2021 Declutter Stuff & Organize Your Life

[Lizard Queen]

That is a cute bathroom, but if there is enough room for a deeper vanity, I would totally change that out.

[debthaven]

That might work if you don’t have any shelves in there.

You could also ask your carpenter friend how much it would cost for him to add drawers.

But even two shelves and baskets would definitely be cheaper than custom-made drawers.

ETA: After Lizard Queen  's comment I realized that our vanity is indeed much deeper. Sorry, I hadn't realized that! Ours comes from IKEA (big surprise).

Having realized that, I agree with Lizard Queen . I’d replace it with something deeper, but I wouldn't spend a lot on it.

[chiver78]

yeah, this is low on my priorities. while not ideal, it is functional and the reclaimed wood wall behind is cut to fit that vanity. I can find storage options for the interim. I have other projects coming first. thanks for the ideas!

ETA: plastic drawers have been purged of everything expired, reorganized by purpose. dresser tops have been completely cleared and dusted, and a number of unopened/unused things have been listed on the buy nothing page. if not claimed by tomorrow night when I put the trash out, they will get pitched. I also found an old curved flatiron (to make waves easier) that I had bought bc it worked on both 110/240V eons ago. I hate it, have only used it for a trip somewhere in EU and on one cruise with a crowded cabin. listed that for $10 in other groups. it will go in a buy nothing group if no takers by mid week.

[debthaven]

If/when you ever get around to it, I'm sure you could replace that vanity with a standard sized but deeper one.

That wood wall is indeed beautiful! 

This week
- bottle bank (DH?)/Mon
- pharmacy/Tues or Wed
- mark last 6 essays/Wed
- fireplace paperwork (with DH)/Thurs

(Sorry, moved this week's list to get it on this page.)

[debthaven]

This week
- bottle bank (DH)/Mon
- mark last 6 essays/Mon 
- pharmacy/Tues
- fireplace paperwork (with DH?)

I finally finished those essays. I feel "caught up" now. 

[busymom]

After trying to get my contractor back out here for months, guess who called & is coming out tomorrow?     (He's had some drama on his end, so I can't be totally mad about how long this has taken.)

So, it's a good incentive to clean house today.  I guess you know what I'm working on...     

[debthaven]

Any luck with the house yet busymom ?

[bean29]

Jan 31, 2021 16:14:22 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

those are cute. I've got a ton similar from Christmas Tree Shop already that need to go. I don't think that would work well in that vanity, though.

I'm picturing something like this, but smaller. sorry for the huge URL.
www.target.com/p/mdesign-vertical-standing-bathroom-shelving-unit-tower-with-3-baskets-black/-/A-81617353?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012577535&CPNG=PLA_Patio%2BGarden%2BShopping&adgroup=SC_Patio%2BGarden_Lawn%26Garden&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=m&location=9002048&targetid=aud-985052325085:pla-1142583646780&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1247068&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=Cj0KCQiAx9mABhD0ARIsAEfpavSvls_XASWBvBwQ3Hv92WDSMTheV1itPCe1yMlkoJQRVt84rb3rI88aAoszEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I like that.  I might just order for DD.  The bedroom in the basement she uses has a hallway with a big mirror on it.  DD uses it to get ready - so she has a ton of suff like hairdryer and makeup all over the floor in the hallway.  That might help contain her stuff!

[busymom]

Feb 1, 2021 14:52:33 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Any luck with the house yet busymom ?

   Yes!  The house did sell, although I'm still waiting for the paperwork to arrive by mail.  But, the money is in the bank, so life is good!  

[moneysquirrel]

Moved my list to this page so I could update/comment:

Goals for February 1 - February 6:
Flood Insurance -- Charged to CC for points
Grocery run   -- May need to do additional runs later in month for perishables
Class -- Tuesday
Classes -- Thursday
Vaccine -- 2nd dose -- Friday
Call @ home improvement -- deposit made need to check on possible start dates
Maintain progress
Organize at least 3 areas
Update notes for the class I teach-- before Thursday's class

busymom -- glad that you heard from contractor and   for the sale of the house.  One less thing to worry about. 

[debthaven]

Great news busymom !  

[debthaven]

This week
- bottle bank (DH)/Mon
- mark last 6 essays/Mon
- pharmacy/Tues
- signature/Tues
- fireplace paperwork (with DH?)

We just signed the first set of papers for the studio! We should close by May.

[CCL]

Chiver have you thought of shelves above the toilet? Or maybe you did and I missed it? You could make them shallow if that fits better. Our bath had no space for towels, so we added a few shelves and put most stuff except the towels in baskets on the shelves.

[CCL]

Feb 2, 2021 11:26:44 GMT -5 debthaven said:

This week
- bottle bank (DH)/Mon
- mark last 6 essays/Mon
- pharmacy/Tues
- signature/Tues
- fireplace paperwork (with DH?)

We just signed the first set of papers for the studio! We should close by May.

Yay!

[busymom]

Feb 2, 2021 11:26:44 GMT -5 debthaven said:

This week
- bottle bank (DH)/Mon
- mark last 6 essays/Mon
- pharmacy/Tues
- signature/Tues
- fireplace paperwork (with DH?)

We just signed the first set of papers for the studio! We should close by May.

    Woo hoo!  Is that the normal length of time for closings there, or has COVID made a mess of the paperwork process there, too?

[laterbloomer]

The boss didn't come into work today so I was able to spend an hour on the phone with the bank moving my savings into my TFSA. I can check that off my to do list. I'm also going to get the deduction done on my paycheque now. Take away any temptation to use it on house stuff.

[debthaven]

busymom Covid was partly responsible for the VERY long time it took to sign the first set of papers today. But 3 months from today is standard for closing. The buyer needs a loan, but he's already been pre-approved.

[Iggy aka IG]

Great progress, friends!  Glad to hear he's pre-approved, debthaven!

I WFH yesterday.  Over the weekend and yesterday:

3 loads laundry

Scrubbed several toilets

Picked up my side of the bed and closet

Vacuumed the entire main floor

Coordinated with my neighbor friend our upcoming birthday party details

Compiled and submitted a large Sam's Club order

Wiped down the fridge interior

Read

Cleared out a few DVR hours

Baked oatmeal and steamed eggs for breakfasts

Made turkey chili out of locally grown (across the street!) turkey

Made beans and rice with homemade almond flour cheddar biscuits to take to the neighbor's

Started rereading The Little Red Book of Selling for career motivation

Figured out what we're doing for the Super Bowl

[azucena]

Small bathroom idea - I've got my girls towels rolled up and stored on a wine rack.  I've been very pleased with that hack.

    www.amazon.com/mDesign-Modern-Decorative-Bathroom-Organizer/dp/B07BBTJD5R/ref=asc_df_B07BBTJD5R/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241889826421&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8952263139662197815&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9022811&hvtargid=pla-470043398862&psc=1

[TheOtherMe]

Congrats debthaven

[chiver78]

Feb 2, 2021 11:43:29 GMT -5 CCL said:

Chiver have you thought of shelves above the toilet? Or maybe you did and I missed it? You could make them shallow if that fits better. Our bath had no space for towels, so we added a few shelves and put most stuff except the towels in baskets on the shelves.

I'd rather not cover up the cool wall. towels are actually all in the main bathroom, I just take one as I need it. once the slider is installed and the outdoor shower is built, I'm going to have a bucket of rolled beach towels in the bedroom near the door - take one as I walk outside to shower. 

[debthaven]

Glad to hear he's pre-approved, debthaven!

He's a manager in the newest and far most successful RE agency in our suburb, so he currently has 3 banks trying to get him to take THEIR loan LOL. So we're not worried!

Here the buyer has 10 days to back out after the papers we signed today. When the RE lawyer reminded him of that, the buyer laughed and said I know, I've used those 10 days at least 20 times already while waiting for these papers to be drawn up. LOL!!!

So again, for once we're not worried.

[snapdragon]

I have been reading on here but not doing much of anything the last few months. I have a pile of things that I should write up and donate in the living room and I have several other things that I should be trying to deal with but I just am -- BLAH. I am sure part if it is just being down, the weather and other things I am hopeful that I will get the urge to do something but Nada yet.

I am wrong on that... I was given a box of Duraflame logs a few years ago when a neighbor moved and I finally opened it up and have been having fires on dreary evenings when coming home. I have 2 left I think. I would prefer to use them up than having them hang around because of all the things you can't do while they are burning -- no cooking, no adding extra wood or another fake log etc. I prefer real wood and being able to have fires that are more conductive for me sucking up to the fireplace and turning my back red due to heat. 

[debthaven]

snapdragon I think many of us are finding it hard to feel motivated these days ... I know I am. I'm definitely less ambitious (and busy with work) these days. I still try to get a few things done so I don't feel overwhelmed. 

We can't burn cardboard anymore with the new fireplace insert. Boxes were piling up. Today I finally broke them down and put them in recycling. I also broke down a huge box that was in the basement. Turns out DH was saving that one. Oops! 

Iggy aka IG seems like WFH one day a week works very well for you!

[TheOtherMe]

I got rid of a bunch of boxes today in the recycling.  I was irritated by how late in the day they came.  They used to get our trash at 7 AM sharp, followed shortly by the recycling.  Today, it was after 3 PM before they came.  At least it's gone.

Friday is cleaning day so I have to pick up the clutter so the cleaners can clean.  I'm thinking I'm going to the garage again.  It's going to be very cold.  

It's too cold out there for me to break down boxes right now.  So the only ones getting broken down are the ones for new packages.

My county has now put off covid vaccines for people over 65 until March 1, which does not make me happy.

Meanwhile private schools have found a way to get their teachers and staff vaccinated.

[debthaven]

Oh that's late TheOtherMe . I hope you can get in earlier.

Zero early vaccines available for teachers here. If I could get vaccinated, I'd be very happy to go in!

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question TheOtherMe ... can't you break down the boxes inside where it's warm, and then take them to the recycling bin? That's what I do. 

There's one more big box in the basement for next week. I didn't know DH was saving that one either. 

[CCL]

Feb 2, 2021 12:13:55 GMT -5 debthaven said:

busymom Covid was partly responsible for the VERY long time it took to sign the first set of papers today. But 3 months from today is standard for closing. The buyer needs a loan, but he's already been pre-approved.

When I bought my house 5 years ago it took about 2 weeks. When I refinanced in December it took about a week.

I'll bet that's a relief to finally start moving forward with your sale.

[TheOtherMe]

debthaven  Reading today's paper, teachers are being prioritized over people 65 and over.  I did receive an email from my medical provider that they will begin contacting people.  I am hoping they go by age.  I have no problem with vaccinating the oldest people first.  The pharmacy at the grocery store where I shop is also supposed to be getting some vaccines but they don't know when.

Unless distribution of the vaccine speeds up, I doubt if I am vaccinated by March.

That does not make me happy.

I did do a load of laundry this morning.  Socks and underwear are in the laundry basket on my couch so I will fold them today.

[busymom]

Well, the contractor bailed on me yesterday.  He's got some problems he needs to deal with.  I'm still icing my ankle after taking a fall while walking the puppy in my backyard.  This thawing & freezing pattern made the path we'd cleared more icy than I'd realized.  I don't think anything is broken.  But, since I've torn ligaments near my toes in the past, I think I may have done something similar with my ankle area.  (No, it's not swelling, and I am able to walk on it.  It's just painful when I need to move around, so I'm elevating & icing it.)

[saveinla]

Feb 3, 2021 13:22:48 GMT -5 busymom said:

Well, the contractor bailed on me yesterday.  He's got some problems he needs to deal with.  I'm still icing my ankle after taking a fall while walking the puppy in my backyard.  This thawing & freezing pattern made the path we'd cleared more icy than I'd realized.  I don't think anything is broken.  But, since I've torn ligaments near my toes in the past, I think I may have done something similar with my ankle area.  (No, it's not swelling, and I am able to walk on it.  It's just painful when I need to move around, so I'm elevating & icing it.)

ouch - hope its not too painful.