So the other day Lindsay said to me, "Update your blog rather than sleeping" and I said, "OK" then went to do so... only... for some reason it's not here now. Strange?
I totally forget what I wrote...
Today I spent the day doing laundry and cleaning. I cleaned my kitchen and living room. Next weekend I'm going to paint, with the help of my mother, both the kitchen and my living room. My issue is I'm not sure what colors to use. Originally I was going to paint the kitchen red, now I'm thinking of doing one accent wall which is behind the sink almost like a back splash, in red, and the rest of toffey type color. Then in the living room I will do a sage type green, or a darker mint green, I'm not sure which yet. We'll see.
I need slip covers for my furniture, or just new furniture. Maybe I can see what the Pit at Bob's has... My recliners are on their last legs, so to speak and while I like the size of my couch I don't like the colors at all. I really want to do a light green and brown living room...
Anyway, The point is, I have 2 full garbage bags of clothes for good will and two full garbage bags of ...well... garbage. Downsizing has begun!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Day 15 - HUGE PURCHASE
Mom continues to plug away at the boxes. I'm actually very proud of her. Some of it has been very difficult, but she has emptied a total of 8 boxes. I myself have... emptied none of the drawers in my apartment and instead, sadly have added to them.
... I know, I fail. I'm ashamed.
I have however cleaned two rooms and will start on my bathroom tomorrow. Deep cleaning at it's best.
So I'm wondering, does buying a new car negate the fact I'm trying to downsize? I did go fro ma 2 door to a 4 door...
*sigh*
Though really, after SIX MONTHS of looking and researching and speaking to car dealers, I got my car at a good price. My trade in was INSULTING, but I'm going to take it so I don't have to deal with the hassle of trying to sell. Though, I'm going to try to see what Carmax will give me. They're in Hartford, so next week I'll go up there. Then if they don't get me a better deal, the Hyundai Dealer can have it.
... My poor Lucian!! He was a magnificent car and will be missed.
... I know, I fail. I'm ashamed.
I have however cleaned two rooms and will start on my bathroom tomorrow. Deep cleaning at it's best.
So I'm wondering, does buying a new car negate the fact I'm trying to downsize? I did go fro ma 2 door to a 4 door...
*sigh*
Though really, after SIX MONTHS of looking and researching and speaking to car dealers, I got my car at a good price. My trade in was INSULTING, but I'm going to take it so I don't have to deal with the hassle of trying to sell. Though, I'm going to try to see what Carmax will give me. They're in Hartford, so next week I'll go up there. Then if they don't get me a better deal, the Hyundai Dealer can have it.
... My poor Lucian!! He was a magnificent car and will be missed.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Dreaming
Mom spent the snow day cleaning out a few more boxes. Some stuff she's looking to sell on Ebay, but she'll have to write more about that in the comments, other stuff we're getting rid of and some stuff tossing as trash. It's strange when going through boxes like this, some things you don't want, but don't want to give to Goodwill either... then what do you do with it?
Example: I have a unicorn jewelry box, I don't want it, but I don't want to just... get rid of it. I like it, it's part of my child hood and has a meaning to me. Should I keep it? Box it up for if I have a little girl? I dunno... Some things I'm giving to various family member, but a few things I don't want to do that with...
Then there was some stuff from highschool which honestly, I don't need at ALL and yet I feel guilty for getting rid of it... silly.
I had a dream I was vacationing in another country with R and we were wandering through a downtown fair of some kind. There was a clothing shop that had beautiful hand dyed fabrics and clothing. I tried on a dress, but said to R that I couldn't purchase it due to my goal of not purchasing any new clothing for the year. I did, however, end up buying a shirt. In the dream it was a baby doll, black t-shirt (which is what I wore to bed last night), so I can't imagine why I would purchase that, when I could have purchased a beautiful hand dyed dress... I told R, when she raised an eyebrow at the purchase (She knew I wasn't supposed to buy anything), that it didn't count because I was on vacation.
I woke up feeling incredibly guilty. Does this count? Did I fail my mission? Curse you subconscious!
Example: I have a unicorn jewelry box, I don't want it, but I don't want to just... get rid of it. I like it, it's part of my child hood and has a meaning to me. Should I keep it? Box it up for if I have a little girl? I dunno... Some things I'm giving to various family member, but a few things I don't want to do that with...
Then there was some stuff from highschool which honestly, I don't need at ALL and yet I feel guilty for getting rid of it... silly.
I had a dream I was vacationing in another country with R and we were wandering through a downtown fair of some kind. There was a clothing shop that had beautiful hand dyed fabrics and clothing. I tried on a dress, but said to R that I couldn't purchase it due to my goal of not purchasing any new clothing for the year. I did, however, end up buying a shirt. In the dream it was a baby doll, black t-shirt (which is what I wore to bed last night), so I can't imagine why I would purchase that, when I could have purchased a beautiful hand dyed dress... I told R, when she raised an eyebrow at the purchase (She knew I wasn't supposed to buy anything), that it didn't count because I was on vacation.
I woke up feeling incredibly guilty. Does this count? Did I fail my mission? Curse you subconscious!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Day 11: Another box down
What's that make, 5?
So mom took out the two cabbage patch dolls that I'd put in the Goodwill pile. She just "couldn't do it" Then I have some small boxes of things that I have no idea what to do with. Goodwill will throw them away, but I just can't add to the trash already in the world. They're mostly keychains and little things like that that i've collected over the years.
Now I'm trying to write this and she's bugging me about what else we can toss or keep. 99% of the stuff, can GO. AWAY! Mom's trying though. She's doing good.
So mom took out the two cabbage patch dolls that I'd put in the Goodwill pile. She just "couldn't do it" Then I have some small boxes of things that I have no idea what to do with. Goodwill will throw them away, but I just can't add to the trash already in the world. They're mostly keychains and little things like that that i've collected over the years.
Now I'm trying to write this and she's bugging me about what else we can toss or keep. 99% of the stuff, can GO. AWAY! Mom's trying though. She's doing good.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Day 10: Weekend Cleaning
I've decided to start by cleaning up the living space first, then I'll pick a room, empty the drawers and try to figure out what I'm going to do with all the crap that's in them. Some stuff, obviously, will be tossed, other stuff will be kept. I'm going to attempt to NOT do the "let's just shuffle it from room to room" thing, and actually find good places to put things.
My kitchen, at this point, is completely clean, dishes washed (not put away, I'd washed them before bed and they weren't completely dry yet), counters cleaned off, kitchen table cleaned off and I Soft Scrubbed the counters and stove. I do need to mop and vacuum the rug my kitchen table is sitting on, but other than those two things, the kitchen is clean. Next kitchen task will be to empty the cabinets and drawers of their stuff and find places for them.
The living room is mostly clean, and completely vacuumed. I [kind of] rearranged furniture, in I moved it down a little bit. I need to move the entertainment center over toward the wall so that it's centered to the couch. I DO rather wish I could take the side of the entertainment center that holds all the nick-nacks and move it to the OTHER side, because I like the location of the TV, but I don't think it works that way, so It'll just have to be moved down a foot.
Once all that is finished, on to the drawers.
Next room to tackle... the Bathroom (bumbumbuuuuum) I think I need to get rid of some towels, and there's a box that's been in the bathroom for 3 years. I've no idea what's in it, but I'm thinking I could probably get rid of the stuff that's in the box...
My kitchen, at this point, is completely clean, dishes washed (not put away, I'd washed them before bed and they weren't completely dry yet), counters cleaned off, kitchen table cleaned off and I Soft Scrubbed the counters and stove. I do need to mop and vacuum the rug my kitchen table is sitting on, but other than those two things, the kitchen is clean. Next kitchen task will be to empty the cabinets and drawers of their stuff and find places for them.
The living room is mostly clean, and completely vacuumed. I [kind of] rearranged furniture, in I moved it down a little bit. I need to move the entertainment center over toward the wall so that it's centered to the couch. I DO rather wish I could take the side of the entertainment center that holds all the nick-nacks and move it to the OTHER side, because I like the location of the TV, but I don't think it works that way, so It'll just have to be moved down a foot.
Once all that is finished, on to the drawers.
Next room to tackle... the Bathroom (bumbumbuuuuum) I think I need to get rid of some towels, and there's a box that's been in the bathroom for 3 years. I've no idea what's in it, but I'm thinking I could probably get rid of the stuff that's in the box...
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Day Six - Do accessories count?
Are socks accessories or clothing? I'm thinking clothing
How about scarves? When you go to NYC you can get those scarves super cheap, like 3 for $10 or something, and they're always so soft and so warm. Do those count? I want a few of them to wear when I'm not wearing turtle neck sweaters.
How about gloves? Actually I have gloves. So never mind on that.
See!? Now that I CAN'T buy things I find things I WANT to buy. It's only day 6.
Mom on the other hand is doing well. I don't think she's even tempted to buy anything. Now I walk into a store and all the clothes are mocking me. Like in "Confessions of a Shopaholic" where she walks past the windows and the mannequins are tapping on the glass and pointing to what they have trying to tempt her. I feel as if I've walked into that movie and that's me they're trying to tempt.
I shall be strong.
How about scarves? When you go to NYC you can get those scarves super cheap, like 3 for $10 or something, and they're always so soft and so warm. Do those count? I want a few of them to wear when I'm not wearing turtle neck sweaters.
How about gloves? Actually I have gloves. So never mind on that.
See!? Now that I CAN'T buy things I find things I WANT to buy. It's only day 6.
Mom on the other hand is doing well. I don't think she's even tempted to buy anything. Now I walk into a store and all the clothes are mocking me. Like in "Confessions of a Shopaholic" where she walks past the windows and the mannequins are tapping on the glass and pointing to what they have trying to tempt her. I feel as if I've walked into that movie and that's me they're trying to tempt.
I shall be strong.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Day 4
I was at the drug store buying cat food, because my kitties were out of food completely, and I almost bought a pair of tights. I'm finding things I want to buy and then having to actively remember that I can't buy it. I think it's one of those things where you don't want to do something until you're not allowed to, then suddenly it's all you can think about.
Oh yeah, good times.
The dishwasher I received for Christmas was missing a part that connected the hose to the sink. The other day I called up Home Depot to see if they had the part, which they did. I drove to the store, talked to the woman in the plumbing department, got my part and went back to my parents house who were having a dinner that night. After dinner I went home, opened the bag and...
The part was gone.
I have no idea what happened to it. I remember looking at the part in the car, so I know I had it in the car, but after that, I have no clue. We looked all over the house (the area's I'd been in), looked outside, looked in the car, looked in MY car and nothing. I have no idea where it is. The next day I went BACK to Home Depot after work and the part is out of stock.
>_< Someone does not want me to have a dishwasher.
Oh yeah, good times.
The dishwasher I received for Christmas was missing a part that connected the hose to the sink. The other day I called up Home Depot to see if they had the part, which they did. I drove to the store, talked to the woman in the plumbing department, got my part and went back to my parents house who were having a dinner that night. After dinner I went home, opened the bag and...
The part was gone.
I have no idea what happened to it. I remember looking at the part in the car, so I know I had it in the car, but after that, I have no clue. We looked all over the house (the area's I'd been in), looked outside, looked in the car, looked in MY car and nothing. I have no idea where it is. The next day I went BACK to Home Depot after work and the part is out of stock.
>_< Someone does not want me to have a dishwasher.
Commenting Tutorial
I've had a number of people tell me they're reading the blog, but are unsure how to comment. So below are two ways in which you can comment, one with an ID Blogger allows and one way anonymously.
If you're still having issues... I have no idea. I'm still trying to figure this website out. *heh* Thanks everyone for reading!!
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If you're still having issues... I have no idea. I'm still trying to figure this website out. *heh* Thanks everyone for reading!!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Day Two - Cleaned Out 4 Boxes
ORIGINALLY POSTED JANUARY 2, 2011
So the whole cleaning and getting rid of old ... things is a lot harder on my mother than I believe it is on me. While there are times when I think to myself, "maybe I should keep that, maybe I'll need it" for the most part I come to the conclusion that I'll never needed it and if it's in a box for a year (or longer) then obviously it's not doing me any good. The only issue I'm running into, is some things I want to get rid of, but I don't want to just toss them out or give them to Goodwill, so either I keep them, or I need to find someone I feel comfortable giving the items too. Lindsay's kids usually fit that bill, they're received a huge bag from me the last time I went on a cleaning binge.
Today, however, Mom and I sorted through 4 boxes from her attic. Most of this was my old stuffed animals that I then put into a plastic bag to give to Goodwill. There's one small box that I decided to keep, maybe 15 stuffed animals that have a special meaning to me. Mom did good. Just let me put all the animals in a bag without worry... though later she said that her heart was tugged a few times as I put things in a bag.
She also went through old papers, school papers, and holiday/Birthday cards and got rid of those. She did good! I know how hard that must have been.
4 boxes down, 16 to go. If she works at this rate, she'll have all 20 boxes finished by February.
So the whole cleaning and getting rid of old ... things is a lot harder on my mother than I believe it is on me. While there are times when I think to myself, "maybe I should keep that, maybe I'll need it" for the most part I come to the conclusion that I'll never needed it and if it's in a box for a year (or longer) then obviously it's not doing me any good. The only issue I'm running into, is some things I want to get rid of, but I don't want to just toss them out or give them to Goodwill, so either I keep them, or I need to find someone I feel comfortable giving the items too. Lindsay's kids usually fit that bill, they're received a huge bag from me the last time I went on a cleaning binge.
Today, however, Mom and I sorted through 4 boxes from her attic. Most of this was my old stuffed animals that I then put into a plastic bag to give to Goodwill. There's one small box that I decided to keep, maybe 15 stuffed animals that have a special meaning to me. Mom did good. Just let me put all the animals in a bag without worry... though later she said that her heart was tugged a few times as I put things in a bag.
She also went through old papers, school papers, and holiday/Birthday cards and got rid of those. She did good! I know how hard that must have been.
4 boxes down, 16 to go. If she works at this rate, she'll have all 20 boxes finished by February.
Day One
ORIGINALLY POSTED JANUARY 1, 2011
Well, I got up at 11, cleaned a bit and went to work on some graphical stuff I've been wanting to do. Due to the cleaning and the graphics work I didn't have time to buy any clothes so I would have to say that the first day is a success.
It's funny though, now that I can't buy any clothes I'm thinking of all the stuff I should have gotten before hand. Like fleece Pj pants. They are SO. COMFY!
Not needed though.
Tomorrow will be more cleaning, dinner with the family and then movie watching. I don't think I'll have much time for tomorrow to think about clothes shopping either.
Mom's going to empty 20 boxes from the attic... I find this to be a very large number and wish her luck...
Well, I got up at 11, cleaned a bit and went to work on some graphical stuff I've been wanting to do. Due to the cleaning and the graphics work I didn't have time to buy any clothes so I would have to say that the first day is a success.
It's funny though, now that I can't buy any clothes I'm thinking of all the stuff I should have gotten before hand. Like fleece Pj pants. They are SO. COMFY!
Not needed though.
Tomorrow will be more cleaning, dinner with the family and then movie watching. I don't think I'll have much time for tomorrow to think about clothes shopping either.
Mom's going to empty 20 boxes from the attic... I find this to be a very large number and wish her luck...
Last Day of Shopping
ORIGINALLY POSTED DECEMBER 31, 2010
For Christmas, I received a portable dishwasher. It was supposed to be delivered on Tuesday, but I received a call from them on Monday saying due to the blizzard, they wouldn't be able to deliver until Friday (not a big deal, really). Yesterday, I received a phone call saying the dishwasher would be delivered between 1 and 5 pm. Naturally, the way most things go when they give you a window like that, it's almost always delivered closer to the end of the window than at the beginning. I was a little bummed at this, because originally I'd been thinking I would go home for the delivery, then leave to do some last minute shopping.
So to my great surprise, the dishwasher was delivered at 1:00! I left work and took Mom shopping for pants. It's very difficult finding mid-rise boot cut NON-SKINNY pants these days, but we did find some. I had to return some pants to Macy's for being "just under waist" which really means "at waist" and sadly I had no luck there again, even at a different Macy's, but Mom ended up with 3 pairs, one of which will be brought back due to no pockets.
I did have some luck, strangely enough, at Target where I bought a pair of really pretty black pinstripes. Then at New York and Company I bought 2 pairs of pants. Get this... one pair is JEANS! That's right. Jeans! I broke down and bought my second pair of jeans in almost... what... 12 years? I also bought, in the same style, a pair of light brown/dark tan pants. I like them so hopefully they all fit.
In addition, I realized last night I needed underwear, I picked up 15 pairs of underwear, the cheap kind you get at Target, while I'm used to the nice kind at Victoria's Secret. These should at least get me through the year.
Mom's under the impression that underwear and socks are nessesities and can be purchased in 2011, I'm going to try not to purchase those things. Undies, because I have them and Socks because they're evil and go to my cat.
Tomorrow, I start cleaning my apartment. Deep cleaning. The kind of cleaning where you move everything to vacuum under the couch and stuff. It'll be nice to have a clean living room/Kitchen/Bathroom/Hallway. Then it will be time to clean the back room... but not this weekend.
Happy New Year everyone.
For Christmas, I received a portable dishwasher. It was supposed to be delivered on Tuesday, but I received a call from them on Monday saying due to the blizzard, they wouldn't be able to deliver until Friday (not a big deal, really). Yesterday, I received a phone call saying the dishwasher would be delivered between 1 and 5 pm. Naturally, the way most things go when they give you a window like that, it's almost always delivered closer to the end of the window than at the beginning. I was a little bummed at this, because originally I'd been thinking I would go home for the delivery, then leave to do some last minute shopping.
So to my great surprise, the dishwasher was delivered at 1:00! I left work and took Mom shopping for pants. It's very difficult finding mid-rise boot cut NON-SKINNY pants these days, but we did find some. I had to return some pants to Macy's for being "just under waist" which really means "at waist" and sadly I had no luck there again, even at a different Macy's, but Mom ended up with 3 pairs, one of which will be brought back due to no pockets.
I did have some luck, strangely enough, at Target where I bought a pair of really pretty black pinstripes. Then at New York and Company I bought 2 pairs of pants. Get this... one pair is JEANS! That's right. Jeans! I broke down and bought my second pair of jeans in almost... what... 12 years? I also bought, in the same style, a pair of light brown/dark tan pants. I like them so hopefully they all fit.
In addition, I realized last night I needed underwear, I picked up 15 pairs of underwear, the cheap kind you get at Target, while I'm used to the nice kind at Victoria's Secret. These should at least get me through the year.
Mom's under the impression that underwear and socks are nessesities and can be purchased in 2011, I'm going to try not to purchase those things. Undies, because I have them and Socks because they're evil and go to my cat.
Tomorrow, I start cleaning my apartment. Deep cleaning. The kind of cleaning where you move everything to vacuum under the couch and stuff. It'll be nice to have a clean living room/Kitchen/Bathroom/Hallway. Then it will be time to clean the back room... but not this weekend.
Happy New Year everyone.
Before the Year Starts
ORIGINALLY POSTED DECEMBER 30, 2010
Welcome everyone to my Year of Downsizing. The purpose is to not buy any clothes for an entire year. This means no underwear, no pants, no shirts, no socks.. not that I'll have any issues with the socks part, as anyone who knows me can tell you, socks are evil and must be destroyed. I will also empty out my apartment of unneeded or unused items. ALL unneeded and unused items.
What's the reason for this?
To see if I can do it. To set a personal goal for myself, and to limit the amount of "Stuff" coming into my house. I always say, "I don't have any of 'this' I need to buy some." But really, I have enough dresses, skirts, shirts, shorts and so on that I don't really NEED any of them. Also, I have 2 bins full of stuff at the back of my closet I haven't even looked at in 2 years, and a cabinet full of art supplies and MORE boxes that I haven't even looked at in over a year. Not to mention the "this and that" that's scattered throughout my apartment in various drawers and cabinets.
Now, typically I'm very good at (when the mood strikes) going through drawers and getting rid of things, or going through my closet and giving clothes to good will. I currently have a large trash bag FULL of clothes to take in, and I'm sure if I rewent through my closet, I'd find even more. But going through my WHOLE apartment makes me look at more than just the "junk" drawer in the kitchen or a few clothing items I no longer wear.
So with that said, I shall try to post at least once a week on the update of my cleaning binge and how hard it is not to buy any clothes for this full year.
My mother will be commenting periodically as well, as this was her goal first and I kind of stole it. For her, she'll be going through boxes in the attic rather than the whole house.
Welcome everyone to my Year of Downsizing. The purpose is to not buy any clothes for an entire year. This means no underwear, no pants, no shirts, no socks.. not that I'll have any issues with the socks part, as anyone who knows me can tell you, socks are evil and must be destroyed. I will also empty out my apartment of unneeded or unused items. ALL unneeded and unused items.
What's the reason for this?
To see if I can do it. To set a personal goal for myself, and to limit the amount of "Stuff" coming into my house. I always say, "I don't have any of 'this' I need to buy some." But really, I have enough dresses, skirts, shirts, shorts and so on that I don't really NEED any of them. Also, I have 2 bins full of stuff at the back of my closet I haven't even looked at in 2 years, and a cabinet full of art supplies and MORE boxes that I haven't even looked at in over a year. Not to mention the "this and that" that's scattered throughout my apartment in various drawers and cabinets.
Now, typically I'm very good at (when the mood strikes) going through drawers and getting rid of things, or going through my closet and giving clothes to good will. I currently have a large trash bag FULL of clothes to take in, and I'm sure if I rewent through my closet, I'd find even more. But going through my WHOLE apartment makes me look at more than just the "junk" drawer in the kitchen or a few clothing items I no longer wear.
So with that said, I shall try to post at least once a week on the update of my cleaning binge and how hard it is not to buy any clothes for this full year.
My mother will be commenting periodically as well, as this was her goal first and I kind of stole it. For her, she'll be going through boxes in the attic rather than the whole house.
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