Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Jul 18 - 05:32 PM

Ohio:

My 12-pack of magazine files just arrived and have been put into use-- sure enough, I only have two left! :-)

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 17 Jul 18 - 09:03 AM

Beaver:

Wonderful storm yesterday! Watered the gardens!! Bit cooler today and predicted more so for the next few. Continue to get many small things done in short spurts. They add up!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Jul 18 - 11:10 PM

Ohio:

My big whup today was taking a chair out of the guest room closet and putting two huge (stacked) bins IN the closet. I also put away the clean laundry in the two laundry hampers that had languished on the guest room floor.

Since the whole room is a mere 9×9 feet with a bed and a big recliner in it, I'd gotten used to zero walk space in there. It feels and looks quite spacious now-- but more importantly, it's finally clear enough for a good vacuuming job. This is the room Tyler had trashed the worst, and it will finally get its turn for a good cleaning, Wednesday!!!

+S+

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Vashta Nerada
Date: 16 Jul 18 - 09:31 AM

Decluttering my work computer by moving a backup copy of projects I worked on (mostly just to have a record of the photos I took) via a portable hard drive. Once it finishes loading into the home computer I'll take it back for the rest of the data. I do this every so often. I also need to move around the various home videos I've converted to AVI and then to VOB and mp4. Digital heavy lifting.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Jul 18 - 09:21 PM

Beaver:

In the cool of last eve, I managed to place screening over the gardens! The critters have been well fed! Today was too hot for anything but Larry came and checked out kiln2 (in the shade!) I have better info to ask about tomorrow. Tonight I started moving the old wood pile to make room for this year's wood. This will take a while! I judge at least a full bush cord to be moved. Some weeding done and some watering by the 3/4 bucketful! Hoping for a bit of rain tomorrow. Otherwise, I kept cool by reading most of day.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Jul 18 - 01:27 PM

Ohio:

Wanting to go from 2 hours of weekly cleaning to 3 to facilitate unpacking-mess help, it turns out that to keep my same schedule and cleaner, the only option for now is to go to 4 hours, not 3, because the agency schedules everyone for 2 hour slots plus 1/2 hour travel.

The Area Agency on Aging happily authorized that at no cost to us!

To keep that trash-day schedule and cleaner; Brittney's 2nd slot for me means adding a second day. Here's how I hope it will shake put (I used to manage a clng svc):

Tuesday: (me)
Prep bath, make grocery list, choose garage project

Wednesday: (Brittney, prep for Thursday)
Trash gathered and out
Dust/cln woodwork of fingermarks - rotate 1 rm moving stuff and/or bed change help
Bathroom incl wall, woodwork
Garage - carry unpacked stuff in to dust and place on K table
(I go get groceries)


Thurs (Brittney, prep for company)
Recycling 3 bags (K, LL), bring back trash can
Vacuum - rotate 1 rm moving stuff or help bring in larger garage items
Kitchen incl put away groceries if requested
Patio trash
(I do errands/wash & replace dog linens)

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Jul 18 - 10:30 AM

Early morning chores are the only way to at least stay even with the yard work in hot weather; I didn't get ahead by taking the trimmer out on that cord plugged into the garage (there is more that still needs doing), but I cleared out tall grass and weeds that were threatening to encroach on the chard and basil, so I'll continue to have a crop. And the windshield washer fluid is filled (though I think there is a leak in the lines and that's on my list of things to check next trip to the service department.)

eBay continues to have watchers but no recent sales to those folks. It goes in cycles, so perhaps after the first of the month there will be some movement. During nice weather, unless it's super hot like down here, there are many pleasanter things to be doing than playing on the computer.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jul 18 - 10:42 PM

I enjoyed seeing the photos on facebook, Michelle! It looked like a good length of time to be gone, so you weren't tired of the travel (well, maybe the last few miles home?) Vacations are refreshing, and they help you see your world through new eyes for a little while when you get home.

Today was mostly online work and filing, despite the slightly cooler temperatures and a few things that need doing outside. The rest of the week is supposed to be awful.

Truth be told, I have to do the kind of office work Susan has been doing, but the focus is to organize my father's music collection. Getting rid of extra stuff that won't contribute to the project has been part of my eBay activity - things I've listed include vintage equipment and materials I won't need. But I'm not to the actual sorting yet.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Jul 18 - 08:54 PM

We are home from vacation.....we had such a wonderful time!

My car is decluttered of almost all vacation items (which have been put away and second load of laundry is in the washer).

My mom joined us for a few days which was particularly nice! She left some items behind...some intentional, some not so much...and those will stay in the car until tomorrow.

I did NOT bring home another coffee mug....I wanted to....but did not. I collect tack pins so I have 2 more to add to my travelling hat and 2 magnets...and one t-shirt for Jeremiah. I am all proud of myself as we visited several souvenir shops on one of our days being out and about....I love tacky vacation stuff...it's just FUN (none of it is necessary I know...LOL) but I didn't bring home anything more than the 2 pins and 2 magnets as a remembrance of our trip. I took lots of photos, all of which can be seen on Facebook if anyone has any interest.

I'm glad to be home and tomorrow I will be even more happy as all my fur babies will be home too.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Jul 18 - 07:48 PM

Beaver:

RE heat: I DO get the distinction. For me anything over 75 is TOO HOT!

Neighbour stopped in for visit on Fri and is coming tomorrow with some sort of device to determine how the electric is or is not flowing in Kiln2! I am prepared - mentally - to work on Kiln1 when parts arrive!

Today I went to yard sales, farm market, visit with long time but rarely seen friends, and an interment at a local cemetery of friend long not seen. Best part was seeing her wonderful ex who was such a joy when they were neighbours; He has not aged a day in 20 years! He just does not have as much energy - must be at least 90! What a role model!

Yard sale: 4 very nice bed pillows! One garden canopy for $20! And a Michael Dumas Owl print. Since I cannot find the fabric for the poles I have, this seemed a real de-clutter. I hope to put it up over the kiln area on back deck for shade. Maybe early tomorrow morning.

Strangely, today it did not seem super hot anywhere until I got out of the car at home and -WHEW! In spite of breeze all day, I melted; put a wet wash cloth on my head and read. About 6 pm went out and did some weeding. Worried about lack of rain but tiny beets and carrots seem to be fine. Lots of animal depredation - woodchuck? rabbits? It was on today's agenda to build covers for beds but the heat defeated that. I have a plan but will have to wait for Monday to get supplies. EARLY!

Cooler now but the bugs are vicious and I don't want to bring any more inside!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jul 18 - 10:54 AM

Decluttering AT&T of the profit that comes from my having a cell phone account with them. My son is my guinea pig, in that he switched to TING last summer, and I researched it, then asked him again how he likes it. I've ordered their SIM card and will cut my phone bill by about $40 a month. This works because the last phone I bought, while it came with the usual AT&T bloatware, was purchased over Amazon and was unlocked. If I had a standard AT&T issue phone I'd have to go through several steps to unlock it first.

The kitchen table is cleared off. The counters are on their way to being cleared. I have a bag of stuff to take to recycling bins, and I brought home a box from work to use to package an eBay item. Once that is prepared for listing, there will be a little bit of clear space in the sunroom.

I'm debating about participation in that "passing books along" thread, but it might not be economically rational, since I'd be paying to send extra books to people who requested them and probably not getting very many books back in return. There are many places locally I can take the books I don't want and sell or donate them. I'll save that site for special books.

Good luck with the kiln repairs, Dorothy. Today I'm in the process of keeping my computer's HP printer in service by replacing the toner cartridge - it seems the HP-branded cartridges are now "clearance priced" ($206 down from $270) but I always spend about $60 for a knockoff. That electronic store isn't carrying those now, so I'm researching knockoff cartridges online. Why should I stop using my perfectly good old printer because they want to sell new printers?

It's a hot week coming up. Any hose dragging or running the trimmer needs to happen today before the worst of it hits (it's never cool here in the summer, but sometimes it is less hot, if you can understand that distinction.)

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Jul 18 - 12:19 PM

Go DP!!! (Girl power!)

Ohio:

Awaiting lawn crew for special instructions, so have to stay home. :-( Bummed: urgent and very brief errand downtown.

Very full chix crockpot going.

LL photo shoot prep and LL ofc hsehold mgmt progress:

Furniture/dogbed/etc. tweaked for easy bookcase access.

Misc bills (due and paid) moved to designated LL ofc cubbies.

Other misc LL 'to-sort' stacks and boxes assigned cubbies. Two project cubbies plus one personal health mgmt cubby assigned and filled.

Stray workstation cords/cables re-run, in prep for tying cables. (Not yet-- photo shoot will require moving desk slightly.)

Art planning in LL. Chair doze listening for mowers-- none.

SURJ mentor updated.

Several OFUA files saved off email.

LL trash cans lined and locations settled.
.


Kitchen cleared of groceris to stow; reusable bags assigned to scooter and car, and stowed for next shoppings.

? ?
\ /
/ \
\ /
..S..

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Jul 18 - 11:06 AM

Beaver:

Talking with staff at the pottery supply yesterday renewed my guts; I opened the control panels on each recalcitrant kiln this am and ordered parts - to replace elements and connectors on one and help for kiln sitter on other. Conferred on reason two elements not working on kiln2 and sent pics of corroded connections. Awaiting further info.

Yay for me! And yay for Thomas support! I feel so much better. About that bit of life anyway! All this before BF! 11am already! And dreadfully hot - must be the humidity as it is allegedly only 23C, about 75F. Already up to 71 inside but does not seem so hot as it is not humid - yet! Not doing much outside today.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Jul 18 - 01:29 AM

Ohio:

God help me: I just turned my LL recliner to face outward towards the bookcases and door, and suddenly I've got the full view of this Liberation Library monster I've been creating, really for the first time. It needs more magazine files. Any idiot could see that.

So of course I just ordered another 12-pack because they're cheaper per unit that way than a 6-pack now and another one next week.

I had 3 lightweight plastic ones that are brittle and breaking, that I'll retire into my personal files space, and four very heavy plastic but ugly ones, ditto. And several Topic Kits where a few loose journals are better corralled, with books or videos to fill out the magazine file snugly. They stand with more stability when they're full.

It won't be long before I have to order the much wider (matching cardboard) magazine files to contain each Kit's books and films. I know I'm moving in that direction.... God help me!

+S+

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 Jul 18 - 08:25 PM

Beaver:
Thoughts arising: I, too, regret the demise of my Dad's ancient Royal typewriter after too many moves! And office supplies - all of the fore-mentioned. Postal scales are used for weighing clay: one pound = mug, etc... As for the very long electrical cords: I just leave it out there so I can pick up where I left off (the joy of being in the boonies) but roll it up when leaving for extended times and hand it on a large hook outside the tool shed. Anything to conserve my bits of energy.

Tourists: Life in cottage country one of the main routes to Algonquin Park. It sometimes feel as though it would be better to stay home until Labour Day! Getting through the 3 blocks of downtown Bancroft... City folks would laugh!

Kilns: yesterday's attempt at bisque firing resulted in not quite as high as I wanted but they look fit to glaze! A good look at "new kiln" elicits a need to put it in the car and take it to Toronto for help!

Bridge over brook is in process. It will have slight arch - enough to look interesting but not so much as to make it hard for me to navigate, with a hand rail on west side - which I shall surely need. Stained grey, it will be almost invisible. I shall need to cut the "weeds"; most people would refer to weeds but they are food for bees, etc and we have actually seen a couple monarchs here lately! So I shall make a path to the bridge but leave most uncut. The front looks nice with short grass around raised beds. Also considering energy- mine! So, still need paths to library and back sheds, outhouse and decks.

But, most of all, need a kiln that functions! Tomorrow...

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Jul 18 - 11:32 AM

Ohio:

Finished research project-- one document left to email, from another computer I'll visit this afternoon.

It was researching for family of 53 persons in the Dayton area who died during an interaction with police. The databases I used turned up more cases to include in the project, but I'm taking a break first.

When I "finish", I'll summarize what types of interactions were involved. Several who died were bystanders mowed down in police chases, so I'll be looking at neighborhood characteristics-- what types lead police to exercise obviously inadequate safety precautions.

It was really sad to see so many without obituaries. I did find grave records for most of those, but the photos of their markers show no family names or inscriptions. :-( The circumstances of the deaths are sad, but this part.... people shouldn't be disposable like that.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Jul 18 - 10:34 AM

What a lovely image - I can see himself in that suit, hat, and hair out walking past the ducks, geese and swans. :) Sounds like something out of Colette (I'm thinking of technicolor like MGM's Gigi with the gentlemen in the park).

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Charmion
Date: 12 Jul 18 - 09:09 AM

It's a beautiful day in Perth County, so I went for a three-mile walk this morning instead of lounging around reading the paper. It's near the peak of tourist season and Stratford is looking wonderful: gardens bursting with colour, shops groaning with delectable stuff to buy, even the ducks, geese and swans generating large quantities of cuteness on every hand. Truly, it's a Magic Kingdom when it tries -- and in tourist season, it's all hands to the pumps.

Himself set off to bail court this morning in his lawyerly grey suit livened up with a mauve shirt and a purple tie, all topped off with a white Panama hat with a scarlet band perched on his crown of silver curls. If he's not Stratford's most sharp-dressed man, I'd like to know who is.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Jul 18 - 04:16 PM

Ohio:

Brittney broke the agency's "no ladders/stools" protocol to reach down the two HEAVY US Indigenous and Latinx/La Raza boxes for me!!! Those last two Topic Kits are now shelved!!! Whew!

While she cleaned floor and cubbies in the LL, I annotated the remaining journals that had turned up in a LR shelf-swap a few weeks ago-- so those are now shelved too, in their magazine files.

We also ran a straying extension cord behind two bookcases, so the whole floor is now clear and clean. Newbie's dog bedding is just coming out of the dryer. We are open for business!

÷S÷

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Jul 18 - 01:58 PM

Ohio (cleaner day):

All recycling gathered. LL dog bed laundry running after I removed dog corner goum from the washer from ydy's wash of plumbing leak nasty towels. Lamp in LL swapped in for floor fluorescent light. Did a round of research before notebook froze for its next restart. Turned printer sideways, for less crowded spacing to get to desk.

LL should be nice after clng-- lots of floor space already cleared. Messy rug in there leaving temporarily too-- needs to be cut into 4 mats.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Jul 18 - 09:14 AM

Ohio:

The night's sleep was divided by a very long, productive waking time where I created a backup access to my research work in case emergency precludes finishing it, topped off with a nifty 1-pager of search sources in the order I use them. And a save on a database with info missed from the project owner's initial assignment to me-- more cases to add to the project.

The 1-pager will make batch research efficient but comprehensive, and serve as a pastable template to start each case's research, with links to each DB I use right there in the page. Since I use various computers, no more need to save a folder of bookmarks everywhere I go!

Today-- cleaner attacks office in LL and laundry machines.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Jul 18 - 10:01 PM

Lol, if I had a flat space open for it I'd have to have a paper cutter here. I feel deprived but honestly there is no place either to store one or use one, even hung on a wall. I pray they have one at the senior center!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Jul 18 - 09:36 PM

My father was a retired librarian (and folk singer and ethno-musicologist) who wouldn't be comfortable at home in his retirement without many of the accouterments of a typical library office, so I inherited his paper cutter, some of his filing cabinets and materials, and because he was the first audio-visual resource librarian at his college, many of his machines and tape editing materials. And where his collection falls short, it seems interesting stuff is turning up these days at thrift stores. I picked up a robust three-hold punch that I use often, and other things are part of my office setup in the sunroom where my eBay processing takes place. Postal scales, for example. Good rulers. I'll stop here before I catalog it all.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Jul 18 - 11:06 AM

One of my most treasured Christmas gifts: a LAMINATOR! OMG I'd always wanted one and there it was!!! Mine-- not the parish's. I use it all the time.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Charmion
Date: 10 Jul 18 - 10:06 AM

Long-running relationship with office supplies -- hahahaha! I have a single-hole punch, a table-type paper-cutter and a pair of huge shears, all inherited from my long-dead father. I regret having disposed of his typewriter some years ago -- reluctantly, and only because years had passed since I could find any replacement ribbons -- because now typewriters are collectors' items and the Internet has made it possible to find the one weirdo in North America who has begun producing typewriter ribbons again ... !

Yes. I, too, have a long-running relationship with office supplies. It's definitely a thing.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Jul 18 - 10:29 PM

Acme, our PA office supply store buys out similar stores going out of business. I won't say they're both antiques as we might think of them, but I have two VERY nice (and heavy!!!) 3-hole punches that are definitely not what you'd find now at Staples. (One almost looks steampunk.) The new ones all punch too close to the edge of the page. And rip in the binder, right away.

~S~

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

I have a couple of chores that I can do piecemeal - trimming around the edge of the garden, and experimenting with a hand vac and grabbing up some of the worst of the garden pests. It works but imperfectly, but it is an inexpensive device and it is an experiment. If I have to drag the long electric cord from storage each time they'll never get done, so I figured out that if I set up the cord in the garage, it's long enough to drag the working end out to the garden. Open the door, trim the grass around the chard, etc., and put it away again. Out of sight, out of possible rain or hit by the sprinkler. Sprinkler more than weather, though that may be reversed this week.

Yesterday I made the mistake of drinking ice tea with dinner and the combo of caffeine and bursitis kept me from getting to sleep easily. I feel an early night coming on this evening, and if I'm lucky I'll listen to rain on the roof as storms drift through the area. The only tea is chamomile.

It takes people a little while to discover things listed on eBay; there are a few watchers (I wonder if eBay has a service where you can send those folks a note saying "this isn't an auction, the price isn't changing, go ahead and buy it before someone else beats you to it!") The eBay listings aren't so representative of energy as they are of heat avoidance.

Susan, I also have a long-running relationship with office supplies. Over the years we had them as school supplies for the kids, and now that they're long out of school, I regularly encounter caches of materials that if I think I won't use them any time soon, I usually donate to Goodwill. I sell some things online if they're old and collectible (yes, there are office supplies in that category). I find myself thinking "if someone is doing the stage set for a 1980s television program, and they want current items, these would work, so they're listed accordingly. I don't know that any of these things have wound up on stage or screen, but who knows? Someone collects them.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Jul 18 - 07:30 PM

Ohio:

It's ridiculous how much I love office supplies. Since I didn't know I'd need all my cash for a plumber, I splurged on a 12-pack of colorful magazine files to keep those handfuls of wobbly, newsprint journals from flopping around and getting torn. Got a great price though. They arrived just before the plumber arrived, and fortunately the plumbing bill wasn't too bad. Ten minutes to put them together and 20 more to fill them up-- and I just LOVE having them! They make great bookends to divide topics that have to share a shelf, too.

[S]

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Jul 18 - 10:31 AM

Beaver:

Inspired by Maggie's rush of energy - but I have none! Love the frozen blueberries in yogurt idea.

Another load of laundry this am, off the bed this time. Drying in lovely breeze. The polluted ones are still on the line also.

Pain in back reached high point last night and after a mini panic, I managed to get a comfrey compress on it; immediate relief! Wanted to use weed eater this am while it was still cool, but it self destructed in first two seconds. Trip to hardware later. Looking around for another chore I could manage, I am resigned to resting a while. I need to find a schedule that coordinates energy with the heat/cool of the day. Each day being different...

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Jul 18 - 10:26 PM

After several days off in a row I've managed to push the eBay listings up to where I like them to be, taken stuff to Goodwill, cleared out the fridge, and restocked fresh produce. I put four quarts of fresh blueberries into the freezer on a tray and are now like blue marbles for one of my favorite desserts - vanilla yogurt with frozen blueberries stirred in. It's almost like a sorbet that way, not very sweet, but just enough, and a great source of calcium.

Today was also cooking for the week and preparing veggies for the dogs. I had some broccoli for me that turned out to have aphids - they can't be washed out, but the dogs won't care. They already had some cooked carrots, so they're set. I have a couple of dishes, my crustless quiche, and some soup from things that needed to be used from the freezer. If I don't cook ahead I'm apt to pick up something on the way home that has more calories and sodium than is healthy, that's just the nature of fast food.

Kicking back with a cup of chamomile tea, marveling at the fact that North Texas seems to be a cool spot in the nation this weekend. I think we topped out at 92, while LA was burning up, as high as 117. Oy.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Jul 18 - 07:25 PM

Beaver:
Another load of laundry- flannel sheet set from a yard sale that stink of fabric softener or toxic detergent. Still smell after washing so I will leave them on the line for a few days - until rain threatens or the sun rids them of the vile odour.

Fly-in Breakfast at the airport today. Wonderful annual event. About 50 planes fly in from around Ontario and then out again. Neighbour was glad I told her about it as "the planes were coming with a vengeance..." On deck was a local internet provider; they will come out this week to see if they can help. It would run about $60 for unlimited; the "stick" is costing 70 to 90/month for next to nothing. The catch is that this is only for one venue; I would still need to use the stick for other two. It would cost more but I would be able to do more. The jury is still out.

Finally have energy back but it is too warm for outdoor work, even in studio, and back is still hurting. Tomorrow...

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Jul 18 - 06:46 PM

Ohio:

Cataloguing continues bit today I whizzed up brochure copy for a map of the stacks. Also this brief summary of Topic areas now included:

LIBERATION LIBRARY TOPICS IN FIVE BOOKSHELVES AND A TOWER
As of July 7, 2018, shelves have been added and reorganized into these general sections, each comprising a number of Topic Kits:

1. Leadership Development, Classism, Colonialism
2. Heritages
3. Life
4. Adultism and Alliance
5. US Racism, White Supremacy, Black Liberation
6. Music (music continued in Living Room and elsewhere)

>S<

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Jul 18 - 01:31 PM

Ohio:

I re-thought and completed the office corner configuration this afternoon after the failed first attempt yesterday. While trying unsuccessfully to sleep a bit later, at wakies this AM, I envisioned various possible schemes-- even one using both of the pretty cubby bases Hardi had made for me in PA, but the one I went with uses one base.

The first iteration had 3 cubby towers side by side, making a 36" wide x 30" tall set of 9 cubbies, on top of a 9" base. Too tall and probably 1/2" too wide. Topper too heavy to place by myself, and logistics for planks needed too complicated.

The next idea I envisioned was putting the cubbies on their sides as often used, with a base below plus a base on top covered with a plank as a bohemian top shelf-- without the heavy but pretty topper. The topper is also divided into cubbies. I thought about other uses in other rooms. ... NO. WANT IN OFFICE.

So I laid two towers on their sides, on a base. The first workspace inch I gained was immediately apparent-- this is very close to the typing desk. The base and first cubby are 13" deep to the wall because of an outlet behind it with a flat plug, to a height of 21". The next cubby on the stack goes to the wall-- 12". The topper goes to the wall and is only 9" deep-- plus its bottom section is open (not cubbied), and gives a lovely display area for photos and pretty encil cup.

So in total, the now-reunified stack is 6.5" inches narrower than the first attempt, due to laying the cubbies on their sides. It also gives quite a bit more elbow room for the desk's occupant, because the lower height and multiple 'steps' back in depth as it rises create both visual and actual space.

Also I was able to lift the topper to this height by myself (barely!).

The previous attempt yielded nine cubbies all in one bank of cubbies, to the left of the workstation. This one is only 6 plus topper. The other three are vertical, on what will be the left side of the corner desk which will now fit loosely behind the workstation-- for bills due and bills paid.

All these cubbies won't be furnished with their decor and files until Brittney swabs them clean on Wednesday-- the PA filth was never removed, in the haste of unloading around Tyler's mess.

=S=

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Jul 18 - 08:04 AM

Acme, Newbie is apparently a good amount of heeler plus boxer, currently about 45 pounds. Her 'lap' time (only when invited) is hind parts between my knees on the recliner's leg rest, shoulders across my thighs, with sleepy head reachable by my hands. It helps that it's an electric lift recliner-- once she's up I can tip us back with a remote, so she's not slipping off/clawing up/wiggly. About an hour, before bedtime, warms me up as the house chills rapidly to the overnite temp of 66°! It's quite interesting to hold her that way when she's dreaming. Not twitchy dreams of running-- fear dreams, probably processing old homeless trauma.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jul 18 - 10:53 PM

Dorothy, I haven't stepped on the scale in ages. I know the Prednisone is hammering me, though I'm still tapering and am down to 2mg a day this month. My rheumatologist and I have discussed the exit strategy for September, and we hope I'll be off if it then and all of my attention to calories and calcium will finally result in no more shrinkage (height) but weight loss (30+ pounds).

I picked up some wonderful produce today at my discount grocery, and plan to can (process) both beets and carrots tomorrow. I've been freezing fresh blueberries that I'll use with the good yogurt I bought there (vanilla yogurt with frozen blueberries stirred in is like blueberry sorbet). I steamed a big batch of carrots tonight that had gotten a little old; they're okay for adding to the dog kibble for moisture and fiber, and they love cooked veggies.

I mentioned Katlaughing earlier because I was had been looking at some photos put up by her daughter and her grandson on Facebook. He's growing so big, and she was so very proud of him. We were all his "Mudcat aunties," and I'm glad to stay in touch through Facebook. He's still artistic, and still musical. And I suspect he's big enough now to look out for himself, something we worried about when he was smaller and artistically inclined. He also still has the wonderful dogs wandering through his room, a connection we regularly share - the dog photos and humor.

As with a few days ago, I have a blue heeler on the rug at my feet, under my desk. She isn't a lap dog; that's an uncomfortable maneuver when attempted, but she loves to step up to give kisses and to stay close-by. She has hairless spots at the bone ends where she sits that make me think she spent a lot of time on concrete or in an enclosure. Was a month or two in a shelter enough for that? She has the choice here of carpet, dog beds, or tile, so I assume she chooses to sleep on the small throw rug at my feet for proximity.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Jul 18 - 09:36 PM

Beaver:
Good chuckle, Maggie! Checklist!! My plan is to get as much as possible to the mill in advance, let R move furniture to the house, then move things from mill as needed. I will think about it in November.

The bridge is a mess for a few more weeks. I went to mill the long way around this last trip; to mill on Weds, then to Beaver.. Dumped stuff, picked up stuff and arrived back in time for super storm on Thursday! Plants had all survived!

Resting? The house was SO hot!! On 30th we spent most of day in relative cool of the shade at R’s parental home where I read while R plumbed in the cool basement.

Then on 1st we went on a 3 hour journey – which took 6 and a half hours. But my car has AC!!! Our destination was just as hot as the city but somehow it seems cooler in the country – trees! I read in the fairly comfy house while R looked at damage from intruders. The driveway is a mile long and there is no electric so an alarm is out of question. The damage was not as bad as we feared. We arrived back to city at midnight. On the way up: couple yard sales at which R bought very useful items: beautiful doors for the reno on parents house! And a tool storage unit which he actually organized on Monday so I no longer have to trip over stuff in the K!!! Big YAY!

I am finding trips exhausting and the future will have to contain fewer. Two – three days recouping after each! Also, my efforts to de-clutter grass with wonderful mower and weed eater aggravates the pain in back but if I so some each day… It does look better. I continue to drink the anti-inflammation tea.

I am intrigued that 80F in this house is not as bad as 75F in the city house???? Did a load on laundry today and some grass de-clutter. Weeding is on-going, in small chunks!

Charmion, I, too, would have suggested raised beds. So much easier on the back. I can sit on the edges of mine and don’t have to bend over so far to weed.

Something ate the cabbage plants but everything else is OK. I do think something is harvesting strawberries; covered them with screening.

Still down that 5 pounds and perhaps one more.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jul 18 - 02:45 PM

Decluttering a house via the post office is certainly a slow method, piecemeal, but it does end up with a little money in the bank. And if no one else is paying you for your time, you're free to watch TV or listen to audio books as you work to slowly push things out the door. Yesterday, and continuing this weekend, I'm listing items that were in the way in the sunroom. And things that were stacked on the dining room table. But there are things all around this house that, if one reads the articles, one knows the kids aren't going to want when I'm gone and I'm not using now. So I slowly clear out stuff, and one day perhaps I'll find a smaller place (as long as it has a good garden plot).

The growing number of self-storage units around this town corresponds to the growing number in most communities. Is selling my stuff contributing to what others put in storage? Perhaps. But it isn't contributing to new manufacture using precious resources, and it is keeping the post office in business. And I'm determined to not use self storage again unless it is simply a pivot point in a move from point A to point B, not a long-running clutter container.

Keeping things in play, moving them to other households, into the hands of collectors, artists, practitioners, teachers, whoever can use these items, that's what is going on here. When Katlaughing was active here she also used to talk about beading and other art work. I still have those supplies, they haven't been sold yet. Hopefully they'll go out the door as finished pieces, not as a large lot of unused crafting beads and findings.

It's a hot summer day, though cooler than many we've had recently. I just returned from a run to fill the LP tank, pick up a bunch of fresh produce (some of it will be frozen this afternoon), and to drop off a bunch of VHS tapes that no one is interested in on eBay but that will entertain households that still have the old tape players and can afford a dollar a movie. There were some good ones in there, but I have them on DVD now or can stream them via NetFlix. And now those boxes are available for shipping something else sold on eBay.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Jul 18 - 01:36 PM

Ohio:

I did find one pine shelf. The cubbies are now sitting on the base Hardi built waiting for another board and helper Brittney to help boost up the very heavy topper, but I can start using the cubbies NOW. The first thing to go in was our wedding picture and my pencil cup.

°S°

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Jul 18 - 09:45 PM

Ohio:

Shelf #2 is now stocked with all but two of the Topic Kits planned for it-- they're too heavy/high for me to move. Hardi will when he gets here.

This cleared a LOT of floor space around my desk. My recliner does fit in front of it as planeed.

The cubbies about to be replaced by Shelf #1 have had about 1/3 of their space cleared into a tower for music stuff elsewhere in the room. Tomorrow I'll finish reinforcing the shelf and move the rest into it, from the cubbies.

Then next week the cubbies move deskwards, now that the fluttery boxes of books went into Shelf #2. But first I need 2 pieces of plywood cut to marry them onto the base Hardi had built for my PA office corner, because I'm pretty sure the pine closet shelves I need to measure are too short.

)S(

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Jul 18 - 06:02 PM

Actually, the very first to be packed was the games...card and dice games, a few board games and outside games too...then I packed up the misc. stuff that I have been listing all week and all the non-perishable food has been packed up too. Toiletries and meds are all set to go as well. We made a menu so that list has been helpful as well. Pete has been tending to all the outside things that needed to be done as well as showing the neighbors what to do and when as they will be stopping by multiple times a day. Jeremiah's clothes are packed but Pete and I haven't packed anything yet in the clothing line yet but that won't take long. Shorts, t-shirts, tanks and swimsuits...all systems GO!

I'm sure it will be fine too...just a bit overwhelming for me at times.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Jul 18 - 04:11 PM

Michelle, once you're out of the driveway you'll probably think of something you've forgotten, but you can live without it or buy a replacement along the way. The main thing - Have Fun!

I remember as a kid I always packed a small suitcase or pack with books I wanted to read in the car, a notepad (was I going to write a journal? letters? a novel? I just knew I needed paper), and because I had siblings, I think we brought along decks of cards or small games to play in the car or at campgrounds. The parents took care of everything else, and if they made occasional stops at hardware stores along the way, no big deal. Just so you have your camera - I'm sure you'll get lots of good photos.

Today I've been working eBay listings, adding more items so that I have at least 20. It's July - and believe it or not - time to start putting up anything that is considered "back to school." When my kids were small and outgrowing clothes more rapidly than wearing them out I used to pack them up as entire outfits and sell them - pants and shirts, skirts and blouses, jumpers and blouses, etc. Now I put up things like small crockpots that area great for making overnight oatmeal for the kids. I mostly aim more at the grown-up market now with clothes, and I have lots of estate items leftover from family members that can be home office or school use.

I have another box of stuff to drop off at Goodwill tomorrow when I make the rounds for several errands. It's a luxury to not have to drive anywhere today.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Jul 18 - 03:54 PM

Ohio:

Brandi is a strapping lass and SUCH a great work-partner. Shelf 1 and 2 will both need some future attention but are in place awaiting the insertion of their middle (loose) shelves. Both cases and their shelves have been cleaned.

Shelf 1 was reinforced in the garage and delivered to the front door via scooter, which was highly entertaining.... we tried several configurations... it ended up on the seat, behind me, as I stood to bring it around on the sidewalk, with Brandi steadying it while I focused on NOT tipping the whole thing over. She thought it was a little crazy until I explained that I often stand while running at top speed, to relieve my aching knees! But it made what would have been a miserable carry into an entertaining and fun adventure! :-)

|S|

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Jul 18 - 12:04 PM

Ohio:

Bookcase #1 (from the bookstore) is now safely reposing in the garage, ready for a little reassembly/reinforcement. Of course it needs more than anticipated but it is HERE.

Bookcase #2's structural parts are all now IN THE HOUSE for 1:30 Brandi arrival. Using the scooter to bring in the 3 structural shelves, kick plate, and hardware worked a treat!

My plan is to show her all of the above for her decision on an order of attack, for which I'll be her helper. It's still my hope to get both bookcases in place in the LL by suppertime.

While waiting for Judy's van to arrive for pickup of #1, I spied a dresser in very rough shape, set out on a neighbor's curb. Figuring it's unlikely to be wanted once the rain further attrits it, I nabbed 2 drawers to slide under my own dresser which is up on risers. Hardi will probably build me a custom drawer later to match my dresser, but these curb finds are bound to look/work better than the cardboard boxes now in use!

>S<

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Jul 18 - 11:36 AM

Packing for vacation today....taking everything we need for a week. This begs 2 questions from me.

1. When did we NEED all this STUFF? I remember when packing a change of clothes, shampoo and a toothbrush was plenty. Now we have a car full.

2. If I am taking what we NEED for a week as a family, what the heck is all this leftover stuff in my house????   

Ugh.

Everyone here is stressed today. I don't know if I'd ever plan this kind of vacation again. Hopefully we will have a fantastic time and this painful packing will be long forgotten.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Charmion
Date: 06 Jul 18 - 09:34 AM

We had a short cloudburst yesterday that broke the heatwave in Perth County, at least for today. What a relief.

The new garden bed is now in commission, with tarragon, parsley and lavender planted in it. At the same time, we filled in a large shallow hole Himself left in the lawn when he scraped up the clay spoil and re-seeded the entire scruffy area with grass. Yet another trip to Canadian Tire, this time for hose attachments and a lawn sprinkler, and this morning I actually watered the flipping lawn for the first time.

The first cherry tomatoes should be ready by Saturday. Including the cost of the pots in which they are growing, those will be the most expensive tomatoes ever cultivated in this neck of the woods.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jul 18 - 01:41 PM

Ohio:

By dinnertime tomorrow I should have BOTH of the missing bookcases in the LL!!!

Frabjously yours...

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jul 18 - 12:59 PM

Barbecue stowed away, and cooked fish and fowl are in the fridge for meals this week. I'll refill the LP tank on Friday as I swing past a couple of other businesses in the area. The little grill is starting to fall apart, with the cover for the bottom hole (regulating air flow) dropping off in my hand just now. The LP grill is still putting something in the air, vs the charcoal grill, but is probably more efficient overall.

I spoke with my mail carrier; she would take advantage of the water if I leave a bucket of ice with bottled water in it, so I'll start doing that as long as it is so hot. The next few days are in the 90s, much more tolerable.

This morning I puttered around the bed, bath, and dressing rooms, cleared out stuff that can't be used, donated, or sold on eBay. Reviews can be written when the product was a disappointment, so others avoid the purchase, that's the best I can do. I also swept and dusted, and the next thing is to pull out a couple of bins with clothes and see if they go to eBay or Goodwill. That will clear off the lovely cedar chest at the foot of my bed. One of the bins is full of clothes, next to the dressmaker form, ready for their closeups.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jul 18 - 10:07 PM

Tonight I set up the little round barbecue in the driveway and cooked a chunk of marinated tilapia for tacos tomorrow, and I grilled three chicken breasts, eating the small one for dinner tonight and the other two are to go in other dishes or on salads. Since the fridge has only a couple of ripe to eat tomatoes now there is room for this. I ended up with a puny five containers of tomatoes, but preservation is the name of the game. That's several meals in the future. The tomatoes usually make a fall comeback and I'll be able to either can ripe tomatoes or make something with green tomatoes before the year is out.

A friend retired last week, and I see on his Instagram that he is quickly turning his attention back to his painting after many years of neglect. We both post lots of garden and food photos, but his paintings are lovely, and remind me that I need to get back to the sewing and beading and embroidery I used to do a lot of.

Dorothy, are you doing more of your potting, or are you still moving things around from town to the mill to Beaver, and is the bridge still a mess? As time draws near to time to move out of the old house and into the new (old) house, you must have a checklist as long as your arm of things to tend to. I hope your plans are taking shape.

There is a blue heeler curled at my feet under my desk right now. We made eye contact when she arrived and she glanced toward the window as we both heard explosions of fire works. I think she'll be fine, but will stay close.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Jul 18 - 09:04 PM

Ohio:

Guest-room bedful of lingering linens stowed, during evening news. They went to so many destinations that I've logged enough walking today to sleep well. It's so nice to see how quickly this little house can return to ORDER! Like a miracle, every time-- never gets old.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: LilyFestre
Date: 04 Jul 18 - 08:57 PM

Today has been most enjoyable. I slept in, puttered at will, spent a few hours sitting on the front porch watching all the chickens, guinea hens, turkeys, cats, dog, etc. while a soft rain fell and the thunder rolled in the distance with Pete sitting right beside me. It was wonderful to just enjoy our setting. Normal chores are done for the day as well as multiple lists for our upcoming vacation. Whew. I hope I don't forget anything but if I do, I'm sure we will live! Plans were confirmed for one of the days out and a swimming hole found....most necessary for all of us! Laundry is just about all done, the dishwasher is running and all breathing critters are parked in front of a fan (and the AC is running)...it's sticky hot and the fans are wonderful. My mom recently surprised me with a new fan that works somewhat differently.....it's got great air flow but is also quiet....love it!

The animals have all had their flea and trick preventatives, vet papers are in order for boarding the animals too.

Stay cool people. ;)

Michelle