2018 Get Organized & Declutter Your Stuff

[dannylion]

Happy Belated birthday debthaven.  


Now I want chocolate cake.  

[debthaven]

Thank you dannylion ! And me too LOL.

My friend/colleague R made cupcakes for my birthday (on purpose, because they all know I've been on a really strict diet). So K (the other Nov "birthday girl") and I split a cupcake. I explained that I wouldn't eat the entire cupcake because I knew DH would have a birthday cupcake waiting for me at home (I told DH I wanted a cupcake this year rather than a cake).

DH zapped the cupcake LOL. I'm NOT complaining! It's better for my diet, and I DID eat half of a very delicious date and walnut cupcake, with icing! It was literally the second dessert I've had in 5 months!

DH was absolutely mortified at having forgotten, but I thought it was hilarious!

[dannylion]

I'm planning to make chocolate bread in my new bread machine very soon, but I have to be sure to get a big tub of mascarpone beforehand as chocolate bread is heavenly with mascarpone.  I found a recipe for brioche in a bread machine this morning, so that will be the next sweet treat after the chocolate bread, or maybe some Greek Easter bread.  


Maybe it's time to reward your excellent discipline with a treat of a whole cupcake, debthaven .  You know, just so you don't feel so deprived that you find yourself finishing off a half-gallon of ice cream with no recollection of how you got to the bottom of the container.  (Not that I know what that's like, of course  ).

[debthaven]

dannylion I went to see a nutritionist yesterday, for the first time. My rheumatologist, who put me on this diet 5 months ago, authorized me 1 square of very dark chocolate/day.

The nutritionist said, do you PREFER dark chocolate to milk chocolate? I said, absolutely not, I prefer milk chocolate.

The nutritionist said, so screw that. If you have really managed to contain yourself to ONE square of chocolate per day for the last 5 months, at least enjoy the one square of chocolate that you prefer. LOL!

I recently found a stash of milk chocolate I had hidden from my kids!!!

[TheOtherMe]

Thank you plugginaway22  finnime dannylion  debthaven

I'm sure I will have to remind her.  I didn't know that she already does dad's sheets and Dnephew3's laundry.   

I definitely want the dryer and I'd like the washer.  I do think that 5 year old washing machine has more life in it that my 1 year old washing machine because of the brand.  

She asked me if the dryer works.  I use it on my laundry every week.  It does the job.  

[debthaven]

I didn't know that she already does dad's sheets and Dnephew3's laundry.

I can certainly understand her doing your Dad's sheets. But DN3's laundry?! He's an adult, that's definitely her choice, and not your problem (but probably the reason she wants to give him your Dad's machines).

I hope you can manage to find a compromise. Again, I think you are totally within your right, but personally I would probably try to find a compromise to keep the peace.

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 1, 2018 18:02:37 GMT -5 debthaven said:

I didn't know that she already does dad's sheets and Dnephew3's laundry.

I can certainly understand her doing your Dad's sheets. But DN3's laundry?! He's an adult, that's definitely her choice, and not your problem (but probably the reason she wants to give him your Dad's machines).

I hope you can manage to find a compromise. Again, I think you are totally within your right, but personally I would probably try to find a compromise to keep the peace.

It's definitely why she wants her son to have dad's washer and dryer.  She said his dryer is broken but didn't say his washer is broken.

My appliances already don't match.  I wasn't buying both a washer and dryer last year when the washer died.  They are both white.

[debthaven]

This weekend (updated)

- mark 4 second-year papers/Sun

- work out oral marks/Sun

This week

- mark 37 Final JF reports

Just one more week of this semester! One more Terrible Tuesday, but I'm off Wed am.   

Took some shoes off the downstairs shoe rack, it was overflowing.

[Sharon]

Dec 1, 2018 18:06:09 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Dec 1, 2018 18:02:37 GMT -5 debthaven said:

I didn't know that she already does dad's sheets and Dnephew3's laundry.

I can certainly understand her doing your Dad's sheets. But DN3's laundry?! He's an adult, that's definitely her choice, and not your problem (but probably the reason she wants to give him your Dad's machines).

I hope you can manage to find a compromise. Again, I think you are totally within your right, but personally I would probably try to find a compromise to keep the peace.

It's definitely why she wants her son to have dad's washer and dryer.  She said his dryer is broken but didn't say his washer is broken.

My appliances already don't match.  I wasn't buying both a washer and dryer last year when the washer died.  They are both white.

In my house if the appliances are both the same color then I  consider that to be matching.

[Sharon]

Yesterday I finished ironing the bathroom floor and got up all the remaining felt backing.  Today I will need to sand that floor.  That shouldn't be too bad.  At least I can shut the door and contain most of the sanding dust to that room vs when I did the kitchen and it floated out all over the house and I had hung something over the entry way.

I also got the hallway painted and the jury is still out on whether that color will stay.  The living room won't be painted until I decide.  The color is a little dark for that long hallway and my overall dark house but what is really bugging me is where it abuts to my yellow kitchen.  I have always loved my yellow and white kitchen (with cream colored cabinets).  Since I put the new floor in there which has a lot of brown and gray it has been a little off in my mind.  Now with the brown in the hallway wall next to the yellow it makes me think of 70's kitchen and I keep looking for a green fridge to magically appear and perhaps mushroom decor.   The door to the garage is the dividing point for the two so those paint colors are only side by side from the top of the door to the ceiling.

I am so tired that maybe it won't bother me as much when I feel better.

[TheOtherMe]

Dnephew3 called.  He has a girlfriend and she has a two year old.  He also got himself a dog.  After about an hour of talking, he told me his mom thought I thought they were trying to steal Grandpa's washer and dryer since he doesn't use them.  I told him that thought never occurred to me but that Grandma and Grandpa's things are to be passed along to his mom and me.  

I gave him my reasons for wanting the washer and dryer.  He said that's reasonable and will talk to his BIL about the transportation and hooking up of the appliances.  He said all he cares about is having a working washer and dryer.  

His came with his house and neither one has ever worked well.  Now the dryer doesn't work at all.  He said the washer doesn't get clothes clean.  I didn't know that.

[empress of self-improvement]

Nov 30, 2018 17:21:32 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Happy birthday and use your new Macbook!

Second that!!

[Lizard Queen]

Happy belated birthday, debt!  


I dropped 50 baby/toddler/kid items at the baby pantry this morning.  2018 count so far is 3288.  I swear, the more I dig, the more I find,  including some garage sale purchases that my mom gave me that I never used for my babies. 

After all the black Friday shopping, I feel like I'm losing ground.  The whole family cleaned up a bit yesterday, though, so living spaces are a little better.  I've gotta get this place looking a lot better soon.  My BIL and SIL are coming to our house to celebrate Christmas this year, and they're ruthless with their purging.  They're nice people, but still a little judgey.

[wvugurl26]

I finally have real curtains in the living room. We've been living with the sheers on tension rods half falling down since DH bought the place. DH works slowly, very slowly. He replaced the front porch light last month. We only bought the light this summer. He got a bug today to put the curtains up.

The Halloween boxes were put downstairs today. The Halloween and Thanksgiving linens are being washed.

We have a bonus day off Wednesday so the tree will go up then. Looking forward to having a few days in a row home to get things done. It's been crazy since Thanksgiving.

[Lizard Queen]

I can't even tell you what year I bought my curtain panels, that still aren't up. It was sometime when the economy sucked, and I got a great deal on them. My DH put the hardware to hang them somewhere in my basement, and they're buried. We hated the dusty old curtains that came with the house, so we washed them. The sheers came through okay, but the ugly curtains didn't survive, so only sheers for 11 years now.

[debthaven]

Thanks all! I AM using the new Air now, I love it!

empress of self-improvement I saw your post on the job hunt thread. Wrong thread but sending you good juju on finding something closer to home.

Just four days of regular teaching left this semester. I coach my 2 professors year round, but that's only 3-4h a week, and I can do E on skype. I can't believe I've almost made it through this semester (and I certainly don't want to jinx myself).

DH railroaded me into going for a walk today, otherwise it would have been my third day in pjs. I'm glad he did.

Starting tomorrow I am going to have a CRAP ton of marking (about 200 finals/final papers) but they'll be somewhat staggered. I would like to start having a life again. My first plan is to start cooking for my DH at least once or twice a week, starting this weekend. I also HAVE to learn my lines. Ugh.

Unfortunately next sem is still not going to be great, because I have realized that what makes life liveable for me is having Wed am off, and I'm not going to have that next semester. But it WILL get better. I'll be teaching 21-22h/week instead of 24-25h/week. That's a significant difference. I'll have Thurs am off instead of Mon am off, so it will still be a vast improvement, because by the time Thurs am comes around, all I do is cry when the alarm rings. So it won't be ideal, but it will be an improvement.

Also, we got an email from DH's lawyer re: his accident. She is requesting that the judge declare DH's case closed in Dec. I don't know if the other party can argue against that or not. I hope not, it's been 7.5 years.

[bobosensei]

I was pretty productive today.  Washed a comforter for the guest room that had gotten dog hair all over it, and washed my sheets and blanket on my bed.  I finished my decorating, and pulled together the things I am taking back to the store that weren't used.  I put away my winter clothes that had been sitting out for weeks and brought down some things I want to donate to the basement.  I vacuumed the house including the stairs which I hardly ever do, and picked up all the boxes and mail that cluttered the dining room.  I did clean the inside of my refrigerator and noticed that the gasket around my freezer has mildew so I'll need to see about replacing it or if there is a way to take it out and clean it.  I cleaned the guest bathroom and yesterday I cleaned the master bathroom.

I'm planning on decorating the second bathroom upstairs- got a shower curtain and liner and rod.  I'll probably put up an extra towel bar and find some pictures to go up.  Considering the holidays are coming I am sure I'll finally have guests so I want to be ready and not scrambling at the last minute.  It feels so much more zen to have things in the right place.

[NastyWoman]

Dec 2, 2018 15:06:21 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Dnephew3 called.  He has a girlfriend and she has a two year old.  He also got himself a dog.  After about an hour of talking, he told me his mom thought I thought they were trying to steal Grandpa's washer and dryer since he doesn't use them.  I told him that thought never occurred to me but that Grandma and Grandpa's things are to be passed along to his mom and me.  

I gave him my reasons for wanting the washer and dryer.  He said that's reasonable and will talk to his BIL about the transportation and hooking up of the appliances.  He said all he cares about is having a working washer and dryer.  

His came with his house and neither one has ever worked well.  Now the dryer doesn't work at all.  He said the washer doesn't get clothes clean.  I didn't know that.

Yes, yes, yes!!! You stood up for yourself and you need keep on doing that. Your sister has rolled over you for far too long. Note that I highlighted that DN3 thought you were reasonable as well. From my POV that is only interesting because he is behaving like a reasonable adult and it is nice to have reasonable people as family. However, if he had not agreed his opinion would have been irrelevant. You want them and that is good enough whether Sis likes it or not 

STAY STRONG. YOU HAVE THIS!

[busymom]

Well, I'm getting a boot in the butt to get my place organized, as I just found out we might be getting company after Christmas.     The house isn't even close to ready for company, and, even if I ordered the custom blinds I need to get, they won't be here & installed in time.  (Our windows are odd sizes, so if I bought curtains, for example, at Target, they wouldn't fit properly.)  I fear my visitor is going to be more than a bit disappointed about seeing our place, but oh well.  The best I can do right now is keep finding logical spots to put everything.  

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 2, 2018 20:01:26 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Dec 2, 2018 15:06:21 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Dnephew3 called.  He has a girlfriend and she has a two year old.  He also got himself a dog.  After about an hour of talking, he told me his mom thought I thought they were trying to steal Grandpa's washer and dryer since he doesn't use them.  I told him that thought never occurred to me but that Grandma and Grandpa's things are to be passed along to his mom and me.  

I gave him my reasons for wanting the washer and dryer.  He said that's reasonable and will talk to his BIL about the transportation and hooking up of the appliances.  He said all he cares about is having a working washer and dryer.  

His came with his house and neither one has ever worked well.  Now the dryer doesn't work at all.  He said the washer doesn't get clothes clean.  I didn't know that.

Yes, yes, yes!!! You stood up for yourself and you need keep on doing that. Your sister has rolled over you for far too long. Note that I highlighted that DN3 thought you were reasonable as well. From my PIC that is only interesting because he is behaving like a reasonable adult and it is nice to have reasonable people as family. However, if he had not agreed his opinion would have been irrelevant. You want them and that is good enough whether Sis likes it or not 

STAY STRONG. YOU HAVE THIS!

I am wondering if sister had him call, but that is irrelevant.  His house was built in 1860, one of the first houses in this area.  It has so much wrong with it, it isn't funny.  I get that he needs a washer and dryer, but I have wanted those since mom got them when they moved here and she left her 25 year old Maytags behind.

I have always found DN3 to be very reasonable.  Actually, I find all four of her kids to be reasonable.  

I also wonder if sister's thinking is that because mom gave DN1 their car when they moved here, now the other three should get something.  The car had a loan note drawn up.  They were just starting their careers out of college and would have no income until their jobs started that fall.  The payments were to be made when they had extra money.  When things calmed down for them, DN1 mailed a check to Grandma.  She didn't cash it.  He called to ask if she had received the check and she told him he didn't owe her any money.  

That was over 5 years ago now.  Mom was of sound mind and able to make that gift.

Dad is not of sound mind and I doubt if any of this has been discussed with him.  He wouldn't care as long as his laundry gets done.  

I am quite irritated about the implication that I would think they are stealing the washer and dryer from Grandpa.

[moneysquirrel]

debthaven -- Happy Belated Birthday! Hope you had a great day.  Enjoy your new toy. And happy that you are on the last week of your semester.
Sharon -- Every little bit help.  You are progressing in getting the house redone.
TheOtherMe -- Good job!
busymom -- I wouldn't worry about not having everything just so.  You just moved and from what I read have less space for your things.  It will take time to get things just so.
startsmart -- Have a great vacation.
wvugurl26-- Every thing done is one less on the to-do list.  Even if it takes forever to get to that point.
Lizard Queen -- You have managed to get rid of a lot of items.  There is no way that I will reach the 2018 goal but I am happy with what I have managed to purge.

Will post this before I lose it.

[moneysquirrel]

I am still trying to get a few things done.  I have started with getting the house ready for Christmas.  Still have quite a bit to do but am only doing a little bit each day.  I did get the next box of ornaments down and near the tree so that will be the next bit of decorating that will be done. 

I still have the pendent to finish. I decided to work on the order this week instead as that is for someone else but the order is about 85% done and will try to finish that before I start back on the item for me.  Have several other things I want to work on but these items are the top of the list.  The necklace strap that goes with the pendent also needs to be done but I can wear the pendent with a cord until that is finished.  My last craft show is this weekend and may try to get at least one item made.  That one item has been successful for me. Made three and sold all of them so want to get another one made before Saturday.

This is also my last week of the volunteer class that I teach and the classes that I take.  My class is filled for the spring semester and I did sign up to take the same two classes that I currently take.  I have learned several new skills this semester and look forward to improving some and learning some additional ones. I really like the stained glass pieces that I did.  They are small (about the size of a sheet of paper) and while I know that there are some errors I am happy with them. They are the first ones that I attempted.  

House is still in good shape.  Laundry and dishes are caught up.  Maintaining this balance is my major goal this week.  It will be easier once I can put away all of the items for the classes and for the craft show.  Some of those items are currently cluttering up space but will be placed away for over a month once this week is done.

[Sharon]

I got the bathroom floor sanded, which was a must get done today job.  I also got a little over half of the living room painted. 

[NastyWoman]

Dec 2, 2018 20:36:28 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Dec 2, 2018 20:01:26 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Yes, yes, yes!!! You stood up for yourself and you need keep on doing that. Your sister has rolled over you for far too long. Note that I highlighted that DN3 thought you were reasonable as well. From my PIC that is only interesting because he is behaving like a reasonable adult and it is nice to have reasonable people as family. However, if he had not agreed his opinion would have been irrelevant. You want them and that is good enough whether Sis likes it or not 

STAY STRONG. YOU HAVE THIS!

I am wondering if sister had him call, but that is irrelevant.  His house was built in 1860, one of the first houses in this area.  It has so much wrong with it, it isn't funny.  I get that he needs a washer and dryer, but I have wanted those since mom got them when they moved here and she left her 25 year old Maytags behind.

I have always found DN3 to be very reasonable.  Actually, I find all four of her kids to be reasonable.  

I also wonder if sister's thinking is that because mom gave DN1 their car when they moved here, now the other three should get something.  The car had a loan note drawn up.  They were just starting their careers out of college and would have no income until their jobs started that fall.  The payments were to be made when they had extra money.  When things calmed down for them, DN1 mailed a check to Grandma.  She didn't cash it.  He called to ask if she had received the check and she told him he didn't owe her any money.  

That was over 5 years ago now.  Mom was of sound mind and able to make that gift.

Dad is not of sound mind and I doubt if any of this has been discussed with him.  He wouldn't care as long as his laundry gets done.  

I am quite irritated about the implication that I would think they are stealing the washer and dryer from Grandpa.

Reading all this I believe Sis was trying to   and make you give in by having DN3 call you. She probably told him some utter nonsense. Well you know her and each time she pulls shenanigans like this, some of her manipulative power dissipates. STAY strong, if she makes you feel bad come here and we'll have your back. You don't have to put up with this until the day one of you dies. It can end right here and now 

[debthaven]

busymom please do NOT worry about how guests are going to find your house! They can go to a hotel if they're not happy.

[TheOtherMe]

NastyWoman  I do think that is what sister was doing.  DN3 talked to me over an hour and then brought up the washer and dryer and that they thought I might think they were trying to steal them.  

[debthaven]

I'm sorry TheOtherMe . That's really hard. At least you have a great relationship with her kids.

As always, please feel free to skip my marking posts. It's that time of year.

This week
- mark 16 37 Final JF reports/Mon/Tues/Wed)

ETA: I hoped to do more today but this is a new assignment so I am very slow, I have a headache and tomorrow is a Terrible Tuesday so I'm stopping. I really want to get these done before Thursday when I get my 35 MSc finals.

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 3, 2018 12:26:45 GMT -5 debthaven said:

I'm sorry TheOtherMe . That's really hard. At least you have a great relationship with her kids.

 

It is hard but sister doesn't make it any easier when she tried this kind of stuff.  

I do love my niece and 3 nephews.  They are the best.

I did declutter a glass plate DN1 gave me.  I knocked it off the wall and it broke in to tiny pieces.  It's in the trash to go out tonight.  At least I had taken a photo of it.  

[Iggy aka IG]

Sorry about the plate, TheOtherMe .

debthaven , here's to milk chocolate and the end of the semester! 

All of your hard work continues to amaze me, Sharon !!

moneysquirrel , so glad you learned some new skills this semester!

Good to see you, bobosensei !

Similar to busymom , we're having company over the Sunday before Christmas.  I am doing everything I can to not repeat last year's self-induced stress.  Dessert will be a Crock Pot cake instead of my usual fancy, last minute, OMG they're here already homemade assembled concoction.  I'll do as much as possible the day before, so I can actually relax and enjoy them.  Last year I literally said to them, I am behind and stressed! when they walked in.  Who wants that in their hostess?    Thankfully, it will be pot luck style.  I did decide we'll have dessert and games downstairs in the rec room, so DH helped hang lights we already had, and I poached decorations from other rooms to make it more festive down there.  It will be a nice surprise for everyone.

Other than the above, not much done over the weekend since we were out of town until Sat evening.  Yesterday I did my usual laundry, including our sheets, dishes, processed boiled eggs and produce for lunches, planned this week's dinners, and compiled a small grocery list for tonight.  Tossed a few things, read a magazine, and cleared out several hours of DVR programming.  I also set up a gift wrapping station in the spare bedroom.  Not sure why I call it gift wrap, since all we have left are gift bags and tissue, LOL. 

[NastyWoman]

Dec 3, 2018 12:39:50 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Dec 3, 2018 12:26:45 GMT -5 debthaven said:

I'm sorry TheOtherMe . That's really hard. At least you have a great relationship with her kids.

 

It is hard but sister doesn't make it any easier when she tried this kind of stuff.  

I do love my niece and 3 nephews.  They are the best.

I did declutter a glass plate DN1 gave me.  I knocked it off the wall and it broke in to tiny pieces.  It's in the trash to go out tonight.  At least I had taken a photo of it.  

True, but it is time to take a step back.

This is the 2nd time in a few weeks that sis tried to mess with you and you stood up. And what really happened? On TG the world did not stop turning because you declined Sis' last second (it was too short in advance to use last inute) invite to dinner. And you relaxed with your Buff games and Lucy. This time, she really messed up because rather than cause additional strife your DN3 talked with you and you got to explain your reasoning. So you strengthened your bond with your nephew (I believe understanding strenghtens bonds) and you stood up for yourself.

WAY TO GO

Keep it up. You can do this and your sense of self will be all that much better. And as I said before → we've got your back if you need us