House In Order, day 17

[cjsmith]

(Okay, day 16 too: random daily upkeep.)

Today I filed all of my papers. All of them, every last bit. My mail drawer is empty. The inboxes on my desk are empty. The other random stacks that had been growing on my desk are gone. The thick pile that was sitting on a box underneath the desk is gone. All the catalogs are gone. The small dusty pile of travel-souvenirish stuff on top of a box of photos, the tiny pile I made during a Quicken update and left on top of the computer, and the two ancient piles on the computer desk are all gone. The table is completely clear.

A significant amount went into the circular file. Some other things didn't get pared down as well as they should and just got stuffed into folders. But it's all put away somehow. There is not a single piece of paper lying around. I filed

every.
single.
piece.

I feel pretty good about it.

Comments

[ambar.livejournal.com]

Yowza! *tootles the celebratory kazoo*

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It wasn't a HUGE undertaking because I've been trying to get organized -- it took just over an hour -- but my sense of accomplishment is all out of proportion. I can't think of any other time I've had all papers put away. Even when I moved I threw piles into boxes.

[just-cyd.livejournal.com]

hooray!!!!!!! that's wonderful!!!!!

now what kind of plans do you have for your newly- and beautifully-freed-up flat surfaces??

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I think for the next couple of days I will merely contemplate them blissfully!

[wooddragon.livejournal.com]

Wow. I did not think it was possible to file every piece of paper. I am in the presence (well, virtual presence) of a master. One who makes the unfile-able file-able.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever done it before! I admit there was exactly one piece of paper I could not figure out where to file. In the end I had a choice between making a new folder for "newspaper clippings about cool people who rescue big cats" or pitching it, and I pitched it. :-)

[wooddragon.livejournal.com]

Well, toward the end of filing, I do become more brutal. Especially when it involves making a new file. If the dang thing would just somehow fit into one of the files I'd already made...

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Oh definitely. I hate making new files. I still have a couple folders that aren't labeled (grabbing a folder is a lot easier than making that little tab thingy) so I need to do that tonight. Assuming I have any energy after my flight lesson. :-)

[wooddragon.livejournal.com]

You wouldn't have enjoyed (I don't think) flying here today. The weather is described as 'unsettled;' thunder, lightning, hail, rain, and snow.

I went for a hike and got pelted toward the end.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Oh yuck! I hope the mad dash for the car wasn't too awful.

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

Again, I'm inspired.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

It didn't even take that long! The only hard part was insisting that I couldn't stop with just a few hard-to-categorize things remaining. Go for it!

[ericainohio.livejournal.com]

I'm just.....amazed. And terribly jealous.

What's your secret?

Wow - congratulations on your paper-pile-free existence!!

[just-cyd.livejournal.com]

perhaps she heard what a slave-driver you are, and feared you'd show up on HER doorstep, whip in hand?

*ducks and runs*

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

HAHAHA! I love it!

[ericainohio.livejournal.com]

Yeah, CJ. You have been warned.

*crack*

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Ooo, I tremble in my boots weird little post-op shoes! :-)

Seriously, I think it's wonderful what you and Cyd are doing. That must be very rewarding for both of you!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

It didn't even take that long! I just collected EVERYTHING and started going at it. There were hard-to-categorize things but I just did the best I could (maybe that's my secret: imperfectionism ;-) ) or pitched 'em.

Thanks! Mail comes at 2 so my paper-pile-free existence will last about sixteen hours. :-)

[kimatha.livejournal.com]

what a wonderful accomplishment! Congratulations!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm pleased all out of proportion. I think I'll go gaze lovingly at my empty table.

[shadopanther.livejournal.com]

Yay for you!

Filing is a project I need to work on here as well. My last attempts at filing have been preempted by trying to juggle priorities of searching for a better job vs. organizing and taking care of the aftermath of the plumbing flood (both still in progress).

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yeah, it really says something about my lack of troubles when filing every paper in the house is the best thing I can think of to do with my time. :-) I guess we all go through periods where life is more challenging or complex and periods where it's just plain boring, and I'm evidently in "boring". Good luck with the job hunt and the flood reconstruction. Neither sounds overwhelmingly fun.