Cleaning Up My Act

Earlier today I received a message from my Norton Anti-virus Software that I was almost out of online back-up space (1.9 of 2 gigabytes had been used up).  I've had Norton protection for ??? years...so it came as a bit of a surprise.  My subscription turns over mid-March each year...so I found myself on the phone with a Norton Rep to see how to best (read: most cost-effectively) solve the "problem".  (I know...I could back up to a CD...but...)

I'm now equipped with an up-dated version of the software that has significantly more storage space and I won't have to renew it for 2 years and 36 days (i.e., it's been synchronized with my original contract date, to end in March 2018).

About that 'storage space'...when the Rep walked me through my files (i.e., what did I really want to back up online?)...they took up 23 of my new 25 gigs...OOPS!  So...it was time to get rid of some "stuff"!

I began with out-dated photos that I'd never use, removing 70+ photos/folders ("art inspirations", doncha know)...and then tackled my e-mail in-box.  

Yep.  I've cut the number of collected e-mails by over 75% -- which means that although I've reduced the e-mail storage by only 1%, I've reduced the overall download/back-up storage by a significant amount -- and that's just my "in" box.  Wait till I hit my "out" box!

I've owned a computer of some type since 1981 (!) and this is the first time I've ever done this sort of thing.  Undoubtedly, it won't be the last...and it feels good.

I regard it as "de-cluttering" in a part of my life that's pretty invisible most of the time; however, now that I'm more aware of it, I won't let it go for so long.

Just think, Gentle Readers...how much space could you save on your hard drive if you sorted just your e-mails (in-box) and photos?   In just an hour or two, you could feel lighter...and all you have to do is hit "delete" and "Empty Trash".  :-)

Spring Cleaning

That's what I've been up to, today. It's just the right weather for it: cloudy and cool, with a bit of a breeze, and the sun peeking tentatively through the clouds, as if it can't make up its mind. I finally kept my resolution to haul the vacuum cleaner out for a fairly thorough going over of all carpeted areas (I say 'fairly', because I didn't pull out much in the way of heavy furniture to get at the cat hair I'm certain lies behind it). Then I washed the kitchen and bathroom lino, vacuumed the potting residue off the outdoor carpet on the back stoop, and vacuumed and "Armor-alled' my car.

I was feeling rather down in the mouth beforehand, but all this re-org (including clearing out unwanted clothes from my closet) has made me feel considerably better, and I just might go for a walk to top it off. If one's going to be self-righteous, one might as well do the best job one can at it! :-)