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01 Feb 11 - 06:48 PM (#3086871) Subject: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Wow! Even though I know the first of February is here, it still managed to charge right past. Lots of February posts on the January thread. Though we have a snow day today, I have been busy around here, not online quite as much today. I built two steps to my bedroom window because I couldn't let my dogs in the sliding glass door, it was plastered shut because of the freezing rain that got into the track last night. It wouldn't budge, so I moved a few bricks. The sun on the door finally cleared it this evening, but it may freeze up overnight, so I won't be in a hurry to remove these bricks. So, I'm inside, and the dogs have been in the garage (they have a heater) part of the day, in the house part of the day. When they're in, they feel the need to follow me around, to be nearby, so I have to be careful not to trip on them. At one point I was at the computer keyboard typing and both dogs were crowded up against either side of my chair, and in one moment, both of them leaned forward and licked the sides of my hands as I typed. Now THAT is togetherness! My work lately has been to reprogram my procrastination ways, and to recognize that I need not only to work more efficiently, but to give myself time for leisure. Even though I may enjoy what I'm doing at the computer, it isn't the same as sitting and sewing or watching a movie, and I'd like to do more of those things. I'll report again on the book, I have a few more underlines to revisit and share. Right now I have a pot of hot stew on the stove and some pizza crusts to shape and bake for the freezer, but I'll save a little to make a foccacia bread to go with the stew. Mmmmmm! Here is the last thread, Jan. 2011, and I have to read the last few entries still. I figured I'd better get this month's thread started before we lost track of it altogether. SRS |
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01 Feb 11 - 09:41 PM (#3086939) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg I think it's about nutrition more than diet per se-- originally iot was about exercise actually-- but OK, I can at least agree: it IS February. :~) ~Susan |
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01 Feb 11 - 10:47 PM (#3086954) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: maire-aine Well, the snow has started here. The forecast is for 12-inches to 18-inches of snow. I'm expecting to find a 4-ft snowdrift at the bottom of my driveway in the morning, but I'm not going to worry about it tonight. I'll just take it slowly and do a little bit at a time. Don't have to go anywhere & plenty of supplies on hand. Maryanne |
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01 Feb 11 - 11:09 PM (#3086964) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall A "dietician" is concerned with, even trained in, nutrition. Hence, it seems strange that the word "diet" has come to have such a bad rap as only being ways of losing weight. Our diet is, in fact, that which we eat: the nutritious or non-nutritious materials (some I would not consider food!) we ingest. Whatever edibles we ingest comprise our diet, for better or worse! The amount of calories in our diet .... My diet today included half a pan of brownies. I better not make brownies again soon! Nutrition is what we need in our diet. Other than brownies, I had a bowl of beef stew, a piece of cheese and a small bowl of one apple, granola and plain yogurt. Not too bad. Lots of water and one cup of green tea. I am still considering ways to get exercise in this cold weather. I need to be more mindful of getting a walk in on the better days. These have been far apart lately. I am moving the scale to the upstairs bathroom so I can use it after my bath. It was barely accessible down here. Accessibility is important. Tomorrow - if the predicted blizzard permits. Also a shelf for bathroom essentials. Not even a place to put clean towels right now. Two years ago I was living in a well organized home. It is a slow and challenging journey to get to that point again! But it is happening. I need to think KITCHEN. And keep plugging away at what is. |
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01 Feb 11 - 11:22 PM (#3086969) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre Prediction here is for some snow and then sleet and ice. I spent today getting all the laundry in the house done as well as the dishes and anything else that required electricity so if we should happen to lose power tomorrow, we're all set. Dirty dishes in the sink make me crazy so I'm starting tomorrow with NO dishes in the sink (or on the counter or beside our chairs). My husband is staying home again tomorrow (YAY) and has agreed to tend to the baby so I can tend to the medical paperwork and get some things moved upstairs as part of making our living room Jeremiah friendly. I also did about half of the assigned homework for the class I'm taking. I have my violin out as well....playing with some new folks and having FUN! I've GOT to get a new G string as mine is all corroded (it's been tucked away for awhile). Until I can get to my favorite fiddle shop, it will have to hold or I just will have to bump things up an octive. Either way, no biggie. I'm going to be getting a new chair for myself...might be one from storage or I have a large chair up in my office (needs to be recovered) that might work. My current recliner leaves me with aching hips...something I don't have when I sit at the dining room table on wooden chairs. Diet...still working on this new WW plan. I get it, I'm just not doing it. Hmmm. Lots of movement goes on in this house just chasing about after the baby. Up stairs. Down stairs. Around the corner. Etc. Also, I've taken to doing some yoga in his room right after his morning nap. He creeps around the floor playing with his toys and sometimes comes to give mama an assist. :) I'm hoping to hit the Y for a few classes this week. They have childcare....Im kind of leery about it but they have their clearances and the adult in charge is old enough to have had handled her own kids. And I will be in the very next room...within hearing range. I need to get more exercise in and let go a little bit...he'll be fine. :) I am having problems getting in enough vitamin D (as the sun bothers me...photo sensitive) so I take a VERY large prescription of vitamin D. It has been suggested to me to go out and take a half hour walk every morning. LOvely idea, however,the gas well traffic on these back roads are not conducive to walking on the road. Town is 11 miles or so away and I'm sorry but I'm not buddling the baby up to drive 11 miles in, walk in the cold, pack the baby and stroller back up and go home in that half hour. It would be more time in the car than on the walk. Add on top of THAT that I just don't want to. My energy levels are the lowest they've been in my life. Leftover chemo yet. Anyway, I can find something to do around the house or outside (to get in some Vitamin D) without trucking down the back road with an infant and crazy gas well/water tanker trucks blowing us off the road. As to the food end of things. We are doing better. Jeremiah is now able to eat the same foods as we do as long as it is pureed. I refuse to feed him CRAP so as a result, Pete and I are eating better. A bit backwards, I know, but it's making us both stop and think about what we are eating and do we want Jeremiah to have that too? Night All. Happy February! Michelle |
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01 Feb 11 - 11:26 PM (#3086972) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: katlaughing Good points, Dorothy. We've been doing these "accountability" threads for over three years, now, but I deleted the first two, thinking we'd just keep one running thread. They've certainly turned into much more than what I'd originally posted: Subject: BS: Accountability -counting goals 3rd Month From: katlaughing - PM Date: 01 Mar 08 - 03:33 PM WELCOME TO THE THIRD MONTH!! Please post your fitness/letting go of weight goals, as you meet them by the day/week/monthly. Also, feel free to post your goals in your first posting. Encouragement/chatting is okay, as long as it is kept to a minimum. I will delete any extra stuff. Also, at the end of the month, I will delete all and we will start over. (I had cleaned up the old thread and started it over, last night, but cannot find it, so this is an entirely brand-new, shiny thread!) Have fun and good luck! Feel free to make suggestions! SRS, you've done a great job of keeping the decluttering threads going in combo with the others. It's been a lot of fun. kat |
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01 Feb 11 - 11:44 PM (#3086982) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg Got these for Hardi to try as an alternative to bad-glycemic-index rice varieties moist Asian restaurants use. LOVE THEM! Got 'em locally! The Shirataki Noodle Diet: http://livinlavidalocarb.blogspot.com/2006/08/got-shirataki-you-bet-we-do.html ~S~ |
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02 Feb 11 - 01:26 AM (#3087004) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage My opening comment was more weather related than inspirational, but Kat posting her early remarks makes it easy to see that the scope of these threads has expanded, and we have done some heavy lifting over the time they've been running. Very heavy lifting. The book I've been reading, The Procrastinator's Guide to Getting Things Done is still with me. I read a little each day. Yesterday I wrapped up the chapter on "shortcuts" to getting started, and they're basically statements that help you see what you're doing and address the problem. The stop running the little negative scripts and try to set your view so you're thinking positively about what you do accomplish while at the same time getting started on things that you don't enjoy because there will never be a "right time" to do them. There is just now. "Recognize what you are doing. Admit to yourself that you are making excuses." That about sums it up! "Waiting another day will not make the task easier to do." Another homily in that chapter is to "make an effort even if it is a small one." So today I finished pulling together the papers and files for the taxes, and I started filling out the 1040 tonight. I'm doing the higher math for the Schedule A stuff now; sometimes I save more than others when I itemize. It's more time consuming, and every year I think if I'd only put all of the medical receipts together during the year, that would have been great. I just got up and made such an envelope that will live in my receipt file for the year. The next chapter has to do with anxiety, and I'm sure I'm not alone in recognizing that one form of procrastination stems from the desire to not disappoint others. Things like "I'm scared to find out . . . bad news, that I didn't succeed, that others are disappointed in me." She looks at this as a fear reaction, and asks things like "Thinking about the task makes you feel uncomfortable" and "You hesitate to get started for fear you'll mess it up." She sums up the lists by saying that Your negative thoughts + Your emotional reaction -> Procrastination That pretty well sums up why we put things off. I, at least. Not wanting to hurt others somehow, or worried about their reactions. I'm headed to bed; I've done as much as I feel like this evening and my pit bull is practically begging me to go to bed so she can get her beauty sleep. The dogs are serious about sleeping at night, and they want me in my bed also. :) Tomorrow is another snow day so I can work on the taxes some more. SRS |
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02 Feb 11 - 02:40 AM (#3087016) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: mouldy I got onto the scales on Monday (clothed for a chance) and hit 12 stone. Well that's still the upper 11s, which isn't good, and down to me hitting the packets of biscuits and having a 2 course lunch out on Saturday. Ironically, I think it may also be down to the village cafe and farm shop being closed for their winter breaks recently. (I have been lurking around in the house more, and snacking). It's a round trip of a mile to visit the farm shop cafe, and a good brisk walk. I've only been a couple of times since it reopened, due to other stuff I've had to do. It's an excuse, and I'll stick to it. Had second Morris practice last night. Good exercise, but a double whisky in the pub afterwards wasn't exactly low cal! Anyway, Ernie's coming to fit the stove today. Huzzah! Andrea |
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02 Feb 11 - 08:27 AM (#3087178) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: GUEST, topsie I've long thought that 2nd February is a much better day for new resolutions than a hungover annd jaded 1st January. |
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02 Feb 11 - 01:54 PM (#3087399) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg Knocked out 5 more entries (some of which were annual reports and minutes), totaling about another 5,000 words. The next slog will be actually posting them all, which will also involve moving some existing posts around to fix the date-order of blog posts so they approximate the order in which they were first written and print-pubbed. Then after that in the main website I'll insert links to specific blog-posts where they coincide with calendared events, which is shaping up as almost a site-map to key news and info. ~Susan |
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02 Feb 11 - 02:14 PM (#3087408) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Several inches of snow and still coming. 14F. Not blowing right now. Rob woke up feeling headachy and terrible. Agreed it is result of dust/mold inhalation. I suggested hot detox bath and he agreed with alacrity. But instead of resting after, he had to go to a meeting earlier than expected. He could not eat - too sick. But he did take his supplements. Actually, he needed time to rest and had none. So I cleared the car and drove him to the meeting - through the snow! and waited and brought him home. Meeting had a much needed positive result. Then I drove him home, he ate the remains of brekkie, then a bowl of the famous chili and one brownie. Took more vit C and Pau'd'Arco. And felt well enough to go off and do what needs to be done. I hope he gets home in time for another detox. Now the laundry is doing. Another load after that. Then save hot water for next bath. Now he knows better why I am uptight about dust. Maybe he will wear a respirator. Hope!! |
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02 Feb 11 - 02:56 PM (#3087442) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage There are dishes waiting in the sink, and the taxes are started. It's one of those cold days when paying attention to staying warm is more important, since we are getting rolling blackouts here. I have a stock pot full of water simmering on the stove, partly to put some moisture in the air, partly to have for hot tea or other uses if the power cycles off again. The high today is supposed to be 17. That would normally be a very low low, I've never seen it as a high temp down here before, that I can remember. It was very cold the winter after we moved here (early 1990) and killed shrubs in the yard. This may have the same effect. I will sit down and work on the taxes, it will be nice to have them finished today, so that is my goal for the afternoon and evening. I have a battery operated calculator and a good battery operated Coleman lantern, so there's no excuse for not finishing them, though I may have to snuggle with the dogs on the futon to stay warm to finish if the power is off! My truck is finished, but they're not driving the courtesy vehicle for picking up customers. Though they're only three blocks away, it is three blocks of sheet ice, so I'll leave the truck where it is and get it tomorrow, if things begin to clear. SRS |
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02 Feb 11 - 03:25 PM (#3087460) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: maire-aine We ended up getting only about 8-inches of snow, and it seems to be close to stopping now. Need to run the snowblower again. Good idea about the pot of hot water. I've got a good supply of firewood on the front porch in case I need to use the fireplace. Maryanne |
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02 Feb 11 - 04:02 PM (#3087479) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg The energy-hoggerator is OUT of here, as far as the back porch and waiting for the truck to haul it to the dump. No one at FC wanted it-- it's circa-1970's-- and the dump has an appliances department for safe disposal. Out of it came a sack of flour for the birdies and a small amount of BBQ sauce. All the rest I had used up, in prep.... except tonite's gourmet takeout which was waiting for tonight, cuz Ah ain't about to cook me no supper after THAT job, nuh UH! Chicken is roasting for the freezer (rosemary, etc. stuffed under the skin), and lentils are in the crock pot. ~Susan |
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02 Feb 11 - 04:16 PM (#3087484) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: mouldy The little stove is in and running. Only burning wood at the moment, as I have no solid fuel for it yet. No end of soot came down when the flue was swept, and despite sheeting up, I have had to shampoo the carpet. It may need a second dose. I had an appointment with the nurse for a BP check up, blood test and weigh in. Here scales put me at 12 stone 11, which went down to 12 stone 7 when I took off my boots and hoody. Not impressed. Weighed myself pre shower tonight, with nowt on, and I was 11 stone 10 on my digital scales. Hmmmm. At least the BP seems to be more or less under control at the moment! Andrea |
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02 Feb 11 - 04:45 PM (#3087508) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Burning wood is so cosy. I do miss it. Now to finish the laundry and the dishes before the next lot starts! I also really need to finish this mystery. It is largely about children with very serious emotional problems due to abuse. Live to Tell, by Lisa Gardner. |
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02 Feb 11 - 05:25 PM (#3087525) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre The wind is blowing the snow sideways, Jeremiah is napping, RP is home, both fires are going strong and I have a hot cup of mocha-java in my hands (half coffee, half SF cocoa and skim milk)....I love being all snuggled in with my family! Half my paperwork was completed today, may do more later on. Turns out, I like to organizae this stuff...getting started was the hard part! I love feeling accomplished, don't you? :) Stay warm and safe everybody! Michelle |
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02 Feb 11 - 07:28 PM (#3087589) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Hawker Well, Havent been around much, but decided after my hernia op last November that when I was on my feet agan I would try and ditch three and a half stone! BIG ask! I started on 5th Decemebr and have lost 21 pounds to date thats one and a half stones, so Just 2 more to do, preferably by the end of May, but not absolutely critical. Losing about a pound a week now, but that's just fine. Will keep you posted, but have the desire and more positivity to push me forward this time, so hopefully, I will achieve my goal. happy to support anyone who needs a diet buddy, Cheers, Lucy x |
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02 Feb 11 - 08:43 PM (#3087615) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre Rock on Lucy!!!! Michelle :) |
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02 Feb 11 - 11:18 PM (#3087676) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg I got a good start on posting the back-blog entries this evening-- 4 or 5 of them I think0-- plus about 15 blank "placeholder" posts so that the blog's owner can start entering his own posts in monthly updates. That way I can just focus on filling in the placeholder posts with the ones I've copy-edited in the WP, and link the posts into the main website where they need to go. I love working myself out of a job! It usually makes room for a new job. ~Susan |
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03 Feb 11 - 02:02 AM (#3087714) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I've lived in places that are as cold as this, but there is usually a lot of cold weather so it isn't so remarkable. The fact that I took the dogs for a walk two nights ago in a fleece jacket and ballcap makes these days down around 11o tough to adjust to. Fingers crossed that pipes don't freeze - having a boxy shaped house helps, I think. I have the cupboard doors under the two outermost sinks propped open to keep the air circulating. I'm going to sleep in the front room tonight, where the smaller furnace keeps it nice and warm, and let the rest of the house stay cooler. The front room has the shortest outside wall and the rest is protected by interior walls. My bedroom, on the other hand, has mostly exterior walls. I'll leave on enough heat so the pipes don't freeze, but the two-ton heater that keeps the sunroom, office, and kitchen warm also overlaps into the front room. The three-ton heater gets the living room and bedrooms, rooms that people are rarely in. I suppose I should move into the office/bedroom and use a lot less heating and cooling, but I'd miss the master bath. :) Work is cancelled for the third day in a row tomorrow, but it's so damned cold that the days off aren't a treat. There's no day of playing in snow with the kids. Taxes moved a bit further today, but they're not finished. On the other hand, the dishes are out of the way and a load of laundry is in now, before the rolling blackouts start (probably around 5 or 6am). SRS |
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03 Feb 11 - 03:08 AM (#3087734) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: mouldy Keep safe and warm, people. It's not funny when it keeps coming like this. When our snow first came before Christmas, everybody was walking to the village shops and the cameraderie was great. A week down the line, the tone changed, and by the time the roads were clear enough to think about venturing to the next place with shops, the mood was definitely antsi. Uh oh! Have just now looked out of my bedroom window (at 8am) - and it is turning from rain to sideways snow! Hopefully it won't settle... I did NOT order this! Andrea |
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03 Feb 11 - 04:16 AM (#3087750) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Liz the Squeak Major paperwork day required... which is just as well because my newly arthritic left knee has today invited the other one to join in the fun. Consequently, I'm giving it a rest for a couple of hours before I venture back down stairs (they're the killer) and working up here on some admin stuff. My carol book has reached the footnotes and proofs stage - even though we're still adding stuff to it - and it's looking good. My quilting is progressing - the wedding present quilt will actually be finished before their first anniversary! Seriously, the black and white 'Stars and Stripes' pattern I made just before Christmas (see Facebook for photos - Flickr is not my friend) is in the process of being hand quilted and will be finished in a week or two. I may have lost some weight, haven't had the Wii Fit out for a week or so to weigh myself.... incidentally, the trick to accurate weigh-ins is to always use the same scale in the same position - don't take any notice of what the GP's may say, or the store, or the clinic.... if your scales at home say you are getting lighter, then you are getting lighter. No two scales will give you the same measurement unless they are government controlled, properly callibrated weighbridges for haulage trucks.... and I'm pretty sure none of us warrant using one of those! Plus, at the clinic, you are usually dressed differently each time. At home, you can wear the same robe, the same dress or the same birthday suit every time and get a more accurate result. As I say, I may have lost some... a couple of days of 'digestive unrest' has helped and my trousers fall down if I have more than £3.57 in change and my phone in my pockets. As for decluttering... working on that now and hopefully will be able to report positive progress next week. Enjoy the day all. LTS |
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03 Feb 11 - 11:04 AM (#3087894) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg More blog entries posted. Seeing light at the end of the tunnel! ~S~ |
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03 Feb 11 - 12:56 PM (#3087953) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg July 2010 - Present entries are posted, including a huge annual report. ~S~ |
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03 Feb 11 - 01:03 PM (#3087960) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre The sink is empty, counters are clean, healthy snacks are out waiting for me to get munchie, laundry is going and I am moving forward with the medical paperwork. It felt good to burn some of it....a good riddance of sorts! :) Not feeling so good today. Michelle |
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03 Feb 11 - 01:04 PM (#3087961) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre I forgot to add that an active search for a responsible sitter has begun so I can get to yoga a few times a week!! YAY! Michelle |
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03 Feb 11 - 02:36 PM (#3088030) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I sat down and sorted the receipts and health care files this morning before cranking up the computer. I have to pull some of the doctor visit bills from my Quicken account, and that that most tedious portion of the itemized deductions is finished. I still don't have the pickup, and I was scheduled to drive to Dallas early in the morning for my first time ever volunteering at the local public radio station. It's supposed to snow tomorrow so they cancelled the volunteers; I'll leave the truck where it is until probably Saturday morning. SRS |
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03 Feb 11 - 03:40 PM (#3088081) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: mouldy ...and it was only a snow shower! We just got gales now. Andrea (who will fess up to hitting the fish and chip shop after zumba tonight) |
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03 Feb 11 - 05:02 PM (#3088138) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg Busy day, fun FUN! The blog posts are now cross-linked with the corresponding main-website content. TBTG I had the Spirituals permathread experience here, to learn from, oy! ~Susan |
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03 Feb 11 - 06:46 PM (#3088202) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Worked in the kitchen, more order out of chaos. Found space for two small shelf units. It looks much better and my spice cabinet is not sitting on a chair. Oops was that I forgot I was going to put one of those shelf units in the bathroom- but I have a small cabinet that will work. Cleared most of the front stoop then went to get the car shoveled out to go for groceries. Got in car and looked at situation and decided I did not need groceries that much! The roads are still pretty bad from yesterday's snowfall. The news last night included a 70 vehicle pile-up, a 30 vehicle pile up and a 10 vehicle pile up - all within 20 miles of Montreal. Tomorrow .... So I did a good detox bath which took all the starch out of me. Still recovering. I had been feeling needful. Glad I got lots done first though. Finished novel, looked up author, looked up the Child Assessment Unit Cambridge (MA) on which some of it was based. So many ways to harm a child. Put the scale in the bathroom. Still holding at 160. Need to do more and eat less but not in this weather. If I get doing, I "forget" to eat. The sun poured into the LR until about 3 pm and the temp was up to 19 F; such a joy! Flurries expected tomorrow but today was lovely. I could have gone for a walk --but I needed the detox more. Supposed to go up to 26F on the weekend!! |
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03 Feb 11 - 08:29 PM (#3088261) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Sinuses are upset, probably because the house is so dry. I have some saline solution to try, and the neti pot to help if that doesn't work. Chicken steadycam for those of you needing a chuckle. :) Dorothy, did you see this letter by Bill Zeller in which he describes his reasons for committing suicide. It's very sad. I did a load of laundry last night and the washer drain overflowed. I think the line must be frozen somewhere out there. The washing machine isn't on an outside wall, so I hope this is something temporary. Better head back to the kitchen. I have a plastic Rubbermaid thing full of frozen soup bobbing in that pan of hot water I have on the stove. I may leave it there till it's ready to eat, but it would probably be better to put it in a bowl and nuke it. Heating in plastic isn't as healthy as heating in glass. The soup steam should help the sinus. SRS |
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03 Feb 11 - 09:49 PM (#3088288) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre Hey Stilly, I know you aren't used to the kind of cold you're getting at your place....I wonder if the extra heat you are using/needing is bothering your sinuses? If so, a humidifier works wonders. More progress made on the medical billing. Good grief. I think a third of my bills is to cover postage for all the ink, paper and postage they use! Michelle |
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03 Feb 11 - 10:58 PM (#3088324) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall SRS: Thanks for that link. One more thing to add into a mix that fascinates and concerns me. The author of A Boy Called It went through the most horrible sorts of abuse and became a motivational speaker; Bill Zeller went under. Why do some make it and some .... Another subject for me to ponder some more. -- You really do need to get humidity into your home! That is part of what the hot baths help me with but today's put me out of commission for 6 hours! I'm sure you don't need that. But if you do it before bed?? NEVER, ever heat in plastic!! But you know that! I hope that drain thaws soon! Michelle: I once received a medical bill erroneously. When I took it in to the clinic, a "suit" informed me, "Oh, this happens all the time. Just call....." The high cost of "health care" is in administrative errors, imo. Good luck with your organizing!! WE are more organized than THEY are, for all the good it does us! Tomorrow is a new day! We get to start anew. |
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04 Feb 11 - 12:58 AM (#3088360) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I heated my soup in glass, but in a microwave. Probably not much better than plastic. I'm thinking about getting a double boiler and a toaster oven and using the microwave less. Taxes are still underway. Dug up medical bills. Also, I used the state and local tax calculator. It gives me the choice of two communities when I bring up my zip code; one is the village where I live, an enclave of Fort Worth that has no commercial activity except the Goodwill and a State Farm insurance office, and Fort Worth, where I do virtually all of my shopping and pay sales tax. If I were so foolish as to choose my village as the place I shop, I'd lose $100 in sales tax credit. I take the dogs out every couple of hours and make sure they're set for the night so I don't have to get up before dawn. Last night I slept in the front room where the smaller furnace is - I woke up sweating because the dogs were on the futon, close-by my side. Those pooches really crank out the BTUs! I'll probably do that again tonight, and will leave that heater down also, to stay comfortable. I'm using a sleeping bag (inherited from my son, who outgrew it when he topped 6'). No way I'm putting good sheets on the futon with dog hair. Saturday it's supposed to get above freezing. I have yet another snow day tomorrow - four days off in a week in Texas because of ice is unprecidented. There is a great graphic going around that really does describe what many of us are experiencing. I hope most of you can see it: Southerner's Enjoyment of Snow Over Time. SRS |
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04 Feb 11 - 10:54 AM (#3088586) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg I have several glass nukables I use for just about everything-- casseroles with lids. In the upstrs ofc/kitchen I have a glass saucepan with lid, which I got at a Sal Army, which I also use for everything including eating out of it. The warm glass and the handle make it a great oatmeal dish and that's one less to wash. There's been many a delish and nutrish ramen-based lunch upstrs with that glass pan-- I add good stuff from the mini-fridge and dine on gourmet mini-meals. Because for us, what to eat and when to eat is more important that what to serve it out of. ~Susan |
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04 Feb 11 - 05:25 PM (#3088841) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall I am uncertain about the perils, or not, of nuking. I do it a lot. I would certainly look at it more closely if I were younger - it just doesn't matter - or if I had children. But my friend Connie does it - in glass only - so I figure it cannot be too bad, She is my benchmark/health and science consultant! I have gotten back to making a thermos of herb tea in the morning, using a pan on the stove. If it were HOT weather...? In PA, I had the distiller and the crock pot on the porch in the summer. This morning I wrote a four page draft of another approach to the raccoon story. I feel very good about that. I am going to need to consolidate at some point. I am preparing for when the reporter contacts me so I have the raccoons in a row! Also tried to contact the rescue org that did not help us when we needed it. I would like to have it included so others will not have our problem: We had the guys four months and they became so important to us that we still miss them - A LOT! Originally we were only to keep them until they were weaned but we found no where for them to go. Also googled worm composters as it is a pain to struggle through the deepening snow. I never thought of this when I put the composter there. But I also had not thought of placing a huge portable garage between the back door and the compost - making it a 50-60 foot trip instead of 20 feet and, the way things turned out, I wonder if I am tromping on an important flower bed! Nice to have a 25F day and some sunshine. Went to pay a bill and bought some groceries. Hmm, thought of another subject for writing, developing it in my head in bed this morning. I better get it down before I forget again. How I wish, as I have for about 60 years!, that my brain could connect to a machine that would write down my thoughts. Seems I heard a glimmering of that... |
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04 Feb 11 - 05:51 PM (#3088855) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I called again to see if the Chevy dealer is open, but there is no answer. Hopefully tomorrow when it's above freezing I'll be able to walk over and drive home (via the grocery store and the post office). The dogs have been out in the yard for a while; it's still cold, but the sun has melted a lot of snow and ice. These last few days haven't been at all productive, they've been cold and miserable, mainly focused around taking the dogs out every couple of hours and doing things that won't be impacted if the power goes off suddenly. I think we're past that now, so life can move on. I need to think about getting a couple of uninterrupted power supplies (I have one here that is ancient, probably needs a new battery pack, it belonged to my dad). They did a segment on the Nate Berkus show today about decluttering, but the bulk of the program was preempted for a lengthy and mindless discussion of snow sliding off of Cowboys Stadium. They could have run a crawl across the screen for all the "news" the event engendered. All I can say is that this first Super Bowl for North Texas is probably the last Super Bowl for North Texas. It is snakebit! The taxes are moving along. I probably will finish them this evening, and I'll make that my goal, to finish them before I head out tomorrow to do anything else. SRS |
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04 Feb 11 - 06:03 PM (#3088861) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stringsinger There is no diet. Just what we as humans elect to eat. Clutter is hard to deal with for me. My little Calico cat Birdie loves it. When she and her sister Lily were in their respective cages as kittens, Lily was neat and tidy and Birdie made a mess of everything. She loves my studio room as a result. Clutter does mess up the brain, though. Exercise, if sensible should get the oxygen flowing, the blood and muscles active and affect mental well-being. Overdoing exercise, being a jock, beating yourself up as a miler on pavement, lifting too much weight, combat sports, and overexertion is counter-productive, injuries to the legs, knees etc. Moderation in all things including moderation. |
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04 Feb 11 - 09:25 PM (#3088954) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre SRS, I once attended a nutrition seminar at Cornell University. According to the expert panel, microwaving depletes nutrients, more so when actually cooking food vs. reheating. Michelle |
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04 Feb 11 - 09:42 PM (#3088962) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Every so often I hear something new about microwave, and there was something on the radio a week or two ago. I can't remember what program, but the gist of it was how it affects the molecules it heats. In a fashion that isn't good for us. I'll have to poke around and see if there is more. Taxes still moving along. This year my itemized deductions are not greater than the standard deduction. I could have saved myself a lot of work if I'd known that. The sun defrosted some of the snow this afternoon, but now it is a hard freeze again and everything that was soft and fluffy earlier is now a hard slick coat of ice. The dogs can spend the daytime outside over the weekend. Back to taxes. I came in to print up the EIC stuff for line 64a. Slowly getting there. I've been scolding myself for not getting much done during these very cold days, but this task is almost finished and that will be something. Part of the procrastination process is to put off things that you know are possibly going to be negative (pay extra or get a tax refund?) or the discomfort of doing something you know will be expensive (getting the pickup repaired). But I've done both those things this week, so in this, at least, I didn't put it off. I have one more repair on the truck, and I must pace myself, but it isn't as urgent. Only 12 more lines on this form and I'm finished. (Then I have to file it electronically, but that's kind of fun, once the work is finished.) SRS |
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05 Feb 11 - 01:27 AM (#3089013) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Those tax forms, for every line it seems I need to go find a new publication with a worksheet. But I finished!!! Filled out the online forms and filed electronically. This week was feeling like a non-productive time, with such cold and dark days, but this evening I've broken free of that malaise because the bills are paid and the income taxes are out of the way. No outdoor work this weekend, it will still be miserable. After the ice comes the mud. I'll work on things around the house, and hopefully I'll get my pickup back in the morning so I can stop by the post office and the grocery store. I'm out of fresh fruit and green stuff after a week stuck in the house. I'm munching the last apple this evening, and it's just this side of mealy. SRS |
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05 Feb 11 - 09:55 AM (#3089164) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage The sun is out, bright on the sparkling frozen world, and will hopefully make short shrift of the ice on the roads. The Chevy dealer has people there this morning and I'll walk over to get my truck after the sun has had time to work (but before noon, because they work a half-day). I see in my email that the IRS has accepted my electronic return, so my next step is to fill out the FAFSA forms (federal student aid). That's the goal for today, so the kids can keep their paperwork up to date. Good goals, if rather sedentary. I'll move the carpet from the bedroom where I created the soft landing for dogs coming in the window and use the step stool for doing some step exercises. I'll walk to the dealer this morning, 3 blocks that will be very carefully stepped all the way with the remaining ice. I've drawn up a frugal budget for myself this month, one to stick with as this year I work to pay off several bills. The first few days of February were almost frozen in place around here, but with the bright sun this morning I feel like I can move forward with some of my activities and make plans. About time! SRS |
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05 Feb 11 - 11:15 AM (#3089197) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg OK. SRS: Thanks for not taking my last post in this thread personally (cuz it warn't meant so). It's one of the things I like best about you and your leadership in this thread. All: GOGOGO!!! OUT OUT OUT!!!! Never EVER think that just because I do not reference your posts I am not reading them and sending encourgaement, cuz Ah usually IZ. ==== Us: Food/fridge: We're in withdrawal mode from taking out the spare fridge, and the attic stairs are nice and cold and hard to get at, to wean ourselves. Especially useful for stuff to pre-cool before packing for the freezer. In the meantime the K fridge is getting more and more vegetarian-like as time goes by, and each week I add one new veg to the shoplist to put into practice all I'm learning from cooking programs (pls no advice on same). Water: The friend's spring is on a road that is not open (we looked), and we will be out of potable water in 3 days. Exploring options. Water in any container from peeps coming to church, if they think theirs is safe, is welcome. We have enough fillable jugs loaded in the van to re-up our supply till balmy weather makes the friend's spring accessible. We are also exploring other Potter County options, off the frack map: AM I FRACKED UP? Laundry: I was sick last week. It's clean. Next is fold and put. Uck. It's a tower of full hampers staring at me. Blog: 5 or 6 posts left to hang up and crosslink. Finance: This past month a friend taught me how to TAKE PayPal $$, whoo hoo! One of two books I ordered is here; a support system is in place; home energy svgs are long-solved; other economies planned; long story (no advice here needed). Friends: A SAD friend has resurrected in time to plan a lunch next week, HOO rah! SAD: I'se winnin' this year (barely), but OMG is it hard! Personal: A skin issue that has been screamingly painful for several days is finally scabbed over. It's where I sit. Ydy I was actually able to wear trousers. Hopefully progress will continue. ~Susan |
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05 Feb 11 - 11:20 AM (#3089204) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: mouldy Having weighed myself yesterday on my own (digital) scales, I have come to the conclusion that either me or the docs need a new set...There was at least 12lbs difference. One woman at my zumba class says she refuses to get on the ones at the surgery! Mine used to always be very close to the WW scales. Tidy up session tonight, as the UK based tribe are all (5 of 'em) arriving tomorrow, and then I have Freya for 4 days, while the adult 4 enjoy themselves on the piste in Aviemore. Toddler wrangling...what grannies are for, I suppose. Andrea |
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05 Feb 11 - 10:12 PM (#3089546) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage If you can't trust the doctor's scale, try on your old clothes. Those are the best way to see if you're down a size or not. We're in withdrawal mode from taking out the spare fridge . . . I'm in the same mode, Susan. I have a freezer full of stuff, it is mid-winter, and I need to eat what I stored to save the cash for paying for things like the higher electric bill. I need to eat the stuff I stored because it is also healthier! I went shopping today, and some of the things I bought will last for the month. Most of them, actually. In theory, my purchases should be pretty minimal this month. Will help pay for work on truck, to spend less on other things. (Truck now runs great!) Tonight will be nice, just me in the house. The dogs are comfortable back in their own digs in the garage, and with the freedom to come and go as they need. SRS |
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06 Feb 11 - 11:20 AM (#3089820) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: maire-aine Seemingly out of nowhere we got five inches of snow yesterday. The forecast in the morning was only one or two inches. Yikes! The city plow came by about 2 hours ago, so I dug out the bottom of my driveway. Not going anywhere today, so I started cleaning out my refrigerator. I've planned my week's meals, and I'm going to try to stick to the plan. Started out with oatmeal for breakfast. Susan, I recently dealt with a sore spot near the same area. What a relief to get it healed up. Maryanne |
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06 Feb 11 - 01:19 PM (#3089908) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage This morning I made a cup of tea and sat down to finish the FAFSA before doing anything else. It is now out of the way for the kids. This morning's work was all more of my Conquer Procrastination program. :) It doesn't look like the Stupor Bowl is going to get snow or rain as they originally predicted. Looks like the town cleared up nicely just in time for the big event. I swept up some sunflower dried seed heads I'd tossed in the driveway snow to see if the birds were interested, but they only seem to like them when they're on the plant in the fall. As long as there is commercial seed around, the local stuff is of no interest. I swept it up and won't put any more out, I'll toss them by the creek and let native sunflowers stabilize the bank. Another batch of laundry was washed last night and the drain is still backing up a bit, but not as much. I think there must have been a frozen plug at the intersection from the kitchen branch to the main line; I have another load to run today and will continue to monitor it. Meanwhile, in the declutter department, here is the Nate Berkus segment I was watching when the local station interrupted it during the week. It's a segment with Peter Walsh, an "organizing guru." The link should bring up the page where the segment will play, and if you scroll down the page itself you'll see a couple of the earlier segments with Walsh. It doesn't all apply to all of us, but there might be useful tidbits there. This is what I think is most useful for me: "Cluttered people spend between 15 and 20% of their budgets on things they don't need, lose, or misplace. If you want to give yourself a 20% pay rise, declutter and you'll suddenly start finding stuff at home that you didn't know you had and you're buying duplicates of to replace. Re: skin stuff, my organic gardening radio program the host was talking about the ways people have used a soak in water with corn meal to be beneficial to skin problems. It's also good for toenail fungus, etc. I'd suggest do like the do with oatmeal for chickenpox and put some coarsely ground cornmeal into a mesh bag and let it soak in the tub for a little while then get in an soak or rinse off liberally with it. Quantities are speculative (for me) but if I were doing it, I'd use a mesh or even muslin bag and put a 1/2 cup to a cup in it, then once it has soaked a little, gently squeeze it to get the corn juice into the water and rinse or soak from there. Scroll down the C page for various corn entries. (File this under "it can't hurt, it might help" if you're not well acquainted with a lot of these organic gardening tips. Howard Garrett is a landscape architect who has been into organic gardening and healthy living ideas for about 25 years now.) SRS |
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06 Feb 11 - 09:40 PM (#3090155) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I did a little cleaning out of the old stuff in the fridge because tomorrow is trash day. Tonight I'm planning to watch a movie and I'll fold a couple of loads of laundry while I'm at it, but not so conscientiously as to miss the movie. The big goals for the weekend, tax and FAFSA were completed, so after a couple of other quick checks online the computer will be turned off so it won't interrupt the movie. I have a couple from NetFlix, I'll toss a coin to see which it is tonight. I've watched enough of Downton Abbey for now. SRS |
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07 Feb 11 - 12:21 AM (#3090198) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Made 8 quarts of chili on Saturday because I had soaked to many beans and had to do something. Then made a pot of potato-corn soup off the cuff since the potatoes needed to be used. Very good and unrepeatable! Grocery shopping in the midst, then computer and reading until we went out to supper - around the corner. A wonderful event because I was able to understand enough of the conversations to not feel left out. One of the results of my environmental poisoning is auditory processing disorder (APD); I often have so much trouble processing that it seems as though everyone is speaking a foreign language. So it was fantastic to be a part of the event rather than just a silent attender. It was special because our hosts were new friends, met on the street, but the father of the husband, we discovered, was an old friend (40 years) of Rob's! Wonderful conversation - geology, history, canoeing, music, and more. The husband is a musician, wife a lawyer for aboriginal people, mother a nurse, father ? and another guest helps anglophone groups in Quebec get funding for special projects. A totally delightful evening! Today was laid back - Quaker Meeting, then business meeting, then home for lunch and do nothing - read paper/book/stuff on internet and, simultaneously, - SHOCK!!! - the super bowl "it's a cultural event" . "It's NOISE!" So he turned the sound down. We have closed captions because I understand next to nothing auditorily on TV. Chili for supper, of course. Most of it went in freezer. Ahh! Winter in Montreal. About 9 pm the sirens went and we had to dash out and move our vehicles for snow removal - otherwise they would be towed. So I had about a four block walk home when I finally found parking. There were signs up but I had not noticed them when we came home earlier. In the process, Rob flew off the top of the stoop and landed on his back - without breaking anything! Now he is in a hot bath. As my 84 year old friend is fond of saying, "Life is fraught with hazard." |
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07 Feb 11 - 02:07 AM (#3090224) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage What a day you had, Dorothy! I watched one of the movies, and now that I have it back in the sleeve and sat down to write a review at Netflix, it's going back in the mail. This was Eat Pray Love and I'd heard interviews with Elizabeth Gilbert, the author, speak about her trip, but the film tried too hard to show every step. Clearly I need to get my hands on this book. The story as filmed was very similar to Under the Tuscan Sun, but Tuscan Sun was done much better. I read the book after seeing the film, and I loved it, but I don't look at the movie the same way (they made changes they didn't need to, and could have left in so much more, but then, that's a complaint I had about tonight's movie, so I guess they made the right choices!) I'm glad I made the time to sit down and watch it, just the same. There were some beautiful locales, but they took too long getting there. Work day tomorrow. After a strange prolonged bout of bad weather, it will take a little catching up. Stay warm, everyone, we're in for another blast of Arctic weather. SRS |
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07 Feb 11 - 07:11 AM (#3090306) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Manitas_at_home Actually LTS on the sofa.... Same old, same old here. The WiiFit tells me I'm 31, my knees tell me to add about 40 years to that. Tai Chi starts tonight, which could be interesting.... Decluttering has progressed a little... just another bag of paper to the recycling and a bag of fabric to the giant storage boxes in the computer room.... One day I'll get the card making stuff sorted and that will free up a shelf, onto which the other box of quilting fabric can go. I am decluttering that slowly by making more quilts - 2 children's, 3 adults to go - one of which is in the final quilting stages, and one still on paper. It's a slow job and seems to generate more clutter than it clears, but I can see the difference even if no-one else can! The purchase of a small table just to put the sewing project boxes on was a great help - they are out of the way and I have a useful surface to fill with cat. If I could just have a week of me in the house alone, with no-one else to bother about clearing space or cooking for, I might just make a decent go of the clearing.... but then again.... :-D Enjoy the day all, stay warm if it's snowy, safe if it's icy and sane if you're anything else! LTS |
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07 Feb 11 - 07:47 AM (#3090325) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre Mission accomplished. Almost all my medical papers are in order, arranged by date and type of paper...whether it be appointments, referrals, hospital billing, insurance billing, etc. It wasn't hard, just a matter of sitting down and doing it. There are some remaining papers that I did not organize into a binder other than miscellaneous.....consent forms for chemo, paperwork on what ovarian cancer is, |
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07 Feb 11 - 07:50 AM (#3090329) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre (oops hit send too soon) Anyway, the papers that brought instant and heavy tears were just set aside. They don't need to be in order. They just need to be together. I'm ok with that. Billing, fine. Actual procedural stuff just brings up too much. It's all together in one spot and I feel really good about getting it done. Today's adventure includes hunting for a nightstand with drawers (for the living room), finding a carpet remnant that will cover more space than our current rug (for little ones to crawl on and stay warmer). I hear chatter from upstairs...time to go get the baby and start the day! :) What a sweet, sweet sound! Have a great day! Michelle |
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07 Feb 11 - 11:14 AM (#3090451) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Michelle, you'll have a lot of deductions for your 2010 income taxes, so sorting these papers now will make that job a lot easier. This morning it is sunny, but we have another winter weather alert for tomorrow. Somehow that cold cold weather last week was enervating, I did finish the paperwork, but it doesn't feel like a lot. I'd love to sew for a whole week also, Liz! It has been a few days since I offered a glimpse into the procrastination book. The chapter I'm reading now talks about what we imagine - those instances when we hesitate or put things off because we imagine a bad outcome (she calls this "fortune telling") or when we speculate on the emotions of others ("mind reading"). With fortune telling, we visualize possible outcomes and if a bad one occurs to us, it sometimes stops us in our tracks - she suggests if we think about it further, we'll realize that there are other more rational outcomes that are more likely to happen. And mind reading is anticipating the reactions of others and hesitating to act because of those fears of others' reactions. She refers to these types of assumptions as "thinking errors." In a personal note, she says If you are like me, you will be able to use the information in this book to begin to change. It will start with becoming more self-aware. With self-awareness comes choice. You will be able to choose to use your usual ways of coping, such as procrastination, or choose to use one of the kills from this book. Try to put the skills you learn into action as often as you can. Know that the urges tor emotions or instincts that make you procrastinate will not go away all at once. Try to make the instances of procrastination less each day is the summation of those remarks. It's what I hope for. SRS |
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07 Feb 11 - 11:57 AM (#3090470) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg OK, the backlog of blog posts are up, tagged, dated, etc. The blog's owner has the info to carry it forward. A few things could be better organized-- he can say when, and I can coach him thru it. His orientation has been going well. I just have to crosslink in those last posts, and I'll be off to do that shortly. A second blog has been started for a second owner, who has been sending me his stuff in doc form for some months. Five of the 23 posts I have are up. (He will be able to look at the above owner's blog to see how tags and excerpt were determined, and take over entering and managing his own posts soon.) It's fun seeing how/what other folks think, and what messages they are putting out there-- some that they know they are sending, and some they may not always realize are as positive and powerful as they are. I always enjoyed seeing that in face-to-face org. consults. It's neat to do it at a distance for people I know and value. ~Susan |
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07 Feb 11 - 03:10 PM (#3090620) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall SRS: The movie Eat Pray Love was better than the book, imo. I found the best part of the film was the scenery. I read the book hoping for something interesting but finished it disgusted. My son's 52 year old wife, a terrific writer, agreed -self-centred, expensive, navel gazing. However, we are both a bit off the wall. If you google Julie Quiring, she has some stuff posted on Salon. Her sense of humour is exquisite - imo! 32F here today!!!!! So I took a chair onto the front stoop and cleaned the HEPA filter for the shop vac, the only one I use - because it has a HEPA filter. It was long overdue. I took a pair of scissors with a rounded end and cleaned each ridge into a plastic sack, held very carefully to catch maximum dust, then held the sack closed and banged it against the stone wall, gently, to remove more. Wore a respirator throughout. About 40 minute job. After noting on FB the need for worm composter - as my compost is now a 50 foot hike through the deep snow, I googled and found the best choice at the downtown University. placed an order on line on Saturday and this morning a young woman called to make an appointment. Tomorrow I go to the U and she will help me set it up and instruct me on the care and feeding. I am so looking forward to this! Then I walked down to my car, thinking I would move it closer. But, there is very little legal, snow-cleared space nearby so, not needing to go anywhere, I left it there so I would not have a repeat of last night. It was a nice ten block round trip on a warm, cloudy day. Lightly snowing and more expected. Hope they clear the other side tonight or things could get difficult. Reading about all this sorting of medical papers, I realize how fortunate I was when I had my breast C thing, five years ago. I was on medicare and a supplement. I just put all the incoming papers in a folder and forgot about them. Think I have gotten rid of them. I discovered, and must keep reminding myself, that one reason for putting things off is the amount of time I THINK it will take - like putting in that zipper - less than an hour! or cleaning the filter - ditto. Things get built up in my mind and .... We talked about the kitchen this am over brekkie. I presented my rough idea and "why wait?" The bugs need to be gotten rid of; most of the first floor removed, literally. Why keep putting it off? Reminded me that I have, or had, a KITCHEN file. Maybe it is in one of those boxes in the shed. Something to look for. Time to revamp the list of things to do. I need to put more time into making the second floor a real living space. TO DO! Now I need lunch! |
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07 Feb 11 - 03:15 PM (#3090630) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Sunny now but cold coming our way again. I'll need to be more productive if we're snowed in again. I have stuff to do. This week is playing catchup at work for the delayed stuff. I need to start up eBay again. The declutter component with less procrastination might clear out the sun room a little faster. I have a vision of what that room can look like once all of the stuff in there is sold and shipped. SRS |
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08 Feb 11 - 01:43 AM (#3090926) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg That skin thing is really healing now-- since I have had some time home-alone to run around knickerless to let a LOT of air get to it. OMG this one has been BAD! And it's not quite where you think it is. (It started as a bad scrape, is all, and damn near became a bed sore.) I know, TMI-- but another thing that helped was NOT sitting-- applying healing salve and then staying upright as long as I could. I sure got a lot done that way.... ~S~ |
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08 Feb 11 - 01:59 PM (#3091222) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage ;-D The direct deposit from the gas royalties are now set up, and as I promised myself, it is being used only to pay bills. Ironic yet appropriate that gas royalties paid my electric bill this month! I switched companies so this was the final payment, and the rate I'm paying has now dropped from 10.1 to 8.1 per kwh. In decluttering this week I've been clearing the counters in the kitchen of things that hadn't moved for a while, items that needed to be addressed (the non-grinding pepper mill, jars to the jar cupboard or the recycle bin, etc). All gone now. Last night I made a batch of spaghetti sauce that was almost completely homegrown. I ran out of onions quite a while ago or it would have been a sweep. The garlic, herbs, tomatoes (chunk and sauce) and green peppers were all from my garden. I have more onions in the garden now, and despite the cold, they still seem to be growing. SRS |
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08 Feb 11 - 07:28 PM (#3091447) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg .... a lot done that way just in time to put pants on for Adrian the Handyman's scheduled visit today-- and did WE kick some butt. A long-running problem has been dog dust in the house. A hard-to-address source of the dust has been the dog porch between their kitchen sleeping corner and Dog World. It has always had a rug for their walk-off mat, but it was always cheap, undersized rug scraps that never really laid flat. It would shift, but worse, it would ruck up and wrinkle so that no vacuuming could pick up the dust that, in spring mud season, is so bad we feel like we have horses in the house. And pigs and goats. Today-- I'm having a hard time typing BTW due to the transports of Peanuts-like Snoopy-dancing-- we implemented My New Plan. The goal-- a dog porch Hardi can VACUUM as he now regularly vacs the kitchen and downstairs, with the big AccuSuck shop vac. So-- we took pieces of scrap plywood (created as scrappage when the sleeping-attic shelving was replaced with a beautiful thrift shop locker), and cut puzzle pieces to fit the oddly-shaped floor in the dog porch. I had some leftover crappy ruggage we'd PURPOSELY left on the front porch in storage-- an old bath carpet that makes a good cutting-pattern for the periodically-replaced carpeting in the loo. Anyhoo we "upholstered" the scrap-ply flooring's "puzzle pieces" with this, wrapping and staple-gunning it securely. ("Oh NO! Hardi away, my staple gun missing, what to DO!" Cell + landlord = joy.) I can take the puzzle pieces out as needed for a thorough pressure-washing, and I can add new layers of ruggage as each loo carpet is recycled out of use and demoted to dogdom. Removable cleats will hold the pieces down, around the perimeter, acting like baseboards. The cleats will ALSO improve the weather-proofing around the base of the dog porch. On Ade's next visit we plan to make a dog door to cut winter cold-air flow (from Dog World into their corner and MY COLD KITCHEN). We cut and fit the ruggage so well that from a 6x9 piece, we had only a few handfuls of unused scrap to toss! And we had JUST enough plywood, too! I LOVE using up stuff!!! (STUFF!) Then we addressed the last saved scrap of really-good carpeting Hardi and I'd gotten a year or so ago.... one piece had gone in my office, one huge one in the LR, one in the K, and Ade helped me lay a BIG piece up in the sailboats-bedroom a few months ago. THAT one was the newest, thickest, best grade of all the pieces. An odd-shaped remnant was left.... and PERFECTLY fit the dogs' sleeping corner, so that a years-muddy MESS that had sat there (to keep them off cold, bare, ceramic tiles) LEFT. The old piece was duly bagged and saved-- it also makes a great cutting pattern. In mud season Hardi will take it to the carwash to blast the mud out, and it will go back into their corner one more time while this THICK winter one gets a good cleaning. THE RESULT: The dogs' total indoor environment is now actually CLEANABLE, and the tax refund (tax lady called today, YAY!) is going towards a GOOD kitchen air-cleaner to supplement the little one we funded, which has been a champ; it was planned to go IN their sleeping corner and has pulled so much more dust out of the air than I had ever hoped. The new, BIG one will do even better; Ade will install the little one in their corner to reduce how much dust floats up above the barrier and into my DR. Also on his next visit (2 weeks) we will build a mondo shelf unit out of 2x4's to take up the space the nasty, energy-hog fridge took up. Hardi always needs more storage space in the laundry room/mudroom. Adrian LOVES carpentry so HE will be in hog heaven, too. Today's visit was courtesy of #1 son and DIL. Their gift $$ arrived while Ade worked, in the mail. In between helping Adrian I finished the blog postings for the friend-- 23 postings at an average of 1,000 words each. LOVED seeing his writing mind and his heart in these-- a real privilege to be allowed to help, even at 23,000 words! A little Tramadol and Aleve, and it's chairtime for me! ~Susan |
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08 Feb 11 - 08:52 PM (#3091496) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Round two of the really cold stuff is on the way. I expect snow tomorrow (the prediction is at 100%) and the next day it is supposed to get down to 12. This is awfully cold for north Texas (not North Dakota!) I did my shopping, I'm set to stay in for the next couple of days. I will see if I can get more done around the house this time. SRS |
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08 Feb 11 - 09:47 PM (#3091510) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre Today I made pancakes for all of us...so fun to watch Jeremiah try new things! Dishes done, loaf of bread made. Later in the day I had to take the car to the garage. I had some things fixed and parts needed to be ordered so I'll be going back next week. This evening I made over 70 Valentine Day cards for local cancer survivors for the American Cancer Society. Lace. Ribbons, Cut out hearts....fun! :) I'm taking a break at the moment but before I got to bed, I have scraps everywhere that will get picked up and the floor swept. :) It's supposed to be somewhere around minus 10 degrees here tonight. Brrrr. I am thankful for a warm home. Night Everybody! Michelle |
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09 Feb 11 - 12:31 AM (#3091558) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Michelle, you are such a sweetheart. ♥ You are the valentine for those folks, hands down. I know I've told you before how proud I am of how well you came through the last year, but I'll say it again. And I'm pleased to see you turn around and pass it along. As to baby stuff: I remember when my daughter (Moonglow) was sitting in her high chair enjoying a pack of m&ms from Halloween. She was 2 at the time, older than Jeremiah, but it was a "first" in that she hadn't had much candy before. I scolded her for taking too long to eat her snack, only to have her protest in such a way that made me realize that she wasn't being slow about eating, she was playing with the colors, enjoying the look of the candy more than the candy. And it was silly to insist she eat these and be done when what she really wanted was to LOOK at the things. I learned so much from my children over the years. SRS |
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09 Feb 11 - 03:12 PM (#3091970) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Another snow day. Amazing. Five of them so far this winter. I slept late after getting up very early to check and see if there would be work (the clue that it was cancelled was the freezing rain hitting the window at about 4am). I've puttered, folded laundry, and had the dogs out a couple of times in the yard because once again it is too cold for them to stay in the garage. The kitchen is clean, but there's a lot of other stuff to do around here. Stay warm, everyone! SRS |
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09 Feb 11 - 04:12 PM (#3092009) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: maeve Hang in there, Stilly. It's no fun being cold, whatever the temperature is in other parts of the country or world. |
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09 Feb 11 - 04:33 PM (#3092018) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall http://www.metrovancouver.org/about/publications/Publications/wormcompostbrochure.pdf Just in case anyone is interested, the above is a link to an excellent brochure on worm composting. After considerable learning experience - don't try to drive downtown unless you know where you are going and where to park - I picked up my worm composter at Concordia U from a lovely young French canadian woman who loves folk music and would LOVE to go to the cafe with us sometime. I got lots of exercise. Parked and walked three different times, hurrying! - 4-8 blocks each way, each time. And learned that I really do need to DO MORE. I ache just a bit today. So now I have to mind the care and feeding of these little wigglers. Because the outdoor compost bin is about 50 feet away through a couple feet of snow. That was the good news! Monday I got lots done on the computer, looking for info. That was good too. Then Rob came home about 9 pm - dizzy and hurting. He and an employee had tried to hold up a very heavy machine.... He could not even walk straight. No, he does not drink! So, yesterday was a day of rest. Of course the drama queen (bro) kept calling and insisting he go to hospital. I talked to a knowledgeable friend and we agreed to watch it and see. R was not dizzy in the am but had "niggly" headache. Anyway, due to the concussion/subdural hematoma in the fall, we ended up deciding to go to the hospital at 9pm. Trying to get out the door when bro shows up: go to the hospital! ...... but first sign this,..... take this to read, ..... what do you think about this............. The triage nurse gave it a four, five being least important and, with her understanding, we came home, got a good sleep and went back this morning. I dropped him off and came home to continue getting things done. Now, after a back x-ray and a CT (mindful of the radiation but...), he is home feeling good enough to go to work. No serious injury to back. The brain is healing normally and the dizziness was probably caused by fumes where he was working. He found out the employee was also dizzy! I am thinking of that Christopher Robin poem - "And how to amuse them today!" So all of that is good news also. I did get computer stuff done while he was at the hospital and had a long chat with a supportive friend who has know each of us over 40 years. "Everybody is fed up with (bro)." Now I need R&R to recover - not from Rob's mishap because I had that pegged from the get-go, but from dealing with bro. I hung up on him three times yesterday. The biggest de-clutter we need is to keep him from manipulating, stressing, blithering ad nauseum. The importance of positive people in our lives! He pollutes our home by merely entering it. I feel, like our friend who found the dead rat in her stove drawer, I need a way to cleanse my home, and my spirit of this negativity. Off I go, to mudcat and FB to relax some and, hopefully, think of a de-clutter strategy for this, short of abandoning Rob which has occurred to me today. I do feel that wrecked. Maybe a clearness committee or, even a committee of care. I'll phone Sandra. |
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09 Feb 11 - 06:16 PM (#3092090) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall OK, better now! Talked to a couple dear long time friends who gave me lots of positive pats. Sandra was not available but her husband is a sweetie. And Molly, another long time friend. told me how glad she is to have me back in Montreal and Rob as part of our Quaker meeting. Positive feedback trumps negativity! My innards are de-cluttering. I am prepared to be moderately reasonable again. |
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09 Feb 11 - 07:16 PM (#3092129) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg Good!!! Because: he biggest de-clutter we need is to keep him from.... you know that you can't control him, of course, but only your own responses.... one of which might be to: ___________________. ~Susan |
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09 Feb 11 - 08:55 PM (#3092163) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I was aware, growing up, that my parents each had a feud going with one of their parents. My Dad didn't speak to his mother (his father had died back in 1947), though she wrote regularly. Only after he moved out did I open one of the letters on the table for him (but never retrieved) and wrote back did to my grandmother for the first time. I was in high school. My mother didn't get along with her father (her mother died when she was five-years-old) and my Dad didn't help it by re-fueling the fire when it looked like they might reconcile. Anyway, I decided that was no way to keep a family together, so I worked at staying friends with both parents and my family. We siblings had a rough patch after they died, and a mentally ill sib was now out of control w/ no parental restraint. There was an occasion at my dad's estate when that sib came over. I happened to discover a loaded pistol in Dad's sock drawer, and I really feared for my life if the sib saw that gun. I loaded it into a box and locked it in my truck until I could take it to a friend to keep. I find it no surprise that three years after his death, only a year after we settled the estate, I developed cancer. I was kind of stuck with that toxic relationship during the two years it took to finish the estate. Hopefully you can push back and get the poison out of the household more easily than I did. Today I did some work for work, though it was a snow day off. I have too much to catch up on to let it all wait until tomorrow. It's early yet, let's see if I can take something off of my "to do" list. I did finish paying my bills yesterday, so that's pretty good. Maybe I can clean my office this evening? It's super slick outside, so anything I clean out will sit in a bag in here until I can carry it outside safely. SRS |
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10 Feb 11 - 12:41 PM (#3092538) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Is there a family extant that does not have at least one toxic member. We find our supports elsewhere, with dint of effort and good luck. So it helped me to talk with my friends. And, yes, Susan, we are each accountable for our own feelings and what we do about them. I cannot, at present, get only one brother out of my life. They are still, as one close friend keeps saying, "joined at the hip". However, I shall have to let R know that I do not consider his bro worth coping with, not even for R's sake. I am not prepared to spend the years I have left, being abused and watching R be abused. I will not accept living with that amount of clutter. The "deal" I made with him in Aug 2009 was, "I will not leave you unless you want me to do so or unless you abandon me." I have had to define abandonment a few times since. He is moving his office to our home to avoid interference; if bro is allowed in home..... There! I wrote a bunch more and moved it to Stuff of Life. But it helped un-clutter my mind and clarify what I need to say to R. Life moves on. I worked on more Quaker stuff this morning and sent off a matter of corporate interest to share with the rest of our small group. Still working on several other subjects so when they arise, the info is available. It feels good to be doing these things. Also sharing links from and to friends on FB. I choose only to have friends I know face to face. I enjoy spending the time keeping that much in touch with those who participate. Now it is a cold (20 F), sunny day and I could go shopping but maybe I will just stay where it is almost warm and read, write and cogitate. It is supposed to warm up starting tonight. Then I will feel like doing more than sitting wrapped in a down throw with my feet on the heating pad! Maybe the upstairs can, then, start really getting cleaned and stuff moved up there. A change of venue! But it will not be as convenient on two floors as one. Especially when we have to go outside to go from one floor to the other. Because it is best to maintain the wall until the downstairs is renovated so dust.... Now is a good time for a detox bath. I am hypersensitive to newsprint this morning. Off I go! |
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10 Feb 11 - 01:48 PM (#3092592) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage The dogs are out in the yard sleeping in the sun. They can go into their warm garage stall, so I am assuming they prefer the sunshine. Seems the ground must be moist and cold, but the rays they're soaking in counter the chill below. However it works out, they're outside again and much better off when they can resume the life of outdoor dogs. I buried a dead white-winged dove in one of the vegetable garden raised beds this morning. Might as well get the nutrients into the soil, I won't be planting that bed for a couple of months. Kind of like putting a fish in with the corn seed? Anyway, poor thing perished in the drive, though most of the birds I saw during the cold were doing just fine. There was one that was behaving oddly, trying to drive off the others. Perhaps it was this one, and he was ill? My desk is covered with stuff I'm working on, and I have to rearrange some deadlines because of all of the snow days we've had. I told my boss that I've been reading that procrastination book, that I'm looking at reordering some of the things I do. I hope it will pay off in my evaluation later in the year! He said he read it at the time of the meeting and found he had a couple of things to change. He knows I'm working on becoming a reformed character! SRS |
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10 Feb 11 - 02:30 PM (#3092625) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre SRS, Thanks for the kind words!!! :) :) :) I did the usual chores today and am planning on making a big pot of beef stew in an hour or so along with some homemade rolls. I have to go to the hospital tomorrow for another check-up and again on Monday for something else. It is my hopes that there is enough stew for tomorrow night as I KNOW I will not want to be cooking when I get home. I had company come over this morning for a bit too. She said, "I thought you weren't going to clean." I said, "I didn't." That was the truth and felt really good!!!! :) Michelle |
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10 Feb 11 - 02:47 PM (#3092635) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: maire-aine Went out for a while yesterday (lunch with friends) & stopped at the paperback trade-in store; came away with 8 mystery stories to read. Looks like I'll be inside for a while longer, because we're still in the deep-freeze. But next week is supposed to be better-- into the mid-30sF-- so some of the piles of snow may melt a little. I've been going thru Old House Journal/Interiors magazines and getting them ready to take to the recycling center. I did rip out a few articles/pictures for my kitchen remodelling planning book. After reading the last few posts, I realize there are some advantages to being an only child. Maryanne |
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10 Feb 11 - 03:30 PM (#3092664) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: GUEST,mg there are people who would love to read those magazines...would it be possible to drop them at a laundromat? mg |
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10 Feb 11 - 06:42 PM (#3092807) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage There was a knock at the door today, and the contractors for AT&T said they were here to run the line from the pole on one side of my yard down under the fence, following the right of way that cuts across the middle of the back yard, and to the stanchion in the next door neighbor's yard on the other side. The lines from there go to our individual houses, and one of these days the wiring guys will come finish the connections. Today's guys needed to come in and dig a narrow shallow trench to run the new lines. I had one of those "ohmygosh!" moments as I looked out over all of the dog poop in the back yard and went out with my bucket and scooping hand tool and spent 30 minutes clearing it before they got onto my side of the fence to do their digging, and I kept scooping as they worked. I think it must be about 6 to 8 weeks worth, and normally after the cold weather it breaks down pretty fast and I wouldn't worry about it staying and sinking into the soil. But when they had to work back there and it was all so apparent, it seemed so rude to leave dog droppings on the ground. My spring compost pile now is a bit taller with all of the droppings I poured onto it. I had the guys come through the garage and out the side door because my back gate is covered with ice and the walk is as slick as glass. This is the kind of slip and fall hazard one hopes to not have to use homeowner's insurance for. There's no sun in that corner and it will be a couple of more days before we can use that gate. I used the garden hoe to clear ice at the back door again, and I've been mopping up muddy tracks from all of us this afternoon. What is it about mud after ice that makes it so really messy and sticky? SRS |
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11 Feb 11 - 11:57 AM (#3093261) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage There's a thread for Kat running now. I knew she was going to take a break, but I didn't know it was for something that would make her feel bad. Get better soon, Kat, and in the meantime, perhaps you should have Morgan log on and give us progress reports? (Wouldn't that be entertaining!) I hope you're having a better day. The signs are good: a thaw has arrived and much of the Eastern US will be warmer this weekend, and Mubarak has just resigned. Things are looking up in the world! Maggie |
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11 Feb 11 - 07:57 PM (#3093607) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I spoke to Rog - her absence isn't due to something elective, Kat has the flu. Here I thought she might be getting work done on her book. :-/ I took the garden hoe out to the back porch this evening and cleared away a lot of the mud and dead leaves that had piled up on the porch then frozen in place this week. I have to do some laundry, and I'm finishing a poster for work, then my weekend is my own. I have read a little more of the book, but didn't come across anything new to note here. I am determined to read the whole thing (good thing it is a slim volume) and make a few changes and build from there. I have been on time to everything I had to go do for the last couple of weeks, not my usual roll up to the door a couple of minutes late. Better to be early, and it is just as easy as being late. SRS |
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12 Feb 11 - 02:59 PM (#3093941) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Today is lovely, but I have company coming on Monday, so I need to do some clearing up in the house. To start with, I've been tossing paper and cardboard (boxes from electronics purchases, mostly) around my office. I'm determined to have an exposed desk surface so I can think about rearranging a few things. I need to take photos of donation stuff and make a run to the Goodwill; there's a stack that has built up considerably in the sun room on the floor. Same ol' weekend stuff, dishes, laundry, shopping. And reading. Not only reading the Procrastination book, but reading through some of the piles of paper that I kept to read. I have a friend who builds up a huge stack of New York Times sections then goes back every couple of weeks to reread what he left there, and decides to toss or cut it and send it to someone else. Good thing he's found they all appear in the online version so he saves postage. My paper buildup isn't quite like that, but there is a generalized layer of paper around the house again that I need to address. I rearranged the limb in the pot of rocks in the living room; it's in the corner now with a live plant nearby and an antique trunk beside it, to see if it looks good. It is easier to get into the trunk this way (I keep the dog gear in there). That room looks the most put together right now, but it still could use a lot of work. I think I'm getting a glimmer of a spring cleaning/rearranging urge with today's sunshine. SRS |
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12 Feb 11 - 03:22 PM (#3093958) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall I found the following on a Seventh Generation bulletin. (I was cleaning out old emails.) With each new year comes the inevitable urge to purge. After all, who doesn't feel better when they've found a place for everything and everything's in its place? I've reached a point where I'm looking at the bigger picture, decluttering not just my home office and closets, but my life. As author Barbara Hannah Grufferman advises, it's the only way to become unstuck and make room for whatever lies ahead. "Ask yourself what you want your life to look like over the next few years," Grufferman writes, "and you'll come up with a vision for your future, which will be your personal theme. Once you have your theme, you can work on getting rid of everything in your life that doesn't fit the theme, and you will be prepared to let go of the clutter." According to Grufferman, who cites organization and time-management guru Julie Morgenstern as her inspiration, there are different kinds of clutter in our lives -- not just objects but obligations, habits and, yes, people. "People can be just as de-energizing and draining as piles of newspapers and magazines," she writes. "If there's someone in your life who drags you down whenever you see her...maybe it's time to reconsider the relationship." Granted, sometimes a complete break isn't an option. If that's the case, Grufferman advises figuring out a way to minimize the amount of time you spend together. When it comes to shedding objects, she suggests that after we pick the treasures we want to keep, we decide what to give away, sell, recycle, or donate and then do it. Grufferman is talking about detoxifying and downsizing, key guiding principles of the green movement. She allows that this is a lifelong quest, and I know it won't always be easy for me. But if it helps make the rest of the ride I started in Greeley, Colorado, that much smoother, it will be worth it. – Beth Arky My computer screen had gotten so cluttered it told me to get lost this morning. So I restarted it and proceeded to find new ways to hold on to things and de-clutter the poor thing! Time for a reading break! |
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12 Feb 11 - 08:31 PM (#3094124) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Someone suggested this a while back and I forgot about it: Dawna Walter and Mark Franks, The Life Laundry: How To De-Junk Your Life, London, BBC Books, 2002. Dawna Walter and Mark Franks, The Life Laundry 2: How to Stay De-Junked Forever. London, BBC Books, 2003. I feel as though I have done a hard day's work! I made three brochures for our Quaker meeting for tomorrow - expecting a chaplain (what sort?) and about ten students so I downloaded stuff and moved it from A to B to C and expected them to come out as three-fold brochures but I missed something. They do not fold properly but they are OK as flat - look like three-fold brochures! Took me all afternoon. I think it has been about 15 years since I did this - just fine! But that was three computers ago. Next time! These will do just fine. It took me most of the afternoon. Now supper is cooking and I am ready to relax with my book! Good evening at Cafe last night. Rob has been feeling better since the hospital told him he is healthy! The amount of stuff his business needs doing overwhelms him and he has lost all sense of organization; needs de-cluttering something terrible. To bro:" No matter what I am doing, you tell me I should be doing something else." He popped in for lunch today - chili - about 4; that is very positive. Sometimes he just does without until he cannot think straight. I expect he will be back -well, hopefully before midnight. He's on a roll! Getting things done is good for the spirit. But one does have to eat also! Still not very nice weather though only down to 25F. Dank! The sun peeked out for a couple minutes and gave up. It was decent yesterday and I did groceries, replenishing good veggies and cheeses. Got the idea I would like to make bread... I'll talk to our fav bread maker tomorrow; he does sourdough. Still considering how to deal with problem of toxic bro. Bottom line: I do not want him in my home ---but it is Rob's home too. His comment: "This is very hard for me." There must be some middle ground. We just need to perceive it. Still do not have upstairs or home office. Soon? "I dwell in possibilities..." I talk about renovation of first floor as though it is possible and I expect it to happen. "Have you talked to (our carpenter) yet?" "No." Low key but hopeful. Maybe.... |
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13 Feb 11 - 12:12 AM (#3094170) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I suppose if he kept the meetings with his brother off the premises, like in a neutral place. Is there a coffee shop or someplace they both will visit and can do their visiting there? The bathrooms are clean, but the laundry room flooded again. We had all of that cold weather, I think it has something to do with that. I had to stop the washer before it finished, so I'll try running it again in the morning, after running a lot of hot water down the drain. I did a little yard work this afternoon, and I took the dogs for a walk. Not the most exercise I could get in a day, but more than I have been getting with this nasty cold weather. A walk with the dogs beats step aerobics. My computer desk is looking much better, and I rescued my speakers and woofer box from my son's room. There are speakers built into the monitor, but they don't have the oomph of the little $20 set that sits on either side of and behind my monitor. Means the desk is a little more crowded, but everything will sound better. He had a set in his room that seemed to not be working so he tried mine, only to find I somehow hadn't installed the sound system when I rebuilt his computer. It gave him something to do when he was home, but now I want my sound system back! (I put his in place on his computer - though I think I'll end up moving that entire computer setup out of his room before he comes home in the spring because he has a better computer he has been using at school this year. We have a glut of computers these days.) Time to wrap things up. I have reached a point where I'm tired of 95% of the broadcast television available, so I have been catching up on my Netflix queue. I watched a widescreen version of There's No Business Like Show Business tonight. The picture quality wasn't great. I may have to get some things on DVD just to get the best versions. Newer programs are better suited for digital streaming. SRS |
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13 Feb 11 - 01:07 AM (#3094178) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I was going to link to Don Aslett's page at Amazon but forgot in the last thread. And I've seen Morgenstern in various programs, she is good, but ruthless. The trouble with television decluttering is that the reprogramming to keep the clutter out takes longer than it takes for someone else in the space of a television segment, to come through and sift through your stuff. SRS |
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13 Feb 11 - 01:29 PM (#3094447) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage After our cold weather the drains are running slow. Last week and this, after the cold cold days in a row, the washer drain overflowed. I'll try the usual home remedies and running hot water through before I call the plumber - he fixes the problem but also declutters my wallet! If I run a smaller load it isn't such a problem, and if I watch when it drains and turn off the washer for a couple of minutes it drains. If this doesn't clear up I will call the plumber before it's time to plant the garden or he'll be knocking down my basil on that side of the house to reach the cleanout. Beautiful day today, I'll be sure to walk the dogs and get in a little more gardening. At this point I'm cleaning out the dead stuff from over the winter, and popping out the cold weather weeds. SRS |
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13 Feb 11 - 01:50 PM (#3094473) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg There must be some middle ground. We just need to perceive it. Yes! Exactly! We see and say just that so often in our church work, or something like it-- that when people are butting hands, usually neither one quite has the right solution, because the right one would bring peace and maybe even forward movement past one's usual experience. But of course the bro-thing is also a boundary issue and defining a workable boundary when living with someone else who sees the boundaries differently can be difficult! === Regarding tips and solutions for clutter, may I say humbly that I have really solved so many of these issues in our home (and kept the good habits) that people might just want to look thru my old posts where I used the word TIPS either in the subject line or in the post. We have enough tips here to fix most of the current group of posters' houses.... so maybe "tips" (mine or any other writers') are not actually the answer needed? ~Susan |
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13 Feb 11 - 03:55 PM (#3094560) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre I did my basic chores today...dishes, laundry, floors. Beside my chair in the living room, I have 2 tray tables that have piles of various kinds of paperwork on them. It is my goal to have that completely taken care of today. It won't take long. Jeremiah is sick. He has a cold and an ear infection. Daddy took him to the doctor on Friday while I had my checkup and tests at the hospital. His poor little nose just runs and is probably sore from me wiping it. I'm using a soft cloth but still....he just doesn't like it. On the activity front, I have a sitter for 2 nights a week now (if I so choose) so I can go to yoga. YAY! Now the trick is to find the energy to get out the door to go. When my oncologist asked if I had any concerns, I told him I am tired all the time. ALL. THE. TIME. He told me that I am only 7 months out from chemo and to stop rushing things. ARG. Seriously?!?!? He also told me that people who were high energy before chemo had a difficult time adjusting to the tiredness more than others. It makes me feel lazy. Very lazy. Things would be in different shape here if I had a bit more get up and go. It's not bad but still, there are things I want to do. It stinks to have all these ideas in my head about what I want to do with this and that or rearrange and not have the energy to do it. He said that my energy would increase but not likely ever to the point where it used to be. So. Like everything else that is worthwhile...bit by bit....it WILL happen! Michelle |
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13 Feb 11 - 04:08 PM (#3094574) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Michelle, you also have a baby on the verge of toddling, and if you aren't taking the energy to raise him into account, you need to. Little kids wear you out. It's just that simple! Editing today to finish a poster for a co-worker. The writer was a professor of mine, who took key sentences from a brochure describing his project to make a short description he sent to my co-worker. But I find it is written for someone who already knows what the project is, so I'll rewrite the piece. It's faster than trying to make the one he wrote work. Doing this today frees up time tomorrow when a friend is coming to town. I know there are a lot of tips in here; I've learned from quite a few of them. This is also an ongoing travelogue as we tour the issues and clutter in our homes. Otherwise they probably could have stopped after a few months. I think a lot of us are lower energy right now simply because in the northern hemisphere we've had a harder winter than usual. And reading about the colossal work in places like maeve's yurt make me want to curl up under the covers and stay warm! As the season changes we'll limber up and get going more on what we want to do. SRS |
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13 Feb 11 - 04:31 PM (#3094587) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Michelle: I know how frustrating it is to be tired all the time. After my major bout of chemical poisoning, I spent almost five years in that state and it was SO not me, I got really depressed. It is such a slow process to get the chemicals out of one's body. AND you have the kidlet. Be patient in caring for yourself. I bet everyone else comes first! Hans Selye wrote about self-centred altruism: if you don't take care of you, you cannot take care of anyone else. Or in Piet Hein's Grook's: "When you think how depressingly slowly you climb, it's best to remember that Things Take Time!" Susan: Yep, lots of suggestions. And in so many areas.... Life has so many aspects, so much to de-clutter! And we never know which suggestion may be just the thing... I am open to all suggestions re the bro problem. For a few days after the last intrusion I felt like giving up but Rob must have felt it - and has been more attentive to my needs. He gets so into his own clutter.... As we Quakers say, "way will open..." I feel I "just" need to gather strength and ideas and wait for the answer. I was thrilled today to get a brief note from a granddaughter and even more so to find this site with a wonderful interview and django jazz music by my #1 son. If you like (still no blue clicky!): http://www.patrus53.com/2011/01/26/troy-chapman/ It is very well done. When things get heavy, I need to remember I have two beautiful sons. And yesterday's work on Quaker materials were well appreciated, this morning, by the visitors and regular attenders both. Appreciation is a great support! |
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13 Feb 11 - 06:28 PM (#3094657) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: maire-aine We are finally getting a break from the cold, and the snow is starting to melt. Still slow, but we got up to 40F (4C) today, and it's supposed to stay above freezing all week. We may even reach 50F (10C) by Friday. And sunshine! We had sunshine. Scrubbed the bathroom floor this afternoon, while listening to a Wicked Tinkers cd. That got me moving. Cleaned tub/toilet/sink, too. Sorted the dirty laundry to wash tomorrow. Maryanne |
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13 Feb 11 - 07:10 PM (#3094683) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: maeve Dorothy's link |
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13 Feb 11 - 08:28 PM (#3094718) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I've reached the point where I'm totally tired of the usual programs that come on, and it's not like I watch that many. I prefer mysteries to medical and "real" anything dramas, and the mysteries on tv are all too predictable. I'm going to launch on a campaign to watch my own movies and programs that were recorded and forgotten. Things that aren't on television now. I'm not interested in the grammys, so I'll stick with PBS tonight. Almost finished the work for work I've been doing today. And I'll make sure the kitchen and dining area looks inviting for the friend who is coming for a couple of days. That'll leave some time for more reading. For exercise, I took the dogs for a long pleasant and comfortably warm walk this evening. It got to the low-70s today. Wonderful! SRS |
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13 Feb 11 - 09:19 PM (#3094739) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg DP, my suggestion, seriously, is to "gather strength and ideas and wait for the answer." (OK, I borrowed that one from a smart lady who really knows what she's doing.) But just for fun, what would you do if you thought it was OK to do it? (No reply needed, just for playtime.) Here the challenge is still living with about half the fridge space we had. It's a mental challenge, more than a practical one, as I have the whole outdoors to us if I really need overflow space (not to mention several church fridges). ~Susan |
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13 Feb 11 - 09:57 PM (#3094750) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage It seems silly to keep a cold box running in a warm house when the out of doors is so cold, doesn't it? SRS |
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14 Feb 11 - 01:50 AM (#3094819) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre I did get those tables by my chair cleared up and organized!!! There were two tray tables and one is now completely empty and will be put away in the morning when the noise of it won't wake everybody up. I also made valentine's for the people I love most....secretly, of course! :) Pete and I will celebrate later this week as tomorrow I'm off to the hospital again. Happy Valentine's Day My Friends!!! Love, Michelle |
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14 Feb 11 - 02:44 PM (#3095202) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall "It seems silly to keep a cold box running in a warm house when the out of doors is so cold, doesn't it?" It sure does! I think of the years I lived with two freezer baskets hanging in the opening to the CELLAR. I would lift the trapdoor and put things in, or take them out. That was my refrigeration and it worked well - in central Ontario - all year round. But I do prefer a frig! Susan: you gave me a good laugh. Reminds me of the time I gave my son a lecture (long distance) on how to deal with depression - and wished later I had recorded it so I could play it back! I wish we could move to the country, far enough that he would not come. OR with a cabin - WAYYYYYY out there - for him. And an understanding. I am working on it. Money is a factor, of course. Today brought a new experience of bro. He came with another man - "some papers for Rob to sign". "We'll wait out here." I had to get an unwell Rob out of bed. They all went upstairs. It took "forever". They came down and I thought they were through but Rob was looking for a paper to give bro. Bro knocked (very quietly) on the door, I pulled it together to be polite - "Give me your shovel." He shoveled the front, Rob found the paper, talked to him and he left. He is trying (VERY). He knew not to try to come in downstairs. There was a lot of shouting upstairs. He shoveled the front for us. It was stressful. Because we are moving upstairs. Then maybe Rob could keep him downstairs. We could also ask advance notice and Rob could go to the office. It could be understood that this is NOT as office. It will take cooperation. SRS: I watched so much TV when I was "sick" I watched NONE for many years and gave away my TV 2 years ago. But Rob likes it. Canadian TV has some differences. I have become addicted to The Little Mosque on the Prairie. I consider The Republic of Doyle to be STUPID because the characters do so many dumb things (like humans) but the scenery - Newfoundland - is great. Other than that - I remember PBS as having some good programming. And I quite enjoyed Monk - even though it seemed a little close to home at times. I do believe we each have a bit of a bug which is probably why we did not feel like getting up today. I'll go made a batch of Pau d'Arco tea. |
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14 Feb 11 - 03:42 PM (#3095248) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Forgot to thank Maeve for the blue clicky! I guess I better keep trying to figure it out. |
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14 Feb 11 - 06:05 PM (#3095343) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: maire-aine Everything that wasn't nailed down got washed today. Ended up doing six loads of laundry. So glad that it's all done. The thaw continues outside. M |
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15 Feb 11 - 09:47 AM (#3095662) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg Well, I bit the bullet ydy and joined Facebook-- and now all my contacts from all time periods are merging into one weird soup. I sure hope it doesn't become another clutter-place.... what are some of you doing strategy-wise to keep that from happening? ~Susan |
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15 Feb 11 - 10:41 AM (#3095703) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre I personally love Facebook! I love reading what others have to say, keeping up with what's going on in each other's lives, etc. The only thing I find annoying and to clutter it up is requests to play certain games or announcements of people's scores or what they have done in Farmville, etc. If you see those kinds of things pop up, pu your cursor in the upper right of the post and a little X will appear and you can block all Farmville posts or other games that don't interest you. It's amazing to me how many people REALLY are INTO that stuff. I've reconnected with several old friends from the past, gotten together with some of them and had a blast! Michelle |
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15 Feb 11 - 11:00 AM (#3095713) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre Also regarding Facebook, privacy controls are a MUST, IMO. Another reason I love FB is that I can post as many photos/videos that I want to share with friends and family. Michelle |
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15 Feb 11 - 12:34 PM (#3095766) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre I love checking things off my Ta-Da List!!! Today I caught up on several phone calls, taxes, business and medical! YAY! Morning chores are in the works and also I cleaned out a Rubbermaid tub that the Love of My Life likes to walk in and leave stuff there....never to be dug out again. The tote is now empty, stuff is put away and the actual tote has been moved! HA! Guess he won't be able to leave stuff there if I moved it, huh? :) Wishful thinking on my part maybe...we'll see! The Wee One is still sick, nasal congestion has moved down into his chest. He also has an ear infection :( He's been to the doctor and has a presription so hopefully he'll be feeling better SOON! Michelle |
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15 Feb 11 - 01:35 PM (#3095804) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, TIP From: wysiwyg TIP We have been learning here that if we REALLY want to keep a space empty, we need to FILL IT. Not to conbtriol the psace or the person who puts stuff there, but to make visual the repurposed space. Examples: 1. Space for guest towels we supply does NOT need to catch the 3 things I wore yesterday that I plan to wear again!!! (There is another space nearby for THAT which I do NOT need to expand or junk up!). So on those hooks go the guest towels, and a sign that offers them to guests. Over top of them, to keep dust off them, is a pretty cloth I can whip off when company comes. 2. A particular horizontal kitchen space does NOT need to catch ALL the mittens, because it needs to be kept empty for something else. So for now a perfectly-sized cardboard box sits there which can catch other BS that needs to be carried elsewhere to be put away. 3. Where stuff used to pile up at the foot of the stairs, there now sits a floral arrangement. === It's like scheduling time for yourself in your calendar if doing it spontaneously tends not to happen-- till the habit is well set, these little tips train a new habit. ~S~ |
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15 Feb 11 - 02:01 PM (#3095822) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage On facebook, when you see one of those reports for a game (farmville, for example), when you see that someone just bought a cow, if you mouse over the top right corner and see the "x" appear, clicking it once will give you several choices. You can block that application only so that you only see the non-automated stuff from that person and any others when they're not playing that game. Horoscopes, contests, there are lots of things out there that I don't want cluttering my news/wall. I had a good visit with the friend who came through, and now she's on the way to her next stop while she's in town. SRS |
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15 Feb 11 - 02:50 PM (#3095860) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: maire-aine Like Michelle & Maggie, I have blocked all of the "Farmville" & "Mafia Wars", etc. I take my time sending & accepting friend requests, and limit to folks I really want to be in contact with. That said, I really like it. Most of my friends are either musicians (so I can keep up with who's playing where), folks who share my political opinions (altho there are a few conservatives too), some family members & some folks I went to high school with. Maryanne Dunmire |
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15 Feb 11 - 04:24 PM (#3095920) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Nature abhors a vacuum and people seem to love filling empty spaces. Except those of us who like open space - and the open times during a conference or other heavily scheduled gathering, ----and life. Maintaining clear spaces seem to be like the never ending story - but worth the effort and whatever strategies work. FB: I refuse, graciously, to friend anyone with whom I do not WANT to be in touch, accepting only people I actually know face to face or through mudcat, that sort of thing. I ignore games, etc. (I will try the strategy suggested herein.) I find about 6 friends post regularly and I find most of those very interesting; I often share their posts with others. I t is the only way I find out things about family members: grandson broke his wrist, son went to Arizona, granddaughter got married! Little things like that! We love each other. We are not good communicators amongst each other. That is how I found the link to my son's interview, even though we visited in November. I really appreciate FB!! It connects people worldwide and is helping build a global community. Rob and I both recovered from our mini-malaise by last evening - rest, extra C and extra Pau d'Arco - or we just got over it? I tried out a recipe for baked cauliflower which was quite nice. I had done two loads of laundry, including the bedding and remade the bed. I find that one set is enough - off, wash, on. Cuts down on space needed; we have so little. Today I passed up a flannel sheet set at the thrift shop, enough! Bought three small glass bowls to replace the three which broke last week. I keep them by the stove I use them so often. And a 2nd cookie sheet as it is good to have two if I actually get it together to cook that sort of thing. I always half the sugar in the recipe. I fancied some dishes but did not have $10 in my pocket. I realized driving home that I really only wanted the rimmed bowls and the rest would have been extraneous! I also did groceries and stopped at the bank to pay bill and get some case - having saved $10! But decided not to drive an extra distance for two more items; get them at the nearby market. Time for a run to the supplement store. Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer. So that trip, which entails a walk, and working on the second floor are on the agenda. About 9 pm on Valentine's Day. Rob attended at a pharmacy; In the much depleted greeting card section, he found the perfect, for us, card: Picture: water with a head, nose just above water, eyes wide; Words: "No matter how crazy my life gets, I know you'll be there, and when it is your turn to lose it... you can count on me." (inside) "We're so screwed if it happens at the same time." He added: "Happy Valentines, Love, (signature)" and near the bottom: "But there's always chocolate....." How I laughed! How true it is! I cannot believe Carleton Cards came up with that! Now to find a good solution to the bro situation. |
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15 Feb 11 - 05:24 PM (#3095973) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I sent out a tip last week for setting your default so those who don't post often on facebook will show up in your feed. facebook changed the settings recently. Here's what I sent to a friend this afternoon (who doesn't use facebook often but did get the message I sent her): HERE'S THE FIX: Scroll down to the bottom of the newsfeed on the homepage and click on "Edit Options", click on "Show Posts ...From" and change the setting to "All Of Your Friends and Pages" I went to the village park board meeting today, and I addressed a problem of one new neighbor encroaching on the undeveloped park by putting in his own trees and shrubs, even put his patio chair out there. I want all of that out of there - if they wanted a larger yard, they should buy one. They can't co-opt part of the public park. I'm about to make a stink about it because the park board didn't have a clue what I was talking about, and the city employee who told the folks it was okay had no authority to do so. Should be an interesting spring here in the neighborhood. SRS |
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16 Feb 11 - 01:06 PM (#3096589) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage By making myself stop the procrastination (or at least, work on it) I find I'm not dropping in here as often. But overall I think that is a good thing. There are a lot of other things I should have been doing over this time and probably spent too much time playing at the 'cat. This has been a good week. It's only half over, but I wanted to observe that by the simple act of arriving in time or a little early for meetings, I put myself on my solid footing. I feel more a viable part of the discussion, not on the edge of an apology for being late. It is empowering. SRS |
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16 Feb 11 - 03:16 PM (#3096663) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg SRS, whenever I look in here and you have not posted lately, I figger yer out there getting stuff doone and send up a cheer fer ya. === Here the main things to declut are the sewing basket and the driveway ice. Nature is helping with the latter and I'm slogging thru the former. ~S~ |
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16 Feb 11 - 04:24 PM (#3096700) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Liz the Squeak At my own computer, in the room that has a way to go but actually has room for a spare put-you-up bed in it now (much appreciated by a cat by the state of it) and not lounging on the sofa... Life is speeding up, Tai-chi was great last week, so have signed up for the new course starting next month, have bought a DVD to encourage the child in the meantime (who appears to be anaemic, to judge by what the phlebotomist said at her blood test last week). Sypmptoms seem to fit and she is working on improving bits of her lifestyle. In the meantime, I am up to my eyeballs in paperwork concerning various child protection laws, risk assessments and various Acts for a potential job application. I thought I would try to improve my knowledge of certain areas of legislation before applying. It's something to do and it's useful. Had a long chat with a probation officer today... that's an option I looked at but haven't decided upon yet. So... sewing has been on standby but will commence again shortly. The black and white quilt is mostly done, a little more quilting and the border will see it finished. Another one is in progress and I started to cut the third this week. The 4th child's quilt needs to be started soon, the baby is due in May! Been playing on the WiiFit again, yesterday I was 37. I'm impressed, especially as Limpit came out as 29. She'll be 15 in a few weeks, but she has been ill. And she's a klutz. Enjoy your weekends all, be careful on the ice. Michelle - give yourself a break - you too Dorothy! LTS |
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16 Feb 11 - 07:01 PM (#3096786) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Wrote, let rest, proofed, then sent a letter to my city council asking that they deal with a case of a homeowner encroaching on one of our city parks. I spelled out the issues, addressed the possible remedies, and spoke to a couple of council people and park people to try to avoid the nose-out-of-joint problems. They know what I did and I paid them the courtesy of letting them know. The level of activity on boards here is shockingly low, and I know I'm going to shake things up. I figure since I am not raising teenagers now, I can get back to some of my community work. People already know me from my work with planning and zoning when a new development was proposed. It took two of them going away (I was one to give them a big push) before a third finally decided to toe the line and do what the village wanted. I finished several promotional things for work, and an preparing to close down shop and take the girls for a walk. Three days in a row - this is so nice after the horrid weather for the first half of the month. I need the exercise. I am going to be busy here this spring, since I launched what will, to some, feel like an assault upon their way of life here in the village. I need to be extra careful to keep my own nose clean. People will be just waiting to pounce if I let a blade of grass grow too tall. I think it's time to finish landscaping the lump of dirt in my front yard. I'll make sure the grass doesn't creep into the street, growing as tendrils or as lawn clippings escaping the mower. Either one of those can get a warning or a ticket. And I'd better go down and get the dog licenses. SRS |
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17 Feb 11 - 12:24 AM (#3096888) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage The dogs and I went for another lovely walk this evening. This nice weather has been such a balm after the last two weeks of horrid stuff. The exercise is good, but the walks are also calming for the dogs. They don't chew on things when they can get out of the yard every day. On the computer front, I'm returning to more of my blog writing. I let that slide over the last few months, and have a backlog of nearly finished or some completely finished (but the photos not cropped) essays. I'll put those up, and go from there. I've been "shopping" my freezer this month instead of running to the store, and am enjoying all of the various things I'm coming up with. This is good for eating healthy and saving money. One step at a time as I work toward a couple of important financial goals. I hope Kat is back feeling better soon, to give us a glimpse of things at her house. And I hope Morgan is over his virus so he can stop by for a visit that she can share with us. I miss reading about the little guy! SRS |
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17 Feb 11 - 09:23 AM (#3097122) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg I believe I have now found all the people on FB I hoped to find (my eyeballs are reeling). I believe I have got the setting dialed down to what I want them to be. Now my pore ole brain can spend a week or so integrating all the things I observed about it, and come up with how to use it the way that will suit me. === I got the backlog of sewing projects done. Two of them I may re-do, but they are OK for now and a certain shelf in my lingerie closet is now as full as I wanted it to be, with things I know will fit just right. It turned out to be MUCH better to do them by hand-- the one we tried on the machine, well, it motivated me to do the rest (and partially re-do that one too) by hand. === A work project is finally moving. Much of what I do depends on my mind/spirit integrating a lot of complex stakeholders' interests and knowing when the time is right to "move." I get impatient with myself sometimes, accusing myself of procrastinating, when I am actually waiting on someone else's timing, and it is really important that I remain respectful and sensitive to others' timing in that regard. But one that has been on hold is finally moving, and next month I will attend a conference in TN that will be very helpful to moving it to completion. === A big website task got done this week-- I had a little formatting help but got an important calendar updated with many of the relevant dates and, now that it's been reformatted, I can tap in the rest of the dates. === TIP The new air cleaner seems to be doing quite well on keeping the dust down. How I can tell is the TIP: I cleaned a surface that has usually re-filthed very quickly, and am watching that spot to see if it STAYS clean. The filter we chose is cleanable, and I bought two-- and the weather is warming to where I should be able to wash the filters when they need it. === I am surrounded again by piles of clean laundry to fold and store. I got some new x-wide hangers so that when I put all the clean stuff away I can do the spring closet sorting and start replacing the old nasty hangers that have been letting my clothes land on the floor in there. ~Susan |
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17 Feb 11 - 09:45 AM (#3097136) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I'm having to run a couple of errands this week since I launched a salvo against the park-encroacher. I commented in my letter that the decisions of how park property is used shouldn't be left to one disinterested city employee. He's the one who sends his guys out to do the code enforcement work, and he posts his flourescent colored warnings on my front door any time he thinks he can get away with it. I suspect he's going to pay even more attention (though I will make a point of insisting that he look at the entire block, not just my house - that is SOP in most code enforcement situations around here.) Last night I looked through my underlines and notes to myself in the Procrastination book and could see that I did some backsliding. It looks like getting over some of these things is a series of reminders of what to leave behind, and gradually they will be. SRS |
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17 Feb 11 - 10:50 AM (#3097171) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: katlaughing Roger and I are treating ourselves. My girlfriend, who makes her living cleaning houses, is coming over for four hours today to clean, clean, clean! While I was gone, Rog was amid chaos at work and with me, trying to do too much in all directions. The place looks like a zoo, but bless his heart, he did wash the sheets the day I came home.:-) And, he fed the cats their fishie every day. Of course, they wouldn't let him forget. Not easily, but as a sort of symbolic step to recovery, I have put in one load of wash this morning. Whoo-hoo! I won't be in here much, but I may read along when I get more energy going. Oh, one more note: Since Saturday when I came home, I have lost almost 6 pounds of mostly water weight, but my diet has changed esp. in how I eat, so it's all good. |
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17 Feb 11 - 11:56 AM (#3097231) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Kat: Good stuff! Glad you are feeling some better. I am fed up with not being able to make a blue clicky. I have tried and tried. So here is a url for an article on microwaving food. This website in general seems good. I also found a good article on nightshade foods - posted on arthritis. http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=227 I am recovering from this mornings detox bath. Must have been a good one as it wiped me right out. But I am almost ready to get lunch, which may help. The bad new is that, while upstairs, I looked out the window and the roof of the strong shed has bent in from the snow. I did not realize how much had fallen and had not checked it recently. It is not that visible from downstairs window. I came down and went out and checked it prior to bath. It is frozen. Ribs are bent. So: it is supposed to go above freezing today and then rain. Big job this afternoon - at peek temp - will be to figure out how to clear the frozen snow and find props for the ridge pole before the rain makes it even worse. Good thing I took that bath! Well, I keep saying I need more exercise. Hah! And I thought the biggest thing I wanted to do today was compose e-mail to bro. SRS: you are a strong woman! I had such bad experiences with that township in PA.... A letter sent to EACH counselor received NO response. Head guy said to my face, "Sure..." And that was the last response I ever got! I was so glad to leave. I am looking forward to following this saga. |
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17 Feb 11 - 11:59 AM (#3097232) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: GUEST,999 Dorothy, I will show you how to make a blue clicky on Friday. |
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17 Feb 11 - 12:38 PM (#3097261) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I think I made an illustration of how to do the hyperlinks. I'll poke around my photo files this afternoon. It can serve as a reminder after Bruce's lesson. Got the dog her exam and rabies shot. I take them to a village shot clinic every May and they offer the usual shots and rabies is extra, for a very affordable price. But the rabies certificate is only dated for 1 year, even though the actual serum is rated for three years. So I went to my regular vet last fall when the pit bull needed her toe looked at and we added the free rabies shot with her heart worm bloodtest and her toe surgery. I hadn't taken the other dog yet, but I figured I'd be proactive in this. She got her exam, etc today, and both dogs now have certificates that show the shots are good 3 years. I need to take the shot records down to get the village dog licenses. There's another thing to report; I've speculated about in these threads, and I did one last "sugar" test over the weekend. I picked up a gourmet package of some toffee (like Heath bars on steroids) that I had here when my guest was visiting. Eat those over a couple of days and the skin and cracked skin really flares up. I think I can conclude the research and simply make a point of avoiding concentrated sugar when possible. Kat, glad to see you're back home and losing the retained water. That is such a slow and clunky feeling. And good for you that your friend will come in to clean. You'll feel so much better about the place, and you'll also feel good that you're providing employment for the friend. Susan, facebook is interesting, but it can be a toxic place also. Several Mudcatters have had problems with false identities set up by others that make them look like utter fools. The problematic sport of some malcontents. SRS |
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17 Feb 11 - 12:54 PM (#3097271) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre It's a stay at home and putter day for me. I have a cold. BLAH. I'm not sure how it happens that my kitchen goes from being all clean and things put away to a disaster area in a day but it has. I'm also doing some rearranging of jelly cupboards for storage purposes. Regarding Facebook, I have my privacy measures about as tight as possible and only accept friendships from people I know, want to talk to and trust. I don't feel bad for an inkling of a second for not accepting people's invites who don't fit that criteria! :) Ok. Back to work for me. I went to a High Tea yesterday at a victorian inn (for a celebration) and the tea hit the spot for me. It was cinnamon plum tea.....Mmmm Mmmmm GOOD! I think I'll be making it much more often! Later Gators! Michelle |
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17 Feb 11 - 06:29 PM (#3097546) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Thank you Bruce! I know you are a good teacher! It is really annoying not to be able to figure this out. I, too have had no trouble with FB. While recovering from detox, I managed to friend S, sign up at a blog site, check FB and Mudcat, have lunch and read for a while. Then, I cleared the roof of the shed - climbing around in snow up to THERE to rake the snow off! I used the back of the rack lest I put more holes in the cover. The snow,I was shocked to find, was 12-15 inches deep in places. No wonder the poor frame gave out. Then I propped up the interior frame where possible. And put duck tape over some small holes in the skin. Here's hoping it will keep the rain out. It is now raining and up to 34F. Then I came in just in time to watch Little Mosque on the Prairie, have a second lunch, read for a while, heat up chili for Rob and, after he went back to work, went to library. I sure did get some exercise today. |
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17 Feb 11 - 09:41 PM (#3097632) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Every day this week the dogs and I have been out for a walk in the evening before I feed them. I used to do this all of the time, but I've had to slow down in winter with the cold air making my eyes water. I still didn't buy the aviator goggles, but I will for next year. And maybe for this spring because we're bound to have some more cold days. Dogs had their baths and were treated with their heartworm prevention stuff. I know the vet would prefer I use the current product he writes a Rx for, but I'm using the product he used to write an Rx for that is now available for about 1/2 the price of the Rx stuff. I get it from Canada, and it is a UK version. But it works. Tomorrow I'll dress up and go photograph a reception in the evening. That should be nice. This evening I am working to remember some of my resolutions as far as procrastination and getting things finished. When I have a kind of slow day I sometimes have an extra glass of wine after dinner, but I realized as I read that that is a "self-medicated" way to avoid making myself feel guilty about not finishing everything I planned to. So it's herbal tea this evening and I'll finish the project and be ready for tomorrow. And I'll be on time to the event. :) SRS |
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18 Feb 11 - 02:57 AM (#3097713) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Liz the Squeak Off for a weekend of drunken debauchery (with any luck), and singing so all bets are off til Tuesday! Enjoy the weekend chaps! LTS |
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18 Feb 11 - 05:12 PM (#3098245) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage This week I've found the old pattern of distraction returning, but in the Procrastination book last night I went over a section that should help, because it modifies something I do all of the time. She says to make a list each week of the things you want to accomplish, but only put five things on it, and if they're big things that might not get finished, then put only three things. Don't make the list so long that it serves as a distraction or that it reminds you of all of the things you didn't finish. I had a couple of things I wanted to do today, one is an appointment I'll get to on time, but the other was more general, and I kept getting side tracked. The distraction was something to do with work, but something that didn't necessarily need to be fiddled with right now. When I come in this evening, I may sit down and finish the first thing because it shouldn't take that long* and it will mean I can cross it off of the list I wrote this afternoon. You can do a list every day, keeping it very short, but a weekly list may give more of a feeling of organization in the workplace. The Monday list, and if you finish things, cross them off and add another, if you want, but even if you don't add more, by Friday you should feel good about finishing what you planned. Now, to finish dressing and head out the door to get to my photo shoot on time. *'Shouldn't take that long' is one of those "scripts" that she warns us about, that sometimes it is true but often it isn't. So if I don't finish, I won't beat myself up, but I'll get as far as I can within an hour or so, and then I'll resume the work tomorrow. It is something I want finished and in everyone's mail boxes by Monday. SRS |
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18 Feb 11 - 05:45 PM (#3098276) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall The February thaw has been wonderful. A little sun today and over 40F. Going back to winter temps tonight and flurries. It felt so good! I did groceries out in the burbs and realized driving back, thinking about this thread: there is a similar store in the city and it was on the way to my next stop. So I checked it out and it was good for lots of the bargains for which I had been driving 20 miles. Well, I had started going out to the burbs for a no longer valid reason and it had become a habit. So I have found a new route. Anyway, I came home with lots of stuff, sorted it out, broiled a bunch of chicken legs and breasts prior to freezing most of it for quick meals later. I find it more efficient to do this. So, it was a busy morning and afternoon but i finished in time for Little Mosque and time to read with lunch and then check email, face book and mudcat. Soon leave for cafe. |
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19 Feb 11 - 10:21 AM (#3098528) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Dorothy, I buy and freeze chicken when I find it on sale, and when it is breasts, I freeze them on a cookie sheet so I can separate them, then bag the lot in a heavy freezer bag to remove individually. Rather than cook ahead, I arrange the amount for a couple of portions that don't take long to thaw (chicken breasts are so large now you can use them for a couple of meals). I have a short list, three items for today. It's on the dry erase board on my fridge, along with a couple of "if there is time" items. I'll see how well I get through it. It is my weekend so I do need to give myself time for puttering wherever. SRS |
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19 Feb 11 - 10:27 AM (#3098532) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre SRS, Thanks for the idea about the chicken! I buy it on sale in the big packs too but never thought to do that. I don't know why because I do it with blueberries all the time!!! Thanks! Michelle |
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19 Feb 11 - 12:37 PM (#3098581) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: katlaughing After a good night's sleep, I have managed to declutter my desk which included going through tons more mail which took too much mental capacity just a couple of days ago, so it sat. I am getting back up to speed, mind-wise. I also filed some things, went through all of the little things which accrue during a hospital stay. Rog put them away for me. B., the housecleaner who has become a friend, did fantastic deep cleaning of the kitchen, including the floor and cupboards. She did get a bit more done on the house, but will come back next week for a couple hours to do some she just ran out of time for, even staying over an extra half hour. This house was in terrible shape! As I look around now, I can see two depressed/stressed/tired/overburdened people have been living here just doing what had to be done to exist. It is good to know we are on the upswing. Rog having Fridays off is going to be really helpful. Oh, and I may hire B. to help me with the physical part of decluttering. She's willing. I figure I can get Rog to get out piles, bins, or whatever, have them ready, then have her over to help sort through and take it away,etc. That will relieve him from all of the small stuff that he has no interest in so is no help on deciding what to do with it and give me some nice company to boot. |
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19 Feb 11 - 01:03 PM (#3098601) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall For myself, I find it nice to take a cooked breast out of the freezer, warm it in microwave and cut it up for a salad or with the veggies du jour. The legs are for a quick snack for Rob. Some meats I prefer to be cooked totally at the time, and fish -on today's menu. I am going to make up about three pounds of turkey meatballs; hope they are as tasty as the bought ones. I will broil them before freezing so I can take out a few and throw them in with stir fried veggies. I never know when or if Robin will be home for a lunch or supper. I try to have something substantial ready between 6 and...... So it has to keep OK - even though the veggies might get overcooked. No warning, he lives with it, with no complaints. Before 6, it is usually soup or chili. I eat when I need to; would get very hungry waiting for him, as I used to do! We are still talking a frig-top freezer here. So no really large amounts. The chicken was two cookie sheets full under the broiler. The turkey balls, another one. Time and energy efficient, I think. Upstairs still not cleaned; Rob has been using the vac elsewhere. There is a good spot for a closet in the BR - at one end - no window and a chimney makes a good line of demarcation! (NO closets up stairs - two by three does NOT count!). I will "What would you think about...." See if I can get it in the air! I need a place to HANG clothes. I might even wear a skirt or dress if I could SEE them. This morning, writing a comment on a CBC site about raccoons, I actually realized how long it takes me to write that many words. Now I feel less badly about the time I spend on the computer but more concerned about finding the time to write those things which I WANT to get written. The Nature of Things is having a two part series on Raccoons. After I see those, I need to finish raccoon article and send it to the reporter, whom I also apprised of the TV programs. NOW, discernment from a Quaker viewpoint... |
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19 Feb 11 - 04:39 PM (#3098679) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg We found the perfect small fridge yesterday, on sale, and it's in the van. (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_04695882000P?prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=L6) No freezer-- all fridge shelves and a produce bin-- with exactly the cubic footage we actually USED in the older, bigger one. Good door storage as well. The issue is that the kitchen has a cabinet overhead in the only place a fridge can logically go, and so when we bought it we could not buy as many cubic feet as we needed. So after the last grocery shopping, we caculated what we needed and found it. It's bigger than a bar fridge and much, MUCH shorter than a kitcehn fridge-- about the height and footprint of a small chst freezer. It will come in and sit oin a pallet soon, and next Adrian will build a storage surround. Because it is short it will sit on top of a shelf to raise it to eye height and give us starge above and below and alongside it. We resisted the urge to buy another apt/fullsize fridge with freezer, which is what had been there. This will hold exactly what we need it to hold and not allow for piling up crap. But we were bad yesterday-- also getting a Cuisinart 9-cup food processor to replace the 70's-era one that dies last week. It matches the fridge we took out and they will be interred together! === Regarding the chicken discussion just previous-- we freeze boneless breast, both cooked and raw. Tips about all that are in another thread already but we use wax paper to wrap each piece and then group the pieces in labeled freezer Ziplocs. I sometimes also shred (fine-slice ion bite size pieces) for stirfy, and bag those in dinner-for-two portions. ~Susan |
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19 Feb 11 - 04:48 PM (#3098688) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: GUEST,mg I never defrost meat..just cook in a convection oven I have..one of the round ones like you see on infomercials. Works great. mg |
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19 Feb 11 - 07:17 PM (#3098767) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre Regarding the chicken, I had never thought of putting them on a cookie sheet and freezing them individually. I buy the larger packs and separate them into freezer bags which have been marked with the cut of meat, the amount of meat (eiher by piece or weight depending on what it is) and date I froze it. :) I went grocery shopping yesterday and stocked up on things we nornally have on hand, had new strings put on my violin, got a practice mute (baby doesn't like the high, loud sounds of the violin), and did some major rearranging of food storage. I'm not done with that but I'm getting closer! I had trouble sleeping last night so that's what I decided to do at around 2:30am). Today I met with friends to play my fiddle, made lunch (lean burgers on the grill, egg noodles with olive oil drizzled over the noodles, salt, pepper, garlic and fresh parsley) and a tossed salad. Dinner is going to be something small....most likely soup. The wind here is crazy...loud and cold....tree bending.....blowing the bird feeders off the trees, etc. Yesterday we lost power for 3 hours so today I've been working on laundry and other things that require power so if it goes off, I won't be looking at piles of stuff that I should have done! We used to have a second fridge but found that we rarely used it so we gave it away. It was nice to have extra water always cold in the summer time and sometimes for an overflow of fresh produce but we have streamlined our produce preparation to the point that that's no longer needed during the harvest season. We do have multiple freezers, some in use and some in use but not in the traditional fashion. I also found our kitchen table-top this morning. It seems to be a catch all for mail and other paperwork. So everything has been sorted there and taken care of. At the moment, it is covered with cookbooks that were in one of the jelly cupboards that I am now using for food storage. I'll have to find somewhere else to go with those. I think I'll sort through them and get rid of some of them that I just don't use. I collect cookbooks and am particularly fond of the older cookbooks. We'll see. I swear that Jeremiah is growing visibly each day. He can reach higher and higher so I am finding that I need to move multitudes of things. He is busy and curious, both very good things!!! :) I'm hoping to play my violin some more today. I'm enjoying it more and more like I used to. It's wonderful to play with people who get together to play for the fun of it, who enjoy each other's company, no matter your skill level...something that I've never experienced before. I haven't had my violin out or the desire to play for some time (it's just been this past month that I've started to play again), I've missed it. Michelle |
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19 Feb 11 - 11:43 PM (#3098871) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall As the cooked chicken and pork sausages have been cooked and frozen individually and will not be stored lon term, I simply put them in a plastic bag sucking out as much air as possible. Tonight, finding myself solitary, I put a few baby carrots and a sliced up stalk of broccoli in a ceramic bowl, put in microwave for 8 min, added a frozen chicken breast for last two minutes and gave it two more. Added some salsa for flavour and had a healthy one dish meal in less than 15 minutes. Most of the day was spent on the computer. Gathered, edited and sent off info on discernment, membership and more to Quaker group. Pursued other info. A few brief e-mails. Long phone conversation giving support to friend on west coast. Long conversation about raccoons with woman in Quebec who transitions orphans through their first winter. David Suzuki and The Nature of Things were unknown to my friend in NW. On CBC.ca, this is a marvellous weekly program about the environment and animals. The next two weeks are on the Raccoon Nation, raccoons in Toronto. Then I will finish my writing on raccoons and share it with reporter. Also want to connect him with rescue organization so public will have correct info on how to/what to do. |
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20 Feb 11 - 12:17 AM (#3098883) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I've stopped nuking most of my vegetables. I use the saucepan and the steamer basket with a little water in the covered pan. I like it much better than what the microwave does to the veggies. I didn't describe my freezing process, but I use waxed paper on the pan and when I have frozen the breasts I usually peel the paper and breasts off of the pan and tear the paper so it wraps at least part of the individually frozen breasts that are put in the heavy duty freezer gallon zip lock bags. I freeze most meat that way, on waxed paper or already wrapped individually in plastic wrap. I felt like steak tonight and found a discounted NY strip steak when I was out shopping (Albertson's w/ a coupon.) So, a $6 steak and about $.15 of potatoes were cooked up this evening. I came close to finishing the newsletters, but I spent enough time on them for today - that isn't a little script speaking, that is the voice that says Saturday has come and gone and those things are looking good, and can be proof-read one more time in the morning, then sent. Some laundry done, some linens changed and ready to go in the washer. I need to wash the dishes in the sink. But the house hasn't gotten too messy this week. Into the garden tomorrow. SRS |
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20 Feb 11 - 09:16 AM (#3099056) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg I'm thinking of using the whole second fridge for fresh, perishable produce-- not the root veg that fit so well in the plastic bins in the larger fridge-- but wetter stuff that all needs the same humidity. The shelves adjust to a good tray or shallow bin height, and they pull out (with a lip at the back to keep stuff from falling down the back). That would free up a huge section of the main fridge where one large bin holds all that stuff and there is not enough room in that bin for all the veg we are eating nowadays. ~Susan |
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20 Feb 11 - 11:27 AM (#3099094) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I picked up some plastic food storage containers the come in various sizes that do a good job of keeping produce fresh. They're from the Container Store and are made in Australia. I don't have a name, but the plastic has these tiny little raised spots on the inside. I don't use the crisper drawer in the fridge for produce any more, I keep all of my bottles set down in there, snug enough that they don't tip over. The plastic bins are stacked on the fridge shelves. Heavy overcast day, but a nice temperature out. I'm researching the habit of the bay shrub, to find the best place to plant it. It is evergreen and can get fairly large when it is happy, so I want to put it where it can grow as large as it wants, not be stunted by walls or fences. Today I need a little list. SRS |
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20 Feb 11 - 11:31 AM (#3099102) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Kat, I forgot to mention, I hope you're not over-doing as you begin to feel better. Set yourself very small tasks, keep to baby steps until you've had enough good nights of sleep and lost that retained water so that you don't notice when you're doing more. SRS |
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20 Feb 11 - 01:49 PM (#3099179) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre Going to visit a housebound friend with some of my girlfriends tomorrow. Since the kids don't have school, we are taking 2 vans, provided the weather is decent. If not, we'll go another day. Anyway, my housebound friend is making sloppy joes, someone else is making salad, another is taking desert and I made 2 pounds of macaroni and cheese this morning. I also made pancakes, sausage and a crockpot of chili! Our house has shifted a little bit this winter and the toilet has become unbalanced. Today the seal gave way and we had a small flood in the bathroom. It's all cleaned up and has a temporary fix...will get parts to do it right tomorrow. I also weighed out and packaged meat for the freezer, complete with labels. For meat the won't be used within the next month, I use a FoodSaver as it keeps things fresh MUCH longer than just the freezer bags (which I use for food I know we will use soon). I still have some lean ground beef and chicken to pack up and freeze. And some center cut pork loins as well. The laundry is done but my kitchen is in the I'm BUSY mode. Will do those up later today after I make some cornbread and salad to go with the chili. SRS, I'm envious of you being out in the garden. Ordering seeds is on my Ta-Da list for today. I'm also ordering a pressure canner so we can can meat (we will have a LOT of beef as our steer will be going to the butcher). I'd like to be out playing in the dirt today too!!!! Michelle |
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20 Feb 11 - 03:26 PM (#3099250) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Catherine Jayne I got up early this morning and walked 13.7 miles in 2 hours and 58 minutes! it would have been slightly quicker but I had to navigate round 2 rather large round-a-bouts!. I'm in serious training mode at the moment as I am doing the London Moonwalk which is a full marathon in May and the London Sunwalk which is a half marathon in July (both are powerwalked) to raise money for the Walk the Walk Charity to raise money for breast cancer charities and to raise awareness.I am hoping to complete the full marathon in 6 hours, just got to keep up the training. I've dropped down to a uk size 12, not been this slim since I was 18 years old and it feels fantastic! Still keeping up with my step aerobics, body combat, body pump and spinning classes inbetween training walks. I've got a friend whos a fitness instructor who gives me good pointers. Paul has been losing weight too and says he feels better for it as well. The house extension is coming along nicely but had to be put on hold due to the bad weather in December and January. I'm starting to sort out my veggie patches in the garden and need toget the bits together for the mini greenhouses to start planting seeds next month. On the whole I think 2011 is going to be a really good year! |
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20 Feb 11 - 03:55 PM (#3099277) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: maire-aine All but 2 little patches of snow had disappeared from my front yard, but now it's snowing like crazy again. They're also forecasting sleet & freezing rain, so I'm staying home today. Did a little bit of grocery shopping this morning. Also did two loads of laundry. Spending the afternoon trying to de-clutter my computer/music room. I make a little progress, and then it piles up again. Maryanne |
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20 Feb 11 - 06:35 PM (#3099374) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre Catherine, WOW!! That is OUTSTANDING!!! You go girl!!!!! Michelle |
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20 Feb 11 - 06:55 PM (#3099390) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: katlaughing Thanks, SRS, no worries there. I have to monitor my pulse oximetry and keep my O2 levels at a certain level. If I get into too much of rush, that drops and I have to stop and breath better. That and a small crack in my ankle and subsequent "boot" keep me slow.:-) I did get Rog to bring me all of the clean clothes which had not been folded in a couple of months, just washed, dried, and toss in basket. I folded all of them and it felt good. I was also able to have Morgan over, essentially for the first time in about 2-3 weeks. He stayed for about 30 minutes, until I tired. He showed me, step-by-step, how he sketches out his artwork now with pencil, then goes over it, erasing the pencil as the final touch. It was really fun and he was great. Love those hugs and it looks as though he's grown a foot. He is becoming so mature. It's so wonderful to watch and listen to how he progresses. |
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20 Feb 11 - 07:23 PM (#3099408) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre Kat!!! There you are!!! Feel like coming over to fold my laundry? I only have a load or so. Better yet, how about I fold and you put it away?? ;) Glad to hear you are up and about and that Morgan comes to visit! You should post some of his artwork here sometime, I'd love to see it!!! Been missing you!!! Michelle |
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21 Feb 11 - 12:36 AM (#3099519) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Good walk with the dogs this evening, and a visit with a neighbor up the street. Sometimes I wonder if there is a business in all of the assistance that can be offered. But how on earth would you figure reasonable charges? Computers, gardening, de-cluttering (yup, that was what today's neighbor spoke of - I suggested she look for Clutter's Last Stand - easy to remember, and helpful. Anyway, I finished my laundry AND folded it. ;) No overflow on the drain as long as it is only a medium load. I picked up 10 bags of topsoil and some soil amendments, to do the next stages in the garden. The kitchen is looking good, though I have to wash off the shelves in the fridges. I've spilled in there a couple of times. SRS |
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21 Feb 11 - 03:49 AM (#3099559) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: mouldy Haven't been on here for a bit... Kat, I think it's a very good idea to have a friend help you de-clutter. A third party sees things in a different light, and will not want to cling onto stuff "just in case" or because it still has some life in it. Weight loss has stalled (and reversed, I think) and when friends visited this weekend we came to the conclusion that my (digital) scales are anything up to a stone out, and that I am closer to the horror story of those at the doctor's. I missed a zumba class because I had Freya over, and then it was cancelled last week (guess who actually went?) and there isn't one this week because the school it's held in is on holiday. However, the house doesn't look too bad at the moment. I am bearing in mind that in the not too distant future the work may be starting (I have one price in, and another due anytime) so I need to pull kitchen and toilet facilities (porta-potti) into the main body of the house. Washing will be on an ad-hoc basis! The work could take about 4 months, according to builder #1. I will see what the other guy says. At least the cost they have given so far is within my price limit. The guy who was going to enlarge the loft hatch and insulate the roof space says he can get the stuff up there with the hole as it is. He also said that the rafters are very uneven, which would make it difficult to board over. So I am just going for the insulation, and will see what they can give me when I get my new bit of roof. I have unpacked another couple of big boxes in the "annexe" and if I could just get the old beds out of there it would be much more spacious. Anyway, well done all of you! I am going to go get a good quality set of scales and then start to take a serious look at the weight again. My left leg's aching just below the knee after my last morris practice....it isn't used to being thumped about by such a lump! Didn't help that I slightly ricked my left ankle crossing the road to the hall, either! Andrea |
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21 Feb 11 - 10:34 AM (#3099723) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: maire-aine De-cluttered the driveway and sidewalk of 10 inches of snow that fell yesterday & overnight. That's as much as I'm going to do today. Still too much snow on our sidestreet to get out of the neighborhood, and I don't expect the city plow until overnight. Then another round of digging to clear the driveway. I've had enough of winter! Maryanne |
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21 Feb 11 - 11:42 AM (#3099761) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Andrea, I bought a new scale right after a doctor's visit a couple of years ago. I was weighed at the office with my shoes and jacket off but in my street clothes, so I headed over to Walmart and, with my shoes and jacket off, stood on various scales in the store until I found one that agreed with the doctor's scale. I have a photocopier here that came from my father's house. I used it when I did his estate and probably ran four reams of paper through it in the couple of years it took for that. It is a work horse, but it is starting to skip a cog when the cover moves. I can sell this on eBay as an item to "repair or use for parts." And it has a cartridge, which is expensive. I think moving this large item out of the house would be a good start on spring eBay decluttering. Must find a box that will fit, and find a few things to place inside to keep it from jostling. I used to have the box, maybe it is in the garage attic. I'll probably have to use my bathroom scale to weigh this. :-/ SRS |
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21 Feb 11 - 01:33 PM (#3099814) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg Dontcha just love taking a frozen brick out of the freezer, thawing it while remembering the great meal you knew you'd someday make from it when you froze it so carefully, and (10 minutes later) sitting down with a cold, snowy man to eat it up hot? Curried lentils (round one) and hammy lentils (round two later) for Mr. Snowplow. So much fell overnight that our little Deere could not shove it, so we're both glad we it the bullet a few years back and invested in the snowblower. (The Deere will neaten up the edges and the upcoming further snowfall.) It's great when the snow-surprise cancels Mud Season, but we know it will only make Mud Season that much muddier when it all melts... Still, a few more days of clean dog-paws-- always good news! ~Susan |
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21 Feb 11 - 01:45 PM (#3099823) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall I had a blue funk day yesterday. Hearing that my sweet raccoon is doing great was nice but I went into grief mode. No, it would not be fair to him to visit. He would expect Mom to take him home; I would be abandoning him all over again. Raccoons apparently never forget. So I weathered the grief thinking of how much worse it is for those who have lost children - at any age. It did not help that it was a dreadful grey day, cold and heavy. And that I wonder if we will ever get this place together. Once again - dependence on. "It would be a good idea to paint upstairs first..." Then he tells me about other concerns and maybe we should gut the BR.... So, Andrea is getting ready to do all this nasty sort of stuff and I suggested we just buy a place in the country. The Danish say "ten moves equal one fire". I'm going out to replenish our supplements. This is all I can cope with right now. But, I'm OK, just need to let the muddy water settle so I can see the fish. At least the sun is shining! |
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21 Feb 11 - 03:21 PM (#3099888) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall I had a blue funk day yesterday. Hearing that my sweet raccoon is doing great was nice but I went into grief mode. No, it would not be fair to him to visit. He would expect Mom to take him home; I would be abandoning him all over again. Raccoons apparently never forget. So I weathered the grief thinking of how much worse it is for those who have lost children - at any age. It did not help that it was a dreadful grey day, cold and heavy. And that I wonder if we will ever get this place together. Once again - dependence on. "It would be a good idea to paint upstairs first..." Then he tells me about other concerns and maybe we should gut the BR.... So, Andrea is getting ready to do all this nasty sort of stuff and I suggested we just buy a place in the country. The Danish say "ten moves equal one fire". I'm going out to replenish our supplements. This is all I can cope with right now. But, I'm OK, just need to let the muddy water settle so I can see the fish. At least the sun is shining! OOPS! came back and found this still here. Well, now it is lunch and wath Little Mosque... But I did some clean up in the K, and started a new grocer list to ensure potluck chili for Sunday - with not as much of the HOT!! chili powder. After lunch, go on line to find supplements I really want and hae them sent to friend in USA to avoid extra shipping charge. |
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21 Feb 11 - 03:51 PM (#3099911) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Finished listing a bunch of stuff online that needed attention, and now I'm going to work on the eBay stuff. Nate Berkus has segments about various things, and today they had someone from a program I've never watched (from the Biggest Loser franchise) talk about portions. And this was useful, using household items to compare/judge portion size, because I'm aware that while I eat healthy, I'm still getting too much. It's difficult when I'm still learning to cook smaller quantities, so too often I end up with too much on my plate. That will be my next part of the healthy eating routine - making sure there are smaller entree portions and more fruit and veggies. Want to know how large the piece of chicken on your plate should be? Make it the size of a normal coaster (I remember The Zone books talking about the size of the palm of your hand - same idea). The amount of dry cereal to eat? A teacup, not a bowl. A glass of juice has as much calorie-wise as six oranges. Eat an orange instead and you'll get the fiber along with the right amount of calories. Good points. SRS |
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21 Feb 11 - 04:09 PM (#3099929) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg DP, if large doses of B5 (pantothenic acid) are not in the supp list, we need to talk. How large? More than B-complex for stress gives, and more than can be gotten in food. ~Susan |
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21 Feb 11 - 06:32 PM (#3099992) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I'm still looking for the owner's manual that I know is around here somewhere. I've seen it, but I can't find the file it might be in. Or the shelf. I've found a lot of other stuff, things that needed sorting or filing or shredding. So while I'm still aiming at boxing the copier today, I have not assembled everything I know can go with it. The more stuff, the better, especially when it includes instructions. The box is history, but I've found one that will work. I came across a ton of papers that were carefully gathered while I was working on my master's thesis, and I always thought I might do more with them later. But as an independent scholar (occasionally now) I find I'm not interested in keeping up or following through with that material. I specialized in American Indian literature in English, as a way to get a look at environmental attitudes from outside the dominant culture. And I did that. But I find that the infighting in the field of AI lit is so fraught with politics and bad feelings that I have lost interest. I do like the environmental direction, so I am going to go through and sort the items I might use and make a huge stack of those I won't. I suppose I could donate them to the English Dept, but in these day and age many of these things are available in a PDF version. (I helped in the conversion of putting some scarce essays from an early American Indian lit journal online- it was a useful thing to do and I don't regret it.) I suppose we all hit these points where we realize that something we spent a lot of time on was useful at the time, taught us lessons we use now, but the bulk of the material is no longer useful. I'm still looking for that copier brochure, but it was in the same closet with a lot of grad school stuff. That's how I ended up on this detour. Another thing I did this afternoon is set up a conspicuous file in my computer documents for collecting information that is on pieces of paper that I'd like to discard. I can either scan the papers or write down the address or phone number in question. SRS |
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21 Feb 11 - 07:20 PM (#3100017) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: mouldy My daughter says my scales don't read properly because I am using them on a carpeted floor.... that means getting naked in either the hallway or the kitchen! I'll give a harder floor a try. I didn't go out and get new ones today because I got stuck into making a rag jacket for my morris kit. The living room is now buried under strips of cloth. Should be clear in a couple of days, if I crack on with the jacket. Andrea |
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21 Feb 11 - 09:39 PM (#3100069) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I have a paper grocery sack to collect all of the papers I'm not using. Most of them aren't worth donating anywhere, they're printed emails, etc. I'll clear out a couple of square feet of paper and feel good about it. I'm reminded of a couple of friends I haven't heard from for a while, so I might drop them a line this evening. Another good thing for decluttering, the reconnection with friends. Andrea, I think your daughter is right about the scale. SRS |
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21 Feb 11 - 10:05 PM (#3100083) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre Well. Where did this day begin? Jeremiah was up from 2:30ish until about 4:00am. Then the power went out. I had not yet gone to bed when Jeremiah woke up so I didn't get to bed until 5:30 this morning. Did all the dishes from yesterday (man...it's amazing how many dishes I can dirty up when I'm cooking!) and spent the day with my honey. We got about 12 inches of snow so he stayed home due to the weather. That was nice! :) He plowed our very long driveway so we can both get out tomorrow! I had 2 nice phone calls from friends and basically hung out all day. Jeremiah's sleep schedule is messed up so I'm working to get that back in order. He's still up at the moment, hopping and singing away. :) And oh yes...Pete fixed the vaccuum cleaner today so I had fun with that for awhile....I have been wanting to use it for about a week now! A little more rearranging was done today in the living room. Tomorrow I get my car fixed. They are going to give me a loaner car at the garage so I don't have to entertain my cutie patootie for hours on end in the waiting room. Nice!!! Just had a Chobani yogurt for a snack...loaded with protein and tasty! Night Everybody! Michelle |
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22 Feb 11 - 09:52 AM (#3100324) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg Adrien will be here shortly. The plan for today is to build the first of two massive storage shelves-- think plywood cabinet boxes, with 2x4 supports for the shelves. This one will house the compact fridge and leave lots of storage space on shelves above and below. The second one (for later) will house the matching freezer and provide storage above that. The goal is two movable, matching cases that can become closets or storage lockers. Disassemble-able. In use in another home they can be painted and trimmed out with molding on the exposed edges of the plywood. ~Susan |
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22 Feb 11 - 11:34 AM (#3100388) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: katlaughing I managed to get it together enough to finish paying all of the mid-month bills, so my concentration is getting better and paper has been decluttered. Also had another good night of sleep. Doing some laundry as I did yesterday, too. |
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22 Feb 11 - 11:55 AM (#3100414) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre Ah yes. The Wee One slept all night (which means I did too!) and is currently napping, right on schedule! The sky is bright blue today, the wind is calm and the snow is absolutely gorgeous! I bundled up the baby in several layers and took him for a walk....a sled ride really! I walked and pulled him along behind me. Since he needs a little stablity sitting in a sled, I sat a box at the back of the sled and put him in it! PERFECT! He was supported, warm and best of all, he loved it!!! At the end of our walk, we played in the snow for maybe a minute...he didn't like that as much. His one little mitten wouldn't stay on so I'm sure he was cold and uncomfortable. We came back in, peeled off our wet clothes and sat in front of the fire to warm up a bit. It's been a glorious morning!!!! Michelle |
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22 Feb 11 - 02:00 PM (#3100482) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage That sounds like a great ride, Michelle! We don't have sled materials here, in Texas, but the next best thing is the Radio Flyer wagon. I pulled the kids around a lot in that! I photographed the next batch of stuff to be boxed and taken to Goodwill. This will clear the doorway of a few tripping hazards. More paper out of the way, some repackaged for the time being. I just opened a heavy plastic box and found a bunch of packages of photos from when the kids were young. Including one with them playing with a box at christmas-time. The classic scenario - the boxes are more fun than the gifts. :) SRS |
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22 Feb 11 - 07:54 PM (#3100751) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Genie Does shedding 10-20 surplus lb. count as "decluttering?" |
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22 Feb 11 - 08:30 PM (#3100768) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage It works for us! Congratulations! The first tray of seeds has been planted and watered and is in the windowsill. These are destined to be planted in mid-to-late April. I'll also do some planting from seed before that. Just had a call from the next door neighbor, and I realized that that cell phone no longer has all of my contacts. I took the extras out when I mailed it to my son last month. Now that it's back, I linked it up to my pocket cell phone and used the blutooth feature to send all of my contacts to that phone. Technology does make some things MUCH easier! Off to drop off stuff at Goodwill and check the mail. I've done some puttering around the house and cleaned the kitchen. The dogs and I took a walk and even went over into the woods and I let them root around in the underbrush (their absolute favorite thing when we go walking!). I have one last thing to finish on my list, and then I'm finished. Daffodils are blooming in my front yard today. SRS |
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22 Feb 11 - 08:55 PM (#3100776) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Genie: Abso -bluminlutely!!!! One thing I do have organized is owner's manuals - in one file in top drawer of old wooden filing cabinet. Of course, I do not have many. Computer stuff, not much either - is in the top right hand drawer of desk. It was so nice to find it there after moving the stuff here - the desk comes apart in 5 pieces but all was well when I put it together. Everything stayed in the drawers throughout the storage and move. Yesterday, I spent a couple hours making three computer files into one - quotes and bits from books "ideas". Somehow it got copied twice and I had to ensure all was well and delete the repeats. I moved it to "write this" folder. Then found "chronology" of my life that I would like to enlarge. Have a pile of about ten years of day books sitting here to be gone through, pertinent dates entered, paper going to recycling - nothing identifiable except to me. Today, I spent almost the entire day on line trying to find the supplements I wanted. Finally phoned the herb supplier in Oregon and found out the one Canadian source and phoned them. They do not mail order so, on their web site, I found a Montreal store, where I sometimes shop, which carries their products. I phoned and (YaY!) the man understood English very well and offered to see if he could obtain what I want and will phone me back "early next week". Also realized this Canadian vitamin company has good products that I can purchase at said store as well as the other one I frequent. (double YAY!) I wrote down the ones I want and will call to see if they have them in stock. It is such a relief to have this in hand after months of trying to figure it out. Well worth the time spent. It feels like a giant step forward - a success! Both these shops are on my "new" shopping route. This particular herb company, Eclectic, offers tinctures in 4 oz bottles, as well as the small ones. I prefer to purchase one larger one than four small ones. Wish I could get larger ones! I hate the proliferation of small bottles and eyedroppers. Also ordered some supplements by mail from a Canadian source. Thought I had to use PayPal and had trouble with it. Phoned the vitamin company and a nice woman placed my order directly. Then got a call from another nice woman at said company that PayPal had also put it through in spite of the fact that I did not complete my registration. She canceled that one for me. I do not wish to see or hear the word P-P ever again. Made a long overdue dentist appointment- for a month from now, with Rob's good dentist - environmentally safe environment and safe materials. I'm a bit pie-eyed but more content. Maybe tomorrow I can actually write something interesting. |
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22 Feb 11 - 11:32 PM (#3100832) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Genie Sad to say, Stilly, I can't say I've done it yet. (OK, I've done it several times before but need to do it yet again.) Just wanta know if it counts if/when I do it again. : ) |
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23 Feb 11 - 12:08 AM (#3100846) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Genie, same here, alas. Have to get dressed up some tomorrow. I have some clothes in mind that I'll hang out his evening. I'll wear comfortable shoes and walk from the parking area and get extra exercise (beyond my dog walking). I can see me as my old thin self for most of my life, now I just have to get back there. SRS |
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23 Feb 11 - 02:41 AM (#3100885) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: mouldy I have a full length mirror in my bedroom, and it's getting scary! I have got to get very stricy with myself...eventually! Andrea |
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23 Feb 11 - 11:33 AM (#3101236) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg TIP Here's a question some of you may enjoy pondering (or YMMV)-- are you decluttering a ROOM or are you decluttering your LIFE? What would the implications be if you exchanged one approach for the other? === I was doing the former but for a long time now have been doing the latter. Pursuant to that goal the new smaller fridge is in its cabinet and its first bin for veggies is in place waiting to be filled. I've just about tried every mysterious veg at the stores to know what we like and how to fix it so we like it. A shelf in that cabinet awaits our easy installation now that the box is built, and I know what to put there-- the fabric shopping bags that pile up in my van! And the empty laundry baskets (it's on the way to the machines). A huge shelf below the fridge awaits Hardi's stuff. Or water jugs. Not winter wear-- mice may nest there. ~S~ |
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23 Feb 11 - 11:53 AM (#3101243) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre The answer to that question is BOTH! I work on my house daily and their are relationships that have been let go because I just don't have room in my life for all the BS anymore. If they were relationships on the mend, that has moved forward but if not, buh bye. I'm just not interested. For me, decluttering is about both. Life is short. I want to enjoy every possible second. Michelle |
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23 Feb 11 - 10:39 PM (#3101651) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage There were personal relationships that were (in hindsight) quite toxic a decade or two ago. Those should have been decluttered, but finally just drifted off (or died). The declutter now is a result of clinging to family, some of them I barely knew, or only knew of, because of parents who squabbled with their parents. As a result, I met very few of my relatives growing up. Knowing stories about them now is sometimes associated with a thing that I know to have been theirs. It has been a process to cull the things that are no longer required in order to make the family stories mine. I went to a lecture this evening. Actually, I went to two of them today, one at noon by the professor who was chair of my master's committee, to do with collecting tables of contents of literature anthologies going back as far as they have been produced to see what was really "canonical," and then later, the guy who established the "howstuffworks" website, programs, etc. Interesting, and in a way, he was giving people permission to do things they had been thinking about for a long time. More on that later, I'm bushed and heading for bed. SRS |
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24 Feb 11 - 12:11 AM (#3101680) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre *standing* (ahem) Hi. My name is Lily and I'm addicted to shiny sinks. It is after midnight and I have just finished doing the dishes because I can't stand them in the sink. My mother used to be this way, perhaps it's genetic. I'm tired and should be in bed but no, I'm up puttering away. I rearranged two 5 foot cupboards, relocated all my baking dishes, moved soup from the mudroom/pantry into the space where the baking dishes were, scrubbed the toaster oven and microwave, moved both and cleaned behind them (which apparently I haven't done in some time...EW). Coffee is all set to go for the morning, all the toys are picked up, the table is cleared, my side table is cleared and laundry is ready to go for tomorrow provided Pete can get the drain unthawed (minus 9 here last night), I unloaded my camera today and spent some time fussing with the pictures of Jeremiah, of course!!! I have lots of new video too....he sure is a lot of fun!!! I should head to bed. Night Everybody! Michelle |
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24 Feb 11 - 10:05 AM (#3101910) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage You're a tough nut to crack, Michelle! I've done that also, and I suspect it is a mix of wanting to please yourself with how nice it looks tomorrow morning and feeling like you need to do more. I'm here to tell you you're doing way more than enough. And getting enough sleep at night should be your work also - it will be what helps you get over the chemicals that are gradually cycling out of your system. It's one of those heavily overcast days. The street lights aren't on, but another notch or two down the darkness scale and they will be. We can use the rain - gardeners can, anyway, it's helpful in softening the soil as we prepare beds for crops this year. I'll be decluttering the camera of photos today also, and filling it up again tomorrow. This will be three photo shoots in 8 days, so I have a lot of photo processing to do. I'll do a lot of it this afternoon and tomorrow, and will, unlike last weekend, keep my days off for myself and work around here. I'm really glad I made the push last weekend to send out two newsletters - I received a copy of my evaluation yesterday and this morning I sit down to discuss it. These newsletters are new creations, completely generated by me, and I hear from people that they appreciate them. I hope my employers hear that also. SRS |
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24 Feb 11 - 10:53 AM (#3101940) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: katlaughing Doing a little more each day...laundry, picking up, etc. Had enough energy to have Morgan over for about an hour after school. He was so cute. Had his jacket zipped when he got here and told me to close my eyes, then said TaDa! and told me open my eyes. He had earned a t-shirt and medal for being a Shining Star at school. Star stands for Self-responsibility, Teamwork, Attitude, Respect, and Safety. They had an assembly with parents and all and, of course, he was given it in front of everyone, as well as a book and a couple of other things. I am so prooud of him. He was just beaming. Take a <LOOK. While he was here, he helped out by taking out some trash and he is hot to make a "book box" something they apparently do at school, sorting their books by level. We couldn't find anything which would work, but we will get him some Magazine box. That will declutter his very messy bookshelf set he had over here, kat |
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24 Feb 11 - 01:47 PM (#3102048) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre Kat....he is ADORABLE and obviously proud of himself...YAY!!!! Remind me again how old he is please! SRS....a tough nut to crack, eh? LOL I've been called far worse! ;) I DO like to wake up to a clean kitchen. I can't cook there if the sink is full or the counter is messy. A bit OC if you ask me but it doesn't extend to the rest of the house (too bad, really)...just the kitchen!!! I had to make an out of town trip to check on a friend this morning, then to the store for water and catfood. I ended up getting those but also eggs, BirdsEye Asian Veggies and BirdsEye Teryaki veggies....love those mixes!!! I can us 2 solid dinners out of each bag and then a day of it for lunches. YUM. Just add rice or noodles and meat if you wish. I like to put chunky peanut butter in the Asian veggie mix. Sounds weird, I know, but try it!! So...now I'm home for the rest of the day. I have a friend coming over later (we have a little book club) today during Jeremiah's nap time and then it's time to make dinner (tonights menu: Roasted Chicked, Carrots and a Baked Potato). I'm draggy today but a cup of coffee should help with that. My washing machine still isn't working (drain froze) and it's piling up. That makes me kinda twitchy!!!! Feels like rain. Michelle |
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24 Feb 11 - 01:49 PM (#3102049) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: katlaughing Thanks, Michelle, he's seven, in the first grade. |
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24 Feb 11 - 07:18 PM (#3102278) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I'm glad to see someone confirm that drains can freeze! I think that is what happened to cause my washer drain line to backup during that cold cold weather we had here. Those are great photos, Kat. Morgan has had a lot of opportunity to learn how to be responsible and helpful with the work he has done with you, so take a bow yourself. I poked back through a few more of your photos - is that piano at your house? It's lovely. I have an old one that has some similar characteristics. I need to have it rebuilt one of these days, if I ever save up the cash or win the lottery. Evaluation went well, could have been sad - my boss is going back to teaching in the next academic year so he's saying good-bye in a way- but there is no way it is good bye for me to a friend for the last 15 years! Running errands this evening, looking forward to the weekend to get moving on the garden. I'm working at using supplies I have here, not spending a lot. Fresh fruit, veggies, yogurt, healthy stuff is on my list. SRS |
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24 Feb 11 - 08:12 PM (#3102296) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Hawker Two Stones... that's 28 pounds......that's 14 bags of sugar.......or........56 blocks of butter or lard!!!!! Heres to another 2! :0) Cheers, Lucy |
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24 Feb 11 - 10:53 PM (#3102356) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: katlaughing Thanks, SRS. They say a child needs three major people in his life from birth on. He started out with his mom and us in the same house, then just down the street. We have all always been there for him, plus his step-dad then came in and has done a lot. I do see it as a collaborative affair. Of course we've had outstanding material to work with, said the bragging grandma.:-) Load of laundry, more cleaning off my desk, nap, lunch, rest, rest and a bit more of picking up. My eating has completely changed to what I've always known I needed to do. Being on clear liquid for three days at the hospital with no salt, even though I don't put any on and I don't cook with it, there is always some, changed my palate, I think. I still have a smoothie and toast for breakfast, but lunch is only one slice of oat and bran bread with tuna in water with lite mayo and half of it goes for tithes to the cats.:-) They use the Silent Miaow method. Supper is usually a very small grilled chicken breast with Mrs. Dash for flavouring with a very small salad and some mixed veggies with a small amt. of oleo. At least a third of the chicken goes to the cats. They are trying to make up for the dog not being to clean up.**bg** I don't eat or drink anything after about 7pm and am restricted to 2 liters of liquids per day anyway, so I really make those count. I am really enjoying orange juice with ice cubes and the same with Crystal Lite in water. We will be doing something with a no salt vegetable broth and chicken broth Rog found at the store, soon, and I am craving barley. All good food I used to eat, but in a different way. Now, I also eat slowly, not taking a bite unless my O2 sat rate is up where it is supposed to be. The nurses and docs explained to me, the reason some people stuff so quickly and so much can be because they have breathing problems and are panicky about getting food without losing their breath. I hadn't thought of that, but if you are a mouth breather or shallow breather it makes sense. Anyway, my meals taste better and are more satisfying. |
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25 Feb 11 - 01:20 AM (#3102394) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage These new ads at the bottom of the page are HORRIBLE. Tomorrow is Friday, and I have a short list of things I made this evening, and I set it up so they're ready to work on. I think that will make my effort to continue the non-procrastination exercises. I backslide some, or I realize after a while that if I'd remembered to make a list I'd be further along. A visual reminder helps to keep me on task. SRS |
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25 Feb 11 - 09:26 AM (#3102580) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: GUEST,Tunesmith Well, winter seems to be going on forever here the UK. It's probably to do with the fact that we had - by British standards - dreadful, record-breaking, bad weather in December. I'm on a health kick at the moment and I joined a health club three week's ago. Btw, I believe membership of health clubs is very reasonably priced here in the UK. I pay - with senior citizen discount - about £21 a month and that entitles me to use the very well equiped gym, swimming-pool, and a variety of aerobic style classes. Anyway, I'm not only thinking of getting physically fit, but trying to eat really well. I've a feeling lots of "keep-fit" followers forget the healthy eating part. Of course, it's the Olympics here next year and I've heard a rumour that they are going to have the "egg and spoon race" as a "guest" sport. I was pretty good at that event back in my 1950s primary school days. I wonder if I could make the team? |
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25 Feb 11 - 10:33 AM (#3102618) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg Been thinkin' about (reflecting while doing tasks) that declutter life/declutter space thing. My insight (YMMV) of this AM is that if I declutter my own unhealthy habits, I don't need to think about "toxic people" as an item to declutter-- because if I am busy with my own goals I am not open to interference, but only support. So when I think about decluttering my life, I am actually thinking of the positives I want to bring in, much more than the negatives I want to exclude. To reach for one you can't have your hands full of the other. ~Susan |
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25 Feb 11 - 11:19 AM (#3102639) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Jeri I try not to think of my fellow human beings as "toxic". Anybody who can do that is just a little evil. Relationships are toxic; people are flawed. They might have a problem with me, but I might have a problem with them, but the demonization of individuals is what BAD people do. Nazis, murderers, bullies, the person who sticks a cherry bomb in your mailbox. It's an excuse to be as mean as you like to that person. It greatly bothers me to see people called "toxic" here. Rant over. It has dawned on me that the primary reason I have clutter is that cleaning/sorting/disposing of things is not part of my daily routine. I work around things instead of trying to make choices, and that's true of more than just my things. I was looking forward to the gym today, but there's weather out there. Today, there will be shoveling of snow and tomorrow, the gym. Hopefully, my power will remain on. |
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25 Feb 11 - 11:25 AM (#3102646) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Jeri Kat, my mom used to make lemon/lime chicken. She made a bunch of boneless/skinless breasts and froze some. The "sour" makes it taste saltier than it is, and I like it even if I'm not on a low-salt diet. |
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25 Feb 11 - 05:47 PM (#3102837) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg Jeri, "toxic people" is a term that hit the popular culture some time ago (just try a Google search). I don't think anyone who has used it here means to be creating a new way of looking at people; we're all more or less influenced by the culture. But yes I agree that staying in that kind of paradigm is, itself, not-positive in and of itself. ~Susan |
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25 Feb 11 - 08:24 PM (#3102901) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: katlaughing Thanks, Jeri, I'll try it. There is an interesting book out called Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships which addresses people, relationships, etc. with some scientific cites. It's written by Daniel Goleman who wrote Emotional Intelligence, too. If you are interested I'll send you the copies I have. Toxic, to me, is interchangeable with emotional vampire. It is a good thing to set boundaries and that is no more negative than the man in the moon. I did more today than yesterday. Rog had the day off, so we did a follow up with my reg doc., went to the coumadin clinic, then the orthopaedic doc who said I can go without the boot now. Yippee! Rog bought me a webcam and installed it, plus he got really ambitious and got a new radiator for the car which has been slowly leaking. We also got some of those magazine holder boxes for Morgan to declutter his books. Tomorrow, I hope we get the living room rearranged a bit. His recliner is buried and we need to set up the music keyboard nearer the PC as he just bought an adaptor for it, so my brother can play his classical piano music into it and we can get busy marketing. |
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25 Feb 11 - 11:09 PM (#3102955) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: LilyFestre Today I did laundry, laundry, laundry. My drain is finally unfrozen! YAY. I didn't do much else today as I woke up feeling like someone kicked the heck out of my right kidney. Every step with the right foot sent shooting pains up my back. Thankfully Pete was home today to help with the baby, especially in the morning as things eased a bit later in the day. I also read 4 chapters of my homework.....4 more to go and some paperwork to dig into. I'm learning quite a bit and it feels good! An old friend from high school is coming over next week with her infant daughter. We normally meet at a restaurant but both Jeremiah and Audrey are getting to the stage where they want to be able to move about and talk...so we'll meet here instead. I'm not sure what I'll make for lunch. For medical reasons, she has to follow a low carb diet. I'm sure I'll come up with something. Anyway, it will be her first time here and I want the place to be in tip top shape...so it's a good motivator for me to get busy. Also, I found a guy who can come finish a few odd jobs that Pete started and never seems have time to finish. I'm excited about this. I'm not going to tell Pete, I'd much rather it be a surprise!!! YAY! Goodnight Friends, Michelle |
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26 Feb 11 - 04:54 PM (#3103221) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Michelle, in the first couple of years you'll see more "side by side" play with the little ones, instead of both playing at the same game together, so don't be surprised. They'll be glad to see each other, then proceed to play individually with the various toys. My austerity measures are in play, and are remarkably useful as I work on the procrastination reform. If I don't put off doing some things like shopping or cooking, I'm less likely to use a more expensive shortcut. Decluttering myself of habits of spending money has been an important goal. All incoming cash during the month that isn't paycheck goes strictly to paying down cards. I hope that along with paying off bills and using time better, my work will lead to weight loss. The big three, time, money, weight! In the procrastination reform, I find that keeping a running steno pad of notes at the computer, and drawing a box around a short 3-item list of things to do each day is the best way to stay on task. Rather than letting myself be distracted by having to get up to check something now as it occurs to me, I make a note and do it at a better time. As far as the discussion of "toxic people," I agree with Kat. It's shorthand for the individuals that we personally are unable to influence as far as their behavior toward us (and frequently, but not always, with others). They generally only do us harm when they are in our presence, and rather than keep pounding our heads against the wall in trying to deal rationally with irrational people, one finally has to take the self-protective measure of simply cutting off all contact with that person. They may still get along with others for various reasons, and there is no reason they should be exterminated, Nazi (!) or any other style. In my instance, the one person with that designation has an un-diagnosed but very recognizable mental health problem. That individual has manufactured a button that he pushes himself when he's in my presence. There's simply no way to defend yourself against something like that. SRS |
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26 Feb 11 - 06:05 PM (#3103262) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall I don't "see" ads - not on the computer or the newspaper or magazines! I have to make an effort to look at them. Talk about wearing blinders!! But it works for me - less clutter on the page. "To reach for one you can't have your hands full of the other." Good thought, Susan. I will ponder that. In the meantime.... Sometimes those people get in the way of my picking up that which I feel I want/need/ ?? Not because I allow it but because I am not alone in making decisions - reaching for.... Hmmm, because my S.O. has not learned the strategies he needs to go forward without this impedance....?? Sometimes togetherness.... working on it. I think the term "toxic" may stem from that book about toxic parents. Although I recognize that these people are not "bad people" they do counter-productive and hurtful things and are very capable of getting very much in the way if one has no strategies for avoiding them. If one has been trained from birth to accept their behaviour, it is hard to even see new ways of coping, even when one knows it is harmful to oneself and one's other relationships. But Jeri, I am not "evil" and I hope I am not toxic to anyone. I realize I also use the word toxic because of environmental toxins - to which I am highly susceptible. A part of the reason I have so much trouble with this toxic person is that I am hyper-sensitive to loud noise to the point that it is physically painful as well as creating a brain dysfunction. Driving a vehicle with this person screaming in the back seat, after having been asked repeatedly to be quiet, reduces me to a quivering mass of protoplasm just as surely as a strong perfume puts my brain into anger mode in seconds. Noise is toxic. So is perfume. So is the person who screams and yells after many explanations of the effect this has. Strategy: He does NOT ride in my vehicle - unless there were an emergency. A rather large part of my life has to be dedicated to avoiding toxins and de-toxing my body, which absorbs toxins like a sponge. Keeping a home that is as toxin free as possible means the air cleaners working, not bringing in toxic materials, insisting S.O. leave outer clothes outside of BR - because he works with dusts and other products of a toxic nature almost daily. It gets in his hair and beard so he often has to wash them before bedtime. He is so used to the dirt, he doesn't notice it. One might say that I clutter his life with my needs for a clean environment. I tend to meet each day with queries: What must be done today? What is the best thing I can do today to make things better? or What do I FEEL like doing today that will improve things? Since brekkie, I have laundered ALL the bedding, including two quilts - one is drying over the ladder back chairs in the K to avoid more dryer use. Come warm weather I want a clothes line or outdoor drying rack. I sorted out a double batch of chili, made yesterday, into potluck and storage - in yogurt containers (5 large) in freezer. I made about three dozen turkeyballs - mixed the 3 lbs ground turkey with onion.garlic, sage, parsley and cayenne and two eggs, flatted the lot on the cookie sheet. cut it into small pieces, rounded them up a bit and broiled them, turning once. When cool, they will go in frig and then freezer to be used a half dozen at a time. Thurs, at the Maxi, I found a treasure trove of organic cornmeal muffin mix at 50% and bought all ten. Would you believe, SRS, There is NO cornmeal in Quebec stores! At least not any of the big ones. I really wanted corn bread to go with my chili so... But yesterday, the bottom element in the oven broke, literally! I did not even touch it. Rob may or may not bring home another one. He took the old one with him. Nope, I phoned him and the element store was closed; no cornbread tomorrow unless I can make it in the microwave? Hmmm... OK, I joined a raccoon rescue group on line and that sent me to something called Goodreads which I also joined. Then I sat here wondering if I have time for this. Well, I will only give it as much as I feel able. I now need to complete my own raccoon story to send to the reporter and a couple other interested people. That is priority one - the next "most important thing" but I have to FEEL ready for it, hopefully today or tomorrow. I still have not heard from the Montreal rescue group which is bothersome as I would like its input for the newspaper. |
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26 Feb 11 - 07:14 PM (#3103285) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: katlaughing Still losing water weight - 28 pounds since a January visit to the doc. Feels better with each pound. Puttered with Rog and Morgan this morning. Had lunch, then thought I was ready for rest. Couldn't get to sleep even with the cpap and two cats.:-) Guess I got enough sleep, again, last night! Anyway, I knew we had to straighten out our bedroom. It was chaotic as Rog tossed the closet looking for a bag when I was in hospital. It's been really bugging me. So, I got up, unburied a chair, tossed some stuff back in the closet, had Rog come in and arrange my three clothing canvas crates and clean clothes baskets within my reach on the floor and small table. I also had a trash bag half full of give-aways. I went through ALL of my clothes, except those hanging in the closet, folded them and put them in the crates, over-filled the charity bag and now have a very neat, more orderly bedroom which I know will help me sleep even better. I even sat in the chair and had a good phone visit with a friend. There's more, little things like knick-knacks, etc. which I will get to, but now we can walk in there without tripping over anything. Yea! kat |
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27 Feb 11 - 01:19 AM (#3103390) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I had the Goodwill stuff in the truck for several days, after escorting it out of the house, and today I not only dropped it off, I didn't leave with anything after a quick tour of the store. Most important thing to do here is to not procrastinate in keeping the documentation up to date. I printed out a brief list of the items, added a photo (I always take a photo) into that Word document, printed and stapled it to the receipt. If I do this as I take stuff over, it is much easier at tax time. Laundry, dishes, finished. Kat, when my cats were healthy, they were good company on the bed. One always slept down near my feet, one slept up near my pillow (but not on it.) Every so often after they were gone I'd still feel the phantom delicate "thump" of a cat jumping onto the bed. No way I can let the dogs sleep up there - 100 pounds of jealous heat producing pooches, they pin me down by the covers and bake me between them! SRS |
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27 Feb 11 - 12:09 PM (#3103634) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage I've been reading more about microwave cooking this morning. This article goes a long way to convince me that the switch to a double boiler for reheating would be a good idea. I've found a couple to look at in department stores, and there is an Asian market I go to every so often that has some great pans for very reasonable prices. I can use my convection oven for larger items and for defrosting. Gardening for a while today. Pruning to start, so it's at the curb for trash tomorrow. Some of these limbs don't break down well in the compost. I wish I could afford to get a chipper, I'd use it all year round. SRS |
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27 Feb 11 - 06:41 PM (#3103890) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Looks like I'm making up for lost time during the week, wandering in here during the day. I gave myself the assignment to completely fill the large Rubbermaid trash can with the trimmed branches on a couple of shrubs in the front yard, and that has been accomplished. I've offloaded my topsoil and amendments in the garage and garden, so the staging of my spring gardening is about complete. Next comes the hardest part - digging up weeds in the established area (not too bad) and digging up the turf for the extension of the garden (the big work). And while I'm out there, I need to think about where to plant my bay tree. I've rearranged the kitchen counters (again!) now that the microwave oven is off of the counter. I picked up a 2 quart saucepan/double boiler for reheating food, and for now I'll use the conventional oven that I already own rather than pick up a toaster oven. Toaster ovens look cute but they're usually a pain to clean and they always get really hot. I don't know that it costs that much more to heat my oven in my stove, but I do know that is much better insulated and I'm not likely to burn myself on it. Back to basics, the stove top and oven, and we'll see what happens. SRS |
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27 Feb 11 - 07:51 PM (#3103917) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall I find a good toaster over is very easy to clean. It is smaller, uses less electric and is quick and easy to use. In PA, in the warm weather, I kept it on the back porch so it did not heat up the house, along with the distiller and the slow cooker. The articles about microwaving are downright scary. I will look out for a couple more opinions/research but I keep wondering,,, I guess my bottom line, right now, is still that my health consultant, the woman who gave me my health back, still thinks it is Ok. But NEVER with plastic. Chili went over very well at potluck today. One woman asked for recipe. No corn bread. Maybe next time. My previous toaster oven was large enough for an 8x8 pan. This one is not. The frig situation has become critical. Things that are frozen one day are thawed the next. Not healthy. This is a must-deal-with situation. The conversation after potluck today was so exhausting for me that I came home only prepared to recover, totally drained by the effort involved in trying to comprehend the words people said. The person doing most of the talking, talks too fast and enunciates not at all, It is hard to participate when I do not know most of what has been said; I do not want to repeat what was just said. However, I did manage to make a couple useful suggestions and held my frustration in check - close to tears is better than angry. Auditory processing disorder (APD) may be worse than being hard of hearing as it does not matter how loud people talk, if they do not enunciate they might as well be talking Swahili. So a do-nothing afternoon and eve. Hopefully I can write tomorrow. Congratulations to SRS for not bringing anything home... And Kat for losing water/weight and all of us for keeping on.... |
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27 Feb 11 - 10:36 PM (#3103979) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg We performed the MOST supremely satisfying household chore Friday: totally emptying the fridge we thought was almost empty (3 boxes and a cooler) to WASH the whole interior. (The freezer section was relatively clean so I only sorted and rearranged that.) Since the shelves are glass, it looks especially sparkly now that it's clean. Hardi helped, bless him, and on his day "off" too. I usually do it in the shower when MIL comes to visit-- she missed the October 2010 visit so I issed the cleaning jobs that go along with it! :~) I am proud to say we only threw away about 3 items, and re-containerized a few to put them into smaller bottles, consolidate maple syrup, etc. All in time for a major fridge-filling grocery trip Tuesday. We (I) also set up the produce department in fridge II so it's also ready for fresh cargo. ~Susan |
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27 Feb 11 - 10:52 PM (#3103984) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: GUEST,lilyfestre I'm working on a giant master plan to get things in a smooth working fashion around here, an all encompassing plan. Today I spent a good part of the day learning about financing and financial issues....how we could make better use of our income. Dishes and laundry were done. I spent time visualizing some things that need to be rearranged. Sorting of items for the upcoming yard sale (oh I can't wait for that).....yep....decluttering is taking place. Some in my brain but mostly physically. Part of our fridge got decluttered today as well. We are striving to eat at home most of the time...dinner out maybe once or twice a month. So...we have all this food, let's make use of it! Jeremiah helped us to these ends as he finished up the last 2 cups of peach applesauce. He also ate one of the yogurts. And today he had the leftover Teryaki Chicken and Veggies (run through the Ninja of course). I have 2 roasting chickens in the fridge...I'll make one tomorrow night and freeze the others. All chicken breasts in the fridge will be grilled tomorrow afternoon (or morning) and tucked away for lunches for the rest of the week. At that point, the fridge should be just about empty. This is good. Jeremiah is just about old enough to start drinking milk. Since I drive 30 miles to go to a Sam's CLub, I'll be buying 4 or 5 gallons of milk at a time to keep him supplied (yes...will be checking expiration date). It's so much cheaper there. I think Walmart is charging 3,28ish for a gallon of milk and Sam's has Bryne Dairy (local milk, no hormones) for half that price so it's worth the trip....besides, I'll get other stuff there too. Anyway, this, my rambling Ambien post is just to say that a plan is formulating and life is going to get interesting around here. Declutter stuff wise. Declutter Money wise. Declutter Household paperwork. Declutter my brain with yoga or long walks. Etc. Night Everybody Michelle |
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28 Feb 11 - 01:07 AM (#3104008) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage The kitchen is clean and I have 7 calzones in the freezer. I had some Italian sausage and added onion, frozen banana pepper (from my garden) and garlic (from my garden). Cooked it down some, then added a bag of cut up tomatoes (from my garden) and thickened the sauce a little, then spooned onto my homemade dough (usually for pizza crust), topped with some soy provolone cheese I want to use up, and made calzone. No matter how small I try to make them, they always come out big. I'll probably cut them in 1/2 and wrap in foil tomorrow. They're freezing on cookie sheets right now. Trash out to the curb, then to bed. SRS |
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28 Feb 11 - 11:07 AM (#3104259) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Someone informed me this was a good program so I am simply passing it along: The Life Laundry was a BBC reality TV show that ran for three series from 2002 to 2004. It was first broadcast on BBC Two on 30 January 2002.[1] The show was billed by the BBC as an "interiors programme with a difference", dealing with the transformation of people's homes that had been subject to long-term clutter, and in most case hoarding. I have informed Rob of the critical nature of the frig. To underline this, his morning ration of canned baked beans was beyond eating this morning - after only 3 days in frig. I am giving this 24 hours and then going down the street for a second hand one. He has some old ones in storage somewhere but this problem has gotten OLD! I overwhelmed myself by joining two new groups. I will ignore one and check into raccoon site for more info. But priority today is detox and finish article about raccoons. And a small comment to an author about the current book. Joined his forum but that is negligible, like goodreads. Laundry is done, dishes washed and everything else as good as it gets right now. Worms are working well on composting job! So it is, "Focus, Dorothy, Focus!" Found a good article on Computer Vision Syndrome! I was getting concerned but this is very helpful. |
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28 Feb 11 - 11:33 AM (#3104281) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: katlaughing Good job, everyone. Thanks, Dorothy. Had more energy this morning. My breathing is getting better to the point I have had to turn down the O2. As a consequence, I actually felt like doing a bit of housekeeping. Picked up stuff in the LR and put it all away. Scrubbed the bathroom sink, polished the mirror, cleaned off and washed the kitchen table, got the sink and dishes ready for washing them. Still loving the less chaotic bedroom and plans to make it look even better. Twenty-one pounds and still going. kat |
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28 Feb 11 - 05:52 PM (#3104577) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Kat, all of that water must have felt awful. You're talking gallons that you're offloading there. Almost three, in fact. I did some shopping today, but I'll try to refrain from any more for a while: I need to continually remind myself to check the pantry before I go to the store. All too often I already had what I thought I needed. Dorothy, a properly operating refrigerator is an important health safety issue. I have thermometers in my fridge and both freezers to keep track that they're doing what they're supposed to. (My fridge has a computer that was malfunctioning for quite a while - it was making the freezer so cold that the gasket was failing and it was sucking in moisture from the house and condensing as ice in the bottom of the freezer. The repairman said a good test is to see the consistency of ice cream. If the ice cream is too hard to scoop out with a regular scoop, then your freezer is too cold.) SRS |
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28 Feb 11 - 07:56 PM (#3104635) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Well, hard ice cream has never been a problem. I am totally aware of the health issue and it has been a struggle for months. It was the bad beans this am that may have turned the corner - that convinced Robin. Thermometer not withstanding, the temp has secretly gone up and down and I did not realize how bad it had gotten. Part of our problem is that a certain person designed his kitchen with the frig in a niche. Hard to get out - and in. But I have HAD it. I will live with a frig in the LR if necessary - and it probably will be!! AND happily take an axe to the old one - but of course WE NEVER THROW ANYTHING OUT. OH YEAH???? Stay tuned! I just phoned: No time today! Maybe I will get him up at the crack of dawn tomorrow! If he gets home before midnight. If you think we live a strange life..... So, I hemmed two pairs of pants, kept the dishes caught up, researched raccoon rescue and sent some emails in attempts to get more info specific to Montreal. A couple phone calls; left messages. My article is on screen in Word and looking hopeful. I just keep thinking of more things to add in. Rob can look at it tonight and, with any luck, tomorrow I will finish. Also posted on mudcat and FB. And took a de-tox bath, a very good thing to do. |
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28 Feb 11 - 09:00 PM (#3104669) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Dorothy, I don't want to make you blush, but certain sex acts have been known to motivate the male of the species to take action when requested. Just a thought . . . ;-D (And I don't want any flack that this has never occurred to anyone else!) We won't make any assumptions if the fridge does get moved out, but I'm just sayin'. Warm one day, windy and cold the next. Wintery-spring in Texas. Maybe I'll get in the yard a little tomorrow. The wind makes my eyes water a lot, and it's uncomfortable having to stop and blow my nose frequently. SRS |
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28 Feb 11 - 09:19 PM (#3104675) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Dorothy Parshall Oh SRS, I wish. This is not a motivating factor. I wish! I have to find other ways - like just plain insisting, gently but firmly. The health issue is paramount . |
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28 Feb 11 - 09:47 PM (#3104686) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: wysiwyg "Certain" sex acts-- like not "any and all"? LOL ~S~ |
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01 Mar 11 - 02:00 AM (#3104755) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage Whatever they don't usually get . . . Time for another thread! SRS |
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01 Mar 11 - 02:09 AM (#3104758) Subject: RE: BS: Declutter, Exercise, Diet, February 2011 From: Stilly River Sage March 2011 thread. |