities), but gum issues.

Finally found great PA dentist/practice who can work w that-- a week b4 getting on the road. Made March appt for major gum job.

Oops! Not in time for two particular teeth-- may lose 'em b4 appt. Joy of living in 2 places! Not worth 7 hour drive for teeth past saving!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: billybob
Date: 22 Jan 18 - 08:35 AM

Been reading your posts for many months, I think I did pop in a thought a few months back, so as it is a new year here I am. Two years ago my mother died, she moved in with us 6 years ago and after settling her in a lovely room serrounded by her precious bits and bobs , everything else went into big boxes and into the loft. Putting the Christmas decorations away I looked at mum's boxes and thought the time is here to start going through everything. I started with a box full of discs that Father had transferred all the families home films and photos onto. Thousands of slide photos (which are in boxes in a blankèt box in one of my bedrooms) and years of family history. We spent a happy evening with my daughter and grandchildren yesterday watching them , how lovely to watch the children watch and listen to the voices of their great grandparents, Bunny had told me recently she couldnt remember Nanny's voice.
So one box out of the loft,and kept, about 12 to go!Lots of paintings and certificates in frames.Suitcases full of books that can go to the hospice bookshop after I have looked through them. Now I have joined this group I have no excuse, time to begin?

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jan 18 - 09:42 PM

billybob, good start! And though 12 more boxes doesn't sound like a lot compared to the housefuls some of us are looking at, that family material is probably densely-packed heavy lifting.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: billybob
Date: 23 Jan 18 - 07:26 AM

Yes Acme there are some very heavy boxes that may have to be unloaded in situ. One is full of brass candle sticks, horse brasses and a Victorian fireplace set that belonged to my grandmother. I have thought I might polish it and put it in our fireplace.Luckily the loft is in the eves of the house so there is a door from my bedroom. no ladders!When the weather gets better I shall get Bill to tackle the garage, we did empty it 2 years ago but it has accumulated lots of "stuff" again. Bills idea of throwing away is stage 1 from house to garage stage 2 when garage is full, local tip, or hire a skip.Out of sight out of mind!
My father never threw anything away, when he died at 91 he still had all his railway season tickets from when he commuted daily to London and all his old cheque books!I have all his RAF ties and cap and his medals , I think it is time to get them framed and give them to my son.
So this weekend I shall venture into the loft and see what I can find, somewhere in the box of framed things is an original copy of the Times of London telling of the death of Lord Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar and mother kept all the Newspapers for George VI Coronation and the abdication of Edward the VIII.There is also a huge book that celebrated Queen Victoria's Coronation. I am looking forward to seeing what I can find not sure how much will be disposed of though ?

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Charmion
Date: 23 Jan 18 - 11:58 AM

Today, I took screwdriver in hand and proceeded to remove the ugly, ill-fitting Venetian blinds from the study and guest room windows.

I'm on a roll.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Jan 18 - 02:45 PM

Go CHARMION!!!

Ohio:

It's official as of last night's parish annual meeting: Hardi is now contemplating an actual date to retire, and will announce it when he's ready.

This modifies so many of my Ohio plans! For one thing, it changes a lot of the May truckload contents, and that means getting a jump on my clothing storage here.

The timing is excellent-- all my laundry is done and folded. I've got a good sense now of getting dressed in my actual bedroom-- not possible in the 2-story PA house, where I've been dressing in the cold, small bathroom for 23 years.

Here's my new clothing storage plan:

Narrow 3-drawer antique dresser-- that will sit either in the LR as it does in PA, or preferably in the alcove outside the master BR. This will hold accessories for going out, and emergency off-season basic outfits because the master BR closet may not hold all seasons' items-- they may need to rotate via garage storage. (I have zippered wardrobes to keep them fresh, which successfully housed camping linens for 2+ years.)

Low, wide BR dresser-- dailywear for housework/gardening/errands, which can be folded; undies and nighties for all occasions. This will free up closet rod space.

The closet presently has an upper and a lower rod, with deep shelf between and another shelf in thrre up at ceiling height. No doors-- curtains (as I prefer). I'm only using the lower, now, and it's jam packed-- because the upper is too high for me (and therefore suited to some offseason storage).

Until last September, there was no BR dresser. All my stuff was in a tiny alcove dresser (4 child-sz drawers)... in plastic drawers on the low closet shelf... and on the low closet rod.

In September, the housemates who departed left a dresser I'll replace, in May, with one currently holding kingbed linens in PA. But altho the drawer depths are a tad different, no reason I can't train myself to use it NOW the same way I'll use it when #1Son/DIL unload MY dresser! Cuz my closet's making me NUTS, I have more here now than fits in there, and madame likes leisurely boudoir dressing so much!

So-- since life in Ohio facilitates female friendships, as well of course as social stuff w Hardi, I do stuff here with friends at least twice a week. And since the grocery, etc are a short scooter-ride away, I'm shopping every few days instead of twice a month. That means I want my dresser to facilitate OUT more than staying IN.

TMI:

Current dresser configuration is a bit different; instead of deep, wide drawers, it has shallower drawers; narrow ones on the left and 2x wider ones on the right.

L top: panties and socks

R top: bras and eventually slips/shapewear


L middle: shirts, flat

R middle: shorts, jeans


L lower: playtime and pretty nighties

R lower: cotton nighties, loungewear. Roll heavier loungewear and stack nighties.

......

Now that I know the dresser layout that will best support our Ohio lifestyle, I can start the switch, and transform the closet a little at a time.

Yaaaaay!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Jan 18 - 04:00 PM

All clean laundry plus one plastic closet drawer-- in dresser. Almost exactly as planned!


L lower: gardening/grub shirts

(playtime and pretty nighties all fit with other items in R lower)

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 24 Jan 18 - 06:26 PM

Beaver:
23 January
3 inches of beautiful snow followed by freezing rain last night and today - thawing in the 30'sF. I have cleared the back deck and the wood pile area, tried to put the wood covering in a useful manner to avoid trouble when the next snow comes. Had to go out the back door and around to the front as the snow and freezing rain precluded opening the front screen door; OK now. cleared front and around car. R removed the back screen door in Dec. Snow is melting well. Road seems to be plowed up the hill but not from here out to the more main road (peculiar). I could get out but no reason; tonight's meeting (horticultural society and for once I had prepared for the "competition", a nice succulent/moss affair) canceled. I have lots of wood inside in prep for --whatever comes next. And plenty of food.

Wrote a letter to editor and was concerned about sending it. Went out to car to peruse road and decided to see if modem would work outside. It did! So emails were sent and received. Came in and dealt with new ones and went out and sent new batch! Great! It has been SO frustrating to be out of touch, having to drive somewhere to get a signal. So, I can sit in house and write, go out and send - maybe - as long as it is not precipitating! On a sunny day, the car would be warmish; we have only seen the sun for short periods about once a week since - I don't remember when!

In Montreal, R reports a flat screen TV which has been sitting around for a couple years - in the box! is now installed and working in the - warm! - BR. "Richie did it". Richie may be on the Spectrum; no social skills but smart. Now R can fall asleep watching TV and wake up to the news. Arghhh! Not if I am there. He talked about putting the other one in LR. Yep, when one did not work, he bought another one. Now we know why de-cluttering that house is ....

Well, life is cosy here and a nice veggie stew is on the stove burbling. 2pm - brunch! Cannot believe I accomplished all that on a handful of delicious German cookies. None left so I can get back on track after a "way out there" day yesterday.   

Today:
Have found that sometimes I get a signal outdoors; it was warmer yesterday and I was able to send off emails. Today - Brry -10C. So I came to Foodland. What a misnomer! There is very little in here that I consider food due to chemicals,....

Happy that eating everything in sight plus working really hard on snow and wood - I may have lost a couple pounds - enough to encourage a better effort.

Did a bit of straightening up in studio today and have a couple small sewing projects lined up, and machine on table. That's a start.
1

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jan 18 - 09:34 PM

The cold weather really torqued up my appetite - I keep track on MyFitnessApp and while I'm doing okay on calcium and sodium (most days), the calories are over the top several days a week. As it warms up I'll get back to my old self; there's no point in beating up on yourself when your metabolism is responding to the weather.

My energy is gradually returning after that virus hit a couple of weeks ago. The garden got some attention last weekend, and yesterday I worked my way through the entire house with a broom to chase the dog hair out of corners and crevices. Losing a dog this winter didn't affect the amount of hair - the pitbull had a simple short coat and didn't shed at all compared to the lab and the blue heeler.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Charmion
Date: 25 Jan 18 - 09:09 AM

Okay, fellow declutterers, please consider the problem of electronic debris for a minute.

I found a beer box full of cables, connectors, docking stations and other computer-related doohickeys last night. Each item is carefully packaged in a zip-lock bag, so I must have decided once upon a time that this stuff was worth keeping; today, not so much.

Sell? Freecycle? Trash?

Opinions?

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: mg
Date: 25 Jan 18 - 02:04 PM

Many thrift stores take them. Or if you feel like it, they can sometimes bring in a few bucks on ebay. Feng shui people say they store bad energy in a house.

I am down to almost nothing but i am finally admitting i will never ever learn one song from my fiddle book so i am donating it and a few cds to rainycamp auction..camp this weekend.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Jan 18 - 02:06 PM

Beaver (via library!)

Charmion: Stratford must have a place for such things. Maybe phone a couple smaller computer places? A couple years ago I bought a CD from Apple to upgrade computer then gave it to small computer outfit; Patricia said she could use it. I am considering giving her all the odds and sods of cables, etc. If she is willing!

Yep, Maggie! minus 20C this am and choc chip cookies... I also seem to need the house a few degrees warmer - 70F rather than 66. If I keep that in mind, I may not ingest so much sugar.

Oddly, I am happier doing wood and snow than getting into the sewing. Love the fresh air! Due for above freezing weekend, then snow. So nice to have the option of a warm home!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Jan 18 - 10:50 AM

It's an unexpected day off for me today after hurrying around to clean the glass on my SUV at the gas station last night and tripping over the hose in the tank. It was a slow-motion unceremonious toppling over that wrenched one ankle and this morning I can also feel it in that hip and in the opposite knee. I have a very long walk from my car to my building at work and didn't want to get half-way there and find I couldn't walk further on it. Step just wrong and it really smarts, but I have plenty of low-impact declutter activities around here for today and the weekend.

Charmion, I weed out extra old cables every so often and used to donate them to Goodwill, which has an e-waste recycling component to the company. These days I take expired devices and extra cables to work where we have a large rolling gray bin for e-waste, including batteries. The university has a contract with a company that collects this (bins in several buildings, I lobbied hard to get one in my building!), including things we bring in from home, and the company refurbishes and reuses things that can be fixed. The rest is stripped and recycled as wire, plastic, glass, etc. I took in a lot of VHS tapes, but now I find that people still buy even the used ones as "blanks" on eBay. And many of the small cables and devices - sell them as working, or for repair or parts. I can even illustrate why those old bits are sold there:

Last week my dozen-year-old HP laserjet printer was acting up, and I printed the self-diagnostic sheet. I never look at those, but this time I skimmed the list and realized this printer has a DIMM slot that I'd never put any memory in. Typically if I print something like a PDF or article with photos it takes it a minute of humming before the output between each sheet. I found the right card on eBay for $6.64, including shipping. New, sealed in it's anti-static container. This little 64MB SDRAM card is not the largest available, but it will considerably speed up any printing I do. As long as there are people like me keeping old devices up and running, we will need parts for them.

Dorothy, I also love those out-door chores, as long is it isn't so cold or windy that my eyes do nothing but tear up and make my face chapped. A northern climate in winter would be difficult for me these days. I don't remember if I mentioned recently trimming out all of last year's asparagus shoots, but the garden looks tidier and I'll be able to spot the new ones as they emerge. There's more to do out there but I typically use my right foot on the shovel or spade fork and that's the ankle I twisted, so that will wait a few days.

Subject: Tidy or Organized?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Jan 18 - 11:03 AM

Ohio:

The 'tidiness' cycle vs being 'organized'?

For a number of health and other reasons, this little house can be untidy-looking pretty quick. (For instance, when we're no longer paying utilities on two houses, I look forward to occasional, inexpensive kid help in the living areas).

But despite some tidying up on the docket for today, there's a small project I've been itching to do. Since I woke up knowing exactly how to go about it (finally), I started by looking for tools and hardware-- some of which got relocated to the garage, right at the end of the Fall visit here.

I was thrilled to find that I'd been smart when I sent stuff to the garage: my little cordless screwdriver and bit case were in a kitchen drawer, right where I expected to find them. Good! There was even a long drywall screw in the bit case, where odd screws left from previous projects are often found.

But-- better-- right next to them in the drawer was a loose handful of the ubiquitous drywall screws every project here seems to use.... the shorter ones best for this project, even!

So I think that tidiness is nice for many reasons, but that being organized is actually more important.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Jan 18 - 03:19 PM

Ohio:

"Why do we give away furniture?"

"Because that's where you'll find some good stuff you've been missing!"

;-) Of course, the real reason is because it helps someone, like the mom getting custody back, whose daughter's room that sweet little dresser will grace. Bye, dresser. I loved you! Have a great new life!

But I can't hekp being tickled to teclsim these items long stored in the camper, thst i cannuse now:

. THREE ultra-lightweight, woven cotton nighties with eyelet trim
. One knit, heavy cotton nightie suitable for stomach flu
. One sexy, black satin nightie
. One satin peignoir belt like the one I use to hold my jeans up-- was just wishing for a 2nd!!!
. One filmy leisure "bra" someone snuck in there (and I'm sure I know who).
. A satin twin sheet with lace trim to use for a sewing project.
. A red plaid print, longsleeved knit nightgown for cold winters (so now I have two!)

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Jan 18 - 10:56 AM

This morning I bagged the slender strips of frozen poblano peppers that I picked up last week to add to the freezer. They first go in on large baking sheets and when they're bagged it's possible to pull out as many as I want instead of breaking a piece from a large brick of peppers. To be efficient I need to now remember that those peppers are in there. In the past I've printed out a list of the freezer contents and left it on the front as a reminder. Since I recently defrosted and organized this is possible again.

The postal carrier just stopped by and I handed over an eBay parcel. I made enough in sales this month to pay a couple of smaller monthly bills, and I use the PayPal account to pay for any personal shipping and some online purchases. It may not be as charismatic as Bitcoin, but it does the job. I'm set up to do some more eBay listings today.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Jan 18 - 01:14 PM

Beaver, via A Place for the Arts:

Thinking the library might be crowded on a Saturday (am I hopeful?), using the modem here instead of the free wifi there. Get to say hello to a few folks who wander in, bagged a payment for bottle of supplements I left for a local artist some months ago! In the spring, I shall go look at his painting ($600) that I would love to have. Might have the money by May. Amazingly quiet in here for a saturday. Not many tourists in town in January!

Yesterday was the anniversary of the broken ankle. I am careful, very careful not to hurry or make any sudden moves. Every step with mindfulness! So happy to be able to walk normally - only in the last few weeks. Most of my life I moved full tilt ahead. I do not want anything else to break!

I managed to un-lose that couple pounds, some of it anyway. Discovered these wonderful cookies ... Today is a new beginning! Maybe tomorrow will be also.

Thankful for the exercise of bringing in wood! Did a bunch this am and then covered well in case of rain. Still waiting for the spirit to move me in the sewing dept. Maybe today?

Days ARE getting longer! We are having another thawing day. Unusual number of thaw days in January.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Jan 18 - 12:37 PM

The upcoming week promises to be a challenging one (several of my charts are being audited) so I am decluttering the fridge today and making all kinds of food so I don't have to worry about prepping and cooking after what will likely be an exhausting week. I have a pot roast in the crock pot, cheesy vegetable soup will soon be simmering and I have a bunch of summer squash to use up so I'm making Zoodles to go with some spaghetti sauce and meatballs, maybe some sausage.

Tonight our church is having a Singspiration that I am looking forward to. Pete will play his guitar and I will be playing my ukulele. It's going to be a fun evening with a great group of people!

No real decluttering going on here this week....I imagine next week, after a good long sleep and the audit behind me, I may just take a weekday off to have the house to myself and work on the things I think need the most attention. For now, I'll settled for pre-packed lunches and breakfasts and my clothes all lined up to go so I can hit the ground running tomorrow morning. :)

I love my job, even though this past week and upcoming week are somewhat stressful! :) I just wish I had a little more free time and energy to complete all the things I THINK I should have already done! *shrug* :)

Have a great week everyone!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Jan 18 - 03:03 PM

Ohio:

Now that Hardi's retirement clock is finally audibly ticking, its time to start actually re-purposing some stuff in the house to see if things'll actually work the way I envisioned when we furnished the little house as a camp.

What style do I actually LIKE? Thats easy-- Frank Lloyd Wright mansion with supermodern simplicity. I wish! How do we actually live within an accessible footprint we can afford? Answer: real stuff with memory stories, in a Crazy Quilt design proportioned to the footprint. Not a fan of matchy-matchy or contemporary furniture. If we could afford it, I still wouldn't buy that stuff.

There've been some indications of this direction. There are two mirrored "faux windows" on nails the sellers had left. On the day I opened the house with a few pieces of furniture now 4 years ago, I hung quilted placemats as faux valances everyone loved. Since then... the house looks more colorful than those placemats... which I've loved but am tired of looking at.

Now, I have a pile of colorful fashion scarves, which look great draped there instead. They "go"-- but don't match--and I can swap them around anytime I pull one off to wear.

Living here so much of the year has caused many well-loved "first-looks" to evolve just like that.

Today's "lets just check" project will involve some sweat equity:

Measuring the bigger, newer, and bluer rug currently in my office here, I find that yes, it will replace a smaller green LR one as planned (which will then be available as a front door and/or kitchen door mat).

The bigger/bluer rug will have ongoing traffic wear at one corner... which happily turns out to be diagonally opposite to the least-wearing corner, for periodic rotation. All these can be cleaned periodically (out in the patio).

The LR area it will cover extends from abt where the smaller green rug is now, across to near the dining table that is also in the LR. In other words-- again happily-- it won't get a lot of food spills! It will be under recliners in 3 corners to help prevent shifting. A LOT of the existing (stained) beige wall-to-wall carpeting will be covered, and left in place for now.

When finances permit, that old beige carpet and padding will be replaced by laminate flooring, but I much prefer removable rugs to wall-to-wall carpeting. (We might even just keep the existing asphalt tile under the padding, which is a faux cork pattern I like and am about to live with in my office.)

I'm hoping to swap out these rugs myself with zero paid labor, because altho furniture coming in May will sit on it, every spare penny is going towards consumer debt payoff.

After I try getting that rug out from under the library shelving, I'll know if I need to call upon BIL an hour and a half away.

Wish me luck!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Jan 18 - 08:48 PM

Ohio:

Bad news: my mom's antique dresser won't quite fit where I want it (but Plan B is already working).

Great news: BIL and his Boy Scout son are down with helping with a little prep here, before the May 1 truckload lands on the house, so that their brother/uncle (Hardi) can arrive for his August vacation without a Honey Do list waiting for him.

I'm very relieved! Since I re-manufactured 3 squashed pillows today, I expect to sleep well!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Charmion
Date: 29 Jan 18 - 01:02 PM

We have painters in the house again, this time tackling the Pepto-Bismol pink of Himself's horrid office. The walls were so badly damaged by the previous occupants' inept installation of a television and a shelving unit that the first day of work is nothing but plaster repair.

Himself's sister is minding her grandchildren down the road in Waterloo, so we had supper with her last night. Alas, it appears that she intends to maintain a well-established tradition that drives me nuts: she turns out her husband's wardrobe and gives the clothes he doesn't wear to Himself, whose own wardrobe abounds in items he does not wear! I said, several times, that she should donate these unneeded garments to the Sally Ann or the church rummage sale, but both of them literally ignored me; it was as if I had not spoken.

Aaaaagh!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Jan 18 - 12:10 AM

I have a few sheetrock repairs to make around here, with or without a paint job coming up. Most are dings, one is an intentional hole because the carpenter didn't install the cable the way I wanted in the wall between two rooms (a cable to each room, not one that would get a weird loop and somehow be used in both). I had to make room for my hand to fit in to redo the cable. And I know how to fix it, if I ever get around to doing it.

I recently visited the village recycle bins and picked up a sturdy box that was 1/2 full of styrofoam peanuts. I'm using that this evening to list an item I found at the Goodwill that I think will bring in considerably more than I paid for it on eBay. The trick to selling on eBay isn't having the items to sell, it's having the proper packaging to ship the items you're selling. It's always good when the box doesn't cost anything.

The tomato seeds I ordered arrived, now I'm thinking about where I can rig a homemade grow light for them. The greenhouse isn't reliable enough, not very insulated for starting plants this early. It means I'll have to declutter a space to rig up the light and put the pots. And think about weeding the garden in preparation.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Jan 18 - 12:11 PM

Acme, I'll be watching your "where the grow light" goes progress-- space is tight in Ohio. One option I'm considering is a re-purposed full-spectrum fluoro fixture I wired onto a mic stand for vertical sunshine. It will mean a lot of manual rotating of trays of pots, but I like to visit the babies and see the details of what's developing!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Jan 18 - 07:51 PM

Beaver: Catching a signal by the front window!

Charmion! what could stop you from giving those excess clothes to a thrift shop!

Grow lights: trying to determine how soon to start plants or if i shall. Have a nice shelf unit with attached lights in the bathroom! Perfect spot for the job. Too bad I did not use it for the geraniums while I was away after Christmas. Door to the studio blew open and everything froze. One plant in Bath survived and is doing well. Today I bought a $5 orchid (pot broken) and it graces the table in the east window. I needed something flowering as the A. violet is done for now.

I continue to get small things done. Trying really had to eat carefully. The cookie binging was a call to action! Time for a salad!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Jan 18 - 09:35 PM

Ohio:

The dispersal of furniture, etc. continues. One minute I love something so much I never want to let it go, and 5 minutes later I can't wait to say goodbye and bring this little house to our vision for us in it.

Friend Trish is gettin most of those hard-to-let-go pieces-- I've decided I'll ask her for photos of them in their new home, so I can remind myself that they've gone on into somenone else's story. Also departing this weekend is likely to be the weight rack and bench the sellers left in the gaage here; scrap iron prices here are pretty low right now, and I do not have the trailer here. I had thought Hardi would incorporate then into his garage gym, but he says no-- so more gardening equipt room for me, I'll take it! It's fun surprising people with these offers, abd it's good neighboring, plus easier than FreeCycle.

I registered myself today for home services in Ohio with the reputedly stellar local Area Agency on Aging. The thyroid brain fog rollercoaster has me taking a social wokerer friend's advice to et on their list now before it gets too full. Odd feeling, reporting my own need when, as a clergy spouse, I've usually been on the other end of getting someone else onto services. Six weeks till a care manager visits to discuss.

And I filed the paperwork today for Medicare. Who knew I'd BE here?!?!?

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Charmion
Date: 31 Jan 18 - 09:23 AM

Dorothy: Yes, they will go to the Sally Ann as soon as I can open a brown paper bag. What drives me nuts is my dear sister-in-law's refusal to stop buying clothes for her husband who doesn't want them, or to give them to the perfectly good Sally Ann in her own neighbourhood. Why foist them onto us?

Painting continues. Himself's horrible pink office is now the same gentle shade of duck-egg greenish blue (or bluish green) that graces the dining room, and the change reduces the clamour of "God, but I hate that!" rattling around in the sub-basement of my mind. Next is the stairwell, which requires a special ladder. I'm so glad I'm not doing it.

The new curtains are up in the bedroom, and boy do they look great. Thick, cream-coloured inner drapes with sheers made of a soft voile with a herringbone weave, they improve privacy (not that anybody is really looking) and eliminate most of the draught from the windows. Good thing, 'cause they cost the earth.

I have the local cold, and am therefore officially hors de combat. The headache has passed and I'm a little less shaky than I was yesterday, but the cough is reaching for full resonance. It's gonna be no fun for anyone.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 31 Jan 18 - 05:16 PM

That "Tidy People" thing about clear floors kerps coming back to me as I plan decor, which involves using higher sections of the walls than my 1950's upbringing led me in the past.

Visual balance without packing the floor.
Resting points for eyes, in spaces between interesting textures. Oy! I need to see some examples!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Jan 18 - 11:09 PM

I think it might have been the Nate Berkus show that always had some excellent design tips - don't keep things at the same level around the room, or keep all of the furniture against the wall (the furniture is "under arrest" - "up against the wall!) Tall things interspersed among shorter objects. I have a couple of things hanging from the picture rail around my living room and I have some pieces of furniture that are tall alternated with shorter pieces. It is visually more interesting.

This evening I finally made it into my dance studio for an exercise class. I have to learn how to avoid flare-ups of the bursitis in my hips before I go back to the dance classes. After class I headed back to REI to exchange the too-small pack for a larger one. I thought I was going to have to pay more but it was 30% off, nice surprise! North Face with lots of pockets and compartments in the front zip pouch. I need to walk without having to hold straps across my shoulder if I want to get the most out of my fitness tracker, so I'm substituting this pack for my shoulder bag, my messenger bag, and frequently, my lunch bag. The principle behind these trackers is that we move our arms during exercise, primarily swinging them back and forth when we walk. I want a more accurate reading when I'm walking around at work or elsewhere. I have a small long-strapped bag in the pack to use for those times during the day when all I need is my phone and wallet.

I tossed a few more items into the donation bin this week and other unneeded items have been listed on eBay. Wouldn't it be interesting to reach a point when I could live in a small portable house like this.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Feb 18 - 04:24 PM

Thx Acme but what I'm looking for specifically is about going up high on the wall.

~S~

Subject: GOING HIGH WITH DECOR
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Feb 18 - 05:18 PM

Ohio:

So I got WIFI installed tdy and had a little search time. Results:


GOING HIGH WITH DECOR


What I noticed in the ones I liked in the 14 pix I saved is:

. The balance between densely decorated space and sparsely decorated space
. The use of linear visual pathways to organize the eye's tour of the space
. The mix of textures
. The leading of the eye to look UP
. The balance of proportion: frame sz or groupings/scale of furniture/doors/carpets
. Setting an upper boundary all the way around the room-- same space of paint-only at the top, to define where the wall actually ends and prevent chaos effect.


What I'm DIDN'T see-- that I think will be important-- is circles and ovals. Too many rectangles, and not enough curves.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Feb 18 - 06:16 PM

Your list pretty much amounts to what I was saying, without spelling out how to do it. I think we're on the same wavelength there.

It took only one day of experimenting with items from the purse in the front compartments of the new pack to remind me of one issue--while I want this to replace lugging several bags and items to work, I don't want to carry the entire thing around when I go into the grocery store, etc. So I've pulled a small handbag (too small to use everyday) and put the essentials in it, put the rest in the front compartment of the pack, and the large compartment is where papers, books, and the handbag will go. When I need just the handbag out it comes and the rest can stay at home. My hands will be free when I walk with the backpack on my back or with just one handbag over my shoulder. It's not rocket science, but in this first day I think I'm getting a more accurate reading on my fitness tracker.

This morning I set up the next batch of pages in the Bullet Journal. It's nice to look back and see most of the things on my task list checked off. The rest get moved forward to try to get to this month, with a few new ones added in.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Feb 18 - 11:44 PM

Beaver:

cleared about 4 inches of snow - light and fluffy - off the back deck. Larry stopped in for a visit and cleared the pile left by the plow. I was just going to leave it.

Getting a good signal from this east window; no hills in that direction. Also, remembered there was something else in the box of the new modem: ah yes, a short cord so I can actually but the modem up on the window sill! This is such a relief, so much better than sitting in the library or grocery store!

Sent R an email explaining my feelings about the Montreal housing. He actually "heard" me and is making an effort toward being able to buy the small house we looked at -- or something! I feel like there is hope! It would mean spending more time in Quebec but in a real home, out of the city, without the worry of finding a place to park, with a nature preserve in the back yard. I love being here but miss him and am concerned for health care if either of us needs it and we need to be able to dare for each other. We would still be able to come here and I will spend time here in the gardening season. Hope...

Second son phoned this eve and decluttered some of my concern for him as well as my questioning my car situation. I was confronted, however, with the fact that my son(s) are now "old" as he talked about working with people "in the 20s and 30s! It just never occurred to me before; he is still "the kid" - 55 this year and having trouble getting the younger co-workers to understand him.

Communication: like Charmion not getting across that they don't want those hand me downs!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Feb 18 - 11:15 AM

A rare day at home alone for me. Much needed on many levels. I'm spending the day between puttering/decluttering and resting.

Just the short time I spent in the kitchen has made a HUGE difference. My nana always said that when things look overwhelming, start in one corner and work your way around. Such a smart woman! She would be proud of me I think. :)

Weekend plans here include soccer for my little man, playing with a group of local violinists, some quilting time and relaxation, maybe some cards or a movie at home and popcorn.

One construction size garbage bag filled with things we no longer need went with Pete this morning to be dropped off at Sally's on his way to work.

I also have some plans for this weekend to go through a big cupboard that is full of CDs that belonged to my Nana. I've had them for over a year now and haven't played one of them. I will keep a few that I remember listening to with her but the rest have already found a home. There's lots of big band music and other music from the WWII era. It's funny how sometimes I feel like I need to hang on to some items because they had belonged to someone I love. I really do struggle with that which is why my house is so overloaded. I'm getting better at it but there are just some items I can't part with, it's the connection, I'm sure.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Vashta Nerada
Date: 02 Feb 18 - 12:46 PM

Michelle, I inherited my father's CDs and it took me a while to realize that I needed commingle them with my own CDs to start using them much. When there were my CDs and Dad's CDs the separation was a reminder of the sad loss. Once I "owned" them, I used them more. I did the same with a windfall of classical CDs some years back, I had them on a separate shelf, but I finally filed them in amongst my "regular" CDs and then began using them regularly.

And we all know that your Nana was extremely proud of you (as are we!)

Dorothy, I'm glad R got the message - you'll both be much comfortable in a house that doesn't have regular theatrical breakdowns and rats nibbling at your toes.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Feb 18 - 02:25 PM

A six-foot curtain rod lies on the floor in front of the patio door in the dining room, and I'm too damned sick to get on a stepladder and put the damnable thing up. Dizzy and shaking from this damnable cold, I just don't dare. Besides, I'd probably get it crooked.

Patrick the painter is finishing the first coat on the stairwell, and the improvement is dramatic. No more baby-shit brown, but a pale shade of duck-egg green that brightens up the whole going downstairs experience. This is important, because the light fixture in the upstairs hallway was located so as to ensure that no light from it would fall more than five steps down.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Feb 18 - 05:22 PM

Beaver:
Two good chuckles from today's posts! Thank you! Charmion does have a way of expressing things. And - just leave that rod until a more propitious time! The bit about "owning things" is good. Own them or disown/dump them! And tackling a little bit at a time! Just what I continue doing and eventually... The studio is ready for work but I am not ready to do it in this cold weather even though the inside is warm enough, the trip (25 feet!) in the bitter cold is off putting. But today, with the sun on full, I could have done a couple hours so I took note of that to encourage another day. Brought in a LOT of wood in lieu of making pots.

Wrote son an email of my delight in his taking charge of his life. And a neighbour to see if he can use some of my excess wood ash.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Feb 18 - 02:35 PM

Charmion and our occasional visitor Ranger1 are both recovering from viruses or worse, so trying to do anything more than resting and getting better means you'll likely have to re-do anything you attempt now. Might as well save it to do correctly when you're feeling better. Now is the time to look to the list of NetFlix videos you wanted to watch or to read a book you've been meaning to get to.

It's cold here today also, a day when I think the best use of my time is to tackle the sunroom, allowing me to move things back in there that have strayed to other parts of the house.