|
|
Post by iamkristinl16 on May 21, 2024 13:11:37 GMT
I am feeling pretty overwhelmed. I was in Indianopolis Thursday-Sunday to get my son from college. Got home Sunday night. We are getting new flooring in our basement living area, laundry room, hall and the opening of the crawl space as well as the kitchen. DH got most of the stuff in the basement moved out of the way while we were gone but he also decided that we needed a new garage door (we had several problems with it over the last few months) so he moved a bunch of stuff in the garage. Needless to say, our whole house is a mess and things will need to be put back together. I am hoping to get some decluttering done in the process.
Yesterday the installers got most of the basement done (just need to finish the trim) and they will do the stairs and kitchen today. I decided that since everything was out of the laundry room I would paint it. Thank goodness it really only needed one coat. We also touched up the walls in the hallway and around the steps now that the carpet is gone, and behind a built in coat organizer that we didn't move when we painted last. We found some treasures that had gotten rolled under there!
The good news is that I really like the floor so far! I went back and forth for a long time on which one to get but I think I made the right decision.
|
|
|
|
Post by crazy4scraps on May 21, 2024 13:19:04 GMT
We have bad storms forecast for today so I’m putting off my porch until the weather will be better. We did get some flowering hanging baskets on Mother’s Day, and my lilacs out front are starting to bloom and that always helps with the curb appeal. 😊 My brother cleaned out his back porch and told me to come get my baker’s rack that had been out there since before we moved in 2012. I wanted to get it back then, but he said he was using it so I left it there. I put it out on my porch and I think I like it there but it needs a good cleaning which also won’t be happening today. I think it will be a safe, useful place to put things out on the porch for Buy Nothing pickups.
At some point I would love to paint my front door which looks tired and sad. The paint is all dingy and scuffed up even when it’s clean. I would love to paint it a bright raspberry color but feel like DH wouldn’t approve. The trim is all dark brown which I don’t really love but can’t really change and I’m not 100% confident I would like the look. Maybe I’ll take a photo of the front door and try changing the color digitally to get an idea of what it might look like before investing any time or money into changing it. I’d also like to get a new front door mat since the current one is 12 years old and is looking shabby.
Does anyone have any ideas of how to clean patio chair cushions that the fabric covers don’t zip off? They are so dusty and covered with tree pollen that no one would ever want to sit in them and I don’t think just hosing them off with plain water from the hose is going to cut it.
|
|
smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,843 
Location: Houston, TX
|
Post by smartypants71 on May 21, 2024 13:56:53 GMT
I try to keep my fridge pretty clean and organized, but some things literally fall through the cracks or in this case stuck behind a plastic bin.
DH and I tossed most everything out of the fridge this weekend due to an extended power outage in the area. We found a package of cheese from 2022!!!
Anyway, we organized all of our Blue Apron stuff into individual bins, so the fridge is organized at least until DH goes to the grocery store and buys his 8000 bottles of condiments again LOL!
|
|
|
|
Post by mikklynn on May 21, 2024 16:56:14 GMT
We have bad storms forecast for today so I’m putting off my porch until the weather will be better. We did get some flowering hanging baskets on Mother’s Day, and my lilacs out front are starting to bloom and that always helps with the curb appeal. 😊 My brother cleaned out his back porch and told me to come get my baker’s rack that had been out there since before we moved in 2012. I wanted to get it back then, but he said he was using it so I left it there. I put it out on my porch and I think I like it there but it needs a good cleaning which also won’t be happening today. I think it will be a safe, useful place to put things out on the porch for Buy Nothing pickups. At some point I would love to paint my front door which looks tired and sad. The paint is all dingy and scuffed up even when it’s clean. I would love to paint it a bright raspberry color but feel like DH wouldn’t approve. The trim is all dark brown which I don’t really love but can’t really change and I’m not 100% confident I would like the look. Maybe I’ll take a photo of the front door and try changing the color digitally to get an idea of what it might look like before investing any time or money into changing it. I’d also like to get a new front door mat since the current one is 12 years old and is looking shabby. Does anyone have any ideas of how to clean patio chair cushions that the fabric covers don’t zip off? They are so dusty and covered with tree pollen that no one would ever want to sit in them and I don’t think just hosing them off with plain water from the hose is going to cut it. I'd try a bucket of soapy water with Dawn dishsoap, then rinse really well. I have been successful spot cleaning my cushions with a little Dawn. |
|
|
|
Post by natscraps on May 21, 2024 23:26:01 GMT
Does anyone have any ideas of how to clean patio chair cushions that the fabric covers don’t zip off? They are so dusty and covered with tree pollen that no one would ever want to sit in them and I don’t think just hosing them off with plain water from the hose is going to cut it. I don’t how you would clean them but we use cheap fitted crib sheets to cover ours. When they get dirty we just toss them in the washer. You could also a “little green bissell” if you have one I worked on the little entry way between our “mud room” and the door from the garage into the house. I decluttered the cobwebs from the corners and all the nasty dirty sticky fingerprints from both sides of the door and the garage door opener. I even took some Old English scratch cover and went over all them trim. It looks soooo much better and not as dingy. I started a small projects list for DH (little things that would take less than 20 minutes) |
|
|
|
Post by crazy4scraps on May 22, 2024 13:57:19 GMT
We have bad storms forecast for today so I’m putting off my porch until the weather will be better. We did get some flowering hanging baskets on Mother’s Day, and my lilacs out front are starting to bloom and that always helps with the curb appeal. 😊 My brother cleaned out his back porch and told me to come get my baker’s rack that had been out there since before we moved in 2012. I wanted to get it back then, but he said he was using it so I left it there. I put it out on my porch and I think I like it there but it needs a good cleaning which also won’t be happening today. I think it will be a safe, useful place to put things out on the porch for Buy Nothing pickups. At some point I would love to paint my front door which looks tired and sad. The paint is all dingy and scuffed up even when it’s clean. I would love to paint it a bright raspberry color but feel like DH wouldn’t approve. The trim is all dark brown which I don’t really love but can’t really change and I’m not 100% confident I would like the look. Maybe I’ll take a photo of the front door and try changing the color digitally to get an idea of what it might look like before investing any time or money into changing it. I’d also like to get a new front door mat since the current one is 12 years old and is looking shabby. Does anyone have any ideas of how to clean patio chair cushions that the fabric covers don’t zip off? They are so dusty and covered with tree pollen that no one would ever want to sit in them and I don’t think just hosing them off with plain water from the hose is going to cut it. I'd try a bucket of soapy water with Dawn dishsoap, then rinse really well. I have been successful spot cleaning my cushions with a little Dawn. I think I’m going to try this. In hindsight, with the downpour we had last night I probably should have just stuck them out in the driveway to get rained on, LOL. The rain alone could have rinsed a lot of it off and just done the trick! 🤪 |
|
|
|
Post by **GypsyGirl** on May 22, 2024 18:43:24 GMT
Nothing like a 5 day power outage to force you to completely empty the fridge/freezer and clean it well! All the meat is in DD's freezer, but we lost everything else. Fortunately we don't run an extra freezer. It has been a good chance to get rid of things we bought, didn't care for but hated to toss them.
Fortunately I was tossing things as I went so it didn't get stinky. The outside trash bin is another story though! This morning I pulled all the jars of items and put it all down the disposal in order to recycle the containers. Any back stock I had on hand is in the fridge now and my next errand is a stop at HEB to buy the rest of my list.
|
|
|
|
Post by Linda on May 22, 2024 19:28:33 GMT
Nothing like a 5 day power outage to force you to completely empty the fridge/freezer and clean it well! I'm sorry - that's no fun at all having done something similar when our fridge broke earlier this year. I will say I've been keeping it less full going forward. I think in part because I didn't replace ALL the condiments- just as we need them |
|
mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,760
|
Post by mich5481 on May 22, 2024 20:26:00 GMT
I'm slowly adding some more clothes to the declutter pile. Big fan of wearing things I'm unsure about - have added a pair of pajamas to the donation pile, as they are a little too short and I'm not overly fond of the fabric. I need to wash another pair of pajama pants and some jeans before I can donate them. The pajama pants are just a little too big, have no pockets, and don't have a drawstring to tighten them up. The jeans are from the church swap, and it was the first time I wore them out. While I do like the flare, they are just a little too long and dragging on the ground (reminds me of my college days, lol), and they are a bit too big in the waist. I don't care about them enough to fix the problem, so donation pile here they come! I think I only have one pair of jeans left from the church swap - I need to wear them to see if I'll keep them.
I have purchased a few clothing items recently though - I got a lightweight blouse I had previously eyed that was now on clearance plus an additional discount, a cardigan, and a short sleeve tee yesterday at the Talbots outlet. I also picked up an online Talbots order from the post office today - it had a floral cardigan I had seen in the store, two reversible shells that coordinate with the cardigan, and a floral shell that I may return. I needed some new items in a smaller size, as many of my XL items are getting a bit too big.
I also managed to get my mom to agree to part with 5 items today, so that was a victory!
I need to post some items online to sell - I went to a Portland Leather Goods meet up on Saturday. I had hoped to get rid of some items there, but I only sold one small item and then swapped some coasters for a small pouch that I'll use. I also won the big door prize. 🤦♀️ It's a pebbled green tote bag, but I don't know that I'd use it. I feel a little funny about posting it to sell on FB, so I may list it on Poshmark, so none of the people at the meet up know that I sold the prize so many of them wanted.
|
|
|
|
Post by crazy4scraps on May 23, 2024 1:31:30 GMT
Nothing like a 5 day power outage to force you to completely empty the fridge/freezer and clean it well! All the meat is in DD's freezer, but we lost everything else. Fortunately we don't run an extra freezer. It has been a good chance to get rid of things we bought, didn't care for but hated to toss them. Fortunately I was tossing things as I went so it didn't get stinky. The outside trash bin is another story though! This morning I pulled all the jars of items and put it all down the disposal in order to recycle the containers. Any back stock I had on hand is in the fridge now and my next errand is a stop at HEB to buy the rest of my list. Been there, done that. To ward off the trash can stink, you can try spraying it with either Atmosklear or ZorbX, I’ve used both at different times with good results. The Atmosklear was harder to find (I think I bought it on Amazon years ago because I couldn’t find it locally) so I tried ZorbX this last time because it was available at Lowe’s. Both worked well. |
|
|
|
Post by ntsf on May 23, 2024 2:18:34 GMT
well.. we moved some stuff to the storage unit (and dh didn't know that lamp shades are sometimes not attached to the lamp, and the stained glass shade of the lamp going to his sister hit the rug and one whole side is flattened..)
I boxed up 8 boxes to take home, took a car load to recycling and to the dump, made a pile in living room of good will items (will take on friday). sent off two boxes in the mail to my son, boxed up more dishes.
I am helping dh take apart. his mom's house. my back is sore.. and instead of hiring help, now he wants to haul all our stuff to storage unit himself. grrr.
I got my exercise today running up and down stairs.
|
|
|
|
Post by crazy4scraps on May 23, 2024 12:07:09 GMT
well.. we moved some stuff to the storage unit (and dh didn't know that lamp shades are sometimes not attached to the lamp, and the stained glass shade of the lamp going to his sister hit the rug and one whole side is flattened..) I boxed up 8 boxes to take home, took a car load to recycling and to the dump, made a pile in living room of good will items (will take on friday). sent off two boxes in the mail to my son, boxed up more dishes. I am helping dh take apart. his mom's house. my back is sore.. and instead of hiring help, now he wants to haul all our stuff to storage unit himself. grrr. I got my exercise today running up and down stairs. Since getting my Apple Watch at Christmas, I’ve been really shocked by how many steps I actually get in every day and how many times I go up and down stairs. I was saying something about that to DH a couple weeks ago and he said, “HOW do you get that many steps in just walking around the house?” 🤪 UM. Dude. This house doesn’t clean itself. What do you think I do all day? On the days when I also do the shopping I easily get in over 10k steps. |
|
|
|
Post by ntsf on May 23, 2024 14:21:52 GMT
the best part of the whole house cleaning thing is 1. dh expressed great gratitude to my efforts to help with it. 2. he committed to working on his piles at home.. cause we need to rearrange and get rid of to bring back some items.
I also disposed of two giant us flags with the american legion and dropped off old meds at a pharmacy
|
|
|
|
Post by mikklynn on May 23, 2024 15:10:42 GMT
I've been putting on some of my summer clothes and finding they need to be trashed. Some of the t-shirts are shapeless, pants with worn out waistbands, and pilled sweaters are gone!
|
|
|
|
Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 26, 2024 12:07:44 GMT
Any guesses on how many boxes of cereal we have? I relate to this part of your posts so much!
For awhile my two youngest were on a cereal kick. So, I buy at Aldi, and since I usually do one big main grocery shop (and just supplement with meat/dairy/produce as needed), I bought 10+ boxes. Well, now we still have 5+ boxes. Last trip I didn't even buy cereal. I figure we'll use up what we have first.
|
|
|
|
Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 26, 2024 12:19:17 GMT
This week I tossed an armchair that I really hated and was just ripped to shreds and stained. Tossed a bunch of ruined linens/towels too.
On Friday I cleaned the main bathroom top to bottom.
Put all the cleaners used in that bathroom in a bin under the sink (they were just loose).
Tossed a few more conditioners and bodywashes that weren't being used, etc. Mostly empty, just not liked, etc.
I'm really trying to impart to my family that it is much easier to keep a clean space with less things in it.
Last night I cleaned out & organized the fridge/freezer again. I date & label food when I put in leftovers, which makes it no guesswork to determine if something's been in there too long and needs to go. I am also trying to impart this wisdom to my other cooking family members.
|
|
|
|
Post by iamkristinl16 on May 26, 2024 13:40:17 GMT
We are still working on getting things out back after getting the new flooring. Yesterday I was surprised that Dh actually initiated decluttering and organizing. We did the laundry room and furnace room (where I have shelving that holds items like trays for parties, extra snacks, some small appliances, etc and most of the kitchen. Today I need to do a little bit of organizing the crawl space and the kids’ rooms when they get home. We ordered new refrigerator so will go through the freezer this week (the fridge is pretty good). I also want to do a quick go through of the garage. There is some easy stuff that needs to be thrown away or out somewhere else.
|
|
|
|
Post by Linda on May 26, 2024 14:50:35 GMT
Holiday Grand Plan
Week 2 we are in the Living Room- Begin by washing the outside of the windows in this room. You will appreciate being able to see outside when you sit down at the end of the week in your beautiful, clean, and organized living room!
Take everything off walls, dust it, and set it aside. Dust or wash the wall, vacuum or dry-clean draperies and blinds. Get your favorite cobweb killer and sweep down ceilings, corners and tops of doorways.
Take cushions off furniture. Vacuum thoroughly, replace cushions, spot treat any stains and shampoo if necessary.
Wooden furniture (and anything with drawers/shelves): Empty, sort and throw away what you really don’t need. Put the rest where it belongs. Dust/polish the piece you’ve finished with and repeat with other pieces. Don’t forget the maintenance on piano.
Baseboards: depending on condition they’re in, dust or wash them.
Coat closet: empty, sort clothes (by family member, season). Remove any “off-season” items and decide whether to trash, donate, or store elsewhere. Replace only those items which should be in your coat closet.
Clean the TV screen (if you have a set in this room). Don’t neglect the stereo items either. Re-organize tapes/records/videos as per your needs.
Clean/change the silk flower arrangements as per seasonal needs. Wash/trim any live plants in this room.
Other items needing attention if your room has them:
Fireplace/mantel/chimney/glass doors
Lamps (does the shade need dusting or replacing?)
Electrical cords (check for frayed wires)
Mirrors (items framed w/glass) get out the Windex
Doorknobs/drawer-handles (are they clean?)
Now is a good time to measure furniture pieces and windows, to enter in your planner or Household Notebook and keep on hand for shopping for necessary items.
Stacks (of anything!): Take time now to use the sorting method of trash/donate/store elsewhere. Now put these new piles where they belong.
Vacuum the carpet and clean if necessary.
Hang the items back on walls, if you haven’t already and take a good look around. It should look pretty good by now. Take out camera and take pictures for inventory.
|
|
|
|
Post by crazy4scraps on May 26, 2024 15:02:33 GMT
Any guesses on how many boxes of cereal we have? I relate to this part of your posts so much!
For awhile my two youngest were on a cereal kick. So, I buy at Aldi, and since I usually do one big main grocery shop (and just supplement with meat/dairy/produce as needed), I bought 10+ boxes. Well, now we still have 5+ boxes. Last trip I didn't even buy cereal. I figure we'll use up what we have first.
I feel this so much, but not only with cereal. My kid goes through these stretches where she wants the same snack thing day after day after day. So I notice that and “stock up” only to discover that the stretch has ended and now she’s totally over it. 🤦🏻♀️ Leaving me with a cabinet shelf of uneaten things for months. (Giant Costco sized box of fruit roll ups, I’m looking at you.) |
|
|
|
Post by lg on May 27, 2024 3:51:32 GMT
I relate to this part of your posts so much!
For awhile my two youngest were on a cereal kick. So, I buy at Aldi, and since I usually do one big main grocery shop (and just supplement with meat/dairy/produce as needed), I bought 10+ boxes. Well, now we still have 5+ boxes. Last trip I didn't even buy cereal. I figure we'll use up what we have first.
I feel this so much, but not only with cereal. My kid goes through these stretches where she wants the same snack thing day after day after day. So I notice that and “stock up” only to discover that the stretch has ended and now she’s totally over it. 🤦🏻♀️ Leaving me with a cabinet shelf of uneaten things for months. (Giant Costco sized box of fruit roll ups, I’m looking at you.) This happened all the time at our place too - I now refuse to buy items unless my kids have specifically written them on the shopping list unless I know it’s an item that someone else in the house will also eat if they now don’t want it - ie packets of chips I will eat regardless of flavour/type, any chocolate is never safe etc. Cereal is also something we rarely buy, but if we do I make sure we buy a box and then don’t for a long while so they remember they like it again/it turns into a special treat again. I’m so mean!!!! |
|
|
|
Post by ntsf on May 27, 2024 15:00:57 GMT
final day of loading stuff from mil's house to storage unit and to my car. I decided when I get home, I am moving dh's stuff from back of basement to the car area so he can get rid of it easier.. and I am going to get rid of my wedding china and lots of furniture when i get home. we are participating in tenant's garage sale next weekend.. then habitat for humanity is taking furniture, then hiring a company to clear out the rest.
I was able to load some elfa shelving frames into my car, so loading everything else in and around those. I have the wire baskets in a stack to go in too.
Update: I actually got everything in the car I wanted to.
|
|
|
|
Post by Linda on May 27, 2024 19:44:24 GMT
I feel this so much, but not only with cereal. My kid goes through these stretches where she wants the same snack thing day after day after day. So I notice that and “stock up” only to discover that the stretch has ended and now she’s totally over it. 🤦🏻♀️ Leaving me with a cabinet shelf of uneaten things for months. (Giant Costco sized box of fruit roll ups, I’m looking at you.) This happened all the time at our place too - I now refuse to buy items unless my kids have specifically written them on the shopping list unless I know it’s an item that someone else in the house will also eat if they now don’t want it - ie packets of chips I will eat regardless of flavour/type, any chocolate is never safe etc. Cereal is also something we rarely buy, but if we do I make sure we buy a box and then don’t for a long while so they remember they like it again/it turns into a special treat again. I’m so mean!!!! DH is the cereal buyer here and he likes to have a variety of cereals (and often mixes 2-3 in his bowl - yuck). I have definitely encountered the phenomenon of the kid who only eats X...and all of a sudden will never eat X again because they now only eat Y - it's frustrating at best |
|
|
|
Post by iamkristinl16 on May 28, 2024 13:52:04 GMT
We finished the laundry room, furnace room and kitchen. I also took some things out of DS’s closet that I had been storing there so he can have the space now that he is home. Oh, and I organized/put away some things that I bought at the local craft store that is going out of business.  I have a cat load to take to goodwill today and a few things I posted on marketplace. |
|
|
|
Post by ntsf on May 31, 2024 15:15:06 GMT
back home.. the task list is long..
I pulled out everything from dresser and underwear drawer.
I already have stacks of clothes to move on.. I think I will get it all organized and put away today.
|
|
|
|
Post by lg on Jun 1, 2024 1:30:43 GMT
Got two small but highly annoying to me jobs done yesterday:
1. Used gorilla tape to stick a door stop back on a door. The hole is too big for the screw so it just fell out every time we closed the door. Should I have patched the hole properly, and re screwed in the door stop? Yes. Did this mean I’d have to buy supplies and spend time I didn’t want to on the project which is why I’ve put it off for all of 2024 so far? Also yes. Did the gorilla tape I already bought for another job work? Yes. Problem solved!
2. Since gorilla tape worked for the door stop I used it to hang up a hook for my fire blanket. Should I have re painted the door on the patch that got pulled off by the last hook? Yes. Was this another project I’ve put off for months as I couldn’t be bothered pulling out the paint, sanding between layers etc? Also yes. So gorilla tape patch job solved the problem and cleared up the pantry shelf I had the fire blanket on while I waited for motivation to paint the patch.
Also have a car full of items for the markets as my in laws cleaned out their garage, they are also having a council rubbish collection so I should get a few things ready for that…
|
|
|
|
Post by lg on Jun 1, 2024 11:46:32 GMT
Burnt through a candle tonight which means I have one Christmas candle left in the house and that is IT!!! 😇
Don’t ask about the number of wax melts for my warmer though, I still have a long ways to go to get through that ridiculous hoarder stash. 😆
|
|
|
|
Post by ntsf on Jun 1, 2024 20:52:05 GMT
got all my socks and undies put away in a neat manner.. unlike the stuffed drawer. now to put pants away.. and then I will tackle hanging closet.
I'm keeping it down to 5 pairs of everyday pants and three more dress pants.
|
|
mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,760
|
Post by mich5481 on Jun 1, 2024 22:06:20 GMT
I'm keeping it down to 5 pairs of everyday pants and three more dress pants. That is amazing. I don't think I could pare things down that much. I'm getting to the point where some of my XL and size 14/16 stuff is too big. I think I may put some of the better things/my favorites in ONE fabric tote in case I regain weight. I'm still hoping to keep losing/at least maintain, but I also want to be prepared in case things go off the rails. |
|
|
|
Post by ntsf on Jun 1, 2024 23:21:34 GMT
I lost 4-5 sizes in body weight. I don't feel like buying more.. I am already having to rebuild my entire wardrobe. I also have incredibly small closet space I share with dh. I have 3 tiny dresser drawers, a couple of small shelves (a folded tshirt takes almost whole width.. and we share 3-4 ft of hanging space. I need to put some stuff in the other bedroom's closet (also very small).. joys of a 1927 house. i also have never had to have work clothes in last 35 yrs.. and even then it was a uniform.
|
|
mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,760
|
Post by mich5481 on Jun 2, 2024 0:50:27 GMT
I lost 4-5 sizes in body weight. I don't feel like buying more.. I am already having to rebuild my entire wardrobe. I also have incredibly small closet space I share with dh. I have 3 tiny dresser drawers, a couple of small shelves (a folded tshirt takes almost whole width.. and we share 3-4 ft of hanging space. I need to put some stuff in the other bedroom's closet (also very small).. joys of a 1927 house. i also have never had to have work clothes in last 35 yrs.. and even then it was a uniform. Yeah, I've gone from an XXL or 2X to a L/XL in shirts and 20/22 to 14. I'm glad I kept clothes from 5 years ago when I lost weight, but this is the first time I've made it to L. I'm not quite sure what size I'll end up at, but I plan to lose at least 30 more pounds to be a "normal" weight per the BMI. |
|
I have a cat load to take to goodwill today and a few things I posted on marketplace.