Today I am working 12 noon to 9pm. This means I get a lot of extra time in the morning to get ready for work. When I have to be in at 9am, things get a little hairy because the hot water isn't fully replenished after Steve, but on Mondays and Tuesdays I get all the hot water I desire. Until the hot water heater runs out. Which is happening faster and faster and could have something to do with our neighbors stealing our electricity (hello $400 electric bill for a 2 bedroom apartment!), but that can't be proven and therefore cannot be accused. Anyway.
This morning I woke up, shaved my legs, flossed and brushed my teeth, showered, dried and styled my hair, and put on makeup. This may sound like your average morning, but lately I have been showering, putting my hair up, and brushing my teeth. Period. I think my lack of female fixing-upping had everything to do with my level of anxiety, but I didn't know what to do about it. I figured it is what it is and I should just ride it out. Bullshit. I need to fight through this, I need to get up and get ready, I need to face my day instead of my day just rolling all over me like Cocoa on Steve's hockey jersey. So I did it. And it is good.
I will be decluttering over the next couple of weeks. I really believe it will take me that long, although I'm not going to be at all picky about what I get rid of. There will be boxes and bags, and it's all going to the Goodwill. I'm also going to start taking receipts for my donations to help me at tax time next year. Did I tell you about my taxes and the $1600 that I owe because how dare I not be lower class anymore and work really hard to make annual and monthly bonuses and then get screwed on it at the end of the year because I don't want to own a house right now and I waited until I had good sense to have a child? Ahem.
So anyway, out with the old and in with nothing. I am ready to get some zen and peace and the clutter, and yes the books, and yes the yarn is all turning against me. I can't really rely on my huge amount of books to define me as a reader and writer. I can let my personality do that perfectly well, thank you very much. And I don't even look at acrylic yarn anymore, so why am I still hanging on to the boxes in the attic? I can hardly find time to finish my quality projects, let alone some crazy granny square afghan, and by the way, there is enough acrylic to make about 10 of these afghans and no way am I taking that on. So out it goes. There will be pictures. Wish me luck!
The decluttering will feel so good! Yay for you. And check this out, might be inspiring for all that baby stuff: http://bloggybabybumpers.blogspot.com/ :-)
Posted by: Annie | March 06, 2007 at 03:13 PM
Good luck - good for you for taking on the decluttering. Mine is hiding in various piles, cupboards and other areas that is driving my poor husband mad...
Posted by: Asa | March 06, 2007 at 04:13 PM
Of course I'll wish you luck! You might consider posting some of that acrylic on Freecycle - then you'll know just what good cause it's going too rather than risking goodwill ditching it....
I'm sure there's a way to prove that electricity isn't going where it should! Any chance of keeping records of what you've got switched on and the electricity meter readings over, say, a week? I'm guessing here, but if you took readings every 3 hours, and there was a pattern that didn't relate to what you were using, then you might have the start of something.
Do you have something like our Citizens Advice Bureaux where you are? They might also have some ideas...?
Posted by: LornaJay | March 07, 2007 at 12:43 AM
I wish you tons of luck, and if you could send some of that motivation my way, it would be much appreciated. I think more than a couple of weeks would be needed for the organization/decluttering of my house, though.
I have to say, that nesting reflex is a wonderful thing. Take advantage of it while it lasts.
And, if you need help, try this book (totally worth the $):
http://www.amazon.com/Organizing-Inside-Out-second-Foolproof/dp/0805075895/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-8487834-0294363?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173338902&sr=8-1
Posted by: Krista | March 07, 2007 at 11:29 PM
Best of luck! I always feel so much lighter and free-er after I get rid of stuff I am not using and don't need. I'm trying to purge through my books now. Despite all the stuff I like to read, I'm only keeping it if I love it and reread it all the time. It feels so much nicer to have empty spaces. Weird, huh? Because I acquired it in the first place, somehow.
I'm glad you're feeling a bit better. Sometimes even just saying "screw them all" and doing the things you want to do is the best thing :)
GRRRR taxes don't EVEN get me started. I'm sorry they're screwing you over. What I want to know is how come if we're all such a nuclear-family-centered nation K and I are taking a tax hit for being married instead of just shacking up. Bah.
Posted by: BigAlice | March 08, 2007 at 12:42 AM