August 2020 to Jan 2021 Declutterfest
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texasgardnr wrote: Β»@MadisonMolly2017 thank you for your encouraging words π . I needed a planned day off π€ .
Your "Mopping marathon " reminds me of what I have been avoiding :noway: . What a fantastic idea to make a peaceful yoga spot that will be waiting for you when you're planning to practice again.
Oh, my goodness.... "Groundhog Years !" π€£π€ΈββοΈπ. Your finding many of the items on your previous list that are no longer your favorites anymore explains perfectly why I started a declutter notebook during Decluterfest spring of 2019. And what I find when I do my purposeful second pass through areas that I have already done!
@SummerSkier wrote: " (Mary) that paper tiger has 9 lives!!!! Funny how more loose papers were hiding out than you thought!" . Yes it was funny when I took a breath and realized that is why everything had been slipping and a sliding.
this whole time. Maybe it will take 9 pass throughs to finally conquer my paper tiger buddy π― , with its nine lives :laugh: .
On the floor next to the file cabinet I have a box of files that have already been through the first pass through a while back. After I get through the files/ folders that were on the table I will do those because they will be easier the second time around and, that will give me a boost.
Look at all the work that you did under the tree! Yes the spot is indeed happy! And, I definitely know how much work raking that pile of leaves actually turns out to be! Good for you and your happy grass!
My Declutterfest Update:
August 29
Today I focused entirely on the "loose pile of assorted paper" that I discovered yesterday. Piece by piece I tossed/ shredded / put into the folder or file where I would've found it if put away properly in the first place. Anything that requires myself and/or DH's attention I put at the end of the table for us to take care of tomorrow. DH agrees to take care of those things with me tomorrow!
Tomorrow I will go through the two folders which will be fairly easy now, and I'll need some information from one of them for an appointment this week. If the file is really easy then I will do that, otherwise I will put it back in the file cabinet and it will be back in line waiting it's turn again, after I do the second pass through box on the floor this week. That is my plan for the upcoming week!
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@texasgardnr I love how you make your plans, and I learn from it. There is self-kindness & boundaries! You have gotten so much done!!
I agree 2nd pass is much easier! Iβm getting to the point where Iβm ready to give away/toss more items. Itβs a fascinating process!2 -
15 minutes works! Took care of a (pretty big) pile of papers!!!!1
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Nice work, everyone!1
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@MadisonMolly2017 thank you for your inspiring words. I never thought of what I do as including 'self-kindness & boundaries' in it, but after thinking about it, you are right! That is cool because I have tried to lighten up on myself when tasks seem more daunting. Thank you!
You sure did a lot with those 15 minutes... Another big pile of papers done with!! Yay π .
My Declutterfest Update:
August 30
We did handle all the paper that needed both of our input, or opinions. There are a few that I still need to make copies of before mailing them out. And I need to do a bit more with something else.
August 31
I changed my plan and chose another hanging file folder. It had been decluttered in May 2019 so this was a second, more thorough pass through.
September 1
I wanted to get away from the table papers for a while, so I quickly went through the files with household appliances' manuals. This was a second pass through so it was easy peasy to let go of more of what I deemed important the first time. One thing I do is that after the warranty period has passed by I thin down the manual by cutting out any additional languages included in the manual. After these hanging files were finished I chose another hanging file of my older papers that I hadn't seen for many years. I shredded the vast majority of them. That went faster than I had expected!
September 2
Two of the two pocket folders that were part of the big pile of papers on the table were sorted through, and heavily decluttered, and then reorganized.
I put the last two pocket folder that was on the table with some others on a chair near the file cabinet. I will work on them at a later time, perhaps later this week π€·ββοΈ.
At this moment I am thinking that tomorrow I will tie up all the loose ends mentioned elsewhere so that I can mail the papers, as well as some other things. Then I may as well do a few other errands while I am out in that direction. Then the 'pile of papers/ folders on the table' portion of the paper project will be finished.
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I am going to continue on with my decluttering efforts this month as I did last month.... Anyone wanting to continue on also?
Remember this is our No Rules..."Come and Go Declutterfest 2020" , Just come and go when you want to, or are able, π and declutter / reorganize however each of us happens to want to.
Anyone who hadn't joined in during August is more than welcome to join us during September or beyond π .
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You are very welcome, @texasgardnr ! And thank you for your lovely comments re: 1000th day
Wow, you have done a lot, and as Iβve said before, you have greatly inspired me!
YES, I will be continuing with decluttering!!
Iβm glad you will be continuing - always more fun with others!!
Sept 2: sorted images Iβve torn out over the past week from old magazines/catalogs into categories & filed 90%. This has been very time-consuming, but well worth it!!
Iβll be continuing on this project for at least a week longer. Iβm working very thoroughly, and also going through previously filed collage papers to see if I should give some away & to move any images of objects to my βreference imagesβ folders.
My husband & I are both committed to clearing out what is not serving us well. It will take some time, but every step makes us both so much happier & less stressed.
Next: Financial papers
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Sept 3 sorting collage pages into categories & filing.
Sept 4 cleaned my art table!1 -
Sept 5 Moved subject reference pics to large drawer Iβd cleared next to art table. Now they are right at hand & I moved a big box and a large filing container to my empty storage bins area in another room!LOL
Filled some magazine papers.1 -
@MadisonMolly2017 Look at you go!! I am so glad that you can join in on our continuation of Declutterfest 2020!
My Declutterfest Update:
September 3
Today I really didn't do any serious decluttering! Just basically shuffled paper around trying to find something that I wanted to actually dive into. Since I wasn't going on any errands I really couldn't finish up those loose ends of some of the table paper pile. I took them off the table. That will become next week's project.
Today is is my 70th birthday and I had so much fun when my daughter and friends surprised me with a "Porch Party". They also brought me lunch to eat after for they left! Yummmm. That was so very sweet of them to totally catch me off guard and surprise me ππ.
September 4
More work done on medical folders/ files. Coordinating our calendars and a few appointments. Mail caught up again.
September 5
Decluttering some papers and current mail today, but mostly finding and gathering together like paper for the next phase of my paper project. Next week I need to tie up those loose end and coordinate errands with that, as I finish off a little bit more that remains from the table pile.
Tonight my table is clear except for my birthday cards, which I want displayed for a while longer. My Jane Austen book (Sense and Sensibility) that I am currently reading, and one thing I'm leaving out so that I remember to do it tomorrow.
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Oh my Happy Belated 70th on the 3rd!!! How did I miss that!!!! HAPPY HAPPY and the porch party surprise.
Maddy and Mary are the 2 decluttering queens for Sept so far for sure!
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Oh!!! Happy Birthday @texasgardnr!!! What a wonderful daughter you raisedβ£οΈ
I thought you were 45!!! Really!
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Maddie
PS You continue to inspire me with our papers! Thank you! Thank you!
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@texasgardner Iβm sorry that I missed your birthday, too! It sounds like you had such a nice surpriseπ I hope the whole day was good in every way.1
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Well I have totally been slacking on the decluttering this month instead choosing to mope about my injury not healing quickly and pout about fitness goals.Sometimes we just need to let go and adjust. A difficult lesson.
So this morning the cat pulled me out of my gloom and peed on the sleeve of a sweatshirt I had piled on a stool in the kitchen. He is a jerk. But mostly he was telling me I got up late and his box was gross. So partially my fault. But also my fault for leaving a pile which failed. So here is before and after. And the pleasant surprise is I forgot these were stools I got from my parents house, and I love the painted designs on them. I choose to believe my mom (an artist hobby) painted these when they were first married but it may be just sentimentality vs reality, LOL. The various things on the stools have been put away properly and folded or put in the laundry to be cleaned first. Some things from last Spring (turtlenecks I run in!).
Happy decluttering friends!
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SummerSkier wrote: Β»Well I have totally been slacking on the decluttering this month instead choosing to mope about my injury not healing quickly and pout about fitness goals.Sometimes we just need to let go and adjust. A difficult lesson.
So this morning the cat pulled me out of my gloom and peed on the sleeve of a sweatshirt I had piled on a stool in the kitchen. He is a jerk. But mostly he was telling me I got up late and his box was gross. So partially my fault. But also my fault for leaving a pile which failed. So here is before and after. And the pleasant surprise is I forgot these were stools I got from my parents house, and I love the painted designs on them. I choose to believe my mom (an artist hobby) painted these when they were first married but it may be just sentimentality vs reality, LOL. The various things on the stools have been put away properly and folded or put in the laundry to be cleaned first. Some things from last Spring (turtlenecks I run in!).
Happy decluttering friends!
WhooHooo you go, girlfriend! Isnβt it fun 0 -
@SummerSkier Those tables are definitely worthy of being on display and not covered up. Good job! And remember, even if your mom didn't paint them herself, she loved them enough to buy them and you love them, so they're still special.
I, too, am jumping on the declutterfest wagon with physical objects this month. I proudly cleaned up my emails and continue to keep them under 100 last month, but I looked around my pantry and decided my cupboards and counters in there need to be tackled first. Also one of my declutter goals also meets my organization goal. I will be working on digital photo organization first. I started with the physical but realize that I will need to scan lots of those and my computer claims to be having memory problems because it's stuffed so full right now. Once I save the photos I want in 2 external places, I will be able to make more room on my computer and then tackle the physical ones. Whew! So much planning (so little action
) is exhausting! 2 -
Sept 6 Collage paper sorting + sorted/ consolidated soaps/shampoos under sink
Sept 7 Deep cleaned (toothbrush) sinks: faucet/handles/perimeter of bowls/drains
+ moved all my colored tissue paper to one flat file drawer (to make room in drawers for new magazine cuttings)
+ Moved all cleaning supplies to The Spot from under furs bathroom (weβre consolidating things in one spot so we can use up or give away & make Restocking easier
Little by little, all of us are definitely getting there!0 -
Thank you all for the sweet Birthday Greetings ππ . 45!! I'll take that LOL π .
@SummerSkier you wrote: "the cat pulled me out of my gloom and peed on the sleeve of a sweatshirt..." Oh, my goodness, that would have put me into a gloom π²πΈπ± LOL. You did well when discovering what the kitty did π and in the process you rediscovered the stools as a result!!
Those two stools are absolutely spectacular, and special to you also!
That is awesome how you have determined how you will cope with your knee injury now, it is definitely not easy. I've been there before, and I am doing it again now, so I truly understand. You can do this and come out of it stronger in the end.
@nebslp Glad that you are back for September!
Go you for your success with decluttering your email! And maintaining!! Well done π.
And now you are moving on to digital photo organization before starting on the physical decluttering. Great plan!
@MadisonMolly2017 I love reading you progress reports! Well done!! Consolidating cleaning supplies into one spot will definitely help you see what you need as well as no longer want! Good declutter and organizing strategy!
My Declutterfest Update:
September 6 and 7 I took another decluttering break just to chill out a bit and to do some neglected house cleaning. I have been clearing off the table at the end of the day since it no longer has the paper pile on it π .
I did extra coloring and reading on Sunday and Monday π!
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@nebslp I forgot to mention that I also have a lot of digital photos. and that might be an understatement. One thing which I did last year which ended up being really REALLY cool was invest in a couple of those Digital photo/video players which you can plug a USB into or memory card. So the idea came to me because the barn owner was talking to me about how many pictures I am always taking at the barn. And what happens to them. I ended up surprising him with a Xmas or Bday gift of a digital player with a preloaded USB that contained photos of him and his family and horses and such. He had already forgotten our discussion so he was totally surprised.
Anyway. what I do on my Mac is I favorite all my photos that I want to "keep" once a week or so. Then every couple of months I update the USB and copy all the favorites to the drive. Then I put them on the digital player and let them run next to my workstation at random. So fun and it keeps the photos from being just something stored on a computer that is never really looked at.
Hope everyone is doing well. The cat who peed in the kitchen yesterday morning left me a pile of *kitten* in the bedroom this morning. sigh. I don't know what's up with him. Maybe he is expressing his disapproval of the other cat sleeping on the bed or something. The box was NOT dirty either. Or possibly he's just a *kitten*. But he is a lovey dovey *kitten*. LOL.
So that is how my Tuesday started. I am an expert at cleanup after years and years of cat ownership. When I shared a house I used to yell "clean up on aisle 3!" when there was a mess. But he hasn't misbehaved in months and months so who knows.
Did I declutter today. Nope. Busy working and like Texasgardnr sometimes we just have to take a break and get back to it another day. Sit on our Laurels!!!!!
Off to ride soon.
Bon
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@SummerSkier Thanks for reminding me that my son gave me a digital photo frame about 10 years ago and I need to get that out and download some new photos or maybe I'll just enjoy looking at the old ones for awhile. I have several computers with photos on and one is very touchy so I'm not sure if I will be able to get those moved. I'll figure it out. I have made 2 charts, I'll post a pic later, and I'm keeping track of which photos I have downloaded to an external hard drive as well as to Google Photo. Eventually I want to delete these from my camera but I know I will have a panic attack when that time comes. I made the charts to be sure that I didn't have a lot of doubles that were taking up space and to give my mind something to hold on to when I think I won't ever get done. I can see progress happening. I also have charts to show what's on my ext hard drive with image numbers and short descriptions. I just need to get to work on it again.
No decluttering done yet, but I have pantry on my list for today. I have to make the decision to take the time to do it.2 -
Hereβs my chart:
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I went through my kitchen towel drawers in my pantry tonight. A few old ones will be used for rags and I should probably have taken a few more out. Baby steps. I need to buy some new towels once I go shopping again someday. I want to feel them in person so canβt order online.
I also deleted a bunch of videos that were super short or not worth keeping. Itβs a start and it added almost a GB storage space on my computer.2 -
@texasgardnr good for you for keeping the table paper-free! Do you ever walk by and pat yourself on the back for making it look so nice!?! Iβm sure I would.
Video declutter: 127 fewer videos on my computer! Itβs been easy. Who knows why or what setting I need to change, but one of my cameras will take a photo and also a 1-3 second video At the same time, so they add up even though I donβt want them. I have about 400 more to go through.
Book declutter: a couple years ago when we did our decluttering I gathered all of my physical books in one place and started reading them one at a time, then deciding whether to keep or donate. I had gotten out of the habit but have started up again and am almost done with my first one this month. Itβs called fearless living by Rhonda Britton. It has good points but I think Iβve grown out of it and will be moving it out. I might copy a few pages before I do that though. (More clutter!?!π€) I used to watch her on a show called Starting Over, maybe 15? years ago and was so disappointed when it was cancelled.2 -
@SummerSkier that is a great plan how your are dealing with your photos! Good for you in having a specific routine to do that!! Oh no about another kitty π€¦ββοΈπ©π present or message.
Decluttering chillin' breaks are awesome! Aren't they π ?
@nebslp ha ha ππ€ͺ now it is your turn, thank you for reminding me that my son also gave us a digital photo frame a number of years ago, and I also need to get that out and download some photos onto it. When I get into the little room I'll dig that out and do a digital declutter and put some photos on it... π€·ββοΈ some day, hopefully sooner than later.
Good for you for decluttering your kitchen towel drawers! And doing a digital declutter!!
I never thought about patting myself on the back when I pass by the table lately, but I do smile often.
Thank you for the encouragement πΌ.
I do remember during a past Declutterfest that you had gathered all of your physical books in one place and started reading them one at a time. It is always great to be able to bless someone else with books that no longer serve their original purpose that we acquired them for in the first place. Good for you!!
More clutter to copy a few pages of the book? ... you asked either us or just yourself. I'm really not sure, so I'll just toss my 2 cents in... That depends on whether you'll ever look at those sort of papers again??? For myself, saving that sort of paper has recently dropped into my clutter catching mindset, after too many years of revisiting maybe only a teeny tiny fraction of those sort of wonderful thoughts I've captured on paper. Usually I find them because I am decluttering paper or an area π₯΄. This week I actually decluttered some more of those kinds of 'special papers'. It was actually easier than I thought and freeing to have decluttered them. Yes, it was enjoyable to have seen them again, but they didn't have the same impact on me that they did when I first saved them. This has happened a number of times since my first Declutterfest, and I've definitely began to see a pattern here, at least for myself. It might be my age or stage of life, or just because...
These are just my thoughts and experiences in this area.
You all do come up with some very thought provoking and sometimes even soul searching questions. That's definitely another reason I am blessed to be part of this wonderful group π!
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My Declutterfest Update:
September 8, 9 and 10
I had taken a break from the more serious papers that I still need to declutter, organize and file away, so on these three days I have been decluttering various papers, especially papers that have somehow traveled to other rooms or areas. I just started to look for paper every where such as on book shelves or on the dresser or whereever.
I ended up decluttering some 'paper' that surprised me that it was time to let them go. I suddenly realized that they kept me thinking about what had been, instead of being focused on the now and what I am accomplishing at this time. There really was no real reason to keep them, except they were definitely becoming a sort of trophy for me. But a trophy that was now making me more sad and becoming a source of negative comparison making. These did not start out as a trophy but as a simple record of the ups and downs and improvement in my exercise in 2018-19.
What I am writing about were my exercise calendars for those years. I hadn't been even looking in them, but they had pretty covers so they were definitely not hidden away. They were right there where my current exercise calendar is. Since my diagnosis of osteoarthritis in my ankles in January and being unable, because of the sudden and unexpected truly excruciating pain that led to the diagnosis, to exercise very much, let alone to even just walk like I used to in the last two years prior that I kept a calendar-diary of my workouts/ walks. Or the years before any calendars. So after I decided to shred them I looked through them and decided to be happy for my accomplishments and to feel blessed that I had been able to accomplish what I had during those years. And that I needed to focus on now and stop comparisons that I had been making even with out realizing it as I had not been looking in them.
I also saw that my weight has indeed remained fairly stable then as well as in the current year since I have been in maintenance for the last several years. There were notes that were good to revisit also.
I feel good about my decision and I also notice that I am not so sad about what I am not able to do now, but am again just working on the present moment again.
I thought I'd share in hopes that it might be an encouragement somewhere along the line. Who knows. But these recent days have actually ended up helping me in unexpected ways. So it was very worthwhile to look through and then to shred my past exercise calendars. Thanks for reading even though this post did get longer than expected.
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@texasgardnr that is quite insightful about the process of letting go of things. It can be sad but it can also be very freeing. It also goes to show that maintaining is not really about the exercise. It is about our calorie intake. period. I know that exercise feels good and I enjoy it and technically I could eat an entire fridge when I run 10 miles but since I have exercised all my life and yo yo'd pretty much all my life I know I cannot outrun "my" particular fork. So even when injured I understand I am cutting back some cals but it is nowhere NEAR what any fitness tracker tells me I would have to because I think I get more of my burn from just being active (decluttering!) than real exercise. It's why you see people on MFP with huge 900 or 1K calorie burns and wonder how they aren't wasting away not eating those back.
As far as the digital frames. I have to mention both to you and @nebslp that if the ones you have are from years ago, you should probably just throw them away. LOL. The newer ones are EXTRAORDINARY!!! and play videos and sound if you want and have all sorts of good bells and whistle. Plus they are clearer and the pictures are so much better. Of course the hardest part is putting the pictures on the flash drive. Once you take that step you are about done.
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Today I walked by the pantry and thought I might as well work on one shelf. It took lots longer than I thought. So many expired cocoa packets, drink mix, and jello!. I don't remember when I quit making sugary things, but obviously it's been awhile. I tossed everything that had sugar as its number 1 ingredient, sometimes followed by corn syrup
I found lots of green tea bags and other flavors so I will be using those for my almost daily cup o' tea.
Then, OMG! I went downstairs to a back room where I store holiday stuff and other treasures(?) to look for the Avon goblets. Let's just say that they will take a little longer than expected to find.
I deleted 133 videos today, all of the 1-3 second ones. I remembered how to delete in a batch so it went pretty quickly.
I like putting a time limit on decluttering. I normally would have done all the cupboards at once and totally been bored and annoyed by the time I got done, but doing just one part seems so much more doable. Thanks to the person or persons who suggested that. Great idea! Now I have to keep going one little bit at a time until it's done.1 -
@texasgardnrtexasgardnr wrote: Β»My Declutterfest Update:
September 8, 9 and 10
I ended up decluttering some 'paper' that surprised me that it was time to let them go. I suddenly realized that they kept me thinking about what had been, instead of being focused on the now and what I am accomplishing at this time.
What a great insight into letting go of the past. It's so wise to acknowledge the past but look forward to the possibilities that might be ahead. I have journals that have been on my mind for a long time that I need to go through. They are filled with lots of anger, and I have let go of a lot of that through the years. I have thought about cutting out the parts I want to forget and keeping the rest. I did that once before and now I have a great journal about when we moved to where we live now without all of the bad memories. It makes a messy journal with all of those taped in pages but oh well, it works! Another declutter goal ahead!!
I'm sorry you are dealing with osteoarthritis. I know how painful it can be as I had it in both of my knees following a couple of injuries, one at age 32 and the other knee at 45, and trying to heal on my own. Yes, crazy me wouldn't go to the doctor because of my fat knees! How unbelievable is that!!!??? I was able to have replacements in 2009 so I'm good now, but I remember how debilitating it was some days. You have such a great attitude! I hope you find relief.
@SummerSkier I agree that to keep moving throughout the day is the best way to burn off those extra nibbles especially when they're not apples or carrots. All of you who are on maintenance should be very proud of getting to where you wanted to be and then staying there. I'm not sure I'll ever get there because I just stay where I am But sometimes I think of where I would be if I hadn't been trying to lose weight for 50 years!! Could be better, but could be a lot worse, I guess.
Two silly reasons why I will continue to use my old digital frame...1. My son gave it to me and heaven knows you have to keep everything everyone ever gave you for your entire life, right?! 2. It still works so I don't need a new one... my words whenever my kids want me to get something new. This is why I'm still using an iPhone 6s 
Is there anyone else out there in the declutter mood this month? It's really kind of fun once you start!1 -
Thank you @SummerSkier and @nebslp for your feed back and encouragement π· .
And about the calories in and activity/ exercise to maintain or loose when sidelined/ or injured. You are so right that there are so many other activities and just staying active in some way that burns up those reasonable calories taken in. That is why I still count garden/ cleaning/ hanging laundry out and decluttering for example, when I can not do my normal exercise. All of which are often more active than one would expect.
@nebslp excellent job on the pantry shelf declutter!! And also on the short video deletion also!
My Declutterfest Update:
September 11 and 12
Last Saturday, on the 5th, I wrote: "Next week I need to tie up those loose ends and coordinate errands with that, as I finish off a little bit more that remains from the table pile."
Yesterday and today I did just that!! Yippee π π . So the table paper pile is officially finished!
But of course paper is most certainly not π³π§ (yet).
So on to whatever I choose to start on next. It will probably be the paper/ folders that I have been gathering together to go through. Some of which loosely relates to the table paper pile I just finished. That would be my logical next starting point π―.
In my declutter notebook I wrote a very short tentative plan of what comes after that, looking toward the final goal of the file cabinet being completed!
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So wait "there is a declutter notebook?!!!!!!!
lightbulb goes off. *****snort****
good morning ladies. great to see everyone checking in and the paper tigers being slain left and right.2
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