startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 2, 2019 20:11:51 GMT -5
I’ve been packing up the garage which was complicated by the fact my Cadillac won’t start so I can’t move it out of the way! I’ve been moving stuff indoors and packing, 4 boxes done and 2 more to fill and seal up. Plus I’ve done 2 of the plastic tubs with holiday decor and those can go back outside soon.
My goal for August is to eat out of the pantry so my meals may be boring and repetitive but it’ll save money and help me reduce what I toss or donate.
Open House tomorrow morning and I am hoping to go out to the flower patch and pick some zinnias for the mantle. A super nice farmer always plants an acre of free flowers for the community and I haven’t gone yet this year.
Working to catch up on laundry and the dishes and then kill the ants in the kitchen. It’s close to 100 and I’m fading fast so I will need to get dinner going soon.
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dogmom
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Post by dogmom on Aug 3, 2019 7:46:53 GMT -5
Wow! I've been maintaining, and doing a couple little purges. Amvets came and took two bags of shoes and clothing. One box of kitchen utensils and some pots and pans that I wasn't using and two couch throw pillows. Facebook trash to treasures relieved us of Shelby's kennel (she never liked it, and she really didn't need to be kenneled. I also included the dog bed that fit in the bottom.)
One stack of old paperwork goes to shred event coming up. Will be adding more.
There are a few items I have slated already for next set of donations.
You guys amaze me.
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nittanycheme
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Post by nittanycheme on Aug 3, 2019 11:26:30 GMT -5
I have a Roomba. You can do one of two things; I've done both for items. One is to put the legs on something that will raise it so the roomba can go under it and not get stuck (what I did with my coffee table) or just got a board that was high enough and the right length and put it just underneath the thing you want to block it from. It'll hit the board and then move back. I had to do that with one of my kitchen cabinets and my couch as well. For my couch, I was able to put it under the trim; I just put some of those anti-slip things on the board. Under the cabinets, I just got a board that sort of matched. No one ever noticed it, and it was right when you entered the kitchen. I love my roomba. I have wood or laminate floors in most of my house, and it is great.
My Roomba, whose name is Cal, came with two laser boundary things. Would that help?
Mine came with those as well, but the ones I have "fan out" as the beam shoots. I used to use them in the archway between my living room and kitchen, since there was a lip that my roomba would sometimes get stuck in (that lip is gone now). Where the beam started, the roomba was able to get real close, and the further away from the source, the further away the roomba was deflected. I was able to help it in my situation by putting it on the other side of the wall, which blocked the one side of the beam, but sometimes I would still have issues with lack of coverage on the one corner. So I went with the physical barrier route. Maybe the new ones are more of a beam, and less of a cone shape?
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 3, 2019 12:18:20 GMT -5
Got the house prepped for the open house today including putting everything away from last nights packing spree. 5 tubs in the garage are done and 3-4 more to do. Maybe 25% of the metal shelves are packed, some things I need to keep out for repairs, the rest can be packed up.
Laundry is caught up and dishes are done, kitchen counters are clean and pretty candles are burning. The dogs and I will head out until the Open House closes but I got so much done yesterday that today can be relaxed.
I cancelled my gym membership and PO Box, dropped off at goodwill and a check at the bank. Today we will go buy some dog treats, drop off stop at the farmers market for veggies and then go to the park.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Aug 3, 2019 13:31:29 GMT -5
Started the morning with yard work. DH has done far more than I did. I've been in the process of purchasing and now wrapping 17 gift baskets. Today I finalize the wrapping and the gift tags. The tags will list what is in each basket. They get set out on Tuesday, but I'm busy tomorrow with other stuff and I have to have the baskets packed in my car on Monday morning.
chores for today: toilets front porch dusting two loads of laundry
work tasks for today: complete G-Suite discussion guide start PD budget and discussion guide
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mollyanna58
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Post by mollyanna58 on Aug 3, 2019 14:23:32 GMT -5
I took a few old electronics to be recycled. Started clearing off the top of my desk.
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Aug 3, 2019 21:25:55 GMT -5
DD and I had a garage sale today. It was fairly successful. DD got rid of more stuff than I did but she had contributed more to the sale than I did and she had more desirable things (baby clothes). Still between us we made about $135. I need to go through what I had leftover and determine what I will try and sell privately, what will get donated and couple things may just get tossed because I am tired of dealing with them. We decided to only hold our sale one day only so we would have a day of rest, or at least a day to get weekly chores done.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 4, 2019 2:56:46 GMT -5
Not really declutter related but two friends have been on my mind constantly.
One is 18, just went off to basic training in the Navy (I know his parents) and when evaluating his eyesight they found a problem. A brain tumor. He’s had three surgeries 2,000 miles from home already and is coming home to California for further treatment. He’ll likely be discharged before serving and with 8 kids in the family, college isn’t financially feasible.
The second friend is late 30s, three little kids and a successful music producer. He just went in for tests and they found brain cancer, no idea on the details. I last saw him at the funeral last summer and the thought that cancer could take his speech or musical talents is just heartbreaking. Obviously I can’t share in other platforms because he is a public figure and it’s all rather new.
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finnime
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Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.
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Post by finnime on Aug 4, 2019 6:17:54 GMT -5
That's really harsh, startsmart. I hope for the best for both your friend and your friends' son. Hugs to you.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Aug 4, 2019 11:06:27 GMT -5
Not really declutter related but two friends have been on my mind constantly. One is 18, just went off to basic training in the Navy (I know his parents) and when evaluating his eyesight they found a problem. A brain tumor. He’s had three surgeries 2,000 miles from home already and is coming home to California for further treatment. He’ll likely be discharged before serving and with 8 kids in the family, college isn’t financially feasible. The second friend is late 30s, three little kids and a successful music producer. He just went in for tests and they found brain cancer, no idea on the details. I last saw him at the funeral last summer and the thought that cancer could take his speech or musical talents is just heartbreaking. Obviously I can’t share in other platforms because he is a public figure and it’s all rather new. I'm sorry.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Aug 4, 2019 11:08:52 GMT -5
Well, it took much longer to wrap the 17 presents plus seven goody bags than I thought it would. I'm making a lasagne this morning. Then I have to pack my work office this afternoon. DD will help me. Fortunately, I was only in that office for one school year, and I'd done well with decluttering when moving into it. So, the toilets, the dusting, and the other work tasks also have to happen today.
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laterbloomer
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Post by laterbloomer on Aug 4, 2019 19:16:09 GMT -5
1. My room which includes; a) Putting away all clean clothes b) Doing laundry and putting away those clean clothes immediately. c) Purging said clothes Working on it d) Putting away extra toiletries etc still in laundry basket from bathroom reno e) Install closet organiser
2. Spare room a) Put away chair project b) Vacuum and clean rug c) Get new bed for guests (new to me) Being given an adjustable bed for ISO so putting his bed in guest room. d) Get shelving unit for in closet
3. Organise den a) Get closet renoed b) Purge junk and put away rest c) Paint room sort of, I painted the inside of the closet
4. Clean junk/clutter from kitchen hutch.
Cleaning the kitchen hutch didn't take that long but for some reason it was a big deal for me! Yay!!! That is a big one off the list.
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laterbloomer
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Post by laterbloomer on Aug 4, 2019 19:16:27 GMT -5
Double post
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Aug 4, 2019 20:52:01 GMT -5
Lasagna is ✅ Toilets are 🧼 Front porch is dusted and swept 🧹 DD and I packed up my office, put it all in my car, and stored it in my garage. It only took about 75 minutes. I’ll move into my new office next Friday. I have a conference to attend next week. 📦 📦 📦
I completed one of the work tasks and spent a bit of time in the other.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Aug 5, 2019 9:10:52 GMT -5
I haven't had time to do much lately. I have spent time thinking about the trouble spots and how we can make those better. I have a few ideas I want to try out.
Paper is a big one. And based on some shredding I've done this year I'm not good at going back to it later. We do have a lot of need to keep for a little bit stuff that doesn't warrant a file.
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Aug 5, 2019 10:16:23 GMT -5
I am trying to clear away the stuff my kids left in my garage after moving in/out of my house, and the stuff DH brought home from projects on our rental properties, so that I can park in the garage again. I have made good progress, and have located some things that DH will need. I also need to do some reorganization, as I realized that I have extension cords in 3 places in the garage. I have 2-3 boxes of papers to shred - (DH brought home from his office...I took 2 carloads to a shred day - but they had a limit on how much we could take). My shredder keeps getting hot and shutting down. I am going to try some shredder oil, and bring out my second shredder. If I can't get it done in a reasonable time frame, I will give up and take it to office max. Offered DS a bike and 3 folding chairs and some extension cords.
I pulled weeds on the patio, and DH weed wacked some too. now that we got it cleaned up I am going to apply some of the vast collection of chemicals I have to keep the weeds from sprouting up in the paver cracks.
I found 2 packages of shower curtain rings in the garage - added them to the box of "goodwill items" I have started in my basement.
When I get the garage done, I need to work on my office.
I have a big area rug in my garage, don't know if I should try to sell for $20 or just donate it. It was under my dining room table and is about 18-20 years old 9x7? and I have a smaller one maybe 3x4 which is much newer.
Start Smart, do you have triple A or towing on you car insurance? Maybe a neighbor could put a battery charger on the Cadillac, and see if that helps? How did the open house go?
WVgurl - stuff I need to keep a bit that does not warrant a file often gets tossed in a plastic box and stuffed in my office or my bedroom - but now I have to go through and purge those.
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saveinla
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Post by saveinla on Aug 5, 2019 10:30:10 GMT -5
I haven't had time to do much lately. I have spent time thinking about the trouble spots and how we can make those better. I have a few ideas I want to try out. Paper is a big one. And based on some shredding I've done this year I'm not good at going back to it later. We do have a lot of need to keep for a little bit stuff that doesn't warrant a file. I have an accordion folder for stuff that does not need a separate file. Will that work - that way you can label all the stuff and keep at least 25 different things in one place. I have 2 of those - one for regular bills that I discard every year and another for these ones offs that I may need to keep for a while.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Aug 5, 2019 11:48:42 GMT -5
The folder idea could work with what I was thinking. I was going to get something like this to put on the side of the fridge. www.amazon.com/dp/B001A3S2BA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0YfsDb4P4BVFVThis one doesn't look like it has great reviews but this is the idea. Something to hold papers so they aren't dumped on the kitchen table or the small counter that gets all the junk. I was thinking I might be able to find a good option now with back to school stuff out. I seem to do a lot of shuffling of things we don't need forever but I can't toss it yet.
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Iggy aka IG
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Aug 5, 2019 12:03:04 GMT -5
Hiya, productive friends! I didn't do too much since fair week was wrapping up with a concert and parade. 3.5 days of peopling outside of work. Am very proud of myself, LOL. Yesterday: -3 loads of laundry, including sheets -Restocked the master bathroom TP drawer
-Scrubbed the powder room toilet -Assembled 2 salads, and prepped boiled eggs and produce for lunches -Planned this week's menus and grocery store list for tonight -Researched 2 recipes -Posted parade and fair pictures on social media
-Reminded DH to put in a request for a few days off for camping purposes
-Removed the plastic ice cubes from the bin, let them thaw and air dry, and put them into a bag for the newly formed Goodwill box. Purchased when we first moved in, I've never been impressed with them. -Read two newspapers, clipped coupons -Unloaded, reloaded and started the dishwasher, did a bunch of hand wash dishes -Cleared out several DVR hours
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 5, 2019 12:54:08 GMT -5
bean - I do have AAA but since my local mechanic closed I don't have a place to take it for repairs. My dad has a battery charger so we might try that when it's time to move it. The Open House was good, there was one couple rather interested and my real estate agent did follow up with them. My ideal scenario for moving would be: - Sell house
- Sell furniture (except like 6 items)
- Pack and move all boxes to Bay Area for storage
- Fly out and tour homes
- Buy a new home
- Sell my Toyota & buy a used truck
- Load all belongings into POD
- Drive with dogs to new home
- Get POD delivered
Depending on the truck and the house I buy, I'll either put the Cadillac into storage for 6-12 months in California or use a trailer to bring it to my next house. I am having a lot of fun looking at homes online and the top contender right now is a 100-year-old hotel
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Aug 5, 2019 15:07:35 GMT -5
A 100 year old hotel? Will you will renovating and opening a hotel?
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 5, 2019 15:33:29 GMT -5
A 100 year old hotel? Will you will renovating and opening a hotel? If I did buy that place I would renovate it over a couple years. It could definitely be a retreat center for entrepreneurs, there's plenty of space! It's not a grand looking place but I like the idea of having a lot of rooms to decorate. Right now it's configured with 19 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms but I love playing around with floor plans and could make it a 13 bedroom, 4 bath home. There's also 1/3 of an acre, fiberoptic internet and it's cheaper than a new truck
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Aug 5, 2019 16:27:25 GMT -5
Cheaper than a new truck! I like the sound of that.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Aug 6, 2019 6:58:00 GMT -5
I decluttered 3 excess items out of the pantry today. They extended the agency food drive so I went looking last night for things to donate. They say stock levels are low at food pantries during the summer.
We didn't get any mail to deal with yesterday so I'm calling that a victory!
I had some interest in an item I'm trying to sell so we will see.
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WholeLottaNothin
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Post by WholeLottaNothin on Aug 6, 2019 7:52:53 GMT -5
I've been lurking but not posting. I kind of fell off the wagon. I have more to add to my number but have slowed way down. I always start off with a bang and then piddle out. The state of my house is overwhelming and I need to do something about it. The little one starts kindergarten in a month, and I would like to have more of a purge done before then, because I know it will be harder to do when they're both in school. So, I've returned to make myself accountable. I have lost about 17 pounds this year (and would like to lose more) and that is where my focus has been. It's hard for me to focus and work on more than a couple things at a time.
That is my long-winded way of saying keep on me, so I actually do something this time.
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Iggy aka IG
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Aug 6, 2019 9:55:16 GMT -5
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Iggy aka IG
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Aug 6, 2019 10:06:09 GMT -5
Tossed a few old pair of skivvies the other day. And while refolding my work shirts last night, discovered a favorite at the bottom of a pile I hadn't yet worn this summer. Wearing it today.
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snapdragon
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Post by snapdragon on Aug 6, 2019 10:08:59 GMT -5
I haven't done much of anything but I have pulled more things out of the closet for donation.
I am in the beginning stages of getting ready to re-do my kitchen. I have a idea and a general plan but I need to eat down and purge some things before I would let anybody step foot in my place to do work. So I don't plan on starting until late fall or early next year. But it is on the table and not leaving it. The place I went to was up front and let me know that kitchens typically were a 4 or 5 month process which I believe completely. So that gives me a general timeline on when I need to get things handled.
Everyone who is able to do anything above 80 has my complete admiration because I am unable to. So keep on trudging away.
Snap~
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finnime
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Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.
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Post by finnime on Aug 6, 2019 10:58:45 GMT -5
1. Vacuum and dust everywhere and everything; Done; now need to do again.
2. Deal with water in the basement, including adding dirt to the back of the house to regrade; Partly done. Realize now water is coming from central A/C - appears the condensate drain line may be blocked. Take care of this asap. Done
3. Mow and weed on Tuesday when the heat should have broken a bit;
4. Declutter clothes in wardrobe and closet;
5. Straighten out kitchen; Done; now need to do again.
6. Go through shite pile; Did 1 claim submission for insurance. Sorted out old mail. WIP
7. Prep front yard for landscapers coming August 6, 7; Done
8. Mop kitchen floor; damp mop hardwood floors;
9. Run through book, meet with editor to plan for next steps to publication (find agent);
10. Go to various appointments; Done
11. Declutter freezer;
12. Pick at farm blueberries, peaches, blackberries, raspberries if weather breaks;
13. Declutter spare room and office.
14. Prep LR wall for painting WIP: 3/4 done - need to spackle, sand and wash
Two weeks in and now I'll recreate list. Half of original goals reached. I need to allot more time for bigger tasks. Landscapers are going at it with bulldozer in the front lawn and garden. Will post pix when done.
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Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Aug 6, 2019 13:08:40 GMT -5
ALL the stuff is back at Mom's house. So. many. boxes. HELP!!!! Also, the supposed master list they had of what was in the boxes and what went with what is gone. The employee doing it got fired and took it with her. (If you have forgotten the source of my panic, Mom's house flooded in March and all the stuff in affected rooms was removed to storage until repairs were completed. ) How petty is that! Karma will get her!We have a vague idea of what came from where but specifics would be nice. They started in the MB closet and worked their way out, so #1 starts there and by the time you get to the garage it's in the 600s.
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