2015 Declutter and Get Organized Thread

[Ombud]

Dec 27, 2015 4:42:57 GMT -5 debthaven said:

We had a lovely Christmas with all 4 kids. DD had to work in the afternoon/evening but she was there to open presents and for the first part of the meal.

We left yesterday for the UK so now we are with DH's family ... lots of cousins and lots of kids. 

Happy Boxing Day!

[busymom]

I made sure the kids wrote their thank you notes today. I also had DD help me with the laundry.

I'm still working on decluttering the same part of the house for the plumber. Today & tomorrow are the last days I can clear it out.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

There are just a few things left out for the Christmas decorations. 
I'm done with the actual grading of papers. I still have about half to enter into the gradebook. 
I'm at least 1/3 of the way through Frankenstein. 
I need to update that spreadsheet list and re-post it. 


@bamafan1954 , I'm so glad you'll be joining us. 
You might also join debthaven and I with our grading goals.   
You might not need it, but it would be fun to have you around. 


Debt, how's it going in the UK?

Good to see you Sharon !
Angel! , have you been able to maintain your sleep schedule? I agree that sleep is essential for my functionality. I need at least six hours per week night and then at least eight Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

Hugs, Ombud . I hope you're able to have a relaxing yet productive last week of the year. Between your kids and your job, you've had a go of it  the last few months!

busymom , I'm glad I'm not the only one who makes my kids hand-write their thank you notes. They want to be able to just text their brother (he's 27yo), but I won't let them. 

[debthaven]

Welcome Susanna! 

Chloe thanks it's going well. We spent Sat and Sun just spending time at home with DH's family (cousins and aunt and uncle). Today we took the family we are staying with out for lunch and did some shopping (books and fudge for my Admins at school, DS3 bought a pair of jeans).

We go back home tomorrow. (We drive so it's about 7h.)

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

This is outside of the regular daily lists. 

 

[startsmart]

New thread is here! I'll probably continue posting here through the end of the week since I'd like to get rid of another 100-200 items. Whew. 


ymam.proboards.com/thread/48040/2016-declutter-get-organized-thread

[debthaven]

Thanks for starting the new thread! Maybe we should lock it until the end of the year so we don't post on both threads? 

My computer has become possessed, despite using a mouse.

We go back home today. We'll arrive late. Tomorrow I'll catch up on laundry and see my recently-widowed friend.

Between our friend's death  and the trip here, I haven`t done the things I planned to do at home. DS3 also wants me to help him go through his (overcrowded) closet. 

I want to go through my closet too, it's a bit messy. Luckily I still have another week.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I'm staying here through Thursday. 
I have a couple of things that need to be done today as DH wants to go to town later this morning. (Going to town is a 20 mile drive in.)

[Saving4Norway]

Hi Fellow Declutterers! I can't remember if I mentioned it a week or so ago, but I kinda hit a wall in a major sort of way. I've been teaching for over 20 years and while I still love what I do, the politics, paperwork, and stress have recently overwhelmed me to the point of collapse. I contemplated taking time off but instead I started seeing a counselor. I was able to put things in perspective and get myself at least caught up with school business before Christmas vacation began. I again had a meltdown before Christmas while needing to clean the house. You'd think the house must have been a total wreck for it to leave me in a sobbing heap, but it really wasn't that bad, that's just how frazzled my emotional state has been. Back to the counselor on Christmas eve morning - he doubled my anti-anxiety meds. Just in time to have 23 people over for dinner a few hours later.

So now, post-silly season, I want to get myself started back on the right foot for focusing on accomplishing IMPORTANT tasks in my life, not just urgent busy work. (Quadrant 2, for those of you who read Franklin-Covey.)

Today I want to contemplate what things in my life are truly important to me so I don't get all caught up in wasting my time with things that don't really matter.(Hello, Facebook?) If I come up with anything worth sharing, I will.

[Ombud]

Edited list: what I did today:
♡ PT job starts 1/12/16
♡ 2 bags out for charity truck

Rolling to 2016:
1. Contractor
2. Coit
3. GS1's new room
4. Kitchen counters / windows
5. Family room
6. Landscape front yard

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Dec 29, 2015 12:40:43 GMT -5 Saving4Norway said:

Hi Fellow Declutterers! I can't remember if I mentioned it a week or so ago, but I kinda hit a wall in a major sort of way. I've been teaching for over 20 years and while I still love what I do, the politics, paperwork, and stress have recently overwhelmed me to the point of collapse. I contemplated taking time off but instead I started seeing a counselor. I was able to put things in perspective and get myself at least caught up with school business before Christmas vacation began. I again had a meltdown before Christmas while needing to clean the house. You'd think the house must have been a total wreck for it to leave me in a sobbing heap, but it really wasn't that bad, that's just how frazzled my emotional state has been. Back to the counselor on Christmas eve morning - he doubled my anti-anxiety meds. Just in time to have 23 people over for dinner a few hours later.

So now, post-silly season, I want to get myself started back on the right foot for focusing on accomplishing IMPORTANT tasks in my life, not just urgent busy work. (Quadrant 2, for those of you who read Franklin-Covey.)

Today I want to contemplate what things in my life are truly important to me so I don't get all caught up in wasting my time with things that don't really matter.(Hello, Facebook?) If I come up with anything worth sharing, I will.

In the Seven Habits... sense, have you done/re-done your personal mission statement? Is that something you can work on with your counselor?

I too need to spend more time in Quadrant 2. It's actually why I'm grateful I've (involuntarily through a lay-off) gone back to teaching after five years in administration. 
 I'm currently debating whether to keep teaching or return to administration. I need to spend time analyzing my personal life goals. Then, if I return to admin, how do I stay in Q2 to maintain my sanity?

IN NO WAY am I trying to diminish your conflict with public education as a teacher--I absolutely agree that it is infuriating. My personal journey has let me realize how much I missed and enjoyed teaching. I hope you're able to find that joy again.

[busymom]

I'm so glad you checking in Saving4Norway!  Do whatever you need to do to get through this.  Even if it means no longer hosting large parties to reduce that stress level.  (When my Mom's condition was deteriorating, & my boss wouldn't give me the time off I needed to help her, I left that job.  Although stressful at the time, it was probably the best thing I did for myself, as DD needed more help with her college hunt, & later DS began to have health issues.  If I'd had all of that piled on me:  Mom, my relative, DD & DS all at once having problems, I never would've managed with that particular job.)

The plumber fixed the shower head!  I'm looking forward to a REAL shower, after a week dealing with barely enough water to function.  Also, the plumber will be back to replace our pathetic toilet, which DH has attempted to fix on several occasions, but I've had enough.

After the plumber left, I ran over to Mom's attorney's office real quick, and did a couple more errands before returning home.  Tonight, I'm going to see how much of Mom's stuff I think is ready to go to a charity.  It's only 2 more days until the end of the year, so I need to hurry...

[debthaven]

Norway so good to see you friend. I'm so glad you are taking care of yourself.  I remember you had a lot of different activities ... it is important to reevaluate and reprioritize. You should be proud of yourself for recognizing you need some help right now. We all do sometimes.


You and Chloe make me curious about that quadrant thing ... I have never heard of it before.

[debthaven]

We got back an hour ago. My bag is unpacked, the groceries are unpacked, laundry is started, dishwasher is emptied. Just some gifts to still put away.

It takes me about 5 min to type up a post. I think I have no choice but to order a new computer. I should get 12% off through Apple Education and they offer 4 payments at 0% interest so I may bite the bullet tomorrow. DH thinks it might be worth trying to repair this one but he already repaired part of it, he can't do the trackpad himself, the battery needs replacing ... I don't think it's worth it. It's just over 6 years old.

[plugginaway22]

In computer age, I would say you got your money's worth. Seems like 4 years is when I start saying it's time to buy!
Desktop is there right now, but not really urgent...DH and I really need to look at priorities with spending, I also have dishwasher on last legs.

[debthaven]

Pluggin I know you're right but I have an expensive dental bill in Jan (the last crowns) so it's bad timing.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

debthaven and anyone else interested, 


This is the book/philosophy we're talking about.


Here's the Amazon page.

[debthaven]

Thank you Chloe! I look forward to looking at that link.

To do:

- bank
- bottle bank
- see A and bring food
- fill in new Filofax
- spend 15-30 min in basement (DH)
- spend 15-30 mi on bedroom night table and overflow basket (DH)

[debthaven]

 Yes I have heard of that book but never looked into it

Sorry for the v short posts, I lose them otherwise

[debthaven]

Ombud same job or new job?

ETA: I love seeing DH's family but it's good to be home! And little kids are tiring lol

[Ombud]

debthaven, sucks but same office / partner firm. This time I'm applying for UI the minute it stops if nonprofit dn continue (tentatively on 4/16/16). I'll be in a better position next time around. Plus will look while there for another PT ... no loyalty received none given

She kept going on about how much she wanted me but no guarantee it would go past 4/16/16

So 16 weeks here while I'm working nonprofit PT

So that's it. My fear is more that both will stop than just 1 will

[debthaven]

Ombud I think that's unlikely but even if it happens you will fall on your feet :-)

[busymom]

Thanks for the link Knee Deep in Water Chloe!  I'd like to check that out myself.

I went through Mom's dress clothes tonight, which I hadn't been able to make myself go through earlier.  Mom was cremated in her favorite outfit, and she had a lot of nice clothes for church and still had the formal (which was beautiful!) that she wore to my wedding (I'm keeping it for the time being).  Everything else is  photographed, written down, & put into 2 lawn-sized garbage bags.  I'll get that dropped off tomorrow so she can claim the donation.  It's so weird that this will be the last year we do taxes for her.  (Other than the estate stuff.)  I guess I'm still adjusting to her absence.

If it wasn't so cold out, I'd try to get rid of some more stuff out of the garage.  But, after Mom's stuff is dropped off, IF I have the time, maybe we'll see what we can donate.

Welcome back debthaven!  Sorry to hear about your computer.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Here's what was on my list for today. I don't think it actually posted earlier. 
I also managed to mop the floors. That was supposed to happen on Sunday, but I couldn't do it as DH was drying out the inflatables. 



Tomorrow (Wednesday), we are having friends over for dinner. I'm going to make lasagna. I'll make the pasta in the morning and assemble the whole thing in the afternoon. I think I'll make cupcakes also. 
I also get more of lesson planning done. The rain is still going, so the yard work is not happening yet. 

[wvugurl26]

Debt I would just buy the new computer. Six years is probably the end of its life span.

My goal is to start working on my mess next week. Between travel and health issues things got out of hand this year.

And my other big goal is to find time for things I enjoy and want to do.

[debthaven]

To do
- bottle bank
- see A and bring food
- fill in new Filofax
- help T with essays
- donation bin
- bank
- spend 15-30 min in basement (DH)
- spend 15-30 mi on bedroom night table and overflow basket (DH)

I got some of the list done but it's growing. This morning DS3's best friend asked me to help her with her college essays. I spent 1.5h with her today, hopefully we will finish tomorrow morning. 

I had promised to help DH with the extra translations but I doubt it's going to happen, at least not in the next day or two. 

I made my friend split pea and ham soup. I'm going over again tomorrow. 

ETA: WVU I agree, and that's probably what I'm going to do. 

[busymom]

I dropped off the bags of Mom's things at a local charity today. I'd received the bid on the latest project I want done on Mom's house, but it came in high, so I'm letting another contractor (one I've worked with in the past) put in his bid. (He'll meet me at the house late next week to give me his opinion on what needs doing, & how much it'll cost.)

I went through my own clothes closet today, & pulled out about a dozen items that I haven't worn this year. I may ask DH to go through his things, & if I have enough time, I'll make one more run to the charity's location for another donation.

[startsmart]

Threw out 10 items when cleaning up after Christmas. I am adding a bunch of stuff to my car to take to Goodwill tomorrow in hopes of getting another 100 or so items.

I still have so much cleaning to do around the living room and office plus washing the rest of the bedding in the guest room. I'm not sure if my mom is coming to town tomorrow And if she's staying with me or not.

[debthaven]

To do
- bottle bank
- see A and bring food
- fill in new Filofax
- help T with essays
- donation bin
- bank
- mall for Dustbuster
- spend 15-30 min in basement (DH)
- spend 15-30 min on bedroom night table and overflow basket (DH)

I got everything done, DH still has his tasks left but he has promised to do them by Monday. 

We're having dinner at home and then going to see our friend with food. (I offered to cook dinner there but she preferred we do it this way.)

You may remember I bought a cheap mini-vacuum a few months ago. It worked badly until it stopped working altogether. Today I took it back, added more money and now we have a real Dustbuster again. (I use it all the time, partly because of the rabbit's wood shavings.)

Happy New Year everybody! 

[Chocolate Lover]

Happy New Year!!! Only thing I'm decluttering today is the year.


Congrats to all of you still going strong!