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Archive through August 02, 2004

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions: 2004 Aug - Oct: TVCH's Home & Life Organization (ARCHIVES): Archive through August 02, 2004 users admin

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Spinner
Member

10-27-2003

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 5:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Vee, Apple Chicken is in the book; I haven't seen it on the web. Right at the beginning of the book, which I've borrowed from the library. I think I'll be buying the book though; I try not to buy any book until I've assured myself that I really will use it. Shelf space here is so precious!

I guess I could sleuth it out, but it's so much for fun to have you just tell us about it. <G>

I join you in hoping LK is fine and is working on the next Control Journal assignment for this site.

Lancecrossfire
Moderator

07-13-2000

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 8:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
At Vee's request, the green bean recipe. I learned of it from Pyrochef actually. It is easy to prepare, so don't be afraid of giving it a try. If you like it, let Pyrochef know. :-)

4 cans french cut green beans
1 pound bacon
6 Tbls white vinegar
6 Tbls Brown sugar
6 Tbls bacon fat
8 oz grated cheddar
1 cup finely diced onion
3 Tbls yellow mustard

Cook bacon so it's crunchy--cut into about 1/2" bacon bits--save 6 Tbls bacon fat. This can be done just before making sauce or ahead of time

Heat green beans and drain (drain really well)

combine vinegar, brown sugar, bacon fat and mustard. Heat slowly, stirring so it doesn't burn, just till it starts to boil slowly. On the drained beans, sprinkle onions, bacon bits, and cheese. Pour the sauce over the the beans and serve immediately.



Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 9:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'm here--and this is another attempt to post.

I apologize for not being around. Between Punk and paperwork, I've been distracted, and since I haven't been able to sleep at night, I've been nodding off at the computer.

However, since things are finally under control, I will be posting Notebook items tomorrow, and cheering the troops to prep for the next two weeks.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Friday, July 30, 2004 - 4:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Wow! Thanks, Lance...RG posted it in the Cooking Corner as well. I appreciate it very much because I have been teasing way too much over here.

Lk, phew! I'm glad you are about. Maybe Punk will do us all a favor and tend out to you as a fair trade for all the nursing you've done lately. He can at least keep you awake at the computer!

Don't push it if you are still needing rest, though.

Plumber coming today and for the first time in my life I have not had to scurry to shine up the sinks, etc. Hope he can take care of my spitting faucet...it shoots us right in the eye...pretty funny unless one has a short fuse. My fuse has been mighty short lately.

Have a good day all!

Gidget
Member

07-28-2002

Friday, July 30, 2004 - 4:51 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
looking forward to the pep talks... i need help to let go

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Friday, July 30, 2004 - 10:42 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
What kind of a pep talk are you looking for, Gidget? Lk is a life coach and she could probably give you a great one. Testimonials about lightening the load? What are you having the most trouble with?

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 6:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hellooooooooooooo................

Anyone hooooooooooooome...............?

So lonely over here. Purple, thank goodness you're checking in tomorrow!

Spinner
Member

10-27-2003

Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 7:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
You wouldn't still be around, would you Vee? Doubt it--you checked in an hour ago it seems!

Gidget
Member

07-28-2002

Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 7:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I missed that Vee... I thought LK was going to be giving us inspiration with her words. I have been a pack rat since I was a child. I am the child of a pack rat. And the grandchild of a pack rat. It is deeply ingrained.

And it is not a desirable state for me. I long for a picture perfect home. That is not possible if you cant let go of things. And for me it is somewhat pathological I am afraid.

Moving into a smaller apartment is going to help a lot and be a huge step outside of my box. I am uncomfortable to say the least. But determined. I doubt I will get there in a day or even a month but it is important for me to move in the right direction.

For example, I hold on to things that do not reflect my real lifestyle or my needs. I have a complete set of dishes... very nice, Pfaltzgraf. I also have my grandmother's china. Nice but not an heirloom. And I have another set of everyday dishes from when I got engaged over 30 years ago. I never married the guy and they have never been out of the box.

Obviously I need one set of dishes to entertain. I for the most part eat on the run on disposable wear.

See... I have real problems and this is just the tip of the iceberg.


Gidget
Member

07-28-2002

Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 7:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dont get me started on holiday decorations... christmas alone could take weeks to sort thru

Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 9:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Sorry, guys. I was hurting, so Potshot gave me my meds--what I didn't notice was that my restoril was in the pile.

On a bright spot, i DID get lots of rest.

Gidget, I want you to close your eyes and picture each room of your perfect house in great detail. As an example: what do you see in your dining room? What size/shape/material/tone is the table? What size/shape/material/tone are the chairs? Do you have other furniture? What is it, what does it look like? Image the table set for dinner. What place settings/silver are on the table? What linens?

You get the idea. Once you have the image strong in your mind, write it down. Then, if you don't maind sharing it with us, please do. Otherwise, just tell me your ready for the next step.

We'll be doing this for every room. Anyone else having trouble decluttering, please do the same assignment.

Gidget
Member

07-28-2002

Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 10:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Wow LK that was great. It gave me such a wonderful picture. Wow. And I will try to share.

But first I have to figure out the reality before I can get there. I have narrowed down my apartment search to 3 different places. All three have rather small dining areas and one is really an extension of the kitchen. Since that is the place I am currently leaning towards I went with that.

I have a lot of tables. No surprise there. I have an ends up dining room table. Big. Very heavy wood. It is currently in my rec room as part of my desk. The apartment I am leaning towards has a huge bedroom where I am thinking about putting this whole desk ensemble. In fact the model that I saw was set up that way.

I have a formal dining room upstairs. I am no Martha and I dont know what certain furniture is called. I guess it is sort of colonial. Very formal. Cherry. There is no way it will fit anywhere I am looking. So I will probably sell it or give it away. It is good quality but not top of the line. I have no real emotional attachment to it.

I have a large antique table in storage. My husband picked it up somewhere. So either he takes it or it gets disposed also.

And I have an antique table in my kitchen. I am not sure whether you call the top porcelain or what. It is that style that was popular earlier in the century. White with black trim and drawers in the table top. I am not all that crazy about the plain wooden chairs that go with it. Realistically this is the table I will be taking to the apartment. Maybe I can keep an eye out for chairs I like better. I am rather attached to this table tho it is not the style I pictured in your exercise. And I am not planning to buy any new furniture for this move since I am considering it a transition.

By the time my 12 month lease is up I will either buy or rent something much more upscale.

What I pictured was a smallish, smoke glass table on a black wrought iron base. With black wrought iron chairs and big comfy cushions that tie on and can be changed. The cushions are a silky textured grey stripe. In the center of the table is a squatty plain glass vase with white stones and fresh cut yellow lilies. The placemats are off white soft braided fabric. The napkins are also off white. The napkin rings are silver. I see my Pfaltzgraf dishes. I dont know the pattern name but they are grey with small white flowers. I dont like table cloths. And I pictured my silver for the setting. Funny I hardly ever use it. Very formal, very fancy but it works in this image. I have decided I will now use it anytime I am entertaining. I cant quite bring myself to use it everyday yet but who knows. I have a variety of crystal but my favorite is very plain. And that is the only somewhat complete set I have. So everything else can go. Except for one decanter and a beautiful set of champagne glasses that were my grandfather's.

Although I dont care for table cloths, it occurs to me I can somewhat achieve the look I am going for with the porcelain table if I get a black table cloth.

Ok I got to tell you that was mentally exhausting. But I realized I dont like gramma's china well enough to keep it. It is that really delicate almost see thru white stuff. So not me. And the stuff I had from the engagement is a blue english pattern. I remember liking that at the time but I dont any more. So both sets of dishes will be up for sale or given away. And with just one set of dishes, I have no need for a breakfront.

Huh... even tho it is still mental, I feel a bit freer knowing there is some major stuff I can part with, without a tremendous amount of pain.

Thanks


Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 10:41 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Gidget: That was the whole purpose of the exercise. Now, print out your description: anything that doesn't fit the description goes. Consider yourself a professional now, and your client has given you a list of what not to pack.

Regarding the "special occasion silver" I urge you to consider yourself worthy of the special occasion. If you constantly save it for the "worthy" time period, you miss out a chance to treat yourself.

Anyway, what's you next room to "image"?

Gidget
Member

07-28-2002

Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 11:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Ok maybe weekends for the silver. That would be a nice touch. Of course then I would actually have to use a plate too. So doesnt work with paper plates.

I have gotten a little better with that concept in the last few years. Using things and not saving them. Clothes have been a big step for me. I wear the nicest and what I like all the time.

I forgot one addtional item I would need to get for the dining area. A black wrought iron etagère <sp>. I really like that look. And I would like to have a place for a few chatchkees <totally no idea how to spell>

I've moved on to the living room but like I said, I really found the exercise exhausting so I have a less complete picture of that now. I have formal white uholstered fabric in my living room upstairs. Again I have no idea the style. Gonna take a stab and say Queen Anne. I really am not that fond of it. Mom gave it to me. She can have it back if she wants it or it goes. I have two end tables and a glass coffee table that I really like well enough to keep tho it wont fit in the apartment. I can probably park it at Mom's for a year.

I am thinking of taking my rec room furniture as the living room. Also ends up. I need new cushions and since they are out of business I have not been able to find someone to make them at a reasonable price. But I am going to be near Pennsylvania Dutch country and there are a lot of old time artisans and craft people in the area so I am hoping.

I have a couch. Two club chairs. Two ottomans. A small entertainment center. A chest which is great for storing quilts. A bookcase. And one end table. I could use another end table. I will scour home sales until I find one.

Because I have so many matching pieces and they are on the low side, I see them looking nice in the apartment. I can always get a few inexpensive throws for now to spruce up the upholstery.

What I really envision is a black leather couch. The kind with the reclining chairs built in and one additional black leather recliner. But again I am not planning to buy. At the end of 12 months I can find a home for the ends up. I do not want to part with it permanently. My mom has expressed an interest in taking it. And so has my dh. So when the time comes I can kinda let go of it.

The problem is the end tables and coffee table I love may not work with the leather couch I foresee. Have to give that a whole lot more thought. I think I could part with them if I replaced them with something else.

I also have another small set of end tables and coffee table in the garage. Very sixties. If I had to guess I would call them Danish. Was my grandmother's. I am very attached to them. I have to keep them somewhere for now. Thank goodness mom has a huge house. LOL.

Books. I have 2 sets of encyclopedias. One is a very high quality set but it is dated. I dont want to part with it. The other is more up to date but everyday stuff. I use it now and then. I think I can get by with the internet and the classic set. Most other books I can part with. Books have become so much cheaper over the years I am less attached to them than previously. I have already parted with quite a few. Had to to make room for dh's and I dont have to live with his anymore.

Craft books are another matter. But not part of the living room discussion.

I dont have a lot of videos or cds or even old LP's. I am thinking of dumping my stereo. It is junk. But then I wont have a turntable. I guess I could always pick up a cheap one if I decide I must have it. I have a cute little CD player. If I could figure out how, if possible to attach speakers to it... I would be pretty much set. I only have one TV and VCR and a lap top. So I am not going to be too cluttered in that respect.

I have a huge collection of music boxes and candles. I would like to display them on the coffee table/chest and the bookcase. That is going to be really hard to pare down. Some have sentimental value. They are staying. And some are above average quality. Also staying. The rest I guess I will sell.

I was talking in the rent advise thread about having a yard sale which was not working for me. But once I move out what I want to the apartment, I am thinking I could have a moving sale right in the house. Would solve my problem with the sun and weather in general. Yep. Great idea. Anything that is left I can donate to a church planning to have a rummage sale.

My real problem it seems are tons of boxes of miscellaneous crap. That have to be sorted thru because there is good and valuable stuff mixed in with the crap.

This is really helping LK.


Gidget
Member

07-28-2002

Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 11:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh and I forgot. I have a huge mirror. The kind people used to put in their living rooms. I cant decide if it will work with the ends up stuff. I would like to keep it. Another very emotional attachment from grandma's house. And I really like it. Maybe it can work in the bedroom if it doesnt work in the living room. The bedroom doesnt have a floor length mirror. So maybe I can be a little avante garde and just hang it lower and use it as my dressing mirror.

Gidget
Member

07-28-2002

Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 11:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
And no wise cracks about hanging it over the bed. That sucker is heavy. It could kill.

Purplecow
Member

12-08-2003

Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 2:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'm ho-o-o-me! I see I have a couple of days of reading to catch up. Don't have another show until the middle of October. I brought home lots of new stuff, so old stuff has to leave to make room. I had already planned to give one of my machines to my sister, so that's a help.

Something exciting happened! I met the web mistress of the FlyLady's web site! She was in my class and we spent some time chatting. I MAY be working on a project for her. It's a small world . . .

Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 3:52 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Gidget, you were one for two: etagère was correct. Tchotchkes weren't. I always loved that word and my editor hated it. We'd battle over the spelling twice a year. You can also use the variant spellings of chachka or tsatske. But, hey what do you want for a Yiddish translation of a Polish word?

For the music boxes, which I love, think about using them instead of a picture or wallhanging. You could have a large sized shadow box made (relatively inexpensively) broken into smaler squares to display the boxes. (Sort of like this guitar display project from Design on a Dime episode 613) Even if you could only hold a portion of them, you could switch them out periodically and make it a dynamic display.

If your cute CD player has an earphone jack, then it will take speakers. Otherwise, it won't. I know that there are compact stereos that have turntables. Like this one or this one.

Something to think about: heavy furniture will make your environment feel heavy. One advantage to glass tables, and boy do I despise them, is that since you can see throught them, they help the apartment feel lighter. You also, really and truly, don't want to have a lot of stuff at you mom's. Trust me. Will your grandmother's pieces work in the living room? Or mamaybe in the bedroom (end table that the foot of the bedn, and the end tables as side tables)?

My vote would be to ditch both sets of encyclopedias, but, given blackout potentials, keep the older set, and update on the net. BUT, if you don't use them at all during the year you're at the apartment, maybe it is time for them to find a new home.

How big is the mirror? I ask, because DOD did something interesting with a mirror this week that was really cool.

Go slow with the imagining. I don't want you to burn out your brain. Tomorrow, I'll hopefully have more ideas for you. Potshot and I are still working on some stuff here, so my time is not yet my own...but tomorrow it will be!

Purple: You're back just in time. Scroll up to the the op and check out the Declutter Challenge officially starting tomorrow. So, which Flymistress did you meet.

Gidget
Member

07-28-2002

Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 4:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Wow I love the guitars. Which reminds me. Got two of those too. One acoustic and one electric. And did I mention the 3 pianos. LOL. I am planning to sell the upright and the spinet. I have had the upright since I was 5 and it was over a hundred years old then. But it is really run of the mill and I doubt worth very much. The third piano is really an electric keyboard. I picked up a steal last summer at a yard sale with the intention of getting rid of the other two. I dont play that much and I am not that great so the electric is sufficient for my enjoyment. But where the heck am I going to put it? Probably next to the five bowling balls.

As for grandma's tables, I am just parking them at mom's for the year. I really plan to have a larger space after that and I was thinking I wanted to do something creative with them. But nothing has hit me yet.

I am extremely fond of the older encyclopedias and since I am not keeping a lot of books I will allow myself this indulgence. I can probably give the other set to the little girl next door. She's a bit young but quite precocious. I am sure they will be useful in a year or two for her. I was very proud of myself a few weeks back. I washed up some stuffed animals and gave them to her. DH used to like winning them for me at carnivals.

I am not real handy but I like the idea of displaying for the music boxes. I will have to keep my eyes open for something I can buy and easily adapt.

The mirror is about 4'x3' give or take. I am not real good with dimensions. And heaven forbid I could find a measuring tape in this house.

LOL about the burnout. I am still trying to decide which apartment to rent. All of the living rooms are generous in size so I think the furniture will be fine. If not I can always get the couch I really want.


Schoolmarm
Member

02-18-2001

Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 5:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
OK< I'm burning out with the moving...but have to push hard now cause the moving van will be here in 12 hours. 72 pounds of papers in the trash just in the last 5 hours.

I have two students working at my house and I'm tackling my office. Another student said that he would come over at 7am tomorrow. I want to get my car packed before the movers come, and I have to teach from 9:30 to 2 and then do the closing at 3 and teach from 4:30-6 and then I'm turning in my keys and leaving.

The trash can is your best friend. The trash can is your best friend. The trash can is your best friend!

Gidget
Member

07-28-2002

Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 5:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Go marm!!!!!!

Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 6:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
In a pinch, an American dollar bill is 6" long, a sheet of standard paper is 8.5" x 11". Think outside of the box....

As for the mirror, depending on what type of a frame it is in, this project may strike your interest.

Gidget: You may want to talk to a local senior citizens center. I found a really neat guy there who was a carpenter and who is willing to make a shelf I want for about $50 when he gets back here in September. I'll be buying the materials, and then he'll construct it, bring it to me, and hang it.

And yes, Schoolmarm, the garbage can IS your best friend!

Gidget
Member

07-28-2002

Monday, August 02, 2004 - 5:16 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yes you are so right.. I frequently use the dollar that way. And paper. But I hadnt thought small to big. Anyway that is a good tip to post for anyone who doesnt use it.

I am sure I will be able to find someone to build me what I want. Once I figure out what I want. your links have given me a lot of good ideas.

And I cant emphasize enough how much the visualization has helped me both in thinking about how I can pare down and where things I take with me will go. I am actually enjoying the process a little whereas before I was just miserable about the whole thing.


Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Monday, August 02, 2004 - 9:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
This is bizarre--I seem to have lost another post.

Gidget, the exercise I gave you is actually a modified writing assignment from my 9th grade writing teacher. He was the teacher who started me on the 1000 word essays on anything. This was one of the early topics when he would actually give me direction. The actual assignment was: Close your eyes and imagine your ideal bedroom. Include all five senses, a worded floor plan, etc. Be as complete as possible.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Monday, August 02, 2004 - 10:49 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Haven't had a chance to get caught up here...heavens, I guess I need to leave more often so that people can get a word in!

Purple, great to have you back...yes, you'll be busy reading. I am always very intrigued by what you are up to on these business trips. I just went to a quilt show on Saturday and I thought of you, but I'm not sure why.

Spinner, thanks for attempting to come to my rescue...sorry that I missed you the other day. I'm going to spend the remainder of my afternoon reading so I'll have more to discuss with you at some point this week. My, all the marshmallow fluff sandwiches that are consumed!

Gidget and Lk, I have found your conversation very interesting. Hope that the imagining/imaging works very well for you, Gidget. I am going to imagine myself with a good book and a glass of iced tea and then make it happen.

Have a good day, folks.