Organization

 Is taking over my life.

Like most people my age COVID has not hit my pocketbook, but has given me lots of time to get my act together. 

We are down to six book shelves of books...down from nine. Library never did reopen for books so I put them on Craig's list and they were swooped up in short order. We decided to keep a few great books for the lending library we will begin in the park across from our new house. 

Our clothes are sorted by color and time of year. Closets have been emptied of old prom dresses, cadet uniforms, infant clothes and baby toys (all the grands are over two). There were some very fun contactless pick ups for those.

Boxes and bins separate shoes, socks, towels and "fun" soaps. Cleaning out under the sinks---done! Extras are long gone to the homeless shelter. 

We sorted Christmas wrap and ornaments a few weeks ago. Again, front porch give aways were fun!

Down to two sets of dishes and three sets of glasses (two goblet and one every day). They all fit in one cabinet. Rehab (Habitat's store) was delighted to get some great extras. 

Extra furniture is mostly gone. We hired an out of work furniture team to recover some pieces. Some pieces were painted for the new house colors. Family heirlooms have been passed on.

Games have been sorted, gone through, given away. Settlers of Catan (youth and adult versions) has become a steady. Have you tried Sushi GO? We have learned Canasta (and I am terrible). Battleship, Monopoly and others have found their way to the Y. They have "day care/school" for essential worker children. Funny how 200 of those kids can gather and not get sick, isn't it?

Although I have avoided supporting Amazon, my Black Friday buying at Walmart (shop and pick up/ support the local economy) landed me with new containers for my pantry. My stocking up, not prepping, is pretty well done. It is all packed away for the movers. 

This is my vision of my stocking up area

The Murphy bed is framed in the second bedroom. A bed in the closet- leaves a room for movies. 

I have learned the power in tiny samples of paint. The current bathroom is completely touched up. The tub has received a coat of repair. A less organized me would have brought in a contractor for the work.

My fall chores are completed already (usually done by spring). Heater and Air con checked, roof completed, railings on porches done, garden mulched ( still picking broccoli), bulbs pulled, raspberries cut back, dogs nails trimmed, propane filled, light bulbs traded, smoke alarms checked, flash lights checked and placed,  carpet for master ordered (laid in Jan after the rush), ceilings painted. Whew! 

My grands are still not in school, so I do some writing workshops and math tutoring on call. My organization and downsizing of my old teaching materials has been right on schedule. 

So sad that they are missing out some important developmental steps in trust and relationships, but anything to keep the old people unafraid of death! 

We were planning on having to hire a moving company to take our last load to Idaho. I think we may be driving it out ourselves. A big win for organization and staying in. 

Now, If I can survive the long dark winter, all will be better on the other end. Eight more weeks of shut in- what can I organize now?