2024 Organize & Declutter

[NastyWoman]

Jun 10, 2024 15:28:08 GMT -5 debthaven said:

NastyWoman I've kept all my kids' passports too. They don't take up much room. I'm glad you kept them. 

Also, my DS2 once tossed a childhood book and later was SO UPSET I tried to buy it again ... it was out of print, so I bought it from a second-hand site.

I'm guessing your kids, like mine, don't keep much. 

LOL. What I should have learned from that book debacle is that a firm "I absolutely don't want this anymore" when they were younger, means a very firm "possibly I want it later on". DS1, the eternal declutterer, almost fell victim to me taking him at his word. Last August he wad very pleased that I gave him his badge from his HS sophomore trip in Nepal (Tasmania was his freshman year). They had some wonderful programs at SAS. 

[saveinla]

Jun 10, 2024 14:47:03 GMT -5 debthaven said:

DH weeded a lot yesterday. Does that count?! 

I WFH all day today, ran and emptied the dishwasher, and caught up on laundry.

Today DH helped a friend from theater who has a big workshop and who makes our sets (with a lot of help from DH). I encouraged DH to bring our parasol stand to D. Our parasol has been The Leaning Parasol of Paris for months, and it was getting worse. 

$7 and D's tools & expertise later, the stand is fixed! It cost $72 two years ago, so I'm very happy we don't have to replace it! 

In less good news, the mattress we bought went on sale ... IMMEDIATELY after it shipped. 

You win some, you lose some LOL.

ETA: Iggy aka IG I have a very specific way of folding dishtowels, and that would have driven me crazy! L only comes once or twice a month now, right? So I'm sure there's plenty for her to do besides refold your dishtowels (although I DO get that it's not easy to address that!)

Here - if you see a price go down, you can ask to get back the amount you overpaid. Contact the company - no harm in asking.

[TheOtherMe]

Jun 10, 2024 16:06:19 GMT -5 debthaven said:

I'm sorry you're involved with this TheOtherMe . Our pipes run through our two neighbors' gardens too.

Everything is always fine between us, until it isn't. It was originally one lot. It was divided into three lots in the early 1980s when the original seller couldn't sell the whole lot.

It's obviously not ideal, but it's fairly typical here since the original huge lots were subdivided. 

For years, the middle neighbor (who has the main house and the majority of the land) decided that he wouldn't dig up HIS garden to find the problem, we would dig up our garden instead.

We did it for years. Later we had to tear up our garden and redo our pipes because of the foundation issues, so we created an easily accessible lookout.

One year neighbor couldn't find the problem. He decided we needed to dig up the rest of our garden, and the third neighbor should dig up theirs too, and we all should split the cost equally. We refused. We said um, BTDT. WE have a lookout ... but YOU still don't. 

The neighbor was NOT happy, but he DID eventually create his own lookout.

Life has been much more peaceful since then.

I just had a long chat with the neighbors who are on the other side of my townhouse.  She asked what I was having done and why they keep coming back.  Good question.  So I explained it to her.  She said they have a place where their sump pump drains that never dries out.  Made me feel a bit better but I had such a huge part of my yard that did that.  

Her husband thinks my contractor was very nice.  He asked him to pull out some pushes and he did.  Contractor told me about it and said he had offered to pay and he told him no because he wasn't asking for things like the jerk downhill.  

This neighbor gets it.  The water starts at the top of the hill.  We are about midway down the hill.  Water has accumulated by the time it gets here and it accumulates some from our yards and water runs downhill.

She asked me if the woman next door ever talks to me.  I said only once when I looked like death warmed over after the gallbladder surgery and was having problems with kids sledding in to my house.  She did yell at the kids for me and told me to go back in the house.  Otherwise, if I wave at her, she looks the other way.  Neighbor said that is what she does with them, too.

They are concerned because their neighbor put a steel cover over their patio.  Her husband thinks the wind will blow it and they are hoping it doesn't go through a window or in to their siding.  We get some wicked winds here.

[debthaven]

saveinla even on Amazon?

[TheOtherMe]

Jun 11, 2024 1:58:20 GMT -5 debthaven said:

saveinla even on Amazon?

Amazon has told me no when I have bought something on Black Friday and it was cheaper on Cyber Monday.

[Iggy aka IG]

Jun 10, 2024 16:06:19 GMT -5 debthaven said:

I'm sorry you're involved with this TheOtherMe . Our pipes run through our two neighbors' gardens too.

Everything is always fine between us, until it isn't. It was originally one lot. It was divided into three lots in the early 1980s when the original seller couldn't sell the whole lot.

It's obviously not ideal, but it's fairly typical here since the original huge lots were subdivided. 

For years, the middle neighbor (who has the main house and the majority of the land) decided that he wouldn't dig up HIS garden to find the problem, we would dig up our garden instead.

We did it for years. Later we had to tear up our garden and redo our pipes because of the foundation issues, so we created an easily accessible lookout.

One year neighbor couldn't find the problem. He decided we needed to dig up the rest of our garden, and the third neighbor should dig up theirs too, and we all should split the cost equally. We refused. We said um, BTDT. WE have a lookout ... but YOU still don't. 

The neighbor was NOT happy, but he DID eventually create his own lookout.

Life has been much more peaceful since then.

debthaven, what is a lookout?  I looked it up, and see it is a type of walkout basement.  Is that it?  I love learning new things on this board.  

Glad to hear about your shades, snapdragon!

This morning:
-Put the trash bag out in the garage
-Outside sales call
-Filled up the water jug for the office

After office hours (I'm preparing to show my space to a possible office share person tomorrow afternoon):
-File
-Clean floors

[debthaven]

Iggy aka IG I may be using the wrong term. It's a covered hole in the ground. You remove the cover to access the pipes on one's land/in one's garden.

[saveinla]

Jun 11, 2024 1:58:20 GMT -5 debthaven said:

saveinla even on Amazon?

You can chat and ask. Shouldn’t take too long especially if it’s a higher price item.

I have done it in stores, as i dont shop Amazon much.

[snapdragon]

I now have new recliners in my living room. They are comfortable and I am liking how they help with the room arrangement. 

I did get my burn permit.

Took a short walk on the beach and was fighting the wind and my hat most of the time. 

Need to finish working on the spare room beds so they are ready for people soon. 

Clothes need to be folded and put away. 

[TheOtherMe]

[NastyWoman]

I'm so sorry for your loss debthaven 

[saveinla]

Very sorry to hear debthaven.

[snapdragon]

Hugs and support for those that need them. 

[debthaven]

Thanks everyone. 

(I deleted the post because TMI but my dear dear friend in the US died a couple of days ago.)

[debthaven]

Another work week over. I only had to work 1.5h today. We are still reeling from M's passing. 

This next two-week "chunk" will be hellish ... gone 3 days/week from 7 am to 7-7.30 pm, for two weeks. They're long and tiring days, but the work is pleasant and well-paid. Even the older retirees come out of the woodwork for these two weeks.

I went to the rheumatologist today for an infiltration in my hip. I hadn't needed one in five years, but I gained weight when I quit smoking last year. 

I'm starting my semester countdown ... as always, feel free to ignore!  

Semester countdown: 4 weeks left

Next semester will be a bit easier. I reduced by 33% when I retired in Jan 2023. I've strategically cut down 1-2h/week every semester since, which means fewer days in. 

Next semester I'll be doing 10-13h/week, but only one day/week at school. 

[finnime]

I'm so sorry for your loss, debthaven.

[moneysquirrel]

Good Morning All,
    I realized that I have been mia for a while and thought I would check in.

debthaven -- Sorry to read about your friend.  Happy about upcoming reduced hours.

startsmart -- Hope that your first week at the job is everything you want it to be.

TheOtherMe -- Hoping that your medical issues will soon be a thing of the past.

All of you have been making great progress and getting a lot done.  I never realized how much I accomplish until I start writing it out to post here.

Updates from last posting longer than a week ago :
Goals for upcoming week:
*Grocery
*Call Jeff for estimate -- he came, he saw and he recommanded some other work from another company.  This work will be $$$$ and it is needed.
*Project from April -- this one is almost done   Finished last night
*Project 1 from Retreat
*Project 2 from Retreat
*Project 3 from Retreat
*Call for estimate -- shower project -- Postponing until I find out about the other estimate.
*Pick up all the things hanging out on the flat services
*Call about the meeting next week

Things I also did this week :
*Car Annual Checkup
*Several loads of laundry
*Dishwasher is currently running
*House cleaner is here now
*Did a little work on one of the retreat projects while waiting for the car to be ready.

Note: I may need to have several loads of sand pumped under the house.  I am on a slab and with the drought conditions and over time the area under the house needs to be refilled.  I have lived in this house over 46 years and we never had this process done.  So I was expecting to have to do it sooner or later.  Seems to be sooner.  The guy came over yesterday to look and to get me an estimate.  I am assuming several thousands of dollars will be needed.  My Sinking funds will be hit a lot. 

New Goals and some repeats (June 14- 22):
*Project 1 from Retreat
*Project 2 from Retreat
*Project 3 from Retreat
*Hair Appt -- Wednesday
*Lawn payment -- Tuesday
*Car insurance -- Premium -- one day that I am running errands
*Birthday wishes to R -- call or text
*Sam's run -- Wednesday (it is near my hair appointment so I try to do them on same run -- weather permitting)
*RX refill --
*Work up a sample custom design for former student -- I am in the beginning stages of this one.
*Grocery run for produce and dairy
*Tackle the paper pile -- shred, organize, file and hopefully come up with a better system. (It is all contained in a basket but beginning to overflow a bit.)
*Closet revisit -- hope to declutter a few items from there.
*Maintain flat areas, keep things organized, and make progress in letting go of items that I don't need.
*Keep up with laundry and dishes
*Continue to eat out of freezer -- hurricane season is upon us.  I have been doing pretty well with this.  Trying to use up these items have helped lower the grocery bill as I am buying less meat.  Another item will be eaten tonight -- just not sure what it will be yet.

Til later.

[Sharon]

Today I dropped off another small donation of glassware, another 14 items out of the house.  In a couple of the cupboards I am beginning to notice the effects of getting rid of even more stuff and it is nice.  I can see what is in there and I know where stuff lives.  It's inspiring to keep on going.

[snapdragon]

Today I got the following done - 

1 - 2 lawn bags of green waste taken to the station 
2 - Azn return taken care of
3 - 1 load of laundry done
4 - grocery shopping done
5 - hit up HD for 30% vinegar
6 - made a macaroni salad from scratch and added dill, capers and veggies 

Still need to do - 

fold and put away laundry
finish washing clothes

[Sharon]

Today I got the sheets changed, 4 loads of laundry done and put away, and the garbage taken out.  

I was going to start applying primer to the living room walls but while removing hooks/nails etc from the wall the hammer slid from the top of the ladder and landed on the top of my head.  I'm okay but the top of my head is tender.

After the hammer incident I sat and watched hoarders for a while and sorted through stuff.  I went through the storage box that holds all the holiday/birthday/special occasion napkins.  If there were less than 7 seven napkins in the package they went in the garbage, or were for events that I don't think I will ever need again (congrats grad).  Yes I know I could have used them up for everyday but I didn't want to, so they are just gone.  I also sorted through the kitchen hand towel drawer and got rid of a few of the rattier ones and got it organized again.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

On the decluttering front, I have put six articles of clothing in the donation bin. They are way too small right now and a minimum of ten yo. 
I'm going through a few garage shelves today to determine what is just sitting there doing absolutely nothing but take up space. I'll report back how many items go out. 

On the organization front, 
I'm starting a new notebook in July. My current one is from last August when the school year started. 
I currently have four gatherings to plan plus starting my new job on July 8. It's definitely new notebook time. 

Last week of June ~ visiting Vancouver, BC
July 30 ~ Casino night at our house hosting 50 people
August 8 - 12 ~ my sister and her three kids will be at our house + our maternal aunts, uncles, and and cousins will visit. (My mother and other sister live in the same town I do.)
Oct 11-13 ~ a baby shower for DD#1 (yay!). I've decided to rent an AirBNB in Portland because DD lives in Washington State. Portland will be much more central for the gathering. 

[snapdragon]

Jun 16, 2024 11:07:28 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

On the decluttering front, I have put six articles of clothing in the donation bin. They are way too small right now and a minimum of ten yo. 
I'm going through a few garage shelves today to determine what is just sitting there doing absolutely nothing but take up space. I'll report back how many items go out. 

On the organization front, 
I'm starting a new notebook in July. My current one is from last August when the school year started. 
I currently have four gatherings to plan plus starting my new job on July 8. It's definitely new notebook time. 

When did that happen?! Congratulations on finding a new job! 

Also, congrats to your DD and SIL on the baby! 

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Jun 13, 2024 14:08:47 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Thanks everyone. 

(I deleted the post because TMI but my dear dear friend in the US died a couple of days ago.)

I'm sorry I missed the post, and so very sorry for your loss.

condolences. Sending you virtual sympanthy and hugs

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Accordign to the weather report, was suppose to be up to 85 by noon today so I thought - good. I can garden up to noon. Woke up a bit later than intended but still had about 2 hours to devote to gardening before it zoomed into the 90s.

Nope! contrary to forecast was already well into the 90s at 10, and likely before that.

I did one go round of watering to keep things from dying in this heat, but needed to come in for a bit of a cool down. Having iced coffee and will do another go round. On 1 hand - I'm already sweaty and don't want to go out there again right now, On the other, it is only getting hotter every passing minute, so need to balance that in my decisions!

Hourly forecast still says it is going up to 87  by noon now, but the current temp is 93. So I'm worried that the high temp listed of 94 is going to be blown pass as well. Trying to cool down the house with aircon now, but as I've been waiting for the house redo to address the hvac stuff, we only have 1 window unit AC upstairs which is for about 7-800 square feet I think, maybe a bit more? usually, it is enough to make the parts of the house I frequent comfortable as it is just 2 small bedrooms upstairs that I don't close the door on and bath room, and then the cool pours down the stairs. But in about 1-2 hours the sun is going to be shining directly on the aircon unit for about 3 hours still the sun gets past the tree a bit, and if it gets past 95 then we will likely not stay comfortable.

All that to say that I need to do a lot of housework but it heavily involves dishes, laundry, and vacuuming....all of which produce heat. Then there is food prep heat, and I'll need to pick the food carefully as to not produce heat, but while I iced my coffee, I did brew it on the stove, lol! Use a mocha pot.

I guess I just need to pray the unit stays with us! Looks like about 5-6 days of not turning it off!  88 is better than 96!

And I know others are having much worse heat. Stay cool and safe everyone!!

[Rukh O'Rorke]

phoenix is going up to 111 today! 105 for las vegas.

hoping everyone stays ok in those areas.

[debthaven]

Thank you Rukh O'Rorke . 

Congrats to your DD and SIL Knee Deep in Water Chloe !

Gearing up for a crazy two weeks at school for the last interviews for prospective students. Not looking forward to waking up at 6 am three days a week for the next two weeks, but the semester is winding down.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Jun 16, 2024 12:47:38 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Thank you Rukh O'Rorke . 

Congrats to your DD and SIL Knee Deep in Water Chloe !

Gearing up for a crazy two weeks at school for the last interviews for prospective students. Not looking forward to waking up at 6 am three days a week for the next two weeks, but the semester is winding down.

Hope the end of semester goes smoothly for you!!

[Rukh O'Rorke]

already 96! Peak temp expected 3pm to 6 pm.

did another watering stint in the yard, but very short! Need a bit more. 
 

[seriousthistime]

I bought and hung a framed print I just love!  I got it from an interior design gallery, marked down to almost free because of a few scratches on the painted silver frame.  I can get some silver metallic paint to touch it up, or may even get a different frame - but it's quite large and that would be pricey. 

It went in the guest bedroom, so now I'm going to swap out the linens to pick up some of the colors in the print.  I also have a vintage wooden thing (looks like a carved door to an old armoire or something) that I'm using as a headboard but it needs to be affixed to the wall quite sturdily so it doesn't fall down and bonk someone's head. I need to drill some holes on the back of the piece but my drill battery is dead and I can't find the charger.  I knew exactly where it was before I had to pack up my stuff in the storage room so the guys could do the floor in there.  I'll come across it at some point and then fasten the headboard to the wall. 

When I remodeled the kitchen I removed a fancy built-in microwave and went with an over-the-range model. Last week I sold the built-in microwave.  The buyer was remodeling his kitchen with the same brand and line of appliances and he saved about $350 by buying my microwave used.  And that's the reason why I decided not to build the microwave into a cabinet again; not looking forward to the cost and hassle of replacing it at some point.  Those microwaves are not cheap.  The trim kit alone is a few hundred $$$. 

I also decluttered some weeds in a garden area, planted some daylilies, cannas, and daisies there, and am watering profusely in this heat.  Once it gets a bit cooler I'll tackle the adjacent garden which is a mess right now.  I keep telling myself that Rome was not built in a day.  And it's true; my last real garden took several years to develop. 

[seriousthistime]

Jun 16, 2024 12:47:38 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Thank you Rukh O'Rorke . 

Congrats to your DD and SIL Knee Deep in Water Chloe !

Gearing up for a crazy two weeks at school for the last interviews for prospective students. Not looking forward to waking up at 6 am three days a week for the next two weeks, but the semester is winding down.

You'll get through this and then you can enjoy the summer!