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01 Jun 10 - 10:23 AM (#2918235) Subject: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountblty From: Stilly River Sage Summer officially arrives this month, and for many of us in the U.S., the "unofficial first day of summer" was yesterday, Memorial day. The last Monday in May. This is the season when our metabolisms are most geared for weight loss. We put this up against the body's inclination to slow down in heat. Our gardens are producing. Hopefully what we end up with is a healthy diet of fresh fruit and vegetables, exercise in the cool part of the day, and weigh loss. I'm going to loose about 180 pounds this summer - old gag, I know - my son will go to college. Before then, I have to I did list an item on eBay yesterday, and I have a few more that will go up this week. It's a combination of extra income and extra space that drives this listing now. I'm tired of looking at the messy sun room. Time to thin it out in there. Everyone was going great guns on various projects at the end of the May thread. Here's hoping we can all keep up the forward momentum. Kat, I was impressed with your list of musical instruments you have in that corner (must be a big corner!). How many of them do you play, or are you a collector, or both? SRS |
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01 Jun 10 - 10:51 AM (#2918255) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing I grew up playing violin and piano, with hearing and learning fiddling a bit when my dad played, but I don't play much anymore at all, except with Morgan. I do love and play the lap dulcimer and Morgan has a cardboard kit one which sounds really good. I dabble on his little uke and know three chords on the baritone, but hardly ever play them except, again, with Morgan, same with the parlour banjo.:-) It's not that big of a corner, they will hang closely together. I'll take a picture when it's done. I forgot to say I have a lovely old print in its original frame of Saint Cecilia the patron saint of music. I didn't know that when I bought it, I just thought it was a neat old print. When my brother told me who she was, I hung her above my piano and there she stayed. I haven't had a piano since selling mine, under duress, in 2000, so, just by chance, the music corner, with the electronic keyboard, sits just under her beatific visage. I've put the dishes to soak, will wash them in a few minutes. More later. Lost some sleep last night. |
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01 Jun 10 - 12:28 PM (#2918308) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg A few last upstairs office tasks to get done on a cool day (they've gotten rare), but the segue to summer AC-space projects is well in hand. A potential summer porch work project is shaping up-- catching old folks' memories while they are still sharp, with my lil recorder and a tall glass of iced tea. ~S~ |
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01 Jun 10 - 04:03 PM (#2918470) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg O frabjous joy! I just bought a new screen room for DOG WORLD. A company whose other (inexpensive) products we have liked has finally made an affordable nylon one-- same price as previous vinylized version 10 years ago, but with whippy, lightweight poles for better camping portability-- the last one was perma-installed. This one will go back in its case when we depart on vacay. (I'm allergic not only to sun, but also to skeeters.) The last time I had one of these in this size, 10 years ago, I installed a puddle in it to kick and exercise my legs and back. This time-- a sprinkler will go IN IT and a smaller, snail-free feets-puddle to wet me. These will cold-wet me in my recliner, in a private sitting area.... much larger than the shower I sat in ydy, on a 5-gal plastic bucket, under the free water from our deep well. While the doggehs play..... Heck, I jes' may not be at Mudcat much more this "summer." :~) No doubt Hardi will memorialize with the new video camera.... ~Susan |
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01 Jun 10 - 04:58 PM (#2918505) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: GUEST,Eiseley Susan, that sounds so relaxing and cooling! A screen room with a sprinkler---wonderful! I am so glad you put Exercise in the title this month, Stilly. Maybe it will push me to push myself. We had the summer reading program kickoff this morning---more than 175 kids poured into the foyer because it was too rainy to draw with sidewalk chalk. But the pandemonium was relatively contained. I would have lost an ounce or two with all the running around I did beforehand, but I did have a delicious root beer float that canceled out all the good. Oh well. Eiseley |
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01 Jun 10 - 05:06 PM (#2918509) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I wouldn't dare set up something like that around the dogs. I'm afraid they'd play and tear it up. If you're describing one of those kind of tents with mosquito siding so you can see through them. Very nice. I received an email today that the new television shipped. I can't tell you how nice this will be--I have recently realized that part of the reason I haven't watched a lot of the movies I'd like to is because we have all of these various sets around the house, but they're all quite small and with different playback systems. Because I prefer the "letterbox" format, I end up with movies playing on the middle 1/2 of the screen, and though more of the picture is there, it is quite small. If I set a movie up to play on this new one, formatted for HD, I can see it from three rooms and can work in any of them and watch at the same time (I'll eventually upgrade the DVD to blue-ray and probably find a newer stereo receiver at a garage sale one of these days). My old habit of treating it more like radio, but actually being able to see what is going on when I look at it will kick back into gear. Son is at a senior event at school. He went in jeans and a band (Rush, I think) t-shirt that have been off limits all year. No more school uniforms. Tomorrow is graduation. For 16 years I've been getting up in time to take kids to school because the school district demanded it. After tomorrow, that is over. It'll be interesting. SRS |
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01 Jun 10 - 05:48 PM (#2918550) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: maire-aine Kat, I went to St. Cecilia High School, but I don't think I've ever seen a picture of the ol' gal (ha-ha). Maryanne |
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01 Jun 10 - 06:00 PM (#2918567) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: GUEST,Eiseley I like this picture of St. Cecilia, done by a contemporary artist named Ellen Chavez de Leitner. Eiseley |
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01 Jun 10 - 08:52 PM (#2918726) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Getting back onto the eBay bandwagon again. Listed another item today, and might do one more this evening. I had some old currency that is at least worth face value, but when it is 60 years old, it might be worth a little more. List it so the minimum cost covers postage and eBay fees and I'll at least break even when I put these bills in the hands of collectors. My dining table is looking closer and closer to clear. The school sent the breakdown of scholarship and cash--we still have some expenses, but nothing like when a kid goes through with no scholarships. At least she's getting work study, and hopefully he will also. Aside from giving him walking around money, a few hours a week of work gives him experience. Anyway, it is just a couple of expanding folders and a couple of stacks to file somewhere, and the table will be clear. But I'm not moving these things off of it until I'm sure they're completely squared away, and anything I used that I might need again can be easily located. SRS |
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02 Jun 10 - 07:43 AM (#2918934) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg SRS, yes, that kind. Dog World has two sections. One is "Play at will" and one is, "We use house manners here." The second section (house manners) will hold the screen room-- it's only accessible to the dogs when they are invited in there. Probably one dog at a time-- just as one dog at a time is usually with us about the house. They get along fine, but Sadie gets pretty silly, and even sillier when F is there to play with. OTOH Sadie can sometimes be quite settled and sweet-- they will let me know who wants watered playtime and how much direction they need. But they will not be in the section with the screen room by themselves-- the other section has its own shade and a porch to lie under (or inside of.) ~Susan |
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02 Jun 10 - 09:37 AM (#2918976) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: GUEST I have several errands to run today and then on to some fun! The locl middle school is having a mini Relay for Life and I am going to go check it out! I plan to park the car some distance away and walk there. I have asked people to go with me but no one is interested so I'm just going to go myself, why not?!?!??! On of the errands I need to do is for our adoption. At the beginning, when we filled out all the paperwork, we said we wanted an escort to bring the child to the US. Now the laws in Ethiopia have changed and we would need to go to court there. Here's the thing. I don't fly. I told the adoption agent that flying would be a deal breaker for us. She asked why. I told her that my dad had been killed in an airplane crash. She was going to talk to the attorney that does all their legal stuff and get back to me. She called yesterday and said they do grant exceptions and we could be excused if I could present a death certificate, any newspaper articles and a notorized affidavit from me. Ok. I can do that. I'm off to track down a 32 year old newspaper article and send out for the death certificate. If that doesn't do it, I have a friend who has offered to go to Ethiopia, go to court and pick up the baby. How great is that?!?!? I think this might just work out!!! Current timeline, barring any snags will have the baby here in December or January! Michelle |
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02 Jun 10 - 10:56 AM (#2919015) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Catherine Jayne Thats fantastic news Michelle. We're keeping our fingers crossed for you and sending as much positive energy as posible! |
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02 Jun 10 - 12:11 PM (#2919059) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Michelle, you lost your cookie. But good news that things are moving forward, though I'm sorry to see this dog-leg in the planning. If you have an approximate date when the obituary or stories might have been published, and if you know what papers, I can go into the big newspaper database and see what I can find for you. This is one the university library subscribes to. This morning was the last day to drive a child to school in the Crowley Independent School District. He is there today so they can shuttle the seniors to the Convention Center for rehearsal for graduation tonight. Time is flying! My daughter and her boyfriend will be down, and we'll all go eat after, then drop my son off at the all-night party when they're locked in an arcade called "Main Event." (This might be a chain). Supposed to get into the mid-90s today, so I wanted to add some extra mulch to the gardens. I need to contour some of the drainage still in the bed near the back door. I'll work on that this weekend. SRS |
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02 Jun 10 - 01:08 PM (#2919104) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Michelle, that's wonderful. I'm excited for you! But what a drag to have to dig out all that old paperwork, and the shadows of the old feelings that still hover around it. << HUG >> I'm still picking away at the combining of the households- the car is full of stuff for the thrift shop, but we didn't get out of the house before their deadline this morning because we had a major piano disaster! The lovely Steinway that my husband bartered a painting for, has a huge crack in the soundboard, causing an obnoxious buzz in the middle octave! It had been repaired appropriately, but somehow as the humidity and warmth of late May in NH settles in, things have shifted (also probly has something to do with the instrument being played more in the past 6 months than it had been in the previous 30 or more years!). Yesterday we had one of the most highly-regarded local piano technicians in, and he declared it "not worth the repair". But my dear husband, long-time furniture restorer and builder, and recent house-builder, spent all yesterday afternoon and evening thinking, and woke up this morning thinking some more (like a typical Aspy, all of this thinking was done aloud, at great length and detail...). Result- pull the piano back out from the wall, wedge in a few shims, and the buzz is gone! We know perfectly well that with temperature and humidity shifting as it does, this is only a temporary fix. But at least I can stand to play the thing while we ponder the next step. |
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02 Jun 10 - 01:27 PM (#2919125) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing Oh, that's a shame, Allison. Good temp. fix, though, very creative!:-) Out here, my parents always kept a jar of water in the piano, in back, to make sure it didn't get too dry and crack from that. Fifty years later and it still is doing well, though it needs some work. Good luck with figuring out what else you can do. Maryanne, I would imagine my St. Cecelia may have come from a Catholic school in New England as that is where I bought it...I think a lot of those old prints made their way into the market as schools closed or updated. There is a glare from the light when I took a photo of her, but you may see her HERE. I have been making a concerted effort to keep things picked up around here. When I get up from my desk, I look for things that need to be put away, trash that needs to be picked up, etc. Had appts. this morning, so just getting started for the day. |
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02 Jun 10 - 02:32 PM (#2919164) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: mouldy When I was confirmed, about 50 years ago, we had to choose a saint whose name we would adopt as our "confirmation name", and I chose St Cecilia. She is also on a window in our church. She goes back a long way, to the time of the Roman Empire, I believe. Got rid of all the boot fair leftovers, apart from Ian's skis, which they couldn't take. So I am still having to stack them up! They are cross-country skis, so they are very long. I may put a card in the village shop! I was going to spend a lot of this week tidying and cleaning...nothing done yet, and I am off to a weekend music festival on Friday till Monday. I am getting clear of my cold, but I am having broken sleep most nights (just keep waking up) and so I am feeling quite tired, and my natural indolence keeps taking over! Mind you, I am good at finding excuses not to do housework! Michelle, I am thinking of you right now...it is a means to a lovely end! Andrea |
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02 Jun 10 - 02:52 PM (#2919180) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing Be kind to yourself, Andrea. There is a lot of letting go going on, ya know, even if it was planned and basically positive.:-) As an aside, wiki has some interesting info on St. C, except the picture caption calls her a "virgin and martyr" but all the text talks of her having a husband, etc. |
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02 Jun 10 - 06:03 PM (#2919361) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Eiseley Good job on the piano fix, Allison, albeit temporary. My piano had a cracked sound board. It sounded all right in the treble, but anything lower than the c below middle c was really hard on my ears. So when my parents felt they wanted a different piano, I gladly made room for their old one that I learned on so many years ago. It is old, but the sound board is fine, and I am so happy to play without the annoying buzzing flatness. My other one found a happy home with one of the librarians at work, so everyone is happy. Finally, my three weeks of intense schoolwork is at an end! To celebrate with me, you are invited to listen to our Storytelling Concert. This represents hours and hours and hours worth of work, and a lot of fun as well. Enjoy! My fable is titled "The Strong City." Kathryn |
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02 Jun 10 - 07:06 PM (#2919393) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: LilyFestre Quickly glancing through the list of threads, I read the title of this one asS: June '10 Declutter & Excess Accountability!!! :) Michelle |
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02 Jun 10 - 09:37 PM (#2919489) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Oh, I've seen that St. Cecilia print several times around the Monadnock region, Kat- I almost bought it last time! If I see it again, I just might, then I can think of you whenever I look at it! |
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02 Jun 10 - 11:39 PM (#2919546) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing Kewl, 2Ls! I should just send you mine, but it is one of the few prints I think I'll hang onto.:-) Eisely, very enjoyable! Thanks. I look forward to listening to the rest of them. I had a hard time pushing through this afternoon, after being out this morning. BUT, I did finish scanning in my brother and sister's baby picture album and tucked it away safely in the trunk with the other old albums. So, that's one more thing cleared off my desk. |
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03 Jun 10 - 12:16 AM (#2919562) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Liz the Squeak Nearly finished the green quilt which is good because I want to give it to the new owner later tomorrow. Managed to declutter the linen cupboard of an old sheet. Cluttered the living room with bits of an old sheet. Off being a PA again later, so nothing doing there... tomorrow I don't work so maybe I'll get something done here. Last night, this computer wouldn't shut down.... Bleurgh. LTS |
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03 Jun 10 - 02:25 AM (#2919596) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Tired after a long evening. Son is now graduated, and is at the lock-in all night party at a local arcade. I mentioned that there would probably be classmates who were drunk or high, having time after the ceremony till the party started. He said some were drunk during the ceremony. Sad, but not unexpected. Eiseley, your instructor's name is unusual. I just glanced at the front page and the URL with the professor's name--Figa - unusual - does she have a spouse named Jan? I work with him at the UTA Library. He's in the Science and Engineering Branch. It feels an awful lot like Friday, but it is only Wednesday, isn't it? SRS |
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03 Jun 10 - 05:01 AM (#2919640) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: mouldy Kat, I have just read a pagan book which refers to the original old meaning of "virgin" as a woman who ...'was beholden to no man, needing no other, complete in herself. She was a strong and empowered individual who refused to be ruled by any masculine authority and who was fiercely independent.' The more usual meaning is a later invention. I also read somewhere that Elizabeth 1, calling herself the "virgin queen", was denoting a state of mind and attitude to life, rather than a sexual state. In between packing for the Wychwood Festival this weekend in Cheltenham (Seth Lakeman, Toumani Diabate, Ade Edmondson and the Bad Shepherds....and Mr Tumble from CBeebies - it's a family festival!) I hope to get some more clearing out done. However, the sun is shining, and the garden may call instead! I also have a lot of windows that really need cleaning, but keep telling myself I will do it when all the work is done (which it very nearly is, so that excuse is wearing thin). There is also NO WAY I am getting the iron out when it's warm. Things get folded and stacked, and they can iron themselves to the best of their ability! Oh well, 10 o'clock. Better actually DO something. Andrea |
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03 Jun 10 - 11:29 AM (#2919786) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage After a couple of weeks of carefully avoiding chocolate and dairy, and not opening any more bottles of red wine when the last one was finished, we had dinner from the Olive Garden and I ate a chocolate dessert. My hands feel worse today, and I don't think it's just psychosomatic, because I'm expecting it. But this also explains a couple of things. I need to read ingredients, because though I don't eat chocolate often, I have been sometimes using a hand cream with cocoa butter. And as lovely as that feels and smells, it could be part of the problem. So I will now continue to avoid chocolate and see if things clear up. I'll read labels to be sure I'm not getting it inadvertently. Son graduated last night, and we got smart (kind of). We had a couple of menus with us and when it looked like things were going to let out around 9:30, we gave our orders to his dad, who drove over to the restaurant and got it all to go. My dining room table was ready and we enjoyed it. When everyone piles into the 24/7 IHOP and Denny's after graduation, you wait a long time to eat. My son and I discovered that four years ago when we went out to eat after my daughter graduated. I don't remember why we weren't all together, but we weren't. The "kind of" part came with leaving for the event. I should have KNOWN that Dylan wasn't paying attention to all of the instructions, and after dropping him off I got a call saying "I need a collared shirt and tie." I was parking, but after vainly trying to call his father before he left his house, pulled out and was ready to drive down there to ransack his closet, hopefully in time to return with the materials. His father doesn't answer the phone when he's driving, but I'd sent a text also and he saw that, so (my daughter called to tell me) he was nearing my house when he turned around and at his house grabbed his best shirt and tie and brought them back. He proceeded to go the wrong way through the crowd to try to give it to the son, and we think it was probably lost in the crowd of helpers. A t-shirt collar was in view when he went through the line and such. OH, well. Maybe the shirt will turn up at school if they gave it to the woman in charge of the event. He later attended the all-night lock-in party, and is now sleeping at his Dad's house (a friend who lives near there dropped him off. I suggested he take that friend out for breakfast as a thank you for the rides he has gotten this year, but based on the time he returned, they probably didn't do that.) Now to work. . . SRS |
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03 Jun 10 - 11:31 AM (#2919789) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: SINSULL Sorry guys but now this is going through my head: "Making love in the afternoon With Cwecilia up in my bedroom I got up (I got up) To wash my face When I come back to bed someone taking my place Celia your breaking my heart... Oh Cecilia! |
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03 Jun 10 - 01:09 PM (#2919834) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: LilyFestre Today's Ta~Da List! *Dishes washed *3 loads of laundry...washed, dried and put away *carpet vaccuumed *floors swept *black bean chili made for dinner and in the fridge *showered *getting ready to go out and get some poster board to make Relay for Life story boards Enjoy your day!!! Michelle |
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03 Jun 10 - 01:49 PM (#2919879) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: mouldy Lawn mowed, all clothes washed, soup made (and eaten), pond pump de-algaed yet again, and a list made of things I must not forget to pack tomorrow. Not the most productive of days, really, as I went out in the afternoon. However I did manage to get some of what I wanted to buy. Michelle, you are putting me to shame! Andrea |
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03 Jun 10 - 02:25 PM (#2919904) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg Major declut of gardening tasks ydy. Now-nearly-empty front porch has revealed it's True Purpose at long last and we will implement tomorrow: storage for the stuff that goes in the van when I sleep in it and when we camp-- all nylon-duffle-bagged to use modularly. Porch is dry, private, handy to load as needed, and well patrolled by feline personnel who do not spray. Good timing too-- for Saturday I set off on one of my little "missions." Tomorrow the rugs out there now get cut, and sent to the destination rooms. The chair(s) holding the rugs off the floor have a space waiting around the fire-ring. The van will be loaded for travel, and excess stuff removed to porch. There is some of the stuff that had been backporch storage that will also move, tomorrow, to this storage area. That'll clear the space where one of the rugs is going on the BACK porch. So tomorrow is a major-swaparound day, Hardi willing and the little tractor's trailer don't break. :~) We may even try the van out, ourselves, tomorrow night, if the weather cooperates. The "fun" job today was soaking a 50' heavy orange extension cord to get the bird crap offa it. It used to hang underneath the swallow's nest, and.... ewww. I soaked it last night in a bucket of enzymes and surfectant soaps. The crap ran right off it into a washcloth I wanted to discard anyway. In a little bit I will re-roll it into a different bucket (lets me take out only the length needed), which also doubles as a traveling pee bucket-- it has a nifty screw-tight lid a new friend gave me. The boondocking host-driveway for Saturday has a certain type of space where I know I can try all this setup out, and a bed waiting in case I don't quite get it right on this trip. The new screen I put in the front door last week freed up some old metal-wire screen-- probably a perfect travel window for the boondocker when I cut the rip out of it, to fit. ~Susan cc TO BOONDOCKER THREAD |
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03 Jun 10 - 06:20 PM (#2920062) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Liz the Squeak Quilt finished with 10 minutes to spare - delivered to new owner who is most pleased. I hope it helps him sleep, I laced it with lavender and cammomile! Now back to the little ones.... LTS |
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03 Jun 10 - 08:04 PM (#2920123) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: LilyFestre YOGA!!!!!! 60 minutes of YOGA!!!!!!!!! AND!!! BIG NEWS! I found that yoga mudra relieves the ever present buzzing/neuropathy in my hands....briefly but I COULD FEEL MY FINGERS WITHOUT THE BUZZING!!!!!!!!! HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SO excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Michelle |
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03 Jun 10 - 08:07 PM (#2920128) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Got the last (for now) of the thrift shop items delivered yesterday- one hour after their deadline, but I'm a regular so they snuck me in! Today I took the "good" stuff to a consignment shop, to find the owner sick and overwhelmed. She took the 1950's vintage Country Fare dishes and the made-in-Putney-VT iron candle stand, but refused to look at the clothes. These are my best too-small (I was seriously underweight for awhile after my previous beloved's death) professional clothes; I was hoping to get some credit at the consignment shop and may yet try to bring them back on a day when she feels better. Then we ate a disgusting (but delicious) bbq lunch, came home, took a walk, and it's salad for supper! (Hunt is doing pretty well on his diet, but we still have to go around and have some "last meals" such as the bbq pit!) You are all so inspiring! |
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03 Jun 10 - 08:45 PM (#2920158) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I bought a nickel-plated antique Revere ware kettle for $5 today, but ended up with a neighbor wanting to buy a sprinkler. I'd have given him one, but he insisted. Gave me $5 for it. Break even. :) SRS |
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03 Jun 10 - 09:06 PM (#2920179) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing Andrea, thanks for the definition of "virgin" I LIKE that! I decluttered my PC by completely deleting AVG and Firefox with all personal data removed, too, also got rid of what I think was the real problem (see tech thread on slow loading.) NOW, I have Avast and a new Firefox download and pages are loading properly and fast, just like the old days!:-) I had a morning appt. so didn't get much done, then picked up Morgan from unsatisfactory "camp" around lunchtime. He is getting over a virus so was kind of peak-ed, so it was a quiet afternoon until his dad came to get him, then I took a short nap. I don't think I'll get much done this evening. Our son had bad news jobwise, yesterday, which has completely turned around to great news, today, but had to have his 22 year old cat, Morticia, put down this evening. He'd had her since he was a kid of 18 and she'd been everywhere with him. This is a really tough one. I think his other cat will be okay and he will be, too, but that's a long time to have a loving pet. She was an incredible old gal, pure black and didn't take anything off of anybody, yet still loved to be pet and purred to beat the band. Here's to Morticia, Colin's constant love and companion through thick and thin. Thanks for listening, kat |
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03 Jun 10 - 11:33 PM (#2920245) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Eiseley Here's to Morticia. May she enjoy cat heaven. Eiseley |
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04 Jun 10 - 12:05 AM (#2920252) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I'm sorry to hear about the cat. Having lost two recently, I know that while it may diminish the cat hair for a while, you really miss that thump on the foot of the bed when they hop up, then come curl up in their usual place. I still sometimes dreamed one of them is there, and I can tell which by where they curl up. Computer isn't playing nice with my camera. I'm turning it all off and will try over again in the morning. SRS |
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04 Jun 10 - 04:16 AM (#2920333) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: mouldy My sympathies to your son. There's a big cat-shaped hole in his life at the moment, and although he needs to, he may not feel like filling it for a while. I'm still on my first cat, and I've only had him 2 years, but he is 12 now and I realise (especially if he keeps on scrapping with the local dominant tom) that he won't be with me for ever. However, I enjoy his company more than I ever thought I would, and dread losing him. After having a cat 20 years, it must be dreadful! Once again, sympathy to to your son. I'm on last ditch sorting out before I go off to my festival. There are now showers threatened for the weekend, so I have to plan footwear and waterproofs more thoroughly. This is the trouble with "weather" over "climate"! Here we just ask "whether the weather" is going to be rainy! And here was I about to water the garden. It'll be interesting, given the inevitable erratic eating patterns over the next few days, to see what the weight does. Andrea |
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04 Jun 10 - 04:34 AM (#2920340) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Catherine Jayne 5 mile run last night....feel great! Washing on line drying this morning. Just about to set off to the post office to get a parcel that I wasn't in for yesterday. Looks like it's going to be another glorious day today! |
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04 Jun 10 - 09:29 AM (#2920469) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: SINSULL Weight loss is slowing down but my total loss to date is 22#. I liked it better when I was losing 5#/week. LOL But 1-1.5#/week is OK too. Next week I start working out in the gym with a trainer. The foot should be functional by then. SINS |
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04 Jun 10 - 11:02 AM (#2920520) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Five loaves of banana bread are cooling on the kitchen counter. These are for the kids who will be in a hotel from this afternoon until mid-day Sunday at a convention. I'll put my son on the train to Dallas with these tucked into a box and hopefully easy to carry. I really don't want to spend three hours going to and from Dallas and the hotel just to help him carry a few things. We'll take the train today, I have to drive over on Sunday. You'd think with cities as large as Dallas and Fort Worth that they'd have a train seven days a week between the two. My new antique nickel plated kettle is polished and looks nice on the stove. My old antique copper kettle is drying on the sideboard after cleaning and polishing. It will go on top of the cabinets with other antiques. Ex asked our son for a copy of his high school diploma yesterday. This is the stage where child support gets cut off. Oy. SRS |
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04 Jun 10 - 12:52 PM (#2920585) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg Oy indeed-- yikes, too. Back porch clutter pile has now been replaced by a rug-- and some guest chairs (incl Cinderella kid's camp chair), folded and out of the rain to deploy as needed. I nabbed the cinderbin we had emptied to make the fire ring, and used it to containerize a bunch of padded seat cushions for the many chairs now sitting in shady or scenic spots-- the "hep yourself" stash of butt comfort, LOL. At the local junk shop, I scored a GREAT table last week, which is on the porch now, that I'd thought we'd banish to the potting shed in development for next spring. But upon unloading it, it turned out to be way too nice for that. Painted white in many layers of oil paint. Turned legs, on wheels. Looks like a home-made deal-- drop leaves make it into a nice table for 4, but it is made to take center leaves to get even longer. The construction looks to be good ole pine boards, so we can easily cut leaves to use with it. Sitting under and beside this are the potting and gardening stuff I've been using with the seedlings we started in the spring, and the potted flowers we have been enjoying. The half-circle dropleaf facing the walkway makes a handy spot to pot stuff. A folding chair the church threw out years ago sits nearby to use or stay out of the way. I used it ydy to prune a hanging basket going out of control (which I will probably divide and repot as 3 baskets next week). I have three more of these folding chairs if a big picnic shapes up-- they were thrown out for "looks" but I nabbed them off the pile before the trash truck took them away! Mudcatters have used them for picking chairs.... they will probably last another 10 years, LOL. Ydy a hummingbird joined the butterfly brigade around the hanging basket, much to my delight. I'm so glad I took pix of the clutter pile before this-- because it looks now like it has looked like this for years, even tho it is brand new to us! We have already enjoyed having some visitors set a spell with us. That table will make not a dining spot most likely, but a buffet. It's steps from Hardi's great grill, which is one corner of a triangle. On the third corner is the recliner seating area with various side and center table options to drag into place as desired. Comfy, self-service, flexible stuff. A fan has been added.... Oh, and when I unpacked the clutter pile, Hardi's nice binoculars turned up-- now I can see what kind of birds are flitting into the barn out back at bedtime. ~Susan |
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04 Jun 10 - 07:11 PM (#2920874) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I visited a couple of garage sales today, and found a great veteran (heavy duty, used, in great shape still) potting table on the cheap that will either go in the garage or my sun room. Or on the back patio. Not sure yet, but I can certainly use it. I've been dying for something like this, and though I still have plans to build a more involved spot for the work, this will do it for now and can be incorporated into a greenhouse or potting shed space. I turned down a street I hadn't looked at in a long time as I was following one garage sale sign and spotted a beautiful little yard with a gorgeous garden. I went around the block and looked again, and actually got out of the truck and knocked on the door. There was no answer, and as I was turning to leave, a car pulled up and the driver said "I'll be there in a minute," and he backed up the drive. So I walked around, and just told him I was really impressed with this garden. There's not a pattern or design, per se, except that texture and color and shape are wonderful. He has rock edges and grassy paths and it wraps around the entire house. I asked if I could take photos. I gave him my card, and asked if I could put a few photos on my blog, and I won't identify him or his house, unless someone emails and asks for the information. That was fine. This guy is an engineer at the local airplane plant. It's a tiny 1925 house in a small old neighborhood that is mostly Hispanic. People write off these neighborhoods, but I bet his neighbors enjoyed looking at that yard, and those around him looked well tended also. This was a lovely discovery. And an inspiration in the work I'm doing here. In the allergy department, today is day two of really sore hands, that started the morning after eating a piece of strong (couple of types, very rich) chocolate cake. I'm pretty sure that is the main culprit. I've set aside the lotions with cocoa butter and will, sadly, donate those somewhere (I love the feel and smell, but heck, they're part of the problem). SRS |
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04 Jun 10 - 07:22 PM (#2920884) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: JennieG We have been in our lovely new house for four weeks now and only have three or four cartons to unpack. Rather than double handling everything (although we did get rid of quite a lot before we moved) it was easier to pack it all and sort as we put away. We have decided for instance, we don't need that many glasses to drink from! My sewing room is unpacked and nearly all put away - I was sorting as I went - we are settling in so well it feels as though we have been here forever. Cheers JennieG |
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04 Jun 10 - 07:27 PM (#2920891) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Eiseley I took a MUCH needed day off today and gathered the younger two boys and went to a mountain man rendezvous. I gave the boys each ten dollars to spend. I thought they'd buy a coon skin cap or a foxtail or something like that, but each boy bought a jaw harp and has been twanging it ever since. I actually enjoy the sound. That's a wonderful discovery you made, SRS, of that lovely garden. I think it is especially nice that you told the man. So often things like that go unacknowledged, even if they are appreciated. So thank you for that example. I decided the parking pad out back, though convenient, is rather a waste of space. It has a tallish row of chokecherry trees providing lacy shade, a fence on two sides, the shed on the other, and of course the entrance itself. So I think I'll try parking out front for awhile and reclaim the space in back for a type of patio. Whatever rules of Feng Shui I know (and I don't know many) say that entrances should be attractive, so instead of parking a big hunk of green colored metal at the back entrance to the house I'll make it a more appealing space. I had no sooner decided this, when serendipitously my neighbor offered me his picnic table and benches. With Ben and Will's help we quickly turned the parking area into a plant-filled space with the table and benches in the center. NOW the important thing will be to make time to use it---just to sit, even, and read or write or knit. Eiseley |
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04 Jun 10 - 07:33 PM (#2920895) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg Golly, the hard pruning ydy of the pentunia basket paid off-- WOW what a lot of flars. We did actuallyg et all the swaparounds I outlined prev. DONE, and the van cleaned out and vacuumed. Hardi even washed it and reloaded it for my trip, and is now washing HIS car! What a man. ~S~ |
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04 Jun 10 - 11:56 PM (#2921075) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Dogs are clean, heart worm medication has been applied. I did some more digging and watering and just disconnected the timer that doesn't always time. I just realized a sprinkler, though it was on low, has been running for two hours instead of 15 minutes. Eiseley, it sounds like you've sussed out a good use for that space. In that yard I mentioned earlier the garage had been transformed, with windows and doors and extended place--it would be an honor to be a guest there and to wake with that garden around. Your little space with the shade and the privacy--a few lovely pots of flowers and you'll be well on your way to a private place to share with honored guests. Jennie, I had wondered how your move went. And it is amazing how much we can live without, isn't it? I spoke with my daughter this evening. The banana bread arrived via my son and the kids are enjoying themselves. After all of the years of sleepovers the kids have done, my son is very spartan--he can sleep on carpeting with a blanket and pillow and be comfortable. So instead of a sleeping bag for more cushioning, he took a simple blanket and pillow for his corner of the hotel room. I can understand it, though. My sleeping accommodations for years of backpacking and mountain climbing were probably not as comfortable as his bit of carpet with padding underneath. SRS |
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05 Jun 10 - 12:30 AM (#2921082) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing I went through one large bin this afternoon while Morgan visited the PBSKids site. He whizzed through some number and alphabet/reading games. I emptied the large bin. Now I have three smaller piles, the largest is giveaway, next papers to go through, then things maybe for ebay. I will have him full-time for the next two weeks, so may not get a lot done, depending on if he's motivated to help or do his own thing. We will be going to swimming lessons in the mornings so that should be fun. Our son will be leaving on Wed., so we're going to have some kind of get-together with his bio-dad, my brother and Rog and me on Sunday, so I know the house will get cleaned up a bit before then.:-) |
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05 Jun 10 - 02:49 AM (#2921128) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Liz the Squeak Major backslide yesterday... Day out with Limpit in the car, navigating by dice (you can only do this in a country where there are lots of turns.. it doesn't work so well in Nevada). You take a die with you and decide on a starting point. Throw the die. If it's an odd number you turn right, if it's an even number you turn left. Travel straight on for the number of junctions/turn offs indicated by the die; so if you throw a 4, you take the next turn left, and travel along that road, taking the 4th junction off it where you throw the die again. We ended up in Kent, in a Himalayan garden - absolutely the right time of year to see it as the rhodedendrons were in full bloom - all shades from snowy white through sunrise yellow and orange, to the usual purple, magenta and deep maroon... stunning! The trees were incredible, the weather perfect and the plants for sale irresistable. There's a purple clematis and a Japanese Acer waiting for me to dig them a hole each in the garden... We ended up in Rochester eventually, where I managed to declutter my wallet and reclutter my fabric stash... just too many beautiful colours and designs to ignore. Even Limpit bought a fat quarter of fabric although I daresay I'll be the one to finally use it... When we got home, we had popcorn and watched a movie - and I decluttered the wine rack of a bottle of sauvingon blanc all by myself! Memo to self... must be good this week. Yeah, like that'll happen. LTS |
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05 Jun 10 - 03:47 AM (#2921143) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Catherine Jayne Sounds like you had a fantastic day Liz! Paul is off playing on the military ranges today with the lads from the gun club was not too impressed with them turning up at 7:30 this morning! so me and the kids will be baking some bread and some cup cakes. I decluttered my wallet buying the final bits for the wedding reception our spare room looks a bit like a shop now but not for long. Ate too much lovely stilton cheese last night and I'm paying for it until the next batch of antihistamines kick in. Garden needs weeding although the veggie area is fine and all is growing well. Going for another long run tonight once it cools down and the kids are in bed. |
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05 Jun 10 - 08:51 AM (#2921206) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: AllisonA(Animaterra) LTS, I LOVE the concept of navigating by dice- what fun! Will have to try it. My de-clutter of yesterday was to finally admit that I really don't need all the costumes I have accumulated over the years. I have an acquaintance who is very involved in local community theater who has agreed to take stuff off my hands. So yesterday I dug thru boxes and bags and have a pile consisting of: two bins of "medieval" hoods and donuts for heads, several old prom dresses, some capes, a few poke bonnets (though I'm tempted to save one out for the garden!), 2 graduation gowns, some harem pants, a torn velvet opera cloak and a box of gloves that the mice got into but are still in pretty good shape. I did keep some stuff, but now that the workshop is cleaned I can get to the plywood wardrobe that is now our wool storage, and hung up the cape my mother made me for the jr. high school "sociables" dance, my grandmother's Campfire Girl middy blouse, and the raccoon coat I can't bring myself to part with just yet! Today's a rainy one so it's back to general tidying and vacuuming and mending. But wait- the rain stopped and it's sunny out- maybe vaccuuming can wait just one more day! |
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05 Jun 10 - 11:16 AM (#2921247) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Supposed to reach 100 F today. I have to haul branches out to the front curb. I'll slather on sunscreen, mow that spot so I don't have tall grass there after they finally pick it up, and then make a few trips and stop to cool off. Repeat. I dug more of the front bed last night. I might be able to make something of it today, and I have steel edging for it. I'll wait till it's a bit shady on that side of the house. Need to pick up more free mulch to cover that bed. In the house, I have a collection of hand creams to discard or donate, the ones with cocoa. Too bad, but I'm glad I finally figured out at least part of this puzzle. The new television wasn't delivered yet. The shipper's website says probably Tuesday. I'll spend time this weekend getting the area cleared out and dusted in preparation for the new set. SRS |
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05 Jun 10 - 05:07 PM (#2921422) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing Ugh..in looking for one concert video, we pulled out a couple more bins for me to go through, BUT also found the yoga and tai chi dvds I've been looking for. Have shredded enough papers to fill two tall trash bags, so far. Much more to go through, but I remind myself I can only do it one bin at a time and try to focus on just that instead of all the others in waiting.:-) LtS, that doesn't sound like backsliding to me; a day well-spent with your daughter who will remember and treasure those days. And, it sounds like a blast! |
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05 Jun 10 - 09:42 PM (#2921539) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I have a load of delicate dark things in the wash now, then will lay them flat to dry. Refill the washer with stuff grungy from gardening today and more, but the nice thing about this washer is that it has up to 8 hours delay on the settings, so I'll set this to wash at 5am when the power demands are much lower. And those clothes will go on the line out back. I finally managed to empty the photos out of that new camera. It was working before, and when I reinstalled the software in the computer, it isn't working so well. But I don't want to let it just load photos wherever, I want it to put them on my D: drive. It doesn't seem to understand that. Also the regular AA batteries I put in are rechargeable and it says they are at 25%. The camera really wants to run on those expensive Energizer Ultimate Lithium that are about $10 for 4. They last for about a month, but still, that's $120 a year, and for that I could have bought a camera with its own rechargeable battery. It also isn't as easy to get a good focus on close shots I want as my little camera before did. It has such a wide angle that it can't seem to quite figure out what I'm focusing on. I wish I'd had a chance to figure this out a while back, or I'd have returned it. I suppose I could sell it on eBay and try again. It hit 100 here today, but I still managed to dig more bed out front and put down three segments of the steel edging that helps a bed look good. Doesn't do much to keep the Bermuda out, but it keeps you from accidentally cutting down things in the garden with the trimmer if you stay down low next to the edge. I'll get up early tomorrow and do some of the heavier jobs before it gets too hot, then may have to go to Dallas to get my son. I'm hoping I can bribe my daughter to bring him back. :) SRS |
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05 Jun 10 - 09:51 PM (#2921543) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: JennieG Himself is unpacking the last box as we speak! (apart from two boxes of CDs and one box of laundry cleaning stuff) Now we need to decide where we want some things; we are putting away as we unpack (at least I am, Himself has managed to fill up the dining room table with all sorts of things and now wants me to tell him where to put them......) We may get rid of some more things too. When I get off the computer it's bathroom cleaning time, always an exciting shore. You can see some pics of our new house and the view we have here Cheers JennieG |
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05 Jun 10 - 10:17 PM (#2921556) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Eiseley What a beautiful view, Jennie! Thank you for sharing it. I'd love to sit out on the veranda someday. Not much got done around the house today. I worked at the park for most of the day because the city was having a summer festival. I signed up about 150 children for the library's summer reading program. For the first time in a couple of weeks, the rain stayed away and it was in the low 70s---perfect! The boys came toward the end and we went home together. Maybe all the standing and smiling and conversing helped me burn a few more calories than otherwise, but mainly I'm just tired. Eiseley |
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06 Jun 10 - 01:47 AM (#2921616) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Liz the Squeak We have thunderstorms forecast for today - it's already warm and sticky and it's not even 7.00am yet - in ENGLAND!!!! Ah well, I don't mind it. Planted plants, killed the vacuum cleaner, sorted fabric and unearthed the 2 small quilts I'd sidelined as I finished the green one for my friend (who is still suffering terribly from depression and a few other related things, so any good thoughts, prayers, *^%^ reducing candles would be appreciated... although now I have a mental image of a candle shaped like a turd burning - reducing as it goes.... I need help!), so they should be up and ready for backing next weekend. Busy week this week with meetings and stuff... hardly any time to go to work! Will get around to decluttering this room properly soon. Already made a start by sorting some paperwork and putting fabric away in the drawer. LTS |
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06 Jun 10 - 04:50 PM (#2921959) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: maire-aine I was pretty well caught up on the garden until yesterday, when I went to a sale of Michigan native plants (bought 5). On the way home, I stopped at a big garden center (bought 3 more). Now I have to find places for them. Somebody stop me, please! The rain is keeping me inside today (big storm last night), so I'm doing laundry. Fourth load is running now, with one more to go. Played (guitar) in a session on Friday night (4 hours), then we all played for a ceili on Sat night (4 more hours). When I woke up this morning, my left hand was so stiff & achy (and a little swollen) that I could barely close it, let alone make a fist. I made a batch of carrot-apple muffins-- so yummy spread with cream cheese. By the time I washed all those dishes, the hot water had relaxed my left hand, and I can move it pretty well now. I hate getting old. I'm starting to sound like my mother did. Maryanne |
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06 Jun 10 - 05:30 PM (#2921976) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I spent two hours this morning lugging brush from the back of the back yard out to the curb. There is a plastic laundry bin out there since last evening that I had various small toys and parts of toys in. I was careful not to pile brush on the bin. The contents have been thinning. Tomorrow is trash day, and also the week for bulky waste, so it's busy at the curb, but the toys will probably vanish before the trucks come. I also hauled a bunch of recycling over to the local dropoff depot. Amazing how many televisions are headed that way. After the brush my son texted to ask if I could pick him up (I had hoped his sister would bring him later), and through maps and schedule consultation, I managed to get him to take the DART train to the farthest southwest corner of town and I met him there. Much nicer to drive to that spot than do freeway bumper cars in downtown Dallas. Plus, I want him to start learning to navigate by buses, trains, planes, etc. He took the wrong one, and called ("the sign was broken" was the reason. "Well, next time, ask someone which it is! Don't just get on!") Anyway, he got on the correct one and I had a lovely wait in a part of town I've never visited but will plan to use as my access to downtown if I have to drive over at all. The toys were put at the curb yesterday because they came to light as I cleaned out and re-organized some of my garage. I have several items to donate to the Goodwill also. When it's so hot out I still like to work outside, but I really enjoy working in shady areas with a bit of a breeze. I can pause under the lovely tree in my front yard and cool down, or I can run a fan in the garage, etc. I guess I see this as a challenge against the elements, just like rain or cold. SRS |
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06 Jun 10 - 07:39 PM (#2922045) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Alice Updated my blog with some designs My Letterpress Prints even though I had to be out of town for a few days last week. I am so enjoying being out in the garden and yard, but I have to focus on getting more letterpress designs done this week to create the actual ordering web site. Savings don't last very long! Alice |
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06 Jun 10 - 09:51 PM (#2922093) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing I am really impressed, Alice. You've really built up your inventory and the designs are beautifully elegant, whimsical, and well-done. JennieGee, wish I had that view!:-) Thanks for the pix...it's really beautiful. We got the dishes, the litter boxes, and the sweeping done. I scrubbed the bathroom before breakfast(!, went through more papers and shredded most of them. Moved some stacks closer to where I will need them to either file, scan, send on, or whatever. Rog took a small box and a trash bag full of Goodwill stuff out to the car. We had a nice time with my brother and ex over for a bon voyage pizza and salad. Colin started out with simple cheese pizzas from the grocery store added fresh mushrooms, spinach, pine nuts, and tomato as well as extra cheese and they were delicious! I figured out the points for 2 pieces was only 9 pts. so I *budgeted* though I will have to watch the salt and protein content. I was okay today as it was pretty much my only source of both. It has been so hot I hardly feel like doing anything. I will be going to the pool with Morgan every morning, hope it is still cool enough to tolerate, then it'll be home to the swamp cooler and whatever we decide to do for the rest of the day. Next week is supposed to be back down to the 80s so that will help. I do not do well in heat at all.:-) |
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07 Jun 10 - 12:16 AM (#2922128) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Kat, I have fond memories of taking my children down to the historic Forest Park Pool in Fort Worth for swimming lessons for several summers. It makes such a difference to know they can swim, and it was such a pretty pool, so we also went down there to play. Which is it for Morgan? Alice, I'll say it again, your work is lovely! I did a simple card for my son's graduation announcement (not the uber expensive and entirely impersonal school offering), a couple of fonts and a couple of photos, but personalized cards are so nice for those special events. The toys at the curb are gone, the branches are still there. I took the household trash down to the curb this evening, along with a tall plastic can I use for garden or garage trash--it's nice to clear out a lot of stuff at once. It's so hot and muggy out, but I did get a little gardening done and this evening I watered as the sun was setting. I watered in some dry molasses that I sprinkled under each veggie crop. When I used all of this new bagged soil for the raised beds I mixed it with humus and compost, but it still isn't completely "happy" soil, the biological activity makes a big difference in how the garden looks and grows. The molasses will boost that activity. I have picked ripe tomatoes. I'm ready for the first BLT, and will try to hold out until when Moonglow can come share in the fun. I've been shopping the last couple of days, picking up meat for the freezer. Chickens, fish, pork chops. I'm going to be budgeting out meals for the month based on the meat I bought this week, and adding veggies, rice, potatoes, or bread. We'll see how it goes! It feels so different this evening, not just the beginning of summer vacation (no uniform stuff to do in the laundry), but the beginning of the rest of my life. Really. The kids will always be my kids, but they are adults now. Raised. Not complete, but to the point where they'll do more of the work than I will. And it is very liberating. Interesting days to come! SRS |
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07 Jun 10 - 02:24 AM (#2922152) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Liz the Squeak Still waiting for that thunderstorm! I obviously did too much on Friday and Saturday (Friday was carrying large loads of food shopping, Saturday was standing around for ages, butchering and prepping the large loads of food for the freezer - fresh meat prepared and frozen, which will make 11 lots of meals for 3. So Sunday was an enforced day of rest for me - but I did manage to vacuum the front room with the new vacuum cleaner (it sucks... boy does it suck!!! And I mean in a good way!) and piece up a small wall warmer or cushion cover and the last child sized quilt. Today I don't work so I will continue to sew and maybe go see an old friend later today. The entire pizza I ate last night has done nothing for the accountability.... harumph! LTS |
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07 Jun 10 - 03:30 AM (#2922169) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Catherine Jayne Did a 4 mile brisk walk and an hours spinning class yesterday morning. Yesterday afternoon we all went for a lovely walk in the country park. Harry kept saying "Look Daddy ANOTHER pill box!" the Hornchurch Country Park used to be RAF Hornchurch up until the 1960's but the only remains are the old pill boxes from the war. It has the lovely Ingrebourne Valley nature reserve too and the kids loved looking for birds etc. |
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07 Jun 10 - 06:21 AM (#2922233) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: mouldy Back from my festival. I packed up after Seth Lakeman last night, and decided to drive straight home while the roads were relatively empty. It was 165 miles. We had a very heavy thunder shower about 4 yesterday, and more rain was forecast for the morning, so with only the fly sheet wet at the time, I decided to throw it all into the Volvo and sort it out today. I got back at 1.15am. The washing is sorted, the fly sheet is on the line to get it dry before today's forecast rain arrives later on. I'm not too fussed with packing it away too well, as it will all be out again for Beverley Folk Fest in a couple of weeks. This morning's task is to list all the remaining bits and bobs that need doing to the house. In a minute I have to empty the glory hole under the stairs, as that is going to be carpeted with the leftover bit from the ground floor carpet (how swish - even the cupboard interior will match!) It hasn't been decorated in the 20 odd years I've been here, so some leftover paint can be slapped onto the walls. There is not too much in there, but there are long-forgotten odds and sods at the back, I'm sure. Did a lot of walking at the festival, but I also ate well...if I go to weigh-in tonight, I'll see. Andrea |
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07 Jun 10 - 07:22 AM (#2922253) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: freda underhill I'm doing an internal declutter by going to the hypnotist tomorrow for a reboost, my first visit this year. She's on the other side of Sydney but is worth the trip. She has helped me hugely with adjusting to a healthier lifestyle. Have long walks booked with friends for three days this week, so feeling good. freda |
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07 Jun 10 - 09:19 AM (#2922323) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Eiseley The beginning of the rest of your life. Thank you for sharing those thoughts, Stilly. It is exciting, and liberating, and I can only imagine a little bit poignant. As my friend in Germany wrote when I described my son graduating---from junior high into high school, "Ein Auge weint, das andre lacht" [One eye cries, the other laughs]. Alice, your work is beautiful! Yesterday afternoon I realized that I was almost out of stationery. I write a lot of letters, so I go through it pretty quickly. I gathered up supplies and spread the array out on the new picnic table to make the little rice-paper-paged books I like to use. If anyone would like a real letter, I'll happily write one and mail it to your mailbox. The neighbor kids were having a waterfight in the alley, and then came and huddled dripping in their towels to my ersatz patio. Pretty soon everyone was joining in and we had a lively time. I now have fourteen new notecard booklets and the neighbor girls have the names and addresses of potential pen pals for themselves. It was a well-spent afternoon. Eiseley |
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07 Jun 10 - 01:33 PM (#2922471) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Alice Thanks Eiseley, SRS and Kat. It is hard to sit at the computer and work on designs. When the rain stops... I just want to be outside in the garden! The garden is also my exercise, and now that I am no longer in the ad sales job sitting in my car driving everywhere, it is hard to make myself sit at the computer! But, the garden will not pay the mortgage, so I must focus. Alice |
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07 Jun 10 - 02:24 PM (#2922510) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg The kids will always be my kids, but they are adults now. Raised. Not complete, but to the point where they'll do more of the work than I will. I'm gonna have to quote that one, SRS. An excellent synthesis of a whole lotta wisdoms. OK? ~Susan |
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07 Jun 10 - 02:46 PM (#2922526) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: mouldy Mine are still the "kids", and the youngest turns 24 next month. The other 2 have kids of their own! No WW tonight - dropped in to see Eleanor, who'd had no sleep due to a sick Freya puking all night. We then went to the supermarket, and she did a biggish shop. I was shattered, she was in a state, only having had about 20 mins sleep, and it was too late by the time I dropped her off, even though she only lives about half a mile from the meeting hall. Like all kids, Freya's fretful, but picking up. She slept all morning. It was this time last year that she got a viral stomach bug....and gave it to us! I suppose it's one way to lose weight! Andrea |
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07 Jun 10 - 03:55 PM (#2922567) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: gnu I knocked off another two pounds by diet and by walking as far as I could each day depending on my lower spine degenerative arthritis and resultant pinched nerves. Some days 0.2km, some days 1.5km. The doc was pleased this AM as my blood pressure is down 30/6 from two months ago, which I can understand because the ENT I saw a week ago (11.5 months for the appt) said she thinks she knows what might be the problem with my throat and gave me a regimen to follow for two months (if no change, day surgery) AND she said there was no sign of the return of the cancer AND she said my left vocal cords look good because she couldn't even see where the surgery was done. That certainly reduces blood pressure! |
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07 Jun 10 - 10:14 PM (#2922814) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: LilyFestre I put groceries away from the farmers market and dug my pillow out of my suitcase. Also brushed Mags.....she is beautiful with unending fur. Does that count? Night all. Michelle |
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08 Jun 10 - 01:24 AM (#2922858) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Michelle, whatever you can manage this week will be more than enough. Have you had the last treatment? What a relief! Happy dance here this evening! The new telly will arrive tomorrow. I'll have to move the old one from that room, a cathode ray tube set that weighs a ton. It'll go in a different room and one of the sets at the low end of the pecking order will leave the house. Possibly on the same day. I'll see if I can package it with the converter box for a garage sale, but I doubt it. (I have an eBay item that has a couple of bids, but that's something very small, easy to ship. TVs can only be disposed of at garage sales, in my opinion. I wouldn't waste the time with an ad in the paper or even Craig's list. Maybe I could restart my Free Cycle membership and someone would take it from that group?) In other matters: I'm sure I'll go through squishy times as my kids move further away. I paid for a round trip ticket to Tucson this evening - for one. I'm sending him out there on his own. I'll take him to the airport, and pick him up. He'll have to make the transfer in Albuquerque (this is Southwest, after all. Few direct flights.) He's been through that airport before, though, and he'll stay in the dorm the extra nights so we don't have to worry about sending an 18-year-old to a cheap hotel. It's easier than a hotel, costs a little less, but it will give him a little more time to see how the dorm life works and think about what to take along. Off to bed. Up early to dust. And finish a bunch of work for work while I await the delivery. SRS |
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08 Jun 10 - 03:16 AM (#2922870) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Catherine Jayne Went for a long run last night. It was raining but not too hard so it kept me cool. Tonight I'll be doing my usual 4 mile walk and an hours step aerobics class. A pair of jeans that I bought that were a tad too tight are now too big which is a shame as I haven't worn them. |
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08 Jun 10 - 08:24 AM (#2923002) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: freda underhill That's very inspiring Cat J. My daughter was doing a lot of running, but she now extremely pregnant so is walking. She's much fitter than in her previous preganancy. |
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08 Jun 10 - 09:04 AM (#2923023) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: mouldy Back in the day I used to do 6 step sessions a week... I even got asked to train as an instructor, but I couldn't afford it. Since then the body beautiful has been through the menopause, coupled with neck and back problems. Yesterday I had a go with my skipping rope. I did 20 (which is no use, really) and decided to stop because I could feel my damaged vertebra complaining a bit. I ended up on Ibuprofen, and have had a lot of "fizzing" in my back again where the damage is - maybe touching on my spinal cord (we think). It's really annoying. Anyway, I have a blood pressure check on Monday, and I daresay the GP will ask about the back as well, in that it's a medication review as well, although they only put me on calcium supplement. Peter got called out on another emergency job, so he won't be here till Thurs (when I am going away down south to a wedding). I have compiled a list of stuff with him, and the new stair rail's in the garage. I have a lot of baking to do for the church before I go away, so I'll be busy. I wish I could eat it! Andrea |
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08 Jun 10 - 10:38 AM (#2923089) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: SINSULL Am wearing a blouse today that I bought two years ago and could never keep the buttons closed. I don't look any thinner but my clothes certainly are fitting or drooping. Onward and upward. SINS |
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08 Jun 10 - 10:47 AM (#2923096) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: LilyFestre Nervous energy while waiting for test results resulted in some housework this morning...dishes are done, laundry is ready to hit the line and I'm almost ready for more. The floors here need to be swept, mopped probably too. Mags will get more brushing, weeding will happen as the sun warms up the garden a bit more (chilly this morning), I found most of the kitchen table (at least on my side...Pete has his side covered with seeds in a certain order and I shall not disturb the master plan). I also have a DVD that Susan lent me a while back that I may play with today. Gotta start rebuilding my strength. And, JSYK, no chemo yesterday. My platelet count is far too low (which means my blood clotting ability is not working well) so they sent me home and we'll try again next week. They say it's a normal side effect and my bone marrow just can't keep up right now. So, rest, putter at will and stay away from all sharp objects. Michelle |
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08 Jun 10 - 01:58 PM (#2923237) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg (((LF))) === Here, multiple challenges evident as the day began have me pretty well stuck on MY goals, so I am setting them aside for a day of drifting through the hours-- trying not to USE any sharp objects of any kind in anyone's direction including towards myself. On days like this, I have been told by smart, discerning people, I "seem fine," so I do not leave to anyone else the decision on how to spend a day like this. I just burrow into goodness and trust that tomorrow will be better-- and it always is. It's a good day just to physically visit the progress I have made around the place, and perhaps straighten them up the merest tad. The one thing I did get "done" today was packing a kit I will need for a Convention display Friday/Saturday. When I go out I may repack the boondocker's pillow kit (for the motel sleepover we'll have Friday night). Then Hardi can reload my scooter (which we took out for my boondock), which we bought mos' pertickalar for this Convention. So my real goal for the day (adjusted) is just to welcome Hardi home later with no dramatic matters pending. ~Susan ~Susan |
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08 Jun 10 - 07:16 PM (#2923466) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Liz the Squeak A day at work eating everything in sight (which luckily included a fair amount of fruit) and not walking far... although I did walk home from the station - first time in a few months. Obviously I'm getting better, although still can't afford to overdo it or I'll be flat on my back for a month again... slow but sure! Busy driving a poorly friend around, so not getting a great deal of walking done. Or sewing... or decluttering, but it's good spending time with him and his mum, helping him with his problems. Makes mine look like a walk in the park. LTS |
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08 Jun 10 - 11:27 PM (#2923620) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Maryrrf I have not posted much, but I have gotten a lot done! I made a list of things and stuck to it, starting with a Memorial Day Weekend organizing marathon. I'd already taken a lot of stuff to Goodwill. From Memorial Day till now I have organized my paperwork/bills/receipts/ etc. into file boxes, cleared out and organized the upstairs bedrooms, including loads of stuff in boxes that my sons had left in between their various moves - now the upstairs is cleared of all boxes and plastic bins and everything is sorted and neatly put away in closets, drawers, etc - furniture polished and rugs vacuumed. Books have been purged and sorted and all are now in bookcases (I had to repair one bookcase but managed to go to Home Depot and find all I needed to do it). My sons had loads of books stashed all over the place - now they are all arranged. I organized my CDs - they are all on shelves or in albums. And best of all, I sorted through photos ranging from the 1930's (my parents) to 2006 (after that they are all digital). What used to take up two large plastic bins now fits into two shoeboxes, arranged with dividers by year, and the larger pictures are in a plastic container. I even got a few mending and sewing projects done. It feels great! Now I have some smaller organizing tasks that I will work on. Since the photos are now sorted by year I can put them in albums and I probably should scan them too. I also have to do some repairs on my porch, and I want to clear out and organize the attic storage space. But this weekend I'm taking a break! |
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09 Jun 10 - 12:14 AM (#2923642) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Alice Wow... you finished so much, I'm tired just reading about it!! |
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09 Jun 10 - 10:16 AM (#2923897) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Maryrrf It was very tiring, but these projects have been hanging over my head for soooo long - especially the photos. I finally decided to just get it done, once and for all. Now, when I get the photos in albums I can enjoy looking at them. |
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10 Jun 10 - 09:16 AM (#2924545) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Liz the Squeak Don't talk to me about unfinished things... I have to spend some time up here in the computer room over the weekend, putting some vinyl and cassette onto digital, rehearsing for a practice weekend in 2 weeks, a concert in 4 weeks, writing up minutes from meetings and excavating the floor.... I could spend a week locked in here and not get all done that I need to get done.... There are still 2 quilts to finish - plus I got commissioned for another one! Off out tomorrow if PA duties allow, to find the right colours for it, got a lovely trellis pattern in mind so need some more flowery yellow and green fat quarters. Ho hum! LTS |
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10 Jun 10 - 09:52 AM (#2924567) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg With the recent round of proliferating work-product, the home office got over the top (literally). So I spent some time ydy whipping it into barely-minimal organization. I work better with a little healthy disorder but I do need room to work! It looked a lot worse than it was. I discovered that I DID have space for things I had been tripping over, so stuff went where it could have been out of my way to begin with. A good outcome of it was that I discovered that the new pullout keyboard shelf Hardi made ma a few months ago will comfortably hold the laptop in addition to the main keyboard. So that is now semi-permanently out of its case with peripheral hookups dangling conveniently for the next re-connect. A new daily habit has been putting back a pretty curtain that covers all that, before leaving a work session-- so I always come back to a neat, pretty setup when I next start work. ~Susan |
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10 Jun 10 - 12:28 PM (#2924680) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: SINSULL Along with our new gym comes a trainer - Cruella DeVille. We each get two free sessions per year to evaluate our chances of living another week and create an exercise program. I am just back from my first session. Even my fingers hurt. But she assures that in a few weeks I may even walk again. Wish me luck. Send aspirin. SINS |
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10 Jun 10 - 12:54 PM (#2924697) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: SINSULL And on the de-clutter front. I removed the headless remains of a mouse from the dining room this morning. Any bets on where the head is? |
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10 Jun 10 - 12:57 PM (#2924703) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage You've all been very busy! And good to see Liz and Mary moving and walking around more. We're still working on college visit stuff, college funding paperwork, commingled with bill paying, etc. I have worked in the garden, and this morning used orange oil to knock out some of the spider mites and used hydrogen peroxide to knock out some of the fungal things like mildew (not here yet, but it's so muggy and there is early blight on tomatoes, so that helps there). I'm eating a handful of strawberries a day (they don't keep longer, making me wonder what growers and markets treat strawberries with to keep them plump and firm for so long, from field to store?) I'm eating more produce because there's more of it around. Yesterday and designed and printed out a couple of weeks' worth of food diary sheets. I want to try to detect the further culprits in my hands breaking out, and to see just how long it takes to cycle through the stages once a breakout happens. Shipped one small eBay package yesterday. Have a couple more listed, and need to keep listing things. We moved the former living room television into the front room on Tuesday evening and set up the new Vizio in the living room. It looks wonderful. At the same time, I re-thought the set up (so far) on the peripheral equipment and have the VCR and DVD going through a RF filter, and that's where the antenna is attached. I'll gradually add more up to date equipment and cables as I determine which ones will suit me best and when I can find good sales. I have a lot of work to finish up this week, so I'll probably spend a couple of evenings knocking off some of that. When it's time to take my son to school in August I want to be able to take the time off and not feel like I have work looming when I get home. SRS |
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10 Jun 10 - 02:09 PM (#2924781) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: gnu I weighed myself a day early this week... 3 more pounds. I think the lawns are getting tired of being mowed. But, with my back so bad, and painting the foundations coming up, I may as well be pusing the mower as walking the street. Go ahead... |
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10 Jun 10 - 04:33 PM (#2924919) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage My exercise is in the yard mowing and moving branches and such, and walking, whether walking to work from the parking lot, climbing stairs, or walking the dogs. It can go in spurts. I had a chef's salad for lunch today with two of my smaller tomatoes. Mmmmm! I wish I could grow lettuce here, but it's just too hot, at least it is now. SRS |
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10 Jun 10 - 06:05 PM (#2924994) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: LilyFestre Sins.....I'm pretty sure that head is NOT laying around here. My cats like to do the same thing. EW. They left me a bunny head not long ago. EW. EW. EW. Well, I did nothing today. I'm tired. The dishes are still in the sink and they might just stay there until tomorrow. Ditto for the laundry. At least the dishes are IN the sink and the laundry is IN the hamper....nothing laying around except for today's mail which I have spread out all over the table. *Shrug* Down 3 pounds according to the Dr.'s scale (which I swear is NEVER, EVER right). Michelle |
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10 Jun 10 - 06:27 PM (#2925020) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing I am down another 2.6 lbs this week. Haven't done much of anything with Morgan's swimming class in the morning, then him the rest of the day. It's been so hot we haven;t felt like doing much of anything, but yesterday we did dust all of my cat knickknacks and other dust catchers on two shelves in the bedroom, plus I dusted the two-tiered bedside table on my side. It's a start on the dust which covers everything in this house. It was really nice to go to bed last night,look over there and see the cleanliness. Everything sparkled. It was hot again, today, so we bought two decks of card and I taught him how to play Canasta. He got the concepts a lot better than I thought he might, even though he is really good with numbers. He didn't want to stop playing and got over 5,000 points to my 6,300 (with a few helpful discards from "mama."):-) Lots of fun. My next goal is the top of my dresser, then cleaning out my drawers. I am going to try to do that tomorrow while he is here. Doing some walking with him, going places and all, but I can feel I need to get back to the qi gong. It's amazing how much I miss it/how much it helps. kat |
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11 Jun 10 - 09:44 AM (#2925391) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: gnu grrrrrr... after housework at Mum's (where I weigh myself weekly) I was the same as last week. Same thing with Mum - 3 pounds up from yesterday. New scales. |
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11 Jun 10 - 01:19 PM (#2925510) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Kat, some of my fondest memories of living at Mom's house when we were all there was when we sat down with a couple of decks of cards and played 500 Rummy. Mom insisted we add face value, it helped with math skills, but those were always a lot of fun. I played Gin Rummy with them also. Doing the math, sorting out a couple of purchases for the house. It looks like guitar lessons are on hold until next month, after the trip for orientation, because he doesn't have any fingernails right now. I hope we can get the lessons under way and the room cleaned up before the trip to Arizona for school. I don't want to clean it myself, because who knows what I might throw away that he wants to keep. But I don't want that mess in there forever, either. Mowing, gardening, and eBay this weekend. SRS |
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11 Jun 10 - 03:02 PM (#2925634) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: SINSULL I love Canasta. There is a game site on line (King.com) that offers it. I think I know where the mouse head is. Freddie is feeling poorly. Eating and drinking but lethargic and chose NOT to go out prowling last night. This too shall pass. SINS |
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11 Jun 10 - 08:48 PM (#2925910) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I tried to pick up a small DVD player that would convert my older DVDs up to the 1080p size of the new television. The one I wanted was the last one at that store, a floor model, great price, but when I got it home, it wouldn't open the little door to put the disc in. So I did more research. I've been thinking about getting something to download NetFlix - my son has a game player that will, but I never have it around for my viewing. I watch NetFlix in my office on the computer. So when I started doing the math I was able to find a modestly priced BluRay player that connects to the Internet for NetFlix and plays the DVDs as well as BluRay (I've never had one of those here, but I think I can borrow them through NetFlix). This came to about $100 more than I planned to spend, so I'm going to commit myself to selling enough stuff on eBay to cover that. It's one way to convince myself to get moving and sell some of the clutter that is sitting around here! It logged on easily, it updated itself, and it works great. I haven't given it the NetFlix info yet, but I'll do that this evening. See what's out there. For exercise today, I'm about to take the dogs for a nice evening walk. SRS |
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12 Jun 10 - 01:13 AM (#2926025) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Nice little walk with the dogs. I tested the NetFlix download with an old Agatha Christie mystery I probably have around here on tape. Just to see how it would look (and it happened to be one they just did in the new series - The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side. I watched the old one with Joan Hickson. My son doesn't seem to be here for the weekend, but I'll place a large box or two in his room for all of that paper that built up during the school year. Tomorrow, for me, it's mowing and digging and eBay. And recycling. I'll take the oldest television over and abandon it at the Goodwill trailer in the recycle depot. I'll tape the remote control on and tidy the cord so they can see it still works. Only takes a coaxial cable, but it still works. I'm tempted to shift something large out of here. I have a computer or office desk in pieces that I could reassemble and sell. And use some of the other antique tables around here in it's place. That way at least there would be fewer folded up tables around. It's a start. SRS |
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12 Jun 10 - 10:18 AM (#2926174) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Yuck. 82 degrees out, and 80% humidity. Headache-ville this morning. Must take recycling over and off-load one television, must mow, dig, and eBay. And must write a book review this evening. I got up early today to take advantage of the "cooler" temperatures but the humidity blew that plan away. I'll be sure to take my big water bottle out with me when I work in the yard. On the inside (figuratively), I've been eating healthier (though I can't tell that I'm losing any weight - I'm not ready to step on the scale yet.) More fruit, and with the garden, more salads with tomatoes and such. I'm keeping the food diary, with no news from just a few days of note-taking, but I am hopeful that patterns will be revealed. SRS |
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12 Jun 10 - 11:15 AM (#2926204) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Lunarfairy Has anyone noticed when you try to clean and organize, you create and even bigger mess. It like one big pile and you sit and sort into smaller piles. I have noticed this while trying to pack up and move. I walk through my house and have all these little piles of stuf or boxed up stuff... maybe i should just set it all on fire and make a run for it. All this cleaning and packing though has been good for my weight loss though.. I have lost a few more pounds.. Started out at 243 Nov-08 as of today 159.. i dont think i have seen that number since middle school...lol |
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12 Jun 10 - 11:21 AM (#2926207) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: SINSULL Ah Miss Fairy I have always contended that the best cleanup is done with a can of gasoline and a match. A few weeks back I "organized" my sun room. Now all the crap is neatly sorted and stacked in boxes and I haven't a clue what is in any of them. Somewhere in the neat clutter is my circa 1968 manicure kit and I need it desperately. Today I attack the kitchen. Wish me safe return. Into the valley of death rode... |
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12 Jun 10 - 11:22 AM (#2926210) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Lunarfairy Hope you dont eat eaten by a toaster! |
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12 Jun 10 - 10:51 PM (#2926551) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing Lunarfairy, that is fantastic weight loss. Congratulations! I spent an hour, today, walking and pushing the cart in the grocery store. I keep a steady pace, Rog wanders and catches up with me with stuff. Then I walked a bit at a park where the local les/bi/gay/trans/etc. group had their annual picnic for friends and family. It was pouring rain, but not very cold when we left home. The park is huge with small trees and shelter structures open on all sides. That far down the valley, in the wide open, there was a biting wind plus the rain. It felt like freakin' Wyoming in mid-Spring. Really cold, no games. Good food, met some of my bro's friends. I also did the regular 30 minute qi gong routine and have found my balance is improving after five years post-surgery! I can do Rooster Stands On One Leg without teetering or grabbing the chair before I fall over! Tomorrow we tackle our kitchen, my sympathies, Sins, and the floors. I will scrub some in the bathroom; might see if I can bribe Morgan to help me with the bathtub on Monday since I will have him all week. AND, he loves canasta, now, and wants to play it all of the time! |
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13 Jun 10 - 03:48 AM (#2926619) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Liz the Squeak I wanna go back to bed and stay there til my house is tidy. Ain't gonna happen though, and at this rate, neither is the cleanup of this computer room... too busy decluttering my MP3 player of duplicates that got synched by accident and rationalising the folders. LTS |
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13 Jun 10 - 12:32 PM (#2926799) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I posted last night but it didn't stick, I see. Darn! I hope Max manages to tackle that problem one of these days. I mowed my entire yard, front and back, after trimming in the front. I was so tired that I headed to bed at about 9pm. I also took the old Maganovox to the recycling place. One television came into the house, so one exited it. Lunarfairy, that's great news about losing the weight. In this day and age that's a real accomplishment when there seem to be so many things conspiring against a healthy body (processed foods, pesticides and hormones in meat and veggies, computers and computer chairs, for example, not to mention getting the hormone replacement therapy right). Michelle hasn't been back to this list for a couple of days, but if you haven't read the news, they received a call last week and were able to take possession of a three month old baby boy from Pennsylvania. Visit the Chemo thread for a link to her sweet photos. I predict her house will be a bit cluttered from now on - and she won't care a fig (except for the baby-proof aspects, of course!) Congratulations, LilyFestre! SRS |
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13 Jun 10 - 02:26 PM (#2926914) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: mouldy Great going Kat! I'm okay at the Rooster, unless it's in the middle of Snake Creeps Down in the 24 step form - then you could sell tickets for the clown show! I've had a look at Michelle's pics...he's adorable! He reminds me of my grandkids in NZ, and makes me realise how much I miss them. I have been gaining weight, I'm sure. I have been away at a wedding for a few days, and have had 2 meals out, plus buffet and booze. The first meal was at a Michelin starred bistro, but the portions weren't stupidly big, like pub-grub (which was the following night). At least I got away without resorting to the spanx! However I have had 3 mornings of cooked breakfasts.... Andrea |
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13 Jun 10 - 04:29 PM (#2926983) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Another coin listed on eBay. I really don't know much about them, I'm researching them as I go. That's the interesting part. I'm listing them high enough to cover list price and postage and make a little. Hopefully low enough that they incite a bidding war (wishful thinking!) The last push this afternoon in the yard, after I make a quick run for lettuce (must have it in the house in case we have a BLT attack) and a chicken. My son has spent several days over at his Dad's. I suppose he can stay where he wants, but if he wants rides anywhere during the week he'll have to stay here, because I'm not driving over to his Dad's and then out to wherever he wants to go. His Dad's house is always in the opposite direction of our destination. I expect some of you are probably all wondering, and yes, part of the reason for setting up the new television with the BluRay and NetFlix is to lure him out of his room more this summer. I think we can manage a few movie nights now that there is something nice to watch them on, and we can choose amongst what we have here, have borrowed from NetFlix, or can stream. SRS |
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13 Jun 10 - 05:02 PM (#2927003) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg Well, the event for which we purchased my scooter took place over the last several days-- and WOW was it helpful. I got more done, saw more people (and actually got more exercise too) WITH it than I ever have, at the same event, without one. I was one of four people among several hundred, visibly using mobility aids. It used to be just the one lady. That's what I call progress! ~Susan |
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14 Jun 10 - 11:06 AM (#2927556) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Totals are minimal, but I have a couple of items in play now on eBay. I've set a goal for myself, and though I was about ready to give up on this new camera, I pulled out the instructions and found the reason I was having difficulty focusing on the subjects (old bronze coins) is because they were on a similarly dark background. The sensor needs contrast. I tried a trick the book suggests and got better focus. So, I'll put several down on the table at once and photo graph them, turn them over in the same spot and photograph them, then crop them out of the larger image. Saves time and I think I can get a larger image than if I simply scan (the resolution is 1200px per square inch on the flatbed, but I can get much larger with the camera). I want people to look at these microscopically if they want.) At lunch today I'm going to work on the yard a little on a bed I've been trying to finish for a while, then put down the steel edging. SRS |
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14 Jun 10 - 01:21 PM (#2927634) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing Qi Gong - 35 minutes Andrea, that Rooster pose is incorporated in the qi gong routine, so not much other yoga, though I did try my Yoga for the Rest of Us dvd last night for the first time in years, because I found the dvd, finally, and I am sore from it, today. Hurt my shoulder, but tincture and gentle qi gong will work it out. I don't know if I will ever do much yoga, but what I could manage did feel good in that I could tell I was using some muscles!*bg* |
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14 Jun 10 - 06:45 PM (#2927886) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I dug up the turf for about 45 minutes today, enough to make progress and work up a sweat. Of course, I could just stand out there and work up a sweat these days. I plugged in and set up a new Radio Bookmark. I couldn't afford the $120 membership (you have to pay it all at once to get this thumb drive programmed to record the time of day you hear a program and want to "bookmark" it to go back and listen to later). I bought one online from the manufacturer for $40. I am a member, have been for years, but sometimes you have to take a shortcut. My son is filling a box with papers from school. His room is pretty cluttered, so this will be a great start. SRS |
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14 Jun 10 - 11:45 PM (#2928010) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage The eBay sales are moving. A modem that didn't go for $15 when I listed that as the auction price and $20 for the "buy it now" price the first time just sold second time round for $21.07. Such strange and mysterious ways in which things operate over there, eh? The hands are pretty bad right now. I need to look at the list of food and see if something seems to be a culprit, or if the dermatitis is too general to have a food source. I tried soaking in epsom salts and then using the pumice stone this evening. That ought to make them feel better for tomorrow. I suppose I need to try the drastic stuff now, like taking caffeine out of the diet. Not easy, but something I probably should do. I have been drinking a lot of tea lately. SRS |
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15 Jun 10 - 04:49 AM (#2928125) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: mouldy The Rooster I do is in the Yang Tai Chi forms. I suspect it's the same, as I have heard some moves in Chinese exercise referred to in terms of "Tibetan/Taoist Yoga". We also do Chi Gung - Falling Rain, Crane, 5 Elements, and a couple of others. I have my class today, so nearly falling over because of trying to get too quickly through snake/rooster on left leg/snake/rooster on right leg will be the highlight of the day! I know real slowness is the key to controlling this, but my knees have other ideas when I go down in the snake: I need a bit of momentum to get up again! Andrea |
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15 Jun 10 - 09:40 AM (#2928226) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I'm going to have to explore some of these exercise/meditation routines. I'm hearing a cracking noise in my neck that can't be a good sign. I found a web site that talked about a Qi Gong move that helps, and I tried it, and it's right. eBay is perking along, I just have to stay on top of it this time. I'm listing the less-charismatic American coins and some of the Canadian and British ones. My Aunt had some interesting American coins that I may see if I can mount in some way as an interesting shadow box or something. Going to the office today, lugging camera gear and computer, and there is a 50% chance of rain. I'll line a duffel with a plastic trash bag and use a portable rolling thing that folds completely flat. SRS |
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15 Jun 10 - 10:49 AM (#2928257) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg A "trough" day here-- the pause/respite/regroup between insanely-busy spurts. Lovely to find how functional and welcoming the last round of organizing was-- AM Scripture on the back porch with all materials/keepwarm jacket handy, and no "big" mess to address today. Time to look around, breathe, and renew priorities for a "normal" week (if the trough lasts). ~Susan |
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15 Jun 10 - 02:00 PM (#2928426) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing Ah, I knew Rooster was a tai chi move, too. Can't believe I forgot that. Lee Holden does incorporate some tai chi in his qi gong which, I've read, was the precursor to tai chi anyway. We learned the Yang long style of tai chi from a sensei in CT who had studied with a woman in Boston who was from China. Apparently she was quite strict and well-respected and had been doing it since she was a toddler. Our teacher was very good. I hope to get back to it. SRS, I have cricks and cracks in my neck and shoulders all of the time. It's worse if I don't do the qi gong; it definitely helps. I highly recommend Lee Holden's dvds. I hope to get some more papers shredded, today. Morgan and I cleaned out my car today; mainly just gathering up trash, but it sure looks and feels better. I have empty boxes in the office and living room waiting for books.:-) Swim class was fun as usual. |
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15 Jun 10 - 06:28 PM (#2928597) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing Well the boxes got used in the LR for Morgan's version of the game he has called The Age of Mythology, while I shredded papers. I almost filled another trash bag. Took four books out to the used bookstore and only came home with three, though one went home with Morgan. It's so kewl. Out of all of the "big" kids' books I showed him on science, history, etc. he wanted to know if they had any math books, then found a junior dictionary and did not want anything but it. So, on the way home he found "cat" for me in it. He's always had a huge one to look at over her, but this is the first time I've really explained how to find the words and how a dictionary is set up. He likes things in order, so caught on pretty quickly. My little boy's First Reference Book...makes my heart happy! |
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15 Jun 10 - 08:10 PM (#2928656) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage What a treat, to have his own dictionary! I have a virtual shitload of work to do, to take a lot of images from both cameras (the one I use for work and my personal one that has a wider lens, so I used it in some small rooms where I wanted more detail). But hopefully this big project will be ready to send back to the publication design folks before Friday. The computer is acting up, but I think it was Firefox that was doing it. It runs so hard sometimes, when all it has running is a browser, so it's not like the heavy lifting Adobe programs have to do. I switched to Chrome and have the Task manager running to take a look and it has much lower values. I'll have to see if something is up with just my installation of Firefox, or if the program itself has a bug. Two items sold on eBay today, one will ship tomorrow, waiting on a second payment. Baby steps again, but I want to clear out stuff here and I can use the cash. That is a great combination for eBay! It's evening, but I drove home in the bright light and feel the need for a little power nap before I head in to fix dinner. SRS |
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16 Jun 10 - 03:57 AM (#2928820) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: mouldy Well I got through the Rooster/Snake combo by not being over-ambitious on the Snake, so that my knees could get me up into the Rooster. We also spent a few minutes working on it so that helped. The first form I learned was the 108 step Yang as taught by Gerde Geddes when she returned from China in the 1950s. It took us 3 years to learn it, and we have concentrated on the 8, 16 and 24 steps since. Recently, however, we have started to dip back into it. Not having been to WW for a few weeks, I have taken the step of cancelling my subscription. I am going to try and maintain for now, as I seem to have plateaued out a bit, and then really go for it again after all the holidays and festivals are over. At the moment I am fighting to keep myself where I've got to, and I want to get that stable, and use it as a baseline for the next attack campaign. Festival and camping food over the next weeks isn't going to help. I just need to move more and eat less.... didn't help yesterday when I got given a load of leftover cake from my "friend" at church! On the house front, the finishing off jobs are nearly done. peter has just arrived with his big trailer so that we can fill it with rubbish, and he's going to paint my windows this week. I am hoping we can replace two of the sealed units which have gone. He painted the front and back doors yesterday, amongst other stuff. A lot is now up to me to get back into the cleaning and de-cluttering. Andrea |
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16 Jun 10 - 05:59 AM (#2928877) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Manitas_at_home REally LTS on the sofa... Having a 'declutter my colon' day today... not through choice. Ho hum, at least I'm getting exercise going up and down the stairs. Managed to do minimal paperwork last week. Have a quilt I simply MUST get on and do before I see the recipent on Saturday. It's been a while since I picked it up so I have forgotten how it went together. Still, that'll be one pile of fabric out of the way. Two more planned, one pieced and one needing backing; then I just have to get them to their new owners and that will clear that corner again. LTS |
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16 Jun 10 - 11:08 AM (#2929109) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage My sofa was occupied when I got up this morning. For some reason my son moved from his room during the night and fell asleep in there. He might have been watching television, but anyway, there he was. Two packages for eBay head out the door today. I found my mail kind of blowing around the porch. I wonder, there was a smallish bundle of brush that had rolled onto the porch that seemed to be in the way. I wonder if a mail carrier decided not to step across it? I have since moved it, and will put up my note asking him/her to ring the bell and pick up my packages. I've been getting scratches on my leg in the garden, and I realized this morning I'd been bumping up against an old stob from a rosemary plant, so I took out a hand saw and decluttered that plant of that hazardous short limb. I'm rinsing my dishes in a dishpan, then taking the rinse water in a bucket out into the yard to pour on the crops. Do that a few times a day and it helps supplement regular watering. I found a new eBay classified listing service. I wonder if I can list there things they won't let me sell for in an auction in the regular site, like the old bear skin rug? I'd really like to move that thing along. SRS |
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16 Jun 10 - 02:30 PM (#2929254) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: mouldy T'was Peter this morning, but not with the trailer, so the garage de-clutter #2 got postponed. HOWEVER, I now have a de-cluttered apple tree, now without its rambler rose. This is to be re-planted in the nearby corner bed, once I have removed the gravel and brick bits found after a tree stump was hauled out this afternoon, exposing the one-time cement lined pond beneath. The base has been hammered and smashed so that it will drain better, and there is 120 litres of compost and 60 litres of farmyard manure ready to go in, once it's got rid of its crap...and the bumble bees nesting somewhere nearby have settled down. This was achieved with the help of my son in law, who will be back tomorrow, hopefully, to help me finish, and to re-work the newer pond up there on the patio/terrace. Peter has been painting my windows today, and replacing 2 of the sealed units that have gone. (There's another 2 I should really be sorting out). I spent part of the morning weeding and spraying other weeds that I couldn't pull. Gonna be stiff tomorrow! Andrea |
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16 Jun 10 - 06:08 PM (#2929406) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I got the answer to the mail blowing on the porch: postal carrier Anthony apologized this afternoon, but he said the wasps out there took after him so he dropped it on the bench and scooted off of the porch. Poor guy! I've been removing a smallish paper wasp nest every day at least twice a day for the last two weeks. I killed one of them last night, and the other was still bouncing around out there. Anthony whipped off his postal ballcap and gave it a swat and I gave it a stomp. Maybe now we'll both be happier on the front porch. $45 in auction items shipped out today. Nice. Not much more movement, so I may not continue to try to sell the coins. I have some rarer ones, American, but I think I'll keep those for the kids. I'm selling off the old Canadian and British ones that don't really interest me. (No reflection of actual living Mudcat members!) I moved a couple of smallish dirt lumps from the back yard. They were just high enough to stall out the mower if I went straight over them. One was a sandy mound meant to level a bird bath (moved out because the dogs kept drinking from it. I didn't want them knocking it over on themselves). The other was an old fire ant mound that was there for several years. I finally got it this year with beneficial nematodes and spinosad. So I took several large buckets of dirt away from the site, and the lawn will be a little easier to mow in those areas. SRS |
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16 Jun 10 - 07:47 PM (#2929467) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg Major post-Convention decluts of stuff and of processes and groups.ot to mention political agendas. Major re-distribution of yard's water supply today; several hoses run to areas in need of summer watering, so the hoses do not get cut by the inexorable mower. Ditto electrics to run the camper which is now UP. All this will stay in place when winter comes-- onetime projects. (Cheaper than getting a new pole rural-powered.) How large is the "yard," well... it would be at least 6 city lots, and it takes electrics and hose sections in the 50's and hundreds, strung together like extension cords when all yer power comes offa a generator. But, by God, it is all portable to take with when we move! ~S~ |
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16 Jun 10 - 08:00 PM (#2929473) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage My lot here is big enough to hold all four houses on the little common drive at my old house (where the ex lives), and there is some left over. So it does feel luxurious at times, though it is a pie-shaped lot so it's a lot of hose to reach the back. Set up the sprinkler to soften the sod where I'm doing to do some extra digging and move my steel edging before I continue to extend it out. Otherwise I'd have to move it all later. I'm trying to get rid of as much turf as possible. :) Birds in that hole again, because I didn't get it filled, though I did stuff a rock in, but it wasn't big enough to block it. Next round, for sure, before another nest gets going. Laundry, dishes, etc. And lots of photos to sort through tonight. SRS |
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16 Jun 10 - 10:44 PM (#2929535) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Called the vet, I'm going to take the dogs down for heartworm tests (annual) and then switch to the medication I like better. But I'm afraid I missed a month so I want to be sure they're okay. Was getting dinner set when my son called, his dad fell asleep, will I come get him. So dinner (late as it is) will get cold while I make the run. Because it's sausage in beer, that is browned and served on toasted bread and I'll drink the rest of the beer with dinner. :) Got watchers now over at eBay. And need to find something else to list, to keep this going. And maybe try out that classified. I have piles of newspaper to take out to the garage with me when I go get my son, and while there I'll see if the box this bear skin rug came in is easy to reach. The rug is in the house, but maybe I'll pull it all in here and list the darned thing. That would clear out some space! SRS |
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16 Jun 10 - 11:56 PM (#2929555) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing That's interesting about the classified, SRS. I'll be interested in what you think of it. I started on the office today; sorting out all of the stuff which got plunked down there when I moved ops to the dining room/kitchen area. I now have organized piles and boxes. Lots of paper to shred. I may see how much they charge at the pro-shred shop...it'd go a lot faster. Even Morgan is bored with it, though he came up with an intriguing idea. He wanted to know if there was a way to hook the shredder up to his music keyboard so he could play tunes and operate the shredder by doing so.:-) Looks like I'll have him all day for another two weeks; he starts Level 3 swim classes next week. He really excelled in Level 2; a real water baby. Decluttering will go slowly probably, though he knows he has to entertain himself part-time so that Mama can get some work done. |
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17 Jun 10 - 01:24 AM (#2929578) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Kat, we all know that sometimes the best de-cluttering can be accomplished with very small goals, because it sets the scene for the rest. Perhaps you and Morgan can play a game of coming into the house as if you'd never been there before - try to "look through someone else's eyes" - and find something as small as a shelf or knick knack area that needs fine tuning. All it takes is for someone to ring my doorbell and that extra-sensory vision comes into being. OMG! What a mess! And go from there. ;-D I'm glad Morgan is enjoying his lessons. I hope they give them some play time at the end? Sad to say, most of the public pools in Fort Worth are closed this year. They just don't get it - when things are so tight for the city, they're even worse for citizens in the city. And closing recreational places like public pools and gyms will lead to a rapid spike in crime. It always does. Okay. Enough of the soap box, I'm off to bed. I'll see about listing the rug tomorrow on the eBay classifieds, and also on Craig's list. I need to do it when I'm sure to be here to receive calls, because if you get an answer on one of those ads they usually come pretty quickly after you post the listing. Who ever searches those lists? Not very many. SRS |
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17 Jun 10 - 10:11 AM (#2929841) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Look at this gem of a forgotten building on Beekman St in New York City. After spending a couple of years able to wander and photograph the abandoned portions of Ellis Island, this is one I'd love to poke around and get the close detail. May take tomorrow off, I have to get my dining room table cleared again (I've put the old VCR and DVD players and related stuff on it) and set this all up in another room. Maybe the sewing room, where I might work and watch old movies, etc. I don't think I want a TV in my bedroom any more, I rarely watch it and it just takes up space. Hot again here today. I need to do a little gardening at some point today, to push that bed down at the curb closer to completion. I'll be able to work on one end of it and still plant the other end, once I get the widening part finished. Then I'll declutter some of the iris in beds around the yard and plant them down there along the front of the bed, leaving room for veggies and such a little further back from the street. SRS |
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17 Jun 10 - 02:04 PM (#2929970) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: maire-aine Hi. Haven't done a lot of decluttering lately (and developed a huge headcold over the weekend), but I'm back. I finally tripped over the boxes (4) once too often. It only took me two years, but I've started getting rid of the books and printouts from my last job. The printouts are ready for the recycling center, and the books will go to the library's used book sale. Now if I could just figure out what to do with 20 years of "Old House Journal" magazines.... Maryanne |
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17 Jun 10 - 02:22 PM (#2929987) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Sometimes individual copies sell on eBay. You could search and see if any of them sell, and go from there. I think at this point Libraries all get these things online or as microfiche and don't buy back copies. But you could search around, I know I've seen places that have library wish lists for periodicals and books. I moved a big bag of papers out to the garage, but I need to find the place to set that new (garage sale) potting table, and leave things like piled papers for gardening mulch with it. A gardening station in the garage. SRS |
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18 Jun 10 - 12:25 AM (#2930277) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage We've hit the lowest-level look: everything is spread out over horizontal surfaces, not stacked up or put away where it belongs. Work for the weekend. Dishes in the sink, but they'll wait till morning. Whew. Just checked the state child support payment page. One more check in the works, anyway. SRS |
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18 Jun 10 - 09:02 AM (#2930474) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: mouldy Peter has "officially" finished, unless I find him any thing else! The trailer has the old garage work units in it, and a load of other stuff. The bed is re-planted and earthed, and the remodelled pond cascade (an urn) is waiting for its sealant to dry. Only found one of the green tench when we cleared it yesterday, but that's gone to join the shubunkin. Next week the proper sort out and de-clutter starts, and the last bits of finishing off (like me completing painting the metal gates) should get done. Target - end of June, beginning of July to get the agents round. Scary! Off to Beverley Folk Festival now, for the weekend! (It's less than an hour away). Andrea |
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18 Jun 10 - 09:45 AM (#2930501) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Catherine Jayne Been so busy since I last posted. Finally got back on track with the exercising, 2 spinning classes, 2 body pump classes, 1 step aerobics class and one body combat class a week with running on the days I'm not at the sports centre, I feel great and a few more pounds have dropped off too. Harry's nursery school teacher came for a home visit this week so that he met her in a 'safe' environment before he starts full time in September and would hopefully recgonise her face. It's something the school do for all new starters. Building control are hopefully coming round in the next couple of weeks to sign off on the foundations of the extension and then building work can start. Should have new kitchen and dining room by the winter!! Veggie patch it coming along great. We have heads on the cauliflower and the brocoli. Onions should be ready to harvest in a month or so. Big chocolate fudge cake was made this morning with the kids as a present for father's day on Sunday, don't think there will be any left by Sunday though. Bread baked every morning too. Bathroom is nearly finished, just the door to gloss now. |
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18 Jun 10 - 10:58 AM (#2930542) Subject: AnyClone Dupe Post Notice- Crown Vetch Plug Plan From: wysiwyg This is the corrected post The Crown Vetch Plan is in place. Our yard is full of holes from woodchucks, cows' hooves, sinking spots, old fenceposts long gone, and tire tracks. They get invisible when the grass gets going, and ankles sprain..... We fill them with used kitty litter as we find them. The goal is a yard safe for mobility-impaired people using canes, scooters, walkers, or wheelchairs. On top of those gray patches will now go good dirt holding crown vetch started from seed. (Image: hair transplant plugs.) Hardi will mow around the vetch-starts to give them a fair shot at threading out from their plantings to take over a section of yard. He will continue to mow a cross-country-ski path and walking path thru and to the sitting areas. In a few years, if this works, the vetch should take over all the rest. In the fall-- if the landlord's son has time to run tractor around-- some of the weedy grass may get surface-scratched to vetch-seed larger areas in flowing beds. I'm betting on the plug-and-play plan, tho. ~Susan |
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18 Jun 10 - 02:25 PM (#2930674) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing Morgan and I took a back-end full of stuff to Goodwill this morning. I also took some clothes back. Took two shirts and a cardigan; came home with two shirts for me, a shirt and shorts for him, so that was a wash as far as de-cluttering goes, except for the stuff which was in the car. Yesterday, I was pretty assertive about him de-cluttering an art-box which was so stuffed he couldn't close it and a large bottom drawer in a plastic roller cart which he also had stuffed. He did a good job and I think learned a good lesson in what's really important to keep and what to let go. He also helped de-clutter the office by figuring out the roller cart fits under the desk when it is not in use, in the part where my legs would be, it's a large space, fairly deep. And, his art box fits under the drawers of the desk, between the legs. I also bit the bullet and listed some books I am done with on paperbackswap.com. I hadn't done that in a long time. An hour later, I had requests for two of them, so I will get them ready and mail them out, tomorrow. I have a giveaway box of books piling up, also. Thanks for the suggestion, SRS. Morgan seems to have no problem in telling me what he thinks looks cluttered and what I could do with it!:-) (I think he hears a lot about it at home as their house is too small for all of the stuff they have plus four dogs, two ferrets and one cat.) kat |
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18 Jun 10 - 04:57 PM (#2930752) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: maire-aine Had to get a new battery for my car this morning. It still had the 5-yr-old original, so I wasn't surprised. But it's been fixed and all is well again. I took 2 big bags of books/papers from the work-related cleanup to the recycling center. Many of them were training manuals that had metal spiral bindings, and the nice man at the RC said "just leave them with me", so I didn't have to rip out the metal. They're really nice there. I scanned a dozen or so pictures of my maternal grandmother, so I could send them to a 2nd-cousin. Just 3 more grand-parents and 2 parents left to go. Maryanne |
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18 Jun 10 - 07:48 PM (#2930841) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: AllisonA(Animaterra) I took another bag to the thrift shop and only came home with 2 jacket-y shirts. Mowed the lawn, vacuumed everywhere, ironed the curtains and finally got them on the windows. Packed up 3 packages to go in the mail tomorrow, some of which is de-cluttered re-gifting to my best friend from third grade, whose father died and whose daughter got married all in the same month- something for her and something for her daughter. And something for someone else ;-) I also bought 100 feet of chicken wire and 10 fence posts because... I'm not the only one de-cluttering! A young woodchuck has been decluttering everything edible in my brand new baby garden!!! GRRRR!!! I'm also in the market for a haveaheart trap and a dog, yes, I still want a dog! |
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18 Jun 10 - 11:53 PM (#2930905) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I'm looking at my food diary and deciding what shift in eating to try next. For a few days I'm skipping all soy, to see what that does. But what I probably really ought to do is stop all caffeine, and stop all diet pop. Even though it has Splenda, not nutrasweet (can't tolerate that stuff), I know there are parts of my daily diet that I ignore but that probably aren't great. And they add up price-wise. I made a big jar of green tea to put over ice (I always have some kind of iced tea in the fridge, but for now it's green tea, not black). I'm also going to let the wine rack sit un-filled for a while. I think I'll pick up some sparkling cider at Sams and fill the rack so it looks nice, but I also really need to take the red wine out of my diet. I've meant to, but it was too easy to just have a glass with dinner. I need to switch to my preferred summer white wine (Gerwurzaminer, or some such spelling, a Riesling) but I'll put that off for a little while. We're hitting about 98o each day now, so I do some yard work, but pace myself and work also indoors. I have plans to rearrange some furniture and figure out what extra pieces I can actually get rid of (sell via Criag's list, most likely). I'll eliminate the useful but not needed modern pieces first. Always leave the disposition of antiques for last! Maryanne, good luck with the woodchuck and the dog! My two dogs are such sweethearts. The power company guy had to come into the yard this week. He knocked and let me know that the transmitter on my electric meter wasn't working, so he'd have to read it. The dogs greeted him like a long lost friend. I told him I'd had the radio meter put in when I first got the pit bull because I didn't know how the meter readers would respond to this dog. He gave her a big head rub and scratch under the chin and said "we can read body language. This one is not a threat." I'm so glad to see people can see beyond the breed! This afternoon I stood barefoot in the dog wading pool while that pit bull climbed in, and as she lay there, my ex squatted down and splashed water all over her. Talk about a pampered pet. SRS |
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19 Jun 10 - 12:03 AM (#2930911) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Eiseley Just came home from the latest teenage-after-hours vampire party at the library and rejoiced that I spent the time yesterday making the kitchen shine. There's nothing like coming home tired and drained (but not of blood :)) to a clean house! Tomorrow I'll take the book wagon to the community river festival, then Sunday drive down to Salt Lake City (200 miles or so) to fetch the middle boy back from the grandparents' house. In between times---read and relax and let the washing machine and the fresh air clean and dry the clothes. Happy weekend to everyone. Kathryn |
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19 Jun 10 - 11:16 AM (#2931065) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg A set of faded LR curtains got decluttered this week to be new window screens for the boondocker. Their rose-pinkness is now so sun-bleached in the window area that they just ain't LR-fit no more. Only the tops and hems are pink now! A LOT of stuff in the LR declutted itself ydy. WHEN will I learn that a clut that "will not declut" is just not ready yet to go? They go when they (and I) are ready. Often it takes a receiving-spot being ready I did not know would catch the clutter in a newly-organized mode. Over and over again I seem to need to re-learn the reality that if I ain't cleaning, I might be busy organizing-- which will allow the next cleaning to occur-- and vice-versa. ~Susan |
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19 Jun 10 - 11:56 AM (#2931086) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Gardening this morning, and had a bowl of strawberries from my garden mixed with vanilla yogurt. I get about this many every day, and usually put them in yogurt. They don't keep more than a day, which makes me wonder what they must do to commercial strawberries to make them last as long as they do? I think dinner tonight will be a pizza (I have some extra crusts in the freezer I made a couple of weeks ago) topped with a bunch of sliced peppers and chicken and cheese, with a layer of shredded basil underneath. I don't put tomato sauce on pizzas much these days. And I need to make a batch of beans, I've used up all of the pint jars in my freezer. This morning I mixed up batter for a loaf of banana bread and set the convection oven out on the table on the patio and baked it there. Why heat the house any more than I need to? I don't leave the oven out there, I don't want the sun to break down the plastic, but I'd love to have a regular cooking zone on the patio. While I'm at it, I'd love to have the indoors and outdoors so well done that I get the same feel as someplace like the Hemingway house or at least some of the rooms. Or porch. (Disney tried to reproduce some of the rooms at a resort nearby, but the effect doesn't look the same. I should say that while I've been to Key Largo, I've never been further south. This is all purely imagination and romance of a few photos and old Humphrey Bogart movies at work.) I'm pacing myself, indoors and out. I have some sewing to do, but I'm thinking about making space in the living room so I can roll my sewing cabinet in there and watch a movie and sew at the same time. But I won't be able to do that until I find new homes for a couple of pieces. Some eBay sales are about to end, a couple don't look like they're going to sell, but one has bids. I need to see about adding more today, and listing a big thing on Craig's List and the eBay classifieds to see what happens. I could stand to move some big things out and get some cash for them at the same time. I'd love to clutter my wallet. :) SRS |
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19 Jun 10 - 06:59 PM (#2931249) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I took the plunge and measured and described the grizzly bear rug and listed it on Craig's list. Who knows what will come of it. I can't list it on eBay, they prohibit bear products. They let people sell fur coats and hats, so it is a contradiction. I did note in there that I sell a lot on eBay and my rating is 100%. Don't know if that will help. It tends to be an odd lot of folks who use Craig's List. The laundry is done, I hung it up and about 30 minutes later took it down again. When it's this hot, you can almost begin at one end and when you reach the other, go back and start taking it down again. I had to wade into my son's room to get the sheets off his bed, because if I asked him to give them to me he would, but that would be it. This way, I could pick up a few things along the way and at least clear a path across to the closet door. Off to do a little yard work, then to Sam's. I think I'll pick up a rotisserie chicken to use, some on my pizza, and the rest for leftovers in the next couple of days. SRS |
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20 Jun 10 - 12:04 AM (#2931343) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I took a stab at Craig's List, but my ad was taken down. They say it is for the large photos (I linked out instead of uploading) but apparently the California folks have a lot of nonsense in their laws that no one seems to understand regarding "animal parts." Yet people sell mink coats and leather couches. So it looks like Craig's List is out. I'll have to find some other way, or else donate this and take a huge deduction. I wonder of consignment stores would sell this? Got a lot of little stuff finished and the kitchen is clean. SRS |
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20 Jun 10 - 01:34 AM (#2931357) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Liz the Squeak Bleurgh.... Life happened. Didn't get to finish the quilt but it didn't matter because I didn't get to see the person it's for yesterday either... Have managed to clear some paperwork out of the computer room though, I can now get in and out of the door without knocking it off the thing it was on. Small steps, long journey, but as they say in Maine (well Kendall does anyway) ~ The journey of a thousand miles begins with getting off your ass! LTS |
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20 Jun 10 - 01:14 PM (#2931520) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Pacing myself, working in the yard. The keyhole garden is beginning to take shape and look interesting. I've been moving more rocks today, and unloading some of the dirt from the pickup (remember - I'm making myself use up things I buy for projects before I go get more.) I need some of the free mulch from the city later, so I need the pickup empty for that also. Liz, now that I have this nice new television I want to work out a way to set my sewing stuff up in that room (temporarily, I have a sewing cabinet that I bought from a friend who thoughtfully put it on casters for her own use.) I hope to get to a few of my sewing projects this way. Into the kitchen for a glass of iced green tea, then back to the garden for a while. I had to take time to cut up a large limb that fell in the back, from the next door neighbor's tree. No point in asking him to come remove it (though they let me know when one of my trees dropped a huge limb on their storage shed. All was okay, though, after I took the branch apart and piled it up). Anyway, they're retired, and I got out the hand saw and took care of it in five minutes. I'm glad it didn't hit the dogs. SRS |
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20 Jun 10 - 04:19 PM (#2931614) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing SRS, that rug may be worth a good bit according to what I found HERE. Hope that helps. I finally got the bottom of the last of the two bins I've been working on emptying. Lots more paper shredded, more stuff to file and/or send out, and stuff to get rid of through giveway, etc. It's nice to see them out of the LR where I've been sorting stuff. Cleaned the kitchen, yesterday. Morgan vacuumed on Friday and we decided that was his gift to "Papa" for Fathers Day. Sweet kid. The rest of the day he was obnoxious.:- We brought in more boxes for books. |
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20 Jun 10 - 06:02 PM (#2931654) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Eiseley I know a certain gun aficionado and former librarian here in Idaho who might pay $10,000 US dollars for your bear, SRS. You could try pitching it to him. The tamale lady just came by, and I DON'T have to drive down to get my son from Salt Lake City! My folks offered to bring him home tomorrow. So now I will celebrate by eating a tamale and relaxing out on the porch. There's nothing like a big drive deferred to make the air seem sweeter, the music sound lovelier, and the tamale taste even better! Eiseley |
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20 Jun 10 - 06:31 PM (#2931666) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Kat, that is the same kind of information I've been finding about these rugs. But it is getting this bugger to the marketplace that is the tough part. I found an auction site where they schedule them in different places, and next fall there is one in Fort Worth. The man who runs them is in Austin. And in previous searches I did find a place I could send an ad. I don't remember where that was, so I'll look up the places listed in your link and see what they say. Chances are I can place an ad online. The main thing I need to do is not ship this beyond the lower 48 states. Too much paperwork otherwise. I emptied the last of the bags of dirt in the pickup, and as I went back and forth to move more rocks from the back yard to the front for that raised bed keyhole garden, I paused along the way to do a few other things. I policed the back yard and then I moved the dog pool. It's funny, but we can hear the neighbors 2 doors up, and they have a regular in ground swimming pool. Every time the kids would laugh and squeal in the water, Cinnamon would race to that side of the yard and whimper. I think in her past life she has experience playing in pools (or possibly playing with kids in water). And misses it. So I moved her wading pool back there under the tree and filled it more than I have been. She was in and out of it a lot. I hope it helps! I've been taking cookers of various sorts out to the back table today. I baked bread out there, baked a sweet potato, and then took the roaster out there filled with a couple of inches of water and some potatoes in it. I've never done this before, but they came out perfect. I haven't made potato salad for a while. And all of that cooking was outside. I did do one stovetop thing - I made a batch of homemade butterscotch pudding and filled the little Tupperware popsicle things. I'll let that be a surprise for the kids to discover. Moonglow just called to say that she's picking up her boyfriend who spent the day with his father while she hung out with hers. Then they're coming over here for our Official First Day of Summer, other wise known as the First BLT of Summer. Everything is ready. SRS |
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20 Jun 10 - 06:32 PM (#2931667) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Have a cold beer with that tamale, Eiseley! Make it a real kick-back occasion! |
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20 Jun 10 - 06:45 PM (#2931671) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg Back to the outdoor pool for the summer. Hope it's warm enough! The evening scenery is so pretty-- and in the evening, I am usually there all by myself-- heaven! ~S~ |
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20 Jun 10 - 10:41 PM (#2931750) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I don't have a pool to swim in. All of the city pools but one are closed. I don't know if I have a swimming suit that fits right now, so I guess the pool question is moot. But enjoy that quiet outdoor evening pool for us, too. Moonglow and Ray came over this evening and we cooked up some good bacon and set out the bowl of ripe tomatoes, got out some beautiful lettuce, opened a new jar of mayo, sliced and toasted the bread I made this morning, and had our annual rite of summer - the BLT. And I tell you, the tomatoes seemed more beautiful than ever. After eating home grown clear through the fall last year, I could barely bring myself to buy a tomato in the store. So we were pretty desperate for the good stuff. And these sandwiches were everything we hoped for. And Moonglow polished off the half of the second tomato that wasn't needed for a sandwich. I wonder if I am a few tomatoes short in that bowl? (She's welcome to them.) I made a huge discovery in the garden this evening. I cut a couple of okra, and my god but my hands stung! My next door neighbor was out there consulting (she's the okra expert, I'm just growing them for the first time this year) and she said that yes, okra can really make your hands and arms hurt. I've handled these plants many times - perhaps that is part of the problem! I have bleeding cuts on my hands from that little exposure. It's gloves only from now on, and perhaps this is the big answer to why it is finger tips that are so sore with cracks and cuts. My eBay auctions ended, and amazingly, all sold. I only made about $10 from all of them, but that's fine, better than relisting. I'm about 1/3 of the way to earning the equivalent of the cost of the BluRay player. I figure if I set small goals like that, maybe I can keep up this process more efficiently. I sold a couple of pennies, one Canadian, one English (a half penny) and a U.S. Walking Liberty half dollar. That had some scratches on the face and wasn't that attractive. But last year I gave each of the kids a beautiful old silver dollar or half dollar, I don't remember which, from my great aunt. They're not in cases or anything, unless them want them later. But they enjoyed getting these old coins just to have and look at. Sometimes the value in having something like that is being able to hold it, to look at it closely, and admire the beauty of the feel as well as the look. When I scan these coins and look at them closely, I'm amazed at the beauty and artistry of the engravings. Okay. Enough. I'm leaving the dishes till morning and heading to bed. Night, all! SRS |
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21 Jun 10 - 12:22 AM (#2931776) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Liz the Squeak Little tip when handling okra and gloves are impractical - oil your hands thoroughly with olive oil - it should form a barrier and a little soap will remove it all. Hold the okra still with toothpicks or skewers for cutting if you find you can't grip them - this will also reduce contact. Wash the board and knives immediately afterwards and it shouldn't spread. Plus, your hands will be nice and soft from the olive oil, although you may smell a bit like a tapas bar.... LTS |
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21 Jun 10 - 09:32 AM (#2931935) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: mouldy Got back last night, with more "stuff", ie a little charcoal stove from Senegal, made out of recycled metal, and.....a HULA HOOP! I will get this waistline of mine back if it kills me! I bought it from a circus stall who make them, and who told me the best way to stand, as I am a "forward and back" hooper, rather than side to side. Oh yes, and a stack of cds, and a couple of dresses! I've been eating mainly chickpea curry all weekend, and eating the lovely home made cakes they had on! This morning I have unloaded the car, and cleared the pond pump. I have also moved my 2 small freezers across the garage, and have some more tools and sundries to sort in the next day or so. I have Freya today, so everything has to happen at nap time. So far so good with the new meds for the maybe "oesophageal angina" (spasms of the oesophagus) as I have been yomping around Beverley, and royally stuffing myself with food, and have only experienced very slight symptoms! Woo Hoo! Let's hope it works, and that's what was causing me to not be able to exercise more fully. Andrea |
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21 Jun 10 - 11:17 AM (#2931979) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Dishes are done, I'll pack up these eBay items and post them on my way to the office. It's amazing, how caustic okra is. And people eat this? What must it do to our guts? I've never grown it before, and I didn't have a clue about touching it. Tell me more about it, Liz! SRS |
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21 Jun 10 - 01:33 PM (#2932067) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Got an answer to the okra quandary on the gardening thread. Off to run errands, deliver stuff, pick up some padded envelopes for eBay. I'm out of the little ones. Hula hoops, eh? I used to be quite good at that, as a child, but the last time I tried I couldn't get it to stay up. They cost a buck at dollar stores, I suppose I could pick one up and give it a try again. SRS |
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22 Jun 10 - 05:09 AM (#2932505) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: mouldy This new hoop is heavier than the kiddy ones, but not as heavy as the "pro" ones. I had a go this morning and got up to 6. I reckon the tubular shape of my body ain't helping it stay up, but the theory is that doing this should develop a waist for it to fit into! Peter has taken the first trailer load of stuff to the tip for me, and will bring it back later today, hopefully. I have to go get some wine and raffle prizes for a fashion show in aid of the church tomorrow night, and then I have the afternoon free to de-gunk any room of my choice: they all need doing, not to mention the shed and garage. Anyhow, it's off to the dreaded Tesco now, and then Tai Chi for an hour. Andrea ps I think Okra is overrated....slimy stuff! |
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22 Jun 10 - 09:00 AM (#2932597) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing qi gong last night, more difficult routine than the other - 30 minutes |
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22 Jun 10 - 01:09 PM (#2932688) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg Decluts of pending web work done, back to a long-delayed web project (eye candy but hard on my vision issues)... legs a-swelling but I WANT to get this one DONE. ~Susan |
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23 Jun 10 - 12:40 AM (#2933030) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I rearranged the fridge some. I took the bowl of avocados and made a batch of guacamole that is now in the freezer in ice cube trays. I made a batch of chicken stock; it is so hot I don't feel like cooking, but actually, a bowl of a light veggie soup is nice in the summer when you don't feel like cooking. Ladle some into a bowl and nuke it. I also ate leftovers for dinner and cleared out a couple of other containers. I have a couple of books to list, whether on eBay or Amazon or someplace else. I picked them up at an estate sale for a couple of dollars. I find them ranging all over the place in value. 1890 first edition of the two volumes of Stanley's In Darkest Africa. The thing is, just because the prices are so high, doesn't mean anyone is actually getting that kind of money for them. And there are some really high-priced reproductions. That is a surprise. Anyway, those may be my next listing. SRS |
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23 Jun 10 - 05:33 AM (#2933103) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: mouldy Going to have a grovel around the place today and see if there's anything I can sell at York on Saturday. Most of the good stuff went the other weekend. There may be a load of tool bits, like spanners. I'll be going anyway, because I want something to put the hand tools I'm keeping into. My son in law says he can spare me an hour or two this afternoon (before the football!) to get the concrete lumps removed from the ex-pond/flowerbed on the patio into Peter's trailer. Tai Chi was good yesterday... the snake is getting a little better. Andrea |
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23 Jun 10 - 08:44 AM (#2933206) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg Pending boss' approval the webwork of ydy is DONE. I took the about-to-explode legs straight to the warm pool (86 degrees), stopping only for a quick anti-chill dinner. Racked up 2+ hours in the pool, an hour and a half of LR chairtime, and then straight up to the AC sleeping attic-- ankles are nearly back down to normal. The puder time ydy blew my back, but even that is just about workable this AM; a little dishwashing should finish straightening it out. The humidity is high and climbing, so an overdue chair-repair project (and nap) will occur this aftn in the AC attic, and then I'll have my heat-relief sprinkler-chair ready for the next hotwave. Cold supper already in the fridge for later tonight. (Healthy stuff.) ~S~ |
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23 Jun 10 - 10:27 AM (#2933253) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: LilyFestre Yep. It IS getting to be hot and humid for today with predictions in the 90s. UGH. I have fans blowing in all kinds of cool morning air and am soon going to close the windows and draw the curtains to help keep it cool. Ceiling fans all on high, standing fans to be moved from windows and doors and left on all day. AC in the bedroom is on for the day too. I need a cool space to be with Jeremiah later on. :) So....morning chores done (dishes, floors swept, breakfast made, lunch packed for Pete, fruit washed for later and chilling, table found and I cleaned out the fridge). Jeremiah is having his morning nap and soon I'll get him up for a bath and then lunch with some friends. I've been slacking about what I've been eating due to the chemo and what my body craves. Trouble is, I crave crap. Today makes a week and a day since my last chemo. My energy is soaring, my bones feel much stronger and I know it's only going to get better from here! I decided that it's time to get back to my (MORE) healthy eating plan (for both weight loss and health reasons). I can't do a ton of exercise just yet but I get in little walks here and there and that all adds up. I'm not going to focus on that for now. I AM going to focus on what I'm eating. So....right here, right now, I commit to that for the next week. :) YAY! We grilled up a large pack of chicken last night so there's plenty of cold chicken to go with whatever I decide to make later....most likely a fruit salad and I don't know what....maybe some curried couscous. Anyway, expect more posts from me on this thread. It's time to get back to my life!!!!!!! ***HAPPY DANCE***** Michelle |
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23 Jun 10 - 10:32 AM (#2933256) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Aches and pains today. I wonder if I'm catching a summer bug of some sort? Bummer. Off to town for some errands, and finish a project for work. SRS |
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23 Jun 10 - 03:09 PM (#2933420) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I think I worked some of it out - I had been dehydrated from working in the yard and was on the verge of a bladder infection. I spoke to a couple of folks who have more experience with them, and after a glass of cranberry juice, have drunk a lot of water today, and nothing else. I'm feeling much better already. I do have yard work to do, and I'll go back to using the big slurpy cup that I've used for years with a big fat straw. I get more water faster than from the fancy new bottle I started using. Work for work today, and this evening I think I'll work on describing those books, and get them listed, somewhere probably like Amazon, where there isn't a time limit on the listing (not like there used to be). And wash the dishes. They've kind of piled up. SRS |
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23 Jun 10 - 06:12 PM (#2933549) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: LilyFestre Spent some time working on the front porch which seems to be a catch all during the colder months. It's high time that it gets completely cleaned off!!! I have 3 boxes that have been sitting out there for MONTHS....stuff I need to find a spot for or TOSS. I did 2 and a half boxes today and tossed 90% of the stuff. Why am I such a freaking packrat? I do NOT need all of this!!!! Michelle |
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23 Jun 10 - 08:40 PM (#2933643) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage OMG! Of course! You have to have a baby-safe environment all of a sudden. The true (but looks kind of silly) test is to get down on your tummy and really look around from that level. Amazing what you'll see under things that you'd never see from up on two feet. Feeling better, but I think that was a close one. It's kind of piling up around here again. The heat makes me slow down. I have to get more focused and just be better at finishing things and picking up after myself. Easy, right? SRS |
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23 Jun 10 - 10:41 PM (#2933696) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: LilyFestre Homestudy follow up #1 is on Monday. Needless to say we are working hard to get things in good shape. There are things that Pete has to do in the nursery and he has to finish putting up the railing on the catwalk. Jeremiah was kind of a surprise otherwise that kind of stuff would have been finished already. I'm cleaning like a mad woman even though last time she just walked through...no major searching about the house or anything. I finished cleaning the nursery today. I had clothes everywhere and a few baby gifts that needed to be put away, some other things still all in the packaging...it's just been crazy busy here so I hadn't finished things up like I had wanted to. So anyway, the nursery is absolutely ready for the homestudy. I'll do the kitchen and bathroom tomorrow. Saving the dusting and mopping until Sunday afternoon....just picking up and moving things about, rearranging some stuff on shelves and still working on the front porch. We WILL have it done! My body is adjusting to doing chores more at night when Pete is home. He keeps an eye on the baby (who is sleeping in his swing) and I can get things done. It's next to impossible to get stuff done as Jeremiah wants to be with mommy almost all the time. I know that's not healthy to do but for now, while he adjusts to being in our home, I don't mind. He will sit in his kicky/bouncy seat for 10 to 15 minutes at a shot which lets me get some little things done or put away. *yawn* Night all. Michelle |
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24 Jun 10 - 07:34 AM (#2933860) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work Oh Michelle - blow the chores - you bond with that lovely little bundle! He needs you much more than a pristine home at the moment! All new mothers of any variety need more than a few months to adjust - you simply CANNOT live as you did before with a new baby, it just does not happen. You can certainly try but you'll end up ragged and frazzled and Jeremiah (fabulous name by the way) won't settle. Do what is necessary, not cosmetic. Once he feels safe and secure, he will be happy with you in sight, if not touch. Then he'll be able to stand you out of the room for whole minutes at a time (the trick is to become deaf to the cries a little longer each time) and you can resume a near normal life! I've been pootling.. nearly finished the purple quilt which is good because I see its new owner on Saturday... then it's the green ones to finish and start on the yellow one. That should declutter that corner of the sitting room... Did manage to declutter some paperwork and the child scoured her room so I can reach the window without something going crunch. I can't tell you how many plastic drink bottles we found there... it was a whole recycling bag full unsquashed I know that much! Garden is pretty much self policing, just need to water the tubs occasionally. House is a mess but tomorrow should see some of that cleared up. At least now the bike has gone from the hallway so I can sort the phone corner out again. I WILL sort out the computer room one day.... whaddaya mean, there goes the Porcine Air Division?! LTS |
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24 Jun 10 - 10:26 AM (#2933959) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I remember with my first baby it seemed impossible to find time to take a shower or even trim my toenails - I was at beck and call and otherwise doing diapers, etc. You get a routine going for yourself and one of the most important lessons is the nap when the baby takes a nap, if you need one. And coming out of chemo, I don't think naps are a luxury at this point. It's next to impossible to get stuff done as Jeremiah wants to be with mommy almost all the time. I know that's not healthy to do but for now, while he adjusts to being in our home, I don't mind. He will sit in his kicky/bouncy seat for 10 to 15 minutes at a shot which lets me get some little things done or put away. Are you kidding? At this point in his life it is most important that a child feel that when he communicates something he needs, that he get a response. When a child that age has basic needs that are only expressed through crying, you need to respond. As they get older and as you recognize that the nature of the crying shifts, then you teach the child to comfort himself. When my kids got to be a few months old sometimes after nursing at bedtime they didn't really want to stay in bed or want to stay asleep, they wanted to be held more, so I would put them in the bed and then take out one of the nursing pads from my bra and leave it near their noses in the bed. (This was when babies slept tummy down.) It worked like a charm. For you, maybe putting a garment on the bed with him, a headband or a blouse, or keeping a washcloth against your skin under your clothes for a while then putting it in the crib, and you'll see, once he really knows your smell, that this is comforting. As they learn to suck their thumb or a pacifier or do some other comforting thing for themselves, you're helping build what will in the future be a child then a teen and then a grownup who doesn't always have to look to others for their comfort or validation. The cuddling and response they get now is that important. AS he grows he needs time to spend by himself, he will need to explore, he will do all of those things, based upon knowing that he is valued. I suspect each of us who has kids will remember those charming times when after waking in the morning or after a nap, you peek into the room and hear the baby cooing and laughing in bed. Just enjoying the view, the light, a toy overhead, whatever. That comfort in being alone comes from knowing they can get attention when they need it. You can tell the difference in the requests for attention as they get older, and respond accordingly. But at this age, a baby is as basic as they come and you're shaping a balanced future adult by meeting his needs today when he asks. Give him a cuddle for us. (He does need to occasionally have his feet on the ground so he can learn to crawl, then walk.) SRS |
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24 Jun 10 - 11:01 AM (#2933973) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: LilyFestre I think the same thing you do SRS and you too Liz.....I'm getting the basics covered and the rest of the time I am with Jeremiah. Pete came home last night to dinner half made. I had started pasta salad but my little one was fussing and that needed tending too far more! :) I am beginning to have a good understanding of his different cries and he is well on his way to understanding that mommy is going to take care of him! It's incredible how fast you can fall in love! Our morning routine is generally that Pete is up first and will take care of Jeremiah and let me sleep a bit. This morning he came in and put Jeremiah right in bed with me (I was awake) and Jeremiah smiled and cooed and I swear that our (Pete and mine) hearts melted into a puddle. Completely melted. *big contented sigh* So, let's see...during Jeremiah's morning nap I cleaned out the microwave inside (EW) and out. Then it was the toaster oven, next everything came off the outside of the fridge and I scrubbed that...I threw away plenty of things that had been hanging on the front and replaced it with photos of family and friends. Right now the grates from my gas stove are soaking and I have scrubbed the stove top and now the stained stuff (how does one get burned on tomato soup OFF?!?!?) is soaking in cleaner. I did a load of dishes and a load of laundry. My goal is to get the kitchen done today. I had planned the other rooms but changed my mind. Oh and there were piles of empty boxes sitting in a corner that are now sitting on the porch and Pete will take care of those this weekend. He got called into work so he'll take care of the carpentry jobs around the house tomorrow. It's amazing how much clutter has accumulated during the last 6 months. I've tried my best to keep up with basic chores but sometimes I just couldn't. I even found 2 bags of groceries tucked in a corner...Lord knows how long they were sitting there (4 cans of soup and salad dressing). I also cleaned a large fan that had been in storage and it is now in the kitchen helping to circulate air. It is SO humid today and FINALLY it is raining...hope it cools things down instead of adding to the humidity! I figure I have about another 30 minutes before my sweet little one is up and all bright eyed.....wonder what else I can get done! Michelle |
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24 Jun 10 - 05:15 PM (#2934223) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Around here when it feels so muggy in the heat you know it's a fools wish - because after the rain it's still hot and twice as muggy! I mowed this morning, and this afternoon I've been feeling achy and kind of bloated. I'll keep drinking the water. My son has turned into a nocturnal creature, but when he's around I'll have him do a couple of loads of laundry and I'll have him cook something just for practice. SRS |
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24 Jun 10 - 05:56 PM (#2934252) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing I've just been doing little bits here, in between Morgan's swimming classes and piano lessons (from "Mama" and his first book) and too hot weather to do much. I have a bunch more boxes for book sorting. SRS, I admire your commitment to getting things done, esp. on ebay. I know I need to, but I figure this is the last summer I may have Morgan so much of the time, so we are just doing a lot together. He does want to help and has earned about $10 since last week for watering everyday for me and for some cleanup he's done, but we've also been playing a lot and my house looks like a mess, BUT, right now, I don't much care.:-) I've added a few new photos to my Flora and Fauna album at MyOpera. The first to come up shows how tall my yarrow and Morgan are this year; then the next two show a beautiful moth which seems to have just given up in the heat today. It's just hanging from a bit of rope on our gatepost; didn't even mind my picking up the rope to get a good shot, puir thing. It is awful out there; truly "high desert." |
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24 Jun 10 - 08:07 PM (#2934305) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg It's next to impossible to get stuff done as Jeremiah wants to be with mommy almost all the time. I know that's not healthy to do but for now, while he adjusts to being in our home, I don't mind. I have to join the chorus on this one, LF. The BEST mom I have ever known had two cute daughters. Both of them, in their turn, came to work with mommy nearly every day. (I was lucky enough to be an employer who could allow this, having had that privilege myself earlier, as a young mom. Anyway, even the auditor from, National that was invited in to see "how we did bidness" loved the kids being there-- big relief!) The older girl was Miss Independent, always had been, and grew up great. The younger girl HAD to be WITH MOMMY from the moment she was born. She could be fast asleep, and sense mommy moving out of her own office next door into mine-- 3 whole steps!-- and she would howl in her sleep: "Noooooo" You forgot me!" (in babytalk). This need to cling was ALWAYS met (thank God, said our ears), and she grew up just as great as Miss Independent. When she was ready to be without mommy, she let her know. (I think that was when she was about 7.) They just have different needs. We try our best to meet them all, and not mess 'em up TOO much. But what we mess up, they iron out in their teen years. You just love 'em and do what you can, and it all works out. ~Susan |
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24 Jun 10 - 08:23 PM (#2934316) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: LilyFestre I sure hope I'm not coming across as complaining!!! I just was trying to say that I'm not getting much done because I'm busy loving Jeremiah!!! :) Michelle |
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24 Jun 10 - 08:52 PM (#2934325) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: maeve Michelle- You sound like a mommy. You're doing fine. Enjoy. maeve |
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25 Jun 10 - 12:08 AM (#2934367) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage What maeve said. Most of us have been there, and all of us were probably too hard on ourselves at first. But as we have learned (and researchers have learned) what is good for babies, we breathe a sigh of relief that we ignored the "let them cry" advice when they were just too little for it to be a meaningful exercise. I'm exhausted. I reworked a document, saved, sent a PDF to the boss, and now I'm off to bed. My son fixed himself French toast for a very late breakfast today, and somehow managed to leave the burner on high and carbonize the bottom side of his meal. I was out of bread after those slices, so he couldn't redo it. He cut off the worst of it, and probably filled up on something else later when I took him over to his Dad's house. My house still smells smoky (I guess we're lucky he didn't set off the smoke alarm. I was out in the garden for a few minutes and so I don't know what he was doing that he didn't notice his meal burning). Catch you all tomorrow! SRS |
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25 Jun 10 - 05:07 AM (#2934437) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Liz the Squeak DEcluttered the phone corner... never realised cats could spray so high up the wall! It looks and smells so much better without all the crud! I have acheived one bit of order.... now the rest of the house!!! LTS |
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25 Jun 10 - 06:42 AM (#2934483) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: AllisonA(Animaterra) You are all so inspiring. Michelle, add my affirmation to the pile! This week has been far from de-cluttery, but progress has been made. On Tuesday the diggers came and set piers for the new porch that will slowly get built over the rest of this summer and into next. I drove to Boston Weds for a one-off voice lesson with an amazing Bulgarian singer. Wish I could afford the $90/pop for regular lessons with her! Yesterday we hustled around, finding our camping equipment and figuring out how to cram it in to our Subaru- we're off to the Old Songs Festival where I will see many Mudcatters, hear wonderful music, and enjoy a fun time, even if the threatened thunderstorms come tomorrow night (they don't call it "Old Sogs" for nuthin!) Have a great weekend, dears! |
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25 Jun 10 - 07:59 AM (#2934516) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: maire-aine I posted these pictures on the garden thread, but here it is again in case you don't follow that thread: garden pics at FB Maryanne |
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25 Jun 10 - 10:27 AM (#2934602) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Your yard looks wonderful, Maryanne! I woke up at 3pm last night with a fever and discomfort, and after deciding I didn't need to go to the hospital but I'd better at least go to my doctor, I've made an appointment for this afternoon. I think this is still the bladder thing, but who knows, I could have pulled some odd muscle when I was mowing. If they had a blood test or a pee in a cup test I hope we can sort this out. They are going to say "You gained weight since your last visit." Sigh. It's overcast but hot today, like it was last night. Someone got rain in the county, I could see it to the east when I came home from the post office. But not a drop here. I'm taking my son to the airport on Sunday morning for his trip to Tucson, so today I need to work up his itinerary and print it out. I'll also email it to him so if he has to refer to it and has lost his printout, it'll be handy in cyberspace. SRS |
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25 Jun 10 - 08:56 PM (#2934925) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Good thing I was doing that itinerary in Word, because when I left for the doctor's appointment this afternoon I left the computer on and we had a power outage. It just came back with all of my work saved. Bladder infection accelerated really fast, and by the time I was waiting in the pharmacy to get the Rx cipro I was experiencing rolling waves of pain. I didn't hesitate to dig into my old narcotic pain med stash when I got home and I went straight for the hydrocodone, it was that bad. I'm moving in slow motion now. Lucky me, I'd simmered a couple of roast chicken carcasses this week, because the only thing that really appeals to me now is some chicken soup. I'll cook up a pot this evening. It's funny, I noticed on Tuesday or Wednesday that my "crotch" dog Poppy gave me a real push and a snort. I can tell now that I smell different with the infection, but she was trying to tell me something was wrong earlier in the week. She isn't a Labrador, but her diagnosis was correct! (Lab work, of course. . . ) Okay. I'll wash dishes now, and fold the laundry this evening while I watch my favorite program at 9pm, then chances are I'm headed to bed again. Not much else will get done. SRS |
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26 Jun 10 - 01:40 PM (#2935178) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage It just feels like the flu today, and hurts to cough, but I'm on motrin and staying out of the sun. I guess this is a good time to get some work done around the house, and list a few eBay things. My son goes to Tucson tomorrow, and his dad will drive him to the airport since this Cipro can cause dizziness and is giving all indications that it will indeed continue to do so--I'm feeling kind of sluggish. So I'll finish that itinerary, and my son, who is at his dad's now, will come over and get what he needs for packing. I think he'll enjoy the trip on his own. I'm going to be cooking way smaller portions of food soon. I have a loaf of bread going in the machine right now, that I'll put in a regular-sized bread pan to rise and bake later. I'll have to switch to a smaller recipe and bake in a smaller pan - for you in the U.S., I'll be baking myself Pepperidge Farm sized loaves! SRS |
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26 Jun 10 - 07:00 PM (#2935305) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing Feel better, SRS. Yesterday: qi gong 30 minutes Today, we bought a neat paper shade for our backdoor and a mini-blind for the window over the sink. They both get full-on afternoon sun and we need to block out that heat. Rog put them up this afternoon and I really like the way they look. It really is true: new window treatments can make a whole room look better.:-) We're going to try to get a lot done tomorrow morning; it's just too hot to do much in the afternoon/early evening. We stripped our bed and washed all of the linen, so will make it up after it cools off. That will be good. We also did the grocery shopping. |
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26 Jun 10 - 07:49 PM (#2935326) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: LilyFestre Awww SRS, feel better!!!! I have decluttered my living room, dusted, cleaned my kitchen (still have to do dishes), wiped down all the cupboards, hung all the baby cards up (I love to hang up my cards) and chucked some stuff that has needed to go for some time. I swept the hallway upstairs and did the stairs too. I also have laundry going. Pete finished the railing for the catwalk and steps and also got the baseboard heater installed in the nursery. Tomorrow the trim goes up and we will finish cleaning up the front porch. The house is looking GOOD! Jeremiah is sleeping after a very, VERY fussy afternoon. Michelle |
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26 Jun 10 - 10:55 PM (#2935375) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I've been urging my son to get his packing done tonight, and his shower tonight, because I don't think he wants to get up at 4:30 to get his long shower. Dad will pick him up at 5:45. I'll fix him some breakfast (I saved a peach for him, and some vanilla yogurt to go over it - mmmmm!) Lots of naps today, though I did finish the itinerary for my son and printed out the boarding pass. I can't convince this stubborn kid to take his hat and a water bottle, so I'll put them in his luggage in the morning. And threaten him with bodily harm if he decides 1) to not use or 2) to leave them behind when he comes back home (I bought this bottle because it has that plastic without BHA or whatever the nasty lining is called). I'm headed to bed. This infection is still painful, even after 24 hours of antibiotic. SRS |
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27 Jun 10 - 07:35 AM (#2935473) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage They're out the door and probably 3/4 of the way to the airport now. I ate breakfast with my son so I'll have a couple of hours between the meal and the next antibiotic pill. This infection was so bad that I am inspired to try to follow the instructions precisely to get the most bang for the buck, so to speak. I'm still feeling spasms of pain two and a half days out from beginning the pills. Freda, I meant to ask earlier and I'll ask now and hope you come back to the thread before we roll into a July one: how did the hypnosis go, and can you tell us a little more about how you use it? Is it in a therapy setting, or a personal improvement setting, or for a medical purpose? I've watched bits of a program here on PBS where the guy talks about using hypnotherapy in helping people choose to eat healthier. (This is an MD who is particularly interested in brain health). Maybe I'll get something done today later on. I'm going back to bed, I'll set the alarm to get up again, and to take the pill. SRS |
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27 Jun 10 - 04:28 PM (#2935672) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg We're hosting our first campfire at our place tonight. The low-maintenance way! !HOORAY! Hope to make it a new summertime habit, once or twice a month. The idea is, people who are not doing their usual profession while they are here. We know a lot of various professions' practitioners, but here-- nope. Just chilling. Hardi will have to set the tone (as he does when we host a MudGather), otherwise he'll end up being everybody's priest and I'll end up everybody's big or little sister! :~) I'm putting Faulkner in complete charge. ~Susan |
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27 Jun 10 - 07:23 PM (#2935726) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage After months of putting it off, I finally wrote a review of a great little consumer protection book put out by a columnist in my local paper. Dave Lieber's Watchdog Nation. It doesn't work just in Texas, it's a good all-around advice text from someone who has been doing this for a long time now. He's also a popular and very entertaining speaker (I have to laugh every time I remember his description of how his co-workers and boss took him out for drinks when he was brand new here. He names the road and the room roars - about how they took the neophyte to the really bad side of town.) Not much else. Got a good nap. Sent a lot of texts back and forth because my son hadn't found or read the itinerary (he writes the next one and gives me a copy - that's the only way he'll know what's on it) and when he reached the building he had no way to get in. I finally found a number on facebook and from there got the campus police number. She kindly called that dorm and relayed back that they were opening for arrivals at 1pm (about 30 minutes from when we spoke). The dispatcher offered to give him a call or have someone go get him. I visualized my son NEVER SPEAKING TO ME AGAIN if I sent the campus police to pick him up. I thanked her, chatted a minute more, then texted the basic information to my son. I told his dad about this and he roared with laughter - the kid would not have been happy about that kind of solicitous attention! He's there now, and since they're not actually booking rooms till 5pm, I guess he's napping or watching TV in the lobby. He was fine with that, didn't feel like wandering around. Evenings in Tucson are so nice because it does cool after the sun goes down. I hope he goes out for a while then. Despite not feeling like he has a lot of control right now, he does. He'll be learning a lot and he'll be going through advisement and making choices about classes and food service and dorm roommates and such. It really is very exciting! SRS |
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27 Jun 10 - 11:29 PM (#2935797) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing We did a lot today, for us, at least it was a lot. All of the laundry is done and even put away, including our clothes which we've been digging out of baskets for 2-3 weeks. Rog trimmed some small tree branches and swept. I scrubbed the bathroom, soaked the dishes, and we moved some Morgan stuff from the living room to the office to his own bookshelf. The LR looks a lot less cluttered. Various other things including Rog moving the hanger for my necklaces to our bedroom wall. They've been in the office from when it used to be our bedroom years ago! Also took down some cafe curtains and rods. All they do is collect dust and cat hair, so they are washed and put away. |
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28 Jun 10 - 12:19 AM (#2935806) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I just reread the sheet of information that came with Rx. Not only careful in sun, I need to watch activity, I could mess up tendons. Great, except the alternative was horrid. It'll be a real slow and steady pace for anything I do for a little while. Kat, we're travelling in opposite decor directions these days. I finally can put up and get out things I couldn't have around when the cats were here. Houseplants. Curtains. Rugs. I do miss the kitties - I got a really nice leaning cuddle from a cat at the vet's office last week. He was ready to climb into my handbag and go home with me, but I'll keep it at visitation only for now. :) Only a few dishes, all neat in the dish pan in the sink, most are clean. Some laundry needs folding. Fridge is getting better, drawing down containers before cooking new stuff to fill it with, so I throw out less. Dinner wasn't bad - rice and beans, small pork chop on side, plus asparagus. This is kind of an experiment, since I can always tell that I've eaten asparagus next time I pee after I eat it. I wonder what will happen this time? I'm still a bit tender, but I have been very careful. They didn't say "no asparagus." Boring. SRS |
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28 Jun 10 - 01:31 AM (#2935818) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Liz the Squeak Weekend away decluttering someone else's wine store, very hot here in the UK, so nothing much happening during the day. In fact, I may just go get the fan and go back to bed now... (it's 6.30am and I've been up since 5). Did manage to declutter a friend's garden and pass on another finished quilt. Must sort out the next one. LTS |
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28 Jun 10 - 06:56 AM (#2935901) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: LilyFestre Homestudy today. The house is looking good!! Michelle |
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28 Jun 10 - 08:25 AM (#2935935) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Love and blessings today, Michelle- I'm sure it will go well! I had a lovely time at Old Songs, saw lots of Mudcatters and other friends, heard incredible music. Now I'm de-cluttering from it all- there's still lots of camping equipment in the car, the kitchen table is loaded with instruments, fliers, cds, and other stuff, I'm on my second load of laundry, and it's supposed to rain and thunder all afternoon so I can't hang anything outside. Bummer. And it's the muggiest yet this summer, so hanging inside has its limits. But this was the first camping trip since consolidating all our possessions, and I made some useful discoveries about how to work the "stuff". We've got weekend tenting down to a science, but I'm at the stage where I wish we could have a camper van... SRS, I hope you feel better! Kat, you are truly inspiring! LTS, I'm impressed with your quilting! Pix? WYS, let us know how the gathering went! Back to the laundry... |
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28 Jun 10 - 05:54 PM (#2936265) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Much better today, Allison, thanks! I've read some more, done a few dishes. Work on the computer for work, but I haven't pushed much else off of my list of things to do. I haven't heard from my son yet today, so I think things must be going well out there. I asked his dad to check to be sure he made a shuttle reservation for the airport trip for his return flight. I figure he's pretty tired of hearing from me. I heard from the author of the book I reviewed. He's very happy with that review. Good! I rarely write bad reviews, in that, I simply won't review books I don't like. I think I might be able to get a little something done around here this evening. But I'm not racing back to the work yet. Michelle, I hope you'll let us know how your day went. You were up so early, and you've been pushing yourself so hard. I hope you're not writing now because you're taking a well-deserved nap! SRS |
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28 Jun 10 - 09:55 PM (#2936378) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: LilyFestre Home study went well!!! Michelle |
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29 Jun 10 - 09:16 AM (#2936603) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg I knew this day would come-- cleaning the home office. TBTG the vision came to me in my sleep where the last-acquired organizing-cubby should go, because it provided the last piece of info I needed for motivation: the finishing touches on keeping my desk's top organized. The desk is an old table with leaves for 8, and it's deep enough that from sitting at one side, I can't reach across to the other. So I use both sides-- one as my desk area and the opposite is loaded with the study for morning Scripture time and seasonal study reading. A rocking chair on that side is handily places next to a radiator and cat-shelf. There is room between these desktop areas for a divider, and that's what I have-- it's a white, hollow, wooden structure with a bulletin board and picture-slots on one side (and blank on the other). A nice backdrop from either side. It's about 12" x 20" and the inside will hold a sheaf of misc. study materials. Why this is the last, "missing" item is because one of the summer FreeCycles included two rather large white baskets. They're rectangular and woven out of 1" flat whatchamacallits. The large one is the IN basket of raw materials (can hold binders),and the smaller one is the OUT basket of electronics and data CDs that have become my work product. Under the desktable has been a large plastic bin of anti-racism training materials. I acquired these via a commission on which I served. When I had a chance to volunteer as secretary I took it, and later became to only remaining member when the rest of the group decided they were too discouraged to continue-- longstanding diocesan history tangles in the south end of the diocese. Hardi and I were recently appointed to re-energize the effort, so now it's timely for the bin to come out for HIS study-- making plenty of room to run the vacuum cleaner around the tight spaces under and around the desk. And the humidity broke this AM-- so it's cool, dry, and sunny here in my atelier! ~Susan |
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29 Jun 10 - 10:38 AM (#2936648) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: LilyFestre Morning dishes done, laundry washed, dried and folded (to be put away later while Jeremiah naps) and several thank you notes written. My hands are still very buzzy from the chemo so it's slow going when doing fine motor things but I think I did 7 or 8 notes! Grocery list made for tomorrow....working hard to find ways to save money and eat healthy. We went to Sam's Club over the weekend and picked up a case of diapers (264 of them) for $37.00. WHOA. Formula, as you all know, is pricey too. I'll be going back there tomorrow for the giant cans of formula now that we have found something that Jeremiah seems to tolerate well. I'm also planning a day of hitting various thrift shops both here and in a few towns about an hour away....can't wait! On Saturday I got a 13 gallon bag FULL of mostly baby clothes (but a skirt for me, 3 children's CDs, scarves for my head in this too hot for hat weather but need coverage from the sun, and 2 books) for $5.00!!!! I had such fun!!! Bonus...when Jeremiah outgrows the clothes, I can take them to a baby consignment shop and they will give me credit for them to use on newer, bigger clothes! YAY! It's time to start collecting and pricing things for the annual yard sale which is 2 weeks away. I'm not sure how far I'll get but I'll do what I can (last few days of heavy duty cleaning have me pretty tuckered). Love to all, Michelle |
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29 Jun 10 - 11:22 AM (#2936668) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Catherine Jayne Fitting in running around applying for jobs...it's time for me to go back to work! I'm enjoying the applying. Got an interview with an agency who saw my CV on the internet and liked it and have asked me to go in for an interview with a view to being put forward for a couple of jobs they have in the city. Bought myself a nice new suit this morning. Paul had a fitting for his coat for the wedding and he looks very dapper in it. Should have the final fitting mid August time. I cut the boys hair over the weekend so they now look a lot tidier. Paul's was done at the hairdressers so I didn't have to worry about cutting his ponytail off...it was long overdue! Going to a body pump class tonight, will power walk the 2 miles there and jog the 2 miles home after. I'm doing the Race for Life in Hyde Park on the 18th July, want to complete it in 19 mintues but ran 5km last night in 23 minutes but think it was too hot so I was slower than normal. Baked bread again this morning and as usual the kids have eaten most of it! Looking forward to dinner with friends on Saturday night and hopefully camping in our forest in the next few weeks. |
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29 Jun 10 - 06:11 PM (#2936882) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Two days of rain have certainly been a big help here, but after several days of not feeling good, that means come the weekend chores will have piled up and I'll have to prioritize and get started. I may have missed my wild grapes this year, across the road. I make mustang grape jelly. I just donated to Michelle's cancer walk, and my donation put her over the top of her $500 goal. :) SRS |
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29 Jun 10 - 11:17 PM (#2937012) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg Had our first BAD FreeCycle experience today-- so rude!!!-- but it was soon soothed with a chance encounter at the ice cream place we feared would be auctioned out from under the ice cream crew-- to find..... NO, they bought the property they have been leasing! And a nice lady pulled in next to us and un-did all the rudeness the FCer had done. Other lady was in New Yawk, NOT nice! BTW our campfire the other night was grand. Hadn't seen Mmario in years but-- he was JUST the same (or nicer). ~S~ |
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29 Jun 10 - 11:31 PM (#2937013) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage It's pouring again tonight. My tomatoes are going to split. I have done a few little things. The usual hand-washables are soaking in the bathroom sink, and I'll throw in a load of stuff in the washer. Looks like the dryer gets more use, no clothesline for a day or two. Tomorrow I have to go to Dallas to pick up my son at the airport, and I'll run some other errands on the way. I haven't stayed ahead of the stuff, I moved papers out of the way on the table and counter at dinner time tonight. But I'll try to not let it get any worse until I have more time, probably on the weekend. SRS |
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30 Jun 10 - 08:03 AM (#2937184) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: AllisonA(Animaterra) WYS- you saw MMario!!! How wonderful! I haven't seen him in years and years! Did you know his knitting patterns are a sensation on Ravelry.com?? I put a dent in the piles of to-be-filed music in the office; we have company staying on the futon in 2 weeks, so it's good to have a deadline to get that room organized! Other than that, went on a long lunchtime motorcycle ride with Hunt, where we determined that yes, the Motoguzzi is too small for 2. At least, for 2 with the nether girth that we provide! That's fine with me, I wasn't cut out to be a motorcycle mama. And I also "de-cluttered" a small niggling situation with a member of the Animaterra board. One-on-one-face-to-face is sometimes so much better than email, especially when chai iced tea and cookies at a local cafe get involved! |
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30 Jun 10 - 10:52 AM (#2937295) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg AniAlli-- Yes, he was one of two Mudcatters we included in a long (local) invite list, and he actually made the trip. It just "happened" to work our perfectly-- some of the other participants had a big RenFaire itch they mutually scratched all evening. We forget how "nearby" Mmario and Dharmabum actually are/can be. We hope to snag Dharmabum on the next round! :~) Maybe with Shalisa in tow for a no-stress fire-sit. Another nice thing that "happened" was that our founding band member (Ed) finally met a fellow widower we ALSO adore from a neighboring church, and they hit it off great just as we had expected. The property proved to be the great outdoor hosting space I had hoped, so we will expand this activity very soon and set up the camper as the party-hosting station it could so easily be. It's already up-- I just need to add the electric cooler for the ice stash. :~) Which is in the sleeping attic, waiting to be loaded for the vacay later this month. On vacay we plan to continue this approach. Our destinations include fam and friends as well as communities we would like to know better for the future. Camper = mobile home base. We did that on one of our first vacays as a couple and it's time to pick it up again. The camper is my ideal hostessing scale! We'll do one out of the camper, too, at a state park here-- when we get back from vacay, I imagine. ~Susan |
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30 Jun 10 - 11:45 AM (#2937316) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I think I cross posted (sometimes it takes a while to hit "send" if I distract myself) - I missed the remark about seeing MMario. Lucky you - he was a Secret Santee one year and we sent a homemade heavy duty lap rug (fabric and quilted). Over the years that I have realized that the laprug was kind of the "carting coals to Newcastle" gift - he has plenty of various coverings! Wind and rain took down my tallest sunflower overnight. It was almost 12' tall, at a guess. I propped it up to see if it could reestablish (and mostly because I really like how beneficial it is out in the garden). I'll go plant some more sunflower seeds this weekend. It might be that I can simply cut off the top half and let the bottom stay and be useful, if a little odd-looking. Kind of like taking in some of the sail in a high wind. Susan, I'm sorry the Freecycle folks were a wash. Is there a way to post negative feedback to indicate that they aren't living up to the standards you've come to expect? I pick up my son this evening. I'll finish a few things before I go get him. SRS |
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30 Jun 10 - 12:33 PM (#2937340) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: wysiwyg Susan, I'm sorry the Freecycle folks were a wash. Is there a way to post negative feedback to indicate that they aren't living up to the standards you've come to expect? Oh, we took good care of her. I copied the mod on the emailed "learning opportunity" I sent her when we got home. I slept on it.... but really, it was beyond rude-- icky on class issues-- and I hope she can learn not to inflict that on other people who come to her home to help her remove her crap. I "pulled rank" to put a stop to it while we were there (good cop/bad cop with Hardi), but it left me so aware of how people without rank might have felt, and that is WRONG. We were there as representatives of our church-- that adds a layer of responsibility to the interaction. But really, she doesn't have to treat people differently because they have "holy hands!" We know the mod well, and he will do as he thinks best. My only role in it was to be clear about what had happened and then wish her the best, which we do, but she'll be a lot lighter when she loses that class shite sticking to her shoes-- if she cares to lose it! :~) But one bad FC experience is not a bad average.... it's actually been a better rate of respect than Mudcat. :~) ~Susan |
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30 Jun 10 - 04:19 PM (#2937488) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: maire-aine Celebrated my birthday by cutting the back grass. Also took a old (analog) TV & 2 broken phones to the recycling center. Last week I took pictures all around the upstairs rooms, and I've been working on them ever since. I made space in the linen closet for the vacuum cleaner and got 2 boxes of books ready to go to the library. Parts of the area are looking much better. Maryanne |
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30 Jun 10 - 09:50 PM (#2937629) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Today I had time to kill because the plane was late, dodging North Texas summer thunderstorms. I spotted a Salvation Army when I was about a mile from the airport, so I pulled in and was surprised that the parking lot was completely full. I had to go around the side and park near the back of the store, and wondered if people were parking at the Salvation Army and heading someplace else in the area. I never see these stores full. Turns out this is the #1 Salvation Army store, profit-wise, in the nation. It was busy, and they had a lot of big and expensive stuff in there. Furniture selling for several hundred dollars, a little boutique area for antiques, etc. I spent a couple of hours poking around and reading through the book titles. I got out for about $10. I might have spent a little less for parking at the airport, but this way I didn't have to fool with shuttles and such. When my son was ready with his bag he went to the front and texted, and I got him within five minutes. The drive home was hellish. An hour of dodging in and out of wind and rain. We're here now, and I hear the microwave has finished defrosting a couple of chicken breasts. I'm ready to start a late dinner. Some laundry is drying now, and the next load is put in by my son, who filled the basket with stuff from his trip. Time to kick back and dry out. SRS |
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30 Jun 10 - 11:15 PM (#2937656) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: LilyFestre I spent the day grocery shopping and I also hit two children's consignment shops! All the clothes are $3.00!!! Now, I know I can get things cheaper at yard sales but I found clothes for Jeremiah from Gymboree, The Children's Place and someplace else I've forgotten...anyway, I'm not all about labels at all....but I DO know what clothes at those stores cost and it isn't $3.00! He got 5 new outfits today! YAY! Mommy and baby had FUN! I did a LOT of walking and hauling his carrier around....good exercise for me! Michelle |
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30 Jun 10 - 11:30 PM (#2937665) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: katlaughing Still taking Morgan to swim classes in the morning, then watching him until his dad gets off work. The past two days, it's been so hot, that has been around 1p-2p, so it makes the day just right, leaving me some time to get a few other things done. But, since it is so hot by then, I have to move slowly or not much at all, so I spent the afternoon on the PC, using moviemaker to gussy up some old concert footage of my brother playing some of his piano pieces from 1988 in Providence, RI. Got two of them put up on youtube; one more to go. It's something I've been wanting to do forever, but was complicated; new technology has made it a lot easier. Not really decluttering, but it did get it off my mind, so I guess that counts.:-) Happy Birthday, Maryanne! SRS, glad your son is back safe and sound. Oh, forgot, Morgan insisted on doing some dishes today. Loves playing in the water and does a passable job on silverware, plates, and bowls. And, he didn't get himself or me too wet.:-) |
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01 Jul 10 - 12:50 AM (#2937683) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage I'll say it again, you need to clone that child, Kat! Laundry is dry from first load, need to put in second and let it dry now while the power usage is a little cheaper. They're supposed to be putting in smart meters soon. No contact from the Covad folks yet. There are a few dishes in the sink, not enough to fool with now. Everyone ready for July? We're at the half-way point in this year! SRS |
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01 Jul 10 - 12:58 AM (#2937689) Subject: RE: BS: June'10 Declutter & Exercise Accountability From: Stilly River Sage Here's the new thread and I see I left out "exercise" again. But I did manage to get a smiley face on the title! |