stillmovingforward
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Post by stillmovingforward on Jan 5, 2014 21:03:02 GMT -5
I want to join in the fun finally! I have been a long time lurker and have been following this thread for quite a while. I have been decluttering for a while but need to get more done this year. I have a lot of projects on the 'back burner' as well.
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Jan 5, 2014 21:10:19 GMT -5
Great job saving 4 Norway!
I cleaned out 3ft by 18" box of gift boxes, bows, gift bags and wrapping paper from our x-mass storage area and another box maybee 24x8 that had lights etc in it. I consolidated the lights into open storage spAce in existing boxes. DH took tree down and got it back in box it came in. All X-mass decorations are under the stairs with room to spare. We had carpet installed in our "guest" bedroom on Dec 26th. This is an expansion of our living area with a walk in closet. I moved my wedding dress, all my dresses and Dd's full length first communion dress out of my closet to this closet. I emptied 2 shelves of toys that we previously decided to save and stored them away. DH will try to fit one shelf and some tools that were living in areas we will now repurpose to living area to our utility room. DH told me he will go through his clothes in MB closet. DS took 3 bags from his closet about a week ago.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Jan 5, 2014 22:22:22 GMT -5
I must be completely delusional bc I can't imagine that we have THAT much unwanted stuff that I would have garbage bags full.
That being said, every other week I do have plenty of regular, every day recycle stuff that goes out when the garbage man comes.
Also, I know that my husband has plenty of stuff that he wants to get rid of, but he doesn't have the time. But most of his stuff is in his space, so I am not getting involved.
I am trying to decide on where I should start my organization.
BTW, last year when I "joined" this thread for 5 minutes, I remembered that I have PW's book and journal. I promptly forgot that and now remembering it again. He starts the book with this idea that you have to decide what you are using the space for and organize accordingly and I am trying to figure out if I decided that yet.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jan 5, 2014 22:57:56 GMT -5
The second bathroom shelf is done! It went much faster than the first one because I'd learned a few tricks and only had one screw strip out. I'm still trying to figure out how everything will go but I think it's the right size for the bathroom.
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Jan 6, 2014 0:15:17 GMT -5
Today's projects: Finishing sewing the color guard flags I promised to help with back in August for Marching Band (they decided against using the flags, and said - no rush, we'll use them next year. Worst.thing.in.the.world.to.tell.me.)
- Finishing filling out the parent taught driver's education paperwork so oldest can take her driving test on Friday.
Laundry
DH's plans are the following: - Replace shocks in both vehicles.
- Change oil in Suburban
I'm done, I'm done!!! I finished the flags!! Yay!!! They've only been sitting on my kitchen table since August! Whew - those flags took 30 minutes each to finish - and that's after I had already done a little bit of sewing back in August. All in all, they took me about 7 hours to finish. I'm exhausted! And what did DH do? Not a darn thing. It was too cold outside to work on the vehicles (we're in Texas - didn't think it would be as cold as it currently is!), so him and the kids sat around watching an earlier season of the Walking Dead.
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FreeSalsa
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Post by FreeSalsa on Jan 6, 2014 0:21:15 GMT -5
Welcome, stillworking, and any other new declutterers!
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jan 6, 2014 0:22:07 GMT -5
I did PW's gift bags/paper challenge today. We don't have much wrapping paper, so that was good to go once I double checked it and put it back in the storage container. Gift bags are an entirely different story. I have baby gift bags coming out my ears - a few were trashed , and then I'm going to offer up to my moms group to see if anyone wants or needs any. After that, not sure what I'll do.
I also cleaned out another dresser drawer and one of my nightstand drawers. I just need to remind myself that slow, small steps are still forward progress.
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Jan 6, 2014 1:08:38 GMT -5
TCU can you elaborate on PW's gift bag/wrapping paper challenge? I have a lot of X-mass gift bags, but never seem to use them. My family's gifts are boxed and wrapped and nieces and nephews are teens and older now so we do GC's.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Jan 6, 2014 1:35:45 GMT -5
Today I joined the great masses who have put their Xmas stuff away . Am I the only one that is never really happy for having done so? I will be happy in a few days but for now I am just melancholy and sad that yet another holiday season is gone for good
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constanz22
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Post by constanz22 on Jan 6, 2014 7:39:30 GMT -5
TCU can you elaborate on PW's gift bag/wrapping paper challenge? I have a lot of X-mass gift bags, but never seem to use them. My family's gifts are boxed and wrapped and nieces and nephews are teens and older now so we do GC's. bean- if you are on Facebook, search Peter Walsh and "like" him. He is doing a 31 day declutter and posts a small task every day. Day 1 was a drawer, day 2 was sweaters, day 3 was under the bed, day 4 was luggage/tote bags, and day 5 was wrapping paper, bags, bows. They are all meant to be short tasks. Several of us are doing them!
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jan 6, 2014 8:50:12 GMT -5
TCU can you elaborate on PW's gift bag/wrapping paper challenge? I have a lot of X-mass gift bags, but never seem to use them. My family's gifts are boxed and wrapped and nieces and nephews are teens and older now so we do GC's. bean- if you are on Facebook, search Peter Walsh and "like" him. He is doing a 31 day declutter and posts a small task every day. Day 1 was a drawer, day 2 was sweaters, day 3 was under the bed, day 4 was luggage/tote bags, and day 5 was wrapping paper, bags, bows. They are all meant to be short tasks. Several of us are doing them! Yep, what constanz said. The gift wrap challenge was to gather up all of the gift wrap, bags, bows, etc. you have to one location and sort through it. Get rid of anything that is ugly, you don't like, or will just never use and only keep what you love/will use. And then put it all in one place.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Jan 6, 2014 9:17:55 GMT -5
My 4yo hates to get rid of anything. Broken off legs of the cheapest foam toys are things he loves and can't bear to part with. I feel like I'm going to give him a complex ferreting out broken or crappy toys when he isn't looking, but so far only one item has he missed and asked about. But we have been talking a lot about picking out stuff to donate and I asked him to try yesterday. He picked out a wooden abacas that he has never played with which is great. Except that it was dh's as a kid and he wants to keep it. Ds had a complete meltdown this morning that we weren't donating it and he'd have to pick something else. I'm half tempted to hide it away and tell him we did donate it since it really was progress for him to even pick that out.
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snapdragon
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Post by snapdragon on Jan 6, 2014 11:05:37 GMT -5
Well, I found a few more things to go in my donate pile so that is a plus. I just can't seem to get motivated to do much of anything. I have about 3 or 4 loads of laundry on the bed and I still have not folded or put anything away. My plan is to work on it this weekend...get some music going, rock out and do some picking up and tossing! And vacuum --- I really need to vacuum. My thrift stores take undergarments. But typically I just toss undies and donate bras. Vacuuming - done Laundry - done Dishes - done Starting donate pile --- getting there including shoes! I somehow ended up doing something to my home computer so I need to take it to my computer guy and have it fixed. I have to do bills first before I can even think about taking it in.
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chalupabatman
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Post by chalupabatman on Jan 6, 2014 11:49:31 GMT -5
* Pick up daughter's new bed from store and put it together* put new sheets and comforter on bed* Re-arrange daughter's room (they will be sharing) * Vacuum cob webs up by daughter's skylight* prep living room and toy room to be painted * paint living room and toy room * touch up ceilings and trim * Take down Christmas decorations * catch up on laundry * clean daughter's room* vacuum living room * vacuum daughter's room* take recycling out to garage* tidy up shoes by front entrance * empty garbage cans * clean kitchen counters * balance checkbook
* do dishes * clean kitchen * clear out dining room We didn't get as much as we wanted done this weekend. I worked on Saturday morning and went to a baby shower on Sunday which didn't help. Hopefully I can make up for it over the week. I did get rid of 36 more items (50 total). Sounds like everyone is making great progress! This thread is the best
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Jan 6, 2014 12:46:37 GMT -5
My 4yo hates to get rid of anything. Broken off legs of the cheapest foam toys are things he loves and can't bear to part with. I feel like I'm going to give him a complex ferreting out broken or crappy toys when he isn't looking, but so far only one item has he missed and asked about. But we have been talking a lot about picking out stuff to donate and I asked him to try yesterday. He picked out a wooden abacas that he has never played with which is great. Except that it was dh's as a kid and he wants to keep it. Ds had a complete meltdown this morning that we weren't donating it and he'd have to pick something else. I'm half tempted to hide it away and tell him we did donate it since it really was progress for him to even pick that out. Rae, he is likely a reincarnated depression-era soul Let him come to his own mind on this........maybe best when he asks for something new - tell him "there is no place for it. Is there something you can pass on to another little boy to make room for this?" That is definitely my goal. I figure when he grows up he can keep his house however he wants and I really don't want to pass on too many of my own issues to him. While still managing to keep the house in some semblance of order... We tried talking in general terms before christmas, that we had to find things to give away so there would be room for new toys, but I like the more specific route and maybe that would work better. I think I'll start talking about doing that with my/house stuff too, so he can see us going through that process and maybe internalize it as a neutral thing instead of it being such a negative.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Jan 6, 2014 12:49:39 GMT -5
I must be completely delusional bc I can't imagine that we have THAT much unwanted stuff that I would have garbage bag s full. You probably don't Lena. I know my SIL never has a lot of 'stuff' even though she shops all the time. I almost never see her make any kind of effort to purge, but she must do it just by instinct all the time.
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snapdragon
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Post by snapdragon on Jan 6, 2014 12:53:10 GMT -5
good luck with the computer, Snap! Nothing slows you down more than to be tech-deficient. Isn't that the truth! Hopefully I can get it in this week and have it by the weekend. I did some general budgeting and believe that I can swing it.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Jan 6, 2014 13:19:22 GMT -5
Rae, I don't know what's worse - my kid is VERY willing to give stuff away, but I think it's only bc he thinks that my IL's will just continuously supply him with new stuff. Which they have, but that's a story for another day. He also doesn't seem to care if something breaks, again, bc he thinks he'll just get a replacement.
I think my biggest area of getting rid of stuff is my outdated clothes that don't fit anymore. But like I said, for some reason, I just can't do it until I loose the weight. I think I need therapy
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aprilleigh
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Post by aprilleigh on Jan 6, 2014 14:41:05 GMT -5
I LOVE this thread! I started reading the last one last year as a way to pass the time at work... I'd get all motivated to do stuff at home, but I was just too tired by the time I got there! I ended up cleaning out my desk one day and found like $.64, so there's that! But, I had 5 days off in a row last week, and felt like I should really DO SOMETHING with the time off. I completely emptied and cleaned out my pantry, and applied some really sweet drawer liner to the walls, and it looks awesome! Yesterday I cleared out the "tupperware" cabinet and tossed 18 lids that had no container... don't know how that happened! I also found 2 complete sets of glass containers with the locking lids. I don't like that kind, so listed them on Craigslist and a Facebook selling site (thanks Constanz for that suggestion!!). I'm also doing the Peter Walsh daily tasks. I got rid of 6 sheet sets that were under our bed, and a hideous old suitcase. I really like how simple his tasks have been so far! So far I'm at 96 items tossed, or ready to donate. And I'm really excited to get my house in shape! Thanks for all the inspiration, everyone!
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stillmovingforward
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Post by stillmovingforward on Jan 6, 2014 15:22:53 GMT -5
I have today off so my list is: - clean out secretary/desk- only I use this and there should be nothing in it for anyone else
- clean out pet drawer- I have a new puppy but I am sure there are items in there that are no longer needed and I can pass on or get rid of
- go thru boxes from eldest daughter's room that she doesn't want. Sort into thrift store, garbage, and recycle. NO KEEPING ANYTHING
- sort thru drawers under the sofa
- walk the puppy
- do laundry- which includes sorting. I DON'T fold anyone's laundry but my own. I do put the kids laundry into their baskets for them to 'deal with'. I fold towels, etc
If I can get all that done today, I'll be thrilled! As I have to work the rest of the week.
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mizbear
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Post by mizbear on Jan 6, 2014 15:32:53 GMT -5
Well, my objective today is to stay warm- which keeps me from hurting. Momma Bear has a sinus migraine, and I a n excruciating joint pain. I was trying to slice a delicious Amish bockwurst to have for lunch with Naked Juice and my hands hurt so bad I couldn't hold the knife and fork. So, I have spent the bulk of my day drinking hot tea and bundled up I afghans and comforters. Mom has been sleeping with her sunglasses on.
I will get back to decluttering tomorrow even if I have to go buy hand warmers to wear around the house.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jan 6, 2014 15:59:56 GMT -5
Spent this morning putting together my personal planner for the year. I've decided to move back to paper because it was annoying to deal with on my phone. I put this on the back of one of my doors: I use it to hold gift wrap I use year round. It was expensive (around $70 at the container store) but I was able to install it myself. Now I don't have to dig through gift wrapping bins in the garage (which I typically didn't do anyway - I would just buy a roll of paper for whatever gifts I have.) It's also helping me use up my stock of gift wrap. Cleaned off a whole bunch of to do items on my desk. Love this! I need to go find that on the Container Store site and bookmark it. I absolutely want one of those.
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Waffle
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Post by Waffle on Jan 6, 2014 16:30:51 GMT -5
Anne - you're giftwrapping station looks great. Stillworking - welcome! Chalupabatman - don't feel bad that you didn't get your whole list done - it was a very ambitious list and you still managed to accomplish a lot.
Inspired by the frigid temperatures(because I needed to find my warm gloves and a hat) I tackled a closet shelf yesterday. I opened up a little plastic box thinking that I would find winter hats, and heavy gloves, but, no. I found 3 pairs of never worn jeans in it. They still had the tags on them. I had no idea they were there - I found the hats and scarves in another box. In the meantime - two of the jeans went straight to the donate pile - the other went into the sewing pile (they need to be hemmed).
One of these days - I'm going to get to the point where I don't have any more surprises like that (I hope)!
Today was my first day back to work after being off for about 2 1/2 weeks. I am exhausted! I will probably just go home and rest tonight.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jan 6, 2014 17:01:36 GMT -5
You put it together with the elfa system. The great thing is there is no drilling involved so it's very easy to install and move around. Hmmm...that elfa system that is 30% off right now....I think if may be purchasing the gift wrap setup this month.
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constanz22
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Post by constanz22 on Jan 6, 2014 17:33:11 GMT -5
I've had a horrible headache all day today, trying to get rid of it now, so, probably won't be doing anything tonight. If I feel better by bedtime, I will do the PW task of cleaning out the nightstand. It definitely needs it. I usually spend 30-60 minutes watching tv inn bed with the pups before I actually try to go to sleep, so will do some then if I can.
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plugginaway22
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Post by plugginaway22 on Jan 6, 2014 20:12:06 GMT -5
Day 6: back to work, home by 6:30pm Dug through the piles in garage and found the electric space heater in case we need it. Dried and folded a load of laundry I threw in last night. Loaded and now running the dishwasher. DH working late so I only had to fend for myself with a grilled ham and cheese sandwich that tasted delicious! Also, much less kitchen cleanup. That will be about it for today!
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Jan 6, 2014 21:02:12 GMT -5
Home from work and youngest step-daughter's basketball game - I'm exhausted and have no energy for organizing and/or decluttering.
So....I'm posting here instead. I do have daily organizational goals for myself:
Keep sweaters hung up (one of my previous clutter issues - I'd just throw on the dresser) - check! Keep dresser cleaned off (my biggest nemesis) - uh....don't look!! Keep shoes corralled - check! Keep hair bands and jewelry put away - check!
Now I'm off to get the youngest picked up - maybe I'll have energy when I get back.....
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Jan 6, 2014 23:40:01 GMT -5
Okay - I know this is "getting organized and decluttering" thread, but I just have to say, I'm organized for next Christmas with gift ideas already done for my friends!! Woohoo!! All of them love to cook and bake in some form or fashion - I'm going to make them homemade extracts (vanilla, orange, etc)! They'll love it - and, I'm organized for December! Not like this year - where I was still shopping well into December (I HATE that!!). Oh....and I did clean off my dresser! There are only 3 things left on it that do not belong there - and only because those items are waiting for a better home at the moment. They'll be gone soon!
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Jan 6, 2014 23:41:55 GMT -5
Hi Kids! I've had so much going on that I haven't told you what I've been up to.
First, I "liked" Peter Walsh on Facebook. I'm not going to do all of his tasks, but will do the ones that I can schedule in.
No school here today (or tomorrow) due to the "deep freeze" weather. Also, my dryer stopped drying clothes, so I had to get a repairman out today. But, between yesterday & today I managed to purge another 32 items, which means my total is 120.
A local veteran's charity was going to do a pick-up tomorrow, but, they got so many people that wanted to donate items, that I couldn't get on their list for another 3 weeks. I won't count those clothing items until they actually get removed from my house.
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chalupabatman
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Post by chalupabatman on Jan 7, 2014 0:33:33 GMT -5
Are schools are closed here again tomorrow as well. I don't think this has ever happened in my life time.
Today I washed and folded 3 loads of laundry. I did one load of dishes and cleaned underneath the kitchen sink. I packed up the ornaments and put most of the Christmas stuff away. Still need to take down the tree and put the skirt away and I will be done.
About a month ago I realized I had misplaced my eyeglasses, but figured they would turn up eventually. My eyes are not that bad and I can see without them, but everything would be sharper with them. A couple days ago I noticed that my sunglasses are missing. WTF! We searched EVERYWHERE and they are gone, and now I know my eyeglasses will not turn up either. I had been de-cluttering for a few months before the end of the year and I must have accidently thrown them away. I have no idea what I did with the sunglasses ( I wore them on Thursday). I am now out an obscene amount of money and am so mad at myself. Its as if I am walking around in a fog and not paying attention.
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