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Post by dtesposito on May 4, 2015 21:20:26 GMT -5
Hello womble, thanks for joining us--you have some great goals. It seems like lots of people on this site are working on making craft rooms!
I did my stretching today, and finished the pantry project.
I also filled in cracks in my entryway closet floor and wall--that was not originally part of my repair goal, but it's the same principle so I'm considering it goal work! I haven't put things back in the closet yet though, that'll happen tomorrow since I've run out of time tonight.
I would like to make the stretching part of my morning routine, but I've already added a couple of other things to it and I'm afraid that if I add too much I won't do it. My morning pet care, litter pans, shower, etc., are second nature, so I've been trying to add my daily sweeping of problem areas (cat food areas and litter pan areas) since it's a logical extension of scooping the pans. But I want to make my bed every day too--I feel that everything seems more orderly when my bed is made. Those are two things I'm trying to add so I don't want to push it.
Diane
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Post by sparkle on May 4, 2015 23:13:29 GMT -5
Great job, Diane. I really like how you link tasks, how sensibly you have created these habits. I'm taking this to heart. womble, hi. I'm glad you've joined us. I like your plans. I'll be away for a while. Just saying. I wish the best for all of us. Keep the faith.
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Post by dtesposito on May 5, 2015 21:22:49 GMT -5
Thanks Sparkle, don't stay away too long! I did my stretches today, the only other thing I did challenge-wise is make a list of repair items. I haven't yet made the "baby steps" list that I'll need to start to address the repairs. Diane
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Post by dtesposito on May 5, 2015 21:30:25 GMT -5
I guess I should list the repairs here so I have a record of them in this thread.
Bathroom:
Large gap around shower pipe due to bad repair years ago--will need more than caulking or foam Gap around sink drain pipe Gap around radiator pipe Gap between floor and walls--bottom of wall damaged in areas, will it work to use some kind of edging? Inside of cabinets/drawers--cracks? Tub edges--need cleaning out and caulking
DR:
Huge cut area from building plumbing repair several years ago, currently has sheet of dry erase board propped against it
Kitchen:
Huge cut area around kitchen pipe from building plumbing repair--more complicated because pipe runs through Huge strip/gap in wall at edge of sink support Gap around radiator pipe
Diane
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Post by flotsam on May 6, 2015 6:01:25 GMT -5
Diane, do you want to do all the repairs during this challenge? It seems quite a lot.
Working on goal #1: tossed two clothes items (not fit to be donated).
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Post by dtesposito on May 6, 2015 8:22:08 GMT -5
Hi flotsam, that's 2 pieces of clothing that are no longer cluttering your life!
I guess the repair list looks big, and if they were done well it would be major--but my goal is just to seal the areas up--I'm not worried about how they look. The two large openings (and large means large compared to the little areas around the radiator pipes) are hidden--one is behind the DR table and the other is under the kitchen sink--even though under the sink is open, it's not in a place that's easy to see.
The smaller opening around pipes will just be filled with that expanding foam, which will then have to be cut off and either painted or covered with a white caulk, just so that there isn't a bright yellow blob showing.
Not sure what to do about the wall/floor area, I'll have to to a hardware store and see what's available. And the tub caulking--I can't a good job on that either, but I'll see.
The space around the shower handle will also be hard because that's crumbling plaster. But I think if I can find a sheet of that mesh stuff, I can put that over the whole thing and then cover it with a layer of spackle or something else that's more water-resistant.
In other words, it's going to be a slap-dash job just to seal the spaces so that critters and smell can't get in. And of course, there's always the NEXT challenge period for what I don't get done this time!
Diane
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Post by dtesposito on May 6, 2015 21:10:05 GMT -5
Today was a pretty good day for my goals. I did my stretching.
I spent the morning making a repair list and looking things up on hardware sites and on Youtube. I have a clearer idea of what I want to do. In fact, I learned the names for some of the things I want to buy--instead of going in and trying to describe what it is I'm looking for--which really makes me feel stupid.
Then this afternoon I tried on a pair of jeans (I have 2 pair exactly the same) and have an idea of how I have to alter them--and I washed them, so that after I sew them they can be worn right away. The sewing is the hard part that I avoid, though.
Knowing that I'm going to come here and post is helping me keep these things in the front of my mind.
Diane
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Post by catcat on May 7, 2015 1:40:42 GMT -5
Hi---Jumping in late. Summer , 3 yrs. ago, I got rid of lots from basement in prep for mold remediation. Could not bear to part with 90 some yr. old folding rocker that my grandmother had used for rocking babies--me & my late DB-- but at the time it was in the basement & was getting moldy. Put it in plastic & out on porch. I am finally ready to part with it b/c it would cost hundreds to re-do the wood & have reupholstered. I have other smaller things that were hers. My DM wanted me to have it & she had used it too. But I can't do all of that work myself & don't want to pay to have it done--it is bad. It is bagged & set out for trash tomorrow. I feel bad about it . However, in addition to mold, visible & spores, etc.---I have no real room for it & my kids won't want it when I am gone. I left it outside for 3 yrs. when I already knew it was damaged with mold & of course it is worse now, but I couldn't do it until now. After it is gone, I will probably feel better about losing it. I have a thing for old family stuff, but my 3 grown kids do not. They don't know or remember my dear Grandmother. It is so hard for me.
Also, I have been weeding & have hired a teen aged girl to mow my fairly big lawn. Yesterday I fell flat onto the ground while outside with her. My Guardian Angel must have been on guard b/c I am not hurt. I hit near where my subdural hematoma was --or is-- & near my shoulder replacement from 2 summers ago. I had bent my head way back to check treetops & when I straightened up fast, I lost my balance & crashed down. I am so fortunate that I didn't break anything.
So my current goals are to get rid of things like the chair & to do & have done by teen, my yard. Later in summer, I have to clean out a shed so I can have it torn down---it has rotted badly.
Good luck to all. I am too old for all of this, but don't want to leave it for my kids to do. I have no help except for paying people. I am also decluttering a couple of rooms. And vacuuming a lot.
Blessings, catcat
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Post by dtesposito on May 7, 2015 9:03:15 GMT -5
Hi catcat, so nice to see you here! I'm sorry about the rocker, but you're wise to let it go--keeping it in the shape it's in will only make you feel bad, and having something moldy around is not healthy. I'm sure the other things you have from your grandmother will help you remember her. I know its sad to see something like that go, though. I'm glad you have someone to help you with the lawn, and doubly glad you didn't hurt yourself in your fall. Next time sit down before you check out the tree-tops! Diane
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Post by sparkle on May 7, 2015 9:38:31 GMT -5
catcat, I'm so glad you've joined us. We must both take to heart Diane's advice to sit down when we look up. I'm so glad you were not injured. I'll bet you're hurting today, though. Gentle hugs.
I know letting go of that rocker was hard and totally understand why it took a while to do it. You are to be commended for your courage.
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Post by sparkle on May 7, 2015 14:08:37 GMT -5
Goal #1 - back taxes. Yesterday I took all my paperwork to the EA (stands for Enrolled Agent, means an accountant who is certified to work with the IRS). She was pleased with what I brought in and will have the returns ready for me to sign and file on Monday. I will fax them to my caseworker and then she can lift the bank account levy before the deadline of the 18th. I do not feel the elation I expected but that's probably because it's not a done deal yet.
Goal #2 - the hoard house. This is huge! Today I lined up someone to help me with it over the summer. We are going to start with the outside (also trashed) and the barn (filled). His wife is also going to help. After the barn is done I will face letting them into the house. There will then be a place to put donations and trash bags waiting to go to the cans or the dump. I'm not sure just how we're going to manage getting things out of here. BUT, the main thing is I have started the process by allowing someone onto the property.
Two days. Two major steps forward. I am still shaking.
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Post by dtesposito on May 7, 2015 16:39:07 GMT -5
Wow Sparkle, fantastic news on both counts! I'm so glad you'll have some help with the cleaning up--just having someone else there will make a huge difference--you won't feel like the whole burden is on you.
Maybe you've lived with the tax pressure for so long that you want to actually see that it's over before you feel the relief?
Diane
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Post by sparkle on May 7, 2015 19:11:10 GMT -5
I never thought I would see so much progress this fast. It's unsettling, to say the least. Once I get going in earnest on the hoard house the pace will slow. As for taxes, I think I've lived in fear and shame for so long that I don't know how to feel any other way. The same goes for the house. Challenge #3 - finding a new way of looking at things and letting go of old thinking.
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Post by dtesposito on May 7, 2015 21:03:37 GMT -5
Stretching done today. Also, I started work on my clothing goal, even though I didn't sew the regular jeans yet. I did pull the sewing machine out and narrowed the legs on a pair of short jeans that I only wear around the house, so that was easy. I also narrowed some wide sleeves in a couple of scrub shirts, which was also easy--just sewed along the lower seam. Hopefully I'll get to the jeans soon...MAYBE tomorrow.
Diane
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Post by iprocrastinate on May 7, 2015 21:08:13 GMT -5
Sparkle those are two huge things you've done. I still haven't really looked for the form I need for my taxes. Your hoard house sounds like a challenge. Having 2 people to help is a blessing. I'm working steadily at getting rid of items , but it is sooooo slow!
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