BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 01:19 PM

Today I woke up and finally felt restored to my old self. It took several days for that anesthesia to wear off, apparently, even though it didn't have the hangover of Versed. A veil has been lifted.

I've been out shopping, I've done some work around the house, and I'll be doing some more running this afternoon, and plan to pick up some composted mulch to spread over a couple of garden patches, getting ready for beginning to put out plants next month. I can do beans and other cool weather crops pretty early.

This morning I picked up the mp3 players and I have mine charging. I'll pick up a tiny SD card to boost the mileage (and I can easily load a recorded book to the card then pop it in the player). :) Now if I can just get the library to carry the books I want to listen to again. I love listening to some of the classics, Faulkner, Steinbeck, others, in unabridged editions of recorded books.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: maire-aine
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 09:18 PM

Our triva team took 2nd place (out of 20 teams this month). We were in the lead by 2 points until the 8th (out of 10) round and we dropped into second. Still get our name in the newsletter, which is all we really care about. The roads were okay, except on my own street, because the city plow hasn't been around yet. It'll probably come around overnight.

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: vectis
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 09:25 PM

Crawled down the side loft today and chucked out all the stuff we have been storing for years but really have no use for.
Result - almost empty loft and a smug self-satisfied feeling that this de-cluttering lark might even work.

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: maire-aine
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 09:27 PM

Here's our team picture on page 5 of the Gaelic League Newsletter

I'm in the back.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 12:16 AM

That's really neat, Maryanne!

SRS, anaesthesia can be nasty stuff...can sometimes settle in your muscles for ages. I am glad you are feeling free of it, now.

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 01:05 AM

Vectis, you didn't find the box for my computer monitor up there, did you? I put it someplace safe, but now I can't find it. . .

Anyway, that is good news about your loft. You'll get a big lift out of that for some time to come. Now is the time to use that space as the staging area for other things you need to sort and de-clutter. Just keep bringing it back to its emptied-out state every so often so you know you're in charge, and that the stuff hasn't taken over.

It is so nice to hear my washer on spin and know I don't have to run in to lift the lid to prevent a flood. My blankets are washing right now--I didn't mention earlier that I had to abandon my bed for a few nights. The discomfort after the procedure was partly because the laparoscopic approach forces air in and at a molecular level it perks through your membranes and causes discomfort until it is absorbed.

Around my ribs, in back, I felt like I'd taken a fall, but I wasn't allowed to take Motrin for a couple of days. I took a hot water bottle to bed to relax those muscles, but the old bottle wasn't up to it and sprung a leak. When I realized what happened I pulled off the covers (at 4am) but about a quart and a half of water had done their damage. After a few days to completely air, and turning the mattress, I figured I might as well do my spring cleaning a little early and wash all of the bedding.

I'm sure that tomorrow I'll find a few things to rearrange or to de-clutter as I work on putting the bedroom back into order.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 05:44 AM

We've got a week of storms forecast so I really should be loading the car with crud rather than sitting here typing during a dry spell, but to be honset, I'm still so sore after my mammoth effort to finish on Saturday, plus I still have house chores to do, that I have no inclination whatsoever to don gardening gear and lug wet shrubbery into a car, drive it for 2 miles and then lug it all out again... but it does mean it would be clear so I'm struggling with my dilema.

Whilst I'm struggling with that, I may as well be here!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 11:17 AM

Liz, have you tried bribing your child to help you?

I'm trouble-shooting the computer today. I swapped out my monitors and I think that the card, not the monitor, is the problem. Okay. I will work on this when I get a chance. As it is, I've managed to reset it some with a wizard to improve it a little.

Lovely sunny day today, and like Liz, I'm torn, I have outside work to do but I have inside work (for work) I also really need to do.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 03:07 PM

I think my decluttering is on the back burner for a bit. I have finished what I thought was the final copy edit of Prairie Child, but have decided I have too many "hads" in it, so am going back over it, again, page by page. Then I have to design the front and back coverts, then I might be ready to send it to Amazon for printing and selling!

I did get all of my phone calls done this morning and a load of laundry dried and another in the washer. It is a beautiful day, but I cannot do anything outside without help, plus there's still snow and ice on some of the ground.

I had to laugh at Rog on our Sundy drive. I was saying I like our house but it is too little and we need to paint, etc. HE said what we need to do to make more space was go through everything in the house and the shed and the two caravans and get rid of most of it. The poor man didn't know he'd stepped in it. Talk about stating the obvious! I kindly reminded him of what I've been doing and that HE needs to take his bloody vacation, which he never does and loses at the end of each year, in order to help me go through the rest of it!:-) That or figure out how to pay someone to do so! Or, have a Mudcat Declutter Party. Wouldn't that be fun if we could come to each other's houses and just get it done?!

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 06:51 PM

Oo-er.. too many skeletons in my closets to let other people look into them!

I did stop dithering, loaded 2 car loads to the tip, did the vacuuming, washed the hall and kitchen floors, took the child to her piano lesson and did a spot of shopping. I think I'll go to work tomorrow for a rest.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: MAG
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 11:29 PM

I unloaded 1 bagful of unneeded books at Powell's In Portland.

I discover I also left my bagful of meds in Portland, so now I have to go to the pharmacy in the morning and beg for enough to cover until I figure out how I am going to get them back.

And the Paxton concert was just grreat; a real lift. All us old hippies in a (large) UU church singing about peace and love and isn't the news this week just great??

sigh. I could get used to doing that every weekend.

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jan 09 - 01:06 AM

Since I did a little shopping yesterday I had company today. On Saturday I found a great sale price on a good variety of mp3 players that went on sale Sunday, so I picked up three as soon as Office Depot opened. They're "low end" SanDisk Sansa Fuze (2gig, with expansion slots) compared to the high-dollar iPod gadgets, but they're good compared to the iVo and other gadgets we'd tried and with these you basically get the functionality without the status name and price.

Yesterday afternoon the 16-year-old came in from the weekend at Dad's, got his hands on his mp3 and memory card and sat down and did a little teen-aged magic to set it up. I'm still reading directions, but anyway, the bug bit. Today the 20-year-old called and said "I'm bored, I'm coming down for a visit" and I responded "so you want to come to dinner when you pick up your new mp3 player?" I had planned a treat of country style ribs for my son and I tonight, but quickly picked up more country style ribs, invited the kids' dad over, and on short notice had dinner for five instead of two.

Having kept the kitchen and dining area clear is what made this possible. It's easier to cook and much faster to set up the table. A year ago this impromptu dinner would have been a nerve-wracking nightmare with all of the moving of stuff off of the counter, the table, the counters beside the stove. People would have been instructed to avoid piles of stuff on the sideboard or stacked next to to the peninsula counter. Tonight I moved easily from one task to the next and seated everyone comfortably. De-cluttering really does pay off.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: maire-aine
Date: 20 Jan 09 - 02:20 PM

Well done, SRS. Good to hear success stories.

M

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: GUEST,Mary Ann at work
Date: 20 Jan 09 - 03:49 PM

My pack-rat tendencies do me no good at work. How do you all deal with your clutter at work, especially clutter that gets on the neat-freaks' nerves?

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Jan 09 - 05:56 PM

I deliberately keep my desk untidy - it makes it look like I'm really busy so people don't dump more crud on my desk. Besides, I know instantly when someone else has been using my stuff... and annoying the neat freak I used to sit opposite was my entire reason for going to work!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: GUEST,MAG at work
Date: 20 Jan 09 - 08:34 PM

I'm surrounded by neat freaks. They have made my work life miserable.

This place is so anal retentive I'm surprised they don't squeak.

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jan 09 - 11:34 PM

My desk in a office enclosure, cubby, whatever you want to call it, that is directly outside a Dean's office. His secretary is opposite me. When they designed this office I was in most days and the two secretaries were each half-time. They still are, but now I'm out a lot. I need the wall space for a lot of storage shelves, though, so we haven't rearranged things. It was pretty messy for a long time, but since I'm not on campus much I figured I owed it to them to clean up my act. It has done a little backsliding since the holidays because the secretary who decorates for the annual Friends holiday meeting uses it as the staging area for her ribbons and garland. This kind of disarranges things. I'm about to get a new computer setup, so it will look much better soon.

Not a lot done today, I watched television and listened to the radio. What a pleasure! Those folks all looked pretty chilly, but it was a beautiful day for a new beginning. Talk about de-cluttering! Shove those Bushes out of the White House.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: MAG
Date: 21 Jan 09 - 12:12 AM

went to the local democrat's shindig after work (after 8pm), and saw a great t-shirt.

1/20/09
End of an Error

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: maire-aine
Date: 21 Jan 09 - 12:22 AM

Went to a gathering at a local women's college, with our gaggle of Raging Grannies. We sang a few songs before the festivities started. I just knew I needed to be out with other people (there were 300 folks) to celebrate. After the oath of office, everybody was cheering and hugging. It was great. I cried with happiness all morning.

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jan 09 - 12:24 AM

Haha! That's what Keith Olbermanm called it on Countdown, though I don't know if he was the one who coined it.

Congratulations, SRS!

MAG, can your friends mail your meds? Glad you enjoyed the concert.

This isn't really about decluttering, but since I cleaned house for it and told you gals about it, I thought I'd tell you about it:

Just had an evening I think you can appreciate. If someone had told me, up until a year ago, that I would have my first husband over to our house this night,I would have told them they were out of their minds, there was no way that would ever happen. We were both teens when we met and had our son and I was barely 21 when I left him with two kids. Last time we saw each other or spoke was in 1977, until last year. I saw his mom in the grocery store and felt moved to speak to her, even though I had hated her. Gave her my number, he called, we talked for almost two hours, then I put him in touch with our son, Colin, who My Rog had adopted, and who lives here and they've been close.

The ex, Stan, is working on building an earthship and the county has been trying to thwart him, so I offered to write up an article and/or press release. SO, he came over at 7p and I just sent him home at 930. He was only going to stay for thirty minutes. He's a very creative person with so many meaningful, thoughtfull ideas to help the earth and humankind. He and Rog and I had a lot of things in common to talk about, plus I caught him up on our daughter, Kirsten and his grandsons, Elijah and Akira.

I thought I would always hate him and his family for being so dysfunctional and wanting to take my kids, but age has mellowed us all and/or made us wiser; more accepting. I found myself feeling quite tender towards him; he's a bit damaged and trying to make things right within himself and with the world and still has the good qualities which attracted me to him. I still couldn't live with him, but he will be neat to have as a friend, for both of us. Rog is so easy going and considerate and liked him, too. The intellect says it should have felt strange, having these two men who have known me so intimately, in the same room, meeting one another, but it felt perfectly comfortable and *right* in my heart. Of course Rog knows me as I have grown into who I am and Stan is just getting to know me beyond the young mother he knew. Interesting and fulfilling in some way. It is good, regardless of whether we do much together or not.

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jan 09 - 11:29 AM

Kat, it has always been my opinion that if you set yourself up to hate the ex, you're setting yourself up to hate yourself. You question your own good sense, what it was you saw in that person, and you spread that ill-will all over your own environment as well as toward the ex. It is an untenable situation. I found files at my father's house after he died the convinced me all over again that as smart and generous as my mother was in general, the anger she nurtured and directed at my dad simply poisoned the environment for all of us. Forced us out and away. It's a good move to make friends when you can. Congratulations!

Lots to do today to move into the semester, the new year, and the new administration. Though he didn't say it in so many words, I think we should take from Obama's speech that we need to ask what we can do for our country, even if we can only manage it on a local level. Now that our latest Ex is from Texas, the nation can set aside the big hat, big spending, big living syndrome and look around to see what is really going on around us. This nation needs to do some de-cluttering, but more than that, they need to realign so that those who might lose jobs in one area that was over-hyped can find new employment in a more local, sustainable field. Or garden. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jan 09 - 12:27 PM

Rx available for refill today so I'm OK, Kat

Great that you and the ex are able to make peace. It's good your kids are in touch with their biological Dad.

Kudos all around.

Rockin' party last night. Now the work starts.

Anybody else facing no retirement?

MAG

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jan 09 - 01:26 PM

Good news on your meds, MAG. (I added your signature to the last "GUEST" posting, so it won't get accidentally deleted.:-)

I guess I should have said I haven't hated my ex all of those years. I did get his rights to our kids taken away and my Rog adopted them, way back when. Rog is the only father my daughters have really known/had.

What I really was, was scared as his family had an imaginary "hit list" of folks who had crossed them and I know I was at the top of the list. He never remarried or had any other children and I took them away. I do not doubt my judgement in doing so and I do not regret it. I am glad we are beyond all of that fear, etc. and can be friends. And, Maggie, you are right about hate being so destructive, but I don't want you to think that my life and the kids' lives have been filled with it.

I know it has been good for my son to reconnect.

Got on the treadmill this morning. Did two minutes without pain; when the pain started, I stopped. THAT'S a new thing I am still learning to do!**bg**

I have my yearly checkup with the cardio this afternoon. It will be good.

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jan 09 - 01:40 PM

I wasn't clear enough--I was enlarging on your message, not backtracking to suggest you hated him.

Glad you're set up with your meds, MAG.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 01:23 AM

Didn't do much today, except accidentally de-clutter the seasoning off of my big skillet. Didn't burn the house down, or set anything else on fire. That's good.

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 07:19 AM

I'm going to have to declutter another bookshelf later.. going shopping with a friend to a specialist crime bookshop which is closing down... it could be dangerous!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: GUEST,MAG at wrok
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 10:58 AM

How to declutter my life of stress?

Decluttering the rest of the junk seems to be helping; also the hot tub, hich has become a daily necessity before work. Makes the day longer, though.

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 12:25 PM

After the computer rebuild I finally reinstalled a couple of programs that for some reason I'd taken out of the computer last summer. I installed the old PhotoDraw from MS Office (the last version was 2000, so it is ancient, but has a proprietary file extension that none of the Big Boy programs like Photoshop will open or convert). This morning I ran a batch conversion of the .mix files on disks that Janie sent ages ago so I could rescue photos she could no longer open. Sorry it took so long, but the mail carrier just picked up the envelope.

This job didn't take much space on my desk, but it weighed on my mind that I hadn't sent it back yet. I volunteered to help, then sat on them all fall. That kind of task clutter can be as debilitating as object clutter.

Speaking of which, at lunch today I'm going to pull out my IRS file and see what else I need to do my taxes. I'd love to have them sent in before the end of January.

Does anyone have lists of things they want to accomplish this year that aren't to do with removal of excess stuff? Tasks that will in their own way make things easier, navigation better, sense of well-being enhanced? I often have such a list on my fridge, but I took off all of the papers last summer (all except one: a printout of a screen shot from the kids: "I love you, Mom!" and below it "Me, too!").

I need to create that list again and put it in the house notebook on top of the fridge. I've thought of a few more things to add to the notebook, in particular, documentation about all of the pets--photos, rabies certificates, amount of food they each get, in case I have to have someone care for them in my absence. I'm not planning an absence, but how much easier to write this down now and not worry later?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Sooz
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 02:22 PM

Today I managed to persuade Mike to sort out 13 years worth of back issues of one of the magazines he subscibes to. They haven't left the house yet but I am hoping.........

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 02:59 PM

Keep in mind that we recycle as part of our de-cluttering--if you have an opportunity, do a search on eBay or a used book search site to see if there is an interest in these journals. If someone else can use them, then take them to a used bookstore or offer them for sale in an appropriate place. If they're marginal in that way but of general interest, then find other places--senior center, nursing home, a hobby or professional association related to the subject matter--and offer them there. The last option should be the paper recycle bin.

That's why this can take a little while. Responsibly getting rid of our clutter and trying to not resort to the landfill takes more work than just tossing stuff.

Keep up the good work, and report back--once that many magazines are gone you'll have that space to use for something else, or it is the start of the removal of other clutter in the room.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: maire-aine
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 03:10 PM

Started working on organizing the main set of 3 six-foot bookshelves. I'm taking things down by category and boxing them up. I have to empty the shelves so I can dust behind them and get the rooms painted. Then I'll re-load them in an orderly fashion, and what's left over will go to the library.

I emptied one whole shelf already, but I've run short of boxes. I used to get those nice boxes from copier paper when I was working, but that's over. If I look around in the basement, I may find one or two that I can empty.

This may take a month or two (what with getting the room painted and all), but at least I've started. Wish me luck.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: maire-aine
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 03:18 PM

That should be book-case, not just one shelf (ha-ha).

M

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 05:29 PM

Our local supermarket has stacks of boxes (usually the nice big flat ones that lettuces get delivered in) for people to take and put their groceries. I discovered many years ago, that one of these is the perfect size for packing standard paperbacks into, so that you can read the spines. The advantage is they are sturdy and have carrying handle bits so you can still move them around. You might pick up some boxes at your local store.

My kitchen decided to declutter itself this evening. Whilst cooking dinner, the shelf of cookery books just decided it didn't like the wall any longer and threw itself and its contents into the sink. Minor water damage only but I have to find some new brackets for the shelf now...

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 06:06 PM

Suicidal Cookery Shelf?:-)

Maryanne, what a good idea! I want to get new paint up in the living room, hallway, and dining room. It won't happen quickly, but if I box up all of the books and get that wall emptied and start there, it might happen sooner than later. Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 07:12 PM

Had a flurry of annoying computer problems this evening. Something managed to corrupt my Spybot Search&Destroy, uninstall my AVG, and render Eudora insensible. It wasn't stable, but I didn't want to redo it. Now I'll have to. And find some files I really wanted to keep.

Shoot.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 12:29 AM

Cleared up some paperwork. Rebate forms, filing, clearing my computer desk. Looks much better. Didn't find everything I was looking for (which is why I started cleaning my computer desk).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: GUEST,MAG at work (on my own time tho')
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 11:02 AM

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: maire-aine
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 05:27 PM

I'm finding all sorts of things as I'm emptying the book shelves-- stuff I thought was long gone, stuff I didn't even know I had. Some things (like cds & cassettes) are being relocated to the music room, so that helps. One problem is that things are 2 levels deep in some places, and laying on their sides across the top of other books. I found one more empty box in the basement.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 07:36 PM

I will have to work around the tv and music set-up on the book wall in the living room. I think I will not tackle any of it until it warms up some, so I can keep the door open to keep paint fumes down. I AM going to try to get organised for taxes this weekend, plus I have that PR to write for my ex. Hope to get a huge pile of clean clothes put away and keep up with the dishes, floors, and laundry.

I think I may redouble my old efforts to choose one bin per week to empty, some how, or consolidate with another, thus reducing how many there are. Or, I may just take some more time off and read one of Aslett's books.

The trouble is, a lot of the stuff I could declutter from the office closet, the office, and some bins, is it all needs to be scanned and stored on a hard drive. It's the TIME to do all of that that seems lacking.

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 08:55 PM

Kat, a hint here: Aslett's books have very short sections. Leave it in the bathroom and read it as you have time when you're in there. It works.   ;-D

I loaded up the truck with recycling and dropped it off at the usual places. My village has a paper and cardboard collection site behind city hall, and the park board has big trash receptacles in the same area for aluminum cans. They go to support park activities. Then I drove by the Fort Worth drop off point for the plastic, glass, and steel stuff. I could take it all to Fort Worth, and I suppose this cherry picking means I'm leaving the $$ items in one place and the non-$$ in another, but at least it is all being recycled.

I've caught up with the laundry this week--having the drains working properly has been so nice! My office desk is neater. My eBay room is a mess (though the recycling was in there so it isn't quite as bad as it was). I think this weekend I'll be able to get the computer to the point where I'm set for doing eBay things again. Maybe I'll get something listed. I still have to rescue some email.

It is also tax time for me. I've been rounding up the proper documents this week.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: MAG
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 11:30 PM

Sorry about that blank; what I thought I had typed, was, at least my car is habitable. Brambles NOT picked up yesterday as it was too cold for my helper to do them last weekend.

I will get the books resorted, reboxed, restacked.

I will do at least one of the piles of papers waiting to be sorted into: files, recycling, another maybe box.

Rime of ice on everything today (did that go on another post somewhere?) -- no public school, my library mobbed, shorthanded of course.

so what did I do? Came home and started rereading *Callahan's Crosstime Saloon.*

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Jan 09 - 12:00 AM

One of my favs, MAG!

Maggie, that's good about Aslett's books. I've decided one reason why I don't get started on loading things onto the HD is not knowing where to start because there is so much of it. I a the family archivist and a lot of the stuff is historical and not to be dumped. Then, there's our tape library, our 33s and 78s (though I might get Rog to do those), and various papers, etc. That's why I am thinking of trying just one bin per week, to start with. I know of one thing I was working on last year and didn't finish, which I will do, soon. And that is to finish painting the shutters. We have four of them stacked against a kitchen wall! It will be good to get that done and them up. right now I feel like I am just keeping up with the everyday stuff and lucky at that. Maybe it is partly because I've had Morgan more hours.

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jan 09 - 12:41 AM

I've been busy this evening, putting away laundry, dishes washed, counters cleaned. I swept around the edges of the living room where lots of dust kittens have grown to be good-size dust cats. I even found a stray katydid that must have flown in the other day when I opened doors to air the house. The dogs absolutely go ape-shit over katydids--quite tasty, apparently. I gave it to the pit bull and then gave both dogs a dog treat so the catahoula wouldn't feel cheated.

Tomorrow is sketchy, but I plan to water in the area that I will use for a new veggie garden--I can't dig it up until it is moist. And I'll find a place to put the martin house (finally!).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jan 09 - 12:30 PM

Darn. It's no fun when the work week days are warm and tempt me out to the yard, but I have to stay indoors and work, only to be greeted by a cold gray weekend. That's what I have here today.

I did some filing last night, and I'll do some more today, and make my income tax checklist. I've continued the sweeping and clearing up activity. I've also been relocating things closer to the area where they're supposed to end up, like stacking photos in the hall.

I have a bunch of art that I'd like to think about putting up, but I plan to put the family photos along the walls in the hall to the bedrooms. I need change out the lighting in the hall (from little bulbs in the middle to a track-light fixture to light the walls) and need to paint those walls first. This is a project to add to my list of things this year--having those family photos up lets me tell the kids about the people in the photos. This isn't de-cluttering, this is organizing the keepers, but in the process, it frees up some cupboard space.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: GUEST,MAG at work
Date: 24 Jan 09 - 12:44 PM

My computer at home seems to be on its last legs. It opens reluctantly if at all, and when it does it takes forever.

I treid to find that above the line thread where someone was giving away Dell computers from work, but it went away somewhere.

Snow here, today. I'm getting the day off for Monday (my usual day off), but I'm in for one program I had scheduled.

No yard work, today, but I will make a serious attempt to start on the books while I listen to the radio this afternoon.

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: Sooz
Date: 24 Jan 09 - 12:50 PM

The magazines will probably end up on our local freecycle network. Someone will find them a home. I've disposed of quite a lot in this way as I'm too lazy to go to a car boot sale!

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Jan 09 - 12:55 PM

It was olddude who had the Dell laptops, MAG, and as far as I know, he found homes for all that he had.

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: maeve
Date: 24 Jan 09 - 12:57 PM

MAG, that generous soul is olddude, and this is the thread, before Christmas: Here:

Likely it will be a while before he can offer more, if he indeed offers them here. He was aiming for those who had no way to buy a desktop or laptop. You might send him a PM.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: maire-aine
Date: 24 Jan 09 - 03:38 PM

Bought some more storage boxes (I wanted the good sturdy kind for some Irish art books) and I've cleared off about 60% of the second bookcase. Oh, the dust!!! There is dust and cat fur floating around in the air everywhere, and I'm sneezing a lot. I'm such a terrible housekeeper!

I've got all of boxes stacked up in the middle of my living room, because I have nowhere else to put them. The basement is too cold and damp for books, and they'd mildew down there.

I wish I could find a good home for some of these books. Has anybody ever sold books on Alibris? or used books on Amazon?

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running
From: maire-aine
Date: 24 Jan 09 - 03:42 PM

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