Author |
Message |
Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, May 08, 2004 - 11:28 am
I'm still working on the Crisis Clean-up and finishing off the boxes. I ordered Saving Dinner. I am working on menus and shopping lists. There are quite a few things I truly doubt that DH will try. However, IF I put together the meals I know he will try, and I input them into MasterCook, then it will generate my shopping lists. Yesterday, I didn't want to eat--the horrible tasting putty the dentist used really stuck to the back of my throat.
|
Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, May 08, 2004 - 3:19 pm
Well, my FlyLady feather duster arrived, along with my new sink trap and timer. The duster is indeed fantastic. Of course, Bopper, Punk, and Speckle all think it's THEIR toy.
|
Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 4:29 pm
I managed to get our upright freezer cleaned out, defrosted, and organized. I caught some sales and started the restocking process. Out of Leanne's meal suggestions, I found 3 that appealed to DH. It's a start. I've decided to start going through cookbooks and transferring recipes that I know he'll try to Mastercook. Then, I can select 5-6 meals, generate their shopping lists, and prepare them. Master cook will not only do the shopping lists, but will also rescale the recipes--which I didn't realize until recently. That's a really cool feature. I'm making up "Rerun" Dinners from our leftovers. I picked up some Rubbermaid Take-Along Containers. The two compartment dishes are perfect for us to make up frozen dinners from the leftovers. The plus side is that when I don't feel up to cooking, we have an option that isn't less than desirable. Tomorrow, I'll be making more beer braised porkchops to put in the freezer--that, with the sides of glazed carrots with dill--will make up four meals for sometime in the next 30 days. Add to that the easy chicken casserole and the lemon cod, and I should have a nice set up of dinners for future use. I hope to tackle the dining room more tomorrow. I did discover that I need a small bookshelf for my books. It's on my wish list.
|
Dipo
Member
04-23-2002
| Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 6:58 pm
Wow, LK you are doing great. I really need to figure out some meal planning myself. I can never think of stuff to make and end up not eating very well. I went and took a look at that saving dinner thing and I am considering it. Did I miss the discussion of the easy chicken casserole? that sounds good, I am always interested in another way to cook chicken. Keep up the great work.
|
Purplecow
Member
12-08-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 6:08 am
Baby steps:
And a funny story: I subscribe to 5 different sewing and/or machine embroidery magazines. When they arrive I glance through them and them put them in a basket in the bathroom for further perusal. I enjoy reading about and looking at all the wonderful projects and techniques. Needless to say, I never DO any of them. So I decided to sort out a year's worth of magazines and put them neatly on shelves in my sewing room so I'll have them handy if and when I ever get around to actually sewing something. Guess what I found in the very bottom of the basket: Julie Morgenstern's Organizing from the Inside Out!
|
Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 6:55 pm
Dipo: The easy chicken casserole was in my first menu mailer. So far, I have been able to get one-to-two meals out of each mailer that DH will eat. I definitely have to do the premade meals. Since I wrote that last post, I've been crashing on deadlines and haven't had time to do any food prep or cooking. I'm actually thinking about open shelving instead of a closed bookcase. It would prevent wasted space.
|
Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 11:38 am
Is anyone FLYing today? I'm working on the kitchen. I will get it cleaned out and up so I can cook without rearranging the countertop every time. I will, I will, I will....
|
Sherrie
Member
11-23-2003
| Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 6:55 pm
Hi Lk! I am not flying so much as maintaining! How goes it in the kitchen? You posted a while ago so maybe, just maybe your are all done! I did have to clean out the refrigerator this morning when I noticed I had poked a hole in a bag of blueberries. YUCK!!! That was a real mess!
|
Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 8:13 pm
Well, I have the kitchen looking great from the outside. Tomorrow, I'll tackle the insides of the refrigerator/freezer, cabinets, and wash the floor and shine/polish the sink. I also restarted my MCL list--this time on the computer. As I put things on the list, I try to figure out ways that I can modify my desires. For example, I keep seeing all those fruit bowls with the hanging hook for the bananas. I know our bananas screw up the other fruit and veggies...but, rather than spend 9.99 for another bowl, I installed a hook under the cabinet that is over the fruit bowl, and then took a large (3"?) ring and put it on the hook. When I bought bananas today, I ran the ring between the bananas, and, viola!, they are hanging up above the other fruits and veggies. It looks really good so far, and I cleared out MORE clutter. I am also putting my Oster Kitchen Center on eBay on Monday. That will clear out a whole cabinet. I know it will sell, and it will pay for the materials I need for my shelves for books. I also ordered a shelf to go over my sink today. I found one I really like: it isn't plastic and it's tall enough that it will be even with the window ledge. I bought a flowering plant today to go on the shelf with the soap dispenser and the green plants just to give it a burst of color. I won't have ANYTHING on the sink itself--which should help out a lot with keeping things clean. Monday, I'll be tackling the dining room. It's going to be a hard room--I have to essentially be ruthless and either find places for things or get rid of things. So I suspect I will have a lot of garbage bags and donation boxes. By Wednesday, I want to be tearing apart the bathrooms, the linen closet, the coat closet and the laundry closet, in no particular order. Then, when all of those rooms are done, I'll finish off the living room. I'm reserving that room since it is holding so much stuff for the various other rooms. By handling the other rooms first, I'll be emptying out the living room at the same time. I firmly plan on having EVERYTHING cleared out by the 28th--my birthday. That will also give me the 3 day weekend off--and the opportunity to enjoy myself and only tackle the standard daily routines. Then, it is merely a matter of continuing with my Zones, and work on creating my Control Journal and my Menus. I just want to keep things under control. I've truly learned that if I am not in balance within my surroundings, I become creatively stifled. I'm tired of that. I want to be content with my life and that starts with a house in balance. So, I have my plan. And, hopefully, I'll have all of you here for support.
|
Rosie
Member
11-12-2003
| Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 8:19 pm
LK, you sure have my support and admiration but I have to say I am worn out just reading about all of the things you are doing. You go girl!
|
Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 8:20 pm
Thanks, Rosie. You don't have to do it, just please be here to support me while I do. Then I'll support you wherever I can.
|
Rosie
Member
11-12-2003
| Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 8:24 pm
Actually I can give you a hand LK 
|
Autumn
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 8:24 pm
I'm with Rosie, LK, I'm ready to take a nap just from reading!!! Do you run on duracel or energizers?  ((LK)) You've got my support as always. (I'm sewing your superwoman cape as we speak - only I'm doing it by hand so give me some time...lol!)
|
Rosie
Member
11-12-2003
| Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 8:26 pm
Waves to Autumn. Didn't know you were here - didn't see your speedster. lol Whenever I get a sudden burst of energy, I find that taking a nap helps.
|
Autumn
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 8:44 pm
Zooms over: did you need a lift, Gran? I didn't drive it in before because LK was whipping around so fast she zoomed me right off the road. Next time we should take the "LK Express" and leave the speedster at home. 
|
Rosie
Member
11-12-2003
| Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 8:47 pm
Thank you Autumn. Speedster looks nice - did you wash it today? Carry on LK and it sounds like you are doing a great job.
|
Autumn
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 8:51 pm
No, LK gave it that lovely shine as she zoomed by me - she's quick with a shammie! (and thorough!)
|
Autumn
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 8:52 pm
Oh, I just caught this post not sure how I missed it earlier: so is the duster all that they promote it to be, L?
|
Sherrie
Member
11-23-2003
| Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 10:28 pm
Autumn - I can answer that - YES!!! You would be amazed! Laurie that is great about how much you have done!!! I am impressed!!! How are you and DH enjoying Leanne's recipes? Taste and ease of preparation? I live alone so don't think it is worth it but am wondering what you think now that you have tried them out. When you were discussing balance I shared a private smile with you. In the 30 days chapter where you have to come up with acknowledgments over the past year, I put following the Flylady system into action as one. Just because I have bumped into it so many time I just wanted to remind you to be cautious about tossing when you get to the living room and are on the final stretch. I am still finding myself going in search of things that I 27 Flinged Boogied! Needless to say that is one email that is deleted immediately (for me - I have nothing left that I don't use!! LOL) Hang in there - you are so close!!!! <wondering how I keep missing Autumn and Rosie??? Are they hiding from me...>
|
Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 8:29 am
Autumn: I love my duster. If we had a fire, and DH and the cats were safe, I would have to debate what to grab next: my altar box or the duster. To play it safe, both of them are right by the front door. I haven't done that much yet, guys. By the end of the MONTH I hope to have done a lot. Yesterday was mostly the chance to reclaim my surface kitchen. The primary thing is to now keep the kitchen clean. Hence the list that is hanging from the ceiling in the doorway. DH wanted to know how my ordering the new shelf isn't adding more clutter. I think I explained it to him clearly. It isn't clutter since it will be holding things that I enjoy, but will put them out of the way of the sink making it easier for me to clean. Sherrie: I really debated doing it, since DH is a really picky eater. But, I figured that if I could snag a couple of meals a week, put them into MasterCook and generate my own menus/shopping lists, it would be worth it. I ordered the Menu Mailer for 2--everything is scaled to just 2 servings. (In fact, if you were thinking about it, this would be the one to consider: just freeze the other portion and eat it later in the month.) None of the meals have taken longer than 30 minutes to prepare, which is a plus to my mind. Trust me, I learned my lesson on tossing when I tossed the sink strainer. I know what happened: it let the water out again and I just became overly irritated and tossed it into the big black garbage bag. I fully expect that by the time I finish, I will indeed be deleting the 27-Fling emails with a clear conscience. (Or not: our daily paper always has more than 27 pages .) When we move, I'll buy a cheap 99-cent strainer. FlyLady strainer goes WITH me. I am close, and seeing it in black & blue up there is really encouraging me. It's weird--I started taking Osteo Biflex triple strength on Monday. Since Wednesday, I've been able to reduce the amount of pain pills I'm on and I've been more flexible. That helps a lot too: when I feel good, I want my surroundings to feel good too.
|
Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 9:46 am
Sounds like everyone has been plucking along. Unfortunately I have only been doing the bare minimum (with the emphasis on "mini") this past week or so. Thanks to maintaining, the house is not in that bad a shape though. Lk, I like your "clutterfree" banana tree idea. Hope whenever someone comes up with a practical household solution that you'll post it here. (Which reminds me, rather than have plastic shopping bags floating around the house, I keep them in a large Kleenex box. Great storage place, you can thumbtack it to inside kitchen doors or any other place where they are out of the way.) Good luck with your dental "fun". That too, shall pass and I'll keep my fingers crossed for it to pass quickly. Purple, WOW! Great babysteps! Pat yourself on the back! Dipo, there is a "What's for dinner?" thread at TVCH. That might help with menu planning ideas, too. Because we don't have Paypal, we ordered feather dusters elsewhere. They are ostrich as well and I really like mine. They aren't cheap, but well worth the money, I believe. Oh, and I see we have a cheering section now, too. Welcome Autumn and Rosie, wisecracks and all!
|
Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 9:54 am
Lumbele: As I come up with ideas, I'll post them. I ended up faxing my order into FlyLady--it was cheaper than going through Paypal, since the shipping was much less. I'm sure I would have been credited back the amount, but I figured I'd just keep the money. I figure that the dental work will be excellent in the long run. I just have to get through the short run. It sounds like while you've only been doing the minimum, that you still have things under control--which is awesome and inspiring to me.
|
Autumn
Member
10-29-2003
| Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 10:48 am
Lumbele, I love the tip about the plastic bags ~ and imagine it makes it easier to nab one as well. Thanks for that!!! Cheering section? Well...I have been accused of being a cheerleader but I don't mind, I love seeing (and helping where and when I can) people succeed. I think you're all great and any step is a step, big or small. 
|
Purplecow
Member
12-08-2003
| Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 7:06 pm
Thanks, Lum. I'm still plugging along. 8 bags went in the trash from my office last week. Not big bags, just Denny's take out bags, but a substantial amount. All my tole paint . . . sigh. Now the office looks worse than ever because I've turned it upside down, but I think by the end of the week it will be okay. It will never be great. There's just too much stuff I need. I think I can whip through the bedroom in one day. It's all clothes and they're all my clothes. I need to get rid of enough so that all I have will fit in the dresser drawers. The closet is okay. LK, that duster actually picks up the dust rather than spreading it around? I was thinking of getting one of those Swiffer dusters. You all know that household dust is all sloughed off skin cells, right? Ewww.
|
Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 7:34 pm
Purple: It certainly does pick things up and doesn't push them around. I was amazed; I was also glad to not have to buy any more Swiffer sheets. I'm trying to cut down on the amount of trash our household generates. Today I shined and waxed the kitchen sinks, organized all but 2 cabinets, and cleaned out the refrigerator. The cabinets that are left are the pantry--for those I have to figure out some storage solutions. I think I'll sit tight for a bit, and save some money and get some of those Elba pull-out drawers. Today, while cleaning, I made some chocolate syrup. DH is thrilled. We made Leanne's lemon fish for dinner--DH loved it. It's now been added to the Master Cook list. Tomorrow, I tackle the dining room--aka my art area. I am NOT looking forward to it as it is an overwhelming disaster. But, I figured I'd start with the stuff that ISN'T in boxes, and then work on the boxes. I fully intend to get rid of a lot though. Wish me luck, everyone.
|
|
|
|