2019 - Organize Your Life & Declutter Your Stuff

[debthaven]

My last school had a policy where we had to provide e-assignment for extended weather related days. For us it was for hurricanes or tropical storms usually.

Having done that today for the first time, I think that's a great policy! Was that just for you moneysquirrel , because you taught computer science? Or was it a general policy for all the teachers? I'm guessing the latter.

[plugginaway22]

It is 7 am and 1 degree, which is rare for our area.  Would love to stay in my warm house and putter around today but off to work we go.

[TheOtherMe]

Jan 30, 2019 18:45:27 GMT -5 debthaven said:

My last school had a policy where we had to provide e-assignment for extended weather related days. For us it was for hurricanes or tropical storms usually.

Having done that today for the first time, I think that's a great policy! Was that just for you moneysquirrel , because you taught computer science? Or was it a general policy for all the teachers? I'm guessing the latter.

This is finally being discussed here.  The biggest hindrance is rural internet.  There are parts of the state where there is no internet.  On days like yesterday and today, the libraries were also closed and most of the rural small towns don't have coffee shops or anywhere to go for free wifi.  

There are also families living in poverty with no internet access.  At least the issue is being discussed at this time and how to fix the problems.  

[TheOtherMe]

It was -25 but no wind when I got up this morning.  It's up to -22 but it's to snow a bit later.

I called dad and told him we will get groceries tomorrow.  I feel bad because he isn't getting his meal delivered again today.

I haven't checked the drive for drifts as I can't see it from inside the house.  The sidewalk from the porch to the drive is as okay as it will get.

[debthaven]

Good luck with the snow and your Dad TheOtherMe . It's true, my university students all have internet, and it's not rural here. 

This weekend

- make hairdresser appt/Thurs

- postpone ophthalmologist appt/Thurs

- mark 12 essays/Thurs

- mark 26 essays/Fri

- work on lines/Fri

- Job 3 meeting/Sat
- rehearsal/Sat

- see friend to take in pants/Sun

- Shitepile/Sun

I was supposed to see A on Sun but her in-laws are coming for lunch so she cancelled. I postponed the ophthalmologist for a month, too much going on.

ETA: Got ahead on the essays so I can have Sunday off marking. Thankfully they're short.

[TheOtherMe]

I took a drive around town and bought a chocolate chip cookie.  My drive is fine.  No new drifts.  I called dad and told him we will go tomorrow.  

It's getting hot outside.  It's up to -13!

[nikiz628]

Jan 31, 2019 12:21:49 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I took a drive around town and bought a chocolate chip cookie.  My drive is fine.  No new drifts.  I called dad and told him we will go tomorrow.  

It's getting hot outside.  It's up to -13!

We are at least above zero today. Heat wave!

[tcu2003]

Peter Walsh’s 31 Days to Get Organized Challenge:


Day 1 -Set up a donation bin. And, everyone in your house finds 5 items to place in the bin.

Day 2 - Shoes. Gather all of your shoes up from your closet. If they have dust on them, don’t fit, etc, put them in your donate bin. Only keep shoes you love, wear, and that fit you well.

Day 3 - Home Safety. Being organized is not just about closets and files, it's also about ensuring the best life for you and your family. The New Year is a great time to check smoke detectors in your home. Make this your 10 minute challenge for the day and make your family a little safer in the process!

Day 4 - This year’s challenge Mantra is “No more later” aka stop procrastinating. Today's challenge is to contact someone, preferably by phone, that you’ve been putting off. It could be a friend, family member, for more coworker, etc, but do it today!

Day 5 - The Junk Drawer.

Day 6 - Holiday Decorations. The holidays are over and it's time for the decorations to come down.

Day 7 - Bathroom cabinets! Pick one bathroom cabinet, and get rid of anything too old, expired or you don’t use, and put everything away in its proper space.

Day 8 - Plastic Food Storage Containers.

Day 9 - Hanging Clothes. In his video, he says that anything that has dust on it needs to go.

Day 10 - the mail. If you have mail pretty much all over your house then today's the day we're going to get that sorted out.

Day 11 - under the sink.

Day 12 - Clear out old magazines, catalogs, flyers, etc.

Day 13 - Gift wrap

Day 14 - space underneath your bed

Day 15 - Getting the fridge & freezer organized.

Day 16 - "The Lower Third Technique"! (For those notmwatchint the videos on Facebook, it’s basically to take a stack or pile of clothing and focus on the bottom 1/3 of the stack, as you’ll likely find you can donate most of that part of the pile).

Day 17 - Bills & Receipts.

Day 18 - back in the kitchen dealing with the cupboard that holds your cups and mugs.

Day 19 - Today I challenge you to tackle just one small area of your garage... it's all about just getting started!

Day 20 - has us back in the kitchen with a challenge about keeping flat surfaces clear.

Day 21 - Books (Don't start screaming yet)! This is always an emotional topic! I love books too but if your books are never going to be read and are covered in dust, perhaps today's the day to deal with them.

Day 22 - Linen Cupboard. Towels, sheets, blankets and more!

Day 23 - all about your "unmentionables"... and your socks too! Let's go where no other organizer will go... ten minutes and you'll be amazed at the result!

Day 24 - cleaning products.

Day 25 - that drawer (or container) in your kitchen where you keep your kitchen utensils.

Day 26 - all about cookbooks and recipes and cooking magazines.

Day 27 - Take out your phone and clear out the stuff that makes it harder for you to use your phone as efficiently as possible!

Day 28 - has us dealing with that one storage space that pretty much everyone has neglected. It might be that cabinet in the kitchen, or cupboard in the garage, or shelf in the basement.

Day 29 - kitchen pantry

Day 30 - home office again... the dreaded paperwork, the stuff that just seems to collect. So, today's challenge has you starting small with just a drawer or two. Take 10 minutes to get that area organized and see if it doesn't help you feel some motivation to get maybe a little bit more done too!

Day 31 of #31Days2GetOrganized - Congratulations! Amazing job - you've made it to the 31st day of decluttering and organizing! I hope it's helped. Of course, there's no way we could do it all - so today, let me know what I missed. And, hit that area too! #FreeDay #ItsAllTooMuch #LetItGo


#31Days2GetOrganized

[debthaven]

Big thanks to tcu2003 who has been a posting the PW challenges every day! Thank you!

[startsmart]

Well I have been busy sewing and correcting idiots on the Facebook which means my list is still undone 

I did pack up 2 boxes of books into the standard size box and those are in the closet now. In trying to consolidate all the randomly sized boxes I repacked 2 others and have one more to fill. All the random boxes I don't need have been collapsed and are in the garage. 

I'm teaching tonight but until then I have some errands to run and then I think I'll tackle the family photos tonight.


List
1. Finish chapters 10-15 of my book
2. MOW the front lawn again and then plant bulbs
3. Consolidate family photo project into one box/container
4. Move all the book boxes to the office closet
5. Donate the rest of the magazines
6. Repack my emergency bag and make a list of items to add
7. Empty out the white bookshelf in the garage so it can be demolished

[TheOtherMe]

It's now -6 and snowing.     Accidents all over because salt doesn't work when it's this cold.

I'm about to go down the rabbit hole to prove to my DNephew1 and his wife that you can't compare this year's tax refund to last year's tax refund to determine that the new tax law hurt them.  You have to compare like numbers, which means putting the numbers in to the 2017 software and seeing what the result would be.  

These are two people with PhD's.  One's primary position is as a professor of Statistics.  The other one teaches the subject at a lower level.  So I will waste my evening putting my numbers in to last year's software and see what happens.  

[debthaven]

Ouch TheOtherMe. You are a very very kind aunt. I know it's a PITA but the fact that you are willing to spend the time is part of why your niece and nephews love you so.

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 31, 2019 13:32:49 GMT -5 nikiz628 said:

Jan 31, 2019 12:21:49 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I took a drive around town and bought a chocolate chip cookie.  My drive is fine.  No new drifts.  I called dad and told him we will go tomorrow.  

It's getting hot outside.  It's up to -13!

We are at least above zero today. Heat wave!

We doubled our temp from yesterday when it was 4 degrees.  This morning it was 8. 

[debthaven]

It's 3 degrees here now. It was snowing on my way home but it stopped.

Funny thing happened, second time I ever noticed it. As I've said before, our neighborhood (not just our house) is at the top of a VERY long, steep hill. My suburb starts halfway up that hill.

For the second time, driving home today, it was raining at the bottom of the hill when I got off the highway. As soon as I passed the sign welcoming me to MY suburb, it was snowing.

I find it interesting to see "weather" in action like that! Apparently even 200 meters/650 feet can make a difference between getting rain and getting snow!

[TheOtherMe]

Jan 31, 2019 17:32:14 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Ouch TheOtherMe . You are a very very kind aunt. I know it's a PITA but the fact that you are willing to spend the time is part of why your niece and nephews love you so.

I did it and sent my numbers to them.  They don't think I am comparing like things.  I am.  They are not.  You have to run the numbers in the 2017 software to actually know how the tax law affected a person.  

Part of their problem is they file married filing separately, for some reason, and some things are lost.  Of course, I am just a retired IRS agent and return preparer who knows nothing.  

[TheOtherMe]

Jan 31, 2019 18:09:24 GMT -5 debthaven said:

It's 3 degrees here now. It was snowing on my way home but it stopped.

Funny thing happened, second time I ever noticed it. As I've said before, our neighborhood (not just our house) is at the top of a VERY long, steep hill. My suburb starts halfway up that hill.

For the second time, driving home today, it was raining at the bottom of the hill when I got off the highway. As soon as I passed the sign welcoming me to MY suburb, it was snowing.

I find it interesting to see "weather" in action like that! Apparently even 200 meters/650 feet can make a difference between getting rain and getting snow!

The year I lived in Black Hawk, CO, we had a late fall.  No snow until very late in October at almost 8000 feet of elevation.  Very rare.  However, once it started snowing, it snowed at some point every single day.  Many days were flurries only, but it snowed.

The day I moved out, in June, it was snowing up there.  We had not gotten far before it turned to rain and it didn't snow in Boulder every single day of winter.

That day was special because I finally saw a bear.  I knew there were brown bears in the area, but I had not seen one.  I stopped at a neighbor's house to say good bye.  She was on her porch and I was on the road.  There was a brown bear in her yard.  I was in awe of that beautiful animal.

[nidena]

It's snowing here in central DE so I plan on leaving the house not at all.  lol.
Maybe I'll tackle some house cleaning and laundry a bit early this weekend.  Or maybe some homework.  I'm still working on coffee and breakfast but, after 12, I'll get started.

[sheilaincali]

WE have a plan for the weekend. My friend is all set up to come by at 10 am tomorrow to pick up the Boy's old bedroom furniture- we bumped it because of the snow last weekend. One of my employees is swinging by at 10 am as well to get my old fridge.

The Hubs is going to pull together all of the random extra items he bought for the bathroom remodel so we can return them. Hitting up Ikea to return the countertops we decided not to use.

He also wants to spend the bulk of Saturday going through his man cave and organizing it. He is a collector/semi hoarder of board games, Star Wars memorabilia, vintage toys, etc. He swears he's going to cut his board game collection in half and only keep what will fit in one closet. Seriously- that would be huge. He has hundreds of board games. Will take a bit to get them all out of the house though. He can only sell 5 at a time through the "garage sale" at the game store- they have a section of games people can sell on consignment. He'll ebay a bunch so those take a bit between listing, selling and shipping out. But still- it would be really nice to get a bunch f them out of the house.

[TheOtherMe]

It's 8 degrees and sunny.  It feels like a heat wave.

Taking dad for his groceries did me in again today.  Called sister and got nowhere again.

[snapdragon]

Feb 1, 2019 12:33:32 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

It's 8 degrees and sunny.  It feels like a heat wave.

Taking dad for his groceries did me in again today.  Called sister and got nowhere again.

So sorry that your sister has turned into a ostrich.

Maybe talk to your niece or possibly the complex your dad is at? Have a impartial person come in and do a eval?

Sending you good vibes.

[debthaven]

This weekend (updated)
- make hairdresser appt/Thurs
- postpone ophthalmologist appt/Thurs
- mark 12 essays/Thurs
- mark 26 essays/Fri
- Job 3 meeting/Sat
- rehearsal/Sat
- see friend to take in pants/Sun
- Shitepile/Sun
No marking for 2.5 weeks.

[plugginaway22]

DH took a day off this week and did some of my errands, Yay.  Got rid of the donation bags, went to bank I dislike going to, and picked up some pet supplies we needed.
Another day of snow and bitter cold...

[debthaven]

TheOtherMe I think snapdragon made some great suggestions.

Thinking about what snapdragon said, why hasn't your dad's current living situation suggested that he needs more care? Could you talk to them about it, and if they agree that he does, ask THEM to call the ostrich your sister? Most places have a waiting list. I'm wondering whether his place doesn't, and that's why they're happy to keep him there despite the fact that he obviously needs more care?

The rotting food in his fridge and the fact that he's not eating is scary.

Did you take a photo of the contents of his fridge to send to your sister (or your niece)? Maybe that would be a good idea, once the polar vortex passes and things calm down for you.

sheilaincali I'm sure you can't wait to get those items out of the house!

[TheOtherMe]

I didn't think quickly enough to take a photo of the fridge.  

I think I will talk to my niece and ask if she has talked to her mom.  If she hasn't, I think it's time to call the facility.  The independent living apartments are not full and that is a major financial problem for them.  My sister has said they won't kick him out until it does.  I don't know the current status of the assisted living facility as to if it is full or not.  

When my parents got their apartment, they did have a wait list.  They no longer do.  Mom and dad's contract is much more favorable to mom and dad than the ones they write today.  Mom and dad's contract specified the % that would be returned and it doesn't change as the years go by.  The current brochure shows that the tenant is owed less each year until they get nothing back if they stay there long enough.

I think he lives on peanut butter sandwiches and m and m's and it breaks my heart.  

My therapist actually does evaluations for dementia and I know they take two hours.  It would make for a very long day for him and me if I end up having to take him in for one.  I don't think they do in home evaluations.

Thank you snapdragon and debthaven for your concern and suggestions.  

[debthaven]

The independent living apartments are not full and that is a major financial problem for them.

Then that explains the fact that they don't seem to care.

My therapist actually does evaluations for dementia and I know they take two hours. It would make for a very long day for him and me if I end up having to take him in for one. I don't think they do in home evaluations.

Since you know him, maybe it would be worth asking if he does in-home evaluations, or if he might make an exception?

I think he lives on peanut butter sandwiches and m and m's and it breaks my heart. 

I understand, but at least he IS eating SOMETHING!

[chapeau]

It’s not the same thing, but there was a period when I was pregnant that PB sandwiches was all I could keep down. It was 3 or 4 weeks, but natural PB was it. It was not fun.

[TheOtherMe]

Peanut butter is healthy.  

I know he buys oatmeal and I think he does eat oatmeal for breakfast.  He buys milk every week.  He also drinks one can of diet pepsi every day.  

Mom did all the cooking.  At some point long before they moved here, she taught him how to make his own oatmeal in the microwave.  She got up a couple of hours before he did in those days (she needed to be alone with her coffee for an hour before "peopling").  By the time he got up, she was already doing whatever she had planned so she taught him to make his own oatmeal.  

He considers fixing anything else in the microwave to be cooking and he doesn't like cooking.  It's become apparent to me that he isn't cooking.

I know about eating only certain foods you can keep down from my pre and post gallbladder surgery.  

[wvugurl26]

It sounds like he would do better with a higher level of care for many reasons. The food may just be what he wants though. If that's what he wants to eat that's what he eats then. If he ignored the other meals brought to him, it seems like he's not interested. Now maybe cognitively he needs more cues and reminders to eat the other stuff. Or maybe he just doesn't care. It's hard to say.

I get that it's upsetting. My grandma always had to cook. For her family and then later still for my grandpa. And she took care of her dad for many years taking him dinner every single night. She was very tired of cooking.

A little bit after my grandpa's funeral we were at the grocery store. She gleefully bought a bunch of frozen dinners. Myself, I thought it was the saddest thing ever and was nearly bawling in the frozen food section.

It's what she wants. She's done with cooking every day. We still have big holiday meals and we go out. Otherwise she lives on Special K red berries, yogurt, Boost, Gatorade, peanut butter and frozen dinners mostly. She'll fry up the occasional burger but that's about it. She's happy so I don't worry. The doctor may worry but she's 88. I'm not fighting with her.

[TheOtherMe]

I understand that about the food, but there are a lot of cognitive issues that are concerning.  I think my sister has decided not to fight with him but he isn't happy either.  If he was in assisted living, they would take him to the dining room for meals and he would be around other people.

He also refuses to consider a walker and he barely puts one foot in front of the other.  On days like this, he shouldn't even be walking in a parking lot.  However, he does need out of that apartment.  

There are more things to do at the assisted living level and they pretty much take them to the dining area where the activities are.  

I just spent an hour on the phone with my niece.  She's going to talk to Dnephew2 and see what he thinks.  She said he is way more level headed than Dnephew3.  Niece is right that we need to talk to sister in person, not on phone.  

She has to see the truth so we can make an informed decision.  He doesn't bathe himself and that is an add on that we can purchase in assisted living.  They do laundry and cleaning as part of the fee.  Meals are part of the fee.

He eats the lunch when they bring it to him, but he isn't going to heat anything up later.  He doesn't always hear the phone if he is in to one of his circle word books.  All he wants to do is circle word puzzles, watch tv and be fed.  He absolutely does not want to fix anything for himself.  He doesn't want to do anything more than put on the same clothes he wore yesterday.  He doesn't want to shower or wear clean clothes.  That could eventually cause health issues, too.  

At his birthday party, he ate as much pizza as anybody else.  Like my niece just said, he was doing so well that evening.  He was but all the attention was centered on him and he was having a great time.

I feel like for tonight, I have done what I can do and we will see what tomorrow brings.  I can't keep letting my sister shrug this off.  If it's shrugged off this time, I am done.  No more shopping and no more Dairy Queen unless I feel like he is in a safe place to live and he isn't right now.

[finnime]

That sounds like the best approach right now, TheOtherMe. You can't support your dad in living this way, or your DSis in continuing to deny he needs more. I'm so sorry you are wrestling with this.