A New Leaf Club 2011/2012

[Carebear]

I finished painting the den, and am almost finished organizing the file cabinet and office storage.  This week I pick up the new desk.  And my den will be like new before Christmas.   

It's been tough getting things done around the house because I've had so many medical appointments lately.  And I still have seven more in the next ten days to look forward to (two of them are for my dog  .).

[Meld256]

I know what you mean, Nara.  I'm not looking at any of it like a race...a positive push for all of us is exactly what my real goal is.    Like you say, it's more of a help for myself, too!  Hope you get some rest and have a little better day tomorrow. 

Sometimes a little good-natured motivation really helps me.  Sometimes I have days like you and think "forget it!"  When I can do a few things, it makes me feel like I've really accomplished something!

susanep,
You managed to get a lot done!    I understand; trying to figure out what to do with the stuff can be hard to decide.  We have such a small place, the "stuff" could take over very easily.

[Bucky]

NEWS BULLETIN . . . . stop the presses!!!!  I've lost 13 pounds since I woke up this morning!!  It only took me 15 minutes too!  It was painless, and I didn't have to swallow anything, get a shot, or nothing!!

What?  How in the world did I do that?  Have I started my day off drinking something I shouldn't have? 

Nope.  I was fixing my breakfast and reached into the pantry to get my oatmeal.  While looking at the items in there, I started picking boxes up and checking expiration dates . . . 2003 . . . 2005 . . . 2008 . . . 2010.     So, right then and there I got the empty cat food bag (16 lb. bag) and started pitching outdated items from the pantry. 

From the pantry, I went to where some other cereal boxes were in the cupboard - all outdated too.  I took several of them and went out in the backyard and scattered them for the birds and critters to eat.  Unfortunately, my family opens several boxes at once - then doesn't finish them before opening another.  The opened ones just sit there and "occasionally" see the light of day as the cupboard is quickly opened and closed again.

Then, this led me to the cupboard where the spices were . . .yup, found some old stuff there too.  Some old graham cracker crusts from 2007.  I NEED to make a list of the spices we need and really get rid of the older ones.  I didn't want to throw everything out . . my husband would have a cow when he went to use them and the cupboard would be bare. 

So, in 15 minutes, I had looked in these three places and filled up the cat food bag with items to go in the trash pickup that is this morning.  I jumped in the car, and took the bag to the road.  (Taking hands and sliding them back and forth as to say . . . JOB DONE!!!)   

After eating my breakfast, I crushed a bunch of soda cans sitting on the counter - counter clear (one side of it . . . I'll work on the other side today).  Yay!!

I'm off to a good start today . . . woohoo!!  This mini cleaning wasn't on my agenda for today . . it just presented itself, so I knocked it out quickly.  I have one bare shelf in the cupboard and more room in the pantry from this quick cleanout.

My biggest goal or purpose of this whole thread is that it only takes a little motivation to get the ball rolling and getting things done.  A reason to do something.  For me, that's instant gratification seeing results.  Seeing a more organized, cleaner, less cluttered home.  It's two-fold . . . one - it looks better, two - it feels calmer, less chaotic.  That's a good thing!!   

I feel bad throwing away items, many unopened - and the money that was wasted buying them.  However, today is a new day - a new beginning - and I will try harder in 2012 to not be wasteful in my purchases and be sure to only buy what we intend to use/eat.  I do rotate the items in my pantry, but some times they just don't get used.  I'll do better.   

The rest of today, I'm going to work on getting my new bookcases closer to their final destination.  I probably will only get so far, then I will need help with some heavy moving - that, I will leave for my boys.

Have a great day everyone!!  Happy Tuesday!!

Bucky

P.S.  As I look out the dining room window . . . . it's s-n-o-w-i-n-g!!!     (our first of the season)

[Bucky]

I still have seven more in the next ten days to look forward to (two of them are for my dog  .).

Wow, Carebear!!  Trying to fit all the last minute, year-end appointments in quickly before the year is over?  Good Luck with your appointments.

Good job on finishing the painting!!  Yay for you!!  It will really feel good when you pick up your new desk and see your den all spiffed up and ready to be used.   

susanep - glad you're joining us on our little adventure of making our lives a little more organized, and the feeling of accomplishment if we just keep plugging along doing a little at a time.

There is a song we use to sing at church camp, "it only takes a spark, to get a fire going . . . and soon, all those around, can warm up to it's glowing".  That's what I think of each of us on this adventure . . . a spark of motivation . . . someone to encourage us to get moving, to get things accomplished.  We compare notes, offer advice and encouragement . . .  and it snowballs.   

Good job everyone!!   

Bucky

[Bucky]

Aaaaaa-choooo . . . . moved furniture around today - quite a layer of dust behind stuff - guess that happens when it hasn't been moved in 10+ years!!     (it's too heavy to move without unloading everything - which I did today).

I got the old entertainment center emptied out and moved to the living room temporarily.  Vacuumed and moved the new bookcases into place.     I have a huge pile of books, papers, knick knacks, etc. all over the floor in the bedroom - I will have to vacuum or dust off all of it before I put it in the new bookcases.  Aaaaa-choooo again!!

Then, after dinner - my hubby and I dismantled the old entertainment center which goes back to his niece.  It was too big and heavy to leave it all assembled, we had to take it all apart so they could pick it up.  Hopefully, they will pick it up in the next few days so we can get it out of the living room.

I have to work tomorrow, so the sorting and cleaning of stuff for the bookcases will have to wait until Friday or this weekend.  It will take some getting used to seeing them in there - the entertainment center has been in there for the last 16 yrs.!!

Now, I'm ready for bed . . . I'm tired!  Insert the icon with the person yawning.

Bucky

[Meld256]

Carebear,

I didn't congratulate you on the painting! That's a real accomplishment. 

Bucky,
Good luck with finishing with all you have going.  I'm sure you'll have it looking good.  Boxes from 2003, huh? Wow! 

I'd love to be doing more, but I know it's not happening any too soon. I'm glad you're able to tackle all your projects. 

[Carebear]

Thanks for the positive feedback Melinda and Bucky!     And Bucky, you've sure been busy with all your cleaning and organizing!

Ten days ago I decided to turn over another leaf.  I've been eating badly for years now, likely because that's the easier thing to do when you are sick.   Whatever the excuse,  I did a 180 last week.  I stopped the junk food, measure everything I eat, and I found a website that will calculate my caloric intake and exercise daily.

I really had no idea how much I was inhaling without thought before.  When you write down what you eat, it really gives you pause.  It's been very, very hard though.      But my stomach thanks me.   

[Meld256]

Carebear,

That's a BIG leaf you've turned over, but I'm sure you will do well and your body will thank you. 

Yes, it's so easy to eat whatever is handy, convienent and available when we're ill.  I remember 2 winters ago when I was still struggling to work, my husband would call me as I got off and ask what I'd like for dinner.  I'd say "I don't care; just as long as it's 1) food, and 2) something warm."

But, back to you! I'm sure it's hard to make such big changes. I've found sometimes that little changes can really add up and not be so daunting, but that's just me.  Good luck-we're all rooting for you!

[Carebear]

You are right about it being a big leaf that I turned, Melinda.   I just knew I had to stop the junk food "cold turkey" though, because there is no control.   

[Bucky]

Good Luck Carebear on your New Leaf.   

Have you ever seen any of the Eat This, Not That books?  They have some real simple "exchanges" of food that will save calories, sodium, carbs, etc.  It's amazing  how many calories some of the meals are when you eat out!! All the gravies, sauces, condiments, breads all really pack on the calories!  Or even the frozen food you buy at the grocery store that is labeled "healthy" - really isn't.

I've always heard that a person shouldn't venture into or buy very many products from the inside center of a store (where all the processed foods are) - and stick to the perimeter of the store where all the "fresh" food is at.

Plus, we all know that eating at home is cheaper than eating out as we can control the portions and ingredients.

I need to work on this too.  The hard part for me is that my family doesn't like vegetables - or fruit for that matter.  I wish they would at least "try" some of them.  It's not easy trying to prepare several different meals for dinner. 

Bucky

[engy]

Wow! You are all doing great!

I cleaned out my sock drawer and after reading Bucky's post I'm going to do my food cupboards next 

Now, if I only had 3 days to tackle my clothes closet! haha

[Narablueeyes]

We've decided not to do a Christmas tree this year.  I'm okay with that.  Got a few more little things done but this cold is killing me.  I've got 4 1/2 full days of office work left and 2 work at home days left and then I've got 12 days to do nothing but recuperate.  I'm hoping to finish up what projects I've left to finish and be done with them.  <sigh>

[Narablueeyes]

I finally cleaned off my post office, er um, my dining room table.  whew!

[Bucky]

I finally cleaned off my post office, er um, my dining room table.  whew!

Nara - glad yours is done . . . can you come do mine?   

The dining room table is right behind where my computer desk is (I'm of the old school and still use a PC and don't have a laptop).  The dining room table is my "control center".  It has our son's school papers, schedules, etc.  This is where I pay the bills.  There is a blood pressure machine sitting there.  Books.  Pieces of papers for all kinds of things.  A box of Christmas cards.  A pile of Christmas cards from last year (needed to check on an address and haven't put them back away yet).  Some ornaments that need to go to the basement.  Just everything in on this table.

We don't "eat" at this table.  Even when it is totally cleared off, we seldom eat there.  Only when we have company (and those occasions are far and few between).  We have an attached "snack bar" in the kitchen and that is where we usually eat.

Why is it so much easier to give advice than to take it ourselves?  (meaning, ME  )

Good job, Nara!!

Bucky

[Carebear]

My leaves have been a bit wilted these days.     I overdid my exercising two weeks ago...thought I could do an hour of water aerobics.     WRONG.  So I've been reminded once again that I am not invincible.

In spite of that setback, I have been able to get my office  back in order.  New desk, new bulletin boards, new paint, new light fixture.      Ready for Christmas.

I can't wait to show it off.