2023 Declutter & Organize Your Life

[NastyWoman]

My 2023 mojo is irretrievably lost.  I just don't have it in me anymore, so on to 2024. Meanwhile I keep tossing the odd item here and there when it catches my eye. I did not get as much decluttered as I envisioned but I did make a decent head start and that will just have to do. 
In a few weeks I'll be on a plane to Europe looking for new energy. That should work considering that I want to move close to the (grand)kids so spending time with them will remind me why I am doing all this.

[startsmart]

I decided to do a little furniture rearranging today to make space in my kitchen for some new stuff (ie old stuff I already have) and so far I love it! The fainting couch went to the dining room and in that alcove I have the trash, a tower of cat stuff and some plant stands to get them more sunshine.

I also quilted two table runners today and just need to add binding (need to buy some) and the next quilt is queued up for the machine tomorrow. Then it will be time to tackle the backing of my next quilt which has to be pieced together to get the right size.

Also swapping out a hanging quilt tomorrow in my bedroom. I have projects galore to finish up by the end of the year.

[tcu2003]

I took PTO this week, and DH did for most of the week as well (kids were off all week), so we managed to get some stuff done and some things purged from the house. Still so much to do, but I at least feel like we made progress this week, so I’ll take it.

We also knocked off Christmas gifts for all the nieces and nephews but 2, so that’s a win as well.

[debthaven]

NastyWoman I'm sure you'll find it again once you get back home! 

Good to see you back tcu2003 ! 

We booked the ferry for DS3's Master's graduation today! His Bachelor's graduation was cancelled twice because of Covid, so this is a Really Big Deal for us! 

The contractor finished the last touch-ups and returned our keys today! We are SO happy with our new windows and shutters! ALL our friends comment on how much warmer it is here now. 

I want to ask the contractor for an estimate to replace the two side windows and shutters, and a new front door. Frankly, it bothers me that they're different from the front + back facades. I'm not sure we'd do it, but I want to know the cost to decide.  

[debthaven]

Something bugs me about the windows ... we have replaced 9 of the 20 openings in our house. In number, that's less than half. In proportion, it's MUCH more than half, because we replaced all 4 huge picture windows downstairs (kitchen/DR/LR/DS2's room) as well as 5 medium windows upstairs (DS3's bedroom, DD's closet, DD's bedroom, the guest room, our bedroom). So we replaced all the "main" windows!

There are still 11 openings that we did NOT replace. We will probably never replace these 8:
- 4 skylights
- 2 small windows (1 in DS2's bathroom, 1 in the basement)
- the back door
- a beautiful (old) oak bull's eye window (oeil de boeuf) in our bedroom

But I'm ashamed to admit that 6 months later, the 2 old side windows (kitchen and DS2's room) and front door STILL bug me. I DO want to replace those! (Or even some of them.)  

Have any of you replaced some but not all of your windows/doors? If so, does it bother you? 

It's likely that we can't afford to change any more. But I DO want to get an estimate for the 2 side windows and the front door, so I can decide.

PS: I know that this is a first-world problem. Still, I'm curious to know if most people replace ALL the openings at once, or gradually, or if they only do SOME of them.

PS2: We replaced the shutters for those windows too. We'd do the same going forward. 

[startsmart]

Debthaven - I’ve replaced my windows little by little. When I moved in there were 2 newer windows in the same style and the rest were original and falling apart. I’ve replaced 13 + 1 brand new opening which had been boarded over. I have 13 more to do and then there’s the doors. 2 doors on the first level, 2 doors on the second level (one is coming out and I’ll add a window there) and for some unknown reason I have balcony doors on the third floor and no balcony.

For awhile I was replacing 4-5 a year but that’s on hold now. At least all the broken ones are now fixed!

[debthaven]

Thank you startsmart !!! I remember you doing it in phases. I really wanted to "tag" you, but I didn't want to pressure you to respond.

Do you know for a fact that these windows will be continued? That's a worry for me. I think, what if I want to replace them in 2 or 3 years, and they're discontinued?! Plus we also just paid for them to repaint the outside of the house ...

You have far more windows than we do LOL! 

[debthaven]

for some unknown reason I have balcony doors on the third floor and no balcony.

My sister (LI, NY) had a door to her deck through the kitchen. When they remodeled the DR, they wanted a bigger opening to the deck. So they added doors to the deck.

Unfortunately, the deck was lower. So for YEARS, my sister had a "door to nowhere" LOL. Eventually, she had the deck redone, and added steps to reach that big window in the DR. 

I'm sure you'll get your balcony one day! 

[debthaven]

startsmart ... DD had a window in her walk-in closet that was original to the house (1905). We couldn't reach it without a stepladder or a chair. There was some water damage (thankfully not much!). We replaced it with a window that didn't open, just for the light. It didn't need shutters.

If you're only looking for (more) light in certain places, that may be something to consider. Obviously it doesn't work if you need a window that opens. 

I love hearing about the progress on your house! I hope your recent interview went well.

[TheOtherMe]

My opinion is to replace them when you have the funds.  It sounds like this is your forever home, debt, so I would take that approach.  

I replaced the living room and my bedroom windows and nothing else.  They are now triple pane with the shades between the panes of glass.  Lucy had done so much damage to the shades that were not inside the panes and I wanted it fixed.  I don't use the other two bedrooms and the blinds have not been damaged by cats because I keep the door closed.  The builder did put a good brand of windows in the house, but that brand doesn't have the blinds or shades between the panes.  

The organizer is to come on December 6.  Once that is done, I will be seeking estimates for vinyl plank flooring for my bedroom.  That is much easier to clean than carpet, especially when you have cats.  The other two bedrooms are not used, so I am not spending the money to do that.

In looking at the house that DS3 is hoping to buy, it's obvious that their vinyl plank flooring was added over time, but the current owners have lived there since the mid 1970's.    In the listing, it has a list of the major updates and when done.  In the past 5 years they have done the roof, furnace, a/c, etc.  So the mechanicals were done as they were preparing to sell.  If there are only 2 people living there now, it's way too much house.

I love the sunroom and hope someday I can go there and rock my great niece.  

I had a really difficult time negotiating the steps at the house where they live now.  They would not pass code today.  They were built when there wasn't a building code.  The steps are so steep that I will no longer attempt the ones to the 3rd floor.

[startsmart]

Debthaven - it might be different in France but I found a window shop in a nearby town and all my windows are made to order to be the right size. It’s fairly standard white vinyl, double pane, sash windows with screens so I don’t worry that they’ll be discontinued. I also met the family that owns the window shop and a hardware store and think the chance it’ll sell and everything changes is low.

The third floor balcony doors are odd, I don’t know why they’re there and the room is tiny, I wouldn’t want a balcony that far up either! Those are the last on my list to replace and by the time I get there I might just replace with one large window.

The interview last week was interesting, I may be able to find a way to work with this company either as a fractional COO or in designing a system for new home construction. Nothing solid yet but will talk with the guy again this week.

Also it’s SNOWING here which is incredible for November. I am cozy inside but also watched a documentary about an avalanche in California so now I don’t want to go out in the snow 😂

[jerseygirl]

We replaced windows sliders and French doors over time. Some still not replaced
The newer ones are wood inside vinyl outside. Others replaced earlier are all wood. The vinyl outside are much better as far as upkeep.

[Sharon]

My Mother the borderline hoarder strikes again. She showed up to my house with a new Thanksgiving themed dishtowel for me.  Okay not what I wanted or needed but I used it on Thanksgiving day.  I ended up driving her home yesterday, another long story, when I called her to let her know I arrived back home safely she was telling me that she had a Christmas throw for me and forgot to give it to me.  She is going to mail it.  I have pretty much decided it will just go straight into the donation pile.

I keep telling her that I'm trying to declutter and get rid of excess stuff and suggesting she do the same. 

[wvugurl26]

We have replaced our front door and the window above it. The door was a need and I think the window you could tell the insulation was going. I don't remember exactly.

2024's big project is the 2 spare bedrooms, the stairs to that level and the hallway bath. Our neighbor had the entire upstairs done and they did excellent work at reasonable prices.

DH wants to add the master bath to the quote but I think it will be too much. Quotes are free though.

The bathroom is usable to me but not DH. He would need to duck while entering the shower stall. I just think it will likely cost as much as the rest of the project. I will get more use out of being able to set up my office in the bigger spare room.

And if the hall bath is done, DH will have a brand new bath to use.

2023 was the kitchen appliances. We got a new dishwasher and stove. Both are wonderful. I wish we had done the stove sooner but it was hard to justify replacing a perfectly working appliance. When both started failing they got replaced. And now everything except the microwave is stainless.

[TheOtherMe]

Mom had her collections but she finally got to a point where she asked that no more additions to her collections be gifted to her.  So we got them gift cards to the grocery store and then Dairy Queen.  They did not need stuff and she was well aware of it.  Because of dad's dementia and him always saying he was out of Dairy Queen gift cards when he wasn't, we found over $600 worth of gift cards to Dairy Queen.  Even though I had probably paid for half of those, I never liked Dairy Queen food to start out with so I told my sister for her family to use the cards.  I doubt I ever step foot in a Dairy Queen again.

I'm happy NIL said no toys for Christmas for the Toddler.   Most kids have too many toys.  I see when we FaceTime that he has too many toys.  Since he seems to find new uses for his toys as he gets older, there's no point of him getting another batch of toys for Christmas.  

I don't know if he will appreciate it.  At 3 1/2, he gets Santa now.  This was the first Halloween when he was adamant about what he was going to be.

[TheOtherMe]

debthaven  I'm happy you get to throw a big party for your son's Master's graduation!  It's a lot of hard work to get that degree.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Today DH and I will put away all of the fall decorations. 
I need to work on Christmas cards and presents. 
I also have two observations to write up and the weekly update to send out. 

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Nov 24, 2023 20:30:12 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

My 2023 mojo is irretrievably lost.  I just don't have it in me anymore, so on to 2024. Meanwhile I keep tossing the odd item here and there when it catches my eye. I did not get as much decluttered as I envisioned but I did make a decent head start and that will just have to do. 
In a few weeks I'll be on a plane to Europe looking for new energy. That should work considering that I want to move close to the (grand)kids so spending time with them will remind me why I am doing all this.

lol, but its the home stretch!! hang on!!

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Well, as you all know, I've been trying to make peace with the housecleaning situation and just say this is as good as I am going to get for this amount of money, in this area anyway. It does keep me on task, and the house is usually reasonable if not spic ans span...but a bit of a new wrinkle has popped up.

With the last 2023 RI projects delayed and as I look at cash flows with student loan payments added in, I am not going to be able to keep the cleaner without either lowering my 401k contributions or pulling from savings through the rest of this year. The savings are those earmarked for the house upgrades ans as I've been dilly dalling on that whole porject, those funds have been dwindling. Distressing!

so - been wrestling with my numbers and without the RI income in general, I won't be able to pay all bills, max out 401k, and keep the cleaning in 2024 based on current pay. Now, it seems that the work kurfuffle that kept me in a state of anxiety for 2 weeks has blown over and I am still being considered for that promotion - I do need to formally apply, which I will do so tomorrow. If I get that job, starting sometime early 2024, then I can keep going and be in good shape. If I don't, then will have to undertake all cleaning on my own or decrease 401k savings....

Will have to think on that this month very strenuously!

[jerseygirl]

Nov 26, 2023 10:43:26 GMT -5 Sharon said:

My Mother the borderline hoarder strikes again. She showed up to my house with a new Thanksgiving themed dishtowel for me.  Okay not what I wanted or needed but I used it on Thanksgiving day.  I ended up driving her home yesterday, another long story, when I called her to let her know I arrived back home safely she was telling me that she had a Christmas throw for me and forgot to give it to me.  She is going to mail it.  I have pretty much decided it will just go straight into the donation pile.

I keep telling her that I'm trying to declutter and get rid of excess stuff and suggesting she do the same. 

Your mom IS decluttering, she’s just decluttering to YOU!

[debthaven]

DH finished all the big boxes in his office/DS2's room yesterday. There are a few small shoeboxes left (and the sewing machines). 

So it's still not finished, but it's worlds better. Nothing happens quickly with DH.

[Iggy aka IG]

Sharon that's a beautiful fan!

startsmart what a pretty planner.

As anticipated, after scrambling to get everything done before for the annual conference then attending it in the big city, I came home with the crud.  I've been sick for a week.  I am four pages behind here but wanted to stop in and say hi.  I'm working from home today and will check in later.  Meanwhile, my list:

Pay the remaining two bills and buy a Cyber Monday gift-done
Plow through email
Laundry x 2
Dishes

[debthaven]

Oh poor Iggy aka IG .   I hope you feel better very soon!

[snapdragon]

Nov 26, 2023 11:37:56 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Mom had her collections but she finally got to a point where she asked that no more additions to her collections be gifted to her.  So we got them gift cards to the grocery store and then Dairy Queen.  They did not need stuff and she was well aware of it.  Because of dad's dementia and him always saying he was out of Dairy Queen gift cards when he wasn't, we found over $600 worth of gift cards to Dairy Queen.  Even though I had probably paid for half of those, I never liked Dairy Queen food to start out with so I told my sister for her family to use the cards.  I doubt I ever step foot in a Dairy Queen again.

I'm happy NIL said no toys for Christmas for the Toddler.   Most kids have too many toys.  I see when we FaceTime that he has too many toys.  Since he seems to find new uses for his toys as he gets older, there's no point of him getting another batch of toys for Christmas.  

I don't know if he will appreciate it.  At 3 1/2, he gets Santa now.  This was the first Halloween when he was adamant about what he was going to be.

I am now picturing him as Santa for his Halloween costume. 

[snapdragon]

Got a few pieces put together today.

One over the toilet storage thing in the 2nd bath.

New computer chair that is working really well.

Next up is working on the media cabinet. 

I might have been just a bit heavy handed on the Azn ordering but I really believe everything will help in the end.

[TheOtherMe]

When I got home from the vet with Amelia, I took the recycling bin to the curb.

The trash itself isn't going any farther than the garage tonight as it's about 15 degrees and the wind is blowing and setting off my alarm system notices.  I'm not going out there again and it isn't full.  The recycling bin is totally full because last time they only took half of it.  

I am happy it wasn't windy when I got home with Amelia.  

[debthaven]

I finally got reimbursed for the dental work I had done in Oct!!! The complementary health insurance finally paid me the 225e they've owed me since 13 Oct!  

They still owe me 115e + 44e but that was the biggest single bill, and now I can relax before I get the bridge done! Hopefully the rest will come soon. (I may not be reimbursed 100%, but I'll only know once they reimburse me.)

[megaptera]

Well, I'm not getting too much done; I tend to just enjoy this time of year without working too hard, lol. We got back from visiting family in Kansas for Thanksgiving (surviving the drive through the ice/snow in the Wichita area.) I did get the fridge cleaned out and two loads of laundry done. There are a few craft projects I want to finish over the next month.

In January, I'm going to have to kick it in gear and figure out if we want to move (and where!), or just stay here renting another year. I suppose it will depend on the real estate market and other factors.

Hope everyone is having a great week.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Hop you feel better Iggy aka IG!

[startsmart]

megaptera - I got the snow here in SE Kansas and it is mostly melted now. Glad you drove through safely! 

debthaven - yay for reimbursements! 

I need to get to the grocery store for the one ingredient I need for a recipe but it's so cozy indoors and cold and windy outside. Even the cats are curled up in the sun and under the blankets for warmth. I'll go soon and luckily I put my shoes in front of the space heater after going out in the snow so they should be toasty. 

Tomorrow at the Christmas parade I should really bring blankets and extra scarves and gloves, it's going to be cold!