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Archive through February 08, 2007

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Jan. 2007 ~ Mar. 2007: Home and Garden: TVCH's Home & Life Organization (ARCHIVES): Archive through February 08, 2007 users admin

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Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Monday, February 05, 2007 - 10:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Urgrace a private message Print Post    
Have any of you heard of, or more specifically, used Angie's List? It's a list of homeowners' reviews and ratings of home service contractors.

Vacanick
Member

07-12-2004

Monday, February 05, 2007 - 11:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vacanick a private message Print Post    
I have home service contractors coming this week to check out my kitchen and bathroom. I have no idea what questions I should be asking. Help!!

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Monday, February 05, 2007 - 12:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Urgrace a private message Print Post    
Here's Angies List site. It costs from $5 - $6 a month (have to buy a year) plus a one time fee of $10 to register, but says you can check out all the questions and concerns regarding the contractors in your area.

Skootz
Member

07-23-2003

Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 4:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Skootz a private message Print Post    
Just read that Oprah is having a declutter show tomorrow - here is the details of what I have

WEDNESDAY'S SHOW: This Is the Year to Declutter Your Life!

One family's home looks normal from the outside, but inside...it's crowded with clutter. Oprah calls in a professional with serious ground rules and a three-step action plan. Clean-up secrets that could help you get organized, lose weight and even have more sex!


Sounds interesting...esp that last part lol

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 6:25 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Urgrace a private message Print Post    
The kitchen wastebasket got scrubbed yesterday, although it wasn't bad because we keep a liner in it. I still had a box of canned cat food sitting on the counter waiting for me to dispose of, so I called my next door neighbor and asked her if she wanted it for her cats. (mine wouldn't eat it) She was happy to get it.

The interior of the car also got done, including the center arm rest that holds tapes and junk. There's not one thing in it now. I found a cracker under the driver's seat along with a box of Bounce and a now empty to-go coffee cup. What coffee that had been in it had spilled on the carpet. I found one glass that had popped out from a pair of reading glasses under the passenger seat. The door pockets revealed an ice scraper and map for Michigan on one side and a note pad and map for Austin in the other one. None of these have been used in a very long time.

My dh asked me what I want for my upcoming birthday, and I told him I wanted the car detailed, so Thursday I will be without a car.

It's been so long since I sat down and watched Oprah, I'll have to look and see what time she comes on for tomorrow's show.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 6:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
So many things to consider here this morning...it'll be fun re-reading and checking out a few things.

Tuesday's mission:

Dear Friends,

Today we are going to venture in to the pantry! If you do not have a pantry, then choose one cabinet in your kitchen to straighten.

You know how they start off so nice and orderly and somehow the boxes overtake each other and then (my personal favorite) the EMPTY boxes
of cereal, cookies etc, that no one knows who the last one to have them are just in there piling up! Allow yourself one good UUUUGGGHHH, take a breath and start dumping. Look for anything that is out of date and toss that as well. Little compares to the shining sink like a freshly straightened cabinet or pantry!

Have fun and this can count as a 27 fling boogie!

~Kelly


Thanks, Skootz, for the heads up about today's Oprah show. I'll make a serious attempt to watch.

Vacanick, you're going to have so much fun making decisions about contractors, etc. One of the things I heard recently (TODAY show) was that the state of the contractor's truck could be a good indication of what kind of person he is and how good his work will be. (Hope that isn't true of my contractor's truck, though!)

Speaking of which, Urgrace, adding the car as a zone would be a wonderful idea. So many cars get overlooked and what's with kids today? My kids literally have to sweep off the front seat before I can get in. It's sad...really sad.

ETA: OOOPS, not today's Oprah show...tomorrow's!

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 8:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Well, gee, I might have known that FlyLady had already assigned a day to cleaning the car...Friday. I have this kind of tool (Hey Tom Car Duster) purchased at VIP or someplace and it really does work great. *Source*

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 9:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Oh Gracie, you'll love the detailing! I had mine detailed in June (the one year anniversary of getting the new minivan) and it was wonderful! I usually keep it pretty clean since it's still "new" and I'm still proud of it, lol, but it was so nice to hop into it and see the upholstrey and carpets cleaned and all those little things they do both inside and out. It'll definitely be a once a year thing for me for awhile.

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 11:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
LOL, you guys will laugh. I cleaned out my pantry a couple of weeks ago, I found a box of malt-o-meal that was dated 1998! Plus I went through my recipes and discarded more than half. I only kept ones I had made and loved. On the show "neat" the organizer said that if the lady wanted a recipe she could easily go online to get it. I realized that when I decide to cook something that is exactly what I do, unless it is something that I know I have a recipe for. So now I have a great book with the stuff I use.

I am curious what Oprah has to say!

Good Cleaning today!!

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 11:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
No laughing here, Dipo, not too long ago I was going through the medicine cabinet and found a prescription anti nasuea med that had expired in 2000. I wish I could say that was the only expired one in there but it's not. My problem is I'm not quite sure how to dispose of expired meds. I know you're not supposed to dump them down the drain or flush them and to take rx labels off, but the idea of even throwing the label-less bottle in the trash bugs me because we do have people who come by and go through the cans looking for bottles and aluminum cans.

Sia
Member

03-11-2002

Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 1:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sia a private message Print Post    
Wargod, since you mention disposing of medicines, maybe someone would post an item here outlining how to safely dispose of all kinds of hazardous household products.

HOW DOES ONE SAFELY/ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUNDLY DISPOSE OF:

-used batteries (AA, AAA, not car batteries, LOL)
-unused paint, both latex and oil-based
-spray cans
-smoke detectors/Carbon monoxide detectors (they have something radioactive inside)
-outdated medicines
-pet flea products that are too old to use
-buckets of cleaning water that are full of strong chemicals (e.g., TSP)

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 3:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Wargod, outdated medicines should be taken to your local pharmacy to be disposed of properly.

In my community, we have special days for collecting hazardous wastes such as paints and cleaners. Our local transfer station requires that we recycle so that's not an issue in my community. Will be interested to see what others do with their items. Is it a problem to dump cleaning water down the drain? Acckkk, hadn't even thought of that one, Sia.

Today's mission was such a challenge for me. It took me all day long! It was an ongoing case of one thing leading to another. In the middle of it, I threw up my hands and headed for Wal*Mart to purchase storage containers. I think that was because I needed a big break. Obviously I bit off more than could be reasonably done in a day. That nasty old perfectionism was rearing its ugly head. At least I can serve as a bad example.

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 3:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Urgrace a private message Print Post    
Had to take a break from the mission since I just did my pantry and didn't get all my paperwork done yesterday like a good girl. Happily I am now done with that project and will tackle the last cupboard in the kitchen in a little while. I have to fix supper right now, though, so cross your fingers that I don't procrastinate on that one.

War, I am sooooo looking forward to my car being clean inside and out! As it is Vee, I will be one day ahead on that duty. LOL

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 3:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Urgrace a private message Print Post    
This was a very interesting read on disposal of household hazardous waste: Official Ohio Site

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 4:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Our local waste management also has collection days for hazardous stuff, I just got a brouchure for them not too long ago. But, it's only one or two mornings a week and only a few hours at a time and they only take certain things. I remember used cooking oil was one of the things they didn't take but I can't remember if it was listed where to dispose of it.

For stuff like batteries and paint we usually wait til we have enough to make the trip worthwhile since the place is about 20 minutes away.

Thanks Vee, I never knew the pharmacy would dispose of the meds!

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 5:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Dear Friends:

Well it is day 3 in the kitchen, are you ready?

Today we are going to de-clutter our leftover, food storage, plastic, Rubbermaid, Tupperware, Glad-Ware, etc., containers!

Do you have excess lids? More bowls than lids? Stained and or Melted? Do we even need to talk about those old margarine, ice cream and sherbet containers?

It is time to let go of this clutter. I am not telling you that you can't keep any containers, I am telling you to get rid of the ones that have no lids, stained and the ones that keep getting shoved in the back because it just isn't a size that works for you.

I don't know what a reasonable number of containers to own is, that is a personal choice that has to be made on how you cook, store and
the size of your family.

I just know that if you haven't de-cluttered these items in the past 6 months it is time to really go through them and start tossing!

Spend 10 minutes doing this, don't get sidetracked and rip apart your cabinets and drawers. One thing at a time.

Have fun!

Kelly


Vacanick, you're all set for today having already done this mission this week. NT and Urgrace probably have it under control as well. Dipo, yup, I think you do, too. So who does that leave besides me? I know that I haven't done it in a while and those things collect faster than anything. I just hope that today doesn't turn into another yesterday.

Omigosh, I am so slow, I don't read. don't get sidetracked and rip apart your cabinets and drawers. One thing at a time. So that is what happened to me yesterday...

Happy Fluttering, Everybody!

P.S. Don't forget Oprah today...thanks again, Skootz.

Rissa
Member

03-20-2006

Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 6:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rissa a private message Print Post    
Don't know if this will interest anyone but Rubbermaid has a pretty sweet deal going right now. I went to their website last week and was asked if I would be willing to complete an online survey. I usually blow these off but it has a great incentive. The survey is long, takes a solid 10-15 minutes. I have now been contacted and told that if I am willing to complete one more survey involving weighing 3 of my many plastic storage bins that I will get 30% off all rubbermaid products for a solid year. We moved recently so I have at least 2 closets that need organizers plus an outside deck box and garden storage unit. This discount will quite literally save me hundreds of dollars so is worth the work. The survey doesn't pop up everytime, but the website is: www.rubbermaid.com if anyone wants to try to get lucky.

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 11:05 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
LOL, I love it when the mission is something I have already done, hahahahahaha!

Native_texan
Member

08-24-2004

Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 1:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Native_texan a private message Print Post    
Dipo, I was think the same exact thing this morning. Since I don't really have much in the way of Zone 1 and I had already done Zone 2, this past week has made me feel like I'm slacking off.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 1:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Now, girls, isn't that a lovely feeling to know that you are ahead of the game? You have no little pet projects that you want to get done? You've been able to keep the hotspots under control? Are you both dressed to shoes? Are your beds made? Laundry moving along? Sink shined? It is true that it's easier to keep a clean house clean. Soooo, what are you both doing with your extra time? Something fun I hope!!

Native_texan
Member

08-24-2004

Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 2:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Native_texan a private message Print Post    
The overhaul of my spare room is done except for a few very small jobs.

I'm doing pretty good so far at trying not to have hotspots.

I work outside the home so I have to be dressed to the shoes.

As ya'll know, I make my bed as I'm crawling out of it.

With there only being two of us, I only do laundry 1-2 days a week.

I will admit that I did not shine my sink last night, but there were no dirty dishes.

Much of my time now is being spent planning a shower luncheon for my newlywed stepson and his wife for when they come home in March. I spent the last 3 nights perfecting the design of the invitations but I'm already thinking of changing it again. Since they didn't get a big fancy wedding, I'm trying to really make this special. Tonight I'm going to start working on the cross stitch sampler that I will be giving them as a gift. I probably won't have it done in time for the party, but one way or the other I will have it done before we go to San Diego in March when he is deployed to the Gulf.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 2:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Wow, NT, it sounds as if you have plenty of project to stay busy with and an important one, too. It'll be so good for you to be able to sit down with your cross stitching and not feel guilty that you should be doing x, y or z. Way to go!

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 9:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Accckkkk! I forgot to watch Oprah!

Skootz
Member

07-23-2003

Thursday, February 08, 2007 - 4:07 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Skootz a private message Print Post    
Vee, dh and I watched it last night. It was good. They showed this family (she works at the "container store" and her house was just unbelievable. They came in and decluttered everything. They started in the girls room by putting all their clothes on a tarp in the front yard....and went from there. The only thing I don't like about the show is that they go out and purchase all this stuff, including paint(that they painted everything for them) and some furniture pieces etc., and redid everything. I don't like that because people cannot just go and get decluttered and afford all the paint and all the containers plus new furniture. It does give a bit of a false outlook of the actual decluttering and that it costs money to declutter. They also gave a new bedroom bedding set to the couple..I liked the one they had before. (IMHO) - I like the containers and know you can get them anywhere and are needed for decluttering...and people need to use what they have too. It was almost too big of a job for a person watching to tackle. They had a crew come in and it was done in 72 hours. The outcome was beautiful and they have kept it up. They also went into the reasoning for having so much clutter and how the clutter will take over your live, i.e. in the bedroom, kitchen etc., The wife is in charge of the house and the kids come second...you cannot have a happy family life if you put your kids first cause then the clutter takes over and you have nothing...They had so much stuff all over that if the girls wanted to do something i.e. a craft etc., that it took too long trying to get it all out and finding it that they decided not to do it.

I did like what they did in the garage. The guy lined up everything down the driveway and they had to keep walking and as they walked could pick out stuff they needed/wanted to keep. The rest was gone. It was split decision and if there was any hesitation as to whether or not to keep it, it was gone. They would need a cube van or moving truck to take out the remainder.

it is a great way to do it, when you declutter and have your boxes ready for keeping, selling, donating, garbage etc., if you hesitate about an object...its gone

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Thursday, February 08, 2007 - 5:41 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Thanks so much, Skootz, for the recap. I agree with you...decluttering doesn't have to cost a dime. ...if you hesitate about an object...its gone... Gulp! LOL!

Rissa, thank you so much for your link. There are lots of Tupperware lovers about...you KNOW who you are. If one is planning to purchase only what is needed, Tupperware is a great product. Personally, I have been trying to part with a lot of mine for the reasons that Kelly always lists...no lid, stained, warped, etc.

Rissa, are you a flybaby, too? We'd love to have you join us here!


Today's mission:

Dear Friends:

We are still tackling the kitchen this week!!! What do you think I have in store for you today? LOL!

This involves old toothbrushes and elbow grease! Yes you guessed it! Grab those toothbrushes and some general purpose cleaner and scrub those faucets on your kitchen sink. It is amazing how much gunk can build up around the seals and edges.

Have fun, this is a quick mission that shows instant results!

Kelly


Okay, I just did this one the last time we were in the kitchen, BUT I am going to do it again just to see how much buildup there has been. I'm thinking of it as a science project. I'll even report back.

Happy Fluttering!