Recent Posts

51

Managing a Household / Re: Thursday, May 30

« Last post by Alice on May 30, 2019, 11:11:01 AM »

Yes, just purge and if asked just say "must be lost somewhere in this mess"! I'm terrible at purging because I think everything has a use but sadly I am wrong. I am learning to let go of things.

When we moved from a large home to this small home, I gave away much more than I should have. I miss some of the things I let go. I've had to re-purchase some things but others are gone forever and I can't say I miss them anymore. My daughter cleaned out her childhood belongings this week and I cringed at some of the things she was willing to give away or toss away. Things we paid good money for! But it is useless to her now and useless to me as well.

And the tow of you are correct that fixing things in the home comes with home ownership.  Sometimes I wonder about that because there seems to be more repairs than there should be.

Alice

52

Managing a Household / Re: Thursday, May 30

« Last post by Rooney on May 30, 2019, 09:35:44 AM »

Good morning, Cheryl.

We must be on the same wavelength lately.  One of my kids just read your post and said, "Mom, you were just saying that same thing."  I have the same mentality of let's rush, rush, rush and get it all done so we can play for a while.  Then it is just something else.  I really think it just comes along with the territory of home ownership and that is just the way it is.  Sometimes, I think our renters have the right idea.  They pay us a monthly payment and we go around and fix everything they break and when they get sick of living in the mess they have made, they just move out and we clean it up.   Would be nice if it worked that way at our own home.  We just work so hard at it that we end up running ourselves into the ground and then things to work on start piling up again.  Get things done.  More things to do. Burnout. Repeat.  Vicious cycle.   I think you are right in getting rid of unwanted stuff too and just not mentioning it.  Most likely they would never notice it was gone anyway.


Got some stuff to get done.  Feeling a little relief it is summer break.  Better get at it.

Lindsay

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Managing a Household / Thursday, May 30

« Last post by Cheryl on May 30, 2019, 07:22:54 AM »

Good morning!

I started my first load of laundry around 5 am so it would be ready to hang out at daybreak.  I just came in from hanging the second load, and it is hot out already.  I wish I could trade some of this heat for the rain a lot of you are getting.

Talking about our houses again, we knew when we moved into this one it would take a lot of work to fix it up.  But now, 10 years in, I think we’re just growing weary of all it needs.  We get one thing fixed and turn around and start another project.  By the time that project is finished something else needs attention.  That is just life, I know, and I’m grateful for every day. It’s just at times I feel overwhelmed and overburdened and just want to enjoy the fruits of our labors.  I think that’s why we’re feeling such a push to complete all we can as fast as we can.  I can’t do all the big jobs that need doing, but while my husband is working his day job I can do my part around here by making our home more enjoyable. Right now the way I’m doing that is to go through every room and purge anything not wanted or needed.  Our house is too small to hold on to clutter.  I’ve learned not to even ask family members if they would like to have something because nine times out of ten they say yes, but not right now, please hold onto it for me and I’ll get it later.  Uh, no.  That defeats the purpose of me purging.  I’ve also had to deal with my mother getting her feelings hurt because of me getting rid of stuff she thought I should keep, such as a hideous lamp (that needs a globe) that once belonged to my grandmother.  Now I just quietly go about my business and don’t even tell them I’m doing it.

Well, I need to go feed the chickens and water my plants.  Talk to y’all later!

54

Managing a Household / Re: Wednesday, May 29

« Last post by Alice on May 29, 2019, 09:05:05 AM »

We are in the same boat as the two of you describe but yet differently. We lived in our large home for 22 years and did a lot of work on that house to make it to our liking. Then we decided to move back to town because we were driving long distances to get to school, work, family and that just was killing our vehicles. So 6 years ago we moved into small house thinking, "downsize, downsize, downsize". The house is almost too small. Ok, so now EVERYTHING in this house needs to be fixed even though when we bought it there didn't seem to be anything that needed attention. Wrong. Everything needed attention. So after a lot of expensive repairs, maybe we can just live for a while. And just so you know we have to hire everything out because most of the things are way to much for a couple to do it on our own. Such things, like electric--both 110 and 220, roofing, window replacement, incorrectly done eaves and soffitts, incorrectly done natural gas line.

Ahh, but we have addressed it all so maybe we can now just live!  Last night my son got his new bed and he sure is a happy guy. He is an adult now and was sleeping on his much too small twin bed so he upgraded to a queen size. Thankfully we didn't have to buy any of his stuff. He bought all of it including his bedsheets himself. So proud of him. But I am washing all his twin stuff and keeping it in case some day I have grandchildren. My daughter is getting married in July and they bought a house so maybe they could use some twin bedding for a spare room.

With all the busyness of the night last night we had a wonderful dinner made in the crockpot. It was an Aldi boneless pork roast with their apple bourbon sauce. It was very good. We roasted the last of the potatoes and had sauteed beans and carrots. It was just what we needed. Aldi has really become my go-to grocery store. It doesn't have everything but with my small family right now it has everything we need in the smaller sizes. 

Tonight I really just have to relax. It has been much too busy for me that I didn't sleep well last night. My brain was in overtime. I will need to make the time to rest. Hubby is not well after about a week of having a bad cold that he finally called the dr. this morning but they have no openings. He decided he needs to get to urgent care. There seems to be a lump way down in his throat that hurts after swallowing so we decided to get it checked out right away today.

Supper tonight will for sure be leftovers from Monday and Tuesday night. I have no money for groceries until Friday so we just have to wait until the weekend to see what we need. Not much, I'm sure. The freezer is still full so we'll keep working on that. I'm thinking turkey salad tomorrow from a deli turkey meat I bought earlier this month. Sounds yummy to me. I only have some cucumbers, carrots and boiled eggs to dress it up but that will work just fine.

Cheryl, my days aren't exactly exciting either but that's ok with me. I try to find something worth exciting each day. Last night was stopping off at my parents house for something they needed me there for and then shortly after I got home they came to my house! They wanted my power washer. I find that exciting because they are old and I don't know how long they will be around so I cherish these times. Dad is 88 this coming Monday and mom is 86.  Dad wanted me to look at his garden, yes, he gardens like he did when I was growing up. I would say half an acre of all veggies. He thinks he is doing it for mom and me and I gladly take what he gives. I fill my freezer every year with enough veggies to last the winter! Carrots, beans, cabbage, tomatoes, corn, squash. Fresh potatoes, grapes, onions, and a whole lot more.

Alice

55

Managing a Household / Re: Wednesday, May 29

« Last post by Rooney on May 29, 2019, 08:34:26 AM »

Cheryl, Yes I feel like this ALL the time!  We built a large home ( with a premonition we might need it ) and I can tell you that the more house there is, the more there is to fix.  We are doing the same thing you are.  Hubby works on stuff after work most nights. 

In the summers we do mostly outside stuff, like Monday we just finished fixing a vinyl fence and gate that got blown do to storms.  The older boys and I put in a walkway from the driveway to our front door a couple of weeks ago.  We reseeded the front yard (finally) from where the kids rode bikes in the mud last year.  I have grass again!!  We are already splitting firewood for next year, so that takes time, but can do it slowly since it is summer.  We inherited a hot tub from a new business property we bought and are fixing that out in the backyard. We will be using it as a COOL tub this summer.  We started putting in a walkway from the backdoor to the greenhouse and are about halfway done with that.  This weekend will be replacing the outside door frame around a side door and possibly replacing the storm door.  Last week son finished replacing the floor in a storage building and cleaned that out for me.  Thank you to him.  We are also keeping up with a large garden this year.  Then you add in things breaking and needing to be repaired, like riding mowers, weedeaters, push mowers, log splitter, keeping vehicles working, and stuff that goes wrong at any of the rental properties, it can get .......overwhelming!

We are also doing indoor stuff that need to be done, like the other day one of my washing machines was clogged (who knows with what, toys, socks, batteries, could be anything).  Anyway it ended up that it had been leaking under the machines, so son offered to replace the floor for me and he did that.  He also offered to redo living room floor at the same time.  That is no small job!  It is about 500 square feet to floor!  It looked great when he finished though.  Now all walls in house need either repainting or touchup done. 

So yes Cheryl, I understand your feeling like it never gets done completely.  But look at it this way, we are blessed to have husbands that are capable of fixing anything themselves.  I also have several boys now that are quite capable and enjoy doing these sort of things, so most times they just offer to do it.  Can you imagine having to pay to have everything done?  I can't.

We have storms coming.  Need to make sure nothing is out that can blow away.

Lindsay

56

Managing a Household / Wednesday, May 29

« Last post by Cheryl on May 29, 2019, 07:37:57 AM »

Good morning!

It’s going to be another hot day down here.  We’re already experiencing temperatures like we usually have in late summer.  Our old house doesn’t have central air and one of our window unit AC’s went out, so we’re left with trying to cool off with one air conditioner.  Maybe this payday we can get another one. 

Well, my days are not exciting.  I have nothing new to report.  My husband and I have decided that this is the year we get projects completed around our house.  We have lived here nine and a half years and it’s high time.  He works every evening after work trying to get our new roof on.  I am concentrating on getting the inside of our house the way I want it.  It just feels like we will never finish.  Anybody else ever feel like this?

57

Managing a Household / Re: Tuesday, May 28

« Last post by Cheryl on May 28, 2019, 11:55:26 AM »

Lindsay, I sold them on Facebook in a homeschool group.  They were free to me a couple years ago and I sold the student text and teacher manual for $20.  They were English books (Rod & Staff).

58

Managing a Household / Re: Tuesday, May 28

« Last post by gaggleofseven on May 28, 2019, 10:38:36 AM »

Hi Cheryl, Alice, Lindsay and all who are reading! Today is a little of this and that. I woke up early to get DS on the school bus for his last day of school, and then wrote some emails. I found a rotten potato in the bag sitting on the counter (YUCK), so I promptly cleaned that up and washed the rest of the potatoes. I've got the laundry going and the kitchen cleaned, so I might do some reading or crochet this afternoon.

I've asked DH for a Fitbit for my birthday. It's time to get serious about losing some weight. I'm going to plan some sensible menus that everyone will eat. I don't have time to cook separate meals. Lowering our carbs and increasing our veggies seems like a good place to start. I saved a recipe for teriyaki chicken that looks like something the whole family will enjoy. I'm also going to watch portions more carefully (smaller plates??).

Have a great day!
Jennie

59

Managing a Household / Re: Tuesday, May 28

« Last post by Rooney on May 28, 2019, 08:21:55 AM »

Out of curiosity, Cheryl, what textbooks did you sell and where did you sell them, maybe even for how much (if you don't mind saying, of course)?  I just acquired some new textbooks this weekend with part of  my new business venture and was wondering. 
TIA
Lindsay

PS. Good Morning Alice.

60

Managing a Household / Re: Tuesday, May 28

« Last post by Alice on May 28, 2019, 07:25:57 AM »

Good morning,

I have to keep reminding myself it is TUESDAY to day not MONDAY!

We got a ton done around the house yesterday. I ended the afternoon by mowing the backyard lawn while hubby did the front yard. I trimmed around fences and edges. I tried to read a book late afternoon but it's a tough book and not an easy read so I put it aside for now. The weather got dark and stormy. It rained gently but during the night it rained heavily. My kid lives in Dayton, OH and they got a doozy of a storm with tornado's last night. They say things are OK but lots of damage. Today seems to be overcast and I'm not sure if it is an entire day thing...I'll have to go look at the weather.

We're having a pork roast in the crockpot for dinner tonight. There are some brats and hotdogs left from yesterday but I'll leave those for lunches this week and we'll munch on the pork roast tonight. Not sure what to have with it but I think there are a few potatoes that need to be roasted. Maybe a salad to go with it. I made 20 breakfast tortilla wraps for my freezer. The Ohio kids love those when they come to visit and they finished those off this weekend while they were here. I always have a bunch ready in the freezer but we were totally out. It won't last long but at least there are some.  I could also make english muffin egg/sausage sandwiches which is popular as well. I have steel cut oats in the freezer that I cooked and froze in muffin tins. I take one of those to work for a mid-morning breakfast just about every day. I like grab-n-go homemade style!

Not much else going on today.

Alice