Tag: House

A Week of Cleaning – Sunday March 24 2019

On By jackiblosblackisIn Bullet, Cleaning, House, Organization, PetsLeave a comment

I had a fail at doing a week mini series. Here is the thing though, the house will be a disaster for longer than I would like to imagine. As long as I can remember I will make a post. I still want to use the title that I  originally decided on but I will be adding the physical date as well. Eventually I will go back to update the previous posts that I had already done up. Practice makes habit and practice will also improve these posts. Please bare with me while they get there.

Now, Sundays are the days just to ease into the cleaning week. Very simple and normally it does not take very long. We do the deck, the entry, and the laundry area. The only thing that I did that followed what I put down for myself was the laundry area. We might as well start there.

Not much as you can see from the picture. I did put a way all the items that have been air drying much longer than what they actually need to be. I did not wipe down the machines or anything because no one but me will notice that I skipped a week.

This closet though has been weighing on me for quite a while. What you do not get to notice is that the dog shampoo bottle leaked all over the shelf who knows how long ago. Things are also not put where they should be.

I cleaned up the shampoo and put things back in their home. I also pulled ALL of the dog items that were expired. Which turns out to be all of them. The closet looks so nice and empty. Not for long I do need to put many things a way.

Now on to the whole reason why I only did the laundry area. I needed to start dealing with the kitchen. Despite that the kitchen is on Mondays schedule. It had been skipped to many times.

I took this in the morning and honestly I just slowly did things through out the day. I started with the dishes. Unloaded the dishwasher and then loaded it. Put a way the dishes in the drying sink and then washed the the dishes that were on the counter (not dishwasher safe). Took a break from there and made pancakes with strawberry topping.

While Missy was eating a way at those I decided to give the pantry a quick tackle. This will be a mess again tomorrow since Missy gets into it all the time.

Picked up the cans, put a way snacks, and emptied out bags sitting in the kitchen that had dry goods in them. It really does not take all that long but putting Missy to bed, diaper change, bath, or food trumps putting things a way. This goes for cold items as well. I just take the bag and shove it the fridge or freezer.

Missy eventually went down for her nap and I went on to roast some onions and mushrooms. This way I had something quick in the fridge for the next few days. Creating more dishes. Yay!

Not perfect but I got everything done on the left side of the kitchen sink. The pans on the stove just need to be put a way and the items by the sink need to be washed out before going in to the recycling. A little bit was done on the right side of the kitchen sink. Really it was dishes that needed to be done.

Keep in mind this was not a kitchen day. The dishes really are part of an everyday thing but the pantry and fridge were kind of bonuses. I did forget to take pictures of the fridge. Do not get me wrong it was not nasty or anything but it was stuffed. Which meant I was not getting to items that needed to be used and they were past the usable time period.

They ‘Got Done’ list…. see upgraded from the pen and paper. Spelling errors from dictating but that is real life and I am not concerned about it. You can see a small overview of the day. The only other huge thing I did was that I gave Bullet a quick haircut. It is not perfect but it is a start and it may still get cold out again. I will touch him up in couple days. By than he would have a bath and everything would be settled back in. Plus the razor died and needs to be recharged.

 

 

A Week of Cleaning: Monday February 04 2019

On By jackiblosblackisIn Cleaning, House, OrganizationLeave a comment

I did not forget today! I just had a really late start so it is not quite as satisfying as I would look forward too. I just simply needed to try and get some sleep.

You can check out what I did on Sunday but this is about Monday. Monday consists of the kitchen and dinning area. The reason I do the kitchen on Mondays is because Tuesday is garbage day. Makes sense to clean out the fridge, pantry, and freezer out the day before. That way in the summer things do not start to go rancid before it is off my property. The kitchen I tried to get to all day but Missy was not in the mood to deal with cleaning. Lot’s of in progress pictures.

I snapped these before’s really quick Sunday night before I went to attempt to sleep.

I did put all the groceries a way though. Pantry is a bit of mess but I do not actually have homes for anything I put in there.

This is the before for Monday. Or an in progress picture since I did take one the night before. My counters are terrible I know. Not where I start though.

I started by opening two parcels that have been kicked around the house for an entire month. The Oatbox was just granola and I put those bags in the pantry. The Walmart box was all stuff for my nieces and nephew. The second picture is showing the box of a small portion of their gifts. It is all together now though till I wrap them.

I added an oven lock and knob covers on the stove next. I have only had them for a few days. I thought this was the best opportunity to put them on. Also Missy was asleep and the directions say to put them on when the child is not around.

No pictures but after this I emptied and loaded the dishwasher. I proceed to wipe off the counters after clearing them off. Most of which ended up on the dinning table.

I think it looks a hundred times better. I know it is not completely done but I made an impact. That is what counts.

This the before of the dinning area. Before I did the kitchen so the table was not quite so bad at this point.

Yes my Canadian readers, I have a walker. Even if it was not banned here Missy does not use it as a walker. With the exception of a time or two. She likes to push and pull it around. I am also not shaming any one for using one. Missy can walk I have witnessed it but she simply just does not want to yet. The only thing she ever really liked that was confining was her bouncer.

The after of the dinning area. Again not completley clear but I did put a LOT of things a way. I also took some stuff with me when I came in to write the blog post. The one box contains stuff my Brother needs to come pick up and the other box (that you cannot really see) is full of recycling. I do not have a home for the speaker at the moment. When I asked to borrow it from my Mother, she made it sound like it was a portable….it is not actually portable. I do need it for my Kindle and I got on the Audible train.

I also cleaned out the fridge. Not much was thrown out. A few things that I did not purchase and a thing of mushrooms that I did not get around to using. I needed to put things where they fit though. I just threw the groceries in there from Saturday.

I did have the intention of doing the freezers today. They badly need to be organized but I just do not have the time at the moment.

 

My ‘Got Done’ list is much better for Monday though. Besides a whole lot of laundry. I switched out all my main light bulbs. I had a white light in them and it was just too much in such a condensed area. I switched to a warm white. So much better. I put a way seven parcels! Scary that I still have two more to deal with. First two weeks of every month is when the donations are received in the mail. They pile up fast. I did condense the recycling in to empty boxes. It is very cold outside and that is why it has not gone out yet. The other thing is I have all the items from the car sitting in the house. Again the weather, it is just too cold to be out there for more for something that does not seriously need to be done this second.

Tuesday is just a floor day. If I do something I will try to remember to take pictures. I may get the freezers done. I am not going to take before and afters of the floors. If I even get around to doing them. Still a lot of stuff in the way. I cannot promise that there will be a post on Wednesday.

Goal Update – 3rd Quarter

On By jackiblosblackisIn PersonalLeave a comment

The year is just about done and I really cannot believe it. I do not think I am quite prepared for the next year to come. Check out my last post though Goal Update – 2nd Quarter to see how things have gone in the last three months.

  • Quitting smoking (again).

Still not revealing why.

  • Buying and moving to the small town.

We bought a house at the end of July! Although we were not planning to till closer to the end of the year.

  • Dealing more with clients in the office.

Still pretty much deal with clients on items that I have worked on. It does seem some clients are more comfortable asking me their question(s). I would say it is moving forward.

  • Making sure things stay caught up and the new procedures are followed in the office.

I am sure I had this as a goal last year and it will probably be my goal for next year. Still has not happened yet though.

  • Cutting my debt in 1/5 from the beginning of 2017.

I just about had half of my debt paid off. I had a couple small set backs. Right now it is very important to put money into our savings. So, I am still about half way paid off. I will take this as I do not owe more money since the last update.

  • Keep my time and life organized.

Time and life have gotten a way from me. I do have a bit of a time limit though to get things caught up though.

  • Staying on top of the blog.

I am just not going to bother touching this one again.

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We Bought a House!

On By jackiblosblackisIn Family, House, Organization, PersonalLeave a comment

While I would like to say this was a long process and give some insight in to the process when there hiccups. Those things really did not happen. I do not have a long interesting story to provide you with. Everything happened fairly quick and seemed to work out in our favour. There are somethings you can only find out after living in a place though. Lets start at the beginning though.

I went into the bank for a preapproval while Mister was on a quick trip to China to help out a friend with some business stuff. I had no problem getting it. Actually I was quite surprised with the results. Maybe I am wrong but I think that was the easiest part. I am not signing my life a way or committing to anything. Just simply looking for a yes or no. Normally everything and everyone says go to multiple banks or broker. A broker can view all offers and rather than you having to go to all the individual places. I absolutely did not make a rash decision. I am a first time home buyer in a market that is becoming more difficult to get a mortgage in and as well as pass the stress test(s). I stand by my decision.

When Mister got back in the country I decided to book an appointment with a relator I use to clean house for. Took my Mother out with me the first day to check out the listing I was provided with. There was one house I was particularly fond of just from the listing. It worked out that we seen the five other homes before this one. I was very much relieved that it was not the first or I would have way over thought it. Instantly I was able to picture it being a home for our family. Exactly what we could do and in my opinion it was move in ready for us besides a few small items. Two days later I took Mister out to see three of the listings. This way he could form his own opinion… I think he still just went with whatever I wanted but I made and honest effort.

The next evening I made the offer and the countering started. In less than two and half hours we made the commitment and it worked out better than I thought it was going to. Paid the deposit the next day and contacted the bank to inform them. The longest part was waiting to hear back from the bank. It took a week and a half, it came in and I could move on.

Next came the house inspection. It was a stellar review, really. Everything that I was told was just simply things to maintain and things in his opinion we should we should think about replacing in the next couple years. Nothing expensive and nothing that causes safety issues. Last but not least was the insurance. I was able to get a letter quickly. Have the file started that way I could just go in to finish up the final details after the fact.

Signed my commitment releasing the conditions I set forth. All I had do was make an appointment with the bank to get the mortgage sorted out. I was informed normally this is already done when this point is reached but I did some of information over the phone. Only information, nothing concrete.

I made and appointment with the bank ASAP to get the mortgage information signed and done with. Once I had that appointment booked it was like every one was on fire to get things done. I had to go insurance before the bank to purchase. The reason being is British Columbia is in a state of large forest fires and they need to know the asset is covered. That day there was a doctors appointment, insurance and then the bank.

The next day I had had my notaries appointment. Where I got to sign my life a way! I also had another doctors appointment that day. Everything was very straight forward. I felt confident in understanding everything was put in front of me. I also felt like it was explained to me thoroughly. I think the hardest part was handing over that bank draft and seeing all that money leave my hands.

Truly this was an amazing home buying experience. It was not with out it stresses but I think that was mostly on me and worrying things would not get done on time. They did and I am so excited about having our own place. I do not have to worry about someone else’s property and can do whatever we want. Not a decision I regret but lets check in on that in a few months.

Officially Home Owners!!!

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Goal Update – 2nd Quarter

On By jackiblosblackisIn Personal1 Comment

First of all I would like to say Happy belated Canada Day and Happy early 4th of July!!

We really have flown through the first half of the year and to be honest; the second half will be no different. Of course check out my last post Goal Update – 1st Quarter to see how things have gone in the last three months. Other than that lets get right into where things are now.

  • Quitting smoking (again).

This has been done but I am still not revealing the reason why just yet.

  • Buying and moving to the small town.

This was originally two separate goals. This has not happened yet but we will see in the near future.

  • Dealing more with clients in the office.

Still pretty much deal with clients on items that I have worked on. It does seem some clients are more comfortable asking me their question(s). I would say it is moving forward.

  • Making sure things stay caught up and the new procedures are followed in the office.

This is just no ha-ha. It will get there but it still has not worked out in our favour. Yet.

  • Cutting my debt in 1/5 from the beginning of 2017.

I am just one month a way from having half paid off! Which is incredibly exciting in my opinion. When I set these goals, this one in particular, I wanted them to be achievable. It turns out I have underestimated myself a little bit but life has also worked out in my favour which does not always happen for everyone.

There are a lot of variables for the remaining of the year but I expect to 3/4 paid off at least. As long as I keep making an honest effort and I do not set myself back once the goal is complete. I will be satisfied.

  • Keep my time and life organized.

Still has not happened for me! Even if I had gotten somewhere with this it would be changing any ways. In the mean time I am trying to let go of possessions that do not have any place in my life. I think this help when I can get around to organizing life/house again.

  • Staying on top of the blog.

I am just not going to bother touching this one.

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