2021 Declutter Stuff & Organize Your Life

[debthaven]

I hope you feel better soon Busymom. 

[laterbloomer]

Good luck with that ankle busymom

So I finished making the filing cabinet I started on Sunday. I'm having to break down the office and spare room into a bunch of mini tasks. Whatever keeps me moving forward.

[hitenney]

Hi all! I'm happy to report that DS and I made a second trip to the today, and then D-sisIL and I dropped off several things at Goodwill.  The turns out to be easy-peasy - you just drive-in to this hangar-like building, back up to the railing, and throw your stuff over the side!  I have been going through Christmas boxes in the garage (actually it's a carport, so everything gets very dirty), and trashing stuff, condensing, and washing the totes.  We dumped 4 huge, heavy suitcases, also.  They had gotten filthy!  Tomorrow I will be breaking down boxes for the recycling pick-up on Friday.  

Trying to set up an appointment for DH to renew his Driver License.  It has turned into a computer/bureaucracy rabbit hole as his old one is from 2014, and our State has changed the rules so he has to bring birth certificate, ss card, and government-approved proof of address.  Weird thing is he was working on some form for Social Security, and said he couldn't move forward without adding a suffix to his name.  So all of a sudden he made himself "name, Sr."  Of course, there is no junior.  I'm afraid I was not very understanding, especially when he got a new SS card in the mail with the Sr. added!  So that just made him mad!  And now all his documents don't match.  That should be a fun appointment.  Hopefully they will have patience with us, because I sure don't want to hear the "suffix" story again...

Doggie is still coughing, but meds are helping.  Unfortunately, she has gained 2 more pounds and now weighs 21 (should be 14-15).  I was giving meds with peanut butter, but am now hiding the pills in 1/4 of a Little Smoky, and the liquid in with her regular food.  I just found out she likes green beans, so that should help the diet.

Work is going to re-start with training on 2/16, and then back to the office on 2/17.  Several of our middle managers have quit.  Lots could be said about that, but this is not the forum.  Suffice it to say, I'm sure this will not be the same job I was planning to retire from at the end of February, 2021.  At least that was my plan in early 2020!  But, I have also learned that it would be tough to support the household on just our Social Security, so just as well for now.  So, now I have to speed up on the de-cluttering and organizing, and gardening!  Goodnight, all!

[debthaven]

Great progress hitenney ! I'm sure you feel so much lighter now!

laterbloomer the important thing is to just keep moving forward like you are. What's left on the list? 

[laterbloomer]

Feb 4, 2021 5:18:45 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Great progress hitenney ! I'm sure you feel so much lighter now!

laterbloomer the important thing is to just keep moving forward like you are. What's left on the list? 

Put together the book case and desk, the desk will be the big one and paint that room. Then start the clean up on GW2's old room. She really totalled it 

[TheOtherMe]

I seem to have lost my box cutter.  I had it on Monday and now it's gone missing.  I know I bought a new one the last time I lost it, but I can't find it either.

I did toss some items yesterday when putting stuff away for the cleaners to come tomorrow.

[laterbloomer]

Jan 2, 2021 11:25:44 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

So some of these things are going on their 3rd year on the list. In my defense I have ended up doing things not on the list.

1. Install closet organizer

2. Paint den (these 2 are left over from the last 2 lists)

3. Install new backsplash in kitchen.

4. Paint my bedroom. (these 2 are from last year's list)

5. Replace all the laminate in my house. (a wish list item that has been bumped up)

6. Turn one of the spare rooms downstairs into my home office. This is actually halfway done

7. Clean up and repaint the other spare room downstairs. (These 2 are new to the list but will probably get done first)

Just reminding myself what my whole list is. 

[startsmart]

I’ve started building the trash box but my nail gun isn’t working properly so I’ll be screwing everything together instead.

I may be able to get to it tomorrow before it snows again but the important pieces are cut and ready to go.

[Blonde Granny]

I ordered a 50 pair of shoes rack for my closet from Wayfair today. Sunday I think I will start finally cleaning out my closet. It simply is time for this stuff to go.

[debthaven]

This weekend

- fireplace paperwork/Fri

- DH's Quickbooks/Fri

- call car insurance/Fri
- insurance papers/Sat

I damaged my car yesterday, so now I have to deal with that. 

[Iggy aka IG]

debthaven, sorry to hear about your car.  In my business we have a saying, "Cars can be repaired or replaced, people cannot."  Hopefully you aren't injured. 

[debthaven]

Thanks Iggy, I'm fine. The insurance person was incredibly helpful, so I'm feeling better about it now. It will cost me, but much less than I feared. 

I have to take it to the dealership on Wednesday so the insurance guy can assess the damage. Thankfully we seem to be well-insured. 

[TheOtherMe]

And it's true that cars, houses, etc. can be replaced but people can't.  

The house is nice and clean!  They were late due to the icy roads, but that was okay.  The roads are really bad still.  Most high school sports have rescheduled.

[startsmart]

Today’s snowstorm didn’t show up but it’s still cold out there so I’m working indoors. I replaced 2 more outlets in my bedroom and have 3 or 4 more to go in that room.

Once I get the office and living room finished I’ll bring in an electrician to do the few outlets I can’t finish on my own and the GCFI outlets in the bathrooms.

For now though I’m going to try to finish up my yellow and orange quilt and then clean up the kitchen.

[Blonde Granny]

I have avoided my closet long enough.....It's cold and slight rain outside so it's a good day to get in there and have it done. Let alone my shoe racks will be coming a a few days and I need to have everything in place.

[Blonde Granny]

My closet is looking better......not finished, but better.!

[countrygirl2]

I made tamales, they were absolutely delicious.  We all liked them.  I froze 2 batches, we are having another for dinner tomorrow night. Hubs wanted them. DD likes them really well too. I ran out of shucks and had a bit left so I made a patty out of the masa and meat filling and steamed it. Flipped it and steamed the other side, will see if its ok.  I will not make them very often, there is a pound of lard in the masa. Even though its spread through 5 dozen that's still a lot of lard.  I doubt my arteries could take it. Hubs and DD will be ok. I need to try and limit what I eat of it. Tomorrow for me veggies and fruit, to offset.  But it sure was good, something different for a change.

[nikiz628]

THe kitchen is 99% complete and I am SO in love with it. And the whole renovation cost us about $300! We had half a gallon of Sherwin Williams paint leftover from DS1's room (Anew Gray, a very gorgeous neutral), so we used that. It was JUST enough for our walls. We spent approximately $140 on the new flooring, once you add in the threshold and a couple little tools H needed for the install. I spent $50 on cabinet paint and $10 on peel and stick wallpaper to try out for the backsplash (waiting on that to arrive). And $50 on lumber to create a cover for our existing, very base model, range hood. I will probably spend a bit more on a few decor pieces, but so far I have just shopped my house for items. The only thing we have left to do is to stain the lumber above the stove, install the wallpaper backsplash if I love the pattern, and replace the lighting above the sink. I also need to find some window treatments. I’m looking for some natural woven blinds at a reasonable cost. I also told H I would love for him to build me small island, preferably on caster wheels so we can move it if needed, that the boys can sit at or we can use when baking/cooking as a family (instead of being crammed in the corner that now has my mixer shown below).

We added a crown moulding to the top of the new range hood (I took this picture before that, but I’ll post it below). The best part of the range hood cover- hidden storage! The front lifts up and my existing over the stove cabinets are hidden behind!


I relocated our coffee makers. The new location is much easier to use. And it freed up a smaller section of counter to the left of my sink.



I relocated the kitchen aid mixer to the side of the kitchen I actually prepare food on.



With the crown moulding on top. It definitely makes it.





And not only is it pretty and fits with the rest of our home now, but every cabinet (and drawer) is thoroughly decluttered and organized. It feels amazing.

[saveinla]

nikiz628 - It looks amazing. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I'm so excited for you, nikiz628 ! The kitchen looks great!

debthaven , are you physically okay from damaging your car?

busymom , that's great that your house sold. 

Blonde Granny , I also just ordered another shoe organizer!

TheOtherMe , I hope you thaw out soon. I'm sorry about your vaccine being postponed. 

hitenney , yay for the run. 

I am also quite sluggish lately, snapdragon . 

laterbloomer , that's tons of progress!

moneysquirrel , how'd your Thursday class go?

We've had the same problem with our house, startsmart . It looked like it had been completely re-done. However, the amount of shortcuts taken are still annoying eight years later. 

chiver78, I'm glad the bathroom is progressing.

@big list from last weekend, Iggy aka IG!
What is it with teenage girls leaving their primping stuff all over the darn place, bean29?

azucena, I also roll our towels, but I didn't think to use a wine rack. I just have an odd, narrow, rhombus-shaped shelf thing from Ikea.

[countrygirl2]

We have snow tonight and it's only going to be above freezing one day in the next week. Snow showing for 3 days and -9 next Saturday night. Temps going to be pretty brutal most of the week.

They are getting lake effect snow in Watertown, NY. Son said it was snowing and blowing so hard they couldn't see the street, a white out.  Not sure how much they got. But when I looked at weather going to snow up there all week. They get a lot of snow.

He just got his house on the market, bad time to sell, that's for sure, don't look for it to do so till next spring or summer.

[debthaven]

nikiz628 what an amazing transformation! It looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing the photos. You and Mr Nikiz are very talented! 

Knee Deep in Water Chloe I'm fine ... I stupidly parked badly and scraped the car (and punctured a tire). The car is leased, so it needs to be fixed by the dealer. Thankfully it's covered (except the deductible of course). We replaced the tire locally. 

Great job Blonde Granny ! Can you finish the closet before the shoe rack comes (for motivation)?

How many outlets left startsmart ? As always I admire your determination! 

This weekend
- fireplace paperwork/Fri
- DH's Quickbooks/Fri
- call car insurance/Fri
- insurance papers/Sat
- recycling bin/Sat

Our electric kettle has been leaking for months. I finally ordered a new one (not from Amazon). We took the old one to the small appliance recycling bin yesterday.

Job 2 is on break for two more weeks. I'm hoping to get the car fixed before I go back to a full schedule. 

[nidena]

Feb 6, 2021 13:44:14 GMT -5 startsmart said:

Today’s snowstorm didn’t show up but it’s still cold out there so I’m working indoors. I replaced 2 more outlets in my bedroom and have 3 or 4 more to go in that room.

Once I get the office and living room finished I’ll bring in an electrician to do the few outlets I can’t finish on my own and the GCFI outlets in the bathrooms.

For now though I’m going to try to finish up my yellow and orange quilt and then clean up the kitchen.

When I finally get around to it, there are 24 outlets that need to be replaced in this house.  Currently, only one in the kitchen and the one in bathroom are grounded.  All the others are two-pronged.  What really sucks is that the previous owners replaced the water softener before they sold the house but they never plugged it in.  It has a grounded plug!! 

[TheOtherMe]

Tried to get a vaccine appointment again this morning.  I don't understand how a full day's worth of appointments show up so I schedule a time and then there are no times for the 2nd dose.  Maybe the people taking the appointments only need the 2nd does.

So I wait

[laterbloomer]

Feb 6, 2021 20:54:09 GMT -5 nikiz628 said:

THe kitchen is 99% complete and I am SO in love with it. And the whole renovation cost us about $300! We had half a gallon of Sherwin Williams paint leftover from DS1's room (Anew Gray, a very gorgeous neutral), so we used that. It was JUST enough for our walls. We spent approximately $140 on the new flooring, once you add in the threshold and a couple little tools H needed for the install. I spent $50 on cabinet paint and $10 on peel and stick wallpaper to try out for the backsplash (waiting on that to arrive). And $50 on lumber to create a cover for our existing, very base model, range hood. I will probably spend a bit more on a few decor pieces, but so far I have just shopped my house for items. The only thing we have left to do is to stain the lumber above the stove, install the wallpaper backsplash if I love the pattern, and replace the lighting above the sink. I also need to find some window treatments. I’m looking for some natural woven blinds at a reasonable cost. I also told H I would love for him to build me small island, preferably on caster wheels so we can move it if needed, that the boys can sit at or we can use when baking/cooking as a family (instead of being crammed in the corner that now has my mixer shown below).

We added a crown moulding to the top of the new range hood (I took this picture before that, but I’ll post it below). The best part of the range hood cover- hidden storage! The front lifts up and my existing over the stove cabinets are hidden behind!


I relocated our coffee makers. The new location is much easier to use. And it freed up a smaller section of counter to the left of my sink.



I relocated the kitchen aid mixer to the side of the kitchen I actually prepare food on.



With the crown moulding on top. It definitely makes it.





And not only is it pretty and fits with the rest of our home now, but every cabinet (and drawer) is thoroughly decluttered and organized. It feels amazing.

That is awesome!! what kind of flooring is it and where are you getting the wallpaper backsplash?

[debthaven]

TheOtherMe do you have to sign up for both appointments before getting the first shot? Is it possible that they give you the second appointment when you get the first shot? 

If I were you I'd sign up for the first shot if I could. I'd worry about the second shot then, you'd have 3-4 weeks.

[moneysquirrel]

Feb 6, 2021 22:03:30 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

moneysquirrel , how'd your Thursday class go?

The class went well.  This is the second semester I am teaching this class via Zoom and while not ideal it is happening.  Teaching a class about computers when the students can't practice at the same time so I can troubleshot is not ideal but it is the best that can be under the circumstances.

[moneysquirrel]

TheOtherMe -- When I signed up for my vaccine my choices were grouped.  That is 1st appointment is ___ and 2nd appointment is ______. Then when you selected the 1st the 2nd was automatically scheduled for you at the same time and place just three weeks apart.

[moneysquirrel]

Goals for February 7 - February 13:

House cleaning -- Monday (I think -- monthly service)
Doctor's Appointment -- Tuesday
Class -- Tuesday (weekly)
Classes -- Thursday (weekly)
Call @ home improvement -- deposit made need to check on possible start dates (Held over from last week)
Maintain progress (ongoing)
Organize at least 3 areas (ongoing)

My lists are pretty boring and routine but things are getting done slowly.  Adding things to the donation bag or trash on a weekly basis. 

House is in pretty good shape. I think that the cleaners are scheduled for tomorrow.  I appreciate that the heavy vacuuming, mopping and general things are done.  I just don't see as well as I used to and miss things.  These ladies can do in an hour or so what takes me days. I stay away from them usually in the garage and with a mask when I am in the general vicinity with them. They also are masked so I am ok with them being here.  

Did not get much of anything done this weekend.  Arm is still a little sore and swollen from the vaccine.  Slept most of yesterday but think that was due more the dreary rainy weather than to the shot.  Maybe a bit of both. 

I did finish the order that I had and I started working on a beaded lariat.  I have pearls embellished at the ends and need to add to that embellishment.  Currently working on adding to the length of the necklace part.   It should take me several more hours to get it to the length I think is good enough.  Best thing is that I am doing both the order and this lariet with supplies on hand. Trying to work through my stash of supplies.

debthaven -- Sorry about the car but glad that you are ok.  Cars can be fixed. 
busymom -- How are you feeling?  Hope you are doing better.
nikiz628 -- The kitchen looks great.  
startsmart -- Still amazed at all you get done in such a short amount of time.
hitenney -- Every item out is one less to worry about later.
laterbloomer -- I guess by now that you have finished your office area and preparing to move forward to the next challenge.
Blonde Granny -- I am also needing to go through the closet but I am not ready to do so completely as of yet.  Currently trying to wear things that I don't wear often to see if I am comfortable in them or not.  Manage to eliminate several items that way.
Knee Deep in Water Chloe -- Glad that you had some away time.  Relax when you can.  Burnout is real.
Iggy aka IG -- Here's hoping that your weekend list is short.  

Sorry if I forgot anyone but need to get this posted before I lose it.  Take care all!

[nikiz628]

laterbloomer- The flooring is snap together laminate planks from Menards. We paid $.84 a sq. foot. The wallpaper is from amazon (i just typed peel & stick wallpaper and found a bajillion options).