2016 Declutter and Get Organized Thread

[busymom]

Today, other than exciting stuff like laundry, I spent most of the day on Christmas cards. I tried to get my computer to print up labels, but even though I had the proper codes to input for the proper-sized labels, it still didn't line everything up correctly, so I probably ended up hand-writing about a dozen envelopes, & used labels on the rest.  I added stamps & return-address labels, and I'm now quitting for the night with 60 envelopes done. But, now I still have to write up the cards, & put together our annual Christmas letter. It's a process.

It feels good to be past Thanksgiving.  We've just got a little bit of pumpkin pie leftover.  (It'll disappear sometime tomorrow.)

[debthaven]

We had a lovely second Thanksgiving with friends. We brought DS3's friend who was feeling low, and she had a good time.

I am NOT leaving the house today, I'm exhausted, and we're away next weekend for the funeral. I also have to catch up on:
- laundry (ongoing)
- Shitepile
- buy ticket for P

Sun marking
- proofread writing exam 
- 1st years: 2 papers 
- MSc A: 2 papers
- MSc B: 4 papers

[TheHaitian]

Goal today is to declutter the basement! The last part of the house that is not somewhat organized!

Still have a lot of stuff to get ride off, working on it!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

--File the Pile
--Decorate inside for Christmas
--Lesson Plans for the week
--Prep for the week
--DD#2 needs to vacuum her bedroom
--Dye my hair
--Set up a balance transfer
--meal plan
--Set up DD#2's chore list for next week
--Email my mother DD#2's dance schedule
--mail SIl a thank you card
--mail my sister a check
--Purchase the restuarant gift certificates needed for Christmas gifts
--Clean up one two random piles of clutter that have appeared over the last two weeks
--clean toilets
--change sheets
--December budget
--DD#1 needs to bathe the dog
--When the dog is bathed, then I can put his flea/tick/heartworm meds on him. 
--clean my purse and work bag

[debthaven]

I caught up on household stuff and did some of the marking, but then I fell asleep on the couch for 3.5h. So ...

This week's marking
- proofread writing exam
- MSc: 4 papers (I get 4 more on Thurs)

I finish at 4 on Mon and Tues so I'll try to finish then. DH has a rehearsal tomorrow night so hopefully I can finish everything. If not there's still Tues.

Some (but not all) of this is due to my own bad planning with my MSc classes this year. I left it all to the last minute, which is very unlike me. I'm finding it challenging to work the same number of hours in two schools instead of one. Can't wait till next semester when I work in three schools.

We leave for London on Thurs after work. I want to shop for some food items for DS1 and DIL's parents on Wed morning, but that's local.

ETA: DH got the small role he auditioned for in this year's play. He didn't want a big part this year. I didn't even audition. If I have the time I may do props for it, but I wanted a year off rehearsals. Plus this year's play has a lot of kids, which means a lot of weekend rehearsals.

[moneysquirrel]

Personal/Home

• Finish removing Thanksgiving items
• Finish decorating Christmas tree
• Start other Christmas decorations
• Maintain house progress
• Exercise Monday
• Tutor twice

* Mail property tax.

School/Work

• Run off three fifth grade exams 1
• Run off four sixth grade exams 1
• Run off four seventh grade exams 1
• Run off 5/6 mc exams 2
• Run off seventh grade mc exams 2
• Track down missing projects
• Update class pages with deadlines
• Release 7th project grades
• Faculty meeting Tuesday
• Bring small Christmas tree to school
• Begin moving items to shelves – this will be ongoing until exams as maintenance needs clear floors for waxing during the Christmas break

Crafts

• Craft show – Thursday
• Craft show – Saturday
• Take pictures of new items
• Begin new item?
Today has been busy. Finished proofing the exams so I can run them off this week. I like to do it early so that I don’t have to battle for the machine which usually acts up during exam time. Also put away most of the Thanksgiving decorations. I have a few odd items left to gather and store. I did get the Christmas tree up and started decorating it today as I know the next few days/weeks will be very busy. I think that getting the house ready will take several weekends as I suspect that I won’t have much time during the week. I really did get a lot done during my week off and I started with some shopping.

[dee27]

I wish I could declutter my mind because I have too many appointments and chores this week. DH just laughs every time he enters the kitchen due to the growing number of post-it notes on the counter.

[busymom]

I like making lists too, dee27!    Between now & Christmas I'll probably be making a lot of them.

I didn't get as much accomplished today.  My back was bothering me from yesterday, and I've learned not to push my luck when it starts to hurt.  But, I DID get 12 Christmas cards complete & they'll be ready to mail out tomorrow.   

Oh, and the pie is officially gone now. 

[debthaven]

Well done decluttering the pie Busy!

[Iggy aka IG]

Great job this weekend, everyone!

DH and I looked at another house Saturday.  This one is on 4 acres and doesn't need any work.  We're putting in an offer this week.   Our real estate person looked at our house yesterday and thinks it is worth more than we thought.    I dislike packing and moving, but it will be so worth it!  I packed up another box over the weekend to donate and it includes almost a full set of dishes DH had before we moved in together, and other random kitchen items.  I also tossed a few things.  Here we go!  Now lets hope someone puts an offer in on our house quickly. 

I also did 6 loads of laundry, including the sheets, decorated the tree, and cleaned the floors so they'd look good for yesterday.  I would have done more but I've been fighting a headache for days.

[Jaguar]

Iggy aka IG, Fingers are crossed that you sell quickly and grab this new place.

[Iggy aka IG]

Thank you, Jaguar!  I am a believer of things happen for a reason, so we'll see. 

[debthaven]

Yes good luck Iggy!

[jeep108]

Good luck, Iggy.

[Iggy aka IG]

Thank you so much, guys!  We meet with the real estate person tonight at 6.  I just spoke with our mortgage broker and holy smokes, I cannot believe how much our home might be put on the market for?!  Our dinky little town is becoming expensive.  I credit/blame marijuana legalization in our state. 

[startsmart]

Got a busy week over here with work responsibilities before I can take off for vacation so I'm trying to finish the list for my PA tomorrow (mostly cleaning) and get caught up on laundry. Dogs with muddy feet are the bane of my current existence! 

Oh and I still need to clean up the yard enough before I go + work on moving dirt. 

We're down to the last few days before that terrible employee is GONE! I will be so grateful when I don't have to deal with her anymore Just today when training our other team member on a few tasks I found 2 big mistakes. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Nov 28, 2016 16:39:57 GMT -5 startsmart said:

Got a busy week over here with work responsibilities before I can take off for vacation so I'm trying to finish the list for my PA tomorrow (mostly cleaning) and get caught up on laundry. Dogs with muddy feet are the bane of my current existence! 

Oh and I still need to clean up the yard enough before I go + work on moving dirt. 

We're down to the last few days before that terrible employee is GONE! I will be so grateful when I don't have to deal with her anymore Just today when training our other team member on a few tasks I found 2 big mistakes. 

[busymom]

Our annual Christmas newsletter is done. (And yes, we keep ours down to one page. I have one relative who I adore, but the letters to family average 8 pages or more.) I've only printed up about 20 so far. I'll print up the rest as I need them.

I didn't get quite as much done today as I'd hoped. We got heavy rain, mixed in with hail, all while I was trying to run some errands. Never realized the roof at Wally World was made of metal, until I heard the racket of hail hitting that roof.  It was loud!

[startsmart]

Okay, it's finally going to be dry for the rest of the week so tomorrow = work outside day. Here's my short list for Tues: 

Get eyebrows done 
Move swinging bench to new spot
Hose down outdoor rug and let it dry
Move potting bench to new place and hose down 
Put away clean laundry
Wash comforters 
Finish packing for vacation
Pick up dog poop in the backyard 
Pull weeds
weeds and green waste in trash can
Put out trash 
Sweep patio in front of house 
Clean off my hiking shoes before my trip 
Put away Fall decor 

[Iggy aka IG]

OMG, it's just after 10 here at the office and I already need to start drinking. 

This week's list:
Deep clean or call a professional to prepare the house for listing
Finish decorating the house
Start Christmas cards
Treadmill
Send our mortgage gal the requested home loan documents

[debthaven]

Iggy does that mean your offer has been accepted?!

Tues
- MSc: 4 papers (I get 4 more on Thurs)
- supermarket (for UK gifts)
Wed list
- proofread writing exam
- post office
- farmer's market (for UK gifts)
- pack

I went to the supermarket after work today so I can hang out in pjs tomorrow until I have to go to work.

[Iggy aka IG]

Nov 29, 2016 12:27:54 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Iggy does that mean your offer has been accepted?!

Tues
- MSc: 4 papers (I get 4 more on Thurs)
- supermarket (for UK gifts)
Wed list
- proofread writing exam
- post office
- farmer's market (for UK gifts)
- pack

I went to the supermarket after work today so I can hang out in pjs tomorrow until I have to go to work.

It has.    Thank you for asking, debthaven.  And we pre-qualified per the seller's request this morning.  Wish I could attend the farmers market with you, debt!

[debthaven]

Congratulations Iggy!

[Iggy aka IG]

Thank you, debt.  Please let me know if you know anyone looking for a really nice house in a small-ish southwestern US town, LOL.    There's RV and ATV/UTV parking, a shed, fire pit, oversized garage, vaulted ceilings, peach and apple trees, garden, rose bushes, horseshoe and badminton pits, tether-ball pole, granite counter tops and custom hickory cabinets with a Merlot stain in the kitchen and bathrooms.

[moneysquirrel]

Nov 27, 2016 21:38:07 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

Personal/Home

• Finish removing Thanksgiving items
• Finish decorating Christmas tree
• Start other Christmas decorations
• Maintain house progress
• Exercise Monday
• Tutor twice

* Mail property tax.

School/Work

• Run off three fifth grade exams 1
• Run off four sixth grade exams 1
• Run off four seventh grade exams 1
• Run off 5/6 mc exams 2
• Run off seventh grade mc exams 2
• Track down missing projects -- In Progress
• Update class pages with deadlines
• Release 7th project grades
• Faculty meeting Tuesday
• Bring small Christmas tree to school
• Begin moving items to shelves – this will be ongoing until exams as maintenance needs clear floors for waxing during the Christmas break -- Started

Crafts

• Craft show – Thursday
• Craft show – Saturday
• Take pictures of new items
• Begin new item?

Iggy -- Great news on the house.
Start -- Glad that the troublesome person on your team is leaving soon.
Debt -- I also wish to go with you to the farmer's market.

[startsmart]

I love the 30 or so minutes after my assistant leaves the house is super clean (before the dogs make it messy again). We got so much done include a deep clean of the bathroom, washed the comforters, vacuuming, both beds are made up, dishes done, surfaces dusted, files scanned, trash out... I love it! 

I also got the book I ordered for vacation which makes me giddy. Almost done packing too  

Still need to hose down the potting bench and clean up out front a little more. I moved 3 trash cans full of dirt from the tree stump that got ground down this month to the backyard. If I can find the some grass seeds I'll spread them out in the backyard before I go to the vacation. 

Wednesday list: 
pull weeds
clean up hiking shoes for trip
workout with trainer
put dog food for the kennel in the car
put away fall decor in the garage
move outdoor rug into the garage for winter

[busymom]

Nov 29, 2016 13:41:46 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Thank you, debt.  Please let me know if you know anyone looking for a really nice house in a small-ish southwestern US town, LOL.    There's RV and ATV/UTV parking, a shed, fire pit, oversized garage, vaulted ceilings, peach and apple trees, garden, rose bushes, horseshoe and badminton pits, tether-ball pole, granite counter tops and custom hickory cabinets with a Merlot stain in the kitchen and bathrooms.

   If it includes a wood burning fireplace, I may need to check it out.  (We also want the master bedroom & laundry on the main floor.)

 

    I got another 17 Christmas cards ready to go.  I'm getting into the part of the stack where I need to write some personal letters, so it'll gradually be taking longer to get through the pile.

    I went to the bookstore today to get DH's present, and this particular book isn't even in stock yet.    (It arrives sometime next week.)  I bought a bunch of gift cards from Great Clips, because that's DH's & DS's favorite place to get their haircuts done.  And, those gift cards are for only $9.99 per haircut, but I think this gift card special ends on November 30th.  (But, the gift cards are good forever!)

[snapdragon]

I got the cat condo sawed up and tossed away on Monday. It creates quite a bit more room in there and I can now reach my bookcases. I still have alot to do but just having that gone--priceless.

[debthaven]

So today I decluttered ... a job. I gave notice to my 3h/week primary job today after school. I'm feeling both very guilty and very relieved, because money is extremely tight, but it really really wasn't working out, despite my best efforts. I'd love to be the sort of person "who is great with kids", but despite having four of my own, I'm not.

I asked them to find somebody to replace me, they asked if early Jan would be OK, I said yes. I (perhaps stupidly) said I wouldn't leave till they found someone. If they don't come up with somebody by early Jan, I will give formal notice and leave early Feb. (One month's notice is required here.) It is also possible that they ask me for formal notice now, in which case I'll be off the hook in early Jan.

Off to pack.

ETA: Of course the packing is fun, because DS1 requested cheese, DS3 requested cheese, DH's aunt loves cheese, and so do our new DIL's parents! So we have a ton of cheese, all double-bagged in baggies. Hopefully we won't smell too badly at the funeral.

[dee27]

I did NOTHING today because I am exhausted. I should know better than to schedule 5 doctor appointments within 5 days, and three before 7am. Maybe, it is all of the sitting in the reception area. The good news is a cortisone shot relieved the pain in my shoulder that has increased the last two months.

My eyes are still blurry from surgery and my reading glasses make the printed word fuzzy, and I cannot read except on the web; DH is my designated reader for any important documents. Patience is not my strong suit, but next week, I can try over-the-counter readers until my eyes are finished healing.

DH forgot to take meat out for dinner tonight and did not tell me until 3 pm. We will have soup from the freezer and salad tonight. I love DH dearly, but he dislikes cooking and leaves it to me to decide what to eat.