Summertime Editing Possessions

As we have moved from Spring to Summer and the heat builds, my family stays inside the hottest part of the day. Medications and health don't necessarily exist peacefully with heat. Dehydration can easily take a toll. 

There is only so much television and computer time a soul can appreciate.

That brings up the subject of what to do while sheltering inside, safe from the outdoor soaring temperatures and solar burns.

Cooking, ugh. It is too hot to steam up the kitchen and overwork cooling systems.

Crafts, I have multiple crafts and hobbies to pursue.

Reading, a perfect solution; however, nothing is being resolved on the home front.

That brings me to reassessing the possessions in my home. 

I've downsized my cookbooks and baking pans, gifting the ones I no longer want to others. 

I've rearranged and checked the contents of my kitchen cabinets and pantry. 

I rearranged the living room and edited decorative items to make dusting easier. 

The bathroom was easier to edit; mostly, I just have to keep it clean with quick daily maintenance.

I reaccessed the bedding and purchased a new electric blanket. Clothing is an ongoing project. I keep a donate bag in the closet, and when it is full, I donate or gift the items to someone who can use them.

That brings me to the den, the repository of everything else; the library, the sewing nook, the home office, the storage of craft products, and the castle of a family pet. This room is a work in progress.

Not content with focusing on only my home organizing, I've joined forces with two of my siblings, and we help each other. Having a muse or two to help keep me motivated and honest about progress keeps me on point.

So, what are you doing this summer to beat the heat? The preceding reflection can possibly give you ideas.

Give It or Take It Party Table

Our family doesn't give presents at Christmas since we do the "Give It or Take It" Party Table.

Our family has grown, and many incomes are fixed or stretched thinly. 

Progressively, as the families grew, the gift-giving was as follows.

A. The adults give everyone a gift. 

B. All the children received gifts from the adults, and the adults did name drawings. 

C. All the children received gifts, and the adults did "Dirty Santa." 

D. As the children grew into their late teens, they joined the adults' Dirty Santa gifting.

E. The children were now young adults with either educational goals or were creating small families; therefore, we started playing the Wright Family Game with all who wanted to join in bringing a small, wrapped, unbreakable Dollar Tree type of item and no other gifts.

F. Coinciding with the Wright Family Game tradition, I started the Take It Table with new or new-looking Christmas decorations one year.  Then, there were a couple of years with tables featuring cookbooks or crafting books.

G. No gifts, including retiring the Wright Family Game. After a family discussion, we just gathered for the meal and enjoyed each other's company. This situation lasted a few years.

H. Fast forward to the last few years. While hubby and I still hosted the party, the meal evolved to a menued potluck meal, and a couple of us revived the Take It Table to include gently used items or new items we were editing from our homes.

I. Other family members asked to join the tradition, which has morphed into Take It or Leave It Table(s.) Family members bring new or gently used items they wish to edit from their homes. Any items that no one chooses will be boxed and donated to a local charity. 

Family members can bring as many or few of the things they want to leave their homes or even nothing. Guests and family members can take home as few, many, or none of the items on the table; the items vary from office, kitchen, or bathroom supplies to books, small furniture pieces, linens, toys, and decor.

J. We expanded the Take It or Leave It Table idea to a summer event last year.

K. We plan a Spring Pizza Party with Take It or Leave It tables this year.

In conclusion, gift-giving traditions need to evolve with familial desires and needs. I've given a synopsis of our family dynamics and hope you can find inspiration for your families.

Depending on your family or friends interactions, you could opt for different Take It or Leave It tables, such as themed gatherings that target specific themes. Games, barbeque supplies, kitchen pots and pans, baking items, cookie cutters, yard tools, DIY books and supplies, crafting supplies, etc.

Merry Christmas 2024

 I've been busy this year, and I hope you have too!

Prior posts have suggestions on creating your forever home and making you can make your home better at working for you and your loved ones.

It's easy to put off things until "tomorrow." However, tomorrow might never get here, or it will be delayed. Work, family, friends, health, and funds are some off-putting excuses for not getting things done.

Embrace the "One-Minute Rule." Set aside fifteen-minute action cycles a few times daily to accomplish your tasks.

Do the "one-minute" things immediately. This will give those fifteen-minute action cycles measurable results quickly.

Immediately putting away everyday items (in the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living room) allows for sweeping/vacuuming, dusting/wiping down, and additional cleaning in the fifteen-minute cycles.

Do I have everything together? No, of course not. However, I no longer cringe if someone comes to visit unexpectedly.

Merry Christmas! Enjoy the season with your family and friends. You've got this!

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.

Arthritis Recommendations

 What are some tips you'd recommend for cleaning the house when you have arthritis?

Sometimes we make adaptations for changes in our physical abilities. Here are some personally tested ideas that work.

I have a long-handle two-wheel garden cart that is great for bringing in the groceries. I can use one hand to roll it up the ramp into the barrier-free entrance at the kitchen.

I love my kneeling garden bench and use it for getting down low for cleaning, organizing, and getting into the kitchen pantry. The cushion protects my knees and the inverted legs give me something to push against to get up more easily.

Those rolling walkers with seats are great so you can sit at various points. The seats (some have under-seat baskets) are great for getting things place to place.

Buy spray cleaners already in the bottle, or get someone else to fill them for you. If you cannot handle spray bottles, try squeeze or pump bottles.

Get a paper towel and toilet tissue holder you can replace with one hand or arm.

I’ve found a large plastic measuring cup and microfiber or paper towels are a good way to clean. Those long-handled kitchen cleaning items can help too.

You might want to reconsider the height or depth of any sinks you are using if bending is a problem.

I now have long-handled brooms, swifters, dusters, dustpans, and dust mops.

Those sticky clothing rollers are suitable for quick pickups of things on cushions.

You might want to consider a quality rolling cart to carry supplies and things—I got one for my kitchen.

I love my rocker knives, pull “d” handles on cabinets, and an adaptive cutting board in the kitchen. I have a bottle opener mounted to the underside of the top kitchen cabinet. Electric can openers are easier to use than wall-mounted openers.

Dishes are a little tricky to clean, so the dishwasher became a welcomed friend.

Ladders need grab rails and a landing area. Climbing one arm is no joke and balance can sometimes be a consideration.

Get someone to help you rearrange the placement of items you use the most.

This .com site has a lot of ideas that might prove helpful. I like some of the items this site offers. If you don’t want to purchase from them, at least you have viable recommendations.

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Devices & Equipment

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Decluttering Clothes

 If you are decluttering clothes, shoes, sporting items, or accessories, ask yourself the following questions.

• Is the item in good condition?
• Does the item need repair?
• Is the item faded, stained, pilled, or ripped?
• Does the item fit or is it too big or too little?
• Does the item flatter you with its color and style?
• Do you like the way the material feels on your body?
• Do the shoes make your feet hurt?
• Does the item have an unpleasant odor?
• Do you still participate in the sport or exercise?
• Would you buy the item again?

Getting rid of things

• Get rid of faded, stained, pilled, ripped, or smelly articles or clothing.
• Get rid of items that need repair.
• Get rid of items that don’t fit.
• Get rid of items that don’t flatter you.
• Get rid of items you would never buy again.

Sorting

• Sort the items in the keep pile.
• Try articles on and have someone take pictures of you in the item.
• Ask yourself if you really want to keep the item now?

Success

• Set up a core wardrobe of clothing.
• Supplement needed items with quality mix-and-match timeless pieces.

For the future

• Keep a Goodbye Bag or Basket in your closet for ongoing purging
• If you put the item on and realize it no longer works, put it in the Goodbye Bag or Basket.
• Clean the item and put it in the bag immediately

Rockers

 A rocking chair can be in any room or on a porch. My grandmother had one on the porch and two in the living room.

The nursery is currently the most popular room for a rocking chair—where the baby sleeps and is fed.

My glider rocker is located in the living room, and everyone fights over sitting in it.

One might have a rocking chair placed in the bedroom in a reading nook.

A gaming room might have a console gaming chair. The seat is on the floor, and there are no legs. You might have these in a playroom for gaming and watching movies or sports.

I haven’t seen a rocker in the dining room or the kitchen or bathroom—yet! However, I could make a case for having one in the dining area if the mom has more than one child and needs to watch other children while feeding a baby.

Most kitchens in smaller homes don’t have enough space for a rocker, although those homes with open designs could probably work in a nook with room for a rocking chair in the kitchen.

The bathroom—just no. A changing table, if room permits. A rocker, no. The bathroom isn’t the place to loiter.

Mapping out furniture in a room.

Use graph paper to “map” a room and its furniture. I prefer the type with many lines, not just equal size squares. Having divisions in the larger squares makes scaling furniture more precise.

Graph out the room to scale using the large squares as feet. Include doors, windows, air vents in the placement. Indicate the direction the doors open—this takes up available floor/wall space.

Measure and graph out each piece of furniture—length and width. Scaling the furniture pieces sizes is more precise with the extra squares for accurate representation.

Play with the furniture placement in the room. It is much easier to move around paper pieces than real furniture.

Don’t block doors and windows. Air vents need adequate circulation, so don’t cover them with furniture that blocks the vents. At least one window should be available to exit in case of fire.

You need at least 3–3.5 feet of open floor space to access doors and drawers. Five feet of clear space is better if there is a need for wheelchair use.

Fifteen- foot square bedroom layout question

 I was asked how I'd lay out a fifteen-foot square bedroom. Here's my reply.

The layout of any room depends on the window, heating/air vents, closet doors, doors to the bathroom, and the entry doorway.

My fourteen-square-foot room has two dressers on one wall and a window. The opposite wall has a closet extending into the room and the entry door. The window wall between them has the head of the queen bed.

The wall at the foot of the bed has a closet, a mantle (overhead attic access), and the walking area of most of the room.

There is enough space to walk along both sides of the bed to access dresser drawers and the closet. This space is tight using a walker. (A king bed would take up too much space. If a wheelchair were necessary for the 14-foot square room, neither bed's setup wouldn't work.)

I'd opt for a platform storage bed with a storage headboard. I would choose window coverings and bed linens that are decadent.

I'd also include a valet seat or even two. I'd opt for a sofa table or drop leaf table if I used a laptop in that room, plus a comfortable chair that may do double duty as a valet chair.

Trick out the closet, and don't forget a hamper.

Graph the room's layout and use to-scale graph cutouts of intended furniture.

Aprons in home kitchens

 Aprons are probably not popular now to use for home cooking; however, I still use them, and here is why.

I’ve sometimes been clumsy in the kitchen, dropped a knife, tipped a pot of hot water, not had a good enough grip on a pan when pouring into a serving dish, grabbed a hot handle, etcetera.

• I don’t want to ruin my clothing with grease, food stains, or the sanitizer used at cleanup.
• I want to remove the apron and party when the cooking and buffet setup is complete.
• The apron is another layer of protection against hot liquid spillage or splatters—mine covers my chest area and is long enough to cover my knees.

The above reasons bring up another issue—wear shoes that protect your feet when cooking, and don’t forget to use hot pads to protect your hands.

Kitchen question

 What is the most important concept to consider in the kitchen premises for yourselves and others?

• Safety for everyone—whether the appliance choices and floorplan layout allow those working in the kitchen to do so safely. Kitchen users vary in height—someone over six feet tall will not have the same wants and needs as someone around five feet tall or in a wheelchair.
• Work triangle—affects efficiency and safety.
• Counter space—multiple small appliances are contributing to the need for more counter space. My mother had enough counter space for the dirty dishes and the sink drainer, her mother used the kitchen table and had no counter space. The counter space that was adequate ten years ago seems restrictive today.
• Storage—with the abundance of new small appliances comes the need for more storage. There was a trend where pantries were eliminated in homes. Smaller kitchens need one or some type of extra storage space. I use a set of chrome shelves, a baker’s rack will work also. My rarely used kitchen supplies are stored in a separate building. Inconvenient? Yes, but it works.

Upholstery

 Upholstery choices for home use will vary according to the occupants' preferences.

We chose quality dark prints with a strong weave and durability for living room sets. The fabric also had a texture we found pleasing. [The children in the family were small, and we had dogs and cats for pets. We felt like we needed to be able to spot clean and wipe up spills.]

Before we upgraded to upholstered furniture, we had sturdy wooden living room sets with cushions that could be recovered or replaced. The covers were washable.

I like Sunbrella fabric and chose it when I had cushions or cushion covers made at an upholstery shop. The cushion covers are washable; more importantly, you can wipe them when spills occur, and the material tolerates the sun.

I don't think leather works well with cats for pets. In my family, we always chose cloth material and added throws. Cats have sharp claws and like to knead.

People with dust allergies might prefer leather upholstery.

How to clean a Lazy Susan Cabinet.

 Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets

Assemble needed supplies

• Gloves
• Eye protection
• A covering for your head
• Spray cleaning solution of your choice or pan/sink of wet cleaning solution—Dawn and hot water
• Rags, wipes, paper towels—your choice
• Soft scrubber
• Baking soda or slightly abrasive cleaner
• Knee pads or step stool depending on the location of the cabinet
• Oil for the mechanism—I use sewing machine oil
• Shelf liner
• Scissors
• Cabinet cleaner for the outside of your type of cabinet

Remove everything from the cabinet that you want to clean and the adjacent cabinets on each side unless this is a standalone cabinet.

Check for items that may be in the void the lazy Susan doesn’t address and remove them.

Remove any removable liner placed on the shelves.

Cleaning the shelves

• Spray or wet the shelves with the cleaning solution.
• Wipe the shelves.
• Repeat until the shelves are clean.

Hard to remove the residue?

• Wet the area
• Add a sprinkle of baking soda over the area.
• Use a damp soft scrubber to clean the area.
• Repeat the baking soda as necessary.
• Use a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue.
• Use a dry cloth to dry the shelves.

Maintenance

• Use the oil to grease the moving parts.
• Add shelf liner—use scissors to cut the liner to fit.
• Clean the outside of the cabinet per the cleaner's directions.

Finishing up

• Place the desired contents back into the cabinet.
• If food contents have expiration dates, remember to purge the items.
• Put like items together.
• Place the items that will go out of date in front of items that will last longer.

Bonus

• Clean the adjacent cabinets.