Feeling a Smidge Restless...

Lately I've just been jonesing for a change. Or several.

Things at work have been, well, let's just say a bit far from engaging. I am stuck in a rut of the same old same old and don't see much light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

I've got no vacation on the horizon either and as much as I love St. Louis I really would like to get away. Fox 2 even told me the other day that vacations were medically necessary. Don't have to tell me twice! Now who would like to give me $500 so I can escape for a week (cheap!)? Crickets...that's all I hear. I know I'm not alone at least.

And finally, I'm definitely starting to feel cooped up at my apartment. Yes, the one where I have spent countless hours arranging, rearranging, de-cluttering, scrubbing top to bottom and back again. After just over 5 years I'm itching to shake things up. Try a new neighborhood. Enjoy modern conveniences such as central air (I hear it's just phenomenal). I looked at an apartment today that popped up on Craigslist just as I started yet another search - it was in my ideal neighborhood (Lafayette Square) and boasted not just central air but a real live dishwasher! Alas, it was not meant to be. The "600 square feet" the agent quoted made my 575 square foot apartment look like a mansion. And unfortunately, the boy and I prefer to eat dinner at an actual dining room table instead of the coffee table, two feet in front of the TV.

I finished the first draft of my grad school application essay tonight, and I'll edit it tomorrow. I'm crossing my fingers that I'll potentially be able to start MPPA classes at UMSL in the Fall. I think that would be a good change - one that DOES give me a light at the end of my current career path's tunnel, and also a welcome distraction from this amazing pity party. Oh, and a student loan deferrment for the next 3+ years and nobody can complain about that.

You Know Those Days...

When you just don't feel like doing, oh, anything?

Today is absolutely gorgeous, and after getting up (after a mighty fine BBQ we hosted last night), hitting yoga class, and potting a beautiful plant my best friend visiting from DC brought me, I stopped doing much of anything productive.

I've eaten a few too many of the leftover bits of junk food, so perhaps that's why I feel extra sluggish. Mostly though I think it's just such a nice, peaceful day that I wouldn't want to waste it rushing around on errands or doing chores.

It's hard though, not to feel guilty knowing that you've got a never-ending to-do list in the back of your mind but instead of being productive you are going to laze away the day w/ a book, mint and lemon ice water, probably a few too many minutes spent online, and otherwise just taking it easy.

I suppose that's what summertime is for though! Cheers to a "daycation" then ;)

5 Things

So I sort of trailed off on finishing the official cure, for a few reasons. #1 was lack of time, #2 was lack of money, and #3 was that I didn't have too much to do. However, for several weeks I've had random piles and boxes in my living room and I finally got around to my basement storage area today. Yikes. Lesson to be learned - don't take "free crap" from people, as nice and well-meaning as they may be. You don't need something unless you'd actually spend the money on something yourself. You just don't.

So anyway, I love the feeling of letting go of clutter. It's so freeing. Even if you don't feel like devoting 8 weeks to a major household overhaul, you can easily let things go. Choose 5 things from each room (it's easier than it sounds), and let them go - donate, trash, recycle, set by the dumpster - whatever. You won't regret it and the feeling of a weight off will last!

Sunday Update

My biggest accomplishment of this weekend was to start AND finish recovering the dining room chairs. I just finished the last one and I am so happy! They look much cuter than the old, stained covers, I wish I had a camera to take a picture. But just trust me on this - the Amy Butler lotus pattern fabric was just perfect. I gave the chairs a good scrub down too, which they really needed. Hooray!

I also did 4 loads of laundry AND put it all away.

Now off to pack for a night in Chicago tomorrow. My room smells like honeysuckle because the windows are wide open and the breezes are strong. It's pretty great to finally have Spring!

Week Six AND the Kichen

Here's the list, LONG week, but last weekend and this weekend have been pretty good chances to catch up. Whatever happened to dull weeknights?

1. Clean bathroom and related closets. Fun!

2. Declutter cabinets and closets. More fun! Not so bad because I am adamantly against not using up "products" but I know there are some things that can go for sure.

3. Arrange your bathroom efficiently. A few things can change (i.e. extra TP in the room, not just in the closet in the hall, stuff moved around to be with "like items", etc.).

4. Upgrade your razor and shaving supplies. I think I'm using ok stuff, but I do like to get the fancy shaving gel from time to time.

5. Purchase bath salts and a nice soap. I use Dove soap and other "fancy" stuff seems to bother my allergies. Bath salts sound nice, I'll keep my eye out at the fancy bath aisle next time I'm at Target. Yeah, so they have a $15 canister of the stuff, which is way out of the budget for "stuff for just myself." Gotta pay the bills you know.

6. Place a candle in your bathroom. Need a new candle, but generally I have one in there. I DID treat myself to a $3 candle from Target however.

7. Consider scents for your home. Ok, no thanks! It's so hard to get right, I prefer "clean".

8. Plan for the week ahead on Sunday. I think I do an ok job of this already, I don't hate Sundays so I'm not dreading the week usually.

9. Wake early and take a bath before work. Hmm, wishful thinking, maybe before yoga class though next Saturday.

10. Optional: consider a media fast for the next week. Probably won't cut it out entirely, but I don't watch much TV and just need to let go of my nighttime online browsing addiction a bit so I can read more. I've got 4 books in progress and one for book club I need to start so I've got plenty to keep me busy!

11. Optional: straighten your desk at work. I did a deep clean a few weeks ago when things were slow after a crazy time and it's held up. I did realize that I need a lamp there (probably on my dime), and would like to bring in just a few personal items, such as my diploma (it needs a frame first), and some cute photos or something. It's too office-y. Wish I had natural light for a plant of some kind!

I'm ALSO working through the Kitchen Cure, via AT's sister site, The Kitchn. It's actually only 6 weeks, and it's now week 2 and it's not quite as intense as the regular cure, probably because you get to break down just one room into a longer period of time. I needed it for sure. Things were getting grubby and cluttered and I'm still FAR from where I want to be in terms of actually doing the cooking, instead of letting the boy handle it every night.

Week 1's task was to clear out, clean, and reorganize your fridge, freezer, and pantry. I took care of this last weekend and finished the last bit today. The fridge and freezer really needed the deep clean, and I didn't have too much old stuff to toss. The spices are organized, and the pantry, which is a bit bare, is tidied up too. Makes life easier, and it's definitely worth the effort from time to time.

Week 2's task is to clear out cookware and dishware cabinets, drawers, etc. and pare down what you've got lurking in there. Donate stuff you don't need or use (i.e. duplicates or random appliances and gadgets). I'm working on this now, but have also been better at purging from time to time so mostly I'm concentrating on scrubbing my ancient white metal cabinets. Fun times! We had a little power outage for an hour or so and I wrapped things up in there, so it's nice and organized! A trip to the Container Store would make things even fancier but that can wait.

When your brain is completely fried after a long Monday

I totally recommend a YouTube video, preferably involving Soulja Boy and SpongeBob. Really.



via A to Z @ the RFT.

Week 5 - Here's to Hoping I Actually Get Something Done This Week

I've had some really long weeks, with very little free time at home, and when I AM home, I'm generally zonked. I'm annoyed that I haven't been able to put much time into the to-do lists, and I think that the severe lack of true spring weather is taking it's toll on me as well. I'm in for another long week with a quick trip to KC, but then a long weekend is on the books since the boy will be in Chicago for a Bachelor party and a trade wine tasting. So....I better get stuff done this weekend. No excuse not to! Maybe I'll surprise myself and tackle some things Tuesday and Wednesday night too (not tonight, we have my family's Easter dinner). Let's see what's on the list for week 5.

1. Take care of repairs this week. I'll do my best to get through as many as possible. Yeah, didn't do that.

2. Clean office area and related closets. No closet so just the office corner in my living room. Should be sort of easy. Only a little cluttered. Cleaned it a bit but it doesn't really get cluttered. Couple papers to deal with still.

3. Vacuum, dust and mop throughout. Definitely in need of this! Done! I made it through every room, it was wonderful.

4. Declutter files. Also in need of this - the files haven't been cleared out for at least a year and a half. I'm a pretty conscientious filer though, and it's really helpful to have a system that's worked for me for years now. Pulled out a bunch of stuff to take to work to shred/recycle. It's much easier to pull out the drawer. Plan on re-doing the labels at some point, but it's ok for now.

5. Tackle the cord octopus. I've tried before and failed. I need a laptop, really. Yeah, not much to be done. I tuck cords as best I can behind and under things, but the computer area is a bit of a lost cause.

6. Try a one-day media fast. Gladly. Saturday or Sunday. Not really, but cut back all week long. Hence, no blog till now.

7. Buy fresh flowers. OK! These will cheer me up I'm sure and my b.day flowers from the boy are starting to fade (they've lasted almost two weeks though!). My mom gave me some nice daffodils from her garden, they looked so nice, and lasted pretty long too!

8. Choose at least one hard or soft thing to add or subtract. I'm sure I can do this. Not sure just what yet. Added artwork on walls in living room. Could do plenty more, just no budget.

9. Cook three meals at home this week. I'll cook for myself all weekend, but it won't be as fun for one! I'll try to actually cook rather than heat up noodles. I ate out all weekend, it was mildly pathetic and did my wallet no good. I have a hard time going shopping and cooking just for myself. Plus I'm not that great at it, so yeah. Not motivated.

10. Go to bed early and read before sleep. Happily. I almost always read, I need to be a little bit better about the early part. Been better at this lately, which is nice. Getting up in the morning cause the sun is shining now is making this much more enjoyable too.

11. (Optional) Look into wireless technology. No point without a new laptop, but it would be nice. Someday. Right. No laptop. Someday.