Author |
Message |
Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 10:06 am
That's the ONE thing I LOVE about this new house. Kitty litter in the basement. Eddie's not a stinker. Zippy is a BIG stinker. Taking a break. Doing laundry - does it EVER end? The bathroom has been cleaned from top to bottom and then some. Our bedroom done. Kitchen & Dining room done. I even got done some touch up painting. Then I fell off the freaking platform and got paint all over the floor. BLAH all this painting I've been doing and I fall off while touching up a less than 1/2 inc piece that was pulled off with the tape. There's a reason my name ain't Grace!!! So I decided it was a good time for a break. So all I have left upstairs is the living room, guest room, and filing in my bedroom that I shoved in the bottom dresser drawer. Hubby is gonna help me with the family room downstairs. Never got it painted so it's an awesome white primer over hunter green paint. We just need to move stuff around, some stuff into the extra bedroom downstairs, and arrange the furniture. Oh heck I need to clean the bathroom downstairs even tho it's off limits for the moment.
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 1:25 pm
Serate, that's why my name is Grace. A tongue-in-cheek nickname given to me by my dad at a very young age, and revivied by my best friend at a not-so-very young age. Uh huh So how much paint did you spill and how fast did you get it up? 
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Friday, June 01, 2007 - 4:36 am
*Friday's Mission* *Gasp* A multi-roomed mission that might take longer than 15 minutes???? On date night????? Somebody's losing it. LOL! Urgrace, have you been preparing your dh for date night all week long? You could take him out on a date just to get him used to the concept. Serate, it's no fun to make more of a mess when you're trying to make things nice and pretty. Happens to me more than I'd like to say. I have learned that, for me, this means I must slow down...way down. Yup, it's the old haste makes waste deal. Happy fluttering all and happy date night!
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Friday, June 01, 2007 - 7:15 am
Oh my that's so funny! I've already cleaned the living room and den this morning, dusted and did floors. I have the craft table set up in the living room cuz me and Dakota have been painting picture frames this week. When we're done, I push the table to a corner, throw all the paint supplies and decorations in a box and leave the frames sitting to dry. This morning while cleaning the living room, I noticed a whole stack of the kids graded homework sitting on the craft table. Then when I was getting Darren out the door and handed him his lunch box which was sitting on the kitchen table (which sets next to the front door) I noticed the mail and junk that has accumulated the last couple days. I decided to leave both tables til my nephew gets here because those are jobs I can do while he's here.
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Saturday, June 02, 2007 - 10:01 pm
I'm on STRIKE. I posted in the vent thread. Urgrace there wasn't alot of paint but it flew everywhere it seems. *L* I'm using Dutch Boy and it doesn't come in the regular paint can. It's a plastic square type container with a screw on lid. I just shook the paint up really well to mix it then unscrewed the lid and used the paint in it. I would have loved for it to drop face down but no it had to drop face up and splatter everywhere. I just found some more earlier tonight. But it's laytex so it's coming off ok. Vee wasn't hurrying, I was just stupid. My brother loaned me this platform thingy. I'm terribly afraid of heights, and the platform thingy is like only 40 inches high but gets me to where I can reach the ceiling, and it's like 4 feet wide, a foot or so deep. When I got off the counter onto the platform instead of just stopping and took another step back and wham. It's kind of funny except for thinking what would have happened if one of the kitties would have been where I landed. I made MY bed today. Breakfast was cold cereal or whatever anybody could find in the fridge. Did dishes. Shut the guest room door as the room was left a mess for ME to clean up. I'm on strike. Lunch was easy, company went to Adventureland and it was just me and hubby. So we went to Maid-Rite for a tenderloin and fries for him and Maid-Rite and cheese sticks for me. Supper was grilled out food that company wouldn't eat. Pointed out that there was peanut butter and baloney, then showed them where we kept our coupons for eating out and they left. Later I was instructed that a hot breakfast was expected. Boxes of cereal and jar of peanut butter, and bowls, spoons, glasses, and cups are sitting out on the counter, OJ & milk & baloney in the fridge, coffee set to start brewing at 7am. I plan on sleeping in.
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Sunday, June 03, 2007 - 8:30 am
Serate, I just relayed your story to my dh, and frankly we are in awe of their nerve, and more in awe of you! We think you rock!!! Let us know if you need help on your STRIKE picketline. We rent out cheap. Grin.
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Dipo
Member
04-23-2002
| Sunday, June 03, 2007 - 10:00 am
LOL, Serate, your guests don't sound like guests to me more like moochers. When I visit someone I help as much as possible, cooking, cleaning up etc! Keep up the strike. I was wondering if anyone knew of someplace I can look for ideas on the best way to arrange a kitchen. I am packing an planning for the move to the new house. I just thought I have seen or heard of a recommended set up for kitchens and thought I would start there. Thanks.
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Sunday, June 03, 2007 - 11:19 am
Dipo, here ya go: Creating an efficient, well-organized kitchen Think of your kitchen as a single room with three separate work centers: preparation, cooking and cleanup. Keep in mind where, what and how you use an item before you put it back into each cabinet or drawer. Easy access and return is important. If you can get to something and return it to its designated space without a hassle, the chance of your kitchen staying organized is greater. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Place food supplies and cooking utensils as close as possible to the area where you'll use them most. Save easy-to-reach shelves and cupboards for items you need every day and store items used less frequently on top shelves and out- of-the-way places. Put pots, pans and other cookware such as griddles, casseroles and other specialty cooking dishes near the range or oven for easy access. Stack saucepans by size with lids in a rack alongside them. Place large pans and skillets in a nearby cabinet. Store baking sheets, muffin tins and cake pans in a cabinet next to your oven or in a cabinet beneath a built-in oven. Arrange them by size and those used most often. A rack works well to store baking sheets on their side. Stack mixing bowls by size and store in the cabinets or drawers where you do most of your food preparation. Keep large knives, spoons, spatulas and other preparation tools in a top drawer near the dishwasher and counter where you prepare food. Store staples such as flour, sugar and spices near your food preparation area. Locate flatware, dishes and glasses near the dishwasher so you don't have to haul them across the kitchen to put them away. Put cleaning supplies, the wastebasket and kitchen linens closest to your clean-up areas like the sink and dishwasher. Place microwave containers in the cabinet nearest the microwave oven along with leftover storage containers. The Food Pantry Before you put things away, think about how you will fill prime and non-prime spaces. For example, prime, eye-level shelves should be reserved for your items used most often. Store canned vegetables, fruits and soups together, organized by contents, for quick access. Keep all baking ingredients together on one shelf, such as flour, sugar, baking soda and baking powder. Cake mixes, muffin mixes, Jell-o and pudding mixes go on the same shelf with baking ingredients. Place pastas, rice and boxed quick meals together on another shelf. Designate a lower shelf for paper storage, then place napkins, paper towels and plates together. Keep heavy items, such as soda bottles, on a lower shelf. Place smaller items in a shoebox or plastic container that keeps them easy to find. Put single ingredients like dried beans, rice, and noodles in clear containers or canisters so you can easily find what you are looking for. Rotate dried and canned goods, using those with the closest expiration date first. Throw out old food or items you aren't likely to use again. Keep your pantry organized by putting things back in the spots you've designated for them.
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Sunday, June 03, 2007 - 11:21 am
Serate, are these the same visitors you had earlier this spring? If so, I am applauding you on your strike! Good for you. LOL
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Dipo
Member
04-23-2002
| Sunday, June 03, 2007 - 11:51 am
thanks ugrace! I have added it to my moving control journal!
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Sunday, June 03, 2007 - 2:32 pm
You're welcome! I would also put spices in a cupboard next to the stove/area for food prep.
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Sunday, June 03, 2007 - 8:18 pm
Mame the company's gone but I might still rent you out so I can meet you. I love you and your hubby! Nope Urgrace different visitors, hubby's family tho. It's all good they are gone, and the next set that were to visit on Tuesday had to cancel. And thanks for the info above. Basically how I did it in Kentucky and sorta like I do it here, just I gave up alot of cupboard space in this house. But I did get a few ideas.
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Monday, June 04, 2007 - 4:52 am
*June 4–8* *Monday's Mission* Speaking of kitchens...Great list, Urgrace! Thanks for posting and thanks for requesting, Dipo. Serate, you've given me quite a few chuckles over the past several days. Sorry that they were at your expense. I admire your spunk and the way that you handle those "guests." Maybe I can start taking a break from flying. The carpenter is going to knock a big hole in the wall for the new bay window and what would be the sense of trying to clean the kitchen with that going on? Ha! My portal has been relocated from its cosy spot in the dining room to a less-than-ideal spot behind the sofa in the living room. I'm so jammed into this corner that I am truly inspired to lose more weight. At least, this will be its semi-permanent home because this space will ultimately become a home office and a guest room. Someday. Someday. You all have a wonderful day! Hope that we hear from all our flutterers this week. Some are fluttering a little far out on the fringes lately. 
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Monday, June 04, 2007 - 6:03 am
Awww (((Serate))).... blush.
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Monday, June 04, 2007 - 6:39 am
Vee, your dilemma of dust flying sounds like your Honey is carrying out his Honey-Do list quite nicely! You need to select a romantic novel and retreat to a shady garden spot and flutter on the fringe today! Have a story about cleaning the dust bunnies from the ceiling. A long time ago my dh offered his services to clean all things above my head. Since I'm kinda short, I was loving the 'Honey-Do' idea. One day, as I walked into the kitchen I noticed the white ceiling was looking very dingy around the air conditioner vent, and because there is also a ceiling fan its blades were a bit 'furry'. When dh got home from his part-time retirement job I asked him if he would clean the fan and dust the ceiling. He got out some supplies and the kitchen ladder and went to work. He did the fan first, even taking down the globes and washing them nicely, but instead of using a nice dry duster he tackled the air vent with his soapy water. "Honey, don't!" I cried, but it was too late! The more he swished that wet rag, the worse it got. The clean area widened. It became a circle in the middle of the ceiling. He got flustered and panicked. "Now what am I going to do?" he said. "This ceiling is free-flowing right into the dining room and the living room and the front hall!" he gasped. Shaking my head I said, "Honey I tried to stop you! Now you'll have to do the rest " <shrug> <evil grin>
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Tuesday, June 05, 2007 - 3:23 am
*Tuesday's Mission* *The Riley Challenge for June 1* (Just so you can see what these challenges are like for the children.) LOL, Urgrace! Does your poor dh offer to do these "honey do" jobs much anymore? For today's task, don't forget to use those microfiber cloths. Sis and I spent the day in the basement cleaning. No babysteps, we just roared through. I was able to part with so much more and that included almost my entire stash of rags! You cannot imagine how huge that is as I must've been a rag vendor in a former life. I owe it all to the microfiber cloths. (I did save some baby diapers and a few excellent cotton sheets, but that's all.) My sister wanted to get rid of an old dehumidifier, but I wouldn't let her...I use it twice a week to set the litter box on for my special litter formula. I am so OCD! Howie Mandel has nothing on me! The mess is ongoing...I'll be sharing some pics Thursday, I hope. Dipo, I love that you have a moving control journal! They work for anything and everything. I have an addition journal and the contractor uses it all by himself now. All the measurements are there, diagrams of what the closet is supposed to be like, etc. It sure makes it easier. Have a terrific Tuesday!
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Serenity
Member
06-28-2005
| Tuesday, June 05, 2007 - 9:48 am
Yesterday I got tons accomplished off my to-do list. My BIL finally moved his stuff from my garage into his new house. So I cleaned out my garage (2 garbage bags full of trash) and it looked awesome. Then I started moving stuff from my basement into the newly cleaned garage. It was a bit sad to see the garage getting filled up again, but my basement is now beginning to look awesome. I figure two more days of packing and moving stuff, plus one trip to the landfill and I will have my empty "shell" of a basement to begin the renovation. YEAH! When I was packing more stuff in the basement, I found another box worth of stuff for donations. I wish the school garage sale was this coming weekend instead of this past one. Oh well. I did donate a full van load of stuff to the school (as well as a double mattress set) and helped them raise over $1300. It felt good to be rid of my clutter and know that it went to a good cause! DH also mowed my lawns and did all the weed-wacking yesterday. My house is beginning to look prettier every day! Isn't cleaning the basement fun Vee???? NOT! LOL. It is nice to have it not be so much of a dungeon anymore. I can't just roar through though - baby steps for me!
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 2:24 am
*Wednesday's Mission* True confessions time since I was bragging yesterday and it's come back to bite me. I didn't look at my control journal nor at the tickler file (all appts. on calendar). The bay window isn't coming today; it's coming Friday. The carpenter is having way too much fun with this mistake of mine since he has thought, up until now, that I was darned near perfect. I really was enjoying my DNP status, too. Serenity, if I had been doing that basement alone, it would have been babysteps. My fond hope is that I can keep it looking as good as it does now by including the basement in my zone work and using the baby step method from now on. There are two events that I have been saving stuff for...the annual library sale and a Ladies' Fellowship group. The latter is being held this Friday and Saturday. I can hardly wait to get the car loaded and have all that stuff be out of the garage. Serenity, I bet that the school was thrilled to see that loaded van! Thirteen hundred dollars? Way to go! Happy Wednesday, everybody!
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Serenity
Member
06-28-2005
| Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 6:36 am
Yup, the school was grateful! I donated over 350 books to them. Last year we counted and our family had over 1000 books in our 800 sq ft home. I decided then that I had to clear some out! Although I haven't convinced my kids to donate any of theirs, I now only have 4 boxes of books remaining that belong to DH and I. It feels really good to have gained some "real estate" back in my home! I also donated a few boxes with trinkety stuff I have no need for, old Christmas ornaments and an artificial tree (we got a new pre-lit one this past year), and various other "treasures." It is my goal to get my upstairs tidied up ASAP this morning so that I can get back to work down there! When I can see such progress being made by baby steps it keeps my motivation up! Have a great day everyone!!!!
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 7:14 am
Oh Vee, don't ya just love how it always comes back to bite you? I was so pleased with the schedule I had between my house and my aunts and this past week it has been totally blown to hell with my sister off on vacation. I was supposed to go over yesterday and help her in the shower, do housework, and cook, but Dakota got sent home from school with a migraine so I had to cancel. Which means today I have to squish her house cleaning and shower into about an hour and a half so that I have time this morning to shop for her and this afternoon get Caleb to his dance. LOL, Everything was going so smoothly for a little bit, now it's all mixed up again!
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Dipo
Member
04-23-2002
| Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 8:53 am
Yesterday must have been the day for things to go to "h3ll in a handbasket", my condo loan hit a very big snag at 15 days before closing -- they said no to the project! It is looking better today! Vee and Wargod, I am sure it will all smooth out as we go forward with the week.
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 9:29 am
Oh they didn't! Glad that it is looking better today, Dipo. 
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Thursday, June 07, 2007 - 2:58 am
*Thursday's Mission* Wargod and Dipo, hope that everything has been ironing itself out in your worlds. Mine is still a little shaky, but to be expected. Happy fluttering today!
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Thursday, June 07, 2007 - 6:45 am
Not much going on this week. Hubby's on unexpected travel, and I brought my 15 year old niece home with me. She's in my bed [a big slumber party since hubby's not here] and being the cool aunt I am I'm not going to wake her up so can't make the bed, vacuum, do much of anything. I unloaded the dishwasher. Checked the bathroom, took care of kitty litter but won't vacuum till she gets up because even tho it's in the basement it's under our bedroom. So it's a lazy girl fun week I think.
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Thursday, June 07, 2007 - 7:10 am
Dipo, I hope it's still going well with the loan! Not really, Vee, lol. My sis and bil got back late last night so I'm looking forward to them helping out with my aunt again (though since they didn't get home til almost 2am probably won't be much today.) My biggest problem right now is that we're in the last 9 days of school and the kids have a ton of end of year activities going on. We're also planning a trip to Disneyland next week, if we get the tickets in time...fingers crossed, and we're trying to work around these events. Once school is out, things should settle down considerably. It's time for my aunts monthly grocery shopping so yesterday while I was there I cleaned out her fridge and went through the freezers and pantry reorganizing everything and checking sell by dates. The woman has 17 cans of pork n beans. Who needs 17 cans of pork n beans????
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