2021 Declutter Stuff & Organize Your Life

[toomuchreality]

Dec 5, 2021 21:08:10 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I'm so excited the organizer is coming in the morning.  I'm also excited that she is going to have a new employee.  If that person works afternoons, I will give her a try.   My organizer only works mornings because of her little ones.  She is also now booking in late January.  The new person has little ones, too, so it may be the same issue.

I can't wait to see how much Stuff leaves this house tomorrow.  I know there is going to be homework.  I really want to get to a point tomorrow where I can set up the fancy scanner I bought and the color printer so I can copy photos I don't think commercial places will because of copyrights.  

I didn't get to talk to the Toddler this weekend.  He decided to change his schedule this weekend.  He got up at 5 AM both Saturday and Sunday.  I thought we had a call this evening.  When I hadn't heard from them by the regular time, I called them.  They were already in bed because the Toddler was already in bed.

I want to borrow your organizer!
I promise to return her after a few weeks! 🙂

[TheOtherMe]

Organizer did a live video on Instagram to introduce her new employee.  She is now book in February.  I was hoping for another session in January but am SOL.

[toomuchreality]

Dec 6, 2021 8:22:30 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Organizer did a live video on Instagram to introduce her new employee.  She is now book in February.  I was hoping for another session in January but am SOL.

Bummer. Can you get her the first week in February?

[debthaven]

Or ask to be put on the waiting list for their first cancellation TheOtherMe ? Someone is bound to cancel.

This week
- send in Job 1 form/Mon
- bottle bank/Mon
- donation bin/Mon
- dentist/Wed
- Shitepile
- start DH's Quickbooks

[snapdragon]

I have been very uninspired to do much of anything. I was just really happy that I cut and recycled a huge box out of my living room. But not much else has been happening. I really need to get myself in gear. Just not feeling it right now.

I did manage to get tickets to see A X-mas Carol this coming Saturday with a friend and am looking forward to that. 

Encouragement to everyone.  

[bean29]

Good Morning all!

Theo:  I would love to use an organizer too.  Just go ahead and Book her for the First week in February, it will be here before you know it.

We got a new phone for Mom this weekend and got it mostly set up.  When I was at her house yesterday she mentioned that her Front Doorknob was not working right.  it is a lever handle and you now have to pull up on it.  I texted my Brother to come look at it, b/c we had one like that spring on an interior door and DH had to take the door off it's hinges and lift the mounding to get the door open.  I did not want us to have to struggle with the exterior door.

We also had issues connecting to her WIFI, but when I went to leave the Spectrum truck was parked in front of the neighbor's house.  DB was there this am, and said the internet is now working.

My Mom is definitely forgetting things.  On the way home from the phone store she asked me 3x how much she owed me for the phone and I told her 3x it was "Free".  It is only free after 24 months of bill credits, but it is still free, as I will not be cancelling her phone service.


DH also ordered new phones for his parents.  I have to deal with T-Mobile later on the phone plan, b/c all was not as promised when I made the appointment.  It is kind of a bait and switch now that we activated a new phone.  I can still return the phones and switch to a different company.  I am at work now, but this is the kind of stuff that keeps me from getting stuff done efficiently.  I hadn't planned to lose my whole day yesterday to getting my Mom a new phone, but by the time the set up was done, I did.  I had wanted to get about 4 hours in at work, but I only was here for 2 hours, and I ended up back at my Mom's b/c after we left the phone store, I went to Best Buy to get her a screen protector and a case and I forgot to buy the plug that Apple does not bother to include with the phone anymore.  Really, you can't charge the phone if you don't have a micro connection! grr.  I had an adapter in my purse, but mom did not have a power strip or an outlet with a USB plug, so I went to a different Best buy near my office and picked up a present I had purchased for DS and got her the Plug end for her charger.

I was thinking about buying a desk for the "office" but DH said the bigger desks are obsolete now as documents are scanned and saved on a computer now.  I agreed, so I may enlist him to help me in my scanning project.  I suspect he watched football rather than doing the projects he intended to do yesterday, but he works enough, so I did not complain.  We lose Saturday this coming weekend to my Company Christmas Party.  Hopefully we will not be hung over.  Our inside Christmas tree is not up yet.  Some of our Christmas lights in front were tripping the outlet we use for charging my car.  I think DH said it is just the outlet on the front porch that is tripping the garage electric, so most of our Christmas lights are still on.  We have Pillars with Lights/Eclectic outlets on the end of our driveway and the rest of the lights are plugged in to those outlets.  Most of the Christmas lights are LED, so Idk what the issue is.

On my to do list is the check on ordering the dedicated charging station of my EV car.  I have to try in the next day or two.  my problem is I don't quite know what I need.  Maybe I should call the dealer.  Will try to discuss with DH tonight.

I ordered two new phone cases for Mom from E-bay and two for me.  I was thinking about one for me and then DH broke my case I use at home.  He tried to bend it.  idiot.  it is flexible, but not as flexible as he tried to make it.  New ones were about $15 each, so no biggie.

On top of everything else, I don't think I have a dress that will fit me.  I ordered one dress and one pair of velvet pants from Ann Taylor, but too cheap to pay for expedited shipping.  They have not shipped them yet.  I will try to get to the store to see what they might have in store, I just got a $40 incentive from them this am.  On my Calendar is a cut and color for Thurs eve, and nails on Friday.  One of my nails is chipped.  Dont' know if I want to wait until Friday to get it fixed, but, as I am not yet sure what I will wear Sat, I would prefer to wait.




  

[laterbloomer]

I have been decluttering a whole bunch of snow off my back deck and driveway this weekend. Thank goodness it has been the light fluffy kind. For the record this is a first for me. Either my partner did it (when I had one) or I would hire someone. ISO isn't able to do it anymore and it's hard to find someone to do just a regular driveway these days. So I'm going to learn how to use a snow blower this winter.
TheOtherMe how much do you pay the organizer? GW is gifted in the organizing department and I wonder what it pays.

[anciana]

I have lost my motivation and having hard time getting it back, but I keep reading here and am cheering for all of you doing such wonderful job and making progress.  

[TheOtherMe]

Organizer just left and it makes me happy to see how the office looks now.  There's still work to be done but I can set up my scanner and printer in there now.  

Everything is organized and labeled in drawers.  I had the builder put shelves in the closet, so the genealogy books from my mom now have a home that isn't in a box on the floor.

She took two boxes to donate and two boxes of recycling.  I have two trash bags to go out in the trash.  Only have room for one in tomorrow's trash.  There were two dead printers there.  I can take those to the curb for recycling.  There is an ancient monitor that they will take but I have to get a tag for it from the city.

The best thing is I found the old diary I wanted to get rid of that I found when I was decluttering on my own and put it away so I could destroy the pages and put in with the cat letter.  It's been lost over 2 years.  It won't make it for tomorrow's trash but it will be going away next week.

I knew there were two diaries and I had only been able to find one.

I also found the baby picture of my half sister.  I haven't mailed her Christmas card yet.  I'm going to send it to her.

Later, she charges $180 per session.  Sessions are 3 hours.  She was here a bit longer than 3 hours today but she didn't charge extra.

For me, it's worth every penny and it's worth the mess that gets made to make it look nice.  What's left in the office is sorting through financial papers that date back years.  Some can be recycled and some shredded.  There are too many boxes of that stuff in there that I don't need any more.

I also know now that it does no good to just keep putting things somewhere else until I go through it.  That's how I lost the diary I wanted gone.  She keeps both of us busy for 3 hours.  More gets done in 3 hours than if I did it alone for 3 months.

Yes, I booked her again for the first week of February.  We also talked about doing my garage in the spring before it gets too hot.  She said for that one, she will bring her new person, too.  It will go much faster.  My garage is a disaster but there is plenty of room for my car.  I never put so much stuff out there that I can't park my car in the garage.

So I am tired but very satisfied and pleased with the progress.

[debthaven]

TheOtherMe the first week of Feb is right around the corner! But otherwise, you could always ask her to let you know if she has a cancellation in January. Also, could you book 2 months out so this doesn't happen again? Just a thought, since you're always so happy when she comes, and she's helping you make tremendous progress! 

Job 1 has a new policy for staff classes. We need to given them the exact days + hours we're available ... though Dec 2022! I don't even have my schedule for January! 

I cobbled together availability for 1 admin class for Jan, and for 2 admin classes in Sept (on Thursdays, because that'll be my WFH day now). I want to look like I'm making an effort because I want to keep those classes in retirement.  

[Sharon]

Progress is still being made with unpacking.  DD and family was over yesterday and DSIL got the TV hung up, the new plug installed on the dryer and we hauled stuff that belonged in the shop from the garage.  DD and the two littlest ones came over today and we got a lot done.  I can finally eat off real plates now and no more paper plates.  Most of the kitchen stuff is unpacked.  We are both saying that where we put some of the stuff may not work the best and it may need to be moved but at least it is accessible.

DD said she would come back tomorrow and work for a few hours while I worked.  There are a lot of boxes of books that need to be unpacked plus the great wall of fabric that needs to be reassembled.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Dec 6, 2021 11:50:48 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Or ask to be put on the waiting list for their first cancellation TheOtherMe ? Someone is bound to cancel.

This week
- send in Job 1 form/Mon
- bottle bank/Mon
- donation bin/Mon
- dentist/Wed
- Shitepile
- start DH's Quickbooks

I was going to suggest the same idea!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Dec 6, 2021 11:57:48 GMT -5 snapdragon said:

I have been very uninspired to do much of anything. I was just really happy that I cut and recycled a huge box out of my living room. But not much else has been happening. I really need to get myself in gear. Just not feeling it right now.

I did manage to get tickets to see A X-mas Carol this coming Saturday with a friend and am looking forward to that. 

Encouragement to everyone.  

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Dec 6, 2021 18:26:58 GMT -5 debthaven said:

TheOtherMe the first week of Feb is right around the corner! But otherwise, you could always ask her to let you know if she has a cancellation in January. Also, could you book 2 months out so this doesn't happen again? Just a thought, since you're always so happy when she comes, and she's helping you make tremendous progress! 

Job 1 has a new policy for staff classes. We need to given them the exact days + hours we're available ... though Dec 2022! I don't even have my schedule for January! 

I cobbled together availability for 1 admin class for Jan, and for 2 admin classes in Sept (on Thursdays, because that'll be my WFH day now). I want to look like I'm making an effort because I want to keep those classes in retirement.  

Well, that's just an asinine request!

[hitenney]

Well, here I am again.  Officially retired on October 29, and off the payroll as of November 23.  The last month was crazy, trying to train someone for every and all eventualities, writing instructions and cleaning out my other mess (the one at work).  Slowly I am working through items at home, and I do mean slowly.  As one friend said, when you're retired there's always tomorrow.  Unfortunately, I have made that my mantra.  This week has been most frustrating, and there's only me to blame.  My sister in VA has planned a cruise for us in September, and is using money from our Mom she inherited to pay for it (mine all went into the house).  Anybody who is still around from the old couponing group (I think finnime, nidena, wvugirl and maybe bean29 - I could be wrong, it's been a long time!) will understand it makes me a little crazy to listen to expensive options from a travel agent, and not booking things ourselves at a better rate.  I do so love a deal. DSis keeps saying, but she's (the Travel Agent) worked so hard on the plan!  Anyway, now the TA wants my passport for the booking name, which is long expired, so I need a new one, and of course I'm having a terrible time finding the documents because I have so many boxes and piles of unorganized paper!  

I have run across some genealogy documents, and I would love your feedback, TheOtherMe, about Ancestry.  Some my cousin gave me many years ago, but at the time she didn't really want it all shared with them.  She was in the business for many years, and made money researching relatives and history for clients.  I guess I should ask her.  There are several relatives I need to reach out to, now that I have time (tomorrow, I mean!).

Anyway, I am very unhappy with the State government - it used to be so easy to walk into the health dept and buy your birth certificate and marriage certificate, but with COVID, it's all online.  Once again, it's my own fault, but I'm still mad at them. 

I am hoping to start quilting soon, although that has moved further down the list.  I got a new scanner, and am hoping to get that set up and going so I can scan and then shred a lot of documents that I will probably never need anyway.  Cleaning house is also high on the list, plus getting rid of many clothes and cooking implements I never use.  My DH is famous for buying expensive pieces but he has slowed way down with his heart problems, so I think I can sneak out quite a few.  

I'm still contemplating returning to a part-time job (our HR out-source company actually made me an offer a my good-bye celebration!)  plus there's a lot of volunteer work I'd like to do.  But sorting out the house has to come first.  Take care everybody - I love reading about all your progress.  Chloe - you and DH stay well.  Praying that everything works out with all the planned and happening home moves.  I am contemplating that also for the future.  Debt, I've also got the dentist this week. Chipped another filling.  The infrastructure is failing big time!
 

[finnime]

Congratulations on your retirement hitenney!

I know what you mean about drowning in old paperwork and being unable to find what you're looking for. Someone should write a book about decluttering when you retire, or prepare for a move. All the accumulated detritus of your life needs examination and disposal, and you still can't find what you need.

[nidena]

Ancestry.com is a treasure trove of discoveries.  In fits and spurts, I've spent hours upon hours on that site and they keep adding more features which makes it even more of a rabbit hole.  If you get the full pass--$200 for six months or something like that--you have access to all kinds of records, including international ones.

[wvugurl26]

hitenney it is funny you say that about a cruise. My cousin is getting married on a cruise in February. I thought they were nuts when they were getting a travel agent to hold rooms. We booked our own cruise last time.

This lady actually saved us money though. It has not my been my experience that travel agents save you money.

[bean29]

I spent some time going through my jewelry chest yesterday.  I was on a mission to find my Pandora bracelet.  I failed.  I sent a text to DD b/c it seems to me she told me she "borrowed it".  I am hoping she will find it at her apartment, but she did not say anything.  I have a bag of jewelry to donate to Goodwill, and I tossed a few pieces.  I tool all my CC's out of the Jewelry drawers.  Will have to go through them and decide if I should Shred or Keep.

Hello Hitenney! Welcome Back.  I was around when you were couponing, but I never really had time for couponing.  I have always been hit and miss with coupons.  Debt - lol on availability all through 2022 and without even knowing your schedule for January!. I also need to get to Quickbooks to start accounting for year end.  Sharon - Glad to hear you are settling in.

Theo! Glad to hear of your progress.  $180/hour - I should go into that business, but I have a hard time making decisions...so I would totally pay the price to have an organizer's assistance.  We could really use someone to help go through the garage...but it is not my stuff cluttering up the garage.  They would have to get my DH's compliance, and that is not easy to come by.  I need to clean out the closet in my basement office.  DS took the sofa, so I have room in the office part of the room.  I am going to pull out the file boxes and start going through the stuff on the shelves.  I have seen some very reasonable lateral files on FB Marketplace, but DH is against bringing stuff like that into the house when everyone is going to keeping records as PDF's.  I agree, but moving the documents from the Plastic File boxes to file cabinets would be so much easier.  The boxes contain our tax records going back maybe 10 years.  I have shredded some older years.  I kept the actual tax returns and anything that went to basis of a property.

[debthaven]

Congrats on retirement hitenney ! 

bean29 I think it's $180 for a 3-hour session. 


They've now said they'll give us till early January to fill in the info instead of the original deadline of 21 Dec.   Asinine is right! Don't they have ANY common sense?!

PS I emailed them to say that they will spend a LOT of time redoing schedules if we give our availability for July-Dec now. I politely suggested that it's better for THEM if we just give our availability for Jan-June for now, WHEN WE FINALLY GET IT. 

I know, I have "uncommon common sense" (as Dear Abby used to say LOL). 

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 7, 2021 7:38:04 GMT -5 nidena said:

Ancestry.com is a treasure trove of discoveries.  In fits and spurts, I've spent hours upon hours on that site and they keep adding more features which makes it even more of a rabbit hole.  If you get the full pass--$200 for six months or something like that--you have access to all kinds of records, including international ones.

For Black Friday, gift memberships are 50% off.  You can choose 6 mos. or a year.  I gift myself a membership and this year I got the world membership for a year for about $160.   I think the gift memberships are still on sale for 30% off.

In yesterday's box of my mom's things my sister thought could be genealogy related was her diary of a trip she drove with 2 of her sisters and 2 kids to Washington DC and back.  I haven't read it yet, but I heard some stories at the time.

[TheOtherMe]

It's $180 for a 3 hour session.  No way could I or would I pay $180  an hour.  

I have too much "homework" to do before having her back in February.  

I can't kick myself enough to make myself do these things that need to be done so it's worth the money to me to hire help.  Plus she takes the stuff to donate and recycle.
 
I also like that she doesn't judge or if she does, she doesn't comment.  My stuff doesn't mean anything to her.  It only means something to me.  It makes it much easier when she holds up something and says "stay or go".  I have gotten really good at making decisions.  

The office had a lot of old electronics in it.  Some work and some don't.  She hauled them all away except for the two printers that went with my curbside recycling this morning.

[snapdragon]

Here is my plan for tonight --- 

I am going to do all my Christmas cards and mail the ones that need to go out. 

I have a good friend that is going to come over and help me get motivated to work on my place next month. So I am excited and leery about that but it need to happen.  

[Iggy aka IG]

Good to see you, hitenney!

Knee Deep in Water Chloe, I love your lists so much!

Sharon, reading about your first night in your new house, and about your home office set up, made me smile.  We can tell you really like it.  And, yes, there is something to be said about hiring movers.  

Everyone has been so focused and productive.  Nice job!

I took an unexpected day off yesterday.  Seems I pulled one of the muscle(s) in my back around my ribcage last week, and by Saturday.... Let's just say I'm doing a bit better.  I highly recommend Biofreeze.  And a package of frozen peas as an ice pack.  

I did slowwwwllly manage to do 3 loads of laundry, unloaded, refilled, and ran the dishwasher a few times, cleared off the main kitchen counter, and wrap several Christmas presents.  Because it's supposed to snow on and off this week, DH brought in my deck seating area decor, which I stashed in my office.  And I finally washed a large empty jar of pickles and poured the oatmeal into it and stashed it in the pantry.  Don't want to take any chances of a future mouse getting into it.

[startsmart]

I am on a quick break from a day with very few calls but lots of work to get done. I do need to go do my laundry but am procrastinating on it as usual. 

I do feel good about my progress though, I have read 300 pages of Hamilton and feel confident about getting to page 720 by the end of the year so I can finally check it off my list. The backyard continues to look great, even though I have one more raised bed to build. I have planned to do that one on Friday when it's 70 degrees again. 

At this week's auction I got a really nice, big table on wheels which is going in the backyard for my table saw. The existing table I put out there is just too flimsy. I also have a lot of things in the garage that I need to move upstairs over the course of the month (again procrastinating). 

The bucket o' paper has not been opened in a few days as it is acting as a side table. Time to clear it off and start making decisions about what to do with all this stuff I've been hauling around for too long. 

[debthaven]

Everyone is making such fabulous progress! (Everyone but me LOL.) Well done friends!

Iggy aka IG my heart always aches for you every time you mention running the dishwasher several times over the weekend. Could you try to run one load during the week, perhaps one day when you leave later or get home earlier?

I ask that question gently. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Dec 7, 2021 15:56:00 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Everyone is making such fabulous progress! (Everyone but me LOL.) Well done friends!

Iggy aka IG my heart always aches for you every time you mention running the dishwasher several times over the weekend. Could you try to run one load during the week, perhaps one day when you leave later or get home earlier?

I ask that question gently. 

LOL.....  The cycles were spaced out:  One Saturday afternoon, and one yesterday afternoon.  I've been doing a much better job at keeping up with them.  

[debthaven]

SO thank y'all for kicking my ass. 

I just went down to the basement and:
- unpacked the bag from Costco that I thought DH had unpacked two weeks ago
- unpacked the new dehumidifier and set it up
- unpacked the dehumidifier tabs and put one in the old dehumidifier

I feel like I can't keep up anymore.   But at least those items are done now. 

[TheOtherMe]

Your house is already decluttered, correct?   And you did without hiring anyone.  

Hiring the organizer gives me the kick in the ass that makes me do more in 3 hours than I would do by myself in 3 months.

[nidena]

I'm watching the Marie Konda show on Netflix.  I read her books 6, 7 years ago and that's what helped me get rid of so many clothes back in 2015 and to continue to pare down until I actually moved in 2019.

The second episode is liking watching an episode of Hoarders.  SO.MUCH.STUFF!