2021 Declutter Stuff & Organize Your Life

[toomuchreality]

Dec 17, 2021 6:45:07 GMT -5 finnime said:

Dec 16, 2021 16:39:25 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

So how did you swing a new bathroom for $3000?

Let's see.

$850 for painting and contractor work including plumber and electrician and supplies such as paint and caulk
$1050 for new sink and P trap to replace pedestal sink; mirrored medicine cabinet, lights, tub and shower trim (all from Builder.com)
$700 to resurface tub, which now looks brand new
$50 for shower curtain
$80 for top down, bottom up window shade to replace plantation shutters
$40 for new trash can
$75 for new towel bars

The bathroom has a very large built-in cabinet in the corner by the door, so don't need or want a vanity. I do need to replace the cabinet door knob.

Well done!

[toomuchreality]

Dec 17, 2021 6:34:11 GMT -5 finnime said:

Sorry your DS2 is being such a pill, debthaven. He and you are having trauma responses, when thinking is disordered and emotions are in upheaval. I'm sure you realize that as horrific as his "accident" was it could have been worse--and then what?


 to you. You are a wonderful mom. Lazy is a laughable concept for you.

Once again, agreed! 100%

BIG HUGS! ♡

[toomuchreality]

IMO this is a really hard time of year. There are all the financial strains. But in addition, people are trying to do things for their loved ones, in secret, causing their loved ones to question the relationship. These things and more, make this time of year especially difficult.

Hugs to those who need them! ♡❤♡
I hope your day is merry and bright!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

[mention]debthaven [/mention]
Any chance his pain meds are making your son cranky? I’m so sorry he’s being unkind.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

[mourningcloak]

Entryway nook is organized and DH finally took the large piles of donatables out of the house to Goodwill yesterday!  Now to put together the bed that arrived yesterday for DS1's room.

[debthaven]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. DS2 ended up texting an apology last night.

Any chance his pain meds are making your son cranky?

Hmmm ... good question Knee Deep in Water Chloe ! I'll try to find out. He's back home now.

I had to go to school today so DH took DS3 to Ikea. They bought a bed frame and mattress. We already had an extra quilt + quilt cover. DS3 is thrilled! He's wanted a double bed for years.

I had my last professor class of the semester today. I get 33 finals to mark next week, but I'm off for 17 days!  Whoo hoo!!! 

[chiver78]

I've been steadily humming along, today I unpacked two large boxes of "dog gear" that was coats for LD, extra leashes, old collars, etc. I repacked that into a plastic bin for the basement shelving, but it's out of my reading nook. last night, I gave away a bag of cookbooks via the Buy Nothing page.

tonight, I think I'm unloading whatever's left of the kitchen stuff that Malarky didn't take, to another guy on the Buy Nothing page. he said he works with DV survivors starting over.....perfect! that's exactly what I was hoping to donate to. an added bonus is that will clear out the last cube shelving unit that belongs in the guest bedroom. yay! 

[debthaven]

The bulk garbage pickup (or maybe a person) took the chairs and night table. There's still way too much in the basement (especially with DS3's old bed + trundle bed), but it's progress. 

Hopefully at some point the stars will align and I'll have enough able-bodied kids here to get the convertible couch out of the basement 1 or 2 nights before the monthly bulk pick-up. 

I'll take a bunch of old throw pillows to the donation bin tomorrow. 

[TheOtherMe]

Since I'm not doing another big cleanout until February, I tossed 3 old light fixtures that I had replaced several years ago in the trash bin.  They have been sitting in the garage for several years.  I have too much stuff like that in my garage.

[laterbloomer]

Dec 17, 2021 6:45:07 GMT -5 finnime said:

Dec 16, 2021 16:39:25 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

So how did you swing a new bathroom for $3000?

Let's see.

$850 for painting and contractor work including plumber and electrician and supplies such as paint and caulk
$1050 for new sink and P trap to replace pedestal sink; mirrored medicine cabinet, lights, tub and shower trim (all from Builder.com)
$700 to resurface tub, which now looks brand new
$50 for shower curtain
$80 for top down, bottom up window shade to replace plantation shutters
$40 for new trash can
$75 for new towel bars

The bathroom has a very large built-in cabinet in the corner by the door, so don't need or want a vanity. I do need to replace the cabinet door knob.

I'm so jealous! What is the flooring and what do you have on the walls around the tub? (tile, tub surround...)

[finnime]

Dec 17, 2021 16:06:09 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Dec 17, 2021 6:45:07 GMT -5 finnime said:

Let's see.

$850 for painting and contractor work including plumber and electrician and supplies such as paint and caulk
$1050 for new sink and P trap to replace pedestal sink; mirrored medicine cabinet, lights, tub and shower trim (all from Builder.com)
$700 to resurface tub, which now looks brand new
$50 for shower curtain
$80 for top down, bottom up window shade to replace plantation shutters
$40 for new trash can
$75 for new towel bars

The bathroom has a very large built-in cabinet in the corner by the door, so don't need or want a vanity. I do need to replace the cabinet door knob.

I'm so jealous! What is the flooring and what do you have on the walls around the tub? (tile, tub surround...)

The floor is ceramic tile, and the tub and sink surround is a more highly glazed tile. Both are in great condition and a neutral sand tone, so no need to change. I also had installed a hand-held and fixed new shower heads, included in the $1050, for that spa look and function.

[laterbloomer]

Dec 18, 2021 0:15:41 GMT -5 finnime said:

Dec 17, 2021 16:06:09 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

I'm so jealous! What is the flooring and what do you have on the walls around the tub? (tile, tub surround...)

The floor is ceramic tile, and the tub and sink surround is a more highly glazed tile. Both are in great condition and a neutral sand tone, so no need to change. I also had installed a hand-held and fixed new shower heads, included in the $1050, for that spa look and function.

It sounds beautiful. Do you have pictures posted anywhere?

[finnime]

I'll post pictures when it is all in and done, Monday I hope. They couldn't install the new sink on Friday because they need to drill through tile and apparently a metal plate behind the tile for the wall-mounted sink. They didn't have the correct drill bit. They also need to paint the walls and trim the colors I chose. Then I'll install the shade, new shower curtain and be done. It took them the day to install the large medicine cabinet and new lights, for which they had to move the electrical box. I'm glad I have a contractor and not just a painter.

[startsmart]

Well against my better judgment I went out shopping today 

It was a bit crowded but I stayed away from most of the mainstream shops so that helped. I found the most amazing sweater and lounge pants at a store nearby that are so soft I never want to take them off. The larger store in the chain had more variety and a bigger sale so I now have 4 tops and 2 bottoms and I am very happy! Picked up a few holiday things and gifts for myself and will bring down all the decorations next week after the 3 new windows are installed. 

I have more furniture moving to do on Sunday but then I'll be ready for the rest of the year at home. 

I definitely will not get to finish quilting my 6 quilts but I am on track to finish Hamilton and the tub o papers is done. Progress! 

[laterbloomer]

So some more clothes got purged. I think I'm getting close to having my capsule wardrobe set up. Actually 2 capsules, one for winter and one for summer. It's easier since I lost weight because I like how I look in things, I'm not looking for that magic outfit that will make me look skinny when I'm not.

Tomorrow I really want to get my Christmas wrapping done. That will make me all ready for Christmas except the cooking.

[startsmart]

Oh! I forgot to mention that I started my day by dropping off a big bag of stuff to Goodwill - at least 20 items - and having a basket for donation stuff is helpful.

I just assembled the 10 bin organizer thingy I found on sale which is now holding my fabric squares and finished hexagons until I finish organizing the office.

Tomorrow I definitely need to clear off the dining table!

[toomuchreality]

Today I gave away most of my Christmas decorations, to a lady from Buy Nothing. Her trunk, back seat and front passenger seat were full to the ceiling when she left. Probably 3/4 of the stuff was new and had never been used. I was tempted to keep some of it. But I reminded myself that the idea was to get rid of stuff. And that she would most likely be happy to have new things, even though it was all new to her. She also took some fall decorations that were mixed in. I now have some empty large storage bins and some empty shelves in my garage.
As we looked through things, I did find a box of 7 nutcrackers, I had forgotten about. I collected nutcrackers for years. Last year (?), I gave all my others to DD2 and her husband. Some are very large and some have music boxes built in and move. One is riding a rocking horse. I'm going to wrap these others and give them to their family, as well.
I was surprised when DD2 commented the other day, that the nutcrackers were not made to last. (She has been letting her 1 and 3 year old play with them, unsupervised. A few parts have come loose and needed repair.)
I told her they were made to be decor, not toys for toddlers. This clearly had not occurred to her.
😳 🙄🙄🙄
I'm actually surprised that none have been totally broken yet.
Because they were my pride and joy for years, I've had to separate my emotional connection to them, and allow them to enjoy them in their own way. (I did go through and make all the needed repairs, last week though.)

[debthaven]

That's really kind of you toomuchreality . I hope your DD keeps them away from the toddlers now. 

Today I took 2 bags of old throw pillows to the recycling bin, and the bottles to the bottle bank.

The electric radiator died this week when DS1 was here. We got a new one yesterday, DH installed it today. I also went to the sporting goods store to buy one of DD's Christmas presents. They were out of stock of the other, so I ordered it online. 

I still have a LOT more gifts to buy, but it's progress. I have 9 people to buy for (DH, 4 kids, 2 partners, 2 grandkids). 3 are completely done so far, and 4 are partly done. Yikes. 

PS I also took the old radiator to the small appliance recycling bin, which is new here.

[finnime]

I'm hiring two strong people to haul and stow heavy boxes and furniture in the basement and upstairs. That should relieve some stress tomorrow, when the basement has to be emptied for new carpeting on Tuesday. Whew.

[countrygirl2]

I have to stop for a bit and catchup paperwork, it's past time. But I'm going back at it after Christmas maybe before to decluttering again. I have stacks of empty totes now and it is looking better. But before hubs can start on our downstairs bathroom, I have to get more cleared out down there.

Even with him doing the work, this one will cost. The up-flush toilet is $1000 on its own. He is putting a tile floor in the bathroom, a shower, sink, and toilet. That will be so nice. We don't even have a shower curtain up in DD's bathroom. It's so small just not much room in there but works for her. I wish they would have made the master smaller and used some of that room in the other bathroom and 2 bedrooms, obviously it was really built for just the two. They are just ok, so I'm sure the downstairs bathroom will get used.

Hubs is putting electric in the motorhome garage, its connected to his but he never got it done. Even when we sell the motorhome, we are likely to get a travel trailer to use, so it will hold something. I'm happy he still has things to work on, he enjoys doing it.

Oh, and he is still decluttering out there too, so we are still at it, just a pause to do other things right now.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Dec 12, 2021 23:00:29 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Christmas To-Dos
Started: Wrap presents
Get another present for Miss Grandbaby
Get another present for my niece
Get a present for my mother
Get stocking stuff for DH
Finish making Christmas Cards
Purchase remainder of gift cards for staff
Put together staff Christmas cards
Mail Christmas Cards
Bring in remainder of indoor Christmas decorations
Set up remainder of indoor Christmas decorations
Reserve hotel for play night

I failed a bit with the Christmas cards. I made 125. I need 140 - 145. I just couldn't bring myself to make another twenty. I bought the remainder from Target. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Today is Sunday. We have been at an RV park since Friday afternoon. We're heading home today. I have the next two weeks off from work and college. In my head, I will accomplish !all the things! 
I'll post that list later this afternoon, and we shall see what reality brings. 

[toomuchreality]

Dec 19, 2021 5:06:39 GMT -5 debthaven said:

That's really kind of you toomuchreality . I hope your DD keeps them away from the toddlers now. 

Today I took 2 bags of old throw pillows to the recycling bin, and the bottles to the bottle bank.

The electric radiator died this week when DS1 was here. We got a new one yesterday, DH installed it today. I also went to the sporting goods store to buy one of DD's Christmas presents. They were out of stock of the other, so I ordered it online. 

I still have a LOT more gifts to buy, but it's progress. I have 9 people to buy for (DH, 4 kids, 2 partners, 2 grandkids). Only 3 are completely done so far, and 3 are partly done. Yikes. 

PS I also took the old radiator to the small appliance recycling bin, which is new here.

Well done!
My shopping is done. But that's because I have switched to cash, except for my two granddaughters. And although I have purchased other, more expensive items for both of them, I expect the $10 umbrella strollers for their dolls to be their favorite gifts. These are also the hardest to wrap. I bought big bags to put them in, but the bags are SO wide and the strollers are so narrow, in comparison. Hopefully, I have collected enough grocery bags to fill them.

[seriousthistime]

Dec 17, 2021 6:34:11 GMT -5 finnime said:

Sorry your DS2 is being such a pill, debthaven . He and you are having trauma responses, when thinking is disordered and emotions are in upheaval. I'm sure you realize that as horrific as his "accident" was it could have been worse--and then what?


 to you. You are a wonderful mom. Lazy is a laughable concept for you.

Very true, debthaven, what finnime has said here. I'll add that it is typical to lash out at those closest to you. 

On some level, he knows what he is saying is not true, but he is stressed and knows he can vent safely to you.  Not so with his friends, who might never forgive him for lashing out against them.  So please do not take this to heart. 

All the hugs to you, dear heart! 

[debthaven]

Thanks friends.

DS2 is generally very good-natured, so it passed. He insisted on taking DH and I out to dinner last night and we had a really nice evening. 

Tonight he went to stay at a friend's house (thank Gd for Uber.) He's talking about renting an AirBnB on the ground floor or in a building with an elevator after the holidays, because he doesn't see himself staying here in the suburbs for at least 6 weeks. Plus that way he can go into work sometimes. It's probably a good solution for everyone.

toomuchreality what about putting the stroller in the huge bag, and rolling the huge bag around the stroller before you wrap it? I think that should work. 

[startsmart]

I’ve shifted my desk in the office so that now my computer backdrop is the office + entryway. This is my sneaky way of ensuring that I keep the entryway clear of clutter since it’ll be on camera 5-8 times a week!

I need to do a bit more in the office tonight and a lot in the entryway before Monday’s 9am meeting but deadlines make it all possible!

Monday I need to return a lamp to amazon, the replacement is already coming but I’m not hopeful. The first one didn’t work properly and it annoyed me so much. I bought it to clamp onto my bed frame so I can read in bed and the clamp didn’t work at all.

[moneysquirrel]

Everyone has been so productive this week.  I have managed to get everything done on my list plus some.  This week I have a few social events -- lunch with a friend maybe  and time with DS and his family.  Christmas day at my DBs where I will join my siblings and their families for lunch.  First time since the panemic that the three of us will be together in one place.  I've seen both but not for a family get-together like this one will be.

I have done any shopping that I was going to do.  Picked up a few items for me as well.  Those have been on my wish list for a while.  Still have a few more items on that list but I think that they will be rolled over to be purchased in 2022.  

I have been spending some time getting the craft/bead room back in order.  Still have one bookcase to redo.  Located several items that need to be shredded and have started on doing that.  The machine needs to rest a bit as it got overheated.  Will do some more tomorrow.  

I am still doing some crafts but not at the pace I was when I was preparing for the craft shows.  Still need to see what items I need to remake but I have a few repairs to do first.  I am continuing to add/ renew items to my Etsy shop even though the shopping season is coming to an end.  

This past week I did quite a bit of meal planning.  The freezer is getting packed.  Still have a few more make and freeze meals in the plans.  Not sure if I will do any this week or not.  I know that once my schedule picks up at the end of January that I will not be in the mood to cook. And it is just me and I can always make do with something. 

[moneysquirrel]

debthaven -- Glad that things seem to be on the mend for your DS2.  Hope that his plans make your life easier in the near future.  

chiver78 -- Were you able to get the Excel spreadsheet the way you wanted? Hope that my instructions were clear enough.  Let me know if you have any other questions.

Sharon -- You seem to have made great progress in moving and getting adjusted to the community.

Knee Deep in Water Chloe -- Don't forget to schedule some down time for yourself. 

finnime -- you are another one making a great headway with home repairs.

[nidena]

Yesterday, I touched base with the person at the flooring store so I'm hoping to get the space(s) measured for new LVP.  I also got a new trash bin for the laundry room because it didn't have one.

Today, I made a trip to Costco a bit down south.  I figured any time before church lets out on Sunday is a good time to go and I was correct.  Traffic on the highway and at the store was quite light.  Among all the normal things I planned on getting, I got a scale, too.  I don't trust the ones at the gym because one doesn't seem to be calibrated and the other seems like it's high use.  Mine will be single person use. 

After Costco, I stopped by Menards to see if they have some counter shelves that I can use to increase the work area of my counter.  I have less than six linear feet of counter space: 32" to the left of the sink and 34" to the right.  While at Menards, I bought countertop shelves, utensil expander for the solitary drawer in my kitchen, and a spice riser that makes the row behind the front one slightly higher and the one behind that higher than it.

That all lead to cleaning the kitchen, cleaning dining room, and rearranging a few pieces in the front room.

Following that, was vacuuming the basement carpet and sweeping the concrete; washing two loads of laundry (putting the away hasn't reached its happening point yet); vacuuming the dining room and front room; and, lastly, running the steamer over the carpet in those rooms.

Oh, and I cleaned the cat domain.