2015 Declutter and Get Organized Thread

[busymom]

Woo hoo! I had a contractor out to MY house (for a change) to do a small repair, & he spotted something he liked in with my Mom's stuff, & offered me a fair price. One more large item out of my garage!

I'll be leaving in a couple of hours to get DS from school, then we'll drive straight down to pick up DD. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Oct 23, 2015 12:16:03 GMT -5 Ombud said:

I will not stress out
I will not stress out
I will not stress out

They aren't moving this weekend -- I'm off to the Commonwealth Club for a lunch time presentation bc:

I will not stress out over their escrow still not closing

It's going to be okay. Closings get delayed all the time. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

It's Saturday. I have so much to do. I am not waking up well. Unfortunately, my husband is his normal morning person, chipper self. He keeps trying to talk to me and I don't want to speak yet. 


I need to get off the couch so I can make a pie crust. Then I need to go to Wal-Mart for a few things, drop DD#2 off with her dance friends, come home to make the pie and  a potato dish, pick up DD, and go to friends' house this evening. Those are the basics for today. 

Over the weekend, I need to 
pay first of the month bills
set up some stuff for project graduation
order the girls' pictures (yes, that's been on the list for a while!!!)
mop floors
clean toilets


I don't know what else. 

[busymom]

It's nice to have our DD at home once again. But, she's got so much homework, & this morning she's off to visit with an old friend, so I don't think we'll actually get much "face" time. Still, it IS nice having her around.

I spent the morning going through a couple of boxes in the garage.  (From Mom's house.)  Most items went straight to the dumpster.  We are keeping some items, but this is going to be a continual pruning process. 

Hang in there, Everyone! 

[Bonny]

Oct 18, 2015 2:47:21 GMT -5 bobosensei said:

Bonny I'm not sure if you have the interest of the inclination, but the thing I found that helped me most with hiking is doing weight bearing exercise.  If I am regularly doing squats, deadlifts, and lunges I find that I can hike faster uphill.  I don't get out of breath and I don't need breaks.  Unfortunately if I stop for a month or so I go back to square zero.

Congratulations on your weight loss so far.  That definitely will pay off.  

Hi Bobo,

Sorry for the late response. Yes, in addition to hiking I am taking a "Body Pump" class (lighter, repetitive weights) on Sat (and a little sore today ), Cardio, Core and More on Mondays and Yoga on Wednesdays. I try to hike at least 6 miles every other day except Sunday when I typically go for a 3 miler with DH. Anymore than that and he starts complaining.

I can tell I'm getting stronger but it's been a long, slow climb from 13 years ago when I was doing circuit training classes 5x a week and hiking on the weekends.

[debthaven]

DS3 and I picked up DH at the airport this morning. His uncle is doing better but he'll be in the hospital for a few weeks. It's wonderful to have him back but we all noticed how neat the house has been these past few days. 

DS1 is coming home tonight for 2 nights so I can help him with his GREs in the evenings.

I made a big pot of meatballs today.

Today a woman asked me to spend my one-week Feb break coaching HS kids who want to get into my school next year. I said no. We are planning to go to the UK to visit universities for DS3, but even if we weren't, I want that week off. I'm proud of myself for saying no. 

[plugginaway22]

I pulled every food item out of every cupboard in kitchen and checked for expiration dates, not being used, etc....
Embarrassed to say I filled a huge garbage bag, but it feels so good to have only what we will use and also to KNOW what we have.
Reorganized and cleaned before putting things back...feels great!

As I was pitching, also making a list for next grocery run.  Example:  had 3! boxes of brown sugar, all past expiration and hard as bricks!  Guess I don't bake like I used to, hah, so need to replace that. I told DH that this is how hoarders must get started!
 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

We had a great time with our friends last night. It had been way too long since we'd had an evening with them. 

Today, 

pay first of the month bills
set up some stuff for project graduation
order the girls' pictures (yes, that's been on the list for a while!!!)
mop floors
clean toilets
sew DD's new pointe shoes
menus for next week
order DD#1's cap and gown
supervise DD's thank you notes for a fundraiser
change sheets


DH scrubbed our  shower! This does show how much volleyball cut into housework for me. DH almost never deep cleans. Something has to be pretty icky for him to want to clean it. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

We got tidy!  Woohoo!  Sadly, it takes next to no time to go back to untidy.  I told DH we are NOT hosting for T-day.  No way, no how. 

[bobosensei]

I've got to get on the ball this week.  My grad school application is due on Nov. 1.  I started working on it and then stopped when I was getting the recommendations done.  I just need to update my resume which I've been tweaking for a while, finish my statement of purpose, and I need to call the admissions office to clarify some things since I am living overseas but not an overseas applicant per se.  I think I've been procrastinating because I am scared that I will do all the work and then not get in, and DH and I really need me to get in because it will take the stress off of his transition out of the army.  I'm ready for something new, and if this doesn't pan out I don't want to have to go back to the type of work I have already done.  And if I'm honest I feel like I've wasted some of the last few years.  I did a lot of volunteer work, but I let it take over other things that might have been better for me in the long run.  And I'm feeling a bit envious of some of the accomplishments of my acquaintances that put in some hard work and really made some positive changes for themselves.  But nothing will happen at all if I don't try.  So I'll try!

[Chocolate Lover]

Oct 26, 2015 9:08:26 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

We got tidy!  Woohoo!  Sadly, it takes next to no time to go back to untidy.  I told DH we are NOT hosting for T-day.  No way, no how. 

The advantages to living in small places with no parking, no one wants me to host.

[Wisconsin Beth]

We kick it around every year.  With DH's diet issues, it's easier for us to stay home.  And some years I get the bug to invite his and/or my parents.  So it's not really a huge amount of people but this weekend's b-day parties were enough for me to say "no" and he agreed. 

[snapdragon]

I need to jump back on the horse. I have 2 piles of things that I need to write up and donate -- I should have done it while I was on "staycation" last week --- but I was on vacation last week and it didn't happen. So that is my plan.

By the end of the work week I will have written up, photoed and schlepped things to the car for donation on the way home! 


* said in my best fake Scarlett O'Hara voice *

[debthaven]

Good luck with your application Bobo! If it's not TMI, what kind of degree are you applying for? DS1 is currently applying too ... he takes the GREs on Wed. He already has a Masters but he is looking to do either a second Masters or a PhD in the US (or possibly the UK). 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Hi everyone!
 I hope your week is going well. 

I'm more than a bit tired due to girly things. 

The baseball World Series has started, and, regardless of who's playing, I love baseball in October!

So, that means I'm folding the laundry tonight! It's supposed to be one of  the girls chores, but I took it over just ofr the excuse to sit here and watch baseball. 

I need to get some paperwork stuff done like a few more bills to pay for first of the month, renew my license, order the girls' school pictures. DD#1's had 80 senior pictures, and I narrowed it down to 27.  DH narrowed it down from there to seven. Now, I just need to decide on sizes. I know what I'm getting for DD#2's regular school pictures--just need to do it. We did get a partial family picture during the senior picture photo shoot. I'm excited about that. 

Lots of grading is coming my way this weekend as essays are due this Thursday. 

They yard work has been on my list for weeks, and we just aren't getting it done. 


This weekend, we'll be at DD#1's state cross country meet. It's her last one; she made it all four years of high school. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Oct 26, 2015 13:08:33 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Good luck with your application Bobo! If it's not TMI, what kind of degree are you applying for? DS1 is currently applying too ... he takes the GREs on Wed. He already has a Masters but he is looking to do either a second Masters or a PhD in the US (or possibly the UK). 

oooh, yes what are you going for bobosensei

I want a doctorate in education, but I cannot justify the cost right now. I should look into grants. 

[debthaven]

Congrats to your DD1 Chloe! You must be thrilled that volleyball is finally over lol. That's very brave / ambitious about the doctorate!

I'm home today so I'll catch up on some laundry and work out some oral presentation marks.

The papers / written exams start up again next week; I'm enjoying the break. 

[bobosensei]

Oct 27, 2015 22:09:35 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Oct 26, 2015 13:08:33 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Good luck with your application Bobo! If it's not TMI, what kind of degree are you applying for? DS1 is currently applying too ... he takes the GREs on Wed. He already has a Masters but he is looking to do either a second Masters or a PhD in the US (or possibly the UK). 

oooh, yes what are you going for bobosensei

I want a doctorate in education, but I cannot justify the cost right now. I should look into grants. 

It's a master's in software engineering.  My BA is in English, but the program has an entry point for people without previous computer experience- either work or academic.  I'll just have to take 5-6 upper level undergrad courses to get me up to speed on the basics before they let me begin the masters work.  The program director is a woman who has done a lot of work trying to bring more women into the field so I think my chances of getting in are pretty good or at least I'm not any worse off for not having a bit of experience.  

[debthaven]

That's fantastic, Bobo! Good luck! My DS1 is taking the GREs right now ... it's a computer-based test now so he'll get his scores immediately (except for the essay of course).

Wed
oral marks
laundry
pick up shoes
mend DS1's sweater
pharmacy

ETA: DS1 did great on his GREs!!!

[debthaven]

Today was a good day in the Debthaven household! DS3 got an offer from his second choice university in the UK! (The offers in the UK are conditional ... that means he has to get a certain mark on his Baccaulareate to be admitted, but it should be doable!)

[busymom]

Hi Kids!

Yesterday was crazy-busy here. I drove down to my relative's assisted-living apartment. I purged a garbage bag full of stuff (he has a tendency to hoard), & met with the head nurse about what sort of medical evaluations he may need to continue living there. I rushed back home, returned some items that DD had purchased & decided against on her long weekend home. My car's gas tank was the lowest it's been since I bought it, , so filled it & ran over to DS's school to pick him up.  I also got a little more candy for Halloween, & mailed off the latest stack of bills.  Oh, & when I was on the way home from my relative's apartment, I drove by Mom's house to make sure all was well.

Today I need to run over to Wally World to stock up on basics.  I let DD raid my pantry, so we need a few things. 

[Chocolate Lover]

Congrats to DS3 Debt!

[snapdragon]

I worked on getting stuff out of the house last night and so I did my voter's ballot and have that in the mail this morning. It took me over an hour to complete and had several things that I needed to look up online to get clarification on. 

Than I hand washed the dishes and took out the recycling.

Tonight is write up and photos of all my donation stuff. I just want things gone. I'm sure I will find more to get rid of.

[busymom]

Aaargh! I didn't realize how disorganized the pantry had gotten after DD had gone through it, & I know DH has been going through it too. I've first got to get the house looking better before the trick-or-treaters come by on Saturday, then I'm going to have to redo the entire pantry. Other than setting traps, I wonder how the rest of the world keeps their pantry looking good.

Tonight we've got something similar to a job fair to attend for DS.  But instead of jobs only, it's basically looking at services, education, housing, etc. for people with special needs once they're out of high school.  The calendar is flying, so we've got to get thinking about this now.

[Ombud]

Today:

met with a friend to set up a Wardrobe 4 Opportunity drop off site

Went to a group presentation on estate planning. He isn't the attorney for me!! Spent the hour talking about the emotional aspects of aging, I was there for trust info. Got more info from other attendees than him

Tomorrow I need to get Halloween candy! It's this weekend

[debthaven]

I woke up early and worked on my spreadsheets. Nearly done but I got fed up.

DS2 broke the globe of one of his bathroom lights a year or so ago. I'm going to a home-depot type place hoping I can find a globe to replace it and not have to replace both lights. Then I'm going to get a pumpkin which DS3 will carve.

[Ombud]

Today:
Get Halloween candy!
Walk
Return library books
Try to figure out trusts
Clean house

[debthaven]

Worked more on my spreadsheets, still not done. (I fell behind because I lost Office in the computer crash.)

Went grocery shopping for Halloween candy. We have very few Halloween visitors here, if any, but you never know. Made chili and cornbread. Bought fresh salmon for tomorrow.

Enjoying the last few days before the marking starts up again. 

[busymom]

Last night DH helped out with carving DS's jack-o-lantern (DH did most of the actual work, while DS did the designing).

My house still isn't in great shape, so my project for today is to get it good enough so we won't scare the trick-or-treaters tonight.  We've got plenty of candy, & non-candy treats (for those with allergies).

[Ombud]

Oct 30, 2015 13:11:22 GMT -5 Ombud said:

Today:
Get Halloween candy!
Walk
Return library books
Try to figure out trusts
Clean house

Still not done. 1st thing when I get home is to clean house, might have to wait a week or two for the SSA budget dust to settle to figure out File & Restrict, getting more confused about trusts. Is the Totten same as TOD / POD or is that something different?