2023 Declutter & Organize Your Life

[NastyWoman]

Nov 18, 2023 22:08:00 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Nov 18, 2023 20:32:20 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Did you have the surgery long ago? I had both eyes done a few years back ('18, '19?) and the lenses that were implanted adjusted for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. They were not covered by insurance though as that only covered one single adjustment.

I had the second one done in 2009, so some time ago.

Yes that is way before mine were done. There have been great improvements in this field

[Sharon]

Today I had hoped to go to the bigger city and do some shopping but it was super windy and I didn't feel like driving 40 minutes in 30+ mph winds.  Instead I did some housework.  The sleepover room, as the kids call it, has clean sheets on the bed and is ready for Mom starting Tuesday.

The floors have been vacuumed.  They need to be mopped but that probably won't happen.

On Tuesday I will drive down to the city where I used to live and pick up Mom and bring her back for Thanksgiving.  I decided I should probably vacuum all the straw out of the car.  I keep an old picnic table cloth in the back of the car but when the guy put the bale of straw in the car it got shoved forward.  The car is now all cleaned out and the cooler and some totes are in the back ready to go for Tuesday.  Mom wanted me to bring some boxes to put Christmas presents in so they would be easier to load into the car.  That falls into the category of it is just easier to do what she wants, so two totes are now in the back of the car.

[TheOtherMe]

I ordered a Christmas decoration on Etsy yesterday.  Overnight Etsy refunded my money "due to suspicious activity"  I go to look at the store today and it says that store no longer exists.  Guessing they kicked it off Etsy.  

Appears Etsy has controls in place to monitor the small businesses there.

[debthaven]

Today was my last class of the semester at Job 2. I'm sad that I'm not teaching there next semester (but I go back for Summer Term in April).

Tomorrow is my last class of the semester at Job 1. I am teaching there next semester.

I'd rather give up my Job 1 class, but my professor/staff classes are at Job 1, and I want to do those for as long as I can. Strategically it's better for me to go in for Job 1. 

I have 12 essays to mark. It's a very busy week ... DD is coming on her way to the UK, and we're hosting Thanksgiving. There's only 4 of us, but DH is doing a turkey, pumpkin pie, etc.

[debthaven]

Done with regular classes until mid-January. Until then I just have my professor/staff classes, marking, and Christmas vacation.  I still have to do all my Christmas shopping...

This week
- call health insurance AGAIN/Tues
- call Dr C for bill/Tues
- call Dr S for bill/Tues
- call C for bill/Tues
- pick up turkey/Wed
- mark 12 essays

In other news, I'm still not being reimbursed by my complementary health insurance. They owe me a lot of money. I called AGAIN, cried, told them I'm taking Xanax because of them (true). They say I need "proof of payment" from every doctor I've seen/paid recently. CC receipts don't count. They say this policy is NOT new, but I've never had to do it before!

So now I have to chase up 2 doctors and the dentist. It just never ends. 

ETA: It's a miracle! One doctor already sent me her "paid" bill by email, I immediately emailed it to the health insurance. The other doctor's assistant is mailing it tonight (snail mail). My dentist was busy, he'll call me back. I'm not worried about him, he's a friend.

Insurance owes me about $450 ... I REALLY hope this works. I'm mainly worried about the bridge I need to pay for in December ...

[startsmart]

I had a flurry of wins this morning and I’m feeling jazzed!

I did my daily habits first thing (make the bed, squats, journal 2 pages) and then I

- changed a closet light bulb
- organized shoes in the closet
- started a load of laundry
- put away the clean laundry
- scooped litter box
- carried 6 things upstairs (bulky but light!)
- put away clean dishes
- took out the trash and recycling
- got out a box for donations
- consolidated my fabric scraps into a ziplock
- general tidy around the living room


I have a good, long list of things to do from now through Sunday since most people are not focused on business this week.

Today’s big task is to wash all of my throw blankets and then sort them into winter/summer and store accordingly. I’m hoping to find a few I can donate too or put upstairs for the “cat bed” aka my twin bed which I cover in old blankets for the cats to enjoy.

[debthaven]

Great job startsmart ! 

[debthaven]

My dentist sent me the documents ... with the wrong date!   I asked him to change the date but obviously at this point I'm being a PITA. 

Lesson learned, I will NEVER not ask for proof of payment from a medical provider again. If this doesn't work, I'm going to have to pay a lawyer to write a letter.

It's so aggravating!

ETA: My dentist resent the docs with the correct date!!!  I immediately emailed them to my health insurance. Fingers crossed!!!

This has been a HUGE weight on me, for 3 months! My employer pays part of our healthcare, we pay the rest ... it's not right that I need to fight so hard for what I'm due! 

[snapdragon]

Went to do the media cabinet and it says for 2 people to build it. So I have held off. 

I still need to do my clothing but I just don't want to.   

Time to wash dishes and work on emptying another box or 2 today.

[debthaven]

You're making great progress snapdragon ! Could you invite a friend for a couple of days who could help you build the media cabinet?

Having finished fall semester for first-year students at Job 1, I offered my impeccably organized binder to my friend/boss. She said nah... I know it's super well-organized, but everyone has their own way of doing things. Which is true!

I keep saying, just one more semester, just one more semester. But I do NOT want to do another fall semester there! So I just had a blast burning those papers in the firepit tonight LOL. (I kept the plastic sheets and the binder itself.)

[snapdragon]

debthaven - I am unable to get anyone to come down right now. A few are sick and others are working. I probably will wing it and if I have issues, I will phone the neighbors and see if help could be had that way. 

Emptied 1 box in the bedroom got 1 more 1/2 way done so plugging along. Need to work on the books in the study. That would take care of 2-3 depending on how far I get. Forgot to do the dishes so I will get them taken care of now.

[snapdragon]

Need to work on this week-



1 - building the media cabinet so I can unbox all or most of my media.

2 - actually put some clothes away in my dressers

3 - see if I can find holiday decor and get my small tree up and lit.

4 - I know I saw my holiday door wreath and want it up by this weekend.

5 - work in the study and get boxes taken care of so I can find a really cozy, large reading chair. If I can get one with BF pricing even better. 
6 - take a walk in my neighborhood and get some nature besides looking at it. 

[TheOtherMe]

DN3 called and they have an accepted offer on their new house.  The photos were taken today on their current house.  

I am so hoping this all goes through so they can get their stuff out of my basement.

[debthaven]

I am so hoping this all goes through so they can get their stuff out of my basement.

Yay TheOtherMe !

DD arrived last night! We drove her to Paris at 5.30 this morning, got back home at 6.45 and went back to sleep. She comes back again next week for a few days.

I have Zoom classes all day but I'm hoping for a nap before Thanksgiving this evening. (It's always dinner here, since it's a weekday.) 

This week
- pick up turkey (DH)/Wed Thurs
- mark 12 essays

We went to pick up the turkey yesterday, and the supermarket hadn't received them! So DH will go back this morning. (They're in, I called to make sure.)

[finnime]

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, debthaven and everyone else!

[debthaven]

You too finnime  and other friends! Enjoy your family! 

[moneysquirrel]

Just wanted to pop in to wish everyone a great day and Happy Thanksgiving.  Hope all of you spend it with those who bring us joy.

I am so grateful for all of you and the support we share with each other.

TheOtherMe -- Happy that you are seeing the beginning of the end of basement being a storage unit.

BTW: 2nd surgery went well.  I habe great "distance" vision and will be wearing cheaters for near work. Think I have one last appointment before I can stamp Done on this adventure.

[debthaven]

SO glad it all went well moneysquirrel ! 

[TheOtherMe]

moneysquirrel  Glad the cataract surgery is now in the past.   

I found the new house online and it is gorgeous and probably 3x the space they have now with a real basement and a two car garage.  They will definitely have room for the stuff in my basement.

From the dates he gave me, I doubt the stuff goes before the baby is born in late March.  As long as I know it's going, that is fine.  Once the sale actually happens, I won't pressure them while she is in late pregnancy and when they have a newborn.  

I did think it was very nice of DN3 to call and let me know where things said.  He started with he knows the stuff has been in the basement longer than expected but there's good news.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Nov 20, 2023 15:18:56 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I ordered a Christmas decoration on Etsy yesterday.  Overnight Etsy refunded my money "due to suspicious activity"  I go to look at the store today and it says that store no longer exists.  Guessing they kicked it off Etsy.  

Appears Etsy has controls in place to monitor the small businesses there.

I'm glad Etsy caught this for you.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Nov 21, 2023 9:22:03 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Done with regular classes until mid-January. Until then I just have my professor/staff classes, marking, and Christmas vacation.  I still have to do all my Christmas shopping...

This week
- call health insurance AGAIN/Tues
- call Dr C for bill/Tues
- call Dr S for bill/Tues
- call C for bill/Tues
- pick up turkey/Wed
- mark 12 essays

In other news, I'm still not being reimbursed by my complementary health insurance. They owe me a lot of money. I called AGAIN, cried, told them I'm taking Xanax because of them (true). They say I need "proof of payment" from every doctor I've seen/paid recently. CC receipts don't count. They say this policy is NOT new, but I've never had to do it before!

So now I have to chase up 2 doctors and the dentist. It just never ends. 

ETA: It's a miracle! One doctor already sent me her "paid" bill by email, I immediately emailed it to the health insurance. The other doctor's assistant is mailing it tonight (snail mail). My dentist was busy, he'll call me back. I'm not worried about him, he's a friend.

Insurance owes me about $450 ... I REALLY hope this works. I'm mainly worried about the bridge I need to pay for in December ...

So frustrating!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

[debthaven]

Thanksgiving has come and gone here (it's 12.30 am!). We had a great evening with our friends. DH cooked up a storm, our friends left with leftovers but the fridge is still exploding. (I worked all day, albeit from home.)

We're invited to a friend's birthday tomorrow night so DH made an extra pumpkin pie. 

The dishwasher has been run and emptied. 

No plans for tomorrow day, hopefully I can get most of my marking done. 

I too am extremely grateful for my friends here. 

[jerseygirl]

We got new house phone as a gift. I was going to throw away our old trim line princess phone but thought let me look at eBay. Surprised these were selling. So I listed and it sold for $16 and $17.50 postage
Just looked at a program eBay has. They sell a label with the address and postage that’s paid for . Priority box for $13.50
So I’ll get the prepaid label

(Should be girl math. Was throwing out but now I have $20 profit!)
Like that it’s not going into a landfill

[snapdragon]

Nov 22, 2023 12:38:40 GMT -5 snapdragon said:

Need to work on this week-



1 - building the media cabinet so I can unbox all or most of my media.

2 - actually put some clothes away in my dressers

3 - see if I can find holiday decor and get my small tree up and lit.

4 - I know I saw my holiday door wreath and want it up by this weekend.

5 - work in the study and get boxes taken care of so I can find a really cozy, large reading chair. If I can get one with BF pricing even better. 
6 - take a walk in my neighborhood and get some nature besides looking at it. 

I got another 2 boxes done so am happy about that. 

I also watched a family of otters playing on the dock across the canal from my place. They were so cute and adorable pushing each other into the water, jumping around and turning into a large otter pile in the sunlight. 

[debthaven]

That's SO cool snapdragon !!!

This weekend
- calculate and input Job 1 marks/Fri
- calculate and input Job 2 marks/Fri
- mark 12 essays/Fri

[TheOtherMe]

I asked NIL for ideas from Amazon for the Toddler.  This morning she texts me that he does not need any more toys or electronics.  She is totally right about that because he recycles and repurposes his toys from when he was younger so he is still playing with them.

She asked instead for clothes and linked to a website that is in French.  I will find things from there.  At least she didn't send me a link to a $400 nursing cover.  She also sent the new address so I will get that done today.

[azucena]

Nov 23, 2023 9:50:59 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

moneysquirrel  Glad the cataract surgery is now in the past.   

I found the new house online and it is gorgeous and probably 3x the space they have now with a real basement and a two car garage.  They will definitely have room for the stuff in my basement.

From the dates he gave me, I doubt the stuff goes before the baby is born in late March.  As long as I know it's going, that is fine.  Once the sale actually happens, I won't pressure them while she is in late pregnancy and when they have a newborn.  

I did think it was very nice of DN3 to call and let me know where things said.  He started with he knows the stuff has been in the basement longer than expected but there's good news.

You are a great aunt to understand their timing limitations. I know the stuff has been there longer than you wanted but I think you're right to trade that for other favors from him 😉

[TheOtherMe]

I have jokingly told him he owes me a lifetime of cat sitting in exchange for the storage.  He always said okay.  


Life doesn't always go as planned.  They didn't plan to have to do a custody battle and then to have the ex die on the Monday after they were awarded full custody on Friday.  That had an affect on both NIL and her son.  

[startsmart]

Yesterday I got a lot accomplished and I am hoping to continue momentum today! I put away most of my quilts again and have 3 projects ready to sew. Now I’m hoping I have enough thread for this project 😬

Hope y’all had a great Thanksgiving and are surviving the deluge of Black Friday emails!