2021 Declutter Stuff & Organize Your Life

[laterbloomer]

moneysquirrel, afraid not. But I'm getting bits and pieces done.

[TheOtherMe]

Feb 7, 2021 11:07:43 GMT -5 debthaven said:

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.

The website has two options:  1st and 2nd dose or 2nd dose only, so it doesn't give me the option to just get an appointment for the 1st shot.

[TheOtherMe]

Feb 7, 2021 13:17:04 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

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.

That's how this system works but there are no 2nd appointments available according to the website so it won't give me an appointment for the 1st shot.

[Blonde Granny]

I was able to put 3 pr. of shoes into "the sack" along with numerous blouses I never did wear or like into "the sack". What is in my closet will change if I am ever called back to the VA to volunteer, if not, that will be more items to find their way into "the sack" for Good Will. I've got some winter coats that also could go, but in addition to never wearing them, I never t=even think about them.

[startsmart]

nikiz628 - that’s a pretty awesome price for a great kitchen remodel! Love the range hood!

countrygirl2 - I know what you mean, here it won’t go above 25 for the next 10 days and lows down to 5.

debthaven - lol lots more outlets! 3 in the bedroom, 1 in the closet, 2 GFCI in the main bath, 1 GFCI in the half bath, 1 in the laundry room, 4 or 5 in the office, 6 in the living room, and 2 in the kitchen. I’d like to get the ones I can done this month but may not be able to move the furniture in the office to get to the ones in the corner behind the bed.

nidea - YEP! at least 2 of the living room outlets are 2-prong and don’t have gang boxes installed. Still it’s better than the second floor where there’s an average of 1 outlet per room and it’s not even installed IN the wall.

If you have a flat and phillips head screwdriver, small pliers and a voltage tester you can replace an outlet for the cost of materials - about $1 per outlet or switch and $1 for the cover.


Today I watched the Super Bowl for the first time in probably 10 years (did not go well for Kansas City lol) and did 11 miles on my bike while also completing a bit of sewing. I did my errands this morning and got the soil I need for my vegetable seeds but driving was a pain with freezing rain that kept obscuring my windshield. I de-iced the back steps since I often have to carry my older dog outside and don’t want to slip myself. At some point this week I need to go do laundry but otherwise should be able to stay home.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

As a bit of an organization and decluttering update: 
By my somewhat accurate count, I discarded at least 38 items during the month of January. 
I completed 42 of 118 deep cleaning chores. 
Our garage gym was finished--which added a whole new room for me to clean. 
I had to acknowledge that my shoes were no longer containable in the closet, and--rather than purge any (in fact I bought two more pairs in January)--I had to buy another shoe shelf for them. 
We had a light installed in our dining area and three lights in our napping room (formal living room). 
I'm hoping for a better/more productive month of February. I had a massive run of anxiety late-January, and that slowed me down quite a bit. 
However, the first week of February is already gone! I'll have to figure out what I want the next three weeks to look like. 

[moneysquirrel]

House cleaning was completed this morning.  Money well spent.

Currently waiting on the third and last load of laundry to finish up.  It is in the dryer so should be done shortly. 

I made the phone call about the home improvement project -- materials are not in yet so they cannot start the project until that happens.  Gives me a few more weeks before I have to transfer money from savings and more time to put additional money away so that the amount I will need to will be less.

House is decorated with a few valentine and Mardi Gras items.  They occur two days apart this year. I only decorate my entry table, put out the garden flag  and hang a  wreath or two.

Parades and a lot of the festivities have been cancelled.  The citizens have created a new way of celebrating which also helps out the artist and float builders who lost income with the cancellation of the parades.  Many houses have been turned into House Floats and traffic in those areas of the city has been increased.  Some of the homes from the images I have seen are fabulous works of art.  I think that if you google Mardi Gras house floats that you might be able to pull up the images.  I definitely think that this new tradition will be with us for several years to come as the expense for some of these must be high.

[debthaven]

I googled. Some of them are incredible moneysquirrel ! 

[Iggy aka IG]

Still need to catch up, but may I say, nikiz628, kudos for all you did on such a small budget! 

[Iggy aka IG]

nidena , outlet projects are surprisingly involved!  Several months ago DH started replacing the drab, beige colored outlet and switch covers to black.  (I was skeptical at the color choice at first, but it actually looks rather modern.  Plus, black is my favorite color.)  He, too, has unfortunately discovered several things left by the previous owners.  Not sure he'll ever get the project entirely completed.

Hope everyone had a relaxing weekend.

I did 3 loads of laundry and tidied up the house to have friends over for the Super Bowl yesterday.  On the menu:

Little Smokies wrapped in Crescent dough

Bacon wrapped shrimp skewers.  I made two pans, minus the pineapple:  Ree Drummond Shrimp Pineapple Skewers.  I sent our neighbor home with about half dozen leftovers.

From frozen:  Taquitos, chicken pesto fillo dough cups, Spanakopita

Veggies

7 layer dip

Cauliflower Stalks (a new bagged snack item I recently discovered-they were a hit)

Popcorn with M & M's minis

Doritos 3D

Peanut butter filled pretzels

And the neighbors brought over various chips, dips, and salsa

Prior to preparing the Super Bowl food, I made these for my niece who is expecting the baby in less than a month:  Ree Drummond Peanut Butter Cup Bites.  DH took a bag to work this morning, and I received feedback that they are delicious.

And my kitchen is once again trashed, LOL.

[TheOtherMe]

Guess what I found?  My box cutter.

Guess what arrived from Amazon?  My new box cutter.

[laterbloomer]

Feb 8, 2021 18:30:11 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Guess what I found?  My box cutter.

Guess what arrived from Amazon?  My new box cutter.

I'm sorry but... ...that's how it always happens!

[TheOtherMe]

Niece-in-law in Toronto was wanting me to ship packages to her that she has had delivered to me.  Picked up her boxes to see if they would fit in the box I found and there was the box cutter.

Good think I researching shipping new goods to Toronto because the way she wanted me to do it would have had me lying on the US customs form and I'm not going to do that.  Emailed them the article and now they say they will pick the packages up when they come here to get vaccines.  I hate to tell them but they aren't on any priority list and it's going to a long time before they make that trip.

[debthaven]

TheOtherMe good for you for holding your ground. They should ask your sister. 

I have to take my car in tomorrow. I was told they'd give me a precise appt but they refused, they say I have to leave the car there all day. We only have one car. DH has a motorcycle but it's record-breakingly cold here so neither of us wants to use the motorcycle in these temps. 

Plus it's snowing!!! It doesn't snow much or often here, but it does snow most years. The roads are never cleared, especially the huge hill around the corner. I need to get down that hill to get to the dealer. Every winter here, it's "OMG, snow!!! But we never have snow here, so we don't have the equipment to clear it!" It's the same nonsense EVERY year! 

I will get up at dawn o'clock as planned, but if that hill/main road is backed up, I'll stay home. (I can see it from in front of my house.) All I need is to have an accident taking my car to the dealer to fix it. 

The plan is to take an Uber home, then DD will take me to pick up the car once the insurance guy has been. I'm very happy I bought a box of FFP2 masks. They were expensive and we're using them very sparingly. DH had a hospital appt today, he used one for that. I'll use one if I need to take an Uber.

Everything is caught up here. But after 13h on Zoom in two days, I'm feeling a bit . As usual by Tuesday. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Feb 8, 2021 18:30:11 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Guess what I found?  My box cutter.

Guess what arrived from Amazon?  My new box cutter.

Of course!

[debthaven]

Mission accomplished, despite the snow! Car is booked in for repairs next week. This time they can lend us a car.

[TheOtherMe]

I am going to declutter a MAJOR worry from my life tomorrow.  I got an appointment for tomorrow!!!!

[finnime]

Good for you, TheOtherMe!

[debthaven]

 Whoo hoo TheOtherMe ! I'm thrilled for you!

[TheOtherMe]

30 hours of my time not wasted and worth it.   

[debthaven]

30 hours is insane, but I get it. I'd feel the same way. I feel very sorry for the older people who aren't tech savvy, and who have nobody to advocate for them or make their appts. 

After getting up at 6.30 on a rare Wednesday off and spending 3.5h at the dealer, I took a nap this afternoon.

DH wanted me to cancel this morning's appointment because of the snow. I tried, but the insurance company opens at 9, and the car had to be there by 8. So I decided I was going. DH grumbled but said then I'm coming with you.

During that 3.5h wait we went for a long walk along the Seine (across from the dealership). I treated DH to take out hamburgers for lunch (his choice) once we were done. 

I'm so relieved it's done, even if we have to go back again next week (just to drop off and pick up, neither of which should take more than 30 min).

[TheOtherMe]

I talked to both corporate and the local store.  There is no option other than online to schedule an appointment.  I did ask both how are seniors who don't have internet or smart phones supposed to do this.  They both said have someone else do it for them.  Sadly not every elderly person has someone who can assist them.  Local store manager said if you get an appointment, consider you hit the lottery. 

He did say last week was a trial run of a few small states and corporate did not understand the volume of people who would be trying to get appointments when it opened up to all over the country.  So the site was down all day yesterday and some of this morning.  

The Seine is so beautiful.  I am happy to hear you enjoyed your walk.  

[debthaven]

How did the vaccine go today TheOtherMe ?

One of the three professors I teach cancelled class at the very last minute today, so I was unexpectedly off today! Per school policy I'll be paid, since there's a 48h cancellation policy. I'm not strict about it but 20 min really isn't much notice!

Our new DR table is being delivered tomorrow afternoon! DH and I will take the garden table back out tomorrow morning. (We brought it in because I work in the DR.)

[TheOtherMe]

Except that it was the first time I have driven while it's snowing all winter, it went fine.  No side effects so far.  Imagine my arm will be sore.

[debthaven]

It probably will be sore, and from what I have heard, the second shot will be worse. 

But YAY YOU!!! I'm very happy for you (and also a bit envious LOL). 

 

[chiver78]

I'm curious which one you got? my sister had #1 of Moderna's vax last week and she said the injection site was really sore the next day.

[laterbloomer]

So I have a 4 day weekend! I'm hoping to be motivated to get at least the office done. I have a virtual job interview next Friday so that is an extra kick in the ass.

[debthaven]

laterbloomer do it! You'll be SO happy you did!

You could do what you did with your two-week vacation, which worked well for you ... work hard for half of your four-day weekend, and take the other half off. 

[TheOtherMe]

Feb 11, 2021 19:28:29 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

I'm curious which one you got? my sister had #1 of Moderna's vax last week and she said the injection site was really sore the next day.

I got Pfizer.  My arm was sore and I had a difficult time sleeping as I could not get comfortable.  I'm going to take a nap, but I think I'm doing better today.

I would much rather deal with this than covid.

[Iggy aka IG]

TheOtherMe , I finally took the time to call XM and got my monthly subscription reduced to $5.99 (ETA, this is the price with tax).  Thank you for the advice.  This is the reason why I originally joined this board-to swap money savings ideas and tips.