2016 Declutter and Get Organized Thread

[startsmart]

For those of you who want to get organized or simply declutter your space in 2016, this is the thread to do it! Join anytime and track whatever you need getting done. 

How does this work?
This is a group of WIR posters who are attempting to clean up, declutter, organize and simplify our lives. Since it's not always easy (or fun) we post our goals, lists, questions and successes here in the community. There are no hard rules - jump in and do what works for you and your home. Please don't post simply to lecture, mock or stir things up, we have no use for that b.s.

Basics for the thread:
1. Be encouraging to one another
2. Share your updates as often as you wish
3. You don't need to respond to other posters but it is a great way to participate and support each other
4. Feel free to track anything to stay motivated - phone calls to return, errands to run, some of our teachers track papers to grade - however there are dedicated threads for losing weight, saving money on groceries and eliminating debt so check those out if you want more in depth discussions
5. Remember when giving advice that we rarely know the whole story and this is not a place of judgment. Try not to take offense when others make suggestions to you and use the private message feature if you'd like something to remain private. You may always edit or delete a post but doing so will not remove quotes from other posters.

Why are some people posting numbers?
Some posters will be attempting to downsize a specific number of items. If you see a "count" this is probably what it's referring to - if you're not sure feel free to ask the original poster. It's not required or even necessary, do what works for you.

Tip! If you are tracking your items going out this year, create a "signature" like mine below by going to:
Profile and Settings - Select "edit profile" button on the right side of the page - Choose the "Personal" tab - Write in the "Signature" block and Save. Update with your count or goals as the year goes on!

Moderators: Please keep the 2015 thread live through Friday as some will continue to post there Thanks! 

[Jaguar]

WOO HOO !!!

[Ombud]

I'm not nearly as diligent as others but putting it in anyway. Hopefully to do in this order:

1. Find new PT job
2. Contractor: send list
3. Coit: Clean carpet, tile, heater vents, dryer vent
4. GS1's new room
5. Kitchen counters
6. Family room (find new sofa - flooring)
7. Landscape front yard

[Jaguar]

I'll be all over this thread, like butter on toast.

[Wisconsin Beth]

I'm moving to this thread because I REALLY want 2015 in my rear view mirror.

[NancysSummerSip]

We have a veterans' organization picking up stuff at our house 1-7-2016. Perfect for using this upcoming weekend to declutter! It's on top of my honey-do list!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I'd just like to add an option for those who might want to join our thread: 

I use this thread as a place to help me maintain my life organization regarding regular housework routines, our family's paperwork management, and my work task management. 

I love the camaraderie in this particular group of people. 

Happy New Year!

[Ombud]

Working on the 'Contractor's' list:

Hall bath
o Replace mirror, sink
o Remove light, install overhead fan with light
o Paint all including ceiling

Bedrooms
o Paint [inc ceiling in DD’s old room]
o Remove blinds and install new rods
o Office: light switch
o Move TV from GK's room to mine

Living room, hall: paint

Garage: chain latch on side door

Kitchen: oven screw missing

Side yard: nail up one board

I'm painting my family room inc contrast color behind bookshelves once I know what color I want. DS recently painted my bathroom, laundry, 1/2 bath so all I have to do is change out 1/2 bath mirror

[Deleted]

I have too much furniture in our "office." How much is too much?

• 6' bookcase #1 with books
• 6' bookcase #2 with books and other stuff
• two-drawer filing cabinet (Dh's) that serves as his printer stand
• 6' fold-up table that serves as his computer desk with chair
• 4' bookcase on wall next to door
• 4' computer stand that holds cable box, router, etc.
• 4' table that serves as my computer desk with chair
• parson's table that holds my actual computer
• four-drawer filing cabinet (mine) that serves as my printer stand

Quite simply, that is an incredible amount of furniture for one room.  It isn't even a large room.

My goals are to get rid of at least one of the bookcases; get a real computer desk and get rid of the table, the computer stand, and the parson's table, and maybe get rid of the 4' bookcase next to the door. 

I'm going to start by getting rid of the books on one of the bookcases.  That is tough for me as an English teacher. 

Wish me luck.

[debthaven]

Bama (strange not calling you Susannah lol) could you replace some of those items with fewer, bigger items? For example a bigger filing cabinet? 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Can some of the books go to your classroom? Or someone's classroom?

My sil teaches 5th grade and a couple of years ago she was scrounging for classroom books because her kids'reading levels varied from 2nd grade to college.

My mil got me a shelving unit for Christmas. It was on my list. I set it up in the small bathroom and no longer have sock bins on the floor. Woohoo.

[busymom]

Speaking of medicine, I went through our prescription bottles tonight, & threw out all of the old ones. In fact, I tore off the labels & had DH run them out to the dumpster, so Bad Boy Puppy wouldn't dig for them in the trash.

I love the new toilet that was installed today. But, it's making me realize that we really should replace the bathroom cabinet & sink, too. Things sure don't last like they used to!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

My vacation is over! I must buckle down tomorrow!!!
I didn't even go to the gym today. 
I need to update some of my daily, weekly, and monthly lists also. 
For the sake of being focused tomorrow, here are my regular lists: 

Morning (done by 9am): 
breakfast & coffee
Make bed
cardio
Floss
wipe down bathroom counter and sink
dresser cleaned off
clean out dishwasher
laundry rotation

afternoon
Zone chores: sweep/vacuum laundry room
laundry rotation


evening 
dinner
kitchen clean up
dinner prep for tomorrow
straighten up house
wash face
clothes for tomorrow
swizzles
desk cleaned off


This is my list of irregular tasks--except that some of them are "regular". I need to update some of my routine lists. 

. 
I'll try to copy and paste from the spreadsheet: 
Prune hydrangeas and rhododendrons (this is started, probably half-way done. We had a small break from the rain on Saturday, and we're waiting for another one.) 01/02/2016

January zone cleaning schedule 01/02/2016
Complete DD#1's FAFSA
Test #4 01/02/2016

Schedule lodging for Feb trip 01/08/2016

Update Costco list 01/12/2016

Test #5 01/02/2016

Sub plans for Jan 5 01/02/2016

fix eye-hook on green skirt 01/05/2016

Vacuum Cars 12/29/2015

Grading journals 01/02/2016

Lesson Plans week 17 01/02/2016

Purge 10 household items 01/02/2016

deposit DD#2's Check 01/02/2016

---

Well, I'm on pace for finishing my morning list by 10:00am. 

[debthaven]

If anybody is interested, Australian organising guru Peter Walsh is doing his 31 Days to get Organised challenge again this year (for the 3rd time?) You can follow him on FB or Youtube. Sometimes people also post the challenges here if others are interested. 

He works on different areas in the house (sometimes including car and garden) and asks people to spend even just 15 min on each daily "challenge". I find him really entertaining too. :-)

Like many of you, we have SO many books. I have always refused to put our books in another room but if DH is going to clean out his night table / overflow basket I've decided he will have to put them on the shelves in DS2's room for now. Those books can move down to DS1's basement bedroom after DS1 moves out. I don't see another solution, since DH refuses to get rid of books. 

ETA: Chloe what are swizzles?

[dogmom]

Hi.


No time like the present.    I'm on board. 


Happy Beginning of a New Year.

ETA:  Task one:  Main Bath.

Deep cleaning.  (Pick EVERYTHING up, Scrub, Throw away the un necessary)

This is my plan for today.

[WholeLottaNothin]

I'm in again for this year. I've updated my goals in my signature. Happy 2016 everyone!

[Wisconsin Beth]

I'm not sure what cleaning will happen today. I'm hauling the kids 75 minutes each way to eat at olive garden. The important part is that it's with their much older cousins, several of whom live by this og.

[Jaguar]

I just went through all my old prescription papers and threw out a whole bunch of old ones. Less clutter, happy mind and soul.

[Ombud]

I'm not counting this year. Not after opening the door to DD's old room. I don't know if it can be painted as there's holes all over and part of wall board missing. Waiting for contractor to get back to me. Kids rooms have dirty walls but no holes. Her BF was a slob!! And I've lived with a destructive ex .... this guy's worse.

Reorganizing kitchen once my hang over subsides. Decided it doesn't work for me ....

Out for a long walk and to pick up 4 sets of drapes (all bedroom) first

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

debthaven, swizzles are our household currency. I never wanted the girls to lose literal cash, so I made our own out of card stock. It was something I saw from a family friend when I was a teenager. 

Although, DD#1 turns 18 on Sunday, so we've decided that she's graduating to cash now. 
DD#2 is far more responsible than DD#1, so I may just move her to cash now even though she is only 13 (turns 14 on Jan 21). 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 1, 2016 12:40:09 GMT -5 Ombud said:

I'm not counting this year. Not after opening the door to DD's old room. I don't know if it can be painted as there's holes all over and part of wall board missing. Waiting for contractor to get back to me. Kids rooms have dirty walls but no holes. Her BF was a slob!! And I've lived with a destructive ex .... this guy's worse.

Reorganizing kitchen once my hang over subsides. Decided it doesn't work for me ....

Out for a long walk and to pick up 4 sets of drapes (all bedroom) first

I'm so sorry. 

[Deleted]

Hi guys  I'm going to be in this year to try to stay on track. I love the flylady schedule for doing the zones of the house in 5 week cycles. I'm going to try to do that. I'd also like to redo my bedroom this spring. Paint, new closet doors, put the closet organizer in and new bedding of course. There is more I would like to do but if I succeed at that I will be very happy.

Today and tomorrow I should do the entrance, front porch and dining room. The entrance is going to be the most fun since it has the entrance closet. I'm going to settle for just tidying that up today. Tomorrow I will wipe down the baseboards and door trims etc.

I'm also painting TG's room this weekend, she moves in Monday. I have leftover light blue paint that will really lighten the room up.

[kjto1]

Jan 1, 2016 12:40:09 GMT -5 Ombud said:

I'm not counting this year. Not after opening the door to DD's old room. I don't know if it can be painted as there's holes all over and part of wall board missing. Waiting for contractor to get back to me. Kids rooms have dirty walls but no holes. Her BF was a slob!! And I've lived with a destructive ex .... this guy's worse.

Reorganizing kitchen once my hang over subsides. Decided it doesn't work for me ....

Out for a long walk and to pick up 4 sets of drapes (all bedroom) first

I didn't realize she had closed on her place and moved out!  Congratulations!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 1, 2016 12:46:10 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Hi guys  I'm going to be in this year to try to stay on track. I love the flylady schedule for doing the zones of the house in 5 week cycles. I'm going to try to do that. I'd also like to redo my bedroom this spring. Paint, new closet doors, put the closet organizer in and new bedding of course. There is more I would like to do but if I succeed at that I will be very happy.

Today and tomorrow I should do the entrance, front porch and dining room. The entrance is going to be the most fun since it has the entrance closet. I'm going to settle for just tidying that up today. Tomorrow I will wipe down the baseboards and door trims etc.

I'm also painting TG's room this weekend, she moves in Monday. I have leftover light blue paint that will really lighten the room up.

I follow the zone cleaning plan also. 

[busymom]

Happy New Year Kids!

I'm glad we've got so many familiar faces continuing the journey here, and a big welcome to everyone new who will be posting with us!

DH is actually off of work today (that rarely happens on a holiday), so we're going to make a quick trip down to Mom's house, & he's going to help me with the stuff that I'm too short to deal with.  (He'll probably be sorry he's off.)   

Catch you later!

[kjto1]

Well, the weekend before Halloween, DH and I went out of town for 4 days, and came back to a flooded house.  A pipe under the kitchen sink broke.  It also flooded about 1/3 of the basement - which is mostly unfinished and used for storage.  We lost some pics and books, and some general cr@p.  As of today, my stove is in the garage, the fridge is in the basement, and the tiler is here working on the tile in the kitchen and dining room.  He should be finished on Tuesday.  On Thursday, the carpet people come.  Hopefully they will be done by Friday.  We are waiting for the counter top to be made and installed, then DH can do the backsplash in the kitchen.  Then the new appliances can be delivered.  We moved in March of 2014.  (it's a ranch with basement) now we are packing up the whole first floor (since we are replacing all of the carpet).  Ugh. 

Fortunately, in August and September, I had gone through the kitchen and pitched some old canned goods and old spices.  So the load was lightened!  And, while packing up the kitchen in November, I decided that we had a lot of bowls and kitchen stuff.  Since we got new kitchen cabinets (designed differently than before), DH and I need to assess the excess!  DH and I don't want the cabinets as full as they were.

I'm not going to count items, but I am going to try to set a goal of 1 trash bag per week out of the house.  whether trash or donation.  I want old family photos out of the house.  I think I am ready to pitch my high school year books (I am 50 y.o. and went to 1 class reunion - I only keep in touch with one of them).  I have one laundry basket full of papers to shred - need to find a place where I can get it done.

Thanks for listening!

[moneysquirrel]

Hi all,
    I have been active on the NSD/CSD thread since the MSN days but have lurked on this one since the beginning.  Decided that this year I will join you.  My list for the next few days is looks overwhelming  but most of the items are doable:


January 1-3:
    School:
        Test 1 for 7th
        Test 2 for 7th
        Rubric for 7th Project -- can wait if need be
        Rubric for 6th Project -- can wait if need be
        Rubric for 5th Project -- can wait if need be
        January Lesson Plans
        Add Information to Assignment Web Site -- can wait if need be
        Fix new calendar/appointment book with class rotation/activities
        Lessons for this week
House:
        Clean out fridge
        Clean out old makeup/medicines
        Clear off flat areas in kitchen, craft room, bedroom
        Put away Christmas Items -- Nutcrackers, Nativity, Linens
        Clean and Mop Kitchen
        Clean and Mop Bath
Finances:
        Recheck 2016 Spreadsheet -- set up a while back and need to update numbers.
        Taxes
Crafts:
        Crochet at least 4 rows on afghan
        Finish one stringing project
        Start one new beading project
Errands:
        Post Office
        Grocery Run -- need to get list and coupons together

As you can tell I did not touch most of the school work this holiday and we return on Monday.  So I will need to get some of that done this weekend. 

Looking forward to working with you.

[dogmom]

Jan 1, 2016 7:00:55 GMT -5 dogmom said:

Hi.


No time like the present.    I'm on board. 


Happy Beginning of a New Year.

ETA:  Task one:  Main Bath.

Deep cleaning.  (Pick EVERYTHING up, Scrub, Throw away the un necessary)

This is my plan for today.

Last post for today.    Main Bath scrubbed.  I'm not doing an "official" count, but 28 small items have left the building.  .  Yes, there was that much.    I think I understand how zone cleaning works, but, today I wanted to at least get a couple areas CLEAN and, yes, a bit less cluttered.  The other CLEAN was one cabinet in the kitchen.  You know, the one with all the storage containers .  One cabinet, YEA, done! 

[plugginaway22]

I am committed to getting back in action here!
Took several months 'off' but always kept reading. You regulars have gotten lots accomplished!

As a reminder, DH and I are mid-50s, empty-nesters with a 4 bedroom house we raised 3 kids in for the past 20 years.  We are very SLOWLY cleaning things out and remodeling with the thought that we will down-size in a few years. All 3 kids are not in 'forever' places, which just means they have no storage and no inclination to take things they say they want to keep!  So DH says we are the free storage units for them.  We also have a large open storage space over the 2 car garage that is packed with 'stuff'. I have never even gotten rid of their baby furniture up in that attic.

I will continue to post and be motivated by all that gets posted and checked off everyone else's lists!

[Ombud]

Hi moneysquirrel, I remember you from b4!!

Kitchen done. She left a lot. Counters full but I'll give to charity truck if she dn pick up