2024 Organize & Declutter

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I have a big chore list for this weekend, and I want to squeeze in a few hours of kayaking tomorrow.
Both DSs and their SOs will be here Sunday for lunchtime.  

[debthaven]

TheOtherMe I really hope the cream helps with the healing. 

Can you tell us a bit about your job Knee Deep in Water Chloe ? I hope it's going well. 

TheOtherMe  and soupandstew I do that often too! I'm glad I'm not the only one lol.

I have errands to do but I'm still waiting for 2 a packages. (It's two kids' birthdays, and we have a family event soon, hence the shopping/packages.)  

To do
- pick up package/Sat
- e-liquid/Sat
- try on smaller dress/Sat
- return bigger dress/Sat
- bottle bank/Sat
- pharmacy?

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

[moneysquirrel]

Another rainy day so I am getting some work done inside.  Two loads of laundry started , bed linens changed, and the dishwasher has been unloaded.  Most of the flat areas have been cleared.   At least with all the rain tempertures have been down a little and the blessing is that the AC has not come on as often.  That should help lower the electric bill some.  

Have football on -- one of our local collage teams.  I have two former students playing on the team so I like to catch the games when I can.  

I hope to get to the grocery tomorrow as it is the only day that looks to be clear of rain in the next week due to that low pressure activity in the gulf.  It may not be my only errand tomorrow but it is the one I have to get done as I am approaching the Mother Hubbard stage in the pantry and in the freezer.  Have enough to get through another week but choices will be limited.  Also need several of the basics.

I will try to do some beading later today.  Rested my hands yesterday.  Need to remember not to overdo it -- but it is hard to do once I get into the groove.  Also need to double check a crochet pattern I want to try as I need to buy the yarn for it when I am in the neighborhood of the store.

Have a great day all.

soupandstew -- pretty sure you are getting all this weather as well.  Stay dry my friend.

[soupandstew]

moneysquirrel  Thank you, dear one.  We are beautifully dry and cool today and will be tomorrow.  Tuesday and Wednesday will be our days for whatever is coming-they will fly the disturbance tomorrow and have a more solid forecast on Monday; right now the spaghetti models look like a toddler played in a basket of colored yarns.  At the least we'll get a LOT of rain, at the worst, its name will be Francine.  

[debthaven]

Mon
- pharmacy
- wrap birthday gifts

Kitchen and laundry caught up.

I'm WFH tomorrow, at school Tuesday. It's another quiet week. 

How did the shows go finnime ?!

[finnime]

THe show went well, not great, but well enough. We need to get some more inventory of matted prints together, I think. And there is a particular image that we always sell when we have it: a print on canvas of Vivid Sunrise in December. We sold that to another vendor before we even finished setting up.

Here it is:

[debthaven]

That is truly stunning finnime 

[seriousthistime]

Lovely, finnime!

I'm done with my temp job.  Today the electrician is here swapping out some lighting fixtures. To stay busy while he's around, and not seem like a sloth, I've straightened my home office. I posted extra office supplies (do they multiply when we are not looking?) - pens, correction tape, highlighters, and thumb tacks - on the FB Buy Nothing page.  A teacher snapped them up.  

Also posted HVAC floor registers (black) which I replaced with a lighter color to match my new flooring. Someone has spoken for those. 

And when the chandelier comes down, someone is coming by to pick it up.  I took pictures of it installed with the lights on so they know it works. 

I love Buy Nothing.  Sometimes it's irritating because people say they're coming and then they ghost you. Whatever I can't get rid of on Buy Nothing goes to Goodwill or Habitat ReStore. But ReStore is pretty picky as to what they will take these days.  I had five brand new, in box, seeded glass lighting fixture globes.  They wouldn't take them.  I checked their list of accepted items and floor registers and lighting fixtures were not listed. 

Things are leaving the house and that makes me happy. 

[snapdragon]

I am very chuffed about having replaced the garage door gasket on Saturday. It took me around an hour and lots of going back and forth but it's done, and I am very happy about that. 

yesterday was weeding a bit.

Today or tomorrow is mowing and weedwacking the yard. 

[debthaven]

Good for you snapdragon ! You seem so resourceful. 

Congratulations seriousthistime !!! Lots of progress! You must be thrilled to be on the finishing touches, and to have your life back. 

School agreed to move my first class post-surgery to before surgery. So I'll have 4 weeks post-surgery before I have to go back. I can also do the following week online, but I'll see.

DH is happy to drive me/pick me up but my school is right near an Olympic site, so the area is still a mess. (They have to dismantle everything.)

[TheOtherMe]

Sept 9, 2024 12:17:21 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

Lovely, finnime !

I'm done with my temp job.  Today the electrician is here swapping out some lighting fixtures. To stay busy while he's around, and not seem like a sloth, I've straightened my home office. I posted extra office supplies (do they multiply when we are not looking?) - pens, correction tape, highlighters, and thumb tacks - on the FB Buy Nothing page.  A teacher snapped them up.  

Also posted HVAC floor registers (black) which I replaced with a lighter color to match my new flooring. Someone has spoken for those. 

And when the chandelier comes down, someone is coming by to pick it up.  I took pictures of it installed with the lights on so they know it works. 

I love Buy Nothing.  Sometimes it's irritating because people say they're coming and then they ghost you. Whatever I can't get rid of on Buy Nothing goes to Goodwill or Habitat ReStore. But ReStore is pretty picky as to what they will take these days.  I had five brand new, in box, seeded glass lighting fixture globes.  They wouldn't take them.  I checked their list of accepted items and floor registers and lighting fixtures were not listed. 

Things are leaving the house and that makes me happy. 

My problem is people don't want to drive 25 or 30 minutes to my house to pick up stuff.  I don't want to drive to town to meet them.  So mine ends up going to charity unless someone is willing to drive here.

[debthaven]

TheOtherMe I think (but I could be wrong) that you do your meal pick-up once a week? Could you offer a meet-up then? 

If they come, great! If they don't, you donate as usual. 

Just a thought. 

[TheOtherMe]

Tbe organizer takes donations when she leaves, so I am good for now.  That would be the only possibility.  The only other times I go to town are for doctor's appointments and I'm not doing a meet up and something like that at the same time.  

[debthaven]

That's totally understandable TheOtherMe ! 

[moneysquirrel]

Quick post: Re -- Francine


I am getting prepared as much as I can. As of now the path is to my west so I will be getting the "dirty" side of it. I do have the rest of today and part of Wednesday morning before the major winds and rain hit. I filled up on Sunday when I picked up only a few grocery items. (After Katrina, I pare down my freezer as much as I can during the summer. My freezer in the garage in unplugged.) And the one with the fridge only have a few items in it. I have been consistently eating out of it. Currently I am doing laundry, running the dishwasher and my routine cleaning. I have already secured my windows (thanks to the shutters I had installed last year) on the first floor. Plants have been moved closer to the house and blockaded as much as possible. I did get some extra cash yesterday in case we lose power and stores can't run registers. OK, just got notified that my RXs are ready to pick up so I will be getting that done within the hour.

Thanks for checking on us

[debthaven]

Stay safe moneysquirrel .

[moneysquirrel]

Sept 10, 2024 15:22:52 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Stay safe moneysquirrel .

Thanks, 
     I have done as much as I can to prepare.  Now I just have to wait for the storm to come ashore and move on past us.  At least it seems to be moving quickly and the faster it moves the better.  Tomorrow will be the day we will feel the effects.  Today was prep day. Secure what you can and prepare to stay home for a day or two.  

Anyway the house is as secure as I can make it.  Will check in as I can.

[seriousthistime]

Thinking of you, moneysquirrel. I hope the storm moves quickly and everyone manages to stay safe.  

Please send updates as you can.  We worry.  

[moneysquirrel]

Most of today will be a waiting game.  Current time of landfall is late this afternoon so things will begin to get windy and rainy soon.  I'm in for the duration.  Some areas have been without power so I am limiting my computer use and keeping it powered up.  Using my time to get a few  things accomplished. It helps to keep busy. 

[soupandstew]

Sept 11, 2024 10:19:51 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

Most of today will be a waiting game.  Current time of landfall is late this afternoon so things will begin to get windy and rainy soon.  I'm in for the duration.  Some areas have been without power so I am limiting my computer use and keeping it powered up.  Using my time to get a few  things accomplished. It helps to keep busy. 

  

[jerseygirl]

Guess this goes into declutter
We’ve had Hawaiian Marriottt timeshare for 20 years. Used them mostly, gorgeous area in the country and nice to stay in a 2BD 2 Bath ‘ apartment in a resort
But Jerseyguy can’t travel anymore. I’ve rented them out at a profit , around $2000 , for past 3 years. Decided to sell cause if I go , it’s too much trouble to figure out how to rent. Usually rented a few months before the reservation. But this summer it was very slow and rented the second only 3 weeks before reservation. Apparently slow rentals are more common now. Combination of inflation causing people problems and easier now to rent a condo or house through air b&b. When we bought really only hotel rooms available. Much nicer to stay in a beautiful condo with housekeeping in a resort

[moneysquirrel]

Just a quick update:

I am fine.  Francine has passed us.  She dropped between 7-9 inches of rain during her time here which led to a lot of flooding.  Canals are overflowing and the pumps can't handle that amount of rain in such a short period of time.  Some of the street flooding is receding this morning.  I did not lose power but lots of people did. Also there was no standing water in front of my home during the peak of the flooding.  Will do a check outside later this morning but still plan to remain home for the remainder of day.  There are still traffic lights out and I am sure that there are still areas with flooding. 

[Opti]

7-9 inches is life changing rain. I hope whatever damage is in your area it can be fixed quickly. Ida the storm dumped that kind of rain on my area, and it took over 6 months for one stretch of road to be fixed and reopened. I think the other part was fixed in the three-to-six-month timeframe.

It's wise to stay home if you can and let workers clean up what they can quickly. I'm continuing to go through old files and toss or put in a shred area. Still need space for filing paperwork, but it is slowly getting better. Got rid of some tote bags earlier in the week, which helps out my closet.

[moneysquirrel]

Sept 12, 2024 9:35:04 GMT -5 Opti said:

7-9 inches is life changing rain. I hope whatever damage is in your area it can be fixed quickly. Ida the storm dumped that kind of rain on my area, and it took over 6 months for one stretch of road to be fixed and reopened. I think the other part was fixed in the three-to-six-month timeframe.

Not the first time for us.  Often we get 4 or more during a severe afternoon thunderstorm.  What is bad this time is that we had about the same amount last week during the week of rain.  Therefore the ground is saturated.  With the saturated ground and high winds some trees have been uprooted. 

[wvugurl26]

Glad you are okay moneysquirrel.

I'm continuing to plug along slowly. I got my printer for work set up today. I did file and purge but I'm still not sure where some of the dislocated stuff is going to go. Lots more paper to tackle but I limited it to that pile so I could complete the task.

I sold a large Lego set and sent another to DH's cousin for her kids. I decluttered the baking chip shelf in my baking cabinet.

This weekend's goal is a Goodwill donation.

[snapdragon]

I managed to get the trash out this morning by 6am. 

Dishes need to be put away -they were washed last night.

I have been very happy staying mostly in my PJ's today. No motivation whatsoever. 

Tomorrow is the monthly coffee meeting. After that I have a need to do some clothing decluttering. Audiobook will be turned on and I am going to go through some clothes and make some space. I figure that will take up most of tomorrow and Saturday. I need to swap out for the weather anyway, so this weekend is better than next. 

Another attempt to work on the garage will probably happen too, things need to be moved, put away for fall and the house being painted. 

I keep looking at legal filing cabinets but the only one sorta near me is a 5 drawer (over 2.5 hours away) and I really don't want one that tall, heavy or distant. I would prefer a 3 or 4 drawer. But if it's still available later next week I might give them a call. My office is starting to get on my nerves.

[startsmart]

I plan to spend the weekend cleaning and organizing - one of the pets has peed on my bed/pillows so I am washing EVERYTHING and replacing the pillows and trying to prevent them from being in there unsupervised.

I may drive to Wichita to pick up my new sunglasses and get a new water heater but I am also sore from driving 7+ hours in the last week and may just rest and pick them up later.

ETA
With all credit to a 2pm coffee I have done a lot tonight!
- swept the bedroom, closet, living room and entry
- cleaned windows in my bedroom
- put away ALL the laundry including linens
- remade the bed
- cleaned my desk top
- washed one of my table fans
- did ALL the dishes
- finished a laminating project
- refilled water bottles
- cleaned bathroom and kitchen sinks
- cleaned the toilet
- cleaned litter boxes
- moved some of my underbed bins now that the mattress is on the floor
- finished an agenda for a Monday meeting
- began assembling bag for Tuesday event
- shut off work laptop and phone until Monday!

And it’s only 7pm. I usually have to rest after the chiropractor but I finished my coffee at 5 and had a cookie so I’m hoping for energy until late so I can get more done.

Tomorrow the weather will be mild until 1pm so I want to get some mowing done and move a lot around in the backyard in the good weather.

[finnime]

I was planning yesterday on going through my clothes and weeding out the summer stuff, but then it hit 80 degrees and I decided to wait. It's strange. Leaves are beginning to change color but it's hot and bone dry outside.

[moneysquirrel]

Getting things done slowly. 

*More items got placed in the donation pile. 
*Several small bags of paper were shedded this week. 
*Necklace set is almost finished. 
*Parts of the closet were straighten. 
*Laundry and dishes chores were maintained 

Goals/To-Dos Week of September 15:
*Service Appt -- Tuesday
*Classes -- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
*Meeting -- Tuesday and Wednesday
*Zoom Meeting -- Friday
*House Cleaning -- Friday
*AC Filter Change 
*Dessert for Tuesday's Meeting
*Finish necklace set
*Fix my bracelet
*Package a few items for upcoming craft shows
*Maintain laundry, dishes, flat areas, routine bath and kitchen areas
*Continue to work on storage areas in order to organize and declutter
*Payments -- monthly bills @ 4 left, partial payment on 2025 trip
*Errands -- Grocery and others
*Begin new project ?
Later in September:
*Craft show -- Saturday week
*Vaccines -- Flu and Covid -- will be on two different days.  I know how my body responses to these.
*Medical Test

I need to read several of the last few days comments as I just checked in briefly.  Keep up the good work all.