BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 05:42 PM

Oh, that's a shame about the missing paper, Maggie, and your washer. Good luck with both of those.

I don't seem to be doing anything but bringing in clutter the past two days: new office supplies to put away, papers to scan in and type up, new-to-me clothes to be washed and hung up, general messiness that needs to be picked up...it never ends, does it?:-)

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 09:12 AM

Failed miserably at all tasks again... fell asleep instead. Limpit was forced from her room by the presence of a rodent and so had no computer to play on... she decluttered her make up drawer instead and got rid of all the pink stuff and dried up nail polishes, so she could put her nice new black and shiny make up in its place.

She declutterred her head of over 8" of hair on Tuesday (I kept it) and has hardly stopped brushing it since!

Oh ye gods, she's turning into a GIRL!!!!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: MAG
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 09:39 AM

Makeup?? She's wearing makeup, Liz??

Wasn't she just born??

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 11:22 AM

I had to take a load of laundry with me this morning when I dropped off my son at the bus. I washed them at his Dad's house and brought it back here to dry. Spring break next week so the pressure for school uniform bits is off and he has plenty of other clothes. Meanwhile, the sink has dishes that need washing. I did a little filing and recycling of papers on my desk. I think I need a nap, then I'll look at the day again.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 12:29 PM

Well, the upstairs office now has a start on peripherals-- Hardi got us a USB hub and I think an old printer we were given will work once I get a driver for it.

He's been busy getting files off the old, dying laptop to move onto the new one at the church (and a home copy onto the external drive here.)

The external HD to go upstairs now has my relevant folders and files to move my work product upstairs. All I need is printer, but I can toss docs onto a flash key and print them downstairs till I get that driver.

There is a minor furniture/artwork move to do up there to make a little more chair room.


The downstairs (LR) "office" has a date-tickler file set up to organize the pile of printed matter that will need to go with me to meetings. I'm leaving that downstairs since the dowstairs puder is the only one online right now and the resources I need to carry are mostly from online sources, not to mention roadmaps and directions. There is already a file in the van (with the gazeeters) for used directions, since I am sure I will return to many of the places I'm headed. (LOL, that file still contains the direx to Bobert's old house.)

The van camping kit is bare-bones complete for a boondocking date set for the end of the month. Other trips are in the works.

Two grocery bags full of supplies are packed and ready to deliver to one of the more frequently-visited winter hosts. (A bedside rug to go to X,, a set of sheets for Z, etc.)

Sorry for typos. Puder glasses lost.

So far the only purchase has been the USB hub. All the rest was on hand.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 12:52 PM

I rolled up my sleeves, attacked the sink, cleared the kitchen counter, recycled mail clutter, and feel a little more in control of that end of the house.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 01:57 PM

Today I have been working on clearing out some of the boxes in the nursery. I built the changing table and all box material for that is now gone. It is also now nicely stocked and ready for baby (who is coming in a little over a month now!). I emptied the box that contained the swing/bouncy seat and am having a bugger of a time getting it together (so here I am taking a break!)....very frustrating. Hmm...that leaves the high chair (minimal building and not needed immediately) and the pack & play (again, not needed just yet and will require minimal putting together).
    My kitchen is back to normal only better...MUCH better. The flooring is fantastic and I'm loving the new colors/counters, etc. We also did some cleaning of the outside porch which has been a catch all for construction stuff. Currently there is a child's bedroom set (dresser, night stand, desk, hutch, head board & bookcase) sitting out there as well (all under plastic) to be delivered to a friend with a young girl who will be delighted (as I am to be sharing it).
    I did some dusting, sweeping, mopping, laundry and dishes (laundry, dishes and sweeping are daily things for me) too. I'm gonna go chill with the most handsome man in the state (Hi Love!!!) and enjoy some popcorn and down time!

Toodles!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 07:01 PM

I started out this morning by putting the dishes in the sink to soak, then Morgan and I hit the road to finish this week's errands. The brakes started feeling mushy, so we went straight to the garage. They changed a master cylinder a few weeks ago and also replaced some brake fluid lines, so I was not esp. happy about this. Rog came and got us, bought us lunch on the go, we came home and ate, played UNO, then finally did some decluttering! Went out in the driveway where MOrgan helped me pick up two of my sisters' boxes which the wind had blown over. He then got me the wheelbarrow from the backyard, brought to to the front and helped me rake up some old leaves and pruned rose branches, put them in the wb and then dump them in a pile over in the corner. I did a little bit of cleanup in the driveway, too, some small branches I'd lopped off the russian olive which is growing between the pickets of our fence.:-<

Good news...the garage just called. The car is ready..the master cylinder was bad, under warranty, no charge!

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: maire-aine
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 07:19 PM

Sometimes you've just gotta go with the flow, y'know? About 11am, I got a call from one of the Raging Grannies about a demonstration to support single-payer health insurance, so I figured I'd go, hold up my sign for a while, then leave. Well, Congressman John Conyers spotted us outside, had us sing a couple songs, then invited us inside. The event was the first (joint Michigan & Wisconsin) regional health reform forum organized by the Obama administration. I knew it was going on, but never imagined we'd be able to get in.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 12:36 AM

How nice, Maryanne!

Too bad Conyers has his head up his backside about some issues that will make a difference in health care and research. He was promoting a bill that would remove the requirement that publicly funded research be made public immediately or after a very short publication period.

Lawrence Lessig is an attorney who is a proponent of Open Access and copyright issues. It's a battle with for-profit publishers who are gouging the very institutions that produce the high quality scholarly articles that they're publishing. Scholars haven't known better and have given away all of their rights to their own work. The NIH is one of the big agencies that has said "if you take our public funding you have to make sure that your published works are freely available." Conyers, who takes large campaign donations from those for-profit publishers, wanted to not only take that access clause out of the NIH funding, he wanted to put back all of the gouging options that the publishers have enjoyed for many years.

Obama signed that Omnibus bill yesterday and included in it was wording that made the Open Access part law that Conyers can't touch. This is really important in the access to, the use of, and the continuation of medical research.

Yesss!

Okay, off my soap box. I didn't explain it clearly, it takes some time to do so. But it was an important battle that Obama won.

I've won a little battle of sorts also. Today in the mail (didn't have to wait two weeks!) was the IRS letter telling me that they wanted a copy of one more form. They enclosed a blank form and said I had 20 days to return it. Heck, it only took 20 minutes. I dropped that puppy in the mail on my way out to pick up my son after school. It could still take a while to process it, but I hope by sending it back so quickly I'm still ahead of the tax rush in early April.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 06:24 PM

Cleaning out my virtual "in basket" of things to do in my work email.

Time to get up and move around, maybe de-clutter in the house. It's cold and rainy and no fun outside. Gotta be indoor work.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 07:09 PM

As usual, we are gearing up for the weekend's decluttering. We're going to try to get the driveway done this time; the weather is better. We also have to get the oil changed in the car. Rog brought home another batch of light-saver/energy-saver light bulbs and replaced all but a couple of old ones, so we should be good on those for a good number of years.

My ex is going to take a metal gun cabinet that has been in the driveway, left when my sis left it behind when she went to Alaska. I thought our son-in-law was going to take it. Anyway, Stan will take good care of it and HE will declutter it from our place, so that's good.

We also put an old kitchen stool, with fold-down steps, out, last weekend, free to anyone who could use it. It was gone by the end of the day, so that's one more thing taken care of.

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 08:19 PM

Clearing out approximately a laundry-hamper's worth of stuff that's been sitting around for 2 weeks, waiting for delivery opportunity-- a set of min-gift-bags as a surprise for an overworked office staff. Delivering tomorrow. Fun and snacks. Plus a bottle of local spring water, each.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: MAG
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 08:36 PM

In going through stuff, I found (more) size 22 jeans that got stuck away when I had (my first) knee surgery 7 years ago.

I could have been wearing them all this time. (sigh.)

Now they go in the yard sale pile. Which has gotten humongous.

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 08:55 PM

It's soooo cold here this week, my plans were oriented outdoors but have been totally revised. The weekend doesn't look like it will be any better than today (mid-30s, raining). But it isn't like the house needs no work. I'm going to see if I can't clear off a couple of work surfaces this evening, ready for other tasks on those surfaces tomorrow.

That routine of lugging stuff down to the bottom of the driveway seems to be an universal symbol for "we don't want it. If you can use it, it's yours." I've certainly sent a lot of stuff out via that method. Nothing lately, but it is always an option.

Now to put the wet laundry (I stopped by the laundromat to wash a load and read a paper) in to dry and go heat water for a cuppa hot cocoa. Hard to believe last week it hit 88. It's spring break next week, all week for my son, only Thursday and Friday off for me, but I'll take it!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 09 - 02:25 PM

Okay, so I bashed my foot by dropping the phone, and I'm going to limp a little (hit the boney part a couple of inches up from the little toe--ouch!) but I need to go out. I'm convinced my yeast is not good--I made bread the other night and it rose enough but tasted way too yeasty because I put more in to see if it would rise better than it has for a while. And I need dog and cat food. These guys won't appreciate not being fed just because I didn't like to go out in cold wet weather.

Company coming tomorrow, so I have to do some picking up. The trick will be to actually put things away and not simply move them out of sight, right? At least she'll be able to sleep in the bona fide guest room. My daughter's room has been reclaimed from kid clutter and cat dander and is now suitable for adult human occupation.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 09 - 08:46 PM

I got yeast, but it may be a different enough type that I can't use it the way I usually do. It isn't instant, but it is fast acting. Anyway, I will see. No way I'm going back to soaking it in water, but I don't think I'll have to. I don't need hints, I've used all of them at one time or another. This is bulk from a restaurant supply place, not the usual bulk two-pack I buy at Sam's. It wasn't any cheaper, just a much shorter drive.

I'm moving furniture this evening. I decided that was the easiest way to tackle some of the mess in the living room. First comes my son's cluttered computer desk, and the contents are going into a box. He'll be pissed, but he can organize it and then I won't pile it in a box. From there I'll do some of the rest of the "company's coming" routine of dusting, folding the laundry dumped on the couch, etc. Nothing to watch tonight, PBS is doing their oddball night (apparently) in the pledge drive, so it's a Netflix DVD. About par for a rainy cold spring night.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: maire-aine
Date: 14 Mar 09 - 09:20 PM

Today was the perfect day for a St Patrick's day parade, held here in our little city. The sun was bright and the day wasn't too cold. I parked a few blocks way, watched the parade, then had lunch with friends I hooked up with afterwards. Tomorrow is the BIG parade along Michigan Avenue, in the Corktown area. If the weather holds, we'll have a huge turnout.

Our group played last night. I was a little apprehensive, because we don't usually do the "Green Beer" type material, but it turned out okay, I guess. Fortunately, I'm not on the schedule to play tonight or Tuesday. I'll wait until we get back to our accoustice sessions.

Maryanne

PS: here's a link to the Raging Grannies about healthcare on Youtube.

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Mar 09 - 12:44 AM

Right on, Raging Grannies!!

You all sound very busy and productive, just watch out for the toes, eh?

I didn't get any sleep last night until about 430a, so I slept in for the first time in years...got up about 845a. We puttered around, geting breakfast and i did a load of laundry. Rog took the car to get the oil changed and bought a tarp and tie-downs for the truck when we fill it with the driveway stuff, but when he got back, I needed to get out of the house, so we left to run other errands. We looked at light fixtures at Habitat for Humanity's "Restore" but didn't like any of them. We want to put a new one in the kitchen, which will shine in all the dark corners and get rid of the huge, ineffective ceiling fan cum light. We'll take out time and find something that will work well and not cost too much.

Morgan came over in the afternoon to help me plant some trailing verbena in a pot with another plant I can't remember the name of at the moment. He also helped me put away a few little things which had accumulated this week. Still haven't done the taxes...I have a mental block about them...disappointed they won't be much from the looks of it.:-<

OH! Did do a HUGE thing with Morgan...almost forgot. I've had a four drawer rolling plastic drawer thing for the office for years. For at least ten years it's basically been in storage, in a closet or shed where I really didn't have access. I was having fun finding old keys for Morgan today when I realised it was time to actually tackle clearing it out. (I knew there were keys in it.) It took some effort and grumbling on Rog's part, but he got it out to the LR for us and we had a blast cleaning it out. I filled a tall kitchen trash can with old stuff and saved a few things, plus Morgan now has the lowest drawer, empty, ready for his use in the office which will help with that clutter. That felt so good, a real accomplishment and Morgan is thrilled with his own keychain which jangles! He's even got a carabiner(sp) to hang them from his belt loop like "Papa."

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Mar 09 - 02:44 AM

Good news on all of that work! I wonder if Morgan will remember the stories that are no doubt part of the process? Things that belonged to people are the trigger for a lot of stories around here, and I'm willing to bet that happens at your house also.

I moved stuff around in the living room after bailing out the computer desk, and cleared a bit of space by moving a rocker into the guest bedroom. It looks good in there, and I'll find a lamp to put nearby so there is a reading spot, if needed.

Good work on the health insurance conference, Maryanne. Kick Harry and Louise in the bumb and out the door if you see them, will you? :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 Mar 09 - 05:56 AM

Treated myself yesterday to one of those Ion cassette tape converters that will digitise our huge collection of cassettes. Many of them are field recordings and can't be replaced so I'll put them onto the computer EHD, thus hopefully meaning we can declutter the dining room shelves of cassettes. We'll put them into storage but I know some of them are reaching at least their 36th year (my brother made the recordings and he died 35 years ago next month) and are starting to deteriorate. Besides, there's stuff on there we haven't listened to in years!

Better go and do the normal weekly chores now.. missed doing them yesterday, I was out singing at a wedding.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Mar 09 - 12:10 PM

Ooops. Bumm, maybe? What's the spelling for butt? Bum?

Good work, Liz!

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: MAG
Date: 15 Mar 09 - 06:06 PM

I've been workinmg on cleaning out those cabinets on and off all day, and am only half done.

What a bunch od vold crap!
wow!

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Mar 09 - 06:43 PM

Bum...:-)

I decluttered the top of my desk whilst on the phone with my ex. Rog and I went shopping, then came home and watched Don Giovanni with my brother. Now that we're done, I am scanning in about thirty photos prior to printing them for something that needs to be done by tomorrow. I just found out I will not have Morgan, tomorrow, so I don't feel so rushed to get them done, today. Still, this week I intend to get taxes done and start on putting the rest of the CDs on the hard drive and then loaded into the changer in the LR. They are a huge bit of clutter!

LtS, I started putting our cassettes on the HD, but it's a tedious thing, playing each one. What is this ion thingie of which you write?;-)

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: maire-aine
Date: 15 Mar 09 - 07:58 PM

Today was even nicer even than yesterday. It got up to 54F (12C) today and not very windy, so I went to the BIG Detroit St Patrick's parade. There were more people there than I've ever seen before. The TV said 100,000 people, but I think it may be double that. The police don't give crowd estimates. Even the shady (cold) side of the street was packed with people. I walked with one of the groups, about 1.5 miles, so can I get credit under the accountability thread?

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: MAG
Date: 15 Mar 09 - 10:30 PM

I got the cabinet straightened out and then discovered the vac would not fit in it. So it still lives in the spare room.

I never thought to measure.

All that bending over has done bad things to my back. Kicking back with my painkiller.


Watching TV shows I've only heard about on HULU has been a kick.

One reason I DON'T have one is I knew I would veg out in front of it way too much.

At least I have lots of room and plastic stackers to sort more stuff.

Another work-on-the-house Sunday bites the dust.

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 12:04 AM

It turned out to be 75 photos! All scanned, three at a time, then I went back in and cropped each one so I have singles of all of them. It's a relief to get them done. We finally finished all of the bed linen and got our bed made, early. I hate it when we stay up late then go in only to realise we can't go to bed because we haven't put the clean sheets, etc. on!:-)

Maryanne, yes, that counts for the accountability thread! Sounds like fun.

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 02:00 AM

Coat is sold, so tomorrow that is one more bulky thing out of the house. Nice!

I've done some picking up, and I thinned my chard, moving colors that were growing too close together apart. Fingers crossed that they can stand such rough treatment.

Clearing more work off of my virtual list of things to do.

You're doing good work, you scanners and filers!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: maire-aine
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 02:26 PM

I don't know why-- maybe daylight savings time, or maybe just the nice weather-- but I've kicked it up a notch today. Starting in the basement, there is a drain that is seriously blocked up with roots & dirt, and the guy said it would probably cost a $200 at least to snake it out. Well, the only thing that drains into it is the overflow from the humidifier, and it's really just a trickle, so I just dug down about 12-inches and vacuumed it out. Then I took the shop-vac out to the garage & emptied it (hadn't been emptied since fall). Spent a couple hours working in the garage. Got 2 bags of trash to go out. Swept up most of the leaves that had blown inside over the winter. I had a pile of dirt with a lot of stones, so a sieved that through some 1/4" hardware cloth. I'll mix that with compost from the recycling authority; all I have to do is make a trip out there to pick it up. I collected up all of the empty plastic pots from the past dozen years (at least I didn't throw them in the trash...), and I'll try to get them recycled. I'm going to have the lawn service do one spring yard cleanup, but I'm going to do the (bi-)weekly mowing myself.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 03:11 PM

WOW!! Good job!!

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: MAG
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 05:51 PM

Ad in paper for Spring Cleaning Sale ; Sun 12 - 5 only.

One bag of stuff to thrift shop.

Got taxes done; just enough back to pay for having them done.

One tom kitty to the vet's for the big snip. (Should have been 2, but brother saw brother go into the carrier and was so freaked it was impossible to catch him.)

Physical therapy at 4:00 today; hurting too much not to go.

Bill for 'puter came today. I actually have the $$ to cover the whole thing right now.

Life can be, if not good, at least pretty OK.

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 08:06 PM

My house guest enjoyed sleeping in a bona fide guest room last night, and though she reports sleeping difficulties lately, she slept soundly all night (no 3am reading a murder mystery for an hour). Good!

This room was made possible because Moonglow lives in the town where she goes to school and because we've slowly moved most of her stuff up there and crammed the rest of it in her old closet. Work still to do, but we like the outcome so far!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 12:07 AM

The kitchen is all cleaned up, the dining room table is clear. I am working outward from there, the heart of the house (again), but each time I decide I need to make another push, it's a little easier. And it is nice to have handed off a largish box to the mail carrier this afternoon.

Lovely weather for the next couple of days. I'll see if I can get out and start digging up a new bed.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 03:18 AM

Decluttered a few more pounds from the wallet and a few more videos to the 'help yourself' pile by the door... Well, you tell me which horror fan would not jump at the chance to own the entire 'Alien' collection - 9 DVDs at a fraction of the original price - £17 rather than £70! That's less than £2 per disk! Plus, it takes up a third of the room that the first 3 'Alien' movies on VHS did. Then there was the 'Hammer House of Horror' collection that took out another two vids...

Someone at work had a declutter so I've been acquiring second hand box files to put my sewing magazines in, so they can go in the loft once the useful bits have been scanned.. now if only I could remember where I bought my little passport sized EHD, so I could get another for that, then life would be easier. Busier, but easier.

Major clearout of craft cupboard required, but that will have to wait until the Easter break.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 03:43 AM

Ion tape to PC

Says it's quick, but not really... it does have a 'new track' button so you can chop the thing up into several tracks but it could feature a whole lot more useful stuff and be a bit more efficient with its conversion process - for some reason it feels the need to do it twice, and that's what takes the time. I don't like high speed dubbing because it's easy to miss glitches and often causes tape degridation but it is an option.

It does mean I'm listening to stuff I recorded 20 years ago and haven't listened to for at least 5.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 09:58 AM

Sometimes when those programs 'do it twice' they're basically going through once and taking note of the spots that need an adjustment or that can be most logically trimmed. Depending on the volume (data-wise) on your original cassettes if it is actually compressing data into the amount of recording space on your CD, then this is worthwhile. You can't rush some things if you want them done right!

I did a clear out like you describe at my office a couple of weeks ago. The result was that I could re-use now empty journal rack boxes, I didn't need to order new ones. I still may need a few new ones, but not like I first thought.

SRS

Subject: Abrazos: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 10:58 AM

I'm spring-cleaning my mind again.

With enough sleep and full spectrum light-- and the Grace of God-- anything is possible, and sustainable.

An example of progress in this department is that I remember now why that upstairs-office idea has been pulling at me and why I've been making progress on it pretty easily: It's a lot like one of my favorite PAID-job offices in a number of ways I do not need to list here.

It goes the previous office one step better, tho. Instead of each step in the stairway being an upgoing inbox, this stairway has wooden banister supports I can use as a standing file rack, and there are only 2-3 I can reach because of the way the steps are configured. But the idea is that if I print something off the downstairs puder for "work," it does not go into my cluttered living room, it goes in my INBOX to be WORKED on, upstairs.

And at the DOWNstairs puder-- the one with internet-- the one for FUN like hockey, and looking up movies-- will go a 3-minute egg timer Hardi is bringing home from his office hourglass collection. If anyone has a chess timer instead, I could use it even better, but the sands of time will do till I can find one. This will be my office assistant to keep my worktime brief on the fun-puder.

I meet later today with another candidate for my support team on the new ventures calling me these days. Her role in that will be to help me discern the holy limits and boundaries too easily lost in the fun.


Wishing you all a productive journey into YOUR spring (or fall),

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 11:47 AM

The nursery is looking fine these days or at least it was until I decided it was time to put the swing together. Now the nursery floor is covered with metal tubing (legs/supports) & other parts and pieces. I put the crib together and the changing table. My husband, while having build additions to businesses in town, houses and even worked on some corporate construction sites, hates putting things together that come from a box. Anything like that is my job and I'm pretty good at it but this swing...OMG. Today will be my third try at the job. After the second try with it I was so frustrated that we went to the store where the swing was purchased for us (a very thoughtful gift I might add!) and I took photos of the display swing to help me decipher the directions with the miniature drawings complete with gobbed up ink splotches. So...today my mission (after normal household care) is to try to put the swing together again. Notice I said TRY and not COMPLETE. I am, after all, a very reasonable human being. LOL

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everybody!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 12:08 PM

Some stores will assemble for you, even after purchase.

===

I also decluttered my email with an automated reply that should help slow down a cascade of too-much-fun communications I seem to have set off. I can be "out of the office," too.

===

I have a homemade memo board next to the TV that is spang in my face from my chair. Blank legal size paper, laminated. Post-its for EAT, WORK, MEDS, and a 4th post-it after the afternoon meeting mentioned above.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 03:47 PM

Susan reminds me of something I've been doing lately--unsubscribing from stuff I never actually read in my email. It would be nice to tidy those boxes! But Susan, I do wonder at "this stairway has wooden banister supports I can use as a standing file rack," -- isn't the point of all of this de-cluttering that we don't turn our houses into huge file folders? Many of us have been doing that (by default) for far too long! ;-D

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 05:01 PM

So...the swing saga continues. The base and sides are put together as are the electronic devices (vibrating, music & speed). The problem is with the supports and bouncy legs (swing comes off supports and can be used for a bouncy/kicky seat). Hmmm. I was thinking about taking it back to the store and asking for some help (or paying them to put the ^&^%#$@%$&^%*&&#$@#$@!!^% thing together!). LOL It's crazy, don't you think?
    I did, however, get the high chair put together and the pack and play is just about ready for use. The stroller remains in the back of my car (all boxed up for now) until the time is closer. It's a travel system complete with the temporary removable car seat so Mommy & Daddy don't have to wake a sleeping baby...just take the carrier from the stroller and click into place in the car. I don't want any more stuff in this house than I need (won't ever need the stroller in the house) and the stroller will live in the car for as long as our wee one needs it.
    My mom came over for a visit today (something she doesn't do very often, although it's more frequent these days which is nice!) so I did some extra picking up around here. I have to say that the house is looking really nice lately and I am loving it. Sure, there are still rooms that need attention (ummm...the music room is downright scary and so is the mudroom...but it IS mud season)but things are getting finished. Nice. Homey. I'm happy with it!
    My best girlfriend and I spent the day together yesterday. She decided she had had enough of all the baby stuff she was setting aside for me (her words were, "YOUR baby stuff is taking up HALF of my BED! You are taking it TODAY!) so she brought out bag after bag of oh so sweet baby girl things (can't remember if I posted it here or not but we are expecting a baby girl SOON). I brought it all in from the car this afternoon and laid it all out on the counter top to remove tags and to make a list of everything so I can write her a thank you note. So, now that means I'm off to the nursery to put more things away with great anticipation and good thoughts for our little one.

*Happy Contented Sigh*

I can't wait until she is here!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: maeve
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 05:09 PM

I wish you much joy, Michelle.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 05:09 PM

As a note for future new baby garments--don't remove the tags until you're sure you can use them. Kids regularly grow out of clothes before they even get into them (if you forgot they were in the bottom of a drawer or the back of a closet). A lot of stores are good about letting you exchange clothes with tags for something newer in the right size. So the tags should stay on until you've fitted it on the party of the first part and decided they can wear it for a few weeks. (Yes, weeks. When they're tiny, getting months out of garments is almost impossible.)

Ask me know I know. . . ;-D

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 07:00 PM

Ahhh, about the tags on the clothes, those are still on the clothes! I was removing tags from toys, boxes, etc. Because, like any adoption, nothing is final until our day in court...so, for us, there is a back up plan. We are expecting a baby girl directly from the hospital but the possibility does exist that the birth mother could change her mind. Should this happen, I have receipts for everything that is gender related and most everything still has the tags on it. I did wash some onesies that I got at a second hand baby shop to have in the diaper bag and so I have SOMETHING ready for when the baby arrives. I have 2 other outfits that I have removed the tags from...the coming home from the hospital outfit and another for whatever reason. I also have sizes of all kinds from preemie (good chance that this baby will be early & I only have a few as our hope is that she will grow!!) through newborn to 3-6 months.
    Also, the places I have been buying from have a 90 day return policy (perfect!) AND I have shared our situation and some of the bigger stores have said that they would give me my cash back if the adoption of this baby girl doesn't work out even if the 90 days is up. I think that's pretty darn nice! :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 07:27 PM

SRS, yes, I had thought of this-- but it's my upgoing inbox.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: maeve
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 07:29 PM

Michelle- It is clear things are falling into place for you. Enjoy the anticipation.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 10:48 PM

And the undisturbed sleep.

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 04:30 AM

Decluttering my insides yesterday and today... not a good week so far.

Don't ask.


I did however, consolidate 4 crates down to 1 crate and a basket, and will be boxing up magazines later - they're in a wardrobe in Limpit's room which is next the bathroom... an important feature of today's activities... meaning she'll have more shelf space and I'll have boxes of magazines to go on the new shelves in the loft soon.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 12:07 PM

Moving stuff off of my desk.

I'm headed out the door in a couple of minutes to attend a staff event, characterized by all of the free stuff they hand out. The stuff that ends up in a pile somewhere or in a drawer somewhere, rarely used. How many plastic driving mugs can you use? I'll leave it all there, but I will take a t-shirt if they have any. I use those. I almost have a full set for the week. :) (I've received quite a few over the years, but some of them are too old to wear to work or the message is way out of date).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: March 2009 De-clutter & Spring Cleaning
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 12:53 PM

1. Unsubscribed to a few things I don't ever look at anymore.
2. Picked up wind blown debris around my front yard.
3. Painted the downstairs hallway PURPLE! *GRIN* I LIKE IT!

Michelle