De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Feb 19 - 12:15 PM

A new cap for my gas line trimmer arrived; the backup neoprene gasket I made last week will live in the greenhouse as a spare, but the old cap and the new one both have a cork gasket, most resistant to the destructive properties of gasoline. The trimmer probably cost $125/$150, and while it is easiest to simply buy a new one, I prefer to repair and replace parts as long as it will run, keeping the materials out of the trash stream. And if I donate it someone else is simply going to do the same thing.

Years ago I sold a trimmer at a garage sale, I couldn't get it to work for a while. A guy puttered and worked on it and before he left he had it running. I honored the sale, and vowed that I wouldn't do that again. I have a guy who fixes this kind of stuff for a reasonable amount, so I go there first. My mower still runs, but is harder and harder to use, so it *may* get replaced in order to have a machine that I don't have to struggle with so much. Or not. The effect of the slow onset of PMR was that I gained weight, and that has been hard on my knees. Now that I've been off of the steroids for a few months and the stress of an awful employer has subsided, it's spring and I need to pick myself up and lose the weight. When that happens I think my strength will be back to the usual level and the mower might be less of a problem.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Feb 19 - 04:01 PM

FPH ROUGH SORT DONE, beyond alpha-- by role. Duplicates distributed thru ldrshp roles. More can be created with our printer's copy function.

FPH still occupies two bankers boxes--the two sturdy ones I started with in 1992-- but now sorted into labeled hanging folders. Yano took the better used manila folders,and recycled the rest.

There's much more material than I feared, and much less waste than I'd assumed.

The program could be run, now, from these boxes, tho ill still binderize it in due time. A bonus is that I found several reiterations of the unique model-from grant conception thru the replication phase-- written from various leaders' viewpoints-- all consistent with the original vision.

It replicated itself more deeply than I had realized-- I did a better job of developing new leaders and changing the school climate than I had been able to see at the time.

Time to marinate!

~S~

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Feb 19 - 06:44 PM

FPH boxes stowed. Plastic hanging m file bin allocated to garage for heavy/long/outdoor extension cords.

Measurements taken for LL closet modification, laundry area cabinet, and LL shelf base. The laundry area cabinet is coming from PA and that measurement will determine whether it comes right in or needs to be disassembled and cut down a tad. It will sit alongside the stacking washer/dryer, with a slot between them. In the slot goes a resin folding table presser into use as needed, plus a curtain on a tension rodabove that which extends bathroom privacy about 30" in front of the bathroom door. The tiny loo gets humid fast, and that extra space is great for getting into a towel without bumping into damp surfaces (or trailing the towel into the potty).

Cinder blocks and bricks needed for bulb bed counted--12 each. Planting site for peony eyeballed.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Feb 19 - 10:31 AM

Truck reservation confirmed

Helpers lined up.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 19 - 11:00 AM

Weird dream last night, and a lot of this decluttering and yard work were part of it; dreamed I moved to a small apartment yet somehow had everything with me, including the dogs; the apartment patio was fenced with three spread out layers of fence and a hole at the corner where a critter was living. As I woke I was preparing to soak a paper towel in ammonia to toss into the hole and I realized I left behind the patio chairs at the house. Funny.

In the real world I have finished weeding and turning soil in the rock-rimmed raised bed and will begin on the bed for the potatoes next. This is where the old fence slats will come in; I can put the 2-3 picket section against the downhill side and have a deep, well-worked bed for potatoes to grow in.

This week I started a new book so I'm prepared to participate in a book club in a couple of weeks. I'm not sure that this is the group I'll stick with, it's about 25 miles from here and there may be something here in town that works as well, but it's a start, and people at that meeting will probably know about other book clubs to recommend. This one reads fiction, and I was told that there is a related group that reads all nonfiction. Decisions, decisions! They're both affiliated with AAUW (American Association of University Women). Their membership fees each year are hefty, but they are a group involved in providing scholarships to young women in the North Texas region.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Feb 19 - 04:10 PM

Dupont:

Sometimes I do not push for what I need. I really wanted to go back to Beaver yesterday for a meeting about tree care, and a few days to visit and pick up a load of stuff. As often happens, I did not realize how important the meeting was for me until it was too late to go. The only reason I did not leave was that my car was full of stuff from the auction! So I complained this morning and the car is now empty. I will leave tomorrow early - waiting for the weather to warm up 10 degrees! Come back Sunday, weather permitting.

Auction stuff is sorted and most is ready to leave for thrift shop (a full car load) - next week when I am back. What a waste of time and energy! I did, however, find a beautiful oval tablecloth - white with a special sort of lace work (it has a name), safely ensconced in a heavy plastic bag and now in a drawer in the pantry.

It is possible that the frig will appear while I am gone - maybe... And the bed frame??? Maybe. Then we can live in warm house. One can only hope!

Montreal:
Came back to the city to rest for trip, also avoiding paint fumes which are sometimes sneaky. Alas, it is so cold, even in the BR, under two quilts! If I had hammer! and two nails and a ladder--- I would put the quilt across the doorway to keep the pittance of heat in the BR. But I don't. ... I opened an adjacent closet door across the opening in attempt to keep in some of the heat. ...It may be working; Does not seem as cold! (No, there is not a door on BR.)

R is involved in a very exciting project; Ephraim is leading and researching with him the history of a piece of property (belonging to R & bro) back into the 1800's and earlier, in old Montreal. They found info that led to more info... more and more interesting and exciting and, potentially, profitable. (Why I hesitate to bug R re matters of little significance like being COLD!)

It is predicted to warm by about 10 degrees the next few days. It will be nice to get back to the wood stove!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 19 - 05:51 PM

It sounds like camping out in the house, Dorothy!

Today was warm when I left to run errands but the temperatures dropped by about 20 degrees in an hour and the wind picked up. Nothing like the cold you're feeling in the house or out, but it means that all of us who left home without a jacket were regretting that decision.

I went through Costco and looked at the various computers they have available, to compare with what I can order online. I'm willing to get under the hood to update when there's room and it saves me money. All part of the process - every time I get ready to buy a new device I have to research current trends and what is the next new thing (that costs a fortune) to consider or avoid. I snapped photos of the particulars listed on each box.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 28 Feb 19 - 08:22 AM

Not done anything in a while but yesterday’s project was a solar pond pump kit for a pebble pond. There had been a low voltage pump in this location for years but it had been abandoned as the pond clogged up with increasing frequency. Anyway an oak tree has since been lopped, the area is clearer and the changes may or may not be enough to make the difference.

The old system was in a mess though and I wasn’t prepared to check the wiring and redo/replace as needed for a “may/ may not be OK now” and said to mum, the only thing I was prepared to try was a solar kit. She bought a cheap one.

That job turned out more complicated than I’d anticipated as having got the kit, it I realised that the very small panel intended to be ground mounted on a spike was not going to get much sunlight. It can get quite bright but the bungalow soon blocks the sun when the sun is low. I decided the best answer was to mount the panel near the top of what remains of the oak tree – say about 12-15 ft.

That probably would have been easy for most but I get nervous even a few feet up (and I only needed to be 3 or 4 steps up to reach) and the step ladder had to be close to the edge of the pebble pond. It might sound odd but it became a case of getting one of the 4 coach screws for the (rather big but the best I could find) bracket in and coming inside and settling down for ½ hour before doing the next one.

Fitted and working it looked quite good late afternoon yesterday. Unfortunately today is very grey, the pump hasn’t started and there’s no chance of seeing how things might work out in more typical days.

There is one change already that I might look into making if things look ok and I can find out how (I can run to soldering, ohms law, playing with PICs, etc. but my electronics are not up to much) though. The pump runs on battery backup until it drops to certain level of charge. That in itself is good but is not all I want. I’m not interested in the pump running in darkness (and it ran till 9pm last night) when no one is around but would like to reserve whatever charge is in the battery for better cover when the weather is just overcast. So maybe some form of switch the pump side using a photo cell in future?

–

The bits for a new PC (mentioned in another thread) should arrive this evening. I’ve just realised I didn’t order a dvd drive but may well install from USB and forget about that. I’ll probably do the build tomorrow. And am likely spend a bit of time scratching my head – hopefully not for the build but I’ve not yet worked out a plan where I’m sure how I’m going to replace the existing PC with this new build.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Feb 19 - 05:09 PM

In packing to be away at an all-weekend workshop, it was identified that my old bones just can't do that amount of sitting without an ottoman. So I've just finished making one, based on Greg's excellent idea: using the folding stepstool we use between the van seats as an armrest, with pillows on top? For that purpose, we recently discussed that it needed to be taller and firmer. For a footrest, firm also, and wider.

The stepstool itself is tough plastic that locks once it's opened, and holds 300 pounds. It folds to a compact and lightweight 3" wide; I used it for years to access tall Liberation Library shelves, until the Library moved to Ohio. Then it was a handy PA kitchen stepstool. (There were cracks between bookshelves or cabinets, where it could be slipped in until needed.)

Eventually it arrived in Ohio.

So I've cut foam of various densities already on hand, to raise its top and widen it. Greg cut me a plank for a wider (and firm) footrest. Whatever height the chair they give me turns out to be, I'll be able to add enough foam layers to make my knees and hips smile deliciously. I'll top it off with pretty (red) fleece to camouflage its humbler parts.

There have been many times at festivals, etc when I wished I had something like this. It may even work when I sit on my Rollator.

Since all the parts will stack between the van seats and can travel in a backpack, I suspect I'll use this often!

~Susan

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Mar 19 - 06:45 PM

Dupont:

It is a wonder I know where I am. Went to Beaver yesterday. Front door was frozen shut. Had to climb through knee high snow around to the back door. Poured hot water from tap through the screening and melted the ice so I could bring things in through the front. Otherwise they would have mostly stayed in car. Getting through that much snow- partly light and partly frozen - is not easy. Sorted myself out, took overdue book to library, picked up mail, noted there was a movie happening so I ate a nice meal I had brought along and went to movie. Won door prize! A start-a-lavender pot, two lovely photo cards by Mary Lou and a candle. M is a photographer and gardener; she arranged for the film showing.

Used "new" electric blanket on bed; put it on about 4 pm, after starting the wood stove, and at 10 the bed was warm!!! And the house was 69F. The movie was a better idea than sitting next to the fire for two hours! However, the back deck had two feet of snow and I was not up for shoveling a path to the wood pile. SO, having used most of the available wood to heat the house for the night...

Today I drove back to Dupont with the stuff I had managed to load into car - after it deigned to start about 9:45 am. Arrived back and off loaded car, ate, went through 255 emails and now I am here. Ready to head out to music tonight. Slightly bleary eyed but awake. Hope the music is good!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Mar 19 - 09:07 PM

Dorothy, you are indefatigable!

My workshop canceled, but led to good things, including bonus time with Greg, and a fee reallocated to good things for the freezer.

And gazing time: I'm seeing a whole decor area in the alcove off our bedroom. Pix when done, with before/after.

~Susan

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Mar 19 - 12:31 AM

My Zenni optical glasses arrived today, and they're every bit as great as I hoped they'd be. We didn't have any sunshine to test the "transitions" type lenses, and I'll have to see how that works when I'm using the camera.

Dorothy, I've never had an electric blanket, but there's a friend I visit periodically who has one in her guest room, and I admit it's very nice to turn it on ahead of time so the bed is warm; I usually turn it off once I'm in bed, I don't want to be too warm, but not having to shiver for a couple of minutes under cool covers is nice.

Jon, I'd love to have a pond with a fountain, but I fear the dogs would be in it all of the time. As it is I have a great big water feature at the back of the yard beyond the fence - a year round creek that is a tributary to the Trinity River.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Mar 19 - 05:33 PM

Hunkering down for a wave of cold air to arrive tomorrow, and in preparation I'm making a batch of stew. I think also I'll make some soup.

My Frugal February passed and it was indeed a month of few purchases. I do have things I have to buy so today I made a run to the drug store, to Tractor Supply for dog food, and a couple of other stops. When I tried this last time I found that it's difficult to keep up the practice every month, because you tend to set yourself up to fail, but when you've had a frugal month it means you enter the next one with the goal of preserving the savings that you managed previously. Toward that end, my shopping today was primarily in the bulk food section of the neighborhood Winco where I pay with cash, not a card.

I stopped by a friend's house, and the smell of fresh baked bread met me at the door and I immediately resolved to make some of my dinner rolls; I couldn't eat a whole batch while they're fresh but they freeze well.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Mar 19 - 11:53 AM

Two of our brother Dharmabum's scrollwork pieces are featured here:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2139327329479885&id=100002079158985

Cooperative hanging job, for the nearly-complete Nature corner. White cutouts shown represent antlers on the way.

The folding chess board just showing against the wall is a family heirloom, also suitable for the brown mini-backgammon set from my pub years, shown with the books.

Enjoy!

~Susan & Greg

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Mar 19 - 11:53 AM

Another area coming along:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2140840172661934&id=100002079158985&ref=bookmarks

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Mar 19 - 02:05 PM

[sigh]

The work I did in the garden stands - the beds that were turned over and ready to be planted - but the onions I put out so far, the sprouting asparagus, the bay tree, and a few potted things that made it over the winter are now toast, burned by the cold last night. Must begin again later in the week when it warms back up to near 80^o.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Mar 19 - 02:25 PM

Oh no, SRS!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Mar 19 - 03:22 PM

Dupont:

Indefatigable I am not. Exhausted, still! Then there is gratefulness for the unlimited internet but not some idiotic websites that offer no help and one not so great that offered a phone number and a lovely helpful person responded helpfully.

After an hour of frustration yesterday, I went into the local Koodo store this am and the nice young man not only sorted out the billing problem but also provided me with a new phone (I had garnered lots of credit!) and a slightly less monthly fee as well as 3gb -and it automatically quits without going over! The learning curve may be long!

For the other, the nice woman at the Turtle Trauma Centre bore with me as I attempted to renew membership on internet while on phone with her so she could clue in to the problems I was having and inform their web master. In the end, she took my info and agreed to get it all straight. It may have helped that I know the "Turtle Lady" and extolled the virtues of the wonderful Centre.

Still one bill to pay on internet if I can manage it. But all else is up to date and I still have some money left!

The move continues to snail pace along. The washer/dryer are nominally attached but...??? Something not yet clear. The bathtub is full of laundry... The spool bed frame is in the BR but... R wants to reformat the putting together aspect. It is partly antique and partly not.

We have now found several possible eateries - ate at a second one last night - for "emergencies"- "when you do not feel like cooking". Still no frig until R gets time/energy/truck/helper to go to mill for a number of items, rather than piece meal. I suspect spring. Maybe it will come in April. In any case, I am not trying to make that long trip again until clement weather. When a neighbour tells me I can access the wood pile!

Sorry about frost in Texas! In my areas, nothing is planted "until 24th May weekend" more or less. Other than those things that can be fall planted. Looking through pics, I see lots of snow at end of April! I would start some seedlings now - if I had not left seeds at Beaver. Oh, well. We may join a CSA this year if I have a decent freezer in the basement. Some friends do one (organic) that delivers to Chateauguay, where Dupont is.

The ugly piece of furniture is gone and replaced with a beautiful antique oak medicine cabinet with mirror, for the 2nd floor powder room. Other detritus from auction is packed and ready for me to have energy to load it in car and take it to thrift shop. Almost a car full!

Agreement that the ends of a single spool bed, from auction, can be made into a bed/sofa for the TV room, with a mattress and lots of big cushions - easy to come by!

R bought four more bags of books at the library Sat. Many book cases may soon appear???

The upside of trip to Beaver was that drive was cleared. Now to google the fellow who did it so I can tell him not to do anymore AND pay him!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 19 - 11:02 AM

DP, indefatigability isn't a 24 hour cycle.

Yano canceled for today so we're off to go walkering.

~Susan

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Mar 19 - 12:49 PM

My father's family is from the New England area, and I was one of the heirs of the family home in Connecticut after the youngest of my grandfather's siblings died. One thing I happily had transported home was the piano that my great aunt told me was purchased new in about 1885 and is a big beautiful rosewood-veneered Victorian Weber upright grand. I've played it a lot over the years, but it does need work. It is tuned a whole note low because the strings kept breaking, and the pins holding strings are the old four-sided, not modern hex pins (the tuner mentioned this to me.) It will be several thousands of dollars to restore it, but these particular pianos retain value.

My kids don't play piano, and who knows if grandkids with an interest in playing will come along. But I have a niece who plays, as does her husband's family. So I have offered the piano to my brother, who has time, cash, and interest in this kind of huge and complicated project. I sent him photos and links to more information. We will see how this works out. This piano would be returning to New England. If he takes it I may simply get a keyboard or find a smaller spinet (as long as it has all 88 keys) and go back to playing more.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Mar 19 - 11:39 AM

This morning is already much warmer than the last three days, and tomorrow's high will be in the low-70's. Looks like the first day to approach the garden injured by the freeze. My bay laurel was looking good, but I'm sure I lost the tallest sprig and this may be the death knell for that shrub in that location. I like having bay, but it needs to be in the front yard where it is more protected from cold weather.

My to-do list has a number of items that are more complicated to complete before crossing them off. They don't necessarily cost any more, they simply take extra planning and execution. Seeing things crossed out regularly gives a remarkable feeling of accomplishment, so other small tasks that will make their way onto the list to balance it out.

Easter is late this year, but now is the time to start many of my garden plants from seed, and they may get transplanted to the garden before late April. The rule of thumb my neighbor uses is "don't plant tomatoes before Easter," but the soil will be warm enough before that date. Maybe I'll get beans and lettuce this year.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Mar 19 - 09:51 PM

I took an existing pair of glasses to my optometrist's eyeglasses business and am having them replace the lenses with the Rx for my office glasses. Plastic lenses that are covered by the plan (she started to say I'd be out of pocket for the polycarbonate and anti-glare coating - nope. Just because what I handed her glasses with those features, don't assume I want them again.) I always try to use part of the plan since I've paid for it. That's crossed off of my list.

Today wasn't as warm as I mentioned yesterday, it was only in the 50s, but tomorrow is supposed to be a warm one. I'm looking forward to it; this big step backward into winter was a real bummer. Now in addition to repairing the garden I need to start cutting and dragging limbs for next week's bulky waste pickup.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Mar 19 - 08:45 PM

Me again. Today I tackled a project that has moved around my office for several weeks, a small Japanese vinyl record my daughter wanted digitized. I've done this kind of thing before, but a long time ago, and I had several software questions and one hardware question to sort out.

I finally dug out a cable with 3.5mm stereo plugs that would fit into the 1/4" adapter for the receiver and would plug into the back of the computer. My several attempts with RCA cables went nowhere - they refuse to connect. I moved the receiver, swapping positions with the turntable, and captured the signal with Audible and then converted the WAV file to mp3 with Nero WaveEditor. As a bonus for her I scanned the cover and I'll add the art to the music in Windows Media Player.

Now that I have figured out the parts, I have many other things to start converting. I've ordered a longer cable so I can put the receiver back where it was.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Mar 19 - 05:11 PM

We purchased some anti-tarnish cloth today and got started de-gouming years of tarnish and dust, plus more tarnish from exposure to a damp summer and fall in the garage. The silver polish doesn't seem as good as formerly, but we worked away, got about a third of the way through the decor and trays, and wrapped them up to sit on a dry place until we decide what to display. That cloth was super thin, so I'm glad Greg got too much-- we'll double it.

We also cleared up the table baskets, washed apples, made GF pasta, did laundry, gathered up trash-- ADA remediation.... a million small things let go in the last few weeks. Oh and converted an 8 pound tub of badly separated tahini to well-mixed tahini, and made some dressing with it out of the tahini that had stuck to the mixing bowls.

A bunch of the laundry to put away will have to wait, because Brandon and Greg can't finish the linen closet doors till tomorrow, and I can't get in there today.

~Susan

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Mar 19 - 06:28 PM

Susan, do you know the quick tarnish remover trick with Calgon and an aluminum pie plate? I think I got the tip from one of Haley's tips (and who knows any more where I saw those? PBS?) and made a note, but here's information from one of those eHow sites. I keep one of the disposable aluminum cake pans to do this in:

Set out an aluminum pie plate. If you don't have one, you can cover another type of pie plate with aluminum foil, shiny side up.

Pour two to three cups of hot water into the plate, enough to cover your silver items.

Add 1 tbsp. of table salt and 1 tbsp. of powdered water softener to the water. Stir to dissolve.

Place the discolored silver onto the aluminum for a few seconds and then remove. Often this is all that's needed to clean off the tarnish.

Rub the silver item with a clean soft cloth after removing it if the silver is badly tarnished.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Mar 19 - 01:25 PM

Thanks... Items left are too big but might be handy in future.

I think I have a date with the dreaded TarnX. I prefer leaving grooves antiqued, but....

Today it was the six "Break Em and Die" china plates, which are drying in the dishwasher. They're going into the USE cabinet, not the Display cabinet. I have big white chargers to go under them... The antique pattern is pretty pink and green floral on white. With linen napkins that coordinate. And coordinating sterling flatware.

Also today, a box of madonnas, with more to come.

Because display space is so limited, I'm storing decor items in destination spots, grouped. As more bookshelves arrive, we'll pull from these collections to decorate those-- AND offer individual pieces from the collections to godchildren. The end result will be reasonable, small groupings on small wall shelves and side tables, not case after case of glass curio cabinets to live between. I want all these shapes touchable-- stroke-able!-- and out in actual use.

TBTG for Swiffers and dishwashers.

~Susan

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Mar 19 - 02:49 PM

Yesterday I stopped by DSW (shoe store) and browsed the clearance section for a satchel I've been wanting to use. I found a better design than the one I was using that is modestly priced, and found one pair of loafers that are the type that instantly feel good on your feet. Since I'm not in the near future dressing up to go to the office I have some shoes I no longer need. They either looked better than they fit or had a slick sole. So I brought home one pair and I put one pair of boots and one pair of loafers in the donate bin, another pair of worn-out loafers in the trash, and I still have plenty of shoes, but they're only the most comfortable ones. And the DSW shopping bag is now in the laundry room with the donation stuff loaded in it.

Susan, you can scale up the size of the container for cleaning tarnished silver. I can put the aluminum pan in a large plastic dishpan and fill the whole thing with hot water and Calgon - and then put the silver in. But it doesn't leave it as shiny as the TarnX, it does need a polishing rag still.

Lovely weather today, but we had a hard and fast thunderstorm race through at 7am so the lawn is fairly damp. I may mow in the late afternoon. This is my weekend for taking down limbs for bulky waste, and I have a book to finish for book club on Monday. So I'd better stop playing on the computer!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Mar 19 - 04:08 PM

(SRS, I have trays too big for my dishpan.)

Brandon is here to finish the linen closet doors. First we cleared more garage space, and hung more section labels in the rafters for a well-organized truck-unloading operation. We also consolidated all the packing materials I'll re-use packing up my kitchen, and loaded them in the van.

~Susan

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Mar 19 - 04:33 PM

Dupont:

Still pecking away at this moving thing. I finally feel as though I am "owning" the K. Today R helped with some chores I could not manage, fixed a leaky faucet and took a hard look at the non-functional dish washer - a Bosch. He was told it leaks so he pulled out the dead gasket and googled about a new one, And cleaned up the interior, then started on the oven!!! I love that he loves cleaning things! It is often too much for my right shoulder.

Meanwhile, Ephraim worked on connecting the wifi and looked at connecting to a TV - need special cable; E will find it. E also extolled the virtues of my new phone, hooked R's up to the wifi and tried to hook it to Bluetooth to no avail. Then we went to lunch and R took E back to the city in his truck. Hope R returns for more progress.

Yesterday, my main task was applying Murphy's Oil Soap to the antique spool bed, not an easy task with all the crannies. It looks SO much nicer! The wood was thirsty! Still need finishing. Took some stuff to thrift shop. Still more to go.

I am still looking forward to the time when - bed assembled and frig in place - we can actually LIVE HERE! Last night R came in his truck and we went to the music in my car and directly back to the city, leaving truck - IT slept here! This am, picked up E in city and came here.

Still hoping for final washer and dryer connections to be made! The bathtub is getting full of washing to be done.

R brought us a large, nice looking, early Canadian looking piece of pine furniture, with six good drawers and a two door cupboard section. We agree on putting it in TV/sewing room for fabrics etc!! WOW! I can empty the plastic bins and sort out the wheat from the chaff! After I bring them down from Beaver in the spring.

And we have another mascot. We talked about getting a dog for the yard but ... A nice black and white stuffie named Bowser has a spot on the hearth. The best sort of dog - for us!

Only -1C and sunny today!! And over two feet of snow on yard.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Mar 19 - 09:59 PM

One dog to the vet this morning, three cats fed twice today, and tomorrow morning is the last cat run. The fee for cat feeding was soaked up by the vet visit, but for the most part we think we've figured out this problem and I hope to not pay more than the set fee for the recheck.

The back yard is about 2/3 mowed; I stopped when the sun was setting, and will finish tomorrow, then move onto the limb trimming. Before mowing I decided to get rid of one of the posts that is left from the fence I took down last fall. It is right up against one of the front two panels that face the street, with the concrete footer a bit under the fence. I had to take off three of the new pickets (they were screwed on so it was easy enough with a power tool) and then tip the post and concrete footer over completely, fill in that hole, and put the pickets back up. Now when I finally replace the second old pine pickets with a new panel of cedar, there won't be a random extra post in view or in the way.

Carry on carrying on with all of those houses, Dorothy!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Mar 19 - 07:49 PM

The last few days a mildew smell in the kitchen has developed near the sink, but there is nothing behind or under that seems to be the reason. I fear it is the dishwasher, next to the sink, and I'm going to have to pull it to see if there is a leaking line behind it. It works fine, so would be a matter of replacing them; it's well-over 20 years old but I'll keep it working as long as possible.

The day never warmed up enough to make yard work appealing, and we have a few days of rain ahead. I have plenty to do indoors, but am itching for more time in the yard.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Mar 19 - 09:50 PM

New fitness goals, schedule, and infrastructure set today. Begins tomorrow AM, early.

~Susan

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Mar 19 - 05:53 AM

Up extra early so used the time to prep a pool laminate. Gym bag ready and off shortly. It's good to catch the time change wave-- and use it to our advantage!

~Susan

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Mar 19 - 11:33 AM

Dupont:

Well, time for R&R? R suggested I come back to the city and we could go to the movies. "I'll be there in 30 minutes." He, however, was not. At 7:30, it was dicey but we agreed to go anyway. Parked, walked up the hill to the theatre, avoiding ice! Looked at what was on offer - none of which had any meaning to either of us. As we tried to figure out what the films were about, I saw another couple about our age who looked to be doing the same thing. The four of us went for "coffee" and had a very pleasant R&R evening! It is necessary to research before "going to the movies!" But if we had been movie focused, we would not have met these wonderful folks.

Big Boo Boo! Breakfast Sunday was French toast; it was delicious with maple syrup and yogurt. My first bread in months. We both slept most of the afternoon. No more wheat in my life! I am still exhausted today. I am hoping to get over this and get a little done here today.

Someone came to see the house and said she is "interested"! Hope! If the house actually sells, R will be motivated to complete this move! We can bring the nice furniture here and get organized. Well, as much as... Hope...

above freezing today (+3C), very windy, some sun, some snow, wet ice on driveway. And the same two feet of snow on yard with icing of 5cm yesterday.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Mar 19 - 10:56 PM

I got out to a book club meeting tonight after finishing the book in question this afternoon. This group meets in the next town over, so I'll look around for something closer to home - or I suppose I could get a few like-minded friends together for a new group. It was a nice evening. And now that that reading is out of the way, the week is wide open.

Touching on my earlier discussion of shoes, I have a three level cedar shoe rack I built at least a dozen years ago. I can fit all of my shoes on it except for two pair on the floor in front of it. I'm not going to thin the shoes more, this isn't an oppressive number of shoes, and those on the floor in front of the shelf look good. The donation bag is still in the laundry room - there's room for more in it before I take it to Goodwill.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Mar 19 - 12:09 PM

With Yano Becky-- this is all team-cleaning, not pointy finger maid supervision, and my end counts as a workout:

Soaked dishes
Folded and sorted laundry on wicker coffee table
Put away linens
Washed and stowed last decor items
Made up ear meds bottle
Cleared wicker coffee table
Wrapped wicker coffee table and stowed in garage
Photographed garage corners
Moved tool bins
Dustpanned spilled garage paper
Carried out and recycled box
Carried out travel foam
Gave away rocker base
Carried out LR trash and changed basket liners
Moved leaf bags to PA pile
Put away clean dishes
Moved patio chairs and pois to patio
Cleaned loo

~Susan

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Mar 19 - 08:40 PM

You know what's really wonderful this week? There's no painful sleep-deprivation because of Daylight Savings Time. I've decluttered my life of the need to suffer through the week after the loss of an hour on Sunday night. #Retirement

Dorothy, stay safe in all of that driving back and forth with the snow and ice. I look forward soon to reading about you doing everything you want in one location.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Mar 19 - 11:07 AM

Something about spring this year - every morning this week it seems I have been greeted by a colossal clap of thunder. Spring seems to be fighting its way into existence.

My list in the kitchen is getting long; one thing I started a few days ago was to tip over and drag a fence post away from the new front fence, and now there are another 10 standing a few feet out from the side fence. Last time I had fence posts like this was when my garage was built and several posts were removed from the area where the driveway was extended to the new building. I used a sledge hammer to knock off the concrete footers and reused the posts (clothes line, new parts of the fence, etc.) I am thinking that one way to fill the holes left behind by all of these posts being removed is to push the chunks of concrete chipped off of the base into each hole and fill that over with dirt. This time I'll be smarter about the concrete footer part and get a chisel meant for concrete work. It sometimes only takes a couple of blows to knock these things off. (The friend who offered to bring over the farmer's jack to pull them out has been hard to reach and I don't want to be a pest.) I can probably dig out and knock off most of these fence posts in a day. Then I need something like a step edger (one of those half-rounds on a handle used to trim the lawn next to the curb) to run a shallow cut that I can create enough of a slim space where I can push the Invisible Fence line underground a few inches. I could use a blade like this or a tool like this one

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Mar 19 - 03:45 PM

Dupont:

"I look forward soon to reading about you doing everything you want in one location" Not a tenth as much as I! Day by day, I hope for a frig, for the washing machine as I run out of clean clothes and R's jacket gains yet another layer of crud! Maybe THIS weekend??? It is +2C this afternoon!!!!! I am almost moved to go for a walk. Almost.

I am chaffing to get back to Beaver for a few days but not until the snow is down to - well, enough that I can get to the firewood! Dear Larry offered to help but he is busy with good works. I am SO tired of asking for/needing help. If there were someone I could pay for this sort of 15 minute job...! I will ask him to watch the snow go down in my yard as he drives by, so I have a clue if it is safe to go home. BUT, I guess it would be best to hang out with R until this major project either comes to pass or - GASP! - does not. Yes, I had best do that. In the meantime, I do not feel terrifically motivated to do much here - in fact: no furniture = no place to put things away! No wonder I sit here on computer all day! And water the plants. And try to get my head around changing my residence to Quebec; the French do love their bureaucracies and I so hate them. I will let it perk until I feel the energy impel/empower me. Maybe tomorrow.

OK, an hour later and the odious calls, and appointments, are made. "All" I need to do now is change my address on something to provide me with a proof of residency. And pay money and more money... And could not get an appointment soon enough to avoid paying insurance in Ontario, most of which I will get back but.... But that is because I have dragged my feet. Another, "Oh well!" Remember, I am doing this for love. It is certainly not the most pragmatic thing I have ever done. Have I ever done anything truly pragmatic? I would need to consider that for a while!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Mar 19 - 06:37 PM

Poor sleep totaling 5 hours in two segments and two naps.

Scheduled: Aquatic and Office Wednesdays-- 8AM Y; 10:30 am Coco Ceidlen; 2pm TOC ofc and errands.

Actual: Aquatic and Office Wednesdays-- 9:15AM Y; 10:30 am Coco Ceidlen; aftn tv nap plus stowing ydy's Costco buy.

Pleased to get to Y though late, but end at sked time despite no shower. Evening shower and hockey plus holding hands.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Mar 19 - 10:06 PM

I've been busy working and while it's been hectic, it's all good and I enjoy it. I am not crazy about the time change as I just got used to driving to work during daylight and now it's dark again. It is, however, a glorious thing to get home later and have it still be light outside...it won't be too much longer and it will be light out again in the early morning!

I did some major grocery shopping last Friday and did a deep cleaning of the fridge. The rest of the weekend was pretty much just hanging out and enjoying being home and the company of my two boys. Jeremiah turned 9 this weekend and while we had plans of Barnes and Noble, dinner and a hockey game, we ended up staying home as it was icy out. We opted for a Harry Potter Marathon instead. It was perfect timing as he just finished reading the entire series and we had told him he could watch the movies AFTER he had finished the series....so popcorn and a few movies for our family followed by a requested chocolate cake that I made myself. :)

Tonight I did 3 days worth of dishes as I've just been all tuckered out at the end of the day. Today I a package arrived that I've been waiting for. We have laminate floors on the main floor of the house. The mud this year has been RIDICULOUS so my floors, while swept daily, Swiffered every 3 or 4 days....still could use some attention. I ordered myself a Bissel Spin Wave to use on weekends. I think it will be just what I need, fingers crossed!

Hoping to hit the bookstore this weekend as a late something special for Jeremiah's birthday....he has birthday money that is burning a hole in his pocket and who am I to say no to a few new books? :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 19 - 12:25 AM

Michelle, is this Jeremiah's spring break? Were you able to take off the same days, or were you all at home because of the ice?

I did some shopping also today, but no groceries; I picked up a box of T8 4' florescent bulbs (my hall bathroom is down to one in the four-bulb fixture - it's surreal it's so dim in there!) and a 12" concrete chisel. I haven't quite got the whole cement block off of the bottom of the first fence post, but I'm figuring out how to make this work best, and seeing the way the concrete fragments, it will be great for filling in between the larger chunks when it does come off of the post. I don't know that I'm going to knock concrete off of 10 more posts, though.

I've ordered the April book for the AAUW book group I went to on Monday. This week's book was a dense 200 pages; the next one I think is lighter but closer to 500. I've tracked the book package but if it looks like it will take very long I'll pick a copy up at the library and get started (I buy a copy so I can write in it and keep track of things with post-it notes).

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Mar 19 - 11:20 AM

Dupont:

Having "slept on it", I am cancelling appointments and maintaining Ontario for a while longer. Just not ready for this big change.

I am sure SRS will be wearing safety goggles with that chisel! What an odious job!

Stayed up "late" to go to movie Green Book, well worth the loss of sleep. It was, in fact, a great movie, to us. Not forgettable.

This am, arrived at what I have started to refer to as "home", after a side visit to a grocery store - exploratory but fairly quick. A great huge hovercraft was on the river so I walked back down to see what was going on. A number of folks were taking pics, so I did also, I think. I want to be able to show R but not sure I worked the new phone correctly. And no idea how to get them to computer. Oh! It was breaking up the ice on the river so it would flow down stream more easily and not cause a huge build up at that bridge. The craft was at least 50 feet long!

Walking 3 blocks up hill to the theatre - twice this week! - then down again and, today, down to the river only a couple hundred yards and back up the slight hill, shows me how dreadfully out of shape I am. Temp is just at freezing point now and a walk this aft is possible. And a few small household chores as a break from computer!

But, now to see if FB is working today.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 19 - 12:17 PM

Dorothy, depending on your phone, you'll probably use a cable and it often times has to be the cable that came with the phone to work properly. Open your computer's Explorer folder and look for the phone as if it's a new drive. You'll have to look for the file (DMCI) that houses photos. I have a couple of storage sites on my phone and I just looked - they're going into my Microsoft OneDrive account (I'd forgotten about that) and my free Dropbox account, so I have plenty of backups. They were also going into FLickr, but that was sold to a new company and they don't give you more than 1000 photos free now. My phone uploads photos when I'm in WiFi settings.

Yes, I am using goggles for the concrete chipping, though yesterday when I left my glasses on the outside table to wear just goggles, Pepper decided to check them out. I found them on the ground, licked but otherwise intact. Titanium glasses aren't just for hikers and busy moms and such. :) I'll put them up higher again, but she was there when I found them and I scolded her and she knows she's the only one who got on the table. (And I think she'll be like Cinnamon, sometimes wanting to carry around something that is mine. I dropped my phone case in the yard one day and found Cinnamon gingerly carrying it in her powerful jaws. Not a mark on it.)

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Mar 19 - 07:08 PM

This AM we added to our Do Before PA list and checked off a bunch of completed items. X = done and Y = do with Yano help.

Sat. April 13 - 17 unloading days


ARRIVE TO UNPACK April 1?

Where is the fun for arrival day? Bike, scooter, stretch, or pool?

X Jim, Camryn and Brandon confirmed
Brandon confirmed to check gatage
Judy confirmed to water plants

Arrive home, look around, leave immediately for lunch or Ramada to make plan

GOAL: Most furniture comes in same day unloaded, straight to destination (ideal) or sewing room

BOXES to garage, in letter-designated areas, except for a very few labeled 1st-open, and those can stack on sideboard. DON'T BLOCK SCOOTER PATH.


BEDROOM

Bed delay? Alterrnative Ramada sleep?
Prep for rug to go down
Greg's cube to library
X Artwork up on walls
X Move drawers to closet
Clean room for new rug/furniture
BR pinned and tieback plan made.
Mattress ready for us w pillows
Swap existing rugs re cutout
My vestment space
Dowel Rods for curtains
Cleaners bags hung


SEWING ROOM

X Painted & ready for furniture & boxes
X Painting done
X Brown curtain up
Kitchen curtains fit here?
X Repair outlet
X Add flat-plug extension cords on wallsadj BR
X Cut-out stained carpet goes to dog corner!!! Other pieces for around rolling chair in sewing room
X Finish service dog vest
Discuss vestment space
Clear walls
Measure bookcase wall


HALLWAY
Art under shelf? Some kids pix?
Linen closet knobs


LIBRARY

Room screen to garage for now
Clear DVR to be able to record hockey games while gone
X Extension cord for desk power
Mount desk strips
Hang corner shelf
X FPH rough sort
Soundproof door with arrows
X Shelf base plan made
Add green recliner
Folding rocker to garage F corner, hung up


BATHROOM

X New toilet seat from garage
X Pockets on door?
X Fix art on door
Fix curtain rings
Caulk cabinet
Caulk tub


LAUNDRY AREA

Neaten up laundry supplies; furniture may need to be wheeled to sewing room
X Measure for cabinet depth/height
X Relocate alarm panel
Fill and put away laundry soap
Fix pull rod again


LIVING ROOM

X Hart art up/designed
X Purge wicker coffee table,
Y. Purge wicker love seat
Move lamp table
Move wicker love seat
Y. Clear sideboard top
X Artwork up on walls
Clear table and remove vinyl cloth (repair, make clear cover, roll both)
Polish table
Clear boxes around table
Remove chair covers and re-dress relocated wing chair
Remove green recliner to library
Relocate autoharp and stand? May go by jelly or inside TV cabinet
Collapse tension rod for windowsill
Boxes by sideboard


KITCHEN

Essential unpack-first boxes will go to sideboard (room divider of boxes up to ceiling if necessary)
Clear out windowing w Becky
Stands for plates


DOCTOR VISITS:

X Glasses
X Dentist
Pap
Mammo


SHOPPING

Meds refilled - inventory
X Soups waiting
X Contractors’ bags
X Power bars waiting
Burgers waiting
X Bread waiting
Meal waiting


GARAGE

X Corners marked
X Boxed decor in garage cleaned and boxed in plastic
X Garage ready and labeled
X Plan for Deere and blower- DONT BLOCK SCOOTER PATH
X Chairs out into patio
X Decide about picking stools
X Mike or Dave ready
X Stove gone
Lock up kayak
Box spring gone
Judy bins temp out


PATIO

Y. Patio cleaned up, pots out w rock/soil
X Dog fence raised
Get rock and soil, cover w plastic


YARDS

X Sewer dig neatened up
Wicker stowed
X Brandon set to weed beds
Move camper and reblock? Maybe later, and use black tarp then to retard weeds.
Plan for fences and gates
Board for weed gap


TRAVEL

X Car player loaded
Van cleaned out

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Mar 19 - 08:11 PM

Jeremiah is not on spring break, that all happened over the weekend. I had Friday off for some medical stuff.

Michelle

PS. Ice last weekend and today, on Thursday, it was 65. Crazy weather!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Mar 19 - 12:00 PM

I had two lists wandering front and back of different sheets of paper, so yesterday I compiled one list and it's mostly big stuff. Those tend to be the things that wait a little longer to get attention.

I have Poppy on some big antibiotics to be taken at mealtime to prevent nausea, and the vet said if she vomited to give her half - she's been on them for a week but only overnight did I find evidence that she might have an upset stomach. I'm not sure who "cleaned up" after her, but this morning I gave her a half dose (a vet suggestion) so at least today we'll do the half pill dosage.

Yesterday I finished mowing the back yard, though after three days the part I started mowing earlier needs mowing again. I trimmed all of the vitex limbs on the ground from last month's street-side pruning and stuffed them into a trash bin. I left the baldcypress limbs because they're straight and relatively free of twigs, making them easy to run through my electric wood chipper for mulch. I didn't cut the limbs I planned to remove from various trees around the yard (to place at the curb for bulky waste this week) because last week's weather didn't cooperate and one the one warm sunny day we had I mowed and thought I could trim the next day. But it again turned chilly. I'll do my incremental trimming that I've mentioned in the past—one big limb at a time cuts down into enough pieces that the fit in the big plastic trash can for trash day. Do that twice a week for a few weeks and the trees are trimmed.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Mar 19 - 12:23 PM

Dupont:

Inch by inch: finding places to put things, learning a new neighbourhood...

Another showing for house today; no action yet.

I did take another walk down to the river yesterday; no ice on river! (It, at least, is decluttered!) Ice in drive is melting; still about 2 feet of snow on yard and back deck. I have seen soil in some places; hope for spring. Today is 8C - feels like spring! But going below freezing again in a couple days. Try for another walk this aft while not raining. There is a folk dance event on 1 April; I would like to build up strength to do a few dances.

Learning curve for phone: I did manage to find and download photos to computer, and send one to R. I can sometimes manage texts without hitting the "emoji" button. I can manage the very useful calendar feature. And R can use it to find movies and other things; I will try that when I feel the need. I have no idea where to find Explorer but thank you SRS for trying. I will try looking on line for more help with phone.

Two sump pumps in cellar are very busy de-cluttering water trying to get in!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Mar 19 - 07:19 PM

Hopefully the sump pumps are in the OLD house!

Windows Explorer is a small program with an ico that looks like a manila file folder and the text under says "File Explorer." That is on my Windows 7 emulation desktop, and if you're using Windows. You're on your own if you're a Mac user. (The newer Win 8 and 10 icon is a stylized folder image).

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Mar 19 - 11:43 AM

Several years ago I created a tally-sheet document for myself in self-defense - to be able to show the exact number of widgets I processed in a metadata way, and today I modified it. It had five columns because that was the number of days I worked at that job, but for the contract work I'm doing now it can happen in small amounts any day of the week, and I realized the other day that if my notes overlap from one sheet to the next I'm liable to short-change myself hours (or work too many and have to move them around to the next week). So, this is now a seven-column landscape document with a couple fewer rows. In the end it's just a piece of paper with a table on it, but it helps me keep track.

Several days ago a cable arrived so that I can run it from my AIWA receiver to the back of my computer to start digitizing things. I did a vinyl album for my daughter with a short cable and equipment moved to accommodate it, but now I can leave things where they belong and do it. And I need to start reaching into the box of cassette tapes from my father's house for digitizing them and transcribing contents. This means a spreadsheet, a naming and numbering protocol. I could do a new Word document for each tape, but I want this to be a conversation between the discrete disks (and external hard drive) that will come out of it, I want to know how many versions of a particular song and who sang them and on what date. Searchable. Ugg. But this needs to be done by me, not left to my children to mess with. Time up pull up the Lynda training software and figure out how I want to use Access.

The week is gradually warming so I'll be able to do some work in the yard, but no predicting right now which thing out there will capture my attention. Who knows what it is that tells me that in order to mow the back yard I must finish digging out a fence post first? Or to weed the garden I need to start by getting the string trimmer in working order to take the tender tops off of weeds? It seems to make sense at the time. Perhaps the compost piles will get the attention they richly deserve - they need to be combined.