This is our first time and I don't even know what to ask. Our days have been filled with urgent care visits, doctor visits, trips to the pharmacy, inhalers, antibiotics, steroid treatments, and the endless coughing, coughing, coughing. I feel so helpless. {Sigh}

I didn't get my cookbooks decluttered last week, so I'll work on that this week. I have an old cardboard box that we use for the kitchen recycle bin but I'd like to upgrade to something more durable. I finally got the Christmas tree down and put away! I've been having knee issues so I'm not going to apologize. In the process, I managed to declutter a shoebox size full of ornaments that I didn't absolutely love. Yay!

I've never heard of Zentangles but after a quick search, it looks very appealing. Did you learn with a kit?

I'm surprised at how long the soap dispenser has lasted. I about fainted when I saw how much my sister paid for it. I recently put too-thick soap in it and it clogged but I managed to flush it out and it's working great again!

I got this automatic soap dispenser as a gift a couple years ago and I love it! It's great when you've been handling raw meat and don't want to touch anything. Like you, I need a muffin tin and the silicone baking mats would be nice. Other things on my current wish list are an immersion blender, spatulas, cabinet organizer for baking sheets, broom, bin for the recycling (instead of the current cardboard box), and bathroom soap dispensers to replace the messy, leaking ones I have.

:grouphug: No major side effects from topamax here, just a little tingling in the hands. But, it didn't completely cure the migraines. Just started chiropractic care, so hoping for some relief.

I'll still be working on kitchen cabinets & drawers this week in addition to culling cookbooks/recipes. I keep moving some of the frequently used kitchen items, trying to find the best place for them, and it's driving my family nuts! :D As for decluttering the gifted kitchen items I mentioned in last week's thread, the avocado slicer and table cloth crumb sweeper were donated (along with other stuff). I still can't bring myself to get rid of the chopper or the nut roaster even though I'll never use them. :001_rolleyes:

You could try renting equipment or a guided trip the first time. See how it goes? Sounds like fun but I would have those same concerns.

I'm stuck on my kitchen declutter and I need help! Please, just tell me what to do. My dear, sweet MIL always gives me kitchen gadgets as gifts. Examples include: avocado slicer (I use a knife), onion chopper (again, knife), cinnamon nut roaster, chocolate fountain (this one was returned, thank you SIL!), and I can't remember what else. I smile, accept them and even use them at least once. I really don't want to hurt her feelings because she's so sweet and thoughtful. The problem is that I don't want 50 million gadgets! They're really adding up & cluttering my kitchen cabinets & drawers. So just get rid of them, right? Well, she comes over frequently for dinner & either wants me to use them or she wants to use them. The last time she was here, I was chopping onions with a knife and she asked about the chopper. I said that I prefer to use a knife because I'm channeling Julia Child. She looked upset. {Sigh} Do I continue to store this stuff or get rid of it & risk hurting her feelings?

:grouphug:

This past summer, we bought a new HVAC system that literally cut our electric & gas payments in half! Huge savings and the house is so much more comfortable.

Why do we have so much non-kitchen stuff in the kitchen?! :confused: Working on getting rid of it! (Thank you so much for this thread. I've been doing quick declutter sessions and feel so productive!)

You need "Mommy's Special Coffee"! (Adult beverage in an opaque reusable coffee cup.) OP, teach olders how to build a campfire. My kids love this task. We also hike, sightsee, fish, and explore the area so there's not too much time at the campsite. Someone else mentioned charcoal and I second that if you must cook without a propane stove.

I went through one of my kitchen cabinets yesterday & getting ready to attack a drawer today. Question: Do you keep any phone books, yellow pages, etc? I rarely use them but I'm hesitent to recycle all of them.

That's the hamstring (back of leg) & I've had that cramping during PT. Fwiw, she said it's normal. Those two muscles are directly related. While one is stretching, the other is contracting. Maybe try stretching the hamstring first, then the quad?

:grouphug: I would email him. He should modify your exercises & stretches to prevent muscle spasms and pain. Did he give you a stretch for your thigh? I do a lying quad stretch but you could also do it laying on your side. Also, rubbing a tennis ball across the muscle can help loosen it up along with applied heat. Unfortunately, I know personally that a really tight quad muscle will effect the entire leg. :( Hope you get some relief.

I'm trying to figure out a way to put up a wall between the kitchen & family room so I can hear the tv. I used to watch a lot of HGTV but now just once in a while. My new favorite show is Rehab Addict.

Be aware that this is Photoshop Elements which may or may not be the type of Photoshop you need for the class.

I'm stuck at Step #1. :glare:

Both Sephora & Ulta have very knowledgeable and helpful employees. Plus, they usually have product testers so you can try them to see how they look with your skin tone. The big drawback, though, is the pricetag. It's more expensive than the drugstore.

Do you have the free version of mvelopes? I need to save some time as well, so the upload is a nice feature. You mentioned up-thread about your Dh spending money (as does mine, I don't do all the grocery shopping). I was curious about how that works with these apps. Are any of the apps "sharable"? (I'm thinking specifically of Google Calendar, where you can set it up for multiple people to see or add to.) That would be so helpful to us.

I'm trying to decide what to use as well. I had ruled out ynab but maybe I'll take another look.

I struggle with this as well. I'm adding the printable calendar pages (found here) but I constantly have my phone with me now so they may not be needed. I use Google Calendar for events. I have one main calendar with the family's stuff on it that's shared with hubby & kids. Then, I have a menu calendar and a church/bible calendar that's for my eyes only. I use the bullet journal for to do lists (monthly, daily, and general collections) as well as a place to record conversations, doctor's visit notes, house repairs, etc. It's also a dumping ground for all the stuff running around my brain but I'm really hoping to be more creative as well as use it to focus on my word of the year, "Intentional".

Awesome, thank you!!

Intentionality. We've had some health issues in 2014 that may continue into 2015 or become lifelong challenges. I really need to learn how to live intentionally now and not wait for the day when "things will get better". I also like how this single word can apply to all things financial, marital, familial, health, personal, spiritual, and home (such as clutter).