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31 Dec 08 - 10:22 PM (#2528781) Subject: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage It's evening on Dec. 31 as I start this, and while we haven't been going for quite a year, it feels like an anniversary. I think having a place to report progress, large or small, helps propel or sustain momentum in clearing out the stuff that you trip over or have to work around in your daily life. "Clutter" is a state in which something is in your way, and that something is there mostly because your space is occupied by more stuff than you can use or need. Identify it, and work with what you recognize as a problem. If you need to, start small, perhaps de-clutter a shelf or a counter to make a clear spot, then work outward from there, if you don't know another way to begin. If you're tremendously ambitious, empty your entire house and replace only the items you really need and use, and sell or discard or give away the rest. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle. I can't afford to just discard, I am working through the stuff and donating (keeping records) or selling (eBay) what I can, and the rest is being recycled as much as possible. It was a nice sign to have a spectacular eBay success this last week of the year; this isn't typical, but it will help me keep moving forward. My kitchen and dining room are in very good shape right now, and cooking and serving food are a pleasure because I have room to work easily and more quickly than when I had to move stuff in order to cook. The rest of the house is still a work in progress. The reports have been wonderful over the last year, and I look forward to reading more in the new year. SRS |
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31 Dec 08 - 10:49 PM (#2528801) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: freda underhill SRS, thanks for this great thread. It's been inspiring, motivating and funny to trawl through the realities of other women's homes. have a happy decluttering new year, SRS & all! (and don't forget to remove those cactus spines!!) freda ..just about to load my ex's car with collapsable baby cot, toys, baby rugs, sheets, high chair, pram, and dump them with my sydney daughter. then off for another walk round the harbour, once the smothering heat is past! |
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31 Dec 08 - 11:14 PM (#2528810) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine Hi, everybody. Most everything is off of the diningroom table, and has been put away where it belongs. There is a trayful of ingredients to make rice pilaf, and I'll bake that tomorrow. I'm about ready to put away the candles from the buffet, but I lit them up again so I could take a picture. I made a bit of progress in the kitchen this afternoon/evening, too. But I still need to make more countertop available. I'm going to look for a sturdy cart that I can put some of the appliances on, so I can slide the whole thing under a shelf that's about countertop height. I need to take some measurements, because there are 2 brackets under the shelf that I need to avoid. I'll probably be asleep when the New Year arrives, so I'll wish you all a happy and healthy one. Thanks to all of you for making this little corner of the 'cat such a friendly, cozy place to visit. The encouragement is much appreciated. Maryanne |
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31 Dec 08 - 11:26 PM (#2528813) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I've been up in the attic tracing a phone wire. I'm getting ready to put in the wire to run broadband to my son's computer. I'll leave the bubbly until after I finished stepping from truss to truss up there. :) My first couple of goals for this new year are to have my computer back in order and to have a wired network so I get no more grumbling from my son about the signal strength to his computer. This is the "turning a lemon into lemonade" approach, after my huge computer crash and after suffering through such marginal DSL for years. Might as well do it all now at one time. My attic could stand to have some stuff cleared out, dried out cardboard boxes I won't use for packing. I'll haul them down this week and put them in the back of the pickup to take over for recycling on Friday. SRS |
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01 Jan 09 - 12:30 AM (#2528842) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing My house actually looks kind of sparkly and orderly, tonight, mostly due to Morgan and his energy! That kid! He gives me the energy to do so much more; it's a lot more fun to do it with someone than alone, imo. We got all of the Christmas stuff off of the tree. I went through my Christmas box and put stuff in a pile to give away and a pile for Morgan to take to his house, so what I have left finally fits without someone sitting on the lid and it is neatened up. That feels so good. Rog surprised me by taking the day off AND going through the ton of electronic gear cluttering up his office space in the kitchen. He still has to haul it out of the house, but I didn't even have to ask him to do it! I have a few dishes to do tomorrow. We've had a nice evening with my brother visiting and gone home. Don't know if we'll make it to midnight, so Happy New Year and thanks so much for your inspiration and motivation, you esp. Maggie, you just keep going! (Morgan will probably never want to vacuum when he gets to the same age as your son, btw. His mom loved to vacuum when she was really little, then hated it!:-) She was also thorough like him; he was down on his knees under stuff getting all of the pet hair!) |
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01 Jan 09 - 03:06 AM (#2528869) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage There is something empowering about taking control of a space, and I think Rog is seeing that with the work you're doing, and with what we've each been describing. You don't want to know about my sun room right now, tonight--but tomorrow I'll collapse a couple of dozen boxes and bring it back to a navigable space. The kitchen has a dishpan in the sink with a few things soaking in soapy water, a fresh loaf of bread is cooling under a towel, and there is a basket of clean laundry on the couch in the living room that I'll fold tomorrow. I took the holiday things down from the mantle and now it is a simple arrangement of silver and crystal with the halogen up lights (that I installed) giving them I richness I wasn't aware of before. (Thank you, Martha Stewart!) Have a good new year, and let's see if by the end of January or February we have each made enough progress that we can report back about de-cluttering smaller spaces for more specialized reasons. I'm still wanting to get to sewing and beading, and I think by this spring I'll be there. (I need to get to that point before gardening season, because the garden is so much more interesting than being inside the house, despite the energy I put into the house right now!) Happy 2009, all! SRS |
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01 Jan 09 - 04:29 AM (#2528876) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: mouldy I may take the decorations all down tomorrow and get them stowed. I have to start looking up structural engineers/surveyors to see where my kitchen damp is coming from before too long. Nice. Really, I should have a chuck out of my cooking pots, but while I am only feeding myself most of the time, there are occasions when I seem to be feeding the world and his wife, and so I have all sizes - and favourites! I also would like to learn to knit properly, so that I actually get some pleasure from it. Andrea |
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01 Jan 09 - 12:21 PM (#2529046) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage It's hurry up and wait here for my computer stuff. Looks like it won't arrive until Monday. This computer mess will have killed much of my holiday if I let it, so I won't, I have other stuff to do. Last night I got a good start on rewiring--the hardest part is figuring out what you have to work with after poking around to find the right wires to replace. It looks like they used a large enough bore to go through the 2x4 at the top of the wall that I can get my phone and/or coaxial wires through without difficulty. The line seemed to be working that I'm replacing, but in the past it has been very crackly and I think there might be a short somewhere along the way. While I'm up there I will collect the boxes that I won't use again and clear it out a little. The attic isn't full, it is mostly air and insulation and building members, but there are clusters of cardboard to address. Moonglow brought a bag of clothes she doesn't wear that will be donated in the first trip to Goodwill over the weekend. The 2009 donations begin and I have to wrap up the 2008 list. My IRS forms arrived in the mail yesterday. SRS |
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01 Jan 09 - 12:49 PM (#2529070) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing ...building members, but there are clusters of cardboard to address Just thinking of those building members talking to the clusters!:-) (Just the way my imagination goes, sometimes;-) It's really great that you are able to do all of that yourself, SRS. Crackling in a line almost definitely will be cracked wires shorting out or something. It might be right at the phone, though, the connectors and the line to the wall jack and/or the actual line between the phone and headset. Sounds like you could do with the rewiring you are doing regardless. Have fun! I tracked down my new cellphone which was supposed to be delivered yesterday (the guy left a note on the door - we were here all day, so he must not have knocked!) Anyway, now that I have it, by the 7th when my home phone number begins ringing on it, I will be able to put away a couple of home phones and the charger for one of them, plus the Vonage box which will also mean less wires running around in my office. SRS, I will believe my de-cluttering has had an effect on my Rog when he actually removes the piles of stuff he made in the kitchen whilst cleaning out his drawers and desk!**bg** (Actually, he may do just that as he has actually taken off from yesterday through Sunday! Unless of course they call him in for an emergency! Knock on wood!) |
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01 Jan 09 - 04:32 PM (#2529241) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Something/body is inspiring me, this week. I have just shocked myself by going through the top left-hand drawer of my desk. It's the one everything gets thrown into, but also holds the important accounts book and other *stuff* I need to hand. I could barely get it open. It is now almost EMPTY, stuff is either thrown out, put away, or in a file of "Stuff to be scanned" and I can open and close the drawer easily! I can *feel* the four drawer filing cabinet calling...we have a date later this weekend.:-) |
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01 Jan 09 - 10:48 PM (#2529401) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine I wasn't interested in watching football today, so I went to the mall. The good news is that all I bought was cat litter and aspirin. My mother used to say that, whatever you did on New Year's Day, you'd be doing all year long. If that means I didn't spend much, that's good. I realized that all four of the canisters on my countertop were empty, and I had no plans to fill them (I probably won't be baking any time soon), so I boxed them up and put them in the basement. That made lots of extra space. I'm also starting to put holiday decorations away. Should have the tree down and furniture re-arranged over the weekend. Maryanne |
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02 Jan 09 - 10:54 AM (#2529636) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: MAG I also give heartythanksfor these threads; having a group to commiserate with and share success with is a tremendous help. I am taking 2 hours off today in order to carry out recycling, garbage, and composting in daylight. And more f***ing snow last night. It was supposed to RAIN. |
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02 Jan 09 - 11:14 AM (#2529656) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I was offline last night and decided, after several attempts, to simply turn off everything. Overnight the modem reset itself, which is great, because I really don't need another thing to fix around here. I'm going to run a wire through the attic and down to the junction box behind my computer so I can hardwire the Internet connection to my son's computer, but I have to get creative. I punched out the tiny little hole on the top of the box (after removing the wall cover) and now I have to go in the attic and figure out how to reach that little hole from the top. It will involve taking the drill up and making a couple of more holes, putting a light next to the j-box, and dangling a string with a screw (for weight) down to the proximity of the box. I'll also measure the height from the j-box to the top of the room so I can let out enough string. I might have to get a magnet into this also. Did I mention that I have to crawl around in the attic to do this? It will be wonderful once it is in place. On another note, I've figured out why the catahoula keeps pushing through the garage gate into the main part of the building (where the truck is). She's chasing mice or rats. It's always something, and she seems to enjoy herself, so more power to her. SRS |
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02 Jan 09 - 12:07 PM (#2529704) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak Decluttered the back fence on Wednesday.... realise it's just held on to the posts by one nail and the ivy I'd just decluttered from it... still, the new panels arrive on the 13th so it's just a couple of trips to the tip with the removed vegetation and then the old panels can go. The rest of the house is just blah... lost all momentum recently. No sooner do I tidy something than it gets filled up, or needed. LTS |
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02 Jan 09 - 03:47 PM (#2529905) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Been running around Home Depot, exchanging wiring bits. I think I've about figured this out. I need to get up in the attic while it is still light out, that will make the job much easier. I have to drag the drill up, and if I'm smart I'll drag a couple of planks up to span the beams to kneel on. |
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02 Jan 09 - 03:49 PM (#2529909) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Don't forget the planks, SRS!**bg** |
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03 Jan 09 - 05:19 AM (#2530300) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak Don't use press board or chip board... Manitas went through one of those boards a few years ago, getting the Christmas decorations out of the loft, almost appearing through the bedroom ceiling. It was August before I finally caved and hired a plasterer. LTS |
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03 Jan 09 - 06:02 PM (#2530801) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I've been back and forth on those boards (regular lumber) so many times today I feel like I was doing a long yoga exercise in a sauna. It's a warm day, and the attic is even warmer. Darned wiring was part of my connectivity problem, and when I remodeled my contractor took a shortcut and went sideways through a stud instead of running a separate set of cable and phone lines from the top for boxes in each side of the wall. We can now add dry wall repair to my list of things I'll be doing this weekend. At least it's my wall and I can put a hole in it if I need to. I'll probably put a plate over one hole, but I have to repair a small spot above the junction box. Geez. NOW I can get back to rebuilding the computer. I think it is safe to say that, electronically speaking, this has been the Winter Holiday from Hell. SRS |
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03 Jan 09 - 06:30 PM (#2530823) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Jeepers, SRS, glad you got that part done! Rog has the kitchen looking worse than ever. Unbeknownst to me, he had more to go through and organise. He's only got two filing cabinet drawers. I cannot believe the amount of electronic gear he had in there. Oh, and he has another computer set up, trying out a modem he found to see if he can get that one up and running for my brother. I asked if he'd have it all done and put away by tomorrow and he assured me he would. He goes back to work on Monday and I don't want to be fighting it in the kitchen! I did get two things listed on ebay, one of them an old "collectible" multibus CPU, at least Rog tells me people collect them. I only put them up a couple of hours ago and have had a few lookers, so we'll see what happens. I am going to try to get more stuff up, tomorrow. We need to get some more cash in here, too. Tonight, though, I am going to relax and watch a comedy with Rog, Still Crazy. |
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03 Jan 09 - 07:15 PM (#2530845) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Bat Goddess I've been sloughing off lately and I need to get serious again. For the past, dunno how many, years, the first item on my New Year's Resolutions list is "Get rid of something every day – throw it out, give it to a friend, Freecycle it, sell it on eBay or Craig's List". I've been doing okay, but I've not been serious since I beat the house into submission inSeptember. (Okay, I did find a place for the Christmas tree...) Last week I went through the bag of papers I cleared from the table prior to Thanksgiving -- threw out (THREW OUT!!!) everything except a scant 1/8 inch high pile of papers (the Funny Times list I needed immediately), maybe it was 1/16th of an inch. Small, anywho. This not having two consecutive days off is problematic. Tomorrow I declutter a bunch of bananas into banana nut bread for the freezer. (That's quite a few breakfasts.) And wash the fillet crochet on the front door which nobody usually sees but I noticed the other day and it's embarrassingly full of cobwebs and dust. Sigh. (It's dark in that unused corner...what can I say?) And maybe get some stuff posted on Craig's List. 2009 is going to be a better year all the way around! Linn |
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03 Jan 09 - 08:43 PM (#2530892) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage My kitchen looks like the inside of a goat's stomach again. I'll be putting away tools and taking some stuff over to Home Depot and that should help. It's all "temporary" to do with this wiring. I still have one stubborn line that won't move down the wall, but I think it's because there is extra cable looping around and causing a blockage. I finished reading the last Harry Potter book last night, after setting it down a while back with the last couple of hundred pages to go. I could see the denouement coming and I wanted to read it all without interruption. It took a while to find that uninterrupted time. I had made a couple of predictions to Moonglow that I'm glad to say were true. She'd been waiting for me to finish it because she knew I'd gotten it right but didn't want to give it away by accident. I've been reading mysteries for a long time, and despite the wizarding setting, it was still a mystery. Off to do a little more attic tidying then I'll start on the kitchen. SRS |
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04 Jan 09 - 08:46 AM (#2531111) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: mouldy Got the decorations down from the inside of the house at least, and into brand new storage boxes. When I can muster up the energy I will lug them up into the loft. However, today I have a headache to nurse, and there's rugby on TV... ...big men in tight shorts! Andrea |
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04 Jan 09 - 11:56 AM (#2531246) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing I am off to do dishes, have a load in the washer and one in the dryer and I will be riding herd on Rog making sure he gets all of his electronic gear out!:-) I've got watchers and bidders on both ebay items. Not much, yet, but it's early days. I will be adding things to it, today and/or putting up my bookshop on Biblio, again. |
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04 Jan 09 - 11:58 AM (#2531247) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: wysiwyg A number of large, bulky items were consolidated and put where they belong ydy, including some of them moving to the parish office. In the process I found a missing and much-needed MP3 player. I'd camo'd it by adding a car-charger and putting it, as an improved kit, into a tote bag. No wonder I couldn't find it by the color of the player-case it lives in! ~Susan |
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04 Jan 09 - 12:49 PM (#2531304) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: MAG Nine degrees here today and more snow onthe way tonight, instead of the predicted thaw. My plan is to repack books more neatly into boxes so I can actually move around the den easier. And put up the plastic I got for one window weeks and weeks ago. If I get that done, and the dishes and some laundry, I will treat myself to a good long practice. |
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04 Jan 09 - 12:50 PM (#2531307) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: LilyFestre Three 30-gallon bags of clothing has been cleaned out of our closet, mostly mine but DH is also cleaning out his stuff. I no longer need the sizes 34w, 32w, 30w, 28w or 26w (keeping some 24s for days I feel bloated) and I am NOT keeping them. The same with DH. He has lost weight and there is no need for us to have 5 different sizes in the closet. It feels great to get rid of the stuff and the extra space is a beautiful sight to behold. :) Michelle |
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04 Jan 09 - 12:52 PM (#2531310) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Kewl, all o'youse! My Rog got the jump on me! While I was in here posting, he started and finished the dishes! So, it was sweeping and scrubbing the bathroom for me. I don't mind, either, so that's good! |
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04 Jan 09 - 12:55 PM (#2531313) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage The lines are in the wall, and I'm tackling my son's computer. His connection problem stems from not installing all of the equipment drivers when he rebuilt the computer (replaced hard drive, anyway) a couple of years ago. I'll still go shopping this morning but maybe won't have to get the new ethernet card after all. Tomorrow is school and work. Kind of disappointing, all of the stuff I didn't get finished over the break, but our computers have certainly been through the wringer! Still cleaning in the kitchen and dining room. Still eating healthy. My jeans still fit even after the cookies and snacks--this is good! Now to go install some downloaded drivers into the Dell. . . SRS |
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04 Jan 09 - 02:09 PM (#2531368) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST,pattyClink Thanks once again for the inspiring posts. I am practically paralyzed by the mounting clutter after Christmas and our return from a trip. I was given a nice-looking audio cabinet to hold minerals and shells. It is assembled now after a bit of grief. Now, the specimens are screaming to be washed and dried and set out, while the Christmas boxes are shouting to be filled and atticized, but people keep needing to be fed every few hours, and it's time to set up new financial files for the new year, and I ought to get some exercise, and I'd really rather do some music, and tomorrow it's back to work. Well, that was whiny. Let me go jerk the twinkle lights out of the podocarpus(sp?) and make a start on the Christmas box issue. |
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04 Jan 09 - 03:29 PM (#2531434) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Penny S. I was given some books for Christmas. Well, one, actually, but when I was in the shop selected by the donor for me to look in, I spotted two I couldn't not have for reference - Josephus' Antiquities, and a book not unlike the "Key to All Mythologies" from Middlemarch. I'm going to have to have a book purge. Again. Does anyone know what to do with old videos? The ones that were originally blank? I'm actually managing to clear all my old recordings, so I have a lot of used ones I am probably not going to need any more. I have a DVD/VHS player I can use to dub as well as record, and now have a Freeview box with hard drive for temporary stuff - though if it's for something important on analogue, I'm going to double record as it sometimes gives up on the job. Currently I'm watching through all the stuff recorded over Christmas - it's amazing how quickly 60 hours gets used up. Penny |
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04 Jan 09 - 05:17 PM (#2531509) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage In the scheme of durable recordable media, the cassette tapes and video tapes have probably the longest predicted shelf-life (when compared to CDs and DVDs and such). I haven't been in a rush to clear out all of my tapes. I have shelf against one wall that holds them compactly and I keep them all in that area. One of these days I'll move some out. I have cleared out duplicates and some we'll never watch again, but I use those to record over now, since I don't have a functioning DVR at this point in time. (I could put a card in my computer with a HD receiver and record there, I suppose, but I've spent enough for now on the computers around here.) My son will install the new Ethernet card after he comes in this evening. My daughter, away at school, will follow the schematic she has for her computer and will install her new power supply. I'm getting a l-i-t-t-l-e tired of computers. (But this one certainly runs quickly with the modem directly into the computer.) I need a nap. SRS |
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04 Jan 09 - 07:43 PM (#2531630) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak 2 days of not doing anything I should have in the house, and remarkably, it's not piled up... yet. Tomorrow is (hopefully) Limpit's first day back at school and I'm alone in the house for a change... bliss! I can whack the stereo up to full and dance around with the vacuum cleaner and the carpet washer. I may even put clothes on. LTS |
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04 Jan 09 - 10:10 PM (#2531757) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I've made some progress around here, but have a lot more to do computer-wise. Once this is finished I can get back to other stuff. I've done some clearing in the kitchen and dining room--those are the baseline I want to keep in good shape to work outward from. I feel like I had a good workout this weekend, with all of the climbing around in the attic. SRS |
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04 Jan 09 - 11:08 PM (#2531776) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: LilyFestre More work in the closet, taking 3 30 gallon bags of plastic hangers to Sal's tomorrow. How does one accumulate so many hangers? I have NO idea. Buh bye! Michelle |
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05 Jan 09 - 01:09 AM (#2531811) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I've been rearranging the hall and office closets, moving holiday stuff into shelves in the top of the office closet and putting packs and luggage in the hall closet. The hall closet is where some of the phone wiring lives, and I think it will be easier to set up without bulky holiday decoration boxes being shoved in and pulled out past it. I will build a little cabinet of sorts to protect the wiring, but it isn't going to happen right away. I picked up an incredibly inexpensive MP3 player today ($30) that has 2G, enough space to hold several albums and a couple of recorded books. My last one cost much more but I gave to my son who has managed to get past some of it's problems (though it still isn't easy). I got his advice before starting to experiment with this one. My problem before may have been that I let Windows Media Player help out. He says it is better just dragging with Windows Explorer (one of my favorite Windows programs). Seems easier to me, also. (The other one insisted WMP was the way to go, but my son got stuff in there fine with WinEx, until it stopped letting him see the contents at all.) Now who knows what I'll be able to find once I start rebuilding the drives, but for now, I have stashed a little something in this player. SRS |
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05 Jan 09 - 04:09 AM (#2531852) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak Blissful day - Limpit is at school, Manitas is at work and I read the thread on hibernating farmers this morning... as it is presently snowing and looks set to do so for a while, I have given up all thought of decluttering the garden waste to the tip, and will emulate my farming forebears (well, three of 'em any way) and return to my hibernation spot. After all, it IS still Christmas (Old Christmas Eve), Distaff Day is not til Wednesday, Plough Monday (first Monday after Twelfth Night) is still a week away, so I'm being all traditional and not doing much! Now I know our snow is nothing like American snow, but we get it so rarely in the south-east urban sprawl that it's an occasion worth noting. LTS |
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05 Jan 09 - 10:26 AM (#2532024) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: wysiwyg I think it's great that so many folks are all working on the same thing, and cheering one another on. But once the excitement of starting has worn thin, it can only continue effectively if one makes a new habit of the urge to create order. For me, that means posting about it less-- decluttering my posting habits. :~) So if you don't see me much posting here, it doesn't necessarily mean I backslid or that I forgot y'all-- more likely I'm just using the time I freed up by getting better organized, and I'm away from the puder. Isn't that the goal? I think organizing for its own sake is a phase, or else it just becomes the flip side of the pattern. I'm aiming for the middles ground-- only as much organization as supports my other goals in life. Until I get a wife. ~:) Or I guess I could teach the dog to pick up around here, more. I know if I threw all the clutter into the catbox, he'd be there for me-- in a heartbeat. :~) ~S~ |
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05 Jan 09 - 12:04 PM (#2532102) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I understand your reasoning, Susan. Some posts we put here are to move this back up the page and less to report anything substantial. I admit that after writing out many of these posts I will cut out big chunks of what I just wrote as "too much information." However, in a social sense, some of us are holding our own toes to the fire to continue to participate. It has been helpful to many of us to look around and see some new or interesting (or really necessary!) thing needing to be done just to have an excuse to report. No improvement is too small if it helps maintain momentum. We force ourselves to be a little more efficient this way, and it is one of those "success begets success" situations. I'm waiting on the UPS truck to delivery the next batch of clutter--boxes of computer stuff. But in the end, I hope for a more streamlined operation here. SRS |
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05 Jan 09 - 12:24 PM (#2532120) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: wysiwyg Natch. To each his own. Not given as advice. But that dog thing has possibilities. :~) ~S~ |
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05 Jan 09 - 02:29 PM (#2532234) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Penny S. Rushed out as soon as I got out of bed to clear the drive and salt it -it's steep down onto the road, and takes about half an hour to sweep - more if it needs shovelling, which it didn't. I'll need to get more salt in. Then I was so knackered I spent the rest of the day in bed. But I have reduced the unread newspaper pile. Meanwhile the thaw set in and we haven't had any more - but if we do, it should melt. Penny |
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05 Jan 09 - 03:56 PM (#2532301) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I am limping along with this dodgy computer set-up but was able to poke around and isolate photos to use for the annual report I'll be working on this month. I haven't installed my MS Office files yet and I don't have access to my Adobe files, and the new hard drive arrives tomorrow. So I'll pick photos and I have to do some writing in a Wordpad file. Our freezing rain was supposed to stop freezing by noon, but it hasn't stopped raining and it hasn't stopped freezing. The ground itself is wet, but all of the things up in the air--branches, metal fences, the trash can, the bird feeder, are crusted with ice. It is beautiful, but it can be messy. No work outside today, but I can at least throw some boxes in the back of the pickup for the recycling bins at city hall when I head out to pick up my son again. Cardboard has staked a claim on my sun room until I flatten it into submission. SRS |
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05 Jan 09 - 05:43 PM (#2532394) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak Every time I started out into the garden to move foliage from back to front, it snowed, so I didn't move anything at all... just the dust inside. Major weekend project ahead I feel... LTS |
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05 Jan 09 - 05:47 PM (#2532396) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: LilyFestre JSYK: Salvation Army does NOT take hangers! |
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05 Jan 09 - 06:28 PM (#2532437) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Should we ask how you know? :) Actually, I think that is fairly standard at most of those places now. Maybe the metal ones can go into the recycle bin (or to Volkswagen beetle owners). I took photos in my strange warm but icy yard, but I don't have my photoshop handy to post any. Tomorrow, tomorrow. . . Franken won in Minnesota. A little more clean up that is good for all of us! SRS |
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05 Jan 09 - 08:57 PM (#2532518) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine Something that will reduce the clutter: I cancelled home delivery of the newspaper. Compared the cost/benefit and decided it wasn't worth it. So I'll save some money and it'll be good for the environment in the long run. Also called the phone company and changed to a cheaper service plan (now that I'm no longer using dial-up to connect), and that should save me about $20 per month. Caught up on laundry, including all of my blue jeans. Spent a couple hours getting info together for 2008 taxes, so I can get 'em done early. Maryanne |
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05 Jan 09 - 11:51 PM (#2532601) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I need to do taxes soon also, because I need to do the FAFSA for my college-aged daughter. And said daughter fixed her computer today. Yesss! Last week right after christmas it died. We talked about the symptoms, decided it must be the power supply, she checked the Dell web site forum and found that the power supply can be a problem in her machine, and found a link to a good replacement. For about $50 she picked one up (NewEgg is great) and today she said it was four screws and a few plugs. She also had to bend or cut the case a little because the new supply was narrower and longer, but the rule "if it doesn't go, force it" (not good) ISN'T the same as "if it won't fit, cut the hole bigger." I meant to ask earlier: doesn't someone now have a new washer in service in her house, after years of hand washing? How is it going? SRS |
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06 Jan 09 - 12:02 AM (#2532604) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing I put the dirty dishes in water to soak, today!Hahaha! Had Morgan from 930a-530p, partly from choice, but it did cut into my get-things-done time.:-) I have a 1907 print ready to go on ebay, have it saved as a draft and I have some other items to get listed this week. I also re-upped my bookshop at Biblio, downloaded their booklisting software and started entering books until I came to a publisher's advance copy whose isbn doesn't show up. I'll enter it manually, but I want to find out if it is worth anything extra as a first, exclusive edition. Morgan went through some of his toys and finally consented to get rid of an old mixing board he'd scored from Rog. It is heavy, but made a great spaceship control board thingie. He dropped it by accident on my toes last summer and I almost pitched it then. I am not sorry to see it go. Rog took out most of his stuff which he cleaned out and packed up. He left to PCs and the mixing board. He was going to carry them out this AM, but got called out early and left too quickly. I may not get much done each day, but it really helps to talk about it and post what I do get done, no matter how little. I see it as steady progress, for me. I think when we first started out, I wanted to keep it completely positive and have us post only when we got something done, but I think the way it's evolved, like a having a chat over the fence or at a coffeshop, has been neat and helpful. Thanks, gals and guys! |
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06 Jan 09 - 05:57 AM (#2532706) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak Don't mention fences!!! I have to replace mine next week and I'm already behind on clearing the garden stuff out so I can get the new panels actually into the garden! Actually Kat, documenting the negative works as a 'To do list/guilt tripper'... to have mentioned in public something that didn't get done, and then have someone else 3 weeks later say 'how did that go', makes you remember to do it. I've got a garden and 3 crates of indoor crap to sort... plus now that Twelfth Night is here, Christmas decorations to take down and put away... This is my 'To do list' now! Fill bird feeders - can't do that until I've Cleared shrubbery from back garden into front with view to putting in car to take to the tip Whilst going to the tip, might as well take those other bits and pieces from the loft. Whislt in the loft, put the Christmas decorations away - can't do that until I've taken them down! So it looks like I should be sorting the decorations rather than the garden, brilliant! I now have a plan of inaction. LTS |
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06 Jan 09 - 07:01 AM (#2532730) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maeve Ah, Stilly. I blush to disclose I'm still washing by hand. The clearing of the nursery and plumbing of the washer have been delayed by the daily search for pinecones and wood for heat and the uselessness of the feet. Thanks for asking. maeve |
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06 Jan 09 - 02:23 PM (#2533182) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine Spent part of the morning sorting out the remaining clutter. I have several baskets full of clippings and notes, so if I need something, I have to rummage thru each basket until I find it. I've decided to organize that stuff into folders. So far it's going well-- one basket done, and 2 more to go. I have no plans to work during January, and dog-gone-it, I'm beginning to like this staying home business. Maryanne |
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06 Jan 09 - 02:51 PM (#2533232) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage The couch is heaped with clean laundry. It starts all over again. . . |
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06 Jan 09 - 07:20 PM (#2533580) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Dishes still in the sink. I may do them this evening. I did get one more thing added to ebay and have a couple of drafts to finish. LtS, I think talking over the fence came to mind because I'd read about your fence project.:-) |
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06 Jan 09 - 07:30 PM (#2533584) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak I did both the removal of decorations and garden rubbish to the tip/recycling centre today... missed out the loft bit, but that will come soon. In doing so, I found that my little occasional table which has been on stage with Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy (who left a couple of wineglass stains), Roy Bailey and the great politician and leader of the 'Stop the War coalition' Tony Benn, had been pushed right back into the window, over the radiator. Consequently, it's developed a split down most of its length.. any clues how I can repair it without losing the integrity of the table? I have removed it from the radiator. It's all the fault of this new boiler. When the boiler was replaced they flushed the system and now the dining room radiator actually works for the first time in years... Mindful of the fact that the neighbours over the back are the only ones I actually talk to over the fence, the new fence is a little lower than the previous one, but has a trellis top to it, so us short people can talk through it to the taller person on the other side! It'll screw with the cats' minds too.... he he he! LTS |
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06 Jan 09 - 07:35 PM (#2533586) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: LilyFestre Lots of reorganizing and reconstructing going on around our house to get ready for the arrival of our 2 babies. DH built a new closet in the bathroom this weekend, all shelves! Tonight I am having fun (no, really, I AM having fun) finding a place for everything and getting rid of a metal stand that hovers over our toilet and an old cheapie cupboard that has served us well but is ready for the dump. I'll be glad to consolidate all of that into one place and be rid of the two bulky pieces. Later tonight I will be going through our seeds from seasons gone by and getting rid of those that most likley would be unproductive in the spring. Michelle |
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06 Jan 09 - 08:02 PM (#2533610) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine I got through all 3 baskets of clippings, etc. and they are all in folders by topic. Everything is in a plastic crate and the baskets will be re-used. I can even find things when I want them, and there is plenty of room for more clippings. I know I don't post as often as some, but I really value having this place to share what little I have accomplished. Thanks for listening. Maryanne |
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06 Jan 09 - 11:55 PM (#2533711) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Tomorrow afternoon I'll begin the computer reconstruction. There's too much to do to have tried it this evening. And I have to map out the steps, clear floor space, kick the cats out of the room, have screwdriver, flashlight, magnifying glass, who knows what else, handy. There is usually a bit of head banging and knuckle damage. The couch is still covered with clean laundry. SRS |
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07 Jan 09 - 10:33 AM (#2534080) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Kicking this back to the top. It's a pretty day out--of course it is, that's why I have to spend it indoors. :-/ SRS |
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07 Jan 09 - 02:53 PM (#2534324) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine I'm staying inside today too. We had freezing drizzle last night, and the roads are like sheets of glass. The newscast last night showed 30 and 40-car pileups on the roads; fortunately no serious injuries that I know about. I finally got around to taking clippings from my be-draggled "chocolate soldier" (epicia?) plant and put them in dirt to root. I've been meaning to do that for months. Also baked a pumpkin custard (pie recipe with a little less sugar & without the crust). Bridges the gap between a vegetable and a dessert. Maryanne |
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07 Jan 09 - 04:49 PM (#2534447) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST,winterbright To LilyFestre - It's a well-known fact that coat hangers breed in the dark. They are actually the larvae of bicycles and if left long enough will develop into some dandy ten-speeds. (Wish I could remember the SF author who discovered and wrote a story about this many years ago!) Only just now tuning in to this thread... Has anyone checked out "freecycle.com"? a great way to unload unwanted almost-anything! |
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07 Jan 09 - 06:14 PM (#2534547) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Welcome to the thread, winterbright. I think freecylce has been mentioned and has been used by a few of us. Thanks for the reminder, though! Is THIS the story you mean? Sounds like a great story! ATB, kat >^..^< |
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07 Jan 09 - 07:42 PM (#2534635) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage There is far more going on here than just quickly dumping stuff. You'll find many previous threads on the subject, and usually links at the head that go back to the previous threads. eBay, Craig's List, freecycle, they're all in there. There is a philosophical approach to much of this, and I have frequently quoted Don Aslett, who wrote quite a few de-cluttering tomes that have been very helpful. And the trouble with freecycle is that it can be off-putting--if you read the wish lists there is a great sense of entitlement here in the U.S. in particular that is rather discouraging. There is also a great deal of waste. There is a man here in Fort Worth, TX who has written about bin diving and what he finds. It is astonishing the new and barely used things people simply throw away out of laziness. Consumption and discarding are both rampant. I'm clearing the workspace in my office that I have used for eBay stuff and other projects. The papers that had built up here, picked up from the floor a while back, are going in mixed lots in boxes I brought home a couple of Sam's Club chickens in tonight (the boxes out of their spare box bins to stabilize the rotisserie chicken containers. Dinner and leftovers.) I'll have to attack these boxes of paper as soon as I finish the computer, and see if I can't manage to keep that work space clear once this is past. I have to balance my computer banking (Microsoft Money), make a backup and a printout, send a couple of work emails, and then get started. Better feed the dogs first. . . SRS |
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07 Jan 09 - 07:47 PM (#2534639) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I forgot to mention a radio discussion I heard part of today. I didn't have time to call in, and didn't hear the whole thing: KERA-FM Think (Jan. 7, 2009, podcast available for a few weeks) Second hour Topic Learning to Live Better with Less Guest Mary Carlomagno Description Do you fantasize about an organized 2009? We'll get tips on ordering and simplifying our hectic lives this hour with Mary Carlomagno, whose new book is "Secrets of Simplicity: Learn to Live Better with Less" (Chronicle Books, 2009). Publications/Recordings "Secrets of Simplicity: Learn to Live Better with Less" (Chronicle Books, 2009) http://www.orderperiod.com/ |
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07 Jan 09 - 08:16 PM (#2534659) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: LilyFestre Bedroom Closet: Cleaned out and made room for 2 dressers and a chest of drawers...all organized! Bathroom: New closet now in use, wall shelves cleaned and organized...looking mighty good in there! Slow and steady........... Michelle |
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07 Jan 09 - 11:37 PM (#2534756) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Still trying to match up drives, enclosures, cables, and motherboard before I turn it off and tear it up . . . The enclosure is the wrong kind, or it is missing a cable. I'll see if I can find one close-by, rather than send the whole thing back just because one piece is missing. SRS |
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08 Jan 09 - 11:11 AM (#2535155) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST,MAG at work Got some yardwork done yesterday when we had a spate of warm weather (40's). It feels good to fill up the trash can and get my money's worth. |
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08 Jan 09 - 01:25 PM (#2535264) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I have my printouts, I have one piece (the hard drive enclosure) to exchange or send back. Wrong kind of power connector. I'll open the case and take a look and see if the HD fits or if I need a new cable. With the printouts from New Egg on the prices of various items, I can get the local Fry's to match the price and the tax is probably the same or less than shipping. Hopefully I can finish today or tomorrow. SRS |
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08 Jan 09 - 01:57 PM (#2535302) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maeve Michelle, you are doing such a great job! It's wonderful to have such a joyful goal. Stilly, I hope you can solve the last computer wrinkle with your usual aplomb. All of you; please keep going, no matter how slow your progress appears to you. At least I can be cheered by your success. I'm clearing computer files, burning bills, burning bridges to old dreams. Two bags of children's clothing with nowhere to go. Those who said they'd pick them up have not come. After holding them for three months, I want them gone; out to the car for Goodwill. The fastest way to declutter glass and pottery this week is for me to handle them; five things broken. Sigh...I decluttered the wild turkeys accidently when I opened the kitchen door as they gathered around the birdfeeder. Such an explosion of outrage! They'll be back later. Dripping as I climb from the Slough of Despond, maeve |
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08 Jan 09 - 02:11 PM (#2535315) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: LilyFestre Maeve, But doesn't it feel good to get even those little things done (which actually might sound little but in reality are HUGE?!?!) With all the decluttering of the closet came some clothes that had been tossed in the back or had fallen off the hangers, so I'm doing laundry today. I'm also priming 1/2 of the living room walls to be painted this weekend. What that really means is that half of my living room furniture is now sitting in the middle of my living room! With the walls primed (2 coats now and looking good), I swept the areas that usually aren't swept (behind cupboards and pianos). I'd like to get some more done today but I'm running out of steam (also took a friend to the Dr., about 45 miles round trip). Michelle PS. My new bathroom is GORGEOUS and it's not even painted yet!!! |
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08 Jan 09 - 02:51 PM (#2535347) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST,petr I took a workshop on de-cluttering and getting organized. I know I have the booklet from that class somewhere. one thing that was useful: if there is stuff that you believe you will still get to and use.. instead of throwing it out put it in a box and mark it.. If its still there next year without being touched throw it out. |
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08 Jan 09 - 06:26 PM (#2535503) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing petr, that proves I was right to pass up buying a book on decluttering!**bg** I have bins out in storage that I haven't gone through in years, yet some of the stuff is important to family. I could do the fill a bin and get rid of it a year later, more easily with stuff already in the house. In fact, I've sort of done that, bypassing the bin bit, when I've mucked out a closet and dresser or two. It's good advice, though! Two bits of clutter will be shipped out by Saturday. We sold an old Intel 8088 CPU on ebay, plus an old "new thought" magazine from 1926 that's been kicking around here forever. Rog has several more of the old CPUs, different models, that we will be listing, probably one at a time. We didn't get rich, but an extra $55 or so is helpful, for sure. kat |
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08 Jan 09 - 09:37 PM (#2535633) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maeve Michelle- Yes, each little step of progress is good. Sometimes it's hard for the person taking those baby steps to see them clearly. I'm grateful for many things, and mourn only few. This too shall pass. Someone please get the butter off my fingers- dropped a whole box of individual OTC med packets from our big first aid box, making a splendid mixed media mess on the floor. LOL Jacqui's grandson is ok, so I'll go to sleep happy. maeve |
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08 Jan 09 - 11:40 PM (#2535686) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: MAG Take heart, Maeve, all the little steps coalesce into a corner turning at some point. Forward momentum, not getting stuck, may we all have it. |
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09 Jan 09 - 01:26 AM (#2535714) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Whew! Back up and running! Changing out that hard drive was way-easy! The front of the box comes off easily, remove four screws, unplug two SATA cables, put the new one in it's place and reverse those steps. I found the Western Digital formatting disk from the purchase of another hard drive last year, and used it to boot the computer and format to NTFS. Installed the HD restoration disks from there, spent a few minutes deleting programs I know I don't want (still!) then upgraded to XP-Pro. Gradually have installed devices, the printer, extra monitor, zip drive, and the security software. I'll see if I have all of the stuff for the old drive to go in the enclosure (it is the right box, after all, but may be missing a piece of cable), and then I'll start on the big programs. MS Office, Adobe Photoshop, etc. I'm bushed. Lots of dust today. SRS |
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09 Jan 09 - 11:26 AM (#2536088) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage This morning I set up the former hard drive in the enclosure, and I'll have to tinker with it to get past the recovery portion of the disk. It isn't needed and can be removed, but that's for later. My system worked well and the advance planning really paid off. I took time to consider the order in which to replace the drive (after moving and backing up stuff) and then the order in which to install existing equipment. I've attached the printer with the old fashioned parallel cable (frees up a USB port) and the new hard drive enclosure goes straight to a SATA plug on the motherboard, again, saving a USB port for something else. I may be able to retire the USB hub for a while. I filled my last open device expansion slot on the back of the computer, but if I need another one I can remove the dial-up modem. There was some enhanced lighting and step-stool work involved with all of this, because I put a few things up in the closet so I could clear my work space. My previous de-cluttering work was very helpful--the stuff I put up was part of that plan. The office desktop work space (a plank over the top of two file cabinets--I think I posted a photo link a few months back) needed to be cleared, but it wasn't bad, and I'll address those boxes of papers this weekend so they don't get lost (I have a couple of Mudcat projects in there to complete). I have a power strip on that workspace, so as I worked on the CPU I was able to use my Ott light (wonderful little lamps!) and a little fluorescent utility light that has a 6' cord, so I could light up the computer when it was in position under my computer desk without having to go get a flashlight. A few tools (only needed a Philips screwdriver) and a place to put screws so they wouldn't go missing and I was set. I had a basket with all of my installation disks and as I installed things, set them aside in a different basket. No shuffling through a stack, knowing I saw that somewhere. . . I still have to install a few things and lots of programs, but I have my printer, monitors, mouse, etc. up and running. I feel like I have to sneeze--there was a lot of dust in all of this. My next move is to rearrange some of the shelves adjacent to my computer desk so I can place the modem and router in sight and within reach of the wall plug for running a wired connection to my son's computer. I may go get a longer cord for that. I have a secondary surge protector that I've moved to a more stable lower shelf. With the heavy plugs (you know those brick-like transformers on thin wires that plug into various boxes attached to your computer?) it looked like it could fall off of the back of the desk. There is still a spaghetti of wires and cables, that is unavoidable. I need a nap. SRS |
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09 Jan 09 - 12:10 PM (#2536130) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Go, Maggie!!! ebay is offering half-price listings this month, so I am off to do some more. |
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09 Jan 09 - 12:52 PM (#2536179) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage If I can get some of my software into place I'll do some more eBay pretty soon. SRS |
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09 Jan 09 - 05:03 PM (#2536471) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak WE're having an auction of stuff at Choir soon, for Cancer Research so I need to sort a few items to declutter into someone else's house and resist the urge to buy more of my own! There's a brand new slow-cooker that can go, and I'm sure I'll find a few more things. LTS |
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09 Jan 09 - 05:14 PM (#2536478) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage A slow cooker can be used to melt chocolate for dipping fruit and other good things into it. Are you sure you want to give it away? ;-D |
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09 Jan 09 - 05:39 PM (#2536503) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine I had to get up early (to take out trash) so I started going through bags of photos. The first one I picked was a cloth bag, so I figured I'd free that up for groceries at least. Lots of pictures of my garden, in better days. Also lots of pictures of my mother and the 4 cats; all gone now except for Little One. About halfway done, when I quit for lunch. Anyway there are lots of indoor pictures of the cats, and they show how empty the house looked, compared to now. Of course that was before I started to play music so I had 90% fewer LPs/cassettes/CDs, and I had about 60% fewer books. If only I could get back to that level of "clutter". Pulled down a bunch of books to go to the library's used book sale, but I'm making a list before I box them up. Even so, it's hard to notice any difference. When I walk into the music/computer room, I just feel paralyzed because there's so much to do. Maryanne |
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09 Jan 09 - 05:47 PM (#2536511) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak I already have a slow cooker, plus a chocolate fountain and at least one fondue set... there's a limit to how much chocolate even *I* can eat! LTS |
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09 Jan 09 - 05:50 PM (#2536518) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage You can inoculate yourself against that paralysis by making a list of things, things you need to do, but ALSO things you do everyday, so you can see what it is you're doing. Work through the list and cross off things at every opportunity as you finish stuff. And establish a beach head somewhere in the house, where you can empty it out and put back just what the space needs. Bathrooms and laundry rooms are good places to start, usually because they're so small (in contrast to closets, that are even smaller, but are usually packed full and their contents tend to explode into a room, making matters appear worse). Good luck! SRS |
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09 Jan 09 - 09:28 PM (#2536688) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Have folded and cleared laundry from the couch, have begun moving large files (email, etc.) into the newly restored computer. I will continue working on how this office looks, not just the computer, because some things were rearranged in here over the last few days. I can end up with a nice worksurface again once I take care of the stuff that I moved off of it. I have to make a pot of chicken soup stock, in preparation for a "soft diet" early in the week. My first colonoscopy is on Wednesday. I can't believe that the gallon jug (plastic cost, 2 cents) with 5 cents worth of salty laxative costs $40. Talk about adding insult to injury. Anyway, I'll shop and cook so I have the right foods here. I guess I'll clean the fridge out some also. We had a lovely warm day today and I was hoping it would stay that way, but this weekend is supposed to be cold and windy. Down in the 20s on Saturday night. Darn. I have some yard and garage de-cluttering to do. SRS |
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09 Jan 09 - 10:42 PM (#2536730) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: MAG Take it wasy with that colonoscopy prep, SRS. I was up all night, and after the procedure had my first nosebleed in decades. Still get them. I don't want to freak you out too much. I hope the results solve the problem. |
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09 Jan 09 - 11:14 PM (#2536757) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I could drink a bottle of Diet Coke and accomplish the exact same thing as the expensive bottle of salt. Maybe two. One to clear things out, the second to cleanse. Bah. They said that Coke has red in it, so is ruled out. I guess it would have to be Diet Sprite. I have a few food allergies, at least, food additive allergies. Whatever it is they use to preserve the shredded lettuce for sandwich places also really hits me hard. The bottle of stuff is such that when the desired effect has been reached, I can stop drinking it. (Maybe I should drink a Diet Sprite first and it would at least taste better than all of this salt.) More software installation this evening, and we'll see what the weekend will bring. eBay, I hope. I flattened a lot of cardboard but kept it for shipping, and I have a few bulky things to list. SRS |
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09 Jan 09 - 11:15 PM (#2536760) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing From my own experience and that of others I know, I think almost anyone having one is up most of the night before...on the porcelain throne, but I didn't have any problems after and I was surprised at how quickly it was done and the lack of feeling anything untoward. I know it was because I had a light sedative, etc., but they were being careful with that because of the chf, so I wasn't totally out of it. The night before and anticipation were much worse than the actual procedure.:-) |
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09 Jan 09 - 11:44 PM (#2536781) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine I also had a pretty good experience with the test itself 2 years ago, but the prep is no fun. Just make sure you have some kind of salve (like Vaseline or something) because the skin will be sensitive by the time you're empty. The nurses at the hospital were so nice, because they knew it was my first one and I was nervous. I was mostly asleep during the exam, but I woke up enough to get a brief view of the monitor. I wish I could've gotten a better look. It seemed quite interesting. Good luck. Maryanne |
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10 Jan 09 - 12:08 AM (#2536793) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I don't have to start the process until about 6am. My exam is at 2pm. They predict, after the soft diet, that six hours is enough for the jug to work. It's still a big YUCK. De-cluttering the Aplets and Cotlets box my sister sent for the holiday. It's fruit, right? :) SRS |
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10 Jan 09 - 12:19 PM (#2537192) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage It took about three PBS travel shows to finish the repartition of the old hard drive, but I've reconfigured it (removing the former rescue drive opened up access to the rest of the drive) and now can see tons of stuff in there to de-clutter. While I monitored the progress I cleared up in my office, mostly boxes and packing material from all of the computer work. I also filed the papers pertaining to this computer in an expanding file that I keep nearby. Yesterday was very warm, today is very cold. Looks like a good day to eBay, but I'm not set up yet, so this is on my "to do" list for today. Scanner, software, etc. SRS |
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10 Jan 09 - 04:29 PM (#2537405) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine I'm stuck inside today, because it's snowing like crazy. We were only supposed to get 2 to 4 inches, but the snow is now coming from the north/northeast, which usually means heavier (lake-effect) snow. I ran the snowblower about noon, but I should probably do it again before it gets dark. I've been working in the "music" room, mostly trying to get stuff up off of the floor. I've got pages of tunes/lyrics now in piles around the room, so I'm tackling that now, using an alphabetic folder to sort them. I've had enough of winter and snow. Can we all start thinking SPRING, please? Maryanne |
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10 Jan 09 - 05:53 PM (#2537505) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak Decluttered some old jigsaw puzzles to the charity shop this afternoon, not much, but small steps make big journeys. LTS |
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10 Jan 09 - 09:20 PM (#2537683) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Still sorting computer stuff. This evening I'm doing something I've been meaning to do for AGES--I dug out my Favorites (bookmarks in Internet Explorer that can be transplanted into other programs) and am organizing them. They were all mixed up. Some needed sub-folders, others needed to be moved to better places. Quite a few simply need deleting. It's about time, but it is quite a distraction--a lot of these sites I'd forgotten about, and they're really interesting. I've also been testing software, and since this time I upgraded from the HP version of Windows XP Home (instead of writing over it) I kept a lot more of the little add-on programs. I still dumped plenty, but some I seemed to lose and had to buy or download with previous upgrades or work. There is a notebook in the house with logon information, and there is also a manila folder that the new ones are slipped into until I three-hole punch and organize them into the notebook. I updated all of that and made sure I discarded any old versions so I don't get them mixed up. SRS |
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10 Jan 09 - 10:26 PM (#2537706) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine I went thru my favorites a few months ago, when I got my laptop. What a trip down memory lane! I got the songs/tunes organized, so now I have to learn them. I managed to get about 3 sq feet of floor space cleared. The snow has let up, and we're supposed to be done for the night. I had planned to run the snowblower again, but I looked out and discovered that my neighbor had shoveled the sidewalk and most of the driveway. She is such a sweetheart! I'm so lucky to have great neighbors. Maryanne |
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11 Jan 09 - 09:20 PM (#2537787) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I suppose I got more done today without Mudcat around to chat and read up on world events and technological advances. It was cold so I stayed in and worked around the house and on the 'puter. I FINALLY got my son's computer hooked up, via cable, to the faster cable connection. The easy router wasn't really easy (it is easy if you do wireless, but there are a few switches to find and toggle if you want to force it to go wired.) More to go, but a lot of progress behind me. Amazing what a build up of stuff we have in our computers. SRS |
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12 Jan 09 - 12:14 AM (#2537834) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Downloading programs: Google Earth, Picasa, FileZilla, SeaMonkey, Chrome, so many great free programs out there, and many of them I used on a regular basis. Enough for now, time to fold laundry and get ready for school tomorrow. SRS |
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12 Jan 09 - 01:13 AM (#2537855) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Ddi the dishes and laundry, again...it never ends, does it? Forced Rog to get two harddrives and an outdated mixer out of the house, leftovers from his mucking out last weekend. Tried to save my brother's ancient PC, but it's not gonna happen. Too old, outdated, and full with no room and nothing that can be deleted. I should have asked olddude for one of those laptops for him. Oh well, we'll figure something out. Before I did any of that, though, I added three more items to ebay and have plans for more. Our car seems to need a new master brake cylinder and I don't know how much it will be until tomorrow, but I do know we have to come up with extra dosh this month! SRS, I have photos of Morgan vacuuming. I' try to get one posted, tomorrow.:-) This time, he came over, said, "Mama, I see some hair." I was on the phone, so he took it upon himself to get the vacuum out and go after it! I told him I was taking the pix to show him when he's sixteen and doesn't want to anymore! |
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12 Jan 09 - 03:10 AM (#2537873) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: freda underhill That boy! :-) In the last 2 weeks I've given away clothes and shoes, and have started sorting my earrings - those I wear into a box with a foam inlay, and others separated to be given away. I had a great decluttering day yesterday. I got all my computer bits and pieces and put them in a dark brown box - now my computer table looks neat and organised. I put away washing, sewing, and more books, and then did two more loads of washing (yet to come in). I polished the kitchen, up and down, and found my hammer so I can hang a painting. "A woman is a gladsome thing, she doth the wash, she doth the wring, lullay, lullay she doth sing, and yet she hath but care and woe".. Luckily I have a machine to do the washing, and don't have to hand-wring it :-) freda |
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12 Jan 09 - 12:43 PM (#2538025) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing THAT BOY! **bg** |
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12 Jan 09 - 12:49 PM (#2538034) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: SINSULL MaMa I see some hair? He would have a field day in my house. LOL a cutie! No hand-wringing, freda? What about all that care and woe? i actually emptied two boxes of paper yesterday - all old bills from 2004. Think there's any chance I will need them? |
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12 Jan 09 - 04:51 PM (#2538321) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak Decluttering the garden should have happened today but it was miserable out - cold and drizzly - so I did some sewing instead... ironing might have been more productive but I couldn't be arsed. There... at least I'm honest about it! The new back fence should be delivered tomorrow so I will have to get on with it... but the weather forecast is for sun so that will be an improvement. My tits are in a quandry, I've had to cut down all their low level evergreen cover and it'll be a year or so before it grows back properly... they'll have collective apoplexies when I cut down the butterfly bush to under 6ft! LTS |
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12 Jan 09 - 04:55 PM (#2538328) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Richard Bridge 100 |
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12 Jan 09 - 06:04 PM (#2538375) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I'm still hand-wringing over the installation of computer stuff. This morning I installed Open Office; several Mudcatters recommended it. I have the disks for MS Office 2007 that I can install, but I'll give this a spin first. My old copy of Office 2003 will go on my son's computer. I heard from my computer friend today--he is now up to speed on the computer olddude sent--they were configured for office use so needed a lot of tweaking and a few bits and pieces added for home and hobby use. He said it is a real pleasure to have this fast chip plus the software friends were able to pull together to put on this machine. I gave him a DVD burner as a christmas gift to go with it, and found an old copy of Nero 6 (it doesn't have the annoying "Nero Scout" that slows everything to a crawl and is impossible to isolate from the install, even though they supposedly give you that option). The kitchen here is looking better, but there is lots of recycling to take over to the collection center. It helped a lot to flatten the boxes, and I should store them in the hall closet or somewhere, because they do tend to slide onto the floor and are slippery and tripping hazards. If that child wants to vacuum, I have a couple of days' worth of work here. I wonder if sending children over state lines to perform housework is considered an infringement on child labor laws? :) SRS |
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12 Jan 09 - 06:33 PM (#2538403) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine Spent several hours this afternoon in the music room again. Got a few more square feet of floor cleared. Put a few books into the box for the used book sale, and a few more are "undecided". Came to the conclusion that I just have way too many books. If I read from now to the end of my life, I probably couldn't finish them all. Will I ever read "Nicholas Nickleby"? If I haven't read it by now, I probably never will. I buy/bought books that I thought I'd like to read, but then never allocated the time to them. Jane Austin, even though she's a great writer, is just not my style. And even once I've read them, I'm reluctant to let them go. I confess: I hoard books. Not just reference books like cooking/gardening/songbooks, but I have Tolkien paperbacks from years ago that I'm still holding on to. Sort of like a trophy case, that I can look at the shelf and think I've read this. Maryanne |
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12 Jan 09 - 09:41 PM (#2538530) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: MAG Oh, another book hoarder! How nice to meet you! and I'm another Mary Ann. I did a lot of decluttering in the garden today; we DID have nice weather for a change; I already counted the exercise over on the accountability thread. The iron supports for the OLD back fence are still sitting there, over 1 1/2 years after the new fence went up. I wonder if I can recycle them. Kat, the pics of Morgan are adorable, but I was also very taken with the pics of your clutter. It is SUCH a relief to know I am in the right company. I need a pain pill and a good book. Outside cats are outside; inside cat is very happy. |
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12 Jan 09 - 10:17 PM (#2538549) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage My name is Maggie and I'm a book addict. Welcome to the club. Jane Austin, even though she's a great writer, is just not my style. Gasp! Not your style! Have you read Pride and Prejudice? That's right up there with Jane Eyre as one of the best books ever written in the English language. MAG, I have re-used fence supports in several ways in my yard. I'm not sure the type you have, but I have those large hollow tubes that you put brackets on. These in turn support the cross beams for the wood fence slats (they're referred to as "stockade fences" down here). A photo of the pole alone isn't coming up easily, but if you look at cyclone fencing you'll see hollow metal supports along the way. These are larger diameter and taller than those, but like cyclone fencing, the footer is concrete. Anyway, when we built the garage here several fence posts were removed. I kept them, and as needed, I knocked the concrete off and re-set them in new concrete. My new clothesline from last summer consists of two of those posts with new supports on top to hold the cedar cross beams for the lines to connect. I've used the other metal posts, the type you hang chicken wire or other metal "woven" fencing on for things like surrounds for the garden and to contain the compost pile. So think about how you might reuse them before discarding. I still have one left, and consider it a resource, not a bother. I'll take some bags of newspaper out to the pickup, along with bags of recycling to drop off at the recycling center tomorrow. That'll clear some floor space in the sun room. I sorted and filed bills and paper tonight, and I think this is a good time to issue a challenge: Income tax. How many of us agonize over getting it done at the last minute, or simply have to struggle to get all of the right paperwork together in order to do it. Let's see if we (at least, those of us in the U.S., where the deadline is April 15) can do it early. There are several benefits to this. It is processed more quickly if you're not in the rush at the end. And if you have a college student in your household, it benefits them. The earlier the FAFSA forms are completed, the more money left for your student to be considered for. SRS |
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12 Jan 09 - 10:43 PM (#2538562) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing LOL...Maggie, I am sure Morgan would love to vacuum for you! I like your challenge. I am making calls to the docs, etc. to get end of year paid printouts from them so I can itemise and I will be getting our taxes out early. We need the return asap! MAG, if you saw the clutter in This Album, it's mine. If it was what you saw in the one with Morgan, it and the lovely house I wish was mine, is mouldy's shed which she has very much decluttered by now, BUT I know what you mean!! It is a relief when we see each other's and realise we are not alone! I have been a bookaholic, but I am getting better. I am thinking I may sell my Marion Zimmer Bradley collection! Used bookstore owners complain that they never get enough sci-fi/fantasy in trade. I think I have every one of her Darkover Series and also her Sword & Sorceress Anthologies. They are kind of like a trophy-I-read-these-and-love-the-author kind of thing, just as you say Maryanne!:-) |
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12 Jan 09 - 11:41 PM (#2538584) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: MAG Sage, the new fence has the hollow round ones. The old ones are more flat, and pointed at the end. They held up a flimsy grapestick fence which finally tumbled down, and my neighbors and I went with split on the new one: I paid for materials and he did the labor. I think I got the better end of the deal; he dug out those bushes anmd they were monstrous!I guess, since I have three of them, I could tie them together and try beans or vines or something. A lot of overgrown bushes came out when the new fence went in, so there is actually room by the fence. :) It would be nice to get my taxes donw early. I just sweat blood over them. |
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13 Jan 09 - 12:36 AM (#2538620) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage That's a great idea, about planting beans and reusing those posts that way. And every time you pick beans, you'll appreciate how they got to be there. This evening I bought my son a gyro at the corner gas station (a characteristic of the Texas economy--if you can't get funding to build a restaurant, get it for a gas station, and put the food inside!) and had a nice visit with the main cook. He is from Lebanon, and I took him several of my surplus eggplants last summer. I told him I'd cut the plants back after the frost killed them, but left the roots in the ground to see if they will sprout in the spring. He's convinced they will--his mother used to do it that way with her garden. So I hope by not de-cluttering too soon (and digging out everything to start over from scratch) I have saved myself some work and will have sturdy plants much faster in the spring. SRS |
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13 Jan 09 - 09:25 AM (#2538723) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak GRrrrrrrrrrrr... My new fence panels are not the ones I wanted, they're too tall, so if I put the trellis on the top they'll be over 8ft which is not allowed... ('immovable' objects like walls and fences must be no higher than 6ft), so I'll probably have 3 bits of trellis to take back... The handle on my pickaxe broke, I can't find the rest of the brackets and the wretched panels are 2" too long to put on the present posts. And my help didn't show up. It's not going the way I planned. But the 5 bags of garden crap (I choose my words carefully) are now in the front garden, waiting to be put into the car and transported to the tip, and it already looks a whole heap better out the back. PLUS:- I got to within 5ft of the robin, who was looking for insects in the leaf mould I'd turned over. He just sat on the branch and watched me watching him... one of those moments. :D LTS |
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13 Jan 09 - 10:05 AM (#2538731) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Liz, I have a very large yard and in back it is mostly turf. When I mow, especially after a period of moisture and lush lawn growth, I'll end up with an array of birds arriving (they recognize the sound of the mower, no doubt, or the smell of freshly-mown lawn) and are usually behind and beside me, and will stay within a few feet, hoping to be first in line to pounce on bugs left exposed by the mower. My pit bull would watch the birds and figured out what they're doing. She also loves to eat bugs, katydids are a favorite, so it is this strange drama of the birds looking for bugs and the dog watching the birds and occasionally rushing in to take a bug from a bird. I guess you could say the dog is mugging the birds. :) SRS |
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13 Jan 09 - 11:59 AM (#2538824) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing I've an idea: for those of us who have been posting to this and/or the accountability thread, if you want to stay in touch in case Mudcat goes down for any length of time, please send me a PM with your email addy, if I don't already have it. Later this week, I will look into starting a google group for us, like we did when we did Art's computer thing. It will be private, by invitation only and only for those times when we may be unable to connect here. What do you all think? |
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13 Jan 09 - 12:05 PM (#2538830) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak Sounds like an idea Kat... I have started to excavate the fence posts. It was very theraputic ripping the old fence panels out, but it took so long that it's now too dark to see where I put the lump hammer (5lb hammer) and the only stars visible are the ones I saw when I failed to see the tree branch. For such a little tree, it's got very hard branches with hardly any spring in them at all! I've jury rigged the panels so they look like they're a fence, but if anyone tries to climb them, they'll have a nasty surprise! They're between two gardens that have no street access so they should be OK. The cats may get a shock when they try to walk along the top of them... hee hee hee. I must now go and declutter my body of the ripe and fruity aroma that is making itself noticeable now that I'm inside in the warm... enjoy the day! LTS |
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13 Jan 09 - 12:32 PM (#2538857) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Great minds think alike, I had the same thought after I read Max's post. That's a great move for him, but the addiction of regular contact is strong. :) There is a Mudcat gardeners group that I can post a link from also, back to a new group. That one is open to the public to read, I think, but if you follow links you hit the protocol that asks you to join to read a new group content. http://groups.google.com/group/mudcat-gardeners SRS |
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13 Jan 09 - 01:13 PM (#2538893) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: freda underhill you have my email address Kat, and yes, I'd like to be included. This is a VERY IMPORTANT and helpful thread populated with great declutterers. it is a homage to our nesting instincts and obligations. yes, it's so supportive to see/read about other people's clutter and encouraging to read the stories of continual attempts to clear, sort and organise. it's wonderful to create a zen space of creative flow, and then so inevitable to see it populated with small random distractions. freda (yawn) at 5.13 am |
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13 Jan 09 - 02:19 PM (#2538961) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Okay, I've just started the group and sent out invites to the three of you who have contacted me via thread or PM. If you don't get the invitation, please let me know. Anyone else who wants in, please let me know. I am off to do one for the other thread, now, as I would like to keep them separate. Thanks! |
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13 Jan 09 - 02:27 PM (#2538972) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine Hi, y'all. Yes, I read "Pride and Prejudice" when I was in school. Kat, I think that's a great idea. PM on the way. I'll probably join the gardeners' group, but right now my garden is under 8 inches of snow (2 feet in some places). It's 21F ( -6C) outside now, and supposed to go down to 13F ( -10C) overnight, and down to 4F ( -15C) tomorrow night. I hadn't realized how much MZB had written. I've only read "The Mists of Avalon", altho I have a copy of "Lady of Avalon" that still on the get-to-it-one-of-these-days shelf. Maybe I'll move it up on the reading list. A lot of my books were purchased at the used bookstore (John King Books is a 4-story warehouse goldmine of books), so if I see something I want, I buy it on the spot because if I wait, it'll be gone by the next time. Maryanne |
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13 Jan 09 - 03:00 PM (#2539015) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing More invites sent out! Maryanne, Lady fo Avalon is well worth reading, but nothing compares to Mists of Avalon, imo. Her other series which I mentioned are incredibly good, too. I have always been proud of the fact that I received a rejection notice for a short story for her S&S series in which she'd actually penned a few comments of her own plus hand-signed! Basically, she praised my writing, but the character wasn't quite right for fitting in!:-) That was years ago when I hadn't even been writing much, yet. |
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13 Jan 09 - 06:47 PM (#2539178) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: vectis Two more boxes to the local charity shop and another porch ful gone to a variety of freecyclers. Must keep going HOW LONG BEFORE YOU START TO REALLY NOTICE A DIFFERENCE??????????? |
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13 Jan 09 - 09:06 PM (#2539271) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage How long have you been working at it? I've been moving through this project for many months now, and I can tell a difference, but the neighbor's walking into the house would probably still tell you it is cluttered. Just not quite so messy. ;-) SRS |
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13 Jan 09 - 10:07 PM (#2539295) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST,MAG at work Kat, I'm interested in the group. I don't know if you have my home email or not. |
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13 Jan 09 - 10:40 PM (#2539307) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine "How long?", you ask. It's a function of how much you work at it. How long until I become a great guitar player? I could shorten the time, if I practiced more. (Instead of de-cluttering???) And whether or not you have help; I live alone, so I've got nobody to blame but myself, either. At this point, the public areas of the house are presentable, but the music/computer room and the spare bedroom are pretty chaotic. Once I get the books to the library used book sale, and the cardboard boxes & newspapers to the recycling center, the whole place will look better. Maryanne |
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13 Jan 09 - 11:13 PM (#2539322) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing MAG, for some reason I cannot find an email for you in my google mail. Want to PM it to me and do you want to be invited to both the declutter and accountability groups? Thanks! |
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14 Jan 09 - 03:38 AM (#2539383) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak The trouble with de-cluttering is, it's a self replicating task. You clear one area, only to have to fill it again with stuff from another area. That sewing table I found about three threads back? Full of stuff from the living room. The living room? Full of stuff from the hall. The hall is in a state of flux because I'm dragging huge bags of leaf mulch, tree branches and shrubbery through it in the process of decluttering the garden. Spring is on the way (judging by the amount of bulbs already showing) so that will soon all grow back and need trimming again, but I'll have to move the stuff in the front garden to make room for the new clippings..... Re Cycling at its' finest! Still, I'm getting lots of excercise and fresh air, my garden looks better than it has for a while and I may even find room for a few new plants! I bought them anyway, I'm a sucker for the poor, bedraggled 'didn't quite make it through the dry spell but might perk up with a bit of attention' bargain packs at the garden centre.... LTS |
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14 Jan 09 - 07:54 AM (#2539531) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I'm trying to maintain a baseline of keeping the peninsula (we don't have a kitchen "island") clear. If stuff arrives there during the day, I try to clear it off again by bedtime. It is such a pleasure to cook there now that I have the motivation to keep it clear. SRS |
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14 Jan 09 - 01:31 PM (#2539731) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Back for a few minutes. I'm headed out the door, time to get this medical stuff out of the way. It is ironic that I have this today and my dental check up tomorrow. I'm getting checked up top to bottom, so to speak. Groan |
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14 Jan 09 - 02:37 PM (#2539743) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maeve Maggie; thinking of you today! |
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14 Jan 09 - 03:16 PM (#2539779) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: LilyFestre I've been cleaning the kitchen all morning long...emptied out a few cupboards, got rid of stuff, cleaned, organized....cleaned out a few nooks and crannies too....feels GREAT! Michelle |
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14 Jan 09 - 03:23 PM (#2539794) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing I deleted a bunch of bookmarks this morning and worked on the final copy edit of Prairie Child. |
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14 Jan 09 - 08:08 PM (#2539847) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I need to get my files rounded up for doing eBay again, and install my html editor. I'll store my data on a different partition and keep a shortcut to the file on my desktop, instead of the file itself. I also need to find the box for my newer monitor, it has to go back. I can't get it to clear up, though I'll do a little research before I completely pronounce it "history." As a pack rat I typically keep this kind of box, but I have to figure out where I put it. Out in the garage, I think. SRS |
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15 Jan 09 - 01:08 AM (#2539945) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Do you know, Rog told me yesterday, he bought new external HDs for the station at $139 for each and each holds one terabyte! That's a lot of storage! Morgan and I decluttered some of Rog's clutter in the kitchen, today. It looks better, but I told Morgan I hate my house, right now. It needs a good cleaning, scrubbing, etc. top to bottom and I cannot do it alone. May have to call my former floor cleaner and spend some of our taxes on having her help. That would be a luxury! |
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15 Jan 09 - 10:17 AM (#2540315) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine Sometimes it's best to invest in professional help for cleaning/repairs. It's money well spent in the long run. It'll get done faster, and with less chance of injury. Could you afford to throw your back or knee out from over-doing? M |
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15 Jan 09 - 10:42 AM (#2540358) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Good point, M, though I think chronic pain would stop me before it got to that point.:-)Thanks! |
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15 Jan 09 - 10:59 AM (#2540379) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I had a friend in graduate school who was well-enough off that she had a woman come in and clean one day a week. Candace was very talented, so my friend would have her come help when she was painting or doing wallpaper, etc. Lots of odd jobs and things where executive decisions might be called for. I arranged to have her come over to my house for a half-day every other week to take care of the baseline stuff--moping, vacuuming, bathrooms, the stuff that helps you feel better about the house, plus it meant I always picked up the stuff sitting around so it was back where it belonged and not in her way to do the work I needed her to do. Sometimes I would include other stuff, like ironing or cleaning blinds, etc. It was a huge help and money well-spent. I might still have her helping me except that at age 49 and seemingly as fit as anyone and more than most, she collapsed due to a massive stroke. She has never recovered and is now in a nursing home. She was an independent woman who worked partly for an agency but gradually ended up working for those clients on the side, and it allowed her to set her hours, raise her two children, and put them through school. I didn't try to find someone new to do the same job, because while there might well be someone who can do the work, the independent spirit of the person who worked with me for a couple of years was as valuable as the skills she brought to the job. SRS |
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15 Jan 09 - 11:03 AM (#2540386) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing She sounds like a remarkable woman, Maggie. That's what I had Barbara come in for, the floors, mainly and it was every other week. We dropped it because we had to save money somewhere. Maybe this spring I'll be able to have her come in, again, though it may get awkward as we've decided we want to be friends, regardless and have plans to meet for lunch, etc.That is more valuable to me than any cleaning she could do!:-) |
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15 Jan 09 - 01:58 PM (#2540578) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine Yes, a remarkable woman. So unfair. Kat, just come right out and ask her. Maybe when you're telling her about this great thread & how much it's helped you.... (ha-ha). If it's just a one-time/one-day thing, she might be okay with it. If she doesn't want to do it, maybe she knows somebody that she could recommend. Maryanne |
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15 Jan 09 - 02:21 PM (#2540600) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing I will, Maryanne, thanks. I do feel comfortable talking with her about it and she already knows about these threads, as I've told her about them. :-) |
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15 Jan 09 - 07:12 PM (#2540864) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage What goes around comes around--at my last dentist appointment, probably 8 or 9 months ago, I told him about my de-cluttering project and about the Don Aslett books that were so helpful. He said they really needed to do something like that (due to estates, etc.). I was in Half Price Books the next day and spotted a used copy of the book I've been using, so I picked it up and dropped it off. Today I had another checkup and I remembered to ask him how his de-cluttering is going. He was quite animated, said that book had been very helpful, especially since they're getting ready to move. They can decide now what to take and what to donate, discard, sell, whatever. He said it has been very useful in going through those items that came from grand parents and great aunts that you might feel guilty about getting rid of. "But if they were here now and you were to talk to them about the situation with these items, of course they wouldn't expect you to keep them if it isn't practical. SRS |
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15 Jan 09 - 07:36 PM (#2540883) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST,MAG at work I might have passengers in my car this weekend, so I am working on getting all the junk out of the car. The last time I just shoved everything into bags which are still sitting around somewhere. I'm trying not to do that this time. Maybe I should have passengers more often. |
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15 Jan 09 - 09:37 PM (#2540952) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Maggie, there are a lot of Aslett's books available at paperbackswap.com. Which one would you recommend? |
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15 Jan 09 - 11:50 PM (#2541011) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Oops. My quotes didn't close. Aslett has several areas of concentration. Cleaning was his original baileywick, but a chapter on de-cluttering in a cleaning book brought so much mail that he wrote at least a couple just on junk and clutter. I think the first one I read (looking at Amazon) was Clutter Free, which was useful, but the one that really hit home was Clutter's Last Stand. These really are philosophical, though it isn't Big P philosophy in a way that would scare off the everyday reader. But it is philosophical. SRS |
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17 Jan 09 - 01:23 AM (#2541023) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Good to see the 'cat back! There's a lot of work to do this weekend! SRS |
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17 Jan 09 - 11:50 AM (#2541385) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I have to look back through the thread and see what some of my goals for myself are. I have to pull together tax papers, get the monitor replaced, take a cat to the vet, and I have a lot of projects around the house that I could do at any given time if I had all of the set-up in place. Like finish some tiles, or paint the hall. Finish clearing out shelves in my office. Some of this I mentioned, some of it I've grumbled to myself about. ONT ANOTHER TOPIC COMPLETELY: I may start a separate thread on this, but I thought I'd give a heads up here. Circuit City is going to liquidate and hopefully actually offer some good prices, but anything you buy there can't be covered by store warranty, just the manufacturer warranty, and getting that taken care of might be tough. Last spring I purchased a used slide scanner on eBay and decided it might be prudent to buy a warranty to go with it. A company called Square Trade offers warranties. Of course you purchase it, it is like the extended warranty the store offers. I don't purchase those often in stores, but I bought this one after the scanner because I know that they aren't being made any more and I wouldn't be able to get it replaced if it failed. It did fail, and I had a year with the Square Trade folks to file the claim. (I think you might have to wait a couple of months after first buying it, but I'm not sure). Anyway, I contacted them, they let me go ahead and send it to Sony, the company that Minolta contracted with to do repairs (Minolta no longer builds or supports these things). Square Trade would cover the repair up to the purchase price. Sony couldn't repair it, sent me a letter, so I sent that on (scanned and emailed) to the Square Trade folks, who put the money in my PayPal account. It was orderly, and easy, and if I had the money to purchase an out and out luxury like a flat panel HD television, or a new stove or something like that, I would probably buy the Square Trade warranty to back it up since Circuit City won't be there. So there is my testimonial. I don't publish those often, but this worked out very well. I still don't have another slide scanner--I was buying a used item of the top of the line in slide scanners, but they've gotten way too pricey, so I'm going to do some comparison and see what else is out there that I can make do with. SRS |
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17 Jan 09 - 04:00 PM (#2541614) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I bit the bullet and got roto-rooter prices from several plumbers. I found a local one (if they don't know where your town is, you know they're not local). I have a theory--local folks behave better and give better prices. The farther away from their offices, the higher the cost for various reasons, and the less responsive if there is a problem. He should be here in a little while, and it will be a relief to have the drain lines cleaned out and not have my washer drain run out over the laundry room floor. After that work I'll see how much of the day is left for other work. Or if I have any money left for anything else. . . SRS |
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17 Jan 09 - 04:04 PM (#2541619) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak Most of the old fence is now decluttered to the front garden where hopefully, given the state of my wrists and the weather, I'll stick it in the car and take it to the tip... that'll be a whole load of crap gone... There's still a bit of work to do in the garden - a heap of rubble and stuff has to come through - but it looks so much better and the cats are appreciating a soft patch of ground to 'manure'... Then I suppose I'd better start on this room again... LTS |
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17 Jan 09 - 06:27 PM (#2541738) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Happy Dance!!! Happy Dance!!! The plumber got the clog in the line and now the washer drains without backing up. Yes! He had about 55' of cable out before it cleared, so the snake that was here at the house when I moved in probably isn't long enough to do the job. Unless I ran it down the washer drain. Just as well I didn't have to do it. A good trick he uses, is to turn on the hot water tap and let it run. After a little while it hits the clog (it wasn't a complete blockage, but enough that it backed up) and backs up the line and runs out the clean-out hole where he is running the cable in. When the clog is gone the water stops running out of the clean-out hole. If I were to run the cable I have here, I'd have to keep that in mind! I forgot to give him the $10 tip I had in my pocket. Oh, well. He didn't have to spend more than about 15 minutes here, so it wasn't a very difficult job. Now to do some of the rest of the stuff on my list. Starting with LAUNDRY! SRS |
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17 Jan 09 - 06:32 PM (#2541742) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine I organized and filed away all of my bank & retirement account statements; lots of unimportant papers going to the recycling bag. Ran the snowblower about 4pm. We got about 3 inches of snow, and some is still falling, but it's supposed to drop off overnight. Tomorrow is the trivia quiz, so I plan to bake a cake. No snow in the forecast for next week, thank goodness. I'm getting tired of this, plus I need to get groceries & gas for the snowblower. Maryanne |
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17 Jan 09 - 09:16 PM (#2541827) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: MAG I'm off the Portland for 2 days; Tom Paxton concert; I'll "see" you in a couple of says. |
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17 Jan 09 - 11:10 PM (#2541879) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Have fun, MAG! We cleaned up the house this morning. Stripped the bed and washed the linens; washed clothes; Rog swept and vacuumed; I mopped and gave the dog a bath and we ran errands. We were done by late morning and home form errands by 130p. The rest of the weekend is free except for some dishes. Decluttering was me picking up stuff all over the house which needed to be put away. I had spring fever anyway, so we would have done this regardless, but I did call the ex, as planned, this morning, left a message and haven't heard back. So, I figure he either got cold feet, which isn't like him, or maybe his problem with the county escalated and he's been too busy to call. I am sure I'll hear from him. It's just as well, I have more time to prepare so I can make sure he understands I do not have a lot of time to devote to his "cause." He can talk your ear of and go on and on and, did I mention his pontificating was one of the reasons I left him?**BG** |
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18 Jan 09 - 03:16 AM (#2541948) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I see my ex almost every day. We're still raising kids, which is why, but I think getting divorced helped us get back to being friends. I installed some software on my son's computer, cleaned up the kitchen, did some laundry (no flooding!) and put a lot of laundry away. I FINALLY found an inexpensive little mp3 player that works the way I want, with an easy to navigate menu. It is on sale, starts tomorrow, but the signs were up this evening. They said they'd hold them (my kids have been limping along with one malfunctioning and one cheap-and-goofy one, so they're each getting one also). I'm taking one that I bought a couple of weeks ago (also cheap-and-goofy, almost the same price) back to another store, so it will be like buying two. This is one device we all use. I love recorded books, but the one I got a couple of weeks ago couldn't hold a charge. These new ones take the tiny SD cards so there can be a lot more than 2gig and it can be easily loaded via a card reader. SRS |
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18 Jan 09 - 10:05 AM (#2542155) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak Trouble with all this gardening is it leaves me completely limp and achey the next day... Decluttering myself to the sofa was about all I could manage this morning, when I was supposed to be loading the car with crap... LTS |
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18 Jan 09 - 11:27 AM (#2542238) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine It seems like all I talk about is snow. Went out at 9am (don't want to annoy the neighbors too early) and ran the snowblower again. We got about 4 inches overnight, so about 7 inches for the weekend. I'm running out of room to put the stuff. We need a thaw, and soon. We're already at our normal snowfall for the season, and we're only halfway through winter. I boxed up some more books for the library-- Sherlock Holmes collection this time. But there is a group of "Sherlockians" here in town, so I sent them a list, in case some of them want any of the books (I'll charge them a few bucks & give the $ to Alzheimers). I'll take the books to the meeting on Saturday, and anything left over goes to the used book sale. Maryanne |
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18 Jan 09 - 01:19 PM (#2542341) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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18 Jan 09 - 09:18 PM (#2542712) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine 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. |
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18 Jan 09 - 09:25 PM (#2542717) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: vectis 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. |
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18 Jan 09 - 09:27 PM (#2542718) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine Here's our team picture on page 5 of the Gaelic League Newsletter I'm in the back. Maryanne |
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19 Jan 09 - 12:16 AM (#2542777) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing 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. |
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19 Jan 09 - 01:05 AM (#2542786) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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19 Jan 09 - 05:44 AM (#2542888) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak 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 |
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19 Jan 09 - 11:17 AM (#2543109) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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19 Jan 09 - 03:07 PM (#2543309) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing 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?! |
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19 Jan 09 - 06:51 PM (#2543505) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak 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 |
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19 Jan 09 - 11:29 PM (#2543659) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: MAG 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. |
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20 Jan 09 - 01:06 AM (#2543682) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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20 Jan 09 - 02:20 PM (#2544218) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine Well done, SRS. Good to hear success stories. M |
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20 Jan 09 - 03:49 PM (#2544318) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST,Mary Ann at work 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? |
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20 Jan 09 - 05:56 PM (#2544441) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak 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 |
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20 Jan 09 - 08:34 PM (#2544596) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST,MAG at work 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. |
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20 Jan 09 - 11:34 PM (#2544679) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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21 Jan 09 - 12:12 AM (#2544691) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: MAG went to the local democrat's shindig after work (after 8pm), and saw a great t-shirt. 1/20/09 End of an Error |
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21 Jan 09 - 12:22 AM (#2544696) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine 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. |
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21 Jan 09 - 12:24 AM (#2544698) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing 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. |
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21 Jan 09 - 11:29 AM (#2545132) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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21 Jan 09 - 12:27 PM (#2545209) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST 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 |
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21 Jan 09 - 01:26 PM (#2545268) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing 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. |
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21 Jan 09 - 01:40 PM (#2545283) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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22 Jan 09 - 01:23 AM (#2545758) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage 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. |
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22 Jan 09 - 07:19 AM (#2545911) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work 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 |
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22 Jan 09 - 10:58 AM (#2546089) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST,MAG at wrok 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. |
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22 Jan 09 - 12:25 PM (#2546167) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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22 Jan 09 - 02:22 PM (#2546261) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Sooz 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......... |
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22 Jan 09 - 02:59 PM (#2546308) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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22 Jan 09 - 03:10 PM (#2546319) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine 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 |
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22 Jan 09 - 03:18 PM (#2546331) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine That should be book-case, not just one shelf (ha-ha). M |
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22 Jan 09 - 05:29 PM (#2546452) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak 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 |
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22 Jan 09 - 06:06 PM (#2546483) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing 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! |
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22 Jan 09 - 07:12 PM (#2546534) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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23 Jan 09 - 12:29 AM (#2546692) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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23 Jan 09 - 11:02 AM (#2547029) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST,MAG at work (on my own time tho') |
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23 Jan 09 - 05:27 PM (#2547362) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine 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 |
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23 Jan 09 - 07:36 PM (#2547453) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing 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. |
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23 Jan 09 - 08:55 PM (#2547503) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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23 Jan 09 - 11:30 PM (#2547584) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: MAG 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.* |
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24 Jan 09 - 12:00 AM (#2547591) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing 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. |
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24 Jan 09 - 12:41 AM (#2547600) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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24 Jan 09 - 12:30 PM (#2547908) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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24 Jan 09 - 12:44 PM (#2547923) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST,MAG at work 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. |
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24 Jan 09 - 12:50 PM (#2547930) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Sooz 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! |
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24 Jan 09 - 12:55 PM (#2547936) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing It was olddude who had the Dell laptops, MAG, and as far as I know, he found homes for all that he had. |
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24 Jan 09 - 12:57 PM (#2547942) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maeve 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 |
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24 Jan 09 - 03:38 PM (#2548071) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine 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 |
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24 Jan 09 - 03:42 PM (#2548075) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine 200 |
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24 Jan 09 - 04:56 PM (#2548146) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: freda underhill this is long after the posts, but it was good to read the comments about ex's. when I moved back in here after the renovations, I went through all the accumulated letters, cards, and documents, threw a lot out and kept the important ones in a large box under my bed. there were school reports for the kids (now adults) Christmas cards, documents from jobs etc. And a couple of toxic letters from my ex. Like you kat he'd tried to get custody, and kidnapped one of them in the process. he was one of those ones that became controlling, cruel and abusive after the wedding. when I got out after that marriage it took some years to regain my confidence. I saw him at my youngest daughter's wedding in Austria in 2004, and made a point of being kind and courteous on the day. He commented to friends afterwards that I had completely changed and was a different person. I was just myself, a self he never saw or allowed me to be during the marriage. I decided I only wanted good memories in that box under the bed, mostly because I know that one day my kids might be looking at them, clearing up when I've gone to the big de-clutter in the sky. so I threw out those two letters and now can't even remember what was in them. I had some women friends over last night and we talked and laughed until late. One brought some fortune cookies for Chinese New year (it's now the Year of the Ox). It is a symbol of my life and where it's at now - all the things i want in my life are here. I have walked a long and curving path and brought the good with me, leaving some things (and people) behind here and there. And it's a very happy, creative, peaceful space. |
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24 Jan 09 - 05:52 PM (#2548189) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage That's some good reasoning there all around, Freda. Congratulations on clearing out and slaying a couple of beasts while you were at it. MAG, the computers that olddude had were cycled out from a company that had them set up for company use. He removed all of the data and they were bare, no monitors, keyboards, not even power cords. They still have a lot of life left in them, but to make them practical for home use, I imagine each one needed various modifications. It was a great starting point with a fast chip and a great heat sink, etc., and the friend who I got one for has enough computer savvy that with the donations from friends an a couple of hundred of his own dollars he got it going (thankfully, he was returned to full salary in December, but has a lot of bills to pay off now--he still treated himself to bits for this computer to make life easier and more pleasant). The 20 gig hard drive was tiny (that's what his 2001 Gateway had), but memory is cheap, so you can get a 500 gig hard drive for about $75. 128M of RAM was increased to 2 gig of RAM for another $80 or so, and it went like that. I gave him a new DVD burner for christmas and a few software programs (sometimes the older programs are better, like Nero 6, without all of the indexing nonsense), and another friend gave him the XP Pro OS and Windows Office 2003. It took a village and a couple of weeks. He does a lot of work on it, but I was so pleased to go in the other day and see that he finally has room so he can PLAY on his computer--he was building a SIMS zoo! :) Maire-aine, there are several good online places for selling books. Amazon, Half.com (you don't necessarily have to sell them for half, see what others are charging and go from there), eBay, etc. And dust on bookshelves, I think that is standard for bookshelves. When I'm doing that kind of work that keeps me in one place for a while I like to put on an old movie (usually one I've seen a few times so I don't need to watch it all, I can treat it like radio) or a recorded book, something to keep me company and make the time pass all the more pleasantly. I kind of look forward to those types of jobs. I made a bread pudding this afternoon and am planning a pot of chicken soup tonight. I'll get out some of my pint jars and freeze the rest of the beans I made earlier in the week. This batch is fabulous--I used a hot venison sausage to season them. Since it is cold and dreary today I also lit candles in the fireplace. I have a reflective mirror behind the grate, and I close the glass doors. I tossed a couple of candles that had burned down so far I was going to have to struggle to light them. I have a cupboard full of big clunky candles I buy at ridiculously low prices at craft stores and Home Depot, etc. when they clear out seasonal candles. Then I light several at a time in my fireplace (where I don't burn wood because it doesn't draw well). The look of flames is beautiful, and they keep cold air from blowing in down the chimney. Now this is long, Freda! SRS |
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24 Jan 09 - 06:15 PM (#2548208) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak Well, the crud in the front garden has gone. I spent this morning loading it into the car and after lunch I drove it to the tip where you'll be pleased to know that it went into the 'garden' section of the recycling centre (or 'the tip') where it will be mulched down and turned into the compost which they try to sell you on your way out! The front garden was fairly cluttered with old plant pots that were full of litter, the remains of a rotten old wooden box that had been a raised flower bed and a lot of dead leaves. On top of that I'd put the cuttings and dead leaves from the back garden where I put up the new fence... in all there were 3 car loads of garden crap that went to be recycled. So... now I have 2 neat rows of plant pots, all tidied and aireated nicely, a clear path (that just needs hosing down) and a litter free garden. Wonder how long that will last? There is a little bit of rubble left in the back garden but I thought the poor old car deserved a rest - the rubble will fit nicely in the garden bag (an old Ikea bag) and I'll take it in a week or two, but otherwise, it's all done! It looks a lot better - so much so I may even indulge myself tomorrow and buy a few more primrose plants to brighten up the pots in the front. I'm like that. LTS |
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24 Jan 09 - 08:17 PM (#2548314) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Wow, you've all done some good work! Rog and I put away all of the clean clothes, except for one load in the dryer. While we were doing that, I went through three canvas box-type things in which I keep my underwear, socks, pjs and tee-shirts and emptied out a lot from them to giveaway. Rog took a full kitchen trash bag out to the car for me to drop off at sally army. we then stopped, got the grandkid and sat down to watch the latest Indiana Jones.:-) |
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24 Jan 09 - 09:22 PM (#2548357) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: MAG Well, I spent all afternoon on the den and almost made it as far as the books; One side of the daybed is now clear; you can actually walk along it to the bookshelves at the other end. There were 2 boxes full of unsorted papers to go through to get to the shelves, plus other stuff. So basically one side of the room is in some kind of order. Also soaked some laundry I discovered had cat pee on it in some enzyme cleaner (I like odormute). Leftovers into a potato casserole that ought to feed me for 3 days. Listening to PHC which is sort of OK most of the time. |
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24 Jan 09 - 11:23 PM (#2548418) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Been there, done that on the cat pee problem. These days I'm nursing the younger cat through what we think is fatty liver disease--the symptoms are classic. A fat cat that loses weight is susceptible to forming this problem because as the fat is broken down it isn't processed well and messes up the liver. The answer is to run calories through the cat to clean out the liver, but the condition itself causes a sort of anorexia, and death if it isn't treated. You have to force the food into the cat, sometimes for as long as three months. No fun for anyone. MAG, do you plan to use old software and equipment with your computer? Do you have a good monitor and printer now? Would you like to travel with a computer? I'll send a few suggestions via email, but those answers would help me make those suggestions. SRS |
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24 Jan 09 - 11:54 PM (#2548429) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine Went to the Sherlock Holmes group meeting this evening, and took two bags of "Holmes" books with me. I asked folks for a nominal amount, with the money going to Alzheimer's Association. All the books found new homes (people were really excited about some of the books), and Alz. is getting a $40 donation. Everybody came out a winner. Maryanne |
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25 Jan 09 - 12:15 PM (#2548790) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I've exchanged emails this weekend with a friend who moved out to a high elevation property in West Texas and is working on building a garden inside a cyclone fenced enclosure to keep the critters from eating all of his crops. He commented that back in the 70s there was a popular movement where apartment dwellers were stacking tires, filling them with dirt, and planting potatoes on their balconies and patios. Aha! I live across the road from woods where tires have been dumped far too often. And it is still winter so I can see them when I go walking. This might be a way to de-clutter the woods a little and augment my garden. I'm putting in raised beds this year--why not also stack some tires around the garden and see if potatoes would grow happily there? I do need to research this--to find out of the old tires are decaying in a manner that would leech hydrocarbons into the beds. For some folks in higher, dryer climates, I would think this is a great trick to practice or to examine and modify to fit your particular space. Meanwhile, I've pulled out my files for taxes and banking this morning and have sorted them to figure out where I have gaps. It's time to track down the missing pieces. SRS |
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25 Jan 09 - 03:48 PM (#2548968) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Tax papers assembled. Online forms printed. Blank notepad, sharpened pencil, calculator in place. I need a nap first. MAG, I've been looking at computer companies. If you plan to install older programs you already own onto the new computer, or to use older devices with it, and you want one that is less flawed and pushy, XP-Pro is still the better operating system. HP doesn't seem to offer XP at all (for best security they suggest VISTA Ulitimate). Dell offers some of their desktop computers with VISTA Business or Ultimate with a bonus to downgrade to XP Pro. It looks like they've set it up this way so "when you're ready" you can move the computer back into the VISTA environment. Dell's XP for Your PC page. A few Dells to consider. There are some lovely little mini laptops out there, but I don't know what all they can do--I think most data goes in and out of them through plug-in devices like external DVD burners, flash drives, etc. You'd want to decide what size monitor you can live with or if you want to plug a larger monitor and your printer into the back of the laptop. HP, Dell, Acer, lots of computers have these ultra small laptops, so you need to keep in mind how you'll use it. I wouldn't want to listen to my CDs through one and I think the player is external on a lot of them. I suppose if you're going to use it with headphones it can act like an mp3 player. Little Dell computers. These also include XP Home and VISTA downgraded to XP. Little HP computers. They offer HP and a Presario. No XP options here either. Lenovo is the name of the of the company that produces the computers now that IBM is out of the PC business. They also use VISTA, and they tend to be more expensive. Let us know what you're thinking about and we can come up with something you can order or go buy and keep up with the declutterers. SRS |
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25 Jan 09 - 03:55 PM (#2548975) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine I found 2 more boxes in the garage, so I was able to keep going. All of the books are off of the 2nd bookcase. There is one shelf full of magazines, but they're all in slipcases, so they'll be easy to move when the time comes. And there are still a lot of knick-knacks (candleholders, mugs, little teapots, etc) that need to be wrapped up and boxed. All of the gardening books are now together upstairs, and I've picked several books that I want to move to the front of the "read now" list. Maryanne |
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25 Jan 09 - 04:18 PM (#2548987) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: SINSULL I have emptied several boxes - mostly old papers I don't need any more. But now I have piles of stuff I do need. What a mess! |
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25 Jan 09 - 04:39 PM (#2549006) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Rog and I went for a drive and talked about decluttering. Does that count?:-) When we got backed, I called Rue to offer her two old prints which are of a contemporary of Maxfield Parrish's and I rehung a couple of small bird pix in the kitchen from the hall wall which we will paint this spring. We also identified a couple of other prints which will be given to family and/or sold. I took down a leaded/stained glass hanging art piece from the front window to sell on ebay but can't get decent pix of it today. It's too cloudy and late in the day. At least it is down and cleaned up. Oof! The dust! Speaking of, Rog dusted the three ceiling fans we have. Ugh! What would you all think of a permathread for a Mudcat Book Exchange? I was telling him, today, that I'd rather give my books away to friends whom I know will treasure them than sell them to complete strangers, plus book-selling hasn't worked very well for me on ebay. I know it might seem counter-productive to the decluttering, but if all of Mudcat were in on it, maybe not? (Thing of all the ones who have not been in this thread, who could take them off our hands! I am off to see what else I can do. Oh, Rog also hung a windchime outside for me and moved a couple of others which were inside. I have a lot of them and bells hanging here and there. |
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25 Jan 09 - 04:49 PM (#2549017) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Maybe there is one of those existing book exchange places that you could use, and if you stick Mudcat in the text it would come up in a search by other Mudcatters? Then you'd attract Mudcatters but would have other takers as well. With your glass you have a couple of options. If the glass is translucent, then prop it up with a lamp behind it. Place the light far enough back that it is diffuse in lighting the window. Or, clear or translucent, lay the window down on a white piece of paper and see if you can photograph it from an angle so your camera flash doesn't it it. The other thing you could do is make a screen backdrop (don't ask me how--maybe drape a white sheet between a couple of chairs?) then put a light behind it and the window in front of it. Again, don't be perpendicular to the glass or you'll have your flash show up in the photo. I've cleaned up the cat. She's very ill and isn't likely to survive, but we're treating her, thinking she has fatty liver disease, so I have to shovel or syringe about a half can of the veterinary cat food down her. We did a little sponge bath this afternoon, to groom her coat a little and pick off food from around her face. Poor little kiddo. She also has clean towels and bedding in her favorite cubbies in the room where I have her stay much of the day. This way I can monitor her litter box output to be sure she's drinking enough water, etc. BTW: I have a piece of leaded glass that I want to hang up somewhere in the house. It's getting some light behind it that is the trick. Maybe hang it in front of a mirror, but that gets quite complicated. I have windows, but they're not easy to hang things in front of. SRS |
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25 Jan 09 - 05:55 PM (#2549067) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Oh, Maggie, that's so sad about your kitty. Good for you for making her as comfortable as possible. Puir little thing. Thanks for the pointers on takign decent pix of the glass thing; it is translucent. You can see a close up of about 2/3rds of it HERE at the bottom. I like the idea of draping something between two chairs, setting a light behind, etc. I can do that, thanks! Do you have a room where the sunshine comes in and you could hang your glass piece from the ceiling where the sun might strike it? We have a half-wall between the living room and dining room which would work for such. I also saw a neat thing you might want to think about doing with it. Someone has built a wooden privacy bower with stained, leaded glass rectangles framed and set in the walls of it. It is really neat and what I thought I would someday do with this, but I don't have the skill, materials, nor wall, so there it goes. I also do not have much attachment to this piece, which helps. If you want em to take a picture of what they've done, let me know. It's only a couple of miles from our house. |
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25 Jan 09 - 06:32 PM (#2549094) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I have a couple of "pony walls" (what my contractor calls the half-walls that I think you have in mind) but they have spindles from the wall to the ceiling too close together for the glass. But I could suspend it in front of the spindles, I suppose. I have some decorative bars in the dining room, and that is the area I've most seriously thought about hanging it. Or I could suspend it from the top of the doorway by the stationary side of the sliding glass door to the back yard, but I have blinds that would block it most of the time. I may just hang it against a wall and let it look interesting there. I can tell by the clapboards more or less the size of that piece, but be sure to put something like a yard stick in the photo for scale. That's a pretty piece--you definitely need something like a sheet to difuse the light before you try to take a photo. SRS |
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26 Jan 09 - 12:27 AM (#2549216) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Funeral to attend tomorrow afternoon, so I may not get much extra done because of that. But taxes are set up and ready to go. SRS |
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26 Jan 09 - 12:41 AM (#2549219) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing I hope tomorrow is not too sad for you. I've never heard them called "pony walls." Ours doesn't have the spindles, which I am glad of; I don't esp. like them and I like the openness of the space, plus I have a lot of light which comes in there from the DR southerly window. Thanks for the ruler suggestion. It is just about 36" by probably 12-14." I'll have to measure it. I have no idea what it is worth nor who made it. It was a leftover from a Girl Scout tag sale and the owner did not want it back, so she gave it to me, along with some other stuff. I like the colour of the house behind it in that picture.:-) |
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26 Jan 09 - 09:26 AM (#2549366) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak Decluttering the corner next to the door now.. perhaps this means I'll be able to close it now. It required the purchase of another set of Really Useful Boxes - in a handy drawer arrangement. There went the family history! LTS |
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26 Jan 09 - 03:49 PM (#2549650) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Kewl, LtS! I have declutterd some of the paper notes on my desk, PLUS have loaded two stacks of CDs onto my HD. It's not taking nearly as long as I thought it would. When I get them done, I can then load and program in each actual CD into my CD changer and have them in the LR or on the PC in the office, easy-peasy. well, sort of. It does take more time to load them into the changer, but at least I've started! |
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26 Jan 09 - 10:05 PM (#2549877) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Ice storm due over the next couple of days, so rather than emptying out my pickup, I went by Home Depot and bought about 300 pounds of bagged manure, humus, and top soil (it all cost less than $10) to put in the pickup bed in the back by the tailgate. You mentioned a few posts back about "talking about de-cluttering," but sometimes that is just what it takes. Or making a point of thinking about it when you're doing something like dishwashing that doesn't require a great deal of concentration. I've sorted a couple of projects that way lately. SRS |
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27 Jan 09 - 12:34 AM (#2549934) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Yes, I can see that these threads have been a great avenue for discussing what we'd like to do as well as what we have done. It has really been a sustained kind of motivation for me. I called the docs and the pharmacy, today, and got the year end spending reports (shocking... I knew we spent a lot on copays, but almost $2,000 for meds seems horrible!) so I can do our taxes. I don't think it will be by the end of the month, but close to it. For the past two years I have itemised and we've gotten more back. I should go back, sometime and file an amended return for the year of my surgery. We spent a lot that year. |
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27 Jan 09 - 01:02 AM (#2549945) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage The year my daughter had surgery and dental work (wisdom teeth) I had enough copays and insurance payments to give me a bigger return. Good luck in finding all of those payments the first time through the stack of papers! SRS |
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27 Jan 09 - 08:47 AM (#2550104) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I have the day off, the university is closed in anticipation of ice. But my son still has to go to school. I may have to go pick him up at mid-day. Grrrrr. |
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27 Jan 09 - 02:25 PM (#2550327) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine All of the books are off of all 3 bookcases, and a painter is coming this afternoon to give me an estimate. And I just noticed that my Christmas cactus is blooming like crazy; it has buds all over it. I had moved it to a different window, where it gets better light. M |
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27 Jan 09 - 02:56 PM (#2550362) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST,MAG well after getting a nice big whack on Sunday I vegged out yesterday and finished *Callahan's Crosstime Saloon.* I wish I could say it was a lift, but the truth is, I want to find the saloon, just like hundreds of other fans. I want a hundred close friends all in the same party, helping each other over the rough spots. |
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27 Jan 09 - 05:42 PM (#2550499) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Wouldn't that be a great time, MAG! I have done two more stacks of CDs onto my HD. Now, the big job, I have to take the hundred or so that are already in my CD changer. Put them all on the HD, then put them back, only this time in alphabetical order! As I don't have their cases any more, I will have to get a file drawer thing and put them in it so it will be easier to get to them and to keep them from dust. On Sunday, besides identifying some things we will give away or sell, I also asked Rog to move around a few windchimes and I moved a couple of prints. I am amazed at how much of a difference even those little things made. Morgan had not been over since Sat. and he noticed, today. Wanted to know "why" we moved stuff, of course.:-) |
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27 Jan 09 - 05:49 PM (#2550504) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage I don't know that story at all. What is it? Icky day has mostly passed, the worst of the ice hasn't arrived, but we're due sleet overnight. So we'd have been okay at work today, meaning we'll go tomorrow and then we'll get clobbered. Weather prediction gets another black eye. Nursing a cat and a stiff neck. The neck has been coming on slowly, I think it has to do with how I've positioned my monitors. I'll adjust my chair and desk and see if that helps. Cat is getting stronger, protests being fed, but I need to keep this up because she won't eat for herself yet. I've been re-associating old email files with newer versions and other stuff on my computer this afternoon, and am getting closer to my original eBay setup. I need to install a couple more programs and I'm set. I think. I need to get back to that. I also need to donate some stuff (piled up here) and do the taxes. Maybe tonight. I have a movie I'd like to watch, so maybe I can set up on a small table in front of the TV and do some of the simple adding up of things before I sit without interruption and actually do the taxes themselves. Good work on those bookshelves, Mary Ann! It will feel like a new room to have fresh paint and neatly arranged volumes. SRS |
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28 Jan 09 - 11:51 AM (#2551083) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Our thread is slipping toward the bottom here near the end of the month, but it's mid-week of a weird week, so I guess we're lucky it didn't completely vanish. A day and a half off from work for bad weather always seems to go this way--it's not like a pastoral winter cottage scene, it's about compensating for the cold and the mess and having an extra ache or pain in the process. (I have a stiff neck because I repositioned my computer monitors in relation to the television in the room. I'm pretty sure I need to move things again so to avoid the ache.) Kat, I made a comment on your necklace auction about sharing beads for a Mudcat auction some day. I have plans for several things but I know there will be leftover beads when they're finished. How many of us are (or are potentially) jewelry makers? SRS |
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28 Jan 09 - 12:01 PM (#2551100) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maeve A small community of women here have joined efforts to form a Frugality group. One of our goals is to help one another get rid of what we don't need. To that end, I bagged up some children's clothing and delivered it to a woman who will take it to a consignment shop and open an account for me. Another woman brought the few things she managed to weed out of her extensive collection (a major accomplishment for her), and a neighbor and I will take it to the village swap shop. I make jewelry also, SRS. I even know where most of my supplies are! maeve |
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28 Jan 09 - 12:30 PM (#2551128) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing There are a few of us, Maggie. I know Jeri does some beading. Can't remember who else besides her and maeve:-). Maybe a look through the Crafters' thread? I do remember sending some leftovers to Jeri a few years ago. So how would it work. Put some in the auction or just do a bead exchange? Thanks to Michelle Obama, vintage is now the hot thing, like that one I did with the clear crystals and art deco brooch (bottom of page) This according to Kovell's latest email newsletter. Anyway, I'd definitely be open to doing either one, auction or trade. I forgot about a small basket in in which I put some CDs, so I've a bit more to save today then on to the changer.:-< BUT, first I am going to see what's what with our taxes...get to adding up totals, etc. |
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28 Jan 09 - 01:50 PM (#2551200) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine The painter & I came to an agreement, so he's going to start on 9-Feb. I've got that much time to box up the loose knick-knacks & fragile stuff in the china cabinet. We got more snow overnight, about 1.5 inches this time. Everybody around here is getting tired of it. We've already reached our average snow amount for the entire winter season, and we're still in January. Yuck. M |
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28 Jan 09 - 06:34 PM (#2551443) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak I could spend a week just sorting out this room here, the smallest one - even the bathroom is bigger - but it won't happen.... just too damned tired all the time. LTS |
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28 Jan 09 - 07:24 PM (#2551498) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing LtS, you've been doing a lot of extra duty stuff in the past week or two, (It happens to the best of us:-), so give yerself a break and just let it sit for a bit. OH, and think of how Micca's going to repay for mog-minding!**bg** |
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29 Jan 09 - 12:36 AM (#2551636) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Moonglow came down to cuddle the ailing kitty and say her goodbyes, should that be what is called for. We also managed to load the kids (her boyfriend came also) with some food (!) and magazines to be cut up for a class project, plus a sleeping bag to leave in the car during the cold weather. I always have a blanket in my truck, and when it gets cold I also put a down sleeping bag out there. No one plans to get stranded or have to help out at an accident, but it is good to be prepared in case. I helped de-clutter the next-door-neighbor's computer. She was having problems with the browser window "hanging" and I think it was Spybot Search and Destroy having problems. I had to uninstall then reinstall it myself last week. We cleared out the cache, the temporary files, etc., and updated a couple of programs. Hopefully this will work. She said she hates to bother me and had her brother help, and it is good she has her brother to help the last time she had problems (he's in Missouri, so they did it via long distance), but I don't mind at all. It's nice to be able to help neighbors. I try to explain what I'm doing so she'll understand how these things work. I'm not so sure that that part sinks in. SRS |
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29 Jan 09 - 07:33 AM (#2551829) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work Oh Kat, he is going to pay... and pay and pay and pay!!! LTS (more cheerful now the drugs have kicked in... almost floaty you could say!) |
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29 Jan 09 - 03:50 PM (#2552240) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing Somebody tie an anchor on that woman lest she float away!**bg** Finally got the art glass hanging listed on ebay. Took me most of the morning, making sure I'd got all of the info listed AND getting decent pix. Even so, they are not the greatest, but I needed to get it on there, so there 'tis. |
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29 Jan 09 - 08:43 PM (#2552464) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: MAG Got through a few more papers, plus some laundry. At work I have some dont's on decluttering if anybody wants to see them. |
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30 Jan 09 - 07:04 AM (#2552748) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maeve Sure, MAG; let's see the Shalt Nots of Decluttering. maeve |
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30 Jan 09 - 07:11 AM (#2552758) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maeve Have y'all seen this worthy project? It fits in well with what we've been doing here. Heifer Project |
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30 Jan 09 - 11:35 AM (#2552969) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST,MAG at work (on my own time tho') OK, here they are. Cluttering is not as bad as hoarding, and these days I'm realizing I am a clutterer, not a hoarder. Still these thoughts I have found helpful. These are paraphrased from a webpage; I can't remember now which one. Simplified Hoarding is about the fear of throwing something away that you might need someday, of not being able to remember it perfectly or that if thrown away it will cause a problem or that something bad may happen. MISCONCEPTION: The moment I discard this item I discard a part of myself. MISCONCEPTION: The moment I decide to throw something away I may be making the wrong choice. MISCONCEPTION: The moment I am unable to know how to categorize an item, I will place it in sight so I will know where it is. MISCONCEPTION: The moment my object has a use, I have to keep/use it so it doesn't get wasted. MISCONCEPTION: The moment you decide to throw something away, you no longer are the person in control and what happens to this item will be in the hands of others. MISCONCEPTION: The moment you throw something away, you may forget its content or the way it looked and it will be gone forever. (fear of letting go, of moving on.) Letting go of things in life is so needed if we want to experience some sense of freedom. MISCONCEPTION: The moment you throw something away, you let go of that specific part of your life, however insignificant it may be. |
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30 Jan 09 - 12:18 PM (#2553002) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage If you grew up with Depression-era parents, you saw this kind of behavior in action, learned during years when you didn't throw stuff out automatically, you adapted it for reuse or you repaired it. I think some of that thinking came through without the context of rationing and shortage being in place and resulted in people not being able to discard those useful objects. I know I recognize many of those statements. It's why I try to recycle and not just fill up a landfill. I know there are consequences of filling up landfills, and if we reuse things we discourage the production of new, the mining of resources, the growing of materials that all may not be necessary. It's sorting out all of these impulses and finding sound information that is so useful in learning to de-clutter. I checked the post office mail today and the last of the tax forms arrived. I hadn't managed to track down all of this information online, but there is no excuse, I need to do the taxes tomorrow and get them into the mail. I wanted to do them in January, and I have that one day left. SRS |
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30 Jan 09 - 06:16 PM (#2553269) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maire-aine I've decided that I want to move the 3 bookcases upstairs to the music/computer room. That's were I'm most likely to use the books anyway. I'll have one of the painter's crew help me move them. I'm old enough/smart enough to realize not to try and bring them up myself. I brought them downstairs years ago, but then I had gravity helping me. Maryanne |
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30 Jan 09 - 08:42 PM (#2553338) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: GUEST,MAG at work Really sorry about your cat, Sage. It's a wrench, I know, even though it sounds like you did the right thing. |
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31 Jan 09 - 02:05 AM (#2553460) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage There's an empty feeling in the house without that extra set of feet and her bell ringing to announce her arrival, but she had been quiet and lethargic for a while. I don't know if the other cat has even quite figured out that she's not here, though he may be way ahead of us and have known she was sick a long time ago. She was in a separate room for several weeks, but came out every day and he hung out with her sometimes. Her cage was on the floor inside the door for a couple of hours yesterday afternoon, so he may have stopped and sniffed and realized she wasn't with us any more. She was such a sweetheart. I always kind of figured the old grouchy cat would go first, and then we'd have a few years with just a really nice little cat. The old one isn't bad, he's just incredibly bossy. Right now he's up in my lap making sympathetic and happy purring noises. Good plan on the bookshelves. If you pull a muscle or otherwise hurt your back doing this, it will make the rest difficult or impossible. The thing I have mastered, as someone who does a lot of projects by herself, is how to take many pieces of furniture apart. Moving it in small pieces is one way to compensate if you don't have a strong painterly back to help you. SRS |
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31 Jan 09 - 04:15 PM (#2553920) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Stilly River Sage Time soon for a new thread. Despite the expected slow down after the holidays, with the process of picking up after ourselves (ornaments, trees, cooking, etc.) we've all made progress. This morning I'm taking a close survey of the rooms I've worked on. I decided that some spaces are small enough to give a through once-over that I can finish today. I'll completely scrub everything in the master bathroom--sweep and wash the floor, scrub the tub, the Mexican tile walls, the toilet and sink and counter tops. I'll put the shower curtain and liner in the wash with some rough towels to scrape off the soap scum that has built up. I may empty all of the shelves in my closet and organize the blouses and sweaters. They do need that. I also need to get rid of some of the extra jeans and pants I never wear. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, this morning I started at the stove and put away pans, cleaned the stove top and adjacent counter, and polished the copper kettle I always keep on the stove top. I emptied a couple of ceramic decorative containers of chopsticks, bamboo tongs, wooden spoons and various spatulas then the jars were washed and put back. I'll work my way around the kitchen that way, giving it a late-winter/early-spring cleaning. I see that my paycheck was deposited today so I can do some shopping. Top of the list is kleenex--we used a lot this week. I'm also thinking of picking up a couple of shelves for the corner in the kitchen, to display some of my antique cookbooks. I found myself digging through several shelves and cabinets to find all of them earlier this week when searching for a recipe for a friend. It's time to admit that I have a sizable collection and put them all in one place where they can be used and admired. This evening, it's income taxes. SRS |
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31 Jan 09 - 06:54 PM (#2554031) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak Decluttered 2 more videos into the charity bin today... replaced them with DVDs from the bargain bin! I started February's thread... Keep the faith sisters (and brothers if there are any, although I don't see much evidence... sort of speaks volumes doesn't it?!)! LTS |
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31 Jan 09 - 07:07 PM (#2554046) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Tinker This month has found unexpected burst of cleaning. And as I sit and look at a cleared diningroom table and organized desk -- perhaps by this time next month the rest of the dining room will catch up. |
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31 Jan 09 - 07:28 PM (#2554068) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: katlaughing I had a week's worth of dishes done by 9a this morning, then we hit the road to run errands. Started in on the taxes, again, about 1p and have just now given up until Monday when I will work on getting more figures and paperwork to do them online at turbotax. Discouraging as I can't get access to some other info I need until Monday and so far it says we will only get back 58 dollars! That's with over $1900 in med copays and about $2300 in other medical expenses. I thought we'd be able to deduct the home improvement of $1800 for dead tree removal and tree trimming, but I guess not. Maybe I'll look at another tax service. My dau. just paid $200 for H&R Block to do hers! (Not something I will do!) Anyway, I have made a valiant effort to have them done by the end of Jan.:-) |
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31 Jan 09 - 08:16 PM (#2554090) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: maeve There are indeed brothers following this thread, whether thay post or not. It's worth remembering that not all who are following and decluttering care to post, but all can use encouragement. Onward and upward, everybody! See you around in February 2009. maeve |
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01 Feb 09 - 06:02 AM (#2554270) Subject: RE: BS: January 2009 De-Clutter off & running From: Liz the Squeak Apologies forwarded then, to any brothers participating in the declutter... Oh, and 250! LTS |