Just dropped  by to say the Declutterization is still ongoing.  The ceramics have been packed away, National Children Center and Salvation Army come by once a month to take things away.  College Hunks Moving Junk have help move boxes and stuff.  This has been a 5 year proccess.  AND YES, I STILL HAVE THE DOGGIE BEDS AT THE END OF MY BED!

Have you heard of it? Would you recognize it if you saw it?

A friend of mine just sent me this video of a news report about Inflammatory Breast Cancer or IBC. It can not be detected by breast examinations - there are no lumps!

Inflammatory breast cancer is an especially aggressive type of breast cancer that can occur in women of any age (and, although extremely rarely, in men). It is unique because it often does not present with a lump and therefore often is not detected by mammography or ultrasound.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) causes changes in the nipple and the surrounding areas. Invasion of the local lymphatic ducts impairs drainage and causes swelling of the breast. The accumulation of fluid causes the skin of the breast to assume a dimpled appearance reminiscent of the peel of an orange. Other symptoms include rapid increase in breast size, redness, persistent itching, skin hot to the touch. IBC often initially resembles mastitis, and is sometimes misdiagnosed as an insect bite.

Inflammatory breast cancer is defined histologically by the presence of cancer cells in the subdermal lymphatics on skin biopsy. Diagnosis is done with an MRI or biopsy.

For more information, please follow the link http://komonews.s3.amazonaws.com/ibc/komo_ibc.wmv which is the news broadcast about IBC. Also, follow this link www.mayoclinic.com/health/inflammatory-breast-cancer/BR00020 to the Podcast at the Mayo Clinic with Medical expert: Timothy Moynihan, M.D.

Queen Carolyn Tracy-Artis of Classy Divas and Dazzling Younguns, celebrated their 2nd anniversary of the Red Hat Society. It was an intimate gathering with chapterettes from the Scarlet Threads of Largo. The celebration was held at Queen Carolyn home. She has a very lovely home and a serene garden, just made for a wonderful tea party.

Members brought their Red Hat Tea Cup and Saucer. The food was wonderful, the conversation and sisterhood was magnificent. Poor Carolyn's hubby was holed up in the upstairs den, trying to look at TV while we were in the dining room have a ball!

Thank you Carolyn and chapterettes for a glorious evening!

  On July 19, 2008, Red Hatters of several chapters from the DC/MD/VA area were gathered for The Sneek Peek at the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center at the National Harbor overlooking the Potomac River. It was a wonderful day! Many chapters had lunch at the Moon Bay Restaurant and gathered later for walking tours.

The Scarlet Threads were treated to a thorough tour of the Gaylord by Kenneth. We were joined by Carolyn Tracy-Artis of the Classy Diva's & Dazzling Youngun's Queen Paulette Brown of the Sophisticated Red Hat Ladies.

The Gaylord Resort is Xquisite and truly should not be missed.

The Scarlet Threads of Largo took a luncheon cruise on the Spirit of Washington on June 28, 2008. This spectacular event was organized by VQ LaVerne Scruggs, Yvonne Johnson and Gloria Adams.
We gathered at the 4th Street Pier on the Waterfront at 11:30 a.m., anticipating a wonderful adventure. As we boarded the Spirit of Washington, we were greeted by the very friendly staff of the ship and was escorted to our tables that were festively decorated. We were entertained by the Spirit of Washington Singers, that put on a fabulous show of Grammy-winning songs. Several guests were selected to join in the fun. While cruising down the Potomac River, we passed by Bolling Air Force Base and was greeted by a wedding being performed near the water's edge. It was breathtaking!
The buffet luncheon was delicious and plentiful. The Grande Buffet featured:

Salads

* Gardener Salad

* Italian Pasta Salad

* Classic Potato Salad

Entrees

* Wild Alaskan Salmon

* Classic Baked Chicken

* Asian Beef & Chicken Stir Fry * Grilled Vegetable Lasagna

Accompaniments

* Spanish Rice

* Fresh Local Harvest Seasonal Vegetables

Desserts

* Sweet Dessert Trio

Moist Lemon Mousse Shortbread, Oreo Dream Bar, Brulée Raspberry Cheesecake

During lunch, our Queen Mother, Juanita M. Parks, and her twin sister, Jeanita Pressley, were each surprised by John, our waiter, with a delectable birthday platter display of chocolate dessert with strawberry sauce, a tray of fresh strawberries and a wine glass full of candy.
After lunch was served, the DJ truly "rocked the boat" with music for all ages to enjoy. The Scarlet Threads took over the dance floor, doing the Electric Slide, The Cupid Shuffle, The Booty Shuffle and our version of the Soul Train Line. We were quite the vision in our grand Red Hats and Purple attire. Other patrons joined in our festive mood, taking pictures, complimenting us and inquiring about how to join the Red Hat Society. One patron, Minnie Green, who was with her church group celebrating Senior Day, was another hit of the day! She was on the dance floor, doing her own thing for at least 15 minutes and girlfriend is 86 years young!
Upon debarking the ship, the serving staff were on the platform with chocolate chip cookies and wellwishes for a marvelous time!

                           A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!

I took an idea from Pateabag and created this little lady. Go to www.meez.com and create your own. I get meez coinz for every person that clicks the link and register. COME ON FOLKS, show your creativity! I want to make some more!

Well Ladies,

Who says getting rid of the clutter in your home can't be fun! I have hired College Hunks Hauling Junk to rip out the wall to wall carpet in the livingroom and diningroom!

Last Wednesday morning, I scheduled an appointment of line for an estimate. The appointment was a 2 hour window between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. At 8:15 a.m. I received a call from CHHJ to say they would be at my home in 15 minutes. At 8:30 on the nose, a big orange & green truck drove up to the house and parked in my driveway. Brandon and George hopped out of the truck cab and I knew I was in for a treat! Tall, good looking, well-mannered with geniune smiles. We walked around and I showed them what needed to be done. They gave me an estimate and off came the shirts! (I would sneak a picture, but would that be professional of me or just a middle-aged woman oogling at the goodies?) I had moved the light furniture and knick knacks out of the way the day before. They moved the heavy furniture, got down on their hands & knees and proceeded to rip that nasty carpet that has been on the floors for 20 years! I was praying that the flooring underneath was in passable condition and when the padding was gone, I was delighted to see the floor was in excellent condition (thanks, Mom for your good taste)! I'm thanking my Mom because this is the family home I grew up in and when Mom & her friend had a house built in Cheverly, MD, I moved back home. She covered the flooring while it was still in excellent condition, so I have no problems being rugless.

Brandon and George swept the floor, moved the furniture back and cleaned up the mess. I paid them, happily, and off went that carpet in the big orange & green truck. And just think, it only took an hour!

Now the only thing left will be for SA to pick up the reusable junk and I will be ready for my big sister's visit later this month!

Had to take a break for the weekend to attend my Aunt Rachel's funeral in Charlotte, NC. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to look for Red Hat items. But when I got home, I made another trip to SA with electronics - answering machines with cords, 3 unit intercom system, portable B&W TV with cords, air purifer unit, large wall clock and hamper. Good Lord, how many answering machines can 1 person have? So now, I have cleaned off the shelves in the linen closet to put some things away. This weekend, I will gather all the stuff the SA truck is going to pick-up next week. Just thinking about going in the attic terrifies me. Sometimes, I just want to knock out the window of the attic and throw things down into one of those metal dumpsters. Anyone know where I can get one and how much they rent for?

My sister runs a library book store in Tampa and I had gathered some books for her to take back when she visits in July. Talked to her this morning and she asked me what kind of books and how old were they. I told her computer books with the CD that came along with them. Everybody can use a MS-DOS or The Complete Idiot's Guide to Windows 95. Ok, sure, Windows 2007 or Windows Vista is being used, but come on. They are in such good condition. She said no, keep my books; I guess they will be going to SA, too. The advancement of technology is leaving me with old clutter (Yes, I'm going to blame it on SOMEBODY!).

I went into the basement and straighten out my ceramic work area. I made a promise to myself that when I purchase bisque from the ceramic store to TAKE MY OWN SHREADED PAPER AND BOXES! My paints are arranged in order, my accessories (ribbons, flowers, sequins, beads and baubles) are all put away into drawers. Now when I work, if I can only remember which drawer they're in.

Progress is being made, but I'm still holding on to the doggie bed!

If I could stay off the computer, more declutterization of 2801 would get done! Yesterday, I made the call to SA to arrange truck pick-up. But, they were closed for the weekend. First thing tomarrow, that call will be made. Thanks to Rhinestone Queen and her playlist, I spent the remainder of the day creating my own playlist and posting it on my website here and the 2 websites I maintain for the Scarlet Threads of Largo. So many good songs to choose; I was having a party of one selecting and dancing to the music!

BUT, I did get up this morning and went through all the junk mail that was piling around the house - kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and den. Those pesky credit card offers, I signed them with "NO THANK YOU AND STOP SENDING ME OFFERS!". I put them in their return envelopes (postage prepaid, thank you very much) and walked to the mailbox on the corner and dropped them in. Is Delaware the capital of Credit Card Offers? TEN, count them, TEN were from Delaware!

While cleaning up the junk mail in the kitchen, I kept coming across napkins I get from take-out and resturants (I love those big, soft dinner napkins, I always ask for extra napkins). You know where those are going. Put them in a big Ziploc bag and take them to work and put in my locker.

Time to get off the computer, find some more clutter and rest for work this evening!

Stay tune for the continuing saga of

THE DECLUTTERIZATION OF 2801!