2016 Declutter and Get Organized Thread

[moneysquirrel]

Updating the list.  Voice is returning somewhat. I have been getting a few small organizing/cleaning things done each day but nothing that can be noticed except by me.  I crashed last night and suspect that tonight might be another one.  Really glad that after tomorrow I have a week break.  Time to catch up on my grading, cleaning, doing the holiday,etc.

I did schedule the routine maintenance on the heater for next week.  Of course our weather is changing so much that I haven't needed to use it as the AC continues to kick on occasionally.  They expect the weather to reach up to the high 70s tomorrow then to the 40s the next day. Is it any wonder there is so much coughing and sneezing around here.   

Nov 14, 2016 20:01:34 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

This week's list:  
Home/Personal:
*Maintain progress -- slipped some and need to get back on track
*Deep Clean -- BR
*Deep Clean -- Bead Room
*Keep up with laundry and daily items
*Go through closets and reorganize
*Ten million other things that I forgot to mention

School: (Last week before holiday = craziness)
*5th project @ 60 (due tonight) -Done except for the students who sent in wrong documents.  Emailed them and hope to get all in tomorrow.
*6th project @ 90 (Due Friday = corrections during holiday)
*7th project @ 85 (Due Friday = corrections during holiday)
*7th Test @ 65 left (got one set corrected today) All Done
*Begin working on First Semester Exams I and II
*Post all of the grades asap All that have been graded have been posted.
*Water classroom plants before Friday  Done
 
Crafts:
*Finish CR Necklace -- definitely want to finish this before Thanksgiving -- haven't had time to sit with it -- too detailed for a little here and there
*Shorten Green necklace (have a sale for it once I shorten it) On tap for tonight
*Other Earring -- Teaching myself a new stitch and have one done.
*Fix broken bracelet 1
*Fix broken bracelet 2
*Make 2 earrings (cross)
*Remake pin if I can't find the one I finished (put it in a safe place and can't remember where)

Today I finally got to exercise even though I lost my voice (allergy), reported street lighting out, got exam info printed out, corrected first set of tests and several of the projects that came in early. unloaded the dishwasher and got one load of laundry done. I am not sure if I will get anything else done tonight.

[wvugurl26]

Got some paper decluttered. Some of it was long overdue. I had a list of papers I had to find so I tossed things in the shred pile as I came across them.

2014 lottery tickets or mailing instructions for 2013 tax returns anyone?

I've got some laundry going and I have to make pizza puffs, cookies and cornbread.

[countrygirl]

I labeled with the address the paint cans that DH left sitting in the wagon

behind the lawn tractor in my garage. Took them downstairs to store for

the winter. He moved the mower out, it was his mom's and I don't even

know how to start it so couldn't get it out.  

Threw away the drapery from the motorhome, kept a piece to check the new

2nd curtain I'm making for length. Threw away scrapes from upholstering

the ice cream table.

Got a neighbor to take the Halloween decorations I bought for 75% off for

next years town party to the lady that asked for them.

Vacuumed the house and washed DD's sheets in prep for her coming home

tomorrow.

[debthaven]

Oooh WVU, cornbread ... maybe I'll make some for Thanksgiving?! Our credit card cycle ends Mon so I'm trying to use what's in the freezer and shop as little as possible before picking up our turkey on Wed (it doesn't look like the funeral will be next week). We still have pork chops and steaks left. And we ALWAYS have a variety of frozen veggies.

All this "fishing" in the freezer and pantry has DEFINITELY paid off though! This month we've finished reimbursing DS3 for his gym membership (mandatory for the sport he's doing), bought him a new winter coat (he'd outgrown his old one) AND paid for his recent trip home. So except for occasional splurges when we have guests or the kids, I want to keep doing it. Plus we'll have to pay for a trip to the UK for the funeral . 

ETA: Part of those repayments are thanks to DH's translations too.

[wvugurl26]

The cookies were a hit with my brother.

We are having chili at the football tailgate Saturday. I'm doing the toppings and cornbread.

[debthaven]

Finally we have a date for the funeral. It's a Fri which suits me very well, because it doesn't affect my classes and we can spend the weekend there. Even more motivation to keep on top of the marking.

Thurs: First year A: 21 papers (1 missing)
Fri: First year B: 17 papers (4 missing)
Sat: Msc A: 15 papers (1 missing)
Sun: MSc B: 13 papers (1 missing)
?? First year C: 4 papers 

+ laundry, prepared dinner

[busymom]

Well, whether or not DH has to work on Thanksgiving, we're definitely celebrating the holiday at our house. DH invited a couple of old friends over, which is fine, BUT the house is a disaster! (Fortunately, they too had to clean out their parent's house several years back, so they are familiar with an over-stuffed house.) But, my Christmas cards are now officially on the backburner, as I work & move things around to make the house look better. 

Oh, and it's raining hard here, but no sNOw yet. That's supposed to arrive this afternoon.

[WholeLottaNothin]

We are supposed to get snow here tomorrow. Not looking forward to it. 

[debthaven]

Thurs: First year A: 21 papers (1 missing)
Fri: First year B: 17 papers (4 missing)
Sat: Msc: 20 papers (1 missing)
Sun: MSc: 8 papers (1 missing)
Sun: First year C: 4 papers

I may do more later.

[startsmart]

Had a pretty productive week despite the business launch that sucked up most of my time! Unfortunately it's raining so my long list of outdoor tasks is on hold

Here's what I've accomplished so far:
Dropped off 25 items at Goodwill
Sent 2 packages in regular mail
Started wrapping presents (5 are done) 
Cut the foam and covered the bench seat in the kitchen
Cooked a turkey and working to clear out the fridge 
Booked 2 more flights and an excursion for my vacation
Set up mail hold for vacation
Made a change + booked an extra jeep for my vacation (spending time on a remote island for a couple days)
Made my vacation packing list, then fit everything into a shoulder bag - packing light! 
Caught up on laundry temporarily 
Paid the dog's registration for the next year


Still need to: 
Pick up copy of Photoshop at Costco
Install the new kitchen faucet
Do a ton of outside work before I leave
Clear photos off my phone for upcoming trip
Pick up 2x4s for building a new box for the water heater 

[Jaguar]

I've started organizing and getting things cleaned and put into their space. I just want my place organized for the winter.

[countrygirl]

DD let me get rid of a lot of stuff in her room, going to do it again.

I was worried about the stuff from the group home and all she already

had, she let me get rid of 5 trash bags of stuff so far. Yeah Rah!

Going to do it again!

[debthaven]

Thurs: First year A: 21 papers (1 missing)
Fri: First year B: 17 papers (4 missing)
Sat: Msc: 20 papers (1 missing)
Sun: MSc: 8 papers (1 missing)
Sun: First year C: 4 papers

I'm getting seriously depressed with all this marking.

And here's next week's marking
Mon: 22 tests
Tues: 21 tests
- 5 long papers
Thurs: 2 papers

My goal is to do the tests the day I get them, then take a break from it.

[lund]

countrygirl, Good that you and your DD make room for the new stuff! If it includes toys and clothing, donating before Christmas probably is a very well chosen time.


debthaven, There is an end to them, and you are staying well on top of the wave. And once you are done, you have done a lot of the semester's work!

[naughtybear]

You would think with me moving several times over the last two years I wouldn't have to declutter, but yet I am.

[countrygirl]

Not that much toys, mainly clothing, she has gobs and more needs to go. I have 2 boxes of stuff

in the back of the car yet and a hamper, hope to get through them today.

[debthaven]

Lund just until finals which start in 2.5 weeks lol. But you're right, so thank you. After Tuesday I'll have 16 days with very little marking (9 reports).

DS3 and his GF are coming for dinner. I had to make an emergency run for more pork chops.

I decluttered another (nearly empty) pack of tea and prepared another bunch of teebags someone at work gave me for a friend.

One thing is for sure ... with 3 kids away and DD working nights and sleeping days, the house stays a lot neater than it used to! By the way DD is going back to days in a month. She has a definite date, and they're giving her a promotion, a raise, and Christmas off!

ETA: I decluttered yet another (nearly empty) pack of tea! Maybe I'm developing a taste for it?! lol

[busymom]

Hang in there debthaven! 

We're making some progress on the house.  Moving some stuff to the basement, & we brought up 2 stuffed chairs from the basement to put into the living room (we'll need more seating for company).  Unfortunately, we'll be using the basement as our temporary " zone" until after Thanksgiving, but, you do what you've gotta do.    I also did a bit more purging of stuff out of our freezer (some things went directly into the garbage, due to age), and I'm thawing some leftover ham & pulled pork for dinner tonight.  It doesn't really go together, but I need more room in the freezer.

[dee27]

We keep out of season coats and comforters in garment bags hung in the garage. Because DH was putting heavy ones in the bags, an expensive garment bag ripped. DH likes to solve problems and decided that space bags on a shelf would work better. He boxed in a wall of the garage to put shelves and next to it he put a metal rod to hang the bags for coats. His projects do keep him busy.

I sent him shopping for the rest of the food that we need for Thanksgiving because the grocery stores will be crazy next week. Tuesday and Wednesday, I will make the pie and cranberry sauce and prep the vegetables for the stuffing. Thursday, I will only have to cook the stuffed chicken, mashed potatoes and a vegetable. DH can watch football!

[debthaven]

Your DH sounds like a keeper Dee!

Well we bit the bullet and reserved an AirBnB for the funeral. It was less than half the price of a hotel. It's REALLY TINY (I'm not even sure it has a double bed) but it's right near DH's aunt's house so it's conveniently situated, and it's independent (an efficiency). We'll only be sleeping there. We were sort of hoping to stay with DS1 and DIL for a night or two, but they don't have a convertible couch. They very kindly offered to put DS3 up instead, since he'll be coming in from college for the funeral too, and he can sleep on their couch.

There were 2 cheaper options but we decided against them ... people's garden sheds, with no bathroom. No I am NOT kidding!

[busymom]

Wow, debthaven!  I didn't think it was legal to rent out a garden shed to sleep in.    The laws must be wayyyy different in Europe.

I can actually see some shelf space in one of my freezers!    It's going to be an interesting, but busy week.

[dee27]

Debt,


I hope you have a good trip despite the sad circumstance. Ditto what busy said about sleeping in a garden shed.

DH is a keeper.

[debthaven]

Thanks Dee! I feel a bit guilty that despite the circumstances I know I will be SO HAPPY to see DS1 and DS3 there!

We're not there yet though, we're not leaving for another 11 days. Yes the funeral is indeed 2.5 weeks after the death. Please don't ask me to explain that, I'd be totally incapable.

Busy, I didn't either!

[Sharon]

We've got fleas.   Instead of spending a nice relaxing day sewing I have been vacuuming and doing laundry.  I did get some sewing done.  It was vacuum a bit, sew a bit type of day.  I treated the cats this morning.  Hopefully the flea medication wasn't so old that it will work.  DD, who works at a pest control company, assures me that if I vacuum every day and empty the canister each time that I will get the population down low enough that they will just die out.

It has been a couple, three years since we have had a flea out break and I spent quite a bit of time in the yard recently so I probably brought them in the house.

We will be dog sitting DD/SIL's dog next weekend, they are going hunting.  I know that DD has been battling fleas also but their dog it outside all day.

I guess I shouldn't complain because the house is nice and vacuumed, which it needed, and it will stay that way since I will be vacuuming every day for the next week.

[moneysquirrel]

This week list:
Home/Personal:
*Exercise -- Monday
*Clean LR/Hall
*Clean and mop Kitchen
*Decorate for Thaksgiving
*Keep up with laundry and dishes
*Continue with closet reorganization
*Thanksgiving cooking and hosting (small group this year)
*Heater inspection -- Friday

School: (Glad to have this week off )
*7th grade projects -- About 50 left
*Refine exam 
*Plan sub work for conference days in December

Crafts:
*Finish CR Necklace
*Make 2nd earring of new stitch
*Make 2 pairs of cross earrings
*Fix broken earrings
*New projects??

Today I finished grading the 6th grade projects except for the missing 12. Emailed them (and parents) so I hope that they will come in soon. I have about half of the 7th projects done and plan to do a few of these today but I am taking a break before getting back to grading.  I have the exams almost done - part I is finished and part 2 needs refining. I did find the missing pin - so glad that I don't have to remake it. 

Debt -- This is also my last major grading prior to exams. I think that this semester has flown by.  I'm not complaining.

Need to get a few things done so I will sign off now.

[debthaven]

Enjoy your week off Moneysquirrel! Hopefully you can take it easy as well as catch up on things.

This weeks marking
Mon: 22 tests I had a rare 2h break at school and finished them there! 
Tues: 21 tests
- 5 long papers
Thurs: 2 papers

I plan to blitz tomorrow's tests too (they're quick) and then take my time for the reports.

[Iggy aka IG]

Everyone is doing such a good job at getting things done!

Deliver the moving boxes to my client-She was supposed to come by Tuesday. Sigh. Dropped them off at her house Friday after work.  Yay having space in my truck's back seat again!
Put the coffee table back which was moved for the Halloween party Vacuumed the main room, found my lost earring from the Halloween party, moved the coffee table back, and dusted surfaces.

This weekend:
"Played" out on our public lands with DH and a friend.  Between the 3 of us, we picked up half a large bag of trash, and a few other large items.  One of the things we picked up was a gift card with $1.41 remaining on it. 
The usual laundry and food processing Did 6 loads of laundry and steamed eggs, baked chicken, made low carb breakfast burritos and low carb "McGriddles" on Sat and Sun respectively.
Transfer warm weather clothes and shoes for cold.  Transferred the clothes and made 11 work outfits.  I haven't done the shoes yet because that is going to involve tossing a few pairs of well worn sandals, and it's very difficult for me to throw shoes and clothes away.

I also scrubbed two toilets, filled soap dispensers, processed dishes, emptied the garbage, prepared this week's menu, and did my toenails.

Long term winter projects:
Buy photo albums and organize about 8 years worth of photos.  Thankfully I stopped using an old school camera with film years ago.
Clear out the above and other items from my roll top desk.
Finish the latch hook rug I started years ago.
Retrieve several specific documents from two old computers, before deposing of them properly.
Sift through and delete the 2,100+ read email messages in my in box.

Here's to a 4 day weekend. 

[debthaven]

Something FANTASTIC happened to me today! I've lost 7 kilos, 15.5 pounds since July. NOT ONE PERSON HAS SAID ONE SINGLE WORD TO ME. And I'm only 5'2".

I know that part of that is a French thing ... if you comment that somebody lost weight, you're implying they were heavy before, so it's considered rude in France to comment on people's weight. But none of my US / UK / Aus / NZ friends or colleagues have commented either.

Today I ran into an Australian prof I saw regularly last year but only saw today for the first time this year. She said, OMG, I nearly didn't recognize you! What a transformation! How much have you lost, and how did you do it?! Fantastic, you look great, keep going!

OMG THAT MADE ME SOOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!

[Iggy aka IG]

debthaven, congratulations! 

[debthaven]

Iggy I think it made my day, my week, my year LOL. I've been DESPAIRING that not ONE SINGLE PERSON has made a SINGLE comment, so this made me SO HAPPY!!!