2023 Declutter & Organize Your Life

[Rukh O'Rorke]

May 13, 2023 1:56:56 GMT -5 startsmart said:

UPDATE! We had a massive thunderstorm Friday night and my rain gauge says 4.5” in 2 hrs. I kept randomly hearing meowing so I’d check the front porch and backyard but couldn’t go out with pouring rain and lightning. When the rain stopped I got out the food and lured Harry back in. George is still hiding in the backyard.

Harry ate well and let me brush most of the stickers out his long fur. I am hoping he can cry and lure his brother home this weekend. It is so gross out there since my plumbing issues the grass is now a mud pit and I am hopeful that the bad weather brings George back.

I did notice that the storm filled my pool up the rest of the way but I know from experience it will be COLD.

So happy both are ok!!

One in and one to go!!

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Hey friends!

Havn't been posting on the org thread for a bit - but keeping pace with the weekly cleaner and nearly weekly gardener help. Gardener/neighbor has also helped out with garage, basement, and recently back enclosed proch. Haven't been able to dig into deep decluttering in a while, but keeping everything reasonably good week to week. It is amazing how much happens in a week to put the house out of whack, really need that weekly visit to hit the reset button.

Next big job will be the unfinished attic half - this is the last "dumping ground" that I need to get into. Not like all the others are 100% cleared, but the basement and garage are in decent order now and workable. I just need to go through more diligently and keep cull in successive waves.

My yard and garden are fantastic! Remember how that was such an anxiety situation for me for so long? Been looking great, lots of flowers and veggies, and get compliments. Such a change!

Need to get back on my major house maintenance update overhaul.....just haven't been able to address that with a lot of work going on.

[debthaven]

So happy that the house and gardens are in good shape Rukh O'Rorke ! Can you send your neighbor over here? 

I put the 3 pairs of old curtains into the fabric donation bin tonight (LR/DR/DD's room). They recycle what they can't sell. I'm happy they're out of the house.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

May 13, 2023 15:16:41 GMT -5 debthaven said:

So happy that the house and gardens are in good shape Rukh O'Rorke ! Can you send your neighbor over here? 

I put the 3 pairs of old curtains into the fabric donation bin tonight (LR/DR/DD's room). They recycle whatever they can't sell. I'm happy they're out of the house.

Hope you can find someone! how is your cleaner doing by the way? I remember you had that one person that was with you for years and years (decades?) and then they weren't doing the greatest job but you didn't want to fire them due to the history, and then they quit so you could go to the new person. Is that one still with you? And are they still doing the job up to specs? 

[debthaven]

What a memory you have Rukh O'Rorke ! Yes the "new" person is still with us, eight years on! We're very happy with her and we're quite attached to each other after all this time. We're good to each other, if that makes sense. We pay her when she takes extra time off and she makes it up to us when we need extra help (ie now with the windows). This week we lent her DGD's car seat for her DGS who will be visiting.

It is indeed hard to find gardeners here but we're not looking ... I'd love one but we can't afford it.

TheOtherMe how is your leg? Thinking of you my friend. 

[TheOtherMe]

Now that I know it gets worse before it gets better, I'm finding it easier to deal with.

It's more swollen everyday and the area is larger.  That is the process of the clots breaking apartment.  It's sore but not as sore as the previous one.  It's now swollen enough at the site that I can't get the compression socks over it.  

Thanks for asking.  

[debthaven]

I'm so sorry TheOtherMe .  Since you seem to be prone to them these days, can you ask your doctor or niece for any advice for the future to minimize the risk? 

ETA: DH has had to wear compression stockings on and off since his accident 12 years ago (mostly off, thankfully, but it took a while). DH was prescribed two pairs, once after that accident, and once after his recent knee surgery. 

Both times, the pharmacist advised him to get them in different sizes (one size apart). It was very good advice.

[TheOtherMe]

Doctor said it was mostly luck of the draw.  If I get another one, I won't go to the doctor unless it looks more like the previous one.  There was concern that was a DVT.  This was was obviously not a DVT.  Even I could tell that.

[Sharon]

Yesterday I was dog sitting DD's two dogs so that hindered getting some things done inside, I must keep the dogs and my cat separated at all times.  We had low winds in the morning so I spent quite a bit of time spraying.  I also got the outside of the grill wiped down, hauled out the last chair for the outdoor dining set, wiped down the picnic table and the small side table.  In the afternoon I watered, it was in the 90's yesterday and will be all week.

This morning I changed the sheets on the bed, got laundry started, emptied the dishwasher, paid a couple of bills and got YNAB up to date.  I was getting ready to head out to church and discovered I have a flat tire.  The kids are coming over this afternoon for a BBQ so I messaged DD and asked her if they could please bring their compressor and put some air in my tire.  It actually may require changing because of how flat it is.  I was planning on buying new tires in the fall but it may be sooner, rather than later.

Since I'm not going to church guess I better clean the bathrooms.

[ners]

Sharon Thanks for the reminder.  I just started my laundry.  lol

[Opti]

May 14, 2023 12:01:24 GMT -5 Sharon said:

Yesterday I was dog sitting DD's two dogs so that hindered getting some things done inside, I must keep the dogs and my cat separated at all times.  We had low winds in the morning so I spent quite a bit of time spraying.  I also got the outside of the grill wiped down, hauled out the last chair for the outdoor dining set, wiped down the picnic table and the small side table.  In the afternoon I watered, it was in the 90's yesterday and will be all week.

This morning I changed the sheets on the bed, got laundry started, emptied the dishwasher, paid a couple of bills and got YNAB up to date.  I was getting ready to head out to church and discovered I have a flat tire.  The kids are coming over this afternoon for a BBQ so I messaged DD and asked her if they could please bring their compressor and put some air in my tire.  It actually may require changing because of how flat it is.  I was planning on buying new tires in the fall but it may be sooner, rather than later.

Since I'm not going to church guess I better clean the bathrooms.

Are there any shops in the area that can patch it, or do you need to wait until tomorrow?

[Sharon]

May 14, 2023 12:58:56 GMT -5 Opti said:

May 14, 2023 12:01:24 GMT -5 Sharon said:

Yesterday I was dog sitting DD's two dogs so that hindered getting some things done inside, I must keep the dogs and my cat separated at all times.  We had low winds in the morning so I spent quite a bit of time spraying.  I also got the outside of the grill wiped down, hauled out the last chair for the outdoor dining set, wiped down the picnic table and the small side table.  In the afternoon I watered, it was in the 90's yesterday and will be all week.

This morning I changed the sheets on the bed, got laundry started, emptied the dishwasher, paid a couple of bills and got YNAB up to date.  I was getting ready to head out to church and discovered I have a flat tire.  The kids are coming over this afternoon for a BBQ so I messaged DD and asked her if they could please bring their compressor and put some air in my tire.  It actually may require changing because of how flat it is.  I was planning on buying new tires in the fall but it may be sooner, rather than later.

Since I'm not going to church guess I better clean the bathrooms.

Are there any shops in the area that can patch it, or do you need to wait until tomorrow?

I live in a small, mostly rural town.  My biggest adjustment since moving here is the fact that things aren't ever opened when you would expect.  The storage unit place, office closed on the weekends, tried to rent a U-Haul to empty the storage unit only one of the places was opened on a Saturday, definitely not on Sunday.  When I moved here the Major National Bank was opened 9:30 - 4:00pm Monday - Friday and closed every day from 1:30 - 2:15 for lunch.  The bank recently started being open until 5pm but they still close the entire bank down for lunch.  I could give many more examples but I'm slowly adjusting my expectations and knew that I would have to wait until tomorrow at the earliest.

[startsmart]

I managed to lure in George (cat #2) this evening with food and so far he is very put out at being contained. He ate and is now wandering around howling at me. Glad to have both kitties back and windows will remain shut for awhile as to not tempt fate.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Yay!!

[debthaven]

So glad George is back startsmart !

Good luck with the tire Sharon .

This is the first of 5 light weeks. I'm looking forward to WFH this week and not having to go into school.

This week
- hairdresser
- podiatrist
- pharmacy

[TheOtherMe]

Happy that both kitties are home, even if one is not enjoying the indoors.  George, if only you knew that is where you are the safest.

[jerseygirl]

Yikes
Just sold an old vinyl record for $90 on eBay
Cro Mags age of quarrels

I had set beginning auction price at $75 . I look at previously sold album prices to get idea of how much
Sold prices ranged from $19 to $94

So far I’ve made around $900 selling YDS records he left years ago that were in a corner of a closet
I’ll split the money with him. He bought many of them when he was living in England . I still have around 25 to sell
This is interesting and fun. The records are punk rock and sound like weird noise to me.

[Iggy aka IG]

startsmart that is wonderful news about the furry kiddos.

Sorry to hear about your tire, Sharon .

It was lovely to go camping over the weekend.  I could feel the stress leaving my body.  But in true organizing fashion, here's what I have planned for the camper:

~Restock paper towels
~Restock AAA batteries for the LED candle 
~Buy a 12 x 12 (or so) bin for the upper kitchen cabinet
~Buy another lotion to keep on hand
~Check to see if I have any more Command Strips on hand before buying more.  Last year I installed three for keys which we are now using for hats and sunglasses, so the new ones will be for keys.

[Iggy aka IG]

May 15, 2023 12:54:50 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Yikes
Just sold an old vinyl record for $90 on eBay
Cro Mags age of quarrels

I had set beginning auction price at $75 . I look at previously sold album prices to get idea of how much
Sold prices ranged from $19 to $94

So far I’ve made around $900 selling YDS records he left years ago that were in a corner of a closet
I’ll split the money with him. He bought many of them when he was living in England . I still have around 25 to sell
This is interesting and fun. The records are punk rock and sound like weird noise to me.

Jerseygirl, this is awesome!  Does this process include listing every album and it's details separately?  If so, how many hours do you figure it's taken you thus far?

[jerseygirl]

May 15, 2023 13:09:43 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

May 15, 2023 12:54:50 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Yikes
Just sold an old vinyl record for $90 on eBay
Cro Mags age of quarrels

I had set beginning auction price at $75 . I look at previously sold album prices to get idea of how much
Sold prices ranged from $19 to $94

So far I’ve made around $900 selling YDS records he left years ago that were in a corner of a closet
I’ll split the money with him. He bought many of them when he was living in England . I still have around 25 to sell
This is interesting and fun. The records are punk rock and sound like weird noise to me.

Jerseygirl, this is awesome!  Does this process include listing every album and it's details separately?  If so, how many hours do you figure it's taken you thus far?

I look up each album on eBay - the sold albums to get idea about beginning price for auction. I bought cardboard record mailers on Amazon.
I find an already sold album listed and on these listing there is a ‘sell similar”. I just click on sell similar and all the sections are filled out already. I look them over but frankly I know little about these records. Most are around 35 yrs old . Then I just add in price I want to start auction. I started out offering free shipping (3.65 for most using media mail at USPO) now I don’t offer free shipping. eBay takes a cut 15%?
I take photos of f/back of album, record in and out of sleeve for each listing. Each listing takes maybe less than half hour

Right now just selling son’s records. We have LOTS of classical music but Jerseyguy wants to keep them

[Iggy aka IG]

May 15, 2023 13:36:53 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

May 15, 2023 13:09:43 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Jerseygirl, this is awesome!  Does this process include listing every album and it's details separately?  If so, how many hours do you figure it's taken you thus far?

I look up each album on eBay - the sold albums to get idea about beginning price for auction. I bought cardboard record mailers on Amazon.
I find an already sold album listed and on these listing there is a ‘sell similar”. I just click on sell similar and all the sections are filled out already. I look them over but frankly I know little about these records. Most are around 35 yrs old . Then I just add in price I want to start auction. I started out offering free shipping (3.65 for most using media mail at USPO) now I don’t offer free shipping. eBay takes a cut 15%?
I take photos of f/back of album, record in and out of sleeve for each listing. Each listing takes maybe less than half hour

Right now just selling son’s records. We have LOTS of classical music but Jerseyguy wants to keep them

Thank you very much for the information, Jerseygirl.  If/when I start selling mine, I will let you know.  I think I've mentioned before I have over 200 in my collection and only play them about once a year.

[debthaven]

That's so cool jerseygirl ! Good for you!

We have tons of LPs in the basement but DH refuses to part with any of them. I want to sell them (at least mine!) We haven't played any of them in decades.

 

[startsmart]

Both cats are super clingy and cuddly which is nice until I’m trying to work! I’m very happy they didn’t get into any fights or hurt out there but I shudder to think if they knocked up any stray females! They are getting neutered next month at which point I think they’ll hate me for a short time 😂

On the home front, I am cleaning and decluttering for friends coming over on Friday. I told them up front I need motivation to clean and they’re it!

So far I finished the ceiling paint in the kitchen and living room and started to install the new kitchen backsplash (vinyl over existing tile). Kitchen table is just about clear and then I’ll be deep cleaning the floors.

[debthaven]

This week
- hairdresser/Tues
- supermarket/Tues
- podologist/Tues
- pharmacy

[Iggy aka IG]

Nice work, startsmart and debthaven!

This morning:
-Removed leftovers from the freezer for tonight and tomorrow night
-Took the garbage from one bathroom and the kitchen out to the can closet
-Submitted a Walmart order

Tonight:
-Pick up the WM order
-Bring a box of things to the neighbor's along with an empty 60-egg box for their chickens
-Stop by a different neighbor's and pick up a food donation for a family in need
-Two loads of laundry (I am behind from camping)

[debthaven]

I tried to do a load of laundry this afternoon but the machine wouldn't start!!! Cue panic!!!

I called our local mom-and-pop appliance store/repair shop. Got a guy I didn't know. They couldn't send someone before Friday. I begged ... nothing. So I made an appt for Friday.

Got off the phone and googled it ... I had accidentally turned on the childproof lock while leaning over the counter this morning!!!

Called back to cancel the appointment, got the guy I know. (At that point I had turned off the lock.) He said, what was on the screen before? I told him. He said, but I could have told you it was the safety lock! I said, unfortunately, you didn't pick up the phone before, your colleague did! 

All's well that ends well lol.

 

[seriousthistime]

I hate those moments of panic debthaven.  

Once when visiting DS and DDIL I was going to a fancy holiday event.  I stepped out of the shower with wet hair.  Poked around for a hair dryer, then asked DDIL where she kept hers.  She said she didn't have one! 

Panic ensued.  I did my very best to towel dry my hair and then used my flat iron to try to heat the water out of the strands.  I got most of it out but truthfully my hair did not look great.  I have the kind of hair that tends to frizz if I let it dry naturally. 

Now I travel with my own hair dryer. 

[debthaven]

seriousthistime the same thing happened to me when we went to see DD two weekends ago! Happily I wasn't going anywhere special, but next time I'll bring my own! 

I don't "style" my hair but it's quite thick. I blow it dry because otherwise I get cold LOL.

[TheOtherMe]

No hair dryer here either.

[finnime]

I haven't had a hair dryer in over a year now. I used one only very occasionally when I did have one, preferring to let it dry curly/wavy. Sometimes I toy with the idea of getting one, though. There are times when it would be nice to use. And I like how my hair comes out after my hair dresser cuts and blows it dry.