2023 Declutter & Organize Your Life

[TheOtherMe]

I contacted my organizer about where to get rid of boxes so I don't have to cut them down to 2 x 2 ft squares.  Since she lives in Dubuque, they can put them out with their trash.  Niece and DN3 might find themselves with some boxes that I am not cutting down to that size.  Also called the city/  Yes, that's the rule and they have had lots of complaints.  The drop off site opening is the same size which means it is of no help to me.

I also asked the organizer if she knew of anyone who would paint only a bathroom.  She recommended one guy who I already know won't come out here.  I did call the other guy and he said he will do it but he has no idea of when.  I told him as long as it's been now, that really doesn't matter. 

I will never go this long between cleanings again.  It's take several hours both yesterday and today to clean things up.  I know it is worse because of the blood clot, but this is ridiculous. 

[debthaven]

I hope things settle down soon TheOtherMe .

This relatively easy week is over (one day at school). Next week is the same, and its the last week of regular classes for the semester. (I'm working till mid-July, but not regular classes.)

Tomorrow is the monthly bulk garbage pick-up. We put out the broken floor lamp and the broken parasol. I had put the date in my phone, otherwise I would have forgotten.

[TheOtherMe]

I already have the estimate for the bathroom painting.  Need to pick out a color.

[azucena]

Just learned that we are hosting the cast party next Friday. Dd14 has a lead role in one of 4 senior directed one acts. We have offered to host all year but it seems to go by seniority and she's a freshman. With prom the next day, I think the upperclassmen parents are booked.

Cleaning the basement starts this weekend as that's the most teen friendly place to hang. It's in rough shape bc we emptied two spaces for egress window install. Toys and such everywhere plus general out of controlness.

Plus we have everything to set up the outdoor movie space under the deck, just haven't been motivated to do it.

Hosting the party will be forced motivation. Wondering how accurate the teen count might be. A Costco trip is in our future.

[finnime]

I use hosting as forced motivation, too. It works, so it's good. I'm still living off the clean up we did for Easter.

[laterbloomer]

So the scope of my foundation work has doubled, along with the price.   The second crack they found is actually the serious one. I'm not really shocked by this, I just hope this is the last of it. If there are problems on the other 2 walls it's going to be a lot harder to get at.  So my goal for the rest of this year is to get all my DIY projects done. No more paying tradesmen.

[laterbloomer]

Apr 20, 2023 18:55:03 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I already have the estimate for the bathroom painting.  Need to pick out a color.

Do you mind if I ask how much?

[Iggy aka IG]

Apr 20, 2023 16:55:18 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I contacted my organizer about where to get rid of boxes so I don't have to cut them down to 2 x 2 ft squares.  Since she lives in Dubuque, they can put them out with their trash.  Niece and DN3 might find themselves with some boxes that I am not cutting down to that size.  Also called the city/  Yes, that's the rule and they have had lots of complaints.  The drop off site opening is the same size which means it is of no help to me.

I also asked the organizer if she knew of anyone who would paint only a bathroom.  She recommended one guy who I already know won't come out here.  I did call the other guy and he said he will do it but he has no idea of when.  I told him as long as it's been now, that really doesn't matter. 

I will never go this long between cleanings again.  It's take several hours both yesterday and today to clean things up.  I know it is worse because of the blood clot, but this is ridiculous. 

  I cancelled last Wednesday due to a stomach bug.  This morning I noticed the living room floor is  .

[Iggy aka IG]

Continuing to tighten things up here at the office:

-A few weeks ago I cleared out several more horizontal inches from the bookcase, including several binders.  One binder with permanent exterior print was tossed and inside two others I'll organize volunteering and marketing documents.
-I'll upcycle a plastic display at an upcoming volunteer cleanup day.  I put copies of our club membership flyers in the display portion, and brochure sized maps in the envelope slot.  It looks rather nice.
-Tossed a few things from my desk "catch all" drawer.
-Because I'll be in town tomorrow, I'm going to stop in the office to do some paperwork.  It will be nice to have some undisturbed quiet time.  Theoretically.  

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone.

[TheOtherMe]

Apr 21, 2023 9:36:40 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Apr 20, 2023 18:55:03 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I already have the estimate for the bathroom painting.  Need to pick out a color.

Do you mind if I ask how much?

The bathroom and the area of the bathroom being painted is not large.  The tile around the shower goes clear to the ceiling so that cut down on the area to be painted.

He said for $500 he will do the job.  That includes 1 can of primer for the drywall patches, 1 can of paint for the ceiling and 1 can of paint for the walls.

I have hard a terrible time finding someone who will paint just the bathroom but that is all I can handle right now.  Also, the rest of the upstairs open area needs to be painted after DN3 gets his stuff out of the basement as they did damage to the walls getting the stuff down there so I will not paint it until that stuff is done.

[debthaven]

laterbloomer I'm very sorry to hear that. Hopefully the repairs will go smoothly.

I went to my ex's aunt's funeral today. I'm still close to two of her daughters. My ex couldn't go, so I went with DS1. He was here for work but he postponed his trip home and spent last night here. 

The monthly bulk garbage pick-up took the items. It's good to have them gone.

Thankfully, ZERO plans for this weekend.

[laterbloomer]

Apr 21, 2023 15:32:02 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Apr 21, 2023 9:36:40 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Do you mind if I ask how much?

The bathroom and the area of the bathroom being painted is not large.  The tile around the shower goes clear to the ceiling so that cut down on the area to be painted.

He said for $500 he will do the job.  That includes 1 can of primer for the drywall patches, 1 can of paint for the ceiling and 1 can of paint for the walls.

I have hard a terrible time finding someone who will paint just the bathroom but that is all I can handle right now.  Also, the rest of the upstairs open area needs to be painted after DN3 gets his stuff out of the basement as they did damage to the walls getting the stuff down there so I will not paint it until that stuff is done.

This makes me feel good that I do my own painting.

[TheOtherMe]

I used to do my own painting.  I no longer trust myself on a ladder so I won't do it here by myself.  Cats can't call for help.

I do expect DN3 to either provide some $$$$ or time to paint the damage done by their furniture.

[laterbloomer]

I managed to do a load of laundry, clean the bathroom, sand and touch up a few holes in that room, change the broken door handle on the spare room and paint the door on that room. Tomorrow I hope to vacuum, dust, and wash the upstairs floors and do a second coat on the door.

[Sharon]

All things considered I got quite a bit done today.  Tuesday when I went to the dentist the hygienist kept putting my head in an odd position and then pulling on it like she was trying to lengthen my neck.  My back wasn't happy when I left and then on Thursday it completely seized up.  I was able to get into the chiropractor on Friday and he did a good start on getting the muscles to loosen up, hopefully after next weeks appt I will be moving pretty much normally again.

Today's list

changed the sheets on the bed

3 loads of laundry

changed the litter box

worked outside on trying to eliminate a large out of control rose bush.  It is one of those that has reverted back to a wild rose and sends up long shoots that are 6 or 7 feet long.  The main stalks are covered in huge thorns that are very close together.  I found I could just stand there and whack away on it with my lopers and it didn't hurt my back.  I also took lots of rest breaks.  The flower bed that this rose lives in isn't very wide, maybe 8 inches.  So the rose bush attacks me every time I try to mow. 

[TheOtherMe]

Goodwill truck will be in town Friday.  Just around the corner.  I think I will add some items to it, if it isn't pouring rain.

They changed the garage sales from Tuesday to Thursday for the city.  I would think sellers would want to catch the weekends.

[debthaven]

DS2 came for dinner last night.  I cleaned up the dining room bowl and the top of the kitchen dresser, both of which had gotten a bit messy. (I keep my e-cigarette stuff in the bowl.)

This evening DS3 asked us for a document. I knew I didn't have it but went through 3 folders anyway. I burnt a lot of old paperwork in the fire pit, which is always satisfying. We didn't find the document (I never had it) but DS3 can order a new one. (I still think DH has it *somewhere* but he couldn't find it.) I should really do the same with the other folders. I think they're up-to-date but when I open them I realize they're not.

I also emptied out the box of dressings that were still hanging out in the kitchen from DH's knee replacement. 

I'm meeting my college roommate for lunch in town tomorrow. I'll be happy to see her but I am NOT happy about having to go in for the third time in 10 days. (No, she won't come "all the way out there", I asked.)  Then no more visitors until June!

[debthaven]

I just went through another 5 folders, so 8 total tonight. I'm calling it 9 because my Retirement folder is very recent, so I won't do that one. I'm 3/4 done, I have 3 folders left.  

I lit another fire in the fire pit. That's all for tonight but I (very unexpectedly) got a lot done. At this point I'll need to empty out the fire pit to do any more.

I also rearranged the file drawer so I know which 3 files still need to be done. I'm hoping to do them this week but we'll see. 

[NastyWoman]

I just got rid of ~30" of booklets and magazines in a sudden spurt of energy. If only I could see any progress but I just have so much (well/neatly stashed) stuff.

[finnime]

I've been planning what I need to get done before BFF gets here Thursday afternoon. Tomorrow a.m. will be busy: the beach at dawn; greet the lawn mower when he gets here at 8; run down to the auto shop and have them check/fill passenger rear tire; have telehealth appointment at 11:15. Tuesday won't be quite so scattered. I'll Nino everywhere, dust and scrub the kitchen floor, plus do laundry. Wednesday and Thursday in the morning I'll finish whatever didn't get done and hang some pictures we just framed. And, work on the gardens.

[debthaven]

They started the windows today. The mess is unbelievable!!! They said they'd protect everything, but they didn't.   They said they'll do it tomorrow. 

Wish me good luck in surviving the next two weeks. That's my only goal right now.

[TheOtherMe]

I get it.  The bathroom remodel and white dust everywhere in the house and garage.  

Good luck, debthaven

[debthaven]

They did the biggest set of French doors today. It looks fabulous! But the mess is truly horrific, and it's only going to get worse. I told them to do the DR first because I usually work in the DR, and I didn't work today. They'll do the LR tomorrow.

I asked my cleaner if she can do extra hours this week and next week. She can't this week, but she can next week. I'm so grateful!!!

I definitely don't have the mental bandwidth or energy to go through the remaining 3 folders any time soon, so that mini-project is on hold for now. That file drawer is already a LOT emptier.

I had a lovely lunch with my old roommate today, but I'm VERY happy we have no more visitors/guests till June. She said, will we see each other again during my time here? I said, sure, if you'd like to come out my way! She got the point. 

[moneysquirrel]

debthaven -- Glad that the windows have been started.  Like TheOtherMe I also had to deal with the aftermass of home renovations.  Glad that your cleaner is available next week.

Not sure when I will be able to check in again.  I leave tomorrow and trying to get everything done as much as possible today.  Laundry is finished.  Dishwasher will be run tonight.  Managed to get the fridge down to almost nothing.  Made cookies (now in freezer) to use up some of the eggs I had on hand.  Trash will be deposited with permission next door in the morning.  All bills have been paid or scheduled to be paid by bank on certain predetermined dates.  Luggage is packed -- over packed more likely but done.

Take care all.  Will check in upon return or maybe sooner if I can.

[debthaven]

Have a wonderful and safe trip moneysquirrel ! 

[Iggy aka IG]

Good luck debthaven.  And yay no visitors for a while!

Safe travels moneysquirrel.

Good job NastyWoman.

I spent a good 3 hours or so (IDK, I'm not usually a clock watcher when doing paperwork) Saturday here at the office.  Got a lot done, but not as much as I would've liked.  Only one interruption by a client of someone upstairs.  Seems they didn't tell her how to get out of the front door which is on a timer.  If/when I receive a bonus this week, I'm going to hire someone to put professional looking privacy coverings on the lobby facing doors and windows.  I've had enough.

Yesterday:
-3 loads laundry including sheets
-Refilled the Keurig, TP and ice trays
-Scrubbed two toilets
-Emptied a few garbage cans
-Boiled eggs and processed produce for the week
-Meal planned
-Emptied, refilled and ran the dishwasher
-Did a bunch of handwashing including the air fryer pot and basket
-Put Mother's Day gifts into gift bags for a family visit this coming weekend.  The bags are now in my truck so I don't forget them.
-Did some social media marketing

And I'm excited:  I had some gifted Amazon money to spend, so after careful consideration, I ordered a beautiful Asian themed wall tapestry for my home office/gym.  It's slowly becoming a room in which I'd like to spend more time.  I also ordered an Asian themed jewelry box.  That organize my jewelry project I mentioned how many months/years ago?  I still haven't done it.  Perhaps this will be the motivation I need.

[debthaven]

Iggy aka IG it doesn't seem right that you would have to pay for that! Is there anyone who might be interested in sharing the cost?

I just cleaned out the fire pit, JUST IN CASE I decide to go through more folders. 

[jerseygirl]

I started selling on eBay vinyl records left here by sons. So far I’ve sold 5 for total of $122. Have around 30-40
So making some $ and will clean out a corner of a closet
Listed 4 today. It’s getting easier with experience. Ship them using media mail

[debthaven]

Good for you jerseygirl ! I hope you are doing well. 

I went through another 2 folders tonight and started another fire in the fire pit. It started to rain, but then it stopped, so I was able to burn everything. 

Just 1 folder left now. At this point I'll try to finish this week.

All done!!! I probably could have done a better job on the last two folders, but hey. 

Now I need to go to the office supply store for folders and a few box files. Hopefully this week. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Apr 24, 2023 14:37:29 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Iggy aka IG it doesn't seem right that you would have to pay for that! Is there anyone who might be interested in sharing the cost?

I just cleaned out the fire pit, JUST IN CASE I decide to go through more folders. 

Unfortunately, no.  It's just me, myself and I.