2016 Declutter and Get Organized Thread

[jeep108]

I need to go buy 2 gift cards, call the steak house for Christmas eve, call doctors today.

[startsmart]

thanks moneysquirrel, I did work too hard yesterday if the pain when I went to bed was any indication! But I got a lot accomplished so that's promising. Woke up to find my wreath had done a nose dive so I have to rig that back up today. Otherwise, the house is really clean so I can make a list of deep cleaning chores for my PA tomorrow and work on projects in the office and guest room. 

Today I need to get 2 quotes for work on my car and contact the man who hit me in the parking lot. I have a few things that I want to do but I don't want to make a mess since the house looks so nice for the holidays. 

[Iggy aka IG]

jeep108

I found myself to be feeling resentful on the way to the office this morning.  Resentful I have to work.  Resentful I have a boatload of stuff to do (work wise, not preparing for Christmas) instead of relaxing.  I remember feeling this way last year, and I actually took time off then.  I forced myself to take last Friday afternoon off to go Christmas shopping and dinner out with my dad and the family to try and enjoy the season, but even then I have a new PITA client who called me twice that afternoon, and again 5 times this morning.

On the bright side I did get most of my shopping and wrapping done over the weekend.  I just need to buy a few little stocking stuffer items, and go to the post office with my grandma's present, and I'll be finished.    I also baked 5 different items yesterday.

Here's to this Friday and some days off next week.

[debthaven]

Can you take some time off next week Iggy? Or this Fri?

Jeep I hope you find it soon.

[Iggy aka IG]

debthaven, yes, I am taking this Friday and next Mon and Tues off.

My district manager is coming next week to bring files from a retiring fellow agent.  While this is excellent news, as it will be more income for me, it has been pushed back a week.  You'd think if you knew you were retiring, you'd have files ready.    This fits better into my schedule this week, however. 

[debthaven]

I'm glad you're able to have a few days off Iggy!

I was offered another class, and I took it. It's 2 members of Staff and one of them is notoriously unreliable, but I figured sometimes is better than never. 

Since I have all my staff classes early this week, in the end I'll have about 12 days off (with some marking and lots of prep for my new job). All the staff / faculty I teach is taking next week off, so nobody wanted class.

[startsmart]

Pretty productive morning and feeling so much better than last night! 

I got 2 quotes for the car repairs and will probably go to shop #2. I called the guy who hit me and we're going to meet at a coffee shop to talk options for covering it, sounds like he can't pay for the full repairs up front but is such a nice guy we'll work something out. The repairs can't happen until January anyway due to a backlog of work at the shop so I have some time to figure it all out.

I dropped off clothes at consignment so that's 11 items "sold" and a bunch more for goodwill since they're so picky about what they take. I found a few more things I don't need and will drop off this week. 

It's super quiet right now since the dogs are taking a nap and I am getting so much work done on the computer! 

[debthaven]

I'm so glad it will work out with the accident Start!

As you all know, DH has hoarding tendencies that I've spent our entire life together fighting. He recently decided to wear my late BIL's coat for the first time in years (he's the same size so my sister gave it to him after my BIL died young). The coat was completely moth-eaten.

I was FURIOUS, because my coats are in that closet too! I'm the ONLY person in the family that only uses that closet, everybody else has hooks because it's too hard to hang up a coat property! I went through the closet and another one of DH's coats is completely moth-eaten. Thankfully none of mine are! I spray that closet regularly, use moth balls, etc, but DH agreed, his half of the closet was just too tight and there was absolutely no "breathing room". This said, we really do have a problem with moths / mites in this house.

I'll be getting rid of those coats first thing tomorrow morning, but there are also some of the kids' coats that they weren't ready to get rid of, but never wear, so I'm hoping those can go too. They're not moth-eaten though, so if that it takes more time or they decide to keep some of them, that's OK.

[dee27]

Debt,


Try cedar wood.

www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=cedar+for+moths&tag=mh0b-20&index=aps&hvadid=7005464264&hvqmt=b&hvbmt=bb&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_9gkyhhp3wf_b


Also we store woolen items in garment bags. The cedar hangers smell much better than moth balls. Bed, Bath & Beyond carries the same products as does the Container Store (more expensive).
 

[debthaven]

I've tried cedar! Despite the fact that it costs a fortune here.

I hated resorting to that spray that I bought, but I have to admit, it works a lot better. I bought it a year ago and haven't had a problem since, but I didn't check the items individually in that coat closet first, the damage may go back a year or two. UGH, but at least that closet breathes better now.

[dee27]

I use the small wooden planks that have their own hooks. I spray them as needed.

[debthaven]

Dee, you mean you spray those hookie cedar things? I have never thought of that but that could be a good solution.

[dee27]

Yes, those hookie things. Hookie made me laugh!

[debthaven]

I'm looking forward to seeing your answer, and if that's correct, I will order them after Christmas. I would much prefer spraying those than our clothes!

[debthaven]

Thanks Dee, great idea! Do you also respray the non-hookie things you probably put on the shelves? (LOL yes hookie thing isn't particularly articulate but it works LOL).

[dee27]

You can spray those, too, but make sure the planks are dry before you return them to the shelves. The oil can leave stains.Yes about hookie!

[debthaven]

LOL! Thanks so much Dee, that's a GREAT solution! Now I just have to figure out what to google on Amazon Fr LOL.

[debthaven]

I tried "Cedar Kit" and got a garden shed LOL!!! Looks like I'll need to keep trying LOL!

[debthaven]

Wow, I found a 30-piece kit, some with hangers and some without, for 13e, about $14.

Thank you Dee!!!

[debthaven]

Whoo hoo, thank you again Dee! I just ordered that, plus a Bodum French press coffee machine for DS3 "who can't afford to drink coffee at school", plus a new butter dish (ours is broken and doesn't match our new kitchen), for about $40. (I had the other 2 items sitting in my "basket" waiting to buy for 25e which means free delivery here.)

[wvugurl26]

Amazon has everything.

The bag of clothes is still in my car. At least it's out of the house!

[debthaven]

Haha WVU, sometimes I cross that off my list even when it's just in my car!

Amazon really does have everything, it's amazing!

DD just woke up and told me to get rid of 2 of her old coats.

Good news, last night was DD's last night on reception! She transitions into days (second shift I think, 2-10) as of tomorrow. It's a rough transition, with no days off between the two, but they are giving her Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off instead, so she'll deal.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I didn't work today which gives me absolutely no excuse for forgetting to walk the dog. 

[plugginaway22]

I am working a half day so should get a few more items on list checked off!  Decided last minute to get DH a waffle iron, he gets really excited when we stay at hotels where he can use one in the 'continental breakfast' room, ha-ha.  Think I will run to Target and also get some stocking stuffers.

[startsmart]

pluggin - I was at Target last night and it was crazy! Not even 5pm and so many people + lots of mess from shoppers. I think it's only going to get worse as the week goes on so good luck! 

Despite saying I was "done" shopping I did get a few more things. Today is busy though with the dog getting his annual shots, my chiropractic appointment, delivering some work for a client and then my PA coming over (so I have to be home by 1pm).

Still need to finish the to do list for this afternoon since the house is mostly clean but it's likely my parents will show up sometime over the next week. My office needs the most work because that's where I'm storing everything I moved out of the other rooms. 

[debthaven]

This week's marking
Mon: Exam C: 21 essays
Tues: Exam C: 18 essays
?? 39 Grammar (2h), 39 Vocab (2h)
?? calculate + enter marks (2h)
?? Exam D: 2 essays (1h)

To do besides marking (Mon/Tues)
- prepare binders for replacement (J)
- send email lists to J
- take coats to donation bin
- bottle bank
- kindling
- meet with J
- grocery shopping X 2
- call RE agency
- laundry

The marking isn't finished but neither is the Christmas shopping ... I'm working tomorrow, then picking up DS1 and DIL in the evening. So the Christmas shopping takes precedence, and I'll finish the marking in bits as I can. 

[plugginaway22]

Success!  Got the $40 waffle iron on sale for $30.  Sometimes it pays to procrastinate!  Everything seemed to be marked down/lots of sales.  Got these adorable rubber door mats with dog bones on them for my grandpuppies. Also a pair of really nice isotoner gloves for my Mom, on clearance.

[debthaven]

Great job Pluggin!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Good morning!
I've a bit of a list going, but really we're just enjoying quiet days at home. DD#2 has the nasty cold that I had just before Thanksgiving. It's much easier to take care of older children when they're sick, so I was only up once with her last night. 
I hope you all have a great day!

put away red suitcase
vacuum area rugs
make pie crusts
finish grading journals
walk the dog
clean purse
clean work bag
take pictures of yard decorations
vacuum car (rain may prevent this)
set up christmas cards
Order prescriptions
Give Bill the Dog his flea/tick/heartworm meds
Phone call to DH's doctor

[dee27]

Dec 19, 2016 18:23:17 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Whoo hoo, thank you again Dee! I just ordered that, plus a Bodum French press coffee machine for DS3 "who can't afford to drink coffee at school", plus a new butter dish (ours is broken and doesn't match our new kitchen), for about $40. (I had the other 2 items sitting in my "basket" waiting to buy for 25e which means free delivery here.)

Did I create a shopping monster? I hope you have a relaxing vacation and wonderful holiday with your family.