Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House

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

It's an annual here also, seeding itself easily. There are people who grow a similar-looking and botanically-related Brugmansia (Richard Bridge in the UK, for one) who keep it in pots and over-winter in a greenhouse. I sent him some of the seeds from my datura but he wasn't successful growing them in his soil and climate.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Oct 18 - 01:27 PM

OH:

For the potted peony's wintering-over bin, I picked up the first bag of there to pack it into the bin-- a 1$ bag of compost to empty into the bottom. I'll top off with mulch, and when Ms. Peony comes out in the spring, I'll have compost and mulch all set to mix with the leftover clay soil.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Oct 18 - 03:05 PM

Most of my garden albums at FB are public-- here's the potted peony thread.

Potted Peony Facebook thread

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Oct 18 - 08:26 PM

The peony was the telling clue in last night's Pie in the Sky mystery. ;-) Fussy plants.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Oct 18 - 10:39 PM

Speaking of plants and 'river Sage' I have encountered many remarkable scented Sage. They come in apple, lemon, pineapple, cinnamon and more. It has sparked an interest in the science of common scents and flavor. How they evolved into being has got to be a story worth telling. To me they are more vivid than scented geraniums.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Oct 18 - 10:55 AM

Humid as can be here today and the front yard is downright soggy. Houseguest paused the night in the Atlanta area, there are a couple of stops to make on the way, but arrival is either very late tonight or sometime tomorrow. In time for the front yard mud event.

I've worked out where I'll put the fence post to complete the work of joining the neighbor's new fence to my own after the new one was offset by a couple of feet to match the actual property line. I have a spare fencepost to use (dug up after moving the fence on the other side of the house when the new garage was built.)

I'll cut up the last batch of branches off of a trimmed limb and put it with the trash for tomorrow. Yesterday I cut out two lantana plants that had been in one bed that were taking over too much and they're crammed into the bin to go to the curb. I knew they would grow too large, and thought if I kept them trimmed way back it wouldn't be too bad, but I didn't. I found several plantings of various small red lilies (spider lilies, schoolhouse lilies, etc.) under one of the plants. Nice surprise!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Oct 18 - 01:24 PM

OH:

In the process of explaining a storage solution to Greg, I figured we have over 125 running board feet of shelving here, mounted at over-door height and all accessible via reacher/grabbber.

Does anyone here use a pole to get clothes off high clothes rods? I know where to GET them--are they hard to use?

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Oct 18 - 06:41 PM

The plumbing job is underway, with what seems to be the usual hiccough along the way. The line is old 3/4" flexible copper tubing, in rather battered shape, not readily adjusting to a patch of straight copper. It's Saturday and the hardware stores aren't open 24 hours.

Fingers crossed. Otherwise, I'll have to call a plumber and see what magic they can work.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Oct 18 - 10:15 PM

The standard materials available to my friend via the hardware stores in the area weren't sufficient, and my house guest is on the road, due to arrive in another hour or two. The on-call plumber has been called and I'm waiting for a response from the tech to let me know he's on the way. The hole is dug, the pipe cleared and cleaned and the latest patch is still there in place to be removed and replaced with something that comes from a regular plumber's bag of tricks. The service charge is $40 higher than normal business hours and the repair is on top of that. Hopefully we're not looking at a complicated repair.

I have pans and buckets of water here until the line is restored. There's nothing like camping out in your own house.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Oct 18 - 11:15 PM

Oh no!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Oct 18 - 03:36 PM

The opportunity for the high-priced "24-hour" plumbers came and went. I called last night and the switchboard arranged to have the tech call first, then they would come out. When the tech called he hemmed and hawed and said that if he couldn't fix it the job would cost me twice because he'd have to come out again in the morning with the more experienced plumber who doesn't work the nights. So they aren't really a 24-hour plumber if the guy won't come out. I called back this morning and cancelled the Sunday morning service call - it costs a lot more to do it on the weekend and we'd decided to live with buckets of water for the time being and then went over to my ex's house so visiting house guest could take a shower. The opportunity to charge the high price evaporated when it got closer to the regular priced service being available.

We're negotiating the coming and going of family heirlooms now. Things went to a niece back east and there is still a sewing machine and table in the pickup for my daughter, sent by my sister. And I will in turn send things to my sister and son via this same pickup truck returning to their neck of the woods soon. Meanwhile, work was done in a New England state that involved the purchase of several tools and items that came in boxes with lots of Styrofoam. It apparently costs the moon to discard some of this up there so it was stuffed into five large trash bags and has been in the back of a pickup. This trash has now visited 17 states, with five more in view (because there is room in the truck and because it can go in regular trash at no extra charge in a rural western county), though we think I can borrow the ex's water bill and get into the trash and recycle facility of the next town over and discard it there. Convoluted but interesting. Especially since driving a pickup truck with a camper shell through far West Texas means you can be pulled over - "probable cause" for transporting undocumented aliens or drugs. It happened to me a while back. So - get the bagged stuff out of the truck, it looks less suspicious.

Fingers crossed it doesn't rain overnight or tomorrow morning, even though the garden could use it. The plumbing leak is under a downspout.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Charmion
Date: 08 Oct 18 - 01:19 PM

OMG! Stilly, if you can't haul stuff in a legally licensed, safely driven vehicle in your state without expecting to be pulled over and searched, there's something dreadfully wrong in your state.

But you know that, and I know you know that. I'm just exercising my self-arrogated right to squeak in indignation.

I'm tired today, my head aches, and my eyes are watering and itchy, which probably means that autumnal allergens are filling the air. I went to bed last night with ambitions related to floor-washing and laundry, but the floors will have to wait. Laundry takes precedence, and those trips up and down the stairs will eat up any extra energy I might generate today.

Tomorrow is another day; I shall rise to fight again.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Donuel
Date: 08 Oct 18 - 04:01 PM

Its time for my eye drops when I only see Clearing Out the Horse.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Oct 18 - 04:29 PM

Don, I'd keep the horse!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Oct 18 - 10:42 AM

OH:

Brittney is here and the standing written task page has been reviewed-- and she missed a biggie already (cln bowls put away IN REACH--redirected). Missed notations for 3 wks svc now entered in folder. She sez she can't clean w vinegar. ????

1 lg trash bag and 1 sm bag packed for Goodwill-- she will take. Net: 2-3 small cotton rag rugs saved for dog corner pee pads. Two milk crates freed up. Yellow curtains and coord items, pink roses twin sheets, blue floral Sailboats bedspread-- bye bye, gone.

Request for PA optometrist records found, addressed, and added to mailbox.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Oct 18 - 12:09 AM

Out of town visitor at the house has kept me occupied this week, but sticking with the decluttering category, several boxes of items from here are leaving with him; one more (a mantle clock) would be going also if for some odd reason the pendulum hadn't gone missing from it. I suspect my ex; he didn't like this clock - it made a ticking noise. New Flash - clocks often do that. I'll have to hunt around and wonder where he must have put it a couple of decades ago when the clock was still in use.

The boxes that are leaving were open on the dining table for a while as I added items as I came across them. They're taped closed and packed in the pickup ready to head out, and my dining room table looks almost usable again.

We had more heavy rain this week. This anomalous amount of rainfall is really getting tiresome. The plumbing work was accomplished on Monday before it started, and since the hole was dug, the pipe revealed, and everything was ready to work on, the low end of the appraisal was charged. Now if there was only an easy remedy for the allergies that are starting up again. Mildew or mold, perhaps? I picked up some of the Costco Flonase knockoff this week (I have previously bought it at Sam's Club, but I toured Costco with a member and am comparing services.) I don't shop at any of those warehouse stores very often any more, but the considerable savings at their gas pump might be an incentive.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Oct 18 - 09:35 AM

I have waved goodbye to the departing relative and several packed boxes, all headed west when the sun will be in the east, and hopefully arriving at the next stop before the sun is in drivers' eyes. One needs a strategy for how to drive through the Texas Sierra Blanca checkpoint when driving a pickup truck with a canopy. I'm sure there will be no delay as they pass through, but having things positioned so an investigation is easy is always prudent.

Anticipating this visit I brought in several boxes and didn't break down others because I wasn't sure what I'd need this week, but now I can tidy the sun room and flatten and store the corrugated clutter. Last spring I inherited a dozen large boxes that are almost completely filled with the dissolvable cornstarch packing peanuts, and I've drawn down three so far. I have a roaster oven to list on eBay (just in time for Thanksgiving!) and another one will be handy for that. They're stored out of the way in the garage and represent a tidy savings toward my eBay shipping costs.

Today is our first nice-feeling fall day. It has been cooling here finally, but was still packed with summery humidity—until now. I did a little weeding in the garden yesterday afternoon, but this really feels like good yard work weather. And it's time to get out another blanket, leave a couple of sweaters handy, and more than that, it's finally time to start cooking again!

A second cuppa tea and the dogs have gone back to sleep now that the early morning departure is over. They enjoyed having company here, especially an extra human who likes to talk to dogs.

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

I've found something else I should have sent in the boxes. Oh, well. In the house I need to work on the shelves in the closet to make room for printer paper (I have a lot of it, bought in bulk for savings), and I need to start working on the fence now that I'm not entertaining a houseguest.

It's beginning to feel like stew or pot roast weather.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Oct 18 - 04:58 PM

OH:

Spent some more time today on further space planning-- "my" kitchen is about to become a two-cooks kitchen.

Went outside after, apparently not in time to catch yesterday's young helpers. Scootered Newbie through likely blocks, looking for them, and nope-- but found other possible prospects at the park's hoops court.

While awaiting the two from yesterday, I used the scooter to ferry a heavy (wet over-filled) planter-basket-- a repurpose bike basket I'll use as a window box-- and the potted peony; these went around the corner lot and into the garage. This leaves just the REALLY farm bell to unload, with a hand truck, after I pull the trailer around to the garage side of the lot.

Then I nipped some weed vines off the fence the boys were to extend higher. I got one eyelet screw in before driver battery died-- fresh one charging for 3 more to hang the fence panel. I could almost install the fence myself tmrw-- Tuesday latest w/Brittney if not, or if no help tmrw. I texted one boy's dad to ask abt tmrw.

Very nippy here today but with warm sun between the breezes.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Oct 18 - 07:49 PM

Charmion,

   "But you know that, and I know you know that. I'm just exercising my self-arrogated right to squeak in indignation."

LOLOLOLOLOL I LOVE IT!!!

Some decluttering of our bedroom has happened in the last week, more clothes to Sally's and clothes that I wear are actually on a hanger where they belong!   Today I cleared the top off a table that has been gathering "I'll Look at it Later Mail" which has been needing my attention for about a month. I spent some more time in my sewing room and did quite a bit of rearranging....it's starting to look pretty darn good in there! :)

I cleaned out my car today so I have room to take all my gear to the upcoming quilting retreat. :) I'm happy about that.

I've started the LIVESTRONG Program and was surprised to find out what my baselines were. I chest pressed 150 pounds and a leg press of 260. Not bad considering I have a desk job and haven't been very active lately. I also went to yoga this week, lots of down dogs and long plank holds...my shoulders and biceps are crabby with me two days later.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Oct 18 - 10:40 PM

Mill:

Came down from Beaver last Friday to spend some time with R as he did not have time for the trip. We managed to meet at the Cafe on Friday eve - great music!, have a nice BF on Sat and embark on a DAY! He needed to help someone de-clutter her life - and clutter his! I sat in truck and read. We visited with friend from West Coast for a couple hours, sitting at a table in the Market. We may have helped him de-clutter a bit by explaining that as executor he is not compelled to physically clear the house! Then we visited with Hannah and Rafael as she/they admired the totally white bowls I had produced at her behest, and good conversation also! She bought 5 and now wants me to make grey. Oy vey! She has a 40 year collection of "dorothy bowls" so it is interesting when she pulls out a pile and relates them to my potting history.

Back to the mill for the night and a nice BF, then to Geri's to install a light fixture in her K. It took 5 hours! Geri and I chatted as R focused; we could see his brain working as he solved the problems of missing pieces. The light in the K, after about 30 years of not enough, was monumental! She told me later that she spent the evening cleaning the K of dirt she had not been able to see! R referred to it as "a fun day". I took him to supper at a new Thai restaurant - lovely place, terrific meal, I hope it survives in this small Quebec town.

Monday, we went into the city and worked on the house there, clearing some stuff. R is working hard at trying to make it look better, more sale-able. He still seems to have faith that all will work out. We dug up a carload of plants from the back yard and most of them are planted, at least for the winter, here at the mill. My mill shovel is missing so I did that with a bent trowel. I feel happy that this has been accomplished as I did not want to lose ALL the plants.

Tomorrow I shall purchase yet another shovel and finish planting the last few. I also will make a stab at digging up the small giant hogweed or wild parsnip plants which are suddenly abundant here. If I had not had those posters made up, I would not have recognized these vicious little beasts.

I had meant to go back to Beaver on Weds but a friend from PA emailed that she is coming down the St Lawrence this weekend in a small sailboat sans mast, motoring at 7-9 knots. I spent the last two days exploring to find a place where I could get on board and visit for a few hours as we go along the canal/river/St Lawrence Seaway. After a frustrating day in Valleyfield, where almost no one seemed to speak English, I have messaged a sailing friend who lives near by for HELP!

After assessing the available wardrobe, I used the thrift shop in Valleyfield to add another pair of slacks and a very warm jacket so I don't freeze on the water. The weekend will be quite cool. The clothes are airing out near the heater to get rid of the stench of detergent/fabric softener - toxins the people seem to insist on using.

Aside from frustration of language barrier, I added a wonderful map of Valleyfield to the map collection, and a far better knowledge of the geography of that water-logged town: two rivers, myriad islands,and two canals - the "old" and the "new" Beauharnois Canals, and another one "over there". I have been, idly, wondering what all that water was about! It is rather nice to have a clue, thanks to a man who pulled out a map and showed it all to me! And gave me the map! We endured each others inadequate language skills. He was the closest to a tourist info that I could find; I think it was a taxi dispatch office.

I drove around the town for almost 2 hours, thinking that surely somewhere around all these parks and water there must be an info kiosk. I finally stopped at an insurance office - it had parking!!! The nice women - one spoke English - looked on line and gave me a phone number, said it was at the city hall but I had already been by that a couple times and there was NO parking within (my) walking distance. So I stopped for much needed food, and phoned - French only. Time to go home!

A last ditch effort: explored a road that went along the river. I'll bet some of the houses along there have docks; I was tempted, but too tired, to knock on a door and ask. Maybe if my French were up to it.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Oct 18 - 11:07 AM

I figure that since the family visit started with the water off, anything after that would be much better, and it was. Laundry today, and a trip to Home Depot to begin the fence process. It may rain this weekend so if I can at least get the corner post in it will have time to set up until the next clear day.

The retirement paperwork is finished, now to figure out where my next job will be. I find that when I'm home every day I'm not as efficient on those days as if they're the weekend and I know I have only that time to do certain tasks. Getting the hang of this retirement business requires learning discipline - it doesn't come naturally.

I dropped off donations at the thrift store yesterday but discovered they wouldn't accept returns from another store in the system. That has never been the case before, but apparently a new computer system is being put in to connect the stores. I live near the corporate office so I'll call, but I really don't want to drive clear over to that other store, it was on one of my more distant trips last week (and I have 2 weeks to take these electronic items back if they don't work.) This is the eBay portion of my day. And something I need to do is list a bunch more stuff, especially seasonal items.

For those of you in the US, you might want to check out the USPS site and look at their "Informed Delivery" option. They're promoting it right there at the top of the page and there is a link on the top right side. Since mail is automated scanned in the sorting process they decided to make the images available to recipients. I had to set up a second account for the house, my regular account is tied to my PO box. It doesn't really matter for the house unless I'm away, but now it is set up. The PO box one is helpful because I don't go there everyday.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Oct 18 - 03:36 PM

OH:

SRS, yes on structure, which some call 'discipline'. I set up a new personal sked that has already borne fruit-- a new volunteer opportunity that could equally well have applied to paycheck work. I knew when I was OPEN-- instead of organizing around THEIR sked.


Today is supposed to be Fun/Explore day (to stay in step w Greg's longtime day-off rhythm).

There being no friend fun available tdy, I set up an Arepas-tasting jaunt for tmrw aft, and leaf peeping for next wk. Then I started a pork/chix livers crockpot, and gave some free consultation time to SURJ NEO.

Next I suited up to catch potential after-school helpers; I towed 16' of ag panel around the corner and into the garage with my scooter, and hand-moved it into the patio. (It was in the driveway. The entry to the patio is blocked by landscape supply items the plumbers had moved).

The ag panel, in all its still-S-curved glory, is now in the patio awaiting hoisting and installation. I need to drill for one more eyelet screw first, and stretch the panel full length, then hoist it with nylon strapping I spotted in the garage, and clip it to the eyelets at each end plus-- across the bottom-- to the existing panel. Tmrw probably- I already dropped it on my foot twice for today. :-(

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Oct 18 - 09:03 AM

Mill

R is busy in the city, doing his usual work plus trying to make the house more saleable: one of the original doors stripped and looking pretty good; well, much better; they were never meant to be unpainted but they are wonderfully interesting doors. It will be in the LR so prospective buyers can see. He may get to changing them out so they can do the second one then put both in place rather than the icky one there now. Two doors because it was a duplex and now it is not, though it could be redone...

Plan last night was to work like a fiend "tidying up" as two prospects coming today and another tomorrow. So I stayed here, waiting to hear how my friend is making out coming down the river. Thanks to a local sailing friend (it would have greatly d-cluttered my life if I had asked him first!) we have two good possible stops about 15 minutes away.

While waiting, I have a list of chores: bought a new shovel and can finish the planting; bought ingredients - vinegar, epsom salt and dish soap - to mix in effort to kill the sprouting Giant Hogweed/Wild Parsnip , if it chooses not to rain today, collect materials (from studio) for new glaze - a black that I can mix with the white to make a grey for Hannah. Take materials to Beaver as having some here and some there is a great clutter!

Chilly day but not very windy, so far. Heavy wind from the west (prevailing) might make docking on the east shore iffy.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Oct 18 - 12:51 PM

Thunderstorms again today and for much of the week ahead. This is the soggiest year I remember in a long time. I waded into the garden to pick okra that I didn't get yesterday either. It slows growing in the rain but doesn't stop.

I have to work on some spots of the ceiling that have been affected by the shifting foundation, but I'll wait till a friend can come help. My fence project starting with the new post is on hold, I had hoped to dig the hole today but it would fill with water and be difficult to work with (though some methods of putting in fence posts involve filling the hole with water, letting it sink in, then adding the dry concrete around the post, and the moisture is pulled back into the concrete.)

eBay it is, then.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Oct 18 - 06:22 PM

Today I swapped things out in my kitchen and dining room so that the fall decorations are in order...it looks so pretty!

Jeremiah bagged up a large garbage bag with toys he no longer plays with and a few more pieces of clothes from my closet....so that's good.

My body has recovered from this week's yoga...woo baby.....I was SORE. I'm going again next week....as someone once told me (Thank you Hardi) Damn it....I CAN do this!   

I can and I will. I am persistent if nothing else.

Little by little.

Step by step.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Oct 18 - 12:27 PM

I'm looking at the Silver Sneaker's program but don't really find weight lifting and such very interesting, so I'll search for low-impact exercise, yoga, etc. I have a request out to a friend who is already using the program and I hope to join her in some of her workouts to see what she likes.

Today I have been carefully cleaning up a lovely roaster oven picked up at Goodwill. I don't know how the previous owner was using it but you're not supposed to cook in anything but the removable pan. I have the interior portion and the removal pan soaking with vinegar right now to remove limestone scale. Maybe someone used it like a double boiler? I'll have it listed this afternoon after it's photographed, described, packed, and ready to go out the door.

I have some scholarly journals that I haven't read in years, no one will want them, and they're all available online now, so they'll make a trip to the recycle bin this afternoon. This clears out more space for things that are sitting out in the office. And I finally put my computer on a stand actually meant for computers (it has wheels that lock) so I can move my home-made wooden box out of here. I forget why I first made it - possibly for an early computer? - but for many years it served as a box for step exercise while I watched television. It may return to that, or it may go out to the garage for a while.

Next week I'll be on campus for an event so I'll take a printer toner cartridge and a bunch of electronic waste and batteries to the recycle bin (that I used to oversee and report if it needed emptying). I still haven't found a good place to recycle a bunch of hard drives. One of these days I'll unload a dozen or so of those.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Oct 18 - 07:29 PM

The garage boxes are too small for the roaster oven, but I have several other very large boxes flattened behind a cabinet and I'll check those out tonight. The roaster has a few scratches and a couple of spots where the paint has pulled off, but in all it's beautiful and in great barely-used condition. The external scratches usually are from how it was stored, not how it was used. (That's why I got the same thing in a stainless finish, not painted.)

The journals have been deposited in the recycle bin, along the latest batch of plastic and glass. I actually pulled a handful of newspapers out of the city recycle bin that I can use here at the house and in the garden because I don't get a newspaper any more. I used to sometimes pick them up on campus from a "Newspapers in Education" stand, but I'm rarely on campus these days.

It turned clear briefly. My next door neighbor mowed this afternoon and I should have also, but by the time I was ready to go out, it began to look like rain any minute. It takes a couple of hours to do the whole lawn, so maybe in a day or two. And I still need to dig the hole for the fence post.

Now to more indoor work.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Oct 18 - 10:52 PM

SRS, a gardening friend of mine brings home all manner of folks' discarded paper, which she runs thru her small landscaping shredder for mulch.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Oct 18 - 03:35 PM

Portions of this area are subject to as much as six additional inches of rain during this current event of rain coming through the region over the next two days. I just tipped the dog tank that had two inches from the last two days. I took the mattock out to the back yard to sketch a small drain trench to move water from standing next to the chimney - it seeps in under it in really heavy rains.

Printer paper has been organized and moved to the lower bookshelf. The paper with packaging that identifies it as bright white or card stock, etc, is in place also and that was sorted. Legal is all in one stack. And there is a mix of standard-sized paper that came out of various packages over the years that will be used without regard to weight or brightness unless I'm working on a special project.

The second work area is piled high and needs tackling next. There are projects, dated materials, and library books in that tangle of stuff, so I have to get to it.

I think I got all of the journals but now I can look for other books that can be taken to the used bookstore or listed at Amazon. I'm determined to clear more shelf space of things I never use.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Oct 18 - 04:55 PM

Mill:

Hanging out here to see if my sailboat friends want a ride from wherever they decide to stop back to their vehicle in NYS. I told them I could give them a ride to the border - will not cross it but I can get them to a point where they can easily take a bus.

An afternoon on the St. Lawrence on a 22 foot boat is a great way to de-clutter every speck of energy. Saturday's wonderful boat ride started out with me wondering if I was about to de-clutter my life totally. After a few minutes, I realized the boat was not going to turn over and dump us into the very cold water! I questioned the lack of life jackets and was handed one which I clutched to me for the next several hours. Actually, it was only about 3-4 hours from pick up until we found a dock where I could get off - just as the sun set (7pm)! We were elated to find this spot, at a park/boat launch site, with a nice outhouse with composting toilet! The water was much less wavy once we were off the river and in the (new) Beauharnois Canal - big enough for ships.

Although I had phoned R at 6 to ask him to start down - about an hour from the city - it took him more than an hour to get organized with a functional vehicle. After a couple of "where are you exactly" phone calls, he finally found us just before 9pm. What to me what an obvious traffic signal, was to him " a light". (at the beginning of the very long draw bridge.) What was obvious to me was not at all so to him.

We went to the mill for the night and he drove me to my car in the am after a good BF. I hung on to life until about 3 - tea with Geri and a visit to a new art show - then succumbed to a long nap and then bed with book until almost 10. Better today.

Incredibly interesting to see the area from the river - "Ah, that's what that darn bridge looks like!" The one which often clutters a trip by being up for an ship, adding 30 minutes or more to a trip of 40 minutes. And looking at the "other side" of the areas I had traveled by car a couple days earlier. I was greatly wishing I could have gone further - to see the other side of Ile St. Bernard and the canal along the Mohawk reserve. I hope I can do that next summer. (mini "bucket list"?) Is is "clutter" to add on things that one would like to do?

I cluttered my life by offering them a ride as I am ready to go back to Beaver and they have 'til Weds to motor on down the river. Cold as it is - hit freezing last night - I would think they would want to be off the water sooner.

R continues to de-clutter the house; I am staying out of the way. Real estate agent wants to bring prospective buyers but was finally convinced it needed to look better first.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Oct 18 - 06:44 PM

Sorry, corrected post.

OH:

After a fabulously creative and productive morning (writing for my new volunteer gig), a frustrating afternoon... chasing required retirement paperwork! It twists and turns through various mazes of understaffed and poorly-articulated channels.... for important stuff!!! Today it involved details required for rearranging post-January healthcare plans, once a better deal suddenly revealed itself. Party A needs form 4444 but wants form 3333 from B before B can have what it wants from A. And repeat in reverse.

So-- Gawwgggghhhh! Retirement ain't for sissies! I never knew 'growing old together' would put so much administrivia in OUR laps! What a great partnership dance we did though to cut thru the crap. I guess that's what I decluttered today-- crap.

Our new personal motto is, "We WILL f|}•ing get this DONE!"
 
Tonight my new personal schedule calls for picking up all around the house, loading the dishwasher, loading the washing machine, and general prep for Brittney tmrw (9am-1pm), and Head Gardener Brandon about 5:30.

I hope to declutter my brain--soon!-- blasting some good Girl Power music. This Calls for Loud.

My boss on the volunteer gig just surprise-called-- we'd not met-- and she's a blast! (Talk about Girl Power!) My first draft on the first piece -- passed with flying colors. Whoo-hoo!!! It sets the format and slant for the next, more-complicated pieces.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Oct 18 - 07:56 PM

There was apparently a lightning strike at the Dallas AT&T service facility for cell phone and Internet, knocking out both the main power supply and the backup power supply. If there are people you can't reach, or if some of your service isn't working, that may be why - it has affected nodes around the country. My neighbor called and since she can see my WiFi signal from her laptop I gave her the password. As long as she's on this side of her house and I move the wire shelves out from under the router in the pantry. I think I should probably move the router to the other side of the wall and up higher. It involves a couple of holes in walls, but is doable.

Time to get out a blanket to add to the bed for tonight, and I've set one of the heat pump units to heat though the other is still set to cool if it warms up again. The trouble with Texas is that EVERY YEAR we go from hot to cold with very little autumn-like brisk lovely weather in between. The same thing has happened again this year.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Oct 18 - 10:46 AM

Another classic example of Texas weather - over the weekend it was warm and humid. Now it's cold and rainy. There are only ever a handful of autumn-like days here. The Hudsons Bay blanket over the top of the bed was perfect.

This morning I pulled a number of eBay items from the stash of stuff on the table in the sunroom and stacked them in the kitchen. They'll get an examination, careful dusting or cleaning if needed, then back to the sunroom one at a time for photos and packing for shipping. I do have to go out briefly on this rainy day, but most of it will be spent working on this stuff.

I see that Secret Santa is starting up again. If anyone wants a nice mood-lifter, that's a good place to start!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Oct 18 - 06:40 PM

OH:

"Head Gardener" Brandon just came, dealt w immediate needs, eyeballed the rest, and suggested I tack today's pay onto one Fall Cleanup check (next visit). And he's even more fabulous than promised!

Net: farm bell now in garage. Dog fence now 6', clipped (Brandon), and zipped (me). Now I can give back the trailer and return with a garageable car!

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Oct 18 - 12:14 PM

Training this afternoon to volunteer on the campaign for a candidate in a senatorial election. More rain today so I'll continue to work indoors until it's time to head out.

Still clearing paper off of the second work space in my office—I have made progress and the stack is smaller.

I've just realized there is an event on campus that I was going to go to, but I got distracted. I don't know if there's time to get there now. And I probably have to get dressed up. Bugger. I do have things I want to drop off in their e-waste bin, but that can wait.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Oct 18 - 09:12 PM

OH:

Busy day with a few decluts. The plastic 2-drawer unit from Liberation Library electronic supply is now empty and added on top of a similar BR unit, for Greg to use Jan.-March until his dresser arrives. The ottoman that was parked, unused, in the Sewing Room which is not needed for the LR til March's furniture delivery... is now in LL to serve as a side table until replaced by a March side table. Oy! (Keep all THAT straight!)

A few items were found thereby to put away, about half of which were stowed. One was a lightweight chairside android charger, now installed at a LR recliner lacking one til now. A better cord is coming in January, freeing up this one then for kitchen or garage.

After Chinese birthday dinner with Judy, I stopped for a brief visit and happily received two cloth bags full of wonderful cards. She gains an empty bin where she has stored them all nice and clean-- and I gain farewell/moved, blank, thank you, and sympathy cards perfectly timed for using up as we retire. It will be interesting also getting to know her better through seeing what she liked enough to purchase and then keep after she downsized-- and I can sure use the whole stash.

~S~

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

I'm working around the house to fix a few things today. First finished task - took the cover off of the ceiling heater fan in the master bathroom and cleaned the fan shaft so it turns freely. It was lagging the last couple of times I tried it and that doesn't effectively move the heat from the coil down into the room. It's not my favorite heat source anyway, but I put it on a timer switch when I first moved in to keep it from being left on (as happened a few times early on and when realtors came through the house before I bought it.)

Rain rain rain. They're releasing water from some local lakes. My stream is a year-round tributary into the main river in this watershed (the Clear Fork of the Trinity River) so I'm up on a bluff, but the Clear Fork, like most major branches, is dammed a dozen miles from here. https://waterdatafortexas.org/reservoirs/statewide

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Oct 18 - 02:56 PM

OH:

I woke up at 3am sick with a renewed bladder infection, so I spent some time while waiting for the doc to answer my MyChart message with a different Rx, sorting thru the completely not organized card stash to find sympathy card options for a friend whose son just died. After I went back to bed and got up 3 hours later, I chose from among the options, got it written, and got it into the mailbox before pickup. A city mailbox I can open in my jammies without leaving the house-- YES, thank you!

Then I decided to rough-sort the stash. Matching envelopes to cards as I went, it turned out that the vast majority are expensive, beautiful BLANK cards with nature theme fronts for every season-- most of them GARDEN images. With thick, creamy envelopes. Only one envelope in the lot was stuck shut-- they'd been stored with care.

I bagged up all the kinds of cards-- a gallon ziploc of Thank You cards, about half of which are high quality and a few suitable for Greg's use. Two gallon-sized bags of blank note cards. One bag of postcards, some from Ohio tourist spots we will probably visit. A bag of fold/seal notes to use with or without envelopes. Some loose notepaper. Two bags of envelopes without cards, in all sizes. A bag of mixed Season's Greetings. A bag of mixed occasion cards, about half of which are Thinking of You. A bag of chech/cash enclosure cards for kids and mail carriers. A bag of Address Changes.

I'm betting more than half of these disappear as retirement communications. I only wish my handwriting weren't so age-affected that it's so hard to read. I go slow, but the letters tangle up. Guess I'll focus on warm brevity!

In the colors and delicacy of the artwork, you can definitely see the eye and heart of the Master Gardener who gave us these. I'm looking forward to further sorting the envelopes by size, and the blank cards by season. And filing the mixed-occasion ones. And getting stamps to suit.

I'll take a bunch to PA when I go back in December for Last Weeks-- special messages to individuals we've known so long. Then I expect to use a lot of Thank You's in January, here. I can start on the Address Change batch anytime-- and then drop them at the right time.

There's a very nice piece of furniture coming in March, to hold all the overflow in boxes, for a gracious "morning room" habit over tea.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 18 Oct 18 - 05:43 PM

What started as a good year just fizzled away. Some things I’d planned are now on hold until next year and I’ll probably just do the outdoor maintanence bits than need doing, eg. dissconect micro irrigation tap timers and call it a day at that for this year.

Once again, it’s felt like a string of things going wrong and, while I tried to put a brave face on it, the cat getting knocked down was probably the last straw. I went from trying to encouraging a stray to finding a new friend and little ray of sunshine to loosing it in a relatively short time scale but it seems just “par for the course”. Also, my back flared up on the first day of some trivial (ICT) course I went on to see if I could still do something and hasn’t really died down since which has lead to numerous sleepless nights as well as lack of willingness to try some types of mobility.

I’ve been playing with Java hacking instead for the last couple of weeks. First was for a logging meter, eg. this and now I’m dabbling with a SANE (scanning made easy – mostly on Linux and sort of like TWAIN on Windows for scanners) library.

So far, I can scan/preview, set most of the options SANE reports a driver has and allow the creation of “presets”. Timewasting really in one sense as it’s never going anywhere but something to doing another sense.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Oct 18 - 06:13 PM

I am always scribbling notes to myself and they pile up around the computer desk. I've cleared one side of the desk, not by shifting to the other side but by going through the stuff and dealing with it. But these notes - I'll enter some of them into a binder I have nearby, but a few are computer related things that are best here by the machine. For now I'm using a little magnetized file box and stuck it under the desk. Let's see how long that works before I forget I put it there.

The TV is on in the background and last hour was a CSI mystery set in a hoarders house (Season 11, episode 5). You take inspiration to clear out wherever you find it!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 18 Oct 18 - 06:23 PM

I'd not be without a notepad on the left side of my desk now. Scribblings like anagrams for crosswords sometimes, the odd message if I (rarely, usuallly leave to another to pick up) on the phone and various other things that mean something to me at the time. Left side as I'm a leftie who can use a mouse or phone with his right.

Maybe cluttering rather than decluttering but I got a pack of 10 spiral pads not so long back. Still, Pip and Peter took two each and a visiting brother wanted one.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 18 Oct 18 - 11:02 PM

Beaver:

Ah, the joy of being home! Peace and quiet are the very best de-clutter!

I de-cluttered by letting friends take my car to fetch their truck. YAY! I sorted stuff at the house in Montreal, having picked them up after their terrifying night at a marina while 80km winds roared over them, knocking a couple containers - the ocean going sort- off their piles. Gave them a tour of Montreal and we visited 'til we were exhausted - about 8 pm! (Picked them up one day and let them take the car the next.)

This morning I packed up some stuff and brought it with me just to get it out of the house. R spent the whole day working on cleaning and packing his vast assortment of STUFF. I hope I never see any of it again. I hope he is learning something from this - about the costs of too much clutter.

I drove here and have sorted and stored most of what I brought - after the 5 hour drive. Also after getting the wood fire going! and having a good supper. And putting the heating pad in the bed to warm it before I get in! Now I shall do just that!

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 07:20 PM

I went to two training sessions for volunteering this week, one a short-term political group, the other a longer-term local research center. This is me finding ways to get out into the community and have good human interactions. The thing about retiring, even if it is from a toxic workplace is that the management is what was toxic, my co-workers were great and I miss them. Retirement means building a new family and access to those old co-worker friends.

I can't believe how much rain we've had here in North Texas over the last six weeks or more. It's like living in a rain forest instead of a prairie. When it does dry out I have a lot of work to do out in the yard. I need to set up a work space in my garage to do some things that normally would happen on the patio or at the side door.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Oct 18 - 09:23 PM

OH:

Finally done sorting through cards-- there were large envelopes to match with folded notepaper for writing longer remembrances to parishioners and others in the county where 24/25ths of our married life have been.

No other big decluts today-- sleeping a lot w antibiotics.

~S~

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 11:11 AM

Finishing ripping some CDs to the computer to be loaded into the phone - audio books from the library. More often now these things are available for download but with the digital rights management (DRM) software to limit the listening to two weeks, which is more than a footrace with some longer books. Easier to make a copy that I listen to more leisurely. I don't keep them, they take up space.

I've finally added a few things to my NetFlix queue, and last night watched a couple. That new cooking program, Salt Fat Acid Heat is what lured me back to watch (the first episode so far) and look around for more programs. I go in spurts with my viewing there. I've also returned a couple of disks of programs that don't stream and can only be shared via multi-episode DVD. I also watched The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—the movie is okay but the book is so much better.

It looks like the overcast may linger but the rain has cleared for a few days. Time to scramble and make the most of access to the lawn, giving it a day or two to dry out. (Right now the mower would press ruts into the lawn.)

I stacked eBay items on the kitchen counter to give each an exam and dust or clean, but now the counter is rather crowded. The dining table is much clearer and it's time to spread out fabric for cutting out patterns and deciding where I'm going to use the sewing machine, the crowded craft room or the soon-to-be-needed-for-holidays table in the dining area.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Oct 18 - 08:06 PM

Beaver:

Busy two - beautiful- days getting ready for winter. Further inspired by possible flurries tonight! 3X laundry, including 4 throw rugs! Stacking wood near house for that occasion when the woodpile is inundated with snow when I arrive; gives me a few days to clear the deck - literally! Indoor piles are only good for two days. Found a small two drawer cabinet at thrift shop today which helped to reorganize some more of BR.

Packed a box of pottery for friends, to pay bill for his work on stained glass piece in BR wall. (Agreed upon trade deal!) Putting everything into sheds that need to be there. Will put winter tires in car tomorrow and phone Monday for appointment. My car is wonderful but does not like even half an inch of snow.

Looking for possible home in BR being developed by mama weasel who crossed the LR the other day, from bath to BR. I don't mind her being here but must weasel-proof fabrics, foods, etc! I cannot mind her being here as there is no way to keep her out! In spite of Dan's best efforts.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Oct 18 - 12:32 AM

No weasel problems here, not with three dogs, the newest one in particular.

It was a research afternoon, and an evening dance concert put on by the studio where I've been active. Comparing notes it seems most of us have some kind of injuries or arthritis and many are over 50 -- definitely time to work out a low-impact dance program.

I reheated a piece of baked salmon for a late late dinner and the dogs happily gathered around. They know the drill: I eat the fish, I divide up the skin and give it to them, then they all share in licking the plate. Everyone's happy!

More paperwork and I will do some political volunteering tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Oct 18 - 12:02 PM

Morning exercise on this sunny day involved throwing dog toys for the two that retrieve, offering the opportunity to race around in the muddy turf. I walked out to the area where I want to do some garden work next but the ground is still too spongy. Might as well let the dogs run, they don't care.

Of course the sinuses have decided to be tender now that the weather is looking bright and autumn-like. Antihistamine taken, decongestant coming soon.

The fat lizard that was on my kitchen window screen for days has waddled away, stuffed with the moths I saw her catching (I conveniently left the light on over the sink so they were attracted to her location). Tiny little toads hopping around out there, and though the ground is squishy the world smells well-rinsed from the rain. And if you wonder, here is an explanation of some of the fall smells.

Subject: RE: Declutter & Fitness - Clearing Out the House
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Oct 18 - 12:10 PM

OH:

Silly me! I wasn't done with the cards! Not until I grabbed the only porta-storage container that might fit them, and had too much! And realized that I hadn't planned a Goodwill batch out of them! Yep, for a day or so, I was hoarding them.
.

Kept:
. One large milkcrate-ful of cards. All but a slim ziploc of mixed-occasion items are directly related to moving, or blank notes.
. Put away in bill-paying cubby: 1 thick handful of #10 envelopes

Goodwill, in ziplocs:
. One full bag of mixed envelopes;
. 1/2 bag of mixed Season's Greetings;
. 1/2 bag of mixed occasions.

The milk crate I'm keeping moves to the household mgmt corner of the LL, to start now on notes I'll mail later once I get labels. I'll take the whole crate to PA in December to write notes as farewells and thanksgivings occur, and mail as we depart. (Greg will write some there too.)

~S~