2021 Declutter Stuff & Organize Your Life

[moneysquirrel]

Knee Deep in Water Chloe -- So glad that your DH is home and on the road to recovery.  Remember to take care of yourself as well as your DH.  Will he be able to go on sick leave for the duration of the school year?

debthaven -- Relieved for you for the good news you received from the doctor.  Also that you are on the downhill slope of the semester.  When will the play and rehearsals be finished?

TheOtherMe --- Sounds like hiring the organizer was a worthwhile use of your resources.  You are making so much progress.

Iggy aka IG -- Hope that you are feeling much better.
startsmart, finnime and dannylion -- all of you are making so much progress.
Ava -- You have made progress.  Please try to check in at times to say hello.
laterbloomer -- You are getting yourself ready for the fall/winter.  Small steps turn into large leaps.
toomuchreality -- I am also realizing that I have too must stuff.  After I retired I have ramped up my efforts to get rid of items that I would no longer need.  It is an on-going process but every item I can eliminate is one less thing i will have to deal with later. Definitely making the effort to not bring stuff into the house with thinking about that item for a long time. 

Going to post this and will be back with my update.  My internet has not been the most reliable since the storm.

[saveinla]

Oct 30, 2021 16:47:48 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Oct 30, 2021 14:18:39 GMT -5 finnime said:

Glad he's home, Knee Deep in Water Chloe . He must have been very sick. Hope recovery goes smoothly and you are able to rest, too.

Oct 30, 2021 14:20:51 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Hope you DH is on the mend Knee Deep in Water Chloe

Did you end up in Boise or where?

Thank you!
He has pancreatitis; we're quite grateful that's not life-threatening. 
In a funny/not funny side bar, each of the three hospital staffs assumed he was an alcoholic. We barely drink socially!

I was not up for my first trip to Boise to be for. a hospital room; we managed to get one about 2.5 hours from our house. 

He is still in pain, but he's not had pain meds since Wednesday evening. 
Eating adjustments will be interesting. 

Hope he feels better soon Knee Deep in Water Chloe

[saveinla]

We have been back from vacation for a week now, but jetlag has been brutal this time. We have also not had the discipline to try and do something about it. 

But in good news, all the suitcases have been emptied, cleaned and put back and the mountains of laundry have been mostly conquered. Still have one more load, but that can be done with the regular stuff this week. We are just trying to survive until jet lag is gone , which as I get older is not easy as it was.

In good news though, my niece that I went to help with had a baby boy and both mom and baby are doing fine. Wish both my sister (her mom) and my mom were here to see that, so it was very bittersweet. 

I have been reading about everyone's progress, so it has been motivating me to finish up some of my stuff.

[moneysquirrel]

Update:
*Laundry and dishes are up to date.
*My effort to keep flat areas clear is continuing. It has been a major focus for me and i am finally about 90% pleased with the results
*I had a successful craft show Friday.
*Dinner is in the oven.
*Classes attended and taught.  Almost halfway done.
*Hair had a much needed trim.  Missed the last scheduled date due to Hurricane Ida complications in the area.
*Remade a number of holiday earrings. (Good thing as I sold two of the three I remade.)
**Siding has been repaired.
**Shingle color for roof has been selected.


Goals for this upcoming week:

* Need to renew or add a new listing of at least two or three items on Etsy. 
* Need to calculate and send in state and local taxes for craft show -- will do later this week after I call about one thing. Missing form??
* Need to remake another one of the holiday earrings that sold out. I plan to only make a few pairs. Have at least one craft show before that holiday.  Plus I picked up an order for two of them this morning.
* Paperwork to do.
* Spreadsheet to work on and another one to update.
* Update the handouts for my class this week.  
* Appointment -- Tuesday morning
* Classes -- Tuesday (after the appt.) -- Zoom, Wednesday -- Zoom, and Thursday -- Zoom and in-person. Will be missing one in-person class on Wednesday. 
* Lunch --Wednesday -- with DS
** Possible roof replacement -- estimated for this week. This will involve a major decluttering of my EF.

[startsmart]

It feels like I just got back from Mexico and now I’m packing my bags again. Of course, being sick for a week didn’t help me settle in at home in between trips at all.

I have laundry to do, probably Tuesday, so I can pack my suitcase and I am also looking at the best jacket to take to New York. The rest of my jackets are now hanging upstairs so I can continue to renovate my closet.

I’ve been spending a lot of time sewing to finish the purple quilt and working because this next week is intense.

[finnime]

Things are about to get real. Our home equity loan funding should be available sometime in the next week or so. I've signed an agreement with a contractor/painter. He'll start 11/22. Guess we won't be going to Massachusetts for Thanksgiving, but I am SO happy that he can fit me in. I was afraid he'd be too busy.

Now I need to get a handyman/plumber/electrician to do some fixes. My DSis suggested I ask our oldest DB--he's an expert DIY'er and is at loose ends since his dog died.

Now I have a list of things that need to be boxed and gotten rid of somehow--given or thrown away, sold, or packed. I also took out the huge suitcase I've had collecting dust for years now. I'm filling it with my summer clothes. We will have moved out before I need them again.

I've invited my siblings and nephews to visit here New Year's Eve and day.  The house should be looking its best then. If I can manage it, I'll also have a party for neighbor friends in December.

We just have so much Stuff. Courage! That's what I need.

[toomuchreality]

Oct 31, 2021 15:26:49 GMT -5 finnime said:

Things are about to get real. Our home equity loan funding should be available sometime in the next week or so. I've signed an agreement with a contractor/painter. He'll start 11/22. Guess we won't be going to Massachusetts for Thanksgiving, but I am SO happy that he can fit me in. I was afraid he'd be too busy.

Now I need to get a handyman/plumber/electrician to do some fixes. My DSis suggested I ask our oldest DB--he's an expert DIY'er and is at loose ends since his dog died.

Now I have a list of things that need to be boxed and gotten rid of somehow--given or thrown away, sold, or packed. I also took out the huge suitcase I've had collecting dust for years now. I'm filling it with my summer clothes. We will have moved out before I need them again.

I've invited my siblings and nephews to visit here New Year's Eve and day.  The house should be looking its best then. If I can manage it, I'll also have a party for neighbor friends in December.

We just have so much Stuff. Courage! That's what I need.

You can do it! 💪

[debthaven]

Knee Deep in Water Chloe I'm so sorry about your DH's hospitalization! I hope he's feeling much better. Do you think you'll make it through the school year? You need to do what's best for you both, not what's best for the school district.

Courage finnime ! Like toomuchreality said, you can do it! 

Lots of great progress being made!

We just got back from taking DD to her new job 6 hours away. We drove down with her on Friday, spent the weekend, and took the train back. It was fabulous but exhausting. I unpacked and started the laundry. We really hope she'll be happy there. 

It's another fairly quiet week. Tomorrow is a holiday. I go into school all day Tuesday, then Zoom on Wed and Thurs. I also start PT for my wrist 2X/week.

moneysquirrel the play will be over 2 weeks from today. I cannot wait!!!

I should find out this week if I get the extra class I asked for ... Either way, I'll be doing fewer classes/hours/days than this semester, as planned! I just hate not knowing.

And Ava what a fabulous update!!! Isn't it funny how sometimes small things can make a HUGE difference?! I hope you keep posting here!

[Sharon]

The house is getting emptier.  I hauled another load over this weekend.  My goal is to take next weekend off and just stay home.  I'm so tired from trying to take care of everything pretty much on my own.  It got down below freezing last night and I was somewhat cold in the trailer.  For some reason the propane heater isn't working and I haven't taken the time to figure out why.  I suspect it is because the trailer isn't level.  It wouldn't take much to correct that issue, other than some time, which seems to be in short supply right now.  I had a space heater running but try to be conscious about using so much of DD's electricity.

Today when I got home I mowed the lawn and did some yard work.  If it weren't for the fact that it is Halloween I would probably be in my jammies and headed to bed shortly.  Who care if it is only 5:30pm. I'm tired.

[TheOtherMe]

Get some rest, Sharon.

Niece-in-law had a package shipped here.  She wasn't sure if the two items would fit so after the toddler went to bed, I measured the two items and she measured herself.  So I return one and mail one to Canada.  So those items will be leaving my house tomorrow.

My sister is really pushing them to come here for Christmas.  They took the toddler on a drive to a mall.  He started getting car sick 2 blocks from the parking garage.  When not in the car, he was fine.  Did the same thing on the way home.  They are not looking forward to driving with a kid getting sick all of the time.    I don't know if it was welcome, but I did suggest they talk to his doctor about it.  

The best part of tonight's FaceTime was mom was feeding the Toddler and he heard my voice and started pointing to the parts of his face.  He definitely knows my voice and both parents have told me he doesn't play this game with them or with Grandma.  It's our game and I love it.

[toomuchreality]

Oct 31, 2021 20:56:37 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Get some rest, Sharon.

Niece-in-law had a package shipped here.  She wasn't sure if the two items would fit so after the toddler went to bed, I measured the two items and she measured herself.  So I return one and mail one to Canada.  So those items will be leaving my house tomorrow.

My sister is really pushing them to come here for Christmas.  They took the toddler on a drive to a mall.  He started getting car sick 2 blocks from the parking garage.  When not in the car, he was fine.  Did the same thing on the way home.  They are not looking forward to driving with a kid getting sick all of the time.    I don't know if it was welcome, but I did suggest they talk to his doctor about it.  

The best part of tonight's FaceTime was mom was feeding the Toddler and he heard my voice and started pointing to the parts of his face.  He definitely knows my voice and both parents have told me he doesn't play this game with them or with Grandma.  It's our game and I love it.

Isn't it nice to feel like you have something special? ♡
I love the relationship you're building with him.

[snapdragon]

Yesterday I was able to move multiple fans out of the house and into storage.

I have the unit until I move due to me not having room in my condo for the things I wanted to keep from Dad's I only have a 5-10 unit so there is some room. I am still working very slowly on clearing things out and wanting to only move things really important to me when I go next year. I still have K's, mom's and dad's things that I am sure need to leave the house. 

[seriousthistime]

Tasks in progress:


--dining room shitepile/filing and recycling
--bake some cookies
--complete a survey (I'm part of a nationwide study)
--make a real dinner (pasta and meatballs maybe)
--finish kitchen reorganization
--plant the begonias

The chewy amaretti cookies were amazing! The scale will not be kind to me this week.

[debthaven]

I finished the laundry last night, so DH and I did absolutely NOTHING today. Yikes. I am really feeling old these days. 

Sharon I hope you were able to enjoy a quiet weekend. I hope that you can move soon so you can finally relax! Also, might an electric blanket use less electricity than the space heater? Just a thought. 

[Sharon]

Oct 31, 2021 20:56:37 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

My sister is really pushing them to come here for Christmas.  They took the toddler on a drive to a mall.  He started getting car sick 2 blocks from the parking garage.  When not in the car, he was fine.  Did the same thing on the way home.  They are not looking forward to driving with a kid getting sick all of the time.    I don't know if it was welcome, but I did suggest they talk to his doctor about it.  

Is toddler still in a rear facing carseat?  DGS1 used to scream all the time in the car seat until he was finally old enough to get moved to front facing.  He didn't get sick but there was something about the rear facing car seat that made him really unhappy.  It started the day they brought him home from the hospital.

[debthaven]

TheOtherMe they sell acupressure bracelets at the pharmacy for kiddie carsickness here, but I have no idea of how effective they are. 
    It would be good for them to find a solution for this, even if they opt not to go to your sister's house for Christmas. There are a lot of fun experiences to be had for him closer to home, it would be a shame for him to miss out on them. 

I had scheduled two annual routine medical appts this week since it was a quiet week. Then I had to add an emergency dental appt AND 2 PT appts.

I can't do 5 medical appts in one week. Plus the emergency dental appt was at the same time as my mammogram, so I rescheduled the mammogram for late Nov.

I *may* cancel another appointment but I'm trying not to. I'm trying to get ahead while not being overwhelmed.

Story of my life LOL!

[TheOtherMe]

Yes, he is still in the rear facing car seat.  They do think a large part of it is because he can't see.  He doesn't cry.  He just is sick the entire time.

By the time I talked to them last night, he had eaten--3 times what he usually eats and had 4 bottles of milk.  He was hungry and acted fine.

DN1 was car sick as a kid but he said it was because he insisted on reading in the car.  I asked my sister and she said he didn't get car sick until he started reading in the car and was too stubborn to stop.

The toddler isn't reading so it isn't that.

[anciana]

Guess what, the lawn mower can be folded, as in, the handle can fold over the motor and once the bag is removed, it is much smaller   We played the musical chairs last weekend and now all the cars fit in the garage! It is a bit tight, I will need to figure out other placement for some smaller things that will make it more comfortable, but we're in before the first snow, woo hoo!

[TheOtherMe]

The packages are ready to be mailed but I can't leave until after the water softener person comes.  I also have a class at 1:30 PM so I will probably only mail the package to Canada and go to town in the morning.

[debthaven]

Great job on the garage anciana ! 

I had my first physical therapy appt this evening ... he said I won't need many sessions, just a few weeks. I have 2 sessions/week.

My longest day this week is over! I just have 2h left on Zoom.   I'm so grateful for these two easier weeks!

[startsmart]

Omg purple quilt is DONE and I am so happy. I do need to quilt and bind them but won’t be able to start until mid-November.

The whole series is here if you’re interested: imgur.com/a/Z2Kg6oK

[finnime]

So beautiful, startsmart!

[anciana]

Simply stunning, startsmart! 

[debthaven]

Oh they are all just GORGEOUS startsmart !!! What an amazing talent you have!!!

I would LOVE to own one of those!

PS After my dear friend A's husband committed suicide nearly 6 years ago (how is it possible that 6 years have gone by?!) one of her colleagues organized all her friends to make A a "friendship quilt". The quilt is blue and white, the colors of A's bedroom. We each did several squares. Most of us (including me) were helped/coached by A's quilter friends. We all embroidered our names into a few squares ... at least I could do that myself!

5 years later, A still marvels at it, and talks about how warm and comforting it is. 

It is such a wonderful skill, and they are absolutely gorgeous!!!

[stillmovingforward]

This are gorgeous startsmart!
Do you hand or machine quilt them after you piece them?

[TheOtherMe]

Beautiful startsmart

My sister quilts and she makes beautiful quilts.  The quilts she has made for the Toddler have been a hit with him.  Maybe he feels the love.

Package shipped to Canada.  UPS opens at 8 AM.  I shall be there with the return so I can be home in time for the winter service on the furnace around 10 or 10:30 AM.  

[nidena]

Nov 2, 2021 15:39:58 GMT -5 startsmart said:

Omg purple quilt is DONE and I am so happy. I do need to quilt and bind them but won’t be able to start until mid-November.

The whole series is here if you’re interested: imgur.com/a/Z2Kg6oK

Oh.my.god! (bonus points if you heard that in the voice of Janice from Friends )  Those are beautiful!!

How much do you charge for each one?

[laterbloomer]

Those are gorgeous startsmart. I absolutely love the vibrant colours.

[startsmart]

Thanks everyone! I was really surprised to see all the comments and thumbs up on the post from strangers. Once I have a breather I will machine quilt all of them. Hand quilting takes too long for my patience and it would be very expensive to get them professionally done. I have the backing fabric for all of them but not enough batting yet. 

I don't sell them or really take commission, I am making one for my best friend because she is a lawyer and entirely too good at her job. 

I did the math and it was an average of 15 pieces assembled a day for 11 months which feels like it was way easier than I thought. 

[toomuchreality]

Nov 1, 2021 16:45:57 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Yes, he is still in the rear facing car seat.  They do think a large part of it is because he can't see.  He doesn't cry.  He just is sick the entire time.

By the time I talked to them last night, he had eaten--3 times what he usually eats and had 4 bottles of milk.  He was hungry and acted fine.

DN1 was car sick as a kid but he said it was because he insisted on reading in the car.  I asked my sister and she said he didn't get car sick until he started reading in the car and was too stubborn to stop.

The toddler isn't reading so it isn't that.

But it could have something to do visual. I can't read in the car. I have to be able to the horizon. When I'm on a boat, I start throwing up, as soon as I lose sight of land. Even though I grew up with a boat.