I Still Resolve to Get Organized

For me, getting organized is an on-going process. I made a good start about six weeks ago but got bored with the drudgery. I am making a renewed effort to complete the task.
I don’t want to leave my daughter with the monumental task of going through my “stuff” and having her hate me for all eternity. A few years ago, I read the story of a woman who spent almost a year going through her late mother’s belongings to find things of value and discarding the rest. After living in her house for over fifty years, the mother had accumulated a huge amount of stuff. It doesn’t take me that long to accumulate a lot.
I am shredding outdated paperwork, any documents that are no longer needed and
catalog labels (from inside and outside to prevent scam artists from using this information to charge items on my account).
I’ve discontinued some of my magazine subscriptions because even as a retiree, I don’t have time to read them all. I put the newspapers and magazines that I’ve finished reading in recycling along with flyers, business and personal envelopes (with the address labels removed).
When bills come, I write the checks immediately. If I can’t mail the bills right away, I put the mail-by date in the upper right hand corner of the envelope instead of a stamp. I put the envelope in the outgoing basket. On the given date, I cover the date with the stamp and mail the envelope. That is just some of the paperwork I must deal with everyday. Cleaning out my closets is the next task. I wish me good luck.

I Still Resolve to Get Organized

For me, getting organized is an on-going process. I made a good start about six weeks ago but got bored with the drudgery. I am making a renewed effort to complete the task.
I don’t want to leave my daughter with the monumental task of going through my “stuff” and having her hate me for all eternity. A few years ago, I read the story of a woman who spent almost a year going through her late mother’s belongings to find things of value and discarding the rest. After living in her house for over fifty years, the mother had accumulated a huge amount of stuff. It doesn’t take me that long to accumulate a lot.
I am shredding outdated paperwork, any documents that are no longer needed and
catalog labels (from inside and outside to prevent scam artists from using this information to charge items on my account).
I’ve discontinued some of my magazine subscriptions because even as a retiree, I don’t have time to read them all. I put the newspapers and magazines that I’ve finished reading in recycling along with flyers, business and personal envelopes (with the address labels removed).
When bills come, I write the checks immediately. If I can’t mail the bills right away, I put the mail-by date in the upper right hand corner of the envelope instead of a stamp. I put the envelope in the outgoing basket. On the given date, I cover the date with the stamp and mail the envelope. That is just some of the paperwork I must deal with everyday.
Cleaning out my closets is the next task. I wish me good luck.

I Still Resolve to Get Organized

For me, getting organized is an on-going process. I made a good start about six weeks ago but got bored with the drudgery. I am making a renewed effort to complete the task.
I don’t want to leave my daughter with the monumental task of going through my “stuff” and having her hate me for all eternity. A few years ago, I read the story of a woman who spent almost a year going through her late mother’s belongings to find things of value and discarding the rest. After living in her house for over fifty years, the mother had accumulated a huge amount of stuff. It doesn’t take me that long to accumulate a lot.
I am shredding outdated paperwork, any documents that are no longer needed and
catalog labels (from inside and outside to prevent scam artists from using this information to charge items on my account).
I’ve discontinued some of my magazine subscriptions because even as a retiree, I don’t have time to read them all. I put the newspapers and magazines that I’ve finished reading in recycling along with flyers, business and personal envelopes (with the address labels removed).
When bills come, I write the checks immediately. If I can’t mail the bills right away, I put the mail-by date in the upper right hand corner of the envelope instead of a stamp. I put the envelope in the outgoing basket. On the given date, I cover the date with the stamp and mail the envelope. That is just some of the paperwork I must deal with everyday.
Cleaning out my closets is the next task. I wish me good luck.

There's Hope

This week is the beginning of a new era. Tomorrow the first African American will be sworn in as President of the United States of America. Something about this young man seems to pull people of many different cultures to him. He is the symbol of hope around the world. Even here in America, many people who did not vote for him are hopeful that he will be successful. People are not pulling for an African American president. People are pulling for America. Our success will spread good will, good fortune and prosperity around the world. This election wasn’t about Barack Obama. This was about our country as well as the rest of the world.
As a senior I have lived through World War II although I was too young to understand what was happening. I saw the struggles of African Americans during the Civil Rights movement; the increasing divorce rate; and the changing dynamics of the home front when women had to work rather than stay home to rear their children. Like so many other seniors, I’ve watched the economic downturn with some trepidation.
But I have great hope for a positive future for us. As seniors, we want to see an economic upturn sooner rather than later so that we may enjoy our senior years without fear.
As I watched television broadcasts of the inaugural festivities, I saw the faces of thousands and thousands of people looking with tears in their eyes at Barack Obama, the symbol of hope. I saw the unity that he has inspired. Black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, young, old, gay, straight, the able bodied and the physically challenged are all in this together. We will not wait for Barack Obama to make the change. He can’t do it alone. He has inspired us to help make the change for the better.
India Arie’s words ring true when she sings, “There’s Hope.” As I listen to this song, my tears show that I know that there’s hope for us all.

I Resolve to Get Organized

With my minor, fixable health issues, I won’t be able to resume country line dancing until I get my doctor’s okay. This is only a temporary setback. Thinking of things to do while in recovery isn’t much of a challenge for me. I am very disorganized and now is the time for me to “resolve” to do better.
For now I will concentrate on organizing my closet, home office and kitchen. I could easily get rid of items that I no longer need. Donating them to charity or having a garage sale would help me unload some of these things with less guilt. Throwing items in the trash is my last option because I don’t really need to add to the landfill. The other day I started going through the papers in my home office and was pleasantly surprised to find pictures I thought were lost. I will label them and put them with the other pictures that are ready for albums. Organizing our pictures will be a long, involved project that my husband will have to help me with.
Organizing now will not put a burden on our children and grandchildren later. Wish me luck in working effectively over the next few weeks.

Happy, Healthy New Year

Today is my first day back to my retirement blog since the holiday season. My husband and I visited our adorable grandchildren and their families during the holidays. We enjoyed their company, the food and the festivities. Now we are back to reality.
Back to reality. I have to smile because our reality is still pretty good even as these crazy economic times have done damage to our retirement funds, reduced the value of our home and made us cut back on our Christmas spending. We still have good health with only a few minor, fixable health issues.
As usual, I wanted to make my annual “lose weight” resolution, but that hasn’t worked for very long in the past. Instead I am determined to be more active by continuing the dance class twice a week with my husband. We’ll add walking three times a week either at the mall, recreation center or in our quiet neighborhood. I also need to lift small weights to help build stronger bones. As a senior, osteoporosis (the bone weakening disease) is a big concern.
We’re planning to try new recipes with healthier ingredients. Presently we’re fairly healthy eaters, but we know we can do better. And our restaurant choices will have to change. Fried and creamed foods sound good, but too many dishes like that are waist expanders. I can’t take any more expanding.
Now it is time for a real effort toward a healthier, smaller happier me. Let me know what some of your “resolutions” are and how you'll try to keep them.
Happy, Healthy New Year.

Gift Cards

The gift giving season is here. Many people are giving gift certificates or gift cards to family, friends and service people. For some, this is the easiest gift for seniors to give because of the many crowded stores and tight budgets. If this is what you choose to do, be sure to tell the recipient of your generosity to please use the gift card as soon as possible.
Why? Some of the stores have an early expiration date on their cards or they charge a fee for the months when the card is not used. This could soon wipe out the value of the card. Also, don’t forget that some companies are having a difficult time financially and could go into bankruptcy leaving the card worthless.
If you receive gift cards, be sure to use them as soon as possible. And don't forget the thank you notes.
Happy Holidays. Be safe and enjoy the season with family and/or friends.