Is it just me?

Can you relate to any of the following issues?

I've been tired lately, so I need to get more sleep

I stay up late because I cannot sleep; therefore, I take naps as necessary.

My concentration is shot; thus, a list of tasks is necessary.

My multitasking efforts are shot, so I need a short list of three daily things to do.

I need to go on a diet; all my doctors say so.

I need to get more exercise; see the preceding comment.

I want to spend more time with my family, friends, and pets.

My family and friends don't complain; however, my pets have me well-trained and will complain.

I need to complete some craft and home improvement projects.

I must stay off the internet and return to writing or doing other tasks.

Solution: I must make some Fall/Winter resolutions to keep my home functioning well and then follow through on them.

It has been awhile

 I've had some challenging days, as many of you have.

I've learned to adapt and take things slower as physical challenges have presented themselves.

Here, not in any particular order, are ways I have addressed some challenges.

I use a two-way garden bench for tasks in the kitchen and bathroom. The cushion on the bottom and the legs provide leverage when getting up from the floor or cleaning those pesky corner areas the mop and broom don't clean.

I have two induction burners. I love that I can set timers, and the burners will shut off as programmed.

I have a shelf-type air fryer that can bake and reheat foods. It requires less electricity and cuts heat gain in the summer.

I have a wall-mounted can opener and don't have to chase it down to use it.

I have the cooking utensils, which are the most easily accessible under the hood and over the stove area.

I have a seat, grab bars, and a shower head on a hose in the walk-in shower. Before I take a shower, I clean the shower curtains and floor with a spray solution of 50/50 white vinegar and water using a plastic scrubber.

I have a lovely ladder that has two grab rails. I use it in the kitchen and my den.

Our floors are wood or vinyl-covered, allowing easier movement using mobility aids.

We've added a covered deck with a wheelchair ramp in the kitchen, creating a barrier-free entry.

I use a small garden cart to bring the groceries from the car up the ramp into the kitchen.

All my reusable grocery bags are insulated.

I bought a dog hammock, harness, and leashes to use when traveling with our dog.

I have an "X" bottom cutter/masher that helps break up meat and frozen foods.

I found a short "chef" knife that works well when cutting smaller amounts of produce. It is easier to handle with small hands.

My beverage cups have lids I 

I order water when eating out and wear washable clothes. Water will air dry, won't stain, and is not sticky if you wind up wearing it.

I wear red shirts for pizza and spaghetti meals. The original Dawn is great for stains--use cold water and air-dry items.

Flat-filled freezer bags' food will thaw more quickly than stuffed bags.

I clean the fridge the night before garbage pickup and use smaller covered trash cans to increase taking out the garbage and reduce smells.

I have a hook for my keys and purse in a designated place.

The above things are what come immediately to mind. What are adaptations do you use?

I'm Retired, Now What

 I'm Retired, Now What

[I like to create lists, so here's another one. I apologize for my absence lately.]

Challenges:

- Tasks take longer as we age

- Health issues arise, such as heart and mobility issues or diet restrictions

- Longer recovery from physical activity

- Balancing activities with energy levels by restructuring the time of day we do things

or the daily commitments we make

- Living on a fixed income

- Increased cost of necessities Benefits:

- More time at home

- Freedom to pursue hobbies such as writing on blogs, crafting, gardening, motorcycling, traveling

- Helping others such as charities or DIY projects, including decluttering or home improvements

- Quality time with spouse

- Enjoying the company of pets

Observations:

- Spouse prefers home-cooked meals

- Increased communication with relatives by phone or computer

- A slower pace of life

- Reduced TV time

- More interaction with family and friends at each other's homes Conclusion: Although our budget is tighter, we cherish our enhanced connections with loved ones. We manage our resources to live fully in the present. With the gift of time, we savor life with our dear ones. Therefore, we choose to relish the present moment.

Keeping Clutter in Check

 Before making any purchase, visualize where it will be stored or displayed.

Have trash cans in each room and use them.

Always leave the kitchen clean.

Reduce “drop zones.”

Reduce clothing and linens to fit existing drawers and closets when they are clean.

Rotate perishables.

Take out garbage and clean out fridge weekly.

Install towel racks and use them.

Reduce clothing to core components.

Don’t procrastinate cleaning or putting things away.

Stop incoming subscriptions, and return junk mail to the sender.

Create memories instead of buying things.

Replace shopping habits with health-friendly alternatives.

Beginner's decluttering tips

 

How could a beginner declutter their home efficiently while still retaining the necessary belongings they need or want to keep around?

Get some paper and a pen or pencil.

Write the room’s name on top of an individual page.

Write the purpose of each room down.

Without looking, write down up to five things you want to keep in each room—anything else is fair game for removal.

Take a before picture of each room.

Working top to bottom and left to right, go through each room, trash the trash, relocate out-of-place items, and place items you no longer want or need in a donation box.

For future maintenance, place a trash can in each room and use it.

Remove and relocate items to their proper location immediately.

Group like items together and determine a maximum amount of that item. Donate the excess items.

Shop your closet—get rid of torn, tired, stained ill-fitting garments. Have a donation box or hamper in the bedroom. When you try something on that doesn’t fit correctly or doesn’t fit your lifestyle into the donation bin, it goes. Ask yourself if you would purchase a particular item again. Buy clothing that is forgiving of a few pounds either way. You don’t need to maintain two or three clothing sizes.

When all your clothing and linens are clean, they should fit into your closet, dresser, and storage areas.

Always trash out-of-date items for your safety—bathroom items, food, meds (return to local pharmacy), personal products such as lotions, makeup, sunscreen, etc.

Organizing a linen closet

 

What are some creative ways to organize a linen closet?

I watched a few Youtube videos on how to fold towels, hand towels, washcloths, bed linens, tablecloths, and placemats.

I have rolled them, used the new folding methods, and gotten creative with storage.

The bed linens are stored in the room they will be used.

I have a basket for table linens in my pantry.

The towels have two rows, the hand towels have one row, and the washcloths have a row in the linen storage tower in the bathroom.

Kitchen towels and drying cloths are stored in the kitchen near the sink.

No one method fits all when it comes to storage. You have to pick a method that works for you.

Organizing with children in the home

 The key to organizing and keeping order is to have a designated place for everything and limit incoming items.

Adults have to lead by example in teaching, maintaining cleanliness, and organization.

My childhood

Growing up, my family didn’t have abundance. We had enough, but not a lot.

The four children were encouraged to give to others who didn’t have as much, and we usually only received one toy at Christmas. We took care of our toys and breaking one did not garner a replacement.

Books were borrowed from the library and returned.

We had a limited clothing supply or choice of clothing—two pairs of shoes, one winter coat, etc.

Kids don’t need a lot of “stuff.” They need love and attention.

Our child and grandchildren

Our daughter requested that we “not” give her children toys—she wanted those to come from her since they lived in a tiny duplex.

I bought their first dolls, a ball or two, a set of cars, and two stuffed animals each. [The purchases were cleared with their mother first.]

Later, we bought family board games at appropriate times—being sure to clear with mom what she wanted us to purchase (sometimes we gave her the money to cover those purchases.)

When the children were older and started playing with handheld electronic games, we gave each enough cash to purchase a game for that device at Christmas.

What else did we give them?

We purchased beds and bedding, pillows, desks, chairs, shelving, a battery for mom’s car, tires for the car, dishes, cups, money for school clothing, shoes, and coats.

We invited them over for meals as much as their busy mom could come to our home.

We had staycations which included taking the children or family out for meals, playing with them in our home and yard, and watching movies. We shared our love instead of things that would clutter their home.

Our nieces and nephews

We gave family games, food towers, blankets, sleeping bags, clothes hampers, disposable party supplies, birthday cakes, etc.

Our parents and siblings

We gifted cash to our parents in addition to drawing names for the adult gifts. Later, that became “Dirty Santa.” Now we get together for a meal and don’t give any presents for the large family get-togethers.

In conclusion

Children remember the time, attention, and events you participate in with them. They generally don’t recall specific items if there is an overabundance of stuff.

Teach your children how to pick up after themselves. Having a system of organization in place will help maintain order in the home.