I put a box of real estate programs in an empty space in the closet. Then I paid two bills and recycled the envelopes and inserts - and filed the bills!
After that I swept the living room - not a get-in-every-corner sweeping, but still got up a lot of dirt. Then swept the hall and cat area - it's amazing how much Feline Pine's scoopable litter tracks. I love the stuff but it is a major pain to keep the area clean. I need to get a mat to put in front of the box to catch it all. Finally, I swept the kitchen - and then mopped it cuz it was SO dirty. I had to mop a small section and then sweep it again after each mopping because the mop was spreading dirt around too. Probably swept it five times at least. But now it's nice and clean! :) And that's it for today.
Oh, wait, I forgot! I cleaned the bottom shelf of the fridge too!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, Monday
I am motivated to clean today! I did some decluttering - a couple hours of Quicken catch-up. Recycled 45 cash receipts and a piece of paper. I am watching the market too. I'm going to make a quiche and then do some dusting and sweeping and maybe mop the kitchen floor.
Results: It's a gorgeous day out, and one of my INDOOR pepper plants flowered today! I'm so excited - hopefully this one will actually grow into a pepper.
Also, my tenant called to say he was paying me via PayPal today! I got the payment right afterward :) Now all I need is a good trading entry point, and I'm golden!
Results: It's a gorgeous day out, and one of my INDOOR pepper plants flowered today! I'm so excited - hopefully this one will actually grow into a pepper.
Also, my tenant called to say he was paying me via PayPal today! I got the payment right afterward :) Now all I need is a good trading entry point, and I'm golden!
Saturday/Sunday
Well, I did pay a couple more bills on Saturday, and recycled the envelope and insert for one of them (the other had notes I needed all over it).
On Sunday I took a nap and did nothing else till late in the day, when motivation struck! I did the dishes and cleaned the catbox, and cleaned up hairballs the cat barfed up. I even swept a little bit, then put away my puzzle and the card table. I also took out four of my bill files and removed anything prior to 2008 for boxing up. My file cabinet is now usable again.
Results: I had SO MUCH FUN Saturday night. I went to play D&D for the first time ever and it was a blast! I got a great character and got to kick some monster ass. I always thought I'd like it but it seemed so complicated that I never ventured into it. But since one of my singing colleagues teaches it, I asked him about playing and he set up a game for newbies. I can't wait for the next one! It was so fun that it completely distracted me from any negative things I was thinking about. My mind was empty at the end of the day, which is a very good thing!
On Sunday I took a nap and did nothing else till late in the day, when motivation struck! I did the dishes and cleaned the catbox, and cleaned up hairballs the cat barfed up. I even swept a little bit, then put away my puzzle and the card table. I also took out four of my bill files and removed anything prior to 2008 for boxing up. My file cabinet is now usable again.
Results: I had SO MUCH FUN Saturday night. I went to play D&D for the first time ever and it was a blast! I got a great character and got to kick some monster ass. I always thought I'd like it but it seemed so complicated that I never ventured into it. But since one of my singing colleagues teaches it, I asked him about playing and he set up a game for newbies. I can't wait for the next one! It was so fun that it completely distracted me from any negative things I was thinking about. My mind was empty at the end of the day, which is a very good thing!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Saturday
Today I paid a bill and am filing all the bills I've paid over the past month, plus anything else I can find that needs filing. Starting...now!
That took 17 minutes, and included recycling two envelopes, a list, a post-it, a Spanish user's manual (I have no idea why I held on to that since I have the English version), and a broken hanging file folder. My files are way too full - I'm going to have to box some of the stuff up soon.
Gonna pay two or three more bills today, then have lunch and head off for fun with friends!
That took 17 minutes, and included recycling two envelopes, a list, a post-it, a Spanish user's manual (I have no idea why I held on to that since I have the English version), and a broken hanging file folder. My files are way too full - I'm going to have to box some of the stuff up soon.
Gonna pay two or three more bills today, then have lunch and head off for fun with friends!
Friday Additional
On Friday I recycled four or five newspapers, a couple of boxes, a sale flyer, and an envelope and some mail inserts. I also did dishes and cleaned the catbox. And I sent an invoice to my tenant.
Given how lazy I have felt lately, getting these few things done was a Herculean effort.
Given how lazy I have felt lately, getting these few things done was a Herculean effort.
Friday, August 27, 2010
This Week in Decluttering
Wow. Almost a week gone. I didn't declutter much stuff this week - took a folder to work to shred and only did about ten pages of paper. And I took out the garbage a couple times.
Most of the decluttering has been mental - I've had quite a few hits about things that are holding me back. It's been good.
Results: A friendship of mine has taken an interesting turn that may mean competition for my boyfriend. :) And I've made a ton of money working this week - my invoice will be huge by the end of the month. All in all, a good week.
Most of the decluttering has been mental - I've had quite a few hits about things that are holding me back. It's been good.
Results: A friendship of mine has taken an interesting turn that may mean competition for my boyfriend. :) And I've made a ton of money working this week - my invoice will be huge by the end of the month. All in all, a good week.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Friday - Saturday
Wow. I don't remember what I decluttered on Friday - seems like there was some paper stuff, envelopes or something.
But today, I did a ton of stuff early in the morning. I went to the gym, then the Farmers' Market, and then did laundry and dishes and changed the cat litter and took it out with the garbage. Oh, yeah, while doing laundry I mailed a bill and took back three library books.
Results: OMG. I forgot to record a deposit I made the other day, so I have WAY more money in the bank than I thought I did.
Aldo cleared the air with a friend today - after spending a couple of days trying to see it from a different viewpoint. And I got paid by my neighbor! Bringing Up Baby is on right now - what a great day!
But today, I did a ton of stuff early in the morning. I went to the gym, then the Farmers' Market, and then did laundry and dishes and changed the cat litter and took it out with the garbage. Oh, yeah, while doing laundry I mailed a bill and took back three library books.
Results: OMG. I forgot to record a deposit I made the other day, so I have WAY more money in the bank than I thought I did.
Aldo cleared the air with a friend today - after spending a couple of days trying to see it from a different viewpoint. And I got paid by my neighbor! Bringing Up Baby is on right now - what a great day!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Mon - Thurs
I find that I'm spending less time on this than I used to - less time noting what I decluttered, less time thinking about it, and obviously less time posting. It may be time to make this a weekly thing since the daily isn't happening anymore. But we'll see.
On Monday I paid three bills and recycled the envelopes and inserts. During the rest of the week, I paid another bill and recycled the envelope, and recycled two or three newspapers. Oh, and I might have recycled a spare price list for my herbs. Unless that was last week.
Results: OK, this is interesting. Most of my decluttering this week has been mental, in that I've been focused on making sure I feel good about various subjects and in general. On Tuesday I got paid a balance due to me for work, which I didn't expect. And work went really well - my boss was on top of things and communicating with me, and I got a lot done. This was one of the subjects I was focusing on.
Then yesterday I received the last of the late checks. I also ensured that I would get paid for work around the first. The only thing outstanding now is the money from my neighbor, which he's said he'll give me as soon as he gets it - seems to be taking a long time but maybe I'm wrong about that. Anyway, it's amazing how fast it all cleared up when I took a positive view of the situation. The last two weeks were difficult for me emotionally, but once I got that out of my headspace, things just turned around. So I'm going to continue the mental decluttering along with the physical.
On Monday I paid three bills and recycled the envelopes and inserts. During the rest of the week, I paid another bill and recycled the envelope, and recycled two or three newspapers. Oh, and I might have recycled a spare price list for my herbs. Unless that was last week.
Results: OK, this is interesting. Most of my decluttering this week has been mental, in that I've been focused on making sure I feel good about various subjects and in general. On Tuesday I got paid a balance due to me for work, which I didn't expect. And work went really well - my boss was on top of things and communicating with me, and I got a lot done. This was one of the subjects I was focusing on.
Then yesterday I received the last of the late checks. I also ensured that I would get paid for work around the first. The only thing outstanding now is the money from my neighbor, which he's said he'll give me as soon as he gets it - seems to be taking a long time but maybe I'm wrong about that. Anyway, it's amazing how fast it all cleared up when I took a positive view of the situation. The last two weeks were difficult for me emotionally, but once I got that out of my headspace, things just turned around. So I'm going to continue the mental decluttering along with the physical.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Monday
What a great day! Today's declutter: A Verizon guy called me about fixing my phone today. I called him back when I got home and he came up and started working on it, and even though he didn't have access to the phone box, he and his colleague in the manhole managed to get it fixed! So since I had to move a bunch of stuff out of the way of the jacks, I dusted and swept around them, and then ended up sweeping the entire hall and entry, and the kitchen since it was there! So really more of a cleaning day. But I did get my shopping for last week scanned and threw away/recycled the containers and price tags.
I also did a lot of junk mail shredding at work, AND got some extra filing done that I'd been putting off.
Results: I took out some of my IRA contributions today, enabling me to pay my bills on time! I requested a wire and it arrived within hours of the request. And then! I got my phone fixed, as above. And then! I got one of the late checks, from my former property manager, and as a courtesy they didn't take their fees! And THEN! I got a pound or so of fresh tomatoes, picked by me, from my neighbor, who has an amazing garden!
I'm feeling good, needless to say. :)
I also did a lot of junk mail shredding at work, AND got some extra filing done that I'd been putting off.
Results: I took out some of my IRA contributions today, enabling me to pay my bills on time! I requested a wire and it arrived within hours of the request. And then! I got my phone fixed, as above. And then! I got one of the late checks, from my former property manager, and as a courtesy they didn't take their fees! And THEN! I got a pound or so of fresh tomatoes, picked by me, from my neighbor, who has an amazing garden!
I'm feeling good, needless to say. :)
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Sunday
Another day of nothing. I slept in till 10 and took a nap for an hour or two also. Uploaded some photos to put on Facebook (did that yesterday too) but mostly have been a lazy bum.
Wait. I did throw out a bunch of chard and some salad greens that were going seriously bad. Oh, and I recycled a chopstick paper last night.
If I get bored enough I'll start cleaning again. I have a lot on my mind and have been attempting to turn my thoughts in a positive direction about everything. That could be why I feel the need to sleep today. Or it could be the cloudy weather :)
Wait. I did throw out a bunch of chard and some salad greens that were going seriously bad. Oh, and I recycled a chopstick paper last night.
If I get bored enough I'll start cleaning again. I have a lot on my mind and have been attempting to turn my thoughts in a positive direction about everything. That could be why I feel the need to sleep today. Or it could be the cloudy weather :)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Saturday
Yesterday I paid another bill and recycled the envelope and inserts. I also took a magazine down to the lobby.
Oh, and the magazine I recycled on Thursday was actually a catalog. :)
Today I have done nothing. Just called my tenant's dad to let him know the rent was late. And renewed my library books so I wouldn't have to go anywhere :)
Results: Holy cow, things turned around for me yesterday! I made $320 on the trade in my IRA, and only lost $10 on the cash account (plus commissions). AND, I found out that if you have a Roth IRA, you can withdraw ALL the contributions you've made with no penalty, and you never have to put them back! It's considered an early distribution, but as long as the amount withdrawn is less than or equal to your total contributions, you're good! So I am taking a portion out on Monday to pay the bills that all these delayed checks were supposed to cover. Yay!
Oh, and the magazine I recycled on Thursday was actually a catalog. :)
Today I have done nothing. Just called my tenant's dad to let him know the rent was late. And renewed my library books so I wouldn't have to go anywhere :)
Results: Holy cow, things turned around for me yesterday! I made $320 on the trade in my IRA, and only lost $10 on the cash account (plus commissions). AND, I found out that if you have a Roth IRA, you can withdraw ALL the contributions you've made with no penalty, and you never have to put them back! It's considered an early distribution, but as long as the amount withdrawn is less than or equal to your total contributions, you're good! So I am taking a portion out on Monday to pay the bills that all these delayed checks were supposed to cover. Yay!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Tuesday - Friday
Well, on Tuesday and Wednesday I didn't really declutter anything that I can recall. Maybe an envelope. I did do a few cleaning things here and there like the catbox and taking out the trash, and maybe some more dusting.
Thursday, however, was a decent day. I paid a bill in the morning and recycled the envelope and inserts. I also recycled the envelope and return envelope from a bill I'm paying by phone. And I recycled a magazine, a menu, a piece of junk mail, and some music I'll never sing again. I also did a bunch of cleaning when I got home: Dishes, put a bunch of paper clutter in a drawer in my room, cleaned the catbox, and hid a bunch of programs I want to sell. (Aside: The cat was being extremely cute through all of this, perching on library books or on the TV tray I found on the curb last week, looking like the queen of all she surveyed!) Oh, and I also pinched off a few dead gladiola flowers - I bought a HUGE, bright pink bouquet of them at Whole Foods on Tuesday for $3.99! I mean, ten stems, full of flowers and buds, and the most amazing hot pink! And it's been cool weather for a couple days, so they aren't wilting, which is what usually happens to flowers in my place!
Oh, yeah, and I got a load of laundry ready to go and put my kitchen drawers in place just to get them off the floor till I can clean them.
Today was D-Day for the company I was expecting. I got up at 7:00 and went to the gym, then came home and started cleaning. I scrubbed the shower curtain, then used some of my bathroom wipes to clean the sink and the toilet. They have the right idea with this product, but it's a little too flimsy to really work well. I used a microfiber cloth to get the cat hair out of the tub and clean the tile. Then I got online to watch the market. I made some breakfast and emailed a couple people, put away a bit more paper clutter, and put the lone peach basket back above the stove. Then I checked my FB messages cuz I hadn't heard from my friend, and she'd answered my earlier message to say they weren't coming to the city after all! I was actually OK with that because there is so much more cleaning to do, and now I won't have to change the sheets or wash the shower curtain! So it worked out fine - my house is cleaner and neater, but I have more time to get it all done.
Results: I am getting paid soon for the work I did for my neighbor. I am in a profitable trade in my IRA and a very volatile and weird trade in my cash account, that looks like it could still go my way, and someone I wrote a check to is happy to hold it for me so I can get my bills paid next week. My gladiolas are still gorgeous, it's nice and cool outside so no need for the A/C, and my pepper plants are flowering! which should mean I'll have peppers in a month or so! So excited. :) And of course, I have a much cleaner house, which always feels good.
Thursday, however, was a decent day. I paid a bill in the morning and recycled the envelope and inserts. I also recycled the envelope and return envelope from a bill I'm paying by phone. And I recycled a magazine, a menu, a piece of junk mail, and some music I'll never sing again. I also did a bunch of cleaning when I got home: Dishes, put a bunch of paper clutter in a drawer in my room, cleaned the catbox, and hid a bunch of programs I want to sell. (Aside: The cat was being extremely cute through all of this, perching on library books or on the TV tray I found on the curb last week, looking like the queen of all she surveyed!) Oh, and I also pinched off a few dead gladiola flowers - I bought a HUGE, bright pink bouquet of them at Whole Foods on Tuesday for $3.99! I mean, ten stems, full of flowers and buds, and the most amazing hot pink! And it's been cool weather for a couple days, so they aren't wilting, which is what usually happens to flowers in my place!
Oh, yeah, and I got a load of laundry ready to go and put my kitchen drawers in place just to get them off the floor till I can clean them.
Today was D-Day for the company I was expecting. I got up at 7:00 and went to the gym, then came home and started cleaning. I scrubbed the shower curtain, then used some of my bathroom wipes to clean the sink and the toilet. They have the right idea with this product, but it's a little too flimsy to really work well. I used a microfiber cloth to get the cat hair out of the tub and clean the tile. Then I got online to watch the market. I made some breakfast and emailed a couple people, put away a bit more paper clutter, and put the lone peach basket back above the stove. Then I checked my FB messages cuz I hadn't heard from my friend, and she'd answered my earlier message to say they weren't coming to the city after all! I was actually OK with that because there is so much more cleaning to do, and now I won't have to change the sheets or wash the shower curtain! So it worked out fine - my house is cleaner and neater, but I have more time to get it all done.
Results: I am getting paid soon for the work I did for my neighbor. I am in a profitable trade in my IRA and a very volatile and weird trade in my cash account, that looks like it could still go my way, and someone I wrote a check to is happy to hold it for me so I can get my bills paid next week. My gladiolas are still gorgeous, it's nice and cool outside so no need for the A/C, and my pepper plants are flowering! which should mean I'll have peppers in a month or so! So excited. :) And of course, I have a much cleaner house, which always feels good.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Monday
Today I did the second load of laundry, and swiffered the bedroom floor (with microfiber!) and vacuumed the rug. Also swept the hallway. Haven't done much more. I'm having company this Friday night, so I do have to continue with the cleaning - or at least do the dusting, floors, and kitchen drawers, and hide the clutter as best I can! But those things can be done before and after work too.
Friday - Sunday
I got a lot more done on Friday. I recycled four more newspapers, paid a bill and recycled the envelope and inserts, recycled two post-its and a brochure, took out the garbage, put away the clothes, and wrapped meat for the freezer. I also changed the sheets, did laundry, ironed four shirts, and dusted the bedroom. The cleaning system ended with the dusting - I didn't get to the floors, had too much else going on.
I made a list for Saturday, and crossed off most of the items: Went to the Farmers' Market and the gym, put away the laundry, and roasted a pork loin, all before noon. Then I did dishes, scrubbed some of the oven, cleaned under the stove top, and did some hand wash. I had another load of laundry ready to go, but didn't do it till Monday. I took the recycling out too.
On Sunday I did more dishes and did a bunch of filing. I also dusted the living room, which was not on my list, and recycled about 30 pieces of paper, envelopes, and so on, as well as making a folder of stuff to shred - this time mostly old bank records. I also got in touch with my tenant and told him where to send the rent check, and gave him the option to use paypal, with a discount if he pays on time.
I totally forgot that last weekend, Sunday or Monday, I recycled a booklet that was a duplicate of another I have.
Results: My paper trades did really well Friday. I'm about ready to take the strategy live. My plants are also doing really well - have several flowers forming on the tomato plant and they are gonna be BIG tomatoes, which is exciting :)
Communications have been messed up this weekend. A friend has this left-field idea about me and has been trying to shove it down my throat along with his "help," and I'm just like, "Where did he get this stuff?" And my landline isn't working because a phone cable is out. I don't know if this can be considered a result, but it does point up that sometimes chaos follows decluttering for a time. What's interesting to me is that I'm keeping a fairly even keel about it all instead of getting frustrated with it. I figure, if a friend wants to see things about me that aren't there, I don't really need that friend, and the phone isn't a problem at all cuz I'll get credit for the outage!
I made a list for Saturday, and crossed off most of the items: Went to the Farmers' Market and the gym, put away the laundry, and roasted a pork loin, all before noon. Then I did dishes, scrubbed some of the oven, cleaned under the stove top, and did some hand wash. I had another load of laundry ready to go, but didn't do it till Monday. I took the recycling out too.
On Sunday I did more dishes and did a bunch of filing. I also dusted the living room, which was not on my list, and recycled about 30 pieces of paper, envelopes, and so on, as well as making a folder of stuff to shred - this time mostly old bank records. I also got in touch with my tenant and told him where to send the rent check, and gave him the option to use paypal, with a discount if he pays on time.
I totally forgot that last weekend, Sunday or Monday, I recycled a booklet that was a duplicate of another I have.
Results: My paper trades did really well Friday. I'm about ready to take the strategy live. My plants are also doing really well - have several flowers forming on the tomato plant and they are gonna be BIG tomatoes, which is exciting :)
Communications have been messed up this weekend. A friend has this left-field idea about me and has been trying to shove it down my throat along with his "help," and I'm just like, "Where did he get this stuff?" And my landline isn't working because a phone cable is out. I don't know if this can be considered a result, but it does point up that sometimes chaos follows decluttering for a time. What's interesting to me is that I'm keeping a fairly even keel about it all instead of getting frustrated with it. I figure, if a friend wants to see things about me that aren't there, I don't really need that friend, and the phone isn't a problem at all cuz I'll get credit for the outage!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Wednesday - Friday
Wednesday's Declutter: I recycled a post-it (maybe two).
Thursday's Declutter: I recycled a bag that broke on the way home.
Friday: I'm in cleaning mode. So far have done the dishes, cleaned the catbox and the toilet, and recycled 15 newspapers! I'm cleaning up the clothes in my room next, and then I'll start this cleaning system I found in a library book.
Results: A guy offered me his Target bag Thursday just before my broken bag gave out completely! He saved me - my stuff was gonna be all over the ground!
Also, I'm working again next Wednesday for the guys who pay me each time :) And I am starting a new part-time job next Thursday (probably).
Finally, I've been paper trading a strategy my boyfriend told me, and it looks good. I think I'll go live with it next week. :)
Thursday's Declutter: I recycled a bag that broke on the way home.
Friday: I'm in cleaning mode. So far have done the dishes, cleaned the catbox and the toilet, and recycled 15 newspapers! I'm cleaning up the clothes in my room next, and then I'll start this cleaning system I found in a library book.
Results: A guy offered me his Target bag Thursday just before my broken bag gave out completely! He saved me - my stuff was gonna be all over the ground!
Also, I'm working again next Wednesday for the guys who pay me each time :) And I am starting a new part-time job next Thursday (probably).
Finally, I've been paper trading a strategy my boyfriend told me, and it looks good. I think I'll go live with it next week. :)
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Tuesday
Today I paid a bill and recycled the envelope and inserts. Also recycled another envelope.
Results: Did more work for my neighbor today. And I got a call about a bookkeeping job from my good friend at the temp agency I use!
Results: Did more work for my neighbor today. And I got a call about a bookkeeping job from my good friend at the temp agency I use!
Sunday/Monday
On Sunday I recycled six paper bags and four post-its. I changed the cat litter and threw away some very stinky garbage - I don't know WHAT was in there but it was like old person smell mixed with feet.
On Monday I recycled a post-it :) One item at a time.
Results: What a wonderful weekend. I felt so happy all weekend and just really enjoyed life.
And, I've started to work for that friend in my neighborhood!
On Monday I recycled a post-it :) One item at a time.
Results: What a wonderful weekend. I felt so happy all weekend and just really enjoyed life.
And, I've started to work for that friend in my neighborhood!
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