My new job is great, but I'm making a lot less money. I had to sit down and figure out how I'm going to make it all work, and go over my bank and credit card statements to see where I can cut back. It looks like one of my biggest spending problems is going out to eat or getting coffee, so that's going to change. I use more data on my phone each month than I should. I was paying for an Earthlink mail account each month that I don't use anymore. I adjusted my renter's insurance coverage. I know I can make my income work if I'm careful. Right now I'm also writing down how much I spend each day so I can see how it's working out. Fortunately I get a lot of free stuff from work and a discount, and I eat cheaply anyway at home. I'm turning it into a game so it won't be a total drag. I have to pick up some prescriptions in a minute that will cost me a lot, but I probably won't need refills for a few months.
These changes have made me more careful with my time and getting things done so I can have peace of mind. I gave some more stuff to the Vietnam Vets today, and I have a bag waiting for SCRAP. I'm cleaning up my porch and I finally cleaned up behind the stove and mopped the floor around it. The inside of my freezer is sparkling now, and I wiped down underneath the kitchen sink with bleach. I'm ashamed to say that there was a bottle for recycling sitting there for months that I'd been trying to ignore because I'm afraid of seeing spiders down there. The bathroom is clean too, but it was more of a rush job because I was expecting company at the last minute. Also, my vacuum cleaner has a new bag and I cleared out a clog in the hose.
In my holistic approach to self-actualization through housekeeping, I'm making my bed each morning:
The ants are back. That will have to be a whole separate chapter.
Friday, September 28, 2018
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Duckie's Revenge
There's a movie I love, Pretty In Pink. I've seen it too many times to count, mostly on VHS. Anyway, there's a scene where Andie and Duckie are studying, and Andie suggests to him that he is trying to flunk class because he doesn't want to leave high school. It's a part of the movie most people must have overlooked, but it's a profound observation. Both of them know that as bad as high school is, the bad times make them closer.
I look at this scene as a fitting analogy to my housekeeping issues. I'm trying to do two things at once: clean shit up and keep all the shit. I'm making this house my big project instead of clearing up places to make new projects.
I'm selling several pieces of furniture so that I won't have to think about them anymore. These are things that I got from my late husband's late grandmother, beautiful and valuable things that I still love. Someday these things will no longer be mine anyway, either I'll die and they'll get sold to strangers or I'll have to move and sell some things. Or something. I might as well make them "Not Mine" now as any other time in the future. I don't need a dozen chairs for my single-living ass. I just got a molded plywood Eames chair repaired after years of it sitting in my basement.
I got removed from a Facebook free stuff group I was part of, I assume for not using the site as much, but I got reinstated and started the giveaway process immediately. Two days ago I left a bowling ball and shoes on my porch, as well as a plastic clothing rack, for pickup.
Now I'm readying my heart to let go of this pair of beauties:
These were embroidered by Dylan's grandmother and great-grandmother. I once had my mom keep them for a while but I've had them back for over a year. Now my friend's mom is taking them. I'm sad to see them go, but my place is far too crowded to hold onto them.
In the last week again I made use of the Craigslist free page again to give away a vintage toy racecar track. I had two flakers before someone came and got it. I'm among the few dorks who haven't completely given up on Craigslist yet but it sure is a pain in the ass most of the time.
I've begun bringing clothes and trinkets to Village Merchants again to build up some trade. Why, I'm not sure - I don't need the trade or more stuff but I reasoned that I could get presents for my friends there.
You'd think with all of the stuff I'm doing I'd have a lot more empty space in my home, but I'm pretty sure it's worse all the time. It's probably time to just light a match.
via GIPHY
I look at this scene as a fitting analogy to my housekeeping issues. I'm trying to do two things at once: clean shit up and keep all the shit. I'm making this house my big project instead of clearing up places to make new projects.
I'm selling several pieces of furniture so that I won't have to think about them anymore. These are things that I got from my late husband's late grandmother, beautiful and valuable things that I still love. Someday these things will no longer be mine anyway, either I'll die and they'll get sold to strangers or I'll have to move and sell some things. Or something. I might as well make them "Not Mine" now as any other time in the future. I don't need a dozen chairs for my single-living ass. I just got a molded plywood Eames chair repaired after years of it sitting in my basement.
I got removed from a Facebook free stuff group I was part of, I assume for not using the site as much, but I got reinstated and started the giveaway process immediately. Two days ago I left a bowling ball and shoes on my porch, as well as a plastic clothing rack, for pickup.
Now I'm readying my heart to let go of this pair of beauties:
These were embroidered by Dylan's grandmother and great-grandmother. I once had my mom keep them for a while but I've had them back for over a year. Now my friend's mom is taking them. I'm sad to see them go, but my place is far too crowded to hold onto them.
In the last week again I made use of the Craigslist free page again to give away a vintage toy racecar track. I had two flakers before someone came and got it. I'm among the few dorks who haven't completely given up on Craigslist yet but it sure is a pain in the ass most of the time.
I've begun bringing clothes and trinkets to Village Merchants again to build up some trade. Why, I'm not sure - I don't need the trade or more stuff but I reasoned that I could get presents for my friends there.
You'd think with all of the stuff I'm doing I'd have a lot more empty space in my home, but I'm pretty sure it's worse all the time. It's probably time to just light a match.
via GIPHY
"It IS trash"
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