2016 Declutter and Get Organized Thread

[debthaven]

Haha Dee no don't worry, I use amazon a lot! I just didn't want to pay shopping on the first 2 items so I waited to add something else.

Thank you, and same to you!

[busymom]

Hi Kids!

I DID make it over to visit my relative at the nursing home, & watched him open his gifts, and I gave him some of the fudge I made yesterday, along with some other "stocking stuffers".   Afterwards, I went to the grocery store for my "pre-Christmas" trip.  (I'll get my last-minute stuff on Friday).  Tomorrow, I'll bake pies.

You guys are doing great on all of your holiday prep!  I still need to get a fur baby present or two, & I just realized today that DS hasn't gotten anything yet for DH.   I'd better help him with that.

[Iggy aka IG]

Dec 7, 2016 14:16:55 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

DH left town this morning.  His Gma passed away earlier this week. 

My goals during his absence:

Dust-continuing
Clean tile and laminate floors
Deep clean the master bathroom
Sweep front porch again-Done
Do the usual laundry-Every weekend
Keep up with the dishes-Was doing well until Sunday's bake fest. 
Wipe down window sills
Vacuum-Main floor done.
Wipe down upstairs light switches and around door handles (as mentioned on a prior page, DH is a mechanic )-Done
Start packing, beginning with upstairs rarely used rooms

I was just informed our home will be part of a real estate tour very soon.    None this week

I have been remiss in updating my list from two weeks ago.  Updates lined out above, and some added below:

Grocery store for my RX and a few last minute Christmas Eve dinner items
ATV club bank deposit
Wally World and the liquor store for a few more stocking stuffers
Drop off baked goods for the post office staff
Deliver baked goods to three different neighbors
Spruce up for family on Saturday
Bake red velvet cheesecake

It always looks intimidating in print, LOL.

[Chocolate Lover]

My to do list just became figure out what else I'm cooking this weekend. I just got a long email from my out of town sister about who's cooking what and aside from Xmas dinner, what else are we cooking eating as a group while she's here? Yes, it will happen, always does. There's more than one gathering any time she's here with the kids. She is volunteering to bring ingredients and cook stuff, which we usually let her off the hook on because she has a 3 & 1 year old. 

[moneysquirrel]

Updating the list -- eliminated items that have been completed.

Dec 18, 2016 20:23:23 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

This week's list:

Home/Personal

*Organize the BR.
*Go through and organize closet
*Organize Bead Room
*Sam’s run
*Exercise – Monday and hopefully a few other days
*Gym gift cards for future training (GCs are on special now) -- got one plan to get another 
*Shred old documents
*Deliver unusable-to-me craft books and material to give to friend
*Write the last of the thank you note cards 

School (hopefully done sometime during break)

*Update Calendar with Duty Dates
*Update Field Trip Forms – to be given out upon return to school
*Random selection of FT groups—students and chaperones
*Prepare for spring semester
*Back up school files to portable hard drive
*Ignore emails as much as possible

Crafts

*Start new project for me
*Finish loom bracelet
*Finish gathering list of things to order and place order.
*Decipher pattern for future project
*Organize patterns – those done and those to do
*Set up calendar book to track progress (recycling extra lesson plan book for this) – hoping to do at least one beading item a day.
*Create list of items that need to be remade before craft shows in the spring– usually items that have proven to be good sellers.

Also got the car inspection done.  Still need to wrap presents but that won't take a lot of time.

[lund]

Dh, I was actually rather pleased with the tea leaves! We will not have any problems consuming (is there a better word? They are neither eaten nor drunken) them; I just want to get through the last small amounts of several kinds before they turn stale first.


Pest lecture warning ahead:
If your wool pest fauna is like mine: Do the eaten parts consist of random holes or tunnels? If you have the tunnels, it is a flying moth that you need to look out for. The larvae stay in place; hence the tunnels.

If you have the random eaten spots, it is a flying fur bug with highly mobile larvae. This is the worse one. Check for shed larvae skins, which are a tell-tale sign that they are around. (The skins are typically up to 10 mm long and have a bunch of "hairs" at the tail end.) If you scare live larvae, they will curl up like a comma and play dead. They like food "dust", human "skin dust" (like you can find in/under beds if not well cleaned), fur and wool and dust from such garments, and thus many kinds of dust that can be found in carpeting and crevices between floor planks. They can get through or hide in small holes. They change skins several times during the many months that they live and grow before metamorphosis.

We rented in a house that was severely plagued by them. A number one is a good clean (vacuuming, with special attention to nooks and crevices, followed by mopping/wet cloth). Then pack potential pest food, after making sure that it is OK, and at least for easily washable items a wash (to get rid of any eggs) and a good shake and inspection for other things, in plastic and make sure that the box or bag is air tight shut. We got rid of a lot by painting the insides of the built-in closets (old house; there were many crevices between planks that were spackled away; use an elastic kind of spackle if possible) and also putting insulating foam or spackle where pipes and cables came through the walls/floors/ceiling. Then we at least managed to control the pest population. There was also a special anti-bug spray that was expensive and stinky but effective.

I hope that you will soon get them under control!

[debthaven]

Lund they're random holes but I clean out my closet regularly and I NEVER see any traces of them. Last year I bought a spray online that seems to work, but I like the cedar things that Dee suggested because I'd rather spray the wood than the clothes (although it's true the spray doesn't damage the clothes). This said I probably need to clear out that coat closet during my time off ...

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

Whoo hoo, I finished those 39 exams! Three of us had a project today, we had blocked 5h for it, but it only took 2h! So I got home 3h earlier than planned and finished those exams.  

Also
- put away outdoor cushions which were drying in DS2's room
- turned on heat in DS1's room
- doing another load of laundry
- brought in firewood
- making soup


 

[Iggy aka IG]

Dec 20, 2016 15:45:46 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Dec 7, 2016 14:16:55 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Dust-continuing
Clean tile and laminate floors
Deep clean the master bathroom
Do the usual laundry-Every weekend
Keep up with the dishes-Was doing well until Sunday's bake fest.    One mountain tackled last night.
Wipe down window sills
Vacuum-Main floor done.
Start packing, beginning with upstairs rarely used rooms

Grocery store for my RX and a few last minute Christmas Eve dinner items-Done.  Just need bread for overnight French toast for Christmas Day.
ATV club bank deposit-Attempted last night.  Their hours are less than desirable.  Glad my personal accounts aren't there.
Wally World and the liquor store for a few more stocking stuffers
Drop off baked goods for the post office staff-Done
Deliver baked goods to three different neighbors-One given this morning.
Spruce up for family on Saturday
Bake red velvet cheesecake

It always looks intimidating in print, LOL.

Dropped off my truck this morning to have the transfer case repaired under warranty, and the tires balanced.

[busymom]

I'm running about a 1/2 hour behind schedule in my baking, but my pies are currently in the oven. (Problems with the crust. For some reason, my fridge gets colder in the Winter, so I literally had to set the pie dough on the counter to let it thaw a bit more, before I could work with it.)

My shopping list keeps getting longer, but I'll try to get through some of it this afternoon.

[debthaven]

Gifts update
DD - DONE!
DS2's GF - DONE!
DS2 - DONE!
DS1 - 1/2 done
DDIL - 1/2 done (DH will get)
DS3 - not done (DH will get)
DH - not done

Now I have 3 days to get the rest of the gifts ...

[startsmart]

Well, my PA is sick so now I'm belatedly thankful that I worked so hard to clean on Sunday (otherwise the house would be a disaster zone right about now) but I do need to finish a few things before the weekend so I can relax and enjoy 2 days off. 

My to do list: 
put away all the clean dishes
vacuum all the rooms and straighten up rugs
steam clean the office rug
take out the trash
get together paperwork for Thursday
send proof of rabies vaccine to county
Spent 3 hours in my office working on paperwork
dust the bookshelves and desk in the office
fix kitchen curtains 

[Sharon]

I was just getting ready to go find this thread when startsmart was kind enough to post to it popped right up to the top, easy for me to find.

There is hope that I will actually be ready for Christmas. 
    The presents are done/wrapped and the wrapping paper put away.
    Tonight I got out the Christmas dishes
    The Christmas quilt project I have been working on is picked up and out of the way.  This year I hung the work in progress quilt on the wall.  I always get inspired after Thanksgiving to get that thing done then get too busy to work on it during the Holidays.  Then it gets put away to clean the house for Christmas day and doesn't get pulled out again until the next year or maybe even the year after that.  I have been working on this since at least 2001.
    Dad has been reminded to deliver the extra tables.  They will probably show up tomorrow or Friday.
    The turkey is thawing nicely.  Friday we get off at noon so i will make my stock to use for the stuffing and gravy that afternoon.
    The main grocery shopping is done, just a few last minute things to get that I want to be fresh.

I have scratched the idea of making homemade rolls.  While I love to bake bread I am too tired and there is too much going on.  Why add the stress.

[dee27]

To do list for Christmas:

Friday: Buy vegetables for Christmas dinner
Saturday: Make dessert for Christmas

Presents: Bought and mailed
Cards: Mailed
Cookies: Baked and packaged for neighbors
Decorations: Tree and house done
Charitable donations: Checks mailed, Goodwill done

To do list-personal:

Register for winter session at Y: Done
Pay December bills: Done
Make annual doctor appointments: Done
Phone calls for DH: Done

Gather tax info for accountant: In progress
Purge desk drawers: Late January
Finish master closet: In progress
Garage: To be finished when the temps hit 40
Large freezer: Reorganize shelves

Friday: PT for shoulder
Next Wednesday: Last appt. w/eye surgeon!
January 1st-order prescriptions

[busymom]

Back again!    I've got one pie in the fridge, and the other in the freezer.  I DID get out to the store, & have most of the items checked off my list, including DS's present for DH, and the fur baby gifts. 

I haven't decided if I'm going to buy my potato sausage on Thursday or Friday (depends on the weather).  We'll be eating that on Christmas Eve.  It's a Scandinavian tradition that we've kept going for years.  Christmas Day we either eat turkey or ham.

Today was the first day that I actually received a stack of Christmas cards in our mailbox.  Unfortunately, someone sent us a card that I'd forgotten about.    So, I wrote one up quickly tonight, & it'll be off in the mail tomorrow.

[WholeLottaNothin]

I haven't wrapped any gifts yet. I still need to get a couple small things for relative's kids that are coming to our place on Christmas Eve. I have tomorrow off from work, so the plan is to go to Wal-Mart and Aldi tomorrow after I drop my older son off at school. My mom has been taking care of my 2 year old quite a bit since the accident, which has been a huge help. I still haven't made it to my decluttering goal, again because of the accident. But I need to clean a little to get ready for Christmas Eve so there is still hope. So after I go to the stores in the morning, my main goal is to get everything wrapped. Wish me luck!

[Chocolate Lover]

Dec 21, 2016 22:02:55 GMT -5 Sharon said:

...
    The Christmas quilt project I have been working on is picked up and out of the way.  This year I hung the work in progress quilt on the wall.  I always get inspired after Thanksgiving to get that thing done then get too busy to work on it during the Holidays.  Then it gets put away to clean the house for Christmas day and doesn't get pulled out again until the next year or maybe even the year after that.  I have been working on this since at least 2001.
...

I have a baby quilt that my great aunt gave me to embroider and then quilt when I was pregnant with now 15 year old DD. I still haven't finished the embroidery part. And it's been dropped in water at least once so the pattern may not still be visible. Did I mention that the pattern has also been lost? :/

I got a few presents wrapped yesterday, or more precisely DH wrapped and I did a few labels, ran to the store for tissue paper (I'm sure I'll find all of what I already own next year) and cleaned the kitchen. More wrapping to do tonight and probably tomorrow too. Progress is being made though!

And now I want to make rolls for Christmas dinner. Thanks Sharon.

[jeep108]

We need to go to the store tonight and get stuff to make jalapeno poppers. We were asked to bring the appetizer for our Christmas dinner.  

We only had a few gifts to buy this year.  I cheated went to the Dollar store bought gift bags and tissue paper.

[Iggy aka IG]

Dec 21, 2016 11:14:45 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Dec 20, 2016 15:45:46 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

ATV club bank deposit-We swung in just before 5:30 last night, and they were closed already.  I thought their lobby was open later.  Sigh.  Will leave the office early today to get this done.
Wally World and the liquor store for a few more stocking stuffers-WW done this morning, liquor store after work tonight.
Deliver baked goods to three different neighbors-One given Wed AM.
Spruce up for family on Saturday-Tomorrow
Bake red velvet cheesecake-Tomorrow

Dropped off my truck this morning to have the transfer case repaired under warranty, and the tires balanced.-They had to order parts. 

Found a 50 cent loaf of bread at WW this AM which will be perfect for our overnight Christmas French toast. 

I have goodie bags and cards ready for the mail delivery people here at the office and at home.

Have a fantastic holiday weekend, everyone. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Dec 22, 2016 11:45:57 GMT -5 jeep108 said:

We need to go to the store tonight and get stuff to make jalapeno poppers. We were asked to bring the appetizer for our Christmas dinner.  

We only had a few gifts to buy this year.  I cheated went to the Dollar store bought gift bags and tissue paper.

jeep108, like minds.  We'll be making cream cheese stuffed bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers for Christmas Eve supper as well. 

[debthaven]

OMG I spent another 80e at the supermarket today ... all the kids and their other halves are coming for dinner except for DD who has to work DH says, it'll be easier to eat out of the pantry / freezer when Christmas is over! I have a ton of meat in the freezer.

I also went shopping for presents:

Gifts update
DD - DONE!
DS2's GF - DONE!
DS1 - DONE!
DS2 - DONE!
DS3 - DONE!
DDIL - MOSTLY DONE! I want to get her two more small things, a shawl to match the "special" dress we bought her, and her favorite green tea
DH - NOT DONE! BUT, I know what we're getting him and it's been put aside, I just need to pick it up Fri or Sat. 

I have some great news!!! I have been sitting on it since we went to London, because DS1 wanted to tell DS2 (who just arrived back in Paris today) and his grandfather before I told anybody else... We're getting the BEST PRESENT EVER, in June!!!

[dee27]

I have some great news!!! I have been sitting on it since we went to London, because DS1 wanted to tell DS2 (who just arrived back in Paris today) and his grandfather before I told anybody else... We're getting the BEST PRESENT EVER, in June!!! 


Debt, I assume the surprise is your first grandchild. How very wonderful!

[startsmart]

Had a good workout today + gave my trainer a card & gift card. Aside from meeting the guy who hit my car today and a chiropractic appointment tomorrow I'm pretty much done with responsibilities for the week.

Excited too, I bought 2 rugs on clearance last night that would have been over $2,000 total and I got them for under $250. 

I also got my grocery shopping done this morning so I can hibernate over the holiday weekend when most things are closed and/or crazy busy.

My Thurs/Friday to do list:
put away all the clean dishes - mostly done, refilling the dishwasher
vacuum all the rooms and straighten up rugs
steam clean the office rug
take out the trash
get together paperwork for Thursday
send proof of rabies vaccine to county
Spent 3 hours in my office working on paperwork
dust the bookshelves and desk in the office
fix kitchen curtains


Weekend:
make orange juice
make orange rind, cinnamon spice pot on the stove
bake pretzel jello salad 
open a bottle of wine
watch 2 of my new movies 

[debthaven]

Yes Dee!

[Chocolate Lover]

Congrats Debt!!!! 

[wvugurl26]

Congratulations debt!! That is fantastic news for you.

[dee27]

Startsmart,

Where did you get such a great bargain on the rugs?

[busymom]

How wonderful debthaven!  Congratulations! 

[jeep108]

debthaven Congrats

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

debthaven, I'm so happy for you!

[debthaven]

Thank you! I'm so excited lol!