Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Vashta Nerada
Date: 23 Jul 18 - 10:06 AM

Charmion, the worst case of Groundhog Day, that SSDD stuff has been going on here for the last year and a half. It makes hunkering down at home with the news off all the more important for good mental health. Especially living in a border state where it is ground zero for a lot of this nonsense.

This weekend I found some discounted steaks at the grocery store and they're all Seal-a-Mealed into the freezer for a dozen or so meals. It's the only way I can afford to buy beef, but ironically, the "aged" beef is at its most tender, as a friend who used to work in a butcher shop once told me.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 Jul 18 - 01:04 PM

Beaver:
re bridge: My belief is that there was a bridge there already so we merely replaced it; it should be "grandfathered in". It is s lovely bridge and does not impede any critters or water flow. Maybe a beaver will come visit!

re family visits: Did I mention that our take on that last wonderful visit was, "Family is exhausting!" dil agreed! But we parted with love.

I finally started the kiln this am. Put in first element (of 4) was a lat more difficult than I expected and it was about 4 inches too long so I will have to try again. Also requested wiring diagram as a couple wires had disconnected and I need to be sure of where they go. "Harder" may be because the kiln is on a dollie and, hence, higher anad harder to bend over to bottom. Next ones will be easier... I took a welcome break due to sudden rain. HIGH humidity requires frequent short breaks inside, even when it is not precipitating.

Dan stopped by for his hard earned payment and we discussed rain barrels; he checked out supplies and went off with promise of "next few days!" That will pretty well deplete the bank account for this month!

I cut some of my hair today and now it is stick out in all directions! I'll do more later.

Otherwise, I have not done a great deal. Nothing is pressing but a number of things would be nice to get done... I am definitely feeling the on-coming fall! The need to get new firewood is a pressure, before it is all sold, so moving the remainder of last year's is necessary; needs cool dry weather!!!!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Jul 18 - 06:38 PM

Ohio:

I've been enjoying our little house so thoroughly that I got myself all worried that I hadn't left room for Hardi as I enjoyed making all the spaces work for me. Silly! He arrives tomorrow, and all I've needed to prep is moving a couple of items over an inch or two and viola! Room for two!

I think I may have had someone's hidden mental loop running, about being happy having to pinch someone else's happiness. Nope! Room for two happinesses!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 24 Jul 18 - 07:18 PM

Beaver:
fourth element did not fit; at this point, I realized brain was not functioning well enough to deal with connecting which wire to which wire. Neighbour Larry stopped by and we loaded both kilns into car - tight fit!

Today - hot!, and exhausted, managed to purchase netting for all raised beds and cut the 14x45 foot piece into five strips about 10x 14 and placed it but without the corner posts - they will come later! Also picked up a wheel for the one dollie - one that turns. Got home and realized I meant to buy two! what brain? Tomorrow...

De-cluttered the freezer of one rhubarb pie to take to pot luck at Horticultural society pot luck. Ate a tasty burger, cheese, lettuce and two small brownies. Came home to finish preparing to leave at 6 am for Toronto to get kilns repaired.

Now, prepare food for trip and go to bed, perhaps to sleep! Alarm is set.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jul 18 - 10:14 PM

No matter how much water you drink when it is this hot, it seems it isn't enough. I'm pretty sure the reason I'm so tired and cranky now is that I've been under-hydrated for a few days and it caught up with me this evening.

I have a buyer on eBay who I think is trying to pull a switcheroo on a recent purchase. I sent a set of 3 lovely glasses (found at the thrift store, but they were perfect and I almost kept them myself) and she wrote telling me they're so scratched and water stained that she can't use them. I posted excellent photos so told her to send a photo of her one glass and my three all together. I sell as-is and only do returns if the wrong item is sent, so technically don't have to do a thing, though eBay is trying to force all sellers to pay return postage if someone wants to return for a full refund. That costs me a lot and if she is trying to switch out glasses, she's also stealing. I'll report her - eBay can look at all of the messages exchanged. In the last one I suggested she is trying to pull a fast one, to see if she backs down. Either that or goes off half-cocked and they kick her out.

Tons of paper has built up around here lately and it's time to create a few file folders before I lose track of something important.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Jul 18 - 09:11 AM

Ohio:

Hardi arrived ydy aftn. Today: we'll put up remaining window and door sensors for the alarm system, put up blackout fabric, and bring in dining table.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Jul 18 - 09:54 PM

The paper is still here, there's actually more now. And I slept most of the day. I think I caught a bug, it isn't just dehydration.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Jul 18 - 10:34 AM

This declutterer will be removing some favorite foods from the diet for a while - the conclusion of a few days of not feeling good is IBS. I've made an appointment to get checked out and confirm, but with horrible stress at work and an unfortunate choice of rich foods, I think I've strained the gut's goodwill. Rice, oatmeal, modest amounts of milk (I need some calcium) and a selection of fruits and vegetables. Better lay off the really cheesy eggplant Parmesan I made for lunches this week. Into the freezer it goes.

Other than that, life moves on. One more eBay sale and eBay itself has been given the case of the mysterious glasses to sort out.

The piles of paper are almost alive, they're so carefully stacked in so many places, representing various projects in different stages. #1 on my list of things to do.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Jul 18 - 08:49 AM

Beaver:

Trip to Toronto was worth while, But not glitch-free. Michael old me there would be no charge for the ancient (their brand) kiln BUT I would need to get a new plug. One: when he used the "you've been a customer for 40 years..." I lamented: "And I have done the SAME stuff for 40 years!"

The other one, he would keep and ship it to me at no charge. I was reeling! I figured it was because they did not want to hear from me any more as I had emailed and phoned for two weeks trying to get a handle on what to do.

So, as they finished up in the back, I looked around the show room and decided to buy 3 unique, and expensive, commercial glazes, knowing I would have to make different pots to show them off. I felt better that I had bought something AND that I had a new idea.

However, stopping at CT on the way home (Uxbridge), they had no plug; i was out of stock/on order,said the helpful clerk. AT Home Hardware, they asserted that they thought it against the law to sell just the plug; I needed the whole (dryer) cable, they said. But that would mean opening the control box and installing a new cable and I REALLY did not want to do that. CT and HH in Bancroft looked hard on their computers; no such item.

I was ready to go back to Toronto in despair. But while falling asleep after my long day, I wondered if it could be hard wired into the receptacle. I'll ask Larry.

Up at the crack of dawn, way too early to phone anyone, I threw the wood that was on pallets off the end of the deck up to the deck and stacked most of another face cord - until body complained. Did two loads of laundry and hung them, texted Larry. Had BF break by 7:15, and made posts for one bed. Went to Larry at 10:30 and he said that could be done, he would come over when he had time. (He works from home.)

Did many little things - It is amazing how many little things make up our lives! A couple hours visiting (here) with a newish, 40ish friend about the state of his life as he goes through separation... Good visit.

Larry came about 4pm and we did the deed - I held the panel steady while HE worked. I was stunned by all new wires and connectors, a totally new kiln sitter piece and new switches! Only the bricks and stainless steel coat are old but they are in fine shape! So glad I bought those glazes so I feel like I contributed a pittance.

Anyway, it was done and Larry says the worst that can happen would be if it blew a fuse. ?? The tech guy did say it had to be the same configuration but it is now the same as the other kiln. Today I will email Michael, informing him that it is not possible to purchase just a plug. (The guy in Uxbridge was wrong; I phoned and someone went and looked at the display and the place where he had thought there was a plug was for something totally different!)

So I need to inform and apologize to the local folks. If we have a dry period, I shall plug it in and see what happens. Right now it is misty enough not to see the west hill and very, very wet. Great storm last night; just as Larry was finishing, the weather informed and we quickly cleared up tools,etc. It hit at 5 pm and lasted about two hours, off and on. lots of rain and noise. Dan installed the first rain barrel yesterday so we have water!! I hear noises up the road so it may have washed out part of the hill again!

I removed the lovely moss from where the rain barrel stand was going and put it on one ramp to bridge. Took the clothes off the line just before Larry arrived! But forgot to cover the unstacked wood so now I have to wait for it to dry before I can finish. Needs to be done before I order more wood! And this non-rainy, cool morning would have been a great time to finish. Bed is re-made, clothes put away, dishes washed, BF eaten. Maybe I will make pots - experiment with something new. Maybe.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Jul 18 - 01:45 PM

Ohio:

US Indigenous and Latinx/La Raza Topic Kits catalogued; started Weds. with cleaner Brittney helping, and finished editing/posting today.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Jul 18 - 10:58 PM

Today I looked through files at work and decided it was time to toss some really old ones and bring a few home, so now there's even more paper here to sort and file. I suspect our work location will be designated for another use soon and we'll be moved to new office space, so might as well get rid of excess baggage now.

The story line in my current audiobook has stepped up and all hell as broken loose (as we knew it would) - and I can't work on the computer and listen to it at the same time because writing and listening to a story don't work. I'll have to save it for when I'm cooking or filing or some such thing over the weekend. Most of my listening is twice a day during my daily commute but when it gets near the end I often finish it off in the house.

The garden is really scorched after the last few weeks, and the squash have all just about died off so I'll move the posts the sprinkler heads are fastened to and maybe stop drowning the eggplant.

Nothing much more to report. The weekend awaits.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Jul 18 - 10:23 PM

I finished an audiobook while sorting and filing papers in my office at home and stopped by the library to pick up a handful more to rip and add to my phone. They don't take up space (and I have a large SD card in my phone).

The garden got some attention as I moved around the sprinklers that are on fence stakes. The squash and corn are now finished so I moved the watering so that hopefully I'll get some sweet potatoes in the fall; they've survived the heat but haven't thrived. I expect a lot more growth from them after August.

No trips to Goodwill lately, dropoff or shopping, but I'll continue to add to the laundry room's donation bin and once the weather cools I'll be energized to do more.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jul 18 - 10:35 AM

This morning when I entered my office I realized that after yesterday's sorting and filing, what remained on the desk were papers needing attention, so today I will finish that paperwork. I was going to walk the dogs this morning, it seemed cool out, but five minutes on the patio when I fed the dogs and I was dripping sweat from the high humidity. Nix the walk.

We're almost to August, and June was so hot that by the time Summer officially arrived we were already fatigued with the idea of summer. July has been a record-breaker; here's hoping August is atypical and gives us a moist break from the heat. It has happened in the past. Perhaps the humidity is the start of something.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 Jul 18 - 06:50 PM

We, as a family, spent all day yesterday cleaning in the kitchen. The old microwave is gone, an old vacuum cleaner that we no longer use is gone, old shoes are bagged and ready for goodwill, some expired things have been disposed of, all appliances moved and cleaned behind, the fridge got cleaned out....doesn't look like much on paper but it's made a HUGE difference. Surfaces were cleared, old magazines and such were tossed, the ledge over my sink was cleared and polished, cabinet doors were wiped down....I found a new cleaner too that I like the smell of for kitchen counters and appliance wipe downs. It's one of the Method cleaners found at Target, Honey Crisp is the name of it I believe. It does a great job but the smell is pleasant and not all chemicals. I know I can do the make it myself cleaners but they smell so strong of vinegar or depending what mix I've made, ammonia.

What do you all use?

I had been using Windex, Lysol All Purpose Cleaner and had picked up a spray bottle of Clorox Clean Up but I can't stand the smell of it. I like Comet Spray for in the bathroom.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Jul 18 - 07:08 PM

Beaver:

Cleaned out most of the tool shed and moved many items out to back shed. Prepared some clay for throwing and did organizing in the studio. The last of the old firewood is stacked and covered. Now I can order new wood for this winter. Harvested more comfrey and sage, drying in house. Started re-organizing some BR areas. No energy left for today.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jul 18 - 09:52 PM

Michelle, I have a few basic products under the sink. Formula 409 is good for the stove, counters, lots of other things around the house. I use Spic'N Span for the floor (I get one of the citrus smells - we realized many years ago that every time my husband used the pine scented stuff to clean the floors, his job on the weekend, I was laid low with a sinus headache. For the bathroom I buy products at the local Dollar General Store, their toilet bowl rinse.

I haven't had to use a spray on the shower tile for several years, since I started keeping an extra towel on the rack to wipe down the tiles right after I finish my shower. The soap scum never accumulates. To wash the tub, I buy whatever cheap shampoo is around (Suave usually) and I use a Scotchbrite type scrubber and a big dollop of shampoo and give the tub a bubbly scrub. The theory being that what you're washing off the tub is soap and what washed off of you, so why not simply use shampoo to clear it out? Nothing with bleach or ammonia involved.

Because there is some limestone in the water here I used to give things a soak in Limeaway, but for several years now I get the same effect with white vinegar.

When I do laundry I use one of the Arm and Hammer liquid detergents, usually a mix of scented and unscented so the smell isn't very strong, and with every load of laundry I put a tablespoon of baking soda in with the detergent.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: pattyClink
Date: 30 Jul 18 - 12:07 AM

Greetings from the road, where one learns to be grateful not to be in the path of the forest fires, yikes what people are going through.

For cleaning products my best discovery has been "Fabuloso", it's a concentrated mild cleaner sold in the dollar stores, comes in a couple scents including apple. No sudsing, rinsing, no residue, excellent for wiping down walls, appliances, counters, glass, etc., even easy on the hands, learned about it from some pro cleaners.   They also like to use the trick of folding a cloth into 4ths, using each side til grubby, fling in a 'used' pile, get a fresh one. Then launder them all. Faster and better than wringing things out in an increasingly filthy bucket. I like to use microfiber cloths, but I wish they didn't need separate laundering from regular fabrics to stay effective.

And yes, washing out the bathroom sink with a detergent or shampoo, and a scrubby sponge, works as well and no nasty chemicals or sprays or 'etching' of surface. And the towel/shower kept my shower stall pristine til trade-in time, which was great.   

As far as the clutter, well, it's embarrassing how much crap I am carrying around, which i discovered when I had to move into the new RV coach. Took 5 hours in the blazing sun to move stuff over, and many things still not 're-homed'. Will be scratching my head and culling some things in the next few days.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Jul 18 - 11:36 PM

I've added another specialist to the doctors on my contacts list - this one for knees, and my right knee now has had an injection of a white fluid that replaces some of the missing fluid from the joint. Arthritis. Cycling through this the first time, the shot is the least of the process, its a few hours later when the local anesthetic wears off that the knee feels like it has been adjusted with a baseball bat. That was yesterday, today it is already feeling much better. Anyway, I didn't get anything done but take a nap when I got home then went to bed early.

Today I'm puttering pretty much as usual. This evening I picked okra like I'll do every day this week as I prepare to make some pickled okra. This is what the pantry shelves are for, storing garden produce. Next it'll be time to make jelly. I'm not as fond of pickled okra as my daughter and my next door neighbor are, and they are so absolutely thrilled when I give it to them so mostly this is for a gift.

Looking forward to August.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Aug 18 - 11:15 PM

Hunting around the front room for some boxes of greeting cards this morning I encountered some forgotten audiobooks on cassettes that are now in the Goodwill bin. I haven't looked at those shelves for a long time - something to add to this weekend's to-do list.

Last night I pulled a tub of frozen bananas to make a batch of banana bread muffins to take to work. I've made a point to steadily draw down the contents to make room for crops - nothing much so far this summer (though I did freeze some assembled eggplant Parmesan a couple of weeks ago). I'm hoping for more eggplant and okra this fall. I used to take food to work all of the time but our office is shrinking as staff retire or find other jobs. I must turn to the neighbors now for food gift giving. :)

Nothing is resolved as far as my crack-pot eBay buyer. I made an offer of a discount but she hasn't answered. Not sure what she's waiting for but she took a notch out of my perfect feedback score so I'm not feeling particularly accommodating - the damage is done. With the score creeping back up about .1 for each feedback post, it's going to take 26 sales with posted feedback to get back to 100%, or after six months I think it might drop out of the score. Her remark is as nuts as the whole experience, so perhaps someone checking up and reading it will come to the same conclusion.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Aug 18 - 10:28 AM

I have not made any jam yet this summer, and I'm beginning to wonder if I will. We hardly seem to eat it any more; the jam I made in 2016 is still in the pantry -- my favourite kinds, too: peach and sour cherry. If it remains untouched by November, I'll give it to the church for the Christmas bazaar.

My in-laws are fond of marmalade and chutney, so I'll go on making those for Christmas presents. We're all too old for any but consumable gifts.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Aug 18 - 07:58 PM

BEAVER:

I avoid any scented product of any sort as most scents are made with neurotoxins which, of course, affect our brains. The worst being dryer sheets; I cannot go outside if the neighbours(city) are using dryer sheets.

Last year, we bought a number of jars of wonderful jellies, locally and organically produced. Not wanting to run out of favs, we will be using them for a few more years! We just do not think to use them.

New wood is arriving faster than I can stack it. My foot and shoulder are aching and it is hot, so I do about 15 minutes once of twice day. I have to keep it covered but will catch up on the stacking on cool mornings and late evenings. Soaked feet today in hot water with comfrey and Epsom salt.

Made some pots using recycled clay. The work of getting in into shape - wedging air bubbles out - is also hard on shoulders so I am taking a break from that also.

R arriving today for long weekend so I suspect we will be doing yard sales, Gemboree, music, art gallery, and other things. Made a pan of brownies and have a stuffed chicken in oven. Successfully confining most of heat to K with a fan over the stove, exhausting out the window. Actually working quite well.

He could do some wood but better he work on his library; he has so little time and the wood can wait.

Super pleased that I was able to do quite a bit of wood for a while this eve.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Aug 18 - 06:26 PM

Ohio

On vacation from decluttering, unpacking, research, and house-arranging!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Aug 18 - 11:25 PM

Last weekend I made headway in the paper filing and shredding, this week it will be a combination of filling out other papers, renewing a couple of memberships, and some cooking.

Time to make pickled okra, mustang grape jelly, and make time to prepare some meals for lunch at work next week. More listings for eBay need to go up, and when I do that I'll decide about some clothes in a bin that probably need to go to Goodwill.

Every time I make a pass through the house looking at the accumulation here I realize that while I like a lot of it, my kids won't be interested. So I need to continue to thin it out. I don't want this holding me back if I decide to move one day, and I don't want my kids burdened by all of this in the future. Keeping the pieces that hold the best stories and that are most useful is the goal. #ReformedPackrat

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Aug 18 - 10:57 AM

I should also say that since a niece is moving into a new house and would like to have some family heirlooms, my sister is stepping up and sending some to her via her father (our brother) - depending on how much he can fit in his pickup truck. I have things from the other side of the family, so many things that my children don't need all of them so I'll select something that mails well and gift it - it has a story, and that's really what this is about. She can look at (in the first instance of something I plan to send) or use this platter and know that her great great grandmother purchased it in the 1870s and it was a very large set because it was a very large family. I need to tell her about her great great grandmother.

Unfortunately, the china set was semi-vitreous, meaning it absorbed water so I think they stopped using it as the crazed surfaces discolored. This type of china is better for making subway wall tiles. I sold and donated most of the set but kept a few lovely non-crazed pieces as family mementos. I think the platters went through a different batch than the plates and bowls at the factory and came out in better shape.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Aug 18 - 01:15 PM

The kitchen table is clear but the peninsula countertop is occupied with several ongoing projects. The pickled okra is labeled and stored in the pantry and today I'll roast the eggplant and make a big batch of babaghanouj. This is the food preservation portion of the summer garden season and having space to work on is essential.

My plants in the sunroom have been neglected; watered only and now need some TLC. The orchids got a soak in the fertilizer mix they require and I'll do some trimming and potting of sprouts. There are a couple of deceased African violets that need removal. I've never quite got the hang of them, some last a long time and are robust, others just shrivel and dry up even with watering. I am probably underwatering or the light isn't right.

I have a couple of parcels I've been meaning to ship and have started setting out the items and packing materials to get that taken care of. More laundry for the clothesline today - it's still hot (though we're looking at a few days with a chance of rain later in the week).

The bin of clothes from a closet shelf has been sorted - most of the shorts and tank tops went into the Goodwill bin but there are long pants that sell well on eBay. Levi's in particular, though selling clothes is work: photographing them carefully and measuring everything that can possibly be measured. They're packed to calculate shipping costs but not closed up because inevitably someone will send a question for one last measurement.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Aug 18 - 12:49 PM

I picked okra on Saturday morning in preparation to make pickled okra, but neglected to pick on Sunday. As I walked out the door this morning huge okra were waving at me from the plants and I knew waiting till this evening would be too long. I picked a pound or so and some were quite large but I *think* still usable because they are so fresh. I gave the box to my nextdoor neighbor - many of them are absolutely perfect and she has cooked okra all her life so will know if she can use the half-dozen or so incredible hulks in the box. Now I'll start saving up for next weekend and make another batch of pickled okra.

Gardeners know that every year one or two crops do so much better than everything else; this year it's peppers and okra with a pretty good batch of squash (now finished off by vine borers). You make the most of the things that do best. What I learned from making a batch of pickled okra a couple of years ago is that you have to wait quite a while with this recipe to get the best pickle. There's no opening this two or three weeks later. Maybe by xmas these will be at the right degree of pickled and absorbed the pepper and garlic to be perfect.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Aug 18 - 02:50 PM

Ohio:

The travel schedule has been roughed out, taking into account many factors-- one is a plumbing job replacing cleanout and drains, which will go right thru my bulb garden, so I need to be here to remove and replant those.

PA:
Aug 16 - Sept. 9
Dec. 15 - Jan. 1

Other than that, Ohio. We hope to meet up halfway for Thanksgiving at a place we both like and often stay at.

Going back to PA Aug. 16 are a number of empty boxes and bagged packing materials.

The trailer comes back with me in September to deliver a PA piece of furniture to my son in N. Ohio; then I'll use it to pick up mulch for all beds. It may or may not go back in December.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Aug 18 - 10:17 AM

It's still very hot here, the main activities are to keep the garden alive, the house as comfortable as possible without running up a huge electric bill, and staying hydrated. All other chores have depreciated in urgency. If we get rain as predicted sometime in the next few days I predict a small flurry of activity to catch up with the growing shopping list.

That's about it for now.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Aug 18 - 10:24 PM

Ohio:

Kitchen order was restored this evening by putting two enormous plastic "refill" bins under the long kitchen table. One holds items traditionally stored in a PA laundry room cabinet: paper goods. The other holds items traditionally stored in a metal PA kitchen bin: bulk sizes of grains, starches, and GF pasta.

The clean Horde-wash formerly occupying these bins in the guest room closet went to the out of reach master BR closet top shelf. That freed up the large lower half of that closet, so Hardi can convert the guest room into his sewing room.

Taking the refill starches out of the kitchen pantry freed up plenty of room for GF soups I use as complete meals, which have been on sale at a fantastic price.

Hardi also built me two little countertop shelves for canisters-- I like the clear hard-plastic jars peanuts and canned grapefruit come in, to hold hot and cold cereals, potato flakes, and GF flour. Since the upper cabinets are mounted up a bit high, there's room to stack these in two layers.

Tomorrow we put up three wall shelves and two sets of coat hooks.

Brittney was not able to clean today due to arriving with a freshly sprained ankle. We made her sit for her shift, foot up, after Hardi wrapped and iced it. She said she could not afford to skip the shift to go straight to urgent care, so she spent her time tossing Newbie's ball, and promised to do her next shift seated on her client's walker (and go to urgent care right after that). No way can I let someone hurt herself here by working thru an injury, but at least she got paid by the agency for her time here.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 09:16 AM

What is GF? I haven't deciphered that one.

Little spits of rain here at the house but some damaging winds in surrounding areas. Our turn may come, rain is in the forecast through the weekend.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 10:00 AM

Gluten Free

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

Duh. Something I've been doing for months now.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 09:48 PM

Ohio:

Hardi did in fact put up three wall shelves and a set of coat hooks in the hallway, and another longer set of hooks for bath towels in the bathroom.

The shelves are all mounted fairly high and will hold decor; they look oddly placed now until pictures bracket them to the sides and below, but now I'll be able to clear a lot of garage space when I get back, putting up art and decor.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 10:15 PM

I like some of the things Martha Stewart Living has done with simple hardware like coat hooks mounted on nicely finished boards. You can visit the site and search without a membership or subscription.

I will retire as of August 31. I'm going to go do something else, another job, but won't share any details here because of a couple of stalkers who follow Mudcat (but have been banned as members). Today I sent the letter and I have to say it feels wonderful! Talk about decluttering! I work for a group of people who have no management skills and who squandered the human resource of over 100 people in my place of employment. They deserve whatever prosecution awaits them.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Aug 18 - 07:33 AM

Beaver:

Waiting hopefully for a message from neighbour Larry re why the kiln is not getting enough electric. We thought it was all set to go yesterday. He helped me get the lid back on and, after mixing glazes that had been sitting, waxing pot bottoms, cleaning shelves and re-doing the protective "kiln wash" on each, glazing pots, loading kiln... I turned it on with great hope. It did not reach heat or even show any colour - red/orange, pale yellow... Turned it off and talked to a couple potters and R re what to do. R's multi-meter is missing a piece so ..... I emailed Larry about 8 pm, not expecting any response 'til am. Took a hot bath to ease aching bod. Saidie gave me name of an "expensive" electrician. Aren't they all? I'll wait for Larry to pronounce. HE can check fuses. I need to trim pots of a couple days ago and put handles on the mugs so the next load will be ready when this is sorted.

As I am firing outdoors, it has to be done in the few days of no rain expected! As in, the next 3 days. Missed a musical event last night of a friend visiting home from NWT (Northwest Territories). Sink is filling with dishes and a load of laundry awaits but ...

Acme: congratulations on making a big change!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Aug 18 - 11:56 AM

Acme, congratulations!

Yes, the hooks we added are on boards matching the nearby decor scheme.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Aug 18 - 05:47 PM

Beaver:
Yep! was a fuse and now kiln is yellow hot. I hope it will soon be finished this firing.

But everything else still needs to be done! One of those - it should rain and get it over with days... Tomorrow morning will dawn and things will get done. One tray of pots in kiln room drying. And I went to lumber yard and got plywood to renew a couple stacking tables for work space. Tomorrow, I will take the sheets out of the car. maybe get around to gluing them on top of the old tops and maybe even paint them with exterior paint so they look tidy and are easy to clean.

Maybe even find the energy to for dishes and laundry and trimming and handles... Now, to read another book.

I guess I will not feel right until the kiln is cool and the pots OK!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Aug 18 - 10:25 AM

Washing dog beds today then running the carpet steamer over a couple of rugs. My oldest dog is a bit incontinent when she's asleep. Good thing most of the house has tile floors. There is a dog door to come and go as they need, but it's helping that I'm now walking out into the back yard at my bedtime and of course they all follow and take care of business, and if I wake up during the night I again call them out into the yard briefly. Also, I'd started feeding her a senior dog food a few weeks ago and in case that's a culprit I've put her back on the normal adult food she actually prefers because it's smaller bites. There are medications for this, but I'll give her another week or so to see if this is enough or she needs a vet appointment. The senior food seems to be great for Zeke, he's allergic to wheat and chicken fat and even the grain-free foods can keep him scratching, but this one seems to be a good balance.

Dog bedding isn't the only laundry I'm doing, I also have to wash lots of old towels I've had on the floor in front of that dog door. We had at least five inches of rain yesterday (after that point the stock tank was full and not registering the rest of the rainfall). Not a day for trying to line dry anything, but at least it isn't temperatures in the stratosphere, it's in the modest high-80s. The air conditioning will get a break today.

The garden is going to be too soggy to work in for several days, but when I get a chance I can clear out weeds and plant my fall crops. It's indoor work today, and though I thinned many office contents about six years ago when our library was "reorganized" (disorganized is actually what happened) I still have many years worth of work to hold onto that I am bringing home to sort and file. I brought a large tote bag of them in on Friday. Examples of my work and process are sometimes handy when interviewing for freelance or regular jobs and need to be kept together and soon sorted and thinned. Some stuff needs to travel the other direction as well - an old computer will be disassembled and parts I can't use put in the e-waste recycle bin since it's a more secure way to get rid of some of this (I keep the old hard drives - I need to run a huge nail through several and turn them into an elaborate doorstop).

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Aug 18 - 11:19 PM

Ohio:

Hardi is really making this place his own. Today he added cleats to the linen closet for more shelves, and rehung kitchen curtains I'd washed after the Horde had soiled them.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Aug 18 - 11:27 PM

The kitchen is in much better shape after a day spent both cooking and clearing out. Moving the everything off the counter, like the bowl for the kitchen scraps, and scrubbing the wall and counter behind it, that kind if clearing out of spaces that aren't seen often. Running the little countertop dish drainer through the dishwasher, scrubbing sinks, stovetop, and more. I'm set for lunches with a batch of beans and rice to go with it, a container filled with pan fried potatoes and another with baked sweet potato. Foods that are soluable fiber, calcium rich, good the for various things I'm keeping track of in my diet.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Aug 18 - 12:59 PM

Beaver:

Firing success! Now drying pots for bisque firing. Hoping to produce another load to be bisqued before leaving for Quebec next Weds or Thurs. Dishes washed, laundry done, for now. HOT today (for me). Reasonably cool in house so short stints in studio might happen; I have the energy as long as the heat does not zap it. Car to garage this am precluded stacking wood in the cool time; it will keep! Car is happy with oil change! I am happy that the thunking was only a muffler strap.

The kiln working well has de-cluttered my stress level; it was very high! OH!!! ... I just looked across the room and see pots to go in bisque which I had forgotten about--here they go!

Mag's dog maintenance definitely keeps me dog-less! But I got to pet a couple Newfies!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Aug 18 - 10:48 PM

There was a clickbait article making the rounds on Facebook today stating that people who talk to their animals are healthier/smarter/less likely to have Alzheimers - something like that (I'm not going to go look it up). My responding question is - why would someone have a pet and NOT talk to it?

Yes, there is maintenance, but there is such great pleasure and companionship with them. No one is more excited to see you return home than your dogs, every day. And I love that saying "I want to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am."

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Charmion
Date: 14 Aug 18 - 09:17 AM

I'm afraid that I'm precisely the kind of person my cats think I am -- a soft touch who doesn't care if certain fur persons stroll across the dining table.

My editorial project is almost finished; the author has the last 60 pages for review, and the client (the colonel in Ottawa who's paying the bills) is bracing his superiors for the inevitable backlash from the targets of the author's (well-deserved) criticism. I spent Friday afternoon and yesterday morning drafting the guts of a briefing note -- me! writing a briefing note five years after quitting the gummint! -- for the colonel's one-on-one with the Army Commander this week. I was gratified to realize that I still have my rhetorical chops, even if I don't write anything these days that's more challenging than a post on the Mudcat.

The house is relatively tidy but not at all clean, so this hiatus from editorial slogging must be dedicated to the mop, the scrubber and the vacuum cleaner. It's truly astounding how much cat hair is embedded in the carpets, and how quickly the chest of drawers becomes blanketed with dust. And it would be so nice to be able to walk across the kitchen floor without feeling tacky spots under the soles of my shoes. There's also laundry. But then, there's always laundry; who do I think I'm kidding?

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Aug 18 - 09:38 AM

Ohio:

We depart for PA in a few days. I hurt a knee, so I'm straightening up pre-Brittney, on Tramadol. Hardi is wire-brushing five shabby lawn chairs in prep for white Rustoleum.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Aug 18 - 08:25 PM

Ohio:

Neighbors: "Look!!!-- They got new lawn chairs! What took them so long to get rid of that eyesore!"

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Aug 18 - 10:26 PM

Bringing home more stuff from the office, stacking up books I need to skim through and decide if they need a closer reading (topics that relate to my interests in web sites, marketing, etc.) Our office will soon be dismantled since there are only four people working in a space that once housed 15. We know they'll toss most of the stuff in there, so tech reference books are coming home.

All of the Back to School stuff is going full-tilt on in print ads, on TV, and on campus - our semester starts next Wednesday and the K-12 kids start back on Monday. The last 10 days of the month will be difficult driving, but then I'll be out of that rat race. I'm looking forward to that!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Aug 18 - 05:44 AM

Ohio:

Departure prep is in full swing despite last minute insanity via cleaners' agency office and same-day insanity over a haircut. I am not leaving without my effing haircut-- there are PA ministry events planned days after my return and I have a custom cut no one bUT Sammy knows how to do. Need to track her down today and get cut AND PIX.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 Aug 18 - 05:07 PM

Beaver:

I had dogs up until July 2009 when I gave up the last two to new, and very good, homes to come home to Canada. There is too much travel in our lives, and walking a dog in Montreal - phooey! Now I talk to the red squirrel who seems to live under the back porch and the frogs who hop out of my way as I walk across the "lawn". Mowing the lawn is less interesting than sitting here watching a butterfly and various bees enjoying the red clover patches. The once tiny mock orange is beyond the 3 foot mark and I can hope for many critters enjoying it in bloom next spring!

Pottery problems abound; I hope this too will pass. I am plumb wore out after a few hours working on that part of life all morning, into the afternoon. Need a sunny day to do one load of laundry before going to Quebec on Weds. Trip to Toronto on Monday to pick up the other kiln and some supplies. Resting is essential. The house in fairly good order. Another hot day but enough rain recently not to have to water.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Aug 18 - 10:55 AM

Ohio to PA transition--

Got haircut, cell contact with haircut designer Sammy, and pix during/after cut/style.

Now cooking urethritis and out of BP meds awaiting emergency 5-day supply (mail order late). That will make for a fun 5 hour drive to get the rest of the way home from the overnight motel! No portapotty on board-- new van so not set up yet for boondocking. I slept two hours last night punctuated by peeing every 20 minutes.

Surprising news pouring this AM in of diocesan and parish assistance to family who'd lost farmette in Redding fire (FEMA condemned), and simultaneous very bad news about a dear diocesan friend whose fam had not shared her terminal Dx until deciding to let her go yesterday. So we're full up on post-vacay already, which doesn't actually end until Sunday AM, grateful and worried and grief-stricken.

Hope that BP Rx gets out of the bottleneck soon! :-|

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Aug 18 - 03:09 PM

Last week I gave the kitchen a thorough going-over, but during the week the rest of the house has had dogs in charge during the day so I need to sweep and vacuum. Friends are coming for lunch on Sunday and we'll celebrate the news of one of them getting a new job (also leaving the same library). The rest of them haven't been told yet, so I'm going to have a special bit of dessert there to help celebrate. I haven't figured out what's for lunch yet, though.

Making jelly starting tonight, and I need to buy some more jelly jars. I'm running low, though I have enough for a couple of batches. I have 10 jars of pickled okra and may be going for a few more over the weekend. They're small batches of 4 or 5 pints at a time because I'm picking a few every day and after 5 or 6 days they're still good and I use them before they start to deteriorate (like what you see in the grocery store.) Maybe some fried okra as part of our lunch.

This is a time of year I actually enjoy on campus; it's when the new students and their families are arriving to help them move in and find their classroom buildings, etc. There is a look on their faces - and asking them the question "can I help you find something?" is always met with relief. Sometimes they're almost on top of what they were searching for, other times it's just easier to walk them to the new place than to describe it. To be a new student here approaching the world of education, this is still good. It's the being employed here part that is temporarily problematic. They'll eventually clear out the bad managers and it will get back to something approximating normal. We all wish our students well and want them to succeed. Classes start next Wednesday, then hold onto your hats (and get here extra early to hold onto your parking spaces!)