Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Charmion
Date: 11 Sep 18 - 10:27 AM

Stilly, are you getting some of the storm that's heading for the Carolina coast? Your area sounds suddenly much wetter than you expect at this time of year.

In Stratford, it is grey, glum and cool. I am not decluttering or clearing out the house today, or even cleaning it; I just don't feel like it right now. And I have decided that that's okay.

I am doing something about fitness, however.

Himself gave me a Fitbit for my birthday, and for a week I have religiously logged my 10,000 steps per day and minded my diet. As a reward, I have shed two kilos and am currently enjoying a high degree of intestinal cooperation -- those of you with IBS or diverticulosis will know whereof I speak.

On Saturday, we took a trip to Kitchener (our closest Big City) to visit the Running Room, our destination of choice when in the market for sneakers, and each purchased new trotting footwear. My right foot is now 1.5 cm wider than my left foot, thanks to a pronating ankle and a growing bunion, so I was very grateful to discover that New Balance makes suitable sneakers that are not neon pink or hospital white. Trotting is now considerably more comfortable than it has been lately. Eight kilometres (five-ish miles) seems to be a do-able daily dose -- at least for now. There's a sore spot on the lateral aspect of my right foot, indicating a wrenched joint -- result of putting my foot in a hole in the parking lot of the Red Roof Inn in Utica -- and if it doesn't get better soon I will have to reduce the number of impacts it takes in a day.

I'm beginning to think of Advil as a dietary supplement.

It is now ten-thirty o'clock in the morning, so I shall quit typing and go to the gym. Go, me.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Sep 18 - 09:57 AM

Damn. I woke to rainfall again this morning, though the forecast showed only a slight chance for the rest of the week. No dog walk, no lawn mowing, no trimming limbs that should be put out at the curb for bulky waste pickup this week.

I have stuff to do indoors but am feeling the cabin fever of not being able to dig in and clear out some of the weedier or more overgrown areas around the yard. One section of the yard made a regular appearance inside the house though—there was a trail of ants across the wall above the kitchen sink. I'd think by now the crevices must be so full of diatomaceous earth that they wouldn't be coming through, but they found a crack below the window sill.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 18 - 09:15 PM

Two unrelated chores accomplished: boxes flattened and a handful of dried okra pods (with the year they were harvested marked on the side in Sharpie) delivered next door (they have friends with a small a farm who don't like the variety of okra they're growing right now but notice the ones in my yard are much taller and tender even when they're a little on the large size). Delivering the pods wasn't difficult, finding the plastic bin where I'd stored them took a little while. When you nest boxes of things sometimes you lose track of stuff.

I also made a trip to my favorite thrift store for a light yellow t-shirt. I am going to take a number of my former work knit shirts and turn them into a lap quilt, and was missing a yellow shirt I seem to have discarded. I was visualizing that color as part of the pattern so I spent $1.96 to replace it with one that looks well worn. Perfect. I also found a lovely elbow-length boat-neck yellow knit top that fits beautifully and a pair of bluejeans to replace the ones I'm wearing today for the last time. These need to go into the jean project pile because they're way worn and have seen only garden work for ages now.

A swath of the back yard got mowed, a section at the back of the lot. I worked until a very large mosquito tried to land on me, so I ceded the yard to the insects and will finish the job tomorrow morning. Tonight I dropped mosquito dunks into the bird baths and soon I need to clear out the rain gutters on the greenhouse. It's overcast and the temperatures are in the mid-80s this week, an improvement on most of the summer, but I await that crisp blue sky day that tells me fall is here.

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

PA:

I decided one Ag panel will suffice and it is ready to load. Last box closed and loaded. Puder packed. Tmrw AM I pack meds and dog, and hit it.

This three weeks has been crammed with three months' living. Getting home in Ohio will be very surreal.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 18 - 04:45 PM

I mowed but it's still too soggy to do much digging work. I have some limbs to take down also, but again, working under that tree right now would mean the soil is squishy. I'll wait till tomorrow to start taking out a mattock and a couple of limb saws to start that work. Since mowing is possible I may pull out the mower and attack the lawn in the back.

A box went into the mail today along with a large priority envelope for an eBay sale. There are lots of now-empty boxes around here from bringing things home from work and my best move is to flatten them for future use. I've rearranged some of the binders in my office, separating accounts for purchases or paying bills from logon information to online accounts and keeping track of freelance work.

The east coast sounds like it's going to take a hard hit. Any of you in that path, stay safe!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Sep 18 - 07:06 AM

PA:

Torrential rains trying to delay our trailer loading but since I couldn't sleep I solved that. The hog panels will have to be loaded, curved. But all that part of the job can be done ON THE FRONT PORCH, while it rains. Then if it does bend just right it can be tied there, thrown on tmrw AM and away I go in the dry weather.

Errands and cleanup today so I come back in December to a well-prepped personal environment.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Sep 18 - 09:40 PM

Interesting story from my nextdoor neighbor: he was in the hospital for a kidney stone last week and this week he'll go in and they'll do a laser treatment. He said they also did bloodwork and told him his thyroid was off and he'd have to take medicine the rest of his life. He went to his doctor and had them run a panel and it shows up perfectly, so no medicine. He was smart to do that; who knows what was going on at the time he was in the hospital.

I used a coupon for a free Lean Cuisine gluten-free meal this week and I fixed it this evening. Very tasty! Something I could fix myself and freeze. I may experiment with that this week.

This evening I was able to get the mower into the front yard and mow without bogging down in wet grass. I need to trim and do a lot of other work, but this helps with the worst of the problems. It's our week for bulky waste so I'll be trimming a few large limbs off of trees in front and leaving them at the curb tomorrow.

Tonight is the first "regular" Sunday night (after the holiday last week) that gives me the wonderful sensation of what retirement can be - I don't have to stop what I'm doing to make lunches, do laundry, and do the other things to get ready to go to work. Instead, I'm doing some research for the contract work I mentioned and will finish it up tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Sep 18 - 06:41 PM

PA:

I actually used to be able to LIKE moving. Not anymore.

Aftn: Loading and cooperating in the rain. After 3 sleepless wknd svcs for both of us-- shocked peeps for him and farewells for me. But we napped in between and have crockpot going. Van now loaded except for day of departure items like puder/meds/dog.

Tmrw we hope to dodge the rain long enough to add a rain resistant bin and some rolled up hog panels to the trailer and cover that hutch with one last layer of cushioning, wind-resistant tarp, and tie up the load. Tmrw night I'll pack the meds and puder bags, and clean up the kitchen.

Tonight we dry off, fold laundry, watch movies and snuggle, dreaming out loud of retirement.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Sep 18 - 03:37 PM

Beaver:

Mowed some of yard in the dry spell and making progress on the wood stacking. Painted the back shed on two sides, including the new doors (there were none); took most of the new gallon! Looks SO much better. Second coat on the 3 tables. Now, to find something to cover at-risk plants as we have a frost warning for tonight! Also have put heater back in studio.

Mowing the grass was wonderful as I could walk around this am without getting soaked! Off-loaded pottery into the screen house, quick while the ground is dryish!; did not try to unpack it. One more non-rainy day to work on the wood stacking if body permits. Might be able to finish tomorrow and cover it with BIG tarp.

Interior in fair shape.

Well, that was yesterday. Today I have been mostly resting and reading. Guess enough is enough! On this last clear day - til when - I did not do any wood but will go out and cover what is stacked for tomorrow bodes rain. Did not actually have frost last night but is was very cold. A fire in stove this am and probably this evening as it is to be a cold night and very cool tomorrow!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Sep 18 - 06:12 AM

PA:

Last night I was able to sort out the Band players' songbooks at church, with annotations in the players' books I'd used (where most of the corrections would be for future photo-copying). That set is set aside to leave for the several folks committed to continuing the Saturday Night Service. The spouse of a former member got the former member's set, to practice thru, with her new uke.

It's so cool to see new-instrument-fevered Saturday Nighters start down the road we know so well, wanting to start out as players on hymns. A committee looks about to form, to plan all the changes around that service.

Ydy, we got the hutch loaded and wrapped to stay reasonably dry over the next 48 hpurs or so till I pull out. In between rain showers, we'll load up the boxes and other cargo.

Off to church for more farewells and to hear Hardi preach this first Sunday after folks have gotten their notification letters. I've missed hearing his Sunday preaching!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Sep 18 - 09:55 PM

Rain rain rain. I was able to run a few short errands and not get too soggy, keeping them in one neighborhood. Good thing about the city library system is that you can return materials to any branch and they're back on time. My vehicle tags are due this month and I always go to a local hispanic grocery to get them (instead of online or via mail). And there's a library across the street. My 2019 sticker is now in place and my DVDs aren't overdue.

This year I dropped AAA roadside assistance and will use comparable assistance from my insurance company. I changed phone companies. Over the next year I'll investigate the quality of the anti-virus provided free by my cable company (apparently it's Norton Antivirus, but you have to decline all of the offers they pack in). I pay for Kaspersky now, and Malwarebytes. I'll keep Malwarebytes and go with the cable offering. All of these changes were a lot to deploy while I was preparing to retire, but these few changes will result in substantial savings. And I suppose I could have done them before, if I'd thought about it.

I have two jobs announcements to respond to and a couple of other offers to consider so soon I think my future work week will be three days on and four off, helping me help keep track of what day it is.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Sep 18 - 01:46 PM

PA:

I hate these transit scrambles. It looks like keeping the hutch for son/DIL as dry in transit as possible puts me lvg a day later. While that also adds PA time I can use, it relies on my using a lot more caffeine than I like for the drive, because I really must arrive by 2pm Weds. It uses up slop time I might have spent napping on the road, AND time to stretch my legs which will blow up like balloons.

But I did find a stash of 'new' music for road tunes. Perhaps more useful, it allows one more really long, deep sleep before driving....

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Sep 18 - 11:01 AM

Pete and repeat - more rain this morning, locally it's heavy enough that I'm hearing people outside of flood zones getting water in the house because it can't drain out of the yard fast enough. I'll be keeping an eye on the creek. This should be the end of it today.

A combination of copy editing and eBay stuff today, I think.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Sep 18 - 10:06 PM

Another heavy rain today and flash flood warnings. This morning I started pulling up small trees sprouting in the garden but the lawn didn't get mowed (too wet) so it still looks pretty awful. After more rain tomorrow it's supposed to dry out. I dug up some daffodils to take to a friend—I thought I was going to dig, at any rate, but turns out they's spread over the concrete from the edge of the garden so I lifted and bagged them for a short trip to another yard.

It's easy to drift when I don't have to be at the office for eight hours a day plus a commute. I have a bullet list, but I'm going to have to make more notes and probably put a list on the fridge also.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Sep 18 - 10:48 AM

When I went back to work the kids' dad changed his schedule so they didn't have to go to daycare for an hour or two after school. They loved that and it helped the budget. It also meant that after the divorce they saw him every day after school and it wasn't like they only saw him every other weekend and on Wednesday evenings.

The largest flat pieces of denim completely fill one of those large plastic storage bins with the flat top that is two flaps that interlock. Now to find a box for the other pairs of unprocessed jeans.

Into the garden this morning.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Sep 18 - 05:54 PM

I did some decluttering at work today. People have a habit of dropping things off that they no longer can use, especially baby items. While I am thankful to get many of them to share with expectant clients, I am tired of all the gear cluttering up my cubby! The only remaining item is a brand new can of powdered formula.....feels good to get it all out and to people who can use the items.

I have also rearranged my schedule so that I have more time at home in the afternoons with Jeremiah.....I like this SO much better! We have time to get chores done, play a bit and I have the time and energy to make a decent meal. Tonight I made 2 meals so I won't have to cook again this week. I have a chicken roasting in the oven along with some baby carrots with a touch of brown sugar. In the crockpot, I have a new recipe simmering away....chicken and dumplings. That won't be ready until about 9:00pm. Depending on what time Pete gets home, that may be our dinner. Jeremiah will be in bed by then but he will be most happy with the roasted chicken, carrots and corn on the cob.

I also cleaned out my car. I had purchased some fall/Halloween items this weekend and they finally found their new homes. :) Some for here and some for at work.

I added one more bag of clothes to go to Sally's...I'm determined to be rid of the clothes that no longer serve a purpose (too big, too small, don't like, outdated, never will wear again, etc). It's slow going but not bad for working 50+ hours a week and taking care of normal chores.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Sep 18 - 04:15 PM

PA:

So much coordinating, details/schmetails!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Sep 18 - 09:49 AM

It took four full loads in a high-capacity machine to wash all of that denim and material. As I unpacked the bags I was finding an archaeological arrangement of a project that was clearly huge and possibly never completed. It makes me see the amount of work that will go into what I was planning.

There are pairs of full but worn-out large size men's jeans and several ripped or partially dismantled pairs - at least a dozen of those. And there are easily a couple dozen more pairs that have been taken down to just the leg panels from waist to hem, separated from the seams, waist, and zipper. There are dozens of the lower legs of pants cut off to make shorts and there are dozens of scraps of various sizes and lots of pockets and a few bits and pieces of seams and zippers, though most of that is gone. The amount of lint in the dryer was even heavier than washing dog beds.

There are a couple of pieces of denim-colored cotton yardage, probably broadcloth, that is printed on one side. Possibly the beginnings of a project in which the person who spent so much time over this 75 pounds of denim realized that store-bought denim or look-alike fabric isn't as robust as actual jeans denim. Or maybe it was meant to be a backing of a denim project.

So much work went into the preparation of this fabric to this state and my receiving it so randomly as part of an offer on a freecycle group seems remarkable—I feel more like I inherited something, not just some cloth to work with.

I'm tempted to contact the woman who offered it and ask what is the story behind it, though if it is something from an estate, that may be a painful topic. But I'll print out the email and name and perhaps in the future contact her to ask about it. To have done so much work—was something or were several somethings created and this is what is left over? Or did the original idea never see a draft or completed version?

In having this view of the work already completed I'm going to have to get a few boxes and arrange this hoard by size and according to how it was processed rather than dig through the stack looking for a certain size and shape. It makes sense to make the quilting squares out of the smallest scraps first and work up from there, see how the larger pieces can be used before cutting them small.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Sep 18 - 05:32 AM

Thanks, SRS, it's only a little bit like that. For clergy-folk, and their families, it gets heavier in many ways before it gets lighter. We had hoped to get word to people a full week earlier so we could team up to absorb the range of reactions and responses; an unavoidable delay occurred. So our next steps in that will be different. His colleagues also got the word, and will be helpful in shouldering that load.

I love the vagueness of your next professional steps at the end of your post. That sounds like relaxed openness to the range of opportunities I am sure you will have to choose from!


PA:

The week's delay in parochial notifications also chopped a week out of communications with our landlord about exact house departure, but everything else has sorted itself out so elegantly that I'll have to have faith that the house matters will somehow resolve without face meetings. I think I'll see that more clearly from Ohio than I can right now.

The weather forecast looks cooperative for finishing loading up without rain. Tmrw I close the last few boxes and we pick up tarps to wrap Dave's hutch.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Sep 18 - 09:54 PM

Hardi is probably feeling lighter already from having named the date and having a target to work toward. I know that was the case here. Congratulations to both of you, it is a team effort.

I am washing the third load of denim while the second is in the dryer, and there's one more full washer load (and it's a large washer). There are two pair of children's jeans that are in good shape that can go on eBay, but everything else is a source of denim fabric for crafts.

This business of being retired is obviously quite new, but I'm noticing a couple of things right off the bat: during the day the grocery store is quiet and uncrowded and the people who are shopping are mostly retirees and women with small children. I remember the days when I was home with small children and visiting the grocery stores midday during the week; now I'm on the other end of that.

This is a temporary period of working around home and the neighborhood; depending on my next job I may be back in an office and doing a normal 9 - 5 job. Or part time. Or telecommuting. . .

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Sep 18 - 07:10 PM

It's difficult to buy things on spec and hope to sell them later. eBay search on "American Girl doll Olivia".

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: mg
Date: 05 Sep 18 - 02:15 PM

I just bought two american girl dolls in thrift shop for ten each. Been googling but not finding what they might be worth. Both are 1920s or so. One has tag and called olivia. Other no ta g o name. Goal is to start selling on ebay.. Any suggestions?

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Sep 18 - 10:05 AM

PA

Hardi retires Jan. 1, 2019.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Sep 18 - 08:04 AM

PA: Cleanup day in the AC LR, and a farewell visitor due. Hoping it's cool enough for the back porch for that, because it's farewell to the porch, too. For 24+ years this house has been home. Longest place I ever lived. For 20+ years that porch has been a key place (took awhile to give up on the larger front porch). Big day.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Sep 18 - 02:32 PM

Beaver:

I am not doing much but looking at the pile of paper added to the pile for fire starters, I have done something!

Dan finished doors on the back-back shed and put new tops on 3 stackable tables; my job is to paint the lot as well as the sheds. I shall go out shortly and do as much as I can before I run out of steam. It is hot, humid and overcast. Am I looking for an excuse not to do this today??

Lengthy consult with Dan re ladder to sleeping loft. To start on Thursday, then I shall have a place for visitors - able to climb ladders! He will devise a way to hinge it so it can raise up to the ceiling when not in use. AND I can keep my Mexican rug - which I love - on the only wall space availble for it!

Posted a few more posters re the poisonous plants today, then Purolater arrived with a batch of the glossy 4 page brochures and a note that Kate is trying to get a poster made according to the parameters I suggested. I shall try to find her email address and send her the ones I have PLUS the admonition:Do NOT weed wack or mow! This is how my friend got it all over her face - after reading the glossy...

I feel more energized by this result of my 5 hour phone marathon. Computer off, work clothes on - Let's have at it ...

THERE! used up the paint and need to go off for a new gallon and some books from the library. Ordered a book from local shop this am: The Psychopath Inside by Fallon (tom, I think.) Very edifying!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Sep 18 - 11:39 AM

Happy birthday!

PA:

Chair dozed about 40 minutes after a lovely planning conversation with DH. It's a big day, and we hope to do a round of errands later this afternoon. (Not sure if I can tear myself away from Kavanaugh hearings which are already fiery hot!)

The last section of the DR I wanted to sort for this trip is done.

I now have 6-8 closed boxes to load, and 6-8 open boxes/bins labeled for whether they go to house or garage. Between that, farewells to friends leaving the area and laundry/dishes, I am done with this trip's projects and now turn to trip prep-- adding the odd thing or two I pass to the appropriate box, closing boxes, and planning van/trailer packing layout. And at the 11th hour, a hastily-requested consult for a fellow antiracism chapter leader-- his request was only accepted because he's willing to drive to the town where the cheap tarps I need are, for the 2-piece monster hutch I'm driving over to my Ohio DIL & son "on the way" home.

One change in van layout is that I'm lvg the small scooter here, for use in December, and taking just the ramp for Ohio use with the big scooter there. I will probably also leave the portapotty I use when camping in a van, but I have a workshop date to check first; it may live in the van til my December return, when I'll want it here.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Sep 18 - 11:38 AM

Charmion, I'm not planning to keep these things, I'm experimenting with hand craft projects that can be sold on eBay or at craft fairs. Martha Stewart had denim crafts as a topic in her magazine Living years ago that I've been meaning to follow up on. There are a lot of programs I'm interested in catching up on (many streaming via NetFlix) but I'm never good at sitting still to watch TV. I can place a set on the table opposite where I'm working and watch and do handcrafts at the same time.

It's a weekday with all of the neighborhood comings and goings and I'm here to see how the dogs handle all of the activity. My new blue heeler Pepper seems to be on top of everything. :) As soon as it cools off a bit we'll resume walks in the morning.

The yard is a jungle. Time to tackle some of that.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Charmion
Date: 04 Sep 18 - 08:56 AM

Ya know, Stilly, your house will never be free of clutter if you insist on making stuff out of other stuff. Just sayin'.

Defensive driving is a really good idea, and I wish Canadian insurance companies would give a break to those who not only do the course, but also do the deed. After four days of travel at breakneck speeds on the superhighways of Ontario and New York State, I am here to tell you that defensiveness is not the majority approach to the task of driving on those routes.

Five and a half years have elapsed since I quit my last office job, and the time has flown. There's always lots to do, and when I run out of housework, errands and things to read, there's always music practice, cooking and making the cat happy.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Sep 18 - 12:28 AM

Today I went by a house on the west side of town and picked up three large bags of jeans and denim scraps (Frecycle). The first batch has gone through the wash and dry cycle and I'll organize them to see what I have. Lots of jeans legs, and that's fine, because I'm wanting to make quilting squares, for starters. This is an experiment to do with eBay and some of my own crafting interest.

I finished a Defensive Driving course online (deadly dull but it's finished) and now to renew my auto insurance. This gives me a 10% discount each year for three years.

Now comes the fun of retirement - it's a work night but I don't have to go to work tomorrow!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Sep 18 - 12:26 PM

Charmion, you are two days older than me - early happy birthday! What you describe of your trip sounds like a well-managed vacation, even if it was very hot. Our weather is usually like that this time of year, something one would expect for North Texas, and even though we're accustomed to it we still don't like it. Today it's a gentle rain, preparing the gardens for my assault later this week.

I just heard the garbage truck pass by the house; I didn't check to see if they'd be working today (Labor Day) so I didn't put anything at the curb. I'll have plenty for them on Thursday when they make their next pass. I have cleared the kitchen table and next must tackle the dining room table (where many of my sewing projects will be laid out.) Some papers are filed, others need to be shredded, and those will go in the trash. I don't think I have anything eligible for the burning barrel so far, they've gotten pretty good at taking our important account numbers off of paperwork from the university.

Next week is our quarterly bulky waste pickup so one project in the back yard this week is to cut up the small limbs I plan to run through the chipper and haul the rest to the curb. You may remember the episode with limbs on the electric lines; I hauled the big chunks of tree out to the curb in June for that bulky waste pickup, but waited on the rest. Now is the time to process that and clear the fenceline of a large dry pile of branches.

So far retirement doesn't look different from weekends, it's just that I'll now have a lot more weekend and no week. :)

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Charmion
Date: 03 Sep 18 - 11:23 AM

I have returned from Pinewoods.

It was very, very hot in Massachussets, far hotter than I expected, and in fact just as hot as Stratford can be when it tries. I sweated buckets every damnable day, and continued sweating long after sunset, thus attracting a wide range of biting insects. Fortunately, the dress code at TradMaD is such that copious sweating is a problem only to the extent that it causes one's skin to stick to the varnish of the instrument one happens to be playing, and nobody cares if one scratches.

I learned to play the lap dulcimer, so my time was well spent. Himself had a whale of a time, up till the small hours every night and singing himself hoarse. All in all, it was a good holiday.

After two days in our lovely air-conditioned car and two days back in our lovely air-conditioned house, I am still scratching my bug bites and the remains of my heat rash.

Tomorrow is my birthday and I will turn 64, an age I frankly never expected to attain so I have no plans; I rather think I will keep on keeping on. I might vacuum-clean the sitting room carpet, which is beginning to look like a fur-bearing animal.

SRS, congratulations on quitting your irritating office job -- I doubt very much that you have actually retired from gainful employment. When I don't have a paying gig in hand, I like to tell people that I am gainfully unemployed.

Speaking of paying gigs, I finished the Afghanistan book and shipped off the marked-up proof and its PDF files to the publisher. God, but I'm glad that's over -- tho' we were, and are, very grateful for the money. Now I have to ship the bulk scanner off to Ottawa; it's taking up space that should be available for my guitar case.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Sep 18 - 11:19 AM

SRS, brilliant arrangement. If you can afford to, you might want to drift for that whole 30. You've just left an abusive situation and may need more gardening time.

PA: December's return from Ohio will be my last, we've decided, at least to this house-- we'll always have friends here. Exactly what that will look like remains to be seen, but my farewells are underway and I'll complete them over Christmas.

The rest is in the Lord's hands.

Today, packing two shelves for December shipping, then a visit with my adopted brother next county over.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 18 - 11:00 PM

I have 30 days away from work or volunteering in an educational environment for my retirement to stay official. There is work to be done in the future on the photo collection I donated, and I'll be a volunteer there (to be able to go into the back area in Special Collections). I'll start looking for jobs to apply for any day now, but I have a few weeks of down time before I push harder.

I've spent most of the afternoon and evening pacing myself as I work through an online Defensive Driving course. I've completed five of the eight sections. B-O-R-I-N-G. But saves me about 10% on my auto insurance, and it lasts for three years.

Tomorrow is a holiday, part of a three day weekend, and it still just feels like a weekend. I predict that on Tuesday the joy of being retired will begin to sink in. My retired neighbors have kidded me about every day being Saturday now that I'm retired. I still have appointments on my calendar so I can't just drift from one day to the next, but I'll have so much free time compared to before it will be a luxury.

News came this morning of a fellow from the university who died suddenly last night. That makes three in two weeks, younger than me. One had long term cancer she didn't tell anyone about, but not the others as far as I can tell. I feel like I'm escaping with my life.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Sep 18 - 05:46 PM

SRS, what's your planned drift-time duration before your financial and social goals make paychecks necessary?

PA:

I decluttered the Saturday Night Service reprtoire of a pile of players' binders last night; two of our elderly members can no longer play, and a member of that congregation has taken up uke. Like I had done, more than 20 years ago, she wants to learn/practice with hymns and gospel songs.

So I offered her a set of ours, with Hardi's endorsement, and removed anything personal from the pockets. So glad to see the instrument craze take over someone else like that, as mine wanes for now.

It was, I'll admit, gratifying to hear her exclaim about the heavy load represented by all but two of our binders (yet to find). Oh, you didn't realize what this ministry takes!?!?

This evening I did exploratory surgery in one of the two problem areas I'm need of that before I depart in 8 days-- and boxed up more empty binders with tabs to re-use, after filling Shred and Recycle boxes of paper with their contents.

I found four different stashes of past tax returns, which I left for Hardi's review. And I found a few pages neatly filling in an era between two doctors in my health records-- which went into the nearly-full box waiting for little bits just like that.

I estimated the number of liquor store boxes needed to complete my work in that area. Tomorrow, Hardi and I will do similar exploratory surgery in the 2nd problem area.

It's time to start loading boxes into the van. The weather forecast looks good for that.

An Ohio neighbor wrote to ask if she can give our number to the relative about to house-sit for her planned vacay, who will keep an eye on our well-secured little house. We've had zero alerts from the alarm system, the plant-sitter, or either neighbor. I can't wait to get back to my accessible house. If only I could priest-nap Hardi! One week yet to have fun.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Sep 18 - 02:28 PM

My focus today has been the living room. The floor has been mopped, most surfaces have been dusted and Jeremiah is currently in the process of moving his bookcase and pile of never ending STUFF (think backpack, jackets, school papers, random crayons, cars, etc) into his own room. That leaves one set of drawers that he has in the living room.....it's nice having that additional space.

I have a few piles of papers and books to go through of my own yet. We have been saving for a new living room (couch, recliners, possibly a sectional, lights and tables.....so I'm having some fun imagining exactly what and how I'd like the living room to be. Some painting may be in order too.....I'm really liking a harvest wheat color or a soft butter yellow. Currently, the walls are more of a pumpkin color. I think it would be nice to lighten it up. Additionally, we have saved enough to add a large picture window overlooking the field and mountains in the background...that too will add more light to this room. Little by little...we'll get there!

I also have 3 racks of magazines I am hoping to go through and will likely take them to the waiting room at my office (name and address removed) as people are always taking the magazines (which is perfectly fine with us)....so I'm sure they will go to good use.

Hoping to go fishing later today.

Have a great weekend & Labor Day to those in the US!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Sep 18 - 02:21 PM

Congratulations Maggie!!! <3

I hope you fill your days with whatever makes you most happy! You certainly deserve it!

XOXOXOOXOXOXLoveYouBunches!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 18 - 10:28 AM

The last of the CDs was tucked away into the shelf this morning and it looks great, disks in order and free of dust. I've turned my attention to the kitchen to clean up after last night's processing of pickled okra (I have almost a case of jars now). Today will be really hot, as will tomorrow, but we're supposed to have a series of days with a good chance of rain. Finally I'll have the time to work in the yard when the soil is perfect to work in after the rain. Invariably it rains on the weekend and I have to go to work during the week. I will work my way around the foundation, clearing out weeds and weed-tree saplings and transplant a few things. I also need to put in a new concrete path where the sewer line went through.

Someone on my Freecycle list offered up some bags of used jeans for crafts so I've written back and said I'll take them. We'll have to see if I'm the first to ask and if I can find the house. I'm planning to do some craft work with denim and if I don't have to buy the first batch I can do my testing and see how it works.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 18 - 11:54 PM

Laundry done, three more jars of pickled okra and a couple of pounds of it in the freezer. I've cleared off about half of my kitchen table and about as much of my peninsula counter next to the sink.

I took a nap. I found some covers to CDs and put the CDs into them. I dusted some shelves. Nothing vital but it clears up some stuff that was sitting out and I want the house clean enough so I can do more entertaining and not worry about dust and dog hair.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Sep 18 - 07:08 PM

Beaver:
Lovely to have Stilly River Sage back! What an incredible de-cluttering you have accomplished!

Had an opportunity to talk with friend yesterday who has worked 53 years at the local newspaper - started when he was 17 and took over ownership when his dad retired. He recently sold the newspaper part and kept the printing company and office supplies shop - He wants his son to have a life! I would love for him to do an oral history. He probably knows more about the last 53 years of this community than anyone.

Apparently the hogweed and/or wild parsnip, both vicious invasive weeds, are common around here. I wanted to try to provide enough information that more people are not burned by them. Spent five hours on the phone Thursday trying to get a better poster - one with a one liner heading that average folks would see and take notice! Finally got a good one and had my friend print it up -11x17! Spent part of today getting people (at the Farm market) to take them to other areas, blanketed Maynooth and started on Bancroft. Ran out of energy and flaked out for the afternoon. Tuesday...

But I did manage, after nap, to maneuver the firewood tarp into a really good position so it will be easier to handle through the winter, she says hopefully! I am very pleased as I doubted I could do it and did not want to knock over any of the already stacked wood. Two days of rain predicted then I will resume stacking.

Dan said he was coming on Monday but I suspect he means Tuesday - after Labour Day. R did not make it up for this long weekend - moving a 60 foot long machine. Maybe Canadian Thanksgiving? - next month. I am staying right here. Fall is lovely!! Then, in October before ground freezes, the process of moving plants from the Montreal house to ???? somewhere. Then the moving in November to new house. Although with the sale of Montreal house having fallen through - so much for "ironclad" contract... R does not tell me he is concerned... HE is working on it.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 18 - 09:36 AM

I'll probably start a new thread with the new year because this one has run pretty long, but it can handle September through December before we're to that point.

It's a Saturday of a three-day weekend here in the US, so it pretty much feels just like that. I woke early, and facing Saturday, have a usual set of things to do, but all of a sudden I have more time for those things. I have no retirement strategy, though I have things I want to start now. This morning is when I would usually change the sheets, but I pulled up the mattress cover also; might as well start some fall cleaning even though it's still about 100^o out there every day this week. The dogs were fed and since the state of the patio has bugged me for a while I pulled out a stiff straw broom to un-felt the concrete - I call it that because dog hair laid down over time on top of grass and grit thrown off by the line trimmer becomes a durable mat that must be knocked loose and peeled off.

I have a couple of job nibbles and others more I plan to pursue. I also need to volunteer at my old library in order to work on organizing the photo collection I donated, and we need to figure out the best way to do it. One-stop ID might involve a process of identifying and photocopying to write on the paper who and what are in the image, creating a paper record, but also scanning it so it is available for use more easily. Those images will only be a resource if there is information attached to them.

And I'm Stilly River Sage again.

SRS

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 18 - 12:21 AM

The goal at the university was to remove any personal files from the computer and they had a checklist. I made sure I not only deleted things but that I logged off of anything I'd been signed onto. When I logged out of Chrome on that computer it closed out everything, but I suppose if I wanted one last step I could change the passwords.

It was a long day today, lots of visits with friends and I'll miss them. I stopped by another retiree's gathering at a local restaurant, there were three of us who left today.

I'm going back to Stilly River Sage soon.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 31 Aug 18 - 02:51 AM

Acme, it's looked pretty remarkable from here. When the dust settles, I hope uyou'll leave some tips on HOW you did it. I've been reading the "what" of it, but I'm sure you've used some tips I could use.

I have 5 or 6 hard/flash drives to make portable. I'm afraid to get the quote from the techie here but know I can't do it myself. Is there a national chain that does this?

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Aug 18 - 08:59 PM

Still moving some computer files at work, but I think the last batch will have finished by now. I sign off for the last time tomorrow afternoon, but will retain that email account as a retiree. Nothing has been done much around the house except feeding the occupants. Come Saturday it's a whole new world. This is the biggest declutter I've ever managed.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Aug 18 - 09:41 PM

Thanks, Susan - there are few I'm really sad to be leaving behind. They can't or aren't ready to retire yet, and we were a support group. Getting past the stress is necessary, but holding friends close is also.

Not getting much accomplished this evening, and probably won't tomorrow, and I'm not trying. Just coasting along until this is all over.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Aug 18 - 07:56 PM

Acme, I hope you have a camera. I know it may not seem this way now, but later you will want to see again what you saw from your windows every day, and on your walks.

I'm sorry you were not able to do early farewells. Now, however, you can be a powerful magnet to invite work friends OUT of the environment for lunches or coffees. Even the occasional postcard will encourage them more than you can know! :-)

There are folks there who looked to you as a mentor and role model. With some of them, you know you played that role. Others would surprise you. ;-)

There are also folks there who will be having deep grief at what they can only grasp as a sudden departure. I hope there's enough listening resource among them to absorb it, and I wish you all the listening you need in your own transition afterwards. One day at a time.

All the best from one who's been there,

~Susan

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Aug 18 - 07:12 PM

The way to deal with passive/aggressive management is to go around them, so after waiting nearly three weeks for them to announce my retirement to the rest of the library staff, I wrote my own announcement and sent it out this evening. This means that there is only tomorrow for people to stop by because I check out on Friday.

I've brought home just about everything I can see that I brought in over the years, and there are the usual office gifts from people who traveled (magnets, stickers, bobble-head things); I will keep my phone charger cord in my pack so I don't forget it on the last day. I have deleted everything from my computer, emptied the remote storage site I had use of while a university employee, and am ready to get papers signed so I can check out. Turn in the keys and the long distance phone code and I'm out of there.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Aug 18 - 12:04 PM

PA:

One chair nap and administrivia-- photographing boxes packed thus far to facilitate communication with team, posted in my FB transition-planning group page.

Those depict Van Cargo; (some) weather-resistant Trailer Cargo; and December Cargo. I also made a sketch for the Ohio laundry area storage; this image woke me up from my nap. The sketch is to facilitate further measurement/planning in Ohio, so Hardi can cut down the PA cabinet. This great plywood box is ceiling height, almost a yard wide, and 30" deep. Helper Adrian custom-built this for us, and it disassembles. Add a facing and doors made from MDF closet doors original to the house... paint doors with white enamel to match the stackable washer/dryer there... and it will swallow up all those seldom-used kitchen items, as well as paper goods and a small bar fridge!

The key this time has been not how many boxes-- but how organized are their contents.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Aug 18 - 08:54 AM

Go Acme! I hope our own retirement planning bears fruit soon-- I'm so jealous I should go to confession! ;-)

PA:

Seven recordings of our Saturday Night Service turned up last week, and I'm negotiating the cost of converting those cassette tapes to CD.

The last upstrs box is now dnstrs-- video to send for conversion from vhs to dvd, a box of contacts to quote in the book, and annotated Sat. service music planners-- all quickly repackaged. Once they're done I'm taking today as a Sleep Day, which means not much more sorting till evening.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Aug 18 - 09:30 PM

I was out to lunch today with friends from work, and it seems sometimes one lunch just isn't enough because some people can't make it. This was "the" lunch, but I think on Thursday a few others will head over to the same place with me.

The list of things that need to be done soon is growing, so despite having the time at home for a while, it will be filled with activity. A lot is catch-up, but a lot more is initiating the projects I've planned for a long time.

Three more days.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Aug 18 - 01:42 PM

PA:

2nd tramadol not needed TBTG.

Most of laundry is now awaiting folding.

The gray bin emptied, and a beloved shirt and driving shorts were hiding in there-- falling-apart fabrics, but the shirt will do for remaining Sat. svcs time here, and the twill driving shorts will drive to Ohio in a few weeks. They're OMG loose, lightweight, pocketed, and with an elastic, no-slip-down waistband. Fits me 20 lbs either way. They look really awful ON, but they feel so good to drive in!

I may feel a chair nap w NPR coming on. I drank enough water to keep it short, or being on standby for a plumbing call may preclude this nap. But I have clothes to slip on quick from that bin! :-)

~S~