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Post by desposito on Jan 20, 2023 11:14:12 GMT -5
Yes, I'm seeing posts on this site that FB Marketplace works pretty well.
My report day is not until tomorrow, but I wanted to say what happened with the box of books I was sorting. I originally dipped into this box to find a couple of books to read for the challenge, and as I was going through them I kept rejecting them--no I don't want to read this one, over and over. So I thought maybe I had outgrown these books and no longer found them interesting, maybe I could get rid of a lot of them. Of course, I didn't take into account that this box was in the little storage area at the side of the room--the kind with the half size door that makes use of the otherwise wasted space on the top floor of a building with a pitched roof. That meant I was in that storage space which is too short to stand up in, so I was uncomfortable and trying to hurry to find books I wanted without having to drag the box all the way out and then put it back. Maybe that made a difference?
Because when I pulled the box out of there a couple of weeks ago, all the books suddenly looked good again! I know that purging is easier on some days than others and I thought maybe I was just having the kind of day where I wanted to keep everything, so I put it aside for several days and tried again. There were a few I no longer wanted but each book I looked at looked like I should at least try it. I even tried the "are you willing to read this book NEXT" and the answer was usually, YES!
So, I finally put aside a chunk of time to seriously look at these books, and here are the results.
There were 33 books in the box. Right away I saw that 4 of the books were actually series books, they didn't belong in that box, so I took them out, that left 29. Of the 29, I managed to let go of 12. That's 38%, which I guess is pretty good when you consider that I did book purges for years and these are books that survived those purges time and time again.
Six of the books I posted for trade, four of the books are wishlisted on the book site so I know they'll go right away and I don't want to mail that many books at one time, so I put them in the "wish list" pile which I eventually will post and get rid of. Two of the books were not tradeable so they are in the "little library" box in the basement, in the hopes that this summer I will actually get a little library for my front lawn. So they have not actually left my house (although last night I got requests for two of the posted books) but I have mentally released them so they will eventually get out of here, either by trading or little library or by donation, if all else fails. I'm actually pretty good about avoiding "take backs" so once I decide to get rid of something it pretty much always goes, eventually.
The only way I was able to let five of those twelve books go was to look on the library website and assure myself that there were multiple copies of them across the suburban reciprocal lending system so that I could borrow them later if I wanted to. I put them on my library "for later" list with a note that they were titles given away from my TBR boxes. This was interesting to me--that I needed some way to "hold on" to them even if I didn't have them in my physical possession. That's okay though, I don't mind holding onto things virtually as long as they are not actually in the house.
Out of the books remaining in the box, about half are books that I have heard about and read about and definitely want to read. The other half are ones that I want to try, and I'm guessing a number of them would be rejected after starting them and finding out that they're not holding my attention. That means for future challenges instead of finding a book I really want to read, I should start with the ones that don't look as good, in hopes that I can go through some of them and get rid of them without continuing to read.
So, books are still my hardest hoarding item even though I have lessened my attachment to them a lot since I first started trying to reduce how many I have.
Diane
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Post by mylittlescholar on Jan 20, 2023 18:52:33 GMT -5
Thanks, Diane, I found it helpful to read about your process.
catcats you are my role model right now! I want a functioning office space.
I did a bit more sorting. just checking in to keep me mindful of my current challenge.
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Post by catcats on Jan 20, 2023 22:00:52 GMT -5
Yes Diane, I actually have already gone in and peeked at the organized desk drawers just to appreciate the beauty of it all !!
catcats
P.S. Good for you on being willing to change your opinion of some of the books, and still being open minded !!
catcats
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Post by phoenixcat on Jan 21, 2023 12:44:26 GMT -5
Making progress! Update 1) Major purge and clear out of our master bathroom, master closet and some of our master bedroom. We are doing a full gut renovation of our master bath. We have to completely empty the bathroom and closet (large walk in- the size of a bedroom). The bedroom will have to be cleaned out somewhat and everything moved to the other side of the room and tented with plastic. We are "hoping" that this is only for about 6 weeks. All the supplies are in to the distributor except for one trim piece on plumbing. Right now, 1/2 our garage is full of tile and cabinetry. Plumbing is probably moving in next week. Plumbing supplies being delivered on Wednesday. All I have left to order is small pieces that are waiting for color match to plumbing. Meeting with all the trades on Monday for a final plan. 2) Because we are moving into the guest room in the other side of the house - I have to clear out portions of that room (the closet) and the guest bathroom to make room for the things we will use daily. And, I will have to clear out portions of DM's old room in order to store all the stuff we don't need during the renovation but don't want to throw away either. Her room is on the side of the house with our room so it will be too dusty and dirty in that area to use. I'm trying to figure out laundry - maybe on Sundays when they are taking the day off. . We may just need to tent that side of the house and take our laundry elsewhere. Which brings up cleaning out our laundry room as well because we have a second fridge in there we probably can't access. Things get complicated! Did a major clear out of those areas. BUT some has junked back up again due to an unexpected trip we had to make. Trying to regain ground today. I also realized while we were gone that I need to "un-junk" two entry ways because of all the workers and access to supplies, etc. I also need to move a bunch of stuff from DM's old room that are things I don't want to "walk off" with lots of people in the house. Currently stored under her bed. Decided to go with a laundry service. Our guest room and guest bath are almost completely cleared out ready for us to move. DM's room is 90% organized and cleared out ready to store things from our bath/closet that we won't need for up to 2 months. I think I'm going to sheet off that room too so that it doesn't get too dusty. I still need to do the laundry room area. They may need the sink in there. 3) We are establishing a trust and we will have to do A LOT OF PAPERWORK regarding it as well as shutting down my DM's trust. Trust is formed. Now we need to start moving assets. 4) Put away all the holiday decorations. I'm usually pretty organized with it. But it is a big job. This year I want to evaluate what didn't make it out and why - maybe some things can be donated? Holiday stuff is all put away! Have quite a bit to donate - one small tree, two HEAVY bins of lights, plus about another bin full of miscellaneous. Actually was smart and pulled out existing flooring pieces from a cabinet before blocking it with holiday stuff. Will need them for the renovation.
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Post by desposito on Jan 22, 2023 11:07:24 GMT -5
Phoenixcat, if you are donating that much Christmas stuff you must have started out with a lot!
Okay, I am adding my porch project--I want to do it now so I may as well make it an official goal. The main thing I got done the last 5 days is sorting out that box of books, I probably spent a little over an hour more on it. I also did 20 minutes on the pile in the hallway, 20 minutes on office supplies, posted 4 books and did 4 days of old food. I finished the first book of the two I wanted to read, it was pretty good, but not a keeper so I will post it for trading.
1. CLOTHING--get ready for winter, alter a couple of things GOAL 40 minutes remaining from last challenge
2. CLEANING--other than routine things GOAL 3 hours and 10 minutes remaining from last challenge
3. BASEMENT GOAL I did 40 minutes over my time goal and finished taking the cabinet apart. This project is finished!
4. FRIDGE CLEANING
5. PLANT ROOM CLEANING
6. POST MORE BOOKS FOR TRADING 9 books posted out of a GOAL of 10
7. READ BOOKS FROM MY OWN STASH One finished of a GOAL of 2
8. PLANT CUTTINGS
9. ENCLOSED SPACES Five 1st floor kitchen drawers done, built in cupboard started
10. OFFICE SUPPLIES & STATIONERY ORGANIZATION 30 minutes done
11. REORGANIZE FOOD PANTRY 50 minutes done
12. REORGANIZE BOOKSHELF IN HALLWAY 10 minutes done
13. ELIMINATE PILE IN HALLWAY 20 minutes done
14. ELIMINATE PILE IN PORCH ROOM - 20 minutes This project is finished!
15. GO THROUGH ONE BOX OF BOOKS IN STORAGE AREA 1 hour, 30 minutes done This project is finished!
16. DATA ENTRY ON BOOK SITE 10 minutes done
17. COLD STRATIFICATION FOR SEEDS
18. CLEAN OUT 3 DESKTOP FILES 10 minutes done
19. EAT OR DISCARD OLD FOOD - 15 days out of a GOAL of 30
20. REORGANIZE BACK PORCH BY ADDING SHELVING UNIT - 30 minutes to assemble the shelving unit. 10 minutes sorting done.
Diane
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Post by mylittlescholar on Jan 23, 2023 14:12:40 GMT -5
I have two practices I want to develop into habits. I am not sure where to track them. one is writing and the other is working on my financial plans. I want to do them 4+ times a week.
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Post by desposito on Jan 23, 2023 15:49:02 GMT -5
Scholar, I think you should track them wherever it will be easiest for you to see the results! A challenge thread certainly fits, the work-along thread fits, or anywhere that helps you! Although I saw from CP's post that some threads have rules about how to post things, I don't know about that. Which thread do you visit the most often, so you can be reminded about a daily goal if you read back to the last time you posted?
I'm almost finished with my porch project, and a couple of other things too! I should have a good report next time.
Diane
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Post by mylittlescholar on Jan 24, 2023 11:49:41 GMT -5
thanks, Diane, I think here would be a good place.
= write for book (at least four times a week) = financial planning (at least four times a week)
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Post by desposito on Jan 24, 2023 12:30:06 GMT -5
Scholar, I love your chart! I tried to put a chart in a thread here once and it didn't work--I know how to make them in Word but it didn't transfer over well. What things count for financial planning?
Diane
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Post by mylittlescholar on Jan 25, 2023 15:25:14 GMT -5
how to make a chart here. its way clunkier than Word but gets the job done.
1) click on the button that looks like a chart a dialogue box will ask you how many rows and columns. (I said 3 and 3 and clicked on the "border" box).
2) then you will get this: Row 1 column 1 | Row 1 column 2 | Row 1 column 3 | Row 2 column 1 | Row 2 column 2 | Row 2 column 3 | Row 3 column 1 | Row 3 column 2 | Row 3 column 3 |
3) the next step: you replace the text with your own
| Row 1 column 2 | Row 1 column 3 | Row 2 column 1 | Row 2 column 2 | Row 2 column 3 | Row 3 column 1 | Row 3 column 2 | Row 3 column 3 |
2a) you can also delete the contents to get this: 3a) and insert your text without distraction
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HTH
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Post by desposito on Jan 26, 2023 13:36:12 GMT -5
Wow, thanks scholar--I totally forgot that there was a chart option in the posting box--now I can't for the life of me remember if I used that, or tried to import a Word chart...it's kind of coming back to me that maybe I did use the chart in the box? But when I tried to carry it over to a new post it didn't work? I will have to try it again--thank you for taking the time to illustrate!
Diane
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Post by desposito on Jan 26, 2023 19:24:46 GMT -5
I have finished some things!
The porch project is done, I even made myself finish the mopping today--I stopped timing myself, I would say I spent another hour to hour and a half on it. It really looks nice now...at least, for now, I'm sure I'll mess it up again but it will be easier to reorganize in the future because of the shelves I put out there.
I posted the last trading book, so that's done. I finished the food pantry and the book case, since they were linked--I even have one empty fabric storage cube in the bookcase, so at some point I can store something else in there. And, I finished the pile of miscellaneous stuff in the hallway. I found a bunch of CDs in that pile that I didn't know were there, and that's going to require my rearranging the alphabetized CDs on the CD shelves downstairs, so for now I put them in another CD storage rack in the dining room--I didn't want to get side-tracked on minutiae that isn't important for now.
I started reading the second book from my stash, this is from the book box I sorted, it is one of the "not sure I'll like but want to try" books. I've only read a chapter and I can tell I'm either going to love or hate this book, I will come back and report which it is when I get further into it--and of course, if I hate it, I will not finish it.
I did 3 days old food, and I spent 20 minutes on book site data--which made me realize I have to make some decisions about what I input. I had a list of many, many series on the old book site--some of which I only read one or two from, and some I didn't even like that much. All of that information was lost when the site closed, so I went to the book trading site, if you give a book a rating there they automatically put it on a "books I've read" list. I started going through the very long list of books I've read to note down the series authors...and many of them I don't even remember at this point. So, I have to decide if I want to list every series author I've read, which seems to be more of an OCD kind of thing instead of a useful took to remember books from authors I want to continue to read. It's helpful to know if I read something from a series and didn't like it, but I already have the trading site with all the books listed with my star rating, so I can always check there. So I guess I'll only list series that I want to continue with. Plus, in noting down the names of the authors I also have to note down which books I've read so I can record those in the new site too. This will take a while!
Now that the porch shelf project is finished I have another bookshelf to put together, so that might become yet another project. These shelves are a regular fiberboard bookcase, which will take much, much longer to put together, I always have trouble with those--I end up doing something wrong so that some part doesn't quite fit... That might wait a while. But I am adding yet another project, my taxes, which I anticipate will not take a lot of time this year!
Next week I'll have to work on organizing my seed packets and figuring out which of them need the cold stratification, it's time for that already!
1. CLOTHING--get ready for winter, alter a couple of things GOAL 40 minutes remaining from last challenge
2. CLEANING--other than routine things GOAL 3 hours and 10 minutes remaining from last challenge
3. BASEMENT GOAL I did 40 minutes over my time goal and finished taking the cabinet apart. This project is finished!
4. FRIDGE CLEANING
5. PLANT ROOM CLEANING
6. POST MORE BOOKS FOR TRADING 10 books posted out of a GOAL of 10 This project is finished!
7. READ BOOKS FROM MY OWN STASH One finished of a GOAL of 2 -- Second book started
8. PLANT CUTTINGS
9. ENCLOSED SPACES Five 1st floor kitchen drawers done, built in cupboard started
10. OFFICE SUPPLIES & STATIONERY ORGANIZATION 30 minutes done
11. REORGANIZE FOOD PANTRY 1 hour 10 minutes done This project is finished!
12. REORGANIZE BOOKSHELF IN HALLWAY 20 minutes done This project is finished!
13. ELIMINATE PILE IN HALLWAY 50 minutes done This project is finished!
14. ELIMINATE PILE IN PORCH ROOM - 20 minutes This project is finished!
15. GO THROUGH ONE BOX OF BOOKS IN STORAGE AREA 1 hour, 30 minutes done This project is finished!
16. DATA ENTRY ON BOOK SITE 30 minutes done
17. COLD STRATIFICATION FOR SEEDS
18. CLEAN OUT 3 DESKTOP FILES 10 minutes done
19. EAT OR DISCARD OLD FOOD - 18 days out of a GOAL of 30
20. REORGANIZE BACK PORCH BY ADDING SHELVING UNIT - 30 minutes to assemble the shelving unit. 1 hour plus done. This project is finished!
21. DO INCOME TAXES - FED AND STATE - Goal is to be done by February 15th
Diane
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Post by catcats on Jan 27, 2023 23:54:58 GMT -5
I did about 40 minutes on the filing cabinet challenge.
catcats
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Post by mylittlescholar on Jan 28, 2023 15:58:49 GMT -5
Congratulations, Diane! I am struggling with the financial planning as it involves a certain focus. I am hoping by next week I will have acclimated to my meds. and that I will be able to list the steps I will take. Attachments:
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Post by mylittlescholar on Jan 31, 2023 15:52:21 GMT -5
TASKS RELATED TO CHALLENGE: note all of the fixed monthly expenses input onto monthly template start February spreadsheet update: daily would be easiest in the long run set up long term cash flow spreadsheet input data as I figure it out
research tools to organize book material set up some kind of chart sketch illustration possibilities = write for book (at least four times a week) = financial planning (at least four times a week)
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