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

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Jan 20 - 12:38 PM

Congratulations, Charmion. Does it have a "new computer smell" like a new car has a distinct scent? My new one (a few months ago) was silent running until I put in an extra HDD, and now it has a low vibrating hum every so often.

I put the last of the xmas ornaments away this morning, and it's still only January! Yay to me!

The rain and heavy overcast of the last few days has lifted and now it's a lovely sunny incredibly soggy day - inviting to enjoy until you put a foot on the lawn and feel the sucking squish of mud under the turf. Looks like another day of indoor productivity, with a possible dog walk (where we will stay on the pavement).

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 18 Jan 20 - 09:48 AM

It's snowing in Stratford, the beginning of a weekend storm that Environment Canada is making out to be Snowmageddon -- just silly in comparison to what's happening in Newfoundland. Now, that's a storm.

The new computer has landed, and I'm getting used to it. Slowly.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Jan 20 - 11:42 AM

Dorothy, I still have a few plants in the greenhouse and (so far) have kept them watered, and added one light close overhead to stay on to help a little. They're alive and the fruit that had formed is still growing. It's an experiment, to see if I can move these out in the spring and hit the ground running with tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers.

I've discovered some of the "club" aspect of going to the gym; they have banks of television screens in the rooms and if I go at the right time I can do the stationary bike and plug my earbuds into the machine, tune in MSNBC and listen to Rachel Maddow. They have WiFi so I could also stream her on SiriusXM. (She's on fire this week with some interviews relating to the impeachment.) The rest of the time I listen to my murder mystery audiobook. I haven't been there enough to keep running into the same people, and for now I'm trying out different times to see how the traffic is to find the times and days that work best.

Today is a totally sloppy rainy day I'm focused on indoor chores. Last week I mowed both the front and the back so they're looking okay, but this rain and the continued warmth means I'll be mowing again next week. I know that in the north there is a special viscosity to the mud that comes after ice and snow, but here we have regular mud that dog feet churn after the rain and it's tracked in. I have notes on my shopping list to find large mats to help with the problem, I just haven't gotten to the Big Box stores to see what AstroTurf or extra-large door mats they have in stock.

Time to pick up papers and magazine renewals and such and shred or file everything. Why do they start begging for renewal 9 months before your subscription expires? What a waste of printing and postage. I need to keep a list somewhere of my subscriptions because I think a couple of them have been renewed too early and they move the goal post so the new subscription doesn't include the remainder of the last one.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Jan 20 - 08:41 PM

Dupont:

There are things I could part with--- but not yet. There is room for everything so far and this home is in constant transition. Still, I do get rid a a few definites each month. My son helped by - NO mother, that is of no value any longer!!

Brainstorm today: R likes drumsticks; I never buy them because I do not like them. Duh! So I bought a packet of two from the good meat store, used already cooked rice and ? in oiled pan, added sage and celery, laid the sticks on top, covered with aluminum foil and baked in toaster oven, then broiled to brown them. Voila! Chicken with stuffing! Cooked efficiently. Two meals for R. with salad. I will have salad also.

I seem to have become dreadfully addicted to cookies and other stuff. Sure I have gained weight but scale is at Beaver. I did not manage to get there. Before I had driven an hour, I felt that four more was untenable. Turned around and came back. Comfortably.

I am giving serious thought to what I can do to exercise - that will not stress ankle that still gives nasty twinges. Going up and down the stairs is not enough! Maybe I will check to see how good up and down stairs is... I still park a bit of a distance from the doors of stores as long as there is no ice.

70 degrees, Stilly! HAH! Huge piles of chunks of 8-10 inch thick ice up on the bank of the river today from the tons of rain and the winds. And more on the river.

Went to a resto on Sunday for supper; on way in, R noted ice; on way out, I went first and ascertained that my hip bone is still not too fragile! Scared R, and me. But I took time to assess condition before sliding to a step so I could get up - with help of R and the owner. DUMB! But not even a bruise!!! Winter coat helped.

Friend visited today and praised R's shower curtain rod. He will be pleased. She brought a home made choc/whipped cream pie - THAT bakery, down near her home, is closed most of January so she made it herself. Very sweet of her. She offered to help me pack up pottery but I have not yet decided to do that. It is mainly out of sight.

The two Schefflera R brought from Montreal house: one looks really bad; the other is losing leaves like mad in part but also getting new leaves on other parts. Checking info, could be change in temp. It would be OK if the one leaves us. The one that is growing is a lovely "room divider" behind sofa in LR, ie, between LR and DR which are only defined by type of furniture.

I do have a surfeit of plants. Bruggie has lost all leaves after putting on a good show for the family. I have cut it back and await the next round in a month or so. Hibiscus is getting ready to start again with one bud getting there. Cyclamen have quit - time to check on info.

Getting used to new computer. On line training tomorrow.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jan 20 - 02:13 PM

Charmion, time to pack up the cats in the kennels and get out the heavy sweaters!

A friend is coming over this afternoon and bringing a couple of things I can borrow for post-surgery; I don't want to have to buy stuff that then collects dust. Better to borrow items that can go home later.

This is January in Texas and it's up to 70^o today so I need to mow the back yard. When I head to the gym each day I try to have another stop as well (I dislike one-off trips out, they're a waste of gas) and I think Goodwill is today's other stop. Lots of things pulled out of the tech cupboard that can be recycled (though there is some non-functioning stuff in a bag to go to the eWaste bin on campus next week.)

I pulled up some videos of tiny houses to share on Leeneia's kitchen remodel thread. They are rather addictive to watch, but I can't help thinking that these folks must have off-site storage for some of their projects.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 13 Jan 20 - 03:08 PM

Seven to 10 business days from last Monday, Stilly. So sometime between Wednesday and next Tuesday. The speakers are the only part of the dead computer that I have not scheduled for disposal, and I’m waiting to try the Mac’s built-in speakers before deciding whether to keep them or not.

Yesterday, I invested a couple of hours in sorting out our bulging collection of printed music, and about a third of it should be re-homed as soon as possible. I tossed a huge stack of photocopies this morning, and the main thing stopping me from tossing a lot more is the tedium of removing hundreds of pages from plastic page-protectors.

But Operation Portal began this afternoon with the delivery of the new front and back doors. I imagine that Tony the Carpenter will be installing them later this week when the weather is as foul as possible. Life’s like that.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Jan 20 - 01:29 PM

Charmion, do you have an ETA on your new computer? These days the tracking can be so precise you can see a delivery van crawling through the neighborhood. I've been trying out different old computer speakers I have around here to use with my current computer and am going to toss the ones that don't seem to be working. No point in giving them to Goodwill and make someone else test them and return them. These will go to the e-waste bin on campus next time I'm over there.

This weekend I was at an estate sale a couple of blocks from my house, the home of an elderly man I frequently stopped and talked with when out walking my dogs. He was a gardener and a putterer and his house was in pretty good shape all things considered. I found a small glider that I brought home and put on my porch, and a robust sprinkler that I'll have to figure out how it works (it is one of those cast metal tractors that follows it's own hose, I think.) He was a man after my own heart with nice audio equipment and speakers and such.

As I walked through the house I envisioned my house in the future in a similar circumstance (going to estate sales is a great way to remind oneself of one's mortality) and have started going through the hall linen cupboard. There's so much stuff in there I don't use and have kept for "just in case." I have a bag for donations, I'll put the vintage pieces that can go on eBay in the den at my photo station, and once I've emptied the cupboard I'll put some of the sleeping bags and sleep pads in there. Like they don't need to go also? As to other stuff, my children will laugh at the number of radios I have all around the house, garage, and even one in the greenhouse. I guess I should do a sweep of the equipment around here and thin out some of it.

I went to the gym last night to start an exercise and stretching routine to get my knee in better shape. I've also started an audiobook loaded into my phone that I can listen to as I walk or pedal. I'm now working through the decision if I prefer earbuds or headphones.

Susan, I hope you're making progress with your therapy. I'll post on the other thread as well.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Jan 20 - 11:19 AM

You have your hands more than full, Michelle. Thanks for finding a few minutes to let us know how all of you are doing. When my mom was undergoing radiation I found recommendations of aloe vera gel to rub on the skin. It's also good as a general hand lotion. Mederma (an onion-based gel) is designed to help with scars and might also be useful.   

I received the booklet and papers to do with the knee replacement and see that I need to start ahead with stretching, exercise, and strengthening, and also plan a major re-arrangement of the furniture around here. I talked to a friend about mowing the lawn for a month or two. Helpers will be on call for trips out, and the biggest challenge will be The Dogs.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Jan 20 - 06:25 PM

Happy New Year!!!

    Not much to report here. I've been working and helping Pete the best I can. He is struggling with some nasty, nasty muscle pain that has left him so weak he can't throw wood on the fire at times. Last night he couldn't close his fingers enough to take meds out of my hand. The endocrinologist says this is partly due to the fact that his meds are not yet regulated. It take some time to slowly bump the meds up to where they will need to be. Tumor markers are very high but doctor says not to worry and will explain at the next appointment. Radiation begins next week.

    I am doing ok and will be having my own tumor marker checked next Friday. Work is going well. Jeremiah is doing well.

I am slowly...oh so slowly getting rid of things we don't use. Most of the time I'm just trying to keep up with daily chores and family care alongside work.

Hoping everyone here is doing well!

Much Love to All,

Michelle

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Jan 20 - 09:25 AM

It looks like moving into a tiny house like this would certainly require decluttering. They didn't show the size of her dog (and she should have the treadmill downstairs so she and the dog could take turns getting exercise).

I'm going to have to rearrange furniture in order to accommodate recuperation materials for knee surgery. And thinking ahead, I'll have to cook and shop and clean house right before so I'm set for a couple of weeks "in" until I'm up to driving. A guy I spoke with at the gym yesterday had both knees replaced and said he was driving earlier, and part of the reason is because he didn't take the hydrocodone after the first couple of days. They presume you're on the heavy meds and don't want you driving when they say wait two weeks. He did it the way I typically do; the first day or two are the only time I use that stuff.

We had a huge amount of rain overnight and the tornado sirens ran for about 30 minutes in my area, so my activity will be indoors for a few days. Once it dries enough I can go do a bit of transplanting I've had in mind (while the soil is still moist, not wet clay, but also not the hard clay like when it's dry around here.)

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Jan 20 - 08:33 PM

Dupont:

Not communicating very well lately. I did eat a salad yesterday! I did get the plumber to check out Beaver and there is water and all is well - but it is going to minus 25 tonight so I hope that does not freeze the water somewhere under the house. I hope to go Friday. I tried to ask the plumber to add in a heater from the studio but he did not appear to be comprehending me so I decided not to confuse him.

I did get hold of the fellow who said he would clear the Beaver drive and yes he will check on it and keep it clear. I did get the Christmas turkey boiled up and de-boned and added veggies so there is a meal ready. A couple days ago I tried a lovely Indian meal but the sauce - from a jar - was way too hot. I can manage it but not R.

AND - drumroll!!!! Today I trekked to the Apple store to pick up new lap top. Not near as expensive as my new car! But still, with that and the chimney installation for the woodstove and a donation toward scholarships for a wildlife rehab course this weekend - I am overly extended for the next couple months - and the plumbe which I hope will not be a great amount! I will juggle.

In the meantime, my hours at the Apple Store were toxic and exhausting and inconclusive. Had to phone Applehelp to get help with emails - very nice fellow magically helped with a couple issues. I am now happily FBing and more, with my tiny new airbook. May even try using the TV option son provided.

I will let R play with the old one. Ephraim calls it a "classsic"! The guys at Apple referred to it as "heritage"! From 2007, my son is amused that it lasted this long. The new one seems tiny and lightweight! And will be wonderful once I learn more. I have a training session booked next week.

The best part was getting home before rush hour!!! I got lost on the way there and had a tour of a nice residential area... I may knuckle under and try to deal with a GPS. Understanding the verbal is a problem for me.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 08 Jan 20 - 01:43 PM

This week is a massive financial bust, and it’s only Wednesday.

On Monday, I paid the geeks for our new desktop computer, which will be a Mac with an extra-large screen. Still numb from that transaction, which (from the dollar amount) should have provided me with something new to drive away in, I took a phone call from the vet who was relieving Cat 2, the redoubtable Isobel, of a rotten tooth. “A” rotten tooth? Why, no. Three rotten teeth. And, by the way, her liver enzymes were askew. So think of a number — not a small one — and triple it.

There are no flies on Isobel, so any vet visit presents a major challenge. Combine that with medication, and brace for an athletic couple of hours. At 0615 we had to dose her with a pre-operative sedative, and I guess she sussed my intentions from the moment my feet hit the floor because the chase was on. Himself finally ran her to earth in the Harry Potter cupboard under the cellar stairs, after we had pursued her through every room in the house and out from under or behind every piece of furniture. Not a great way to start the day. On the bright side, she did not piss on either of us.

The vet prescribed three post-op doses of an oral antibiotic-analgesic drug, saying cheerfully, “Just mix it into her food.” No way that would work; each dose is a full-dress hunt-and-snatch job. But today she is much better, and has forgiven me to the extent that she’s snoozing in my lap even as I type. Only one more dose to go.

As for the computer, the new one will take two weeks to arrive as it’s a custom job that has to come all the way from China. With luck, it will arrive maybe two days before the new book job lands.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Jan 20 - 12:22 PM

Dorothy, homesick for Beaver? Or is your new-to-you house needing sudden plumbing repair and snow removal?

I've removed the few outside holiday lights today. The electrical cord on the lawn meant I wasn't going to mow, but next door neighbor mowed yesterday, making my lush weeds look all the more robust by comparison. Yes, we mow year-round in Texas, and I'll do it this afternoon.

I am trying to do a no-spend month, so I need to turn my attention to mending. I noticed quite a stack of stuff when I did a quick mend on the handle of a canvas shopping bag I plan to keep my gym equipment in. Yesterday I signed up at the gym and I packed the bag with the clothes and towel, etc, that I'll use. It's in the car and ready for an appointment on Friday with a trainer to go through the facility and plan my pre-surgery knee strengthening routine. (I stooped in the hall yesterday to put a new faceplate over an electrical plug and my knee creaked and ground around like a parcel of broken crockery). At some point I'll also work on an après-surgery routine. This is me picking up the money on the table - as a state retiree they pay for the gym membership through a program called "Sliver Sneakers." This isn't the closest to the house, but it's only about four miles from here. I chose a gym that has a lot of classes, and I'll focus on yoga to get some flexibility back along with the leg-strengthening exercises. They also have a pool and a sauna.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Jan 20 - 04:52 PM

Dupont:

"I wanna go home..." So emailed neighbour for phone number of the plumber she uses and mentioned problem getting hold of guy to plow drive. Quickly received both and phoned both. Plumber will send someone tomorrow to see if anything - not too expensive- can be done and will phone me. Steve will care for drive. I am desperately homesick but cannot deal with no water by myself. R can fetch buckets from stream. I may try to go for a couple days between snowstorms or beg R for a four day weekend.

Not doing anything. Nothing pressing needs doing. Need to eat a salad - right now!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jan 20 - 11:15 PM

We had our delayed family holiday today and as a result a couple of elderly appliances were replaced with new ones; the elderly items are going to Goodwill this week, with manuals and all parts included. They work, but are too small or too slow to do the job I need done.

The house is clean after the "lick and a promise" before company arrived; tomorrow I have to mow the yard since it's warm and the weeds are prolific. It's warm enough to do some gardening. I asked in the feed store if they have onion sets or potatoes yet but they say two weeks more. So if I'm smart I'll start turning over the garden areas where I want those plants to go in, and not bring them home and let them dry out before I dig to plant them. I have that new-to-me tiller that will help.

I have a long list of items on my task list for January, and some have moved through the bullet journal for many months. I'll make a point of trying to finish them and add new projects to the list next month.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jan 20 - 12:06 AM

Good work on the speaker wires, Charmion! I'm fighting that battle myself these days in several areas around the house as I rearrange radios and other output devices.

This week has been a series of repairs around the house. I've also cleared out some computer files and rearranged some stuff in the office (it isn't completely organized since moving in a few months ago. It may never be completely organized).

The puppy has gained weight; I finally got on a scale with her, then put her down and subtracted the difference. She is up to 35 pounds from 26 when I brought her home. She's still slim and muscular, but not so skinny with ribs showing as much as before. I'm guessing she's about 10 months old now (I've had her a little over 3 months). The vet guessed that this would probably be her adult weight. Now to order the veterinary heartworm meds—thirty pounds is a cutoff from one dosage to the next—also to work out the kilograms since I order from a place in the UK. (Geez - after Brexit, will that will work the same?)

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Jan 20 - 09:27 AM

Happy New Year, fellow de-clutterers, and good health to all.

While snow squalls swirled through town, I spent the first day of 2020 turning out the filing cabinet and working on Himself's billing records. Now the waste-paper basket is brimming with instruction leaflets that came with long-dead electric doohickeys and documents from the owners' association we belonged to (not by choice) in Ottawa, and we are ready to face another Law Society audit with confidence.

I also figured out why the DVD player was not delivering an audio signal to the television, and corrected the wiring connections. Boy, did that make me feel competent or what.

The house is not clean, thanks to the cats and their shedding habits, but it is tidy. That's enough for now.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jan 20 - 09:03 PM

This afternoon I took apart a thing in the corner of the den near the sliding glass door; years ago a neighbor cut down the crape myrtle tree next door and this limb fell over the fence. I decided it looked interestingly sculptural and set it in a huge clay pot on a rolling plant stand with a couple of hundred pounds of coarse gravel holding it up. I wrapped several strings of xmas LED lights around the limbs and use it as a source of light in that part the room, but it is quite bulky. One of the strings of lights couldn't be repaired so it's in the e-waste bag and I've reassembled it.

I could take the whole thing apart and free up that space, moving the adjacent dog stuff further into the corner (these are a small set of shelves and an antique trunk the tubs of dog food is stored in). It's a classic situation where getting rid of it would make more room, but I use it every day. It's an awkward space to try to put another light, unless I hang something from the nearby beam that has an old plant hook. Decisions, decisions.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Dec 19 - 10:52 AM

It's a sunny day here, with none of the smoke in Australia or the snow or cold rain of regions to the north. By rights I should be out working in the garden to plant this winter's potatoes. I do expect I'll get them planted in January, I need to do a lot of that before mid-February when my knee will be out of commission for a few weeks, at least.

I have been making passes through the house to clear up clutter, though I haven't discarded much, just organized it better. The village recycle bins are emptied on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I'll plan to take a large bag of stuff over this afternoon once the xmas boxes and stuff has been picked up today.

I baked banana bread yesterday and I need to make a few of their favorite cookies for our family event on Sunday. Maybe I should start with the most labor intensive ones, krumkaka, and work backwards to spritz and snickerdoodles.

I don't make resolutions, but I have things I must do this upcoming year anticipate needs for moving around the house in the immediate weeks after returning home with the bandaged knee.

Time to change out calendars, the annual expandable file (bills and receipts), and probably other stuff. Laundry is in and the dishwasher has been emptied.

See you all next year! Best wishes to Michelle and her family and Susan and hers, here's hoping health issues are resolved during the early months of the new year.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Dec 19 - 08:42 PM

Dupont:

Computer/modem malfunctioned and I copied previous post then turned off computer. Now I am back on line but lost what I copied. Oh well.

We all survived the family visit. They took one large box of pottery which barely made a dent. ... They left yesterday by way of a bagel factory near Montreal where they obtained a supply to take home to PA. They arrived home safely and texted me that they were cutting the bagels (in half for freezer) and had been home 20 minutes! I had that much energy 25 years ago.

Now R and I are returning to our solitary life, dealing with furnace that keeps quitting; son says new relays - not simple. So R goes to cellar and fiddles until it goes on again. ... He has just gone to work for first time in a week as he has been recovering from CO poisoning from driving fork lift with faulty exhaust. This bout has impressed him sufficiently (2nd time in a month) that he will NOT do that again. Researching it is impressive; it can cause problems down the road - big ones. He will be going for those test the Dr suggested a while back. Blood test re iron level to see if he can take Floradix to improve health - without getting iron poisoning!

I have a refurbished Apple laptop on order (Jan 6) and son bought me pieces to connect laptop to TV as well as get a bunch of programs - I wrote down instructions and suspect I might figure it out eventually.

The boys watched some while they were here. Of course, they each had a laptop and a smart phone... There was an octopus of charging cables in the LR! Family spent a lot of time in Montreal and a lot of time on devices. DIL read quietly wherever she could find a spot. The house served well for 6 individuals - room to be alone or with others. K worked as they ate what they ate and we ... No overlap except C dinner and a last dinner at a local very nice Indian Rest.

I enjoyed them being here other than the stress of DIL (she behaved fine but I was never sure).

Brugmansia bloomed for them - they were not impressed! But R and I are. It has a dozen or more in various stages of opening. A delight - last thing at night and first in the am.

Thinking of Michelle, Pete and Jeremiah and the stress of their life. Hoping the new year brings them healing.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Dec 19 - 03:37 PM

I have drawn down containers of mashed bananas from the freezer and emptied the bowl of overripe bananas on the counter and the house is now filled with the scent of banana nut bread. Company's a comin' and this is the first volley to make them feel welcome.

Trash pickup on Thursday last week was real slow, they didn't get to my block till after dark because there was so much holiday trash to collect. Trouble is, most of that stuff was entirely recyclable. And the things they discarded, electronic devices and equipment, that could have been donated or should be recycled through an e-waste collector. This is one of the most depressing times of the year when one thinks about the stuff sent to the landfill. I haven't put trash out for almost two weeks because I didn't have enough to fill a small bag. The recycle bin is ready to be emptied and the compost is chugging along. /rant off

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 19 - 12:35 PM

Fascinating! And just enough information to offer some fine brush strokes in there to create what these look like (and smell like) in my mind's eye.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 29 Dec 19 - 12:13 PM

Smokey Barney’s is the Church of St. Barnabas, Apostle and Martyr, in the Anglican diocese of Ottawa. It is a “high” parish, with the full range of censing, aspersions and sound effects. For 15 years, I sang in the choir (a small and ambitious aggregation), Himself and I were married there, and we were active members until Himself left the Army and we moved to Stratford.

Anglican parishes in Canada come in three basic types, and most diocese have at least one of each kind. At the most Protestant, in fact nearly Methodist, end of the spectrum are the “low” or “pine and pain” churches, many founded in the early to mid-1800s by settlers from Ireland and Scotland. Low parishes are most common in the country. The majority of Anglicans, especially in urban areas, belong to churches of the “brass and class” type, which are usually nicely appointed, with plenty of stained glass and polished metal, and moderate in liturgy — they use Rite III in the Book of Alternative Services (“and also with you” instead of “and with thy spirit”), but they have Stations of the Cross in Lent. At the fully Catholic, but never Roman, end of the range are the “high” or “bells and smells” parishes, which have the most elaborate liturgy and usually the best music — and lots of both. Elderly RCs are sometimes spotted in the pews, come to inhale the incense, hark to the Sanctus bells, and hear mass settings that their own church pitched after Vatican II. High churches are typically urban, often found in working-class neighbourhoods; most were founded by the London Missionary Society.

And I’ll bet that’s a lot more about Anglicans than you wanted to know.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: keberoxu
Date: 29 Dec 19 - 10:58 AM

Charmion!!
I have GOT to ask:

what kind of name for a Roman Catholic parish is
'Smokey Barney's'   ?

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 19 - 10:24 AM

Charmion, our temperatures have been in the 70s, forecasters are telling us this is about 15^o above normal. We had an early hard freeze, because the weather can play dirty tricks on gardeners, but since then it has been fairly warm most of the time. I have to mow the lawn again because the weeds have grown tall.

Somehow I'm not motivated this year to throw myself into the flurry of holidays. Family is arriving this week and we'll do our delayed event a few days from now, so I need to make a couple of types of cookies to give a somewhat normal appearance to the festivities. I smoked salmon for the kids, a thing that has become an annual tradition (though their dad has bought a high-quality farmed fish that is okay smoked, it isn't as rich and as lean as the wild-caught fish) and I need to find the stockings and put them out of harm's way from the 30-pounds of destructive puppy teeth I have living here now.

I learned yesterday that I have had to declutter my address book of the names of some old dear friends this year, a weight that also affects the holiday season. I had a conversation with the youngest son of two of these friends and it was a trip down memory lane even while he has pointed out that now we are the oldest generation in our families. I was aware of that many years ago; my parents died in their 70s, his in their 90s. (They died within six weeks of each other, one three weeks before Thanksgiving and the other on Christmas Eve). Those holidays are going to involve some heavy emotional lifting for their large family for a few years to come.

Time to get moving around here - I'm going to test my theory that the steam cleaner I use on the carpets *might* work to scrub the tile floor in the den, though I'll pick up a couple of more mats to use inside and outside before I test that theory.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 29 Dec 19 - 09:42 AM

If I were on my own, I could live as Mary does, but I think I would miss having at least enough furniture and crockery to entertain one other person to tea or supper. Living with Himself, however, means that I am surrounded by stuff and spend a surprising amount of time riding herd on it so the gangways are clear and none of the windows is blocked.

Today, I am having an asthma flare and, consequently, doing not much. Laundry maybe, but not necessarily. Cooking dinner, perhaps. Until then, strictly reading.

We spent Christmas in Ottawa with Elder Brother and SIL in their big old house, which is not only crowded with books, furniture and potted plants but also very dusty. We also went to Midnight Mass at Smokey Barney's, the church with the most elaborate liturgy I have ever experienced, and got thoroughly doused with incense. Plus, it was cold. So now I am paying for my adventure with wheezing, chest pain, lots of coughing, and the jitters brought on by the bronchodilator drugs.

At home, the sacrifice of my Christmas cactus with its coating of white mould has made breathing considerably easier. I'd hate to think what state I'd be in if it was still tossing spores around my living space.

We are not having a normal winter in Perth County. Every speck of snow is gone and the temperature is hovering above freezing. The forecast today calls for rain, with more rain tomorrow. At this rate, the whole damned world will be covered with mould.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: mg
Date: 28 Dec 19 - 12:37 AM

in washington at the beach in a little cottage. Three rooms actually. One has an air mattress and a folding tv tray and exercise ball. One has two folding tables for desk and printer. It also has three clothing racks, with one for clothes and nightwear to be worn again, with another rack for jackets in a hallway. Two others are for solid color clothes..one in my main neutrals of navy, white and tan, and other for other colors. A few prints, plaids etc. in closet, where i have some bins for papers, cds etc. an exercise machine. rolling drawers. kitchen has three rolling carts and one baker's cart. i have full stove but use a hotplate and little convection oven. more room than i need.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Dec 19 - 10:06 PM

Mary, you've given away so much stuff I visualize you living in a single room with a hot plate, a backpack of clothes and a shopping bag with a few books to read. I hope you're enjoying retirement: are you still somewhere in Washington?

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: mg
Date: 27 Dec 19 - 04:34 PM

I am waiting for dial a ride to take me to the thrift store with two heaters, a great pair of shoes that kill my feet, and a very large suitcase. My decluttering or cluttering mantra is i will need it some day when the tsunami/civil war comes. It is warm enough here that I will survive without the spare heaters and someone could use them right now.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Dec 19 - 03:01 PM

I started a "Bullet Journal" in March of 2017, and as I start a new page for January 2020 and add a few more "future log" boxes for things that don't yet have calendar pages, I'm finding it has been very handy and more efficient than the straightforward one book a year diaries I used to keep. I could skip through those old volumes and find many blank pages when there was little going on, but in this it is so compressed that pages aren't wasted. I typically use facing pages; calendar (numbered from top down on the left side) on the left page and the Task List on the right page. Tasks are bulleted with a dot or other reference point to show it's a task, an event note or a "signifier" (I haven't used that one, but it's there anyway). The third page is a Record of Activity that usually takes only one page, so can leave a fourth facing page blank. When that happens it gets used for something specific like to document a conversation or meeting, and that page number and a note ("surgery plan", etc.) is added to the contents list in the front.

You can be obsessive about it and buy just the right blank book, the recommended pen type, and (as one friend did) can practice with a book to see how you want it to look and then follow that design you work out for yourself. Me, I used a freebie bound book they handed out at work a few years ago, use whatever black ink pen is handy, keep it to notes, no colors, etc. As I get close to the last few months of pages left in this book I have another free one, also from work, that a friend gave me because she isn't going to use it (that one is a nice quality Moleskine with not as many pages and purchased commercially would cost over $30—I'll use it because I have it but I'd never spend that kind of money for one).

I have a shelf full of the old diaries, and this will go on that shelf when it is full and I'm in the next journal. For those following along in the adventures of decluttering, this is an efficient use of paper and keeps several years worth of notes in one place.

---

Participation in the thread has dropped as we lose friends to the hearafter, to attrition, or to ill health. It was important to the late great Katlaughing, so I've kept it going. As long as these longer threads are allowed to run here at Mudcat I'll let this one go into 2020 and change the thread title.

Thoughts? Share them here, or send a PM.

Maggie

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Dec 19 - 04:43 PM

The knee replacement date is set and now a long list of things (approvals and pre-op stuff) must be put in place for the surgery, and if I'm smart, I'll plan enough ahead to make things comfortable here so it's easy when I come home to hobble around for a couple of weeks. As loath as I am to voluntarily submit to surgery, the outcome should be a back-to-normal ability to walk, dance, and much more, so I need to go ahead and get this taken care of, not waste more time fussing about it.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Charmion
Date: 23 Dec 19 - 07:10 AM

Sorry for preaching to the choir. Bad habit.

I did the baking soda thing. Didn’t work. The hydrogen peroxide technique is new to me, and I’ll keep it in mind for next time.

In this old house, I’m sure there will be a next time.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Dec 19 - 12:56 AM

Thanks for the exercise tip, Charmion. Squats do seem to be in order for knee strength. Too bad you didn't ask first about the cactus - there are organic ways to kill the mold without killing the plant. Baking soda in water is one way to kill it. Spraying straight hydrogen peroxide (from the grocery store - 3% strength).

The back yard was mowed today (yes, I know - but this is Texas); I did it to mulch in a lot of leaves and cut down weeds that don't go dormant in winter. I also scooped a lot of dog droppings; the main reason for the mowing was to make it easier to find the droppings. Into the compost they go.

The house has lots of dust and dog hair, but our family holiday is postponed a week so I have time to remedy the dust problem.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Charmion
Date: 22 Dec 19 - 02:44 PM

Squats, Stilly. As many as you can manage, and then some more.

The locker room at the Y before and after pool class should be a work assignment for students of orthopaedic surgery and physiotherapy, for it’s where the old crocks meet. At least two thirds of the group are dealing with the long-term effects of a major skeletal injury. A couple of the younger ones are living with genetic deformities or birth injuries. Everybody has arthritis.

Last week, I emerged from the showers into a learned discussion of knee problems. Did you know that one of the leading reasons for non-demented people to go into care is that they can’t count on being able to get up off the toilet? The take-away was that I should work hard to maintain the ability to rise from a seated position without launching myself with my hands.

Last week, I had to throw out a Christmas cactus I bought the year we were married. Back in the summer, I noticed that the surface of the growing medium was covered with a white mould and re-potted it into a vermiculite mixture, but no luck; the mould came back even worse. I am allergic to mould, and for several weeks this fall I woke up every day with a sinus headache. The plant went out with the trash on Monday, and the sinus pain disappeared by Wednesday.

I miss the blossoms, though. It flowered reliably twice a year, for Easter and Remembrance Day.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Dec 19 - 10:10 AM

Michelle, it's ironic that the current rage in bed gear for sleeping are "weighted" blankets. I also reach a point when the bedding is too heavy and put the down comforter on over the sheet and one thermal blanket that helps keep the comforter from sliding off.

It's remarkable that even with his adjustments to the thyroid medication and naps Pete is still fixing the dryer. And I applaud your making a fell swoop of the paperwork in your office. The output of time and energy next week will mean you can manage your time better when the new year and clients are up to full speed.

I'm going to have to do some work to prepare for the knee surgery, and the more fit and strong that knee is the easier the recovery, so my next couple of months need to be spent getting more exercise and strength training. I imagine gardening is going to be difficult for a while so anything I can lay out ahead of time will be beneficial to allow for spring planting a few weeks after the surgery. I'm told that I'll be walking that day, but it takes about a month to get back to normal walking around. I asked the doctor how long it will take until I can comfortably use that leg to dig with a shovel - not a question he often gets, apparently. I may have to switch feet and dig with the left foot for a while.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Dec 19 - 07:42 AM

It is a beautiful morning. The sun is coming up, Jeremiah is still sleeping, Pete is in the kitchen doing his own thing and I am sitting in my recliner by the fire with only one light on in the corner. The Christmas tree is lit and the sun is coming up, shining a beautiful orange glow on the Christmas tree while Oatie snores in the chair next to me. I have a cuppa weekend coffee and the house is quiet. I SO need this quiet, the non activity.....peace!!!

I have been busy, busy, busy at work trying to catch up with things from the past two months. It's hard to believe I can fall backwards quite so quickly at work but it is the nature of the job and so while I am keeping up with the day to day, I'm busting my rear end with case reviews/client and all providers invited and I get to do a history, discuss goals, progress made and future goals while engaging the other providers (Insurance providers, PCP, Psychiatrist, Therapist, Vision, Dental, Audiologists, Representative Payees, Housing Specialists, Job Coaches, etc).   I enjoy these meetings but there is so much prep and follow up work that I need chunks of time which currently I don't have. So....I set aside a few days next week to hopefully get this all caught up. I will be working on days when others have opted to take them off for the holiday week. The office should be fairly quiet, limited calls from providers and clients is expected which should give me the time to get everything ready for upcoming meetings, etc. I have a few Care Plans to write and some provider contacts to make regarding Comprehensive Assessments. And THEN I have set aside time to do a massive overhaul of my work space. Currently it looks nice and functions well but the Department of Health has changed out some forms, etc. that I want to get out of my filing cabinets. I also have manuals that are outdated so I'm hoping to empty the binders and get new copies made for my personal use and to have close at hand. I can read it all online but I prefer paper and I like to keep the manuals in page protectors. Initially it makes more work for me but in the end, it withstands my reference usage.
    At home, Pete continues to recover from his thyroidectomy completion. He is exhausted just about all day long and continues to take frequent naps. His body has stiffened up terribly and he is having weakness. He is frustrated with all of it. The endocrinologist says that this is because he doesn't have enough meds in his system yet and has made another adjustment. I have a feeling that this is going to be slow going for some time as the med levels are checked at 3 month intervals. Radiation procedures begin in mid-January.
    I wrapped all the Christmas gifts yesterday with the exception of 2 school photos of Jeremiah to share with the grandparents. They do not want frames this year as they simply pop the newest photo into the existing frames that we have given them in years gone by.
    My dryer broke last week but Pete was able to fix it so that is a good thing! I normally do a load or two of laundry every day. Last Sunday I did 8 loads of laundry last weekend because it had all backed up. Today I have a few loads to do but only because I want some things washed separately and I need to wash the bedding. Today is the day I add the electric blanket to our bed. So far I've been adding on the quilts and while I'm warm enough, my hips are sore in the morning from the weight of the blankets...if that makes any sense!
      So...today will be laundry, writing out Christmas cards and bill paying day. And a nap. I can feel it already....I want and need more sleep!

Merry Christmas to you all!

Much Love,

Michelle

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Dec 19 - 11:33 AM

I have nothing up in the house, and outside I have one batch of lights on a shrub at the front corner by the driveway. I have another string I'll put up on cup hooks over the front porch, and some things to put on the mantle, but that's all.

Under the category of "It's always something," today the Universal Power Supply failed the self-test; the unit has a five-year warranty but 1) I can't remember exactly when I got it and 2) I filed the information away so thoroughly that I can't find it now. And that warranty probably doesn't cover the batteries for the whole time.

I don't go for the low-end replacement but will happily replace two of the company brand batteries in the correct instead of paying 30% more to have the company's batteries linked in a way that has the same result - two batteries installed in one unit. A comparable brand is available locally but cost $12 more each. If it were an urgent problem then I might, but I can wait a week for them to arrive.

The next fence panel is on the radar; I have cat sitting coming up next week and I use that cash for projects that I am doing incrementally. I'll load the lumber in the garage and paint on the weatherproofing there before taking down the next crumbling panel and putting this up.

Thanks for the compliment Donuel and Charmion - though I must disclose that I'm soon entering the Bionic Woman phase; knee replacement is looming in early 2020. :-/

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Charmion
Date: 18 Dec 19 - 09:16 PM

Agreed, Donuel. I can just about muster the energy required to vacuum the sitting room rug; the very idea of disassembling a fence makes me blench.

I have not put up one single Christmas decoration. And I’m okay with that.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Donuel
Date: 18 Dec 19 - 10:05 AM

That atypically does not sound energy intensive. Most of Sage's projects sound like they require the energy output of someome in their 30's or 40's.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Dec 19 - 09:50 AM

Office organization has advanced with the purchase of two new cables. Nothing out of the ordinary, but the six-foot cable for my camera makes it easier to work on the old computer without setting the camera out of sight behind a monitor (and losing track of it) and the six-foot transfer cable works nicely between the two computers so I can do the work on the old computer, park files in an easy to find folder (or even the same old folder, it's easy enough to navigate) and move files without using thumb drives. This is particularly good for the work on images because they're large files and the old computer has the more advanced software.

There is a paper and dust accumulation in the office that must be addressed, and I have to put out a few ornaments soon. I'm not one to put them up at Thanksgiving and take them down by February. My xmas cactus are blooming beautifully, so I need to move them to central locations to admire.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Dec 19 - 10:07 AM

I have a couple of regular cat-sitting gigs, and I spent the last four days going back and forth to a house that is just under 5,000⏍, on an acre of well-tended land. They manage to not have clutter around and the house isn't overfull of furniture and stuff, yet there are plenty of things on display. They collect rocks and coral, rugs and Southwestern art, but if they have more it is put aside for another time: there isn't too much stuff out.

I have theories. That size house, with two people (now) living in it, plus a guest house across a porch next to the second garage, means they don't have a guest room in the house were stuff gets dumped. They have built in lots of storage. There are multiple bathrooms to hold various products so it isn't all bunched up on one or two rooms. They have a weekly housekeeper and a robotic cat litter box.

All of that said, if they were slobs as large as the house is it would be full of stuff. So there must be some discipline involved there. I'd love to tap into it.

And yes, I was playing with the html symbol for square foot - it doesn't look as good as the written box with a line through from top to bottom.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Donuel
Date: 16 Dec 19 - 07:16 PM

On npr today I heard that green light in a dark room can relieve migrain pain as well as other types of PAIN. Effectiveness is about 65%. I told my wife but she already knew. Sometimes Doctors seem to keep things to themselves.

Whatever the retina thing was about I can see that a tiny bit of residual damage remains. The color and flashing is gone but it is akin to hearing an audio nerve die. I suppose the doctor checked for the big things. The damage is minisule so things are copacetic and easily managed.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Dec 19 - 11:58 AM

Exciting times, Charmion! That fiddle performance sounds wonderful, the door kicked in, not so much.

Breaking in at night, one wonders what that burglar/robber was thinking? Down here most burglaries happen in the middle of the day, they presume people are at work and approach doors that are somewhat out-of-sight of the street. In 2005 my side door was kicked in, like you describe, and they got quite a bit of electronic stuff before a passing neighbor saw and reported the unknown car backed up in my driveway with the trunk open and three men running in and out of the house. I had a contractor who also came over quickly and replaced that door and I had a iron security door installed over it, installed one on the front door as well, and put decorative iron bars over the new windows on that side of the house to match the bars on all of the rest of the house. It makes my heart race just to read your account; that kind of thing makes you jumpy for a while. And once the work is finished you'll be glad to have the new door.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Charmion
Date: 16 Dec 19 - 10:54 AM

Donuel, I'm glad your retinas are okay. Even with migraine, you're a lucky guy.

We had a major dose of family duties over the weekend, and an attempted break-and-enter that resulted in a smashed panel in the back door.

The Guid Sisters (Himself's siblings) and their husbands were coming for lunch on Friday, and I cleaned and cooked all day Thursday in preparation. On Friday, only Sister Number 2 showed up (with husband) because Himself's elder brother-in-law had slipped and fallen at the car wash the day before and broke his collar-bone. BIL is nearly 80, so the emergency room staff put him through All The Hoops and, consequently, he and Sister Number One spent most of Thursday night at the hospital.

So, crap.

A good visit, followed by cleaning up (dishes, returning dining room table to normal configuration), took the rest of the day and then Himself and I spent the evening in front of Netflix watching
"The Irishman", otherwise known as "I Hear You Paint Houses". It's long, complicated and not exactly up-lifting, but it's truly great drama and more than worth seeing. It's years since I saw a film that engaged my attention so completely.

On Saturday, we went to Toronto to visit with Himself's brother. The weather was truly awful, with heavy rain and fog all day verging into sleet and snow at nightfall, so the drive was even more of a challenge than usual -- clenched-teeth level, just short of white-knuckle. We went out for lunch, hiking in driving rain for blocks and blocks up Roncesvalles Avenue so we arrived at the pub soaking wet from the knees down. Then the good part started: completely unexpected, an afternoon show by one of Canada's greatest fiddlers, Dan MacDonald, playing with an Irish singer-songwriter with such major chops as an accompanist that I could sit through his original songs without too much impatience. (Why do so many singer-songwriters have lousy diction? Just sayin'.)

We went home without incident despite the lousy highway conditions, and turned in early.

Shortly after ten o'clock, I was jolted out of deep sleep by a terrific bang and crack from downstairs and Himself bolting out of bed. Clad only in underpants, he ran toward the racket, flicking on lights and yelling at me to call the police. The noise was somebody kicking in our back door. The house-breaker took off when he saw the lights, and thank God for that; he was only one blow away from driving the dead-bolt right through the jamb.

So, hot and cold running cops for the next couple of hours. They even brought a dog to trail the burglar, but gave up when they found bicycle tracks in the snow.

Back to bed, but not much actual sleep took place. At eight o'clock I left a voice-mail message for Tony the Carpenter (veteran of the 2017 kitchen project), expecting him to get to me on Monday, but he responded immediately with shock and dismay, and arrived by ten-thirty -- on a Sunday morning! -- with a large hunk of three-quarter-inch plywood and a power drill. Then he measured up for a new door.

I never liked our back door, another with the thermal capabilities of newspaper, but I had not planned to replace it any time soon. That'll be another thousand bucks or so, plus Tony's labour. What larks.

Tony took a critical look at the cracked jamb and established that it was severely under-built and would never have stood up to even the most casual application of a wrecking bar. (Good thing our burglar came equipped only with boots.) The replacement door will be pre-hung in a frame that meets today's building code, and thus not entirely burglar-proof but considerably more effective than what we have now.

I spent all of Sunday in a comfy chair, alternately dozing and reading. Didn't even go to church.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Dec 19 - 06:02 PM

I soaked chick peas overnight and made falafel today, and it turned out well. There's labor involved but chick peas, pita bread, and the stuff for tahini aren't very expensive. The labor involved is the value added to the modestly priced ingredients. Though I planned for a healthy meal, we had four different things for dessert. Two I had, one was brought, and one I made when they arrived and I realized the daughter is gluten intolerant so I made a gluten free cake from a box - they all liked it so I sent the last box of that home with them and the warning that if the baked cake is around for more than a couple of days it gets really hard.

This makes for three times in four weeks I've cleaned house ahead of company coming, meaning the house is still looking pretty good, though it still has more furniture than it needs. I'm pondering what is the next large thing to send out of the house. One of the tables? The Victrola? It just collects dust. One of the trunks from the family house back East? Who knows - maybe a trunk will sell on eBay. :)

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Dec 19 - 05:58 PM

Dupont:

The DR table will remain cluttered with pottery; I want the family to choose whatever they want before I pack it away. We put the leaf in the K table and it will be adequate for 6 persons, well behaved. And does not overcrowd the K - too much.

Clutter, declutter, clutter, declutter - an endless process! I went down to the mill and brought back some things I wanted and felt I could home. R brought 3 huge foliage plants from the city house - and I wish they would disappear! So one, about 5 ft tall but skinny, will go upstairs and be repotted with a piece of 3" bamboo to keep it straight. One is a scraggly looking palm in 12 inch pot ---- somewhere... Another is about 7 feet wide but scraggly enough to act as a "room divider" - behind sofa, in front of card tables full of pots. Maybe if I feed them, they will become less like scare crows.

R also brought bed rails for another single brass bed so, with some boards to hold the mattress, we will be prepared bed-wise. Lots of fine-tuning yet to go. R bought parts today for shower rod! And rubber mats for concrete steps and a mat for back deck - all to avoid falls.

I have cleared space in K cabinets for the family's special sorts of foods, whatever they may be. Son is mostly veggie now. Wife "eats anything"; grandsons unstipulated but I know one is picky. I will not be cooking much for them; clearing the K so they have their own space. Clearing frig space ...!

Without a tree, I am making some small efforts to have a Christmasy feel to house. Bought two Cyclamen - red, white and two new Af violets - blue, blue/white. All very cheery And a very nice potted arrangement of 12 inch tree/red poinsettia/white Kalanchoe/variegated ivy/ and a couple other variegated plants in a nice burgundy ceramic bowl. Other Kalanchoe are getting toward blooming, as well as Bruggie. And a few Christmasy decorations will go on another tall green plant, with tiny star-like flowers, that is supported with a copper spiral. I could even put a string of tiny lights on it - battery powered.

I checked the weather report for the trip, up through Vermont from Philly, and there is no sign of heavy snow!!   

Six more days!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Dec 19 - 06:51 PM

Guests are coming over tomorrow so I'll do the "lick and a promise" clean-up that involves things going out of sight, if not all to their proper storage locations.

The fridge is looking tidier; a few things have gone into the freezer, others consumed as I draw down contents. I get carried away with cooking and having leftovers and it's disappointing to have to send things to the compost bin. That said, today I made some very rich mashed potatoes and some of those went into a batch of lefse for tomorrow.

It's time to pull out a few boxes and decide what ornaments can go up, high enough to be away from the destructive puppy. It's also time to start wrapping gifts and get out the sewing machine for a few projects I need to finish before everyone arrives for the big day.

Alternate day fasting is resulting in a couple of days a week very low calorie (~500/fasting day). Decluttering a few pounds would be great for the arthritic knee. :-/

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Dec 19 - 01:39 PM

Dining table cleared, dusted, ready for the photo cube. Kitchen table loaded with contents moved off of the dining table - they are moving to the sun room next.

I'm going to remake that sofa cover, the new one has good fabric going for it but that's all. I'll sew on the elastic from the old one and construct long enough tethers to tie the piece that flaps over the top and down the back to the back legs. And it will not get a good Amazon review.

I'll be doing alternate day fasting in the days before the holidays to keep the weight where it is or even lose a little. I fear kneed surgery is in my near future and I might as well do what I can to take excess weight off of that arthritic joint. Decluttering stored calories at the worst time of year for it is a huge challenge, but needs to be done.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Dec 19 - 10:20 AM

Today the spot is 90% smaller and non intrusive. I am only coping with the eye drops from the retinal center.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life - 2019
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Dec 19 - 09:43 AM

In the fitness catagory I had my retinas checked and they were fine.
Despite having 4 days of a Xmas colored light display of mandalas and pin point red blue and yellow in both eyes. It was just a remnant of a migraine without the pain. Instead of sensing chaos, the brain turned it into filagreed beauty.