2024 Organize & Declutter

[NastyWoman]

While I do not count the number of items I declutter today is going to be an exception in more than one way. I went to Costco and saw this airfryer, dual drawer plus top basket, that I really wanted. And a stand fan that could be detached to serve as a table fan. To top it off, this fan can work both corded and cordless since it is rechargeable! I was drooling over both items. I could easily afford them, but I DID NOT BUY THEM! So even though these items never entered my home I count then as de-cluttered. 

* now admittedly, if the corded version of the fan had worked on dual voltage, this post would have ended differently 

[Sharon]

Life has been very chaotic this week.  I can't remember if I posted this here before or not.  My well has partially caved in so I will be getting a new well.  They put a new pump in the old well and the pump works so well that it can drain the well in 15 minutes then you wait while the well refreshes and refills. The end of this week has been working with the well drilling company and the well pump company to get things coordinated to get a new well.  Fortunately those guys all know each other and talked amongst themselves about the things I don't really know about.  Still there have been a multitude of phone calls and people out checking things out on the property.  Then I've also been working to arrange the money end of the deal because neither of these companies take credit cards.

Yesterday evening DD and DSIL took down a portion of my pasture fence and replaced it with temporary panels.  The well drilling company has a very large truck they need to get into the pasture and this was done at their request to accommodate this truck.  Now I just need to convince the cows to go into the front pasture.  They can both hang out there without issue they just prefer the back pasture.

[jerseygirl]

Guys are here decluttering huge barberry sticker bushes from side of house. In 2 years the bushes almost covered one of 2 big propane tanks for our generator. Power company also requested removal to get at electric meter.
I don’t like to use toxic chemicals on our property so cutting down is it. We live on a lake and people swim and fish so don’t want to have chemical run off
Plus bad for insects and wildlife, although I’d be happy with fewer deer

[snapdragon]

I am rather sore today - 

Took the green waste to compost
Sent one of my BFF's a birthday card
went to the sand and sawdust festival in town. Walked alot and have brownies in the oven. 

Yesterday was mowing and going on a bike ride along with bagging up my water reeds for green waste. I was a sweat ball for sure.

[snapdragon]

Jun 29, 2024 9:44:13 GMT -5 Sharon said:

Life has been very chaotic this week.  I can't remember if I posted this here before or not.  My well has partially caved in so I will be getting a new well.  They put a new pump in the old well and the pump works so well that it can drain the well in 15 minutes then you wait while the well refreshes and refills. The end of this week has been working with the well drilling company and the well pump company to get things coordinated to get a new well.  Fortunately those guys all know each other and talked amongst themselves about the things I don't really know about.  Still there have been a multitude of phone calls and people out checking things out on the property.  Then I've also been working to arrange the money end of the deal because neither of these companies take credit cards.

Yesterday evening DD and DSIL took down a portion of my pasture fence and replaced it with temporary panels.  The well drilling company has a very large truck they need to get into the pasture and this was done at their request to accommodate this truck.  Now I just need to convince the cows to go into the front pasture.  They can both hang out there without issue they just prefer the back pasture.

Best wishes on having a better well and things go smoothly. Not a cheap improvement/necessity. 

[debthaven]

I hope the well issues get resolved Sharon . It must be very stressful.

Today was a quiet day after these crazy two weeks. Then DH noticed that the corrugated roof over our lean-to (attached to the shed) was ripped, so we went to the DIY store to buy more. He'll probably replace it tomorrow, but we'll see. 

I did catch up on laundry.

Tomorrow should be another quiet day. 

NastyWoman your post was hilarious LOL! I love that you're decluttering items you don't even own LOL. 

[TheOtherMe]

Signed contract for ceiling repair in my bedroom.  No more rain has come  in the house since niece's hubby fixed the leak.  So it's time to get the ceiling fixed.  

I have to clean out the dresser and move a few other things so they can get to it.

[Sharon]

Today I worked some on getting the housework caught up.  Everything is so bad it just makes me feel out of sorts.  I watched the two youngest grand kids for a couple hours this morning and they helped me change the sheets on the bed and fold the beach towels that were in the dryer.

After they left I started on the living room.  The baseboards are finally scrubbed, the floor vacuumed and mopped and the furniture rearranged.  The furniture has just been shoved into the middle of the room since painting and it is nice to have it clean and the furniture where it belongs. 

After that I moved on and got the hallways, the hallway bathroom, and my office vacuumed and mopped.  I also ironed the two sets of pillow cases and put the one set on the bed.

[Sharon]

Today was another productive day.  I'm off work this whole next week and I hope I can keep the productivity going all week.

Today-

Got the cows moved into the front pasture to get ready for the well drilling tomorrow. 

Mixed up a batch of sugar cookies - the batter is still in the fridge chilling, ran out of time to do cut out cookies and bake them

Gave the microwave a good scrubbing

Cleaned the stove top and around all the burners/knobs etc.

Cleaned up some of the things that had been dumped on the counter and put them away.

Got the kitchen, dining room, family room, my bedroom and my bathroom vacuumed and mopped.  I even moved the dresser and bed and got all those dust bunnies rounded up.

Emptied the waste baskets and took out the garbage.

Sorted out the Knex building toys and got them bagged/boxed up and put away for a while.  Lately the kids have been playing more with the lego's and the mish-mash of those two building toys in the corner was driving me nuts so I eliminated one for a while. 

The house is looking better than it has in a long while.  There is still more to do to get it to the point where I want it to be when I got back to work next week.

[moneysquirrel]

Quick update.  Things are about the same.  Received the report from the plumbers and texted the guy about the sand.  Hope to get that scheduled ASAP. This week should be an easy one and I should be able to stay home most days.

Met with my former student and she oked the design and colors. So I will be working on those as well as those incomplete projects.  One of those is so close to being finished and I hope to get it completed this week.  

Dishwasher is running,  have leftovers for dinner tonight and the house is in pretty go order.  I updated the budget this morning and with the exception of the sand issue I only have a dental appointment in the schedule in the next two weeks.

[jerseygirl]

Will be decluttering 2 big dead trees in BY. Guy coming tomorrow to give estimate. Ash trees are dying from emerald ash borer insect. 2 years ago we had 10 removed.
Expensive! But at least we’re getting a better view of the lake.
When we moved here almost 30 years ago, it was very wooded in front and back of houses. Well new people moving in are removing lots of healthy trees and putting in suburban green lawns. In BYs, ash trees are dying and lakefront is more open. BYs still fairly wooded though for about 100’ from lake fronts

[Iggy aka IG]

Thank you, debthaven and TheOtherMe.  The kittens are doing well, and I've already taken umpteen pictures and videos.  A friend reminded me of the fact they don't stay kittens for long.  

Sharon sorry to hear about your well.  DH and I had a new pump and motor installed a few years ago and it was so worth it.  Prior to that he was hauling water several times weekly.

snapdragon what an adorable festival name!

I concluded what I had last month was Covid, and now DH has it.    At least I can tell him what to expect symptom wise.

On a positive note, I am pleased to announce I am down to one shoebox size box of greeting cards and pictures to go through.  Unfortunately, I pulled my back retrieving the loose items from under my desk and had a rough night trying to sleep.  Other completed weekend tasks:

-6 loads of laundry including sheets and a plastic bin of t-shirts.  I washed the latter twice, but they still smell musty, so I sprayed them with Febreze.  I'd like to give some to Harley riding friends, so we'll see.
-Emptied 3 garbage cans.
-Emptied and refilled ice trays a few times, restocked TP and tissue cubes.
-Meal prepped including cold brewed coffee for yesterday through Wednesday.
-Photographed a few more items for my online sale.  The plan is to go live Wednesday so perhaps more folks will be online during the 4-day holiday.
-Unplugged about half dozen unused electric items.
-Picked up my side of the bed and closet.

[TheOtherMe]

Kittens definitely grow up too fast but they can be very destructive.  Adult cats can be destructive, too, but it's always been the kittens who climbed the drapes or wall hangings and knocked over Christmas trees.  

Mine tended to calm down and stop doing other things.  

[debthaven]

I had to go to Job 1 today. It felt too soon after the very long days at Job 2, but hey.

My boss (a good friend) suggested cancelling my last annual review to have lunch instead. So that's what I did (plus 4h of professor/staff teaching). 

There are small piles around the house. That has NEVER happened.   I'm dealing with them. 

It's too warm now for our down duvet, we use a duvet cover instead. I KNOW I bought a duvet bag at IKEA last year, but I can't find it. 

In short, I'm trying to get my life back in order. 

ETA: I don't go back to Job 1 until 3 Sept!!! (I'm done at Job 2 until juries/orals in spring.)

[debthaven]

DS1's movers come on Wed evening to pack up his Stuff. He (and DD!) are meeting the truck when it arrives in the Alps on Thursday. (DD lives an hour from DS1/DDIL's new house.)

Once DS1's mattress is gone from the guest room/DS1+DDIL's room, I can finally unpack the mattress we purchased to replace it. 

I think DS1 was hoping we'd give him the down duvet and pillows. We already had to replace the bed frame, mattress and mattress protector, so we kept the down duvet and pillows.  

We did add a fan. 

[debthaven]

I just cleaned up two small piles downstairs, caught up on Shitepile, put some clothes away in my bedroom, folded/put away laundry, started a donation bag AND did a first pass on the kitchen dresser!!! 
 
That all took about 1.5h, but I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER NOW!!!

I think I've been depressed. Spring semester/summer term goes on FOREVER ... 28 weeks, over half the year. Gd willing I won't need to do that ever again. 

Now that it's nearly over, I seem to have bounced back. I have been SO long energy for SO long. I really hope this lasts. 

The warm weather helps!

[debthaven]

One last thing... 

Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. We had planned a Grand Day Out at a beautiful abbey 1h15 min away (2h30 round trip). 

I told DH, frankly, I don't have the strength for that right now. DH said, thank Gd you said that, because I don't either. 

We had a reservation for a fancy dinner out (AFTER that long day). I was able to change our dinner reservation to a lunch reservation. 

Now we can sleep late and have a wonderful local lunch! 

I'm guessing the Abbey isn't going anywhere... maybe next year?!

[seriousthistime]

Happy anniversary, debthaven.  Enjoy your day. 

[TheOtherMe]

Happy Anniversary debthaven

[Iggy aka IG]

Happy anniversary to the two of you, debthaven.  

This morning:
-Tended to the kittens
-Did some networking for our OHV club
-Went to the water station for the office
-Submitted a grocery order
-Rescheduled L. because DH is home ill.  She asked if we would like to adopt a third kitten because the other gal fell through.  Um.....  We're thinking about it.  

Speaking of which, since posting kitten cuteness on my FB page, at least three of my friends have adopted as well.  

Tomorrow I am attending a celebration of life and working half a day.  My office will be closed Thursday and Friday.  Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

[finnime]

Congratulations on completing the last long semesters at work, debthaven. I'm glad you're feeling better.

I've been juggling. We're in the throes of art and craft shows now and they involve a crazy amount of work. DD has started her new job, which pleases me hugely. I must, must, must declutter shitepiles. I've misplaced some papers for my neighbor, whose house DD is renting. The papers are effectively receipts for some excise taxes I paid for her and then withheld from DD's rent.

For all, congratulations on your progress.

[debthaven]

Thanks everyone. We had a quiet day and a delicious lunch. 

I'm sorry for your loss Iggy aka IG .

Good luck with the shows finnime ! I'm so happy for that your DD found a job. It hope she's very happy there. 

[moneysquirrel]

debthaven -- Happy Anniversary.  Hope you had a great day.  I just noticed the PM you sent me in March.  Sorry, I had no indication that I had a message.


finnime -- Glad you had a great show and congrats on the award.  Craft shows are a lot of work.  Some don't realize that it takes a lot of moving parts and setting up/breaking down is a job in itself.  I don't do as many shows as you have scheduled but I do work with a friend as we share a booth.  It makes life a little easier and her husband helps us do the set up/break down part a lot.  I am fortunate in that I have repurposed a lot of old rolling suitcases to help in the movement of products.

Don't feel like I am accomplishing a lot this week.  I did make it to the grocery yesterday and I will attempt to run a few errands this morning.  I would like to get to the mall to get one item -- need to see it in person.  Unfortunately, the mall now opens at 11 instead of 10 as the hours were changed after the pandemic and never returned back. I prefer to get things done early with the heat we have now.   I will try to get a few things done before I leave the house. But moving slowly at the moment.

Til later.

 

[TheOtherMe]

I went through one shitpile yesterday.  I hope to get through two more today.    Where does this stuff come from?

ETA:  I think I will only get through one pile, the smaller pile.

[debthaven]

We're waiting for the movers to come load up DS1's Stuff from the basement and DS2's room, plus his mattress from the guest room and (yes!) the fridge from the garden. 

DH moved the coats and shoes that live on the basement landing for easier access. He'll want to put them back tomorrow, and of course I'll want to put them back tonight ...

Can't wait!!!

ETA: And of course they're late. 

[debthaven]

They arrived at 10 pm, loaded up by 11.30 pm, then came in for cake/fruit/tea/coffee before driving 6h overnight to DS1's new house.

They work with DS2. DS2 asked me to be nice to them even though they were late LOL. 

All done! They were lovely! I didn't think everything would fit in the van, but it did!

I vacuumed and put the shoe rack back on the basement landing. We put the garden/DR tables and chairs back, and I put the printer table and printer back.

All that's left is to put DH's coats back on the basement landing hooks, and to unwrap the new guest room mattress. I wanted to do it now but DH is exhausted so we'll do it tomorrow.

I'm working all day tomorrow but on Zoom. 

We have a friend coming for lunch tomorrow and another friend coming for dinner tomorrow. I made a crumble today. 

They took one of the handmade Alpine trundle beds that my ex/late MIL bought for DS1 and DS2 when they were little. (DD has the other one, the grandkids use her room when they visit). They took the beautiful small antique DR table my MIL got me for my first Mother's Day, and the pine chest of drawers DH painted when he was young. This makes me so happy. 

DD is taking my MIL's rolltop desk and chair, but DD's car is tiny, so we'll bring it next time we visit. (DD would have had to take it home from DS1's.)

ETA: I managed to do the mattress by myself!!! I really hope it expands properly!

[snapdragon]

I did Costco and grocery shopping yesterday. 

Today I was out pulling goathorn weeds and chopping up a nuisance plant (scotchbroom) for the garbage. I was out there over an hour and I was just a sweatball. I had sweat just dripping off me. 

Ended up using the hose to spray sections of the house and to rinse off bug nests that were in my lavender and rosemary bushes.  

Pops are starting to go off in my area and so are several different dogs. 

Not sure if I will go to the beach and watch fireworks or not tomorrow. It will probably be too warm later in the day for me. 

Garbage is collected and will be going out in the morning. I already set my phone alarm so I can get up. I don't want to forget like I did last week for the recycling. 

[debthaven]

I already set my phone alarm so I can get up. I don't want to forget like I did last week for the recycling.

snapdragon can't you take out the recycling the night before? That's what we do here, for everything: regular garbage, green waste, recycling. (We don't have glass pickup although some suburbs do ... we have to go to the bottle bank.)

[snapdragon]

I just forgot what day it was last week on the recycling.

With all the wildlife (especially the bears and racoons) I am unwilling to take the actual trash out overnight. I would with 80% surety end up with the trash spread out all over my property and road.  

[finnime]

Aargh. We're both awake, having been rudely and abruptly alarmed at midnight by the smoke detector that I think is telling us needs a new battery, except that the one in the basement also goes off. They've triggered five times now for decreasing lengths of time. No sleeping through these alarms. Don't know how to deal with the one in the bedroom. We have a cathedral ceiling in there so the alarm is about 14' off the ground. No way for us to access it.

Will have to do an emergency declutter of the bedroom before someone with a ladder can come help us.