Going to School Uphill Both Ways

I seem to like to do things the hard way. It is normal for me to walk to school up hill both ways. To go about things in the easiest way would be to normal for me.

I have decided to go back to school. I will be starting in January and will be taking about 6 credit hours. I intend to take a computer course and Interpersonal Communications. This would have been easier had I done it like 27 years ago.

I am also embarking on my Avon business. I have been selling it for awhile, but mostly just buying stuff for me. I really have fallen in love with the company and the products. I'm going to run with it. This would have been easier had I done it when I first started as a rep.

So I am continuing going down the road less traveled and will see what the view brings.

My Dream Farm

Here it is....my dream farm. I have been driving past this farm my whole life. As a young child, I used to tell my Mom that I was going to live there someday. I have been waiting for it to come up for sale since. Now it is and I can't afford it. ARRRGGGHHH!

Thought I would share it with you guys. Maybe one of you can afford it. :o} It is located just outside of Fort Bridger, WY.


**NEW LISTING** 38093 Business Loop I 80, Ft. Bridger: Authentic 2 story farmhouse, newly remodeled. Located on 7.5 acres this 1,424 sq. ft. home has 2 bedrooms and 1 full bath on main floor. Large open room upstairs, great potential for bonus room or additional bedrooms, plus additional office area upstairs. Kitchen has been updated with beautiful cabinets and solid surface countertops and breakfast bar. Living room includes a free standing gas stove. New flooring throughout. Great wrap around porch. Property includes barn, detached garage, 2 storage sheds and a bunkhouse. Beautifully landscaped with mature trees.$315,000

Front and Side of House



Kitchen



The Side of the House





Aerial View



Here is the link to the realtor:

http://bridgervalleyrealty.com/residential1_html.htm

Here is the aerial view on Google:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=38093%20Business%20Loop%20I%2080%2C%20Ft.%20Bridger

This has additional pictures:

http://www.realtor.com/search/listingdetail.aspx?loc=82933&sid=3416b87290f34bb78a8333f1fe4279c8&lid=1100558289&lsn=1&srcnt=11

Hope you love it as much as I do!

Frazzle

Today was frazzled, like Frazzle Rock! The hair issue of yonder day was solved by adding mocha brown to give me a slightly less RED hue upon my head. Funny how we are so affected by our hair. I'm soooo vain, I'll bet you think this blog is about me, don't you, don't you.

I'm going on vacation for a week because all of my help is threatening to go to better paying jobs. I can't say as I blame them, but I need to get some time off before they bail.

So, my goal is to work on the list while I'm home. I will report when I get back.

Two Steps Forward.....Three Steps Back

I made absolutely no progress last night. I went to get me hair colored. I wanted a dark auburn with blond highlights. I got Bozo orange with light orange highlights. The menfolk could take me along to deer camp as their hunter orange! I didn't get home until 8:30 pm. I made no progress on the list, spent $100 on freakin' orange hair and now I have to use some vacation to get it fixed.

The little black cloud is following me again.

Simply....Trying to Live

Lots of thought has gone into simplifing my life lately. This is mostly due to lack of energy on my part. Distraction has taken over my soul and mind. I can't seem to keep my thoughts running down the same track for longer than a few minutes. I know what I need to do to get ready for winter and to take care of my family, but I seem to get lost in it all.

My plan for today is to make a list of all the pressing matters that I need to take care. It is my hope that this small action will give my brain some direction to follow. I will try to prioritize the tasks so i know where to start.

Task List

1. Get Breanna's room ready for her visit.
2. Distribute Avon Books
3. Place Glena's Avon order.
4. Clean out blue pantry
5. Clean out chicken coops
6. Clean out rabbit cages.
7. Move bunny poo to garden
8. Trim weeds in garden.
9. Trim Roses and mulch for winter.
10. Clean sewing room so I can actually sew.

I will also try to blog daily as I know that it is good to keep a journal. I am hoping that this allows me to channel some of my thoughts in a positive manner.

Letting Go of Home.......

For many years, there was a Home. A home and a family to go to.

Home is falling apart at the seams. Home is not healthy.

Sister isn't talking to mother, sister or brothers. Brothers are ignoring the problems. Mother is unable to buffer, because of denial. Brothers neglecting Brothers. Sisters are neglecting Sisters. Sister "adopting" a sister. Mother "adopting" a son and brother for all. Neither "adopted" persons are accepted by the other family members, but no one is admitting it. Mother won't allow anyone to help. A Sister is lost and Father is gone.

Home is run down, dirty, overgrown, unpainted, leaning ackwardly, infected with disregard and neglect.

Yearning for freedom from neglect, fences and buildings are reaching for Mother Earth, begging to be consumed and nurtured by her. Little brooks have ceased to babble. They are now appear as cess pools, putrid odors wafting from their depths. Precious buildings, built by those past, are gone. Others are in danger of the same fate. No more stories will be told about them. No more history will be made around them.

Rabbits, sheep, cows, horses, chickens, geese, turkeys, and ducks once created an atmosphere not unlike a marketplace. There were ladies bustling around, gathering their children under their wings. There were gentlemen who wore their finery to impress the womenfolk. There were mothers, softly cooing to their newborns. There were children, bawling for their Ma when they were separated. There were gentle people who walked among them, not over them or their memory.

A home of dust and weeds presents itself today. Where once life teamed, piles of trash defile. There is no life, new or otherwise. There is only dirt. It is the same dirt forefathers walked upon. It is the same dirt walked upon during happy times. The dirt hasn't changed. The humans have.

No more grandchildren will be mesmerized by the story of their grandpa feeding the cats directly from the cow. No more stories will be told about stealing fruit from the cellar and putting the empty bottles back for Mother to find. No more shooting the cow in the udders with your bb gun when you are nine. No more falling off the hay wagon and living to tell about it. No more clocks to be made.

Home has fallen. Fault does not lie with one person. It lies with all those who loved it, then left it to fall alone.

What the heck is a Dakota and a Frontier?

As many of you know, I work in the oil and gas industry. Mind you, I am in an administrative role, but I am still very involved in the industry. I have been working in oil and gas for about 7 years and I have repeatedly heard the terms Dakota and Frontier in relationship to geological formations and the locations of oil and gas deposits.

This weekend, we took a drive around our area and were noticing some of the geological features of this beautiful landscape. I made the observation that the four gas plants that are located in our area were all located on the top of high "hills".(some would call them "mountains") I know that this is done because H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide) is heavier than air and will settle in the low ground, thus allowing personnel to seek "higher ground" for safety.

I wondered if there was another reason the plant and fields were built in mountainous areas and if this might be connected to the Frontier and Dakota question previously asked.

After asking many questions and driving my co-workers crazy I have come to the following conclusion. Oil and gas were formed millions of years ago by the earth's moving and changing ways. These deposits were formed in alot of different terrians, such a flat land, hilly, and mountains regions. In our particular region, they were formed when the earth shifted and placed one slab of earth on top of another, forming what we call the Overthrust.

Within the Overthrust, there are various different geological formations. All of these formations are unique in their qualities, thus they are called by different names. Some of the names in this area are the Madison, the Frontier and the Dakota.

So, in conclusion of this ultra boring post, I have to say that, while probably not interesting to many of my readers, this Frontier and Dakota issue did invoke some interesting questions for me. It also helped me to realize that if we sit in our living room in front of the TV, we are not going to notice the interesting rock formation or the way that a small bird follows and pesters a hawk.

We are less likely to have questions about the world around us if we don't get out and see the world around us.

Mary Jane's Chocolate Chip Cookies

We tried some of Mary Jane Butters chocolate chip cookie mix last night. Yum...Yum. They are very light and are just right with a glass of milk. You gotta try 'em!

Go to www.maryjanesfarm.org

Prom Pictures

Here's a pic of my son and his girl before their prom. I think they are such a beautiful couple.

A good woman is hard to find

(from The Message, parts of Proverbs 31)
"She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's up before dawn, organizing her day.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
A good woman is hard to find,and worth far more than diamonds."

from.......http://www.homesteadblogger.com/athomewithkris/

Mom's Loving Care

Found this lovely poem on http://www.mennonitemaidens.com/

"That needle poking to and fro,
Means so much more than you may know.
Each snap, each button, each shirt, each dress,
Contains something you'll never guess.
Each garment Mom makes, from the start,
Contains a small piece of her heart.

With every snip she adds her love,
And whispers a prayer to God above.
Dear Father, bless the one who wears this,
Protect and guide them with Your kindness.
Give them strength from day to day.
That from all sin they'll turn away.

Then into each and every seam.
She presses in her fondest dream.
That each one in her family.
Will join her in eternity.
So next time Mom makes you any clothes,
Know that, in it, her love shows.
It's more than just a thing to wear,
It's a symbol of Mom's loving care.

"from "Sew Fast and Sew Easy" author wishes to be unnamed

A Confused Rooster

From a deep state of slumber, I was awoken by the love of my life to inform me that my young silkie roo was singing to his little heart's content out there in the back forty. Now, mind you, I was thrilled to know that the lad was developing as he should be. I am thrilled that he is taking care of his duty of waking up the girls in the coop for their busy day ahead. I am proud that my little baby that I bought on ebay (as an egg) has grown into a fine young man with aspirations of greatness.

I am, however, not proud that he chose to express himself at 4:00 am. I'm thinking he needs additional training on how to live on "MY" farm. We'll work on that. :o)

The Work Continues......

Well, we got everything moved out of the room, filled the holes in the walls, and are about half way through the priming process. Tonight I should finish the priming and would like to sew the curtains. I will post pics soon.

Re-decoration - Out with the Old, In with the New

With the onset of springtime in Wyoming, my thoughts have turned to outside projects and gardening. With this change in thought process, many of the creative projects that I have been working on all winter get set aside for less busy days.

This year, I would like to change things by starting a re-organization of my craft room. The room in question was my son's childhood bedroom. He has grown into a man now (he's 16) and felt he needed a bigger room. We moved him into the hot tub room. (which has no hot tub) He calls it his "Man Cave."

Here is my plan to turn a boy's room into my craft room:

1. Ask Janice if I can borrow her camera to take before pictures and share them with the world.

2. Take everything out of the room and put it into Breanna's room. She isn't using it right now because she is off at college. She will, however, be back in May. I will need to have finished the project by then. I plan to

3. Cover the carpet with plastic sheeting.

4. Paint the walls. The walls in the room are 80's trailer house paneling. As I don't have the money right now to sheetrock, I plan to paint them with a nice eggshell color.

5. Make and Hang Curtains. I have some yellow material with sewing implements on it that I plan to use for curtains.

6. Construct a shelving unit. I plan to ask my dear Ron and Jake to construct a shelving unit to store miscelleanous supplies on.

7. Purchase baskets to put the supplies in and label them for easy access.

8. Move desk from the "Man Cave" into the room and install computer.

9. Set up sewing table.

10. Move fabric dresser and craft tower into room.

11. Sort all craft supplies and unfinished projects into four piles: Throw Away, Give Away, Sell at Yardsale or Keep. If I keep something, it needs to be for a specific project.

12. Put the Keep pile in the baskets on the shelves.

13. Take after photos and share them with the world.


This is my plan. If I put it out there for the whole world to see, I think I am more apt to actually do it. Here it is......world.

A Few Irish Recipes

Irish Champ
8 medium potatoes
1/2 cup milk
5 tablespoon butter
a bunch scallions or green onions, chopped

Peel and cube potatoes and boil in salted water until tender. Drain and mash slightly. In a small pan, heat milk and butter until butter is melted. Add chopped scallions. Fold mixture into the potatoes until well blended. For 6 people.

Irish Bangers

2 tsp. ground white pepper
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp sage
1 tsp mace
3 oz salt
6 oz bread crumbs -plain
10 lbs. fat pork butt(if lean add 1 lb fat back)
2 cups ice water

Grind meat-1/2 medium, 1/2 fine Add spices and mix very wellStuff into small casing links or make into compact patties.Leave overnight in Fridge before freezing.Fry till golden brown.

Corned Beef

First, I use Bill Baily's brand of corned beef. They are one of two brands that can actually corn the beef to my standards (I can no longer find the other brand).

1 corned beef brisket
6+ cups chicken broth (low salt or no salt works best)
1 tsp butter (margarine doesn't quite work the same) per cup of chicken broth

Time, plan in advance. Get a large stock pot or crock pot. Place the brisket into the pot and add the chicken broth, save the spices and drippings in the bag. You will need enough chicken broth to cover the whole brisket. I've found, depending on the size of the pot, approximately 3-4 cups of broth per pound of brisket works best. You may need more or less depending on how much corned beef you are making, and the size of the pot you are making it in. Bring to a boil and add the spices and drippings from the bag. Boil for about 5 minutes (until all the spices and drippings are fully mixed in) then reduce heat to medium. Cook on medium for about 3 hours per pound, prepare any vegitables to be cooked in with corned beef during this time. (2 1/2lb brisket takes about 7 1/2 hrs from this point) Check the beef with a fork every hour or so, add water to pot as liquid level drops. When it feels about done, cook it for another half hour and add the vegitables. Cook until the vegitables are done, then serve hot.

With Thanks to Michael May

I just paid it forward to someone and it felt so good! This inspired me into looking for the source of this phenom. Please read below from Wikipedia the "lowdown" on Pay It Forward.

The expression "pay it forward" is used to describe the concept of third party beneficiary in which a creditor who offers the debtor the option of paying the debt forward to a third person instead of paying it back. Debt and payments can be monetary or by good deeds. In sociology, this concept is called "generalized reciprocity" or "generalized exchange". A related transaction, which starts with a gift instead of a loan, is alternative giving.

The concept was described by Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to Benjamin Webb dated April 22, 1784: I do not pretend to give such a Sum; I only lend it to you. When you [...] meet with another honest Man in similar Distress, you must pay me by lending this Sum to him; enjoining him to discharge the Debt by a like operation, when he shall be able, and shall meet with another opportunity. I hope it may thus go thro' many hands, before it meets with a Knave that will stop its Progress. This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money.

The term "pay it forward" was coined, or at least popularized, by Robert A. Heinlein in his book Between Planets, published in 1951:

The banker reached into the folds of his gown, pulled out a single credit note. "But eat first — a full belly steadies the judgment. Do me the honor of accepting this as our welcome to the newcomer."His pride said no; his stomach said YES! Don took it and said, "Uh, thanks! That's awfully kind of you. I'll pay it back, first chance.""Instead, pay it forward to some other brother who needs it."

Heinlein both preached and practiced this philosophy; now the Heinlein Society, a humanitarian organization founded in his name, does so. Author Spider Robinson made repeated reference to the doctrine, attributing it to his spiritual mentor Heinlein.

The mathematician Paul Erdos, in one of his visits to Harvard University, met a promising math student on the verge of expulsion for inability to pay his tuition. Erdos paid the young man's tuition in full. Years later, the man offered to return the entire amount to Erdos, but Erdos insisted that the man rather find another student in his situation, and give the tuition to him.

In 2000, Catherine Ryan Hyde's novel Pay It Forward was published and adapted into a Warner Brothers film, Pay It Forward. In Ryan Hyde's book and movie it is described as an obligation to do three good deeds for others in repayment of a good deed that one receives. Such good deeds should be things that the other person cannot accomplish on their own. In this way, the need to help one another can spread exponentially through society, creating a social movement with the goal of making the world a better place.

The idea of the book has been championed in real life by the Pay It Forward Foundation. The Foundation focuses on bringing the idea of paying it forward to school age children, parents, and educators. The simple idea of doing good works for others to repay the good that has happened to you is one that can easily be conveyed to children and encourages them to be socially aware and take a role in making the world a better place. The main character of the book was a 12-year-old child, thus giving other children someone they can relate to.

In October 2005, Syracuse University's Residence Hall Association began a Pay It Forward campaign on campus. It spread on campus rapidly, and was noted for entering mainstream Syracuse society as a result. Many other schools have now begun campaigns such as this as well.

On October 26, 2006 Oprah gave her audience a challenge to Pay it Forward, giving 300 audience guests $1,000 USD on a debit card and a camcorder to record the acts of kindness they did. The rules of the challenge were very specific, the money had to be spent within one week and could only be used to help charitable organizations or an individual person but not a relative.

I'm Tired

Closing Etsy Store

In an attempt to simplify even more, I have decided to close my Etsy Shop. I haven't had any sales for months and it doesn't seem to be worth my time and effort.

I have been thinking alot lately about my talents.

I have always been a planner. I plan a vacation, I plan a business idea, I plan for my kids future. Problem is all I can do is plan. I'm not good at actually implementing the plan. Most times, I get paralyzed when it comes to actually making things happen.

I've decided that my thinking is all wrong.

With the recent passing of my dear Ruthie, I have been thinking about what made her so loved among her peers and family. Why did so many people attend her funeral and truly feel sadness that they had lost a friend?

I have come to the conclusion that she used her talents in a way that was pleasing unto the Lord and to her fellow man.

Occasionally, Ruth would sell a doily or a quilt at a craft show. I beleive her motivation was not to make money. I think it was to get to spend time with whoever she was doing the show with. She also enjoyed seeing the customers and sharing her talent with them.

Most of the time, her talents were used to make others happy. She made and gave away more things in her lifetime than can be measured. Her hands were always busy with one project or another. Never did she try to make her creativity a business. Never did she hide her talents under a business bushel. She was not a slave to a dream of success. She was a success because she dreamed of others.

My wish is to spread my talents with those whom I love and will love. Only then, will I be happy and content.

Simplicity is what you make it.

A cat makes everything simple.

What can we learn from them?

David Letterman's Top Ten Things Not to Do at a Funeral

10. Stand on the deceased's father-in-law's headstone during the graveside services.

9. Take pictures of the mourners while they are crying.

8. Take pictures of the deceased in their coffin.

7. Yell at your spouse during the processal.

6. Sit on the front row, taking up the space that should have gone to the deceased parents.

5. Re-arrange and add your own items to the displays set up by family of the deceased.

4. Tell others that you are sure that the deceased spouse will lose their house because of the medical bills.

3. Donate a burial plot and then brag about it.

2. Put items into the casket without the prior approval of the deceased family

1. At the closing of the casket, wail loudly, wave your arms, and block access to the deceased's family members, so the they are unable to say their last goodbyes.

Yep.............................Nuf' Said.

We Talked

I need to write a blog today to help me not feel sad about the loss of my dear sister, Ruth. So, I thought I'd write about some of the happy times we had together.

We used to spend alot of time camping. The boys would go off fishing and we would stay in camp. Both of us always had a project going. So, we would sit and craft and talk......alot.

Other times, the boys would go off snow machining and we would go on a movie marathon. When they were night riding, we would watch movies all night and talk.....alot.

When we worked together, we would take our breaks together and craft and talk....alot.

We went on a trip to Salt Lake City to see George Strait in concert. During the concert, we both got sick from looking at George through the binoculars for too long. After the concert, Ron flagged down a horse drawn carriage and we rode it back to Little America. Ruth and I were doing the "queen" wave to all the passing cars. Back at the hotel, all four of us sat on the huge bed in my room and talked....alot.

After she got sick, I would visit and watch her crochet. I was always amazed when she was sighted that she could crochet without even looking. When she lost her sight, I was even more amazed. She could still crochet and talk....alot.

She and I grew up together as young women. She taught me how to solve problems through talking them out with a safe friend who would never tell your secrets. She taught me how to be a friend, by never telling my secrets. She taught me how to be a good wife and mother, by pure example and devotion to her husband and family. She taught me to be a good daughter, by the mere fact that she worshipped her Dad and was amazed by her Mom. She taught me to care about others by her example of giving to others. There is no one in our family that hasn't received a home-made goodie from Aunt Ruthie. Treasures, they are.

The thing I will miss the most is that we talked.......alot. I will most assuredly miss that.

Good Bye, Dear Friend. We'll talk again someday.

Embroidery is Simple

Hese's my latest embroidery project......

Simply, Easy Oatmeal

Today's simple musings have guided me to think about oatmeal.

Oatmeal brings simple things to mind,
Like a morning breakfast table,
Set with mismatched china,
The everyday silverware,
Carnival glasses glistening.

A lovely, vintage tablecloth
Waves gently in the breeze
From the open kitchen window.

A hot bowl of steaming oatmeal,
To which you add a dollup of
Fresh, churned butter;
A scoop of Brown Sugar,
Dizzled with Maple Syrup
Topped off with
Fresh, hand-milked cream.

Easily prepared,
Easily served,
Easily consumed.

Simply, easy oatmeal.


Btw, I found a great organic oatmeal at Sam's Club. It's called Nature's Path Organic Instant Hot Oatmeal. It is certified organic by the QAI and is made in Blaine, WA. Go to www.naturepath.com

Also, you must try MaryJanes Farm Organic Outrageous Outback Oatmeal. It's also certified organic, has soy milk, currants, sunflower seeds, and is vegan. Go to http://products.maryjanesfarm.org/pfoshop/product.asp?dept_id=231&ProductID=43004

Look at the new Arrival in Taylor's Country Store!

Look at the new Arrival in Taylor's Country Store!

1950's Vintage Post-A-Notes by Current, Inc., Colorado Springs, Colo. with original Box & 33 Post-A-Notesi n 4 Retro designs:

3 - Victorian lady with poodle: "Always in the market for News"

10 - Victorian lady with cookstove: "Just to let you know what's cookin'"

10 - Victorian lady with ironing board: "Between my Pressing Duties"

10 - Victorian lady with clothesline: "Just a Line"

5-3/8" x 3-3/8" postcard-type greeting cards, vintage 1950's. Cards are in good, unused condition with varying amounts of foxing/age discoloration/spotting. Original box is a little rough and has ink marks.

Visit www.taylorscountrystore.etsy.com for pricing info.

Necessity Generates Simplicity

A childhood memory was triggered last night while lying in my warm, comfy bed. Following my nightly ritual of wiggling around and saying that I love my bed, I thought of a time when we couldn't sleep in our beds.

We lived in a lovely old house in Eden, Wy in the early 70's. My father worked at a coal mine some 50 miles away in Reliance, Wy. My mother was a stay at home mom and some of my fondest memories come from the time we spent in this old house.

The house, barns, and bunkhouse were built around the turn of the 20th century as a Wyoming State Experimental Farm. My brother slept in the bunkhouse with a woodstove to keep him warm. My two sisters and I shared a small bedroom at the back of the house. My parents occupied the only other bedroom in the house. There was no bathroom, so we used a nice outhouse located out behind the house. The house was heated with an old Stoker-matic in the living room. There was also a cookstove in the large country kitchen.

The winter of 1970 - 1971 was a long, hard winter in Wyoming. A particularly large storm hit in February of 1971. I remember my brother shoveling a path to the outhouse. The snow was over his head and he seems very tall to me. There was a snow drift on the side of the house that went from the roof to the ground. My mother put boards in the window to keep them from breaking.
The roads were drifted in to the extent that plows could not break the drifts. They had to clear the roads with big patrols, which took a considerable amount of time.

My father was at work during the storm and was unable to get home. We were getting low on coal, so he was planning on bringing some from work. After about 3 days, we were running seriously low on coal.

My mother asked us to drag out mattresses into the kitchen. We thought she had lost her mind, but did as we were told. My brother brought cushions from the couch for his mattress. Making a game out of it, she helped us make up our beds. She hung blankets on the archway going into the living room and also covered the windows. She used the remaining coal in the cookstove to keep us warm. We lived on the simplest of terms for a few days until the roads were cleared.

Taking care of the animals was especially difficult due to the excessive amount of snow. I am sure that my mother thought this chore to be overwhelming, but for us children, it was a great adventure.

I am not saying that I want to live under these conditions on a daily basis. I think that we might need to put ourselves in the mindset that my mother was in during this trying time. If we simplify our lives in general, then perhaps we will be better prepared to handle difficult situations when they arrive.

Going without might not seem like a trial, it may be more like an adventure. *S*

Today's Tip for Simple Living

Control Incoming Paper!

One of the things that constantly takes over my life is the overwhelming amount of mail I get daily. This usually includes catalogs, flyers, bills, credit card offers (aaarrgghh). I often wish for a good, old fashioned, hand-written letter from someone who loves me.

It is difficult to take the time to sort out the bills from the junk, let alone to get them organized and paid in a timely manner.

I have made the following changes to our "system" and hope that by publishing it, I will actually follow through with it.

1. One designated person (probably me) will be given the chore of getting the mail and bringing it to the house.

2. That same person will be reponsible for placing it in a designated spot for sorting.

3. Daily, one designated person (me again) will sort the mail into the following four piles: Bills, Correspondence, Catalogs, and Junk Mail.

4. The following actions will be taken with the bill pile: Open and remove bill and return envelope and paper clip together; Add outside envelope to Junk Mail Pile; Place bill and return envelope in Bills to Be Paid file in filing cabinet.

5. The following actions will be taken with the Correspondence Pile: Open and read correspondence, Record return address in address book as needed, Add outside envelope to Junk Mail Pile; Post correspondence on refrigerator for family to see, if applicable; Remove correspondence from refrigerator weekly and file in correspondence file or add to Junk Mail Pile.

6. The follow ing actions will be taken with the Catalog Pile: Add to Junk Mail Pile, unless it is something you really want to look at. Put it in the Junk Mail Pile when you are done looking at it.

7. The following actions will be taken with the Junk Mail Pile: Place all items in a designated location for recycling. Take to recycling center monthly.

Well, that's my big plan. I'll try to report on my progress. If I don't report, I'll probably be buried in a sea of paper, somewhere near my kitchen bar. *S*