Taking a break

Listening to Chris Isaak's 'Wicked Game'--that man's voice is pure sex.

The living room was where I decided to start, especially with my penchant for opening the blinds and windows and the fact you can see right in without the sheers I had up for so long. I've done very well at getting it in order, and except for some minor things like dusting and vacuuming, it looks much better. I can actually sit on the couch, which I tend to use as a landing area when I come in (yeah, I know, that's not what it's for). I think I'll do those little things that are left and decide this room is my main project for the day. There's no sense in trying to do everything today. I have part of tomorrow, after all (I'll work on the bathroom, which just needs a once-over, and the kitchen). I will try to put my little bit of laundry together tonight so it's ready for tomorrow. Monday evening after work I'll tackle the dining room. Tuesday a friend has an appointment, so I'll probably be over there. Wednesday I should be able to work on the bedroom, as Thursday is another evening appointment for him. Friday's 'Grimm', assuming we watch it that night. We will be playing next week unless something comes up with Brenda's meetings, so that leaves Saturday, possible, to do anything else left.

The ants appear to be taking the bait. Yay! So often they put those things down at work and the ants ignore it.

A productive day so far

I am now in possession of a new drivers's licence, which will be good until 2020. Kentucky may have to change their licences to meet the Real ID law's requirements, but if I need to fly before, or even after they make the change (I think they'll have a regular licence and one that is more expensive that complies for flying in the works, judging from something I read in the paper), I have my passport and passport card, so that should suffice. This time there was an option to put a Donate Life (organ donation) icon on the front. I always sign mine (and there's still a space for that--I'll try to get my friends to witness that tomorrow), but it's nice that they have the option. The picture, as usual, is atrocious. (Note to the Commonwealth of Kentucky: having cameras where you look down at the bottom of the camera accentuates double chins horribly. We have an obese population here in the state, maybe we could look up a bit instead?) :) The office wasn't busy at all, and operated quite smoothly. Considering they're only open 9-12 on every third Saturday, I was surprised. I had to go to Keithshire Way, which is over between Reynolds Road and Clays Mill, so pretty much across town for me, but still, it was pleasant. It's a gorgeous day, in the 60s and 70s, sunny, wonderful. I saw a guy on a skateboard 'walking' his two dogs (they were running ahead, enjoying the weather).

My 'nieces' (the dogs) were asking to go outside almost immediately after they came in, just pausing long enough for some water. They're basking and rolling. :)

I visited with one friend, took someone on an errand, had a serious discussion, and now I'm basically back home, as I still need to do the notes, which hopefully won't take too long, although we did do an adventure, rather than downtime, so maybe it will. But first I have to find my laptop bag, as the computer has been plugged in like a desktop to various things--speakers, mainly, and I haven't taken it anywhere since Sunday. I thought it was here in the living room but I don't see it. Maybe it's unders some stuff on the couch. I also need to do some more spring cleaning if I can get the notes finished in a timely fashion. But the laptop bag has the voice recorder in it, and it has the session recorded. Hmm....

But first, I'm getting something to eat and drink. I've opened the windows, and I have the radio on. I may take a walk later--it really is wonderful outside. I saw one of my-coworkers, who is also a neighbour, out walking his pug. It makes me wish I had a dog of my own to take on walkies, but hey, it's probably just as well. Besides, I'm an auntie to the dogs, and that's enough.

PS The laptop bag, and recorder, was in the living room, at the base of the couch, under a tote bag. I really have to straighten things up. But first, I really need to work on those notes. :)

I'm hot

So I didn't get my nap till about 7 pm,  which was okay,  as I was talking with various friends on the phone.  I slept till a little before 9 pm,  had some Greek yoghurt and blackberries,  and then commenced excavation of the dining area.  I filled a single copy paper box with various things to keep,  had a small pile of important things to go elsewhere (like my will),  and then a huge amount went into the recycling box,  which is mostly full now. My back hurts a bit from all the bending,  but I have a sense of accomplishment.  I'm also hot from the activity,  even though the heat was off and the windows up.  Now I've turned the radio off,  gotten into a sleep shirt,  and I'm stretched out in bed in front of the fan.

If only all problems could be solved by sorting them into boxes of what to keep and what to let go....

Nesting and purging

So, all the going in and out this winter has left my house a bit of a wreck, and although I went through a good period of keeping it neat, now there’s stuff everywhere, getting slowly worse over the winter. And so I am planning to do some spring cleaning/purging, inspired by today’s lovely weather, although it will continue when wintry weather returns. Tonight the windows are open to let in some fresh air and I'm listening to peppy music to get going.

So here is the plan:

Great House Purge/Spring Cleaning 2016
Normal cleaning --Tonight
1. Gather trash and recyclables.
2. Load dish washer and do a cycle.
3. Excavate loveseat.
4. Reverse grey boxes, dining room end table.
5. Water and rearrange plants.
6. Straighten up living room.
Normal cleaning--Sunday
1. Put water in fish tanks.
2. Wash plastic dishes.
3. Gather dirty laundry.
4. Take trash out.
5. Take recyclables out.
6. Do laundry over at my friends’ while helping them with their house.
Normal cleaning--This week (2/22-2/28)
1. Clean bathroom.
2. Straighten up kitchen.
3. Fold old clean laundry.
4. Put away laundry.
5. Straighten up dining room.
6. Vacuum living and dining areas.
7. Excavate bedroom floor.
8. Return things to closets.
9. Straighten up bedroom.
10. Vacuum bedroom.
Purging Begins--Next week (2/29-2-3/6)
1. Clean out grey totes that will now be in dining room.
2. Weed clothes.
3. Give away old clothes.
Purging Continues--Next two weeks after that (3/7-3/20)
1. Rearrange computer desk and go through papers on its shelf.
2. Weed and rearrange books a shelving unit at a time.
3. Catalogue books.
4. Run any weeded books by YKWIA in case he wants them.
5. Give rejects to the library.
6. Clean out entertainment center.
Purging Continues--Week of 3/21-2/27
1. Rearrange cabinets in kitchen and give away anything not wanted to a food bank.
2. Clean out linen/bathroom closet.
Purging Continues--Week of 3/28-4/3
1. Clean out walk-in closet and give away anything not wanted.
Purging Continues--Weeks of 4/4-4/17
1. Clean out bedroom closets and give away anything not wanted.
2. Take any electronic cords, items, not wanted to be recycled at the Lexington Reycling Centre.
3. Set up window boxes (which right now have two-year-old geraniums).

I try to do this about once a year. The plan starts with normal cleaning and getting things back to being livable. Then over time I will go through and clean out closets and cabinets and giving away what isn’t needed. This year I have an ambitious goal: weeding books. I have about fourteen bookshelves in an apartment that has about 780 square feet. I need to rearrange them. Everything’s on shelves, and about half are in order, but I’d like to get them in good order and catalogued. YKWIA gets first stab at any of the rejects; after that they’ll go to the library (I could try to sell them to Half-Price Books, but I learned a long time that you get squat for ANYTHING (books, CDs, etc.) there.

Okay, if this is going to work, I need to get to work. I’ve been doing a lot of other stuff today and the night is almost gone. But I do want to get the dishes done and the fish and plants taken care of tonight. That won’t take too long. Plus, there’s some general straightening up to do, and the living room should be in good shape. We’re not playing the game again yet, so I have some time tomorrow morning and then I’ll go over to YKWIA and A’s and help them with their house, do my laundry, watch ‘Lucifer’ with them, and then A and I plan on coming over here and working out at the complex gym. Wish us luck.

A little business, a little pleasure

I got the bills paid that are due and played some Civilization IV for about an hour or more. I haven't played video games for awhile. I've changed into shorts and a tank top, the better to relax in. It's only 8:30 but I'm going to put my feet up for a bit (they're swollen and throbbing) and listen to some music. Then I'm going to put that laundry away. It's so nice to have the apartment so neat and tidy, so I must keep it that way.