2023 Declutter & Organize Your Life

[Iggy aka IG]

debthaven , what wonderful news on the reduced work schedule.  

Sounds like everyone had a productive weekend.  

startsmart , thank you for the tea reminder.  I need to check to see if I have any chamomile on hand for sleep aid purposes.

This weekend went by fast, though it seemed longer than two days:
~4 loads laundry, including sheets
~Scrubbed two toilets
~Put Christmas items in totes and DH helped move them to the basement.  I still need to put the totes into the storage closet rotating the other holiday totes to the top and fold gift bags and put them into the gift wrap tote.  Reintroduced year-round knickknacks back to the main room.
~The above resulted in 3,500+ steps yesterday
~Because of several new items, Christmas is still not fitting into four totes which I'll readdress in November.
~Emptied refilled and started the dishwasher
~Reviewed this year's social calendar with DH
~Cleared off and wiped down the main kitchen counter
~DH made homemade biscuits and green chili gravy and did the dishes afterward  
~Baked cornbread, processed boiled eggs and fresh produce for the week
~Planned suppers for the week
~Refilled the ice trays, Keurig, TP, and napkin holder
~Watered plants
~To keep in line with a new year non-resolution, along with DH, watched and deleted numerous DVR programs
~Socialized at a neighbor's, watched my NFL team lose, played too many games on my computer, and did a bit of reading.

[debthaven]

startsmart tomorrow should be your mom's last day of treatment!!! What a milestone!

Sharon I hope you are happy with your new sheets!

Thank you Iggy aka IG !!! I was SO thrilled last night knowing I didn't have to go in today!!! Alas I'm less thrilled tonight since I have to go in tomorrow and Wednesday LOL.

I don't know how long I will continue to work at 66% but I'm hoping to do it through 2023. Obviously the income is very welcome, especially since we want to replace most of the windows this year. I'm obviously committed for Spring Semester, but hoping to do Fall Semester too.

[startsmart]

Debthaven - yes! She is feeling very grateful that her treatment was not longer or more intense. They initially thought she would need chemo but hopefully it is not necessary with radiation complete.

I have been super tired today which is normally not an issue but I have a 7pm meeting tonight and have been mainlining caffeine trying to stay awake (also took a 30 min nap).

[TheOtherMe]

Another bin of mostly boxes are at the curb for recycling tomorrow.

[finnime]

Today I'm going to clear two shelves on the storage shelving in the basement to hold the fine china and the platters and serving bowls I use for hosting. That will clear some space up here and make a nice easy area to access occasional-use items.

I put together the under-counter storage cart yesterday and today it will find its place in the kitchen, to hold various and sundry. A baker and cook never has enough kitchen storage. The cart also has a stainless steel top for prep work. I think I may put knives in the drawer.

[TheOtherMe]

I will put this here for accountability.  I put a box on the bathroom counter of stuff that isn't used often.  I boxed it up when I was getting ready for the shower.  All of the necessities are back but I need to get this stuff back in the cabinet or toss them.

[startsmart]

The bookshelves I bought online are supposed to arrive early today and then I can clean the desk out and organize it all. I was going to buy the boxes for organizing last week but first I want to set up the shelves. I pulled a half dozen small boxes from upstairs to use short term so I can see what I need.

I did get fabric to back the bookshelves, I am hoping the fabric adhesive works well enough there.

[debthaven]

We got the second estimate for the windows/shutters today. It's 3K/15% less than the first estimate, but some of it was not to our liking, ie 2 panels per window instead of 3 (so smaller openings). The 2nd estimate was done online through the electric company.

We don't feel comfortable spending that kind of money online. Obviously somebody comes to verify the measurements, but only after you've signed a contract. We don't like that. 

The two other companies are both local. We both agree we'd feel much more comfortable with that. We liked both local people a lot, so we'll find out what the third and last estimate is next week, and then make a decision. 

But this is very exciting!!! Like the kitchen we renovated in 2016, I never expected this to happen in my lifetime. 

DH goes into the hospital tomorrow. Unfortunately I can't take him, because he has to be there at 3, and I won't get home till 5.  I'm off Thurs through Mon. I'm hoping I can bring DH home on Monday. 

[finnime]

New windows are wonderful, debthaven. Best wishes to your DH!

[debthaven]

Thank you finnime  ! Did you replace the windows in your new house? I'm sorry, I don't remember. 

I know startsmart did. 

We have 4 huge sets of French doors downstairs, that's why it's so expensive. 

[azucena]

Christmas is all put away and organized. Ornaments went into new totes with the slotted system to keep more from getting broken.

Christmas cards taken down.  Theo's kitty card went on DD10s bulletin board for safe keeping

Been doing well implementing the organization items that I bought over holiday break. Two magnet bars for knives and metal kitchen utensils need to get hung up this week/weekend.

Laundry system continues to work.  Need to re-iron on the fleece backside to cover the patches for DD10s uniforms this week/weekend.  Probably didn't let the iron get hot enough the first time as they are loose after several washings.

Need to spend a couple of hours on planning next few bball practices instead of waiting until the last minute.

[finnime]

Yes, we replaced all the windows in this house, and very glad we did.

[moneysquirrel]

debthaven -- Wishing a speedy recovery for your DH.  

startsmart -- Glad that your mom's treatment is progressing well.

I decluttered 6 books to the library this morning.  All were donations and they are the first items out as donations this year.  I do have a bag filled and working on a second one currently.  Those will be picked up in the future once I get enough in them to feel free to call.  

I had two scheduled meetings this morning -- I opted out of the first because of the second.  It was to be a repeat of things that I had heard at least 6 times in the last few years and I got the info I needed from the director already.  The second was cancelled at the last minute due to illness.  I used the time to get some errands done.  Books donated, car inspection done, home insurance paid (on the CC to get points but money in sinking account to pay asap), and got to the home improvement store to get keys made and to get another emergency light.  

This afternoon I managed to get a few things paid off and will be continuing to straighten several drawers in an attempt to organize and declutter.  

Need to get to those so I will sign off for now.

[TheOtherMe]

Jan 10, 2023 15:44:00 GMT -5 azucena said:

  Theo's kitty card went on DD10s bulletin board for safe keeping

Do thank her for that.  Aren't they adorable.  You and yours are also adorable.  

[TheOtherMe]

When I replaced some of my windows, I had wanted to replace the slider with French Doors.  I also wanted a bay window in the living room.  

I did not get my bay window because of cost.  I told them not to give the estimate on the French Doors after getting the other estimate.

The work was good and I love the windows I have.  The only other window/door item is the front door.  But that is in the future.

[debthaven]

We have decided to get aluminum, but we are constantly going back and forth between sliders and French doors. And I mean constantly ... like literally every five minutes. We both prefer sliders but we feel that French doors may fit the house better. But we prefer sliders. But the French doors probably fit the house better. And around and around we go ...  

Happily our front and back doors are double-glazed, and don't need replacing. 

We also have 3 small side windows we are not planning to replace: one in the kitchen, one in DS2's bedroom (now DH's office) and the bull's eye window in our bedroom. It bugs me that they'll be different, but hey, you can't have everything.

My house is L-shaped. The three smaller windows we are not planning to replace are on the sides of the house. The back of the house has no windows.

My house is charming but weird/weird but charming.

I really hope today's Company 3 comes in at less than Company 1, because we prefer them. We won't use online Company 2, and I'll be very happy to explain why when the guy calls me to follow up and acts all surprised. I do get not doing an estimate in person for 2K ... but for 20K?! Really?! Despite me offering to pay for an in-person consultation?! What a stupid/terrible business model. 

[TheOtherMe]

I would not buy from a company that does not come out to give the estimate in person.  That's the only way it's going to be accurate.

[Sharon]

This afternoon I went through three of my dresser drawers and have a nice donation pile started.  Yesterday I bought all new outlet covers for both the dinning area and the family room.  They were a mish mash of styles and colors.  I figure that is a relative inexpensive way to make the house look a little better. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Christmas items have been cleared off the guest bed and the storage totes have been put back into the closet.  So much stuff, LOL.  I also unpacked and washed the new food processor from Christmas and used it last night to make a batch of homemade breadcrumbs.  I really like it.  My old one will be used to help with composting.

Several more items have been added to the donation box and several things relocated.

I discovered a leak under the kitchen sink and DH said the drain got knocked loose.  After he addressed that last night, I pulled everything out, wiped up the water, and let it air dry overnight.  I'll scrub the cupboard bottom today, let it air dry again, lay down new liner, and replace things back into the cupboard.  There are at least 2 things I'd like to toss.  

[debthaven]

Work week is over early (I switched tomorrow's classes to last Monday because of DH.) I stopped to see A quickly on my way home.

DH is in the hospital. Surgery is early tomorrow morning. We're hoping he can go home on Monday.

Laundry is in the dryer, dishwasher is running.  

[Iggy aka IG]

Thinking of DH and you, debthaven.

[debthaven]

Thank you Iggy aka IG . 

I just checked the price of my hotel on Booking near DH's hospital ... it's now 20% less than when I booked! I called the hotel to see if they could price match. They said they can't since I'd booked through Booking. I said I feel bad cancelling and rebooking. They said don't feel bad, that's just how it works! 

So now I'm paying 118e instead of 148e! Including free breakfast. 

PS Oops turns out I booked a double room instead of a single ... I could have saved another 12e. Oh well. I'm not changing it again.

[moneysquirrel]

Managed to go through a few more areas and tossed several items.  Also have a few to add to the donation box.

House was cleaned on Monday and I am maintaining the progress I have made in the last few months.  I have relocated several items to places that are easier to use and now I rarely have them on the counters.  I don't know why I didn't do it earlier.

I have been slowly remaking items that I am low on for the craft shows.  I won't have a show for several months but by working on these items I a.)won't be rushed when the time comes , b.) am being kept busy for a few hours daily and c.) currently using up supplies I have on hand.   I will have to order some items that I am out of but I have enough on hand to make somewhat of a dent in my to-make list.  

I have decided to hold off on adding new items to the Etsy shop as I will be busy/traveling/unable to mail items starting in late spring.  I will let the current items expire on their scheduled time and put the shop on vacation once I reach late April.  I should only have a handful of items listed at that time.  Will reopen and relist a lot of items upon my return to normal life.  I don't get a lot of traffic there so this is the best approach to deal with it.

Have a few errands to run tomorrow.  I hope the predicted weather will hold out long enough for me to get those done before the storms come.  

I am making the attempt to post more often.  Really don't know how long that will happen.


debthaven -- Good catch on the room rental.  Enjoy the extra space. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Good job, debthaven and moneysquirrel !

I am pleased to report on Monday I (finally) installed the new all-in-one printer/scanner/etc.  It was my pleasure to toss the cardboard and packing materials into their respective bins.  

I worked from home today and really do like it.  I noticed there are many less distractions here which are an issue for me at the office building.

[TheOtherMe]

All the best to your DH with his surgery debthaven

[TheOtherMe]

I watched a documentary on Prime today called 306 Hollywood.  

A family's grandmother dies and the grandchildren are left to deal with her stuff and house.

They quickly determine Grandma was pretty much a hoarder and so was Grandpa.  Not as bad as what you see on the tv show but they never got rid of many things.  

They decide to give themselves 11 months to go through the house and treat it as an archeology site.  When the 11 months are up, they can't get rid of the house as they are not done.  

It was another 10 years before the grandkids could give up the house.  

It's an interesting watch and shows their process.  I could not hold on to a house that long.  In the condition it was in when they started, a realtor told them it was worthless.  It wasn't when they sold it.

They had started interviewing grandma 10 years before her death and some of those are also included.  

[finnime]

I'll have to watch that, TheOtherMe. It sounds good.

[TheOtherMe]

It was worth the time.  They took artistic type photos of the items in the house before putting it up for sale.  

[snapdragon]

I have managed to do nothing besides make it into work. I have kept up on dishes and DOING laundry...I need to get the pile of clean clothes folded and put away. Hoping for tonight.

I do have a small collection of boxes and I should start boxing things up but I just can't seem to get in the mood yet.

[debthaven]

The operation went well! DH should be home on Sunday (instead of Mon or Tues)  .

Thank you for all your good wishes. 

PS TheOtherMe I watched the trailer but unfortunately it's not on Prime here.