2018 Get Organized & Declutter Your Stuff

[debthaven]

Lizard Queen I have recently lost 40 lbs. I wore a French size 44. I bought three pairs of pants in French size 42 after I lost 25 lbs. A week later they were all too big.

Then I bought 4 pairs of French size 40. Two of them are fine, two are OK but tight. I fit into them, I can zip them up, but they're not comfortable. I still want to lose another 5-6 lbs, I know the 40s will be fine once I do. 

I'm keeping the 42s I bought, but I've either gotten rid of/am in the process of getting rid of ALL the size 44 pants I had. At this point it's just bad karma for me to keep the 44s, because it means I'm planning to gain the weight back. Which I'm NOT.

I got rid of all but 2 pairs of size 44 pants MONTHS ago. But I kept two pairs back "just in case". Once I bought size 40 pants I decided to get rid of ALL the size 44 pants, I just haven't had the time to take those two last pairs to the donation bin.

Hope this helps.

ETA: The short version is keep one size above/below where you are, but get rid of all the rest.

[debthaven]

Also, color me thrilled. DS2 came over today, spent the day here, borrowed my car tonight and bust a front tire. The tires are aging so we'll have to buy two. He offered to pay for it but the tire was old so I don't feel comfortable with that.

I swear if the garage were open tomorrow (Sun) I'd buy a new (used) car instead. I don't want to go private party because I want to do a trade-in before our car dies.

[Lizard Queen]

Dec 15, 2018 17:31:35 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Lizard Queen I have recently lost 40 lbs. I wore a French size 44. I bought three pairs of pants in French size 42 after I lost 25 lbs. A week later they were all too big.

Then I bought 4 pairs of French size 40. Two of them are fine, two are OK but tight. I fit into them, I can zip them up, but they're not comfortable. I still want to lose another 5-6 lbs, I know the 40s will be fine once I do. 

I'm keeping the 42s I bought, but I've either gotten rid of/am in the process of getting rid of ALL the size 44 pants I had. At this point it's just bad karma for me to keep the 44s, because it means I'm planning to gain the weight back. Which I'm NOT.

I got rid of all but 2 pairs of size 44 pants MONTHS ago. But I kept two pairs back "just in case". Once I bought size 40 pants I decided to get rid of ALL the size 44 pants, I just haven't had the time to take those two last pairs to the donation bin.

Hope this helps.

ETA: The short version is keep one size above/below where you are, but get rid of all the rest.

I've gotten rid of some of the bigger stuff, (and most of the the smaller stuff, long ago) but it's tricky. I'm buying 10's now, but my older 12's are a little on the snug side now that I'm up 5 lbs. That's how much sizes have changed. I have to try everything on.

[startsmart]

My parents are notoriously hard to shop for but I’ve decided on a few things for Christmas. 1. A guest book for their retirement home, something we did for my grandparents that they loved. B) six new pillows for their guest rooms and pillow cases from my grandmas linen closet (I got 3 boxes of linens after we cleared the house).

I do need to press some of the pillowcases but there are about a dozen good ones to choose from and all of the pillows are still in my car.

My dad is also getting a belt I bought in Mexico.

[debthaven]

This weekend (updated)

Home

- catch up on emails

- learn lines
Work
- mark 16 essays/Sat

- finish marking 28 finals/Sun

I'm teaching tomorrow morning, then coming home with the last 39 finals.

 

[debthaven]

I switched out DS1's and DS2's bedding in DS2's room and washed the towels/bathmat. I also brought up Baby!'s crib,  high chair and car seat from the basement. I realize I never set up those basement toy shelves I wanted to set up before Christmas for Baby! to choose toys from. Oh well, next time.

The tree is in place but not decorated. DS3 and I usually do it together, but since he's working, he'll be home much later than usual so I need to do it before.

This week

Home

- bottle bank/Mon

- get new tires

- learn lines

- decorate tree

Work

- mark Group 1: 18 finals/Mon

- mark Group 2: 17 finals/Tues

It's the home stretch ...

 

[nikiz628]

How are we 9 days away from Christmas? 

Throwing together my to do list for the week: 

*Clean out the fridge and organize the freezer/take stock of what we have on hand so we can use it up (probably won't hurt to add my cabinets into this to do- with the end of the year looming)
* Clean and mop bathrooms
* Dust/Vacuum the house
* Clean the kitchen
* Laundry
* Drop Off Recycling
* Grocery Store
* Wrap last 3 Christmas presents when they are delivered
* Bake Christmas cookies with the kiddos
* Christmas at my mother's (Saturday)
* Christmas at my father's  (Sunday)
* Return 2 items to Wal-Mart
* Continue transferring files over to my new laptop
* Clean up my emails
* Run the car through the automatic car wash (salt!) 
* Transfer important dates to my new planner 
*Get my year end numbers together for WIRS/WIRR

[plugginaway22]

This week I finally got all the sheets and towels done from when DS and DD2 came to town at T-giving to meet new G-baby!  Now only DD2 and SIL will be here for Christmas, only 2 nights I think, but all linens done and ready.  I need to wrap the few little things I have picked up, but DH and I have agreed that money will be the main gift this year, we will see how that goes.  I spent almost 2 hours this morning sorting paperwork and bills and getting everything paid to year end, so that feels good.

Will need a large grocery shopping trip this week along with a stop at wine/liquor store.  I work all 5 days this week, then off 5 days for Christmas.  Hope we are all productive this week leading into the holiday.

[debthaven]

Hope we are all productive this week leading into the holiday.

Hear hear!

I'm sure the cash will go down very well plugginaway22.

[plugginaway22]

Hope so!  This is an experiment, and feels a bit lame to me, but we are all hyper focused on new baby and normal holiday prep doesn't seem to matter, haha.

[TheOtherMe]

Tomorrow I am going to get a trash bag of stuff to go out with the trash.

I'm hoping the car problem isn't very expensive.  Time will tell on that but it has to be fixed.  Appointment in the morning.

[TheOtherMe]

Car is at the mechanic's.  Hopefully not too much damage dollar wise.

ETA:  Laundry done and put away
         Trash bag of stuff ready for tonight's trash

[debthaven]

This week
Home
- bottle bank/Mon
- get new tires/Tues

- see N/Tues

- decorate tree

Work

- mark Group 1: 18 finals/Mon

- mark Group 2: 17 finals/Tues

I have an appt to get 2 new tires tomorrow afternoon. DS2 offered to pay for one but they needed to be replaced soon anyway.

One of my ex's cousins died yesterday, so I need to visit the family. Between the tire appt and that I don't think I'll finish the papers, but I'll be close. 

ETA: I've marked 157/174 finals papers/exams. 9 students were absent, I'll have to mark their retakes in Feb. Gd willing I will never have to mark this many papers again. 

[bean29]

Carpets are Washed and tree is up. The pile of clothes DH had in front of his dresser has moved to a box in my entryway. (Like 6 pairs of the same pants, he kept rebuying the same size & telling me they shrunk).  I don't think he gained weight, he got his concealed carry, and carries his holster in the back of his pants, so it makes sense that he needs a size bigger pants).  My DD mentioned that a woman was shot close to his office last week at like 8 am in the morning, in her car, on her way to work.  So, I guess this is just the world we live in.  DH owns his agency and we own the building - neither would be easily relocated.  DH said he was going to look at them one more time.  They will go to Goodwill or back in the closet by the end of the week.

I have to wrap presents this week and decide if I am going to decorate my outdoor trees.

Invited Mom for Christmas Day.  We will also invite my in-laws, they usually are kind of vague if they will come or not. She usually comes though.

My MIL had her Teeth Pulled before Thanksgiving, and I am not sure if she will leave her house - I don't know when she is going to get her dentures. B/C of a YM conversation earlier this year, I mentioned to DH that they like to put a few implants in to hold the dentures in place and that it also reduces bone loss - helps w/long term fit of the dentures. So It is a few thousand extra, but they are going to put 2 posts in. I told DH that I was willing to pay for the posts. I am sure DH offered, but not sure if MIL will let us pay for it.

I have to file, and I want to purge in my office.  I think we have a mouse problem in the office.  I can smell a dead mouse, but I don't have droppings - I have had mouse food out in that room for years, b/c I thought a mouse got in around the outdoor water bib.  I now think they come in through the furnace vent to the outside.  I have to buy some screen for DH to put on the Plastic Vent Pipe.

We both looked, but can not see a dead mouse anywhere.

I have to go through my Pet Smart collars - I have some for an electric fence, and one a "training" collar.  They are mixed together and I want to use the training collar on my little dog.  He is the Alpha dog and jumps on my older bigger schnauzer's back.  I am going to try to correct the jumping behavior.  It will not be easy b/c he is fast.  I know which one is the controller I hold in my hand, but not sure what the collar looked like, and I have about 3 of them in the basket I keep them in.  I even have the box, but no picture of the collar on the box.  GRR.

A friend from Grade school just asked for someone to do her laundry on FB.  She had Shoulder Surgery last week and her dryer is broken.  I think I am going to end up doing that for her.  I am going to check back with her later.  My SIL thinks she is a panhandler, which I somewhat agree, but she is in a really bad situation with few options.  She inherited her Mom's house with her older Sister.  Sister was on disability.  Sister is now in some sort of assisted living or nursing home care - has ALS.  So the 1/2 sister should pay for taxes and upkeep just is not there.  She is divorced from ex husband and had a handicapped child.  The daughter is out on her own, (I think).  A few loads of laundry is not a big deal to me.  Easy to do while I do other stuff.  My DH will not like me doing it though.

[TheOtherMe]

Car is fixed.  No charge for what I took it for as mechanic said brake fluid was slowly leaking as he hadn't fully tightened it the last time I had it there.

I did pay for new wiper blades but mine were terrible.

[debthaven]

Great news on the car TheOtherMe !

bean29 that is really kind of you.

I have the last 17 finals to mark but both professors I teach are taking next week off. One is taking the following week off too. So once I finish those finals I'm off till 3 Jan! Two full weeks off!
And I'll be on a reduced schedule the following week. I don't go back FT until 14 Jan.

ETA: PLUS, no more rehearsals for 3 weeks!!! I know I brought it on myself but I HATE leaving the house at 7.30 pm. I DO need to learn my lines though. I will probably have to work on them with my director once or twice over vacation but that's fine, she's a huge help, and it will only be after the Bostonians leave.

[TheOtherMe]

When do the Bostonians arrive?

Enjoy your time off.  

I have to get rid of 48 more items to make my goal for the year.  Two more trash days so that should happen.

[debthaven]

Tomorrow (Wed)

[debthaven]

This week
Home
- bottle bank/Mon

- see N/Tues

- get new tires/Tues

- decorate tree

- pick up package

Work
- mark Group 1: 18 finals/Mon

- mark Group 2: 17 finals/Tues

Very rushed but super productive day! Finished marking at 13, DD's Christmas gift was delivered exactly one minute later. So I was able to go see Cousin N and get to my tire appt in time. 165 euros later, the car feels much better! Got gas and groceries on my way home, then emptied the dishwasher. Whew!

I'd like to do the tree tonight but it will depend on whether DH is up for it. 

All done with this semester's marking! I'm on vacation!

[debthaven]

DH agreed to put up the lights ... and then they died. I suggested decorating the tree without lights this year. I was told that was HERESY AND ABSOLUTELY OUT OF THE QUESTION.

Since it's HERESY AND ABSOLUTELY OUT OF THE QUESTION, DH can get up early tomorrow morning to buy new lights. Because *I* will be sleeping until it's time to get up to go to the airport.

[TheOtherMe]

Enjoy your vacation debthaven 

I know you will enjoy having the grandbaby to spoil for a few days as well as your children and their significant others!  

I haven't felt well today so I have accomplished nothing except bringing the trash and recycling bins in to the garage.  

[debthaven]

I hope you feel better soon TheOtherMe

[TheOtherMe]

Me, too.  I can't get warm and my head is all stuffed up.

[debthaven]

Hugs. And please turn up the heat.

[moneysquirrel]

I am coming up from a sea of wrapping paper.  I have all but one gift wrapped.  I decided that a box if candy to add to the GC for my nephew was needed and will pick that up tomorrow when I go to Walgreens to pick up a RX.  Christmas cards are mailed except for 2 that I forgot to write out.  Will try to get those done tonight and dropped off tomorrow.

Have not done any craft work except some crocheting while I watched tv.  Still trying to get to that beading project.  I don't think that I will finish it by Christmas at this rate.  

Adding additional items to the donation box.  Called for pickup and that will not happen until January. Therefore they will be the start of my 2019 declutter goal.  Still finding things to trash and that will be added to 2018.  There is no way to reach 2018 items this year but I have managed to get a lot of items out of this house and that makes me happy.  I still have a more to go through and should be able to increase my number a little bit.  I am using up a lot of stuff as well and those are not in the totals. 

I will be inheriting more yarn.  A cousin will be giving me additional yarn from my late aunt.  Not a major problem as I will use it.  The current afghan I am working on is composed mainly from yarn given to me.  I did purchase a few skeins as I needed a contrasting color or two. This one will be given away once I finish it. Close to halfway done as now.

Today I also managed to get two loads of laundry done and the dishwasher emptied.  Bathroom was cleaned and mopped.  
urin
Goals for the rest of the week:
Pick up RX and a few boxes of goodies for last minutes gifts additions
Post Office
Pick up my new car
Check in with insurance company about above
Doctor's appointment -- Friday
Bake cookies  
Lunch with DSS and DGS

debthaven -- Enjoy spoiling your family. So glad that you are on vacation and please try to get some rest during this time. 

More later. 

[busymom]

Sorry to hear you're not feeling well, TheOtherMe.  You can use my Mom's favorite remedies:  chicken soup, eat something with garlic or strong onions (I prefer garlic), and use some Mentholatum or Vicks to help with congestion.  Best wishes!


Well, the contractor who built my house is coming on Friday to try & figure out why my floorboards are shifting.  I'm not decorating my tree (it's up, it just has no decorations), just in case I need to move it.  I'm chained to the house that day anyway, as the honeycomb blinds I ordered are now arriving BEFORE Christmas.     The only bad news is, the person who will be installing them can't do it until after Christmas, but that's o.k.  I'm just shocked the work was completed on the blinds ahead of time, during such a busy time of the year.


I need to get the gifts for DS wrapped.  I'll have to use DH to distract him.  

[TheOtherMe]

No notice on website or Facebook from city about trash collection the next two weeks.  

If none by tomorrow, I will call back.

[Lizard Queen]

There's usually a policy for holidays. This isn't the first time it's happened. Our city is also Tuesday, and will be the following day, which is how they always do it.

[plugginaway22]

Did some wrapping tonight, updated my grocery list, had DH go to the bank to get crisp bills for the envelopes.  
Feeling somewhat OK with what I have left to accomplish.

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 18, 2018 20:49:08 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

There's usually a policy for holidays. This isn't the first time it's happened. Our city is also Tuesday, and will be the following day, which is how they always do it.

City Clerk said she would have to call to find out.  

When I looked it up on the county website, it said it will be on the city website.  

I'm assuming Wednesday, but my water softener refill is to come on New Year's Day and they have not decided whether it will be Monday or Wednesday.  

These are not big companies, so they have to double up the route to catch up.