2016 Declutter and Get Organized Thread

[startsmart]

Skipping the list for the rest of the month - I was backing out of my parking spot today after a doctor appt and a truck hit my car! So annoying... I'm pretty sore and now need to deal with estimates, repairs and getting the guy to pay for damages. 

Oh, and the woman who we fired before I left got served with legal papers today   and it makes me happy to know that she's going to find it very hard to find work in this industry again. That's what happens when you burn bridges! 

[Jaguar]

Get better, startsmart, << BIG HUGS >>

[countrygirl2]

I cleaned today, ravelings everywhere from deconstructing the bedspread, but I'm working on

it and will be for awhile so more. But I also mopped so I could lay it on the floor to pint. Need

to mope and clean downstairs when I'm finally done.

[debthaven]

Oh I hope it's nothing serious Start! 

[Iggy aka IG]

startsmart, what debthaven said!

[debthaven]

I had a quiet and productive day at home. Finished ALL my marks besides the upcoming finals, and entered them. So I'm DONE with the marks for 4/9 classes (the other 5 classes have upcoming finals). I also did laundry.

[debthaven]

OK, SO I WROTE TO THEM AGAIN TELLING THEM I DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT FIRST JAN CLASS BECAUSE IT IS TOTALLY AND UTTERLY STUPID FOR THEM TO MAKE ME DO ONE CLASS AFTER A THREE-WEEK BREAK WHEN MY REPLACEMENT IS EAGER TO START

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

debthaven, holy roller coaster with the job! Congratulations on being able to separate from it. I will say that little kids do need to be said good-bye to. I got a little lost in all of the posts, so do you have another Wednesday with them before January? If not, just think of the Wednesday in  January as "good bye" day. 


startsmart, yay for vacation, boo for the car accident. 


Iggy aka IG, so sorry for her passing, especially during the holidays. 


jeep108, continued prayers

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I think I'm going back to hand written, paper organizer for to do lists and tracking. (My calendar will stay in Google because DH and our two younger I am discontent with my lists on my phone and my phone dinging at me all the time. I don't feel organized and I haven't for the the last year at least. I've not missed major things, but I've missed several little things. I also don't feel like I've thoroughly approached the holiday season. I'm just musing right now. Part of the problem with the actual paper planner is that I become absolutely obsessed with making it "pretty". That in and of itself is a time waster. 

Thoughts?

How do you keep track of what you need to do?

[plugginaway22]

I keep a small 3x5 spiral notebook in my bag at all times.  It has lists galore.  Use it all year for gifts, to-do household, window sizes, etc.  I have never been one to use my phone, I enjoy crossing off things and tearing out the completed sheet!  Making it pretty is not an issue for me but I admit to that great feeling of starting a new list on a clean sheet. 

[wvugurl26]

I don't do well with phone lists. I also like crossing things off. I have paper lists inside my planner. I try to divide between now and long term things to do.

[Iggy aka IG]

Dec 14, 2016 0:07:45 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

I think I'm going back to hand written, paper organizer for to do lists and tracking. (My calendar will stay in Google because DH and our two younger I am discontent with my lists on my phone and my phone dinging at me all the time. I don't feel organized and I haven't for the the last year at least. I've not missed major things, but I've missed several little things. I also don't feel like I've thoroughly approached the holiday season. I'm just musing right now. Part of the problem with the actual paper planner is that I become absolutely obsessed with making it "pretty". That in and of itself is a time waster. 

Thoughts?

How do you keep track of what you need to do?

Back in the day, I tried a Palm Pilot given to the sales force.  One day I went to access information, and the screen was blank.   Nope, electronic organizers are not for me!

Here in the office I keep a week at a glance Day Timer.  Every year in November, I transfer birthdays, anniversaries, etc, to the new one.  Tedious, yes, but people really appreciate the phone call, text or email on their special day.  Also part of the Day Timer is an Event Calendar which has 12 months displayed on one page.  Here I keep track of major agency and volunteer events.  For instance, December has "Deliver Goodies" and "Parade of Lights".  If there are blank areas, I know I need to step up my game.  There's a different page I keep track of my days off, holidays, travel for convention, etc.

That being said, I did buy my first smart phone a few years ago.  I keep a few lists in it such as the Sam's Club list, holiday baking list, and things to buy for our relatively new camper.  The Sam's Club list contains things we buy on a regular basis, and if I need to buy it that month, I'll put an X to it.  It also has a list of my predictions and favorites for this season's Project Runway. 

My grocery list is in a Word document, organized by grocery aisles.

A Christmas list is also in a Word document and I transfer it to a new doc every year.  It's nice to be able to refer to the prior year.

I also keep temporary lists such as chores and errands on a piece of paper, written in pretty green ink. 

My disclaimer:  I don't have children, and don't know if I might alter any of this if I did.  I would definitely have some sort of dry erase wall calendar located somewhere convenient for all to see.  I used a year at a glance wall calendar when I was a traveling sales rep and it really helped.

ETA:  When I'm at home, I sometimes experience what I've learned is "passive thinking".  It's when I'm reading, watching the TV, or relaxing and think of something I need to do at the office, a marketing idea, a good Facebook post for my business, etc.  I'll grab my phone, send me a quick email to retrieve the next business day, and go back to what I was doing.  The ones sent after midnight have proven to be quite amusing. 

[startsmart]

well, I got the energy to clean/pick up 60 things this morning since my PA is coming this afternoon and the place looks terrible. I'm attempting to get through all the laundry (blankets and sheets) today since the dogs have tracked in dirt and mud and I'm tired of feeling that while I sleep. 

I'm still SUPER sore and cranky, right now I've got a cut/big bruise on the back of my left leg, a smashed and bruised right thumb, cuts across 2 fingers on my left hand, a cough that won't quit and general back pain from the fender bender. If I could spend the rest of the week in bed I think that would be the safest place for me. 

[Iggy aka IG]

startsmart, sending you  and whatever else to help you through this frustrating time!

[debthaven]

Take care Start! Sounds like your body is telling you that you need to take it easy ...

[dee27]

Smart,


I hope you heal quickly and feel better very soon.

[Sharon]

Dec 14, 2016 0:07:45 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

I think I'm going back to hand written, paper organizer for to do lists and tracking. (My calendar will stay in Google because DH and our two younger I am discontent with my lists on my phone and my phone dinging at me all the time. I don't feel organized and I haven't for the the last year at least. I've not missed major things, but I've missed several little things. I also don't feel like I've thoroughly approached the holiday season. I'm just musing right now. Part of the problem with the actual paper planner is that I become absolutely obsessed with making it "pretty". That in and of itself is a time waster. 

Thoughts?

How do you keep track of what you need to do?

I am the queen of the sticky note.  The little ones are for appointments or things to remember.  The larger ones are for grocery lists etc.  When I leave work I stick them to my wallet in my purse.  I even use sticky notes at home for short grocery lists. 

My main calendar at home has birthdays/anniversaries etc and appointment that are scheduled a long way out.  If it is the type of thing though where I call on a Wednesday and make a Dr. appt for the next day or so it goes on a sticky note. 

[Sharon]

startsmart take it easy and get some rest.  Feel better soon.

[moneysquirrel]

Start -- Hope you will be feeling better soon.
Debt -- Hope you don't have to report to the little ones in January.  Going in to say goodbye is one thing, staying and working is totally different.
Chloe: I use both paper and electronic lists.  Calendar is on computer, copy on phone, yearly events on wall calendar. . To-do list on paper and/or on here.  

More later.

Updating the list:

Dec 11, 2016 21:01:25 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

Home/Personal

- Maintain progress and make some improvements
- Store holiday storage container somewhere other than the middle of a room -- Some progress made but more is needed.
- Put wreath on the door
- Exercise -- Monday
- Stop by the gym and pick up a few gift cards (only allowed to buy one per day)  -- Picked up 2 this week -- not sure if more this week or not.
- Several other items that I can’t remember
- Tutoring - 2 to 4 hours (exam week)
- Lunch with a friend
- Christmas Gifts -- only a few left to get -- mainly gift cards 
- Sam's run -- major stock-up needed 
- Car Inspection
- Car Sticker

School

- 11 sets of part 2 of exams -- 9 done 2 more due tomorrow
- Semester Grades --9 classes done others after exams tomorrow 
- Put the away from internet message on school email (Friday)
- Water the classroom plants 
- Set up 2017 calendar with duties, activities, etc. -- Started
- Two school luncheons

Crafts

- Start new project for me
- Finish loom bracelet -- Almost there
- Gather info to place order for items needed
- Reorganize bead room
- Get frame for glued Christmas puzzle -- Odd size so I might have trouble finding an inexpensive one.
- Decipher pattern for future project


Upcoming:
- Car Insurance payment
- Airport

[wvugurl26]

Smart I hope you feel better soon. I know car accidents can really mess you up. It's taken me years to get finally back to normal.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I've tried scratch paper for a lot of lists the past year, and then I lost the lists. This school year I went to a 5"x7" spiral bound notebook. It has my basic lesson plans (detailed ones are in a Microsoft Publisher file), meeting notes, to do lists, and unit sketches. It's been a lot better for me because I'm not mis-placing the little notes in my stacks (English teachers have a lot of stacks of papers   )

[zibazinski]

Dec 11, 2016 22:36:52 GMT -5 Sharon said:

Dec 11, 2016 22:25:52 GMT -5 dee27 said:

Sharon,

Call the manufacturer's help line about your oven. Perhaps there is an easy way to fix the clock, so you can use the self cleaning function.

No there is not an easy way to fix the clock.  Dad disconnected it because the timer would not shut off.  I was having issues getting the timer to shut off and then when Dad was installing a new range hood and dropped something on the knob that you turned for the oven timer and broke the plastic part of the off it really wouldn't shut off.  I could still turn the timer with a pair of pliers but it is stripped out and I could not hit the sweet spot again to make it turn off.  After about 15 minutes Dad got tired of listening to the buzzer and opened the back and disconnected the clock.  

I bought it used 24 years ago for $200 so I have more than gotten my money out of this range and if I need to clean it by hand once in a while I can do that.  I just need to suck it up and get it done.  Right now it isn't too bad and wouldn't take that long if I would just do it.

Spray the cleaning junk before you go to bed. Next morning cleaning is easier.

[busymom]

Sorry to hear of the accident, startsmart.  Rest up, & hope you feel better soon!

It's been very cold here this week (current temp is -2, with a -25 wind chill).  The cold is seeping into the house, & as it's so dark this time of the year, it's hard for me to get moving.  But, I'm keeping up with basic shopping, & planning for Christmas.  I don't see myself tackling any new projects until either the weather behaves, or the beginning of the New Year.    I'm doing my annual countdown:  6 more days to the shortest day of the year, then we'll gradually see more daylight again.

[debthaven]

Busy I do that countdown too! It's such a relief when we turn that corner and the days start getting longer.

I'm back from the Dec meeting at the main campus (3h each way, so it's a long day). I went to see my friend A on the way home. Tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of her DH's death. She is having a memorial gathering on Sat evening.

Debt -- Hope you don't have to report to the little ones in January. Going in to say goodbye is one thing, staying and working is totally different.

They FINALLY decided TODAY that they are starting my replacement's contract on 1 Jan. If I'd known that yesterday I could have said goodbye to the kids then. But since I didn't, I WILL go in on 4 Jan to say goodbye and introduce them to their new teacher (twice in fact, for both classes). It's worth it! 

I have one class tomorrow and then I bring home 84 finals. I want to do one set of 43 before DS3 arrives on Sat night. I'm working all day Wed so I'd like to finish by then. DS1 and DDIL arrive Wed night, and DS2 arrives Thurs am.

I'm on a reduced schedule till 9 Jan, but I'd like to take the week between Christmas and NY completely off. But no more 6 am alarms till 9 Jan!

In PJs but doing a load of laundry. The house is all caught up except for wrapping a couple of gifts that arrived in the mail.

[Chocolate Lover]

Yay Debt!!!

Chloe, I'm the exact opposite, I love being able to put it in my phone, with the only exception being the grocery list because I want everyone in the house to add to it when we run out of something.  

[debthaven]

Lund hasn't posted in a while.

I hope you are well friend!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Dec 15, 2016 14:48:05 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Yay Debt!!!

Chloe, I'm the exact opposite, I love being able to put it in my phone, with the only exception being the grocery list because I want everyone in the house to add to it when we run out of something.  

If the majority of your household posses smartphones, look into the Bring! App. It lets everyone add to the same shopping lists.

[lund]

Thank you, Debthaven!

Getting better after getting some kind of very nasty flu, which I brought home from a family birthday celebration which I helped arrange.
At least three other guests have also spent at least a week chiefly horizontally.

So, now I need to start the cards - at least it is something that I usually like to do, even if I am behind this year. I tell myself that even if the cards would arrive between Christmas and New Year's, the recipients will at least get them.

Luckily, I remembered to bring the usual token gifts for young relatives to the celebration, asking the grandparents or parents to act as couriers, saving me some $20 in postage. Bingo!

[debthaven]

Glad you're feeling better Lund!

This weekend's marking
Fri: 22 exams (grammar, vocab, essays)
Sat: 20 essays, 20 vocab
Sun: 20 grammar, calculate + enter marks

Two people at school were absent, so there was nobody to prepare the other exam for pick up. I'll go in again on Mon, teach for 2h and pick up the other 39 exams.

So that's less pressure this weekend.

Doing more laundry before DS3 comes home tomorrow evening and hogs the machine.

ETA: Overdid the marking, now have a bad headache. Dumb!

[Chocolate Lover]

Dec 15, 2016 17:29:43 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Dec 15, 2016 14:48:05 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Yay Debt!!!

Chloe, I'm the exact opposite, I love being able to put it in my phone, with the only exception being the grocery list because I want everyone in the house to add to it when we run out of something.  

If the majority of your household posses smartphones, look into the Bring! App. It lets everyone add to the same shopping lists.

I'll check it out but not sure if I can get them to use an app that is actually useful.