2024 Organize & Declutter

[debthaven]

You can probably guess that DH and I argued quite a bit about all this LOL. I specifically asked DH, so what part of I'm OK with getting a smaller, cheaper car did you not get? 

He said well after today, I decided you were right, we should just extend the lease for at least another year. 

finnime they're so young and clueless, I also feel the VERY TINIEST bit sorry for them because they've clearly been taught that this stupid sexist bullshit works! So they reproduce it. Ugh!!!

If I'd had the energy, I would have LOVED to run into the dealership and tell DH, Ooooh I want that one!!! The red one!!! How much is it? Wow that's expensive, but it doesn't matter, it's so pretty!!!

And then cried when DH refused to buy it (although DH CLEARLY hasn't done his homework, he's not stupid either).  

ETA: DH said, so what would YOU have done?! I said, I told you repeatedly that I wanted to extend the lease because I DIDN'T want to deal with it but here, let me show you. 

I called Toyota. I asked, what is the cheapest car you sell that has a sunroof? It took a while (because they're clearly not used to being asked that question) but I eventually DID get an answer.  

I then tried the same with Kia, but no salesman answered so I hung up. Funny how it takes them all HOURS to show you their cars once you're there, but nobody can be bothered to pick up the phone. They are SO SURE that if you COME IN, you'll leave with a brand new shiny car!!! WTF?!

If *I* were doing this, I'd have tried Hyundai and Nissan too. It really isn't that difficult!!! And if they refuse to answer, then I just strike them off the list and move on.

[seriousthistime]

Then it was not for her, finnime.  She could at least have said that in her comment and you could have considered whether it was reasonable to give her a short amount of time to find and schedule help.  Getting huffy with you when you've said you need a time for pickup and she didn't provide it is ridiculous. 

A lot of the time, the help flakes out and the pickup doesn't materialize. 

After asking those interested to respond with whether it's ok to DM and to tell me when they can pick up, I'm changing it.  Now, it will be: 

PLEASE READ: Preference will be given to people who indicate 1) when they can pick up and 2) whether it's okay to DM. 

[seriousthistime]

The only thing worse than shopping for a car is shopping for a car with a spouse. 

[debthaven]

seriousthistime that is so true LOL. We had a Fiesta we LOVED, then Ford stopped making them. We got the Puma because it too has a sunroof. 

I am intrigued by all this no-buy stuff!!! seriousthistime I think that's a great thing to put, hopefully it will eliminate those problems. 

There are several FB groups for my suburb. When our bunny died I posted offering his Stuff, and two people responded (not too many people have pet bunnies). One came as planned, the other didn't, but apologized and came the next day with a small gift. (She works at the local thrift shop and brought a few small candles.)

My house (like most houses here) has a gate so you can't just leave something outside for people to pick up unless you leave it in the street.

We also gave away a single mattress a few years ago. The family had clearly arrived recently. The man was VERY late, but he eventually showed up with his little girl and a plate of homemade pastries. That was SO kind! We were glad we waited.

Although he was very late, he was very communicative, he kept updating us. As usual, communication is key. 

There is also a France-wide used website for EVERYTHING, but money generally changes hands there. That's where I found the used congas we are hopefully picking up on Saturday. 

[NastyWoman]

Oct 2, 2024 17:37:21 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

That would be my answer too, debthaven .  I really take no glee in even thinking about a new-to-me car.  Yes, even though I bought a new car a couple of months ago!  I find it interesting, learning all the features in a new car, but rarely do I stop to think, "Hey, that's really neat!"  It's mostly, "Huh.  So THAT's how you do it" or "I didn't realize the car could do that. Do I like that?"

Unfortunately, cars are a necessity for most of us. I really just want a car that stops when I need it to, and goes when I need it to. 

I've never heard of a Puma. Looks like it's a smaller SUV-type. I'm a sunroof fan too!

Oh, and air conditioning, don't forget air conditioning. I get really, really cranky when I get too hot and that is not a good thing while driving (I can dress for cold weather but you can only take so much off)

ETA: funny story about Debt's red car comment. In 2007 I needed a new car. I had the choice down to 3 cars (a Honda,, a Toyota, and a Nissan). I had told the kids about them and asked them for input. So when I told DS1I had bought a car his first question was so what did you get? My answer? A red one -true statement but I could hear his head explode all the way from Newport Beach where he lived at the time 
Sometimes it is sooo easy to pull their leg. I did buy the Nissan Versa. A very good choice for me as I never had any troubles with it. Unfortunately it needed to be replaced after I got rear ended so hard I slammed into the car in front of me while traffic had come to a stand still.

[debthaven]

That's definitely a given now NastyWoman LOL. 

[NastyWoman]

And on the subject of decluttering: another box (almost) gone. I need to put a collection of Xmas decorations on FB now but it is way too hot out to make anyone come up to the enclosed "porch" on the second floor right now. 

[TheOtherMe]

Oct 2, 2024 18:01:49 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

Some people are kind enough to text me before they leave the driveway to thank me and let me know they've picked up the item. 

I have delivered some items to someone who gifts extra cans of food and other nonperishables from time to time.  She doesn't have a car, but she's such a nice addition to the group that I made an exception.  It was a porch drop-off. I responded to her request for a particular item that I happened to have and I was fine getting rid of it. 

I was unhappy enough after one encounter to contact an admin to see if I was being unreasonable in requesting a time frame. I wasn't. The Admin said the person gifting the items gets to decide on how the pickup will work.  

I took a soft blanket to a little girl who lived in the town where my dad lived.  Her mom and her were just out of a domestic violence situation and the mom said they had to leave her blanky behind.  

I was given this blanket by my rep payee client and it was against the rules.  She would not take no for an answer.  So I gave it so someone who needed it.

Little girl took the blanket and started sucking her thumb.  Mom and Grandma had tears in their eyes.  It did feel good to do that.  

[seriousthistime]

Yes, giving in that way can really make you feel like some small effort made a huge difference in someone's life. 

[Iggy aka IG]

TheOtherMe that is a very special moment.

Re car shopping:  I was single when I bought my first one, when I first moved here to the snow, DH encouraged me to buy a secondhand pickup truck for which he knew the history (he was their mechanic), and my current one I researched on my own, though DH did go on a test drive with me.  That being said, when I bought my ATV "back in the day" DH was with me and the salesman basically ignored me.  Um, excuse, me.  It will be MY machine and MY budget.  I bought one elsewhere.

This morning:  Roast in the Crock Pot, USPS, FedEx, picture frame drop off, and UPS.  Things went perfectly except the UPS drop off business wasn't yet open, and I didn't want to hang around for 15 minutes.  I'll stop by later.

That being said, running errands first thing in the morning is the best!  Less traffic, beautiful weather, and time to actually look around to notice changes.  One home had remarkable Halloween decorations in their front yard.

Currently new decals are being installed on my vehicle's windows.

The next two items on my office back-room declutter list are a bit more involved.  I will post after completion.

[seriousthistime]

Oct 3, 2024 11:36:00 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

TheOtherMe that is a very special moment.

Re car shopping:  I was single when I bought my first one, when I first moved here to the snow, DH encouraged me to buy a secondhand pickup truck for which he knew the history (he was their mechanic), and my current one I researched on my own, though DH did go on a test drive with me.  That being said, when I bought my ATV "back in the day" DH was with me and the salesman basically ignored me.  Um, excuse, me.  It will be MY machine and MY budget.  I bought one elsewhere.

This morning:  Roast in the Crock Pot, USPS, FedEx, picture frame drop off, and UPS.  Things went perfectly except the UPS drop off business wasn't yet open, and I didn't want to hang around for 15 minutes.  I'll stop by later.

That being said, running errands first thing in the morning is the best!  Less traffic, beautiful weather, and time to actually look around to notice changes.  One home had remarkable Halloween decorations in their front yard.

Currently new decals are being installed on my vehicle's windows.

The next two items on my office back-room declutter list are a bit more involved.  I will post after completion.

A woman I know buys a new Toyota SUV every few years.  Once time she walked into a dealership and told the salesman what she was looking for and what options she wanted.  He told her this was not like putting a meatloaf together with a little of this and and a little of that and it would all come out fine in the end.  Unbeknownst to him she knew the manager of the dealership.  I don't think it turned out well for the salesman. 

With XH, I was always the one who researched options, rebates, dealer incentives, and fair prices to pay on new cars. He chose the cars, except for the minivan. I didn't like his choices but was pretty much stuck with them. Except for the minivan.  I'm pretty sure my car choices since the split would not meet with his approval. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Oct 3, 2024 11:55:33 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

Oct 3, 2024 11:36:00 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

TheOtherMe that is a very special moment.

Re car shopping:  I was single when I bought my first one, when I first moved here to the snow, DH encouraged me to buy a secondhand pickup truck for which he knew the history (he was their mechanic), and my current one I researched on my own, though DH did go on a test drive with me.  That being said, when I bought my ATV "back in the day" DH was with me and the salesman basically ignored me.  Um, excuse, me.  It will be MY machine and MY budget.  I bought one elsewhere.

This morning:  Roast in the Crock Pot, USPS, FedEx, picture frame drop off, and UPS.  Things went perfectly except the UPS drop off business wasn't yet open, and I didn't want to hang around for 15 minutes.  I'll stop by later.

That being said, running errands first thing in the morning is the best!  Less traffic, beautiful weather, and time to actually look around to notice changes.  One home had remarkable Halloween decorations in their front yard.

Currently new decals are being installed on my vehicle's windows.

The next two items on my office back-room declutter list are a bit more involved.  I will post after completion.

A woman I know buys a new Toyota SUV every few years.  Once time she walked into a dealership and told the salesman what she was looking for and what options she wanted.  He told her this was not like putting a meatloaf together with a little of this and and a little of that and it would all come out fine in the end.  Unbeknownst to him she knew the manager of the dealership.  I don't think it turned out well for the salesman. 

With XH, I was always the one who researched options, rebates, dealer incentives, and fair prices to pay on new cars. He chose the cars, except for the minivan. I didn't like his choices but was pretty much stuck with them. Except for the minivan.  I'm pretty sure my car choices since the split would not meet with his approval. 

[NastyWoman]

Oct 3, 2024 11:58:23 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Oct 3, 2024 11:55:33 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

A woman I know buys a new Toyota SUV every few years.  Once time she walked into a dealership and told the salesman what she was looking for and what options she wanted.  He told her this was not like putting a meatloaf together with a little of this and and a little of that and it would all come out fine in the end.  Unbeknownst to him she knew the manager of the dealership.  I don't think it turned out well for the salesman. 

With XH, I was always the one who researched options, rebates, dealer incentives, and fair prices to pay on new cars. He chose the cars, except for the minivan. I didn't like his choices but was pretty much stuck with them. Except for the minivan.  I'm pretty sure my car choices since the split would not meet with his approval. 

[TheOtherMe]

I have finally found a new cleaning person and she will be here a week from today.  I can't wait for a clean house again.  

[snapdragon]

The house is picked up.

Exterior was pressure washed yesterday.

Managed to get the paddle boat out of the canal and someone took it this morning. That was a task and a half, very thankful I paid for assistance on getting it out. It took us over 2 hours before we could actually tow it to the lane.

Groceries were picked up along with 3 errands taken care of

I came home and had to pick up trash from the bears in the side yard, but that is done

A BFF is coming for the next few days with her GS so time to sign off.

[debthaven]

Yay for a soon-to-be clean house TheOtherMe .

Your house sounds like it's in an amazing location snapdragon

I hope everything is OK with Sharon .

seriousthistime and Iggy aka IG the salesmen stories are just crazy, but alas, probably pretty typical. Good for you for going elsewhere Iggy aka IG !

Left for Oct:
- pick up congas/Sat
- anaesthesiologist appt/next Wed
- mail passport application/next week

DH did my passport photos.  I'll mail the file next week. (I don't want it to arrive when I'm in the hospital.)

I have more admin to do but I've made good progress this year. The rest will wait till after surgery. Official paperwork truly paralyzes me, so I need to set modest, achievable goals.  

[TheOtherMe]

I am in great need of getting this computer organized.  I keep way too much stuff on my desktop and also on the hard drive.  That has to stop.   If the hard drive goes, they are gone and the stuff on the desktop in taking up double the space on the computer.  

I will reward myself with doing something genalogy wise.  I need the carrot to keep me going.

My genealogy files are all over the place and that has to stop, too.  They will not be useable by anyone except for me if I don't get my act in gear.

[debthaven]

TheOtherMe I sympathize. As neat as I am, my computer files are quite messy too.

DH isn't neat, but he can find ANYTHING on his computer in less than 30 seconds, even files from 5 or 10 years ago. Go figure! 

You might want to get a separate, large-capacity hard drive just for your genealogy. 

[TheOtherMe]

I have a 2 TB SSD external hard drive that is going to be for my genealogy.  But it doesn't matter if it is all there if I can't find anything.  I will be putting it all on there, but it also has to be organized.  

I was doing quite well at the organization I thought and then realized I had confused a family and had them in the wrong folder.  

So I made a to be filed folder.  That was my biggest downfaull.

[debthaven]

I know you'll get it done TheOtherMe ! 

[jerseygirl]

Oct 3, 2024 17:37:37 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I am in great need of getting this computer organized.  I keep way too much stuff on my desktop and also on the hard drive.  That has to stop.   If the hard drive goes, they are gone and the stuff on the desktop in taking up double the space on the computer.  

I will reward myself with doing something genalogy wise.  I need the carrot to keep me going.

My genealogy files are all over the place and that has to stop, too.  They will not be useable by anyone except for me if I don't get my act in gear.

Do you print out any of your genealogy ? I’m trying to get photos on my ancestry people I’ve printed out file for my grandmother But printing out each person would lose the interconnections
Any suggestions?

[TheOtherMe]

My genealogy is digital.  What I inherited from my aunt is on paper.  

I have entire folders of scanned photos by interspersed in my other folders.  

If the quality is good enough, I print some of the photos of the ancestors that are special to me.  

Some I display.  

If I was going to family reunions, I would be printing out the side's sheets and at least one photo for each person.  But family reunions no longer happen in my family.

[snapdragon]

My BFF gave me some wall decor that I just hung up in the 2nd bathroom. The colors really complement what I have going on in there. 

So when she gets back this evening, nothing will need to be done in that regard.

[debthaven]

We went to the mall for me to buy two pairs of oversized sweatpants for after the operation as The Walk of the Penguin Mich suggested. She's given me a lot of great advice!

We have a wedding tomorrow afternoon, we'll pick up the congas on the way.

[TheOtherMe]

My data is in the process of going to an external hard drive.  It's been way too long since I have done this.

[laterbloomer]

Dec 29, 2023 12:13:50 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

I'm in. I really like these threads. I don't think I ever get my whole list done for the year but it's neat to see what does get accomplished

1. Finish laundry room (get drywall finished, paint walls and put in flooring)
2. Get second set of stairs off back deck which will make back corner of yard usable.
3. VPL flooring upstairs.
4. Purge bedroom
5. Organize basement

1. Drywall is up in the laundry room
2. On hold
3. VPL FLOORING IS DONE! This is actually why I'm here. After 7 or 8 years I wanted to mark this one as DONE!!!
4. Bedroom is purged
5. Basement is organized

I hope everyone is doing well 💓 Life is good with me, just hectic. 😊 This weekend is all about getting the house in oder here.

[TheOtherMe]

Oct 4, 2024 17:39:27 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

My data is in the process of going to an external hard drive.  It's been way too long since I have done this.

I have more files to send to the external hard drive today, but not very many.  It took 5 hours to get what was on the C: drive over.  Mostly genealogy.

Just finished a class on organizing.  This woman thinks like I think.  I am buying her ebook shortly.  Someone asked should you back up the "mess" or wait until it's organized.  She said back up the mess.  Eventually it will be gone.  She also suggested no setting aside one day a week or you won't do it.  Do it 10 or 20 minute increments.  You will keep making a dent in it and eventually you will be done.  

Very timely presentation.  She will be doing presentations in February and March on photo digitization.  She's more professional than the other classes I have taken so I think I will enjoy her photo digitization classes.  

The one I did last week on fall naming made no sense to me.  I think that is why I couldn't make myself do it.  The way the woman this morning did it is the way my brain works.

Every organization class I have done has said it won't work if your brain doesn't work the way you want your system to work.

[debthaven]

We picked up the congas on the way to the wedding, which was very lovely! 

Left for Oct:
- pick up congas/Sat
- anaesthesiologist appt/Wed
- mail passport application

[startsmart]

I worked today and am so very tired! It’s homecoming so my town had a lot happening. I set up a booth at 8am and then worked gathering info for contacts the rest of the day. Yesterday was a quilt shop hop so I was gone for 10 hours and I need all of tomorrow to recover!

I did take the puppy to the parade for a little bit and he did well!

[NastyWoman]

I think I did well this week: I reduced four moving-sized boxes to just one plastic tub of a similar size.

By the end of next week, when the temperatures are down, I will put the Xmas decorations (yes that includes the cookie jar) on FB and the rest will be carted off to Goodwill.