2023 Declutter & Organize Your Life

[moneysquirrel]

Cleaners are here this morning.  Very happy for that.  Also managed to get the dishwasher started before they came.  I usually pickup as much as I can before they arrive so that they don't have to move trinkets that I use on a regular basis.  Takes me about 10 minutes to do a quick pickup before they arrive.

I went through a closet this weekend and added to my donation pile.  Have a bag started in there and as I dress each day I will determine what still fits and what can be donated.  Also started picking out a few things that will be worn on vacation and not make a trip home.  These are usually t-shirts that I sleep in/lounge about the room in and are past their prime.  

 I caught up on laundry this weekend so I have a day or more of avoiding that chore.  I do have several errands to run later this afternoon. Rx pickup as well as a home improvement store run. 

Knee Deep in Water Chloe -- Nice to "see" you again.   

[snapdragon]

I did several loads of laundry yesterday including all the bedding.

I have been decluttering lots of books in the meantime with reading.

My plan is to pick up the kitchen and do dishes tonight. I put away clean ones this morning.

I am actually starting to toss faded flowers grom the rose bouquet that I received on the 24th of Feb. Really happy of myself for being able to keep them going for as long as I have.

I have most of my tax stuff in one area and I need to gather it together for next week. 

Everyone take care!

[bean29]

Mar 11, 2023 17:08:47 GMT -5 debthaven said:

startsmart the same thing happened to us too. You may remember we found out the "new" part of our house was sinking, and we had to get VERY expensive resin injections done.

While using the cameras, they saw that most of the pipes under the "old" part of the house were completely broken (they were ceramic, from 1905.) Happily they were able to reroute those broken pipes. They also had to dig up the newer ones in the garden. Some of you may remember they dug under our new patio, saving us 10K!

I was a TOTAL mess, so I really feel for you. But you will get through this. 

Other thoughts:

- Any chance any neighbors are travelling and need house or pet-sitting? 
- You mentioned that an AirBnB would be expensive. If there is one nearby, contact the owner, explain your situation, and ask for a reduced rate for a longer stay.

My DS1 has done this MANY times. Yes, the owners earn less per night, but they also don't have to worry about changeovers and renting it out every night. It's worth a try!

This might work, the downtown MKE apartment my DD lived in had several units rented out via a site like VRBO. I don’t think they had anything close to full occupancy.

Sorry you have to deal with the vile plumbing issues. We had that happen at a rental property. I don’t think they had to go under the house though.

I am waiting on scheduled service on my car. Mostly oil change and tire rotation.

DH was going to work on DD’s bedroom project, but he ended up walking the Dogs for me tonight so I could make my Service Appt.

He just has to paint her closet, then can start laying the floor. I think he will still get that accomplished tonight.

DD has been sleeping on the sofa in the basement, which she did most of her growing up & college years, so not a big issue for her.

I also have to get to my taxes. I need to reconcile a few months of DH’s bank and CC statements so I can do the tax return.

[NastyWoman]

Decluttering is dangerous. I just spend an entire morning getting a cross stitch set (which for a New York minute I thought about donating) ready to start stitching. And all the while I am not even sure whether my eyes and/or hands will still be good enough to do this work.

If I keep falling into this trap I may finish decluttering the first room by the end of this century 

[Iggy aka IG]

I found a taker for the office items which is a beloved preschool owner client.    I'll bring a Phillips screwdriver from home to remove the brochure racks from the wall and deliver the items to him after hours.

I worked from home yesterday and focused on clearing off the main kitchen counter to prepare for L tomorrow:
-Washed a dishwasher load and a bunch of handwashing
-Wiped the microwave interior
-Refilled the Keurig, coffee jar, ice trays and napkins
-Added a cell phone screen protector and changed out the OtterBox for a cell phone wallet.  I moved cards and driver's license into the wallet and put the OtterBox and small card holder away.
-Juiced about a dozen oranges and 8-ish limes.  DH will drink the juice for breakfasts, lime juice will go into cocktails, and the orange pulp will go into a salmon marinade.
-Put the slow cooker in the cupboard.  I'll put the air fryer away tonight since I used it last night.
-Clipped a coupon
-Relocated several items
-Scrubbed our toilet
-Supper planned for the week

[Sharon]

I came down with a bad cold while at Mom's, so far she hasn't caught it.  I could not get her to go through anything, not even the little pile of mail on the table.  She has 3 coffee pots and 2 toasters sitting on the counter.  She did mention that the one coffee pot she was going to donate, but I wasn't allowed to even move it out of the way.  Her toaster died so she bought a new one, it isn't working as she expects.  I think that somehow she has it on a bagel setting since it will only toast one side of her bread.  Of course she didn't return it, she went out and bought a second toaster.   The home health people have said she is doing just great living by herself and won't make the recommendation that she should move.

I'm finally starting to feel better so today I got the sheets changed, did 3 loads of laundry and worked on getting this old tarp down.  On my hay lean-to on the one end is this huge tarp that is shredded by the years of weather and wind.  It has boards holding the ends pieces in place and they are screwed in, not nailed in.  Periodically I got out and hand tear out pieces or cut some out.  Today I finished getting the majority of the tarp down.  It took the 8ft step ladder to be able to reach the top part.  There are a couple pieces on each end of that side.  It looks so much better.

[snapdragon]

Mar 14, 2023 20:12:38 GMT -5 Sharon said:

I came down with a bad cold while at Mom's, so far she hasn't caught it.  I could not get her to go through anything, not even the little pile of mail on the table.  She has 3 coffee pots and 2 toasters sitting on the counter.  She did mention that the one coffee pot she was going to donate, but I wasn't allowed to even move it out of the way.  Her toaster died so she bought a new one, it isn't working as she expects.  I think that somehow she has it on a bagel setting since it will only toast one side of her bread.  Of course she didn't return it, she went out and bought a second toaster.   The home health people have said she is doing just great living by herself and won't make the recommendation that she should move.

I'm finally starting to feel better so today I got the sheets changed, did 3 loads of laundry and worked on getting this old tarp down.  On my hay lean-to on the one end is this huge tarp that is shredded by the years of weather and wind.  It has boards holding the ends pieces in place and they are screwed in, not nailed in.  Periodically I got out and hand tear out pieces or cut some out.  Today I finished getting the majority of the tarp down.  It took the 8ft step ladder to be able to reach the top part.  There are a couple pieces on each end of that side.  It looks so much better.

Sorry Sharon that has to be very frustrating about your mom. 

Glad you were able to get the tarp mostly gone. I am sure it was a eyesore.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Iggy aka IG]

Hope you feel better, soon, Sharon.  Good job with the tarp!  

[debthaven]

Feel better soon Sharon . Sorry for the frustration with your Mom. 

My classes at Job 1 are over for the semester. I'll be at Job 2 two days/week for the next three weeks (my next "chunk"). 

Our cleaner came today for the first time in 3 weeks.  

[startsmart]

Still no resolution for the plumbing issue but going to attempt another short shower tonight and see how long it takes to drain fully.

I have 2.5 bathrooms but only 1 was operational before the pipe break. No one I know is out of town or needs a sitter & I’ve got my own dogs and cats to watch out for - my older dog has been peeing more inside so needs to be watched carefully.

Overall it’s horrible with no end in sight.

[debthaven]

I’m sorry Startsmart.

[finnime]

Sorry you're facing that, startsmart.

[seriousthistime]

Mar 4, 2023 16:41:41 GMT -5 debthaven said:

It's a short month, but today is the one-month anniversary of my last cigarette. 

I can't like this enough!  Congratulations, and keep up the good work.

[Sharon]

startsmart I'm sorry you are having to deal with expensive plumbing issues.  I hope it can be resolved sooner than expected for less money than expected.

Yesterday I removed the hard water mineral build up from my kitchen faucet and the shower head in my bathroom.  It's nice to have all the jets working again and all spraying in the same direction.  I also took a cut lemon and some baking soda to the half wall in the shower.  It made a good start on removing the years of built up soap scum.  It was bad when I moved in but I had been ignoring it because I had hoped to remodel that bathroom.  The bathroom mirrors also got cleaned.  The dishwasher was ran, but still needs to be emptied.  I also sorted through and discarded raggedy underwear.

[Iggy aka IG]

Sorry, startsmart .  Hope the short shower is a helpful temporary fix.

Yay for job 1 being over for the semester, debthaven !

Sharon , I'll have to remember the lemon trick.  

L came and went yesterday, and the house looks good.  Also, yesterday I:

Paid monthly bills
Got my hair done
Stopped by the bank, liquor store and post office
Fueled up the truck (I found the ap I downloaded really easy to use and it saved 0.15/gallon)
Picked up the monthly groceries

Today:
Arranged the office item drop off time with my client.  I added several things including 10 or so each pens and paper pads, a wire pen/pencil holder and some insurance related swag.  I love the purging items feeling, especially when they are being donated rather than headed to the landfill.

Tomorrow:
Make the time to empty the office mini fridge so it can defrost over the weekend
Make pub salads for St. Patrick's Day

[Iggy aka IG]

The office items have been dropped off at the preschool.  Regarding the brochure holders, the owner said he is going to use it to hold puppets.    I told him he is so creative.

Happy weekend, everyone.   Oh, and Happy St. Patrick's Day!  

[debthaven]

We just got back from 4 days in London to see the kids and grandkids.   We had a great trip but we spent more on taxis/Ubers than usual. (DH's leg is better but it's not quite there yet). 

We got home 45 min ago. So far I:
- opened the shutters
- unpacked
- started a load
- folded the dry laundry

This week
- write letter for E/Mon
- mark 5 tests/?
- dentist/Tues

Very happy I don't have to go in tomorrow. We are happy but exhausted! 

[laterbloomer]

Dec 31, 2022 17:26:33 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Okay, I'm in again. Full disclosure, my list is ongoing, I put new items on it as fast as old items get finished.
1. Redo GW's room for GW2. New flooring and painted.
2. Fix hairline crack in foundation.
3. Finish laundry room (get drywall finished, paint walls and put in flooring)
4. Paint downstairs bathroom.
5. Get second set of stairs off back deck which will make back corner of yard usable.
6. VPL flooring upstairs.

GW moved the last of her things out at the beginning of the month and I have been working on 1 and 4.
1. I've painted the walls. I will paint the ceiling tiles this week and shop for laminate flooring.
2. I got it all painted and scrubbed. I even managed to figure out why the glass shower stall would leek and fixed it. All I need to do now is replace the baseboard.
In the midst of all this GW2 moved again and had no living room furniture so I gave her the set from the family room downstairs. It was a win/win. They have a furnished living room and I got that bulky set moved out of the basement. That was a job.

[Opti]

Mar 16, 2023 9:06:03 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

Mar 4, 2023 16:41:41 GMT -5 debthaven said:

It's a short month, but today is the one-month anniversary of my last cigarette. 

I can't like this enough!  Congratulations, and keep up the good work.

This is a great accomplishment, keep it up.  

[Opti]

I might be posting here the next couple weeks. Just discovered how long rice and dried beans last so some tossing and trips to the dumpster are in order. I did not cook much the first two years of the pandemic and it looks like I've got lots of pantry cleanup to do among other things. 

[debthaven]

This week
- meeting/Mon
- write letter for E/Mon
- dentist/Tues
- mark 5 tests

laterbloomer so GW2 is no longer moving in? 

[laterbloomer]

Mar 20, 2023 6:07:14 GMT -5 debthaven said:

This week
- meeting/Mon
- write letter for E/Mon
- mark 5 tests/Tues
- dentist/Tues

laterbloomer so GW2 is no longer moving in?

Lol my place has a revolving door it seems. There are 3 GW's in play. GW1 is the first and stayed with me the longest. She is the one that just moved in with her BF. In this case GW2 has been here for 3 separate stretches after the age of 18 (8 months, 4 years and 6 weeks) She has 2 babies now (2&1) and lives with their father. It's a long story but they have moved 5 or 6 times in the last 21 months. She doesn't do things the way I wish she would but the babies are adorable and happy and she is not abusing any substances or hooking so I try to keep my mouth shut. GW3 was with me for about 9 months when she was 9/10 but I didn’t have the experience for her emotional needs. We friended on FB and when she couldn't stay with family she reached out to me. She's 19 now, the sweetest young woman and works as a dietary aide at a retirement home. She has been here since November and is happily watching my progress downstairs as she wants to move into the big room.
I hope that sorts things out. 😀

[debthaven]

It does laterbloomer thanks! So in fact now you're doing that room up for GW3 lol. 

Is the young man still there too? (I love hearing about this lol).

[laterbloomer]

Mar 20, 2023 10:40:24 GMT -5 debthaven said:

It does laterbloomer thanks! So in fact you're doing that room up for GW3 lol.

Is the young man still there too? (I love hearing about this lol).

Technically he is here until the end of the month but he is spending his time with his gf and her family at the campground they own a few hours north of here. I expect him to move his things out next week. He plans to spend the nicer months at their place or his summer camp. He asked if he could possibly come back in October as both those places are too isolated for him in the winter and it's not good for his mental health. He's not leaving on bad terms so we will see how that plays out.
I'm not sure how much of his story I told on here. He has been a sponsee of ISO for 5 years or so. He's 33, was in the armed forces for a few years, did his stink and didn't sign up again. He suffers addictions and mental health issues, not sure if his service had anythingto do with those. He has been sober a couple of years and was working at Walmart though his career has been construction. Because of low income he had an apartment in basically a crack house. ISO had asked me a year ago if he could rent a room. As he is sober, does not have a violent history even when using and is generally a nice guy I said yes. He didn't want to at first but after a few more months of dealing with the craziness, culminating in a dead body on his doorstep one morning, he took us up on the offer.
He moved in September and at the same time he started a new, better paying job with a small home reno company. The plan was he would save up and get established so he could get another apartment of his own in a better location. As he was working he realized he had very bad balance, was badly shaking and didn't have feeling in his limbs. The doctor thinks it's Parkinson's (it runs in his family) and they are running tests. This in turn triggered his mental health issues. He has a few diagnosis but two of the hardest symptoms are depression and paranoia. He went to Emerg when his paranoia was extra severe and his previous psychiatrist had left a huge red flag to be called whenever YG (young guy) showed up. Years ago YG was in treatment and heavily medicated. He didn't like the side effects and quit it all. He lasted 2 years before it became overwhelming again. Anyway, his psychiatrist went to the hospital immediately to see him, started minimal psychiatric medication for him again and fast tracked YG getting disability payments from the government.
Both YG and his family are really grateful he was here when all these health issues kicked in. If he had been living alone he would have started self medicating with street drugs again and isolating. Living here he didn't do that.
Since he can't work and has too much spare time he has been going to the gf's family campground/lodge and helping with various projects there. And that brings us to today.

[debthaven]

You have a big heart laterbloomer  .

[laterbloomer]

Mar 20, 2023 11:47:55 GMT -5 debthaven said:

You have a big heart laterbloomer .

Shhhhh! Don't go telling people that! 😉

[startsmart]

Quick update

They started the work on the plumbing today and I am hoping the 6’ deep holes can get filled in tonight before it rains tomorrow. The rest of the work can be done from the cellar.

Once that’s done and I can resume normal life I will feel a lot better. Only stress now is a client who doesn’t pay on time and I need that income to cover the costs of the plumbers.

[debthaven]

The colleague I replaced last semester didn't scan/email the tests I have to mark.  It won't take long but I wanted to do it tomorrow. This is my last task for that class and I want it done.

Fingers crossed that everything goes well startsmart and that your client pays you very soon!  

[debthaven]

This week
- meeting/Mon
- write letter for E/Mon
- dentist/Tues
- mark 5 tests/Tues

Done with the dentist for 6 months, I hope!

[Iggy aka IG]

I took yesterday off to recuperate from a belated St. Patrick's Day and basketball game win celebration.  

Over my 3-day weekend:
-5 loads of laundry (it's mud season) and DH helped.
-Put away St. Patrick's Day decorations
-Emptied and refilled the dishwasher twice
-Boiled eggs, prepped produce
-Made corned beef, potatoes and Irish soda bread
-Refilled the Keurig, ice trays, and napkin holder
-Did some online marketing

I am very proud of DH as he loaded up quite a bit of his belongings for donation.