Take time for yourself and get organized

Weeeeeeeeee, last 4 days, I have been rearranging my home.  As some of you know, for two weeks, I helped organize mom, in going through all she’s owned, in her VA home.  Making piles, for what she would take to Fla, throw out, sell, or give to Goodwill. 

It also meant, anything, going home with me, or that she gave me, had to quickly be brought over to my house, and basically, just dropped off in a pile ! The name of the game, was get her finished, and then deal with my own process.

And know, it wasn’t like I got to clean up my own home, before this all began.  Meaning, I didn’t get to go through and weed out my own stuff first.  So boy, has it been a true mess (to look at and even try to make a path). 

Know, clutter … Not only adds confusion into one’s life; it causes stress, and a person is less productive if surrounded with clutter !   Need help organizing ?  Call me, I’m for hire.  Love organizing !

So finally, after finishing up with her, last Wednesday, I was able to start on my own process.  And she left for Florida on Friday.

As one can imagine, to bring stuff in, meant, taking stuff out.  I first began on the kitchen.  Two days, to go thru all the cabins, to weed out my own stuff, and re-organize. 

My thoughts … I will never buy anything again (famous words).  Any item that I have “never” used, nor will “ever” use, I got rid of !  I actually took out 20 grocery bags of stuff.    I do not cook.  I basically need my coffee pot and microwave and refrigerator.  That’s it.  I would say, that I still left about 10%, that I probably should have gotten rid of; otherwise, what is left, I really wanted to keep (whether I ever use or not).

Next,  living room.  First it was the moving of the furniture.  My myself.  It all began, when a friend, said, they would love to have a console, that I have (and never use); where I was using like a table; but now, this person would like to do the same (he’s yet to pick up; but I was able to get it all the way across the room, by myself). 

Naturally, something had to go; I was adding, a lounge chair & a long 70 inch table !  Originally, I thought about getting rid of my wicker chair; but I think I’ll hold onto this, just a little longer.

It actually took me longer to decide, which of “my things from around the World”, would go back on each table, versus deciding, how I would arrange the furniture.   So that became a 1 ½ day process too. With 5 more grocery bags of stuff coming out !  I probably kept 20% of things that I should have let go.

Then I went into the spare room.  The most I got done, was move the furniture.  No new furniture will probably go in there, however, 2 things:  (1) I was tired of trying to climb by the bed, into a room, that no one could really use.  And (2), wished I could get in a book case, cause I had a lot of new dolls of my grandmothers, that I need to find a home for.  It may mean, eliminating lots of stuffed animals, etc !  I don’t know. 

My office.  Had planned to tackle that this morning.  But had to run out, and do another errand for mom.  However, since then, I have at least cleaned 3 piles, so I know what is in them, that needs to get done.  May not, at this time, do any changing.  But tomorrow, I look forward, to “finally”, putting in a full days work, since 2 months ago (me in Fla; then dad dying; then packing mom; organizing my home) !

FYI, talked to my mother today. After rushing me, with only 10 days to 2 weeks, in getting her all packed up, to move to Fla “now”, she tells me today, she will take her time in unpacking.  Know, she had no deadline to get to Fla, other than her own ! 

So I run around with my head chopped off for 2 weeks (not working full days with my business)… And now, she will complete her part, in leisure !  Don't get me wrong, I like to see jobs/projects done quickly (feel of accomplishment).  BUT THANKS MOM ! On a second note ... The fact that these boxes will be sitting around in Fla, not getting done, would DRIVE ME LITERALLY NUTS !  I'm glad I'm here in VA.