BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Apr 09 - 03:08 PM

Right now these are out of date, not truly old. But being at the library means that when a historical writer gets started at some future date, they'll be handy!

It's such a lovely day outside. Such a shame to be stuck indoors working.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Apr 09 - 02:44 PM

Those old maps can be quite useful when someone is working on an historical novel, etc. I found some invaluable ones last fall when working on one set in my ancestors' time in early Colorado.

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Apr 09 - 01:58 PM

Plunged into the office closet, in a quickie de-clutter, to see what I would find on the floor. A plastic milk crate was full of article files, speculative stuff. Some are really old and can go, some can move to "maybe I'll write it" stack. All need to be in one place. I'll see if I can empty this crate--I have another file box started for potential articles. I seem to have a lot of these sturdy plastic milk crates coming to light. I'll have to stack them on their side and let them serve as an impromptu bookshelf or something. I'll get rid of the cheap boxes, but not these good ones! :)

I found a bunch more maps I'll add to what I donated to the library last year. If I were writing an article now I'd update all of these, so the best home for these, if not the recycle bin, is in a place where they savor the information contained on old maps!

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Apr 09 - 11:31 AM

Right now, that sounds like a good plan, Maggie...I may feel differently when I get up and go again, but for now...I want to get my CDs alphabetised in the changer and the last of them loaded up in it.:-) It's a sit-down job, so that's good.

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: maire-aine
Date: 22 Apr 09 - 11:28 AM

My big project would/will be the kitchen. It really needs a good cleaning from top to bottom. I'll keep you posted.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 11:04 PM

Oy. What a challenge, maeve! How is the arm doing, anyway?

I'm looking around the house--there is a lot to do, this washer business let stuff creep up on me. I have a huge box underfoot (I'm saving it for the next door neighbors for the grandkids. They're out of town till May 4, so I'll have to stash it in the garage, I guess). I have lots of eBay stuff to address. The sun room is a mess.

Maybe we need to give ourselves a break, since it is into gardening season. I know I'm not the only one putting in beds and getting set for all of that. How about the next time around I give us a little more leeway on the time--Spring into Summer, 2009 declutter--something like that, and let it run for a couple of months at least. We can post things as we actually start and/or finish them, and not feel such pressure to perform. It will get old (probably has already) if we don't make it more interesting or less absorbing.

There is a load of stuff in washing, I'm getting the hang of how this thing works. My old washer was at the curb still around lunchtime, when I left for the office, but when I got home at 5pm it was gone. Good! Someone else is moving it along the food chain.

Though my sun room is a mess, my office is still looking much better, and I think I'll keep tweaking in here for a while. I decided to see what I could do about some uniformity--CDs all lined up on one shelf, cassettes lined up on a couple of other shelves. (Most of the CDs are in the front room, not in here.) Just giving a pleasing order to the shelves makes a world of difference in how it feels when I walk in the room.

If, in the context of busy lives, each of us had one large (but not insurmountable) project we'd like to work on over the next few weeks, what would each of you choose? For me, I think I need to go back to the sun room, and get the eBay back on a regular basis. That room also feeds into a lot of my gardening activities, but right now it's difficult to use it for much of anything.

Those who are in recovery mode, keep it simple and elegant. Something you'll use and enjoy looking at. Arrange your sock drawer, iron and arrange your hankies. Hang your t-shirts up in the closet according to color. Something that looks good and is nice to look at.

Stay well, or get well, all, and let's have a great late spring!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: maeve
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 03:37 PM

Congratulations, Maggie. What a delight to have a new machine.

Yes, I have gone without a washer for several years. Still am, 'cause I can't do the work required to have a place for the nice one we were given at Christmas. I find a sink plunger works fairly well until I have the use of my arm back.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: maire-aine
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 01:36 PM

As if 3 days of rain isn't enough, we've got snow mixing in. Alright, already! At least the buds on my magnolia tree are still tight enough that there's no harm done to the flowers. I went out to lunch with some friends from my old job. Great so see them, but tough to hear that there are still job cuts going on. Stopped at the garden center and bought some small herb plants (basil, rosemary, oregano & tarragon). It's still too cold overnight to put them outside, but I'll put them in a planter box on the front porch for a while until it's safe.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 10:37 PM

The strange washer saga continues.

I called the saleswoman I spoke with before, figuring she'd appreciate the commission, and she met us at the store this evening. I narrowed it down and decided on the Kenmore Elite Oasis, #02628032. I'd already paid $230 for the warranty that was giving me a $500 credit toward a new machine. After $160 off for the sale and an extra 5% off for the energy star sale (today only, I guess it's close to Earth Day) that almost cancelled out the tax, the ringing up added about $75 for delivery and to pick up the old one. I had her drop those off--I drive a pickup, and I just put the old one at the curb. Someone will grab that overnight or in the morning.

The new one is sitting in its box in the hall kind of "resting up" from the sideways trip in the pickup (all of about 5 miles). The new one cost me an additional $117 over the cost of the warranty. Not bad--Sears never has sales that would let me buy a $800 machine for $347.

They had another good machine on sale that I could have gotten right at the $500 credit amount, but it had a porcelain tub. If this one hadn't been such a good value I'd have gotten the Kenmore 800.

I'm going to put the new washer on the other side of the relatively slim laundry room this time, so I can reach the other outlet on the wall plug if I need to. I got tired of leaning over the back of the old washer and groping around to find it. I've cleaned up several ounces of dirt, cat hair, dirt, cat litter, dirt, and oddball things like twist ties (probably used as cat toys) from under where the washer used to sit.

It is so nice to know I can finally do laundry here again. I don't know how maeve (was it you?) went for so long without a washer. They are one of the great inventions of the Western World.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 06:08 PM

I didn't drive over just to pick up one lightbulb.

Sears called this afternoon with my code for my washer. Yes! Another trip to Sears tonight. I have 90 days to use the code. Heck, they're luck if I wait 90 minutes. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: MAG
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 04:21 PM

Hope you got your bulb(s), Maggie.

One bag of pants to the women's center.

Several buckets of weed stuff into the garbage.

Just after lunch and I'm out of steam.

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Apr 09 - 03:07 PM

Today Home Depot is giving away free light bulbs, the curly type. One per family, I think. Or per trip in? Anyway, today is the day.

I'm clearing work off of my desk, haven't been able to do much more. I've been tired the last few days, I suspect allergies are the culprit.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Alice
Date: 19 Apr 09 - 01:22 PM

Once a year our city has an environmentally safe collection of old electronics, mostly computers and televisions.
Yesterday, I was able to clear out 3 old dead monitors, two small b&w tvs, a non-functioning turntable and broken tape deck.

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: MAG
Date: 19 Apr 09 - 01:16 PM

OK, here it is Sunday, a beautiful day, and I have the whole day ahead of me.

Here I go outside; wish me luck against the weed grass, dandelions, berry brambles, etc.

Not to mention my own inclination toward indolence.

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: maire-aine
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 05:10 PM

Spent most of the day running errands. Weather couldn't be better, so I was great to be out. Also great to be able to open all the doors and windows, and let the place breathe.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 02:38 PM

It's still too squishy out there to mow, but I did go scoop the dog poop and pull a bunch of tall thistles and dandelion relations. Some tall itchy composite like a thistle but with yellow flowers instead. Anyway, the pile is higher on the compost and the lawn, while it needs mowing, doesn't look quite so wild.

The dogs need a walk. They've been cooped up too much with the rain and are like a couple of cranky kids this afternoon. The bread is baking right now, so we'll wait until it's cooling. The house will smell so welcoming when we return!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 11:11 AM

Still no word from Sears, so I'll be taking a couple of loads to the laundromat.

The office is looking better all the time. I decided to put like-things together on the shelves where all of the music is, and that is an improvement over the previous jumble of cassettes, CDs, recording devices, etc. I moved the office armchair into the hall when I started on this room. The only one use uses it is the cat, and he's complaining that he's not in here with me, so I expect I'll move it back later today.

It's a drizzly day, so garden stuff will wait. Bread is in the machine, and the dishwasher (usually used only for draining clean dishes) is washing through a cycle to clear out standing water.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: MAG
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 08:41 PM

Ah, you can always tell when the weekend rolls around. This thread gets more active.

I yanked weeds for awhile when I got home, until I had a bucketful. Then my grass allergy kicked in and I'm inside.

Sunday goals: get another drawer of that #$%^& file cabinet cleared out. Dig any visible berry brambles out of the backyard. Clear off the patio to the point where I can sit and enjoy my hyacinths before they are all gone. Clean out the car in anticipation of having actual passengers.

Just making the list makes me tired.

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Joe_F
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 08:32 PM

Myself, I would rather make a queen sleep.

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 05:06 PM

This morning I went by the grocery store where the Cadbury dark chocolate eggs are on sale and bought a whole box of the little packages. I've put them in the freezer to enjoy over time. They weren't cheap, even on sale, but they are so very very good!

Thunder storms today, maybe tomorrow. Won't be much outdoors work, so I'll keep up the momentum in the office. Still waiting on Sears to let me know when I can go ahead and get the washer.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 04:01 PM

Decluttered my bank account.... decluttered the shelf - it had a chocolate rabbit on it. burp.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 02:20 PM

It will be great when you do get the new washer, Maggie. It's so nice when you realise you don't have to go through so much just to get a load done.

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: maire-aine
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 01:35 PM

We finally got some nice warm weather, so I've been out enjoying it. Nothing to report here, either.

M

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 12:59 AM

Almost fell off the page. But I don't have much to report. Still washer shopping.

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 01:19 AM

I've now looked, there are two or three that would suit my needs and pocketbook. One is almost the same as the washer I have now, and though this one has failed, I still like the layout. There are actually two similar to mine, and one has one of the more advanced agitators, a smaller mound in the center, not the tall one. There is one that would do almost the same as my current machine and would come out about free after the 10% off of a current sale.

Office is still improving. Running cords in logical places, figuring out what fits where. Power strips galore in this room.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 06:44 PM

There are any number of types of pneumonia, aren't there? Take care of yourself. I've had otherwise-healthy co-workers end up with it and miss a month of work. It's nothing to fool with.

The office has a different layout now. Not finished, but much improved space-wise. I have evicted more paper and have come across some works I need to file differently.

My washer needs to be replaced. Last week I paid for the extended warranty ($230) and it covers up to $500 in work. Today I learned the actual work and parts would come out $670, because it has two problems, the transmission has been leaking and when it got low enough it killed the clutch (on the motor, one unit, so motor and transmission need replacing.) I could pay the $170 extra and fix this, or they'll give me up to $500 on a new Sears washer, and I pay the difference if the one I want is more expensive. They'll haul this one away, donate it to a program where people fix them (they donate the parts) and the washer is given to someone who really needs it. I guess I can live with that!

I'll head over to the mall in a while and take a look.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: maire-aine
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 02:57 PM

Thanks for the link, Maggie. I finally sat down and watched it, altho it seemed like forever to load it. What a victory for the over-forty crowd!

M

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 11:55 AM

Thanks, Maryanne and Maggie.

Maggie, yes, we will at least keep up what we've already done and maybe I will find some baby steps. Today, I rest some more, in fact the rest of this week, as Morgan is spending the rest of it at his old preschool so I don't have to worry about watching him. My dau. surprised me with that this morning when I called her to say I couldn't do today. It's a big deal that she took that step and I really appreciate it. If it's not pneumonia, for which I had a shot, it's darn close to it. Nebuliser and drugs...they do me good...sometimes!:-)

Thanks, my friends.

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 12:23 AM

Good for you, maeve! Now take it easy, don't overdo.

Kat, if you're catching something like a cold you need to remind yourself not to make any important decisions. It's like coming off of anesthesia--your brain isn't it's old reliable self. It seems to me that maybe you need to look around for some baby steps to tide you over for a while. Tiny, incremental improvements you can make and maintain. Better than just letting the place go. Or at least, make a compact with Morgan to keep it at least as organized as it is now around the house, to not backslide. Can you imagine something like that working?

I'm willing to move furniture in here, but I think I'd be wise to wait until morning when I'm fresh and when I won't be starting something that I have to quit and go to bed soon. I don't want to stay up all night moving books, boxes, and computer furniture, but once I get started I don't want to quit till I finish.

So, has any of the rest of you been blown away by this middle-aged Cinderella story of Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent? The song is beautiful, but you need to watch the expressions of the judges and the audience. Priceless, and inspiring.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: maire-aine
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 12:14 AM

Good for you, Maeve. Just don't try to do too much too soon. Kat, I hope you feel better, too.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 10:39 PM

Good for you, maeve!!

Looking at thing realistically, I think I will have to put a lot on the back burner until next Fall when Morgan starts kindergarten. With him here almost full time, at least several hours of each day and the small size of our house plus lack of storage, it is increasingly frustrating to try to get anything really taken care of. I am okay with this...giving myself permission to take time off has made me feel better about it.

By next week, I may change my mind...who knows? I've been battling a cold which moved into the realm of needing antibiotics, started today, so maybe it's just my not feeling the best.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: maeve
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 10:35 PM

Decluttered one blue cast. Replaced it with a wrist brace and upcoming physical therapy.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 10:30 PM

The washer gets fixed tomorrow afternoon. That will be a nice shift back to the normal, to have it back in operation.

Stuff is still sitting around in my office, but each time I find some logical thing to set on a shelf or arrange in a new place, the rest of it looks a little more professional, more efficient. If I can work out a way to fill in the broken tile on the floor in my desk area, I'd like to turn my computer desk around again.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 10:04 AM

Congratulations, Michelle! When you drop out of sight we'll know you have the tot in hand and are fully engaged. For a while at least!

I now have three empty shelves in the book cases in my office, and about half of a long shelf on the adjacent wall, under all of my sound equipment and a lot of tapes and CDs. I'll make that a space for over-size books and binders. I've moved out stuff from the closet, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to distribute the things I use in my office so those shelves are put to good use. I found a boxed side tray in the closet with notes and a letter saying "thank you for participating in our career day" from a high school in Central Texas that my ex visited in 1988.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: MAG
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 10:47 PM

Congrats, Michelle! The wee one will keep you very busy, but you know that.

Many blessings on you all.

I just got home from Portland, and ran around yanking some dandelions before it got dark. Gotta get 'em before the yellow turns white.

I was in Portland (OR, USA) for a sleep study. They changed the mask on my C-PAP which is supposed to help my insomnia. Here's hoping. It may help me deal with the stress at work better, and the Doc tells me that poor sleep raises blood sugar! In the years I've been getting treated for type 2 diabetes, no one has EVER mentioned this.

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 04:43 PM

:) Thanks Maeve!!!!!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: maeve
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 03:25 PM

Congratulations, Michelle. You have worked hard, and with so much joy- I am happy for you.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: maire-aine
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 03:19 PM

Took a little afternoon "vacation" today, and went to visit the Conservatory on Belle Isle. Every year at Easter, they set up a big display of lilies and other spring flowers. Took along my old SLR camera and got some good (I hope) pictures. Nice thing about flowers is they'll pose for hours without complaint.

Brought along a lunch and ate by the riverside, but in the car 'cause it was a little too cold & windy to sit outside. My magnolia tree is just about ready to blossom. Eleven months out of the year, it's a nuisance, but when it blooms, it's spectacular.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: jacqui.c
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 01:49 PM

I just contacted a homeless shelter in Portland who would be happy to take the clothes that are going. That will be a job for tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 01:23 PM

The physical home study was today and we passed with flying colors!!! HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are officially approved while our wee one continues to grow!! YES!!!! YES!!!! YES!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 10:50 AM

Good work, Jacqui! And I applaud the idea of leaving craft books in the cellar. It gives Kendall something to do if he's in the dog house down there! ;-D

I forgot to go buy 1/2 price Cadbury mini eggs for my son. I'll make a run at lunch. I did recycle a box of "baggage"--the old papers and articles from classwork that I won't use again. The office is disarranged because I haven't figured out where everything will go yet, but it will be off of the floor and the storage shelves in the closet are more orderly.

I found a Washington State recipe book mixed in amongst the music books so I've tucked it into the shelves in the kitchen. It is old, and was a library book, the cards were still in the pocket. I suspect this was a library discard. It hadn't been checked out by anyone I knew (the last entry is the giveaway!)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: maire-aine
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 10:35 AM

100.

Anyway, didn't do much yesterday-- it being Easter & all-- but I did spend some time looking thru another bag of recipes that I found in the basement. I don't know where they've all come from-- maybe they breed while I'm not looking. Threw away about 20%. Some actually seem to merit keeping, & might even make some of them, esp. the veggie dishes.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: jacqui.c
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 08:27 AM

Over the past couple of weeks I have had the urge to start making sense of my crochet stuff and wardrobe.

I rearranged the craft shelves in my bedroom/workroom so that all the craft books are easier to find and have a pile of books that will, for the moment, go down to the cellar, as there may be a use for them in the next year or so. I sorted out the bins of yarn down in the cellar so that I can access the yarn I want more easily. While I was doing that I came across a couple of bins of clothes that went down there when I put on weight. Pulled them out to try on and can get into about half of them again. There were also quite a lot that I am never going to wear again.

As a result, over the past few days, I have gone through my wardrobe and drawers and pulled out stuff that was either too big or that I won't wear again and now have three large containers of clothes to get rid of. I'm checking out the local homeless shelters to see if they can use them - our local thrift stores seem to have gone a bit upmarket and pricey. I now have my wardrobe organised into winter/summer clothing and the drawers are all neat and tidy. How long that lasts? We'll see.

Now I'm looking at a chest of drawers that I call 'last resort'. All those things that I want to keep but which don't have a specified place. That may take a little longer to do.

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Apr 09 - 06:31 PM

The sun's out now, but I'm still working in the office. I threw out several old computer books and about 8 inches of paper files from a chapter for a textbook I wrote a few years ago. I've repacked some things. My shelves are more compact, the floor doesn't have as much (it was neatly stacked, but it was on the floor). I would love it if I could get far enough along it this this afternoon that I could really make this room shine.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Apr 09 - 01:49 PM

It's a revelation, crawling around like that. To see how your furniture is built, if nothing else!

I've gotten rid of some old cardboard and postal envelopes and old non-music stuff that was in files of my Dad's, compressing two boxes of files into one. His stuff was in drawers and boxes when I found it, and when I moved it I put it in boxes that were available. I'm still not organizing by subject matter, just by size (letter or legal, etc.) but at least it is neater. The result is a free shelf in my office.

It's a sad day to be looking this over, because one of the people who was most interested in these files has died, John Ross. Now one wonders what will become of his files? Hopefully he had the foresight to park his documents at the folklore society where they are accessible to all interested parties.

I'll go compress some more boxes. You know those software boxes that if you keep them you end up getting a rebate for some odd little flap or decal they want you to trim off and send with the new receipt? I have quite a few. I think I'll dump the stuff in the boxes I never use and find a place to stash them. I don't use the CD stomper thing, for example, that came with Nero 6. I don't bother to design labels, I write on them with a sharpie. I don't generally read the books, there is a ReadMe file in the program. Why am I keeping all of this STUFF? :)

It's a rainy afternoon, no gardening, but maybe when I finish in here I'll repot a few of my African violets. They're in pretty desperate shape. I could even put a couple in this room, in bright indirect light. They might start looking a little better.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Apr 09 - 01:03 PM

When the baby is getting close to crawling age, I'll have to do that test!!! Thanks!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Apr 09 - 12:44 PM

Have you done the hands and knees exam? One of the things recommended when we were baby-proofing for our first was to literally get down on the floor and look up. Amazing how many sharp edges under furniture--bolts, stables, edges, things you want to smooth, file, or rearrange. Bottoms of tables, chairs, coffee tables, regular tables, they're all part of the landscape of a toddler.

We'll have to work a little harder to keep this thread from falling off of the page because Liz is headed to New Zealand for a couple of weeks. Unless she starts doing a little de-cluttering at her Mum's house. :)

It's a rainy easter here, kind of a cloudy sleepy day. There has been a little too much chocolate in the diet lately, so I need to make a point of eating healthy and I should probably check in on the accountability thread. On the de-cluttering topic, I have been sorting through old files. I don't want to toss the old work history stuff, those are interesting reminders, but I have gotten rid of a lot of early attempts at freelance writing. I'll never use those articles again, I don't need those rejection letters. It can all go in the recycle bin.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Apr 09 - 10:48 AM

Our physical home study is coming up FAST! We have all the paperwork in, physicals are done, interview has been held, classes completed and this is the final stage of the adoption before the baby comes. They are looking for a home that is clean and safe for baby. Excellent. Our house has been painted (by me) and construction has been ongoing since January. I made new curtains for the kitchen this week and in about 10 minutes I'll be hanging the new bathroom curtains as well (to get rid of the blinds and the cords that go with them....and really, the curtains look much more homey to me!) Today we are working as a team to install baby safety devices. We will never again be able to open the cupboards, drawers and doors again!!! And want to plug in something new? Get the band-aids out people because those outlet safety plugs are a bitch to get out! Maybe it will come with practice but for now, I say, do we REALLY need to plug that in? LOL
    I will be glad when the physical study is over. It's been good for our house & for us too but the pressure brings about a decent amount of stress.
   
Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 12 Apr 09 - 08:42 AM

If you have a scanner, then combine the two ideas. All those pieces of paper, scan them or transcribe them onto a disk. Then, if you need to use it or share, you can print out a clean copy.

I'm terrible for throwing books away - can't bear to... but my recipe shelf is so full it fell down a while ago! I find I use a couple of books more than others so if that's what you find, keep them in the kitchen and put the others somewhere else, because they're always useful to have. If I had a bigger kitchen, I'd have a bigger bookshelf because as it stands at the moment, the one shelf isn't enough... especially when I look and see I have 7 books of chocolate recipes alone....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Clean-sweep April 2009 de-cluttering
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Apr 09 - 12:59 AM

No, don't throw them out--make a special place for them!

These were some of my mother's cookbooks that I just couldn't let go of. And she had boxes of recipes. It took me a while, but I finally decided to put a bookcase (one of those baker's racks) in the kitchen for various things, including these books and files.

It turns out that they're great conversation starters. Amazing how people will spot those, open them, and start reading out loud and reminiscing about recipes their parents used to make.

They're contained, but they're still there. My recipes are in this other cupboard.

SRS