Having a full, sunny, sort of warm day at home was a good thing. I got to sleep in (until 7:15 AM if you call that sleeping in), I got to make myself a nice breakfast and I got a boat load of little things done around the house. I had forgotten that 'normal' folks use the weekend to do chores like this!
I picked up my new computer, dismantled the old one, dusted off my desk, put all my clean laundry away (still have some ironing to do), cleaned out my tiny garden shed, tuned up the lawn mover (thank you for starting AGAIN this year, best $89 I ever spent!), moved the lawn, organized a pile of stuff to go to the town dump, made it to the town dump and did not have a bulky waste disposal fee (my town charges for large bulky items, the dump guy did not charge me), weeded some flower beds,emptied out and consolidated three boxes of my 'stuff" I can not quite get rid of yet, swept the patio, aired out both feather duvets and made a Home Depot run for grass seed to repair the patches in my lawn. I don't look quite like the white trash neighbor, at least this week I don't!
The upside to cleaning out my garden shed was finding some concrete patching mix. My patio suffered what is known as "flaking" of the concrete and each winter, I lose a chunk of concrete, the top layer 'peels" off. I found two boxes of concrete patch I had forgotten I had. I was able to mix them up and level off the damaged concrete. Not quite a perfect match to the rest of the patio, but it is at least level. It looks fine to me!
I'm getting my last "big" paycheck from my weekend job sometime this week. Ive got some bills I want to pre-pay and I'll take $100 for some new clothes (the consignment shops have yielded nothing good) and about $100 for plants and paint. I might as well take advantage to the extra time off and become more motivated to do the items on the to do list. Some are standard spring chores, some are spring projects.
I've also been telling a few people that I have some extra availability and who knows? Maybe I can pick up an extra days work here and there. Last fall when my hours got cut, I did the same and ended up with my weekend position. I'm keeping my options open and my outlook positive. I was upset with the change in schedule, especially since I had formulated a new budget/spending/saving plan that is now shot to shite. Hey, one has to roll with the punches as they say. Who knows? Maybe my weekly lottery ticket will turn out to be a winner!
Showing posts with label to do list. Show all posts
Showing posts with label to do list. Show all posts
Monday, May 11, 2009
Monday, October 27, 2008
A Lot of The Chores Did Get Done
It was a good weekend for me. I ended my string of no spend days by spending sensibly-new bottle of fabric softener, the last few painting supplies, a new curtain rod-RESISTING the impulse to buy "stuff" that I wanted, but did not need, did the laundry, did a dump run, got to the bank, post office, roasted a chicken, everything I wanted to do, except the library.
Painting my bedroom was a bigger project that I first thought it would be. You would think living in 450 sf of space this would not be an issue, but it was. I had to take everything out of my bedroom (less the bed and dresser) and put it in my living room. I got a late start painting and ended up shuffling items around to make a space for me to sleep on my small couch.
I painted my room a deep dark purple blue called Stained Glass. I really like it! I still have to do the trim work (yeah should have done that yesterday but did not), but the room looks sooo much better. Last time I painted my bedroom was when I moved in to my house 8 years ago. I will rehang curtains by the end of the week. Because of a home improvement project gone bad a few years ago, I had to do additional wall prep on two walls. That took time because I also had to use a special primer and wait for it to dry. I'm happy with the results and my next project is to install some laminate flooring. I have this picture in my mind what I want the room to look like and it is FINALLY shaping up. I forgot to buy some trim paint, but have decided to use up some paint I had for another project. The white paint won't be as bright as I would like (Behr High Gloss Ultra Bright White) but it will be fine and I'll be saving some $$$. Cost to date for the bedroom redecorating project is $40-paint, painting supplies, two new curtain rods. Projected cost to complete redecorating project, about $400 for the laminate flooring, underlay, and a few tools and supplies I don't have that I will need to get the job done.
I also did a bit of decluttering while doing the painting project. I sorted through my books and have set to drop off at Goodwill about 8 books (I have a problem getting rid of books, even ones I don't use anymore), I had two wall lamps I got from Ikea that got sent to Goodwill as well. The shades crapped out and I could not repair them. In today's disposable society, the shade repair/ replacement was the same cost as a new set of wall lamps. Since I have no plans to put the lamps back up, Goodwill got them. I simply don't have the storage space for those items anymore. I purged some pillows and some clothes as well. I still have a problem purging possessions, I'm getting better and it's easier to do, but I know I still have a long way to go.
The down side to all of this was I took advantage of the great weather yesterday to rake some leaves off of my patio. My patio seems to be a leaf magnet and I had extra large piles from the storm on Saturday and natural leaf drop. I tried to be Gloria Gardener yesterday. I ended up breaking not one, but both of my leaf rake handles. Both broke in the middle of the handle. I swore a bit and then decided it was the Universe's way of telling me to not be Gloria Gardener and to sit down and enjoy some warmth and sunshine and the dogs.
The upside was it was a very cheap weekend and I did get to a lot of my "to do' list without feeling like I was run off my feet.
Painting my bedroom was a bigger project that I first thought it would be. You would think living in 450 sf of space this would not be an issue, but it was. I had to take everything out of my bedroom (less the bed and dresser) and put it in my living room. I got a late start painting and ended up shuffling items around to make a space for me to sleep on my small couch.
I painted my room a deep dark purple blue called Stained Glass. I really like it! I still have to do the trim work (yeah should have done that yesterday but did not), but the room looks sooo much better. Last time I painted my bedroom was when I moved in to my house 8 years ago. I will rehang curtains by the end of the week. Because of a home improvement project gone bad a few years ago, I had to do additional wall prep on two walls. That took time because I also had to use a special primer and wait for it to dry. I'm happy with the results and my next project is to install some laminate flooring. I have this picture in my mind what I want the room to look like and it is FINALLY shaping up. I forgot to buy some trim paint, but have decided to use up some paint I had for another project. The white paint won't be as bright as I would like (Behr High Gloss Ultra Bright White) but it will be fine and I'll be saving some $$$. Cost to date for the bedroom redecorating project is $40-paint, painting supplies, two new curtain rods. Projected cost to complete redecorating project, about $400 for the laminate flooring, underlay, and a few tools and supplies I don't have that I will need to get the job done.
I also did a bit of decluttering while doing the painting project. I sorted through my books and have set to drop off at Goodwill about 8 books (I have a problem getting rid of books, even ones I don't use anymore), I had two wall lamps I got from Ikea that got sent to Goodwill as well. The shades crapped out and I could not repair them. In today's disposable society, the shade repair/ replacement was the same cost as a new set of wall lamps. Since I have no plans to put the lamps back up, Goodwill got them. I simply don't have the storage space for those items anymore. I purged some pillows and some clothes as well. I still have a problem purging possessions, I'm getting better and it's easier to do, but I know I still have a long way to go.
The down side to all of this was I took advantage of the great weather yesterday to rake some leaves off of my patio. My patio seems to be a leaf magnet and I had extra large piles from the storm on Saturday and natural leaf drop. I tried to be Gloria Gardener yesterday. I ended up breaking not one, but both of my leaf rake handles. Both broke in the middle of the handle. I swore a bit and then decided it was the Universe's way of telling me to not be Gloria Gardener and to sit down and enjoy some warmth and sunshine and the dogs.
The upside was it was a very cheap weekend and I did get to a lot of my "to do' list without feeling like I was run off my feet.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Getting Back Into the Groove of It All
I did manage to make it to the gym last night for a cardio session (yeah!) and get a couple things done on my ever growing to do list. One thing, now a goal, I have, is to keep my little kitchen table clear of debris and clutter. Right now it tends to be an extension of my desk and I dump junk on it. AND end up eating my meals on a TV table because of the lack of space. That is soo sad.
Last night I simply filed away the piles of paper (most of it was just junk mail anyway), wiped down the table and ate my post work out supper like a human. I also ate my breakfast there. It felt nice to sit at my table and eat a meal. As odd as that sounds, it's been easier for me to eat standing up or just to crash on the couch and eat at the TV table.
I've been going to the gym 2 days on, one day off, and I'm slowly getting back into a routine. My new to me gym is small, but the folks seem friendly, the equipment is in good shape and it's a clean facility. When I lived in Washington, DC, one of my best friends managed a health club and I got a "friends and family" rate and used to work out alot. I've missed the gym routine and even though I'm not looking forward to a monthly fee, I'm having a good time. I don't have a choice on liking or not liking the monthly fee until I lose and keep off the weight my MD says I have to lose. As painful as it is to admit, she is right, I've gained way too much weight-I think I ate my body weight in carbs last year dealing with the BK.
I'm working on a schedule that allows me to go to the gym guilt free at least 3-4 days a week. I've been feeling guilty about coming home and then leaving the dogs-Again. Our current schedule is set up so that I have a fair amount of time in the evenings that I spend with the dogs at home. Coming home, getting them fed and exercised and then me going back out more than one night a week has been an adjustment for all of us. I realize the dogs probably don't care, but I feel a little guilty and I've been used to puttering around the house and garden after work. I think I'll be making better use of my time for the next few weeks.
Last night I simply filed away the piles of paper (most of it was just junk mail anyway), wiped down the table and ate my post work out supper like a human. I also ate my breakfast there. It felt nice to sit at my table and eat a meal. As odd as that sounds, it's been easier for me to eat standing up or just to crash on the couch and eat at the TV table.
I've been going to the gym 2 days on, one day off, and I'm slowly getting back into a routine. My new to me gym is small, but the folks seem friendly, the equipment is in good shape and it's a clean facility. When I lived in Washington, DC, one of my best friends managed a health club and I got a "friends and family" rate and used to work out alot. I've missed the gym routine and even though I'm not looking forward to a monthly fee, I'm having a good time. I don't have a choice on liking or not liking the monthly fee until I lose and keep off the weight my MD says I have to lose. As painful as it is to admit, she is right, I've gained way too much weight-I think I ate my body weight in carbs last year dealing with the BK.
I'm working on a schedule that allows me to go to the gym guilt free at least 3-4 days a week. I've been feeling guilty about coming home and then leaving the dogs-Again. Our current schedule is set up so that I have a fair amount of time in the evenings that I spend with the dogs at home. Coming home, getting them fed and exercised and then me going back out more than one night a week has been an adjustment for all of us. I realize the dogs probably don't care, but I feel a little guilty and I've been used to puttering around the house and garden after work. I think I'll be making better use of my time for the next few weeks.
Monday, November 12, 2007
A Few More Things off The To Do List
1) Took and finished post filing on-line course. Also sent certificate to Attorney's office for the Trustee.
2) Made sure I called/e-mailed three folks I have not been in contact with in over a month just to say Hi and tell them I was thinking about them.
3) Moved some furniture around the house for a "fresh, new look" (and actually the living room area looks better!)
4) Made the decision to give the family heirloom jewelry to the Trustee. The appraisal came back low (as I thought it would) but I still have to "buy back" my own jewelry. After thinking about it, I can ear mark that money towards my new car fund. I need to fund the car fund more than I need jewelry (even a family heirloom). It was a surprisingly easy decision to make when I looked at it in dollars and cents. Plus I still think the ring has bad ju ju and I don't need any more bad vibes in my life at this point.
2) Made sure I called/e-mailed three folks I have not been in contact with in over a month just to say Hi and tell them I was thinking about them.
3) Moved some furniture around the house for a "fresh, new look" (and actually the living room area looks better!)
4) Made the decision to give the family heirloom jewelry to the Trustee. The appraisal came back low (as I thought it would) but I still have to "buy back" my own jewelry. After thinking about it, I can ear mark that money towards my new car fund. I need to fund the car fund more than I need jewelry (even a family heirloom). It was a surprisingly easy decision to make when I looked at it in dollars and cents. Plus I still think the ring has bad ju ju and I don't need any more bad vibes in my life at this point.
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