Organization Mode
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I’m back in organization mode. I arranged all the jars on the kitchen shelves and vacuum-sealed them. I still feel that the house needs decluttering.
Tuesday
For the two years I’ve lived here, the cat’s litter boxes have been in the laundry room. You may recall that I bought a floor-model navy blue washer and dryer around the beginning of the year.
I don’t like the dust from the litter boxes drifting up and all over the washer and dryer, so I ordered rubber mats to put on top. This is a small problem when I want to open the washer door to load laundry, but it’s not a terrible inconvenience.
Still, my problem-solving mind won’t let it go. Back and forth I go, trying to figure out the best way to fix it. If it were just that, I could probably let it go.
But two black tables in the back room have been turned into desks, and I never seem to use them. I keep thinking I could use that small room better. So I’ve been pondering ideas.
The only real problem with the two black tables arranged in an L is that every time anyone goes into the attic, we have to move everything. The big door with steps in the ceiling is right over them.
When the air conditioner leaked, it dripped from the ceiling attic door onto one of the black desks. I didn’t notice it in time, and it caused some damage.
Trying to Sort the Furniture
Kendra has had to go up in the attic a time or two. And before she can do that, she has to move everything first.
I’m still going to have the energy company come out and fix all the drafts in the house to hopefully lower my electric bill. I need to get that room sorted out so I won’t have to step over and around everything while I’m waiting for it to be done.
But there is limited room. The guest room has all kinds of things in the corner behind the door, where no one really sees them.
The shed out back is not secure. When the wind really gets going, the shed tends to blow over. So I store most everything indoors.
Figuring Out a Furniture Configuration
So I’m trying to figure out another configuration for furniture. Maybe I should take the litter boxes out of the laundry room and put them in the back room underneath the two black tables. Then my washer and dryer won’t always be covered in dust.
I didn’t plan on a navy blue washer and dryer, but the set was a cheaper floor model, so I bought it. You can really see all the dust on them.
Is this a problem for the appliances? I looked it up. It says: Dust itself cannot chemically wear away paint, but it acts as a micro-abrasive that will scratch and dull dark appliance finishes when wiped or rubbed.
The cats’ food and water bowls are in the dining room, not exactly a great spot. If I could get the litter boxes out of the laundry room, I could move their bowls, food, and such back there.
Too Much Stuff
That still leaves me with too much furniture to move. And where will it go? I go back and forth on this. It’s like having something in your teeth you can’t floss out. Your tongue keeps worrying at it.
I tend to be compulsive. And when I get something in my head, a puzzle of sorts, I can’t seem to leave it alone.
I’m always trying to figure out the best arrangement of things in my home. It is just my nature. I’m like a dog with a bone.
I can’t move heavy furniture alone any longer. I have to hire Randy down the street to help. And I’ve already hired him to build a wooden enclosure around Killvester’s bed that’s on the porch.
Killvester seems to be the oldest and most beat up of the outdoor cats. I purchased a large orthopedic pet bed, and he loves sleeping in it.
The Heated Cat House
You may recall that last winter, Kendra bought him a heated pet house. But he didn’t take to it. I think the opening frightened him.
Kendra would call me every few days: “Has Killvester gone into the heated house?” I’d tell her that I didn’t know, because the house was against the wall. And every time I opened the door, the outdoor cats would scatter hither and yon.
So we got to wondering what we could do this year to winterize the porch for the cats. She already put up a shade on the west side to help shield them from the heat.
The cat bed is on the other side of the porch. I tried putting it underneath the wicker loveseat near the shade, thinking it would give him some cover. But he wouldn’t use it there.
So a few weeks ago, I moved the bed back to its original spot on the other side of the porch. And before long, he was sleeping in it again. I could look out the guest room window blinds and see him.
I don’t know what I was thinking when I ordered that Bedsure pet bed. It is huge. You could fit at least three cats in it.
Killvester + Tuna
I suppose a deal was struck, and somehow Killvester warned Tuna that the bed was his and that Tuna shouldn’t even think about getting in it. It eases Killvester’s poor old joints, which is why I ordered it for him.
So here we are trying to figure out some kind of enclosure to keep the elements at bay, because the porch is north-facing. Randy is going to build a wooden box around his bed for winter.
You’re probably thinking that Kendra and I go overboard when it comes to the outdoor kitties.
In the summer heat, I started putting ice cubes into their two water bowls on the porch.
Wednesday
And now it is Wednesday. I just finished dumping out kitty litter, washing out the stainless steel containers, and putting fresh litter in them.
This is always an arduous task. I have to put the old litter into contractor bags and put them on the seat of my walker to take them to the trash. Then I lift the bags over the side of the porch into the trash receptacle.
I am exhausted, and every part of me aches. Too bad I can’t figure out an easier way to do this. But the laundry room, where the litter boxes are located, is at the south end of the house. The trash cans are far north next to the porch.
So for now, I’m going to rest my knees. And then I’ll get back to trying to figure out if there is some alternate way to arrange all my stuff.
How on earth do we accumulate so much stuff?
These are so powerful piso wifi
they are so cute, Snow Rider
They are so cute, Snow Rider
This information is very interesting and useful to me; I’m also currently a bit undecided about my upcoming home decorating plans.
Space Waves
I didn’t want the top of my dryer or washer scratched so I put contact paper on it to fit. Not the sticky, but I suppose that could happen too, just the kind that doesn’t slide. I didn’t know they made mats, but this way I could cut to fit.
I’m thinking about Killvester and this coming winter. Maybe a large hot water bottle placed under his bed might offer some living-saving heat and relief for his old bones. Poor guy, I’m so thankful you’re helping him.
I’m like you and the others here. I get something that bugs me in my brain and I can’t rest easy until I’ve figured out how to make it better in some way. Always looking to make stuff look neater, easier to care for and use … keeps this old brain busy for sure. But at 81 now I certainly have more ideas that I have the strength or energy to do them. My husband is a great help but he is no spring chicken either.
I’ve been trying hard to get rid of everything I’m not using . I want it to be easier to clean and maintain.
There are 2 cats that hang around my condo . My neighbor volunteers at a place that once a month spays and neuters stray cats for free. We were able to get them both Friday night . The smaller one hangs out in my patio a lot . I’ve been letting him in several times a day . I’d really like him to be an inside cat . He gets along really well with my dog.
I do have a cat house on my patio . It’s a big tote with hole cut in it and then on the inside there’s a styrofoam cooler with a hole cut in it too . And then there’s straw or hay in it for bedding .
I could have written this myself. I do the same thing with rearranging and decluttering and finding a better spot, then can’t get it out of my head. Maybe because I like to try to fix it and make it better and design things. Who knows. Two weeks ago I got tired of the people cluster in the corner in the kitchen. Everything is in that corner and when the husband comes it, it’s chaos to cook, so I moved the plates in with the glasses above the dishwasher.
I no longer have a cat, but we had dogs too. I had 2nd fridge in my laundry area in a corner with about 20″ from the side wall. I pulled the fridge out from the back wall so he could behind the fridge to access his box dog free, but I could clean it on the other side of the fridge. The cat opening just faced the wall instead of out. Dogs could never get to it. A couple I knew had two great danes that required elevated food bowls, so they’d feed them by putting their bowls on the inside of the dishwasher door when it was open. Dirty bowls went straight in. Clean floors, clean bowls, no extra stuff around. Interesting idea (unless the dishwasher is clean. LOL) But I have aha moments. Things you lived with and you never thought to fix it, then WHAM! So I look for those. There’s always someway to make a fix. –Right now I have an old desk armoire in my kitchen. It is HEAVY. It’s a big white elephant that I’ve repurposed over and over again. Husband wanted a tv in the kitchen so I put the tv in it; I also used it for appliances. We no longer watch the tv, and I’ve culled appliances, so I’m so done with it. I can’t budge it (which bothers me) and it was a monster to move when we redid our flooring. I’m seriously thinking of dismantling it and burning it. No one buys them and out here no one will pick it up, I asked & Goodwill wanted me to pay them $250. That space could be better utilized than to keep trying to repurpose something for the last 20 years. –
And our power goes out from time to time and yesterday I had to make coffee on this grill. The grill is awful. It took an hour for it to perk, so I’m looking into keeping a Coleman stove or something else out on my patio for outages. Those two things are on my mind. Then you wonder why you didn’t think of these things before – answer is because I like change! LOL
Me too! Mostly craft things. But my knees, ankle and hip are getting very sore lately, or I should say more sore than usual. The hip pain is new. That I did by exercising, of all things. Getting older is not for sissies! When I was younger I didn’t believe that. Now I have been proven wrong. lol. 71 next month.
But I really do need to get things sorted out. I do this about every two or three months. It never seems to get less.
Have a great day/night.
I will be 70 in February, and I’m definitely feeling it!
You express how I feel, Brenda….except it is mostly the whole apt that needs help. Hope your solutions come to mind…heh, keep a notepad and pen by the bed…maybe it will come in the night.
Tackle one project at a time. I’ve lived in two apartments in Tulsa, and it was fun figuring out storage and organization.
I, too, need to work on declutterring and downsizing. I know I have too much stuff, but I like my stuff and I also fall into the trap of I might need it some day. It’s hard for sure. And since it’s so much work, it’s overwhelming and then I procrastinate. It’s a vicious circle. If I don’t do it, my kids will be stuck doing it someday, while they’re grieving. I think I’d be happier with less junk though. But again, it’s hard to get motivated. I think it’s so nice that you are so good to the outside cats. You know they appreciate it!
I feel so bad that the cats live outside. But they’ve been out there a long time, so I doubt they’d like it inside. So I do all I can for them.
Downsizing is non ending, hard physically, mentally and emotionally. The sooner you start and keep working on it the better. It is so nice of you to care for the stray cats. Have a goodnight evening day all.
It seems that as soon as I finish organizing one area, another is ready to be reorganized. Again!
Brenda, I think it’s wonderful that you try to help the stray kitties. I’m feeding 3 right now. There’s Grey and there’s Boots and there’s Bully. Bully is exactly what his name stands for! He’s just a mean cat. I have to run interference so that Grey and Boots can eat. Bully won’t touch cat food of any kind he just wants people food. These 3 were brought in by neighbors that abandoned them.
Your furniture problems sound familiar also. I started downsizing my things because my house is smaller now. I’ve sold things, given things to people I know and donated things. I’m still not finished. It’s an ongoing adventure for sure!
Smitty next door says that the males fight when on his porch. But they do fine on mine.
I guess I’ll need to do that too.
I have been asking myself that for quite awhile. Working on decluttering now, my philosophy is if it has not been used, worn, read or loved in over a year it’s gone. Either donated, given to friends or trash. Had to get myself out of the “might need it later,” mode.