FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Aug 22 - 09:52 AM

With the most recent Mudcat weekend of radio silence the post I was saving to share as become obsolete. I see Dorothy is busy posting on FB so I assume she has survived the hot-tea-in-the-lap incident.

Rain arrived overnight last night. Four inches in the informal rain gauge (two galvanized buckets sitting on the back porch) and it looks like 4" so far. Knowing this was coming I sprinkled the garden with some granular organic fertilizer and spritzed the tomatoes with hydrogen peroxide. Their leaves are curled up and it could be a fungus and not just heat, hence the hydrogen peroxide. It's great for treating fungus on plants. Now I watch.

With rain came the thought that after three months I might want to put on a pair of jeans, and there was a discovery: most of my long pants in the closet are now too large. I pulled out a dozen pair at least (trying on to be sure) and then got down the size 12 bin from the closet shelf and now a dozen or so pair are in the dryer with a wet towel added for moisture to reduce some of the folds and wrinkles. Some are misses 12s and are a bit too snug still but the women's 12s fit fine. We'll see how the surgery scar does with long pants. I think I'll be wearing shorts for a while longer once this storm passes.

Yesterday was a fasting day and I made a trip to the gym after a trip to the thrift store looking for smaller shorts. I found one pair that I liked and two t-shirts. With the shirts it's a goal to find regular rather than cap sleeves because losing weight means my upper arms are rather saggy looking. Bummer. With two things to do it was easier to justify a drive that far over to the gym for an hour on the recumbent bike and my murder mystery. I'm to the point now where I'm going to start using some of the rest of the equipment, if I can get there at fairly quiet times. The place is full of beefy fit young men on the weekend, and while as a 60-something gray-haired woman I am totally invisible, I'd still like to see a few more users like myself. Other older women also go during the quiet times. (The pool area is opening next Tuesday after being closed for repairs so I need to try on my swimsuit.)

Otherwise, around here I did some mending and got out eBay stuff to test before listing. I'm switching to obsolete electronics for a while.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: keberoxu
Date: 22 Aug 22 - 10:41 AM

Mudcat Central seems to be located around Fort Worth, rather than College Station, for lurkers to the declutter threads, I have to say. I was wondering all weekend how Stilly was doing, especially with the change in the weather.

The 'tri-state' area is getting heavy thunderstorms as well, here in the Northeast. I have got to do something about my umbrella. I don't know where umbrellas get fixed. Is there such a thing as an umbrella hospital? If there is, my umbrella ought to be in the ER.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Aug 22 - 11:25 AM

You mean College Station in Texas or State College in Pennsylvania? They are worlds apart!

It has been wet, there are reports of lots of water rescues overnight Sunday into Monday. I have no plans to go anywhere and will keep an eye on the creek in my back yard. I suspect it will flow over the bridge a time or two today. It could wash away a car that would float around the bridge guard rail, so people need to "turn around don't drown."

With the shift in weather I am feeling inspired to do some fall cleaning. At the moment, though, there is a whiney little dog at my left elbow right now who insists she needs some attention. I had to close the bedroom door on them last night after Pepper again launched herself up onto my bed during the thunderstorm. I am sympathetic, but the prospect of a nervous drooling dog soaking my sheets just doesn't appeal. I have my office closet rigged up for her with a dog bed and no view of a window as far as flashes of light.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Aug 22 - 12:48 PM

Dupont:

Do NOT EVER try to pour just-stopped-boiling-water from one cup to another over your lap! The result is still blistered, still uncomfortable. Only a skirt is comfortable. And more vitamin E oil, and more and more...

Then there is the very dead range(stove) cluttering up the K. R took it all apart yesterday! He found it interesting that all the same type screws were used throughout! Said screws were all over the K counters, table... Lots of screws! He cleared it up a bit and BF was eggs poached in microwave and nuked porridge with toast. And fruit...

We have a surfeit of fruit - raspberries, strawberries, melon, mangoes, apples! Tis the season and... Trip down to mill to give Merril key to gate and barricade the door that we(not R) "put a shoulder to" last week to get the wheel back in - thinking the door was "stuck". Then a Subway on way to Orchard, hoping for more delicious raspberries but we would have had to pick them ourselves and it was getting late. So a larger basket of strawberries - I shall have to freeze some. Also corn and a free can of their maple syrup to replace one I bought last year that was not good. I had emailed them at the time to alert them. Great folks!

The goal of trip was to purchase a larger toaster oven that I had found on Marketplace. We arrived at home and were greeted by ... the lovely (HUGE) Rotie and the family... fiddles on the wall! They remembered us from the wonderful venue that was, very sadly, torched a few years ago. Gave us info re the "Brysonville School Revisited", now on my calendar! (has a FB page)

Of course I bought the oven, nice and clean, only $30. The old one is a give-away. Depending on what happens next in the stove dept, I may want a larger one but that's OK for now. The daughter had had the wit to check my FB page and see that I was in Bancroft; "You are 4 hours away!" I assured her... Then to get there and find we were a community of music lovers!   

With any luck, there will be a functioning stove in a few days - before my son arrives on 3 Sept! I really liked the downdraft function on the Jennair, which pulled heat and odour out of the house. No way to put an ordinary exhaust hood in this K. I believe a toaster oven will generate last heat than the larger one in a 30 inch stove...?


Oh, and it rained!!!! I had put a soaker hose in the back garden and left it dripping for 3 days - it was SO dry. Then yesterday it rained! And may do daily this week, stopping by Saturday for the big Antique Assoc event on the weekend. Will take my pottery down (it is just N of the border) on Friday and get partly set up and cover with heavy plastic, then pick up an order of frozen organic food at a store near the mill, having just discovered their excellent website. Then a good sleep to prepare for this wonderful community event.

R helped me get the back deck in good order and we have four chairs and the carpets. It will look moderately civilized. The rain helped cleanup! The #$%^& desk is still in the guest room - about ten days to go!

Perhaps the most important de-clutter this week was a phone call from a friend of 54 years about whom I was so concerned I was considering going into the city and knocking on the door. (I hate driving into the city, esp to unknown areas.) We had a good talk and a promise of another call - less than two years hence! He has Parkinson's. I was SO happy!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: keberoxu
Date: 22 Aug 22 - 12:53 PM

I meant Max's territory in State College. Senior moment par excellence, this.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Aug 22 - 01:34 PM

My creek is decluttering the neighborhood of rainwater and is flowing inches below the bridge (it is usually about 8' below the bridge). I keep my ears open for the sound of large truck engines, usually meaning a fire truck or city vehicle is parked on either end of the bridge access (usually at the bottom of my driveway) to prevent cars from floating off were they to enter the area. 150 water rescues in these two counties overnight.

Dorothy, I'm on my second oven of the Black and Decker mid-sized convection toaster oven model. I love it; the first one cost about $13 and the last one under $10, both from Goodwill. There is a lot less heat in the house when it is used.

Keb, a lot of the antique furniture I have here came from a family home near State College, PA. I've actually been through the area many times over the years, though there is no longer family out there since the last of them died about 25 years ago. Mudcatter LilyFestre lives north of there in a pretty little town that I visited, not just drove through but spent time walking around in, long before Mudcat existed.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: keberoxu
Date: 22 Aug 22 - 04:15 PM

Talking of pretty little towns, over the weekend
I did a quick drive-through of
North Canaan, Connecticut, which is certainly a pretty little town.
And I managed to do it without de-cluttering my wallet, so it was a VERY quick visit.
I was drawn there by a notice of a tag sale,
which amounted to nothing much, very few vendors, so no money spent.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Aug 22 - 05:42 PM

Today I've moved two COVID posts over to the COVID thread [looking at you, Don] - let's keep posts here related to declutter topics and references to the pandemic dropped mainly in passing.

Reports suggest we got about 8" of rain here, this part of town is soggy but fine. The yard didn't flood though I think there was water over the bridge at some point during the night.

More clothes moved over to the "no longer fit" pile and trying on other stuff at the back of the dresser drawer or in the closet. My older swim suit fits but is a little snug in the shoulder straps, but given a little more work will probably fit ok. I'll hold onto both and when I reach the point when I'm ready to head to the pool I'll try them both again.

Making more pickled okra tonight, and for lunch today I had a plate of fried okra. Measuring it (for MyFitnessPal) shows that five or six 4" pods add up to 1 cup of the nuggets, a nice portion and quick to cook. I have to take some okra next door also.

In other diet news, it has been my habit for a while now to put a scoop (~1 tsp) of gelatin into my banana-strawberry-yogurt smoothie and I'm finding my fingernails are in pretty good shape. Too bad I don't play the guitar. :)

Dorothy, I hope you get your stove fixed before the upcoming family visit.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 23 Aug 22 - 09:01 AM

The declutter party line now ignores the pandemic part of social changes- Got It.

Oct and Nov should be the best declutter and joint healing months to look forward to.

I had a planned 35th anniversary dinner but after 2 appetizers neither of us had an appetite for an entre'.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 23 Aug 22 - 09:49 AM

I read in today's New York Times that the Dallas-Fort Worth area has wide-spread flooding after a prolonged torrential rainstorm. I'm glad to know that SRS is maintaining her position clear of the water table.

Bathing suits! I badly need one at least a size smaller than what I currently wear to pool class, but this is a terrible time of year to shop for a bathing suit in Ontario -- sizes are limited to teeny-weeny and very enormous, and everything left on the racks is black with fuchsia patches (or worse).

I have two large bags of winter clothes ready to go to Goodwill in October, when I imagine they will actually be wanted, and a large laundry-basketful in the box room waiting to be packed up. The winnowing of the closets has produced a considerable over-supply of hangers for coats and suits (the curved wooden or plastic kind), and I hope Goodwill is interested in those, too. The clothes rails in the box room now have significant bare patches, the study closet is organized so I can see everything stowed in there, and the guest room closet and chest of drawers are empty. Only one plastic bin of variegated junk remains in the basement.

Summer is already hurtling to an end here in Stratford. The two Red Haven peach trees in my friend Alden's garden are producing abundantly, and yesterday she gave me a dozen perfectly ripe peaches that, unlike the fruit sold at the supermarket, have never been refrigerated. What flavour! Absolute bliss! I have already eaten six, and will probably eat the rest before lunchtime tomorrow.

Cat hair is gathering in the corners again, so I really must break out the vacuum cleaner and the mop. I have ten days to get the place squared away before Elder Brother & Wife land on my doorstep. EB likes cats, Wife tolerates them, and they're both too polite to criticize my housekeeping, but my residual bourgeois pride requires me to scrub the kitchen floor and de-fur the niche behind the toilet before they get here.

The dryer has apparently decided that generating heat is no fun anymore, so a technician is coming on Thursday to set it right (I hope). I just sent another large lump of money to Niece No. 1 for her son's college fees, and my bank account is consequently a bit on the slender side if I'm looking at another major appliance failure. Fortunately, next Monday is pensioners' payday.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Aug 22 - 11:36 AM

Charmion, the two one-piece suits I have are Speedos and are pretty true to size in their fit. The older suit (size 12) is a standard one-piece suit with "classic" coverage, typical legs (not high legs) and the bodice comes to just above cleavage. The size 14 is a more modest one selected for how the legs fit (so the leg holes didn't come way up my hips, etc.) and the bodice comes closer up to the collar bones. If you poke around and adjust the settings (recreational swimwear, training swimwear, racing swimwear, all one piece swimwear) and go from there you can set other featues (coverage, size, etc.) and come up with something to order and try. I go to Academy Sports and Outdoors here in town to try them on, I have no idea if they're also in Canada. (Speedo has a one-piece suit with a shirred panel up the front that is very attractive, but I wonder how it looks on a real human woman?)

Don, dropping one-off posts to do only with the pandemic don't fit the character of this discussion, they're a jarring diversion from the general topic. I'm sure when the next Pfizer vaccine (developed to address a couple of the current variants) is available we will be noting when we go get our jabs, and possibly discuss side effects. In the general course of our daily decluttering activities.

We didn't have flooding here at my house but the creek was very full for the time of that heavy rainfall. I walked to the back of the yard and saw no signs that it was over it's bank and running across the yard (though there were lots of little "high tide" marks where puddles formed on the lawn and the dry grass drifted to the edge to form a little berm.) I'm hoping this helped the foundation a bit by soaking into the ground around the house. In this part of Texas we have to "water the foundation" to keep it from cracking worse.

Has anyone else noted that any time you go into certain brick-and-mortar stores that after the purchase the emails from that company start up? I have to look the DSW clerk in the eye and tell her "do not turn on email notifications!" because they always do that at their registers. And Tractor Supply was emailing a receipt. I have one in my hand, I don't need another plus all of the ads coming to my email. Decluttering the email may be a small thing, but it's damned annoying to have to unsubscribe any time I go to the actual store.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 23 Aug 22 - 12:13 PM

A new heating element part for a dyer $100 or less. Fee for just arriving $100 or less. Its a quick job.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: keberoxu
Date: 23 Aug 22 - 01:44 PM

Stilly, I followed your link to Speedos which, as well as selling bathing suits, prints customer reviews.
One woman posted that she had purchased, for the first time, the front shirring-panel option, and she was not happy with it. The suit fit well enough, but "next time" she had to buy a suit, she was going back to her tried and true flat smooth one-piece Speedo suit, thank you very much.
Then there was a critique from a customer who remarked on the leg holes. There used to be three options: conservative, moderate, and whatever they call the immoderate leg holes. The conservative cut has been eliminated, and this customer is angry about it!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 23 Aug 22 - 04:03 PM

Dupont:

"Dorothy, I hope you get your stove fixed before the upcoming family visit." I hope so also. I find it awkward, at best, trying to cook a meal with the microwave and the "new", improved, toaster oven. I overcooked the chicken in the T-O and is is a mite hard. It took forever to cook a large quantity of veggies in the microw. Corn on the cob does admirably; I shall switch to that mode permanently for corn. Porridge is perfect; poached eggs - getting the hang of it. We are getting fed...

I wonder if anyone has thoughts on the toaster oven large enough to do a chicken - B&D 9 slice one with rotisserie versus a convection/air fry/microwave that would also do a whole chicken???? No, I don't roast a chicken often but would like to be able to. It would be nice not to have two separate items cluttering the K; there is very little counter space. We also have a very nice but separate toaster that R prefers for his toast. Ok for bagels also. I have two web sites up on computer, trying to make a decision. NOT going to any thrift shops. An old house with brick walls that we are loathe to put holes in complicates electric outlet additions.

R's cousin is willing to lend us a spare stove of the ordinary sort which will fill the hole left when the Jennair (SADLY!) leaves. With any luck it could happen this week - the carcass of Jenair with all its magical tech stuff will leave and the white stove arrive AND the @#$%^ UGLY desk leave the guest room! The rest of the house needs mere cleaning!

Is it cluttering or de-cluttering to get a wall cabinet for R's tea pot collection!?? We may get to look at one I found on Marketplace, right here in town, in the next few days.

Green with envy at Charmion's fresh peaches!! No peach orchards nearby!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 23 Aug 22 - 05:19 PM

Alas, Stilly, that’s an American website that is not set up for Canadian customers. Even if they ship to Canada, I would have a hell of a time returning a suit that didn’t fit.

I find that the fit of a bathing suit is so complex that I really have to try it on before buying. Most suits designed for fitness activities have no bust support at all, and many are difficult to get into — in particular, I can’t work a clasp that fastens in the mid-back, and anything billed as “control fit” (or words to that effect) is likely to be uncomfortably tight.

The two suits I have now are polyester and, consequently, long-lasting despite pool chemicals. The colour is neither black nor offensive, and they fit perfectly when I bought them. Of course, the maker discontinued the style!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: JennieG
Date: 23 Aug 22 - 06:23 PM

Charmion, I learned some time ago that there is a wonderful word - "scurryfunge" - which means rushing around cleaning and tidying when company is expected.

You can have a scurryfunge before your rels arrive.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Aug 22 - 08:50 PM

JennieG, we all do that, but I never knew it had a name! When company is coming all of a sudden you can see your house through their eyes and see the shortcomings. :)

Dorothy, I have the Black and Decker toaster convection oven, and I might do a chicken if it was cut up and all wrapped in foil to hold in heat and splatter. A small chicken. I use a glass bowl convection oven that really works best for chicken and I also bake bread in it; the glass variety is literally a bowl in a stand that has the heater in the lid. Google search. The brands available seem to change names but they look about the same. I see these in the thrift store on occasion. This speeds up cooking so it's maybe 2/3 of the regular oven time. I roast eggplants in mine for babaghanouj, I have a bread pan that fits a full-size bread loaf and it takes about 30-35 minutes (usually 40-45 in the regular oven). It stores on a shelf when not in use.

Keb, thanks for the note about the three swimsuit types - the last time I shopped those were still options and I think I went with that modest leg type because it looked more comfortable. I see them for sale on Amazon with international shipping so that might solve the access problem. The Speedo suits there offer (on the left side of check boxes) "High, Low, Mid" rise options. Not sure if that has to do with legs or if it's because the page was constructed for all types of swimsuits, including bikinis that might actually fit those descriptions. The prices are lower on Amazon.

The heat broke and today's high is about 25 degrees cooler than the last month, and very muggy. The heavy rain was in the news yesterday, today's rain was gentle. I need to empty some standing water now (the terracotta saucers and the bird bath water was evaporating before) to avoid mosquitoes. I have a long list of garden chores coming up soon and I'll be putting away some of this stuff for the season.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: JennieG
Date: 23 Aug 22 - 09:21 PM

Indeed, Maggie....as do I! Our house needs its 'end of winter clean' but while we are still burning wood it won't get done. The floor might get swept if it's lucky.

No visitors are expected, so the scurryfunge won't happen.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 24 Aug 22 - 10:46 AM

Dupont:

Up to 22C and rising. But two hours ago, as he was leaving, R suggested it was a nice cool day for yard work. So I have done yard work for almost two hours. Weeding and taking out those left over stems from day lilies and iris, moving very carefully but getting a good deal done. Reached my limit of heat so indoors to look at my other world.

Hoping for a "new" stove today...tomorrow? Soon?

Burn is still healing; a hot bath with epsom salt yesterday helped it along. The healing has definitely taken a toll on my energy level and I still have to be careful how I moved lest I abbraise (?) some part of it. A very light cotton skirt was best attire. Still is! But I wore light weight, wide leg short shorts to garden.

Text from Rita that she phoned about marking our spaces for the weekend event (antique/craft/junk/music/social); the wonderful Judy told her it was done! So check that off list! Nice to be considered part of the gang!

Taking a shower after bath - to clean off salt and residual dirt - I was reminded that the current shower curtain is NOT water proof. Cleaned up floor with large towel and put shower curtain on list for today's foraging. Well! the floor is clean!!

Saving vaccumming(?) for the last minute!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Aug 22 - 03:19 PM

Out of sorts today.

The water bill was paid last week after the bill arrived a week later than usual. I pay with online banking (but since the city is so old-fashioned the payment has to be mailed from the credit union but arrived late), so was surprised to get a shutoff notice. This is a revenue source for the city so they never budge; I think it's time to get city council to address this and use postmark, not arrival date. I don't trust them; they're inept enough to get hacked so I don't have auto pay set up.

After the rain the temperature outside is lower and the AC isn't on nearly as much, leaving the house humid. And there's only one functioning AC. (The portable one can be set to dehumidify but I don't want to fool with draining it.)

Time to start the Essentrics stretching program again. Some of the moves hurt the knee prior to surgery and that should be resolved, even if it is still a little stiff. And maybe exercise will improve my mood.

Jars in the dishwasher to use for making more pickles this evening. I need to clear the counters to do that work.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Aug 22 - 11:48 PM

No item is too odd to list on eBay; this evening I sold a pair of the leg pressure cuffs sent home 2.5 years ago after knee surgery. Listed lower than others for sale and the dog hair lint on them was pointed out so it isn't a reason to reject them later. (The entire surface is like Velcro.) They work and they sold. Who knows how much Medicare paid for them? I have another pair I can list soon. If someone else can use them I'm glad it is affordable.

Time to get rid of a lot of paper; after the next rain (later this week is forecast) I'll get out the burning barrel. When filing to day I realized there's a lot of old paper in general files that can go in an annual purge. Too time consuming to shred.

I'm back to Essentrics stretches and it was comfortable doing the knee bends she always incorporates. And after 2 months since surgery I've lost enough weight that other moves are also easier.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Aug 22 - 10:44 AM

The phone doesn't seem to be communicating with the main house WiFi channel. I've set it to a different one for now (so it doesn't use up data on my current plan) but it means I need to see if the router is working properly. Meanwhile I've been consulting with a friend whose ethernet isn't working (so his router or modem may be a problem) and I fear his apartment is a hoarding scene so I don't want to go in to help. (On the other hand, if I do go in to help I might find the half-dozen Toyota car keys he lost in there over the last 10 years.)

Warmer today, but I'll be dismantling the kiddie pool with rocks and a small fountain. The pool can store in the greenhouse, the bricks wherever I find a place for them, and then the lawn will be clear for mowing. It suddenly needs it after all of that rain a few days ago. Whether the turf revived or it's all weeds, it needs mowing.

So far eBay sales have amounted to enough to pay my phone and Internet bills this month. Nice. :)

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Aug 22 - 08:33 PM

DUPONT!

YAY!! "New" (borrowed) stove is in place and plugged in! It was a lengthy procedure due to having to take the Jennair out first; that is now on the back porch covered with a good piece of plywood. R has the fantasy that he will be able to use parts from a cooktop to replace the dysfunctional burners. I am not sure how he thinks the oven can be repaired. The electronic technical aspects look dreadfully daunting to me. I really liked that stove! (It came with the house.)

A great deal of cleaning was involved so this was a few hours of me being on hand and doing what I could. The "new" stove is very ordinary but looks handsome, and clean. I am not enamored of the "child proof" controls that require reaching over burbling pots to adjust them. But the K is back in order and we have a stove! I was dreadfully tired of negotiating around the half-out-in-the-room stove - in pieces! Major de-clutter!!

We have had wonderful rain. Of course need more but plants are much happier and the river looks happier also! Containers on the deck filled with water so I will be decanting heavy ones into buckets I can carry out to the garden.

Hope: that the fall is warm enough for the veggies to produce that which did not occur during the severe water deprivation! We had one melon the size of a tennis ball - the critters enjoyed part of it but R cut off their share and the remainder was delicious, he said! The rest of the veggies looked more dead than alive but are now taking heart and making an effort. IF I had realized this scenario, I could have put the soaker hose in place before I left and texted, "TURN ON THE HOSE!" every few days. (We do not pay for water!)

Car is fully loaded for the weekend event and I have an agenda for tomorrow - places to go and things to do! - which will culminate with a half ready booth covered with plastic,   and a container of frozen organic foods to bring home. As it is also a "flea market, R has also loaded a lovely powder room sink with faucets to sell. YAY! He is parting with something! It is definitely not needed here! Was in the guest room closet.

There are no overhead lights in the LR/DR (one long room) so R brought, finally!, a floor lamp (from the old house in the city. It has a gorgeous stained glass shade and I am hoping it will be sufficient to light the DR table so we can eat some meals in there (with company).

So, the house comes together for the family visit - place mats for the DR, A second shower curtain to prevent flooding! and the back deck continues to be de-cluttered/organized so I can make it look civilized with the new outdoor carpets and the comfy chairs given to us by a friend of R's - "a consumer".

The weekend forecast is terrific - not too hot and no rain! I may de-clutter us of some pottery!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Aug 22 - 09:46 PM

Dorothy, I'm glad to see that your kitchen is becoming so much more usable. (My dad had one of those Jennair stoves at his house and I think a friend took it home before we sold the house. I never figured out how to use the grilling feature.)

At Costco I found good nectarines today. Last time they were a bit over-ripe. I also picked up a couple of ingredients for lunch over Labor Day weekend with friends. I'm thinking that fish taco ingredients will go very nicely wrapped in a butter lettuce leaf instead of a tortilla for the diabetic friend. They sound great anyway!

I also stopped at the nearby Aldi, where I buy my bread - their 12-grain and whole wheat are nice-sized loaves for $2.09 each; the last time I checked a two-pack of Oroweat loaves at Costco costs about $12. I freeze these loaves and pull out slices as needed. I had tried a couple of Aldi's little frozen pizzas but decided to get a larger fresh one today, cut it in quarters, then freeze it. I add a few things to the top but I like this regular crust better.

No trips out until Monday, but plenty to do around here in the meantime. I must mow, for starters, and trim around the garden beds. I made two jars of pickled okra today, and I'll be making them one or two at a time as soon as more okra is ready (I have a jar of prepared brine in the fridge and can do one jar at a time.) I took a bag of some of my accumulated unused okra next door (I try to use the very freshest for pickles) - what I gave her is more like grocery store okra, in that it's a few days after it was picked. She'll fry or boil it soon, and was quite pleased with the gift. I said toss it if it gets too old - she laughed and said it won't have a chance. :)

Our high temperature was 91^o - high compared to what some folks are seeing, but so much better than most of the rest of the summer.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Aug 22 - 10:46 AM

Earlier in the week I stopped at the local thrift store with the best clothing selection and prices and found a pair of shorts in my current size. And today I'm wearing them. As I took them off the hanger I wondered if this was the act that was going to bring summer to an end—not the "don't wear white after Labor Day" kind of act, but the "new shorts in August means it cools off so much I won't get to wear them much" act. Maybe I should have bought these in early July. :)

Last night I had the PBS channel "Create" on and watched a couple of episodes of Sewing with Nancy. That little half-hour a week was a tour-de-force for people who love to create through sewing, and last night they replayed two wonderful episodes - one on how to adjust patterns to fit you (shoulders and back measurements in this instance) and one on quilting for garments. Not the homemade garments that make you wince when you see them walking toward you in the mall, but the kind that are artistic masterpieces that suit high fashion. It makes me want to run to the sewing machine and start work on something. There is more than the ability to sew in those, there is an artistic eye to design. Can one learn that?

Time to do some picking up around the house, since I seem to have misplaced my favorite tea cup. No doubt I was moving from one place to another yesterday and stopped somewhere and set it down. Someplace not in my usual route (like from the office to the hall bathroom, with setting things on the table in the den on the way past) that I searched this morning.

Finishing an audio book this weekend in time for a new mystery, released on Aug. 30, to arrive via Amazon. Books on paper—I don't read as many of those these days—but I do like to have a hard copy of some of my favorites.

P.S. Found the mug - left in the microwave with yesterday's cup of cold tea. :)

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Aug 22 - 07:14 PM

Dupont:

Guest room is de-cluttered of ugly desk!!! Now to decide what to put in there to suit guest mode. Den is full of said desk! But we will be away from home most of weekend - and there is still room to sit and read. R agreed to get rid of a couple more pieces of furniture - take them to the Antique/flea market event tomorrow!

My booth is all set up, covered with plastic - hoping there is no wind storm tonight; not on weather report. Car de-cluttered so I was able to purchase 3 heavy plastic planters on the way home and pick up food order - There will be no more ordering! The nice woman had everything packed up for me- 3 brand new cardboard boxes and a bunch of bubble wrap! My neurosis about being environmental is distraught! However, having visited the actual store, I think I can avoid this in future. I will negotiate with her! The website could use some clarification.

Project for this eve is freezing the two flats of raspberries from the orchard. And R loves raspberries, even pre-froze. End of season! I will leave a few days worth unfrozen.

Broiled sausage this am in the "new", slightly larger toaster oven - much better than frying pan! The size makes more seem possible. Not having a stove for a few days, I learned some new ways of cooking - and like them! Corn on the cob - microwaved in a wet paper towel for 3 minutes. Poached eggs in microw.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Aug 22 - 11:11 AM

Good luck with the pottery sales, Dorothy! And enjoy your shifted approach to cooking. I use my little toaster oven several times a week because it does avoid the power usage of the big oven (and not heating the house). I still have a regular toaster I use, often just for thawing bread before using it for something else (it has a button for "frozen" bread to thaw before toasting). I can do the same thing in the microwave or the toaster oven, it's just which one appeals to me for the task at the time. The toaster is mostly used for bagels (though I haven't eaten many of them as I pursue my weight loss goals).

We're into hot weather for a couple of days; mid-to high-90s this weekend, so I'll save water and mow the lawn before I take my shower today. A portion of the back got mowed yesterday (parts of it are now sprouting small groundcover after it died off during the heat) and the same for the front after I move a few obstacles like the extra bird bath saucers). It has been since mid-June that I last mowed; the lawn tends to go dormant in the heat, this year a fair amount of it died.

Still drawing down stuff in the fridge where I have unintentionally ended up with a lot of foods that need eating now. Some I'm sharing with the dogs who always get some kind of vegetable on top of their dry food for their evening meal. Alternate day fasting (this is a fasting day) means I go through the fridge contents slower than usual.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 27 Aug 22 - 01:44 PM

It's beautiful in Stratford after a couple of days of rain, but the air has that indefinable tang that indicates the imminent end of summer. When I walked home from the theatre last night, the temperature had to be down around 10C and I was really grateful for the light cotton sweater I had brought against the aggressive air conditioning of the auditorium.

I did the week's grocery shopping the other day and came home with five items. Before COVID, when I had a husband and friends who came to dinner, I could fill two folding boxes and a freezer bag on a typical shopping trip. Now, when I buy meat about once every six weeks and venture but rarely into the middle aisles, one box is quite enough for the big loads and a single bag is usually all I need. I haven't been to the farmers' market at all this summer -- what the hell would I do with a dozen ears of corn, or a four-litre basket of peaches? I used to wonder who the hell would buy four oranges and one onion; well, now I know.

This morning I boiled eight extra-large eggs: that's ready-use protein for four lunches. When I buy meat, it's a stack of chicken parts or lamb chops that get individually vacuum-packed and frozen -- ready-use protein for a long series of suppers. Add milk, fruit, veg and whole-grain bread, and I've hit all the macro- and most of the micro-nutrients. Neck a vitamin tablet at breakfast (which is coffee) and call it done.

This is most definitely not the life I imagined for myself back in the day, a mere three years or so ago.

Decumulation continues. I now have far more bed-linen than I need, so I'm moving on three sets of queen-sized sheets to one of my sisters-in-law and two double sets to the niblings -- or Goodwill, if the younger generation aren't keen. Two queen-sized quilts could most definitely find new homes within the extended family.

Now, I wonder who would like a memory-foam pillow ...

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Aug 22 - 03:08 PM

Charmion, that is why when I shop at Costco it either goes into the freezer or is fruit shared with the ex. I haven't canned Farmer's Market peaches in a while, I enjoy the task but find I don't use them fast enough before they are way out of date and get composted.

I take a denim long-sleeved shirt with me to the museum for the same reason - aggressive air conditioning makes work conditions uncomfortably cool in the small room where I work. They can't balance the cool around the building perfectly and their main goal is to keep the public galleries comfortable.

I have two sets of sheets that need new elastic, and if I get that replaced, I'll add them back into the sheet rotation and probably give away the set that is in the guest room now. They're showing their age but work ok, so fine to Goodwill.

I mowed about 1/3 of the front yard before it got too hot out there. Part of this was wrestling the mower over the top of a dead spindly-armed salvia greggi shrub (that may come back from the roots but I think I'll dig it out first). Meanwhile I'm thinking about where to plant a few things that have been in pots way too long.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Aug 22 - 10:56 PM

Definitely time to purge papers. I spent 20 minutes hunting down insurance info that was actually right there in front of me in a file so stuffed I couldn't see it. Grrrr. Almost timed out on a computer form twice. And I need to have that company send me a card. We have a couple of rainy days coming up so I'll start tomorrow assembling a stack of pages to put in the burn barrel after the showers.

Weekend chores moving along, and one more jar of okra pickled. That always makes me smile, seeing home-processed jars cooling beside the stove.

The gate beside the garage had a padlock on it but wasn't actually closed, the latch missed the post and was on the yard side of the post. The dogs couldn't push it open from inside, but someone could have gotten a nose in the gap and pulled it back to wiggle out. Who knows how long it has been that way - I'm sure I'm careful and I'm sure the fence didn't expand and contract to leave it in this state. It is a mystery but is now locked correctly.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Aug 22 - 08:09 PM

Went through Costco to pick up a rotisserie chicken for this week, then in the aisle nearby was watching when a bigger boy who was supposed to be pushing a baby carriage leaned all of his weight on the handle and ended up popping a wheelie resulting in the carriage resting on that handle, wheels in the air, and the baby smacking the floor with her head and face. Geez. I froze in place, waiting to see if I needed to be of any help, but adults in the group picked up the baby, and someone asked the big boy if he scared himself, but he in the next minute continued to lean on the bar like that as he moved off. I'd have at the very least given him a quick lesson in physics at that point and told him to walk correctly. Anyway - the baby had a pacifier in her mouth and they never removed it to see if she'd make more noise or how her nose and mouth were doing. She could break her neck in that fall. Particularly incurious adults in the face of an almost disaster. Children die hitting those concrete floors when they fall out of carts.

This chicken will be used for several dishes this week. I'm still doing alternate day fasting but I'm trying to give myself some interesting variety each day to look forward to the modest meals, and I'm zeroing in on 160 (am 162 right now). It has probably been six years since I was that light. The stress at work really packed on the pounds.

The senior-level (double dose) flu shots are in and I'll get mine tomorrow. A sure sign of approaching fall - four weather systems to watch in the mid-Atlantic and flu shots are in.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 29 Aug 22 - 12:26 PM

You showed great restraint, there, Stilly. I would have gone off like a spring-loaded bottle rocket and probably made several enemies for life.

Last week’s visit of the appliance technician led to the discovery of a mother lode of crud behind the dryer. There’s a folded shower curtain that never belonged to us (therefore dating back more than five years), a crumpled sock, a cigarette packet (also not ours), some stray bits of hardware and (of course) two cat toys, all glommed together with spider webs and enough dryer lint to choke a Shop-Vac. So that’s what preceded the first load of wash today.

My friend Alden gave me the name of an excellent handy-man who I hope will be willing to take on the job of making my laundry room a bit less nasty. In particular, there’s a butt-ugly shelving unit made of 1980s-vintage pressboard painted piss yellow; I want it gone in the worst way, but it’s fastened to the concrete wall somehow. I want to be able to see that wall to check for damp where no damp should be, plus did I mention just how very ugly it is? I will pay good money to achieve this objective, and I hope Mr DeVriess is up for the challenge.

Elder Brother and SiL have been in contact with a COVID-positive grandchild, making their visit next weekend very iffy. I am planning a trip to Ottawa in October, so I shall call and suggest that they forget about travelling and just kick back in quarantine.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Aug 22 - 08:40 PM

Dupont:

Weekend was terrific: sold a few pots, had visits with a number of dear people who wandered by and stayed a while. Sold a few pots, gave a few away. Great conversations with Rita and Dan, becoming closer friends, giving R guidance on hand building and sold her a loaf of clay (that was in car), bought some of her soap, gave her a drape panel that somehow was in the car! Listened to country music for two days and enjoyed the ambiance - Best weekend of the year!

Got rid of a Bathroom sink that had been clutter - sold it to Rita and Dan for a cut rate as they helped me pack up and took two of my card tables home because R did not show up with truck. Also gave Rita a drape - only one panel - could I find the other? I don't believe I ever had two.

As soon as I got home, Pat at the store in Ontario was texting - how did I do?; almost out of the $10 stuff; pictures to show what she has. Promised her I would get busy making more when it cools a bit AND my son leaves!

Guest room is ready. Desk replaced with antique love seat, comfortable for sitting or a place to put stuff. Desk is still in Den; R needs help to get it out the front door and onto the truck and around to the back and into his library... Would not fit through other doorways! Before all that, he had to go down and clear all the stuff dragged in recently!

Chimney Sweep due to tomorrow and the area is just clear enough, I hope!

Too hot to function today, 32C. LR and DR are tidy. Putting off final cleaning until Thursday so it lasts! Cooler, too.

New stove works fine but still using small appliances - heat/power-saving. Raspberries are almost all frozen; still a few to eat. Freezer is full of bags of raspberries!! Prob enough 'til spring!

I was tempted by a smaller frying pan at the sale - $20 - but somehow I wondered if R had any. (Only have 10 inch ones here.) So, this am I asked? He went downstairs and came back with about 10 in various sizes!! I chose one and the rest went back down. I do not go down cellar; the stairway is life threatening and I fear the air quality as well.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Aug 22 - 09:44 AM

Dupont:

OOPS! Text from son: we might be driving by this afternoon. Out comes the vacuum!!!!!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Aug 22 - 10:06 AM

Have fun, Dorothy! Good thing you were ready with everything but the vacuuming! (Good thing he texted you!)

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Aug 22 - 01:46 PM

Dupont:

Not staying; just a quick visit on the way to Quebec City! The room is ready but the rest of the house could use a lot of right angle principle! This is how it is. Chimney Sweep came; gave advice on what not to burn. Apparently, he was much needed. Maybe he says that to everyone? Anyway, DONE! and no mess! Need short nap!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Aug 22 - 04:28 PM

Dupont:

Short nap helped. They came, gave hugs, brief conversation, used the washroom, filled their water bottles, Tenley toured the house and said nice things, and they left. Next text: Tenley left her phone! So I collected it from the washroom and sat in my car until they returned (in six minutes!). Nice quick visit! Times two!!

The house is clean but desk is still in Den... Lots I could do to make it perfect - That ain't gonna happen! Cooler breeze seems to be happening. Squall alert. Would love it!

Threw a few pots this am; R did not get home last night so I had an hour in sort of cool am to work in "studio".

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 22 - 12:09 PM

Dorothy, naps are incredibly helpful during the day. I find that after I leave my 2 hours of volunteer scanning and eat my small lunch, that I need a power nap before heading into the gym; I was taking a nap at the gym parking lot but have decided that leaning the seat back and napping in the museum parking garage is easier. Naps aren't just because you're tired and need rest, they help the brain unwind or reset.

Lunch with friends twice this week, today at a restaurant, and here at the house on Sunday. I'll need to shop for the Sunday meal and I need to pick up around here. I'm taking the risk of serving one dish I've never cooked or eaten before, but it sounds delicious.

This morning I bit the bullet and tried on pants. Size 12 is not just one uniform size, and some I can't squeeze into while others are roomy. They're arranged on the rack according to whether I can get into them or not. The jeans I'm wearing right now are ok but sitting in them is a little snug so I'll change before I go out. I fully expect to remain in this size when I reach my weight goal, but to have a little more room. And - a couple of years ago I ordered a t-shirt with the message "My favorite librarian calls me mom." It was size large and was way-too-snug for what they advertised, so I asked to return it. They sent the next size and said keep it. I just dug out the too-snug shirt from a stash in my sewing room and it's still a bit more fitted than I usually wear but it fits better than the XL. Being a packrat pays sometimes.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 31 Aug 22 - 12:25 PM

Fun and games here…

Mum put her 3 pairs of pyjama bottoms and some other stuff in the washer/dryer yesterday but didn’t tell me (setting the machine going is always my job) until late evening. That left her with none of her usual night clothes for last night so I turned the machine on hoping to get the clothes washed and dried before bed. The machine broke down with an OE (outlet) error and we were left with a pile of soggy clothes.

Anyway, we searched around and eventually found something for her to wear and I said I’d look at the washer today. I found the cause of the problem. (I think for the second time now,) mum had put a Tena incontinence pad in the machine and the pad had broken down into loads of bits of fluff. Next step was to clean the drain pump filter which would have been clogged. I unscrewed the filter but it wouldn’t come out. I only used hand force but the filter’s in 3 pieces now: The threaded handle part, a spring and the actual filter bit which is stuck.

I considered trying to use pliers to pull the stuck part out but decided against that in case I broke something and opted for a repair call out. It looks like that might be a couple of days before anyone comes which is not ideal with dad creating some washing every day. Anyway, I decided (hoping that we don’t have a disaster with dad’s bed) that I could hand wash the most essential items.

I did that with today’s items, put them on a couple of c/h radiators for drying (too late in the day to dry outside) and turned those radiators on. About ½ hr later I found the radiators were still cold so I spent the next hr bleeding radiators and trying to figure out why the hot water was not circulating to them. I’m still not sure what the problem was but it is resolved now which is a relief. I thought the way things were going, next up would be a heating repair call out.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 22 - 06:02 PM

Jon, I had lunch with my daughter and my ex today while the plumber was using some kind of small earth-moving digger to get down to the lines near the meter box at ex's house. He learned at this month's meter reading that there was a water leak, it turned out to be between the house and the meter and most of the line is under concrete. They had to dig a hole deep enough to then bore under the driveway somehow . . . not sure how the whole operation went, but he got a call as we were leaving a shopping stop that the plumber had finished. There will be dirt piled and a big bill at the end of that. We all live in hopes to avoid that kind of repair. Good luck with the washer!

Daughter is getting married at the courthouse on Friday, just the two of them. She likes the story that her dad and I got married just us at the courthouse where we were living back then, and then went out to lunch at Wendy's. They're going out to lunch at Dairy Queen. :) She's going to invite everyone to a reception this winter. (When Roe V Wade was overturned they decided to do it soon - the underpinnings are the same between that and the marriage equality decision. Get married before it's too late.)

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 22 - 11:54 PM

So the plumbing story is that they dug the ditch for the new line and the only critical points were the start at the meter (dug down to it) and the point on the house where it goes in. Doesn't matter about the line under the driveway, no concrete bored under, just bypassed the old line. Still messy and expensive, but not what we feared.

I'm wondering if I have to guard my water meter tomorrow; the city has been really late mailing bills lately (usually it goes out in the first 4 days of the month) but the deadline never changes, and they charge a $20 penalty if it arrives after the 17th. I didn't get it till the 12th, I used my bank bill pay, but they mail a check (went out on the 15th, had to travel 4 miles.) IT got there on the 18th so they sent a notice to turn off water Sept. 1 if not paid in full. Since they had the principle payment I didn't do anything, but it occurred to me with all of the water bill stuff we've been discussing lately that they might just be petty enough to turn it off over the $20 late fee. With these folks it's always something. I wrote a letter with a check and dropped it in their deposit box (checked only at noon and 4:30, so there is still peril) and this is the opening paragraph:

For the sake of argument I will note that it is very likely that the $20 fine on late water bills is a steady source of revenue for the City of XXXXXX XXXXXX and one that you're not likely to give up because of citizen complaints. But that stated, this letter is written to ask that you at least give us a sporting chance when using our preferred methods of payment and acknowledge the post mark on envelopes sent with payments enclosed.

I wasn't rude but I was annoyed. If they can't mail them on time we shouldn't have to scramble and run down there with a check at the last minute to be paid up. I hate writing checks. I don't like going down there, and I shouldn't have to. If they piss me off enough, I'll look into making it a ballot measure.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 01 Sep 22 - 08:26 AM

Elder Brother & SIL will arrive around supper-time, and I have a full day of shopping and cleaning to get through first.

I suggested that they might prefer to stay home and not bother with a long hassle-prone drive, but they wanna get outta Dodge (i.e., Ottawa). So yesterday I made up the guest-room bed and ordered a leg of lamb at the butcher’s for Sunday dinner. Today I’ll scrub the toilets and the bath-tub, vacuum the parlour rug, and sweep up the tufts of cat hair from the various corners where they accumulate. Thanks to another of our correspondents on this thread, I now have a word for this procedure — “scurryfunge”.

Apparently, my visitors are looking forward to long walks, access to books they don’t have at home, and sparkling conversation. I can provide all that, plus a thrilling Saturday-morning jaunt to the farmers’ market for fruit ‘n’ veg. The theatre doesn’t appeal; they’ve had enough high culture. Maybe we’ll meet the neighbours’ dog. It’ll be a thrill a minute.

But first — pool class!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 22 - 11:21 AM

I'm also preparing for guests, though "scurryfunge" just touches the surface - I should to do more of that Scandinavian death cleaning. Charmion, your weekend sounds wonderful, the kind of puttering around visiting that refreshes the spirit.

The horizontal surfaces in the kitchen are getting attention today as I clear for Sunday's lunch setup. We always eat in the kitchen, never bother with the den where the big table still has the photo tent set up. Table cleared, surfaces cleaned, and start setting out some of the plates and silverware in advance. Double check the shopping list and finish that today. I'll be scrubbing the bathroom, sweeping the den, mopping the kitchen floor, who knows, if I'm motivated I'll wash windows (though they're all so full of condensation between the layers it will barely show.) In the meantime I also need to plan the old file pages conflagration in the burning barrel out back. It has been raining today, the conditions are perfect. There is no fire danger at the moment, especially if the lid stays on so few if any embers will float away.

I have medium Hatch chiles to roast this afternoon (not over the paper fire), and while most are bound for the freezer I'll hold a few back for Sunday's lunch. I hear the guest whose dietary requirements are dictating this meal (newly diagnosed diabetes) loves them. The rest of the caponata ingredients are here and picking up a good black bean salsa and fresh tortillas will be the last ingredients needed for the fish tacos.

I'm *that* close to adding the pool to my gym routine. Weight loss is one thing, toning muscles is another part of the process I need to start.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Sep 22 - 02:06 PM

Dupont:

Getting the house sorted for this long weekend is ubiquitous! I have reached the end of my rope; ready to settle for "good enough". The DESK ended up in the spare room in the wing; actually looks good there. Maybe it will encourage R to actually make that room into his office... and de-clutter the upstairs room. That would be great!

I see on FB that the two "T"s are enjoying Quebec City greatly. Tenley would like to move there!(With her high school French!) I gave them materials on Montreal to take with, to give her ideas about more than the Bagel Factory when they get here.

Have cleared a bit of space in freezer for "their" food but also sent pic of the veggie burgers I had bought and mentioned the choc cake -- "Yum and Yum" -- so they do not have to duplicate. Son queried about "that bread" and YES there is still a great deal of bread in the freezers, as well as the raspberries! WE may use 4 slices of bread a week so the bread will be with us for a LONG time. Working on clearing frig space... Taun is veggie...

Started going through a huge pile of old letters yesterday (1977...) and find I really have to do an organized sort and save - some cannot be heaved... yet. MOST cannot! Maybe an inch went to fire starter; about 6 inches still unread.

Why we save things? R was interested in the one he sent me in the 70s and one from our mutual friend... "That's what Tom would do..." And a fair amount included positive comments about what I was doing in my life from folks who were important to me. Some still alive. Recognizing I have lost a whole bunch of dear people and need to remind myself again that people do not know we are thinking of them if we do not communicate ... So, this is not "clutter"; it is reminders of how I have spent this life. Some will be passed on to my son. I may send a few to surviving kin. Perhaps even try to recover a few of those lost friends.

Chilly today. Pulled some weeds for a bit. Still hoping for some warmth for the veggies to produce - but that boat may have sailed.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 22 - 09:09 PM

Dorothy, great minds do think alike. I'm clearing out the fridge of things I lost track of that are so old that while they might be useable I won't risk it. This is things like home-canned salsa opened a long time ago, fresh pickles made ages ago, and steamed vegetables I lost track of. Other stuff headed back to the compost bin and I'm filling the dishwasher with the containers. I need to make a list of some of these projects adjacent to having company over.

I made a rare trip to the big high-end grocery store and found a couple of time-savers, like toasted little sliced French baguettes (for the caponata) and stuff I need for the fish tacos (salsa toppings). Four days out is too early to buy avocados and newly made corn tortillas; those will mean a Saturday trip to the nearby Mexican grocery. There will be hash brown potatoes for the tacos for the vegetarians in the group. Dessert will be yogurt with blackberries (or I have frozen blueberries).

We have turned a corner on the summer. Days will be warm, but the next week is looking pretty rainy. Before bed tonight I'll get out a thin blanket to top the sheet I've used all summer.

I have active eBay listings but while they're gaining views nothing has moved this week. I should have time to list a couple of new items tomorrow. My goal this autumn is to work my way into and sell the higher-end stuff in the front room.

There is enough okra in the fridge to make a couple of more jars of pickles. That's a quick and satisfying job I can do tonight before I go to bed.

I hope all of the guest visits this weekend go well. Down here in the US anyone foolish enough to travel has a difficult time through airports and being sure their flights are still going. Staying home and having people over is a much better way to enjoy the long weekend. My high school reunion will be virtual on Saturday, much easier than struggling to travel there.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 02 Sep 22 - 08:13 AM

The repair man came today. He used a big pair of pliers and got the stuck part of the filter out in a couple of mangled pieces. He went to his van, came back with a replacement filter, fitted that, a couple of tests and machine was fixed very quickly.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 22 - 10:37 AM

Jon, nice that the dryer was easy and straightforward to fix. No pronouncing it dead and having to buy a new one.

We need the rain and it looks like we're going to have it on and off all day today. There's a bit of thunder also. I want to grill some peppers so am prepared to set up the charcoal grill when it looks like there will be a gap in the weather. Meanwhile, one county to the north, for now the brides-to-be have a dry path to the courthouse for their little ceremony, the rain is staying along this lower track. When they're grown up you have to let the kids do it the way they want to do it, even if it would be nice to be there. (There will be a party to celebrate this winter after people have time to get the new COVID vaccine, etc.) When my kids were growing up I always told them I thought the marriage-industrial-complex was a total waste of money and they should save the cash to buy a house or go to graduate school, and it seems they're taking me at my word.

I'm nearing the next tier in the diet, and I expect to stay in the 150 range once I get there, in the mid-to-low end. Speaking to my sister last night she asked if I got rid of all of the next size up pants that are now too large. I left a few in the bin and the rest are either going to the sewing room (as a source of denim for projects) or to Goodwill. She thinks I should toss them; I'm practical - I hope to never wear them again but will keep a couple of pair around for now for just in case.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 Sep 22 - 01:27 PM

I've hung on to four or five pairs of jeans for over ten years in the hope that one day I'll shrink back into them. Same thing but in reverse, Maggie...

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 22 - 01:51 PM

The pants I'm wearing now were held onto in a bin on my closet shelf over the last nine years or so. I can mark the time when weight started creeping on, with the aid of the stress hormone cortisol. That's when the new dean was hired at my university library and she immediately started doing everything she could to make people unhappy. Those who could left for other jobs after everyone was reorganized into inappropriate positions. Many of us who were older had a lot of disappointments when trying for other jobs, and I was finally able to retire. Getting over that awful situation doesn't happen in a day or even a year. And by then the knees started giving me trouble, and the thyroid. Now over the last three years I've managed to unspool all of those various setbacks; the knees are titanium, I'm taking Synthroid, and retirement four years ago has finally caught up with my brain.

That said, I will go put a few more of the larger slacks into the laundry room donation bin. I'm also realizing that a lot of my "office casual" knit tops are too large. I'll try them on this weekend and set aside those too large to wear. It'll be a trip to the thrift store soon to replace a few. I'd much rather buy there or at a deeply discounted outlet than try shopping online and I never shop in full-price department stores.

This morning I steamed a bunch of small ugly tomatoes from the garden and ran them through the food mill for a slurry of juicy tomato sauce. I went to bed before pickling okra last night so I'll do that this afternoon. It's a lovely rainy day, though the humidity is becoming a bit much.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 22 - 08:36 PM

Finally the conditions were perfect in the yard, after rain overnight and this morning, to set up the burning barrel and dispatch a bunch of old graduate school records, years-old bank statements, medical bills, etc. 30 minutes of prodding burning papers is faster than sending a six inch stack of paper through the shredder 3 pages at a time.

Since I'm smelling smoky now I'll go ahead and set up the charcoal grill on the driveway side of the house and grill the Hatch chiles I picked up this week. Those will go into the freezer. I'll be doing a load of laundry later or the laundry hamper will smell like a barbecue overnight.

Tomorrow is more prep for the Sunday lunch.