Yes, posting photos of the infamous freezer. I was searching for something in the black hole of freezerdom and found something initially purchased in quantity for Andy and Mo's wedding reception. Hmm. It was extra, had too much, not needed. BUT it was December 2007. Yes, 2007. Ok, I think thta makes the "no longer viable freezer rules." Then I found less old stuff, but decidedly freezer burned. So we must invest the little time it takes to wrap the meat properly in order to take advantage of those sales or, by virtue of having to THROW OUT the food, it is NOT a good sale. Lesson learned. Spend the extra 5 minutes to wrap it up with no air, date the wrapping with a marker. Note to self.
Wonder how many people forget to use those "buy one roast, get one free" opportunities?
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Oops! Olympics!
You know how you start something, then get sidetracked? Well, I tend to do a little more of that than most people, but I am trying to focus again on my goal. It is NOT that I did no more organizing since the last post, but that I took photos, and hadn't uploaded them. Then I got caught up in the Olympics to some degree. Fun!
So, now I must figure out how to start posting the photos. I did clean out the fridge, the BIG freezer, and this huge linen closet. Also tackled the several other small closets (which I have not yet photographed, so I owe you) and have been going through closets separating nice and usable items that can be donated.
Today's tasks will actually be cleaning the kitchen and working on the laundry room closet (which serves as a pantry). But I have to balance that with dropping off papers to the Architectural Committee, getting blood tests and picking up Katie from college so she can be home for the weekend. And we have to drop off some tables for a baby shower next week!
As to the kitchen, do you find that as you clean one area that the overflow accumulates in an adjacent room? That is what has happened in the kitchen...with 2 huge piles of paper towel rools taking over the counters, along with the junk mail I haven't had time to get rid of.
And a magazine that I bought and laid on the kitchen table that has articles in it about "Getting Rid Of Clutter"......HHmmmm....does that sound WRONG somehow?
So, now I must figure out how to start posting the photos. I did clean out the fridge, the BIG freezer, and this huge linen closet. Also tackled the several other small closets (which I have not yet photographed, so I owe you) and have been going through closets separating nice and usable items that can be donated.
Today's tasks will actually be cleaning the kitchen and working on the laundry room closet (which serves as a pantry). But I have to balance that with dropping off papers to the Architectural Committee, getting blood tests and picking up Katie from college so she can be home for the weekend. And we have to drop off some tables for a baby shower next week!
As to the kitchen, do you find that as you clean one area that the overflow accumulates in an adjacent room? That is what has happened in the kitchen...with 2 huge piles of paper towel rools taking over the counters, along with the junk mail I haven't had time to get rid of.
And a magazine that I bought and laid on the kitchen table that has articles in it about "Getting Rid Of Clutter"......HHmmmm....does that sound WRONG somehow?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Another day...another drawer...
Tuesday was productive - lots of junk thrown out, and good stuff was donated. Worked on another drawer. Guess what? You do not need special and expensive organizers to contain pens and pencils or other little items. I found that the cherry turnover clam shell box could be cut in half and used in very shallow drawers for pens and pencils!
Today is the day I take down the Christmas decorations from outside around the front door. Yes, it is almost Valentine's Day and the garland around the front door is still up! It has been SOOOooooo cold here in the Chicago suburbs all January, really prohibiting activity outside. BRrrrrr.........
But I WILL get this down, I have started Easter decorations, and I WILL clean the refrigerator. AND I will take pictures to post later!
The short term goals are coming together, but there are 2 long term goals: Clean out the storeroom in the basement, and clean out the garage so the floor & walls can be painted.
If these long-term goals can be achieved by June 1, I will be ecstatic. The real issue is to not allow myself to be distracted too much in the meantime.
Gee, I would really like to go to Florida. Yeah.
Today is the day I take down the Christmas decorations from outside around the front door. Yes, it is almost Valentine's Day and the garland around the front door is still up! It has been SOOOooooo cold here in the Chicago suburbs all January, really prohibiting activity outside. BRrrrrr.........
But I WILL get this down, I have started Easter decorations, and I WILL clean the refrigerator. AND I will take pictures to post later!
The short term goals are coming together, but there are 2 long term goals: Clean out the storeroom in the basement, and clean out the garage so the floor & walls can be painted.
If these long-term goals can be achieved by June 1, I will be ecstatic. The real issue is to not allow myself to be distracted too much in the meantime.
Gee, I would really like to go to Florida. Yeah.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Progress!
I did it! I finished the 3 bedroom desk drawers and the kitchen drawer! I even added to this objective and cleaned out the linen closet and the linen press!
So, despite my desperate efforts to avoid doing anything in the advancement of my tiny goal of these 4 drawers, I did it! I do, however, believe, that I must have somehow become the proud owner of a pen factory. This is clearly evidenced in the huge collection of pens I found while cleaning out these drawers. How can any family of 3 need 100 pens and pencils at arms reach in the kitchen and bedroom? It's not exactly like we spend much time writing anything longhand. To make matters worse, more than half the pencils (the mechnical type) had no lead, so they were not even functional. What a space waster!
I decided that since one bookcase was right next ot the linen press in the loft by the stairs, I should go through it to see if there was anything we absolutely still needed. As expected, there were books in there no one had touched in at least 5 or 6 years. And some books that we moved from our old house to the new house (2003) had not seen eyes since Katie was 8. Since she is now 18 (AGH!), these books need a new home.
I put together some pretty linens, a box of books, a few pieces of nice costume jewelry, and a television set for donation. Luckily, my son called me this morning to tell me one of our local charities called and will have a truck in the area tomorrow morning. The stuff is getting a new home, some other people are getting some nice stuff and reading material, and I am clearing out.
A win-win day is had by all!
Now, I need to start taking pictures before I get too far into the project so I have enough "before and after" photographs. It is this visual evidence that will probably be my only chance to not accumulate more stuff to take the place of the reduced inventory!
So, despite my desperate efforts to avoid doing anything in the advancement of my tiny goal of these 4 drawers, I did it! I do, however, believe, that I must have somehow become the proud owner of a pen factory. This is clearly evidenced in the huge collection of pens I found while cleaning out these drawers. How can any family of 3 need 100 pens and pencils at arms reach in the kitchen and bedroom? It's not exactly like we spend much time writing anything longhand. To make matters worse, more than half the pencils (the mechnical type) had no lead, so they were not even functional. What a space waster!
I decided that since one bookcase was right next ot the linen press in the loft by the stairs, I should go through it to see if there was anything we absolutely still needed. As expected, there were books in there no one had touched in at least 5 or 6 years. And some books that we moved from our old house to the new house (2003) had not seen eyes since Katie was 8. Since she is now 18 (AGH!), these books need a new home.
I put together some pretty linens, a box of books, a few pieces of nice costume jewelry, and a television set for donation. Luckily, my son called me this morning to tell me one of our local charities called and will have a truck in the area tomorrow morning. The stuff is getting a new home, some other people are getting some nice stuff and reading material, and I am clearing out.
A win-win day is had by all!
Now, I need to start taking pictures before I get too far into the project so I have enough "before and after" photographs. It is this visual evidence that will probably be my only chance to not accumulate more stuff to take the place of the reduced inventory!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Harder than I thought
I got a little sidetracked yesterday. I did actually work on some drawers. I just didn't finish them. I get a little distracted sometimes (huh? a little??).
I started a desk drawer on Friday. Didn't quite finish, but decided to start 3 desk drawers in the bedroom Saturday. Didn't finish them, then worked on the kitchen freezer. I actually finished this task, then worked on the drawers more.
My issues seem to be getting bored with the task at hand, allowing distractions, and getting involved with something else.
Yeah, that's it. I stopped and went shopping with my 18 year old daughter to get something to wear to a semi-costume party (for her, not me) :-)
So, now it is Sunday and I am ready to jump in with both feet! I thought I would be so much further ahead. Ha. I will be SO happy to finish all 4 drawers today. Maybe I should note that there seem to be hundreds of little "things" in the drawers, like a huge number of pens, pencils, buttons and loose change. Daunting. So here goes....again! If I get the drawers done, I will progress to the second freezer! Then I will really feel like I have accomplished a lot for the past few days.
Another question has been how to organize the drawers so that what I save is actually in order. I threw out an entire garbage bag of junk from 3 tiny drawers. I put the pictures I found into an archival photo organization box with dividers, and put ticket stubs and other small memorabilia in the scrapbooking supplies in another area of the house. So, actually, there is progress and organization. I still need to put dividers in the drawers. I think the kitchen style dividers would be nice, except the drawers are too shallow for these. I may have to make my own.
I still do not have a clue as to how to sell my unfinished wood surfaces, glasses and ornaments I have stored in the basement storeroom without losing a lot of money. I don't want to donate them, I have too much invested. I just can't save the stuff anymore. Maybe I should just donate all of it. I wonder. What is best for the pocket may not be what is best for the psyche.
I started a desk drawer on Friday. Didn't quite finish, but decided to start 3 desk drawers in the bedroom Saturday. Didn't finish them, then worked on the kitchen freezer. I actually finished this task, then worked on the drawers more.
My issues seem to be getting bored with the task at hand, allowing distractions, and getting involved with something else.
Yeah, that's it. I stopped and went shopping with my 18 year old daughter to get something to wear to a semi-costume party (for her, not me) :-)
So, now it is Sunday and I am ready to jump in with both feet! I thought I would be so much further ahead. Ha. I will be SO happy to finish all 4 drawers today. Maybe I should note that there seem to be hundreds of little "things" in the drawers, like a huge number of pens, pencils, buttons and loose change. Daunting. So here goes....again! If I get the drawers done, I will progress to the second freezer! Then I will really feel like I have accomplished a lot for the past few days.
Another question has been how to organize the drawers so that what I save is actually in order. I threw out an entire garbage bag of junk from 3 tiny drawers. I put the pictures I found into an archival photo organization box with dividers, and put ticket stubs and other small memorabilia in the scrapbooking supplies in another area of the house. So, actually, there is progress and organization. I still need to put dividers in the drawers. I think the kitchen style dividers would be nice, except the drawers are too shallow for these. I may have to make my own.
I still do not have a clue as to how to sell my unfinished wood surfaces, glasses and ornaments I have stored in the basement storeroom without losing a lot of money. I don't want to donate them, I have too much invested. I just can't save the stuff anymore. Maybe I should just donate all of it. I wonder. What is best for the pocket may not be what is best for the psyche.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Coming to grips with reality!
Ok. Here we go.
I remarried and moved to my husband's home after living in the same home for 29 years... 29 years, 2 husbands, 2 children... and lots and lots of stuff. It took me awhile to accept the fact that I am a "collector." My father was a collector, and so is my mom. So, I come by it honestly. A collector in our family is somebody that saves stuff that they really don't need in the anticipation that someday, somehow that "stuff" will be useful...forever, apparently. Maybe my folks were collectors because they had so little in the Great Depression. Growing up in the 50's and 60's, I heard about childhood in the 30's and how the desperate economic times affected so many people, including my family. So I think a little of this attitude rubbed off on me.
Yet, saving stuff I don't need anymore is a problem. And, unfortunately, much of the time the "stuff" gets outdated, dirty, or damaged before it ever gets used for that "someday" necessity. To make matters worse, I had a small shop at one time that I have many leftover supplies and products from.
Backtracking a little, in order to get married and move, I spent nearly a year getting rid of stuff. Furniture, clothing, baby things, dishes, home dec accessories, curtains, small appliances, stuffed animals, bedding, magazines, painting supplies, tools, ladders...stuff. I made the move, successfully having divested myself of the stuff, and lived happily ever after...kind of.
Except after nearly 7 years, I have accumulated more stuff. And it is not tremendously organized. So after going through the painful process of getting rid of stuff, I have new stuff to deal with.
It dawned on me this morning. I was looking through catalogs, searching for something to organize my stuff with, or to store my stuff in, when I had the AHA! moment.
Why should I, why WOULD I, actually BUY something to organize my stuff when I have too much stuff and should just pare down again, and reorganize what is left????
Bottom line. I need to get rid of stuff, either donating it to those who might find it useful, sell what I can, and toss what is junk! So I am going to start the process all over again. Maybe this time it will take. I just hope it doesn't take me a year this time.
The goal is to clean out drawers, closets, storerooms, and the garage. To empty and organize freezers. And if it is in the cards, I would like to put concrete in the crawlspace so I can store Christmas decorations more conveniently.
I have a hard time trying to figure out how to sell beautiful unfinished wood pieces I was going to paint and sell in my shop since I cannot have a garage sale. So this particular issue might pose a problem. But no excuses for the rest.
So, with no more delay, I am beginning the process...for the last time. Yea!
I remarried and moved to my husband's home after living in the same home for 29 years... 29 years, 2 husbands, 2 children... and lots and lots of stuff. It took me awhile to accept the fact that I am a "collector." My father was a collector, and so is my mom. So, I come by it honestly. A collector in our family is somebody that saves stuff that they really don't need in the anticipation that someday, somehow that "stuff" will be useful...forever, apparently. Maybe my folks were collectors because they had so little in the Great Depression. Growing up in the 50's and 60's, I heard about childhood in the 30's and how the desperate economic times affected so many people, including my family. So I think a little of this attitude rubbed off on me.
Yet, saving stuff I don't need anymore is a problem. And, unfortunately, much of the time the "stuff" gets outdated, dirty, or damaged before it ever gets used for that "someday" necessity. To make matters worse, I had a small shop at one time that I have many leftover supplies and products from.
Backtracking a little, in order to get married and move, I spent nearly a year getting rid of stuff. Furniture, clothing, baby things, dishes, home dec accessories, curtains, small appliances, stuffed animals, bedding, magazines, painting supplies, tools, ladders...stuff. I made the move, successfully having divested myself of the stuff, and lived happily ever after...kind of.
Except after nearly 7 years, I have accumulated more stuff. And it is not tremendously organized. So after going through the painful process of getting rid of stuff, I have new stuff to deal with.
It dawned on me this morning. I was looking through catalogs, searching for something to organize my stuff with, or to store my stuff in, when I had the AHA! moment.
Why should I, why WOULD I, actually BUY something to organize my stuff when I have too much stuff and should just pare down again, and reorganize what is left????
Bottom line. I need to get rid of stuff, either donating it to those who might find it useful, sell what I can, and toss what is junk! So I am going to start the process all over again. Maybe this time it will take. I just hope it doesn't take me a year this time.
The goal is to clean out drawers, closets, storerooms, and the garage. To empty and organize freezers. And if it is in the cards, I would like to put concrete in the crawlspace so I can store Christmas decorations more conveniently.
I have a hard time trying to figure out how to sell beautiful unfinished wood pieces I was going to paint and sell in my shop since I cannot have a garage sale. So this particular issue might pose a problem. But no excuses for the rest.
So, with no more delay, I am beginning the process...for the last time. Yea!
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