New year, new home

Since I’ve been my home for 20 years, how come I’m finally getting around to taking care of the place?

Well, besides feeling better mentally,  another reason for finally getting serious is that I miscalculated my retirement date. I thought I could retire in 2010, but apparently I goofed in my calculations and can’t retire until 2011. I was pretty upset at the time, but decided to make the most of it by coming up with a plan to fix up the place. The idea is to take 1-2 months per room first decluttering, then decorating/fixing up.

January is dedicated to the kitchen. This room is first on the list because I want it to be an inviting place, where I’ll want to spend time preparing meals, thereby eating better—something I’ve been needing to do for quite awhile.

My room for February is the dining room.  The dining room should be fairly manageable for the shorter month (even with the extra day in Feb this year), since I don’t really have any hidden drawers  and cabinets to deal with.  Plus, it’s an appropriate follow-on to the kitchen, since it’s where I need to eat some of my meals, and right now the dining room table is filled to the brim with non-dining stuff. Things like my laptop, my happy light (a new addition), Christmas presents for wrapping (yeah, yeah, I know it’s past), financial papers, a set of blue margarita glasses, and other miscellaneous stuff.

So, that’s my plan for the next couple months.  Wish me luck!

Help me get my home in order!

I am a pack (b)rat. I never really thought I was, but by the looks of my home, it’s obvious I am. I’ve lived here for 20 years and I’ve managed to make a total mess of the place. And, other than a few appliance upgrades, I haven’t really done anything in the way of remodeling or decorating.

Part of my problem over the years was severe depression, and part was simply not knowing where to start. (Ok, and part was just plain ol’ laziness.) But, the depression appears to have abated (with a great deal of help and effort, not magically on its own) and I think I can now make the effort to fix the place up.

I hope to use this blog as my chronicle of progress. Let’s see if I can do it!