2024 Organize & Declutter

[soupandstew]

Aug 9, 2024 12:20:51 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Happy Friday!  Where is everyone?  

Hi Iggy!  I'm here but no organizing at the moment, just routine cleaning and laundry.  Hope everyone has a good weekend.  It's incredibly hot here, heat advisory sort of thing, but I'm hoping to clean a few windows outside this weekend.  

[TheOtherMe]

My oranizer is coming the first week of September so we can put this house back together after getting the ceiling repair in my bedroom done.  

[seriousthistime]

Routine cleaning and laundry!  I'm caught up with the laundry but I've got to get moving on the cleaning. 

I broke down and bought a Food Saver. Living alone, too much food would often go to waste.  I recently tossed two Ziploc bags of chicken breasts because of freezer burn.  I'm getting a new fridge for the kitchen and moving the current fridge to the garage. I find too much frozen food gets lost in the side-by-side.  Hope for better freezer organization in my future. 

[CCL]

I lover my Foodsaver! If you've got a Costco membership, they have the best prices I've found on bags.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Aug 9, 2024 12:20:51 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Happy Friday!  Where is everyone?  

We had guests show up on Wednesday and Thursday, and they all left today. 
DH and I are now re-setting the house. We had a great four days, but we are exhausted!

[snapdragon]

I've been fighting sinus and headache issues the last few days so not much has been done. 

Today -
Paid all my bills this morning
Phoned my old dentist for approval on sending my records. I got the x-rays sent to me. 
getting all the laundry folded and put away.
washing the dishes
contact my contractor on when they plan to start phase 1.

outside - 

mowing the lawn
possibly doing more weeding in the front yard.
there is a big chance I'm going to work on the hedges in the back. 

sometime this month I need to do a Costco run just not sure when that will be.

[seriousthistime]

Aug 11, 2024 15:58:26 GMT -5 CCL said:

I lover my Foodsaver! If you've got a Costco membership, they have the best prices I've found on bags.

I got the Food Saver at Costco and saw they have Food Saver bags and Kirkland bags.  Are you talking about the Kirkland bags? Would be interested to know if they are good quality. 

[moneysquirrel]

I have been dealing with service people.  I have seen the plumber again as I had a problem with the kitchen sink drainage. Other than that I have been keeping up and getting small things accomplished.  Mopped several rooms this morning.  Work continues on the last craft project from the retreat -- worked on it a little today.  If I work on it every day it would be finished in no time but I have been taking days off.  Had one medical appointment last week.  

Upcoming:
*Meeting & presentation -- tomorrow
*Send off forms for craft show in December-- this week
*Payment for several monthly bills -- cell, electric, gas -- should be this week as well
*Blood Work -- Wednesday
*Hair appointment -- Wednesday
*Sam's -- Wednesday (on the way back from hair appt)
*Activity -- Thursday
*House Cleaning -- Friday
*Errands -- Bank, grocery for perishables, post office, etc
*Dr. Appointment -- Thursday week
*Zoom with J -- Friday week
*Classes begin last week of August

Til later

[CCL]

Aug 12, 2024 16:15:55 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

Aug 11, 2024 15:58:26 GMT -5 CCL said:

I lover my Foodsaver! If you've got a Costco membership, they have the best prices I've found on bags.

I got the Food Saver at Costco and saw they have Food Saver bags and Kirkland bags.  Are you talking about the Kirkland bags? Would be interested to know if they are good quality. 

Yes the Kirkland bags. I prefer them over the Foodsaver. They seem to lie flatter and don't curl up as much, so seal easier for me. Usually $20 around here. I also prefer the pre-cut qt. bags over the gallon size. And, of course, the price is much better, too, although I wouldn't buy them only for the price.

[startsmart]

I spent a lot of time over the weekend tidying up so a contractor could see the two projects I have indoors and… he didn’t show. At least the house is cleaner?

This morning it’s raining hard, which I love, so I’m working from the window seat so I can enjoy the sound of rain and thunder all morning.

[Opti]

Aug 13, 2024 8:31:24 GMT -5 startsmart said:

I spent a lot of time over the weekend tidying up so a contractor could see the two projects I have indoors and… he didn’t show. At least the house is cleaner?

This morning it’s raining hard, which I love, so I’m working from the window seat so I can enjoy the sound of rain and thunder all morning.

I hope your contractor gets in touch with you either way.

[Opti]

So today's plans on 4ish hours of sleep

Eat breakfast, partially completed
Do electronic check in for virtual doc visit
Virtual doc visit

Bath/Shower/?
Virtual Green Team mtg for church

Start planning tomorrow's grocery shop assuming there will be money to shop with

[moneysquirrel]

Updating:

Aug 12, 2024 17:24:39 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

I have been dealing with service people.  I have seen the plumber again as I had a problem with the kitchen sink drainage. Other than that I have been keeping up and getting small things accomplished.  Mopped several rooms this morning.  Work continues on the last craft project from the retreat -- worked on it a little today.  If I work on it every day it would be finished in no time but I have been taking days off.  Had one medical appointment last week.  

Upcoming:
*Meeting & presentation -- tomorrow
*Send off forms for craft show in December-- this week
*Payment for several monthly bills -- cell, electric, gas -- should be this week as well
*Blood Work -- Wednesday
*Hair appointment -- Wednesday
*Sam's -- Wednesday (on the way back from hair appt)
*Activity -- Thursday
*House Cleaning -- Friday
*Errands -- Bank, grocery for perishables, post office, etc
*Dr. Appointment -- Thursday week
*Zoom with J -- Friday week
*Classes begin last week of August

Til later

Presentation went well.  I am new to this group so I was a little antsy about it.  

New Items for List of to-dos:
*Service appointment -- Tuesday
*Service appointment --
*Quarterly payment -- Insurance -- before month end
*Last of the monthly bills -- at least three left.
*Finish the bracelet -- getting close to the end and ready to start something new.

[Opti]

Aug 13, 2024 8:38:53 GMT -5 Opti said:

So today's plans on 4ish hours of sleep

Eat breakfast, partially completed
Do electronic check in for virtual doc visit
Virtual doc visit

Bath/Shower/?
Virtual Green Team mtg for church  FAIL due to Internet provider being wonky from afternoon into evening

Start planning tomorrow's grocery shop assuming there will be money to shop with

Did the grocery shop and spent more than I would have liked, but I was scrambling to get rent paid with money from my emergency pocket

Only one bill left to pay this month, and it is already prescheduled
Scheduling PT appointments
Scheduling transport to PT appointments
See if I can get Care Plan to disability insurer tonight or first thing tomorrow
Finish laundry
Finish lunch after laundry retrieved from laundry room

Friday plans at the moment

Make sure everything into disability insurer
Get further on dad IRA paperwork
Reach out to someone with a car and see if we can go into a branch next week and get this beast done
Schedule next week's grocery shop, trying for the other grocery location since I can go in the afternoon
Get TJX online stuff set up b4 they cut the next stmt and charge me $$ for doing so

For next week

Make card for B's birthday
Come up with plan to invite sibs here in October 
Work on staying positive
Work on hitting 80 oz of liquid a day

[Opti]

Need to take a break, but -

Scheduling PT appointments
Scheduling transport to PT appointments
See if I can get Care Plan to disability insurer tonight or first thing tomorrow
Finish laundry
Finish lunch after laundry retrieved from laundry room

Need to take a break and put away laundry but my first PT appointment is now in the pipeline.
Need to get my hydration on, so I'm going to do that while taking my break.

[Opti]

Took my number two choice for PT since they had appointments available more than a week earlier than my top choice. In booking the transport for that initial appointment, got told how the breakdown for the two grocery trips are for the other grocery store. Turns out the afternoon one is full and is from senior housing in my town. So, it would be a morning trip on yet another day, which I might do anyway especially if it would get me home at a decent time. Still might be an option for when I do half days @ work initially, one grocery trip and one day where I work in the afternoon instead of the morning.

Still need to do the difficult transport variances for working a full day/coming home after 4PM. Will wait on that until next week. Still have labs and other important stuff to schedule that needs to be done weeks b4 returning to FT work.

[Opti]

Friday did not go as planned so this is this week's stuff

Friday plans at the moment

Make sure everything into disability insurer
Get further on dad IRA paperwork
Reach out to someone with a car and see if we can go into a branch next week and get this beast done
Schedule next week's grocery shop, trying for the other grocery location since I can go in the afternoon
Get TJX online stuff set up b4 they cut the next stmt and charge me $$ for doing so

Stuff to add, but I just dropped something where I rarely drop something and now, I have vacuuming to do behind
a bookcase I've wanted to move elsewhere for a few years. Just did TJX. Knew there was one of more things I should have done instead of anxiously waiting for when the rain was going to clobber us yesterday.

[azucena]

School started today for all 3 of mine, so we were using it as a deadline to get our bedroom switch up completed. I'd say we are 2/3 of the way there. DH also worked with DD12 to take down the cardboard shanty she had built in the living room this summer. She slept in it some nights each week. Taking it down meant finding almost a whole load of laundry lol.

I was proud to show off clean living room but DD16 laughed and pointed out that front hallway is now swimming in DD12's stuffed animals from there and her room. Oh well, it's still progress.

Today I want to spend an hour picking up in my home office. It's constantly the catchall for things in transition and without homes and collects all DD12s craft supplies. The plan is for her smaller bedroom to house the litter boxes now that she's moved to bigger bedroom. We also decided she would keep that closet for craft supplies and let her new bedroom closet just contain clothes. Will probably take 4-5 hours to finish up her room switch. She's doing a great job of throwing stuff away and making a donation pile using the start of middle school as a transition to growing up and not wanting the same things.

[Iggy aka IG]

Aug 13, 2024 8:31:24 GMT -5 startsmart said:

I spent a lot of time over the weekend tidying up so a contractor could see the two projects I have indoors and… he didn’t show. At least the house is cleaner?

This morning it’s raining hard, which I love, so I’m working from the window seat so I can enjoy the sound of rain and thunder all morning.

How frustrating!

[Iggy aka IG]

Okay, it was my time to disappear.     DH and I went camping last week for an early anniversary celebration.  We arrived home late Saturday afternoon, and I spent most of the evening with the kittens.  (Our neighbor's and L took care of them during our absence.)  I did help DH unload the camper and unpacked my belongings.

Yesterday:
-3 loads laundry
-Food prepped including boiled eggs and cold brewed coffee for the week
-Refilled ice trays and Keurig
-Planned this week's suppers
-Tossed some food we didn't get to
-Cleared off the main kitchen counter
-Compiled today's grocery order
-Started planning next year's milestone anniversary trip

Today:
-Submitted this evening's grocery pickup order
-Picked up the snail mail
-Paid bills.  Ouch.

This evening:
-Pickup groceries
-Bring Caesar salad ingredients to a neighbor going through a rough patch

[Opti]

Trying to find stuff that came in the math the end of last week and its hiding for now.
Meanwhile the skies opened early and its pouring.

I would love to find this b4 COB today.

[snapdragon]

I am rather proud of myself - 

On Saturday I managed to get the frosted vinyl up on my back door! No more really long hanging honeycomb blind or harsh sunlight blinding me and I still get light but privacy. 

Was on the phone with my finance guy and we had a really decent conversation...I need to talk to him next month on doing something on Dad's old IRA. 

Pulled several framed pictures from the garage for more decoration around the house - just mentally working on where they should go. 

[soupandstew]

I've made a list of items I need to include in the long-delayed addendum to our estate planning binder.  I'm going to photograph the item, scan whatever documentation I have such as receipts, and type up a brief summary of purchase date and price.  So far I've identified 4 pieces of jewelry, one piece of furniture, 5 art objects, one chair, and our silver flatware as worth of attention.  This should keep me out of mischief for a few days

[Opti]

Called disability insurer late today because I can't locate where I put that envelope. Ready to start a new folder and I've misplaced it. Gah. Since it's hard to walk I have been putting things in places I usually don't. Most of the time I do remember to pick them up.

Still have paperwork to do for the county bus system. So much stuff. Oy. At least the county bus fee I will be billed is much cheaper than grocery delivery which is nice. I'm learning things from her when she comes out briefly because she works from home. These Hoka slides I got have been a life and knee saver. I don't think I'd be doing half as well now had she not told me about hers and told me how she got hers on the cheap side. The thick squishiness really helps cushion my knees and ankles when I walk.

[Iggy aka IG]

This morning:
-Put corned beef into the Crock Pot
-Walmart
-Bank
-ATM
-Post office
-Dropped off our ballots

Today:
-SSDD here at the office

This evening:
-Do a load of laundry while exercising
-Kitten time
-Process last night's fresh produce purchases
-Make mashed potatoes and Irish soda bread for our anniversary supper
-More kitten time
-Enjoy a few hours with DH before bed to adult all over again tomorrow 

[debthaven]

Hi friends! We're back from our long road trip. It's so good to be back!

I unpacked, but I have a TON of laundry and errands to do.

This week
- laundry (ongoing)
- get e-liquid/Wed
- pharmacy/Wed
- bottle bank/Wed
- donation bin/Wed
- Shitepile
- vacuum car

I go back to school on 3 Sept, but I only have to go in one day/week. The rest will be on Zoom.

ETA: Happy anniversary Iggy! 

[NastyWoman]

DS2 arrived yesterday (we'll pick up the rest of his family in a few hours from the airport) and I can proudly report that he actually could see that some stuff was gone. Since most of my decluttering has taking place behind closet doors I was very pleased that he saw it in my general areas as well! Success - not nearly enough but I count every change as a victory

[debthaven]

Woo hoo NastyWoman !   Enjoy your family!

[debthaven]

I did something for this long trip I was very happy with. I bought a cheap transparent pencil case for myself, a nicer case for DH (part of his birthday gift) and equipped them.

I bought two double USB wall plugs (one each), two extra phone cables (one each) and two Kindle/e-cigarette cables (for me). Now we each have a small electronics case for travel.   

I'm going to add a double wall plug for each of us, because no place had one. I did this over several months, to spread out the cost.

[TheOtherMe]

I ran the dishwasher this morning so I can return containers when I pick up food tomorrow.  

The ceiling is being fixed on Thursday and Friday and the guys said they will come Saturday to put the furniture back.  

My bedroom will start to feel like my bedroom again.

The organizer is coming the Tuesday after Labor Day to help me put it all back together.