2013 Declutter & Organize Thread[{locked}]

[sbcalimom]

Debt - so sorry!

I'm feeling ambitious this weekend so here's my list:
Laundry
Finish misc. living room boxes (2)
Clean counter
Pick up master
Pick up girls' room
Craigslist stuff - bike, stroller, music table
Find DD1's 5T clothes and put too short stuff away
Get rid of DD2s 12 mo and under clothes
Blog posts for girls
Office - outside goal probably not going to happen.

This i all of course in addition to teaching, working, and hanging out with girls .

[redruby]

- start tax organization
- spend one hour with DS playing sky landers
- DD2 basketball game
- DD3 toy time.
- grade three sets of papers
- plan attack on bath update step by step

[constanz22]

Adding 2 to my total for tonight. I threw out the diffuser from my hairdryer cuz it was broken, falls off constantly when I'm trying to dry my hair, and breaks more every time it falls on the floor. AND I had a brand new hair dryer, with diffuser, in my stockpile closet, so, I didn't even have to go buy one. Bonus! Oh, and the second item was the BOX from the new dryer. Already thrown in recycling. I have major box issues and tend to keep boxes from every dang thing I ever buy. Last summer I borrowed my Dad's truck to work on the basement and garage and it was half filled with empty boxes...yeah, so, getting rid of that box immediately was a HUGE accomplishment for me! LOL!

42/2013

And now I'm going to bed cuz I'm starting to feel a cold coming on

[grits]

Awww the dryer box could have become a playhouse for a child.

[startsmart]

Waffle - its more accurate to say 6 shelves one tall cabinet, three shelves on top are painted, put down the contact paper and then refilled. I still need to finish the door hardware and rehang that door.

On the bottom 3 shelves I've painted most of it but need to replace the shelf that was falling down so I'm taking it to Home Depot tomorrow for a new shelf. I think Dad will need to replace it when he gets here next weekend but I can have it cut and painted.

Debt- I'm so sorry you're having such a challenging time with DH, I fear I'm going through the same thing when my parents pass on. Of course my 92-yo grandma is a huge hoarder and saves a ton of antiques. Cars. Dolls. Lace. Books. Clothes. Memorabilia.

Tonight I'm planning to move the tall bookshelves to the living room from the guest room. Still sorting the things that will be going back into the bathroom. Lots of candles, hair stuff and towels. And I really need to put those DVDs on amazon!

update- I emptied the guest room! Managed to tear up the skin on my ankle too I'm working tonight to cover the closet with plastic and the floor with drop cloths. With some luck I'll be able to finish scraping, patching and sanding the ceiling on Saturday and can pick up paint for Sunday. I have a ton of business work to do but this should provide a nice break!

Right now my spare queen mattress set is in the living room too. I'm thinking of having a sleepover tonight lol

It will be sooooo nice to have the guest room done so I can focus on fixing up the floors and replacing lights.

[constanz22]

Jan 11, 2013 21:46:46 GMT -5 grits said:

Awww the dryer box could have become a playhouse for a child.

Well that would have to be a REALLY small child since I said it was a HAIR dryer box. LOL

[constanz22]

Today's list:
Pay bills-done
Vacuum living room- done
Clean off kitchen island- mostly done
Put away stuff in bathroom (dad had to move stuff out of cabinet to fix drain for me and the stuff is still on floor)-done
Clean doggie nose prints off front window-done
Unload dishwasher-done and reloaded
Work on cans and bottles in garage
Spend 15 minutes cleaning/organizing in stockpile room

ETA: completed tasks...pretty happy that I just busted it out and got most of my list done in about an hour and even did a few things not on the list
Changed throws on LR furniture and vacuumed sofa
Picked up some more paper clutter and put in recycling
Made bed
Threw out some old stuff from the fridge
I started to do the stockpile room but I'm at a loss. My shelves are full and I have tubs and bags full of stuff but no where to unpack and put away. Thinking about options. I did find a bit more room under the bathroom cabinet when I was putting that stuff away, so was able to put some of my shampoo stockpile under there.

I noticed a couple random Christmas items still sitting on the dining room table. Finding a home for them today is getting added to the list. I'm waiting til a little later to work on cans and bottles. The garage is still a little cold, but it's supposed to be mid 50's later so should warm up enough to do it.

[Saving4Norway]

Jan 11, 2013 21:46:46 GMT -5 grits said:

Awww the dryer box could have become a playhouse for a child.

It was a hair dryer. Most kids don't come that small. ;D

ETA: You can see I don't read ahead before I post.

What does "ETA" stand for anyway??

[startsmart]

Lol Norway - it means "edited to add"

[Saving4Norway]

OMG constanzz you are rockin' it this morning!!!! Way to go, girl! When I recharge I'm definitely sending you a Karma.

If collecting boxes is a past downfall of yours I'm double-proud of you for recognizing that, and being sure to toss the hair dryer box ASAP. Keep up your amazingly good work today!

[Saving4Norway]

Jan 12, 2013 11:09:32 GMT -5 startsmart said:

Lol Norway - it means "edited to add"

I figured that ETA is EAT but with dessert before the main course. ;D Get it?? Hahahahaha laughing at my witty self.

[Saving4Norway]

OK, enough goofin' around, Norway. Get down to business.

To do today:

* Community garden meeting at church at 9am
* Make a monster pot of spaghetti sauce
* Make a monster pot of sausage & black bean soup
* Do load of light delicates
* Vacuum puppy area (comes home on Thursday!!!)
* Danish Sisterhood meeting at 7pm
* Talk to DH about next Sat's hockey game
* Sprinkle spicy go-away flakes in flowerbeds to get the %&$^* neighborhood cats to go do their business in their OWN yards!

I think that's a good list to start with today. I'm sure I'll add more later.

[startsmart]

Okay in lieu of tearing up the guest room yesterday I'm revising my list(s) so I know what needs to happen before my parents arrive next Friday.

This Week:
Sand the ENTIRE guest room ceiling until it's smooth
Patch rough spots on the ceiling
Sand again
Dust off the fan, the ceiling, walls
Take down the AC vent and clean it (repaint or replace)
Buy 2 gallons of ceiling paint at Home Depot
Pick up a new vent so I can...
Replace the AC vent in the main bathroom
Buy a new MDF shelf to replace the bathroom shelf that's broken
Paint the guest room ceiling - half done
Touch up blue wall paint
Clean the fan blades
Clean up the drop cloths
Steam clean the guest room carpet 100%
Clean the guest room blinds
Wash the window
Re-hang the blinds
Rotate the guest room bed frame
Move in the bookshelves and restock
Move in the file cabinet
Wash the curtains
Rehang the curtains
Rehang the lights
Bring in the mattresses and remake the bed
Rehang the pictures and mirror

THEN I can:
Catch up on laundry
Sort box of clothes in the guest room (donate/consign/keep)
Call consignment shop to find out what season they're taking
Go through hallway and consign 3 jackets/vests
Iron and hang up clothes going to consignment
Add 10 DVDs to trade-in on Amazon
Finish sanding and spray painting bench "arms"
Flip bench frame and sand/spray paint the bottom bars
Re-hang cabinet doors in the bathroom - halfway done
Paint 5 more cabinets in the bathroom and add vinyl
Replace the last shelf in the bathroom cabinet - paint and add vinyl
Find all pictures (closets, baskets) and do a major sort
Send all family pictures home with Mom
Organize my photos into scanned/not scanned
Check my stock of paint leftover from projects and find a better way to store it in smaller cans
Trade in books in Sacramento

SLEEP

[constanz22]

Well, I ran out of steam this afternoon, but not too upset since I was pretty productive this morning. I'm moving the sorting of the cans and bottles to tomorrow. Never got down to work in the garage and it's getting cold now.

I still may try to do a 15 minute session in the stockpile room after dinner, if not, that will move to tomorrow's list too.

I did 2 loads of laundry (bedding) also not on the list today.

[jenpen]

Awesome job both planning and getting things done around here the past few days Good job and bunches of K to people!

I've got a whopping deadline at work on Tuesday, and have been putting in 10-12 hr days the last few days. I was planning to work from home all day today, but I've been sick (I think with the flu) pretty much since Thanksgiving -- I first got sick that weekend, still had a bad cough 4 wks later, then got re-infected visiting family over x-mas. At least the fever-achy part happened over new year's, so I didn't have to use sick leave. I was so congested last night I couldn't sleep, and ended up getting up at 4:30 this morning. I'm useless when I'm this tired, so I'm not working on work stuff or home stuff. In fact, I'm still in my pajamas at 3:30 in the afternoon I'm going to DBF's for dinner, so I WILL take a shower and get dressed at some point this afternoon! I have been cleaning up after myself so my house isn't a disaster area, but no special projects going on here, probably till after Tuesday.

[jenpen]

Argh - DBF just called to tell me his son, who he was supposed to have today and tomorrow, is also sick. So dinner is off. I can NOT stay in this house all day! I'm going to go change right now, go for at least a 30 minute walk, and then shower and color my hair. I wanted to get my hair done last weekend, and never got around to it, so at least that'll be something to cross off my to-do list.

Oh, I've been thinking about it the past few days, and I'm going to try the 2013 in 2013 challenge, too. I'll be surprised if I actually succeed, but we'll see. My home has become more cluttered the past few years than what I'm used to--it was easier to not accumulate things when I used to move once a year. Now that I've been in my home almost 9 years it is harder. Luckily, I don't have a basement or an accessible attic, so there's not a lot of dark holes for me to store things away in and then forget about them. My spare bedroom, however--with its full wall of closets--definitely has too much stuff in it. It'll be a good place to start, anyway.

[dogmom]

Wow, all of you have been on FIRE!

Debt, DH and I have been married for 30 years, and I believe your DH and mine are lost brothers. No kidding. But, I've learned to choose my battles. Sometimes I win, sometimes, not so much. You're a very smart woman, I'm confident you'll find balance. It's tough, but, you will. I sent you Karma.

Saving, Okay, I want pictures and stories about your fur child. Congratulations!! You've also been sent Karma for all you're working on and have accomplished.

Smart, You're next. You always amaze me.

Constanz, YEA. Nothing against stockpiling, but, some items I really doubt I'll have to "buy" in quite some time. Coupons have been great, but, I'm out of space. I'm working on bringing things down to a minimum.

Beth, Ya know, Packers could have helped the Bears a little. But, Karma for the great changes!

I will catch up on accomplishment Karma's for everyone else, I promise. Reading all of your posts really is kicking my butt....

As for me, let's see. I've been a bit absent since before the holidays....got sick, am feeling better now. I do like the 2013 things in 2013. Doing the math, that's about six things per day. If it weren't for DH, I think I could get that done in maybe six months. But, since I still want him around, I just have to be more productive. I can do that. Wrapping your head around 2013 things at once, can be a bit daunting. So, I'll take today.

Bed stripped, mattress flipped and sprayed. New Linens put on.
One Lysol can, done, out. The last of the linens are in the dryer.

My project today was clean out under the kitchen sink. What an UGLY task. Everything OUT, inside of cabinet scrubbed, spare piece of linoleum from a bathroom updated a while ago and stored, cut and placed, cleaning supplies sorted, combined (if possible), eight extra empty bottles cleaned and in recycling. I've started a list of DO NOT BUY. So, out of the house, today, 9/2013. Without much effort.

I do have a donation bag started, but it doesn't get counted until it's out of the house....I started a few days ago....

[redwagon]

I dusted! Parents are here for the weekend so not much else will get done. Nice to have other people hold the babies for a while, though!

I also shed 5.6 pounds. I know that doesn't really count but I'm pretty psyched about it!

[startsmart]

Whew. Cleaned up the dust from my hair and skin and now I can go out in public lol!

Taking a drive for veggies at the co-op a few basic things at Wal mart and the supplies I need at home depot. Maybe, just maybe I can get the ceiling started on paint tonight!

I'm listened to a new book on CD while I work so that's keeping me motivated to get back to work. I tried watching a movie on the oldtv but the VHS player seems to be broken. It may be time to drop that off at goodwill and see if anyone can fix it or use for just a tv (I don't have cable so it's useless to me as a tv).

I love reading what everyone is working on!

if you're attempting the 2013 things challenge try doing "50 by
Friday" - just like it says, focus on 50 things you can do by next Friday this week. And, if it helps count things that need to be fixed like using WD-40 on a sticky hinge or repairing a hole in your jeans. Also, one way to really clean out old stuff is finding stale or past due food that needs to be tossed. While you're looking pick out a few things to donate to the food bank if your family won't eat it before it goes bad.

[Ombud]

Jan 11, 2013 19:58:59 GMT -5 redruby said:

- start tax organization

Yeah, if I start compiling Mom's tax info now it should be done by the time we can start filing taxes end of January. Hers have to be done before anyone else's. Huge job. Not even sure where everything is. OMG. 90 yrs of stuff -mostly trash- with a dz car loads to goodwill tossed in with tax papers throughout. And eldest sis is positive that it's all worth cleaning / repacking / saving

Startsmart, had to chuckle when you added 'sleep.' You'll never sleep with that list!

[Deleted]

I'm REALLY embarrassed to be posting again so soon but in a sense I feel if I don't do it now, it will only get harder.

Although I went to bed angry and hurt and alone, and it is still pretty much the Cold War here, I woke up to a HUGE pile of ashes in the fireplace. There are piles and boxes all over DS1's bedroom (the room next door to the storage room). I don't like that but I haven't said anything about it. Like Dogmom wisely said, I have to choose my battles.

So it looks like despite his total freakout last night, and lashing out at me, DH has been carrying on with the decluttering. He also showed me one of the boxes I gave him, with our correspondence in it. Turns out he didn't burn any of it. I still don't like his reaction, but again, I have to go with the fact that for him, actions often speak louder than words.

Thanks so much for all your support. I will keep posting but I think I'd better be more low-key about any progress in the basement.

Just needed to say that, please carry on.

ETA: I'm behind on K but I will try to catch up! Also, our best friends picked up those old National Geographics today for their 12YO son, so DH was happy about them "going to a good home".

[moosmommy]

I did four loads of laundry today need to put away still. 69 items added to my 2013 challenge. So my total is 81.

[Ombud]

Debt, those National Geographic will help the 12yo illustrate his reports. Hugs

Startsmart, tried to sell 3 boxes of books but 1/2 Price only pd $6. Next time I'll donate to a nursing home

[startsmart]

Ombud - if it's the half price books in downtown concord they never pay well! I usually donate magazines to a nursing home and books that don't sell to the library.

Debt - are there other areas of the house you can focus on outside the basement? I keep trying to get my parents to work on one little space and keep it clean. My theory is that of they enjoy a clean bathroom where everything is always put away and organized then it could spillover to the next area.

Errands - back from errands finally! I don't really want to get dirty again with sanding but it's necessary to get this project finished. I bought the MDF but didn't get it cut down since there was a long line, my dad will have to work on that when he gets here. The good news is I have half a gallon of bathroom paint so I'm going to finish the bathroom ceilings soon too!

[Deleted]

Debt - are there other areas of the house you can focus on outside the basement?

Start, frankly, no, the rest of the house is in VERY good shape! We do have too many books they are all neatly on shelves.

I can't function if things aren't uncluttered, so for all these years, my "compromise" has been do what you want in the basement, but leave the upstairs uncluttered. DH has (basically) respected that. Now that I work out of our DR, it's even more important to me, but again, he has always basically respected that. Generally DS3 (MS) and I "split" the DR table in half and work together in companionable silence.

The ONLY other thing I could focus on (besides the books but I know that topic is anathema) is that DH has 2/3 of our master bedroom closet space (not in the bedroom, but on the landing immediately outside the bedroom.) Our house is old and not well-insulated. So, since he packs things up so tightly on his shelves, his clothes get moldy. I have 1/3 of the closet space, yet my clothes are all fine. I have a "one in - one out" rule.

I have explained to DH that his clothes are too tightly packed on his shelves, against the back (badly insulated) wall, and that's why they get moldy. And that he doesn't need to keep all his t-shirts from HS (he's 56!!!) On some level, he "knows", but like with the basement, he can't help it.

But changing the focus from the overstuffed basement to those overstuffed / moldy clothes doesn't seem like a great idea at this point in time, there is enough conflict already.

And if his clothes all get moldy because he is "hoarding" them, as long as mine don't, that's his problem, not mine.

I wish I could feel the same way about the basement, but he has too much of it, and DS1's bedroom is next door, and it is a fire hazard. It NEEDS to be cut back, and I don't think expecting him to do it after living with it for 13 years is too much.

[Deleted]

Ombud, thanks! You know what? I used to think the same, but now, it's just easier to find it all on the internet. I am guessing that their son will see these mags were from WAY before he was born, spend an afternoon or two looking through them, and never look at them again.

[Ombud]

Then he can recycle them. Hate to admit it but I also have a stack of National Geographic from 89-93 just collecting dust

[startsmart]

My dad collected national geographic my entire childhood! After awhile they would just go straight onto a shelf without opening a wrapper. One year I bought him a DVD-rom set of 100 years of NatGeo issues and he finally gave all of the old issues to a school teacher (my brother's girlfriend).

Got a little bit of the bathroom ceiling painted but I need to get out the roller tomorrow.

I'm so easily distracted though.... Started cleaning the dishes, then the stove, the used the magic eraser on the oven door, the started scrubbing the kitchen floor with a magic eraser...

[Saving4Norway]

Hi. My name is Saving and I'm a National Geographic collector.

[dogmom]

My hopeful list for today:

Change slipcovers (again), dust and vacuum living room.
Sort the basket of misc papers that is sitting on a shelf in the entertainment center.
Scrub bathroom (include change shower curtain and window curtain)
wash hall floor
get a haircut (ETA) Going to put this off...it's cold outside (my car has 1/4" ice on it!....going to spend time defrosting it), and I haven't decided on a new style yet.
Pre-make some meals for next week. Using up some pantry items.

I went shoe shopping yesterday, I threw away one pair of tennies that were in really bad shape (but were my favorites) but need to get rid of another couple pair. 10/2012.. I've been reading the "frump" thread and I am falling deeply into frump.

Debt, would it be possible to launder the t-shirts and put them in a container of some sort? It would keep them maybe a little more organized and keep them from getting moldy?