So, last Monday I declared Getting Things Done week. I debated with myself about whether to show what I got done (– would anyone really be interested? Would I just be booting my own horn?) But just the fact that I declared publicly that I was going to dig in and get things done last week provided a little bit of accountability, even though no one was going to come after me or check up on me to see the results. But I decided to go ahead and show the results:

1. Cleaned off this table.

Before:

After:

This is a little drop-leaf table that used to be our main dining table ages ago. Now it is in the “sunroom.” It’s meant to be a table where people can work on different projects that they might need to leave out to finish or dry or whatever, but it tends to end up a place to dump things.

2. Cleaned off computer desk.

Before:

3. Sorting through files.

No photo for this one, but I sorted through two filing cabinet drawers, tossing our several things and moving them all up into the craft room into my little pink two-drawer filing cabinet (which I discovered tends to pitch forward. Sigh. Maybe I can put a brick in the back of the bottom drawer or something.) I also cleaned our two drawers in an upstairs plastic rolly-bin thing.

4. Cleaned out part of this cabinet.

Before:

After:

Still have some work to do there, but I put  major dent in it.

By the way…that poor little amaryllis that someone gave me years ago actually bloomed all by itself in the box without having been planted. Does anyone know if I can cut off the old bloom and plant it again, or is it done?

5. Straightened and organized these bookcases.

Before:

After:

I still have a little work to do there, as you can see by several little stacks.

That blue bin contained outdoor things — basketballs, bats, super-soakers, etc. I had the boys go through it and sort out what was usable and what they wanted to keep, then they put the bin out in the shed. Then they moved two shelves worth of craft books to the craft room, and then I sorted and arranged what was left. I have a box-ful to get rid of (including a 30 year old Roget’s Thesaurus that is way out of date. I usually just use the one online anyway). I have a few more from home-schooling days that I want to list for sale — they are music books that I regret we never got to but which the boys have outgrown now.

It felt good to get to these things that have been needing attention for so long, plus it helped to actually see and remind myself of what I have. I discovered I have duplicates of a couple of books (which I am thinking I’ll hold a give-away for here). An added bonus was unexpected discoveries, like the letter I mentioned from my mom, and this sign one of the boys made a few years ago when I was repairing a stuffed animal:

I don’t remember their having a stuffed bee, but I do remember sewing a leg on something. I got a kick out of the “B+” blood type.

So now I need to start on a new list for this week, but I am floundering this morning. I’ve been fighting off a headache that isn’t enough to incapacitate but is making me draggy and foggy. I’ve been taking acetaminophen, but the only thing that seems to help is putting pressure on my forehead or cheekbones. I don’t want to spend the day doing that, though, so I am going to see if I can keep this momentum going and maybe shake it off. I am only going to try working on these types of things today and tomorrow, though, with Thanksgiving coming. The rest of the week I’ll just play by ear.

Have a good day, whatever your plans are!