2024 Organize & Declutter

[debthaven]

seriousthistime that print sounds lovely!

Since you're starting the bathroom remodel tomorrow, maybe one of the workers can help you attach the headboard?

ETA: I did my first concert last night playing congas, and it went well! I had fun. 

[seriousthistime]

Yes, good idea!

[Sharon]

Today was a productive day.  In the morning I got the swimming pool vacuumed and then in the afternoon I worked on primering the living room walls.  I got the living room almost done and could have finished it if I had powered through but I was tired so I decided to just stop.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jun 16, 2024 11:23:02 GMT -5 snapdragon said:

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! 

Oh, it's been a long year... lol. Thank you, I'm super excited. I actually signed the contract for the new job sometime in January. I had to fulfill my current contract though, and it goes through June 30. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

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.

Well, it wasn't a whopping number, but we did put 14 things in the trash can and 8 in the donation pile. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jun 16, 2024 13:19:23 GMT -5 debthaven said:

seriousthistime that print sounds lovely!

Since you're starting the bathroom remodel tomorrow, maybe one of the workers can help you attach the headboard?

ETA: I did my first concert last night playing congas, and it went well! I had fun. 

Yay for the congas going well! 

[Rukh O'Rorke]

struggled through about 6 hours at 97/98 degrees. It started out well enough and I was pleased with the aircon....but then it got warmer and warmer in the house and even when the sun went down and the temp dropped to 80s it wasn't really recovering! 

I did go shopping last night to pick up another window aircon unit, but everywhere did not have them or was closed. May try again today if I can during lunch. Only up to 94 today (aledgedly! they were wrong yesterday!), and have kept the aircon on all night so it eventually did catch up with things so today might be better. Will see how it goes.

I did pop a load of dishes into the dishwasher last night, was still hot in there this am, lol! After driving around to try to get another AC, picked up chipolte for dinner. 

Hopefully stays comfy enough to get some stuff done today. Will see!

[debthaven]

The differences in temps is amazing ... this is the time of year I usually wear only linen to work because it's so hot at school, and then run it through the 15m cycle afterwards! 

I was home today, but yesterday I wore a sweater AND a coat to work!!! For the concert on Sat night, I wore a long skirt with leggings underneath. 

I caught up on laundry today, since I was home. Two more long days tomorrow and Thurs. 

[debthaven]

I had an ophthamologist appt for late June. I REALLY hesitated but I just cancelled it. 

I'm working A LOT, and feeling overwhelmed. I didn't want the additional burden of having to get approved by insurance for new glasses.

My glasses are two years old but they're absolutely fine. I'll replace them in the fall.

I feel very relieved.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Jun 18, 2024 12:44:45 GMT -5 debthaven said:

The differences in temps is amazing ... this is the time of year I usually wear only linen to work because it's so hot at school, and then run it through the 15m cycle afterwards! 

I was home today, but yesterday I wore a sweater AND a coat to work!!! For the concert on Sat night, I wore a long skirt with leggings underneath. 

I caught up on laundry today, since I was home. Two more long days tomorrow and Thurs. 

wow!

we hit 101 for a long stretch yesterday. a bit better today. think 94 was high,93 now.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Jun 18, 2024 13:38:38 GMT -5 debthaven said:

I had an ophthamologist appt for late June. I REALLY hesitated but I just cancelled it. 

I'm working A LOT, and feeling overwhelmed. I didn't want the additional burden of having to get approved by insurance for new glasses.

My glasses are two years old but they're absolutely fine. I'll replace them in the fall.

I feel very relieved.

as long as you do it in fall!

[debthaven]

I will for sure Rukh O'Rorke , before my insurance runs out again.

I keep a running list of doc appts/exams. I might postpone an appointment for a few months, but I ALWAYS do them.  

[Sharon]

Yesterday after work I finished applying the primer in the living room, now on to painting.

[finnime]

Sharon, I really admire how you get things done.

[seriousthistime]

Jun 19, 2024 8:35:51 GMT -5 finnime said:

Sharon , I really admire how you get things done.

[snapdragon]

Everybody be as surprised as I was yesterday when I got the mail and --- MY NEW PASSPORT ARRIVED!??! It wasn't even 2 weeks ago! Stil waiting for my card, but I have the passport. I was actually shocked. My original thought was I messed up on the paperwork and I had to fix something. Very happy that I got it back early, I was expecting it to take about 2 months. Of course, the picture is sucky. I have come to expect that any photo that I take for government purposes just turns out bad. 

I am seriously being blinded in the mornings due to the sunshine in my bedroom. I have my binds and the slider covering closed and the rays are just beaming in like a bad movie destruction weapon. So today I plan on going to the hardware store and seeing if I can get some outdoor roll down shades. I grabbed some excellent blackout drapes for my bedroom, but they won't work over the sliding doors. I refuse to use window cling because I bought this house largely for the canal view and I am NOT giving it up. 

Today - 

Laundry 
Switch bedding

This Week -
Do some weeding in the small bed by the house
Pull everything out of the pantry and re-organize it so it is much more cohesive and easier to find things
Start collecting items to donate so they can get out of the house

I have a graduation on Saturday that's about 2.5h away and I can drop off the donations on the way. It might not be alot but it will be helpful. Since I am unable to do a green waste drop off due to timing. Thankfully the waste site is open most Saturdays so I will catch it next weekend. 

[jerseygirl]

Snapdragon for darkness just buy some satin eye masks. They block light really well and are cheap!

[moneysquirrel]

Updating:

Jun 14, 2024 8:59:14 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

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.  1st draft --  done not thrilled with it.  Back to the drawing board.
*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. Ongoing -- I did pick up one pack of BSCB at Sam's because I was out.

Keep up the great work all!

[snapdragon]

Jun 19, 2024 11:21:15 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Snapdragon for darkness just buy some satin eye masks. They block light really well and are cheap!

My problem is that my eyes just end up weeping due to the harshness even after I wake up. I am getting light sensitive.  So a eye mask doesn't help me when I am awake and have to keep my eyes closed. I could maybe use sunglasses but that feels really weird and since I keep my prescription ones in the car for driving, I would have to buy another pair and wait for them to arrive. 

[debthaven]

snapdragon you may remember we paid a fortune for new windows and solar-powered shutters last year. It was expensive because there were 9 windows and 8 shutters.

Maybe it's worth getting an estimate for electric or solar-powered shutters for your bedroom?! You clearly love the house and plan to stay there, so it's worth looking into.

moneysquirrel you've gotten so much done!!!

[Iggy aka IG]

I've been out sick and will catch up here, but I wanted to check in.

Last week I finally mailed the designer tote to the buyer who expressed interest last September.  The funds will go directly into the Cruise Cash Stash.

Yesterday while home reading, I tried out my new chaise lounge for the first time.  I love it!  Still going back and forth as to whether or not I want to move the desk to the opposite wall next to the window.  We'll see.

DH and I "adopted" two feral kittens from the neighbors.  They are adorable and are just what the doctor ordered.   I have cat allergies, so outside cats are the perfect fit.

Next up:  I'm going to compile things to sell on my FB page.  We live rurally, so a garage sale is out of the question (plus, DH swore no more garage sales back when we lived in town).  I'll hype it up as a Sizzling Summer Sale! and sell groups of things for a set price.  I have a target date of when it goes live and will keep you posted.

Now, on to 70+ email and 23 voicemails.  Thanks for being here, everyone.
 

[TheOtherMe]

The guys I hired to trim my lilac tree have come and gone.  The tree looks fantastic and I am very pleased with how it looks.

I plan to get some bulbs for the fall planting and he said they would be happy to come and plant them.  I can't get down and dig like I used to and I can't be in the sun.  

He suggested a tree would look good in the front and he isn't wrong.  I have not had anyone I trusted to plant one so I never did it.

[debthaven]

So glad you're happy with the gardener TheOtherMe ! 

I hope you feel better soon Iggy aka IG . Congrats on the new furbabies! 

[jerseygirl]

I spent an hour shredding old financial statements. From 2000 to 2009.
I found them in a file drawer that I rarely open.
Doing laundry and putting on deck railings to dry. So hot and sunny it s very quick. Plus smells wonderful and whites are bleached

[snapdragon]

I went to the hardware store and bought a 8' roll down shade and was able to hang it up outside. I really like that it's blocking more sun, and they have cordless roll up doohickies that keep the shade at a really good length. I can still sit on my outdoor couch and watch the water.  So, I will see how much it helps defuse light in the morning. Great other thing about it is I can take it down in the fall and put it in the garage. It won't be beat all to hell and back with storms. 

Another thing I got done was Finally putting away my car jack. It had been a year plus since it had been used and it was just loose inside the trunk. Seems to me that I have more room and I am not worrying about losing anything or not having the tools if I get a flat. I always worried about attempting to do anything at the condo. Now that I have the garage I had been thinking about it, but it didn't click until I went to get the shade. I had to empty the trunk so the shade would fit through the car. I got the shade out and to the deck came back and started putting things back when I realized no time like now. Everything came back out and it only took me about 10-15 minutes to accomplish it. Even looked in my manual to see if there was a diagram on how they had everything set up originally. 

Time for a small break, some advil - my back is not really happy at the moment, and then on to the laundry. 

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Jun 19, 2024 13:44:44 GMT -5 debthaven said:

snapdragon you may remember we paid a fortune for new windows and solar-powered shutters last year. It was expensive because there were 9 windows and 8 shutters.

Maybe it's worth getting an estimate for electric or solar-powered shutters for your bedroom?! You clearly love the house and plan to stay there, so it's worth looking into.

moneysquirrel you've gotten so much done!!!

can you post a link to the kind you got?

[snapdragon]

So all the laundry was folded and put away.

The bed was stripped and remade.

Doing a few more loads and making sure they are put away.

Got a walk around the neighborhood and fought with my hat and the wind most of the time. 

Onto dinner - absolutely no clue what that will be but ok.

[NastyWoman]

I can't believe how much paperwork I accumulated over time - still shredding off and on 

[TheOtherMe]

I have a 4 drawer file and two 2 drawer files of paperwork that needs shredding.

[debthaven]

Rukh O'Rorke they look like this, in white (but it's a French brand). Some of them are huge (3-4 panel French doors).

www.cortinadecor.com/en/83023/persianas-enrollables-exterior-con-cajon

3/3 long days at school done this week. Just 1h on Zoom tomorrow. 

PS Rukh O'Rorke the big set of French doors in the LR doesn't have a plug nearby. The contractor explained that the solar/light-powered shutters were very slightly more expensive, but we wouldn't need to pay an electrician. So we went with those.